Chapter 33 – Even for G.o.d, Perseverance is a Must
This might be sudden but let’s talk about Renya’s divinity for now. It was said that Renya has just inherit his status as a G.o.d and his body is now still in the process of maturing into a fully matured G.o.d. He doesn’t even have his own myth and clear authority yet. In short, he is still a fledging G.o.d. Because of that, his power will definitely be lower if compared to other G.o.ds who have fully matured. It is proven to be true when his power compared to Floria’s. Floria has lived quite a long time as a G.o.d so her divinity is separated like heaven and earth when compared to Renya who haven’t even live as a G.o.d for a full one year yet.
There are ways to fill the gap through effort and practice. But the easiest way to do that is by using divine power.
Showering divine punishment to the mortal in the form of natural disaster, giving birth to a new kind of existence, exhibiting their own deed which surpa.s.ses that of a normal human could, and other similar bizarre things that can only be made possible by divine power are an easy ways for a G.o.d to improve their own divinity quickly.
There is such theory like that but in the end, what a G.o.d really is? If a mortal were to imagine G.o.d then they are an almighty existence which far surpa.s.s normal human imagination. Actually they are not that almighty as they can die like Renya’s predecessor. But their existence is indeed already a cheat by itself.
Those being called G.o.ds unexpectedly have other more option to quickly and easily increase their power, their divinity.
First, is by spreading their own name to be known by the mortal to increase their own popularity. By having more and more people aware of their existence, a G.o.d’s divinity would increase. But of course it also comes with some risk.
Even when a G.o.d spread their own divinity as is, the belief of mortal will always forked into two paths. That is whether the G.o.d is a good one, or a bad one. As fanaticism between religions worsens, a G.o.d could be recognized as both good and evil at the same time.
Both extreme ends of course could not exist together so it will result in the G.o.d splitting into two being in the end. Such case had happened before according to Floria and that is also why she doesn’t recommend Renya using this method. The biggest reason for it was because Floria simply couldn’t bear her beloved man to split up just like that.
Next one is from eating food.
This one might be an anti-climatic method but the G.o.ds also benefits normally from nutrition intake. From food, a G.o.d can receive the energy from nature which will be useful to help divine energy matures. Yes, food will be processed into divine energy not the body flesh and blood. In a way, that is also why G.o.d could maintain a perpetual youth. Their body simply didn’t change even one bit, only their divinity that is.
And the last one is spouses.
This is a different approach to the philosophy of ‘those who believed will be saved’ or ‘G.o.d is there even if he can’t be seen’. It was not the one blind faith a religion pract.i.tioner has but more like that of a lover. For their lover, even a human could perform miracles. So how could it not for a G.o.d? In a way, mortal and G.o.d are the same before love.
For G.o.d, the boost they can get from love is even more systematic. The deeper their lover’s love them and the more number of lover they had all of them directly influence not only the strengthening of a G.o.d divinity, but also would strengthen the G.o.d’s lover too by some degree. It was a mutual relationship after all. And love also doesn’t question other things like race, age, and even gender. Those all are just the same in front of love. Renya can only think inside his heart in pointing that love should question gender in the least. But well, if it was mutual how Renya could deny it? He just doesn’t want to have any dealing with those.
Anyway, after Renya long explanation, he just suddenly declares:
“In conclusion, I have reason to why I collect girls and keep them to my side like this!”
And that is how he summed his explanation out. He said that lines while taking a pose of a certain gla.s.ses character who is famous for his logical deduction* but too bad the other party beside Floria simply doesn’t know it so they don’t even react.
It was something that happened shortly after they arrived at the forgotten ruin. Renya had used up all his divine power to let 5 person fly while also not forgetting concealing their presence so the supposed 8 days one way trip got reduced into half a day. With not much in his reserves, he decided to rest first before start exploring the ruin tomorrow. This explanation happened at that night when they camped close to the ruin.
Beside Therese who had already fallen asleep earlier, the other member expression when hearing Renya’s conclusion can be guessed easily.
Those girls who had been with Renya for quite some time had grown a little bit tougher both in good and bad meaning.
When they flown near the questioned ruin and looking around at its surrounding, everyone was having the same thinking. They thought that it was natural that this ruin would be forgotten because it was nearly impossible to discover.
The ruin location is surrounded by steep mountains. Those mountains are somehow looks unnatural. It is just like, those mountains were there because someone or something ‘put’ a mountain there.
