The Third Incarnation - (3)
The planet world tree manifested in human form continued to speak.
"Heh heh heh... It seems those repulsive things have become gods across generations. Though they're just fledglings at best."
"Fledglings, huh."
"Indeed. To scatter their bodies so indiscriminately—they must've gotten injured fighting mortals."
The Sky-Supporting Great Tree's level was that of a Single Planet Restricted Spirit Body, close to a planetary spirit body.
Thus, it couldn't fully grasp the power of this purple tentacle.
First. This tentacle was but a fragment not even qualifying as part of a body. For a human, less than a fingernail.
Second. The original owner of these purple cells was estimated to be at least a Planet Spirit ruling dozens to hundreds of star systems.
Third. This wasn't some injured blood droplet. It was a natural remnant, like dead skin sloughing off human flesh.
Planet-devouring lifeforms or erosive monsters occasionally rivaled gods in power, but they were essentially distant from true divinity.
But this was different.
"I don't know which fledgling monster god is antagonizing the mortal empire, but isn't it enough to pique your interest?"
Reminded me of what Vivian had said recently when she came to see me. She'd mentioned that the level of monsters like the Cosmic Insect Swarm was rising.
This might be connected.
Perhaps they were building power in regions beyond the Super Galactic Empire Federation's reach?
There could be more planetary god-level kin, or even a higher entity it relied on.
As a high-dimensional divine being, my intuition sensed a group antagonizing the mortal federation—almost tangible.
A faint malice emanating from beyond, clearly targeting this place.
Including my incarnations.
"Unless born with sacred bones, reaching divinity is hard, but instinct-driven monsters prove life can attain godhood too."
But whatever mischief they were up to, unless they matched the galaxy spirit Silent Starlight in level, it would be futile.
That dimension had an Outer God equal to me, and galaxy spirits as its kin... Ah.
I briefly considered that dimension's Outer God. Specifically, the half-mad absolute one wandering in search of amusement.
If the federation got devoured by giant monsters, it'd just cackle with laughter if it found it entertaining.
Its kin, Silent Starlight. Carnos? No issue there.
If the Outer God was pleased, the kin wouldn't dream of rebellion.
Among everything heard so far, this is the most intriguing information.
"Then... Will you grant me a chance to become your kin?"
"Really aiming to stand equal with the mortal incarnations? Is enduring such humiliation worth it?"
"Heh heh. Isn't it obvious?"
Was that truly the goal?
I could nurture a small tree, but regrettably, it wasn't the answer I sought.
"It was intriguing. But unfortunately, not the response I wanted."
"Hmm. I see."
A hint of disappointment, but it seemed to accept and prepare to leave.
Then, glancing back, it added one more word.
"Ahem! You seem interested in bizarre lifeforms from other dimensions. If there's anything you desire, I'll gather more information."
"No need. If another planet world tree is discovered, they'll inform me directly, so rest easy."
"Of course. Heh heh..."
From its demeanor, it was brimming with desire to impress me.
Having to deliver young, tender saplings to that ancient grandpa tree...
...Come to think of it, that was a bit odd?
After the planet world tree Sky-Supporting Great Tree departed,
I briefly gathered my incarnations.
To ask if they'd heard anything about anomalies in the federation.
"Um... Suspicions like that have always lingered. Swarms orchestrated by monsters, or malignant constellations exiled beyond federation borders plotting conspiracies..."
Constellation Whispering Star Cluster questions the federation's complacent response.
"That's... they all turned out groundless. Some monsters looked off since the Terra era, but we chalked it up to evolution and moved on..."
"Does the Lord suspect a divine being behind the monsters?!"
Constellation Whispering Star Cluster affirms.
But even seeing my messages, the incarnations reacted with apathy.
More like they figured, 'It'll be fine, right?'
"Hehe. Worrying about us from another dimension? Our liege is contracted to a galaxy spirit, after all."
"Exactly-wa yo. It's public knowledge you're contracted across generations, so even if outer space stirs, the federation won't fall-wa yo!"
This was the gap in perception.
With a galaxy spirit safeguarding the federation, the incarnations believed no problems would arise.
