Chapter 286: Treatment (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 286: Treatment (5)
“Wow—”
Upon arriving at Seonju, the party couldn't help but let out exclamations of wonder.
The sight of Seonju was breathtakingly beautiful.
From the outer castle walls visible at a glance to the multicolored buildings nestled within, the structures looked less like mere architecture and more like works of art.
Everyone stood with their mouths agape, venting their admiration in unison.
Eventually, Alon stood before the main gates leading into Seonju.
““We greet the Great Race!””
Once again, he felt Historia’s prestige skin-deep.
Dozens of people suddenly rushed out from the main gate—where only two guards had stood moments before—and saluted all at once.
That wasn't all.
Even in the long lines waiting for inspection, people were casting looks of longing and admiration toward Historia.
‘...She really is popular.’
Historia herself merely nodded nonchalantly, as if she were used to it.
Alon marveled at the sight inwardly, but his amazement was short-lived.
“But, who are these people?”
The beastkins’ gazes began to shift toward Alon’s party.
...More accurately, toward Alon.
The reason was obvious.
It was because of Historia’s tail, which was currently wrapped around Alon’s waist.
Feeling an inexplicable sense of embarrassment, Alon was about to speak, but Historia beat him to it.
“I’ve come to see U-Rang.”
“Do you mean... His Majesty?”
“Yes.”
At Historia’s brief word, the guards allowed Alon’s party into the capital without any further verification procedures.
Alon felt a fresh sense of curiosity.
He could easily guess how great her social standing was here based on what had happened so far.
However, the fact that no one stopped her even when she spoke the name of the King—the head of the nation—so casually made him wonder just how high her position actually was.
‘...I’m sure I heard her say last time that she was just treated reasonably well.’
When he looked at Historia with those thoughts in mind, she tilted her head with her characteristic blank expression, as if sensing his gaze.
“What?”
He simply couldn't get used to the gap between her reputation and her behavior.
Just then.
“We greet the Great Race.”
As if they had been waiting, officials came out to escort Historia shortly after they entered the capital.
Judging by their attire alone, they were clearly high-ranking individuals holding significant positions.
Even as these people bowed respectfully, Historia simply gave a light nod and continued forward without hesitation.
“Let’s go.”
Following the officials, the party entered the heart of the capital.
Soon, a massive palace revealed itself in the distance.
It was a palace of such overwhelming scale that comparing it to other buildings was meaningless.
“He’s in there.”
After a brief explanation, Historia led the party inside.
As soon as they entered the palace interior, she spoke.
“I’m going to go somewhere for a moment.”
“...Do you have somewhere to go?”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
She left the spot, apparently having some business to attend to.
Despite her dazed expression, Historia walked away with purpose.
After she left, Alon was guided by the officials to a set of massive doors.
When the doors opened, a man was visible sitting at the far end of the space.
He sat upon a golden throne, positioned higher than anything else to display royal authority. Dignity radiated from the entire body of the wolf beastkin sitting there.
Recalling that many of the officials were wolf beastkins, Alon thought, ‘Seolrang was a wolf beastkin too, wasn’t she?’ and bowed his head in greeting.
“Alon Palatio greets the ruler of a nation.”
It was a concise greeting.
However, that alone seemed to make the King realize something, as he let out an exclamation of "Oh."
“Are you that Marquis Palatio?”
“That is correct.”
“Surprising. I didn't expect you to come at a time like this.”
U-Rang, the King of the Eastern Country.
Alon was momentarily puzzled by his intrigued reaction, but he soon understood the underlying meaning.
‘Is it because of the Abominations?’
To be more precise, they weren't Abominations but Sea Water Class monsters.
Recalling Hazard’s words, the situation was so dire that even trade had been cut off because of them.
“Anyway—it doesn't matter when you came.”
“Thank you for the hospitality.”
“It is well-deserved. I have been waiting for you quite eagerly.”
The King smiled briefly, then hummed in thought.
“Normally, it would be right to let you recover from your journey before getting to the main point... but what do you think? If you are willing, I would like to speak immediately.”
He proposed going straight to the heart of the matter.
Alon nodded without hesitation.
“That would be fine.”
“I’m glad our opinions align.”
Nodding as if satisfied with Alon’s response, the King spoke again.
“Everyone else, leave us. Ah, and I’m sorry, but I would like the companions you brought to leave as well.”
He dismissed everyone, saying, “This is a conversation that must be held strictly between the two of us.”
While Alon’s party looked at each other, the soldiers and officials withdrew from the audience chamber like a ebbing tide, without a single moment of hesitation.
Seeing this, Alon gave a small nod toward his party, and Ladan, Penia, and the others also moved outside.
Only the two of them remained in the vast space.
After a moment of silence passed.
“Now we can finally talk.”
The King let out a light sigh, stood up from his seat, and walked toward Alon.
Step by step.
Descending the stairs, U-Rang finally stood before Alon.
