Gift from the Heavens: Men Protected in a Woman’s

A man’s greatest weapon is…

In this world, men are a rare existence. Women fulfill every societal role, while men are kept under stifling protection. In one particular kingdom, the men finally decide to stand up and change their fate!

The Protected Men

In this world, men are few. It isn’t due to some sudden plague or disaster; they are simply born at a much lower rate than women.

"Men are a gift from the heavens. It is the duty of women to show them respect and take responsibility for their protection."

So speaks the priestess at the temple of the Great Goddess. To the people, men are precious beings granted by the heavens to bring prosperity. Being closer to the divine, they are said to be prone to returning to the heavens early; therefore, it is a woman’s sacred obligation to raise them with care and shield them from the world.

The congregation listening to her consists entirely of women. Each one prays fervently for the health and longevity of their sons, husbands, and male kin, laying offerings at the altar with desperate devotion.

"Hey, long time no see." "Man, tell me about it! It took forever..."

A middle-aged man spotted his friend and took the seat opposite him. They were in a neighborhood café. Being close in age and long-time confidants, they made it a point to meet here for tea whenever they could manage the time.

"...Anyway, after pleading my case over and over, my wife finally gave me permission to come out." "It really is a hassle, isn't it? Having to have your wife glued to your side just to step outdoors..."

The city outside was bustling. Shops lined the streets, filled with the cries of merchants and the savory aroma of grilled meat. However, whether young or old, nearly everyone in sight was a woman. Men were a rare sight.

Society deemed men too physically frail and emotionally delicate for public life. When they did venture out, they were strictly required to be accompanied by a family member or a spouse.

But there was another reason. The desire women felt for men was nothing short of overwhelming. To a woman, a man’s appearance—and the "masculine allure" radiating from his very being—was an irresistible temptation. Young women, in particular, were often driven to distraction by it.

Furthermore, this was a world with a surplus of women. In this country, the eldest daughter traditionally inherited the family estate. Second and third daughters from across the land flocked to this city, leading to a fierce scramble over the few available men.

If a man were to walk alone in such an environment, the consequences were too obvious to contemplate.

Women constantly worried for their fathers and brothers; once married, they exhausted themselves protecting their husbands and sons.

"You mustn't leave this spot. Stay here and wait until I come back for you."

Every man born into this world heard these words throughout his life. As a child, from his mother and grandmother. Once married, from his wife and mother-in-law. Always kept within a woman's sight, shielded like children even in adulthood—this was how men lived and died in a woman's world.

The men "dropped off" at the café sighed in unison.

"My wife will be coming to pick me up soon." "As you get older, you just learn to give up. The women decide everything anyway. If it keeps the peace, let them do what they want."

"Still... I wonder about the young ones. I think those boys might actually go through with it." "...Ah, you mean that!"

The two men shared a knowing, mischievous grin. "I can't wait to see what happens..." Leaning in close, they continued to whisper like naughty schoolboys, their faces lit with anticipation.

The Disappearance

The next morning, the men vanished. Specifically, the youth. Every young man of pre-marriageable age had disappeared from the city.

Naturally, chaos ensued. It took the women some time to process that their sons and brothers had vanished from their bedrooms overnight. But once the reality set in, a massive search operation began, involving everyone from distant relatives to the royal army.

The men were found soon enough. They were at the Great Temple in the center of the city—specifically, on top of its roof.

"It’s dangerous!" "Don't move!"

The men were huddled together, clinging to the rounded surface of the roof. The searching women—both civilians and soldiers—couldn't hide their agitation. They spoke in hushed, gentle tones, terrified that the men might startle and fall.

"Why are you up there?" "Because we have a mission!" the men shouted in unison.

"Oh, heavens! How sacrilegious!" Alerted by the commotion, the High Priestess emerged from the temple.

"Your mission is to bring prosperity! That is why the heavens gave you life. Stop risking your safety and come home this instant!"

A crowd of women continued to swell around the temple. The entrance to the roof was locked from the inside, leaving soldiers to scramble for ladders or struggle to force the doors. Mothers, sisters, and grandmothers called out to the roof one after another.

"My son, come to your senses! I didn't raise you for this!" "Stop this foolishness! I'm coming up to get you, so you stay right there!" "Brother, please come down..." "Your grandfather is crying! Let's go home!"

No. We're never going back!

Despite the desperate pleas, not a single man moved to descend. Among them stood a youth of about twenty. He stood with his arms crossed, looking down at the women.

"We are 'close to the divine,' aren't we? Then it’s only natural for us to be here!"

"Yeah!" "That’s right!" The other men cheered in support. The women paused. It was a logical point they couldn't easily dismiss, and even the priestess found herself speechless.

"I'll tell you why we're standing at the very peak of this temple!" The youth shouted, his voice joined by the others in a thunderous roar:

"Stop the wars immediately!" "Or we will jump!"

The women let out a collective scream of horror.

The Ulterior Motive

This world was never at peace. Nations had always fought over limited resources, and this world was no exception. Here, the "resource" in question was men. Wars over the possession of men broke out constantly.

This city, too, was fortified with walls to fend off invaders. Women kept a constant watch, searching for intruders or troublemakers to maintain order. This was the true reason behind the strict management of men.

"The adults have complicated reasons for these things!" the women cried.

"Don't treat us like children! You only say that because you want to keep us tied up! We're sick of living in this suffocating cage!"

Below the roof, the screams of women and the cries of those calling out to their loved ones grew into a deafening roar.

"What do you want us to do?!" "Unless this foolish fighting stops, we will never set foot on the ground again!"

