Crusch's side was busier than ever—wagons full of supplies were constantly rolling in and out of her estate, clearly preparing for something big.
Anastasia, meanwhile, was making money hand over fist, and along the way Hayashi Maki's newly founded Axis Church was also stuffing its pockets.
Aqua instantly turned into a little gremlin over money, clinging to him and whining that she wanted to sleep on a bed made of holy gold coins.
Hayashi Maki rejected that request on the spot.
No way. Aqua was a walking money sink. Handing her the purse would be the same as tossing it down a well.
She spent money like water, loved face more than reason—if someone praised her a bit, she'd get all happy, drop her IQ on the spot, and start treating everyone to drinks and food.
Being refused, Aqua puffed out her cheeks and glared at him.
"What's that supposed to mean? What kind of stingy high priest are you? I'm a goddess, you know! You only managed to build up the Axis Church so fast, gather all these followers, and rake in this much money because I'm here backing you up!"
"You have done a lot," Hayashi Maki admitted, "but I'm the one providing all the otherworldly goods. I'm the one who negotiated with Anastasia. And beyond that, feeding all these people doesn't happen for free. If I left it to you, how exactly were you planning to support them?"
Every word hit her right in the weak spot.
Aqua's swagger deflated instantly—but her mouth still tried to save face.
"Whatever… even if you've got a point, can't I at least have a bed of coins? It's not like I'd just go blow it all…"
Her voice got quieter and quieter, clearly not believing herself, either.
Hayashi Maki sighed, cupped the back of her head, and kissed her before she could keep complaining.
He only let her go when Aqua's face was red and she was out of breath.
Before she could explode, he pulled out a pouch of sacred gold coins and handed it to her.
"Here you go, my dear goddess. No coin-bed, but you do get pocket money. Be a little considerate of your poor high priest, would you? I've got a lot of mouths to feed."
"…Fine. I'll reluctantly accept your offering then. Hehe… uh, Hayashi Maki, I'm going out to play!"
Her mood flipped instantly. The anger from just moments ago vanished without a trace as she skipped away.
Just then Frederica stepped in and covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.
"Hayashi Maki-sama really does spoil Aqua-sama."
"I can't help it," he said, smiling. "She is a real goddess. I'd have to be an idiot to drive away a goddess who's that easy to coax."
His gaze drifted up and down Frederica, taking in the neat maid uniform and gentle posture.
"So, Frederica, how are you settling in here at the church?"
As more and more girls joined the church, someone had to train them. As head maid, Frederica was the perfect choice—gentle, patient, fond of children, and strict about rules.
She nodded with a soft smile, then instinctively brought a hand up to cover her mouth, as if afraid he'd see her sharp, jagged teeth.
"Yes, I'm doing very well here. The children are quite obedient, and with Ram and Rem helping, teaching them is actually fairly easy."
She reported seriously, still shielding her mouth.
"Oh, and there's Meili," Frederica added. "She's starting to accept this place too. These days she almost never skips a day of helping treat the injured."
Meili—the little beast-tamer they'd captured. The Axis Church's rapid rise was partly thanks to her driving mobs of monsters to bite people in controlled ways.
Although her power was of the shadow attribute, Hayashi Maki's skill-sharing had no such limitations. Once contracted, he could teach her anything.
Now Meili knew healing magic as well, and was more than qualified to be one of the church's high priestesses.
Apparently, after receiving so many genuine thank-yous while healing villagers, the girl had begun to change. She was starting to enjoy saving people.
For someone who'd grown up as a rootless, unwanted child, being needed and trusted mattered far more than any reward.
When a person loses their sense of worth and has no one who needs them, they're basically just drifting through life like a shell.
Listening to Frederica's report, Hayashi Maki nodded in satisfaction.
Then he lifted a hand to gently stroke her head, and slid an arm around her narrow waist.
"You've worked really hard, Frederica. Is there anything you want? As one of the church's key people, I can grant you one wish."
Frederica shivered at his touch and quickly stepped back, giving a polite curtsey.
"I… don't really have anything I want, not for now… May I answer that another time?"
Seeing the blush on her cheeks, Hayashi Maki smiled faintly.
"Of course. Take your time. I have a request for you, too."
"Please, go ahead, Hayashi Maki-sama."
She couldn't even meet his eyes.
She took love seriously—and the mere thought of it scared her.
She was certain that if he did have feelings for her, they were probably just playful. After all, he already had Ram and Rem, Beatrice, and now even Emilia-sama.
Her lifetime of self-consciousness about her teeth also made her instinctively flinch away from the idea that someone like him could genuinely care.
Watching her tangled expression, Hayashi Maki didn't push it. He stepped closer instead and patted her head again.
"You can see it yourself," he said. "There are more and more children working in the church. Without you managing everything, we honestly wouldn't be able to operate at all."
"So I have to ask—could you keep working just a little harder, and really look after them?"
"Of course. That's my honor, Hayashi Maki-sama."
She would've done it with or without him asking—this was simply her responsibility.
"Good. Then go on ahead. If you think of anything you want, just tell me anytime."
"Understood."
Frederica left, her cheeks still flushed, looking surprisingly endearing.
There was another reason she stayed.
The church didn't discriminate against demi-humans.
In fact, more than half of the girls there were human–beastfolk half-bloods.
The Axis Church's acceptance of them had given Frederica hope.
It was a place where someone like her could truly belong.
…
Frederica took a deep breath as she stepped into her private room.
She was just about to change and take a bath when Ram walked in.
"Oh? So he didn't try anything on you?"
Frederica sighed. "He didn't. That's why I don't really understand, Ram. Why not try trusting your master a little more? I can tell Hayashi Maki-sama is very fond of you."
Ram pouted.
"It's because I know him that I say this. He's very, very flirty."
She paused, then tilted her head with a sly look.
"So, how about… you go in my place tonight? I'm… not feeling my best today."
"Hey! What are you talking about, Ram?" Frederica rolled her eyes hard. "There's no way I'm doing that."
Ram just shrugged and drifted toward the door.
As she stepped out, her voice floated back in:
"It's only a matter of time."