Chapter 16
The Black Sun's Incarnation had defected.
One of the Constellations, gathered to usher in a new era for this land, had already vanished without a trace.
A Religious Order once infamous worldwide.
Even if their power had waned.
Their sudden disappearance overnight was impossible.
-Annihilated?
-No. Their Religious Order is intact.
-Then, that means they've changed their allegiance.
The answer was simple.
However, the suspicious point was their clean disappearance without a trace.
Similar to the vanishing of the Constellation who had been tyrannical.
-Is something happening that we don't know about?
-Perhaps. That's why we need to move faster.
They were Constellations, yet not arrogant, and planned for the future.
Entities with a strong desire for survival.
-It seems we'll need more collaborators.
-Increase our competition here?
-That's a crazy idea.
-No, it's not that crazy.
Whatever the means, as long as 'that bastard's' Religious Order is erased from the world.
The time they've been rooted is long for all of them, and even if another power joins now, its influence will only be temporary.
-So, are we opening the 'Door'?
-It's premature, but it's not a bad idea to keep in mind.
'Go back, you lunatics.'
If a Constellation already under someone's control had seen this, they would have shouted.
Unfortunately, the one who could advise them had long fallen into slavery.
#
[Hidden Quest reward has arrived!]
: Elite Follower Acquisition Ticket x1
Amidst the grim mood, the reward was so appealing that
my capitalist heart started pounding on its own.
Follower Acquisition Ticket.
It literally meant a chance to gacha a new Follower.
Pulling is always new and exciting.
There could be bad results, but wasn't there a prefix to prevent that?
'If it's Elite.'
It was one of the ways to significantly raise the lower limit.
Nice.
I closed the reward tab and observed the situation unfolding before me.
"Sob...! Father! Finally...!"
"I'm sorry, Aisella. Forgive your incompetent father."
'No. Where's your pride?'
Is the King usually this quick to concede?
At least in my common sense, and from the data accumulated about Edmund in the Game, this was a stark contrast.
[Black Sun's Incarnation: Wasn't it all planned?]
'Planned what?'
[Starting with the Regarium Kingdom, preparations to swallow the whole world, that is.]
'Don't say such dangerous things.'
What about my Playtime if everything is swallowed up?
Managing each country, the conflicts due to cultural differences, would I even have any time left?
I absolutely can't stand that.
Even if I place trustworthy people from our side, since I'm ultimately the decision-maker.
I can never turn a blind Eye to responsibility.
'Responsibility without pleasure?'
[Black Sun's Incarnation: .....]
'Don't you ever say such things anywhere.'
Whew, anger welled up after a long time.
Insulting me is fine, but I can't stand anything interfering with my Playtime.
I want to enjoy everything now that I've become a god.
"Then, will the announcement be made tomorrow...? Father?"
"There are still matters to discuss with the ministers, but it won't take long."
"As expected...!"
I decided to interrupt the father and daughter who were rapidly progressing.
"Excuse me..."
"What is it, Lord God?"
"While I'm eternally grateful for what you're giving me, I think it would be better to take your time and proceed slowly."
"What you mean is..."
The expressions of the father and daughter subtly hardened.
"I still have some matters to attend to."
There are matters.
So, it's difficult for me to stay in one place.
'Ah. Anyway, there are matters.'
Please, just set me free.
"Although we succeeded in suppressing the Black Sun Cult, there are still many forces of evil gods who enjoy the suffering of others in the world."
There are countless numbers if I count them one by one.
From the minor gods with weak presence, to the large Religious Orders like the Black Sun's Incarnation.
That was why this Game had no ending.
There was Progress similar to an ending, but it never forced an 'end' on the user.
Not only are the Constellations difficult to eliminate by design.
They dispersed their forces like a multi-level marketing scheme, making them difficult to subdue.
I decided to utilize these settings and characteristics instead.
"There are many things to do before that. I need to gather my children. I haven't properly informed them of my return yet."
"Ah...."
Princess Aisella, after hearing my words, seemed to grasp the situation belatedly.
'Let's strengthen our internal affairs first.'
I had to normalize the Followers who had entered their own self-destructive spiral because of me.
It was good that I was able to Cover for Lisia and Belladis from the beginning, but there were still other Followers to deal with.
I wondered if I raised them with too much affection, as their scale and diversity were considerable.
'Wait just a little longer.'
I wanted to reunite with 'them' again soon.
And for that.
"...For the time being, I intend to hide the fact that I used 'Summon'."
"....! Father God, why?"
Aisella made a tearful face, and Belladis stiffened beside her.
I could feel both of them burning with the desire to Worship me as soon as possible.
I pondered another good excuse in my Head.
'Let me breathe too.'
