The Sly Raccoon's Calculated Provocation

The only male Main God among the Spirit Realm's gods was currently in a state of utter exhaustion and torment. He had managed to survive without being forced to convert into a goddess because his administrative god attributes were stronger than any clear combat deity traits, but of all possible opponents, he had drawn the terrifying Chief God of the God Realm. Somehow he had ended up sharing this absurd planetary-lifting punishment with these brutish female Main Gods, and though he found his own situation pathetic, there was nothing he could do about it.

'There's no way to match him in power, and he won't even give me a chance to talk things through. There's simply no method at all.'

On top of that, the bastard started with violence and now suddenly demanded that he become a concubine. No matter how much of a Spirit Main God he was, there was no way he would accept being made a concubine out of the blue. Yet the Dimensional Lord, seemingly realizing his mistake upon seeing Lokina's stunned silence, corrected himself.

"Even so, there's no way I'll accept."

The instant, simple refusal was met with an immediate reply, as if he had expected it.

"Then we'll pretend it never happened. The issue of your spirit gods' representative will be handled after you recover your Main God divine power. With your current upper god level of divine power, it's simply impossible."

He lifted the organizational chart and immediately revised it. Lokina's expression twitched for a moment, but she soon turned her head away as if it didn't matter.

'Well, no matter how good the benefits are, there's no way I'd accept. A Main God who started as a concubine would find it nearly impossible to become the Chief God of the God Realm, no matter how high they rise.'

But the next words changed the situation slightly.

"Then I'll have to temporarily entrust it to 'Torina.' Since words don't work on these opponents, force should do the trick. Serve well as adjutant until your divine power is restored. However, once you return to your original intermediate Main God status, you will be the representative. If you were to resign as a lower lord instead, it would be considered an insult to a higher Main God and you'd be disposed of immediately."

"!!!"

Lokina's head snapped back around, and a chilling killing intent flickered in her eyes. But the Dimensional Lord brushed it off nonchalantly. It was only natural; an upper god's threat held no influence over a supreme Main God. A moment later, she turned her head away again as if in resignation.

The Dimensional Lord let out a soft chuckle at the sight and began revising the organizational chart exactly as he had described. What was even more absurd was that he floated the chart in the air on the side where Lokina had turned her head and spun it around playfully.

'Just what the hell is he doing?'

A light, cheerful voice rang out immediately.

"You share the same Main God divinity and possess equal capability, yet you've walked different paths. One looks toward upper Main God status while serving as representative of the spirit gods, while the other is stuck as a mere upper god serving as adjutant? In terms of results alone, it seems the question of whether power or strategy comes first has already been settled. Don't you agree?"

"Your... Your personality is quite terrible. To openly toy with lower gods like this? Don't you hear a lot of people calling you despicable and underhanded? Or have you killed them all so you don't have to hear it anymore?"

It was a dangerously provocative statement. Depending on how one took it, it was at a level where even execution for insulting a superior god would leave her with no defense. Yet he responded as if it were completely irrelevant.

"In my days as an Absolute Being, the gods called me the most wicked black mage and cursed me endlessly. The high elves publicly denounced me as a disgrace to their race and an enemy of the Middle World. During my mercenary god days, my karma was so low that simply being hired was a blessing, and most jobs sent me straight to places where I'd die. Those kinds of insults were a luxury back then. And you think I'd kill everyone who badmouths me? They're all my subordinates and believers now. Heh heh heh—! If you're going to throw venomous words, you should at least know your opponent first. Or are you just mocking an inescapable reality? To think that someone who barely survived as an upper god has now become a subordinate—how humiliating is that?"

"Grit—!"

It was a situation where she had given an inch and received a mile in return. Lokina couldn't tear her eyes away from the organizational chart that kept blocking her line of sight and ground her teeth furiously. No matter which way she turned her head, the damn thing stubbornly followed.

'One keeps turning her head to avoid it, and the organizational chart keeps following. Both of them are repeating this endlessly.'

