Ch.8484. Oath

One second, two seconds.

The sudden silence weighed heavily on the space.

It was because the words from his mouth were so absurd.

-Thud!

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“…eek.”

With a cute whimper, Black Sun stared blankly at the back of the Absolute One as he walked away.

「Child of the Lost Star: Has he lost his mind?」

“…”

Like a defeated fighter, Black Sun stood there pathetically as an irritating chat message appeared in the corner of his vision.

“…Shut up.”

「Child of the Lost Star: How can you proceed like this without any agreement?」

“W-what do you mean by ‘proceed’? This is my personal matter.”

「Child of the Lost Star: Incarnation of the Black Sun.」

-Buzz! Buzz!

A sword that had somehow approached began to whine angrily.

“Your rash actions could harm other constellations as well.”

“That’s ridiculous! You wouldn’t understand since you’re just hiding in a sword.”

“I can see and feel too.”

“What could a piece of metal like you possibly feel!”

“The warm blood of enemies, the sensation of cutting through flesh, and even some pain.”

Star Child spewed out unsolicited details as usual.

“Anyway.”

The cold blade vibrated, transmitting Star Child’s intentions.

“Refrain from acting on momentary impulses like you just did.”

“Why are you interfering so much? You seem to be forgetting something.”

Black Sun swept back his flowing golden hair and put on a haughty expression.

“I’m a constellation too.”

“…”

“I can take care of myself, and I won’t do anything that can’t be fixed when I return.”

“Is that true?”

“Yes.”

“Well then.”

-Clang!

The holy sword that had been floating in the air fell to the ground with a sorrowful sound.

The communication with Star Child had been cut off.

“Sigh…”

Left alone for a moment, Black Sun exhaled deeply.

He hadn’t actually intended to go this far.

Star Child’s assertion had been correct.

He had been agitated by something and failed to hide his feelings.

He had acted rashly.

“…”

Black Sun placed a hand on his chest.

-Thump. Thump.

Feeling the heartbeat quietly asserting its presence, Black Sun experienced confused emotions.

Recently.

Unknown impulses and emotions seemed to be pushing Black Sun forward.

‘A disease?’

Being a constellation didn’t make one immune to all attacks.

Just as Black Sun was behaving differently than usual, he suspected that something unknown had infiltrated him.

Otherwise, why would he be paying attention to the Absolute One’s every move, and why would his heart beat abnormally whenever he received attention from him?

‘Yes.’

After taking a few deep breaths, satisfied with his calming thoughts,

Black Sun left to take care of his other daily tasks.

#

“What did he say.”

The atmosphere was just like a male student getting rejected behind the school in a light novel.

He suddenly came out with words I couldn’t understand.

That he wanted to be by my side.

This is something he had strongly appealed to me before as well.

“Is something… wrong?”

As I sat there blankly, lost in thought, the Emissary of the Sun cautiously asked from beside me.

“No.”

There’s no need to dig deeper.

It’s probably just another impulsive situation, like always.

It will calm down on its own as time passes.

It’s not something I need to get involved with.

“…”

“…Absolute One?”

“About what you said earlier, about bullying the kids.”

“Yes, yes.”

I asked the Emissary of the Sun.

“What exactly did she do?”

“…I don’t know the details, but Reassembler of Chaos was called separately by the Incarnation of the Black Sun and heard various unpleasant things.”

Unpleasant things?

“What kind of things?”

“That if she wants to live here, she should abandon common sense and stop thinking unnecessary thoughts.”

‘Hmm.’

For Black Sun, who usually lived on her own self-importance, to say such things.

It seems the friendship-building(?) efforts weren’t in vain after all.

Still, she went too far.

‘Such an amateur.’

She should have worked more slowly, coaxingly.

After all, it takes a long time to change someone’s common sense or beliefs.

“Still, it’s all for your sake, so don’t be too harsh.”

“…For our sake?”

I glanced at the Emissary of the Sun’s expression.

Naturally, she looked confused.

“Yes. That way I can support you all.”

I should differentiate myself from other constellations.

“By support…”

“We’re friends.”

I looked at the Emissary of the Sun and smiled gently.

“Let’s be honest, we’re not exactly perfect beings.”

Wiping out a village with a single gesture, or placing an unforgivable curse on a family just because they displeased us.

The absolute power of constellations has always tormented the residents here in ingenious ways.

“…”

“But we can’t help it.”

My wish to enjoy a peaceful vacation has long been abandoned.

