Deception of the Elephant Demigod
If he could successfully offer up this creature as tribute, it seemed like he'd gain access to some pretty profound secrets. But was that even possible? Holding out against a demigod while summoning the First Scribe was a huge question mark.
Your eyes are wavering... This is proof your mind is in turmoil. There's nothing you can do against a god. Hand over the jewel obediently and submit...
The elephant demigod extended a massive hand. A wave of terror crashed over me, stirring an impulse to just hand over the jewel. It felt like surrendering would make everything easy.
Come on, hand it over... keh heh heh heh.
His words carried power, and without realizing it, my hand started to rise. The Secret Book seemed to be yelling something from the side, but whether it was interference from the divine power, I couldn't make it out clearly.
-#$%%@%@%!
What was it saying? Everything felt foggy and numb, like a haze had settled over my mind. Huh? What strategy was I planning just a moment ago? Something about tribute... I couldn't even remember what happened seconds ago.
"Right..."
The god wanted my possession, so I should give it to him. I extended my left hand, clutching Heracles' Jewel, toward him.
The distance between the elephant demigod and me felt both far and near, impossible to gauge, but it seemed like if I reached out, I'd touch it.
"Great god..."
As I moved to offer the jewel, something suddenly gripped my wrist tight.
"Gasp!"
Startled, I looked down, and astonishingly, my right hand was clutching my left wrist. And from a corner of my mind, a thought suddenly bloomed.
'Even if you can steal someone else's stuff, you can't let them take yours.''If you're going to lose your wealth, swing a sword at their head instead.''Remember your days as a temple scribe. You need that stinginess that wouldn't spare even a single silver coin for others.''Never buy anyone a meal!'
What was it? It was the voice of my inner selfishness and greed made manifest. My avaricious self was raising a strong cry in defiance of the god's majesty.
And I realized it. In the moment my left hand had submitted to the god's dignity and moved on its own, the powerful ego buried deep within had awakened and stopped it.
"Hah!"
Shocked, I stumbled back a step and shouted.
"How dare you cast such vile sorcery! You filthy trickster!"
With my cry, the god's insidious spell shattered like breaking glass. The sinister aura that had filled the surroundings since who-knows-when was pushed back.
-Peleus! Snap out of it!
Only then did I hear the Secret Book yelling from the side. I jolted back to my senses.
-Secret Book! Was I out of it?
-Yeah. Can you hear me now? You fell for that god's sneaky spell. But you broke it somehow? How'd you shatter a divine incantation?
Even in this moment, the Secret Book sounded impressed. But it wasn't the only one surprised. The elephant demigod flinched too.
You? Breaking this body's spell? What in the world are you...?
I had no good answer to that question. No, what kind of greedy bastard was I to resist a god's spell? It left a slightly bitter taste.
Yeah, from now on, maybe I could buy someone a meal... But for now, on the surface, I bluffed triumphantly at this rare success.
"That was nothing. Pretty shallow trick."
Mortal worm, how insolent! Hand over the jewel at once!
The enraged god's voice boomed through the dark temple space. It carried such majesty that an ordinary person might spit blood and die just from hearing it. But it had no effect on me. Plus, resisting his spell had made the invisible visible.
"That's weird?"
Growing more irreverent by the minute. What's weird?
The elephant demigod looked anxious. Even his usual slow, majestic tone was gone, replaced by quick retorts.
"Are you really the villa caretaker?"
Insolent!
He yelled again, but aside from my ears itching from the roar, no issue. I dug in my ear with my pinky and pressed.
"No, it's weird. Why's a great demigod just sitting there trying to coax or threaten me? A demigod is still a god. Even if I'm top-tier among humans, crushing me should be like stepping on a bug."
Just swing a hand through the air to manifest divine will, and I'd be sucked in and grabbed.
"Anyone normal picks the easy way. Even gods. Just grab and take it. But you're trying seduction, and when that fails, threats... Isn't that pretty pathetic for a god?"
At my sharp jab, the elephant demigod seemed speechless.
