第６１２堀：大・降・臨！！ (Part2)
"Heh. Those two over there think I'm the real deal. Your faith is lacking; you can't even feel the overflowing goddess power radiating from me."
"That's enough, just sit down. I'm not from a clan that worships you, I'm not a shrine kid, and I'm no Shinto scholar. I'm just a regular guy who wants to enjoy the festivities without any fuss."
"...That right there is the problem. The issue with modern Japan is that people just want to treat everything like a casual festival. You really need to learn the background and history behind these things."
What a noisy woman, even after sitting down.
"Even so, the number of people visiting shrines is increasing every year, isn't it?"
"That's true. Since World War II, the population has grown, and now even foreign tourists are visiting shrines like it's nothing. It’s been an upward trend."
*“Haha... I envy the famous ones.”*
*“Well, technically, Sota’s place is dedicated to Ukanomitama-no-Kami, too.”*
*“People don’t come to rural shrines. My old man said we barely scrape by on local festival contracts and government support for religious sites.”*
"Ah, well, I suppose that’s how it is in the countryside. But shrines and temples exist for the peace of people's hearts. It doesn't really matter where they are. My point is, even if a god were to descend like I have now, no one—not in Japan, and certainly not in any major city on Earth—would actually believe it."
*“With all due respect, hasn't that always been the case? I don't think people would just believe you simply because you claimed to be a god.”*
"No, no, it’s completely different now. Even if I show off some divine power, people just dismiss it as a magic trick or something similar. In this day and age, if the Water God appeared, the punchline would just be people calling it a high-end remote-controlled toy."
*“...You’re right. If I saw that water display back at my parents' house, I’d just assume it was some advanced RC gadget.”*
*“...I see now that the lack of faith is a serious problem. Amaterasu-Omikami.”*
"Look, let's drop the discussion on Japanese faith and move this along. This isn't a gathering place for Japanese gods. Go meet up in Izumo during the month of the gods if you want to do that."
"Ugh, that’s another thing I’m dissatisfied about. Why Izumo? Shouldn't they be gathering at my place? Specifically, Ise Grand Shrine. That’s my headquarters, you know?"
"I don't know anything about the politics of Japanese gods! And is it even true that they gather in Izumo during the tenth month?! There are theories that it's just a fairy tale!"
"Oh, gods are just like people. Once a rumor like that starts spreading, we just decided to go along with it."
"You actually care about what society thinks?!"
"Of course I do. For many of us, faith is directly linked to power. Oh, and that guy from Suwa kept trying to show up in his giant form, so we had to sprinkle salt to keep him out. It’s way too cramped for us if he’s there."
*“...So the stories about Suwa-myojin were true.”*
"They are. And honestly, you know quite a lot. As expected of a shrine son. I’m happy to see such erudition."
"No, no, Sota-san, the truth isn't just that the story is real—it's that they literally chased him away."
"Well, the point is he didn't need to come, so it’s fine. Anyway, tea."
*“Ah, yes. Please, wait a moment.”*
"Oh, and for the tea snack, I want soy sauce rice crackers."
The useless goddess pounded on the table, demanding tea and snacks.
Sota-san, you can bring her some tea-soaked rice, it’s fine.
Don't offer it—just bring it to her and chase her out.
Wait, no, that’s not right.
We didn't call this useless goddess here to hear about the internal affairs of Japanese gods.
Actually, we didn't call her at all.
"Phew. Man, it’s nice to talk to someone who understands. Yuki is like this too, but when I talk deeply about the Japanese god scene, Taiki and Taizo just can't keep up."
*“That is to be expected. There are gods like me who are questionable, bordering on being yokai.”*
"Yeah, yeah. That’s enough. Talk after we finish our business."
"Eh?"
"Don't 'eh' me. Get to the point. Besides, you want to hear this too, don't you?"
"You’re such a pain. Oh, Sota. Thanks."
Despite her complaints, the useless goddess thanked him as she took the tea.
*“Wait? Did I introduce myself?”*
"I can figure that much out. I am Amaterasu-Omikami, after all. Now, the story you want to hear is about 500 years ago, right?"
*“Yes. What was the true cause of that war?”*
Finally, the main topic.
This is truly exhausting.
Just as I was thinking that...
"I don't know. I just lost contact with them. I don't check the details of every single local region, you know."
*““Eh?””*
Sota-san and the Water Dragon stared blankly at the useless goddess's blunt confession.
"I can't be expected to constantly look after places that don't even have a shrine."
*“Ah, I see. Now that you mention it, that’s true.”*
*“Indeed.”*
"However, after being summoned by Yuki and coming to this land, I did learn one thing: the faction of mid-level gods is still up to something. You two know more about that time than I do. Why don't you tell me what happened? From there, I might be able to make some predictions."
Convinced by Luna's logic, the two finally began to speak about those days.
Now then, what really happened 500 years ago?
Is there something there that will solve our current problem?
Rejoice.
You’ve been waiting for this, haven't you?
The plot is finally moving forward.