The Chronicles of the Man Who Became a God and Did Whatever He Wanted - Chapter 52

“Ah… W-where am I?”

“Oh, you’re awake?”

Reacting to my voice, Arianeze turns toward me. Upon realizing she’s naked, she wraps a sheet around her body and becomes cautious.

“Calm down, I don’t intend to harm you.”

I create a light orb once again and illuminate the cell. Arianeze, unaccustomed to light after so long, seems blinded by it. Maybe I should dim it a little.

Once Arianeze’s eyes get used to the light, she glares at me. She must think I’m some kind of bandit.

“W-who are you? Introduce yourself.”

I can tell she’s cautiously feeling around, searching for anything that could be used as a weapon. What a brave princess.

“I am Kanzaki. The one who saved you, and I am a god.”

“G-god? You saved me? What are you talking about…”

“Oh? Have you forgotten what was done to you by the trembling creature over there in the corner?”

“In the corner? …Eeek!?”

As Arianeze sees the still trembling tentacle creature, she hugs herself and trembles in fear. It looks like she’s remembered now.

“I-I was captured by my brother and the Death Reaper… and then…”

Oh, so Tentacle-kun’s name is Death Reaper? Well, I’ll just keep calling him Tentacle-kun.

“Yes, that’s what I saved you from.”

“H-how…?”

“Because I’m a god.”

Arianeze looks at me with eyes that seem to see something terrifying. I’ll show off my power for now; with this, Arianeze will have to be cautious around me.

However, the intelligent princess keeps her composure, not showing any fear, and continues to question me firmly.

“Why did you save me? What’s your goal?”

“Hmm? My goal, you ask… Well then, let me tell you, Arianeze, I want you to become the emperor of this country.”

“Me… emperor?”

I casually create an apple and take a bite. I imagined it as tasty as possible, and it turned out to be juicy and full of honey. I create another one and offer it to Arianeze, knowing she hasn’t eaten and is likely hungry.

“What do you stand to gain by making me the emperor?”

“Don’t worry, I’m not interested exploiting this country for money or people. What I want is only faith in me. As for everything else, you can do whatever you like once you become emperor.”

I give the leftover core of the apple to Tentacle-kun. I’m not sure if it can eat it, but it’s wrapping its tentacles around the core, so it must be able to eat it.

Anyway, let’s move the conversation forward. I’ve had enough of being stuck in this cell.

“…Does that mean you want me to abolish the Walsh religion and make your faith the state religion…?”

“That’s exactly it. I’ll gather followers on my own. Of course, I won’t interfere with politics or extract money. It’s a healthier religion than the Walsh faith.”

Wait, there’s Walshism in this country too?

Wasn’t the headquarters supposed to be in the Holy Kingdom…? Looks like I’ll have to go around the world and crush it.

“Why me? If you’re looking to rule the country, wouldn’t my brother be the better choice?”

“Then let me ask you a question in return… Do you really believe he should be the leader of this country?”

At these words, I noticed a brief shadow cross Arianeze’s expression. It seems there’s something more to this.

“He’s a classic madman. He has ambition, doesn’t seek peace, and tries to drag the world into chaos for his own desires. You understand this, don’t you?”

I briefly peeked into the eldest son’s thoughts earlier, and if he hadn’t been born a prince, he would’ve just been a mass murderer. That’s how crazy he is.

This girl is clever. She’s been watching me carefully, probably trying to figure me out. Someone with such a habit must be able to see the essence of their siblings.

“…If my brother’s path leads to the prosperity of this country, I will gladly offer myself.”

“A hostage…?”

“…!?”

Got it. So, there was a hostage used against her. The family left… must be this third son and the baby the 17th prince. The third son is embroiled in a succession struggle with the eldest, so it can’t be him. That means it’s probably the 17th son.

If it’s not family… then maybe it’s a lover.

“I see. That’s quite troublesome. No wonder you can’t act.”

“………”

A red stain appears on the sheet Arianeze is gripping. It looks like her nails have dug into her palm, drawing bl00d. Arianeze forces her mouth open as she speaks.

“That’s right… My brother took our people hostage… That’s why I…”

Wait, it’s the citizens!? So, the eldest son really is messed up after all.

“I was threatened that if I resisted, they would turn the citizens into monsters using the magic circles set up in the capital… I thought it was just a bluff, but then one of the knights… was turned into a Death Reaper, and I realized it was true.”

Huh? The tentacle guy was human to begin with? Let me check… Wow, it’s true…

“I must protect the citizens as a member of the royal family. If it’s for the citizens, I wouldn’t hesitate to give my life.”

I see, she’s truly of royal bl00d, serving the people without arrogance. …Then I suppose I’ll make use of that.

“I made a contract that if I continue to be violated by this Death Reaper, he will not harm the citizens. You, who call yourself a god, I do not need salvation. And I will not become the emperor.”

Arianeze stands up and walks toward the tentacle creature, seemingly to offer herself to be violated once more. A remarkable example of noblesse oblige.

Then how about I use that against you?

“Then I will destroy this country.”

“…What did you just say?”

She took the bait.

“Exactly what I said. If you don’t become emperor, this country will be useless. It will just become a nuisance, like a stone in the way. And what do we do with a nuisance like that? Of course, we get rid of it. That’s all there is to it.”

“You dare call this empire a mere stone and threaten to destroy it? …You bastard!”

Furious, Arianeze’s hand ignites with an attack spell.

I quickly approach and grab Arianeze’s head as she tries to attack me.

“I’ll show you something good.”

I implant my memories directly into Arianeze. A few seconds later, she collapses, trembling in fear.

What I showed her were very recent memories. Just a week ago, on the plains near the border.

“Y-You… You were the one who… slaughtered my country’s soldiers!”

The sight of the Holy Empire’s army being annihilated in a split second.

With this, Arianeze understands what kind of being I am, and she realizes that my words about destroying the country were no bluff.

“W-What is… your goal?”

Arianeze stares at me, her eyes full of fear, but her strength of will is impressive. I love that unbroken spirit. I want to push her further, keep pressuring her until she succumbs.

I crouch down and gently place my hand on Arianeze’s trembling face.

“Become mine, Arianeze. If you do, I’ll save the people of this empire.”

I told her that.

Arianeze’s eyes widen in surprise, her gaze shifts in confusion, but for some reason, her cheeks turn red.

I suppose it could sound like a confession, depending on how you hear it. She’s a dignified princess, but could she actually be surprisingly innocent?

“…If I become yours, this country will be saved, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Without the country perishing, without the citizens being turned into monsters, without anyone dying, you will save us from my brother, right?”

“Yeah, I swear. I will save everyone, without causing any harm, except for your brother.”

“Then,” Arianeze said, discarding the sheets and kneeling before me completely naked.

“I offer myself as a sacrifice. Therefore, please save the empire. Kanzaki-sama.”

“Alright, understood.”

Her nobility, offering even herself for the sake of the country—truly, she is of royal bl00d. I grab Arianeze’s face, about to kiss her. She offers no resistance, but…

“However…”

“Hmm?”

“My heart will continue to resist, so please be careful…”

…Haha, what a crazy woman. I thought she was just a smart lady, but she’s actually a beast who’d bite my throat off at the first chance!

This one is my defeat. Fine, I’ll save this country as promised, without any arrogance or compromise.

And I really like her, so I’m not going to compromise when it comes to taming her.

I’ll take my time, training you completely, even down to the last strand of hair, Arianeze. Don’t fall too quickly.

My new little toy.

Chapter length 3407 characters.