The Temple of All, the Pantheon.
　A holy temple that exists far above the heavens, in the divine world where the gods dwell.
　It is a place like a meeting place where all the gods gather to talk and relax....
　Although I'm a newbie, I'm also a member of the World God's Household, and as I have the qualifications of a senior god, I'm allowed to enter the Pantheon, the Temple of All, too.
　Well, even though I'm a senior god, I'm still the lowest in terms of my position. I can't help but feel that I am unworthy of the status myself, just because I am a member of the parent god (in this case, the World God), so it was inevitable.
　So, to be honest, I don't feel very comfortable with it. It makes me weirdly nervous. Of course, there are gods everywhere.....
　When I passed through the gates of the Temple of All, Pantheon, I was automatically transported to a place that looked like a large courtyard. Inside the "Pantheon", various parts exist independently, and there is no fixed route to get there.
　If you are familiar with it, you can move to your destination in an instant, but if you are not familiar with it, you will get lost in no time.
　The central station seems to be this courtyard, but how do I get there from here?
　As I was at my wits' end, a sparrow flew out of the treetops of the brilliantly shining trees and fluttered to rest on my shoulder. Hey, this sparrow is.....

Oh, Shinjin. It's been a while, how are you doing?
Oh, yes. Thanks to you. Um, the flying god... wasn't it?
Oh.

　Although it looks like a sparrow at first glance, it's still a full-fledged god. I met her before when I came to the Man Temple Pantheon with my sister Hanakoi. He is a god of flight, which means he is not only a god of birds, but also a god of all flying things.

"You came here alone, do you have something to do with someone?
''Yes. Hanakoi [Karen] sister........Oh, I'm here to see the God of Love. Do you know where you are?　I only heard that he was in the Ten Thousand Temples, the Pantheon...
''Ah........the god of love........ Oh, right, that one........

　The sparrow-clad flying god dexterously held his head with one wing and shook his head.
　Eh. What is that uneasy reaction........

Well, it's okay. I'll be able to guide you, if you want. This way.

　With a flap of his little wings again, the flying god takes off from my shoulder. I'm not sure, but I'll follow him anyway. I don't know where else to go.
　As I pass through the white stone arches in the courtyard, the scenery changes in an instant to something else. The courtyard from earlier disappeared somewhere else, and we came to a place where a spiral staircase made of glass stretched upward.
　The spiral staircase was inside a cylindrical glass building, and outside of the spiral staircase, multicolored fishes were swimming freely in the glistening blue liquid. What? It's the ocean floor, here?

Come on. Don't get lost - if you get lost, you won't get back on your own.

　What's that? It's scary. Could it be that you can't get out of it even with 【Gate】 or 【Interspace Transfer】?
　I hurriedly followed the flying god up the glass spiral staircase.
　Looking closely, I saw the ocean (?). There are people who look like people and mermaids among the I wonder if they too are gods or their relatives.
　No, are the fishes that swim around here like that too? It's because they're only gods or their families that live here. ...let's try to avoid doing anything unnecessary.
　Guided by the flying god, I walked through the archway at the top of the spiral staircase and again ended up in a different place.
　This time it was a dim, dark space with many stars twinkling in the sky.
　The iridescent stone pavement underneath my feet stretched straight ahead. It's a good way to keep your eyes on the flying gods in front of you.

"Don't waste your time, this way. If you stay here too long, you'll get interesting and get tangled up with people!
For what?

　I felt incomprehensible fear at the flying god's words and dashed through the darkness as fast as I could. I can hear a clucking of the tongue from the darkness behind me, but I pretend not to hear it. I can also hear the sound of something dragging on the ground, but I pretend I don't hear it!
　After running through the darkness almost alongside the flying gods in the sky, I found myself in another place. This is a labyrinth........
　After that, while passing through several places, greeting the gods I met, while running away from the troublesome gods, I finally arrived at the place where sister Hanakoi was said to be.

''This place is........''

