kscans

Chapter 118 - We Can't Win... Against Authority...

"...Satou, about King Enma."

"That King Enma?"

"Yeah."

Both of them immediately made sour faces. Well, that's understandable. For two people who have experience causing trouble, he'd be an awkward opponent. Even though it's still something for the future...

(...Well, I'm on the side of people I like, so when push comes to shove)

I could probably sneak away two souls or so. Fortunately, Enma guaranteed it for me. He said the good deeds I've accumulated won't waver unless I destroy the world or something.

"You seem to be thinking something wicked, but I'll deliberately refrain from commenting on it."

"I have no idea what you're talking about. So, Your Majesty? What brings you to a place like this?"

No, I can guess. The reason we were suddenly called here is probably because of Enma. The question is why Enma would bring a proposal to us through the Mutual Aid Society.

"Hmm. I intend to explain properly. Anyway, standing around talking isn't ideal, so why don't you sit down?"

"Well then, don't mind if I do."

Takahashi and Suzuki seemed intent on leaving everything to me, so they sat on either side and began sipping tea.

"Let me get to the point. As Hideo knows, hell was previously attacked by Hades."

Takahashi and Suzuki looked at me. ...Come to think of it, I hadn't explained that? From their reaction, it seems they didn't make it a topic of casual conversation.

"And I had my authority over death completely stolen."

Enma said this was the background information. Apparently it was an explanation for Takahashi and Suzuki. But if Hades' story is the premise... what? Are those Greek death gods trying to cause trouble again? Those guys never learn... what should I do to them next?

"Hideo, don't jump to conclusions."

"Can you read minds?"

"There's probably no one who could get mind-reading techniques to work on you. You just show everything on your face."

Enma chuckled wryly, saying I had a thoroughly evil expression.

"Let me return to the story. That incident gave a huge shock not only to hell but also to paradise. You can understand the reason without me saying it, right?"

"Well, the afterlife is a kind of inviolable territory."

Conflicts between mythologies still exist in modern times. Though they don't do things as openly as in the old days. If they cause too much of a spectacle and harm comes to humans, it's inconvenient. This has been especially pronounced since Hades was killed by me. The rulers of the human world learned that they'd eliminate even a god like Hades without hesitation if it served their interests.

...Let me get back to the story. The conflicts that have continued endlessly since ancient times. But even during what was probably the most intense period, no one laid a hand on the afterlife where human souls ultimately end up. Places like Valhalla where souls are gathered for battle are different, but areas where souls unrelated to combat reside were completely demilitarized zones. Not because it was decided by treaty, but purely by tacit understanding. That's precisely why Hades could launch his attack. Even if he'd face inconvenience later, he could make some excuse for it.

"Indeed. Even after Hideo defeated Hades and the authority returned, I've repeatedly held discussions with the Ten Kings and other gods and Buddhas."

"Which means..."

"Yes. We decided we should seriously tackle the issue of defense."

Hell does have military forces. However, they hadn't anticipated a situation where a main god-class figure from another mythology would invade. But Hades breaking the previous precedent and attacking hell probably made them worried. If that guy did it, it wouldn't be strange for others to follow his example.

"That said, however many defensive measures we establish, we won't know if they'll function properly without actually testing them."

That's right. And no matter how thoroughly we think we've prepared, there might still be gaps.

"Therefore, we decided to conduct a large-scale exercise once to confirm whether our defensive measures work and identify problems..."

"But?"

"We have no opponents."

"No no, there are war gods and battle gods among the deities."

Even if they participated in the meeting as advisors and their hand was revealed, this is training, so they'd probably handle it skillfully.

"They are insufficient. You could call it a weakness inherent to gods and Buddhas."

"A weakness?"

"Indeed. They lack 'malice.'"

Malice... that's certainly true. Anyone who would break tacit understanding and invade would naturally have malice. Hades was the same. From his perspective it was for a great cause, but from the side suffering the inconvenience, it was nothing but malice.

"Since we're assuming we'll face malicious invaders, gods and Buddhas are a bit..."

Just because they're gods and Buddhas doesn't mean they're saints. There are probably some with human-like qualities too. But they're somewhat unreliable when it comes to malice. There probably aren't any gods in Japan who'd have the idea of invading another mythology's afterlife. Because there weren't any, Hades' outrageous act was allowed to happen. But asking truly evil beings for help wouldn't be good considering the worst-case scenario.

"Therefore, you three were chosen."

"Even if you're King Enma, I can't let that slide. Are you saying that Satou-kun, who's rumored to be a good kid with a perfect score, is a human full of malice?"

"No well, you... or rather, you three are good people individually, I know that."

But, Enma continued while placing his hand on his forehead.

"When the three of you get together, your morals suddenly plummet. You start doing whatever you want as long as you have a good cause."

"Hey hey hey, Lord Enma. Sure, maybe Takahashi and Suzuki caused a damn nuisance to human society."

"If you called us fools, that's probably true. But I can't accept being called light-headed scum who'd do whatever we want just given an excuse."

"Satou-kun is also saying 'that's right, that's right.'"

The president is looking at me like she's seeing something unbelievable... but I have absolutely no idea what she means.

"No, about your past actions... well, sins are sins. But I also understand that they were truly done thinking of people's future. I mean, I'm not criticizing your past sins here."

Then why are you saying such terrible things?

"Isn't that exactly how it is? If you could legally rampage through hell... what would you do?"

"..."

Well, it would... be fun, yes.

"That silence is the greatest proof."

What an accusation... but we're only human after all. We can't argue any further with the judge of the afterlife.

"Yeah. Takahashi and Suzuki have guilt from past events, so we can't go any further."

"Authority is terrifying."

"Adults are weak to authority, so it can't be helped."

"See, there you go naturally justifying yourselves. When you're alone you're really totally fine, but when you team up, why do you become like this..."

Anyway.

"So you want us to rampage through hell as mock enemies."

"Indeed. Though I'll set certain restrictions. So, what do you think? Will you take it on?"

Takahashi and Suzuki look at me. I'm the leader after all.

"Very well. If it's a request from King Enma himself, we can hardly refuse."

"For now, let's have a strategy meeting with the three of us afterward."

"Right. We're targeting an entire mythology's afterlife. We need to plan a detailed strategy."

My body's starting to tingle with excitement!

"...Your Majesty, didn't you act a bit hastily?"

"Well, hmm... let's say that sometimes even deadly poison is necessary."