Chapter 35. Attention

[The Black Sun's Incarnation: S-Summon…?!]

“Wow… As expected, quite the hothead.”

The main body's appearance, unable to bear the sight of his children dying.

An act only a unique individual like me, with a mindset different from that of an ordinary Constellation, could perform.

Originally, Incarnation was an act performed only by Constellations pushed to their limits.

An ability where a Constellation, driven to the brink, separates a part of their life force to manifest physically.

Therefore, even in the Game, Incarnate Constellations mostly appeared as 'boss mobs.'

[The Child of the Lost Star: Very interesting. Besides the Absolute Being, there's another Constellation who uses that kind of Incarnation.]

[The Black Sun's Incarnation: Th-This is insane…!]

‘Is that directed at me?’

Let's leave the Black Sun, whose words are getting loose now that I haven't been keeping him in check, for a bit.

I looked up at the splitting sky and at the 'Dragon Lord' descending towards us.

-Not only did you abandon your responsibilities, you massacred my children.

‘Excuse me?’

As the one who was abruptly kidnapped, it's an unfair accusation.

Regardless of my feelings, the Dragon Lord continued his roaring speech.

-Do you truly believe your tyranny befits the vessel of the Absolute Being?!

“Hmm.”

The point of contention has drifted so far off; I don't know where to begin.

Did I provoke his dragonlings first?

No.

Then, did I unilaterally barge into his stage?

He's the one who invited me first.

I merely came with hopes of 'peaceful communication.'

-Rumble!!

The Holy Sword, 'Sekratis,' clutched in my hand, vibrated excitedly.

It seemed thrilled by the immense Divine Power it was experiencing for the first time.

The rumors of the Holy Sword having a will of its own were true.

‘Amazing.’

Witnessing something I'd only encountered in the game's lore in reality was a new discovery of fun.

Putting aside my desire to learn more for now, I looked at the Dragon Constellation, still enraged.

As befitting the title of Dragon Lord, everything from his size to the aura he exuded showed he was on a completely different level.

“Calm down.”

At my words, the Dragon Constellation's aura intensified.

-Today, I shall annihilate you here and establish a new order upon this land!!

It seems he's been holding in a considerable amount of resentment while I was away, and that pent-up frustration was directed at me.

-Rumble, Rumble!!

The air vibrated, and the earth quaked.

The aftershocks of the Incarnate Constellation were destroying his own territory in real-time.

“Wow, this is bad.”

[The Black Sun's Incarnation: Why is he so furious…?]

“That’s just how he gets when he’s angry.”

He's hot-blooded, to say the least.

The ruthlessness he directs towards his enemies stems from this temperament.

The way to calm him down is simple.

Beat him until the heat in his head cools down.

-Rumble!

Sekratis.

The Holy Sword in my hand trembled, anticipating its new target.

It probably won't be easy.

It’ll be a long battle since it’ll be difficult for us to deal damage to each other.

[The Constellation of the Lost Star: Wouldn't it be better to just avoid him for a while?]

“Why bother?”

Even if there’s a commotion, it's just that lizard’s territory, and I just need to enjoy the guilt-free pleasure.

A Holy Sword versus a Dragon.

What a magnificent match-up.

-Groaaaaar!!!

Finally, the Dragon Lord, fully descended upon the mortal realm,

rose to his feet on his massive legs, his head blotting out the sky.

The sudden shadow was illuminated by the immense Mana charging in his maw.

Even a normal dragon's breath is infamous, and the breath fired by the Constellation of Dragons was now before us.

[Warning! The target is preparing a breath attack!]

“Thanks for the heads-up.”

I dismissed the status window that appeared before me and examined Sekratis's details.

As a mythical-grade item, it was sure to have unique skills.

[Oath of Heaven and Earth, Sekratis

-Unique Skill: Sanctuary Wave (S)]

[The Holy Sword 'Sekratis' resonates with your Divine Power!]

[The Holy Sword's skill is changing.]

[Sanctuary Wave (S) ▶ Judgment of Condemnation (???)]

[The skill's grade cannot be measured!]

“Oh.”

The description of the skill, which seemed quite extraordinary, appeared just in time.

As I mentally commanded ‘Cast,’ I felt my Divine Power being sucked into the Incarnate body.

For me to feel it, the amount of Divine Power absorbed must be significant.

-Kwaaaaaaaaaa!!

I tore my gaze away from the Holy Sword at the earsplitting roar and looked at him.

The Dragon Lord, having already prepared his breath attack, was glaring at me.

Considerable madness emanated from his eyes, blazing with fury.