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

It looked less like a supreme Main God and a lower lord coordinating work and more like the two of them fighting. The organizational chart clearly stated:

It wasn't a joke. It was going too far. They had once been rivals, yet he was openly doing this. She thought she could just close her eyes and ignore it, but seeing her hands—which had grown used to holding up the planet—trembling violently, it seemed she couldn't completely turn away.

"As expected, overwhelming power and courage are superior to knowledge and schemes."

"Are you really going to believe everything that muscle-brained female god says?"

"The results speak for themselves. Right, adjutant? Kahahahahat—!"

"Grrrrr—!"

Just what the hell was he doing? There was zero dignity befitting a supreme Main God; he was doing nothing but provoking her. The surrounding female Main Gods seemed to have given up trying to understand what was happening. After all, while they had grown accustomed to the planet's weight, any mistake would still get them crushed again.

The incomprehensible verbal battle continued. A lament naturally escaped her—please, just let us put this damn planet down already.

"Rather than complicating things with your head, charging in and smashing the enemy is the best approach. You only need enough power to subdue the enemy. Schemes that deceive enemies and mislead allies are nothing but cheap tricks."

"If you keep repeating such conventional wars and suffer losses, eventually your forces will be exhausted and you'll be defeated. No matter how much of an advantage you hold, you'll still lose in the end. The vitality of defending allies in a limited space is more restricted than that of attacking enemies, so eventually the God Realm will—huh?"

While snapping back, she seemed to notice something strange and looked at the organizational chart. Below the names, the hierarchy of lower gods was connected by lines. Yet there was a line drawn beneath her name as adjutant, while nothing was drawn beneath the representative, War Thunder Power God — Torina. Her name simply had the word "Commander" written alone above it.

This meant she held the command authority.

The Dimensional Lord's voice rang out, heavy with divine power.

Shaaaaaaa—!

A blue killing intent poured forth. The true killing intent emitted by a supreme Main God could not only distort space but instantly kill most upper gods. As it washed over them, their breath caught in their throats.

"You may use me as bait to lure the enemy. Whether you make me defend a critical point or use me to reduce casualties to the God Realm, do as you wish. However, if you force meaningless sacrifices or emotionally driven sacrifices upon the combat gods, I will not forgive you. Ensure the combat gods can fight with all their strength for the God Realm and die only when their time comes. Block all other external side effects using any means and methods through your schemes. Make sure the combat gods fully receive the rewards for their victories in war, and when peace arrives, protect them so they are not disposed of by the administrative gods simply because they are no longer needed. Only then will your schemes become hatred to the enemy and hope to your allies."

"……."

It sounded as if he were speaking of his own bitter past.

'Something must have happened in the God Realm.'

It was normal for combat gods to be culled when peace arrived in order to conserve vitality. Maintaining combat gods consumed enormous amounts of vitality for no return, so it was usually done. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠He was telling her to prevent that.

'That's impossible. No one would approve of maintaining unnecessary forces, so even a Chief God of the God Realm would eventually have no choice but to approve it.'

Public opinion was a terrifying thing. Yet Lokina's reply was shockingly light.

"It's far too easy. Simply manipulate the foolish public's opinion a little and endlessly amplify surrounding threats, and it becomes possible. However, that would mean the God Realm will never have true peace. As long as I exist, the God Realm must constantly face the crisis of endless war. Even if the enemy is imaginary, I can make it appear as the greatest threat."

"Does eternal peace even exist? What nonsense. Even it does not claim to be eternal and prepares for its end. It's better to have even an illusory enemy and continue growing stronger than to believe in a false moment of peace, indulge in pleasure, and collapse. Rather than becoming a pig waiting to be slaughtered someday, I would risk my life to train and hunt the enemy. If the God Realm I rule becomes stained by the ideal of complete peace and falls into ruin, I will destroy it with my own hands and create it anew."

Though spoken quietly, the words were terrifying.

'This supreme Main God absolutely does not want the God Realm to weaken. He wants it to grow endlessly stronger.'

He intended to use any deception or method necessary to develop it. If even that failed, he was prepared to destroy everything and start over.

'If such a powerful combat god were to step forward with all his strength to judge his own God Realm, could anyone possibly stop him?'

