Chapter 299

“Looks like it’s about time to go.”

“Hm? Already?”

Around the time the sun set and darkness descended outside, Arthur spoke with a relieved expression.

“To be able to meet you again like this, isn’t that enough in itself?”

No, even if that’s true… leaving after just this much of a chat? I feel like he could talk a bit more…

There are plenty of empty rooms in Encia’s house. We could give him one as a guest room and keep talking…

“To be honest, I’d love to talk more with you, Master… but since we can’t have a direct, private conversation, there’s nothing I can do.”

At Arthur’s words, Encia let out a small sigh.

“Phew. Then I don’t need to relay any more messages, huh? This was more tiring than I thought.”

Encia looks slightly fatigued. Was relaying messages between Arthur and me more exhausting than expected?

It should’ve been simple—just listen and repeat—but perhaps it was tougher for her than it seemed.

Glancing at Arthur subtly… she seems to have roughly figured out his identity.

Thus…

「Please take care until Arthur leaves.」

“Hmm… alright, I’ll push through a little longer.”

After calming Encia down, I turned to Arthur.

“If you wish it, then so be it. It’s been nice catching up after so long.”

“Yes, Master. Even through this method, I’m glad to reconnect with you.”

Arthur bowed his head politely before speaking softly.

“Simply confirming that you’re present in the Divine Hall makes my journey here worthwhile.”

“So you came just to check if I’m really in the Divine Hall?”

“Yes, precisely.”

Arthur smiled faintly.

“If I become a god, wouldn’t we be able to meet anytime?”

Hmm…? If Arthur becomes a god…?

No, what does he mean by that? Arthur is human, yet he talks about becoming a god? That’s quite a strange statement.

Of course, humans can become gods. Just like mountains and rivers gain divine status through people’s faith, or how beastmen like Maybel and Asterios ascended to godhood with my help.

With my assistance, they built their own faiths and filled any gaps with a portion of my own faith, allowing them to claim their divine seats. Now their faiths are firmly established.

Especially Asterios, known as the Chief of the Lizardmen Tribe, has gained immense popularity and spread across wide regions.

“There are records from old Rattkinia and Vistia about beastmen ascending to godhood. There were ancestor gods of rat beastmen, the Chief of the Lizardmen Tribe’s faith, and others.”

“Hm.”

Thinking about it, this guy Arthur… found clues about Tiamat, the Dragon Priestess, just from the name ‘Tia’ that I mentioned to Encia.

If he investigated those records, it’s natural he’d know about several beastmen who ascended to godhood, including Maybel.

But… even if such precedents exist, while beastmen becoming gods is documented… declaring an intention to ascend oneself isn’t exactly normal thinking.

“If beastmen can become gods, why not humans? Though Ryhclen in the stories did reject his chance at godhood.”

Arthur shook his head slightly.

“I have no intention of giving up if the opportunity arises.”

That’s different with Ryhclen. He was almost forced into godhood by other gods but rejected it dramatically.

Different case. Different case entirely.

Anyway…

“So you intend to become a god?”

“Yes. By gathering the faith of many and obtaining divinity, one can ascend to godhood, correct? If venerated as an ancestral deity by the commoners of the Romania Empire, I could become a god.”

I nodded slightly at Arthur’s words. Though the number of gods has decreased compared to the past and they are now bound to the Divine Hall, the method of becoming a god remains valid.

However…

“Becoming a god might not be such a great thing. Perhaps finishing your life as a human and entering paradise would be better?”

“Paradise may not be bad, but you won’t be there, will you?”

“That’s true, but…”

Unless something unusual happens, I rarely visit paradise.

“In that case, ascending as a god and heading to the Divine Hall would be better.”

Ugh. This guy… so stubborn. Doesn’t seem willing to change his mind.

“For a human to become a god is like a camel passing through the eye of a needle. And yet you still want to try?”

“Yes. Preparations are already underway.”

Various preparations, huh? What’s on your mind, Arthur?

“Becoming a god through human effort alone is certainly difficult… but since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t say much else.”

Even with thorough preparation, the probability of failure is high…

What difference does it make? Why bother arguing?

Since Arthur willingly chooses this arduous path, there’s little I can say to change his mind.

“Work hard.”

“Yes.”

I simply encouraged Arthur lightly.

“Ti-a.”

“Hm? What is it?”

After Arthur left and Encia began relaxing, she called out to me quietly.

“Luke. No, Arthur… that person…”

“Hm? What about Arthur?”

“Is he… wasn’t he the former emperor? This might sound far-fetched…”

“Far-fetched or not, tell me what’s on your mind.”

I have a rough idea what Encia wants to say…

“Isn’t he the former emperor?”

In response to Encia’s question, I remained silent without comment.

“I’ve heard the name Arthur before. It was the nickname of Emperor Lucius Altirius III, right?”

“Ho ho. You have quite the discerning eye.”

Given that she witnessed our conversation firsthand, it would be impossible for Encia not to notice Arthur’s identity.

“Really? He was an incredible person, wasn’t he?”

“That’s right. An incredible guy.”

Otherwise, he wouldn’t entertain thoughts of ascending to the Divine Hall as a god.

“Still… a god… what do you think, Tia?”

“Honestly? I believe the chances of success are extremely low.”

For Arthur to become a god… depending on how much faith he gathers, he’d likely need over 30% of Romania Empire’s population to hold faith in him.

Let’s set aside whether that’s possible for now!

“What’s his plan?”

“Perhaps he believes he can succeed, or maybe he’s lost touch with reality chasing after an unrealistic dream. One of the two.”

Arthur isn’t someone who loses sight of reality.

If he acts this way, it’s probably because he has clear confidence in his plan.

“Hmm… I don’t know much… but… hmm… if I could meet Tia directly, it would be wonderful.”

“Sia?”

I transmitted my voice to Encia, who was saying peculiar things.

“You said Tia is in the Divine Hall, right? So if I ascend as a god too, couldn’t I meet Tia?”

That’s true… but… hmm… ugh…

Maybe I shouldn’t have brought Arthur here. It seems he’s influenced Encia somewhat.

“Ti-a.”

“Why?”

“Could I become a god too?”

See? Influenced by Arthur!

“Hm… could you?”

Are there people who could offer faith to Encia?

The mages of Procyon? Unlikely. While Encia’s books have caused significant changes, that alone isn’t enough to deify her.

The people living around Encia’s house? They might see her as a local lord, but not as a god.

So, there are no people who could offer faith to Encia.

“Unlikely.”

“That’s harsh!”

“It’s only realistic. Face the facts.”

Faith must come from sincere hearts.

Unlike Arthur, who once was an emperor promising to return, making it plausible for Romanian citizens to hold faith in him, Encia lacks such a foundation.

Who would offer such faith to Encia?

No matter how I think about it, there’s no one.

“Then… if I use the wish ticket Tia gave me, could I become a god?”

“Wish ticket?”

Ah, that’s right. The wish ticket.

Since it promises to grant any wish… using that…

“I could share part of my faith with you, which would allow Sia to become a god.”

“Really?!”

“Yes, but there is an issue.”

Unlike Maybel or Asterios, who had ways to independently gather faith, Encia would rely 100% on my faith.

Even if we spread rumors to gather faith for Encia, it likely wouldn’t work.

If she uses my faith to become a god, she’d most likely end up as a subordinate deity completely dependent on me.

Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it…