“You know that if you fire that, other dragons will die too, right?”

-....

No response.

It meant that rage had already consumed half his reason.

“Well, whatever.”

Since the other party had agreed (through lack of response), I decided to reciprocate.

「The Holy Sword 'Sekratis' is preparing 'Judgment of Condemnation'...」

The abnormality wasn't limited to the area around that dragon's head.

While *that* side seemed to want to go crazy, the area around the Holy Sword I held was surprisingly quiet.

It was a truly contradictory situation.

In such a noisy situation, it was quiet.

「Black Sun's Incarnation: W-What is this...?」

“I wonder.”

「Black Sun's Incarnation: ....?」

“What?”

「Black Sun's Incarnation: You knew what this would do, right...?」

Watching the phenomenon caused by the 'Judgment of Condemnation' currently being cast, the Black Sun Incarnation was lost in confusion.

“How would I know? This is my first time using it.”

I might know about the skills in the Game, but I only recently learned how to use the Holy Sword.

It's a bit upsetting if you think I know everything.

「Skill ready!」

Just before the Dragon Lord's charged breath erupted, in time with the notification window announcing the skill's completion—

I raised the Holy Sword high into the sky.

-Do you think that kind of petty trick will stop my attack!!

The Dragon Lord still rebuked me with a roar full of anger.

But.

But, you know.

Why have I been on the receiving end of this one-sided rage?

What did I even do?

‘It's like he wants me to do something.’

Lost in thought for a moment, I came up with a good countermeasure.

With a mocking smirk on my face, I looked at the Dragon Lord.

-....!!

Even though the distance between us was considerable, I saw the Dragon Lord falter upon meeting my smirk.

In the Game, I had good memories with him.

The romance and coolness inherent in the nature of dragons is unmatched.

Among them, 'Polymorph.'

The transformation skill that resonated with users also gave me quite a shock.

“We can slowly figure out what happened to Calisa later.”

-You...!!

“But why are you pretending to care when you never did before?”

I took a deep breath to deliver the final blow.

I spoke to the Dragon Lord, who was staring wide-eyed in shock.

“Calisa came to our Religious Order because she liked me more than you, so there's no reason for you to get involved now.”

-....!!!

Suddenly, the world turned white.

It was because of the destructive Mana released by the Dragon Lord, who had succumbed to excessive rage.

-I will turn you into the ashes of the Universe!

Moved by my lines, the Dragon Lord immediately served up a ceremonial breath.

「Warning! The target is casting Breath!」

Without a word, I commanded Sekratis, which I had raised, to unleash its Divine Power.

「Avatar of the Black Sun: Why are you going this far!!」

The Black Sun Incarnation cried out, watching us, Constellations, engaging in such childish bickering.

#

Before Lord God Ron ascended to the position of the Absolute Being.

-Calisa.

Her former Constellation called out to the follower who was about to leave the Dragon sanctuary.

“You called for me.”

A calm, subdued voice.

The attitude of someone who felt no regret for her choice.

The 'Dragon Lord,' who was once her Constellation and father, continued to feel lingering attachment to Calisa's clear-cut attitude.

-If you say you don't like it, I'll take responsibility and break this contract.

Calisa.

The most beautiful dragon, and also the strongest.

She, who possessed an overwhelming difference in skill compared to her kin, had now taken the form of a human—

And now longed to join the embrace of the Absolute Being.

The Dragon Lord truly disliked Calisa's current appearance.

The hard scales that block any attack are the unique symbol of a dragon.

The horns that sprout from the head, the tail that supports the massive body, the majestic wings that cleave the sky.

None of these are great legacies that can be overlooked.

How could she abandon her inherent beauty and take on the appearance of such a weak and insignificant race!

The Dragon Lord felt bitterness at the sight of Calisa.

‘...If it weren't for the contract.’

If it weren't for that damned contract that was half-forced, Calisa wouldn't have taken on the form of that lowly race.

“But, Elder.”

Calisa was smiling faintly, as before.

“I chose to do this.”

-....

“So, please calm your anger.”

-If he neglects you even slightly, I will immediately...

“Oh, come on. I'm fine.”

Calisa dissuaded the Constellation's pledge with a troubled look.

-Come back anytime if you don't like it.

Dragons never compromise.

Because they are beings born from the task of maintaining balance, compromise leads directly to the collapse of providence.

Therefore, their Elder and strongest dragon was always ready to unleash his breath on any hostile target.

It was only because of her that he was barely suppressing his rage now.

“Attention.”

-Grrr...!!

He used to think that way.