Chapter 482

Episode 482. Omen of Catastrophe (4)

Alon obtained two pieces of information from the Sculptor, who was summoned while being held by the head.

The first was that, as expected, the Sculptor was a subordinate of The Wanderer in Rosario and, further up, of ‘Blue Eyes’.

The second was…

“In short, your goal… no, the goal of you people is close to protecting this world.”

“For now, is that so…?”

Surprisingly, he was able to catch a glimpse, even if just a little, of ‘Blue Eyes’ intentions.

“Are you serious?”

“Even if you ask me like that…”

The Sculptor began to use honorific language shyly, stating that they had been moving with that intention from the beginning. The relaxed attitude she showed before her head was grabbed had completely disappeared.

“T-this, I really don’t know anything else and it seems you’ll have to find out the rest in Rosario…”

“I see.”

“Then, can I leave the carriage now?”

Unlike a moment ago, when she ran off without asking, the Sculptor asked for permission very politely. Faced with the unusual appearance (?) of a being of the new form like the Sculptor, Alon nodded with a strange emotion.

“It’s fine.”

“Thank you!”

Like a student released after being extorted by a bully, the Sculptor instantly disappeared underground as if she were fleeing. Although she lost her composure a bit, it was understandable.

“It’s lucky all her hair didn’t fall out.”

“I was thinking about that too.”

It was because a huge crater had formed in the place where Seolrang grabbed her hair a moment ago.

‘She clearly didn’t seem to put much effort in…’

When Alon looked at Seolrang with that thought.

“Did I do well!?”

She shrugged with a confident smile.

Ssk- ssk-

As he stroked her head, Seolrang shook her head from side to side enthusiastically and clung to Alon.

Chuk-

Shortly after, Seolrang wrapped her arms around Alon’s waist.

…Alon vowed to himself that from now on he would try not to say harsh words to Seolrang as much as possible.

“Let’s keep moving.”

The carriage set off again toward the border of the empire.

Two months passed since then.

“Have a safe trip!”

Alon crossed the border and reached the wasteland that separates the empire from the Allied United Kingdoms.

“We got out easily.”

“That’s right.”

It was just as Evan said. Of course, the only time crossing the border had been difficult until now was when he encountered Serdea Polanticia. However, the ease of this time was unexpected because…

“…It seems the rumors have disappeared.”

It was after the rumor that Serdea Polanticia and Alon would marry was proven false. The guards had no reason to be kind to Alon’s group. Therefore, it was strange that such kindness continued.

“Well, a good thing is a good thing, isn’t it?”

“That’s not an incorrect statement.”

That was also true. Alon decided to let it go for the moment.

“Even so, we’re already halfway there, so we’ll arrive in two or three more months.”

“True.”

“I used to get tired with just one month, but now that I’ve gotten used to it, I don’t think much about it.”

Evan expressed his positive feelings while driving the carriage. Alon, who was watching him, looked away.

The carriage ran with the wasteland in the background. The companions sat inside. Penia was asleep, perhaps from dedicating herself too much to research last night, and Seolrang and Blackie were playing noisily. No, to be exact…

“Waaa!”

[Kkyu-!]

“It’s high!”

[Kkyuuuuuuu-!]

…It wasn’t clear if they were playing or if she was tormenting him.

Regardless, from a certain point on, Blackie would come out carefully even if Seolrang was there. Thanks to that, Alon often saw the two of them getting along.

…Well, since Basiliora refused to come out of the ring even if his life depended on it, he couldn’t see him.

“Fuu…”

Alon looked outside while watching Seolrang whisper something quietly to Blackie.

For two months, Alon heard a piece of information while crossing the empire: that a meeting between the princess and the princes of the empire would be held, something that rarely happened. Because of that, Alon decided to give up on meeting Serdea Polanticia this time and chose to send her a letter.

‘I would have wanted to talk in person if possible.’

The content he wanted to discuss was about the Divine Bloods he heard about from the Sculptor. If level 2 or higher Divine Bloods fell immediately, it was evident the empire really wouldn’t last long. Of course, even if they knew in advance that the new forms would fall, they wouldn’t be able to stop them easily.

“Fuu…”

A sigh escaped Alon’s mouth. What he heard from the Sculptor a few months ago returned to his mind. Alon didn’t have the arrogant thought of saving everyone either. No matter how strong he was, it is impossible to save everyone. But even so, it didn’t feel good. The Sculptor’s words were practically a death sentence for this world.

‘…Will the empire be able to stop it?’

Still, it’s not a situation without any answer. The princess and the princes, as well as the kings of the Allied United Kingdoms, received power from the Seeker of the Path. According to his words, the power of the ‘Supernatural Blood’ is capable of protecting the country. If what the Seeker of the Path said was true, they could protect the country even in a world of stronger Divine Bloods.

Only, in Alon’s eyes, that power of the Supernatural Blood didn’t seem as good as he thought, so he was simply worried. Alon didn’t think beyond that. Anyway, it didn’t make much sense to keep worrying. Instead…

‘Star Root’.

Alon began to consider how to use Star Root, also known as Star Group. Although risks exist and he doesn’t know why it was created, it was currently the best card Alon could use. Of course, this required a premise. Just as the Divine Blood belonging to the Star Root thought, Alon really had to be able to grant them abilities.

‘There are many abilities I can give.’

Alon contemplated his interior. He saw the numerous abilities moving within him. The abilities, which were only four before the battle with the Spirit Invoker, had increased considerably at some point. The problem, if anything, was that Alon didn’t realize why so many abilities had emerged either.

