Chapter 412. The Second (1)
[Do you think that makes sense?]
After a brief silence.
At the Arm Spitter’s remark, The One Who Stands Tall let out a faint laugh.
*[Do you find it unbelievable?]
[Isn't it obvious? The abilities a Divine Blood uses are practically their identity. And you say he absorbed them at will and then used them again...? Do you think that makes sense?]
[But you also heard about him regarding the Star Eater. And also why he descended to this world, didn't you?]
[Yes, but... wasn't that simply absorbing power?]
At Arm Spitter’s retort, The One Who Stands Tall nodded several times as if understanding.
[Of course I understand your reaction. Honestly, even a Divine Blood being able to absorb another Divine Blood’s power is already a peculiar ability.]
[…If you know that, how can you state it so firmly?]
[Well, because—]
At that question, The One Who Stands Tall answered without hesitation.
[—I saw it.]
[…You saw it?]
[Yes. It was a bit rude, but the last time he came, I asked him to show me his divine power.]
[Don't tell me that there—]
[He possessed two Divinities. The Devourer’s and the Poison Eater’s. And perfectly integrated.]
[…Damn it…]
Arm Spitter was left speechless. His black tentacles shuddered horribly.
Then he spoke again.
[B-but even if he can absorb power, how do we know if he can return it…?]
[True, it could be that he cannot.]
The One Who Stands Tall also nodded.
The Star Eater's ability was a clearly irregular case even among the Divine Bloods.
Although he had seen that he bore two Divinities…
They were never told if the Star Eater could give that Divinity to another.
And yet, the reason he could affirm it was:
[But, I heard it.]
[You… heard it?]
[Yes. The one who gave us orders told me directly.]
He heard it… with his own ears.
Arm Spitter’s single eye opened as if it were about to tear apart.
[He… said so?]
The One Who Stands Tall recalled that moment.
The words that were spoken to him when he was summoned, the one who would be the first to fall among the Divine Bloods.
"Serve the Star Eater well. If you do, a great blessing will undoubtedly come to you."
"Great blessing?"
"He is someone who can make you as strong as he wants. Also, he is someone with fickle moods."
A few sentences, very brief.
But those brief words…
[T-then, is it really true?]
[Yes.]
They were more than enough to convince Arm Spitter.
[Think about it. He sacrificed his own essence for his merits and clothed himself in the skin of a mere inferior human. For someone like that, a power as insignificant as ours is nothing more than—]
[A simple bridge he must cross?]
At Arm Spitter's reaction, The One Who Stands Tall lifted his lips in a twisted smile.
[Correct. For someone walking to the same place as the one we serve, everything he can obtain along the way is unnecessary. And those unnecessary things—]
Without completing the sentence, The One Who Stands Tall looked toward the white eyes watching him from the abyssal darkness.
And The One Who Spits Arms, almost bewitched, murmured:
[—Will be given to those beneath?]
[Exactly. And if that happens—]
At his nod, The One Who Spits Arms’s tentacles began to twist in a strange manner, as if feeling a shudder.
[Then, even if we don't collect faith by suffering hardships... it wouldn't be strange to reach the Heavenly Law.]
With those words charged with conviction…
Among the Divine Bloods, a strange gear began to turn.
A gear where truth and lies skillfully intertwined.
The second day's party, as expected, unfolded in a calmer atmosphere than the first.
…Or at least it should have been that way.
‘Hasn't too much people left?’
Alon was bewildered.
Unlike yesterday, where the place was so full he literally felt the air heating up from the crowd, today the number of attendees had decreased notably.
"I knew there would be fewer people today… but the difference is surprising."
Penia commented, to which Alon nodded.
"Certainly."
"Well— it is usually normal, but still, it is more than I expected."
She remained thoughtful for a few seconds before tilting her head.
"Although… it is a bit strange."
"What is?"
"For this to happen, a lot of people should have left halfway through the event yesterday. But I don't recall almost anyone leaving."
"...Really?"
"Yes."
Then, what happened…? Alon thought as he shrugged.
To tell the truth, beyond the curiosity, having fewer people there was much more comfortable for him.
