Scared? Why would I be? It felt as if a thick fog had settled over my mind...
"I told you before, didn't I? The mountain of absurdities you’ve endured is etched into your very soul. You certainly long for a life where you can exist peacefully among others, like in a village. You truly find joy in a quiet daily life. There’s no doubt about that.
"But you also know the truth. You know it isn’t as simple as people make it out to be. You know reality isn't that kind. You know your current happiness is so fragile it could crumble for the most trivial of reasons. You know that humans are driven by greed, that they fear anything different from themselves, and that they will ruthlessly ostracize it.
"That’s why, even as you desire those 'sweet ideals' from the bottom of your heart, you can never truly forget reality. You remain constantly on guard, even if it’s unconscious—to an extent that could be called abnormal. Like a beast holding its breath in a wilderness filled with enemies... it is, so to speak, two sides of the same coin."
"...Then what should I do?"
The question escaped my lips before I could think.
Upon hearing that, Selerepta’s eyes widened in surprise. Then, letting out a cackling laugh, he stepped back, returning to the posture he’d held before he had embraced me.
"It’s a difficult question, but my recommendation would be to 'become freer,' I suppose."
Free?
"Exactly. You should just be honest with your own feelings and desires. Because you want so badly to be part of a circle of people, you’re still holding back. You aren't using your full strength—especially your combat abilities. It’s fine to let your tamed monsters be active, but a part of you uses them specifically so you don't have to expose your full power to others. I don't need to explain the reason for that anymore, do I?"
"..."
"To be blunt, your individual combat ability has been extremely high since your previous life. If you were to give it your all, your skill is already equivalent to an A-rank adventurer. If you take your time and accumulate achievements, you could even aim for an S-rank title. Considering your age, your strength is already abnormal.
"Then there’s the magical talent Gain and the others gave you. It’s still meager now, but as you improve, you’ll be able to fire high-output spells. Combined with your knowledge from Earth, you’ll likely develop even more complex and powerful magic. On top of that, with the backup of your slimes, you might become capable of handling any situation imaginable.
"But naturally, people expect a person with such formidable power to possess a correspondingly noble personality and a willingness to cooperate. If you take actions that reject those expectations, you'll instantly be labeled a dangerous person. Adoration will turn into a tempest of criticism and vitriol."
Setting aside the future for a moment, I could understand his logic.
"But, quite frankly, I think all of that doesn't really matter," he added nonchalantly.
"...Why?"
"Hehe, didn't I tell you? Humans are part of nature, and nature is governed by the survival of the fittest. Humans used their reproductive power and wisdom to build a great influence within nature. They governed their increasing numbers and created unique values and rules to protect themselves. If you live as a human within human society, you'll be ostracized unless you follow those rules... however, that only applies if you stay within that framework. Just like when you lived in the forest for three years, once you step outside that society, human rules don't matter.
"Monsters are rampant in this world, and there are many dangerous places outside the human sphere. There are still many unexplored regions where humans haven't set foot, and blank zones between countries that are under no one's control. You should find a place where you want to live, make the rules as you please, and live as you like. If your power isn't enough, you might be chased by monsters or rival nations, but that in itself is the survival of the fittest. You can run, or you can fight."
He wasn't finished.
"To go even further, I think living as you please within human society is also an option. For example, if there's someone you don't like or someone who gets in your way, you could just kill them. In that case, you'd be pursued as a criminal, but in the end, it just means you had the power and the other person didn't have the strength to protect themselves from you."
Selerepta spoke with complete indifference. He truly considered this the natural order of things. The characteristic, slow tone of voice he’d used when we first met had vanished.
"Is that your true nature?"
"Hmm? I won't deny it, but it's not like I was acting. I just start talking fast when I get excited. ...More importantly, you've returned to your senses, haven't you? Since when?"
"...I can understand feeling bad when talking about the past, but it was abnormal for trauma symptoms to manifest so physically. I knew something was off. My head was in a haze... It started clearing just now, when you told me to become free. Once I realized it was likely some kind of mental attack, the relief felt like a fog lifting."
"I figured it was around then. To be precise, it wasn't an attack. The first one was a power to amplify emotions, and the second was the power of sedation. I heard your resistance was unusually high, so I applied them quite strongly. I was actually surprised when you replied as if nothing had happened. Or rather, based on the way you're talking, did you completely neutralize it? Man, I didn't hear about this... but, I see..."
Watching him mutter to himself, I sharpened my vigilance. I didn't want to be hostile toward a god, but—
A chill like nothing I had ever felt before raced through my body. My instincts reacted before my brain, but it was already too late. Selerepta, who had been standing before me, was suddenly behind me. He was manipulating the surrounding water, making it cling heavily to my body. I couldn't move a single finger.
