The Great Love
"Hoo..."
Lisia, the red-haired devotee, had just crossed into the Regarium Kingdom through the castle gates, entering a marketplace bustling with chaotic energy.
"...Here."
She sensed it without missing a beat—the deep resonance echoing from the core of her heart. A sensation all too familiar. The presence of her beloved God, to whom she had sworn to devote everything. It was emanating from right here.
Though she was filthy from days without washing, now that she'd reached the kingdom, she could take her time to clean up.
"Father God..."
There had to be some grand purpose in guiding her to this place. Lisia trusted that guidance without a shred of doubt. Even if it was a nation that left her with lingering unease, a place where shameful past grudges lay buried.
As Special Envoy Priest Lisia, she had the confidence to charge into anywhere He might be.
First... I should find the members of our cult.
She followed the hazy rumors like drifting clouds. At first, they were vague and formless, but as she dug deeper, their outline sharpened.
-The Father God's holy army is stationed in the Regarium Kingdom.
She needed to grasp what was happening. With a reverent mindset, Lisia set out to tackle her top priority.
"...Khm, sniff."
I made the geezer cry his eyes out, well past his prime. I hadn't meant to go that far—was I supposed to feel purely good about it? Belladys next to me seemed thrilled by our clearly established hierarchy.
Why are you happy about it...?
Anything that benefits me is fine, I guess. Not bad at all.
Edmund, who had been sobbing for a moment, quickly pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and reined in his emotions. A king weeping openly in front of others? His subjects or knights would have freaked out.
Sending the knight commander away by force—had that been part of the plan too? Perfect timing for a full confession.
"I prided myself on knowing humans quite well, but before the Lord God, I become a mere child."
Having wiped away his tears, Edmund looked far more relieved than before.
"I lost my queen to the evil god, and my daughter was betrayed by her fiancé because of that same evil god."
I knew this story. It was an episode I'd actually helped with. The reason for King Edmund Carsein's cold temperament had been mentioned several times.
The raid schemed by the evil god, the tale of the king who sent away his beloved wife. A man who set aside personal hatred for the greater good, devoting himself to his nation's prosperity and stability. That was the Edmund Carsein before me.
"Perhaps it wasn't my daughter who was bewitched, but me."
"Don't blame yourself too much."
Nothing sobers the mood like an old man's rambling lament.
So, is that it? All done?
I'd accepted the king's apology and normalized things. Could I roam the palace freely now?
Oh, right.
"The evil god's cult I was worried about—I've taken measures on my end."
"...!"
Edmund jolted at my words. Hmm. Did that ease his anxiety just by saying it?
"As fellow constellations, destroying them outright is tricky, but suppressing them is more than doable."
I quietly summoned the cowering Avatar of the Black Sun.
Hey. Do something.
Crawl or grovel or something.
The karma those guys had piled up wasn't just one or two things. Especially their deep-rooted grudge with the Regarium Kingdom. They'd even betrayed me to try wiping them out.
A pleasant feeling welled up as the Avatar of the Black Sun spoke like she was the victim.
Heh heh, tempting to wipe her out.
At my kind words, darkness flooded the surroundings in an instant.
"Th-this is..."
Edmund, a mere human, trembled at the sudden supernatural surge.
"No need to fear."
No way it'd calm him, but proving I was here mattered.
The darkness pressing down like on his shoulders was steeped in chaos, despair, agony. An endless abyss of hell that dredged up primal human fear—raw terror.
This was part of the Black Sun Eclipse skill used by the Black Sun cult. And from their top authority, no less—its quality was exceptional.
At the right moment, I raised my hand and unleashed holy power.
-Kieeeek!!
The shadowy forms shrieked like living beasts, recoiling from my light and dissipating. The darkened conference room swiftly returned to normal.
Edmund Carsein's face, now visible again, was pale as a ghost, drenched in cold sweat.
A bit extreme, but no better way to prove it.
"As long as I'm here, the innocent won't suffer."
The Black Sun's firmly in Father Man's grip, so rest easy.
I set the tail-tucked constellation aside and instilled trust in the king, still reeling.
"Ohh, Lord God, Father God..."
The king was utterly captivated by my display, praising me with eyes brimming with faith.
"I won't doubt anymore...."
"Heh heh."
"From now on, I'll designate your faith as the national religion and spread your teachings across the kingdom."
"Hoo...."
As I let out a low chuckle, something felt off.
"You mean designating it as the national religion...?"
"From here on, my Regarium Kingdom and I will live under your embrace. All other religions will be eradicated..."
"...?"
Wait, what? No need for that.
