Player Who Became A Constellation [EN]: Chapter 238

238. The Player Who Became a Constellation

Although High Priest Pallis was an executioner, his treatment changed drastically after agreeing to Loki’s deal.

He received three meals a day of rare delicacies, and warm water was provided for him to wash.

At night, to lift his spirits, they even burned fragrant pollen and Kron Empire spice mushrooms as incense.

But the best thing of all was—.

“Tch.”

That the Kron princess, who had not hesitated to torture him, clicked her tongue and couldn’t lay a hand on him.

Pallis thought of Loki at the sudden change in treatment.

“You are bait. So wait quietly.”

“Act thoroughly so we can wipe them out.”

Hearing those words, he began to trust him more.

Although he was often confused, the changed treatment made him forget his anxiety.

He unknowingly began to believe in him.

“Ah! I feel alive.”

‘I won!’

His obsession with life saved him.

Even Pope Zaus and the Constellation of the End recognized his determination.

Pallis glared at the ceiling.

As he inhaled, the incense burned in the prison was sucked into his nose and mouth.

As his whole body became languid, he began to imagine.

-Your Holiness!

-Your Holiness!

Numerous people praised him.

-Finally, Your Holiness!

-Has ascended to the ranks of the Constellations!

And he felt his body floating.

“…Princess Kron, is that okay?”

The Einherjar [elite warriors] who were guarding Pallis.

Among them, the cleric Egil whispered to Sharin.

“The drug, he seems too drunk? Was the frenzy mushroom this effective?”

“It’s not just the frenzy mushroom. I combined it with World Tree pollen… it’s quite good. If the High Priest is like this, other ordinary people won’t be able to escape at all.”

Sharin nodded, seemingly satisfied.

“You’re venting all your accumulated stress on him, aren’t you?”

“Loki told me. Treat him well. So he can forget his situation.”

Sharin smiled.

“So I’m making him feel good.”

Egil realized who the person in front of him was.

The Kron Empire does not see slaves or prisoners as human beings.

He realized once again that they followed a value system that treated them as less than livestock.

“You’re like a devil.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Time passed.

It was when Pallis finished his meal.

Sharin said to him.

“Your Holiness Pallis.”

Pallis smiled at the changed tone.

‘He’s finally become obedient.’

As Pallis looked at her with satisfaction, he saw her cold gaze.

Pallis’s heart sank as he met her eyes.

“The execution will be held today.”

Finally, the day of the decisive battle had arrived.

***

There was a constant stream of visitors to the Arond territory.

Although the number of travelers on the continent decreased sharply due to the darkness of the night [a period of increased monster activity].

As if they couldn’t miss the High Priest Pallis’s execution, a considerable number of people risked their lives to come to the Arond territory.

It was natural.

The last moments of a ruler who had dominated an era.

His end would surely be recorded in theology and history books.

Watching that scene from the spot.

And facing the Constellation of the End there was especially symbolic.

Devout followers of Azellan.

Or powerful people from other countries gathered in large numbers.

And there were those who watched the appearance of such people.

Strange men in black robes fell in the mountains of Arond territory.

The Black Inquisitors.

They were all tense and re-equipped their gear.

They looked at the Arond territory with binoculars and muttered.

“Damn it… Arond territory’s defenses are too strong. The night is no longer dark enough to attack… When is the execution?”

“Tonight.”

The Black Inquisitor turned his head and looked at his companion.

“How many have we gathered?”

“30 undead from the Order of the Red Moon and 300 of their followers. 50 wights [undead creatures]. And 30 knights from the Marquis Laserra family and 1,000 conscripted soldiers who support us. The other outer walls have 25 undead from the Necromantic Church and 150 of their followers, and the wights are…”

Followers flocked to save the High Priest, but it was difficult to communicate because the High Priest was not there.

“…It’s unsettling.”

“You think so too?”

The companion agreed with the Black Inquisitor’s words.

“They must know we’re going to attack…”

The Black Inquisitor swallowed hard.

“It’s the day of the execution, but they’re not sending scouts to the Arond territory.”

Today is the execution.

It was obvious that the Black Inquisitor’s forces would gather, but no preparations were being made accordingly.

It was as if they were saying, ‘Come if you dare.’

“…It’s a trap.”

“I know.”

The Black Inquisitors put on their helmets.

“But it’s His Holiness. He is the sun of the Holy Order.”

He raises his sword.

“We must save him for the new era.”

***

It was the time when twilight began to fall.

A knight checks the time.

Soon, he blew the horn.

Boo-oooo-oong-!

As the horn sounded, those gathered in the Arond territory began to move.

They gather in the square to see the High Priest’s last moments.

Spectators who lost their seats due to excessive population density searched for high places such as rooftops or balconies to see even from afar.

Only one place.

The path the prisoner would walk was empty.

Those who could not see the scene watched the magic crystal balls installed in the middle.

The giant magic crystal ball was showing the scene of the square.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

The sound of drums echoed.

Everyone’s eyes turn to the huge mansion on the hill, far from the square.

