Chapter 453: Why Are You Doing This…? (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 453: Why Are You Doing This…? (1)
[Because now, you will be able to 'manifest' in the truest sense of the word!]
Alon was momentarily bewildered by Kalanon’s words.
He immediately asked back.
“……True manifestation? What do you mean by that?”
[Huh? Exactly what it sounds like.]
Kalanon tilted her head as if wondering why he was asking, then let out an exclamation of realization.
[Until now, you’ve been transforming into Kalanon, haven't you, Lord Alon? Because of that, you were able to use the power of lightning that I once wielded.]
“That’s true.”
[But naturally, that power wasn't yours. It was power gathered with me as the primary vessel.]
Alon nodded silently.
He understood that much clearly.
[However, at this point, the faith belonging to me—Kalanon—and your faith, Lord Alon, have already diverged.]
“As you said earlier, they’ve been separated?”
[Yes. To be more precise, it feels like I’ve become your vassal.]
Kalanon chuckled, adding, "Well, as long as I'm warm and well-fed, I don't really care who I belong to," before continuing.
[Anyway, the conclusion is that because of this, I’m saying you can finally manifest in the proper sense. You are now receiving faith as a god yourself, without having to borrow the power of Kalanon.]
“I see……”
Alon nodded.
He realized why he could no longer transform into Kalanon.
But now, a new curiosity arose.
“I understand everything you’ve told me.”
[Yes.]
“Then, what will I manifest as?”
At that question, Kalanon stared intently at Alon.
Her gaze seemed to contemplate his very inner self.
After some time had passed.
[Hmm—]
Just as Kalanon was about to answer—
[It will probably take a bit more time for the manifestation to occur. The first time requires a staggering amount of faith, and the texture of that faith must be identical—huh?]
—she expressed a sudden doubt.
“……What is it? Is there a problem?”
Kalanon didn't respond immediately, staring at Alon for a long moment.
[Uh…… no. It’s not that anything is wrong…… it’s just that there’s a bit of an anomalous faith mixed in.]
“Anomalous faith?”
[Yes. It’s a faith that seems far too massive to be considered human…….]
“Can you distinguish things like that?”
[If you look at faith for a long time, you can tell to some extent. Especially when it’s this bloated.]
Kalanon mumbled to herself while peering into Alon for a while longer.
[Well—I don't think you need to worry too much about it.]
She returned to her usual cheerful demeanor.
“……Can you really say it’s fine so lightly?”
[I mean, honestly, it is too massive to be human, but faith is faith regardless.]
Kalanon shrugged, saying there was no reason not to accept it.
As Alon and Kalanon continued their conversation.
Rumble—!
[Ah, it’s starting to collapse! See you next time!]
“I have one more question.”
[Go ahead!]
“I know you gain a lot of faith by staying by my side. Why do you always complain about having no faith and struggling?”
Though time was running out and the situation was urgent, he threw out the question that had suddenly occurred to him.
[Ah—that, ahem…… well—]
Kalanon averted her eyes, feigning ignorance.
Alon tried to press further, but before he could, the world began to crumble around them.
[Ahem—! Anyway, see you next time! And just in case you're wondering, I'm not skimming any off the top, so don't worry!]
* * *
Alon eventually emerged without receiving an answer.
After his meeting with Kalanon.
“Boss!”
“God, it’s been a while.”
“Ryanga, Historia. It has been a while.”
Alon reunited with Ryanga and Historia, who had returned to the Divine Land.
As they exchanged warm greetings, he couldn't help but look surprised inwardly.
The reason was simple.
“……Line?”
“It’s been a long time, Godfather.”
Line was standing behind Ryanga and Historia.
“Why are you here……?”
Alon was puzzled by Line’s sudden appearance.
“It seems you aren't very pleased to see me here, Godfather.”
Line expressed her disappointment with a slightly dejected expression.
In response, Alon showed a hint of flustered movement, despite his expressionless face.
“Fufu—I’m just joking, Godfather.”
Seeing Line smile as if she had caught him, Alon let out a small sigh of relief.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Alon learned why she had come.
“……To see me?”
“Yes, Godfather. Meeting Ryanga and Historia was just a coincidence.”
Line naturally stroked the heads of Ryanga and Historia.
Alon felt a strange sense of dissonance seeing the two sit there casually under her touch, but it was only for a moment.
“Ah, come to think of it, I have something to tell you as well.”
Recalling the story of Arculainisis, he briefly recounted what had happened in the Empire.
When the story ended.
“Eh—that crybaby is a Guardian Dragon??”
