Author's Note: The Primordial Constellations are (creatures) that appeared at the very beginning of creation, and nothing more. Their ability to perceive contractors, such as Lucian, is subject to specific conditions.
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After the sunrise of the ninth day, one hundred and twenty hunters headed toward the site of the Rift. Only twenty kilometers separated them from the destination.
Reinhart was in the middle of the legion, thinking: Ah, why am I even in the middle of all this? His thoughts halted for a moment, then... That mirror... he resembles him so much. Is it just a coincidence?
At the front, Santiago was speaking with Leonardo via video call: "Do we intervene in the fight directly?"
Leonardo replied: "It is enough for those of S-rank to fight at least. The Knights of the Temple have immense capabilities against monsters and will compensate for the difference."
Santiago fell silent for a moment. "Will the press be there?"
"Likely," Leonardo said. "Many solo players will have heard about it. Surely, player-journalists or anyone with recording devices will document the events." He paused, narrowing his eyes. "If this happens... inform me immediately. No recording must be released to the public."
Santiago was puzzled. "Why?"
Leo replied with extreme coldness: "You will know then."
After ten kilometers, the legion stopped to rest. During that time, the Knights reached them, and their representative approached Santiago, who was thinking: I do not know what we will see there, but the momentum of energy emanating from the fight... it is truly immense.
The representative of the Knights arrived! A brief dialogue took place between them; the knight was perhaps at the Seventh Star.
The Knight: "I am the deputy commander of the campaign. The commander will join us there."
Santiago asked: "May I know the identity of the commander?"
"He is the Young Saint, Lucian."
Santiago thought: Lucian? Isn't that the name of the young man who led the delegation back then? Is he powerful enough to lead an entire battalion of a thousand knights? His train of thought was broken by the stares of the knight toward the crowds. The conversations among them were sharp, rooted in the hunters' anger over the decision to halt—a decision the Holy Kingdom had been a staunch supporter of.
After a while, everyone finally reached the combat zone. Santiago and the knight proceeded to the commanders' tent. Santiago was drowned in astonishment at the sight, muttering to himself: The number of soldiers... it is impossible to be less than forty thousand. And the number of monsters... they are at least three hundred thousand and still increasing!
The leaders met... and the battle resumed!
The soldiers of Tingai and the Heavenly Demon Sect were stunned; while the Murim Alliance and the Ming Empire refused to help due to the Sect's presence, the Holy Kingdom provided aid directly. The number of monsters from the Rift doubled, and attacks of light magic flooded the area!
The earth shook with a great tremor, and the horizon was colored by the blackness of the swarms... the number of monsters reached six hundred thousand! Panic spread across the battlefield, and morale plummeted. Were it not for the leaders' motivation, the situation would have been much worse—it would have become a true psychological tragedy.
Santiago's mind raced as he fought: What are these numbers? What is this Rift, for heaven's sake! It is on the level of the first outbreaks thirty-four years ago!
One hour passed; two thousand soldiers fell.
Two hours passed; deaths reached five thousand, and the head of the Kotsuki family fell!
Three hours passed; eight thousand deaths, eighty knights, three hunters.
In a low-intensity area, Reinhart was panting heavily, drenched in monster blood. Santiago was nearby: "Young man, return to the command tent. Do not risk your death."
A while later, at the command tent, the Guardian sat on a chair, watching the fight. Deep sadness emanated from his eyes, but... he was completely unable to fight. The Shackles of Causality had shattered him.
As for the soldiers, the Player System had not yet returned. The number of those who currently possessed it was approximately one thousand eight hundred. As for the Knights, their momentum compensated for this terrible deficit in the battle.
The leaders retreated to the high command point. Reinhart was near them, listening; his desire to see the leaders in battle to shape his own character dominated him even in that situation.
Bai Ryun, exhausted: "Has the request for support not reached the Sect Leader yet?"
Araki: "No one could exit through the Tower Gate in the Sect, but the news reached Tingai."
The Guardian's gaze never left them. He thought: Even if Emperor Sora tried to contact him, he is in a different world already. There is no way for them to reach him there... I hope he returns for any reason.
