Kousuke, after returning from Asura’s divine realm, told the women that he would perform Divine Power Summoning again.
When they heard this, everyone’s reaction, except for one person, was casual.
“This time, you’re not inviting any guests, are you? Then it probably won’t cause much of a disturbance,” Floria said.
“That’s right. If the gods are okay with it, there shouldn’t be a problem,” Shurein nodded.
It could be said that they had become desensitized to Kousuke’s actions in a bad way.
That’s why they tilted their heads upon seeing Silvia’s face change after hearing Kousuke’s words.
“Silvia, what’s wrong? Divine Power Summoning shouldn’t be a big deal anymore, right?”
“No, Kousuke’s Divine Power Summoning itself is not a big deal… Well, it is a big deal, but that’s not it.”
The fact that Kousuke casually said he would perform Divine Power Summoning was something that would make temple officials faint.
However, Silvia was also used to Kousuke’s behavior, so she didn’t intend to say anything about it now.
Silvia’s concern lay elsewhere.
Floria tilted her head at Silvia, who shook her head as if saying so.
“Is there some other problem? Since you’re not inviting anyone this time, it won’t be a big issue, right?”
“You might have forgotten because you’re fixated on Divine Power Summoning, but please think again about what Kousuke… no, Lord Kousuke is doing.”
Floria’s eyes widened at Silvia’s words, and she began counting on her fingers, listing what Kousuke had said earlier.
“He’s going to perform Divine Power Summoning at the shrine he created on the 8th Floor. Probably, after that, he’ll summon the goddesses… Is there anything else?”
“…No, I can’t think of anything either, but what are you trying to say, Silvia?”
Shurein and Floria, who had both tilted their heads, were pressed by Silvia.
“Have you forgotten the positional relationship of the shrine created on the 8th Floor?”
“Positional relationship? …Ah!?”
As expected, it was Floria who first realized what Silvia meant.
However, Shurein also realized it soon after, though she was surpassed by Floria.
“…I see. It truly is something that would turn things upside down for those involved.”
“That’s right.”
Relieved to have gained their understanding, Silvia nodded.
Kousuke, who felt left behind, tilted his head and asked.
“Uh… Was there some kind of problem?”
When Kousuke brought it up, the three exchanged glances, deferring to each other about who should explain.
And, as expected, it ultimately fell to Silvia to explain to Kousuke.
This took about two to three seconds.
“It’s not a problem. …Since we have the goddesses’ permission, there’s no problem, but wouldn’t you say it’s a problem for the people?”
Kousuke became even more confused by Silvia’s unusually roundabout way of speaking.
Silvia sighed and continued her explanation to the bewildered Kousuke.
The area, which now housed a total of four shrines, could be considered a divine realm in itself.
Of course, what Silvia was referring to now was not Asgard, where the gods actually lived, but the collection of sanctioned shrines and temples in the world of Asgard.
When Silvia proposed the 8th Floor, she naturally intended it to become a divine realm, so that itself was not a problem.
The problem lay in the divine realm (shrine) created on the 8th Floor this time receiving the goddesses’ blessings through Kousuke’s Divine Power Summoning.
By performing Divine Power Summoning, the goddesses would actually descend within the tower and give their blessings to the entire shrine complex, which would also mean receiving approval from the three great gods for the entire divine realm.
Silvia paused after explaining that far and looked at Kousuke intently, as if asking if he still didn’t understand.
Kousuke pondered for a moment under Silvia’s gaze but then shook his head.
“…Sorry. I don’t understand.”
Silvia sighed once at his words and looked straight at Kousuke.
“As I said earlier, the problem is the positional relationship of the shrines. The shrine complex on the 8th Floor has a shrine dedicated to Lord Kousuke in the center, surrounded by shrines dedicated to the three great gods as their main deities.”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Kousuke nodded, picturing the layout of the shrines in his mind.
Even so, he still didn’t understand what Silvia was getting at.
This was not Kousuke’s fault, but rather an unavoidable consequence of their differing common sense.
Remembering that Kousuke was originally from a different world, Silvia decided to explain it clearly.
“When Lord Kousuke performs the Divine Power Summoning of the Three Great Gods for the shrine complex on the 8th Floor, it means that the positional relationship of the shrine complex itself will be recognized by the Three Great Gods. Specifically, your shrine will be in the center, with the shrines of the Three Great Gods surrounding it.”
“Well, I guess so… …Huh? My shrine in the center? …Huh?”
Kousuke, realizing a fact he’d rather not consider, turned his face towards Silvia like a robot.
“Could it be that the position of temples and shrines is very important?”
“It is, without a doubt.”
Silvia’s clear and firm assertion caused Kousuke to bury his face in the table.
In short, what Silvia had been concerned about was the goddesses acknowledging Kousuke’s central position within the world of gods (the divine realm).
Of course, the idea that the positional relationship of buildings indicates the power dynamics of the gods is merely an interpretation created by the religious organization known as the temple.
The actual goddesses wouldn’t care about such things, but they were certainly aware that this was how faith was expressed in the world of Asgard.
And Kousuke had heard that people’s faith became a part of the gods’ power (though not all of it).
At best, this Divine Power Summoning would only serve to strengthen Kousuke’s position as an Avatar.
Finally understanding the situation, Kousuke adopted a half-resigned expression.
“Uh, refusing now… Looking at the goddesses, it’s impossible… right?”
Understanding that his retreat was blocked and he had nowhere to run, Kousuke muttered with a faraway look.
“…Why did it come to this.”
Seeing Kousuke’s state, Silvia and the others looked at him with expressions of exasperation.
Why did it come to this.
Although this chapter is a little shorter than usual, it felt like a good stopping point, so we’ll end here.
