I Am Now Above the Law
Suddenly, a thought struck me like a miracle. I'd considered building a harem but backed off because of public scrutiny. But what if I became a god who didn't have to care about any of that? If I truly ascended to a superhuman existence beyond all laws...
"... "
"Seres, are you worried?"
Since I'd gone quiet, lost in thought, Ares seemed to think it was because I'd awakened as a heavenly being. She patted my shoulder reassuringly.
"Don't worry for now. As long as everyone here keeps the secret, word won't get out."
"What about these wings on my back?"
"...Can't you hide them?"
"Not right now."
I figured I could store them away once I got more used to them, but I wasn't there yet.
"And didn't everyone see them on my back earlier?"
"...We can force their silence."
"No thanks!"
I quickly stopped Ares from muttering something terrifying. There was no need to silence anyone in the first place.
"Don't worry, everyone. I'll handle this myself."
I said it casually, and they all stared at me in confusion.
"How exactly?"
"Well, you do have status, Seres, but covering something like this..."
Viol and Arios were grilling me like what do you think you can do with your power?, but their worries were pointless. I had no intention of hiding it—in fact, I planned to flaunt it.
"I said I'll handle it. Don't do anything stupid—just watch!"
I warned them firmly, then plotted my plan in my head.
The next morning, I got up early and headed out of the Imperial Palace.
"Seres, where are you going?"
"Wings and all?!"
Sibylius and Hames freaked out when they saw me leaving, but I ignored them.
"I've got some business. Don't worry."
"The wings?!"
"The rumors are probably all over the capital by now."
I was famous enough that word would spread fast. Even if not, I planned to spread it myself, so it didn't matter.
"Wait, still, going alone..."
"Niobe!"
I called, and she rushed to my side.
"My lord, you summoned me?"
"I'm stepping out for a bit—escort me. ...That should do it, right?"
They reluctantly nodded, mollified at the sight of a Sword Master-level Death Knight.
"Seres..."
"Niobe's guarding me!"
A few more similar protests followed as I left, but flashing Niobe shut them up each time.
"This should be fun."
Everyone backed off successfully—except Red, who wanted to tag along not to guard me, but because it sounded entertaining.
"I don't know what you're up to, but I'll come too."
"...Fine."
I hesitated but allowed it. She might come in handy.
And so, Niobe, Red, and I—three of us—stepped out of the Imperial Palace. I was already eye-catching and famous, but with wings, I drew stares from all around. Passersby froze as if time had stopped, gawking at me.
"W-wings!"
"I heard someone saw Seres with angel wings at the palace yesterday!"
"The rumors were true?!"
"I knew he didn't seem human."
Shock, acceptance—reactions varied. The only common thread: no one could look away.
I kept walking under their gazes until we arrived. My companions' eyes widened.
"This place?!"
"...Oh ho."
Niobe panicked; Red looked intrigued. We'd arrived at a funeral home.
"M-my lord?"
Niobe peeked at me nervously, stuttering.
"You're not planning what I think you are, are you?"
"Probably exactly what you think."
"My lord!!"
Niobe hurried after me as I strode right in.
The atmosphere was predictably grim—heavy with mourners bowed in sorrow. The most striking were a young man and woman clutching an open casket. Inside lay a child with eyes closed in death.
"Eek!"
I'd marched in boldly, but the sight gave me pause. I hadn't expected a kid.
...On second thought, maybe it was for the best? What I was about to do would be a blessing for the child.
"Everyone, listen up!"
I raised my voice in the funeral hall. They'd been too focused on the casket to notice me at first, but now they spotted me and gasped.
"S-Seres?"
"Why at our funeral?"
"What are those wings?!"
I shouted over their stunned murmurs.
"Behold the miracle of the heavenly god!"
I declared it unilaterally and approached the casket. The presumed parents were frozen in shock, so I laid my hand on it and unleashed Divine Power.
A chicken worked, so this should too, right?
I sweated inwardly as I waited. Then the child's eyes fluttered open.
"...!"
"...!"
The parents and guests cried out in silent uproar.
"Where am I? What happened? ...Is that Seres?"
The revived child looked around in confusion. I told her,
"This is a funeral home. Your parents will explain the rest."
No way she knew who they were, but explanations could wait. I'd resurrected her—that was enough. I shoved the rest on them and headed out.
"Chickens were one thing, but humans too?!"
"Impressive. Now the Demon King makes sense!"
Niobe gaped in horror; Red followed excitedly. My next stop was another funeral home. This time, a middle-aged woman—not a child—but the result was the same. Mourners went slack-jawed; the revived stared blankly.
I repeated this a few more times until Niobe paled.
"S-Seres, what are you thinking?!"
"Thinking?"
"Trifling with life like this is not to be done lightly!"
Even she was worried after I'd casually revived people left and right, beyond just the chicken. But I was certain. I didn't know why I felt so sure, but I knew this was fine.
"It's okay. The heavenly god approves, I'm sure. Think about it—I'm wielding just a fraction of one feather's power, right?"
"Y-yes?"
"If one feather does this, how mighty is the god himself? Probably resurrecting armies, even nations."
So one guy like me reviving people here and there? No issue!
"And don't freak out over this. I've got something even bigger planned right away."
"Bigger?"
"Just follow."
Niobe trailed after my bold claim but collapsed in shock upon arrival.
"Wh-what is this place?"
"Haha, a graveyard!"
Niobe recoiled; Red laughed like it was hilarious.
"Pfft! You really gonna do it?"
"Yeah."
"Not scared of the heavenly god's wrath?"
"Nope. Reviving the innocent dead? He'd cheer me on."
I answered nonchalantly. Then—
Yeah.
"...What'd you just say?"
I tilted my head, thinking I'd hallucinated.
"Huh? I didn't say anything. Anyway, you think I'll revive everyone here?"
"Nah, just the recently deceased young ones."
Call it intuition, but natural deaths or ancient graves felt tougher. I scanned birth/death dates on the markers and selected targets. Sure enough, recent young deaths revived easily—even in batches, no resistance, no strain.
"What?"
"Wasn't I dead?"
The revived milled about blankly until crowds gathered: guards, priests, and my acquaintances who'd heard the news.
"Seres?"
"What the hell are you doing?"
I stepped forward before stunned Hames and Sibylius.
This time, I didn't slip away. I shouted for all arrivals to hear.
"The heavenly god has bestowed power upon me! With it, I've transcended humanity to become a celestial being!"
Not entirely a lie—just facts. The clueless gaped; my group shot me why say it? looks.
"With this new power, I've successfully revived the dead! Behold them!"
I presented the living proof. Everyone screamed, gasped—pure pandemonium.
"What the—no way you're doing this?!"
"In front of all these people?!"
Even Viol and Arios from my group were horrified. Amid the storm of shock, I shouted again.
"I am now a superhuman existence unbound by human laws! Remember that—and whatever I do next, it's the will of the gods. Just accept it!"