Ch.382Side Story: Picnic

[Yawn.]

Even during the Findenai incident, we were spending a rather bland time.

Of course, in terms of our relationship, each day was truly stimulating.

But aside from that, it could honestly be called a peaceful time. If someone asked if I disliked it, the answer would obviously be no.

Haven’t we faced numerous incidents already? Perhaps because we’d lived such busy and intense lives for the past two years, no one disliked this kind of peaceful time.

“It’s peaceful and nice.”

The Dark Spiritmaster, lying with her head on my lap, stretches contentedly.

“I finished all the garden work this morning, and the omelet you made for lunch was really delicious.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“And the weather is so nice today. It’s cool and makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.”

“Yes, it’s getting colder, but today the weather is particularly nice.”

“Come to think of it, winter is coming. Will the garden be okay?”

“I’m maintaining the temperature with magic, so it’s fine.”

“As expected of a Mage. No matter how I look at it, magic seems to help in so many aspects of life.”

Having these pointless conversations isn’t so bad, actually. In the past, I would have dismissed such idle chat immediately, saying I had no time for it.

The Dark Spiritmaster was nuzzling against my lap like a pet, but in her arms was the actual pet, Ppopsil.

I had told her long ago not to bring it inside because of the fur, but since she cleaned up after it with magic, I eventually allowed it.

Looking at it now, I really did feel like magic was omnipotent, just as she said.

Well, that’s probably only true for mages of our caliber.

“Is Ppopsil feeling good too? Are you happy?”

Arf!

Ppopsil barks happily while buried in the Dark Spiritmaster’s chest. Though I’m not particularly fond of pets, having one doesn’t seem so bad when you have this kind of leisure.

So we were spending our day like carefree immortals in our own peaceful tranquility, but then—

“Are you there! Are you there!”

An urgent voice came from outside, knocking on the door.

“Wow, we have a visitor!”

The person outside seemed quite desperate, but the Dark Spiritmaster just smiled brightly, jumped up, and trotted toward the door.

“Who is it?”

The person outside seemed a bit taken aback by the Dark Spiritmaster’s appearance and asked in a hesitant voice.

“I-I’m here to see Mage Shinwoo Kim.”

“Hmm?”

A familiar voice.

I got up and headed to the entrance, where I saw the blue-haired woman I had met in Iceburn village before.

It was Laila Besh, who belonged to the management bureau created by the Republic of Clark to oversee troubled lands.

“What brings you here?”

Last time, a group from the management bureau had rushed over, but the situation was resolved thanks to Elenoa.

At first, I thought this might be something similar, but judging from Laila Besh’s expression, that didn’t seem to be the case.

“M-Mage!”

Laila Besh prostrated herself as soon as she saw me. In that position, she cried out with tears in her voice.

“Please! Please save us!”

“…”

“Oh?”

At Laila Besh’s cry, the Dark Spiritmaster and I exchanged glances. Stella, who had been doing laundry, also peeked out to check on us.

“Right now! Strange beings have appeared in a nearby village! Th-they’re playing games with the villagers! If s-someone dies because of this…”

Strange beings? Games?

It sounded rather bizarre.

Not magical beasts but “strange beings,” which suggested they were human-like but not quite human.

And the mention of “playing games” was also peculiar.

‘Hmm?’

Strange beings.

They must look human but aren’t quite human, hence the term “strange beings.”

And the mention of games made me think of a certain group.

Laila Besh’s wailing interrupted my thoughts.

“Please! I know we were disrespectful before! But remembering how you personally dealt with those drug dealers in the past, I came to seek your help!”

“Well, I understand that.”

How desperate must she be to come to me, practically a stranger who she had once been rude to?

The fact that she came alone, without others, showed that she was acting on her own judgment rather than on behalf of the management bureau.

“What exactly is happening?”

Turmoil in a nearby village is a significant problem for us too. Iceburn village and its surrounding areas were quite important for procuring various supplies.

“Beings that have human form but are difficult to call human… with indescribable powers are making the villagers do bizarre things.”

“…”

“Th-they claim to be gods, creating religions, demanding food, or making people dance.”

“This is…”

“At-at first, people refused. But they possess special powers that aren’t magic! Some people are enchanted by them, while others follow them out of fear.”

“What about the Republic?”

Normally, this would be an issue for the Republic of Clark to resolve, not me. Especially with the management bureau deployed there, I thought requesting support wouldn’t be difficult, but—

“Si-similar situations are unfolding across the Republic, making it difficult for support to reach this remote area. Besides, these beings are no ordinary adversaries…”

That makes sense.

