Descent Ritual - (3)
"Greetings. I am Alserian, sent from the Council of Stars, oh divine being from another dimension who holds galaxies beneath your feet." This shabby old man's introduction silenced everyone. The Council of Stars—he'd openly declared himself one of the top twenty powerholders in the Super Galactic Empire Federation. But it stirred no particular emotion in me. What caught my interest instead was my first incarnation, Yuna.
"C-Councilor...? No way... really...?" Her cowed demeanor at the appearance of a mortal with such authority. That was what intrigued me. Unlike Beatrix, who had been a planetary princess, Yuna's reaction was utterly that of a commoner. Seeing one of my apostles shrink before such a powerbroker wasn't unpleasant at all. If anything, it was fascinating—like observing standard behavioral patterns. I wondered when she'd realize her own position and show a changed side. She might be oblivious, but the federation's upper echelons already seemed to have some inkling about me.
A mortal's mind is influenced by their body. Humans, as social creatures, alter their attitudes based on social status. The honor, power, fame, her own strength, and the constellation behind her—all granted in a short time through our contract. If she became a bit more aware of her place among mortals...
No. It's wrong to think of my incarnations this way. Even if it's natural, even if it's the expected attitude for a god. What I aim for is my past humanity.
[Constellation Whispering Star Cluster conveys: A councilor or whatever—it's no big deal to me.]
"Constellation..."
"Yuna? Even if it's a councilor, we're incarnations contracted to a god from another dimension—one of the few in the federation! Don't get so flustered-wa yo!"
Yeah, time to lower my gaze quickly. This was getting hard to endure.
"Hoho. Indeed. Especially since you're an incarnation of one who stands equal to Silent Starlight."
Equal to a known galactic ruler... From the perspective of dust, you can't compare a human to a mountain. Even I, watching from "above," had held back judgment on their stature until meeting them directly—unable to see the essence of those specks. Had they classified me at the maximum they could comprehend?
But it didn't matter. As long as it helped with the descent.
[Constellation Whispering Star Cluster asks its incarnations to relay the conversation.]
"Originally, the Chairman should have come, but he's quite busy, so I've come in his stead. Please don't be too angry."
The old man bowed again. Through my incarnations—who could receive my messages—our indirect conversation began.
"We will spare no support for your descent, that you may enjoy our world."
What do you want?
"We would be grateful if the great one acknowledged the efforts of us lowly mortals."
Are you hoping I'll keep Silent Starlight in check?
"Hoho. How could I ask such a thing of one from another dimension? I merely worry for humanity's well-being."
And?
"If you descend into the material realm, we would like to invite you to our federation's capital planet, Solaryon."
Is that all?
"If it's not too presumptuous, I have one final request."
Speak. I'll grant it if I can.
"Until the federation makes an official announcement, please keep hidden the fact that you are a galactic ruler. We anticipate confusion among our cluster..."
Calling their nation a "cluster." Interesting.
After that brief exchange, the federation councilor departed. I shrank my information entity's viewpoint and shifted it beyond the Central Avatar Research Institute. A fleet leaving the planet's atmosphere—clearly the one the councilor had arrived in, but I paid it no mind.
They must have figured me out from the institute's reports. Failed descent rituals here. Other-dimensional constellation at least a Planet Spirit. Abnormally strong Yuna and Beatrix. They'd pieced it together from circumstances, past experiences, and close observation.
Yeah. Maybe it's better if they see me as a Galaxy Spirit. Easier to grasp than some incomprehensible terror. A powerful god among the galaxy's elite—but familiar, like others in this dimension.
"The constellation really rules a galaxy-wa yo?!"
"Ugh... I should've realized last time when you said it wasn't a Planet Spirit...!"
It would be good for my incarnations' mental health too. Less shocking to be contracted to a Galaxy Spirit than a monster that sees galaxies as dust.
They were already rattled. No need for more shock.
I had to act within mortals' comprehension. They reject and fear what they can't understand—it's survival instinct. I liked my incarnations and wanted to stay close to them. Their actions, words, attitudes toward life—they all pleased me. No reason not to adjust for that one thing.
