Chapter 501

Episode 501. The Guardian Dragon (1)

Penia watched the faces reflected in the magic sphere with a bewildered expression. In all of them, a hint of disappointment was visible. But at the same time, their expressions indicated they were frantically performing mental calculations.

Although she didn’t understand what they were calculating at first, Penia’s brilliant brain didn’t take long to find the answer.

‘Seriously… are they really going to go that far…?‘

Penia looked at them in incredulity. Honestly, she wondered if they would actually be capable of doing it. However, she couldn’t hide her icy expression at what she saw. It was all due to the look in their eyes.

With the exception of Seolrang, who seemed not to have understood the situation yet and wore a clueless face, all the others had a spark of bizarre determination in their eyes. Just when Penia thought, “Have these people lost their minds?”, something happened.

[Ahem—]

Magrina, who until a moment ago was lost in thought like the others, cleared her throat.

[My, what a pity this has turned out to be.]

She said with a slight smile. Penia felt a reasonable doubt: “Does she really feel pity?”. While Penia observed Magrina with a subtle expression, Yutia and Rine nodded in the same manner.

[Mmm, that’s right.]

[After all, we can’t be like Seolrang.]

They looked suspicious whichever way you looked at them. But that lasted only a short while.

[By the way, why are you looking at me like that?] —Magrina asked.

—Ah, eh? Me?

[Yes.]

At some point, Penia had forgotten to control her gestures and was looking at them with a face of absolute astonishment. At the polite observation, she regained her composure, but realizing she had no escape, she spoke:

—Well, it’s just that…

Penia debated internally whether to tell the truth or beat around the bush. Common sense dictated the latter, but unfortunately, it was very difficult to camouflage the expression she had just made moments ago.

—It seemed like you were having thoughts that were a bit… dangerous…

[Dangerous thoughts?]

—T-this…

She hesitated once more about whether to tell the truth, but she made up her mind. She would say it as it was. She knew that if she tried to make up an excuse and was caught, the situation would become even stranger. Therefore, Penia shifted her eyes nervously and blurted out:

—It’s just… it seemed to me you were thinking of acting more childishly to try and change Alon Palatio-nim’s perception of you… or not?

She responded with extreme caution. At that, Yutia let out a small laugh and spoke.

[My, please! How could you think we would have thoughts of that kind?]

—… Eh? So you weren’t thinking about that…?

[Mmm, regardless, that would be a bit excessive, don’t you think?] —said Rine.

[Exactly,] —added Magrina.

At the immediate responses, Penia felt an immense relief.

—Hahaha… I figured as much! After all, you wouldn’t go to such extremes, right?

[Of course.]

[That’s right.]

[Mmm, mmm.]

Seeing the three women nodding, Penia was finally able to breathe easy. A slight smile appeared on her lips. Seeing her reaction, the other three also began to laugh.

[Hahaha]

[Hahaha]

[Ho, ho]

[Hahaha]

A harmonious atmosphere.

[Hahaha]

[Haha]

[Ha]

[Ho—]

[Hahaha]

However…

[…]

[…]

[…]

[… Eh?]

Suddenly, Penia realized that she was the only one still laughing. And just as she noticed that fact:

[Well, I’ll take my leave for now.]

[Me too.]

[Me as well, I have things to do.]

As if it were a lie, they all hurried to disappear, claiming to have pending matters. The only thing left in the magic communication sphere was:

—Ah…

Penia, who let out a low sigh, and…

[… Really, at their age…]

Pachik!

No, Penia was truly left alone. The magic sphere turned off before Seolrang, who had stayed with her, could finish her sentence. Furthermore, by the way the mana circuit was cut abruptly, it was evident that Seolrang had not turned it off of her own free will. Added to that, in the last instant, Penia thought she saw a flash of intense green eyes.

Penia decided to simply close her mouth.

The next day.

Alon Palatio, who spent a day in Rosario, departed immediately for Palantia. After having met with The Wanderer, he had no reason to stay there any longer.

—We are leaving.

—I hope to see you again soon, Brother.

—Yes.

—Ah, by the way, Cardinal Yutia seems to have left early on an urgent matter.

—I see.

After a brief greeting with Yuman, Alon headed to Palantia. When they were already flying through the sky mounted on Basiliora:

—Alon-nim.

—Tell me.

Evan called him.

—Do you plan to go directly to the Empire after arriving in Palantia?

—Yes. Why do you ask?

—No, it’s just that you mentioned you would pass through Teria. In any case, it’s on the way, isn’t it?

Evan was right.

—That’s true, but didn’t you say last time that the King went out and hasn’t returned?

—If you wish, I will check immediately.

At Alon’s acceptance, Evan organized the itinerary:

—Then, if the King of Asteria is present, we will pass through there; if not, I will assume we will head directly to the Empire.

The conversation ended with a nod from Alon.

