Chapter 379: A Birthday Without Memories (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 379: A Birthday Without Memories (4)
Alon Palatio was currently missing thirteen years of his life.
In other words, Alon had no idea what kind of experiences he had undergone during that time. Even though he had received a general explanation of his relationships from Penia Kraysinne, it was merely information on paper.
In that sense, one could say the confusion in Alon’s mind was only accelerating.
Alon stared blankly down at his desk.
There—
“…….”
Lay a marriage registration form, stained and worn as if a significant amount of time had passed since it was first drafted.
When he looked up again, he saw Seolrang, the Beastkin woman, grinning ear to ear. Her eyes were sparkling excessively, as if she were anticipating something grand.
‘……I was planning to get married?’
Alon looked back and forth between the marriage certificate and Seolrang.
……Of course, from the perspective of someone who had lost his memory, he didn't have any serious complaints about marrying her. After all, his current state was merely one of suppressed memories; he would eventually regain them with time.
Furthermore, in Alon’s eyes, Seolrang possessed quite a beautiful appearance. Though he had only seen her face for a few minutes, the energetic aura she radiated was rather charming.
On top of that, even with Alon’s limited common sense, he knew that at his current age, it was only natural for marriage talks to be underway. In fact, considering the standards of this world, he was actually quite late.
In every respect, the existence of this marriage registration wasn't all that strange.
“…….”
Even so, the fundamental fact that this document existed was startling. If Alon could have his way, he wanted to blurt out, “Pardon? Me? Getting married?”
He had his reasons for wanting to ask.
“…….”
“…….”
Alon stared intently at Seolrang.
In response, Seolrang maintained her vibrant smile but subtly shifted her gaze to the side. ……To anyone watching, her behavior screamed that she was hiding something.
Unfortunately, Alon was in no position to press her. Asking questions would be no different from announcing to the world that he had lost his memory.
And so, after alternating his gaze between the marriage certificate and Seolrang while masking his inner turmoil behind an expressionless face—
Scratch— scritch—
First, he signed the right side of the marriage registration. He used the signature Penia had taught him—the one the current Alon used.
And then.
“Heh?”
The moment Alon signed the document, Seolrang, who had been grinning until a second ago, let out a bizarre sound.
“?”
Alon was puzzled by her reaction, but he held out the signed marriage registration to her anyway.
Seolrang took the document and stared at it intently before shifting her gaze back to Alon.
“?”
Though she didn't speak, her face was filled with a strange sense of doubt. Naturally, Alon also expressed his confusion at Seolrang’s sudden change in demeanor.
“?”
“??”
“???”
“????”
As the number of question marks between them grew, silence filled the office. In a situation where it had become incredibly awkward to see who would speak first—
“Is, uh, something wrong?” Alon asked.
“Uh, yeah—”
Seolrang stared blankly at the marriage registration and Alon’s face, trying to snap out of it, but she kept spacing out repeatedly.
Step— step—
Then, she simply turned around and headed out of the office. Her eyes remained fixed on the marriage registration.
“……Seolrang?”
Alon called out to her, but she drifted out of the room like a ghost, as if hypnotized by that single sheet of paper.
Click—
Watching her go, Alon was left with nothing but a sense of bewilderment.
‘……What was that about……?’
* * *
More time passed, and by lunch, Alon had met a total of three more people.
The first was Nangwon.
The moment Alon saw him, he was internally shocked. In the game’s visuals, Nangwon was the undisputed number one on the list of the ugliest characters in Psychedelia.
However, the Nangwon currently standing before Alon was handsome enough to rival Elivan, a playable character. Alon realized deep down just how much a person’s way of life mattered.
The next person he met was Ladan.
Once again, Alon was surprised by the man’s handsome features, but he was even more shocked by the "Mate of the Sea God" he had brought with him. The Sea God’s size was so immense it was as long as the entrance spanning the outer castle and the Marquis’s estate.
But what was even more shocking was the truth about the creature living in the Marquis Palatio’s pond—the one that would act cute whenever Alon sat by the water to rest. That creature was actually this massive monster.
The only side of it Alon usually saw was when Blackie and Basiliora, who stayed in a corner of his office, went to the pond to play with it whenever they were bored.
The final person he encountered was Historia.
With her characteristically vacant expression, she lightly wrapped her arms around Alon’s waist and left a short message: “Happy birthday.”
Then, after handing Alon a ring, she vanished like the wind.
……In a way, since the conversation didn't drag on, she was the easiest person to deal with for Alon, who had to hide his memory loss.
