Ch.99. The Promise

At this point, no one would dare tarnish the name of a Constellation.

It’s an undeniable fact that this childish world is their playground.

The power to alter reality with a mere gesture means the world could be thrown into chaos in an instant.

Each Constellation has their own unique personality and is prone to capriciousness.

With a single whim, hundreds or thousands of humans could be swept away.

That’s why the Regalium Kingdom desperately needed ‘Him’ who had risen to the position of Father God.

Because Constellations who could be considered relatively normal were few and far between.

That’s why they had formed many friendly relationships and overcome numerous crises together.

And now.

The Constellation had disappeared, and the followers who served him had lost their reason to anger.

“…Finally.”

To stop the fanatics trying to start a holy war.

Ricardo Baltar, the Knight Commander of the kingdom, arrived at the scene of the holy war.

Behind him stood the kingdom’s proud knights, gathered to prevent the holy war.

Every one of them was a battle-hardened hero who had honed their skills to perfection.

And that level of skill was necessary to face ‘them’.

‘If I had known it would come to this.’

Back then, when the Constellation’s order had not yet fully grown.

Should he have strongly appealed to his lord to eliminate them?

The very thought of raising a sword against a Constellation was blasphemous, but such bold judgment was exactly what he needed.

To protect the nation, the king, and his family.

Ricardo Baltar was prepared to commit any atrocity.

-Rumble rumble…

And from far away, forces bearing the emblem of the Father God began to appear.

A spectacle of Paladins in sacred armor, etched with solemn resolve.

And at their center, Ricardo’s eyes caught sight of a splendid, brilliant carriage.

‘In there.’

One of the main figures of this holy war and one of the Constellation’s greatest assets would be riding in it.

-Gulp.

Baltar hid his inner tension beyond his throat, waiting for them to reach speaking distance.

“Don’t be afraid!!”

First, he prevented his knights from becoming intimidated.

“No matter how threatening their forces may be, they cannot use Divine Power.”

It had been a long time since all religious activities had ceased due to the Constellation’s absence.

For the past few years, the forces of the Father God had been slowly withering away.

‘What on earth are they doing?’

Baltar did not believe in gods.

He had witnessed countless atrocities committed in the name of such beings.

Therefore, his hope stemmed not from faith in gods, but from ‘trust’.

The experience of working toward the same goal.

The gentle demeanor shown over time, the sight of followers happy under his guidance.

‘Is this what you wanted?’

So if he was watching this scene from somewhere, even if only by chance.

Baltar wanted to ask.

Why was he pretending not to know when only he could quell the lost anger and sorrow of those followers?

‘If what I believed in was real, if it wasn’t just a mere game.’

Baltar wanted to believe that it wasn’t too late, that a major incident could still be prevented.

-Clunk.

A familiar woman emerged from the carriage.

Dark hair that held darkness, blood-red eyes.

The vampire Belladis Rocheria.

The main figure of the holy war and apostle of the Father God appeared before him.

#

The atmosphere was tense enough that combat could break out at any moment.

“Hmm.”

After pondering briefly, I racked my brain for the optimal solution.

Since a fight is about to break out right in front of me, calming everyone down should be the priority.

Trying to assert myself in such a tense situation would likely provoke more hostility.

‘Uh, I’m the person called the Constellation.’

Even if I confidently revealed myself with such an attitude, I’d be lucky if arrows didn’t come flying my way.

Quickly checking my skill tab, I found something suitable.

“Skill: Celestial Aura (S)”

“: Removes all status ailments from allies within range and heals them.”

A simple skill description with not-so-simple effects.

I decided to extend a handshake first.

“Incarnation of the Black Sun: Are you really going to use that…?”

“What else? Do you have a better idea?”

“W-well, not really…”

It seems he’s hesitating because I’m using an endgame skill right from the start.

It’s fine.

It’s just a healing skill, and they’re not hostile forces. It won’t have any negative effects.

With that confidence, I boldly activated the skill.

-Whoosh…

Golden divine power scattered down from the sky.

Its scale was vast enough to cover the entire sky above us.

“T-this is…”

“It’s the blessing of our Lord.”

“I can die without regrets now.”

In the sudden flood of light.

Our people’s faces were already filled with ecstasy, recognizing my skill.

It was quite creepy seeing grown men like that.

The knights on the other side seemed to be in great confusion at the sudden phenomenon.

“Now’s the time.”

I opened the carriage door at the right moment.

-Clunk.

“….?”

While everyone held their breath, only my presence spread far and wide.

All eyes instantly fixed on me.

“O-oh, Father God.”

Vera, who had been standing in front of the carriage, hurriedly approached me.

But she couldn’t bring herself to touch me directly, just fidgeting nearby.

‘You were fine using me as a pillow before.’

Her innocent and cute behavior made me smile involuntarily.

“Vera.”

“You need to r-rest, rest…”

“I’m fine now.”

I took her wandering hands in mine and willingly let her support me.

Belladis immediately burrowed into my side to help support my body.

The excellent stability made me feel very good.

If this had been a peaceful flower garden, I could have felt like I was on a pleasant outing.

‘The scenery is a bit disappointing though.’

That’s because we’re in the middle of what could become a war zone.

With the healing aura spreading around us, I slowly moved toward the front line with Vera’s support.

“D-dangerous, my lord.”

To the worried Paladin, I gave a gentle smile to reassure him.

Others were also concerned about my safety, but.

‘They couldn’t handle me even if they all attacked at once.’

My current physical state is a natural disaster in itself.

