Chapter 237

Anna Croft was silent on the way to Oro Castle . She sometimes smiled strangely when our eyes met but she didn’t speak first .

I wished I could read her thoughts but my understanding of Anna Croft was so low that I couldn’t activate the second stage of Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint .

I didn’t like Anna Croft in the original novel . I couldn’t count the number of times she killed or backstabbed Yoo Jonghyuk with the fingers on both hands .

The atmosphere in the carriage was awkward because both Anna Croft and I weren’t speaking . Selena Kim was sweating .

“…Thus, we came together . The incarnations of Asgard were invited . ”

Selena Kim’s good nature meant she couldn’t stand this type of atmosphere and she kept saying things that weren’t asked for . In any case, it was good for me to hear a lot of information .

“I see . Are you part of Asgard?”

“Yes . It was Anna’s arrangement . ”

“You picked a good nebula . ”

“Ahaha, I was just lucky . Thanks to it, I can enjoy this great luxury . The other incarnations weren’t invited…”

Selena Kim looked slightly excited . Well, the invitation to the Gourmet Association had a different meaning from the constellation banquet . If the constellation banquet was a gathering for the entire nobility, the Gourmet Association was similar to a gathering of the upper nobility .

Still, it wasn’t necessarily a good thing . I wondered if Selena Kim could continue thinking like this once she arrived .

“Iris, why aren’t you saying anything? You said you wanted to meet Dokja-ssi again . ”

“влин! (I mean!) Since when did I say that?” (TL: That’s what google gave me . If anyone is Russian and knows the actual translation then please comment . )

“This child… haven’t you been talking about Kim Dokja since the last banquet? You haven’t seen each other for a while so say something . ”

Iris’ face turned red at Selena Kim’s teasing . Iris noticed my gaze and carefully opened her mouth . “You are the Demon King of Salvation… right?”

I had doubts that this person was the cheeky kid from back then but I decided to be polite . “Correct . ”

“…Is it uncomfortable for you to be with us?”

“Why would I feel uncomfortable?”

“We are just incarnations . The Demon King of Salvation is…”

Selena Kim’s expression was also changing . I had forgotten for a moment but I was different from them . The gap between incarnation and constellation was like the gap between heaven and earth .

Other constellations would’ve said, “These little bugs finally realize who they are talking to . ” Of course, I wasn’t like that .

“It’s fine . I was once an incarnation . ”

Selena Kim seemed to sigh with relief at my words . Iris gained some courage and opened her mouth again . “Then… can I ask one question?”

“Please ask . ”

“Do you have an incarnation you signed a Sponsor Contract with?”

“Why are you asking?”

“Uh, that…”

Selena gave a hint for the hesitating Iris . “Iris . Do you have a sponsor yet?”

“I-I’m just asking! It is out of curiosity!”

The twin ponytails moved as Iris twisted her head while Shin Yoosung and Lee Gilyoung on Earth came to my mind . Those guys, please stay well…

I spoke with a nostalgic heart . “I have an incarnation on the Korean Peninsula . ”

Iris’ expression changed at my words . “Ah, perhaps that little kid…”

I nodded . It seemed the rumour of Shin Yoosung had spread everywhere . The constellations had already told their incarnations .

Then Anna Croft opened her mouth . “Have you ever thought about changing your incarnation?”

Selena Kim and Iris stared at Anna Croft with surprise . Anna Croft continued speaking, “There are many good incarnations in the Asgard nebula . There are many talented friends . Iris is one of them . ”

It was an unexpected proposal . Why was Anna Croft suddenly making this offer? Maybe Asgard was talking about me . Well, I hadn’t formally made a nebula yet .

“Are you telling me to join the Asgard nebula?”

“It isn’t necessarily the same thing . There are many good incarnations in Asgard . I’m just saying that it isn’t bad to accept one of them . Can’t you withdraw the Sponsor Contract at any point?”

The disappointed Iris once again stared at me with sparkling eyes . I replied with an emotionless face . “I have no intention of cancelling my Sponsor Contract . ”

“Do you like that girl? Is she called Shin Yoosung?”

I didn’t answer and Iris’ face filled with deep disappointment . My understanding of her might be very low but the change in emotions was easily caught .

By the way, Anna Croft made a strange remark . “For example, if an incarnation suddenly dies…”

There was an unknown smile on Anna Croft’s face . “Don’t look so surprised . It is just an example . It is a possibility . An unexpected accident or a sudden disaster can cause the death of an incarnation… It is a common thing . If that happens, don’t you think you’ll change your incarnation?”

“An unexpected accident?”

“Yes, an unexpected accident . An accident that happened accidentally . ”

I stared at Anna Croft . Shin Yoosung’s death… I never thought about it .

“That won’t happen as long as I live . ”

“You don’t know . It is unclear how and when Fate will work . ”

…Fate? The atmosphere momentarily shook . The surrounding air filled with an ominous aura and the entire carriage trembled . Iris and Selena Kim’s expressions stiffened . They had goosebumps on their arms as they watched me with a frightened expression .

