Chapter 482: Land of the Star-Touched

Chapter 482: Land of the Star-Touched

Star-touched, platinum blond, unfallen there were many ways to describe themthe humans that long ago had been tempted by the Star and had turned their back to the Moons. According to what Nil had said a while back, those were the first human cultists that came into being. Unlike the modern equivalents, they had made a vow to remain with the Star, and thus had kept their sanity and consciousness. Sadly, as with more things relating to the star, the arrangement didnt last long.

Tempted with promises of complete dominance, the Star-touched began a rebellion as they charged against the rest of humanity and any that would support them. Aided by the powers granted by the Star, it seemed as if they would succeed, but then the Moons intervened, cutting their powers off. Since then they were cursed never to have awakened powers until such a time when the Moons decided to forgive their descendants.

There were such people in Dallions home village. One of the most important families there had been with such characteristics ever since the village had been established. At the timebefore Dallion the Earth part of Dallions consciousness had arrived in this worldDallion found the characteristic quite unique. Hed even had a childhood crush on Gloriagranddaughter of the former village chief. Never had he imagined that when the village had first been established, not all the inhabitants had arrived from the north. There was no way to be certain, but what if part of them had already been in the area when the explorers had arrived and mingled with them, continuing the Star-touched bloodline?

That was one of the reasons why Dallions blond friends had attracted so much attention upon arriving at Nerosal. Star-touched with awakened powers, not only were an exotic rarity, they were also people who had been forgiven by the Moons.

So, this is where they lived, Dallion thought, looking at the portrait.

They were clearly a lot more numerous than the ancient stories suggested, and also, the timing was a bit off. Initially, Dallion had thought that the whole rebellion had taken place well after the empire had formed. Clearly, he was off by a few thousand years, which begged the question: how had the Star-touched been so technologically advanced? Having them removed from the worlds history was understandable; either the Order or the Moons themselves had seen to it, less humanity make the same mistake as the blondes did.

Did you find what you were looking for? Nil asked.

No, Dallion replied. Nil, you should have just told me. Im here to find the dragonlet. This is just something to increase my chances.

Bitterness filled Dallion. He knew why the echo hadnt told him about this place. In part, it was because Dallion might stumble across the Star. There was no denying that even after his level increase, he most likely didnt have what it took to face something of the strength of a fallen deity. Since Dallion was considered a mid-level awakened, he no longer could rely on the protection of the Moons, making any confrontation hazardous, especially in the Stars domain. However, Dallion strongly suspected there was another reason. Nil was probably afraid that Dallion might see something that might make him tempted to join the Stars side.

I thought you knew me better than that, Nil, he said to himself.

This was their land, wasnt it? Dallion asked.

There was no answer.

A bubble of rage burst inside of him, furious that the echo wouldnt answer. Thankfully, the anger vanished almost as soon as it had appeared, mostly thanks to the calming melody in Dallions domain.

Thanks, Harp. Dallion shook his head. I needed that.

As Dallion stood here, a realization came to mind. The reason he was on edge wasnt so much that Nil had hidden things from him. It was Dallions surroundings that were creating such an uneasy effect. The last time he had felt something similar was during the expedition in the world sword while walking through the battlefield ruins.

Music! Dallion concentrated on the furniture.

The moment he did, he saw that he was right. All the furniture was made of solid void, as if someone had extracted the void that created chainlings and given it solid form. No wonder that there were no windowsmoonlight would have destroyed every object without a trace, just like it had on the floors above.

Lux, move closer to the painting, Dallion said.

The kaleidervisto did so.

Now, flash.

As blue light filled the room, Dallion split into two dozen instances.

Despite having spent far more time in this world than he had back on Earth, parts of his gamer mentality remained. What had been a tower of monsters set on consuming him suddenly changed into a farming area that would help him increase the level of his familiars, at least one of them. All that Dallion had to do was survive.

Well, its just like old times, Nox, Dallion said, bursting into instances. Lets get them.

Now that the initial fear had gone, Dallion found that the fight was rather elementary. Lacking coordination, battle tactics, or any purpose other than swarming him, the creatures were quite easy to deal with. Once he had managed to create enough space around him to maneuver a bit, it was only a matter of taking them out a few at a time. The process was long, and resulted in a few painful wounds, but with Lux at the ready, that wasnt something Dallion concerned himself with.

The flow of creatures became a trickle, then stopped completely, leaving Dallion in an empty room once more. The entire floor was covered in ash that let off the smell of cinders and burned horn. As strong as the temptation was for him to sit down to rest a bit, Dallion chose to remain standing.

Both his hands had burn marks caused by contact with the creatures. The pain was significant, though bearable. Taking the kaleidervisto from the air, Dallion pressed it down on the affected spots and let Luxs flames do the rest of the work. The sensation was instantly soothing.

You were quite fortunate, dear boy, Nil said. As I was saying, after observing the creatures behavior, it was clear that they never wanted to attack you. They were merely seeking the only source of shelter.

Thanks for the clarification, Dallion said with a smirk.

When Lux had lit up, the creatures might have confused his healing light with that of the Moon, so scurried towards Dallion in an effort to turn him into a chainling.

The more he thought about it, the more horrifying it sounded. Becoming a chainling was bad enough to feel as if being submerged in acid while that was going on was outright horrifying.

From now on, Ill do my best not to come in contact with Star-spawn in the real world.

Not only the real world, dear boy. Avoid it altogether. I strongly suspect that the reason you were burned by crackling matter was because you no longer have the protection of the Moons. From here on, its up to you to fight your battles. As such

Fun Dallion lifted the kaleideristo from his hand. The skin was new, just as before. Did the people living here have to go through the same each time they came in contact with a piece of furniture?

That sounded like something the Star would domake them suffer just beneath the point that would break them. Or better yet, he could keep them in fear, never knowing when their surroundings might decide to consume them, transforming them into chainlings.

You have it all wrong, dear boy Nil sighed. That was one of the gifts the star gave to all those who followed him. The Star-touched werent affected by crackling matter. If anything, they used it to make clothes and items. Thats their affinity even now.

Huh?

Why did you think blondes were revered to such an extent? Just because they can become awakened? Nil let out a dry laugh. They are the only ones who can wrap themselves in crackling void and keep their mind and sanity. All the overseers in the empire, probably all in the world itself, are Star-touched. No one else is capable of achieving that.

The revelation hit Dallion like a thunderbolt. Is that why Countess Priscord had personally sent the Luors of Dherma an invitation to join her for the Nerosal festival? Was that why Falkners father had agreed for his son to enter into a relationship with Gloria? That was also the reason Dallions grandfather had asked Kierra to take the sacrifice somehow he, too, had known.

Thats why you had nightmares about the cities, Dallion thought of the former village chief of Dherma. It wasnt just because of the fashion in which nobles controlled everyone within their domain, it was because you knew what awaited anyone with platinum blond hair should they risk going.

You were half right, Nil, Dallion said. I would have felt better not finding out.

You need to know even painful truths in order to move forward, the echo said. However, now wasnt the best time. Its your choice. I can only give advice, but if you value what I say, youll turn back.

I value your advice, Nil, but Im moving forward. If I dont fulfill my promise now, Im not sure Ill have the will to come back to this place