Chapter 306: Laxas (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 306: Laxas (2)
Two weeks had passed since Alon left Divine Land for Laxas.
Alon was training a bit more leisurely than he had in the past. The reason was simple: Penia was not with him on this journey.
When she was around, he could use Feet Running Through the Past to spar with Kailas as many times as he wanted, but he couldn't do that now. Of course, he could charge Feet Running Through the Past at will by repeatedly activating and deactivating the Art of Defying Heaven in short bursts, but that took a heavy toll on his body.
Even if used for the briefest of moments, Alon’s Art of Defying Heaven inflicted damage on his physical form.
And so, under these circumstances...
Lately, Alon spent his time moving toward his destination while focusing on conceiving new magic and training Blackie’s awakening, rather than entering the world of Feet Running Through the Past.
“Good work.”
[Kyu—]
At Alon’s words, Blackie let out a cute cry and burrowed into his chest—a gesture that had become second nature by now.
“Are you finished?”
As Alon stroked the creature’s head, Evan spoke up.
“Yeah.”
“You’re remarkably consistent.”
“It’s something I desperately need right now.”
“Hmm—I believe you mentioned before that in that form, mana control becomes a bit easier?”
“That’s right.”
At Alon’s confirmation, Evan nodded with a thoughtful hum and pointed to one side.
“Have some dinner. I’ve prepared it.”
“Calling it ‘prepared’ is a bit much when you just roasted them, isn’t it?”
Alon remarked as he looked at the sweet potatoes sitting before the fire.
“Well, I still made them, didn't I?”
Evan shrugged as if it were no big deal, then immediately turned to criticize Basiliora, who was already eating.
“Snake-head, have some class and stop stuffing your face before everyone else.”
[Hmph. Is there any reason this great one should not eat first? I am different from a mere human like you.]
“This bastard’s starting again...”
It was a typical, ordinary day.
Traveling toward Laxas over the past two weeks, Alon could feel that the United Kingdoms had changed significantly compared to before.
“Evan.”
“I really want to strangle hi— Yes, Marquis.”
Evan, who had been bickering with Basiliora, turned his head instantly to answer.
“How long until we reach the next village?”
“Hmm—normally, we would have arrived in a day. But as I mentioned at the last village, the one we were heading for was raided, so it’ll probably take four days.”
“Four days...”
Usually, when Alon traveled within the United Kingdoms, his camping cycle was every other day. In other words, within the United Kingdoms, one would typically find a village—large or small—after one or, at most, two days of camping.
However, in the past two weeks, Alon had only visited four villages. This meant that all the other villages had vanished, destroyed by raids from bandits or mobs.
Alon had known for a long time that the United Kingdoms were suffering from the rise of bandits and rioters ever since Abyss Bodies began to be circulated. But knowing it intellectually was different from personally witnessing the plundered villages.
“...The situation is certainly dire.”
As Alon spoke softly, Evan nodded in agreement.
“Well, yes. I wonder where those Abyss Bodies are even coming from...”
“Have you found out anything about that?”
“Well—I asked the information guild to look into it, but it seems they haven't caught any leads... Ah, though I wouldn't call it ‘good’ news, there is some news that isn't too bad.”
“What is it?”
“I heard that recently, mercenaries and knights have started subjugating the bandits on their own.”
“...Did someone post a request?”
“No. From what I hear, they’re dealing with them without any reward.”
“That’s strange.”
He could understand knights dealing with nearby bandits or mobs for the sake of honor, but the case of the mercenaries was quite peculiar. In this world, mercenaries generally refused to care about anything outside of Lartania’s internal affairs.
“I find it strange too, but that’s the rumor going around.”
Alon nodded at Evan’s words and popped a piece of sweet potato into his mouth. Then, a thought suddenly occurred to him.
“But come to think of it, why haven't we run into any bandits?”
“Didn't you ask that last time as well?”
“I suppose I did.”
Alon tilted his head. Logically, if villages were being raided to this extent, it was only normal for Alon’s group to have encountered them at least once. Yet, there wasn't even a shadow of a bandit to be seen.
...Furthermore, if they were raided, there should be corpses, but there aren't any of those either.
Alon pondered the eerie feeling. But it was only for a moment.
“Well, isn't it a good thing that we aren't running into bandits?”
Evan was right. Whatever the reason, not encountering bandits was a positive thing.
Thus, Alon finished his sweet potato and naturally moved on to his next concern. It was about what had happened recently during the proclamation of Divine Land.
Star Eater...
The being who had bestowed the Constraint upon Alon had certainly said those words. That it sincerely welcomed the return of the Star Eater.
...It was definitely referring to me.
