Opportunity in the Game Becomes Reality Chapter 281
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Opportunity in the Game Becomes Reality Chapter 281
60. The Age of Adventure (4)
Bug and his companions approached Machu Picchu, which floated in the sky, emitting a brilliant array of colors.
The light radiating from Machu Picchu contained Divine power, but it felt strangely foreign it seemed fundamentally different from Rondel's Divine power, which was derived from the goddess Sepia.
This kind of energy was something neither Rondel nor even Miel, who hailed from the heavenly realm, had ever felt before.
Because of this, Machu Picchu's existence felt all the more mysterious.
It strongly gave off the impression of being a ruin from another world.
"This really feels like a proper adventure, doesn't it?"
Having safely climbed atop Machu Picchu, the women's eyes sparkled as they surveyed their surroundings.
Even Miel, who had initially found Bug and Maryang annoying, had now fully warmed up and was exploring Machu Picchu here and there with an intrigued expression.
But before long, she found herself scratching her head.
Despite its outward appearance, the interior was nothing special.
In Rondel's ruins, treasures like Mithril were a given, and Orichalcum and adamantite were found without much effort but in Machu Picchu, everything was stone.
"There's no treasure?"
"It's nothing but stone."
Because of this, Bug and his companions expressed their disappointment.
It couldn't be helped.
After all, the environments were completely different Rondel's Mythic Era, teeming with Transcendents, and Earth's ancient era, which was a stage for human development.
This was a difference that arose because the gods who created the two worlds had different ways of thinking.
Rondel was a world that had been created in completed form from the start, thanks to Transcendent beings who had deeply inherited the goddess's power, whereas Earth was a world that had been steadily built up through gradual development centered on humans.
Therefore, in the eyes of Rondel's people, Earth's ancient ruins could only feel dull.
"But something is dwelling at the center of the ruins. The problem is, we can't get close to it."
However, there was just one place.
They could not approach the center, which radiated an unknown Divine power.
So even if Machu Picchu was dull, they couldn't dismiss this place as inferior.
They simply thought that since Machu Picchu was a ruin that had been exposed for a long time, others had already taken all the treasures.
"Where should we go now?"
"We roughly know the pattern of Divine power here now, so shouldn't we just search for places giving off a similar energy? That way, we might discover somewhere unknown."
"Ooh, really?"
"They say the people of Earth don't have supernatural abilities, so maybe we really can find treasure."
So they decided to continue their adventure through the Inca civilization.
But before leaving for somewhere else.
Since they had recently been ambushed and chased from place to place, they decided to spend a night in this peaceful place for a change.
A way of thinking that ordinary people wouldn't have.
However, those who didn't know much about Earth regarded this utterly bizarre Machu Picchu as something close to a sanctuary.
In Rondel, the formula of 'sanctuary = safe' seemed so obvious that they felt no aversion to it.
Just like that, Bug and Maryang took out a large bed and furniture from subspace and set them up, and soon a cozy resting area was created beneath the tent.
It was a display that personally proved that just because you're on an adventure doesn't mean you have to sleep on a hard floor.
"Clean."
They handled washing simply with an artifact, and for food, they lightly made do with Rondel's preserved rations.
They were called preserved rations, but they had been made for nobles, so they were high-quality food that commoners couldn't even dream of.
Afterward, the women rolled around on the bed chatting about this and that, and even Miel, who had been looking at Bug and Maryang with disapproval, spent a day comfortably without the pressure of the heavenly realm for a change.
"Good night!"
No matter how much Bug was a fake human wearing someone else's skin, no matter how much Maryang was an 8th Circle-class Spirit Master, no matter how much Miel was a high-ranking Heavenly Tribe member, sleeping was only natural.
Sleep was absolutely necessary not only for physical stamina but also for maintaining a healthy mind.
Just like that, as they closed their eyes and drifted off to sleep.
-Thud!
-Rumble rumble rumble!
Suddenly, a powerful vibration erupted from Machu Picchu.
"W-what's going on?"
Startled, the women bolted upright, and soon realized the anomaly that had occurred at Machu Picchu.
The vibration was not an earthquake.
The light of Machu Picchu, which had been so bright until just moments ago that they'd had to use blind magic to sleep, had faded, and at the same time, the scenery was slowly changing.
"It looks like it's falling, doesn't it?"
At Miel's words, Bug and Maryang frantically shoved their bedding and belongings into subspace.
"Surely the sanctuary isn't angry because of us?"
"If so, then the master of this sanctuary must be quite a petty being."
Soon, the Machu Picchu they had been standing on plummeted to the surface.
-Kwaaaang!
Having lightly evaded the disaster, they looked at the ruins reduced to pieces and were momentarily speechless.
"...."
"H-hey, it's really not because of us, right?"
From their perspective, it was a calamity that struck out of nowhere while they were sleeping, but from an Earthling's point of view, they would have known something was wrong from the moment Machu Picchu was floating in the air.
Because of that, the fall could only be seen as inevitable.
"Let's run."
So they tried to quickly leave the spot.
But Miel's gaze was fixed on somewhere, and she couldn't move an inch.
"What's up, new companion? What's wrong?"
At Bug's question, Miel pointed through the dust.
[How insolent.]
Soon the dust was sucked away as if through a ventilation fan, and a golden being revealed itself before the three.
Various myths exist throughout the world.
The famous Greek and Roman myths, Norse mythology, Egyptian mythology, Korea's Dangun myth, and so on….
Myths range from those based on fact to those that seem purely fictional, each tailored to the characteristics of its region.
The Inca, called the ancient golden empire, was no exception.
