In a Different World with a Smartphone Chapter 433: The Pantheon, and the Gods Lottery.

Areh? Where is this?

The place I was brought to by Karen nee-san was not the usual room I always met the World God in (although it feels weird to call that place a room).

A pristine white marble floor, and huge white pillars lined up to either side. Outside, the usual sea of clouds stretches out beyond the horizon.

Directly in front, beyond a flight of stairs, stood a large temple-like structure.

Above, the sky is clear without a single cloudwait, theyre down below, right. Theres no cloud, but there is a bright rainbow in the form of a perfect circle. The deep blue sky in the center of that circle feels like it would draw me in.

This way-nano yo.

Karen nee-san pulled on my hand and started walking.

Wa, wait up. What is that?

The Pantheon-nano yo. A public space used by all the gods Its like a spot to hang out, basically. The one who made it was the Creation God-sama. Everyone whos here is either a god or a gods dependant-nano yo.

Pantheon? I know about the royal castle of Demon Kingdom Xenoas, Pandemonium though, are they related?

As I was dragged into that place by Karen nee-san, the scenery around us changed all of a sudden. Even though we were supposed to be inside a building, this place looks like the inner courtyard of a castle. There are various plants around, with a grassy lawn that covers the whole area, and theres even a fountain in the center.

What the heck is this?

Theres a lot of different places and rooms here, but theres no special way you need to take to get to them-no yo. You can go anywhere you want, following any path you choose-no yo.

Any path So youre telling me theres no set routes in this place? Theres a limit to how strange it can get

People around us, who are lazing about around the courtyard were passing through, looked at us with interest. Those people are all gods, I suppose. I guess that sparrow-like bird which is flying over there is also a gods dependant or something like that.

It mightve noticed my gaze; the bird flew towards us, and landed on Karen nee-sans shoulder.

Oh, Love God. Is that the rumored new god?

Yep. Were in a bit of a hurry, Flight God, so Ill talk later-nano yo.

Haha. Arent you cold today.

Umu. Hes not a dependant but an actual god. Sorry I gave you the wrong label.

Its fine, I dont really mind. Well, lets have a nice talk sometime.

Eh? Ah, okay.

Saying that, the Flight God flapped his wings and left. Did he read my mind? Well, he is a god. I guess that much is to be expected.

Its been billions of years since World God-sama has last had a dependant, so everyones interested in you-no yo. Touya-kun is actually a bit of a celebrity in this place-no yo. Well, theres a bit of a problem we have to deal with now because of that, though

Eh!? Did I, do something bad?

No, theres nothing wrong regarding yourself-no yo. The thing is Oh, I should talk about it once we arrive-no yo.

I have no idea whats going on. In any case, with me being dragged along by Karen nee-san, we passed through the courtyard-like place, went into an arch-shaped door and entered another building.

We shouldve entered another building, and yet.

Even though this was supposed to be in a building, it was the outside. No, is this even the outside? I cant tell even that. While the same sea of clouds could be seen in the distance, underneath my feet are a variety of different flowers all blooming in profusion.

Here and there, the same white pillars I saw with the temple earlier could be seen standing. Since theres only the pillars there and nothing else, it almost feels like looking at Egyptian obelisks.

Its like heaven, this place I guess Im not actually that far from the truth with that. Or rather, wouldnt heaven be below this place? Since this is the Divine Realm and all. I dont really know.

Yaa, you finally came.

Areh? Kousuke ojii-san?

Before I noticed, the Agriculture God, Kousuke ojii was standing in front of me. And besides him, theres also the Hunting God, Karina nee-san.

For now, everyone has calmed down. The annoying ones are being supressed by the Sword God and the Martial God. Sheesh, what a bunch of troublemakers.

So said Karina nee-san in an exasperated voice, but I have no idea what any of that is supposed to mean.

Can you guys just explain to me already? Exactly what is going on here?

Un, I think its best if you asked World God-sama yourself about that. Well be following along too. Now, lets go.

Kousuke ojii began walking. In the end, theres no choice but to follow for me, huh.

As we walked on amidst the pleasant fragrance of the flowers, eventually, sakura-like trees began appearing, and pale-colored petals started drifting through the air.

