Chapter 201: Sloth and Thunder (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 201: Sloth and Thunder (3)
King Famillono’s awkward laughter.
Jenira’s picture-perfect smile.
Seeing the two of them together, Alon could easily guess the current state of the Luxible Grand Duchy.
In fact, there was no need to guess. It was plain as day to anyone that King Famillono had been completely swallowed by Jenira.
How did it come to this?
Alon was curious about the sequence of events that led to this power dynamic, but he soon stopped himself. It was quite fascinating, but in the end, the fact that the Thunder Snake Tribe—to whom he had granted a great favor—now controlled the Luxible Grand Duchy was an incredibly advantageous situation for him.
...Especially now, while the Thunder Snake Tribe still mistook him for Kalanon, the Lightning Receiver.
"I am the Marquis of Palatio."
"I have heard much about—I mean, I have heard much about you, Marquis."
King Famillono hurriedly corrected his speech level after catching Jenira’s eye. A quick glance around showed that the soldiers didn't react at all, as if they were quite used to this.
Alon finished the audience after exchanging formal greetings. Or, to be more precise, Alon had intended to show a bit more etiquette, but...
"Ahem—that will be all. You may take your leave now, Marquis Palatio."
"…I see."
The King’s expression practically begged, 'Please, just get out of here quickly,' leaving Alon with no choice but to walk out.
"Thank you so much for visiting, just as you said you would."
As soon as they left the audience chamber, Swift Sirkal bowed her head deeply. Alon shook his head awkwardly.
"It’s fine. I came here because I had business to attend to anyway."
"Please, tell me what it is."
"…Where is my—the lightning—no, where is my symbol?"
At Alon’s question, Sirkal tilted her head for a moment before letting out a small "Ah" of realization.
"It is where it was last time."
"If you mean last time, are you talking about the ruins?"
"Yes. However—"
She trailed off, her expression turning deeply apologetic.
"It will likely be very difficult to go there right now."
"Why is that?"
"Have you heard the news regarding the Ronobelli Jungle?"
The rumor Evan had mentioned.
"Are you talking about the black mana?"
"Yes, that’s right. Because of that mana, it will be extremely inconvenient for you to go there immediately."
"Hmm."
Alon let out a small sigh inwardly. He had vaguely expected things to turn out this way. Even so, he couldn't just sit around and wait. If he didn't get there within a week, Kalanon would vanish.
Though unintentional, he felt a slight sense of responsibility for having snatched the divinity. Furthermore, Kalanon’s offer to 'teach him how to handle divinity' was quite enticing. While Alon could perceive the nature of divinity or even shroud himself in it, he still didn't know the exact principles or methods of how to use it.
Besides, if the entity currently spreading black mana was the Apostle of Sloth, Alon would have to deal with it eventually anyway.
In the end, there was only one conclusion.
"Is it certain that the symbol is inside those ruins?"
"Yes. May I ask if... you intend to go in?"
"Most likely."
At that, Sirkal bowed again.
"…Then we shall accompany you."
Alon shook his head slightly. "There is no need."
"No, we cannot stay here while the one we serve enters such a dangerous place. Please, allow us to accompany you."
Sirkal showed no sign of backing down.
"…."
Normally, Alon would have taken her and as many people as possible. As long as the power gap wasn't overwhelming, having more numbers was naturally meaningful.
The reason Alon hesitated was simple.
If that thing is the 'Sin of Sloth' as I suspect, having more people will actually be a poison. That thing grows stronger the more people are gathered together.
It was because of the specific trait of the entity scattering the black mana. After deliberating on how to prevent the worst-case scenario, Alon proposed a compromise.
"Then, I ask that you only guide me to the edge of the black mana’s range."
"But the inside of the black mana is the truly dangerous part."
Sirkal still couldn't hide her worry and anxiety. It seemed standard persuasion wouldn't work on her. Faced with her stubbornness, Alon took a breath and spoke firmly.
"Do not worry. Who do you think I am?"
Of course, the moment the words left his mouth, he thought, Wow, that was embarrassing.
If he were truly a peerless powerhouse, he wouldn't feel ashamed. But since he didn't consider himself one, it felt like nothing more than a bluff.
However, to Sirkal, who was mistaken about Alon’s true identity...
