Chapter 126: Are You a Heretic? (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 126: Are You a Heretic? (1)
The Karsem that Alon remembered was a reckless, arrogant brat.
It wasn't that his basic nature was inherently evil, but the environment Karsem grew up in was more than enough to make him that way.
In any case, a Karsem with that temperament never showed a shred of respect to the player within the game.
Even as the player progressed through quests and built rapport or affection, that distinctive personality of his never truly changed.
Because of that...
‘…Brother?’
Karsem, who used to spit out informalities no matter how many times the player saved him or solved his problems, was now speaking in honorifics with eyes full of reverence. For Alon, it was a bit disconcerting.
But despite Alon’s internal confusion...
"As I thought, your body has taken quite a toll. It makes sense, considering the majesty you displayed."
Alon wasn't sure exactly what part had triggered it, but Karsem’s eyes were sparkling intensely.
...To a degree that Alon found burdensome.
"I—"
"What is it, Marquis?"
"I’m not sure why you’re suddenly acting like this."
When Alon asked in a flat, bewildered voice, Karsem let out an "Ah," and then, as if having made a grand resolution, he straightened his posture with military precision.
"I have come to respect you, Marquis Palatio."
"...Suddenly?"
"Yes! Ever since I saw your greatness a few days ago—standing alone against the Outer Gods and that mage who used such nonsensical magic—I had no choice but to respect you...!"
"I see."
"To be honest, it’s embarrassing to admit, but I’ve lived my life completely as I pleased until now."
He was speaking with such fervor that spit actually started to fly.
"I don't know if you're aware, but I am far removed from the line of succession. That was decided when I was a child. No matter what effort I put in, my father had already chosen my brother as the next heir. So, until now, I didn't try."
Alon remained speechless behind his expressionless mask at this sudden confession, but Karsem didn't stop.
In fact, he went on for over five minutes.
"And that is why I have come to respect you, Marquis...!"
"..."
To be honest, his confession was filled with words that were incredibly cringeworthy to listen to.
He could understand being impressed by the battle itself.
He could even understand Karsem suddenly dreaming of becoming a mage.
However, the idea that simply watching Alon fight had made Karsem feel ashamed of his past life as a sidelined royal and triggered an "awakening"... that was a bit hard to swallow.
As Alon wondered what on earth was going on, he let out a soft, internal "Ah."
‘Come to think of it, Karsem’s age... is he seventeen now?’
Seventeen years old.
It was a bit late to catch "that disease" which usually strikes at the sensitive age of fifteen, but it wasn't an impossible age for it to manifest.
‘...It seems the syndrome hit him late.’
Alon felt a pang of pity for him internally.
In about two or three years, Karsem would remember this moment—this detailed confession—and kick his blankets until they tore in pure embarrassment.
But even so, there was no need to tell him that.
Above all, even if it was likely due to eighth-grade syndrome, Alon didn't want to break the spirit of someone who had finally found the will to turn their life around.
Alon could only nod silently.
* * *
A week had passed since then.
Alon’s body, which could have been lost to Mana Hardening, was recovering remarkably fast.
"Marquis! Good morning!"
"Marquis! Are you feeling alright!?"
"Marquis! I’ve prepared dinner!"
Part of it was certainly due to the fact that Philian, who had become the lord of the Merkillan Territory, was looking after him with extreme devotion.
"No, you really don't have to go this far—"
"What are you saying! You saved us; this is the least we can do!"
...It was almost burdensome how much they doted on him.
But the real reason was the change occurring within his body.
"...The Mana Hardening is being cured?"
"Yes. When I first examined you, the hardening was quite extensive, but now, a significant portion of it has vanished."
"...Wait, didn't you say last time that there was no Mana Hardening?"
At Alon’s question, the priest shook his head.
"To be precise, I believe I said it wasn't at a level that would threaten your life or your ability to use magic."
"Did you...?"
"Yes. Normally, once Mana Hardening occurs, it does not disappear. That’s why I told you last time to be exceptionally careful when consuming potions."
"...I suppose you did say that."
As Alon nodded, the priest continued.
"Originally, the hardening had progressed to a point where, if it had worsened even slightly, you might have been unable to use mana ever again."
"But that hardening is being cured?"
"Yes. Under normal circumstances, this condition is completely incurable once it sets in. But in your case, Marquis... it is healing."
The priest nodded, repeatedly channeling Divine Power into Alon’s body as if he found it fascinating.
"Yes, it is improving."
"...Has something happened to my body?"
"It doesn't appear so."
"...Could it be because my Mana Hole is small?"
Alon asked, wondering if this was some kind of advantage of having a small Mana Hole.
"Uh... that seems even less likely. If the Mana Hole is small, the hardening usually progresses even faster."
"...I see."
Alon nodded, realizing once again that this damn body was useless from start to finish.
After the priest left.
"...What is it?"
When Alon muttered to himself, Evan shrugged.
"Well, is there really a need to worry? Good news is good news, isn't it?"
"I suppose so."
Alon sat with his arms crossed for a moment, then let them drop at the slight sting of pain and thought.
‘...It feels like the list of things I need to think about has grown.’
In truth, he hadn't been able to think clearly over the past week because he was suffering from Mana Poisoning, but he currently had many mysteries to solve.
From the story about "those things" left by Duke Comallon to the "formula" he had mentioned.
On top of that, there was the matter regarding the south of the "Border."
