Chapter 192

To be honest, Alon didn’t know exactly either.

He could only make rough guesses about how the situation was unfolding. He didn’t truly understand.

For instance, he didn’t know where exactly the five divine authorities he saw during his state of contemplation had gathered from. The only thing he could assume was that the strangely crackling blue sphere might be the divine authority of “Kalanon, the Thunder Receiver.” As for the rest, he had no clue about their origins.

Similarly, when Alon chose the green divine authority,

it was simply because, unlike the other spheres, it seemed to pulse as if asking to be chosen. At the time, he had no way of knowing where this divine authority had gathered from.

It was only when his hand, wrapped in the green divine authority, touched the inscribed area, and he witnessed sprouts growing instantly, that he vaguely realized this divine authority was connected to this place, Greynifra. But even that was just a guess.

Yes, it was merely a hypothesis.

Until he saw the elves’ reactions.

A group of elves, escorting Alon, led the way up towards the roots. Alon observed their expressions with a peculiar look.

Just moments ago, when they had descended deeper, their faces had been full of tension and irritation. However, as if by mirage, those emotions had completely vanished. In their place, a unified sense of pride radiated from each of them.

A grand existence— They were clearly feeling pride in the fact that they were serving the Primordial Elf.

Alon found it overwhelmingly burdensome. Naturally, he was not the Primordial Elf.

No, more than that— He didn’t even know what kind of being the Primordial Elf was, what their name was, or even the path of the Primordial Elf.

…He could understand why they were mistaken, though.

‘It’s probably because of the power I used.’

The green divine authority.

A force that instantly filled the space with the pulse of vibrant blue life. Now, it was clear.

That power— It was the divine authority of the Primordial Elf. For the elves to mistake him for the Primordial Elf was, in a way, completely logical.

Furthermore, Alon looked around.

From the base of the roots, sprouts were beginning to bring life even to the withered, dried-out roots.

If one were to witness this miracle firsthand—

‘Even I would act like these elves.’

The elves, exuding a sense of duty and pride as if they were guarding a noble figure. Their faces shone with a mix of elation, determination, and reverence.

And that was exactly why Alon felt uncomfortable.

Although everything was flowing naturally, ultimately, all of this was— born from a misunderstanding.

‘Just…’

For some reason, among the higher elves, the rumor that Alon was the Primordial Elf had spread. And due to that misconception, faith had gathered, which led to the formation of the green divine authority.

Then today, Alon used that divine authority. A miracle was performed. And now, even more elves had come to believe that he was truly the Primordial Elf.

In other words, he had used a divine authority born from a misunderstanding, which only deepened the illusion that he was a real god.

The sheer absurdity of the situation made even Alon, who rarely wavered, flinch slightly.

“Primo— no, Marquis. Is there something troubling you?”

Rim immediately asked, having caught on to his reaction.

“……”

In truth, she was the one making him the most uncomfortable.

Until they had entered the roots, her expression had been consistently cold. Even when Alon had casually thrown her a question, she had responded bluntly.

Since she had been forced to take on a bothersome task, Alon had understood. Her curt demeanor hadn’t particularly bothered him.

But now—

“…No, it’s nothing.”

“If you have any discomfort, please speak up immediately! Primo—no, Marquis. Thanks to you, we can now use magic even inside the roots!”

She called him by an awkward mix of “Primo” and “Marquis,”

her face filled with duty and pride as she beamed at him.

At her sudden change, Alon fell into silence before finally—

“…Alright.”

He nodded, albeit somewhat reluctantly.

***

“Marquis.”

“Speak.”

“What will you do if you truly become a god and return?”

“…I didn’t become one because I wanted to.”

“Can someone become a god even if they don’t want to?”

That—

“Apparently, yes.”

It happened.

“So, even if one doesn’t desire it, they can still become a god…”

“…But why are you bringing this up all of a sudden?”

It had already been two hours since they had returned from the roots.

Since the queen had entered a meeting, Alon had been resting.

Evan, who hadn’t followed them to the roots and had been lounging around all day, suddenly came with news.

“The outside is in complete chaos right now.”

“?”

“They’re saying that the Marquis was truly the Primordial Elf.”

“…Wasn’t that rumor already circulating before?”

“No, I mean, before, it was just a rumor. But now, everyone’s whispering as if it’s fact.”

“Elves sure are quick to believe rumors, aren’t they?”

“I heard it was the work of the Shadow Leaves… or something? Someone’s been spreading the story everywhere.”

“Ah…”

Alon let out a deep sigh.

Seeing this, Evan looked at him and asked,

“Marquis.”

“What?”

“I just want to check… Are you, by any chance, really the Primordial Elf or something?”

“What does ‘or something’ even mean?”

“I mean, you know… Were you reincarnated? Or maybe possessed by someone?”

Alon paused for a moment at Evan’s question.

He could simply say no.

That would be the easy answer.

But for some reason, lying about it felt… wrong.