　Dense green trees and a hundred flowers in full bloom. A beautiful stream flows and a cool breeze blows. Beyond the trees that were filled with the light of the spirit, there was the pure white Azumaya - a gazebo with a hemispherical glass roof. It was like a garden like a rose garden.
　While I was speechless at the splendor of the garden, the flying god flew towards the gazebo with a flap.
　I followed him through the tunnel of roses and headed there, and found a woman prostrated in a chair at a table in the gazebo. That was...!

Hanakoi?

　I hurriedly picked up Hanakoi's sister, who was lying down on the table without any strength, and hurriedly picked her up. The face of Hanakoi sister, who was suddenly weak, was pale and her eyes were swimming in the air with emptiness.

''Light, come, peaceful healing, Cure Heel!　And [recovery]!

　I cast a layer of recovery magic and state recovery magic, but Hanakoi sister's complexion doesn't return to normal. d*mn it, magic doesn't work on the god race!
　No, I'm a god, after all. If it works on me, it should work on Hanakoi's sister too. Don't tell me that this is a divine evil poison...!

...and whimper.........
Don't talk!　Wait for me!　Now the world god...!

　I shouted to my sister Hanakoi, who took out her phone from her pocket and held it in her arms.

''I want to eat..........''
"............... ...
..............ouch!

　Hanakoi sister screams as she lets go of her hugging hands and hits the back of her head on the back of the chair.
　Hey, wait, Kora. You're just hungry for food?

Can you explain to me what this is all about...?
'I haven't eaten anything for days!　I can't take it anymore!　He's a god, so he won't die from not eating, but it's an unbearable pain for me, having discovered how good food tastes on earth!　So, you're going to give your sister something to eat!

　Ignoring my sister who pulls out a joke, I bow deeply to the Flying God on the table.

''Ah, God of Flight, thank you for your help. I'm going home.
'No!　You can't leave!　Don't abandon me, eh!
'Oh my God!　Okay, I get it, just let go of my clothes!

　I shook off Hanakoi sister who was clinging to my coat while crying and took out some of the dishes that Lou made for now from [Storage]. A delicious smell of delicious-looking food can be found in the area.

''I did it!　Fuyuuya, the delivery is a success!　I'll take it!

　Hanakoi sister reaches for the spoon placed with a joyful expression. The crow that just cried is already laughing. I knew it was a false cry, Konnyaro.

You.......... You're having a hard time........

　Don't. Don't look at me with such pitying eyes.
　I couldn't stand the flying god's gaze anymore, and with a sigh, I looked up at the sky I could see through the glass.


　　　　　　　　　　◇ ◇ ◇


So?　What are you doing here, after all?
I'm in the middle of an ascension exam.
Shall I...?

　Huh?　Not a promotion?　

It's a test to raise one's status. The divinity is divided into three groups: senior gods, intermediate gods and lower gods, but nowadays they are just divided by role. In the past, there used to be a strict hierarchical relationship, but nowadays, how is that possible? I'm just saying. Now, the top one is only slightly more privileged, but basically there's not much difference. ...whatever, this is a good one!　I can't stop pecking away!

　Ka ka ka ka!　And the god of flight, who explained to me to hit the plates in succession, was eating Lou's food while snapping his beak 《beak》. By the way, what he was eating was an omelette. As a result, the flying god was covered in ketchup. It was like a bloody sparrow.

''If I pass that ascension test, will my divinity status go up?
Sort of. But in tens of thousands of years, few people have taken it, you know?　Unlike the ascension from a subordinate god, the treatment isn't that different, and the exams are a lot of trouble.

　Umm........I don't know. No, it's not about the ascension test, I don't understand why the troublesome Hanakoi sister decided to take such a troublesome thing.
　I don't know, so I honestly put my doubts to her, and Hanakoi sister stopped eating her omelet and started banging the plate with her spoon with her katsukatsu. What?　That expression that seems hard to say.

