“Uh… that’s strange.”
Jeong Noeul tilted his head.
“I definitely cast a sleep spell on Iro hyung before coming here.”
After glaring briefly at Jeong Noeul, I scratched the back of my neck.
‘Strange? Not really. There were just too many variables.’
After all, Han Iro had likely been under his constellation’s watch 24/7. A spell like Jeong Noeul’s could have been dispelled at any time. Considering how much Love Born with Bubbles cherished Han Iro, there was no way she’d sit idly by while some creation cast a spell on her contractor.
“Uh… hi?”
For now, I raised one hand to greet Han Iro.
“…Hi.”
Han Iro responded, frowning.
“Shall we talk in detail on the way back to the dorm?”
“Alright.”
We started walking back to the dorm with our hands in our pockets.
The fact that Han Iro had come all the way here meant that Love Born with Bubbles must have already told him some things about what was going on.
It was surprising. I had thought Love Born with Bubbles would let him stay out of it for his safety. The constellations seemed reluctant to intervene in what Aiden was attempting.
“How much have you heard? From your constellation.”
I asked as we walked.
“That’s the wrong question.”
Han Iro turned his gaze toward me.
“Because I can’t even gauge how much I actually know. I don’t know if I know everything or if I’ve only heard the tip of the iceberg. But one thing is clear…”
Han Iro narrowed his eyes and looked me up and down.
“…I’ve been played like a clown in the palm of your hand without knowing anything.”
“Hey, that’s a bit harsh.”
Though, honestly, I couldn’t blame him for thinking that way.
I sighed. I wondered if he also knew about Jeong Noeul and Madojin’s true identities.
“Don’t be too upset, Iro hyung.”
Jeong Noeul spoke to Han Iro.
“Eunyul hyung just wanted you to stay safe. So did I. We couldn’t ask you to blindly join something so dangerous, could we? By the way, how did you break my spell?”
“My constellation did it for me.”
“Ah-ha…”
Jeong Noeul clapped his hands in understanding.
“See, Eunyul hyung?”
Then he spoke to me.
“Our spells are nothing more than child’s play before a constellation. If you end up facing Aiden’s constellation, you must run. There’s no way you’d survive.”
Seeing him explain all this in such a situation made him seem like a reliable teacher.
‘Of course. Who could win against a constellation?’
I recalled my previous encounter with The Mother Who Burns Forever.
She had a chilling presence. Among the goddesses recorded in countless myths, The Mother Who Burns Forever was one of the most terrifying. Her entire body looked scorched, and according to mythology, she moved out of hatred for humanity, so she probably didn’t hold any goodwill toward creations. Facing The Mother Who Burns Forever was impossible for us. We’d have to leave that to Saetbyeol.
“Well.”
Madojin spoke up.
“I understand that Aiden’s constellation isn’t of a particularly cruel nature.”
“…What?”
I looked up at Madojin.
“My master found it odd that The Mother Who Burns Forever was involved. Despite her dreadful legends, he believed she wasn’t a constellation who would take human lives lightly. According to myth, The Mother Who Burns Forever once screamed at her consort that she would kill a thousand humans a day. That’s a hatred born precisely from understanding the value of human life.”
“Well, yes, but…”
“Moreover, hatred fades with time. My master said The Mother Who Burns Forever is a tragic goddess.”
“…A tragic goddess.”
It was a concept that didn’t quite register with me.
Now that I thought about it, I had never considered the misfortune of gods from a human perspective.
Constellations were beings who transcended human comprehension and power, so I naturally assumed they wouldn’t feel unhappiness. Besides, the legends of The Mother Who Burns Forever didn’t describe her as tragic. Although she burned to death while giving birth, the myths mainly focused on her grotesque appearance and her role as a calamity seeking to kill humans.
“Hey, everyone.”
Han Iro frowned.
“Are you leaving me out again?”
“No, that’s not it.”
I laughed awkwardly.
“Anyway, it’s too late now.”
As we stepped into the dorm courtyard, I spoke.
“Let’s get some sleep for now. I’ll explain everything tomorrow.”
“Promise?”
“Of course.”
It was understandable that Han Iro would feel left out. Especially since this whole matter involved Codess as well. But unlike me, Han Iro was still just an ordinary human. For now, I wanted him to rest.
“Then will you make a promise to me too?”
Suddenly, a voice called out near the entrance.
With the voice, I sighed.
“Oh, come on…”
I stared blankly at Min Heejae, who was leaning against the doorway.
“What were the four of you doing without me? Playing volleyball or something?”
Min Heejae asked with a sly smile.
