Chapter 73: Status (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 73: Status (2)
“...Divinity, you say?”
[Indeed, it is divinity. What else could it be?]
At the dragonkin’s words, Alon wore a look of incomprehension.
He had considered the possibility of divinity once before after hearing a passing remark from the Brute God, but he had dismissed the thought himself.
The reason was simple: there was absolutely no reason for him to possess divinity.
After a moment of contemplation, Alon spoke up with a question.
“Then, why did you tell me to go deal with the Outer God first?”
[I do not understand the point of your question.]
“You said I’d only be able to hear the story after I dealt with that Outer God. But as far as I know, divinity isn’t something you can obtain just by killing a god.”
According to the settings of Psychedelia as he knew them, killing a god did not allow one to obtain or absorb their status. In other words, it should have been impossible for his ‘status’ to rise simply because he killed the Outer God in Lartania.
[Well, you are not wrong. Even if an ordinary human kills a god, they cannot absorb its divinity.]
The entity nodded readily in agreement.
“Then why on earth—”
[However—]
Alon started to speak, still confused, but the entity cut him off.
[—That is only the case when the one who kills the god is an ordinary ‘human.’]
“What...?”
When Alon questioned it again, the entity curled its tail into the shape of a question mark, appearing to ponder something for a moment before speaking.
[Let me ask you a question in return. Why do you think humans cannot obtain status even if they kill a god?]
“...That’s—”
[It is because humans do not possess ‘Status’ to begin with. To put it in terms that are easier to understand, it would be more accurate to say they lack a ‘vessel.’]
The entity continued.
[Conversely, if one has a ‘vessel,’ even a human can contain status.]
“...And this vessel is—”
[I call it a vessel, but it is nothing so grand. It is merely—belief.]
“Belief...?”
The entity hummed in thought, then spoke as if it had found the right word.
[For mortals, it might be easier to understand if I call it ‘Faith.’]
“...In other words, if one has faith, even an ordinary human can obtain divinity.”
[Exactly. And you possess ‘Faith.’ That is why I told you to go deal with that fellow. Because you are capable of containing status, if only a little.]
How about that? Does that answer your question? The entity rested its chin on its hand, but Alon was still bewildered.
“I understand the words themselves, but why do I have faith?”
[Does it not strike you as odd to ask me that?]
“...I suppose so, but is it possible you’re mistaken?”
[Impossible. You undoubtedly possess status. If you lacked both a vessel and status, you would likely be unable to even look me in the eye right now.]
“...That’s true.”
Alon nodded at the entity’s words. However, his head was still tilted to the side in doubt.
‘...Is it because of my fame?’
Even by his own judgment, he could be considered quite famous in the United Kingdoms now. While people might not recognize his face on sight, they certainly knew his name.
But that was merely fame, not faith.
‘...That shouldn't be it. Why on earth do I have faith?’
Alon frowned as he thought, but soon stopped his ruminations. He realized this wasn't a puzzle he could solve right this moment.
‘Another thing to look into.’
Alon shifted his focus to the fact that he now possessed status and asked another question.
“Then, do I gain an ‘Authority’ as well?”
As far as he knew, the gods of this world gained an ‘Authority’ once they were recognized as gods. The authorities obtained through divinity were mostly cheat-like abilities, no matter who looked at them.
Thus, he looked at the entity while indulging in a bit of wishful thinking, wondering if he might have one too.
[Regrettably, your divinity has not reached that level.]
“...Are there ranks even within divinity?”
[Is that not obvious? If I had to describe your divinity—it would be something like a local folk god of some remote frontier with a population of less than five hundred.]
“Even though I’ve annihilated two Outer Gods...?”
[Annihilating two of them does not mean you can absorb all of their status. Furthermore—strictly speaking, you did not annihilate them; you merely erased them temporarily.]
“I see...”
Alon let out a short sigh at the explanation.
The dragonkin continued with a slightly peculiar tone.
[By the way, it is a bit strange. The very reason you were able to catch the Brute God in the first place was because you possessed ‘Status.’ Did you truly not know you had it?]
“Ah.”
Alon let out a low exclamation as he realized anew how he had been able to capture the Brute God when it was on the verge of manifestation.
“...I didn't.”
[How fascinating. No, in the first place—]
—There must be more than one or two things that couldn't have happened without ‘Status’—how could he not know?
The entity looked at him with curiosity and muttered something too quietly for Alon to hear.
“I didn't catch that.”
[Ah, it is nothing.]
Realizing something, the dragonkin brushed it off, saying they would talk about it next time.
[Well, in truth, that is not what is important. What matters here is that you have obtained the minimum status required to see the truth.]
It shrugged its shoulders.
[For now, let us continue our Q&A. What else are you curious about?]
At the entity’s prompt, Alon voiced his next question.
* * *
Starting with status and moving on to faith, Alon went through the questions he had prepared one by one. He had a great deal he was curious about right now.
However, most unfortunately, out of all those questions, there was only one that Alon received a proper answer to.
The term used by the beastkin of the forgotten Great God and the Mystery to refer to a ‘Magus.’
Aside from that, he gained virtually no other information.
“...If you can’t answer even this much, was there any point in me obtaining status?”
Alon spoke with an absurd tone behind his expressionless face, but the entity merely shrugged.
[Now, do not think of it that way. It is not as if I do not want to give you answers.]
“...Then why won’t you tell me? Not about the True Name, not about the one who inherits the will, nor the reason the Brute God sent me here.”
As Alon listed the things he had prepared to ask, the entity replied.
[There are two reasons.]
