[741] The Great Purifier (1)
The Bestowal of Stars.
Unlike the residents who spend their whole lives in the Ivory Tower, those who go out into the world to spread its teachings are called stars.
Their authority isn't granted by anyone; they assert it themselves, so no grand ceremony is necessary.
Still, having the incarnation of the stars acknowledge the worth of one's intellect would feel strange to anyone born on this land.
"Shirone, I bestow upon you the five highest stars. Become one of the Five Great Stars and protect this land."
Taeseong's voice was gentle, and an emblem appeared before his eyes.
"This is…."
A planet's High-Pass — an emblem that only someone bearing the Star title can possess.
"Take it. It stands in for me. As the lord of this land, I entrust this heavy burden to you."
"The lord of this land…."
There were countless kings and nobles with territories in the world, but none of them were the true owner.
"This token represents me. All who dwell on this land are my children; they will gladly aid you."
What rulers feared most was, after all, the might of the Ivory Tower, but at least the sentiment pleased him.
"Yes. Thank you."
The emblem, engraved with five stars, had a material like a blend of iron and wood — a texture Shirone had never felt before.
"It's made from fragments of stars. Just carrying it on your person will grant considerable effects."
"Fragments of stars…."
If you knew the principles, you could summon something like that as Material.
"What effects?"
"I've heard it promotes blood circulation and is good for vitality."
Shirone hung the emblem around his neck.
"Is that all?"
"Usually, yes. But since you're to be one of the Five Great Stars who lead the others, there are things you should know. And, of course, perks."
'Perks, huh.'
What could they give him besides power enough to make kings tremble?
"First, most stars have satellites that accompany them. If you want, I can help you find one. How about you, Shirone?"
"Hmm, a satellite…."
Rian was the first to come to mind, then a few others crossed his thoughts.
"I don't think I particularly need one."
Taeseong nodded as if he'd expected that.
"I see. In fact, none of the Five Great Stars has a satellite. That's odd beyond mere coincidence."
A satellite must orbit a star and assist it with complementary purpose, and it must share the orbital direction around Taeseong.
"Each star has its own firm philosophy. So satellites aren't chosen by strength alone. Especially for the Five Great Stars…"
"Yes. What I intend to do can't be achieved by reaching a compromise with someone."
It was something that had to be pushed through from the pinnacle of intellect, overcoming countless objections until the end.
That was the world of the Ivory Tower's stars.
"So stars without satellites sometimes ask us for weapons or means of transport. In some cases, they even ask us to scour other worlds for a suitable satellite."
"Other worlds…."
Arte's satellite Tokey came to mind.
"Then why don't you ask me for something, Shirone? I can provide whatever you want."
Taeseong wasn't boasting without basis; the mental world—the source of objects—was under the control of Luber, a four-star resident.
"I'm not sure. Something I absolutely need…."
He could use Material now, but there was nothing he absolutely had to have.
"I didn't explain well. The type doesn't matter. What matters is registering it in the Ivory Tower."
Shirone, pulled out of his thoughts, lifted his head.
"Register it?"
"As you know, a star can register one other existence besides themselves in the Ivory Tower. Usually it's a satellite, but it can also be an object."
Taeseong held up the tokens satellites carry.
"Possessing a star's token means receiving the absolute support of the Ivory Tower's residents. Imagine a dagger anyone could use is registered as a star's item."
The emblem transformed into a dagger, and a mark that orbited the star was engraved on the hilt.
"If the owner lost that dagger and someone else picked it up and murdered someone with it — and if that murderer were in danger of being punished by a kingdom…"
The mark on the dagger flared with intense light.
"The residents of the Ivory Tower would spare no effort to erase that kingdom from the map."
Shirone swallowed.
"The Ivory Tower's residents trust their stars absolutely. Even if someone dies with a lost sword, they will believe there was some inevitable reason unknown to the culprits."
That was why not just anyone could become a star.
"Nothing is completely wrong or completely right. We are the ones who define things. Sometimes compromise isn't enough. There are times when the only way is to force your will through."
If everything had been solved by compromise, humanity would have perished long before Nane.
"Registering a star's title is the minimum problem-solving power the Ivory Tower can exercise. In other words…"
Taeseong extended the dagger's hilt.
"Even if you are wrong, a star's judgment is always treated as right."
"Ah…."
When Shirone gripped the hilt, the dagger glowed bluish and broke into beautiful fragments that scattered like snow.
"Choose carefully. It can be a person, an object, or an animal. Besides Shirone, you may register exactly one more thing in the Ivory Tower."
"Yes, I'll remember."
Satisfied that his meaning was conveyed, Taeseong smiled and clapped his hands.
"That covers the basic rights of a star. And the Five Great Stars receive a special gift."
"I'll accept it gratefully if you offer it."
