~ Chapter 94: A wise decision ~

[Illsyore's point of view]

Not long after I let my laser pierce through the skies, my beloved wives Shanteya and Nanya returned. They were walking calmly through the barely lit passageway while dragging behind them two unconscious guards.

“We're here, my love.” said Shanteya.

“Glad to see you two. What did you bring with you?” I asked raising an eyebrow.

“These two tried to stop us.” Nanya replied as she tossed one of the men at my feet.

Shanteya simply release her grip around the neck of her catch.

“They must be part of the guards of the now deceased Pirate King.” I said.

I was surprised they spared their lives.

“What should we do with them?” Shanteya asked.

“Toss them outside. As long as they don't try to attack us again, I see no reason in killing them while they are unconscious.” I shrugged.

“Indeed. Slaying an unconscious foe is not something one of Melkuth's followers should do.” said Zoreya with a nod.

“I'll take them outside, nya~!” Tamara volunteered as she grabbed the two and dragged them away.

“Well then, what do you two have to report?” I asked as I got up.

“There are two ports on this island. One is for building and repairing ships, while the other is for unloading goods. The settlements annexed to them appeared to be well developed, and there's even an internal militia that keeps things from turning anarchic.” Shanteya explained.

“Despite this fact, most of them are nothing but slobs and ruffians who hate any other species except humans. There were some exceptions as far as I could see, but that's mostly the gist of it...” Nanya said and shrugged.

“What about useful information? Weapons? Armors?” I asked.

“If the military of any country attacks, there's a high chance these pirates will end up defeated. Regarding special items, there were none that might be of use to us.” Shanteya replied with a smile.

“Hm...” I rubbed my chin and looked down.

From the looks of things, this place was a typical pirate settlement with a pinch of human superiority extremism added to it. There was no reason to doubt the truth of their words. They were my wives, and I had full trust in them. Besides, they had no reason whatsoever to lie to me and even thinking of this as a possibility was already outrageous.

Well, that being said, I had to make a choice now... but I wanted to find out something else.

“Is there anyone on this island we should spare?” I asked them.

The two of them furrowed their brows and thought about it carefully. After a minute or so, they replied, starting with Nanya.

“I would say the slaves, but I saw children and elderly as well... I don't believe all of them are bad either but separating the good from the bad can be a bit tricky...” she said scratching the back of her head.

Shanteya nodded.

“I agree with her words.” the el'doraw stated “There are certainly a lot of bad folks out there, but there are certainly good ones too, even in this pirate settlement. Either way, let us say we disband this group. Most of them are criminals on the main continents. Once caught, they will end up as slaves or killed. The children will most definitely end up as slaves according to Paramanium's laws, while the elderly will be killed.” Shanteya explained.

I remembered the laws of the kingdoms around these parts; Ayuseya did well to teach me during our time on the Boss Island. Their only chance would be to reach Shoraya or Feyan, where the laws were more lenient with them. Teslov was also out of the question, and Sorone was at the other side of the known world.

This put me in a pinch, especially since I didn't want to stain my hands with any more innocent blood.

“Sigh... Zoreya, what do you think?” I asked.

“Melkuth would judge them all individually, but since we cannot do so, I suggest asking him directly.” she nodded.

“Huh? You mean ask the gods what to do about them?” I blinked surprised.

“Well, you are deciding whether to kill them or spare them, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Then it is best to ask the gods in such matters, for they hold supreme authority in our world! We need not anger them foolishly.” Zoreya nodded.

“I see.”

I rubbed my chin.

She did have a point. Since I could always contact the gods, I could always just ask their opinion regarding such tricky situations. If all of those people were against me and tried to kill me, their fate would have been an easy one to decide.

Thus, I created a Temple of Melkuth by using one of the stored templates in my data bank. The process took no more than a few seconds as both materials and plans existed beforehand. All that was left to do was apply the required amount of Magic Energy in order to reassemble matter at molecule level.

“There we go! Zoreya, let's head inside.” I said with a smile after the construction was done.

“We'll wait outside.” Shanteya announced.

