Chapter 87

Hidan was well aware that the Moons, including Yutia Bloodia, revered and worshipped the Great Moon. After all, the motto of the Blue Moon had always been “For the Great Moon.” But still—

[So, I’m telling you not to speak of marriage if you don’t fully understand it!]

[I do understand! I can make the Great Moon happy!]

[That’s not for you to decide!]

[Yes, it is!]

[No, it’s not!]

To this extent—

[I’ve been objecting consistently from the beginning, but regarding the part about sending letters individually—]

[As I’ve said, since it might confuse the Great Moon, I suggested gathering them myself.]

[Isn’t it equally reasonable for me to be the one gathering them?]

[There’s no need to change it now, is there?]

[But I would like to change it. So to send the letters… ···· ····.]

He hadn’t expected them to be this fanatical, honestly.

[Now, listen. Back then, the Great Moon held his ground firmly even in front of the Outer God. The Sun averted its gaze under their piercing eyes, sinking into twilight, and the ash-gray world returned to a pristine white snowfield. That wasn’t the end—their strike was truly awe-inspiring.]

It had already been 20 minutes, and even members other than Yutia appeared unsettled by Deus’ prolonged “Now, let’s commence the praise of the Great Moon.”

Of course, Hidan, too, revered and worshipped the Great Moon, so he didn’t find this strange. It was just… a bit different from the image he had of the Moons, which was mildly unsettling. Honestly, his enthusiasm was starting to wane a little.

[Would you all mind stopping now? We still have matters to report, don’t we?]

As Hidan quietly sighed, a voice interrupted. Unlike the others who were still chattering, Radan stood there with a serene, faint smile.

“……!”

That expression reminded Hidan of the reverence he used to feel when he looked at the other Moons. Feeling a peculiar sense of relief, he cleared his throat and spoke, looking at the now-silent Moons.

[Then, let’s begin the report.]

Today, his report essentially centered on one topic—the factions seeking to undermine the Great Moon.

[To get straight to the point, we haven’t yet identified any organization trying to harm the Great Moon.]

[Why not?]

Yutia, with a serious expression, asked as the Crimson Moon.

[It appears they’re highly reluctant to reveal their identities. Even when tracking connections to a point of contact, most are just intermediaries.]

[So, even if someone identifies as a contact, they’re not aware of the organization?]

[That’s correct.]

After clearing his throat, he continued.

[There was one instance where we managed to trace a contact higher up, but even that connection was only a front.]

[…They’re taking extreme measures to hide their identities.]

At Rine’s mutter, Hidan nodded.

[Yes. However, we have managed to gather some information that might help us identify them.]

[Information?]

[Though minor, we have identified around eight organizations that the higher group aiming to harm the Great Moon uses as intermediaries. Based on these organizations, we can begin—]

[How did you find them?]

[It seems orders were given to other organizations to slander the Great Moon. While investigating this matter, we managed to compile a list. The names of the organizations include Dark Melodies…]

At this, Deus began listing each organization one by one.

[Then we should just kill them.]

[…Excuse me?]

Hidan was momentarily stunned by Radan’s blunt statement, especially since Radan had been one of the few appearing reasonable until now.

[Well, killing them might be correct, but shouldn’t we focus on uncovering the higher ranks first—]

[Didn’t you just say they’re plotting against the Great Moon?]

[Yes, but…]

[Then we should kill them.]

Radan’s expression was as if to say, “Isn’t it obvious that one plus one equals two?” Hidan, dumbfounded for a moment, replied.

[… As the White Moon says, we do need to eliminate them. But isn’t gathering information about the upper organization just as important?]

[Regardless, they’re targeting the Great Moon, right?]

[…That’s also true.]

[Then killing them is the right course of action.]

[Yes, killing them is the right course.]

As Hidan watched Radan nodding with determination, he realized something anew. Though Radan had stayed quiet earlier, it was clear now that he wasn’t exactly the kind of person Hidan had initially thought he was. And, furthermore—

[This won’t do.]

