Ch.2424. Festival of the Dead

Just like other constellations.

The reason they interfere with Dianon was, when examined closely, quite trivial.

Because they were bored.

From the primordial era, whose beginning no one remembers, until now.

Wandering through the empty void, they eventually discover a glimmering world.

It was around that time they gained the name “constellation” and became able to interfere with the world called “Dianon.”

The “Child of the Lost Star” was naturally one of them.

-…..

After the exchange ended.

After the main god, “Ron,” departed, leaving an empty world.

In a cosmic setting where only distant stars could be seen, the “Child of the Lost Star” stared blankly into the void.

-Good stuff.

The Child of the Lost Star manipulated the community window to check its contents.

Surprisingly, there was already another visitor in the community.

『Incarnation of the Black Sun』

Though he had accepted it because the other was an Absolute-level constellation, this was yet another shock.

The true identity of that vague sense of discomfort he’d been feeling.

That ferocious constellation had been captured and bound here.

-Interesting. Very interesting.

It seemed this ability called “Community” could contain part of a constellation’s existence and influence it.

It even allowed for easy conversation.

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: Aren’t you going to say hello when you arrive?」

At this message, delivered with apparent displeasure, the Child of the Lost Star felt another fresh stimulus.

They could converse.

Communication between constellations was typically very difficult and complicated.

They neither used the same language as humans nor wished to do so.

Therefore, for “conversation” to happen, one constellation had to bow their head and request the other’s consideration.

But this—

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: What’s your problem?」

「Child of the Lost Star: Fascinating. Truly fascinating. To have such implementation ability, compressed to be used so easily. It feels like having another world stuffed into a pocket. Even so, there’s no sense of discomfort…」

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: Oh, damn. Are you hogging the chat window?」

「Child of the Lost Star: Chat window?」

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: Stop acting clueless and just say what you need to say. You’re driving me crazy.」

「Child of the Lost Star: Why aren’t you properly enjoying such a benefit?」

The Child of the Lost Star, being a constellation like any other, understood perfectly.

The “loneliness” of having to endure alone in this vast, empty world.

The existence of this chat window—

A channel to freely communicate with other constellations without any risk.

‘This could turn the universe upside down.’

If other constellations knew about this, they might go mad trying to seize this chat window, which wouldn’t be surprising at all.

「Child of the Lost Star: It would have been better if someone other than you were here.」

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: …What?」

「Child of the Lost Star: Have you forgotten? The atrocities committed by you and your cult until now.」

The Child of the Lost Star knew very well.

His long-cherished wish was to punish those like the “Incarnation of the Black Sun” who had negative influences on the human world.

For a moment, silence fell over the chat window.

But then.

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: So what?」

「Child of the Lost Star: What?」

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: Whether my followers harm others or do bad things, why should I care? You’re acting so noble.」

Though he was now unwillingly playing the role of a pet due to the returned Absolute One.

The Incarnation of the Black Sun was no fool ignorant of the world’s principles.

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: What makes you so righteous? You’re just someone who openly drains the lifeblood of your believers.」

「Child of the Lost Star: …..」

That wasn’t wrong.

When he made contracts with his believers, he took half their life, or more if necessary, as payment.

It was his unique characteristic, necessary for his continued existence.

The two constellations, having jabbed at each other’s sore spots, temporarily ceased chatting as they reached a stalemate.

-Still fascinating.

The Child of the Lost Star muttered to himself in the empty space.

Having never experienced this in his entire existence, it returned as an even greater stimulus.

Even if that stimulus was anger, resentment, or other negative emotions.

The constellation, composed of scattered forms, asked the void:

-What are you planning?

If he dared predict the other’s course, more constellations would be drawn to this ability in the future.

With the massive collective thus created.

What future was he—the Absolute One—envisioning?

The Child of the Lost Star felt a peculiar sense of crisis from the immense addictiveness of the Absolute One’s power.

-I want to analyze this further.

And thus was born a constellation that occupied the chat window.

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: Just shut up already…!」

With no one responding to his endless chatter, the Incarnation of the Black Sun was nearly driven to tears.

#

「Returning to world ‘Dianon’.」

Finally, I returned to the original world.

‘Is it really the original world?’

More accurately, it’s the “familiar” world.

For me, who has become a constellation, the original world would be that white room.

“…Huh?”

I checked the chat window as notifications kept ringing.

