Chapter 131

Orario.

It had been two days since the conversation in the Prayer Room, and in that time the city had become quite noisy. Most of it, of course, was due to the presence of the One-Eyed Black Dragon, who liked to lie in the sun on the roof of the residence, even if in a smaller form.

The residence was bypassed, people, and not only them, were not so quietly discussing us, even raising the question of the appropriateness of our Familia's presence. And while anyone else in our shoes would have gotten agitated and tried to explain themselves, it didn't bother us in the slightest.

The Xenos began to look insignificant against the dragon's backdrop and were gradually forgotten, but the topic of the gods' presence took on new colors. Mostly it was because they weren't doing anything about us and the dragon, which was slowly raising popular discontent, I'd say. But then again, it didn't really hurt us. Though...

- "I didn't expect my humble home to be so attractive to the gods," I said while taking a sip of coffee and sitting on the couch in the living room and looked at the guests.

- "Really?" Loki grinned, "I doubt that very much."

- "Am I not welcome here?" Hestia asked poutingly.

- "I still think you deceived me," Hermes said with a touch of resentment.

- "It is not the house that is attractive, but its inhabitants," Freya smiled charmingly.

Besides them and me, there was no one else here. Tia, the Xenos, and Morgan went into town to buy food and clothing. Given the situation in Orario, Morgan volunteered to accompany them, and for that I am grateful, I suppose. Even if her brew from two days ago tried to kill me. The dragon, on the other hand, slept on the roof, and Silver Grieve with him.

- "I take it you're here to discuss a certain black lizard?" I asked.

- "Bull's-eye!" Loki nodded, and then made a serious face, opening her eyes, which were usually squinted, "Even if Tiamat is capable of taming monsters, someone like him is a whole other level. The one-eyed black dragon shouldn't be in the city."

- "Yes, his power is too great to keep him untethered. Who knows how much trouble he'll cause if he's here," Freya nodded, and Hermes and Hestia agreed.

- "If he's not provoked, he won't do something like that. He's too proud for senseless destruction," I shrugged, and my words didn't sit well with them, "Besides, what an interesting way for Ouranos to go about it. He decided to send you, since he couldn't convince me. How clever we are, eh?"

Of course, the three of them showed no reaction to this, but not Hestia, who immediately became worried and lowered her head.

- "You're right, Ouranos sent us. But aren't you worried about Tiamat? Humans are quite cruel, it's their nature. They are afraid, and under the influence of fear they tend to act in highly illogical and thoughtless ways," Freya said.

- "Indeed, but it will be their choice, won't it? And in the end, they'll just have to live with the consequences," I shrugged, which drew wary and surprised looks.

- "In that case, there's only one way out," Loki said calmly.

- "No! We can't! They're just... just..." Hestia jumped up.

- "Hestia's right. They haven't hurt anyone yet," Freya added, and Hermes refrained from taking sides.

- "You mean the banishment, huh?" I grinned, "As I recall, that would require a vote of the gods or a War Game, but I doubt either of you have the strength for that."

- "You're very confident," Loki said.

- "And with good reason," I shrugged, "You see, there's a reason we have to be here. And if the gods try to get rid of us before our goal is accomplished, we'll take it as a declaration of war."

I paused while the gods in front of me frowned, catching the firmness of my words.

- "You were only able to get rid of the Familias of Zeus and Hera because they were weakened after the battle with the dragon and were unable to fight back. Hermes, because of our deal with him, told something interesting concerning this event," I began and looked at Freya and Loki, who showed a stoic expression, "The gods came down to this world for fun, a kind of game between themselves. And in every game there is a winner and a loser, as well as an element of rivalry between its participants."

Hermes grinned, and Hestia looked from me to Freya and Loki.

- "And now, knowing all this, we can assume the exact reason why Zeus and Hera were banished from the city. But here's the question, was it really all limited to the status of the strongest Familias or was it because they lost to some monster?" I took another sip and placed the cup on the table, "That struck a blow to your honor, huh? Some inferior creature trampled on your pride and your belief in your invincibility... Well, what else would you expect from the gods, wouldn't you say?"

