Will I End Up As a Hero or a Demon King (WN)

Chapter 135

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Chapter 135 – Goddess Conference

“I’m going to keep trying until my Flight skill reaches level 4 today, so if the food arrives before then, you can go ahead and eat it!”

“I’ll be waiting for you, so don’t worry. Have a good day!”

“Okay! Do your best, too, Riste!”

I watch Loki-kun leave with a slightly excited look on his face and think to myself with a smile.

“(Do my best, you say… That’s certainly true. If it means that I will avoid unnecessary conflicts one day…)”

My eyes wander to the necklace and earrings on the unused bed.

They were a gift from Loki-kun, and I felt happier with them than with the shoes.

“…I would never make trouble for Loki-kun.”

I mumbled to myself and then deleted my split body.

▽ ▼ ▽ ▼ ▽

In a small world without a name, there were those who were created to administer the world known as “Old Retes.”

In one corner of this world, six low-ranking gods were gathered.

In the middle was a round white table.

There were six chairs around it, and tea was being poured into four cups.

At first glance, it looked like a simple tea party.

In this situation, the goddess of commerce, Riste, who had called the meeting, opened her mouth.

“I am sorry to bother you again. I have an important matter to discuss today, so I have gathered you all here.”

“Have you found something that will turn things around?”

The goddess of love, Alicia, has a look of expectation on her face.

She refers to the “map” discussed just three days ago.

At that time, too, the meeting was called by Riste and the map, which had been erased once before with the best of intentions.

It was suggested that the map be restored, and it was decided that the most practical way to do so would be to use Riste’s unique highest-level blessing.

At first, some, such as the goddess of war, Rigal, and the goddess of love, Alicia, expressed concern about restoring the map, but they learned that Earth, the most advanced world the goddesses knew, contained a map of incomparably greater accuracy.

They learned from Loki that maps are essential to the development of civilization, as the existence of maps makes it easier for people to move around, transport goods, and communicate information.

On the other hand, some feared that the existence of maps could lead to the recurrence of “war,” but on Earth, many of the countries are in a stalemate, and there are almost no major wars that could cause a country to disappear.

Furthermore, when they heard that they would enter that stage in about 1000 years, compared to the level of civilization in the lower world, which was in a slow decline, no one objected.

For the Goddesses, a thousand years is nothing.

Of course, they were also told that they didn’t know how magic and skills that didn’t exist on Earth would work, but still, the prospect of making great progress in the development of civilization, which was considered a top priority, in that short period of time convinced everyone that they couldn’t pass up the chance to try, even if there was a risk.

That’s what those gathered thought.

Did Loki bring back any other information that would benefit the world?

However, the words that came out of Riste’s mouth were completely unexpected.

“Today, I would like to confirm what everyone is thinking about Loki-kun.”

Everyone’s reaction to this sudden question was different.

Alicia and Rigal tilted their heads with question marks on their faces.

The goddess of sin, Ria, decided to remain unresponsive, while the goddess of life, Feeril, lifted the corners of her mouth slightly.

And the goddess of fertility, Felin―she was clearly nervous.

She was so nervous that if the police had been there, she would not have been able to answer any of their questions.

It was Rigal who spoke first.

“Well, I don’t know… From what I’ve heard, he hasn’t done anything wrong, and most of all, he’s growing up fast, isn’t he? So I’m looking forward to it. Next time, I’ll be the one going down to the lower world, so I’m looking forward to seeing how much he’s grown.”

“That is true. It’s a shame that the frequency of Divine Communication has decreased a bit since everyone started coming down, but I think it’s a good thing because he still tells us a lot of stories about Earth.”

Alicia also responded that she did not have a bad impression of him.

Some of them thought to themselves, “You haven’t come down to the lower world yet…” in response to these two, but since they are still in the stage of observing things, they don’t reveal it.

However, someone here makes a light remark.

“That boy is cute, isn’t he? I can’t help but admire him.”

“Yes, that’s right! He’s really cute!”

