Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 115

Chapter 115
“……I believe there has been a misunderstanding.”

“Regarding what…?”

Faced with Milan’s confused query, Alon’s mind raced. Honestly, he had no idea how to begin untangling the absurd gossip.

That Penia holds Marquis Palatio in high esteem?

Or that the Tower Lord, Celaime Mikardo, has given his subordinate Penia approval to court him?

‘Wait, isn’t it odd from the start that the Tower Lord is even involved in granting dating permissions?’

The thought occurred to him briefly, but he quickly dismissed it. Although not a blood relative, Celaime Mikardo was like a father to Penia and her brother, Filin.

He was, after all, the one who took them in as orphans and instructed them in magic.

In other words, Celaime has grounds to involve himself in Penia’s romantic life… But that isn’t the issue at the moment.

Alon began to speak, intending to correct the falsehoods.

“First of all, none of it is true.”

“It isn’t?”

“That’s correct. Penia Crysinne has no feelings for me, and the Blue Tower Lord has never given me consent to court her.”

“Oh… is that so?”

“Yes.”

Milan showed skepticism at Alon’s decisive nod.

“But I heard the Blue Tower Lord explicitly stated it…?”

Wasn’t it the Blue Tower Lord himself who granted approval?

“A misunderstanding must have sparked these rumors.”

“Are you certain…?”

“Yes. I met with the Blue Tower Lord recently, and we never spoke of such matters.”

There was clearly a mistake.

“Hmm, alright, I see.”

After repeated refusals, Milan finally yielded.

“Well, I should be on my way. I have matters to attend to.”

“Ah, of course. Until next time.”

“Yes.”

They exchanged brief goodbyes and went their separate ways.

“…What? I definitely heard those rumors.”

The words drifted on the wind, but Alon paid them no mind.

“It appears the magic community is still circulating that story.”

Evan also expressed his surprise.

“Is that so? Unfounded rumors usually die down quickly, don’t they?”

“Normally, yes.”

“……I wonder why this one keeps coming back.”

“But since the Marquis has stated it’s a mistake, it should calm down soon, right?”

“Even so, I already clarified the misunderstanding among the nobility some time ago.”

‘Didn’t Penia set the record straight?’

Alon was perplexed. Knowing Penia Crysinne’s character, she would have confronted the source of the rumor immediately upon hearing it.

After a brief reflection, Alon inwardly dismissed the concern. It was a bit irritating, but in the end, a rumor was just a rumor. Soon enough, Penia would be clear of the talk.

…It was just bothersome to have to go around correcting the mistake.

‘I can’t exactly assemble all the mages to clarify such a petty rumor.’

While Alon was lost in these thoughts,

“…Then, did the Blue Tower Lord actually do something?”

“The Blue Tower Lord?”

“Yes. Actually, that rumor is quite old, so it’s strange that it’s resurfacing now.”

Evan suggested a theory.

Alon thought back to his encounter with Celaime Mikardo.

‘I don’t recall discussing anything related to that… but I did get the impression he was plotting something.’

He had definitely worn an unusually cheerful smile.

‘…I’ll have to inquire the next time I see him.’

As Alon pondered their exchange, he gave a light shrug.

Truthfully, meeting Heinkel was a far greater priority for Alon at that moment. So,

“We can resolve this later; for now, let’s proceed upstairs.”

He moved briskly toward his designated room.

***

The library on the 38th floor of the Central Tower was typically a quiet place. Or, to be more precise, it was seldom visited by magicians.

Despite being a ‘library’—a place one would expect magicians, who love research and study, to frequent—the reason for their absence was simple: the alternative space. Every book here could be accessed as a pristine copy in the reading room on the 20th floor, eliminating the need to handle aged volumes.

Thus, the Central Tower Library existed more for its historical symbolism, as the original library built when the place was first founded. And in such a setting, there was a woman who had been there for an immeasurably long time. Heinkel, known to magicians as the Chalice of the Beginning and revered as their idol, rather enjoyed this arrangement. Whether before or after becoming a spirit, she had never been fond of noisy settings.

Naturally, that didn’t mean she completely avoided people. As a sentient being with a fully functioning mind, there were days she longed for company. On those days, she would wander through the tower, observing the magicians and amusing herself. If she found a magician she liked, she would subtly guide them to the library, engage in conversation, and offer assistance.

In truth, more than the satisfaction of helping, she relished the sense of superiority when magicians regarded her with awe after she shared her knowledge.

Anyway.

Still, she quite enjoyed residing alone in the deserted library, reading books at her leisure.

“I have come to see Heinkel, the Chalice of the Beginning.”

[…Very well.]

…Just moments before, that had been the case.

[Why has this person come back?!]

Heinkel nearly let out a scream at the sight of the man bowing deeply before her, but she managed to suppress it.

The man standing before her was someone she truly did not wish to encounter.

[What is your business with me?]

Heinkel offered an awkward smile. Anyone familiar with her usually temperamental nature would have been either stunned or amused by the scene.

But the reason Heinkel had to be polite to the man in front of her was because of ‘that’ presence behind Duke Palatio.

