Chapter 499

Episode 499. Anomaly (7)

—… What did you say?

At Alon Palatio’s question, The Wanderer remained silent for a moment before responding.

[Just as I said, that is the power of a Supernatural Blood. More precisely, the power of the second son.]

—… The second?

[Yes.]

After meditating on it for an instant following The Wanderer‘s calm response, Alon opened his mouth.

—Just in case, could you tell me more about the Supernatural Bloods?

[About them?]

—Yes. Whatever you know is enough for me.

At that, The Wanderer became lost in her thoughts.

[Actually, I don’t know much with total certainty either. I can only tell you about the birth process of the Supernatural Bloods.]

—… The birth of the Supernatural Bloods?

[Yes.]

Then she began to relate the history of the Supernatural Blood.

[First, I must ask you: do you know that the Supernatural Bloods were originally Divine Bloods?]

—I’ve heard something about that.

[… Then, technically, you already know almost the entire story.]

After meditating with a “Mmm,” The Wanderer kept silent for a long time before continuing.

[As you well know, the fundamental objective of all the Divine Bloods that exist here is only one.]

—… Are you referring to becoming a God?

[Exactly. Of course, there are peculiar types like me, or those who aren’t even interested in being a real God, but the purpose of most is to reach divinity.]

—… Did the Divine Blood who became a Supernatural Blood have a different objective?

To Alon’s question, The Wanderer‘s response was unexpected.

[No?]

—Then…?

[I understand that the Supernatural Blood strove harder than anyone to become a God. I’ve heard he did not hesitate to commit the most vile acts to achieve it.]

—… I see.

[Did you have any reason to think it wouldn’t be that way?]

—No, it’s just that hearing the name “Supernatural Blood,” I thought the story would develop in a way where he was different somehow. But it seems that wasn’t the case.

[As I told you, it’s rather the opposite. In fact, it is said that he was on the verge of becoming a true God.]

—… You’re saying he was almost a God?

[Yes.]

The Wanderer continued the story naturally.

[You know it, right? This continent is a breeding ground for a God to be born, and if one is not created, the same events repeat constantly.]

—Yes.

[The Supernatural Blood could have broken this cycle of reincarnation from the beginning. The primordial winner, of whom there is almost no memory today, was the Supernatural Blood. But as you can see…]

—… They didn’t become a God?

[That’s right.]

The Wanderer went quiet for a moment as if reflecting and then proceeded.

[He did not become God.]

—… Do you know the reason?

[No, the reason is unknown. No one knows why that being decided not to reach divinity.]

—Why is it a mystery?

[It’s obvious, isn’t it? Think about it carefully. What does it mean that he had the opportunity to be a God?]

—Ah.

Alon Palatio let out an exclamation. Just as The Wanderer said, the fact that a Divine Blood had the opportunity to be God meant, literally, that there was no other Divine Blood left in this world except him. Noticing Alon nodding in understanding of the situation, she continued.

[That’s why it’s not known why he didn’t do it. But what is certain is that, at the same time he refused to be God, he chose to remain on the surface.]

—… He chose to stay on the surface?

[All Divine Bloods return to heaven when they die. If a God does not appear, they recover their bodies according to the law and repeat the same action when conditions are met. But not the Supernatural Blood.]

[He remained on the surface. I don’t know how or why he stayed, but that is a fact. And from that instant, he began to watch over and restrain the Divine Bloods.]

—… To restrain them?

[Yes, so that none of us could become a God. Perhaps…]

The Wanderer paused before stating:

[… as if he wished for this world to continue in an infinite cycle of reincarnation.]

[That is the origin of the Supernatural Blood that I know.]

After a brief silence, Alon Palatio proceeded with his questions.

—Then what are the children of the Supernatural Blood?

[It refers, literally, to those who received the power of the Supernatural Blood.]

—… Those who received his power?

[I just told you: the Supernatural Blood interfered with the Divine Bloods.]

—Yes.

[When he did, the original body of the Supernatural Blood did not appear. It was his four sons and daughters who inherited that power.]

While Alon became lost in thought, The Wanderer cleared her throat.

[For now, this is all I know. As I told you, what you have brought is the skill of the second son.]

Alon looked at the flask once more and put it in his pocket.

—Thank you for telling me.

[Don’t mention it.]

Immediately after:

[By the way, the fact that you have come here suggests you have already heard something. Can I begin with my part of the story?]

—Yes. —Alon nodded—. I’ve heard that all the Divine Bloods will descend.

[Exactly. Although we have gained some time.]

—Gained time?

[Yes. I don’t know why, but the heaven that was shattered has stabilized a bit.]

