Chapter 127 - Are You a Heretic? (2)

Yuman had appeared without warning. Yet none of the monarchs attending the meeting showed any particular reaction, and Alon immediately understood.

'... They must have already arranged for Yuman to come.'

On reflection, it was hardly strange. This incident had affected virtually all the allied kingdoms, and the Holy Kingdom was among them.

As Alon watched Yuman—

"What do you mean by that?"

Shtalian V broke the silence. He seemed unable to understand what Yuman had said.

Yuman casually stepped to Alon's side.

"Exactly what I said. Do not ask why he travels around hunting Outer Gods."

"And why must I not ask?"

Shtalian V looked somewhat displeased. Alon was inwardly puzzled as well, but Yuman answered calmly.

"I cannot tell you the reason."

"What?"

"But one thing is certain: he is contributing to peace in this world."

At Yuman's firm declaration, every monarch who had remained silent until now let out a small exclamation.

Whatever its internal affairs might be like, the Holy Kingdom had always maintained neutrality externally. Taking someone's side like this was therefore highly unusual.

The monarchs all watched Yuman with fascinated expressions, but—

"So you expect us to take the saint's word alone and ask the marquis no further questions?"

Shtalian V was still frowning.

Now that Yuman had spoken, the wise choice might have been to let the matter pass without further objections. A saint did not outrank a king, but making an enemy of the Holy Kingdom was tantamount to inviting a great deal of trouble.

Despite knowing that, Shtalian openly voiced his displeasure. He did have grounds for feeling that way. Yuman had merely told him not to question Alon, without offering any reasonable explanation that would help him understand the situation.

Yuman stared at Shtalian V for a moment, then curled his lips into a smile.

"... Then is the monarch of Ashtalon saying he has no faith whatsoever in our Holy Kingdom's intentions?"

"... Hm? No, wait. I never said—"

"That is how it sounds to me."

Yuman's words flustered Shtalian V. He had certainly expressed dissatisfaction with the saint, but now, in an instant, it had become an objection to the entire Holy Kingdom.

"Wait, surely that is far too great a leap—"

Shtalian V hastily tried to explain himself. However—

"A leap? I am a saint, yes, but at present I am also the Holy Kingdom's representative. To express such displeasure with my words... are you not opposing the intentions with which the Holy Kingdom sent me?"

The faint smile vanished from Yuman's face as he spoke coldly.

"..."

Shtalian was left utterly speechless.

For all his politely phrased words, Yuman was essentially saying—

'You don't trust us??? You bastard, you're a heretic, aren't you???'

And so—

"Ahem, ahem—That was not what I meant."

Shtalian V hastily backed down.

One had to be careful about antagonizing a saint, but earning the displeasure of the entire Holy Kingdom was a problem on an altogether different scale for a nation, especially one belonging to the allied kingdoms.

Ashtalon, moreover, had suffered overwhelmingly greater damage in this incident than the other kingdoms. Desperately in need of priests and aid from the Holy Kingdom, it could ill afford to offend them.

"... I am sorry. Allow me to apologize."

Shtalian V apologized, but Yuman calmly shook his head.

"No, I am not the one you should apologize to. You should apologize to Brother Alon."

Huh? Me?

But I don't mind.

Alon, who had yet to fully process what was happening before his eyes, silently protested. Whether Yuman knew how he felt or not, he remained composed.

"Brother Alon was merely doing his part for the world, yet you subjected him to suspicion, did you not?"

"No, it was less suspicion than a few points that did not quite add up—"

But Shtalian V promptly closed his mouth. The saint had said nothing, yet his expression conveyed his meaning unmistakably.

Faced with that condemning look—You bastard, so you really are a heretic??—Shtalian V said:

"Marquis, I am sorry."

In the end, he bowed his head once more.

"... It is all right."

Alon accepted Shtalian V's apology awkwardly, though to everyone else he appeared remarkably composed.

Then—

"Brother."

Yuman gave him a small, knowing look that seemed to say, Just trust me. Alon felt rather conflicted.

'... I'm certainly grateful.'

But isn't this a bit much? The thought swept through his mind and passed.

Outside the windows, early evening was setting in.

####

The meeting did not end until late that evening.

"Are you feeling any better?"

"I am all right."

"Impressive, though. When did you form a connection with the saint?"

"... Well."

At Siyan's intrigued question, Alon fell silent despite himself. It was not that he did not want to answer. He had no idea himself when he had developed such a close connection with Yuman.

"Well, if you would rather not speak of it, I will not ask. Nor will I be summoning you again after today, so go back and rest. You do not seem to be in particularly good condition."

"Thank you for your concern."

"Think nothing of it. Until next time."

Critenia Siyan offered a casual farewell and left.

As Alon watched her walk away—

"Mentor! What happened?"

"Nothing serious."

"Really? That's a relief!"

Seollang came up to him with a bright smile, and he stroked her head.

"Hmm, so are you going home now, Mentor?"

"Probably. I need some rest."

"Aww..."

Seollang looked openly disappointed.

"Mentor! Want to come to Coloni with me!?"

"... I will visit Coloni another time. I have reason to stop there anyway."

"Mmm... That's a shaaame. But I guess it can't be helped."

