Second Incarnation - (2)
To increase the influence I could project into that dimension, I needed more incarnations. Even setting aside the black witch's advice that it would help with my descent, it should solve the material and credit issues to some extent. So, should I take a mortal from a wealthy family as an incarnation? But it felt like I was just using them for my own purposes, and that didn't sit right. Contracting someone solely for their riches? It sounded like some shady cult.
While I manipulated the informational constructs in search of a suitable second incarnation mortal, Yuna called out to me.
"Constellation? Constellation!"
Her location was in front of her mansion on Ratan Planet. She didn't seem hurt or in any trouble. The only unusual thing was the massive rock humanoid standing beside her. A monster made entirely of boulders—no, an alien? He looked about 5 meters tall.
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, expresses doubt about the current situation.
"Ah. Now that the Constellation is here, go ahead and say it. You said you had something to tell my Constellation, right?"
"I am grateful, Lady Yuna."
So he'd come to Yuna because he had a message for me. Was this like that planet world tree constellation from before? I'd have to hear what he had to say first.
The rock alien bowed his head toward empty air after receiving Yuna's response.
"This humble one is Baston, servant of the Queen of the Interstellar Void. By the will of my Constellation, I have come to offer aid."
Aid? Showing up out of nowhere to help. What did that mean... Ah, I remembered the conversation I'd had with Naiserria, the galaxy goddess from our dimension.
[With the help of your incarnation, I'm trying to create a temporary body over there. Could I borrow your assistance as well?]
[Yes. I shall send one of the kin you created, Great One. What is the name of your incarnation?]
[Yuna. She lives on a planet called Ratan.]
So, "Queen of the Interstellar Void" was Naiserria's constellation name? Interstellar referred to the space between stars, which felt a bit off for a goddess ruling a galaxy. ...Well, my own name was Star Cluster, and the galaxy spirit here was Starlight. Whatever. Her name was whatever the Outer God over there decided.
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, wishes to collaborate with the incarnation named Baston.
"Collaboration? Ah! Mr. Baston, is your Constellation from another dimension, by any chance?"
"Indeed. A Constellation from another dimension."
"Our Constellation came from another dimension too, so it looks like you two know each other from over there. But 'Queen' means she's female, right...?"
Yuna's expression shifted oddly for a moment before returning to normal.
"Our Constellation wishes to descend in a temporary body. The credit and material shortages are urgent right now—could you help with that?"
"Of course. Though I may not look it, I'm the foremost scholar of my race."
"Sch...olar?"
"Yes. I know nothing of combat, but my intellect is unmatched in my species."
A rock alien claiming to have his species' top intellect. Interesting. I was curious about their reproduction and nutrition methods, but that wasn't important now.
"The Queen of the Interstellar Void commanded me not to stint on cooperation. I'll provide ample top-grade materials and credits for the Constellation's descent."
"No, if you give away that much, what will you have left?"
"Naturally, the favor of the Constellation you've contracted with."
Thanks to him, materials were sorted for now.
* * *
Baston, Naiserria's incarnation. Despite his menacing rocky appearance, he seemed remarkably sharp. When he shared his thoughts on the explosions during the descent ritual, he even came across as an expert.
"So, we've tried it eight times, and it keeps blowing up."
"I know that witch. She probably kept tweaking the materials and ritual array placements. If the Constellation's very nature is too exalted, the sacrifices in the array must match that level..."
He claimed some expertise in constellation descent studies and offered various advice, but Yuna, being more action-oriented, didn't seem to find it helpful.
"Hmm. Well then, Lady Yuna. Until next time. Allow me to research Cosmic Power then as well."
"Yesss. Thank you!"
Yuna stared blankly at Baston lumbering away, the ground shaking with each step, then called to me.
"Constellation. Are you close with Mr. Baston's Constellation?"
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, says it's ambiguous.
I wasn't sure if we were "close," but Naiserria was subordinate to me. Whether constellations from other dimensions commonly knew each other, I couldn't say. Anyway, back to business.
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, must search for a second incarnation and thus won't be able to watch for a while.
"Se-Second? Uh... Well, actually, I could help with your descent on my own..."
