Chapter 273: Proclamation (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 273: Proclamation (1)
Two days had passed since the Sin of Jealousy devastated Rosario.
"Are you alright now, Marquis?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
Alon replied to Evan's question while repeatedly clenching and unclenching his fists.
It’s a relief that recovery is faster than the first time I used it.
Of course, the recovery was quick partly because he hadn't pushed himself as hard as he did against Baarma, but even considering that, his healing speed was significantly faster than before.
In other words, his proficiency with Defying Heaven had clearly increased.
There was still a long way to go, but it was an undeniable fact that he was growing—especially since he had used Defying Heaven without relying on his Divinity.
He nodded, feeling somewhat satisfied, when Evan spoke up again.
"By the way, Marquis."
"What is it?"
"When on earth did you prepare a spell like that?"
"A spell like that?"
"You know, that one. The meteor shower falling from the sky. Honestly, I found myself staring at it blankly without even realizing it."
[Hmph, it certainly was impressive.]
At the admiration from Evan and Basiliora, Alon shook his head slightly.
"It’s unfinished."
"Pardon?"
"That magic you saw."
"…What?? That was unfinished?"
"Yes."
In truth, the magic Alon used this time wasn't even thirty percent complete. It was merely a prototype born from a simple idea and a few rounds of verification. It was nothing more and nothing less.
There are still many problems to solve, after all.
The magic Alon displayed during the battle with the Sin might have looked flashy on the surface, but many aspects required refinement. This was especially true since the spell was originally conceived as a way to reduce his calculation resource consumption.
"…So you’re saying it was essentially a half-baked spell?"
"Something like that."
"If a half-baked spell has that much power… just what kind of magic are you creating?"
Evan wore a dazed expression. Alon gave a light shrug.
"You’ll see later. Once it’s finished."
"When will it be finished?"
"…I wonder."
Alon stroked his chin. He expected it to take quite a long time. There were too many unresolved issues in the calculation experiments and small-scale implementation tests he had conducted with Penia.
However, after using the magic in an actual battle against a Sin, he had found a clue to resolving those problems.
"Well, it shouldn't take too long."
The timeline might be shortened. Alon headed outside with Evan.
"Brother…! Are you feeling alright?"
"I am fine, Saint."
Saint Yuman, who had been deep in conversation with the Cardinals in front of the temple, came running over.
"However…"
The Cardinals lined up behind Yuman bowed their heads toward Alon in unison.
…A bit too deeply.
While Alon felt a momentary sense of bewilderment behind his expressionless face, Yuman spoke.
"Everyone, please raise your heads."
At Yuman’s word, the Cardinals cautiously straightened their backs.
"We are truly sorry, Marquis."
"We showed you… such a pathetic display."
"Indeed. How embarrassing."
As they spoke, even larger question marks began to float in Alon's mind. He had heard from Evan that many Rosario citizens now viewed him as a messenger of God or something even greater. He’d been told that when he dealt with the Sin of Jealousy, not only did a blue radiance like that of the Goddess Sironia appear behind him, but a massive source of light—her symbol—had also manifested.
However, he thought that was just how the citizens might perceive it. He couldn't understand why even the Cardinals, who could communicate with the Goddess Sironia to some extent, were reacting this way.
…I thought I heard they were able to communicate with the Goddess again.
If they spoke with the Goddess, they would know the truth. As Alon wore a puzzled expression, Yuman smiled brightly beside the chattering Cardinals.
"Haha, you don't need to worry so much. We were simply expressing our gratitude for what happened."
"Yes, that's right."
"The same goes for me. I was also offering my thanks, so please do not be too concerned."
"Since we haven't heard any other stories at all."
Seeing Yuman’s easy smile, Alon realized roughly how the situation had played out.
"…Just in case, I should say that I am not that kind of—"
"Ah, of course we know, Marquis."
"Marquis Palatio is simply the Marquis."
"We are well aware."
"We also know you have the epithet 'The Lightning Receiver.'"
The Cardinals laughed heartily, as if they were in on a scripted performance, giving off a vibe of 'Yeah, yeah, we know, wink wink.' Without giving him a chance to clear up the misunderstanding, they left, telling him to speak comfortably with the Saint.
"……."
Alon stared blankly at their retreating backs before turning his gaze to the smiling Yuman.
"I didn't say a word, Brother."
Yuman beat him to the punch before Alon could even ask.
"…Is that true?"
"Yes, I merely muttered to myself."
It was you…
Alon felt a sense of déjà vu, as if he were reliving something he had experienced before. Then, a question occurred to him.
If they really started communicating with the Goddess again, shouldn't my identity have been exposed immediately?
But that thought was brief.
"Are you fully recovered now?"
At Yuman’s follow-up question, Alon set his thoughts aside and nodded.
"I am. By the way, what is the situation?"
"…As you can see, things aren't very good."
Yuman’s expression darkened as he looked toward a certain spot. Following his gaze, Alon saw many citizens still huddling in the temple and the completely shattered ruins of the city.
"…We’ve been working on recovery in earnest since yesterday, but it’s still difficult."
"The House of Marquis Palatio will provide as much support as possible."
"No, you’ve already helped so much; there’s no need to go that far. Besides, we’ve decided to receive support from each kingdom."
"That is a relief, then."
