Chapter 374: Divine Blood (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 374: Divine Blood (2)
In a corner of Phildegrin Royal Castle.
"Whew—"
Line let out a soft sigh.
After saying her final goodbyes to Alon, she had been continuing her investigation into the Illanef Empire. Part of it was to further master the use of Pluto, but in truth, it was because a certain memory had been bothering her.
A long time ago—a memory now slightly faded from her days at the orphanage, before she had even gained access to the Restricted Section. She remembered the information she had gathered about the Illanef Empire back then.
‘The Illanef Empire, the era of the forgotten Outer Gods.’
Now, that memory didn't seem like much. It was simply incorrect information. However, the moment she realized that series of facts, the memory became incredibly important.
The Ancient Library was a place where only the truth should exist. Thus, from the moment she discovered the discrepancy until now, she had searched steadily. Finally, she realized one thing.
Until she entered the Restricted Section, several books were conveying 'falsehoods' rather than 'truths.' She didn't know why the creator of the Ancient Library had done such a thing.
But after discovering that fact, she learned a few more truths while re-learning the information she had previously acquired.
It was about the 'Black Thing.'
Until now, Line had perceived the 'Black Thing' as 'Sin,' and she wasn't wrong. Even in the forgotten Age of Gods, 'Sin' was often referred to as the 'Black Thing.'
However, there was one bizarre point.
The 'Black Thing' was mentioned even during the era of the Illanef Empire, a time when Sins should not have existed.
“…….”
Line tilted her head.
The truth she once knew and the new truth she was learning were slipping past each other like gears failing to mesh. It was as if a single small cog was missing.
“…….”
After following that train of thought for a while, Line took a deep breath. She needed to calm her overloaded mind. To distance herself from the throbbing headache caused by the problem she was investigating, she closed her eyes.
She decided to rest for a moment by thinking happy thoughts.
‘……Only a few months left. Four months at the latest.’
The stabilization was almost complete. A smile played on Line’s lips. Once the artifact stabilized, she could leave Phildegrin. And once she could leave Phildegrin…
She could stay by her Godfather’s side at all times.
‘If I show up before Godfather comes to find me…… he’ll be surprised, won’t he?’
Just imagining it made the corners of Line’s mouth curl up naturally.
‘When that happens, the first thing I’ll do is stuff that Red Brooch deep into my pocket.’
Her bright smile didn't fade for a long time.
* * *
“……Aberrant Blood, you say?”
[Yes.]
At the Previous Observer’s words, Alon frowned for a moment.
Aberrant Blood.
It was a strange term he had never heard in this world. Even in Psychedelia, there were virtually no descriptions of the Aberrant Blood.
And yet, Alon knew the word. No, it was impossible for him not to know it. That word was…
[……Do you know something about the Aberrant Blood?]
Because it appeared when introducing Yutia in Psychedelia.
The first daughter of the Aberrant Blood.
Yutia Bloodia.
“……I don’t know.”
Recalling that fact, Alon shook his head at the Previous Observer’s question. In a way, it wasn't a lie. There were only three things he knew:
That Yutia was of the Aberrant Blood.
That the Aberrant Blood worshipped Cthulhu-like entities.
‘No.’
Alon quickly corrected his thoughts. Reaching this point, he realized there was a flaw in the setting of the Aberrant Blood as he understood it—specifically, the part about them worshipping Cthulhu-like entities.
The worship itself might not be a lie. However, as Alon understood it while playing the game, the object of Yutia’s worship was the 'Black Thing'—in other words, the Sins.
Therefore, at this point, that setting had become incorrect. The Empire created the Sins, and the Aberrant Blood had existed long before the Sins ever did.
“Anyway—what exactly is the entity known as the Aberrant Blood?”
When Alon threw out the question, the Previous Observer, who had been silent, spoke.
[Actually, I don’t really know either.]
“……What?”
[There’s no helping that absurd look on your face. It’s the truth.]
“No, then why mention the Aberrant Blood……?”
[I’m telling you this just in case, but I only mentioned the Aberrant Blood to explain the events.]
“Ah.”
Alon let out a low exclamation. He realized anew that the subject of her story wasn't the Aberrant Blood, but the Watcher behind his back.
[To begin with, even in the past I observed, the Aberrant Blood only appears as a dark shadow. Everything else about them is unknown.]
“……The clear fact is that the entity known as the Aberrant Blood destroyed two nations?”
[Yes, both of them. Fairly, without any discrimination.]
The Previous Observer muttered, [Of course, I don’t know the reason why.]
“Has the Aberrant Blood appeared since then?”
[Since then?]
“Yes.”
The Previous Observer pondered for a moment.
[Hmm—they have. During what you call the forgotten Age of Outer Gods, they appeared to destroy the world, just as they had before.]
“……Do you know anything else?”
[I understand you want information on the Aberrant Blood, but unfortunately, this is the extent of my knowledge. If nothing else, there is a startling lack of information regarding the Aberrant Blood. It’s as if the information has been perfectly erased…….]
Alon remained silent for a while at those words, then slowly nodded.
[Anyway, returning to the main point, both nations were eventually destroyed. The Divine Blood crumbled without becoming a god, and the magitech built by humans was buried in the Abyss.]