“Even if it’s only for a few months,” she added before continuing.

[Anyway, we have gained an extra margin. However…]

—… I’m asking just in case, is there any way to stop the Divine Bloods that are falling?

[No, none.]

—Not even one?

[None. I can assure you.]

—… It won’t be easy.

Alon sighed deeply and The Wanderer proceeded.

[But that doesn’t mean we will necessarily reach the worst possible situation. As long as we prepare ourselves adequately.]

—… Prepare ourselves?

[Yes, prepare.]

The Wanderer continued speaking. After a considerable time:

[Then, I’m counting on you. It seems my time is running out.]

—… Was there a time limit?

[It is certainly more relaxed than last time, but yes.]

As if she had finished saying everything necessary, she concluded:

[Probably next time we will see each other face to face. Oh, and let me tell you one more thing.]

—… Is there something left to say?

[It’s just a concern of mine, but…]

After leaving Alon with a “last word”:

—… Is that true?

[It’s just a guess, but I would like you to confirm it. As I said, if my words are true, that could be the first step of our preparation.]

—… Understood.

With those words, she disappeared. Alon left the room, which was now in silence, and decided to stay in Rosario at Yuman’s recommendation to rest for a day.

—Well? What did they tell you?

It was Evan’s question as soon as they entered a surprisingly spacious room, thanks to the courtesy of Yuman and Yutia Bloodia. Alon remembered The Wanderer‘s words and spoke:

—She said we must prepare.

—Prepare?

—Yes.

The information The Wanderer gave Alon was divided into three main points: First, that the Divine Bloods would descend in less than a year, something Alon already suspected. Second, that although they would all come down, surprisingly their number would not be that large.

—… She said there wouldn’t be many?

—Yes. She said that initially about ten would descend.

—… Eh? Only ten?

—That’s right.

—Is that all?

—For level 2.

At Alon’s words, Evan made a strange expression.

—But ten… isn’t that manageable?

Evan’s question made sense. For someone who had seen hordes of level 1 Divine Bloods, the number ten didn’t seem like much. However, the reason Alon couldn’t take it lightly was because of what she added later:

“Keep it in mind, Star Eater. Those who will descend from now on are different from the incomplete beings you have faced until today.”

“… That much?”

“Even if you joined all the Divine Bloods currently on the surface, it would be impossible to face the Divine Bloods —no, the ‘Apostles’— who are about to descend.”

“… You’re saying those ten have that much power?”

When the Alon of his memory asked, The Wanderer kept silent for a moment and murmured:

“… It seems my explanation has been insufficient. I will tell you clearly, Star Eater. It’s not about the ten. I’m talking about what just one of those ‘Apostles’ is capable of provoking upon descending.”

She stated it firmly. Remembering those words, Alon thought of the third and final fact she revealed to him:

“… At least, the consolation is that the next level must remain sealed for a time after descending to the surface.”

Meanwhile, Evan, who looked strangely at an Alon who had suddenly gone quiet, seemed to notice the atmosphere and asked:

—… I’m asking just in case, are those ten, for example, hundreds of times stronger than the current Divine Bloods? Something like that?

—Surprisingly, you’ve come close to the answer.

—… That really won’t be easy. Isn’t that a level that can’t be changed simply with preparation?

Facing Evan’s doubt:

—… It might not be like that. As long as what she told me is true.

—Really?

—Yes.

Alon spoke, remembering The Wanderer‘s words.

—Ah, by the way, it seems that as soon as we return to the territory, we must depart immediately for the Empire.

—To the Empire?

—Yes. I already planned to go, but…

“I’ve found something I must confirm,” Alon murmured, and after remembering the Divine Blood’s words again:

—By the way, where is Penia?

He threw out the question suddenly. He had been so concentrated on his talk with The Wanderer that he hadn’t noticed her. And as if she were waiting for him:

—I’m here.

Penia entered with a strange determination on her face.

—Where did you go?

—Ah, I was outside thinking about something.

Penia responded to Alon’s question and then added:

—Alon-nim.

—What’s wrong?

—Do you think… rubbing noses would also fall into the category of light contact?

—… What!?

Just as Penia, due to nerves, let out such nonsense… In the room Alon had just left, which was now empty:

[… I was wondering who was calling me and it turns out it’s you.]

—Yes. I didn’t have a special interest in talking to you, but I have something to tell you.

The Wanderer, whose time to manifest like this had run out and was about to disappear, addressed a young woman. Or rather…

[Honestly, when I stole Sironia’s memories, I had a feeling we would end up talking.]

Looking at Yutia Bloodia, she stated:

[Daughter of the Supernatural Blood.]