Translated by: Parthios
Edited by: Black Jesus/Pyr
Hero blessed volume 3 chapter 1: Ten thousand years and two thousand years ago?
Potato Village is one of countless small rural villages in the Boa Kingdom. The village chief opened his eyes wide as he looked at the man on the carriage slowly entering the village.
"Ah, you, you´re still alive!?""
"Of course"
The moderately-build merchant, Manju, laughed with a nod and got off the carriage.
"As you can see, I still have my two legs."
"Eh?"
"Excuse me, it"s a national joke, so don"t worry about it."
Come to think of it, what"s going on with this ghost? ── The village chief glanced at the muttering merchants, horror on his face.
"But you went to the Doggu Valley and were really safe......"
"As I said before, there are no dangerous demons over there"
As soon as the merchant had said so, a cute laugh echoed. As the village chief was caught and turned his face, his saw the face of a new maid with light red hair. She looked as young as about fifteen years old, but she had a glossy smile like a widow. She began to speak in a relaxed tone.
"There are no dangerous demons but only dangerous people, right?"
"Well, I don"t know who you are."
"Whatever you think, it"s about you."
A beautiful maid with blue hair who had come with the merchant who played dumb made a Tsukkomi. The village chief refrained from being confused by the exchange between those three.
"That"s the first time I"ve seen that person today......"
"Sorry for the delayed introduction, this is my new servant Livid."
"Village chief, please treat me well~"
The maid who was called "Livid" laughed bewitchingly and hugged the village chief"s arm and pressed her big b.r.e.a.s.t.s against him.
"Th, This is also a healthy young lady, hahahaa......"
"Uhuhu～, village chief seems to be doing well as well for an elder."
Livid had a very happy expression, trying to stretch her thin fingers in between the village chief"s crotch, but before that, the merchant"s chop snapped down on her head.
(Ouch～, isnt that cruel～)
(Idiot, I told you to be patient today)
(What is today～?)
(If the other party is without a wife or girlfriend, love-making is free?)
(As one would expect～, reasonable～!!)
After meeting for a while, as if they were talking with 『Telepathy』 the merchant and Livid smiled as if nothing had happened.
"I"m sorry. I"m so busy that it"s unlikely that I"ll be able to come for a while, so I decided to leave this transaction to Livid. That"s why brought her with me today"
"Is that so?"
"Yes~, I look forward to working with you~♡"
Livid bowed forward and gradually straightened out her body, emphasizing her chest, As soon as he saw her, the village chief, who was ahead of his wife and had already pa.s.sed the age of 60, suddenly regained his spirit. He panicked and pretended to have back pain, bent forward and mislead.
"Ahahaa, so what else can I do for you?"
"Yes, I want you to sell as much of your surplus of potatoes and oil to us as possible."
The merchant noticed the state of the village chief but didn"t say anything tactless; instead, he started to talk business with an unfamiliar face. Meanwhile, the two maids were having fun playing with the children who had gathered.
"Older sister, you came again!"
"Let"s play hopscotch together today."
"What"s that sweet?"
"I"ll bring it with me without panicking."
"Uhuhu～, you"re a cute girl～. I"m going to play with older sister here......Ceres, I´m just kidding, stop your iron claw～!!"
"What are you doing?"
The merchant paid for the purchased food, laughing at the screaming figure of Livid, who is scolded severely. Although not as much as the previous time, the village chief was a little reluctant in earning so much more gold than if he sold them at the market price, but he put them in his pocket.
"Thank you, please come again."
"Yes, we"ll come back at the next harvest season at the latest."
The merchant and the maid bowed to the village chief, who bowed down along with other villagers, and left on the carriage. Then, in a place away until the village is no longer visible, they all gathered to solve the 『Illusion』 magic. The merchant returned to the black-haired boy Shinichi, the blue-haired maid to the silver-haired black elf Ceres, and Livid back to a succubus with bat wings and a sharp tail.
"Uhuhu～, human men look really delicious and I"m looking forward to the next one~"
"Is it really good to leave it to this b.i.t.c.h?"
Ceres frowned and asked about the appearance of the succubus who removes the drool from her mouth. Shinichi nodded with a bitter smile.
"There are few demons that can disguise as humans."
Unlike humans, demons have strong magical powers; but most of them simply use their magical power for 『Body Strengthening』 magic and a few can use complex magic like 『Illusion』 magic. Furthermore, since illusion magic is only a visual disguise, if one"s original physique was too different from humans, it would be easily discovered when touched. For this reason, races who are good at magic, such as snake woman and spider woman, couldn"t disguise themselves as humans because of their physique. After narrowing down the candidates, only a black elf like Ceres or a succubus like Livid remained.
"Its alright Ceres～, my brother is working hard at the Tigris Kingdom."
"That"s why, I"m more worried......"
A super-cla.s.s pervert called incubus who likes men and has a cross-dressing hobby works hard mainly with his lower body to brainwash the priests of the G.o.ddess religion. It might have been natural to worry even if it was not Ceres to throw a woman, who is the elder sister of such a person to the field. However, Shinichi ordered her to buy food while understanding the danger.
"We"ll have to leave it to her in order for us to move"
"……Yes"
With a strong determination, Ceres smiled and whispered. The succubus laughed at the warm air flowing between those two.
"Uhuhu～, the time when straight-laced Ceres, finally throws her maidenhood away......"