If these were who I thought they were, it was clear that the Republic of Clark couldn’t drive them away no matter what they did.

What else would those who left to explore the continent be doing?

They must be up to their old tricks again. And now that they’ve fully manifested, they must be having even more fun.

Before I could respond, the Dark Spiritmaster exclaimed with a bright smile.

“We’ll help you!”

“R-really?”

This woman, who held justice as her creed, was prostrating herself and begging.

She must have desperately wanted to deal with these malicious groups who were enchanting people.

“Why are you making the decision?”

I commented on the Dark Spiritmaster’s bold declaration, but she just tilted her head and asked back.

“You’re not going to help?”

“We can’t just move around so easily in our situation.”

“That might be true for Findenai and me, but not for you.”

It’s true that I’m officially considered dead, and Shinwoo Kim is a completely different person, so it doesn’t really matter.

But that wasn’t why I was objecting to the Dark Spiritmaster. I could see a different motive in her expression and behavior.

“Ugh, I’m bored.”

“Sigh, you’re saying that while knowing exactly who we’re going to fight?”

They call themselves gods. While it might be somewhat laughable to call them gods, even in Greek and Roman mythology, gods often behaved not much differently from humans.

Anyway, they were beings called gods in this world.

“So what?”

But the Dark Spiritmaster just shrugged as if asking what the problem was.

“You’re here, aren’t you?”

“…”

“With you, who granted them freedom, what’s the problem? It’s practically just a field trip.”

I nodded, unable to argue with the smiling Dark Spiritmaster.

That’s right.

For me now, gods aren’t really much of a challenge.

“Laila Besh, please go ahead to Iceburn village. I’ll prepare and depart immediately.”

“Th-thank you!”

“Yay! A picnic!”

Excited about going outside after a long time, the Dark Spiritmaster jumped with joy.

“Stella, do you want to come too?”

Having heard everything, Stella made a subtle expression and shook her head.

“No, I don’t want to see the gods I once served getting beaten up by you.”

“…”

“Just make sure they come to their senses.”

“Alright, I will.”

So Stella decided to stay home.

Findenai is someone who shouldn’t show his face to the world in the first place.

That left Deia.

‘Will she come?’

While I hoped she wouldn’t come because it could be dangerous, I could already predict her answer.

* * *

The gods who scattered to explore the continent. But the term “explore” was somewhat ambiguous.

They had always been watching over this land.

Of course, there’s a difference between seeing from afar and seeing up close. They knew this, which is why they toured the land.

However, just as people have preferences and tendencies, gods naturally have them too.

Some gods were content just to observe life while conversing with humans.

But other gods wanted to reveal that they were the ones humans believed in and called out to.

Especially.

Gods with few followers.

“Kuhahaha!”

In that sense, Helton, the god of rocks who had come to Iceburn this time, was famous for having few followers despite his recognition.

Not only did it give the impression of simply worshipping rocks, but in divine tales, he was often portrayed as simple-minded and belligerent.

That’s why Helton’s pride swelled as he watched humans kneeling and bowing their heads at his feet.

Although the position of gods had been shaken by recent events, Helton was convinced that they were still gods.

He believed they deserved to be revered by humans, and several other gods agreed with him, which is why they were simultaneously active in the most chaotic Republic of Clark.

While Helton was laughing heartily on a rock, thinking of reviving his dying religion—

“…?!”

He suddenly felt intense mana striking his entire body.

Some humans had come to fight him before, only to be beaten badly and flee.

But this was on a level that couldn’t be called human.

Like the other humans worshipping him, Helton felt an instinctive urge to bow his head to this being emanating mana.

“Ah…”

The moment he saw him entering the village, Helton immediately lowered his head.

The being who was once Deus Verdi.

Real name: Shinwoo Kim.

A being who had accomplished all great deeds and was now living quietly away from the secular world.

He who had granted freedom to gods, salvation to the continent, and peace to the dead.

The greatest secret of the continent, who had achieved the greatest feats yet whose name was unknown to all.

“Ah.”

Helton, the rock-headed god of rocks, finally realized that this area was near the mansion where Shinwoo Kim resided.

“Eek!”

He immediately jumped up to flee, but—

There were already mana chains binding his legs. This was a magic that he often used when fighting as a necromancer.

“I thought it would be a bit more fun.”

The Dark Spiritmaster approached first, pouting her lips.

“What’s this? That’s a god? It just looks like a blockhead to me.”

Deia, who had brought her magic gun just in case, was disappointed at its apparent uselessness.

“…”

And then there was Shinwoo Kim, glaring at Helton.

Bound by chains, Helton found himself kneeling respectfully to greet Shinwoo Kim.