By Zephyria 
With the help of a gnome, I returned to the original underground workshop.
Sam Marcus and Vivian Grimbswein also woke up belatedly around that time.
Although I had witnessed an incredible sight by chance, I did not forget my original purpose for seeking them out. I commissioned the wedding ring from the two who had just woken up and were bewildered, and informed them of the current situation.
Marianne reassured them, saying that while an investigation team for humans and spirits would likely be dispatched, she would personally help them contract with spirits, so they shouldn’t worry too much.
Sam Marcus looked around several times as if he couldn’t believe it. The gnome hopping beside him still seemed invisible to his eyes, but I figured it was because he was told he would be able to see spirits properly once he completed the formal contract.
Sienna Bicov, having obtained the Topaz Watch, decided to return by carriage. She bowed her head repeatedly, saying she would inform Ivan soon to express her gratitude once more. She had received so much from Ivan that she felt no hesitation in reciprocating. We agreed to keep in touch.
Benjamin chose a dagger, and its curved blade looked quite peculiar, so I thought he had picked out a good one. The golem meant for Marianne was placed on Benjamin’s shoulder. I told him to let me know once he had escorted Marianne home, and he agreed.
Old Man Marcus ultimately chose the familiar statue. He said he felt a deep connection to it and that it would attract customers, so I allowed him to keep it as a decoration for the shop. Unable to let the frail old man carry the heavy item, I moved it to the spot he desired.
I had wondered if the two, now awake, would become greedy for treasure, but that wasn’t the case.
“Ah… Well, I, uh, no. I was thinking something was wrong. It’s fortunate we returned alive without causing any major trouble. Just realizing that the reason I was called half-mad all this time was because of spirits is a great achievement in itself…”
“Mm.”
“You said you would share the treasure with Father, didn’t you? I, too, live under the Empire’s grace, so how could I be more greedy? I should just be grateful for the opportunity.”
As Sam Marcus spoke politely, Vivian Grimbswein, sitting beside him, shrugged her shoulders.
“Actually, what we deal with is gold and jewels, isn’t it? More money is always good, but we’re not living in destitution right now. We also received a considerable amount of cash from selling the entire former Duchy of Grimesbane… A wedding ring commission from His Majesty the Emperor? I’d accept it on my knees.”
“Ah.”
“Are you coming back with His Majesty tomorrow?”
Ruben, would he have the time?
Ruben always made time to spend with me every weekend, no matter what. But today, a Friday, he couldn’t come with me and sent me alone on this errand for the wedding ring, which showed how busy he must be.
Yet, thinking about it again, no matter how busy Ruben was, excavating the Dragon’s Lair wasn’t an annual event, so it seemed right for him to at least take a look once. Especially since no one knew the exact amount of treasure inside, Ruben should have come beforehand to inspect it.
After pondering for a moment, I shook my head.
“Mm. Probably. I don’t know about tomorrow specifically, but… soon?”
“Then His Majesty will tell us what to do when he comes. For now, I’ll wait. It would be good to measure the circumference of the finger again. Since the gemstone is large, the ring might slip, so I want to make it a tighter fit.”
“Yes. Let’s do that.”
And I left empty-handed.
It seemed the space guarded by the golem was too suspicious, preventing me from noticing any other accessories. After all, if everything from the Lair was to be presented to Ruben, it would be better to choose a gift for my mother-in-law together with him.
The sun had set long ago. Without further delay, I summoned my Divine Body.
❖ ❖ ❖
Ruben was in his study.
I was the only one who could enter his study without his permission. I knocked lightly and then flung the door open. The child, who had been frowning deeply, looked up with a bright smile.
His body’s elegant lines were revealed by the soft dress shirt he wore without a vest. I watched as he tucked his ear-length hair behind his ear, then approached and leaned against his desk. Ruben, as if he had been waiting, took my hand and placed it on his cheek.
For whose sake was he letting his hair down so beautifully? I knew perfectly well it was for my sake, yet I found it difficult to immediately control my fluttering heart. I kissed his upright forehead, and he gently stroked the back of my hand, speaking in a tender voice.
“You said you’d be late, but you’re here sooner than I expected. I heard you were at the jeweler’s all day, did something happen?”
“Yes. There’s something I need your permission for, Ruben, and something I need you to inspect.”
“…Hm?”
“I discovered Karzentia’s Lair beneath the capital.”
“Huh?”
This was the first time I had seen such a look of disbelief on Ruben’s face.
He laughed heartily, as if he had heard a very funny joke, and waved his hand dismissively. However, I had no intention of lying to Ruben.
As I calmly recounted the process of entering Karzentia’s Lair, the advice from the children who accompanied me, the amount of money I promised to give them, and the treasures in each room, Ruben’s expression gradually hardened.
The child kept opening his mouth, revealing his inner lips. I worried that if I kissed him now, he might misunderstand, so I gently closed his lips together.
