The Weight of Empty Thrones

The God of Knowledge was currently suffering from a headache so severe it felt like his skull was splitting open. The Round Table, now expanded to eighty seats, had far too many vacancies. Promotion opportunities were practically endless. There was no longer any need to bicker and fight over limited spots like in the past. However, there were no qualified Main God-level deities available. To be precise, there were no male gods at all.

The true Main God-level beings consisted of the three leaders of the Goddess Department who were in complete subordination to both the God of Knowledge and the Main God of the Divine Realm, the three suddenly appearing Main God-level goddesses, and the three direct subordinates—totaling ten in all. The remaining seventy seats had simply become empty.

This is the inevitable result of strictly enforcing the regulation that one cannot become a High Lord of the Round Table without both Main God-level power and significant achievements.

Moreover, the newly ascended Main God-level High Lords had proven their strength and accomplishments by publicly revealing most of their authorities. As a result, every god in the realm was analyzing the disclosed powers, learning what they needed, and singing their praises without end.

There is now no god who would doubt that these Main God-level goddesses who revealed their authorities will contribute greatly to the development of the Divine Realm.

They were strong and had proven their worth, so there were no complaints. The problem, however, was that the composition remained overwhelmingly centered on goddesses—just like before.

This situation has actually gotten worse.

Only Main Gods could sit in the seats of the High Lords of the Round Table who handled the practical affairs of the Divine Realm. As a result, the God of Knowledge remained the sole male god, while all the other primordial War Gods were merely at the highest tier of Upper God rank and thus unqualified.

In the past, when a Round Table seat became vacant, even an Upper God could be quietly slipped in. Now, that is completely out of the question.

Of the sixteen seats belonging to the Divine Realm Administrative Lords, thirteen were now occupied by goddesses. He himself was not even a Main God, so he lacked the qualifications to sit there.

If someone who isn't even a Main God starts talking about promotion, the Dimensional Lord would kick them out of their current position without hesitation. Or perhaps he would reclaim their divine power for disturbing the order of the Divine Realm. Didn't he coldly dispose of the new-generation War Gods and the goddesses of the Goddess Department just recently? He might show some consideration for precious Main God-level beings, but for anyone below that, it was best to stay quiet for the sake of their own well-being.

In the end, the goddesses who had once checked and fought each other in the past had all risen to administrative positions, and every single one of the newly appointed High Lords of the Round Table was also a goddess.

Still stuck as middle management? I really need to become a Main God soon. This is too humiliating to endure.

Unlike in the past, most of the Round Table goddesses were now subordinated to the Dimensional Lord, so there was little risk of trouble arising. Yet when he thought about the future, the God of Knowledge's head began to throb.

The primordial War Gods and War Deities who had once held realistic hopes of ascending to Main God rank were now sighing deeply. They sat in the seats reserved for Upper Gods, desperately recovering their bodies whose durability had been pushed to the absolute limit through extreme training.

Everyone rushed into developing Main God-level authorities, but the wall of Main God rank proved too high. Even with the divine power support from the Highest Divine Realm, they all failed.

In such a short period of extreme training, not a single War Deity had managed to reach Main God level. The God of Knowledge remained the only High Lord of the Round Table.

Furthermore, his fellow High Lords were no longer the familiar goddesses from the past but entirely new entities. It would take a considerable amount of time just to understand their personalities and tendencies.

Especially the gods who were in complete subordination to the Dimensional Lord—while their divine power was at the Main God level, their actual strength felt like it surpassed even that of a Lord God. The sensation was unmistakable.

Even the leaders of the Goddess Department, despite being restricted to nothing but training due to their complete subordination, are growing stronger day by day. The newly appeared Main God-level goddesses also possess minds and speech patterns that are formidable in a way befitting the new generation.

It seemed he would once again be left to fight alone against these formidable Main God-level goddesses.

The God of Knowledge lowered his head, pondering how to resolve this situation. But the Dimensional Lord was not someone who could be swayed by political maneuvering between male and female gods.

If I were to suggest filling the High Lord seats even if it meant lowering the divine rank slightly, he would probably send them straight into extreme training and reckless wars to make them stronger first.

That was why the resentment inevitably fell upon the primordial War Gods who had failed to ascend to Main God rank.

You pathetic idiots—! Even with divine power support from the Highest Divine Realm, none of you managed to break through the Main God wall? At the very least, you, the God of Beasts, should have succeeded! Weren't you at the highest tier before you got beaten by Granzoa?

In response to the God of Knowledge's solitary interrogation from his lonely seat at the Round Table, the primordial War Gods had plenty to say in their defense.

The political standoff with the goddesses went on for far too long.