So, he hesitated before answering.

“At the very least, I don’t think I was ever the Primordial Elf.”

“Well, of course not.”

Evan drawled his words.

Alon let out a quiet sigh and thought to himself.

In truth, there were many other things to be concerned about beyond just the rumors.

‘The entity in the mirror, the fruit from the ancient tree, the mother of greed… I’ve learned how to use divine authority, but there are still three new mysteries. Would the queen have any knowledge about them if I asked her?’

Just as Alon was lost in contemplation—

Knock, knock.

“Primo—no, Marquis. Her Majesty has requested an audience with you.”

At the sound of the peculiar title once again—

“…I’ll go now.”

Still unable to shake off the awkwardness, Alon stood up.

***

“Your Majesty, do you truly think this is reasonable!? No matter what, sending an unverified individual down to the roots in this manner—do you understand just how dangerous that is!?”

“Lord Paloel, this matter was settled long ago, was it not?”

“I’m talking about what comes after! Even if Philde acknowledged him, that was still just speculation!”

The moment Alon neared the audience chamber, voices erupted from within.

‘…This is about me.’

Before Alon could even feel awkward about the elderly man’s passionate voice—

“Your Majesty, Marquis Palatio has arrived.”

Without hesitation, as if unconcerned, Rim announced his arrival.

“Enter.”

After a brief silence, the doors opened, and an old elf stepped out.

His long, waist-length white hair swayed, and his entire demeanor exuded anger.

After glancing at Rim with an expressionless gaze, his eyes turned to Alon.

A brief exchange of glances.

For a moment, a wave of blatant hostility emanated from the old elf.

‘…Tsk.’

Clicking his tongue, he turned away from Alon and strode past him.

“I apologize. The meeting ran a little late……Someone just wouldn’t let it end.”

The queen’s voice followed.

Alon shook his head.

“It’s fine. I didn’t wait that long.”

“So, how was it inside? The meeting just ended, so I haven’t heard the details yet. If you don’t mind, could you tell me exactly what happened in the roots?”

At Magrina’s request, Alon remained silent for a moment before nodding.

He had questions to ask, anyway.

***

Elder Council President Paloel

A member of the Elder Council, the second-highest governing body after the queen, which currently consisted of ten members.

He was not pleased with the current situation.

And the reason was simple—

The rumors that Marquis Palatio was the Primordial Elf.

‘A mere human…’

Paloel frowned.

The very idea that a human could be the Primordial Elf was revolting.

Even if the queen and that remarkable mage Philde had said so, he found it intolerable.

…No, if he was being honest—

‘Damn it!’

The emergence of the Primordial Elf itself was what bothered him.

Because that meant—

The power structure among the elves could shift, becoming more like that of the lizardmen tribes.

And that, in turn, could directly affect his own authority.

Thus, upon returning to his office in the royal palace—

“Lord Paloel! A moment—”

“Enough! I have somewhere to be. We’ll talk later.”

“But it’s regarding the rumors from the roots—”

“I’ll hear it later.”

Brushing off an elf who had hurried over to report, he headed straight for a particular destination.

Paggade’s office. Where Rim was.

Because Paloel knew—

That Rim was not entirely fond of the current situation.

Of course, unlike him, her dissatisfaction did not stem from fear of losing power. It was closer to genuine discontent.

But that hardly mattered.

As long as their objectives aligned.

What mattered was removing this so-called “Primordial Elf,” whose legitimacy couldn’t even be verified.

Besides, Rim had descended to the roots as well.

There was a chance— that she had found a reason to push that man out.

Carrying that hope, he entered the office.

“…Lord Paloel?”

“Rim.”

He faced her.

There was uncertainty in her gaze— but also… a faint trace of hostility.

‘…Hostility?’

Paloel was puzzled.

They weren’t particularly close, but they weren’t at odds, either.

Just a few days ago, hadn’t they shared their skepticism about the so-called Primordial Elf and found common ground?

Suppressing his doubt, Paloel asked about her return.

“How was your trip to the roots?”

“…Fine.”

“I see. The reason I came here is simple—I have something to ask.”

Since Rim didn’t respond much, Paloel took that as an opportunity and continued.

“As you may have guessed, my question is about that so-called Primordial Elf. That human who dares to claim the title of the Primordial Elf.”

Of course, Paloel knew the truth.

That the man had never claimed such a thing himself.

He also knew that the source and spread of the rumor stemmed from Philde.

But that wasn’t the issue right now.

What mattered was securing Rim’s support.

“And so—”

He deliberately used harsher words, hoping to stir her agreement.

However—

“Stop.”

“…What?”

“I said, stop.”

Her words cut through the air like a blade.

Then—

“How dare you—”

Her expression, which had been neutral, contorted like that of a vengeful spirit.

“Are you insulting the Primordial Elf before me?”

A burst of killing intent exploded, consuming the space.

“……”

Paloel stopped breathing.