Chapter 17: Blessing of the Stars (1)

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「Title: So, humans can't ever beat a Constellation?

-Just curious. So, can they not win?

┗Can't win lol

┗Ah lol how can a human beat a god lol

┗Humans are just playthings for baby Constellations lol

┗Possible

┗?

┗?? Bullshit

┗This guy's a game noob lol; Just get out lol」

「Title: I'm serious, idiots

-Sometimes you can meet hidden NPCs with the Hero class, and if you mess with them, you're dead

┗This post is real lol I tried hitting on a hot Hero and got hit once, my entire progress got messed up

┗Fr?

┗Real lol Those who don't know are real noobs

┗If you get hit by one attack, the entire Religious Order gets debuffed and it doesn't go away until you reset

┗What's that crap

┗But it's so hard to meet them that it's just a natural disaster, accept it

┗It's an extremely low probability lol」

「Title: So what is it, you weebs

-I'm just going to curse you out first because you won't tell me if I just ask lol Now tell me. What's a Hero?

┗Who's this guy again

┗If anyone asks, look up to the sky

┗??

┗Sometimes, as a sudden event, a meteorite falls from the sky, and if you're lucky, you get a Holy Sword

┗If you're even luckier and have a compatible NPC, they become a Hero

┗What if you're unlucky?

┗What do you mean unlucky lol You just get hit by a meteor and lose a Follower

┗Damn it」

「Title: So Followers can't do it?

-Just curious

┗Yeah, they can't

┗Why

┗Holy Swords hate those touched by Constellations

┗?」

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The moment I jumped out of the luxurious room prepared for me.

Bella and I looked out at the Kingdom's scenery.

'It's the same.'

As expected.

Seeing the scenery unfold exactly as it was in the Game and as I had imagined, my heart raced once again.

A sudden, successful escape.

No, wait, did I even have a daily life to begin with?

Before I knew it, I was thrown into a strange world and told to manage Followers.

'It's fun though.'

And because it wasn't that bad, I think I've come this far.

-Whoosh...

"Ah, Father God...! You can let me go...!"

Belladis, suddenly tucked under my arm, is at a loss for what to do.

She's been sticking to me all this time, but she has no immunity to this kind of thing.

"It's okay, it's okay."

She'd probably find a way to stay afloat in the air, but that wouldn't be as fun.

There has to be that mystical feeling of escaping together secretly.

"....Huh?"

A Royal Knight, who happened to be walking by, looks up with a puzzled expression.

'No way.'

There's no way they can see us wearing these items.

"Let's go to the Church."

"Yes, yes..."

"Are you uncomfortable? Should we go separately?"

Bella shakes her head at my question.

"Is it okay to sneak out like this?"

"Everything in this world belongs to you, my Lord God. It is only right that you enjoy it."

"Is that so?"

Look at her sweet talk.

I gently stroked Bella's head.

"Eek."

Leaving Bella, who obediently offered her head, behind, I continued to fly using my wings.

My body, far surpassing that of a human, catches sight of a familiar-shaped building in the distance.

A Shrine.

The Shrine, exactly as it was when I painstakingly customized it, was welcoming me.

'Found it.'

In 【Ragnarok】, Shrines and Sanctuaries partially take over and act on behalf of the Constellation.

You could call it an automated system.

They distribute Faith Points to Followers as needed and help them recover their energy after battles and other tasks.

It's an essential element for smooth Game Play.

'I'm here.'

The perfect form of the building, inspiring faith even in those who don't have it.

My other home, the Shrine.

'Is this... real?'

Goosebumps prickle my skin as a wave of overwhelming emotion washes over me.

「Black Sun's Incarnation: This is just a Shrine...」

'None of your business.'

A mere piece of data, a Constellation, could never understand the intricate details of the Game.

And of course, it couldn't understand warm human emotions either.

'You should be grateful for what you're given.'

「Black Sun's Incarnation: .....?」

They'll probably never understand, even in a lifetime.

Because that's how they were designed, and that's how they've lived.

「Nameless God's Sanctuary Lv.1」

'Yes, this is it...'

I was about to feel moved by the familiar window that popped up, but I stopped.

'....?'

What's this?

Where's my Player name? Where are the levels I've accumulated?

I rubbed my eyes for a moment and checked the window again.

「Nameless God's Sanctuary Lv.1」

The hideous name window is still there.

'Huh?'

What is going on?

My progress?

「Due to data loss and corruption, the progress of some objects has been reset.」

「Reactivate the object to regain your authority as the Absolute Being!」

"....Ah."

'This isn't right.'

My blood ran cold.

"Lord God...?"

