Chapter 33. Raise Me Well

“Hah! Haah…!”

On the vast training ground, only the two of them were present.

Normally, the Royal Palace Knighthood would use this space for training, but the Hero’s schedule took precedence.

“Focus on your Mana manipulation.”

Herien, with a cool expression, offered advice on Mana manipulation to the small Hero, who was diligently moving across from her.

-Whoosh!

With nimble movements, Elion swung her wooden sword, searching for an opening, but it was just a fleeting strike of a child.

-Clack!

Without even blinking, Herien effortlessly deflected Elion’s attack.

“Ah…!”

The small body, completely pushed back by the adult’s strength, rolled across the training ground floor.

However, Elion got back up bravely, without a single cry.

The Sword Saint should have felt pleased, but instead, a strange sense of unease hardened her expression even more.

Those chosen as Heroes tend to have delayed reactions to external shocks.

Perhaps their constitution had changed to prevent them from feeling excessive fear, but they all possessed a similar trait.

Even Elion, currently before her—

Despite her full-powered strike being blocked, she didn't feel anger or resentment, but instead moved on to the next step without any emotion.

‘It must be the Curse.’

The price for gaining abilities beyond one's qualifications.

Sadly, she had to admit it.

The weight carried by the title of Hero, the wielder of the Holy Sword, was distinctly different.

“Huff, huff…!”

After the training ended.

Herien approached Elion, who was sprawled on the training ground floor, catching her breath.

In her hands were cold water and a towel.

Eli's expression brightened considerably after receiving Herien’s care, and a more relaxed atmosphere flowed between them than during training.

“…Eli.”

Suddenly, Herien softly called out to the Hero lying down.

“Yes…?”

“Do you like the Parent God?”

A question she’d asked several times already.

She couldn't believe that a Hero, backed by the Holy Sword and the Constellation of Stars, would serve another Constellation.

Herien still couldn't comprehend the current situation.

“…”

Eli, having heard the tiresome question again, didn't mind the repetition and immediately displayed a bright smile.

“…Yes! I really, really like him…!”

It was a moment where the child's innocence and naiveté shone brightly.

Elion was young, but she remembered when her existence was in danger.

Although she had lost most of her memories, her mind a blank slate,

She knew who had offered her warmth in that deep fear—

And so, from the depths of her heart, she chose to trust him.

“I’ll grow up quickly and help Lord God Oppa!”

“O-Oppa…”

Herien felt momentarily dizzy at the incredibly innocent title.

Regardless of her feelings, she was quite surprised by the Hero's continuous development.

Was it due to the influence of the Constellation supporting her?

‘It must be.’

It was none other than the Absolute Being.

Just being affiliated with the Religious Order would undoubtedly have a significant impact.

And herself too…

The Sword Saint felt Divine Power, not from her original source, but from an unfamiliar being.

A warm yet immeasurable, vast power.

Herien shuddered at the Absolute Being's Divine Power, which instinctively evoked awe.

What would happen if she truly intended to utilize this power?

She could handle not only Dungeons, but also the Knighthood.

And single-handedly, at that.

Should she simply be happy about suddenly gaining such immense power?

She didn't know what agreement had been made with the Constellation she originally followed.

It was highly likely that the Law of Dignity was followed.

Because in this era, there was no Constellation higher than the Absolute Being.

The people of this era, including the Sword Saint, were living alongside a mythical being.

Not only had he closed the Gates of Hell that had opened one day, but he had also conquered the world beyond it along with his Religious Order.

An achievement no other Constellation had accomplished.

‘Then why?’

Why did the Absolute Being erase his existence from everyone once before?

And why, now, was he behaving unprecedentedly, directly interacting among humans?

There was still much she wanted to know, but Herien was just a human.

#

“Working hard, aren’t you?”

In the distance, I could see a small child and a blue-haired beauty sparring with crude wooden swords.

One, despite appearing delicate, was a Hero candidate, and the other, the Sword Saint.

True to their names, they displayed some impressive movements.

Like a dance, she evaded the Hero’s sword, neatly parrying the necessary blows—

And amidst it all, as if teaching, she pointed the tip of her wooden sword for instruction.

I felt bad interrupting their training, but if not now, they’d be busy again soon.

I walked towards them slowly, allowing them to naturally notice my presence.

“…! Lord God Oppa!”

A title with two meanings.

It made me dizzy hearing it, but I smiled back, accepting it.

“Greetings, Lord God.”

Next to her, the Sword Saint greeted me with a thoughtful expression.

