Ch.6060. Persuasion

The constellation farming operation had been successfully completed.

And now.

Returning to Ragnis’s quarters, I found myself facing her with a strangely tense expression.

“Why are you looking so anxious?”

“N-No, it’s nothing…”

A somewhat vulnerable appearance that didn’t match the image of a cold devotee who wielded black flames.

This was her true self, shown only in front of me and no one else.

Honestly, I had a pretty good idea of what direction her anxiety was heading.

I was a constellation, and Ragnis was my devotee.

She was afraid that her life in Dungeon City would come to an end.

“If there’s something you want, just tell me.”

“Constellation, I…”

As Ragnis continued to hesitate, I found myself wondering internally.

‘But why is she so anxious?’

“Where am I supposed to go now…?”

“Huh?”

“I know our task in Dungeon City is complete. And that I can no longer stay here.”

She could just stay if she wanted to.

When I looked at her with an expression showing I still didn’t understand, Ragnis spoke again.

“I’m afraid the master of the Black Abyss will abandon me.”

“Why would I abandon you?”

What a ridiculous thing to say.

I wonder what kind of beings the constellations are in Ragnis’s mind.

Even for a constellation, abandoning your devotee just because you don’t like them…

‘I want to burn the world!’

To abandon them…

‘Absolute One, if you join hands with me, I’ll sacrifice half of my devotees to you!’

“…..”

I have nothing to say.

I momentarily forgot the average behavior of constellations.

Ragnis’s anxiety was completely justified.

“We still have work to do, don’t we?”

“….?”

“Your revenge.”

“And after that’s done… what happens to me…?”

“Then you do whatever you want.”

Ragnis gave me a look like an abandoned puppy at my words.

‘Did I say something wrong?’

Somehow my nuance must have sounded like I was abandoning her.

“If you want, you can remain with the Black Abyss, or you can stay here.”

“…!”

Only then did her expression brighten.

Her elf ears, which had drooped slightly, perked up again.

“I shall follow you!”

“Y-Yeah…”

Leaving Ragnis who had answered solemnly and heavily, I went to check on the constellations I had just successfully recruited.

#

“….”

“How is it?”

“…..”

The constellations seemed deeply shocked and remained silent for a long time.

Actually, they had been silent since I brought their incarnation bodies here.

The mental shock must have been significant.

“Oh, y-you’ve arrived…!”

Among these constellations, one was particularly quick to adapt.

It was the “Emissary of the Sun,” still dressed in a maid outfit with the form of a lion beastkin.

“That greeting is too noir-like. Try again with more of a healing vibe.”

“Welcome…?”

“Again.”

“Master, welcome home…! Meow meow!”

Um… that wasn’t quite what I was asking for.

Anyway, after acknowledging the Emissary of the Sun’s greeting, I looked around the space where I was standing again.

The white room that had been assigned to me.

I had modified it to give it more of a themed feeling.

A fountain, well-arranged walkways, and neatly trimmed bushes that gave off a refreshing feeling.

It had become a space perfect for occasional strolls—a space not just for me but for “us.”

“Is it more livable now?”

“I like it…! But.”

Fiery Cat’s gaze cautiously turned toward the back.

There were four presences still looking around with expressions like they’d lost their homeland.

Beautiful women dressed in attire that matched the “trend” of this place.

They were once beings higher than anyone else, from the underworld who had been planning to harm me.

“This suits you better than being constellations.”

Imagining a cool protagonist recommending a sword to an archer, I faced them with a satisfied expression.

“T-The dignity of a constellation…”

“Be quiet. The more you remind me, the more painful it is…!”

As one constellation finally spoke up out of frustration, her companion next to her scolded her.

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: It’s gotten quite crowded.」

‘Well, you were the only visitors before.’

And among them, I was the only one who actually existed.

Though my mouth never stopped moving whenever I came here, it was truly lonely without the warmth of people.

‘Since devotees can’t come here.’

If I get the chance later, I’d like to invite my precious ones too, but it’s probably unlikely to happen.

“Ahem…”

A constellation who had been touching her shortened hemline gave me a look.