“I’m listening.”
[First, your questions are essentially all part of a single story. In other words, they are questions that will be resolved once you ‘see,’ even if I do not explain them.]
“...Once I see?”
[Now that you possess status, you will be able to see. If you go to the ‘Deep Sea,’ that is.]
“...You’re saying I have to go to the Deep Sea instead of getting an answer here?”
[Yes. You need only go there and peer into the truth. Then you will come to know everything you asked about, so your actions have not been meaningless.]
After all, if you hadn't obtained status, you wouldn't have earned the right to see the truth, the entity added. Alon looked at it and replied.
“Is that the reason you won’t answer? Because I’ll find out everything anyway?”
[No. I have no reason to withhold information simply because it is a hassle.]
“Then?”
At Alon’s question, the entity fell silent for a moment before letting out a small sigh.
[Because they will be watching.]
“They?”
[Yes. Those who destroyed the Age of Gods, those who dwell in the lightless darkness, gnawing at the roots of history and seeking to push the past into the abyss—]
The dragonkin clicked its tongue briefly and said.
[—Because they will rise again.]
“...”
[That is the reason I cannot speak of the past directly.]
Alon stared intently at the entity. Its face was merely a black-and-white distinction of features and flesh, but even that was enough to tell that it wasn't lying.
“...How do I get to this place called the Deep Sea?”
As if waiting for that question, the entity handed Alon a necklace with the pattern of a black tree.
“This is?”
[Give that to the last remaining Mermaid on the coast at the eastern end. She will naturally guide you there.]
Alon looked at the necklace for a moment before nodding. The coast at the eastern end was where Laxas was located, a place he had to visit anyway after this meeting.
“I’ll go there.”
[A wise decision.]
As he was about to turn away, Alon remembered something and looked back at the entity.
[What is it?]
“Now that I think about it, there was one more thing I haven't asked.”
[Ask away. If it is something I can answer, I shall.]
“...The Brute God said I had been recognized by the ‘Black Thing’ and the ‘Blue Thing.’ Can you tell me what that means?”
At Alon’s question, the entity hummed and looked at him.
As a bit of time passed.
[Ah—ah, I see—]
It grinned as if it had realized something and nodded.
[Just think of it as having been recognized by some very great gods.]
“...?”
With that final remark, the entity added one more thing.
[Oh, and if you are so inclined, leave Sparrow’s Staff behind. I shall make it into something useful. Though you will not be able to retrieve it for about two years.]
“...Two years? Why?”
[It will take that long to make that fellow useful and for me to gather enough strength to have a proper conversation again.]
“...Is that so?”
[Yes.]
Immediately after.
[Ah, um, I really like being by Alon’s side, and I feel like I could assist you a bit more—]
Alon glanced at Sparrow’s Staff, which was muttering piteously despite having no visible eyes.
“Let’s do that.”
[Eh? Wait, just a moment? Lord Alon? No, Count? Hey????]
As Alon was about to turn away after putting down Sparrow’s Staff.
[Ah, wait. One more thing—I have something else to tell you.]
“Something to tell me?”
[Yes, about your magic. Listen to this before you go. It will not take long.]
The entity began its final explanation.
* * *
Immediately after hearing the dragonkin’s story, Alon reunited with Seolrang, who had been waiting for a long time, and returned to the Colony. The very next day, he began preparing to head to Laxas.
...In truth, there wasn't much to prepare.
Since he intended to move with a merchant group departing today, all he needed to pack were rations and a few items for potential emergencies.
Thus, he finished his tasks shortly after starting, and around that time, Yutia, having heard that Alon was leaving the Colony, came to find him.
However, what was unexpected was...
“...?? What brings the King here...?”
“I wished to see you off.”
Karmakeses III, the King of the Colony, had also come to the North Gate in person, bringing soldiers along to see Alon off.
And—
“...This is?”
“I heard these are gifts being bestowed upon you, Teacher.”
“...Gifts for me?”
“Yes. Isn't that right, Your Majesty?”
—He had brought two carriages overflowing with gold, silver, and jewels.
“Yes, that is correct. They are gifts from me.”
Alon looked at Karmakeses as he answered Yutia.
His laughter was far more boisterous than before, but it looked awkward to anyone’s eyes. Sensing something was off, Alon replied.
“...This seems a bit excessive.”
Alon wasn't someone who fundamentally turned down money. In fact, since his philosophy was that the more money the better, the sight of the carriages piled high with treasure made his jaw drop.
Even so, those carriages were clearly too much for Alon to receive. It was far beyond what one would give simply because they liked someone.
Especially considering the one giving the gifts was royalty, there was bound to be some political motive he hadn't even considered. Thus, he tentatively declined the King’s gifts.
“Haha, don't be like that. Please, accept them freely.”
“No, but still—”
“Do not worry. There is no ulterior motive; I am giving them purely because I am fond of you. I really ‘must’ insist you accept them. ‘Must,’ I say. ‘Must’...”
“...?”
Seeing Karmakeses laughing while sounding strangely desperate, Alon had no choice but to nod awkwardly.
And so, that day, Alon joined the caravan, trailing two carriages filled with gold and silver.
A small smile played on Yutia’s lips as she watched Alon depart.
And.
“I’m glad the negotiations seem to be heading in a good direction.”
“I suppose... so.”
Meeting Yutia’s red eyes, Karmakeses once again reviewed the fact he had realized yesterday.
...That he must never, under any circumstances, cross Count Palatio.
‘How exhausting...’
...The image of the mana grass he had quit thirteen years ago flickered before Karmakeses’ eyes.