“Nya! I'm back!” just then Tamara also returned.

Seeing us, she stopped for a moment and tilted her head in surprise.

“Hm? Mating time or talking to the gods?” she asked curiously.

“The second option!” both me and Zoreya retorted with our cheeks flushed red.

“Mmm... OK!” she smiled and then went off to find a place to rest.

After we entered the newly built temple, we closed the door behind us and walked all the way to the chamber used to talk to Melkuth. By now, I more or less knew the drill, so I took my seat next to Zoreya and closed my eyes.

It didn't take more than a moment for us to appear before the prominent and respectable God of War... Or that was how it was supposed to be, but what we were currently looking at was a wiped-out God of War and a bunch of dead-drunk gods lazing about in his office.

“Erm... Did we come at a bad time?” I asked surprised as I looked around.

“Well... it depends.” the God of Big Boobs replied while dangling off the ceiling.

He was tied up like a mummy in chains, with only his head and feet sticking out.

“Erm...” I squinted my eyes at him.

“My god, are you alright?” Zoreya asked as she rushed up to Melkuth's side.

“Hm? Ah yes, the ponies have played nicely with the unicorns on the river of death...” he said and then he was out cold.

“My god! My god!” Zoreya tried to wake him up, but even a slap didn't work.

“So what now?” I blinked surprised.

“Well...” Zoreya showed me a wry smile as she let go of Melkuth.

“Is something the matter, younglings?” the dangling god asked.

“Well, I just wanted to use some of the wisdom of the gods, but... I have a feeling it ran away.” I said as I looked at the knocked-out God of War.

So much for being mighty and imposing. He was totally wasted.

“About what?” the dangling god asked.

“Well, we are on this Pirate Island, you see... and I kind of want to know what I should do about them, especially after I killed their leader and all.” I shrugged.

“Ah! A matter of life and death decision, but you fear you might do something to anger us?” he asked.

“Yes...” I nodded.

“Then, why don't you ask me?” he said with a smile.

“OK, Zoreya, time to go!” I said with a smile, completely ignoring him.

“Wait! Wait! Wait!” the dangling god called out.

“Yes?” I asked raising an eyebrow.

“These fellows won't wake up for another week or so. Sertan's wine is one of the finest and the strongest out there! Besides, they drank more than a wagon each...” he sighed.

“What about you?” I asked.

“I got punished for trying to feel Artemya's chest...” he looked away.

“Artemya? The Goddess of the Hunt?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, that's the one...” he smiled.

“I'm surprised she didn't kill you...” I said.

“Ahaha... she tried... several times.” he looked away.

“So, what does this have to do with my predicament?” I asked.

“I'm currently the only sober god who can help you!” he smiled.

“I see... Why shouldn't I just wait for a week until they wake up?” I asked.

“After sleep comes the hangover, right?” he smirked.

“Ugh...” I groaned.

“Well, that one passes swiftly for us, but you still don't want to wait for a whole week for them, right?” he asked with a smile.

“Isn't there a Goddess of Justice?” I asked.

“Well... technically... there is one, but she judges only women.” he replied.

“What? Who judges men then?”

“Her husband.”

“So, I need to speak with him?” I asked.

“No... both...” he looked away.

“Why?” I squinted my eyes at him.

“Well... Technically, personality and body-wise you are a man, but practically... Dungeons are regarded by us gods as having no predefined gender. When you took on this form, you could have become a woman as well... and you still can.” he showed a wry smile.

My brain went numb.

“Illsy?” Zoreya suddenly appeared in front of me, looking worried and holding my cheeks in her hands.

“Huh? What happened?” I asked.

“You went silent after the god told you that you can become a woman as well...” she explained and let go of my cheeks.

“Oh yes, my brain short circuited and I had to do a reboot.” I said while rubbing my forehead.

“What?” she asked confused.

“Don't worry about it, it's a saying from my former world... It means that I was very shocked by this.” I explained with a smile, then I looked at the dangling god. “Alright, what do I have to do to get those gods here?” I asked.

