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“It feels like it’s about time to go.”

“Huh? Already?”

As the sun began to set and darkness enveloped the outside, Arthur spoke with a relieved expression.

“Isn’t it enough that I got to meet you again like this?”

No, can he really just say that and leave? Would it be too much to ask for a bit more conversation?

There are plenty of empty rooms at Encia’s place, so how about offering one for guests and chatting a little longer…?

“To be honest, I wanted to talk more with you, Master… but since we’re not in a situation where we can talk privately, I can’t help it.”

With Arthur’s words, Encia let out a small sigh.

“Ugh. Well, then I guess there’s no need to pass on any more stories, huh? This is more tiring than I thought.”

Encia looked a bit tired. Was passing on the conversation between Arthur and me more exhausting than she expected?

It would have been easier just to listen to me and repeat what I said, but I guess that might have been unexpectedly tiring for her.

She was stealing glances at Arthur… she must have a rough idea about his identity.

Thus…

“Please, until Arthur leaves.”

“Ugh… Okay, I’ll try a bit harder.”

After comforting Encia like that, I conveyed the message to Arthur.

“If that’s what you wish, then so be it. I’m glad we could talk after such a long time.”

“Yes, Master. I am also glad to see you again, even if it’s in this way.”

Arthur bowed his head in greeting and spoke quietly.

“Just confirming that you are in the Divine Hall alone was worth this trip.”

“You’re speaking as if I came here just to confirm I’m in the Divine Hall.”

“Yes, precisely.”

Arthur smiled slightly as he said this.

“If I become a god, then I can meet you anytime, right?”

Hmm…? If Arthur becomes a god…?

What on earth is that supposed to mean? Arthur is human, and saying he’ll become a god sounds so strange.

Of course, humans can become gods, but still. Just like the people of this land whose faith led to godhood, or how various beastmen like Maybel and Asterios ascended.

They became gods by creating their own faith with my help; those who seized the position of god with a little faith turned strong… but now their faith is solidly entrenched.

Especially Asterios, who is known as the Chief of the Lizardmen Tribe; his faith is quite popular, spreading over a pretty large area.

“In the past, there were records of beastmen ascending to godhood in Rattkinia and Vistia. The ancestor god of the rat beastmen and the faith in the Chief of the Lizardmen Tribe, among other beastmen’s faiths.”

“Mm.”

Come to think of it… Arthur found a lead about Tiamat, the Dragon Priestess, just from that name, Tia, I had mentioned to Encia.

If he had researched those records, it’s only natural he’d know about the ascension of various beastmen like Maybel as well.

However… even if there are precedents for beastmen ascending, isn’t the idea of him wanting to become a god not very normal thinking…?

“If beastmen can ascend to godhood, isn’t it possible for humans too? Even though the Rychlen from stories renounced their place as a god.”

Arthur shook his head slightly.

“If the chance to seize such a position arises, I certainly won’t be giving it up.”

No, Rychlen’s case is different. That guy was nearly elevated by other gods and then threw a tantrum.

It’s a different situation. A different situation altogether.

More importantly…

“So, you’re saying you want to become a god?”

“Yes. If I gather the faith of many, I can acquire divinity and ascend to godhood. If I am honored as the ancestor god by the people of the Romania Empire, then I could become a god.”

I nodded slightly to Arthur’s words. The number of gods has significantly decreased compared to the past, and while gods don’t easily leave the Divine Hall… the method of becoming a god is still valid.

However…

“Becoming a god may not be all that great, you know. Wouldn’t it be better to finish your life as a human and enter paradise?”

“Paradise? It might not be a bad place, but wouldn’t you not be there, Master?”

“That’s true, but…”

Unless something extraordinary happens, I probably won’t go to paradise.

“Then it would be better for me to become a god and head to the Divine Hall.”

Hmm… this guy is pretty stubborn. Seems like he has no intention of changing his mind.

“Becoming a god is like a big guy trying to squeeze through a needle’s eye; are you really going to try that?”