"Shut up, you walking obscenity"
"That hurts～, I don"t want to be told that by the h.o.r.n.y Ceres, Migyaaaaa～～～!!"
Ceres"s ruthless iron claw jabbed into the face of the succubus who poured oil on the fire. Shinichi made the carriage run while smiling at such a friendly fight.
The Doggu Valley, where the Demon King"s castle was built, had long been neglected as a barren, narrow, rocky area. However, it was now a potato field with a soft brown ground.
"Shinichi, Welcome back, boo"
Ros, the pig head who carried a plow, noticed Shinichi, who got off the carriage and ran up to it. There was also the appearance of its pet pig that had grown completely.
"The seed planting is over and it"s still early to harvest, so what did you do with the plow?"
"We were chopping food supply in the forest, moo"
Shinichi"s question was answered by the cow head Kalbi, who followed the pig head. The bag that was carried on the back was packed with abundant mountain foods, from bracken and fountain to bamboo shoots.
"All of this, was found by my brother!"
"Pugii!"
The pig, which was pat on its head by the pig head, proudly raised a cry.
"I remember hearing about using pigs to collect truffles, but I don"t think they had that talent."
Originally, Shinichi was impressed with the unexpected performance of the pig he bought for meat and looked again at its body.
"This guy has become so big in a short time."
When Shinichi bought it, it was a cute piglet that was about 40 cm long, but it had grown to an adult size; It was over 1m long and over 100kg in weight, even though it was less than a month old. Moreover, it seemed that it was still growing, as it continued to eat the weeds that have grown in the field.
"My brother eats anything without like or dislike, boo."
"He"s a great guy who eats Parvegut and Biossela from the demon world without care, moo."
"Pugii!"
Being complimented by the cow head, the pig also proudly cried out. However, Shinichi´s eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Even though pigs grow fast, this is a bit too fast......is this guy a monster by any chance?"
Monsters──ordinary animals that have been transformed into unusual figures by being influenced by a large amount of magic. They mainly become huge, their muscular strength increases, and there seem to be some who come to be able to use magic, too. The demons all tilted their heads to Shinichi´s concerned voice.
"Is this child a monster～?"
"I don"t know how to answer. Monsters, I"ve seen enough to get bored in the demon world, but I don"t know how animals in this world become monsters."
"In the first place, I don"t understand the difference between monsters and animals, buu."
"Monsters are strong and animals are weak, isn"t it so, moo?"
If even the knowledgeable Ceres among the brain-stricken demons didn"t know it, then Shinichi wouldn"t get an answer if he asks anyone else. Ariane, who was a former hero and a monster hunter, explained the monsters to Shinichi in the very first place, but she only retold the stories she heard from people and didn"t know the detailed principles.
(It is said that they mutate in response to magic. What is magic power in the first place?)
The power to use magic, the thing that recovers if you rest for a while even if it is exhausted, is something Shinichi has experienced for himself. However, no scientific details are known about what properties or even if it was energy.
(Since it exists not only in humans or demons but also in the atmosphere, should it be considered something like air?)
A source of mysterious power. It is true that the particles that were called 『Magic』 and 『Spirits』 exist in the myths and traditions of earth and that the creatures take them in and convert them into energy called "Magic Power." It was a guess.
(An organ that can take in particles and convert it into magical powers......or could it be called 『Magic Organ』)
Since Shinichi became able to use magic by continuing to bathe in magic power, all living creatures, including humans, would naturally have magic organs. However, many creatures except for demons have their magic organs almost asleep and those who awakened by chance are called magic users──magicians.
(In other words, monsters are 『Animals that have become magicians』?)
Magic is a method of altering reality according to your image by magic. With the energy of magic that dwells within the human body, humans can cause complex phenomena such as shooting fireb.a.l.l.s and healing wounds. However, it is possible because they are highly intelligent people, while animals can only imagine simpler images. Getting bigger, stronger, faster and harder to defeat their enemies and survive.
(As a result of self-modifying themselves with the instincts of living things, they become monsters......)
Shinichi concluded so and looked at the pig that is looking up here.
(The magic power around the demon king castle, is much stronger than in a normal place, so is it likely that the pig became a monster by just hanging around?)
"Pugii?"
There was a certain bit of a misgiving in Shinichi"s head while patting the pig, which inclined its head mysteriously..
(An animal is a monster that has been transformed by being exposed to magic. Then a human──)
"It"s fine to think of dinner menus, but why not do things first?"
"......Ah, that"s right"
After being struck by Ceres on his shoulder, Shinichi let his thoughts be.
"Menu, I said you can"t eat my siblings, boo!?"
"Pugiii!"
"No, I don"t eat."
Laughing heartily at the pig head protecting the pig, Shinichi advanced the carriage toward the Demon King Castle. Then, when the food they bought is sent to the warehouse, Ceres and Shinichi went to a room where the magic square was drawn.
"Then, I will rely on you"
"Certainly. To invite us to the place where we want to be, 『Teleportation』"
The moment when Ceres casted magic, a pure white light wraps around Shinichi´s body. After a moment of weightlessness, the sight in front of Shinichi changed. A beautifully decorated yet solemn chapel centered on the G.o.ddess statue, which shone in the sunlight falling from the skylight. There were three beautiful girls treating injured people.
"Reno-chan, you"re doing your best today"
"Ah, Onii-san, did you come to pick me up!"
Reno, the demon king"s daughter who heard Shinichi"s voice, jumped into his chest with a big smile after she had finished treating the patient.
