Chapter 69
"Something big is needed."
[Black Sun's Incarnation: ...?]
I stared intently at the names Black Sun and Star Child, then stopped my thoughts.
"How far can you go for me?"
[Child of the Lost Star: What do you mean?]
"I feel like our relationship needs to develop a bit more."
If the relationship I've built is considered Constellation Company, then Star Child and Black Sun are now official employees.
Their careers are longer than other Constellations, and they handle work skillfully.
They also follow my instructions well.
"I'm planning a big event."
[Black Sun's Incarnation: Again...?]
"This time, the feeling is a bit different."
If the things I've done to the Constellations so far can be professionally termed 'wreaking havoc,' then now there's a need to spread these incidents widely.
That way, these bastards will know what fear is and behave themselves.
This was actually a method frequently used in 'Ragnarok.'
[Due to your status, the influence of surrounding Constellations weakens!]
If you achieve a certain level of results, the Constellations naturally back off.
Those who looked down on me would no longer want to oppose me.
[Black Sun's Incarnation: Even if you don't do that, they'll do it themselves over time.]
"That's true."
But the problem is, there's not enough time.
Constellations are like babies; if you don't pay attention to them, they'll cause trouble on their own.
Even if the Regarium Kingdom and the Sanctuary, which are directly under my influence, are fine.
The story is different in other areas where news travels relatively slowly.
"I need to see the situation in places where I'm not present."
[Black Sun's Incarnation: Do you really have to push yourself that hard?]
[Child of the Lost Star: A cornered Constellation could cause bigger problems.]
"That makes sense."
But I hope you trust me on this matter.
I've already played this Game.
"Anyway, the only place they can make their moves is this world."
Of course, this land doesn't belong to them.
They are merely residents with a little more power and influence beyond that of living beings.
"You know that saying you guys like to use amongst yourselves?"
Providence.
[Black Sun's Incarnation: ...!]
[Child of the Lost Star: That...]
The unwritten rule among Constellations.
"Lots of annoying stuff, right?"
No third-party intervention when a Holy War breaks out.
No approaching other followers, and so on.
They preemptively blocked methods that would make them feel dirty if used against them.
It doesn't apply to me at all, though.
This time, I've decided to use the nature of this Providence to issue a widespread and official warning to the Constellations.
[Black Sun's Incarnation: What, how...?]
"Debut."
The so-called public execution ceremony of Constellations.
There are five Constellations, aren't there, who have used Summon in a presentable form?
[Child of the Lost Star: What in the-]
"I need to hold an event to tell them, 'Don't cause any more trouble~'."
Dropping the nuclear bomb called 'Summon' onto the Constellations' concept of perception.
If using Summon is such a humiliating and shameful act, then it's time to openly use that image.
"I feel a bit sorry for the ones who are currently Summoned."
[Black Sun's Incarnation: ...No!]
"Hm?"
`[Black Sun's Incarnation: If it weren't for the Absolute Being, something big would have already happened! Summon is a very light Punishment!`
Is that so?
Listening to it, it seems like it is.
"So."
As I stared intently at the names without speaking, Black Sun was the first to detect something unusual.
[Black Sun's Incarnation: Why... why?]
"Thinking about it, our relationship doesn't seem much different from theirs."
I'll have to Summon... right?
Even if they are Black Sun and Star Child, I don't want to differentiate them from other Constellations.
The moment I make an exception, it becomes a loophole and my weakness.
[Child of the Lost Star: This is... frightening.]
[Black Sun's Incarnation: ....]
The two Constellations trembled after hearing my plan.
It must be a terrifying thought for them.
"Take your time to think about it."
Of course, I don't intend to force them.
We've known each other for so long; I don't intend to push them too heartlessly.
I'll be satisfied if I've provided an opportunity for them to think through this operation slowly.
"Watch carefully."
I also need some time to prepare.
Leaving behind my Constellation friends, whose thoughts had become complex, I returned to my base to deliver this news.
#
Welcoming the Lion of the Sun who returned from a walk with the Visitor, I summoned the remaining four Constellations.
A section of the park with a fountain springing up.
In an unusually awkward, silent atmosphere, I slowly conveyed my intentions so they wouldn't be surprised.
"You're my property now."
"...Yes?"
"No! That's!"
