Chapter 32

Chapter 32

A little more than a fortnight had gone by. Their pace had been hindered by the injured soldiers, but they ultimately reached Kirdam, Caliban’s capital, where they were greeted by the citizens’ fervent cheers. Alon observed crowds of bright-faced people everywhere, shouting with pride. Under Deus’s leadership, the knights and soldiers entered the royal palace and gave their report on the defeat of the Outer God, formally concluding the campaign.

Alon did not linger and immediately began making preparations to depart. With the Outer God destroyed, he saw no further purpose in remaining within Caliban.

“A generous amount of gifts,” he thought, a look of satisfaction on his face as he eyed the carriage. It was heavily laden with numerous presents from the shrewd king of Caliban, who was eager to cement their alliance. Alon, gazing with contentment at the slightly extravagant offerings, soon addressed Deus.

“Until next time, then.”

As he turned to leave, offering a casual farewell much like saying “Let’s get together soon,” Deus, unexpectedly, posed a question.

“May I ask you something?”

Alon, who was about to walk away, stopped. “What is it?”

Having spent nearly a month with Deus, from the northern campaign to their arrival back at the capital, Alon had never before heard him ask a direct question. Typically, Deus only showed deepening reverence without much inquiry. Alon waited patiently for him to continue.

After a brief silence, Deus finally spoke. “Can I become stronger as well?”

Alon was momentarily stunned by the unexpected query, particularly since Deus was already remarkably powerful. Alon considered what might have inspired such a question and reached a conclusion.

‘It must be that the magic I used against the Outer God made a deep impression, increasing his admiration for me.’

Having settled his thoughts, Alon replied. “Naturally, you can become stronger.”

“Truly?”

“Yes. If you dedicate the effort, you can accomplish whatever you wish.”

“! Is that the truth?”

“…Yes, it is true,” Alon answered, confused by Deus’s sudden intensity. He wasn’t being dishonest. In reality, Deus, like the rest of the Five Sins, possessed incredible innate power even before the gods descended. In Deus’s case, even without relying on his unique abilities, his sheer skill could make him a swordmaster. Given that he had attained this level in just a year, it was inevitable that he would grow even more powerful.

Contemplating this, Alon felt a faint pang of envy for the raw talent standing before him.

‘Ah, it would have been wonderful to be reborn in a body with more natural gift,’ Alon thought fleetingly before he continued.

“So, have no concerns,” he added.

“Understood,” Deus responded.

“Then, I will take my leave.”

“…Wait, may I ask one more thing?”

“…What is it now?” Alon asked, pausing as he began to turn.

“Why do you always ask instead of giving commands?”

“…?”

Alon, briefly puzzled by the question, tried to understand what Deus was implying. “Does he suspect an ulterior motive behind my support?”

While there was a reason—preventing the descent of the Five Sins—Alon’s provision of financial and material aid to them had been driven mainly by goodwill, separate from the larger danger of the Five Sins.

Though there was some underlying tension connected to the Five Sins, his actions were still founded on sincere goodwill. However, Deus’s skepticism seemed to cast doubt on the purity of his intentions, making Alon feel somewhat aggrieved.

“Who would give orders to family?” Alon replied, hoping his final words would communicate his sincerity.

With that, he bid his last farewell to Deus and set off for Asteria in his carriage.

***

That night…

Deus sat in his mansion’s office, gazing absently at the moon hanging in the sky, maintaining a silent watch.

“Hah—”

A soft sigh escaped him. But his sigh was not for the various documents on his desk or the duties awaiting him. Instead, it was because the recent expedition had forced him to confront his own ignorance.

Deus had always believed himself to be sufficiently powerful. The innate ability inherited through his bloodline was so formidable that even Yutia had praised it. Furthermore, his sword talent, a blessing from the Great Moon, exceeded that of Caliban’s greatest swordmaster, Reinhardt. Deus was wholly aware of this. In fact, he could not be unaware. The endless praise and reverence he received during his swift ascent to Master Knight made it impossible for him not to recognize his own strength.

Thus, he had vaguely assumed the power he held was enough to exact vengeance upon the “Black Ones.” Even if his strength was slightly insufficient, he believed his sword talent would eventually elevate him to that level.

At least, that was what he thought until he encountered the Outer God.

“… …”

To Deus, the very existence of the Outer God—and its overwhelming power—was a profound shock. Merely standing before it, he felt his throat constrict, as if seized by fear. It made him realize, in the most painful way, that he had been a frog in a well, unaware of the vast world outside.

This realization struck him even more forcefully when he witnessed the power of the Great Moon.

He couldn’t help but remember that moment. The image of the Great Moon employing magic against the Outer God, silhouetted against the sunset. And the two eyes that materialized behind him.

Of course, Deus had no idea what those eyes were. All he could perceive was that each eye signified a different being, and the Great Moon was channeling their power. Yet, Deus instinctively grasped one crucial fact just from looking upon those eyes: “That” was something that should not be perceived, and even the mere attempt to comprehend it was forbidden.

Though it was his first time seeing it, this understanding was imprinted on his mind as naturally as if it had always been there. Just as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, or that all living things are born to die, the concept that this knowledge was not to be pursued became an irrefutable truth in his thoughts.

