Chapter 341

C341. This Wasn’t in the Plans (4)

About a week passed while Alon stayed in Divine Land.

Of course, it wasn’t that Alon was doing anything during that time.

No, in fact, Alon was already thinking about returning to the Alon Palatio (Marquis Palatio) House.

But he couldn’t do it.

And it was all because of Silly.

While Alon was away, Silly had dedicated herself with such effort to prospering Divine Land that she insisted on taking him to see this and that.

And so, two more days passed like that.

…The surprising thing was that they really squeezed those two days to the max.

Only yesterday were they able to finish introducing him to all the organizations within Divine Land.

Alon remembered what Silly had told him the day before.

“And well, this is the Holy Cavalry Corps!”

“I see.”

“This over here is the Blue Corps!”

“And this is the Penitence Corps.”

“…Ahem, by any chance, what is the difference between all these cavalry corps?”

“First, the Holy Corps—”

Since they all wore similar armor, he made the mistake of asking that…

And he ended up listening to an explanation of almost an hour about each one.

……How could my little Divine Land Tycoon go so far?

While Alon meditated for a moment, he heard a sound beneath him and looked down.

[Kyuu-11]

Pow!

[Nya-?!]

Blackie, who had been trying to stealthily position himself next to Alon, threw a “gomu gomu nyang-nyang punch” and knocked down Kalanon.

Then, with wide eyes as if saying “don’t even dream about it,” he took Alon‘s lap.

Kalanon‘s face showed pure injustice.

It was my spot, his face expressed.

But Blackie didn’t seem to have any intention of yielding and turned his head with a haughty air.

“…I thought they were already getting along, but it seems their affinity isn’t very good.”

Remembering how Blackie had hit Kalanon‘s head several times over the last two days…

“My lord. Everything is ready to depart, so let us go.”

“Yes?”

“Yes.”

Evan‘s voice rang out.

Alon nodded and picked up Blackie as he stood up.

He was already done with everything in Divine Land, so it was time to return.

As he naturally placed Blackie on his chest, he saw how Kalanon occupied the chair immediately after he stood up, as if he had been waiting for that moment.

Haaak!

Kalanon hissed, annoyed, as if complaining that Alon had never stopped Blackie.

[Kyuu-]

Pow!

Blackie jumped from his chest and hit him again, crushing him completely.

Alon let out a bitter smile at those two and headed toward the carriage.

“Ah, my lord! Could I accompany you this time?”

“Do you have business?”

“Ah, yes! Something came up for me to resolve.”

“I also intend to go.”

“…Well, I have no objection.”

Silly and Deus asked to accompany him.

Alon, confused, still nodded.

They weren’t the only ones traveling with him toward the House of Marquis Palatio.

“Why don’t you stay protecting Divine Land?”

“I don’t want to.”

“Why do you decide my actions?”

“You two are knights.”

“Hmph. We are escort knights.”

“I agree. The one who should go back is you—”

“Right, you, the one from Colo— how was it? Go back to the desert.”

“I don’t want to. I am officially traveling with my master, you know? Unlike you who invented excuses to join.”

“!? This is an official mission!”

Seolrang, Historia, and Ryanga had already been arguing near the carriage for a while.

After they showed their faces on the first day and suddenly disappeared, they hadn’t stopped fighting.

Observing their already accustomed bustle…

Historia suddenly noticed Alon‘s presence.

She quickly positioned herself by his side and—

Sssrr—

Naturally wrapped her tail around Alon‘s waist.

Salaaang—

The tip of her tail trembled gently, showing satisfaction.

“Nn.”

“Eyadiya.”

Seeing that, Seolrang hurried equally, positioned herself on the opposite side, and also wrapped her tail around his waist.

In an instant, Alon was trapped by two tails.

Ryanga, who was left alone, made a face of having been betrayed and ran toward him.

“What are you doing!? The boss will get mad!”

“Hmph— My master doesn’t get mad at these things!”

Seolrang replied triumphantly.

…For some reason, it seemed the same as a previous argument between Historia and Seolrang, but with the roles reversed.

Since there were too many of them, they ended up taking separate carriages, which allowed Alon to finally observe the figure of Divine Land drifting away in peace.

“……The more I think about it, the more it seems like this has become too big.”

“I think the same.”

Evan also looked in the direction of Divine Land.

“……At this level, don’t you think they are starting to watch us too blatantly?”

“Hmm…”

Alon nodded without realizing it.

The forces of Divine Land had grown to a point where it was difficult to ignore them.

Even if Siyan asked him tomorrow “What the hell are you plotting,” it would be understandable.

That was why he was thinking of a solution when he said:

“……Shall I invite the kings, perhaps?”

“Invite them?”

“Yes. It would be like telling them ‘nothing dangerous will happen… just so you can be at ease’.”

It was a superficial plan, but functional.

