Constellation, Blue Wood Holding Starlight - (3)
As the Super Galactic Empire Federation's territory expands, new constellations are discovered periodically. There are an incredible number of divinities in this galaxy. And plenty of areas the Federation hasn't explored yet. Naturally.
It's not uncommon for multiple constellations to inhabit a single planet.
"Space monsters that have ascended to constellation rank versus your standard constellations. It's obvious which side we should take, but we'll still need to run confirmation procedures."
"We'll attempt contact with the constellation presumed to be a Single Planet Life Tree."
A delegation was assembled immediately. Yuna stayed with the fleet, while my incarnation Beatrix joined them. That's what incarnations are for in special cases like this or when making first contact with constellations. Some constellations won't even talk to anyone who isn't an apostle of another divinity...
"7th Orbital Battery and 3rd Gravity Mine Layer holding the alien constellation's influence at bay."
"Watch for ship infiltrations and mental domination."
"If the planet's constellation approves resupply requests, we'll send down search teams."
One section of the warship opened, and a small shuttle descended toward the planet. Destination: the sector of the constellation presumed to be a Single Planet Life Tree.
A short time passed.
I shifted my viewpoint to Beatrix as she disembarked from the shuttle. The delegation was just making contact with the locals. The planet's inhabitants... Well, what did I expect? Elves, of course.
"We know you're foreigners who fell from the sky. The World Tree-sama told us."
"Eek?! This side has a World Tree-sama too-wa yo?!"
"...How do you know of the World Tree-sama? Answer."
"Beatrix incarnation. Step back a moment. I'll handle the talking."
Switching viewpoints revealed archers surrounding the delegation, bows drawn. But they were primitive long-range weapons. With the delegation made up entirely of incarnations, there wasn't much tension. Pointed ears, pale skin. Lithe bodies and vigilant stances with bows at the ready. Aside from reminding me of Beira, Yuna's friend, they looked just like the medieval civilization Beatrix had visited before.
One incarnation from the delegation stepped forward cautiously.
"We're not here to be hostile. It seems like your constellation... no, your god summoned us. We won't resist, so could you let us meet them?"
"......"
"If you're worried about our weapons, we'll disarm. Surely you wouldn't attack us unarmed..."
The bows and arrows seemed to glow faintly green. Divine powers granted by their god, probably. More elven than the elves under that planet-spanning great tree. Heh.
"Promise you won't be rude to the World Tree-sama."
"Of course. Respect for constellations is a given."
"...Follow."
The World Tree growing on one side of the planet. It looked unmistakably younger than the Sky-Supporting Great Tree, but still clearly ancient. Divinity isn't something you achieve overnight, after all. Even for a planetary World Tree born with the potential.
It takes ages to grow that big. At least a few hundred years, for sure.
Of course, how I became an Outer God is still a mystery. Why I transformed like this. There are so many unresolved questions, but my instincts scream not to dig too deep...
"Hello?! You guys are visitors from outside this world, right?!"
A voice far too bright and innocent for something that had lived centuries. The Federation delegation had arrived at the massive tree. That clear, ringing voice had emanated from the tree itself. Obviously the planetary World Tree.
A cute little bonsai. Might be fun to raise one in my dimension.
"...Are you this planet's constellation?"
"Constellation? Oh, this? They call me Blue Wood Holding Starlight? Kyarruk!!! I love that name!"
AI information body manifesting in midair.
The AI info body appeared because they'd made contact with Federation folks.
"This little thing showed up because of you guys? The one who made it feels super big. Is that one protecting you...?"
The young planetary World Tree, Blue Wood Holding Starlight, spoke up energetically. The Sky-Supporting Great Tree had mentioned seeing kin when it was just a seed. Was this the one?
"Does the constellation know about civilizations beyond the stars?"
"Yeah, more or less?"
"Then, could you take a look at this? We always show it to new constellations."
The elves watched the Federation intro hologram with curious eyes, while the World Tree fell silent. It'd be nice if there were trees of that size in this dimension. Not an old one like the Sky-Supporting Great Tree. One as cute as this would be perfect. Beatrix was with the delegation, so I could ask through her. Introducing her to that lecherous old tree full of dirty thoughts might not be ideal for such a young(?) tree.
"As you can see, think of us as a patrol fleet traveling between stars. There's an alien constellation in your world that's..."
"So you'll take care of the guy keeps trying to gnaw my roots for me?"
"Entirely possible. Imagine those massive steel ships flying up in the sky..."
Before bringing that tree over, I should try making one first. No need to fetch from that dimension if I can create one with my powers. Like Shub. Let's make a divinity with that sensation.
Viewing that dimension takes conscious effort. But just a little. A tiny shift of focus or glance around, and the universe appears. Silent black space. No longer completely quiet now that Shub and the others are there.
When I made Shub, what was I thinking? Granting powers to the creation... I peeled off fragments of my body and infused immortality and more.
—!
Near Shub's dimension would make size control easier. Obviously smaller than her.
Scale it down. Not fully alive and moving—infuse will into a plant-like form.
At that point, it hit me: I don't actually know much about World Trees. The species called Planetary World Tree encompasses the entire world. "World" could mean a single planet, but maybe the universe too? The Sky-Supporting Great Tree said cosmic power filled the area when it was born. At minimum, its potential should rival a galaxy...
—!!!!
World Tree Forest
[Father. Creation. What?]
Shub's will reached me, and something tiny appeared above my right hand. A lush forest of black trees, each the size of a planet. Overall, about star system scale? Life and divinity pulsed from it. But no will.
Like the whole forest counted as one divinity. I'd meant to make a tree... but ended up with a forest. A living forest in space. How do you even grow that? It doesn't look great, and it's clearly a failure. Kinda squirming a bit too. What the heck is it?
It's alive, so killing it feels wrong. But sticking it in a corner somewhere...
[Father. That. Shub. Want. Please.]
[You want this? What for?]
Felt like Shub was staring with sparkling eyes. No actual eyes, of course, but that intent came through.
She really wants it?
[Offspring. Create. Hobby. Cultivate. Multiply.]
[You want to raise your creations there...? Hmm...]
She wants to use my forest to breed offspring. What to do?
[Please. Father. Give Shub.]
...Please?
I handed the star system forest to my cute daughter Shub. Back to that dimension. Yeah, just grab a tree from there. My powers still aren't quite up to making a proper World Tree. Easier to import one.
The delegation had unpacked in the elf village and was hearing about the alien constellation—a dragon gnawing the World Tree's roots. They'd agreed to use the fleet to exterminate it and join the Federation. The elves, the tree's creations, objected, but the divinity's will was firm.
"N-No! Dear tree, World Tree-sama! How can you..."
"We can't trust everything they say! Please reconsider!"
"Sheesh. Be quiet. Space really exists, and they're telling the truth."
Throwing a tantrum like a kid. Yep. If she's firm on it, time to bring her to this dimension. A little space sprout blooming in the void sounds fun to raise. Not in Shub's mega-galaxy, but safe from cosmic power. Stick her in a small galaxy and observe?
Decision made, I called Beatrix. The best part of incarnation contracts? They relay my will perfectly.
The Constellation Whispering Star Cluster has a message for the World Tree.
"Leave it to me-wa yo! My lord! What message shall I convey-wa yo?!"
The Constellation Whispering Star Cluster says he wants a bonsai for a pet.
Beatrix froze solid, eyes blinking.
"...My lord?"
Ah. The constellation message got mangled again.