Ch.8989. What Exactly Are You Trying to Do?

“Now!”

In the space where constellations were gathered.

The constellations huddled together in the theme park I had prepared turned to me with startled expressions.

“…Why, why?”

“You scared me.”

“What’s with that expression… it looks dangerous.”

“What do you mean ‘dangerous’?”

I felt a bit wronged, but quickly refreshed myself and looked at them with expectant eyes.

“First come, first served. One person.”

“….?”

The constellations’ expressions filled with confusion.

“When you say first come, first served…”

“It wouldn’t be fun if I told you now.”

I wonder if they know?

About the heart-pounding(?) bait operation that’s about to unfold.

‘Using a constellation… as bait?’

‘There’s no other way.’

I declared firmly to the Incarnation of Dianon, who was looking at me as if I’d said something insane.

If they’re high-ranked enough to directly interfere with me, they clearly wouldn’t care about anything except other constellations.

‘Do you really need to go that far…? What if the constellation’s incarnation body itself crosses over there?’

‘That’s why we need to keep constant watch.’

I don’t know how many cards they’re hiding, but if they were going to make a move, they would have done so already.

They’ve had plenty of opportunities.

Either when my attention was diverted by other constellations, or if not then…

When I was first operating in that awkward state in the Regalium Kingdom.

‘You’re certainly… not at full condition. Still.’

‘If we don’t act now, it could become more dangerous.’

‘…Alright, I’ll trust the Absolute One for now.’

I was going to proceed anyway, even if they didn’t trust me.

This was the field where I had the most confidence.

And so, currently.

“Ev-everyone. Let’s have a quick meeting.”

“Not happening. Decide right here, right now. Or should I find another constellation?”

I preemptively blocked their attempt to put their heads together.

Trying to be clever, are we?

‘I’ll treat you well.’

「Child of the Lost Star: …Sometimes you frighten me.」

‘Come on, over something like this?’

Making constellations feel fear is something I’m used to now.

“What exactly are you trying to make us do…”

“Is accepting this the right choice?”

“If we accept and end up in a terrible situation—”

“It might not be that bad.”

“Th-that’s true. Honestly, at this point, being ‘incarnated’ wasn’t so bad…”

One constellation answered with blushing cheeks.

Hearing such words from that face made me feel a bit strange.

“So, who’s going to do it?”

“I… I’ll do it.”

“Oh.”

A constellation with a somewhat blunt expression.

Forgotten Wisdom stepped forward and spoke.

“Winner!”

I welcomed that choice with a smile.

“Forgotten Wisdom has decided to become a true constellation for everyone’s sake. Everyone, a moment of silence to thank Forgotten Wisdom.”

“Si-silence…? And what do you mean by ‘true constellation’?”

“Do you know what the most important means of proving love in this world is?”

To Forgotten Wisdom, who still seemed clueless, I gladly explained.

“Sacrifice.”

Forgotten Wisdom’s face turned pale.

#

“Am I… going to die…? Ah, has my time come?”

What time?

I snapped Forgotten Wisdom out of their self-imposed atmosphere of resignation.

“Listen carefully. The fate of the world now rests on you.”

“What does that… no, Absolute One. Please explain so I can understand.”

Informal speech?

But just this once, I can let it slide with generous tolerance.

“A great crisis is about to befall the world. Not on the scale of constellations like you, but truly extinction-level.”

“….!”

“If this goes wrong, the world might truly return to nothingness.”

“My, my sect cannot disappear…!”

“Wisdom.”

Saying it like this makes it sound like I’m calling someone’s name.

“How could I… after all the work I put into growing my sect…! It can’t just disappear like this…!”

“Wisdom. Shh.”

When I grabbed their shoulders and made eye contact, their wandering gaze returned to normal.

“Ah, um.”

“Would I let that happen? After the constellation bond we formed, right?”

“….”

Wisdom calmed down noticeably at my answer.

Taking that as a sign of agreement, I continued.

“Right? So to prevent that from happening, I need your active help.”

The world is facing a reset crisis.

There exists a group trying to seize the Source of the World and recreate their own world.

From a constellation’s perspective, the Source of the World and Past Remnants probably look the same.

Still, we need to overcome the crisis at hand.

“…Absolute One.”

Forgotten Wisdom spoke with a somewhat subdued expression after hearing my explanation.

“What if we become the same as them…?”

The same as them.

They’re worried that this world might also be abandoned by the Source of the World, putting us in the same position as those others.

It’s not something I haven’t considered.

The scenario where that Source of the World bastard might betray us.

Using us like tools and then resetting this world too.

“I won’t let that happen.”

“How…?”

“It wouldn’t be fun if I revealed that now.”

I smiled at Wisdom, whose expression showed they were dying of curiosity.

“So. Do you believe me or not?”

“I-I don’t really have any choice but to believe you…”

“That’s right.”

I patted Forgotten Wisdom’s head, who had answered reluctantly.

Now that I had their consent, I could proceed with the plan.

The rest depended on those bastards crawling out according to our wishes.

#

「’???’ requests to speak with you.」

「Do you accept the conversation?」

「Request accepted. Moving to ‘???’s domain.」

..

