“In the first place, it is not as if I could walk around here in my real godly appearance.”
Koji’s consciousness returned to normal after they had gone around to several old bookstores, and then settled in a cafe.
“Though, someone like Zephalis could just remove the glowing and enchantments from his body. But he would still attract attention.”
“Yes.”
A pot of green tea and some chiffon cake was placed on the table.
“I suppose showing off like that is fun when you are still young. But it can also cause trouble, and the other gods don’t like it.”
“So there really are many gods out there? How old are you, anyway?”
“In your human years, I would be over ten thousand years old. However, time does not pass the same in each world. Depending on the location of the observer, I could be a hundred thousand of even a million.”
“And yet you use smartphones and computers?”
“These are close to antiques, I suppose. In other words, they have much better means of recording data. However, this is my preferred technology level.”
“…Why don’t you participate in the game?”
Yamami smiled vaguely.
“In a way, it is forbidden. Depending on your rank as a god, there are restrictions placed on you. And for me, that restriction is too big.”
“In other words, you’re incredibly powerful.”
“…Useless power.”
A shadow seemed to cover his face.
“You could describe it as being like a nuclear weapon. Powerful, using it would only antagonize and invite thorough opposition.”
“Like a cheat character… Well, I’m the wrong person to complain about that.”
“Cheat, hmm. Yes, perhaps it is like that.”
Yamami sipped his tea and tore the muffin that he had ordered.
“Indeed, if you cheat, you are able to rise above all other players in an instant. However, games are meant to be enjoyed by all. To break the rules…will result in sadness.”
“Account ban. That’s what you mean?”
“Haha. Yes, you could say that.”
He covered the muffin in rose jam and took a bite solemnly.
“What did you do?”
“I was called a cheater before doing anything. And so it was never a possibility to participate in the games.”
“Hmm…”
Koji had felt that his abilities were a cheat. But there were gods much more powerful than Zephalis who could not even play.
What reason could such a god have for contacting him?
“You want to do something…by using me?”
“Well, I accomplished the first thing already. Talking to you.”
“Me?”
“You were a boy who became a Hero. I wanted to see such a person.”
“And what is the rest?”
Yamami finished off the muffin and then took out a tablet from his bag.
“Someone has been trying to call me. That Salia. She wants to pull me out.”
He opened some unfamiliar browser and connected to a video site. And then his thick finger pressed a livestream button and a video started to play.
There was a bright garden filled with strange creatures who must be gods.
“I ordered my little ones to send the live feed.”
“Why would you do that! What if humans saw it!”
“Do not worry. Only me and those related to me can view it.”
Things seemed to be quite clamorous over there. The gods were gathered together and seemed to be shouting.
“Just got here.”
He typed. And then the comments started to flood in.
‘You read my texts! Come back here!’
‘Lady Salia came here multiple times! You should feel sorry for us!’
‘It’s troublesome how our lord does not work.’
‘You should just become the god of otakus instead!’
“It sounds like they are mad at you.”
“…Well, I’ve been leaving things to them for quite some time now.”
“How long?”
“Only a hundred years.”
“Maybe you should apologize?”
“Hmm. Do you think they are actually angry?”
After that, the comments became words. Filled with anger and protestation.
“I suppose they are.”
“Of course they are angry.”
As they continued to watch, the perspective changed to the grass field, and a plank of water appeared in the center.
Currently, Salia’s Hero, Sheto, was fighting in the mountains. Against a hundred Heroes.
“Wa-wait, Sheto… That kobold…? Why is he against a hundred?”
“After he beat you, he became the target of all the Heroes on that continent.”
He saw the kobold rushing through the forest.
“The kobold leveled up greatly and gained experience. Salia acquired Zephalis’s territories. And now the gods are working together to take away all of that.”
“So that’s what’s happening…”
The kobold used his cape to knock down the magic arrows.
There was no sound, but he could feel the tension in the air.
“I see. Evacus is cooperating… Salia does like to do dangerous things.”
“Who is that?”
“The eye of the storm. Someone who is trying to eat all of the gods there, including Salia.”
“…The kobold really is stronger.”
“Of course. He continued to fight after you left.”
Koji stared at the screen.
He was once just a weak monster. He had killed him once, and chased him away many times.
But in the end, he was pushed to the brink and killed.
“What kind of person is this goddess?”
“She is called the Goddess of Peace.”
“She must be strong if she is Zephalis’s sister.”
“No, she was a fallen god. The weakest. However, she escaped a terrible fate with her victory over her brother.”
“So…that’s who I lost to.”
“Indeed.”
Something exploded in front of the kobold’s eyes. Strange dolls were sent out by the Hero. Still, the kobold fought bravely.
“How…is he able to fight like that?”
“Why do you think?”
As if he would know why a kobold was like that.
Previously, there had been the goal of revenge.
But he had no motivation now.
“Hey…you! Your feet!”
A doll exploded.
“Ah…”
“I suppose he cannot handle it alone.”
The kobold fell to the ground, and the other Heroes surrounded him.
“What is that Salia doing! Is she not using any blessings on him?”
“She used a magic sealing break arts. And some ability boost. But nothing else.”
“If she acquired everything Zephalis had, she should be able to do more!”
“She is stubborn. She does not want to use any blessing that would require the sacrifice of worlds.”
Yamami said as his second order, sandwiches and tea, arrived.
“Sacrifice…worlds?”
“You didn’t know? Your armor, sword, magic bracelet. They were made with the blood, flesh and souls of people from other worlds.”