Chapter 99

Chapter 99

The United Kingdom is formed from eight nations, three duchies, and four cities. Yet, only five of these nations function as the central members of the coalition and possess the right to sit on this council.

The Kingdom of Asteria

The Kingdom of Ashtalon

The Kingdom of Caliban

The Kingdom of Colony

The Kingdom of Raksas

Although the Holy Kingdom of Rosario is technically eligible to join the council, it has abstained for a great while. On the rare occasions it did participate in the past, it was only during times of severe necessity, and even then, the attendees were never higher than representatives below the pope. Consequently, the five core kingdoms truly formed the spirit of the United Kingdom.

“Hmm. That particular matter is not something our side can manage.”

“Are you claiming that, despite the fact thirty percent of the monsters crossing the borders originate from your territory? Are you genuinely proposing we simply overlook that?”

“Should we not aim for a peaceful coexistence? Consider that some of those trade items—”

After a brief exchange of formalities, the kings seated around the table plunged into debates over national policies so complex that Alon could not completely follow them. What was clear to him was that every individual was working to secure political advantages from this gathering.

‘Friends and foes change with every new subject,’ Alon reflected.

While debating the first point on the agenda, the Kingdom of Asteria and the Kingdom of Caliban were partners, but when the second topic arose, they transformed into opponents as if by sorcery. By the third agenda item, they were allies once more. Watching this political performance, Alon was led to a single thought:

‘If that’s how it works, can there really be a king who is truly incapable?’

His eyes drifted to Carmaxes III, whom he had seen at a prior event. The cheerful, somewhat distracted man he had observed then was gone. Now, he was fully absorbed in the political discourse, steadfast and exact.

‘There may be kings ruled by their passions, but there are no simple ones.’

Alon was impressed by the speed with which subjects were settled and new ones introduced, even though he could scarcely track the discussions.

“Very well, let us adjourn for today. We will be in each other’s company for the next three days, after all.”

And so, the first day of the council came to a close.

***

Later…

“You’ve worked hard,” Siyan said.

“Not at all,” Alon responded, shaking his head.

In truth, he hadn’t done much. His duty as an attendant was merely to be present during the talks and to listen to the kings. He hadn’t actively participated in any of the proceedings.

“What were your impressions?” she inquired.

“Regarding what, precisely?”

“The council.”

At her question, Alon hesitated for a moment, feigning deep thought. The reality was that he had understood very little. It wasn’t that the words were foreign, but he couldn’t decipher the complex political subtext layered within their speech.

Instead, Alon had spent much of the time watching Siyan. Her behavior at this council was starkly different from the way she had been depicted in the Psychedelia game.

‘In Psychedelia, she was portrayed as a sovereign too indolent to rule, delegating all authority to the nobility. And that portrayal seemed correct…’

Yet here she was, engaging in the political struggle, if not with the same mastery as the other monarchs.

“I apologize, but it isn’t my place to offer an opinion,” Alon finally replied, masking his lack of understanding.

Hearing his evasive answer, Siyan let out a soft laugh.

“You’re being too humble.”

Her tone, tinged with amusement, suggested she saw directly through his facade. Concealing his unease behind a blank expression, Alon said nothing more.

“Well, it’s of no consequence. It’s fine because I have another task to ask of you.”

“A task?” Alon repeated.

“Yes.”

“What is it?”

In response to his question, Siyan revealed her request.

“If it is not too much trouble, I would like you to travel to Rono Valley.”

“Rono Valley…?”

“Yes. Do you know of it?”

“I do.”

Rono Valley. Although Alon had never been there in this world, he was very familiar with it. It was a place he had visited often in Psychedelia and one he had already intended to journey to as soon as the council was over.

“There, you will find the Ruins of Malacca.”

“The Ruins of Malacca…?”

“Yes. You simply need to go there.”

Hearing this, Alon fell silent for a moment before asking,

“…Is there someone there to whom I must deliver a message? Or perhaps an object I am meant to collect?”

“No. You only need to go and then return.”

“Simply go… and return?”

“Correct.”

Alon was confused by the queen’s mysterious instruction.

“Well, once you arrive, you will understand my reason for asking. Starting on the third day of the council, your presence is not required. You are free to move as you wish.”

After telling Alon to get some rest, Siyan left with her attendants, heading back to her chambers.

“…”

For a long moment, Alon remained where he was, his face showing a trace of bewilderment.

***

Back in his own room, Alon sat near the window, gazing absently into the night. He was suddenly reminded of a remark he had once heard from an observer:

‘Do you find it beautiful?’

Without meaning to, Alon looked up at the sky. The dark night was adorned with countless stars, creating a glittering river of light. Some stars shone fiercely near the moon, while others, smaller yet clear, glimmered with a constant light.

‘Recalling it now, the observer had such a strangely sorrowful look. What could have been the cause?’

Lost in his thoughts, Alon was suddenly jolted back to the present.

“Master!”

A familiar face popped into view outside the window, startling him. He fought to steady his suddenly racing heart.

“…Seolrang?”

“Yes, Master!”

“You frightened me.”

“No way! Master, you didn’t look frightened at all!”

But Alon had been genuinely startled. Still, he opted to move the conversation forward.

“So, why are you here?”

“Huh? No particular reason. I just wanted to see you.”

“Just… because?”

“Yep! I missed you!”

Seolrang beamed, wagging her tail like an excited puppy, sitting casually on the windowsill.

“Is that… an issue?”

“Not really.”

Alon turned his eyes toward the sliver of a moon visible among the stars, thinking for a brief moment. After a short while, he spoke:

“I am going somewhere now. Would you like to join me?”

