Chapter 66: Sign This! (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 66: Sign This! (1)
It had been three days since Alon personally confirmed that something had befallen Al-Kamae.
Traveling once again with a group of merchants headed for the desert city, Alon let out a heavy sigh against the sweltering heat.
“My Lord, can’t you just use that once?”
“If I use it wrong, you might end up frozen solid.”
“I think I’d be happier frozen than being roasted alive…”
“Still, the answer is no.”
Dismissing Evan’s grumbling about not wanting to become a rotisserie human, Alon gazed up at the scorching sun and reflected on the events of a few days ago.
‘Why was Al-Kamae in that state?’
Of course, since he hadn't seen a corpse, he couldn't be certain exactly what had happened to the man.
The reason he was so sure a disaster had occurred was because of the artifact he had brought away with him.
“…….”
He looked down at the shoulder badge held in his hand.
Instead of shining with a golden luster, the epaulet was a dull, gloomy gray. In the game Psychedelia, this was an artifact one could loot after dealing with Al-Kamae during the mid-game.
‘The Symbol of the Innocent. I didn’t expect to get my hands on this so soon.’
The badge, which depicted an index finger covering the center of an eye, currently possessed no functions. However, once appraised, it boasted impressive performance for an item obtainable in the middle stages of the game.
It was in a similar state to the ring he had received from Heinkel but couldn't use yet.
‘On my way to Laxas to unseal the ring, I should stop by the Labyrinth City to get this appraised as well.’
Regardless, this Symbol of the Innocent was something Al-Kamae cherished deeply; he had placed a binding spell on it so no one could steal it.
To put it simply, as long as Al-Kamae was alive, no one else could claim the badge.
Yet, despite the badge being in Alon’s possession, no magical resistance had triggered. This confirmed that something fatal had happened to its owner.
And so, that night, Alon had thoroughly ransacked Al-Kamae’s mansion.
“…….”
He glanced back at the treasures piled in the rear of the carriage, a deep smirk hidden behind his expressionless face.
Was that all?
the pouches at his waist were now brimming with highest-grade mana potions—the very kind he had exhausted during his battle with Kailas.
All of this had been plundered from Al-Kamae’s residence.
‘The treasure wasn't as much as I expected, but—’
Since this wasn't a world where money grew on trees, Alon was more than happy with the haul currently stacked in his carriage.
In his view, money was always right.
They had been traveling for some time when a shout rang out.
“Everyone, halt!”
Clang— Clang—!
At the shout from the front, the carriages crossing the desert stopped in unison, and a bell signaled the halt.
It was the merchant guild’s signal to set up camp. Seeing the sun beginning to set, Alon stepped out of the carriage.
Not long after the camp preparations began...
“Oh, Count! Was everything comfortable today?”
Unlike the previous guild leader of the Golden Foot, this time a rather slender man approached Alon and bowed deeply.
“It was fine, thanks to you.”
“Oh, it was nothing—”
The guild leader, who kept bowing despite having done nothing in particular, offered Alon some items with a characteristically capitalistic smile.
“……And these are?”
“Ah, these are goods our guild handles. This one is wine produced in the Komur Territory, and these are foodstuffs we’ve been supplied with from the Calmian Territory.”
“I see.”
“I brought them over hoping you might give them a try.”
Alon nodded slightly at the excessive courtesy, as the man was practically bowing his head to the dirt.
“I’ll enjoy them.”
“Yes, sir! Then, please have a restful evening.”
Watching the guild leader disappear while bowing several more times, Alon gave a light shrug.
In the past, he hadn't even been treated like a proper noble, but lately, he received lavish hospitality wherever he went.
His personal reputation preceded him, and rumors had spread far and wide that he was the leader of Kalpa—the man who currently wielded the greatest influence in the Asteria Kingdom.
Consequently, anyone with even a slight grasp of the kingdom’s political climate turned into a total sycophant the moment they laid eyes on him, desperate to get on his good side.
‘Well, that’s only for people operating near the Asteria Kingdom, though.’
As he looked at the gifts—offered in the hope that the guild leader might secure a new business route—Alon’s attention was caught by a voice.
“Oh my—really?”
“Of course.”
It was Evan. Having finished the camp preparations, he was already off to one side, chatting with a woman.
“Wow, that’s truly amazing.”
“Haha—well, that sort of thing isn't too difficult for me.”
Alon watched the woman enthusiastically responding to Evan’s boasting and quickly realized her identity.
‘Is she the guild leader’s daughter?’
He wore a peculiar expression as he watched the two acting friendly.
‘He’s been attracting a lot of women lately.’
Alon had a good idea why Evan was suddenly so popular with the opposite sex.
It was because of Alon’s own fame.
As the sole knight of the famous Count Palatio, most women approached Evan with immediate favor.