Not perfect, but enough to prevent absurd rumors like “they are preparing a war.”

He created Divine Land only to handle Divine Power.

‘Ah, I also have to ask how to handle Divine Power… should I go to Rine?’

While Alon thought that, Evan spoke after a long silence.

“I understand the logic, but… do you think the kings would come if you invited them?”

“Of course not.”

“…Then what is the point of inviting them?”

“I already said it. The invitation itself conveys the intention.”

Alon did not believe at all that the kings would accept.

Inviting a king of a country… and believing they would come…

Anyone who thought like that would be half crazy.

Even so, the word “invitation” was the best way to gently say:

“I am not plotting anything. If you want, come and check it yourselves.”

‘And I will add some gifts in the letter.’

His plan concluded, Alon said:

“Ah, I understand.”

Evan nodded.

“Take care of that.”

“Understood.”

Alon tried to look back at Divine Land, but—

“Ah, my lord. Take this too.”

“This…?”

Evan handed him a book.

“A sacred book.”

“Ah, that.”

“Yes, Silly gave it to me yesterday.”

Alon looked at the book with a complex expression.

It was not for nothing.

This sacred book narrated the story of Kalanon.

Which meant…

That this book contained Alon‘s “biography.”

Alon felt a slight unease—what could they have written?

…He could open it and check, but he didn’t have the immediate courage to do so.

“Aren’t you going to open it?”

“Didn’t you see it?”

“I wanted to see it with you.”

Finally, Alon opened the book carefully.

And—

[Let there be lightning.]

Reading that grand phrase on the first page, Alon felt something strange.

He had seen that phrase somewhere.

He turned a few more pages.

[Thus spoke Kalanon, the one who receives the Lightning.

Oh, you who believe in me, you shall not suffer hunger and will have a place to rest. Your life will shine with glory; thus I promise you.

To the hearts that believe in me, I will share the bolt of my power. This is my sacred pact.]

[Furthermore—]

Sssrr–Tak.

Alon closed the book.

And he shrank slightly.

He felt his fingers wrinkling from secondhand embarrassment.

“Wow, did you really say something like that?”

“Do you think I would say that?”

Evan laughed beside him.

Alon replied sharply, looking at the “sacred book” (which was nothing more than a fraudulent document).

…How would Silly see it in her head?

His mind filled with thoughts.

And he reached a conclusion.

…Maybe he should start worrying about Silly.

The next day—

The group returned to the House of Marquis Palatio.

It had been a while since the last time, but everything was the same.

Merchants everywhere.

A lively atmosphere.

But there were unexpected things for Alon.

The first:

“…Yutia?”

“Master.”

Yutia was at the Marquis’s House.

“It’s been a while.”

“Yes, have you been well?”

“I have been.”

“I am glad.”

“But what are you doing here?”

“Mm— I had things to do.”

“Things?”

“Yes. Do you remember what I said the other time? That I would found a church.”

“Ah, you came for that?”

“Mm— and also because I wanted to see you.”

“Me?”

At Alon‘s question, Yutia smiled.

“Yes. It has been a while without seeing your face.”

While adjusting her red brooch, slightly crooked.

“I am glad to see you liked the gift.”

“…Yes.”

The brooch she had given him a long time ago.

For a moment he wondered why she mentioned it, but—

“Ahem, brother—”

“Ah, Nangwon.”

“Have you been well?”

“Yes.”

Nangwon‘s arrival didn’t surprise him.

He already knew he might appear.

The one who did surprise him was…

“Hello, brother.”

“…Magrina?”

“Yes, brother.”

And then—

“I came too, godfather.”

Rine.

Since when were they at the residence?

“Rine, can you move now?”

“No, this is a body projection with an artifact, godfather. I can only use it twice, and each use lasts about three months.”

“…Was it that important?”

“Yes. For many reasons.”

He replied smiling.

Was it so important as to use that technique?

Nodding, Alon looked around.

The office, where usually only Evan was, was now full of people.

Next to Yutia were Seolrang, Rine, and Deus.

In the area where Magrina was stood Nangwon, Nangyeon, Ryanga, and Historia.

No one seemed to be in a bad mood.

Everyone had small smiles.

But something was wrong.

With so many people gathered, the office should be noisy—

But it was extremely silent.

‘…What is this?’

In that strange atmosphere…

Surrounded by people smiling “only with their mouths,” Alon began to feel confused.

It was then that Alexion—

“…Lord Alexion.”

“What is the matter?”

“Today… many young ladies came.”

“…Already?”

“Yes, for tonight there are eight people who wish to interview with you.”

“Didn’t we send six letters?”

“…….”

“Then why are there eight?”

The assistant couldn’t answer.

He only looked away—

“It’s just that… each one… brought a different letter. Eight in total, delivered by eight different people.”

And he told the truth.

Alexion felt—

A chill run down his back.