Chapter 20: Holy Blood

Aisella's boundless love, the King's loyalty, and even the appearance of the Holy Sword.

None of it was exactly what I intended.

The important thing was that everyone except me truly believed it.

'Well, then let's just make it real.'

Therefore, I gladly decided to enjoy it.

「Black Sun's Incarnation:....」

'What? Are you jealous?'

If you're jealous, you should have done better.

This is why your usual image is important.

Because I've firmly established the image of being this world's absolute ruler, one with a benevolent influence,

I can take credit for all the good things, can't I?

'Nice.'

It felt like something sweet was spreading in my mouth.

Not bad.

「The King of Regarium, 'Edmundo Carsein,' deeply trusts you.」

「Seal Released! You can now freely roam within the Royal Palace.」

'Oh.'

It says I can now freely roam inside the Royal Palace.

The players who tried and failed to get their hands on the national treasury know exactly how significant this is.

I'm in a situation where I can reach the treasury without any hindrance, if I set my mind to it.

Moreover, I'm not just a proxy follower, but the main body itself is present on the scene.

'Hmm.'

But now, I don't feel like raiding the tutorial's national treasury, and I don't want to throw away the trust I've built up.

'I'll just enjoy it.'

The value lies in the fact that I can personally explore the Royal Palace freely, that's all.

'Not bad, though.'

It's much better than being guided around in a stiff atmosphere, like before.

So, I decided to simply enjoy this moment.

I also changed into the luxurious silk clothes characteristic of the Royal Palace.

Looking at the mirror, I suddenly realized that the newly designed body was truly beautiful.

The clothes hanger is high-end and luxurious, so anything I wear looks stylish.

"Does it suit me?"

I asked Bella, who was beside me, but there was no reply.

"Huh?"

I turned around and my eyes met hers. She looked as if she was about to drool.

"Oh, uh, ah! It suits you so well...! Gulp."

Did she just gulp?

Anyway.

"First, shall we go?"

"...Yes."

Since I've got a free pass to the Royal Palace, I can't just stand around.

So, we began to explore every nook and cranny, like we were at a theme park.

The Hero's business is being handled by the Royal Palace for now, so I can just hear the results later.

'Because the Royal Guards took him.'

The fact that the Royal Guards took him means that he's officially under the management of the Kingdom's institutions.

Even if they are related to the Constellation and its personnel, there would be various difficulties in openly taking him.

So, the first priority is

to just wait and see.

'Still.'

I feel the need to dismiss Bella and her Knighthood, just in case.

'It's a shame.'

As much as it was fun being together, it's sad to part ways.

Still, it's somewhat comforting that I can always check on them through the System window.

"Wow, look over there."

I continued to tour the Royal Palace with Bella.

The magnificent central watchtower built in preparation for any unforeseen circumstances.

The Knights' training ground, or the beautiful garden for the nobles.

They were certainly rare sights unseen in the modern world, and it made me realize once again that I am living and breathing in this world.

And the last place we arrived at was

"Is this it?"

None other than the Royal annex where Belladis' Holy Knights were waiting.

As soon as I entered, I made eye contact with one of the personnel.

A man of sturdy build, wearing the Religious Order's vestments.

「You have found your Follower.」

A timely message window that automatically distinguishes their identity.

As we approached, he looked as surprised as if he had seen a ghost.

The Holy Knight of my Religious Order quickly knelt to show respect.

"F-Father God. Please watch over this humble servant."

Without further ado, I immediately checked his complexion.

He seemed to be sleeping well, his skin condition was good, and there were no dark circles under his eyes.

Nor did he look weak from lack of food.

Surely, the Kingdom must be giving our people special treatment.

"Is life here treating you well?"

"Yes, Lord God...! They are treating us very well and providing us with the utmost convenience!"

"That's good to hear."

"P-Please, lower your speech...!"

"Um... should I?"

Overwhelmed by the muscular man's apologetic attitude, I unintentionally lowered my speech.

'Oh, this is awkward.'

It's the first time I've possessed a body and directly conversed like this since I was transported to this world.

The sense of disconnect from my previous life is incredible.

With Bella or Lisia, it's possible to be natural thanks to our internal closeness, but not with this muscular Holy Knight.

'Right. Gotta maintain the Constellation's image.'

I hypnotized myself to shake off the remnants of my human days.

"I'm always grateful for your hard work for me."

At the same time, I placed my hand on his bowed head and lightly gave him a Blessing.

"......."

I pretended not to notice Bella staring at us with a rather envious look.

'You've received plenty...'

"Lord God...!"

The Holy Knight was moved by my Blessing.

「Follower, 'Raphael,' expresses Deep Faith towards you.」

「You have gained Faith Level.」

'Okay.'

I succeeded in extracting maximum efficiency with minimal effort.

Anyway, I'm glad our Holy Knights seem to be doing well.

"Lord God, are you not going to inspect further inside?"

As I was about to turn back from the entrance of the annex where the Holy Knights were resting, Bella asked me.

"This is enough."

But I know.

The biggest enemy during rest time is the appearance of a superior.

Remembering the demon of sun-drying, I decided to give them true rest.

'They'll have to move again soon anyway.'

This is someone else's house.

And my Holy Knights, naturally, should head to our main base.

Because they are troops under my command.

Even if we're close, having other troops openly stationed here can't help but create some discomfort.

'And there's the Hero matter, too.'

I'm trying to prevent contact between their forces and ours as much as possible.

"......."

Well then.

"Is something the matter...?"

As I carefully turned around, my eyes met with a beautiful face.

It's a shame, and just thinking about it makes me lose my energy, but

'I have to do what I have to do.'

It was time to send Belladis' forces, who had come all the way here from the Religious Order's territory, back.

It seems the time has come to say those regrettable words.