I turned my gaze from Yuna, who was starting to say something strange, and looked elsewhere. Manipulating the AI informational constructs, I set filters to scout candidates for incarnation contracts. Was there anyone suitable?
For the second incarnation, I planned to choose a human again. Alien races had too many hurdles, and my reincarnated human sensibilities strongly preferred beautiful women anyway.
— Alpha Septirus Star System Is-67.
While surveying a star system on the outskirts of the Super Galactic Empire Federation, I witnessed something truly bizarre. If I hadn't been practicing emotional control since becoming an Outer God overnight, I might have gasped in shock.
"Oh—hohot!! Father. Our Balhar Empire citizens' birth rates have risen again this quarter-wa yo!"
"Hahaha! Just as Princess Beatrix says. At this rate, we'll surpass the averages of the other planets in the Super Galactic Empire Federation..."
In a medieval fantasy-style palace, a crown-wearing middle-aged man and a beautiful blonde woman who seemed to be his daughter chattered away. Was this really a planet in the Super Galactic Empire Federation?
* * *
Observing that bizarre planet revealed even more wonders. Balhar Planet was governed by a planetary government—or rather, the Balhar Empire. The emperor served as the planetary president, and actual nobles like counts and barons existed. Noble ladies wore dresses fit for the Middle Ages, and the imperial guards protecting the palace carried swords with their uniforms.
They lived in the imperial palace itself, while the common folk offered tribute to the gods through their labors.
But this wasn't just some fantasy planet.
"How about this as tribute to the goddess?"
"Hm. An hourglass using the Brelon-Zairak spatial reflux equation? Isn't that a bit old-fashioned?"
"Count Britton just announced the boundaryless mass function method."
"Indeed, our empire's top scholar. The imperial community forums will be buzzing again."
"His Imperial Majesty rules so wisely this generation. No chance of the goddess's wrath like in the fourth era."
The noble ladies' dresses could freely alter shape, patterns, and colors thanks to advanced tech. The guards' swords at their waists were photon blades convertible to guns anytime. The emperor's crown was the core of a defensive force field while doubling as CCTV for palace security.
The Balhar Empire's emperorship was hereditary. At the coronation, the emperor contracted with the planet spirit goddess as her incarnation.
Religious freedom was enshrined in Super Galactic Empire Federation law, but by Balhar custom, emperors always contracted with the goddess.
The mix of fantasy, sci-fi, and constellations made my non-existent brain spin.
"Princess. Did you learn much at the Imperial Academy today as well-wa yo?"
"Of course-wa yo, Father! Today in general studies, we covered the history of constellations and the Corsian spatial synchronization equation..."
"I see. No wonder the crown prince often praises you."
Despite tech that spanned planets, divine beings coexisted with a fantasy worldview. Was this what happened when a deity directly ruled a planet? It felt like preserving ancient traditions in appearance at least.
I glimpsed why this galaxy's mortals had formed a "Federation" instead of an "Empire."
"Steward! Prepare my personal ray gun-wa yo! It's been ages since I practiced shooting-wa yo!"
"Yes, Princess Beatrix."
Why did the princess talk like that? The AI info feed couldn't be wrong. She had the speech, attire, and looks of a noble lady, yet held a cutting-edge ray gun.
There must be secrets in the Interstellar Convention between the galactic empire and the divinities. Perhaps immortals who checked the early empire's power agreed to recognize the mortal empire in exchange for planetary cultures and constellation sovereignty.
Pew—
"Hmhm! A perfect 50 out of 50-wa yo! It rivals the imperial guards' marksmanship-wa yo!"
"Congratulations, Your Highness."
She was... utterly irresistible. I had to collect her. Mesmerized, I proposed a contract to her.
A glowing blue message appeared before the blonde princess and her steward.
Constellation from another dimension, Whispering Star Cluster, proposes an incarnation contract to you.
"...Eh?"
"Your Highness?"
One second. Two seconds. Three seconds of silence.
Then pealing laughter erupted from the princess, hand lightly over her mouth, filling the air around them.
"Oh—hohohot!!! Even a god from another dimension recognizes my talents-wa yo!!!"