Chapter 252: …What’s Going On? (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 252: …What’s Going On? (4)
Perked-up ears peeked slightly above the windowsill. When a pair of golden eyes met Alon’s, they crinkled into a playful smile.
Then, as if suddenly remembering she was supposed to be hiding, Seolrang ducked her head back down.
Alon watched her for a moment before turning his gaze back to the King.
“...I believe I have a general grasp of the situation.”
“I’m glad you understand... It has been quite an ordeal,” Karmakeses III replied.
“...”
“In more ways than one.”
Karmakeses III let out a sigh of genuine relief. Alon finally understood why the King had welcomed him with such fervent cheers when he first arrived at the royal castle.
“However, I heard that Calliban and Laxas are also preparing for war against Ashtalon. What is the story behind that?”
Alon could already picture the scenario in his head, but he asked just to be sure. The one who answered, however, was not Karmakeses III.
“That’s because of Deus and Ladan!”
It was Seolrang, who had been spying on them from the window until just a moment ago. She popped up as if she had been waiting for this exact opening.
“...Deus and Ladan?”
“Yeah! They got mad and declared war!”
Alon nodded as she spoke as if tamping down a grievance, but a question arose in his mind.
‘...Do those two really have the political influence to declare war?’
Of course, Deus was the First Sword of Calliban, and Ladan had maintained a good relationship with Laxas ever since he unified the pirates. Still, they weren't the kings of their respective nations.
Alon glanced at Karmakeses III.
“...”
Seeing the King’s awkward expression as he glanced warily at Seolrang, Alon realized his doubts were meaningless.
“Seolrang.”
“Yeah!”
“But is that statement really enough for you all to suddenly declare war?”
“Of course!” Seolrang answered instantly.
“That guy told us to forget about you because you were dead! That stupid jerk who doesn't know anything—”
Seolrang began to radiate hostility, her mood souring, but then her eyes widened as if she’d realized something. She let out a fake cough and corrected herself.
“—Or at least, that’s probably what Deus and Ladan thought, right, Mentor?”
“...Is that so?”
“Yeah! And for the record, I didn't say anything! Karsem did it all!”
She pointed a finger at Karsem, who was standing by Karmakeses III’s side. Karsem, who had been merely observing the situation, pointed at himself with a face that screamed, ‘Me??? I did???’
“...Ahem, yes. It was me.”
However, after catching a glimpse of Seolrang’s back as she turned away from Alon, he forced a nod with a face full of injustice.
“See! I told you!”
Seolrang squared her shoulders proudly. Watching her acting so dignified, Alon could only let out a small sigh and pat her head.
“Just in case, I must ask—has the news of my survival spread?”
“Yes. It has likely reached most places by now—but there is one problem.”
“May I ask what it is?”
Karmakeses III cleared his throat before speaking.
“As you know, war is not something that can be started so easily. There are many preparations to be made and many things to consider.”
Alon understood the implication behind the King’s words as he glanced at Seolrang. To put it simply:
‘We just pretended to go to war to keep Seolrang happy.’
In other words, they were putting on a "WWE" style performance, to use a term from Alon’s original world.
“I understand perfectly.”
“From what I know, the situation in other countries isn't much different. However, because the official declaration of war was delayed, the First Sword of Calliban set out ahead of the army.”
“...You mean Deus?”
“Indeed. It seems he headed straight for the capital... so he might not have heard the news yet.”
Inevitably, another destination was added to Alon's itinerary.
“...I’ll have to stop by the capital of Ashtalon for a moment.”
“I can guarantee you will be welcomed with open arms.”
Alon began his preparations to head for Ashtalon.
* * *
He needed to find Line as soon as possible.
‘I have to settle this quickly...’
Line’s voice seemed to cling to his ears, making his heart race with impatience. Nevertheless, he had to resolve the current situation first. Setting his course for Ashtalon, Alon spoke to the others.
“It’s a pity. I had something I wanted to ask you... but since you seem busy, I’ll save it for next time.”
“Yes, I was planning to visit you anyway, so let’s talk then,” Alon replied to Yuman.
“Understood, Brother.”
“Marquis! I’ll stop by the Magic Tower for a bit and then join you!” Penia added.
“Understood.”
Alon left brief farewells for Yuman and Penia.
“Can’t I come with you?” Seolrang asked.
“Stay here for now.”
“But I’m worried...”
“Nothing major will happen. And I’ll stop by again as soon as I’m done.”
“Then, are we going on our trip then?”
“Yes, we’ll go then.”
“...Okay!”
Seolrang finally nodded, her eyes still full of worry, before adding one more thing.
“And Mentor.”
“What is it?”
“Line... she’s going to be okay, right?”
It was a question tinged with Seolrang’s quiet anxiety. Alon hesitated for a moment.
...When Seolrang had asked in passing yesterday, he had told her she would be back soon, but Alon himself hadn't yet confirmed exactly what had happened to her.
However.
“Yes, she’ll be fine.”
That was the answer Alon gave her.
Even if something had gone wrong and she wasn't okay...
He would do whatever it took to bring her back to normal.
Perhaps reassured by his confident answer, Seolrang nodded.
“Okay, I understand.”
After saying his goodbyes to Seolrang as she stepped back, Alon left the Colony.
Once he was a good distance away from the kingdom...
