Chapter 401: What Is That…? (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 401: What Is That…? (4)
Through his conversation with the giant, Alon was able to learn three additional facts.
First, within the United Kingdoms...
Aside from this giant, two other Divine Bloods belonging to 'The Gazing Void' had descended for the same purpose.
Second.
The one who had fended off the Divine Blood that invaded Laxas was also a Divine Blood belonging to 'The Gazing Void.'
And finally—
[Still, you are truly magnificent. To think you could slay a Divine Blood even after casting aside all your power and donning the mask of a lowly mortal… No matter how great the ability to absorb the power of the slain, it is truly remarkable.]
—It was regarding a hidden ability that even Alon himself hadn't been aware of.
‘…Can Divine Bloods not absorb each other's abilities when they kill one another?’
Actually, to be precise...
Alon was aware that he was absorbing the power of the Divine Bloods. After his victories against the Poison Eater and the Devourer, Divine Power had manifested within his previously empty inner world.
However, judging by the giant’s words, it seemed that Divine Bloods normally could not absorb power from one another, even if they killed their own kind.
In other words, the ability to absorb power in this manner was Alon’s unique trait.
This struck Alon as strange.
Based on what the Blue-eyed Entity had said, such a peculiar ability should only be possible through the 'Creation of Heavenly Law.' Yet, he had not yet gathered enough Divine Power to even touch the threshold of that technique.
A contradiction arose there.
‘…Does this mean I have three abilities I can use?’
His contemplation was brief. He soon remembered that he had yet to respond to the giant.
‘How should I phrase this?’
In truth, the answer was already decided. Since he had committed to acting as a close friend of 'The Gazing Void,' there was only one thing to say.
Alon lightly cleared his throat.
"There is no need for such flattery."
[Did I make you uncomfortable? My apologies.]
"That is not what I meant."
[As expected! Such vast, ocean-like magnanimity! Thank you truly!]
Alon watched the giant, who looked ready to clap and shout, "Wow! To think you noticed that! Amazing!!" just by Alon glancing at the empty air. He then added:
"Regardless, do not go around speaking of my identity to outsiders."
[I understand.]
The giant nodded as if no further explanation was required.
Alon let out a silent sigh of relief. Had he been asked 'why,' it would have been a hassle to fabricate a logical reason.
"So, what do you plan to do from now on?"
[Since that person told me to follow you, I intend to obey those words.]
"I see…"
Alon nodded, but his curiosity regarding The Gazing Void only grew. He wondered just who this entity was to be providing such immense help.
However, since he couldn't ask directly...
"For now, I would like you to continue protecting Calliban."
[It shall be as you command.]
Alon prepared to conclude the conversation with the giant—or rather, the one who introduced himself as 'The One Who Stands High.'
[Ah, but if I may…?]
"What is it?"
[If it is not too much trouble, could you show me your Divine Power just once?]
"…My Divine Power?"
[Yes.]
Alon hesitated for a moment at the request of The One Who Stands High, whose expression was now brimming with curiosity.
‘He must already know my Divine Power is small. It shouldn't matter.’
Since it didn't seem like it would cause any major issues, Alon manifested a small spark of his newly acquired Divine Power.
[Whoa…]
The One Who Stands High let out a gasp of admiration at the tiny flicker of power before snapping back to his senses.
[Thank you for showing me!]
"…Is this all you wanted?"
[Yes!]
The giant’s attitude seemed strangely energized. Though he didn't understand why, Alon soon turned away.
Having gathered as much information as possible, he returned to the surface and met with those waiting for him in the distance.
"Marquis, is your conversation finished?"
Penia approached him as soon as he came into view. Alon nodded.
"Yes."
"How was it?"
"…It was productive in many ways."
"Is that so? I was worried the cave might collapse," Evan remarked.
Alon tilted his head. "Why?"
"He’s a Divine Blood, isn't he? I thought a fight might break out."
"I don't think you need to worry about that."
"Well, that’s a relief then. Anyway, let’s head up."
Alon then approached Deus and Palmalian, who seemed to be waiting their turn.
"…."
He found Palmalian standing there with a dazed expression. His eyes were unfocused, as if he were lost in deep thought despite looking straight ahead.
"…Your Majesty?"
"!? Ah—um… Ahem."
Snapping back to reality at Alon’s call, the King spoke.
"I am sor—no, my apologies. I was just lost in thought for a moment."
He mumbled an excuse and turned to move. Alon tilted his head at the reaction but soon followed him out of the underground cavern.
* * *
It had been a day since Alon spoke with The One Who Stands High.
Though only a day had passed, Alon decided to head back to the marquisate immediately.
"I shall take my leave now."
"Understood, Marquis. If there is anything you need, please call for me immediately."
"I will."
After a brief farewell to Deus, Alon boarded his carriage. Calliban soon became a distant speck in the landscape. Only then did Alon let out a long sigh.
"Ugh—another month of living in a carriage."
"It can't be helped."
"Well, I suppose it’s better than when we were in Colony. Back then, I was terrified I might actually die."
"Was it that bad?"
"Yes."
Evan nodded, then spoke as if something had just occurred to him.
"Ah. Also, shouldn't you start considering the proclamation of the kingdom? Why not just get it over with this time?"
"…This time?"
"Yes. It’s not like you can avoid it forever. And considering your current situation, wouldn't declaring a kingdom be better in many ways?"
"…Hmm."
Evan wasn't wrong. Alon needed to gather Faith.
‘Though it doesn't seem to be accumulating much despite that.’
