Read Novel Full Book 4: Volume 8 Chapter 5, Bonus
Book 4: Volume 8 Chapter 5, Bonus
Translator: Kazumi
Editor: Silavin
“It’s not a problem.”
Kousuke inwardly breathed a sigh of relief at the expected answer.
The Magic Power supply facility had no immediate concerns, but the future weighed on his mind. If usage significantly expands, complications could arise. His worry centered on how the facility drew Magic Power from the earth’s ley lines. This was a connection that, if mismanaged, could potentially affect the ley lines themselves.
Current technology posed no such threat, but future developments might reach that threshold. That uncertainty had brought him here to verify whether the facility would disrupt the operation of the world.
“That’s quite a casual response.”
At Kousuke’s words, Asura shrugged.
“That’s right. After all, that facility is more likely to help us than hinder us.”
“Huh? How? What about affecting the ley lines?”
“What are you talking about? Even what you’re using in the Tower is already having a significant impact. How many similar things do you think exist in this world?”
The truth of Asura’s words struck him immediately. The World Tree and Vermilion Castle both employed similar systems, converting Magic Power and Holy Power into Divine Power. His Magic Power supply facility operated on the same principle. It just converted certain elements into Magic Power rather than Divine Power. From the world’s perspective, the distinction was negligible though.
“You understand that this world is a flat world, right?”
“Yes.”
“Unlike the planet you came from, energy circulation does not occur through rotation. In that sense, this world should welcome such facilities, not reject them. Even when they manipulate Magic Power.”
Kousuke’s expression cleared as he absorbed Asura’s explanation.
Then she gave him a mischievous smile. “Even so, you’re going to have a tough time from now on.”
“…Huh?”
The sudden shift left him bewildered.
“Oh? You didn’t realize? Causing the circulation of Magic Power through your facility is truly a divine act. You, who created the foundation for spreading it, will undoubtedly be praised as a God in that field.”
Kousuke clutched his head as the implications crystallized. Looking back, he could not deny it. He had created the foundation for the facility. Without his conceptualization of it, no Magic Power supply facilities would exist in this world. The more facilities built, the further his authority as a God would spread.
“Ah, I see. That’s how it is…”
“Congratulations. You’re steadily rising in rank as a God.”
Asura’s bright smile felt like salt in the wound. For her, Kousuke’s ascension was entirely welcome from her point of view. It was both personally satisfying and beneficial for managing the world. She even considered the possibility of eventually transferring the world’s entire operation to him, though she knew he would resist with all his might.
Kousuke remained oblivious to these thoughts, preoccupied only with his growing reputation as a God.
“…Can’t I somehow suppress it?”
“I think it’s too late now.”
The wheels were already in motion. Perhaps if they had acted before his concept was implemented, something might have been possible. But now…
“Yeah, I guess so.”
Understanding this perfectly, Kousuke released a resigned sigh.
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“Hmm…”
“What’s wrong? Something on your mind?”
Jal approached Kousuke, who sat deep in thought with his arms crossed.
“Well, it’s just… I was wondering if there’s any way to prevent my authority as a God from spreading any further.”
Jal gave him a disapproving look.
“What, you’re saying something so… extravagant?”
“No, but… I finally came to another world, and if my name as a God becomes any bigger, I won’t be able to move around freely anymore.”
His concern was genuine. The higher his status as a God rose, the more his freedom would erode. Already operating under considerable restrictions, he had no desire to see them tighten further.
“You shouldn’t say that in front of the other Goddesses, you know?”
“Huh?”
Kousuke tilted his head at Jal’s unexpectedly serious tone.
“Because, you know? Leaving aside major figures like us, those who aren’t well-known as Goddesses are desperately trying to prevent their existence from disappearing.”
The reminder struck him. He had sudden clarity and shame colored his features. He had completely forgotten this fact. Things had been calm recently, but his regular visits to Sanctuary had originally begun to prevent Goddesses from fading away. His earlier complaint was nothing short of blasphemous toward them.
“Sorry…”
Understanding now how privileged his worries were, Kousuke’s mood darkened. He hadn’t been particularly conscious of it, but he realized he had apparently grown conceited as a God.
Seeing his downcast expression, Jal frantically waved her hands. “Ah, you shouldn’t worry too much about it. It might sound contradictory, but…”
“…What do you mean?”
“In your case, because of the circumstances surrounding how you became a God, you might not fully understand it, but when you exist as a God, it’s quite common for powers and existences to overlap.”
“…And?”
“Don’t you understand? When two Gods have the same abilities, it’s perfectly possible for one to obliterate the other’s existence.”
Though Jal presented an extreme example, given the long lifespan of Gods, such encounters weren’t uncommon. In some cases, it could lead to one’s divine existence being extinguished entirely. The Goddesses understood this reality perfectly and existed as Goddesses of Earthgard with this knowledge foremost in their minds.
After hearing Jal’s explanation, Kousuke recognized once again that he was a special kind of God. While his existence might differ from Asura and the other Goddesses, that difference needed him to be cautious. Perhaps not now, but as his status rose further, he might unknowingly encroach upon other Goddesses’ domains. For them, such encroachment would be a matter of life and death.
Even though Asura had told him he was ‘free to do as he pleased,’ Kousuke resolved to avoid such situations as much as possible.