Chapter 263: The Meeting (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 263: The Meeting (4)
The underground sewers of Rosario.
This was the place where Anderde, the Chief Cardinal of Rosario, had once toiled to create a god for humanity by gathering Abyss Bodies.
Now, it was a silent place where nothing remained, having been thoroughly purged.
From that darkness, a man—no, the Apostle of Mysophobia—stepped out.
"Ugh—this isn't exactly a pleasant feeling."
The Apostle toyed with his own body with a look of distaste.
"I’m glad I used a double, just in case."
He muttered as if speaking to someone. Stopping his shoulder-stretching mid-motion, he fell into brief contemplation.
‘...I was certain there was no connection between them. What on earth is going on?’
Before contacting the Curse King, he had conducted his own investigation. There was supposed to be absolutely no point of contact between the Curse King and Marquis Palatio.
‘"Brother," he said...’
A hollow laugh escaped him. At this point, he was starting to get curious about the true identity of Marquis Palatio, whom he had previously thought of as someone to simply kill.
‘...Could it be that the "Ghost King" or the "Blind Dragon," whom I only planned to meet later, also know Marquis Palatio?’
Surely not.
After a moment's thought, the Apostle burst into a short chuckle. He felt that such a thing was simply impossible, no matter how he looked at it.
‘Well, it’s not like I’ll be visiting them as planned anyway.’
In truth, he wanted to seek out the individuals on his schedule, but unfortunately, he didn't have the time. Or rather, he knew all too well that "That Person" would not be able to wait any longer.
That was why he had come here.
‘I didn't think I'd have to use my final stronghold.’
This was the place he had hidden away for just such an emergency.
"It should be ripe enough by now—shall we take a look?"
The Apostle walked slowly through the dark sewer. Soon, the cold silence returned to the empty tunnels once more.
* * *
Exactly one week had passed since Nangwon’s departure.
During that time, Alon handled the tasks that had piled up. The first thing he tackled was the paperwork. Since he had been away for over half a year, documents were piled like a mountain in one corner of the office, despite Alexion’s hard work.
After spending about three days clearing most of the paperwork, Alon gave a bonus to Alexion, who had managed the territory in his absence, and immediately began researching magic formulas with Penia.
The formula Alon had obtained, the Art of Defying Heaven, had numerous side effects. In addition to that, Alon began to gradually learn other spells beyond the magic he usually used.
And so, today.
"...So even you didn't know the Law itself."
"It is only natural that I do not. I only knew that the formula used by the Primordial Magus was the Art of Defying Heaven."
Alon was conversing with Kailas using the Feet Running Through the Past.
"If the Art of Defying Heaven truly changes concepts as you say, then the Primordial Magus might have been the Blind One himself. Or perhaps his disciple."
Kailas stroked his chin, deep in thought. Alon asked a question that had been on his mind.
"Just in case, let me ask—would it be a major problem if the Primordial Magus turned out to be the Blind One?"
Kailas shook his head.
"It wouldn't be a major problem. The past has already flowed by, after all. However, it does suggest one thing."
"What is it?"
"If he truly was the Blind One as suspected, it means the Primordial Magus was a powerhouse of an unthinkable level."
"I see."
"Anyway, I understand why it took you so long to return. An ambiguous past..."
After sharing their stories for a while, Kailas spoke again.
"Then, let us begin immediately."
Kailas promptly manifested a Spirit Dragon and prepared to spar with Alon.
Exactly one minute later.
"..."
"Oh. You held out a bit longer this time, Marquis?"
"...It felt like a long time because we were talking, but it was only about a minute."
Alon, who had returned to reality, replied nonchalantly to Penia. Standing up, he let out a long sigh.
"Just checking, but did you use the formula? I think you could have held out longer if you had."
At Penia's question, Alon shook his head.
"I didn't. The point of fighting Kailas isn't to win using the formula."
"Is that so? Well, if you say so—"
She nodded, then spoke up as if remembering something.
"Ah, come to think of it, I had a thought while you were inside earlier."
"What is it?"
"Until now, you haven't been able to control the excessive amount of mana, right? That's why your body breaks down the moment you activate the formula."
Alon agreed with Penia's assessment. Although they hadn't been researching it for very long, they were in a difficult situation where no clear direction for improvement was visible, unlike before.
"Did you find a way?"
"Strictly speaking, it might be a bit strange to call it a 'way.' But how about this? Instead of using 'Magus arts,' why don't we try using 'Magic'? To be precise, it would be a combination of the two."
Alon listened calmly to Penia's explanation.
"...If it's that, then certainly."
He nodded, thinking the method wasn't half bad.
Time passed, and exactly one month later.
"Marquis, it's been over a month since the letter came from the Kingdom. I think it might be dangerous if you keep staying here like this."
"Ah."
Alon, who had been absorbed in his research, finally began preparing to leave for Teria after hearing Evan's words.
* * *
Only Alon and Evan were heading to Teria this time.
He had wanted to bring Penia along to continue using the Feet Running Through the Past, but unfortunately, she was busy with her own work.
