Chapter 429: The Seeker (8)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 429: The Seeker (8)
Calypsophobia.
It was the official sequel created by the same developers of Psychedelia, the game Alon had enjoyed playing, yet it was a title he had never personally touched.
That was why, when he first heard the name Contanias, he could only recall the stories Evan had told him; no other information came to mind.
But at this very moment...
Hearing the absurd words spilling from the man’s mouth, fragments of memory regarding Contanias finally began to resurface.
‘Contanias, the Traitor of the Empire.’
Of course, he didn’t know the specific circumstances behind why he was branded a traitor. After all, he had never played Calypsophobia.
However, he was a character notorious in the gaming community for his verbal abuse—so much so that even Alon, who hadn't played the game, had read about him a few times.
‘...If I recall, people said that based on his speech alone, he sounded less like a prince and more like a street thug.’
Indeed, while his current manner of speaking retained a certain archaic elegance, the content was far from what one would expect in a pure fantasy setting. Alon stole another glance at Contanias.
Contanias, who was also staring back at Alon, twisted his lips into a sneer.
In that instant—
Snap!
With the sound of a finger snapping, Contanias, who had been standing there just a second ago, vanished without a trace.
It happened so fast.
As Alon looked around in bewilderment, he turned his gaze to the side.
“My apologies.”
The Mask, who had been watching Contanias’s verbal tirade from the sidelines, bowed his head.
“...What just happened?”
“I sent him back, as it seemed a rather unnecessary conflict was about to break out.”
“...Is such a thing even possible?”
“Yes. At least within the Tower, it is.”
While Alon marveled at the Mask’s words—
Thump! Rumble!
The sound of footsteps began to echo from far away.
The footsteps approached at an incredible speed. There stood Contanias, charging back at a pace impossible for any ordinary human.
‘...So he’s definitely not a normal person.’
He clearly possessed skills far beyond those of an average knight. Alon watched him approach with a terrifyingly grim expression, but—
Snap!
The sound of snapping fingers rang out again, and Contanias vanished once more.
Immediately afterward, a faint scream echoed from the distance...
Is he suffering from intermittent explosive disorder? Alon thought briefly before turning back to the Mask.
“By the way, is it really okay to do that?”
“To what are you referring?”
“...To Contanias.”
He seemed like a total lunatic, but in this era where the Empire was split into four, Contanias was the Emperor of the Northern Empire. Naturally, Alon felt a sense of concern. However—
“The Seeker does not wish for the participants to fight amongst themselves. Therefore, it is my duty to prevent unnecessary conflict.”
“...I feel like that was a bit aggressive for just 'preventing conflict,' though.”
“I had no choice, as it seemed inevitable that he would cause a disturbance otherwise.”
“....”
The Mask remained composed. He seemed remarkably efficient in his handling of matters, one way or another.
Alon felt his curiosity about the Seeker, which he had pushed aside, begin to swell again.
‘Who exactly is the Seeker?’
The Seeker.
Perhaps they were mentioned in Calypsophobia, but in Psychedelia, the "Contract of the Seeker" had only seemed like a teaser for a sequel or DLC. There was no concrete information available.
According to what he had heard from Nangwon upon arriving at the Tower, this place had simply appeared out of thin air one day.
“At any rate, I apologize for subjecting you to such an experience.”
Alon snapped out of his daze at the sound of the voice. The Mask bowed to him.
Alon waved his hand dismissively. “It’s fine.”
“Thank you for your understanding. It seems today’s meeting is off to a poor start, so it would be best to wait for another day.”
“Alright.”
It was time to return to his room under the guidance of the Skull Mask.
* * *
Several days had passed since he began staying in the Tower, but nothing significant had changed.
Naturally, he hadn't been able to obtain any meaningful information about the Seeker either. From the moment Alon arrived until now, he hadn't caught so much as a glimpse of the Seeker’s face.
Consequently, Alon spent his time with virtually no information, simply waiting for the appointed day and greeting those who arrived at the Tower as the date drew near.
Finally, the day arrived.
“It is time.”
“Should I go now?”
“Yes. It is time for everyone to gather.”
Alon followed the Mask without a word.
“You’ve arrived, Teacher.”
“You’re here, friend.”
Upon reaching the massive conference room, familiar faces greeted Alon. The first to catch his eye were Yutia and Siyan.
“Brother.”
“Ahem—welcome.”
Following them, Karsem and Palmalian offered their greetings as if they had been waiting. Alon acknowledged them with a light nod and took the seat the Mask pointed out.
He had already spoken with most of them over the past few days... though he hadn't had a chance to talk to Siyan, as she had arrived late the previous night.
“....”
“....”
When Alon looked at Siyan, she met his gaze. She wore a faint, inscrutable smile.
After a brief exchange of nods, Alon scanned the room to check the attendees.
‘Is it about half full?’
In addition to those he had just greeted, there were others in the conference room whom Alon did not recognize.
As he looked around, Alon realized that the Emperors of the various empires had not yet arrived. He couldn't see any of the bright platinum-blonde hair that served as the symbol of the Imperial bloodline.
Just as that thought crossed his mind—
The door opposite Alon opened, and a man walked in.
He had brilliant platinum-blonde hair that left no doubt in anyone's mind about his Imperial lineage. As soon as he entered, the relatively peaceful atmosphere of the conference room shifted.
“....”
“....”
Among the group, Yuman—who was sitting with Yutia—Palmalian, and several others pointedly avoided the man’s gaze or shot him looks of pure hostility.
The atmosphere had changed drastically.
However, Alon was not flustered by the situation. He had expected this to some extent.
