Chapter 9: Promise

Now, while no one would dare to besmirch the name of a Constellation...

No one could deny that this world, almost like a child's plaything, was their playground.

The power to alter reality with a mere gesture meant the world could be turned upside down in an instant.

Constellations, each with their unique personalities, were also notoriously fickle.

A single whim could crush hundreds, even thousands of lives.

Therefore, the Regarium Kingdom desperately needed the presence of 'him,' the one who ascended to the position of Father God.

This was because there were so few Constellations considered even remotely sane.

Thus, they had fostered numerous amicable relationships and overcome countless crises together.

And now...

The Constellation had vanished, and his Followers, consumed by rage, had lost their reason.

"...They've finally done it."

To stop the fanatics from starting a Holy War,

Ricardo Baltar, Knight Commander of the Kingdom, arrived at the scene of the impending conflict.

Behind him stood the Kingdom's pride, the Knights gathered to prevent the Holy War.

Each and every one of them were seasoned Heroes, honed to the peak of their abilities.

And that level of skill was necessary to face 'them.'

'If I had known this would happen...'

Back then, when the Constellation's Religious Order was still in its infancy...

Should he have strongly urged his Lord to eradicate them?

The very idea of raising a sword against a Constellation was sacrilegious, yet such decisive action was precisely what was required of him.

To protect his country, his King, and his family.

Ricardo Baltar was prepared to commit any atrocity.

-Rumble...

From the distance, an army bearing the emblem of the Father God began to emerge.

A host of Holy Knights, clad in sacred Armor, their faces etched with solemn determination.

And at their center, a brilliant Chariot caught Baltar's Eye.

'There.'

One of the Constellation's greatest assets, the key figure in this Holy War, must be inside.

-Gulp.

Baltar swallowed his nervousness, waiting for them to come within speaking distance.

"Do not fear!!"

He first addressed his Knights, preventing them from faltering.

"No matter how intimidating their forces are, they cannot use Divine Power."

With the Constellation's absence, all acts of faith had long ceased.

Over the past few years, the Father God's influence had slowly withered.

'What is he doing?'

Baltar didn't believe in gods.

He had witnessed countless atrocities committed in their name.

Therefore, his hope stemmed not from faith in a god, but from 'trust.'

The experience of once working towards the same goal.

The benevolent actions he had witnessed, the happiness of the Followers under his care.

'Is this what you wanted?'

If the Constellation was watching this spectacle from somewhere, Baltar wanted to ask him.

Knowing that only he could quell the misplaced rage and grief of his Followers, why was he turning a blind Eye?

'If the image I believed in was real, if it wasn't just a game...'

Baltar wanted to believe that it wasn't too late, that something could still be done.

-Click.

A familiar woman stepped out of the Chariot.

Dark hair, blood-red eyes.

The Vampire, Belladis Rochellia.

The key player in this Holy War, the Apostle of the Father God, revealed herself before him.

Baltar knew of her existence.

-Today, I stake my life here.

The Knight Commander, resolved to fight, raised his voice to convey his intent.

"By order of His Majesty, the King!!"

#

The atmosphere was thick with tension, ready to erupt into battle at any moment.

"Hmm."

After a moment of contemplation, I racked my brain for the optimal solution.

A fight was about to break out right in front of me, so wouldn't it be best to calm things down first?

If I tried to assert myself while everyone was on edge, it would likely backfire.

'I am your god. Bow down, you mongrels.'

Even if I appeared with such confidence, I'd be lucky if I didn't get shot with an arrow.

Quickly checking my skill tab, I found a suitable option.

「Skill: Celestial Aura(S)」

「:Removes all status ailments and heals all allies within range.」

A simple skill description with a not-so-simple effect.

I decided to offer a handshake, so to speak.

「Black Sun's Incarnation: You're really going to use that...?」

"Well, what else? Got a better idea?"

「Th-That's not it, but…」

It seemed he was hesitant because I was using an ultimate skill right off the bat.

It's fine.

It's a healing skill, and they're not hostile, so there shouldn't be any negative consequences.

With that conviction, I confidently activated the skill.

-Saaaaa...

Golden Divine Power rained down from the heavens.

Its scale was vast enough to blanket the entire sky above us.

"Th-This is..."

"A Blessing from our Lord God."

"I can die happy now."

Bathed in the sudden brilliance…

Our people, already recognizing my skill, had expressions of ecstasy on their faces.

Seeing the men like that was pretty creepy.

The Knights on the other side seemed greatly confused by the sudden phenomenon.

"Now's the time."

I opened the Chariot door.

-Click.

"....?"

While everyone held their breath, my presence spread far and wide.

All eyes were instantly drawn to me.

"F-Father God."

Bella, who was standing in front of the Chariot, hurried towards me.

She didn't dare touch me, just hovered nearby, fidgeting nervously.

'She had no problem using me as a pillow.'

Her innocent and endearing behavior brought a smile to my face.

"Bella."

"You need to rest, you must rest..."

"It's alright now."

I took her wavering hand in mine and willingly leaned on her for support.

As if waiting for this cue, Belladis moved to my other side, supporting me.

The feeling of stability was delightful.

If this were a peaceful flower garden, I might have felt like I was on a pleasant outing.

'Too bad about the scenery.'

It being the middle of a potential war and all.

