Volume 21 Chapter 3, About Divine Protection

As for the power of the Divine Protection for each member, they decided to leave it up to each of them.

When it came to race characteristics, Kousuke judged that it was better to leave the matter to each individual rather than to interfere with it himself.

However, Kousuke himself neither confirmed nor denied the conclusion that what could be seen was different depending on the characteristics of the race.

He did not think it was wrong, but he did not believe that was all there was to it.

“What do you mean?”

“Ah, well, I think it’s true that the power is manifested according to the characteristics of the race, but I think that’s just because that’s how everyone is accustomed to using it.”

Because they already possessed specific abilities, the Divine Protection manifested as a power they were familiar with.

If anything, he believed that the familiar ability was mixed with the power of Divine Protection, rather than manifesting the power of their tribal characteristic.

“You mean that the familiar power is expressed specifically in the form of a <Vision>?”

“Yes, yes, something like that. But ultimately, I guess it’s mostly true that the race characteristic is also a power that one is familiar with.”

It would not be surprising if some of them possessed specialized abilities that were outside their race traits.

He could not verify this, though, since none of the members, except for the Humans, had abilities outside their racial traits.

“So that means that if we are also good at something, there is a possibility that it could manifest as well.”

“I see.”

Sylvia and Floria also nodded, slightly relieved.

“So the point is that we can find out by trying it out with a power or ability that we are familiar with using. Then… Mm? What would apply to me?”

Kousuke chuckled as Floria thought about it.

“Well, what I just said is just a guess, so I don’t know whether it’s correct or not, you know?”

It was a pitiful thing indeed to say about a God’s power, even though it was said by the God himself, but Kousuke decided to do so.

After all, this was the first time Kousuke was using it, so even he did not know what the exact answer would be.

Perhaps he would have to wait for a long time to find out.

“The only thing I do know is that when using the Divine Protection, you have to be aware of it.”

The reason Peach was able to manifest the power of the Divine Protection a while back was obviously because she was aware of the Divine Protection.

Somehow, it made sense to Kousuke as well…

He didn’t say he understood, but rather that he could feel it.

It was a new and indescribable feeling, but it was not unpleasant.

Whether this was felt precisely only by Peach, or by everyone who had Divine Protection, he was not sure.

Of course, that feeling did not stop Kousuke from doing what he wanted to do.

If those with Divine Protection were confused every time they used their power, then what could be going on with the goddesses who were giving Divine Protection much more than Kousuke?

“…Come to think of it, how many other goddesses have provided Divine Protection?”

It was Sylvia who answered Kousuke’s question.

“The church is aware of only about four or five for each of the three major deities, right? Of course, there are probably some that the church is not aware of.”

“In the first place, doesn’t the church only know about the humanoid species? I’m sure they don’t know that they are also bestowed to summoned beasts, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Although Sylvia did not claim that the Divine Protection given by God was only for humans, it was beyond her imagination that it was given to monsters as well.

Sylvia, too, only learned about Divine Protection when she found out that Kousuke’s summoned beasts were granted Divine Protection.

However, everyone here also learned for the first time about the Divine Protection of summoned beasts.

“Given that, does that mean that we won’t know the exact number until we ask the Main Goddesses themselves?”

“I wonder if it’s also possible that the Goddesses themselves don’t have a grasp of it in the first place?”

Kousuke, who knew the actual situation with the Goddesses, wondered if it was possible, but he refrained from saying anything, considering the atmosphere.

“Well, I’ll try asking them about it.”

“That would be great.”

Sylvia, who was unable to confirm or deny Shrein’s opinion as a priestess, followed Kousuke’s lead.

Kousuke wondered if Sylvia’s opinion of the goddesses was okay, although it was clear that her opinion of the goddesses had declined compared to her initial response.

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[It’s not a problem, you know?]

He asked Eris about Sylvia’s case, and she simply replied with that line.

[Really?]

[Yes. In the first place, faith is not just bowing your head and doing what you are told. Although it may be necessary to do so because it is a form of religion.]

[Oh, I see.]

[That said, I’m not inclined to give shelter to the rude people, but Sylvia was not someone like that, right?]

Sylvia herself, in fact, was a sincere believer of the existence of the Goddesses.

It was just that the form of that belief has changed from before.

[The form of faith is different for each person. Of course, faith that is equally formal is also a form of faith in itself.]

That was why the Goddesses never denied the existence of the church.

[For example, it may be true that we don’t like formalities, but it would be a kind of coercion if we ordered them to follow it. For some people, it’s nicer to follow the rules of etiquette, right? ]

If they unified everyone in one mold, that would be equivalent to coercion, after all.

[Indeed, that’s true.]

[Once you get an organization as big as a church, you need things like etiquette no matter what. Otherwise, there will be strife.]

[…]

Eris’s words of assurance made Kousuke understand that he already implemented this practice.

Currently, Kousuke disliked the attitude of being served to the extreme.

That was the reason why he did not keep priests in his church.

But there may come a time when this would no longer be the case.

The reason nothing happened now may be because the faith towards him was mostly limited to the area around Amamiya Tower, which was a local community.

[I don’t mean to be misunderstood, but I don’t deny your way of doing things, you know?]

Eris followed up with that comment after pointing out the things he was thinking about.

[…Really?]

[We have our own way of doing things, so should find one that works for you. Since your way of existence is different, why not do things differently as well?]

The God who existed in the real world and the Goddesses who were mostly present in the divine realm and only got involved in the form of oracles and Divine Protection.

Eris was trying to say that it would be only natural that the way of faith for the two would be different as well.

[Now, I know I sound preachy, but the original purpose of oracles was different, you know?]

[Oh, right, do you and the others remember who they have given Divine Protection to? ]

This was what he wanted to ask Eris in the first place, which just crossed his mind.

[I’d like to say of course, but unfortunately I don’t.]

[Really?]

[Yes. For us, Divine Protection and similar things become our connection to the world…. If the connection is broken, of course, we forget about it. In the first place, our main job is the protection of the world.]

He now understood that the connection that Eris was referring to was that feeling that he felt from Peach.

At the same time, he realized that a broken connection meant that the other person lost faith in him.

[It’s not so common for beings like us to be in a slippery situation, but… Still, that doesn’t mean that we don’t care at all…]

Kousuke also let out a sigh at the lonely tone in Eris’s voice.

Someday, he would surely experience something like that himself.

[I see.]

[That’s just how it is. Is this the end of what you want to ask me? ]

[Yeah, thank you.]

[You’re welcome. But try to come here as often as you can, even if it’s not a regular visit.]

[Hmm? ]

[Maybe it’s because you’ve started coming here more regularly, but that fellow started complaining about how you should visit more often.]

[ahahahaha. I’ll think about it]

[Please do so. Well then.]

[Ah. See you later.]

After Kousuke responded, the communication was cut off.

As Kousuke was able to hear about the situation on God’s side, which was different from his original purpose, he thought it was a very informative talk for him as a new God who was starting to become aware of his own situation.