Alon felt a strange sensation—as if he were the bear doing the tricks while someone else collected the coins—but he soon shrugged it off.
‘Well, he’s worked hard, so I suppose he deserves that much.’
Alon looked at Evan, who was currently putting on a ridiculous act with a "Hahaha!" tone, and had a sudden thought.
‘I wonder if Evan realizes the guild leader’s daughter has the eyes of a hawk.’
There was no need to spoil the fun. Alon sat down in front of the campfire to escape the chill of the now-fully-set sun.
“This is good.”
The sweet potato Evan had prepared before leaving was perfectly roasted.
* * *
Early in the morning, eight days later.
Alon finally laid eyes on the Colony again after nearly a year.
‘Hmm—’
The appearance of the Colony hadn't changed much, but because its design was so unique to begin with, the scenery still felt fresh to Alon.
As soon as he finished a brief greeting with the guild leader and turned around...
“Mentor!”
He felt the impact of Seolrang charging straight at him and locking him in a tight embrace.
“Hello!”
Seolrang greeted him brightly, clinging to him like a piece of gum.
“It’s been a while.”
“It has been a long time!”
Alon watched Seolrang bouncing around, her tail wagging furiously.
“Look over there. Isn't that the Golden Flash?”
“You’re right.”
“Who’s that man?”
“I think it’s Count Palatio.”
“Wow, no way. The Mad Dog is actually acting that sweet?”
Noticing the hushed whispers from the surroundings, Alon spoke up.
“Seolrang.”
“Yes!”
“Get off me for a moment.”
“Okay!”
At Alon’s word, she immediately unwrapped her legs from his waist and planted her feet on the ground.
“Did I do good?”
“You did.”
As she wagged her tail happily at the praise, the surrounding area suddenly fell silent.
Realizing this, Alon looked around.
“…….”
Everyone at the Colony’s southern gate was staring at him with expressions of pure shock.
Even the guild leader he had just said goodbye to and the leader’s daughter stood there with their mouths agape.
‘……Wait, is it really that shocking?’
The atmosphere had become so quiet that Alon looked around, feeling slightly flustered.
Hadn't Seolrang made this much of a fuss a year ago as well?
However, the difference in the way people looked at him then versus now was so stark that he felt bewildered for a moment.
“Ahem—”
Clearing his throat to break the awkwardness, Alon spoke.
“Seolrang, I’d like to head to the ruins immediately. Is that possible?”
“Of course it is!”
With Seolrang’s confirmation, Alon immediately boarded the carriage.
Even as the carriage pulled away toward the ruins, the shock did not fade from the people’s faces.
* * *
On the way to the forgotten ruins in the carriage Seolrang had prepared.
As they traveled under the protection of the Golden Mane Tribe, just like last time, Alon noticed a subtle change.
‘The atmosphere feels different.’
Alon looked at Seolrang.
She was the same as she had been a year ago.
The only difference was that her brilliant golden hair had grown longer, now reaching down near her tailbone. Other than that, she was unchanged.
However, unlike Seolrang, the Golden Mane warriors escorting the carriage had a markedly different vibe than they did a year ago.
‘I thought they were a bit more friendly before…….’
Of course, that friendliness had been directed at Seolrang, not Alon, but the lighthearted and welcoming demeanor from back then was nowhere to be seen.
Watching them move with absolute focus, monitoring the surroundings without a single word of idle chatter, Alon nodded as he recalled what had happened to Seolrang a year ago.
‘……I suppose that betrayal took quite a toll.’
As Alon made a mental note to treat Seolrang even better so she wouldn't lose her way, she suddenly spoke up.
“Oh, Mentor!”
She called out to him as if she had just remembered something.
“What is it?”
“Can I ask you for a favor!?”
Alon was slightly taken aback by the sudden question, but he soon nodded.
“As long as it’s something I can do.”
Since Seolrang’s help was the reason he was traveling to the ruins so comfortably, and since he had just decided to be kinder to her, he gave his consent.
Seolrang beamed a radiant smile and pulled a piece of paper from her tunic, handing it to Alon.
Then...
“Give it to me—”
Seolrang reached her hand out the carriage window, and as if they had been waiting, an artifact pen was immediately placed in her palm.
She handed the pen to Alon and said,
“Here, sign this.”
“Sign it……?”
“Yes!”
She nodded vigorously, her expression full of anticipation.
She nodded so hard that her long hair, which reached her tailbone, actually swung upward with a whoosh.
At that...
‘Is she asking me to be a guarantor for a loan or something?’
Alon looked down at the paper with involuntary tension. He could see traces of complex text already filled out in various places.
“……?”
Alon looked at the top of the document with a questioning gaze.
“……A marriage registration?”
“Sign it!”
“…….”
Alon was left utterly speechless.