Chapter 108
Translator: uly
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Constellation Hostages
Shrrrk.
This place was nothing short of a total mess.
I first created a large number of black chains in the air to ventilate the atmosphere.
They were an improved version of the black chains the Lich King had used, focused more on restraint than attack.
Such chains shot toward the constellations, who were behaving far too leisurely for hostages.
"What is this?!"
"When did this—?!"
"Ho?"
"This is..."
The black chains that appeared out of nowhere in the air bound the constellations in an instant.
Aphrodite and Freyja were restrained before they could even react, Satan stayed put as if finding it amusing despite noticing in advance, and Sandalphon simply looked at me with uncomprehending eyes, surrendering to the chains just like Satan.
"Haha, you think this speed is enough to catch me?"
"Don't underestimate Frey!"
However, the last arrivals, Hermes and Frey, refused to be bound so easily.
Hermes dodged the chains nimbly with his speed, while Frey deflected them head-on to protect himself.
Thwack.
"Ah, Lady Aphrodite?!"
"Freyja! How could you?!"
Midway, Aphrodite and Freyja intervened.
With their reluctant help, I managed to bind the remaining two constellations.
"Are you betraying us?!"
"Hermes, just shut up."
"Exactly. Frey, be quiet."
"Freyja! Call me big brother!"
The two goddesses, having fought me before, judged that provoking my anger further would be unwise and voluntarily assisted in binding Hermes and Frey.
Shrrrk.
"Wait! Why are we bound so tightly?!"
[Because you two didn't submit quietly.]
"Wow. They look just like caterpillars."
"Ooooh! Freyja! Help your big brother!"
Unlike the other constellations, whose arms and bodies were lightly wrapped a few times, Hermes and Frey were wound so tightly from the neck down that no part of their bodies was visible.
They were wrapped so severely that they couldn't even stand upright, reduced to flopping around like fish—that was the extent of it.
No matter how you looked at it, they no longer resembled constellations at all, appearing utterly pathetic.
"Why do this all of a sudden?"
[You were too noisy.]
"For that reason alone?"
[When you come to someone else's space, you should stay quiet. If you had, I wouldn't have treated you as hostages.]
"You scum! Dare to take me and my sister hostage?! Aren't you afraid of Asgard's wrath, you imoogi?!"
"I agree. Olympus will never forget this."
Flop. Flop.
...Can't you just stay still and talk?
Their words, delivered while constantly wriggling to escape, carried no threat whatsoever.
[Hah, aren't you in no position to talk when you can't even break free from a single chain and are just struggling pathetically?]
"Uwooooh!"
"Kuhhh."
Go ahead, strain all you want.
As if that'll loosen them.
Aphrodite and Freyja, pretending not to while trying to break free, had already failed. Even Sandalphon couldn't. There was no way those two, bound dozens of times more tightly, could succeed.
[But why are you just sitting there?]
However, among them, there was one who was completely unaffected by the black chains I'd deployed.
"Because I'm bound by the chains—what can I do? Even that little angel down there can't break free, and I don't feel like wasting my energy for nothing."
The culprit was none other than Pandemonium's representative, Satan.
As the user who created the chains to bind them, I could tell.
Unlike the other constellations, the black chains hadn't fully restrained Satan.
'I modified them for binding, so their power is lower, but durability and special suppression have increased. Yet they have zero effect on him.'
Is it because Satan is special?
Or does it apply to all evil-aligned constellations like him?
"I'll just sit quietly and watch what my comrade does."
[Why?]
"Because... my instincts tell me it'll be very entertaining."
What a madman.
Satan's as crazy as the other constellations.
'But if he's staying put, that's more than welcome on my end.'
Especially since, unlike the others, Satan is Pandemonium's representative.
He holds value on a whole different level from the other hostages.
[From now on, you're all my hostages. If you want to return safely, tell your representatives to bring a hefty ransom.]
"I'm Pandemonium's representative, though?"
[Then tell your secretary or vice rep.]
Satan nodded with a face full of delight.
"Haha, good luck, Lucifer."
"Sorry, Michael."
"Ugh, Hermes, you say it!"
"Me?!"
"Big brother, please."
"Leave it to me, sis!... Hermes, how do I send this?"
"Haha, I'll send it for you."
And so, they each contacted their respective representatives, followed by a brief rest period.