Felin jumped on the bandwagon after Feeril said this, finding it convenient.

However, the situation did not get too rough.

Because there were parts of Loki’s natural way of speaking that even Alicia and Rigal, who had not yet descended to the lower world, could understand to some extent, they could only nod their heads in agreement, except for one person.

Then, the person who had been silent was called to speak.

“What about Ria? You talked about him bragging about it, so you must have had fun, right?”

“Well… yes. It was all very new.”

Riste opens her mouth, considering each of these statements and the way they were said.

“I sent a split body down to the lower world and spent a few days with Loki-kun, and he is extremely dedicated to the development of this world. He’s not someone we summoned with special powers; he’s just someone who got caught up in it, but he’s enjoying his daily growth and trying to bring his knowledge of Earth to this world. I was surprised to see that there are already products that have been developed. And so far, he hasn’t been malicious at all.”

At this point, everyone sensed that Riste’s mood had changed.

They thought that some kind of bomb was about to fall on them.

But no one could stop it.

They just watched Riste, who had an unusual determination and prepared themselves for whatever the bomb might be.

“At first, I was interested in him. I was half interested in him as a person and half interested in the knowledge he possessed, based on what I had heard from those who had gone down to the lower world before. However――”

“””””(Gulp.)”””””

“――As I spent time with Loki-kun and understood his personality, I began to develop not an interest in him but a liking for him. I honestly feel happy for any goodwill I receive from him, and I am the one who wants to do what I can for him!”

“””””…..”””””

“That’s why I asked before. But from the way you all talked, it seems like it would be okay for me to make Loki-kun mine. I mean in a romantic relationship, of course.”

While everyone was frozen by the bombshell of Riste’s request for a romantic relationship, the first to snap out of it and object was Felin.

“Wa-wait a minute!”

“…What’s wrong?”

“It’s only been a few days, right? Is that why you feel this way?”

“That’s true if you’re talking about the day we met, but we had talked many times before that through Divine Communication. So the interest that was there from the beginning was already quite high.”

“Ugh… What about Loki-kun? What about his feelings for you?!”

“His feelings for me are simple, you know? Most of the time, he doesn’t say it, but that’s why you can tell that there’s no pretense, right? …Loki-kun hugged me.”

((((!?)))))

“H-he hugged me too!”

((((!!??))))

“I-it’s not fair to sneak a peek at Loki-kun’s heart! Lately, Riste has only been wearing sexy black clothes and showing off her split body, but that was just a way to see what Loki-kun likes and seduce him!”

“It’s because I want to match the taste of the person I like. I think it’s only natural to do things that make the person you like happy, right?”

“Ugh…!!”

Two of them follow the exchange between the two, rolling their eyes and shaking their heads at each comment.

One of them simply watches the exchange with a raised corner of her mouth.

One of them has a shocked expression on her face, and it’s doubtful she’s even listening to the conversation. Still, despite the different reactions, no one interrupts.

In the midst of this, Riste launches a counterattack as if to turn the situation around.

“First of all, why is Felin so insistent? Earlier, you said he was just cute, didn’t you?”

“I didn’t say he was just cute… I said he was really cute…”

“Even so. I don’t mean cute; I mean a clear affection. I’ve fallen in love with him.”

“Ugh… uhh…!! M-me, too!! I like Loki-kun, too!!”

((((…!!??))))

Here, a second bomb is dropped, and unprecedented chaos blows into the divine realm, where there are only six individuals.

Alicia fell from her chair in shock, and Rigal put her hand to her forehead and looked up at the sky.

Feeril showed only a little surprise, but Ria was trembling, her fists clenched and her head hanging down.

And as for Riste…

“Fufu, you finally became honest.”

“Eh…?”

“As I said, I found it necessary to look into Loki-kun’s heart a few times, and I also searched his memories a bit. And what I felt at that time was―his conflict. That’s why I created this opportunity.”

“Conflict…? What do you mean?”

Riste tells Alicia, who has finally sat back in her chair, the real reason for this event.

