Raising Villains the Right Way

Alon stared blankly ahead.

The ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Cthulhu-like thing he had seen earlier was still floating in the air.

As ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍if it embodied the end of the world itself.

“...That’s ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍really what I look like when I Manifest?”

“Yes. ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Well, that’s right.”

Kalannon ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍merely shrugged as if she couldn’t understand what the problem was.

Alon ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍asked:

“Don’t you think that’s strange?”

“You mean the Manifestation form?”

“Yes.”

“No matter how I look at it, there are at least a dozen things wrong with it.”

Alon genuinely meant it.

After all, he was human.

Yet the manifested form went far beyond humanity to the point where one had to wonder if it had ever been human in the first place.

However, Kalannon tilted her head in confusion.

“But that’s Lord Alon’s image.”

“What kind of image do people have of me for it to turn into that?”

Alon spoke in disbelief.

Kalannon looked back and forth between Alon and the Manifestation.

“Mm~ There are definitely a few differences.”

“A few? It’s completely different.”

“No, not really.”

“In what way?”

“Uh...”

Kalannon looked at him as though asking, ’You seriously don’t know?’

Then she added:

“Well, honestly, appearances aren’t that important, are they?”

“They become important once they start looking like that.”

“Even so, it can’t be helped.”

“The appearance of a Manifestation is formed from the wishes of the believers.”

“From their wishes?”

“Yes.”

“But I’ve been walking around as a human this whole time.”

Alon stared vacantly at the apocalypse floating above the galaxy.

Kalannon dragged out her words thoughtfully.

“Well, I’ve seen a few cases before. Usually it’s caused by differences in perception.”

“Differences in perception?”

“Yes.”

“The explanation is a little complicated, but simply put, people view Lord Alon as being much more amazing than he actually appears.”

Alon remained silent, signaling her to continue.

“So basically, even if Lord Alon acts as a human, people think, ’Actually, Lord Alon must be a far greater existence. His true body must be somewhere else! And that true form probably looks like this~!’”

“...And the result is that thing?”

“Exactly.”

“Who in the world is under that misunderstanding...?”

Alon muttered helplessly.

Kalannon focused her gaze somewhere and offered a guess.

“If I had to guess, it’s probably the divine-bloods.”

“The divine-bloods?”

“Yes.”

“When you were only receiving faith from humans, Manifestation wasn’t even possible.”

“But it became possible after you started receiving faith from the divine-bloods.”

“So that means—”

“The divine-bloods are probably imagining me as that?”

“Yes.”

“Then if I change the image the divine-bloods have of me, will that appearance change too?”

“Mm~ Probably.”

“Gods naturally change according to how their believers perceive them.”

“Of course, the more ordinary humans there are who believe in you compared to the divine-bloods, the more it will gradually change as well.”

“...”

Thus, Alon gained yet another task.

Because no matter how he thought about it—

He absolutely did not want to turn into that thing.

’Another problem to solve.’

As Alon pondered how he might change the image the divine-bloods had of him, Kalannon continued staring at the giant eye.

Then she suddenly said:

“Though honestly... doesn’t that form look pretty cool?”

“That looks cool to you?”

Is something wrong with this cat’s head?

The question was practically written across Alon’s face.

Kalannon answered awkwardly.

“Well, aesthetically it’s a little questionable, but...It would be really good for gathering faith.”

“...”

“Mostly as a God of the Apocalypse or something.”

Kalannon casually looked away as she said it.

Alon’s determination strengthened.

After finishing his conversation with Kalannon and returning to reality—

“Sili.”

“Yes?”

“Do you happen to have any spare statues?”

“Uh...”

Caught off guard by the question, Sili quickly answered.

“There should be one finished by tomorrow.”

“Would it be alright if I used that statue?”

“That shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Do you need it for something urgent?”

Perhaps because she was delighted by Alon’s sudden interest, Sili looked even more excited than usual.

Alon nodded firmly.

“Yes. I have a very urgent use for it.”

“Then I’ll prepare it right away!”

“If possible, I’d appreciate it if it were carved well.”

“!! Don’t worry!”

Sili’s eyes sparkled at Alon’s request.

“...?”

“Why is she acting like that all of a sudden?”

Naturally, Penia and Evan could only be confused.

They knew Alon usually wasn’t enthusiastic about statues.

“Evan. We’ll return to Palantio first.”

“You’re not meeting the divine-bloods?”

“I’ll meet them tomorrow.”

“I need to bring the statue first.”

With those words, Alon boarded Basiliora to return to Palantio.

And some time later—

Only while flying back aboard Basiliora did Penia and Evan finally understand why he had made that decision.

“So you’re saying it was a giant eye?”

“Yes.”

Evan hummed thoughtfully before nodding.

“Honestly, I wouldn’t want to suddenly transform into a monster like that either.”

“Right?”

Alon immediately agreed before turning toward Penia.

She appeared deep in thought.

“What’s wrong, Penia?”

When Alon asked, Penia snapped out of her thoughts.

“Nothing. I was just thinking about something.”

The smile she showed looked oddly awkward.

Alon found it strange but ultimately shrugged it off.

After arriving in Palantio, the first thing Alon did was say goodbye to those preparing to leave.

