Chapter 457: Why Are You Doing This…? (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 457: Why Are You Doing This…? (5)
Two weeks had passed since they set out for the Central Magic Tower.
Alon’s party reached the vicinity of the tower without any major incidents.
“We’re almost there.”
As Alon spoke while chewing on a sweet potato, Evan nodded.
“It certainly feels more comfortable traveling through the United Kingdoms, doesn’t it?”
“Is that so?”
“The geography is more familiar than the Empire’s, and it’s just more relaxing in general.”
Evan was right.
While the Empire wasn’t always fraught with danger, there was definitely less tension here compared to their time in the Eastern Empire.
Alon looked out the window.
The Magic Tower was already visible in the distance.
At that moment, Basiliora, who had been dozing off with Blackie in a corner of the carriage, stood up unsteadily and vanished.
“Ah, what a waste.”
[Shut up.]
Evan smacked his lips at the sight, and Basiliora, who must have heard him, briefly popped his head out of the ring to snap at him.
Evan didn't even pretend to listen.
“Oh, by the way, it seems like having a variety of hairstyles is the trend these days.”
“I felt that way too.”
“Right? I didn't know every village would have such different styles. And weren't most of them beauties? When did the number of beautiful women increase so much...?”
As they continued their idle chatter, the carriage moved forward.
Boom—!
A loud explosion echoed from the distance.
It clearly came from the direction the carriage was heading—the Central Magic Tower.
“...Huh?”
Evan, checking the path ahead, suddenly let out a suspicious grunt.
“What’s happening?”
When Alon asked, Evan stared ahead with a blank expression before speaking.
“Well... how should I put this? It’s a bit subtle and hard to explain.”
“Just tell me what you see.”
“Yes. Well... if I just describe it exactly as I see it, mages suddenly swarmed out of the Central Magic Tower, formed a long line, and then—”
“And then...?”
“...They suddenly started fighting each other with magic...?”
“?”
Alon paused for a moment.
“...What does that mean?”
“I told you it was a bit bizarre.”
Alon slid the window open and looked ahead. Indeed, he could see a crowd of mages in the distance. They were facing off, looking ready to unleash their mana at any second.
“....”
It was a baffling situation.
While many mages were known for being eccentric, it was rare for them to engage in physical conflict like this.
Even if a dispute arose, it usually took the form of a formal duel, like the ones Alon had participated in before. They didn't usually act like they were about to start a gang war.
Before he could even process the situation—
“Lord Alon, shouldn't we stop that?”
At Evan’s follow-up question, Alon nodded with a heavy heart.
Mages were arrogant but valued honor, so he didn't think they would actually engage in a common brawl, but he couldn't just stand by. The atmosphere felt quite serious even from a distance.
He had to prevent even the slightest possibility of them hurling spells at each other and starting a chaotic mess.
Thus, as they drew closer and Alon was about to push the carriage door open—
“Move aside! It was already agreed upon that we would be the ones to welcome the King of Palantia!!”
“What nonsense! That arrangement from yesterday is void!”
Those shouts struck his ears.
“What do you mean void?! You’ve already completed the oath, yet you spout such drivel!! Get lost! We are the ones who will receive the King of Palantia!”
“Don't make me laugh! It’s us—”
“No, us—”
“It’s us!”
“I said it’s us!!!”
“Gah—you old geezer, how dare you grab my beard—!”
“Let go of what’s left of my hair and back off!!”
Seeing the two groups start a fight that was far too undignified for mages, screaming with a vigor hard to believe coming from old men—
“....”
Thud.
Alon silently closed the carriage door.
“...You’re quite popular, Lord Alon.”
At Evan’s "compliment," Alon buried his face in his hands.
...Penia, what on earth did you do...? was the only thought echoing in his mind.
* * *
After the commotion settled.
Or rather—
“Welcome to the Central Magic Tower, King of Palantia—no, ‘Magic King.’”
“Magic King...?”
After passing by the tower mages who were making painfully obvious efforts to leave a good impression on him.
“O-Oh, you’ve arrived!”
“...It’s been a while, Tower Master.”
“Oh my, to think you would use honorifics with me.”
“...You can treat me as you did before.”
“Ahem—may I really?”
“C-Can I also treat you like before?”
“Me too...”
After passing the Blue Tower Master, the Green Tower Master, and the Red Tower Master, who all clung to him in succession—
“Then, let’s discuss the details next time.”
“Ah... yes.”
“Well then!”
Alon finally managed to board an artifact similar to an elevator located within the Central Magic Tower.
Fatigue was already washing over him. He muttered with his eyes closed.
“...What is this 'Magic King' business anyway?”
“Isn't it nice?”
Evan spoke up suddenly.
“What?”
“I think 'Magic King' sounds pretty good, actually.”
“...Are you serious?”
“Yeah. It’s not bad, is it?”
As Alon looked at the shrugging Evan, feeling that same sense of disconnect he’d felt back with the moving statue, they arrived at Penia’s location.
“You’re here!”
“Penia...”
Alon looked at the mastermind(?) who greeted him with a vibrant voice, then scanned the surroundings.
