Chapter 120
Chapter 120
1. The Sukui God
There was no place allocated to the special investigation division for Territorial Divine Offenses.
The only space permitted for their presence was a special classified archive storing massive amounts of documents. Meetings and reports by the investigators were held in whatever vacant room was available at the time.
"Now, even that feels like a luxury."
Miyaki gave a wry smile in the smoke-filled corner of the parking lot.
The exposed concrete walls were always damp with moisture, yet the air felt oddly dry in the smoking area at the back of the government office parking lot.
That was the only place currently given to those who faced the gods.
Akitsu and Uyuu looked down, cigarettes in hand.
"Sorry... I managed to sneak in as a civil servant in this world too, but I still haven't found any department that deals directly with the gods. I don't even know if one exists."
"I actually prefer it this way. Unlike Rei and Akitsu, who properly work here, I can't take the civil service exam. Outsiders aren't supposed to enter government buildings, right?"
"To be honest, even having you here, Uyuu, would be a problem if it got found out."
The 104th year of the Showa era was replaced by the first year of the Teiten era, and the world transformed.
The investigators' lives were completely different from before. There was no trace left of the special investigation division. Or perhaps, just like before, it remained completely hidden from outsiders.
Uyuu tapped the ash from his cigarette against the edge of the ashtray.
"But was it really okay for me to get involved too? I don't have the kind of authority I used to."
"It's reassuring to have you with us, Uyuu. You even let us store documents in your apartment."
At Miyaki's words, Akitsu nodded as well.
"Your ability to see the gods is a huge help, Uyuu. The nature of the gods is different from the previous world. We need completely different ways to deal with them."
"All I can do is see them, though."
"Just being able to detect threats is enough. Dangerous gods might still be lurking unseen. For example..."
In the middle of the conversation, Uyuu covered his mouth and gagged.
"Uyuu? Are you okay?!"
Uyuu's face, as he dropped the cigarette, was pale like wax and covered in cold sweat.
"Sorry... I feel really awful all of a sudden..."
Uyuu stomped out the cigarette butt and rushed into the temporary toilet in the back. Muffled retching echoed through the thin door.
"What happened all of a sudden?"
"Maybe food poisoning? I hope he's okay."
As Uyuu disappeared, footsteps echoed in the parking lot.
Leather shoes stepped across the rain-stained floor and stopped in front of the ashtray. The figure lit a cigarette with a lighter and exhaled smoke.
Uyuu still hadn't come out of the temporary toilet. Miyaki and Akitsu straightened up and averted their eyes. A sneer escaped the man's lips along with the smoke.
"What, you got someone here you don't want to be seen with? This is government property, you know."
The hoarse voice sounded familiar.
When they looked up, a gaunt man stood there, cigarette in hand. Even under the green emergency light, his vine-like hanging hair appeared tinged with gray. He had pulled his mask down to his chin, and the teeth holding the cigarette looked like those of a ferocious beast.
Miyaki's skin crawled.
The man lowered his cigarette and opened his mouth. Inside the cave-like darkness of his mouth were layers of teeth resembling peony petals.
"The God of Bountiful Harvest...!"
Before Miyaki could react, Akitsu grabbed the man by the collar.
"What are you doing here?!"
"First trespassing, now assault? You're a walking rap sheet."
The God of Bountiful Harvest brushed Akitsu aside with a single finger. Her pale-colored eyes narrowed sharply. Akitsu stood protectively in front of Miyaki.
"So you weren't gone after all..."
"Of course not. You didn't really think just dealing with the god of the nation's birth would fix everything, did you? If that woman gave birth to all the gods, then who gave birth to her?"
Akitsu bit her lip.
Miyaki forced her voice to stay level as she replied.
"We had considered the possibility that some beings in the Territorial Divine Offenses were not born from the god of the nation's birth. Including you."
"Ah, you're that woman from the village. So you made it this far."
"I'm not rising to your provocation. We know why you let us escape."
The God of Bountiful Harvest raised one eyebrow.
"You're a god born from mountain worship and human sacrifice, aren't you? You're powerful because you've existed since ancient times, but you're still subject to human belief."
"And what does that mean?"
"You exist in this new world rewritten by The God Who Is There because we perceive you as a threat. That's why you didn't devour us—you foresaw this outcome."
"You've gotten clever. You feel different than before. I don't remember your face well, but I can tell."
"It's because I remembered what it was like facing malicious gods."
The God of Bountiful Harvest pressed the cigarette to his lips and gave a bitter smile.
"That lady of the nation's birth thought she had the world in her hands, but nothing a girl like her does ever goes perfectly. I took out insurance."
"That god is just a girl...?"
Miyaki's cheek twitched.
Akitsu kept glaring at the God of Bountiful Harvest as she spoke.
"Answer my first question. What are you doing pretending to be a government worker?"
"Akitsu, you know better than anyone what I do. It doesn't matter where or when—I give humans wisdom. Flood control, land development, population issues—that's my specialty."
"You bastard..."
"I'm more serious about this job than you are. What are you sneaking into the family registry office for every night?"
Akitsu gulped hard. Miyaki whispered softly.
"Akitsu, what are you really doing?"
"...I forged Uyuu's family registry. It's inconvenient not having one."
"That's a crime!"
The God of Bountiful Harvest's laughter echoed. Thick purple smoke filled the enclosed space.
Akitsu spat through clenched molars.
"So, what's your purpose in contacting us?"
"Right now, I'm one of your allies. I'm keeping an eye out for gods."
"What?"
"Didn't I just say the gods are different in this world? The distance between gods and humans has shrunk. You people wished for something outrageous."
Miyaki silently looked away.
"It's hard to hunt prey here. I'm laying off eating humans for a while. Instead, I've decided to feast on gods who are close to humans. They're surprisingly filling."
"Gods who are close to humans...?"
The God of Bountiful Harvest walked up to Akitsu and threw an arm around her shoulders.
"...You trying to get fired for sexual harassment?"
"Just hear me out. I got intel on a Territorial Divine Offense in a certain region."
Akitsu leaned back and glared up at him.
"You want us to resolve it?"
"If we leave it alone, humans will get hurt. If I eat it, I can stave off my hunger for a while. Our interests align, don't they?"
Akitsu twisted away like a cat. The God of Bountiful Harvest unbuttoned his dress shirt and pulled out a nameplate from between his sunken collarbones.
"Regional Promotion Division, Toyama Jouichi. That's my current title. As for the real owner... let's not go there. No need to stir up trouble."
Akitsu exhaled roughly.
"Working with you is unthinkable..."
"Akitsu, let's do it."
Miyaki nodded with a firm expression.
"As he said, our interests align."
"Even you, Miyaki..."
"We were just trying to record the gods, but ended up dancing in their palms. There's no point in fearing involvement now. We must come up with new ways to deal with them."
"Smart girl. If you'd been in my village, I'd have killed you first."
The God of Bountiful Harvest snapped his fingers.
"If it's decided, let's go. No time like the present."
Akitsu spat, 'You really are the embodiment of evil.'
"Wasn't it supposed to be 'neither good nor evil'...? Well, don't worry. You've got a benevolent god who blessed humans for centuries on your side."
As Akitsu let out a voiceless groan, Uyuu's retching echoed again.