Return of the Shattered Constellation

Chapter 331: Star, the Heavenly Spirits (1)

Dria fidgeted with her fingers as she glanced at the other end of the long hallway several times. In her wind elemental spirit form, she was as small as a doll.

『Why don’t you go ahead, my lady?』

『You wanted to look for your mother that badly. Come on.』

『Wh-When did I say I missed her…?! It’s nothing like that…!』

Dria refuted Sebastian the butler and Emma the maid with a reddened face. Sebastian and Emma had been destroyed by Chang-Sun in the Changgwi Cave before, but Dria had restored them to their original condition using her abilities. That was why they appeared to be elemental spirits, just like Dria.

『Yeah, of course. Of course, you’re right.』

『Yeah, yeah, I get it, so go ahead.』

『…You guys aren’t listening to me, are you?! Argh! Do you want me to teach you guys a lesson?!』

Dria shrieked, but Emma calmly responded.

『So are you not going to go to her, my lady? It looks as if your sisters are with your mother right now.』

『T-That’s…』

Dria’s shoulders drooped as she stole another glance at the other end of the hallway, where Cha Ye-Eun was sitting. Armand and Chanaz were also in their elemental spirit forms, circling around Ye-Eun as they talked to her.

After regaining all her memories as Ithaca, Ye-Eun had talked with her daughters for a long time to resolve the misunderstanding over how she seemed to have abandoned them, trying to restore their relationship to the way it had once been. Although they had not been able to save their other sisters, who had been sacrificed by Munseong, Armand, Chanaz, and Dria were able to reunite with their mother.

In contrast to Armand and Chanaz, Dria had not opened up her heart easily. As she had been the one who loved Ithaca the most among the daughters, she had been hurt the most at the time of the incident, so it took her a long time to open up her heart again.

Ye-Eun had not rebuked Dria for shutting her out. Instead, she had waited for her wounded daughter to come back to her, believing that Dria would need time to sort out her emotions. And now, here they were.

『Oh my, you stopped being angry long ago… but you’re awfully prideful. What good can come of protecting your pride like that?』

『It’s not that…』

『So what is it then?』

『I mean…』

Dria seemed as if she wanted to say something back, but her shoulders continued to droop as Emma kept lecturing her.

‘Emma, you really are great. Her Ladyship has always been uncontrollable, but you subdued her just like that…!’ Sebastian thought as she watched Emma with respect, wanting to become cool and tough like her.

Meanwhile, Emma’s scolding eventually came to an end, as she let out a sigh.

『Phew! You still haven’t come to your senses and don’t know what you should do, so that leaves me no choice.』

『H-Huh…? What are you… Ahhhhh! What are you doing?!』

Emma grabbed Dria by the nape of her neck and threw her in Ye-Eun’s direction to put an end to the situation, which had been going on for far too long. Dria’s spirit body flew toward Ye-Eun’s head.

Whirl!

Dria quickly tried to regain her balance in midair, but Armand and Chanaz saw her and exchanged glances with each other. They reached out their hands in Dria’s direction, causing the wind to blow faster, and Dria landed right on Ye-Eun’s lap.

“Dria?” Ye-Eun exclaimed, looking at Dria with slightly widened eyes.

『Umm… Ummm… Ummm…!』

Dria was speechless as she met Ye-Eun’s gaze, and Armand and Chanaz quietly chuckled behind her. Although Dria wanted to snap at her bad sisters, she had to clench her lips tightly after hearing Emma shouting.

『Ithaca! Your stubborn-as-hell daughter wants to say something to you, so please hear her out!』

『W-W-What are you talking about, Emma?!』

Dria protested, her face as red as a tomato. Nevertheless, Emma and Sebastian had already disappeared into the wind.

‘You two wait and see! I’m going to get some payback several times over!’ Dria thought, gritting her teeth. However, she soon froze in place, unable to move, as Ye-Eun’s gaze was glued to her.

“What do you want to say to me?” Ye-Eun asked.

『Um… Umm… Ummm….!』

Dria was already having a hard time figuring out what to say, but the conversation that ensued between Armand and Chanaz made it worse.

『I didn’t know Dria was that cute. That’s new.』

『She’s the most innocent one among us, so I guess that’s why.』

『Ummm….!』

Dria did not know where to look; her eyes wandered, and her face reddened more. It looked almost as if smoke would come out from the top of her head.

Smiling faintly, Ye-Eun waited for Dria to gather her courage. Although she wanted to reconcile with her daughter as quickly as possible, forcing her wishes on Dria would only burden her. Being well aware of that, Ye-Eun decided to wait as long as necessary. After all this time, she did not mind waiting a little longer.