"Godfather."
While he was thinking that, he heard a voice beside him.
Looking over, he saw Rine.
But…
"Rine?"
"Yes."
“…You changed your hairstyle.”
"Yes. I thought it had been a while since I paid attention to it."
Rine had changed her style: a part on the right side and a small decorative clip.
Alon examined her for a moment and nodded.
"It suits you."
"Really?"
"Yes, it doesn't look bad."
"What a relief."
Rine sighed softly.
But then—
"Boss~!"
"Did you change your hairstyle?"
"Yes, how is it?"
Ryanga, also changed, approached.
And Alon tilted his head.
‘…Why is everyone changing their style today?’
Penia, Rine, Ryanga… all on the same day. Alon was already beginning to wonder if some special date was escaping him.
Meanwhile, Evan was moving to carry out Alon's order: to verify Silly's whereabouts.
And he managed to find her in the annex where she had waited before the parade.
However…
Evan could not approach Silly easily.
The reason:
‘…What is this?’
The distance was huge.
Not because of the physical distance…
But because a huge crowd was standing watching Silly, who was on a small stage.
A silence so dense it almost cut off one's breath.
Evan, pressured by that strange atmosphere, remained silent as well.
Suddenly—
"First of all, thank you all very much for coming."
Silly's smiling voice spread out.
Conversations died down completely.
In the middle of that quiet stage—
"I would like to greet you one by one, but I know everyone here is busy, so I will get straight to the point."
She took a paper from her chest.
An ordinary paper, folded in half, with a number “1” written on it.
However, upon showing it, the audience began to murmur.
Evan frowned.
‘…What? Is it a paper with magic power?’
He looked with magic vision.
Nothing. It was just an ordinary paper.
Precisely for that reason, Evan did not understand the reaction.
And then—
"Good! From this moment on we will start receiving donations! And to the grand first donor… I certify, in the name of the Saintess who represents the great Him: Silly Makallian… that they will be able to buy the statue of the Great Wise God first!"
They were words so surprising that Evan felt his mind freeze.
And then—
"I-I will donate!"
"M-move! It will be me!"
"I will make the donation!"
"I have waited for this moment!"
"Idiots! The price! 5,000! 5,000 gold coins!"
Without a physical object.
With nothing more than the order to receive a statue.
Under the name of “donation”.
Silly set the place on fire in a few seconds.
‘This is… creative economy?’
Evan couldn't help but think it.
"Haa…"
Hidan let out a long sigh while touching his head.
In reality, escorting the Great Moon was not particularly exhausting.
For him, it was natural to work for the Great Moon.
And besides, the Great Moon did not need a real escort: around her were beings who would not allow any harm unless a Divine Blood attacked.
But even so, Hidan was exhausted.
The reason was the tension.
Ever since the Great Moon mentioned the person she was interested in…
There was a strange tension near him.
Furthermore, Hidan had seen the fight between Red Moon and Green Moon from afar.
That made him even more nervous.
‘Of course, I trust that the Great Moon won't do anything like that while nearby… but still…’
The anxiety was inevitable.
Hidan hadn't been able to relax for a second since he started working.
He wanted to rest, but he headed to Red Moon's room.
He wanted to deliver a pending report at the moment the party was calmest.
‘…Is Red Moon okay?’
As he walked, a worry crossed his mind.
Red Moon was not sick.
She continued to act with the usual perfection as the Great Moon's assistant.
But recently…
He had noticed a strange change.
Something small, but noticeable for someone like him, who received direct orders from her constantly.
‘…Lately it seems she doesn't remember things well.’
Red Moon's memory had always been impeccable.
She never forgot an order.
But lately, she was starting to forget small things.
That unsettled him.
When he realized it, he was already in front of her room.
Hidan looked around and entered silently.
And then he saw—
The great Red Moon, in front of a full-body mirror…
Holding her white hair and turning it into twin tails, tilting her head as if evaluating her appearance.
And the next thing he saw after freezing completely—
Were those red eyes reflecting him. With total clarity.
"…Ah."
Hidan felt his life flash before his eyes.
