第１０５６堀：生きるために (Part2)
"That’s a rather insightful answer. You’re quite a clever child. Yes, the rapid loss of faith was due to the establishment of dungeons—things far more tangible and easy to understand than the blessings we gods provide. Myself included."
I see. Indeed, compared to a dungeon where anyone can obtain results if they work hard, faith in a god—where you pray and offer devotion without any certainty of receiving a blessing—would naturally attract only a limited number of followers.
But in the continent where Lilishe-sama and Nonoa-sama reside, things are normal... wait, that’s right. The continent where Weed is located was originally rich in magical power.
So, they managed to avoid the worst of it because of that.
"If only the Higher Gods had shown us, or left us, something that would allow us to survive, it would have been better. But there was nothing. Well, I suppose it’s a fitting punishment for us—we who did nothing but stand by and watch when people rose up and defeated the middle-tier gods. We couldn't do a thing. But... I couldn't forgive it. I couldn't accept it. I hadn't done anything wrong. I wasn't lazy. I may not have been able to do much, but I didn't want to watch my friends, who had worked so hard, vanish one after another while I stood by helplessly."
"Is that why you defied the Higher Gods?"
"Yes. That is why I defeated the Dungeon Masters, the lackeys of the Higher Gods. I did it so that faith might return, even if only a little, to the surviving gods, and I manipulated the Hein Empire to diminish its authority, hoping to show the people who had so easily abandoned us gods the true majesty of divinity once more."
...So that’s it. You were the one who corrupted the Hein Empire.
And because of that, there was so much suffering...
In the end, doesn't that just mean you sacrificed countless innocent people for your own selfishness?
"Tell me, Senal. Do you hold a grudge against humanity? Is that why you did those things?"
Even so, Hairen-sama did not rebuke her for such selfish and foolish actions; she continued to ask for Senal's reasoning.
Why? This sounds like nothing more than a petty vendetta to me. To my ears, it sounds like she just dragged many people into misery because she herself couldn't be saved.
How could Hairen-sama possibly interpret such a horrific story in any other way?
As I harbored these doubts, Senal smiled gently...
"Though you are still young, you seem like a fine goddess. ...Yes, I didn't particularly hold a grudge against humanity. I simply didn't want to stand by and watch my friends die. So, I tried meddling with humans. I thought that if they were satisfied with a world that had no need for gods, then nothing I said would change that. But the results were as you see. People acted out of self-interest. And many fell into chaos. Am I the cause? Perhaps. But I only provided the spark; it was the humans who fanned the flames so fiercely. The Emperor failed to guide his successor well. His subordinates, too. Even if I had done nothing, it would have rotted sooner or later."
...Indeed, when put that way, it’s true. Even as a goddess, she didn't wield her divine authority; she had lost her power and merely acted as a tempter.
The fact that they succumbed to those sweet words is, ultimately, an individual's responsibility.
"But that doesn't make it right to do such things," Kagura said clearly, unlike me, who had almost been convinced. She declared that what Senal did was wrong. "Surely there must have been other ways. You didn't have to kill the Dungeon Masters or manipulate people; there must have been another path."
"You are still young. You must learn that dreams do not always come true. Many people yearn for things, only to have their dreams shattered and be forced to live in reality. It is no different for us gods. I used every means at my disposal to create this decisive battle, yet I was defeated by you. This is my—our—reality..."
There was no emotion on Senal's face as she said this. Her expression simply conveyed that this was the result of her efforts, the final conclusion.
Everyone remained silent, the ticking of the clock echoing in the room. Just as I thought the conversation was over, she smiled again.
"But seeing a goddess who gets along so well with a Dungeon Master, I feel a little relieved. The gods I knew are finished, I suppose. But you will continue to live on. So, if you ever come across a god like me, please try to persuade and save them as quickly as you can. Well, I don't know if there’s even a way to save them, though? Haha, in the end, I’m still leaving it to others. I’m no different from those Higher Gods, am I?"
As she finished speaking, her figure suddenly began to fade.
"Oh dear, it seems it’s time to say goodbye. I suppose I should be judged before the Higher Gods, but that’s impossible now. Hairen, take credit for defeating me. Don't let it be the achievement of someone serving under you. Being promoted to a god never leads to anything good."
Even though her form was almost invisible, I could tell from her voice that she was wearing a beautiful smile.
Ah, is she really okay with ending it all here? Is there no way...
"Yes, yes. Sorry to interrupt this moving finale. Here, Luna."
"I know, I know. Here you go."
We did have a way, after all.
With Luna-sama, a Higher God who possesses the power to overcome the unreasonable and make dreams come true... and my husband.
A story of those who were cast aside.
To choose something is to choose not to choose something else.
There is no answer that saves everyone.
That is all there is to this story.
But to say she herself was not at fault—that isn't quite true either.
What would you have done?