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Translator: uly
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Hero Party's (Former) Supporter (3)
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The five kingdoms that ruled Midgard could be seen as nations governed by divine authority, existing for divine authority itself.
Thus, within the five kingdoms, the authority of the five goddesses was absolute, something no one could infringe upon. Not even daring to speculate which goddess held precedence.
However, if asked which among the five goddesses was the most beloved, one could confidently say that Io's name would come up first without fail.
In Midgard, where conflict never ceased and war was practically everyday life, warriors and their wives always sought Io in prayer.
"Grant us victory in battle." Or "Bring my husband back safely." And so on.
Moreover, what the goddess oversaw wasn't just war, but "peace" as well.
War and peace?
It might seem absurd for one goddess to govern two domains that couldn't coexist. But according to the priests who served Io, the goddess constantly battled the forces of evil from beyond Valhalla, those who sought to invade Midgard, thereby safeguarding its peace.
That's why warriors always said that upon death, they wanted to go to Io's side and fight evil alongside her.
'When I first heard that story, I thought it was a total rip-off of Norse mythology.'
It was so identical to Valhalla from Norse myths that he suspected it was directly copied.
But nowadays, he wondered if the Norse myths passed down on Earth were the copies instead. Maybe someone like him, swept up in Midgard, had observed it and turned it into a novel as secondary creation.
'Just like how I made that game.'
"...That's not the point, you idiot."
As he cursed himself for dwelling on such trivial thoughts, a pleasant, melodic voice resonated in his mind once more.
"Child?"
"...Hah!"
Yuseong's head throbbed. He'd rather have some random ghost talking to him.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"...It's been a while, Battlefield Mother."
"No need for titles—just call me Io. It's between you and me, after all."
"There's no 'between us' to speak of, is there?"
"W-Well, that's true..."
To begin with, aside from the saintess—that monumental pain in the ass—he'd never properly communicated with any goddess.
Even in the royal temple, you might barely hear a voice if you were lucky.
Strictly speaking, he'd only heard a goddess's voice twice. And during their first encounter, she probably hadn't even been aware of his existence.
Back then, Yuseong had been less than a mere Extra A.
'When the party first formed and received blessings, I was the only one left out.'
The goddess's blessing.
Just receiving it granted immunity to curses and evil spirits, with wounds healing rapidly—a top-tier blessing.
Normally given to the entire party, but he'd been forced to watch from afar because they couldn't bestow it on a lowly commoner who wasn't even nobility!
'Thinking back on it still pisses me off! I should've wrecked those noble bastards...!'
As he ground his teeth, his stress levels rising, the goddess continued.
"...It seems my presence isn't particularly welcome."
"To be honest? Yeah, that's right."
"You're too blunt, child."
"Better than lying to a goddess. Truth be told, to me, the Battlefield Mother is just a PTSD trigger. Hearing your voice alone brings back those hellish days of endless suffering—makes my teeth chatter!"
"Hmm..."
"Of course, I am grateful to the Battlefield Mother. You sent me back to my original world. But I see it as fair recompense. The entire Hero Party that defeated the Demon King must have made wishes, so I'm nothing special. I'm thankful, sure, but I'd rather it stay a memory. That's the image I have of you."
"Y-You're right."
"So, if possible, please don't speak to me anymore. I have a game to make now..."
"W-Wait a moment! Won't you at least ask why? Why I'm speaking to you, or about Midgard's situation...?"
"..."
"...I'm sorry."
"Quick apology—thank you."
You don't hawk your wares without moderation!
'Asking if I'm curious about Midgard's situation?! Are you insane!?'
For the first time, Yuseong doubted the goddess's sanity.
The goddess would know.
She who'd eagerly spectated the Hero Party from Valhalla couldn't possibly be ignorant!
Midgard's current events!?
He wasn't curious at all! No, he hoped it all went to hell!
'Fuck, my teeth are chattering... chattering...!'
His eyes burned with deep-seated resentment.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The reason Yuseong had joined the Hero Party was to rack up achievements in defeating the Demon King and somehow wish to the goddess.
He'd poured his blood, sweat, and tears into it, always striving to maximize his merits.
But each time, he'd truly realized just how filthy and utter bullshit social life could be.
—Royals jealous of the Hero Party's popularity.
—Corrupt nobles who provided no proper support and even siphoned off aid and sponsorship funds.
—Noble heirs and knights trying to steal his credit!
As the supporter, Yuseong constantly faced humiliating situations against these nobles for whom corruption was routine, handing over his guts or whatever it took to secure party funds and smooth supplies.
But more horrific and dismal than these power-mongers was the Hero Party itself!
The Hero Party that felled the Demon King consisted of seven, including himself.
Yet the six famed heroes known to the world were the true culprits behind his stress-induced hair loss.
-A strong knight, but whose every action felt like force-feeding thousands of sweet potatoes: the Pushover Hero.
-Devout and highly capable, but a mad zealot: the Mad Dog Saintess.