My objective today was her.

“Can we talk for a moment?”

“Yes!”

‘Not you.’

I stroked the blue hair of the Hero, who clung to me excitedly.

“You used to communicate well with the Constellation you originally served.”

“...!”

The Child of the Lost Star.

A Constellation who bestows superhuman power upon a Hero, demanding a heavy price in return.

And a spammer in the chatroom.

I received two Followers from him.

It was a one-sided deal, not considering the wishes of the parties involved at all.

Such unreasonableness was a very Constellation-like behavior pattern.

“It might be a little confusing now, but you’ll adapt quickly.”

“I…”

“Do you have any questions?”

“Did my Lord God… abandon me and the Hero…?”

“That’s not the case. You must be feeling it now, the Constellation's energy residing within you.”

The trace of the original owner, clearly visible even to my [Eyes].

I made a deal, not a robbery.

Although it might be somewhat obscured now because my rank is higher, I haven't taken on the responsibilities that the Child of the Lost Star has to bear.

“I know your circumstances.”

Terminal illness, mental instability, and other side effects.

Constitutional problems that manifest not only in the Hero but also in the Sword Saint.

“I will take responsibility and heal you as much as possible.”

These are things that can be easily overcome with my care.

It’s not a Religious Order built on a Divine Power build for nothing.

“Why… are you bestowing your grace upon us…?”

Herien still looked at me as if she couldn't understand my intentions.

But to answer directly, the reason would seem quite mercenary and perverted.

I decided to borrow the Constellation's perspective.

“Because you two are necessary to me.”

「Constellation of the Lost Star: ....」

‘What?’

I didn’t lie.

I never threatened to ask for them; they were the manpower he unilaterally handed over.

‘Isn’t this what you wanted?’

Responsibility for the Holy Sword and the Hero, traded for my ‘friendship.’

All of them are easy tasks for me, so I accepted.

‘Why was I so scared?’

Looking back now, the past days were quite embarrassing.

Well, how can you not be scared when a Meteorite suddenly falls from the sky?

From a Game perspective, there was nothing more annoying than them, but the real-life Hero and Child of the Star were in quite difficult circumstances.

That's why we could communicate.

“So, get along with us as much as possible and live happily. That way, you’ll do your job well.”

At my words, Herien stared at me for a long time.

An expression seemingly filled with complex emotions.

“Is there something you don't like?”

“No, not at all. It's just… you're so different from the other Constellations I know.”

“I’m a bit of an oddball.”

Fundamentally different.

In the world I lived in, such a life was unimaginable.

Gathering Followers and creating a world solely for my Religious Order.

Progress and the inherent rank of a Constellation all stemmed from that central theme.

I got up and walked towards the wall engraved with our Religious Order's emblem.

They engraved that on the building already.

Edmund’s dedication shows.

“I have a lot to do, so I don't think I'll be able to show my face often, but please stay here and raise this child well.”

Things to do.

Only after gifting the Holy Spirit I summoned to Edmund did the outline become clearer.

‘Other allies.’

I think I need to check the status of the allies who have been working with my Religious Order, whose existence I had forgotten.

During the time I disappeared, those nations must have also experienced a lot of confusion.

If they were even attacked by other Constellations, the situation would be even more desperate.

‘This is giving me a headache.’

I can figure things out one by one, but unnecessary worries bothered me.

“If you give the command, I will also assist you, Lord God.”

“No. Raising Ellie is helping me.”

There’s no need to dismantle the Hero-exclusive experience point set.

I hope they raise her properly, enough to be conveniently used on the front lines.

“...I understand.”

Herien bowed her head heavily.

“Hmm, good. Then I look forward to working with you.”

I turned around and extended my hand to Herien.

Herien, looking at me, carefully took my hand.

A momentary warm feeling.

I really liked that human touch.

#

「Constellation, ‘Dragon Lord’ recognizes your existence.」

「Constellation, ‘Dragon Lord’ is extremely enraged at you!」

“What’s this now?”

Just as I was about to finish my life in Regarium, a message window suddenly popped up.

And the moment I confirmed the Constellation’s name, the image of our related Follower naturally came to mind.

Two thick horns rising above her head.

A thick tail below her waist.

Dragon-in would be the perfect expression.

“But why suddenly…”

As I was bewildered by the sudden display of anger—

At the words that followed, I couldn’t help but be taken aback.

「Constellation, ‘Dragon Lord’ roars, demanding you return his daughter whom you abandoned.」

It seemed that some new misunderstanding had arisen.