Chapter 593: Mediation
“That’s why I prefer women!”
Asas was shaking.
“So, it doesn’t matter what form they take, does it? Truly without principles… What shall we do with you?”
Es smiled with a frightening expression while Water had Asas in a tight grip.
Though it looked like he was being restrained, Asas was actually just a pillar, so it felt more like he was being lifted. Also, it was a bit scary how Es often spoke in a demure manner when addressing Asas. Her words were gentle, yet she relentlessly cornered him, giving off a yandere vibe.
The room was, of course, flooded; the water was up to our ankles. The flowers displayed in the Water Basin were about to be swept away by the rising tide.
The torches and bonfires were set high, so the flames were safe. The Wanwan House was also placed on a pedestal, so it was fine too.
The golden fruits and vegetables were on a dish, but I felt like they would taste better chilled by the water.
Wanwan happily approached Es, completely unconcerned about getting wet, as always.
“Es-sama, it’s not like that at all…”
Haulon was flustered, trying to calm the Gods.
Haulon was supposed to be the main attraction today, not Karn, and he was meant to welcome Karn in the Temple. Nowadays, Haulon was more famous than Karn, after all. The Great Sage.
But with today’s performance and Karn’s strong presence, those who witnessed it would surely have a greater impression of Karn. Haulon maintained his usual demeanor of serving Karn.
Karn, meanwhile, was near the entrance, slightly apart from the Gods, looking exhausted with his hand on his forehead. A popular man should have some worries.
But even though the recipient of the gift was a man, I had confirmed with Es that the spirit of his lover—a female spirit—was present nearby. She had said it was fine since it was sealed away.
Asas was sealed within the pillar, split in two. Es had taken the upper half—the upper body. What she left for me to do as I pleased was the lower half.
Due to Asas’s unique nature, even when severed, he could take on his form, but since the lower half was sealed, it remained a pillar. As a result, the upper body of the spirit Asas emerged from the top of the pillar.
He rarely showed his half-body, usually just his face peeking out. The upper half that Es took back had legs sprouting from it. Is that alright, Gods? I’d rather not just see his face.
I mean, I don’t know where she took him, but if she loosened the seal there, would he return to his complete form? I shouldn’t think too deeply about it.
“Whoa, what a chaotic scene.”
“The Gods, too, have hearts that burn with love…”
Dean was taken aback, while Chris was ever so poetic.
“O beautiful Es, if you are a woman, I shall abandon my foolish brother, even if he has a beard! I am steadfast!”
Wanwan perked up his ears and declared to Es.
“A beard…?”
Retze furrowed his brow in confusion.
“Even though Wanwan was not alone with you, I know that the first words will stop your infidelity, my beloved.”
She smiled brightly, causing the pillar to creak ominously.
“That’s a misunderstanding!!!! I love women! I only showed my upper body to bestow blessings upon the king who entered here…!”
Asas shouted.
“If a woman is nearby, the seal becomes tighter. But to mistake a man for a woman…”
Es was smiling with a frightening expression, but it seemed that Asas had shown his upper body to impress Karn, who was entering the Temple after him, in order to bestow blessings. Is that right?
“To mistake…?”
Dinoss, next to me, looked puzzled.
“I may sometimes speak in a feminine manner, but that has nothing to do with Asas-sama!!!! It’s blasphemous!!!! Besides, spirits are not objects of romantic interest!!!!”
Haulon shouted with all his might.
“…Romantic interest?”
“It seems that Goddess Es is suspicious of the relationship between Haulon and the God of Fertility, Asas.”
Ash murmured in response to my thoughts.
“I believe Asas-sama is outside of Haulon’s range…”
The Butler, looking far away, muttered, having passed through the quarreling Gods.
“…”
Silence fell.
What should I do about this? Asas seems to have a wide range of preferences for women, but Es’s perception of Asas seems to be even broader.
Asas was putting in effort to show his upper body, and Haulon was there, while Karn and Es witnessed it. Shahira and Baylis were with Karn, so they were out of the suspicion this time—though I wished Haulon could be excluded from that as well.
But, since he’s a bit feminine, is it correct to treat him as a woman?
I think it’s good that Es’s anger is directed at Asas rather than an affair, but her possessiveness seems a bit excessive, almost paranoid?
Is it due to her original personality, or is it a result of Asas’s past actions?
While I was lost in thought, Fandor tugged at my sleeve. Ittan Momen was flustered. The other two were also panicking.
“Um, Es? I think Asas is just showing off for the ritual, not because he’s interested in women (?). Also, Haulon is devoted to Karn, so that’s a misunderstanding.”
Reluctantly, I tried to mediate.
“That’s not how you say it! It’s purely out of respect for King Tildonai!”
Haulon protested.
“Indeed, my Asas…”
“That’s not it!!!!”
Es tightened her grip on Asas.
What should I do about this? I hope they don’t expect me to mediate their love lives.
“Isn’t this too chaotic?”
Dean, if you think so, then help me settle this…!