"There was a collapse today, and some people died, but now everyone is fine."
"Yeah, great, great"
Reno happily squinted when Shinichi stroked her head. Ariane, the former red-haired hero who was looking at it from the side, sharpened her mouth.
"I also helped the miners out of the rubbles and did my best......"
"Yes, yes, Ariane also did well."
When Shinichi stroked her red hair with a grin, Ariane smiled happily and muttered 「Ehehee」.
"It"s just as usual"
"I think that honesty is the charm of Ariane"
It was Sanctine, the former blonde saint, who spoke to the amazed Ceres. After betraying the G.o.ddess Religion, she was on the side of the demons. Now she was treating injured people with her beloved Reno in a temple in the Tigris Kingdom. There was only one problem.
"Sanctine, the next patient is waiting."
Called by the lolicon priest who turned over together, Sanctine looked back with a spectacular sales smile.
"Is it a woman?"
"No, it"s a male"
"Reno-sama, a patient is waiting for you"
"Hey saint, don"t be particular about patients"
Shinichi makes a sharp tsukkomi at Sanctine, who talked to Reno without hesitation for one second. Then she began to sweat from her forehead.
"Even if you say that......if I approach a man, my whole body will be numb, and I won"t be able to breathe lightly......!!"
"It"s that serious."
Shinichi was amazed at the appearance of Sanctine, which seems to have turned pale and will fall at any time.
"I used to treat it normally, but how did it happen?"
"I"m sure it"s your fault."
It was obvious to everyone that the trauma was driven to the point where her heart was broken by Shinichi´s hand and spurred her hate for men.
"Why don"t you put on an illusion on all the guys that they look like Reno-chan?"
"......That"s an idea."
"Hey, don"t be convinced."
Imagine how the world is filled with Renos, even Shinichi is a little drawn to the figure of the former saint who has a nosebleed with a smile. In the meantime, Reno used healing magic and today"s treatment ended.
"Let"s go home."
"Yes. Judoniisan, please take care of this place."
"Please leave it to me!"
Relying on the beloved Reno, the lolicon priest Juda nodded with his eyes shining. While being sent off by him, Shinichi and others stood on the magic square.
"By the way, what happened today that Shinichi also came to pick us up?"
Shinichi responded to Ariane, who was usually alone with Ceres, with his face tightened.
"It"s not a big reason, but there is an important story today."
"Eh!? That is──"
Immediately after Ariane tried to ask back, Ceres said 『Teleportation』 and Shinichi"s body was wrapped in light and flew to the Demon King Castle.
"Start an attack on the Great Temple of the G.o.ddess Religion."
When Shinichi gathered the main forces in the dining room, he declared so at the very beginning of his speech.
"We repelled the heroes three times, but the G.o.ddess"s religion will not give up and will come again."
As long as the demons were determined to be an evil race necessitating destruction, they couldn"t easily back down because of a few failures.
"If you think about the demon king"s ability, you won"t be scared no matter how many people attack, but if they attack the Tigris Kingdom, it"ll be troublesome."
As a result of the domineering presence of the G.o.ddess religion, Tigris, the mining nation, decided to join the demon army after understanding the relationship between the G.o.ddess religion and the late king by the decision of the young king Sieg. Although it has not been published yet to the public due to it creating confusion, if the disappearance of the priests from the temple of the G.o.ddess while Reno and the Saint are getting along well, people would notice that a big change occurred and everyone would hopefully understand the situation.
"It"s still only been four days since the alliance was formalized. The rumors haven"t reached far away, but it"s just a matter of time."
If the Cardinals knew this fact, they would surely send heroes and an army to the Tigris kingdom and attack them in the name of suppressing evil.
"If we leave the Tigris kingdom, there is the danger that other countries will follow. The king and other ruling cla.s.ses will be killed, and in the future, the G.o.ddess Religion will dominate the country and impose heavy taxes on the people."
"I think that"s probably the way it will be."
Sanctine gave the stamp of approval to Shinichi"s expectations.
"Mauz, the immoral city destroyed by the first Pope, is a slave farm that seizes sinners and forces them to work until they die."
"That"s really dark......"
Even on Earth, where Shinichi was born and raised, slavery remained a norm until only two hundred years ago, and prisons in developing countries were still a poor environment, so they can"t be blamed with the G.o.ddess Religion, but it"s still not something that can be forgiven.
"Even though we are the same race, why do we do such terrible things?"
Imagining Reno"s tearful words, Ceres put her hand on her chest to hold something down and then offered a drink to comfort Reno.
"There are people who do similar things to demons. It would be cruel to blame only humans."
"Hauu, you could say that, but......"
"I can"t forgive them for making my daughter sad! All humans, demons, and villains will die by my blade!"
"That"s what a great villain does, right?"
Shinichi tsukkomi"d[1] while sweating coldly at the demon king, who settled on genocide as justice because of family love. Unlike the dictators on earth, it was feasible in strength rather than in power, and so, those genocide remarks did not become fashionable.
"Anyway, it"s unpleasant to send heroes indefinitely, and before the fire reaches the Tigris kingdom, we should drop the Great Temple to end this ridiculous battle."
"I"m not interested in the circ.u.mstances of both human nations, but if we forsake the people who have been helped by my power, it´ll affect my blue demon king´s good name."
The Demon King also deeply nodded at Shinichi"s decision.
"I don"t want to fight, but I don"t want the party leader or everyone in town to be hurt."
