Whether You Call Me a Guardian Dragon or Not, I’m Going to Sleep

T/N: Once again, this is just a fiction.

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"Alright, then let's confirm it one more time."

Grumbling Baal said, "This is the eighth time already. The coronation ceremony isn't that long, so why do you keep wanting to confirm it?"

I lightly tapped Baal's head and said, "This coronation ceremony is much more important than you think. That's why it needs to be done more thoroughly."

"Can't we just finish it by having Gaia crown me?"

I pressed Baal's head again as he spoke nonsense.

This is an important occasion where you receive recognition of authority in front of countless gods, so we can't just end it like that.

"Remember that this is the place where you will be recognized by all the gods."

Gods are beings born from the gathered thoughts, admiration, and faith of many humans. Ah, except for me and my children.

It's obvious how strong the self-awareness of gods supported by so many thoughts would be.

Arrogant gods who act as if they have placed everything except themselves under their feet. Would they quietly watch another being rise above them?

Impossible.

That's why the importance of this coronation ceremony is rising endlessly.

In order to subjugate the other gods and reign as the king of the gods, one must imprint an overwhelming difference in power to all the gods.

So,

"Don't show any reaction even when the other gods kneel before you as you ascend the divine throne."

Because I will crush them until they have no choice but to kneel.

"I've heard that so many times! When all the other guys have knelt, Gaia will come and crown me, and the other six will take turns acknowledging my authority with a congratulatory speech, right?"

"Yes, the order is..."

"Shamash and Ifrit, Sylphid and Thetis, and then Yggdrasil and Sagarmatha. I've heard it hammered into my ears already."

"And finally, I will do it, and then declare that you have become the king of the gods, and then rule the world as the king of the gods with appropriate words."

"Un. I've already prepared that part, so trust me."

Boastful Baal. Um... somehow... I feel a bit uneasy though.

Well, I can respond to most situations, so it should be fine.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The massive divine temple erected at the center of the pantheon. The temple of Baal, the God of the Sky.

In the vast square in front of it, countless gods had gathered.

Gods born from natural elements like mountains, rivers, lakes, and deserts.

Gods born from natural phenomena like snow, rain, storms, and wildfires.

And... well, mostly just these kinds of gods. I had thought that perhaps gods not originating from nature would have been born by now, but it seems the time has not yet come.

Well, the longing for such gods appears to still be premature for humans.

In any case, these numerous gods seemed slightly bewildered, as if they did not fully understand why they had been summoned here.

I had used the Godtalk to call them, but I didn't expect them all to gather like this. Even the earth-bound chthonic gods had come.

Well, this is actually a good situation. The gods gathered from all corners of the world will serve as witnesses to this coronation ceremony.

What they see and hear will spread across the world, further solidifying the faith in Baal.

Shall we begin then?

"As the god who presides over all life in this world, I declare to the world. Through the faith of countless living beings, innumerable gods have begun to be born."

At my words, the gods in the square started murmuring. It seems they are hearing about the background of their own birth for the first time.

It's only natural, but this must be a novel concept for them.

Gods were not born before humans were created, but rather the gods were born through humans. They would have difficulty readily accepting this.

Ah, but I am an exception. All life was essentially created by me.

"As so many gods began to fill the world, concerns arose about the resulting chaos. Therefore, the Goddess of Life proposes the following."

I spoke in a soft voice.

"...to establish a King of the Gods."

The murmuring in the square grew louder at my words.

"A King of the Gods?"

"Who decided this on their own?"

"I'm against this!"

"We don't need a king!"

Hmm, about the level of response I had anticipated. Well, these egotistical gods wouldn't stay quiet, would they?

So,

"Silence."

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My soft voice carried power as it spread across the square.

And the murmuring in the square ceased.

"Remember that this is a proclamation, an announcement, and a warning. In exchange for tolerating the existence of gods who have the potential to disrupt the world, I intend to control you gods through King of the Gods."

