Raising Villains the Right Way

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Calypsophobia.

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The ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍official sequel made by the same developers who created Psychedelia, which Alon had enjoyed playing—yet a game he himself had never tried.

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NovelFire reader preview #512970fb123f (issued 2026-07-17).

Thus, when he first heard the name Contanias, only the stories Evan had told him came to mind, and no other information surfaced.

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However, at this very moment—

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Upon hearing the absurd words he had just spoken, fragmented memories about Contanias finally rose within Alon’s mind.

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‘Contanias, the traitor of the Empire.’

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Of course, he did not know under what circumstances he had come to be called a traitor.

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He had never played Calypsophobia, after all.

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He was a character notorious in the community for his verbal abuse.

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Even Alon, who had never played Calypsophobia, had read about it once or twice.

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‘If the rumors were to be believed, he was less a prince and more like a street thug………… was that how it went?’

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Certainly, even now his tone was archaic, but the way he spoke did not feel purely fantastical.

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Alon found himself looking at Contanias anew.

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Contanias, who had likewise been staring at Alon, twisted the corner of his mouth into a sneer.

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At that moment—

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Snap!

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With the sound of fingers snapping, Contanias, who had been there just a moment ago, vanished without a trace.

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It happened in an instant.

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As Alon looked to the side in confusion—

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“My apologies.”

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The mask, who had been watching Contanias’ verbal abuse from nearby, bowed its head.

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“What just happened?”

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7

“It seemed an unnecessary fight was about to occur, so I sent him back.”

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“……”

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7

“That’s possible?”

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7

“Yes. At least within the tower.”

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As Alon marveled at the words—

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Thud—! Thudududung—!

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Footsteps began echoing from afar.

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They drew near in an instant.

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There stood Contanias, charging forward at a speed no ordinary human could possibly achieve.

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‘He’s certainly not normal.’

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He clearly possessed ability beyond that of a mere knight.

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Alon watched him approach with an exceedingly hostile expression.

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Snap—!

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Once more, the sound of snapping fingers rang out, and Contanias disappeared.

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A roar followed shortly after.

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‘Isn’t that anger management disorder?’ Alon thought briefly, then turned to the mask.

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“But is that really alright?”

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“What do you mean?”

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“Contanias.”

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Though he seemed like a complete delinquent at a glance, at this moment when the Empire had split into four, Contanias was the Emperor of the Northern Empire.

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It was only natural to feel concern.

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However—

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“The Seeker does not wish for the rulers to fight. Preventing unnecessary conflict is my duty.”

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“That seems rather forceful for prevention.”

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“If I did not, it seemed inevitable he would cause trouble.”

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The mask remained composed.

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In either case, its handling of matters appeared decisive.

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Alon felt the curiosity he had set aside about the Seeker rise once more.

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‘Just what is the Seeker?’

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The Seeker.

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Perhaps mentioned in Calypsophobia, but in Psychedelia it had only appeared through the Contract of Structure, merely hinting at a sequel or DLC.

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Thus, there had been no information about the Seeker.

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According to Nangwon, whom he had spoken with upon coming to this tower, this place had appeared one day without warning.

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“Regardless, I apologize for having you experience such a thing.”

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Lost in thought, Alon came back to himself at the sound.

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The mask bowed again.

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Alon slowly waved a hand.

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“It’s fine.”

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“Thank you for your understanding. It seems today’s meeting would not go well, so perhaps it would be best to arrange another day.”

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“Very well.”

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It was time to return to his room under the skull mask’s guidance.

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***

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Several days passed after that, yet nothing significant had changed within the tower.

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Naturally, no substantial information about the Seeker had been obtained.

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From the moment Alon arrived until now, he had not once seen the Seeker’s face.

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As a result, with essentially no information, he merely waited for the designated day, greeting those who arrived at the tower one by one as the date approached.

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And then, when the day finally came—

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“It is time.”

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“Shall I go?”

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“Yes. It is time for all to gather.”

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Alon followed the mask without complaint.

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“You’ve arrived, My Lord.”

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“You’ve come, my friend.”

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Upon reaching the vast conference hall, familiar faces greeted him.

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The first to catch his eye were Yutia and Siyan.

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“Brother.”

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“Hmph, you’re here.”

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Following them, Karsem and Palmarion greeted him as though they had been waiting.

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Alon lightly returned their greetings and sat where the mask guided him.

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He had already met and conversed with them over the past few days.

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Siyan had arrived late last night, so they had not spoken yet.

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When Alon looked at Siyan, she looked back at him.

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She wore a faint, inscrutable smile.

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After their brief exchange of glances, Alon shifted his gaze to survey the hall.

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‘About half are filled.’

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Aside from those he had greeted, there were also figures he did not recognize.

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As he scanned the room, Alon realized that the emperors of each Empire had not yet arrived.

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The bright platinum-blond hair that symbolized imperial bloodlines was nowhere to be seen.

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Just then—

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The door opposite where Alon sat opened, and a man entered.

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With radiant platinum-blond hair, unmistakably of imperial blood.

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The moment he stepped in, the relatively calm atmosphere of the hall shifted.

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Among those seated, Yuman beside Yutia, Palmarion, and several others either blatantly avoided his gaze or shot him hostile looks.

