Raising Villains the Right Way

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Darkness-Eating Sword.

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No, ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍all of the divine-blood who had moved near the Divine Land as avatar bodies using a divine-blood’s ability stared blankly at the scene before them.

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NovelFire reader preview #8bf400e0b5dc (issued 2026-07-17).

The gigantic greatsword floating in the sky.

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Of course, the greatsword was magnificent, but the divine-blood were not astonished merely because of its size.

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Its size was absurd, yes, but that alone was not the reason.

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The reason none of them could tear their gaze away, struck speechless—

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Was the aura emanating from that greatsword.

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[What on earth is that?]

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[It’s similar to us, yet different.]

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Confusion rippled among them.

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Amidst it—

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[Indeed……!]

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One divine-blood realized something.

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[That is the humans’ divine power.]

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[Humans’ divine power?]

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[Yes. When tools gather faith among themselves, it can manifest like that. I’ve briefly seen it from above before, but to think I’d witness it after descending to the ground………]

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At those words, the other divine-blood finally grasped its identity.

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Just as curious gazes continued—

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[…………Wait, isn’t something strange?]

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Darkness-Eating Sword, who had been silent until now, opened his mouth.

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[What do you mean?]

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[Wasn’t this territory said to be ruled by Star Eater?]

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[It was.]

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[Then how is it that within it, a human with a different faith appears?]

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He could not understand.

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As Darkness-Eating Sword’s suspicion deepened, the other divine-blood also sensed the oddity.

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[If this is Star Eater’s domain, then a tool that handles another divine power shouldn’t be born.]

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[That is not incorrect.]

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[What in the world is going on?]

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The murmuring lasted only briefly.

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[Wait.]

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One divine-blood, who had not uttered a single word since arriving at the Divine Land and had only been quietly observing the greatsword, finally spoke.

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All gazes turned toward him.

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Despite the attention, he remained calm.

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He simply concentrated on something, using his grotesquely enlarged ears.

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Then his eyes widened.

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[……Truly?]

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A disbelieving murmur slipped out.

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The other divine-blood grew puzzled.

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[What are you hearing?]

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When Darkness-Eating Sword asked, the divine-blood, whose grotesquely large ears had already shrunk back down, said—

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[It seems that the reason humans have come to handle faith is because of Star Eater.]

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[What?]

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[Is that true?]

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The other divine-blood questioned in succession.

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[Whether it is true or not, I cannot say. But one thing is certain: that human who awakened faith said he can use it after receiving power from Star Eater. And—]

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The eavesdropping divine-blood paused briefly to steady his breath.

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[—If we assume those words are true. That is, if Star Eater can enable humans to use faith they previously did not possess—then granting divine power would also be possible.]

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He presented that inference.

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An inference completely opposite to what the gathered divine-blood had expected.

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Yet none refuted it.

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No—more precisely, there was nothing to refute.

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They had seen it themselves and heard it relayed.

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The sight of a human wielding faith within the Divine Land ruled by Star Eater.

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And the testimony that a mere human used as a tool had come to handle power thanks to Star Eater.

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Thus—

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[…………Let us return.]

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The divine-blood who had come to verify Star Eater’s power decided to quietly withdraw.

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8

It happened barely five minutes after they had arrived at the Divine Land.

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8

***

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A month passed thereafter.

e5y1J2p0dbi5I06fI8lcF8F5YfjalfF1eaSat2a6SaD3Jej6T9jcF4E1S62bd2q9Q8U21aI9Va36c395P2S1I1s8IdnaZ5h2baH2V5lcI4j0o5ibY41ap8L4aeGdV123aekdVeZ4dcXeB4W3MeU290qcRfF7p4n5Q8z1Bcp9a3Sct7s7QcS792p6a5T3R8o8N8i0t1SbddEchfI0W5E313yeZ204Ee11R7E654R3c7X9Nem1Wdma9dhdd4EdhfF6Takf51w9Z0Wdt8a3Qam8Z1obS5EeZ3t7La0892G9R9VdR5U8ReW5N45bTeXbJbL3K8254cz6c6V8hb2ae3X0d7O8SaX8ZdkbU2TehdubUd2fR4Y1Y3m217xeKd29odrcacG4R2Dfc1lcJ3y8SeH8Basac7X0ZfO5V924Faw3VamaF4TaZ924oe09SaUaZb19R907s8icLdCeJ9t8YcW0Mdi8OaicI2y4Z0WaQ74fY1z6E3zbZfjfR0idZdGeEdweY02bVcidNeDaZ6m8Y5WbZdh9Y32dN6lfZdj5E548M9j1Z6j9M9z6FeifO8GaMcy7Mem2Udy9MbW8Ed47NfG1M65fZfTbEf4aM6T2c019N0jdgbz2N32dVfk3NdDeg946N020E44aIbi9w1ifd6G2FbnbI3j8o1i4Ianc08=8

Alon had crossed the border of the Allied Kingdom Alliance and was traversing the wasteland.

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A dry and desolate land where nothing existed.

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Staring blankly out through the carriage window, he—

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“Hoo—”

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Let out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair.

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During the past month, even after meeting Yutia and Karsem, Alon had not let go of his magical research.

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Strictly speaking, the research could be considered complete.

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What remained was essentially proof.

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However, Alon had not yet accumulated the capability necessary for that proof.

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As a result, he had made no further progress.

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‘More difficult than I expected.’

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Alon glanced to the side.

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Penia was immersed in her research.

