Chapter 329: In the Name of Sloth— (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 329: In the Name of Sloth— (2)
“How much longer?”
“At this rate, we’ll be there soon.”
It had been a week since Alon departed for Ashtalon.
“…….”
There were three reasons why he hadn't realized until now that the incidents in Ashtalon were caused by the birth of the Sin of Sloth.
The first was the monsters.
Although he was already walking a path quite different from the original story, as far as Alon knew, the appearance of the Sins hadn't changed much, and neither had their goals.
That meant even if the story was wildly distorted by the butterfly effect, their fundamental objectives remained the same as what Alon knew.
To his knowledge, the Sin of Sloth did not kill monsters.
The Sin’s targets were strictly humans and demi-humans; it did not kill entities defined as monsters by the United Kingdoms.
The second, and most decisive factor, was the Black Territory.
From the moment the Sin of Sloth is born, the Black Territory begins to erode the surface.
In other words, the moment rumors spread that the Black Territory was encroaching upon the land, one could be certain the Sin of Sloth had appeared. Conversely, without such rumors, it was difficult to predict.
The Sin of Sloth and the Black Territory were inseparable; it was the alpha and omega of the Sin’s power.
“Evan, what’s the current situation?”
“They say people have been gathering ever since Ashtalon sent out the request for aid.”
“Faster than I expected.”
“Normally, everyone would have dragged their feet just as you predicted, Marquis, but it seems Shuhtalian V offered something very enticing as a reward.”
“An enticing reward?”
“Yes. From what I heard—what was it called again? I can’t remember the name exactly, but they said it’s like an Abyss Body without side effects.”
“An Abyss Body without side effects…?”
“Yes.”
“……That sounds suspicious just hearing about it.”
“Apparently, the effects are guaranteed, so everyone is on the move. And, of course, the Magic Towers are no exception.”
Evan shrugged, and Alon naturally turned his gaze.
There stood a group of mages heading to Ashtalon with Alon, and among them were Sharan and Selaim, who were engaged in a heated discussion.
“With this many people, shouldn't dealing with a Sin be easier than before? Or maybe it’s already been resolved?”
“Why do you think that?”
“Two other of the Seven Strongest have joined, and they say two of the Five Swords of Calliban have already arrived in Ashtalon. They might have finished it off already. I heard they swarmed the place in droves.”
While Alon watched the mages, Evan provided additional reporting.
After a moment of silence, Alon spoke.
“……It’s not something that can be stopped by sheer numbers—”
“Well, I agree with you there. Three of the Strongest were taken out, so that many people shouldn't be enough… but they do have soldiers.”
Evan, who was about to add, ‘No matter what, quantity matters in battle—’ suddenly trailed off, perhaps recalling a past experience.
“……Actually, never mind. It might be difficult.”
He was right. Just last time, it would have been impossible to catch the Sin if it weren't for Line.
‘And this time—’
As his worries continued, some time passed.
“We’ve arrived.”
Alon’s group finally set foot in the Ashtalon Kingdom.
And.
“Ah—”
Before long, Alon let out a low, involuntary sigh.
It wasn't just Alon.
Everyone standing on the cliff overlooking the panorama of the Ashtalon Kingdom reacted the same way.
It was only natural.
The sight of the Ashtalon Kingdom they beheld was…
“……It seems the situation isn't just serious; it’s dire.”
“I’ll say.”
It was so gruesome that their faces contorted in disgust.
“…….”
Alon stared blankly at the scene.
The Black Territory had drawn so close that it would swallow the Ashtalon Kingdom in just a few more days.
The forests and meadows already submerged within it were stained crimson with blood.
The stench of blood wafted through the air incessantly, and lumps of flesh that couldn't even be called zombies were moving mindlessly, slaughtering one another.
It was just one group.
But to call it ‘just’ one group…
The monotonous sight and the landscape before their eyes told the story of what had transpired within that Black Territory until now.
““…….””
For a long while, the group, including Alon, could only watch the scene in a daze, unable to move.
* * *
In the Ashtalon Kingdom, Alon met some familiar faces.
“Ah, Mentor!”
“Brother!”
First were Seolrang and Ladan.
“Brother—!”
“Marquis—”
“Saint, and Philian.”
Next were Yuman and Philian.
And the last one he met was.
“Marquis—!”
“Elivan, you’re here too.”
“Well, given the situation! I’m so happy to see you after so long…!”
It was Elivan, whose bright face didn't match the current circumstances, and his party members, who looked grave, unlike their cheerful leader.
‘We’re in the mid-to-late stages now.’
After briefly thinking that while looking at the party’s armor, Alon spoke to Elivan.