Something profoundly dark, something that should never be acknowledged, yet could not be disregarded.

It was only now, during their second meeting and after calmly evaluating the situation, that Heinkel understood the entity behind him was not attached to the man by choice. Nevertheless, the fact remained that Heinkel had to be courteous to Alon. The entity behind him could obliterate Heinkel’s existence at any moment, even now.

And she knew that the entity held some form of interest in the man before her.

“Unfortunately, I have a request and have come to ask for your help.”

[A request?]

“Yes. Actually, I’m having difficulty using an item you provided.”

It was more accurate to say he had taken it rather than received it willingly, but she maintained her pleasant smile.

[Shall we examine it?]

“Of course.”

[Is there anything else you wish to ask?]

“Well, if it’s possible, I would appreciate some instruction in magic? I am willing to offer compensation.”

Although Heinkel was inclined to be accommodating, she could not agree to his appeal. For Heinkel, who valued her life above all else, remaining in close proximity to an entity that could end her existence was deeply unsettling.

Therefore,

[That may not be possible.]

“Might I ask why?”

[The reason is]

Heinkel, about to explain without thinking, suddenly fell silent. Only someone like Heinkel, who had been watching Alon closely, could perceive the eyes concealed in the hidden space behind him suddenly widening!

Heinkel shifted her gaze toward Alon as if seeking confirmation for the answer she was about to give.

“?”

As Heinkel stood frozen with her mouth slightly open, Alon tilted his head in bewilderment. However, Heinkel, aware of the eyes fixed intently on her from the hidden space, felt a cold sweat break out.

“….On second thought, perhaps I can assist you.”

“Is that true?”

“Yes, it can be done. Yes, certainly.”

“Thank you.”

“Ah, no, now that I consider it, it isn’t so challenging~”

She hastily revised her statement. Only then did she sense the eyes in the hidden space receding.

[‘Aaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!! Why! Why!! Why is this happening to meeeee-!’]

She felt like weeping.

Meanwhile, though internally she was shrieking, externally she maintained a strained smile. Unaware of Heinkel’s inner distress, Alon thought,

‘Strange, she seems much more agreeable than the version I saw in the games… What’s the reason?’

He was confused by how readily she had accepted his appeal.

‘Perhaps her original character was different, and some event in the game altered it?’

Indeed, judging by her appearance alone, she could be mistaken for a young girl if not for the large wizard’s hat she wore.

‘Yes. She looks too youthful and delicate to be so harsh.’

Unaware of Heinkel’s internal struggle, he decided that her personality must have shifted due to some incident not depicted in the game.

[‘I truly want to escapeeeee, honestly…’]

Struggling to conceal her urge to cry, Heinkel whimpered quietly to herself.

***

Meanwhile, on the highest floor of the Central Tower.

“So, you want me to translate this?”

“Correct.”

Two men were present. Parkline Agrulus, an 8th rank magician with red hair and crimson eyes, and Celaime Mikardo, both of whom held the title of Tower Lords.

“Why should I?”

Parkline, slouching lazily, scowled upon seeing Celaime’s relaxed smile.

“Because you’re the only one capable of translating these ancient languages.”

“And why should I do you a favor?”

“Because we’re friends?”

Parkline’s expression darkened.

“Friends? I don’t recall that!”

“But we’re here together now, aren’t we?”

“You only came because you promised to repay me for the artifact you borrowed last time!”

“Did I say that?”

“I want to throttle you.”

Parkline clenched his fist as if eager to act on the impulse. Unfazed, Celaime remained composed.

“Regardless, please help me with this. It shouldn’t be too hard for you, especially since you possess the relevant artifact.”

“……”

“And this time, I will definitely honor my promise.”

Parkline, still displeased, glared at him.

“You’d better keep your word.”

He then turned his attention to the parchment.

Woom~!

As Parkline became enveloped in a shimmering aura of magical energy, a spherical artifact resembling an eyeball emerged from his pocket. He began to read the symbols on the parchment as if scanning them. After a stretch of silence, Parkline spoke.

“…The translation is complete.”

“What does it say?”

Celaime asked urgently, and Parkline replied,

“‘I leave my inheritance to the half-mage who never yielded, who always remembered the phrases…?’ It doesn’t appear to hold the profound magical secrets you were hoping for.”

Knowing that Celaime had been scouring ruins for clues to advance to the 9th rank, Parkline turned to him with a faint smirk, but stopped short.

Until a moment ago, Celaime had been smiling, but now he seemed lost in thought.

“…?”

“?”

Parkline was baffled. Meanwhile, memories of their last expedition flashed through Celaime’s mind:

Marquis Palatio effortlessly opening the entrance to the hermit’s sanctuary, the terrifying and intriguing eyes behind him, and the duke swiftly collecting items upon entering the hideaway, then pausing to stare at a letter for a full minute.

And then.

‘I leave my inheritance to the half-mage who never yielded, who always remembered the phrases…?’

Recalling Parkline’s translation of the parchment, Celaime reached a conclusion:

‘…Could Marquis Palatio be that mage?’