Chapter 453. Why are you doing that…? (1)
[Because now you can finally perform a “Manifestation” in the true sense!]
At Kalanon's words, Alon was perplexed for a moment.
He asked immediately:
"…A true manifestation, what do you mean?"
[Huh? It is literal.]
Kalanon, tilting her head as if she had been asked a strange question, soon seemed to understand and let out an “ah”.
[Until now, Lord Alon transformed into Kalanon, remember? That is why you could use the lightning powers that I used.]
"True."
[But of course, that power was not yours. It was power gathered taking my existence as the axis.]
Alon nodded without saying anything.
He understood that clearly so far.
[But by now, my faith—that is, the faith towards Kalanon—and the faith towards Lord Alon have already separated.]
"As you said before, they have divided?"
[Yes, to be more precise, now I feel as if I have become a subject of Lord Alon.]
Well, actually I don't care who I belong to as long as I have a warm back and a full belly—Kalanon said between laughs before continuing.
[In any case, that is precisely why I can say: “Now Lord Alon can manifest in the true sense.” Because you no longer need to borrow my power as Kalanon: now you receive faith as a god yourself.]
"I see…"
Alon nodded.
He now understood why he could no longer transform into Kalanon.
And thus a new doubt arose.
"I understand everything you explained."
[Yes.]
"Then… in what form will I manifest?"
As far as Alon knew, every god possesses an epithet, and their power is defined according to it.
But Alon…
Unfortunately, Alon did not have an epithet per se.
At most, in the ancient past, he was called “The Villain of the Count’s House,” like a typical light novel title, but apart from that—
"…Or do I have one?"
Thinking about it, after the creation of Palantia, it was possible that some titles and qualifiers had been added to him here and there.
While Alon meditated, Kalanon spoke:
[Well, usually one manifests in the form of the god that people desire most.]
"The form they desire most?"
[Of course. Manifestation occurs by receiving the faith of the people.]
"Then… if what people desire changes, does the god's power also change?"
Kalanon shook her head.
[No, not that.]
"Why?"
[It is a sort of imprinting effect.]
"Imprinting effect?"
[Yes. In the first manifestation, the power might vary a little, but once the god fully manifests and their power is defined, it almost never changes.]
After all, who could imagine that someone who controls lightning would suddenly start controlling fire?
With such an evident example, Alon understood immediately.
"Then, when will I be able to manifest?"
Kalanon stared at him.
A deep gaze, almost as if observing his insides.
Some time passed like that.
[Hmm—]
Kalanon began to answer—
[I think it will take a little more time. The first manifestation demands enormous faith, and also the texture of the faith must be equal… huh?]
Suddenly she expressed a doubt.
"Why? Is there a problem?"
But Kalanon, without answering, stared at him for a moment.
[Eh… it is not something bad. It is just that there is a somewhat… strange faith.]
"Strange faith?"
[Yes. It is a faith too colossal to come from a human…]
"Can you distinguish something like that?"
[If you observe it for a long time, more or less. Especially when it is so colossal.]
Kalanon murmured, observing Alon for a good while.
[Well, I don't think it is something you need to worry about.]
Her attitude became cheerful again.
"…Can you really say it so lightly?"
[Of course. To be honest, it is too big to be from a human… but in the end, faith is faith.]
Shrugging her shoulders, she downplayed the matter.
At that moment, while they conversed—
KUGUGUGUNG—!
[Ah, it is already collapsing. See you later.]
"I have a question."
[Tell me!]
"If you are always by my side gaining faith, why do you spend your time saying you don't have enough and are suffering?"
Although time was pressing due to the collapse of the world, a doubt suddenly came to him.
[Ah, that… ahem… you see—]
Kalanon looked away, feigning disinterest.
Alon tried to ask more, but he didn't have the chance.
[Ahem! See you later, and just in case, it's not like I am keeping anything! Don't misunderstand!]
The world collapsed and Alon was expelled without receiving an answer.
After his encounter with Kalanon—
"Chief!"
"God-nim, it’s been a while."
"Ryanga, Ria. It’s been a while."
Alon reunited again with Ryanga and Historia, who had returned to the Divine Land.
He greeted them with pleasure, but inside he couldn't help but be surprised.
Because—
"…Rine?"
"It’s been a while, Godfather."
Rine was standing behind Ryanga and Historia.
"Why are you here…?"
