Ch.4242. Lingering Attachment

“Your denomination is hostile to the ‘Eternal Slumberer’!”

Hmm, that has a nice ring to it.

In the game, pressing this button would immediately trigger a holy war, but this is reality.

Naturally, it will take a bit more time to “erase an existence” than it did back then.

I looked at the Eternal Slumberer trapped inside Kalisa’s muscle-pumped chest and said:

“This is all… just how the world works, you know?”

It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand.

This is an opportunity to learn exactly how things are.

“Devotee, ‘Kalisa’ is worried about you.”

“Yeah, it’s all over now.”

I smile at Kalisa, who still doesn’t understand the situation, and release the divine power that had been subtly setting the mood.

With this body, handling divine power is nothing.

I could pat the heads of most denomination popes right now if I wanted to.

‘That would be a complete honor!’

A pat from the Absolute One himself—that’s something to be celebrated for generations.

-Kyung…

A cute whimper that doesn’t match her size.

There’s such a sorrowful tone to it that if I don’t comfort her, a huge water bomb might drop on my head.

Now all that’s left is…

To return to the denomination in harmony with Kalisa, who almost caused trouble.

“Hmm.”

She’s still way too big, even for her size.

I wanted to see Kalisa’s pretty original form, and to shake off the Lord of Dragons’ interference, I needed to release the polymorph again.

“Do you want to return to normal?”

“Devotee, ‘Kalisa’ asks if that would be okay.”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Devotee, ‘Kalisa’ confesses that she has committed an unforgivable sin against you.”

Atonement.

I understand well what she means.

Before coming to this place, I was worried about that too—

That this presumptuous bastard might run off somewhere with our devotee, and that Kalisa might be in danger because of it.

I had some serious concerns that didn’t match my position.

After Black Sun, this was the first time someone had messed with me, giving me interesting emotions at this long-awaited dopamine party.

“So, you don’t want to?”

I ask if she doesn’t want to return to the denomination.

-Kuuung…!

Kalisa, transformed into a dragon, was startled by my question and expressed her refusal with her entire body.

-Kuung…!

But given her size, tremendous vibrations occurred around my manifested body.

“Okay, I understand.”

I calmed Kalisa down amid my violently shaking field of vision, and called forth the ‘Lord of Dragons’ who would be observing us from afar.

-Hwak!!

Holy light shone down from the sky, and once again a golden lizard was born.

After snorting a puff of air through its nostrils, it looked at me, then up at Kalisa.

-Is Kalisa! Is she okay?!

“It’s fine.”

-What is!

The Lord of Dragons, excited, asked again as if my words were hard to understand.

It thrust its huge head toward me as if about to headbutt me, which was quite burdensome.

“Ah geez. Move your head away. I said it’s been resolved well.”

-Is, really?

“If not, she would have gone BOOM! and exploded.”

Though that was never going to happen in the first place.

Unaware of these inner thoughts, the Lord of Dragons simply flapped its wings in joy.

-Thank goodness! What a relief!

Pure relief.

But I know what lies beneath that sentiment.

For the Lord of Dragons, Kalisa is like a tool who must inherit its position.

This was a unique characteristic related to their background.

“Now release the polymorph.”

The Lord of Dragons remained quiet for a while at my words.

In response to this reaction, I asked as if I knew nothing.

-Why should I release it?

“…What?”

Another pause here. I face the dragon head with a stunned expression.

Focus is important, focus.

My current situation.

I came to save Kalisa, who is precious to both of us, after suddenly being provoked by the Lord of Dragons.

When I reluctantly permitted the polymorph on my devotee, the Lord of Dragons happily executed it.

What could possibly be going through its head?

“Black Sun’s Incarnation: Oh, oh…!”

Black Sun, sensing the moment of betrayal, sighed at the brazen attitude of the dragon head before us.

“Devotee, ‘Kalisa’ is perplexed by the current situation.”

-Kalisa was originally my child. A true dragon among dragons!

Kraaang!

The manifested Lord of Dragons roared with a dignified air.

“But she joined our denomination.”

-Not joined, but kidnapped! Kalisa purely! sacrificed herself for the prosperity and peace of dragons!

“Oh? That’s interesting.”

“Lost Star’s Child: Interesting indeed.”

“So?”

When I asked calmly, the Lord of Dragons took it as if I had lost my mind and continued shouting.

-Therefore right now! I declare in this place! That I will take Kalisa back!

“And if I don’t let her go?”

-Even the Absolute One wouldn’t defy the providence of this world! If you try to forcibly take a devotee, you’ll face backlash from other constellations!

A surprisingly thoughtful answer comes out.

It was saying it would play politics.

-Even the Absolute One can’t afford to be at odds with all the constellations rooted throughout the world! This fragile world wouldn’t withstand it before that happens.

I slapped my forehead with a loud clap and answered as if I hadn’t realized.

“You’re right! Oh no!”

-Yes! So now stop this tyranny…!

“Oh no! I’ve been completely fooled!”

-Tyranny…

“Alas…! I’m screwed!”

-….?

A spoonful or two of bewilderment is added to his confident demeanor.

Even at this point, the Lord of Dragons felt uncomfortable with my continued composure.

-Wh-what is it?

“What?”

-Why, are you so relaxed…

“Relaxed? I’m just respecting my devotees’ wishes.”

Constellations are bad, devotees are good.

I know.

The power of the denomination I currently lead, and even my position.