''.........Fuyao-kun, weren't you recognized by the World God as a god race?''
Yes.
''The fact that you will eventually be entrusted with the management of that world means that you will be given the role of being in charge of one world, which is unquestionably the job of a senior god. In other words........if this continues, Fuyao-kun will be greater than your sister!
...What?

　What is this sister talking about?　

'You can't be a big sister and not be lower than your brother!　This time, I'm going to show big sister's abilities for one thing, and take the same advanced divinity status as Fuyao-kun... aaaaah!

　Zubi's sister Hanakoi's head as she began to wield her passionate speech!　And then he chops it up.

'You haven't been seen or heard from for days, and if you're worried about me, that's why!　It's so silly I don't even have words for it!　There are no words for it!
Why twice?

　It is true that I'm a member of the World God's family, so I'm a member of the World God's family, so if it's only a divinity, I'm in the highest class, but in terms of my position, I'm the lowest of all the gods we have now. According to the World God, it will take about ten thousand years to be recognized as a proper senior god. In other words, until that time, he's just a "new god," and that means he's still a minor player.
　If you ask them who is higher, me or sister Hanakoi, all the gods will tell you that it's sister Hanakoi.
　Look. Even the flying gods are looking at you with a dumbfounded look on their faces.

''Ugh.... Big sister's dignity...''
There was never any such thing!
'You said it was clear!　It's there!　There's a little bit of that in there!

　Oh, for goodness sake. Don't make me worry about something I didn't have to. In this case, you're right, like Morohana-san said, it's okay to leave it alone.
　The status of a deity and the status of a god are two different things and cannot be compared. Well, it seems that the responsibility is heavier depending on the divinity, though.
　I understand why. Now, what should we do with this idiot sister for now? Yumina and the others are worried about her, and I'd like to force her to go back home, but.......

''So when is that exam going to end?''

　Sighing, I asked, and Hanakoi sister's face twisted into a distressed expression. .........What is it?　I mean, what is the content of the test in the first place?

'I want it to be over.........

　Hanakoi sister, who looked up into the void while mumbling, brings the omelet to her mouth like a machine. There's no more light in my eyes........ What happened?
　Instead of Hanakoi's sister, who had turned into a machine that only ate omelette, the ketchup-covered flying god answered. Oh god. I wiped it off with a handkerchief because it bothered me.

''Ascension tests are usually to show your ability to 'do this' in your field of expertise. Raising the status of a god is like proving that you have improved your rank. And in the case of the God of Love....
In Hanakoi's case.......you mean, romantically?
Oh. There's a couple of gods who are fighting. Simply put, if you intervene and get things settled, you pass, if you fail, you're disqualified...

　I see. So you're going to help make up for it? Certainly, that's a test of your power as a love god, isn't it?
　As I was admiring them, I heard the voices of a man and a woman arguing from behind a rose bush. They are coming closer and closer to me. Could it be the gods of husband and wife who are fighting?

Oh, I'm here.

　Hanakoi's sister removes her curran and spoon and gives her a pained look.

''Oops, well, I'll be here then. So long, Shinjin. Let me eat good food again!
Oh, the flying god!　It's not fair to run away!

　The panicked flying gods flapped away from the gazebo. He blatantly escaped but........What, are those husband and wife gods really that bad!
　As I was inwardly freaked out, a pair of men and women emerged from the cobblestone path behind the bushes.

'Hey, love god!　Say something to this stiff!
'God of love!　Say something to this frivolous man!

　Yelling and bang!　and the two gods banging on the table where sister Hanakoi was. Scary. Is this the couple gods from the story?
　The man had tanned red-copper skin, and was a muscular, great-looking man, like a gymnast.
　He had blue eyes like sapphires, short blond hair, and wore a toga-like blue outfit like the ancient Romans wore, with golden sandals on his feet.
　The woman had long black hair and pale skin, and was more of a beauty type. She had a well-groomed face and hazel eyes, and although she was wearing a white outfit that resembled a kimono with a navy blue obi wrapped around it, her feet were black leather boots.

