I Made a Game Featuring Constellations-Chapter 119

"Hmm... I didn’t expect such a strong reaction..."

[Temperance] rubbed an ice pack against the swelling lump on their forehead after getting struck by our Constellation’s toy hammer.

Just what did our Constellation swing?

The sound was undeniably cute, yet somehow, it managed to leave a bump on [Temperance]’s head—despite the fact that even the Demon God's punches never left a mark.

[The Dreamteller clings tightly to your leg, demanding to know why someone would try to steal away their precious Apostle.]

Like a koala clutching a tree, my Constellation wrapped their arms tightly around my leg.

...Did they really rush over like this because they thought I might actually accept such a scouting offer?

For them to carve through space itself and appear in person, despite rarely leaving their own domain...

It’s kind of touching.

"It was obviously a joke. If I blatantly stole another god’s Apostle, I’d be branded a thief in the heavens and never be able to function in society again."

Our Constellation, still visibly on edge, reacted to [Temperance] like a wary animal raising its hackles. [Temperance], however, simply shrugged.

"Even if I did °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° find the ‘Curator’ tempting, I don’t make deals where I end up at a loss."

[Temperance] met my gaze, licking her lips.

"Though, I did consider it for a moment."

Kyao!

My Constellation lunged at [Temperance].

"Please, Constellation! Restrain yourself!"

I had to grab one of their soft arms to stop them.

"...An orc wearing a pearl necklace, huh? To have the greatest Apostle in history at your side and yet remain utterly clueless about it."

[The Dreamteller pulls out their toy hammer, asking if [Temperance] wants to die.]

An orc? That’s a bit much.

Sure, my Constellation had been indulging in a lot of desserts lately and had grown a little chubby, but that just made them cuter.

"As their Constellation, do you really not understand them? If they had ever wanted to serve another god, they had ample opportunity. And yet, they chose to remain with you. Your sharp reaction isn’t an expression of affection—it’s a sign of distrust."

"......."

"If you’ve been blessed with the greatest Apostle in history, then act like someone worthy of that blessing. Otherwise, it’s your Apostle who suffers."

What the hell is this woman saying?

Constellation!

Please, shut her down with a sharp retort!

I fully expected my Constellation to either swing their toy hammer or counter her with a cutting remark.

After all, no matter how small and cute they were, they were far from weak.

"......."

But they said nothing.

They didn’t react.

They just stood there in a daze.

...Constellation?

"Let’s set this discussion aside for now. ‘Curator’... or should I call you Rian instead?"

"...Whichever you prefer."

Are they feeling unwell today?

Why are they just standing there?

"Then Rian it is. Rian. While I said those things, I never intended to reject your offer."

"...What? But earlier—"

"Heh. I just wanted to see what kind of being your Constellation was. The one who commands the man whose feats have shaken both heaven and the continent alike."

[Temperance] scanned my Constellation from head to toe.

"I wondered if they were a strategist or just extraordinarily lucky... and it seems they are the latter."

She crossed her legs in the opposite direction.

"I never intended to reject your offer. None of the Constellations tied to you have suffered losses. On the contrary, thanks to the [Akashic Archive], their names and deeds have been recorded across the continent, bolstering their divinity to unprecedented levels. Right now, every god in the heavens is desperate for even a single conversation with you. Even those who once demanded your punishment during the celestial council have become your most devoted followers. Who would dare to slander the hero who thwarted the greatest evil the continent has ever known?"

"Then from the start, you planned to accept my offer?"

"Of course. My divinity stems from [Temperance], and within that is [Avarice]. If, as you say, this [Avarice] is the result of an external corruption, then it must be purged as soon as possible. There’s no reason for me to refuse."

This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

So, all that earlier rejection was just an act to gauge my Constellation’s reaction?

She never actually intended to decline in the first place.

I suppose I should be happy.

The part of this deal I thought would be difficult turned out to be nothing more than an act.

The one I expected to be the hardest to persuade had accepted the offer and joined our investor’s group.

[Temperance], the Constellation who holds the greatest wealth on the continent.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

I should feel good about this...

So why do I feel so disgusted?

"Why so quiet? Are you overwhelmed with joy?"

"Constellation."

I wasn’t happy at all.

"There’s still more to celebrate. Now that [Temperance] is with us, nothing will stand in our way. Let’s begin a proper coordination—"

"Before anything else, apologize."

"...What?"

No one else, but my Constellation had been insulted.

It had been a long time since I felt this angry.

"Take back what you said just now and apologize. My Constellation’s concern for me was not distrust—it was love."

"...Rian. I said that for your own sake. You deserve better treatment than—"

"Shut up."

I raised my hand, cutting off [Temperance] mid-sentence.

It was the first time I had ever done something like this...

Yet somehow, it felt completely natural.

As if I had done it countless times before.

"Apologize. Right now. To my Constellation."

Smack!

With a snap of my fingers, a lavish chair appeared to support my Constellation, while the seat [Temperance] had been sitting on vanished, causing her to collapse unceremoniously onto the floor.

"...Do you really think I’ll accept this insult and offer an apology?!"

[Temperance] twisted her face in rage as she sprang to her feet.

"Apologize? Why should I? It was a rightful criticism. Your Constellation failed to act in a manner befitting their Apostle’s stature. I merely pointed out reality! If anything, I should be receiving gratitude ins—ugh!"

The next moment, my hand was wrapped around [Temperance]’s throat, lifting her off the ground.

"What do you even know about her?"

"H-How can a human... break through divine protection...!?"

I could feel the divine power stemming from [Temperance]’s true form desperately trying to force my hand away.

But the strength of a mere god wasn’t enough to push me back.

Thud!

As I let go, [Temperance] crashed onto the floor, landing hard on her tailbone.

"Apologize."

"...Yes."

[Temperance] answered, her cheeks slightly flushed.

I felt no guilt for what I had done.

I had no intention of treating her with the same respect I gave my investors.

Even if this offended her enough to make her refuse to join us, it wouldn’t matter.

The real issue was the sin of [Avarice] festering inside her.

If I erased her, the Abyss wouldn’t be able to use her as a vessel for corruption.

...Wait a minute.

What the hell did I just think?

***

The Goddess of Dreams watched, wide-eyed, as her beloved Apostle acted.

She had no idea how things had spiraled to this point.

At first, [Temperance]’s sharp words had paralyzed her thoughts.

Had her relentless desire to protect her Apostle not been an act of love, but rather a reflection of her lack of trust in him?

She wanted to deny it. Desperately.

But she couldn’t.

Because deep down... she felt it was true.

Doubt crept into her heart.

Had she truly trusted him?

Had she been holding him back this entire time?

For the sake of fulfilling her simple dream—to always have a full stomach—her Apostle had accomplished the impossible.

Through the fragile and fickle power of dreams, he had captivated the continent, repelled extra-dimensional threats, and even felled an ancient evil god.

And yet, what had she done as his Constellation?

She wasn’t like Wisdom, who could guide him.

She was just an incompetent mushroom, unable to provide him with real help.

An orc wearing a pearl necklace.

It was an insult, but... it fit her far too well.

If she had been the version of herself she had seen in her dreams...

That magnificent version of her...

She could have been a Constellation truly worthy of Rian.

Was her very existence holding him back?

Was she the reason he couldn’t spread his wings?

If so, then for his sake, she... she should...!

"Apologize. Right now. To my Constellation."

At that moment, she heard the voice of the one she loved most.

Kyung, kyung, kyung...

With it, memories from a distant past life surged forth, along with the rekindling of a different form of love.