At that moment, before their eyes, a teleportation gate opened! Everyone looked on, expecting the arrival of one of the planet's leaders, but they were disappointed. However, those who emerged... would indeed offer something great.
Lucian stepped out, followed by Marco and Volt.
Volt wore wide trousers and a sleek short-sleeved shirt. Underneath, he wore a black compression shirt that clung to his body like a second skin, woven from strange, shiny threads that hid an unnatural hardness beneath their flexibility. It wasn't just fabric... but a light armor that absorbed shocks and resisted tearing—a truly strange material.
Marco was in his usual sleek armor. They emerged under the astonished gazes of the Elders, whose thought was singular: Isn't this the Twelfth Elder?
As for Lucian, in his magnificent armor, he did not look like a young man standing before leaders, but like a veteran commander who surpassed them. The youths introduced themselves...
"The last heir of the Archduchy of Verusia, Volt Verusia."
Reinhart rushed toward them: "Jin...!" But he was surprised by Marco's voice...
"Knight of the Temple, Marco Varmelion."
And as for Lucian...
"Saint of the Temple and Heir of Light, offers his greetings."
Astonishment seized the leaders present due to the names. Perhaps the commoners were ignorant of the name, but the leaders...
Mu Hyuk looked on in wonder: "Varmelion! Have they returned to the Continent?"
Another thought: "Heir of Light? No heir of traits has appeared for eons!"
What no one spoke of was their focus on Marco; for a moment, everyone believed he was indeed the Twelfth Elder. Reinhart stood with a stiffened face: Huh? Wait, what is this?
The Guardian looked at Lucian and messaged him telepathically: Unleash yourself. It is time for them to know many things.
A few minutes passed. Reinhart's expression did not change; astonishment still controlled him. Despite the distance, Lucian noticed him and thought: Why is he looking at him like that?
Lucian went quickly and stood before him: "Is there something?"
Reinhart regained his senses: "Excuse me, I thought I just saw my friend."
The Saint was surprised; this was not expected at all. He spoke in a very sharp tone: "You, you have seen nothing." He left from before him immediately.
Rein stood stunned, his mind on fire: What on earth is this? Is it possible that...
Lucian reached Marco: "My friend, go to the farthest front; it needs support."
Marco: "Alright, I will help the knights there."
Moments later, Lucian gripped his sword tightly. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and requested the System window. He spoke in a low voice: "My Lady... do you see what is happening?"
[System]
[....]
[The Constellation (Light's Ruler) says she can hear you now.]
Lucian: "Then... what do I do?"
[System]
[....]
[The connection channel between you and the Constellation is activating.]
[The Primordial Creature (Luminara) grants you a portion of her power under the sponsorship contract.]
Lucian muttered: "So that is how it is? Fine... I understand."
He moved forward with terrifying speed, nearing the Rift. He stood on a somewhat high point. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply... his aura exploded! A dominant golden aura. Despite the intensity of the fight, all eyes turned toward him; even the Knights were not familiar with such power.
He opened his eyes slowly. His pupils were colored a bright golden; he was drowned in the details. The intensity of his aura increased sharply; the monsters did not even try to approach him. The System window appeared before everyone without exception, and... everyone's eyes widened in shock.
[You are before the Envoy of the Primordial Constellation (Light's Ruler)]
For the soldiers who had seen (Wind's Conqueror) before, their astonishment was doubled because of this. And the Knights... Lucian became a holy being in their eyes; no one in the Holy Kingdom knew of such a thing.
As for the hunters... Santiago's mind ignited: Huh? Constellation? Aren't those creatures from fairy tales? Astonishment seized the hunters specifically; that notification they used to see only in comic stories... was now before their eyes. Moreover... (a Primordial creature).
Amidst the clamor and astonishment, Lucian stood, taking a thrusting stance. The momentum of the aura multiplied immensely, then...
[Judgment Beam - Momentum]
The screams of the monsters were cut off... As if a super dragon's breath had been unleashed. Nothing survived within the range of the thrust. Two hundred and seventy-three meters evaporated in a straight line leading to the Rift! The beam entered the Rift, burning even the monsters that were emerging.
Four thousand monsters... fell in that single strike!