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EP.195

The Divine Hall where the Gods reside. The Hall of All Gods.

The world above the clouds, reached by passing through the entrance guarded by the gigantic wolf-like beast, is…

“Nowadays, it’s hard to gather faith unless you belong to a big faction.”

“Well, that’s true. But not all gods belong to a faction. The Great Mother of Life also lives alone, without belonging to any.”

“That one’s an exception! But the other Ancient Gods have connections with other factions.”

“That may be, but…”

“So, you know, it’s better for you to have a proper backing to support you. I’m sincerely advising you.”

Two gods are having a conversation, moving along, appearing much like humans, speaking like humans.

“Recently, I haven’t been able to gather faith at all. What’s going on?”

“Are you also having difficulties? I’ve been facing a serious deficit lately. What on earth is going on?”

The gods share opinions much like humans struggling through their daily lives.

Well, it makes sense since these gods were born from humans, so it’s reasonable they’d be similar.

“Ooh, this is…! High-purity mithril! I wonder how amazing a divine tool it would be if made from this! How much faith would it cost to buy?”

“That’s not for sale.”

“What? Why not? Such a great item should be sold at a price, right?”

“I’m not selling it because it’s reserved for a separate use. So you’d better mind your own business or get lost.”

“Ugh… what a nasty personality. No wonder you’re ostracized even in Olympus. Tch.”

Watching gods who treat faith as currency and bargain like this makes it seem somewhat acceptable, yet I’m reminded of the ones who rebelled against Baal, and my emotions swell a bit.

For now, let’s head to Baal’s temple. To the temple that’s currently without a master.

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

At the center of the Hall of All Gods stands Baal’s temple.

The massive temple boasts its grandeur, not losing any of its shine despite being without a master.

As if there’s no problem at all.

“Why can’t I go in?!”

Except for one god shouting at the entrance of the temple!!!

A handsome male god with blonde hair is having a scuffle with someone at Baal’s temple entrance.

“It’s just not allowed.”

“Why not?! This temple is masterless right now!”

“Exactly because it’s masterless that no one can enter.”

The one grappling with the blonde god, a goddess with black hair, is Nyx.

“You’re not Baal. You’re just a fragment of him.”

“But even a part of that fragment can be considered a similar existence, right? Just like when a part of someone’s body comes off, it’s still theirs, I too am a part of Baal!”

“How dare you talk like that?”

Nyx glares at the blonde god with fierce eyes, making him slightly falter.

“Y-you can’t scare me with that look! Losing most of my faith as well… I should have just joined Olympus earlier!”

“I’m not joining a bunch of idiots. So get lost before I kick you out by force.”

Hmm. Indeed. Indeed indeed. That’s how it is.

For now, let’s just kill him.

No, killing seems a bit sudden. Hmm. Hmmhm. Still, the irritation is bubbling up.

“Hey.”

“Hmm? Who are you? Do you even know who I am….”

I approach the blonde god from behind and speak.

“That face. I don’t like it.”

With a light flick of my wrist, I beheaded the blonde god.

His head flew off, and the headless body helplessly toppled back.

The other gods watching the scuffle between Nyx and the blonde god just stared blankly at the sight.

And then…

“GAAAH!!”

“W-what?! The head of Olympus?!”

“No, who’s that little god?! What the heck?!”

Ugh. How noisy.

“Silence.”

In a low voice, I seized control of the surrounding space, and only then did the clamor quiet down.

Much better.

“Nyx.”

“A-ah…”

“Nyx.”

“You… you’ve returned…”

“Yeah. I’m back.”

Seeing my figure, Nyx’s black eyes begin to glisten with moisture.

Perhaps it’s been a tough emotional journey for her since Baal went to the Underworld. Just looking at my face makes her look like she wants to cry.

“For now, let’s save our talking for later.”

I lightly gestured towards the head rolling on the ground, and it levitated, floating to rest on my palm.

Even separated from its body, the expression on the face remains alive… It seems gods don’t die so easily after all?