Hesitantly, Reno also supported Shinichi, and Ariane, who had been silent until now──
"It"s an important story, so I"m really......"
She was ashamed of her flirtatious self that had a pink delusion and faced the table with a red face.
"I don"t say I"m not in love, but how about remembering the hero"s awareness?"
"Uh, sorry......"
Ariane apologized to Ceres, who offered her a wet towel. Shinichi added an explanation while laughing at Ariane´s figure.
"Even if we say "attack", it doesn"t mean that the Great Temple will be destroyed to ashes by the hands of the Demon King. The heroes won"t die anyway."
Recalling the heroes like Luzar and his friends, who have been resurrected many times, the demon king clicked his tongue stormily.
"So, as ever, you´re going to use your sneaky hands to break someone"s heart."
"Sleazy."
Responding to the Ceres´s practically-abusive shout, Shinichi turned his gaze to the former saint.
"The goal is the four cardinals who rule G.o.ddess Religion. For that, give me as much information as you know."
"If it is for Reno-sama, I will not refuse."
Faced with a request to betray her foster father and colleagues, Sanctine nodded without moving her eyebrows. Seeing it, the Maou face churned with disgust.
"Shinichi, is it worth listening to that woman"s story?"
"I don"t think she will betray us right now."
"Yes, Dad, it"s terrible to doubt San-oneesan!"
In addition to Shinichi´s calm response, Reno got angry and protected Sanctine.
"As one would expect from Reno-sama, exactly the saint"s kindness......"
Sanctine was so moved that she leaned against Reno"s small back, but a giant blue line formed on the forehead of the Demon King.
"I, I am envious of not being nicknamed by my daughter!"
"That´s it!? It"s not like I´m the cause of Reno-chan"s crying!?"
"You, as a matter of course, forgive me! Forgive me even if I have to die a million times!"
"Stirring up a hornet"s nest!?"
"But nicknames are unforgivable. I have only been called papa!"
"What else should you be called?"
Shinichi was amazed and had no words to the demon king who was an intimidating parent.
"Sanctine-oneesan is too long, so I shortened it, but was it no good?"
"No, it"s the first time in my life that I´m called with a nickname, so I"m very happy."
"I don"t have a cute nickname, so I"m envious......"
"The name 『Red』 is very honored by the demons, but it is not cute."
There is no one who defends the Demon King, just because the girls make flowers bloom with their Girl´s Talk.
"Gununu......!!"
"Reno-chan herself has forgiven you and doesn"t want to make you feel bad with nicknames. Hey Father-in-Law."
"... Shinichi, have you finished on your final words?"
"I"m sorry I was just kidding."
Shinichi was immediately prostate after being murdered with a severe gaze. After sighing, the Demon King points to Sanctine again.
"Anyway, I don"t like that woman!"
"Papa......"
Reno is also troubled by the demon king who behaves like a child. Sanctine, who saw the cloudy face, stood up instantly.
"Maou-sama, my sins are so heavy that they can"t be forgiven. But can you at least believe in my allegiance dedicated to Reno-sama?"
It is a human that kneels in front of a big blue body in a dignified manner though it feels a violent fear so that it seems to begin to tremble to the strong demon who is never hostile. The Demon King examines the appearance of the former saint with a cold gaze.
"If so, will you die for Reno?"
"With pleasure."
There was no time for Shinichi to say something. Sanctine, with a soft smile, put her right hand on her neck──
"『Wind Blade』"
And cut off her own neck.
"Hiuu!?"
Reno screams to the scene where fresh blood erupted from the neck of the dying Sanctine and dyed the dining room red and her head rolls with a smile. Neither Shinichi nor Ariane could react to the sudden situation, and as they were stunned and stood up, the Demon King stood quietly and laid down Sanctine"s head and body on the floor. And before the brain cells are completely dead due to lack of oxygen, he held his hands and cast magic.
"『Complete Healing』"
Wrapped in healing light, the detached neck is joined again as if to rewind time. Sanctine, who came back from the dead, still smiled with a deep pale face that lost blood.
"Do you mind if I do it a million times?"
If the Maou isn"t allowed to die a million times, she can die a million times. The demon king happily lifted the edge of his mouth and shook his big palm to Sanctine, who smiled with a fierce determination.
"No need. I will admit that your loyalty is devoted to my daughter."
The demons value strength more than anything else, not only physical strength but also the power of the mind. Impressed by Sanctine"s spiritual power, Maou-sama was delighted and returned his palm.
"Thank you."
In recognition of her true sincerity, Sanctine remembers more joy than when she was consecrated by the G.o.ddess Religion and bowed deeply. Of course, she was only a person who thought that it was a truly impressive sight.
"......After all, the G.o.ddess´s followers are crazy."
"......I think Sanctine-san"s case is rare."
Even Shinichi draws back a little, and Ariane"s defense is weak. Reno, whose face was pale and hardened, rushed to Sanctine´s side.
"Sa, San-oneesan, what are you doing!?""
"To show my loyalty to Reno-sama, my life is cheap."
"Well, she is a hero, so she"ll revive anyway."
Contrary to Shinichi who says it so casually, Reno raises her eyebrows and voice.
"It doesn"t matter if you"re a hero! It"s not good to get hurt, and it"s not good to ruin your life!"
"......I"m sorry."
Serious preaching. It was the first time that Reno had really told her that life was precious as she grew up in the G.o.ddess Religion which could easily help her recover from her injuries and illness and even cover her death, saying it was a bad thing to hurt people and herself.