From the constellations’ perspective, I must look like a tyrant.

One who bullies other denominations when bored and threatens them with holy wars.

But as proven several times before.

These constellations tend to love themselves too much.

Is narcissism their passive ability?

“So, Kalisa.”

-….

“What do you think?”

I made eye contact with Kalisa, who was looking down at our verbal exchange(?).

Elongated pupils through brilliant gold.

She truly is a dragon incarnate.

Then would Kalisa really want to return to their sanctuary?

“Do you want to go back?”

I know about Kalisa.

Perhaps even more than the Lord of Dragons who was directly involved in her birth.

“Devotee, ‘Kalisa’ is flustered.”

She still belongs to my denomination.

But if she wishes, I’m willing to let her go.

“Black Sun’s Incarnation: Really?”

‘No?’

“Black Sun’s Incarnation: ….?”

‘She won’t want to go anyway?’

As I said that, Kalisa gradually began to express her will.

-Now! Kalisa! Come with me like this…!

-Kiyuuuung….

-….Huh?

Kalisa started crying.

#

The Lord of Dragons was bewildered.

It was because he had been confident.

The existence and life of dragons all originated from him.

Beings born to protect the balance of the world.

That was their reason for existence, and his reason for existence too.

But the Lord of Dragons had been mistaken.

What he had created were not machines that carried out orders without change, but living beings.

He had lived too easily believing and being certain that it was right for everyone to follow his words and will.

-Kiyung…

-Ka, Kalisa…?

“Do you really like it?”

-….!

The Lord of Dragons turned his gaze to the man who was asking the detestable question.

He saw the Absolute One in the form of an inferior race.

-What, what have you done!!

Soon after, the Lord of Dragons assumed that Kalisa’s reaction was heavily influenced by the Absolute One.

“What did I do?”

Ron showed an innocent expression as if he knew nothing, appearing rather wronged.

-This can’t be! Kalisa is a noble dragon!

“But.”

-To succeed me and become the idol of dragons is a great aspiration in itself! Without you doing something, there’s no way Kalisa would express refusal!

“Is that true?”

-…What?

Ron, who had been wearing a wronged expression, erased his emotions and looked at the Lord of Dragons.

A chilling void flickering between his two eyes.

Even facing the Lord of Dragons, who maintains a high rank among constellations, there is not a hint of agitation.

The majesty of the Absolute One, as if confident he could eliminate the Lord of Dragons at any time.

“Did you ask for Kalisa’s opinion?”

-As if such a thing would matter…!

“Sigh… how are all you constellation bastards so alike?”

Ron tiredly rubbed his face once, then looked upward.

At the end of his gaze was Kalisa’s giant head, still letting out low whimpers.

Despite being the successor to the Lord of Dragons, she was expressing sadness in a human way.

-This, what is…

The Lord of Dragons tried to resonate with Kalisa in confusion.

-Pak!

At that moment, the communication is cut off, pushed away by emotions of hatred.

-Huh…?

The Lord of Dragons, suddenly rejected, looked at Kalisa with considerable shock.

Dragons don’t use the inferior human language.

Their exclusive property, the existence of horns, was sufficient for communication.

In conclusion, the Lord of Dragons’ communication request was firmly rejected.

Because the other party had politely refused.

Eyes brimming with hurt stared at the Lord of Dragons.

“Devotee, ‘Kalisa’ strongly demands that the Lord of Dragons cast ‘Polymorph’.”

‘Hoho.’

Ron, who had been watching the situation, just found it amusing.

He wished he could show this message window to others too, but it’s regrettable that he couldn’t.

“Black Sun’s Incarnation: Ah, devil…”

‘Me? Nah.’

Where else would you find such a kind devil?

Ron just waited.

For the Lord of Dragons, confronted with the truth, to break down on his own.

-Ka, Kalisa I…

-Kiyung.

-This is, no. This makes no sense.

-Kiiyuuung…!

Kalisa strongly requested to stay in my denomination.

Because here were things she truly desired, things that didn’t exist in the dragons’ sanctuary.

Freedom.

Freedom from all the oppression that had constrained Kalisa in those days.

‘This is what I wanted.’

Ron finally felt a surge of emotion, as if his efforts were being rewarded.

How to deliciously torment a constellation.

Thoroughly crushing their self-esteem in the field he considered himself most confident in.

Few things give Ron as much satisfaction as this.

-Shuhaaa…

“Constellation, ‘Lord of Dragons’ uses ‘Polymorph’.”

After a brief dispute—

The completely defeated Lord of Dragons silently restored Kalisa to her human form.

A dark blue mist spread, and soon Kalisa’s form completely dissolved into it.

Though tempted to blow it away with wind, Ron decided to savor this situation itself.

“…..”

-Swish.

A presence gently wrapping around Ron’s arm.

Turning his gaze, he met eyes with the human-form Kalisa, who was looking at him with relief.

“Oh, Father God.”

“Yes. You’re back?”

“I swear, I never had any plans or thoughts that would harm the Lord God. I, I—”

“Oh my, it’s okay.”

Feeling the trembling transmitted through her arm, Ron could no longer ignore it and comforted Kalisa.

-Flap. Flap.

Then, at the modest flapping of wings approaching them.

Ron and Kalisa’s gazes turned there simultaneously.

“…Elder.”

-Kalisa.

Instantly reversed relationship.

Kalisa glares at the Lord of Dragons.

It was the beginning of the second battle.