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Translator: Kazumi
Editor: Kabur & Silavin
It was quite common in the world of Earthgard that a deity worshiped in one temple was not worshiped in another temple.
This was originally the case because many of the religions in this world were derived from indigenous deities.
Therefore, it was not unusual for Dominic’s temple not to worship Kousuke, a living god.
Rather, in the current world of Earthgard, the only temples that actually worship Kousuke as a God would be the Temple at the 5th Floor of Amamiya Tower and the temple in Mixen.
However, it would be quite another matter to say that the temples would not recognize Kousuke as a God.
In fact, Kousuke was recognized by the three major deities and other deities in the Divine Realm.
This fact was already transmitted to temples all over the world as an oracle.
To say that they were unaware of such a thing could mean that the temple was ignoring the oracle.
Dominic was aware of this, as well, and used the subtle phrase, “I don’t know what the Gods are thinking,” which could have been taken arbitrarily.
And one more thing.
Dominic also mentioned Kousuke’s work as a God.
He told Kousuke that, unlike other Gods, he was on the ground and should respond to the voices of the people.
It was strange for a human to decide the work of a God in the first place, but he mistakenly assumed that Kousuke’s presence on the ground meant that he would be treated like a human.
Not only that, but he was also suggesting that Kousuke should answer to those who had close ties to the temple.
To put it bluntly, it was idiotic.
After hearing Dominic’s opinion, Sylvia didn’t directly fight back, but instead spoke to another person.
“I’ve heard your opinion, Temple Director, Dominic. Now, King Arthur is next. Am I correct in assuming that you and your kingdom are of the same opinion?”
Sylvia said with a clear look, but the person to whom she directed her gaze did not change color at all.
“If you’re talking about my opinion, I’m afraid you’re looking in the wrong place, no?”
The person who was not scornful, but rather said the line without hesitation, gave the impression that he was, in fact, talking to the wrong person.
Sylvia let out a sigh and added.
“If it had been before I was given the power, I would have been deceived by those words, but isn’t it pointless to say that?”
“What are you talking about…”
“If you say that my words are not enough for you, I can prepare a Divine Engraving Machine here and now, can’t I? Isn’t it common practice to verify one’s identity before a meeting?”
The latter part of the question was asked to Alec.
Alec nodded broadly.
“I would say it is rather obvious. Shall we start checking next time?”
Even Alec had not imagined that King Arthur himself would be present.
Sylvia’s question was rather appropriate.
Alec’s words caused a momentary commotion among the attendees from the Kingdom of Gates.
Naturally, the Gates Kingdom had heard about the Crown Card.
The status displayed on the card also indicated the contents with extreme accuracy.
It could even be said that it was truly an Act of God.
If the status were checked before a meeting, for example, some of the methods used by other countries would not work.
But that would be a mutual benefit, since other countries also engaged themselves in this practice as a matter of course.
King Arthur let out a sigh as he realized the impact of having his status checked.
“… I am simply Arthur right now, and I want you to understand that I am not here now as a King, but as a member of an emissary.”
This was as good as declaring that he was only a member of the delegation in his position, and had nothing to do with him being a King.
But for Sylvia, it did not matter whether the King was present or not.
The only thing she wanted to make clear was to prove that he was a representative of the state.
“I see. So, you are saying that right now, you are not in the same position as them in representing the Kingdom of Gates?”
“…What do you mean?”
“Well… I mean, if you were a representative of a nation, I think it would be better to cut ties with them with haste.”
Sylvia’s words suddenly caused a commotion among the non-management floor members.
“What are you talking about…?”
King Arthur asked, overpowering Karl, who seemed to be on edge, and Dominic, whose face had changed color.
No matter how strong Karl’s position was in the Kingdom of Gates, Arthur would be superior when the matter of the Kingdom was brought up.
To King Arthur, Sylvia quietly said.
“There is nothing to be said for that. What you are claiming now could result in another [the pride of the Canossa Empire], you know?”
Sylvia’s words caused a commotion on the Gates Kingdom side.
The [Pride of the Canossa Empire] was a story that every child in this world knew.
Simply put, the story was that the Canossa Empire, which had built a large empire, began to interfere in the affairs of the Gods, incurring the wrath of the Gods, and was finally destroyed in a few days.
Sylvia warned that what Carl and Dominic were saying this time could result in that.
“Nonsense. Where in what you just said is there any connection to [The pride of the Canossa Empire]? Even if it’s a threat, it’s too childish.”
Karl, who had been silent up to this point, started to speak again.
His words made Dominique, who had been momentarily flustered, laugh at Arthur, who was also contemplating.
“King Arthur. Do not give in to childish threats. We are not wrong in our claims, you know.”
Nodding at Dominic’s words, King Arthur turned his gaze to Sylvia.
“Well, that’s what our dignitaries said?”
At Arthur’s words, Sylvia let out a sigh.
“For my part, I didn’t want it to go this far, but… You brought this upon yourselves.”
Sylvia said, and took one ring out of her pocket.
Usually worn on Sylvia’s arm, it was one of Kousuke’s improved divine tools.
“… What’s that?”
Arthur frowned as Sylvia suddenly pulled out what looked like a magical tool.
“It is not my domain from here on… Or rather, since you yourself brought it to this point, I have no choice.”
Once again nailing down that she really didn’t want to go this far, Sylvia spoke into the ring.
“We are ready.”
As Sylvia said this, a woman’s voice came from that ring.
♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦
[Sylvia, I’m glad you’re here.]
The moment that voice was heard, the place froze.
For Sylvia and Peach, it was a scene that felt like déjà vu, but that time they were dealing with temple officials, while this time they were dealing with a nation.
Moreover, the person they didn’t even realize who they were trying to mess around with…
“No. Sorry to bother you, Goddess Elisa Meir.”
[It’s okay. We should have been the ones to appear.]
“Thank you very much for your time.”
Unlike the usual oracle, they were somewhat more courteous to each other since they were in public.
Still, for the others, they remain as frozen as ever by the pressure of the extremely easy going conversation with the one who joined in.
And rightly so.
No one had ever heard the voice of Goddess Elisa Meir, one of the supreme deities.
Incidentally, no one doubted that the voice belonged to Goddess Elisa Meir.
Everyone present was made to understand in their minds that the voice was the real deal the moment they heard it.
Eris’ appearance here was actually something that Sylvia had requested from the beginning.
Not only in this case, but what they were doing was basically bringing them under God’s eyes.
It had finally been decided that Eris would appear this time around.
The fact that Sylvia was present here was convenient for Eris.
However, Sylvia wanted to prevent the intervention of Goddess Elisa Meir to the very end if possible, so she listened to their opinions until the last moment.
But her good intentions turned out to be completely meaningless.
Even if Kousuke had not been involved, they would have ended up strangling themselves.