These guys planned to bury me, and as Punishment, they are becoming maids and diligently performing community service.
If it were any other bad Constellation besides me, they could have suffered anything.
Therefore, the maids before me needed to have that realization.
“I spared your lives and didn't touch your Religious Order. You understand what that means, right?”
“S-Still…”
“Still what?”
“Forgotten Wisdom-nim.”
Finally, after the Lion of the Sun intervened, they were given some time to talk amongst themselves.
Pretending not to listen, I subtly eavesdropped from afar.
“In my eons of existence, I've never lived like a dog under someone! No! I shouldn't have to! I'd rather die…!”
“Do you really think so?”
“If you want to die, die alone. I want to live.”
“Don't you have any authority as a Constellation?!”
“Look at the state we’re in, where is the authority now?”
One Constellation, lifting her frilly maid dress, spoke thus.
Looking closely, her eyes were lifeless.
She wore an expression of resigned acceptance to whatever might happen next.
“The fact that we’re alive, and that our Religious Order, our children, are untouched, is a miracle in itself. It's not a bad situation, surprisingly.”
“That's true.”
“But still, being someone's possession, under their control… it's repulsive.”
Ignoring the smirking Forgotten Wisdom, the four Constellations began their discussion.
[Black Sun's Incarnation: They're… quite rebellious.]
“They'll be fine soon.”
At least that’s what my eyes and ears tell me.
‘Their reaction isn't as bad as I thought.’
The Lion of the Sun was on my side from the beginning, and the only one showing clear resistance is Forgotten Wisdom.
And as I predicted, the Constellations began to acknowledge the 'ownership' one by one.
“…Even if we leave here, we'll be immediately attacked by other Constellations.”
“We’re failures, losers.”
“In that case…”
Two out of the three Constellations’ gazes subtly shifted towards me.
I pretended to be oblivious, fiddling with the System settings window.
“H-Honestly, life hasn't been that bad so far.”
“True. If I can just bear the inconvenience of having to move my own body, this situation isn't so bad either.”
“A-Are you… are you even Constellations…?”
Forgotten Wisdom looked at the Constellations being persuaded with a disgusted expression.
But there’s something she’s overlooking.
No matter how strange a topic is, if enough people believe it, it becomes the truth.
“You’re the strange one.”
Just like that.
“W-What…?”
“Unless you’re obsessed with dying, why resist so much?”
“Becoming a Constellation, being under someone's control-”
“What's so wrong with that?”
Forgotten Wisdom was speechless at those words.
“If you want to die, die alone.”
“Whether we die here by the Absolute Being's hand, or leave safely and die by other Constellations’ hands. It’s all the same result, isn't it?”
There was no rebuttal.
Because it wasn't wrong.
Of course, it would take a long time to die, but a Constellation who lost their Religious Order is forever banished from this world.
It meant wandering that pitch-black Universe again.
‘If that’s not dying, then what is?’
People die when they’re bored.
And that same principle applied to Constellations.
“Go back to the void, wander in that dark abyss.”
“…”
“Isn't that why you’ve stayed here until now?”
No answer returned.
Forgotten Wisdom remained silent.
And that itself became the answer.
-Step. Step.
While eavesdropping and observing the situation, I sensed multiple presences approaching.
“Huh?”
I turned my head with a clueless expression.
The four Constellations were looking at me with determined expressions.
The Lion of the Sun stood at the forefront.
The other one, Forgotten Wisdom, stood some distance away with a sulky expression.
However, the fact that she kept a certain distance suggested she had decided to comply with the situation.
“Have you decided?”
“...Yes.”
“We, the Constellations, have decided to follow your will.”
“Really?”
“...Yes. We have nowhere else to go.”
“Please take responsibility for us!”
“Hey, hey!”
Startled by the rather bold remark of one Constellation, another Constellation next to her quickly hushed her.
‘I have a strange feeling.’
To hear such a direct plea to take responsibility, especially from a Constellation.
“Then can you follow what I say?”
“We will do anything you ask…!”
“Leave it to us!”
“Really? Then let’s do something.”
“...Yes?”
The Constellations looked bewildered, but there was no time to waste.
“You need to debut.”
“.....?”
If you mess with me, you get `[Summoned]`.
I decided to make an example of them to all the Constellations who would cause trouble in the future, showing them just how fearsome I am.