Chapter 279: The East (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 279: The East (1)
“You’re a little late, Brother.”
“My apologies. Am I very late?”
“Not at all.”
“That’s a relief. And—”
Alon, who had arrived near Greinif—the capital of the elven nation, Phildegrin—was greeted by Magrina and—
“Brother.”
“Nangwon?”
He saw Nangwon.
“Yes. Have you been well, Brother?”
“I have, but—”
Before Alon could even ask, ‘What are you doing here?’ Nangwon spoke first.
“I came because I had a few things to verify.”
Alon thought for a moment, then nodded.
‘Come to think of it, they’ve known each other since I first rescued them.’
Most of the children Alon had saved tended to stick together.
“Brother, it’s late, so please rest for tonight. We can talk more tomorrow,” Magrina said.
“I’ll do that.”
At Magrina’s gesture, another elf guided Alon to his room.
“You arrived a bit early, Marquis,” Evan remarked.
“I did.”
“Didn’t you say you had several things to ask her?”
Evan was right. Alon did have a few questions for Magrina. However, the reason he hadn’t asked them yet was because of Nangwon.
‘If they’re still talking late into the night, it must be an important matter.’
Alon had stepped back because he didn’t want to interrupt Magrina and Nangwon. His curiosity could wait until tomorrow.
“They looked a bit busy.”
“I see.”
Evan gave a light shrug, looking as if he were glad Alon had arrived early.
“Then, could you perhaps stop that person over there?”
He pointed to one side. Alon turned his gaze in the direction Evan indicated.
“Ugh…”
“…”
There stood Penia, precariously carrying a mountain of books.
“…What is she doing?”
The books were stacked so high it was a miracle they hadn't toppled over.
“There’s… a reason for this…” Penia stammered.
“A reason?”
“Yes, well—you see? I went to the library and, oh my! I found so many books that might help with the Marquis’s magic?!”
[Aren’t those for your own benefit? Gack!]
Penia, who had piled ancient tomes even on top of Basiliora’s body, continued despite the entity’s blunt interjection.
“Ahem—anyway, that’s how it happened. I carefully selected only the bare minimum of what’s necessary—”
“…And that ‘minimum’ is that much?”
“I suppose so…?”
Penia timidly tapped her index fingers together, her cat-like eyes darting around. She then asked cautiously, “So, Marquis…! How long will we be staying here?”
“Well, probably about three days.”
“Then if I only sleep for about three hours…”
At Alon’s words, Penia began to formulate a grand(?) plan in her head. Just as Alon was marveling at her unwavering obsession with magic, a conversation was unfolding in the audience chamber.
“So, you’re saying those words aren’t true.”
“Did you really come all this way just to ask something so obvious?”
Nangwon and Magrina were talking.
“Obvious or not, that’s how the rumors have spread.”
“Sigh—I wonder who on earth started such a story…”
Magrina let out a quiet sigh, looking as if she had a headache. Nangwon stared at her intently.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You say it’s a headache, but the corners of your mouth are twitching upward.”
When Nangwon pointed out her unusually relaxed demeanor—distinct from her usual gentle poise—Magrina let out a small gasp and quickly covered her mouth. Seeing her cheeks tinged with a faint blush, Nangwon let out a long sigh.
“Keep dreaming.”
“I wasn’t even thinking that?!”
As Magrina snapped back with a frown, Nangwon gave a light chuckle.
“Well, I know. Whether it’s you or me, the feeling we hold for Brother is one of admiration.”
“…Sigh, if you know that, I wish you wouldn’t make such jokes. It feels like something is being tarnished.”
At Magrina’s heated reaction, Nangwon shrugged.
“For someone saying that, weren’t you planning to just slide right into it if Brother’s reaction was okay?”
He teased her once more. He had only joked freely because he knew her feelings weren’t much different from his own, but…
“…”
Magrina subtly averted her gaze. Nangwon saw it clearly.
“…”
“…”
Silence instantly filled the room. The joy of meeting an old friend vanished, replaced by an awkward atmosphere. Nangwon pondered what to say to break the tension. He opened his mouth to clear the air.
“Think about the age gap. If you consider the age difference, it’s practically—”
“If you say one more word, I will actually kill you.”
It wasn’t just a warning; Magrina spoke with absolute certainty. Nangwon had no choice but to shut his mouth. However, even though he realized the situation was precarious, his thoughts continued.
‘…At that age, she’s basically an ajum—’
He accidentally let his inner thoughts slip out.
BOOM—!!
“W-Was someone attacked?!”
“Calm down.”
“…Is it really okay to sleep only four hours a day?”
[You bastards! Get me out of here first!!!!]
[Kyu—]
Alon’s party looked toward the audience chamber, where the massive noise had originated, with bewildered expressions.
* * *
The next day, after being told by a servant that it was nothing serious and getting some rest.
“…Did you perhaps have a fight with Nangwon?”
Behind the beaming Magrina… or rather, where the wall used to be, Alon could see the lush World Tree. He was about to ask more, but—
“No, of course not.”
