## Chapter 1357 – Friends

It was quite a long explanation. An explanation that took some time. Of course, it wasn’t the kind of explanation Elise had imagined. A hero. The concept of a hero that Elise believed in was a sacred being blessed with power by the myriad gods. In other words, it was like Wi-Fi. A being wielding power received from the outside, like Wi-Fi.

Frankly speaking, I find this received power extremely unsettling.

Because it’s not power that one has built up on their own. Power given by a god. Conversely, it means it’s power that the god can freely take back. That’s why I don’t place much significance on it.

I’m the kind of person who prefers permanent items over temporary ones.

Of course, the power I give to my women is permanent. This Kim Kat is not some unreliable foreign god. I am connected to them by love, so there’s no need to worry.

This Kim Kat is that kind of man.

But Elise has lived as a cleric in another world. She wields the power received from Ijzermart. She believes that gods rarely take back their power, and that there is nothing more glorious and sacred than receiving their power in one’s body.

“Then, Saint-nim. Does that mean you have not received the blessings of the heavenly gods?”
“That’s right, Elise. I told you about how I caught a Valkyrie last time, right?”
“Yes, you did.”

I started the explanation from there. How I absorbed the power inherent in the Valkyrie and nurtured it, and then seized an opportunity.

“It just so happened that I went to the elf kingdom, and there I met the World Tree.”
“The, the World Tree…! The god of the elves!”

Elise was shocked.
To the point of grabbing her head.

“It actually existed!”
“It did exist.”
“That’s impossible!!!”

But she seems a little too surprised?

“It’s highly likely that it’s an entity imitating the World Tree!”
“What? Why?”
“The World Tree that the elves worship as a god…! It’s a divine being close to the god of creation! The elves believe that all worlds originated from the World Tree! It’s just a ridiculous myth and doctrine! Such a thing cannot exist…!”

Ah.

That’s it.

Khadia said the same thing. As expected, being a cleric, the core of her thinking is similar. The elves believe that their World Tree created this world. Of course, that’s utter nonsense.

The current gods are just ominous beings that came from other dimensions, and judging from the circumstances, the World Tree is also an outer god. Their history is shorter than the Titans. They are just beings summoned to a world that already existed.

Since it doesn’t match the timeline, the story of the World Tree creating the world is completely wrong. Of course, there’s no way I can tell this to Elise.

“Elise. Calm down. Those words are just stories made up by elves who don’t know anything, no. Elves who know nothing in later generations. The World Tree itself exists. It doesn’t seem to be the god of creation, though.”

So I explained it vaguely.

“Ah… I see. That seems to be correct. It’s certain that it exists, but it’s definitely not the god of creation.”
“That’s right.”
“I got excited for a moment.”

Elise’s emotions have become much richer.

But, seeing her believe my words without any particular evidence as soon as she heard them… it hurts my heart a little. Unlike Khadia, Elise will have a hard time handling the truth.

Khadia, who has been a high-ranking cleric for a long time, is jaded with everything in the world. She was definitely much older than me, but Elise is younger than me.

“Anyway. The World Tree made a request to me.”
“A request, you say?”

I explained that part simply.

That the World Tree is aware that this world is in danger, and that I have the qualifications to resolve it. And that it told me the location where the fragment of a god is sleeping.

“I went to the place the World Tree told me. I caught and killed the sealed ancient demons and monsters. Through that battle, I gained enlightenment and devoured the fragment of ownerless power.”
“…”
“Result. I became stronger.”

I suppressed the surging madness and became stronger.

“So that’s how I am now.”
“…”
“I didn’t receive the blessings of a god.”

That was the moment I finished the story.

“Saint-nim…!”
“Hm?”

Elise’s eyes sparkled, and with an attitude overflowing with emotion, she clasped her hands together as if praying and shed tears.

