Chapter 383: Magic (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 383: Magic (3)
"—I suppose I should play a little prank of my own, shouldn't I?"
The moment the words left Line’s mouth, a frigid silence descended upon the room.
It lasted only a heartbeat.
Yutia, though momentarily startled, began to smooth her expression. Her face regained its composure with startling speed.
As if her previous agitation had been a lie, she reclaimed her smile and opened her mouth to speak calmly—
"Th-That is...?"
—But the words failed her.
Even Hidan, standing right beside her, could hear the unmistakable tremor in her voice. It was a clear sign of Yutia’s inner turmoil.
As if she had expected this exact reaction, Line smirked.
"As you know, Yutia, I’ve been working very hard to protect the Marquis."
It was a concise statement.
However, that alone was enough for Yutia to realize, without much difficulty, how that magic tool had been constructed.
Forcing a strained smile onto her face, Yutia took a step toward Line.
"I... see."
"Yes. You don't intend to scold me, do you, Yutia?"
"Me?"
"Yes. I seem to recall you telling me not too long ago that surveillance isn't a good thing, or something to that effect."
Yutia flinched at Line’s retort.
Still maintaining her smile, she drew closer to Line and naturally reached out for the magic tool in her hand—
"No, of course not. I know better than anyone how much you care for the Professor—"
Whoosh!
—Unfortunately, Yutia’s hand only grasped at thin air.
"..."
"..."
Yutia and Line stared at each other, both wearing smiles that didn't reach their eyes.
"Hic—"
Hidan, hiding in the shadows, let out an involuntary hiccup.
At the same time, Yutia’s hand lunged toward Line again.
Whoosh!
Once more, Yutia’s hand caught nothing but air.
Refusing to back down, Yutia moved her hand again.
Whoosh— Whoosh— Whoosh—
...But she never managed to seize the magic tool, which looked as though its durability was hanging by a thread.
"Aren't you taking this prank a bit too far, Line?"
"Am I, Yutia? I’m not even moving that fast. Someone like you should be more than capable of catching it."
Line winked provocatively.
As she said, Yutia could have snatched the magic tool away if she truly intended to. The only reason she didn't was that Line had already damaged it.
Of course, it wasn't completely broken. The magic tool would still function perfectly at this very moment.
But what if Yutia used even a fraction of her strength to try and wrest it away? It would undoubtedly shatter beyond repair.
"Are you... trying to pick a fight with me?"
Yutia glared at Line despite herself.
"Pardon? Of course not. If you took my prank that way, I apologize. I suppose I should stop now."
"Wait—!"
Yutia cried out in a panic as Line made a move to tighten her grip, looking as though she had no lingering attachments to the item.
"Is something the matter? You told me to stop the prank, so I was simply going to end it."
Faced with Line’s continued nonchalance, Yutia responded with a smile that clearly betrayed her suppressed rage.
"What is it... that you want?"
"What I want?"
"Yes. I assume you have something in mind...?"
"Are you suddenly offering to grant me a wish?"
"Well, I suppose I was a bit excessive with my own prank, wasn't I?"
Looking at Yutia, who seemed to be suggesting they 'settle this amicably,' Line wore an inscrutable smile.
"Thirty days."
"...Thirty days?"
"Let me spend thirty days alone with my Godfather."
"That... isn't for me to decide, is it?"
"You might not be the one to decide, but you can certainly make it happen, can't you? Oh, and of course, I’m not asking for you to send everyone away and leave us completely alone."
At Line’s demand, which suggested she had seen right through Yutia to some extent—
"..."
Yutia remained silent for a moment before she began to haggle.
"Ten days."
"Twenty-five days," Line countered immediately, refusing to back down.
"Twelve days."
"Twenty-three days."
"Fifteen days."
"Twenty days."
"Sixteen days."
"Nineteen days."
Dropping their fake smiles as if pretenses were no longer necessary, Line and Yutia glared at each other with icy eyes, trading nothing but numbers.
"Sixteen days."
"Nineteen days."
"Sixteen days."
"Nineteen days."
The situation soon reached a stalemate.
'...Wh-What on earth is—'
Just as Hidan was staring blankly, unable to keep up with the sudden 'deal' (?) between the two—
"Seventeen days. I won't yield any further than that."
"...Fine."
At Yutia’s agreement, the magic tool that had been in Line’s grasp dropped toward the floor.
Thud—
Yutia caught it instantly, as if she had been waiting for that exact moment. She tucked the crystal sphere into her robes, cradling it like a precious treasure.
"It was a pleasure doing business with you, Yutia."
"...Indeed."
Yutia forced a smile back at Line, who was now crossing her arms and beaming with her eyes.
With the psychological warfare between the two finally reaching a truce—
'...I don't even know what's what anymore...'
Hidan let out a sigh of relief.
* * *
The night Alon found a glimmer of possibility through Yutia’s small assistance.
Alon suddenly opened his eyes and realized his condition.
'My memories have returned.'
He sat in a daze for a moment, feeling the rush of memories flooding back. Then, looking at the scenery before him, Alon realized this was not reality.
'A dream?'
A dream. There was no better word to describe the sight before him.
It was a place where dozens of colorless pastels seemed to repeatedly draw something and then vanish in an instant. In that world, where everything else was painted in black and white—
[Hello.]
"...Previous— no, you're the Blue-eyed Entity?"
He faced the Blue-eyed Entity, who had taken the form of the Previous Observer.
[Correct. I like that you're quick on the uptake.]
The Blue-eyed Entity replied with a satisfied air.
In truth, Alon’s recognition of it as the Blue-eyed Entity was merely a guess. Its current form was fluttering like smoke, making it difficult for anyone to identify clearly.