"After all, Reno-sama is my G.o.ddess."
"Isn"t there any rank up?"
"Better off, clean up the blood early."
A ruthless Tsukkomi flies from Ceres to Sanctine, who has an ecstatic expression. Then, after cleaning the dirty floor and clothes with 『Purification』 magic and eating dinner to replenish the lost blood, the talk finally resumed.
"Do you want to know the weaknesses that undermine the Cardinals?"
"That"s right, but it"s just a good opportunity to tell me more about G.o.ddess Religion."
Shinichi asks a question which he had been looking for a chance to ask for a long time to Sanctine who had her complexion"s color improved a little by eating wild boar steak.
"I want to know the details of when the religion began, what doctrines, and what history it has acc.u.mulated."
Even if it is not directly related to the overthrow of the Cardinals, that information may be useful someday.
(Don"t say that the bank breaks out from an ant"s hole. Maybe the G.o.ddess"s true ident.i.ty—the tail of the mechanism that revives the heroes even from nothing may be gained)
If Shinichi can unravel the secret of immortality, he can end the barren war with the heroes. Sanctine began to talk quietly after thinking for a while, begged by Shinichi with such a light expectation.
"Then, I will tell you from the beginning what was written in the scriptures of the G.o.ddess. It was a story about a time when this world was as one."
This world, Orb.u.m, created by good G.o.ds, was originally a vast continent. There, people enjoyed enormous prosperity, filled their stomachs with excessive gastronomy, singing and dancing every day and enjoying life like a paradise in a bright city at night.
However, those who destroyed the paradise appeared. A wicked evil G.o.d and a demon who belongs to him. The evil G.o.d began to attack humans all over the world following the evil dragons in addition to the demon army. A h.e.l.l picture where the evil magic, the evil dragon"s breath, the demon fangs and claws kill the people one after another.
When 90% of the entire population died, and the human race was in danger of extinction, the good G.o.ds who had disappeared into heaven returned to the earth again to save the people. The fierce battle between the good G.o.d led by Erezonia, the G.o.ddess of light and the Asmodian corps led by the evil G.o.d continued for 10 days and 10 nights.
The ground will be closed in the long winter. The battle itself was hard but ended with the victory of the good G.o.ds, and the evil G.o.d, evil dragons and genus demons were sealed to the bottom of the earth. But the price was so great that most of the good G.o.ds died and the G.o.ddess Erezonia ran out of power and fell asleep. Losing the G.o.ds, the sky was closed with dust, and the light was lost, and 10% of the surviving people died one after another due to hunger and cold. However, humanity survived and many years pa.s.sed.
"──That"s the creation myth that is written in the scriptures."
"It"s really interesting, but there are a lot of different places."
Even though he knew it was barbaric to seek bonding in mythology, Shinichi couldn"t help but keep his mouth down.
"First of all, the world creation at the beginning is rough. Is it only transmitted that it was created by good G.o.ds?"
"Yes, the scriptures only say that the G.o.ddess of light Erezonia created this world, Orb.u.m, left the earth to humans and disappeared into heaven."
"You were told that in the temple, but was something strange?"
Not only Sanctine but Ariane is also wondering why Shinichi has doubts.
"Evidently, there is a lack of detail──no, is it my thoughts?"
Shinichi tried to argue, but he noticed on the way. The reason Shinichi felt that it was messy is that he knows other myths as a comparison object, so he can"t question anyone who doesn"t know the myths of mythology.
"For example, in my world, there is the story that only G.o.d created the world after spending six days and made a day off, or created the first human from the earth. There is also a story that the earth was born from nothingness and gave birth to various G.o.ds.""
"Huee, it"s kind of an amazing story."
"By the way, the island country where I was born was born with two siblings as pillars."
"It"s a strange myth that an island is born by incest."
"The lines unite not only with siblings but also with beasts and dolls, and it is told in Greek mythology that the chief G.o.d is the worst cheater."
In the first place, since myths are only the oldest creations, Shinichi thinks that as a result of seeking stimulation without regulation, it is natural to be filled with erotic, gro, and nonsense.
"Anyway, I felt that the world creation part was rough."
Why was this world born? That is one of the big questions that humankind has, and if you don"t understand it, it will create anxiety in your heart. The role of myth and religion is to give people the peace of mind by presenting the answer that G.o.d created. That"s why many myths describe the world creation in detail, but the G.o.ddess Religion"s scriptures lacked that important part.
(It"s like "You don"t need to explain how the world was born")
Shinichi remembered a strange catch, but did not get along well and changed the story.
"And if the good G.o.ds created this world, where did the evil G.o.ds and evil dragons come from? Indeed, did the good G.o.ds create them? Why did they leave humanity alone until they were slaughtered?"
In the earth"s religion, the tsukkomi saying "If you are an all-powerful G.o.d, don"t leave the devil alone!" is the same question.
"On earth where I was born, the theory that the devil makes humans unhappy and makes them thankful for G.o.d to save them, but the theory of leaving them for match pumps is powerful"
"Aren"t humans from the earth far from being G.o.ds as they are low-lives?"
"In this way, aren"t humans and G.o.d comparatively sleazy?"
Shinichi responds to Ceres with a stunned face and a wry smile. To the people of another place, Sanctine put her finger on her lips and thought about it.
