Chapter 402: It’s a Proclamation Ceremony… Right? (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 402: It’s a Proclamation Ceremony… Right? (1)
That night, Tolenis had a conversation with Palmalian IV that was 10% truth and 90% lies regarding Alon.
At a guard post on the outskirts of Calliban Royal Castle—built so that guards could rush out at any moment to defend the castle from intruders—a man was quietly slipping away.
The man’s name was Gusan.
A guard of the Kingdom of Calliban, he had been on duty at the castle until late at night and had only just returned to the post to rest. However, shortly after finishing his shift, he cautiously crept out of the post, wary of being seen.
He headed toward a warehouse complex in the western corner of the castle grounds—an area that was technically inside the castle but no longer in use. Soon, Gusan ducked into one of the many warehouses.
"Phew—"
As if the pitch-black darkness were familiar to him, he let out a sigh of relief and began fumbling around the warehouse floor.
Click!
With a small sound, a secret trapdoor in the floor opened. Without hesitation, he lowered himself inside and channeled mana into a magic tool located in the basement.
Wooooong!
The magic tool lit up brightly as it connected. Before long, a voice came through.
[Under the moon of the firmament.]
"Night's End shall be."
Having completed the verification process by exchanging their secret code, they began their conversation.
[It’s been a while since we used this magic tool.]
"Yeah, well, we don't usually use it except for emergencies."
[Did something happen? Or was your identity compromised?]
At the man's question from the magic tool, Gusan shook his head firmly.
"It’s not that, so don't worry. My disguise is perfect."
Gusan, the castle guard. In reality, he was a member of "Night's End," an information guild that dealt in secrets.
Night's End.
Naturally, anyone using the title "Information Guild" at this point in time was bound to have some flaws, but they were a fairly famous organization nonetheless. Unlike other guilds that were picky about who they provided information to, they were renowned for supplying information to figures in the underworld.
Because the nature of the information they handled and their clientele were slightly different, they had managed to survive in this cutthroat world until now.
[Then why did you use this magic tool? I believe I told you to use it only for important matters.]
Gusan replied calmly to the reprimand coming through the magic tool.
"I’ve obtained some vital information."
[Vital information?]
"Yes."
[Let’s hear it.]
Gusan looked around the empty warehouse as if wary of being overheard, even though he was alone.
"...I’ve obtained information that Marquis Palatio is 'Divine Blood,'" he whispered cautiously.
[...What?]
The man on the other side, the Leader of Night's End, stood with his mouth agape.
[...What on earth are you talking about?]
To the leader, who asked again as if he couldn't believe it, Gusan spoke calmly.
"Exactly what I said. Marquis Palatio is Divine Blood."
[...Is that information reliable?]
"It’s certain. While I was on guard duty, I overheard the King of Calliban talking to the 1st Prince."
He added a brief boast, mentioning how difficult it was to listen in because of Calliban's heavy soundproofing magic and that no one else could have pulled it off.
[...This is insane. So that story is actually true?]
"Yes."
The leader was shocked. Gusan felt the same way; he had experienced that same emotion when he first overheard the conversation.
[And if what you're saying is true, that means the Divine Blood who protected Calliban is actually subordinate to Marquis Palatio?]
"Correct. Furthermore, I heard that more Divine Blood have descended upon the United Kingdoms to serve the Marquis."
[More Divine Blood...?]
"Yes."
[...Ha.]
The leader fell into deep thought for a moment after hearing that.
[As you said, this was worth using the magic tool for.]
"Didn't I tell you?"
[If this information is true, we can use it as a stepping stone to move beyond the underworld and into the light.]
He muttered with a hint of faint elation in his voice.
[Thank you.]
"Don't mention it. Instead—"
[I know. I'll make sure your position is secured. I have to go immediately.]
With a final farewell, the connection vanished. Gusan sighed as he watched the magic tool slowly lose its light.
'Marquis Palatio is Divine Blood...'
Gusan suddenly recalled Marquis Palatio, whom he had seen from a distance. He remembered the Marquis passing by with an extraordinary aura and an expression that made it impossible to tell what he was thinking.
And the next thing he thought of was the massive giant that had protected Calliban not long ago.
Thump-thump, thump-thump!!
His heart raced involuntarily just thinking about it. It was only natural. The fear of facing a monster that human strength could never hope to defeat was etched deep into Gusan's mind.
However, the reason Gusan could even reminisce about that scene was because of what happened next. A giant had appeared—one capable of tearing apart such an impossible monster as if it were nothing. He had witnessed that overwhelming sight with his own eyes.
That was why Gusan was even more shocked when he heard the story. When he heard that the giant of overwhelming strength had knelt before Marquis Palatio. That was no different from proof that Marquis Palatio was even stronger than the giant.
'Just what is Marquis Palatio hiding?'
For some reason, Gusan found himself trembling.
* * *
Meanwhile, at that same moment.
"...Why are my ears so itchy?"
Evan spoke as he watched Alon fiddle with his ear while eating a sweet potato.
"Isn't it because someone is talking about you, Marquis?"
"What would they have to say about me?"
"Probably something. It's not like there's only one or two things related to you, Marquis."
