Chapter 265. Me…? (1)

The scenery of the Holy Kingdom Rosario was not much different from before.

Pure white buildings and clean streets.

Especially the grand temple situated in the middle of Rosario,

Which was magnificent enough to arouse the faith of everyone just by existing, was also the same.

However, even though clearly nothing had changed.

The atmosphere of Rosario was somehow heterogeneous.

‘…It seems correct that it is in a bad state, though.’

Alon observed the subjects seen outside the carriage.

Their appearance was as usual.

If there was one difference.

It was exactly that anxiety was lingering on all of their faces.

‘Blessings are not being bestowed, huh.’

The story Evan conveyed.

That blessings were not being bestowed was a very big deal from Rosario’s position.

No, it was not just a big deal, it was a disaster.

The character of the nation called Rosario was close to a religious organization based on religion.

The foundation of the nation was the Moon Goddess Sironia.

The reason this system was maintained was thanks to the existence of the clergymen who made the faith of the subjects even firmer.

But clergymen have not appeared lately?

Naturally, since it was based on the faith of Sironia, the country itself could not help but shake.

For whatever reason, that the miracle of God does not reach the ground.

It was enough to sprout anxiety among the subjects.

‘What on earth happened?’

Alon stroked his chin at the unfamiliar situation.

He thought about it last time too, but in Psychedelia, even though cases of heretics or corrupt cardinals running wild inside Rosario occurred quite a bit, there were no such cases.

Just as the agonizing continued.

[Kkyu!?]

“?”

Blacky, who was dozing leisurely until just now, as if he sensed something, immediately climbed up Alon’s body and hid into his chest.

Alon, who was wondering, realized at some point that the carriage had stopped.

And.

“Teacher.”

“Utia.”

He could see Utia smiling toward him as always.

“It has been a long time, Teacher.”

“Yes, it has been a long time.”

Alon, who got off the carriage, looked around.

Before he knew it, they had arrived at the temple in the center of Rosario.

“I am sorry I could not visit you last time, Teacher. I had a bit of work to do.”

As Alon was looking at the temple, Utia’s voice was heard.

“No. Naturally, you would have had work to do as well.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

The two headed to her office together.

“So, for what business did you visit Rosario, Teacher?”

They began a full-scale conversation after stepping inside.

“It is because I have personal business.”

“Business?”

At Utia’s questioning back, Alon nodded his head.

On the surface, the reason for the visit was to have a conversation with Yuman.

However, in fact, there was another purpose.

It was to obtain the artifact in the labyrinth near Rosario exactly at this time.

The meeting with Yuman was close to a pretext.

Of course, there was also Siyan’s hint that ‘something can be obtained in the Holy Kingdom.’

“Yes. Furthermore, I decided to have a short conversation with Yuman.”

“I see…”

Utia nodded her head slightly.

“Come to think of it, is Utia okay?”

“Yes? What would you be talking about, Teacher?”

Alon spoke cautiously.

“That, this matter. I heard roughly, but—”

At that, Utia, who was momentarily bewildered, soon let out a low exclamation.

Somehow, an exclamation in which a bit of indifference was felt, as if it had nothing to do with her.

A moment after Alon felt a strange feeling at that.

“Are you talking about the story regarding the Goddess’s blessing?”

“Yes.”

“Certainly, there is a problem.”

“Is it so after all?”

“By any chance, because of what part would you be doing so?”

“…Well, strictly speaking, it is not very related to me, but I asked because I was worried about you.”

It was not empty words.

Right now Utia was a cardinal of Rosario.

The power of a cardinal is basically maintained by the Moon Goddess Sironia being alive and well.

But if the ‘loss of blessing’ continues?

It was natural that Utia would also become troubled.

At this, Alon had asked with a worried heart.

“Thank you for worrying, Teacher. But—”

Utia bloomed a bright smile on her whole face, more vivid than usual, like a flower in full bloom.

“Too much worry is not necessary.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, probably everything will return to normal soon.”

“Returning to normal?”

“Yes.”

“By any chance, did you discover a solution?”

“No, but I think I might be able to find a method in my own way.”

“A method?”

“Yes.”

Utia asserted.

Alon, who tilted his head, soon accepted.

If Utia said so, because there would truly be a method.

“Still, it seems the timing is not bad in its own way.”

Alon became curious at the sudden topic.

“What do you mean?”

“Ah, I was going to tell you anyway. That I wanted you to come once, Teacher.”

Utia soon pulled out a small box from her chest and handed it to Alon.

“…This is?”

“Open it.”

When Alon opened the small box, there.

“…A necklace?”

A necklace was placed neatly.

Unlike the birthday gift last time.

A necklace with a white jewel that looked like a diamond embedded right in the center.

“This is?”

Alon looked at the necklace without being able to touch it.

“It is a gift I am giving to Teacher.”

“…It seems a bit excessive, though.”

