I was descending a flight of stairs that led down endlessly.
　There was no pedestal or support, and the stairs seemed to be floating in the air.

......

　Angel, who was coming down with me, looked down anxiously and squeezed my sleeve.

"It's okay, Angel. I'll be there for you.
"--Yes!

　It wasn't a magic word, but it took the fear out of Angers with that word.
　He's still holding on to my sleeve, but it's more of a desire to be skinny dipping with me than an escape from fear.

　Relieved, Angier and I climbed down further.
　There's that mermaid in front of us.

　The mermaid holds her ball and dexterously walks down the stairs with her lower body.
　Just when I began to wonder if the stairs would go on forever, we saw the end point.

　After a long descent, there was a space with a clean and mysterious air that reminded me of the 'spiritual land' of Silvermoon.

Wow. ......

　It's not normal, but perhaps because there is no malice or harm in it, Angier looked around with pure interest only.

　Then the mermaid placed her ball on a pedestal in the center of the space.

　The ball---lighted.
　It pulsed and flashed.

　Then the air changed even more, became thicker.

　The calm that had been so serene earlier became more intense, its nature intact.

"What is this?
"The Lord is pleased. This is the throne, and I know that the Lord has returned to the place where he should return for the first time in hundreds of years. Even if it's only for a short time before he returns to his original place due to some attribute change.
"I see.

　I guess it's similar to Silvermoon's "Spirit Land".
　I mean, it's good to have it back. It was inevitable, but I'm glad I did.

"Thank you again, human king.
"I'm not a king,
"?　After leading so many people, you're not a king?

　The mermaid was clearly mystified.
　But it was only for a moment.

　He wasn't interested in whether I was the king or not, so he turned again to his jade on a pedestal - her Lord.

The Lord has returned to his rightful place, and in a thousand years he will return.
"Does it take that long?
"On a human scale it would be.
I see.

　They must be a very long-lived tribe.
　Or a tribe of gods?

　As I've come to learn, that creator god has a habit of excluding other gods.

　This mermaid, and this ball.
　This mermaid and this bead... who, if he were a god, would know to speak in terms of a thousand years.

　At the same time, it's a thankless task.

"Hey, if that's the case, then maybe you'll let us have the land for a thousand years.
"Land?
"Yeah, the land that houses the people.
"It's ......
"I'll protect you from that creator God instead.
"...... No.

　The mermaid hesitated for a moment, then rejected it outright.

"Why?
"I can't borrow your protection. You're human. You'll be gone in a hundred years. It's dangerous to depend on someone who will be gone in a hundred years. The Lord who reverts to his original attributes after you're gone will soon be beaten.
In that case, you can do the real work.
I can't.
If the divine punishment is 100, for example, how much power do you have?　How far can you prevent it?

　The mermaid's face twisted as she listened.

"0.1 ...... if it's 1 in 1000.
I see.

　Quite a power differential.

Do you see what I mean?　In me--
"Rather just right.
"What?

　The mermaid is vexed.
　She was angry that she was not strong enough to protect the Lord and was told that she was "just fine".

"I'll take a little help from the earth.

　Then I said, and pulled out my wise man's sword and thrust it into the ground.

"What are you going to do, Master Alec?
I've been attacked by it many times.
"Yes!　Oh no!　Alec-sama always wins!

　Angel to enthusiastically deny their last words.


　It's not that kind of "I've been beaten up," but it's good now .

'We've gone at it a lot, but each time it's a clash of all-out forces, it's still exhausting.
"...... wow
"What's up Angel?
"That's about as 'tiring' a story as you can get: ...... amazing ......

　A twinkle in your eye, Angel.

I don't want to get tired, so I've been trying to think of a way not to get tired. And here it is.

　Through the blade of a baboon kane, a magic circle was spread out and wards were set up.

　Based on the plough's warding, this is a further development.
　It is not invincible, and in some cases it gives the enemy an advantage--or rather, my opponent has the advantage.

　But that trait is more effective now.
　Such wards.

What have you done?
"Is the new magic?

　So far, Angier quickly surmised, "Yeah, more of a ward than a spell.

"Yeah, it's more of a ward than a spell.
What is the effect?　Are you invincible?
It's not.

　I drew my wise man's sword from the ground and cut Angel with all my might.

"--!

　Mermaid startled, but unmoved Angier .
　Of course, the speed is inevitable in Angier, but even after doing so, Angier stood there without even questioning.

　It means he trusts me.

"Is that the effect?
In a word - nullifies a lot of damage. All power above a certain level is nullified, regardless of who is in the space, friend or foe.

　I put the wise man's sword back on my back and magically made a pedestal.
　I put my elbows on it and say to Angier, "Arm-wrestle me.

"Arm-wrestle and you'll understand.
"Yes--oh.

　Raise your voice Angel.
　The arm wrestling that had invited her was completely even.

"Master Alec, you're really trying, aren't you?
Of course. Even if I'm going for it, my strength will be cut above the limit. As long as we're in here, friend and foe--all of us, Angers and I will be the same strength.
I see. Then it doesn't matter how much divine punishment comes!
"Yeah--that's what I mean.

　After the reveal with Angier, she turned her gaze to the mermaid again.

　She was awestruck again, but...

This way you - well, anyone can protect your master from that creator.
"...... oh
By the way, it's practically impossible to change or break the wards because it would take more than a ward to do it.
"Oh, ...... thank you!

　Understanding the situation, the mermaid thanked him with the biggest smile she had ever seen.

"So - I was wondering if you would be willing to rent this land to me for a thousand years.
"...... got it!

　After thinking about it for a bit, she glanced at her master's balls.

　She readily agreed.

　I see.
　But, come to think of it, yes.

　The god of creation wants me dead.
　If it weren't for the danger, her master would be nice enough to take this kind of thing in stride.

　I kind of wanted to meet her someday.