‘They probably increased through the battle with the Spirit Invoker.’

Unlike what he assumed until now—that abilities only emerged when he processed them himself—doubts arose about the abilities that increased instantaneously.

‘Well, in the end, it’s good that they increased like this.’

Alon finished his introspection and opened ‘The One with Closed Eyes’.

‘I also have to see Ar.’

Alon looked back toward the border of the empire. Thinking about it, he also had to go look for Ar.

‘I had to talk anyway, should I go with Rine after returning?’

Having finished organizing his thoughts, Alon finally leaned back relaxedly. It was early spring.

And when one more month passed and the carriage crossed the border of the Allied United Kingdoms.

“Master! I’m leaving!”

Seolrang said goodbye.

“Are you planning to leave immediately?”

“Yes! After all, I left my post empty for a long time! And something I have to do also came up!”

“Something you have to do?”

“Yes! For the Master!”

Alon looked at her puzzled, but Seolrang nodded with a face still full of energy. At that sight, Alon let out a small laugh without realizing it.

“I am always grateful to you.”

“It’s okay! Master, you have to be okay too, okay?”

“Yes.”

Hearing Alon’s response, Seolrang was about to move away from the carriage when…

“Ah.”

As if she remembered something, she approached Alon again. Then.

Ang.

In an instant, she approached Alon’s face and weakly bit his nose. Just as he did when he spoke with Seolrang, who once lost her lightning. And…

“Master, call me when you need me.”

Seolrang, who showed Alon a smile that felt more reliable than cute, left those words and…

“Then, I’m going, Master!”

In an instant, she kicked the ground and disappeared. The surroundings suddenly became quiet. While Alon silently rubbed his nose.

“…Eh?”

“What just…?”

Voices full of bewilderment were heard from behind. Penia and Evan were frozen with their mouths open. Especially Penia had her eyes wide open, as if she had seen an incredible scene.

Alon was about to express his doubt at the reaction of the two, but he soon realized. From behind, the image of him and Seolrang, due to the angle, had enough margin to cause misunderstandings.

Alon’s explanation time began.

Late at night.

In that place where only the blue moon shone intensely instead of the galaxy that had already disappeared.

[Everyone has arrived.]

After a long time, the regular meeting of the blue moon was held.

[Mmm— it’s been a while.]

[That’s right—]

[It’s true.]

Seolrang and Rine responded to Radan’s sentiment, and Deus also expressed his agreement. After a brief exchange of greetings asking about each other’s well-being.

[So, a meeting has been called after so long, is something happening?]

When Radan got to the point, Yutia nodded briefly.

[Rather, it’s because there’s something we must start preparing little by little. We need to know in advance.]

[Something to prepare?]

[Yes.]

A long time after Yutia began her formal explanation.

[…]

Yutia, who looked at the sins lost in thought as if they had reached an agreement, sketched a smile.

[Of course, it’s not urgent, so prepare calmly.]

[Then does today’s meeting end here?]

[Mmm, that’s all I have to communicate. Although there is something additional to report.]

Yutia made a signal at Deus’s question. Then, Hidan, who until a moment ago was moving his eyes back and forth restlessly, clenched his fist tightly.

[T-this, I have something to report.]

He looked around as if he had resigned himself, but with determination, and opened his mouth carefully.

[First…]

Hidan’s report proceeded very smoothly for having put on such a resolute expression. Content so ordinary that it even made one doubt Hidan’s tense expression. However.

[And finally…]

Hidan cast a sidelong glance and…

“…It seems the Sub-Master of the Blue Magic Tower is spreading some rather profane rumors related to Great Moon.”

The prelude to the final report began.

[Profane rumors?]

[If it’s the Sub-Master of the Blue Magic Tower, do you mean that girl?]

[Penia?]

Radan, Deus, and Seolrang reacted immediately. And.

[It seems she has been spreading rumors that she and Great Moon have a special relationship. And even some slightly more profane rumors…]

At Hidan’s next words, the brows of those expressing doubt a moment ago furrowed in unison.

[What audacity?]

[Even if she is helping Great Moon, she is crossing the line.]

[Heeeh. I didn’t know that.]

Radan and Deus openly showed their discomfort. Seolrang had a mocking smile as if she had heard something funny, but her eyes did not say the same.

The expected reaction arose, but Hidan was rather bewildered. Because Red Moon and Green Moon, who should have had the greatest outburst or, rather, the most intense reaction to this situation, were calm. Therefore, after containing his trembling heart and moving his eyes silently…

[I had already heard about that, so I knew.]

[Me too.]

Hidan was even more bewildered. Unlike expected, the reaction of both was too light.

[Don’t worry too much. We have already taken measures regarding that.]

[Wow, what a coincidence, Yutia, me too.]

[Oh, really?]

[Yes. After all, this has gone too far.]

[I think so too. We’ll have to correct it at this opportunity, right?]

[I agree.]

Faced with the image of the two actively sharing opinions while smiling, Deus and Radan forgot their own emotions and subtly looked away. They caught it. That those two were smiling, but were not smiling at all.

Deus and Radan sent a small condolence in their hearts to the Sub-Master of the Blue Magic Tower. Because they knew one more fact. What happened when those two showed that kind of smile. And.

[…Was it when we razed that kingdom?]

[That’s right, back then when they insulted Great Moon for no reason, the duchy flew away in a few days…]

Hidan, hearing the secret whispers of Silven Moon, closed his eyes in silence.

…He wanted to go home.