Chapter 135: The Bond of Gods

Since Kurogami Masayuki left the Academy of the Gods, the lives of Snow Sky-Dog and Mizuchi Haruka had passed quietly, tinged with a hint of monotony. Snow Sky-Dog still regularly dated his four beautiful girlfriends, which included Mizuchi Haruka, yet he seemed to feel the absence of his elder brother, Kurogami Masayuki. (Though Masayuki's care often took the form of half-joking remarks laced with profoundly philosophical advice for Snow Sky-Dog.) The time for Kurogami Masayuki to complete his mission and return to the academy to reunite with his younger brother and sister, Snow Sky-Dog and Mizuchi Haruka, was still far off. Snow Sky-Dog found himself yearning for Kurogami Masayuki in a way that was hard to express with ordinary words. (Even though Snow Sky-Dog was exceptionally skilled with words, using them creatively and subtly to portray the vivid and beautiful colors of his inner kingdom, or to articulate his mood during difficult times like this.) It seemed to be a neutral obsession, neither wholly negative nor entirely positive. Snow Sky-Dog was lying alone on his large, wide, and rather comfortable bed, his thoughts enveloping him, keeping him silent in the quiet and empty space around him; when a god opened the door to his room and stepped inside.

"Hey, Snow Sky-Dog, God of Ice, Snow, and Eternity! Are you drowning in sadness because you miss the God of Light, Kurogami Masayuki? I think a few drinks might lighten your heavy heart a bit! Want to join me for a drink, Snow Sky-Dog?"

The man was dressed in a red suit. It was the Fire God, Hinokagami no Kami. This god was a fellow student at the academy with the group of three gods, but Snow Sky-Dog wasn't particularly close to him because they rarely met. However, the friendliness in his words couldn't be hidden, making Snow Sky-Dog feel a bit less gloomy and burdened. His complicated mood was hard to describe with ordinary words.

"If you're inviting me, I'll go along with you! Anyway, I also want to use the power of alcohol to relieve this chaotic and hard-to-define mood regarding what's right or wrong within me. This mood hinders my ability to think and prevents me from applying the rationality of my philosophical and correct thoughts. And this makes me even more uncomfortable when those thoughts are vying for prominence and conflict in a way that I can't easily resolve. It's a stalemate."

"Snow Sky-Dog, you don't need to talk like you're lecturing on philosophy or quoting from a splendid novel you've written! But I understand what you mean. I also appreciate the richness and wisdom in your inner self and ideology! If you want to have a few drinks to feel a bit better, then come with me. I'm ready to pay for this round! Today has also been a tough day for me. I have a few friends. Even in this academy, it seems you don't think much of my abilities; and we're not that close because we rarely meet. But when I'm feeling a bit down, the first person I want to drink with is you, Snow Sky-Dog!"

"Then let's go, Mr. Red Suit!"

And so, the two young gods went to a bar in the World of the Gods. This bar had a space and drinks quite suitable for relieving their stress.

The bar, named "Eternal Paradise," exuded a warm glow, blending the gentle golden light of lanterns with the silver light of decorative crystals. The fresh air and light herbal scent created a relaxing atmosphere as if embracing all the worries of those who stepped inside.

Snow Sky-Dog and Hinokagami no Kami sat in a secluded corner, where dim light filtered through delicate silk curtains. Both were silent for a moment, watching the passing crowd and listening to the distant, gentle music.

Hinokagami ordered two special sake glasses, rich and refined, embodying nature's finest. He looked at Snow Sky-Dog, his eyes gleaming with a bit of mischief:

"You know, Snow Sky-Dog? Sometimes we don't need lofty philosophical advice to overcome difficulties. Sometimes, a bit of relaxation and sincere empathy is enough."

Snow Sky-Dog smiled faintly, feeling Hinokagami's words like a cool breeze sweeping through his soul. He raised his glass, and took a small sip, letting the sweet flavor spread across his tongue. He began to feel his mood gradually lift, like a mist dissipating in the dawn.

"You're right, Hinokagami! Sometimes we focus too much on deep analysis and thought, forgetting that life also needs simplicity and moments of relaxation. And you know how to choose a place. This place is truly special!"