I just wanted ongoing mutual cooperation, not them leading the charge in promotion. My cult was already booming—no ads needed.
And eradicating other religions? That rubbed me wrong.
No need to bully them.
I wanted a peaceful, happy world for everyone—not my dictatorship. I could respect ideals, as long as they weren't extreme.
More fun that way.
Diverse cultures, diverse beauties. I was already excited to recruit devotees, and religious unification? No diverse beauty devotees...?
The Regarium Kingdom, which recognized religious diversity, now eradicating them?
"King of Regarium, there's no need to go that far..."
"Heh heh, no worries. Even in my decrepitude, I have the ability to see through my decisions."
Far from worried, my concern seemed to motivate him, and he laughed heartily.
That's not what I meant.
"Now I understand. The reason Father God descended is to awaken the world to true truth."
No, that's not it either.
I'd just transmigrated into this mess one morning and wanted to blow my piled-up wealth on leisure.
"I swear here—no, I'll hold an official ceremony to proclaim it."
Uh oh.
"Under Father God's protection, we will spread true love to the world...!"
"...!"
Belladys shuddered beside me—I could tell since I still held her wrist.
No, I don't want that!
Where was the thrill of frolicking in my flower hill paradise? Now everyone was hyped to boost my name value. My blood ran cold.
What about my vacation?
Want me to send you on one?
I could if asked. To a far-off place with nothing at all.
The Avatar of the Black Sun went silent at my question.
Driving me crazy.
This wasn't it. Not at all.
I'd given his daughter a solid excuse, freeing her from blindly shouting my name. Forgiven the king moderately for a ha-ha-ho-ho ending. Wasn't that perfect?
Just keep to ourselves like always, maintain cooperation. Back to those days.
But suddenly, this absurd worship scene unfolded. And from Edmund's mouth, of all people.
We're not that close.
Even in the game, he was curt, cold-blooded. Wouldn't hesitate over constellations for national interest, right?
"Father God..."
My head couldn't wrap around it.
-Out of the way!!
Then, a prickly voice barked from outside the door.
-Your Majesty. No one beyond this point, by order—
-Move!
Total disregard. A crash followed, and the heavy door creaked open slowly.
Soon enough.
"Father...!"
Princess Isella Carsein stormed in, her face full of spite.
"What is this madness."
The king, who'd been sniffling moments ago, instantly regained his poker face and glared coldly at her.
"You're truly going to defile the Lord God's name after all this?!"
What the hell. And why are you like this?
"Isella Carsein. I clearly told you to wait quietly."
"I can't stand by any longer...! Please, end this tyranny now, Father!"
"...What?"
Time in the conference room froze. Not literally, but it felt like perception lagged.
Hey, hey, hey.
I wanted to rush over and shut her mouth. Dancing on a perfectly set table?
Finally a warm—if slightly weird—vibe, and now? Tyranny? What word could grate more on a king's nerves?
"Princess Isella."
"Father God!"
The princess, somehow sprinting in high heels, dropped to her knees beside me.
Ah.
She grabbed my hand and pressed it to her cheek in submission.
"Worry not, I shall uphold the Lord God's will and teachings no matter what."
Who's asking you to uphold anything.
I was tempted to knock her out with a skill. Should I? Easy to just put her to sleep quietly.
I glanced slyly at Edmund. His daughter rubbing her face on an outsider (constellation)'s hand right in front of him. How's a king and father take that?
Have some mercy.
"...Princess."
Edmund called her with a stiff face.
"Even if you drag me out right now, I won't back down! No matter what, I...!"
But.
"The Lord God's teachings belong not to one, but to all."
The conversation was already over. Freed from all worries, the king said,
"If you truly love Him, lift your head and see with wide eyes."
Contrary to expectations, in a gentle, benevolent tone.
"...?"
Isella's face filled with doubt at the unexpected response.
"I will no longer turn from truth and righteousness."
Words unfit for a king spilled out. His daughter mulled it over, then her eyes widened in realization.
"Father, you don't mean—"
"He is the true master of this land—no, the world, and the rightful god."
"...!"
Tears of emotion welled in Isella's eyes.
The father and daughter, lost in the moment, rose simultaneously as if scripted.
"Father."
"Princess."
Isella Carsein covered her mouth with both hands and fell into her father's arms.
I could only watch like an idiot.
How do I even insert myself here.
Unintentionally, I'd mended the worst father-daughter rift. Under my name, no less.
The Great Love
Ah, please no.
Some constellations feel awe at your actions!
Some constellations feel hostility toward your existence!
A small amount of Luck accumulates.
Rewards have arrived!