NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 9 - Promise
Chapter 9
Promise
『 Translator – Divinity 』
Although no one would dare to tarnish the name of a constellation now,
the fact that this world, which is like child’s play, is their playground cannot be denied.
The power to alter phenomena with a single gesture means that the world could be turned upside down in an instant.
Constellations each have their own unique personalities and are prone to whims.
A single whim could wipe out hundreds, thousands of humans.
That’s why the Kingdom of Legardium desperately needed the existence of ‘Him,’ who had ascended to the position of Father God.
This was because the number of constellations that could be considered normal could be counted on one hand.
That’s why they had formed various friendly relationships and overcome countless crises together.
And now.
The constellation had disappeared, and the followers who served him had lost their minds to rage.
“…After all.”
To stop the fanatics who were trying to start a holy war…
Ricardo Valtar, the Knight Commander of the Kingdom, arrived at the scene of the holy war.
Behind him were the proud knights of the Kingdom, gathered to stop the holy war.
Each and every one of them was a veteran warrior who had honed the best skills.
And only with that level of skill could they face ‘them.’
‘If I had known this would happen…’
Back then, when the constellation’s religious order had not yet grown…
Should he have strongly appealed to his lord and eliminated them?
The very idea of raising a sword against a constellation was blasphemous, but such a bold decision was the attitude he needed most.
To protect the country, the king, and his family…
Ricardo Valtar was prepared to do anything, no matter how cruel.
–Rumble…
And from afar, the army bearing the emblem of the Father God began to appear.
A feast of paladins, armed with holy armor and filled with solemn determination.
And at the center, a dazzling carriage caught Valtar’s eye.
‘There.’
The protagonist of this holy war and one of the constellation’s greatest forces must be on board.
–Gulp.
Valtar inwardly hid his nervousness and waited for them to arrive within speaking distance.
“Do not be afraid!!”
And first, he prevented his knights from faltering.
“No matter how threatening their forces are, they cannot use divine power.”
It had been a long time since all religious activities had ceased due to the absence of the constellation.
For the past few years, the forces of the Father God had been slowly withering away.
‘What are you doing?’
Valtar didn’t believe in God.
He had witnessed countless cruel acts committed in that name.
Therefore, his hope stemmed not from faith in God, but from ‘trust.’
The experience of working together towards the same goal.
The gentle conduct he had shown so far, the sight of the followers happy under him.
‘Is this what you wanted?’
So, if he was watching this scene from somewhere, if by any chance…
Valtar wanted to ask.
Knowing that you are the only one who can quell the misplaced anger and sorrow of those followers, why are you pretending not to know?
‘If the image I believed in was real, if it wasn’t just a prank…’
Valtar wanted to believe that it wasn’t too late, that something big could be prevented before it happened.
–Clunk.
A woman with a familiar appearance stepped out of the carriage.
Black hair with a hint of darkness, blood-red eyes.
Belladis Locheria, the vampire.
The protagonist of the holy war and the apostle of the Father God appeared before him.
Valtar also knew of her existence.
–Today, I risk my life here.
With that resolve, the Knight Commander raised his voice to convey his will.
“By order of His Majesty the King!!”
***
The atmosphere was tense, as if it could turn into a battle at any moment.
“Hmm.”
After a brief moment of contemplation, I racked my brain to find the best 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 showed myself in this tense state, there’s a higher chance of causing a backlash.
‘I am God. Kneel, mongrels.’
Even if I appeared confidently with that kind of attitude, I would be lucky if they didn’t shoot arrows at me.
Quickly checking the skill tab, I found a suitable one.
「Skill: Heavenly Aura (S)」
「: Removes all status ailments and heals all allies within range.」
A simple skill description with a not-so-simple effect.
First, I decided to simply offer a handshake.
「Incarnation of the Black Sun: Are you really going to use that…?」
“Well then, is there a better way than this?”
「Th-that’s not to say there isn’t, but…」
It seems he’s hesitant because I’m using an end-game level skill right from the start.
It’s alright.
It’s a healing skill anyway, and they’re not enemies, so there won’t be any negative effects.
With that conviction, I confidently cast the skill.
–Saaaa…
Golden divine power scattered down from the sky.
Its scale was vast enough to cover the entire sky above us.
“Th-this is…”
“It’s the blessing of the Lord God.”
“I have no regrets even if I die now.”
Amidst the sudden burst of light…
The faces of my kids, who had already recognized my skill, were filled with ecstasy.
Seeing the men like that was quite creepy.
The knights on the other side seemed to be in great confusion due to the sudden phenomenon.
“Now’s the time.”
I opened the carriage door at the right moment.
–Click.
“…?”
While everyone held their breath, only my presence spread far and wide.
The eyes of the crowd were instantly drawn to me.
“F-Father God.”
Bella, who was standing in front of the carriage, hurriedly approached me.
But she couldn’t quite reach me and just hovered nearby, looking restless.
‘You were fine with being my pillow, though.’
Her innocent and cute appearance made me smile unconsciously.
“Bella.”
“You should rest, you need to rest…”
“I’m fine now.”
I held her hand, which was wandering in the air, and willingly entrusted my body to her.
As if waiting for this moment, Belladis moved to my side and supported my body.
The feeling of stability was so good that my mood brightened considerably.
If this were a peaceful flower garden, I would have felt like I was on an outing.
‘It’s a shame about the scenery.’
That’s because we’re in the middle of a battlefield.
