In any case, the conclusion was that Alon had stopped Deus and Radan.

"Brother!"

"Marquis!"

As soon as Alon revealed himself, Radan and Deus immediately stopped the bombardment and came rushing down, gasping for breath.

He explained the situation to them right away.

They listened silently for a while.

Then let out a deep sigh of relief.

“Ah, I feel like I aged ten years, brother. I really thought you were dead and got the shock of my life.”

“...I'm so glad, Marquis.”

Radan smiled brightly while Deus showed deep relief.

Though both looked visibly at ease now, their haggard faces revealed the mental strain of the past days.

Seeing that, Alon felt a warm sensation in his chest once again.

And at the same time, he asked, “So, what is that?”

He pointed to the massive ship floating in the sky.

That was that, but this was another issue entirely.

At his question, Radan’s shoulders straightened.

“Oh, that? That’s an artifact we got recently, brother.”

“An artifact?”

“Yes. I figured it’d be useful in times like this, so I made sure it was properly fixed up. Though it won’t last long.”

Ten ships hovered in perfect symmetry in the sky.

“I appreciate you thinking of me like that, but now that you know I’m alive, that should be enough. Go back.”

However, at Alon’s words, Radan and Deus exchanged subtle looks.

“Well, if that’s what you say, brother, then we have no choice.”

“Understood.”

They nodded as if they had expected this outcome.

Watching them, Alon recalled the words of the First Prince.

「The death of Marquis Palatio is truly regrettable, and we offer our condolences. However, we cannot remain stagnant. The Kingdom of Asteria must move forward, overcoming its sorrow.」

‘...Of course, it wasn’t a message filled entirely with goodwill.’

Alon wondered what had made them so angry.

Rather than pondering further, he decided to ask directly.

“Deus, Radan.”

“Yes, Marquis.”

“Please speak, brother.”

“...Just asking to be sure—did the First Prince say anything else that I don’t know about?”

He figured there was no way Deus, Radan, and Seolrang would’ve reacted so strongly otherwise.

But—

“No, he didn’t say anything else.”

“...Hm?”

“Yes.”

“Then—”

Alon glanced upward.

The giant ship was floating in the sky with its cannons open, ready to bombard the royal palace at any moment.

“...Never mind.”

Staring at that scene, Alon swallowed the question he was about to ask.

They had overdone it.

All three of them had.

Still, in the end— they had done it for him.

‘…Well, even so, it was clearly excessive.’

Therefore—

“...Next time, try to stay a little calmer.”

With those parting words, Alon, having settled the situation quickly, sent Radan and Deus away.

Saying he would visit them soon.

“S-Survived—!”

“I really thought I was going to die…”

Only after the two had completely disappeared did the soldiers finally let out breaths of relief and murmurs of gratitude.

“Thank you so much.”

“...Thank you.”

The First Prince bowed deeply, and King Stalian V looked at him with emotional eyes.

Alon felt strangely conflicted again.

Was he the one who should be receiving thanks?

Shouldn’t he be the one apologizing?

—That guilt lingered in his mind.

But there was no need to offer an apology they didn’t want.

So Alon simply waved his hand lightly and returned the gesture of respect.

With the situation wrapped up— Alon stayed one night in Ashtalon and immediately left the next day.

He had come rushing in to stop things.

But now, he had something very important to do.

On the road to Greynifra— unlike the day before, the city was peaceful now that the soldiers had dispersed.

As Alon looked around, Evan struck up a conversation.

“Marquis, did you hear?”

“Hear what?”

“Remember how you found it odd that the Black Knight or whatever disappeared?”

“Yeah. Did you find something out?”

“Yes.”

Evan nodded and continued.

“I only heard it by chance, but apparently it was because of you, Marquis.”

“Because of me?”

“Yes. They say the First Prince said something ridiculous and because of that, even the only method to stop those monsters was gone… We’re doomed— If that bastard hadn’t said anything, we wouldn’t have died so pointlessly—”

‘Like that?’ Evan mimicked someone’s tone from yesterday.

Alon, quietly listening, recalled a memory.

‘Now that I think about it, the Lizardmen also called me a dear friend.’

As he recalled Kurak’s words, he tilted his head in confusion.

‘A god… A god, huh.’

While Alon had indeed formed bonds during his activities 700 years ago— he didn’t remember ever getting close to a god.

‘The closest would be Dowon.’

But when he met Dowon, she had said she didn’t have much time left.

So the odds of her still being alive were slim.

‘...Hmm.’

Then several questions began to fill his mind.

The Hyakki he met in the past—Ryanga—had white hair.

But here, her hair was black.

And he also became curious about the Lizardmen god calling him their friend.

On top of that, he wondered how the others were doing now.

‘What’s Arquilainisis doing, I wonder.’

For a moment, he recalled the Black Dragon who had rarely left his side back then, always wrapping her tail around his waist and whimpering.

‘Once I free Rine from the seal, maybe I should visit her.’

Thoughts of Rine soon drowned out everything else.

After solving the most important issue— he thought he’d go meet the Lizardman who called him a friend.

Alon turned his gaze back out the window.

