Chapter 287: Treatment (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 287: Treatment (6)
“The scenery is to die for.”
They were on their way to the place where Rangban had left his secret.
Evan muttered to himself as he looked around at their surroundings. Penia, walking beside him, nodded in agreement.
“I agree. The Eastern Country seems to have beautiful landscapes in general.”
“Hahaha, I am simply grateful for such praise.”
The girl with fox ears who was acting as their guide wagged her fluffy tail, clearly pleased by the compliment. A proud smile played on her lips.
“Seeing a view like this really makes me feel sentimental,” Evan remarked, running a hand through his hair with a smirk.
“Are you sure it’s not your instincts taking over rather than your emotions?” Penia interjected sharply, not missing a beat.
“...On what grounds?”
“Look at you. Your instincts are so bloated you’re already preparing to flirt.”
“Hey, you didn’t used to be like this. I feel like my treatment has gotten significantly worse lately.”
[Naturally. Your behavior is excessively consistent, after all. To be honest, it’s a bit pathetic to watch.]
While Evan stood there flabbergasted, Basiliora didn’t miss the chance to chime in.
“Shut up, you pet snake-head.”
[Tsk, tsk. Even when I point out the cause, you refuse to face it. You are the spitting image of a typically foolish human.]
As the three of them began to bicker in earnest, Ladan watched them with a peaceful expression, having grown quite accustomed to their antics. Alon, after observing the group for a moment, turned his gaze toward the fox beastkin guide.
“If you don’t mind, may I ask you something?”
“Of course. How could I refuse a request from His Majesty’s guests?”
The fox girl bowed politely. Between her traditional attire, which resembled a hanbok, and her swaying fox tail, she looked very much like a gumiho.
“This might be a sensitive question, but I heard the situation in the Eastern Country isn’t very good.”
“Ah...”
At Alon’s cautious words, the fox girl hesitated for a moment before offering an awkward smile.
“That is true. As you have likely heard, the Eastern Country is currently passing through a very difficult period due to Cheonga’s rebellion.”
“Cheonga... you say?”
“Yes.”
The fox girl fell silent for a while as if organizing her thoughts, then began to explain the situation in the Eastern Country to Alon in detail.
To summarize her words:
“So, in short, Grand General Cheonga has staged a coup.”
“Yes. He and the other generals have currently swallowed up the eastern region and are continuing the war.”
Alon thought for a moment, recalling Historia’s face.
“I heard previously that Historia was asked for a favor. If so, won’t the war end soon?”
Alon didn’t know the exact military strength of the Eastern Country. He could only guess based on the information that the recommended entry level for the Eastern Country in the DLC was around the mid-to-late game, when the Sins began to appear in earnest.
However, Historia was also strong. Perhaps even stronger than Alon knew through Psychedelia. Even though he had only seen a glimpse of her power, it was enough to easily gauge her overwhelming strength.
“I also heard that the Great Race is providing assistance, but no matter how great they are... I fear it might be difficult.”
“Is their military strength that significant?”
“The number of soldiers alone reaches tens of thousands, and the generals, including Grand General Cheonga, are all individuals who have reached Singular Intent.”
“Singular Intent...?”
“Ah, my apologies. I believe in the West, it is referred to as a ‘Derivative.’”
“You mean a unique ability.”
“Yes.”
A shadow deepened over the beastkin girl’s face as she nodded.
“Furthermore, I heard recently that the generals, including Cheonga, have become much stronger.”
“...By any chance, do they give off a black aura?”
“Oh, that’s right! How did you know?”
“We are currently dealing with many problems caused by that on our side as well.”
The current situation of the Eastern Country formed a picture in Alon’s mind.
As if the rebellion wasn’t enough, the Martyrs must have smuggled Abyss Bodies from somewhere and scattered them here. Where on earth do those Abyss Bodies keep coming from?
The Abyss Bodies were definitely first created by Duke Comallon, and Alon had presumed that the Apostle of Sloth, who had recreated them, was also dealt with. Yet, the Abyss Bodies continued to appear.
As Alon sank back into doubt, the fox girl spoke again.
“I see... At any rate, if it is possible, it would be wonderful if the Great Race could take care of this matter.”
Alon nodded in agreement, sensing the sincerity packed into her words.
* * *
While Alon was heading to the location Rangban had directed him to, in the eastern part of the kingdom...
A man in flamboyant attire, the son of the King currently leading the Eastern Country, was speaking with another man. It was Prince Virang.
“Have you sent the letter to that side?”
“Yes.”
“And the arrangements?”
“They said they can definitely pull it off. They claimed to have made many preparations to deal with the Great Race.”
“Are you certain?”
“They told me not to worry.”
At the servant’s report, Virang nodded with a satisfied expression.
“What else is needed?”
“Preparations regarding the internal personnel are also complete. We have recruited everyone who could be recruited. All that remains is for you to ascend the throne tomorrow after everything is finished.”
“Good.”
Basking in the servant’s flattery, Virang cast his gaze out the window with a look of absolute fulfillment. A massive palace filled his vision. After staring at it for a while, he muttered lowly.
