“……Divine status, you say?”

[Yes, it’s divine status. What else could it be?]

Hearing the words of the Dragonkin, Alon wore a perplexed expression. He had considered the concept of divine status before, recalling words spoken by supernatural beings in the past, but he had always dismissed the thought.

The reason was simple: there was no logical basis for him to attain divine status.

As Alon pondered this, he soon opened his mouth to ask a question.

“Then, why did you tell me to deal with the Outer God?”

[Your question is unclear.]

“Didn’t you say that I had to deal with the Outer God before you would tell me anything? But from what I know, divine status cannot be obtained by killing a god.”

In the setting he knew, killing a god in Psychedelia did not grant one divine status or allow for its absorption.

In other words, killing the Outer God in Lartania would not elevate one’s status.

[Well, you’re not wrong. A normal human cannot absorb divine status, even if they kill a god.]

It nodded affirmatively in response.

“Then why did you—”

[However—]

Just as Alon was about to express his confusion, it interrupted him.

[—that only applies when the one who kills the god is an ordinary ‘human.’]

“What……?”

Perplexed by its next words, Alon asked again, and it seemed to be deep in thought before finally speaking.

[Let me ask you in return. Why do you think humans cannot obtain divine status even when they kill gods?]

“……That’s because—”

[It’s because humans lack ‘status.’ To put it in simpler terms, they don’t have the right ‘vessel.’]

It continued.

[In contrast, if there is a ‘vessel,’ a human can also contain divine status.]

“……A vessel, you say?”

[When I say ‘vessel,’ it’s not that profound. It’s simply faith.]

“Faith……?”

It seemed to find the right word and then spoke.

[For mortals, ‘faith’ is a more relatable term.]

“……So, if one has faith, even an ordinary human can gain divine status.”

[Exactly. And you do have ‘faith.’ That’s why I asked you to deal with that being. You have a small capacity to contain divine status.]

“Is that a sufficient answer?” it asked, resting its chin on its hand. Alon was still bewildered.

“I understand the words, but why do I have faith?”

[Isn’t it strange to ask me that question?]

“……True, but could you be mistaken?”

[Impossible. You certainly possess divine status. If you didn’t have the vessel or the status, you wouldn’t even be able to look me in the eyes.]

“……I suppose that makes sense.”

Alon nodded at its words but remained somewhat doubtful.

‘Is it because of my fame?’

Even by his own assessment, Alon had become quite well-known in the United Kingdoms. He wasn’t so famous that his mere face would be recognized, but his name would be.

Still, fame was one thing; faith was another.

‘……That makes no sense. Why do I have faith?’

Alon frowned, deep in thought, but he soon set it aside, realizing it wasn’t something he could resolve right away.

‘Looks like there’s something else I need to figure out.’

He then refocused on the fact that he had somehow gained divine status and asked another question.

“So, will I also gain powers (異)?”

As he understood it, the gods of this world were granted ‘powers (異)’ once acknowledged as gods. The abilities obtained through divine status were overwhelmingly powerful.

So, with hopeful expectations, Alon looked at it and asked,

[Regrettably, your divine status isn’t that significant.]

“……Are there ranks even among divine statuses?”

[Isn’t that obvious? To put it simply, your divine status is comparable to that of a local deity from a remote region with a population of fewer than five hundred.]

“But I’ve vanquished two Outer Gods……?”

[Even if you eliminated two of them, you can’t absorb all of their status. And to be precise, you didn’t destroy them completely; you only temporarily removed them.]

“I see……”

With a brief sigh, Alon listened to the explanation. The Dragonkin spoke with a hint of curiosity.

[Still, it is a bit peculiar. The reason you were able to subdue Ulthultus back then was likely because you had ‘status.’ How could you have not known that you possessed it?]

“Ah.”

Alon finally understood why he was able to capture Ulthultus just before it fully manifested and responded with a low exclamation.

“……Even so.”

[How strange. In fact, there are many things that can’t occur without ‘status,’ yet you remained unaware of it.]

The being seemed genuinely intrigued, murmuring something too soft for Alon to hear.

“I can’t hear you well.”

[Oh, it’s nothing.]

Realizing something, the Dragonkin deferred the matter to another time.

[Anyway, that’s not what’s important here. The important thing is that you’ve gained at least minimal status, allowing you to see the truth.]

It shrugged.

[Let’s continue the Q&A. What else do you want to know?]

With this prompt, Alon moved on to his next question.

***

Starting with the concept of status, Alon asked the being about faith and other questions he had compiled. He had many questions at the moment.

Unfortunately, among all these questions, there was only one for which Alon received a clear answer:

The term for the lost great god’s beast kin and the mage referred to as ‘madosa.’

That was it; he obtained no other information.

“If you’re not able to answer this much, was there any point in me gaining status?”

Alon spoke in a slightly exasperated tone, but the being merely shrugged.

[Don’t be too discouraged. It’s not that I don’t want to answer.]

Then why aren’t you explaining anything?

Why not talk about the true name, the successor of will, or even the reason why Ulthultus sent me here? Alon listed the questions he had prepared, and the being responded.

[There are two reasons.]

“Let’s hear them.”

[First, all your questions are essentially about the same topic. In other words, the questions will be answered once you ‘see’ the truth.]