To such incarnations... I couldn't possibly reveal the truth: that the galaxy spirit was merely a servant to an Outer God, one who'd delight in total extinction if it amused them.
Information far beyond what humans could handle.
"Ahem! Lord worries excessively. We're grateful for your concern for mortals, but doesn't Silent Starlight think similarly?"
Perception gap. Information gap. Viewpoint gap.
I was originally mortal, still clinging to traces of humanity.
But what of that dimension's innate Outer God or galaxy spirits?
To divinities ruling galaxies, barely visible mortals were worth less than tumbling dust.
Constellation Whispering Star Cluster warns not to trust Silent Starlight too much.
"Pardon?"
This much should be fine.
That the purple tentacle brought by the Sky-Supporting Great Tree was a fragment from a high-level monster.
Constellation Whispering Star Cluster asks you to hear its story.
I wrapped up the explanation with somewhat uncomfortable constellation messages.
Planet world tree. Purple tentacle. Planet Spirit. Dead skin-like fragment.
"So the Lord's words mean evil gods from outer space are targeting the federation-wa yo?"
Who knows. Maybe a grudge from before they reached that level.
Or perhaps they lusted to challenge a galaxy spirit.
I just hoped my incarnations wouldn't get dragged in and die pointlessly.
"If such a monster constellation truly exists, how would we respond?"
"Federation law states combat avatars must protect citizens from all threats-wa yo. Beyond that, there's the apostle summons order..."
"Head to outer space to fight?"
"It's noblesse oblige-wa yo! Ohohohot!!!"
Noblesse oblige. The moral duty and responsibility of society's elite.
This world even had that concept.
"Hmm... If the Lord is still concerned, shall we petition the federation? We could at least push for more outer space expeditions."
"Right-wa yo. The federation can't ignore the Lord's words-wa yo."
Constellation Whispering Star Cluster affirms.
Actually, wouldn't it be better to prepare some enticing bait to sway Silent Starlight and that Outer God?
Rather than prepping for war with Cthulhu, creating a culture appealing to the Outer God's eyes might win their aid.
I left the classification to the incarnations for now and surveyed this dimension.
Specifically, the fingernail-sized galaxy floating idly by my right hand.
The space I'd created.
As always, in my quiet personal universe, I pondered affairs in that dimension.
Mortals differ from immortals.
They die all too easily, bound by fixed lifespans.
Even my incarnations, mutating into a new race with part of my essence, were no exception.
Just like other humans.
Equal before divinity.
Awkward to beg that Outer God or galaxy spirits to protect mere mortals.
If I did, that self-styled "this lady" Outer God would tease me mercilessly for millennia.
■■■ What feeling was this?
Like a neighbor raising an ant farm for fun, and I'd gone and named one of the ants... even empowered it.
The problem? An anteater lurking nearby, eyeing the whole colony.
If the farm got wiped out, the neighbor would just laugh it off as amusing.
It's their farm, so I couldn't interfere lightly.
They knew about my favorite ant, but smashing down their door to save it would spark a fight.
A tricky situation.
...But what could I do?
I'd already grown attached to those ants. Time to find a way.
Naiserria.
You called, O Great One?!
If a mortal you're attached to is targeted for harm, what would you do?
Mortals are the property of divinities by nature. Harming property...
Gods this, mortals that. In conclusion: punishing brigands stealing one's possessions was only natural.
But that wasn't what I wanted to hear.
Rephrasing the question. If an incarnation you created in that dimension were slain by another god, what would you do?
Baston—or was it Gaston?—the rock alien. That was Naiserria's incarnation.
Some mild displeasure, but nothing like extreme rage.
Not a big deal?
Yes. And aren't mortals' affairs for mortals to resolve? Apostles are different, but even then, another dimension...
That might be typical divine thinking.
From Naiserria's words, she mostly left her incarnation in that dimension to its own devices—perhaps due to the dimensional gap, interest was low.
Mortals handle their own affairs.
Fair enough. Me personally intervening for a mortal apostle in peril from another dimension wouldn't look good.
I gazed briefly at the massive galaxy hovering near my right hand.
Something inspirational seemed on the verge of surfacing.
If I was reluctant to step in directly...