"Where did the evil G.o.ds and evil dragons come from? That"s right, as you said, I have never thought deeply. The beginning of the scriptures are the words that G.o.ddess Erezonia told and was taught by the first Pope with the notice that it shouldn"t be doubted.""
"……Really"
A glimpse of the brainwashing education that Sanctine had received, Shinichi frowned slightly.
"It"s not me, but scholars get involved in it."
"In other cities it"s possible, but if you say something like that in the Holy City, you"ll be sent to prison."
"It"s really dark! But wait, there"s a hand that dismisses false information by saying 『He doubted the scriptures』."
"That"s impossible because they can tell the truth if they use 『Lie detection』 magic."
"The misjudgment rate is 0!? It"s just white."
"Judges who use 『Lie detection』 magic don"t necessarily confine someone because he lied."
"After all, it is not transcendent black!"
No matter how good a magic tool is, it was a sample that it would be meaningless if the humans who used it were rotten.
"But I don"t think there will be anything wrong unless you are an idiot starting fights with the Cardinals."
"I have to be that idiot......"
Shinichi holds his head after hearing the utterly uncomforting words of Sanctine.
"So, the story was about how the demons led by the evil G.o.d killed humans but was that true?"
The creation myth written in the scriptures is an event from a long time ago and is likely to have been tampered with in favor of the G.o.ddess Religion. So Shinichi asked for the opinion of the demons, but the demon king shook his head without knowing it.
"I have never heard of such a story. In the first place, I never heard of a G.o.ddess until I came to this world."
"The evil dragons that were mentioned and played a role may be Great Black Dragons, but to be honest, it"s disagreeable."
"I don"t know because it was a thing of the past, but I don"t want to think that Reno"s ancestors did terrible things to humans......"
Although there is no evidence, it will not be affirmed, but Ceres and Reno also speak out against negative opinions.
"I see...... isn"t there a creation myth in the demon world?"
"Yes, there is."
Reno nodded to Shinichi"s question, stands up and runs out of the dining room. And she came back with a book.
"It"s written in this book."
It was like a picture book for children, and the t.i.tle 『G.o.d who became the sun』 was written on the cover.
"A dark elf older sister made it for me."
"They"re making everything."
"Because dark elves are craftsmen regardless of age or gender. Ivan-sama, for example, specializes in blacksmithing, but others are also extremely involved in pottery and painting."
"Instead, they don"t touch something they"re not interested in."
"It"s a craftsman race from the ground up."
Shinichi looks at the picture book with a beautiful binding that can"t be thought of as if handmade.
"Then, can I read it a little?"
"Yes."
"Please wait, I hope Reno-sama can read this."
Sanctine"s hand blocks the picture book that was about to be pa.s.sed.
"Do you want Reno to read it?"
"Yes, if it is read with the clean voice of Reno-sama, it will surely reverberate all over the world as the gospel of G.o.d and will be engraved into the depths of one"s soul."
"Huu, doesn"t she say something good."
"Lolicons and doting parents don"t get carried to extremes."
To the remainder of Shinichi, Reno who had been praised began to read the picture book happily though she was embarra.s.sed and blushing.
"Once upon a time, a 『Calamity』 fell from the sky to the demons who lived on the surface."
"Calamity......"
"G.o.d appeared to the demons who were in trouble, and said, 『I created a new world at the bottom of the surface where no disaster will reach. Let"s go there, together』."
Then the demons move to the bottom of the earth and are led by G.o.d. However, there was one major problem. There was no sun below the surface.
"It"s dark, and we can"t see anything and gra.s.s or flowers don"t grow. So G.o.d became the sun himself."
The sun that G.o.d changed, brightly illuminated the bottom of the earth with a shining blue light.
"This is how the demon world was created, and all the demons lived happily and had a happy life."
"Reno-sama, it was a wonderful reading."
"Bravo! As one would expect from my daughter!"
Ignore Sanctine who sheds emotional tears and the demon king who claps like a roar with his big palms, Shinichi thinks quietly.
(It doesn"t overlap with the myth of the G.o.ddess Religion)
Although there is a difference between the evil G.o.ds and the disaster from the sky, a serious 『Something』 occurred a long time ago. Shinichi doesn"t know what that is, but as a result, the majority of humanity died, and the demons moved into the demon world deep underground.
(Since both are old legends, it is dangerous to have a grudge, but I think there"s some fact that they both have in common)
While feeling the archaeological romance like the excavation of the ruins, Shinichi goes through further thoughts.
(Nevertheless, don"t remind me of Noah"s ark)
The story of a ma.s.sive flood that was also written in the world"s oldest literary work 『Epic of Gilgamesh』. In order to destroy the rotten people, G.o.d, who had created humans, washed all the earth by making it rain for forty days.
(Maybe the G.o.ddess has caused the disaster?)
Because of the hostility to the G.o.ddess Religion, such a prejudice comes to mind.
(In any case, the evil G.o.d sealed at the bottom of the earth and the G.o.d who became the sun will be the same existence)
Shinichi looks at the demon king while thinking so, who slapped his chest plate to boast of blue skin.
"My name is 『Blue Demon King』, not because it is the color of my skin, but above all, it is because of respect for G.o.d who saved us demons."
"I see, blue is the color of the sun for the demons."
In other words, it might be called 『Golden Sun King"』 if it paraphrases human"s sensibility.
"It"s strange."
Feeling the difference of the culture again, Ariane nodded to Shinichi´s appearance who was impressed.
