I decided to leave the power of the members’ blessings up to each of them.
This was because I, Kousuke, judged it best to leave it to the individuals rather than interfering unnecessarily when racial traits were involved.
However, Kousuke himself neither affirmed nor denied the conclusion that things looked different depending on racial traits.
I don’t think it’s wrong, but I can’t believe it’s the whole story.
“What do you mean?”
“Yeah. Well, I do think that powers are manifesting according to racial traits, but I think that’s simply because they are accustomed to using them.”
It is precisely because they are powers they are familiar with that they manifest as the powers they are most accustomed to when given a blessing.
Rather than the power of racial traits manifesting, I believe that the powers they are familiar with are mingling with the power of the blessings.
“So, in other words, it’s manifesting as a specialization in ‘seeing’ the powers one is accustomed to?”
“Exactly. Something like that. Although, in the end, racial traits probably do apply to most of the powers one is accustomed to.”
It wouldn’t be strange for some individuals to be adept at powers that deviate from their racial traits.
Since no one among the members, except for Humans, has powers that deviate from their racial traits, it is impossible to verify this.
“This means that we too have the possibility of manifesting powers if we have an area of expertise, doesn’t it?”
“I see.”
Silvia and Floria nodded, looking slightly relieved.
“In short, it means that we can find out by trying with the powers we are accustomed to. In that case… hmm? What applies to me?”
Kousuke said to Floria, who was pondering, with a bitter smile.
“Well, everything I’ve said so far is just a guess, so I don’t know if it’s correct, you know?”
Even though the god of the divine power is saying it herself, it’s a rather pathetic situation, but I made sure to add that caveat.
After all, this is the first time, so even Kousuke doesn’t know the correct answer.
Perhaps it will be something that will be determined over a long period of time.
“However, the one thing I do know is that when you want to manifest power, you need to use it while being conscious of the blessing.”
The reason Peach was able to manifest the power of her blessing earlier was clearly because she was conscious of the blessing.
For some reason, Kousuke knew that.
Rather than knowing, it’s more accurate to say it was conveyed to him.
It was a new sensation and felt indescribable, but it wasn’t unpleasant.
He didn’t know if he felt this because it was Peach, or if he could sense it from everyone who had a blessing.
Of course, that sensation did not hinder Kousuke’s actions.
If those who have blessings were constantly confused whenever they used their powers, it would mean that the goddesses who have given far more blessings than Kousuke would be in a much worse state.
“…Speaking of which, how many blessings do the other goddesses grant?”
It was, as expected, Silvia who answered Kousuke’s sudden question.
“The Church estimates that each of the Three Great Gods grants blessings to about 4 to 5 people. Of course, there are likely others whom the Church is not aware of.”
“Isn’t it that the Church only keeps track of Humanoid species? Surely they’re not aware of them being granted to summoned beasts.”
“Of course, that’s true.”
While it wasn’t claimed that only Humans could receive blessings from gods, granting them to monsters was beyond imagination.
Silvia herself was surprised to learn that Kousuke’s summoned beasts had received blessings.
Moreover, everyone here would be learning about the blessings of the summoned beasts for the first time.
“Considering that, the exact number can only be known by asking the goddesses themselves, can’t it?”
“Isn’t it possible that the goddesses themselves don’t know either?”
Having seen the reality of the goddesses, Kousuke thought it was plausible, but he held back his comment, keeping the atmosphere in mind.
“Well, I’ll ask them directly about that.”
“That would be for the best.”
Silvia, who as a shrine maiden couldn’t affirm or deny Shurein’s opinion, chimed in to support Kousuke.
Kousuke felt that Silvia’s evaluation of the goddesses had clearly decreased compared to initially, and wondered if it was alright.
♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦
“There’s no particular problem, you know?”
When I asked Eris about Silvia’s case, she replied readily.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. To begin with, faith isn’t just about bowing your head and serving. If it’s in the form of a religion, then perhaps such things are necessary.”
“Ah, I see.”
“That being said, I have no intention of protecting those who spew abuse. Silvia wouldn’t do anything like that, would she?”
On the contrary, Silvia herself genuinely believes in the existence of goddesses.
It’s just that the form of her belief has changed from before.
“The form of faith is different for each person. Of course, formal faith is also valid in its own way.”
It is precisely because it is valid that the goddesses have not denied the existence of churches since ancient times.
“For example, disliking rigid formality might be valid, but if it’s unified, it becomes a form of coercion. Some might prefer to follow etiquette, wouldn’t they?”
If you force everyone into one mold, in the end, it becomes the same as coercion.
“Indeed, that might be the case.”
“Once it becomes a large organization like the Church, etiquette and the like are bound to be necessary. Otherwise, disputes will arise.”
“……”
Kousuke understood, realizing that Eris’s words were definitive and that he was already putting it into practice.
Currently, Kousuke dislikes anything that could be construed as being worshipped, to put it extremely.
That’s also why he doesn’t have clergy in the Church.
But there might come a time when that is not acceptable.
The reason nothing is happening now is probably only because it’s the faith in the surrounding area of Amamiya Tower, a single region.
“Don’t misunderstand, but I’m not denying your way of doing things.”
After saying all that, Eris added.
“…Is that so?”
“Just as we have our way of doing things, you have yours. After all, your very ways of existence are different, so it’s alright for your methods to be different, isn’t it?”
Gods who exist in the real world, and gods who are usually in the divine realm and interact through oracles and blessings.
Eris meant that it was natural for the ways of faith to differ.
“Well, I’ve said some preachy things, but the original purpose of Divine Union was something else, wasn’t it?”
“Ah, that’s right. Eris, do you remember everyone you’ve granted blessings to?”
This was the very reason he wanted to have Divine Union.
“I’d like to say of course, but unfortunately, I don’t remember.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. For us, blessings and similar things are connections to your world. If the connection is cut, we naturally forget.”
Kousuke understood that the connection Eris was referring to was the sensation he had felt when interacting with Peach.
At the same time, he realized that a severed connection meant that the other party had lost faith.
“It’s rare for someone like us, but it’s not entirely impossible.”
Eris’s voice sounded lonely, and Kousuke also sighed.
Someday, he would surely experience such a thing himself.
“I see.”
“That’s how it is. Is that all you wanted to ask?”
“Ah, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. More importantly, please try to come here as much as possible, outside of your regular visits.”
“Hmm?”
“Since you’ve started coming regularly, she’s begun to complain that she wishes you would come more often.”
“Hahaha. I’ll think about it.”
“Please do. Well then.”
“Ah. See you again.”
After Kousuke replied, the Divine Union was abruptly cut off.
As a newly awakened god, Kousuke found the information very helpful, as he learned about the gods’ circumstances, which was different from his original purpose.
I had originally intended to include Kousuke’s blessings to his summoned beasts here, but it has been postponed due to the inclusion of this unplanned conversation.
The topic of blessings for summoned beasts will be in the next chapter.