"Why so quiet? You're busted, asshole. You're not the villa manager, are you?"
...Shut up!
"All you got is 'shut up'? Hmm, let's test something."
I casually went back and pushed the massive iron door that looked like Rodin's Gates of Hell, the one we'd come through.
Screeech!
It was heavy, but it opened fine.
"Huh?"
So the door slamming shut with a bang to set the scary mood when we entered was staged too? I stepped out the door, and an anguished voice leaked from inside.
No! Come on! You can't just leave like that!
What a pitiful tone—it drew a hollow laugh from me.
-Secret Book. Is that guy really a god?
-Definitely a god. But seeing that mess, not a normal one. Nice job seeing through it, though. That cunning act and fake majesty almost fooled me.
-Who almost? Now it's obvious—he's no god, just a con artist. Why are there so many shitty people in the world? It's a tough era for good guys like me.
I let out a long sigh and asked the elephant demigod.
"Hey, you're actually a prisoner or something, right?"
[......]
"Now it makes sense why this world's so barren. Outsiders call it a summer villa, but maybe it's actually Iris's prison. Right?"
At my question, the elephant demigod howled in rage.
How dare you call this body a prisoner! Such insolence from a human! Do you need to feel a god's wrath to come to your senses!
The entire space trembled under divine authority. Impressive, sure. Even a demigod's power held unfathomable depth. But now that his tricks were exposed, I was unimpressed.
"Whatever, rage all you want. I'm outta here."
At those words, the god's eyes, blazing with fury, began shaking with conflict. Dignity or reality—which mattered more? Caught in a storm of dilemma, no doubt. Lately, I wasn't unfamiliar with eyes like that. Haha.
No, not so extreme...
"See ya."
Upon reflection, I guess I am a prisoner.
The great god ultimately chose practicality over pride.
"Yeah?"
At my question, the elephant demigod let out a long, long sigh. Realizing it was all out in the open anyway, he started spilling everything.
Fine, I'll tell you everything. This is a barren dimension where those captured by the rainbow god Iris are imprisoned. This body flew here from another time-space, only to be ensnared by Iris. I endured long ages of patience. Then you showed up.
"You thought I'd be the variable to help you escape?"
Exactly. This place is known as Iris's villa. I figured pretending to be a servant and intimidating would work, but you saw right through it.
From the current situation, the elephant demigod couldn't even stand, let alone escape. He just sat there silently even as I spoke casually.
"So basically a jailbird. What a con man. I was watching you all wary, thinking you were Iris's underling."
Hearing it now pissed me off, so I pointed accusingly at the god.
"Free-loading bastard acting all high and mighty?"
Kuh!
The elephant demigod trembled with humiliated rage but could do nothing. Guess I'd have to scrap the plan to trap and sacrifice him after summoning the First Scribe. A prisoner meant he belonged to Iris, so I couldn't just do as I pleased.
Human, how about a deal? Free this body, and if you ever fall into peril, I'll aid you. Gaining a god's favor isn't a bad thing.
"Risk pissing off Iris goddess for your 'favor'?"
Earlier, with the situation as it was, I'd been ready to clash with Iris to protect the jewel, but now there was no need.
You've come to request something from Iris, right? From how you're worried about repercussions.
"Yeah."
Then you don't need to free me right now.
The elephant demigod stayed calm, not urgent, and continued negotiating.
When you need a god's help later, grant me this favor then. When you no longer need to worry about Iris, or even if you've fallen out with her. The future's unpredictable, just like your relationship with Iris.
Not demanding immediate release was tempting. No reason not to consider it.
"Hmm... But how exactly can I help? You, a demigod, couldn't escape."
Probably not hard. Since you've reached this prison.
"Huh?"
Listening, this room was full of magical traps and devices surrounding the elephant demigod, keeping him immobile.
You passed the traps and barriers around this remote dimension with ease. With that skill, you can surely help this body.
Hephaestus's lantern would probably do it.
"Depending on the case, not a bad deal."
