“It feels like it’s almost time to go.”
“Huh? Already?”
As the sun set and darkness settled outside, Arthur said with a relieved expression.
“I’m just glad to have met you again, Master. Isn’t that enough?”
No, even so, is he really just leaving after saying that? I think it wouldn’t hurt to talk a little bit more, right? There are plenty of empty rooms in Encia’s house, so it would be fine to give a guest room and chat a bit longer…
“Honestly, I wanted to talk more with you, Master… But we can’t have a private conversation, so it can’t be helped.”
Encia let out a small sigh at Arthur’s words.
“Phew. Then there’s no need to convey the message anymore, right? This is more tiring than I thought.”
Encia looked slightly tired. Was conveying the message between Arthur and me more exhausting than it seemed? It was just a matter of listening to me and repeating the words, but maybe that was unexpectedly tiring for Encia.
Glancing at Arthur, it seemed like she had an inkling about Arthur’s identity.
So,
“Please take care until Arthur leaves.”
“Hmmm… I understand, I’ll try a bit longer.”
After gently comforting Encia, I conveyed my words to Arthur.
“If that’s what you wish, then do so. I’m glad we could talk again after so long.”
“Yes. Master. I’m also glad to meet you again, even if just like this.”
Arthur bowed his head and quietly said.
“Just confirming that you are in the Divine Hall alone has already made this trip worthwhile.”
“It’s as if you came just to check that I’m definitely in the Divine Hall.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Arthur smiled softly as he spoke.
“If I become a God, wouldn’t we be able to meet any time?”
Hmm…? If Arthur becomes a God…? What does that even mean? Arthur is human, becoming a God? That’s quite a strange thing to say.
Of course, humans can become Gods, but like those who gained faith from the mountains and rivers to ascend as Gods. Or various beastmen like Maybel and Asterios who have ascended as Gods.
With my help, they created their own faith, and the lacking faith was something I provided a little, making them seize the position of Gods… but now, the faith towards those beings has become solidified.
Especially Asterios’ faith is quite popular, known as the Chief of the Lizardmen Tribe, spread across a pretty wide area.
“There are records in the old Rattkinia and Vistia that beastmen have ascended as Gods. There were the ancestor Gods of the rat beastmen, the belief in Chief of the Lizardmen Tribe, and various other beliefs of beastmen as well.”
“Hmm.”
Speaking of which, that Arthur guy discovered the clue of the dragon priestess Tiamat just from the name Tia that I mentioned to Encia.
If he had researched such records, then it would only make sense that he knows about the records of various beastmen ascending as Gods, including Maybel.
But… even if there were such precedents, the fact that a beastman ascended as a God doesn’t mean… wanting to ascend as a God yourself is not a normal thought process, right?
“If beastmen can ascend as Gods, then isn’t it possible for humans too? Although the legendary Lycren gave up his place as a God.”
Arthur gently shook his head.
“If I get the chance to attain such a position, I won’t consider giving it up.”
No, Lycren’s case was different. He almost ascended to being a God because of other Gods, then he threw a tantrum and quit.
The circumstances are different. Different.
But more importantly,
“So you really want to become a God?”
“Yes. If I gather the faith of many people, I can acquire Divinity and ascend to being a God, right? If the people of the Romania Empire acknowledge me as an ancestor God, I can become a God.”
With Arthur’s words, I nodded slightly. The number of Gods has significantly decreased compared to the past, and while Gods cannot easily escape the Divine Hall, the method of becoming a God is still valid.
However,
“Becoming a God might not be such a good thing, you know. Wouldn’t it be better to wrap up your life as a human and enter Paradise?”
“Paradise, while not a bad place, doesn’t have you there.”
“That’s true….”
Unless something special happens, I wouldn’t usually find the chance to visit Paradise.
“Then it’d be better to become a God and head to the Divine Hall.”
Grrr. This guy… is quite stubborn. It seems there’s no way to change his mind.
