# Afterlife - (3)

Odin as Nodens? I looked down at Yggdrasil with a slightly puzzled gaze.

Noticing my look, the tree explained about him.

"As expected, you recognize him. Yes, it's the same Odin from before."

"Seems he's changed his name."

"When he became the head of the Elder organization, he wanted a True Name befitting his position."

A real name change. Perhaps he had a change of heart after nearly reaching the level of a deity ruling a star system?

But could this Odin, or rather Nodens, truly be capable?

"While karma standards mean nothing to deities, this Nodens, perhaps from frequent contact with mortals, has developed the ability to objectively discern karma standards."

"Hmm. Yggdrasil. With whom exactly am I speaking?"

Karma standards aren't constraints for deities. They're just objective benchmarks for good and evil.

Judging whether someone is evil doesn't hold much significance either. The world of deities is one of survival of the fittest and status—a cold, harsh reality.

The temperament of deities created with Cosmic Power in this dimension wasn't particularly good, unlike Yggdrasil and its subordinate deities brought from another dimension.

"Anyway, you're saying Nodens is capable of managing the afterlife?"

"Yes. If you would bring him in for a test..."

"Yggdrasil! What are you saying?! You're suggesting to dispatch me somewhere?"

It would be best to test him first.

I lowered my perspective and transmitted my will so Nodens could hear it too.

"Nodens. Would you be interested in helping me manage the afterlife?"

"Huh. Huh... A voice from 'above'..."

"Nodens. This is the great soil of the universe, the Creator."

Even as a star system-level deity, his surprised reaction isn't much different. While Nodens was flustered, Yggdrasil explained various things to him.

After understanding the situation to some extent, Nodens sent his will in all directions.

"Great Creator! If I am to manage the afterlife of mortals according to your will, what exactly will I be doing?"

"Exactly what it sounds like—managing the afterlife. You'll select only those who meet the karma criteria."

"Hmm... but if I leave my post, the mortals I've been protecting here..."

"Don't worry about that. If you're concerned about gods from outside troubling mortals, I'll give instructions."

If I tell Yog-Sothoth, he'll manage his subordinate deities accordingly.

So now there's no reason you can't work, right?

"...Hmm. It seems I have no choice in the matter."

I remained silent without sending any more will. Nodens muttered with a very troubled expression.

"I understand. It will be a rewarding task as well."

I hope he doesn't feel too disappointed about being forcibly recruited. I'll take responsibility for elevating him to the level of a galactic deity.

* * *

Whooosh—

"To become the manager of the afterlife, you must endure at least this much. I'll see you later."

"Oh. Ohhh...!"

Nodens, surrounded by Cosmic Power, made incomprehensible sounds. He showed a similar pattern to when I evolved Nyseria.

He seemed very pleased when I told him I would infuse my power to elevate his level.

With such enthusiasm, wouldn't he work hard when he becomes the manager?

I'm accelerating the flow of time as he absorbs Cosmic Power. He should quickly reach the level of a galactic deity.

Well... I should stop watching Nodens for now and focus more on decorating the afterlife.

I need to think about how to fill a space about the size of a galaxy.

Of course, I plan to discuss this in detail with Nodens when he awakens, but it's good to start building bit by bit.

Infusing mental fulfillment and comfort into the souls of mortals is an easy task.

Cosmic Power normally radiates an intimidating aura to lower beings, but if neutralized and moderated, it's certainly possible.

Borrowing the power of Nodens, who will be reborn as a galactic deity...

While I was contemplating the afterlife, will flowed in from Shub-Niggurath.

"Father. Afterlife. Shub. World. Curious. Universe."

"Hmm?"

"God. Lesser beings. Discrimination. We. Death. Father. World."

She seems displeased that only lesser beings are guaranteed an afterlife. Shub was grumbling about the lack of such a space for gods like herself.

A small smile formed at Shub's words about not discriminating over unnecessary things.

"You won't die in the first place, so don't worry. Unlike mortals, if your well-being is threatened, I'll gladly turn back time."

"Father? Shub. Time. Joy. Happiness."

I smiled fondly at Shub while using Cosmic Power to move space.

The afterlife should be a place covered in peaceful happiness.

Therefore, money wasn't necessary. Neither was class. Necessities like food, clothing, and shelter should be matters of preference, not necessity.

