Chapter 63: It Was There, But Now It’s Gone (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 63: It Was There, But Now It’s Gone (4)
The 5th Layer of the Labyrinth City.
A place of lush green plains and ancient ruins.
Even after half a year, the scars of the battle that took place that day remained unhealed. And it was there that it appeared.
Flutter—
Clad in a black holy shroud that billowed in the wind, with ominous black accessories hanging from its waist and hands, the hooded figure began to walk through the 5th Layer.
It walked where the mercenaries had fought the Outer God half a year ago.
It walked where Alon had once stood.
Finally, standing upon the very spot where he had delivered the finishing blow to the Outer God, the figure tilted its head from side to side. It looked puzzled, as if witnessing something utterly bizarre and incomprehensible.
How much time had passed?
The entity, which had been staring motionless at the ground until a moment ago, finally spoke.
“Ha—”
A wide smile spread across its face, as if it had found something immensely entertaining.
“I didn't think he’d be able to go this far.”
A soft murmur.
The voice was genderless, impossible to identify as male or female. After scanning the surroundings, the figure gave its right hand a slight flick.
Wung—
After confirming the resonant hum of the black accessories, the figure turned around.
“How interesting. I wonder just how much further he can go. This has become quite fun.”
With the innocent laughter of a child who had discovered a fascinating toy, it added:
“It would be truly entertaining if he can survive what comes next.”
The figure began walking toward one side of the 5th Layer.
Walking toward a stretch of land where no exit existed, the entity vanished completely in an instant.
* * *
It went without saying, but Ladan was utterly devoted to the Great Moon.
Without him, Ladan would never have gained such immense power, nor would he have been able to avenge his family. In other words, Ladan’s loyalty was firmly directed toward the Great Moon.
However, the reason Ladan’s loyalty seemed somewhat lackluster in comparison was simple.
[Let’s kill them all. Right now.]
[That sounds like a good idea.]
[I agree.]
[Same here.]
[….]
It was because the loyalty displayed by the other members of the Blue Moon was overwhelmingly, almost terrifyingly, intense.
[So, where are these 'Agents' located?]
[From what I’ve heard, they seem to be scattered across the United Kingdoms. There are about fifteen in total. I’ve already taken out three, so twelve should be left.]
[I assume you didn't kill them without tracking their locations first?]
[Of course not. I’ve identified the location of their leader and several others, though not all of them.]
[That’s a relief.]
[Tell me where they are. Now. I’m going to go kill them.]
[That sounds wonderful.]
Seolrang’s golden eyes flashed with a chilling light, and Line, her previous smirk replaced by a stony, cold expression, muttered something equally bloodthirsty.
[I also plan to hunt one down after this meeting. Apparently, there’s an Agent near Calliban.]
Even Deus, his purple eyes gleaming, gripped his sword as if ready to bolt the moment the meeting ended. Watching them, Ladan felt a sense of madness.
‘…No, shouldn’t we at least draw up a plan first?’
Ladan glanced around tentatively.
Even at this very moment, the members were casually discussing whether to tear the Agents apart or rip their heads off. Ladan still wasn't quite used to this. Originally, Yutia was the only one like this; the others had mostly been quite rational.
‘The discrepancy is huge. And… honestly, I didn't expect Line to turn out like this too.’
Ladan looked at Line and the other members, who had changed beyond recognition in just a few years, and finally spoke.
[I think it would be best to stay calm, share information, and devise a strategy first.]
It was a cautious, yet perfectly rational suggestion.
However.
[Are you serious?]
[Ladan, what if they harm the Great Moon while we’re busy making a plan?]
[Exactly!]
[I agree.]
Despite it being the most logical statement made so far, Ladan had to catch his breath as Deus, Yutia, Seolrang, and Line all shot him down in unison.
[…Everyone, calm down. You’re too worked up. Shouldn’t we at least share what we know about these Agents? We need to gauge their strength first.]
Another rational point.
But.
[Ladan.]
[What is it?]
[Ladan… are you a traitor?]
[?]
Ladan felt a sudden wave of dizziness at Seolrang’s absurd suspicion as her golden eyes narrowed.
[No, wait… how did you jump to the conclusion that I’m a traitor?]
[But Ladan, you’ve been objecting to killing the Agents this whole time.]
[I’m not objecting, I’m saying we should check the situation—]
Ladan cut himself off.
He could see the dissatisfied glares piercing through the projections toward him. Realizing instinctively that further words would be meaningless, he threw up the white flag.
[I’ll start preparing immediately as well.]
