Chapter 422: The Seeker (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 422: The Seeker (1)
“So, you’re saying a group of Divine Blood called ‘Star Root’ has emerged… is that it?”
“Yes.”
Alon tilted his head slightly at Evan’s answer before asking, “How did such a rumor even spread…?”
“Pardon…?”
Alon elaborated for the bewildered Evan. “It’s not as if the Divine Blood would go around telling humans they’ve formed an organization or a club, would they?”
His doubt was reasonable.
If it were a human organization, it was only natural for rumors to spread as they became more active. No matter how much they operated in the underworld, word would eventually leak unless they enforced absolute secrecy.
But what if they were Divine Blood?
To begin with, they weren't human. Nor were they of a size that could easily blend in among humans. Therefore, the very fact that such a rumor was circulating was extremely peculiar.
“Hmm—it is a bit strange. I didn’t think to ask the information guild about that part, so I’ll look into it immediately.”
“Please do.”
“Anyway, it seems this group of Divine Blood called ‘Star Root’ is growing in power within the United Kingdoms.”
“Hmm…”
Alon fell into thought.
‘…I was clearly told that not many Divine Blood fell toward the United Kingdoms.’
That was what he had heard from the Blue-eyed Entity and the Risen One. As proof, unlike the Empire, which had been in an uproar due to the Divine Blood, the United Kingdoms had been remarkably peaceful. The number of times a Divine Blood appeared hadn't even exceeded ten.
‘But you said earlier that eight individual Divine Blood are already active in the United Kingdoms.’
Reaching that point in his thoughts, Alon followed up with another question. “Evan, have you heard anything about the scale of this ‘Star Root’ group?”
“According to the information guild’s investigation, they say it exceeds ten individuals.”
“…Ten individuals?”
“Yes.”
“That… isn't exactly good news,” Penia muttered in a grave voice as she listened beside them.
Evan asked, “Well, it might not be good news, but it’s not necessarily bad news either, is it?”
“…You’re saying this isn't bad news?”
“Right?”
“Sigh—”
Penia let out a long sigh, her expression clearly saying, ‘This idiot, seriously.’ She could see right through Evan’s thought process.
She spoke as if stating the obvious. “I bet you’re saying it’s not bad news because, even though many Divine Blood have gathered, they haven't specifically attacked the kingdom yet, right?”
“Exactly. They aren't attacking, are they?”
“Aren't you being a bit too optimistic?”
“…Am I?”
“Of course! Even if we’re fighting hard against the Divine Blood appearing here and there right now, we have no idea how they’ll act next. If all those gathered Divine Blood actually decide to steamroll the United Kingdoms together, we won’t stand a chance.”
Evan scratched his head and countered, “No, well—it’s not like I haven't thought of that, but honestly, would they really do that?”
“On what grounds do you say that?”
“From the Divine Blood’s perspective, we probably don’t look particularly threatening even now, do we?”
“Well—” Penia hesitated for a moment before answering. “Realistically, that’s true.”
“See? If they wanted to attack humans, they would’ve done it already. But if you look closely, they’re just increasing in number without actually attacking anyone, right?”
“That’s true, but…”
Penia wore an uncertain expression at Evan’s logic that if they were going to attack, they would have done so long ago.
Listening to their exchange, Alon reached his own conclusion.
‘…It would be best to prepare.’
Naturally, neither Penia nor Evan was wrong. If there were only one or two Divine Blood, he was confident he could stop them somehow. But if there were more than ten, there was no way he could stop them at this point, no matter what he did.
‘Though Evan’s opinion isn't entirely dismissible.’
Even as he prepared, he didn't intend to ignore Evan’s view. It had its own validity. As far as Alon knew, the Divine Blood were supposed to fight each other. To them, humans were merely finite tools, and they needed to quickly secure their own faith now to stand against the next stage of Divine Blood that would awaken later.
Yet, these Divine Blood, who should be in a hurry, were leisurely gathering their forces? It was indeed a bit strange.
“Evan.”
“Yes, Lord Alon.”
“First, I’d like you to investigate this ‘Star Root’ as thoroughly as possible.”
“Understood.”
Alon decided to pay a bit more attention to the matter.
* * *
The next day.
Alon arrived at Divine Land.
And then.
“Lord Alon.”
“Yes.”
“I expected it, but…”
“I expected it too, but still.”
“…It’s developed even more than I thought.”
“…I agree.”
Evan, Alon, and Penia stood on a cliff overlooking Divine Land, momentarily lost for words.
It was because the place had changed so drastically since their last visit that it felt like a lifetime had passed. What they had seen before was merely hundreds of tents set up temporarily, with small houses just beginning to be built sporadically on the outskirts.
But the view before their eyes now?
“…Lord Alon.”
“What is it?”
“Has it been about a year since we last came to Divine Land?”
“…Hasn't it only been a few months?”
“Right?”
It had changed so much that even Evan questioned his memory. Most of the hundreds of tents had been replaced by houses, and the outskirts of the settlement, which had been nothing more than a wooden fence, were now fortified with stone walls, albeit low ones.
In fact, except for the absence of a central castle, it was now in a state that deserved to be called a proper territory.
“…Where on earth is the money coming from?” Alon muttered.
Evan suddenly recalled the madness of the lottery donations that had taken place in the annex when Palantia was founded.
“Could it be donations?”
“Donations…?”
“Yes.”
“…Can that much be gathered through donations alone?”
“Hmm—well—even in Rosario, donations basically make up the largest portion of the budget, don't they?”
Penia resolved Alon’s doubt.