Just the power he had shown so far would be impossible to handle. Only now did she realize that this bizarre conversation was a calculated act born from a desperate desire for the God Realm's revival and the strengthening of its combat gods—more precarious than walking a tightrope stretched across a cliff. He drew out his opponent's true intentions, responded accordingly, and pulled them in by their own will. That will was solely the development of the God Realm. He discarded everything else and focused only on that.

'No wonder, despite being one of the rare supreme Main Gods in the galaxy, he would come all the way to the Spirit Realm Waiting Area, cause such a commotion, recruit the spirit gods, and go to such lengths to make use of them.'

She was curious what kind of situation could have driven such a powerful combat god to pour his heart and soul into the goal of God Realm development. Lokina also knew that with her current upper god divine power, she could never fully carry out the duties of a representative. She didn't like that organizational chart, but in terms of authority, there was nothing wrong with it. Yet because the opposing side had superior power and numbers, things had come to this, and everyone was in this sorry state. They had barely listened to their words, possessed no power, yet clung stubbornly to their pride and were being punished for it. However, the gap in power was simply too vast, and the other side's will was firm, so they couldn't even resist.

'If only they had the power to push through their own claims like this, they could have suppressed all opposition from the spirit gods and enforced their will.'

In reality, it was correct to put forward a good-looking Main God who only used force like this on the surface while adjusting things from behind. For her, it was fortunate. At the very least, it seemed she would avoid being disposed of simply because public opinion was bad.

"I accept. The condition is that once I become an intermediate Main God, I will serve as the representative of the spirit gods."

"I leave it to you."

"And I have one question. The time required for normalization will be determined by the answer."

"What is it?"

The conversation paused for a moment. Then a voice filled with lingering regret rang out.

"If the God Realm opposes the one whom the Chief God of the God Realm truly loves, what would you do? If you had to choose between the Chief God of the God Realm and your beloved, what would you do?"

"I would dispose of all the gods who made that claim and choose my beloved."

"Huuuuurk—!"

It was an immediate answer. It was clearly his true intention. All the Main Gods listening opened their mouths in shock. For the Chief God of the God Realm to say such extreme words in front of the Main Gods belonging to the God Realm—if this were normal, it would be a statement worthy of impeachment with no room for defense. Even Lokina seemed so shocked that she stammered.

"Th-that is an irresponsible statement for a Chief God of the God Realm. The Chief God of the God Realm must make concessions and sacrifices for the God Realm. The gods of the God Realm could never accept a Chief God of the God Realm who only looks after his own beloved—!"

She seemed to have lost all composure and was shouting, overcome with emotion. However, the Dimensional Lord's answer was nothing but endless mockery.

"What nonsense. Who would follow a powerless Chief God of the God Realm who cannot even choose his own beloved freely? What value is there in protecting a God Realm where lower gods exist who can force a choice between one's beloved and the position of Chief God of the God Realm? They are already speaking while mistakenly thinking they are the Chief God of the God Realm, so they must endure the true Chief God of the God Realm's wrath. Since they seem to have the power to do so, I can dispose of them without worry and return their vitality to the God Realm. Besides, whether one is a Chief God of the God Realm or an ordinary god, one's beloved is a matter of personal privacy and has nothing to do with the development of the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠God Realm. Who would understand if someone forced the exclusion of a beloved for the sake of the God Realm? What value is there in a God Realm that openly demands such personal sacrifice? As long as the beloved's actions do not harm the God Realm, it is not something other gods should interfere with. Beings who force others to do what they themselves would not understand when it happened to them will only bring chaos. I will immediately dispose of any gods who create such public opinion unrelated to God Realm development and throw the public opinion into chaos. But the question itself is strange, isn't it? The emotion called love for one's beloved exists beyond calculations of gain and loss. So how could one possibly choose the God Realm over one's beloved? If it is true love, shouldn't one naturally choose one's beloved? If someone chose the God Realm instead of their beloved, then they loved the God Realm, not their beloved."

"Aaaaah! Aaaaaaaaaah—!"

