## Mutation - (3)
Lower deities are essentially those who originated from higher deities.
Even if not directly created by higher deities, they are immortals born from natural elements or mortals who have grown.
That dimension is probably similar to this one.
In the beginning, Nut created several gods and used Cosmic Power to create the world...
In that sense, the gods from that side might consider it dangerous to possess Lee Yuna's body because they have Cosmic Power.
But as descendants multiply, power becomes diluted, bloodlines thin, and the probability of mutations increases.
If I look carefully, there should be a deity who can restore Lee Yuna's mind.
[Thank you. Then I'll have to search over there.]
[Father. Mortal. Favoritism. Attention. Us. This side. Interest.]
[Yes... I won't favor that dimension too much and will pay attention to you as well.]
The galaxy of Shub placed on my right hand wriggled slightly and attached itself to my palm.
Should I say it attached to my palm? Since space itself is my hand, perhaps "overlapped" would be more accurate.
By the way, Shub is clearly a deity.
Shub, inherently a supreme deity, had complete control over the supergalaxy that was both her space and body.
Is precise control a mental issue?
Perhaps on the day I fully accept my identity as an Outer God, I might gain control similar to Nut's.
Of course, I'll try my best to prevent that day from coming.
Since I've turned my attention to this dimension after a long time, I should also pay some attention to Yog.
Yog-Sothoth, who guards the Dimensional Wall by my command.
[Yog. Have there been any beings summoned across the Dimensional Wall or detached from my body? Excluding mortals summoned by my apostles, of course.]
Grrrrrr—
The deity made of bubbles, Yog, sent a will of denial.
I see. So summonings to that side haven't occurred.
I'm not sending anything there unconsciously. Could there be some connection between different dimensions?
Since nothing is clear yet, I'll have to investigate further.
[...Alright. Please continue your good work a little longer.]
Listening to the songs of the deities circling around me, I turned my attention back to that dimension.
Now I need to find a deity who can stabilize Lee Yuna's mind.
Swoosh—
Nyala's avatar approached me closely. I unconsciously tried to stroke him/her but stopped midway.
If I'm not extremely careful, I might still make mistakes occasionally.
I should be more cautious.
Perhaps sensing my hesitation, Nyala showed disappointment and pressed closer.
A black sphere rolling through space. Acting almost like Shub.
[...Tch. This is just an avatar so it's fine...]
I'm the one who's not fine.
No matter if it's just an avatar, I don't want to see my child explode.
I'll stroke you when you grow a bit more.
But does it even grow?
* * *
Through the artificial intelligence information entity, I observed Lee Yuna, who was still in isolation—no, receiving treatment at the Central Avatar Research Institute.
The mental corruption must be quite severe, as she had a needle inserted in one arm.
[Constellation, Whispering Constellation asks about the first Avatar's recovery.]
"The mental contamination of Avatar Lee Yuna has stopped progressing. However, while it's not getting worse, restoring her to her previous mental state is difficult."
Yes. That's to be expected.
[Constellation, Whispering Constellation says he has found a way to remove the first Avatar's mental contamination.]
From that point, I somehow convinced Vivian.
Though communicating indirectly through will transmission is inconvenient, I didn't want to descend in a temporary vessel.
After listening to my explanation for a while, she slowly nodded.
"I see. I understand what you're thinking, Constellation. If it's the power of another Constellation, they might be able to heal the Cosmic Power contamination to some extent."
After possessing Lee Yuna's body, the method to find a Constellation who could remove the mental contamination was predetermined.
That is, contacting the upper echelons of the Federation and putting out a search.
Originally, I thought about finding one through Beatrice's broadcast or asking the AI Constellation, Endless Operator, to search.
But it wouldn't be good for these side effects to become widely known.
Alcerian, was it? One of the Federation councilors who visited the Avatars before my descent.
Since he was almost exclusively handling communication with me, I could relay my request through him.
"Yes. Then I'll contact Councilor Alcerian."
It would take some time until we received word from the Federation councilor about finding a suitable Constellation.
Until then, I should check on my second Avatar, Beatrice.
She was reportedly brainwashed by the suspected leader of the alien Constellations, and her home planet was attacked?
She headed to where some imperial family members who survived because they were on other planets were located. I wonder what she's doing now.
I kept one perspective fixed on Vivian and Lee Yuna, and shifted another to Beatrice.
"Oh my, oh my... Imperial Princess..."
"P-please calm down..."
The first thing I saw was... an elderly woman clutching Beatrice's hands and crying.
Nearby, numerous people were gathering, with imperial guards controlling the crowd.
The scene of displaced people who lost their homes overnight flocking to a member of the imperial family.
"Oh, thank goodness... thank goodness... that you're alive like this..."
