The Divine Twilight's Return

Chapter 375: Star, the Children of the Emperor’s Seat (10)

Tiamat, who was busily licking her lollipop, ended up laughing when Bashmu, her eldest son, told him news sweeter than her sweets.

“So he successfully brought down the <Troop> to their knees, huh?” Tiamat grinned.

“Yes.”

Bashmu was the calmest among her children and never really revealed his emotions, so Tiamat usually had him by her side as her secretary. Nevertheless, even he looked quite shocked.

Among the many groups related to <Purple Star Astrology>, the <Troop> had the best solidarity. Hence, even after leaving <Purple Star Astrology>, they still caused many problems for other <Societies>. They could have easily been categorized as a mere group of pirates or mercenaries, which no one recognized as a <Society>, but they couldn’t be taken lightly due to their outstanding combat power.

That was why Tiamat agreed with Chang-Sun’s proposal to bring the <Troop> to join the <Anti-Star> Alliance. Nevertheless, she established a condition out of concern for the possible disharmony that the <Troop> could cause. After all, she was well aware of their loyalty to the Emperor’s Seat. That was also why she didn’t have much hope when Chang-Sun agreed to her terms.

She actually believed that the chances of the <Troop> getting destroyed were higher. Even if Chang-Sun managed to bring them with him, she thought that he would only be dragging a few survivors by force. However, contrary to her expectations, he managed to put most of the <Troop> under his command and made them join the war as part of <Muspelheim>. It was outstanding.

“Hahahaha! He’s truly something. He probably has the manpower that he needs for his <Society> now,” Tiamat guessed.

<Muspelheim> wasn’t as influential as other major <Societies> in the <Anti-Star> Alliance because Chang-Sun was all <Muspelheim> had. Now, however, it would be comparable to <Nammu>. Other <Societies> should be vigilant of them.

“It’s going to be a mess. An absolute mess,” Tiamat said in amusement.

While planning this full-scale war, she had a feeling that things wouldn’t work out that easily. People had been holding back their desires because of her presence, but once this full-scale war began, all they would unleash all of it, causing mayhem. By that time, everyone in the <Anti-Star> Alliance would be prepared to backstab each other or launch a preemptive attack if they detected treachery. That was how big of a trophy <Purple Star Astrology> was.

‘Well, I doubt <Purple Star Astrology> would just stay put either,’ Tiamat thought.

Her biggest concern was the reaction of ‘Zi Wei Yuan,’ who had been in seclusion for a very long time. He was the strongest of the Three Enclosures and held the title of Clear Heaven among the Nine Heavens.

‘Zi Wei Yuan’ never really showed up in public, so Tiamat had only ever met him once. Still, despite his inactivity, he was so skilled that he remained the strong ruler of <Purple Star Astrology> to this day. That was why Tiamat was certain that he would definitely be up to something.

‘Other <Stars> are suspicious as well…’

Pushing her almost-finished lollipop deep into her mouth, Tiamat asked, “What about ‘Taurus’?”

‘Taurus’ was currently her biggest enemy.

Bashmu quietly shook his head. “He’s still quiet.”

“And the other <Stars>?”

“The same goes for them.”

Crunch, crunch.

“Ha! That’s even more suspicious.” Displeased, Tiamat bit down on her lollipop.

“At the very least, <Horoscope> hasn’t been spotted near <Purple Star Astrology>’s territory yet,” Bashmu reported.

“Alright. Continue observing them.”

“Yes, Mother.” Bashmu quietly bowed and retreated away.

Gulp!

Swallowing down what was left of the lollipop, Tiamat mischievously smiled. “I think I’ve had enough sugar now. Shall I get started?”

Tap, tap!

After brushing off dust from her adorable hands, Tiamat covered her eyes.

Paaah!

Tiamat unleashed her Dragon Fear, causing the air in the world to stifle.

* * *

[The Celestial ‘Primordial Evil Dragon’ opens her humongous eyes!]

