Chapter 496

Episode 496. Anomaly (4)

The population flow in Palantia was massive compared to other territories. The primary reason was that Palantia had become the largest commercial district in the Allied United Kingdoms.

Strictly speaking, calling it “the largest” might be imprecise. There were several places in the kingdom far more extensive; some even doubled the size of Palantia’s territory. Of course, the moment the castle was completed and the territory expanded to the entirety of the fortress, no existing commercial district could even compete, but that was merely a future projection. Currently, many commercial territories larger than Palantia exist.

However, the reason Palantia held that title was because of its Auction House. There was no other place with an auction house so immense and with such low commissions.

But it wasn’t just that. Following the appearance of the Divine Blood, although the Allied United Kingdoms attempted to self-regulate, Palantia remained extremely secure against the underworld organizations and bandits that emerged incessantly. As a result, most of the kingdom’s merchant guilds had established their main headquarters within Palantia. In other words, all the infrastructure necessary for commerce had concentrated there.

Furthermore, being the mandatory passage toward the Divine Land, Palantia’s north gate was always crowded during opening hours. The same was happening right now. Nevertheless, at that north gate which should normally be a hive of activity, silence now reigned.

The four women smiling at each other in front of the main gate were responsible.

—An elf? No, that is Cardinal Yutia Bloodia…!

—It’s true! Even the Baba Yaga of Colony is here!

—The Baba Yaga? The one they say destroyed the Divine Blood all by herself? Is she real?

—Yes. That is the Beastman of the Golden Lightning.

—What is the Golden Lightning doing here?

—No, look! The High Counselor is also here!

—Rine Groff?

—Heavens! They say there are rumors she swept away all the criminal organizations in Lartania…

—What are those people doing here?

The crowd murmured. But no one dared to raise their voice due to the strange atmosphere flowing between the four women. From the moment someone recognized them while crossing the gate, the crowd limited itself to silently observing that unusual and charged environment.

In that instant:

—Rine, why have you returned? —Yutia Bloodia‘s voice resonated clearly.

—Ah, it’s just that I have something to say to the Godfather.

—Oh, really?

—Yes.

—Then tell me. I will pass it on to him.

—No, it’s fine. I plan to tell him in person. By the way, didn’t you have pending tasks, Yutia Bloodia?

—Don’t worry. They have been postponed a bit.

—Even so, it’s better to finish what needs to be done quickly. If you have something to say, tell me. I will communicate it to him in… your… place.

Both conversed with smiles, maintaining an apparently trivial chat. However, the merchants, experts in language, grew tense noticing those words should not be taken literally.

—My, what a coincidence. I have also returned because I had words left pending for my Brother —intervened Magrina with a sweet smile, looking at Seolrang.

—Hum… But aren’t you a Queen? Shouldn’t you be leaving already? —Seolrang replied.

—That’s true. One cannot leave state affairs in the hands of others for so long, right? —Rine and Yutia Bloodia added in unison.

—Don’t worry —Magrina smiled and looked at Seolrang—. And you, Baba Yaga? I’ve heard the situation in the Colony is quite dangerous and they need your help constantly.

—Yes, it’s fine. They will manage.

—Even so, won’t they need help?

—If something happens, I will arrive in an instant, so don’t worry.

Seolrang also counterattacked with a smile. After exchanging jabs one by one, the four concluded:

—Let’s continue talking inside.

—Sounds good to me.

—Anyway, we have to go back in.

They passed through the castle gates with artificial smiles. The merchants finally released the breath they had been holding.

—… Now that I think about it, everyone in that group has a relationship with His Majesty.

—Do you know who that elf is?

—I’m not sure, but from the order of the talk, didn’t she call His Majesty “Brother”?

—It seems so.

—… An elf calling him brother… what kind of relationship could they have?

—Mmm…

—Hey, but she said “Godfather.”

—And Cardinal Yutia Bloodia calls him Master.

—And the Golden Lightning calls him Master as well.

—But to use those titles, the atmosphere between them was somewhat… different.

—I felt the same way.

Soon, among the merchants, a series of deductions began regarding the relationship of Alon Palatio with the women they had just seen… foreshadowing that it wouldn’t be long before rumors bordering on absolute falsehood began to spread.

Meanwhile, Alon had arrived at the Divine Land riding on Basiliora, to whom he had already become somewhat accustomed. Immediately, he hooked the statue that Silly had prepared and began to fly toward where the Star Group was located.

—How long do you think we’ll take?

—At this speed, as planned, we will take 3 to 4 days.

Alon marveled again.

—It certainly is fast.

—Furthermore, considering the effective flight time is only six hours, it is extremely swift.

Just as Evan said, Basiliora‘s flight time was about six hours. If Alon could use Reverse Heaven infinitely, they could fly 12 hours straight without problems, but unfortunately his current position did not allow for such a load.

‘If I get a bit more used to Reverse Heaven, the flight time will increase’.

While he thought that, he asked Basiliora, who continued humming as if enjoying the flight enormously:

—Basiliora.

[What is it?]

—Isn’t it heavy for you?

Alon asked because, although it wasn’t the size of the colossal statue from last time, Basiliora was flying while carrying a fairly large statue. It wasn’t larger than Basiliora himself, but it still had considerable weight.

[Don’t worry. This is nothing for me.] —Basiliora boasted with pride.

—I’m glad to hear it.