[?]

[I’ll be back shortly. Dark Melodies is connected to Raksas, isn’t it?]

[Wait, White Moon.]

[What?]

[Dark Melodies has ties with the Raksas royal family, so if you act impulsively, it might bring you some trouble—]

But before Hidan could finish—

[I heard that they’re plotting against our leader. Does that really matter?]

[!]

Radan’s previous smile faded into a chillingly blank expression. As he turned, he grabbed a spear in the corner and leaped out the window, leaving Hidan stunned, mouth agape.

Soon after, a decision was reached to leave a few organizations to deal with the entities opposing the Great Moon, as Radan had already taken matters into his own hands.

With Radan gone, the meeting continued.

[My final report is about a peculiar rumor currently surrounding the Great Moon.]

[What kind of rumor?]

[There’s talk that the Great Moon is… romantically involved with the Vice Lord of the Blue Tower. It’s not a major rumor, but since it involves the Great Moon, I thought I should report it.]

At Hidan’s words, Yutia, who had previously been leading the meeting with calm, nodded before speaking.

[Hmm—seems like complete nonsense.]

[I agree! There’s no way my Master would break a promise!]

Seolrang nodded, agreeing with her statement.

[I think so too.]

[Yes, since it’s obviously baseless, let’s not worry about it. Not at all.]

Though Hidan nodded in agreement, Yutia’s smile never wavered.

[Understood.]

[Even if, hypothetically, the rumor turned out to be true, I would still make it disappear.]

[…Excuse me?]

[Of course, there’s no chance of such a thing happening. But if by any stretch of the imagination it did, I’d make sure the rumor ceased to exist, so there’s no need to worry.]

She spoke at a rapid pace, and the pen in her hand had crumpled and shattered in her grip.

[…Yes, understood.]

Hidan thought to himself, “I’d better save the report on that man until tomorrow.”

And the following day, he heard news that Dark Melodies had been obliterated overnight, prompting him to rethink the fanaticism of the Moons.

####

Meanwhile…

After learning that the mercenary group that caused trouble yesterday was the Ancient Trackers Guild, operating out of Lartania with its leader Myaon, Alon was now moving together with the Ancient Trackers Guild at the inn in Nenda.

The reason was that the Ancient Trackers Guild’s destination was the same as Alon’s: the Holy Kingdom of Rosario.

“An extermination request…?”

Though Alon hadn’t discussed with Myaon what kind of request they had received from the kingdom or if there were any restrictive conditions, remembering what she mentioned yesterday, Alon wondered, ‘Is something happening in Rosario?’ The thought came to him unconsciously.

Some time later, Alon stopped the carriage for a lunch break.

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

“Just call me whatever’s comfortable.”

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

Soon, Alon noticed a mercenary approaching with Myaon. The man, a head taller than Myaon, immediately fell to the ground in front of Alon.

“I’m deeply sorry! I’ve committed a grave offense!”

Thud!

He slammed his head to the ground, blood starting to pool around his head.

“Forget about it; just consider it a minor incident,” Alon replied, a bit taken aback but shaking his head lightly. At his response, the man, who’d looked as if he was on the brink of death, broke into a bright smile, as if given a new lease on life.

“Thank you! Truly, thank you! Really, thank you so much!” He bowed repeatedly, as if he owed Alon his life, before returning to the other mercenaries.

“That guy’s lucky, huh?”

“Wow, he survived that?”

“Incredible.”

Though they spoke in hushed tones, their words reached Alon’s ears, amplified by his magic-enhanced hearing, leaving him with mixed feelings.

‘What do they think of me?’

he thought, a bit incredulously. Seeing Alon’s bemused expression, Myaon sighed in relief.

“I’m glad. I honestly thought the Count wouldn’t forgive him. He’s a recent recruit, so I felt a bit sorry for him.”

“…I didn’t think I had that kind of image.”