“What. Why.”

“C-Can’t we have more… stable clothing?”

“It’s plenty stable, why?”

“Like what the Absolute One is wearing…”

Blue eyes filled with starlight scanned my pants.

Clothing that definitely exposed less skin.

In contrast, what the constellation in front of me was wearing was eye-catching, like something you’d wear at some event.

“It won’t wear out.”

“That’s not what I—”

“Is it that uncomfortable? But you can’t be the only one to change clothes.”

There are four companions in the same situation as the constellation before me.

Though one of them seems to be enjoying it somewhat…

“I’ll… try to adapt.”

Finally, after receiving resentful glances from her companions, the constellation lowered her tail and stood still in place.

“So.”

An incarnation body with a calm impression looked at me.

“Why did you bring us here?”

“Why?”

“Even though we’ve been lowered in rank by becoming incarnation bodies, we haven’t lost our lives yet. That means you have business with us.”

I do have business.

“You need to work. I can’t just let you play around here.”

“How can constellations work…”

A constellation who had lived as she pleased naturally expressed dissatisfaction.

Come to think of it, there are no better spoiled brats than these.

All their lives, people have given them whatever they wanted and indulged their every whim.

‘My fault is great.’

This is all because they weren’t properly educated from a young age.

Though the age of constellations might not follow conventional concepts of time.

But I couldn’t leave them with such chaotic personalities.

“What, should I change you into different clothes?”

“….!”

At my words, the constellation’s face turned pale and she shook her head vigorously.

“Anyway. Now I need to talk about work.”

The original purpose of constellations is obvious.

It’s also somewhat related to their intention to harm me.

To become the absolute ruler of this world.

“You’ve always tried to stand where I am.”

Five gazes simultaneously fixed on me.

“When looking around this game… no, this world, I was curious. Why do you want to become the absolute ruler?”

Why would these beings, who are supposedly significant in the universe, be so desperate to devour this tiny planet?

It was due to the unique setting of this world.

“These dopamine addicts.”

It was because this was the only place constellations could directly see, feel, and intervene.

Existence power.

The most important concept in how constellations intervene with living beings.

“Why? Of course…”

“Because it’s our duty.”

To make stars their own.

All the gathered stars become the constellation’s body itself, eternally adorning the universe.

“So. Among all the many stars. Why are you so desperate to devour only this one?”

For constellations, subjugating stars was as natural as breathing.

But here, they failed to subjugate the planet called “Dianon.”

That seems to have evoked an unforgettable desire in these constellations.

Like a cliché line: “You’re the first to treat me this way!”

If we dig into the raw essence of the worldview, that’s how it is.

Back to the present—

“So all the more reason you should be under me, right?”

“…What?”

“You want to become the absolute ruler. So you need to learn from me, the absolute ruler, to find that clue.”

“What is that supposed to…”

The idea of a constellation learning from someone else.

The five constellations facing this fantastical logic all became dumbfounded at once.

“….”

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: What on earth are you talking about…」

Sorry, but I don’t know what I’m saying either.

I just needed to keep them here for now, and made up a temporary excuse.

“H-He’s not wrong.”

“Emissary of the Sun. Have you really lost your mind?”

As the four constellations looked at the traitor with resentful eyes again, the Emissary of the Sun broke out in a cold sweat and argued.

“You all should think about it. We’re not just any constellations, but five constellations of our caliber gathered together. And yet this was the result!”

“That’s because you gave up without even thinking of resisting!”

One of the constellations cried out indignantly.

They hadn’t even fought.

They had surrendered immediately after just exchanging glances with me.

“So? Could you definitely win if you fought? And even if you won, would other constellations just stand by and watch your tattered forces?”

“Kuk…”

“Rather than that, isn’t it better to secure a position firmly and face other constellations with dignity?”

“Oh.”

That sounds right when you hear it.

Hearing it again, it also sounds like what I was going to say.

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: …?」

“Shh.”

Let’s just go with what works.

There couldn’t be a better situation than them convincing themselves without me needing to persuade them.

“So just…”

The Emissary of the Sun continued persuading the other constellations as if pleading.