Ch.9494. The Period of Emptiness

“That damn bastard…!”

Right after the Absolute One used a wide-area provocation.

The Past Remnants, deeply moved by the worldwide “promotion,” were enraged.

“…”

The constellation who had previously agreed to cooperate with the Absolute One quietly observed them.

At first, they were of one heart and mind with these beings, but as time passed, what became increasingly apparent was:

“Endlessly emotional and foolish.”

These ghosts of the past, blinded by desire, racing toward the end.

In contrast, they had a future.

Through their deal with the Absolute One, they could secure their position even after everything ended—that kind of future.

“At this point, I don’t even want the Absolute One’s position.”

Rather, it might be better to establish someone deeply connected with the Source of the World and create their own new order and world.

“Right now! Let’s open the gate to the Otherworld!”

A constellation who had lost reason to anger shouted.

In the resonating space, several constellations who agreed with his opinion rose up.

“I can no longer stand by and watch this insolent behavior.”

“We need to teach him what a true constellation really is.”

With the momentum of the radical faction about to cause trouble if not stopped, they finally had to step in.

“Stay still for now.”

“You, you again…!”

“If we provoke the Absolute One and things get worse, can you take responsibility?”

“But—”

“No buts. Our position is already precarious due to unexpected events.”

As they logically calmed the constellations, suspicious glances were exchanged around them.

“Hey.”

“…What is it?”

“Your movements have been quite suspicious lately.”

“What are you saying now? Are we dividing into factions at this point?”

“That’s not it. I simply want to confirm that our trust relationship remains solid.”

“Don’t harbor strange thoughts, comrade.”

“Comrade! Hehe…”

The Past Remnant let out a dark laugh.

Come to think of it, regarding all decision-making power in the situation, their voice had been subtly muted.

It can’t be done, the risk is too great, the timing isn’t right yet.

Mixed with subtle logic, they never let things flow according to their wishes.

Once might be coincidence, but repeated occurrences surely meant something.

“They’re starting to suspect.”

But this was within the range of what they, operating covertly within their group, had predicted.

“How foolish.”

“…What?”

“Isn’t this division we’re showing exactly what the Absolute One wants?”

“…”

“Before we suspect and envy each other, we should first check if our plan is working properly.”

“Right, this isn’t the time for this.”

“We need to find another way to end the Absolute One…”

Fortunately, the situation began to move away from the stage of suspecting the constellation.

Taking a deep breath, they racked their brains again, hoping the Absolute One would rescue them soon.

“Absolute One, how far are you looking ahead?”

The Absolute One’s proclamation through the sky made them shudder, even as an ally.

They had doubted it, but never expected such an open provocation.

“How…”

Did they have such confidence even after provoking them like this?

No matter how weakened they were, these were constellations who once held absolute positions in their respective worlds.

Even without followers, religious orders, or while actively consuming their own life force—

Who could possibly act so confidently against constellations?

“Is this what it takes to receive the Source of the World’s favor?”

—Thump. Thump.

Deep in the constellation’s heart.

A faint trace of jealousy began to color their interior.

#

“Father God.”

I looked down at the black crown of hair.

Glossy and flowing, the hair color of my favorite believer, and their very existence.

“Raise your head.”

The appearance revealed at my command possessed heavenly beauty that would make anyone envious.

“I’ve done well for myself.”

Sometimes when facing a believer, I feel such fulfillment.

If I were to close my eyes and enter eternal rest now, I could proudly say I lived a life without regrets.

“…?”

As I remained silent for a while, lost in sentiment, Belladis tilted her head slightly.

“Are you preparing well?”

“…! I am always fully prepared to sweep away the enemies of Father God…!”

“You’re working hard.”

Belladis was so disciplined she could be deployed to holy war at any moment.

The armor covering her body was sturdy enough to deflect any attack, and the black iron scythe on her back was as heavy as Death’s own.

These were exclusive weapons I had quickly obtained specifically for Belladis.

“Then take it off.”

