Chapter 377: Pursuit

Chapter 377: Pursuit

"You. What the hell is your connection to that Stardus girl?"

Celeste asks me, her voice somehow cold.

At that, I realized it was finally coming.

"...Oh, yeah. Of course you wanted to know more about Stardus.'

With Stardus' strength being the talk of the town, it's only natural that Celeste would have heard about her.

True, Stardus wasn't yet a threat to Celeste, but the problem was...

'Celeste knows that Stardus has the power of the Star God.'

That would make her even more wary. Humans fear that which is alien to them.

...But the good news is.

'Not yet. Celeste doesn't know of any ill will between the Sun God and the Star God.'

That is, there is only an instinctive animosity between them because they are different gods...She doesn't know Stardus' true identity.

And I also have the power of the stars.

In this case, a head-on assault is the answer.

With that judgment, I smiled and opened my mouth.

"It's a hero-villain relationship."

"I'm not asking you to say that..."

"Technically, she's the hero I'm trying to bring over to our side, since she has the same star power as I do."

At my words, she still looks at me with an uncomfortable expression.

"...So, does that mean you're close?"

"What? Well... I guess it depends on your point of view. It would be nice to get her to believe in the Sun God, too."

At my words, she pursed her lips slightly.

Then, as if she had made up her mind, she met my eyes and said.

"Egotistic, do you like her?"

"..."

Celeste's onslaught grew even more seductive.

As she stared at me with those golden eyes that seemed to pierce right through me, I secretly swallowed hard and realized.

If I didn't get this right now, I was going to be in big trouble.

So, still smiling, I said.

"...Who do you think I'd like? For me, there is only the Sun God, who cares for mortals like us...and his spokesperson, Celeste, you...I have no other interest, no personal interest, and I'm too busy focusing on Cathedral right now, haha."

Celeste's face relaxes slightly at my words.

I felt a little guilty for making up the words on the fly, but I had no doubt she'd forgive me since it was for the greater good, and if I said 'we've even kissed each other' now, I'd be labeled a heretic and killed...

"Hmmm... Well, okay, then."

Avoiding my eyes, Celeste replies.

"Still, don't get too close to her."

"...Yeah. I see."

As she said that, her cheeks seemed to flush slightly.

'I'm safe.'

I thought to myself, feeling relieved.

I noticed a momentary feeling of discomfort but something was wrong.

'...I expected her to ask me about the power of the stars or betrayal, but instead she focused on my relationship with her.'

It was a small difference, but I took note of it; Celeste was too important to me, and I focused on the slightest facial expression or tone of voice.

Especially...

'Is she a little jealous that I've been with Stardus all this time...?'

"..."

Of course not.

I think to myself, that's ridiculous. The fact that I'm even thinking about it is enough to make me wonder if I'm in trouble.

But, if it's true...

"..."

That's a good thing.

"...What are you looking at?"

Yeah.

It was a good thing.

Celeste needed to like me more than she already did.

"Ah. Ha ha. Nothing."

"Hmm..."

I thought quietly, watching Celeste turn away from me, her face slightly flushed.

I had gotten so much closer to Celeste and had to make her dependent on me.

To make her fall for me, to trust and rely on only me, to like me, to depend on me, to the point where she couldn't live without me.

Just like that...so that when she had to choose between the sun god and me, she could choose me over the god she's worshiped all her life.

'...It won't be easy.'

I thought, and teased the pen.

In truth, it wasn't just easy. It was impossible but I have to try.

If this is the easiest way to save the world, then so be it.

I smiled, and turned to Celeste.

"...Oh, and Ms. Celeste."

"Yes."

"I've found one more of the Sun God's ruins."

"...Eh?

At my words, she raised her head from the papers and narrowed her eyes.

I smirked at the sight of Celeste, and then turned to her.

"So, do you want to come with me, right now?"

"...Of course!"

She says to me, looking slightly excited.

...Let's go right now!

Seeing Celeste say that, I giggled.

Good...this was my chance to take the relationship one step further.

As a bonus...I could instill a certain 'mindset' into her.

With that thought, I smiled quietly and rose from my seat.

It was time to travel to that part of Europe where the fourth of the Sun God's holy relics was hidden.

***

"Now, this should be the place."

"..."

~The bustling streets of Europe~

Celeste, who was standing there, opened her mouth with a sullen expression.

