From Alon’s perspective, Magrina’s choice wasn’t particularly bad.

The divine status of the Primordial Elf that he had newly gained—or more precisely, finally gained properly—was reassuring in many ways for Alon.

If Magrina were to declare Alon as the Primordial Elf, it would likely be helpful.

However, the reason Alon’s mind was filled with question marks— was because there was one part he couldn’t understand.

“……Magrina?”

“Yes, brother.”

“First of all, you probably know this already, but… I’m human.”

“Yes.”

“Isn’t it kind of strange for a human to be called the Primordial Elf?”

Of course, he had heard it from Evan.

That when rumors spread after Alon first used the divine status, the elves didn’t react badly.

But that was only the reaction of a few elves.

To be honest, since he’s human, he couldn’t predict what kind of reaction declaring him as the Primordial Elf would cause.

Whether good or bad, elves have always been exclusive toward other races.

Yet contrary to Alon’s worries, Magrina—

“Hmm, is it strange?”

Tilted her head as if it were nothing.

“……It might look a little strange, I suppose.”

“In that case, can’t we just explain it as a reincarnation? After all, no elf alive remembers ‘that time’ anyway.”

“That might actually work—”

“Then shall we go with that?”

Alon paused for a moment.

Having Magrina declare him the Primordial Elf.

That alone would certainly help him.

However, he had one more divine status.

The divine status of Kalannon.

‘Even if the divine status of the Primordial Elf spreads, will Kalannon’s divine status remain unaffected?’

Since they had coexisted somewhat unknowingly until now, maybe— there wouldn’t be a problem.

But that was just speculation.

Both divine statuses were of great help to Alon.

He wanted to avoid a situation where even one of them would be compromised.

As Alon’s silence dragged on,

“Hmm~ is this troubling you?”

Magrina cautiously asked.

“It’s not so much trouble, just… I have a lot to consider.”

“Then shall we delay the public announcement a bit?”

“……I’d appreciate that. There’s something I need to check first.”

“Got it.”

Magrina nodded, and after a brief pause—

“Then instead, let’s hold a coronation?”

She offered another suggestion.

“Coronation?”

“Yes. Since declaring you a god is the issue, how about just announcing you as royalty instead?”

“……I’m not royalty, though?”

“Don’t worry. We can make you honorary royalty—something like that is definitely possible.”

Alon, inwardly, thought: ‘Is that really necessary?’

But rejecting even that felt a little awkward.

“If it’s just that much, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Then I’ll get started right away.”

“By the way, how long will it take?”

“Not that long. Maybe about five months?”

“……Five months?”

“Yes. It’s not that long, right?”

Though briefly puzzled, Alon soon understood.

They weren’t just any elves—five months must feel short to Magrina.

“I see.”

As Alon nodded, Magrina, who had been watching him—

“Pfft.”

“…Why are you laughing?”

Suddenly let out a small giggle.

“No, it’s just—I could totally see what you were thinking, brother. You were probably like, ‘Five months is really long, but since Magrina lives long, it must feel short to her,’ right?”

Alon went silent at her sharp observation, and she smiled softly.

“Of course not, brother. Even for me, five months is a long time.”

“…Is that so?”

“Of course. Time flows the same for everyone. Whether it’s elves cursed with shortened lifespans or someone like me.”

Magrina’s face briefly softened with a trace of emotion, but she soon composed herself.

“Anyway, since it’ll take about that long, I think it’s fine if you go elsewhere in the meantime. Honestly, I’d love to talk with you more here, but—”

“......”

“Because that would probably be hard for you,” she added quietly, and Alon nodded gently.

“Thanks for your consideration.”

“Not at all.”

Then suddenly, a question popped into Alon’s mind.

“Come to think of it, can I ask you something?”

“Yes, if it’s you, brother, anytime.”

He felt he might be able to gain even a little information from her.

“Do you happen to know about the Lizardman’s god?”

“…The god of the Lizardmen?”

“Yes.”

After a moment of thought, she nodded.

“Of course I do. I think you know him too, Marquis.”

“Really?”

“Yes, though I’m not too fond of him myself…”

Magrina slightly frowned.

Seeing that reaction, Alon grew curious and continued asking.

“Who exactly is it?”

“Hmm, rather than me telling you… since you’re going anyway, I think it’s better if you meet him yourself.”

“I see.”

“Yes. Actually, I’d love to go with you, but I have a lot to prepare from now on.”

Leaving that regret behind, their meeting came to an end.

The next day, Alon set out toward where the Lizardmen were.

####

Not long after leaving Greynifra.

“Marquis.”

“Oh?”

“Did you perhaps also meet a dragon in the past?”

“…Suddenly?”

Evan asked out of the blue.

“Well, after seeing the elf queen in the past call you ‘brother,’ it felt kind of weird. I got curious—who else did you charm back then?”

