Standoff on the Brink of Holy War
No human would dare tarnish the name of a constellation even now. But the fact that this playful world of theirs was nothing more than their playground was an undeniable truth no one could refute. A power that could overturn reality with a mere gesture meant the world could descend into chaos in an instant without anyone batting an eye.
Constellations were beings of wildly varied personalities, their whims as fickle as they were extreme. A single whim could grind hundreds, even thousands of humans to dust. That was why the Regarium Kingdom desperately needed "him"—the one who had ascended to the seat of the Father God. Normal constellations were a rare breed, after all.
They had forged alliances, weathered countless crises together. And now... the constellation was missing, his followers lost to rage and madness.
"...In the end."
To stop the fanatics on the verge of igniting a holy war, Ricardo Baltar, knight commander of the kingdom, arrived at the battlefield. Behind him stood the kingdom's proudest knights, assembled to halt the conflict. Each was a hero of reversal, honed to perfection in their arts. Only warriors of that caliber could face them.
If only I'd foreseen this outcome.
Back when that constellation's cult was still fledgling, he should have pressed the king to eradicate it. Brandishing a blade at a constellation was blasphemy beyond measure—but bold judgment was precisely what he needed to protect the nation, the king, and his family. Ricardo Baltar was prepared for any atrocity.
-Rumble rumble...
From afar, an army bearing the emblem of the Father God emerged. A procession of holy knights clad in sacred armor, their faces etched with grim resolve. At their center gleamed a resplendent carriage that caught Baltar's eye.
She's in there.
The mastermind of this holy war, one of the constellation's greatest assets.
-Gulp.
Baltar swallowed his tension and waited for them to close the distance.
"Don't falter!"
He first rallied his knights. "No matter how threatening their forces, they can't wield divine power."
With their constellation absent, faith activities had ceased long ago. Over the years, the Father God's forces had withered away.
What in the world are you doing?
Baltar didn't believe in gods. He'd witnessed too many atrocities committed in their name. His faith stemmed not from worship, but from trust.
Shared struggles toward common goals. Gentle deeds over time. The happy faces of his followers.
Is this what you wanted?
If he was watching this madness from somewhere, Baltar wanted to ask. He knew only you could quell their lost rage and sorrow—why pretend otherwise?
If the man I trusted was real, not some fleeting jest...
Baltar wanted to believe it wasn't too late, before catastrophe struck.
-Clunk.
A familiar woman stepped from the carriage. Raven hair steeped in shadow, blood-red eyes. The vampire Belladys Rozeria.
The holy war's linchpin and the Father God's apostle stood before him.
# The air thrummed with tension, ready to erupt into battle at any moment.
"Hm."
I pondered briefly, racking my brain for the optimal solution. With a fight on the verge of breaking out, de-escalation came first. Flaunting myself amid their nerves would only breed resentment.
Wait, I'm a constellation.
Even striding out confidently like this, arrows might fly—and I'd count myself lucky if they didn't.
I quickly checked my skill tab and found the perfect one.
Heavenly Aura (S)
Removes all status ailments from allies in range and heals them.
A simple description belying its potent effect. I decided to extend a friendly handshake first.
"What else? Got something better?"
She seemed hesitant about unleashing an endgame skill right out the gate. No worries. It was just a heal, and they weren't enemies anyway. No harm done.
Confident in that, I activated it boldly.
-Shimmer...
Golden divine power rained from the heavens, vast enough to blanket the entire sky above us.
"Th-this is..."
"A blessing from the Lord God."
"I... I could die happy now."
In the sudden blaze of light, my followers recognized the skill instantly, ecstasy washing over their faces. Kinda creepy seeing the guys like that.
The knights opposite us reeled in confusion at the abrupt phenomenon.
"Now."
I timed it perfectly and opened the carriage door.
-Clunk.
"....?"
In the hushed silence, only my presence rippled outward. All eyes snapped to me.
"F-Father God."
Belladys rushed over from the carriage front but hovered anxiously without touching.
You cuddle up fine in bed.
Her innocent cuteness drew an unwitting smile from me.
"Belladys."
"Y-you must rest..."
