A spirit of light?!
Does that have to do with those people I know?
In fact, I know a few of the beings known as spirits.
Napalm the fire spirit.
Earth Spirit Blast Hole.
Wind Spirit Harp.
Water Spirit Water Jet.
All of these are beings far beyond human capabilities that the protagonists encounter after adventuring in various locations.
However, I've heard that there are six types of spirits in total.
The four elements are earth, water, fire and wind.
Plus light and darkness.
Six in total.
So I knew that there were still spirits I hadn't encountered yet...
"Are you saying that you are the spirit of light of the six spirits?"
Said to the sudden light that descended.
It shines so brightly, as if to say, "Great beings appear to shine."
However, although its outline is vague, it appears to have a humanoid form similar to ours.
In that respect it's the same as other spirits.
The basic form of a spirit was a human-like shape formed by the fire spirits, the air spirits, and so on.
This reinforces the fact that this person who suddenly barged in was a spirit.
"But... does that mean...?!"
This guy said his name, right?
With the spirit of light, Photon.
In other words, the god worshipped by the Photon Cult, who are currently causing me so much trouble, is... this guy?
"A spirit calling itself a god...?!"
"Is that strange? But we spirits are the incarnations of nature, supernatural beings who control its violent power. Aren't these the very things you humans call 'gods'?"
"That may be true..."
However, this spirit of light, Photon.
There's something strange about this compared to the earth, water, fire, and wind spirits I've encountered so far.
The other spirits generally had no interest in human activities and kept aloof.
In all cases, their habitats are unexplored or dangerous places that are difficult for humans to enter. Some are dangerous places where you could lose your life instantly if you let your guard down.
But this spirit of light.
It seems as if he has made people call themselves "God" and even created a group of such people, actively interacting with them.
That seems like a good thing if you just look at it on paper, but in reality...
"Sao, King of Light"
"yes?"
So that's what you've been using as an introductory phrase all this time?
I have absolutely no idea about this.
"First, I'll give you this. Accept it gratefully."
A long, thin beam of light emanates from the spirit of light.
It was like a laser, and if it hit me it might be dangerous, so I reflexively turned my body to dodge it.
"Don't dodge! It's a precious thing!"
"Even if you say that!?"
For now, be wary of anything unknown.
However, the spirit of light seemed extremely angry, so this time I accepted it obediently without moving.
Then the laser emitted from the spirit hit my chest and engraved some kind of pattern on it.
"Could this be...?!"
『Hmph, as expected of you, you noticed. Well, I guess you already have four crests of lower-ranked spirits.』
A pure white crest shines on my chest.
"This is the proof of one's recognition by the Spirit of Light, the Light Stigma! With this, you are a sacred hero recognized by the God of Light!"
However, there were also other shining crests engraved on my chest in crimson, gold, deep green, and aqua blue, and this time, white was added, making it truly colorful.
Gaming is me.
These are crests given to you by the spirits you have met so far, and are proof that you have been recognized by the spirits.
The crest was an extremely useful item, allowing the person who obtained it to freely control a portion of the power of the spirits.
"But why is it so simple?"
From what I've heard, the spirit's crest was a highly valued possession that was only given to those who were particularly favored by the spirit.
Furthermore, since those who had the crest engraved on them could exercise some of the power of the spirits, it was also highly coveted as a pure increase in fighting power.
Some of the people I've met in the past have even taken spirits and used them to gain the power to rule the world.
That's how rare and incredible a spirit crest must be.
This spirit of light would give us something so amazing so easily...is he a good person?
No, a good spirit?
"Kuhahahaha... don't you understand? What's in my heart?"
No, correction.
This guy definitely has some ulterior motive.
The way he laughs is lewd.
"I had already heard about it through the grapevine. Or perhaps in my case it was rumors of light?"
I don't know.
That doesn't matter.
"Anyway, it has been a long time since a human has appeared who has collected all of the crests of the four lower-level spirits. Although the four elements of earth, water, fire and wind are lower in rank than this spirit of light, they still possess great power within the natural world. Having collected all of those crests, it is no exaggeration to say that you have become an incarnation of nature, even though you are still a human."
"Sure thing..."
Well, I don't really understand it myself.
"That's why you are worthy of being chosen by me. As my first servant, you are worthy of filling the world with the will of light."
"yeah?"
"Sao, King of Light. What do you think of this world?"
Oops, this is...
The opening line of a self-conscious villain is something like, "The world is corrupt, so I'm going to reform it."
Most of them are pathetic people with a severe case of chuunibyou. They take the initiative to use difficult words...
"As a transcendent, I see this world as very imperfect. People who can't control their emotions, monsters running rampant... This world needs someone to bring it all together and guide it in the right direction. Who do you think is suitable for that?"
"Are you going to say it was you?"
"That's right! You are truly my chosen King of Light!"
In fact, I'd be surprised if anyone other than you fits that description.
A frightening level of self-confidence.
"Unfortunately, the spirits are also indifferent to controlling the world. As they are the incarnations of nature, they believe that the way things are is correct. However, I am different. Because I am special, I have thoughts about the way the world is. If possible, I would like to actively provide assistance and bring happiness to all people around the world."
This is starting to look like a crazy seminar.
"So I founded the Photon Sect, which worships me as God, and have guided my followers. But it's not enough. My greatest ambition is to guide every person in the world. The followers of my sect are still less than one-tenth of the total number of humanity!"
