Chapter 67

Chapter 67

Duke Komalon of the Ashtalon Kingdom, which lay to the west of the Asteria Kingdom, was a noble of formidable authority, even within his own nation. While most aristocrats were ignorant of the fact, he also commanded a vast network of influence within the underworld. Indeed, there was scarcely a corner of the United Kingdom’s criminal landscape that his power did not touch—until now.

“Hmm…”

Late in the night, within his silent study, Duke Komalon gazed at a stack of papers. His face appeared youthful for a man of middle age who had held his title for more than two decades. He broke the quiet with a murmur.

“So, it is challenging to project our power within the Asteria Kingdom?”

He seemed to be talking to himself in the vacant room, but a voice answered him despite the absence of any visible person.

“That is accurate.”

Following the response, a man materialized from the shadows and knelt before the duke. This man, named Shuto, was the one who managed the duke’s extensive underworld operations throughout Ashtalon.

The duke continued his questioning without turning.

“None whatsoever?”

“Correct. All of our agents stationed there have been removed.”

“Did the factions we supplied with Abyssal Gems and Abyssal Bodies crumble so easily?”

“Well…”

Shuto paused briefly before replying.

“No organizations of sufficient caliber to be entrusted with Abyssal Gems or Abyssal Bodies have yet been established in Asteria.”

“I understand. So, we lacked suitable candidates.”

“My deepest apologies.”

Shuto bowed his head low. The duke, idly tapping his quill, answered in a level tone.

“There is no need for an apology.”

“Forgive m—”

As Shuto began to speak again, his head sinking lower, he sensed something was wrong. The moment he recognized the strangeness, his perspective inverted, and he saw Duke Komalon’s form upside down.

“?”

Shuto’s face contorted in bewilderment, unable to grasp what was happening.

And then—

“Your apology will be your death.”

A quiet statement accompanied the thud of Shuto’s body hitting the floor. As soon as the command was given, shadows detached themselves from the darkness and dragged Shuto’s corpse from the study.

A moment later—

“Injela.”

At the call of Duke Komalon, who had just effortlessly executed his underworld lieutenant, another form emerged from the shadows. This time it was a dark elf with jet-black skin and prominent ears.

“You called?”

“Yes. You will take charge of these affairs from now on.”

“Understood.”

The dark elf gave a nod. Paying no attention to Shuto’s body being pulled into the dark, Duke Komalon spoke again.

“And… you confirm we cannot exert influence in Asteria?”

“Yes.”

“That is problematic. It is essential for the plan.”

“Shall we take direct action?”

Injela inquired.

Duke Komalon, however, thought for a moment before shaking his head.

“No. Our focus must remain on the events in Rakshasha. There is no benefit in revealing our full strength at this juncture. So… the one leading Kalpha is… Count Palatio, is that right?”

“Yes. Kalpha, the dominant underworld force in Asteria, operates under that noble’s patronage.”

“Count Palatio.”

Duke Komalon’s mutter carried a hint of intrigue. This was because Count Palatio had recently disrupted his schemes on several occasions. It did not seem intentional, but the count’s interference had forced him to redo a number of tedious tasks.

Furthermore, recent rumors had captured his attention, especially as they related to his ongoing ‘plans.’

“We will not move directly. It would be inconvenient if our activities were traced back to us.”

“Understood. What is your instruction then?”

“Instruct those we have bribed to voice their grievances to Count Palatio. Our objective is merely to apply some pressure. If we undermine his prestige slightly, fissures will begin to show quickly.”

He spoke with the casual air of one who knew precisely how fragile a political sandcastle could be.

“This timing is actually fortuitous. Our contacts have been requesting we pay more attention to Asteria. Once we deal with the count, we can use that success to broaden our influence.”

“Understood.”

As the dark elf Injela acknowledged the order, Komalon began to look back at his documents, then paused as if recalling something.

“How is the experiment progressing?”

“If you are referring to young master Carmine, he is currently held in the isolation chamber.”

“His status?”

“In prior tests involving the Abyssal Gems, he exhibited anxiety and heightened aggression, but could still maintain a daily routine. However, since absorbing the Abyssal Body this year, his violent rage has become unmanageable. He is, for all intents and purposes, broken.”

Injela delivered her report dispassionately. Duke Komalon listened without a flicker of emotion on his face.

“I see.”

“I will manage the Asteria situation appropriately.”

With that, he shifted his attention, his interest clearly ended.

“Understood.”

The dark elf bowed and vanished on the spot, leaving the duke’s office in its former profound silence, as if no one had ever disturbed it.

***

Alon stared vacantly at the marriage registration form, then lifted his eyes to look at Seolrang.

Her eyes were shining with a brilliant light.

“Let’s be a family!”

Seolrang’s expression was full of hope, but Alon, holding the document, thought, ‘This is somewhat…’

Maintaining a neutral facade over his internal awkwardness, he asked, “Is there nothing else you desire?”

“Nope!”

“…I am sorry, but I cannot agree to this.”

“Eh—”

Seolrang’s ears drooped pathetically, her disappointment plain. However, no matter how dejected she appeared, Alon had no intention of marrying her immediately.

Objectively, Seolrang was not lacking as a potential spouse. She was extraordinarily beautiful, and her honor and social standing were also considerable.

But that was from an external viewpoint. For Alon personally, several issues gave him pause.

First, while the age gap was not enormous, Alon had always viewed Seolrang as a daughter-like figure.

