Chapter 87

Chapter 87
Hidan understood perfectly well that the Moons, Yutia Bloodia among them, held the Great Moon in the highest esteem. The Blue Moon’s guiding principle had always been “For the Great Moon.” Even so—

[So, I am insisting that you should not speak of marriage if you do not comprehend it fully!]

[But I do comprehend! I can bring joy to the Great Moon!]

[That is not your decision to make!]

[Yes, it is!]

[No, it is not!]

To such a degree—

[I have been raising objections from the start, but concerning the matter of sending letters individually—]

[As I stated, since it could potentially bewilder the Great Moon, I proposed that I collect them myself.]

[Would it not be just as logical for me to be the one gathering them?]

[Is there any reason to alter the procedure now?]

[But I wish to change it. So, to deliver the letters… ···· ····.]

He never imagined their devotion would reach such an extreme.

[Now, pay attention. In that moment, the Great Moon stood resolute even facing the Outer God. The Sun could not meet their gaze and retreated into dusk, while the ashen world was restored to a field of pure white snow. And that was not all—their final blow was truly magnificent.]

A full twenty minutes had passed, and even members besides Yutia seemed uneasy about Deus’s drawn-out session of “Now, let us begin our praise of the Great Moon.”

Naturally, Hidan himself revered the Great Moon and did not find this behavior odd. It was simply… a little disconnected from his mental picture of the Moons, which was somewhat disconcerting. To be honest, his own zeal was beginning to diminish slightly.

[Would everyone please stop now? We do have other business to attend to, correct?]

Just as Hidan released a quiet breath, a voice cut through the chatter. Radan stood apart from the others, a calm, slight smile on his face.

“……!”

That look reminded Hidan of the deep respect he once felt when observing the other Moons. Experiencing a strange sense of comfort, he cleared his throat and addressed the now-quiet assembly.

[Then, let us start the report.]

The core of his report today was a single subject—the factions attempting to damage the Great Moon’s standing.

[To state it plainly, we have not yet pinpointed any specific group that seeks to harm the Great Moon.]

[Why is that?]

Yutia, wearing a grave expression as the Crimson Moon, posed the question.

[It seems they are extremely cautious about concealing their identities. Even when we follow a trail to a point of contact, most individuals are merely middlemen.]

[So, even someone claiming to be a contact is unaware of the actual organization?]

[That is correct.]

After clearing his throat again, he went on.

[On one occasion, we traced a contact to a higher level, but that link also proved to be a facade.]

[…They are going to great lengths to remain hidden.]

At Rine’s murmured words, Hidan gave a nod.

[Yes. However, we have collected some intelligence that could potentially lead to their identification.]

[What kind of intelligence?]

[We have identified, albeit minor, approximately eight organizations that the higher group targeting the Great Moon employs as intermediaries. Using these organizations as a starting point, we can initiate—]

[How were you able to find them?]

[It appears orders were issued to other groups to spread slander about the Great Moon. While looking into this, we were able to assemble a list. The organizations include Dark Melodies…]

Deus began to recite each name one after another.

[Then we should simply eliminate them.]

[…I beg your pardon?]

Hidan was momentarily speechless at Radan’s direct statement, particularly since Radan had seemed one of the more rational individuals present until that point.

[Well, eliminating them is certainly one approach, but should we not prioritize exposing their leadership first—]

[Did you not just say they are conspiring against the Great Moon?]

[Yes, however…]

[Then we should kill them.]

Radan’s expression suggested this was the most obvious conclusion in the world. Hidan, briefly at a loss, managed to reply.

[… As the White Moon states, they do need to be removed. But is gathering intelligence on the parent organization not equally critical?]

[Regardless, they are targeting the Great Moon, correct?]

[…That is also true.]

[Then killing them is the correct action.]

[Yes, killing them is the correct action.]

Watching Radan nod with firm resolve, Hidan understood something new. Though Radan had been quiet earlier, it was now evident he was not the sort of person Hidan had initially believed. And, more than that—

[This is unacceptable.]