"Princess Beatrice..."
"The city was covered in red thorns in an instant. We barely escaped..."
To one side stood the somewhat haggard-looking Emperor and Crown Prince of the Valhyr Empire.
But most people were gathering around Beatrice.
And my Avatar was comforting those who came to her, holding their hands one by one.
"Please don't worry too much. We'll be able to return to our home planet soon."
The imperial family must be well aware of her popularity. They probably suggested she help calm the public.
She seems to be the face of conciliatory policies and public-friendly initiatives.
[Constellation, Whispering Constellation comforts his second Avatar.]
"...Ah."
Beatrice's expression wavered momentarily after seeing the Constellation message floating in the air, then returned to normal.
It was a reaction conscious of the people gathered around her, but some perceptive individuals seemed to notice.
The details of Avatar contracts and Constellation messages were common knowledge.
And I, the Constellation contracted with Beatrice, was known as a Galactic Spirit Entity visiting from another dimension.
"Imperial Princess, is your Constellation watching us right now?"
"Yes... yes, he is."
The fact that I was watching my second Avatar spread through the words of several people nearby.
The murmuring grew louder, and mortals with hope shining in their eyes stood up.
"Is Whispering Constellation looking after us too?"
"No... honestly, probably not. But since he contracted with the Imperial Princess..."
"Come to think of it, Princess Beatrice is contracted with a Galactic Spirit Entity Constellation."
"The Federation's emergency warp evacuation of our planet's people might have been partly due to the Princess's influence. She's contracted with the Constellation Whispering Constellation."
"Heh. Hehehe. So they're being mindful of the Galactic Spirit Entity Constellation? That's fine by me."
"The Federation absolutely cannot abandon us. You know how much the Princess cares for her people."
"This refugee life will end someday."
"His Majesty the Emperor is fine, and the Crown Prince too..."
"A Galactic Spirit Entity is a real god, completely different from that rampaging red demon."
"No... that's a bit harsh. The Goddess became like that because of mental contamination from an alien Constellation..."
"Shut up. That red demon killed my entire family."
A bright atmosphere spread as if those walking in pitch darkness had found a ray of light.
The deeply depressed and gloomy mood seemed to lift a little. Perhaps they were placing their hopes in the fact that a member of the imperial family, a leadership figure, was a celebrity contracted with a Constellation.
Is it my reputation in that dimension bringing hope?
Well, the feeling of being worshipped wasn't unpleasant.
Even if it felt like a drowning mortal desperately grabbing a lifeline.
Extending a hand to lowly, pitiful mortals is the role of a god, after all.
* * *
For a while, I watched Beatrice's activities comforting her planet's people.
She moved around spaces resembling refugee camps, calming people. Those who received comfort from the famous Imperial Princess brightened somewhat, gaining hope for the future.
"The imperial family will never abandon its people. So please don't worry..."
"Y-Your Highness...!"
At times like this, she truly seems like a benevolent princess.
Why did she show such a broken side when she first contracted with me?
"Oh-hohohoho!!! Even a god from another dimension recognized my talent!!!"
This goes beyond a mere personality change...
I was starting to think the reason only my first Avatar, Lee Yuna, developed mental contamination while Vivian and Beatrice remained fine was because they were already mentally unstable to begin with.
"Constellation. The High Strategic Secretary from the Federation has arrived."
My attention, briefly focused on Beatrice, returned to Vivian.
Had they finished searching for a Constellation who could fix Lee Yuna's mental contamination?
The familiar scene of the Central Avatar Research Institute, and a man bowing in the air.
A cyborg? He doesn't seem to have a human body.
[Constellation, Whispering Constellation asks for communication assistance.]
"Intergalactic Empire Federation High Strategic Secretary #16, it is an honor to meet the great Galactic Spirit Entity Constellation."
"The Constellation says he is pleased to meet you as well."
"Here is a list of Constellations specialized in mental or healing abilities. If there is someone you'd like to ask to heal Avatar Lee Yuna, we can quietly approach them."
A hologram appeared in the air. It seemed they had conducted thorough research on abilities and authorities.
In truth, it's inconvenient to examine everything through the artificial intelligence information entity.
Should I ask Vivian?
[Constellation, Whispering Constellation awaits the third Avatar's recommendation.]
"I... recommend Sweet Reverie."
"Hmm. I share Director Vivian's opinion. She would be the best choice for mental healing."
Sweet Reverie? A Constellation related to dreams?
I don't know who that is, but if both the High Strategic Secretary and Vivian recommend this Constellation, their skills must be reliable.
[Constellation, Whispering Constellation demands a detailed explanation.]
"She's from an alien species called Succubus, perhaps you're familiar with..."
Succubus? Dream Demon?