31. Return 「Warning! Unauthorized Access!」
Unauthorized Access!
-Clank... At the deepest end of an infinitely profound abyss. Beyond the meticulously sealed locks designed to suppress something, a presence stirred.
Deep solitude, despair, and a faint hope like a dream. The woman had confined herself here of her own accord. For the sake of her lord, who would one day return.
"..."
Thus, she had willingly stripped herself of all her rights, seeking to borrow the senses of another constellation.
-Thump. Thump. It echoed. Through the countless circuits connected to the woman, a bizarre heartbeat resounded, as if life had been breathed into the space itself. Even as it drained her vitality, she endured it gladly, desperately grasping for any clue.
The two horns sprouting from her head were the pride of her race—and everything to her. Yet for her lord god, they were mere cumbersome symbols she could shatter without hesitation. Though countless years had passed without seeing the light of day, she smiled faintly, reminiscing on that radiant moment.
"Father God."
Ever deeper, ever further. The woman's mind sank into profound darkness.
"...Huh?"
A strange sense of incongruity hit me in that instant. Like the pull I'd felt when Lisia found me, but my status window showed no reaction whatsoever.
Which meant it was probably just my imagination.
Right now, I was in my exclusive chapel. Originally set aside for the palace nobility, I'd repurposed it solely for my cult's worship. So it was basically mine now.
Still feels kinda burdensome, though.
I hadn't fully adjusted to this upended daily life yet. Messing with the status window was familiar enough, sure. But facing reality head-on like this? Still not easy.
For example—
Handing me a massive, glittering chapel out of the blue.
"Whoa, this is insane."
It just made me feel awkwardly embarrassed, not luxurious or anything.
"No way, is this real gold? And it's really mine?"
"No, but like, who are you even praying to? It's all for me anyway. So doesn't that make this chapel mine too? Right?"
"It is, though. Isn't it?"
As I hovered my finger over the curse button, the Black Sun freaked out and affirmed my point. We'd been together this long, and she still didn't get me. Kinda hurtful.
"See?"
I nodded contentedly at the Black Sun's hasty agreement and cleared the curse tab.
As the chat lulled, the Heir of the Lost Star—who'd been biding her time—chimed in. Lounging on a chapel pew, I wondered what the other constellations were thinking.
"What're you talking about?"
"Oh."
The massive undead army that fizzled out pathetically during the Hero's debut. Even for a constellation, losing her forces in three seconds flat must've been a shock—unlike the others, she—
'Booked it right away.'
She left just a single status message acknowledging my presence, then vanished without further chat or action. At her level, she could've hidden easily if she wanted.
'Kinda disappointing.'
I was just getting into collecting constellations, and she slipped away right in front of me.
"I'll catch her next time."
Opportunities don't come just once. No matter how good she was at running, as long as she didn't fully bail on this world, we'd cross paths eventually.
"Unless she goes to hell or something."
No matter how far those constellation bastards fled, they wouldn't hide there.
"Anyway, we'll hunt her down later."
Having turned the undead invasion into my Hero's debut triumph, the moment had finally arrived to unwind the homesickness I couldn't fully shake off in the carriage.
Right here, in my exclusive chapel.
-Creeeak... The massive doors, impervious to outsiders, slowly swung open. I shot up from my lounging position and assumed a dignified posture to greet her.
"You're here."
And there she was—Lisia, our dutiful priestess I'd met once before.
"Father God."
"Come, sit."
I graciously offered her a seat as she bowed reverently.
"...!"
She approached with a blissful smile at my call.
"You've been through a lot."
"N-No, not at all..."
Lisia hurriedly averted her gaze, denying it amid my concern. Her cheeks flushed pink, betraying how embarrassed she felt in this moment—a trait of hers when it came to affection, one I'd often enjoyed back in the game days.
"No, I saw everything."
"You... watched over me...?"
A few key moments, sure, but what mattered was that we'd been together then.