“But last time, didn’t someone say the wrong thing and end up an ice statue?”

Alon paused, recalling that he had only done so to assert himself. Still, he opened his mouth to clarify.

“That was just circumstantial. I’m not that ruthless.”

“Based on the rumors, I thought you’d be different.”

“Rumors?”

Myaon nodded.

“There’s talk that you eliminate those you dislike without hesitation, leaving no trace behind.”

Hearing this, Alon couldn’t help but feel a bit indignant as he remembered how he’d kept cordial with even troublesome nobles and others he didn’t particularly like. But knowing his appeal would likely go unheard, he only sighed softly.

“Are you sure you should talk about this in front of me?”

“Well, nobles involved in the underworld usually enjoy these kinds of stories, right? It’s a place where rumors matter, after all.”

With Myaon’s relaxed response, Alon felt oddly bitter, wondering why such strange rumors seemed to grow over time.

####

Two weeks passed quickly. Aside from a minor disturbance at the village inn, Alon found his journey to Rosario with the Ancient Trackers Guild quite comfortable, thanks to Myaon’s occasional company, which kept him from boredom.

Or rather, Myaon had often sought him out herself, even without him asking.

In any case, Alon found the journey to Rosario rather pleasant. Myaon felt similarly, as traveling with Alon had helped them grow closer over the past two weeks. Indeed, Myaon was making considerable efforts to build a favorable connection with Count Palatio.

Initially, she hadn’t planned it, but meeting Alon on her journey to the Holy Kingdom after unexpectedly taking up this mission had given her a new idea. She had plenty of motivation to form a plan, as, by nature, she was drawn to strong men, and Alon’s qualities were exceptional even by the standards of her feline clan.

Thus, Myaon, having taken a strong liking to Count Palatio, frequently engaged him in various conversations, contemplating how to make something happen between them. In her view, she was even making progress. Of course, for Alon, it just felt like he’d found a friendly companion to chat with.

Finally.

‘We’ve arrived.’

‘Should I try to make a bit more of a move? Last time, it seemed he didn’t like it when I came on too strong, so maybe I should act more like the humans.’

As the two, each with different thoughts, reached the capital of Rosario after their pleasant journey, they were greeted by an unexpected figure.

“You’ve arrived, sir.”

“…Yutia?”

“Yes.”

“I sent a letter, but I didn’t expect you to come out and meet me.”

“Oh, this is nothing difficult.”

“…Is that so?”

Before even reaching the city gates, Alon spotted Yutia waiting with the Paladins. Myaon, watching from the side, couldn’t help but stare in awe.

“Wow, she’s really beautiful.”

Myaon found herself gazing at Yutia. Even dressed in black ceremonial attire, her striking beauty shone, and the piercing gaze of her crimson eyes seemed to draw Myaon’s heart in.

‘Count Palatio really is something. I’d heard, but I didn’t think he had connections all the way up to a cardinal.’

Myaon marveled at Alon, surprised by his deep ties. Though she knew of his extensive connections, she had half doubted the full extent. But now, seeing Yutia here, Myaon’s admiration grew.

‘Perhaps I should be bolder in my approach?’

As she watched Alon, her desire to win him over intensified, and she began contemplating how to adjust her plan.

“Sir, let’s move inside for now. From here, we’ll provide the escort.”

Yutia instructed the knights to guard Alon’s carriage, and as it began moving under the knights’ protection, she turned to Myaon with a flawless smile.

“These people appear to be here on our behalf, is that correct?” she asked as she approached Myaon.

“Yes, that’s right.”

With Yutia’s saint-like smile, Myaon instinctively nodded. Then Yutia leaned close to Myaon’s ear, whispering with her face almost touching Myaon’s.

“?”

Sensing that Yutia had something secretive to convey, Myaon leaned in as well, curious.

And then—

“Ugh.”

“?”

“Want to die?”

A chilling voice sent a shiver through Myaon’s entire body.