Chapter 253: …What’s Going On? (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 253: …What’s Going On? (5)
In any case, the conclusion was simple: Alon had successfully stopped Deus and Ladan.
"Brother!"
"Marquis!"
As soon as Alon showed himself, Ladan and Deus ceased their bombardment and rushed down in a frantic hurry.
He immediately explained the situation to them.
After listening to his story for a while, the two let out long, heavy sighs of relief.
"Ah—seriously, that took ten years off my life, Brother. I was terrified that you’d actually passed away."
"...I am glad you are safe, Marquis."
Ladan beamed with a bright smile, while Deus looked profoundly relieved.
Though both appeared lighthearted now, their gaunt faces clearly showed the emotional toll the past few days had taken on them.
While Alon felt his heart warm at their devotion, he couldn't help but ask another question.
"...So, what exactly is that?"
He pointed toward the massive ships floating in the sky. That was one thing, but this was an entirely different matter.
At the question, Ladan’s shoulders squared with pride.
"Oh, that? It’s a relic we acquired recently, Brother."
"A relic?"
"Yes. I thought it might come in handy for a time like this, so I had it repaired. Of course, it’s hard to keep it running for long."
Ten ships floated in the sky, forming a perfectly symmetrical formation.
"I appreciate that you care for me so much, but now that you know I’m alive, stop this and return home."
At Alon’s words, Ladan and Deus exchanged subtle glances.
"...Well, if that’s what you say, Brother, we have no choice."
"Understood."
They eventually relented, and as Alon watched them, he recalled the words of the 1st Prince.
「The death of Marquis Palatio is truly regrettable, and I express my deepest condolences. However, even so, we cannot remain stagnant. The Asteria Kingdom must overcome this pain and move forward.」
...Of course, those sentences hadn't been filled with genuine goodwill.
But what on earth had made them so angry?
Instead of agonizing over it, Alon decided to ask them directly.
"Deus, Ladan."
"Yes, Marquis."
"Speak, Brother."
"...I’m asking just in case, but did the 1st Prince make any additional remarks other than what I already know?"
He didn't think Deus, Ladan, and Seolrang would have attacked so recklessly without a significant reason.
However.
"No, nothing else."
"...Hmm?"
"That's right."
"Then—"
Alon slowly raised his gaze.
The massive ships were still cruising through the sky, their gun ports open as if ready to bombard the royal palace at any moment.
"...No, never mind."
Watching the scene, Alon swallowed the question he was about to ask.
It was excessive.
All three of them had gone way too far.
But in the end, they had done it for him.
...Still, no matter how he looked at it, it was definitely overkill.
Because of that.
"...From now on, try to act a bit more calmly."
Leaving them with that single piece of advice, Alon, having suppressed the situation early, sent Ladan and Deus away with the promise that he would visit them soon.
"S-Saved—"
"I really thought I was going to die just now..."
Only after the two had completely vanished did the soldiers' sighs of relief and groans of exhaustion erupt from all directions.
"Thank you so much—"
"...I am in your debt."
The 1st Prince bowed his head deeply, and Shuhtalian V looked at Alon with eyes full of emotion.
Alon felt strange once again.
Is it right for me to be receiving thanks? Shouldn't I be the one apologizing?
He felt a pang of guilt.
However, there was no need to offer an apology they likely didn't want.
Alon lightly waved his hand and returned the courtesy.
* * *
Once the situation was settled, Alon stayed in Ashtalon for a day before departing immediately.
He had rushed there to stop the crisis, but he currently had a very important task at hand.
On the road to Greinif.
As he watched the capital, where the tension had vanished and the soldiers had been dismissed, Evan spoke up.
"Marquis, did you know?"
"Know what?"
"Remember how you thought it was strange that the Black Knight or whatever he was just disappeared?"
"Yes. Did you find something out?"
"I did."
Evan nodded and continued.
"I only heard it by chance, but they say he disappeared because of you, Marquis."
"Because of me?"
"Yes. Word is, the 1st Prince said something so ridiculous that even the only way to stop those monsters vanished... 'We're all doomed—no, if that brat hadn't said such things, we wouldn't be dying like dogs—'"
"Something like that?" Evan said, mimicking someone's tone he had heard the day before.
Alon listened quietly, reflecting on his memories.
Come to think of it, the Lizardmen called me their 'friend' too.
He tilted his head as he recalled Kurak's words.
God... A god—
Alon had made various connections while active in the past 700 years ago, but he didn't recall becoming friends with a 'god.'
The closest would be Dowon—
But Dowon had said she didn't have much time left when they met, so the probability of her being alive was slim.
...Hmm—
Several questions filled his mind.
The Ghost King he met in the past—Ryanga—had white hair, but here she had black hair.
He was also curious about the gods of the Lizardmen who now called him 'friend.'
In addition, he wondered how the others were doing.
I wonder what Arculainisis is up to.
He briefly recalled the Black Dragon who, even back then, would always wrap her tail around his waist and sniffle—a rare sight.
Once I free Line from the seal, maybe I should go see her.
Thoughts of Line soon overshadowed everything else.
He decided that after resolving the most important matter, he would go meet the Lizardmen who called him their friend.
Alon looked out the window once more.
The scenery outside was very peaceful.