The scene outside was truly peaceful.

####

“Phew~”

Right after seeing Alon off, Deus let out a sigh of relief aboard Radan’s ship.

That was a relief.

Truly, a relief.

Of course, he had been sure of it.

That Alon was alive.

There was no evidence.

He simply believed.

A firm belief that his savior could not have died so meaninglessly.

And Deus was not the only one.

Even his younger sister, Sili, refused to believe that Alon had died.

After all, she was a saintess.

She continued to use the power of Kalannon, and that alone was proof that Alon was still alive— something she firmly believed.

However, unlike the siblings’ conviction, the world gradually began to accept Alon’s death as fact.

A funeral was held, and various nations expressed their condolences.

But public perception did nothing to shake the siblings’ belief.

They declared with certainty.

That Alon—their benefactor—was undoubtedly alive.

‘...Of course, Deus’s personality had become overly sensitive, and his gaze grew sharper.’

Someone once made the mistake of saying, “It’s truly a shame that Marquis Palatio is dead,” in front of him— and had both arms shattered by the Fifth Sword. They were still recuperating to this day.

Still, after seeing it with his own eyes, he could finally breathe easy.

Deus placed a hand on his chest and let out a deep breath, then immediately pulled out a crystal orb from his coat.

He wanted to share this joyful news with Sili.

She wasn’t in Caliban anymore, but in a newly established temple after Alon went missing.

Wuuuung~!

The crystal glowed the moment mana was infused.

After a short while, Sili’s image was projected onto the surface.

[...What’s going on?]

Sili looked emaciated.

Her cheeks were hollow, and her gaze was intense.

It was a bit hard to believe she still held faith in Alon’s survival.

But Deus immediately shouted,

“Sili, the Marquis is alive...!”

[...Huh? Really!?]

Her eyes widened.

As Deus smiled and nodded, the corners of her lips rose.

[Hmph, well—of course! Brother, didn’t I tell you so?]

She quickly cleared her throat as if she hadn’t just reacted like that.

...Though she couldn’t quite hide her smile, so she raised her hand to cover her mouth.

“Anyway, what a relief.”

[It really is... But, what about Ashtalon? Was everything resolved?]

As if suddenly remembering, Deus began to explain what had happened when he met Alon.

[He stopped you, you say?]

“Yeah.”

[...Then there’s no helping it.]

A faintly grumbling voice escaped her lips.

But Sili soon let out a sigh, as if resigned.

Then, all of a sudden, she turned her head slightly.

[I think it’s safe to say we can end the standby mode.]

She muttered quietly.

“...Standby mode?”

Deus asked with a puzzled look.

[Ah, I wasn’t talking to you, brother. I meant that.]

Sili turned the orb, revealing a massive lightning rod-like structure in the center of the temple.

“...What is that?”

It looked like a lightning rod, but he had no idea what it was for.

[It’s a device that can gather and unleash Kalannon’s divine power all at once.]

Sili answered brightly.

“...When did you set that up?”

[It was built with the help of some mages who chose to believe in Kalannon. Honestly, I figured you’d take care of everything, but just in case something happened…]

“That divine power you've gathered isn’t exactly small.”

Sili paused for a moment, then smiled with her eyes.

[Of course. I figured it’d take at least this much to reduce the kingdom to ashes in one go.]

...??

[Ah, naturally, we can’t use it right away. It’d take at least ten years. Still, someone had to prepare it, right?]

“If Brother failed, I planned to unleash divine punishment myself,”

—she murmured, barely audible.

“I see.”

Deus felt a chill down his spine for some reason.

He decided he should probably shut the orb quickly.

####

About a month passed after Alon successfully settled things in Ashtalon.

“Marquis, looks like once we return, things are going to get crazy busy.”

Alon hadn’t even stopped by his estate.

He had delayed all reports and greetings and was heading straight to Greynifra.

The view outside the window slowly began to change.

Trees that were more vibrant and lively than elsewhere came into view.

“I suppose so.”

“After Greynifra, it’s off to the Lizardmen. Then to Teria to report to His Majesty. And then back to Colony... This schedule is no joke.”

“...There’s no helping it.”

Eventually, the carriage stopped.

Alon got off and began walking toward Greynifra with Evan.

While the black kitten from his chest stared curiously at the green leaves it remembered from last time— the group exited the forest.

“We’ve been expecting you.”

The moment they left the woods— Alon was greeted by a very familiar sight.

Just like the first time he visited Greynifra, a long line of elves stood in formation.

“Her Majesty is awaiting you.”

Alon, receiving their familiar  gazes, followed the bowing elf inside.

Upon arriving at the kingdom of the elves—

“...It’s been a while.”

Magrina was already there to greet him.

A bittersweet smile played on her lips.

Just like the first time he saw her.

Her first words were the same, too.

Back then, Alon had thought she was just laboring under a ridiculous misunderstanding.

But now— Alon understood the meaning behind her greeting perfectly.

“Yes. It’s been a while.”

He smiled faintly in return.

Then—

“...Then, may I call you brother again?”

At Magrina’s teary and cautious question— Alon silently nodded.