“Whew—”
“You look quite exhausted, My Lord.”
As Alon exhaled a sigh while reflecting on the morning, Evan, who knew his current condition, spoke up.
“Well, yes. It is difficult pretending to know things I don't.”
“Still, haven't you handled things well so far?”
“……Have I?”
Alon thought back on his actions. ……He felt he had managed to cope reasonably well.
“Ah, come to think of it—”
Alon was about to ask about Seolrang’s gift when he suddenly began to stare intently at Evan’s face.
“My Lord? Why are you suddenly staring at my face like that?”
“No, it’s just—”
“?”
“—I was thinking that you really have aged a bit…….”
“……My Lord, thirteen years have passed. If I didn't age, I wouldn't be human, would I?”
“That’s true. But how should I put it……? From my perspective, everything changed in the blink of an eye, so it’s a bit awkward.”
Evan wore an ambiguous expression at Alon’s sentiment for a moment.
“Well—it’s true I’ve aged quite a bit.”
“……Are you quite finished?”
“Yes.”
“You think you won't age?”
“Hmm—at least I think I’ll age less than a certain someone.”
Penia cut in without hesitation.
As if on cue, the two began to hurl verbal barbs at each other. ……This was a sight Alon had seen several times since losing his memory, so he was quite used to it by now.
After watching Penia and Evan bicker while he made do with snacks for lunch, Alon cleared his throat to intervene and asked a question.
“How many more people do I have to meet?”
“Hmm—I’m handling the nobles on my end, so let’s see—I think there are about four left. At least among those who said they were coming. Right, Evan?”
“……That’s right.”
Evan nodded, then added as if he had just remembered something.
“Ah, speaking of which, one of them should be arriving shortly.”
“Who?”
“Magrina.”
“Ah, her?”
At the mention of the name during Evan and Penia’s conversation, Alon asked, “If it’s Magrina…… you mean the Elf Queen?”
“Yes. She’ll probably be here soon.”
“……She didn't say much last time, but is it alright for the Elf Queen to be wandering around so freely?”
“Well—I tend to agree with you on that.”
Alon wore a strange expression at Evan’s agreement.
The Elf Queen, Magrina.
The current Alon knew nothing about her. All he had were very faint memories of her appearing in a DLC and the explanation Penia had provided.
“Are you worried?”
“……Well, a little?”
When Alon answered Penia’s question, she smiled reassuringly.
“Don't worry too much. She isn't exactly the 'strange' type. She won't make things difficult for you, My Lord.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
At Penia’s guarantee, Alon breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.
* * *
Sometime after lunch.
Just as Evan had said, Alon came face to face with Magrina.
And once again, he couldn't help but let out a gasp of admiration, if only for a moment.
It was because of Magrina’s beauty.
Of course, Alon had harbored some expectations upon hearing she was the Elf Queen. He had been curious to see just how beautiful the queen of the elves—a race known for their beauty in fantasy—would be.
However, the person before him far exceeded his expectations.
After momentarily losing his words, Alon snapped out of it and began his act.
“Magrina.”
“Yes, Brother. I’m sorry I couldn't visit sooner.”
“It’s fine.”
Magrina gave a radiant smile at Alon’s words. Seeing that, Alon had to admit Penia was right. Out of everyone who had visited him so far, she was conducting the conversation with the most normal attitude.
‘Penia wasn't kidding when she said she wasn't a strange type.’
It wasn't that everyone who had visited so far was crazy, but compared to ordinary people, their reactions had been uniquely peculiar. Alon finally felt his tensed heart relax a little.
Magrina took a seat. After looking at Alon for a moment, she cleared her throat and subtly pulled a magic tool from her robe.
The magic tool emitted a low humming sound.
“?”
A moment of doubt flickered in Alon’s mind, but he soon realized what it was. The magic tool resting quietly in Magrina’s hand was a storage-type device.
‘……Suddenly?’
While Alon was feeling bewildered by the situation—
“Ahem—Brother?”
“What is it?”
“You aren't…… calling me like you usually do?”
“……Like I usually do?”
“Yes—like usual—”
She hadn't said much, but her throat seemed dry as she took a sip of water. Then, Magrina opened her mouth.
“You used to…… call me…… 'My lovely Magrina'…… didn't you?”
“……Pardon?”
Alon accidentally replied in formal speech.
At the same time, Penia’s words flashed through his mind.
‘Don't worry too much. She isn't exactly the "strange" type. She won't make things difficult for you, My Lord.’
……She’s not a weirdo, right?