While walking, I realized the figures of people appreciating the flowers could be seen here and there around us. These people are probably gods as well. Theyre looking our way, too.

Honestly speaking, its not a great feeling. Its as if Im being treated as a rare animal or something. I wonder if Im just too paranoid about it.

Ohh, its good for you to come.

Ohh, its good for you to come! Nyahahaha!

Underneath a noticeably larger sakura tree, the World God sat on top of a goza mat. Besides him, theres the Alcohol God, Suika, hugging a tokkuri. And besides her, theres the Music God, Sousuke nii-san as well, holding a harp.

Sorry to call you out like this. Well, sit down first.

For now, I followed World God-samas instruction and sat down on the goza. Somehow, this goza has an amazing texture. Is this really a goza?

To tell you the truth, there was actually a banquet held today for the gods. Its a good opportunity for everyone to gather, so I talked about the resort plan to them. That since Touya-kun agreed to be the manager, it looks achievable now. When everyone heard that, they were very interested and happy at the news. They were raising a whole ruckus celebrating the chance to go down to the mortal realm openly.

Ah, that one. The thing about how gods would go down and spend some time vacationing as a normal human?

Thats it. However, speaking about that We actually got onto the topic of your wedding ceremony as we talked. When I said that myself as well as the Love God, Sword God and others will be participating as your family members, they started complaining, you see. Give that chance to them too, were their words.

Eh? What does that How did the topic of my wedding ceremony come up while they were talking about the resort plan?

Basically, its this-nano yo. If they attend your wedding ceremony as your family member, they would get to go down to the mortal world before other gods, is the implication. An advance team for the resort plan Or rather, more like special invitation guests, I suppose.

Eh, the heck is that?

It would be bad if we arbitrarily decided on your family members without you actually being present, you know. So I called you here. Speaking of the empty positions, it would be your parents, siblings, uncles and aunts, cousins, stuff like that

Wa, please wait a second! Ill be troubled if you just go and increase my family like that!

I already have 8 gods as my family by now, you know. Although my direct family is only World God-sama as well as Karen nee-san and Moroha nee-san.

Plus, although the world we live in is different, my mom and dad are still alive too. I would definitely feel reluctant to call someone else as my father or mother. For grandpa though, I already had 2 from both my parents sides, so that one I dont really mind that much.

Well, I do agree with you on that-no yo. Itd be annoying for me too if some weird people became my father or mother-no yo.

By weird people, what do you?

Touya-kun, could you call that Flight God from earlier your dad-no yo?

Peoplell think Ive gone crazy, wont they.

Im glad you understand-no yo.

I mean, he completely looks like a sparrow. When I looked around more closely, among the gods looking this way there are some weird people Gods? There too. Like people with their heads being that of cats or birds. They look like Egyptian gods or gods from somewhere around there Completely different from the gods I know about.

Well, there are people like werecats among the demon races, so even if they had gone down to earth, people will just be curious about them and it wont cause a huge ruckus; but still, if someone like that was to become my mom, thatd be a bit too impossible.

Isnt it fine even if theyre not my family? Things like friends from my hometown, people who have cared for me in the past It wouldnt be weird if we invited people like that to my wedding ceremony anyway.

The instant they heard those words, the gods around me all raised a loud cheer of Uooooooh!. Uwa, that scared me!

So you do get it, new god!

Thats right! Everyone should get a chance!

Exactly! We want to stretch ourselves and relax too!

What, are there so many people who want to go down? Are gods all so free?

Although, apparently not everyone here is enthusiastic. Theyre split into the gods who want to spread their wings as soon as possible, and the gods who are thinking theyll go down sometime in the future.

Is that really ok? At this rate, everyone will go down-no yo? If those bunch created any problems down on earth, its you, Touya-kun, who have to take responsibility and deal with them-nano yo? We as your support staff will also help, but

Eh!? Wait, thats what will happen!?

I became very anxious when I heard Karen nee-san whisper next to me. Theres no way gods who go down to earth will not cause problems!

Everyone, calm down. Even if we say his world will become a resort world for the gods, it does not mean we can go to that world and do whatever we want there. The mortal realm has its own rules, and if we ignore them, well be smearing dirt onto his, and by extension, onto the World Gods face with our actions, after all.