Alon had been called by that epithet before. Once was when he encountered an Outer God in the Deep Sea when he first reached Laxas. The other time was when he met a being in the Eastern Country whose true identity he couldn't even properly grasp.
What exactly is a Star Eater?
He had been thinking about that name ever since he heard it, but nothing came to mind. Star Eater. Alon had never seen that name even once in Psychedelia.
After pondering for a while, Alon eventually stopped thinking. He had considered it many times during the journey to Laxas, but the conclusion was always the same.
I’ll be able to hear the story once I reach the Observer.
Alon thought as he toyed with the curved jade in his pocket.
* * *
A few days passed.
Arriving near a port town, Alon met Ladan, who was waving his hand as if he had been waiting.
“Big brother!”
“Ladan, have you been well?”
“I have.”
To get to the maritime kingdom of Laxas, one absolutely had to go by boat. Naturally, Ladan was the first person who came to mind. Having easily secured Ladan’s help, Alon immediately headed for the Sipra Archipelago. After all, the reason Alon wanted to go to Laxas was to reach the Sipra Archipelago, where he could meet the Observer.
How long had it been since they set sail for Sipra?
While lightly exchanging updates on their lives, Alon suddenly looked at Ladan and spoke.
“By the way, Ladan, is something wrong?”
“Me, big brother?”
“Yeah. You don't look very well.”
On the surface, Ladan had a faint smile that anyone could see. However, there seemed to be a slight shadow over him, so Alon asked.
“Ah—I’ve just had a lot on my mind lately.”
“A lot on your mind?”
“Yes, yes. Just a few things I’ve been worrying about.”
Seeing Ladan laugh awkwardly and say, “Hahaha, this is a bit embarrassing,” Alon considered asking what the worry was for a moment, but then held his tongue. He could see that Ladan didn't want to talk about it.
Therefore...
“...If you ever need help, let me know. I’ll help as much as I can.”
Alon ended it there and decided not to pry further.
“Thank you, big brother.”
Ladan bowed his head quietly, a sincere smile touching his lips at the consideration.
A few more days passed.
“We’ve arrived, big brother.”
Alon reached Sipra, the archipelago where he had met the Observer before.
“Whew.”
Holding the necklace Yongrin had given him, Alon walked toward the eastern coast of Sipra, just as he had last time.
* * *
The temple of Kalanon, The Lightning Receiver, now boasted a significantly larger number of followers compared to before.
The temple of Kalanon hadn't been this large from the start. In the beginning, when Silli first built the temple, all she had were the mages who handled lightning and a few people who had succumbed to her persistent proselytizing.
However, ever since Reinhardt, one of the knights of Calliban, began using Kalanon’s power in earnest, the number of believers began to increase drastically.
And now, the number of followers who believed in Kalanon, The Lightning Receiver...
“Ahhh—”
...was enough to fill this entire massive temple during worship hours. It was truly staggering growth.
Saintess Silli, who led these rapidly growing followers of Kalanon, was currently...
“...Brother, is that really true?”
[Yes.]
...listening to a story from Deus.
“The Marquis—no, the God intends to become a King?”
[It is an undeniable fact.]
Deus nodded without a hint of hesitation at her question.
“...”
Silli stared silently at Deus’s face. It was obvious, but her brother’s expression didn't hold even a trace of a joke. That meant what he said was the truth.
After a brief moment of confusion...
“I see.”
Silli regained her composure with surprising speed and clenched her fists.
“But I believe that is only right.”
[I think so too. The Marquis is certainly worthy of—]
Deus nodded in agreement. However...
“No, brother. You’re wrong.”
[...What do you mean I’m wrong?]
“It’s not that he is ‘worthy’ of it.”
Silli looked at him with eyes even more steadfast than Deus’s own.
“It is only natural.”
[Natural?]
“Yes. Does it make any sense for the Great God to be beneath a mere human?”
It was a statement that would have made other nobles faint in shock and would have made Alon gasp in disbelief, yet she uttered it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
[Uh? That... that’s true—]
At her incredibly haughty words, even Deus looked dazed for a moment before barely managing to respond. But that wasn't all.
“Furthermore, a mere King is not enough.”
[...Not enough?]
“Because the position that suits him is not King, but Emperor.”
Silli stood up, emphasizing every single word.
“I will join you soon.”
With those final words, Silli ended the communication.
“If the God intends to ascend to the heavens, it is only right to offer one’s help.”
She turned her gaze toward the temple.
“If he wishes to ascend to that place—”
She looked at the temple filled with countless believers.
“—then I will do whatever it takes, with all my might, to pave the way for him.”
Silli’s Purple Eyes glowed as she looked at them.
Something was beginning to happen.
...Without Alon even knowing.