Reflecting on this, Deus suddenly felt a sense of shame. Unlike Penia, who only saw Alon’s strength, Deus had failed to recognize the true power of the Great Moon.

In fact, Deus had thought the Great Moon was weak. To his senses, the only thing he could detect from the Great Moon was a faint trace of magical energy. But that was merely a reflection of Deus’s ignorance. While Deus had stood frozen, unable to oppose the Outer God, the Great Moon had stood calmly before it and engaged it in direct combat, ultimately annihilating it.

Deus had followed the Great Moon, resolved to repay a debt, but instead of repaying it, he had only received more assistance. Just as before.

“No, this cannot continue.”

Deus once again recalled the thought that had crossed his mind repeatedly ever since returning to Caliban after the Outer God’s defeat.

However, despite having the same thought dozens of times, it had never progressed further. That was due to doubt—doubt about himself.

Having witnessed the Outer God and now holding a deep respect for the Great Moon, to whom he owed his life, Deus began to question whether he could ever reach such a height.

Even though he knew his talent was extraordinary, the sheer power displayed by the Outer God and the Great Moon shattered any confidence he had in his own capabilities.

And so, until today, Deus had been caught in a cycle of self-doubt, asking himself the same question again and again without finding an answer.

But today, Deus was finally able to resolve the uncertainty that had plagued him for weeks.

“Of course, you can become stronger.”

“Yes. If you dedicate the effort, you can accomplish whatever you wish.”

“Truly, it is true.”

He remembered the words Alon had spoken to him that day. There had been no particular emotion in those words, but at the same time, there was no hesitation. Alon had stated immediately that Deus possessed the talent to defeat the Black Ones, that he could reach that level if he worked hard enough.

That declaration, uttered without the slightest doubt, was enough to grant Deus an unshakable certainty.

“I must become stronger.”

Deus clenched his fist tightly.

‘More.’

For the first time, his once-stagnant thoughts began to move forward.

The vague desire for revenge against the Black Ones was now solidifying, driven by this newfound conviction.

Those concrete thoughts rapidly multiplied, branching out into dozens of other ideas.

Thus, for the first time, the frog in the well, having gained the belief to venture into the outside world, began his preparations.

‘Strong enough to become his sword.’

Driven by a new purpose.

‘Family…’

He clung to the warmth of that single word—the acknowledgment the Great Moon had last given him, which alone, when remembered, filled his chest with warmth.

Using this as his talisman, Deus truly began to advance.

The blue moonlight streamed down upon Deus as he sat in the dark office.

A moment later, still in silence, Deus recalled that moment and instinctively lifted his left hand forward.

‘Back then, it was like this, wasn’t it?’

Just as Alon had done when confronting the Outer God, Deus extended his middle and ring fingers, releasing a small amount of magic to sense the surroundings for any presence.

“First Line of Silence.”

He murmured the words quietly in the empty room, his left hand trembling slightly.

Naturally, nothing occurred.

But even though he was alone in the room, mimicking Alon’s actions, Deus couldn’t help but feel a blend of mild embarrassment and satisfaction.

He readjusted his posture, thinking briefly to himself, ‘It would have been good to have as much talent for magic as he does.’

At that moment:

“My lord.”

“Yes?”

“I’ve noticed you seem to have quite a fondness for sweet potatoes from time to time.”

“They are delicious.”

Alon responded to Evan’s comment while roasting sweet potatoes over the fire.

“Hmm.”

Indeed, the sweet potatoes were truly delicious.

***

It was late at night, nearly a month later, when Alon finally arrived at Count Palatio’s estate.

‘That was draining.’

It had been roughly three months since his last return, and Alon couldn’t help but mutter a brief reflection.

In truth, nothing of great significance had happened since he left Caliban.

The only mildly irritating matter had been Evan’s incessant curiosity about Alon’s powers, resulting in questions almost every day.

Beyond that, the only notable event was the spreading rumor among the kingdoms that Count Palatio had played a significant part in capturing the Outer God in Caliban.

Having finished his long journey, Alon was ready to rest.

Although his return to the count’s estate from Caliban had demanded most of his attention, there were now several issues he needed to look into.

He had to visit Colony and learn more about the Black Ones and the Blue Ones, and he needed to understand why the Outer God had appeared and why Ultultus possessed a true name.

In other words, a great deal of work lay ahead.

But despite that, Alon chose to rest.

After all, from the very start, his objective had always been to enjoy a leisurely life as a noble.

While his study of magic was pleasurable, its main goal was self-preservation rather than achieving anything monumental.

In short, all this exertion was ultimately to secure a peaceful existence, and from Alon’s point of view, it was only right to reward himself with some rest after the difficulties he had faced.

With that in mind, Alon intended to do absolutely nothing for about a week once he was back at the count’s estate.

But first, he sat down in the office to swiftly handle the accumulated tasks in a single day.

As he opened the unread letters from Yutia, Alon suddenly froze.

“…What?”

He muttered, bewildered.

And for good reason.

“Evan.”

“Yes?”

“How high is the rank of a cardinal in Rosario?”

“A cardinal…? Well, in the hierarchy, they are just below the pope or the holy saint. Why do you ask?”

“Yutia has been made a cardinal.”

“…What??”

Inside the letter was the shocking news that Yutia had become a cardinal of the Holy Kingdom of Rosario.