I took a small breath and spoke again.

"If you do not accept this, you must be prepared."

The gods have not yet caused chaos in the world, but if left unchecked, the world would surely descend into turmoil.

It would be like releasing unruly children without any leash - they would run amok, treating the world as their playground.

And the cleanup would all fall on my responsibility.

I don't want that. I really don't.

So,

"Instead of annihilating your existence as gods, you shall recognize the authority of the King of the Gods and follow him thoroughly. That will be the best way for you to continue existing."

It's a coercive method, but what can I do? I have to stop their reckless rampage.

Looking at the now quiet square, I announced the start of the ceremony.

"Then let us begin the coronation. God of the Sky, Baal, enter."

Baal, who had been waiting for his turn, slowly walked and ascended the divine throne.

In contrast to the youthful appearance of Baal, the divine throne was immensely large. As soon as Baal stepped onto it,

all the gods in the square simultaneously knelt down.

Hmm, I think I have a rough idea of how much pressure to apply. The difference varies by individual, but it feels similar to the level of dragons.

Well, gods can grow stronger by accumulating faith, but for now, I'll consider them on par with dragons.

And for gods as sturdy as mountain deities, they can withstand a bit more.

Anyway, after Baal sat on the throne, my children approached him one by one, reciting brief congratulatory speeches.

First, Shamash.

"Shamash, the god of light, justice, and law. I recognize the authority of Baal, the God of the Sky and the King of the Gods, and offer my congratulations. May you always act righteously."

Next, Ifrit.

"Ifrit, the god of flames and heat, the eternal fire. I recognize the authority of Baal, the God of the Sky and the King of the Gods, and offer my congratulations. May you never ignore the passion in your heart."

It's Sylphid's turn.

"Sylphid, the god of wind and freedom. I recognize the authority of Baal, the God of the Sky and the King of the Gods, and offer my congratulations. May you respect freedom and always remain free."

Next is Thetis.

"Thetis, the god of the sea and water, the great flow. I recognize the authority of Baal, the God of the Sky and the King of the Gods, and offer my congratulations. May always remain pure with an unwavering heart."

And Yggdrasil.

"Yggdrasil, the god of the forest, trees, and tranquility, the world tree. I recognize the authority of Baal, the God of the Sky and the King of the Gods, and offer my congratulations. May the entire world be at peace."

Lastly, Sagarmatha.

"Sagarmatha, the god of rocks and mountains, the highest peak. I recognize the authority of Baal, the God of the Sky and the King of the Gods, and offer my congratulations. May you never change."

Alright, my children's congratulations are over, so it's my turn.

"As the Goddess of Life and the one who was present at the beginning of this world, I recognize the authority of Baal, the God of the Sky and the King of the Gods, and offer my congratulations. May you protect all life."

With those words, I took out the crown of lightning that I had prepared beforehand.

This treasure, capable of wielding the immense power of lightning, revealed the authority of the King of the Gods, causing the other gods to hold their breath and watch in silence.

Hmm, come to think of it, was there already a god of lightning? I'm sure the god of giants had the aspect of the god of lightning.

Well, it's not like the tribe was very numerous, so it's not that impressive. It doesn't even appear in this crowded square.

"God of the Sky, Baal. Do you swear, as the King of the Gods, to guide all the gods in the right direction?"

Baal solemnly answered my question.

"I swear."

"I hope you will never break that oath, and I shall bestow upon you the divine status of the God of Lightning."

I slowly placed the crown of lightning, crackling with electricity, on Baal's head.

Baal, with the crown of lightning on his head, slowly rose from the divine throne.

While all the other gods in the square were bowing their heads, only Baal stood proudly.

Ah, of course, my children and I are excluded. My children were silently watching Baal.

"I, Baal, the God of the Sky, declare as the King of the Gods."

Baal spoke with a confident voice.

"Everything in this world will become mine. Whoever dares to disturb this world will face my wrath!"

Uh... What did he say?