Chapter 221: When the Stars Align

Astrology was an immensely important discipline on the continent of Loren.

Although Gawain couldn’t fathom the connection between those distant celestial bodies in the sky and the tiny planet beneath his feet—if it was even truly a planet—the power of astrology was undeniably real. A skilled astrologer could detect subtle shifts in the flow of magical energy in the atmosphere just by observing slight changes in the positions of the stars. Some could even, guided solely by the stars’ light, pinpoint new magical focal points thousands of miles away. The accuracy was so precise that it transcended mere superstition, earning astrology a reputation as a kind of “black box” science.

Of course, because astrology was so obscure and difficult to grasp, charlatans abounded in the field. Their hallmark was to extend astrology’s natural observations into claims of clairvoyance. They boasted they could find lost treasures, misplaced keys, or runaway wives by reading the stars. But in truth, Loren’s astrology had no such powers.

Its primary function was to provide predictive insight into the shifting magical energies of the natural world. At best, it could offer warnings about large, cyclical natural disasters. As for finding lost cats or dogs? Yelling was probably more effective than relying on those so-called “star readers.”

Gawain’s thoughts turned to astrology because he was currently standing on the upper terrace of the lord’s manor, studying the stars with his eldest granddaughter.

Well, mostly he was watching Heddy study the stars.

Starting today, for three consecutive nights, the northern regions of Loren would experience the clearest, most star-studded skies since the onset of winter. These special “Stellar Days” were the best time of year to observe the heavens.

Since this world lacked a large moon or satellite, the nights were free from moonlight. Without that interference, the night sky dazzled with countless stars and a glowing band stretching across the horizon—likely a distant nebula or cloud of cosmic dust. The sight always left a deep impression on Gawain. For Heddy, a professional mage, the stars held even greater significance.

Mages could sense changes in magical energy by observing the stars and weave those insights into their spellcasting. The improvement was slow but tangible. Heddy never missed a chance to stargaze—she hoped that by watching the stars more often, she might one day improve her aim with spells like Arcane Missiles or Ice Arrows, even if just once in her lifetime.

Her tool for stargazing was a special “silver disk.” It lay flat on a stand, surrounded by an iron platform etched with intricate star charts and magical runes. The disk’s center reflected the stars above, and through a unique spell, the reflected image could be magnified and clarified for easier observation.

“I never thought you’d be interested in astrology, Great-Grandfather,” Heddy said with a smile as she recorded the stars’ movements. “It’s such a dry subject.”

“I’ve said it before—I’ve always been fascinated by the stars,” Gawain replied, watching her manipulate the silver disk. He couldn’t help but admire the magical technology of this world. Though the device was cumbersome and left little room for improvement, it genuinely worked for observing the night sky. “By the way, hasn’t Rebecca studied astrology? Today’s an important ‘Stellar Day’ for mages, and she’s a mage too…”

Only he and Heddy were on the terrace. Rebecca, one of the highest-ranking mages in the territory, was nowhere to be seen.

“She was forced to learn a bit of stargazing as a child,” Heddy said with a hint of helplessness, “but every time she tried, she just wanted to throw fireballs at the stars, hoping to blow them down. So they stopped letting her make a mess. Honestly, astrology doesn’t help her much—her magical talent is all in fireballs. She’s already mastered that to the extreme. Even if she watched the stars for ten more years, she’d never conjure an Arcane Missile. Plus, the stargazing disk requires controlling several specific arcane spells. She only knows fireballs—she can’t even operate the disk, so all she can do is stare at the sky. No wonder she gets bored and throws fireballs up there.”

So the biggest limitation of the stargazing disk was its high skill threshold.

Gawain looked thoughtfully at the magical device in Heddy’s hands and recalled something he had recently commissioned from the craftsmen.

If all went well, it would be finished before the “Stellar Days” ended.

“I’m preparing a gift for Rebecca. If everything goes smoothly, she’ll be able to watch the stars with us.”

“Oh?” Heddy looked at him in surprise. She couldn’t imagine what kind of gift could bring Rebecca to the observatory—first, it would have to let a fireball-only mage operate the stargazing device; second, it would have to spark interest in such a tedious discipline in a girl who just wanted to blow up stars. It seemed impossible.