Inside Renya’s mind, this situation reminds him when he played a certain famous RPG where he needs a special air transportation mean so he could reach places like this*. And those mountains are also pretty similar to the one in the game which is they also perfectly form a clean perfect circle. This fact made Renya suspected even more that this mountain is created artificially by a powerful being that power surpa.s.s that of mortal.
At the time when Renya and party landed safely in this plains that no one else ever step on for who knows how long and opened the door of the ruin, He had exhausted his divine power. This situation caused Floria to talk about ‘how to grow a G.o.d divine power’ and it ended with a stupid remark from Renya.
After they spend a night resting, Renya and party excavate the buried entrance path and enters the ruin that was camouflaged like a cave.
When they first enter the ruin, they got surprised by how bright the inside is although this place supposed to be underground. There are lamps that were set along the wall in a fixed interval making the ruin interior bright. The path doesn’t feel cramped for even 5 people to pa.s.s them in a line formation, the ceiling is also quite high. High enough that even Elvira can use her halberd without any restriction in this path.
Renya gets excited and wants to advance immediately, but he stopped after taking one step. Renya notices something so he stops in his track.
“…… My divine power is repelled”
“Eh? Are you for real!?”
Renya scratch his head furiously, troubled by that fact and Floria responded without hiding her astonishment.
“When I want to probe this dungeon structure with my divine power it got repelled easily. This ruin seems to be something that has connection with some G.o.d out there. Therese, is there anything you noticed from the pattern in the ruin or material or maybe from its characteristic?”
“Umm please wait for a bit desu…… u-mm, I never saw pattern like this before desu. And for the material…… I’m sorry I don’t know either desu”
“In other way, we know that this ruin is not something created by human or even related to human history whatsoever. From that fact…… and from that ship sleeping in the depth of this ruin…… don’t tell me that ship is a divine armament created by this world G.o.d?”
When Floria checked whether there are any G.o.ds here when they first looking for a suitable world to stay, it was in the end can only detects any G.o.d that is still active doing their ‘duty’. So it doesn’t mean that this world never had any G.o.ds if that reading results are negative.
Renya doesn’t remember their name but he had read a few legend and myth that had happened in the past when he looks for some references in the royal library. Leaving aside whether the argumentation about those myth real or not, it was positive now that this world had already influenced in some way by the hands of the G.o.ds.
But the pressing trouble at present is that Renya suddenly can’t use his divine power. He then tests a few things regarding divine power usage and from the result, he knows that beside his divine armaments and self enhancing skill, his divine power is completely negated. Floria thinks that it was just simply because Renya’s divinity is weaker than the G.o.d who created this ruin so his divine power can’t overpower the seal that shackles him.
“But Renya, before coming here you have said it right? That you detect the ship in the very depth of this ruin”
“Yeah, I even know that this ruin reach far down to the underground and I there’s no mistake that the ship is down there ---- but I at that time, I had ‘look’ around the ruin exterior only”
“Then when you were thinking about checking the interior you also got repelled at that time right?”
“That’s right. I was planning to check the interior too so I can make a map from it but I can’t……”
He also felt that his divine power got repelled when he tries to do check the ruin interior at that time.
Floria who take a thinking pose from a while ago seems to come into conclusion and start discussing it with the other party member. It seems like this ruin will only repel any divine power that reach the interior of this ruin. Having reached that conclusion, Floria suddenly smiles charmingly.
“Fufufu…… this is an unexpected event don’t you think Renya? The main character whose were pretty much invincible until now suddenly getting his power sealed and face a major threat! And because of this crisis, the main character who usually can deal with anything by himself starts to understand how valuable the heroines that accompanied him really were! At last such easy to understand golden formula event arrives!”
“No… my power really isn’t that much sealed. I just can’t bend too much rules inside this ruin. And please stop with that kind of saying. It sounds just like I don’t know how valuable you guys are to me”
Floria mouth is turning into that of a cat while teasing Renya but Renya easily let her jokes slides without any care. Well it is indeed dangerous if the seal also restrict Renya’s divine armaments and body enhancement skill but it seems just fine somehow for the time being.
But the situation is still not entirely good just like what Floria says. If Renya can’t probe the ruin with his divine power then Renya wouldn’t be able to provide much support in conquering the ruin. They will definitely need to search for the right way inside the maze and there are also risks for traps. It is sad but, eventhough Renya is a G.o.d now he was a human before. Additionally he is also a human who comes from modern age. Coming from modern age means that he doesn’t have any single bit of experience for doing exploration or excavation an ancient ruin like this. The only one who might have some experience in doing exploration like this was only those who work as an archeologist.