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The atmosphere had changed abruptly.

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Yet Alon was not flustered.

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He had anticipated this to some extent.

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‘Didn’t they say they look down on the other kings as well?’

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Though Alon had avoided gatherings among the rulers over the past few days, such rumors had already spread.

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Thus he was not surprised.

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The man who altered the air merely by entering swept his gaze across the table with amiable-looking eyes—unlike the other imperial-blooded figures.

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Then, when his eyes met Alon’s—

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“!”

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He broke into a bright smile.

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“?”

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Alon looked confused at the sudden reaction.

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But the man approached him without hesitation.

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“Greetings, Mr. Alon.”

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He smiled flawlessly as he offered his greeting.

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Alon, momentarily blank, instinctively stood and grasped his hand.

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“Y-Yes, it’s a pleasure.”

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“Yes!”

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“By the way—”

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As Alon was about to ask something, the man seemed to realize something and let out a small exclamation.

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“My apologies, I introduced myself too late.”

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His smile, suspiciously pure and fundamentally different from those Alon had heard of or seen, deepened.

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“I am Nataman, who humbly leads the Western Empire.”

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“I look forward to working with you,” he added with a bow.

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‘The Western Empire’s Emperor……? If I recall correctly, the Western Empire was said to have fallen……?’

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Alon searched his memory.

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As he looked at the bright-faced man, he felt a strange sense of dissonance.

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Yes—dissonance.

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As though he had seen that expression somewhere before—

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Alon’s mind flashed.

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He realized.

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‘Eliban?’

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His smile resembled Eliban’s.

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And as Alon felt that sense of déjà vu—

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Yutia’s red eyes silently observed Nataman.

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Quietly.

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And silently.

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Unfortunately, Alon did not get to speak further with Nataman, the Emperor of the Western Empire.

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For soon after, as the other fragmented emperors of the Empire entered—

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[All are gathered.]

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As if waiting for that moment, a figure appeared at the head seat that had been empty until now.

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‘The Seeker.’

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He could not properly see the Seeker’s form.

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Though light filled the tower, the Seeker’s appearance was dark, as if submerged in pitch-black night.

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Even more astonishing—

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‘I feel nothing?’

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—Nothing could be sensed from the Seeker.

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At some point, Alon had gained the ability to perceive traces of mana.

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Even if someone was not actively using mana, mere recognition allowed him to gauge them to some extent.

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Yet from the Seeker, none of that could be felt.

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As though he were not a living being.

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As Alon felt a strange tension—

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[From this moment, the Contract of Structure shall be executed.]

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The Seeker’s voice resounded.

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[Excluding the fourteen rulers present here, the remaining thirty-three are judged to have abandoned their duty. Their contracts are revoked.]

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[Those gathered here are henceforth deemed to be fulfilling the Contract of Structure.]

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[Beginning tomorrow, you shall participate in the ‘Conference,’ and thereafter, through due procedure, you will receive a share of ‘power.’]

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Having declared this with a resonant aura, the Seeker vanished in an instant without allowing questions.

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“……What?”

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“Is that it?”

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Silence fell abruptly.

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As the other rulers murmured in confusion—

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[This concludes the opening ceremony. We ask that you participate in the Conference beginning tomorrow.]

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As if prepared, the skull mask appeared and bowed politely.

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The attendees frowned in unison.

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In this wartime situation, had they not summoned the heads of kingdoms?

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And this was all?

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It felt like a waste of time.

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Negative emotions surfaced across their faces.

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Yet, as though there was nothing to be done, they began to rise.

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“It seems that’s the end, brother.”

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“Indeed.”

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As Alon moved to stand along with Yuman—

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“Hey, you there.”

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A rude voice flew toward him.

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Alon turned.

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Contanias, Emperor of the North, glared at him with visible irritation.

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“What is it?”

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Alon asked.

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Contanias let out a scoffing laugh.

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“Do the fools of the Allied Kingdom Alliance not know what manners are?”

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“……Manners?”

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“Yes. If you’ve caused harm, it’s only natural to apologize.”

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“Harm?”

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“Yes. Sitting in the same place as me and making me this displeased.”

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Alon went blank for a moment.

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The provocation was absurdly blatant.

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And yet, laughably, it was filled with sincerity.

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Alon recalled a few days ago—

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When the man had verbally abused him and been sent back to his room.

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Remembering that, Alon could roughly guess his intention.

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It was bothersome even to respond.

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Behind him, Yutia and Yuman’s expressions hardened.

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And at that moment—

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Baaang—!

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Contanias’ body flew through the air and slammed into the table.

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Crash! Crack! 

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With a thunderous noise, he rolled across the long table before crashing into the tower’s inner wall.

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Alon’s mouth fell open involuntarily.

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Such sudden violence(?).

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That alone was shocking—

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But the true reason Alon was stunned was—

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“Brother? You shouldn’t speak so rudely.”

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The Western Empire’s Emperor Nataman—

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Who had worn such a gentle smile while speaking with Alon—

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Had just smashed Contanias’ face in.

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“Hmm?”

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With a chilling smile.

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“…??”

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Of course, apart from that—

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Alon’s mind was filled with only one thought.

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What in the world is happening……?

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