Chapter 62: It Was There, But Now It’s Gone (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 62: It Was There, But Now It’s Gone (3)
It was the fifth day since they had set out for the royal castle.
With about two days left until they reached Teria, the capital of Asteria, Alon was reviewing a list inside the carriage.
‘It would be best to clean up the others as well if I can.’
The list contained villains from Psychedelia whom he had noted down over the past few days. These weren't just petty thugs; each one was a character who would become a massive headache once they started running wild.
‘A few of them disappeared thanks to Duke Altia and Count Zenonia conquering the underworld, but still.’
Unfortunately, in the world of Psychedelia, the organizations one had to truly watch out for weren't the visible underworld syndicates, but the secret societies that operated from the shadows.
These clandestine groups, which remained completely hidden at first only to appear and wreak havoc once the player began their activities, were formidable. Quite a few of them posed a significant threat to his safety.
However, it was unrealistic to eliminate such a vast number of villains just because they might be a threat. Thus, Alon decided to focus on removing the two most dangerous organizations.
‘The Agent and Ghostly Wail.’
In truth, based on Alon’s experience playing the game, The Agent and Ghostly Wail weren't particularly bothersome when playing from the player's perspective.
The Agent, a small group of elites, was powerful, but they were only encountered if the player entered a specific route. Ghostly Wail was similar; they were an organization the player would never meet unless they pursued a sub-quest in the Ashtalon Kingdom.
However, the reason Alon prioritized these two was that he was currently a noble of Asteria, not a player, and these organizations would eventually plot to overthrow the state.
Of course, Alon had never actually seen their goals succeed.
By the time they were busy preparing their plans, the Five Great Sins would usually appear and wipe the kingdom off the map before any revolution could take place.
But in this timeline, where the Five Great Sins had already been dealt with, there was no telling how things would unfold.
...Above all, since The Agent and Ghostly Wail were known to assassinate many nobles to achieve their goals, he was determined to eliminate them.
‘...If I include the Empire’s side, there’s also the Bone Eater.’
Alon shifted his gaze toward the east, where the Empire was located, before shrugging his shoulders.
The United Kingdoms and the Empire were far apart, and the protagonist over there would likely handle most of the incidents in the Empire anyway.
‘Since the timeline is supposed to be the same, the protagonist in the Empire will probably start moving once the original story begins.’
Alon thought to himself as he sifted through his fading memories of the past.
‘What was the protagonist’s name over there... Philian?’
The protagonist of the Empire.
To be precise, at the same time the original story of Psychedelia begins, the story of Calypsophobia—another game by the same developer—unfolds in the Empire.
In short, Psychedelia covers the events in the United Kingdoms, while Calypsophobia covers the events in the massive Empire next door.
“Hmm...”
Alon stopped his train of thought there.
He had dropped Calypsophobia early on, so he lacked information, and frankly, he didn't need to worry about the Empire.
The Empire and the United Kingdoms were strictly divided, and the only things they shared were a few items. Besides, Philian, the protagonist of Calypsophobia, and his party were destined to resolve all the incidents in the Empire.
Therefore...
‘The Agent and Ghostly Wail... How should I deal with these two?’
Alon sat in the carriage, lost in thought for a long while.
The next day arrived.
“My Lord, I can see Teria in the distance. We’ve almost arrived.”
“Did we arrive a day early?”
“It seems so. I’m glad we could travel at a leisurely pace.”
At Evan’s words, Alon looked out the window at the landscape of Teria.
He had seen it before, but the sight of Teria was still magnificent. The high, sturdy walls were perfectly suited for the capital of a nation.
Alon stared blankly at the walls and smacked his lips.
If he had come just to sightsee, he would have felt much more relaxed, but unfortunately, that wasn't the case.
‘...I hope nothing big happens.’
As they entered the capital, Alon watched the streets pass by and made a silent wish.
Of course, he didn't actually expect things to be peaceful.
The fact that the King had specifically summoned him meant there was a particular matter to discuss, and it was highly likely to be about the Kalpa.
‘...I wonder if I can make things go my way.’
Alon had actually come up with a decent narrative on his way to the royal castle.
‘If the King says he wants to increase his own power, I’ll pretend to be swayed and reduce the Kalpa’s influence slightly... I can maintain the faction by playing a game of tug-of-war with the King...’
It was merely a personal delusion that didn't account for anyone's advice or the actual situation, but it was the best move he could think of for now.