"I... apologize."
It was a very effective means of persuasion.
"Lead the way."
Braving the embarrassment, Alon decided to push through.
* * *
"Ahem."
Alon climbed into the carriage, coughing awkwardly to hide his embarrassment. He was surrounded by the Thunder Snake Tribe members and soldiers. Looking out the window, Alon turned to Evan, who was sitting across from him.
"Aren't you going to ask this time?"
"Huh? Ask what, sir?"
Instead of answering, Alon pointed out the window. Evan was usually the type to ask questions whenever an incomprehensible situation arose. He had been unusually quiet this time, so Alon had prompted him first.
"Ah—"
Evan gave a light shrug.
"Well, I’ve pretty much figured it out."
"…What have you figured out?"
"That you are Kalanon, the Lightning Receiver, Marquis."
"…."
"I’ve been thinking."
"About what?"
"I’m with you all the time, Marquis. Wouldn't it be a bit weird if I asked 'Is this for real?' every single time?"
No, if it were me, I’d still be curious, Alon thought. But Evan leaned back against the seat as if he had reached a state of resignation.
"So, I’ve decided to just accept whatever happens."
"…Is that so?"
"Yes. From now on, even if you say, 'Actually, I’m the God Sironia!!' I’ll believe you."
"Isn't Sironia a goddess?"
"Even if you say you’re a woman, I’ll believe you."
Evan exuded an aura of transcendence, as if he had moved beyond some distant horizon.
[[IMG_1]]
[Kyu—]
As if in response, Blackie poked his head out of Alon’s pocket and looked up at him.
"I see."
"Yep, pretty much."
Silence returned to the carriage. After a while...
"We have arrived."
A voice announced their arrival, and the jungle—no, the territory—shimmering with black mana came into Alon’s view.
"…Is the entire territory like this?"
"No, not quite. But about half of it has been consumed, so everyone has been evacuated for now."
As if to prove Sirkal’s words...
"It’s utterly desolate."
Caslot, which should have been bustling with people, was empty. After a brief look at the hollow scenery, Alon spotted tents pitched near the boundary where the black mana wavered.
"…What are those?"
"They are the knights of Calliban."
"Why are Calliban’s knights here?"
"I heard they came looking for someone."
"…Looking for someone?"
Just as he was feeling puzzled by the unexpected answer...
"…Huh?"
"Hmm?"
Familiar faces walked out from inside the tents.
"…Reinhardt? And—"
It was Reinhardt, one of the Swords of Calliban whom he had briefly traveled with in the jungle before. And...
"Deus?"
"…Marquis."
It was Deus, looking incredibly haggard, yet with a smoldering rage in his eyes. Soon, Alon realized why Deus looked like that.
At Alon’s question, Deus clenched both fists.
"…My sister—"
He bit his lip, barely forcing the words out.
"She was kidnapped."
Alon couldn't find anything to say in response.
* * *
Inside the tent, Alon received a detailed explanation from Deus.
"To summarize, the one who kidnapped Silli summoned you here?"
"That’s right. But—"
"You can’t do anything because of this black mana?"
"That bastard, he—"
Deus ground his teeth and lowered his head.
"The deeper I went, the more he showed me the thread around Silli’s neck tightening."
His hands, resting on his knees, trembled slightly.
"…Any other demands?"
"As long as I don't enter the black mana, the thread doesn't tighten."
"In other words, he’s baiting someone other than you to come and rescue her?"
"Yes. But anyone else who enters becomes a puppet the moment they step inside."
Reinhardt chimed in from the side.
"Unless you constantly cut the threads that are being created, you lose control of your body immediately."
He grimaced as if recalling an unpleasant experience. Having heard their explanation, Alon understood how the situation was unfolding.
He’s intentionally luring people other than Deus to rescue Silli. Is he trying to wear down Deus’s mental state through the deaths of others?
It wasn't hard to realize the Apostle’s goal. It wasn't to kill Deus, but to break his spirit. By using Silli’s life as collateral to force other knights to move, he was eating away at Deus’s mind. Ultimately, he would likely dispose of Silli in a shocking manner to completely shatter Deus.
