Chapter 460. Why do you do that……? (8)
On the way to Colony, Alon and his group passed through a forest of dense trees and arrived at the beginning of the sandy desert.
[Kkyuu–kkyuu–kkyuu–]
[Heat]
Blackie and Basiliora had melted almost completely and were lying listlessly on the carriage.
While Alon observed the two, Evan conveyed a piece of news to him.
"…You say the Empire is in an unsettling situation?"
"It's about the Eastern Empire, but… it seems a bit worse than what I mentioned last time."
It was an update on the imperial situation.
"What is happening?"
"Apparently, the fights between Divine Bloods have increased tremendously. And because of that, the other empires bordering the Eastern Empire are also suffering quite a bit of damage."
"Is there a reason?"
"According to what I heard, they say it is because of the fragments."
"If it is because of the fragments…"
"Yes. They seem to be the same fragments that were said to have fallen near Colony."
"Hmm………"
Alon stroked his chin.
‘I knew this was going to become a big problem…’
When Evan had reported to him about the fragments, he had already imagined it.
Alon had faced both a level 1 and level 2 Divine Blood, and he knew firsthand that the difference between one level and another was absurd.
‘For the Divine Bloods, it must be something they want to obtain even if they have to risk their lives.’
While Alon reached that conclusion, Evan continued speaking.
"Ah, and there is additional information: they say that if we go to the Eastern Empire, we should be careful with the Predator, also known as the Devourer."
Hearing the unexpected name, Alon looked at him strangely, and Evan added:
"Yes. They say that among the current Divine Bloods he is extraordinarily powerful. Even other Divine Bloods choose to flee when they encounter this so-called Predator. And many factions have also emerged."
"Factions?"
"Yes. As I mentioned last time, from Astarote, to Divine Bloods like the ‘Purebloods’ and ‘Closed Light’, they are forming groups."
Alon was organizing everything in his mind as he asked:
"Is there information that Divine Bloods are approaching Colony?"
"Just as you told me to investigate, I checked, and luckily, there seem to be no signs yet."
"That is a relief. And—"
"Seolrang, right? There are no problems with her either."
Evan reported as if he were waiting for the moment, and Alon nodded slowly.
The heat was beginning to rise and Penia, shaking the collar of her clothes, spoke:
"Alon, did something happen to Seolrang?"
"No, it's just… I've seen him worried about her lately."
"Why would that be?"
"I have also kept silent, but I am curious. Did something happen?"
The last time they saw her, she didn't seem to have any problems.
Evan observed Alon, remembering the past. After a moment of silence under the gazes of both, Alon replied:
"…Don't worry too much. It is nothing serious."
Evan clicked his tongue, resigned.
"Understood."
He nodded, as did Penia. And at that moment—
"Ahh, I can't take it anymore!"
Unable to withstand the heat, Penia quickly took out a magic stone and used cold magic.
[Kkyu-!]
[Oo–oooooh!!]
Immediately, Blackie and Basiliora gathered around her, reviving and becoming rowdy again.
While watching that, Alon thought to himself:
‘Something that… might have happened?’
He remembered something that had happened more than half a year ago.
The image of Seolrang smiling broadly and telling him they would see each other next time.
Back then he didn't notice anything strange. She was always full of energy.
But—
"Alon."
The sudden voice pulled him out of his thoughts. He looked at Penia.
"Umm, do you want to sit here?"
Penia moved a little to the side, widening the space next to her.
"Here, hmm… it's a bit hot."
Perhaps due to the heat, her cheeks were slightly flushed. Alon shrugged.
"It's fine."
Definitely, upon entering the desert, the heat was much more evident.
There was no reason to reject cold magic.
Alon sat next to her. And then—
"Do you want to get a little closer? The magic stone is small; if you are close you will feel the cold better."
With a voice tempered by the thermal sensation, Penia invited him again. Alon, without saying anything, moved closer.
Basiliora and Blackie's eyes turned cold in silence without Alon noticing. It was the look of “we have a lot to say, but we are holding back for the cold”.
Thus began the journey through the desert.
More than two and a half weeks passed since they departed, and finally, they arrived at the desert city of Colony.
"Finally, it's visible…"
"Yes…"
Penia and Evan observed Colony with exhaustion.
Alon understood their reaction perfectly.
Last time they had arrived so worried that they didn't even notice the journey, but crossing the desert without a caravan was anything but easy.
Mainly because of the heat. The heat. And the heat.
