So, here are the results of our enthusiastic exploration of our skills:
“In the end, we can’t escape the constraints of our professions.”
While everyone seemed to enjoy experimenting with their skills, I tried to use “Destruction Beam” because I wanted to shoot beams like everyone else, but it summoned a laser pointer, and now I’m feeling down.
Other interesting results include Hagasaki-kun’s skill “Nibelheim” summoning shaved ice, Kadomi-kun’s “Glorious Blade” making it easier to cut pumpkins, and Hariu’s “Shadow Passage” increasing movement speed in the shade by 1.15 times.
In the end, it seems that even when we gain new skills, they don’t always work properly.
For example, Suzumoto couldn’t use “Ice Magic” from his sword no matter how hard he tried (though it’s better than my attempt).
Katori’s skills usually end up related to mechs (better than mine), and Hagasaki-kun couldn’t do much with “Slash” or “Glorious Blade” except make ice swords move around (better than mine).
Still, I can now create ice without relying on my maid dolls, and I’ve improved my knife skills to the point where I don’t need a food processor anymore.
I’m planning to make various dishes, like twisted plum carrot stew. Hehe, fun!
Most importantly, I’m delighted to have finally gained proper healing skills.
Well, I can’t beat a real healer, but it’s a start.
Apparently, I have an aptitude for recovery magic, following Kariya, Hagasaki-kun, Katori, and President.
Well, it’s also part of a maid’s job, including nursing… Wait, isn’t that a nurse’s job?
Returning home, the first thing I did was prepare dinner.
It seems that some people are starting to recover, but I didn’t see anyone cooking, so I decided to take on the task.
It’s within my job description, whether it’s for nine people or three hundred. Yes.
But wow, it’s so fast!
Peeling, cutting, chopping – all the knife actions are completed in an instant!
Oh, it has really become much easier all of a sudden!
I can cook for three hundred people without any problems now!
What a wonderful skill!
Today’s dinner is deer stew.
You see, when you’re cooking for a large group, stew is quite convenient.
You start by making a large amount of stock from aromatic vegetables and bones, then simmer a substantial quantity of vegetables and meat in it. You add brown roux, sautéed with butter, and tomatoes to the mix, adjusting the flavor before letting it simmer again.
By the way, using President’s “Extraction” skill to make the stock took only an instant. What a wonderful skill!
Then, I prepared salads with leafy greens and pumpkin.
The pumpkin salad consisted of steamed pumpkin mixed with chopped hard-boiled eggs and finely minced onions soaked in water, seasoned with mayonnaise and salt. I didn’t add nuts or sliced almonds this time because I was concerned about allergies, but they make a delicious addition.
Also, some people may enjoy adding raisins.
As for the main course, I provided both rice and bread.
Oh, this perfectly depleted our bread stock again. I’ll have to bake more tonight.
As expected, we ran out of meat, so everyone had to go out and fetch some.
The deer population in this world might be in danger of extinction soon.
Well, if they do go extinct, it’s probably fine since monsters will respawn, most likely.
Then, thanks to the multitasking conveyor system of the maid dolls, the meal distribution went smoothly.
It’s truly a sight to behold.
Lately, the maid dolls have been doing an exceptionally good job. I wonder why?
Maybe they genuinely enjoy working; after all, they are maids.
Finally, we all enjoyed our meal.
I feel a bit sorry for the others, but our dinner included peach sorbet as dessert.
Yes, that’s right—ice magic. What can I say?
Even Hagasaki-kun’s signature move, “Ice Wall,” transforms into a cooking spell in my hands.
It’s more like, “What have you done?” rather than “What a surprise!”
Hagasaki-kun looked at me with an indescribable expression when I shouted, “Ice Wall!” at the peach puree.
It wasn’t meant to be a spectacle!
After finishing dinner, I had the maid dolls knead the bread dough and began the fermentation process.
I’m going to use almost all of our wheat supply for making bread. Maybe we’ll have bread for breakfast tomorrow.
While waiting for the dough to ferment, we held another strategy meeting.
“I still think it’s going to be difficult to keep fighting the Origin without ‘Sharing’ from now on. What do you all think?”
Even though our skills have become incredible, it’s still not safe to cross dangerous bridges. What’s next? Level 64? And after that, 128? If we keep fighting every single one of them, we might run into something catastrophic. Let’s not do that.
“Well, now that we can ‘Share’ with each other, we can each have one, right?”
I didn’t want to do this, but yeah, I’ll give in.
I’ve come to accept that they’re important to me, just as I am to them.
It’s scary, you know? I’m not afraid to give, but I’m very afraid to receive.
I’m not sure I’m capable of living up to that responsibility. However, I can’t be disposed of as easily now.