“…Ugh.”
Then I released him. Even so, Ruben seemed completely lost in thought.
“How, …how could that be?”
“As I said, it was a series of coincidences.”
“But the First Goddess told you to go see Spiritus, didn’t she?”
“Yes?”
“This is too coincidental. Why now, in such a way, how? This is, ah.”
Ruben looked at me. I had been looking at him the whole time, so our gazes naturally met.
“…Mika. Did you think about wanting to find the Dragon’s Lair?”
“…Yes?”
Well, of course.
A thought flashed through my mind. I am the tenth god of this continent. My divinity naturally acts upon my desires. Spirits are born from mana and are influenced by it. Therefore, I…
Now, even I couldn’t speak carelessly. Ruben’s intense gaze seemed to probe my very soul. After a moment of flustered silence, I nodded. His cool hand grasped my shoulder and pulled me into his embrace.
The scent of dahlia still lingered from Ruben’s neck.
“Thank you, Mika. And I’m sorry for making you worry.”
My words caught in my throat.
“Settlement support funds for the reconstruction of the Duchy of Grimesbane have already been allocated. Besides Grimesbane, there are quite a few cities that need reconstruction. In particular, dozens of counties and viscounties under the jurisdiction of Kiadris and Duke Yeldidus will also be given new names of ownership in the same manner.”
“…”
“Even if you hadn’t returned, we would have had to secure the former Duchy of Grimesbane. That’s why the banks are currently printing new currency… This is intertwined with the Empire’s economy, and I thought it was too obvious to explain to you. No, I couldn’t. This is my fault. Even though you trust me, I shouldn’t have controlled everything you do in your name as I pleased.”
“That’s,”
“Forgive me.”
Ruben tightened his arms around my neck. I, half-perched on the desk, reached out with both arms and embraced his shoulders. The tips of his fingers trembled. I heard the unspoken words in Ruben’s heart.
‘Forgive me. And remain human.’ The desperate plea.
How should I explain this?
I gently traced the broad expanse of his shoulders. From the edge of his angular shoulders to the area where his layered hair and neck met, I held him in my hands.
Goosebumps rose on his pale neck. Even as I stroked it gently, the chill did not easily dissipate. Each time Ruben’s hair tangled in my fingers and then scattered, he would flinch.
“There’s a slight misunderstanding, Ruben.”
“…What misunderstanding?”
“I was born using Seiren Ernhardt’s form, wasn’t I?”
“…”
“I am human. Think about the gods that exist now. Don’t all gods have multiple bodies? I only have one.”
“…That’s.”
Ruben looked up. I gently stroked his pale cheek with my thumb and clicked my tongue. What should I do with my timid and needy lover?
What else, but to soothe and cherish him, and live together for eternity.
“The mana on this continent is inherently a bit rough. A single manifested body cannot handle the mana of a powerful divinity. That’s why the First Goddess used a giant statue and a human form, switching between them. What about the Sun God? He used two bodies, the large Makrir and the small Makrir, alternating.”
“…”
“And Oasis? His giant mermaid form… you might not have seen it, Ruben. Anyway, that guy also has two bodies. Spiritus is the same. Because he is a god, he doesn’t have a Dragon Heart in this world. How did the Ninth God get into Wesley’s body? It was because he didn’t have his own physical form. When he shed his human shell, his true form appeared.”
“…That, that’s…”
“It’s true that I gained divine power. However, it’s also true that I am human.”
I had known this fact since awakening the power of my Upper Dantian.
“At the time I gained divine power, I could have abandoned this body. In my world, that’s called ‘ascending to immortality.’ Shedding the shell of the flesh to become a god. But I didn’t. I have many things I cherish on this continent, my beloved and cherished lover… I didn’t want to see Ruben sad.”
“…”
“I am a god who dies and is reborn, and I am also human. After dying, I am reborn through a human form, and with each rebirth… I have decided to purify this continent step by step, from its lowest to its highest points. The First Goddess already knows this.”
Ruben’s hand clutched the front of my vest. The vest crumpled as his fingertips pulled. I knew the meaning of the sparks that flared in his eyes.
He is cute and pitiful. I lowered myself and pressed my lips to his eyes and cheeks several times to comfort him.
“This incident was truly a coincidence. Karzentia was setting up the Lair when I wasn’t in this world. It happened hundreds of years ago, and I’ve only been alive for twenty-three years, so how could I have made such arrangements? I have no talent for such creation.”
“…That… but.”
“When Ruben dies, he will be reborn and meet me in various forms. My current life is entirely yours, Ruben. I will give you my next life, and the one after that, so don’t be sad. I have already bound my eternity to this continent. Just like you, Ruben.”
“…”
“So for now… I’d like it if Ruben could help me choose a tiara for my mother-in-law. How about it?”
“…I will.”
“Good boy.”
The sparks that had only flickered in his eyes now burned hotly across his fair cheeks.