Chapter 59

Chapter 59

The moment Alon invoked the ‘Frozen Crystal Spear’, he understood its power.

The sphere of influence spanned only ten meters—a modest area—but its nature was the instantaneous imposition of a fundamental principle.

It was as undeniable as water seeking the lowest level, a truth so basic it is never challenged; within this domain, such a concept was suspended.

The law of the ‘Frozen Crystal Spear’ was absolute: all matter within its reach would turn to ice.

Without exemption. The spell was an unbreakable rule, dictated solely by the caster’s will.

Yet, Alon’s incantation faded after a mere six seconds.

From the start, this was a magic he should not have been able to command, lacking both the requisite mana and the arcane knowledge.

But in those six seconds, Alon accomplished his goal.

He felt a thin line of blood escape the corner of his mouth as he gazed forward.

There stood an Outer God.

Kailas, frozen a crystalline blue and fracturing into tiny shards.

“…How fragile this vessel is,” he murmured.

His form was far from intact. His arms were already splintered, and his legs were disintegrating.

“Hah… you landed a solid blow.”

Despite his state, Kailas was grinning.

The severe demeanor he had displayed moments before seemed a deception as he smiled warmly at Alon.

“Had I been in my true body, fully materialized and capable of wielding magic correctly, your rudimentary spell would have been useless. But…”

He voiced this with a hint of sorrow, then continued:

“Conjecture is meaningless.”

Just as he prepared to answer whatever Alon might say next,

“You are correct, insignificant being. Or perhaps…”

He gave a soft laugh.

“…Magician. I concede.”

With that final declaration, he dissolved entirely, leaving behind only his empty garments.

And then—

“Hoo—”

Releasing a short breath that misted in the residual chill, the mercenaries stared in stunned silence at Count Palatio, who had vanquished an Outer God with only a mortal form.

An emotion they could not contain began to ripple through their ranks.

***

Not long after Kailas was destroyed, the mercenaries, who had been watching Alon with reverent eyes, allowed themselves a brief moment of celebration for their survival. Then, they swiftly began the task of restoring order.

As for Alon, he fell to the ground where he stood.

A full day passed in this manner.

When Alon, who had lost consciousness as if a cord had been cut, finally awoke, he was given news that was somewhat encouraging.

Both Myaon and Argonia had survived.

Myaon had coughed up blood, but with the aid of a healing potion, she could now move about, if limitedly. The greater concern was Argonia.

Though he had endured a direct assault from the Outer God’s magic, even with the innate durability and healing power of a half-dragon, he was hovering at the edge of death, more a corpse than a living being.

Carrying him out of the labyrinth in such a state was nearly unthinkable.

Naturally, Alon was in no condition to walk out of the labyrinth either.

“Hoo…”

Struggling to steady his ragged breathing, Alon examined his left hand.

His entire left arm had taken on a morbid blue hue, as if ravaged by extreme cold.

From its appearance, he suspected it might need to be removed.

Yet, it was not only his arm. While his left arm was the most severe, other sections of his body were also discolored a bluish tint, like deep bruises. Thankfully, this was not frostbite but a sign of mana poisoning.

‘I have no power left,’ Alon thought, sighing softly as he looked at his arm, which lay utterly lifeless and numb. He soon settled back onto the makeshift bedding. This outcome was foreseeable, given the excessive amount of mana potion he had consumed.

‘I am fortunate it stopped here,’ he reflected. Of the potential consequences of mana poisoning, nerve paralysis from a mana surplus was among the more manageable. It would require time, but it would mend on its own.

However, had his mana core been permanently scarred, or had mana saturated his heart, inducing cardiac mana sclerosis, he would have died instantly.

“Hoo…” Alon breathed out, thankful for his life, just as the flap of the temporary tent opened and Rine entered, her face as stern as always.

“Are you well, Godfather?” she inquired.

“The poisoning is making things a bit challenging,” Alon responded.

“I am glad it is not worse,” Rine stated.

A short silence fell between them. Alon looked at her. Her face was as impassive as ever, but Alon detected a faint unease in her demeanor.

‘Before, even with her bluntness, we could speak easily…’

Now, however, she seemed reluctant to talk. Just as Alon thought to break the quiet himself, Rine spoke.

“Godfather.”

“What is it?”

“Please forgive my forwardness, but may I pose a question?”

“Ask anything you wish.”

After a short pause, she said, “Why did you rescue me?”

“Why?”

“Yes. What was your reason for saving me?”

“…Why ask this now?”

“In that situation, I was not an asset.”

