“In the forgotten age of gods… A being higher than the five supreme gods?”

[Indeed. If it can interfere with the divine domain, it must be a higher existence than them. And that, even I cannot grasp. Just what kind of being could it be?]

A being so lofty that even the Dragonkin could not fathom.

Could Ulthultus possibly know about this existence? After all, he was the one who mentioned it first.

[No, he wouldn’t know. He must have made a similar misunderstanding as I did.]

“Then about that black thing—”

[At the current point, I do not know.]

At the Dragonkin’s firm declaration, Alon remained silent for a moment before shrugging his shoulders.

“It feels like the more I come to solve mysteries, the more they only seem to deepen.”

[Well, from your perspective, that’s understandable.]

Alon let out a sigh and decided to set this topic aside, choosing to ask a different question.

There were still many things he wanted to ask.

“Let’s go over the rest of the story first.”

With that, Alon began recounting everything that had happened in his mind, one by one.

A short while later.

[…… It seems more happened than I thought.]

“As you heard.”

Over the course of about 30 minutes, Alon conveyed everything he needed to say to the Dragonkin.

First was about meeting Duke Komalon and the magic of the True Mage he mentioned.

Second was the information that the ‘black things’ would soon rise again.

Lastly, there was the story of the golden dragon, Lainisius.

The Dragonkin, who remained silent while occasionally flicking its long tail, eventually organized its thoughts and began speaking.

[First of all, I was not aware of the information regarding those entities, as that sealed dragon had mentioned.]

“Is that so?”

[Yes, from the beginning, my understanding was a bit different. Well, in any case, even if those entities went through such a process to ascend, it would be meaningless for the gods to remain silent.]

“Can you reveal it now?”

[I can only tell you the prelude of what you know, but if it’s necessary, I shall.]

When Alon nodded immediately, the Dragonkin maintained silence for a moment before speaking slowly.

[It’s not a particularly exciting story. From your perspective, it’s nothing more than an old tale.]

A voice as if recalling a distant memory.

[In the past—what you call the forgotten age of gods—was literally a world where gods and humans coexisted. Humans worshiped the gods, and the gods granted blessings in return for faith.]

[Many things were different from now. Instead of the term ‘nation,’ territories were divided under the names of gods, wizards were called True Mages, and there was only one nation of humans. If I recall correctly, it was a country founded by someone named Palahon.]

The Dragonkin stared intently at Alon.

[Anyway, that was the kind of world it was. A world where gods existed, and different races, including humans, offered faith to those gods, while True Mages like you could imprint their laws onto the world.]

Murmuring as if reminiscing old memories, the Dragonkin continued.

[To be honest, that world couldn’t be called peaceful, even as an empty phrase. Problems arose daily. However, it wasn’t an era of constant warfare—at least not until they appeared.]

“……The black things.”

[Yes, them.]

The Dragonkin’s blue eyes narrowed in a frown.

[They appeared out of nowhere and began slaughtering every living being they saw, be it gods, humans, different races, or True Mages. All of them, without exception.]

“……Did they have a purpose?”

[No, there was no purpose. Or perhaps there was, but we had no way of knowing. From the start, they had no intention of communicating with us.]

For a moment, the atmosphere around him changed.

[Many gods rose to fight them. Some gods fought alone, while others formed alliances. They took up weapons to slay those unknown beings. And the result is what you see now.]

“……They lost?”

[It wasn’t just a loss. Most of the gods who rose to deal with the black things were annihilated.]

A powerless voice hovered in the air.

[Normally, gods do not perish so easily. Even if they do fall, they can revive within days or, at most, decades as long as they have faith.]

[But the gods who fell back then—most of them vanished entirely.]

“……Is there a reason for that?”

[It’s simple. Their names were taken.]

The loss of their names.

[For gods, names are crucial. No, not just their names; every element that constitutes a god is vital. However, if even one of those elements is taken away, a god cannot maintain their form.]

“……”

[Some had their names stolen. Others had their bodies, their minds, or their honor taken away. And thus, they were annihilated. I was no exception.]

A self-deprecating smile appeared on his face.

[I lost my name and narrowly avoided annihilation by sealing myself in my own temple at the last moment.]

It must have been a final desperate act.

An incomplete but necessary measure to continue living.

“Then, did other gods survive in the same manner?”

[That, I do not know either. I sealed myself around the time when the war had just begun. However, the gods who have survived to this point are those who were extremely powerful in the old era.]

“Why is that?”

[Because they managed to survive even after losing their names, wouldn’t that be obvious?]

In any case—

[In conclusion, the gods were defeated by those entities. They were even deprived of their positions as ‘gods.’]

“……Usurped.”

This was—

[Yes, usurpation. We, who were once the gods of this continent, are now called Outer Gods, while they are revered and feared as the ‘Five Great Sins.’]

Thus, the ‘origin story’ of the Five Great Sins was revealed.

“I have a question.”

[What is it?]

Alon, who had been silently listening to the Dragonkin’s story, suddenly had a thought.

“Why did the Five Great Sins steal your names and usurp the gods’ positions?”

[Well, I only learned of that after awakening from my seal, but if I had to speculate, it might have been to make us forgotten.]

“……Make you forgotten?”

[It’s merely speculation.]

“Still, I want to hear it.”

[When I awakened, the original gods had disappeared, and the True Mages’ legacy had been severed. Additionally, according to what you said, the dragons were completely slaughtered and became nothing more than mythical beings.]

The Dragonkin’s voice continued calmly.

[……I understand that the era ended with the death of the gods, True Mages, and dragons. But there are too many unresolved issues to simply accept that.]

