I only realized after we’d parted ways in such a hurry that I hadn’t given him any way to contact me. However, knowing Glen-san, I wouldn't be surprised if he suddenly popped up, claiming he’d found me by "running around and following his gut."
Setting my worries aside, I made my way to the church in the nearest town. I offered a donation as I always did and bowed my head in prayer within the chapel.
"Good work out there~"
"Thanks for the hard work... wait, huh?"
When I was summoned to the Divine Realm, there were five gods waiting for me today. Kufo, Gain, and Lulutia greeted me, accompanied by Lord Fernobelia and Lady Meltrize. The other deities were nowhere to be seen.
"The others have headed off to their own duties. We need to verify if there are any other Fragments of the Demon King out there, and managing the world involves quite a lot of upkeep," Lulutia explained.
"Today, we’re here to discuss your reward for returning safely, Ryoma-kun," Kufo added. "Since it’s been a while since your last session, I’d also like to perform your curse treatment. But first, sit down and rest. You’ve only just made it back from the Sea of Trees, haven’t you?"
World management... the scale was so vast I couldn't really wrap my head around it, but I suppose they must be busy with their regular work. It was hard to feel the gravity of their situation, though, when a low tea table and tea appeared before me in such a relaxing scene.
"Thank you. As you can see, I made it back in one piece. I assumed I needed to report on the request as well."
"No need to worry about that," Gain replied. "We were all watching until things settled down, so we have a full grasp of the sequence of events. To cut to the chase, the request has been fulfilled. No problems at all. Right, Meltrize?"
"I have confirmed the liberation of the deceased souls," Meltrize said. "As long as that monster... Kormi, refrains from using that power again, there is no need to go as far as killing him."
"I’m glad to hear that!"
I had suspected it would be fine, but hearing it confirmed officially was a huge weight off my shoulders.
"Do not worry," Meltrize continued. "That child is also a life that we gods must watch over. I am the Goddess of Death and Sleep—a 'God of Death,' in a word—but my role is not to grant death to the living. It is to watch over those passing away, to protect their peaceful sleep, and to prepare them for their eventual reincarnation. If there is no need for killing, then all the better."
Her expression shifted slightly. "However, should he use the power to bind souls again, that is a different matter. In that case, I will issue another request for his subjugation."
"Understood. I’ll make sure to remind him so things don't go that far."
When I said that, Meltrize-sama gave a slight, expressionless nod of satisfaction.
"As long as it doesn't involve binding souls, you are free to let him use whatever he likes."
"...Does that include Necromancy? I thought magic involving the undead would interfere with the soul."
"In principle, it is forbidden, but that does not mean one can never interfere with them at all."
Her reply was a bit vague, so I instinctively looked toward the other gods. Lord Fernobelia was the one who spoke up.
"Our time is limited, so I will be brief. A soul can be divided into multiple parts. How many parts and how they are partitioned depends on one’s perception of the concept of a soul, but for now, it is best to imagine it as a two-layer structure: an 'Outer Soul' and an 'Inner Soul.' What we consider a taboo is interference with the Inner Soul. Meltrize meant to say that what is typically called Necromancy only affects the Outer Soul, making it within the permissible range."
The explanation was straightforward and easy to grasp. However, I wondered if the boundary between the outer and inner layers was really that distinct. Kormi had seemed to use his soul-binding power unconsciously...
"That monster is a rare case," Fernobelia added. "Interfering with the Inner Soul is not something that can be achieved easily. That is precisely why Necromancers who misunderstand the nature of things try to reach that domain, calling it the 'essence' or 'secret technique' of their craft... regardless, it is nearly impossible unless done with deliberate intent. You have no cause for concern."
"The most common form of Necromancy is turning a corpse into an undead," Lulutia supplemented. "But by the time a living being dies, the majority of the soul—the most vital, inviolable Inner Soul—has already returned to us. While humans might have humanitarian objections or feel a sense of revulsion, it’s within the permissible range from our perspective."
"Souls are delicate and easily damaged, after all," Kufo chimed in. "The Outer Soul exists to protect the Inner Soul from harm. The outer layer can recover even if it’s damaged to some extent, and just like a muscle, it actually strengthens the soul through that process."