‘…Religions don’t have a lot of money for nothing.’
Realizing this truth anew, Alon entered Divine Land.
“Welcome, Your Majesty!”
“Boss!”
“Hello, Mr. God.”
As if they had been waiting, Silli, Ryanga, and Historia greeted him.
* * *
‘Ah, and if you have concerns about your divinity, try visiting Divine Land. You might find the answer there.’
After a brief greeting, Alon entered his office, which still maintained the form of a tent. Siyan’s words naturally came to mind.
‘I’ve come here for now, but…’
In a way, it might seem a bit foolish. Siyan’s words were nothing more than a guess, after all. However, Alon felt a sense of credibility in her words, which was why he had come to Divine Land without hesitation—
‘…I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.’
Nothing in particular came to mind.
Just then.
Tap—
At some point, a pure white cat appeared in front of Alon—no.
“…Kalanon?”
[Meow—]
It was Kalanon. She looked as if she had something to say. While Alon wore a questioning expression, Kalanon hopped onto the desk and placed a small paw on the back of his hand.
Simultaneously.
“!”
Alon felt as if his consciousness was being sucked away somewhere. When his momentarily darkened vision returned to normal…
“…This place is.”
He was in a familiar space he had seen many times before, where a blue milky way sparkled.
And then.
“I had so much to tell you! Why did you only come now?!”
“…Kalanon?”
“Yes?”
“No, never mind. More importantly, you said you had a lot to tell me? Did something happen?”
“Yes! Of course it did!”
“…Is it about my divinity, by any chance?”
“Yes. There are many things I want to tell you, but the conclusion is—”
From Kalanon, who appeared in her usual girl form, he heard an incredible story.
“—We… we can make a god now…!”
“…What?”
It was a statement that instantly pulled Alon’s concentration to its absolute peak.
* * *
To the west of the Ampellan continent, where the Empire was located.
It was a land once called the Western Empire, but now, having lost even its name to the fallen Divine Blood, it had turned into a living hell.
In the middle of the southern territory—once the estate of the Nix family, which had produced a great Prime Minister of the Empire, but was now a complete ruin.
Creeeak, crunch—
There was an incredibly long Divine Blood, resembling the dragons of Eastern mythology. Its entire elongated body was covered in gruesome teeth and mouths.
In the center of the territory where the sun was setting, thousands, tens of thousands of glowing round orbs shone. The entity gracefully swimming among them was none other than the ‘Father of Maggots.’
He was one of the strongest among the Divine Blood currently active after falling from the sky, and a subordinate of ‘Rotten Mouth.’ He glided leisurely through the air.
Soon, sensing a Divine Blood approaching the outskirts of the territory, he spoke.
[What is it?]
Despite the other party also being a Divine Blood, he naturally spoke down to them. It was due to the power and strength he possessed. None of the Divine Blood before him could match him.
[…I have come to deliver a report.]
At the words of the subordinate, from whose body trash-like powder incessantly poured, the Father of Maggots asked back.
[A report?]
[Yes, regarding the order passed down by the Great Rotten Mouth to eliminate the ‘Star Eater’—]
[Ah—ah, that. Surely the ‘Poison Eater’ went to handle it.]
The Father of Maggots nodded. He remembered the task he had assigned to the Divine Blood.
[So, is the ‘Star Eater’ dead?]
There wasn't a shred of doubt in the Father of Maggots’ voice. To begin with, it was a task to kill a mere human, not even someone from the Empire. It should have been all too easy for the Divine Blood.
However.
[That… it seems they failed.]
[What?]
The Father of Maggots was taken aback by the following words.
[Failed?]
[That… yes.]
He couldn't easily comprehend it. But his frown lasted only a moment before the hundreds of mouths across his body let out a mocking laugh.
[What a disgrace to the Divine Blood, failing to kill a mere human. How absurd.]
He was genuinely dumbfounded.
[Still, there’s no need to worry, is there? It’s not as if that fool went alone. Surely… the Sinful Ghost went as well? I believe the Gluttonous Insect went too.]
He continued to glide leisurely through the air as if there were nothing to worry about, but—
[…That.]
[What is it?]
[…It seems those two also failed.]
[What…?]
He stopped moving at the following words.
[…Failed, you say?]
[Yes, it appears both have been annihilated.]
[…??]
He was momentarily speechless. Of course, he was aware that the Star Eater was no ordinary human. But even so, a human was just a human, nothing more than a tool to the Divine Blood.
[…Does that even make sense?]
The Father of Maggots asked back, truly unable to understand.
[That… I am not sure either.]
The other Divine Blood also scratched his head as if he didn't understand. After an awkward silence passed—
[…Well, fine. Such things can happen.]
Though it was difficult to accept, the long and hideous Divine Blood took it in and began to glide through the air once more.
[The Burnt Vegetation went next. Since two additional Divine Blood followed him to eliminate the Star Eater, there won’t be another failure.]
The Father of Maggots thought of the Burnt Vegetation. While not as strong as himself, he was certainly powerful among those who had fallen. The same went for the two Divine Blood who accompanied him.
However.
[…That.]
[?]
[I actually have something to tell you regarding that part as well.]
[What is it?]
[…It seems the Burnt Vegetation and the two other Divine Blood are currently protecting the Star Eater.]
[What? No—didn't they go there to kill him?]
[…Yes.]
[And yet they’re suddenly protecting him?]
[It appears so….]
[…Why…??]
[That, I am not sure either….]
[?????]
At this unexpected update on the situation, his gliding was forced to come to a dead halt once again.