‘...It’s full of things I need to investigate.’
Just as he was thinking that.
"Ah, Marquis. I have something to tell you."
"What is it?"
"I just heard the news, but it seems we’ll have to move as soon as you’ve recovered. An emergency meeting of the United Kingdoms has been called, and they’ve requested your mandatory attendance."
"...My attendance?"
"Yes."
Alon gave a slight nod.
Since this incident had affected the entire United Kingdoms, he had expected this kind of situation, whether positive or negative.
"When do I need to be there?"
"By next week should be fine."
"That’s tight."
"It is."
Alon thought for a moment about the tight schedule.
"...Well, I still have to go."
He made his decision quickly.
About a week later.
Though he was still unable to use magic, Alon had recovered enough to move around.
"Mentor! Let's go together! I have to go too!"
"I will go as well!"
Taking Seolrang and Philian with him, he headed toward Tern, where the emergency meeting of the United Kingdoms was to be held.
* * *
While he hadn't deduced anything new on the way to Tern, Alon did learn one unexpected piece of information from Seolrang.
"...You couldn't hear the conversation between me and Duke Comallon?"
"Nope!"
"...Not just the Duke’s voice, but mine too?"
"Yeah! My body couldn't move, but my mind was perfectly clear, and I couldn't hear a thing!"
For some reason, the conversation between Alon and Duke Comallon had not been audible to those nearby.
They recognized that they were speaking, but they couldn't hear what was being said at all.
‘...Did the Duke do something?’
Naturally, Alon hadn't done anything at the time.
To be more accurate, he couldn't have done anything.
At that moment, while he was in better shape than Seolrang—who had blocked most of the attacks aimed at him—he hadn't been in any condition to perform such a feat.
However, Alon soon cut off that train of thought.
They had arrived in Tern.
Upon hearing that the meeting was in progress, he immediately made his way to the kings' council chamber.
"You've arrived."
He could see the assembled kings.
Familiar faces stood out.
The first was Cretenia Siyan, who was looking at him with a relaxed expression.
Then there was King Karmakeses III of Colony.
And.
"...Then, without further ado, let us begin."
The King of Ashtalon, Shuhtalian V, stared intently at Alon.
"Marquis Palatio, thank you for stopping Duke Comallon."
He stood up from his seat and bowed deeply.
A king of a nation bowing his head.
This was an act of extreme courtesy that was not easily given, even if Marquis Palatio had saved the Ashtalon Kingdom from a crisis.
Shuhtalian V was a king, and a king bowing meant that the entire Ashtalon Kingdom was bowing to him.
"I only did what had to be done."
Regardless, Alon returned the gesture with a calm face.
Soon after.
"Now that the gratitude has been expressed, I shall begin the questioning in earnest."
"What kind of questions?"
"Marquis Palatio, who exactly are you?"
"...Pardon?"
Such a question fell from Shuhtalian V’s lips.
"...I don't understand the point of your question."
"It is exactly as it sounds."
Shuhtalian V’s face was dead serious.
"I have investigated you since this incident occurred. I already knew of you through rumors, but I looked into you much more deeply."
"..."
"...You have stopped Outer Gods no fewer than three times now, haven't you? When the Outer God appeared in the North, and when one appeared in the Labyrinth City."
He continued, staring fixedly at Alon.
"I am not certain, but it seems you also stopped them when you went to Laxas and the Holy Kingdom. It is as if you knew in advance that the Outer Gods would appear. Though there were times when that wasn't the case."
The conclusion was: wherever an Outer God appeared, you miraculously showed up and dealt with it. Just like this time. He added that last part as an afterthought.
"Ultimately, there is only one thing I wish to ask."
"..."
"Why do you go around hunting Outer Gods?"
After listening to him, Alon realized.
Shuhtalian V suspected him.
At the same time, he understood the underlying meaning of the question.
Though he had phrased it indirectly, he was essentially asking if Alon was involved in these incidents.
Of course, there was a leap in his logic.
And it was certain that he lacked absolute proof.
The fact that he was speaking in such a roundabout way was proof that he only had a certain level of suspicion.
‘...Is it because of the upcoming rewards?’
Alon easily grasped the reason behind Shuhtalian V’s suspicion.
In essence, Duke Comallon was the one who caused this mess.
The Ashtalon Kingdom was now in a position where it had to take responsibility for the current situation in one way or another.
From the perspective of a king who had to consider national interests, things couldn't get much worse anyway.
He was throwing out whatever he could to see if anything would stick.
To put it bluntly:
‘If it lands, great; if not, whatever.’
That was surely his mindset.
Of course, as mentioned before, there was a leap in Shuhtalian V’s words.
Since he was fishing based only on suspicion, there were plenty of holes in his argument.
Alon could explain it if he wanted to, and he could clear the air if he chose to.
However, the reason Alon remained silent was...
‘...How am I supposed to explain why I hunt them?’
The reason he was hunting Outer Gods.
He had no idea how to explain that.
To live a comfortable noble life?
If he said that now, it was obvious it would only invite even greater suspicion.
‘What should I do?’
Just as he was racking his brain to come up with a reasonably logical story.
"Do not ask him why he hunts Outer Gods."
At the sudden voice from behind, Alon turned his head.
There stood...
"...The Saint?"
"My apologies. I am a bit late."
Saint Yuman of Rosario.
"It has been a while, Marquis—no, Brother."
He was looking at Alon with a small smile on his lips.