chapter 79

[You are the first to encounter a constellation at the North Pole.]

[The title, ‘One Who Met a North Pole Constellation,’ has been acquired.]

[Due to the power of the cold star, your resistance to ice and cold has increased by 50%.]

At the same time as the messages, I felt my body become a bit warmer. It was an unthinkable bonus. Kim Sujeong and Gyeonso Dragon also said their bodies were warmer and that they were curious. Prometheus opened his mouth, “It has been a while. Has it been a few hundred years?”

[It has been the first time since the ‘Rating War’ between constellations.]

“Ah, yes. At that time, you didn’t fight against the Army of Death. You wanted to live in peace here at the North Pole.”

[ … ]

Romelana nodded slightly and Prometheus asked again, “What is going on? We need the power of both of you. Are you fighting with him?”

Kim Sujeong wondered from next to me, “Father, does Prometheus know that white wolf?”

“…Yes.”

“It doesn’t seem like a normal relationship? Doesn’t the white wolf seem very polite to Prometheus?”

“Let’s listen to the conversation first.”

“Yes.”

We once again focused on the conversation. It was Romelana who opened her mouth first, [He and I don’t have a bad relationship. Just…]

“Just?”

[Something happened to him.]

“What’s going on?”

[That…]

Romelana’s gaze turned toward us. Somehow, it seemed that she was conscious of us. Prometheus said, “They’re fine. They are trustworthy. Naked Lightning Monkey also came.”

[I see. I can feel his energy.]

Then Reitra’s indirect message appeared in the sky. They were both constellations so Romelana could also see it.

[The fist star, ‘Raitra,’ is waving his hand.]

[It is nice to see you, Raitra. We met like this.]

[The fist star, ‘Raitra,’ says to understand since you are so far away.]

[It’s okay. Welcome.]

The two of them greeted each other and then she turned her attention to where I was. Romelana looked down at me with aloof eyes and asked, [Perhaps he is…?]

“Yes, that’s right.”

Prometheus nodded in Solar’s body and she bowed slightly to me.

[I greet the promised monarch.]

I subconsciously bowed my head at the polite greeting. Next to me, Gyeonso Dragon and Kim Sujeong were watching me with open mouths. However, I didn’t care. It was exactly as I remembered. Her short legs, her excellent eyes, her white fur, and her dignified appearance, were exactly the same as my memories. The memories in my head made me feel like I was watching a movie.

I walked in front of Romelana. “Romelana, I need your strength. Aldebaran has become a demon king and is harassing the human world. The place where I was previously is in danger and I have to get rid of his son, Minotaur.”

Romelana’s eyes instantly became ferocious. It was the moment when the welsh wolf’s hidden feral side woke up. It was only for a short moment but my heart seemed to jump. They were really bitter enemies.

In fact, Romelana and Aldebaran had a good relationship in the past. Aldebaran was originally an ox who helped work in the field of the heavenly palace where the gods lived. He wasn’t easy to deal with due to the heat emitted from his body. After careful consideration, a god called the two strongest welsh wolves over to bite at Aldebaran’s ankles with their cold teeth. Thus, the heat was neutralized. They had been together since then, clearing the fields of the gods. They became friends.

The problem was the Rating War that caused fighting between the constellations. The supreme god, Jupiter, gathered 88 candidates to become constellations and declared, ‘Only 12 people can rise to the rank of Zodiacs and escort me!’

It was truly arrogant and disrespectful yet the power of these words was incredible. The 88 constellations started to fight against each other and their ranks soon became separated. This was why the constellations were divided into first grade and second grade. There was a difference in rank. Romelana and Aldebaran couldn’t escape it. It was Aldebaran who betrayed her.

I was lost in thought when Romelana’s angry voice was heard, [Did he become a demon king? That traitor. He is almost unforgivable. I still shiver when I think of the trouble he caused my husband.]

Romelana roared and a cold and sharp crystal of a transparent color was seen. It looked beautiful but it was actually a giant, cold, dog fang. I gulped and replied, “Yes, Remus lost an eye because of Aldebaran’s back kick.”

[How do you know…?]

“I am forced to know.” Remus was the true name of Black Night Wanderer. I glanced at Prometheus and Romelana nodded like she understood. Then she expressed regret.

[My strength isn’t complete without Remus. Our strength is split in half. I remember Minotaur. He is the son of Aldebaran. It isn’t enough if you just receive a Star Piece from me?]

The answer came from Prometheus, “I’m sorry, but it isn’t good enough. He has a Pandora fragment with him.”

Romelana’s head cocked in a puzzled manner and Prometheus spoke again, “Ah, I’m sorry. You weren’t there for the Ragnarok war? Simply put, it makes you stronger. Anyone who has it will be corrupted and their personality will become violent.”

Romelana’s eyes widened.

[Does it look like this…?]

