Chapter 337: Bewilderment (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 337: Bewilderment (3)
Everyone who had assisted in the battle, including Alon, gathered in the conference room. Among them was Shuhtalian V, who had remained out of sight until now.
“I thank you all for your assistance.”
They were finally able to see his face.
Shuhtalian V looked wretched, far more gaunt than when they had last seen him.
While Alon was momentarily taken aback by his appearance, Shuhtalian V finished a brief, modest congratulatory speech and gave a light gesture toward the air.
At that, the knights—who had stood motionless until a moment ago—stepped forward and handed a small jewelry box to each person gathered in the room.
“These are the items I promised you.”
Shuhtalian V added a few more words of formal gratitude before turning around and leaving the room, his face still pale and weary.
As the audience ended as abruptly as it had begun, Evan, standing behind Alon, spoke up slowly.
“That ended sooner than I expected.”
“Indeed.”
“The King didn't exactly look thrilled, did he?”
Penia, standing beside them, gave him a look of slight exasperation.
“Would you be thrilled? More than half his territory has been wiped out.”
“Still, he was about to die and survived. That’s something.”
“What’s the point? His life is about to become a living hell from here on out.”
“Hmm.”
Penia shook her head as she saw the ‘Is it really that bad?’ expression on Evan’s face.
“Think about it. What’s the problem when you lose territory?”
“...Money?”
“The money is already gone.”
“Hmm... Power?”
“...That’s gone too.”
Penia let out a long sigh at the string of wrong answers and explained.
“Listen carefully. This isn't just a matter of ‘some land is gone.’ It’s not just one or two estates; half the kingdom has been pulverized. And the problem is that this happened because of the King.”
“Has that actually been confirmed?”
As the situation became public knowledge, rumors had begun to circulate that Ashtalon had been secretly working to obtain Strange Gate Stones, and that those actions had triggered this disaster.
However, the facts had yet to be officially verified.
Penia narrowed her eyes as if frustrated.
“It’s only unconfirmed on the surface. In reality, it’s as good as certain.”
She continued, “If he hadn't caused it himself, why would he have gone to such desperate lengths to cover it up? Anyway, the King of Ashtalon is in for a rough time. Internally, the nobles are seething with resentment, just waiting for a chance to go for his throat. Externally, the world will be demanding he take responsibility for this catastrophe.”
Well, if he played dumb until the end, there might not be much he’d actually have to take responsibility for. Regardless, it was clear the kingdom’s influence would be severely weakened.
“In conclusion, there’s nothing left for them but a downward spiral.”
“...Is it okay to talk about that here?”
“Normally, no.”
Penia shrugged and looked at the Marquis of Palatio with eyes full of trust and confidence.
‘...Why is she looking at me?’
Alon thought to himself that he hadn't said a word. After exchanging brief greetings with those he knew and offloading the clinging mages onto Sharan, he returned to his room.
“Marquis, why don’t you try opening it?”
Together with Penia, he looked down at the jewelry box he had received earlier.
In truth, he was curious about the Strange Gate Stone that Shuhtalian V had offered as a reward.
Unlike Abyss Bodies, it increases one's power without any side effects...
Recalling the rumors he had heard about the stones, Alon opened the box.
“Oh.”
“How curious.”
He checked the contents as Evan and Penia voiced their admiration.
“...”
Inside the box was a violet gemstone.
However, it differed from an ordinary gem in one distinct way.
“It certainly is strange.”
It looked as if something was trapped inside the stone.
Alon stared at the white light encased within the gem. His gaze was stolen for a moment by the way the light shifted in brightness, looking almost alive.
Just then.
[Kyuu?]
Blackie, who had been sleeping in Alon’s pocket, poked his head out. The creature stared intently at the gem, looking incredibly intrigued.
His eyes were wide and round.
Furthermore, Basiliora had emerged from the ring at some point and was also examining the stone.
[This is—]
Basiliora tilted his head as if he couldn't quite understand what he was seeing.
“Do you know something?”
When Alon asked, Basiliora stared at the gem in silence for a while before speaking with a somewhat uncertain expression.
[If what I’m thinking is correct, I believe what is inside this stone is divine power.]
“...Divine power?”
[Yes. However, it doesn't feel like the divine power we use.]
“What does that mean?”
When Alon asked back, puzzled, Basiliora tilted his head a few more times.
[The divine power we use is faith, isn't it?]
“Right.”
[But this—it definitely feels like divine power, but...]
“Hrmmm...” Basiliora trailed off before finally answering.
[To be honest, I’m not sure.]
“...If you don't know, you could have just said so.”
[I just did!]
Basiliora protested as Penia’s gaze turned cold with disappointment.
Alon rolled the gem around in his hand, then realized Blackie was still pressing his face toward it. He lifted the gem upward.
Blackie’s eyes naturally followed the movement, looking up at Alon.
His expression seemed to say ‘Give it to me.’ After a brief moment of hesitation, Alon brought the gem close to Blackie.
And then.
Flash!
“!?”
Something was sucked into Blackie’s body.
It happened in less than a second.
Alon immediately pulled the gem away from Blackie’s forehead, but the Strange Gate Stone had already lost its luster.
