Chapter 181: Birth, Day…? (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 181: Birth, Day…? (2)
“Marquis, you must be feeling pretty good this time, aren’t you?”
“Is that so?”
“I mean, all the kids said they were going to take care of your birthday, didn’t they?”
Birthday. A birthday, huh?
Alon cleared his throat, perhaps a bit unnecessarily.
“It is certainly... appreciated.”
“Oh, please—stop acting so nonchalant.”
“I’m not acting. This is exactly how I feel.”
“For someone who says that, the corners of your mouth are twitching upward quite a bit.”
Alon subtly covered his mouth with his hand.
To be honest, it was true that he was feeling a certain level of anticipation. He had never received a birthday present from the children he had sponsored until now.
Of course, that was only natural, as he had never actually told them his date of birth. More importantly, he hadn't rescued and sponsored them just to receive gifts, so he hadn't felt slighted.
...Truly.
“Come on—you were totally moping last time when Line said she’d give you a gift and then didn't send anything.”
“I don't believe my expression changed at all.”
“I’ve spent enough time with you to know.”
“...Was it that obvious?”
“It’s not that you made it obvious; it’s just that after serving you for nearly ten years, I’ve picked up on a few things.”
“Is that so...?”
“Yes.”
As Alon awkwardly fiddled with the corner of his mouth—
[Hmph. To think you’ve watched him for ten years and only noticed that much. It’s utterly laughable.]
Basiliora, who had been quiet until a moment ago, wriggled his way out.
“There he goes again, acting up.”
Evan clicked his tongue the moment Basiliora appeared. Basiliora didn't hesitate to fire back.
[Ha! How insolent for a mere human. I am simply stating the truth, so why such a reaction?]
“What truth?”
[The fact that it took you ten years just to start recognizing his feelings—doesn't that just mean you haven't been fulfilling your duties as a subordinate?]
“I really want to flick his forehead. So, what? Are you saying you can tell the Marquis’s emotions the instant you see him?”
Basiliora puffed out his tiny, insignificant chest proudly.
[I cannot.]
“?”
[Why that look?]
“You were just talking all that shit about recognizing expressions!”
[That is your problem. Whether I can read his expressions or not is entirely irrelevant, isn't it? Am I Alon’s subordinate? No, I am—]
“You are?”
[A god!]
Kyakyakyakya! Basiliora let out a villainous laugh.
Evan turned back to Alon as if the snake wasn't even worth responding to.
“Marquis.”
“What is it?”
“Didn’t you say you were heading to the Magic Tower Association soon?”
“I did.”
Evan pointed his chin toward Basiliora.
“Let’s leave him with that Heinkel person or whatever.”
[!? What are you talking about all of a sudden! I was merely speaking the truth! Why is the conversation going in that directio—!]
“I might have to do that.”
[Kuaaaaagh!!!]
Basiliora suddenly began twisting his body in agony, as if the mere thought of that time brought back traumatic memories.
[Kyu—]
Blackie watched Basiliora with a look of pity and shook his head.
“Marquis, don’t we stop needing this guy soon?”
Evan didn't stop there.
“You mean Basiliora?”
“Yes. You haven't really used him much since that last time.”
“Hmm—I suppose I’ve only used him once.”
“In that case, let’s just hand him over to Heinkel permanently.”
[?! What are you saying! Talk some sense, you bastard!!!]
Now genuinely terrified and foaming at the mouth, Basiliora looked at Alon imploringly.
[It’s not that I don't want to fight! It’s just that you haven't summoned me!!]
“That’s not entirely wrong.”
Basiliora’s voice grew even louder than usual, clearly desperate to avoid being sent to Heinkel.
Admittedly, Basiliora was one of the greatest assets Alon could deploy. Naturally, he wasn't useless. Though he currently looked like a stubby, thirty-centimeter snake, his essence was that of a god.
‘And besides—’
Alon glanced down at Blackie and Basiliora.
He recalled what Kailas had told him—the things he needed to practice to properly command a Shadow Spirit Dragon. And along with that, what a Spirit Dragon was capable of.
If that went well—
‘I might be able to make Basiliora even stronger than he is now.’
Having made his decision, Alon looked down at the bracelet on his wrist, ‘Salvation of the Wanderer.’
‘It’s about time for a recharge. Maybe I should fill it up before stopping by the Elf Village.’
He organized his plans accordingly.
[You subhuman! You’re going to use the Deep Layer to send me to hell!?]
“How does it feel to have your life threatened by a subhuman? And how’s the self-loathing feel, knowing your win rate in every game against that subhuman is less than fifty percent?”
[Don't talk nonsense! I’ve won more than half, and you’re the one below that!]
Watching the two of them continue their pointless bickering, Alon relaxed comfortably amidst the sweltering heat of the desert.
* * *
It was about two weeks later when Alon arrived at the Palatio Territory.
“Is that... the auction house?”
A massive building sat squarely in the middle of the Marquis’s estate. It certainly hadn't been there when he left.
“That’s what they say.”
“...It’s huge.”
And that wasn't all. Buildings were springing up like mushrooms in the surrounding area, centered around that giant auction house.
Alon felt a surge of pride in his chest.
...Of course, he hadn't actually done anything himself.
In a slightly upbeat mood, he passed the grand auction house and arrived at the Marquis’s mansion.
What greeted him there was—
“...What is this?”
