Life and Death. (3) "The Dead Souls..."
"It's still in the preparation stages, so it'll take some time, but it's something this world needs."
The afterlife is important. Whether it's religious or spiritual in nature—ideas like heaven and hell after death, or reincarnation into a new life—just knowing about them would reduce the evil humans commit!
Even the vague notion of whether it exists or not is enough to curb human wrongdoing! Of course, those who don't believe in the afterlife won't care and will keep sinning anyway. But those sinners won't stop no matter what you do to them, and for them, judgment in life will come far sooner than any postmortem reckoning.
As for what happens to those sinners after death... well, that's just karma!
Hmm... Come to think of it, maybe humans need some kind of scripture to teach them morals? Like the Tao Te Ching or something.
Now that they've got language and writing, it's about time for knowledge and wisdom to start accumulating...
Hmm... Once the afterlife is set up, I'll look into it separately. Can't have weird knowledge circulating... no way!
I won't stand by while the humans I've carefully nurtured get corrupted by strange ideas!
Ah, the elves and dwarves are handled by Yggdrasil and Sagarmatha, so no worries there. Lizardmen are under my direct management, so they're fine too. In the end, the problem is humans. And beastkin as well.
"Thank you for the offer, but could I have some time to think about it?"
"Of course. I'm not asking you to start right away. And since it involves handling the dead, if you can use the death aura inside you, it might be even more useful."
"That... might actually interest me a little."
"However, the job itself is about managing the entire world, so no one knows how long it'll last... You'd need to steel yourself for that."
In the worst case, it could go until the end of the world. Looking at it this way, it's a real black company job. A pitch-black, genuine black corporation afterlife division.
Hmm... For now, no choice, but later, when I have more staff... Saying it like that really makes it feel like a company. Death Co., Ltd. or something.
Anyway, once I have more employees, I'll rotate shifts to ensure proper rest. No one wants to work at a black company that doesn't even give breaks.
And if the company grows, I'll need a head manager. Someone like a president.
Honestly... the most fitting for that role would have been none other than Erebos, but that idiot stabbed me in the back and fled underground without a trace.
If he hadn't slipped through the gap from shattering my scale, I might have just confiscated it, given him a moderate scolding, and handed him the death god position after some time passed.
Eh, no point dwelling on a guy who's already gone. He'd outrun me wandering underground anyway.
I don't know what trick he used, but even when I summon him, he doesn't show... Truly troublesome.
Maybe use creation power to make something to capture him? If that kid's scheming somewhere in this world... that wouldn't be good.
Hmm. I'll think about it later. Operation: Live Capture Erebos.
But if I do capture him... could I forgive that child? And if so, what punishment would be appropriate?
I could say, "After pulling that stunt and running away, why would I wash and reuse you?!"
But we mustn't forget: before washing machines were invented, people beat laundry with a paddle to remove stubborn stains.
No, Erebos is all pitch black, so that wouldn't cut it. I'd have to beat him until his body was a rag, heal him a bit, beat him again, and keep going until all the grime's gone and he's sparkling white.
I don't get angry easily, but when I do, it's scary—and Erebos needs to remember that. He messed up first and then ran away.
Since I'm in a parental position, I won't erase him completely. But for his crimes, I'll beat him until his ego's half-broken!
Beat him so he never thinks of pulling stunts again! Then make him god of death for life, buried under paperwork. No vacations for him. That's how much grinding it'll take to wash away his sins!
Hmm... Even that feels insufficient somehow. How much grinding until I can forgive Erebos? Even I can't guess my own heart easily. My head says punish moderately and forgive, but my heart screams not to...
Truly vexing. Really. Well, I haven't even found a trace of him yet, so it's all hypothetical.
As I sank into those thoughts, Ceres spoke up in a small voice.
"I'll think about it. Not sure if I'll take the job."
"Even when you say that, if there's work to do, dragons all fight to take it. Most dragons live hibernating in caves to avoid angering the Genesis Dragon... so if there's a chance to go out, they all volunteer."
Hmm. Did they end up holed up in their caves because they're watching my mood?
I did say on the final day of the dragons' era that those who don't commit the same crimes wouldn't face the same punishments.
A bit regrettable.
"I only gave her work because she was pitifully curled up in her cave corner... but she caused this mess. Quite the dilemma."
"Well, she didn't cause trouble on purpose. And she suffered for it..."
"It hurt so much! I thought I was gonna die!"
"You actually half-died and came back."
The Dragon Lord could only give a wry smile at my words.
"If it's my fault they can't leave their caves, then tell them from now on they don't have to. I was just warning them not to repeat the mistakes of those before them."
Both the Dragon Lord and Ceres looked slightly surprised at my words.
"I-Is that so? But we remember seeing you transform other dragons..."
"That was super scary. Seeing adults ripped from their bodies and turned into spirits..."
Hmm, it must have been a terrifying sight for young dragons and hatchlings.
"Just don't commit crimes like those guys, and you're fine. Anyway, pass that along."
"Understood. The other dragons will be thrilled."
"But... somehow, I feel like even after telling them, they'll still huddle in their caves and not move much?"
Hmm. Who knows? Maybe dragons just seem inherently lazy? Eh, I said my piece! They can live freely now!
"By the way, what do you plan to do about that death aura source?"
"Not sure yet. I'll investigate first, then handle the aftermath..."
Death aura is vulnerable to life force, so dousing it with plenty should purify it temporarily... but that just means more work for me.
Hmm... Annoying. Should I dig up those buried dragon corpses and erase them all? Dragon bodies are annoyingly tough to destroy.
Hmm...
"If it's alright, could we handle it?"
"You guys?"
"Yes. To give the dragons excuses to go outside. Teach them to amplify their own life force and spread it there... That should neutralize the rising death aura to some extent, right?"
"Yeah, it would."
Dragon life force is stronger than most creatures anyway. If I teach them properly, they can manage.
"It'll also give the other dragons a reason to roam."
I nodded slightly at the Dragon Lord's words. It solves the death aura issue and gets dragons moving—perfect.
"Do that. Sounds like a good plan."
"Thank you, Genesis Dragon."
"But since it's dangerous terrain, I'll check in personally now and then."
"Yes, please do."
Great. It was something I'd have to do anyway, so if dragons handle it, I'm grateful!
Right! As a reward, maybe give them a title!
"Since it's fate, I'll bestow a title on those dragons who take on this task."
"A title?"
"Yes. Those who amplify and spread their life force to dispel death aura... from now on, call them the Life Bestowers."
The Dragon Lord pondered my words, then smiled brightly.
"Thank you. They'll be overjoyed to bear a title from the Genesis Dragon."
Hmm. If it makes them happy, great for me too. Better than endless hibernation in cave corners.
Dragons disguised as humans stirring up civilizations? That could be fun.