Chapter 465. Fragment (4)
"Hey... I mean, really?"
"...I already denied it several times, didn't I?"
"Really?"
"From the beginning, I have never exchanged a single word with the Divine Bloods who belong to Star Group."
At Alon's words, the 'Sculptor' was bewildered. All because of what the Star Eater had said.
'...Is the Star Eater not the owner of Star Group?'
Of course, it wasn't as if she could blindly believe everything the Star Eater claimed in front of him.
The Star Eater was famous. But that didn't mean much was known about him.
He was known solely because the four Divine Bloods closest to the Divine Seat mentioned him in one way or another; outside of that, the Star Eater was shrouded in complete mystery.
That is to say: since no one knew what kind of Divine Blood he really was, there was no way to trust or judge his words easily.
And yet, there were two reasons why the thought "...does he really not know?" arose in the Sculptor's heart.
The first:
Star Eater had absolutely nothing to gain by lying to the Sculptor. There was no reason to say something that would be discovered sooner or later.
The second, and most decisive:
'...It really doesn't sound like it's him.'
It was because of the words Star Eater had let slip.
Even if he wanted to hide that he was the leader of Star Group, why would he call his own group "a bunch of trash" or "nefarious types"? It made no sense.
That is why the Sculptor went blank for a while, her mind suspended and filled with question marks.
'...Well, let's leave it at that for now.'
And she decided to stop thinking about it.
...Although there were too many things that didn't fit to simply "leave it at that," in reality, that wasn't the reason the Sculptor had come to see the Star Eater.
Therefore:
"Alright... I will take it like that for now."
Closing that topic, she went straight to the important matter.
"I'll get to the point: I want you to participate in the subjugation of Astarote."
"Astarote... those Divine Bloods with the black armor..."
"Exactly. Those same ones."
At the Sculptor's words, Alon mediated for a moment and asked:
"I need more explanation."
"About which part?"
"In general."
The Sculptor reflected for a few seconds.
"...I see you still don't have adequate information."
"No."
"It doesn't matter. In fact, I came precisely to explain that to you."
She looked at Alon and asked:
"First: you know what a Fragment is, right?"
"Yes."
"And do you know what effect it has?"
"I know."
"Then it will be easier to continue."
The Sculptor continued:
"As you may already know, currently Fragments of a High Divine Blood have been scattered. We don't know why or how it happened, but the point is that those fragments are the source of the problem."
"I heard that, because of them, there have been many battles between Divine Bloods."
"...If it were only that, I wouldn't be traversing the world like this. Fights between Divine Bloods are something natural. The real problem is the leader of Astarote: the Spirit Invoker."
"...The leader?"
The Sculptor nodded.
"Actually, Astarote wasn't that dangerous at first. Even if their ideas were extreme, in the end, they were barely 1st Circle. Noisy, yes, but nothing more than a mediocre group."
"But the situation changed when the fragments were dispersed."
"Exactly. Not only did it change: it became serious. To be precise: everything happened from the moment the leader of Astarote absorbed a fragment and ascended to the next level."
"...Did he become stronger?"
"Obviously he became stronger. The problem is that he can continue getting even stronger."
The Sculptor took a breath and looked at Alon.
"How much do you know about the Fragments?"
"I only know that a 1st Circle Divine Blood can ascend to the 2nd if they absorb them."
"That isn't incorrect. But there is something you don't know: fragments cannot be absorbed at will."
"What do you mean?"
"That it takes time. It doesn't matter how many you have: you can't devour them all at once. The problem is..."
"...The Spirit Invoker of Astarote can absorb them without limit, right?"
At Alon's deduction, the Sculptor opened her eyes in surprise.
"Did you already know?"
"No. But there was no other possible conclusion."
"...Correct. As you said: right after ascending, that guy obtained the ability to absorb Fragments without restriction. In an unlimited way."
Alon understood the situation in general terms.
"In short: if we let that Spirit Invoker keep absorbing fragments, the situation will get worse and worse."
"It is already getting worse. If he continues like this, there will come a point where we won't be able to stop him."
"So the Divine Bloods will form an alliance to attack Astarote."
"Exactly. If he keeps growing, he could truly become 'the victor.' That is why I looked for you."
"...It wasn't exactly what I expected, but if it is the Star Eater, he will help even if he doesn't belong to any group."
The Sculptor murmured that it was logical for someone so famous to have their reasons.
After a brief silence, Alon asked:
"Just in case... couldn't you betray each other?"