“Father should have just handed the throne over to me quietly. It would have been so much better for everyone.”
The reason Virang had joined hands with the rebel Grand General Cheonga was because of his father. More precisely, it was because he realized that King U-Rang, the current ruler of the Eastern Country, intended to name the 2nd Prince as his successor instead of him, the 1st Prince.
In truth, U-Rang’s choice wasn’t due to favoritism toward the 2nd Prince, but rather because of Virang’s own failings. Virang was simply not fit to be a leader of the Eastern Country. His inadequacies were known to everyone.
However, Virang was the only one who refused to admit it. He acknowledged only one thing: ousting the current King and taking his rightful place on the throne. In other words, reigning as King himself.
To achieve that, joining hands with the Grand General was the best opportunity for Virang. Thus, while the Grand General sowed chaos outside the country, Virang plotted rebellion from within. And as of yesterday, all preparations were finally complete.
I didn’t expect the Great Race to appear, though.
Virang decided not to worry about the Great Being. If it was the Grand General he knew, he would surely be able to handle an old fox like that without much trouble.
Of course, that wasn’t the only variable. Just yesterday, guests of the King had arrived.
Of all times...
Virang’s brow furrowed. Even though he had blocked the sea routes with the help of ‘That Person,’ they had managed to break through and find their way here. These unexpected uninvited guests caused Virang great displeasure.
But it was only for a moment. He soon took a deep breath to calm his agitated mind. He never imagined that this plan would crumble because of a few outsiders.
Therefore...
“I look forward to tomorrow.”
Virang wore a treacherous smile as he thought of the coming day when his great cause would finally take flight.
* * *
“Is it here?”
“Yes.”
It was late afternoon, as the sun was slowly dipping toward the horizon, when Alon arrived at a mysterious place.
The scenery itself wasn't particularly extraordinary. Four Sal trees, looking like massive ancient trees, stood at the center of the landscape. In the middle of the space, there was simply a staircase leading underground.
Yet, Alon felt a sense of familiarity at the sight. A strange feeling, like déjà vu. After observing the scene for a moment, he spoke.
“Then, I shall go down.”
“Have a safe trip.”
“We’ll be waiting, Brother.”
“Me too.”
Alon left the group behind and stepped forward alone. The King had emphasized that he must move alone when descending underground.
Thud— thud— thud—
The sound of his footsteps on the stone stairs echoed in the silence. As the number of steps increased, the light from above faded away, and darkness began to consume his vision.
Before long, just as the sound of his footsteps began to scatter rather than echo, Alon could only stare blankly at the subterranean cavern that appeared before him. The cavern was staggeringly vast.
“...?”
Alon felt a sense of dissonance. It was a perfectly natural reaction. Although he had walked down the stairs, he hadn't descended deep enough to justify the scale of what he was seeing, even if he craned his neck to look up.
The stairs Alon had walked down were twenty steps at most. And yet...
...I can’t see the ceiling?
The height of the cavern Alon had reached was so great that its end was invisible. It was a situation that made no sense spatially. However, Alon didn't bother to cross-check the logic and instead carefully moved deeper into the massive cavern.
“....”
The cavern was bizarre. Normally, the interior should have been filled with pitch-black darkness where nothing could be seen. Yet, this massive void was bright enough for Alon to see his surroundings clearly.
As he continued to move inward, Alon discovered the reason for the cavern’s glow.
Lotuses. Extraordinary lotuses were floating in a pond inside the cavern, emitting light. And in the very center of that pond stood a pavilion.
“....”
It was a dreamlike and mystical sight. After staring in a daze for a moment, Alon stepped onto the bridge leading to the pavilion. When he finally reached the structure, a faint light began to seep from his robes.
Alon immediately reached inside and checked the source. The white Curved Jade he had received from the King was emitting a brilliant white light.
He looked up at the pavilion. In the center, he found a notch that perfectly fit the white Curved Jade and pushed the gem into it.
Click—
The Curved Jade fit perfectly, as if it had been meant to be there from the very beginning. He let out a soft exclamation of wonder, but it was short-lived.
The lotuses that had been glowing in place until a moment ago were suddenly swept up by a fierce wind and gathered toward the pavilion all at once. The lotuses, swaying in perfect order, soon took the shape of a human figure.
Alon’s eyes widened in shock at the sudden transformation. He rubbed his eyes instinctively. The figure was clearly right in front of him.
And yet...
He could not ‘perceive’ the being before him.
Just as when he had faced Yongrin before he possessed divinity, he could not grasp the identity of the opponent despite her being right there. It was incomprehensible.
In the past, it might have made sense, but the current Alon possessed numerous divinities. He could even handle a few of them properly, and in the case of Yongrin, he could now see her quite clearly.
This meant that Alon’s Status had risen significantly to a certain level. And yet, he could not see the being in front of him.
Alon unconsciously tensed as he stared forward. At that moment...
[I have been waiting. Mage— no,]
A noble voice echoed in his ears.
[Star Eater.]
The voice called out to him.