A week after leaving Rosario, Alon returned to Palantia. He marveled again at the speed, which had no comparison to traveling by carriage. After descending from Basiliora:

—… Rine?

—Ah, Godfather, you’re back already?

—Yes, I’m back, but…

While exchanging greetings with Rine, Alon couldn’t help but wear a confused face. The people who a week ago had stayed to talk to him were no longer there.

—Where are Magrina and Seolrang?

At his question, Rine replied smiling:

—Both left earlier because urgent matters arose, Godfather.

—Urgent matters?

—Yes. It seems there were problems in Fildegreen and in the Colony. Of course, they are not related to the new Divine Bloods, so you don’t need to worry.

Although it seemed strange to him, Alon nodded. Certainly, Magrina and Seolrang occupied positions that forced them to be busy if something happened in their respective countries. At that moment:

—By the way, Godfather.

—Tell me, what’s wrong?

—Do you notice anything… different about me? —Rine asked suddenly.

Alon observed her carefully, trying not to be obvious. Rine was looking at him with a peculiar smile and eyes full of expectation. Alon felt a “déjà vu”. Although he had never had a girlfriend, it felt like that classic test of: “Don’t you notice anything changed today?”.

Hiding his nervousness, he examined Rine and, fortunately, caught the change immediately. It wasn’t something difficult to detect like a slight trim of bangs or the color of nails:

—… You’ve changed your clothes.

—You noticed it right away, Godfather.

At Rine’s smile, Alon observed her attire in more detail. Unlike her usual neat style, Rine’s dress now had ruffles everywhere. Overall, the outfit didn’t look bad; Rine had a very youthful appearance and the ruffles were not excessive. If he had to rate it, it looked as if a noble lady who was always impeccable had dressed up as a much “younger” noble.

—What is the reason for this change?

Since Rine had never tried that style before, Alon asked with genuine curiosity. She simply smiled.

—It’s just for a change of pace, Godfather.

—A change of pace?

—Yes.

Alon nodded at the response.

—Well, it suits you quite well.

—What a relief, Godfather.

Rine replied smiling at the compliment. For a moment Alon thought: “Why is it a relief that I say it suits her well?”, but he shrugged his shoulders and let the doubt pass.

—Rine, if it’s alright with you, I plan to go to the Empire tomorrow. What do you think?

—It’s no problem for me, as long as the Godfather agrees.

—Ah, really?

—Yes, I just have to bring my own body.

At Rine’s response, Alon decided to leave for the Empire the following day.

—Then we will leave tomorrow morning.

—Yes. I’ll be looking forward to it, Godfather.

After a brief farewell, Alon headed to his office. And there…

—… Lainicius?

—You’re back.

As soon as he entered, he saw Lainicius. And what’s more, he had deployed a strange barrier in the middle of the room.

—I was waiting for you because they told me you had returned.

—Waiting for me?

—Yes. Ah, and don’t worry about this barrier. It’s one of my experiments.

—What is it about?

—It’s isolation magic. It seems to be a spell designed to prevent information from leaking to the outside. Since the tower masters were investigating it, I’m giving them a hand.

—Wow.

—Any artifact or communication magic becomes useless upon entering here. It seems to work well.

Alon accepted Lainicius’s explanation with a simple “I see” and took a seat.

—And so, what’s happening?

—First, I must tell you that I have two things to communicate to you.

—… Two things?

—That’s right.

—What are they?

—I’m actually thinking which would be better to explain first.

Lainicius observed Alon intently, lost in his doubts. Although Alon was curious, he didn’t want to pressure him and waited in silence for him to finish reflecting. After a while:

—Fine.

Lainicius seemed to make up his mind and opened his mouth.

—First, I have discovered something additional about your shadow dragon… that is, about Blackie.

—Something additional? What is it?

[Kkyu?]

At Lainicius’s words, Blackie poked his head out from Alon’s pocket with curiosity. Lainicius looked at him and said:

—However, I will tell you that after the second news.

—… Suddenly?

—It’s not sudden. I have decided it’s better to give the second explanation first.

—Wouldn’t it have been easier to start there then?

At Alon’s bewilderment, Lainicius explained:

—It will sound strange, but I had to mention Blackie first. The first and second news are related in some way.

The doubt on Alon’s face increased. Then, Lainicius said with a serious countenance:

—In short, I have found the method.

—The method?

—Yes. What you mentioned the other time. A way to grant blessings automatically if others venerate you, without you having to give them personally.

—…

—I have found that method.

He dropped the key to the matter. Immediately after, Lainicius’s gaze turned toward Blackie.

—If we use Blackie, it will be possible.

—Using Blackie…?

[Kkyu?]

Feeling the gazes of both, Blackie, who was outside the pocket, tilted his head 90 degrees. With a pose that seemed to say: “Me?”.