Chapter 259: Branch (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 259: Branch (3)
The Apostle of Mysophobia could not understand the current situation.
From start to finish, none of it made sense.
Until just a moment ago, the Curse King had been perfectly calm.
Why had his expression distorted like that of a vengeful spirit?
Why was he radiating a murderous intent so chilling it made the Apostle’s body go numb?
…And why was the Curse King…
Reacting so violently to the name ‘Palatio Alon’?
‘I was certain they had no connection whatsoever…!’
The Apostle of Mysophobia’s face hardened.
Naturally, the Apostle had conducted a preliminary investigation before coming here.
He had looked into Palatio Alon.
And he had looked into the Curse King, the leader of the hexers.
Yet, there was clearly no link between the two entities.
No—it went beyond just having no link.
Did they even know of each other’s existence in the first place?
The Apostle of Mysophobia tried to speak out of bewilderment, but—
Crack—!
Regrettably.
The Apostle’s next words were cut off by black hands that didn’t just twist his neck, but tore it right off.
Whoosh—!
The moment the Apostle’s head was severed, the torso began to spray thick, dark blood.
Despite the gruesome sight, Nangwon’s expression remained contorted.
“Nangwon, you were too hasty. Shouldn’t we have heard him out first?”
“Sister, even so, I couldn’t just sit there and listen to that bastard talk about killing Brother.”
“That’s true, but—that guy, he escaped, didn’t he?”
At the words of Nangwon’s sister, Nangyeon, who was leaning her chin on her hand atop the armrest of her chair, Nangwon looked forward again.
The corpse was still gushing red blood as if it were real.
However, as soon as the black hands tore the body to shreds—
“…Tsk.”
Instead of the human organs that should have been there, only red blood spilled onto the abyss-like floor.
Seeing this, Nangwon clicked his tongue.
“I knew it was a fake, but I still didn’t want to hear it.”
“You already heard it, though… Well, I suppose it can’t be helped since he’s your touchy subject. He’s your one and only hero, isn’t he?”
At Nangyeon’s playful, half-lidded gaze and teasing question, Nangwon uncharacteristically turned his head slightly and grumbled.
“…That was hundreds of years ago. Are you still bringing that up?”
“Your personality hasn’t changed a bit from hundreds of years ago, has it?”
Nangyeon giggled, as if teasing Nangwon was her favorite pastime.
Soon, she looked down at where the Apostle’s body had completely dissolved into red liquid and vanished.
“Anyway, it looks like we should head out soon. It seems something rather bothersome is targeting him.”
“Just in case, I’ll ask—you haven’t gathered any specific information, have you, Sister?”
“If I had, I wouldn’t have even thought about meeting that guy. I called him here to get some information in the first place, didn’t I?”
She then urged her brother.
“Regardless, let’s get ready to see him. Have you finished picking out a gift?”
“Not yet…”
“How long are you going to take? Like I said, you can give him gifts all the time, so just take something small for now.”
“But it’s been so long since I’ve seen him—”
“Don’t worry. He’s the type of person who would be happy even if you just bought him a bottle of cheap liquor from the market. Isn’t that right?”
“…I suppose so.”
Nangwon conceded.
The corners of his mouth twitched with anticipation.
Smiling at his reaction, Nangyeon moved.
“Now then, let’s go. To see him.”
Nangwon rose from his seat and followed his sister.
* * *
On the way back to the Colony after leaving the ruins, Alon recalled what Yongrin had said earlier.
‘Is it—no… is it just my imagination?’
‘…I might be mistaken, so ask that fellow. But from what I know, if it’s as you say, then that is—’
After muttering something, Yongrin had vanished, leaving only a promise to see him next time.
Alon stroked Seolrang’s head, lost in thought for a moment.
‘Well, if I ask the one inside, I’ll find out why she was so surprised.’
He organized his thoughts while looking at the red gem.
Just then, Evan suddenly spoke to him.
“Marquis.”
“?”
“I’ve become a bit curious about something.”
“What is it?”
“You’ve been to the past 700 years ago, haven’t you, Marquis?”
“I have.”
“Then, like that Elf from before, did you also meet that King of the Hundred Ghosts or whatever 700 years ago?”
Alon nodded.
“I did.”
“Then shouldn’t you go see her?”
“…It’s not that I haven’t thought about it, but there’s a lot to do right now.”
Alon did intend to visit the King of the Hundred Ghosts eventually.
It was just that he didn’t have the time right now.
Evan chimed in.
“True, things have been a bit busy.”
“Yes. I plan to see her once things settle down a bit.”
“Then do you plan on visiting other people you had ties with in the past?”
“Other people?”
“Yes. From what I heard last time, it sounded like there were quite a few. Is that not the case?”
Alon thought deeply.
‘…I certainly want to meet my old acquaintances.’
Unfortunately, with the exception of the King of the Hundred Ghosts, he didn’t know exactly where the others were.
‘The only one I have a rough idea about is Historia. I have no clue about Arculainisis… Ah, I do know where Nangwon is, but—’
Nangwon.
As soon as he thought of him, Alon’s expression turned peculiar.
‘I didn’t have the chance to think about it properly back then, but the discrepancy between then and now is staggering.’
The Curse King, the leader of the hexers he had seen in Psychedelia, had a truly hideous appearance.
However, his appearance 700 years ago in the past was undoubtedly that of a beautiful boy.
If it weren’t for the inverted eyes, it would have been impossible to believe they were the same person.
‘It’s a mystery how that face turned into that face.’
Adding another personal question to his list, Alon reached a conclusion.
‘I should go see Nangwon as well when I have the time.’
After making that decision, he shared some light conversation with Evan.
