Chapter 307

C307. Laksas (3)

The forest of Greynifra, completely destroyed by Mother of Greed and Sin.

Although the elves were working hard on reconstruction, their efforts only reached the interior of Fildegrin.

The exterior remained in a devastated state.

In the middle of the completely razed wasteland—

“Hmm—”

A man dressed in a black holy robe was observing the surroundings with an almost amused expression.

First he looked at the place where the Sin had moved.

Then where the Sin had fought.

Despite not having been there at that moment…

The man in the black robe was turning his head in order, as if reliving the past step by step.

“It won’t be long now.”

As he spoke, he played with his lips, where a sharper smile than before was drawn.

“No… with this, perhaps it’s worth raising the level a bit more.”

As if he had finished all his checks, he murmured that and started walking.

“What do you think?”

And as soon as he turned his gaze to his side—

There was a person who was not in the place just a moment ago.

“You think the same too, right?”

…Said a blue-eyed man.

Unlike Evan, who said he would stay resting, Alon Palatio went as far as the east coast accompanied only by Radan.

An empty coast where there was no one. Observing it, Alon fell into worry.

‘……Am I remembering wrong?’

Alon checked the east coast again, and then the exact point where he was standing, finally shaking his head.

‘No, I am sure it was here.’

Although some time had passed, Alon clearly remembered the place where he met the Observer.

Even after years, the east coast hadn’t changed almost at all, so there was no way to be confused.

And yet, the Observer did not appear.

‘Wasn’t it with this necklace that I was supposed to call her?’

Alon looked at the necklace that Yongrin had given him previously.

The last time, just by walking along the coast while holding the necklace, she appeared.

‘…….What am I supposed to do?’

Alon fell into deep worry.

‘The most realistic thing would be to go to Colony and ask Yongrin about the Observer, but…’

He shook his head immediately.

‘Isn’t there another way?’

Going to Colony and coming back would take him too much time.

“Sir, what is worrying you?”

As Alon remained silent, Radan —who until a moment ago had a slightly uncomfortable expression— asked him.

“I have some worries, but… you don’t look very comfortable either.”

“Ah, don’t mind this. It’s just that seeing the shape of some rocks… I felt like correcting them a bit…”

“Ah.”

Nodding as if he understood, Alon answered him:

“I thought I could meet someone here, but she doesn’t appear.”

“Ah, are you referring to the mermaid?”

“Did you know?”

At Alon’s question, Radan put on an ‘ah, crap’ expression and then nodded awkwardly.

“Yes, I saw her move once.”

“Really?”

His reaction aroused doubts, but Alon continued the conversation.

“As you thought, I came to see the mermaid. But it seems I won’t be able to find her today. I thought she would come if I held the necklace.”

Alon squeezed the necklace, and Radan —after thinking about it for an instant— spoke:

“If it doesn’t bother you… I can try looking for her myself.”

“Look for her?”

“Yes. As far as I know, mermaids live in the depths. I can go down and check.”

“Isn’t it dangerous?”

“I have artifacts. It shouldn’t be that risky.”

Alon hesitated for a moment, but ended up nodding.

“Then I will ask you that favor.”

“Understood!”

“But don’t force anything.”

“Don’t worry.”

While Alon explained to Radan in detail everything he remembered from when he traveled with the Observer to the seabed—

“Then, I’ll be right back.”

Radan submerged into the water.

And several hours later—

The sun, which had been high in the sky, was beginning to set.

[W-wait, wait, wait! I was wrong— gwaaaargh!]

[Nyaa.]

[Kyeeeek! Let me go! Stop!!!]

While Basiliora was insulting Blackie calling him “sleepyhead parasite”, Blackie was pressing his head with his cute paw, forcing him to drink seawater dragged by the waves…

“I have returned, Sir.”

Radan came out of the sea while only the sound of the waves filled the coast.

“Good work.”

“It was nothing. Exploring doesn’t cost me that much effort.”

Alon handed him the towel he had received from Evan.

Radan accepted it with a brief thanks and reported:

“As you said, I found an entrance that might lead to the Observer.”