Even though he had come down the stairs, he was so tall that Alon had to look up at him for quite a while.
Setting aside the instinctive sense of intimidation, Alon felt himself grow tense at the King’s sudden approach.
‘Why is he doing this?’
However, that tension lasted only a fleeting moment.
Before he could even grasp the situation, U-Rang, the King of the Eastern Country, bowed deeply at the waist.
“?”
Even Alon, who rarely showed much emotion, couldn't perfectly hide his bewilderment.
“A descendant of the Great Eastern Country greets the Savior of the Past.”
“...Ah.”
Alon let out a low exclamation at the words that followed.
* * *
“Thank you for understanding why I dismissed everyone.”
Only then did Alon realize why the King had sent everyone away.
“Not at all. It is a very important matter, after all.”
“Thank you. If the internal situation were a bit calmer, it might be different, but as things stand...”
At U-Rang’s words, Alon recalled that a rebellion was currently brewing within the Eastern Country.
‘I don't know the exact details, but in such a situation, the King’s authority is even more vital.’
Though Alon was far from having a typical noble's mindset, having lived as a noble for years, he knew well how important authority was when a country was unstable.
“More importantly, did you hear about me from Historia?”
At Alon’s question, U-Rang shook his head.
“No.”
“Then...”
“It is information passed down to posterity by the fifth ancestor of the Eastern Country.”
“The fifth ancestor?”
“He was known as the King of Beast Fangs, and his name was Rangban.”
At the name U-Rang uttered, Alon momentarily let out a hot breath.
It was the name of a beastkin he knew very well.
“...Rangban.”
Alon felt a subtle stir in his chest.
Compared to the impression the word 'ancestor' usually gave, his memories of the man were still vivid.
“Thanks to the story he passed down to his descendants, I am able to convey my gratitude to you directly like this.”
Alon nodded at his explanation and asked.
“Then, was your desire to see me solely to offer your thanks?”
“Yes, that is correct. But that is not all. The reason I requested to see you, Lord Alon, is because I have a message to deliver.”
“...A message? From Rangban?”
“Correct. Rangban urged and urged again. He insisted that this must be delivered to Lord Alon, and that we must never forget it until the Eastern Country falls.”
With that, U-Rang pulled an object from his robes and handed it to Alon.
As Alon took the white, Curved Jade-shaped gem, U-Rang relayed the words Rangban had left behind.
“‘In the north of the Eastern Country, at the place where four pairs of Sal trees stand, there sleeps a person who can help you.’”
“That is—”
“Yes, that is the message the predecessor left for Lord Alon through his descendants.”
“...What is at that place?”
“I know the location and can guide you if you wish, but I do not know what is there either. We have simply been preserving it.”
“Was that also Rangban’s will?”
“It was. We have managed it so that no one except Lord Alon can enter.”
Alon looked down at the Curved Jade once and asked.
“When can I go there?”
“You may go right now if you wish, but it is quite a distance away, so I think it would be best to depart tomorrow.”
Alon looked up and scanned his surroundings.
Before he knew it, the traditional paper covering the palace walls was being dyed a vermilion hue by the setting sun.
It certainly seemed better to prepare properly before leaving.
The conversation ended with Alon accepting U-Rang’s proposal.
“Then, please get some rest.”
After finishing his greetings, Alon stepped outside.
Sensing a gaze from somewhere, Alon turned his head in the direction he suspected—
“?”
In the distance, his eyes met those of a man who was looking at him with great displeasure.
The man had a youthful appearance compared to the other beastkins, and his flamboyant nature was immediately apparent even from afar.
He shot Alon a blatantly cold look, as if Alon were a thorn in his side, before scowling and turning away to disappear.
“...That brat is incredibly rude.”
Penia, who had approached his side, expressed her discomfort with harsh words. Evan, standing next to her, nodded in agreement.
“He looks to be about our age. He’s probably a prince or something.”
“How do you know that?”
“Think about it. Someone who can walk around scowling rudely in a place like this, looking like he’s lived a very comfortable life. Plus, he’s young. It’s obvious without even looking.”
“...Oh, that was actually quite sharp.”
“Hehe, I am rather intelligent.”
“No, not that much.”
“...”
Penia, who had naturally shut Evan down after their banter, furrowed her brows and muttered to herself as if something was bothering her.
“But, something feels a bit strange.”
“...Strange?”
“Yes, well—”
Penia fell into deep thought while staring at the spot where the prince had disappeared.
However, before she could figure anything out.
“Brother.”
“What is it?”
“Shall I kill him?”
Inside the palace, Ladan made a murder prediction for the prince(?) that was strikingly similar to someone else's.
“...Don't do that.”
Alon let out a low sigh inwardly and pressed down firmly on Ladan’s shoulder.
Having somehow 'saved' the life of the man presumed to be a prince.
The next morning arrived.
“Then, I shall guide you from here.”
Alon’s party set out toward the place where the secret left by Rangban awaited.