He simply nodded and began the conversation they hadn't finished yesterday. And then.
“So it was a false rumor after all.”
“Of course it’s a false rumor. Would I ever do such a thing without Brother’s permission?”
At the hint of disappointment in Magrina’s voice, Alon spoke quickly.
“I knew it was a false rumor. I was just curious about where it started spreading from.”
“Hmm… honestly, I’m not sure either. The only one who would have heard this news is Hazard.”
“Then it’s likely from that side.”
“Is that so? As far as I know, they don’t have much contact with the humans.”
In response to her question, Alon shared his general thoughts and then changed the subject.
“So, when should the ceremony take place?”
“The preparations are all finished, so I think we can do it tomorrow.”
“Will it take long?”
“Not at all. Hmm—just think of it as a simple declaration ceremony.”
“I see. Ah, and just in case, I’m asking about the ceremony this time—”
“Don’t worry. It’s mostly honorary. It won’t be anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, Brother.”
Magrina answered immediately, as if she knew exactly what he was going to ask. When Alon nodded, she asked a question of her own.
“Will you be leaving immediately after the ceremony is over?”
“Yes, I plan to head to the Eastern Country.”
“The Eastern Country? Ah—I see, from that time…”
Recalling the previous conversation with Hazard, Magrina nodded. Alon asked, “Just checking, but is it possible to go to the Eastern Country right now?”
“Well, there’s no reason you couldn’t.”
“That’s good. What kind of place is the Eastern Country?”
Magrina thought for a moment.
“The Eastern Country is the nation of the Beastkin you rescued in the past.”
Starting with that, she began to tell Alon about the Eastern Country piece by piece. After the story was finished.
“Then what will you do after visiting the Eastern Country?”
“I’ll probably come back here.”
“To this place?”
“Yes, because there is someone I need to take with me.”
“Ah.”
Magrina looked puzzled for a moment, then let out a soft exclamation of understanding.
“You mean… Sister Line.”
“Yes.”
Alon recalled the words written in front of the stone gate where she had been sealed, which he had seen about seven months ago.
‘Ten months later.’
At that time, she had clearly asked him to break the seal ten months later. Alon had never once forgotten that request. No, strictly speaking, he couldn't forget it. She had sacrificed herself for him. Alon believed that forgetting her for even a single moment was something he must never do.
Therefore.
“After I return from the East, I plan to stay here for a while, regardless of how much time is left. Would that be alright?” Alon requested.
“Of course, Brother.”
“Thank you.”
Magrina nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world. And the following day, Alon participated in the ceremony to become elven royalty.
* * *
Around the time the ceremony began in Greinif.
Unlike Alon, who had grasped the truth, the words that flowed from the original author(?) of the rumor, Shuhtalian V, had spread throughout the entire United Kingdoms.
Thanks to that, each kingdom was busy agonizing over how to bring the Marquis of Palatio to their own country. By the time the nobles were all thinking about what gifts to offer the Marquis, the story naturally reached Deus’s ears as well.
“Hmm—”
Actually, Deus didn’t have any particular feelings about this rumor. If the Marquis of Palatio truly wanted to become the husband of the Elf Queen, Deus had no intention of objecting. That was because it would be the will of the Great Moon.
…Of course, separately from that.
If this rumor was merely a false story that would only bring harm to the Great Moon, he would find the source of that rumor and eradicate it. In any case, since the truth of the rumor hadn't been revealed yet, Deus hadn't made any judgment.
However, Deus was the only one in such a state.
“How dare they… How dare they…!!”
His younger sister, Silli, seemed to be thinking something entirely different.
“…”
Deus stared blankly at Silli and the temple behind her. On the land that had looked like nothing but a site for a giant artillery battery six months ago, a very plausible temple had been built.
…It was so massive that perhaps the money Deus had spent on the statue until now would seem like a joke. While wondering where on earth she had gathered such funds, Deus cautiously called out to his sister.
“…Silli?”
“What is it, Brother?!”
Silli snapped her head toward him at the call. At the same time—
Crackle—!!!
As if responding to her will, a massive bolt of lightning surged from the object behind her that she called ‘Heavenly Punishment.’ Deus flinched for a moment but spoke as if he were unperturbed.
“No… I just wondered if there was a need to be so angry—”
“Of course there is!”
Silli answered before Deus could even finish his sentence.
“That false rumor is a brazen attempt to drag Him down!”
“…Drag Him down?”
“Isn’t it obvious?! He is a God! They intend to demote Him from His Divine Throne by spreading such nonsense! Do you know what this is called?!”
Deus shut his mouth as Silli’s words poured out like a waterfall. Of course, he could somewhat guess what she was saying—
…No, actually, there were many parts he didn't understand…
In addition to that, he honestly wondered if it was something to get that angry about. But.
“It’s blasphemy! It’s blasphemy!!!”
Knowing that nothing good would happen if he immediately refuted his sister’s rage, Deus simply looked away.
“…”
It was early summer.