Chapter 315

C315. Something is off (2)

It had been a little over a week since Alon Palatio left the Marquis’s house to head to the academy.

“Are the Monster Portals appearing more than before?”

“Yes. That’s why problems are occurring everywhere lately.”

Evan murmured, “It seems life was already chaotic because of the bandits, and now this… living is so hard,” to which Alon asked:

“Wasn’t it said that the bandits had been almost completely exterminated?”

“Well, yes, but… that kind of people just keep appearing endlessly. Around Lartania not so much, but… in other places, they are still appearing little by little. Although, in the end, the biggest problem lately is the Monster Portals.”

Alon thought:

‘Monster Portals… yes, it is already the time when they should start increasing.’

He recalled that nearly two years had passed since the starting point of the original story.

‘Would this be the mid-to-late section of the original?’

Everything was so different from the original now that calling it “original” felt strange.

Still, if only the elapsed time and the occurring events were taken into account, yes, they were in the mid-to-late part.

In Psychedelia, he remembered that from the midpoint onwards, with the Sins and the increasing appearance of Monster Portals, the world began to be described as if it were approaching an apocalypse.

‘Even so, compared to that, everything is much quieter now.’

In the original, no matter how hard Eliban tried, the damage caused by the Sins was enormous.

And it was logical: absurd amounts of warriors and soldiers were needed.

Added to that were the Outer Gods—

“…Mm?”

“Is something wrong?”

Just as Alon let out a doubtful murmur, Penia, who was playing with Blackie outside, came over to ask.

Alon naturally shook his head and continued thinking in silence.

‘…There should be news of Outer Gods by now.’

In the game, they didn’t always appear, but at least, according to the settings he knew, it was time for something to be mentioned about them.

“Evan.”

“Yes?”

“Hasn’t there been any news of Outer Gods lately?”

“Outer Gods? Hmm… at least in the last year, I haven’t heard anything.”

“…Really?”

“Why do you ask all of a sudden?”

“No, for no reason.”

Alon evaded the question, though he tilted his head in doubt.

The story had deviated so much from the original that worrying about that might be foolish.

In the game, sometimes the appearance of an Outer God didn’t even happen on screen; it was just described as: “Region X was destroyed by the appearance of an Outer God.”

That was why Alon had even forgotten about it.

But still, it bothered him a little.

‘The Outer Gods and the Sins should be related, right? Though well, if they don’t appear, all the better. If they aren’t even mentioned, I suppose it’s not something I should worry about… hmm…’

Then his thoughts returned to the Monster Portals, which appeared more frequently in the mid-to-late part.

Or rather, an old doubt he had put aside reared its head.

‘Come to think of it… what exactly are the Monster Portals?’

When he played Psychedelia, Alon thought they were just an excuse by the studio to add more dungeons to the game.

But now he saw strange things.

‘The Monster Portals are not related to either the Sins or the Outer Gods.’

The Sins and the Outer Gods had a connection.

The Outer Gods had existed since the era of the forgotten gods.

But the Monster Portals had no relation whatsoever to the central theme of Psychedelia: “the worst.”

The only similarity was that their appearance reminded one a bit of the appearance of the Sins.

‘Although here they don’t even look much alike…’

Alon dropped those thoughts soon enough.

Even in the game, after defeating all the Sins, it was never explained what happened to the Monster Portals. And, in essence, Psychedelia, despite being a dark fantasy, had happy endings in all its paths.

“My Lord, we are about to arrive.”

As always, Evan’s voice interrupted his thoughts. Alon looked out the carriage window.

The first thing that entered his view was the enormous Magic Tower, which remained impressive every time he saw it, rising endlessly into the sky.

“My Lord, let’s go!”

The carriage stopped.

At Penia’s call, Alon got down and headed to the library where Heinkel was.

Shortly after—

—It has been a while.

“…It has been a while.”

Alon met with Heinkel after a long time.

After exchanging brief greetings—

“Excuse me, Heinkel. May I ask you something?”

What is it?

“Do you remember what you said last time? About the magic formula.”

Heinkel mediated a little and then nodded.

Mmh… yes, I remember.

“Actually, lately I have been researching that topic with the Lord Marquis…”

Penia began to explain the results of her research of about a month together with Alon.

Heinkel listened in silence and then said:

So, after using a “Ritual Spell,” your operation capacity decreases. That is why you want to automate the calculation as if it were a switch, right? Pass a command to all linked magic nodes at once. But right now, that is impossible.

“Well, the basics can be automated, but if the operation becomes a bit complex, or if it is a ‘Phrase’ like the one the Lord Marquis uses, it simply cannot be done.”

