Chapter 73 - Stature (2)

"... Divine stature?"

[Yes, divine stature. What else could it be?]

Alon looked bewildered at the dragonkin's words. He had considered divine stature before, after hearing something the God of Strange Powers and Untamed Spirits had let slip, but had dismissed the idea himself. Naturally, that was because there was absolutely no reason for him to possess divine stature.

After pondering this, he spoke up.

"Then why did you tell me to deal with the Outer God?"

[I do not understand the point of your question.]

"Didn't you say I would have to deal with that Outer God before I could hear what you had to say? But as far as I know, divine stature isn't something you can acquire by killing a god."

According to the Psychedelia lore he knew, killing a god did not allow someone to acquire or absorb its stature. In other words, killing the Outer God in Lartania could not have increased his 'stature.'

[Well, you are not wrong. An ordinary human cannot absorb divine stature even after killing a god.]

The being readily nodded as it answered.

"Then why on earth—"

[However—]

Alon was about to speak in bewilderment, but the being continued.

[—that only applies when the one who killed the god was an ordinary 'human.']

"What...?"

At his renewed question, the being curled its tail into a question mark and seemed to consider something before speaking.

[Let me ask you a question instead. Why do you think humans cannot acquire stature even when they kill a god?]

"... That's—"

[Because humans possess no stature. To put it more simply, it would be more accurate to say they lack a 'vessel.']

It continued.

[Conversely, if they have a 'vessel,' even humans can hold stature.]

"... By a vessel, you mean—"

[I called it a vessel, but it is nothing particularly remarkable. It is simply—belief.]

"Belief...?"

It hummed thoughtfully, then spoke as though it had found the right word.

[Mortals would find it easier to understand if I called it faith.]

"... So even an ordinary human can acquire divine stature if they have faith directed toward them."

[Exactly. And you have 'faith' directed toward you. That is precisely why I told you to deal with that creature. You can hold stature, however little.]

The being propped its chin on a hand and asked, "Well, does that answer your question?" Alon remained bewildered.

"I understand what you're saying, but why would anyone have faith in me?"

[Does it not strike you as strange to ask me that?]

"... True, but could you be mistaken?"

[Impossible. You unquestionably possess stature. If you had neither a vessel nor stature, you would likely still be unable to look upon me properly.]

"... That's true, too."

Alon nodded at its words. Yet his head remained tilted to one side in puzzlement.

'... Is it because of my fame?'

Even by his own estimation, he could now say he was quite famous throughout the allied kingdoms. Not enough for people to recognize him by his face, but enough for them to know him when he gave his name.

But that was merely fame, not faith.

'... That can't be it. Why on earth would anyone have faith in me?'

After frowning in thought, Alon stopped dwelling on it. He realized this was not a puzzle he could solve right now.

'One more thing to look into, then.'

For now, Alon focused on the fact that he had acquired stature and asked another question.

"Then will I acquire a supernatural ability, too?"

As far as he knew, the gods of this world acquired 'supernatural abilities' once they were recognized as gods. Most of the abilities granted by divine stature were absurdly powerful by anyone's standards.

So he looked at the being, indulging in the hopeful thought that perhaps he might get one too.

[Unfortunately, your divine stature is not at that level.]

"... Divine stature has levels, too?"

[Naturally. If I had to describe your divine stature—well, you would be about on par with a local god in some distant backwater with a population of fewer than five hundred.]

"But I've annihilated two Outer Gods...?"

[Annihilating two does not mean you can absorb all their stature. Besides—strictly speaking, you did not annihilate them. You merely eliminated them temporarily.]

"I see..."

He gave a short sigh at the explanation. The dragonkin continued, sounding somewhat puzzled.

[Still, it is rather curious. You could only have defeated the God of Strange Powers and Untamed Spirits because you already possessed 'stature.' Were you entirely unaware of it?]

"Ah."

Only now did Alon realize why he had been able to defeat the God of Strange Powers and Untamed Spirits just before its incarnation. With a quiet exclamation, he answered.

"... I was."

[How curious. No, to begin with—]

"—there must be more than a few things that cannot function without 'stature.' How could he not know?"

The being regarded him curiously, murmuring too quietly for Alon to hear.

"I can't quite hear you."

[Ah, it is nothing.]

As though it had realized something, the dragonkin brushed the matter aside, saying, "Let us discuss that another time."

[Well, it is not important, in truth. What matters here is that you have acquired the minimum stature necessary to see the truth.]

It shrugged.

[Let us continue our questions and answers for now. What else do you wish to know?]

At its prompting, Alon voiced his next question.

####

Starting with stature and then discussing faith, he asked the being the questions he had prepared, one by one. There were so many things he wanted to know.

Unfortunately, of all those questions, only one received a proper answer: the hand seals and mysteries of the forgotten great god referred to the 'Magus.'

That was all. He had acquired practically no other information.

"... If you can answer so little, was there any point in my acquiring stature?"

Alon's face remained expressionless, but his tone betrayed his exasperation. The being merely shrugged and answered.

[Do not look at it that way. It is not as though I am refusing because I do not wish to answer.]

"... Then why won't you tell me? About true names, about the one who carries on the will, or even why the God of Strange Powers and Untamed Spirits sent me here."

As Alon listed the questions he had compiled, the being replied.

[There are two reasons.]

"Let's hear them."

[First, your questions all concern what is essentially one subject. In other words, even without my explanation, your doubts will be resolved once you 'see.']