"At least it's a relief. It seems Colony's outer magic is still working."
"I found out that was the first thing they repaired."
Alon looked straight ahead, dissipating the heat.
Colony's landscape looked more desolate than before.
The thick walls surrounding it had not yet recovered their former splendor, with many parts crumbled. The interior was no different: piles of rubble and destroyed areas everywhere.
"Wow."
"Incredible."
Even so, Penia and Evan were impressed.
They remembered that Colony had been completely in ruins due to the Divine Trial. That it was so rebuilt in a year was surprising.
"…I see."
Even Alon thought the same.
With equally amazed faces, they reached the wide-open gate. And there they let out another exclamation.
Inside Colony, reconstruction work also continued.
Hundreds of people were moving things nonstop. Nothing impressive in itself, but it was a sign that they had recovered a hopeful daily life.
When Alon smiled at the scene—
"Welcome!"
Someone greeted from afar. Alon recognized her easily.
"Long time no see, Lime."
"Yes! Oh— no, I mean—"
"You can speak to me with confidence."
"Is it really… okay?"
"Yes."
It was Lime, Seolrang's assistant.
"Thank you!"
Lime bowed her head deeply and immediately—
"So, where is Seolrang?"
Lime let out a faint "ah".
"Seolrang is outside Colony for a matter."
"What matter?"
"Well… some bandits have appeared near Colony. They aren't normal bandits…"
Upon saying that, she seemed to realize she had said too much and looked around cautiously.
"Can we move to another place to talk?"
"…Is it something that shouldn't be said outside?"
"Hmm… yes, a little."
The group nodded and followed her.
As they moved forward observing the city, Alon opened his mouth remembering something.
"Lime."
"Yes?"
"How is Seolrang lately?"
Lime tilted her head.
"Seolrang?"
"Yes."
"Eh… after you left, she became a little sad…"
"Oh, really?"
"But don't worry, when she recovered physically she went back to normal."
"Hmm, really?"
"Yes. And after the incident with the Divine Bloods, I think she became a tiny bit more mature… maybe?"
Clarifying it as a personal thought.
"In any case, Seolrang is fine."
Lime closed the subject lightly.
Alon nodded slowly.
…without saying a word.
Meanwhile, at the Central Magic Tower
The atmosphere was weird.
To be exact, among the wizards interpreting magic following Heinkel, the atmosphere was somewhat agitated.
It was all because of Heinkel's absence.
Until a few weeks ago, she helped with magic calculations and transmitted unexpected knowledge. She was practically the leader of the group.
But suddenly she disappeared.
She had left a letter saying she would be away for a while, but it had already been too long. The wizards were starting to worry.
"……Where could Heinkel have gone?"
"Hmm… I think she is still in the Tower."
"It seems strange to me too."
The Red Tower Master, the Blue Tower Master, and the Green Tower Master were conversing confusedly, when—
Boom!
The huge doors opened, and Heinkel entered.
All gazes focused on her.
And then—
"!"
"Up…?"
"What the hell…?"
The wizards opened their eyes in disbelief.
Not only them; even the Tower Masters were left speechless.
Because—
"…is she alive?"
The legendary sorceress, who existed as a spiritual form, venerated by all, was alive—
No. Clearly alive, breathing and moving.
"How…?"
While everyone murmured, Heinkel observed the place calmly.
‘Just as I expected.’
The wizards were surprised to see her alive.
With a huge mixture of awe and reverence.
Heinkel had provoked it deliberately.
It was for Alon.
She had thought about how to help him spread the Phrases he gave her.
Wizards responded well to "magic".
They were a race that would crawl through mud for the sake of knowledge.
But she reconsidered.
What Alon needed was faith.
Of course, the wizards could deliver faith for the Phrases. But not enough.
Because even though they could do anything for magic…
They didn't believe in anything that wasn't magic.
That was why Heinkel devised something: instead of magic, show them a miracle.
"Forgive the wait."
For wizards, a miracle wasn't impressive.
Because they themselves could create them.
But Heinkel knew exactly what the difference was.
They would only believe in a miracle that was beyond what they could reach.
A miracle they couldn't reproduce.
And she had all the means to do it.
‘If I'm going to do it, it will be big—’
So—
"It took time… because the Magic King granted me 'life'."
She pronounced the miracle.
One that would be engraved in the wizards.
And it didn't take long until everyone's eyes opened as if they were going to tear.