The only reason Alon could deduce its identity was because of the brilliant blue eyes and the black attire that shone vividly even in this monochromatic world.
Whether the Blue-eyed Entity knew this or not, it spoke with an easygoing air.
[So, did you like the gift?]
"...Gift?"
[I dragged it out for you on purpose, didn't I?]
"Was that your doing?"
[I can provide at least that much help.]
"...I would have preferred it if you'd given me a hint as well."
Despite Alon’s grumbling, the Blue-eyed Entity laughed cheerfully.
[Regrettable, but that's not my role.]
"Not your role?"
[Anyway— once you wake up, go see that friend.]
"That friend?"
[Who was it? That— Sironia? You know, that friend?]
It provided a piece of information.
"Wait, what does that—"
[Well then, our conversation ends here. See you again sometime.]
As if it had no intention of answering Alon further, the Blue-eyed Entity gave a light wave and turned its back. In that instant—
"—!"
Alon’s eyes snapped open.
"..."
The ceiling was now all too familiar.
After blinking for a moment, Alon wiped his face and sat up.
He wondered for a second if it really had been a dream, but he soon shook his head. The memory was far too vivid to dismiss it as such.
'...I'm sure it said our next meeting would be much later.'
Self-centered from start to finish.
After a brief thought, Alon reached out and stroked Blackie, who was sleeping beside him as usual.
[Kyu—?]
Waking up, Blackie’s bright eyes naturally turned toward Alon.
[Kyu—!]
As if sensing that Alon had regained his memories, Blackie began to nuzzle against him enthusiastically, unlike when he had been amnesiac.
After patting the excited Blackie, Alon rose from the bed. It was time to handle the work that had piled up during his memory loss.
* * *
Even while his memories were gone, he had been working diligently. However, there were still issues he hadn't been able to address.
Specifically, matters concerning Divine Land (Divine Land).
He had handled the simple things, but unfortunately, most of the problems arising from Divine Land were not light matters. Though, that didn't necessarily mean they were bad problems.
"...So, what were the tasks I need to handle now?"
"To list the major issues: excessive population, housing, safety, supplies, conflicts— oh, and there's also the matter of the kingdom's proclamation."
As he listened to Penia’s explanation, a groan escaped Alon’s lips.
"There's more work than I thought."
"It has been neglected for nearly a month, after all."
"...I suspect it would have been the same even if I'd done it a month ago."
"That's true."
Penia, having conceded the point, thought for a moment before speaking.
"However, even from my perspective, I think it's time to set a clear direction."
"A direction?"
"Yes. For instance, until now, the policy was to delegate full authority to Silli for management, but most of it has been handled in a makeshift manner, hasn't it?"
"It has."
"It’s grown too large to be operated that way anymore... Well, thinking coldly, it’s actually a miracle we've lasted this long."
Alon nodded at her words.
"Then the first thing to decide is—"
"I think it would be best to first decide whether to officially proclaim it a kingdom. After that, we can establish a formal system—"
Penia concluded by saying that once that was done, the next steps would naturally become clear.
Alon began to deliberate.
'...Proclaiming a kingdom.'
Naturally, he had no intention of becoming a king.
He was certain of that. Regardless of good or evil, Alon judged himself to lack the qualities of a king.
However, the reason he hesitated was because of the Divine Blood.
Alon’s magic alone would be insufficient against the Divine Blood he would have to face in the future. To oppose them, he needed Divine Power.
Ultimately, from his current perspective, Divine Land had become something Alon needed. Whether he liked it or not.
After contemplating for a while, Alon reached a conclusion.
"...We shall proceed with the proclamation."
"Mm. I didn't say anything earlier for fear of biasing you, but I believe that is the right decision as well."
Penia agreed immediately.
"Then the first priority is setting the date for the proclamation, followed by establishing the system. Then we'll need to recruit personnel..."
"Just hearing it makes the future look bleak."
"Don't worry too much. Silli will likely handle it well."
"Silli, huh..."
Alon thought of Silli.
The first thing that came to mind was her bright smile. Next was the work she had done so far.
"...Certainly, if it's Silli, I don't think we'll run into a situation where things don't progress."
"If anything, we should worry about her doing too much."
"...True."
After a moment of marveling (?) at Silli’s capabilities, the two began to take action in earnest.
"First, I'll briefly inform Silli of this fact."
"Right. Oh, and please ask her to prepare some gifts."
"Gifts?"
"Even so, we're proclaiming a kingdom; we have to be mindful of the neighboring countries."
Of course, Alon knew that Divine Land’s potential was absurdly strong. Furthermore, those within the United Kingdoms were already expecting the proclamation because of Silli’s actions.
Nevertheless, actually proclaiming a kingdom was a different story. It was certain that the United Kingdoms wouldn't view it very favorably.
Thus, Alon judged that a certain level of preparation was necessary.
"Understood."
After further discussion, Penia left the room.
'While handling the Divine Land affairs and preparing for the proclamation, I should make a move toward Rosario.'
Alon formulated his own plan.
And that night.
[Gifts?]
"Yes."
[Send gifts... I see...]
Silli, having heard Alon’s message from Penia, thought deeply for a moment.
[Mm, understood. I will prepare the 'gifts.']
She nodded, her eyes clear.
However...
"...I'm saying this just in case, but you aren't thinking of anything strange, are you?"
[Pardon? Of course not. This time, I understood his intentions perfectly! I'll prepare the gifts to be sent to the kingdoms, so don't worry!]
At Silli’s response, delivered with a radiant smile—
'...Why do I feel so uneasy?'
Penia felt a strange sense of foreboding.