Chapter 454. Why do you do that…? (2)
The One Who Stands Tall did not usually prefer interacting with other divine forms.
In fact, it wasn't just him.
The Divine Bloods, if they didn't belong to the same faction—or even if they did belong to it—did not enjoy interacting with each other.
As much as they were united by a faction, in the end, each was a potential competitor.
The Divine Bloods of a faction could be considered allies, but even within the faction competition was inevitable.
Unless it was one of those few strange individuals, it was natural for all of them to show a strong individualistic inclination.
Precisely for that reason—
The One Who Stands Tall absolutely did not understand what was happening before his eyes.
[Kraaaah-!]
The Rotten Tree that moments before was so arrogant was being brutally beaten by five Divine Bloods unilaterally.
And furthermore—
[Are you going to join the Star Group or not?!]
[Kyaaaak~!]
While he received an extremely strange threat.
[…]
Of course, The One Who Stands Tall, who was within the interior of Caliban, knew something about the Star Group. Although he was underground, the king of Caliban always brought him news here and there.
‘It was supposed to be… a group of Divine Bloods growing within the Allied United Kingdoms…’
With that thought, he observed the scene.
[I will! I will! I will, seriously!]
[Will you join the Star Group?!]
[Y-yes~!]
From them, who beat the Rotten Tree without mercy, emanated even a spark of madness. They had eyes that saw the Divine Blood in front of them as if it were simple prey.
And then—
[Good, then you'll have to pass your initiation ceremony, okay?]
[Finally, our fourth achievement…]
[If we continue like this, surely we ascend to First Brigade—]
As soon as the Rotten Tree accepted, they nodded repeatedly with enormous satisfaction.
[Let's go, hehehe.]
They grabbed the tail and legs of the Rotten Tree and dragged him directly towards the forest.
In that instant—
[…]
The One Who Stands Tall crossed gazes with them.
His body shuddered and he instinctively gripped the spear tighter.
But the Divine Bloods murmured something among themselves, whispering while observing him for a while.
[Isn't that—?]
[Mm-hm—]
[What a pity—]
Thunk, thunk.
Then, murmuring meaningless words that were barely distinguishable, they disappeared taking the Rotten Tree with them.
The kidnapping (?) scene full of madness was over.
However—
The One Who Stands Tall remained there, stunned, without moving.
“...A method to become stronger?”
“Yes, Godfather.”
Rine took a breath and continued speaking.
“Does it make you uncomfortable that I say something like this?”
Alon remained silent.
Actually, of course it disconcerted him.
After all, Alon had never spoken with Rine about that topic.
‘…Or did I ever?’
Going over it again, Alon remembered mentioning it in passing, but they had never had such a direct conversation.
“It surprises me a little, yes.”
Alon admitted it, although at the same time he thought it was a good thing.
He needed companions capable of facing the Divine Bloods, so sooner or later he was going to touch on that topic.
Even so, Rine maintained a calm smile.
“I was thinking about what you need most urgently. I hope it wasn't disrespectful.”
Alon shook his head.
“No. Actually, I planned to ask you first. But… it's a bit curious.”
At that, Rine's smile became a little enigmatic.
“I will resolve that curiosity another time.”
“...Another time?”
“Yes.”
Then she went straight to the topic.
“I will explain everything simply.”
Rine's explanation went on for a while.
“...And that is all I managed to find out.”
When she finished, Alon reflected for a moment and then spoke.
“So… you want to use the power of the Five Sins?”
“That is correct.”
She nodded and added:
“Just as I said before: I, and the other four, have a strong affinity as vessels of sin.”
“But to handle the power of sin… aren't almost all of them already destroyed?”
It was true.
Before the Divine Bloods descended, Alon had fought against the Sins and had destroyed four.
Which meant that the core of their powers no longer existed.
Rine, however, denied gently.
“As you said, most of the Sins were extinguished. But even so, it is fine.”
“It is fine?”
“Yes. As long as we have the relics.”
“...The relics.”
