Chapter 390: Quickening (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 390: Quickening (5)
Alon went back underground to meet Karsem.
After hearing the gist of Kaiyan’s plan, Alon summarized it.
“To put it simply, the plan is to continue this war of attrition and then seize control once the combat forces have been completely wiped out.”
“That is correct.”
“And if this plan is leaked and people, including the Babayagas, try to flee, you’ll be forced to release the Unique Entities ahead of schedule.”
Alon watched Karsem nod silently before continuing.
“You said the battles with the Unique Entities occur at three-day intervals?”
“Yes.”
“How strong are these entities?”
“Ah, I think I can give you a rough idea about that,” Lime, who had been listening quietly, chimed in.
“First of all, you can assume that a Babayaga could handle a Unique Entity without much difficulty.”
“Even if multiple entities swarm them?”
“...I think they could manage up to five.”
“What about the fighters below that rank?”
“An A-rank fighter could probably take on one. From B-rank downwards... it would take two or three of them working together.”
“And the number of Unique Entities that appeared in the last battle?”
“We couldn't get an exact count, but it was somewhere between 100 and 150.”
Alon pondered the numbers for a moment before easily deducing the answer.
“...Did Seolrang handle the rest?”
“Yes.”
Based on the information gathered so far, Alon fell into deep thought.
What is the best course of action here?
Considering the methods used up to this point, there weren't many plans Alon could devise at this stage.
In fact, there were too many variables to consider. There were countless people in the Colony he had to fight for. Of course, if he didn't care about them, planning would be easy, but Alon had no intention of abandoning them.
That wasn't all he had to consider. He had to account for how many Unique Entities would appear next and what form the Divine Blood would take.
But the most important thing to consider was...
...The fact that Karan hasn't reacted at all, even though I've made my move.
Alon wasn't usually one to dwell on his own status, but thanks to constant reminders from Penia and Evan, he could easily pick up on this level of dissonance.
He surely knows I've entered the kingdom.
Was it overconfidence, or was there some hidden scheme?
After a brief moment of deliberation, Alon posed a question to Karsem, just in case.
“I’m asking just to be sure, but Karan must be aware that I’ve entered the Colony, right?”
“Most likely.”
“Do you think there’s a reason he isn't moving despite that?”
“...I couldn't say for certain.”
Alon expected as much from Karsem’s hesitant answer, so he pushed the thought aside for now. Karan’s intentions were certainly important, but he didn't have the time to waste trying to decipher them. He only had about two days left.
...Protecting the people scattered throughout this city while dealing with the Divine Blood...
Alon returned to the main issue. After some time had passed, Alon, who had been tapping his fingers rhythmically, spoke up.
“Let’s try it this way.”
He began to voice the plan he had formulated in his mind.
* * *
After Alon finished his explanation.
“...Understood. We will proceed as you’ve instructed.”
“I’ll start moving with Seolrang-nim late tonight.”
“I’m counting on you.”
Karsem and Lime immediately set off. Alon also headed back to the surface.
“Seolrang?”
As soon as he reached the top, he saw Seolrang, who hadn't participated in this meeting.
Is she just getting back?
Alon recalled Lime saying that Seolrang had stepped out for a bit. Seolrang shouted with her usual bright smile.
“Mentor!”
“Where were you?”
“Ah! I just had some business to take care of outside!”
She started running toward Alon, but then—
“Ah!”
She stopped abruptly as if she had just remembered something.
“Mentor! Sorry! I have something I need to do, so I’ll be out for a bit!”
“You have more work?”
“Yeah! I should have finished this too, but I haven't yet!”
Alon stared at the smiling Seolrang for a moment before nodding.
“I see.”
Seolrang left with a quick “See you later, Mentor!” and ran off into the distance.
“Man, she’s always so cheerful.”
“Seolrang-nim?”
“Well, yeah. Usually, when things are this bad, people tend to get a bit depressed.”
“Hmm—isn't it just because she’s happy as long as the Marquis is around?”
“She certainly does have that side to her.”
Evan and Penia chatted as they watched Seolrang leave. However, Alon didn't join their conversation. He simply stared at the spot where Seolrang had disappeared, recalling her expression from a moment ago.
“...”
Seolrang had definitely been smiling. To anyone else, it was her usual bright smile. But strangely enough, Alon felt something else.
...Did something happen?
It could have been just his imagination. However, rather than her usual vivacity, Alon sensed a peculiar anxiety in Seolrang’s smile—an awkward unease, as if she were trying to hide something.
“...”
Alon stood there for a long time, silently gazing in the direction she had gone.
* * *
The next day.
Seeing the morning sun rise earlier than in other places, Alon asked Lime, “Did the plan go as scheduled?”