[Hwaaa—!]
“Kyu?”
Blackie and Basiliora, who had been hiding until now, finally made their appearance.
[Seriously, why did you head straight for the Colony the moment we were able to come out!]
“Kyu—”
Blackie climbed onto Alon’s shoulder and wiggled around, while Basiliora shouted in complaint.
“...Were you unable to come out because Seolrang was there?”
[Exactly! You know exactly what happens to us when that girl is around, so why would you even ask!? Ugh—it was painful enough being stuck inside even when I wanted to leave back in the past...]
At those words, Alon recalled that Basiliora had never once shown himself during their time in the past.
“Now that I think about it, why didn't you appear when we were in the past?”
[It’s not that I didn't show myself, I couldn't!]
“Why?”
[I don't know either. I tried to leave from the very beginning, but I couldn't. It was as if it were forbidden.]
“...As if you were forbidden from leaving?”
[Yes. It was a very bizarre feeling.]
Basiliora curled his body into a ball as if the memory left a bad taste in his mouth, then suddenly spoke as if he had remembered something.
[By the way, why did you just stand there back then?]
“...Back then?”
[Yes, when you were fighting that Baarma fellow. Didn't the masked man take your ring?]
“Wait, what?”
When Alon asked back, hearing this for the first time, Basiliora looked surprised.
[...Don't tell me you didn't know?]
“...Whether I knew or not, I only found out just now because you told me. Tell me everything.”
Though looking puzzled, Basiliora relayed a story that Alon had been completely unaware of.
“Are you talking about when the ground collapsed after I blocked Baarma’s attack?”
[Yes. A blue thread suddenly appeared and snatched the ring right off your finger.]
“I had no idea.”
As Alon fiddled with the finger where the ring used to be, Basiliora nodded.
[You did seem completely preoccupied with other things.]
Alon rubbed his chin with his bare finger.
“Do you happen to remember the face of the person who took the ring?”
[There’s nothing to remember. They were wrapped head to toe in black clothing. However—one thing is certain.]
“What is it?”
[They had blue eyes.]
“...Blue eyes?”
[Yes, and they were a very vivid blue.]
“Blue eyes, huh...”
Alon let out a sigh. He couldn't possibly deduce who it was with such limited information.
‘No, even if I knew, would it really matter?’
The ring had already been left behind 700 years in the past. However, one thing bothered him.
‘If they took my ring, does that mean they knew what it was?’
The probability was high.
‘Come to think of it, did I have to lose the ring back then so that I could obtain it again later? ...Wait, if that’s the case, shouldn't I have left the gauntlet behind as well?’
Throughout the journey to Ashtalon, Alon continued his uncertain deductions.
* * *
About a few weeks later.
“Thank you for coming. Thank you so much.”
“No—”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you—”
Alon arrived in Ashtalon, where the atmosphere was heavy with the tension of war preparations. Soldiers stood in formation with nervous expressions.
“Wow, they’re all gathered like it’s the final battle.”
“...Indeed.”
Upon arriving at the royal palace, Alon was greeted by Mondalla, the First Prince of Ashtalon, who bowed deeply—
“Thank you for coming.”
“...It was nothing.”
And he had an audience with Shuhtalian V, who held his hands tightly in gratitude.
...To be honest, receiving such thanks felt strange, but Alon soon heard the details of the situation from Shuhtalian.
“...So you’re saying Ladan and Deus are moving together.”
“That is correct.”
Alon shifted his gaze slightly.
Tremble, tremble—
The Prince’s hands were shaking as if he had developed a palsy. He looked incredibly pitiful.
‘He seems a bit too terrified, even considering the circumstances.’
Of course, Alon knew how strong Deus and Ladan were. Still, Mondalla was the First Prince.
‘And I recall him being quite the arrogant type...’
It would be one thing if Deus and Ladan were attacking in earnest, but for a prince with an overwhelming military force to be this frightened...
Furthermore—
‘Kurak should be here as well.’
Just as he thought of the giant in ink-black armor.
“...First, it seems they haven't heard the news yet, so delivering the message should be the priority.”
Alon tried to settle the situation. But while Shuhtalian V nodded with a heavy expression, the Prince continued to tremble uncontrollably.
“If we get bombarded before we can even say a word—”
“...Bombarded?”
Alon tilted his head at the Prince’s murmur. He had heard the two were moving together, so he didn't understand why the word "bombardment" was being used—
“Y-Your Majesty—they are coming—!”
Just then, a knight burst into the audience chamber and shouted urgently.
Alon pushed his doubts aside and stood up quickly. Just as he was about to head toward the castle walls to meet Deus and Ladan.
“?”
Alon saw it.
In the distance.
Floating in the sky.
“...Ships?”
Giant ships. And not just one or two—there were over ten of them. They were gliding through the air, flying toward the capital.
At that moment.
[I will make you pay for insulting my brother right here.]
Ladan’s amplified voice thundered through the sky. As if there had never been any room for negotiation from the start, the gun ports of the ten-plus ships opened all at once.
“Ah...”
Only then did Alon realize why the Prince had been trembling so much. He clutched his forehead as a wave of dizziness washed over him.
‘I appreciate them being angry on my behalf, but... still, this is—’
The familiar thought that this was "a bit much" flashed through his mind.