"...What is the meaning of this?" I asked, trying to remain calm.
"I probably shouldn't be saying this in this situation, but don't misunderstand. I really just wanted to get to know you and have a chat. You don't have to be so formal, and that first power was just because I wanted to draw out your true feelings."
"Then I wish you would have said that from the beginning. Without using divine power. Because of that, I have no idea what kind of distance I should keep while talking to you."
"Yeah. I didn't intend to go this far either. This turned into a completely unexpected situation. ...Do you even understand what you just did?"
"I only know that I had an unpleasant sensation and my body moved reflexively. Considering this posture, it seems I attempted an attack."
My right arm was extended in a straight line, my fingertips having pierced the exact spot where he had been standing behind me a second ago.
"You reflexively chose an attack that would meet the minimum resistance from the water... If it hadn't been me, you would have pierced my solar plexus. On top of that, you repelled my power again... This time I tried to expose the depths of your soul even more strongly, but really, what is going on with you? A normal human shouldn't be able to resist the power of a god, and yet... your resistance is too strong."
"I told you, I don't know. There's no way a human would know something a god doesn't."
"...Indeed. There seems to be no point in asking you. It can't be helped, so I'll investigate on my own a bit more seriously. Don't worry, I don't intend to kill you."
The next instant, something other than water enveloped my body. A wave of nausea hit me, and I felt a disgusting discomfort as if my very insides were being stirred. My mind refused to process it. Something was encroaching, searching for something deep within me.
"—Look—this—cause—that's—bad taste—Earth—God—even I—no, this kind of play—"
Vague mutterings reached my ears from behind, but the meaning eluded me. Just as I was about to shout, my vision went dark. I felt a violent spinning sensation, as if I had been thrown into a washing machine, and then—stillness.
Is it over? Or am I dead?
It was pitch black. I couldn't move, but the pain was gone. Perhaps I had fainted. It didn't seem like I had returned to my body yet, but where was I? The divine realm was supposed to be pure white. Could this be hell? No, despite the darkness, there was a strange sense of security here.
With nothing to do but think, I pondered my location until I heard a sound from above.
Crunch, crunch, crunch... The rhythmic sound grew closer, accompanied by vibrations. Someone was digging? Wait, was I buried? The sound reached the side of my head, and suddenly, the darkness was dyed white.
"Ugh."
"Oh! Are ya safe!?"
"W-who are you?"
I looked up to see a kind-looking older man in a straw hat, a hoe resting on his shoulder.
"My, what a disaster. I'll dig ya out right away, just hang on."
Using his bare hands, the man gently but quickly cleared away the soil holding my upper body. Finally, he put his hands under my armpits and pulled me out in one smooth motion, like he was harvesting a giant daikon.
"Thank you. You’ve truly saved me."
"Glad ya're safe. Ya feel sick or anythin' weird anywhere?"
"I'm fine, thanks to you."
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING!?!?" a voice roared from behind.
I turned to see a large pond. Standing by the shore was the Goddess of Earth, Willieris. The gentle impression from our previous meeting was gone, replaced by an expression of pure, unadulterated wrath.
Looking toward the lake, I saw Selerepta sitting in a huff on the water’s surface. He looked sulky, though he seemed to be arguing with her.
"Ah-ha... She's truly angry, she is," the man said. "If I stick my nose in, the sparks might fly my way too. I'll stay quiet for a bit."
"Excuse me, but are you the God of Agriculture, Lord Grimp? The one on a honeymoon with Lady Willieris?"
"Oh! So ya knew. I'm Grimp. I've heard all about ya from my wife, Ryoma."
"Thank you again for saving me. But... how did this happen? I don't remember getting here."
"Like I said, we were on our honeymoon when we spotted Selerepta's barrier. We took a look and saw that fellow treatin' ya poorly... and my wife..."
He trailed off, but it seemed Willieris had broken through the barrier quite forcefully. She had secured both me and Selerepta at once, and while she delivered a lecture, Grimp had been tasked with my "excavation" and protection.
"My wife and Selerepta haven't gotten along since way back," Grimp whispered.
"Is that so?"
"Supposedly, when land and sea were born, they fought over the ratio. They've been like cats and dogs ever since."
"The scale of that is... impressive."
While we talked, Selerepta’s gaze turned toward me. He seemed to have only just noticed I was out of the ground.
"Ah, Ryoma-kun!"