“Saint-nim!!! Without even the blessings of the heavenly gods!!! You have grown that godlike power while single-handedly defeating ancient monsters!!! With only your own strength!!!”

What is this?

This intense emotion?

“I feel a very big! A very big emotion! I didn’t see the scene directly, but it must have been a sacred and holy sight! You said it was the ancient great demon Adramalech! The battle that killed him must have been mythical!!!”

ㅡSparkle! Sparkle!

Looking at Elise, who was praising me with shining eyes… something.

“Yes!!! It was a mythical battle! Elise! As you said! I overcame all adversities without even the blessings of the heavenly gods!!!”
“Truly a hero! A hero himself!!! No! Even the heroes in myths would be mere soldiers compared to Saint-nim!”
“Hahahahahahahaha!!”
“Long live Saint-nim!!!”

For a long time, Elise shouted “Saint-nim” and cheered, praising me. I was just planning to explain what happened, but Elise seemed to have taken it as an extreme heroic tale, the most beautiful story of service in this world.

It’s only natural since it’s Elise.

“Saint-nim, who has overcome trials and transcended the limits of humanity, can be said to be a demigod!”
“No. I told you I’m a god.”
“Saint-nim. I am not denying Saint-nim’s great achievements, but Saint-nim is still present in this world, isn’t he?”
“That’s right?”
“In my opinion, if Saint-nim truly became a god… there would be something more transcendent. Something like that.”
“What is the standard for a god that the Holy Light Cross Society speaks of?”
“Gods are beings who live in the heavens and possess great power. Of course, explaining this would be very complicated, so…”

Well, that’s not important.

“Then let’s skip that story.”
“Ah, yes. I understand… But. Saint-nim.”
“Hm?”

Elise, who was standing in front of me, called out to me.

“Th, that is…”

Elise hesitated a little.

“Saint-nim. I am not the representative, but… I am truly deeply grateful for this. Thanks to Saint-nim, who took the lead and fought at risk more than anyone else. People were saved.”
“Ah.”

Is this gratitude for the demonkin matter?

“Hehehe, are you grateful to me?”
“Of course, I have no choice but to be grateful. No one in this world could have done such a thing. I, too, have received Saint-nim’s grace. Frankly, frankly, our paladins couldn’t do anything against the flying airships, so…”

Elise added that if the demonkin had continued their tactical actions, the humans would not have been able to cope with it in the end.

“The heavenly gods are currently… not exerting much influence on this world. I thought that they would look after this world again because of Saint-nim’s matter, but that was not the case. It’s entirely thanks to Saint-nim.”
“Yes. It’s all thanks to me. But still, Elise.”
“Yes.”
“The clerics also suffered a lot. I couldn’t take good care of the people because I was fighting. So Elise. I am also grateful to the clerics and knights, and to everyone who worked hard for the people.”

The doctrine of Fusion Confucianism is to widely benefit this world.

“…!”

You who have acted for the people.

Are my benefactors.

“Re, really…! How can Saint-nim be so pious and faithful! Every time I hear Saint-nim’s words, my perspective widens! Saint-nim is truly!!!”

Elise praised me again, deeply moved. Seeing her like this makes her seem quite cute. She has become an inhuman beauty, but Elise is still Elise. The fundamentals have not changed.

You’ve changed so much since I first saw you. Elise.

“Truly…!”
“Truly what?”
“Truly!!!”

Elise seemed to be in pain as if she wanted to say something…!

“Truly…! Ah, ah! I can’t think of a worthy word to describe such a righteous Saint-nim! This is a tragedy!”
“Hehehe, calm down. Elise. Come on, take a deep breath. In. Out.”
“In, in… Haa…”

ㅡPat, pat.

I patted Elise on the back to calm her down.

“Ah, I’ve calmed down. Saint-nim. Really… even in a short conversation with Saint-nim… I have learned a lot. It was a very beneficial word.”
“Then Elise. Shall we start?”
“Flying? Rotating? Both are not allowed!”
“No. Geez.”