“When did you get here?”
“We arrived two days ago.”
“By any chance, the situation—”
How much time had passed since he started to speak?
He realized there was no need to ask Elivan.
“We are leaving.”
“Does that even make sense right now?!”
“What did you say? Which part of this doesn't make sense to you?”
“The United Kingdoms requested aid!”
He had just witnessed the strategy meeting, which was already a complete mess.
“A request for aid! Of course I know that! I, Count Mimanmar of the Colony Kingdom, came here with soldiers and Babayagas in response to that request!”
“Then why are you saying such things!”
“Because the aid is meaningless!”
Count Mimanmar glared at Duke Baemanta of the Ashtalon Kingdom, with whom he was arguing, and pointed out the window at the Black Territory.
“Look at that! It’s already reached the outskirts of the kingdom! How on earth do you expect us to deal with that?!”
“As I said, according to our investigation, to stop that Black Territory, we must find the source beyond it—”
“It’s not like we haven't tried! Can’t you see that?!”
The Count slammed the table as if he were about to break it and pointed in one direction.
There, lumps of flesh were mechanically tearing each other apart.
“Those horrific abominations… are our fighters! We tried to check what was in the center just as you said, and that’s what happened! We went in after you said we could endure it if we wore anti-magic artifacts!! And that’s what happened!”
“I didn't tell any lies!”
“Ha! Right! You also didn't mention that the anti-magic artifacts wouldn't even last ten minutes!”
“That’s because the investigation hadn't reached that far yet—!”
“Regardless, I am leaving this place! It’s obviously a dog’s death! I cannot let my soldiers die for nothing!”
“……The same goes for me.”
“Sir Kerma! You too—?!”
At the shout of the grimacing Duke Baemanta, Kerma, the Fourth Sword of Calliban, shook his head.
“Count Mimanmar speaks the truth. There is nothing we can do. Unless the Kingdom can somehow deal with the Black Territory on its own—”
If not, all of this seems utterly meaningless.
As Kerma added those words in a mutter, Duke Baemanta’s brow furrowed even further.
The situation was this bad.
Those who had already completed some level of investigation into the Black Territory were trying to withdraw their aid.
“…….”
Amidst them, Yuman was lost in thought.
His face was darker than ever.
Alon looked at the Saint, then turned his gaze toward the Black Territory.
‘……The situation is definitely not good.’
Even compared to the original story and the game he knew, it was bad.
‘The Black Territory has already expanded too much.’
The Sin of Sloth grows more powerful the larger the Black Territory becomes.
In the game, the Sin of Sloth grew stronger the longer the player took to prepare, to the point where many players would rush into battle immediately without any preparation.
But the current situation, in game terms, wasn't the beginning or the middle—it was the endgame.
And it was the endgame where the Sin was at its strongest.
In other words, the Sin Alon had to face now—
Was likely similar to or even stronger than the Sin of Sloth he had originally envisioned.
Therefore.
“May I speak for a moment?”
Since their chances of victory would be infinitesimally small if internal division occurred now, he spoke up, subtly moving his mana.
The atmosphere was hostile.
He expected that a single word wouldn't easily change the air, so he intended to use his mana to create a small burst of sound.
However.
“Ahem—if the Marquis of Palatio is speaking—”
Even before he could burst his mana.
“I shall listen intently.”
“Khm—”
Those gathered in the room immediately lowered their voices and cleared their throats.
“……?”
Alon was momentarily flustered, but he quickly extinguished his mana with an awkward expression.
“Well—”
In the meeting room that had suddenly become silent, he pondered what to say first.
“First of all, I do have a method.”
He opened with that, and his mind began to race.
Naturally, from their perspective, it would be difficult to easily believe Alon’s words.
The people arguing here had arrived at the kingdom days ago and had fully realized how unreasonable that Black Territory was.
It was only natural for Alon’s statement to be met with resistance or skeptical looks.
Thus, Alon was in a position where he had to persuade them, but he didn't actually feel much pressure.
Even if he didn't know a way to eliminate the Black Territory right this second, he knew the clue to resolving this crisis.
Just as Alon was organizing his words to persuade them in his own way.
“If the Marquis of Palatio has a method, it is certainly worth hearing.”
Count Mimanmar, who had been shouting in a heated voice until just a moment ago, stepped forward.
“……?”
Alon was flustered once again.
But.
“Indeed—if it’s the Marquis of Palatio, he is trustworthy.”
“??”
“I was already thinking he might have a way, and as expected, he does.”
“???”
Once again, compliant(?) reactions followed.