It was a space on the 77th floor of the Central Tower, decorated like an office.
“Ah, I rented it for a bit. Since we have to stay for a long time, I didn't have much choice,” Penia answered immediately, noticing Alon’s questioning gaze.
But there was a more important matter at hand.
“...I need an explanation.”
Alon asked as he naturally sat on the sofa Penia pointed to.
“Yes, I was planning to explain! I told you before, didn't I? If we’re going to distribute blessings anyway, it would be better to move a bit more efficiently.”
Penia began her story as if she had been waiting for this moment.
Twenty minutes later.
“So, that’s how we ended up in this situation—”
Looking at Penia, who was smiling triumphantly, Alon took a moment to organize the information he had just heard.
To summarize her words:
“You informed the Magic Tower of the truth—that receiving Alon’s blessing allows one to use magic—and then intentionally leaked that only a few mages would be selected to incite competition... is that it?”
Penia nodded.
“Exactly.”
“Then do you know why the epithet 'Magic King' was created?”
At the follow-up question, Penia puffed out her chest confidently.
“Yes! I’m the one who made it.”
“...You did?”
“Yes.”
“...Why?”
Penia answered without hesitation.
“Well, honestly, there are several reasons... but the main one is to gain the faith of the mages.”
“Faith?”
“Yes. As you know, mages are the type of people who would sell their souls for the sake of magic. But strangely, they tend to be a bit stiff when it comes to matters of faith.”
So—she created the title "Magic King" to make him feel more familiar to the mages.
Alon couldn't shake a fundamental doubt.
“...Will that actually help?”
“Hmm—probably quite a lot? As you know, people are heavily influenced by titles.”
Accepting her somewhat rational answer for now, Alon asked the next question.
“Then, what should I do now? Should I give the mages the blessing?”
“No? You don't need to give it right away. If you’re going to give it, it’s better to select a few people first.”
“Why?”
“Because obviously, if their desires are fulfilled all at once, faith won't gather.”
Clearing her throat with a hem-hem, Penia let out a laugh like a true mastermind.
“As you know, Lord Alon, humans lose their desperation the moment they are satisfied. But if they are in a situation where something remains unfulfilled, they stay desperate. Especially when they see a few people having their desperation slightly rewarded.”
“....”
“So there’s no need to rush. We just need to take it slow—ly, stimulating their desperation and granting blessings whenever we want. Oh, of course, the timing is up to you, Lord Alon.”
Watching her, Alon realized anew a fact he had forgotten.
He remembered how Penia had been treated back in Psychedelia.
“Heh—I guess her understanding is on another level since she’s someone who’s been on the receiving end.”
Evan, who had been listening to the conversation, chimed in with a laugh.
Penia looked puzzled at first, but seeing Evan’s sly grin, she realized what he meant and frowned.
“Do you actually want to die??”
Evan just shrugged and looked away.
Alon tilted his head at the cryptic exchange.
“...What are you talking about?”
“Ahem—it’s nothing.”
Penia cleared her throat unnecessarily and looked away. The tips of her ears were flushed red.
“?”
Only Alon remained bewildered, not knowing the reason.
* * *
After meeting Penia.
Alon headed straight to the library where Heinkel was.
He wanted to finish talking with Penia, but he had been told that Heinkel was waiting for him.
As soon as he arrived at the library, Heinkel greeted him with a wave.
[Oh, you’re here.]
“...It’s been a while, Lady Heinkel.”
Immediately after exchanging brief pleasantries, Heinkel got to the point.
[Actually, there’s something I want to check first. Can I ask you about that?]
“That’s fine.”
[I heard from Penia that if someone receives your blessing, they can use a Magus's magic. Is that true?]
“Well, for now, yes...”
When Alon confirmed it, Heinkel’s eyes sparkled with determination.
[Then, could you perhaps bestow a blessing on me?]
She asked immediately.
“...A blessing?”
[Yes.]
“I mean, it’s not difficult, but...”
Naturally, bestowing the blessing itself wasn't a hard task. However, there was a problem.
“...Lady Heinkel, aren't you currently in a state where you cannot use magic?”
The issue was that Heinkel was a ghost. Strictly speaking, calling her a ghost was a bit ambiguous, but she was currently closer to a specter than a human.
When Alon mentioned this—
[Ah, certainly, it’s impossible to use magic with this body. Maybe I could move mana around, but that’s about it.]
Heinkel nodded as if agreeing.
[But you don't have to worry about that.]
“...What do you mean?”
[I can come back to life.]
She suddenly dropped an unexpected statement.
“...Pardon?”
Alon asked back in surprise.
Heinkel started to say something, then stopped.
[Well—it’s better to show you than to explain. Just wait a bit. I’ll be ready in about thirty minutes.]
She wore a confident smile.
As Alon nodded blankly, Heinkel let out a soft laugh.
[Ah.]
Then, as if suddenly remembering something.
[By the way, when is the wedding?]
“...Excuse me?”
[What—are you pretending not to know? I heard the rumors have already spread all over the Magic Tower.]
“?”
She asked, and—
Flash.
For some reason, the Red Brooch began to glow.
As if it were soaked in the color of blood.