* * *
"Whew—"
Immediately after seeing Alon off, Deus let out a sigh of relief inside Ladan’s ship.
It was a relief.
A truly great relief.
Of course, he had been certain.
Certain that Alon was alive.
There was no evidence. He simply believed.
A firm belief that his benefactor would not die such a hollow death.
It wasn't just Deus. His younger sister, Silli, also refused to believe Alon was dead.
She was the Saintess, after all.
Using the fact that she could still use Kalanon’s power as proof, she firmly believed in Alon’s survival.
But contrary to the siblings' conviction, the world increasingly treated Alon’s death as a established fact.
Funerals were held, and various countries sent their condolences.
However, public perception couldn't even leave a scratch on the siblings' faith.
They were certain. Alon, their benefactor, was undoubtedly alive.
...Of course, Deus’s personality had become excessively sensitive and his gaze had grown sharp.
And after someone made the mistake of saying, "It's a real shame Marquis Palatio died," in front of him, the Fourth Sword's arms had been shattered and he was still currently recuperating.
The Marquis said he would come for Line soon.
Now that he had seen Alon with his own eyes, he could finally breathe.
Brushing his chest in relief, Deus immediately pulled a crystal ball from his robe.
It was to share this joyful news with Silli.
She was currently not in Calliban, but at a temple newly established after Alon’s disappearance.
Wuuuung—!
The crystal ball glowed as soon as he infused it with mana.
After a short moment, Silli’s image appeared on the projected screen.
[...What is it?]
Silli’s face was gaunt. Her cheeks were sunken, and her eyes were unnervingly bright.
It was a look that raised many questions about whether she truly believed in Alon’s survival, but Deus shouted immediately.
"Silli, the Marquis is alive...!"
[...Pardon? Really!?]
Silli’s eyes widened.
As Deus smiled and nodded, the corners of her mouth quirked upward—
[Ahem—w-well, that’s only natural. Brother, didn't I tell you?]
She quickly cleared her throat, acting as if nothing had happened.
...Though she tried to hide her smile by raising her hand to cover her mouth, it was hard to conceal.
"Anyway, it’s a huge relief."
[It is. A relief indeed... By the way, was the matter with Ashtalon handled well?]
At Silli’s question, Deus remembered and relayed the situation of his meeting with Alon.
[He stopped you?]
"Yes."
[...Then it can't be helped.]
A faint grumble escaped her lips, but Silli soon sighed as if accepting it.
Then, she suddenly turned her head to the side.
[I suppose we can end the standby state.]
She murmured softly.
"...Standby state?"
When Deus asked in confusion, she replied.
[Oh, I wasn't talking to you, Brother. It’s because of that.]
Silli turned the magic orb to show a massive structure shaped like a lightning rod installed in the center of the temple.
"...What is that?"
A lightning rod whose purpose was impossible to discern.
[It’s a device that can condense Lord Kalanon’s divine power and drop it in one location,] Silli answered brightly.
"...When did you install such a thing?"
[I had it made through the mages who decided to believe in Lord Kalanon this time. Actually, I thought you would handle it on your own, Brother, but just in case something unexpected happened.]
"The divine power gathered there seems quite substantial."
After a brief silence, Silli smiled with her eyes.
[Of course. I thought this much would be necessary to turn a kingdom into a pile of ash all at once.]
"...??"
[Ah, naturally, it can't be used immediately. It would have taken at least ten years. But—it’s a job someone has to do, right?]
'If you had failed, Brother, I was going to deliver the divine punishment myself,' she whispered, almost inaudibly.
"...I, I see."
For some reason, a chill ran down Deus’s spine.
He felt like he needed to turn off the crystal ball immediately.
* * *
About a month had passed since Alon had successfully settled the matter in Ashtalon.
"Marquis. It looks like you're going to be ridiculously busy for a while once we get back."
Alon hadn't even stopped by the Marquisate.
He was heading toward Greinif, having postponed all reports, greetings, and administrative tasks.
The scenery outside the window was gradually changing.
Trees brimming with more vitality than anywhere else began to appear.
"I suppose so."
"After Greinif, it’s the Lizardmen. Then we have to stop by Teria to have an audience with His Majesty. And after that, we have to go back to the Colony... The schedule is insane, isn't it?"
"...It can't be helped."
Eventually, the carriage stopped.
Alon stepped out and began walking toward the land of Greinif with Evan.
While Blackie, who had popped out of Alon’s chest, was mysteriously observing the green leaves he must have seen during their last visit, the group emerged from the forest.
"We have been waiting for you."
The moment they stepped out of the woods, Alon was met with a very familiar sight.
Just like his first visit to Greinif, countless Elves were lined up in an endless row.
"The Queen is waiting."
Under their familiar gazes, Alon followed the Elf who bowed politely.
Upon arriving at the Elven kingdom.
"...It has been a long time."
Magrina was already there to greet him.
A mysterious, tender smile played on her lips.
It was the same as when he first saw her.
Her first words were also the same.
Back then, Alon had simply thought Magrina was under a ridiculous misunderstanding.
But now.
To the greeting whose meaning Alon now clearly understood—
"Yes. It has been a long time."
Alon replied with a faint smile.
Then.
"...Then, now... may I call you 'Brother' again?"
At Magrina’s tearful, cautious question, Alon quietly nodded his head.