Malicious Constellations, the Serpent that Devours Heaven and Earth - (1)

Beatrix's eyes sparkled at my advice. It seemed like the idea of taming her summons with monster corpses struck her as plausible.

"Father. What do you think-wa yo about trying to tame the summons granted by the god with monster corpses?"

"With monster corpses?"

The emperor pondered for a moment before nodding.

"Of course, there's potential. But you must be cautious that the otherworldly summons don't see you as easy prey or underestimate you."

"That should be fine-sa wa yo. Whether by divine command or not, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠they don't seem inclined to harm me-sa wa yo!"

"Visit the imperial monster research institute later. There are no summoning-type avatars among those contracted with the Red Goddess, but they've accumulated plenty of data on monsters."

I could arrange a meeting with a summoning-type avatar down the line. After Beatrix finished her conversation with the king and headed to the imperial lab, I turned my gaze away from her.

Having taken Beatrix as an avatar lately, I hadn't paid much attention to Yuna. Time to check on her. I wondered if she was doing well on Ratan Planet.

Humans, the dominant species of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠this galaxy, and their nation, the Super Galactic Empire Federation.

The federation's territory was vast. With hundreds of billions of stars in a single galaxy, that was only natural. And there were countless constellations belonging to the federation.

Constellation. Transcendent beings dwelling among the stars. By federation standards, the term encompassed all immortals without a fixed lifespan.

Not every star or planet hosted an immortal, but galaxies teemed with them.

Of course... thanks to the laws etched by the great Galaxy Spirit, the number of avatars hadn't exploded.

"So that's why creeps like this show up?"

"Plenty of people would do anything if chosen by a constellation."

"Even so, contracting with an immortal registered as a hostile constellation..."

As I shifted my view to Yuna, the sight of two women pinning a man to the ground greeted me. A fierce fight had clearly broken out nearby. The alley was wrecked beyond repair.

One woman was naturally Yuna. The other was an unfamiliar avatar. She didn't appear injured. Had she fought other avatars here?

"Ah, my constellation!"

"Huh? You mean your constellation? They're watching right now?"

"Yes! It's the Whispering Star Cluster."

The other female avatar bowed to the empty air. Yuna beamed and started chattering excitedly.

"We heard avatars of malicious constellations had appeared, so I came from another planet to help."

Malicious constellations? I listened to Yuna's explanation first.

Malicious constellations. Generally, these referred to evil constellations hostile to the Super Galactic Empire Federation and humanity.

Constellations deviating sharply from humanity's common ethical standards. Those demanding human sacrifices or vast tribute. Those crafting temporary human bodies to forcibly couple with favored mortals, and more.

From Single Planet Restricted Spirit Bodies to Planet Spirits, they stirred trouble in every way imaginable.

The federation had branded them as such and made them enemies.

One question lingered, though.

With a Galaxy Spirit constellation ruling this galaxy, how were they uncontrolled?

Silent Starlight—unclear if a galaxy god or an Outer God like me—couldn't manage a single galaxy?

Were they simply left alone for amusement's sake?

"Lord Silent Starlight created the avatar contract laws long ago and then vanished. There's a credible rumor that the federation's leaders have always contracted with the Galaxy Spirit, though."

Basically laissez-faire. The transcendent perspective shone through. Whatever you lot do, as long as it's entertaining.

But wouldn't that risk the federation's collapse against an unbeatable foe? Like a unique cosmic monster variant, or a malicious constellation shaking things up with a cunning plot.

I demanded more details from Yuna for now.

"Even if their power through temporary bodies is unknown, constellations are forbidden by avatar contract laws from exerting their true might... but Silent Starlight doesn't intervene in constellation disputes. Even if some use avatars to destroy the federation."

And...

When the great Galaxy Spirit first revealed itself, all trembled.

The Empire's planet-spirit-killing weapons were mere ant kicks before it. Planet Spirits ruling dozens of star systems learned humility for the first time.

It took the galaxy empire about 200 years to officially contact it after its appearance—showing their caution.

Thankfully, the merciful deity etched the grand avatar contract law across the galaxy and vanished.

"...That's everything on the Galaxy Spirit constellation, Lord Silent Starlight. And..."

"I'll take this guy for now. He was giving my team hell, but you subdued him in seconds. Impressive."

"Ah, got it! Senior!"

Immortals and mortals alike formed the federation out of fear for the Galaxy Spirit's might? Pointless as it might be... driven by dread that all their efforts could crumble to nothing.

I didn't know the exact circumstances, but the mortals had solidified their federation over those 200 years.

"Sheesh. You haven't even messaged me this whole time. I was so bummed."

She pouted a bit, then flashed a bright grin.

"Ah! I found a way that might help with your descent, my lord."

Yuna spoke with a sunny expression. Was she still hung up on the failed descent ritual last time?

She'd left the alley and was heading somewhere. Passersby whispered, catching her talking to thin air. Hearing "avatar," "constellation," and "contract," they'd figured her out.

"That black witch. Turns out she's pretty famous in her star system. Rumors spread about your descent ritual failing eight times, and now avatars are using your descent as a contract condition..."

So, the repeated failures had sparked rumors of me being a powerhouse constellation?

Makes sense. Plenty of avatars had been there. Word spreading online was inevitable.

Whoosh—Yuna pulled out a handheld terminal and searched my constellation name in the avatar community.

Her senses sharpened as an avatar, she dodged people effortlessly even with her head down.

Most posts were in playful tones, so they weren't certain either. Serious analyses mixed with jokes.

"Hehehe... See that? You're getting famous, my lord. Thanks to it, research institutes keep proposing collaborations."

Searching online was fine. But lurking in avatar communities with that creepy laugh was so Yuna.

Still, her everyman vibes were why I'd chosen her as an avatar. They made her endearing.

"The Central Avatar Research Institute—the federation's biggest outfit—offered cooperation too. They're researching near-guaranteed descent rituals..."

I'd heard of the Central Avatar Research Institute. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Maybe on Kairon Planet? Anyway, a famous place showing interest was good.

Could telling them I'm far beyond a Galaxy Spirit aid the descent? Nah. Better hold off. They might label me malicious out of fear and shun me.

I needed to learn more about this world first.

Not that specks of dust could do anything to me, of course...

"My lord...?"

Right. That fleeting thought was the problem. "Specks of dust smaller than dust." My mindset occasionally drifting "upward" like that.

If annoyance led me to shatter dimensional walls and erase the dust... my plan to immerse in "avatar play" and retain some humanity might derail.

"Heehee. Thanks. I'm heading to the malicious constellation avatars' hideout with my senior avatars now. Wanna watch?"

Avatars were my anchors, pinning my humanity in place. Maintaining my mortal persona was the most crucial thing across the universe.

"Hmph! Time to show the results of my training!"

Anyone interfering... even an Outer God from another dimension... would not be forgiven.