Return of the Shattered Constellation - Chapter 541: Celestial King, the Father and Son Reunion (4)

“Yog-Sothoth.”

Yes.

“I believe that’s your business to take care of, not mine,” Chang-Sun answered with an expressionless face.

Perhaps because Yog-Sothoth had not expected the answer, silence fell upon the area. As she broke into a cold sweat, Cha Ye-Eun looked at Chang-Sun, getting the sense that he was trying to get some small measure of payback for what Yog-Sothoth had been putting Peter through until now.

Glaring at Chang-Sun, Ye-Eun thought, ‘Is he crazy? This Outer Celestial guy might suddenly change his mind! Why is he always impulsive? He’s too short-sighted…!’

The only reason that was keeping Ye-Eun from nagging Chang-Sun out loud was that there were other people around them. After sensing her scowl, Chang-Sun quickly changed his tone.

You. Little.

“But I want you to know that I’m grateful to you for protecting our son until now. What you’re worrying about won’t happen.” Chang-Sun bowed slightly, pretending not to notice Ye-Eun’s scowl,

Looking at Chang-Sun, Yog-Sothoth grumbled because he communicated by reading the energy exuded by souls, instead of listening to actual voices. He easily noticed that Chang-Sun was trying to survive(?) Ye-Eun’s bombardment of nagging, as it was a familiar sight for him.

You. Really. Are. Their. Family.

Both <Dull Darkness> and <Deus Ex Machina> were always softies around their wives. In fact, the Otherworld Celestials had looked away many times and pretended not to notice how their Dull Father was scolded by his wife. It looked as if the couple in front of Yog-Sothoth would be no different.

What. Is. With. Lovers.

Since the concept of lovers was nonexistent among Otherworld Celestials, Yog-Sothoth was curious. In terms of their Divine Classes or combat prowess, no one could match the Emperors, but they never hesitated to show their weak sides. Yog-Sothoth could only fathom that it had something to do with the secret that the word ‘love’ harbored.

No, perhaps Yog-Sothoth had to think bigger. People within the fence named ‘family’ never hesitated to sacrifice themselves for each other, so perhaps that was where it all started. Yog-Sothoth thought that it would be good to ask the Otherworld Celestial who showed the deepest interest in humans about it later, if he got the opportunity to. Just then, however…

What.

…Yog-Sothoth looked up. The moment Chang-Sun and Ye-Eun tried to take Peter into their arms, the upper boundary of <Nihil> was torn apart.

Who. Dares.

This place was the domain of Hsan and Yog-Sothoth; more importantly, it was also the very center of Nyx. Yog-Sothoth watched over the entirety of Nyx, but Nyx’s center was where he manifested himself. As Yog-Sothoth ruled over Nyx under his great father’s command, no one was supposed to visit this place without his permission.

Yog-Sothoth frowned, about to activate the deterrent force to evict the trespasser. If necessary, he would destroy the trespasser’s Divine Class and scatter the particles across <Nihil>.

Hsan.

However, Hsan extended his hand and stopped Yog-Sothoth.

Why. Stop. Me.

Hsan concisely answered, “Don’t you want to see how much <Dawn> can illuminate?”

You. Want. <Dawn>. Brighter. Here.

Hsan nodded silently.

But. You. Will.

Yog-Sothoth expressed his concern, well aware of what future Hsan would meet as Chang-Sun shone brighter and his Divine Class grew higher.

With an unreadable expression, Hsan looked at Chang-Sun, Ye-Eun, and the portal being created in <Nihil>. Hecalmly shook his head and said, “I should have disappeared long ago. I’m just a shadow, a sunset created from wandering and obsession. It’s only natural for the sunset to disappear after the arrival of dawn.”

You. Made. Choice.

Yog-Sothoth could sense sincerity in Hsan’s voice and decided to respect his decision, as he was one of the few people whom Yog-Sothoth actually recognized as his friends.

It. Has. Not. Been. Boring. Lately. It. Will. Get. Boring. Again. It. Shame.

Hsan chuckled in agreement.

***

It was at that moment that Chang-Sun and Ye-Eun noticed that something was off.

『Keep your hands off my son―!』

A roar filled with a mix of fury and concern emerged from the wide-open portal. At the same time, a huge, flaming lightning bolt quickly struck the spot where Chang-Sun and Ye-Eun were. As Ye-Eun quickly pulled Peter into her arms, Chang-Sun shielded the two with his wings, waving his hand to create a scarlet dome-shaped barrier.

Roaaaar!

Right after the lightning bolt bounced off the barrier and scattered into sparks, an enormous battleship that was pulled by many fine horses emerged from the portal. It was a spectral vessel that seemed to have been made by weaving tens of thousands of ghosts together against their will; it was none other than the famous [Hringhorni], which even Chang-Sun had only heard of from legends.

The barrier immediately took the form of a Giant that swung its ax forcefully, ready to sunder the portal. The Giant could subdue Tiamat in her Evil Dragon form, which said a great deal about the potency of its attacks; it was ready to crush the ghost ship with its ax.

Claaaaaang!