Amidst the healing aura, I slowly headed towards the front lines with Bella’s support.
“I-It’s dangerous.”
To the paladin who expressed concern, I gave a bright smile and reassured him.
There were others who worried about my safety, but…
‘Even if they all attack, it won’t work.’
My current physical state is a natural disaster itself.
If I were to attack them with a serious punch, they would never be able to block it.
‘Do you think throwing money around is a joke?’
Because these are the skills and progress I achieved by pouring in my hard-earned cash.
–Shuffle. Shuffle…
One step, two steps.
With Bella at my side, I continued to move forward.
“Haa, haa.”
Glancing at her, I saw her cheeks flushed and her breathing ragged. It seemed like she was very nervous.
“…”
In the distance, I saw the Knight Commander maintaining a stern expression.
It was a face that exuded a strong and upright character, perfectly suited to a medieval fantasy.
‘What’s with this inner intimacy?’
Perhaps because we had helped each other for so long, I want to go over and sling my arm around his shoulder.
Anyway…
I could see that he was quite confused by my sudden appearance.
A third party might wonder what the difference was, but I, who have observed him for a long time, know.
‘Mister, you’re nervous, aren’t you?’
The tension of a war that could break out at any moment.
A feast of divine skills suddenly unfolding in this place.
And on top of that, my appearance, approaching amidst everyone’s awe.
“Ricardo Valtar, the Sword of the Imperial Family, and Knight Commander.”
“…You are.”
“It’s our first time meeting in person.”
“….!”
Saying that much should be enough of a hint, unless he’s a fool.
Who I am, and where I stand in this place.
Indeed, Ricardo’s eyes were filled with shock as he slowly examined me once again.
‘This is the important part.’
I carefully chose my words and conveyed my meaning.
“The reason why the greatest sword of the Imperial Family has come here must be because of the holy war.”
There was no reply.
But that in itself was an answer.
“We will not start a holy war. I just want to return to my homeland with my children.”
“We cannot let you go just like that.”
“Blasphemous…!”
I patted Bella’s head, who was growling beside me, to calm her down.
Now was the time to put aside my pride.
When I stopped the holy war with the Black Sun religious order, I had no choice but to appear and cover it up with various ad-libs.
But now it’s different.
‘Now it’s different.’
Trouble between religious orders requires extreme feats of strength.
But facing a nation requires consideration of political factors.
If my reputation here hits rock bottom, I’ll have a hard time with resource supply.
And the example that proves this is cowering in the community right now.
「Incarnation of the Black Sun: ….?」
‘Yes, you, you.’
These Black Sun bastards are just a villainous group.
Foolish guys who are directly hit by the image they themselves have tarnished.
Even if they were originally like that…
I can’t stand to see my kids take the villain’s ticket to ruin.
“…Lord God, your religious order has caused many problems while you were absent.”
Valtar, who said so, seemed very nervous.
He might actually be speaking with half his life on the line.
Confronting us and standing in our way carries that kind of meaning.
“I know.”
I said so, wiping the smile off my face for a moment.
Actually, I don’t know.
I heard there were various troubles while I was away, but those were things I had to learn about gradually.
“Will you, start a holy war?”
Valtar asked me.
It seems he’s testing the waters while looking at our still-intact forces.
If we had already started a holy war, we wouldn’t look so normal.
“I came here to prevent the suffering my children would experience.”
And to Valtar, I firmly conveyed my will.
“I, and my children, have strayed for a while. But now, we intend to set things right.”
“Lord God…”
Bella looks up at me with eyes full of emotion.
The words I just uttered were like a contract.
I’ve been neglecting them openly until now, but now I’m implying that I’ll settle down and manage them properly.
‘Although it’s neglect I’m not aware of…’
I forcibly pushed aside the feeling of injustice that momentarily surfaced.
“…In that case.”
Valtar, who had been obediently listening to me, pondered for a moment.
“Would it be alright if we, on our side, looked after you for a while, Lord God?”
‘Oh?’
Does he still not completely trust me?
Or maybe, given the situation, he needs another opinion from the final decision-maker.
For example, the king, or the king…
Even if they place me in the middle of their camp, nothing will really change, but…
“…”
Come to think of it, it doesn’t seem like such a bad offer.
‘Not bad?’
Anyway, the border of the ‘Legardium’ Kingdom is on the way to our destination.
If I think of it as solving this problem along the way, it doesn’t seem like such a bad deal.
“Bella.”
Before making a decision, I wanted to ask for the opinion of someone trustworthy on our side.
“If that’s what the Lord God wishes, anywhere is fine with me.”
She said so.
There were things I wanted to do in the kingdom anyway, and I could reactivate our object there as well.
The fact that I’m curious about the kingdom’s scenery is a little secret only I know.
In the end…
“If this can resolve our misunderstanding, I will gladly accept.”
I said, as if reluctantly showing consideration, and agreed to join their procession.
‘Is this okay with you guys?’
Looking back with that kind of nuance, I saw faces filled with trust, as if they were fine with anything as long as I was happy.
I quickly turned my gaze away, feeling pressured.
***
And so, we arrived at the kingdom.
“I-I am the princess of the Kingdom of Legardium, ‘Aisela Carsein.'”
Facing the princess of the kingdom, who appeared one day leading a large number of their knights,
“Our Father, the most exalted Lord God. By any chance, do you remember the promise we made…?”
Her subtly upturned gaze was so burdensome that…
I just wanted to log out.