Second, Alon was convinced that Seolrang’s feelings were not truly love; she simply wished to marry him to become ‘family.’ She held affection for him, but it was not romantic love.

These two points were significant to Alon, who possessed rather traditional views on relationships, and so he declined her request.

“Uu—”

Seolrang let out a mournful sound, her tail hanging limply as she sulked. Alon then considered…

‘First, I need to comfort her after the recent betrayal trauma, but saying things like “We are family” probably will not help much.’

After a short period of reflection, Alon resolved himself and spoke.

“Let us reconsider this after you have grown a little older.”

“…How much older?”

“…Two years?”

Alon sighed internally. He felt a timeframe that was too long would not be reassuring, while one that was too short would be awkward, so he settled on two years as a compromise, primarily to offer some comfort.

‘Was the time I gave too short?’

But despite his private worries, Seolrang, seeing a ray of hope, immediately brightened and began to wag her tail.

“Okay!”

Watching her cheer up, Alon breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

‘Well, in two years, she will likely have changed her mind.’

Alon thought to himself briefly.

***

Some time later, Alon found himself before a long-forgotten ruin. Leaving Seolrang, who had insisted on waiting behind, he proceeded inside without delay. He soon arrived at the central tower, the place of his previous encounter with an unknown entity. He climbed the tower without hesitation.

And then…

[Oh, you have returned.]

The moment he entered a large chamber, a figure appeared before him as if it had been anticipating his arrival. Alon’s eyes widened in shock.

The last time they met, this being had been so warped and distorted it was unrecognizable. Now, its shape was distinct. It possessed a human-like build, but with a set of antlers upon its head and a lengthy tail extending from its back.

“A… dragon? No… a dragonkin?”

Though its form was still composed of shadowy darkness, Alon could now roughly make out its nature.

[Ho, you can perceive me clearly now? I assume defeating the outer god has increased your level. Quite an achievement. To be honest, I did not believe you would succeed.]

Alon addressed the dragonkin-like shadow.

“I came very close to dying in the process.”

[If a mere human can confront an outer god and only ‘almost’ perish, that alone is noteworthy, is it not? Although… judging by the residual energy, it seems you fought it before its manifestation was complete.]

The figure sat cross-legged on top of a desk in the study and rested its chin in its hand.

[Still, it is puzzling. How did you manage to kill it, even in an incomplete state? It is not a feat a human should be capable of.]

The dragonkin shaped its long tail into a question mark, seeming genuinely inquisitive.

“I used *Manifestation of Essence*.”

[…What? *Manifestation of Essence*? You?]

“Yes.”

[…Pfft.]

Alon answered serenely, but the figure, which had been speaking with such arrogance moments before, went completely still. Then—

[Puhahahahahaha!!]

It exploded into uncontrollable laughter, rocking backward like a child and slapping the desk repeatedly. Alon, startled by the sudden outburst, could only watch in confusion.

[Ahh, my apologies, it has been an age since I heard a joke that amusing.]

“What part of that was a joke?”

[The part where you assert that you succeeded in *Manifestation of Essence*, naturally.]

The dragonkin wiped tears from its eyes, still chuckling.

[Well, it is an easy mistake to make. A wizard must have pride, after all, and a touch of arrogance too.]

The being was now openly ridiculing him.

[Let me enlighten you. It is impossible for you to have achieved *Manifestation of Essence*. How could a mere human, who has not even learned *Mind Resonance*, possibly accomplish *Manifestation of Essence*?]

“…Mind Resonance?”

[You see? You are unaware of what *Mind Resonance* even is, and yet you speak of *Manifestation of Essence*. Pfft.]

The dragonkin snickered, placing a hand on Alon’s shoulder as it added.

[I will grant you credit for vanquishing the outer god, but dishonesty is not a virtue. Oh, and if you are feeling embarrassed, I will permit you to step out for a moment to collect yourself. Take your time.]

Still giggling, the dragonkin removed its hand from Alon’s shoulder. Alon looked at the figure and asked.

“…Do you truly believe I lied?”

[Without a doubt.]

“And what if I did not?”

[If you did not—]

The dragonkin, its smug expression unwavering, grinned widely.

[Then if you can provide proof here and now, I shall address you as ‘Master’ from this day forward! What do you say? Can you demonstrate it?]

The dragonkin proposed this as if it were the most absurd wager.

“Be certain you honor that promise.”

Alon cautioned as he formed a series of hand seals.

[Oh, I shall absolutely honor it! If you can truly provide proof.]

Filled with scorn, the dragonkin sneered. But Alon thought to himself.

‘Is this possible?’

To be truthful, replicating the *Manifestation of Essence* with his current power was nearly beyond him. However, this was not an actual combat situation.

‘If I only need to produce a small-scale demonstration, without practical application, my remaining magic should be sufficient.’

With that thought, he began a soft chant. As the incantation slowly took shape, the dragonkin’s grin solidified, then faded entirely. The ice sphere forming before Alon gradually transformed into a large crystal, shaping itself into a spear—the key to *Manifestation of Essence*.

[Huh?]

For the first time, bewilderment flooded the dragonkin’s eyes. It stared, eyes wide with the dawning realization that something was terribly amiss.

And then—

“Ice Spear of Conjuration.”

As Alon uttered the final words of the spell, a sheet of ice erupted and spread across the ground before him.

[Impossible…!?]

The Dragonkin’s face was a mask of pure astonishment.