Episode 44 — The Divine Realm: Behind the Silence.
The Divine Realm—Chief God’s Bureau.
A massive crystal panel was emitting a light so brilliant it was blinding, despite it being before dawn.
Standing before it, the Chief God groaned while pressing his hand to his forehead.
“…This makes no sense. The ‘Stability Level’ of the Felsen territory is skyrocketing again…”
The crystal panel displayed a flow map of the world’s mana. The area around Felsen alone was as clear and serene as a pair of lungs after a deep, refreshing breath.
“Lumina. Explain this.”
“Yes, sir! Everything is proceeding perfectly!”
Lumina puffed out her chest with a look that suggested she was completely oblivious to the Chief God’s rising irritation.
“…Perfectly?”
“Perfectly! Master Zect made another ‘investment in the future’ yesterday!”
“An investment… in the future?”
“Yes! He purchased a high-performance Magic Terminal! This will make the management of the world even more efficient!”
“No, that was just a Japanese-made PC!!”
“But when Master Zect uses it, it becomes a Magic Terminal!”
“That’s not even an argument!!”
The Chief God slammed his hand on the desk. The crystal panel gave a little shudder.
“Listen to me. Zect hasn't produced a single ‘result’ yet! The city is still under construction, the demons remain silent, and Tarmane hasn't even begun her journey!”
“True! But Master Zect achieved the magnificent feat of ‘drinking cola before bed’!”
“That is NOT a feat!!”
“But the stability level is rising!”
“That is exactly what I’m saying is terrifying!!”
The Chief God pointed at the crystal panel with a trembling finger.
“Look! The mana flow in Felsen is… completely ‘silent.’ It’s as if the very world is moving in sync with that man’s breathing…”
“Yes! Master Zect’s sloth heals the world!”
“Don’t let it heal!! Make him work!!”
“He’ll die if you make him work!”
“Why?!”
“He hates going outside!”
“What kind of Hero’s Partner hates going outside?!”
“But the results are good!”
“Just because the results are good doesn't mean you can do whatever you—”
“Yes, it does!”
“No, it DOESN’T!!”
The Chief God took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure.
“…Lumina. Regarding the distribution of points.”
“Yes! I’ll grant them to Master Zect immediately!”
“I said WAIT!!”
“But why?!”
“The city is not ‘operational’ yet. According to the system, points can only be granted at the ‘moment a result is generated.’ If you grant them now… the balance of the world will collapse.”
“Eh… was that actually a spec?”
“It is!! You just haven't read the manual!!”
“Mmmgh… fine. So that means he’ll get a massive payout the second the city starts running!”
“Exactly… so do NOT touch anything for now. Understood…?”
“Yes! I won’t touch a thing! Absolutely nothing!”
(A little bit won't hurt, though… Let’s start with 10,000,000L. Think of it as a down payment.)
The Chief God clutched his stomach.
“…While Zect sleeps, the world grows quiet once more… Just who is that man…?”
“He’s just an incredible shut-in!”
“That is the part that scares me the most!!”
And so, the Divine Realm remained quietly, yet certainly, in a state of chaos today as well.
---
Meanwhile, on the surface.
Zect was asleep on his sofa, still clutching the box of the high-end PC that had arrived yesterday.
“…Connect this here… make it faster…”
In his dreams, he was assembling the latest PC.
The distant sounds of Felsen’s construction continued to be his lullaby, unchanged today.
“Chapter 2: Frontier of Sloth — Completed.
Continues in Chapter 3: The Order of Sloth