Chapter 427: The Seeker (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 427: The Seeker (6)
With Penia’s small, sharp gasp, silence descended upon the camp that had been bustling only moments ago.
‘...What is this?’
Alon stared at Yutia with a blank expression.
The gentle smile playing on her lips was the same as always. The only thing that had changed was her hair.
But that alone—no, it was exactly that.
It gave Alon quite a shock. He had harbored some suspicions, but he never imagined that Yutia would actually do her hair in twin-tails.
‘Why so suddenly...?’
Questions flooded his mind.
To be honest, he had noticed it. He knew she had been trying to change her hairstyle since the last time they spoke. But he hadn't expected something this radical.
Of course, there was nothing wrong with it. It wasn't wrong, but—
“...Uh...”
While Alon’s mind raced, Yuman, the Saint of Rosario, lost his usual smile and faced reality with a look of utter bewilderment.
“...Cardinal, you’ve changed your hair.”
“Yes.”
“...Why so suddenly...?” Yuman asked cautiously.
Yutia’s smile didn't waver. “Just—I thought I’d try a change of pace.”
“I... see.”
Yuman was visibly flustered. It was a reaction he couldn't hide.
However, no one could blame him. The other Paladins, Penia, and Evan—everyone present felt the same way.
Yet, even amidst that atmosphere, Yutia’s composure remained unbroken. In fact, she approached Alon with an air of subtle confidence.
“Teacher, have you been well?”
For some reason, her voice sounded more triumphant than usual as she greeted him.
“Uh... yeah. Have you been doing well?”
“Yes, of course I have.”
Alon nodded, though he was still utterly confused.
Then, she brushed a hand through her hair and asked, “More importantly, Teacher, what do you think?”
“...About what?”
“I tried a new style this time. I was curious to know your thoughts.”
Faced with her smiling yet strangely intense question, Alon fell into deep thought.
To be blunt, his impression of Yutia’s twin-tails... was not exactly positive.
His initial thought was that such a style only suited young girls. Of course, Yutia’s appearance was quite youthful, and Alon’s mindset might have been a bit old-fashioned, but...
Regardless, that was his honest internal reaction.
But separately, he wondered if it was right to be honest. Judging by the triumphant aura behind Yutia’s gentle smile, she seemed quite pleased with her current look.
After a moment of deliberation, Alon asked back, “Are you asking for my honest opinion?”
“Yes.”
Having made up his mind, he gave his answer.
“...I think your original style suits you better than this.”
“Ah.”
Yutia’s pupils dilated instantly. She looked as if she had been struck.
Just as Alon felt a simultaneous wave of confusion and embarrassment at her reaction—
“I-I see,” Yutia replied.
Unlike before, her voice was slightly stiff. She walked back toward the carriage with unsteady steps, looking as if she were in a trance.
“...Uh... Did I say something wrong?”
“Well... it’s something you’re allowed to say, but...” Penia began to answer the bewildered Alon.
Meanwhile, deep in the forest.
“...”
“...”
A man and a woman, Hidan and Yuna, were watching the scene with their vision enhanced by mana.
Finally, seeing Yutia walking stiffly back to the carriage after standing before Alon, Hidan spoke.
“...Yuna.”
“Yeah...”
“Bury me next to the orphanage.”
“...Understood. If there are any remains left to bury, I’ll do that.”
“...”
Hidan closed his eyes tightly at Yuna’s prophecy, humbly accepting his impending death.
* * *
Another week passed after they joined up with Yutia.
While heading toward the Central Tower, Alon encountered another familiar face.
“Brother!”
“It has been a while, Your Majesty. I hope you have been well.”
“...Prince?”
It was Karsem, who had become the King of the desert city Colony.
“Please, just call me comfortably! More importantly, I’m sorry. I really wanted to attend your coronation, but I couldn't make it—”
“It’s fine. Are you also heading toward the Central Tower?”
Karsem nodded at Alon’s question.
“I am. Are you as well, Brother?”
“That’s right.”
“Then, would it be alright if I joined you? Since we’re going the same way.”
At Karsem’s suggestion, Alon glanced toward Yutia and Yuman. Both of them gave a light nod.
“Let’s do that.”
It was decided that Karsem would join them.
“I look forward to traveling with you,” Karsem said with a bow.
Alon returned the greeting and soon began to converse with him on various topics. The most significant subject was the letter that had summoned the kings of the United Kingdoms, including Alon.
“Do you happen to know anything about the letter?” Alon asked.
Karsem shook his head.
“No... To be honest, I don’t know much about the Contract of the Seeker either, Brother. However, even though Colony is in a disastrous state, I felt it was worth heading to the Central Tower, so I’m going to see for myself.”
“...Worth it?”
“Yes. After receiving the letter, I searched the ancient archives of Colony to see if there was any information left.”
