Ch.1515. The Great Love

“Sigh…”

A bustling entrance into the chaotic marketplace.

The red-haired devotee had just passed through the gates of the Regalium Kingdom.

“…to this place.”

She detected the resonance echoing from deep within her heart without missing it.

A very familiar sensation.

The presence of the god she had sworn to dedicate all her love to.

It was being felt right here.

Though she looked disheveled from not washing for days, now that she had arrived at the kingdom, she could take her time to groom herself.

“Father God…”

There must surely be some greater purpose hidden in what led her here.

Lisia had unwavering faith in that guidance.

Although this was a country she was very reluctant to return to, a place where shameful past grudges lay dormant.

Special Priest Lisia was willing to dive in anywhere he might be.

‘First… I should find our order’s members.’

She followed rumors that had once seemed vague.

At first, they were extremely ambiguous, but as she kept digging, their outline gradually became clearer.

-The sovereign of the Father God is stationed in the Regalium Kingdom.

She needed to understand what was happening.

Lisia set out to find what she should do first, with a devout mindset.

#

“…Ahem, sniff.”

I made the old man cry.

I didn’t intend to go this far, but should I be genuinely happy about it?

Vera beside me seems quite pleased with the clearly established hierarchy.

‘Why are you happy…?’

Is it that anything beneficial to me is good for her too?

Well, not bad.

Edmund, who had been sniffling for a moment, quickly pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and composed his emotions.

For someone who was a king to shed tears in front of others.

If any of his subjects or knights had seen this, they would have been shocked.

Forcing the Knight Commander out—was that all part of the plan?

This couldn’t be a more perfect time for confession.

“For a moment, I was arrogant enough to think I understood humans well. But before you, my god, I become like a child.”

Edmund, having wiped away his tears, looked much more relieved.

“I lost my queen to the evil god, and my daughter was betrayed by her fiancé because of the evil god.”

This is a story I know.

It’s actually an episode I helped with.

The reason behind Edmund Karsein’s cold temperament has been mentioned several times.

The story of a king who lost his beloved wife in an attack orchestrated by the evil god’s schemes.

A man who set aside his personal hatred for the greater good, doing his best for the prosperity and stability of the nation.

That was Edmund Karsein, now standing before me.

“Perhaps it wasn’t my daughter who was enchanted, but me.”

“Don’t blame yourself too much.”

Nothing makes the atmosphere more solemn than an old man’s lament.

‘So is it all over now?’

I’ve accepted the king’s apology and normalized the situation.

Can I explore the palace as I please now?

‘Ah, right.’

“I’ve already taken measures against the evil god’s order that you were concerned about.”

“…!”

Edmund flinched in surprise at my words.

Hmm. Does speaking like this make him anxious?

“Since we’re of the same constellation, I’m having difficulty eliminating them, but suppressing them is certainly possible.”

I quietly summoned the Incarnation of the Black Sun, which was crumpled up.

‘Hey. Do something.’

“Incarnation of the Black Sun: Again, again. What do you want me to do…”

‘Show some submission, like bowing or crawling.’

The karma they’ve accumulated isn’t trivial.

Especially their evil connection with the Regalium Kingdom, which was tenacious and deeply rooted.

No wonder they tried to eliminate them even at the cost of betraying me.

“…Do I really have to do this…?”

As the Incarnation of the Black Sun spoke as if it were the victim, a pleasant feeling welled up in me.

‘Heh, I feel like massacring them.’

“…!”

When I offered these kind words, darkness suddenly enveloped the surroundings.

“This, this is…”

Edmund asked in a trembling voice at the sudden supernatural phenomenon.

“Do not be afraid.”

Even if I tell him not to be scared, it won’t work.

What’s important is proving that I’m here.

In the darkness that descended like a weight on both shoulders, countless chaos, despair, and pain were infused.

That bottomless abyss of hell.

A terrible power that draws out the inherent human emotion of fear.

This was part of the “Eclipse” skill used by the Black Sun cult.

Moreover, since it was cast by the highest authority among them, its quality would be extraordinary.

I raised my hand at the right moment and emitted divine power.

-Kieeeek!!

Like living beasts, the dark forms shrank away in terror at the divine light I shone, disappearing.

The audience chamber, which had been stained with darkness, instantly returned to its original form.

Edmund Karsein’s face, which I faced again, was pale with cold sweat running down.

It was a somewhat extreme method, but there was no better way to prove it.

“As long as I’m here, the innocent will not suffer.”

‘Tell them the Black Sun is firmly in Father Man’s grip, so don’t worry.’

“Incarnation of the Black Sun: My authority…”

Ignoring the constellation with its tail tucked between its legs, I instilled confidence in the king who was still affected by the aftermath.

“Oh, my god, Father God…”

The king, completely captivated by the performance I showed, praised me with eyes full of faith.

“I will doubt no more…”

“Hehe.”

“From now on, I will designate your religion as the state religion and make the entire country follow your teachings.”

“Huh…”

As I let out a low laugh, I sensed something strange.

“When you say designate as the state religion…”

“From now on, I and the Regalium Kingdom will live in your embrace, and all other religions will be eradicated…”

“…?”

Excuse me?

No, there’s no need for that.

I just wanted to maintain a mutually cooperative relationship, not a request to advertise on my behalf.

The order is already growing at a terminal rate without advertising…?

And eradicating other religions.

This statement was truly disturbing.

‘You don’t need to persecute them.’