"Speaking of which, isn"t it because of 『Disaster』
that the demons didn"t come out of the ground?"
"Yes, it was told that we should never leave the demon world because the ground is a dangerous place that has been flooded with disasters."
"That"s why some people came to the ground in search of danger. Like my wife."
"It must have been out of the loss of interest."
A terrestrial world that is said to be more dangerous than the demon world where monsters struggle plainly and their power dominates. The h.e.l.l that demons went to train themselves, what was awaiting there──is a gentle sight where animals walked in the vibrant nature of a red sun. And a fragile race called humans who can"t even use magic.
"The stories of those who came back disappointed led to rumors that the earth was a human-dominated world and that there was little danger. However, there are few people who can use 『Teleportation』 for long distances to the ground, and some have never returned, so there are still many people who believe that the ground is dangerous."
"The guys who didn"t come home were either killed by a hero or fascinated by the delicious food."
Some may have fallen in love with humans and settled down here.
"When I heard from Maou´s wife who came back and thought that you came here to the present in search of deliciousness, there is something deeply moving about it."
"Yes, I was able to meet Shinichi-oniisan thanks to my mom. I must say thanks when she comes back!"
Looking at Reno who is smiling happily, Shinichi is caught and returns a smile.
"But is the Evil G.o.d Army a disaster from the sky? Which is right or are both wrong...... it"s faster if there is a witness, but isn"t there a high elf who is living for tens of thousands of years?"
"What do you think elves are?"
Shinichi also remembers seeing Ceres frowning in a big way as to treat people as hags.
"Come to think of it, the lifespan of elves isn"t much different from that of humans, or is it?"
There was a story that happened shortly after defeating Bishop Hugh and welcome Ariane to join us.
"Yes, even if they live long, their lifespan is about a hundred and twenty years old."
"No matter how many times I hear it, I feel awkward......"
Shinichi, who is familiar with j.a.panese fantasy culture, will not fall into the trap, contrary to the theory that 「Elf is longevity」, but if he thinks carefully, it is nothing strange or anything. Originally, the word that Ceres p.r.o.nounces as 「Auris」 is translated into a word that is easy to understand, such as 「Auris」 → 「A beautiful tribe with long ears」 → 「Elf」 by the translation magic that was applied when Shinichi was summoned. There is no direct connection between the elves from this world and the elves on earth.
"Apart from elves, aren"t there any demons living before the disaster?"
"Don"t be reckless, how long ago do you think it was?"
The Demon King denied Shinichi´s question with an amazed face.
"Our race lives for about two hundred years and some of the demons live for nearly three hundred years, but there are none who have lived from the mythical era of thousands of years ago."
"That"s impossible. No, wait."
One possibility comes to mind in Shinichi"s head.
"If it is a dragon, it will know everything?"
The legendary black dragon worshiped by the demons as the strongest existence sleeps in the depths of the Demon World.
"Yes, it might know everything if it is a black dragon."
"But you don"t know where the dragons are?"
There is no evidence that it exists, it"s only pa.s.sed down as a legend among the demons.
"Yes, I don"t know if there is a black dragon. But if it"s a red dragon, it should definitely exist"
Shinichi declared and looked at the evidence──Ariane.
"Ah……"
Ariane is suddenly shaken and surprised by the current story, touching the red scales on her throat. She is a half-dragon who was born from a dragon father and a human mother. There is no better evidence that a dragon exists.
"Ariane, I think it"s hard to talk about it, but can you tell me if you know where your dragon father is?"
"......I"m sorry, I don"t know dad at all."
Surely, Ariane, who was asked with care by Shinichi, bowed her head.
"I was traveling with my mom when I was old enough to understand what"s going on around me, and I never met my dad. Even when I asked my mom, she only told me that my dad was a dragon and that I was a half-dragon......"
Now that her mother died of illness, where did her parents meet and how have they decided to give birth to Ariane, everything was shrouded in mystery.
"Is that so."
"But, when I asked about my father, my mother looked embarra.s.sed and never had an unpleasant face. Therefore......"
She wanted to believe that there was love──Shinichi smiled and patted Ariane"s red hair muttering in a voice that seems to disappear.
"A child was born between two people who were very different in their race and physique, both a dragon and a human. It"s impossible if it"s not a miracle of love, is it?"
"......Yeah!"
She was delighted by the kindness that lightly took away the troubles that had been in her chest for years and Ariane moistened her eyes and hugged Shinichi.
"Muu~, Ariane-oneesan is sly."
"…………(*Gaze*～)"
"Emm, didn"t the G.o.ddess Religion tell you where the dragons are?"
Reno was dissatisfied and puffed up her cheeks, and a cold gaze flew from Ceres and Shinichi diverted the story while gently releasing Ariane.
"There is no particular message except that the G.o.ddess sealed them to the bottom of the earth. But I heard that a dragon lurks somewhere in the mountains and there were rumors that a hero went to exterminate it."
"But if you didn"t even see it, how do you want to defeat it?"
"That "s right."
After listening to Sanctine"s answer, Shinichi dropped his shoulders lightly.
"I can"t help but give up on the dragons. There"s no guarantee that a red dragon knows the mythic era and it"s necessary to urgently take measures against the G.o.ddess Religion"
"If you"re busy, then I can look for it instead, right?"
"Stop it."
Shinichi stopped Maou-sama who had proposed it with a smile that was very dangerous with all his might.
(If Ariane"s father is equivalent to a black dragon, even the demon king would be a toothless opponent......)
