Translator: Kazumi
Editor: Silavin
The conference room fell into a heavy silence as Kousuke began to speak. His voice remained calm and measured, deliberately stating only the facts to avoid unnecessary emotional responses. Kouhi and Mitsuki supplemented his explanation when needed, filling gaps and clarifying points that might lead to misunderstanding.
Kousuke started with the fourth woman who had appeared in the temple of Gazenran Tower, then methodically recounted the entire saga. He explained the trigger for the creation of Magic Power and Holy Power, described how these events led to the loss of many races, and finally detailed what they had discovered about the world of Earthgard.
“This is everything we have confirmed in Sanctuary,” Kousuke concluded, his words hanging in the air.
The room remained silent as everyone processed the magnitude of what they had heard. Kousuke observed their reactions carefully, understanding that such revelations required time to absorb.
The summoned group, including Wahid and the others, showed relatively subdued reactions. Unlike others present, the six individuals summoned by Kouhi and Mitsuki had arrived without memories of the past, giving them a perspective similar to their summoners. However, those who had been born and raised in this world sat stunned by the sheer scope of the story. Out of consideration for their companions, the summoned group remained respectfully quiet.
Eventually, Shrein broke the prolonged silence. Her voice carried a mixture of disbelief and concern as she looked directly at Kousuke.
“To be honest, I find this difficult to believe. But you’re certain it’s true?”
“Yes, absolutely certain,” Kousuke replied with a slow nod.
Among the current members, Shrein possessed the oldest memories, yet even for her, Kousuke’s account seemed almost impossible to accept. However, this incident had made Kousuke realize something profound about this world. Despite the existence of gods, this realm lacked what he considered fundamental knowledge—creation myths that explained the world’s origins.
In his original world, such stories were commonplace, varying by region but universally present. Here, they were entirely absent. This was a question that only Kousuke, with his otherworldly perspective, would think to ask. For those native to this world, the absence of creation myths was simply normal, never questioned because the world and its Gods were accepted as natural facts.
“What do you intend to do, Kousuke?” Sylvia asked, following Shrein’s inquiry.
As a shrine maiden, Sylvia had the most extensive experience with mythology among those gathered. This background made her both the most shocked by Kousuke’s revelations and the quickest to recover. In a world where gods existed as tangible beings, it was common knowledge that divine oracles frequently overturned accepted wisdom. Though when speaking of divine perspective, such occurrences were indeed common throughout mythological records, with the recent appearance of a Living God serving as the most prominent example.
For Sylvia, the timing of these revelations likely felt almost predictable.
Kousuke shook his head in response to her question.
“Honestly, I cannot predict the impact of making this information public. Your reactions have already exceeded even my expectations.”
While Kousuke had anticipated significant shock, the actual response proved more intense than he had imagined. Upon reflection, this seemed natural. This story challenged the very foundations that supported their understanding of existence. Coming from a world where such awareness was less pronounced, Kousuke found it particularly difficult to gauge appropriate reactions.
“That’s precisely why I wanted to hear everyone’s opinions on how much of this matter should be revealed, or whether we should maintain it as a secret.”
“I see,” Sylvia responded thoughtfully.
Everyone present understood that Kousuke possessed a fundamentally different worldview from their own. Sylvia nodded at his reasoning, and the others displayed similar understanding expressions.
***
After thorough discussion and careful consideration, the group reached a unanimous decision to keep everything a secret.
The decisive factor came from Floria’s observation that evidence of Asura’s existence appeared only in Gazenran Tower on the Western Continent. If the temple representing the unity of the Three Great Goddesses existed solely on the Western Continent, it would inevitably lead those there to claim status as the world’s origin point.
Sylvia’s agreement with this assessment, given her position as a priestess, provided conclusive validation. Such claims could potentially escalate into religious warfare if mishandled, an outcome none of them desired.
Fortunately, Lirica remained the only person outside their group with knowledge of the temple’s existence. Even she lacked the complete story, though she understood the situation’s gravity. Sylvia believed that Lirica would comprehend the need for discretion without requiring explicit pressure to maintain silence.
Everyone agreed with Sylvia’s assessment, as she knew Lirica better than anyone else present.
As the atmosphere finally settled, Floria turned toward Kousuke with a mischievous expression.
“Even so, Kousuke, you consistently find yourself entangled in troublesome situations.”
“She’s absolutely right,” Collete agreed with a nod. “The same pattern occurred in my village. Normally, one shouldn’t encounter serious problems with such frequency.”
Before Kousuke could formulate a response, Sylvia delivered her conclusion.
“Even as a Living God, you remain a God wandering throughout the world. Naturally, trouble will seek you out.”
“Ugh…” Kousuke groaned at Sylvia’s overwhelmingly persuasive logic, while everyone else appeared thoroughly convinced.
After maintaining a frustrated expression for several moments, Kousuke’s demeanor shifted to dejection.
“Fine, I understand. I won’t leave the Administration Floor anymore…” he declared with apparent sulking.
Observing this reaction, Sylvia and the others became slightly flustered and attempted to respond, but Kouhi and Mitsuki intervened first.
“That’s correct. Even when you identify materials you want, you won’t personally attempt to retrieve them, will you?” Kouhi asked pointedly.
“Huh?” Kousuke responded with confusion.
“Exactly. Regardless of how rare a location might be, you won’t request to visit and explore it personally, will you?” Mitsuki added.
“Sorry,” Kousuke admitted with resignation.
The two had seen through his attempted manipulation and easily deflated his ploy. Witnessing this exchange, the others realized they still could not match Kouhi and Mitsuki’s understanding of their beloved.
***
Ultimately, Kousuke and his companions decided to abandon their conquest of Gazenran Tower.
The question of whether ’someone else had conquered it’, their original motivation for continuing the conquest, had been resolved. It had eliminated any remaining purpose for proceeding. Additionally, Kousuke felt reluctant to overwrite a tower that Asura had conquered in the past. While Asura herself would likely raise no objections to Kousuke’s conquest of Gazenran Tower, the decision remained a matter of personal sentiment.
Thus concluded their activities in Seichun, which had extended across several months.