Surshana spoke slowly.
Even after six hundred years, the memories remained vivid. The truth of that history was gradually unfolding before Naohara's eyes.
"The power of faith truly is incredible."
After listening to Surshana's account, Naohara shook his head.
Becoming a god through the Power of Faith was not inherently flawed, but the Six Great Gods had clearly overestimated themselves.
Just as Surshana had said earlier.
If World-Class Items represented the domain of the gods, then highly concentrated Power of Faith was comparable to a World-Class Item. In other words, they simply could not control that power. It might work for a short time, but eventually it would turn on them.
A high concentration of Power of Faith was essentially the same as a World-Class Item like [Downfall of Castle and Country] continuously activating its effects.
Unless they possessed a power capable of counteracting those side effects.
"But unfortunately, you couldn't."
Looking at the several shadowy figures before him, Naohara felt a trace of pity.
The answer had been obvious for a long time. The Six Great Gods themselves knew it well.
[Wild Magic]
Compared to World-Class Items, Wild Magic could easily solve the problem of the Power of Faith affecting one's will.
[World's Blessing] was a Passive Skill. It could only passively block the Power of Faith.
But [Wild Magic] was an active ability. It could absorb the Power of Faith while simultaneously filtering out its negative effects, leaving behind only the purest essence.
Unfortunately, the Six Great Gods would never be able to wield that power.
While Naohara was lost in these thoughts, Surshana continued speaking.
"My friend, we are entrusting the Theocracy to you in the hope that you will protect it and ensure that our faith continues."
"And given our current circumstances, we will not take action unless absolutely necessary."
"So we would like to establish a contract."
Surshana extended his skeletal hand, and golden light poured out from the void. An immense amount of Power of Faith condensed into a scroll.
It floated slowly in midair, radiating a unique aura. Clearly, this was different from an ordinary contract.
This contract formed from faith itself carried binding power comparable to a World-Class Item.
Naohara leaned back in his chair without speaking.
The situation of the Six Great Gods was unusual. Five of them had already been assimilated by faith and could only continue existing by clinging to it. The God of Death had paid some kind of price to neutralize the influence of the Power of Faith on the others, but he himself also seemed to be restricted in some way.
Setting aside the possibility that some information might be inaccurate, one thing was certain. The five gods could not exist without the Power of Faith.
If there was belief, they existed. If there was no belief, they ceased to exist.
That was their current state.
'Considering that we might attack the Theocracy in the future, they decided to act first?'
'Even if I hadn't come to the Theocracy this time, these guys probably would have contacted me sooner or later.'
Naohara could not help but think.
Meanwhile, seeing that Naohara had not responded, Surshana glanced at the five shadowy figures beside him. After they gave slight nods, he continued.
"And as a sign of friendship, we can also provide part of our research on how to use the Power of Faith."
As he spoke, Surshana took out a crystal orb.
Inside it were the results of their research on the Power of Faith. The fusion of magic power and the Power of Faith, the possibility of replacing experience points with the Power of Faith, and methods for creating faith-based magic casters who believed in themselves.
"This really is an offer that's impossible to refuse."
Naohara raised his head and smiled, already having reached a decision.
Six hundred years of accumulated Power of Faith, along with a faith contract comparable to a World-Class Item.
If they truly chose to act, there was no doubt about it.
These six were essentially a hidden nuclear bomb.
"Then my answer is…"