“We’ll be going now, Brother!”

“Very well.”

Radan waved cheerfully and departed.

Now that he had secured a floor in the castle, he looked completely free of regrets.

He didn’t even bother making excuses.

Alon couldn’t help wondering why Radan had lied about losing his home in the first place.

’If that’s the case, maybe I should’ve been suspicious from the moment he showed up claiming his house was destroyed...’

Thinking that belatedly, Alon returned Radan’s farewell.

“I’ll be leaving as well, Brother.”

“I’ll visit again.”

Nangwon and Deus also offered their farewells.

“Boss! Me too!”

“I’m leaving too, God!”

Ryanga waved energetically.

Meanwhile, Historia gave a small wave.

“I’ll be going as well, Godfather.”

Then came Rine’s farewell.

Alon asked:

“Rine, where will you be staying?”

“I’ll probably remain in Fildagreen for a few months.”

“I’ll visit soon.”

“Ah, to see Ar?”

“I should meet her at least once.”

“Alright. I’ll be waiting.”

As Alon nodded, Magrina suddenly spoke up.

“Brother. If you’re going to see Ar, may I come along?”

“Would that be alright?”

“Mm. Being away for a few days shouldn’t cause any problems.”

After hearing both Magrina and Rine agree, Alon nodded.

“Understood.”

“Then let’s go together.”

“Thank you.”

Magrina slightly lowered her head.

Then Alon turned his gaze toward Yutia.

“I’ll stop by Rosario soon as well.”

“Oh my.”

“That’s wonderful news, My Lord.”

“Actually, if you’d like, you could wait about a week and leave together. That’s probably when I’ll be departing.”

If he met the divine-bloods and left immediately afterward, it would likely take about that long.

However, Yutia shook her head.

“Thank you for the offer, but I have somewhere else I need to visit first.”

“I see.”

“Yes.”

“So I’ll see you in Rosario.”

She smiled gently.

After finishing his farewell with Yutia—

“Master!”

“Seolrang.”

Alon turned toward Seolrang.

Unlike before, her smile was genuinely bright now.

There was no trace of the old act.

“I’m leaving too, okay?”

“Alright.”

Watching her tail sway back and forth, Alon naturally patted her head.

“You know, right, Master? If anything dangerous happens, tell me immediately.”

“I understand.”

Alon nodded at Seolrang’s words.

She smiled softly in return.

Then, naturally, she leaned her face closer to him.

Nom.

She bit Alon’s nose.

Of course, it didn’t hurt.

She hadn’t actually bitten down.

Her teeth had merely touched it.

Though pain wasn’t the issue—

It was admittedly a little embarrassing.

’Ah... come to think of it, people might misunderstand this.’

As Alon indulged Seolrang’s affection, that thought suddenly crossed his mind.

After all, Penia and Evan had misunderstood things before.

This wasn’t all that different.

’Hm.’

And proving his suspicions correct—

The moment he looked up, he saw everyone staring at Seolrang with expressions that practically screamed:

’What?!’

As soon as Seolrang released his nose, Alon tried to explain.

But—

“Seolrang? I told you not to bite people’s noses so casually, didn’t I?”

Yutia scolded her first.

For some reason, there was a faint chill beneath her smile.

Alon felt relieved.

Yutia seemed perceptive enough not to misunderstand.

“Ah—”

“So it was his nose?”

“Ah. Mm-hm~”

“That’s a relief.”

“I was seriously considering whether I needed to kidnap Brother and run.”

Everyone seemed reassured by Yutia’s words.

The shock gradually faded from their faces.

“That’s right, Seolrang. Stop making Godfather uncomfortable.”

Rine added as well.

After hearing both of them, Alon spoke up.

“No, it’s fine.”

“...What?”

“?”

Yutia and Rine’s eyes widened.

“?”

Yet Alon was equally confused by their reaction.

“It’s only a small expression of affection.”

She shrugged casually.

“...Wait.”

“So biting up to the nose is considered safe...?”

Ryanga muttered blankly.

A brief silence followed.

Then—

“Hm.”

“Brother! I suddenly remembered something important, so I’ll be going first!”

As if sensing something dangerous, Deus and Radan abruptly gave another farewell before immediately disappearing.

“Mm~ I should probably get going too.”

“Mhm. Me too.”

One after another, people began leaving.

And then—

“Bye-bye, Master~!”

Even Seolrang departed.

The reception room quickly became quiet.

“??”

Watching everyone vanish like the wind, Alon could only stare blankly.

Question marks filled his mind.

***

The next day.

“Let’s go.”

“We’re stopping by Divine Land first, right?”

“Yes.”

[Heh heh heh. Another time when I am needed!]

As Alon rode Basiliora toward Divine Land—

At the front gate of Palantio—

“...My, Rine. Didn’t you say you were leaving?”

“Funny. Weren’t you the one who said you had somewhere important to be, Yutia?”

The four women who had supposedly left for their respective destinations yesterday—

Had somehow gathered together again.

“Hm~”

“Does everyone have business with Master?”

“Come to think of it, there are a few things I’d like to discuss as well.”

They all stood facing one another.

Smiling.

“......”

“......”

“......”

“......”

Though not a single pair of eyes was smiling.

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