"Listen to me!" Willieris snapped at him before turning to me. "Ryoma-kun, are you safe? I apologize on behalf of this self-righteous god. I am deeply sorry for the suffering he has caused you."
"Please, raise your head, Lady Willieris. It wasn't your fault."
"However..."
"Isn't it fine, Willieris?" Selerepta chimed in. "Ryoma-kun is saying so himself."
"You are not the one to say that!! Ryoma-kun, as you can see, this fallen god doesn't think he's in the wrong at all."
"I’ve gathered that much," I said. "Selerepta... in the end, you just believe that the strong can do whatever they want, right?"
"Exactly! I knew you’d understand. That is the truth for all living things! Besides, you're nonchalant despite everything. I thought we might get along, and I wasn't wrong! Normal humans complain even about my appearance—"
"Just you be quiet for a bit," Grimp said, restraining Selerepta as he tried to approach me with a grin.
"Thank you, Lord Grimp," I said. "Look, if it's as he says, then Lord Selerepta is a god—a being superior to me. There's nothing my words can do to change him."
"But..." Willieris started.
"Willieris, leave it at that," Grimp intervened. "Sayin' such things to Ryoma'll only trouble him."
"You're right. I'm sorry. I shall notify the other gods about this. Gain, Kiriluel, and Fernobelia will decide on an appropriate punishment."
"Geh! Those guys..." Selerepta groaned.
"Naturally, I will be joining them," Willieris added. "Your actions clearly violate our rules!"
It was a relief to know the gods would handle their own. Selerepta looked displeased, but he didn't argue.
"Well then, I'll leave it to you," I said. "Let's let the matter be water under the bridge."
"Because he's the God of Waters? Hmm, not funny," Selerepta muttered.
The three of us stared at him in silence. Why now? His tone-deaf remark nearly made Willieris snap again.
"Ah—it looks like things are getting troublesome, so I'm heading back! Oh, right, Ryoma-kun!"
"What now..." I sighed. I had lost almost all respect for him.
"One last thing. You wanted to find mad slimes, right? There's a forest around your village. Try stirring up the mud there with mud magic. They hide with a skill called Assimilation, so you can't see them. If you move the mud, they'll get surprised and pop out."
"Oh? That's actually very helpful."
"Well then, see you, Ryoma-kun. I hope you can become happy 'in the true sense.' Things are going to get noisy for you soon, so do your best. Enjoy your peaceful village life while it lasts. And if living ever becomes too painful, you should come to me."
Selerepta’s face suddenly turned deadly serious. His drooping, tired eyes sharpened with a gaze that brooked no argument or humor.
"Well, see you again!"
As quickly as his serious mood had appeared, it vanished. He sank into the lake and disappeared.
"...What was that about?" I asked.
"How strange," Willieris murmured. "I haven't seen him speak so seriously in several thousand years."
"That is—whoops! Is time up?"
The usual particles of light began to drift around me.
"Well then, thank you both for your help. I’ll be heading back."
"Let's have a more relaxed chat next time," Willieris said, her expression softening before tightening one last time. "Ryoma-kun. I know what Selerepta said to you. It will be hard to ignore, but please... remember that your life belongs to you. You will worry and you will suffer, but take your time. Choose your own path. You have the freedom and the right to do so. Never forget that."
"...Thank you very much."
"Oh, and I wanted to say somethin' too," Grimp added, cutting through the heavy mood. "About your crops. That method of yours is only workin' because of fertilizer and magic. It's pure brute force."
"I see. I'll try to learn proper farming methods when I have time."
"Good. You can get much better yields that way. We'll talk details next time!"
"Thank you for the advice. Goodbye!"
Light enveloped me, and my consciousness returned to the dark village square.
Whew... There really are all sorts of gods. I came here to pray for success in meeting the local lord tomorrow, but that felt entirely unrelated. regardless, I made it back. I should just go to sleep.
As I walked back through the cold wind, Selerepta’s final words echoed in my mind.
"Things around you are going to get noisy in the near future... if living ever becomes too painful, you should come to me."
It sounded like a prophecy. Did he mean the trouble in Gimul? Whatever his reasons for being serious, it didn't change my resolve.
"Your life belongs to you."
As Willieris said, I will live my own way. Even if Selerepta is right about the world, I’ll keep seeking my own happiness. I have plenty of time.
And more than anything—
"I'm back!" I announced, stepping into the house.
"Oh, welcome home."
"Dinner's almost ready!"
"We've been waiting for you!"
"Ryoma, sorry, but could you help with the old man's drinking?" Kai asked. "He's going at a pace we can't match."
"In that case, I'd be happy to join him."
No matter what the future holds, I am happy right now.