Chapter 311 : What Is This.............. (2)

Hidan never imagined things would turn out like this.

Originally, the command he received from Red Moon was just to deliver the message that Red Moon would personally visit Green Moon soon.

In fact, he didn’t understand why Red Moon even bothered to issue such an order.

Red Moon was already on her way to Green Moon.

But it wasn’t his place to question the order.

So Hidan delivered the message to Green Moon faster than anyone, and tried to leave the room afterward.

Because he didn’t want to be present at the meeting between Red Moon and Green Moon.

But unfortunately.

God had abandoned Hidan.

He turned his gaze toward Red Moon and Green Moon.

The two were sitting together drinking black tea without doing anything after exchanging greetings.

Their lips were smiling, and the atmosphere appeared romantic.

But why did the air feel so cold...? That thought barely lingered before—

“Hidan.”

“Yes.”

“Please leave.”

With Red Moon’s firm dismissal,

‘Yes, I’ll take my leave.’

“Thank you.”

Hidan quickly changed both his thoughts and words, gave a swift nod, and left the room in a hurry without correcting himself.

And finally, in the space where only the two of them remained—

“It’s a relief to see you looking well, Rine.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

It was Yutia who spoke first.

Yutia and Rine exchanged pleasantries with a smile.

“I heard you’ll have to stay in Fildegreen for quite some time. Is that true?”

“Yes.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

“Yes, it truly is. Especially since someone even broke the badge gifted to Godfather, which makes it even more unfortunate.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Still smiling, the two continued.

“Rine.”

“Yes.”

“Peeking is impolite, you know?”

“Peeking? I was merely protecting Godfather. Just like Yutia is.”

“Don’t worry, I’m protecting the Lord.”

“So you’re saying you’re not peeking?”

Clink—

The top part of the teacup handle Yutia was holding dropped onto the previously empty table.

“Rine, you’ve grown quite bold.”

Though there was a bit of force behind her voice, Yutia still maintained a calm tone.

“There’s no way I could be bold.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m inferior to you in many ways, Yutia. Even when it comes to protecting Godfather.”

“Suddenly saying it like that makes it sound strange.”

“But it’s the truth, isn’t it? I’m ‘inferior’ in many other ways too. In terms of strength, I’m sure I’m weaker. And when it comes to knowledge about the world’s secrets, even though I have the library, I think you know a little more than I do. Also~”

Rine paused for a moment, lightly placing her index finger near her lips as she looked at Yutia.

“Maybe in age?”

She gave a playful wink.

Crack—

The teacup Yutia was holding shattered completely.

“Oh, what a shame.”

Rine looked regretfully at the broken pieces of the cup.

And then—

“Rine.”

“Yes, Yutia.”

“You really don’t value your life, do you?”

“Wha—”

Before Rine could even finish her sentence—

BOOOOOOM—!!!!

A massive explosion rang out.

“Thank you................. thank............…”

Just feeling it made one’s whole body tremble—an overwhelming magic power.

And as Hidan witnessed something unknown tearing through the rift of the blue moon in the distance—

“Th-thank you.”

He ran away without looking back.

***

A few weeks passed.

“We’re finally here.”

“Indeed.”

Arriving at the marquisate, Alon nodded while harboring a faint sense of doubt.

The state of the territory before him wasn’t all that different from before.

Thanks to the merchants, the streets were lively, knights stood beneath the statue gifted by Deus, and

The plaza bustled with many people moving busily.

It was the usual scenery of the territory.

“Nothing’s really changed.”

“What’s there to change?”

Evan asked curiously in response to Alon’s mutter.

“No, it’s just... there were some rumors spreading recently, so I thought maybe something might have changed.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Over the past few weeks returning to the marquisate, Alon had heard various pieces of news through Evan.

It started with reports that bandits had all been taken down by mercenaries or knights, and that bandit groups across the Allied Kingdoms had temporarily vanished.

Now, even the bandits who had devoured Abyssal Beings were voluntarily going to Rosario to repent and receive punishment.

He also heard that Sili, whom Alon was planning to meet near Caliban, had already gathered followers and moved to the Divine Land temple he had created.

In short, a task that was originally supposed to be modest—something like starting with ten knights—had grown out of control.

Alon couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy.

But surprisingly, the territory seemed perfectly fine.

“It feels like things are stabilizing.”

Alon let out a quiet sigh of relief, and Evan, who had been watching him closely, called out.

“But Marquis.”

“What is it?”

“Of course nothing’s happening in the territory. All the mercenaries and knights went to the Divine Land anyway.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Alon murmured with a thoughtful hum.

But Evan instead wore a relaxed expression.

“Well, I don’t think you need to worry that much, Marquis.”

“......Hmm.”

“Sure, the rumors have been spreading strangely, but in the end, they’re just rumors, right? Once it’s clear they aren’t true, they’ll naturally fade away.”

“I suppose so...”

“Even if mercenaries and knights who followed the rumors end up leaving after realizing the truth. With Sili coming, the Divine Land will grow bigger than expected. But still, Sili’s arrival isn’t a bad thing, right?”

