Chapter 15: Great Love

“Haaah…”

I entered the bustling marketplace.

The red-haired Follower had just crossed the gates of the Regarium Kingdom.

“…Here.”

She sensed a resonance echoing from deep within her heart.

A very familiar sensation.

The presence of her Love, the God to whom she had sworn to dedicate everything.

It was felt right here.

Though her appearance was unkempt from days without washing, she could tidy herself up now that she had arrived in the Kingdom.

“Father God…”

There must be a great purpose behind His guidance that led her here.

Lisia had no doubt about His leading.

Even though this nation held unpleasant memories, even though it was where a shameful past relationship lay dormant.

Lisia, the special envoy Priest, was ready to rush anywhere He was.

‘First… I need to find the members of our Religious Order.’

She moved, following the vague rumors.

At first, they were incredibly ambiguous, but as she continued to delve, the outlines gradually became clearer.

-In the Regarium Kingdom, a sacred army of Father God is stationed.

She had to figure out what was going on.

With a pious heart, Lisia set out to find the first thing she needed to do.

***

“…Ahem, sniff.”

I made the old man cry.

I didn't intend to go this far, but should I be purely happy about this?

Bella next to me seems quite pleased with the now-clear hierarchy.

‘Why are you happy…?’

Is anything that benefits me good for you too?

Well, not bad.

Edmundo, who had been sobbing for a moment, quickly pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and composed himself.

A King crying in front of others.

If his vassals or knights had seen this, they would have been horrified.

Was forcing the Knight Commander out part of the plan?

This is the perfect confession time.

“For a moment, I was arrogant enough to believe I knew humans very well. But before Lord God, I become a mere child.”

Edmundo, having wiped away his tears, looked much more relieved than before.

“I lost my Queen because of the evil god, and my daughter was betrayed by her fiancé because of the evil god.”

This is a story I know.

It's an episode I actually helped with.

The reason for Edmundo Carsein's cold nature has been mentioned several times.

The story of the King who lost his beloved wife in an attack orchestrated by the evil god.

A man who put aside his personal hatred for the greater good, dedicating himself to the prosperity and stability of his nation.

That was Edmundo Carsein, standing before me now.

“Perhaps it wasn't my daughter who was bewitched by something, but me.”

“Don't blame yourself too much.”

Nothing makes the atmosphere more somber than the lament of an old, old man.

‘So, is it all over now?’

I accepted the King’s apology, and the situation has been mostly normalized.

Can I explore the Royal Palace as I please now?

‘Oh, right.’

“As for the Black Sun Cult you were worried about, I have taken measures on my end.”

“....!”

Edmundo reacted with a startle to my words.

Hmm. Would just saying this make him uneasy?

“As a fellow Constellation, I’m having difficulty eradicating them, but suppressing them is certainly possible.”

I silently summoned the Black Sun's Incarnation.

‘Hey. Do something.’

「Black Sun's Incarnation: Again, again. What do you want me to do...?」

‘Prostrate yourself, or at least show some sign of submission.’

The sins those guys have committed are countless.

Especially their deep-rooted, bitter relationship with the Regarium Kingdom.

They were so desperate to get rid of the Black Sun Cult that they even betrayed me.

「...Do I really have to go this far...?」

A sense of satisfaction washes over me as the Black Sun's Incarnation speaks as if he is the victim.

‘Heh, I feel like annihilating you.’

「....!」

As I offered my kind words, the surroundings were momentarily engulfed in darkness.

“Th-This is…”

Edmundo, a mere human, asked in a trembling voice at the sudden supernatural phenomenon.

“Do not be afraid.”

Even if I tell him not to be scared, it’s unlikely to work.

But it’s important to prove that I'm here.

Within the darkness that pressed down on his shoulders, countless chaos, despair, and pain were imbued.

The bottomless abyss of hell.

A terrifying power that seemed to draw out the primal human emotion, fear.

This was a part of the skill called ‘Eclipse’ used by the Black Sun Cult.

Moreover, since it was cast by their highest authority, its quality was exceptional.

I raised my hand at the opportune moment and emitted Divine Power.

-KIIIEEEEEK!!

Like living beasts, the forms of darkness recoiled and withered away in the face of my Divine Light.

The audience chamber, once shrouded in darkness, quickly returned to its original state.

Edmundo Carsein's face, which I saw again, was pale and dripping with cold sweat.

It was a somewhat drastic measure, but there was no better way to prove myself.

“As long as I am here, innocent people will not suffer.”

‘Father Man has a tight grip on the Black Sun, so rest assured.’

「Black Sun's Incarnation: My authority…」

Ignoring the Constellation with its tail between its legs, I instilled confidence in the King, who was still recovering from the aftermath.

“Oh, Lord God, Father God…”

The King, completely captivated by my performance, praised me with eyes full of faith.

“I will no longer doubt…”

“Huu.”

“I will designate your religion as the national religion and ensure that your teachings are followed throughout the nation.”

“Huu…”

I chuckled softly, but then sensed something strange.

“By designating it as the national religion, you mean…”

“From now on, I and the Regarium Kingdom will live under the grace of Lord God. And all other religions will be purged…”

“...?”

Huh?

No, there's no need for that.

I just wanted a mutually cooperative relationship, not to be advertised at the forefront.

The Religious Order's growth is already at the endgame level, even without advertising…?

And purging other religions.

These words were also quite bothersome.

‘There’s no need to harass them.’

