Second Incarnation - (4)
A white glow settled over Beatrix's body. Up to this point, it was the same as with my first incarnation, Yuna. I'd split off a piece of myself and infused it into her, and the message window labeled it Cosmic Power, just like before.
So now she would shoot up into the sky, right? I watched her anxiously, wondering if that was next...
Cosmic Power permeates into Incarnation Beatrix!
Crack— Shatter!!!
"A mo-monster has appeared-wa yo!!!"
The glow emanating from her body brushed against space itself, and the air cracked like glass, birthing a grotesque monster. It looked like a starved wolf or dog, but its eyes were hollow voids, its gaping maw lined with jagged teeth and a slithering tongue. No one could deny it was the stuff of nightmares.
Grrrrr...
But Beatrix wasn't some delicate lady raised in a greenhouse. She'd boarded starships to inspect the defense forces and wielded the empire's science and technology against monsters. Her red eyes flashed.
She stepped back, roughly tapping spots on her dress. The imperial garment—fusing fluid metal and nanofiber tech—shifted into combat mode. In her hand now gleamed a massive anti-monster pistol, blending the Ruler of Crimson Beauty's divine authority with cutting-edge science.
"Die-wa yo! You wicked monster!"
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, says that seems like something the second incarnation summoned.
"...Eh?"
I sent the message before she could pull the trigger, halting her. It was the same Cosmic Power, but somehow she'd gained a different ability from Yuna's—summoning, apparently.
But why a hunting hound, of all things?
Our dimension's magic aptitude was fairly high... Wait, where did that knowledge come from? Digging through the vast, complex info flooding my mind, I learned about the "hunting hound" Beatrix had summoned.
A race of otherworldly beings dwelling in the edges of space. They could traverse dimensions, nullify physical attacks, and had a talent for summoning entities from their realm.
If so, maybe it could help me descend? If her talent wasn't limited to monsters, it might speed up my arrival on the surface.
"Ugh... It doesn't attack, so it must really be a monster I summoned-wa yo."
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, suggests trying to give the hunting hound a command.
"Hunting hound?! That's Lord God's hunting hound-wa yo? Then let me try..."
Beatrix cautiously approached the menacing hunting hound. But in that instant, a beam pierced the air, and armed soldiers poured in.
"Your Highness! Are you alright?!"
"The monster that infiltrated the palace is here!"
"It ignored the city's spatial stabilizers—what kind of monster is this?"
"...Ah. No-wa yo! That's my summoned hunting hound-wa yo!"
She desperately tried to stop them, but it failed. The imperial guards were veterans versed in monster fights, including those that mind-controlled or possessed people. And the fact that the princess had contracted an other-dimensional constellation wasn't public yet.
The emperor knew from the chamberlain's report of the contract, but it hadn't been announced.
"Your Highness, we'll escort you for now. Hey! Bring the mental contamination scanner quick!"
"I said it's not a wicked monster-wa yo!!!!"
"There are no non-wicked monsters, Your Highness."
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, lets out a sigh.
Subdued by the guards, Beatrix looked pitiful and teary-eyed as she was dragged away. I couldn't tear my eyes from the pathetic yet comical scene.
"A monster that breached the spatial stabilizers meant to block ethereal entities. Twenty imperial guards lightly injured. Anti-ethereal weapons could damage it, but it warped through space to evade wounds. The guards' quick response and Your Highness's control kept it to minor injuries—if it had rampaged, innocent lives would have been lost."
The emperor sat on his throne, gazing sternly at the princess. Beatrix, staring glumly at the floor, stammered excuses.
"Th-that... I'm sorry, Father. I thought the power from the god would be easy to control-wa yo..."
"Tsk! The one you should apologize to isn't me—it's the imperial guards and the imperial citizens!"
"I'm sorry-wa yo..."
Maybe because he ruled a planet, he seemed different from politicians who guarded their power or tallied lives like numbers.
The emperor clicked his tongue and fell silent. Then the blond man beside him spoke—the crown prince, judging by his ornate attire and position.
"So. You contracted with that other-dimensional god?"
"Yes. That's right-wa yo, Brother Leon..."
"Fascinating. The power to summon and command monsters. It doesn't obey you perfectly yet, but maybe someday you'll master it."
"Hmph. Anyway, as an incarnation of an other-dimensional god, you'll go to Kairon Planet for training. Then fulfill your duties as an incarnation."
He didn't scold her for becoming an incarnation fighting dangerous monsters. Or for contracting a constellation other than their Ruler of Crimson Beauty.
"Ahem. You can return here anytime. Serve that other-dimensional deity well."
"Don't worry about the palace. Do what you want. Didn't you always say you wanted to travel the stars?"
Was it fatherly respect for his daughter's choice? Or an emperor's judgment for his planet's ruler?
"Father... Brother... Thank you both-wa yo."
Either way, it didn't matter. That apostle was mine. Even if the Red Goddess demanded I break the contract, or Beatrix begged, I wouldn't yield.
"Once we've researched your abilities enough, show your face to the people after all this time."
"You mean GalaxyTube-wa yo?"
"Yes. You're the most popular royal, aren't you? The citizens miss you."
The contract was sealed. I wouldn't hand her over to anyone.
Before heading to Kairon Planet, Beatrix decided on simple tests to control her abilities—per expert advice on grasping basic info and command over her summons.
Thus, priests contracted to the Ruler of Crimson Beauty, imperial guards, and researchers gathered around her.
"Your Highness, please summon the 'hunting hound' again."
"Understood-wa yo."
Crack— Space split, revealing the snarling hunting hound once more. Tension rippled through the crowd at its menace, but for some reason, it seemed annoyed to me. Like a pet eyeing its pathetic owner begging for play.
It had come to the material plane since summoned, but felt bored without a bond.
Grrrrr—
"Hmm. Definitely a summoning ability."
"The hunting hound of that other-dimensional constellation, you say."
"As expected, that lord is a deity rivaling our Red Goddess..."
Of course, those facing the monster directly thought differently—especially after its prior rampage.
"Your Highness, try controlling the summon. Order it to attack that test android over there."
A man in a pristine lab coat pointed at the android. Humanoid, adult male size, stun baton in its right hand.
"Attack that-wa yo!"
Tap-tap. Crunch. Clang!
At Beatrix's command, the hound warped through space and lunged. In an instant, the android's neck tore free, rolling across the floor.
"Neosteel joints severed. And that movement—spatial leap, confirmed?"
"No floor sensors detected it. Spatial leap for sure."
"I sensed it with the faculties gained from becoming the Goddess's incarnation. An alien, chilling aura."
They examined the wreckage with devices, then crept toward the summoned hound.
"Your Highness, order the monster to stay still. Needed for precise scans."
"Stay still-wa yo!"
Grrrrr...
Wait, it wasn't listening? It yawned hugely at her command, then moved to return whence it came.
It respected its summoner just enough, but wasn't absolutely obedient. Still, it attacked foes on order, so bonding over time should work.
Grrrrr...
"Eeeek!!! Listen to your summoner-wa yo!"
"...Anti-ethereal weapons ready?"
"Fire now?"
"If it lunges at Her Highness, shoot immediately."
Of course, no one knew how long that would take.