I want a world where everyone is peaceful and happy, not my dictatorship.

I could respect each ideal, as long as it wasn’t extreme.

‘That way there’s more to enjoy and play with.’

Diverse cultures, and diverse beautiful women.

I’m already excited about recruiting devotees, but religious unification?

‘Diverse beautiful devotees… gone?’

Eradication in the Regalium Kingdom, which already recognized religious diversity?

“King of Regalium, there’s really no need to…”

“Haha, don’t worry. Even though this old man has aged, I still have enough ability to resolve an issue once I’ve decided on it.”

Rather than being reassured by my concern, he laughs and responds with more determination.

‘That’s not what I meant.’

“Now I understand. The reason the Father God has descended to this world is to awaken true truth.”

‘That’s not it either.’

I just wanted to enjoy myself with my accumulated wealth since my body ended up like this overnight.

“I swear here and now. No, I will create an official occasion to declare it.”

‘Uh-oh.’

“Under the protection of the Father God, we will spread the right love to the world…!”

“…!”

Belladis, who was beside me, trembled.

I could tell because I was still holding her wrist.

‘No, I don’t want to do this!’

Where did my excitement to play in a flowery meadow go?

Everyone was enthusiastic about raising my reputation.

It feels like my blood is running cold.

‘Then what about my vacation?’

“Incarnation of the Black Sun: What vacation does a constellation—”

‘Want me to send you away too?’

I can send him away if he asks.

To a place far away where nothing exists.

The Incarnation of the Black Sun fell silent at my question for a while.

‘This is driving me crazy.’

This isn’t right. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

I gave a legitimate reason that the king’s daughter who called my name was innocent.

And the king forgave her to a reasonable extent, and everything was supposed to end well.

Wouldn’t it have been good if it had ended nicely up to this point?

Like in the old days when we didn’t interfere with each other’s business and just maintained a cooperative relationship.

But now an unnecessary scene of worship has arrived.

What’s more surprising was that such words came from King Edmund’s mouth.

‘We’re not that kind of relationship.’

Even in the game, wasn’t he cold-blooded and stoic?

Wasn’t he the type who wouldn’t discriminate between constellations or anything else for the sake of national interest?

“Father God…”

I simply couldn’t understand with my brain.

-Move aside!!

Meanwhile, a sharp voice was heard from outside the door.

-Princess, I was ordered not to let anyone through—

-I said move!

A very forceful attitude.

Then there was a thud, and the heavy door slowly opened with a groan.

Soon.

“Father…!”

Princess Aisella, with irritation all over her face, appeared before us.

“What is this?”

The king, who had been sniffling just a moment ago, immediately regained his poker face.

He glared coldly at the princess.

“Are you finally, finally trying to tarnish the name of our god?!”

What’s with you?

Why are you acting like this?

“Aisella Karsein. I clearly told you to wait quietly.”

“I can’t stand by any longer…! Please, stop this tyranny now, Father!”

“…What?”

Time seemed to freeze in the audience chamber.

It didn’t actually stop, but it felt like perception couldn’t keep up.

‘Hey, hey, hey, hey.’

I wanted to run over and cover her mouth immediately.

This is like tap dancing on a perfectly set table.

I had just created a warm but slightly strange atmosphere, and suddenly what? Tyranny?

From the king’s perspective, could there be a more irritating word?

“Princess Aisella.”

“Father God!”

The princess, who had somehow managed to run quickly despite wearing high heels, knelt beside me.

‘Ah.’

Then, she grabbed one of my hands.

She placed it on her cheek in a gesture of submission.

“Please don’t worry, I will somehow protect your will and teachings.”

‘Who’s protecting what?’

For a moment, I felt the urge to use a skill to make the princess ‘faint.’

Should I actually do it?

It would be easy enough to put her to sleep quietly.

I glanced at Edmund’s face.

The sight of his daughter rubbing her face against a stranger’s (constellation’s) hand right in front of him.

How would he view this as both a king and a father?

‘Have mercy.’

“…Princess.”

Edmund Karsein called her with a completely stiff face.

“Even if you drag me away from here right now, I will never back down! No matter what happens, I…!”

But.

“The teachings of our god are not someone’s possession, but everyone’s.”

All discussions had already concluded.

The king, free from all worries and concerns.

“If you truly want to see him with love, lift your head and look with a broader perspective.”

Contrary to our expectations, he conveyed this in the kindest voice imaginable.

“…?”

At this unexpected response, Aisella’s expression filled with questions.

“I will no longer turn away from truth and reality.”

Words that shouldn’t come from a king’s mouth had been spoken.

His daughter pondered their meaning for a long time, then her eyes widened as if she had reached an understanding.

“Father, could it be that—”

“That person is indeed the master of this land, no, the world, and the true god.”

“…!”

Aisella’s eyes filled with emotional tears.

After being immersed in the afterglow for a long time, the father and daughter rose from their seats simultaneously as if rehearsed.

“Father.”

“Princess.”

Aisella Karsein covered her mouth with both hands and then settled into her father’s embrace.

I could only watch the situation like an idiot.

‘How am I supposed to intervene here?’

Unintentionally, I had improved the worst father-daughter relationship.

And all in my name.

“Hidden Quest Success!”

-“Great Love”

‘Ah, please.’

“Some constellations regard your actions with awe!”

“Some constellations harbor hostility toward your existence!”

“A small amount of luck accumulates.”

“Reward has arrived!”