C388. Birth (3)
Originally, after talking in Rosario, Alon intended to head to the Magic Tower or Teria, but his destination changed immediately to Colony, and the next day—
—From Rosario to Colony…
—It will take at least a month.
—A month…
A month.
A long period if it was, short if measured in another way.
Alon then looked at Evan.
—Evan.
—Yes, Marquis.
—Have you obtained additional information about the situation after that?
—A while ago I checked at the village's Information Guild and obtained some data, but in general… the situation is not good at all.
—Tell me.
Evan began to relate the reports from the Information Guild one by one.
While Alon listened in silence—
—…It might sound a bit jinxed to say it, but… isn't the Allied United Kingdoms going to end up breaking into pieces?
Penia murmured with a visibly worried gesture.
—Even I think so… this looks quite serious.
Evan also agreed.
Alon did not answer immediately, but mentally gathered and organized all the information he had heard.
In summary, Evan brought three main points.
The first: since yesterday, new types of special specimens had started attacking Colony.
The second: those attacks were not directed solely at Colony, but at the majority of kingdoms of the Allied United Kingdoms.
And the third:
The kingdoms were being attacked by those Divine Bloods without even being able to put up resistance, falling helplessly.
—Haa…
Alon exhaled a long sigh.
The situation, when combining the information, was very unfavorable.
But it wasn't the worst possible scenario.
After listening to Evan:
The Divine Bloods that could be considered the “original bodies” of the variants had not yet moved.
And not all kingdoms were being attacked either.
The island kingdoms of Laksas, Asteria, and the Duchy of Luxible had not been attacked.
…Of course, the rest of the kingdoms and small duchies were already suffering irreversible damage.
And those that were still safe didn't know when they would be attacked.
«And among all of them, the most serious case… is Colony?»
Alon looked at Evan.
—Evan.
—Yes, Marquis.
—Colony… is in such a serious situation?
—Yes, according to the Information Guild, for being such a large country, the situation is extremely bad.
—…Are the creatures very strong? Or is it a problem with the Baba Yagas?
Colony's peculiar culture made that doubt plausible.
Evan replied:
—That has an influence, but… from what I heard, Colony is acting strangely.
—Strangely?
—Yes. They have committed basic mistakes that should never happen during a war. That is why in yesterday's invasion they suffered enormous damage.
—…Basic mistakes?
—I didn't investigate exact details, but in any case… it is true that the situation there is the worst.
Alon let out another sigh, not knowing how many he had already let out.
—…Nothing is simple.
Penia, who was observing his expression, spoke cautiously.
—Ma… Marquis.
—Yes?
—Maybe it sounds like I lack empathy for humanity, but… isn't it unnecessary for you to stress so much…?
—Why do you say that?
—Because right now you are doing everything you can.
Penia looked Alon directly in the eyes.
—Marquis… you only have one body. And the things a single body can do are limited. You already warned everyone when the galaxy fell, didn't you?
She wasn't wrong.
When the galaxy fell, Alon warned at the meeting of kings that something like this would happen and they should prepare.
—I think that having said that is already enough. You did everything you could.
Alon looked at Penia and perceived the worry mixed in her eyes.
—…Thank you for saying that.
He replied with a nod.
The arguments were rational.
In reality, Alon could not save all the kingdoms.
His body was only one and could not be divided.
But the reason why Alon carried so much stress was not guilt or a sense of responsibility for not being able to save them all.
Perhaps Penia and Evan would think differently, but Alon did not possess such a strong unconditional love for humanity.
Rather, the real reason was another:
The nature of the Divine Bloods… and the words he had heard from the original of Sironia.
«The new models have already understood that the life that yields “faith” to them does not have to be ‘normal’.»
Just those words.
The principle by which the variants became “gods” in the world was the same:
Being strengthened through the faith of living beings.
And if there was a method to somehow force humans to “believe” in them…
In other words: the more damage the new models caused, the harder it would be for Alon to face them.
That's why Alon had to stop the Divine Bloods as much as possible.
If he couldn't stop them, at least he had to prevent humans from falling into their hands.
So, after thinking repeatedly—
—…Penia.
