Chapter 69: Is This Really Okay…? (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 69: Is This Really Okay…? (2)
Milanon, a noble of the Colony and a scion of the Count Philmaria family, could not wrap his head around the current situation.
Not a single part of it.
First, he couldn't understand why Seolrang—the Colony’s first Babayaga—had annihilated his private soldiers and grabbed his head as if she were about to pop it, all just because he had mocked a noble who was walking around with a dazed expression.
Second, he couldn't understand why Yutia Bloodia—a Cardinal of the Holy Kingdom Rosario and one of the most influential figures of late—had suddenly stepped out of her carriage to take the hand of the very noble he had been mocking.
Everything was a complete mystery.
However.
“……Isn't that Count Palatio?”
“I think so.”
“Seeing him with the Babayaga, it has to be him.”
Only after hearing the hushed whispers of the citizens did Milanon realize why Seolrang had seized his head.
Rumors had been circulating for a year that Seolrang followed Count Palatio of the Asteria Kingdom, calling him her mentor.
Yet, one thing still didn't make sense.
Teacher? She called him Teacher……?
He had heard the rumors about Count Palatio.
He knew the man was called 'Mentor' by the first Babayaga, Seolrang.
He also knew that Deus Macallian, the first of the Master Knights from the kingdom of knights, Calliban, called him his savior.
He even knew the Count was on exceptionally close terms with one of the High Councilors of the Labyrinth City.
But.
He was close with a Cardinal of the Holy Kingdom too……?
He stared blankly at Alon and Yutia.
Unlike the expressionless Alon, Yutia radiated an overwhelming sense of goodwill toward the man standing before her.
It was a level of favor so profound that even if Milanon had truly been the victim of an injustice, she would never have taken his side.
Just who the hell is he……?
The moment Milanon’s terror-stricken curiosity peaked.
“Seolrang, stop.”
At the sound of Alon’s voice, he was finally released.
“Guh—!”
Milanon clutched his head, which felt like it was about to split open.
Alon stepped toward him.
“Are you alright? My apologies for the rudeness.”
It was a dry, simple apology.
Instinctively, Milanon opened his mouth to respond.
He knew that mocking Count Palatio was something a fellow noble shouldn't do, but it was also true that the retaliation had been excessively violent.
There were even several witnesses nearby.
……Of course, since Milanon had used his private soldiers to set up a blockade just so he could watch the procession comfortably, no one actually felt sorry for him. In fact, many were feeling a sense of catharsis at Seolrang’s actions.
“Even so, this is—”
Now that Alon had apologized, Milanon felt he had some justification to complain. However, he was forced to shut his mouth immediately.
“…….”
“…….”
This was because Seolrang and Yutia, standing behind Count Palatio, were staring him down.
Their red and golden eyes gleamed as if they wouldn't miss a single word or movement he made.
Staring. Intently.
And so.
“……It’s, it’s nothing.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’m, I’m fine…… perfectly fine……!”
Milanon waved his hands frantically before fleeing the scene as if his life depended on it.
* * *
Immediately after the noble—whose name Alon didn't even know—scurried away.
After the brief surprise of the sudden encounter, they moved to Seolrang’s guild to avoid public attention.
Only then could Alon speak comfortably with Yutia.
“You said you came to the Colony on business?”
“Yes. So I won’t be able to stay for very long.”
Alon nodded at Yutia’s bright smile, but he looked at her with a renewed sense of wonder.
Her smile was so kind that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her a Saintess.
That image felt strangely disconnected from the one he had in his mind.
……I suppose it feels surreal because I’ve only ever seen her as a Sin in Psychedelia.
Alon realized that although they had exchanged letters frequently, this was the first time he was seeing her in person.
Still, she grew up well.
He felt another surge of pride.
Perhaps because the destructive image of Yutia as one of the Five Great Sins was so vividly etched into his mind, the pride he felt for her was greater than for the others.
Alon glanced around the room.