"It's fine now."
I took her wandering hand and let her support me. She immediately snuggled into my side, steadying me perfectly. Felt great—like a picnic if this were a peaceful flower hill.
Shame about the scenery.
War-torn frontline and all. Amid the healing aura, I advanced to the front line with her help.
"D-dangerous."
I smiled reassuringly at the worried holy knight. Others fretted over my safety too.
Even if they all piled on, they couldn't touch me.
My physical stats were a natural disaster. A serious punch would obliterate them.
Cash infusions weren't for show.
Hard-earned cash pumped into skills and progress.
-Rustle.
Rustle...
One step, two. With Belladys at my side, I pressed on.
"Hah, hah."
She was flushed and breathless—must've been tense.
"...."
Ahead loomed the knight commander, stern-faced. A classic medieval fantasy look, radiating upright integrity.
Hoh.
Mental strength at 10. Last I recalled, it was 9—recent upgrade, huh? Entered the ranks of humanity's strongest? The knight commander gig wasn't for amateurs; he'd grown even more impressively.
Could hold his own against Lisia now.
Without my buffs, of course.
Anyway. My sudden appearance threw them into disarray. A third party might see no difference, but I'd watched him long enough to know.
Uncle's tense.
Tension of impending war. A divine skill unfurling unexpectedly. Me approaching amid universal awe.
"Ricardo Baltar, sword of the royal house, knight commander."
I paused, considering how to address them naturally. As a constellation—and once the cult's pinnacle—I couldn't stoop too low.
Can't undermine my authority.
My demeanor reflected the cult's prestige.
"...."
Eyes closed, I recalled my player days. Saving nations, redeeming millions with a flick.
"...You're."
"First time meeting face-to-face, huh."
When I opened my eyes at his question, I was far calmer.
".....!"
That should suffice for anyone not a fool. Conveyed who I was, my standing. A gentle tone, yet unyielding even to a knight commander.
Baltar's eyes widened in shock, scanning me anew.
Key moment.
I chose words carefully. "The kingdom's greatest sword comes here for the holy war, I presume."
No reply. But silence was answer enough.
"No holy war. I just want to return home with my children."
"We can't let you go so easily."
"Insolent...!"
I patted Belladys's growling head to soothe her. Time to dial back the pride. Fine against Black Sun cultists, but these neutral kingdom folk required nuance.
Different now.
Cult vs. cult? Crush with status. Cult vs. nation? Politics mattered. Botch reputation, and supply lines would suffer.
Proof lurked in the community feeds.
Yeah, you.
Black Sun crew are straight villains. Trapped in their self-made image, the fools. Even if that's their rep, I won't let my kids sink with them.
"...Lord Constellation, in your absence, your cult caused much trouble."
Baltar looked taut, half-expecting death for blocking us.
"Heh, I know. Just checked."
I flashed a smile—though honestly, clueless.
"Will you ignite the holy war after all?"
He probed, eyeing our intact forces. A true holy war would've left us battered.
"Knight commander of the kingdom, my purpose here today."
I stated firmly. "Is to spare my children suffering."
"Lord God..."
Belladys gazed up adoringly. My words were alibi gold: No war started. Relax. I'll rein in my followers; just clear the path.
Chaotic times for me too.
I shoved down the urge to pout.
"...Then."
Baltar pondered my compliance. "May we escort you briefly, Lord Constellation?"
Hoh.
Not fully convinced? Or needed higher-ups' input, like the king.
Me in their camp changed nothing—they couldn't handle me.
"...."
Not a bad deal, actually.
Pretty good.
Regarium's border lay along our route anyway. Kill two birds: resolve this, reactivate our assets there.
Curiosity about kingdom sights? My little secret.
"Belladys."
Sought trusted input first. "What do you think?"
"Anywhere you wish, Lord Constellation."
That settled it. Kingdom experiments, asset revival—win-win.
"If it clears misunderstandings between us, then gladly."
I feigned reluctant magnanimity and joined their procession.
Kids cool with this?
Glancing back with that vibe, I met faces radiating utter trust: Fine if you're happy.
Overwhelmed, I looked away quick.