When Kousuke ojii raised his voice, the celebrating gods around went umuu and became silent again. As expected of the person God with the most common sense among the gods who have come down to our world.

Then, Agriculture God. Just how should we choose the members who will be invited to that wedding ceremony?

A huge man who looks to be at least 2.5m tall with his upper half bare asked. He wears a robe like the chiton worn by ancient Greeks which is hung on his left shoulder, and his bulging muscles could be seen in the uncovered areas. Whats more, hes constantly making body builder poses as if to show those muscles off.

We will decide that from now on, Strength God. Its for that reason that he was called here.

Strength God. I see, the god of power, huh. Im convinced.

Around how many people would you be fine with?

Uun, even if you ask me that What does Karen nee-san and everyone else think?

World God-sama asked me thus, but I couldnt really make a clear decision, so I threw the question to Karen nee-san and the others who were besides me. The matter of gods should be left to their fellow gods to resolve. I mean, Im technically almost one of those gods too, but.

Nn, itd be trouble for us if too many come down at once For a number we can take care of, around 10 would be the max?

Ten people, eh Well, as long as they arent people who would cause a lot of trouble, that should be fine.

And for those whove shown model behaviour while down on the ground, they can stay longer as backup supporters, how about that?

Ahh, thats good-no yo. That way, the next time a group come down we can increase the number.

Karen nee-san snapped her fingers at World God-samas proposal. Eh, theyre gonna increase?

Would it really be fine? If they seriously went and ran amok, we wouldnt be able to keep them in control, would we

There wont be people that wild, dont worry. Everyone, in the end, wants to experience a pseudo-life as a normal human, after all. And if something really happened that you cannot handle, Ill do something about it. Youre still in your training period, so its natural that your superior would take responsibility for things like that.

Muu. Well, I guess I can rest easy if youre willing to say that much. I guess with so many backup, it should be fine Right?

So were fine with settling on 10 people? Of course, they wont be going down right now. The selected gods will be going down in batches over several occasions before the time of the wedding ceremony.

Eh? Un, well, if its that

So in the end, the number of gods in our world will increase again Theres already quite the number now, too. Even excluding World God-sama, we have 7 gods living there already.

Regarding those ten people. To be honest, one of them is basically already set. Theres the promise I made, remember? Ill be sending a person who can fix the broken world barrier of that world.

Ahh, yes. Now that you mention it.

The godly barrier that protects our world from outside threats is full of holes thanks to the Phrase. It seems that someone with considerable skill and finesse is required to fix it. Of course, its impossible for me to do it, and Karen nee-san and everyone else who lives with me are also a bit too rough around the edges to do it. So World God-sama told me he will send a suitable person down to do it Eh,

Owowowowoww!

Sorry for being rough around the edges-no yo. Its easy to read thoughts in the Divine Realm, so you better be careful-no yo~.

Karen nee-san pinched my cheeks. Say that kind of things ahead of time, please!

What are you guys doing Well, its fine. Ill be sending that person down first ahead of everyone else, thats fine right?

Its something I requested of you, so of course. I dont mind.

Sorry about it. Then let me introduce you.

When World God-sama clapped his hands together with a *pan*, an old lady suddenly appeared behind him.

Her hair is white, and she looks to be around her seventies. She looks like an elegant grandma in her white kimono. Even though shes dressed in an Eastern fashion, her eyes are blue. I wonder why, even though its our first meeting, I somehow feel a sense of familiarity towards this person.

Thats because Im also a dependant of World God-sama. Just like you.

Ah, I see.

The old lady answered with a smile. Or rather, I got my heart read again. Damn. Would my heart stop getting read if I get used to it?

The old lady sat down next to the World God on the goza. When they sit together like that, it feels like theyre an old couple or something.

This person will be in charge of the barrier repair. An upper-ranked god, the Spacetime God.

Nice to meet you, Touya-kun. For the moment, Im in the position of being your grandmother.

My grandmother? So shes placed as World God-samas wife, huh. They do look good together, to be honest.

Well now. Look good together, you say.

Umu, its a little bit embarrassing to hear that.

The two of them laughed together with a bit of embarrassment. Arya, it leaked again. My thoughts are just leaking all over the place, arent they.

