Chapter 3 – Small God
“In any case, let us find some hole for us to sit down and relax in.”
Said the small god who introduced himself as Evacus. He then started walking and turned a corner. There were numerous branching paths that could not be seen from the meeting hall. They only appeared before those who wanted to see them.
Unless it was important enough to invite the person to the god seat, it was quite normal for gods to visit such ‘holes’ like this.
“I am sure this is a little too wild in nature for a great goddess like you…”
They came out into a green forest with a cool breeze. There was a stone table with chairs. Fruits and drinks had also been served.
“No, places like these help to calm me. Thank you.”
“I am glad to hear that.”
The name Evacus sounded familiar to her. He was surely one of the gods who had a Hero in the games.
“Also, I don’t think I am one of the great gods. I just won by chance.”
“You know, excessive modesty can be seen as sarcasm. Besides, after so many victories, you could hardly claim it was due to good luck.”
Evacus said as he poured her a drink and served the food.
“Allow me to help with that…”
“No, no. You are my invited guest. Besides, it would be humiliating to have a higher ranking god do such a thing.”
Once everything was ready, he sat down as well and raised his cup.
“To your victory, beautiful goddess… Though, it is a little late for that.”
“…To your honor and glory.”
They drank ceremonially, and then Salia looked at Evacus.
“Excuse me, but I have to ask. What is the purpose for this meeting?”
“Purpose?”
“I believe you are competing in the games. In other words…”
“We are enemies?”
Salia was slightly annoyed by her own suspicious heart. Still, she continued.
“You must know as well. How the Hero in the last game called me an evil goddess. At this point…even the other gods seem to hate me. Many would like to see me get kicked off of my pedestal.”
“And so you think…that this is part of some strategy… I see, I see.”
The rat continued to smile as he took a sip from his cup and waited.
“Well, I suppose there is some strategy involved. After all, being able to talk to you like this is very beneficial to me.”
“…Have you thought of a way to defeat my kobold then?”
“No, not at all! However, a rat like myself must be sensitive to the changes around us.”
His nose twitched and the wrinkles between his eyes deepened. Evacus raised a finger and pointed to himself.
“I am just a small god with one world. When someone like me competes in the games, the others are quick to attack. And so I must be aware of all things and listen carefully. That is the secret of survival.”
“I understand what you are saying. But what does that have to do with talking with me?”
“You are also someone who the other gods are targeting. This can lead to great misfortune. For instance, with enemies, it is more difficult to know what they are thinking. What they want.”
“In other words, you want to know what I am thinking?”
“Indeed.”
Salia narrowed her eyes at him.
He wanted to know what was in her mind. In order to survive.
“And if you learn something from me, will you spread it to the other gods?”
“Yes, I would.”
“…Is this some form of scouting…or intelligence gathering?”
“What else could it be?”
Evacus continued to smile happily. It was almost as if he did not understand what he was saying.
“And why would I want to talk to you then?”
“Oh, you will not want to. Not after I have said all of that.”
“Well, I suppose your plan has failed then.”
“No. It was a great success.”
Evacus took a bite of a small red berry.
“The mere fact that you sat down here with me, means that this visit was a success.”
“In other words… It was not about what we talked about, but the fact that we did talk.”
“Yes. I consider it to be a great trump card that the other gods do not have.”
Salia straightened her posture and stared at the rat again.
The poor clothing and humble fact. The gentle way of talking. Only its eyes had a sharpness and intelligence.
“That being said, I do not think I should like to speak to you again in the future.”
“Well, any wise person would think like that. However, I suspect that you will have fewer opportunities to speak with the dragon god. If you are in a position where you have no other connections, perhaps you will be less likely to cut me off.”
“I see.”
Now that she thought about it, it was hardly surprising that someone like him had come up. It was bound to happen eventually.
And so Salia considered it. Cut him off. Or befriend him.
“What do you think? I hope that you will talk to me again?”
“…Very well. I will accept.”
He was hardly a good replacement. However, it was better than nothing. Still, she had to show some resistance.
“That being said, it will likely be the most boring conversation. If you do not mind that…”
“Do not underestimate the eyes of a rat. We crawl in through the smallest holes, and everything. The last grain of wheat would not escape me.”
Evacus said with a laugh. He really had no intention of hiding anything. Surely it was all an act. After all, it would be reckless in a world where everyone was plotting.
“Thank you for the warning. I suppose I will also find ways to use you for my own benefit, Evacus.”
“That is very good. I look forward to your next visit, Saliashe.”
She realized that she would probably find it difficult to hate this god. And so Saliashe accepted his offered hand and shook it.