[?]

[I will return shortly. Dark Melodies is linked to Raksas, is it not?]

[Wait, White Moon.]

[What is it?]

[Dark Melodies has connections to the Raksas royal family, so if you act rashly, it could cause complications for you—]

But before Hidan could finish his warning—

[I heard they are plotting against our leader. Does that truly matter?]

[!]

Radan’s previous smile was gone, replaced by an icy, empty stare. He turned, snatched a spear from the corner, and vaulted through the window, leaving Hidan standing there in stunned silence.

Shortly after, it was decided that only a few organizations would be left for others to handle, as Radan had already taken personal charge of the matter.

With Radan’s departure, the meeting proceeded.

[My final report concerns a strange piece of gossip currently circulating about the Great Moon.]

[What sort of gossip?]

[There is talk that the Great Moon is… involved in a romantic relationship with the Vice Lord of the Blue Tower. It is not widespread, but because it concerns the Great Moon, I felt it necessary to mention.]

Upon hearing Hidan’s words, Yutia, who had been conducting the meeting with composure, nodded before speaking.

[Hmm—sounds like absolute fabrication.]

[I agree! There is no possibility my Master would break a promise!]

Seolrang nodded vigorously in agreement with her statement.

[I think so as well.]
[Yes, since it is clearly without foundation, let us not concern ourselves with it. Not in the slightest.]

Though Hidan nodded in agreement, Yutia’s smile remained firmly in place.

[Understood.]

[Even if, in some hypothetical scenario, the rumor were accurate, I would ensure it vanished.]

[…Pardon me?]

[Naturally, the likelihood of such a thing is zero. But if, against all odds, it were true, I would make certain the rumor was erased, so there is no need for concern.]

She spoke quickly, and the pen in her hand had been crushed and splintered by her grip.

[…Yes, understood.]

Hidan thought to himself, “I should postpone the report about that man until tomorrow.”

The next day, news reached him that Dark Melodies had been utterly destroyed overnight, forcing him to reconsider the intense fanaticism of the Moons.

####

Elsewhere…

Having discovered that the mercenary group from the previous day’s trouble was the Ancient Trackers Guild, based in Lartania and led by Myaon, Alon was now traveling alongside them at the inn in Nenda.

Their destination was the same as his: the Holy Kingdom of Rosario.

“An extermination request…?”

Alon hadn’t discussed with Myaon the specific details of their contract from the kingdom or any limiting terms, but recalling her words from the day before, he wondered, ‘Is some event unfolding in Rosario?’ The thought came to him unbidden.

Some time later, Alon brought the carriage to a halt for a midday rest.

“Count—or should I address you as ‘Your Lordship’?”

“Whatever you prefer is fine.”

“Alright, then I’ll call you ‘Count,’ and—hey! Get over here, now!”

Soon, Alon saw a mercenary approaching with Myaon. The man, who stood a head taller than her, immediately dropped to the ground before Alon.

“I offer my deepest apologies! I have committed a terrible wrong!”

Thud!

He struck his head forcefully against the ground, blood beginning to seep from the impact.

“Let it go; treat it as a small misunderstanding,” Alon replied, somewhat taken aback but shaking his head gently. At his words, the man, who had looked on the verge of death, brightened with a radiant smile, as if granted a reprieve.

“Thank you! Truly, thank you! I am so grateful!” He bowed repeatedly, as if Alon had spared his life, before hurrying back to the other mercenaries.

“That guy got lucky, huh?”

“Wow, he actually survived that?”

“Amazing.”

Though they spoke in low voices, Alon’s magically enhanced hearing picked up every word, leaving him with conflicted feelings. ‘What kind of person do they think I am?’ he wondered, somewhat incredulously. Seeing Alon’s puzzled look, Myaon breathed a sigh of relief.

“I’m relieved. I truly thought the Count would not pardon him. He is a new member, so I felt somewhat responsible.”