The analogy about muscles was easy to understand, though in my mind, it made the soul sound a bit like a slime.
"That level of understanding should be sufficient," Gain said. "Though I’ll tell you just in case: if anyone commits atrocious acts against the living under the guise of 'researching Necromancy,' that becomes a separate issue entirely."
I felt a slight sense of incongruity at Gain’s tone. It sounded like a simple warning, but something about the way he emphasized it caught my attention. Perhaps it was just the sensitivity of the subject, but it felt as if he didn't actually want the magic to be used... like he was mourning something.
When I looked at them more closely, it wasn't just Gain; the other gods seemed slightly stiff as well.
"Is Necromancy really not a problem?" I asked.
"...You have a strangely sharp intuition sometimes, Ryoma-kun," Kufo admitted. "It’s true that there’s no problem with the magic itself. It’s just... we were reminded of a reincarnated person from long ago who used Necromancy to do whatever they pleased."
"It is not your fault, and you have no reason to hold back," Lulutia assured me.
"You two, if you say that much, he’s obviously going to be curious," Gain grumbled.
"Even so, if we start that story, we won’t have enough time for the curse treatment," Fernobelia interjected. "While it may serve as a good warning, the matter of the reward comes first. We shall save that story for another day. Ryoma, take this."
As if to clear the air, Lord Fernobelia reached out his right hand. He was holding a book. Even a quick glance revealed a high-quality leather binding with gold lettering. It looked pristine and well-cared for, yet it radiated a sense of ancient history. The title was Genesis Myth.
I once received a goblet from Tekun... could this be another Artifact?
"Just as you suspect. This is an Artifact of my creation. I have endowed it with the same functions as a church chapel in the mortal realm."
"Does that mean if I hold this book and pray, I can come here from anywhere?"
"Precisely. As we proceed with your curse treatment, you will eventually find it difficult to appear in public. With this, you can visit the Divine Realm to receive treatment without having to visit a church in a crowded town."
"That would be an incredible help!"
This was a truly invaluable Artifact. It was still a ways off, but the need to worry about traveling for medical treatments was now completely gone.
"Ryoma, you intend to continue assisting us with the miasma removal and other matters, don't you?" Fernobelia asked. "In that case, it is more convenient for us if we can contact you easily and eliminate any wasted time."
"In that case, instead of a book, you should have just given him a communication tool," Meltrize-sama muttered, seemingly searching her memories. "I believe there was something like that on Earth. A thin, rectangular plate..."
As she moved her hands, a "pager" appeared in her small palms. It looked a bit bulky in her tiny hands.
"Wow, that’s a blast from the past."
The words escaped my mouth before I could stop them. Lady Meltrize looked at me with a puzzled expression.
"...Is this old?"
"By human standards, very much so. By the time I died, smartphones were the standard, and they were a massive evolution of that. Most kids today might not even know what a pager is."
"Meltrize generally doesn't care about that world, and since she spends so much time sleeping, her information probably hasn't been updated in ages," Kufo teased.
"Once she goes to sleep, she’s quite hard to wake up, after all," Lulutia added.
"Nowadays, it’s all about this," Gain said.
In Gain's hand was a smartphone I’d never seen before—likely a cutting-edge model released after my death. Why did Gain have a smartphone as if it were the most natural thing in the world? Moreover, as he explained it to Meltrize-sama, his fingers flew across the screen with the speed of a veteran high school girl.
"He hasn't just reproduced the form... he’s mastered the device..."
"He seems to visit that world frequently," Fernobelia noted. "He likely learned the mechanics there. But back to the topic: the reason the communication tool is shaped like a book is for camouflage. The Genesis Myth is the official scripture of the Church of Genesis. Even if a commoner possesses it, they will simply be seen as a devout believer and are unlikely to be suspected."
He continued, "There are plenty of humans—especially the powerful and wealthy—who desire things simply because they are 'rare.' If we gave it the shape of a pager or a smartphone from Earth, it would cause unnecessary problems if it were ever seen. For the same reason, I made sure it doesn’t look too expensive."
"Thank you for your consideration."
I generally prefer to keep a low profile, and if this book was an Artifact, standing out would only lead to trouble. Having it shaped like an inconspicuous book was a massive relief.
