"W-well then, I shall guide you into Lafres proper."
With Lang's face twitching in a nervous tic, he led us out of the prison district. Even the soldiers flanking us seemed to find the situation awkward. I truly felt bad for them.
The root of the problem, you see, was the manner in which we were being released.
Despite our insistence that we weren't a threat, the fact remained that we’d been detained because some "atypical power" had set off their sensors. We had to prove our innocence somehow, but that was easier said than done when I didn't even realize what this supposedly atypical power was myself.
"Hmph. What a mess. You all look harmless enough, but I can't just release you on a whim. Then again, if I just pretend the alarm never went off..."
"That’s out of the question, sir," one of the soldiers interjected. "You’d lose more than just your job if you did that. Please, don't be reckless."
Lang was completely at his wit's end and had begun making some rather dangerous suggestions. Fortunately, the soldier stopped him with an exasperated look.
"Hmm... I have an idea. Do you have any acquaintances in Lafres? If they’re someone of sufficient social standing, they might be able to act as your guarantor."
In his desperation, the word "guarantor" finally slipped from Lang's lips.
Naturally, we didn't know a soul in Lafres. However, I’d heard rumors that a divine realm existed within the Adventurer's Guild Headquarters. I figured some of the high-ranking staff there might have an "in" with the gods.
"Um... they aren't exactly human, but I might know someone who can help."
"Not human? What does that mean, Dolm?"
"Don't look at me, sir."
Lang and the soldier exchanged confused glances. It made sense; telling them they "weren't human" didn't really explain much. Rather than trying to describe it, it was probably better to just have them show up.
"Well, they’re a god. I’ll call them now."
"A... a god? A god!?"
"Wait, did I hear that right?"
I ignored the sputtering Lang and his men for a moment.
(Ren-kun, Ren-kun. Do you have a second?)
I reached out to Ren-kun mentally. After all, I was the Apostle of the Destiny God. I had a direct line to the deity I served. That said, being an apostle didn't necessarily guarantee that a god would pick up the phone.
Fortunately, Ren-kun always replied as long as he wasn't busy. Sure enough, his voice echoed in my head almost immediately.
(Hmm? What is it, Ruto? Did you make it to Lafres?)
(I did, but... I’ve run into a bit of a problem.)
Once I explained the situation, Ren-kun let out a low whistle of understanding.
(So, Ruto has finally made it that far, huh?)
(What do you mean "that far"? And is this really my fault?)
(I’d bet on it. Those detectors are designed to identify whether or not something falls within the Principles of the World. They were likely introduced recently as part of the Silver Abomination Countermeasures.)
(...Then why does it flag me?)
(Because of your Creativity—or rather, did it evolve into the Power of Genesis? That’s why. That power of yours is capable of bringing things into existence that defy the very laws of this world.)
I see. So, in the sense that both were outside the Principles of the World, the power of the Abominations and my Power of Genesis were technically in the same category. It didn't exactly make me feel great, but it made sense.
(Well, anyway, we just need to prove that you and your group haven't been fraternizing with gods from the outer world, right? Leave it to me! My name recognition might be a little low, though... so I’ll just grab whoever else is around and head over!)
(Yeah. Thanks, I appreciate it.)
Alright, that should take care of things.
I turned back to Lang and the others, who were still whispering among themselves.
"He says he's coming."
"He's coming? Who is?"
"Ren-kun... er, a god."
"...A god!?"
Lang recoiled with such force he nearly flipped over backward. The soldiers nearby scrambled to catch him.
His reaction was far more intense than I’d expected. I’d heard there was a divine realm at the Guild Headquarters, so I assumed officials of his rank met with gods fairly often. Apparently, that wasn't the case.
"Dolm, were gods always beings you could just call up so casually?"
"Why don't you try it and find out, sir?"
"I couldn't do something so sacrilegious!"
"Then there’s your answer."
While we waited for Ren-kun, Lang and the soldier, Dolm, retreated to a corner of the room to talk. They were trying to be discreet, but their excitement made it impossible to keep their voices down.
Judging by their behavior, gods really were beings of absolute awe and fear. I thought I understood that, but perhaps I'd grown a bit too familiar with them. Still, this was an emergency; I didn't have much of a choice.
Regardless of my inner reflections, Lang and Dolm’s comedy routine continued.
"I’m beginning to think we’ve accidentally detained someone we really shouldn't have."
"We’re just soldiers, sir. Our job is to carry out orders from above."
"Wait a minute. By 'above,' do you mean me? Are you planning to pin the blame on me?"
"It's not about pinning anything... it's just a statement of fact."
"How can you be so cold!?"
Just as their argument reached a fever pitch, a blinding flash of light filled the room. When I looked toward the source, four hologram-like figures had materialized. In addition to Ren-kun, the Spirit God, the Luck God, and the Earth God had all appeared.
Garna immediately scampered toward them. Even though we were technically outside the cell, iron bars meant nothing to a cat. Her feline form shifted and blurred, growing into the shape of a petite woman. Curiously, she still had her cat ears.
"I-Is that a god?"
"The Spirit God! And the Earth God too!? There's no mistaking it!"
The soldiers dropped to the floor one after another, prostrating themselves. Seeing this, the Spirit God spoke in a voice far more solemn and authoritative than usual.
『These individuals are our apostles. We swear they bear no ill will toward this world. Release them at once.』
"Y-Yes! Immediately!"
Lang pressed himself so low to the ground he looked like he was trying to merge with the floor. The Spirit God gave a slow, dignified nod before turning his attention to me.
『Now then, Tort. The other gods are quite curious as well. Please visit the divine realm as soon as you are able.』
"Ah, yes. I’ll head over after we've had a chance to rest."
『Indeed. That will suffice.』
Satisfied with my answer, the Spirit God gave a final nod and vanished. The other deities followed suit. Only Garna remained, nonchalantly returning to her cat form before trotting back to join us.
In the silence that followed, Lang and the soldiers stared at me with expressions that clearly asked, Just who—or what—is this guy?
...Wait, why are they looking at me like that?