“Becoming a God as a human is like a big horse trying to pass through a needle’s eye, and you still want to try?”
“Yes. I’m already preparing various things.”
Preparing various things, huh? What’s he thinking about? Arthur?
“Becoming a God on your own is usually not an easy task, but… well, since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t say much.”
Even with thorough preparation, it’s likely to be a high-failure rate endeavor…
But, what does it matter? Whether this or that.
Arthur himself volunteered to take on such hardships. No matter what I say, I can’t change Arthur’s mind.
“Do your best.”
“Yes.”
I just cheered for Arthur with a light heart.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
“Tia.”
“Huh? What is it?”
After Arthur left, Encia, who began to relax leisurely, called me in a soft voice.
“Luc… no, Arthur… that person.”
“What about Arthur?”
“That person… by any chance, no, is this a bit absurd?”
“Absurd or not, just tell me what you want to say.”
I had a rough idea of what Encia was about to say.
“That person… is he the previous Emperor, right?”
At Encia’s words, I just silently waited without replying.
“I’ve heard the name Arthur before. It was an affectionate name for Sword Emperor Lucius Altirius III.”
“Oh? You’re quite observant.”
Well, it makes sense since she has been watching Arthur and me talk up close… she wouldn’t be able to miss Arthur’s identity.
“Indeed. He was a remarkable person, wasn’t he?”
“Right. He’s quite an exceptional guy.”
It’s hard to imagine a person wanting to ascend to being a God and head to the Divine Hall otherwise.
“But, God… What do you think will happen?”
“Well, to be honest, I think the success rate is rather low.”
If Arthur wants to become a God, it would depend on how much faith he gathers, but roughly speaking, over 30% of the population of the Romania Empire would need to have faith in Arthur to become a God.
Putting aside whether that’s possible or not for now!
“What’s that person thinking?”
“Well, he either truly believes he can become a God, or he’s lost in a fantastic dream without facing reality. It could be either of those two.”
But Arthur doesn’t seem like the type to overlook such harsh realities.
If he’s behaving like that, it’s likely because he has a clear conviction.
“Hmm. A God… I’m not sure, but… Hmm. It would be wonderful if I could meet Tia directly.”
“Tia?”
I conveyed my voice to Encia, who was speaking oddly.
“You said Tia is in the Divine Hall. If I too were to ascend as a God, wouldn’t I be able to meet Tia?”
That may be true…but… um…
Maybe I shouldn’t have let Arthur come here. It seems Encia has been a little influenced by Arthur.
“Tia.”
“What is it?”
“Can I also become a God?”
See? Arthur made me say something strange!
“Hmm, I wonder?”
Does Encia have anyone to express faith toward her?
The Mages of Procyon? They would have to group together. Even if Encia has brought about many changes with her book, that alone doesn’t suffice to be worshipped as a God.
The people living around Encia’s house? They might see her as a lord, but certainly not a God.
So, it means there’s no one who would send faith to Encia.
“It looks impossible.”
“That’s harsh!”
“That’s reality, so face it.”
Faith should come from a genuine heart.
Maybe for Arthur, but it’s hard for Encia to receive such feelings.
While Arthur is a once-returned Emperor, he might receive some faith from the people of the Romania Empire.
But Encia? Who would send such faith to Encia?
I can’t think of anyone.
“Then… if I use the Wish Ticket that Tia gave me, can I become a God?”
“A Wish Ticket?”
Ah, that’s right. The Wish Ticket.
It’s said it grants any wish. If I use that Wish Ticket…
“If I share a portion of my faith, Tia could become a God.”
“Really?!”
“Yeah. But there may be a slight issue.”
Unlike Maybel or Asterios, who could gather their own faith, Encia would rely 100% on my faith.
Even if she tries to spread rumors about Encia to gather faith, it doesn’t seem likely to succeed.
If she becomes a God using my offered faith, she would likely become a subordinate God completely dependent on me.
To be honest, I wouldn’t want to recommend that.
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