Chapter 311: What Is This…? (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 311: What Is This…? (2)
Hidan had never imagined things would turn out this way.
In the first place, the initial order he had received from the Red Moon was simply to inform the Green Moon that she would be visiting soon.
In truth, he hadn't even understood why the Red Moon had bothered giving such an order. She was already on her way to see the Green Moon anyway.
However, one did not talk back to her.
Thus, Hidan had delivered the message to the Green Moon as quickly as possible and intended to slip out of the room immediately after. He didn't want to be caught between the Red Moon and the Green Moon when they met.
But unfortunately...
“…….”
“…….”
God had forsaken Hidan.
“…….”
He shifted his gaze between the Red Moon and the Green Moon.
After exchanging initial greetings, the two had done nothing but sip their black tea in silence. Their lips were curved into smiles, and the atmosphere appeared romantic on the surface.
So why is the air so cold? he wondered, but only for a moment.
“Hidan.”
“Yes.”
“Please step outside.”
At the Red Moon’s dismissal—
‘Yes, I’ll be going now.’
“Thank you.”
Hidan’s thoughts and words got swapped in his haste, but without even a moment to correct himself, he nodded quickly and scrambled out of the room.
“…….”
“……."
In the space where finally only the two of them remained, the first to speak was Yutia.
“I’m glad to see you look healthy, Line.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
Yutia and Line exchanged pleasantries with smiles.
“I heard you have to stay in Phildegrin for a long time. Is that right?”
“Yes.”
“That’s a pity.”
“Yes, it certainly is. It’s even more regrettable because someone went and destroyed the badge that was a gift to my Godfather.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
The two continued to smile.
“Line.”
“Yes.”
“Peeking isn't a very good habit, you know?”
“Peeking? I’m merely doing it to protect Godfather. Just like you, Yutia.”
“Don’t worry. I am the one protecting Teacher.”
“Are you sure you aren't just spying on him?”
Clink—
The upper part of the handle on the teacup Yutia was holding snapped off and fell onto the empty table.
“Line, you’ve become quite bold, haven't you?”
Though a bit of force had crept in, Yutia’s voice remained composed.
“Not at all. How could I possibly be bold?”
“And why is that?”
“Because I am inferior to you in many ways, Yutia. For instance, in my ability to protect Godfather.”
“...It’s strange to hear you say that so suddenly.”
“But it’s the truth. And there are many other things where I am ‘lower’ than you. My combat power is lower if I look at it objectively, and regarding the secrets of this world—don't you know a bit more than I do, even though I possess the Library? And also—”
Line paused, lightly placing her index finger against her lips as she looked at Yutia.
“—Your age, perhaps?”
She gave a playful wink.
Crack—
The teacup in Yutia’s hand shattered completely.
“Oh, what a waste.”
Line looked at the broken shards with feigned pity.
And then.
“Line.”
“Yes, Yutia.”
“...It seems you don't value your life very much.”
“That’s—”
Before Line could finish her murmur—
BOOOOOM—!!!!
A massive explosion erupted.
“Thank you... Thank you...”
The mana was so intense that his entire body tingled just by sensing it. After witnessing something mysterious emerge from the far distance, shattering the rift of the Blue Moon, Hidan didn't look back.
“...You’re, hic, welcome.”
He turned and fled for his life.
* * *
Several weeks had passed since then.
“We’ve finally arrived.”
“Indeed.”
Alon nodded as they reached the Marquisate, but a faint doubt lingered in his mind. The state of the territory before his eyes wasn't much different from before.
The streets were lively with merchants, knights could be seen beneath the statue Deus had gifted, and the plaza was bustling with crowds of people moving busily about. It was the same territorial landscape as always.
“Nothing much has changed.”
“...Well, was something supposed to change?” Evan asked curiously at Alon’s murmur.
“No. I just thought something might have shifted since those rumors have been spreading lately.”
“Ah—that’s true.”
During the weeks it took to return to the Marquisate, Alon had heard various updates through Evan.
It started with news that bandit groups across the United Kingdoms had temporarily vanished because they were being pulverized by mercenaries and knights. Then there were stories of bandits who had consumed Abyss Bodies voluntarily going to Rosario to repent and accept punishment. He also heard that Silli, whom he had intended to meet near Calliban, had gathered followers and moved to the Divine Land he had created.
...In short, a project he had intended to start small—perhaps with about ten selected knights—was ballooning to an uncontrollable scale. Alon was feeling a bit of dread.
However, since the territory seemed perfectly normal...
“Things seem stable.”
Alon let out a small sigh of relief. Evan, who had been watching him closely, called out.
“But Marquis.”
“What is it?”
“Isn't it natural that nothing is happening in the territory? After all, the place where the mercenaries and knights are flocking to is Divine Land.”
“...That is true.”
Alon let out a low groan. Evan, on the other hand, looked quite relaxed.
“Well, I don't think you need to worry that much, Marquis.”
“...Hmm.”
“Sure, the rumors are spreading in a weird way, but in the end, they’re just rumors, aren't they? Once people confirm they aren't true, they’ll naturally disperse.”
“I suppose...?”