“Why are you up?”
“Well, maybe I woke up because of all the noise.”
Min Heejae shrugged.
“Or maybe my constellation woke me up.”
<So, The Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld and Love Born with Bubbles have decided to intervene too.>
Tap.
We heard the soft sound of someone landing.
Everyone in the courtyard turned toward the source of the sound.
<It seems so. Are you satisfied, brother? In the end, we are all being summoned to Father’s sanctuary together.>
Saetbyeol and Mika had landed in the courtyard, looking at us.
“What… Why are you two…?”
I muttered in confusion.
“Why are you both covered in blood?”
Mika only had some burns, but Saetbyeol had a hole pierced right through his abdomen. Both constellations, landing on the ground with equally disheveled wings, oddly enough wore relieved expressions.
<We fought a little.>
Saetbyeol said bluntly.
<Indeed. Brothers often fight, after all.>
…Yeah, well. Brothers don’t usually stab each other.
I glanced at the members’ faces.
I was especially concerned about Han Iro and Min Heejae’s reactions.
“…Kim Saetbyeol and Michael.”
Han Iro muttered, pointing back and forth at Saetbyeol and Mika.
“You’re really Kim Saetbyeol and Michael, right…?”
He seemed a bit broken.
“My constellation has explained everything to me.”
Min Heejae, on the other hand, looked calm.
“You are The Star Hated by All and The Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell, correct?”
<Correct. I am the famous King of Hell.>
Saetbyeol grinned, speaking energetically despite the hole in his stomach.
<…I apologize for hiding my identity.>
Thankfully, Mika responded in a more normal fashion.
“Well, I guess there’s no need to wait until tomorrow to talk…”
I sighed.
“Let’s all head inside and talk!”
Shouting that, I started walking.
“So that’s how it is…”
Han Iro said, brushing his hair back.
“So your ancestor was a devil-worshiper… and that’s why you contracted with Satan.”
“…Yeah, pretty much.”
<Isn’t it fortunate? Thanks to that, you get to use a road manager with infinite stamina.>
<…I apologize once again.>
Saetbyeol and Mika were sitting on the sofa, looking at us. Mika’s hand hovered over the hole in Saetbyeol’s abdomen, glowing blue as he used healing magic.
<How depraved you are… Healing magic hardly works on you.>
Apparently, the magic wasn’t very effective.
“And Dojin, you’re an angel, huh?”
Min Heejae smiled at Madojin.
“…Yes.”
“And you kept using honorifics because you’re not even a year old yet?”
“…Y-Yes.”
“But the promise still stands. At least with me, drop the honorifics.”
“W-Why…”
Madojin looked at me with teary eyes.
I avoided his gaze and spoke.
“You may feel hurt that we didn’t tell you earlier… but we just didn’t want to drag you into danger.”
With arms crossed, I continued.
“And this whole situation is complicated. I’m contracted with Satan, and Noeul’s previous life is complicated too.”
“Well, that’s how it is!”
Jeong Noeul cheerfully shouted.
He was holding Abrilah’s crown in his hands.
“Honestly, I struggled a lot with my identity back during CYB. That’s why I couldn’t tell anyone except Eunyul hyung. And so I just kept hiding it.”
“…I understand.”
Han Iro sighed.
“Anyway, that’s not what matters right now, is it? Everyone’s trying to stop Aiden, right?”
“Right.”
I nodded.
“We’ve been acting to stop Aiden. And judging from what Heejae hyung heard…”
There were indeed disturbances in the underworld.
<The Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld intend to provide a stage to prevent further harm to the mortal realm.>
Saetbyeol spoke, resting his chin on his hand.
<If we fight directly here, the consequences would be severe. They plan to open the gate of the underworld and drag Aiden and The Mother Who Burns Forever there.>
“…Then do we have to go to the underworld too?”
<That is uncertain.>
Mika replied calmly.
<The Mother Who Burns Forever possesses divinity as an underworld god. Unless her power is weakened, she could easily break the gate of the underworld.>
<…Tch, that ridiculous woman.>
Saetbyeol grumbled, frowning.
<Confronting The Mother Who Burns Forever will be my and Mikael’s task. The rest of you need not worry.>
Your role is…
No, your role is…
Pointing at me, Saetbyeol spoke.
<Not to confront the constellations. You know this, don’t you?>
I nodded.
“Our goal is to stop Aiden.”
Then I spoke to everyone.
“There’s no backing out now, so be ready.”
I wasn’t sure how things had ended up like this…
But it seemed we would all be acting together from here on out.
Little Pink Starfish 
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