C401. What is that..................? (4)
Alon obtained three additional facts while conversing with the giant.
One was that, on this side of the Allied United Kingdoms, excluding the giant, two new types belonging to The One Who Gazes into the Abyss had fallen with the same purpose as this giant.
The second was that the one who had stopped the Divine Blood that broke into Laksas also belonged to “The One Who Gazes into the Abyss.”
And the third:
[Still, it is truly amazing. That you can kill a Divine Blood even after leaving behind all your power and wearing the skin of a lesser being… Even if you possess the ability to absorb the power of the Divine Blood you have killed, it really is incredible.]
—It was a hidden ability that not even he knew about.
…Could it be that among Divine Bloods they cannot absorb each other's powers even if they kill one another?
No, strictly speaking…
Alon was aware that he absorbed the power of the Divine Bloods.
After the battle against Poison Eater and The One Who Devours, when he won, a divine power had surged within his empty interior.
However, from what the giant said, it seemed that among Divine Bloods, they could not absorb power even if they killed each other.
That is to say: the capacity to absorb power belonged only to Alon.
Alon found it strange.
According to what the blue-eyed one said, such a peculiar ability would have to be created through the “Creation of Heavenly Law”.
But he had not yet gathered enough divine power to reach the Creation of Heavenly Law.
A contradiction.
……Then does that mean I have three usable abilities?
He thought for only a few seconds.
Then he remembered he hadn’t answered the giant yet.
How should I answer?
Actually, the answer was already defined.
If he had decided to act as a close friend of “The One Who Gazes into the Abyss,” there was only one thing to say.
Alon cleared his throat.
—There is no need for you to praise me so much.
[Did it make you uncomfortable? I apologize.]
—I didn't mean that.
[I knew it would be like this! A generosity deeper than the ocean! Thank you very much!]
Alon, seeing how the giant looked ready to applaud just by staring into the void saying “Wow! How incredible that he noticed that!”, added:
—Even so, try not to go around divulging my identity outside of here.
[Understood.]
The giant nodded without the slightest doubt, as if nothing needed explanation.
Alon sighed to himself.
Because if the giant had asked him “Why?”, he would have had to invent a convincing reason, which was annoying.
—Well, and what do you plan to do from now on?
[First, since he told me I should follow you, I am thinking of obeying his words.]
—I see…
Alon nodded, while his curiosity about The One Who Gazes into the Abyss continued to grow.
Who was he to help him so much?
But he couldn't ask directly.
—For now, I would like you to keep protecting Caliban.
[There is nothing to discuss.]
Alon was going to end the conversation with the giant—no, with the one who had introduced himself as “The One Who Stands Tall”.
[Ah, but… if it is not a bother…]
—What is it?
[If it were possible, could you show me your divine power just once?]
—…My divine power?
[Yes.]
At The One Who Stands Tall's expression full of curiosity, Alon hesitated a little.
He knows my divine power is small… there shouldn't be a problem.
Since it didn't seem like a big risk, he showed a small fragment of his new divine power.
[…Wow…]
The One Who Stands Tall let out a sigh of admiration at that small glow, and then regained his composure.
[Thank you for showing me!]
—…Was that all you wanted?
[Yes!]
The giant seemed more energetic for some reason.
Alon didn't know why, but he soon turned around.
After obtaining all the possible information, he returned to those waiting for him in the distance.
—Marquis, did the conversation end well?
Penia approached as soon as she saw Alon.
He nodded.
—Yes.
—And how did it go?
—……I obtained quite a few things.
—Really? I thought perhaps the cave might collapse.
At Evan’s words, Alon tilted his head.
—Why do you say that?
—It is a Divine Blood, right? I thought perhaps you would fight.
—I don't think we have to worry about that.
—Well, thank goodness. Anyway, it would be better to go up.
Then Alon headed towards Deus and Palmarian, who seemed to be waiting for their turn, and discovered Palmarian with a lost look.
He seemed immersed in deep reflection, looking ahead, but with an unfocused gaze.
—…Your Majesty?
“!? Ah… hmm-hmm…”
Only then did he come to his senses.
—Oh, this is… No, excuse me. I had something to think about.
He excused himself clumsily and began to walk.
Alon tilted his head slightly at his reaction, but soon followed him out of the underground chamber.
A day had passed since that conversation between Alon and The One Who Stands Tall.
Only one day, but Alon decided to return immediately to the Marquis's House.
—It is time to go.
—Understood, Marquis. If you need anything, just call me.
—I will.
After saying goodbye briefly to Deus, Alon got into the carriage.
Caliban became a distant landscape.
Alon finally let out a sigh.
—Ugh, another whole month of life in the carriage…
—There is no other option.
—Hmm… although I think it is better than the time in Colony. That time I thought I was literally going to die.
—Really?
—Yes.
