Malignant Constellation, the Serpent that Devours Heaven and Earth - (3)
[Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster asks if the hunting dog's body hasn't grown a bit.]
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster asks if the hunting dog's body hasn't grown a bit.
"You mean its size, wa yo?"
It definitely felt like it had grown just a tiny bit since the last time I saw it. Its teeth, or something. Hadn't some part gotten a little bigger?
"Mm... now that you mention it, it does seem a bit bigger, wa yo... Is it because we fed it monster meat?"
Beatrix stroked the head of the hunting dog, who was devouring monster meat without a care in the world.
It seemed like the training had paid off—they looked a little closer now. Probably.
By the way, wasn't that hunting dog from the other dimension growing by eating monster meat from over there? Ever since it tore into that planet-eroding monster... that weird flower bud... it had started growing.
"It might be a growth-type summon, wa yo. Researcher! Measure Kaiser here and record his size."
"Your Highness, we've already recorded the physical data on Your Highness's summon. And we've confirmed a slight but significant increase."
"...When did you even record that, wa yo?"
"The footage of Your Highness's活躍 in the planet-eroding monster subjugation battle is racking up high views on GalaxyTube."
They analyzed the footage of the rampaging hunting dog to record its size and abilities? Talk about thorough. And competent, too.
"Then we can't just leave it like this, wa yo!"
Beatrix jumped to her feet, flung open the lab door, and came back with another hunk of monster meat in hand.
"In a week, I have to head to Kairon Planet for training, so I'll max out my summon's growth for early graduation, wa yo!"
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster admires its second incarnation's efforts.
─────
A week passed like that.
Before departing for Kairon Planet, Beatrix made one last appearance before the planet's citizens.
She tossed monster meat to the now-familiar hunting dog and smiled. Naturally, it was being broadcast live on GalaxyTube.
"Hello, everyone, wa yo! This will be my last broadcast before heading to Kairon Planet, wa yo!"
Beatrix placed her hand on the hunting dog's head as it tore into the monster meat. Whether it had grown used to her touch or just found it annoying, the dog showed no reaction.
"After receiving the summon from the Constellation and digging through the network a bit, it seems like since it's a creature from another dimension, there are no comparison specimens, wa yo."
No wonder Whispering Star Cluster stood out. That explained why everyone was so surprised to hear it was an other-dimensional constellation.
Excluding Naiserria, I was the fourth other-dimensional constellation to appear.
"Kairon Planet prohibits video broadcasts, so I won't be seeing you all for a few months, wa yo! In the meantime, my brother Leon will handle communications in my stead..."
Beatrix remained as popular as ever with the planet's citizens. I tossed in a casual support message and looked away.
Lately, I could feel my humanity fading bit by bit.
I was losing interest in 'playing' with my incarnations, and the other dimension held little appeal.
They weren't mortals from this dimension anyway. No need to care.
That was probably why the other-dimensional constellations stayed inactive—same emotion.
I could hold out longer, but I needed to descend to that world soon. Even if it was just a temporary fix.
Especially in this urgent situation.
* * *
The malignant constellation classified as such, Serpent that Devours Heaven and Earth.
Curious about how things were going over there, I turned my gaze back.
I'd already checked out Kairon Planet. No need to watch until Beatrix graduated.
My first incarnation, Yuna, had mentioned contracts where they offered to help my descent in exchange for borrowing her power.
Once this malignant constellation business wrapped up, I could look forward to progress on the descent.
With a flicker of anticipation, I shifted my viewpoint... and found...
"Are you the Constellation, Serpent that Devours Heaven and Earth?"
"That's right! Can't you tell from this form?! If not for the great one's command, I would have come in my true body...!"
A serpent the size of a local back mountain faced off against federation incarnations in a plain.
Yuna was naturally among them.
They didn't seem about to fight just yet. Looked like some important discussion, so I'd watch for now.
The massive serpent hissed as it opened its mouth. Its voice suggested female, but that wasn't important.