In a situation that deviated greatly from his expectations, Alon examined the expressions of the nobles.
Their faces were filled with absolute trust.
And.
“Well, I thought Mentor would naturally have one.”
“If it’s Brother, then of course—”
“As expected of my brother!”
“The Marquis is truly amazing…!”
“Just as I thought—”
Everyone participating in the meeting sent him an unnervingly solid trust instead of doubt.
It was as if their faces were saying, ‘Hey, we believed in you all along.’
“…….”
Thanks to that, Alon was able to easily take control of the meeting room without much explanation.
‘Something… no, what is this…?’
Rather, the overly firm atmosphere made him feel a bit uneasy.
‘He still hasn't realized his own standing.’
……Of course, Evan was the only one who noticed Alon’s feelings.
* * *
The following day.
“Is that the famous ship of the Pirate King—?”
Outside the walls of Ashtalon.
Count Mimanmar marveled as he looked up at the massive ship floating in the sky above.
He wasn't the only one.
“That’s—”
“Incredible.”
“What’s the principle?”
“It’s impossible with current magic—”
The soldiers and mages who had come outside the Ashtalon walls at Alon’s request were also marveling at the ship in the sky.
However, while the mages were impressed, the soldiers’ expressions weren't very good.
The numerous soldiers gathered here knew all too well how horrific the Black Territory, which was now almost right in front of them, truly was.
A single ship floating in the air wasn't enough to dispel their fear of the Black Territory.
The horror and dread of the Black Territory were deeply etched into the soldiers’ minds.
Therefore.
‘……Will that really work—?’
Count Mimanmar also looked up at the sky with a somewhat conflicted expression, recalling the plan the Marquis of Palatio had mentioned yesterday.
At that moment.
“……Brother, this is the limit to how high the Treasure Vault can go. Do we need to go higher?”
“No, this is enough.”
“Understood.”
Alon, who was on the ship with Ladan, took a deep breath and headed to the bow.
“……Whew—”
As he reached the bow, a wind so strong it sent chills down his spine blew against him.
He looked down at the world, where everything had become like a miniature.
Alon, silently gazing at the landscape where every existence looked small—a sight he might have seen in his previous world—slowly opened his mouth.
“Basiliora.”
[Speak.]
“Are you ready?”
[Whenever you are.]
“Blackie?”
[Kyuu—!]
Hearing the confident voices of Basiliora and Blackie, Alon looked toward the Black Territory.
‘The situation is definitely not good.’
Alon admitted it coldly.
The crisis exceeded the levels he had experienced in the game.
Unlike the time with the Apostle who had invaded from the air, now that Sloth’s power had grown this strong, problems could arise even if they entered the territory by air on the Treasure Vault.
If this were a game, a ‘Game Over’ screen would have appeared long ago.
Yes, if it were a game.
But this world Alon was looking at was not a game.
Therefore, there was a way.
A way to drag out the Sin of Sloth, who would normally be in the safest place in the world, where no one’s attack could reach.
Alon formed a hand seal.
His left hand extended with the index and middle fingers pointed out.
And, recalling the conversation he had with Heinkel.
‘This is definitely different from Light magic in its deployment structure. The essence of Light—that is, the Phrases and Sentences found in that magic are mostly designed to complete the magic called Light.’
“Transformation (變換).”
He recited the Phrase.
‘The element itself is about constantly feeding light and modifying the molecular structure to constantly absorb heat and expand, thereby creating a sun, right? But this is different. This, strictly speaking, isn't magic—’
The form of mana, shaped like a rod, was honed thin like a needle.
“Condensation (凝縮).”
‘It’s a method of converting mana into physical force.’
The needle, thus honed, was condensed so small it was barely visible to Alon’s eyes.
“Rotation (回轉).”
‘So that all the magic the caster can pour in can be converted into physical force and fired.’
It began to spin rapidly in place.
“…….”
The magic was not yet complete.
Since he hadn't spoken the last two sentences yet.
This was the moment he could breathe mana into this manifested magic.
“…….”
Alon looked at the magic he had manifested.
It was infinitely frail and weak—as if it would scatter in the strong wind at any moment.
Even considering it was in a state without mana, his magic wouldn't change much.
It was unavoidable.
Alon’s mana hole was absurdly small compared to other mages.
In other words, this magic, which required a massive amount of mana, didn't have a very good affinity with Alon.
Nevertheless, Alon smiled faintly.
Magic Bolt was a magic that didn't suit the ‘original’ Alon at all.
That was true.
But paradoxically, this magic—
“Defying Heaven (逆天).”
Suited Alon perfectly.
Rumble—!!!!
The sky began to twist.