Chapter 104: I Can, Though? (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 104: I Can, Though? (1)
The day after Alon returned from the Malaka Ruins.
"It’s really black."
"Yeah."
"And you’re saying that Spirit Dragon, or whatever it’s called, is inside here?"
"That’s right."
"Then when is it going to hatch?"
"Hmm..."
Alon fell silent at Evan’s question. Naturally, he had no idea when the Spirit Dragon would be born.
I’d at least have an estimate if it had ever appeared in the game.
Even though Alon had played Psychedelia for an incredibly long time and explored every nook and cranny, he had never once heard of or seen the name 'Spirit Dragon.' In other words, he had zero knowledge regarding this creature.
"...Do you think the information guild would know if I asked?"
"I’m not sure... I suspect they might not be very confident in that particular field."
"Really?"
"Well, to begin with, they collect and sell news about how the world is turning. They aren't exactly the type to deal in ancient information like that. Of course, it might be different if there were actual rumors circulating."
Alon pondered Evan’s words for a moment before letting out a soft exclamation.
"Ah."
"Did you think of a good way?"
Alon nodded.
"Yeah. I just thought of someone to ask."
"Who?"
"Line."
"...Line?"
Evan wore a bewildered expression. However, Alon knew that she possessed the Ancient Library.
I wonder if Line knows?
Knowing that most 'information'—excluding things that were 'conceptually impossible to perceive'—was stored inside her head, Alon decided.
I should go see her.
He immediately stood up.
"? My Lord? Where are you going?"
"I’m moving to our next destination right away."
"What? It’s only been a day since we got back from the ruins. Shouldn't you rest a bit?"
It was understandable for Evan to be flustered, considering he had seen Alon exhaust a significant amount of power. However, Alon was firm.
"No, I plan to finish the schedule as quickly as possible."
"Why the rush?"
"Because I want to rest. It’s too humid here."
"Ah..."
Evan nodded as if he understood.
"True, you’ve always hated humidity, My Lord."
"Yeah. It’s so uncomfortable here that I can't even relax."
Evan looked at Alon with an expression that said, Is it really that bad? but Alon was dead serious.
I absolutely cannot rest here.
Alon wasn't particularly picky about his sleeping arrangements. When traveling by carriage, he had camped out constantly before upgrading to his current one, and he had managed just fine in the desert without any complaints. It was the same in the port city.
But humidity was the one thing he truly found unbearable.
I need to finish this as fast as possible and get out of this jungle.
Alon stood up with that resolve, and right around then—
"My Lord, are you in?"
"...Rian?"
"Ah, yes."
Rian had come to find Alon.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, thanks to you."
Alon watched Rian, who gave an awkward smile while averting her gaze, and asked, "So, what is it?"
"Ah, well, the truth is, I have to head back now."
"...You’re leaving already?"
"Yes. After what happened yesterday, it’s a bit much to continue the exploration."
Indeed, it was too much to keep going. Alon nodded in understanding.
"...That makes sense."
"Besides, I heard something strange happened near the Magic Tower recently."
"Something strange?"
"Yes. Because of that, I need to rejoin the tower quickly."
"I see. Well then, I’ll see you next time."
Rian’s face brightened at the farewell that promised a future meeting.
"Yes, I hope to see you again. Oh, and next time we meet, would you like to have a meal together?"
"A meal?"
"Yes. You saved my life this time, so I’d like to treat you."
Alon thought for a moment before nodding again.
"If that’s the case, then alright."
"Then please, you must stop by the Red Magic Tower sometime...!"
"I will."
Upon hearing his answer, Rian bowed deeply and quickly turned to leave. Evan, who had been watching the scene, spoke up.
"She’s certainly more friendly than before."
"Is she?"
"Yes. I suppose it’s because your magic was so impressive."
"That topic again?"
"It’s not so much the topic as it is the fact that it definitely left an impact, is what I’m saying."
Alon let out a quiet chuckle behind his expressionless mask at the reaction based on personal taste.
"Let’s go with that."
Alon finished his preparations to head out.
...Was it really that cool?
...He found himself wondering that very thought for no reason.
* * *
After finishing his preparations, Alon left Evan behind and headed toward the Hermit's Hideout alone. This was to protect the Spirit Dragon's egg they had recently acquired.
"..."
When told to stay and guard the egg, Evan had naturally nodded vigorously with the corners of his mouth twitching upward.
With a smirk, Alon began walking toward the northeast, where the Silvanus Zone was located.
The Silvanus Zone.
Among the areas explored by people, it was undeniably a highly dangerous region. Filled with all sorts of mutant monsters, it was a place Alon wouldn't have even dreamed of entering alone under normal circumstances.
However, the reason Alon wasn't worried was because of a blessing.
Imariana's Blessing.
Alon looked toward the northeast, at the giant statue standing on the boundary line that essentially divided the Silvanus Zone.
Like other ruins, the statue—which seemed to be modeled after a nameless goddess—was covered in moss, but that wasn't a major issue. Alon approached the statue, pressed his hands together, and bowed his head.
After about five seconds had passed—
"Great Goddess Imariana. If you grant me the chance to see this region with my own eyes, I shall find and offer your belongings to you."
At those words, a faint light began to emanate from the moss-covered statue and seep into Alon. He wore a satisfied smile.