"Release my apostles at once."
"We can't do that. Federation law requires punishment even for incarnations who violate ethical standards."
"You're part of a vast empire that crosses stars—surely a few humans vanishing won't matter?!"
"It seems the Constellation is unfamiliar with federation ethical standards."
The elderly male incarnation at the front—likely their leader—calmly rebuffed the divine being.
The incarnations' blank expressions suggested this wasn't their first rodeo, while the serpent constellation grew visibly frustrated at things not going its way.
"You dare defy me with your finite lifespans? If you're banking on your mortal armies from beyond the stars, you'll regret it."
Its vertically slit eyes seemed to emanate some intangible pressure. The incarnations flinched and frowned—reactions varying by personal power.
Yuna's face looked notably better than the others'.
"Of course, if the Constellation revealed its true power, it could wipe us out in an instant."
"Exactly. Then..."
"But you would be designated not just malignant, but a subjugation target. Next time, it won't be incarnations like us—it'll be the fleet. And you might earn the ire of Silent Starlight for using your true power."
They negotiated with the serpent constellation manifested in a temporary body in the material world.
While I wasn't watching Yuna, they'd apparently laid out several strategies. Unknown terms flew: treatment of captured apostles, property damage from the serpent's incarnations.
"As long as you don't violate the Super Galactic Empire Federation's universal ethical laws or interstellar accords, you can make as many incarnations as you want. We can provide substitute offerings for human sacrifices too."
They searched for common ground at length.
The serpent divinity seemed to grasp mortal power dynamics. It looked humiliated but didn't derail the talks.
Not even a Planet Spirit. Against a mere Single Planet Restricted Spirit Body, the mortals clearly held the negotiation advantage.
"How long do you think the great one will shelter you vermin?"
"......"
"The price of calling a god a 'spirit' and debasing it... you will pay someday. No matter how mighty your empire, at its core, it's a nation of mortals."
"...'Federation,' not 'empire.'"
The distinction between empire and federation rang true. It subtly implied inclusion of even immortal constellations.
The talks concluded swiftly.
The Serpent that Devours Heaven and Earth would terminate contracts with its human sacrifice apostles, face activity restrictions for decades, and swear to obey federation law.
In exchange, the Super Galactic Empire Federation would remove the "malignant constellation" label from its database.
Warnings that future issues wouldn't end so mildly, laced with persuasion.
Thus ended the council between immortals and mortals.
"Then, we'll take our leave, Constellation."
"Hmph..."
As the constellation slithered into the mountains in its temporary body and the incarnations cleaned up, I sent a message to Yuna.
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster says it was an impressive sight.
"Constellation?! You saw all that?!"
Yuna scratched her head, looking a bit embarrassed. Was she thinking something? She fidgeted like she'd been caught at a crime scene.
"Uh... um... I heard the federation never pushes this hard against other-dimensional constellations. They're in other dimensions to begin with, after all..."
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster says it doesn't mind.
Did she think I'd be offended by mortals negotiating as equals with an immortal?
But it really didn't bother me. In human terms, it was like an ant colony bargaining with a mantis. Why would I feel displeasure?
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster asks if you're not worried about retaliation.
More than that, I was curious about the incarnations negotiating with the constellation here.
No matter how elite the federation's forces, they risked the constellation's grudge.
"Right. That's why everyone here is contracted to Planet Gods or higher. I heard rank matters a lot in constellation relationships..."
They'd gathered incarnations contracted to constellations of higher rank than that mere Single Planet Restricted Spirit Body serpent.
Made sense. If regular humans had come, it might retaliate secretly after the talks.
"Hm. Ahem! Of course, you'll protect me too, right...?"
Yuna looked up at the sky with slightly trembling eyes.
No message came, and anxiety crept over her face.
"...Constellation?"
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster says not to worry.
"Phew... Oh. And, we might be able to do the descent soon! The Central Avatar Research Institute says they've succeeded in developing a ritual circle specialized for other-dimensional constellation descents!"