Alon remembered the relics of the Sins he had stored.
In the game, it was said that if a Sin obtained them, they gained an even more devastating power; they were relics guarded by abominations.
Then, he had the revelation.
“...You mean the relics can revive a Sin?”
“Exactly. Although strictly speaking, it allows using their authentic war power.”
At that explanation, Alon nodded.
He remembered that the Five Sins were protective weapons of the Illaneph Empire. But his expression soon darkened; after thinking for a moment, he said:
“...But will it really help?”
Rine responded with another question:
“Does it seem to you that it won't work?”
“No… I'm not saying exactly that.”
Truthfully, Alon didn't think the power of the Sins was useless. What he had witnessed before was absurd to a point comparable to the power of the Divine Blood. Without a doubt, it would be useful in the fight.
However, as someone who had already faced a Second Level Divine Blood, he also knew how deranged their power was.
Rine understood his concern and responded:
“You don't have to be so anxious.”
“I don't have to be?”
“As you know, the Five Sins are protective weapons. They are not made to fight by themselves, but to be used.”
“Then—”
“What you, and I, saw… is not all their power.”
She continued:
“And furthermore, there is something even more important.”
“What thing?”
“The law you obtained.”
“...My law?”
“Yes. Depending on your law, you will be able to become much stronger.”
She kept smiling.
The next day—
After granting blessings to Historia and Ryanga, Alon said goodbye to Rine.
“Are you returning to Fildegreen?”
“Yes. As I said before… although I can move freely now, I'm still not in perfect condition.”
She added that with a little more time she would be completely recovered, then bowed her head.
“Then, we will see each other soon.”
“Boss, I will train hard!”
“Me too, God-nim.”
Alon nodded gently towards Ryanga and Historia.
“I'll take care of everything here! Please, count on me!”
“...Alright.”
He felt a mysterious uneasiness at Silly's completely pure smile, but got into the wagon.
When he sighed, Evan asked:
“Alon-nim, then will we pass through Palantia before going to Colony?”
“We will probably also pass through the Magic Tower.”
“Ah, right, Penia was there.”
“She asked me to solve something for her.”
Evan made a sound of understanding and nodded.
Alon leaned back and remembered Rine's words.
“...The power of Sin…”
According to her explanation, the power of the Sins would definitely be useful.
And if everything he had seen was barely a fraction… there was nothing to fear.
Rine indicated how to revive the Sins.
He had all the relics… except one.
Then, why was he worried?
Because of what Rine said at the end:
‘Your law is important…’
Rine had said it clearly.
Alon's power depended on his law.
‘What did she mean…?’
He stroked his chin.
Rine hadn't explained more. That's why he kept thinking about it when—
He felt a strange discomfort.
As if he had forgotten something.
While he continued meditating distractedly—
“...Huh?”
He let out a slight surprised sigh.
He had remembered something unexpected.
‘…Did I ever tell Rine about my law?’
Alon looked quickly out the window.
Rine was no longer in sight.
The next day.
While thinking about what Rine said about his law and how he had never told her, Alon finally arrived at Palantia.
“Doesn't it seem to you that the castle is more adorned than before?”
“Yes… although only a little.”
“It's not a drastic change, but it does arouse curiosity.”
Just as Evan said, the castle of Palantia had new ostentatious decorations. Alon ignored it without much importance and entered the castle, only to be dragged into an unexpected situation.
Actually, it was just about receiving some guests.
But even so, Alon felt like it was “being dragged” for two reasons.
The first: the guest was none other than Serdea Polanticia, the famous princess of the Eastern Empire.
“Hmm-hmm, long time no see, esteemed king!”
The second: Serdea Polanticia was sitting next to Irene Polanticia, princess of the Southern Empire.
That alone was exhausting.
Even though he was king, dealing with imperial princesses always consumed mental energy.
But what really left him understanding nothing was Irene.
“Y-yes, sir…!”
For some reason, every time Alon said a single word, Irene stood rigid at attention, without even getting up.
Alon felt an indescribable tiredness.
