Ch.4343. Look at This

“Elder.”

Kalisa’s voice calling out a name.

But her emotion was truly chilling.

If I were to carelessly imagine it directed at me, it would be enough to hurt a little.

-Kalisa.

The Lord of Dragons, still not having regained his senses, flapped his wings awkwardly while watching Kalisa’s reaction.

It was quite a ridiculous sight.

A constellation, cowering before its own creation.

Perhaps if he hadn’t stupidly handed over the Celestial Dragon’s Heart, there would have been no reason for him to take such a submissive attitude toward Kalisa.

“Child of the Lost Star: To create a sacred artifact, it would take that much time.”

Despite being a trait specific to the Dragon constellation and their race.

Other constellations are not incapable of creating sacred artifacts similar to the Celestial Dragon’s Heart.

However, since they embody their identity, they inevitably require considerable time and devotion.

“Why did you try to take me back?”

-I, I… for your sake…

“I don’t want to go back.”

-No. You shouldn’t.

Another clear rejection.

The Lord of Dragons was left speechless by these successive shocking statements.

“Elder, you love me, don’t you?”

-Love…?

At Kalisa’s question, the Lord of Dragons was flustered.

Love? How absurd.

A noble being like a constellation could not possibly possess such emotions belonging to mere creatures.

Sacrifice, love, devotion.

The followers of constellations always want attention from their idols, but in truth, very few actually receive genuine favor.

Like a twisted multi-level structure of the underworld.

It would have been the same for Kalisa.

She was receiving attention right now, but she could be cast aside at any moment based on her value ranking.

“Incarnation of the Black Sun: Even though she’s currently in the successor position…?”

‘Why was Kalisa forced to fight?’

The Lord of Dragons had demanded endless proof from his child.

But what about me?

I have welfare benefits several times better than the Lord of Dragons.

“I no longer wish to fight as you command, Elder.”

-Im-impudent. How could you think such a thing? You, you are a dragon, are you not?

“Yes. I am a dragon. But, but I have my own standards too.”

-Is such a trivial thing more important than the task of becoming my successor…?

Grind.

Task.

At that word, I heard teeth grinding next to me.

It must be a word that triggers trauma for Kalisa.

“Elder. I am not your puppet.”

-P-puppet? I never thought…

“Back when I was your follower. You forced me to fight every single day without exception.”

-….

“Whether it was against my own kind, monsters, or those who displeased you. Regardless of my will, I was nothing more than your convenient tool.”

What Kalisa experienced was not an unbreakable sense of achievement.

It was the assumption of defeat at the foundation, which could break at any moment, becoming more frightening the higher she climbed.

‘Kalisa is human too, after all.’

A living being who experiences, feels emotions, and grows.

Our order offered much better treatment than an unstable place where she would have to wait her entire life for something that might never come.

I didn’t need Kalisa at every stage.

Just a few moments when necessary.

Even that was significantly fewer battles compared to the Avatar of Dragons.

I never forced her to fight constantly or restricted her freedom.

If she wanted something, I granted it within reason, and consistently built rapport.

Between an exploitative company that only makes demands,

And our company with superior salary and benefits,

Which would anyone prefer?

Even if you asked the passing Black Sun, the answer would be obvious.

“I remain in the embrace of the Father God by my own will.”

-Then I, I…

“Although I was swayed by delusion, my Lord has once again bestowed wisdom upon me.”

The polymorph that the Lord of Dragons had cast on her mind had long since disappeared.

“See that?”

They say the person who chimes in is more annoying than the one scolding.

I seized the opportunity to speak to the Lord of Dragons.

“I didn’t do anything to Kalisa, did I?”

Unlike a certain underhanded someone, I’m not a scoundrel who tries to steal followers after collaborating.

“You want to stay with us, don’t you, Kalisa?”

“Yes…!”

“Can you say it once more?”

“I…! I adore my Lord more deeply than the Dragon Elder…!”

Kalisa, overwhelmed with emotion, dropped a nuclear bomb all on her own.

Excellent teamwork.

-Uh, um.

The Lord of Dragons staggered under our combined assault, and his body began to gradually fade.

-Th-this is absurd. Kalisa is…

“Divine manifestation terminated.”

-Aaaah…

Though he simply canceled the manifestation to escape the situation, he had essentially proven his complete defeat.

“Constellation ‘Lord of Dragons’ has left his seat.”

“Cut.”

“F-Father God.”

Realizing that the source of trouble had disappeared, Kalisa hastily distanced herself.

She seemed deeply embarrassed that she had been standing with her arms confidently crossed all this time.

“Hmm.”

Now I could properly see Kalisa’s appearance.

Her beautiful face hidden behind an eye patch.

Two horns symbolizing dragons, and a chest emanating immense divine power.

‘Wow.’

This too is a dramatic fan meeting with a follower I’ve long desired.

“Have you been well?”

“I will atone for my sins for the rest of my life…”

“No need.”

The fault lies with the constellations who try to cause trouble whenever they’re bored.

The innocent follower who knows nothing bears no guilt.

“So.”

I drew my holy sword.

And taking a stance, I prepared to erase the constellation’s remaining presence within Kalisa.

“…If that is the will of Father God.”

But seeing me, Kalisa spoke with a detached demeanor.

Judging by the atmosphere, she looked like a sick person gazing at the last leaf.