"...There are ruins hidden in this crowded place?"

Currently, she had taken off her saint's robes and was wearing an ordinary T-shirt like everyone else.

Her long silver hair fluttered as she walked.

...Thanks to the recognition-impeding effect on both of them and blocking other people's gaze, Egostic also took off his usual coat and mask and smiled at her while wearing a plain shirt.

"Yes. Just trust me."

"Hmm..."

He walked ahead, and Celeste followed quietly behind, feeling a little awkward.

'...I wonder how long it's been since I've walked down the street in such ordinary clothes.'

Ever since she heard the voice of God as a child, she had spent all her energy on creating an empire for him.

It's been a long time since she's walked the streets so leisurely. Until then, she'd always spent her free time in her prayer chamber, worshiping her god.

The sun descended from the sky, lighting up the streets.

The place was buzzing, filled with the sound of laughter.

Celeste watched, feeling like she was experiencing something new.

Outside Cathedral, there were so many people enjoying themselves like this.

...And also, the grace of God.

Thinking of that, Celeste looked around with a warm smile on her face.

She saw Egostic walking in front of her. Looking at his back, she was lost in her thoughts.

...This sight, too, is thanks to him.

'What a strange man.'

With that thought, she began to reminisce.

*

"You. What the hell is your connection to that Stardus woman?"

She asked, after careful consideration.

At her words, without a moment's hesitation, Egostic answered her.

"A hero-villain relationship."

"I'm not asking you that..."

Her eyes narrowed at the obvious answer.

Egostic smirked, and said, "Well, to be fair...Technically, she's the hero I'm trying to recruit to our side, since she has the same star powers as I do."

Hearing that Celeste felt her heart throbbing in her chest.

...I see. You're interested in her because she has the same star power after all.

There was some sort of affinity between people who received power from the Star God?

It was ridiculous.

...He said she was a believer in the same Sun God, but in the end, it was the bloodline that interested him most.

"...Does that mean you're close?"

Feeling somehow betrayed, she said so in a cold voice.

Still seemingly unconcerned, Egostic gave a vague answer.

"What? Well... I suppose it depends on your point of view. It would be nice to get her to believe in the Sun God as well."

'...'

So, you've been with Stardus for the past five years?

She's even pretty.

Is that all there is to it?

[Shock! 401 Reasons Why Egostic Likes Stardus.]

For some reason, the article I read the day before won't leave my mind, and I feel a cold pit in my stomach.

"..."

Yeah.

I'll make sure of this....because if it's true, then Egostic might betray the Sun God and attach himself to a woman who believes in that Star God. Yeah. That's the only reason.

That's how she rationalized it.

Then, with cold eyes, she asked him a question.

"Egostic, do you like her?"

"...."

At that, Egostic paused with a smile on his face.

Celeste's gaze grew cold as she watched him pause for a moment to choose his words.

'...Egostic. So he's a man after all.'

A man who said he would live for the Sun God, and then tried to rejoin the stars because of a woman.

Yeah. Somehow. I should have known when I saw him forcibly kissing me in the future. Is this what it's like after all?

...I can't. I have to get rid of this Stardus girl right now, or else...

While Celeste was thinking such dangerous thoughts.

"...Who would I like?"

Egostic finally spoke, coldly.

At his words, Celeste's attention snapped back to him.

He said something that struck a chord in her heart.

"I have nothing but the Sun God, who cares for mortals like us...and you, Celeste, his spokesperson."

...?

'What, what?'

At that moment Celeste wondered if she had misheard.

Otherwise, why would he casually say such an embarrassing thing as "Celeste, you are the only one" in front of her?

While Celeste was suddenly agitated.

"She is only," he said, "someone whom I keep close for our Sun God. No other interest, no personal interest, and I'm too busy focusing on Cathedral right now."

Egostic drove the point home.

Stardus is only close for her sake. There are no other feelings...that's for sure.

Celeste was relieved.

"Hmph... Well, I see, then."

Feeling a little embarrassed, she looked away from Egostic.

She smiled to herself, silently thinking.

So...For Egostic, he has no one but herself. I wonder how many people are chosen by the same Sun God.

...Egostic should only be by her side. That's where he is most honored.

Therefore, Celeste spoke quietly to Egostic.

"Don't get too close to her, though."

He is hers.