- "But..." Hestia hesitated.

- "Humans can't understand our views, Romani," Freya smiled.

- "And we do not only do that, but we do care for our children, help and watch over them," said Loki.

- "And I'm not denying that," I shrugged, "Back on topic, you're being nice to me right now solely because of our power. If you were someone else, they'd be banished or worse, wouldn't they? Well, I'm the same, but without the pride. So, what have you decided?"

-0-

- "What did they decide, husband?" Morgan asked, sitting at the table with the others returning from their shopping trip.

- "The question remains unanswered, but it's pretty obvious that it's going to be a war against everyone," I shrugged.

- "Aaaaaa~" Tia sang out.

- "Indeed," Morgan nodded at her words, "Are you really going to 'go to war'? It's not your type of thing."

- "Of course not," I grinned, "But they won't do anything else. Pride won't allow it."

Frankly, I was disappointed with the local gods. I realize that they've even sealed their Arcanum and all that, so as not to harm mortals, but their essence remains the same.

Hermes, in addition to sharing information about the exile of the Familias of Zeus and Hera, also shared where the spirits went. Earlier, even before the Tower of Babel appeared, its function was performed by an ordinary low building without the support of any god. However, some of the first descended gods destroyed it, which was called 'Evilus'. Evil gods, for short.

Because of this, the natural balance of power was disrupted. The dungeon, under the influence of divinity, began to generate stronger monsters and channel them to the surface, which actually began to attack humans and gods as well as spirits. Did this bother the gods? Of course it didn't. And eventually the spirits either chose to return to the earth or were killed by the monsters.

It was for this reason that the gods decided to seal their Arcanum, to protect themselves first and foremost, and not anyone else. People became a bargaining chip and a rating indicator, well, in most cases.

If we generalize all this, we get an unfortunate but familiar picture, when the gods, interfering in the natural order of things, became a problem and then a necessity, according to people, of course.

This information is not in the historical sources, of course, for who would want their dirty secrets to come out. And yes, Ouranos was also one of the first gods, and he was procrastinating on building the Tower of Babel for some reason.

- "Ahhhh~" Tia sang out, looking sadly at the plate in front of her.

- "Mindful living has never been known for being peaceful," I said and hugged her, causing her to snuggle up to me in a hug, "I know you dislike any kind of death, and so I will do what I can to avoid bloodshed."

- "Aaaa~" she nodded and hid her face on my chest, and I looked at Morgan, who clearly wanted to say something.

- "What's the matter?" I asked.

- "I would suggest that you separate this world from Heaven to create some sort of World Reverse, but I don't think you would agree to that."

Morgan has also taken a negative view of the information she has received. And her desire is understandable. However, she didn't demand me to do what she wanted, but rather she refused to do it, taking MY opinion into account. Despite all her flaws, Morgan really knows how to take care of the people close to her, eh?

- "That's true. Thus, I would take away the right to choose from its inhabitants. And there's no telling how long it will take for the spirits to return," I sighed, "Well, we'll see what method they choose, and then we'll make plans from there. It'll definitely be soon, though. A day or two, I think."

- "What should we do, Romani?" Ray asked, taking on a guilty look, "We're grateful to you, to the goddess Tiamat and Morgan, really, but getting involved in a war between you and the gods..."

- "And that's the right decision," I grinned, "You should go back to the Dungeon. I'll cast a spell on you to make you invisible, and I'll let Lyd know you've arrived. And again, if I were you, I'd do exactly the same thing."

- "That's…" Ray hesitated, "Thank you, you... and all of you..."

- "Yes, thank you," Let added.

- "It's all right. Never mind," I brushed it off and took a sip of coffee.

There will definitely be humans involved in the conflict, and I suppose I should broaden their horizons a bit. Choices aren't always visible to the human eye, but if you point them out, point a finger at them, it's a different conversation.

Also, maybe Tia should look into the Dungeon and have a chat with him. Maybe they can come to an agreement about the xenos, for after the conflict it's unlikely to be up to the gods to decide.

-0-

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