Chapter 30. Recycling

Veiled, a grand announcement echoed across the land: the Parent God's hand had once again graced their world.

Thanks to the item, my face remained hidden. As long as I avoided unnecessary exposure from now on...

'My Playtime.'

I could return to those blissful days of old, caring for my Religious Order and Followers from the comfort of my room.

Any outside activities had to be strictly under the guise of 'Play'.

Saving people? Fun.

Punishing evil? Fun.

Welcoming new Followers? Pure fun.

'This is it.'

Reaffirming my direction internally, I looked upon the still-cheering Knighthood with a sense of pride.

Then, one of the Kingdom's Knights faltered mid-praise.

"Th-That's..."

"...Huh?"

A stiff expression, interjecting at such an odd time.

It seemed to express, plainly, that the situation wasn't over yet.

'It's still alive after that?'

I slowly turned my Head, searching for the source of the problem.

It had survived an attack that even obliterated the army's commander, Eldritch, and maintained its existence.

Only a Constellation can withstand a Constellation's attack.

That meant—

'Summon?'

Had it come personally, making itself easy to find, rather than requiring me to search it out?

With the excitement of meeting a new friend, I shifted my gaze.

However.

—Ssst...

What I found, amidst the ashen remains of the Undead army, were forms rising slowly, radiating a holy aura.

"...Undead?"

I heard someone murmur in disbelief.

'No.'

I naturally denied it.

Those weren't mere Undead.

While the forms were similar, the fundamental nature composing their bodies was different.

"Holy Spirits."

One of the perverse settings implemented by the Game company.

When Undead are destroyed by Divine Power, there's a certain probability they'll be reborn, imbued with holy properties.

And thus were born...

[Undead, 'Dullahan' evolves into 'Executor of Radiance'! ]

The headless Knight, no longer driven by the resentment of its lost Head, now possessed a new one, blazing with Divine Power.

[Undead, 'Banshee' evolves into 'Celestial Overture Singer'! ]

The Banshee, which once sang curses upon the world, now possessed a voice filled with Love, protecting and healing the innocent.

'Is this for real?'

And that wasn't all.

Hundreds of thousands of Undead had amassed.

Even if the probability of rebirth was incredibly low, it became meaningless in the face of such overwhelming numbers.

A staggering 50 Undead had been reborn due to the aftermath of my Divine Power.

'Useless, but...'

At least they were cleaner and more holy-looking than before, so visually, it wasn't bad.

Still, there was no use for them.

[You have purified a portion of the Undead army, transforming them into your new Followers! ]

[Some Constellations express awe at your actions! ]

[You have acquired a reward.]

'Hmm...'

Well, I'll take it since they're giving it to me. Maybe I'll send them back with Belladis when she returns.

Thinking about how to handle them was already becoming complicated.

"The Absolute Being has purified the wicked Undead!!"

"Woooaah!!! Purifying high-ranking Undead, as expected of the Parent God...!"

Well, since the crowd was ecstatic, I decided to accept it as a positive.

[Black Sun's Incarnation: Wh-Whew, glad I didn't antagonize him. I was right...]

[Child of the Lost Star: The very notion of defying the Absolute Being is foolish. Have you forgotten his accomplishments?]

[Black Sun's Incarnation: You ugly dust bunny...! ]

Ignoring the bickering between Star Child, who suddenly started praising me, and Black Sun, who took offense, my attention was drawn to the reward tab.

Since it was a Follower Ticket last time, I hoped it would be the same this time.

I already possessed all other equipment and stat bonuses.

I'd check it later when I had some privacy.

'Gather.'

I commanded the newly created Holy Spirits to assemble behind me.

—Clank. Clank.

In time with the majestic sound of metal armor, the Holy Spirits stationed throughout the area gathered behind me in unison.

While each individual was different, they certainly made for an impressive sight when assembled.

'Good visuals.'

They'd make excellent decorations for my Holy Place.

[Child of the Lost Star: They were born from relatively high-ranking Undead. Is there no way to utilize them?]

'Why bother?'

Even though I had to take care of them one way or another, there was no reason to employ them while leaving aside the forces I had raised.

[Child of the Lost Star: Holy Spirits, and high-grade Undead-based summons at that. Surely somewhere…]

“Somewhere.”

[Child of the Lost Star: …?]

“I just had a good idea.”