Hmm…

Heinkel thought for a moment, letting out some thoughtful sounds.

I think I know why it cannot be done.

“Really?”

How long do you plan to stay?

“Eh…”

Penia looked at Alon.

“…A week is fine.”

Heinkel nodded.

Perfect, then rest a bit. I thought of something.

“Thank you for your help.”

Well, that is enough. By the way… could you show me magic now?

Alon remembered what Penia told him a month ago and nodded.

“It is not difficult, but what do you wish to see?”

Hmm… if possible, a magic that is related to the past.

“The past?”

Yes.

After thinking about it a bit, Alon formed the seals and began to recite.

Some time passed.

Before him, the Crystal Frost Spear appeared and disappeared.

Although he made it small for the demonstration, the library froze instantly.

But Heinkel barely paid attention to the frozen library; she was staring fixedly at the ice spear.

If you do not mind, could you use it again?

Alon did so without hesitation: he launched another Crystal Frost Spear. Despite the reduced size, mana drained rapidly.

Even so, he was no longer completely exhausted after two uses… although if he used one more spell, then he would indeed be almost exhausted.

Alon looked at Heinkel.

She seemed immersed in thought.

After a long silence—

…I see.

Heinkel murmured.

I am going to ask just in case… how much do you really know about the magic you use?

Alon repeated the question:

“The magic I use… what do you mean?”

I am not talking about how to use it. I am talking about its history.

Alon reflected.

He knew about the Phrases and the Seals: that they had been created in the era of Babylon.

Outside of that, he only knew that modern magics were degraded versions of those used with Phrases.

Based on what Yongrin told him when he first visited the Colony Ruins, Alon answered.

Heinkel nodded.

I see, so you did know that.

“What do you mean exactly?”

The degradation of magic. What you showed me a moment ago must have been Ice Spear, right?

Alon was surprised.

Crystal Frost Spear was the original version of Ice Spear, but visually they were very different.

“…Yes.”

He wouldn’t have known either without Yongrin’s explanation.

Heinkel, as if expecting it, nodded.

Then, did you also know this?

“This?”

That the information of the original magic is hidden secretly within the degraded version we use now.

She said something surprising.

Meanwhile, at the empty border between the Empire and the United Kingdom.

In a hideout within the hole of the void.

“We still haven’t found the ‘Jewel of The One with Closed Eyes‘.”

“I see.”

Nangwon was listening to the report.

“I am sorry.”

“Is it difficult to find?”

“Not exactly… it is just that the jewel does not appear in any previous information. We are investigating from scratch.”

He nodded.

“I understand. But bring it as quickly as possible.”

“I will do my best. I also have another report.”

“Speak.”

“Yes, it is about the Divine Land you spoke of last time.”

The informant began to explain.

“After investigating the Divine Land, it seems that Marquis Palatio is aspiring to rise again towards the sky.”

“…Rise again towards the sky?”

“Yes. Outside it is only rumored that he received more territory, but that is the superficial rumor. Among the Marquis’s knights, other comments are already circulating.”

“I see…”

As he nodded, Nangyeon, his sister, who was leaning back in the chair, sat up.

“So, what are you going to do?”

“If that is my brother’s wish, of course, I will do everything possible to help him.”

Nangwon answered without hesitation.

Then he looked at the informant.

“Didn’t you say there are rumors about the Divine Land?”

“Yes. Until now it was said that anyone who entered could use the power of Kalanon… but lately, that has been called into question.”

“What do you mean?”

“Lately people who came out of the Divine Land are saying that it was all a baseless rumor.”

“Spread rumors.”

“Rumors?”

“That it is true. That in the Divine Land one can really use that power.”

“…Understood.”

“And disseminate rumors about my brother as well.”

“What kind of rumors?”

Nangwon tapped the arm of the chair gently.

“…That the bandits he eliminated to enter the Divine Land, was actually something he planned from the beginning.”

“Understood.”

“And after that spreads…”

Nangwon gave a series of detailed orders to the informant.

After the latter withdrew—

“You are very dedicated.”

“Of course, sister. How could I not be dedicated? This is something I should have done a long time ago.”

“In what sense?”

“The people here do not understand my brother’s greatness.”

So—

“I must make everyone know. My brother’s greatness.”

Nangwon said with absolute seriousness.

At that moment…

“…Achoo.”

“Are you having a cold?”

Heinkel left saying she had urgent matters and that they would continue tomorrow. Alon, who was eating sweet potatoes as always, left the library.

“I don’t think it’s a cold… but I feel a weird chill…”

A strange cold ran through his body suddenly.