Chapter 339: This Wasn’t in the Plan (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 339: This Wasn’t in the Plan (2)
Two weeks had passed since Alon set out for the Palatio Ducal House.
Counting the time since he departed from Ashtalon, it had been a full month.
Under normal circumstances, he should have arrived at the Ducal House by now.
However, this time, Alon was heading toward Divine Land first.
It was slightly faster to go to Divine Land than to head straight down to the Ducal House from Ashtalon. Since Divine Land was on the way anyway, he planned to stop by and check on the situation.
Upon arriving at a village about a day's journey from Divine Land, Alon encountered something bizarre.
"……Evan."
"……Yes."
"What is that?"
"……Well."
"Well?"
"I don't know either."
It was a statue of himself erected in the middle of the village.
No, it was a statue of 'Kalanon.'
Witnessing the villagers kneeling before the statue and bowing their heads fervently, Alon turned to look at Evan.
"Wait, why are you looking at me?"
"……Do you really know nothing about this?"
"My Lord, do you honestly think I'm feigning ignorance?"
"No, I suppose not."
"……Right. Getting a definitive answer like that makes me feel a bit lonely, but still……."
Alon was well aware of Evan's position.
In truth, Evan's status was somewhat ambiguous. He was the one practically managing Divine Land under Alon's orders. That was why Evan had been so pleased when Divine Land and the knight order were first established.
However, Alon had heard that lately, many things were being initiated and handled without being reported to Evan first.
When Alon nodded without resistance, Evan let out a sigh.
"Whether it's Silli or Deus, they just dive headfirst into anything they think is a good cause. It's incredibly taxing sometimes."
"Have you ever actually had to clean up after them?"
"Hmm……. Well, no, not exactly."
……Then what exactly is so taxing for you? Alon thought for a moment, but his attention was quickly diverted.
"Whoa—it's a statue of the Mentor! It's well-made!"
[Kyu—!]
Seolrang, who had been napping in the carriage while clutching Blackie—who had been caught trying to sneak out while Seolrang slept—hopped out and began inspecting the statue.
It didn't take long for Alon to grasp the situation.
"I'm told that volunteers from Divine Land come out here regularly."
"……Volunteers?"
"Yes. Apparently, they distribute food and proselytize."
"Did I ever give such an order?"
"No, never."
"I see……."
Evan had already gathered answers by questioning a villager.
As Alon replied absently, he wondered just how far this had gone, and his thoughts drifted to Yuman.
Come to think of it……. The Saint must have heard about the creation of Divine Land, yet he hasn't mentioned it at all.
In a sense, Yuman should have had the strongest reaction, but since everything had proceeded so smoothly, Alon tilted his head in confusion.
[Kyuuuuu—!]
In the distance, Alon spotted Seolrang flying around with Blackie held high, as if playing airplane.
Blackie looked as if he were screaming, Save me—!!!
His eyes were the picture of misery.……
However, what bothered Alon even more were the villagers.
Regardless of the spectacle Seolrang was making nearby, the people remained devoted to bowing before the statue. It wasn't just one or two people; there were quite a lot of them.
To think so many people were offering prayers to a statue.
"……Evan."
"Yes, My Lord."
"Who did you say came here?"
"I heard it was Silli."
"……Silli, huh."
That explained it.
"……Does she have some kind of hypnosis skill?"
"……Pardon?"
"Never mind."
Alon muttered to himself unconsciously.
* * *
The next day.
Waking up a bit earlier than usual, Alon set off for Divine Land and reached the cliff overlooking it by midday.
And then.
"……Evan."
"Yes."
"……It seems to have grown larger since last time."
"It's more than just 'larger,' My Lord."
"Whoa—so this is Divine Land!"
Alon saw a Divine Land that was vastly different from before.
It wasn't just a matter of size…….
"……Isn't this just a massive colony at this point?"
"……."
Divine Land had become a full-scale settlement.
"……Wouldn't it be better to just build a proper town?"
Evan added as he stared at the endless rows of tents, and Alon thought to himself:
I expected this since the divinity had grown to an absurd degree…… but I didn't think it would be this much—
He pressed his lips together and began walking toward Divine Land.
As he drew closer, knights came running from a distance as if they had been waiting for him.
"We shall escort you!"
The knight in the lead shouted, bowing with rigid precision.
"Very well."
Alon nodded and entered the now-massive Divine Land.
Before long, he saw knights and soldiers standing by in an orderly fashion.
"……."
That wasn't particularly surprising. It was a sight he had grown accustomed to. Knights and soldiers had been there from the start.
However, the reason Alon couldn't help but stare blankly was simple.
Aren't there…… way too many of them?
If anyone else saw this scene, they would surely think:
This guy is actually planning to start a war!
"……My Lord."
"What is it?"
"I didn't know, but were you perhaps preparing for war behind my back?"
As if.
He wanted to retort immediately, but since they were in front of the knights and soldiers, he swallowed his words.
Alon intended to move to a different spot first.
Then.
"……?"
He spotted a very familiar face.
No.
"……Ryanga? And—"
There was Ryanga, wearing armor that didn't quite fit her.
"Historia?"
And Historia stood there with her characteristic expressionless face.
"Ahaha……. Hello, Boss."
"Hello, God."
Ryanga awkwardly shifted her gaze to the side.
