The participants who had witnessed the great feat of summoning three deities finally began to calm down.
Just as Sarasa, the host, who had been letting the murmurs naturally subside, was about to proceed with the event, thinking it was about time.
Something flew towards Kousuke. It was several daggers.
All of them were aimed at Kousuke’s vital points, and if they had hit, they would undoubtedly have been fatal.
By the way, Kouhi and Mitsuki had noticed the daggers but deliberately did not move.
This was because they knew there was no need to act.
The daggers were repelled with a high-pitched “kakin” sound just before they could hit Kousuke.
Although Kousuke knew this would happen, he still broke out in a cold sweat at the daggers aimed at him.
However, he hid it perfectly and let out a slight chuckle.
“… While I admire your determination to fulfill your request in this situation… do you really think assassination is possible within the sacred grounds of a temple blessed by a god?”
In response to Kousuke’s words, the assailant immediately fled the scene.
“Chase them…!!”
Gazeran’s words echoed through the hall, and the adventurers guarding the perimeter began to pursue the individual.
The venue became noisy again, this time for a different reason.
Sarasa, catching Kousuke’s gaze, began to address the participants.
“My apologies for the commotion. We will apprehend the troublemaker in due time, so please do not be concerned.”
“But they’re getting away…!!”
One of the participants shouted.
Sarasa smiled at the voice and said,
“They cannot escape this floor without using a teleport gate. It’s as if they’re running around inside a cage.”
At Sarasa’s words, the shouting man fell silent.
He understood that there was no lie in her statement.
“Additionally, for security reasons I cannot go into detail, but the perpetrator’s magic pattern has already been captured. No matter how they change their appearance, they will be detected the moment they try to pass through a teleport gate.”
Magic patterns, like fingerprints, are unique to each individual and cannot be freely altered.
As long as one is alive, their pattern will always be fixed, making it impossible to hide.
“… So that means it’s only a matter of time before that troublemaker is caught?”
Another participant asked.
“That is correct.”
As Sarasa stated with certainty, a relaxed atmosphere finally spread among the participants.
By the way, the adventurers, who made up half of the participants, were not overly agitated.
This is because they are in a position where such incidents can always occur.
“Well, even though a small disturbance occurred, the temple installation has been completed safely, so we will continue the ceremony.”
Sarasa said, and resumed the proceedings.
Despite the unexpected event of Kousuke’s attempted assassination, the temple’s completion ceremony proceeded smoothly.
Above all, the participants, who had witnessed the historic feat of summoning three deities, were still caught up in the excitement.
Amidst this, the adventurers, who comprised half of the participants, received welcome news from the tower’s side.
It was about the content of the conversation Kousuke had with Floria earlier.
The commencement of the shortened teleportation service for parties that reached the 51st floor, the beginning of the dungeon floors, and the installation of safe areas on each floor.
This announcement caused the adventurers, who had not been particularly bothered by the assassination attempt, to stir.
This was natural, as it concerned the future攻略 of the floors and was directly related to their activities.
It was evident that analysis would begin immediately after this event concluded.
Conversely, the reaction from the remaining half, the influential figures, was subdued.
This was also to be expected.
While indirectly it would lead to adventurers bringing in more diverse materials, it did not directly concern them, hence their muted reaction.
And so, the event that was called a completion ceremony ended, and it was time for the standing buffet that the participants had eagerly awaited.
Naturally, the participants’ target was Kousuke.
However, Sarasa, the organizer, announced something that dashed their hopes.
“… Please note that Kousuke, the representative of the tower, will not be participating in the upcoming standing buffet.”
In a sense, this was the moment when the commotion reached its peak.
Most participants, including the adventurers, had been looking forward to a direct conversation with Kousuke.
Their hopes were thoroughly dashed.
As if in response to the commotion, Kousuke uttered a single word.
“… Please calm down. Frankly, I did not think it necessary to attend a party when my own life was being targeted. Please enjoy the party to your heart’s content.”
With that, Kousuke turned to leave.
It was Raiines who stopped him.
“Wait. The way you say that, does it imply that the culprit who tried to end your life earlier is also involved?”
“Yes. That is correct. Several people among you hired that individual to carry out such an act.”
Kousuke stated with certainty.
Of course, his words and actions were backed by sufficient evidence.
“You are speaking quite conclusively, but do you have any proof?”
Another participant stood up and said so.
In response to his words, several participants began to voice their agreement.
Seeing this, Kousuke showed a momentary surprised expression, then stood up and gave a wry smile towards the man.
“Do you really think proof is necessary in a situation like this? Lord Felcia?”
“······What?”
“Would you mind explaining in my stead, Temple Head Laurel? Oh, please don’t make that face. It would be more persuasive if someone in the clergy explained it, wouldn’t it?”
Laurel, suddenly addressed, frowned but began to speak to the man referred to as Lord Felcia.
“… This gentleman, Kousuke-dono, has just summoned three deities. Not only that, but the building before us has received the blessings of the gods.”
“… What are you trying to say?”
“It means this land has been recognized by the gods as a sacred ground, Lord Felcia.”
A sacred ground is equivalent to territory directly under the gods’ jurisdiction.
“······”
“In this land, any scheme is seen through by the gods.”
“… Even if the gods are watching, how can people discern that?”
He seemed to imply that even if the gods are watching, it is meaningless if one cannot hear their words.
Unfortunately, Felcia’s words were shattered by Kousuke’s next statement.
“Um… there’s this thing called a Divine Union Tool here…”
At Kousuke’s words, the gazes of the temple officials were drawn to the tool Kousuke held.
Information regarding the divine tool Silvia had used in Mikusen’s temple had likely been shared.
However, Felcia, who did not understand what it meant, frowned and asked doubtfully.
“… What is a Divine Union Tool?”
“Simply put, it’s a divine tool that allows you to converse with the gods.”
“······What!?”
“Did you really think summoning gods was possible without any catalyst? We discussed it properly and called them beforehand, you know?”
Of course, it might be possible to attempt it without a divine union, but he didn’t intend to mention that.
Incidentally, by summoning them once, he had confirmed that the Divine Power Summoning Circle was not a single-use item, but he had no intention of revealing that either.
“Ah, please don’t misunderstand. Just because we received an oracle from the gods doesn’t mean I intend to do anything to you here.”
“······You said a few people earlier, didn’t you?”
It was Raiines, who had been listening silently until then, who said so.
“Yes. The ones directly involved are Lord Felcia, Lord Horned, and Lady Aines.”
As if she had heard it from someone else, Kousuke’s words caused those who heard them to look towards those three individuals.
They did not bother to confirm who had told her.
Everyone in the hall had witnessed the summoning earlier.
“Therefore, regarding the three of you, your transactions with the Crown will be suspended. As for everyone else, you are free to do as you please. After all, without proof, I cannot force you.”
With that, Kousuke, taking Kouhi and Mitsuki with him, vanished from the scene.
Just to confirm its effect, he used the ability Yuri had taught him to escape to the Lily Shrine.
The remaining participants exchanged glances and began to discuss what to do next.
Naturally, Felcia, Horned, and Aines were excluded from this discussion.
It was only natural not to try to make a deal with someone who had been warned by the gods.
