Chapter 175: Those Who Noticed (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 175: Those Who Noticed (1)
Teira the Archaeologist.
Once a 5th Tier Mage of the Red Magic Tower, he had become fascinated by the artifacts discovered in the Colony. For the past twenty years, he had braved any danger to indulge his passion for the relics of a forgotten era.
Initially, he had been puzzled by the summons from Karmakeses III.
While it was thanks to the support of Karmakeses III that Teira could remain in the Colony and pursue his archaeological research, Teira knew the truth: Karmakeses III had no real interest in archaeology itself.
What the King desired were merely the byproducts that accompanied the ancient items Teira unearthed.
That was why his curiosity deepened.
“Does such a thing as a ‘Living God’ truly exist?”
Karmakeses III’s question was baffling. To be summoned so suddenly only to be asked that—had the King developed a sudden interest in archaeology?
Nevertheless, Teira answered with the utmost sincerity.
“...So, according to you, it is possible that a Living God actually exists?”
“Rather than saying it is possible, I believe it would be more accurate to say that Living Gods do, in fact, exist.”
“Can you take responsibility for those words?”
“I can.”
Teira nodded confidently even at the follow-up confirmation. He had, in fact, seen a Living God before.
It was back when he was deep into exploring ancient mysteries. At the risk of his life, he had infiltrated the lands of the Lizardmen and witnessed it.
An entity that was different even in outward appearance, possessing a level of power that existed on an entirely different plane. It was not the borrowed holy power used by priests, but a Living God who wielded the very essence of power itself.
Awe, fear, ecstasy.
The heat radiating from the crowd of Lizardmen worshiping the entity was still vivid in his memory.
But why was Karmakeses III so curious about a ‘Living God’? Teira wondered if the King had simply overheard something and was acting on shallow curiosity, but—
He’s serious.
The King’s expression was graver than ever, as if he were agonizing over a matter of national survival.
“...Is there a way to verify if someone is a Living God?”
“Verify, Your Majesty?”
“Yes.”
It was an unexpected question.
“Forgive me, but could you be more specific...?”
“Exactly what I said. Is there a way to confirm if the person before me is a Living God?”
“Rather than a method of verification, Living Gods simply look different from ordinary humans. In other words, one can easily tell just by looking at them.”
“...Is that so?”
Karmakeses III’s face contorted strangely once again. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke cautiously.
“...Then, if a Living God were to disguise themselves as a human, is that a possibility?”
“If you are asking purely about the possibility, I cannot say it is impossible.”
“Then is there a way to see through that disguise? Ideally, in a way that the other party wouldn't notice the attempt.”
As the questions continued, Teira began to get a faint inkling of why the King was asking.
Has someone appeared who is suspected of being a Living God?
It was a brief speculation. However, since he lacked sufficient information, he didn't pursue the thought further and simply nodded.
“I have never attempted it before, but the conclusion is that a method does exist.”
“Truly?”
“Yes.”
Teira recalled an item he had obtained not long ago from one of the forgotten ancient ruins.
“Then I shall call for you when the time comes. It won't be long; I’ve heard they will be arriving at the Colony soon.”
“I understand.”
Teira pushed his curiosity aside, gave his answer, and withdrew.
Left alone, Karmakeses III sat in silence.
...If Marquis Palatio is truly a god—
His eyes sank into a profound, heavy depth.
* * *
The following day.
After finishing all his business in Lartania, Alon met with Line before his departure.
“So, you are leaving now.”
“I must.”
“That’s a shame.”
Unlike yesterday, the discomfort had vanished from her expression. In fact, she looked better than usual. No, she was trying to look better. She was desperately hiding any other emotions behind a faint, practiced smile.
Watching her, Alon hesitated for a moment.
Then.
“Line.”
“Yes?”
He spoke calmly.
“The past is, ultimately, just the past.”
The smile on Line’s face slowly faded away.
In truth, Alon had debated whether or not to say this. It meant breaking the mask she had donned to appear normal, dragging out a part of her she clearly didn't want to discuss.
And yet.
I hope Line can find even a little bit of peace.
That desire won out.
Of course, he didn't know exactly what had happened. He didn't know what she had endured in the past or why she was so afraid of it coming to light.
The two things he could guess were: first, that the past—likely an incident involving the schemes of an Apostle—had left her with deep trauma. And second, that Line feared the way Alon and others might look at her if the truth were revealed.