‘Did she say she was adding to her... thesis?’
Since being recognized by the Magic Society seemed very important to Penia, Alon didn't force her to come. Everyone has different values that are important to them.
Anyway.
[...Strange. Something is strange.]
[Kyu—Kyuuu.]
"? What is it?"
[No... this clearly isn't the desert, is it?]
"It isn't."
[Then I don't know why I'm sensing a familiar mana.]
"Familiar mana?"
[Yes, I feel that beastkin brat's mana.]
[Kyu—Kyu—]
"Aren't you mistaken? There's no way Seolrang would be here."
[I suppose... so?]
[Kyu—]
"I really hope she is here. I hope she's here so she can get caught up in dress-up play again."
[Shut up!]
Having returned to his daily routine, Alon traveled toward Teria while chatting with Basiliora, Blackie, and Evan. After several weeks of travel, Teria finally appeared in the distance.
"Marquis, do you remember from last time? Those Abyss Bodies."
"...Are you talking about the improved Abyss Bodies that were spreading?"
"Yes, yes, those."
"I remember."
"It seems the problems related to that are getting serious."
"...Very serious?"
"Yes, everyone is in an uproar because of it."
As they passed through the gates of Teria, Evan shared more news about the Abyss Bodies.
"...Are Artificial Outer Gods being created?"
"There haven't been any cases of Artificial Outer Gods appearing yet, but they say even common thugs become ridiculously strong just by absorbing an Abyss Body."
"Thugs become that strong?"
"Yes."
As far as Alon knew, Abyss Bodies were originally items inserted into Psychedelia to balance the power of the protagonist's party as their levels increased in the latter half of the game. However, they weren't supposed to grant much power to mere street thugs, nor were they supposed to be distributed in such large quantities.
While he was feeling puzzled, he arrived at the inner castle.
"Her Majesty is waiting."
Following the official's guidance, Alon headed to the palace where Siyan was. He passed through the familiar corridors and arrived not at the audience chamber, but at her private office.
Siyan was visible as soon as he entered. There wasn't much change in her expression, but her cheeks were slightly puffed out in a pout.
"...The one who serves Asteria greets the Great One."
Alon bowed his head, surreptitiously checking her mood. However, Siyan only glanced at him.
"Spare me the words you don't mean. It doesn't seem like I look like a 'Great One' in your eyes."
She replied, turning her head away slightly. Alon broke into a cold sweat.
In truth, Alon was in the wrong. No, even if he were held accountable beyond just being 'wrong,' he would have no excuse. No matter how powerful Alon was, he shouldn't have ignored the Queen's words so carelessly.
As Alon cleared his throat while gauging her reaction, Siyan let out a sigh as if she couldn't help it.
"Fine, sit down."
"Understood."
As soon as Alon sat down, a sweet potato was placed before him without fail.
"Eat."
"...I will eat well."
Faced with Siyan's blunt command, Alon wondered if he really had to eat a sweet potato even in this situation, but he cautiously began to peel and eat it.
By the time he had finished about half of it.
"..."
He looked at Siyan, who was now smiling faintly at him, and thought: Is there something charming about the way I eat sweet potatoes? It was a somewhat ridiculous thought.
...But since it made no sense no matter how much he thought about it, he simply finished the sweet potato.
"That was a good meal."
"I am glad."
He simply lowered his gaze, diligently finished the meal, and bowed his head. After wiping his mouth, Alon brought up the main point.
"...So, may I ask what came to mind this time?"
"Straight to the point without even asking how I've been—it seems you didn't miss me much."
Siyan's voice sounded disappointed.
"Ah, no—it's not that—"
When Alon became uncharacteristically flustered, Siyan smiled as if she had been waiting for that reaction.
"It was a joke. I was just being a bit mischievous because I was annoyed."
"...I see."
Siyan let out a light laugh at Alon's reaction. She reached out her index finger and gently pushed up the corners of Alon's mouth.
"As I wrote, a memory regarding you and the Cardinal surfaced this time. However, it was a rather fascinating memory, so I wanted to tell you sooner."
"...A fascinating memory?"
"Yes."
She stroked her chin as if retracing the memory and began to speak slowly.
"The setting was the audience chamber."
"Yes."
"You were there, wearing a rare expression of distress."
"I see. Was Cardinal Yutia beside me?"
"Correct. There was a Cardinal there who had her hair swept to the side, unlike now."
Alon nodded and asked.
"What were we talking about?"
"To be honest, I don't remember the conversation, but it looked like Cardinal Yutia was acting spoiled and you were indulging her."
"...Yutia was acting spoiled?"
"Yes. I couldn't hear the voices, but to anyone watching, that's what it looked like. How should I put it—"
Siyan chuckled, saying, "It looked like she was turning her head this way and that, going 'Hmph! Hmph!'"
"Then, after you left first, she approached the 'me' in the memory and said something."
"...What did she say?"
At Alon's question, she fell silent for a moment. Then, her voice dropped low—
"Don't touch what's mine."
She uttered those words.
"...That is what she said."