But she quickly remembered her great-grandfather’s endless ingenuity and vast knowledge. She controlled her curiosity and smiled instead. “You really care about that girl.”

“Aren’t you curious what the gift is?”

“I am, but I want to keep the mystery,” Heddy winked. “You always surprise us. This time won’t be any different, right?”

Gawain smiled and nodded. “Of course.”

At this moment, those watching the stars were not just ordinary observers like Gawain and Heddy.

Far to the east, over the Endless Sea, night was already halfway through, yet the stars still hung high and bright, as if reluctant to leave the sky. Even as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, a third of the stars remained clearly visible.

On a nameless island, isolated in the vast sea, the Stormborn had spent centuries developing a thriving outpost. They built farms, villages, forges, and a fortress perched on a coastal cliff. The island’s most important structure was the “Observatory Tower” atop the fortress.

At the tower’s peak, the Storm High Priest, clad in black robes, laid his stargazing disk flat. As he infused it with magic, the faint starry glow on the disk brightened once more.

He focused intently on the stars’ positions, pushing all other thoughts aside—whether the devastating news months ago of sea monster attacks on eastern reefs, the strange and unsettling warnings from the Sleeper after his reckless contact with Gawain Cecil, or the looming wars of the world’s end. None of it mattered as much as the image on his disk.

Or rather, the image the disk revealed.

The stars were gradually returning to their proper places. The surge of magical energy would soon begin. This particular surge wouldn’t be strong—most mages and priests wouldn’t even notice it—but the Stormborn knew exactly what it meant when magic stirred under the stars’ alignment.

“High Priest, the gryphons from Islands Two and Three have sent word,” a Storm Priest approached the tower respectfully. “They’ve observed the same star patterns. After filtering out magical interference from the Endless Sea, the conclusion is certain: the stars are aligning.”

“I see the same here,” the High Priest nodded slightly, then released control of the disk. “Prepare a letter for His Holiness the Pope. Whether Judgment Day has come will be revealed within these three days.”

The Storm Priest’s face grew grave. He glanced at the large silver disk behind the High Priest and took a deep breath.

The younger priest finally dared to ask, “Will ‘It’ return?”

“When the stars align, the flesh and blood of the gods will awaken from their long slumber. This has been our revelation since we left the land,” the High Priest said quietly. “But nothing is absolute. Ancient records show the stars have aligned before—yet the world still endures. So everything remains uncertain.”

The Storm Priest nodded silently. In the distance, the ocean waves began to churn.

The sea had lost its calm once again.

Far below the restless Endless Sea, a third group also watched the stars.

In the deep, dark ocean floor, artificial lights illuminated the seabed. Glowing orbs floated gently with the currents, casting light on countless graceful, slender figures gathering from all directions.

A sea witch commander flicked her long serpentine tail and approached the assembly point. There, a temporary outpost station was anchored to the seabed, where two deep-sea technicians focused intently on the control terminals.

One technician turned to the commander, curling her tail respectfully. “Commander, the drones have sent the latest readings. The celestial bodies are entering a specific alignment. ‘O’ energy levels have risen by three percent.”

The commander nodded. “What about the ‘Excavation Site’?”

“We’ve observed increased activity in the giant squid colony. The ‘surge’ will begin soon.”

The commander left the outpost and swam before her gathered kin.

Every sea witch held a serious expression, gripping their weapons tightly. Their tails—serpentine, fish-like, or tentacled—pressed firmly against the seabed. They focused all their energy, knowing no one could afford to slack off.

They had to take this seriously—because they knew exactly what happened when the stars aligned.

Their records showed this had happened sixteen times before, and each time, all sea witches were drawn into the event.

The commander reached the right spot and raised her right hand high, clutching a deep-sea trident. Every pair of eyes fixed on her. With a tremor that rippled through the water, she spoke loudly enough to echo across the seabed:

“Sisters, the stars are aligning.

“We have prepared for this day for many years!

“Sisters, remember this above all else…

“Maintain proper dining order!!!”

She waved her trident with force, her voice ringing out:

“The chance to feast freely is in these next two days!!”

(End of chapter)