…

….

#

“How’s the recruitment?”

“Perfect.”

I nodded to the Source of the World who asked me that.

“Your ability is truly remarkable. How can you manipulate those arrogant ones as you please?”

“You wouldn’t understand even if you died and came back to life.”

Could they ever understand how small beings live?

Those who have stood above others since their very existence could never understand this method.

“Then! Can we now deal with those terrible things…!”

The Source of the World spoke with a relieved expression.

“….”

After watching that for a moment, I casually asked.

“Happy?”

“Of course…! After all this time worrying—”

“Then. Shouldn’t we have a proper conversation now?”

“…Huh?”

“We’ve provided what you wanted, so now it’s time for a proper deal.”

Trying to get something for nothing?

“Reset. How can I be sure you won’t do it again this time?”

“….”

The Source of the World looked at me.

“Do you want to make a contract with me?”

“No.”

“…You don’t want to? The authority of ‘Dianon’s Master’? With this authority, any constellation would…”

“I’ve been doing that already.”

I stared directly at the Incarnation of Dianon.

Is it pretending not to know? Or does it truly not know?

Most likely, it’s testing me.

Given that it has reset the world several times already.

“Aren’t you underestimating me too much? Who would fall for a contract that you can unilaterally break?”

“If you just handle this properly, I promise to join hands with you for peace forever.”

“I don’t want empty words.”

What matters is proof.

Proof that the world will continue to exist even after this is over.

Furthermore, that must be the Source of the World’s inherent desire.

“Why do you keep resetting?”

I ask now.

Why reset the world and drive out other constellations?

“Why did you keep turning back the world?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s… to meet you.”

It stares at my face intently with unwavering eyes.

No emotional fluctuations like trembling hands, and there’s even a sense of sincerity.

I was certain. This is a lie.

“You’re talking nonsense.”

“What?! How can you say that! I finally gave you an honest answer!”

“Who would believe that?”

It says it turned back the world to meet me.

Countless times, too many to count.

“I-it’s true…! There’s no constellation who thinks about the world and treats it like their home as much as the Absolute One… Ah, I take that back.”

The Incarnation of Dianon hastily changed its words.

Right. Every constellation would think of this land as their home.

The problem is that they try to overturn the world according to their own tastes.

“Anyway! I want a constellation like you!”

“That’s why I’m asking for proof?”

“….”

The Incarnation of Dianon, who had been speaking, closed its eyes tightly and approached me.

A white, fair hand rested on top of mine.

Just as I felt its warmth, someone’s memories began to flow in uncontrollably.

A volume of information that would have made an ordinary human’s head explode long ago.

I could feel part of my star body experiencing an overload.

“Kugh.”

It hurt, but not unbearably so.

Through the memories, I saw countless worlds.

A world where only death existed, a world burning in flames.

A world where all living beings were consumed by madness, or a world sunk into the deep sea.

All of these were Dianon’s other pasts.

Amidst these scenes, one being was curled up in a dark room, watching.

It was the Incarnation of Dianon.

Helplessly watching as its world faced an absurd future, the Incarnation of Dianon was gradually breaking down.

‘The Constellation War.’

Not a distant story.

If I hadn’t been there, this world would have faced such a future too.

Thinking about it now, it wasn’t so strange.

That the Incarnation of Dianon would approach me so unilaterally.

There was no one else.

I was the only constellation with a normal, peaceful mindset who could draw other constellations to my side.

‘Player.’

A being who lived an ordinary human life, a constellation yet not a constellation.

“…Will you believe me now?”

“….”

When I opened my eyes, I saw the Incarnation of Dianon pleading with desperate eyes.

And seeing her like that, I gave a slight smile.

“Make an offer.”

“….?”

“If you’re that desperate, you should have something to offer.”

And I decided to use this opportunity to the fullest.

‘Everything is for my sect.’

And I will work for the beautiful and peaceful world where my sect can live.

That has been my long-standing wish from the beginning.

#

“Is, is this how it’s done…?”

“Perfect.”

We moved to an unknown continent with almost no magical power.

A place treated as wasteland even in Ragnarok.

「The Source of the World is watching you.」

‘Is this the right place?’

「The Source of the World confirms.」

After double-checking the information, I headed to the site with Forgotten Wisdom’s incarnation body.

“The land has died.”

Forgotten Wisdom made a simple assessment.

“Yeah.”

A land with no trace of greenery, dried up of magical power.

Even monsters cannot survive in such a place.

Truly a land forsaken by the gods.

In other words, there’s no better place to hide one’s presence.

‘They found quite a spot.’

Is it because they’re a constellation from a previous cycle? Their ability to find land is impressive.

“What… am I supposed to do here?”

“Just a few more steps and you’ll soon notice a presence.”

There’s a high probability that the incarnation body will be attacked.

But it’s fine.

Forgotten Wisdom is a constellation, and incarnation bodies can be created as many times as needed.

“Just walk forward.”

“Huh…?”

“That’s all. They’ll approach you on their own.”

Forgotten Wisdom looked at me with a bewildered expression.

It’s a bit unfair.

After all, if it’s an incarnation body, they can create it again and again.