Ch.5959. New Worker

“I-Is this enough…?”

A pale mist spread through the air.

It was the same distinctive visual effect I’d experienced with the Lord of Dragons.

“Huh?”

But when the smoke cleared and revealed what was behind it, my thoughts came to a complete halt.

There stood a beautiful woman.

There stood the ideal of men, there stood a dream.

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: No. What?」

「Child of the Lost Star: Hmm… interesting.」

As I stood there dumbfounded, the constellation who had used divine manifestation lowered her eyes and watched for my reaction.

“The Absolute One is known to have a fondness for believers, especially ‘humans,’ so I tried to take on the most beautiful form possible…”

“Why the maid outfit?”

“It was the most eye-catching thing… so that’s what happened.”

Why has my preference become such common knowledge?

More importantly, even when I try to look away, my gaze keeps getting pulled back to the constellation’s manifested form.

“Something’s wrong with my eyes.”

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: Uh…?」

“The constellation looks beautiful to me.”

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: Uh…?!」

I’ve never experienced anything like this before.

Before I can even recognize her as a constellation, my ‘instinct’ filters her as an attractive woman.

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: Absolute One…! Snap out of it!」

“Ah, I just remembered something I’d forgotten.”

The devastating impact of the maid-dressed constellation made me recall something I’d been forgetting.

That I, as a man, am actually very weak when it comes to the opposite sex.

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: You can’t fall for such cheap seduction! What about the dignity of the Absolute One…?!」

The dignity of the Absolute One.

That sort of thing can go to hell.

Throughout my life, my values have always remained the same.

To exist as myself.

‘I admit it. You really know what looks good.’

The otherworldly beautiful appearance, and on top of that, animal ears.

And then a maid outfit too?

‘Damn it, Fiery Cat. What kind of attack is this…!’

“Um, Absolute One…?”

Perhaps sensing that my gaze wasn’t unpleasant, the constellation approached with small steps and firmly grabbed my hand.

“H-Here, I’m giving you my hand first.”

-…What am I witnessing right now?

-Argh!! My mind is being corrupted! Not only taking the form of an inferior species, but even acting coquettish…!

“This means… I can naturally enter into a ‘friendship’ with you, right…?”

I looked down at my hand being held by the Emissary of the Sun.

The warm, soft touch of her skin.

But rather, it started to bring back my realistic senses.

“Don’t get cocky.”

I need to get a grip.

My opponent is a constellation.

Even though this is inside a game, she’s the kind of malicious constellation that treats humans like me as disposable.

“Attention.”

“Uh, huh…?”

“Aren’t you being too presumptuous?”

I glared at the Emissary of the Sun while wearing the lens of truth.

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: Are you okay now…?」

‘What are you talking about? I’ve been fine all along.’

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: …?」

Lightly ignoring Black Sun’s questioning look, I gave instructions to the Emissary of the Sun.

“You wait here for now.”

“O-Okay…”

Her hesitant appearance almost made my heart waver again, but we’re not the only ones here.

There are still four more constellations with rotten minds.

-Th-This is blasphemy.

“What blasphemy? It looks good to me.”

-Making us take the posture of an inferior species, what are you planning to do?!

That sounds like something that could be misunderstood if overheard.

“You crazy bastard, what would I do?”

-Absolute One! Even if it’s you, you cannot go against providence! For a constellation to serve another constellation, what a cursed act this is!

-Y-Yes…! I’ll follow your words for now, but please, at least the divine manifestation…!

“Hehehe.”

Unlike the Emissary of the Sun who quickly submitted, these constellations are still holding onto their beliefs.

But this is actually the average response.

“You don’t want to use divine manifestation?”

-Th-That’s right! How could noble beings like us take on such an unsightly appearance…!

What’s so unsightly about it?

It looks much better than some grotesque form.

“Well, there are other methods.”

And one constellation is currently experiencing that method.

“Haven’t you heard the news?”

-About what…

“The other constellations who ran away from me.”

That undead bastard and the believer kidnapper.

-….!

They must know very well that those two aren’t in a very pleasant situation.

Constellations are very interested in other constellations, after all.

“So choose. Holy war? Or curse?”

Of course, either way, the result is the same—withering away.