The youth looked up at the sky, closed his eyes for a moment, and then stood at the edge of the roof, flanked by his comrades. Despite the chaos below, a heavy silence fell over the temple.

The youth opened his eyes with renewed determination. "The time has come to fly away from this stupid world!"

"STOP!"

Ignoring the reaching hands of the women below, the men leaned forward over the edge.

"We are returning to the heavens." "Wait!" "Farewell!"

"THE WAR IS OVER! SO DON'T DO IT!"

The youth looked down. A woman on horseback was staring up at him. She was a messenger from the Queen. Having heard of the uprising, she had been sent to deliver an urgent proclamation.

"...Our kingdom has reached an agreement with the neighboring nations. The war is officially over. Therefore, please, do not return to the heavens!"

"Is that the truth?" "It is. Our country will protect the lives of all gentlemen in the name of Her Majesty and the Great Goddess. Your grievances shall be addressed immediately."

The youth looked at his companions. Their eyes lit up, and they broke into cheers. The women collapsed in relief, many dissolved in tears. Finally, the soldiers arrived with ladders.

Declining the soldiers' help, the men unlocked the doors themselves and descended to the ground in a triumphant parade.

The Queen’s Gambit

The Queen was satisfied. The long-standing problem plaguing her nation had been solved.

In a world where conflict over men was constant, neighboring countries usually maintained order by "sharing" men through polygamy—treating husbands as communal property. However, this kingdom had stubbornly stuck to monogamy, following the teaching that couples should be pairs. As a result, the nation suffered from a chronic shortage of husbands, leading to endless infighting and exhaustion as women hoarded the few available men.

Recently, neighboring countries had made an offer: they would end the war if this kingdom signed a treaty to share men through inter-country marriages.

The Queen knew her country was at its limit and intended to sign. However, the High Priestess—who wanted to protect tradition—and the common women—who wanted to monopolize their men—refused to accept polygamy.

So, the Queen devised a plan. What was the one thing that would make the women of this country obey without question? The answer: the power of the very thing they cherished most—the men.

She had incited the men to act as her "shield" in negotiations, ensuring their safety behind the scenes. It was all a grand performance to reform the world.

To the men, who were usually forbidden from the spotlight, the idea was thrilling. Fed up with being controlled, they were more than happy to help pull one over on the women.

The temple roof was chosen because it was high enough to negotiate but sacred enough to prevent the women from using force to drag them down. The "struggling" soldiers and "late" ladders were all part of the delay. The messenger’s arrival was timed to the second.

It was a masterstroke by the Queen, known only to a select few. The peace negotiations proceeded smoothly, and the treaty was signed. The men had saved the nation using the only power they possessed: "The Man’s Weapon."

A man’s weapon is… life.

In this world, a man’s life is more sacred than anything else. The Goddess would never forgive an enemy of men. If a man puts his life on the line to make a demand, no woman can refuse him. After all, if the men die, the very reason for the fighting disappears.

The women had no choice but to submit.

The Gift

The Queen opened the door to her bedchamber. On the bed lay an elegant man, fast asleep.

My husband... "It is all thanks to you."

The Prince Consort was a poet and a singer. Despite his royal status, he often traveled to small, remote theaters to sing, listening to the voices of the people and staying close to their hearts. He had organized the logistics of the Queen’s plan from the shadows.

"Without you, I could never have led the men out of their homes."

He had always cared for the weakest in society—the men. He wrote plays, poems, and songs to comfort and encourage them. He had opened theaters as a sanctuary where men could gather without their wives, creating a space for them to socialize and share their thoughts. He held their absolute trust.

Under his direction, the men had organized in secret. They met at the theater to decide roles and timing, then waited at home. The "Midnight Runaway Operation" had gone perfectly. Slipping past unsuspecting women was easier than the men had imagined. Since the city was under strict curfew, the streets were empty save for the guards the Queen had specifically stationed to guide them.

The chosen "sturdy men" tasked with climbing the roof had been thrilled by their "first adventure." They were led through the back door of the temple by the guards and climbed up before the priestess could notice.

The rest went exactly as rehearsed. The "Grand Performance" that would be talked about by men for generations had begun.

The Prince Consort continued to sleep peacefully. The Queen wanted to hold him and kiss him, but she refrained, not wanting to wake him. Instead, she gently stroked his hair.

"I am truly grateful."

Men were gifts from the heavens, beings close to the divine... How true that was. The country had been saved by a man. And she herself had been saved by the husband who supported her from the shadows.

"You truly are a gift from the heavens," she whispered, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

Epilogue

The city was bustling once more. Shops were crowded, merchants called out, and the smell of grilled meat filled the air. But now, young and old, men and women, all walked the streets together. Foreigners were no longer a rare sight. In this peaceful city, everyone lived with a smile.

"I was so happy back then! I can't believe it worked out so well. We really showed them!" The youth from the roof laughed as he walked with his friends. The others nodded in hearty agreement.

The Prince Consort’s performances were more popular than ever. The theater was no longer a secret hideout; men could come and go as they pleased, without waiting for a wife or mother to pick them up.

"That was a magnificent show!" "And the Prince's voice is as beautiful as ever. No wonder the women are head over heels!"

Two middle-aged men were chatting animatedly in their favorite café after the show.

"It’s great that we’re free now, but honestly, I'm starting to get troubled by all these foreign women hitting on me." "I know what you mean. My wife is so worried she might try to ban me from going out again."

"Don't you worry," one of them said, a mischievous glint in his eye. "If she tries that, we’ll just tell her: 'Fine! Then I’m running away from home!'"

END