“Sorry Brenda, but could you please take over the mapping? Keep track of our current position as well. Is there any magic to help you doing that? I hope there is so we can have it easier”
“Understood. I have a few spells that is useful for exploring so I think we’ll be fine”
“Please. And then Elvira, could you please detect any enemies that are coming our way? Brenda will concentrate with her mapping so she probably can’t detect any enemy fast enough so you have to cover for her too”
“Yes. Please leave it to me Renya-sama”
“And then Therese, please study the ruin’s structure and mechanism. This kind of ruin is probably teeming with traps and danger so I want you to defuse them off if there’s any”
“That seems rational desu. I agree that for huge ruin like this one, traps are something common desu. I don’t know how much I can help but I will use all the things that I have learned until today to help desu! I will do my best desu!”
“Okay then I will take the anchor, the vanguard will be Floria, and in the middle will be ordered from Elvira, Brenda, and then Therese. Let’s start the exploration!”
“””Okay!”””
There are only 3 people answering to Renya’s order with high spirit. The last one who doesn’t reply, Floria, is giving her all in showing her sulkiness.
“Hey~, Renya~, why did I feel getting mistreated here~? Why don’t you give me any detailed order too~?”
“N? You have that exceptional intuition right Floria? So please sense any other kind of danger in front of us by using that then. Trap and other mechanism will be undertaken by Therese while Elvira will deal with the enemies”
“That’s cruel! Too apathetic! Just because that reason you put me on the front!?”
“Hoo… from your talking about this ‘event’ just now, isn’t everyone supposed to help me right now?”
“Au…… Renya expression is a bit scary……”
Feeling dejected, Floria’s shoulders drop considerably. Seems like Renya had teased her too much this time. So Renya just sigh a bit then pats Floria’s head while smiling.
“Sorry my bad, that was just a joke”
“Mo~ that’s cruel~ why is it only me who got this cruel treatment~”
“But I mean what I said you know? I have high confidence in your intuition in detecting danger. Especially you really excelled at detecting dangers that can’t be seen with naked eyes right?”
That’s right. Floria is also the same as Renya as the one who ‘inherit’ the previous war G.o.d’s blood. Because of that, even if she doesn’t know the theory behind it, she can ‘feels’ danger with her intuition most of the time. In Renya’s case, his ability is excelled in sensing danger that directly aims for him like hostility and killing intent. While in Floria’s case, she excelled in sensing hard to detect treat and hidden danger.
Sensing things like a.s.sa.s.sination and surprise attack, traps, hidden mechanism, and other indirect danger are Floria’s strong forte. In fact she is the number one in the party. Since Renya can’t check the entire ruin by using divine power beforehand, having someone who is sensible toward danger in the front when they don’t know what kind of danger lurk in their surrounding is a good tactic.
“What you said is true… it is true but… Isn’t this where Renya should go obstinate saying ‘I’m the only guy her so let me take the vanguard!’ or something like that?”
“Do you know Floria, in my world there is a saying of ‘the right person in the right place’”
“Haah… When talking about things like this Renya really is very realistic. Well anyway, if you really did say something like that then I’m gonna beat you up because that way will only lead us to death”
Exploration is not a game. With divine power cheat getting sealed like this situation now, they must put extra care and even more care to conquer this ruin where even that might not be enough. Saying because it’s a man’s job or it is dangerous because you are a woman, such feminist principle would only lead them to their own annihilation. Making the best use of each party member by giving them the most suited position is a natural judgment for a leader.
But that good judgment is only limited to this ruin-conquering only.
No woman would be happy if people said bluntly to them that because they excel at sensing danger, they must take the vanguard.
“But then again, I would like you to also feel worried when ask me or maybe shows some apologetic feel… I really wish for that kind of consideration you know……”
“Well then how about you also reflect what you said back there when we just got here?”
“Uuuu, I was only joking at that time”
Again, Floria dejectedly dropped her shoulder. But when she lowers her head looking down to the ground, an unexpected situation happened. Someone suddenly hold her head and pull her forward. Of course, the one who pulls her forward is Renya. Yes, Renya is now gently hugging Floria. Floria in the other hand got surprised by the sudden surprise attack. Her eyes stared blankly towards the s.p.a.ce in front of her.
