Chapter 274: Proclamation (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 274: Proclamation (2)
His doubts about Yutia lasted only a moment.
‘Come to think of it, I meant to ask her about the necklace too… but I missed my chance.’
Alon toyed with the necklace hanging around his neck.
It was the necklace believed to be a Holy Relic of the Goddess Sironia, which had aided him in dealing with the Sin.
‘Now that I think about it, the Cardinals didn’t really have much of a reaction when they saw it, did they? I think only Cardinal Sergius reacted.’
Alon’s brow furrowed, but he soon resumed his stride.
He couldn't just stand there forever just because he had something new to ponder.
Before long, he arrived in front of the Room of the Holy Spirit.
Alon stepped straight inside.
Flash—!
As if it had been waiting for him, the massive statue of the Goddess Sironia erupted in a brilliant light.
“I—”
[There is no need for that.]
Alon, who had been bowing his head in greeting, froze at the immediate sound of the Goddess’s voice.
[I am well aware of who stands before me.]
“Is that so…?”
Accepting her words, Alon lowered his head from its awkward half-bow to express his gratitude.
“Even so, I thank you. Had it not been for you, Goddess Sironia, I likely wouldn't have been able to defeat the Sin.”
[You need not be so humble. I merely offered a hand.]
“That’s not true. Without your help, the magic I cast might not have been enough to deliver the final blow.”
He meant it.
Alon’s magic was undoubtedly powerful.
However, he was well aware that even so, it would have fallen short of toppling an existence like a Sin.
As Alon spoke with total sincerity—
[No. I know better than anyone that it was I who was merely assisting. You truly do not need to speak to me like that, Lord Alon.]
Sironia replied.
“…?”
Alon immediately felt a sense of dissonance.
It wasn't because of the content of her words, but because the Goddess was using honorifics.
For a moment, Alon wondered if he had misheard her.
[In fact, I am the one who should thank you for helping me, Lord Alon.]
As if to confirm his suspicion, the Goddess added another sentence in a highly respectful tone.
Alon realized it wasn't his imagination.
“…Uh, why the sudden formal speech…?”
Alon asked, hiding his bewilderment behind a stoic face.
To that, Sironia replied:
[I acted rudely when I was ignorant, but now that I know your true identity…]
She spoke as if she knew everything.
At that point, Alon realized something.
The Goddess before him was under a massive misunderstanding.
“Just in case, I should tell you—I am just an ordinary human.”
[Yes, I am aware, Lord Alon.]
She affirmed it immediately, but her answer made it clear she didn't understand at all. He spoke up once more.
“I’m serious.”
[I am aware.]
“I really, truly am…”
[I truly, really am aware.]
“……Just in case, may I ask what exactly you saw that led you to such a misunderstanding?”
[You do not need to hear it from me. For I already know that you are an ‘ordinary human,’ Lord Alon.]
“…….”
This was a very familiar scene.
Feeling a strong sense of déjà vu, Alon decided not to press further.
No matter how he looked at it, there seemed to be no room for negotiation.
Why is it that when the person in question tries to correct a misunderstanding, no one ever believes them?
As he was seriously pondering this, Sironia spoke again.
[Forgive me, Lord Alon, but though it is a bit early, may we conclude our conversation here?]
“…So suddenly?”
[Truthfully, I would love to speak with you for a long time, but—it seems I used too much power this time. I have reached my limit.]
“Wait, may I ask just one last thing?”
As Sironia signaled her departure, Alon spoke up hurriedly.
[I believe I can answer one.]
What should he ask first?
There were so many things he needed to know right now.
He needed to ask about the necklace Yutia gave him.
He needed to ask why Yuman mistook him for the Hidden Saint.
Furthermore, he was curious about who Sironia mistook him for.
He also intended to ask about the final words the Sin had left behind.
However, since it didn't seem like he had time for everything, Alon chose one.
“After you vanished, the Sin left some words behind.”
It was about the Sin’s final message.
“Do you happen to know what these words mean?”
Goddess Sironia fell into silence for a while.
[Regrettably, I do not know much regarding the Sins. However, if you travel to the East, you might be able to obtain the information you seek.]
“…The East?”
[Yes.]
With that final piece of advice—
[Then, until we meet again, Lord Alon.]
She vanished as the white light faded away.
“…The East, huh.”
Alon muttered quietly in the now-silent Room of the Holy Spirit.
* * *
“Brother, did your conversation go well?”
“Saint Yuman.”
When he stepped out of the Room of the Holy Spirit, Yuman was waiting for him.
“Yes, I believe we’ve said all there is to say.”
“That is good to hear. So, what do you plan to do now?”
At Yuman’s question, Alon thought for a moment before answering.
“I’m considering returning. Given the current state of affairs, I thought having an outsider around might be uncomfortable for everyone.”
“Not at all. How could your presence be uncomfortable? No one would think such a thing.”
“I appreciate the sentiment.”
“It is not mere sentiment. Or shall I gather the Cardinals and ask them myself?”
