Besides... Nectar of the Gods had been created by the God of Severity. Now that she possessed the God of Severity, was she really afraid of running out of the stuff? That was why Rita gave up the urge to carry off the entire mountain spring.
Back at the shrine, Rita found Hieda no Shio still preparing food. Though she was technically a guest... she felt it would be rather embarrassing not to lend a hand.
Even though she would soon do something very unfriendly to her.
"Hieda Miko, let me help too!"
Upon reaching the kitchen, Rita rolled up her sleeves... and prepared to help.
"Miss Lothswise, there's no need to trouble yourself... dinner will be ready soon!" Hieda no Shio shook her head, her hands never stopping.
"It's fine..."
With Rita's help, dinner was soon ready. It could not be called lavish, but there was quite a variety of dishes.
Looking at Hieda no Shio before her, Rita felt... that she probably knew she was not truly a girl. She simply subconsciously refused to think about it and did not want to.
After dinner, Hieda no Shio began clearing up the mess. As though she had remembered something... Hieda no Shio gave Rita a sweet smile.
"If Miss Lothswise wishes to bathe, you can fetch water from the mountain spring near the shrine. The spring water is very good for the body."
"Thank you, understood!"
Rita neither refused nor agreed...
Even if she did bathe, she would not do so here. Though this Miko looked like a girl, she was still a boy after all!
After Hieda no Shio left, Rita stood up... and headed straight back to the shrine's guest room, once again finding that enormous boulder.
"Then... we can begin. Hiyamaru!!"
As Rita called out