第４１８堀：混乱する神様 (Part1)
**Chapter 418: The Confused God**
**Side: Faide, God of Agriculture**
I stood there, utterly stunned by the situation.
Despite the thorough explanation I had given Lilishe, her response was...
"In that case, please tell them this: You are making such a spectacle of yourselves that I’m embarrassed to be the same species of god as you. Just drop dead already."
That was what she said.
It wasn't as if she was unaware of the strength of Nonoa and Nogosh—or even my own. Even in the past, when relations were at their absolute worst, she had refrained from making such provocative remarks. She had always understood that a war between us would be catastrophic for everyone involved.
Based on the Lilishe I knew of old, this was a response she would never have given.
"Calm down. Reckless remarks like that could lead to war. Surely that isn't something you want either, Lilishe?"
"You’re right~. I absolutely loathe war—it’s nothing but a pointless waste of life~."
"Exactly, right? Besides, we have no intention of causing you any trouble. All we need is information on this 'Yuki' person who’s been doing whatever he pleases. The others don't want to pick a fight with you, either."
Yes, the problem this time wasn't her, but this individual named Yuki. Even I couldn't accept a system that simply squandered Lady Luna’s power. On that point alone, I could see where the others were coming from.
"It’s because your brain works in such a pitiful way that I’m telling you to drop dead~. In the first place, even if I refuse you, how do you intend to start a war? You have no means to oppose the Alliance, do you? The Magic Idiot, the Sword Idiot, and the Beast Idiot are all in countries that are far too distant from one another~."
I see, so that was the source of her confidence. However, we hadn't failed to consider the possibility that she wouldn't cooperate.
"Sigh... well, I understand your position. It would have been better if we could have settled this peacefully, but..."
"Oh~? Don't tell me you actually have a way to counter us~?"
"We do. We have the means. We learned it from the Yuki here. The others said they would use 'Gates' to form their own alliance."
Lilishe’s eyes widened, seemingly surprised for the first time.
"On our side, we have four gods and a Dungeon Master collaborator. On yours, there are two gods and this Yuki person. In terms of military strength, you're in a difficult position. So, please, just stay calm and give us the information on Yuki. We aren't looking for a war."
"I haven't heard any news about dungeons becoming cities anywhere else, though~?"
"That’s because they’re building them in secret, without making a spectacle of wasting divine power like this place does."
"Wasting, you say~?"
"Well, personally, I don't think improving people's lives is a waste or a bad thing. However, that is something that should be done by human hands, not by Lady Luna’s power. I agree with the others on that. At this rate, Weed will eventually collapse."
Lilishe and the other woman looked at me with expressions of profound pity. What? Did I say something wrong?
"Um~, Faide~... how exactly do you think a dungeon produces supplies and monsters~?"
"Hm? With mana, obviously. You lure in humans or wild monsters, kill them, convert them into mana, and then feed that back into the mana circulation. In return, you receive support from Lady Luna. Am I wrong?"
"You aren't technically incorrect~."
"See? That’s why Weed, which just gathers people without killing them, can't recover mana. The only other method is to pour mana directly into the Dungeon Core, but only you two and Yuki would know how to do that. There’s no way you can compete with the total mana volume of the dungeons the others are building in secret. They’ll be opening Gates all over the place and running circles around you."
The difference in total mana was simply too great. As gods, we naturally possessed vast amounts of mana, and we had the advantage of four against two. Furthermore, Nonoa, the God of Magic, was on our side. The outcome was decided before the fight even began.
Lilishe fell silent after hearing this. It couldn't be helped; Weed’s advantage as a dungeon was already as good as gone.
Then, Lilishe opened her mouth as if she had made a decision.
"Er... are you being serious right now?"
"I am."
"...Do you even know the units used to measure a dungeon's mana capacity?"
"No, we can't see that, can we? I heard it's something managed by the Dungeon Master."
"...Please wait a moment."
With that, Lilishe stood up and walked to the corner of the room. I suppose she wanted time to think. However, it was a bit strange; her mouth was moving as if she were talking to someone.
"...Yes. ...Right, I see. ...Is that so?"
Hmm. Was she using divine power to hold a long-distance conversation? If so, her partner was likely either Lady Luna or this Yuki fellow.
As I was pondering this, she seemed to finish her conversation and returned to her seat.
"I have a question. May I~?"
"What is it? I’m basically just a messenger for the others, so if you ask for details about their countries, I won't have a clue."
"No~, I won't ask about that. What I want to know is, what do you, Faide, want to do? Please answer honestly."
"What I want? Well, obviously, I’d like to just spend my days peacefully tending to my fields. But reality isn't that simple."
"In other words~, is it safe to assume you’ll side with whoever looks like they’re going to win~?"
"Hm? Well, yes. That’s why I’m here..."
"I understand why you came. However, what you’re saying, Faide, is just too much. It’s like a child who’s just been given a toy."
"What?"
"I don't know if it's intentional or if you just haven't noticed~, but with that level of understanding, there is no way you can win, no matter how hard you try."
"...Huh?"
I couldn't understand what Lilishe was talking about. *What have you been listening to this whole time?* I thought, but as I went to speak, Lilishe held up a hand to stop me.
"The fact that you can't understand those words is exactly why you’re hopeless~. First, since I’ve been given permission, I will explain the systems of Weed and the dungeon to you~."
"I told you..."
"Yes, yes~. You can say whatever you want after you’ve heard my explanation, alright? You’ve been doing all the talking~, and you haven't listened to a word we’ve said~."
"Hmph. Fair enough."
It was true that just saying my piece and leaving would be a problem. Since she wasn't just getting angry, she must have a valid reason. It wouldn't hurt to listen.
"I’ll put it simply. Every single concern you’ve mentioned is completely off the mark~."
"Excuse me?"
"First, the technology in Weed that you mentioned—that wasn't provided by Lady Luna. It is technology from Yuki-san’s world."
"Th-that’s impossible!! Even we don't understand the construction or the mechanisms behind it!"
"And that’s why you’re hopeless~. The technological prowess and various other aspects of Yuki-san’s homeland far exceed anything in our world."
"B-but even so, using Lady Luna’s power to bring in otherworldly technology..."
"Wrong again~. While it’s true we use Lady Luna’s power, it’s because we are making progress toward solving the mana depletion issue~. Unlike you all~, we are properly collecting mana, you see~."
"W-what do you mean? You aren't collecting mana at all. I know for a fact that the number of people and monsters dying here isn't high."