However, the Giant’s ax was stopped even before it could strike [Hringhorni]. It was as if someone was firmly holding the weapon back.

Whoosh, swoosh, whoosh…!

Rumble, rumble, rrrrumble―!

An intense quake shook <Nihil> violently. The collision between Divine Classes created hundreds of lighting bolts that struck the area, causing superheated gales to rage.

Standing atop the bow of [Hringhorni] was Odin, whose only eye shone brightly. He was extending his arm toward the Giant’s ax, seemingly grabbing onto something with his thumb and index finger; he was holding back the ax using his magic.

“Don’t use such a cheap trick as this.” Odin chuckled.

Chang-Sun realized that Odin had grown far stronger than he ever expected. Although it was unclear what Odin had been doing until now, his Divine Class was comparable to that of Chang-Sun, who had swallowed the Mother Terra Celestial. Even Odin’s [Gnostic Eye] shone very brightly.

Grrr! Grrrrrrr!

The Giant growled, threatening Odin to let go of its ax.

“Okay. I’ll give it back.” Odin smiled faintly, flicking his finger.

Booom―!

The ax exploded, its fragments scattering everywhere. A shockwave spread outward in every direction; the Giant’s head and upper body were crushed as the shockwave rippled across <Nihil> several times. Just then, ten dark lightning bolts from [Hringhorni] fell onto the place where Chang-Sun and Ye-Eun were.

[Descending!]

[Descending!]

…

Vili, Ve, Frigg, Baldur, Hodur, Heimdall, Tyr, Thor, Sif, and Skathi. They were the <Ten Knights> who had been Odin’s guards before their death, and who had been resurrected in answer to Odin’s call. The ghosts of the past were coming after Chang-Sun.

The <Ten Knights> were not the only ones. Slave soldiers from <Vanaheim> and <Myrkheim>, remnants of <Horoscope>, Celestials from <Maleakhe> and <L’Infernal>… The people whom Odin had brought to heel during his conquest across the Worldline appeared as well.

[The Allied Army has shown up!]

Odin had brought his entire army to this place to kill Chang-Sun with one move. Of course, Chang-Sun was not someone who would sit still in such a moment.

[The <Muspelheim> Giants declare that they will sing a song of victory as they hold up their enemies’ heads!]

[The <Jotunheim> Giants dream of taking revenge for their past!]

[The <Niflheim> Giants answer your call!]

[The <Alfheim> ascetics enter their last war!]

Several spatial gaps appeared behind Chang-Sun as he opened up the Changgwi Cave. Witnessing the sight, Hsan trembled in excitement, realizing that the preparations he had made for Chang-Sun had come to complete fruition. In fact, Chang-Sun had done a better job than Hsan ever expected, and had been able to see more than Hsan could.

[<Valhalla> has arrived!]

The siblings who had been waiting for Chang-Sun’s call from the <Underworld> appeared one after another. Sinmara, Jin Prezia, Jörmungandr, Kali, Crom Cruach, Xerxes, Baek Gyeo-Ul, Qi Gong… Everyone who had helped Chang-Sun reach where he was today picked up their weapons.

[The United Army is ready to fight the Allied Army!]

Boooooom―!

A pool of blinding light lit up in <Nihil>

[A total war has broken out!]

***

‘I have to protect this child at all costs.’ Ye-Eun clenched her teeth, holding onto Peter more tightly.

It was obvious that Odin and his army could only have appeared in this place because Yog-Sothoth had opened up a portal for them. Perhaps it was the last test to see how determined Chang-Sun and Ye-Eun were. Although she was unable to know Yog-Sothoth’s reason, it did not matter, because all of her attention was on protecting her child.

Chang-Sun was buying time for them, so it was the right moment to act. Fortunately, Ye-Eun had been a <Star> when she was Ithaca, so it was possible for her to travel between Worldlines on some level. On top of that, she was spiritually connected to Chang-Sun.

Ye-Eun held Peter in her left arm as she tapped the air with her right hand to calculate coordinates and open a wormhole to Worldline #801.

『Didn’t I tell you to give me my son back?』

A strange man wearing a lion mask suddenly appeared from a spatial gap that opened in front of Ye-Eun.

‘It’s the one who fired the first flaming lightning bolt!’ Ye-Eun redirected her divine power to push away the masked man.

Booooom―!

Peter started to cry, surprised by the explosion. After putting some distance between her and the man, Ye-Eun consoled Peter as she stayed vigilant around the masked man, but…

‘He’s not attacking me,’ Ye-Eun thought.

Ye-Eun realized that the masked man was doing nothing apart from watching Peter, even though now was a golden opportunity to attack her.

‘Seriously?’

After remembering the masked man’s remark about giving his son back, Ye-Eun began to think he could be speaking the truth.

“Who… are you?” Ye-Eun asked.

The masked man stayed silent for a moment and brought his hand up toward the mask.

Click―!

The moment the masked man removed his mask, Ye-Eun froze up because she recognized Chang-Sun, but the middle-aged man was older than her lover.

“I’m the real father of the baby you have in your arms.”