Episode 19 — The Goddess Who Gave Up, and the Chief God With a Stomachache

—Divine Realm, Chief God Administration Hall.

A massive crystal panel was glowing with abnormal intensity.

“…Lumina. Explain.”

The Chief God’s voice was heavy, low, and filled with anger.

But Lumina herself—

“Yes! Everything is going perfectly!”

—stood proudly with a radiant smile.

“…Perfectly?”

“Perfectly!

The world is stable, divine power is skyrocketing, the demonfolk are silent, Felsen is peaceful—

all thanks to Master Zect!”

“…That’s not what I’m asking.”

The Chief God pointed at the crystal panel.

[Felsen Territory — Stability: All‑time High]

[Demonfolk Activity: Suppressed]

[World Load: Greatly Reduced]

[Divine Power Balance: +4800%]

[Tarmane’s Journey Progress: 0%]

“…Tarmane hasn’t taken a single step on her journey, yet the world’s load keeps dropping.

Why?”

“Because Master Zect’s reforms are too amazing!”

Lumina answered instantly.

“He optimized Felsen’s defense system, cleared up the demonfolk’s misunderstandings, fixed the knights’ overwork, quieted the entire territory—

and as a result, the world’s load is dropping like crazy!”

“…And Tarmane?”

“She refuses to leave Master Zect’s side!”

“She should leave!”

“Impossible! She wants to stay with him!”

“No no no, the hero *must* go on a journey!”

“But the world is stable, isn’t it?”

“…”

“Divine power is increasing too.”

“…”

“In fact, it’s increasing dozens of times faster than when Zect was still Kazuya!

Back then he wasted it on daily life, but now it’s skyrocketing thanks to reforms!”

“…Lumina.

Are you… completely shameless now?”

“Yes! Because the results speak for themselves!”

“Results aren’t everything—”

“They are!”

“They are NOT!!”

The Chief God slammed the desk.

“Tarmane must travel!

She must journey across the world, defeat the demonfolk, and save creation!”

“But she wants to stay with Master Zect!”

“I don’t care!!”

“Even if you don’t care, it’s still true!”

“…Lumina.

You’re far too soft on Zect.”

“Of course!

He saves the world without even moving!”

“STOP SAVING THE WORLD WITHOUT MOVING!!”

“But he is saving it!”

“…”

The Chief God clutched his stomach.

“…What *is* Zect…?”

“Just an incredibly powerful shut‑in!”

“That’s the scariest part!!”

“But divine power is increasing, the world is stable, Tarmane is happy—

everything is working out!”

“…Lumina.”

“Yes!”

“You… have no intention of changing this situation, do you?”

“None!”

“That was fast!!”

“Is there any reason to change it?”

“Yes!!”

“No!”

“I SAID YES!!”

“I judge based on *results*!”

“…”

The Chief God inhaled deeply and placed his hand on the “Individual Information Pillar” beside the crystal panel.

“…Lumina.

I’m checking Zect’s profile.”

“Go ahead! It’s a very impressive résumé!”

“…Impressive?”

The pillar glowed, and text appeared.

[Name: Sato Kazuya (Current: Zect)]

[Age: 36]

[Previous Occupation: Office Worker → Remote Freelance Worker]

[Specialty: Web Direction / UI Improvement / SEO Optimization / Site Management]

[Traits: Reclusive / Efficiency Maniac / Hates Going Outside / Hates Meetings]

[Notes: Drinks Cola Constantly]

“…Lumina.”

“Yes!”

“This guy…

is just a *web freelancer*.”

“Yes! Isn’t it amazing?”

“No it’s NOT!!”

“He managed websites!

That can be applied to territory management!”

“No it can’t!!”

The Chief God’s hand trembled as he turned to the next section.

[Behavior Pattern: Extreme aversion to going outside]

[Motivation: Efficiency / Low Effort / Maximum Results]

[Current Status: On sofa with cola and fish cake]

“…Lumina.”

“Yes!”

“This man…

is fundamentally incompatible with the concept of a ‘hero’s journey.’”

“Yes!

That’s why he won’t go!”

“He SHOULD go!!”

“He CAN’T!

He hates going outside!”

“What kind of hero hates going outside!?”

“But he’s getting results!”

“Results aren’t everything—”

“They are!”

“They are NOT!!”

The Chief God grabbed his head.

“…How is a 36‑year‑old web freelancer saving the world…?”

“Because he’s a demon of efficiency!”

“Don’t call him a demon!!”

“But he is!”

“…”

Finally, the Chief God looked at the last entry.

[World Impact: Stabilization spreading outward from the Sanctuary of Sloth]

“…There is no way sloth can stabilize the world…”

“It IS stabilizing!”

“…Lumina.”

“Yes!”

“Monitor Zect.

But—”

“But?”

“Do NOT anger him.”

“…That might be impossible!”

And so, the silence of Felsen spread across the world,

becoming an anomaly that shook even the divine realm.

Meanwhile, the man at the center of it all—Zect—

was lying on his sofa, sipping cola, mumbling:

“…Man, I hope my points go up again…”

The world continued to turn quietly,

steadily,

and inevitably—

around the Sanctuary of Sloth.