[But even though everything collapsed, the Divine Blood who created Babiloia survived pathetically and did not give up. Even though he was exiled from this world, he sought to rise again at any time through the achievements he left behind.]
Alon, who had been listening and thinking in silence, spoke up.
“If you mean the knowledge he left behind……”
[It’s the Laws. Even if he failed to become a god and was exiled again, the Laws he created were engraved into this world.]
“If he was already exiled, doesn't that make them meaningless?”
[If he ever had the chance to descend to the surface again, the story would change.]
Alon had no trouble understanding the Watcher’s meaning.
“Because he would stand above all those who learned the magic of that era?”
[Correct. But unfortunately, that plan of the Divine Blood ended in failure.]
“……The Sins, and The Blind One.”
[Exactly. Because of the Sins and The Blind One, the Divine Blood was robbed of his chance forever. They killed the Magi and buried the Laws beneath time, and as Sins, they completely blocked the hole through which the Divine Blood could descend.]
A question occurred to Alon.
“……Can the Divine Blood not descend unless the human population reaches a certain number?”
[Yes.]
“Is there a reason?”
[Because that is the ‘Law.’ It’s like an immutable truth that everyone in this world must follow. It’s easier to just think of it as being built that way.]
The Previous Observer let out a sigh.
[Anyway, to continue the story, you appeared in a situation that could only be described as the worst from the perspective of the Divine Blood.]
“……Me?”
[Yes. You, who knew the Phrases and Hand Seals that should have been buried beneath time. More accurately, an existence appeared who could handle the Sins and manipulate his ‘Laws,’ and you requested a contract.]
Alon’s eyes twitched slightly. The Previous Observer stared at him for a moment before continuing.
[Didn't you find it strange?]
“Which part?”
[How you were able to use the Hand Seals and Phrases. Furthermore, how you were able to freely use the Laws permitted only to others, all without a ‘Heart Image.’]
Alon remained silent at the Previous Observer’s words. Certainly, he hadn't thought it strange at first. To the Alon of that time, using Phrases and Hand Seals was just a matter of using elements from a game.
Of course, after some time passed and he gradually realized the truth of this world, he did harbor some doubts about that fact. But he hadn't bothered to voice them. At the time, such thoughts weren't particularly helpful.
But at this moment, having obtained several puzzle pieces from the Previous Observer’s story, Alon…
“The reason is because of the Watcher?”
[Correct.]
He was able to face the truth without much difficulty.
[The reason you could use all the Laws just by memorizing them, despite not knowing your own Heart Image, was because of that contract.]
“So the point is, he intended to use me to dispose of the Sins and descend to the surface once more.”
[That’s right. And as you can see, he succeeded quite handsomely. But to correct one thing, you weren't ‘used.’ Rather, you were the one who used him.]
“……I was?”
At Alon’s uncomprehending reaction, she smiled and explained.
[You might not know it, but he helped you constantly. He appeared several times when you needed him.]
After tilting his head for a moment, Alon soon recalled a memory. The voice that had whispered in his ear when he fought Kailas.
[He even saved your life several times.]
“What……?”
[You don't think it was a coincidence or luck that your brain, which should have melted from constant overexertion, was perfectly healed after just a short period of rest, do you?]
As Alon lost his words, the Previous Observer’s explanation continued.
[Your life was saved by him multiple times. You even received his help. And above all—you can still freely use the Laws of that Divine Blood even now.]
“……If it’s an ability I received from the Divine Blood, can’t he take it back?”
[No? It’s impossible. He already gave the ability to you. No matter what he does, it’s already impossible to strip you of your power.]
The Previous Observer let out a playful chuckle.
[So, rather than being ‘used,’ you ‘used’ him. You took the power of the Divine Blood and reached this point safely through his help. You even kept his ‘Laws’ for yourself.]
“…….”
Alon remained silent. In truth, his mind was still in a state of confusion. The sheer volume of information was constantly giving birth to new questions. Even so, Alon tried to quickly organize the facts he had gained from this conversation.
Babiloia and Illanef were destroyed by the Aberrant Blood.
Alon had been receiving help from a Divine Blood who wanted to descend to the surface.
The magic of Magi consists of the Laws that the Divine Blood engraved in this world long ago.
And.
And────────
“Who are you?”
—That the Previous Observer standing before him was not the Previous Observer.
[Whatever do you mean by that?]
Despite the sudden question, the Previous Observer’s expression remained serene. However, Alon looked at her with calm conviction.
“You aren't the Previous Observer.”
[That can't be. What are you talking about all of a sudden?]
It was as she said. There were no particular changes in her to justify such a conclusion. Her appearance, her tone, her behavior—nothing was different from the 'real' one.
And yet, the reason Alon realized she wasn't the Previous Observer was…
“I never told the Previous Observer that story about myself.”
[This much is easy enough to kno—]
“Even the fact that I made a contract?”
It was because she knew Alon’s story. In far too much detail.
[…….]
At Alon’s point, she fell silent for an instant. And then.
[My, my.]
The eyes of the Previous Observer, which had been pitch black until a moment ago…
[I was watching from the middle, so I let it slip without thinking.]
—Turned a vivid, piercing blue.