‘I heard they all look down on the other kings.’
Although Alon hadn't attended any social gatherings for the rulers over the past few days, rumors had already reached his ears. Having a general grasp of the situation allowed him to remain calm.
The man, who had altered the air in the room just by appearing, was different from the other members of the Imperial family he had seen. He had a genial, friendly look in his eyes as he scanned the table.
Then, his eyes met Alon’s—
“!”
He broke into a bright smile.
“?”
Alon looked puzzled by the sudden reaction, but the man didn't seem to mind. He walked straight toward Alon without hesitation.
“Greetings, Mr. Alon.”
He offered a greeting with a smile that was completely devoid of any shadow.
After a moment of stunned silence, Alon instinctively stood up and shook the man’s hand.
“...Yes, uh, nice to meet you.”
“Yes!”
“But...”
Just as Alon was about to ask something, the man let out an exclamation as if he had just realized something.
“Oh, my apologies. I haven't introduced myself yet.”
His strangely radiant smile—one that felt fundamentally different from the rumors or the people Alon had actually met—deepened.
“I am Nataman, the one who, however inadequately, leads the Western Empire.”
The Emperor of the Western Empire bowed his head, saying, “I look forward to working with you.”
‘The Emperor of the Western Empire...? I thought the Western Empire was supposed to have fallen...?’
Alon quickly recalled the information in his head. Looking at the cheerful man, he felt a strange sense of dissonance.
Yes, dissonance.
It was as if he had seen that expression somewhere before—
As he stared blankly at the Emperor’s face, a realization flashed through Alon’s mind.
‘...Elivan?’
His smile was somehow reminiscent of Elivan’s.
And while Alon was experiencing this sense of déjà vu—
“....”
Yutia’s crimson eyes were silently fixed on Nataman.
Quietly.
And intensely.
* * *
Immediately after that.
Unfortunately, Alon didn't get to speak with Nataman, the Emperor of the Western Empire, any further.
This was because the other Emperors of the fractured Empire entered, followed by—
[Everyone has gathered.]
A figure appeared in the seat of honor, which had been empty until just a moment ago, as if they had been waiting for this exact moment.
‘...The Seeker.’
He couldn't get a clear look at the Seeker’s appearance. Despite the light in the Tower, the Seeker’s form was shrouded in darkness, as if submerged in pitch-black ink.
What was even more mysterious was—
‘...I can't feel anything?’
He couldn't sense anything from the Seeker who had just appeared.
“....”
At some point, Alon’s eyes had become capable of perceiving the lingering traces of mana. Because of this, even if a person wasn't actively using mana, he could get a general sense of their power just by perceiving them.
But he felt absolutely nothing from the Seeker.
It was as if he wasn't a living person at all.
Just as Alon began to feel a strange tension—
[The execution of the Contract of the Seeker begins now.]
The Seeker’s voice resonated through the room.
[Excluding the fourteen rulers present here, the remaining thirty-three are deemed to have abandoned their duties. Their contracts are hereby revoked.]
[Furthermore, those gathered here shall be considered as having entered into the execution of the Contract of the Seeker from this moment forward.]
[Starting tomorrow, you will participate in the 'Conference,' after which you will be granted a portion of 'Power' through the proper procedures.]
Having made the announcement with a uniquely majestic aura, the Seeker vanished instantly, without allowing a single question.
“...What?”
“Is it over?”
Silence fell over the room for a moment.
As the other kings began to mutter in confusion—
[The opening ceremony is now concluded. We would appreciate your attendance at the conference starting tomorrow.]
The Skull Mask appeared as if on cue and bowed politely.
The attendees all frowned. Had they not summoned the leaders of entire kingdoms in the midst of a war?
And yet, this was all?
It felt like a waste of time, and everyone displayed negative emotions. However, seeing no other choice, they began to rise from their seats.
“...It seems it’s over, Brother.”
“I suppose so.”
Just as Alon was about to stand up following Yuman—
“Hey, you there.”
A rude voice called out.
When Alon turned his head, he saw Contanias, the Emperor of the North, glaring at him with a look of pure irritation.
“What is it?”
When Alon asked back, Contanias let out a hollow laugh as if he found the question absurd.
“Do the idiots of the United Kingdoms not know the meaning of etiquette?”
“...Etiquette?”
“Yes. Isn't it only natural to apologize when you've caused offense?”
“Caused offense?”
“That’s right. Just by sitting here in the same room, you are making me incredibly uncomfortable.”
Alon was momentarily stunned. His provocation was so blatantly absurd.
But ridiculously enough, he seemed entirely sincere.
Alon suddenly recalled a few days ago—the man who had hurled abuse at him only to be sent back to his room.
Thinking back to that moment, Alon felt he understood the guy’s intentions. He couldn't even be bothered to respond.
Behind Alon, the expressions of Yutia and Yuman also hardened.
In that instant—
CRACK!
Contanias’s body flew through the air and slammed into the table.
Crash! Smash!
Contanias rolled violently across the long table with a deafening noise before finally crashing into the inner wall of the Tower.
Alon’s jaw dropped involuntarily at the sight. It was such a sudden act of violence.
Of course, the act itself was shocking.
But the real reason Alon was surprised was—
“Brother? You shouldn't speak so rudely, should you?”
Because Nataman, the Emperor of the Western Empire—who had been wearing such a genial smile when talking to Alon earlier—
Had just absolutely wrecked Contanias’s face.
“Right?”
And he did it while wearing a chillingly bright smile.
“...???”
Regardless of that, Alon’s mind was filled with only one thought.
What the hell just happened...?