kscans

Chapter 196 - Scribblings, A New Trial from the Gods ~When in Trouble, Summon a Japanese Person♪~

Long ago, the gods created humans from the land woven by chaos. However, on a land teeming with countless ferocious creatures, humans were nothing more than a weak, inferior species. Constantly attacked, sometimes eaten, the people hid themselves away as if living in secret. Perhaps taking pity on these humans, the gods bestowed a blessing upon them. They permitted the use of magic through the protection of holy spirits. With fire, they cooked and made tools. With earth, they tilled the fields. With water, they moistened the land. And the wind they gained, they circulated throughout the world, causing greenery to sprout and flourish everywhere.

This is a tale from the age of myths, now called the distant past.

Humans summoned their wisdom and courage, wielded magic through trial and error, and through desperate efforts, obtained a land of peace. And so, the times changed. Over a long period, the land was developed, and a separation between the habitats of humans and wild animals was established.

It was around this time that a certain person made a certain invention.

It was a method to identify the magical attributes bestowed by the gods. People had vaguely sensed that individuals had different magical aptitudes, but they didn’t know the specific details, understanding their strengths and weaknesses only in a general sense. But with this method, they came to know what attributes they had been granted. The method was simple. Just grasp a colorless, clear quartz needle in your palm and channel your magical power into it. The crystal would then be dyed with the color of your attribute. Red was flame. Blue was water. Yellow was earth. Green was wind. It was quite simple. Furthermore, those blessed with multiple attributes would have mixed colors. This groundbreaking method of identification spread among the people in the blink of an eye and became an indicator for many things. Those with the flame attribute became blacksmiths or cooks, those with the earth attribute became plasterers or farmers. They began to lead rational lives, taking on professions that utilized their attributes, or receiving advanced education suited to their attributes if they had high magical power.

However, a problem arose here.

At a rate of about one in tens of thousands, individuals appeared whose crystals did not change color. Seeing this, the wise men pondered. No color meant they had not been granted an attribute. Didn't that mean they were sinners who had been denied the blessings of the gods? Though it was only speculation, it was a logical argument. The ignorant people who took the wise men’s words at face value began to shun those who were not granted a color in the seven baptisms. They were called outsiders who had not received the gods’ blessings. Branded as sinners for no reason, these colorless individuals could not find work and had no choice but to become beggars or day laborers.

With contempt, the people around them called these colorless humans the "Unmarked."

"...And that is the situation. They were by no means unable to receive the blessing. In fact, they possess all attributes and are the ones who have been blessed more than anyone."

A grown man sobbed bitterly. He introduced himself as Anarchy and told this story to a young boy.

So, what am I supposed to do about it?

The boy with black hair and black eyes let his gaze wander dubiously. He had the appearance of a boy, but inside, he was an adult male in his late thirties. His name was Kudo Hisashi. He had been relaxing at an internet cafe when he suddenly saw the shadow and lights of a dump truck. That’s where his memory ended. So, he probably died then.

When he came to, he was in a deep forest.

It was Anarchy, the man before him, who came to pick up the stunned and bewildered Hisashi.

Anarchy… If he's using that name knowing what it means, he's a real piece of work.

Hisashi followed him to this mansion. Along the way, several people called out to Anarchy, and the boy’s eyes widened slightly. They were all people with golden hair and golden eyes. Their soft, loving gazes were impressive, and for some reason, Hisashi felt a sense of relief. They didn’t seem like bad people. What on earth had happened?

Anarchy offered Hisashi a sofa, and someone who seemed to be his servant prepared tea on the table. Taking a sip of the warm tea, Hisashi looked at Anarchy, who was watching him with a serious face.

"You see. You are a gift. I asked the god of Earth for you. You are a soul that I had moved because I want you to shake up my world."

Before the wide eyed Hisashi, Anarchy explained calmly.

He said that cute, small lives were crying. Frightened by injustice, persecuted, they withered away and died. As mentioned before, the fate of those judged to be "Unmarked" was tragic. Most were cast out of their homes and left to wander, and many young ones lost their lives. Apparently, some were confined to dungeons or detached palaces, but that was only for the very wealthy. Their parents let them live out of compassion, but they were given no love or education. Confined, not allowed to interact with others, merely existing, they could not last long. Most would develop mental disorders and go insane. Because their lives had been happy until then, the sudden cold shoulder and mistreatment must have been excruciating. Especially for a small child. The sudden fear inflicted by their own family was unimaginable.

Sniffling and sobbing, Anarchy lamented the long history of persecution. It had been going on for several thousand years, he said.

"I cannot descend to the lower world. A god only creates and watches over. It is forbidden to interact with living people. The only thing I can do is grant an oracle or protection to about one person per generation. That is all. ...I am powerless."