The four members nodded, seemingly satisfied with his answer, and resumed their discussion. Thinking back to the relatively normal organization of two years ago—excluding Yutia—Ladan thought of the Great Moon and came to a serious conclusion.
‘…He must have a hypnosis artifact. There’s no other explanation.’
About thirty minutes later.
[Haa—talking about this reminds me of that magnificent sight the Great Moon showed us—]
The meeting ended with Deus’s sudden outburst of adoration, as he began gushing about the Great Moon in the middle of the Agent discussion.
[Everyone, move out immediately. We’ll hold a proper meeting once this matter is settled.]
With Yutia’s command, the Blue Moon began to move.
* * *
The following day.
After resting at the villa provided by Duke Altia, Alon set out toward evening, just as the royal banquet was about to begin.
Upon arriving at the royal castle, Alon spoke to Evan.
“I’ll be back.”
With a brief farewell, Alon headed inside.
“I shall be waiting, my lord.”
Evan bowed slightly, then stood back up and witnessed a sight.
As his master walked toward the royal banquet hall, a multitude of nobles followed in unison behind him. Watching the very nobles who held the power to sway Asteria marching behind Alon’s back, Evan was once again struck by Alon’s current standing.
‘Well… the Count’s fame is already legendary… and he is the leader of Kalpa, after all.’
Alon himself didn't seem to care much for the fame, but for Evan, who had watched his rise in real-time, the difference was staggering. Unlike the past, when Alon was shunned or feared at balls, he had now become a leader followed by the majority of the nobility.
And that wasn't all.
Given his accumulated prestige, it was obvious the King would try to keep him in check, yet so many nobles still stood firmly behind him. This meant that the nobles following him believed Alon could actually hold his own against the current Queen of Asteria.
‘…Well, based on the rumors alone, it’s a perfectly reasonable thought.’
As Evan made his assessment, Alon, who was leading the pack of nobles, was having a different thought.
‘Wait, wait… something feels off.’
He realized the situation was spiraling in an unexpected direction.
‘At this rate, it looks like I’m leading a frontal assault.’
He glanced back over his shoulder. A sea of nobles who supported him was following right on his heels.
‘No, this isn't the image I had in mind…?’
His plan was simple: during the formal audience—a custom required before enjoying the banquet—he would listen to the King’s lecture and come up with a plausible excuse to maintain Kalpa. However, arriving with a mob like this made it look like he was looking for a fight, and he doubted it would end with just a simple scolding.
But there was nothing he could do about it now. He reached the banquet hall and pushed the doors open.
‘Oh.’
The moment he stepped inside, he couldn't help but be impressed. True to its reputation, the hall was larger and more beautiful than any he had ever seen. After a moment of dazed staring, Alon felt the weight of the gazes fixed upon him.
“….”
From what Alon could tell, the gazes of the nobles already in the hall fell into two categories.
One was a look of profound awe.
The other was a look of blatant mockery. Naturally, the latter far outnumbered the former. He had a rough idea of why the nobles on the floor were making such faces.
‘They probably think I’m a fool who grew my power without thinking and am about to get smacked down by the King.’
Realizing that most of the mocking nobles belonged to the Noble Faction or the Royal Faction, he let out a soft sigh and walked toward the end of the hall for his audience.
And there, at the far end of the grand hall, he saw her.
The 8th monarch of Asteria, Cretenia Siyan.
“….”
Even from a distance, Queen Cretenia Siyan was breathtakingly beautiful. Her golden eyes—the symbol of the Asteria royal bloodline—shone brilliantly, reflecting the light from the terrace despite her expressionless face. Her beauty was so lethal it could make any noble commit the sacrilege of stealing a glance.
Of course, Alon was too focused on hoping things would go according to his plan to prioritize her appearance.
Soon enough.
“A servant of Asteria greets the Great One.”
Alon reached Cretenia Siyan and bowed deeply in a formal greeting. The Queen, who had been silent until then, finally spoke.
“Raise your head.”
Her expression was unreadable. Alon naturally lifted his gaze.
“Are you Count Palatio?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
At the Queen’s voice, the mocking smiles on the faces of the surrounding nobles widened. For the Royal and Noble Factions, this was the highlight of the evening—the moment where Kalpa, which had been a thorn in their side, would be legally dismantled.
They all watched Count Palatio with malicious grins, but their amusement was short-lived. In an instant, the smiles vanished.
““???””
Every single one of them was left wearing a look of utter stupidity.
The reason was simple.
“Very well. Count Palatio, I hereby confer upon you the title of Marquis.”
Because those were the words that Queen Cretenia Siyan had just uttered.
And upon hearing them, Alon could only let out a dazed sound.
“…Pardon?”