A necklace that looked very expensive at a glance.

“No, still I hope you would accept it, Teacher.”

“Suddenly?”

“Yes. Somehow it seemed that my gift was the smallest during your birthday.”

“…Ah.”

Alon lamented lowly.

Every birthday gift was meaningful.

But if judging by impact (?) alone, because Utia’s gift was more mundane (?) than those of the other kids.

“Utia, as you also know—”

However, because truly every gift had its own value, he tried to politely decline if it was such a heart—

“I know, about as much as that Teacher does not particularly judge by such value. But I am just giving it because it weighed on my mind.”

Utia blocked the refusal in advance as if she had expected Alon’s reaction.

“Would you please, accept it?”

Eventually Alon,

“…If that is the case, I will accept it with gratitude.”

Accepted her heart.

“Would you like to try it on?”

Alon nodded his head and cautiously hung the necklace around his neck.

Utia scanned that appearance as if she was very satisfied.

“Thank you, Teacher. For going along with my whining.”

“I did not think of it as whining.”

“That is a relief.”

The necklace hanging down next to the brooch she had gifted.

Alon looked at the symbol of the necklace for a moment.

A little later like that.

“Lady Utia, I have something to tell you for a moment—”

Cardinal Sergius sought Utia.

“It seems I have taken up too much of your time.”

“No.”

“Then, I will see you next time.”

“Yes, I will visit you once while you are here.”

Alon stood up to give them space.

“Hello.”

“Ye—es, hello, Marquis of Palladio.”

Cardinal Sergius looked at Alon with a somewhat awkward expression.

‘…Somehow he became very thin, different from when I saw him last time?’

Clearly he had a plump impression before, but a moment after wondering at the appearance of the cardinal who had become skinny before he knew it.

“…Gasp.”

Soon at the sharp sound Sergius made.

“?”

Alon realized the fact that his gaze stopped at his chest—

“Ahem— ahem—!”

The moment he was about to ask the reason, Sergius hurriedly cleared his throat.

“Then, goodbye.”

He turned his eyes unnaturally and passed Alon just like that, heading toward Utia.

“…?”

A reaction for which the reason was totally unknown.

Alon left Utia’s office while stroking the necklace with his hand, leaving the two behind.

####

“It has been a long time, Brother.”

“Yes, Saint. Since I had work, my coming was late.”

“No, it is fine.”

Immediately after leaving Utia’s office, Alon headed straight to the place where Yuman was.

‘Ah, come to think of it, I was going to ask that too, but I forgot.’

Alon remembered the question he was going to ask Utia only after meeting Yuman, but he decided to promise for next time.

“Anyway, I could not tell you last time because there was no leisure, but there are many interesting rumors surrounding you, Brother.”

“…Rumors, you say?”

“Yes. Interesting stories such as Marquis being a god called Kalanon, the One who Receives Lightning, or his apostle.”

Alon’s speech was blocked for a moment.

…Of course, Rosario did not profess the ideology of excluding other gods, but anyway, Yuman is the Saint.

Because he could be uncomfortable.

Furthermore, because the situation was what it was, it seemed it could be more sensitive, so Alon agonized over the answer.

Then.

“No matter how much it is, you really hid it well.”

Yuman spoke first.

“…Huh?”

Alon, whose question popped out of his mouth without him knowing.

“I was truly impressed. Because certainly if rumors of this kind spread, no one would be able to guess Brother’s identity.”

However, whether Yuman did not hear, he continued while still smiling.

“Ahem— the talk has become long. Returning to the main point, it is not anything else, but I think you probably guess the reason why I called Brother here in your own way.”

“…”

Clearly the flow of the conversation was strange…

But because Yuman changed the subject without giving a gap to ask back, Alon also opened his mouth according to that for now.

“Is it because blessings no longer come down?”

“Yes, that is correct. Starting from already two years ago, the Goddess no longer has any communication with us. Because of that, I tried to ask a favor of Brother.”

“A favor?”

“Yes, of course you would be in a similar situation as me, but. May I ask you to meet the Goddess once?”

Alon asked because it made no sense while wearing a bewildered expression.

“…I understood the Saint’s words well, but why that to me?”

He was sincerely puzzled.

Since he had no relationship with the Goddess Sironia.

Therefore.

‘Is it a story to ask him to favor Utia instead? No— already Utia also must have tried several times?’

While Alon was interpreting Yuman’s sentence here and there.

“Ah—”

Yuman, who was similarly tilting his head, let out a low exclamation as if he realized something.

“As I thought, I see.”

“…?”

“I understood Brother’s intention well. But Brother, as it is a truly urgent matter for now, I hope you would put down the covenant of the Silver Saint that you made before Her for a moment, at least for me.”

Then he added with an openhearted expression.

Alon—

“…Silver, Saint?”

Me…?

Could only swallow his words inward.