Suddenly, we decided to change the placement of each room in the management layer.
This is because, thanks to the efforts of Silvia and Peach, Kousuke has begun to be recognized as an avatar of God through the church.
Since Kousuke can no longer casually show himself on the fifth floor, we have decided to make arrangements in the management layer to allow outsiders to be invited in for discussions.
The one who initiated this was Mitsuki.
After the discussion with Giselle the other day, Mitsuki said it needed to be changed.
Kohi agreed, so Kousuke, having been convinced, decided to proceed with the renovations.
However, the renovations are not that extensive.
The room with the teleport gate to the management layer has only one door, but beyond that, we created a space like a reception room.
Beyond the reception room is the same room as before.
In addition, the room with the three crystals and the control panel has been placed at the very back.
It’s unlikely the management layer will be attacked, but we decided to place it at the back just in case.
However, the room with the crystals and control panel is designed to open only after reading a magic, holy, and divine power pattern, so it’s virtually impossible to enter anyway.
Furthermore, unlike when Kousuke and his party cleared it, even if they activate the teleport gate on the 100th floor, they cannot reach the management layer.
In the first place, it is in an “unactivated” state, so it cannot be operated.
Because of this, even if someone were to appear and try to conquer this tower in earnest, they would not be able to.
From what we can observe of the adventurers, breaking through the higher-ranked floors itself is considered difficult, so for now, it is a groundless fear.
There was a reason for the hasty remodeling of the management layer.
We received contact from the Crown group and the administrative organizations through Wahid, stating that they wanted to talk with Kousuke.
Seeing Wahid, who rarely visits the management layer, come in person, we realized that a significant situation had occurred, and thus hastily remodeled the management layer.
For this reason, the room directly next to the teleport gate has been made into a reception room and conference room, and it’s quite spacious.
By the way, the table in the center is circular.
If the table were rectangular, the number of people facing Kousuke could become quite comical.
Although we don’t expect them to come in large numbers, we decided to be cautious.
Thus, the conference room that was created now has the core members of the Crown and the administrative organizations gathered.
It goes without saying that Kousuke’s face stiffened when he saw the members who had come to the management layer.
It was obvious that they weren’t here for a meeting, but rather to see the management layer.
Incidentally, all the management members are present.
“Shall we begin?”
When Kousuke said that, the participants, who had been looking around with curiosity, became serious.
There was only one purpose, or rather, one agenda for this gathering of members.
That was,
“Is it true that Kousuke, the ruler of Amamiya Tower, has become an avatar of God?”
Hearing this, Kousuke involuntarily looked at Silvia.
Silvia’s expression changed from “Ah” for a moment to one of embarrassment.
“Ah~. I’m so sorry, everyone. I only told the church of Mikusen, and I forgot to tell you all directly.”
With Silvia’s words, the participants understood the situation in an instant.
“The shrine on the fifth floor serves as Kousuke-sama’s main shrine, so to speak. I am Kousuke-sama’s shrine maiden.”
When acting in her capacity as a shrine maiden, Silvia refers to Kousuke as Kousuke-sama.
This is, of course, for external reasons.
“That being said, for the shrine on the fifth floor, we only ask that you maintain it as it is.”
At Silvia’s words, the participants exchanged glances.
Representing them, Alec replied.
“Aren’t you going to place priests and shrine maidens?”
“What would be the point of placing them?”
When asked that, Alec couldn’t answer.
The reason priests and shrine maidens manage shrines is to train towards the goal of hearing the voice of God.
However, for Kousuke, who exists in this world at all times, such a presence is unnecessary.
He can just show himself and speak directly.
Of course, Kousuke has no intention of doing such troublesome things.
Regarding the shrines, while the shrine on the fifth floor, where the Three Great Gods were once summoned, will remain, he has no intention of granting permission to build other shrines.
Since he has no intention of destroying what has already been built, he will likely adopt a “go ahead and do as you please” attitude.
After explaining these circumstances, one of the participants asked,
“So, you intend to thoroughly oppose the church?”
Both Kousuke and Silvia gave a wry smile at this.
“Why do you jump to such extremes? The church cannot be destroyed even if you try.”
Even if the leaders who control the church could be removed, faith itself cannot be destroyed.
Besides, he has no intention of doing so.
Forcing people to abandon their faith in gods who actually exist would not lead to anything good.
What’s more, Kousuke has actually met these gods, and he has no intention of betraying them.
As he continued to explain these matters to the participants, they nodded in understanding.
“So, you mean you have no intention of interfering with other churches?”
“Ah, that’s right. Each shrine probably has other gods associated with it, so there’s no need for me to interfere. Except for the matter of the fifth floor shrine.”
Conversely, this implies that he will not hesitate to interfere with the fifth floor shrine.
Naturally, none of the members gathered here are unable to read between the lines.
“What about donations?”
Silvia answered this question.
“When priests and shrine maidens are involved, it inevitably becomes a breeding ground for corruption. Therefore, we decided to stop placing people altogether.”
In other words, he intends to simply place something akin to an offering box at Japanese shrines, but this is actually the first instance of such in this world.
It is customary to directly hand over donations and money to priests and shrine maidens.
Therefore, the participants are a bit confused, but for Kousuke, who grew up seeing Japanese shrines, it is a perfectly normal system.
It’s a side note that upon hearing this, Silvia showed an impressed look.
The participants also listened intently and marveled.
Since it was a method they had never seen before, they didn’t know what kind of impact it would have.
“Well, with so many new things, various things might happen, but we’ll deal with them as they come.”
Kousuke concluded by saying this, forcefully convincing them.
At the end of the meeting, Alec asked,
“Can I convey what was discussed here today as the words of Kousuke, the avatar of God?”
“Well, if possible, I’d be happy if you could convey it with a little flair.”
Kousuke’s playful reply eased the atmosphere among the participants.
While Kousuke’s attitude is far from that of a typical “god,” in a world where gods are already familiar, perhaps such a god could be accepted.
However, Kousuke thought that he couldn’t just rely on that.
“Kousuke-san, I’m so sorry!”
After the participants had left, Silvia suddenly bowed her head.
Since we are not in public, she is referred to as -san, not -sama.
“Ah, no, it’s fine. It was our mistake too for not telling you about it at the tower.”
“But…”
“Ah, come on. It didn’t turn into a big deal this time, so it’s fine.”
Kousuke gently placed his hand on Silvia’s head, who looked dejected.
“?” Kousuke-san?”
“You help me out all the time, so don’t worry too much about it.”
As Kousuke said this with a smile, Silvia inexplicably looked away.
“Ah… Y-yes. I understand.”
Silvia, who had inexplicably lowered her head, was then told by Colette, who had been watching, with a slightly displeased look,
“Ah~. Yes, yes. Wasn’t it supposed to be that you should refrain from flirting in front of everyone?”
“W-we weren’t flirting…!”
Silvia protested, but it was clear that everyone except Kousuke and Silvia didn’t think so.
“……Ah-”
Kousuke finally remembered the preceding interaction and realized how they must have been perceived by those around them.