“Yes. It was a bit tight, but we managed to finish everything before dawn. We also received cooperation from the other Babayagas.”
“Now all that’s left is what comes next.”
“Yes.”
Lime nodded firmly. After a moment’s thought, Alon stood up.
“Let’s head to the Royal Palace.”
“Yes. I’ve already sent word ahead as you requested.”
“Just in case, did they grant me entry?”
“Yes. ...In fact, it was almost as if they were waiting for you.”
The two of them headed straight to the first floor, where they met Penia and Evan, who were already waiting.
“Marquis, should I come along just in case?”
“No, you stay here and serve as a reserve force.”
“...Understood. But please, don't push yourself too hard.”
“I know.”
Alon then looked at Evan. He gave a sly grin and said, “Have a safe trip.”
“You’re not saying you’ll follow me this time.”
“Ayy—how could I go to a place like that? If I go, I might get sliced in half and die before you can even save me.”
“Hmm.”
For a split second, Alon felt like dragging the annoying Evan along, but he soon shook his head.
“Anyway, have a safe trip, Marquis.”
“Right.”
“If you get hurt, someone might cry their eyes out, gah—!”
“Just shut up.”
Penia gave Evan a sharp pinch in the side to stop his snickering. With his scream as his send-off, Alon boarded the carriage heading for the palace.
Before long, the carriage arrived at the Royal Palace. Alon entered the palace naturally, without facing any resistance, and headed toward the audience chamber where Karmakeses III was.
“...”
Nothing had changed. Not the expensive treasures displayed before the audience chamber, nor the unique architecture, nor even the peculiar marble. Not a single thing had changed.
“...You’ve come.”
“It’s been a while.”
Even Karmakeses III, who greeted Alon as soon as he arrived at the audience chamber, remained unchanged. For a moment, Alon even wondered if Karsem had been mistaken or was suffering from paranoia.
However, that thought was shattered moments later.
“...Karan.”
“I’m honored that you remember me.”
The reason was the 1st Prince, Karan, who stood beside Karmakeses III as if he were his secretary, and the bizarre mana emanating from him.
* * *
No, that’s not it.
Alon realized it. The aura emanating from Karan’s body wasn't mana.
“As expected.”
Had he noticed Alon’s gaze? Karan’s cold voice pierced the air. A thick smile was now plastered across the 1st Prince’s face.
“You came knowing everything. I suppose that rat was hiding in those animals’ nest, just as I thought?”
“...”
Alon considered denying it for a moment but then gave a simple nod.
“Yes.”
“Tsk, how bothersome.”
Karan clicked his tongue as if he had already anticipated Alon’s response. He continued, maintaining his composure.
“So, what did that rat tell you?”
“The gist of everything.”
“And so, have you come to deal with me?”
Karan sneered. Seeing that smile, which radiated absolute confidence in the situation, Alon gave the answer he had prepared after gathering the information he wanted.
“Before that, I’d like to talk.”
“Talk?”
“Yes. There are a few things I’m curious about. Is that possible?”
Karan looked at Alon with an inscrutable expression before nodding.
“Sure—why not.”
He then lightly tapped the body of Karmakeses III, who was sitting on the throne, with his index finger.
Then—
Sssssss—!
The body of Karmakeses III, who had been sitting solemnly on the throne until just a moment ago, began to melt away with a sickening sound.
His eyeballs liquefied like candle wax, and as his gums vanished, his teeth began to fall out. Eventually, all that remained on the throne was what appeared to be the skin of Karmakeses III.
“Ugh.”
Karan grimaced as if it were hideous and then flicked the skin away.
Thump—thump—thud—
The skin of Karmakeses III tumbled down the stairs.
“...”
Alon watched the scene in silence.
“Ah—well, I’d appreciate it if you didn't look at me like that. It’s just skin, after all.”
Karan spoke as he sat down with a relaxed expression.
“...What did you do with Karmakeses III?”
“As you can see, the skin is right there, and the body was offered to the Great One.”
He crossed his legs as if it were no big deal.
“...”
Alon lowered his gaze to look at the skin of Karmakeses III once more. The skin was lying haphazardly on the stairs. Then, he suddenly felt grateful for his own condition—for his face that didn't betray his emotions, no matter what he felt.
“Now then, shall we begin our talk?”
Karan’s oily voice reached his ears, and Alon looked up.
“Ah, but before that, there’s one thing I want to ask you too.”
And then.
“You—who the hell are you, really?”
“...What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what I said.”
Karan’s question suddenly fell upon Alon.
“I’m curious as to why you are called the ‘Star Eater’ among those Great Ones.”