“….. Are you referring to the usurpation of the gods’ positions?”

[It’s not just that. The same goes for the magic of the True Mages. Even if they had all died, their lineage should have continued to some extent. Yet look around. Is there any other True Mage in this world besides you?]

“……There isn’t.”

[Exactly. That’s what I mean. Something is off. Even if the gods perished, their information shouldn’t have vanished, and even if the True Mages died, there’s no reason for their laws and research to have disappeared.]

Even if the True Mages failed to leave an imprint of their will, it wouldn’t explain everything.

With a firm and resolute tone, the Dragonkin declared.

[This world has lost all its information. About the dragons, the gods—and the True Mages. It’s as if—]

The Dragonkin exhaled heavily.

[It was all fabricated.]

***

On the way back from the ruins.

[Meow—]

Watching the small black creature clinging to Seolrang’s hand and flying in real-time, Alon calmly organized the conversation he had with the Dragonkin afterward.

No, in fact, there wasn’t much to organize.

Most of it was just speculation.

‘……Well, sealing oneself during a war can’t be helped, after all.’

In the end, there were two clear truths that Alon gained from this conversation.

First, although the exact motive was unknown, the Five Great Sins had usurped the positions of the gods and tried to thoroughly erase traces of the old era.

Second, it explained why Duke Komalon referred to himself as a half-finished mage.

‘So, the technique involves imprinting the will.’

Alon recalled the Dragonkin’s explanation about True Mages.

[True Mages each have their unique manifestation. As I mentioned before, that manifestation is only possible when there is an imprint of will.]

[The technique is the next stage of that manifestation. It involves engraving laws and will onto a mana core, unifying with those laws. Only then do True Mages confidently call themselves True Mages.]

[Well, you’ll learn more about it three months from now when the item you entrusted to me is ready.]

“……So that’s why he called himself a half-finished mage.”

Understanding Duke Komalon’s meaning, Alon unconsciously let out a deep sigh.

Though he had learned some things, there were still unresolved questions.

Why did the black entities want to erase the past?

Considering the story of the golden dragon, Kylas was clearly a True Mage, so why did he appear as an Outer God?

Numerous questions swirled in his mind, making it hard to think clearly.

However, Alon decided to set aside those doubts for now and refocus on his primary objective.

‘Right now, the top priority is to stop the Five Great Sins.’

Ultimately, for him, there was only one truly important task.

To stop the Five Great Sins and live a peaceful life as a noble.

Beyond that, Alon had a secondary goal—a deeper exploration of magic.

Initially, magic was something he learned merely for self-preservation, but it had become an indispensable part of his life.

In this world, it was the only thing that sparked his curiosity and desire for improvement.

Therefore—

‘……First, I need to do the preliminary work to deal with those abominations. And when the original story begins, I’ll briefly join forces with the protagonist to obtain that item. With it, I should be able to meet Kylas.’

As he organized his plans once again, Alon gazed at the slowly rising sun in the middle of the sky.

—It was in the middle of a scorching desert.

“Greetings, Marquis. His Majesty the King wishes to see you.”

“Me, you say?”

“Yes. He also requested that Lady Seolrang accompany you.”

Having returned to Colony, Alon was unexpectedly invited by the King.

“Master, what do you want to do?”

While Alon was puzzled as to why Carmaxes III was calling for him, he still asked.

“When should I go?”

“You may depart immediately if you wish.”

“……Then let’s head out right now.”

He accepted the King’s invitation.

Of course, he wanted to take a moment to rest and organize his thoughts, but he knew it was common courtesy not to refuse an invitation from the King.

Boarding the prepared carriage, he headed toward the royal palace of Colony and soon began walking along the luxurious interior paths, as he had done before.

A short while later—

Just as he was nearing the banquet hall where Carmaxes awaited, he encountered a man.

A man who was staring intently at him.

“?”

Feeling the man’s gaze, Alon instinctively turned to meet his eyes, and shortly afterward, he realized who the man was.

‘Karan?’

Karan, the current prince of Colony and the sixth king who would eventually succeed Carmaxes V in the story.

He was staring fixedly at Alon.

With an expression that clearly conveyed immense displeasure.

Just as Alon began to wonder about the meaning behind that gaze—

Likewise, Seolrang, who had been watching Karan, started narrowing her eyes.

However, a moment later—

In the end, Alon managed to get past the confrontation with Karan without any incident.

Despite appearing as though he had been waiting for this moment, Karan soon turned his gaze away and went on his way.

“Marquis, do you happen to know that gentleman?”

“I don’t.”

“Then why was he glaring at you like—uh, I mean, why was he looking at you so intently?”

Evan quickly changed his words after glancing around and noticing the guards nearby.

“I have no idea either.”

Naturally, Alon didn’t know.

Though he was aware of Karan from his experience playing Psychedelia, this was the first time they had actually met face to face.

Of course, it was possible that Karan had learned of Alon through various rumors and reports, but even taking that into account, the hostility he displayed was rather strange.

Alon briefly tilted his head in confusion.

Soon afterward, he attended the banquet.

“Greetings, Marquis!”

“?”

The moment he entered the banquet hall, he saw a man bowing deeply to him, which left him momentarily bewildered.

However, he quickly marveled inwardly.

“……It’s been a while, Prince.”

“Yes!”

The handsome man currently bowing his head before him—

Alon soon realized that it was none other than the second prince, Karsem, who, half a year ago, had been ridiculed as a walking pig for his chubby figure covered in soot.

“???”

Countless question marks seemed to float above Alon’s head.