Chapter 491

C491

Actually, Penia felt grateful for the current situation.

Anyone would ask why she is grateful when she is being punished, but for Penia, the punishment of the last few days, although painful, was bearable. The other potential punishments were so atrocious that she was afraid even to imagine them; even the current “keeping the arms raised” was a sentence (?) handed down after considering, amidst heated debates, the fact that she is currently a great help to Alon Palatio.

For Penia, the situation was enough to be grateful for. At least, that’s how it was until a moment ago.

Penia looked forward. There she saw different faces. Or rather, perhaps it is strange to say it that way, since Yutia Bloodia, Magrina, Rine, and Seolrang were smiling in a similar way. Except for their eyes.

Of course, the rest of those present showed very varied expressions. Deus and Radan looked at Penia with a face of pity that said: “Wow, poor thing… she’s about to die…”, while Nangwon showed a face of exhaustion and regret that screamed: “I hope this ends soon”. On the other hand, Historia wagged her tail with total tranquility as if the outcome didn’t matter, and Ryanga, like Nangwon, reflected bitterness on her face.

In that place where a strange atmosphere disguised as sympathy and cold smiles flowed… Penia timidly tried to express her will.

—Well…

—Have you decided yet?

—No… couldn’t I just continue with my arms up?

A small request. But…

—No.

—Choose one.

—It’s easy, isn’t it?

—You just have to choose one person.

As if connected by a single organism, the women spoke in unison, making Penia close her eyes tightly. She knew it. There was no right answer in this role. Moreover, she knew that any choice she made would inevitably lead her to doom.

That’s right. This choice was a path to death no matter who she pointed to. If anything, the only thing she could choose was the way she would die.

—Fuu.

Of course, thinking with total coldness, in terms of common sense Penia would not die. It was obvious. No matter how much the people in front of her acted impulsively, she knew they would respect a minimum line… right?

Would that minimum line exist?

Or well, even if there was no minimum line, would there be some common sense?

… If there were common sense, would it have ended like this just for saying that once?

—… Miss Penia?

At the voice calling her, Penia let out a low sigh. She reminded herself of the reality that, in the end, she had no choice but to choose someone.

—… Choose with total freedom, yes?

—Yes, yes. No one is going to say anything about it!

—Of course.

—And with this, your punishment will end.

The four spoke as if they wanted to reassure her. However, in Penia‘s ears, it sounded like this:

“Choose freely, yes? Because the answer is already decided.”

“Yes, yes. No one will say anything. Anyway, you won’t be in a position to complain.”

“Of course, by then you won’t be in this world anymore.”

“And with this the punishment ends. Anyway, you won’t be able to receive any more.”

… Of course, it was Penia‘s pure imagination, but still.

—Fuu.

Penia exhaled deeply. She understood that unless she chose, this situation would not end. Therefore, she looked up calmly and asked once more:

—… So, I just have to choose one person?

—That’s right.

—Choose, yes? Who is the most suitable person for the eighth floor?

—We won’t argue with you.

—True.

Penia bit her lips with determination.

—I…

Extending her numb fingers, Penia turned them to one side. There was…

—… Eh? Me??

Radan. He pointed to himself, bewildered by Penia‘s accusing (?) finger. She nodded firmly and explained timidly:

—It’s just… you said I could choose anyone of those who were voting…

Radan, suddenly turned into the owner of the eighth floor that everyone desired, was stunned for a moment before realizing something. He realized that Penia had thrown him the “bomb,” the task that had to be done but that no one could do without dying…!

—You…! —he shouted indignantly, while Penia, still on her knees, surreptitiously avoided his gaze.

At the same time:

—Good.

—She used her head.

—I didn’t expect this.

—Wow.

The women murmured with interest. Their gazes turned toward Radan.

—No, I’m not interested, decide among yourselves…

Radan tried to speak hastily, but…

—Then you choose, Radan.

—Ah…

At Seolrang‘s words, Radan let out a low groan.

One day after that.

—I’m back!

—Penia, were you able to resolve your urgent matter?

—Well… what could be done was done.

A noticeably haggard Penia appeared.

—Alon-nim, they say the floors have already been decided.

—Hasn’t it been almost a week?

—That’s right.

—And? Who will use the eighth floor?

—It was decided that Yutia Bloodia will use it.

—Mmm?

—In the end it couldn’t be done by voting, so they say they decided it by playing rock, paper, scissors.

—Rock, paper, scissors?

—Yes —Evan informed, while Penia‘s body shuddered. Alon Palatio did not overlook it.

—… Penia? What’s wrong?

—Eh? Ah, nothing. It’s just that mentioning the game reminded me of something.