“He has feelings for Felin, too. Not only that, but he also likes Feeril’s kindness and Ria’s smile…”

“R-r-really?!”

“Ara ara~!”

“Eh… ah…?”

“U-um… what about me…?”

“What? There was nothing special about Alicia, though?”

“I-I even used the highest rank of a unique blessing for him…”

As she muttered this, Rigal stared at Alicia, who had fallen backward from the back of her head while still sitting in her chair, as if looking at a disappointed person.

But Rigal was the only one who cared about Alicia at the moment.

Everyone else was too busy to pay attention.

“So basically? Is it something like he can’t narrow it down to one person?”

Riste nodded in agreement with Rigal’s words, which had somehow managed to remain calm.

“That’s right. Fortunately, Loki-kun appreciates that we all have good looks and good personalities. The fact that he doesn’t include the fact that we are goddesses is also a good point about him… but aside from that, Loki-kun has already given the answer that if things continue as they are, no one will be chosen, or rather, he can’t choose. He’s also worried about what will happen if he chooses and what will happen to us goddesses after that.”

“””””…..”””””

“That is why I have arranged such a meeting. Do you think it’s a good idea to continue this?”

“There’s no way that’s good…”

“Wait a minute!”

For the first time, Alicia, who was acting as the de facto leader of the Goddesses, interrupted Felin’s words.

“Why are you talking about Loki-kun as if you and Loki-kun were in love? Are you aware of that! We are goddesses! Even though we are low-ranking gods, we are still gods!”

“””””…..”””””

Everyone falls silent at these terrifying words.

But even here, the goddesses’ command center is still moving.

Since everyone else is stupid, it is naturally Riste who is the brains of the divine realm.

“Let me ask you the opposite question. Why do you think that goddesses shouldn’t experience romantic love? There is no such rule in the divine realm, is there?”

“It’s a moral issue! It’s like having romantic feelings for your own child!”

“Loki-kun is not a child of this world, is he?”

“Well, if you think about it in a common sense way! Gods are gods! In the divine realm…”

“You understand, don’t you? I am well aware that this is the ideal situation. But where are our partners? Is it Felza-sama who is like a parent to us? We have never met other gods besides Felza-sama, have we? How long do you think the six of us have been together since we were created?”

“T-That’s…”

Puff~…

The sound of a deep breath can be heard.

“…Not just Alicia, everyone, listen carefully.”

Riste released an unprecedented sense of intimidation here.

Although not as relaxed as Feeril, Riste’s pressure, which could be said to have nothing to do with fighting, made everyone straighten their backs to the limit.

“Loki-kun is a truly precious existence for us. Is there anyone else who understands our existence, speaks to us in such a natural way, is kind to us, and cares about us? Until Loki-kun’s skills are clarified, we don’t know if we can consider him a normal human being. However, if we think of him in the same way, a human’s life is fleeting, and he will have fulfilled his life before we know what to do about it.”

“””””…..”””””

“…This may be the first and last time we have this opportunity and the time we have to make the most of it is limited, isn’t it?”

Quite a few of those present had thought this at least once.

Down there, people fall in love, get married, and have children.

Even animals and some monsters mate, have children and raise them.

And yet, they only observe and watch these things.

It was a feeling they gave up a long time ago, saying that goddesses have no such right.

In the midst of all this was this statement from Riste, who faced reality head-on.

Those who had descended to the lower world and shared their actions with Loki pondered her words, overlaying them with their own precious experiences.

And they thought:

――If possible, they’d do it again.

“I… I want to get to know Loki-kun better… I want him to like me more!”

“Well, I think my feelings differ from those of Felin and Riste, but I still want to be closer to him.”

“I-I don’t like him either, but… I want to visit him again.”

Following Felin’s words, Feeril and Ria also express their current feelings in words.

That’s why Riste encourages them.

“Then let’s all act together.”

“B-but, you know. Loki-kun said he can’t choose one person, right? If everyone moves, it won’t make any sense, right?”

Everyone agreed with Feln’s perfectly reasonable words except for Riste.