“Oh shit.”

I could see the wailing Incarnation of the Black Sun and the excited Child of the Lost Star who had found his voice.

I hurriedly closed the chat and muted the notifications.

“I almost had my mind corrupted.”

It seems this provided novel stimulation for constellations who usually just stare at distant stars in space.

‘Fighting.’

Sending encouragement to the Incarnation of the Black Sun who was busy entertaining conversation, I moved to handle my backlog of tasks.

Having personally rushed to solve problems, I should now receive some sweet carrots, shouldn’t I?

First, I examined the condition of the “Holy Sword” received from the mainland craftsman.

「Covenant of Heaven and Earth, Secratis

-Grade: Mythical

-Description: A legendary sword that chose you directly from the flow of stars. It possesses dangerous power that can shake Providence just by being wielded.」

“Wow.”

The grade and description alone are overwhelming.

Being a special sword bestowed by a constellation to another constellation, it seemed distinctly different from other holy swords I’d seen before.

‘So now I have two holy swords.’

One is mine, and the other is the Hero’s that I just obtained.

My goodness.

I can wield one in each hand, can’t I?

It seems the cult’s prestige grows day by day.

‘As for the believers.’

This time, I checked the believer recruitment tab.

The Sword Saintess who suddenly appeared, and…

The Hero, an exceptional S-grade talent obtained by evolving the ‘Elite Believer Recruitment Ticket’.

‘What a dopamine rush.’

To gain a Hero who usually attacks constellations on sight as a believer unit.

If the game community were still active, countless users would be green with envy at this achievement.

‘So sweet.’

When first confronted, I was prepared for all-out war with the Heroes, but I ended up recruiting one unexpectedly.

‘Even better.’

As long as it’s good for our cult and believers, I’m all for it.

“I wonder if they’re taking good care of them.”

The Sword Saintess who caused a commotion in the square, Lisia, and that little Hero too.

Since I gave direct instructions, they should be treating them very well.

「(EX) grade skill, ‘Constellation Dominance’ is currently active.」

With this newly acquired skill, I set out with confident steps to find my new believers.

‘However.’

One problem holds me back.

“This is my first time meeting Lisia.”

I managed to smoothly meet Vera face-to-face, but Lisia is new.

Should I just unleash my divine power?

She would immediately recognize me without any doubt.

‘But that lacks flavor.’

This is a precious moment of meeting directly in the mortal world.

Couldn’t I elevate it with a more dramatic and beautiful presentation?

The perverted instinct within me kept whispering suggestions.

‘Hmm.’

While I was contemplating this.

-Ding!

「Sudden event occurred!」

「The invasion of ‘Undead’ has begun.」

「Warning! If the invasion is not stopped, the Regalium Kingdom will perish.」

“What’s this now?”

Just as I was trying to sort things out, an unexpected emergency situation arose.

“…Wait.”

But having been through thick and thin, I somehow welcomed this situation.

Perhaps this could be a good opportunity to make a strong first impression on the new “Sword Saintess” and our filial believer.

I immediately put on the “Hermit’s Hood (+9)” and headed toward the scene of the incident.

#

-Rumble rumble…

“Hmm…?”

As the gate guards sensed something unusual and surveyed the situation, they saw a massive horde approaching from beyond the horizon.

“Holy shit!”

“What is that!”

Using artifacts to identify them more clearly, they saw an army composed of death itself.

Their numbers rivaled the military force of an entire nation.

While one of the guards hurriedly spread the word, the undead army continued to advance relentlessly.

Their target: the Regalium Kingdom.

Having easily breached the strict security network through magic portals.

Today, the entire royal army was put on high alert due to these uninvited guests who had come to expand the cult’s influence.

-Eldritch.

A monster ranked among the highest tier of undead, commanding death and defying Providence.

“Neither Absolute Ones, nor Holy Swords exist.”

It was a revelation directly from his constellation.

“Nothing exists that can stop us.”

At the center of the undead army.

Eldritch commanded his subordinates.

To instill true peace and new enlightenment in those lost lambs.

The Headless Knight, Durahhan.

The horrific flesh beast, Ghoul.

The vengeful spirit, Banshee.

And beyond these, the species that came to devour an entire kingdom exceeded all imagination.

Today was certainly their festival day.

“Advance,” Eldritch commanded his army, thirsty for blood and death.