“Alright. We’re back! Thanks for your hard work!”
As soon as Kousuke returned to the management layer using the **Teleport Gate**, he said this to the members who had been traveling with him all along.
“You’ve finally returned.”
“It was quite a long journey.”
“For now, the sense of accomplishment is stronger than exhaustion, so I don’t feel tired.”
Shurein, Silvia, and Floria responded in turn. Of course, Kouhi and Mitsuki were also there, but as usual, they remained silent, watching Kousuke and the others.
Welcoming them to the management layer was Mia, who had been informed of their return in advance.
“Welcome back.”
“Oh, I’m home. How was Miku?”
Mia was still Miku’s teacher for **Streep**, so Kousuke had been informed that she would see Miku today.
“She hasn’t changed much from before. She’s still very enthusiastic. Her intense focus reminds me of Father when he’s making **Magic Tools**.”
“Hahaha. Well, being able to get absorbed in something is a good thing, isn’t it?”
Mia sighed in response to Kousuke, who brushed it off with a laugh.
Floria then teased Mia.
“You’re no different, are you? You’re holed up in the management layer doing various things, just like Kousuke.”
Mia, pointedly corrected by her own mother, grunted and then raised her right index finger to the ceiling.
“Well, you see. Being able to get absorbed in something is a wonderful thing.”
Mia’s exact quote of someone else’s line made the other members erupt in laughter.
After their usual banter, Kousuke and the others put away their luggage and gathered in the **Lounge Space**. They were all too tired to do anything else today and intended to rest. Once everyone had unpacked in their respective rooms, and they had all reassembled, Mia asked Kousuke,
“It sounds like things got pretty flashy out there, are you alright?”
Mia had been in the Tower, so she hadn’t directly witnessed the descent of the **Gods**. However, she had heard rumors from the **Succubus** village and had just been told about it by Floria with a laugh. It was precisely because she had incomplete information that she felt anxious.
“Well, I wouldn’t say the descent of the **Gods** wasn’t flashy, but rather, I’m grateful that they clearly announced the **Divine Realm Conversion**.”
From Kousuke’s perspective, it was far better than having strange rumors about him turning the **Central Continent** into his **Divine Realm** spread. Kousuke had no intention of engaging in any specific actions that would affect people’s lives due to the **Divine Realm Conversion**. The initial starting point was to hand over the attack and defense capabilities of the Tower to Mia, thereby differentiating his influence as a **God**. In that sense, the **Gods** appearing directly would neither be a positive nor a negative.
Mia, hearing Kousuke’s thoughts, looked troubled and tilted her head slightly.
“I understand what you’re saying, but do you really think it will go that smoothly?”
After all, it involved other **Countries**, and Kousuke chuckled softly at the unspoken question of whether they would so conveniently acknowledge the separation of the **Divine Realm** and the Tower’s functions. Before Kousuke could answer that question, Silvia chimed in.
“In this case, it *has* to go smoothly.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Mia, because your own father is an **Avatar**, you’re close to **Gods** and might find it hard to understand, but normally, **Gods** are objects of awe and reverence.”
Silvia stated something that was completely natural for those living in the world of **Asgard**, and Mia blinked in surprise.
Floria, laughing, offered Mia a small explanation.
“This time, Kousuke designated the **Divine Realm** to be within the Tower’s defensive and offensive range.”
“Oh, that… Ah! I see what you mean.”
Mia, quickly deducing Kousuke’s intention from the small hint, proved herself capable.
“For example, if another **Country** were to cause trouble on the **Central Continent**, even if Mia attacked using the Tower’s functions, I could say it’s unrelated because it’s outside my **Divine Realm**.”
“That’s… practically a fraud.”
Mia said with a look of utter disbelief, which Floria scoffed at.
“What are you talking about? In interactions between **Countries**, this sort of thing is commonplace. In fact, it’s only manageable to this extent because of the functions of **Amamiya Tower**!”
“You’re absolutely right.”
Mia, having been educated as a princess, could understand Floria’s point.
“Besides, I already informed Towa about the scope of the **Divine Realm**. She should be able to think about how to convey that to other **Countries**.”
Kousuke intended to intentionally expose both the **Divine Realm** and the Tower’s defense range to make other **Countries** hesitate to attack. However, how this matter would be handled was entirely left to Towa, and by extension, to Razek Amamiya.
“You’re treating it like someone else’s problem.”
“That’s right. Or rather, if I don’t, I’ll be the one getting pushed around this time.”
Kousuke completely agreed with Mia’s somewhat exasperated words. If Kousuke were to interfere now, the **Divine Realm**, created to signify that an **Avatar** does not interfere with Razek Amamiya, would lose its meaning. Kousuke wanted to avoid that at all costs. The reason Kousuke went to such lengths to avoid meddling in politics was his belief that **Gods** who could rule beyond human lifespans should not directly rule over people. Therefore, Kousuke had consistently maintained such an attitude, and Mia understood this perfectly.
Mia nodded in agreement with Kousuke’s words. Then, Floria looked at her with a somewhat exasperated expression.
“You say it like it’s not your problem, but aren’t you more likely to get caught up in this matter, Mia?”
“Eh!?”
Mia was surprised by the unexpected remark, and Floria sighed, as if expecting it.
“Depending on how the **Country** announces it, the power of **Amamiya Tower** will be entrusted to you, Mia. I think those who target you directly will increase.”
“Ah!?”
Mia had already been given some authority over the Tower. Taking advantage of this fact, both those inside and outside Razek Amamiya would likely try to contact Mia for information.
Floria sighed again as Mia finally seemed to realize this.
“I don’t really care, but Mia, haven’t you lost your sense of crisis by being holed up in the Tower too much?”
The Mia of the past would have immediately realized something of this magnitude. However, looking at Mia now, it seemed as if she had lost that sense of crisis. Realizing she couldn’t make any more excuses, Mia drooped her head dejectedly. Kousuke then gently placed his right hand on Mia’s head.
“Well, it’s good that you realized it before things got too serious. Getting absorbed in something isn’t a bad thing, but that doesn’t mean you can neglect everything else.”
“……Yes.”
Mia nodded softly in response to Kousuke’s supportive words. Seeing this, Shurein, who had been silent until now, joined them with a mischievous grin.
“Indeed. When Kousuke says it, it has a lot of persuasive power.”
“Whoa!? You’re going for that angle here?!”
Kousuke feigned an exaggerated reaction to Shurein bringing up their past. Of course, the others present understood Shurein and Kousuke’s intent, but the moment was filled with loud laughter.
Kousuke and the others have finally returned to the management layer.
Next, will it be a report to Asura’s **Divine Realm**?
