Chapter 134: Laplace (3)

“It is not a very pleasant feeling.”

Even as I walked down the hallway with Alan, my senses were directed toward Alisa behind us.

The moment I embraced her earlier, I had secretly channeled Faith into her.

I had temporarily restored her eyes, which had lost their Light.

As expected, Alisa looked at me using ‘Laplace’s Eye’.

It was only for a split second, but I felt an intense gaze.

I felt as if every part of me was being dismantled and neatly arranged, a feeling like being stripped naked.

I wondered what she had seen in me.

Though I did not know for sure, my soul would not have appeared Evil or anything of the sort.

Perhaps she saw something similar to ‘Hor’ itself.

‘At the very least, I seem to have caught her interest…’

Alisa, who did not know peace but loved it.

With that nature alone, she was practically halfway over to our side.

“Saint of the North.”

“….”

“What do you plan to do now? Are you going to recruit my Sister into the Church of Hore immediately?”

As soon as we entered the grand guest room, Alan asked.

I shook my head.

“I will handle it, so you stay still.”

At that, Alan’s brow furrowed instantly.

It was obvious he thought I was ignoring him.

But what could I do?

It was true that I was ignoring him.

‘This guy has talent, but he lacks social skills. It was not for nothing that Alisa was shocked to hear the youngest had a friend.’

If it were Alan, he would surely mention the Church of Hore out of the blue and explain that Bafel was a heretic.

Such a haphazard approach would be problematic.

There were many things I needed to obtain from Alisa.

Not only was she a force to stop Marx’s declaration of Battle, but I also needed to receive teachings in various magics, including ‘Laplace’s Eye’.

I spoke to Alan, who was glaring at me.

“You lack tact. You have never actually tried to proselytize before.”

“That is…”

“Now, let us not get sharp with each other as fellow believers. Lord Hor has simply assigned each of us our own missions.”

Casually soothing Alan, I glanced at his staff.

Perhaps because he had used up all his Mana in the Battle with Kalgos, only a faint trace of Faith remained on the staff.

“I should give him a Gift soon. He is a Saint, after all.”

***

That evening, a banquet was held.

The banquet of the Kingdom of Laplace created quite a mysterious sight.

Plates floating in the air.

Upon them were various foods and bottles of Alcohol.

“Hehe, these are plates made with Mana Induction Stones. I developed the Mana Induction Stone myself. How is it? Is this your first time seeing such a thing?”

Alisa sat gracefully in her chair and smiled brightly.

Even though she could not see, her reaction suggested she could clearly picture me with my mouth agape.

“Theoretically, even a large ship could be made to fly in the air. I haven’t attempted it because there aren’t enough Mana Induction Stones, but…”

“A ship that flies in the air… I would certainly like to see that once.”

I replied to Alisa’s words with a soft smile.

In the meantime, my mind was working busily.

‘The ship that flies in the air will be created in about five years. With the full support of Marx.’

It would later be called an Airship, and knights also called it the ‘Disaster of the Sea’.

Since countless magic spells and Airship cannons would pour down from the distant sky, ordinary knights had no means to resist.

I looked at Alisa.

The ‘Mana Induction Stone’ she developed out of boredom was essentially what widened the gap between the North Continent and the South Continent.

However.

That was merely a story of the future.

The Airships to be born in this world would be used for the ‘Church of Hore’.

“If there is an opportunity next time, perhaps we could discuss the ship that flies in the sky.”

“Hmm? Well, that sounds fine.”

Answering nonchalantly, she raised her hand.

As a faint Mana gathered at her long fingertips, one of the plates floating in the air shone brightly.

“If you fire Mana toward the plate you want, it will come toward you like this. Now, eat heartily.”

The food Alisa pulled toward her was delicious-looking meat.

Slice. I looked at the meat she offered and expressed my gratitude.

From the seat next to me, I heard the sound of someone clicking their tongue.

Whatever he was so upset about, Alan’s pout was quite prominent.

Excluding the occasional sound of him clicking his tongue, we were able to enjoy the banquet quite peacefully.

Trickle—

After filling our stomachs moderately.

Alisa smiled as she handed a glass filled with wine to me and Alan.

“Right, did you say there was an urgent story to tell? Speak now.”

The time had come.

I turned my gaze toward Alan.

“Sister. Father is preparing for Battle with the North Continent.”

The hand about to bring the glass to her lips stopped.

She remained in that state for a while before eventually putting the glass down.

“That is a tragic thing. However, you must know that Marx has been preparing for Battle for a long time. It is a Battle that was bound to happen eventually.”

It was not a wrong statement.

Marx and the Kingdom of Watenberk pointed their Swords at each other and worked to maintain those blades in peak condition.

It was certainly a Battle that would have occurred one day.

However, there was one more thing Alisa needed to know.

“Lady Alisa. May I dare to say a word?”

“Yes. Speak.”