Eventually, as the sun began to set, Alon arrived at the Colony.
“Ah, you’re back.”
Lime greeted Alon with a smile the moment she saw him.
However, behind that smile, there was a hint of restlessness.
“Is something worrying you?”
“W-Worry? Oh, no, nothing like that.”
“Really? You seem somewhat anxious.”
“N-No way!”
Lime laughed awkwardly.
Alon was a bit puzzled, but he soon shrugged and called Seolrang.
“Seolrang.”
“Yeah? What is it, Mentor?”
“Have you decided where you want to go for our trip?”
He had previously promised Seolrang that they would go on a trip together.
To be honest, so much had happened that he wanted to return to the Marquisate and rest, but he couldn’t break his promise to Seolrang.
Seolrang hummed in thought for a moment, then spoke.
“I decided, but we don’t have to go right now!”
“…Is that so?”
“Yeah! You look tired, Mentor. We can go next time! I want you to enjoy it too!”
She smiled brightly, her ears twitching.
Alon felt a surge of warmth in his chest and stroked Seolrang’s head.
Because of that, he didn’t notice Lime standing behind him, looking at Seolrang with a rather strange expression.
The next day, after recovering from the fatigue of his travels.
“Then, I’ll see you next time.”
“Okay! Got it, Mentor!”
With Seolrang waving her hand vigorously in farewell, Alon departed from the Colony.
* * *
Not long after that.
[F-Finally, I can speak!]
A strange voice leaked from Alon’s chest.
It was the voice of Sparrow.
Alon, who had been looking at the long line of merchant carriages in the distance, looked down at his chest.
“It seems you can finally talk now.”
[Alon! You bastard! How could you sell me out to that woman!]
“…Sell you out?”
[You sold me!]
At Sparrow’s furious reaction, Alon briefly recalled the past from a few years ago.
‘…Did I sell him?’
Strictly speaking, it was more like entrusting him than selling him, but Sparrow had certainly been aghast at the time.
“Well, I didn’t sell you; I just left you in her care. And in the end, I’ve taken you back, haven’t I?”
[Guaaaaaah!]
Sparrow let out a shriek as if Alon’s words were infuriating.
Just then, Basiliora, who had been lounging lazily on Blackie’s back since Seolrang was gone, chimed in.
[Who are you talking to?]
“Can’t you hear it?”
[I hear nothing at all.]
“I’m talking to this.”
When Alon showed him the gem Sparrow was inhabiting, Basiliora’s eyes lost interest.
[Ah, I see—]
As if he didn’t care to understand, he went back to enjoying the peace on top of Blackie.
A moment later.
“By the way, I have something to ask you.”
[What is it…?]
Sparrow responded somewhat sullenly to Alon’s question.
However, since he didn’t refuse, Alon calmly brought up the magic formula he had heard about from Yongrin yesterday.
Sparrow, who had been listening to Alon and giving brief answers for a while, suddenly reacted.
[…Wait, what did you say?]
“About what?”
[The Art of Defying Heaven.]
When Alon mentioned the laws, Sparrow asked back in a voice that sounded just as surprised as Yongrin’s had been.
“It’s about inverting the laws of magic. Strictly speaking, it would also be correct to say it inverts concepts. But is that something to be surprised about? Yongrin had a similar reaction.”
Following Alon’s explanation, Sparrow remained silent for a long time.
[Yes, it is something to be surprised about.]
“Why?”
[Because the law of that technique you mentioned is the law of ‘The Blind One,’ the one who gave birth to the black things.]
“…What?”
He had uttered a startling truth.
* * *
[Are the preparations going well?]
“Yes, they are proceeding smoothly.”
At the tribal chief’s report, the God of the Lizardmen, Riosh—no, Hazard—let out a deep sigh.
[Make sure you are well-prepared.]
“Yes, I understand. However—”
[?]
“Great One, may I be permitted to ask one question?”
[Go ahead.]
It was a request from the tribal chief, who had rarely asked questions until now.
When Hazard nodded, the chief spoke cautiously.
“…May I ask your intention behind guiding that person to a position equal to your own, Great One?”
Why, you ask—
Hazard pondered for a moment.
In his opinion, that man was more than qualified to be revered as a god.
Furthermore.
He had essentially become a god with that man’s help.
Of course, he did wonder if it was necessary to share his divinity like this; it felt like a waste.
In fact, it was more than just a waste—it was enough to make him want to shed a tear.
But the reason Hazard had stepped forward to make the proposal to Alon was simple.
‘He’s not someone it’s wise to cross, after all.’
Hazard recalled that time.
Back then, Hazard had been able to grasp a glimpse of Alon’s power.
He had vaguely perceived the eyes within the Other World behind Alon, something he hadn’t noticed in the past.
But that wasn’t all.
‘…That girl.’
The existence he had felt when Alon visited recently, a memory that was still vivid.
She hadn’t shown any particular hostility toward Hazard.
But she possessed a power so immense that he couldn’t help but recognize it just by her entering his domain.
“…….”
The golden-eyed beastkin girl who had been secretly watching over Alon.
Hazard unconsciously recalled the question he had harbored several times.
Just what kind of being was Alon—the Marquis of Palatio?
But he soon brushed the thought aside.
As long as he didn’t cross Alon, he didn’t need to worry about that.
Also.
He knew very well.
That crossing him…
Was something that must never be done.
Therefore, the only answer he could give was—
[Because he is worthy of it.]
“I see.”
That was all.
‘…By the way, what exactly was that beastkin? Some kind of guard?’
Well, whatever the case.
He would never make an enemy of Alon.
Hazard made a firm resolve.