It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what to expect. And for now, both of you need to calm down. First of all, we need to calm down and discuss this........
We've been talking about it ever since, but this guy just won't listen to me!　It's not worth talking about!
What are you talking about?　It's you who doesn't listen to me!　You deny everything, you're like a child being selfish!
What?
What?

　I was overwhelmed by the two of them continuing to stare at each other and argue, so I couldn't say a word. Quite frankly, I was scared. My dad and mom also had a couple of fights, but they didn't last long because either he broke down or she immediately apologized.

''Well, sister Hanakoi, are these two...?''
He's a sea god and a mountain god...

　Hanakoi sister points to the male god and goddess with a genial look on her face. Haha, the God of the Sea and the God of the Mountain?
　I thought the god of the sea was a woman, but it was the opposite. It's often called 'Mother Sea' or something like that.
　However, Poseidon, famous in Greek mythology, is also a male god, so is it not strange?
　The mountain gods also had a male image of a "mountain man," but there's also the term "earth mother god". It's not something to worry about too much, is it?

"The god of the sea and the god of the mountain are husband and wife.... I don't think they are at all contrary to each other...''
''We're usually a couple gods who get along well. But once things get complicated, both of us are stubborn...''
"He's the only one who's got a bone in his body!

　I got yelled at in the stereo. This sure looks like a tough one. Well, I guess it wouldn't be a test otherwise.

You're always holed up in the mountains, you're an old-fashioned way of thinking. You're not afraid to be as open-minded as the ocean...!
'Ha!　I don't want to be told that by a man who dawdles that way and dawdles that way like an unthinking jellyfish. You're a real sourpuss!
What?
What?

　Oh come on, it's endless........ If neither one of us is willing to listen to the other, then what's going to come together won't come together either........

''What do you think, God of Love?!''

　The faces that had been staring at each other were rotated ninety degrees guriously, and their gazes turned to sister Hanakoi. I felt like I could see an aura of burning fire behind me. Is it the wrath of God?
　Hanakoi's sister, who was talked down to, opens her mouth with a drawn-out smile.

''Ah, er... ah, Fuyao-kun!　As a fellow married man, I'm hoping you can give them both some advice!
Huh?

　Why do you wave it at me?　Isn't this your sister's exam, Hanakoi?

God of love, who is this guy?
He's my brother on earth. You know, the new god.
'Oh, so you're the World God's family?　You were married. Then we'll have to talk about it soon.

　No, no, no, no!　Wait a minute!　Sure, I'm a married man, but I have to admit, I've rarely had any marital-like fights!
　Most of the time I end up apologizing, and if they come in by the numbers, I can't win.......

''You'd understand if you were a man too!　A wife should do her husband's bidding and act on it herself!
'Huh!　"Bring that thing. That's the thing, that's the thing." That's not going to get through to me, even if it's a telepathic message!　You need to name them properly!
That's your wife's job to know that!
'I can't, I'm not your mother!　Hey, this guy did something to me and he didn't have a single word of appreciation for it!　What do you think!
''Ah, yes. I'd like to see at least a word of thanks...

　The Mountain God asked me for my opinion, and I responded while pulling back slightly. Did I say it right too...?　I tried to say as much as possible, but there might have been times when I neglected it.
　The Ocean God clicks his tongue at the Mountain God, who became smug when he agreed with me.

''That's how you get so nebulous about the details that I lose interest in saying it!　I'm still rehashing things that happened tens of thousands of years ago.... How many times do I have to make you apologize!　Come on!
'Oh, sure. I don't want to be told repeatedly that it's already done. What do you want me to do now...
Right?
Hey!　Whose side are you on?!

　No, I'm not taking sides, though.
　The two of them are sparking and arguing in front of me. When asked for an opinion, if you answer to one side, the other one will blame you. It's unreasonable.
　The repetition of their affectionate smiles and 'oh well, oh well, just calm down' mediation is chipping away at my spirit.
　I mean, why am I in this situation!
　I stole a glance at Hanakoi, the culprit, and she was crunching away at the leftover omelet rice without a care in the world. Hey, hey, sis!　It's your test, not mine!
　Looking over my shoulder, which made me feel a little murderous, the Mountain God turns his attention to the omelet on the table.

