Chapter 434: Strange (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 434: Strange (5)
Alon momentarily doubted his own ears.
The Princess’s husband.
He couldn't even begin to fathom how such a phrase had come about.
As Alon stood there speechless, the silence stretched on.
“Ahem—the Princess left word in advance. She commanded us not to delay and to keep the path open, as you would surely be coming this way.”
Only then could Alon piece together a rough picture of the situation...
Though, of course, he still didn't fully understand it.
Regardless, he realized one thing.
This was a golden opportunity.
A very good chance to easily cross the border, which should have been his biggest headache.
When Alon stole a glance at Yutia, she seemed lost in thought, the usual smile still playing on her lips.
The only subtle difference was that her smile looked significantly colder and more calculating than usual.
“...Hmm—I see.”
She eventually nodded, her movements somewhat stiff.
“Yes, well—alright, hmm—”
As if justifying something to herself.
“Yes, yes, well—I expected as much. That little rat-like—”
“Already twice now—”
“Next time, I’ll truly take the entire Empire—”
She muttered in a low voice that barely reached Alon’s ears, then turned to him with a bright beam.
“Teacher?”
“Uh, yeah...”
Feeling an inexplicable sense of pressure, Alon responded a beat late without realizing it.
A brief silence followed.
“Then, in the name of Palkindas, I shall grant you passage across the border.”
The group crossed the border far more easily and simply than they had ever anticipated.
“...Uh, that was way too simple.”
“Indeed.”
Evan looked dazed, and Alon shared the sentiment.
Seeing their reactions, Yutia spoke with a smile.
“Isn't it a good thing we passed through without any trouble?”
“I suppose so.”
“It’s a relief that the Princess opened the way for us.”
“...Right.”
“Well, it’s all based on a misunderstanding, though.”
“Hmm?”
“I mean, she probably thinks Teacher visited the Eastern Empire just to become her husband.”
“....”
“Right, Teacher?”
Yutia’s final words.
Her smile remained unchanged, but Alon’s intuition flared.
He felt that his next answer would be incredibly important.
“That’s right.”
When Alon nodded casually, Yutia finally smiled with satisfaction.
And that night.
“Hmm—statistically speaking, people who are short do tend to have somewhat arrogant personalities.”
“Oh my, do you think so? My thoughts are quite similar to yours on that matter. Well, rather than just a thought, it’s more of a statistic, as you said.”
“Yes, exactly! It’s a common statistic that short friends are arrogant and cocky because of their height.”
“Mm-hmm—exactly. I really see eye-to-eye with you, Penia. Is it because you’re a knowledgeable mage?”
“Ahem—you don’t have to flatter me that much.”
“If you had been a mage of the Empire, you would have achieved even greater things.”
“Oh, please—I wouldn’t want to be born in the Empire. Those Imperial folks are nothing but arrogant cowards, aren't they? And they’re short, too.”
“True. They are short and arrogant, especially the higher their rank.”
Yutia and Penia.
The two, who were usually quite distant—or rather, where Penia was usually stiff and awkward while walking on eggshells—were now in perfect harmony, passionately badmouthing the people of the Empire. It was a sight to behold.
“...Hmm, Lord Alon. Did such a statistic actually exist?”
“...I’m not sure.”
“Can a short guy even afford to be arrogant...? He’d just get the hell beaten out of him...”
Listening to Evan’s confused muttering, Alon took a bite of his sweet potato...
The sweet potato was as delicious as ever.
* * *
The Father of Maggots had been in a foul mood lately.
There were two main reasons.
One was that his group had recently been losing ground in the territorial wars.
The other was that news of the Star Eater’s disposal hadn't reached him as quickly as he had expected.
Of course, the fact that the Void—one of the Four Divine Blood Factions in the East—seemed to be up to something suspicious was also grating on his nerves, but it wasn't as significant as the first two issues.
“Phew—”
The Father of Maggots hadn't paid much attention to the Star Eater at first.
Even though it was a direct order from That Person, killing a mere human seemed far too easy for him.
No, it wasn't even worth mentioning as a task.
In the first place, killing the Star Eater wasn't something he needed to handle personally.
The command issued under That Person’s prestige was more than enough to mobilize other Divine Bloods.
Yet, strangely, news of the Star Eater’s death was slow to arrive.
Instead, as time passed, the reports he received were all negative from his perspective.
The only news he had heard so far was...
That the Divine Bloods who went to handle the Star Eater had instead formed a group to protect him.
And that even the Darkness-Eating Sword, who had gone with other Divine Bloods to eliminate the Star Eater, had vanished without a trace.
There was no way he could be in a good mood.
Ultimately, things having come to this, the Father of Maggots had no choice but to personally cross over to the United Kingdoms and deal with the Star Eater.
If he just sat idly by while the other Divine Bloods fumbled around, he wouldn't have the face to meet That Person later.
The problem, however, was...
If he did that, other Divine Blood factions might take the opportunity to strike his own.
