Chapter 149: Secret (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 149: Secret (2)
“A being higher than the five high gods of the Forgotten Age of Gods…?”
[Indeed. To interfere with the Bronze Mirror, it must be a being of a higher order than them. Even I cannot begin to grasp what kind of existence it might be.]
An entity so far above that even the Dragonkin could not fathom it.
“…Then could Uultultus know of this being? After all, he was the first to mention it.”
[No, he likely does not. Uultultus surely made the same mistake I did.]
“Then, regarding that ‘black thing’—”
[At this point, I do not know.]
Alon remained silent for a moment at the Dragonkin’s firm assertion, then shrugged.
“It seems every time I come here to find answers, I only leave with more questions.”
[Well, from your perspective, I suppose that is true.]
Alon let out a sigh and pushed the topic aside for now. He decided to move on to other questions.
There was still much to ask.
“First, let me tell you the rest of the story.”
Alon began to recount the events stored in his mind, one by one.
A short while later.
[…It seems more has happened than I thought.]
“As you’ve heard.”
It took about thirty minutes to convey everything he needed to tell the Dragonkin.
First was his meeting with Duke Comallon and the magic of the Magus he had mentioned.
Second was the information that the ‘black things’ would be ascending before long.
And finally, the story of the Golden Dragon, Rainisius.
The Dragonkin remained silent, its long, characteristic tail swishing back and forth several times. After a moment, it finished organizing its thoughts and spoke.
[First, regarding the information about those things—as that sealed dragon said, I was unaware of it.]
“Is that so?”
[Yes. What I understood was slightly different to begin with. Well—if they are ascending through such a process anyway, it matters little whether the gods remain silent or not.]
“Can you reveal it now?”
[I will only tell you the beginning of the story you already know, but if it is necessary, I shall.]
When Alon nodded immediately, the entity maintained its silence for a moment before slowly continuing.
[It is not a particularly pleasant tale. To you, it is literally just an old story.]
Its voice sounded as if it were reaching back into the far reaches of memory.
[Long ago—in the place you call the Forgotten Age of Gods—it was a world where gods and humans literally coexisted. Humans worshipped the gods, and the gods received that faith and bestowed blessings in return.]
“…”
[Many things were different then. Instead of nations, territories were divided under the names of gods. Mages were called Magi, and among them, there was only one kingdom of humans. Let me see—yes, I do not recall the name, but it was a country founded by a man named Palaon.]
The entity stared intently at Alon.
[In any case, it was such a world. A world where gods existed, and various races, including humans, offered their faith to them—a world where Magi like you could carve their own laws into the fabric of existence.]
The Dragonkin murmured as if reminiscing about old memories, saying that those times were what people now called the Forgotten Age of Gods.
[To be honest, that world could not be called peaceful, even as a figure of speech. Something happened every day. Yet, it was not an era of total war. Not until those things ascended.]
“…The black things.”
[Yes, those things.]
The Dragonkin’s blue eyes narrowed.
[They appeared without warning and began to slaughter every living thing in sight. Gods, humans, demi-humans, Magi. Every single one of them.]
“…Did they have a purpose?”
[No, they had no purpose. Or perhaps they did, but there was no way to know. They had no intention of communicating with us from the start.]
In an instant, the atmosphere around the entity shifted.
[Countless gods stepped forward. Some went alone, others formed alliances. They took up arms to kill those things that had come from nowhere. And the result is what you see now.]
“…They were defeated?”
[They were not merely defeated. Most of the gods who stood against the black things were annihilated.]
“…”
A hollow voice drifted through the air.
[Normally, a god does not perish easily. Even if they are struck down, as long as faith remains, they would be reborn in a few days or, at most, a few decades. But most of the gods who fell then were completely extinguished.]
“…Is there a reason for that?”
[It is simple. It is because their names were stolen.]
The loss of a name.
[To a god, a name is vital. In fact, every element that constitutes a god is essential. If even one is stolen, the god can no longer maintain its form.]
“…”
[Some had their names stolen. Others their bodies, others their minds—and others their honor. That is how they were extinguished. I was no different.]
A self-deprecating smile touched its face.
[I had my name stolen, and at the final moment, I managed to avoid total annihilation only by sealing myself within my own temple.]
It must have been a final, desperate struggle.
A way to cling to life, however incomplete.
“…Then did the other gods survive in a similar way?”
[I do not know that much. I sealed myself when the war was still in full swing. However, most of the gods who survive to this day were incredibly powerful beings in the ancient era.]
“Why is that?”
[Is it not obvious? They survived even after having their names stolen.]
Anyway—
[In conclusion, the gods were defeated by those things. Even their positions as ‘gods’ were usurped.]
“…Usurped.”
This was the very—
[Yes, usurped. We, who were once the gods of this continent, are now called Outer Gods, while those things came to be known as the ‘Five Great Sins,’ names born of awe and terror.]
This was the ‘history of the birth’ of the Five Great Sins.
* * *
“I have a question.”
[What is it?]
Alon, who had been listening to the Dragonkin’s story for a while, felt a doubt rise in his mind.
“Why did the Five Great Sins steal your names and usurp the positions of the gods?”
[Well, I only learned of that fact after I woke from my seal. Hmm, if I were to guess, it would be to make us forgotten.]
“…To make you forgotten?”
[It is merely a guess.]
“I’d like to hear it anyway.”
[When I woke again, the original gods had vanished, and the will of the Magi had seen its lineage severed. Furthermore, the dragons you mentioned have been completely slaughtered and turned into creatures of myth, just as you said.]
The Dragonkin’s voice continued calmly.
