【Tales of the Gods 33】The Spirit God Pirisuyu and the Forest Spirit King Kokoririon

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The Forest Spirit King Kokoririon, like the other Spirit Kings, is an apostle of the Spirit God Pirisuyu.

The Spirit Kings act as the hands and feet of the Spirit God, assisting in the management and administration of this world, Ardyst.

In Kokoririon's case, his mission, assigned by the Spirit God, is the management of the 'Spirit Forest', a singularity where the 'Great Flow of Magical Power of the Earth'—the blood vessels of this planet, sometimes called ley lines or dragon veins—comes too close to the surface.

To make the plants, which have evolved singularly with high mana absorption efficiency, flourish appropriately, and to increase the number of his kin... the spirits, who use those plants as sustenance, so that too much magical power doesn't accumulate in the earth... to moderately dissipate that magical power contained in the soil into the air, and correctly circulate it throughout the world... that is his job.

Kokoririon has been performing this job for a long time.

So long, it's dizzying.

...And because of that, he had a complaint.

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One day... about a dozen years ago.

The Spirit God Pirisuyu descended to the lower world using an avatar, and came to the hollow of the giant tree, Kokoririon's dwelling, to audit his work.

Pirisuyu has the appearance of an unparalleled beauty with a voluptuous figure.

Silky green hair that flutters in the wind, and pure white skin that shines in the sunlight.

Her form is bewitching yet sacred... and the brilliance in her eyes, filled with a strong will, is powerful, and deep within that brilliance hides her fierce temperament.

And as a side note, although the gender was intentionally different, Kokoririon's appearance greatly resembled Pirisuyu's.

It was an expression of Kokoririon's desire to be even a little closer to the god he revered.

...Now, that's right.

Kokoririon revered Pirisuyu.

But because he did, as mentioned before, he also held a complaint about a "certain matter".

That's why, when Pirisuyu, satisfied that he was carrying out his work without issue, was about to float up to go see Akashital, the General Manager of the Great Spirits, to check on the situation of the forest spirits, he, without any context, couldn't help but ask.

<<<When... when will I be able to ascend to godhood?>>>

He asked.

Because.

Because Weelow, who was once the Spirit King of Water, and Necondnerun, who was once the Spirit King of Earth, and the other Spirit Kings.

They have all ascended to godhood long ago.

They have become gods... stood on the same stage as their revered Spirit God Pirisuyu, and are involved in the management and administration of the world.

And yet, he alone.

Is forever bound to this land, serving as a Spirit King.

Even though he was a Spirit King before Weelow, before Necondnerun!

This is... wrong!

Such feelings, which had been accumulating for many years.

Finally slipped from his mouth.

The Spirit God Pirisuyu, upon hearing those words, first made a dumbfounded, blank face... and then immediately made an obviously annoyed expression.

Her brows furrowed, and her lips pouted.

To put it in words, it's just that, but because a god's beauty is making that expression, it's tremendously powerful.

Pirisuyu is a god who is scary when angry, so for Kokoririon, who knew that, that power was truly terrifying... but even so, Kokoririon did not look away from Pirisuyu's eyes.

He was prepared to be scolded for his immaturity, but even so, he couldn't back down... Kokoririon was that cornered.

However.

<<<...It is still too early for you. More importantly, see, where is Akashital? Hurry up and guide me.>>>

Pirisuyu did not scold him.

She said that, not answering Kokoririon's question, and tried to change the subject.

However, Kokoririon could not be satisfied with such an attitude.

<<<What do you mean, 'early'!? I am, among the current Spirit Kings, the most senior! As for my abilities, even compared to the other Kings... even compared to Weelow and Necondnerun when they were Kings, to put it modestly, I should not be inferior!>>>

Kokoririon, knowing it was disrespectful, grabbed onto Pirisuyu and shrieked!

<<<Let go of me, you fool!!>>>

The next moment!

When he came to, Kokoririon had been sent flying, and had hit the back of his head hard against the wall of the hollow.

What had been done to him, Kokoririon could not comprehend at all.

This was the absolute difference in power that lay between a King and a God.

Even though Pirisuyu was currently active in a weakened avatar form, this was the result.

However, even after being shown such a difference in power, Kokoririon did not back down.

<<<I beg of you, Pirisuyu-sama! Please tell me... what do I lack?>>>

Kokoririon crawled forward, prostrated himself at Pirisuyu's feet, and begged for guidance.

<<<........................Haaa...>>>

Pirisuyu looked down at such a Kokoririon, took a sitting posture in mid-air with her legs crossed, and sighed.