She’s firm at times like this.

“…”

Anyway, Elise really seemed to be in a good mood. With a truly refreshing smile, Elise straightened her clothes and said.

“But Saint-nim.”
“Why.”
“How are Claudie-nim and Winia-nim doing?”

ㅡSlide.

Elise, who had turned around, tried to fix her shoes.

“Hehehe, they’re doing very well.”

I answered while looking at Elise’s back.
Of course, they are doing well.

“They’re doing exceptionally well.”
“As expected. As befits the wives of a faithful and righteous Saint-nim, they have been working hard for this world. That’s really good.”

The interpretation is a bit long?

“Then how are the others?”
“They’re doing well too.”
“Hmm, I see.”

ㅡSlide.

Elise, who had fixed all her shoes, turned to look at me again.

“But Saint-nim.”
“Huh?”
“I’m just asking in case.”

Elise’s expression was the same as before. A face full of joy. Elise, with a smile on her face. Said in an ordinary tone.

“Last time, you clearly said… that the number of Saint-nim’s wives had increased to six.”
“Did I say that far?”
“Yes, you did.”

Ah.

Wait.

Elise.

“So I’m asking… Saint-nim. Perhaps?”
“…”

Even back then, there were already eight, but I said six. It was because I had to exclude Hilde and Ari. They’ve been laundered now, but… what should I do? Should I tell the truth? Elise had a very big interest in the number of my wives…

“Saint-nim? Are you avoiding? My eyes?”

Somehow, I felt like Elise was interrogating me! Looking at her face, her attitude hadn’t changed, but at some point, Elise had used a ghostly footwork to get right in front of my nose!

“No. Elise. That’s…”

That’s.

So.

“Could it be? Saint-nim? This time too?”

I have no choice.

“That could be…”

I nodded.
I can’t hide this anymore.

“…”

Elise closed her mouth for a moment.

“Is it seven?”
“No.”
“Could it be eight!!!”
“Yes…”
“How could you do that, Saint-nim! Amazing! Just!”
“I’m amazed too…”

Is an introduction… impossible? Ari would be fine, but Hilde is the problem. Elise knows Hilde’s demonic face. I can’t reveal that. Elise will try to break my skull.

“Your wives seem to be increasing every time I see you!”
“We, well, heroes originally have many wives. Besides, I’m a divine being who has transcended heroes, so it’s only natural.”
“…An undeniable statement.”

That’s true.

“Anyway. It’s a very shocking thing, but I already know that Saint-nim is that kind of person. There’s no need to worry.”

That was a long time ago.

Elise was seriously worried that I would be seduced by women and ruin myself. It was a natural worry for a righteous cleric. And in fact… one of my women was from a succubus origin.

“Yes. There’s no need to worry. Elise. Who am I? I’m literally an invincible hero with the power to save humanity. There’s no way I would be seduced by women.”

Actually, I’m in a seduced state. My mind and body are stabilized just by looking at my women.

“…That’s also a correct statement.”

Elise crossed her arms and stood with her back to me.

ㅡGlance.

Then she subtly turned to look at me.

“Saint-nim seems to have… endless luck with women. Anywhere in this world.”
“I’m a bit like that.”

But… Elise is all grown up now.
Surely she won’t be uncomfortable with me because of this kind of thing?

Like a grown-up daughter giving her parents shame by saying, “Don’t wash my underwear with your underwear anymore, desuwaaa!!” Elise might try to cut me off.

That’s making me a little uneasy.

“Th, so, that is… Saint-nim.”
“Uh. Elise.”
“Th, that is… That’s…”
“…”

I stared at the back of Elise’s head.

What.

Words.

“Th… Th! Ah, ah! It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other! And we’ve also defeated the demonkin!”

What?

“Won’t you spend…! Some time with me!”
“Sounds good!”

Shall we go sightseeing in the city!!!