Chapter 144: Age of Gods (2) |
Of course, just because you were born as a god of the sky, it doesn't mean you can become the king of the gods.
Gods are essentially beings with high self-esteem who do not bend to others.
Ah, I'm an exception. I'm an irregular one.
"Therefore, just because you were born as a god of the sky, you cannot become the king of the gods."
"Why? If you're a god of the sky, aren't you above everything? Wouldn't you be fit to be the king of the gods?"
"It's not that simple. Just having a good birth alone is not enough to become a king. Kingship is established by having all responsibilities and duties delegated to you by others."
Of course, there are various processes involved, such as persuading others or forcibly taking power through strength. But fundamentally, that's how power works.
It's not like some strange woman lying in a pond handing out a sword would make you a king.
"Hmm... I don't understand!"
You're still a young child. It's natural for you to not understand these complex political matters.
"Let me explain it this way. A king is someone who is recognized by others, right?"
"Mm... Yeah! Recognized as king!"
"But if a significant number of people cannot recognize you as king?"
At my words, Baal pondered for a moment, then replied with a bright smile.
"Crush them with force!"
Hmm. Should I really raise you to be the king of the gods?
If I'm not careful, you might become a terrifying tyrant.
No, no. Let's believe in the power of education. If I teach this precious child well, he could become a great king, right?
Anyone can walk the right path with the proper guidance.
"What if there are beings stronger than you, so you cannot crush them with force?"
At my words, Baal pondered for a long time, then up.
"I don't know!"
He gave up on answering.
"What should I do then?"
Seeing Baal's innocent face asking me, I couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Even though he's a god of the sky or whatever, he's still just a child.
"In that case, you'll have to persuade them."
"Persuade?"
"Yes, persuade."
If you can't overcome them with force, the answer is to persuade them with words.
Of course, simply demanding the position of king of the gods won't work. You'll have to persuade them skillfully.
"For example."
I created a small candy in the air and handed it to Baal, saying,
"Let's say you have a candy like this."
"Candy...?"
"It's a sweet food."
By the way, it was grape-flavored. Candy is always grape-flavored, right?
"Can I eat it?"
"I just used it as an example, so hold on for a bit... No, hold it."
"I want it!"
Before I could finish, Baal popped the candy into his mouth. Ugh...
Well, the candy was just an example I used. Let's continue the explanation.
I ignored the fact that Baal's cheek was bulging with the candy and continued.
"Let's say you have a candy, and someone says they really need that candy."
"Mm."
"That someone is weaker than you, so they can't forcibly take the candy from you. In that situation, they might come and talk to you."
"Talk?"
"Yes, talk. They might say they'll give you something in exchange for your candy."
At my words, Baal nodded slightly.
"That's what persuasion is - using words to sway someone's mind."
"Mm... No! I won't give it!"
Baal suddenly shouted.
"No, I was just using that as an example."
"So you won't take the candy?"
"No, you can keep it all to yourself."
"Yay!"
Baal laughed cheerfully. Hmm.
Well, it doesn't really matter.
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"Anyway, that's how persuasion works - using words to sway someone's mind. Understand?"
"Mm... Kinda!"
"Well, even a rough understanding is better than none."
It's better than if he didn't understand at all.
"You're still young and weak. In that state, even just claiming to be the king of the gods could make the other gods dislike you."
"Dislike?"
"It means they don't like you."
Hmm. Since Baal is still young, I should use simpler words.
If it gets too complicated, he won't be able to understand.
"Especially since my children have existed since ancient times. Just by proclaiming to become the king of the gods, the others may dislike you."
"Hmm... So I can't do that?"
"Yes, you can't do that."
Shamash, even though she is close to the sky due to her element of light, the other children are not the same.
"Therefore, you must go and persuade the other children one by one."
"Hmm... Can I do it?"
Baal had a slightly worried expression. Seeing that, I smiled and said,
"I will help you, so don't worry too much."
Although I would be the most suitable for the position of king of the gods, I don't really want to do that.
If I just push this child forward and try to persuade them, they probably won't understand the story.
Above all, there should be an entity that oversees the gods.
In this era where gods are being born all over the world, the Age of the Gods, if no one steps up to manage them, it will soon become a chaotic mess.
"Alright, let's go. Let's go persuade the other children."
"Okay! I'm counting on you, Gaia!"
Gaia, huh. It's quite awkward, but it's also refreshing.
And so, I set out with Baal to persuade the other children.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
In this world, there are gods everywhere.
There weren't as many in the past, but now, in this age overflowing with faith, gods are abundant all over the world.
There is a mountain god residing in a small mountain, a water god flowing in a small stream, and a god dwelling in the large tree at the entrance of a human village, protecting the village.
It is truly the Age of the Gods.
Natural entities are gaining faith and awakening their young divine selves.
Of course, to receive faith as a god, one must be large enough or respected enough to receive the faith of humans.
Hmm. So does that mean other humans or animals cannot receive faith? Because humans do not worship other humans as gods?
Well, even if humans receive faith, they probably won't be able to use it properly. A human becoming a god... ? That's probably just about it.
Anyway, let's get back to the story.
This world is full of gods.
And no matter how small the god, they are stronger than humans.
The gods, born with the same power, have the ability to freely wield that power.
Even a god born in a small stream can sprinkle water on the people passing through.
If these gods are left unattended, this world will become a mess.
They will fight with the gods around them, change the landscape, and harm other humans, which is a natural course of events.
To prevent such a situation, there be an entity that manages the gods.
There had to be.
If it weren't for the fact that I'm the most likely candidate for that being!
No! I'm already busy enough on a regular basis!!! Listening to the prayers of humans, extending the lives of the desperate, managing the newborn lives, checking the workload in the Afterlife, going to help when the workload in the Afterlife starts piling up, leaving a clear mark on Cloud Whale's back when he slacks off, mediating the conflicts between other races, presiding over the various events of the Lizardmen, giving a gentle warning in dreams to prevent serious problems in humans, keeping an eye on the Dwarf-Elf race war, occasionally going to play with the gods of the Beastmen, stopping Sylphid when she tries to sweep everything away with a typhoon, comforting Shamash who doesn't want to work because of the unnecessary trials, getting surprised when I went to visit the god born among the Giants and finding an even bigger Giant than the other Giants, and just leaving the lazy old Giant father alone!!!
The other children aren't completely neglecting their duties, but since they're only taking care of their own surroundings, I have to handle most of the things happening between the different races or outside their scope!
At this rate, even three bodies won't be enough!
In such a situation, I'm supposed to manage all those gods?
Are you crazy? You want me to do that?!
"Therefore, I plan to give this child the position of king of the gods, so that he can manage the other gods."
"Huh?"
"I was curious about why you suddenly summoned our avatars and what you were talking about... the position of king of the gods, you say."
My children. Shamash, Ifrit, Thetis, Sylphid, Sagarmatha, Yggdrasil.
Gods born as self-aware natural phenomena, who existed even before the Age of the Gods.
These children were looking at Baal and me with puzzled expressions.
Alright. Time to start persuading! If I can just convince these children, the rest should be a breeze!
"I am the god of the sky! Baal!! The one who will become the king of the gods!"
Baal shouted, while grabbing my hand beside him.
"And I will be the partner of Gaia!"
Oh, this is going to be tough.