I couldn't even pay attention to Bella calling me from behind with a puzzled look.

Blankly, like a fool, I walked over and touched the outer wall of the Shrine.

-Ding!

「Object successfully activated!」

「Object experience gained!」

「Shrine level increased! Lv.1▶Lv.2」

It says the level has increased because I just activated it.

'...No. That's way too little.'

Where's my max level? My progress?

Where are the fruits of my labor, leaving only this despairing number crushed by unfairness?

"Oh, please."

My knees almost buckled, but I couldn't show such an unsightly appearance in front of my Follower.

"Are you, alright?"

"Yeah, it's my first time seeing it in person. I'm nervous."

I forced my jaw, which wouldn't move, to feign excitement.

Why are they delivering such despairing news now?

Lisia didn't react this way.

The reason was already in my head.

The monastery I saw to protect Lisia back then wasn't considered a proper Shrine.

It was just a desolate space with dilapidated facilities and no professional Priests.

That's probably why it was classified as just a building.

"Yes, this is my first time seeing it in person. I'm touched..."

"T-This time too, the first..."

"Hmm?"

"No, nooo...!"

Muttering to herself, she bit her tongue, her ears turning red as she trembled.

Seeing her innocent reaction healed my gloomy heart.

Bella's voice, still dripping with distrust, helped me keep my sanity.

Suddenly, my mind cleared as if I had a Realization.

"Right. I was wrong."

"Yes...?"

I needed to distinguish between the Game and reality.

Back then it was a Game, but now it's reality.

There are people here who devote everything to Worship me, not just texts proclaiming my existence.

Lisia, Belladis, and others.

Yes. My Followers are here.

That's enough.

Straightening my slumped shoulders, I said confidently,

"Thank you."

"....!"

Surprised by my sudden gratitude, the corners of her mouth twitched upwards.

'This is it.'

I just need to give what they want to those who want it.

Those measly data numbers can be raised later.

'The important thing is unwavering faith.'

Resolving myself once more, I looked at the Sanctuary System.

[Enter a name in the blank space to make your presence known.]

[Name: ]

There was a name I had forcefully changed here.

[Name: Ron]

[Your name has been redefined.]

[Congratulations on taking your first step into the world of Dianon, Constellation 'Ron'.]

Congratulations my ass.

'Is this right?'

"Father God, as expected, is something..."

Bella immediately checked my Complexion when I briefly showed discomfort.

"No, I'm fine."

Let me organize my thoughts.

I don't know where things went wrong, but the situation where I am isn't bad.

'The first place is the Tutorial area.'

It's a safe place, so even if things go wrong, it's relatively stable.

My reset level will recover quickly if I pour in enough Divine Power.

The problem is the deactivated object Sanctuaries that haven't been touched yet.

'They're a bit far from here.'

I can Cover some distance using the System's power, but it's frustrating not being able to check the situation immediately.

'I need to look into this.'

I guess I'll have to rummage through the system window all night.

[Sanctuary of 'Ron', Father God of All, Lv.2]

The Sanctuary's name changed to something plausible.

But the gloomy feeling didn't return.

[The halted Flow of Stars is beginning to normalize...]

"...What?"

[Black Sun's Incarnation: ....?]

'What's the Flow of Stars?'

[Black Sun's Incarnation: How would I know?]

Figures. What would you know?

Leaving the clueless idiot aside, an uneasy feeling rose within me at the unfamiliar message.

-Thwack!!

A light impact from somewhere.

"....?"

Lowering my Head to find the source, my Eyes met with a girl with unusual hair color.

"You are."

"...Ah."

'Where did she come from?'

A sense of incongruity.

Even though I used a veil to hide my presence, she made contact.

The child was definitely making Eye contact with me.

"Handsome..."

"Lord God, this girl is..."

Belladis immediately went into guard mode.

But this girl... She's still young. That's harsh.

"I'm fine, Bella."

Stopping her from taking immediate action, I spoke to the girl who had approached me.

"Who are you?"

"Ah, I... I don't remember."

Amnesia?

This is quite suspicious.

[Due to the first object Activation, the accumulated luck begins to take effect!]

[Event triggered!]

[The probability of the appearance of 'The Girl Blessed by the Stars' greatly increases!]

Blessing of the Stars.

A sudden chill ran down my spine.

"...Huh?"

-Kwaaaaa!!!

The earth trembled, a ferocious noise ripping through the sky.

A sudden sense of danger made me look up.

A shining Star was falling from the sky.

"L-Lord God....!"

Right above my Head.

-Ding!

[Sudden event!

:【New Hero of the Stars】]