“Yes… Huh?”

“Don’t stay so uncomfortable like that. I don’t like it.”

Belladis looks at me with eyes like a startled rabbit.

“It’s okay, relax. You need to rest sometimes.”

But what choice does she have when her patron deity tells her to rest?

Belladis hurriedly rose from her seat and headed straight for the changing room.

“Hmm.”

It’s good that she listens well.

Unlike some others.

Since it’s been a while since I’ve met with a believer, I want to put in maximum effort to relieve her stress.

「Belladis Stress Level: 73」

“Sorry about the constellations.”

It seems that with how busy things have been lately, I’ve unknowingly neglected my believers.

I returned promising not to make them anxious, yet here I am neglecting them again.

I truly am a sinful constellation.

After a brief moment, Belladis returned in casual clothes and approached me again.

“You’re back?”

“Yes…!”

“Then let’s walk for a bit.”

Actually, I had something I wanted to show Belladis.

—Snap!

I raised my finger and made a clear sound.

「Entering theme room with target ‘Belladis’.」

Faint divine power flowed around us, and we began to move somewhere.

The world collapsed and reconstructed itself.

The theme room, one of a player’s privileges.

It’s that same white room I’ve seen countless times.

However, I’ve made some adjustments to it, like the places where I host other constellations.

—Whoosh…

A hill blooming with beautiful flowers.

Taking Belladis’s hand, I led her under a cloudless, clear sky.

“Ah…”

“We need moments like this sometimes.”

Belladis froze in bewilderment at the sudden scenery.

Peace, gentleness, silence without a single noise.

All elements that don’t fit with that other world.

A phenomenon only possible in my personal theme room that I created.

Knowing this, Belladis was busy taking in the healing she probably hadn’t experienced in years.

“How is it?”

“It’s… beautiful.”

Belladis is a vampire.

A tragic bloodsucker born from the dark experiments of a religious order.

The official setting doesn’t explain what kind of past she had as a human or what life she lived—

But I suspect that due to numerous experiments, memories and souls of many people were mixed into her.

“I’m always grateful to Vera.”

“What?!”

At my sudden expression of gratitude, Vera jumps in surprise.

“No, no…! How could you say that to someone like me…!”

“Don’t say that.”

I grabbed the neck of my believer who was trying to bury herself underground, and said what I hadn’t been able to say.

“You went through a lot when I wasn’t around, didn’t you?”

“…”

She tried to wage holy war, almost earning worldwide antipathy because of it.

But I know.

I know with what heart our believer searched for me.

“Since we’re taking a breather, ask me anything you’re curious about.”

“Father God…”

And now.

I decided to show at least basic courtesy to the believers who waited for me and served me during that period of absence.

“Are you curious about where I went?”

“Ah…”

I really should tell her this much.

“You see.”

—Thump. Thump.

I don’t know why I’m so nervous about saying I lived in the real world for a while.

Before making a verbal mistake, I organized my thoughts.

That this world was inside a game? That it was merely fragmented data created for fleeting pleasure?

“Let’s not cross that line.”

I don’t want to confuse my believers to that extent.

There’s also the issue of whether they would believe it.

“I went to a different world for a while.”

“…What?”

“It was something like… a dream.”

It overlays the original life.

Not the real life where I enjoyed the game, but becoming a constellation in this game world.

I chose to live here, where everyone calls my name and wants me, not in that time when no one looked for me.

“There, I was nothing, just an ordinary human no different from others.”

“F-Father God.”

From Belladis’s perspective, this must be unfamiliar.

The sight of me lowering myself to this extent.

“I couldn’t remember anything. It was as if even the fact that I was a constellation had returned to nothingness.”

“…”

“That’s all. Was it someone’s intention? Anyway, I’m glad to be back. I missed all of you too.”

Will this be the last time?

I hope it is.

Because of various issues erupting everywhere, I haven’t been able to look after the important things.

Spending time with Lisia, Vera, and other believers—

It’s such an obvious priority.