<<<You are... somehow... off.>>>

And she said something terribly vague.

<<<What do you mean, 'off'!?>>>

<<<Your way of thinking, your way of being... to be frank, as you are now, you are not suited to be a god.>>>

<<<Then I will change! What should I do!?>>>

<<<........................Haaa...>>>

The Forest Spirit King Kokoririon, clinging to the feet of the Spirit God Pirisuyu, desperately seeking guidance.

Seeing that, Pirisuyu, looking genuinely annoyed, sighed again.

<<<...Well then, let's see.>>>

And while glaring at Kokoririon.

<<<For example, your contempt for humans and favoritism towards spirits is excessive. Correct that.>>>

She said.

<<<...? Why?>>>

Hit with unexpected words, Kokoririon's eyes widened, and he made a dumbfounded face.

<<<Humans are lower creatures that can't even properly manipulate magical power. And they die quickly. Where is the reason not to despise them?>>>

And with a slightly troubled smile, he smoothly expressed his own beliefs.

The Spirit God Pirisuyu furrowed her brow and sighed for a third time.

<<<Listen, Kokoririon.>>>

<<<Yes.>>>

<<<To become a god is, in one way or another, to be involved in the administration of this world.>>>

<<<Yes.>>>

<<<It is to work in order to "make the world grow".>>>

<<<Yes.>>>

<<<How does the world grow?>>>

<<<The world grows by taking in "magic particles" that, without being blocked by the world's membrane, would normally pass through the world and flow into the void.>>>

Kokoririon is an apostle of the Spirit God.

He is in a position to know, to some extent, the secrets of the world... the secrets of the world's growth.

The above knowledge had already been taught to him by Pirisuyu.

Since it was only a review, he was able to answer smoothly.

<<<Then how can the world take in magic particles?>>>

<<<The most efficient way is to have them adhere to souls. When a living being overcomes a trial and grows, its soul also grows... at that time, magic particles adhere to the soul, and are transformed into the magical power of that living being... in other words, the magical power of that world.>>>

<<<...Yes. In other words, as a god, one wants to fill the world with living beings whose souls grow easily, and who also multiply reasonably well.>>>

<<<That is reasonable.>>>

<<<Those living beings... are humans.>>>

<<<............>>>

<<<That is why gods cannot treat humans lightly. Because they are an important part of the world's mechanism. Now, what about you?>>>

<<<............>>>

<<<You despise their powerlessness, and despise their short lives. As a spirit, I can understand that feeling, but as a god, you are disqualified. At the very least, acknowledge that humans are useful as components.>>>

<<<............>>>

<<<Although many individual spirits become stronger than humans, the source of that strength is the magical power that exists in this world. The amount of magic particles that a spirit's soul adheres to in this world is very small compared to a human's. The growth of a spirit is merely pouring the magical power that was in another part of this world into the vessel of a spirit. With this, the world cannot grow. Although spirits are useful as gears in world management, they are hardly a source of power. Therefore...>>>

<<<I AM!!>>>

Here.

The Forest Spirit King Kokoririon raised a loud voice and interrupted the words of the Spirit God Pirisuyu.

And he desperately began to appeal for himself!

<<<I have already understood such things! Please look at the Hyupuet Spirit Kingdom! That is a human country that I created! In that country, humans are appropriately managed and administered under the rule of spirits, and are prospering! As you can see, I have left a record worthy of ascension to godhood...>>>

<<<FOOL!!>>>

However, Pirisuyu cut off Kokoririon's self-appeal with a single shout!

<<<The humans of that country rely on spirits for everything, and their souls hardly grow at all! Did you think I didn't know, you fool! That place is, in truth, nothing more than a farm for cultivating souls as a delicacy for your subordinates to eat! It is by no means for the sake of the world!!>>>

At this point, the Spirit God Pirisuyu revealed her anger in earnest!

Her anger turned into scorching flames, and in an instant, turned the surroundings into a world of purgatory...

If the flames spread like this, Kokoririon's castle, the Spirit Forest, will burn down!

However, Kokoririon was completely overwhelmed by Pirisuyu's anger, and could only tremble, his legs giving way.

<<<........................Haaa...>>>

Looking at such a Kokoririon... Pirisuyu felt somewhat pathetic, thinking, 'Is this what the apostle I've put some effort into raising has become?'

When she sighed again, the surrounding flames disappeared in an instant.

On the contrary, as if reflecting her dejected state of mind, frost even formed.

(...Perhaps it's time for a 'change of generation'... Although there are some distortions, Akashital is still better than this guy...)

