Konbini Ossan Volume 15 Chapter 2 — The Power of Cursed Grudge
“My brethren had a custom of sending their dead out to sea as a form of mourning. And in accordance with that custom, many of my kin threw themselves into the Mediterranean, choosing death over being exterminated by humans, turned into meat, or reduced to livestock.
…
Among them, surely there were those who sank into the sea harboring resentment toward humanity, or regrets over being unable to save their brethren.”
It was a cruel story, but that was not the important point.
What mattered was the fact that countless souls of monsters, in other words beings believed to be descendants of summoned ones, had been laid to rest at the bottom of the Mediterranean.
“What exact mechanism caused this, I cannot say. However, the souls of countless brethren filled with regret likely gathered into one among those who cast themselves into the sea, allowing that one to evolve, in other words fulfill the conditions for attaining godhood in an incomplete form.
…
At that point, it was not yet a true god. But after sleeping at the bottom of the Mediterranean for countless years, it eventually gained power, and at last attained godhood today.”
“It’s mostly speculation, but there probably aren’t many other beings that could become a god.”
Arisa agreed with Metidovan’s theory.
“There are observational facts that reinforce this hypothesis as well. Namely, the power that makes up Douki.”
Saying that, Metidovan looked toward me.
“Its power is extremely similar to your curse power, Otogi-sama. It is also similar to the power I once wielded when I was consumed by resentment and stood against you. No, as far as that one goes, aside from output, it would be fair to say they are nearly identical.”
I was startled to hear that comparison, but Metidovan continued regardless.
“I have named this power the power of Cursed Grudge. If Lord Otogi’s power is pure curse, a physical, corporeal curse, then the power of cursed grudge is a spiritual curse that invades the realm of the soul.
…
Just as I once manifested this power through hatred, Douki too likely awakened to this power through intense resentment. And even now, having attained godhood, it continues to curse this world through that power of cursed grudge, driven by that same overwhelming hatred.
…
That is the conclusion I have reached.”
Metidovan spoke that conclusion with a grim expression.
The one defiling his homeland was, according to this conclusion, one of his own kin. He must have had complicated feelings about that.
“Forgive me, but even worse news has just come.”
The one who spoke up was Matsuriya.
“One of the summoned individuals under the protection of a certain noble has been missing for several days. Apparently, at that noble’s request, they had gone to collect materials from monsters inhabiting the Mediterranean region.”
“Right before Douki’s existence was first confirmed, huh…”
With Matsuriya’s additional information, the worst-case scenario became even clearer.
A summoned individual protected by a noble had been sent to the Mediterranean to hunt monsters.
That summoned individual was killed by Douki, who had already grown to the brink of godhood.
Or perhaps the summoned person had simply died, and their corpse drifted into the Mediterranean.
Either way, that summoned individual’s death became the trigger that allowed Douki to attain godhood.
Which was why it no longer existed in this world, and was instead somehow exerting only the power of cursed grudge upon the mortal realm.
None of these theories could be guaranteed correct.
However, the most plausible explanation was that some being filled with overwhelming hatred awakened to the power of cursed grudge, attained godhood through the death of a summoned individual, and was now cursing the world from some place beyond this one.
“My brethren... they never wished for an end like this.”
Metidovan spoke as if grinding his frustration between his teeth.
“They never wished to blacken, corrupt, and defile the land, the sea, and the forests they loved.”
Then Metidovan turned back toward me.
“I beg you, Otogi-sama. For the sake of my brethren as well... please stop that thing.”
Metidovan lowered his head deeply as he pleaded.
Arisa reacted immediately.
“Why the hell does Yūichi have to be the one to do it?!”
BANG!
Arisa slammed her hand on the desk and shot to her feet.
“You understand it as well, Madame Arisa. There is no one besides Otogi-sama who can truly stand against Douki.”
(E/N: Instead of Madame Arisa, Metidovan called her "Oku-sama" which translates to "Lady Wife", a way of referring a superior's/Lord's wife even in today's Japan. There doesn't seem to be an English equivalent. If there is, please comment!)
“W-What do you mean?!”
Kanehama reacted in confusion.
“The only thing capable of opposing Douki’s power of cursed grudge is an almost identical force, the power of curse. And Otogi-sama alone can wield it. In terms of raw ability as well, Otogi-sama alone can contend against a Douki that has attained godhood.
…
The rest of our forces would be able to do little more than defend. Fundamentally, there exists no one other than Otogi-sama who could exterminate or remove Douki.”
At Metidovan’s explanation, everyone fell silent.
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E/N:
On one side, there's the Lord's duty and on the other, his family… While Metidovan doesn't have any ill will and speaks for the people of the world… You gotta feel sorry for Ossan's family, especially Arisa… Damn it!
Screw you, Goddess!
Stay tuned!
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