''........God of Love, what have you been eating since just now?　Sounds good, doesn't it?
Is that what I think it is?　Are you an earthly eater?

　Curious, the two of them look into sister Hanakoi's plate.
　Ah, I see. God doesn't die even if you don't eat it, and perhaps because there are complete foods in the divine world, such as 'Nectar', 'Amrita' and 'Divine Fruit (Ambrosia)', the food in the divine world is completely different from the food on earth?　How rare is that?

It's been a long time since I've seen an earthly food since that cook god guy holed up in his laboratory (kitchen) and hasn't come out for tens of thousands of years.... Hey, is this stuff already gone?
'There is, but ... oh, yes, let's have a meal!　It's frustrating when you're hungry!

　I said that in an extraordinarily loud voice at the Ocean God's question, and arranged several items, including an omelette from [Storage], on the table. For now, let's distract myself from the person I'm fighting with for now.

''Oh........!
Looks good...!

　They put as many different types of food on the table as possible, ranging from gutsy to light. The two stopped arguing, perhaps because they were intrigued, and each sat down on a chair and began to reach for the food in front of them.
　........wind. It's not a fundamental solution, but if food can stop this argument, even temporarily, it's a cheap thing.
　However, I don't know how to make up for it........


　　　　　　　　　　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


"Yes, dear. Ahhh.
Hm!　Delicious!　You make it taste so much better when you feed me!
'Oh, God!　It's embarrassing...

　I sipped the coffee in my hand as the sweet exchange of words unfolded in front of me. It's supposed to be black, but it feels sweet....

''This one's good too!　I love the mountain bounty of wildflowers!　I'm relieved to taste something as gentle as you...
Oh, the seafood is delicious here, too.　It's full of flavor from the ocean. It's wonderfully deep and mature.

　I manage to swallow it, enduring the flirting conversation that seems to make me spit out all the coffee in my mouth.
　Bitterness. Give me more bitterness.....

What's the meaning of this...?

　As they both began to eat their food, they began to share their opinions with each other. At first, we were just stating our common opinion of 'delicious' to each other, but then we started recommending what we were eating to each other. And just when we thought we were having a good time talking about the food, we found that we had created this sweet space in the blink of an eye.

'We're a couple of gods who were originally good friends,' I thought it would take a long time, but this marital quarrel was short-lived. As expected of a love god,''
I didn't do anything...

　The flying god who had come back before I knew it, this time covered in meat sauce, answered my question. What?　Did you like the tomatoes?
　She's a flower love sister and she's drinking fruit water through a straw with tired eyes. I assumed that she was feeling an indescribable emptiness. Is that so? The problem that I was struggling with so much has been solved on its own.
　In the end, it would have been better to leave him alone, right? We used to say, "A quarrel between husband and wife is no match for a dog.

I knew you were the best!
Shit!　If you do!

　Watching the lovey-dovey drama in front of me, I began to wonder what that was all about earlier. How can they shoot out so many lovey-dovey rays? I'm honestly impressed. It's hard work for the people around you, isn't it....
　When I mumbled that, Hanakoi sister looked at me with a dumbfounded look on her face. Eh, what?

'What are you talking about? Fuyu Yoru and the rest of you are like that, too.　...It's scary not to be aware of it.

　What....what...?
　Oh, are we like that, you know.... It's true that hugs and kisses as a greeting have increased, but........ I don't know if we were even bothered by people's eyes.......
　Well......................no. Yeah. I think he thought, "Well, we're married, so what's wrong with that?

'Well, we're newlyweds, so I suppose we can't blame them for being in love, but...'
'Right!　It can't be helped!

　We're newlyweds, so it's no wonder we're lovebirds!　I don't have a choice!
　I gulped down the rest of my coffee in one gulp, trying to disguise why my face was starting to burn.