“…I did not realize I had such a reputation.”

“But last time, did someone not misspeak and end up frozen as an ice statue?”

Alon paused, recalling he had only done that to establish his authority. Still, he opened his mouth to explain.

“That was due to the circumstances. I am not ordinarily so severe.”

“Based on the rumors, I expected a different person.”

“Rumors?”

Myaon nodded.

“There is talk that you eliminate those who displease you without a second thought, leaving nothing behind.”

Hearing this, Alon felt a stir of resentment as he remembered maintaining civility with even the most bothersome nobles and others he disliked. But knowing any protest would likely be futile, he only released a soft sigh.

“Are you certain you should be saying such things in my presence?”

“Well, nobles with underworld ties usually appreciate these kinds of stories, don’t they? Reputation is important in that sphere.”

With Myaon’s casual reply, Alon felt a peculiar bitterness, wondering why such bizarre rumors seemed to propagate and expand over time.

####

Two weeks passed swiftly. Aside from a small incident at a village inn, Alon found his trip to Rosario with the Ancient Trackers Guild quite agreeable, especially with Myaon’s occasional companionship, which prevented any monotony.

Or more accurately, Myaon often sought him out of her own accord, without any invitation.

In any case, Alon considered the journey to Rosario rather enjoyable. Myaon felt similarly, as traveling with Alon had allowed their relationship to develop favorably over the fortnight. Indeed, Myaon was putting significant effort into cultivating a positive connection with Count Palatio.

It had not been her initial plan, but encountering Alon on her way to the Holy Kingdom after accepting this mission had presented a new opportunity. She had ample motivation to devise a strategy, as she was naturally attracted to powerful men, and Alon’s attributes were remarkable even among her feline clan.

Thus, Myaon, having developed a strong fondness for Count Palatio, frequently initiated conversations on various topics, considering how to advance their relationship. From her perspective, she was making headway. Of course, to Alon, it simply felt like he had found a congenial travel companion to talk with.

Finally.

‘We have arrived.’

‘Should I attempt to be a little more forward? Last time, it seemed he was not fond of overt advances, so perhaps I should adopt a more human-like demeanor.’

As the two, each occupied with their own thoughts, reached the capital of Rosario after a pleasant journey, they were met by a figure they had not anticipated.

“You have arrived, sir.”

“…Yutia?”

“Yes.”

“I sent a letter, but I did not expect you to come out to greet me.”

“Oh, this is no trouble at all.”

“…Is that so?”

Before they had even reached the city gates, Alon saw Yutia waiting with a contingent of Paladins. Myaon, observing from the side, could not help but stare in admiration.

“Wow, she is truly beautiful.”

Myaon found her gaze locked on Yutia. Even clad in formal black attire, her striking beauty was evident, and the intense look in her crimson eyes seemed to captivate Myaon’s heart.

‘Count Palatio is truly impressive. I had heard, but I did not realize his connections reached as high as a cardinal.’

Myaon regarded Alon with awe, surprised by the depth of his associations. Though aware of his extensive network, she had been somewhat skeptical. Now, seeing Yutia here, Myaon’s admiration grew.

‘Perhaps I should be more assertive in my approach?’

As she watched Alon, her desire to secure his favor intensified, and she began pondering how to revise her plan.

“Sir, let us proceed inside now. From this point, we will provide your escort.”

Yutia directed the knights to surround Alon’s carriage, and as it began to move under their protection, she turned to Myaon with a perfect smile.

“These individuals appear to be here on our account, is that correct?” she asked, moving closer to Myaon.

“Yes, that is right.”

Under the influence of Yutia’s saintly smile, Myaon nodded instinctively. Then Yutia leaned in close to Myaon’s ear, whispering so near their faces almost touched.

“?”

Sensing Yutia had something confidential to say, Myaon leaned in as well, curious.

And then—

“Ugh.”

“?”

“Do you have a death wish?”

A voice as cold as ice sent a tremor through Myaon’s entire body.