I was honestly kind of expecting this event to be some complicated ceremony or something… But apparently it really was just an event where these politicians could just show their face and basically say that they were present for this.
In the end, I was just paraded in front of these politicians and recognised as one of the Mortal Gods of the South Asian Conglomerate.
After that, it was supposed to be a meet and greet session with everyone there.
Unfortunately, it didn't turn out like they had expected as no one even wanted to approach me, which I wasn't surprised considering the fact that I literally punished one of their numbers earlier.
So it's not surprising that they might be a little hesitant in being the next one to approach me.
Just as I was thinking that we would basically be left alone for the entire event when one particular person actually walked up to me.
It took me a moment to realise who it was.
"Greetings, Mortal God. I am Liyana, Guardian of the great Mortal God Siti."
Yep… She's the same Guardian who had participated in the expedition on that day I had awakened as a Mortal God…
I didn't get a good look at her since she was quite far away last time but now that she's standing in front of me…
She's clearly of malay descent seeing she had a dark brown complexion and her black hair cascaded past her shoulders to stop around her lower back.
Right now, she was currently wearing a blue baju kurung which was a traditional malay dress for women.
She continued, "I am honoured to witness the new rise of a Mortal God that will aid my great Mortal God to even higher heights."
None of us missed the clear underlying meaning of her words where she's suggesting that I would be a subordinate to her Mortal God instead.
Unfortunately for us, she is one of the people here where I can't just flip off because of the person she was representing.
That is… Unless I was prepared to fight another Mortal God which I was most definitely not going to do right now.
Still… I have to maintain my dignity here since I'm representing my country right now.
"Of course, all of us are part of the same conglomerate so everyone's achievements would help each other rise as well and I do not intend to let the others down as well. I have heard of Siti's achievements and they have been very impressive."
Liyana smiled, "Yes. I believe she is the most divine of all Mortal Gods. She is a blessing on this world."
Ahh… I see how it is… She's the type of person who actually treats the Mortal God that they serve like a real divine being.
It's surprisingly not that rare since there were also instances where the more devoted the Guardian is to their Mortal God, the stronger the protection they might get from their Mortal God.
So there were instances where the Guardian basically worships the Mortal God as their actual god so it's pretty common to see Guardians acting like this.
I mean… I kind of have one right now in the form of Olivia… Though I don't think she's that extreme.
I nodded, "I'm sure she is. I still have much to learn as a newly awakened Mortal God so I don't intend to lag behind either."
Liyana nodded, "That would be for the best. I hope that you can aid my Goddess in your future endeavors."
"That goes without saying. As Mortal Gods, we have a duty to help protect our World from these Anomalies and I am not against helping other Mortal Gods deal with their rifts as well."
"Fufu~ I am looking forward to it. If I may be so bold as to give some advice to a newly awakened Mortal God, perhaps meeting my Goddess will help you find your path?"
"That sounds like a good idea, but I'm afraid that right now, I am too swamped with my own duties that I have to fulfill so I might only be able to set a date with her at a later time."
"Ah, that is understandable. You are, after all, still a Mortal God."
I'm not sure if she was actually genuine in her conversation with me where she didn't realise I was kind of deflecting what she was trying to push onto me… Or she was already planning something to deal with me who showed no interest in being her Mortal God's subordinate.
Because clearly, she believes that I should be below her Mortal God…
She then turned her attention to the people that I was surrounded with, "I assume that these are your first group of Guardians?"
Honestly, they have still not been confirmed yet officially.
But after that expedition where I fought alongside them, I think that was all I needed to see to be sure that I would not mind fighting alongside them again.
"Yes, they are."
I noticed a few of them actually straightening up in surprise, probably not expecting me to confirm that they were my Guardians.
Liyana tilted her head slightly, "Oh? I was actually not expecting that… I see that most of them are non-humans. Is that ok?"
I frowned underneath my mask, "Why would that not be ok?"
"I would have thought that you would surround yourself with people from our world instead. You never know if these people are actually on the side of the Anomalies after all. Not saying that they are, but it's just a risk that people like you will have to take when taking these people under your wing."
Damn… I never thought that she would be one of those people who were xenophobic…
Then again… I suppose I'm just used to the people in our country being ok with them that I forget that other countries don't really have as many other worlders as we do.
I nodded, "It's fine. I trust them. They have fought alongside me before and have proven their worth. I believe that I at least am a good judge of character at the very least."
"Hmm… I see…" She muttered.
She didn't look too convinced but didn't try to argue against me either.
She then looked down at her watch and let out a gasp, "Ah! I seem to have taken up too much of your time, please excuse me!"
She gave me a slight bow before leaving us.
Only when she left the reception hall did Avatasia speak, "My, my… I have to say that that was expertly handled, Divine One."
Kris also turned back to nod his head, "I agree. Do you perhaps have experience in politicking?"
I grinned despite them not being able to see it, "No. I just have experience needing to bullshit my way through problems."
Jia Lian shifted uncomfortably, "I… Didn't like the way she was looking down on everyone."
Leena tapped on the ground with one of her horse legs in irritation, "It's nothing new… We have had to deal with worse before."
I cleared my throat, "Ahem… Anyway… I think we're done here right?"
Olivia looked at the other politicians who were now whispering amongst themselves while looking in our direction.
"I suppose that is all, my Lord. Though I'm afraid that we will have to meet the cabinet now."
Oh right… I almost forgot about that.
"Where will the meeting be held?"
"The State Room on the other side, my Lord. We will have to go there."
"Would it just be us or…" I trailed off, referring to the Guardians that were still surrounding me.
"They can accompany us if they want. Since it also relates to them, I would strongly encourage everyone to be present."
The others agreed to accompany us so we made our way out of the Reception Hall and across where the State Room was located.
There were a few guards positioned outside and they quickly opened the door for us as we approached.
The room was relatively long and there was a large table that seemed to have been brought in specifically for this event and several familiar faces were seated at the far side of the table.
Familiar in the sense that I have seen them appear on television as ministers and not because I have met them in person before.
Near the door was a sitting area where a couch had been prepared and Olivia ushered me to take a seat there.
"Please wait here, my Lord… Whatever happens, please remain here…"
That sounds… Needlessly ominous?
Before I could question her about it, she walked straight up towards the table where the ministers were and took a spot in front of it, standing at attention.
The other Guardians had arranged themselves around me, acting like my guard detail and securing the area without any bidding from me.
Despite the meeting being held a distance away, I could still hear what they were saying from here.
The one seated at the very centre of the group was the first to speak.
"Olivia. Effective immediately, you are relieved of your position as Director of the MAM."
…
What?!