54 — Those Three Women (?) Are Here (4)

“Oh merciful god, your representative is here.”

Was it because the voice was loud? Or was it because the situation was so exquisite?

Even though I was kneeling on one knee in the posture of a knight towards their master, with my head bowed, I felt the stinging sensation on the back of my head and my spine as the gaze of everyone in the square and the three gods pierced through me.

At the same time, my hands and feet were damp with sweat, on the verge of cringing.

Originally, the plan was set upon entering the ‘Battlefield of the Gods’.

‘I will be the one who keeps a low profile and thoroughly prepares in the beginning.’

The plan was already derailed due to the unexpected foolishness of the Magic Tower masters.

But it was still okay.

The first reason was that, apart from us, there were no other representatives in Exorsus, and the second reason was that the Heavenly God and the Demon God, who needed to be most cautious of, were too busy growling at each other to pay attention to a new god’s representative like me.

‘Besides… I was confident in Aetas’s words.’

“Hmm? What are you talking about? From the perspective of the two gods, you’re clumsy and weak, a representative who got ambushed by the Magic Tower masters, so why would we care about you?”

…is what was said.

Then, having stepped forward, I decided to aim for the maximum effect.

Surprised, Arun and Lee Hyo-ju also lifted their heads and looked at me.

Their eyes were filled more with worry than surprise.

―Speak, my beloved representative.

Ludicer responded to my cry with a solemn expression and a voice full of power.

Now it begins. A play that will go down in history.

“Oh merciful and noble god. Y-your servant earnestly cries out. Please have mercy on them.”

Thankfully, I managed to finish my lines without swearing in the middle.

It must seem like I was so nervous that my words got tangled or stuttered. Like catching a mouse while stepping backward.

―Impossible! The words of the Creator are sacred. They must be upheld in any circumstance.

Ludicer’s voice was firm.

Especially the refusals using the Creator as an excuse. As if implying that it wasn’t her own will, but the Creator’s words must be followed.

“They, too, are the sons and daughters of the Creator and the god I love.”

―…It is impossible…

Ludicer’s acting was even better than mine. Unlike before, she hesitated for a moment as if in agony and then refused it.

“Though they have erred, I have successfully defended against their surprise attack. There was ‘damage(?)’, but not a single life was harmed, so please show mercy.”

There was no damage at all. Oh! If there was any, it might have been the mana-depleted magic stone?

However, in the eyes and ears of other gods who could observe this place in their present form, I must appear as a less powerful representative.

―My representative, I repeat, it is impossible. Moreover, I know that the damage you have suffered is not insignificant, so do not speak of this any further.

“Even a parent will!!”

The play moved toward its climax.

As if intending to die after saying just this one line, I shouted with all my might, as if coughing up blood, not with divine power but with my own voice.

“Even a parent… when punishing a child’s mistake, there is ‘love’ within it. There is ‘affection’ for the child and ‘concern’ for their future. There is no parent who hates their child. Moreover, though they were blinded by greed, it was an act of ignorance. To judge them and impose a punishment on their souls is too excessive.”

Pouring out these words with nothing but my own voice, my throat began to crack as I reached the end.

With my forehead pressed to the dirt floor, I quickly applied the pre-prepared onion juice to my eyes using my agility of One Man Only.

Tears flowed like a waterfall simultaneously.

I straightened my knees I had bent, and slowly lifted my bowed head to look at the three gods.

“Please… have mercy on your sons and daughters.”

“Sob…”

“Sob sob…”

The square became a sea of tears in an instant. What could their cries mean? A sudden, absurd thought crossed my mind.

Could it be gratitude towards me from the people of the ‘Battlefield of the Gods’ continent, who live with such pure reverence for the gods? Or is it an act of atonement, revealing their sins in the face of death?

―My beloved representative…

A weighty voice, unbefitting a goddess, awakened the sorrow-laden ‘Battlefield of the Gods.’

The sound of sobbing diminished, and heads lifted to gaze at the three shining suns in the sky. Some with earnest hearts, others with hearts full of regret.

―…Your words are indeed true.

“…!!”

―The Creator, who is our Father, also says your words are indeed true. Yes… What parent punishes their child out of hatred?

“Thank you, my god.”

―The sins of the five tower masters are indeed great. Although my merciful representative claims you were unaware, that cannot be true. It is clear that those who have risen to such positions knew but were blinded by their weak power or greed. Therefore, to the five tower masters…

The continent’s attention focused on Ludicer’s weighty and resolute voice.

At this moment, with the three gods manifest, even the monsters of the Monster Belt would remain silent.

―I command a contract of soul slavery. Furthermore, until the end of this ‘Battlefield of the Gods,’ all mages belonging to the five towers are subordinated to our representative. The sins of the creatures living on the continent, excluding the five towers, are pardoned. Lastly, when the magic tower masters who became slaves and the mages have lived their entire lives and entered the underworld ruled by the God of Death, their sins will be pardoned.

“Th-thank you.”

“Thank you!”

“Thank you!!”

―Lastly, my representative.

“Your s-servant… is here.”

―Your words are truly pleasing. Though I am called a god, I learn one thing from you, my representative. Strive even harder.

‘What? This wasn’t in the plan at all! Ah! That rookie god! Seriously! Improvising anywhere she has a chance!!’

“I may be lacking, but I will do my best.”

―Remember the mercy and love we have shown.

―Remember.

―Remember.

With those words, the three gods disappeared.

The atmosphere was as if waking from a dream. The silence in the square was the calm before the storm.

“Hooray! Long live Kim Han, the representative!”

“Hooray!”

“Hooray!”

‘Wh-what is this?!’

People were rushing in. Tears and snot were hanging, and in some cases, it was evident that some had soiled their pants due to their excellent agility.

‘Hey, hey, where are you pushing with those pants you pooped in?!’

Fortunately, thanks to the gardeners, they couldn’t completely rub themselves against me.

I’d rather fight a Black Orc tribe than this cringeworthy play almost break down before its shock ended.

Luckily, with superhuman agility, I managed to flash a celebrity smile, wave my hand, and ride the carriage back home.