Listening to those words, Alon meditated while they headed to the territory of Karmaxes III where the Star Group gathered.

‘…Once I’m done with the Star Group, I must check it immediately.’

He was referring to the possibility of entering his own interior in real-time to see his Manifestation, an adjustment that Kalanon had promised to make.

A few days later, upon arriving at the area where the Star Group was located, Alon realized how naive he had been to worry about how to find them in such a vast territory. As soon as they entered the region, the Divine Blood became visible. At first, they looked with doubt, but as soon as they recognized him, they all began to bow their heads.

Alon advanced toward where they congregated and, shortly after, he could see Darkness-Eating Sword, Burning Tree, and other Divine Bloods kneeling on one knee, as if they were waiting for him.

—… It seems to me the number has increased since last time?

—It seems so…

There were more Divine Bloods than before. Alon let out a long sigh and tried to hide his bewilderment.

—Blackie, please.

[Kkyu~!]

Blackie let out a mewl and deposited the statue on the ground, then lowering Alon‘s body. With Blackie‘s help, Alon stepped onto solid ground without difficulty. After remembering what he had practiced with Blackie the last few days and observing the new forms, Alon declared:

—I will give you an opportunity.

The Divine Bloods stirred for an instant. Alon thought about whether he should give more explanations, but discarded the idea. He knew that in front of them he had to maintain his heavyweight facade as if he were one of them. If his lie were discovered, the consequences would be unmanageable; it was a double-edged sword. And to maintain the deception, he should not approach them more than necessary.

[… Do you mean an opportunity?]

Of course, he shouldn’t move too far away either. Alon did not respond to Darkness-Eating Sword. Instead, he nodded slightly to Blackie, who had slipped to his side like a shadow showing his red eyes. At the signal, Blackie pressed against Alon‘s hand. Alon raised his hand and observed the atmosphere.

‘As I thought’.

The atmosphere wasn’t exactly enthusiastic. It was more one of doubt and uncertainty. However, Alon did not get nervous; he already expected it.

‘There’s no reason for them to be fervent if I haven’t shown them anything directly’.

Alon didn’t know why they had that misunderstanding about him (the Star Eater), but the truth was he had never granted them power. He didn’t even know for sure if he could do it; he only managed possibilities. He had never experienced it. But the reason he came was because he knew a simple misunderstanding of unknown origin wouldn’t be enough to control these Divine Bloods. He needed to show them something concrete, even if it was the minimum.

—That is right.

Alon had come to the Star Group for that.

Wuuu—!

Above Alon‘s hand, stained black by Blackie, two spheres floated. As soon as they saw them:

[T-that is…!]

[Without a doubt…!]

A murmur spread among the Divine Bloods. It was natural. The spheres in Alon‘s hand contained, precisely, the power of the Divine Bloods. Of course, Alon didn’t know if they could actually absorb them or not. But for him, the important thing wasn’t the absorption, but…

—If you have the capability… —Alon spoke calmly while extending both spheres—, you may take them.

He pronounced the prepared words.

Burning Tree felt a subtle strangeness seeing the Star Eater suddenly appear offering power. Certainly, this was the situation he had dreamed of. The reason he followed the Star Eater was precisely for this moment. However, recently, a strange hypothesis had been swirling in his head.

The doubt of whether the Star Eater might actually be a “human.”

Burning Tree had heard rumors that the Star Eater had renounced his position as a Divine Blood to become human on purpose. But his suspicion was deeper: what if he wasn’t a descended Divine Blood, but a pure “human” with different objectives than theirs?

That doubt was born from the Star Eater‘s actions. At first, he thought he would have his reasons, but the Star Eater acted systematically in favor of humans. He did not seek to use them as tools, but to protect them. And that was something a Divine Blood, according to rumors and their nature, would never choose to do. According to what he knew, the Star Eater descended to obtain even greater power after renouncing the previous one. But instead of seeking power, he dedicated himself to exclusively eliminating the Divine Bloods who tried to kill humans.

And not only that. Despite the fact that those known as “Apostles,” beings of a different level, would soon descend, he was not utilizing humans at all. Even though he needed them to stop them.

Therefore, Burning Tree reached the conclusion that perhaps the Star Eater was a pure human, or a Divine Blood who used his own kind to protect humanity. And if that were true, Burning Tree… no, the Divine Bloods should not follow him. For them, this was their last chance.

However, after hesitating a moment:

[Thank you for granting us this opportunity.]

Burning Tree extended his hand toward one of the two spheres. In that instant:

Tuk!

Burning Tree‘s vision turned white for a second and then plunged into darkness. He soon understood he was in a mental world. And at the next moment:

[…?]

Burning Tree saw something strange.

[The moon…?]

It was a moon. An infinitely dark moon, close to the abyss. But shortly after:

[… Ah?]

Burning Tree had a revelation.

It wasn’t a moon.

It was… a pupil.

A pupil so immense it could observe someone like Burning Tree with absolute indifference. And as soon as he noticed it, Burning Tree saw it. He saw the giant eye looking down on him from above, spreading the abyss over the entire world. He saw innumerable rings breaking and reconstructing cyclically… devouring the Star Group.

That “eye.”

[… Ah.]

He saw the true form of the Star Eater.

He witnessed the apocalypse.

And in that same instant, he understood that his doubts had been nothing more than absurd suspicions.