I want a world where everyone is peaceful and happy, not my own dictatorship.

I can respect everyone’s ideals, as long as they aren't radical.

‘That way, there’s more to enjoy.’

Diverse cultures, and diverse beauties.

I'm already excited about the Follower gacha, but religious unification?

‘Diverse beautiful followers... none?’

And to think, in the Regarium Kingdom, which acknowledged religious diversity, eradication?

“Your Majesty of Regarium, there’s no need to go that far...”

“Haha, don’t worry. Even if this old man is senile, I still have the ability to resolve a matter I’ve decided upon.”

Rather than being reassured, he seemed motivated by my concern, laughing heartily as he spoke.

‘That’s not what I meant.’

“I finally have a Realization. The reason Father God descended upon this world is to awaken the world to the true Truth.”

‘That’s not it either.’

It’s just that one morning I woke up like this, and I wanted to laze around with my accumulated wealth.

“I swear on this spot. No, I will make an official announcement.”

‘Uh oh.’

“We, under the protection of Father God, will spread true Love throughout the world...!”

“...!”

Belladis, who was standing next to me, trembled.

I could tell because she was still holding my wrist.

‘No, I don’t want to!’

Where did the excitement of frolicking in a happy flower garden go?

Everyone was excited about raising my reputation.

I feel my blood run cold.

‘What about my vacation?’

[Black Sun's Incarnation: What vacation would a Constellation―]

‘Would you let me go?’

If you ask me to let you go, I can.

To a very distant place where nothing exists.

The Black Sun's Incarnation fell silent for a while at my question.

‘This is crazy.’

This isn’t it. This wasn’t it.

Give the King's daughter a legitimate reason for calling out my name.

Forgive the King to a reasonable extent, and everything ends happily.

Like usual, without interfering with each other’s business, just maintaining a cooperative relationship, like in the old days.

But now, an unwarranted scene of Worship has arrived.

And the fact that those words came from King Edmund’s mouth is even more surprising.

‘We’re not like that.’

Even in the Game, he was blunt, cold-blooded.

Wasn't he the type to disregard Constellations or anything for the sake of national interest?

“Father God...”

I couldn’t understand it at all.

-Move aside!!

Just then, a thorny voice came from outside the door.

-Your, Highness. I was ordered not to let anyone through―

-I said move!

A very forceful momentum.

Then there was a crash, and the heavy door groaned as it slowly opened.

And then.

“Father...!”

Princess Aisella, with a sullen expression, appeared before us.

“What is the meaning of this?”

The King, who had been sobbing just moments ago, quickly regained his poker face.

He coldly glared at the Princess.

“You dare, you dare to defile the name of the Lord God!”

What's with you.

Why are you acting like this?

“Aisella Carsein. I clearly told you to wait quietly.”

“I can’t stand by and watch any longer...! Please, stop this tyranny, Father!”

“...What?”

Time in the audience chamber stopped for a moment.

Not literally stopped, but it felt like my perception couldn’t keep up.

‘Whoa, whoa, whoa.’

I wanted to run over and cover her mouth.

What is this tap-dancing on a perfectly set table?

I finally managed to create a heartwarming, albeit slightly strange(?) atmosphere, and suddenly, what? Tyranny?

From the King's perspective, is there a word that could grate on his nerves more?

“Princess Aisella.”

“Father God!”

The Princess, surprisingly agile in her high heels, ran over and knelt beside me.

‘Oh no.’

Then, she grabbed one of my hands and pressed it against her cheek in a gesture of submission.

“Do not worry, I will protect your will and teachings no matter what.”

‘Who’s protecting what?’

I suddenly had the urge to ‘Stun’ the Princess with a skill.

No, should I really do it?

Putting her to sleep quietly is something I can easily do.

I discreetly glanced at Edmund’s face.

His daughter rubbing her face against the hand of a strange man (a Constellation) right in front of him.

As a King and a father, how must he be perceiving this?

‘Have mercy.’

“...Princess.”

Edmundo Carsein called out to her with a hardened face.

“Even if you drag me away from here right now, I will never back down! No matter what happens, I...!”

However.

“The teachings of the Lord God do not belong to any one person, they belong to everyone.”

The story was already over.

The King, freed from all worries and anxieties,

“If you truly wish to see Him with Love, raise your head and look with a wider Vision.”

Contrary to our expectations, he spoke in a benevolent voice.

“...?”

Surprised by the unexpected reaction, Aisella’s expression was filled with question.

“I will no longer turn a blind Eye to Truth and righteousness.”

Words that shouldn’t have come from the King’s mouth had been spoken.

His daughter pondered the meaning for a while, then widened her eyes as if she had gained a Realization.

“Father, could it be that you mean―”

“He is the master of this land, no, of the world, and the true God.”

“...!”

Tears of emotion welled up in Aisella’s eyes.

The mother and daughter, immersed in the lingering emotion for a while, stood up from their seats as if planned.

“Father.”

“Princess.”

Aisella Carsein covered her mouth with both hands and embraced her father.

I could only watch the situation like a fool.

‘How am I supposed to intervene here?’

I had unintentionally improved the worst father-daughter relationship.

And all in my name.

[Hidden Quest Successful!]

-『Great Love』

‘Oh, please.’

[Some Constellations are in awe of your actions!]

[Some Constellations are hostile towards your existence!]

[A small amount of luck has accumulated.]

[Reward has arrived!]