"... Once I see?"

[Now that you possess stature, you will be able to see. If you go to the 'Deep Sea,' that is.]

"... Instead of getting answers here, I have to go to the Deep Sea?"

[Yes. Go there and look into the truth. You will learn the answers to all your questions, so your efforts were not meaningless.]

It added, "Without acquiring stature in the first place, you cannot earn the right to see the truth." Alon looked at it and replied.

"Is that why you won't answer? Because I'll learn everything once I see it anyway?"

[No. Even I would not withhold information merely because explaining it would be bothersome.]

"Then?"

At Alon's question, it fell silent for a moment before releasing a soft sigh.

[Because those things will be watching.]

"Those...things?"

[Yes. Those things that destroyed the age of the gods, gnawing at the roots of history in darkness without a speck of light, seeking to thrust the past into the abyss—]

The dragonkin clicked its tongue briefly before continuing.

[—will rise again.]

"..."

[That is why I cannot speak of the past myself.]

Alon stared at it. Its eyes, nose, mouth, and body were distinguishable only in black and white, yet even that was enough to tell him it was not lying.

"... How do I get to this Deep Sea?"

As though it had been waiting for the question, the being handed Alon a necklace bearing the image of a black tree.

"What's this?"

[Take it to the last remaining mermaid on the coast at the eastern edge. She will then lead you there.]

Alon quietly studied the necklace at its words, then nodded. The coast at the eastern edge was where Laxas was located, and he needed to visit it after this meeting anyway.

"I'll go."

[A wise decision.]

Alon was about to turn away when something occurred to him, and he looked back at the being.

[What is it?]

"Come to think of it, there's one more question I haven't asked."

[Ask. If it is something I can answer, I shall.]

"... The God of Strange Powers and Untamed Spirits said I had been acknowledged by the black one and the blue one. Can you tell me what that means?"

At Alon's question, the being looked at him with a thoughtful hum. A little time passed.

[Ah—aha, I see—]

It grinned and nodded as though something had dawned on it.

[Simply think of it as having received the acknowledgment of a remarkable god.]

"...?"

Having said that, it moved on.

[Oh, yes. If you are willing, leave Sparrow's Staff here and I shall make it useful. Though you will not get it back for about two years.]

"... Two years? Why?"

[That is how long I will need to make that fellow useful and gather enough strength to hold another proper conversation myself.]

"... Is that so?"

[Yes.]

Immediately afterward, Sparrow spoke up.

[Ah, well, I quite like being by Alon's side. I think I could assist him a little longer—]

Alon glanced at Sparrow's Staff. Though he could see no pleading eyes, its murmuring sounded utterly desperate.

"Let's do that."

[Huh? Excuse me, wait a moment? Master Alon? No, my lord? Hello????]

Alon set down Sparrow's Staff and was about to turn away when the being stopped him.

[Ah, wait. There is one more thing I must tell you.]

"Tell me?"

[Yes, about your magic. Hear this before you leave. It will not take long.]

It began its final explanation.

####

After hearing everything the dragonkin had to say, Alon rejoined Seollang, who had been waiting for quite some time, and returned to Coloni. The next day, he immediately began preparing to leave for Laxas.

... In truth, there was little to prepare. Since he would be traveling with a merchant caravan departing that day, all he needed was food and a few items for possible emergencies.

He therefore finished his preparations shortly after starting. Around then, Yutia came to see him, having heard that he was leaving Coloni.

What he had not expected, however, was this.

"...?? What brings Your Majesty here...?"

"I wanted to see you off."

Karmakses III, King of Coloni, had also come to the north gate in person, bringing soldiers with him to see Alon off.

And he had brought—

"... What's this?"

"He told me it's a royal gift for you, Teacher."

"... A royal gift for me?"

"Yes. Isn't that right, Your Majesty?"

—two carriages packed full of gold, silver, and treasures.

"Yes, that's right. A gift I have bestowed upon you."

Alon looked at Karmakses as he answered Yutia. His laughter was far heartier than before, yet awkward enough for anyone to notice. Alon briefly found it strange, then replied.

"... This seems rather excessive."

Alon was not ordinarily one to turn down money. He firmly believed that the more money he had, the better, and the mere sight of the treasures piled in the carriages made his jaw drop.

Even so, those carriages were clearly too much for him to accept. They were far too lavish to be gifts bestowed simply out of fondness.

Especially considering that the giver was royalty, there was surely some political intent behind them that he had not even considered. He therefore tactfully declined the king's gift.

"Ha ha, don't be like that. Accept it without concern."

"But even so, this is—"

"Don't worry. There is no ulterior motive whatsoever. I'm giving it to you purely because I like you. I really do insist that you accept it. I 'insist.' Truly, I 'insist'..."

"...?"

Seeing Karmakses smile and speak with what somehow seemed like genuine desperation, Alon could only nod awkwardly.

And so, that day, Alon joined the crossing with two carriages loaded with gold, silver, and treasures in tow.

A small smile played on Yutia's lips as she watched him leave.

Then she spoke.

"I'm pleased that our negotiations seem likely to reach a favorable outcome."

"I...see."

Meeting Yutia's red eyes, Karmakses reviewed once again the lesson he had learned only yesterday.

... Count Pallatio must never be antagonized, no matter what.

'How exhausting...'

... Before Karmakses's eyes hovered the image of the mana weed he had quit thirteen years ago.