From the moment he received 'Imariana's Blessing,' the Silvanus Zone was no longer a dangerous area to Alon; it was no different from an ordinary forest.
As far as he knew, once you received 'Imariana's Blessing,' monsters would not perceive you unless you attacked them first. Thus, he was essentially able to roam the forest at his leisure.
...Well, there is the penalty of having to find and offer items scattered throughout the forest as the price for the blessing, but that’s not a difficult task. I can just take a few things from the Hermit's Hideout and give them to her.
If he remembered correctly, the lore was that everything in the Silvanus Zone was an item the goddess had lost.
Because of that, he walked into the zone with a relatively relaxed mind when a thought suddenly occurred to him.
Come to think of it, Deus didn't return yesterday. I wonder if he’s okay?
He worried for a moment but soon shook his head. To be blunt, there was no way Deus would die in a place like this.
...It’s impossible for a guy who beats a Sword Master like a dog on a midsummer day to die in this forest.
If he had entered the Domain of the Hundred Ghosts, it might be a different story, but as long as he hadn't gone that far, there would be no problem.
Having brushed off his worries about Deus, Alon continued moving northeast.
At some point, he discovered a tree that was exceptionally massive, even among the abnormally grown trees of the Silvanus Zone. It was a giant formed by two trees growing as if they were entwined with each other.
From here, it’s completely to the right.
Using that as his landmark, Alon began walking to the right.
After walking idly for some time—
"!"
Realizing he was nearing his destination, Alon couldn't help but be surprised. Near the Hermit's Hideout, monster corpses were piled up like a mountain.
The mountain of corpses, stacked higher than the trees of the Silvanus Zone—which already grew larger than those in the surrounding jungle—contained countless mutant species.
There were bloated, lizard-like monsters that looked like they could easily lay waste to a whole village, and other mutants that would each be incredibly difficult to take down.
While Alon stood there dazed for a moment—
"Hm?"
He turned his head at the sound of a voice and spotted a middle-aged man standing there.
The man wore blue robes that looked out of place in this jungle. With an expression devoid of any wariness, he smiled at Alon.
"To enter such a forest alone... you must be quite confident in your skills."
"...Did you do this?"
"I did. I wanted to investigate at my leisure, but these mutants kept bothering me every time I tried."
The middle-aged man spoke while looking at the corpses.
"Once I made it like this, nothing but bugs seems to come around."
Alon instinctively realized the man was no ordinary person and spoke up.
"May I ask your name?"
"I am Selaim Mikardo."
"...Selaim Mikardo...?"
Alon muttered the name quietly, then his mouth fell open behind his expressionless face.
"...The Blue Tower Master...?"
"That is indeed my title. Though my disciple does practically all the work."
Selaim, who laughed quite boisterously for a middle-aged man, then looked at Alon and asked, "So, who are you?"
"Forgive my late introduction. I am Alon Palatio."
"...Alon Palatio? ...Marquis Palatio?"
"Yes, that’s correct."
At that introduction, Selaim’s smile grew even brighter. However, it was the kind of smile one might have upon finding a new toy. For some reason, Alon felt a chill run down his spine.
* * *
Shortly after, while they were conversing in an atmosphere filled with a strange sense of goodwill—
"Come to think of it, why did you come here?"
"I have business over there."
"...By 'over there,' do you mean the Hermit's Hideout?"
"Yes."
"Ho."
Selaim continued the conversation with interest.
"Then have you also come to seek knowledge?"
"...Well, to be precise, I came because I have business with the items inside."
"The items inside?"
"Yes."
At his answer, Selaim wore a somewhat bewildered expression.
"Then are you saying... you didn't come for research, but to take the items inside?"
"Yes."
"Hmm—"
After a brief moment of thought, Selaim spoke.
"Well, since I heard you use magic that is close to the primitive form, it makes sense that you’d be interested in the items inside. But may I give you some cold, honest advice?"
"Please do."
"It would be better for your mental health to give up and go back."
Selaim was firm. This wasn't something he said because he looked down on Alon. Selaim fundamentally respected all mages. It was simply because he knew just how absurdly the Hermit's Hideout was locked down with magic.
Not only is Triple Magic used as the basic foundation, but to enter, you have to reverse-calculate all the magic formulas. Only then can you pass the first gate.
Selaim himself had taken a full year just to open the first gate and reach the second, which was why he offered such advice to Alon.
"It took me a whole year just to open the first door."
"...Still, since I’ve come all this way, I’ll give it a try."
"I won't stop you if you insist."
In the end, he stepped back. It wasn't pleasant to have his sincere advice ignored, but he still felt a small amount of goodwill toward Alon.
To Selaim, a true mage was one who sought knowledge. Conversely, he believed that a mage who neglected research was no mage at all. Alon seemed better than the other young mages who had no intention of doing the legwork themselves and instead just bickered among each other to acquire information from the academic societies.
He’s different from the mages these days.
Thus, with the heart of a senior watching a growing junior, Selaim cheered for the junior mage standing before the same difficult problem that he had spent a year of agonizing effort to barely solve.
And about thirty seconds later—
R-r-r-r-rumble—!!!!!
With a harsh, grinding noise, the first gate of the hideout swung open.
"?????"
Selaim’s jaw dropped.