Indeed, Evan had a point.

‘There was actually a favor I was planning to ask Sili this time.’

“Anyway, the point is, I don’t think we need to worry in advance about things getting ridiculously out of hand~ That’s what I’m saying.”

Thanks to Evan lightly adding, “When people gather just because of rumors, they usually scatter once they face reality~,” Alon felt a bit more at ease.

Soon after, with a more relaxed expression than before, Alon entered the estate.

“Oh—Marquis!”

“Penia, did your trip go well?”

As if she’d been waiting, Penia popped out to greet him.

“Yes, it went great, didn’t it?”

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

In response, Penia proudly placed both hands on her hips and made a smug little “ahem ahem” sound before letting out a laugh.

“Hehehe~”

“Did something good happen?”

“Something did happen—though to me, it was only natural! I had not one, not two, but three papers accepted by the academic society this time!”

With a ‘look at me—I’m amazing!’ expression, Penia made a peace sign with her fingers.

“That’s impressive.”

“Hmph, well, that much is to be expected from me!”

While Penia was basking in her own pride, Evan, who had been quietly observing her from the side, asked,

“By the way—what’s the point of getting academic papers accepted? Like, what’s so good about that?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, I get that it’s about having your research recognized or whatever, but I’m wondering if there’s something more to it.”

Sigh

“This is why ignorant commoners who don’t even know magic...”

Looking down on Evan for the first time in a while, she answered without hesitation.

“Of course it’s a big deal.”

“How so?”

“First of all, each paper accepted by the academic society comes with monthly research funding.”

“And?”

“They also provide funding for research assistants.”

“...And?”

“They give you money.”

Evan tilted his head, wondering if it was some ridiculous amount of money.

“Of course, that’s not all. For a mage, the number of academic papers recognized is directly tied to their prestige.”

“......But doesn’t a mage’s standing come from their tier?”

“Tiers are important too, of course. But those are more personal metrics. Honor is different. Prestige earned through personal tier is one thing, but society holds in higher regard those who contribute to the advancement of magic. So, the number of papers—”

“Is like a hierarchy of honor, is that what you're saying?”

“Exactly.”

“There was a reason you suddenly stopped moping and bounced back.”

Evan muttered quietly.

But Penia didn’t pay any attention and turned back to Alon.

“Oh, Marquis! I actually had something to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Heinkel said she’d like to meet you if you have the time.”

“Me...............?”

“Yes, since you told her you’d demonstrate some magic... And she also said there’s something she wants to inform you about.”

As Penia started to ramble, Alon let out an “Ah,” as if he had just remembered.

That’s when he finally recalled he had promised to show Heinkel some magic in exchange for asking her to tutor Penia.

Feeling slightly embarrassed for only now remembering, Alon replied,

“Let’s go together next time. But aside from that, what’s the thing she found out?”

“She said she’d tell you in person.”

“Is that so?”

“Oh, and I also came up with something that might be useful for your magic.”

“Useful?”

“Yes. It actually came from a question I had while talking with Heinkel.”

Alon listened to Penia’s extended explanation for quite a while.

***

A few days later.

While resting at the marquisate and researching magic with Penia, Alon eventually headed for the Divine Land.

After all, Deus was training the soldiers there, so it felt proper to at least show his face.

Well, aside from that—

There was also the thought that he might need to personally cut off some of the baseless rumors spreading.

Anyway, regardless of the main reason, Alon was deeply engaged in what Penia had brought up.

“So basically, what you’re saying is that we could skip the calculations entirely and pre—”

“Yes, exactly. If we do it this way, I think you’d be able to cast spells in the way we originally intended when designing the technique.”

“That would be great if it works. In that case, we’d need to create an artifact—”

“I’ve actually thought ahead to that part too.”

Penia began explaining her plan.

But only briefly.

“Uh, Marquis.”

“Have we arrived?”

“No, not quite—but could you come outside for a moment?”

Hearing Evan call out from the driver’s seat, Alon stepped out, feeling puzzled.

Naturally, he turned his head in the direction of Evan’s gaze.

It wasn’t just because Evan was looking that way.

It was because he couldn’t help but look.

And for good reason.

“What... is that?”

“Well...... yeah.”

There appeared to be what looked like a hidden military camp...... No, strictly speaking, it wasn’t a camp.

That was the Divine Land Alon had created during his previous visit.

With 50 knights and 600 soldiers stationed there.

Though it sounded like a large number, when spread out in that vast Divine Land, it only took up a small portion of the space.

But now—

“Yes.”

“Evan.”

“Didn’t we say there wouldn’t be anything unusual?”

A massive military base had been built across the entire Divine Land.

And not just a hollowed-out ruin either.

It was a fully operational, bustling military base—so loud that even Alon could hear the commotion from a distance.

If someone else were to see this, they might think he was plotting a rebellion.

Watching the sheer number of people moving about, Alon said,

“Marquis.”

“What is it?”

“To be honest, I’m kind of scared.”

Hearing Evan’s candid thoughts,

“Me too......”

Alon quietly agreed.