“……Once I see?”

[Now that you possess status, you will be able to see. But you’ll need to go to the ‘Abyss.’]

“……So, instead of answering here, I need to go to the Abyss?”

[Yes, once you look into the truth there, you will understand everything you’ve asked. Your efforts have not been in vain.]

Without status, one doesn’t even have the right to see the truth, it continued. Alon looked at the being and responded.

“Is that why you’re not giving me answers? Because I’ll understand everything once I see it?”

[No, it’s not because I’m lazy or unwilling to share information.]

“Then?”

At Alon’s question, the being fell silent for a moment before letting out a small sigh.

[Because they are watching.]

“They…… are?”

[Yes, those entities that lurked in the pitch-black darkness, gnawing at the roots of history and pushing the past into the abyss—those that once brought about the fall of the gods’ era—]

The Dragonkin clicked his tongue briefly and added,

[-will rise again.]

[This is why I cannot speak directly about the past.]

Alon stared intently at the being. Even though its face was simply marked by black-and-white distinctions of eyes, nose, and mouth, Alon could tell that it was telling the truth.

“……How do I get to this ‘Abyss’ you mentioned?”

In response, the being handed Alon a necklace with a black tree symbol, as if it had been waiting for the question.

“This is?”

[Take it to the last remaining mermaid on the eastern shore. She will naturally guide you there.]

Hearing this, Alon quietly examined the necklace and then nodded. The eastern shore was, in any case, the location of Raksas, where he intended to go after this meeting.

“I’ll go then.”

[You’ve made a wise decision.]

Just as Alon was about to turn away, he remembered something and turned back.

[What is it?]

“There’s one more question I haven’t asked yet.”

[Ask away. If it’s something I can answer, I will.]

“……Ulthultus said I was recognized by ‘the black one’ and ‘the blue one.’ Can you explain what that means?”

Alon’s question made the being pause for a moment before replying with a curious look. After a brief silence, it seemed to realize something and grinned.

[Oh, I see… Just think of it as recognition from a mighty god.]

“…?”

And with that explanation, the conversation seemed to conclude.

[By the way, if you’re interested, I can enhance Sparrow’s staff for you. But you’d only be able to receive it in about two years.]

“……Two years? Why?”

[It’ll take that long to make it useful and for me to regain enough strength to have a proper conversation again.]

“Is that so?”

[Indeed.]

Right afterward, the Sparrow’s staff, which had been silent until now, spoke in a pitiful voice:

[Um, I actually enjoy being by Alon’s side. Wouldn’t it be better if I could assist a bit more?]

Though its eyes weren’t visible, its plea was filled with sincerity. Alon glanced at the staff.

“I’ll allow it.”

[Eh? Wait, Alon? No, Count? Hello???]

As Alon finally set the staff down and turned to leave, the being called out again.

[Wait, I have one more thing to tell you.]

“Something else?”

[Yes, it’s about your magic. Listen to this before you go; it won’t take long.]

And with that, the being continued its explanation.

***

After hearing the full story from the Dragonkin, Alon rejoined Seolrang, who had been waiting for a long time, and returned to the colony. The next day, he began preparations to head to Raksas.

……In truth, there wasn’t much to prepare. Since he planned to move with a caravan departing today, all he needed was food and a few emergency supplies.

Soon enough, he was ready, but unexpectedly, Yutia came to visit upon hearing that Alon was leaving the colony. What surprised him even more was the presence of King Carmaxes III of the colony himself, accompanied by soldiers, to see Alon off at the north gate.

“……?? Your Majesty, what brings you here?”

“I wanted to see you off.”

The king of the colony, Carmaxes III, had come personally to greet Alon.

And—

“What is this?”

“I was told it’s a gift from His Majesty.”

“……A gift for me?”

“Yes. Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?”

Two carts loaded with gold and jewels were waiting there.

“Yes, that’s correct. It’s a gift from me.”

Alon looked at Carmaxes, who responded to Yutia with a broader smile than ever. Alon, finding it a bit excessive, expressed his surprise.

“This is a bit too much, though.”

Alon wasn’t one to refuse money. In fact, he believed the more money, the better. The sight of carts piled high with treasures made his jaw drop.

However, it was clearly too extravagant a gift for him to accept. It seemed excessive for a mere token of favor, especially given that the giver was royalty, suggesting some political motive he couldn’t grasp. He subtly declined the king’s offer.

“Haha, don’t overthink it. Just accept it comfortably.”

“But still, this is—”

“Don’t worry. It’s purely given out of affection for you, with no strings attached. I’d really like you to accept it. Really, ‘truly’ accept it.”

“…?”

Seeing Carmaxes speak with such a strangely desperate expression, Alon couldn’t help but nod awkwardly.

And so, on that day, Alon took part in the journey, accompanied by two carts filled with gold and jewels.

As Alon departed, a small smile appeared on Yutia’s lips.

And then—

“I’m glad to see that the negotiations seem to be moving in a positive direction.”

“Indeed.”

As Carmaxes met Yutia’s red eyes, he was reminded once again of what he had realized the day before:

No matter what happens, the Count of Palatio must not be provoked.

‘How exhausting…’

In front of Carmaxes’s eyes, the phantom of the magic herb he had quit 13 years ago seemed to shimmer.