“Well... they are here right now. Look behind you. In this place, it's only a matter of saying it, and with mister God of War knocked out over there, nothing stops them from stepping inside this place. Usually, he would have taken care of this matter.” said the dangling god.

When I turned around, I saw the two of them standing there and looking at me with a stern expression on their faces. They were the same height and a bit taller than Zoreya. Both of them wore impressive white armors, but with no peculiar design on them, no engravings or special ornaments. She had a sword equipped at her waist, while he held a spear. Both of them had a round shield on their backs. They had athletic bodies, and in terms of facial features, they were remarkably attractive, candy for the eyes.

A strange pressure could be felt coming from them, and I unintentionally gulped.

“Was it you who called us here?” asked the goddess.

“Yes.” I replied with a wry smile.

“A Dungeon... You must be the God of War's follower, correct?” the god asked.

“Yes.” I nodded.

“Do you know of us?” the goddess asked.

“Not by a long shot.” I shook my head.

“I understand. I shall introduce myself then. I am called Nazra. I am the Goddess of Justice.” she stepped forward and struck her breastplate with her fist.

After stepping back, her husband stepped forward “I am called Maragun. I am the God of Justice.” he too struck his breastplate with his fist and then stepped back.

“A pleasure to meet both of you. I am Illsyore Deus, a Godlike Dungeon, and she is my wife, Zoreya Eleanor Alttoros Deus.” I introduced us.

“Likewise, a pleasure to meet you two.” Zoreya said and bowed her head once instead of kneeling.

“Then, I shall ask again. Why have you called us?” asked Nazra.

“Well, it's like this...” and then I explained my current predicament to her and asked for her advice.

The two gods looked at each other for a moment and then began to think about it carefully. I waited patiently as they processed the information. If it was these two who offered me the advice, then I would certainly be able to do my job without worrying needlessly about repercussions or angering the gods.

After some time, Nazra said “We have come to a conclusion.”

“Good! Let's hear it!” I smiled.

“The settlement of the pirates is one that has been created through blood and pain. They showed neither mercy nor remorse when they struck down their foes, be them able men or weakly children. As such, we see no reason in sparing many of them. However, it is true that there are some souls among them who despise this sort of lifestyle. They do not need to die, but we have judged that segregating them from the bad seed isn't your job to do.” she explained.

“I see. Then what do you wish of me to do?” I asked.

“My question is, what do you wish to do in the first place?” she asked.

“I would like to absorb the island and destroy this pirate heaven that preys upon the weak.” I nodded.

“Then do so.” Maragun said.

“But what of the innocent?” I asked and blinked surprised.

“Normally, this should be your job to think about, but I can make an exception if you wish.” he said.

“What he means is that mortals who come in contact with us gods tend to rely too much on us afterwards and soon stop listening to their own will, leading them to become rather dependent of us. We gods may have the role of guiding you, but one thing is to guide someone through life and another is to babysit them at every turn on the way.” the dangling god explained.

“Indeed, Melkuth also warned me of this.” Zoreya confirmed.

“I see... I understand... Then I will think about it on my own. I will trust that whatever my choice will be, it will be one made under your guidance.” I declared as I looked at the two gods of justice in front of me.

“That would be the wisest thing to do.” Maragun nodded.

“Thank you for your help then.” I nodded.

“As my husband said, we are thankful for your help, Goddess Nazra and God Maragun.” Zoreya said.

“Take care, young mortals.” Nazra smiled.

“Likewise!” Maragun nodded.

“Can you get me down, please?” asked the dangling god.

“My advice is to keep him up there... He'll certainly assault the sleeping goddesses.” I warned the gods of justice.

“We shall pay heed to your advice. This pervert shall remain bound as such until they have all woken up. I promise I will stand guard!” Maragun declared as he pointed his spear at the old man.

“Come on! I was just going to grope them a little! No harm in that!” he complained.

“So, you WERE planning to assault them!” we all pointed at him at the same time.

“Ugh... Erm... I mean... Well, what's wrong with a little feel? Hey! OW!” he shouted as Maragun brought his spear closer and poked him in the side.

As this scene unfolded before us, me and Zoreya returned to the mortal world.