“Yes. I’ve already made various preparations.”

Various preparations? What is he thinking?

“Becoming a god through one’s own strength is usually an incredibly hard thing; but well, since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t say much.”

Even if thoroughly prepared, there is a high chance of failure…

Oh well, what can you do? Whether things go this way or that way.

Arthur has chosen this tough path for himself. No matter what I say, I can’t change his mind.

“Do your best.”

“Yes.”

I just supported Arthur with a light heart.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

“Tia.”

“Hm? Why do you ask?”

After Arthur left and Encia began to relax, she quietly called out to me.

“Luke. No, Arthur… that guy.”

“Hm? Why about Arthur?”

“That person… is he the former emperor, by any chance? No, is that a ridiculous thought?”

“Ridiculous or not, just go ahead and say it.”

I figured I knew roughly what Encia was about to say.

“That person… is he the former emperor?”

Upon hearing Encia’s words, I didn’t respond and just waited silently.

“I’ve heard the name Arthur. It was probably the nickname of the Sword Emperor Lucius Altirius III.”

“Oh? You have a good eye for this.”

Well, having watched our conversation closely… there’s no way she wouldn’t figure out Arthur’s identity.

“Indeed. He was an incredible person, wasn’t he?”

“Yes. He indeed was.”

No ordinary person could conceive the thought of becoming a god and ascending to the Divine Hall.

“But what about being a god… what do you think it might be like?”

“Well, to be honest, I think the chance of success is infinitely low.”

If Arthur is to become a god… it would depend on how much faith he gathers, but roughly, at least 30% of the population of the Romania Empire would need to have faith in Arthur for him to become a god.

Whether that’s possible or not is a separate question entirely!

“What does that guy have planned?”

“Who knows? He either truly believes he can become a god or he’s so lost in a fantasy that he can’t face reality. It must be one of those two.”

Arthur isn’t someone who wouldn’t see such a reality.

If he’s acting that way, it’s probably because he has a clear conviction behind it.

“Well. As for being a god… I’m not sure, but… it would be wonderful if I could meet Tia directly.”

“Tia?”

I conveyed my voice to Encia, who was speaking absurdly.

“You said Tia is in the Divine Hall. So if I were to ascend to godhood, wouldn’t I be able to meet Tia too?”

Well, that’s true… but hmm…

Gosh… I probably shouldn’t have had Arthur come here. It feels like Arthur’s influence has made Encia a bit off-kilter.

“Tia.”

“What is it?”

“Can I also become a god?”

See? Thanks to Arthur, she’s saying weird things!

“Well, who knows?”

Are there really people who would send their faith to Encia?

The mages of Procyon? Nah. Even though Encia has brought many changes through her writing, that’s not enough for anyone to worship her as a god.

The people living near Encia’s house? They might consider her a lord, but certainly not a god.

So, in other words, there’s no one who’s going to send faith her way.

“It seems difficult.”

“That’s harsh!”

“Harsh or not, face the cold reality.”

Faith should come from a heart that genuinely desires it.

Maybe for Arthur, that’s fine, but for Encia, that kind of heart would be hard to come by.

Arthur is an emperor who promises to return someday. He might receive some measure of faith from the people of the Romania Empire.

But as for Encia? Who would ever send faith her way?

No matter how much I think about it, there really isn’t anyone.

“Then… if I use the wish ticket Tia gave me, can I become a god?”

“Wish ticket?”

Ah, that thing. The wish ticket.

It said it would grant any wish, so if I use that…

“If I share part of the faith I have, Sia could indeed become a god.”

“Really?!”

“Yeah, but there might be some issues.”

Unlike Maybel or Asterios, who had their own means of gathering faith, Encia would rely 100% on the faith I provide.

Even if she tried to spread rumors about herself to gather faith, I don’t think it would work out too well.

If she becomes a god using the faith I provided, she would likely end up a subordinate god completely dependent on me.

Honestly, I wouldn’t want to recommend that.

Well…

 

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