Raising Villains the Right Way

After a brief silence passed.

[............The information isn’t wrong, is it?]

Father of Maggots still could not erase his doubt.

The divine-blood lowered its head.

[There is no chance of the information being wrong in this matter.]

[Then you’re saying that Burned Vegetation and those divine-bloods who went to kill the Star Eater completely changed their stance and are now protecting him?]

[...Yes.]

At that answer, Father of Maggots unconsciously worked his mouth.

[Could it be that the Star Eater’s ability is something like hypnosis or brainwashing...............?]

[I’m not certain, but I don’t believe that is the case.]

He nodded as well.

It was a conjecture that came to mind while thinking about why Burned Vegetation had sided with the Star Eater, but even he knew. How absurd that thought was.

No matter how much the Star Eater exceeded expectations, he was still ultimately human.

A being the divine-blood merely used as a tool.

And yet divine-blood several dimensions higher being hypnotized or brainwashed by such a human?

That made no sense.

[....Then what is it?]

Father of Maggots fell into confusion, but only briefly.

[Th— there is something I wish to say. In truth, perhaps there is no need for such great concern.]

The divine-blood spoke cautiously, watching his reaction.

[Why?]

[As you know, many divine-blood wish to receive the guidance of the Great One. Even if Burned Vegetation and those divine-blood protect the Star Eater................]

[They won’t be able to protect him?]

[Yes. As I mentioned, there are many who desire the guidance of Rotting Mouth. And besides—]

[Besides?]

[That one has moved.]

[That one, you say….?]

[Dark-Eating Sword.]

At the divine-blood’s faintly smiling face, Father of Maggots also let out a ho, impressed.

Dark-Eating Sword.

He was among the strongest of the fallen divine-blood, one who ranked within the top few.

Even beings like Father of Maggots and Burned Vegetation, comparable in might, would prefer to avoid fighting him if possible.

That was because Dark-Eating Sword was a first-stage divine-blood who already had one foot in the second stage.

Therefore.

[If Dark-Eating Sword has moved, then there’s no need to worry.]

[That is correct.]

Father of Maggots, whose face had been twisted in irritation just moments ago, now drifted smoothly through the air with satisfaction.

[I only need to wait leisurely, gathering the tools needed to ascend to the next stage.]

He wore a vile smile, as though truly delighted.

***

Deep within the mental world filled with shining galaxies.

“You’re saying we can make a god?”

“Yes!”

Alon momentarily blanked out at Kalannon’s confident reply, but soon regained his composure.

“I appreciate you starting with the conclusion, but this feels like it goes too far.”

“Ah, was my explanation lacking?”

“Quite a lot.”

At that, Kalannon made an hmm~ sound and continued.

“Still, I thought you already knew to some extent.”

“Based on what..............?”

“Well, because your divine power changed?”

“......Did your divine power change too?”

At Alon’s question, Kalannon wore a somewhat complex expression.

“In my case, strictly speaking, it’s more accurate to say I simply followed along................”

“Me?”

“Of course. To begin with, I’m in a position where I have to be affected by these things whether I like it or not.”

That was true.

“Then I’d like you to explain everything from the beginning, if possible.”

“Starting with the part about the divine power changing?”

“Yes.”

“Mm, okay. That’s what I was going to explain anyway.”

Kalannon briefly organized her thoughts, then began speaking one by one.

And after some time had passed.

“That’s everything I’ve figured out.”

After hearing all of Kalannon’s explanation, Alon summarized it.

“So, after the divine-bloods fell to the ground, my divine power changed.”

“Mm— rather than changed, it’s more accurate to say it evolved.”

“Evolved, huh…….”

The information Kalannon conveyed amounted to three points.

First, after the divine-blood fell to the ground, Alon’s divine power changed.

Second, that changed divine power was closer to ‘evolution’ than ‘corruption.’

And lastly—

“I understood most of it, but............ the last part is a bit hard to grasp.”

—The location of the divine power that had suddenly disappeared after the divine-blood fell.

“Ah. Divine power, meaning the location of faith?”

“Yes. What does it mean that my divine power is still in my body? When I check, I can’t see any divine power within me.”

Kalannon said that Alon’s divine power was still within his body.

However, when Alon checked, there was no longer any divine power present in his physical form.

The only thing that remained was the divine power he had gained from previously defeating divine-blood.

Alon was bewildered.

Kalannon added casually.

“It’s natural that you can’t see it. To begin with, Your Lordship’s body itself contains the divine power.”

“......My body?”

“Yes. That’s why even if you observe your inner self, you won’t see it. All of your divine power has permeated your body itself.”

“If that’s the case, then I’ve completely lost the ability to use divine power.”

“Mm— that part does require some practice, but you’ll probably be able to use it again soon. Because I’m here, ahem.”

Kalannon coughed lightly.

Alon nodded slightly, then recalled what she had first brought up.

“So then, what was that about being able to make a god?”

“Ah, I’ll explain that too.”

Kalannon cleared her throat.

“As you know, there’s usually only one way to become a god.”

“By obtaining faith?”