"Furthermore, it seems there are already those who have helped us."
"…Those who helped?"
Yuman nodded and began to explain. After listening for a while, Alon asked back in surprise.
"…You’re saying the Pure White Existences outside Rosario were all slaughtered?"
"Yes. They say the ones in the East were all charred as if struck by lightning, and the ones in the West looked like they had been crushed by something. Oh, and in the North, a huge number of Pure White Existences were found sliced apart."
"…Do you not know who did it?"
"We don't. I did hear that a golden flash of lightning was seen in the East—"
"Golden lightning?"
"Yes. Do you happen to know anything about it, Brother?"
Seolrang immediately came to mind, but Alon slowly shook his head.
"Someone comes to mind, but it likely isn't her. She is very far away from here."
As far as he knew, Seolrang was in the Colony.
"I see."
After chatting about various things for a bit longer, Yuman bowed his head to Alon.
"Anyway, thank you, Brother."
"…So suddenly?"
"If it weren't for you, Rosario might have been completely destroyed."
"…Don't worry about it too much. I only did what was natural."
"Indeed. As people walking the same path—no, never mind. I spoke out of turn."
Yuman laughed heartily, feigning innocence after having said everything he wanted to say. Alon thought to himself that Yuman was the type of character who said everything while pretending not to.
"Still, I hope nothing like this ever happens again."
Yuman muttered quietly as he looked at the ruins once more. At that, Alon recalled what the Sin had told him three days ago.
[This… is not… the end—]
[For… protection—]
Just before it vanished.
Those were the words spoken by the Sin with the murky eyes, not the Pope. Although the Sin of Jealousy had only left a few words, they gave Alon much to think about.
…What does 'protection' mean? And what does it mean that this isn't the end?
Ever since he first met an Apostle, Alon had assumed that if the Apostles disappeared, the Sins would no longer appear. It was a natural assumption. After all, he had seen with his own eyes that the Apostles were the ones who created the Sins.
But the Sin had clearly said this wasn't the end.
…Does it mean the Sin of Wrath is left? Or if not—
While Alon was lost in thought, Yuman spoke up.
"Ah, by the way, Brother, if you have the time, could you stop by the Room of the Holy Spirit?"
"…The Room of the Holy Spirit?"
"Yes. That person wishes to speak with you, Marquis."
"With… me?"
"Yes."
Since Yuman had made the request, Alon nodded and headed toward the Room of the Holy Spirit.
* * *
"Teacher."
"Yutia."
On his way to the Room of the Holy Spirit, he ran into Yutia. When Alon greeted her, she approached with a somewhat worried expression.
"I'm sorry I couldn't come to see you. I've been so busy with work…."
"No, it’s fine. It’s only natural that you have things to do. Besides, I wasn't seriously injured."
"Thank you for being so understanding."
Yutia bowed her head. As Alon waved his hand to show it was fine, he suddenly sensed something.
"Yutia."
"Yes…?"
"Is something wrong?"
Yutia’s expression didn't look very good. She looked like someone who had done something they shouldn't have… Seeing the mix of anxiety and nervousness on her face, Alon grew suspicious.
"Oh, no, it’s nothing."
She hurriedly shook her head and began to steal glances at Alon. It was as if she had something to say.
"…Is there something you want to tell me?"
"Ah, um—well…."
When Alon asked first, Yutia hesitated before lowering her head deeply, looking up at him with only her eyes.
"Do you happen to remember what happened back then, Teacher?"
"…Back then?"
"Yes. When that Seraphim of Jealousy appeared."
"I remember."
"At that time, you told me, didn't you? That I didn't need to use my power."
Alon recalled the moment and nodded. He had indeed said that.
"I did. But why do you ask?"
"I was just… wondering in what sense you meant that."
Alon was puzzled by her question but answered anyway.
"…I meant it literally."
"Literally?"
"Yes. I told you that because I thought it would be much more necessary for you to go down and deploy the barrier rather than using your strength up there."
At those words, Yutia’s face went blank for a moment.
"I-I see. So that’s what you meant."
She quickly snapped out of it with a gasp and nodded, her expression looking strangely relieved.
"But why did you suddenly ask that?"
"It’s nothing, Teacher! Anyway, are you on your way to the Room of the Holy Spirit?"
"Yes."
"Please go quickly. They’ve prepared something for you. We can talk more after that."
The anxiety and nervousness from a moment ago had vanished, and Yutia was back to her usual self. Alon was bewildered but nodded.
"Then, I’ll be going."
"Yes, I’ll see you later."
Yutia bowed in farewell and scurried away with a hint of joy in her step. Alon tilted his head as he watched her go.
"…?"
He felt a nagging sensation. Something was strange. A subtle, uncomfortable sense of incongruity.
"……."
Feeling as though he had missed something important, Alon mentally replayed their conversation. And in an instant, he realized where this incongruity stemmed from.
…Come to think of it, did I ever mention that the thing floating in the sky was the 'Seraphim of Jealousy'?
It was the name: Seraphim of Jealousy.
Alon had never told anyone that the entity he had fought was a Sin. He knew that the moment he revealed it, the United Kingdoms—already in an uproar over the Abyss Bodies—would become even more chaotic.
Therefore…
…How did she know?
Alon turned around.
Yutia was no longer there.