Chapter 265: Me...? (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 265: Me...? (1)
The scenery of the Holy Kingdom Rosario hadn't changed much from before.
The pure white buildings and the pristine streets remained the same.
In particular, the grand temple situated in the heart of Rosario—so magnificent that its mere existence was enough to stir piety in anyone—was also unchanged.
Yet, despite the fact that nothing had visibly altered, the atmosphere in Rosario felt strangely alien.
‘...It’s true that things aren't looking good.’
Alon observed the citizens through the carriage window.
Their attire was the same as always.
There was only one difference: the look of anxiety etched onto every single one of their faces.
‘Blessings are no longer being granted, huh.’
This was the news Evan had delivered.
The cessation of blessings was a grave matter for Rosario. No, it wasn't just a grave matter; it was a catastrophe.
The nature of the nation known as Rosario was closer to a religious organization based on faith. The foundation of the state was the Moon God, Sironia, and the reason this system remained stable was the presence of the clergy, who further solidified the faith of the people.
But the clergy hadn't appeared recently?
Naturally, since the nation was rooted in the faith of Sironia, the country itself was bound to be shaken. For whatever reason, the fact that divine miracles were no longer reaching the earth was enough to sow seeds of unease among the populace.
‘What on earth happened?’
Alon stroked his chin at the unfamiliar situation. He had thought about it before, but while incidents involving heretics or corrupt cardinals running rampant within Rosario occurred occasionally in Psychedelia, a case like this had never happened.
As he continued to ponder, a sound interrupted his thoughts.
[Kyu!?]
"?"
Blackie, who had been dozing peacefully until a moment ago, must have sensed something. He immediately scrambled up Alon’s body and tucked himself into the front of Alon's shirt.
While Alon was still wondering what was going on, he realized the carriage had come to a stop.
And then.
"Professor."
"Yutia."
He saw Yutia, smiling at him as she always did.
"It’s been a long time, Professor."
"Yes, it has."
Alon stepped out of the carriage and looked around. Before he knew it, they had arrived at the temple in the center of Rosario.
"I’m sorry I couldn't visit you last time, Professor. I had a bit of work to do."
As Alon gazed at the temple, Yutia’s voice reached his ears.
"No, it’s fine. You must have had your own business to attend to."
"Thank you for understanding."
The two of them headed toward her office together.
"So, what brings you to Rosario, Professor?"
Once inside, they began their conversation in earnest.
"I have some personal business to take care of."
"Business?"
Alon nodded at Yutia’s question.
On the surface, the reason for his visit was to speak with Yuman. However, he had another objective in truth: to obtain an artifact located in a labyrinth near Rosario during this specific period. Meeting Yuman was more of a pretext.
Of course, there had also been a hint from Siyan that he could 'obtain something in the Holy Kingdom.'
"Yes. And I also decided to have a brief chat with Yuman."
"I see..."
Yutia gave a small nod.
"By the way, are you alright, Yutia?"
"Pardon? What do you mean, Professor?"
Alon spoke cautiously.
"I mean, this current situation. I’ve heard the gist of it—"
Yutia, who had looked puzzled for a moment, let out a soft exclamation of realization. For some reason, it was an exclamation that felt somewhat indifferent, as if it had nothing to do with her.
Alon felt a strange sensation for a brief moment before she continued.
"You’re talking about the matter regarding the Goddess’s blessings, right?"
"Yes."
"There is certainly a problem."
"As I thought?"
"Is there a particular reason you're asking?"
"...Well, strictly speaking, it doesn't have much to do with me, but I asked because I was worried about you."
He wasn't just saying that. Yutia was a Cardinal of Rosario, and a Cardinal’s power was fundamentally maintained by the Moon God Sironia’s continued presence.
But what if the 'loss of blessings' continued? It was obvious that Yutia would also face difficulties. Alon had asked out of genuine concern.
"Thank you for worrying about me, Professor. But—"
A smile more vivid than usual, bright like a flower in full bloom, spread across Yutia’s face.
"You don't have to worry too much."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Everything will likely return to normal soon."
"Return to normal?"
"Yes."
"Have you found a solution?"
"No, but I think I might be able to find a way in my own way."
"A way?"
"Yes."
Yutia spoke with conviction. Alon tilted his head in confusion but soon accepted it. If Yutia said so, there must really be a way.
"Still, the timing seems quite good."
Alon grew curious at her sudden change of topic.
"What do you mean?"
"Ah, I was actually planning to ask you to come visit at least once."
Yutia pulled a small box from her robe and handed it to Alon.
"...This is?"
"Open it."
When Alon opened the small box, he found...
"...A necklace?"
A necklace was lying neatly inside. Unlike the previous birthday gift, this one had a white, diamond-like gemstone embedded right in the center.
"This is...?"
Alon stared at the necklace without touching it.
"It’s a gift for you, Professor."
