Chapter 341: This Wasn’t in the Plan (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 341: This Wasn’t in the Plan (4)
Alon remained in Divine Land for about a week.
It wasn't that he was particularly busy during that time. In fact, he had intended to head back to the Marquisate much sooner, but he found himself unable to leave.
It was all because of Silli.
Silli, who had been working tirelessly to develop Divine Land in Alon’s absence, insisted on dragging him around to show him every little thing she had accomplished. Two whole days were swallowed up just by her tours.
What was truly impressive was how she managed to pack those two days to the brim. It was only yesterday that he finally finished being introduced to every single organization stationed in Divine Land.
“…….”
Alon recalled the conversation he’d had with Silli yesterday.
‘Look, this is the Paladin Order!’
‘I see.’
‘And this is the Blue Knight Order!’
‘…?’
‘And this is the Order of Tribulations!’
‘…Uh, is there actually a difference between all these knight orders?’
‘Well, first, the Paladin Order is—’
He had made the mistake of speaking up because they all wore similar armor, only to be subjected to an hour-long lecture detailing the specifics of every single order.
“Hmm.”
How did his little game of ‘Divine Land Tycoon,’ which started so small, turn into this?
As Alon pondered this, a sound from below caught his attention.
[Kyuuu!!]
Thwack!
[Nyang?!]
Blackie delivered a rapid-fire paw-punch to Kalanon, who had been trying to sneak into the spot next to Alon. With his eyes wide and round as if to say, “Not a chance,” Blackie triumphantly claimed Alon’s lap.
A look of pure injustice washed over Kalanon’s face—a silent protest that the spot was originally hers. However, Blackie had no intention of yielding and primly turned his head the other way.
‘…I thought they were getting along lately, but I guess their compatibility is still poor.’
Alon thought back to the numerous times over the past two days he’d seen Blackie smack Kalanon upside the head with those paws.
“Marquis, preparations for departure are complete. Shall we?”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
It was Evan’s voice. Alon nodded immediately, scooped up Blackie, and stood. His business in Divine Land was finished; it was time to return.
As he tucked Blackie into the breast of his coat, he reached out and gave Kalanon a quick pat on the head. Kalanon had wasted no time in stealing the chair the moment Alon stood up.
Hiss—!
Kalanon let out a disgruntled hiss. She seemed upset that Alon hadn't stepped in to stop Blackie earlier.
[Kyu!]
Thwack!
But Blackie’s paw popped out from Alon’s coat and delivered another punch, instantly subduing Kalanon, who promptly shriveled back into her seat.
Alon gave a wry smile at the pair and headed toward the carriage.
“Ah, Marquis! Would it be alright if I joined you this time?”
“Do you have business there?”
“Oh, yes! Something came up!”
“I intend to go as well.”
“……Well, I don’t mind.”
Silli and Deus stepped forward to accompany him. Alon nodded, though he felt a bit puzzled. They weren't the only ones heading to the Palatio Marquisate.
“Why don’t you just stay and guard Divine Land?”
“I don’t want to.”
“Since when do you decide what I do?”
“You’re both knights, aren’t you?”
“Hmph—we are guardian knights.”
“Agreed. If anyone should go back, it’s you—”
“Exactly. Go back to that, uh, Colo-whatever? Go back to the desert.”
“No way. I’m officially traveling with Mentor. I’m different from you two, who just made up excuses to tag along.”
“!? This is a legitimate mission!”
Seolrang, Historia, and Ryanga were already embroiled in a heated argument near Alon’s carriage. Ever since the three of them had vanished together after showing their faces on the first day, they had been bickering constantly.
As Alon watched their now-familiar squabbling—
“…….”
Historia suddenly realized Alon had arrived. Like a ghost, she zipped to his side.
Slide.
She naturally wrapped her tail around Alon’s waist. The tip of her tail gave a tiny, rhythmic quiver, as if she were in a very good mood.
“!”
“!”
Seeing this, Seolrang rushed over and wrapped her own tail around Alon’s waist from the other side.
“…….”
In an instant, Alon was pinned by two tails. Left out, Ryanga ran over with a look of betrayal and shouted.
“What are you doing?! You’re bothering the Boss!”
“Hmph—Mentor doesn’t find this bothersome at all!”
Seolrang shot back triumphantly.
It felt like the roles from a previous conversation between Historia and Seolrang had been reversed, but Alon didn't have time to dwell on it. Because of the crowd, they had to split into multiple carriages. Only then could Alon peacefully watch Divine Land recede into the distance.
“……No matter how I look at it, things have grown too large.”
“I agree,” Evan said, also looking back toward Divine Land. “At this point, aren't we going to be openly targeted?”
“Hmm.”
Alon nodded instinctively. Indeed, the military strength of Divine Land was reaching a level that even he found difficult to ignore. If Siyan were to fly over tomorrow and ask, ‘What exactly are you plotting?’ he would understand perfectly.
As he pondered how to handle the situation—
“……Should I invite the kings?”
“An invitation?”
“Yes. You know, just to give them the feeling of, ‘Nothing dangerous is going to happen, so don’t worry.’”
He had come up with a countermeasure of sorts. It wasn't perfect, but it was a shallow enough tactic to dispel the absurd rumors that he was ‘preparing for war.’ Clearing up the misunderstanding would be enough. After all, the only reason he created Divine Land was for divine power.
‘Come to think of it, I need to ask how to handle divine power… Should I go to Line?’
