Chapter 29. Raising the Hero

-Kwaaaaa!!

I waited for a moment.

Like a cutscene in a game, strategically placed to control the players' pacing.

Ellie and I watched for a long time as the wave of Divine Power, voraciously devouring the evil energy, advanced.

“....!”

Ghouls, Skeletons, Banshees, Flesh Golems, and Dullahans...

Seeing them disintegrate into the light regardless of their individual values, I highly anticipated the rewards to come.

Honestly, for an event of this scale, this level of contribution?

It’s like soloing a raid.

Still watching the skill effects spread in the distance, I was purely impressed.

‘A Hero is a Hero, after all.’

Seeing her draw out this level of efficiency even with underdeveloped control, a magnificent ‘S’ rank would undoubtedly be attached to her potential.

‘Well, of course.’

She was obtained by evolving that Elite Summon Ticket, so perhaps this, too, is a natural progression.

Then, a beat later.

-Ding!

[You have defeated a ‘Ghoul’!]

The names of the undead that perished first at the forefront began to appear.

Because the number of individuals annihilated by the Hero's slashes wasn't just one or two.

‘Ah, music to my ears.’

I muted the notification sound for now and decided to focus on what was happening before my eyes.

“...Hm?”

Suddenly, the small figure supported by the Holy Sword in my arms stumbled.

I checked Ellie's status window with my eyes, and it seemed like she had overexerted herself, doing something her body wasn't ready for.

[MP: 8/200]

Ellie's mana bar, nearly depleted by a single blow.

I immediately cast a mana recovery skill and checked her condition.

“Are you okay?”

“Haa, haa. Yes... I'm... okay now.”

Vigor returned to her body, which had seemed ready to collapse at any moment.

I could see that she still had a long way to go before reaching a level of performance I'd be satisfied with.

[Descendant of the Lost Star: If the Sword Saint is by your side, she will be able to grow much faster.]

‘Well, that makes sense.’

That's the reason they're a set in the game's lore.

An inexperienced Hero, and the Sword Saint raised to guide them into becoming a proper Hero.

Of course, that doesn't mean everyone turns into a righteous person.

The image of the madman with crazed eyes, hunting down Constellations, is still vivid in my memory.

‘I shouldn't raise my child like that.’

[Descendant of the Lost Star: .....]

Greed for oneself rather than sacrifice for others.

Instead of loving everyone, I will teach her to love only me and my Religious Order.

Even if I do that, and she still turns out crooked, there's nothing I can do about it then.

But if I show her only good things and give her only good experiences from a young age, wouldn't she grow up beautifully?

Just like now.

-Saaaaa...

Watching the undead turning into light and losing their forms, doesn't piety well up in your heart?

“How was it?”

When I asked for her impression, sparkling eyes met mine.

“Pretty...!”

“Really?”

“Yes...! I want to, I want to do it again!”

‘Oh.’

That enthusiasm was truly admirable, but it was time to wrap things up.

That's because—

[Hidden Monster, ‘Eldritch’ has been eliminated!]

There were no more undead left to target.

‘Should I have controlled my power a bit more?’

If there was a problem, it wouldn't be with Ellie, but with me, who provided most of the Divine Power support.

It was my first time engaging in a full-fledged battle using Summon, so there seemed to be a few bugs.

‘I wanted to have a little chat too.’

About the ‘Flesh-less Prophet of Death’ who orchestrated the incident from behind the scenes.

‘It was good timing, huh.’

I’d like to thank the opponent who put on such a good performance, but they’re probably desperately trying to hide and escape by now.

Even so, it doesn’t matter. I just have to track them down.

-Ding!

[Sudden Quest Clear!]

[Constellation, you have successfully repelled the invasion of the ‘Flesh-less Prophet of Death’!]

Dismissing the notification window that officially announced the end of the invasion, I straightened up from the position I’d been holding to maintain eye contact with Ellie.

Impressed by the flexibility of my body as it straightened despite being in an uncomfortable posture for a while, I looked back.

“.....”

The Knighthood, each with varying expressions, were watching me. Among them, the faces of Lisia and the Sword Saint beside her.

This seemed more than enough for a welcome greeting.

A performance that compels onlookers to join.

“W, WooOOO...!”

“Father God has returned!! Worship Him!”