"A god? You’re a god?"

With a start, Anarchy blew his nose and straightened his posture.

"I apologize for the late introduction. I am the creator god of a world called Guardy. As I explained earlier, I want you to run wild in my world."

When he was composed, he was a dignified and strong man. But Hisashi, who had never imagined he was a god, couldn’t help but blink his eyes.

"I thought this was that otherworld… There are forests and towns, and lots of people. So, where is this place?"

Anarchy had come to pick him up in the middle of the forest. It wasn't that far, but Hisashi had automatically assumed this was the world he had just described. Anarchy smiled faintly at the question, walked over to the window, and swiftly pulled open the curtains. The scenery visible from there was perfectly ordinary. It had a somewhat rural, idyllic atmosphere.

"This is the Celestial Realm. The place where the gods of all worlds reside."

The Celestial Realm?!

Staring intently outside, Hisashi doubted his eyes. The scene there was not much different from Earth, the only distinction being that the clouds in the sky were golden. It was a scene so full of life that he almost forgot he was facing a god.

"...You gods live quite a domestic life, don't you?"

"Ahaha, I’ll take that as a compliment. ...Yes, life has become good."

His words carried an unspoken meaning. When Hisashi asked about it out of curiosity, Anarchy told him another unbelievable story.

Apparently, a Japanese person who had been reincarnated into another world just like him had run amok, challenged the parent god who had created the gods, and achieved a splendid victory. As a result, the Celestial Realm acknowledged that Japanese person as its master, and the realm was reshaped into the world that person desired.

"She serves as an O-saki in a world called Arcadia. Well, she’s something like the creator god of this Celestial Realm, so I have a feeling she would live on even if Arcadia were to be destroyed."

Anarchy gave a resigned, wry smile. The boy looked up at him, stunned.

No, that’s just too weird. What? She defied the gods, rebelled, and created the Celestial Realm? Doesn’t that go way beyond the level of a miracle?

Staring at the dumbfounded Hisashi with sharp eyes, Anarchy got to the point.

"In my world, there is a souvenir I left behind when I was still a novice. I want you to destroy it."

"A souvenir?"

Hisashi tilted his head slightly. Anarchy bit his lip and spoke of the mistake he had made in the past.

It was a terrible story.

Long ago, in a lawless era when laws were not well established, robbing, assaulting, and killing were rampant, causing people to suffer. Amidst this, one of the leaders of the time, who had been granted power by Anarchy, offered a prayer like a wail to the gods.

Blood for blood. Death for death. Punishment for sin. Please, bring the judgment of the gods to this desolate world!!

The leader offered a heartfelt prayer, tears flying from his eyes. A few days earlier, his son’s eyes had been gouged out by some ruffian. Upon investigation, the perpetrator was a noble from a powerful country. He, a mere lord of a remote territory, was no match for them. Behind that noble was a powerful nation. If he made a fuss, it could be used as a pretext for war. Yet, unable to swallow the rage welling up from the depths of his being, the leader lamented so deeply it was as if he were crying tears of blood.

Heeding this, Anarchy gave him a single fruit tree.

"A fruit tree?"

"It’s a tree that bears fruit like an apple on Earth. ...It was my mistake."

With a face as if he had licked something bitter, Anarchy explained the result.

The fruit would grow by watering its roots with the victim’s blood. Then, whoever ate the ripened fruit would suffer the same fate as the victim. However, what was different from a normal injury was that the wounds of both the victim and the perpetrator who had been put in the same state would be healed. In other words, it was a fruit that made one atone for their crime, bestowed the mercy of the gods, and forced them to redeem themselves against their will. Using this, the leader whose son’s eyes were gouged out made the perpetrator suffer the same fate, and in turn, his son’s eyes were healed. The perpetrator, who had apparently eaten the fruit without suspicion, went into a rage, but it was too late. Since he was already healed, no one would listen to him anywhere. Even if he screamed that his eyes had been gouged out in return, there was no solid proof. But the fear must have been etched into his body. After that, the area around the leader who had been given the tree became remarkably peaceful.

"...Well. I think it’s a ruthless way of doing things. But isn't it good? People should take responsibility for what they’ve done, and if there’s healing aftercare, it’s a great deal."

"...That’s what it was supposed to be. But I didn’t realize it at the time. That tree was defective."

Yes. As long as it was used correctly, it was fine. The miraculous fruit that punished the perpetrator and saved the victim. Rumors spread among the people quickly.

"My arm! My lost arm has returned!"

"Ahhh, thank goodness!! I’m so sorry, truly!"