The ancient archives were located deep underground outside the city, so they had escaped the destruction. Karsem organized his thoughts for a moment before continuing.
“When I went there, I found records regarding the Contract of the Seeker.”
“What did they say?”
“It wasn't anything major. It simply said to faithfully fulfill the contract when the time comes. It mentioned that by doing so, one could receive power.”
“Entrusted power?”
“Yes. Of course, I don’t know what that power is, but...” Karsem’s expression grew more serious. “At this point, anything is better than nothing if it can help the country I lead.”
“...I see.”
“To be honest, it weighs on my heart to leave the country while it’s still being rebuilt... but Seolrang is there in Colony, after all.”
Alon fell silent for a moment at those words. Ever since their encounter, he had been meaning to ask about Seolrang.
“Speaking of which, how is Seolrang?”
The topic shifted naturally. Karsem let out a small groan as if remembering her.
“Mmm—her wounds have all healed.”
“...Is there any particular problem?”
“A problem... At least as far as I know, there aren't any special problems with her.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Even when I try to think if anything has changed, nothing really stood out.”
Alon murmured, “I see,” and gave a short nod.
The conversation continued for a while longer. Eventually, Alon climbed into the carriage, and Evan, who was beside him, called out.
“Lord Alon.”
“Hmm?”
“I’m just curious, but why have you been so concerned about Seolrang lately?”
“...?”
“Ah, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing to care, but you seem to ask after her quite often.”
It certainly could have looked that way. Alon remained silent for a moment.
“There’s a reason,” he said, looking out the carriage window.
The sky outside was blue.
“...There is a reason.”
His murmur scattered quietly into the air.
* * *
As the sun began to set and night approached.
“Whew—”
In a massive training ground prepared on one side of Divine Land, Simus let out a long breath while holding his sword. Sweat poured off his body like rain.
However, it wasn't because he had performed any particularly intense exercise. All he had done from morning until evening was stand there, silently gripping his sword.
Yet, Simus was clearly satisfied with the situation. After weeks of struggle, he could feel it instinctively.
He had reached it.
‘It is not about finding a derivative.’
‘It is not about using mana.’
‘Just desire it, and you shall obtain your power.’
Simus recalled the moment a few weeks ago. The glorious moment he had been granted power by That Person. He remembered the words he had heard then.
Honestly, Simus didn't know why he had been chosen. There were many people in Divine Land far more impressive than him.
Nevertheless, the undeniable fact was that That Person had trusted Simus and bestowed power upon him. And he had to live up to those expectations.
That was why Simus hadn't been able to rest since receiving the power. He kept reciting the words his god had spoken, continuing his meditation to somehow follow his will.
And today.
He had realized it. Only one step remained.
“!”
That wasn't all. He instinctively realized what was needed for that final step.
‘The desired power.’
That Person had said it. Simply visualize what you desire.
And what Simus desired was—
‘...The power to defeat the Divine Blood.’
—Exactly that.
Compared to the massive Divine Bloods, humans were infinitely small and frail. That was why he wanted the power to stand against the enemy. A power to face those overwhelming and gargantuan beings.
And then.
Vroooooom—!
In the next moment, Simus felt something inside his body explode outward.
Soon—
* * *
The Darkness-Eating Sword.
Among the current Divine Bloods, he was one of the strongest. He had crossed over to the United Kingdoms to kill the Star Eater... but was soon semi-forcibly (?) recruited into the ‘Star Root.’
To be honest, he had many grievances with this group called Star Root. It was only natural, as he hadn't joined because he wanted to.
Furthermore, his dissatisfaction grew because they were spouting unreliable nonsense—the ridiculous claim that the Star Eater could share the power of a god.
Of course, several members, including Burnt Vegetation, claimed to have seen the Star Eater sharing the abilities of the Divine Blood, but he couldn't easily believe those words.
In fact, he thought it was practically impossible. The power of the Divine Blood was like one’s very essence.
But to go beyond absorbing that essence and actually pass it on to others? Unless one was literally an omnipotent god, it was impossible. Thus, the Darkness-Eating Sword wanted to see for himself. He wanted to verify if the Star Eater truly possessed such an ability.
Fortunately, his actions weren't heavily restricted. Part of it was because he moved without Burnt Vegetation’s knowledge, but it was also because there were other Divine Bloods who agreed with him.
No matter how many witnesses there were, the idea was still far-fetched to the Divine Bloods who had been recruited by Burnt Vegetation, whether voluntarily or not.
Thus, a total of five Divine Bloods, including the Darkness-Eating Sword, used the ability of one of their own to intentionally create avatars and move toward Divine Land, where he was located.
[So this is the Divine Land ruled by the Star Eat—??]
Before long, upon arriving at Divine Land, they witnessed it.
Floating above Divine Land.
A massive greatsword.