“And even if the mercenaries and knights who were drawn by rumors leave once they realize the reality... Silli is coming, so Divine Land might get a bit bigger than we thought. But isn't Silli coming a good thing anyway?”
“…….”
Evan was right. There was a favor Alon wanted to ask Silli when they met.
“Anyway, the point is, you don't need to worry in advance about things getting out of hand. That’s what I’m saying.”
Evan added lightheartedly that people gathered by rumors tend to scatter once they get a taste of reality, which helped Alon feel a bit more at ease.
With a more relaxed expression, Alon entered the castle.
“Ah—Marquis!”
“Penia, did you have a good trip?”
Penia popped out as if she had been waiting and greeted him.
“Yes, I had a great trip!”
“You look like you’re in a good mood.”
At that, Penia proudly put her hands on her hips, let out a series of triumphant "Ahem-ahems," and giggled.
“Hehehe—”
“Did something good happen?”
“It did! Though it’s actually a given for someone like me? No less than three more of my academic papers were officially recognized!”
Penia made a V-sign with a look that screamed, I’m amazing!!!
“That is impressive.”
“Hmph, hmph—well, this much is... only natural!”
Evan, who had been quietly watching the boasting Penia from the side, asked, “So, what’s so good about having academic papers recognized?”
“Huh?”
“No, I mean, I get that it’s like having your research acknowledged, but I was wondering if there’s something more to it.”
“Sigh—this is why commoners who don't know magic are...”
After subjecting Evan to her usual disdain for the uninitiated, she answered without hesitation.
“Of course it’s good!”
“In what way?”
“First of all, the Magic Society provides a monthly research stipend for every paper.”
“And?”
“They provide funding for assistants.”
“...And?”
“They give you money.”
“…….”
Is she getting a massive amount of money? Evan wondered, tilting his head.
“Of course, that’s not all. For a mage, the number of papers recognized by the Magic Society is equivalent to the mage’s Status.”
“...Isn't a mage’s Status shown by their Tier?”
“Of course there’s the Tier. But that’s strictly a personal aspect. Honor is different. The honor given to those who contribute to the advancement of magic is held much higher than the honor gained through individual Tier. In other words, the number of papers is—”
“Like a Tier for honor, you mean?”
“Ex-actly!”
“So there was a reason you went from moping around to your old self again,” Evan muttered under his breath.
Penia ignored him and looked back at Alon.
“Oh, Marquis! I actually had something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“Heinkel said she’d like to see you if you have the time.”
“Me...?”
“Yes. Well—you mentioned before that you’d give her a magic demonstration... and on top of that, she said she has some facts to inform you about.”
As Penia trailed off, Alon finally let out an "Ah."
He remembered now. When he had asked Heinkel to teach Penia, he had promised to show her his magic in return.
Feeling a bit embarrassed that he had only just remembered, Alon replied.
“...I’ll go with you next time. But aside from that, what are the facts she found out?”
“She said she’d tell you when you come.”
“I see.”
“Oh, and I also thought of something quite good regarding your magic, Marquis.”
“Something good?”
“Yes. It started from a question I had while talking with Heinkel this time.”
Alon listened intently to Penia’s explanation for a long time.
* * *
A few days later.
After resting at the Marquisate and researching magic with Penia, Alon headed toward Divine Land. He felt it was only polite to show his face since Deus was training the soldiers there.
...Well, aside from that, he also thought he should probably put a stop to those groundless rumors.
Regardless of his main goal, Alon was preoccupied with the idea Penia had brought him.
“So, to summarize what you said, instead of having to do the calculations on the spot, if we pre-calculate—”
“Yes, exactly. If we do it this way, I think you’ll be able to use magic through formulas just like we originally intended.”
“It would certainly be great if that works. But to do that, we’d need to create an artifact—”
“I’ve already thought about that part too.”
Penia began to explain the plan. But she stopped shortly after.
“Um, Marquis.”
“Are we there?”
“No, well—we haven't arrived yet, but could you come outside for a moment?”
At Evan’s call from the driver’s seat, Alon felt a sense of confusion and stepped out of the carriage.
He naturally turned his head toward where Evan was looking. It wasn't just because Evan was looking there. He simply had no choice but to stare.
Because standing there was...
“...What is that?”
“I was wondering the same thing...”
There was a military encampment that looked like it had been hidden away.
...No, strictly speaking, it wasn't just an encampment.
It was the Divine Land Alon had built and left behind.
A place that was supposed to have 50 knights and 600 soldiers. Even though that sounded like a lot, when placed in the vast expanse of Divine Land, they should have only occupied a small portion of one side.
But now.
“...Evan.”
“Yes.”
“Didn't you say nothing much would happen?”
Across the entirety of Divine Land, a massive military barracks had been erected.
...And it wasn't just sitting there like some ruins. It was a colossal base, so bustling that the noise reached Alon’s ears even from this distance.
If anyone else saw this, they would think a rebellion was being plotted. Seeing the staggering number of people moving about, Alon froze.
“Marquis.”
“What.”
“...To be honest, I’m a little scared.”
Hearing Evan’s sincere impression, Alon quietly agreed.
“Me too...”