Alon shook his head at Yuman’s serious proposal.
“There’s no need for that. Besides, I was planning on leaving anyway.”
There were originally three reasons Alon had come to Sironia.
First was Siyan’s request; second was to hear what Yuman had to say.
The final reason was to obtain an item from a Labyrinth near Rosario.
In other words, two of his goals had already been achieved.
As for the final goal of retrieving the item from the Labyrinth—
He could simply stop by on his way back, so there was no longer any reason to stay here.
“I see……”
Yuman looked disappointed.
Watching him, Alon suddenly remembered something and spoke up.
“Come to think of it, there was something I wanted to ask.”
“What is it, Brother?”
“I heard that while I was gone, five Cardinals returned to the embrace of Goddess Sironia all at once in the conference room…”
“Ah, that matter. It was a truly tragic incident.”
Alon felt a sense of doubt at the sight of Yuman nodding calmly, without much of a change in expression.
Based on the Yuman he had seen so far, he expected the Saint to suspect Yutia of orchestrating the whole thing.
Yuman didn't particularly like Yutia, after all.
Yet, his reaction was so composed.
Just as Alon began to wonder if it really wasn't Yutia and started feeling a bit guilty for suspecting(?) her—
“Well, it is tragic, but I believe they only met a natural end.”
“…A natural end?”
Yuman suddenly continued.
“Yes. They were… not particularly devout. And besides—”
He paused, reflecting deeply.
“They lacked… faith.”
He said it bluntly, staring straight at Alon.
And then.
In the strange atmosphere that had suddenly formed—
“I… see.”
Alon could only respond that way.
After their conversation concluded.
“Anyway, I shall see you next time.”
“Yes, Brother. Let us meet again soon.”
As they exchanged farewells, Alon tilted his head slightly at Yuman’s words.
He didn't have any set schedule for when he would visit Rosario again.
He felt a brief moment of confusion, but—
“Understood.”
Alon soon shrugged his shoulders and left the area.
* * *
The next day.
Alon had intended to meet Yutia before leaving, but because she was busier than expected, he ended up leaving Sironia immediately.
He began searching for the entrance to the Labyrinth while traveling through the surrounding villages.
Normally, he would have found the entrance right away.
However, in the case of this Labyrinth, it was difficult to pinpoint because the hidden location was quite specific.
After spending a week on the search.
“…Finally found it.”
“Indeed. Though it did take a whole week.”
“…Didn't it take only a week, rather than taking a whole week?”
“Considering the speed at which you usually find these things, Marquis, isn't this a bit slow?”
[Kkyu!]
[Ho-oh, this place feels similar to the one we saw in the North.]
“Anyway, let’s head in.”
Alon had discovered the entrance.
“Could I perhaps stay outside?”
“Why?”
“No, it’s just that it looks a bit eerie at a glance, and I have an intuitive feeling that I won’t be of any help…”
“There are no monsters.”
“…Yes, sir.”
As Alon’s party entered the Labyrinth entrance, anticipating the item they sought—
Inside the Room of the Holy Spirit, which was still in ruins but slowly being prepared for reconstruction.
Yutia stood in the center.
“…….”
With a faint smile, she stared intently at the statue of Goddess Sironia, which was far larger than herself.
The statue, which had been quiet until a moment ago, began to emit a radiant light.
And then.
“You did well.”
Yutia, who had been silent, spoke as her sinister red eyes glowed.
“Everything went smoothly thanks to your cooperation.”
She commended the statue.
“Of course, you must be quite dissatisfied with this situation itself. But keep this in mind. Your choice was the right one.”
Her voice was calm.
But because it was calm, it was eerie.
“Truly.”
In Rosario, where the Moon Goddess Sironia was worshipped, she held the title of Cardinal.
Wearing the holy shroud that marked her as a servant of the Moon Goddess Sironia.
The way she dared to evaluate and manipulate the Moon Goddess Sironia—
It looked contradictory and alien, like a false illusion.
Furthermore.
“Ah, and I would appreciate it if you refrained from trying any tricks. If you do, I’ll have no choice but to consider ‘disposal.’”
Blasphemy flowed casually from her lips.
Even while making remarks that could turn every believer in Rosario into an enemy—remarks that trampled upon the Goddess Sironia—Yutia’s expression remained serene.
At that moment.
[I know. There will be no such occurrence.]
Sironia’s voice rang out.
“That’s a relief.”
Yutia nodded with a smile.
But it only lasted a moment.
[No, in fact, I intend to provide even more support.]
“That is good news.”
[Yes. It would be strange to end it like this in the first place. After all, that person has returned.]
“?”
[This is all I can do for now, but I plan to help to the best of my ability.]
“??”
Yutia’s red eyes wavered slightly at the Goddess’s continuous words.
Seeing Goddess Sironia show such enthusiasm despite being threatened—
[No, I should rather tell all those who have been hiding to gather their strength and pour it all into—]
“……???”
It didn't take long for Yutia to realize that something was very, very wrong.