Chapter 397. It Doesn't Change (2)
Alon Palatio's stunned expression lasted only for an instant.
Alon, with a face that said he didn't understand anything, looked at Evan.
"So... what was the question?"
He let out a long sigh and held his head.
With a slight hope, he asked again.
Maybe he had heard wrong.
However—
"Were you a god or something in your past life?"
A question that left him speechless again.
Alon remained silent for a few seconds before responding.
"...Evan."
"Yes."
"Do you think I was a god in my past life?"
He asked back.
Although his face remained expressionless, it was evidently an expression of complete disbelief.
Evan scratched his head.
He couldn't answer easily.
Just as Alon was about to speak again—
"My Lord Marquis, how are you feeling?"
Penia entered through the door.
With a tired expression and stretching with a "kng—", she immediately noticed the strange atmosphere and tilted her head.
"...What's going on here? Did something happen?"
"No, nothing like that."
"We were just talking about the Marquis's past life," Evan replied.
"His past life?"
Penia retorted in confusion, and Evan nodded.
"I was asking him if he hadn't been a god in his past life."
"That the Marquis was a god in his past life?"
"Not that he was; I asked if he had been."
"...I don't know why you ask such obvious questions," Alon said, denying with disbelief.
But.
Penia also stared at him along with Evan.
"...Honestly, it's not a completely far-fetched possibility, don't you think?"
"I don't entirely share your opinion, but I also think it could be."
Both expressed affirmative opinions.
"...Which part of me do you see that in?"
Alon asked, unable to understand. But Evan and Penia seemed just as bewildered.
"...Is it necessary to see something in particular?"
"Then?"
"Just listing what you've done so far is already outside any standard of a common person."
"That much...?"
Facing Alon's reaction, Evan rubbed his chin.
"My Lord. It's not new to say this, but in these things... you are a bit lacking."
"Me?"
"Yes. Most people, when they achieve a little merit, want to brag about it right away. But you aren't even aware of what you've done. It's not a disease, of course, but... it's a bit strange."
At Evan's murmur, Alon cleared his throat unintentionally.
"Anyway... the important thing: are you saying Caliban was saved by a bearer of the Divine Blood?"
"That's right."
"And that the reason they saved Caliban was me?"
"Exactly."
"And where is that Divine Blood?"
"I heard he settled in Caliban."
Evan continued.
"And, in fact, that's not the only thing I have to report."
"Is there more?"
"Not exactly the same, but something similar happened in Laksas."
"A Divine Blood protected Laksas?"
"Yes. But in that case, he protected it and disappeared without saying anything... Also in the north, a huge tiger protected the barbarians from the Divine Blood that appeared there."
"...Even the barbarians?"
"Yes. According to the Information Guild's information, the tiger of the north mentioned the 'Star Eater' while helping the barbarians."
Alon sighed.
The situation was good.
Before coming to Colony, Alon had sent Historia and Ryanga from Divine Land to the places attacked by the Divine Bloods.
But after facing one seriously this time, he understood something.
The Divine Bloods were not enemies that could be handled easily.
That allies of Divine Blood appeared was definitely a relief.
But at the same time, it left many questions.
'...I have more and more to think about.'
Since he fully faced the power of the Divine Bloods... no, perhaps since before that.
Alon's mind hadn't stopped working.
He had a lot to do. He had to continue his magic research. He also had to evolve the divinity to the next level.
And not only that.
'I have to train the kids.'
The Wanderer had told him, and the recent battle made it clear to him:
The Divine Bloods cannot be stopped alone.
They were not easy enemies.
To stop them, Alon needed allies. People strong enough to face Divine Blood.
He thought for a while, but then—
"Ah, right, my Lord."
"What is it?"
"I interrupted abruptly earlier and forgot. I had something to inform you."
"...Did Seolrang wake up?"
"Exactly."
As soon as Penia nodded, Alon stood up immediately.
"Let's go right now."
Upon arriving at Seolrang's room, Lime received him.
"Ah, my Lord!"
"Lime."
"Are you feeling okay? Shouldn't you avoid overexerting yourself?"
"I'm fine. More importantly: Seolrang... how is she?"
Hearing his question, Lime sighed in relief.
