Chapter 127: Are You a Heretic? (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 127: Are You a Heretic? (2)
Yuman’s sudden appearance.
However, the kings participating in the meeting showed no particular reaction to his arrival, and Alon immediately grasped the situation.
‘...I guess it was already decided that Yuman would come.’
Thinking about it, it wasn't that strange.
In fact, this incident had occurred across the entire United Kingdoms, and the Holy Kingdom was involved as well.
As Alon watched Yuman, a voice broke the silence.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Shuhtalian V spoke up. He seemed unable to understand the words Yuman had just uttered.
Yuman naturally stepped up to stand beside Alon.
"It is exactly as I said. Do not question his reasons for hunting the Outer Gods."
"And why exactly should we not ask?"
Shuhtalian V’s expression soured.
Alon was also internally curious, but Yuman replied calmly.
"I cannot disclose the reason."
"What?"
"However, one thing is certain: he is currently contributing to the peace of the world."
At Yuman’s firm assertion, the kings, who had been silent until a moment ago, let out small exclamations of surprise.
Fundamentally, the Holy Kingdom—regardless of its internal affairs—had always maintained neutrality externally.
In other words, taking someone's side like this was extremely unprecedented.
The kings all looked at Yuman with fascinated expressions. However...
"So, are you telling us to simply trust the Saint’s word and stop questioning the Marquis?"
Shuhtalian V still wore a deep scowl.
Now that the Saint had spoken, the wise choice might have been to let it go without further objection.
While a Saint’s status wasn't technically higher than a King’s, making an enemy of the Holy Kingdom was essentially inviting a world of exhaustion upon oneself.
Despite knowing this, Shuhtalian V openly expressed his dissatisfaction.
He felt he had a valid reason to feel this way.
Yuman was merely telling them not to ask about Alon without providing any rational explanation that would make the situation understandable.
Yuman stared at Shuhtalian V for a moment, then his lips curled upward.
"...Then, is the King of Ashtalon saying he cannot trust the will of our Holy Kingdom at all?"
"...Huh? No, wait, I didn't say it like—"
"That is certainly how it sounded to me."
Shuhtalian V panicked at Yuman’s remark.
He had certainly expressed dissatisfaction toward the Saint, but in an instant, it had been framed as if he were expressing dissatisfaction toward the entire Holy Kingdom.
"Wait, that’s a bit of a leap—"
Shuhtalian V tried to explain himself hurriedly.
However.
"A leap? I am the Saint, but I am also the spokesperson for the Holy Kingdom right now. To express such dissatisfaction with my words... is that not going against the intent of the Holy Kingdom in sending me here?"
Yuman wiped away the faint smile he had been wearing and spoke coldly.
"..."
At that, Shuhtalian V was struck dumb.
Though the words were wrapped in polite phrasing, Yuman’s message was essentially—
‘You don't trust us? You bastard, are you a heretic?!’
That was exactly what it felt like.
Consequently...
"Ahem, cough—that wasn't what I meant."
Shuhtalian V quickly tucked his tail.
While one had to be careful about crossing the Saint, being disliked by the Holy Kingdom as a whole was a problem on a different level for a nation—especially one belonging to the United Kingdoms.
Furthermore, since Ashtalon had suffered overwhelmingly more damage than the other kingdoms in this incident, they desperately needed the support of the priests and the Holy Kingdom. They absolutely could not afford to offend them.
"...I apologize. I shall offer my formal apologies."
Shuhtalian V apologized, but Yuman nonchalantly shook his head.
"No, the apology shouldn't be directed at me. You should be apologizing to Brother Alon."
Huh? Me?
No, I’m fine, though?
Alon, who hadn't quite processed the situation unfolding before his eyes until just now, silently protested.
Whether he knew Alon’s inner thoughts or not, Yuman remained composed.
"Brother Alon was merely contributing to the world, yet he was subjected to suspicion, was he not?"
"No, it wasn't so much suspicion as there were just a few points that didn't quite add up—"
But Shuhtalian V soon shut his mouth.
The Saint hadn't said a word, but his expression made his point crystal clear.
Seeing that look of condemnation that screamed, ‘You really are a heretic, aren't you?!’ Shuhtalian V finally gave in.
"Marquis, I apologize."
He bowed his head once more.
"...It’s fine."
Alon accepted Shuhtalian V’s apology awkwardly, though to others, he appeared remarkably stoic.
And then.
"Brother."
Seeing Yuman give him a small wink that seemed to say, ‘Just trust me,’ Alon felt a strange sensation.
‘...I’m grateful, for sure.’
But isn't this a bit much? The thought flashed through Alon’s mind.
Outside the window, early evening was settling in.
* * *
The meeting didn't end until late in the evening.
"Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine."
"Regardless, that was impressive. When did you form a connection with the Saint?"
"...Well."
At Siyan’s curious question, Alon reflexively fell silent.
It wasn't that he didn't want to answer; it was that Alon himself didn't know when on earth he had formed such a deep bond with Yuman.
"Well, if you don't want to talk about it, I won't ask. Also, since this is the last time I'll be calling for you, go back and rest. You don't look to be in the best condition."
"Thank you for your concern."
"It's nothing—see you next time."
Cretenia Siyan left with a light farewell.
As Alon watched her walk away...
"Mentor! What happened?"
"It was nothing major."
"Really? That's a relief!"
He stroked the head of Seolrang, who approached him with a bright smile.
"Mmm, so is Mentor going back now?"
"I suppose so. I need some rest."