"L-Lord God."

Belladis froze after hearing my words.

A wave of sadness washed over her eyes, and her lost hands wandered aimlessly.

“D-Did I do something wrong…?”

‘No, what did you suddenly do wrong?’

This sudden confession time caught me off guard, so I quickly intervened.

“Ah, no. It’s not that. It's time to withdraw our forces.”

Having our Religious Order's forces stationed here like this was bound to attract global attention.

Attention draws misunderstandings, and those misunderstandings only grow and become exaggerated with time.

“Ah…”

Belladis finally grasped my meaning, and a spark returned to her eyes.

Just a moment ago, she looked like she was about to collapse into self-loathing.

“You don’t think that just because our bodies are apart, our hearts are too, do you?”

“B-But―”

I needed to remind her.

Before and after I used Summon,

I always cared for and cherished my Religious Order.

That hasn't changed from when I was playing the Game until now.

‘A change of perspective, I guess.’

Of course, Summoning is more vivid and fun.

But I can't neglect other important matters for my own amusement.

Like the reputation of my Religious Order, for example.

“I don’t want to be separated from Bella either, but you have something you need to do for me.”

“F-For my Lord God.”

I held her shoulders, meeting her gaze.

As I looked at her, conveying my sincerity that I wasn't pushing her away out of dislike, Bella's face turned as red as a beet.

Her already pale complexion made the change even more dramatic.

[Do you wish to use 'Blessing' on this Follower?]

I mentally pressed the confirm button.

And bestowed a temporary Blessing buff upon my beloved Follower.

“Ah…”

A surge of vitality welled up within Belladis, and an expression of ecstasy spread across her face.

“Can you do it?”

“I love you, love…”

“Whoa, hey, what’s with her?”

“Huh?”

I shook her shoulders in alarm, and Belladis jolted awake as if sobering up.

“I swear on my life, I will return to the Sanctuary with every single one of them.”

“Don’t swear on your life.”

I'll be watching through the System window even when we're apart, so she doesn't need to feel so burdened.

It's quite a distance from here to the Religious Order's headquarters, but with Belladis by their side, I can trust her.

‘And once they return…’

I should be able to reactivate the deactivated objects without much difficulty.

‘Is the level reset over there too?’

I want to normalize the normalized Religious Order, in another sense of the word.

Just in case any other factions try to interfere.

“Oh, and.”

“…?”

“Bella. Don’t you need a gift?”

Bella finally remembered the wish I had granted her.

“A-A gift.”

Her eyes glazed over for a moment, as if many thoughts were flashing through her mind.

“It doesn’t have to be now―”

“N-Now!”

“Huh?”

“I… I want to receive it before I’m separated from my Lord God…”

Belladis squeezed out the words with her hands clasped together.

‘What kind of gift does she want?’

I can provide almost anything here.

The Religious Order objects might be deactivated, but my inventory is still intact.

A new weapon? Or an elixir that permanently increases Ability?

“…Blood.”

“Blood?”

“I want your Constellation’s blood.”

A solemn look came over Belladis’s eyes.

-Blood.

In the Game’s setting, a Constellation's blood is a very valuable item.

Constellations don't have physical bodies, to begin with, so extracting blood is impossible.

Belladis is a Follower, but she's also a Vampire.

And I remember promising her, when I first took her in, that she wouldn't have to deny her existence anymore.

An eternal craving for blood, and a deep self-loathing.

But now, Belladis is overcoming her self-loathing and bravely taking the next step.

“…You.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, I pulled Bella into a tight hug.

“Ah?”

“Blood! Yes! How much do you want! A whole bottle full, just…”

“M-My Lord God.”

Flustered by my sudden embrace, Bella still firmly stated her request.

“I want the blood that my Lord God has just shed.”

“Huh? Is that so?”

“…Yes.”

Whether freshly drawn or stored…

As far as I know, there’s no difference, but I suppose Vampires have their own reasons.

And so, after our walk, back in the present…

-Gulp…

My Vampire Follower gulped nervously.

Back in the room, we prepared to shed my blood.

If my guest wants it, I'll give it to her.

“Are you ready?”

At my question, Belladis nodded heavily, as if making a resolution.

“With the grace you’ve bestowed upon me, I could walk into hell itself.”

‘Walk into hell?’

I’ve been there for a Quest before, but it wasn't a pleasant experience.

I’ll take that as a compliment.

“Then…”

I took a suitable knife from my inventory and, without hesitation, pricked my finger.

The body formed through Summoning isn't easily wounded by weapons, so I decided to shed the blood myself.

“Next time, directly…”

Just before I took out the dagger…

I thought I heard her muttering something, but I decided to ignore it.

Soon, a crimson, slightly viscous liquid began to flow from the wound on my finger.

“Ah…”

Watching it, Bella let out a yearning sigh and unconsciously brought her head closer.

Her kneeling lower body twitched, and her breathing grew ragged.

Because of her Lord God’s special juice, which she loved more than anything in the world.

“It’s alright.”

As I gave my permission, I could see the struggle between reason and instinct in Belladis’s eyes.

-Drip. Drip.

Knowing that precious blood would be wasted otherwise, I reached out with the hand that had put down the dagger and stroked Bella's Head.

“It’ll heal if you don’t hurry up, you know?”

-Haah…!

At my urging, my finger was finally enveloped in a warm, wet sensation.

『Holy Blood』

I tactfully used our special memory skill to heighten the atmosphere.

“…!!”

Ecstasy, longing, a whimper, and then a fierce desire for me.

As I started to stop the blood flow, she instinctively pursed her lips as if trying to claim it all.

When I pulled my finger back, one of her white fingers was marked with a distinct red stain.

[Follower 'Lisia' is being approached by a hostile entity.]

[Warning! Holy War commencing.]