Waaaaah!!

Before I could even offer a greeting, a thunderous cheer erupted from the assembled Knighthood.

I could have used a loudspeaker to calm things down, but why would I?

‘They’re all cheering for me.’

Worship is always welcome.

"....?"

Ellie's gaze followed the sudden roar of cheers coming from behind us.

“Hmm...?”

“See? Everyone likes Ellie.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. They like you because you defeated the bad monsters.”

Ellie stared at the grateful faces of the Knighthood for a long time.

She seemed dazed, yet not displeased, caught in a strange feeling.

[Follower, 'Ellieon' is pleased by your words.]

‘Yeah, I like it too.’

This experience will play a significant role in her future path as a Hero.

She doesn't know yet that I'm a Constellation and that she's experienced a miracle firsthand.

When the time comes, she'll surely understand the weight of it all.

I hope she works hard for our Religious Order.

[The Great Flow of Stars is watching you.]

‘Oh, right.’

A notification that used to be unsettling, but is now welcome news.

I hope they watch even more.

It would be quite a hassle for me to go around adding everyone to my friends list.

“Then…”

I took Ellie's hand firmly and decided to give some fan service to those cheering for us.

‘First, turn on the lights.’

[Celestial Aura (S)]

- Whoosh!!

An extravagance an ordinary Priest couldn't even dream of.

But it’s no burden for a Summoned body, so I can do this, the so-called ultimate Divine Lighting.

“Aaaah!”

“Lord God…!”

As I cast a Divine spell for dramatic effect, I opened my mouth to address the sturdy Knights who were swooning with delight.

“Knights of the Kingdom, valiant warriors who do not hesitate to lay down their lives for their beloved families and nation.”

Today.

If I hadn't been here, this place would have been a living hell filled with death.

I don't know how they attacked, but according to the lore, the 'Flesh-less Prophet of Death' is a Constellation that only appears in the mid-game.

No matter how high the combat power of a Tutorial Kingdom is, it cannot handle the power of a Constellation.

The reason they’re labeled as a 'Six-Star' nightmare in the Community is simply because the players playing here have low Progress.

However, they still stand here.

Even knowing they will lose, they stand to fulfill their duty.

“Today, you have witnessed the birth of a 'new Hero' who will protect this era.”

But rather than emphasizing the achievement, I decided to do what needed to be done, just like before.

With the return of the absolute being, it's time to introduce the new worker who will serve our Religious Order.

“H, Hero…?”

“The rumor about the falling Star was true…?”

The crowd began to buzz at my declaration.

It's not a matter of understanding or not.

All of this is just an extreme performance, a continuation of the Holy Sword show from just now.

“Oh, Father God…!”

Our Lisia is covering her mouth in awe, and I can sense the Sword Saint is shaken, even though she appears relatively composed.

Satisfied with the reactions of the two Followers conveyed through the notification window, I decided to properly imprint Ellie's existence on them.

“Therefore, I now proclaim the existence of the guardian who drove out the evil undead and protected everyone’s safety.”

“Ah, ah…!”

With a joyful heart, I slipped my hand under Ellie's armpits and lifted her up.

Ellie flinched as she was suddenly lifted into the air, but soon relaxed, letting the strength drain from her body.

‘She’s enjoying it?’

She’s definitely different from the start. Her attitude towards acceptance is different.

“Hero, Ellieon! Praise the grand results achieved by this little girl!”

“Oooooh…!”

- Ellieon! Ellieon!

Overwhelmed by my confident declaration, the people frantically chanted the Hero's name.

A very good reaction.

Normally, my existence would overshadow hers, but it's a different story when the star of the spotlight does the advertising themselves.

“Wow…!”

Ellie, at a loss in my hands, soon found herself amidst the resounding cheers of her name.

She reacted with pure joy and happiness.

“Like it?”

“Awesome...! I like it!”

“Ellie is a Hero.”

“Yes…!”

As I watched Ellie answer happily, my gaze shifted to the Sword Saint.

Originally, she should have been the first person I met, but the twisted Flow of Stars put me between them, creating a complicated relationship.

But it doesn't matter.

‘Let’s be friends.’

Since we're all part of the same Religious Order now, it's best for everyone to get to know each other.

[Constellation, 'Flesh-less Prophet of Death' recognizes your existence!]