“I just want to rest, but everywhere people keep talking about the end of the world and whatnot.”

This is the world I’m going to live in.

A world where I want to live peacefully with my lovely followers, but pests keep trying to infest it.

“I-I’m sorry.”

“What do you have to be sorry for? You’re just living the life you were born to live. Right? Is that wrong?”

I don’t really understand complicated morality.

But I do know that mercilessly slaughtering people and making their lives miserable is wrong.

I suffered a lot because of that in my previous life.

“So, would you like to become a bit kinder from now on?”

The Emissary of the Sun trembled.

She seemed to know that my gaze wasn’t pleasant.

Still, I liked her because she was quick to understand.

Compared to other constellations, she’s more perceptive and easier to communicate with.

“I-I will obey.”

“Good, good.”

I hope she becomes a kind constellation through this opportunity and helps me create a happy world.

First, we need to deal with those “Past Remnants” who are threatening the Source of the World.

“I’ll be going out for a while, so you stay here and get along with the others as usual.”

“Yes, yes.”

Looking at the Emissary of the Sun who was bowing her head deeply, I spoke again.

“Don’t hate Black Sun too much.”

“…I understand.”

I decided to go outside and focus on matters related to the Incarnation of Dianon.

“Ah…!”

I could see Belladis in the distance.

Next to her was the red-haired follower, Lisia, known for her filial piety.

“We bow before the Father God…!”

Lisia was the first to kneel.

“Ah!”

Having missed the timing, Vera knelt belatedly.

“Yes, yes.”

I stroked both their heads in turn and decided to discuss future plans.

“Could you gather some people for me? Those with high authority.”

High priests or special priests.

I needed as many talented individuals as possible who could easily carry out my will.

“We obey.”

“Yes, good.”

「’Source of the World’ is watching you.」

‘Are you watching?’

「’Source of the World’ asks when you will start the work.」

‘I’m doing it, man.’

I don’t understand why he’s rushing me so shamelessly.

Does he think I’m doing this because I want to?

「You are invited to the ‘Other Side World’. Will you accept the invitation?」

“Ah, come on.”

“Absolute One…?”

“No, not you.”

I scolded the tactless Incarnation of Dianon and dismissed the accept button.

I still had mountains of preparations to make here, and I didn’t understand why he was rushing me so much.

‘Wait a bit. I’ll come to you when I’m ready.’

I needed to get detailed information about those guys anyway.

I couldn’t hear properly last time because of the commotion.

For now, I waited about five hours to gather the necessary personnel.

When limited to those within the Sanctuary, it took that long.

“Father God, everyone has gathered.”

“Except those who couldn’t come immediately?”

“Yes.”

“Well done.”

I patted Lisia’s head again as she looked at me with expectant eyes, then headed to where everyone had gathered.

The center of the Sanctuary.

Inside the enormous space, I climbed onto the platform while receiving everyone’s gaze.

Normally, we would sit in a circle and discuss various matters, but this place is different.

My words are the truth.

Therefore, topics usually flowed in the direction of receiving opinions.

“It’s good to see your faces after so long.”

Most of them were faces I’d only seen in the game, but there was still a sense of familiarity.

Rib, Alons, Gidran, Vultan…

I remember most of them.

After all, it was a game I played with great affection.

“I haven’t properly greeted you, but I think we need to address the important matters first.”

“…”

There was no response.

Everyone knew what kind of gathering this was, so they simply opened their eyes and ears, focusing on my words.

If I were to declare a holy war right now, they would gladly move to burn my enemies.

It’s quiet but intense, and I can feel the heat.

“You’ve all worked hard. I’d like to reward you somehow, but the world won’t let us be.”

There were constellations who tried to cause trouble.

I beat some down and made others my allies.

Just when things seemed to be balancing out, I received news of another threat from the Source of the World.

Beings called Past Remnants, who had pursued us from a world that keeps returning.

I couldn’t even properly identify whether they were constellations or something else.

That’s why—

“Will you help me? I think we need to catch and punish these wicked beings so we can live in a proper world.”

I hope this will be the last time.

“We obey.”

Lisia, who was at the front, knelt down and accepted my will.

-Thud! Thud!

One by one, high priests and paladins.

Everyone present bowed their heads and swore to follow my will.

“Thank you.”

And to these people, I promised to repay them.

「Entering the ‘Other Side World’.」

Praying that this would truly be the last time, I headed toward the Source of the World.