Not something I’ll talk about now, but I just thought of a good way to dispose of them.

“As expected of the master of disposal. You give me good inspiration.”

Offering a brief thanks to the Star Child who gifted me the Holy Sword package, I commanded the remnants of the Undead, the Holy Spirits, gathered behind me.

“Kneel.”

The majestic forces momentarily lowered their bodies.

The sight of these dangerous beings, who just moments ago exuded an aura of death, now obeying commands like a holy Knighthood…

…left a deep impression on the Knights watching.

“The Absolute Being… summoned holy Incarnations…!”

The Knights of the Regarium Kingdom were ecstatic with each and every performance, worshipping me.

Savoring this to the very end, I decided to leave.

‘Hit and run.’

Although my ‘hit’ seemed like a fatal blow to the Undead side, what did it matter?

The fact was that I had successfully opened a path for the Hero's bloodline.

‘I’ll leave the cleanup to Edmund.’

It just so happened I had good connections as backup.

A reliable acquaintance who held the highest position in this Kingdom and had already sworn Loyalty to me several times.

Recalling Edmund's benevolent smile and his few remaining hairs, I started my journey back.

***

“Oh, ohhh…!”

Edmundo Carsein was currently witnessing the scene of the Holy War with his daughter.

The manifestation of the Hero, the Holy Sword, and now…

The Absolute Being had revealed himself and stood at the forefront for everyone.

“Father God…!”

“Lord God…!”

Both father and daughter were completely captivated by the presence of the Absolute Being, unable to break free.

Perhaps this was a natural reaction.

The Absolute Being, the very first time the Absolute Being revealed himself, chose their Kingdom, Regarium!

The weight of that meaning was something no other nation could ever hope to match. Edmundo was absolutely certain of this.

When the Absolute Being lifted the child with the Hero's talent and introduced them to everyone, Edmundo unknowingly shed a tear.

It was like witnessing a scene from a myth.

“Sob…!”

Looking to the side, he saw his daughter reacting the same way.

Elegantly wiping away her glistening Tears with her index finger, she then clasped her hands together and fervently prayed to Him.

“Not only did you not abandon us, but you’ve bestowed your Blessing directly upon us!”

“Doubt is blasphemy…”

The word ‘doubt’ no longer existed in Edmundo's mind.

He had shown forgiveness, endless Love, and even the Blessing of the ‘Holy Sword’ right here and now.

Edmundo swore once again, in this very moment, that he would dedicate the rest of his life to worshipping Him with all his might.

“Knight Commander!”

“Yes!”

After composing himself, Edmundo immediately summoned a loyal Knight of the Royal Family and ordered him to head to the scene immediately.

“You must not disturb our Absolute Parent God.”

“I understand.”

At Edward's earnest command, Knight Commander Baltar bowed deeply and obeyed.

Following that—

The Knight Commander's direct forces arrived at the wall where the Undead invasion had begun and started to take control of the situation.

The Knights, still recovering from the aftereffects of the Fan Meeting, were pulled back, and they immediately sought out the holy man veiled in mystery at the Center of the incident.

“We shall escort you.”

Baltar himself stepped forward and bowed his head, and Ron nodded, leading the little Hero by the hand.

“Let’s go.”

He caused the incident and left the responsibility to others.

‘I solved the problem, didn’t I?’

He decided to leave the trivial(?) task of cleaning up to the professional workers.

Ron decided to enjoy the responsibility-free pleasure, no, happiness, as he had initially wished.

But before that.

‘You guys go inside for a bit.’

Ron temporarily dismissed the Holy Spirits he had unintentionally created.

-Swoosh…

As they obediently lost their form like summoned creatures in a Game at their summoner’s command, Ron thought of a good use for them.

‘I’ll do this in front of the King later.’

On the way back to the Royal Palace, escorted by the Knights, Ron took a moment to breathe inside a specially prepared Chariot because he didn't want to reveal his identity, especially his face.

“So…”

Ron’s gaze shifted to the two women sitting awkwardly inside the Chariot.

“Hee, heehee~”

The still-elated Hero giggled and snuggled up next to Ron—

“Father… God.”

“…”

Lisia, overwhelmed with emotion, couldn't speak, and an awkward air flowed between them and the Sword Saint.

It seemed like the time had come for the greetings that had been put off until now.