Lokina couldn't respond and let out a sob-like groan. It seemed related to her own past. What a truly cruel Chief God of the God Realm. To cut so directly and say it to her face. His words were correct; everyone had seen how blindly young gods in love could act, so there was no room for rebuttal.

'There have been many gods who even accepted becoming part of the demon race for love. The position of Chief God of the God Realm isn't even a consideration.'

"Huuu… Hic—!"

Without even glancing at Lokina, who had now completely begun to sob, he looked at the next name on the organizational chart. An ominous sound immediately burst forth.

'Someone else is going to get beaten or threatened now. Huurk—!'

But the target of that divine power and fighting spirit was none other than himself.

"What are you dissatisfied with? What's wrong with being in charge of public security in the Main Divine Realm and training the combat gods? You have two positions, so there's a lot of work? But I'm giving you double the vitality, aren't I? It doesn't look good? Do you need another beating to come to your senses? Should I just—!"

"I have absolutely no complaints—! I came to express my gratitude for hiring me—!"

Shaaaaaaaak—!

The excuse that had slipped out unconsciously caused the surrounding air to grow cold, and the glares from the surrounding female Main Gods—who clearly found him ridiculous—stung. Even Lokina, who had been unable to hold back her emotions and sobbing, had stopped at some point and was sending him a murderous look. This was because, before coming here, he had thrown a tantrum trying to take only one position or get an easy desk job for the sake of training.

'I know this well because I've served as a Main God in the God Realm before. Public security duty is literally heavy labor with endless overtime.'

If one received the same amount of vitality, it was natural to prefer an easy position, which was why he had tried to avoid it.

'I only acted that way earlier because I didn't know he was this kind of Chief God of the God Realm. Who would have thought he was an ignorant mercenary-god-turned-Chief God of the God Realm who would beat people for not listening and go on a rampage saying he'd dispose of even a Main God if they showed no promise? Moreover, to think such a powerful combat god—who disregards any means or methods for the sake of the God Realm while still revering strength—would be the Chief God of the God Realm? It seems best for my health to quietly do as I'm told.'

No matter what the surrounding gazes were like, he had to survive first.

'When the Chief God of the God Realm is male, male Main Gods among the lower gods are seen as potential rivals, so the disposal is particularly harsh. Female Main Gods can at least become concubines as a last resort if they cause trouble and be forgiven, but male Main Gods have no such option. Therefore, unless one shows maximum loyalty and earns trust, it's truly difficult to survive.'

Whether the excuse worked or not, a gentle voice soon followed.

"Sorry for the misunderstanding. You may put the planet down."

Thud—! Kuuuung!

The planet he had been holding immediately slipped from his hands. At that, the gazes of the surrounding female Main Gods turned murderous. Their expressions clearly said they would not forgive him for cunningly escaping alone.

'This is bad. At this rate, I might end up buried alone.'

He had no choice but to receive the punishment together with ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠them.

"Individual responsibility is the joint responsibility of all affiliated members. Therefore, I will receive the punishment together with them."

"Do that. How admirable. So there was at least one model spirit Main God. I'll raise your evaluation."

The planet that had risen into the air grew massively larger and slammed down onto his arms again.

Kwaaaaaaaaang—!

'Uuuuurgh—! I don't need this kind of evaluation boost.'

It was a giant planet even heavier than the one before. As it fell with a tremendous roar onto the arms he had raised above his head, he couldn't even scream. It was driving him insane. When he had first been included in the organization, he should have observed the atmosphere and acted accordingly, but he had been swept up by the surrounding female Main Gods who were competitively showing their emotions and rampaging, so he hadn't been able to act prudently. Moreover, even now he should have said 'I am truly sorry,' but because the situation had been so mentally exhausting in succession, he had blurted out whatever came to mind and ended up receiving glares from the surrounding female Main Gods.

'Damn it—! If I had just kept my mouth shut and stayed still, I would have been in the middle of the pack. Why did I have to read the mood and rampage along with them? What the hell is this mess?'

He let out a sigh, realizing he was paying a truly expensive price for momentarily forgetting the best way to survive in an organization.