Hearing this, Alon studied her. Despite her stoic expression, her eyes held a genuine confusion, as if she truly could not comprehend his motives.

Alon suddenly recalled that Seolrang had once asked him the same thing, and a sense of frustration rose within him.

‘How do others perceive me? Do I truly appear so sinister? Why does everyone assume I saved them with some ulterior motive?’

While he had saved them as part of his broader mission to eradicate the Five Deadly Sins, Alon had never anticipated any personal reward. At most, he had hoped for a bit of luck or a slightly more memorable birthday gift.

Feeling somewhat aggrieved, Alon pushed himself up on the makeshift bed and began to speak.

“Rine.”

“Yes, Godfather.”

“I do not know what you believe of me, but I did not take you in to exploit you.”

“Is that the truth?” Rine replied, her voice trembling slightly.

Seeing her reaction, Alon felt sure she had indeed believed that. He went on.

“I consider you family.”

“Family…?”

“Yes. A family that supports one another in difficulty. Our bond is not built on gain or obligation. Therefore, saving you requires no special justification. I did it because—”

He let out a sigh and finished, “—it was the only thing to do. Just as you once saved me.”

“I see,” Rine whispered, her eyes opening a little wider at Alon’s words. Though her face remained emotionless, her gaze clearly showed that his sincerity had reached her.

“Remember this, Rine. Ours is not a one-sided arrangement. If you truly wish to do something for me, perhaps just recall my birthday.”

After adding that small, self-serving remark, Alon watched her. Rine, who had been looking at him blankly, finally allowed a faint smile to touch the edges of her lips for the first time.

“…Understood, Godfather.”

“That is what I needed to hear.”

Satisfied that he had gotten through to her, Alon gave a slight nod. After a short exchange, Rine departed, and Alon shut his eyes.

He had been conscious for only an hour, but his weakened body, still far from healed, demanded sleep.

Five days later.

On the Fifth Level, where only a blue sky existed and there was no division between night and day, Alon had finally regained enough strength to move.

“Can you travel?” he asked.

“Well enough,” came the answer.

“…Remarkable,” Alon thought, as Argonia, whose monstrous vitality had allowed a stunning recovery, prepared to depart the labyrinth.

After two additional days of ascending through the dark abyss, they finally arrived at the exit.

“We’re out!” Argonia shouted, with unusual energy.

At long last, they had returned to the world outside the labyrinth.

***

Three days had gone by since their return to the labyrinth city of Lartania.

Alon was still too weak to travel, but as tales and acclaim for the team that had defeated the Outer God circulated through Lartania, the story gradually started to spread past the city’s borders.

By the time Alon had taken his much-needed rest in the building owned by Rine, Merde, he confirmed that his mana poisoning had significantly improved. He immediately started making plans to depart. In reality, he would have liked to stay and recuperate longer, but overstaying his welcome at Merde would inevitably become an imposition.

So, before setting off for home with Evan, Alon shared a final meal with Rine.

“Godfather,” she said.

“Yes, what is it?”

“When were you born?”

Alon hesitated briefly, then answered after a moment’s consideration.

“My birthday… is the 25th of September.”

“September 25th… I understand,” Rine responded.

With that conversation concluded, they finished their last lunch together.

“Well then, I expect we will meet again when the occasion arises,” Alon said.

“Yes, Godfather. Until we meet again,” Rine replied.

“Very well,” Alon said, offering his final goodbye before boarding the carriage to return to the Count’s estate.

As the carriage began to roll, Evan looked toward him.

“Count?”

“Yes?”

“You must be anticipating next year.”

“Anticipating what? Ah, my birthday?”

“Indeed.”

“I do not expect a great deal. I receive ample as it is.”

“Now, now—official gifts from acquaintances are not the same as what the children will offer you.”

“…Well, I still will not expect too much,” Alon replied, but despite his words, he felt a flicker of excitement.

In truth, he had been looking forward to it from the instant Rine inquired about his birthday.

…Perhaps wine? No, Rine trades in artifacts, so maybe she will present something practical? Though that could be costly, so she might select something more modest…?

Holding these thoughts, Alon concealed his budding anticipation behind a composed face, picturing what gifts the coming year might bring.

Meanwhile, not long after Alon’s departure, Rine sat in her office within Merde. She watched Alon’s carriage recede into the distance.

‘A gift… A present for the one who called me family…’

Her gaze sharpened and fixed on a single location.

In her line of sight stood a particular structure—Lartania’s castle, the dwelling of Lord Lucimore Grace, the city’s ruler and the only person permitted to live there.

“There is something… in that place.”

A smile crept across Rine’s face.