kscans

Chapter 208 - Cheat Bastard VS Villainous Young Lady

"I believe you may be the crystallization of all the regrets harbored by the human race."

The trickster god, dressed like a club host, declared this with a smile like sunlight filtering through the trees in spring. His appearance was rather flashy, yet it suited him perfectly. This was likely because he was the very pinnacle of frivolity.

"Since the dawn of history, how much have people been tormented by their own powerlessness? It is beyond count. It would rival the number of stars shining in the heavens."

The anger of the nameless. The sorrow of the nameless. The tears shed, the blood spilled, the trickster god asserted that human history is a history of regret.

"Where did all that grief go? Did it vanish into the void, like a breath exhaled on a winter night? No! That is not so! It was waiting! Waiting for someone who could one day accept it all and stand against anything! That someone is you! Satou Hideo! Bearer of regret! Incarnation of the storm that will mow down every injustice!"

His exaggerated gestures were like those of a jester, and also like those of a demagogue deceiving the masses. Alright, this was getting really annoying.

"So, Loki. Are you saying you want to be killed right here, right now?"

"How harsh."

"Shut up. I’m in the middle of creating the Earth right now. Don’t get in my way, baldy."

"I do believe you are the only human who would create the Earth in his living room."

Then where the hell am I supposed to do it. There wouldn’t be enough space if I suddenly made it full size.

"No, that’s not what I meant."

"And what was all that just now? Your theory about my strength? Were you being serious?"

"Of course not. I just strung together some theories that sounded plausible. There is no reason for your strength."

The crystallization of human regret? As if, Loki said, cackling away.

"Besides, if that were the case, it would have become your unconscious guiding principle. In the form of intense displeasure and anger toward injustice. But you are not like that. You feel an average amount of anger toward injustice, but it quickly cools. Your anger doesn't last. Your retaliation is mostly for fun, and once you have a good laugh, it all just slips from your mind. You are an irredeemable piece of trash!"

Since the trash was calling me trash, I spat out a wad of phlegm and dissolved him.

"That’s cruel."

"You’re interrupting my work. What the hell did you come here for?"

Like I said a moment ago, I’m right in the middle of creating the Earth. This is a seriously delicate operation, combining and compounding a number of secret techniques delivered from various mythologies.

"You say that, yet your work proceeds without the slightest pause."

Well, I guess that’s true. My experience on Okutama Island came in handy. That and die cutting.

"Well, anyway, about my reason for being here. My brother-in-law asked me to deliver two messages."

"From Odin?"

"First, how about getting a new weapon? That’s what he said."

"A weapon…"

"If I recall, your real weapon’s exterior was made by a professional, then you brushed it up with your own power, right?"

Odin’s proposal, it seemed, was that if he had the master craftsmen of the divine realm forge the base weapon, strengthening that would result in something even more superior. Well, he wasn't wrong, but...

"I don’t really have the extra capacity."

"He’s already taken that into account. He said if we took on some of the burden, you might have a bit more leeway. What do you think?"

"Let’s see."

I did a quick calculation in my head. There were some burdens I could have them shoulder. If they took those on, then yeah, maybe I could manage it.

"What I’m worried about is the time it will take to strengthen it."

"Ah, that should take about three days. No, one day should be enough."

A weapon personally forged by a divine craftsman would be orders of magnitude sturdier. There shouldn’t be any problem even if I don’t take my time letting the power settle in.

"Excellent. I will tell my brother-in-law."

"And couldn’t you have just told me that with telepathy instead of going to the trouble of sending yourself over?"

"Well, he was probably just being considerate of you."

"Such a conscientious old man. So, there’s something else, right?"

"Yes. It’s confirmed that the gods cannot participate, but what will be done about demonic beings?"

"So that’s what this is about."

To be honest, it was something I was on the fence about.

"For now, I don’t plan on letting them participate."

"And your reason?"

"To her, humans are an inferior species. They have to be an inferior species. They must be the lowest, most despised creatures."

Magical beasts and giants, beings more powerful than humans, fighting to protect them. I figured that in itself would probably get on her nerves. Against humans, she’ll mess around while trying to destroy them, but if I mix in anything else, I have my doubts. She was messing around and doing it slowly when she destroyed her own world, after all.

"I can’t expect that kind of arrogance from her when it comes to me, though."

"Well, if she acknowledged you as human, she would be acknowledging that an inferior species could become her equal."

"Right. So I’m not counted as human, but the subjugation force is another story."

If it makes the subjugation force’s battle against the soldiers she brings with her even a little easier, then that’s for the best.

"Your concerns are quite valid."

"Right?"

"Which is why I will now convey my brother-in-law’s proposal. What if you were to frame it as them being your familiars?"

"Familiars. That idea never occurred to me."

Sure, there are summoners in the subjugation force. Daikado, for one. But there probably aren't any modern summoners skilled enough to command beings she would consider a threat. That’s why I was thinking of them as a separate category. But I see, so there’s a loophole like that.

"It would hardly be surprising if you were able to command a mythical beast, would it?"

"But in that case."

"It comes down to the terms of the contract."

"Yeah."

A nominal contract where their free will is transparently visible won’t work. The villainous young lady would see through even a rigid contract, but doing it versus not doing it will change how she perceives the situation, even if she understands.

"A blank check, something like an absolute submission contract, is a must."

"Setting others aside, I have obtained the consent of my sons."

"Your sons, you mean the serpent and the wolf."

"That would be them. Sleipnir is also an option, technically."

"He’s Odin’s steed. But you, no, is that really alright from the perspective of Norse mythology?"

If we form an absolute submission contract, they’re mine unless I terminate it. It’s impossible to force me to break a contract through strength, so depending on how things go, Norse mythology could lose some of its valuable assets.

"Not that it matters to me. They’ll just be a nuisance once this is all over, so I plan on terminating it anyway."

Still, Fenrir and Jörmungandr were pawns whose honor and future possibilities should be considered.

"It is not a problem. This is also a show of Norse mythology’s intent to cooperate with you fully."

"So that’s it. Don’t drag me into your troublesome politics."

"Hahaha! All that will remain is the fact that Norse mythology was the very first to provide a crucial military asset."

That’s exactly what politics is, you moron. It’s a move to increase their influence after the war. Of course, this is all on the premise of saving the world.

"Now I see why he sent you."

Loki is a god who occupies a complex but important position within Norse mythology. He and I are personally acquainted, but he’s also more than qualified for the role of an envoy.

"Of course, we will not cause you any trouble. If anything were to bother you, the chief god himself would be willing to grovel at your feet."

So, what do you say? Loki’s grinning face was incredibly irritating.

"It’s not like I have a choice."

"Excellent, excellent. Then I shall return at once and report to my brother-in-law. Ah, I will send my sons over to you at a later date."

Loki waved his hand airily and vanished.

"Damn it all."

But that aside, familiars. He taught me a good method.

It looks like, depending on how I do this, I might be able to use "them" as part of my forces.