Dria remained silent for a long time, looking at her feet as she kicked the air aimlessly.

『That…! Huh?』

Perhaps Dria came to a decision, then, as she looked up abruptly, but she quickly looked in another direction. It did not take long for Armand, Chanaz, and Ye-Eun to do the same.

“Oh, no. I’m sorry for interrupting your conversation,” said an Eastern European man who was standing nearby, smiling gently. His eyes were so small that it was unclear whether they were open or not. He looked more like a flight attendant than anything, but he was wearing a suit, not a uniform. He continued, “I know it’s rude of me, but I happened to hear such adorable voices. So I came here to find out who was having such a cute conversation.”

It seemed almost as if the man was trying to flirt with Ye-Eun, but she did not answer and turned to look at Chang-Sun, who was deep in meditation with a blindfold on his face.

“…Sun,” Ye-Eun said quietly.

Chang-Sun initially seemed unlikely to wake up soon, but he quietly pulled down his blindfold, revealing a cold gaze. Looking back and forth between Ye-Eun, whose expression had turned serious, and the smiling man, Chang-Sun asked, “Are you hurt?”

“Not yet…” Ye-Eun replied.

“Then take cover now,” Chang-Sun said.

“But…!” Ye-Eun protested, not wanting to leave.

“I’m sorry for putting it like this, but you’ll only get in my way right now. The Thousand-Eyed Overlord is in the back, so stay with him. Armand, Chanaz, and Dria, protect Ye-Eun.”

『I understand.』

『Yes, I;ve got it!』

『O-Okay!』

The three elemental spirits quickly nodded and created a barrier around Ye-Eun with their wind. Even Dria disregarded how things were between her and Ye-Eun at the moment, as her mother’s power was completely sealed at present. Since Ye-Eun was practically a civilian, they needed to protect her by any means necessary.

Ye-Eun looked at Chang-Sun with concern, but the three elemental spirits kept telling her that they had to leave. In the end, she stood up from her seat and carefully headed to the business class section of the plane.

The man who had started a conversation with Ye-Eun did not even look in her direction, as if his goal had been Chang-Sun from the start. Smiling, the man asked, “I know it’s pretty ironic for me to ask this, but can you really make a fuss like this when the other passengers are going to be terrified?”

Instead of answering, Chang-Sun pointed at Ye-Eun’s seat with his chin.

The man shrugged as if he had no choice, then took the seat. He said, “This seat is pretty comfortable. Maybe it’s because this is a section only the bourgeoisie can enjoy. People like me who come from the slums would never be able to afford to enjoy this kind of luxury.”

“I don’t think money is the problem for you. It’s because you’re a wanted man,” Chang-Sun replied.

“Hahaha, you’re not wrong,” the man said as his smile deepened.

Just then, Chang-Sun sensed an invisible presence behind the man grinning; he smiled back as he faced them both.

[The Celestial ‘Double-Headed Serpent’ smiles coldly as he looks at you!’]

Chang-Sun did not know who the man was, but he had noticed how the man reeked of the smell of blood, and thus knew very well who his Guardian was—Xie Zhen, the Savage Star. He was one of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Spirits of <Purple Star Astrology>. And…

“Urgh, I’m so annoyed by that mocking look. Is he really still acting all tough when the passengers are being held hostage?”

“Maybe he doesn’t care about causing casualties.”

“What? Then he’s no better than us!”

“Maybe that’s true, kekeke. He used to be in the White Tiger Clan too.”

Four distinctive-looking men and women showed up around Chang-Sun’s seat, making him feel a sense of deja vu. A similar incident had taken place in Europe too, right? It was just like the time the Emperor’s Seat had staged the [World Net] with his followers from <Purple Star Astrology>.

[The Celestial ‘Jade-Sculpted Qilin’ gives you a death glare!]

[The Celestial ‘Red-Haired Spirit’ shouts that he has met you at last!]

[The Celestial ‘‘Nine-Patterned Dragon’ says that he will devour you so you will be unable to resurrect this time, his eyes full of murderous intent!]

[The Celestial 'Lightning-Striking Flame’ roars!]

In contrast, the [World Net] operation had been a low-level Rolling-Wheel strategy that was mainly led by the Earthly Fiend monster Celestials. However, the Heavenly Spirit demonic Celestials themselves had volunteered to be the assassins this time, attacking Chang-Sun together.