A long time ago, I had a thought: if I were to die, it would be better to go first, so I wouldn’t have to experience the pain of losing someone else. But now, with all these skills crammed into the dog tags, I can’t afford to think like that anymore.
What I receive is incredibly heavy.
“Okay, let’s give it a try.”
Everyone except me stared down the Origin in front of them.
“Alright, on three. One, two…”
“‘Share’… Huh?”
Ignoring Hariu’s countdown, Kadomi attempted to headbutt the Origin but then tilted his head in confusion.
“Has something changed?”
Certainly, he activated ‘Sharing,’ but the Origin’s appearance didn’t seem to have changed significantly.
Ignoring Kadomi-kun’s disregard for the countdown, Hariu also attempted a headbutt on the Origin and, like Kadomi-kun, didn’t seem to notice any significant changes. Afterward, everyone crazily headbutted the floating orbs in the air and then tilted their heads in confusion. It turned out that ‘Sharing’ with the Origin was something only I could do.
“What should we do now?”
“I’m baffled. I thought we could all do it.”
Everyone slumped and looked dejected.
But, well, there’s no use moping around like this.
“Hey, I’ll try ‘Sharing’ again. I’ll try to ‘Share’ with the mannequin that appeared earlier.”
“Are you sure that’s safe?”
Kariya looked worried, but in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t make much difference whether I’m moping or trying again.
“Of course. We just need to cooperate. But, regardless, let’s save this for tomorrow. We’ve had enough for today. Both you and Hagasaki-kun must be exhausted.”
Even during this time, Kadomi-kun continued to sit next to Hagasaki-kun, seemingly trying to mimic his behavior.
As for Suzumoto… maybe turning into a Spine Breaker allowed him to let off steam. He didn’t seem to be mimicking anyone.
“Okay. Let’s leave it at that for today. We’ll talk more during breakfast tomorrow.”
For now, let’s call it a night. The bread dough should have rested enough by now.
Alright, maid dolls, let’s do our best!
It’s morning. Good morning.
Today’s maid conveyor belt offers bread, soup, and bacon for those who want it.
There are three types of bread available: croissants, butter rolls, and ciabatta.
There are also three types of soup: turnip and bacon milk soup, pumpkin potage, and minestrone.
Additionally, those who want it can have some baked bacon.
The maid conveyor belt has evolved.
When you place an order with the receptionist maid doll, the maid dolls in the back deliver your order to you via the conveyor belt.
I was asked to write a menu by Toriumi, and I didn’t expect it to turn out like this.
My mind is being used for this kind of communication without my consent, but I don’t really mind.
The maid dolls’ serving makes everyone feel surprisingly cheerful.
Even though they don’t talk or change expressions, their movements and gestures are strangely cute, earning them praise.
They seem to be particularly popular among the girls. Yeah.
Now, it’s time for breakfast for us.
I chose a butter roll and milk soup.
Yep, it’s well-made. It makes me feel happy.
“So, Maito, are you really going to do it?”
“Yeah.”
Of course, I’m going to do it.
If I don’t, I won’t be able to see what lies ahead. Well, even if I do, there’s a good chance I still won’t see it.
“I see, understood. Just don’t push yourself too hard.”
Since I said I would do it, they must have thought there was no use trying to stop me.
Everyone has agreed to cooperate.
And so, we arrived at the 3rd floor. I shared with the slightly pale Origin, and I planted the “Seed of Azure Sky.”
This time, I’m the one doing the planting.
Why, you ask?
Well, it’s because headbutting and then sharing the connection is the most efficient way to go about it. Otherwise, I’d have to approach the Origin again, and that would be a hassle.
“Alright, here we go!”
I placed the translucent blue seed onto a rather indistinct spherical object and mustered my determination.
From there, a blue sprout emerged, grew taller, developed buds, and finally bloomed into a beautiful flower.
Then, as always, the sensation of my chest being tightly squeezed!
However, I couldn’t let myself be distracted by that. What appeared before me now was a monstrous entity ready to attack.
I focused, and right in front of me, a creature similar to a mannequin appeared. It was about my height, with hands clasped in a prayer-like gesture.
Its hands separated, with the right hand placed above its chest, holding a sword, while the left hand held a dagger below the chest.
Of course, I had to headbutt it before it could move!
“Share!”
I collided my head with its head, entering its inner thoughts.
It was a cry from the world.
When I withdrew my forehead, it looked at me with faint eyes, and its four arms started moving.
In its raised hands, it held a sword and a shield, ready for battle.
In its lowered hands, it carried strength and a staff, prepared to protect.
In its clasped hands, it wielded a heart and a blade, offering prayers.
In its outstretched hands, it bore determination and love, ready to save.
