Chapter 453 : Why Are You Doing That............? (1)
[Because now you can manifest in the true sense!]
At Kalannon’s words, Alon was momentarily bewildered.
He immediately asked back.
“What do you mean, true manifestation?”
[Huh? I meant exactly what I said?]
Tilting his head as if wondering what kind of question that was, Kalannon soon seemed to understand and let out an “Ah.”
[Until now, Alon, you transformed into Kalannon, didn’t you? Because of that, you were also able to use the power of lightning that I used.]
“That’s right.”
[But of course, that power wasn’t Alon’s. It was power gathered with me as the main subject.]
Alon nodded silently.
That much, he clearly understood.
[However, at this point, my faith—meaning Kalannon’s—and Alon’s faith have already separated.]
“As you said earlier, they’ve been divided?”
[Yes, to be more precise, it feels like I’ve become Alon’s subordinate.]
“Well, for me, as long as I’m warm and well-fed, it doesn’t really matter who I belong to~” Kalannon laughed as she continued.
[Anyway, in conclusion, that’s exactly why I said that ‘ Alon can now finally manifest in the proper sense.’ Now, Alon is receiving faith as a god without borrowing the power of Kalannon.]
“I see........”
Alon nodded.
He now understood why he could no longer transform into Kalannon.
Then a new question arose.
“I understand everything you’ve explained.”
[Yes.]
“Then what will I manifest as?”
As far as Alon knew, gods each had their own titles, and their abilities were determined by those titles.
But Alon?
Unfortunately, he didn’t have a proper title.
At best, he was once known as the hidden mastermind of a count’s family long ago, and aside from that—
“......No, do I have one?”
—thinking back, after Palantio was established, he vaguely sensed that various modifiers had been attached to him.
As Alon pondered, Kalannon spoke.
[Hmm, usually, one manifests as the form that believers most desire, right?]
“The form they most desire?”
[Yes, because manifestation itself is done by receiving people’s faith.]
“Then if what people desire changes, does the god’s power also change?”
At that question, Kalannon shook her head.
[No, that’s not the case.]
“Why?”
[Hmm—simply put, it’s like an imprinting effect.]
“Imprinting effect?”
[Yes, when it’s the first time manifesting, the power may change little by little, but once the power used as a fully manifested god is decided, it rarely changes.]
If someone who used lightning suddenly used fire, wouldn’t that be hard to imagine?
With Kalannon giving such a simple example, Alon immediately understood.
“Then when will I be able to manifest?”
At that question, Kalannon stared intently at Alon.
A gaze as if observing his inner self.
After some time passed like that.
[Hmm—]
Kalannon began to answer—
[It will probably take a bit more time before manifestation. Even for the first manifestation, an enormous amount of faith is required, and the nature of the faith must also be the same— huh?]
—before expressing confusion.
“What is it? Is there some kind of problem?”
However, Kalannon didn’t respond and simply stared at Alon.
[Uh…… no. It’s not strange…… it’s just that there’s some slightly heterogeneous faith.]
“Heterogeneous faith?”
[Yes, it’s faith that looks a bit too massive to be considered human faith…….]
“You can even distinguish that?”
[If you observe faith for a long time, to some extent. Especially when it’s this massive.]
Muttering, Kalannon observed Alon for a while longer.
[Well~ you probably don’t need to worry too much.]
She returned to her cheerful attitude.
“......Is it okay to say that so lightly?”
[Right? Honestly, it’s too massive to be human, but in any case, faith is still faith.]
Saying there was no need to refuse it, Kalannon shrugged.
Then, as Alon and Kalannon continued their conversation.
Kugugugung—!
[Ah, it’s starting to collapse! Then see you next time.]
“I have something I’m curious about.”
[Go ahead!]
“I heard that by staying next to me, you gain a lot of faith, so why do you always struggle saying you don’t have enough?”
Though time was running out and the situation was urgent, he voiced the question that suddenly came to mind.
[Ah, uh… that’s…]
Kalannon averted her gaze and feigned ignorance.
As Alon tried to ask further, before he could—
[Hehe~! Let’s talk next time! And just in case, I’m not skimming anything off, so don’t worry!]
With the world beginning to collapse, Alon ended up leaving without receiving an answer.
After meeting Kalannon.
“Chief!”
“God, long time no see.”
“Ryanga, Historia. It’s been a while.”
Alon reunited with Ryanga and Historia, who had returned to the Divine Land.
As they exchanged greetings warmly, he couldn’t help but be surprised internally.
Because—
“?”
“It’s been a while, Godfather.”
Rine was behind Ryanga and Historia.
“Why are you here……?”
Alon was puzzled by Rine’s sudden appearance.
“It seems Godfather isn’t pleased to see me here.”
Rine showed a hint of disappointment, her expression slightly downcast, and though Alon’s face remained expressionless, his body showed subtle fluster.