At the pointed question, Alon cleared his throat awkwardly.

“…I don’t think I ever charmed anyone while traveling the past.”

“And yet, the elf calls you brother?”

“That wasn’t me charming anyone, it was more like… um, that.”

“That?”

“Like we shared a connection or something. That kind of vibe.”

Evan gave Alon a strange look at his answer, then a deep look of regret crossed his face.

“I should’ve been the one who traveled to the past…”

“…Again with the suddenness?”

“If I had gone to the past, I could’ve at least filmed a touching romance with an elven beauty, don’t you think?”

[What utter nonsense.]

[Meow]

As if waiting for the moment, Basiliora interjected sharply.

This time, even Blackie surprisingly chimed in with agreement.

“Kuh—if I had gone to the past, I would’ve swooped in just in time to save an elven girl in danger—!”

However, Evan, now well-accustomed to Basiliora’s attacks, casually ignored the jab and began spinning his own fantasy.

And so, amid the usual light-hearted mood, Alon’s party arrived without issue at the land of the Lizardmen.

Alon’s curiosity only grew stronger.

‘Just who became a god?’

From Alon’s point of view, it was hard to guess the identity of the being the Lizardmen called “Hazad.”

That’s because he had never saved a Lizardman before.

Of course, he had rescued some soldiers a few times, but only to that extent.

He had no deep connection or interactions like he did with Magrina or the others.

And so, his curiosity deepened the closer they got.

“Whoa, it’s huge!”

They arrived in front of a pyramid-like structure.

Following Evan’s exclamation, Alon also let out a gasp.

The pyramid was enormous beyond description.

But the awe lasted only a moment.

“Please, come inside.”

Guided by a Lizardman with their face covered by a veil, Alon stepped into the building.

The first thing they saw inside was a long, endless staircase.

Just as Alon gasped again at the sight—

[You’ve come, my friend—!]

A voice rang in his ear.

Alon looked up in the direction of the sound.

At the top of the distant staircase, he saw—

A Lizardman.

Alon was confused.

In his memory, there was no Lizardman who had ever called him “friend.”

Not responding to Hazad’s words, Alon stood silently.

Then, Hazad gave a wide grin and moved down the stairs.

The moment he stepped forward, he had already descended the entire staircase.

He wore a bright smile, clearly delighted.

And then—

[Don’t you recognize me?]

Watching the Lizardman who drew nearer,

Alon realized something.

He had definitely seen that face somewhere before.

And that voice—he had heard it often as well.

Digging deeper into his memory,

“…Huh?”

Alon soon remembered something.

[Do you remember now?]

To the Lizardman’s follow-up question,

“…Rioche?”

He uttered a name.

The name of the “King of the Lizardmen” he had met during his time in the past.

At that name—

[Yes, it’s been a long time.]

The god of the Lizardmen, Hazad—no, Rioche—smiled broadly and nodded his head.

####

At the time Alon encountered Rioche—

“My queen, all the basic preparations are complete.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, now we just need to secure a few important materials, including some key ingredients.”

Mew, the loyal vassal of the elven queen, reported to her master.

Magrina offered a faint smile and praised her.

“Well done, Mew.”

“It’s nothing. More importantly… congratulations, Your Majesty.”

“Congratulations?”

“Yes, haven’t you always wished to proceed with the coronation?”

“That’s true.”

“It’s fortunate that the reactions from the council and others haven’t been negative. Even the expected opposition from Mirmal and Philianian has ceased, since they passed away recently.”

Mew spoke with a slight hint of laughter.

Magrina paused for a moment.

But soon—

“You’re right.”

She relaxed her expression and responded calmly.

A brief silence followed.

And then—

With a faint smile on her lips,

“But Mew,”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

She spoke again.

“Actually, there’s no real need to pay that much attention to the council or anyone else’s reaction.”

“…Forgive me, Your Majesty. I only meant—”

Mew quickly bowed her head.

But Magrina gently shook her head as if to say it was alright.

“I know. You were just trying to say it’s good that everything is proceeding peacefully and harmoniously without any major conflicts, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“I understand. So—”

Just as she was about to continue, Alon’s voice echoed in her mind.

—You’ll lead the elves well.

A very short phrase.

But it was a phrase that Magrina could never ignore.

Magrina looked down at Mew, her expression masked by a smile.

Would he ever know?

Why peace and harmony were such absolute virtues to her?

Why, despite how the elves had treated her, she still tried to protect them?

Why, even when she had finally gained full power, she didn’t strike down those hateful elves?

…He probably wouldn’t know.

And he never would.

As long as her brother was alive.

Magrina wanted to remain a good child.

A good child who listened to her brother.

That’s why—

“You don’t have to feel too sorry.”

Magrina smiled.

“I understand everything.”

The same smile she always wore.