“Absolutely!”

Without even inquiring about their destination, Seolrang hopped down from the sill, executing a graceful spin before landing softly on the ground. Watching her, Alon stood up from his seat.

He wavered for a second, since the place he was going held an item unique to Tern, but…

‘Well, it should be fine. She can be trusted if I explain.’

He decided that having Seolrang accompany him would not create any difficulties.

“However, our destination is a secret.”

“A secret?”

“Yes.”

“Just the two of us?”

“That’s right.”

“Wow.”

“Why that reaction?”

“It’s wonderful!”

Seolrang repeated the word “two” several times, smiling broadly as she spun her tail like a pinwheel and her ears stood at attention.

Watching her happy response, Alon felt a fond smile form inwardly before he stepped out.

***

Alon’s goal was the underground prison of Tern.

The location was utterly dark, lacking even magical lanterns to light the way. As he got ready to conjure a light source, Seolrang spoke up.

“Should I light the way, Master?”

“…You can do that?”

“Of course!”

With a sharp, sizzling sound, Seolrang summoned forth lightning, and a brilliant radiance flooded their surroundings.

“How is that?”

“…I wasn’t aware you could do that.”

Together, they proceeded further into the depths of the underground prison, eventually arriving at its farthest point.

‘It should be somewhere around here.’

Inspecting the wall, Alon started to feel the bricks. Soon, he found one that shifted with unusual looseness. Applying pressure to it in just the right way, he triggered the concealed device.

And then—

Rumble, rumble, rumble!

With a series of mechanical noises, the bricks that had formed an unbroken wall mere moments before started to rearrange themselves, one after another, opening a passage.

“Whoa…!!”

Seolrang let out an astonished gasp as the bricks clicked into position like parts of an engine, forming an entryway. Even Alon, who had witnessed this scene innumerable times in the game, couldn’t suppress a thrill of adventure seeing it happen in reality.

Boom!

With one final, loud sound, the doorway was fully formed. Stepping through, they entered a cavern illuminated by a brilliant green luminescence, its splendor astonishing.

“We need to continue a little farther,” Alon stated.

“Alright,” Seolrang agreed with enthusiasm.

They started to walk deeper into the cave. After what felt to Alon like about ten minutes, they arrived at the cavern’s end—a wide chamber filled with the same green light.

[Huh? A human?]

“Ah.”

In the room stood a diminutive fairy, no larger than a child, dressed in gleaming blue clothes. She observed Alon with a look of mingled curiosity and shock. Alon released a quiet sigh.

‘…It’s Tovette. Just my luck.’

The artifact concealed within Tern’s underground prison—The Wandering One’s Hand—was protected by a rotation of five fairies, each standing guard for two days at a time. To obtain the artifact, Alon would need to pass a challenge given by whichever fairy was on duty when he arrived.

And today…

‘Tsk…’

It was Tovette, whose test was notorious for its extreme difficulty. Strictly speaking, the challenge itself wasn’t particularly complicated—it was a simple game of tag.

The issue was that Tovette’s speed was unbelievably high. She could outpace not just swordmasters but even wizards capable of chaining short-range teleportation spells.

In game terms, while a player might normally move about 8 squares per turn without special abilities, Tovette could move an incredible 106 squares per turn.

‘It isn’t only about catching her; you also have to avoid being caught yourself for over a minute. In practice, it’s nearly unachievable.’

Even in the game, her trial wasn’t designed to be passed through direct means. Players were expected to use fairy honey from Rono Valley as a distraction.

‘Why couldn’t it have been Geppetto or Kamita…? No, anyone other than Tovette would have been acceptable.’

Alon quickly resolved to give up on acquiring the artifact for today. With three days remaining in the council, he could come back tomorrow or the next day, when a different fairy would be guarding the chamber.

Turning to Seolrang, he announced, “Let’s leave.”

“Okay!”

Without questioning his choice, Seolrang nodded readily.

[Huh? You came all this way for a treasure, and now you’re just leaving? What a spineless move.]

The blue fairy scoffed, her voice dripping with scorn, as if surprised by their sudden decision to depart.

Alon chose not to answer. He knew that interacting with Tovette would only provide her with entertainment and cost him time.

[Tsk, tsk. Humans… always devouring anything they desire without a shred of resolve. You’re no better than goblins.]

Annoyed by Alon’s calm withdrawal, Tovette continued her taunts, clearly upset that her game of tag was not going to happen.

Though Alon ignored her, Seolrang could not.

“Hey.”

[Hmm?]

“What did you just say?”

[Why? Was I incorrect?]

“What did you say about my master?”

[Master? Oh, you mean the coward who is retreating without even attempting the challenge?]

Tovette smirked.

[I called him a coward.]

As if pleased with her own insult, Tovette’s mocking grin broadened, fully anticipating that her words would provoke Seolrang. And indeed, the expression on Seolrang’s face made it evident she was rising to the bait.

[If you wish to show I am wrong, why don’t you face me in a game of tag?]

Tovette disappeared in a blur, her movements so rapid they seemed to cheat the eye, her voice ringing with smug satisfaction.

[But I wonder… can you even lay a finger on the edge of my wing?]

Before Alon could try to prevent her from escalating the situation, he saw something that made him stop dead.

Crackle!

A flash of gold, bright and fierce, shot across the room.

“Ack—!?”

In a split second, Tovette was captured. Seolrang’s hand was clamped firmly around the fairy’s throat, holding her immobile.

Tovette’s eyes were wide with disbelief.

“Speak.”

Seolrang’s golden eyes blazed with anger as she stared directly into Tovette’s face from inches away.

“What was it you just said?”