Also, it should be designed so that one could choose reincarnation or extinction at any time...

"Nyala. Please connect with the mortals in Shub's Galaxy."

"Are you trying to create that reincarnation thing you mentioned before?"

"Yes. Let's just connect the threads and lay the foundation for now."

Allowing mortals who die in Shub's Galaxy to come here and choose reincarnation.

Automatically erasing the spirit's memories, then having them seep into fertilized eggs.

This definitely required Nyala's help.

I couldn't handle such delicate work alone.

"So I just need to breathe this 'spirit' into newly born lesser beings, right?"

"That's right. But some of the details..."

"I'll adjust those well, Father!"

I should be able to trust Nyala, right?

* * *

Leaving that to Nyala, I was thinking about how to organize the afterlife.

An afterlife the size of a galaxy. The theme was my concern.

A world above the clouds would be fine as a basic setting. A cyberpunk afterlife fitting the sci-fi setting wouldn't be bad either.

It wasn't a normal material galaxy anyway, and the mortals entering would be in spirit form.

Should I just transform it into an endless Earth-like ecosystem?

Certain regions as green meadows, others as deserts, and others as oceans.

Implementing spaces ideal for carbon-based life forms in this format.

Since mortals would be spirits anyway, they could fly through the void.

Unlike when alive, spirit bodies have no limits to their stamina.

Hmm. Though improvised, this idea wasn't bad.

Except for the fact that I needed to create beings to actually implement all these ecosystems.

It would be better to outsource this too, wouldn't it?

Breaking my power into tiny fragments, scattering them, and imagining the desired form...

—Flash!!

Light flashed in the galaxy, and numerous lives were born.

Of course, they were all lower deities, not mortals. The lowest-ranked deities who couldn't even become planetary gods.

Beautiful and handsome appearances meeting human aesthetic standards, white wings and halos above their heads, even faintly shining auras.

I tried implementing angels from my previous life. This should be properly created, right?

The strongest few seem to barely reach the rank of planetary deities. The rest appear to be single-planet restricted deities.

"Listen—"

I scattered my will widely to inform them of their mission.

They staggered momentarily, then knelt or prostrated themselves—numerous angels.

After briefly appreciating the sight of many white-winged beings kneeling and prostrating, I sent my will again.

"I am the Creator who made you. You will reside here and guide and manage the souls of mortals."

Pausing the transmission of will, I sent knowledge to angels throughout the galaxy.

Planets where carbon-based life forms could live—lush meadows or desert terrains, seas and mountainous regions, places with four seasons.

Now. Create it like this.

———

I accelerated time in that place to expedite the completion of the vast afterlife.

Many deities were working diligently to create ecosystems, so it should be completed quickly.

"Great One... over there..."

"Hmm? Ah."

Flash—

"Oh. Ohhh... This is... truly the one who created the great universe..."

I turned my attention to Nyseria's will.

Odin, or rather Nodens, had reached the level of a galactic deity and revealed himself.

"How can this be... how...!"

He gaped in astonishment.

Judging by his sensing part of my true form, he had indeed reached the level of a galactic deity.

That should be sufficient ability to manage the afterlife. I should deploy him immediately.

With plenty of subordinate deities like angels already created, there shouldn't be any difficulties in his work, right?

As I watched, Nodens knelt and prostrated himself.

"Most Great One!!! I, Nodens, will never forget the grace you have bestowed upon me for all eternity..."

"Good. Then you can manage the afterlife for all eternity."

"...?"

Since Nodens voluntarily offered himself as a servant, I immediately deployed him to the afterlife.

He's truly admirable for his eagerness to work hard.

While hearing Nyala's will giggling strangely beside me, I gave orders to Nodens.

"Nodens, I appoint you as the manager of the afterlife. The winged deities called angels are my creations, so take them under your command. You may decorate the galaxy similar to Yggdrasil's ecosystem where you originally were. Select and accept mortals according to karma standards, and create appropriate rules for that place. We also plan to create a system for the dead to reincarnate, so organize the system. Also, create ranks and hierarchies for the angels to command them. I entrust all other details entirely to you."

Numerous angels wary of the galactic deity who suddenly entered their space. And Nodens, heavily guarded by those angels, radiated his will with a bewildered face.

"...What?!"

Then I leave it to you.