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Ever since she became able to use the True Mage’s magic a month ago, she had spent all day studying it unless she was helping Alon.

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As someone called a genius even in Psychedelia, she was acquiring the incantations at an astonishing pace.

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Even faster than Alon, who had begun his research a month earlier.

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Because of that, Alon could somewhat understand why there were so many who envied her.

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‘What is the problem?’

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Penia glanced at him and brushed her hair back.

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Alon sank into thought.

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The foundational incantations were nearly perfect.

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And yet, he still could not succeed in casting magic through pure intent alone.

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As his thoughts deepened—

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“There’s really nothing here.”

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Evan’s voice was heard.

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Alon pushed his thoughts aside.

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“That’s true.”

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“Wasn’t Nangwon somewhere around here?”

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“I heard his base was in this area.”

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“There’s nothing here, so I wonder how he even lives.”

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While agreeing, Alon thought of another individual here.

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‘Before heading back this time, I should meet him as well.’

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The Golden Dragon Lainisius.

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The one he had met to deal with Ragrakkamur.

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And perhaps someone who could reveal why Blackie used divine-blood’s power.

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“But seriously, how far are we going? At this rate, it feels like we’re crossing into the Empire’s side…… huh?”

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Suddenly, Evan’s voice turned questioning.

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Following his gaze, Alon looked ahead—

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“A tower?”

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There was a tower.

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One he had never seen when he had come to the wasteland before.

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A tower so enormous at a glance.

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“Doesn’t it look bigger than the Central Mage Tower?”

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Penia exclaimed in admiration.

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At that moment—

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Whoosh—

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The fragment of the letter that had been glowing purple shot toward the tower and disappeared.

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“It seems we’ve arrived at our destination.”

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Shortly after.

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The carriages of Colony and Rosario, including Alon, arrived at the tower.

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Stepping down from the carriage, Alon looked up at it and was further astonished.

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‘It’s massive.’

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It was no exaggeration.

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The tower guided by the violet light was truly gigantic.

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Even the imposing Central Mage Tower felt small by comparison.

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Could it actually be touching the sky?

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The thought arose unbidden.

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“You’ve arrived.”

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A voice came from beside them.

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The skull mask that had appeared when delivering the letter was already by their side.

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“I have been waiting.”

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It bowed politely toward Alon’s group.

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“There are still a few days remaining until the schedule proclaimed by the Seeker, so I ask that you rest comfortably.”

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Saying it would guide them to their rooms, it—

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Swish—

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Split into three in an instant before their eyes.

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“!”

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The group was startled by the unexpected act, but the three masks turned their bodies as if nothing had happened.

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“From here, the King of Palantio Kingdom will follow me.”

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“The honored guest of Rosario, this way.”

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“The King of Colony, please come here.”

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Without further explanation, the three masks began moving immediately.

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“We’ll see each other shortly.”

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“Understood, Brother!”

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“Yes, My Lord.”

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They exchanged brief farewells and dispersed.

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Thus, entering the gigantic tower, Alon followed a labyrinthine path and arrived at a chamber.

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“Then I shall provide a brief introduction as we move.”

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“Move?”

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At the mask’s continued words, Alon asked back.

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“Yes. In truth, someone arrived earlier, so I intend to introduce you briefly.”

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“I don’t mind, but why?”

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“The Seeker wishes for the rulers to maintain as much camaraderie as possible.”

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Adding that it was for the peace of the continent, the mask turned once more.

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Alon calmly followed.

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After some time—

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“Here we are.”

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In the place the mask led him to—

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A man was seated.

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A man with hair of dazzling, radiant gold.

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“……Hmm?”

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The man’s gaze, which had been directed out the window, shifted toward Alon.

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“This is His Majesty Contanias of the Northern Empire.”

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At the mask’s introduction, Alon gave a slight nod.

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Though he had not personally played Calypsophobia and did not know in detail, he knew what kind of person he was from the rumors Evan had brought.

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‘Wasn’t it called the Crying Dragon?’

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Contanias, the prince who wielded the Northern Empire’s guardian deity, the Crying Dragon.

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As he recalled that information, the mask opened its mouth again—

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“Sir Contanias, this person is—”

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“That will do.”

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It could not continue.

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Because Contanias had cut it off.

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In silence, Contanias looked at Alon with an unreadable expression.

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Then—

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“I am not magnanimous enough to hear and remember the name of an inferior.”

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He spoke curtly.

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Only then did Alon realize the emotion contained in his face.

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“Be grateful that you are even allowed to share this place.”

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It was ‘contempt’ and ‘mockery.’

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***

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The capital of the Northern Empire.

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Though four-tenths of the Empire had been destroyed by divine-blood, in the very center of a capital still enjoying great prosperity stood an enormous palace.

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A palace even larger than the one where Emperor Contanias resided.

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And that palace—

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“Where is Contanias?”

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“Y-Your Majesty the Emperor is currently in attendance.”

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Was under the control of a woman.

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A woman who proved she was no ordinary human, bearing a massive jet-black dragon’s tail.

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No—

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“Tell him to come quickly. I have tasks for him.”

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“Th-That may be difficult at the moment—”

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“Is that so? Then shall I depart now?”

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The Crying Dragon.

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“N-No! Please! Please remain fixed, Lady Arculainisis!”

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“Summon him as quickly as possible.”

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With red eyes bearing dried tear marks and deep dark circles beneath them—

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“I have something to ask.”

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She murmured quietly.

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Fingering a fragment of someone’s coat within her embrace.

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