“Are you sure it’s not someone else?”
“That is a bit surprising…….”
Ryanga and Historia’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Even Line looked surprised.
Of course, Alon thought their reactions were only natural.
After all, the only side of Arculainisis they had ever seen was her crying.
“……She’s really moved up in the world.”
“Tell me about it.”
While Historia and Ryanga exchanged exasperated remarks.
“Godfather, are you going to see Arculainisis next time?”
“Probably not right now, but I expect I will soon.”
“Then, may I go with you?”
“You too?”
“Yes.”
Line asked with a smile.
Alon thought for a moment before speaking.
“There’s no reason why you can’t.”
“Thank you.”
Line bowed her head slightly in gratitude, and they continued to catch up on lost time.
“So, what brings you here? Did something happen in Phildegrin?”
“No, it’s not that. Divine Blood have been appearing in Phildegrin as well, but not to the point where it’s a major problem.”
At Alon’s follow-up question, Line shook her head.
“Actually, the reason I came is because I found something.”
“Found something……?”
“Yes.”
She brought up an important topic.
“I found a way for those of us chosen as Sins to become stronger. Even more so than now.”
* * *
Around the time Alon was having that conversation with Line.
In a massive cavern deep beneath Calliban.
Thump—!
The Risen One, who had been sitting on a giant stone throne, was heading toward the surface.
He had sensed the presence of Divine Blood near Calliban.
[So they’ve finally come…….]
For the Risen One, fighting the Divine Blood was not particularly welcome.
Of course, he had no doubt that such a battle would yield sweet fruit, but dealing with the Divine Blood was bound to be exhausting.
Even so, he couldn't give up the rewards he stood to gain for that reason alone.
And above all, the Risen One headed to the surface because he was reasonably confident in his own martial prowess.
Not long after he began to move, the Risen One spotted a Divine Blood approaching from afar and clicked his tongue instinctively.
[……The Macerated Tree.]
The Macerated Tree.
An entity that belonged to the considerably strong tier even among 1st Stage Divine Blood.
It was approaching the Risen One as if it had a clear purpose.
[Whew.]
At the sight, the Risen One sighed and gripped his spear.
He knew that the Macerated Tree was not an opponent one could reason with.
[Hey, why don't you just turn back?]
He tested the waters just in case.
[Heh, how unfortunate. But I absolutely need the humans behind you.]
The Macerated Tree, which took the form of a tortoise, continued to push its body forward relentlessly.
The moment the Risen One tightened his grip on his spear, resigned to the fight.
[!?]
His eyes flew wide open.
Soon, his gaze was filled with bewilderment and dismay.
Naturally, it wasn't because of the Macerated Tree.
No matter how troublesome that thing was, it wasn't an opponent that could make him feel this level of emotion.
The reason the Risen One was flustered was because of the presences he felt.
As soon as the Macerated Tree moved, the presences of at least five other Divine Blood were felt, as if they had been waiting.
In that moment of the Risen One’s confusion.
Thump—thump-thump-thump—!!
Five Divine Blood emerged from the distance.
[Dammit—!]
The Risen One grimaced and immediately raised his spear.
However.
[?]
A strange doubt soon bloomed on his face.
The Macerated Tree’s expression was filled with the same bewilderment as his own.
Just what was going on……?
The moment the Risen One tilted his head in confusion.
[D-Divine Blood!]
[Here, it was right here!!]
Boom—!
The five Divine Blood that appeared rushed toward the Macerated Tree all at once.
Craaaaash—!
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Without even weighing the situation, they suddenly began to pummel the Macerated Tree.
It was a sudden development that left no time to react.
[Aaaaaagh!?]
The Macerated Tree tried to resist belatedly by using its abilities, but unfortunately, it was useless against the beating of five other Divine Blood.
After the Macerated Tree’s body had been sent flying through the air several times.
The Divine Blood who had landed the first blow(?) on the Macerated Tree spoke benevolently.
[Now, let us all welcome the thirty-fourth member of the Star Cluster.]
The statement was so out of left field that it didn't fit the situation at all.
[What kind of bullshit is—]
The Macerated Tree, who seemed to share the Risen One’s thoughts, tried to snap back after the beating it had taken.
[I guess you don't want to be part of the Star Cluster?]
With those words, the Divine Blood began to pummel the Macerated Tree once again.
And so.
After several minutes had passed.
[Are you going to join the Star Cluster or not!]
[I-I'll do it! Please let me join……!]
Seeing the unimaginable threat actually work.
‘……W-what on earth is happening?’
The Risen One’s pupils began to tremble……