“Ah.”
“Oh...”
“...”
Alon, Penia, and Evan stood there, stunned.
[Kyuu—]
In contrast, Blackie licked his front paw with a look of great satisfaction before curling back up inside Alon’s clothes.
“...Is he going to be okay?”
Evan’s voice was laced with bewilderment.
Of course, Alon didn't particularly care whether he had the reward stone or not. He had only been interested because it was a stone that didn't appear in Psychedelia; he hadn't really intended to use it.
However, regardless of whether it was used or not, the dangers of the Strange Gate Stone itself hadn't been fully confirmed.
Alon looked at Blackie in his pocket, but the creature was already settling in for a nap, curled into a ball with a very content expression.
“...I’ll have to ask about this.”
Alon simply pressed a hand to his forehead.
* * *
The next day.
Alon went to find Elivan. He figured that since Elivan dealt with Strange Gates frequently, he might know something about the stones.
However.
“...”
Alon couldn't help but be surprised. He saw a swarm of nobles surrounding Elivan.
“He certainly is popular.”
“...To be honest, I didn't realize it was to this extent.”
Alon knew Elivan’s reputation was high. It was impossible not to know. Alon had been consistently gathering information, and Elivan’s heroic tales were always part of the reports.
“Hey, if anything, this is on the low side, isn't it?”
“Is it?”
“Yes. No matter which country Elivan goes to, the nobles flock to him. And of course, in the villages, he’s treated as even more of a hero.”
“Well, that’s to be expected. He has the title of being chosen by the Goddess Sironia, and his actual deeds are always focused on protecting people.”
As Alon nodded at Penia’s last remark...
“Ah, Marquis! What brings you here?”
“...Elivan.”
As soon as Elivan spotted Alon from a distance, he left the crowd of nobles and came running over.
From afar, Alon felt gazes that were slightly ill-willed, yet also filled with surprise and awe.
The stares seemed to scream, ‘I’ve been waiting so long for this!’ and ‘Wow, Elivan follows him that well??’ Alon cleared his throat awkwardly and replied.
“...Am I interrupting?”
“No, we were just talking. What’s the matter?”
“I have something to ask you.”
“Ask me anything.”
“Do you happen to know much about Strange Gate Stones?”
When Alon briefly explained what had happened the previous day, Elivan answered lightly.
“Ah—you probably don't need to worry too much about that.”
“...Is that so?”
“I don't know everything about them, of course, but my companions absorbed them too, and they’re all perfectly fine so far.”
“Your companions too...?”
“Yes. Seeing how quickly they were getting stronger, I thought about absorbing one myself, but it didn't work for me, so I gave up.”
Alon nodded as if that answered his question.
“Oh, by the way, are you heading back soon?”
“Yes, that is the plan.”
“Then I’ll see you next time! Though I suppose I’ll see you in about three months anyway.”
“...Three months?”
When Alon asked back, Evan, who had been listening, added an explanation.
“Ah, I believe he’s referring to the ball being held in Asteria.”
“Yes, yes, that’s the one.”
Elivan gave a refreshing smile as he said that.
“Well then, I’ll see you then!”
With a casual farewell, he turned back. As Alon watched him return to the nobles, he spoke.
“He’s right. It is about time to head back.”
“Shall we prepare to depart, then?”
“Let’s stay one more day. I haven't said goodbye to Seolrang and Ladan yet, and I should meet with the Saint as well.”
“Understood.”
Penia, who was nearby, hurriedly raised her hand.
“Oh, Marquis. In that case, I’m going to go see my Master for a bit. I should at least say goodbye.”
“Very well.”
After parting ways with Penia, Alon had been walking back toward his room for a short while when Evan spoke up as if he had just remembered something.
“Ah, that’s right. Marquis.”
“What is it?”
“There is something you need to do once you return to the estate.”
“Something I need to do? Was there some unfinished business?”
“No, not that. You need to decide on a partner.”
“...A partner?”
“Yes. For the ball being held in Asteria this time, a partner of the opposite sex is mandatory.”
“I see...”
Alon’s eyes clouded with a hint of gloom.
Can’t I just skip it?
The thought crossed his mind for a fleeting second. But Alon soon shook his head.
...I’ve skipped too many lately. I should attend at least once.
Alon hadn't attended a single ball since several years ago. Of course, he’d had plausible reasons each time, but staying away for this long was starting to draw unwanted attention.
Besides, I didn't even go to the ball Siyan told me to attend last time.
Thinking that far, Alon spoke.
“I’ve been putting it off, so I will attend, but is a partner absolutely necessary?”
“Uh, I believe so. They say a partner is a requirement for this particular ball.”
“...I suppose I’ll have to find one, then.”
“Indeed. You should probably start thinking about it in advance.”
“Mmm.”
He worried over it for a moment, pursing his lips.
“...Once I get back, I’ll try talking to someone close to me.”
“That sounds fine. It doesn't necessarily have to be a noble, anyway.”
Evan added that the Marquis wasn't the type to care about such things.
“Or should I ask around for you?” he suddenly suggested.
“Well, that would be fine too,” Alon replied nonchalantly.
...Unaware that the red brooch was glowing with an exceptionally bright light.