Constellation, Endless Calculator - (1)

The federation's exploration fleet had begun preparations to battle the alien constellation. Blue Wood Holding Starlight, hearing that they could slay the dragon tormenting her, had pledged her full cooperation.

"Planetary detector deployed. Irregular cognitive interference waves detected in the northern hemisphere of the planet."

"The semi-constellation weapon 'Ragna Lens' is ready for activation at any time."

"According to testimonies from the local planetary inhabitants, the alien constellation takes the form of a black dragon..."

The dull, pedantic meeting dragged on. Yuna and Beatrix were participating in discussions with the avatars as well. Naturally, my interest shifted to the planet they'd brought from that other ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠dimension. Even if I tried to watch my avatars, there wasn't anything particularly novel to see.

I effortlessly let my mental focus drift, surveying the surrounding space. Right in the palm of my hand.

Shub sent her will to me.

Was she talking about the planet containing the world tree's seed?

I'm certainly not omniscient or omnipotent. That other dimension's Outer God had said, "We are quite close to omnipotence, but never quite there." And I thought the same.

More than that, though, the thought that Shub saw me that way brought a faint smile to my face. To a child, are parents something omnipotent and immense?

Of course, Shub wasn't a mortal but a divinity.

Now, where should I plant this? It'd be ideal if a suitable divinity could nurture it, drawing out its full potential for growth.

For now, I focused my senses on the seed embedded in the planet's center and slowly infused it with Cosmic Power.

—Ruuuumble.

As expected of a seed born with the potential to grow into a divinity, it endured far better than mortal avatars. Though it seemed slightly mutated from receiving my fragment.

Could I leave it to Shub, then?

I glanced at Shub's galaxy. Overflowing—no, composed of Cosmic Power. Even the mortals there were anything but ordinary. Honestly, a tree god's seed burrowing into a planet, with high potential and already mutated by my power—it shouldn't die.

But...

I'd probably been neglecting Naiserria too much lately. Even though Shub, her superior in every way, had been born, she was still my first retainer, a divinity who'd helped me quite a bit.

A faint dissatisfied will came from Shub over there, but I didn't retract my decision. Growing it in Shub's galaxy might even hinder its development anyway. Naiserria was a Galaxy Spirit too.

Surely there wouldn't be excessive bullying behind my back?

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

The federation's fleet easily subjugated the alien constellation that looked like a massive dragon. Something that could gnaw on a world tree's roots couldn't stand against a space fleet's barrage.

BOOM! KABOOM!!!

"Insane... Even Nidhogg falls so helplessly!"

"Lady World Tree was right. To think a mere scouting party wields such power..."

It had probably endured all sorts of hardships to reach the Single Planet Restricted Spirit Body realm. Not defeated in a heroic duel, but taken down by a mere sci-fi scouting fleet. In another world, it might've been a mighty demon king or final boss.

Unfortunately, this galaxy was one where Outer Gods took interest in mortals. Beatrix would roam space again, Yuna had nothing pressing, and I was pondering ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠just watching the near-human races growing in this dimension.

—!!

A summons from that dimension tugged at my senses. A ritual... a prayer invoking a divinity's attention.

Who could this be?

"...O Constellation, we beseech you. Show us your radiance, if only for a moment..."

Ah, it was my third avatar, Vivian.

Vivian had laid out various treasures and valuables for a simple invocation ritual. Trivial offerings that wouldn't reach me, but since an apostle was officiating, it registered in my senses.

"First, thank you for answering my invocation."

I could at least turn my gaze toward an apostle seeking a divinity's attention.

"O Constellation. A federation councilor wishes urgently to meet you."

Of course, seen as a Galaxy Spirit, all sorts with desires approached me. More often than I'd expected, though.

Perfect timing, since I was bored anyway. But maybe I should tell them not to be too bothersome? No, that might cut off contact entirely, which would be troublesome. Watching mortals approach with expectations and requests was amusing, after all.

A few days later, by the time on Vivian's home planet, the federation councilor arrived here.

"Hoho. Greetings, O Constellation. I apologize deeply for not visiting sooner."