"Hmm—I suppose so."
When Penia nodded in agreement from the side, Alon scratched his head.
"By the way, Marquis."
"What is it?"
"Could you stop eating sweet potatoes and have some stew instead?"
"I'm fine."
"Is it because there are no sweet potatoes in it?"
"If you had put some in, I would have eaten it."
"...You do realize your obsession with sweet potatoes is quite intense, right?"
Alon defended himself against Evan's question.
"It's not like adding sweet potatoes ruins the flavor."
"The problem is that it makes some of our friends have fits. Didn't you see them yesterday?"
At those words, Alon looked at Basiliora and Blackie. Just yesterday, they had reacted violently at the mere fact that sweet potatoes were in the stew.
[Kuaaaaaaakh!!]
[Kyuuuuu!]
They had thrown fits as if they were sick of sweet potatoes. But today, they were devouring the stew as if it were delicious.
"..."
Alon looked at his sweet potato with a strange expression.
'Sweet potatoes... are delicious, though...'
...It was autumn.
* * *
Two weeks had passed since Alon set out for the Marquisate, and there was still some distance left to cover.
"Marquis, I've sent word everywhere."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. It looks like we can hold the proclamation ceremony about a week after we arrive at the Marquisate."
"Hmm—"
"Is something wrong?"
"No, I was just wondering if it'll be difficult to move around like this once I become King."
Evan thought for a moment before answering Alon's concern.
"Well, wouldn't it be fine?"
"You think so?"
"Usually, Kings don't move around because it's dangerous for them to wander. But compared to that, you... don't have that issue at all, do you?"
"What about state affairs?"
"We have Alexion, don't we?"
"...Is it really okay to keep leaving everything to him even after we become a proper country?"
"Well—to be honest, even if we call ourselves a country, we don't have much territory, do we?"
"...That's true."
"It won't be exactly the same as before, of course. And you'll need to keep paying attention to the Divine Land side anyway. Oh—"
Evan let out a sudden low exclamation and continued.
"Speaking of which, I got word from Silli."
"What kind of word?"
"Didn't we talk about the believers last time?"
"We did."
"She said everything is prepared, so you don't have to worry."
"...Really?"
"Yes. She sounded very confident."
"...I hope..."
Alon was about to ask if she had done something reckless, but he soon shook his head. Surely Silli wouldn't go that far.
"Ah, and is there any other news?"
"Other... Ah. If you mean about the Divine Blood, there's nothing major yet."
"That's a relief."
"I agree. At first, I really thought everything was going to go south. Well, they say the Empire is still in an uproar, though."
Alon watched Evan shrug, but only for a moment.
"Marquis."
"Penia, what is it?"
"Um, a message came in."
"...A message?"
"Yes, from King Palmalian."
Penia delivered the news. Instead of being surprised, Alon simply replied:
"Again...?"
"Yes."
Over the past two weeks, King Palmalian had contacted him a total of three times. Each time, it wasn't about anything urgent.
"...Why does he keep doing this?"
"I'm not sure either..."
As Penia and Alon both tilted their heads in confusion, Evan offered a hypothesis.
"Maybe he's trying to give us financial support for the kingdom's proclamation?"
Normally, Penia would have snapped at him for talking nonsense, but this time she was quiet. In fact, she actually agreed with Evan.
"...Could that really be it?"
Perhaps Penia's reaction was only natural. During the three times Palmalian had contacted them in this short period, Alon had received a tremendous amount of support.
"...Hmm."
Of course, he hadn't given the support overtly. But since it was clearly an act of goodwill to anyone watching...
'What is he really up to...?'
Alon's doubts deepened, but for now, he went inside to receive the King's communication.
* * *
Around the time Alon was receiving mysterious(?) goodwill from Palmalian.
In the royal castle of Laxas, a maritime city also known as the land of pleasure.
"...So, say that one more time."
Queen Torimabia of Laxas was listening to an unbelievable report from Duke Colban, who could be considered her right hand.
"Are you saying that Marquis Palatio's true identity is actually Divine Blood?"
"...That is correct."
"Does that even make sense?"
"...As I mentioned, the giant that saved Calliban referred to Marquis Palatio as Divine Blood, and Palmalian IV reportedly witnessed the Marquis affirming this."
"Is the information certain?"
Torimabia was skeptical. The Duke answered with his head bowed.
"According to our informants, Palmalian IV has been contacting the Marquis periodically ever since he left."
"...That means the probability of the information being false is low, at least."
"Yes. Considering Palmalian IV's personality..."
Torimabia nodded at the Duke's words. He was certainly right about that.
"...Marquis Palatio is Divine Blood..."
While Torimabia was lost in thought.
"Your Majesty, there is one more thing I must tell you."
"...Is it more important than this?"
"It concerns the follow-up information... and for us, this might be even more important."
"What is it?"
Torimabia asked in response to the Duke's additional report.
"It seems Marquis Palatio is capable of commanding other Divine Bloods."
"!! He can command Divine Bloods?"
Soon, the information reached the Queen's ears.
"Yes, so... if we can only establish a friendly relationship with Marquis Palatio..."
The information had flowed in—though its meaning was slightly different from how it had first started spreading.