If I were to face them with a serious punch, they absolutely couldn’t stop me.

‘My headbutts would seem like child’s play now.’

That’s because of the skills and progress I’ve raised by investing hard-earned money.

-Step. Step…

One step, two steps.

I continue forward with Vera at my side.

“Haa, haa.”

Glancing at her, I noticed her cheeks were flushed and her breathing uneven. She must be very nervous.

“….”

In the distance, I could see the Knight Commander maintaining his dignified expression.

His face showed a straightforward character that fit perfectly with medieval fantasy.

“Ricardo Baltar

Strength 9 Agility 7 Magic Power 4 Intelligence 8 Mental Power 10″

‘Oho.’

Mental Power 10.

The last I remember, it was 9, so he must have succeeded in raising it recently.

Does this put him among humanity’s strongest?

As if to prove that not just anyone can become a kingdom’s Knight Commander, he had improved even further, surprising me.

‘He could probably hold his own against Lisia now.’

Of course, that’s without my buffs.

Anyway.

My sudden appearance seemed to be causing quite a bit of confusion on their side.

A third party might wonder what the difference is, but having observed him for a long time, I know.

‘The old man is tense.’

The tension of not knowing when war might break out.

The sudden display of god-tier skills in that scene.

And on top of that, my approach while receiving everyone’s reverence.

“Ricardo Baltar, the Sword of the Royal Family, and Knight Commander.”

I thought for a moment.

How should I naturally interact with them, with the humans of this world?

My current position is that of a Constellation, and once the highest deity of an order that reached the most exalted status.

‘I shouldn’t lower myself too much.’

My attitude directly reflects the authority of the order.

“….”

I closed my eyes briefly.

And thought about myself when I played the game.

The time when I saved countries with a single gesture and rescued tens of millions of humans.

“…You are.”

“This is our first time meeting in person.”

When I opened my eyes after Baltar’s question, I found myself much calmer than before.

“….!”

Having said that much, unless he’s a fool, he should understand perfectly.

Who I am in this place, and what position I stand in.

The meaning behind my gentle demeanor but unyielding tone even toward a kingdom’s Knight Commander.

Indeed, shock registered in Baltar’s eyes as he slowly examined me again.

‘This is the crucial moment.’

I carefully chose my words to convey my meaning.

“The reason the kingdom’s greatest sword has come here is because of the holy war, isn’t it?”

There was no answer.

But that itself was an answer.

“I won’t start a holy war. I simply want to return to our homeland with my children.”

“I cannot let you go so easily.”

“How blasphemous…!”

I patted Vera’s head as she growled beside me, calming her down.

Now I need to set aside my pride for a moment.

When facing the Constellation of the Black Sun Order, I could proceed according to my character, but it’s different when dealing with neutral kingdom personnel.

‘It’s different now.’

While troubles between orders can be pushed through with the dignity of a Constellation—

Encounters between an order and a nation require consideration of political elements as well.

The moment our reputation hits rock bottom, we’ll face many difficult moments in terms of supply procurement.

And the example proving this is currently crouched in the community.

“Incarnation of the Black Sun: ….?”

‘Yes, I’m talking about you.’

Those Black Sun bastards are just a villain group.

Foolish ones who are taking direct hits from the image they created themselves.

Even if they’re originally like that.

I can’t stand by and watch our people take the villain express ticket.

“…Constellation, during your absence, your order has caused many problems.”

Baltar spoke while visibly tense.

He might actually be risking his life by saying this.

Standing in our way and confronting us carries such meaning.

“Hehe, I know. I just confirmed it on my way here.”

I said with a smile that I quickly erased.

In truth, I don’t know much.

“Will you really start a holy war?”

Baltar asked me.

He seems to be testing the waters, observing our still intact forces.

If we had already started a holy war, we wouldn’t look this normal.

“Knight Commander of the kingdom, the reason I came here today is.”

And to Baltar, I firmly conveyed my intention.

“To prevent the suffering my children would experience.”

“My Lord…”

Vera looked up at me with moved eyes.

The words I just uttered served as a kind of alibi.

We haven’t started a holy war. So relax.

I’ll take care of our followers who were running wild, so just get out of our way.

That was the meaning behind it.

‘I’m in a chaotic situation myself.’

I forcefully pushed away the indignation that momentarily surfaced.

“…In that case.”

Baltar, who had been listening to my words obediently, pondered for a moment.

“Would it be acceptable for us to escort the Constellation to our side for a while?”

‘Oho.’

Does he still not fully trust me?

Or perhaps, given the situation, he needs another opinion from the final decision-maker.

For example, the king, or the king.

Even if they place me in the middle of their camp, nothing particularly changes, but.

“….”

Come to think of it, it doesn’t seem like a bad proposal.

‘Not bad at all?’

The border of the “Regalium” Kingdom is on our path anyway.

If I think of it as resolving this issue first along the way, it doesn’t seem like a losing proposition.

“Vera.”

Before making a decision, I wanted to ask the opinion of someone trustworthy on our side.

“What do you think?”

“Wherever you wish to go is fine with me, Constellation.”

That’s what she says.

I also had something I wanted to do in the kingdom, and I could reactivate our object there as well.

The reason I’m curious about the kingdom’s scenery is a small secret only I know.

In the end.

“If it can clear up the misunderstanding between us, I’d be happy to.”

Speaking as if reluctantly accommodating them, I agreed to join their procession.

‘Are you all okay with this?’

When I turned around with that kind of nuance, I was met with faces of trust that would go along with whatever I wanted.

It was so burdensome that I quickly averted my gaze.