Then again, if I completely annihilate the physical body, will they die?

Well, I’ll find out another time.

I lightly tossed the head, and just like someone reattaching a body part, the head and neck clicked back together seamlessly.

“That fool is a fragment of Baal? Not a shred of resemblance.”

“Right. Not at all.”

Baal was still a pretty refreshing-looking boy when you looked at him. Not the greasy, sleazy guy this one is.

“Cough, cough!”

Seems the shock of having his head chopped off hit hard, as the blonde god kept coughing and started feeling around his neck.

Hmm. This must be a first experience for him. Honestly, who could casually behead a god?

“Know your place and act accordingly, foolish one.”

“C-cough…! Who are you…!”

Oh, he recognizes me?

No, if he’s a fragment of Baal… he might have some memory of me since he is linked to Baal.

If that’s the case, the conversation will go swiftly.

“Get lost.”

With that one low word, the blonde god could only mumble and slowly started backing away.

“Tch. What a pathetic fellow.”

“In front of someone who can easily behead a major deity, anyone would end up like this.”

That’s… true.

Well then, shall we step inside? I’m concerned about the eyes of other gods too.

At that moment…

“The incident occurred here… Aha!”

“Hmm? Oh, Sylphid.”

The Sylphid appeared with the wind, glancing between me and Nyx in surprise.

Perfect timing. I needed to visit the other kids too. It’ll be easier if I relay my message through Sylphid.

Except for Shamash, who is light incarnate, Sylphid is probably the fastest among the children.

“Let’s head inside for now.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Wait! I’ll disperse the other gods! I rushed over thinking it was a serious incident, but to see you here, Mom!”

“I didn’t kill anyone. Just separated the head from the body.”

“That’s still a big deal for a god! It’s only because you’re a major deity that it’s manageable!”

Hmmm? Hmhm…. Indeed. Is it not fully negating physical damage?

With that, I watched as Sylphid began dispersing the surrounding gods, and then I headed inside Baal’s temple together.

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

“You plan on reducing the number of gods…?”

“Yeah. Well, naturally, over time they’ll dwindle. But I suspect that many things will happen during that time.”

Now that there’s no Baal to adjust the relationships among gods, it wouldn’t be surprising if the ones gathering faith started a war.

They’d be the poor humans caught in the middle, just like shrimp caught between two whales… suffering immense damage.

“Reducing the number of gods is quite the extreme method.”

“Perhaps so, but with Baal, who was supposed to manage the gods, out of the picture, I can’t just leave it be.”

“That’s true. Plus, there are those who’d claim Baal’s position for themselves… we simply can’t ignore that.”

“Like that guy from earlier?”

“Yeah. Zeus. That fool.”

So, he truly is the head of Olympus. I knew there had to be some reason behind their incompetence.

“But, if we reduce the number of gods… what will happen to us…?”

“Hmm. Do you think I would harm you?”

At my words, Sylphid’s expression brightened instantly.

“Right? Of course! If that’s the case, um… but not all gods are problematic. Uhhhm….”

Sylphid began to ponder heavily, shaking her head back and forth.

Well, since my kids are also gods, it’s natural they would have connections with others.

There must be quite a few they’ve gotten friendly with.

So they’d likely be conflicted after hearing my words.

“I’m not saying to eliminate all gods. Just to reduce them to a manageable number.”

“But… ummm… Mom, have you made any list of the gods to deal with?”

“No. I haven’t made such a list yet.”

I do have a list of all gods, though.

It stretches endlessly, no matter how far I scroll through GodTalk.

“How about we carefully select which gods to save and which to eliminate?”

“Carefully select?”

“Yeah. Not all gods are bad, and some of them are quite useful. Honestly, I think it doesn’t matter if we just leave them be, but if you’ve made that decision, there must be a reason.”

Reason. A reason.

I’m just… angry that those who rebelled against the king of the gods, coveted his place, and discredited my authority of deeming Baal the king were causing chaos, that’s all.

Just that. Nothing more, really.