第６５４堀：神の審判 被告ポンコツ：再臨 (Part2)
With preparations complete, I went to look for Luna to ask for her help, but...
"Hmm. So this is the girl named Hairen. I can certainly feel a magical signature similar to the power that obstructed us back then."
"We apologize for our past rudeness. However, our resistance was not intended to defy the Great Goddess Amaterasu; it was purely for our own survival."
"Therefore, I beg you, could you please show mercy to my friend, Hairen?"
"Lady Luna, I implore you to show your divine benevolence toward our goddess."
"She is a benefactor to us as well. Please..."
Souta-san, Enoru-san, the Archbishop, and Arge—who didn't know Luna's personality—were pleading with her. They were begging before the core containing Hairen, which they had entrusted to me (or rather, I was forced to hold onto it because they kept pestering me).
Come to think of it, Hairen was technically in the position of a rebel against the Useless Goddess. I had already settled that matter with the copy of Souta-san at the academy, but since they didn't know that, they were desperate to save her. When we first met, they seemed skeptical, but after Princess Stasia asked me to manifest a "divine halo" and I made it glow brightly, they all immediately prostrated themselves. It took quite a while to get them back on their feet and moving again. Honestly, dealing with a Useless Goddess makes everything such a hassle.
Well, I’m not enough of a monster to whip people like this, so...
"Ah, it's fine. I've already heard the details from Souta's soul-copy. I don't intend to punish this girl, Hairen."
"R-really?"
"Oh? You can talk from the core? You sound more energetic than I expected."
"Y-yes. Yuki-shonen gave me a core filled with plenty of magical energy..."
No, I didn't "give" it to you. You’d better pay me back for all the DP you consumed later.
"Well, even if I'm not going to dispose of you, what do you want to do from here on out, Hairen?"
"What I want to do, you say?"
"Look, it’s boring to stay in there forever, isn't it? If you use the magic in that core, you could revive right now."
" " "Eh?" " "
Everyone was shocked by Luna's unexpected words.
"Huh? You didn't know? Oh, right, you lot are basically living gods, so you don't have the concept of creating a physical body from a spirit form."
"It cannot be helped. It is not as if a suitable vessel can be found so conveniently."
"In the case of water, it seems the spirit form and a vessel suit her better, anyway."
"That is correct. If one gains a physical body, a minimum amount of magic is required to maintain it."
Ah, I suppose that makes sense if you look at it from the perspective of water. Since I can create monsters from cores, it’s not strange that this is possible.
"Exactly. So, there are various inconveniences. Well, regarding the magic, since you'll be reviving with the core as your nucleus, I don't think it'll be much of a problem. Look, it's the same as those Soutas over there. The principle of animating the dead with a core as the nucleus is the same."
"Ah, um, that... I can't do it."
"Hm? You mean you don't know how to use divine power? It's no different from using magic, you know? From what I've heard, you were performing healing arts, so you should be well-versed in human anatomy, right?"
"No, it's just... Yuki-shonen has restricted my control over the core..."
As the klutz said that, Luna's gaze shifted to me.
"You really are..."
"I wasn't sure if she was a friend or foe. She messed with Kagura's body, too."
"I did not mess with it! That was just to convey the message properly!"
"Hmm. Well, I understand Yuki's concern. You shouldn't go around borrowing people's bodies so easily. Usually, they'll just break."
"Yes. I am terribly sorry."
"Well, you seem to be reflecting on it. Do you intend to be hostile?"
"No, now that I understand Lady Luna's intentions, I have no such desire."
"Then, cooperate with Yuki from now on and lend your power as a goddess to help solve the magic depletion. If you swear to that, I will specially revive and manifest you."
"I swear it!! I will create a world where everyone can live and help one another!!"
"Hey, wait a minute."
Don't just go taking my core and giving a physical body to a troublesome creature without asking.
"Don't complain. If you have a body, you won't think about borrowing Kagura's, right?"
"Ah, I see."
Just when I thought Luna was acting without thinking, it turned out she was considering Kagura's situation as well. It is a relief that I won't have to worry about Kagura's body being used every time something happens.
"Well, I guess it can't be helped. Cooperate with us from now on, Hairen."
"Leave it to me!!"
...I have nothing but anxiety about that declaration, but there shouldn't be any problem with the proposal itself. Yes, let's think of it that way.
And so, having shown submission to Luna's faction, my core was easily confiscated, and Hairen was revived. The revival didn't take long; with a flash of light, a strange red-haired girl was standing there.
"Alright. That's that. Do you feel any discomfort in your body?"
"Eh? Ehhh!? EHHHHHH!? Amazing, this is amazing!!"
The klutz Hairen jumped up and down, looking at her own body in delight. The other members of the Hairen religion seemed moved as well. I ignored them, walked up to the klutz, and...
"Hey. You exhibitionist. Since we're going to have dealings with Aquenoki, put some clothes on. Here."
I handed her a set of clothes I’d received from my wife.
"KYAAAAA!? Pervert!? You really are a pervert, aren't you!?"
The exhibitionist Hairen hurriedly put on the clothes. By the way, her build was like a high schooler, similar to Riel—completely flat. Even when she jumped, they barely moved. Since Riel and Tori have grown quite a bit after having children, she’s on par with Cleena. No, Cleena is cuter since she’s my wife, so the klutz definitely loses.
And so, the strength of my camp increased before the Mad King Aquenoki? Is it really an increase in strength? I feel like my worries have just increased... *Sigh*, I'll do my best.
And thus, the story of the mid-level god that began with a summoning incident comes to a close. But before that, the klutz has revived. A nightmare of two Useless Goddesses.