We were too busy fighting the Demon God race to even think about developing Main God-level authorities.

No matter how many times the divine power reinforcement support increased, our bodies couldn't keep up. Recovering as Upper Gods is already our current limit.

The primordial War Gods, who had done their best in their own way, eventually started making requests.

In the old Divine Realm, a High Lord could appoint Round Table gods, couldn't they? Try to work something out somehow.

At this rate, we'll die just from training.

The efficiency of divine power and vitality support is eight times higher than before, so the training effect is enormous, but our untrained bodies can't endure it—!

On top of that, new-generation gods keep ascending like crazy in the training rooms. It's driving us insane with anxiety.

I haven't even become a Main God yet, so I don't even qualify for the Divine Realm Administrative Lord position. What authority do I have to make such requests? Haven't you seen how even his completely subordinated gods are freely releasing their authorities because they lack achievements for the Divine Realm? Without both basic divine rank and achievements, you have to reveal all your secrets and contribute to the realm's development or you can't even speak. This is truly maddening.

The God of Knowledge looked at the goddesses wearing gorgeous dresses instead of formal attire with an awkward expression.

Have I really reached the point where I must treat these troublesome goddesses as my superiors? How on earth did those proud and powerful goddesses even consider entering the harem of the Dimensional Lord, the ruler of the Divine Realm? It's a blessing for the Divine Realm that his harem is expanding and making him stronger, but I simply cannot understand it.

At the God of Knowledge's disrespectful remark, the primordial War Gods jumped in alarm.

Whoa, whoa! Don't even think such dangerous thoughts. From now on, call them Madam. Do you not know how terrifying pillow talk can be?

If you make a slip of the tongue in front of them, you'll be punished for disrespecting your superiors. Or do you think you can defeat those Madams by force alone?

Of course I can't, so I have to watch my words. They are the greatest combat-type goddesses among the Main Gods, possessing battle authorities that rival even High Lords—!

If I had known the goddesses would be this strong when we first accepted them into the Divine Realm, I would never have taken ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠them in.

Who could have guessed that such powerful combat goddesses would be in the Spirit Realm Waiting ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Area, that gathering place for losers of the Authentication Battles? That's when everything started going wrong.

Their strength is beyond question, but I never expected them to attend in those dresses. Are they openly declaring their status as members of the harem to the entire Divine Realm?

It's certainly better than plotting rebellion or fighting.

Seeing them like this, I can truly feel that they were once goddesses who ruled the Divine Realm. Their divine power and beauty are truly remarkable.

Even that incompetent God of Beasts felt that?

Hey, what's with that? Isn't it too harsh to say that just because I didn't reach Main God level? Have you also changed to value ability above all else? We're friends and comrades who have fought together for eternity—!

Shut up—! If the level of the male gods participating in the first meeting in front of the Dimensional Lord is this pathetic, how are we supposed to lead the meeting? More importantly, if I don't become a Main God soon, all the Divine Realm Administrative Lord seats will be taken. Only three spots remain now. Once they're all filled, we'll have to fight for those positions.

Hurry up and ascend! The divine power increase effect differs by more than eight times. If you miss this opportunity, how will you ever close the gap—! Can't you see that even the Madams are desperately raising their divine power?

The goddesses were seated at the central Divine Realm Administrative Lord position in the Round Table conference room, wearing dresses more splendid than anything imaginable. These were not stiff formal uniforms but casual attire that maximized their charm as goddesses. The jewel- and gold-adorned dresses accentuated their voluptuous breasts and hips to an extreme degree, endlessly drawing out their divine allure to the point where no one could look away.

Moreover, the clothes covered in divine power enhancement jewels continuously emitted rays of divine light in reaction to their powerful divine energy. They were connected to the Divine Realm itself, assisting in their own strengthening and the maturation of the realm.

The thirteen pairs of wings of light shining from their backs proved their status as true Main Gods, adjusting the entire Round Table conference hall with their overwhelming divine power.

They were deploying the maximum amount of divine power to train their bodies and exchange energy with the Divine Realm, seeking mutual development. Although it consumed enormous amounts of divine power and vitality and placed a heavy burden on their bodies, this was the most effective method for advancing their divine power to the utmost limit.

All the gods were shocked to see them maintaining the divine power deployment far beyond the normal duration that would leave ordinary beings entranced by their beauty. Rather than continuing the conversation, they had already begun their own training.

Currently, there are three empty seats among the Divine Realm Administrative Lords, and seventy seats remain vacant among the High Lords of the Round Table.

The Upper God seats, which originally numbered eight thousand, are now occupied by one thousand completely subordinated gods of the Dimensional Lord. Excluding the Goddess Department members and new-generation War Gods from the original Divine Realm deities, six hundred and fifty seats are taken, leaving more than six thousand empty. Those seats are being filled at an alarming rate by the new-generation gods.

