24. Festival of the Corpses
As was typical for other constellations, the reason they interfered in Dianon boiled down to something utterly trivial.
Boredom.
From some unknowable ancient era until now, they wandered the empty void. Then, they stumbled upon a glittering world.
That was when they earned the name "constellation" and gained the ability to meddle in the world called Dianon.
The Heir of the Lost Star was, naturally, one of them.
— ..... —
After a certain transaction concluded.
In the empty void left behind once the Supreme God, Ron, had departed. In a cosmic backdrop where only distant stars were visible, the Heir of the Lost Star stared blankly into the emptiness.
Good stuff.
The Heir of the Lost Star manipulated the community window to check its contents.
Surprisingly, the community already had an early occupant.
She'd vaguely sensed it before—the source of that subtle dissonance.
That ferociously brutal constellation had been imprisoned and bound here.
—Fascinating.
Very fascinating.
This "community" ability seemed to contain a fragment of a constellation's existence, allowing influence. And it even enabled casual conversation.
The message, spat out with obvious reluctance, gave the Heir of the Lost Star yet another fresh thrill.
They could converse.
Communication between constellations was inherently difficult and complex. They didn't use human languages, nor did they want to.
Thus, for any "conversation" to occur, one side had to bow its head, demanding the other's consideration.
But this—
The Heir of the Lost Star knew it all too well, being no different from the others. The "solitude" of enduring this vast, empty void alone.
Thus, the existence of this chat window—a risk-free gateway to freely communicate with other constellations.
'The universe will turn upside down.'
If the others learned of it, they wouldn't hesitate to flip out and seize this chat window.
The Heir of the Lost Star knew full well. For his lifelong quest was to punish those like the Avatar of the Black Sun, who brought harm to the human realm.
The chat fell silent for a brief moment.
However.
Though she was now reluctantly playing pet due to the returned Absolute,
the Avatar of the Black Sun wasn't some clueless fool ignorant of the world's ways.
Not wrong.
When contracting with his devotees, he took half their lifespan—or more if needed—as payment.
It was how he sustained his existence.
The two constellations, prodding each other's sore spots in a war of nerves, soon reached a stalemate and paused the chat.
—Fascinating indeed.
Muttering to himself in the empty space, the Heir of the Lost Star felt an even greater thrill.
Something he'd never experienced in his life.
Even if it was anger, resentment, or other negative emotions.
His distorted form asked the void.
—What are you planning?
Daring to predict his movements, more constellations would surely be drawn in by this ability.
Forming a massive collective.
What future was this Absolute envisioning?
The Heir of the Lost Star sensed a peculiar crisis from the immense addictiveness of the Absolute's power.
—I want to analyze it more.
And thus, a constellation obsessed with the chat window was born.
Driven to the brink of tears by the one-sided rambling with no reply, the Avatar of the Black Sun was at her limit.
Returning to the world, 'Dianon.'
Finally back in my original world.
'Is it really the original?'
More like the "familiar" one. For a constellation like me, my true home was that white room.
"...Huh?"
I checked the community window amid the incessant dings.
"Oh shit."
There was the wailing Avatar of the Black Sun and the chattering Heir of the Lost Star, all excited now that he'd found his voice.
I hurriedly closed the chat and muted the notifications.
"Nearly got my mind polluted."
Seemed like a novel thrill for constellations who just stared at distant stars in the void all day.
'Hang in there.'
Sending silent cheers to the Avatar of the Black Sun holding down the fort, I got to work on my backlog.
After jumping in personally to solve problems, it was time for some sweet rewards.
First up, checking the holy sword from the master craftsman on the mainland.
Grade: Mythic
The legendary famed sword that chose you directly from the flow of the stars. Wielding it alone can shake the natural order, harboring dangerous power.
"Whoa."
Starts off crushing with grade and description.
As a special sword bestowed by one constellation upon another, it stood out sharply from the other holy swords I'd seen.
'Now I've got two holy swords.'
One mine, and the hero's I just acquired.
One for each hand. Dual-wielding away.
The cult's prestige kept rising by the day.
'Devotees-wise.'
Now I checked the devotee recruitment tab.
The Sword Saintess who rolled in out of nowhere, and...
From evolving the 'Elite Devotee Recruitment Ticket'—a genuine Special S-rank talent, the Hero.
'Dopamine, what is it?'
Turning a hero who attacks on sight into a devotee unit.
If the game community were still buzzing, this would've made plenty of users green with envy.
'Sweet.'
I'd braced for all-out war with the heroes at first, but ended up sleeve-snatched instead.
'Actually a win.'
As long as it strengthened the cult and benefited the devotees, all good.
"Wonder if the kids are being taken care of."
The Sword Saintess rampaging in the plaza, Lisia, and that little Hero too.
Since I tipped them off personally, they'd be pampered for sure.
(EX)-Grade Skill, 'Constellation's Majesty' is active.
With my shiny new skill, I set off briskly to meet the fresh devotees.
'But.'
One snag held me back.
"First time with Lisia."
Smooth intro with Belladys, but Lisia was new.
Just flex divine power outright?
She'd recognize me instantly, no doubt.
'Boring that way.'
But this was a rare direct meet in the mortal realm.
Why not elevate it with some dramatic flair?
My inner pervert whispered temptations.
'Hmm.'
As I pondered—
Sudden Event Occurred!
The 'Undead' invasion has begun.
Warning! If the invasion isn't stopped, the Regarium Kingdom will fall.
"What the hell is this now."
Just as I was about to sort things out, a random crisis alert.
"...Hold up."
But me, battle-hardened through it all?
This somehow felt welcome.
Maybe the perfect chance to leave a killer first impression on the newbie Sword Saintess and my dutiful devotees.
I slapped on the 'Recluse's Hood (+9)' and headed straight for the scene.
—Rumble rumble...
"Urgh...?"
The gate guards sensed the anomaly and scanned ahead. Beyond the horizon, a massive horde approached.
"Fuck!"
"What the hell is that?!"
Using artifacts for a clearer view revealed an army of the dead.
Their numbers rivaled a nation's full forces.
As one guard frantically alerted the network, the undead pressed forward relentlessly.
Target: Regarium Kingdom.
They'd pierced the tight defenses via magic portals.
Today, these uninvited guests expanding the cult's turf triggered full alert across the kingdom's army.
—Eldritch.
The pinnacle of undead, defying death and the natural order.
"No Absolute, no holy sword exists."
It was a revelation straight from his constellation.
"Nothing can stop us."
At the undead horde's center, the Eldritch commanded his minions.
To grant true rest and new enlightenment to these lost lambs.
Headless knights: Dullahan.
Flesh beasts: Ghouls.
Wraiths: Banshees.
And more beyond imagination, come to devour a kingdom.
Today was surely their festival day.
"Advance."
The Eldritch commanded his blood- and death-thirsty legion.