I warned them not to cause trouble in the meantime and turned back to the screen to observe Yi So-ha.
"No, why watch climbers on the 2nd floor now?"
"There's a certain fun in watching the lower-floor climbers too, you know? It's satisfying to pick raw gems and raise them yourself."
"I don't get it."
"I agree with that. Leading the talented down the path of evil is quite the delicacy."
"Ugh. Rotten lizard, your tastes are as bizarre as expected."
Relaxed now that they'd called their representatives?
Surprisingly, they no longer caused a fuss and began watching Yi So-ha along with me.
Of course, Frey—who usually watched high-floor climbers and occasionally glanced at mid-floors for contracts—couldn't understand me watching low-floor climbers.
'No need to worry about it.'
Honestly, their lack of interest was helpful.
If not for Yi So-ha's safety, I wouldn't be showing her image in front of them.
"Not bad."
"Right? That girl's talent is on another level."
"Her looks are exceptional too. Should I propose a contract?"
"You'll actually die if you do. Watch out."
See? Some were already recognizing Yi So-ha's talent and taking interest.
Of course, Hermes, who had aimed for a contract proposal, quickly shut up under Aphrodite's sincere warning and my icy glare—so rest easy.
Bzzzt.
Tzzzzzt.
[The ones we've been waiting for have finally arrived.]
About 10 minutes after contacting the representatives.
Lightning different from mine and unrecognizable geometric runes began dominating the space.
"This power is..."
"Lord Zeus!"
"...Odin."
"You've come!"
The first guests to arrive were, as expected, Olympus and Asgard, each with twice the usual number of members.
A young man spewing lightning everywhere as if embodying rage, and an old man with sage-like eyes, frowning as if displeased by something.
They were the representatives of Olympus and Asgard.
[Zeus and Odin, huh.]
"Aphrodite said she owes you a great debt? And Hermes, what the hell is that getup."
"Freyja. Frey. Did you have to make this old man come like this?"
Truly representatives, huh.
The moment they appeared, their power sought to dominate the space as naturally as breathing—fierce indeed.
If I let my guard down even slightly, they might seize control.
Hummm.
[Sorry, but we'll talk after the other representatives arrive.]
Of course, that was only if I slipped up.
Having been on guard against them seriously from the start, I repelled the two constellations' power without much effort.
"Ho?"
"Interesting."
Were they intrigued that I remained unscathed after pushing back both representatives' power?
Surprisingly, Zeus and Odin refrained from causing a scene and agreed to wait for the other two, as I'd suggested.
"So, Aphrodite, why the betrayal?"
"Freyja. Your actions betraying Asgard can't be dismissed as mere childishness."
Instead of waiting quietly, they began grilling Aphrodite and Freyja—and the topic was betrayal?
"Wh-what are you talking about?! Why would I betray Olympus?!"
"Exactly. Me, betraying Asgard?!"
"That's right! There's no way my sister would betray Asgard!"
Of course, the two goddesses' eyes nearly popped out as they shouted in denial.
Betrayal? Why would two goddesses holding seats in Olympus and Asgard betray them?
"But Hermes said you betrayed."
"Frey? Didn't you say yourself that Freyja betrayed?"
"Me?! When did I ever say that?!"
"Freyja betrayed, and you're holding her hostage, so come save her—you sent that exact message as a herald, didn't you, Frey?"
"Herald... you don't mean...?"
All eyes turned toward one constellation.
There lay Hermes, still unable to stand due to my chains.
He flashed a broad smile at the stares directed his way.
"Ha, haha. Surprise?"
Cough.
"I-I'm s-sorry..."
Hermes, beaten so badly he could barely speak, bowed his head to the ground and apologized in front of everyone.
Of course, Aphrodite and Freyja—who had nearly been branded traitors—were seriously debating whether to kill him or not.
Either way, it was up to those two goddesses to accept the apology.
Naturally, the rest of us watched the spectacle from afar with amusement.
Fwaaah.
Swoooosh.
But the fun show had to end now.
The final guests had arrived.
"Sandalphon. Hostages? What is going on here?"
"Sorry, Michael."
"Sigh, why do I have to come here?"
"Because you're my proxy, Lucifer!"
Michael, attending in Eden's representative's stead due to their busyness.
And Pandemonium's number two and Satan's secretary, Lucifer—who, like Michael, was here as a proxy representative—made their entrance.