…No, perhaps at this point, Silli is already—
Looking at Deus’s eyes burning with rage, Alon couldn't bring himself to ask if he had actually seen Silli alive. At this moment, any question regarding Silli would surely shake Deus’s mind violently.
Thus, Alon quietly shifted his gaze to the forest visible outside the tent.
"Where is he located?"
"Right here."
Deus immediately pointed to a spot on the map. Despite his exhausted face, his movements were swift.
Then...
"…This place."
Sirkal joined the conversation.
"Do you know where this is?"
At Alon’s question, she nodded.
"It’s where the symbol is."
"Then this is—"
"Yes, it’s the ruins where our tribe used to stay."
Alon fell into thought for a moment before asking Deus and Reinhardt.
"So, what were you planning to do?"
"Originally, I was going to go in and attempt a rescue, but I wasn't strong enough. I barely managed to escape myself."
"Did the knights go in with you?"
"Yes. Once we got to a certain depth, they were attacked immediately."
"The knights...?"
Before Alon could even finish his question, Reinhardt’s face contorted with frustration.
"They are all... dead."
"All of them?"
"Yes. When I first realized they were being controlled, I planned to knock them out and bring them back. But the moment their bodies went limp, their necks were snapped right then and there."
"…."
"Still, I did gain one piece of information."
"What is it?"
"It seems the black threads cannot control more than three people at once."
"Cannot control more than three?"
Reinhardt nodded at Alon’s follow-up.
"Yes. When I went in with fifteen knights, only about three were ever being controlled at any given time."
"…No more than that were controlled?"
"That’s how it seemed."
Reinhardt continued his explanation.
"Anyway, because of that, I was devising a plan. If it’s only three at a time, we can counter it by splitting into pairs."
"…You plan to have everyone enter at once to reach his location?"
"Yes. If we pair the knights in groups of six and have them take turns activating their mana to conserve it while advancing, it shouldn't be impossible."
After hearing the full explanation, Alon remained silent for a moment. As far as he knew, the Sins had no limit when it came to controlling individuals.
Is there a limit because it’s an Apostle?
While pondering this new information, Alon soon reached a conclusion and let out a low, involuntary chuckle. If his hunch was correct...
"You’d better scrap that plan."
"Why?"
"Because it’s a trap."
"…A trap, you say?"
It was definitely a trap.
"The one who kidnapped Silli can control far more than just three people at once."
"…Not just three? Then why back then—"
It was a very nasty and clever trap.
"He’s trying to lure you in. He intends to deal with you all at once when you’re deep inside and can no longer escape."
"If that’s the case—"
"He intentionally threw out a bait."
Reinhardt started to argue but closed his mouth as if something had occurred to him. Deus clenched his teeth even harder. He bit down so hard that blood seeped from his lips.
As if embodying his uncontrollable rage, Deus, radiating a faint purple mana, stared at the black forest with eyes full of anxiety and fury.
"What... should we—"
At the low murmur escaping his lips, Alon spoke in a firm voice.
"Do not worry."
"…Marquis?"
"I have a plan."
* * *
At that moment.
"Boss—"
"Whaaat—"
Deep within the Ronobelli Jungle.
A girl sat atop a pile of stones carved from a cliff, looking utterly bothered. At the voice calling her, she turned her body.
"Why are you calling meee?"
She looked down at a blue-skinned man.
"You know that black guy you told me to keep an eye on?"
"Yeah—did he do something?"
"No, not exactly."
"Did he cross the boundary?"
"Not that either."
"Then why?"
The girl’s reaction was a bit sharp. Since she was basically always on edge unless it was nighttime, the blue-skinned man scratched his head.
"Well, it’s... what was it again?"
"If it’s nothing important, I’ll kill you."
"Hey now—you threatening me makes it harder to remember."
"Just spit it out."
"Ah, right—you know that human you called 'Legitimacy' or whatever?"
"Yeah."
"It looks like that 'Legitimacy' guy is going to move against the black guy. My gut says things aren't going to end well for him."
Upon hearing the report...
"…What? Wait, why is he—no, why is that person coming here? No, before that—"
The girl, who had been acting annoyed, suddenly froze.
The expression of the Ghost King—one of the rulers of the Four Major Factions—turned incredibly cold.
"That piece of shit... thinks he can touch my Legitimacy?"