[Constellation Whispering Star Cluster shrugs: Only now realizing how amazing I am?]
"But for the constellation to rival Silent Starlight! I was truly flustered-wa yo!!"
"My power was weirdly strong... Turns out it's because I'm contracted to a Galaxy Spirit constellation..."
"I never expected the federation councilor to come in person, not possessing a cyborg or doll that uploaded the ritual-wa yo."
I'd approached on human terms to seem friendly, but they were still reeling. There might be a bit of distance for a while. Unavoidable. Still, it was kinda cute, so I could overlook it.
Oh, right—he'd invited me to the capital planet. Didn't seem like Alserian's solo idea. If I ever visited Solaryon...
Yeah.
[A message has arrived for the other-dimensional constellation from the Supreme Administrator.]
["It's my first time seeing a being equal to this lady. Next time, let's meet and talk."]
I might get to meet that Outer God—the one information beings called the Supreme Administrator—face to face.
After Councilor Alserian of the Supreme Council left, my descent ritual proceeded with the final trio's power.
Black witch, Selene Arcana.
Senior researcher at the Central Avatar Research Institute, John-Jerard.
Director of the Central Avatar Research Institute, Vivian.
"To perform a Galaxy Spirit constellation's descent ritual with my own hands!"
"John-Jerard. Please don't make such a fuss. It might annoy the constellation watching from above."
"Isn't the director surprised at all?! A second Galaxy Spirit! From another dimension, no less?!"
"Yes. I took an emotional suppressant."
"......"
Scenes like this really drove home that they were mortals confined to one galaxy. Despite the grand name Super Galactic Empire Federation, they were just pioneering a single galaxy. I'd look into the federation's origins later. For now, descent was urgent. I was really hitting my limit.
"Yuna. Spar with me-wa yo!"
"Eek?! Your summons are hard to hit because of space jumps."
"You two. It's time to assist."
As the researchers prepared the ritual descent, their message to me was simple: If they opened a one-time channel between here and there, I could descend whenever I wanted.
"This time, we can succeed. The federation leadership will go all-out for a 'Galaxy Spirit' constellation's descent."
"No, Director! Isn't that rude...!"
"Gasp."
With the councilor's full support, the offerings piled up massively. Mountain-sized chunks carved and machined via magitech. Relics from incarnations with storied achievements. Artifacts crafted from alien monsters. And what was that planet-eroding monster processed via genetic engineering into a homunculus? Didn't that violate federation ethics?
Asking through Yuna's mouth brought a straightforward reply. John-Jerard and Vivian spoke matter-of-factly.
"Ah, monsters have no rights, Constellation."
"If we did that to federation members or similar humanoid species, it'd be the death penalty. But monsters are exceptions."
Got it. Monsters as total enemies, then. Conversely, that meant they had the tech. Maybe genetic manipulation was rampant in the past.
"Your guess is correct, Constellation. During the old Galactic Empire era, unethical experiments were endless."
"D-Director... that's..."
"Senior Researcher. The one before us is an other-dimensional Galaxy Spirit and her incarnations."
Before science advanced to extremes, human lives were sometimes treated as resources—experimental ones, even. No laws restrained it then. The few divinities were labeled spirits, defeated in war, and reduced to battered forms. The Galactic Empire's atrocities continued until the interstellar accords.
If I'd seen the Galactic Empire instead of the Super Galactic Empire Federation, I might have turned hostile to preserve my humanity. No matter the dimensional walls—I wouldn't have left them be just because I couldn't smash through. Even if that dimension's Outer God refused, I might have destroyed the empire anyway.
"That's the core of a monster that eroded an entire planet. Even 30% would summon a Planet Spirit constellation, but at this size..."
Gazing at the mountain of offerings in the massive ritual array, I broadened my horizons. That dimension's Outer God. Galaxy Spirits. Space Age mortals... The federation's citizens.
"Then. This time, we will succeed in the Whispering Star Cluster's descent ritual."