Alon briefly contemplated his inner world. The Divine Power visible within was still as small as a bead. It was a different situation from before, when his Divine Power would jump significantly every time he checked.
‘But it’s true that I need Faith.’
He knew that even the Divine Bloods were gathering Faith from humans. After a moment of deliberation, Alon nodded.
"I’ll set things in motion while we head back to the marquisate."
"Understood. I’ll start making preparations now. That way, you can get things sorted within about two weeks of arriving home."
Alon nodded, reflexively stroking his chin.
‘But I wonder if I even have land to declare a kingdom on…’
Thinking of the Divine Land, he recalled that even Luxible’s territory was quite small.
‘Wait, come to think of it, I need to stop by Luxible too.’
He scratched his head unconsciously. It felt like his to-do list was constantly growing.
As he was organizing his plans while staring blankly at the carriage ceiling, Penia, who had been playing with Blackie until a moment ago, suddenly called out to him.
"By the way, Marquis."
"What is it?"
"It’s nothing major, but… didn't the King of Calliban seem a bit strange?"
"The King of Calliban?"
"Yes. Ever since you met the Divine Blood."
"Hmm."
Alon tilted his head at Penia’s words, then gave a small nod.
‘Now that she mentions it, he might have been…?’
Alon recalled Palmalian. The King, who had initially only looked at him with eyes full of favor, had become strangely dazed after Alon returned from meeting the Divine Blood.
Of course, since the underlying goodwill remained, Alon hadn't paid it much mind.
‘And he did seem to be choosing his words more carefully…’
Continuing his train of thought, Alon replied.
"He did seem a bit like that."
"I wonder why?"
"Well, wasn't he just thinking about how to stay on the Marquis's good side?"
Evan joked with a smirk, and Alon simply shrugged his shoulders.
* * *
Meanwhile, immediately after Alon’s party departed.
"Sigh…"
Palmalian sat down and let out a heavy sigh. It was a breath laden with deep concern.
The cause was Alon Palatio.
In truth, Alon hadn't directly given Palmalian anything to worry about. Rather, it could be said that Palmalian himself had created this situation.
"…."
He recalled yesterday. When the Marquis of Palatio met the Divine Blood…
And when Palmalian had secretly eavesdropped on their conversation through an artifact.
Eavesdropping on them hadn't been difficult. The underground space where the Divine Blood resided was a ceremonial site passed down through generations of Calliban kings. From the beginning, artifacts capable of picking up sound throughout the cavern had been embedded there.
Thus, secretly—and perhaps hoping he might be of some help—he had listened to the conversation between the Divine Blood and the Marquis.
And Palmalian couldn't help but be shocked.
The content he had overheard was…
‘Could it be? Is Marquis Palatio really—’
…specifically regarding the Divine Blood.
—[Still, you are truly magnificent. To think you could slay a Divine Blood even after casting aside all your power and donning the mask of a lowly mortal… No matter how great the ability to absorb the power of the slain, it is truly remarkable.]
—[There is no need for such flattery.]
—[Did I make you uncomfortable? My apologies.]
—[That is not what I meant.]
—[As expected! Such vast, ocean-like magnanimity! Thank you truly!]
Palmalian shuddered involuntarily at the memory. That giant was the one who had effortlessly killed the Divine Blood that approached the capital of Calliban—the monster that had made the knights' hearts stop just by looking at it.
But what about Marquis Palatio?
He treated that monstrous being with total nonchalance. Furthermore, The One Who Stands High showed immense respect to the Marquis. As if he could never, ever defy him…
Of course, this entire scene had been orchestrated by Alon’s acting.
But the King, who had no way of knowing that…
‘Such a conversation would be impossible if the Marquis weren't higher than The One Who Stands High.’
…had already concluded that Alon was a Divine Blood who had descended in the guise of a human.
"…You summoned me, Your Majesty?"
"You’ve come."
At that moment, Palmalian spoke to his eldest son, Prince Tolenis, who had entered the audience chamber at just the right time.
"…Listen carefully to what I am about to say."
"Yes."
"Marquis Palatio—no, that person… is a 'Divine Blood.'"
"…Pardon?"
The King spoke each word with heavy emphasis.
"What do you mean by…?"
Tolenis was bewildered by the sudden information. However, Palmalian didn't relax his stern expression as he drove the point home.
"It may be shocking, but it is the truth."
"…Is that really true?"
"Yes, I confirmed it yesterday."
"How…?"
"The giant in the underground… he knelt before him."
"!!"
Tolenis’s eyes widened. He knew exactly how powerful the giant beneath the royal castle was. No, it would be stranger not to know. He had seen with his own eyes that great giant ruthlessly tear apart the monster that killed people with a mere glance.
And yet.
‘That great being knelt before Marquis Palatio…?’
Tolenis thought of Marquis Palatio and soon reached a judgment.
‘…Yes, it’s not that strange…!’
Marquis Palatio was certainly different from ordinary humans. There was that characteristic face that seemed to feel no emotion, the fact that he was called a god despite being human, and that nonsensical power of his…
Of course, Alon himself didn't know why he lacked emotion, and being called a god was just a snowball effect caused by Silli and others' misunderstandings…
Regardless, Tolenis, who didn't know the details, found himself agape at the conclusion he had reached.
Starting with the misunderstanding of these two men…
"Keep this in mind… For us to survive the coming storm, the most important person is him, and no one else."
"I… understand."
A story woven from a mix of lies and truth… or rather, a story born mostly of pure misunderstanding…
…began to spread in secret.