In Inca mythology, a creator named Viracocha created the universe including humans, the sun, the moon, and the stars, and there were myths centered around him.
[I am Viracocha.]
A golden being using the name of that creator god from myth had appeared.
However, the expressions of Bug's group as they looked at the golden god were all different.
Miel, a Heavenly Tribe member sensitive to divine power, was flustered and on guard, while Bug and Maryang tilted their heads and approached the golden god without hesitation.
[I am Viracocha.]
And Bug and Maryang grinned vacantly and reached their hands out to Viracocha.
"What is this!?"
"So cute!"
[How insolent.]
[I am Viracocha.]
The golden god repeated the same words like a recording doll.
He had a size perfect for hugging and a face that looked like it belonged in a mural dim-witted yet bizarre.
At best, one couldn't call it cute, but the more you looked at it, the more familiar its features became.
Thanks to that, Bug and Maryang lifted the golden god and took turns holding him in their arms.
[I-I am Viracocha.]
At that, Miel gaped in bewilderment.
"Y-you fools. He may look like that, but the energy he holds surpasses that of a highest-ranking Heavenly Tribe member!"
"Really?"
Just because he was called a god didn't mean he had power comparable to Sepia.
If one had to gauge his level, perhaps above a dragon and below a Heavenly King?
Though far below Adrian's level, it was the appearance of a transcendent being rarely seen on Earth.
But despite Miel's warning, Bug and Maryang paid it no mind.
"He looks nice, though?"
It was because the golden god held in their arms was very docile.
* * *
"With that, I hereby declare the conclusion of the first summit meeting between Rondel and Earth, which took place over two days."
The summit meeting was finally over.
Today, the issues raised on the first day had to be properly sorted out, so there were frequent raised voices and emotional clashes.
But the two worlds were able to safely forge a large-scale agreement, and from now on, exchanges would proceed based on it.
The matters decided at this meeting were largely three.
First, the issue of Rondel's invasion of Earth.
Second, the issue of hunting grounds and dungeons.
Third, political, economic, and technological cooperation.
From a neutral standpoint, one might think it was decided fairly without one-sided benefit to anyone, but seeing the leaders of each nation deep in serious conversation with their aides after the meeting, it seemed they weren't entirely satisfied with the results.
"Congratulations. Now you will be managing two worlds."
However, when the Emperor of the Bringham Empire approached me and spoke as if mocking, I had to retract my thought that no one had gained a one-sided benefit at this meeting.
Because I was right there.
"I intend to maintain neutrality and faithfully carry out the mission the goddess has bestowed upon me."
"Huu, this is really…. With an individual's military might, a faction's authority, and even faith armed with belief in your hands, now the leaders of every nation will be on guard against you."
Perhaps because the Bringham Empire Emperor's voice was so loud?
All the leaders of each nation who had not yet left the conference room watched me with expressions that said they agreed.
At that, I shrugged my shoulders.
The Bringham Empire Emperor, who had once seemed so imposing, no longer inspired any fear in me.
So I answered like a sly old fox.
"I am always on your side. If difficulties arise in the world, I will step forward without hesitation. I do hope His Majesty the Emperor will also cheer me on."
I presented the justification that it was for the world, not for personal gain.
At that, the Bringham Empire Emperor let out a hollow laugh and turned away, and as if taking his place, the Emperor of my homeland, the Rainhatz Empire, Mikhail, approached.
"The Bringham Empire Emperor seems quite bitter about having the position of the world's top authority taken from him. But I am not. I will always support Chairman Lawrence."
He cheered me on, as always.
Of course, I know that this behavior itself is part of his calculation, but Mikhail and I have always gotten along so well that we have never once been at odds.
Because of that, I smiled comfortably and shook hands with him.
"Then I will take my leave now. I need to organize my thoughts on what was decided at today's meeting."
"Yes, please take care."
Strictly speaking, he is my superior, but now the hierarchical relationship between us no longer held.
He was well aware of that too, so he gave me a polite farewell.
After the Bringham Empire Emperor and then the Rainhatz Empire Emperor left the conference room, people approached me one by one.
"We who serve the goddess's command can now be considered a community of fate, can't we?"
"That's right."
"So there are no more obstacles between us now."
"Excuse me?"
"I turn 18 tomorrow. I will officially be an adult. Now you won't be able to avoid me by saying I'm too young."
"S-Saintess?"
"I heard you are scheduled to walk the Path of the Goddess tomorrow. I will dress up nicely and wait for you."
Though among them there were greetings like the Saintess Ibril's that sent chills down my spine, most gave ordinary greetings along the lines of looking forward to working together.
Though everyone's true feelings were surely completely different.
"I'll need to give her some education someday."
"Who?"
"The Saintess Ibril."
Once all the dignitaries had withdrawn, Arcia came up to me, saying I had worked hard, and massaged my shoulders.
But at her remark, I had to smile awkwardly.
"You know how important the Saintess is in Rondel, right?"
"Of course. Don't worry. Since Adrian-nim cherishes her like a younger sibling, he won't kill her."
"That's a relief."
Arcia, who seems innocent but occasionally gets angry, is indeed scary.
Then we too slowly strolled through the magic academy used as the conference venue and headed to where the vehicles were parked.
But then.
"Chairman! Chairman Lawrence!"
The King of the Chase Kingdom, who had been forced to spit out 'Egypt' which he had finally obtained because Rondel's invasion of Earth had been completely blocked at this meeting, came running with a frantic expression.
He was in his thirties, on the young side among the leaders, but even so, a King should have dignity running in a public place was not a sight one saw easily.
Thanks to that, I could sense that something had blown up again.