"law"
That's all you need.
Is there no tolerance for diversity?
"In order to lead all mankind to happiness, we must convert all humans into the Photon Cult. That's why we need you, Sao, King of Light!"
"Oh."
So what's that introductory phrase all this time?
"King of Light."
Is that a really embarrassing junior high school name or something?
"I have just given you the proof of your faith, the Light Stigma! In addition to that, you already have the crests of the four lower-ranked spirits! All that remains is to obtain the Origin Stigma, the crest of the dark spirit, Dark Matter, to collect all the crests and become the ruler of this world."
"Hmm."
Come to think of it, I think someone said that somewhere.
--"Whoever is bestowed with the crests of all six spirits will become king of the world."
I thought it was just some urban legend-like idiot tale, but since the spirit itself is saying it, it does seem more credible, right?
"Then you will wield your authority as the king of the world and convert all people to the Photon Cult! Then you will rule the whole world as the representative of the God of Light, Photon, and lead the world to peace! You have accepted my orders! This is why you are the King of Light! You are the first servant of the God of Light!"
"Hi."
"With this, the world will be perfect! All living things will worship and revere Photon, the god of light! That will be the perfect world! I, the one who will be revered forever in this perfect world, am the spirit of light and god, Photon!"
"Punch"
『Guh?!』
He punched the spirit away.
It worked surprisingly well, and the spirit of light that had been hit squarely in the cheek spun around in a great circle and flew off.
"Ongaguogweeeeeeeeeee!? What is this!?
"A cult that worships you? I categorically refuse. I don't think people can become happy or at peace by joining such a thing."
Rather, what can be imagined is a totally controlled society.
Only those who worship the God of Light are given preferential treatment, and those who do not are persecuted.
Such a discriminatory society is a blatant dystopia.
You idiot, you thought I'd agree with something like that? Stop talking now!
"As I've said many times to your minions, I support religious freedom. I am firmly opposed to your plot to take away that freedom, and I will firmly thwart it! Even if it means fighting you here!"
"Ugh...! It seems you've gotten too cocky, human! Did you think you could defy this spirit of light and get away with it for free?! It seems you need some training. I'll thoroughly torture you, show you that humans cannot defeat spirits, and then I'll make you into my loyal servant!"
If things don't go as planned, use force.
That's seriously a villain move.
If not, we are prepared to fight back.
This is an unjust act of aggression that will never be tolerated!
"You idiot! Don't think that even with just a little bit of the spirit's blessing, a human can defeat a spirit! Remember that the source of your power is us, the spirits! After all, your power is merely a portion of the spirit's power that you have been given! There's no way you can defeat the spirit itself, which is the source and can control 100% of its power!"
"Fire Punch"
『Guh?!』
"Earth Kick"
"Angoo?!"
"Wind submission"
"Nooooooooo?!"
"Water splash"
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!?"
The spirit of light was beaten to a pulp by repeated continuous attacks.
I bet it's you who have forgotten.
Yours isn't the only spirit crest I've been given.
He said that he had received a crest and its power from the spirits of the four elements: earth, water, fire, and wind.
"Guboo...? Are you stupid? Even if you obtain the crests of the four spirits, the spiritual power you are given will only be a small part of it. It will not be enough to defeat Photon, the God of Light, who is a spirit himself!"
"That may be true, but something strange has been happening for a while now."
"what!?"
The power gushing out from the crest of the four elements - earth, water, fire and wind - has been incomparably greater for a while now.
It's like nothing we've seen before.
"Does this, or any other spirit, know what's going on here?"
『Wha…?!』
"Maybe that's why he feels a sense of crisis about what you're doing and is lending all his strength to me so that I can somehow stop it? That's what I'm getting the feeling."
And the spirit of light.
You've been calling the four elemental spirits of earth, water, fire and wind "lower level spirits" in a derogatory manner several times now, haven't you?
You could hear that perfectly too, right?
The spiritual power of the four elements gushing out from me is mixed with a fair amount of anger.
"It feels like they're saying something. Like, 'Please beat up this idiot for us.'"
"Huh...!? Wait, no wait. Let's talk about it...!?"
"We'll talk. After I beat you to a pulp."
"I'm saying I'm going to make you the king of the world! Everything will be as you wish! You can embrace any woman you want, whenever you want! You like women, don't you!? If you become a servant of this spirit of light, you can do anything...!!"
You don't understand anything.
First of all, I can usually do what I want without your permission.
I get my power from many spirits other than you.
Two, you can sleep with any woman?
At this point, I can sleep with any woman I want.
And it's not because of royal power or anything like that. I just fall in love with her, and she falls in love with me too, and our genitals join together, so sex feels good.
What feels good about forcing something on someone using your power?
How can I entrust the world to you if you don't even understand that?
The four spirits will lend us their power and send them flying.
"Earth, water, fire, wind, water, wind, water, wind, water, wind, water, wind, water, wind, water, wind, water, wind, water, wind, water, wind, water, wind, water, wind, water, wind, water, wind, water, wind, water, wind, water, wind, water, wind, water, wind, water, wind, water, wind, water, wind
"Groboggggggggg?!"
The spirit of light was blown high into the sky by a succession of punches imbued with the power of the four elements.