That was bound to happen again if Air were to manifest other gods. The human continent would be embroiled in religious wars.
“Then how about making a unified god?” Lico suggested.
“A unified god?”
“You’d unify the Gods of De Marl and the other gods worshipped on the human continent into one god and give them form. After all, humans aren’t as intimately familiar with the legend of the creator deity. So, if the humans find out that all the gods they were taught to worship since infancy were unified by the creator deity Air, I think the people would be willing to worship it.” Lico appended that creating the unified god would make people more aware of Air’s power and majesty.
Whoa, that’s a great idea, Lico! That’s an alchemist’s logic for you, once she knows she’s dealing with new elements, she can piece them together into new options.
“Hm… And you think the different countries won’t fight over different interpretations of the unified god? I doubt that,” Air demurred. “Humans always find a way to expand interpretations in ways that suit them.”
“But if it’s a god that exists physically, they’ll be able to shoot down any interpretations, just like you can,” she countered.
“…True. But if that god lingers in one place, won’t that country use that as a symbol of authority?” Air asked.
“Just make it so it doesn’t reside in one place. Like…a bird, for instance. Or a speck of light. That way, even if you tried to keep it trapped somewhere, it could slip away as light and ride the wind elsewhere. It would appear wherever people are, assuage their concerns and would learn and mature alongside mankind.”
“A god that learns and matures… Fascinating.”
Oh, looks like Air is all for it! You’re doing great, Lico! No one thought of this before!
“I’d like to pursue this further, but I’m not familiar with the gods of the human continent. Hm, remind me, what was your name again?” air asked.
“Licorice Avide… But, erm… It’ll be Licorice Ril, once my marriage is finalized.”
I could see Dad shudder from the impact of those words.
Heheh. Good going, Dad.
“The Holy Woman’s stepmother, then. Your father found himself a smart woman,” Air said to me.
“Didn’t he? She’s also my alchemist teacher!” I bragged.
“Mm-hm. Well, we can discuss the details of this later, but for the time being, I want to hear about your plans for the Holy Woman, Renge.” Air turned back to Renge.
Renge let out a small gasp.
How often do I get to hear Renge being this taken aback…?
“Are you going to marry her? When? Her birthday’s next year, so after that? Human weddings are a big social affair, if I recall. Have you planned that? And where will you live? How about children, how many are you going to have?” Air bombarded him with questions.
“I, erm, uh…”
Poor Renge! He’s getting hit with the same wave of questions I was!
“A-Air, we’ll decide that together later, so please, leave it be for today…!” I implored him.
“Then you two can figure that out together right here. You have your parents, as well as me, Renge’s teacher and blood relative. Your fates are important, both for your families and the world at large. It would be a good idea to discuss it in a wide forum. We’ve seen how wise your stepmother is.”
I could only let out a whimper. He was right, I couldn’t deny that. I glanced at Renge, who looked defeated by the fact he couldn’t argue against Air’s reasoning.
Don’t look at me like that, I can’t help you here…
“We don’t know how your children will turn out until they’re born, and there’s a possibility you won’t be able to have any due to the difference in your races,” Dad piped in. “But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t set a date for your wedding and decide on your home.”
Not you too, Dad…
He fixed his eyes on Renge, who made a croak reminiscent of a frog being squished.
“Well, Renge?” Air pressed him for an answer. “Your father never thought of the future when you were born, and left you in that house when Akari died. You were all alone until I came along. Do you intend to be the kind of irresponsible husband your father was? Of course, I don’t know what your idea of a family is.”
“That’s not true!” Renge shouted. “I wasn’t all alone…!”
“Oh, yes, Akari’s younger brother was looking after you for a time, right?” Air said. “But a human’s lifespan passes by quickly. You were alone after that. But this time…”
Renge’s mother, Lady Akari. The previous Holy Woman and the first human acknowledged by Air. Illness claimed her life, but even after that, she lingered within the Stone of Daybreak she had left with the Great Curalius, and she was always worried for Renge.
Renge’s father…a Cerberus from another world. He loved Lady Akari dearly, but never cared much for Renge. After Lady Akari died, he returned to his original world, leaving Renge all alone in this one…
That story was Renge’s trauma. It was the weak point that made him most vulnerable.
“So, what are your thoughts, Renge?” Air asked him again. “Are you sure you want things to stay as they are? You want to keep stalling on making this choice?”
“…No. Next year, when…Tina comes of age. We’ll need some time to prepare, but…let’s marry at the end of next year. What do you say, Tina…? Do you…really want to marry me?”
“Huh?”
Renge was fidgety and red in the cheeks.
Did he just…propose to me…?
“Ah…Yes. Of course I do…!” I squeaked out, taken aback by the intensity of what just happened.