"One point of caution: this book does not allow you to contact us unconditionally at any time. To utilize the 'bridge between gods and men' function, it consumes 500,000 mana per use. I have equipped the book with a storage function, so you should diligently save up any surplus mana whenever possible. Besides contacting us, you can draw that mana out and use it yourself when necessary. Also, you needn't worry about it being damaged or soiled."
So, it was a portable church and an external mana tank... it was basically an overpowered battery!
"Thank you for everything."
"A reward must be commensurate with the service rendered," Fernobelia replied. "Furthermore, this entire situation was partially due to my own negligence, so I have added a little extra. Also, regarding your grandmother's inheritance—you retrieved it, didn't you?"
"Yes, although I really haven't done much more than pick it up."
"I recommend you at least familiarize yourself with the titles of what she left behind, especially the books. You will likely find knowledge there that will serve you well in the future. Sage Mealia was a human I held in high regard."
"I understand."
With the endorsement of the God of Magic and Scholarship himself, the value of those books was clearly immeasurable. I decided to move examining them up on my to-do list.
"Is the talking finished?"
Meltrize-sama, who had been receiving a smartphone tutorial from Gain, walked back over to us.
"Yes, I’ve received a wonderful reward."
"Good. Now that the handover is complete, we will begin the curse treatment."
"I’m sorry to rush you when you’ve only just returned from the Sea of Trees, but we want to get this done while we still have plenty of time," Lulutia said.
"It’s fine. Since I have this book now, I can come back to talk at my leisure later."
From the gods' perspective, my curse might have been their fault, but for me, it was just an unfortunate accident. I was simply grateful they were treating it.
I conveyed my thanks to Kufo and the others and prepared for the treatment. That said, once I lay down on the platform, I just had to leave everything to them. My consciousness gradually faded, and I felt as if my body were floating. I wondered if general anesthesia felt something like this...
"fugh!?"
"Ah, you’re awake."
"Do you feel any discomfort?"
My consciousness snapped back with the sensation of a sudden fall while dozing off. The faces of Kufo and Lulutia came into focus. A beat later, I remembered where I was.
"Nn... nothing special. My head feels a bit heavy, like I’ve slept too much."
"It seems there are no issues, then," Lulutia said. "The treatment planned for today was a complete success. The heaviness will subside shortly."
"It was a long journey, and even with your magical setup, there was bound to be some fatigue," Kufo added. "You were sleeping quite soundly, so it’s almost time for you to head back."
"I see. Thank you for the treatment. I’ll use the book to visit again in a week."
"There’s no need to be so strict about it," Gain said. "We can basically make time whenever. You should prioritize the people waiting for you, Ryoma-kun. Just show your face when you’re free."
As Gain spoke, Lady Meltrize stepped forward.
"Last thing. You should learn magic—specifically, Curse Magic."
"Huh?"
"You were planning to build a base within the Sea of Trees to fulfill Kormi’s wish. That is certainly one method, but it is not the only way. Even in a town outside, it is possible to provide Kormi with opportunities to interact with humans using magic."
"Really!?"
The information was so sudden it took a second to sink in, but its importance was undeniable. Lord Fernobelia, the God of Magic, was the one who answered my reflexive question.
"Indeed, Ryoma. You already possess the necessary information. If you construct a spell tailored to that purpose, you can allow him to interact with people. I suspect his abilities would be weakened in that state, but the execution will depend on you."
With the endorsement of the God of Magic himself, the surroundings began to glow.
"Right when it was getting to the good part..."
"The timing is perfect," Fernobelia said. "Consider this your assignment."
"If even a part of Kormi’s wish can be granted, the chance of him interfering with souls again will decrease," Meltrize added.
"Honestly, Fernobelia and Meltrize... always so stiff," Kufo muttered.
"We really are cheering for you, Ryoma-kun! Even if they put it that way," Lulutia called out.
"Don't rush things, and work hard at your own pace!"
I heard Gain’s voice as my body was swallowed by the light. Fernobelia-sama had sounded like a teacher assigning homework, and Meltrize-sama had stayed strictly business, but the support from the other gods was clear.
...Well, looks like I’ve got one more thing on my list to learn.