Supported by Bella, I slowly made my way to the front lines, amidst the radiant healing aura.

"It's dangerous, Your Holiness."

The Holy Knight expressed his worry, but I simply offered a reassuring smile.

Several others also voiced concerns about my well-being.

'They wouldn't stand a chance even if they all ganged up on me.'

My current physical state was nothing short of a natural disaster.

If I decided to unleash a serious punch, they wouldn't be able to stop me.

'They clearly underestimate the power of cash infusions.'

After all, I had poured blood, sweat, and tears—well, mostly money—into leveling up my skills and Progress.

-Thump. Thump...

One step, two steps.

With Bella tucked under my arm, I continued forward.

"Haah, haah."

Glancing at her, I noticed her flushed cheeks and labored breathing. She seemed quite nervous.

"....”

In the distance, I saw the Knight Commander maintaining a stern expression.

A face that embodied unwavering resolve, perfectly suited to this medieval fantasy setting.

'Why do I feel this sense of camaraderie?'

Perhaps because we had spent so much time helping each other out, I felt a sudden urge to slap him on the back and act all chummy.

Anyway.

He seemed quite flustered by my sudden appearance.

A third party might not notice anything different, but having observed him for a long time, I knew better.

'Come on, old man, you're totally tense.'

The tension of a potential war constantly hanging in the air.

The sudden display of Divine Status skills.

And to top it all off, my awe-inspiring approach.

"Ricardo Baltar, Sword of the Royal Family, and Knight Commander."

“...And you are.”

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person.”

“.....!”

That should be enough to make my point clear, unless he's an idiot.

To make him understand who I am and where I stand.

Indeed, Baltar's eyes widened in astonishment as he slowly scrutinized me.

'This is the crucial moment.'

I carefully chose my words to convey my intentions.

“The reason the Royal Family’s greatest sword is here must be because of the Holy War.”

Silence.

But that in itself was an answer.

“There will be no Holy War. I simply wish to return home with my Followers.”

“We cannot let you go so easily.”

“Impudent...!”

I patted Bella’s head, calming her down as she growled.

Now was the time to swallow my pride.

When I had to stop the Holy War against the Black Sun Cult, I had no choice but to make a grand entrance and improvise.

But this time was different.

'This time is different.'

Dealing with conflict between Religious Orders required extreme feats of strength.

But facing a nation required political maneuvering.

If my reputation plummeted here, it would severely hamper resource acquisition later.

And the perfect example of that was currently huddled in the Community.

[Black Sun's Incarnation: ....?]

'Yeah, I'm talking about you.'

The Black Sun cultists were just a bunch of villains.

Foolishly suffering the consequences of their tarnished image.

Well, they were always like that.

But I couldn't stand by and watch my Followers fall into the villain pit.

“...Your Holiness, during your absence, your Religious Order caused many problems.”

Baltar spoke, looking extremely tense.

He might as well be offering his life.

Standing against us like this was a significant gesture.

“I am aware.”

I said, wiping the smile off my face.

Truthfully, I wasn't entirely aware.

I'd heard there had been trouble while I was gone, but it was something I'd have to learn more about.

“Will you… start a Holy War?”

Baltar asked.

He seemed to be gauging our strength, judging by our relatively unscathed state.

If we had already started a Holy War, we wouldn't look so composed.

“I came here to prevent my children from suffering.”

I firmly conveyed my intentions to Baltar.

“I, and my children, have strayed from the path, but now we seek to rectify everything.”

“Lord God...”

Bella looked up at me with tearful eyes.

The words I had just spoken were a kind of contract.

Having neglected them so far, I was now declaring my intention to settle down and take proper care of them.

'Neglect that I wasn't even aware of.'

I forcibly pushed away the sudden surge of injustice.

“...In that case.”

Baltar, who had been listening obediently, paused in thought.

“Would it be permissible for us to host Your Holiness for a while?”

'Hmm.'

Did he still not fully trust me?

Or perhaps, given the circumstances, he needed another opinion from the final decision-maker.

Like, say, the King.

Nothing would really change even if they placed me in the heart of their territory.

“....”

Come to think of it, it wasn't such a bad offer.

'Not bad at all.'

The Regarium Kingdom’s border lay along our path anyway.

If I considered this as an opportunity to resolve this issue, it wouldn't be a loss.

“Bella.”

Before making a decision, I sought the opinion of someone trustworthy on our side.

“Wherever you wish, Your Holiness, I will follow.”

She said.

I also had some things I wanted to do in the Kingdom, like reactivating our objective there.

My curiosity about the Kingdom's scenery was a little secret I kept to myself.

In the end.

“If this can resolve our misunderstandings, I will gladly accept your offer.”

I said, feigning reluctant generosity, and agreed to join their procession.

'Is this okay with you guys?'

I looked back with that implied question, and was met with faces full of trust, conveying the message that as long as I was happy, they were happy.

Feeling slightly overwhelmed, I quickly averted my gaze.

#

And so, we arrived at the Kingdom.

"I, I am Aisella Carsein, Princess of the Regarium Kingdom."

Facing the Princess of the Kingdom, who had appeared one day with a large number of her subjects,

"Our Father God, the most exalted Constellation. Do you, perchance, remember the promise we made…?"

Her subtly upward gaze felt so intensely uncomfortable that I just wanted to log out.