‘Another misunderstanding.’

“Even in death, I will not forget the grace and love bestowed upon me by Father God.”

“No, wait.”

“So, could you please remember me, even if just a fragment of memory?”

I have no intention of killing her.

Why would I kill my precious follower?

Especially since Kalisa’s characteristics and beauty hold irreplaceable value.

Thinking that actions would prove faster than words, I swung the holy sword in that state.

-Keeee…!

It bestowed a blessing effect on Kalisa, the target, while signaling an end to the ominous energy residing within her.

Only then did Kalisa realize that the uncomfortable energy pressing down inside her had completely disappeared.

“This is…”

“That’s too much. Are we that kind of relationship?”

The bond formed between a constellation and follower is special.

It’s a connection that cannot be carelessly severed.

Kalisa must have felt considerable guilt over this incident, as she seemed ready to humbly accept whatever action I took.

I wish she would greet me with that dazzling smile like before.

In the game, Kalisa is a famous community idol.

No, actually, each follower is precious.

They’re necessary for progress and everything else.

“Sniff…!”

Kalisa finally seemed to realize the truth in my words and shed tears of emotion.

“Are you leaving?”

“No…!”

“Then when you joined hands with that guy earlier, were you trying to harm me?”

“No!”

“What about the Lord of Dragons?”

“I don’t want to return to his domain…! Rather than that, I would sooner take my own life while holding you in my heart!”

“Alright then.”

“Follower ‘Kalisa’ praises you deeply in her heart.”

A warm embrace is perfect for resolving misunderstandings between people.

-Pat pat pat.

I embraced Kalisa with a forgiving heart.

I didn’t forget the blessing pats on her back.

Kalisa sobbed in my arms a few times, then suddenly stopped, her expression becoming much more relieved.

“I will never forget the grace of your forgiveness.”

“Mm, yes, yes.”

In truth, I was satisfied with my own enjoyment as well.

Beating up two constellations in one event—that’s incredible value.

It’s fortunate that Kalisa is safe, but I was also very happy to be able to enjoy such an event after so long.

You could call it returning to my roots.

It was an experience that made me nostalgic for those days when I was completely immersed in the game.

“Constellation ‘Eternal Slumberer’ uses ‘Divine Manifestation’.”

-Whoosh…!

If not for the divine power surging from somewhere, we could have reached a much better conclusion.

“…Ugh!”

Kalisa frowned, sensing the unpleasant energy, and looked around warily.

‘Is this crazy?’

I cut off the energy to give some mental preparation, but I didn’t expect a headbutt in return.

It felt like releasing a wild boar from a trap only for it to make a U-turn.

But.

“Huh.”

-Poof.

As I faced that thing growing like a navy-blue sprout, which soon took the form of something like a human hand watching us.

I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of situation this was.

“What are you?”

-W-wait…!

The constellation’s manifestation was surprisingly insignificant.

It seemed like something I could easily eliminate with just a kick.

It was only ankle-high, looking like a severed human wrist with a hand attached.

An eye blinked on that palm, looking up at me.

It definitely didn’t seem to have returned out of vengeance.

‘This is too pathetic.’

I got tense for nothing.

The energy it emits is too feeble.

Judging by the small scale of manifestation despite using divine power, it must be pushed to its limits.

-I want to clear up a misunderstanding!

“Now?”

-There are others involved in this!

The Eternal Slumberer shouted while wiggling its fingers.

It’s quite creepy with just a single hand sticking out.

I leaned toward the Eternal Slumberer and said:

“Hey.”

-…Huh?

“You guys really have no sense of timing, do you?”

I think I’ve given plenty of chances at this point.

They approached a constellation’s follower.

Not content with that, they tried to use the follower as a means for their own purposes.

They should know better than anyone how serious a crime this is in the world of constellations.

But I let them go initially.

Even though our order marked them as ‘hostile targets,’ I showed as much mercy as possible by allowing them to continue existing for now.

Above all, I got proper satisfaction from this Kalisa event.

-No, I…

“What? Want me to remove the hostility?”

If I try to understand that stupid mind a little, it’s not impossible.

There must have been some minor plan.

Probably trying to improve their position even slightly by selling out their collaborators.

“Continue.”

-….?

“Keep running away, and keep spreading rumors.”

This is a good opportunity to make my point.

“Incarnation of the Black Sun: T-the Absolute One…”

“You can have your fun in the human realm.”

In other words, whatever happens in the world of constellations has nothing to do with me.

Only my order and followers matter to me.

“Go ahead and do whatever you want.”

-N-no.

“But afterward, be sure to expect what’s coming.”

I gathered divine power in my hand.

Just enough to annihilate one tiny life form.

After that, it was simple.

The Eternal Slumberer’s manifestation was fragile, and I had the power to eliminate it.

-Ah…

Looking with empty eyes as my hand’s shadow fell upon it, the constellation…

-Sssss…

Turned to ash from the divine power.

“Hmm.”

That feels refreshing.

Having cleanly wrapped things up, I quickly felt better at the thought of talking with Kalisa.

“Kalisa, now…”

I rose and turned toward her.

Or rather, I tried to.

“M-my Lord.”

“…Huh?”

“Due to excessive interference, ‘Divine Manifestation’ is canceled.”

Before the area turned bright white and my body began to float.

What is this? Give me back my body.