Rine's sudden appearance bewildered him.
"It seems you are not very amused to find me here, Godfather."
Rine showed a slightly sad gesture.
Alon, despite his expressionless face, moved with slight clumsiness, revealing his bewilderment.
"Hehe— just kidding, Godfather."
Seeing her mischievous smile, Alon let out a very slight sigh of relief.
After exchanging greetings with her, he understood why she had come.
"Did you come… to see me?"
"Yes, Godfather. I met Ryanga and Historia by chance, and we just traveled together."
As she patted the heads of both of them, who accepted her touch naturally, Alon felt a pinch of strangeness, but let it pass.
"Ah, right. I also have something to tell."
He remembered the matter regarding Arculainisis, and briefly explained what happened in the Empire.
When he finished—
"Eh? That crybaby is a guardian dragon??"
"Could it be someone else?"
"That really is strange…"
Ryanga and Historia opened their eyes wide.
Even Rine did.
And it was normal.
Until now, the only thing Arculainisis had shown them was… crying.
"…Quite a promotion."
"Exactly."
While Ryanga and Historia commented incredulously—
"Godfather, then… will you go see Arculainisis next time?"
"Maybe not now, but soon."
"Can I go with you then?"
"You too?"
"Yes."
Rine smiled.
Alon hesitated for an instant before answering:
"There is no reason to deny it."
"Thank you."
Rine bowed her head with gratitude, and they continued catching up.
"Then, what exactly did you come for? Did something happen in Fildegreen?"
"No, it is not that. In Fildegreen Divine Bloods are also appearing, but it is not something so serious."
She shook her head and continued:
"Actually, I came because I found… something."
"Something…?"
"Yes."
She adopted a serious tone.
"I found a way for us, those who were chosen as Sin, to become stronger. Much more than now."
While Alon conversed with Rine about that—
In the huge underground complex beneath Caliban—
BOOM!
The One Who Stands Tall, sitting on a gigantic stone throne, was heading to the surface.
He had sensed the presence of a Divine Blood near Caliban.
[So it came in the end…]
He did not like fighting with Divine Bloods.
Of course, he knew that such a fight could have sweet rewards, but it was inevitably troublesome.
Even so, he couldn't give up such a large reward.
Besides, he was quite confident in his own strength, so he ascended.
It didn't take long for him to see the Divine Blood approaching in the distance.
[…Rotten Tree.]
The Rotten Tree.
One of the most powerful Level 1 Divine Bloods.
And it was coming towards him with a very clear objective.
[Haa…]
The One Who Stands Tall sighed, gripping his spear.
He knew that with that being, no conversation was possible.
[Although… don't you want to simply leave?]
He asked just in case.
[Ph, what a pity. But I need the humans behind you.]
The Rotten Tree, shaped like a turtle, advanced pushing its body forward.
The One Who Stands Tall tightened his grip on the spear, resigned.
[!?]
His eyes snapped open.
And they filled with confusion.
Not because of the Rotten Tree.
No matter how annoying it was, it was not an opponent to cause such a reaction.
The reason was another: the aura.
As soon as the Rotten Tree moved, at least five more presences of Divine Bloods were felt.
While The One Who Stands Tall stood perplexed—
Five Divine Bloods appeared in the distance.
[Damn it—!]
He frowned and raised his spear.
But—
[?]
A strange doubt invaded him.
The Rotten Tree had the same expression of bewilderment.
What was happening…?
At that instant—
"A—a Divine Blood!"
"Here! Here it is!"
BOOM!
The five newcomers launched themselves not against him, but against the Rotten Tree.
KWAANG! BAM BAM BAM!
Without prior warning or context, they began to beat it brutally.
[KRAAAAAH!?]
The Rotten Tree tried to defend itself, but it was useless against five Divine Bloods.
Its body was thrown into the air several times.
The one who landed the first blow spoke with a kind tone:
[Good. Let's all welcome member number 34 of the Star Group.]
Too absurd and incoherent with the situation.
[What the hell are you—]
The Rotten Tree was going to answer, just as perplexed as The One Who Stands Tall, but—
[Don't you want to join the Star Group?]
At those words, they resumed the beating.
A few minutes passed.
[Do you join or not join the Star Group?!]
[I–I join! Let me join…!]
The most absurd threat imaginable had worked.
'W–what… is going on here?'
The pupils of The One Who Stands Tall began to tremble…