“I believe there is no Battle in this world that is allowed to happen.”

Her head turned toward me.

Alan also stared intently at me.

“I hate to say this to the youngest’s friend, but that does not sound like something the Kingdom of Watenberk, which has repeatedly engaged in Battle with Marx, would say.”

“Yes. That is true. That is why I have removed the crest of the Kingdom of Watenberk.”

I took a sip of the wine.

The bitter taste lingered in my mouth before quickly turning into a sweet flavor.

“Lady Alisa, the Battle the Head of the House of Marx is currently preparing is not for the sake of Marx.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The end. This fight will ultimately bring about the end of the world. Please, stop the Head of the House of Marx.”

Alisa shook her head.

She seemed unable to believe my words.

No, it seemed she did not want to believe them.

Even if she had left Marx, family was family.

She lacked the courage to stand against her own family.

‘Even the Laplace’s Eye, said to be so omniscient, is useless if one cannot see ahead. She is currently just an ordinary genius mage.’

Even with the truth before her, she could not see it because her eyes were covered.

When people lack certainty, they usually try to believe what they want to believe.

The current Alisa was doing exactly that.

“The Head of the House has worked for Marx his entire life. Battle is like a destiny. My youngest, and Richard. The bloodbath that will befall you two, who are close friends, is very regrettable, but I have no justification to stop the Head of the House.”

Alan’s mouth twitched several times.

His eyes, glaring at me, meant that I should reveal all the information to her.

‘No. It is too early.’

The Church of Hore, and Bafel’s condition.

It was too much for the current Alisa to accept.

At the very least, she had to see Bafel’s condition for herself.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

I wrapped my hand around hers as she aimlessly fiddled with her glass.

I gently flowed Faith into her.

After staying still for a long time, she unraveled the cloth.

Her two eyes slowly opened.

“……Truth and sincerity are different. Even if I confirm through these eyes that your words are sincere, that does not necessarily mean they are the truth.”

“What Lady Alisa needs to verify is not the authenticity of our sincerity.”

I said with a smirk.

If it was ‘Laplace’s Eye’, she would be able to see Bafel’s soul, which had rotted black.

And the hideous form of the Demon King clinging to him would also be visible.

I intended to have the serious conversation only after she had seen everything.

Because she, who did not know Bafel’s current state, was not yet ready to talk.

‘Please go and look at the truth.’

***

Kruaaaaargh—!

A massive roar shook the entire land.

The sweltering heat made it feel as if one were inside a pit of fire.

The sight was reminiscent of a frantic festival.

However, in reality, it was a festival of blood and fighting.

“Are there no more challengers—!!”

In the place where Orcs of all kinds had gathered, an Orc the size of an ogre was raising his voice in the center.

Boom, thud—!

The dual axes embedded in the ground, splitting it, were each heavier than an ordinary Orc.

“Kueeeek!! Pekum, the Chieftain of the Blue Branch Tribe, shall take your throne!”

“Everyone get out of the way! I will be the one to take Krokta’s head!”

Numerous Orcs awakened their fighting spirit.

The Chieftains of renowned tribes,

The warriors of a hundred battles and no defeats.

They rushed toward the Orc who was the size of an ogre.

“Kuhahaha! Brave warriors are always welcome!”

Krokta, the King of the Orcs, laughed heartily.

Grasping the handles of his dual axes, he welcomed the challengers grandly.

Clang, klang—!

With every single blow of his, the entire Kingdom trembled.

If there were a mountain, it would be split.

If there were a sea, a tsunami would occur.

Krokta’s great strength was that magnificent.

To the point of shaking the heart of Hugo, a newcomer to Titan,

“Ah, how beautiful. It is beautiful power! If Lady Mary were an Orc, she would surely have been an Orc as beautiful and charming as that…”

Among the spectators shouting, he clutched his chest.

The sight of the King, who ruthlessly sent the challengers’ heads flying and was drenched in blood, entered his eyes.

It was as if he were looking at Richard’s miracle.

No, it was a miracle.

To Hugo, Krokta was a living miracle.

The red Hugo’s body heated up even redder.

To him, an Orc put an arm around his shoulder and shouted.

“Kueek! Newcomer! How do you like being in Titan!”

Hugo curled the corners of his mouth.

“It is good.”

Heh, a laugh escaped him.

With his eyes fixed on Krokta, he firmly grasped the axe slung across his back.

“It is the perfect place for me to become King.”

He thought of Richard.

He had heard many words of advice from Richard, but only one actually remained in his memory.

—Topple the King of Titan, and sit upon that throne yourself.

Puff, huff—

Hugo exhaled heavily.

“Ooooh! A new challenger has appeared here!”

“Look here, King! Accept the newcomer challenger!”

The spectators shouted as they pushed Hugo’s back.

Krokta, who had just sent a challenger’s head flying, turned his head.

Their eyes met.

Nod.

Krokta beckoned to Hugo with his finger.