Ch.104104. At Last

“I never thought it would be like this from the beginning.

The Constellations, those who came from the old era—

Even if not to the position of the Absolute One of the current era, they thought the residents of Dianon would understand their anger, at least a little.

An absurd misunderstanding that anyone hearing it would openly mock.

These beings who enjoy destroying the world for fun—who would welcome such remnants of the past?

In truth, even without the Source of the World, there was no one anywhere who would welcome their existence.

Unless they were fanatics directly brainwashed by the Constellations, most people hoped for salvation to come to this rotten world.

And now.

The Past Remnants who couldn’t accept the current reality were experiencing a tremendous shock.

“I-is this really how the lower species react nowadays…?”

“This can’t be…! This cannot be.”

“What do you mean it can’t be? Everything is possible.”

Seeing their flustered reactions, I finally felt compensated for all my hardships.

Currently, the broadcast was revealing the true nature of these wretched beings who had been tormenting me.

‘How is it?’

To my question, Black Sun replied through the chat.

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: Public opinion in Dianon is flowing exactly as you planned.」

‘Good.’

「Child of the Lost Star: Your enraged followers are searching through ancient documents and dungeons for information about them.」

‘Oh.’

I hadn’t thought that far.

Even minimal information available in Dianon would be good.

If they could discover anything, it would cause considerable damage to those bastards.

“It’s all lies! This is the Absolute One’s plan to manipulate and confuse us…!”

“B-but.”

It was indeed my plan.

But all I did was set the stage—they were clearly the ones who performed on it.

“Argh! Get lost…!”

Just as I was about to start enjoying myself, my body suddenly floated up and was expelled somewhere.

When I regained consciousness, I was falling from the high sky.

A position where Dianon’s beautiful scenery could be seen at a glance.

“Ah… so this is how they end it?”

We still hadn’t had enough dialogue.

We hadn’t shared opinions or planned for the future.

I had hundreds of words and sentences prepared for them, and I felt disappointed first.

“Sigh.”

Once is difficult, but twice isn’t.

I created Divine Power and spread brilliant wings.

‘The broadcast?’

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: It’s been cut off.」

“…Well, this much is fine.”

I succeeded in leaving a strong impression on our citizens, so I’ll be satisfied with this much.

With a whoosh!

I planned to move to the closest location and then teleport back to the Sanctuary.

#

“O-oh, Father God…!”

When I faced my followers with my body covered in wounds, they all turned pale and rushed toward me.

“Calm down.”

Fearing some might actually faint, I urged them to stay calm.

Since remaining in this filthy state would be inconsiderate, I quickly washed up and changed clothes.

Belladis and Lisia hadn’t shown themselves until then.

「Child of the Lost Star: Those two have gone searching for ‘previous era’ civilization.」

‘I thought so.’

If I know my followers, they’re the type to take action faster than anyone else.

When I checked the map for their exact location, I could see Lisia and Vera breaking through a dungeon.

‘Let’s not disturb them unnecessarily.’

First, I closed the map and decided to assess the situation.

“Can someone brief me on the situation?”

Filtering through the requests for handshakes coming from everywhere, I searched for a suitable person.

“…And that’s how things stand now.”

I cast ‘Superior Blessing’ on the follower who had briefed me on the situation inside the Sanctuary and the state of the world with a serious face.

“Whoa…!”

Watching the follower leave the room with an expression of complete satisfaction, I spoke to Black Sun standing beside me.

The beautiful woman with black hair had been wearing a “Constellation expression” for a while.

But I knew.

That attitude wasn’t about maintaining authority, but rather subtly expressing some dissatisfaction with me.

“What’s wrong?”

“W-wrong…? What do you mean?”

“Don’t you have something to say? Your lips are practically sticking out a mile.”

“I-I never…!”

“I’m sorry.”

I apologized first without trying to determine the truth.

Black Sun had expressed the most concern about this matter.

I thought showing at least this much consideration was the proper courtesy.

“….”

Black Sun stared at me for a while, then abruptly spoke.

“Don’t do such dangerous things again in the future.”

“Wasn’t it dangerous when I played with you too?”

“….!”

