Chapter 493

Episode 493. Anomaly (1)

In conclusion, flying thanks to the collaboration between Basiliora and Blackie was, in many ways, not as bad as Alon Palatio had expected.

To start with, it allowed for an overwhelming reduction in time. Although Alon usually moved calmly, they covered a distance in barely two hours that would normally take an entire day of travel. It was an astonishing speed, but thanks to Blackie putting effort into holding Alon‘s body, safety and tranquility were guaranteed. At first, Alon had internally feared a fall.

However, there were also disadvantages. There were minor inconveniences, but the advantages were so great that they were almost unnoticeable. Nonetheless, there was one factor that hit Alon with too much force.

And that was…

[Ahem… we can go down now.]

—Get down quickly…!

It was so cold that even from the mouth of Alon, who rarely curses, insults broke out…!

Alon sighed in relief as he felt them slowly approaching the ground. His entire body was shaking non-stop.

‘At first, it was bearable.’

Literally, at the start of the journey, it wasn’t that bad. The wind was cold, but it was enough to zip up his coat. However, after thirty minutes, the coat was no longer sufficient, so he used a shield immediately. He thought a shield would be capable of blocking the wind. And, naturally, the shield did its job.

The problem was Alon‘s mana container. Although he wasn’t usually conscious of it now because the usage time of Reverse Heaven had increased significantly, his mana container, small by nature, could not maintain the shield for more than an hour. He didn’t want to use Reverse Heaven at that moment just for that, as he had nothing else to spend the rest of the energy on, so he ended up arriving in that miserable state.

Rook!

While Alon shivered, Basiliora‘s body touched the ground. At the same time, the jet-black armor quickly disappeared from his body. Basiliora also began to shrink while emitting a white light, as if his time had run out.

[Ahem, I… I’m sorry. I got too excited. Next time I will drive more carefully.]

After shrinking completely, Basiliora put on an expression of great enthusiasm, but immediately looked at Alon with caution. His eyes asked if he would perhaps be forbidden from flying again.

[Kkyu-!]

Blackie looked at Basiliora as if he couldn’t believe the absurdity of his behavior and shook his head.

‘How the hell am I going to get back…?’

—Alon-nim?!

Just when Alon felt dread at the idea of the return trip, Silly ran towards him. Seeing her, Alon had a sudden revelation. He walked hurriedly towards Silly and called her name:

—Silly.

Silly was bewildered by the sudden and serious call, but soon nodded firmly with a solemn expression. However…

—You said you were a Mage, right?

—Eh…?

—You are a Mage, right?

—T-this… well, I am, although now I am the Saintess…

—What Circle are you?

—If we’re talking about circles, I’m of the third circle, but…

Silly was confused by the consecutive questions. On the contrary, Alon, whose atmosphere changed to one of satisfaction despite his expressionless face, said:

—Silly, wouldn’t you like to fly?

—… Eh?

—No, you must fly.

He said firmly. Silly could only show an expression of doubt at such a sudden and incomprehensible declaration.

A few hours later.

—Hmm… I think it’s about time they arrived.

—That’s true. If they haven’t fallen somewhere, they should be here by now.

At the moment Penia and Evan were watching the sky:

Pachik! Bang!

A red lightning bolt exploded in the distance, followed by the sound of thunder. Both understood.

—Ah.

—He’s here.

Alon had returned. Shortly after, Basiliora‘s silhouette was revealed among the black clouds on the other side of the mountain, approaching Palantia.

—I saw him when he left, but…

—He looks… a bit like a villain, doesn’t he?

—Right?

Before the majesty (?) of Basiliora, Evan and Penia finally agreed on something. Moments later, Basiliora descended to the ground. And…

—He’s back? Hmm, but Silly?

—Eh?

Silly, whose usual smile had disappeared to give way to a subtly disturbed expression, and Alon, who on the contrary stepped onto land with a face of absolute satisfaction, appeared before them.

—…

—?

Doubt was reflected in the faces of Evan and Penia.

Immediately after arriving in Palantia with Silly, the first thing Alon did was inform Lainicius about the test run.

—Hum, I see. So that was the problem.

—If I keep riding like that, I’m going to freeze to death.

—True.

Lainicius nodded understandingly.

—I’ll try to create an object that can maintain a shield for a long time. It won’t take long.

—I’ll leave it to you.

Lainicius then looked at Silly, who was beside him.

—She is…

—She’s Silly.

—Hello.

Silly gave a slight bow at Alon‘s introduction. Given Lainicius’s doubt, Alon added:

—Do you remember what I mentioned last time?

—Hmm?

—About the part related to automation.

—Ah.

Lainicius let out an exclamation as he remembered.