“……Really?”

“Yes, although I didn’t enter just in case. Do you wish to go?”

“I would like to, but… I won’t be able to endure underwater.”

“Don’t worry about that, you have your artifact.”

“……Oh, really?”

“Yes.”

Radan took out a small earring.

“Use this.”

“Is this—?”

“An artifact that allows you to breathe underwater.”

“Does it work with mana?”

“Yes, but it can only be used for a limited time. Approximately one hour.”

“……One hour is somewhat risky.”

When Radan had entered before, the sun was high; now it was in the middle of the sky.

It means Radan had spent a lot of time underwater.

Remembering that years ago, with the Observer, it also took quite a while, Alon asked:

“No problem, Sir. Since this time it was only exploration, I went slower. But since I already found the entrance, one hour will be enough to go and come back without rushing.”

Radan added:

“But it is already somewhat late… what do you think if we go tomorrow?”

“Agreed.”

Alon accepted.

They spent a night in Siphra.

‘…She doesn’t appear today either.’

Although he brought the necklace, the Observer still did not show herself.

“Then, let’s go.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Alon put on the artifact Radan gave him.

As soon as they entered the water, he felt a strange sensation of floating.

Alon instinctively closed his eyes and held his breath, but soon noticed he could breathe naturally.

‘…Incredible.’

Moreover, the underwater vision —previously blurry— was now sharp.

At that moment, Radan took out a blue gem from his chest.

As soon as he threw it—

Wooooom—

The ocean current changed abruptly and began to open a tunnel.

“Let’s go, Sir.”

“Do we use this tunnel?”

“Yes, it will take you quickly to the place.”

Alon approached the tunnel and—

“!”

As soon as he put his hand in, he was sucked in and began to move at high speed.

“Just wait, we are almost there.”

Radan’s voice resonated beside him.

“You are very skilled.”

“No, no. This is nothing complicated, Sir.”

“…I doubt there is anyone else capable of moving like this in the ocean.”

“Ahem… well, that is true. Although it is all thanks to the artifacts.”

For just an instant, Radan showed a bitter expression.

Alon noticed something, but—

“Sir, you will get a bit dizzy now.”

“What— ugh—!”

The tunnel descended abruptly.

Alon’s body tensed involuntarily.

Afterwards, they were swallowed by the darkness of the abyss.

And finally—

“We have arrived.”

It was the place where he had come with the Observer previously.

After entering through the huge hole and advancing through the long corridor, Alon was able to confirm it clearly.

Despite being in the absolute depths—

A sky full of stars shone inside the cavern.

While Alon admired that sky, he began to walk inward.

Shortly after—

“You have come.”

The Observer appeared.

But—

“I was waiting for you.”

She was standing, impaled by a huge thorn embedded in the wall.

“…Are you okay?”

That was the first question Alon asked.

It was natural.

The thorn pierced her heart, and it was so large that no one could ignore it.

But the worry lasted little.

“You must not worry. This is necessary to maintain the Observatory.”

“……To maintain it?”

“For this space to exist, I must deliver my blood periodically to the Observatory.”

“…In that way?”

“Yes. Once it starts, I must maintain it for more than half a year. That is why, although I knew you had arrived, I could not go out.”

Upon hearing her, Alon understood the situation.

“Then you knew I was coming.”

“Yes, because you brought the necklace.”

She answered naturally, and then looked at Radan. Her eyes shone for an instant, but it faded quickly.

“So… what brings you here? If you came to check your Reflection again, it will be difficult right now.”

“…It would be good to check it since I am here, but I didn’t come for that.”

Alon took out the magatama he had obtained in the east.

“Do you know what this is?”

And he handed it to her.

The Observer took it with a curious expression.

But as soon as she saw it—

“Wow…”

Her eyes opened wide, as if she had understood something huge.

“Where… where did you get this?”

She looked at it horrified.

“……What about it?”

“This is—”

Said the Observer.

“—A Sin’s Egg.”

“Wha…”

Alon’s and Radan’s eyes opened completely.