I hadn’t wanted to do this . I didn’t want to scare them by seeming like a villain . However, Anna Croft crossed a line she shouldn’t have crossed .

[If something like that happens . ]

Sparks of probability appeared as I used my true voice .

[The nebula ‘Asgard’ is concerned . ]

[The constellations of the ‘Asgard’ nebula are warning you!]

I heard the indirect messages of the Asgard constellations enter my ears . Nevertheless, I didn’t stop .

[If that happens, I will destroy all the worlds that caused that Fate . ]

The impact of the shock caused the windows of the carriage to burst at the same time . The startled driver looked back this way . There was even vague astonishment on Anna Croft’s normally calm face . Perhaps she wasn’t aware of exactly how much ‘status’ I had .

Shortly afterwards, the carriage stopped and the voice of the guide was heard .

[We have arrived at Oro Castle . ]

I smiled at the three people who were still stiff . “Let’s go . ”

***

We got down from the carriage and was guided into Oro Castle .

Oro Castle . The castle was one of the main homes of the Gourmet Association scattered all over the world and was owned directly by a member of the Gourmet Association . Perhaps it was… I remember that it was one of the 72 demon kings . Was it ‘Immeasurable Austerity?

[They have been granted permission to enter . ]

[I’ve confirmed it . Come in . ]

The interior of the castle had more of a modern than medieval style . It was reminiscent of a luxurious hotel lobby . The forms of the intermediate symbolic bodies could be seen scattered around .

[Some constellations are paying attention to your presence . ]

We were guided to a waiting room in the corner of the first floor lobby . Perhaps some people hadn’t arrived yet . The three incarnations of Asgard and I were the only ones present .

[Please wait in the waiting room . There are still more incarnations arriving… ah, the Demon King of Salvation is a constellation . I will arrange a separate waiting room for you . ]

“No, I’m fine . I’ll just be here . ”

The guide stared at me like I was strange but soon disappeared . Frankly, it was more comfortable here . I needed some time to prepare my mind .

There were panels hung on the wall of the waiting room . They played sub scenarios currently going on all over the dimensions…

“Excuse me, earlier…” It was Selena Kim who spoke . She might be hesitant because of what happened in the carriage but there was nothing wrong with the setting of Ways of Survival .

I smiled softly and replied, “It’s fine . I was a bit too much . ”

Selena Kim’s expression slightly softened . “No, we were too rude . I’m sorry, Demon King of Salvation . ”

Her words were much more formal than before . I didn’t mean to refuse the apology but something felt bad . Selena Kim did nothing wrong . She was one of the few people I liked in Ways of Survival . The one I hated was the shameless person standing in the corner and watching this scene .

Then the door of the waiting room opened and another guide appeared .

[Incarnations of Asgard, please follow me . ]

The constellations of Asgard were probably looking for them . Selena Kim and Iris nodded to me before leaving .

On the other hand, Anna Croft watched me without leaving the room . “You have too many constellations as enemies . ”

“It isn’t something for you to worry about . ”

Anna Croft slightly frowned at my assertion . She didn’t seem daunted despite what happened before . She was a mere incarnation but she had contracted with an entire nebula . Perhaps the top-ranked Asgardians were protecting her from my ‘status . ’

“As comrades moving towards the same goal, I am seriously advising you . You might not like it but it is time to cooperate with other constellations . ”

The same goal…

“Well, I don’t know your goal so I can’t answer it . ”

“Protecting this world . Aren’t you fighting for this as well?”

Instead of answering the question, I glanced at the panel on the wall of the waiting room . There were images of incarnations torn apart by disasters and constellations . I didn’t answer and Anna Croft brushed by my side .

At this moment, I opened my mouth . “I have to see if this world is worth protecting or not . ”

Anna Croft’s expression hardened at my words . She looked between the anxious guide and me before giving a short sigh . “…I hope we have a chance to talk later . ”

She disappeared and only I remained in the waiting room . Once left alone, I quietly organized my thoughts .

I recalled the Gourmet Association constellations mentioned in Ways of Survival and thought of the constellations that could be persuaded . I didn’t forget their characteristics or their modifiers .

I was fortunate at the constellation banquet but there was no guarantee it would happen again .

If the Gourmet Association was expressed as a social circle, this would be my full-fledged debut .

Depending on the impression I made here and what I talked about, the direction of the following scenarios would change .

At this moment, the door of the waiting room opened .

I thought it was a guide but this time, an unexpected presence was waiting for me . The moment I was about to say something, the other person spoke first .

[It’s been a while, Kim Dokja . I’ve been waiting for a long time . ]

I heard the bright tone of the True Voice and realized what the other person was . Really, the queen of the Underworld was too mischievous .

I sighed and asked, “…Why the hell do you look like that?”

TL: Rainbow Turtle