"...It seems a bit excessive."
Even at a glance, the necklace looked incredibly expensive.
"No, I’d really like you to accept it."
"So suddenly?"
"Yes. I felt like my gift was the smallest one on your birthday."
"...Ah."
Alon let out a low sigh. Every birthday gift had been meaningful, but in terms of sheer impact, Yutia’s gift had been the most 'normal' compared to the others.
"Yutia, as you know—"
Every gift had its own value to him, so he intended to politely decline if that was her reason, but—
"I know, Professor. I know you don't judge things by that kind of value. But I’m giving this to you simply because it’s been weighing on my mind."
As if she had anticipated Alon’s reaction, Yutia blocked his refusal in advance.
"Please, will you accept it?"
In the end, Alon gave in.
"...If you insist, then I shall accept it with gratitude."
"Would you like to try it on?"
Alon nodded and carefully placed the necklace around his neck. Yutia scanned his appearance with a look of great satisfaction.
"Thank you, Professor. For humoring my selfishness."
"I didn't think of it as selfishness."
"I’m glad to hear that."
The necklace hung down beside the brooch she had gifted him previously. Alon gazed at the necklace's symbol for a moment.
A short while later.
"Cardinal Yutia, I have something to discuss—"
Cardinal Sergius came looking for Yutia.
"It seems I’ve taken up too much of your time."
"Not at all."
"Then I’ll see you later."
"Yes, I’ll come find you while you're here."
Alon stood up to give them space.
"Good day."
"Ah, yes, good day to you, Marquis Palatio."
Cardinal Sergius looked at Alon with a somewhat awkward expression.
‘...Wait, he looks much thinner than when I saw him last time?’
He had definitely possessed a plump impression before, but now the Cardinal had become quite gaunt. Alon was briefly puzzled by this change, but then—
"...Gasp!"
Sergius let out a sharp, strangled sound.
"?"
Alon realized the man’s gaze was fixed on his chest, but—
"Ahem! Ahem-hem!"
Before Alon could ask why, Sergius hurriedly cleared his throat.
"Well then, farewell."
He unnaturally averted his eyes and brushed past Alon to head toward Yutia.
"...?"
It was a reaction he couldn't make heads or tails of. Leaving the two behind, Alon stroked the necklace with his hand as he exited Yutia’s office.
* * *
"It has been a long time, brother."
"Yes, Saint. I apologize for the delay; I had some matters to attend to."
"No, it is quite alright."
Immediately after leaving Yutia’s office, Alon headed straight to where Yuman was.
‘Ah, now that I think about it, I forgot to ask her about that too.’
Alon only remembered the question he had intended to ask Yutia after meeting Yuman, but he decided to save it for next time.
"By the way, I didn't have the chance to mention it last time because things were so hectic, but there are many interesting rumors surrounding you, brother."
"...Rumors?"
"Yes. Amusing stories like how the Marquis is actually the god Kalanon, the Lightning Receiver, or perhaps her apostle."
Alon was momentarily speechless.
...Of course, Rosario didn't explicitly profess a doctrine of excluding other gods, but Yuman was still a Saint. He might find such talk uncomfortable. Furthermore, given the current situation, he might be even more sensitive, so Alon carefully considered his response.
Then.
"Even so, you really hid it well."
Yuman spoke first.
"...Huh?"
The question slipped out of Alon’s mouth before he could stop it.
"I was truly impressed. Certainly, if rumors like that spread, no one would ever suspect your true identity."
However, Yuman didn't seem to hear him and continued with a smile.
"Ahem—our conversation has grown long. Returning to the main point, I believe you can guess why I called you here."
"..."
The flow of the conversation was definitely strange...
But since Yuman shifted the topic before Alon could ask for clarification, Alon opened his mouth to match the pace for now.
"Is it because blessings are no longer being bestowed?"
"Yes, that is correct. Starting from two years ago, the Goddess has ceased all communication with us. That is why I wished to ask a favor of you."
"A favor?"
"Yes. I imagine you are in a similar situation, but... could I ask you to request an audience with the Goddess?"
Alon looked bewildered and asked, unable to understand at all.
"...I understand what you're saying, Saint, but why are you asking me?"
He was genuinely puzzled. After all, he had no connection whatsoever with the Goddess Sironia.
Because of that...
‘Is he asking me to request it through Yutia? No—Yutia must have tried several times already.’
While Alon was busy interpreting Yuman’s sentence this way and that.
"Ah—"
Yuman, who had also been tilting his head, let out a low exclamation as if he had realized something.
"I see how it is."
"...?"
"I understand your intent, brother. However, brother, this is a truly urgent matter, so I ask that you set aside the Covenant of the Hidden Saint you made before Her for just a moment, at least for me."
He added this with a candid expression.
And Alon—
"...A Hidden, Saint?"
Me...?
He had no choice but to swallow those words back down.