He was caught in a catch-22. Just as he was letting out a sigh...
[...Darkness-Eating Sword?]
The Father of Maggots spotted a figure.
It was the Darkness-Eating Sword, walking toward him.
Before he could even process his confusion...
[...Heh.]
The Father of Maggots’ expression brightened.
The return of the Darkness-Eating Sword meant the mission had been accomplished.
A chuckling sound began to leak from his entire body.
However.
[...?]
As the Darkness-Eating Sword drew closer, doubt clouded his face.
Behind the man who had insisted on leaving alone, five other Divine Bloods were visible.
Thus.
[...What is the meaning of this?]
He asked as the Darkness-Eating Sword came within range.
The Darkness-Eating Sword, staring at the Father of Maggots with his characteristic skull-like glowing eyes without a word, finally spoke.
[It is a pity.]
Just as the Father of Maggots felt a sense of unease at the ominous reply...
He saw it.
The sword held in the Darkness-Eating Sword’s hand.
[Ha—]
As if finally realizing the truth, he let out an absurd laugh.
[...Are you serious, you bastard?]
[I am.]
[If you touch me now, That Person will not stay silent, you know?]
It was a blatant threat.
This was a threat that worked on most Divine Bloods who weren't part of a hostile faction.
After all, getting on the bad side of any major faction was an incredibly exhausting prospect for any Divine Blood.
[Do not worry. Preparations have already been made.]
Despite this, the Darkness-Eating Sword raised his blade.
Faced with unwavering hostility, the Father of Maggots finally radiated blatant malice.
[Do not think I will die easily—!]
He began to drift into the sky.
Dark clouds gathered in the sky that had been clear just moments ago.
The dozens of mouths attached to his long body began to emit eerie shrieks in unison, leaking something foul.
And then.
[Do you think you can defeat me so easily just because you are strong?]
The Father of Maggots showed a degree of confidence.
The Darkness-Eating Sword, watching him silently, replied.
[It would certainly be difficult to handle you alone.]
[Heh—!]
[But I have no intention of fighting you alone.]
He spoke calmly.
[Huh?]
Only then did the Father of Maggots see them.
He had been aware of them earlier, but because of the Darkness-Eating Sword, he had momentarily forgotten.
The five Divine Bloods were already preparing to attack him.
[Ah.]
A low groan of despair escaped from his numerous mouths.
* * *
By the time their journey westward reached the one-month and two-week mark...
Alon harbored a small doubt.
“Evan.”
“Yes.”
“Aren't we in the Western territory now?”
“...Hmm—I believe so? We’re right in the middle of it, aren't we?”
At Evan’s words, Alon tilted his head.
“...But for being in the middle of it, we haven't encountered a single Divine Blood, have we?”
According to the information Evan had brought before they left for the West...
Most of the Western Empire had been devoured by Divine Bloods, so they were expected to encounter them at any moment.
Yet, despite having been in the Western Empire for quite some time, they hadn't run into a single one.
It was strange.
Evan then asked.
“Well—isn't it a good thing if we don't meet them?”
“Well, I suppose...”
At Alon’s lukewarm reaction, Evan added.
“More importantly, we’re almost there.”
“...Almost?”
“According to the intel, the area where the dragon called the ‘Father of Maggots’ resides should appear around here.”
As Alon nodded gravely, Penia, who had been frequently checking the mood lately—likely due to Yutia’s presence—asked cautiously.
“...Um, Lord Alon? Do you still intend to go through with the plan?”
“Yes.”
Naturally, Alon hadn't come to fight the Father of Maggots without a plan.
Having already fought a Divine Blood at the Colony, Alon knew exactly how powerful they were.
Even with Yutia along, he still had to be careful.
‘First, I’ll have to observe from a distance. And after that—’
Alon reviewed the simulations he had run in his head multiple times.
What broke his train of thought was...
Thump— Thump—!
A massive vibration echoing faintly from the distance.
A vibration that no human could possibly produce.
Alon instinctively cut off his thoughts.
He quickly formed a seal with his hands.
Just as a small amount of divine power flowed from Yutia’s hand and a now well-manifested mana flowed from Penia’s lips...
“...Um, Lord Alon?”
Evan called out to him.
“Has a Divine Blood appeared?”
“No, uh—not that, but we’ve arrived.”
“...Is that so?”
“Yes, it seems that place over there matches the map. But...”
“But...?”
“Well, would you like to come out and see for yourself?”
At Evan’s request, Alon’s group stepped out of the carriage with puzzled expressions.
And there, they witnessed it.
■■■■■■—!!!
A creature with a horrifyingly massive body covered in dozens, no, hundreds of sharp mouths—likely the ‘Father of Maggots’ the Seeker had mentioned.
And.
[Kuaaaaaakh—!!]
...That Divine Blood was currently being mercilessly beaten by a group of other Divine Bloods surrounding it.
“...What in the world is that...?”
A look of uncontrollable bewilderment escaped Alon’s lips.