“By the way.”
“Yes, what is it, Teacher?”
“……Do you two not get along very well?”
He asked because Seolrang, who was usually cheerful, had looked incredibly tense ever since Yutia arrived.
However, Yutia answered without losing her smile.
“Of course not. Seolrang and I get along very well. Right?”
“Right.”
Seolrang nodded.
But their relationship seemed far from 'friendly.'
Alon tilted his head for a moment but then shrugged. It would be strange to pry further when they both insisted they were close.
Just then.
“Mentor, you’ll think about it in two years, right?”
Alon looked puzzled at the sudden question before realizing she was talking about the marriage registration. He gave a vague answer.
“……Well, I’ll give it some thought when the time comes.”
“What are you going to think about?”
“Ah, that’s just from earlier—”
Yutia asked curiously, and Alon agonized over how to explain it.
“He said he’d seriously consider marrying me in two years!”
Before he could even open his mouth, Seolrang shouted with a triumphant expression. Alon let out a small gasp of surprise.
“……Pardon?”
At Yutia’s bewildered voice, Seolrang’s ego inflated even further.
It was as if she had never been sulking at all.
Yutia stared blankly at Seolrang, processing the words.
“Pfft—”
“?”
She suddenly let out a giggle and looked at Alon with a perfectly relaxed expression.
“You don’t have to explain, Teacher. Seolrang probably made such an unreasonable demand that you had no choice but to answer that way, right?”
She seemed so mature, figuring everything out even without Alon’s explanation, that he couldn't help but smile inwardly.
To anyone watching, she looked like the perfect example of a reliable older sister.
Just as Alon was about to nod in satisfaction.
“Yes, that must be it. Since Seolrang is a bit childish, you had to soothe her because she’d be so sad if you rejected her. So you said 'two years' just to put her at ease, didn't you? I know you only did it for Seolrang’s sake. Lying isn't good, but there are some lies in this world that simply must be told.”
“……??”
While maintaining her smile, Yutia spat out the words in a single breath, her logic becoming increasingly frayed. Alon felt a metaphorical question mark pop up over his head.
Leaving the frozen Alon behind, Yutia turned her gaze toward Seolrang.
“Now, Seolrang, you understand, right? You shouldn't trouble Teacher too much. And like I told you before, you’re too young to get married.”
“I didn't trouble him! Besides, the vice-guild master told me a five-year age gap is perfect!”
“I said no, Seolrang. You shouldn't make things difficult for Teacher.”
Yutia spoke with a smile.
Seolrang made a frustrated face and shouted.
“You’re the one who’s a 'no', Yutia! You’re old!”
“……What does that mean, Seolrang? I’m only two years older than you.”
Yutia still didn't lose her smile.
However.
“I heard it from Line. Yutia’s estimated age is one thou—”
Before the next word could come out.
CRASH! BOOM—!
Seolrang smashed through the floor and disappeared into the level below.
“?”
Alon stared blankly at the sudden turn of events.
Yutia, who had been wearing a rather fierce expression while looking at the spot where Seolrang had just been, noticed Alon’s gaze and quickly put on her kind smile again.
“……The building is a bit weak, isn't it?”
It was a lie that wouldn't fool anyone.
“Is the building…… weak?”
“Yes.”
“……Really?”
“Really. It just collapsed all of a sudden, didn't it?”
She emphasized it several times, as if she absolutely refused to admit she had just slammed Seolrang into the floor below.
“……I see.”
Alon had no choice but to nod. At the same time, he was reminded once again that she was one of the Five Great Sins.
I guess a woman’s age really is a taboo…… Still, a thousand…… a thousand, huh…… I didn't realize it was that much.
Alon stored this new, unwanted information in his mind.
“I’ll go bring Seolrang back first.”
A few minutes after that conversation ended, Alon watched Seolrang sit back down, twitching like a puppet controlled by a master, and he reaffirmed the absolute taboo of the topic.
About thirty minutes passed.