—What did you remember?

—T-this… that scissors beats rock…?

Penia gave an absurd answer with extreme caution. Alon Palatio didn’t understand, but nodded.

—Anyway, I’m glad it’s been decided.

—In fact, the timing is opportune. Lainicius says he has already finished the adjustments. He also has something to say about Blackie.

—Then, let’s go.

—Ah, all the letters you sent arrived well at the Empire.

—That’s also good news.

Following Evan‘s report, Alon Palatio went to see Lainicius.

—Take it.

—Is it already adjusted?

—I even made a small modification to it.

—Modification?

—It’s more like I blocked functions and replaced them with others; from now on, if you charge the magic power beforehand, it will be invoked immediately. If you fill it to the maximum, it should last about two hours.

—Does that mean I have to charge it every two hours?

—Yes. For now, that is the limit.

—No, that is more than enough.

If not for Lainicius’s modification, Alon Palatio would have had to go down almost every 10 minutes to recharge energy. He received the ring with total satisfaction.

[Kkyu~!]

As soon as Alon Palatio arrived, Blackie stuck to him and crawled into the inner pocket of his coat.

—I heard you had something to say about Blackie.

Lainicius nodded.

—That’s right.

—What is it about?

—… I’m not sure yet. I’ve only seen a possibility.

—I understand. Tell me with that in mind.

Lainicius began the explanation.

—… It seems that your shadow dragon can transmit the abilities of the Divine Bloods at will.

—What?

—It’s only a hypothesis. I only saw how the shadow dragon “pulled out” the power in a form that allowed it to be absorbed, although I couldn’t actually absorb it.

—Why?

—Honestly, I wanted to try, but it’s not a type of power I can assimilate.

—A power you can’t assimilate?

—Yes, the type of energy is different. It’s as if it doesn’t belong to this world. —Lainicius shrugged—. Anyway, since it’s only a possibility and I haven’t been able to experiment, keep it in mind.

—… I understand.

While Alon Palatio sank into his thoughts, Lainicius added:

—Why don’t you do a test run now?

—A test run?

—With the shadow dragon and that.

[Humpf. If you ask me, I’ll help.] —Basiliora, already accustomed to being called “that,” acted as if it didn’t affect him, although he wagged his tail in anticipation.

—Hum… I could go to the Divine Land for a moment.

—You mean that territory. It wouldn’t be a bad idea. If you go flying, you’ll be there in a heartbeat.

Alon Palatio nodded. Shortly after, he went outside.

[I’m ready!]

Basiliora shouted loudly, unable to hide his excitement. Alon Palatio nodded and used the ring that Lainicius had previously charged. With that, Basiliora manifested. Immediately after:

—Blackie.

[Kkyu~!]

At the call, Blackie responded tenderly and immediately headed toward Basiliora.

Saaaaaa!

In an instant, it began to spread over Basiliora‘s body. The first thing seen were dozens of eyes; then, those eyes disappeared to form a solid jet-black armor. Immediately after:

[Oooooooh!!]

Basiliora‘s heavy body, wearing the jet-black armor, began to rise slowly. Basiliora showed his joy at feeling his body float. Beside him:

Shuik!

Blackie dropped a rope made of darkness.

—I’ll go alone this time.

—Understood.

—We’ll wait for you!

As soon as the goodbyes were over, although Alon Palatio did nothing, his body naturally floated into the air and landed on Basiliora‘s head. Then, Basiliora‘s body formally ascended toward the sky.

—Waaa!

Evan and Penia exclaimed without realizing it. It wasn’t the first time they had seen Basiliora with the jet-black armor, but the surprise was due to how mystical it was to see a snake larger than a Sea God swimming among the clouds. And another reason was…

—Hum, but hey.

—Yes.

—That… doesn’t it give an image a bit like “that”?

They were referring to the black mist emanating from Basiliora or, more precisely, from Blackie.

—… Yes, it’s true.

Lainicius, Evan, and Penia looked at the sky. They saw how the black mist sprouting from Basiliora while swimming among the clouds seemed to “corrode” the surroundings. As if that weren’t enough…

Pachik! Pachichik!

For some reason, red lightning began to jump.

—I see. It’s not just flying; it seems it also has abilities related to lightning. —Lainicius nodded with an expression of satisfaction at the discovery.

However…

—That… whichever way you look at it, that is…

—It has all the markings of being the mount of a Magic King…

Evan and Penia shared that comment. Seeing the red lightning spread further and further, both thought:

—… Do you think there will be chaos in the Divine Land?

—… I was thinking exactly the same thing.

In an unusual moment of agreement, both stood staring at the fake Magic King (?) receding into the distance.