"Of course."
As I nodded with a smile, she trembled, lost in the afterglow. I'd felt it in observation mode, but up close, my devotee was truly stunning. A heavenly beauty rare even in my old world. Being a game character gave her destructive potential in person.
Especially that divine power pouch drawing my eyes constantly, accentuated with every move. Handling my gaze was tricky.
"Ahem."
I cleared my throat to refocus, then decided to praise Lisia directly for her hardships.
"Got any questions for me?"
Lisia and Belladys. My devotees who'd toiled to find me. Others might not be reachable yet, but they were surely calling for me too. I hadn't planned it, but I felt responsible enough to make it right.
Might as well enjoy it while they're here.
Wait up, other constellations. Collecting them was turning into a fun side gig. A fresh flavor not on the main menu.
"H-How could I dare harbor blasphemous thoughts toward my lord god..."
Just curiosity, not blasphemy. I'd half-expected that, though. Belladys had mulled over rewards plenty too. In cases like this, I just decided for them.
Would you like to use Advanced Blessing on devotee 'Lisia'?
First, slap on an unthinking praise sticker.
"Ahh...!"
Lisia beamed as divine power flowed into her body. Her eyes softened, breath quickened—but she loved it, so I felt good too.
"I won't leave you again."
Then I gave her—and our cult—the words they desperately needed.
The Black Sun's assassination attempt on Lisia, Belladys's holy war. The ensuing chaos had made it hard to fully grasp, but it must've been hell.
If this were still just the game, the bond between me and my devotees would've been unbreakable.
"Sob...!"
Lisia fought back tears, her hands shaking. Like with Belladys, she wanted to act but seemed lost in reverence. I gladly took her trembling hand and pulled her into my embrace.
For a good while, we clung to each other, soothing our hearts.
"...."
The chapel lay silent, filled only with our two presences. Lisia was basking in gratitude from my hug, but I was healing up too.
How could I not adore pretty, cute devotees who never stopped worshiping me? The faint fruity scent, soft embrace, warm body heat.
This is paradise.
I was secretly indulging my desires, happily lost in the hug.
Devotee 'Belladys Rozeria' is approaching you.
-Creeeak...
"...?"
The chapel doors crept open again, and another familiar figure entered—our black-haired, red-eyed Vera, who should be busy preparing to leave.
"Ah."
She glanced around as if searching for me, then sharply inhaled upon spotting our embrace.
"Hey."
"....!"
She bowed hastily, but her eyes stayed glued to us.
Did I do something wrong?
Her persistent stare puzzled me, but I brushed it off.
"Ahem...!"
Finally, Lisia pulled away first, straightening her clothes and sneaking peeks at Vera before boldly meeting her gaze.
What're you two up to?
Their not-quite-rivalry was so amusing, I had to stifle a laugh.
"What's up?"
"...Ah."
Vera, locked in a staring contest with Lisia, startled at my question and spoke up.
"O-Our preparations to return using the holy water are complete."
"Oh, for real?"
Holy water. Our holy water. The cult's main base was ready for their return—the one I'd lovingly nurtured in the game. Vera's wistful gaze suggested lingering attachment to parting from me. My possessed body must appeal; I'd take it as a win.
"You've got a particularly important mission, Vera."
Simple enough: just get back safely. I'd handle the rest via the system, so she just needed to sync up. Something I'd done countless times in-game. Object level resets bugged me, but I could cover it another way quick.
"So."
"A mission bestowed by Father God only upon me."
Belladys emphasized one word, underscoring its weight. Her gaze ended on the puzzled Lisia.
What's with you two?
Worrying needlessly about their inexplicable tension.
"...."
Before the confident Belladys—brimming with assurance from Father God Ron's instructions—stood the red-haired devotee.
"Something to say?"
Lisia—one of the cult's most trusted devotees—had summoned Belladys separately.
"Seems like you have something to say."
But the reply was ice-cold.