Etto, by Spacetime God, you mean a god that controls time and space and things like that?

Ee, thats right. To fix the world barrier, you have to take out the ragged parts altogether and replace them from scratch. However, doing that would leave your world defenseless and also take quite some time, right? In my case, I can repair the barrier by rewinding its time, so none of that issue would occur, and itd be far easier than remaking a new one.

Hahah, I see. Five thousand years ago, the barrier was repaired temporarily by the rampage of the white and black [Crown]s, Albus and Noir. So shes doing something like what they did.

Since rewinding it all at once may cause some creases to form, Im planning to rewind it bit by bit. Its like weaving something. During that time, Ill be intruding at your castle.

Ah, yes. I dont mind that. What should I call you

Right Tokie. I shall name myself as Mochizuki Tokie while on the ground. So you can call me Tokie obaa-chan.

Tokie obaa-chan

Ee. Best regards, Touya-kun.

Saying that, the Spacetime God Tokie obaa-chan smiled. Somehow, I feel at ease when I saw that. She seems like a proper god. Oops, shouldnt think about unnecessary things. Ill get my heart read again.

And in the end, how will we decide the remaining members anyway?

Since ancient times, weve used drawing lots to decide such things

Lottery, huh. Well, omikuji is a pretty famous tradition. It might be appropriate for gods to decide on matters with. The hopeful gods around us all seem to be okay with that too.

Of course, the usage of your divine powers are forbidden. Ill be watching for that. No divination or clairvoyance too, okay? To make it impossible to cheat, the lots shall be made by Touya-kun here.

Eh, me? Well, if you tell me to make it then I will, I guess.

When I asked about how many people will participate, the answer was nearly a hundred. Isnt it too much I wonder if gods are really this free Curiosity kills the cat, and boredom kills the god, I suppose.

If I were to make a lot here, it would have to be the form of the omikuji you see in shrines, wouldnt it. A cylinder-type with a small hole at the top from which you can shake out thin sticks.

I made a simple hexagonal prism-shaped box, and put in stick-shaped lots inside. Ten of them have their tips painted gold, and the other normal sticks number over a hundred.

Close the lid with a small hole on top of it and its done.

I passed the omikuji box to Suika.

Alright now, line up properly-no da~. People who dont follow the order will be disqualified~. They wont be able to drink the delicious liquors down on earth~. Nyahahahaha.

I could hear several gods swallow audibly after that. Please dont increase the number of drinkers anymore

After that, several people repeated the routine of shaking the box to take out a lot, then sitting to the side, discouraged, for a while. Although, since the possibility still exists, they would line up at the back of the line again.

Everyone was shaking the box like theyre praying. The notion is just weird, you know, since theyre gods and all

Even though people were constantly getting discouraged by the lot they drew, its still quite a big ruckus.

This is kinda fun too, isnt it.

Right. Everyone here doesnt really have a lot of opportunities to make merry like this.

The old couple was drinking tea by a small tea table brought out of nowhere. Or rather, World God-sama and Spacetime God-sama. They sure are relaxed No well, I guess its fine, but.

Suddenly, a fanfare similar to the level-up sound of a certain famous RPG rang out. When I turned around, the Music God, Sousuke nii-san was playing a trumpet.

Nyahaha, jackpot~!

Uooosha!

Geh.

Besides Sousuke nii-san whos on trumpet and Suika, theres the totally macho Strength God from earlier. While holding a stick with one end painted gold, hes doing another sweltering pose to show off his muscles.

Ill ask Takeru ojii to take care of Strength God-sama, un. Its impossible for us.

Its going to take a while, so you take a break too.

Ah, sorry about this.

The Spacetime God Tokie obaa-chan poured a cup of tea for me from a teapot. Ah, theres a standing tea stalk. Every time a god poured tea theres a standing tea stalk; I wonder if its something thats supposed to happen I guess only the gods know.

While thinking about something stupid like that, I drank the tea as I glanced at the gods who were shaking the omikuji box to the side. Un, delicious.

Haa. God, please dont let anyone troublesome draw the lucky lots.

I cant do anything shorthanded too, you know.

Right, of course.

My heart got read again. Nmou

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