A pair of eyes opened up in the skies of Polaris, the supreme divine ground of <Purple Star Astrology>, inducing fear into anyone who looked at them. Since it was where ‘Zi Wei Yuan’ resided, it was also known as the Zi Wei Palance. Through the eyes, which appeared to be reptilian and bigger than the sun or the moon, Tiamat looked down on the ground.

Having received intel about the <Anti-Star> Alliance’s plan to launch a large-scale attack, the Evil Celestials of Polaris had already made every possible preparation in the Zi Wei Palace. Nevertheless, they found themselves gritting their teeth. The Heavenly Spirit demonic Celestials, Earthly Fiend monster Celestials, and other Aberrant Celestials who answered their call and gathered in the area had similar reactions.

“Keough!”

“Monster…!”

Many <Purple Star Astrology> Celestials were actual monsters, having originated from yokais and abnormal phenomena. Nevertheless, even from their perspective, Tiamat could not be understood using common knowledge. All Tiamat did was open her eyes and release her energy, yet she already exuded extraordinary pressure. If not for the numerous barriers in Polaris, half of the Celestials on it would have gotten crushed to their souls and turned into pulps.

Among the Celestials, an old man with a slightly curved back just calmly stood, his hands behind his back. He had a big nose and ears so long that they almost touched his shoulders, making him look very gentle. However, he was wearing a purple shibijangbok with twelve dragon embroideries and a bejeweled gold crown. It was obvious from his radiant outfit that he held the most noble position in this place.

Smiling gently, Taeul the ‘Zi Wei Yuan,’ also known as the Clear Heaven, calmly said, “Long time no see, Tiamat. Has it been ten thousand years? No, it must have been twenty thousand years already.”

He spoke very slowly and relaxed, befitting his old appearance.

『Have you gone senile because of your old age? It has already been more than a hundred and fifty-four thousand years.』

Enraged, the Evil Celestials protested.

『How dare that lowly creature speak that way in here!』

[The Celestial ‘Primordial Evil Dragon’ grows furious!]

[The Dragon Fear of the Celestial ‘Primordial Evil Dragon’ has intensified!]

Thud!

Tiamat’s Dragon Fear crashed down on the Evil Celestials before they could continue protesting, silencing them. The heads of some of the Celestials burst, instantly killing them, and those who managed to resist still suffered significant internal injuries, causing them to fall on the ground, coughing.

『Can you not see that I’m talking to your superior? Don’t tell me that <Purple Star Astrology>, who is supposed to rule <Heaven>, is this low?』

Tiamat reproached the Evil Celestials’ rudeness, which she used as an excuse to crush their fighting spirits. The Evil Celestials wanted to continue protesting, but they really couldn’t work up the courage anymore. All they could do now was bite down on bit their lower lips.

At that moment, Taeul lightly waved his hand in the air, miraculously getting rid of Tiamat’s Dragon Fear.

“When superiors scold their subordinates too hard, they only lose their will to make an effort, so why don’t you calm down now?” Taeul gently asked.

『You have always been one hell of a smooth talker.』

“Hahaha, that is how I managed to survive until now. In any case, you seem to be in greath health and spirits. It’s truly surprising.”

『How so?』

“We wandered from Worldline to Worldline, devouring many things until we grew this big… Unlike us, you’ve been bound to one Worldline all this time.”

Even though they called themselves <Stars>, they were actually predators who ate Worldlines. Repeatedly committing Celestial Cannibalism, their Divine Classes naturally drastically increased. However, it was different for Tiamat. Since she was born, she never left Worldline #801. In other words, while living for eternity, she reached the same level as ‘Zi Wei Yuan.’

『So?』

“It’s remarkable. I’ve traveled countless Worldlines and met several people who were the ‘same’ as you, yet none of them were like you.”