“Well then my G.o.ddess, show me your best in your role so you can make me get head over heels all over you again okay? You just got the greatest chance to show me that you know?”
While hugging her, Renya whispers a sweet line directly to Floria’s ear. Not stopping at only that, Renya also shows his affection more by patting her head tenderly.
That hug only happened in an instant. The two separates again as soon as Renya finished his killer line. And the effects kicked in immediately.
“…… Hm, Okay! Leave it to me! I will fully guarantee everyone safety!”
With a wide smile and voice filled to the brim with confidence, Floria takes the vanguard heroically. Her back is like giving off an aura of a veteran that had got through uncountable dangerous situation. It was at this exact moment that the G.o.ddess of love had become the party guardian deity.
(Yosh. As expected of Floria, Easy peasy)
As expected of someone who had been together with her for over than a century, he really understands her well. Renya knows that Floria won’t get mad at his frivolous talk. He was teasing her for the purpose of throwing that fork ball just now which made Floria’s heart scored a three strike. This was how they interact with each other from time to time, trying to steal the advantage position from each other at everyday basis. This time, Renya won the advantage but he doesn’t know when Floria will try to counter him and take over his advantages.
“Well then that’s all. I think everything will be alright but just in case please keep concentrating on each other duties okay?”
Renya then wraps their strategy meeting with that but everyone are looking at him with a cold gazes.
He of course knows what the reason behind those cold gazes but because he can’t think of any excuses for it, he just let it pa.s.s by showing a troubled look while scratching his temple and smiling bitterly.
“Okay everyone, let’s go~!”
Floria calls on the party with a high spirited voice. The other 3 girls answer with their own unique wry smile. When they walk past Renya who positioned as the anchor, each of them gives him a piece of their mind.
“That is quite unfair of you giving special treatment only to Floria like that right?”
“I also wish to hear a bit more sweet words from Renya-sama If possible”
“I-I will also do my best desu! If I did good then please praise me more desu ne!”
Hearing the girls’ opinion, he decides to keep it carved inside his heart so he’ll never forget it. If he forgot about this then beside he might not escaped from it unscathed, He will also feel sorry for them. His quarrel with Floria had become a habit for him so he unintentionally forgot about the other girls in that moment. He realizes that he needs to start working harder to please not only Floria, but also everyone else equally.
(A harem that is created not because the man position and political power…… In a meaning is the kind of harem where the resourcefulness of that man is tested until the very limit……)
For royalties, there are different position between the legal wife and concubines so the ranking between the wifes naturally created from the start.
There is also a harem between master and slaves. In this type of harem, the master has the sole power to make any decision.
Yet another kind of harem is where the male dominates the woman. This one had already been introduced in the time when Brenda was disturbed by some n.o.ble young master. Which is more or less the same as master-slave harem relationship before.
And the last one is what Renya aims for. It is the kind of harem where everyone respects each other independence. This kind of harem had the hardest difficulty level to keep maintaining it. Renya is yet again made to realize that fact.
Renya whose sense of values and matters regarding killing people had already broken free from that a normal modern man has is unexpectedly still a beginner level in the matter of treating ladies. Such is just his own opinion about himself though. While thinking such things, Renya starts walking toward to where the party went.
(But…… that famous motivational teacher* said it isn’t it? If you give up…… then it was when the game will truly over!)
Right now, he is still inexperienced so he doesn’t have any other option but to learn more.
Right now, he is still unable to reach out for it so he doesn’t have any other option but to grow more.
It was too soon to give up! After all, his harem might grow even larger in the future so he should give it his all!
While exploring this ruin that was left behind by a G.o.d to retrieve the treasure hidden within it, Renya somehow has his mind full with thinking about on how he should improve his skill as the owner of his harem.
Author notes: Having an auto map is truly a G.o.dsend right?
Eros notes:
* A certain gla.s.ses character: can only imagine detective conan or that sungla.s.ses guy in CSI meme. Renya acts all high and mighty while doing the gla.s.ses meme so those "evil" gla.s.ses character like those from Log Horizon are out haha.
* Oldschool RPG golden rules: have a transportation method on land, then on sea, then flying on the air. Some example is the Final Fantasy series (mostly), Xenogears, Tales series, etc.
* A famous motivator: that over spirited tennis player from j.a.pan. Forgot his name.