Floating in the air in a sitting posture with her legs crossed, Pirisuyu drifted—fuwafuwa—while thinking about something that could lead to a fatal situation for Kokoririon.

It was then.

From the pocket of the Spirit God Pirisuyu, something silver fell out—porori.

It was... someone's soul.

<<<Ah...!?>>>

The Forest Spirit King Kokoririon saw that soul and gasped.

He couldn't take his eyes off that soul.

Even though it's just a soul!

It's unbearably dear, and I want to gaze at it forever!

I want to gently hold it, and rub my cheek against it!

I want to be with it forever!

But it looks too delicious... I want to become one with it!

Such a fierce obsession, which he had never felt before in his long life, suddenly arose within Kokoririon!

<<<Hmm, this is...>>>

Of course, Pirisuyu quickly sensed Kokoririon's abnormality.

<<<No way, no way... this soul from another world, which I bid on just to be sociable, was your beloved child!>>>

And she instantly identified the cause of that abnormality!

<<<Beloved child...? This is, a beloved child...!>>>

<<<Hmm, hmm, hmm... hmm, well, Kokoririon, do you want this soul?>>>

Kokoririon was on all fours, trembling and gazing at the soul as if to lick it, but Pirisuyu asked such a Kokoririon that question.

<<<I want it!! I want it!!>>>

Seeing his desperate state, Pirisuyu smiled mockingly at Kokoririon.

<<<I see, I see... you see, this is the soul of a "high schol girl" named "Saeki Mikami". I bid on it, but I have no use for it, so I brought it here to make it a reasonably powerful spirit... but I've changed my mind.>>>

And she says such things pretentiously.

Kokoririon was no longer at ease!

This wonderful, maddeningly dear soul, what on earth is Pirisuyu going to do with it!?

Depending on the answer, no matter how much she was the god he revered, he would not be merciful!

I'll kill her!!

As Kokoririon even began to emit a murderous intent, Pirisuyu was unconcerned.

Laughing mockingly at the strange state Kokoririon was in, Pirisuyu continued to speak.

<<<I will reincarnate this soul... into a human of the Hyupuet Spirit Kingdom.>>>

...she said!

<<<Into, into a human!? Why!?>>>

<<<For your sake, Kokoririon.>>>

Here, Pirisuyu stopped her smirking smile and made a very serious face.

And with a solemn voice, she spun her words transcendently.

<<<You will learn of humans through your interaction with this human in whom this soul dwells. And love them. Know that they are not mere livestock.>>>

<<<Love... humans...? This... I...?>>>

<<<Yes. If your solidified spirit-supremacy is somewhat resolved through that, the buds of ascension to godhood may also emerge.>>>

<<<Ha... haha!! That consideration, I, I am grateful!!>>>

<<<Umu, umu, it is fine, it is fine.>>>

Looking satisfied at the deeply moved Kokoririon, Pirisuyu gently stood up.

<<<So that it can easily adapt to this world, I will seal the memories of this soul's previous life... Listen well, Kokoririon. You must, by all means, make this girl happy... do you understand?>>>

<<<Yes, yes!!!>>>

And leaving the prostrating Kokoririon behind, Pirisuyu flew out of the hollow of the giant tree.

Her destination is the divine realm... the divine realm of the Reincarnation God, Li.

If it were to make her a spirit, that's one thing, but for reincarnation into a human, the authority of the Spirit God Pirisuyu alone is insufficient.

Therefore, Pirisuyu handed over the soul of Saeki Mikami to the Reincarnation God, Li.

After giving the order to have her reincarnated as a human of the Hyupuet Spirit Kingdom... and paying a reasonable amount of mana.

The involvement of the Spirit God Pirisuyu ends here.

What happens after that... to make the reborn Saeki Mikami happy is the job of the Forest Spirit King Kokoririon.

Because that is also a trial for him.

(A trial... a trial, is it? Unexpectedly... I too have become soft.)

While chuckling inwardly, the Spirit God Pirisuyu, having returned to her own divine realm, spread out her documents and began to work.

She is a high-ranking upper god.

There is a mountain of work to be done, and she cannot spend her time forever on the guidance of a single subordinate.

And as she became immersed in her daily work, Pirisuyu... completely forgot about Kokoririon and the reincarnated soul... and more than ten years passed.

If, during that time, Pirisuyu had even once peeked at the state of the Spirit Forest or the Hyupuet Spirit Kingdom... perhaps the various problems would not have occurred.

But it is pointless to say that now.

By the way, to state the facts clearly.

Saeki Mikami... the existence that she, who was a high school girl on Earth, became after her memories were sealed and she was reincarnated... was none other than.

The girl named Mishtille.