“Paperwork.”
“...This much?”
“Yes.”
From the floor to the ceiling. It was a stack of documents so dizzyingly high that one might think someone had built a tower out of paper.
Alon groaned. The pride that had filled his heart was instantly replaced by gloom.
‘Going straight to the Elf Village was impossible from the start.’
Of course, it wouldn't be a major problem if he didn't process them right this second. He had let things pile up several times before.
However, one fact was painfully clear. Eventually, he would have to process every single one of those documents.
“Whew—”
A heavy sigh echoed through the office. How was he supposed to do all this alone...?
“Evan.”
“Yes.”
“Post a notice.”
“What kind of notice?”
“That I’m looking for someone to handle administrative work.”
However.
“...I don’t mind posting the notice, but shouldn't you handle this kind of work yourself, Marquis? Most of these are likely important documents.”
“...I suppose so?”
“Of course. Usually, if you leave this kind of thing to someone else, they’ll find a way to skim a little off the top.”
Life was never that easy. Alon let out a pained groan.
“...Well, isn't there anyone trustworthy?”
“Hmm—I don't know. Maybe someone like me?”
[Bullshit.]
Basiliora added a short interjection. Evan continued as if he hadn't heard.
“Well, but I’m hopeless at this kind of desk work.”
“Hmm—”
Suddenly, a face came to mind.
‘...Should I ask Yutia?’
Alon considered it for a moment but soon stopped his wandering thoughts and sat down. It would take time to hire someone anyway.
Therefore.
“...Let’s get to it.”
Alon picked up a sheet of paper. He had been in a good mood returning home after two months, but as he flipped through the documents, thinking he’d rather be back outside—
“...Hm?”
A brilliant idea suddenly struck him.
* * *
Alon finished every single document stacked from floor to ceiling in just one week.
How was it possible?
“Huff... huff...”
It was all thanks to the promising talent, Penia Kraysinne.
Even after faithfully completing her role as Alon’s magic research assistant, Penia had not returned to the Magic Tower. Instead, she had set up a laboratory right in the 2nd Office. It was so she could conduct experiments with the catalyst Alon had given her.
‘The talent was right under my nose.’
Alon had brought her in to assist with the paperwork. Of course, she hadn't been pleased at first. Though her mouth said she would do it, her eyes screamed, ‘Why on earth do I have to do this?’
But now.
“Is it... all finished?”
“Yes. Good work. We saved a lot of time thanks to you.”
“That’s... a relief.”
Despite working overtime for several days straight, Penia was genuinely happy.
The reason she could be so happy was the condition Alon had offered her.
‘...I only said I’d put in a word so she could regularly learn magic from Heinkel, and yet she handled it with such fervor.’
Alon recalled Penia over the past few days. The sight of her handling not one, but eight pens simultaneously. She was a literal Asura of productivity; he had almost stopped his own work to applaud.
‘What exactly is magic to her?’
Penia still had a smile on her face, even though her stamina was clearly depleted. What was magic to her that she would dive headfirst into work that others would shun?
Alon, who used to have an image of mages as prickly and difficult, decided to revise that image today.
‘...In a way, maybe mages are the easiest people to deal with.’
“Well then, take today off. We’ll start the magic research tomorrow.”
“Understood—...Wait, what?”
Penia, who had answered by reflex, widened her eyes until they looked like they might pop out. As if he understood everything, Alon patted her on the shoulder.
“Don't worry. I’ll make sure to tell Heinkel about this as well.”
“Gasp! Understood...!”
It didn't even take a second for the gloom to vanish and life to return to her face. As if she had found a hidden reserve of strength, Penia scurried out of the room.
Watching her go—
‘...As I thought, mages are easy.’
Alon nodded quietly to himself.
* * *
The morning of Alon’s birthday finally arrived.
Waking up early, Alon looked at the spot next to his pillow. Blackie was curled up and sleeping there, a sight that had become very familiar. After gently stroking the soft black fur, Alon got out of bed.
‘Is it today?’
In his original life, and even after possessing this body, he had never considered his birthday to be particularly special. However, now that the kids had prepared gifts, it felt different than usual.
‘I wonder what the gifts are.’
The thought naturally occurred to him as he changed his clothes. He certainly wasn't expecting anything expensive. This anticipation had nothing to do with the ‘type of gift.’
Whatever it was, the fact that they had ‘prepared it’ for him tickled Alon’s heart. He felt unfamiliar with himself for having such strange emotions.
‘Well, good things are good things.’
Letting out a faint smile, he pulled back the curtains covering the window.
“...?”
And then, he discovered something strange.
Something that didn't just dwarf the Marquis’s mansion, but easily towered over the very walls of the Palatio Territory.
A statue of immense proportions.
“???”
It was Alon—himself—with his black coat fluttering, one hand raised leisurely. And in the eyes of this gargantuan statue were embedded massive diamonds.
The statue stood tall in the very center of the territory.
Alon stood frozen in a daze for a long time. Then—
“Wait.”
He felt a strange sense of cognitive dissonance. The source of that dissonance was the pose the statue was striking. It was strangely familiar.
Where had he seen it before?
As he searched his memories—
“Ah?”
He realized. That pose—
“That’s...”
It was remarkably similar to the pose of the Northern Chief’s statue he had seen in his original life.
...His birthday had officially begun.