When I jokingly brought up our first meeting, her face turned bright red and she became flustered.

“T-that was…!”

“Yes. Back then, we didn’t know each other. But isn’t it funny? We were fighting to the death then, and somehow we’ve come all this way.”

Though it was a story from within the game, for Black Sun, it was all “real” experiences.

We envied and were jealous of each other’s religious orders, and continued actions that would harm one another.

Bringing up such an unfunny past so suddenly, Black Sun was considerably flustered.

“That time and now… the situation is different!”

“I know, I know. I prefer now much more.”

“…Ugh.”

“Black Sun. I only have you.”

“….?”

At my last words, Black Sun froze.

I don’t know what she’s thinking, but it probably didn’t sound bad.

Born alone, in a world where beings of her own level are considered enemies.

Even those she can communicate with are just followers busy worshipping her like a god.

I can proudly say that I’m the only true companion and colleague Black Sun can rely on.

“…I won’t have any strange thoughts in the future.”

“Like stabbing me in the back?”

“I-I said I won’t!”

I laughed watching Black Sun jumping up and down in place since she couldn’t hit me directly, then took a deep breath.

“Phew.”

The battle wasn’t over yet.

We had inflicted widespread image damage on the Past Remnants and public opinion was overwhelmingly in our favor.

But even so, their main bodies were still intact.

Though their existence would naturally fade with time, who knows when they might cause another strange incident.

‘Are you coming out now?’

I called out to the observer who had been quietly watching the events unfold.

「’Source of the World’ tilts its head.」

‘So, have you found a method?’

This was beyond buying time—it was like fighting as a substitute.

This time, I hoped for results that would truly impress me.

「’Source of the World’ invites you to the ‘Hidden World.’」

“I’ll be back shortly.”

“No.”

As I stood up to depart for the Hidden World, Black Sun followed.

“Just stay here.”

“I’ll definitely be helpful!”

“…?”

“We don’t know what those Past Remnants might do next, and if I understand the plan too, it’ll be easier to explain to the Constellations working with us…”

Now that I hear it, she has a point.

“Alright then.”

Nodding to Black Sun with her determined expression, I immediately threw myself into the portal leading to the Hidden World.

“You came?”

And shortly after, a familiar divine manifestation emerged from the void of nothingness to welcome us.

“The story?”

“Straight to the point! I like that!”

“….”

The Source of the World’s gaze turned to Black Sun beside me.

“You’re talented.”

“What?”

“Nothing. Anyway! Thanks to your extraordinary performance, I was able to identify their true nature.”

“So…”

“Yes. Their true names. What I’ve discovered should be correct.”

True names.

If we know those, we can deliver a direct hit to them through the system.

Even without that, we could issue new orders to followers currently engaged in ‘elimination’ actions.

“Who are they?”

“There are seven Constellations in total. Among them, three were Absolute-level.”

“Send me the list.”

I want to input each one directly into a notepad to remember them for a long time.

No Constellation has hosted an event of this magnitude before.

I should show my sincerity in my own way.

‘How should I really punish these bastards?’

Indeed. How should I punish them to gain a good reputation?

No, the reputation is already spreading.

People worldwide must be cursing their actions and doing their best to drive them out of this world.

“Then, is there a way to drive them out?”

“I’ve found where their source originates from.”

“Oh.”

Finally, the information I’ve been waiting for emerges.

This guy actually does work.

Feeling a strange sense of admiration as I looked at him, the Source of the World smiled and gave his answer.

“What they need most is ‘evidence’ and ‘essence’ to remain in this world.”

“And?”

“If they want to remain so badly, I thought there might be another way to let them remain.”

-Thud!

At the Source of the World’s signal, enormous forms began to emerge from somewhere.

‘…Monsters?’

Seven monsters of national power-level size at a glance.

They were standing by motionlessly, like mannequins.

“So I thought to myself. How can we completely drive them out of here? What justification should we give… justification, justification?”

The Source of the World continued with a confident expression.

“Justification! Yes! That’s where the inspiration hit me!”

Listening to the Source of the World for a moment, I could only stick out my tongue at the vicious idea that even I hadn’t thought of.