—You said you wanted to see up close what kind of power it was, right?

That was the other reason Alon had brought Silly. He wanted to receive Lainicius’s help to distribute blessings automatically. Although, of course, the original plan was always to bring Silly.

—Wow…

Lainicius observed Silly with evident curiosity.

—It’s interesting.

—Can you deduce anything?

—Could you give me a little time? Seeing your divine power and hers, it seems there are points I can reflect upon.

After finishing the talk with Lainicius, Alon returned to his office.

[Hajajaja! Everyone was looking at me with awe!]

[Kkyu-!]

—It seemed more like they were afraid of you, didn’t it?

[What are you saying! That was awe! You, simple human who has never been admired! Even though you see me like this now, I used to be a god!]

The scene upon entering was the usual one: Basiliora showing off, Blackie looking at him with contempt, Evan responding mechanically without interest, and Penia drafting documents oblivious to everything. A somewhat chaotic atmosphere.

—Alon-nim.

—Silly.

At Silly‘s call, Alon felt a pang of shyness.

—I’m sorry. You must have your own tasks and I brought you very suddenly.

—No! You don’t have to apologize! On the contrary, I’m very happy to be of help!

Silly replied with more energy than before.

—Thanks for saying that. For today you will rest here and tomorrow I will take you back.

—Yes!

Silly nodded firmly and then asked:

—By the way, Alon-nim. Can I ask you something?

—What is it?

—That… that thing from before, do you plan to continue using it as transport from now on?

Her eyes sparkled strangely. Alon, though puzzled, nodded.

—Probably yes. Why do you ask?

Silly cleared her throat and said:

—Because I think the timing is perfect.

—The timing?

—Yes!

—… For what?

Alon didn’t understand what she was referring to.

—Tomorrow you are going to the Divine Land, right?

—That’s the plan, but…

—Then I’ll show it to you tomorrow!

Unlike him, Silly‘s face showed a smile full of confidence.

The next day.

With Lainicius’s help, Alon obtained an artifact that, after one charge, lasted more than three hours. This time, he set off for the Divine Land taking Penia and Evan as well.

—… Certainly, if we couldn’t block the wind, we would have frozen to death.

—Truly…

Both shared the same impression. They finally arrived at the Divine Land. Receiving a deeper faith than last time, Alon entered the tent located in the center of the territory. And there…

—…

He discovered stairs descending to the underground, which did not exist before.

—… What is this place? —Alon asked confused. Silly replied smiling:

—We used to work on the surface, but now there are too many people.

Alon thought that normally, when there are more people, the territory simply grows sideways, but he decided to follow Silly to the underground. Soon, an immense underground cavity was revealed before his eyes.

—Did you do this in half a year?

—Wow…

—No, at what point did you create this cavity?

Evan and Penia were marveled, and Alon stood with his mouth open. Seeing their reaction, Silly let out a giggle.

—It was made with the blessing you granted us, Lord Alon. Although I wasn’t the one who used it directly.

—With my blessing?

—Yes!

Certainly, if someone managed to obtain skills after gaining faith by themselves, it was something possible. Alon accepted the explanation and looked around with awe. However, upon looking down, he froze.

—Silly, what is that?

—It’s a statue of you, Alon-nim!

In the middle of the underground cavity, there was a statue. Alon had already seen so many statues of himself that he should be used to it. However, he was left speechless for one reason:

—That…

—Isn’t it… too big?

The statue in front of him was so gigantic that it could well be called a colossal statue. While silence reigned in the cavity:

—… Silly.

—Yes.

—What does the fact that I use Basiliora as transport have to do with this statue?

Remembering what Silly said yesterday, she clapped her hands and exclaimed happily:

—I brought you here precisely to explain that part!

—Explain?

—Yes! Although I think you’ll understand better by seeing it than with words!

—The statue?

—No! The power I received from you this time.

—Ah.

Alon let out an exclamation. Now that he thought about it, he had only heard that Silly‘s power had flourished, but he hadn’t seen it in action. Silly hurried down and stood in front of the statue.

—Fuu.

She exhaled deeply and began to concentrate.

Wuuuuuuu-!

A familiar divine power exploded from Silly‘s body. After a few moments of silent observation by Alon, Evan, and Penia, the enormous amount of mana emanating from Silly was instantly absorbed by the colossal statue.

In that instant, they saw it.

K-k-k-k-k-!

The giant statue, which was nothing more than a block of stone, began to move with a roar, extending its hands to both sides with infinite benevolence.

And seeing that overwhelming scene:

—… What the hell is that?

Alon felt an inexplicable fear.

Would you like me to translate another episode or summarize the progression of Alon‘s powers so far?