"Don't worry. If we gather, we will all make a Divine Blood Pact. There won't be betrayals."
They were the ones who most understood how stupid it would be to attack from behind in such a situation.
"Where must I go?"
Alon decided after thinking for a moment.
"Good choice," said the Sculptor with a big smile.
After meeting with the Sculptor, Alon returned to the carriage.
"They are a bit similar to humans," said Penia.
Alon diverted his gaze toward her.
"The Divine Bloods?"
"Yes."
"In what sense?"
"...In that they try to bring someone down at all costs. Ah, I'm not saying it's wrong. It's just that... it reminds me a little of humans."
Alon rubbed his chin.
He had also felt something like that.
The Divine Bloods were strong.
And none of them considered humans as "lives."
It didn't matter if they were friendly or hostile Divine Bloods: they all had that in common.
But even so, they had something that reminded him a lot of humans.
"Isn't it simply because they were all originally humans?" opined Evan.
"What?"
"Didn't Alon say before that all Divine Bloods were humans?"
"Did I tell you that because I didn't know?"
"No...?"
Evan tilted his head toward Penia, who sighed.
"...It must be your past as a mercenary. You lack deduction skills."
"Ah, you're already bragging about being a mage. And besides, I'm not a mercenary! I am of noble origin!"
"I don't think anyone believes that."
"I really was!"
"...Were you seriously a noble?"
"Alon-nim too?! Isn't that too much?!"
Evan shouted with frustration.
But Alon wasn't saying it to annoy him: he was genuinely surprised.
In Psychedelia, Evan always appeared as a simple mercenary; it was never mentioned that he was a fallen noble.
So Alon had no idea either.
"It wasn't my intention to mock you. I was just surprised."
"It's the truth! I was from a good lineage! It's just that when I was less than ten years old, my whole family..."
Evan scratched his head.
"Anyway! I am from a noble family!"
"Hmm~ Then, is your name Evan also fake?" asked Penia.
Evan clicked his tongue.
"Now this is my true name. I've used it since I started living as a mercenary."
"I see..."
Penia closed her mouth immediately; Alon didn't ask anymore either.
It was evident that Evan came from a far-from-normal past: he didn't mention his family and had also abandoned his original name.
His family hadn't fallen in a "normal" way.
"Aha..."
Evan, feeling uncomfortable, scratched his head. Alon observed him for a moment and then looked at Seolrang.
She remained by his side, wagging her tail while looking out the window. That made Alon remember what the Sculptor had said earlier.
"It must be exhausting."
It had been the last thing the Sculptor commented before disappearing, after giving him the location where the Divine Bloods would meet in three months.
Seolrang had also put on a confused expression upon hearing the Sculptor's words.
"Ah, by the way, Alon."
Penia's voice called him back.
"What is happening?"
"Will you go directly?"
"Hmm..."
Alon nodded. If there was a three-month deadline, he didn't have too much time left.
"I will prepare some things for a few days and then I will depart."
"Master! I'm going too!" exclaimed Seolrang.
"You too?"
"Yes!"
"Are you sure?"
"I'm fine! Now that there are no bandits left, everything will be fine."
With a smile, and her tail still wagging, Alon replied:
"Alright."
He nodded after confirming it.
The Arm Spitter had gone to see the Burning Tree solely because of the recent rumors he had heard.
Rumors that a group called Star Group was growing at great speed.
According to what he knew, Divine Blood groups—except for the already consolidated or extremely peculiar ones—could not grow like that.
It was logical.
Most Divine Bloods already had an established faction.
Those of the 1st Circle were a bit freer and used to change factions, but always between factions; they almost never completely abandoned their sides.
But Star Group broke that norm, growing uncontrollably.
Furthermore, the Burning Tree had clear reasons for having founded his faction; so the Arm Spitter thought he wouldn't be received as an enemy if he visited him. Moved by curiosity, he went to see Star Root.
Thus, he was able to meet him.
[Long time no see.]
[Yes, long time no see. But...]
He was able to meet him, but...
[...What is that?]
[Ah, no need to pay attention to it.]
The Arm Spitter looked behind the Burning Tree.
There were two Divine Bloods.
More exactly:
[A-Ah, stop~! Kaaaagh!]
[N-No, I will never return! I won't aim at the Star Eater again! Aaargh!]
They were Divine Bloods being beaten by other Divine Bloods.
[I am carrying out a task of re-education.]
[...Re-education?]
[Yes.]
At those words, the Arm Spitter's only pupil trembled slightly.
