Chapter 387 - Towards The End Of The Story
After parting with Egostic.
"...Hmm."
Celeste was in her office, smiling as she examined the ring on her finger.
This ring was the Relic of the Sun God.
...And also a gift given directly by Egostic.
Not knowing whether she loved this ring because it was the Sun God's relic or because Egostic had placed it on her finger, Celeste stared intently at the ring glittering in the sunlight.
Although she couldn't wear it outside since it was such a precious relic.
But at least she could look at it anytime while in her office.
As Celeste was caressing the silver ring with such thoughts.
Suddenly, she recalled what Egostic had told her.
'That ring... according to ancient texts, it's called the Ring of Jealousy. And there's a spirit inside the ring.'
"A spirit..."
Celeste looked at the ring with curiosity.
According to Egostic's explanation, the spirit inside this ring was a spirit of jealousy.
It finds the person the wearer is jealous of, and secretly persuades the wearer to let it deal with that person. Then it makes a contract without revealing the price.
And that's the trap.
'Afterward, it kills the wearer. Because the price of the contract is actually their life.'
After that, the ring passes to the person the previous wearer was jealous of.
Then it tempts that person to eliminate whoever they're jealous of, makes another contract, and kills them again.
This way, the contract with the previous wearer to 'kill the object of jealousy' is also fulfilled.
And then it moves on to the next target.
"...Hmm."
...She was somewhat puzzled why such a strange spirit would reside in this beautiful ring, a relic of the Sun God... but Celeste decided not to think too deeply about it. Well, the Sun God must have created it with good intentions. Otherwise, how could the Sun God possibly be evil? Hehe. That couldn't be.
"Hmm... if it's a spirit of jealousy."
Well, it doesn't matter to me.
I'm not jealous of anyone.
With such thoughts, Celeste leisurely caressed the ring.
Still, she should at least see the spirit's face once.
"..."
...But how do I summon it?
"...Ugh."
After struggling for quite some time, Celeste finally realized she needed to channel the power she felt within her chest, just as she had done before the statue... what Egostic had called the power of the sun.
At last, she succeeded in summoning the spirit.
Swirl swirl
As smoke began to rise around the ring, the golden egg turned pink, and a pink light burst from the ring.
And what emerged from the ring was.
"Hmhmhm. Hello, master."
A pink spirit, looking like a ghost, emerged from the ring while still connected to it.
"...Yes. Hello."
Celeste greeted the spirit that had popped out.
It was an interesting feeling, as this was the first talking relic of the Sun God she had ever seen.
And as she was curiously observing the spirit, it introduced itself with a smile.
"My name is Invidia. I am the one who eliminates those you are jealous of."
It said exactly what Egostic had explained.
Celeste continued to look at the spirit with fascination.
...She wondered why the Sun God had created such a being.
It didn't even seem to recognize her as the Sun God's priestess.
'Well. It doesn't matter since I'm not jealous of anyone anyway.'
Celeste thought lightly.
And rightfully so. Celeste had always been at the top, reigning above others, with no one above her.
As Celeste was thinking this.
"...But you know, you are jealous of someone?"
"...?"
Hearing the spirit's sudden words, Celeste frowned.
What is this spirit talking about?
"What do you mean?"
When Celeste asked with a frown.
The spirit, grinning, dropped a shocking statement.
"You're jealous of that woman called Stardust, aren't you?"
"...What?"
And.
Hearing those words, Celeste was unconsciously shocked.
Stardust? That S-class hero from the Republic of Korea who received the power of stars?
Why would she be jealous of her? There was nothing lacking in herself compared to this Stardust woman.
Come to think of it, she hadn't even thought much about Stardust.
Whenever she saw Stardust and Egostic together on the news, she would quietly turn it off.
When reading reports about Stardust's activities, she would stop whenever she saw her strangely entangled with Egostic, feeling annoyed.
Whenever Egostic mentioned Stardust, she would tell him to stop due to some inexplicable irritation, effectively preventing any talk about Stardust from the beginning.
'...The relic must be malfunctioning.'
Celeste had no choice but to come to that conclusion.
Even the Sun God can make mistakes sometimes. As a faithful servant of the deity, she would silently overlook even His mistakes with a devoted heart...
"What? I can see it all. Whenever Stardust is mentioned, you get so annoyyyyyyyed!"
"Sigh... go back in and rest."
Forcibly recalling the spirit, she sighed and removed the ring, placing it on her desk.
Well, fine. She could just keep this ring with the other relics.
However...
"...Stardust."
After mulling over that name, Celeste quietly closed her eyes and thought.
...Yes. Since she possesses the power of stars, it would be right to pay some attention to her. There are also rumors that she's among the strongest heroes recently...
And especially, what kind of relationship she has with Egostic... I'm just, just a tiny bit curious.
"I think I should visit her myself."
Celeste opened her eyes again, her golden irises gleaming coldly as she muttered.
And so, without anyone knowing.
Celeste, the head of Kathedal, scheduled an official visit to Korea.
***
"...Hmm."
I feel a chill down my spine.
Ego-stream mansion.
After returning from my date(?) with Celeste, I was sitting in a chair with my legs stretched out, thinking.
It's a feeling I've never had since hearing Stardust's true feelings, but anyway.
"...I think that's enough with Celeste."
I muttered, looking at my diary.
My first goal for this Phase 4. Seducing Celeste.
...More precisely, bringing Celeste to my side. Making her depend on me so that on the day of the doom prophecy, she would choose me over the Sun God.
This grand plan of mine seemed to be reaching its final stages.
To be honest.
'...At this point, I think it's safe to say Celeste is on my side.'
After all, she who distrusted and doubted everyone in the original story now only trusts and relies on me.
Especially seeing her reaction to me again in front of the statue... probably, if I just say the right things, there won't be world destruction like in the original story.
So now, I can focus on other matters.
With such thoughts, I quietly looked at the calendar.
There's just over a month left until the doom declaration.
In other words, less than a month until the day when the deity personally and kindly informs all humans worldwide, "I'm going to kill you all. Prepare yourselves."
So, what happened after this doom declaration in the original story was as follows:
...In short, it's just the end of the world.
Even before the Sun God arrives, the world nearly destroys itself.
So, how do I prevent this?
'...First, I need to stabilize the social structure.'
After the divine judgment declaration, even world leaders and heroes, being merely human, fall into extreme fear. They flee with their wealth, commit suicide...
As these pillars of society collapse, naturally everything below them starts to crumble too. Citizens lose their leadership figures and are thrown into chaos with nowhere to turn.
I needed to prevent this situation first.
To do that, I needed the help of Lee Seol-ah and the Association.
My goal was to meet the International Association's Director General and board of directors, the control center for all associations.
And before that.
"..."
I looked around my mansion, falling into silence.
Finally, the story is gradually heading toward its conclusion.
As such, I should first explain the upcoming situation to Ego-stream, who have been with me all this time. After all, they will play the most important role in the Republic of Korea.
"..."
So it's about time I tell them.
My truth.
With such thoughts, I looked outside my room.
Tomorrow.
I planned to tell them everything.