While Alon was lost in thought, Evan, who had been silent, spoke up.
“I understand the logic, but… will the kings actually come just because you invited them?”
“Of course they won't.”
“……? Then is there any point in inviting them?”
“Like I said. The invitation itself conveys the intent.”
Alon didn't expect the kings of various nations to actually accept. If he invited a king and truly expected them to show up, everyone involved would have to be half-insane.
The reason Alon wanted to use the word ‘invitation’ was because it was the softest way to tell the kings: ‘I have no intention of starting anything. Come and see for yourselves if you doubt me.’
‘I’ll just send some gifts along with the letters.’
Having reached a conclusion, Alon relaxed.
“Ah—I think I get it now.”
Evan nodded as if he understood and took the instruction. “I’ll see that it’s done.”
Alon turned his gaze back to the vast expanse of Divine Land, but Evan interrupted again.
“Oh, Marquis. Take this as well.”
“What is this……?”
Evan held out a book.
“It’s a scripture.”
“Ah, that?”
“Yes, the one I received from Silli yesterday.”
Alon looked down at the book with a complicated expression. He couldn't help it. This scripture was something Silli had written documenting the life and times of Kalanon.
In other words, it was a biography of Alon himself.
“…….”
What on earth could be written in here? Alon felt a brief surge of worry—no, curiosity. He could just open it and check, but he found himself lacking the courage to peek inside.
“Aren't you going to open it?”
“……Have you not seen it?”
“I wanted to read it with you, Marquis.”
Eventually, Alon cautiously opened the scripture.
And then.
[Let there be lightning.]
“……?”
Alon felt a strange sensation at the phrase written in large letters on the first page. He had seen a phrase like this somewhere before.
He flipped through a few more pages.
[Kalanon, the Receiver of Lightning, spoke:
He who believes in me shall be spared from hunger and find a place to rest his feet. Your life shall shine with glory, for this I promise you.
To the soul that believes in me, I shall share the lightning of my power; this is my holy covenant.]
[Furthermore—]
Snap.
Alon quietly closed the scripture. Then he hunched his shoulders. For some reason, his fingers were curling in pure cringe.
“Wow—did you really say things like that?”
“Do you think I would?”
Evan snickered beside him. Alon snapped back at him and stared at the scripture (which was essentially a fraudulent document of unknown origin) with a whirlwind of emotions.
Just how did Silli see him in her head?
Countless thoughts flashed through Alon’s mind, eventually converging into one.
“…….”
He was starting to get a little worried about Silli.
* * *
A day later, the group arrived back at the Palatio Marquisate.
It had been quite a while, but the estate hadn't changed much. The territory was bustling with merchants, and the atmosphere was pleasant.
However, there were a few surprises waiting for Alon.
The first was—
“……Yutia?”
“Teacher.”
Yutia was actually at the Palatio Marquisate.
“It’s been a long time.”
“It has. Have you been well?”
“I’ve been fine.”
“I’m glad.”
“More importantly, what brings you to the Marquisate?”
“Hmm—I have some work to do.”
“Work?”
“Yes. Do you remember? I mentioned I wanted to establish a church.”
“Ah, you’re here for that?”
“Well—I also came because I wanted to see you, Teacher.”
“Me?”
When Alon asked, Yutia gave a soft smile.
“Yes. It’s been quite a while since I last saw your face.”
She reached out and straightened his red brooch, which had been slightly tilted.
“I’m glad to see you like the gift.”
“……Um, yes.”
It was the brooch she had given him a long time ago. He wondered why she was bringing it up now, but his thoughts were interrupted.
“Ahem, Brother—”
“Ah, Nangwon.”
“Have you been well?”
“I have.”
As soon as he finished greeting Yutia, Nangwon naturally slid into the conversation. Nangwon’s presence wasn't that surprising, given their previous talk.
The people Alon found truly unexpected were—
“Hello, Brother?”
“……Magrina?”
“Yes, Brother.”
Magrina was there, and—
“I’ve come as well, Godfather.”
It was Line.
When had these two arrived at the Marquisate?
“Line, are you able to move around now?”
“No. I’m projecting my physical body through an artifact, Godfather. It lasts for about three months after one use, but I can only use it twice.”
“……Did you use it because of something important?”
“Yes. In many ways.”
Line replied with a smile. Was there really something that important?
Alon nodded and took a look around the office. The room, which usually only held Evan, was now packed with people.
Near Yutia stood Seolrang, Line, and Deus. On the other side, facing them in a strange sort of standoff, were Magrina, Nangwon, Nangyeon, Ryanga, and Historia.
They didn't seem to have a bad impression of each other. Everyone had a light smile on their lips.
But for some reason, despite the crowd, the office was—
““……””
Eerily silent.
‘……What is this?’
In the midst of this strange atmosphere, where everyone seemed to be smiling only with their mouths, Alon began to feel increasingly bewildered.
Meanwhile, Alexion—
“……Lord Alexion.”
“What is it?”
“Many young ladies have arrived today.”
“……Already?”
“Yes. There are eight ladies scheduled for interviews this evening.”
“Didn't we only receive six letters saying they had arrived after we sent them out?”
“……Yes.”
“Then why are there eight?”
The secretary couldn't answer Alexion’s question. He simply shifted his gaze awkwardly.
“But, well… they delivered eight separate letters. All from different people.”
He reported the facts as they were.
“…….”
Alexion felt a shiver of dread run down his spine, and he trembled slightly.