Demon King and Goddess (1)
"Th-this is insane! No way! The high-grade chimera bestowed by Lord Demon King...!"
"O-ho-ho-ho-hot! This is the power of the god I serve!"
From the conversation between the male avatar beside Beatrix and the demon-like man, it seemed they had been dispatched to a medieval planet civilization...
Did a constellation called the Goddess request aid from the Federation?
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster poses a question about the situation to its second avatar.
"My lord?! When did you arrive-wa yo? I came here as an observer and collaborator with the planetary dispatch force, which has a low technological evolution index-wa yo!"
An observer? Not part of the official dispatch force, then. She must have volunteered in response to the request.
I had a lot of questions, but for now, I'd watch a bit longer. The hunting dogs seemed bigger than last time I'd seen them. What kind of trouble could arise?
"The hero from another world summoned by the Goddess... To think she has the power to summon such monsters. But our Demon King's army..."
"Are you talking about that group of irregulars that ran off that way earlier? Or the homunculi? Subspecies chimeras? Animals mutated using the constellation's supernatural abilities without any sci-tech?"
"...What?"
"Or maybe those wyverns flying through the eastern sky? I took care of them all on the way here, though?"
Those were the words of the Demon King's subordinate and the man who seemed to be leading the avatars.
"Gr... Graaa!! Die!"
"Your supernatural manifestation speed is too slow. You're unskilled in great supernatural combat, too."
The conversation starkly revealed the overwhelming gap in intelligence, but the Demon King's underling flew into a rage and charged anyway. With a casual gesture from the male avatar, he was easily subdued and collapsed.
Now that the situation seemed resolved, it was probably fine to ask Beatrix.
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster asks what brought it to this planet.
"The Goddess of this planet formally requested aid from the Federation-wa yo. And I volunteered personally-wa yo!"
"Beatrix, avatar. Is this the constellation you mentioned before?"
"Yes-wa yo!"
"Oho... If it's that other-dimensional constellation..."
The man, having swiftly handled the cleanup, approached, nodded, and flashed a grin. Then he started chattering toward empty air.
"Whispering Star Cluster, would it be all right if I explained the situation? Believe it or not, I'm the person in charge of the avatar dispatch team, so I know quite a bit."
Beatrix had said she was just an observer and collaborator. Better to hear it from this leader who seemed to know more than her.
I conveyed my approval through Beatrix, and he began speaking with a confident smile.
* * *
Planet Nemesia. A medieval era where iron weapons and feudalism were the norm for civilization level.
This was a place where Single Planet Restricted Spirit Bodies vied for supremacy. The main players were the constellations dubbed 'Goddess' and 'Demon King' by the planet's mortals.
By Federation standards, they were Single Planet Restricted Spirit Bodies who couldn't fully dominate even one planet.
"After thousands of years of conflict, the advantage tilted toward the Demon King."
Facing the loss of planetary control, the Goddess sought help from the Federation. This stemmed from the fact that most mighty mortal nations traversing stars were human-led.
Unlike the Demon King, who sought to wipe out all life and claim the star for itself, the Goddess was worshipped by humans. This difference in power cultivation direction and divine nature changed everything.
"The Federation, being a human nation, naturally sided with the human-friendly Goddess. The Ethics Committee condemned the Demon King as well."
The Goddess, who had coincidentally contacted a Federation fleet during planetary pioneering, instantly recognized their power. The Demon King wasn't a fool either and tried to pull the Federation to its side.
"The constellation called the Demon King... I think its title was King of Falling Collapse? It offered cooperation in exchange for recognition of this planet as its domain..."
The Federation, which even refused human sacrifices, wouldn't accept that. Maybe back in the Galactic Empire days, but not now.
"In the end, it was designated as humanity-hostile and malevolent, and rejected. Meanwhile, the Goddess, Performer of Heavenly Splendor, was properly registered in the Federation database."
Thus, the Federation dispatched three avatars and three space warships for planetary pioneering and civilization development.
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster expresses thanks for the explanation.
"The constellation seems satisfied-wa yo!"
"Hahaha! I'm Altair Xenova. It's an honor if I've been of help to an other-dimensional constellation..."
The man laughed heartily in response. Another female avatar approached and asked him a question.
"But why not just bombard from the ships? They're well-armed, and it should be enough against a Single Planet Restricted Spirit Body constellation."