She focused and an image floated from somewhere. It was a bead fragment that glowed a dark purple. There were more of them than I thought and my eyes widened. Why was it here…? No, it wasn’t strange. If my memories were correct, Pandora’s fragments had been scattered throughout the world. It was natural for some to be here in the North Pole. However, it was too much when the bead fragments were this size.

[Pandora Fragment x5]

[Rating: Myth

A bead fragment containing Pandora’s evil power.

If you have it for a long time, your alignment to evil will become stronger and you will become more corrupt.

It is best not to be close to it if you aren’t mentally sensitive.

-Dark attribute damage will increase by 5% (1% per fragment) when possessed.

-Using the power of the fragment, all stats will increase by 1.5 times for 30 minutes.

-There is a low probability of being caught up in the seven sins (pride, wrath, envy, greed, gluttony, sloth, and lust).]

Now I could see the complete information. I was exposed to Prometheus’ memories and many things changed. One of them was the information of the Bead Fragment Dyed in Darkness. The moment the beads stopped near me, Prometheus asked, “There are so many. Where did you get them? They are Pandora fragments, the evil that drove many to death during the Ragnarok war.”

[…I see. It turned out to be an unusual thing.]

It was a tone that seemed to know something. Kim Sujeong and Gyeonso Dragon approached from behind me.

“Father, isn’t this the bead fragment that Zigma had at that time?”

“That’s right. Gorba had it too.”

“I didn’t know it was such a dangerous thing. I can only see question marks from the information…”

I guess I was the only one who could see the information of the bead fragments. Then Romelana opened her mouth, [Remus took some of it away.]

I was shocked and it was the same for Prometheus.

“What does that…”

“What??”

The two of us stared at Romelana with wide eyes. She continued, [He still has half of it. Remus told me when his mind was still intact. He will go east with them to a location with no one present. Then it won’t hurt anyone…]

Damn, it wasn’t a marital fight. This…

Prometheus said, “Did he touch the fragments? You guys split up because of this?”

Romelana nodded. I saw it and couldn’t help sighing.

[The fist star, ‘Raitra,’ says it is a good thing that you didn’t argue.]

…What bullshit. I thought that things had become more complicated. It wasn’t easy to subdue a being affected by the Pandora fragment. I could barely overpower Zigma and was forced to kill Ragneos. What about Gorba? If it wasn’t for Gyeonso Dragon and the Star Piece, his suppression would’ve definitely failed. However, this time it was a constellation. He might only have half his power but he was still a constellation. His original power didn’t go anywhere.

I frowned and asked her, “You don’t know Remus’ whereabouts?”

[Yes. He was afraid it would be dangerous. He didn’t tell me.]

Shit. I didn’t know what would happen. I had three weeks left to complete the quest to kill Minotaur. What should I do?

[It is definitely somewhere in the east. There is black night hanging over it. Remus always drives the black night.]

In the end, I had to go to the place called Nutscher.

Prometheus wondered, “You won’t go with us?”

[It is fine for a while but it won’t last long. The black night is increasingly invading this place. If I’m away for a long time then this place will be swallowed up by the black night. Then we will live in darkness. Everyone living here as well as our children can’t live in such a place.]

“You can’t even lend a Star Piece?”

[Yes… I’m really sorry.]

‘Romelana was defending this place in her own way. It was somebody’s life that she was responsible for. However, it wasn’t an easy task.’ I thought to myself.

In any case, motherhood was great. Suddenly, I thought of my wife. If she was Romelana, she would have made the same choice. I couldn’t help missing her for a moment.

My eyes were red as I told Prometheus, “I have to go to Nutscher.”

“Of course, but…”

“Yes, it will be hard. It might not be possible. Still, I am an existence who won’t die permanently. Shouldn’t I try it?”

I looked back at Kim Sujeong and Gyeonso Dragon. They nodded at the same time.

Prometheus sighed. “Really… I can’t stop this old man.”

“What are you saying? You damn guy.”

Prometheus smiled and spoke to Romelana, “Romelana, enter the star cluster. Can you do at least this much?”

[I understand. Take my children. I will help you on your way. Number One.]

“Yes, Mother. Grrrruk!” One of the largest welsh wolves standing behind us spoke.

Kim Sujeong trembled with surprise. “W-What? They can talk?!”

I was also a bit surprised. I hadn’t expected them to be able to talk. Indeed, Minotaur could talk so it might be natural.

[Help them find your father.]

“I understand, Mother. Gruruk.”

Then a message was heard.

[The wolf star, ‘Romelana,’ has entered the star cluster, ‘Star Coffee House.’]

* * *

After a while, we met Taibeus and asked if he could look after the captain and crew of the ship. Fortunately, he willingly accepted and the crew were aware it was dangerous outside. It was because Taibeus had explained this place to them.

Soon, we stood at the exit of Diya. The wind blew against my cheek. The welsh wolf’s back was wide and I held onto the rough mane. I looked at the hills covered with swirling snow. “Let’s go see Remus.”