Hinokagami smiled lightly, nodding in agreement. He began to tell Snow Sky-Dog about his adventures, the challenges he had faced, and the small joys in life. Snow Sky-Dog slowly opened up, sharing memories of Kurogami Masayuki and the emptiness he felt without his brother around. They found a resonance in their souls, things they hadn't noticed in each other before.

"You know, Hinokagami, your presence tonight means a lot to me. Even though we weren't close before, I feel an invisible bond connecting us. Maybe that's the power of empathy and sincere sharing."

"Exactly, Snow Sky-Dog! We're all gods with responsibilities and burdens. But sometimes, stopping to find someone to share with and face difficult moments together is the most precious thing."

They continued to immerse themselves in their conversation, the glasses emptied and filled again, their spirits lightening, and the long night passed in warm silence. Snow Sky-Dog's eyes sparkled under the lights, a part of his sadness seeming to fade, replaced by a new hope. Hinokagami also felt his soul warmed, realizing that sometimes, the magic lies in the simplest things in life.

Before the two gods became too intoxicated from the drinks, Hinokagami no Kami shared a significant plan of his. This future action of his might lead to a terrible outcome; or if not, the result would be something quite the opposite of terrible.

"Snow Sky-Dog, I greatly admire the feats of you three gods in completing a series of quests to find the eight magical artifacts! I know those tasks were very difficult, complex, and dangerous. But because of that, I can't just admire you three gods; I must do something so my image isn't overshadowed by your brilliant and radiant one! And a few days ago, an opportunity presented itself to me! That scoundrel, the Deity of Deception and Cunning, Hokage Masayuki, sent me a letter he wrote himself. He proposed an alliance with my clan to carry out a plot to overthrow the Empire of the Gods. This plot he has harbored for a long time. By now, he no longer hides it! And he thinks I, and my clan, are fools with evil running in our veins like him. I decided to use his scheme to capture him and hand him over to the Progenitor of the Gods. Snow Sky-Dog, you're not the only star in this academy! Although the feat I'm about to achieve isn't as grand as the accomplishments you've made, it's enough to show that you and your god teammates aren't the only excellent students in the Academy of the Gods. And you aren't the only powerful new generation gods in the World of the Gods!"

Upon hearing these words, Snow Sky-Dog couldn't maintain the calm he rarely lost. He slammed his hand on the table before them with immense force, creating a loud sound.

"Fire God Hinokagami no Kami, think this over! How do you know this isn't a trap by that scoundrel, the Deity of Deception and Cunning? That scoundrel isn't easy to deal with! You can't capture him so easily! Think again about this decision, Hinokagami no Kami!"

"I knew you'd try to stop me! But it's useless, Snow Sky-Dog! I've already decided! All this is to prove my abilities aren't too inferior to you three gods, especially not to you, Snow Sky-Dog, the most famous god of the academy!"

"Hinokagami no Kami, I beg you, reconsider! No one can know what the Deity of Deception and Cunning is planning when he sends you that letter. Acting recklessly just to prove you're not inferior to me? Is it worth the risk? The consequences could be huge! Think again!"

"Snow Sky-Dog, stop trying to sway me with those words! I know very well that taking this risk is reasonable! No achievements or fame come without some exchange or risk. All must be exchanged and accepted as a risk!"

Snow Sky-Dog looked deep into Hinokagami no Kami's eyes, seeing a determination that was hard to shake. He understood that his words seemed insufficient to stop his friend from this reckless decision. His mind was in turmoil, but he knew he couldn't let his friend walk into danger without support.

"Hinokagami no Kami, if you've decided this, then I have no choice but to stand by you. We'll face every challenge together, dealing with that scoundrel's plot. I can't let you step into danger alone."

Hinokagami no Kami looked at Snow Sky-Dog with surprise, then smiled sincerely.

"Thank you, Snow Sky-Dog. I knew you were always the most reliable friend. We'll face this challenge together."

The two stood up, left the "Eternal Paradise" bar, and stepped into the cold night air. The faint moonlight illuminated the path ahead, creating a scene both magical and full of suspense. They knew they were about to face an intense and dangerous battle, but the strength of their friendship and determination to overcome challenges was unwavering.