The new-generation gods were surging forward like fish in water. Based on the divine power enhancement effect of the Highest Divine Realm, they manifested their authorities and developed even further using the freely released authorities of the goddesses and Main Gods as their foundation. Their momentum was terrifying.

The new-generation gods are still in their ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠growth phase. They grow freely, so their acquisition and strengthening of authorities is fast.

Honestly, their potential is higher than ours, who started as mercenary gods.

Even among the talented new-generation War Gods and Goddess Department goddesses, some had already developed authorities stronger than before their divine power was reclaimed. They were revealing them publicly and receiving support to make a fierce comeback.

In such a situation, the primordial gods—whose authorities were already nearly in perfect form—faced a choice: either rise to become High Lords of the Round Table, or gradually be pushed down into lower ranks.

It wasn't because of the collective actions or rebellion of the goddesses or the Goddess Department. They were simply being pushed out due to individual lack of ability.

That was why the God of Knowledge was suffering from a headache, and the primordial War Gods were desperately trying to loosen their bodies, which had grown stiff from political strife, in order to grow stronger. Yet when they witnessed the training being conducted by the goddesses from the Divine Power Management Lord seats, they could only feel awe and admiration.

They have already long surpassed the normal maintenance time limit for divine power release that even ordinary Main Gods can sustain.

In a state that had already exceeded all limits, their divine power was growing even stronger as it continued to be released. It was impossible not to marvel at the fact that they were indeed Main Gods.

However, the very combat goddesses who were the objects of this admiration were secretly grinding their teeth.

Of course, the administrative goddesses maintained a relaxed attitude.

I'm fine with this. I'll receive autonomy within the subordinated realm under the Dimensional Lord.

If I receive a mid-tier star and steadily share divine power with the Dimensional Lord, I'll become a High Lord in no time. So why don't you all just live comfortably?

It's truly rare to find a ruler of the Divine Realm who offers such good opportunities and mercy. Besides, he's an absurdly beautiful boy god, isn't he?

The administrative goddesses' hearts had long since melted before the peerlessly beautiful boy god they had seen for the first time in their lives—an Absolute Being who would undoubtedly become a Creator God.

Shut up—! Then why are you all desperately training alongside us?

When our innate divine power increases, we become more beautiful and our authorities grow stronger. That means we receive divine power and authority sharing from the Dimensional Lord, the ruler of the Divine Realm, more frequently, doesn't it?

Isn't that the very reason harem members work harder than their partners? If you're stronger than your partner, you might even become the official partner. Isn't that what you all are aiming for?

Who said we're harem members—! It's temporary—! It's just a temporary measure we couldn't avoid for work—! The Dimensional Lord said so himself, and we even received the right to freely dissolve it—!

Heh? Your standards are too high. If it were us, being the harem of such a ruler of the Divine Realm would be wonderful.

He provides infinite support for vitality and divine power recovery, doesn't force one-sided authority sharing, and even gave us the option to dissolve it. On top of that, he granted us the seats of the Divine Realm Administrative Lords in the Highest Divine Realm, allowing us to raise our divine rank quickly.

Later, if he grants us stars and complete autonomy within the subordinated realm, we could become rulers of the Divine Realm without even consuming vitality in Authentication Battles. Moreover, being the harem of the most ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠promising prospective Creator God and High Lord is far better than being the partner of some ordinary Main God!

The administrative goddesses recalled with dreamy eyes the image of the Dimensional Lord fiercely sucking on their breasts.

Once the Dimensional Lord becomes a Creator God, even the partners of other High Lords will have to bow their heads to us.

We're not interested in any of that—! We've told you several times that we will achieve our dreams with our own power—!

When the combat goddesses glared at the administrative goddesses with furrowed brows, the latter simply chuckled and replied.

Hehe—! You proudly wear the clothes the Dimensional Lord gave you while claiming you'll stick to your principles until the end. How admirable.

It's true that the divine power enhancement effect of the dresses he gave us is incredibly strong, but there was no need to wear them all the way to the Round Table conference room.

You pretended to refuse when he offered to make several spares in case they tore during divine power release while on duty, yet you took every single one.

If it's only a temporary harem position for work purposes, shouldn't you naturally refuse such ultra-luxury items? These divine power enhancement dresses are treasures that could buy several personal divine temples in other divine realms—items that can't even be obtained normally. You acted like you were reluctantly accepting them while secretly being moved to tears. So what are you complaining about now? We are proper harem members, so we can accept any gift without issue. But you temporary harem members really have no shame.

Arrrrrrgh—!