-The top warrior of the battle-hungry Barbarians, unmatched in combat prowess, but whose womanizing skills outshone it, causing endless incidents: the Horny Mercenary.
-A High Elf archer and spirit user, but with extreme human hatred: the Racist Archer.
-A master thief with countless skills, but obsessed with kleptomania and gambling: the Gambling Demon Thief.
-Finally, the magic tower's genius with unparalleled firepower, but the party's craziest psycho and ultra-high-risk individual: the Monster.
Thinking of those six party members still gave him nightmares.
—If we don't kill that guy, the city will fall!
—They might believe in other gods too—why start swinging the mace first!
—You horny bastard! If you won't take responsibility, don't screw around!
—Hey, you crazy bitch! Why shoot arrows at innocent people!
—Why? Why! Why the hell did you rob the frontier baron's vault, you lunatic!!!
—Aaaargh!!!
Brr...!!
Just recalling them was horrifying beyond chills.
Cleaning up after those bastards had shortened his lifespan, bleached his hair, and sprouted liver spots on his skin.
If the goddess hadn't restored his lifespan and youth, he might've died from chronic illness in a few years.
'Or exploded from pent-up rage.'
Looking back now, it was mind-boggling how that utterly insane, sewer-sludge-like party had managed to kill the Demon King.
How the hell did they do it?
"Battlefield Mother. Midgard may be the world you love, but not for me. To me, it was nothing but a horrific hell, a world where everyone but me was a lunatic. So please, don't mention Midgard in front of me."
"...It's all my sin. I failed to properly guide my children, leading to these problems. So please don't hate Midgard too much. Hate me instead."
"..."
Yuseong calmed his twitching mouth, unable to hurl more bitter words at her.
Once somewhat settled, he asked what he should've from the start.
"So, what's going on in this world?"
"Child, you'll listen?"
"I'll hear you out."
"Thank you, truly. As expected, you're a good child."
"..."
"Child. After you returned to your original world, three years passed in Midgard."
"Three years? That's all?"
"The flow of time differs subtly. Anyway, in those three years, much happened in Midgard. Including with the Hero Party—"
"—Hold on."
"Hm?"
"Are you about to talk about those filthier-than-food-waste, more horrific-than-plague-germ bastards right now?"
"...Your language is too crude..."
"I'm minding my tongue in front of a goddess. So, what about that trash...?"
"...Since you hate Midgard so much, it might be best not to cloud your mind with other trivia and get straight to the point. Child, I have a request."
"...Receiving a request from one of the five divine seats. Feels like a lowly supporter's hit the big time."
"Don't take it so cynically. I'll get sad."
"..."
Shame washed over him for needlessly venting at an innocent goddess.
I'm not a damn kid—what am I doing?
"Sorry. I'll hear the full story first."
"No need to apologize."
"Wrong is wrong. I vented at someone innocent, so it's my fault. As penance, I won't interrupt your story now. Why did you want to see me?"
"...You're truly kind and capable, child."
"Jeez... That kind of praise only works on real kids."
Though he said that, the corners of Yuseong's mouth were subtly lifting.
Praise felt good regardless of age.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Before continuing, to get to the point: I need your help."
"Help? You need my help?"
"Yes."
"You, a goddess ruling the five thrones, need the help of a puny human?"
"Though I am a god, I am not omniscient or omnipotent. Even the now-perished supreme god might have been omniscient but not omnipotent. And we five goddesses are even more lacking, unable to handle a tenth of the supreme god's power..."
Io's final words were forlorn.
As if her inadequacies were shameful and endlessly humiliating.
Yuseong offered no words of comfort.
Just...
'What am I supposed to do about it?'
Asking for help only to wallow in self-pity—what was that?
'Her mood swings are Urddi-level.'
But the self-criticism ended soon enough.
"I spoke too long. In any case, to confess: I'm not omnipotent. I just know more than humans. So there are many times when, beyond my reach, I can do nothing."
"So you're saying it's not the help of Luke, the Midgard Hero Party supporter, but the power of 'Han Yuseong,' the Earthling individual, that you need?"
"Quick on the uptake!"
"It's more intuition than comprehension. All I gained in Midgard was intuition..."
"Hm..."
Every word felt like stepping on a landmine.
The goddess resolved to tread carefully, mindful of Yuseong's feelings.
"As you said... I need the help of you, an Earthling."
"What kind of help? Not combat, surely. Money? I have some savings, but Midgard overflows with gold, so probably not."
"It's not material aid I need. I want 'help' in the literal sense."
"...??"
What the hell did that mean?
'Help? Help with what?'
As he geared up to press further, the goddess continued.
"Could you go to the nearest mountain from where you are now?"
"A mountain?"
"If you do, you'll understand what I mean."
"...I haven't agreed to help yet."
"It's not free. I'll give you an Elixir and World Tree Sap."
"W-Well, guess I'll check it out."
It was too tremendous a treasure to refuse.