“Fufu, I’m joking, Godfather.”
Seeing Rine smile as if she had tricked him, Alon let out a small sigh of relief.
After briefly exchanging greetings with her, Alon learned why she had come.
“......To see me?”
“Yes, Godfather. I just happened to meet Ryanga and Historia and joined them.”
Rine naturally patted Ryanga and Historia’s heads.
As the two sat calmly receiving her touch, Alon felt a strange sense of incongruity for a moment.
“Ah, come to think of it, I also have something to tell you.”
Soon recalling Arculainisis, he briefly told them about what had happened in the Empire.
When all the story ended,
“Eh— that crybaby is a guardian dragon??”
“Isn’t that a different person?”
“That’s a bit surprising................”
Ryanga and Historia widened their eyes in disbelief.
Even Rine did.
Of course, Alon thought their reactions were natural.
After all, what Arculainisis had shown them until now was nothing but crying.
“She has made it big.”
“Seriously.”
As Historia and Ryanga exchanged dumbfounded remarks.
“Godfather, then are you going to meet Arculainisis next time?”
“Not right now, but I think I will soon.”
“Then may I come along as well?”
“You too?”
“Yes.”
Rine asked with a smile.
Alon pondered for a moment before speaking.
“There’s no reason not to.”
“Thank you.”
Rine bowed her head briefly in gratitude, and they resumed catching up.
“So, what brought you here? Did something happen in Fildagreen?”
“No, that’s not it. Divine-bloods have been appearing in Fildagreen as well, but it’s not serious enough to be a big problem.”
At Alon’s question, Rine shook her head.
“The real reason I came is because I found something.”
“Something you found……?”
“Yes.”
She brought up something important.
“We found a way for those of us who were chosen as sin to grow stronger. Even more than now.”
***
At the time when Alon was having that conversation with Rine.
In the vast underground cavern beneath Caliban.
Thud!
Risen One, who had been sitting on a massive stone throne, was heading toward the surface.
Because he sensed the presence of divine-blood near Caliban.
[So they finally came...............]
Risen One did not particularly welcome fighting divine-blood.
Of course, he believed without a doubt that such battles bore sweet rewards, but even so, if the opponent was divine-blood, things would undoubtedly become troublesome.
However, even so, he could not give up the reward he had to obtain for such a reason.
And above all, Risen One had confidence in his own strength, so he headed upward.
Not long after moving, Risen One clicked his tongue upon seeing the divine-blood approaching from afar.
[............ Rotten Tree, huh.]
Rotten Tree.
An entity considered quite strong even among first-stage divine-blood.
It was approaching Risen One as if with a clear objective.
[Hoo.]
At the sight, Risen One sighed and gripped his spear.
Because he already knew that Rotten Tree was not an opponent one could reason with.
[Hey, how about just turning back?]
Still, on the off chance, he tested it.
[Heh, unfortunate. But I need the humans behind you.]
The turtle-shaped Rotten Tree continuously pushed its body forward as it approached.
At that, just as Risen One tightened his grip on the spear—
[!?]
His eyes widened.
Soon, they filled with shock and dismay.
Naturally, it wasn’t because of Rotten Tree.
No matter how troublesome it was, it wasn’t enough to evoke such emotions from him.
The reason for his surprise was the presence.
As Rotten Tree moved, as if waiting for it, the presence of at least five divine-bloods could be felt.
At that moment when Risen One was taken aback.
Thud thud thud thud!!
Five divine-bloods burst out from afar.
[Damn it!]
Risen One frowned and immediately gripped his spear.
However.
[?]
Soon, a strange question appeared on his face.
Because Rotten Tree’s expression, like his own, was filled with bewilderment.
What in the world was going on……
Just as Risen One tilted his head.
[I-it’s divine-blood!]
[Here, it’s here!!]
Boom—!
The five divine-bloods rushed toward Rotten Tree all at once.
Kwaaaaaang~! Bang bang! Bang!
Without hesitation, they suddenly began beating Rotten Tree.
A situation that happened too abruptly to react.
[Kraaaagh!?]
Rotten Tree tried to resist belatedly and use its abilities, but unfortunately, against five divine-bloods, it was useless.
After its body was flung into the air several times.
The divine-blood that had first thrown the opening punch(?) spoke kindly.
[Now then, let us all welcome the thirty-fourth member of the Star Cluster.]
The statement was completely out of place for the situation.
[What nonsense—]
As if thinking the same as Risen One, the battered Rotten Tree tried to retort—
[It seems you don’t want to become part of the Star Cluster?]
With those words, the divine-bloods resumed beating it.
After a few minutes passed like that.
[Are you joining the Star Cluster or not!]
[I-I will, I will! Please let me join............!]
Watching the unimaginable threat actually work.
‘……W-what just happened?’
Risen One’s pupils began to tremble…………