Despite her disappointment, Seollang nodded. Watching her, Alon found himself smiling like a doting father inwardly, stroking her head all the more enthusiastically.

"Brother."

"... Your Holiness."

Yuman had approached and spoken to him before he knew it.

"Are you feeling all right?"

"I am still not particularly well, but I believe I will recover sufficiently with rest."

"That is a relief."

"But are you sure this is all right?"

"What is?"

Yuman's reply was cheerful. Alon paused briefly in thought, then said,

"You defended me, did you not?"

"Ah, do not concern yourself. I merely did what I ought to do."

"Is that so?"

"It is."

That decisive answer stirred a faint sense of danger in Alon. He appreciated Yuman's help, but suspected that it stemmed from some misunderstanding.

'Though I have no idea what he's misunderstanding...'

Seeing Alon's slightly peculiar expression, Yuman gave an "Ah" and continued.

"Have you been speaking often with Cardinal Yutia lately?"

"We have been exchanging letters, if that is what you mean."

"Hmm..."

Concern settled over Yuman's face.

"Brother, as I keep telling you, it is not wise to stay close to Cardinal Yutia."

"... Is... that so?"

"Yes. Trust me."

Yuman pressed his lips firmly together. Alon's expression grew stranger still. Come to think of it, Yuman had been warning him to be wary of Yutia for quite some time.

And so—

"Well, I ask just in case, but might there have been some misunderstanding?"

"No."

Alon raised the possibility on the off chance, but Yuman instead spoke with the worried look of someone watching a child left alone beside deep water.

"Heed my words, Brother. Yutia is someone you must be extremely wary of. There is no knowing what she is hiding. Remember what I have told you."

Yuman repeated his warnings as though genuinely concerned.

Alon instinctively realized that whatever he said, this conversation would only go around in circles.

"... Yes, well... I will do that."

"I am glad."

In the end, Alon nodded reluctantly. Only then did Yuman give a gentle smile, turn, and leave.

Alon was staring blankly at the spot where Yuman had disappeared when—

"... He might be smarter than I thought."

"Hm?"

At Seollang's unexpected remark, he tilted his head slightly.

The day after hearing all those baffling remarks, Alon left Tern and headed home to his marquisate.

####

Meanwhile, in the slums of Laxas.

Ever since Radan had dragged him away and back, Identifier Alexion had been striving to enjoy his life rather than frittering away his days as he once had. Now, he faced an untimely disaster.

That disaster was—

"L-Lord Radan...?"

"Hey! How've you been?"

The man who had changed his life, the Pirate King of Laxas, stood there with an utterly radiant smile.

"Y-yes, yes, I've been well... B-but what brings you here...?"

Identifier Alexion asked with his back naturally bent in a bow, nodding almost involuntarily. He bowed to no one else, but having witnessed what happened to those who defied Radan when he was dragged away before, this reaction came naturally.

Radan nodded as if pleased with his attitude and asked,

"So, are you still doing illegal stuff these days?"

"What!? O-of course not! I gave all that up ages ago!"

Alexion protested with an air of injured innocence.

In truth, though he remained in the slums, he had already abandoned all illegal dealings. Naturally, that was because of Radan's words.

["No more illegal stuff. Live an honest life."]

From Radan's perspective, he had merely tossed out those words while giving Alexion a few light knocks on the head. But the entire experience had traumatized Alexion, and he had done exactly as instructed.

Recently, he had started a legitimate business. Even without resorting to crime, Alexion's mind worked at lightning speed when it came to making money. With his innate talent for business, he was even earning quite a lot.

"Really?"

"Y-yes. I'm only running legitimate businesses, I swear."

As Alexion repeatedly nodded, his eyes gleaming in an effort to prove his sincerity, Radan said,

"Then go to Big Brother's territory."

"Pardon...?"

An unbelievable suggestion—no, an order—had been issued.

"Didn't you hear me?"

"Ah—yes, no, I heard you... But... by Big Brother, do you mean... Lord Marquis Pallatio's territory?"

Alexion asked again, wondering if he had misheard.

"Yeah. You heard right."

"Why would... I go there?"

"You're good at business, aren't you?"

"Yes... I am, but..."

"Go run some businesses there and, what's it called..."

Radan scratched his head for a moment, then added,

"Make some local specialty products, bring more people into the territory. That sort of thing."

"... Me?"

"You."

"... But, why... me?"

Alexion looked even more bewildered.

However, at Radan's next question—

"Don't want to?"

"... No, I..."

"Tell me if you don't want to."

"Well—"

"Just say the word."

"I'll... go."

Alexion had no choice but to obey.

"Good, good. Smart choice."

Radan leisurely patted his shoulder, then left, having said his piece.

"..."

A little time passed. After briefly checking his surroundings, Alexion shouted,

"He's bullying me again!!!"

BANG!

He slammed his fist down on the desk.

"What?"

The instant he did, Radan opened the door and came back in.

"Gah—"

"Did you call me?"

Radan posed the question.

"Ah. No."

Alexion automatically clasped his hands in front of him and shook his head repeatedly.

"Hm? Well, all right. Do a good job, okay?"

"Y-yes..."

Radan shrugged, then turned and left.

Alexion squeezed his eyes shut, then checked his surroundings once more.

'Haa...'

He let out a quiet sigh inwardly.