He wasn't particularly materialistic, but now that he was one of the Five Great Stars, he might as well accept what was given.
"What gift would that be?"
Taeseong asked playfully, but answering was harder than it sounded.
"Haha, I don't know. A souvenir, maybe?"
It might suit a Great Star, but Taeseong shook his head and pointed at the sky.
"I will give you a star."
"…Yes? What?"
Shirone doubted his ears.
"You'll give me what?"
"Honestly, all I have are stars. Everything else is what the Ivory Tower's residents have built."
Perhaps that was true, but he couldn't even guess what it meant to possess a star.
"If I have a star… will it really become mine?"
"Of course. I oversee all the stars of this world, and I will give you one of them."
Taeseong swept his hands wide; the outer wall glass of the Great Earth Cathedral brightened and reflected the scene of the cosmos.
"Wow…."
This time Shirone felt a touch of awe too.
"A star, especially one tied to a Five Great Star, is a role with many considerations. Sometimes you need space to withdraw from the human world and contemplate alone."
"No, but to take one from another star…."
"Unnamed stars are lonely."
Shirone fell silent.
"The universe is surprisingly hollow. Not every star fulfills a purpose. There are countless stars that exist merely to fill probability. I started this because I thought — if even one person gave a name to a star, that would be a good thing."
It was a thought only the incarnation of the stars could have.
"I see. I'll accept it gratefully."
Though called a perk, Taeseong clapped like a delighted child and showed a selection of candidate stars.
"Good! I'll narrow down a few stars that can sustain life. Pick the one you like and give it a name."
Countless stars that had decorated the cathedral ceiling rushed in at light speed, and soon a huge planet filled the view.
'It's beautiful.'
The planet was all blue, a vast ocean dotted with tens of thousands of islands.
"Average temperature: twenty-eight degrees. This planet has a tropical climate similar to this one. With so many islands, it's perfect for resorts. There are no sentient beings to name it, but numerous distinct flora and fauna are spread evenly across the islands, so it's pleasant to stroll however you feel."
Taeseong proudly introduced his masterpiece pulled from near-infinite probability.
"Magnificent."
"I highly recommend it. Next is a blue-land planet."
A huge continent rolled by, covered endlessly with vegetation, spinning under floating blue clouds.
"This place is home to countless animals. Food is abundant, so they don't prey on one another. They're all docile. If you like animals, I recommend this planet."
Taeseong pulled the planet closer; mermaids sat on rocks by a small lake and sang beautiful songs.
"Amy would like that."
As Shirone watched with a pleased look, Taeseong introduced the final planet.
"This one is, without doubt, nature's artwork."
It was full of sights even rarer than on Shirone's home world — countless spectacular vistas in endless succession.
"Formed by volcanoes, storms, tides, and tectonic shifts — among such creations, this is the finest. It's currently stable, so it's safe to bring friends. Of course… you might slip while climbing a mountain."
Sharp peaks pierced the clouds and cliffs dropped away into a blue sea.
Jungles spread along great rivers, and animals migrated in herds across endless plains.
"Hmm… I see."
Shirone withdrew the thought he'd had when Taeseong first spoke.
'I actually wanted one.'
He truly wanted it.
Even if he could make one with Material, there was doubt whether he could reproduce such beauty, not to mention the time it would take.
"It's not a usual thing to say about a star, but resources are abundant. There are many substances not found here. Large-scale imports would destroy the star's balance, so they aren't allowed, but harvesting for personal use is fine. If you have time, learning alchemy would be good too."
Having finished introducing the planets, Taeseong turned back to Shirone.
"If none of these please you…"
"I'll take that planet."
Shirone raised his hand and pointed at the ceiling; Taeseong smiled knowingly and nodded.
"Then give it a name."
"The planet's name…."
Shirone's gaze softened for a moment.
"Hexa."
May it no longer be a lonely name.
"That's a splendid name. From now on, Planet Hexa belongs to Shirone. I, who preside over the universe's stars, guarantee this; no one may claim ownership."
Taeseong checked the time.
"There's a little more than a day until the altar opens. You've fought fiercely so far. Do as you wish in that time."
It felt like an instruction to put his short remaining life in order, and Shirone grew anxious.
"No. I'll go back to Nane. This time I'll finish it for good."
Taeseong shook his head.
"If Shirone fails, no one will be able to stop Nane. Wait for the right time. Time is needed."
"Are you telling me to stand by and watch the world rush toward destruction?"
"It will not be destroyed."
Taeseong spoke with conviction.
"Shirone, humans are weak, but they are not feeble in spirit. Having survived countless crises so far, they will not easily hand over the world."
As he said that and looked down at the surface, Shirone also turned his gaze to the blue planet beyond the glass floor.
'What's happening down there?'