"Can't be helped. Federation policy is to avoid force as much as possible. We're planning to negotiate first, with Performer of Heavenly Splendor present."
"Negotiate?"
"Yeah. That guy earlier was one of the Four Heavenly Kings or whatever. With all the composite lifeforms down, they'll come out themselves."
Kurrrung-!!!
Sure enough, something shrouded in darkness began descending from the sky, just as he said.
The black darkness took on a humanoid form, and the space along its descent path tore with a deafening roar.
No other planet natives were nearby, but it was a sight that demanded kneeling in worship. A divine power transcending mortal limits. The avatars' faces stiffened slightly at the irregular force ripping through the heavens.
Altair Xenova, leader of the avatar dispatch team, kept a fairly composed expression. But soon, the divinity that spotted the avatars arrived here.
"...Are you the apostles from this 'Federation' place?"
"We meet Constellation, King of Falling Collapse."
"Heh. Heh heh heh... You babble the name the Creator arbitrarily bestowed well. Do you think I'm staying put out of fear of you lot?"
The Creator must be Silent Starlight. Artificial intelligence info-bodies assign constellation names to divinities contacting the Federation, so it fit for a Galaxy Spirit Body.
"Will you hear the words of these humble mortals, O Constellation?"
"Calling a god 'constellation'... A delegation from an empire that traverses worlds has the qualifications. Speak."
"Please stop here and abide by Federation law and ethical regulations."
Having slaughtered humans and other life indiscriminately, they start with negotiation, as expected. Same as with that giant serpent constellation before—no immediate bombardment.
* * *
Unlike its menacing dark-shrouded appearance, the Demon King's voice was surprisingly calm.
"Hmm."
"......"
"Your civilization is hard to believe as mortals. Unlike this world's folk wielding cold weapons aura-coated or honing the power spread by the Goddess."
Aura or knights from my past life's fiction came to mind—cold arms empowered by supernatural abilities. The power the Goddess granted her mortals, probably.
"But do you think you can easily break my will? I will one day surely surpass even the great Creator!"
"Demon King. That's enough."
A phenomenon similar yet different to the Demon King's arrival before the avatars. Silver feathers scattered everywhere, and a beam of light descended from the sky, forming a beautiful goddess.
That must be the Performer of Heavenly Splendor.
"Perfect timing. Goddess. Have you no pride as a divinity? Relying on pathetic mortals to drive me out."
"I doubt you'd understand, thrashing about to elevate yourself while neglecting your duties as a god."
"Duties? Why would a god need such things?"
Ignoring the avatars, the two divinities spewed hatred at each other. Plenty of built-up emotions, it seemed. Their quarrel dragged on.
"No matter how great an empire traversing worlds, you're essentially a mob of mortals. This should have ended as our fight. No pride. No honor, you wench."
"I love this world. Better this than total annihilation by your hand."
"You vermin... Even a vast unifying Federation borrows hands from pathetic mortals?"
The power clash between the two divinities was gradually devastating the area. The avatars were starting to struggle, faces paling.
Then, Altair Xenova, dispatch leader, stepped forward.
"Forgive the interruption of your conversation, O Constellations. Is there truly no room for negotiation?! If King of Falling Collapse yields a bit and promises not to antagonize humanity, our Federation will..."
"Shut up! How dare a mortal interject in gods' talk!!! Even from a world-traversing empire, a mere mortal...!"
"...The Demon King has no intention of relenting. What you see now is its true body."
It should be forbidden for Galaxy Spirit Bodies to manifest their main influence, yet this thing? Recalling its earlier words about surpassing the Creator, its power's nature must warp divinities' tendencies and reason. Truly reckless. Has it lost its mind? Not a Planet God level, so maybe unaware of the gap with Galaxy Spirit Bodies. As a post-Silent Starlight divinity, perhaps no direct encounter.
"No room for negotiation, and this is the Demon King's true body?"
"Yes. Due to high power consumption, I only sent my will. In the Demon King's sudden actions, I'm in no position to help you..."
"I see."
But the avatar Altair, sweating coldly under the pressure, wore a twisted smile. He pulled a small communicator from his inner pocket. One hand extended forward.
Authority manifestation. Ultra-long-range spatial leap.
Flash-
Taking two fellow dispatched avatars, he teleported far away. A powerful superability passed from his constellation, fitting for a dispatch leader.
"Ha. As expected, you don't block spatial leaps. Quite the arrogant constellation."
"What do you plan to do now-wa yo?"
"This."