My Head started to pound.
What reason should I give this time?
[Black Sun's Incarnation: If you don't want to wait, just don't tell them.]
'What?'
Suddenly, a cowardly Constellation spouted nonsense.
Now that I think about it, it wasn't a bad plan.
‘Not bad at all.’
“The Black Sun's Incarnation: Constellations are meant to answer, not to interact and discuss.”
Arrogance. And the immense faith that backs it up.
‘He’s actually making sense for once?’
Thinking about it, he’s right.
Is there a need to make them understand?
If I give them instructions, teachings, and Realizations…
Finding the hidden meaning within them is solely the Followers' responsibility.
‘Was I thinking too humanly?’
I momentarily forgot the significance of my position.
“Hufufu.”
Regaining my composure, I put on a subtle smile once more.
“I have a feeling that doing it that way would be best.”
“...!”
As soon as I conveyed my intent, the two, no, three of them immediately backed down.
‘Why you too?’
Bella, watching me furtively like a puppy caught in the act.
She’s so hard to read, I just let it be.
But it’s rude to just leave her like that, so should I divert her attention elsewhere?
“There is one thing I can tell you.”
I paused for a moment.
When delivering extraordinary news, timing is key.
“Something good will happen to the Regarium Kingdom soon.”
“...!!”
‘Ah. Whatever it is, something good will happen.’
[The Black Sun's Incarnation: ...Is something actually going to happen?]
‘Like I’d know. I’m just taking credit for anything good that happens.’
Or not.
This is what true, consequence-free pleasure feels like.
‘Thrilling.’
Leaving the speechless Black Sun's Incarnation behind, I finally exited the audience chamber.
As I headed back to my room, escorted by the Knight-Commander just like before, Belladis, who had remained silent until now, approached me.
“Y-You’ve worked hard, Father God…”
“Nah, just a few words. Bella’s the one who worked hard standing there.”
At my words, Belladis trembled again, overwhelmed with emotion.
Such a cost-effective reaction.
Now, what's left is…
Preparing to return to our paradise, the Sanctuary.
That’s our main base anyway, and I need to activate a lot of the inactive objects.
So that my Followers can live well without wandering aimlessly.
‘I want some free time.’
Is it finally time to use this?
I pulled out the item resting in my inventory.
“Lord God, that is…”
“Do you know what this is?”
[Hermit's Veil (+9)]
An item.
And it’s even safely enhanced to the max.
-Swish.
I put the hood over my head.
“...!”
Belladis was visibly flustered by the sudden disappearance of my presence.
Avoiding her bewildered gaze, I grabbed Bella’s shoulder from behind.
“Eek…!”
“Amazing, right?”
“E-Even though I can’t see you, I can feel you, Lord God…! Because I can’t see you, my other senses are sharper…!”
“....”
Hmm.
Releasing Bella at the right moment, I removed the Veil.
Now, no one outside will recognize me.
“I’m thinking of going out with this on.”
There’s still a lot I haven’t done.
Or rather, the reason I entered the Royal Palace hasn't been fulfilled.
New food! And entertainment!
I wanted to experience the now real Game environment with my own body.
“F-Father God. But the outside is…”
“Bella can be with me.”
“Huh?”
Belladis, who was spacing out, hurriedly accepted my offer.
“I will protect you even if it costs me my life ten times over…!”
“You don’t have to go that far.”
Anyway, I'm glad she's happy.
“Shall we go then?”
Excited, I led the equally excited Bella towards the window of the guest room.
And then, without any hesitation, I jumped.
-Whoosh!!
Just like before, a pair of wings unfolded, steadily supporting our weight.
Looking at the people diligently working below, they seemed completely oblivious to our presence.
‘It’d be weird if they did notice.’
Unless they were one of the top Archmages in the world, they wouldn’t be able to sense me.
Even then, it wouldn't be easy.
The gap between a player and a Game character in this world was about that much.
“Let's sweep through the Church first.”
Might as well do some work while I'm at it.
If I just approach the inactive Sanctuary, things will take care of themselves automatically.
‘Just up to that point.’
I want the information about the Summon to spread to my Followers a little later.
So I can move around more comfortably.
‘Let’s go!’
And so.
Just as I was about to leisurely enjoy the scenery of the Regarium Kingdom spread before my eyes…
-KABOOM!!
“Kyaaa!”
“Wh-What’s going on…!”
“A-A meteorite is falling from the sky!”
Stunned by the unidentified holy rock suddenly falling from above, I could only stare blankly at the spectacle.
“L-Lord God…! Behind me….!”
Suddenly, a Star fell before my eyes.
[Accumulated Luck takes effect.]
[Something good seems about to happen to you...]
…This?