Lu Junyi, the Strength Star. Liu Tang, the Deviance Star. Shi Jin, the Minute Star. Qin Ming, the Minute Star. Four of the demonic Celestials of <Purple Star Astrology> revealed themselves after Xie Zhen. Lu Junyi’s and Qin Ming’s Divine Classes were especially high, as they ranked second and seventh among the Heavenly Spirits respectively.

[The Constellation ‘Black Tortoise’ is on standby!]

One of the Four Symbols was ready to join in on the fight at any minute, which was another indication of how hell-bent <Purple Star Astrology> was on eliminating Chang-Sun.

“You guys must be busy putting out fires in your own home, so is it really okay for you guys to be out here right now?” Chang-Sun asked, sneering at the <Purple Star Astrology> Celestials.

It was ridiculous to see them gathering to kill one person, as their plates were no doubt already full from dealing with the United Army.

“What did you say, you punk?”

“Who do you think you are…?!”

[The Celestial ‘Double-Headed Serpent’ reveals his venomous fangs!]

[The Celestial ‘Red-Haired Spirit’ blazes with fury!]

[The Celestial ‘Nine-Patterned Dragon’ roars at the arrogant enemy!]

[The Celestial 'Lightning-Striking Flame’ gets ready to spring forward!]

[The Celestial ‘Jade-Sculpted Qilin’ asks everyone to be quiet!]

“Why in the world are you so relaxed now? Does the fact that we have hostages not bother you?” Gennagyij Hleb, Lu Junyi’s apostle, asked as he tilted his head in confusion, not understanding Chang-Sun’s reaction.

As Gennagyij was one of the Nine Evils, he firmly believed that he would be able to bring the feared Tyrant to his knees. Not only were the Demonic Celestials’ apostles here, their subordinates were also laying low all across the plane. In fact, there were many of them present. As soon as the apostles gave the order, their subordinates would hijack the plane, and they were even willing to detonate it if necessary.

Chang-Sun had to be aware of that too, so why was he this composed? Was he truly as unscrupulous as the other apostles said? Perhaps Chang-Sun truly harbored the qualities of a demonic being, as he had originally been with the White Tiger Clan.

If that were the case, it would be a big problem. A shiver went down Gennagyij’s spine, and he had to try his hardest not to reveal it. Although he was here on his Guardian’s orders, the apostles would also die if the plane exploded. No matter how extraordinary the apostles were, they could not survive a ten-kilometer fall without using any equipment or their abilities. Even if they did survive somehow, the Tyrant was already a Celestial, so they could not be assured of victory in a battle against him.

The apostles were demonic beings, so they valued their lives dearly, as much as they sought entertainment and pleasure. Even if their Guardians were almighty, the apostles did not want to be slaughtered for their Guardians.

“I think you’re misunderstanding something here. The hostages right now aren’t the passengers,” Chang-Sun answered.

“What…?” Gennagyij replied in confusion.

“It’s you people,” Chang-Sun said.

Gennagyij was about to ask what Chang-Sun meant by that.

Whoooosh!

[The Skill ‘Tiger Kill’ has been activated, dominating the battlefield!]

At that moment, the shiver that had gone down Gennagyij’s spine intensified. He felt suffocated, and his mana circulation ground to a halt. His face grew pale as he trembled with fear.

‘S-Shit!’

‘Something went wrong!’

‘W-What? W-Why is h-he so c-confident?’

‘It’s not turning out the way we discussed!’

The demonic beings were instantly overwhelmed by Chang-Sun’s energy, leaving them bewildered. They had initially expected to be able to have Chang-Sun at their mercy using the hostages, but they finally realized their error.

“Richardus is here on Earth now, so why would I think you people were going to stay put? You should have thought about why I insisted on taking this plane, you know,” Chang-Sun said.

“…!”

“…!”

“…!”

“Your Guardians just used you guys as disposable tools to save the Causality of <Purple Star Astrology> as much as possible,” Chang-Sun said, one end of his mouth curling up. “I can’t believe idiots like you were given the name ‘Nine Evils’. I guess I won’t even have to bother making preparations for the rest of you.”

As soon as Chang-Sun finished speaking…

Tap!

…he tapped his armrest with his index finger.

“St…!” Gennagyij hurriedly tried to stop Chang-Sun after belatedly realizing that they were the ones who had been trapped, not Chang-Sun.

[The Authority ‘Execution Sword’ has been activated!]

However, their battlefield had already changed from the plane to somewhere different.

[The courtroom has opened!]

[Adding the properties of your mind palace.]

[Summoning the defendants to the courtroom by force.]

…

[The ‘Twilight-Setting Battlefield’ has opened!]