The demon king is a musclehead fighter who wanted to fight because he was such an overwhelming strong man. Thinking it is dangerous to talk about dragons anymore, Shinichi returns the story to the legend of the G.o.ddess.
"What happened after the destruction of the evil G.o.d"s army and the end of humankind?"
"For a long time, people were struggling to survive in a world without G.o.d, and the G.o.ddess was finally awakened 287 years ago."
There was a man named Yumenta in a small town in the middle of Europe. He was a lumberjack and carpenter, and he reported to have been an honest and serious young man but a mediocre person without magic. When he woke up one night, a beautiful and shiny woman stood at the bedside. The woman told Yumenta, who was surprised and hardened, with a gentle smile.
"I am Erezonia, the G.o.ddess of light, awakened from a long sleep and descended to a lost child. You become a savior and illuminate people with the light of the G.o.ddess."
Yumenta, who was overwhelmingly preoccupied as if the sun was down, realized that the spiritual faith, such as the spiritual faith taught by his deceased parents, was a mischievous wickedness. The G.o.ddess rejoices it and gives him enormous magical power and a sacred sign that imitates the sun. This was the moment when the great first Pope Yumenta, the first believer, evangelist and immortal hero, was born. Yumenta fully uses the magic power given by the G.o.ddess, to save people who suffer from injuries and illnesses, resurrect even the dead and slays terrible monsters and villains one after another. People were impressed by his appearance, and they abandoned false faiths such as indigenous spirits and natural G.o.ds and began to believe in G.o.ddess Erezonia one after another. The number of believers increased in the blink of an eye, and especially those who were excellent were given the symbol of the G.o.ddess directly from Yumenta, becoming new heroes and spread their faith further. Then, in the 22nd year of the G.o.ddess advent, Yumenta triumphantly returned to his home town with many believers, and it was decided that this place will become the center of the G.o.ddess Religion as the 『Holy City』. He set up a stone statue of the G.o.ddess in his own house where G.o.d came down──a place that would later become the Great Temple."
"──That"s the story from the advent of G.o.ddess Erezonia to the birth of the Holy City."
Shinichi was silent with a problematic face in front of Sanctine who exhales and drinks water.
(After all, it is appropriate to think that G.o.ddess Erezonia was 『There』......)
Rather than thinking that an ordinary youth suddenly became able to use magic and started spreading the religion they thought, it would be more realistic to think that they were instigated by the extraordinary existence of a G.o.ddess.
(So, is G.o.ddess Erezonia not a system like a machine but a person with a single personality?)
Then, Reno groaned with a sad face, with Shinichi thinking as to what the purpose was.
"Did the original spirits and other G.o.ds be abandoned by everyone? I feel sorry for them......"
"Kuu, G.o.ddess Erezonia is the lowest c.r.a.p that makes Reno-sama cry!"
"......Is it better to add a Tsukkomi?"
"I thought it would be better to stop because I"m just tired."
Ariane and Ceres are amazed and speechless at Sanctine, who throws away her past and hesitates. However, when Shinichi heard Reno"s words, he suddenly wondered.
"Speaking of which, do spirits and other G.o.ds really exist? It means that you can meet and talk to them properly."
Everyone tilted their head to that question.
"The people of Tigris still believe in the mountain G.o.ds, and I"ve heard of a forest G.o.d elsewhere, but I"ve never met, nor have I ever heard of it."
"If there were other G.o.ds, the Great Temple would have slaughtered them as evil G.o.ds, but I don"t think there were any such cases."
"There is a story about spirits in rocks and trees, but I have never seen them."
"If its a spirit of death, it will often appear on a battlefield."
"I"m so annoyed that I"m knocking down."
"Will the spirit (physics) work? Horror movie fans will cry."
In a sense, a shocking fact was found, but no example of witnessing a G.o.d or spirit was found.
(Same feeling as the earth, does it exist even if there is faith in G.o.ds and spirits? If so, why is only G.o.ddess Erezonia 『There』?)
Only the first Pope Yumenta has witnessed the G.o.ddess. However, there is certainly an existence that has given an enormous magic power to Yumenta and is still creating immortal heroes.
"I want to check one thing. There was no hero until the first pope appeared?"
"Yes, I"m sure that it is written in the scriptures, that Yumenta was the first without doubts."
"In other words, it is almost certain that the G.o.ddess began her activities about 300 years ago."
If you believe in the statement that she used her power in the battle with the evil G.o.ds and fell asleep, then G.o.ddess Erezonia can be managed in battle. Even if she is invulnerable like a hero, she will certainly be out of service for quite some time. If that happens, the immortal heroes system will collapse, and it will be possible to stop the domination of the G.o.ddess Religion and end the barren war.
(The problem is that even the Demon King does not know if he can win against the G.o.ddess)
Considering the current state of a G.o.ddess that can even resurrect from nothing, it"s impossible for the demon king, as it will be a pretty bad fight.
"After all, we have to aim for the Cardinals......"
"Shall I continue with my knowledge?"
"Yes, please."
Shinichi breaks out of his thought vortex and listens again to Sanctine"s story. However, after that, she repeated stories of successive popes spreading the doctrine and no important information about the G.o.ddess was hidden there. While Reno began to doze off while talking about the current Cardinals, the strategy meeting ended there, and Shinichi and his team pulled up into their rooms and went into bed.
[1] - The act of pointing out that something is ridiculous or silly. Usually this is something another person says or does.