A man who had caused his colleague to lose an arm due to his own negligence pleaded desperately with the remote lord. Please let me use the miraculous fruit. Let me atone for my sin and heal my colleague’s arm. The lord graciously agreed, and the perpetrator who ate the fruit, having atoned, waved his own severed arm in joy. And that severed arm was also soon healed.

"You too! It must have hurt! Thank you!"

The two men grabbed each other’s shoulders and wept loudly. Acknowledging one's sin, receiving punishment, and being able to undo an irreversible mistake. How sweet was the temptation of the fruit.

Watching over the joys and sorrows of the people, Anarchy was given a name by the leader of that time who had become an O-saki, and he truly became a god. The fruit of redemption continued to be used frequently after that, but there are always cunning people in every era. One day, a victim who was on the verge of death after being lynched rushed into the mansion of the new lord. It was apparently a bar fight, and the perpetrators had fled, so there was nothing to be done. The lord, unable to bear seeing the crying parents, happened to notice a girl sitting on the side of the road. She was a child called "Unmarked" who had likely been driven from her home. It was a common sight in the capital. Persecuted everywhere, the "Unmarked" would make their way to large cities where they could blend in with the crowd. The lord looked at one such girl and his eyes narrowed sinisterly.

...Shall I give it a try?

He skillfully deceived the girl and had her eat the fruit that had grown from the blood of the near dead victim.

Hearing that much, Hisashi’s eyes widened to their limit.

"No way…"

"Exactly. I hadn't set any parameters for the tree regarding who it was fed to."

The girl who ate the fruit writhed in agony as her entire body was crushed and her internal organs ruptured. Her limbs twisted in unnatural directions with a mishimishi sound. While stunned by the hellish scene of screams and agony, the victim was healed at the same time the girl drew her last breath.

"Oh, thank you so much! Lord!"

The parent and child expressed their gratitude with tears. Seeing them off, the lord saw a new use for the girl who had revived from the brink of death.

A use as a doll to take on the misfortune of others.

From this point on, the "Unmarked" began their path as living sacrifices for the people. They were already a rarity, at about one in tens of thousands. It took considerable effort to gather them. This girl had been driven from her home and happened to visit the lord’s mansion. Abandoned by her family, young as she was, she had come thinking the lord might help her. Well, the lord had turned her away at the gate.

"Well done. You saved him. As a reward, I will let you eat your fill. If you continue to save people, I will give you a warm bed and snacks, too."

The lord stroked the cheek of the girl, which was caked with dried tears, and praised her with a charming smile. The girl, who had been starving and uncertain of her future, had her eyes light up at his words.

And so, in a situation that seemed to benefit both parties, the use of the "Unmarked" was decided.

"Those children should be the most respected of all! But they are used by selfish adults, and it has become the norm, but I can no longer descend, so I can’t help them!"

Anarchy once again shed a torrent of tears.

The former lord who had become an O-saki was apparently struggling to clear up the misunderstanding. He was spreading the word that the colorless were, in fact, holders of all attributes, but it seemed difficult to overturn the existing concept. Above all, the fact that he was a kinsman of the gods and that there were many who revered him excessively made it difficult for him to appear before the people.

Ahh, I kind of get it. Those pushy fans of idols and stuff were just like that.

Fanatics who believe they are right without a doubt, and for the sake of that belief, they do not hesitate to commit criminal acts. This world seemed to have a much less developed civilization than Earth, so they were probably seriously dangerous people if they got an idea in their heads.

Hisashi predicted that if a messenger of the gods were to appear before such people, it would inevitably lead to a disastrous situation.

"That’s why! I want you to smash the existing concepts to pieces!"

"Eeeeeeh?!"

What an unreasonable demand!

Anarchy tilted his head at the trembling Hisashi.

"Because, that’s what Japanese people are like, right?"

Who on earth was it! Who was it that planted such a mysterious idea in the minds of the gods!

Seeing the flustered young man, Anarchy’s eyes softened with nostalgia.

"If you don't dance with all your might, you're missing out!"

The image of a little girl hopping up and down with a nyon nyon sound floated in his mind's eye.

"Fools who dance and fools who watch. If they're both fools, you might as well dance... was that it?"

Seeing Anarchy chuckle and mutter, Hisashi’s face twisted in exasperation.

Who was it! What idiot taught a god the dancing nenbutsu!

To have such a thought in his mind, Hisashi was of the same ilk as the Little One. Normally, one would not even recognize it as the dancing nenbutsu, nor would they think of them as an idiot. Putting the right person in the right place. The gods’ work was flawless, and of course, Hisashi too would fully manipulate Guardy to his will. To turn tears into smiles, Hisashi began a new life, battling the mountains of problems stacked high before him.♪

A true rumor that quietly circulates in the Celestial Realm.

"When in trouble, summon a Japanese person."

It would be some time before the god of Earth learned of this.