"Ehh—"
Seolrang’s face fell into an overtly disappointed pout.
"Mentor! Do you want to go to the Colony with me!?"
"...I'll go to the Colony next time. I have to stop by there eventually anyway."
"Ugh—that's too bad—but I guess it can't be helped."
Despite her disappointed expression, Seolrang nodded.
Watching her, Alon found himself stroking her head even more vigorously with a fatherly smile, when...
"Brother."
"...Saint."
Yuman had approached him before he knew it.
"Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm still not in the best shape, but I think I'll recover well enough with some rest."
"That is good to hear."
"By the way, are you going to be okay?"
"About what?"
Yuman asked back brightly.
Alon thought for a moment and then spoke.
"You stood up for me."
"Ah—do not worry about it. I simply did what had to be done."
"Is that so?"
"It is."
At the firm reply, a small sense of alarm rose within Alon.
While it was good to have his help, he suspected it was based on some kind of misunderstanding.
‘I don't know what kind of misunderstanding he’s under, but...’
As Alon’s expression turned slightly strange, Yuman let out an "Ah" and continued.
"Have you been speaking with Cardinal Yutia often lately?"
"We've been exchanging letters."
"Hmm—"
A look of concern clouded Yuman’s face.
"Brother, I keep telling you, it is not good to be close to Cardinal Yutia."
"...Is that so?"
"Yes. Trust me."
Yuman’s lips pressed into a thin line.
Alon’s expression became even more peculiar.
Come to think of it, Yuman had been warning him to be careful of Yutia for a long time.
Therefore...
"Um, just in case, could there have been some kind of misunderstanding?"
"No."
He pointed that out just in case, but Yuman spoke with an expression like a parent worried about a child near a river.
"Mark my words, Brother. Yutia is a person you must be extremely careful around. No one knows what she is hiding. Please, keep my words in mind."
Yuman urged him several times, sounding truly worried.
Sensing instinctively that this conversation would just go in circles no matter what he said, Alon gave in.
"...Yes, well... I'll do that."
"I am glad."
He finally nodded reluctantly.
Only then did Yuman flash a gentle smile, turn around, and leave.
Alon stared blankly at the spot where he had vanished.
"...He might actually be smart, in his own way."
"Huh?"
He tilted his head slightly at Seolrang’s sudden remark.
The next day, after hearing a lot of nonsensical things, Alon left Tern and headed for the Marquis’s estate.
* * *
At that same time.
In the slums of Laxas.
Alexion the Appraiser, who had been trying to live life more interestingly since being dragged away by Ladan—unlike his old days of wasting time—faced an untimely disaster.
That disaster was none other than...
"Ra, Lord Ladan...?"
"Yo—how've you been?"
It was the very person who had turned his life upside down: the Pirate King of Laxas.
He was wearing a very bright smile.
"Yes, ye-ye-yes, I've been well... Um, but what brings you to a place like this...?"
Alexion the Appraiser asked, naturally bowing his waist and nodding his head.
His back was one that wouldn't bend for anyone, but having seen what happened to those who defied Ladan when he was dragged away before, the attitude came naturally.
Ladan nodded as if he liked what he saw and asked.
"Right, are you still doing illegal stuff these days?"
"What!? N-no way! I washed my hands of that business a long time ago—!"
Alexion protested as if he were being wronged.
In fact, he really had stopped doing illegal work while staying in the slums.
The reason, of course, was because of what Ladan had said.
‘Stop doing illegal things and live a good life—’
From Ladan’s perspective, it was just something he’d tossed out while patting Alexion’s head a few times, but for Alexion, for whom that entire situation had become a trauma, he did exactly as he was told.
Recently, he had started a legal business.
Since Alexion had a natural talent for business and a sharp mind for making money even without illegal means, he was actually making quite a lot of it.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, yes—I am only doing strictly legal business."
To prove his sincerity, Alexion nodded several times with sparkling eyes. To him, Ladan said:
"Then you, go to my brother’s territory."
"Pardon...?"
An unbelievable statement—no, an order—was dropped.
"Didn't you hear me?"
"Ah—yes, no, I heard you... but... by 'brother,' do you mean... Marquis Palatio’s territory?"
Alexion asked back, wondering if he had misheard.
"Yeah, you heard right."
"Why... would I go there?"
"Didn't you say you're good at business?"
"Yes... well, I am."
"Go there, do some business, and do that... what do you call it—"
Ladan scratched his head for a moment and added.
"Make some local specialties, draw in some people to the territory. Do stuff like that."
"...Me?"
"You."
"...Um, why... me?"
His expression showed he understood even less now.
However.
"You don't want to?"
At Ladan’s following question...
"...No."
"If you don't want to, just say so."
"That—"
"Just say it, go ahead."
"I'll... go."
Alexion had no choice but to submit.
"Right, right. Good choice."
Ladan patted his shoulder casually, said what he had to say, and left.
"..."
After a moment passed.
Alexion checked his surroundings for a second and then...
"He’s bullying me again!!!"
Bang!
He slammed his desk and screamed.
"What?"
Immediately, Ladan opened the door and walked back in.
"Gasp—"
"Did you call me?"
Ladan asked.
"A-ah. No."
As Alexion naturally folded his hands in front of him and shook his head repeatedly, Ladan shrugged.
"? Well, okay. Do a good job, alright?"
"Yes, yes..."
Ladan shrugged his shoulders, turned around, and left.
Alexion squeezed his eyes shut—
Then checked his surroundings again.
‘Sigh...’
He let out a silent groan from deep within.