"Fortunately, there is no serious problem."
"...Really?"
"Yes, I was also a bit worried, but she is the same as always."
Lime placed her hand on her chest, relieved. Alon also let out a sigh of relief.
"Please, come in."
Lime stepped aside.
Upon entering, Alon saw Seolrang.
She, lying on the bed, was looking distractedly out the window. Hearing the door, she turned her head.
"Ah! Master!"
As soon as she saw him, she ran towards him with a huge smile.
Her eyes shone with joy,
her lips drew a big smile,
and her tail wagged enthusiastically marking how happy she was.
Seolrang threw herself unhesitatingly into Alon's arms.
Thump-thump—
Her tail wagged even harder.
"Are you okay, Master?"
She asked, hugging him firmly by the waist. Alon patted her head, as always.
"Yes, I'm fine. And you, are you okay?"
"Yes! I'm fine!"
Alon observed her carefully. Her eyes continued to show pure joy, her smile was the same as always, her tail wagged nonstop.
Nothing seemed different. On the outside.
"Master?"
"...Sorry. I was thinking about something."
"It's okay!"
Noticing Alon's prolonged gaze, Seolrang tilted her head. He spoke cautiously.
"Could you tell me exactly what happened to you?"
"Sure!"
Without hesitation, Seolrang told him everything that had happened the day before.
And...
Alon couldn't help but be surprised.
First, because she mentioned the word "Supernatural Blood".
And second—
"That was everything!"
"Master?"
Alon stared at her and then shook his head.
"Nothing. It's really... surprising."
"Yes! I don't know much about the Supernatural Blood, but now I can control all lightning."
"All lightning...?"
"And I also learned new techniques!"
"...Techniques?"
"Yes! By accepting the essence, I also obtained all the techniques of those who used that essence. Which means I don't lack anything anymore to protect Master!"
With an expression of "Hehe, I'm a super genius," she made a V with her fingers. Alon smiled unintentionally and patted her again.
Seolrang stopped for an instant, but immediately began to hum happily.
Alon observed her for a few seconds and called her.
"Seolrang."
"Mmm? What is it?"
"If something happens to you... tell me."
Seolrang's golden eyes stared at him.
And Alon looked at her the same way.
Her calm golden eyes.
"What do you mean? I'm fine."
But only for a moment; she immediately tilted her head again.
"...I see."
"Yes. My body is a bit stiff, but nothing serious. With a little rest I'll be fine."
"That's good."
"Although... when I recover I'll still be like this for a while. I have to get used to handling this strength..."
With a small groan, she thought a bit and then—
"But don't worry! I'll get used to it quickly and protect you."
She thumped her chest with energy and smiled.
Alon gave a dry smile and reached out to pat her again when—
BAM!
"My, my Lord Marquis, we have a problem! The Poison Eater... revived!"
"What!?"
Evan burst in, slamming the door open.
"T-there...!"
He pointed hurriedly towards the window.
Alon followed the direction of his finger.
Just as Evan had said. The one Seolrang had undoubtedly killed yesterday, sunk in a sea of red blood—
"...Really?"
The Poison Eater had revived... keeping its form intact.
Crackle—!
Alon's brow furrowed.
Seolrang was not in condition.
And he himself, if he fought now, couldn't defeat it.
But he couldn't leave it like that either.
He immediately used the Lightning God Form crashing through the window and rushed towards where the Poison Eater was.
And he saw it.
The warriors and citizens who were working on the reconstruction had been paralyzed by fear.
And the Poison Eater, without a single wound, resurrected perfectly—
"...Hm?"
Alon's tense frown relaxed.
What was in front of him was clearly the Poison Eater.
Even the threads it emitted —whatever that intention was— were also the same ones he knew.
But the reason for his bewilderment was different.
The Poison Eater's body was too dark.
As if the shadow had taken form.
And the moment he realized—
[Kyu?]
A voice rang out.
From the Poison Eater. A voice too familiar.
Bewildered by an incomprehensible situation, Alon saw it.
The head of the Poison Eater, which before had dozens of eyeballs—
[Kyuu?]
—transformed into the huge head of Blackie.
Another question mark floated over Alon Palatio's head.