I stroked my chin, lost in thought. I knew how to deal with gods. Use that method, free the demigod, gain his aid. A demigod's help could achieve great things. Tempting? Hell yeah.
"Alright, I'll think about it."
Grateful if you consider it favorably... Now, I'll tell you how to summon Iris.
Realizing his fate hung on me, the elephant demigod spilled the info freely, trying to impress.
He explained how to summon Iris from the temple basement, adding,
But beware. Many humans feel extreme terror upon facing that being. As a non-human, I don't get it, but those who've met Iris all fled in chills of fear. None succeeded.
"Hmm?"
Was the rainbow goddess Iris that terrifying? Thinking back, the Secret Book had lots on gods, but almost nothing on Iris. What kind of god was she? Worry crept in.
"Thanks for the advice. See you if fate allows."
Good. Powerless in prison, but in gratitude for potential favor, I'll give a gift. This body's blessing upon you.
With those words, divine power enveloped me. Not hostile, so I accepted, and soon a complex, ornate pattern etched onto the back of my hand.
Someday, it will save you from one crisis.
* * *
I bid farewell to the elephant demigod and left the room.
-Peleus, if that demigod's right, Iris might be more dangerous than anyone. Be careful.
-Yeah, I never thought meeting a god would be easy, but seems even more than we imagined.
With the elephant demigod's warning, we descended to the basement tense as hell. A massive chamber appeared, with an altar carved from solid stone. Chant the spell there, as instructed.
"What kind of spell is this..."
I recalled the elephant demigod's incantation and grimaced. I'd double-checked if it was real multiple times, and he swore it was. Unwillingly, I murmured it softly.
"Stronger and cooler than any man. More beautiful and elegant than any woman. Owner of eternal beauty shining like a rainbow."
While chanting, the Secret Book got offended.
-What a physiologically nauseating spell.
I wanted to reply, but no time while chanting.
"A world without you is like a dark night, so descend here and unfold the season of flowers."
Weird incantation, but it worked—the basement brightened, eventually like broad daylight. A brilliant rainbow began forming before my eyes. The rainbow goddess Iris was really appearing.
"Manifest here, owner of beauty that makes even Aphrodite bow her head in shame!"
As the final cry echoed, immense divine power writhed within the rainbow.
Writhe? What was this creepy feeling?
As I opened my mouth to speak, a human silhouette stepped out from the rainbow, and I quickly shut it.
"Hahaha! Who summoned this body!"
A booming, hearty male voice. Wait? Summoned rainbow goddess Iris, but why a man?
Soon the summoned being fully emerged, and my jaw dropped in shock.
It was a towering, muscular man at least two meters tall. Rainbow-colored wings sprouted from his back, his upper body completely bare, flaunting rippling muscles. Arms crossed, he swaggered forward, broad shoulders on full display.
Overwhelmed by his presence, my body shuddered.
Square jaw, upturned eyes. Hair long like a woman's, shining and flowing like a shampoo ad model. His steps were as graceful as a top runway model's.
"The rainbow god Iris isn't a goddess..."
At my mutter, the massive man elegantly propped his chin with a finger and replied.
"Humans often misunderstand. But this body isn't female. Though more beautiful than any woman, of course."
What to say? I barely managed to speak.
"...Are you really the rainbow god Iris?"
"Indeed. I am the rainbow god Iris. Did you summon me?"
In an instant, his gorgeous rainbow wings unfurled beautifully, scattering colorful feathers that sprinkled fragrance into the air. Smelled like fabric softener.
"Ah..."
Thinking back, the Secret Book never said the rainbow god Iris was a goddess. The forest had Iris's villa, not goddess Iris's. And the elephant demigod always said "Iris god," not "goddess."
Thud.
Suddenly my legs gave out, and I collapsed. Then the elephant demigod's warning flashed back.
I don't get it as a non-human, but those who meet Iris are seized by intense fear and try to flee. But none succeeded.
Then the rainbow god Iris approached, slung an arm around my shoulder, and asked in a soft voice.
"Anyway, did you come alone?"
"Y-?"
S-save me.