Tauel recalled the Tiamats of other Worldlines. They could be considered twins, harboring the same potential as Tiamat of Worldline #801, yet none of them bloomed as radiantly as her. The other Tiamats were certainly exceptional, but that was all there was to them. They all ended up in Taeul’s stomach.

“It isn’t just you. Sun Wukong, Durga, Tongtian Jiaozhu… It’s the same for all the Nine Heavens. There’s ‘Divine Twilight’ too. This Worldline is nothing special. It’s just one of the infinite Worldlines like it… Hmph! That is why I find it interesting and why we and <Horoscope> decided to settle here for a while.”

Countless powerful individuals whom even <Stars> couldn’t take lightly were present in this Worldline. Perhaps a new Emperor was about to be born here. Either way, Taeul couldn’t help but wonder how much stronger he and the other <Stars> would become once they devoured this Worldline.

<Purple Star Astrology> and <Horoscope> used Worldline #802 as a bridge to Worldline #801 for a good reason.

『You have a very eloquent way of saying that you’re going to eat me,』Tiamat scoffed. She knew about the <Stars>’ goal better than anyone else in the first place. In fact, that was why ‘Taurus’ was tenaciously coming after her and why she wanted to make all <Stars> plummet from the sky.

『Let’s see if you’ll succeed with your scheme,』

A moment of silence fell upon the area.

Krrrrrrrr―!

Not long after, an intense roar echoed throughout Polaris.

[The Celestial ‘Primordial Evil Dragon’ lets out a fierce roar!]

Dragon Roar was an Authority that destroyed laws of nature and forcibly infused Dragon Fear amid the fragments. While Dragon Breath specialized in single combat, Dragon Roar affected everyone within its area of effect. In the hands of someone like Tiamat, even the shockwaves it created were lethal enough to be called an ultimate technique.

Crash!

Much to the surprise of over a hundred Evil Celestials, All of Polaris’ barriers instantly shattered. Buildings collapsed, and the ground split, allowing lava to shoot up from the cracks. If Tiamat could singlehandedly subdue <Purple Star Astrology>, then that meant that she was far stronger than the Nine Heavens and had the potential to become an Emperor!

She didn’t just destroy the barriers and divine ground. The cracks also reached the sky, creating wormholes where teleportation portals were formed. Numerous battleships and vehicles from myths and legends charged out from them and descended on the ground, emitting sacred radiance.

[The Society <Nammu> initiates their invasion!]

[The Society <Olympus> initiates their invasion!]

…

[The United Army begins their invasion!]

The Evil Celestials flung themselves to the portals. The battle that would end the long war between the <Anti-Star> Alliance and <Purple Star Astrology> had begun.

* * *

The sky undulated just before the transformation of the Incendiary Burial Whale—no, the transformation of [Naglfar] was completed.

When Kali told Chang-Sun that they detected suspicious signs of teleportation, Chang-sun hurriedly came out to the deck.

“I already knew they wouldn’t be able to stay put, but I didn’t expect them to be this serious.” Chang-Sun chuckled dryly.

A colossal black hole appeared in the sky, and an astronomical amount of blindingly bright—no, soul-burningly bright light particles poured out from it like a waterfall.

“Did they cross the Imaginary Plane to stay under Tiamat’s nose? That must have cost them quite a lot of Causality. They must want to kill me very badly,” Chang-Sun said as messages popped up before him.

[The Celestial ‘Scorpio’ is descending!]

[The Celestials ‘Gemini’ are descending!]

[The Celestial ‘Aquarius’ is descending!]

…

A scorpion, twins, a water vase… the light particles took various forms. They created twelve in total, the last of which was a bull.

Chang-Sun’s old enemies—the Zodiacs—were appearing all at once!

Crack.

Even as the Zodiacs’ Spiritual Pressure damaged [Naglfar] little by little, Chang-Sun kept watching the black hole with gleaming eyes.

[The Society <Horoscope> initiates their invasion!]

In a completely different area, a new war began.