After chatting with Yutia and the retrieved Seolrang about various things.
“I think I should be going now, Teacher.”
Alon nodded at Yutia’s words.
“Right, you said you had business to attend to.”
“Yes. I’ll likely be here for about three weeks, so I’ll drop by often while you’re here.”
“Alright.”
Yutia, who was about to turn away with a small smile, suddenly clapped her hands as if she had remembered something.
“Ah, and also. You mentioned earlier that you’re participating in the Colosseum?”
They had indeed discussed it during their chat.
“That’s right. As I said, there’s something I need to get from the royal treasury.”
“Was it Sparrow’s staff?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm—”
Yutia nodded slightly as if she understood.
“Then, I’ll see you again soon.”
She left with a smile.
Shortly after, Alon watched the white carriage head toward the Colony’s royal castle. He looked at Seolrang, who was letting out a massive sigh of relief, and thought to himself.
Now then, shall I start getting ready too?
* * *
The next day.
After spending the night at Seolrang’s guild, Alon went straight to the Colosseum to register as a fighter. Thanks to Seolrang’s help, the registration process—which usually took about a week—was completed in just an hour.
An F-rank fighter badge. This is the beginning.
Alon gripped the F-rank fighter badge, which everyone receives upon their first registration, and steeled his resolve.
Two days later.
—WAAAAAAAH!!!!
Alon stood in the Colosseum arena for his first match.
“……Whew.”
Letting out a shallow breath, he looked around.
The spectator stands were packed to capacity, with not a single empty seat in sight. In the arena where he stood, there were about a hundred other fighters.
His first match was not a one-on-one, but a battle royale. The victory condition was simple.
Be the last one standing.
There were no other conditions; it was a rule focused entirely on survival.
In truth, Alon would have preferred a one-on-one match, but he chose the battle royale for a very simple reason: winning a battle royale allowed an F-rank fighter to jump straight to D-rank.
From D-rank onward, fighters had the right to challenge those of a higher rank to swap grades. His goal was to skip the lower ranks as quickly as possible.
Alon scanned his surroundings.
There is only one way to enter the Colony’s royal treasury and take a treasure: become an A-rank fighter.
Of course, if one became a Babayaga, they could enter the 'Treasury' where the Colony’s national treasures were kept, but Alon didn't need to go that far.
Whether it was the item he originally wanted or Sparrow’s staff, both were in the vault accessible to A-rank fighters.
……This won’t be easy.
Alon looked around with an expressionless face.
The numerous fighters in his sight were all gripping their respective weapons and staring at him.
As if they had made a pact.
Some looked nervous.
Some were solemn, while others were full of mockery.
Others were cautiously assessing the situation. Their emotions varied, but everyone in the arena was preparing to point their weapons at him.
“…….”
Of course, he had expected this.
Even though they were F-rank, the fighters here weren't just extras; they had all entered the battle royale for a chance at a reversal.
To trample over the others and trade their F-rank badge for a D-rank one.
To them, Alon was the most obvious target to eliminate first.
Rumors had already spread that Alon had fended off Outer Gods multiple times and had been a great help in dealing with the Babayaga.
From their perspective, if they wanted to win, it was only natural to exclude Alon first.
[Now then, the fighters' match will—]
At the signal of the announcer’s voice, most of the fighters—
[—BEGINNNNNN!!!]
—rushed toward Alon as if they had been waiting for that very moment.
It was a volatile situation.
The crowd’s cheers, bordering on madness, echoed through the air, and the battle cries of the fighters filled Alon’s ears.
And finally, just as the axe of the first fighter to reach him was about to fall upon Alon’s head—
Alon’s fingers, encased in his black fingerless gauntlets, twitched slightly.
CRACKLE!
A severe cold swept through the arena.
“!!!”
The moment the charging fighter’s axe froze in mid-air.
“Ice Crystal.”
As Alon formed a seal, an Ice Wall began to rise around him.