A carriage was coming out of there.

It was a luxurious carriage with gold decorations on a white background.

As the carriage moved, the sound of clergy hymns echoed around it.

“Huh?”

“What?”

“Wasn’t today the execution?”

Rather than an execution, it was an atmosphere like the promotion of a sacred cardinal or high priest.

As the carriage moved, the crowd’s questions only deepened.

Some of the crowd, who were thinking of throwing tomatoes at the High Priest, were disappointed and couldn’t even think of throwing them.

“Hoo…”

Pallis was in the carriage.

He was nervous and shaking his feet.

‘Could it be that the promise to save me wasn’t a lie? Is this a trap?’

Only then did he have such doubts.

‘I can’t calm down.’

Pallis looked at the incense stick hanging on the carriage door handle.

It was an incense stick that made him feel good, but it didn’t seem to be very effective now.

‘Damn it! Princess Kron! I told you to prepare it properly, but the scent is weak!’

At that time, someone sprinkles incense powder on such an incense stick.

As a result, the carriage was filled with hazy smoke.

Accordingly, Pallis’s mind regained stability.

“Are you worried?”

Pallis looked at the man in jet-black armor in front of him.

The Constellation of the End.

He was sitting opposite the carriage he was in.

“Don’t worry. Am I not by your side?”

“……”

“I have told them well, so your treatment will be certain.”

“R-Really?”

“Aren’t I treating you like this?”

At those words, Pallis calmed his mind.

‘Yes, this guy won’t hurt me.’

‘Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so nice to me, right?’

It was self-rationalization.

Perhaps because he had lived an extreme life, his brain was blocking negative thoughts.

Above all, his judgment was significantly impaired thanks to the incense that Sharin had mixed for the past few days.

Loki looked at Pallis’s fingers and eyes.

The fingers were twitching and moving, and the area under the eyes was twitching severely.

But he doesn’t seem to notice it himself.

Loki looked at the incense stick on the door handle.

‘Amazing.’

I didn’t know that the pollen of the World Tree would have this much power.

The carriage passes slowly.

It was slow enough for the people inside the carriage to be seen by the crowd.

Loki and Pallis.

The crowd, who still had regrets about throwing tomatoes until the end, whispered and then became quiet.

They kneel towards Loki and quietly pray with their hands together.

The sound of clergy hymns and the sound of believers’ prayers echoed.

Pallis stared at the believers with dilated pupils.

He burst into laughter at the sight of them praying to him.

‘That’s right! This constellation was clearly acknowledging him and giving him freedom!’

The carriage stops and the door opens.

“Walk proudly.”

“Of course!”

Pallis walked proudly from the open door.

The Einherjar surrounded Pallis in front and behind.

Accordingly, those gathered in the square were shocked.

Everyone looks at Pallis as if surprised.

Pallis was immersed in their gaze.

‘Yes, they must be surprised by my confident steps. Ha, haha! Hahahaha!’

Loki got out of the carriage and looked at Pallis.

He staggers and can’t control himself.

His eyes are turned over, and saliva is dripping from his mouth.

He looked more shabby and terrible than an old man in a slum.

“That’s… the High Priest?!”

“He’s a mess…?”

The sympathetic whispers of those gathered in the square.

But it sounded different to Pallis.

His brain was already broken.

Everything sounded like praise for him.

“Loki. I will escort you.”

Cancun approached to escort Loki.

He bowed and gracefully spread his hand to guide him to the specially prepared seat.

Loki followed Cancun and said quietly.

“There are many fanatics. Did you confirm?”

“Yes. I’m watching.”

Cancun guided him to a special seat a little away from the execution ground.

Loki nodded at Cancun’s words and sat down.

“Now, shall we enjoy the show?”

***

Pallis’s walking stopped.

He raises his head.

“It’s huge!”

Above the huge iron execution ground, there were piles of firewood for the execution.

‘Yes, I’m here… Huh?’

Pallis tilted his head. Suddenly, he began to feel a headache in his head.

He covers his head with both hands in terrible pain.

His fingers dug into his scalp, but he couldn’t even feel it.

“What was I trying to do…?”

“Your Holiness.”

Pallis turned his head.

Sharin Kron is seen taking off her helmet.

“…Princess Kron.”

“Fulfill your mission. That’s how the Constellation will acknowledge you.”

“…Mission?”

“Yes, you’re going up to the execution ground. And you can give ‘orders’ to us, the Einherjar.”

“Ah! That’s right.”

Pallis nodded.

Yes, that was it.

Pallis moved his steps.

He willingly goes up to the platform.

As he stood in front of the execution ground, the Einherjar tied Pallis to a log.

Loki watched the scene silently.

The lord of Arond was seated next to him.

Cancun stood still and scanned the surroundings.

And he began to stare at a certain point.

The Einherjar, who had changed into plain clothes, began to take their places behind the fanatics.

The end of the hymn was approaching.

Accordingly, Loki got up from his seat, raised his head, and said.

“We will now begin the execution of High Priest Pallis.”

With those words, cheers erupted in the square.