[…I understand that the era ended because the gods, Magi, and dragons were all killed. However, there are too many suspicious points to simply leave it at that.]
“…Are you talking about the gods’ positions being usurped?”
[Not just that. The magic of the Magi is the same. Even if they all died, some part of their lineage should have continued. But look. Aside from you, is there anyone in this world who can be called a Magus?]
“…No.”
[Exactly. Something is strange. No matter how the gods were extinguished, there is no reason for all information about them to be gone. And even if the Magi died, there is no reason for the laws they left behind and their research to vanish.]
Even if the Magi failed to leave behind Heart Images, it was the same.
The entity’s voice rang out with firm conviction.
[In this world, all information has vanished. Everything regarding dragons, gods—and Magi. It is as if—]
The Dragonkin let out a heavy breath.
[As if it has all been manipulated.]
* * *
On the way back from the ruins.
[Kyu—]
Alon watched Blackie, who was currently being held by Seolrang and given a literal "airplane ride" through the air, as he calmly organized the conversation he’d had with the Dragonkin.
Actually, there wasn’t much to organize.
Most of it was just speculation.
‘…Well, I suppose it can’t be helped since he sealed himself in the middle of the war.’
In the end, there were two truths he had firmly gained from this conversation.
One was that the Five Great Sins had usurped the gods’ positions and tried to thoroughly erase the traces of the ancient era, though their ultimate goal remained unknown.
The other was why Duke Comallon had called himself a half-baked Magus.
‘A magic formula is the act of carving a Heart Image into reality.’
Alon recalled the Dragonkin’s explanation regarding Magi.
[Every Magus possesses their own Self-Embodiment. As I said before, that Self-Embodiment is only possible if one has a Heart Image.]
[A magic formula is the very next stage of that Self-Embodiment. It is the act of carving laws and Heart Images into the Mana Hole, becoming one with the law itself. Only then can a Magus call themselves such without hesitation—]
[Well, ask me about that in three months. When the item you left with me is ready.]
“…So that’s why he said he was half-baked.”
Understanding Duke Comallon’s meaning, Alon unconsciously let out a deep breath.
He had found some answers, but unresolved questions remained.
‘…Why did the black things want to erase the past? According to the Golden Dragon’s story, Kailas is definitely a Magus, so why did he appear as an Outer God?’
Numerous questions cluttered his mind.
However, Alon pushed those doubts aside for now and reminded himself of his primary objective.
‘The top priority right now is to stop the Five Great Sins.’
Ultimately, there was only one thing that mattered most to him.
To stop the Five Great Sins and enjoy a peaceful life as a noble.
If Alon had any additional goals beyond that, it was a deeper exploration of magic.
Magic, which he had initially learned just to protect himself, had become an indispensable part of his life.
It was the only thing in this world that sparked his curiosity and his desire to ascend.
Therefore.
‘…First, I’ll need to do some preliminary work to deal with the Abomination. And around the time the original story begins, should I join up with the protagonist for a bit to get that item? With that, I’ll be able to meet Kailas.’
Refining his plans once more, he looked up at the sun slowly rising to its zenith.
…They were in the middle of the sweltering desert.
* * *
“Greetings, Marquis. The King wishes to see you.”
“Me?”
“Yes. He also mentioned that he would like Lady Seolrang to accompany you.”
Upon returning to the Colony, Alon received an unexpected invitation from the King.
“Mentor, what do you want to do?”
While Alon wondered why Karmakeses III was calling for him, he asked, “When should we go?”
“You may depart immediately if you wish.”
“…Then let us go right now.”
He accepted the King’s invitation.
Of course, he wanted to rest for a bit while organizing his thoughts, but he had the basic common sense to know that refusing a royal invitation was a breach of etiquette.
Boarding the prepared carriage, he headed toward the Colony’s royal castle and soon began walking through its familiar, opulent corridors.
A short while later.
Just as he was nearing the banquet hall where Karmakeses was waiting, he encountered a man.
A man who was staring at him intensely.
“…?”
Feeling the gaze, Alon naturally looked back at the man and soon realized who he was.
‘Karan?’
The current 1st Prince of the Colony, and the man who would become the 6th King of the Colony after Karmakeses V in the original story—Karan.
He was staring fixedly at Alon.
His expression made it clear that he was extremely displeased about something.
“…?”
Just as the question bloomed in Alon’s mind.
“…”
Seolrang’s eyes also began to narrow as she looked at Karan.
However, a moment later.
In the end, Alon was able to pass by Karan without any trouble.
Karan, who looked as if he had been lying in wait, eventually turned his gaze away and went on his way.
“Marquis, do you happen to know that person?”
“I do not.”
“Then why was he looking at you with such a nas—I mean, such a pretty expression?”
Evan, noticing the guards nearby, quickly changed his words after glancing around to see if anyone was listening.
“I don’t know either.”
Naturally, Alon didn’t know.
He knew of Karan through his experience playing Psychedelia, but this was their first time meeting face-to-face.
Of course, Karan might have known Alon through various rumors or reports, but even considering that, the hostility he had clearly displayed was a bit strange.
He tilted his head in confusion for a moment.
Soon, Alon entered the banquet.
“Greetings, Marquis!”
“?”
As soon as he entered the banquet hall, he was momentarily bewildered to see a man bowing ninety degrees to him.
But soon, he let out a silent exclamation of admiration.
“…It has been a long time, Prince.”
“Yes!”
He realized that the handsome man bowing before him now was none other than the 2nd Prince, Karsem.
The same man who, six months ago, had been called a walking pig, his face bloated with fat and smeared with soot.
“???”
Infinite question marks floated above Alon’s head.