Since the faction couldn't afford to be on bad terms with the King regardless, succeeding in this plan would give Alon a strong justification for his lukewarm involvement in the faction's affairs.
“Phew.”
He let out a low sigh as the royal castle drew near.
* * *
Late at night.
Despite the moon being high in the sky, Ladan was still awake, waiting in his office.
The reason was the regular meeting of the Blue Moon scheduled for tonight.
Even though there were still twenty minutes left before the meeting, most of the Blue Moon members had already gathered, with the exception of Deus.
It wasn't because of any special event. All members of the Blue Moon always gathered thirty minutes before a meeting.
In fact, Deus not being there with twenty minutes to go was the unusual part, but there was something even more peculiar happening.
[I want to get married!]
[I told you last time, no!]
[I’m going to do it!]
[I said no!]
Unlike the usual silent meetings, Yutia and Seolrang had been bickering for over ten minutes, even though the meeting hadn't officially started.
[Why not! You don't have the right to stop me!]
[Still, no!]
[That’s unfair!]
Seolrang insisted on getting married, and Yutia desperately tried to block her.
Ladan thought to himself that if she wanted it that badly, she should just get married in secret and report it later.
‘...Actually, that might be difficult.’
Knowing Yutia’s personality and her peculiar fanaticism, there was no telling how she would react. So, Ladan simply kept his mouth shut.
After some time had passed...
[Line! Yutia is being so unfair!]
With about five minutes left until the meeting, Seolrang called out for help with a deeply aggrieved expression. Ladan turned his gaze toward Line.
“...”
Line seemed not to have heard Seolrang at all, lost in deep thought.
Ladan shrugged. He hadn't expected her to respond to Seolrang anyway.
However...
[Don't take it so hard, Seolrang. Yutia has served the Great Moon for much longer than we have.]
Ladan’s expression turned to one of surprise at Line’s sudden words. He knew well that in the previous meeting, she hadn't bothered to intervene in their bickering, as if it weren't worth her time.
[Eh—!]
[See? Just listen to me.]
To be honest, Ladan didn't quite understand the connection between serving the Great Moon for a long time and the current argument.
Regardless, he relaxed slightly, seeing Line acting in such an uncharacteristic manner.
[Ah, speaking of which, Yutia, I have a suggestion.]
[Hmm? What is it?]
Yutia, pleased that Line had taken her side, asked with a gentle smile.
[I was thinking of sending my own report letters from now on. What do you think?]
[Is there a need? I’m already summarizing and sending your reports.]
[I know, but I have something to report regarding the ‘Stalker’s Eye.’]
[You can just tell me about that too—]
Yutia maintained her smile.
But...
[Wouldn't it be better if I delivered it directly, rather than going through you, Yutia?]
At Line’s follow-up, the smile slowly faded from Yutia’s face.
[I’ve been handling the reports just fine until now, haven't I?]
[This is about the Stalker’s Eye. I’d like to speak about that personally. And while I’m at it... I’ll deliver my own report as well.]
[!]
[!]
As Line let out a faint smile, not only Seolrang but Ladan as well looked shocked.
Even though they had spent over eight, nearly nine years with Line since childhood, they had never once seen her smile.
Their stunned silence lasted only a moment.
[Hehe—!]
[?]
[?]
[?]
[Ah, excuse me. I just had a funny thought.]
Everyone’s jaws dropped as Line, who had been smiling faintly, suddenly grinned wide enough to reveal her fangs.
‘...Does the Great Moon have some kind of hypnosis artifact?’
Ladan couldn't help but wonder, given how much Line had changed.
After all, starting with Deus, then Seolrang, and now Line—everyone had changed drastically after meeting the Great Moon.
...Since they all seemed to revere the Great Moon to a degree similar to Yutia, Ladan seriously considered the possibility of a hypnosis artifact being involved.
While everyone was still reeling from Line’s giggling fit...
[My apologies. I am a bit late.]
Deus entered just in time for the Blue Moon’s regular meeting.
[...?]
He was momentarily puzzled by the sight of the other members all wearing dazed expressions.
[I apologize, but I have something urgent to convey before the meeting begins.]
He spoke as if remembering his original purpose.
The members snapped out of their daze and turned their attention to Deus.
[It seems an organization called ‘The Agent’ is targeting the Great Moon.]
At his words...
[Ha?]
[What?]
[What did you say?]
[Excuse me?]
Their eyes, each uniquely striking, flashed with intensity.