“I think we can solve this problem.”

Everyone else, except Riste, nods their heads in agreement with this confident statement, but then they all begin to rack their brains over the problem.

“What are we going to do?”

In the midst of this, Rigal, who is the least interested in the romantic aspect of the situation, or rather, who doesn’t really feel it, asks for an answer.

For Rigal, Loki is just a kid who is trying his best to become strong.

That’s why she doesn’t even try to think about it and just rushes to find an answer.

“It’s simple. We can all share Loki-kun.”

“Huh? Isn’t that what Loki refuses?”

“That’s right for now. In the country of Japan where Loki-kun lived, it seems that the law stipulated that there should be one man and one woman, monogamy, no matter how much ability there was to support them. This environment in which he was born and raised causes him to suffer from fixed ideas, but I understand from the merchant’s memories that in this world, both polygamy and polyandry are recognized. And the only criterion for whether this is possible or not is a matter of economic power, and status is completely irrelevant.”

Everyone gasps at this statement.

“So you’re saying that as long as Loki has the financial means, there’s no problem?”

“That’s right. He’ll probably realize it eventually even if we don’t say anything, but I think it’s better if we tell him now so that he can change his mindset sooner.”

“Loki-kun… I don’t really understand, but somehow he has a lot of money, right?”

“Loki said he was rich himself. He must have been especially weak when I left.”

“He doesn’t go back to the city; he lives like a monster or an animal. His way of thinking fundamentally differs from the people of this world, isn’t it?”

Everyone except Riste has no idea about finances.

So, somehow, the conversation turns to whether Loki has any financial leeway.

But once again, Riste, who has an economic sense, tries to put an end to the discussion.

“He bought me an expensive thing that a normal person could spend a month on just because it suits me. And the room we are staying in is the most expensive inn in town. In addition, although it seems that we have only been given one week, we are staying in the most expensive room on the top floor. This is a room that would normally be used by nobles or wealthy merchants, so even considering that, I can say that there is no problem with his financial situation.”

Riste happened to be staying in a high room on the top floor.

Although she knew that the room was discounted because of the prestige Riste exuded, she deliberately told them about Loki’s situation, leaving out some details to convince them.

Naturally, everyone’s reaction was as follows.

“There’s no obstacle left, right?”

“It seems so…”

“Does that mean we can visit him again?”

“We’ll all share Loki-kun… I’ll be his wife…”

Only Rigal tilts her head, but Riste continues to speak as if there would be no problem.

“But what he seeks most of all is his own strength. It is only natural for him to desire this, as he has been sent to a world where death is imminent. Therefore, until Loki-kun is satisfied with the situation, we must do our best to stay out of his way. This is what is required of us. If we interfere with him, he will hate us first, so I think we should help Loki-kun become stronger so that he will be convinced as soon as possible.”

((((I see…))))

Everyone knows that Loki is obsessed with strength, so they can’t help but agree with Riste’s words.

“Once Loki gets strong enough to his satisfaction, he is willing to settle somewhere and eventually build a base―a house to live in. When that happens…”

“We can visit him at his house under the pretext of surveillance…”

“We can have a pleasant time that we have never experienced before…”

“To spend…?”

“Hawawawa…”

“That’s how it goes. By the way, I was joking earlier, but I think both Rigal and Alicia were muttering in their heads that you might like him once you get your act together!”

…Clatter!

Riste looked at Alicia, who had fallen off her chair three times in surprise, and thought that everything was fine.

She realized that most of the things that had been bothering Loki had been resolved.

Apart from Rigal, who didn’t show much interest in anything other than fighting and strength, and Ria, whose facial expressions were hard to read, the other three were each thinking about their own different goals, but they were already imagining a fun time with Loki.

It’s easy to guess what they’re thinking by looking at their relaxed expressions.

That’s why…

“(There’s only one thing left to worry about, and with Loki-kun as he is now, that should be taken care of for now… It looks like everything is going according to plan.)”

――Riste muttered as she licked her lips.

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