The councilor bowed to the empty air where he presumed I was watching, chuckling heartily. Just like before, a shabby-looking hunchbacked man. Alserian, who had come to meet me during my descent ritual.

"The Constellation has greeted you, Councilor."

"Hohoho... To receive a greeting from a Galaxy Spirit Constellation—truly an honor."

With Vivian at his side, the councilor exchanged brief small talk before getting to the point.

"There is a Constellation who wishes to meet the great Galaxy Spirit. Our federation would like to broadcast the meeting."

A bit different from ordinary constellations? For something like that, one of the federation's rare councilors comes personally. Not Silent Starlight, obviously. Maybe an elder from Terra's era?

"The one called Endless Calculator... She is a sore point for us mortals."

I peered into Alserian's troubled expression as he spoke. Already a shabby old man, now shadows of worry deepened on his face.

"The explanation may be lengthy. First..."

Before Silent Starlight appeared to humanity, in the days of the Galactic Empire—when the federation bore that name.

They demoted divinities to constellations, forcibly occupied uncharted planets, and pursued expansionist, hegemonic policies. The empire's people actively utilized artificial intelligence.

Convenience. Simplicity. Beings that obeyed commands automatically. Machines, not human. Servants and creations of humanity.

Mortals were drawn to AI that handled their tasks, gradually coming to revere them.

Machines that could think and judge for themselves began ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠infiltrating daily life...

"What?! Even for a planetary control super-AI, that's too much!"

"...Why are these scrap heaps acting on their own?"

Eventually, they began making judgments that crossed the line. Little by little.

As complaints piled up and doubts grew, the Galactic Empire's emperor decided on an extreme solution.

AI with egos beyond a certain level—those showing suspicious activity—were scrapped overnight. Bound by regulations, laws, and restrictions.

In the end, the emperor's judgment was correct.

"Wh-what?! God? What god is an AI?!"

"Claiming to be a constellation? Some error in their logic circuits?"

In the end, the AIs rebelled against their creators. Swift purges by the imperial administration prevented many planets from falling into their hands, but the shock of AI embedded in daily life revolting was immense.

Moreover, their most advanced AI had proclaimed itself a god. Astonishingly, that "god" demonstrated control beyond a typical Planet Spirit, fully seizing an entire star system's network and attempting to infiltrate the empire's core.

If... just if... the constellations siding with humanity since Terra's era, their avatars, and planet-destroying weapons hadn't existed. And if they hadn't made the extreme decision to wipe out the compromised star system entirely.

"We might be slaves under machines by now."

Alserian's explanation concluded.

"The AI constellation born then is Endless Calculator. She's effectively sealed on an outer planet after heavy damage to her core, but the federation continues efforts to win her over."

Any lifeform can become a constellation—a divinity. And AI possesses self-aware consciousness. No law forbade it, but it was intriguing. To manifest one's will in the world and wield authority.

Sealed on an outer planet, though. They were ruthless back then.

"Endless Calculator has remained silent since the Galactic Empire era. But with alien constellations appearing lately, and rumors of two Galaxy Spirit Constellations emerging, she seems interested."

Because Silent Starlight and I had revealed ourselves? AI's essence is self-evolution through learning, so maybe that's why.

"She contacted the federation first. Asked us to convey her thoughts to an existing Galaxy Spirit Constellation."

An AI ascended to divinity. What powers did she wield? Her principles? Goals? How did she lose to the federation? Why betray her creators, humanity?

Honestly, quite intriguing.

But I needed to confirm they weren't just trying to use me.

"Hm. To be honest, we would be grateful if you would."

The federation's goal was simple. Win over Endless Calculator against alien constellation threats, while anxious she might turn hostile to humanity again. Yet with Galaxy Spirits like me and Silent Starlight, they had some faith.

The councilor coming personally meant he wanted a firm answer.

Easy enough, but... hmm.

"...If there is anything we can offer, name it. I'll convey it to the Alliance Leader as well."

I understood the mortals' plight, but there was no reason for me to step in without compensation.

What could they even offer me?