If they don’t want to be friends, I should let them go.

-Th-This cannot be. Even if you’re the Absolute One, such tyranny is unacceptable…!

“Tyranny? TYRANNY?”

It’s truly laughable to hear such words from these bastards.

“Someone might think you’ve been doing righteous work.”

-We maintain the balance and protect the foundation of the world…!

“Go tell that to the dragon bastard.”

I was trying hard to erase it from my mind, but they kindly reminded me.

“Constellations opening the gates of hell and inviting outer gods. Who cleaned up all that shit?”

-That wasn’t something I was involved in…!

-Those who participated back then have all been annihilated anyway!

There was an indignant protest from the constellations, but it only looked cute in my eyes.

“Right. They were annihilated.”

At some point, they just disappeared with a snap.

Because they earned the resentment of the world.

“But who knows? You could be next.”

-Eek…!

“Um, excuse me…”

The Emissary of the Sun, who had been watching the situation, spoke up with her still devastating effect.

“It’s a bit awkward to say this myself, but they haven’t done anything except harbor pure hatred and resentment toward you, Absolute One, so something like ‘that time’ wouldn’t happen.”

“Who can guarantee that?”

“…Pardon?”

“Did you see it yourself? Are you confident in what you’re saying?”

In a moment of indignation, I directly refuted the Emissary of the Sun’s claim.

Have you experienced Ragnarok?

Have you managed progress? Have you regulated the stress of the world’s foundation?

No, you haven’t. Because these bastards are just pieces of data.

If they realized how chaotically that game world was running, they’d probably be overwhelmed with depression.

“You should be grateful to me.”

-What do you mean?

“You wouldn’t understand. And you know I’m also keeping your believers separately, right?”

The highest-ranking believers dispatched from each order.

From their perspective, such talents would be difficult to find again.

It would take a long time, too.

They might not care about other believers, but they should know how precious high-ranking believers are.

“If I wanted to, it would be nothing to persuade those high-ranking believers to join our side.”

-Are you saying you’ll steal our believers now…?

“I’ll make them happier than the original constellations ever could, and let them work right in front of you.”

-How could you do such a terrible thing…!

-My sense of self feels like it’s breaking…! Please stop…

-Holy war, curse, and now believer theft. Is the Absolute One saying he can carry out such brutal acts without any hesitation?!

What’s this?

Why do I feel like I’m the bad guy here?

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: Because in this world, only the Absolute One can exert such unreasonable influence over fellow constellations.」

“Then why won’t they listen?”

Am I asking for too much?

Just like the constellation maid here, all they need to do is be polite and obedient.

Joining under my command is just a bonus.

-Please let me out of here! Let me out!

-This is hell… this is hell.

“…It’s easier if you just give up.”

The maid who “was a constellation” muttered quietly as the other constellations were desperately denying reality.

“You adapt quickly.”

“Th-Thank you…”

See that?

Once they use divine manifestation, their position and gaze lower, and they realize how insignificant they are in this world.

Constellations treat divine manifestation almost like a taboo, but nothing else can “normalize” them as effectively.

‘Normalization of constellations.’

That’s the ideal future I want for this world.

“I want you to live.”

-Then..!

“But you also need to listen to me well and exist almost like my slaves. That’s the only way you won’t run off.”

This is a different concept from believers.

Believers and I have a mutually cooperative relationship with trust that allows me to rely on them anytime.

But constellations need to be handled more severely and strictly.

「Child of the Lost Star: Does that include us as well?」

‘You’ve already passed that stage.’

Black Sun and Star Child, who are currently in a friendship with me, have already been verified to some extent.

Of course, that standard exists only in my head.

Since they’ve come under my command, it means they’ve somewhat resolved not to harm the world or humanity anymore.

Therefore—

“Choose quickly. I don’t have time.”

I have plenty of time. “My time” was abundant.

‘What comes after the maid?’

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: ….」

And pure curiosity continued to urge their divine manifestation.

-….

「’Reassembler of Chaos’ uses divine manifestation.」

「’Forgotten Wisdom’ uses divine manifestation.」

「’Walker of the Night Sky’ uses divine manifestation.」

「’Eternal Sculptor’ uses divine manifestation.」

And so, I welcomed four new workers.