Alon had no wish to force open a wound she was trying so hard to hide. However, if a wound is never exposed, it never gets the chance to heal. That was why, after much deliberation, he had spoken.
“Li—”
Alon started to say more but swallowed the rest of the sentence.
Instead.
Pat, pat.
He lightly patted her on the shoulder.
Even if it was for her sake, prattling on when he didn't truly know what she had suffered could be seen as a form of mockery. And besides, no more words were needed.
Line, unlike someone like Seolrang, would understand what Alon meant.
“I’m off.”
After patting her shoulder a couple more times, Alon turned to leave.
“...Thank you, Godfather.”
The voice that followed made his heavy heart feel a bit lighter.
A smile had returned to Line’s lips. It wasn't a forced one, but a faint, natural smile.
Looking at her, Alon wondered if this might be the first time he had seen her true expression.
“Right.”
He gave a short reply and turned away.
Alon didn't realize it, but a small smile had found its way onto his own lips as well.
* * *
In a small canyon on the northern outskirts of Lartania.
In that place of silence, inhabited only by a few monsters.
Thwip!
Suddenly, a hand burst through the ground.
The arm was tinged with a corpse-like blue, as if it had been buried in the dirt for a very long time. Soon, a series of sickening cracks echoed as if bones were snapping into place, and blood began to circulate through the limb.
A moment later, the mound of earth crumbled, and a naked female body emerged from within.
“Whew—”
The one who emerged with a low sigh was none other than Emil, the Apostle of Greed.
She stood up, brushing the dirt off her body with an annoyed expression. Her pale blue skin, looking like a corpse under the blue moonlight, soon began to crackle and reconstruct itself.
Before long, her complexion returned to that of a living human.
She inspected her restored body as if appraising it, then muttered with a smile.
“Ah, I actually died.”
She sounded almost disappointed, but her reaction was far too casual for someone who had just faced death.
But for her, death was not something to be feared. Unlike the other Apostles, the memories granted by Greed provided her with the power to reverse death and reincarnate a few times.
Marquis Palatio, was it?
The Apostle of Greed, now fully restored to life, thought of the man who had ‘killed’ her. The mage—no, the Magus—who had used magic with such an utterly indifferent expression.
No matter how much I think about it, he’s strange. He should be a half-baked mage without even a proper formula, so why is his magical ability so exceptional? ...Fine, let’s say he’s just strong, but what was with that divine power infused into his mana?
Emil wore a peculiar expression.
In truth, she had the power to escape the prison Alon had created. She had stored enough mana in the ‘Book of Rotten Wood’ she wielded to make such an escape possible.
However, because of the divine power within Alon’s mana, she hadn't been able to properly manipulate the mana stored in the book.
The vessel was only slightly stronger than expected... Well, I thought he had a few tricks up his sleeve based on the intel, but meeting him in person, he’s even more than that.
She admitted that she had underestimated Marquis Palatio.
Maybe it would have been better to break him before starting the plan.
The reason Emil had dealt with Marquis Palatio so leisurely was to use him to awaken Line as a Vessel. All the evidence suggested that Marquis Palatio was an incredibly important existence to the Vessel.
At the time, she had judged him to be useful, so she couldn't kill him.
Well, what’s done is done. First, I should focus on recovery.
Emil looked down at her slightly trembling hands.
Naturally, she couldn't resurrect infinitely, and the risks were significant. First and foremost, her stats plummeted the moment she was revived.
This was because her resurrection was essentially a ‘body transfer.’ She didn't revive in her dead body; instead, her soul was separated and moved into a pre-prepared body.
In short, no matter how hard she worked, the moment she died, she lost everything based on physical ability, even if she retained her knowledge. In gaming terms, it was like starting over from Level 1 with only her traits inherited.
Of course, since her knowledge was preserved, the speed at which she could regain her original power was fast, but still.
Well, I can just prepare again. It’s a good thing I didn't use the ‘materials’ beforehand.
Emil began to restructure her plan in her head. A plan that wouldn't underestimate Marquis Palatio and would surely awaken Line as a Vessel.
Having revised her plan for a moment, Emil thought:
This time, let’s take it slow and prepare leisurely.
With a small smile, she began to walk into the dark forest—
Stab!
“Ah?”
—but she couldn't take another step.
“Hello?”
Under the blue moon, with crystal-clear blue eyes shining.
A person had gracefully driven a blade into her back.