—Yes.
—I think I must send an urgent message to Divine Land.
—I understand.
He had to do what he could do right now.
Three weeks and two days advancing towards Colony, avoiding stopping at villages to the minimum.
Alon did two things:
Magic research.
And information gathering.
Through the Information Guild, Alon received numerous reports.
They were not good news.
Most dealt with destroyed villages or territories.
The least bad part: Laksas and Asteria continued without receiving attacks, and after the initial aggression of the variants, most kingdoms were defending better than at the beginning.
Although rumors said that the situation remained on the brink of collapse, and that if the new models moved directly, the chaos would be uncontrollable.
But even so, the situation held on precariously.
—With this… the basic structure is finished, Marquis.
—I see.
Traveling in a carriage running over golden sand, Alon was talking with Penia.
—It has advanced more than I expected.
—Yes, but it is still difficult. Converting it into a magic medium went well, but the control is still delicate.
—It is part of the process. Consider this as practice. It is a starting point.
—True.
While Alon nodded, Evan's voice sounded from outside.
—Marquis! A little further ahead I think we will be able to see Colony!
—Understood.
Alon turned his gaze toward the infinite landscape of golden sand.
Then, he looked ahead.
In the distance, Colony began to enter his field of vision. But only for an instant.
As they approached, Alon, Penia, and Evan began to tense their faces alike.
The reason—
—…This is Colony?
Unlike what was seen from afar, up close—
The situation was much more serious.
Alon remained staring silently at the sky.
The sun shone with an intensity that seemed to encompass everything.
But, in contradiction with that sun—
Below, Colony showed a completely devastated state.
The wall surrounding the city—
Had been pierced and torn as if something sharp had ripped it off in huge pieces.
The harsh desert wind blew through the cracks, raising clouds of dust.
The magnificent domes and towers had collapsed into fragments, whose sharp edges jutted out like broken teeth.
—…This is Colony?
Penia's stunned voice vanished in the wind.
Alon had the same thought.
That is how destroyed Colony was.
…No, it was practically correct to say that it had been annihilated.
The three contemplated the devastated city in silence, until—
—Who are you?!
Upon approaching the south gate, still closed despite the damage, they were intercepted by a strict guard.
—M-Marquis Palatio–!?
—Open the gate!
…Before even calling Seolrang—
The guards recognized Alon, allowing his entry much earlier than expected.
—It seems they have already been attacked several times.
—It seems so.
The interior was just as disastrous.
The areas near the gate were completely destroyed.
Some buildings didn't even retain their original shape.
While Alon watched in a state of shock—
—Master!
A familiar voice resonated.
From afar, Seolrang was running toward him.
—Ah! It's the Master!
As soon as she reached him, she hugged him tightly as if she had been waiting for him.
Alon reciprocated gently.
—Have you been well?
—Yes!
She replied with a bright smile.
But only for a moment.
—…Huh?
Alon noticed the bandages wrapping Seolrang's body. She, upon realizing his gaze, pulled away hurriedly.
—Ah, this… I just let my guard down for a moment. It's not a serious wound, don't worry.
Seolrang clumsily covered the bandages with both hands. When Alon tried to say something—
—…Hello, Marquis.
A weak voice was heard. Lime had arrived.
—It has been a while.
—I know you just arrived and are overwhelmed… but, could you follow me immediately?
Lime whispered secretly to Alon.
Alon, noting that even Seolrang had hardened her expression, said:
—…Alright.
Without asking questions, he followed her.
They went toward Seolrang's guild building, but Lime did not lead them to the office, but to the underground.
—…Did this exist before?
—No, it didn't exist. We built it in case something happened…
While Lime answered, Alon's unease only increased.
—We have arrived.
Lime opened an underground door. Upon entering—
—Marquis.
—…Karsem?
There was Karsem, covered in numerous wounds.
—…What happened?
—Before explaining… I will go straight to the result.
Alon asked in surprise.
But the answer was not immediate—
Instead, Karsem said:
—…The First Prince killed the King… and defected to the side of the Divine Bloods.
—…What?
A revelation that struck like thunder.
