Chapter 376: The Upper Body is the One with Legs
With a sharp crack, the pillar split in two.
“Foolish brother! You dare!!”
From the severed pillar, an upper body sprouted!
From the severed pillar, a lower body sprouted!
The upper body is still manageable, but a lower body sprouting from a pillar is just too surreal. What am I supposed to do…?
Asas rattled the lower body of the pillar, pressing closer to Stekar. Meanwhile, the other pillar with legs was delivering kicks.
“Fuhahaha! How splendid, foolish brother!”
Stekar looked absolutely delighted.
Please, stop increasing the chaos!
“Even the Ancient Mighty God is now just one of fifteen. Now, hurry and make the contract to bind it all together. —You come this way.”
Es said as she embraced the pillar with legs.
“Wha—! Let go!”
The legs flailed about.
That way!? But if I think about it in terms of the pillar’s top and bottom, it makes sense, right?
“Ahhh! Stop! Don’t take my half away!”
Asas rattled even more.
This is bad; I’m getting confused.
“Thirteen others have mostly been consumed by the sand. This foolish brother would likely return to his original state if the environment were favorable.”
Stekar said with a tone that suggested he found it unamusing.
A little sulking Wanwan. I prefer Wanwan. I’m sure Rishu isn’t suited for keeping multiple pets, so I won’t say anything.
“Asas, give up. The chance to escape from here is rare.”
“Because it’s land embraced by Es.”
Skos and Neneto chimed in.
Now that I think about it, this is Kawanakajima…
“Ugh!”
Asas gritted his teeth and hung his head.
I haven’t said “yes” yet!
“Is it alright if I give this to someone else?”
“I don’t mind if it’s a man in need.”
“—Es, stop with the vague wording!”
“The recipient is a man, but there are spirits of lovers nearby. Is that okay?”
I ignored the rattling Asas and checked with Es again.
“That’s fine. It’s sealed, after all.”
Oh, so the pillar part was sealed.
Once the seal is lifted, will that lower body and this upper body merge? It might look like a gentler version of Stekar’s humanoid form.
Alright, I’ve got Es’s word on that.
“Asas, what will you do? If you contract with me, you’ll be taken to the ruins of the Kingdom of the Age of Fire, which is currently in the middle of a desert.”
“It’ll wither away!”
Asas shouted.
I glanced at Es.
“The ruins of the Kingdom of the Age of Fire? To the west? Or to the east? Either way, it’s a place I’ve flowed through in the past. The river’s course may change, but it can also return. When Asas was set in place, I shall come to see my face. Without me, you cannot grow. Hehe…”
Alright, I’ve nearly achieved my initial goal!!!
“If Asas has no complaints—no, if he can compromise, then let’s make the contract.”
I was rattling a bit, but I made the contract.
“You, with the number of spirits named after river currents, I thought you had some magic power, but you don’t budge at all.”
Huh? Wait, was it assumed I would run out of magic power?
“Oh my, so you’re not just safe.”
Neneto sounded impressed.
“Even if it’s one-fifteenth, to make a contract with Asas, who is even older among us ancient spirits, and not waver…”
Skos’s deep voice rumbled from below.
“You guys! Were you planning to leave me alone if the contract failed and I ended up in trouble!?”
“Oh ho! That’s how contracts with gods work.”
The goddess Es smiled seductively.
Meanwhile, Asas sulked, storing his upper body back into the pillar and standing on the floor. The pillar had become shorter.
“Well, even if it’s like this, he is still my brother. I’ll leave it to you.”
Stekar said, averting his gaze.
Huh? Is he actually a caring brother?
“Wanwan can come visit sometimes.”
My inner voice slipped out.
“Wanwan…? W-What did you say!?”
Oh.
“—I’m sorry.”
That was an accident.
“You just overwrote my foolish brother’s name!?”
Asas looked shocked, his serious expression making it worse. If you’re going to come out of the pillar, at least stop just showing your face.
“Did a contract happen…? Indeed, our names have been forgotten for a long time, but by a mere human!? Isn’t that strange!?”
A piercing green crocodile was in an uproar.
“Oh my? Unless you submitted after being drawn in by magic power, it’s difficult to make a contract, no matter how much magic power supports it, unless both parties desire it?”
A pink cobra twisted as if to say it was curious.
“Oh ho, Stekar still follows Asas as he did in the past.”
“Not true!”
Stekar denied Es’s words.
Suspicion of a brother complex! Well, as long as it’s consensual, I guess it’s fine.
“You’ve lost a lot of magic power.”
It’s better than when Baylis and Shahira were involved, and for now, as long as I have enough stamina to go back and enjoy some food, that’s good.
“Don’t just brush it off! It’s Stekar we’re talking about! The ancient god who governs storms and battles!”
Asas rattled again. Is he secretly a brother complex too…?
It seems there are few living beings and no battles. Their existence seems halved… But with the desert, there must be plenty of sandstorms and storms.
“For now, I have things to do, so I’ll be heading back. Can I just take this normally?”
I asked Asas.
“Indeed, place it wherever you like. A delightful human, we shall meet again soon.”
Es splashed and turned into water, disappearing into the floor. There was no trace of dampness at all.
“Damn it! Call me once your residence is settled!”
Stekar vanished quickly.
“It seems like this will be a long relationship… Until next time, human.”
“A human who remains unfazed surrounded by gods is quite rare. Stay safe until we meet again.”
No, I was completely shaken and confused!
Skos and Neneto vanished.
Finally, the chaos seemed to be coming to an end.