“That’s right. By gaining the faith of other humans, we can become gods. Conversely, without the faith of many people, one cannot become a god. In other words, to become a god, you need many people and their belief.”

Alon nodded, but still felt doubt.

Because it was all far too obvious.

“Isn’t that just common sense?”

“It is. ‘One becomes a god through the faith of many people.’ That’s a truth everyone knows. But here, evolved divine power allows us to remove one thing.”

“One thing?”

“Yes. Namely—”

Kalannon raised a finger with a meaningful smile.

“—the phrase ‘many people.’”

She whispered quietly.

Words that made Alon’s eyes widen in shock.

***

“......That means.”

“It’s probably just as you understand. Normally, becoming a god requires the faith of many people, but if you believe in them—”

“They can become a god?”

“That’s right.”

“Does that even make sense?”

At the doubt that appeared on Alon’s face, Kalannon replied.

“Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible.”

“Then how?”

“I told you, didn’t I? The divine power evolved.”

“...Because of that?”

Kalannon nodded, then spread her hand wide.

Woooong~!

And together with that sound, what formed above her palm was—

Divine power resembling a planet.

“As you know, divine power normally takes this form, settling in various sizes and shapes depending on people’s belief. And divine power formed like this can only be used by its owner. But—”

Using her right hand, Kalannon tore off a portion of the planet-like faith, forming a small sphere.

“This isn’t ours.”

“...You can separate it at will?”

“That’s right. And we can also give it away freely. In other words—”

“Arbitrarily, you can make a god?”

“Exactly.”

“Then would those who obtain divinity that way be able to use the same abilities as me?”

“Nope?”

“Then?”

“You already know, don’t you? That the power gained through faith is shaped by belief.”

“Simply put, what I’m sharing is a ‘seed,’ then.”

At Alon’s metaphor, Kalannon smiled.

Then.

“That’s right. What kind of flower blooms will differ for each one. And that fully bloomed legion—”

With pride.

“—will become a legion of gods that follows only us.”

She revealed a crucial truth.

***

To kill the Star Eater, Dark-Eating Sword crossed into the Allied Kingdom Alliance via the coast.

The moment he stepped onto the shore, as if expected, he encountered Burned Vegetation standing before him.

[Burned Vegetation, is it.]

A voice like it scraped the abyss.

Along with it, dozens, hundreds of skulls hanging from Dark-Eating Sword’s fluttering cloak emitted grotesque, discordant noises.

[............Dark-Eating Sword.]

Burned Vegetation muttered his name lowly.

However, as if he didn’t care in the slightest, Dark-Eating Sword pondered briefly.

[I see. Piercing Eye informed you.]

He deduced the reason Burned Vegetation was here and nodded.

As though no further conversation was necessary, he brought his hand to the body hidden within the abyss.

Krrreeeak!

A chilling sound rang out.

Soon, a grotesque sword emerged from his abdomen.

A blade embedded with skulls across its entire length, ominous beyond measure.

Without a word, Dark-Eating Sword drew it.

[I heard you are protecting a mere creature.]

[...............He is not a mere creature. If you were to hear his words as well, you too would wish to join Star Root.]

[Star Root? You made a laughable gathering? So that’s why the divine-blood who crossed over until now couldn’t even capture one such creature?]

How ridiculous.

At the brief mutter, Burned Vegetation asked as if trying to persuade him.

[Do you not wish to hear him out?]

[I have only two things to say to you.]

However.

[Either stop protecting the creature and step aside before me—]

Kwaaaaang—!!

[—or die before me.]

Without hesitation, Dark-Eating Sword slashed his blade to one side, temporarily cleaving the sea in two.

[............There is no helping it.]

As if resigned, the Vegetation took a stance.

And with that, two divine-blood emerged from behind him.

[...............Are these the ones said to be acting together with you.]

Even in that situation, Dark-Eating Sword maintained his composure.

The addition of merely two divine-blood did nothing to diminish his momentum.

[Hmph, reinforcements of only two. Utterly meaningless.]

Thus, at the moment Dark-Eating Sword openly sneered.

Thud—!

[?]

From within the foliage, two more divine-blood walked out.

In an instant, the enemies became five.

Even so, he did not falter.

Among the fallen divine-blood, he was undeniably among the top three strongest.

[............Five or so is—]

Just as Dark-Eating Sword opened his mouth.

Thud— thud—!

Once again, two divine-bloods walked out.

[??]

In an instant, the enemies became seven.

This time, he froze briefly, but Dark-Eating Sword soon tensed his entire body, preparing to fight—

Thud!

—only to fail.

[???]

Before he could even ready himself, yet another two divine-bloods stepped out.

Now there were nine divine-bloods.

And as if by prior agreement, yet another two leapt out.

Realizing that the situation had now become one against eleven, Dark-Eating Sword.

[............Ahem.]

[Suddenly, the Star Eater—]

[Is he your friend?]

[....I find myself suddenly interested in him. Would it be possible to have a conversation?]

He naturally sheathed the sword back into the abyss and made the suggestion.

It was the wise judgment of one who knew that there was no winning against a mob.............