Evan nodded, but suddenly remembered something.
—Ah. We should start considering the proclamation of the kingdom. Take advantage and do it now, Marquis.
—…Now?
—Yes. You will have to do it anyway. And considering your current situation, I think proclaiming the kingdom now is strategically the best.
Evan was not wrong. Alon needed to gather faith.
Although to need it, it seems it doesn't accumulate…
Alon examined his interior.
The divine power remained tiny, like a small sphere. A situation very different from before when it increased rapidly.
Even so, I need faith.
And the Divine Bloods knew that humans generated faith.
After thinking about it for a long while, Alon nodded.
—We will do it on the way to the Marquis's House.
—Understood. I will start preparing things from now. So that, upon arriving, you can do it in about two weeks.
Alon nodded, stroking his chin.
Although I don't know if I have territory to proclaim a kingdom……
He thought about Divine Land, but remembered that Luxible was also tiny as a territory.
Wait, I also have to pass through Luxible.
He scratched his head unintentionally.
He felt his affairs were only continuing to increase.
While he mentally organized his plans and looked blankly at the carriage ceiling, Penia called him after playing a while with Blackie.
—By the way, Marquis.
—What is it?
—It's nothing important, but… didn't the King of Caliban seem a bit strange to you?
—The King of Caliban?
—Yes. Since he returned from speaking with the Divine Blood.
—Hmm.
Alon tilted his head, but then nodded slightly.
I think he was indeed a bit weird…
He remembered Palmarian.
At first, he looked at him with affection, but since Alon returned from speaking with the Divine Blood, his gaze was strangely empty.
Although the basic kindness was still there, so he didn't think too much about it.
Now that I think about it, I think he spoke slightly differently……
Alon answered:
—I think so.
—Why would that have been?
—Well, maybe he was thinking about how to please the Marquis more.
Evan joked with a slight laugh.
Alon also shrugged his shoulders.
Just after Alon's group departed…
Palmarian slumped onto his seat, letting out a deep sigh laden with worry.
The cause was Alon Palatio.
But not because Alon had given him a problem directly.
Rather, the situation had been provoked by Palmarian himself.
He remembered the previous day:
When Marquis Palatio met with the Divine Blood.
And when Palmarian, using an artifact, had secretly listened to their conversation.
It wasn't difficult to do.
The underground chamber where the Divine Blood resided was a ceremonial place inherited for generations by the Kings of Caliban, and it was embedded with artifacts that transmitted the sounds of the enclosure.
Thus, believing that perhaps it would be useful, he listened to the conversation.
And he was shocked.
Because what he heard was…
Could it be… is Marquis Palatio really…?
About the Divine Bloods.
‘Still, it is truly amazing. That you can kill a Divine Blood even after leaving behind all your power…’
‘There is no need for you to praise me so much.’
‘Did it make you uncomfortable? I apologize.’
‘I didn't mean that.’
‘A generosity as vast as the ocean! Thank you!’
Upon remembering it, Palmarian trembled.
The giant was the one who had effortlessly destroyed the Divine Blood approaching the capital, whose simple presence made the knights' hearts paralyzed.
And how did Marquis Palatio react?
He treated him without the slightest startle.
And The One Who Stands Tall behaved before him with deep respect.
As if he could never disobey him.
Of course, it was a scene molded by Alon's acting…
But the king had no way of knowing that.
If the Marquis were not superior to The One Who Stands Tall, that conversation would not have been possible.
Palmarian concluded:
Alon was a Divine Blood who had descended in the skin of a human.
—……Did you send for me, Majesty?
—Come in.
It was Tolenis, the first prince.
—Listen carefully.
—Yes.
—Marquis Palatio… no, that person… is a Divine Blood.
—…Excuse me?
With every word emphasized.
—What…?
Tolenis was bewildered. But Palmarian spoke firmly:
—As surprising as it is, it is true.
—Really…?
—Yes. I confirmed it yesterday.
—How…?
—The giant below knelt before him.
“!!”
Tolenis's eyes opened wide.
He knew how powerful the giant underground was. It would be absurd not to know.
He had seen with his own eyes how that being tore apart without effort the creature capable of killing a man just by looking at him.
And now…
That being knelt before Marquis Palatio…?
Tolenis remembered the Marquis.
…Yes. It is not so strange…
The Marquis was different from any human. His expressionlessness, people calling him “god,” his tremendous power…
(Of course, Alon didn't know why he showed no emotions, and the “god” thing was a misunderstanding that had grown on its own…)
Anyway, without knowing the truth, Tolenis reached a conclusion.
And he opened his mouth without realizing it.
Starting from the error of these two…
—Remember this… In what comes, for our kingdom to survive, what matters is no one else… but him.
—U… understood.
A story where lie and truth mixed…
No, in fact, it was composed almost completely of misunderstandings.
And it began to spread in silence.