Historia just stood there with a vacant expression.……
What on earth was going on?
* * *
Ryanga's original purpose for leaving the Ronobelli jungle was to bring back Blue Ghost.……
Of course, that was just an excuse; her real goal was to see Alon.
Regardless, Ryanga had headed for the Palatio Ducal House.
And before long, she arrived at Divine Land.
However, there were things Ryanga hadn't expected.
First, that Alon hadn't arrived yet.
And second, that Historia was there.
Of course, that wasn't a major problem in itself. Ryanga and Historia were actually on quite good terms.
So, Ryanga planned to chat with Historia for a day and then head back.
Even if it was just a pretext, she had already found Blue Ghost—who didn't want to go back—so there was no reason to stay any longer.
Thus, Ryanga intended to leave Divine Land the very next day.
But before she could leave, Blue Ghost—who was acting suspiciously encouraging—urged her to duel Historia. She agreed to a simple sparring match.
That was the catalyst.
After the spar, Ryanga was immediately scouted by Deus to join the knight order.
Naturally, she intended to refuse, but Blue Ghost whispered to her.
He suggested she try it out as a sort of "trial experience."
It was nonsense, of course, but it did pique her interest. If she joined, wouldn't that give her a proper justification for meeting Alon?
And so, Ryanga, who only intended to dip her toes in the knight order to see Alon, somehow became one of the 4 Knights who protected Kalanon—or more accurately, Alon himself.
That was how she ended up staying here as a knight commander.
But of course, she couldn't tell Alon the truth.
"Well, just? I was interested—"
In a private setting arranged to explain the situation, Ryanga gave that answer with an awkward smile.
"……You were interested in this kind of thing?"
"Mhm—yeah."
"Ah, I see."
"Yeah."
Alon tilted his head at her clumsy response but let it slide.
Well, Blue Ghost was like that too.
Alon looked over at Blue Ghost, who for some reason was striking a victory pose in the distance.
He then turned his gaze to Historia.
"So, what about you, Ria?"
"Me?"
"Yes."
"I just came where I was supposed to be."
"……Is that so?"
"Mhm."
Ria perked up her ears and wagged her tail as if she had done something praiseworthy.
Alon nodded and accepted her answer.
Then he recalled his earlier question.
"By the way, what is this '4 Knights' thing?"
He knew the knight commanders were separate, but he had never heard of the 4 Knights.
"They are the knights who protect only the God."
Ria answered simply.
"……Escort knights……. Is that it?"
"Mhm."
"Who are the other two?"
"The other two seats are still vacant."
"Then why call it the 4 Knights already……. No, who created this '4 Knights' group?"
"The Saintess."
What is that Saintess doing without my knowledge……?
Just as that thought flashed through Alon's mind.
"My Lord! Welcome!"
"……Silli."
The Saintess herself appeared with a bright face.
* * *
Around the time Alon entered Divine Land.
"Um, Lord Alexion?"
"What is it?"
"Well……. You have a guest."
"A guest? I thought all of today's appointments were finished."
At the Palatio Ducal House, Alexion heard the news of a visitor from his secretary.
"Do you remember last time? Regarding the matter of the Lord's partner."
"……Someone has arrived already?"
"Uh…… yes."
The secretary started to say something, then pressed his lips together and simply nodded.
A question mark appeared over Alexion's head.
A few weeks had passed, but he never imagined someone would arrive this quickly.
……More than half of them shouldn't have even received the letters yet.
After a moment of thought, Alexion spoke.
"……Well, show them in for now."
"Yes, sir."
It's not like I can turn them away.
He gave the order and shrugged to himself.
But who could it be? Count Zenonia? Or perhaps Duke Altia?
He had sent invitations to over ten young ladies. Alexion briefly listed numerous candidates in his head before giving up.
Regardless of who it was, he had to keep a sharp eye. He had to select the most suitable partner for the Count of Palatio.
Even if they were a high-ranking noble.
Alexion braced himself. He took a deep breath to maintain a cold, objective evaluation.
But that resolve crumbled instantly.
The person who opened the door to Alexion's office was—
"……??"
"Hello there."
It was Cardinal Yutia.
Alexion froze instantly.
He had never sent a letter to Cardinal Yutia.
"W-what brings you—"
When he asked tentatively, she replied.
"I heard you were looking for a partner for the Teacher, so I came for an interview."
"How did you—"
Yutia's soft voice continued.
"Oh, by the way. Since you 'accidentally' didn't send me a letter, if I hadn't 'coincidentally' found out…… I might have missed the chance to come. My, my—"
Her excuse was incredibly flimsy.
He hadn't sent her a letter in the first place. Most of the other candidates probably hadn't even been reached yet.
How could she have "coincidentally" found out already, and even realized he had "accidentally" missed her?
How could she have arrived here so early?
However.
Alexion could not refute her words.
"—It wasn't a mistake, was it?"
The moment Yutia's red eyes gleamed and her lips parted.
Her epithet flashed through Alexion's mind.
Yutia Bloodia.
The absolute ruler currently holding the reins of power in Rosario.
The one whose epithet, 'Pure White,' was given because anyone who crossed her would vanish without a trace, leaving only a blank void.
And so.
"That—"
"That?"
"I…… I must have made a mistake."
"I thought so."
"Yes, yes……. Of course I did……."
Alexion chose survival.