Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 134

Chapter 134
Approximately twenty minutes later, Alon managed to cross into the border zone accompanied by his two guarantors.

This was an unprecedented event since the border’s foundation.

Nonetheless, Alon made it into the border zone and now stood looking out at the desolate expanse beyond. An unusual spectacle met his gaze.

The outer wall was blanketed with the bodies of countless monsters.

This sight was not, in itself, completely abnormal. The wall’s very function was to serve as a defense against monsters and a potential assault from the Empire.

Even so, Alon found it strange because this was the wasteland.

‘Monsters exist in the wasteland, but it’s unusual for them to gather in such immense numbers.’

There were hundreds, maybe even thousands, of monster carcasses littering the area.

Furthermore, soldiers were busily removing the corpses from one section.

“Lord Marquis.”

Alon turned at the sound of the voice and saw Kiriana, the commander of the border defense, walking toward him.

“I am in your debt for your actions previously.”

“…Previously?”

“Yes, in the northern territories. Had you not confronted the Outer God then, I would not be alive today.”

“Ah.”

Alon gave a nod of understanding as he recalled the event.

“It was nothing of consequence. I merely did what the situation demanded.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“You possess profound compassion.”

Kiriana’s comment gave Alon a moment’s pause.

He could infer why she had said it.

From Kiriana’s perspective, unaware of the full truth, it must have appeared that Alon had traveled out of his way to the north to avert disaster by facing the Outer God.

Having no appropriate reply, Alon chose to shift the topic with a short answer.

“Incidentally, may I ask you a question?”

“By all means.”

“There are a great many monster corpses here. Was there an assault recently?”

Kiriana tilted her head slightly.

“Yes, but were you not already informed?”

“No, I received no news of it.”

“Ah, I presumed you knew, since you arrived with the other two.”

She then provided a concise summary of the present circumstances at the border.

“A monster wave?”

“Indeed. It has been occurring at regular intervals for more than two months. Initially, it was only a few dozen monsters, but their numbers have grown of late. That is why we requested the saint and the cardinal to assist with repairing the main gate.”

Only then did Alon comprehend the situation.

‘So that was the issue with the main gate.’

He remembered Yuman speaking of their objective the day before, but as Alon knew little about the gate itself, he hadn’t dwelled on it.

In ‘Psychedelia’, the main gate had never been referenced. Naturally, there had been no quests involving monsters massing at the border like this.

Moreover, this kind of event was never mentioned in the original narrative either.

‘Did this occur before the main story began, and I was simply unaware? Or is this an alteration in the timeline?’

As he was deep in thought,

“So, Saint, you should manage the gate repairs. I will remain with my Lord.”

“Cardinal Yutia, is the gate repair not your duty?”

“Not in the slightest. Shouldn’t the individual with the greater divine power be the one to handle it?”

At some point, Yutia and Yuman had drawn near, engaged in another dispute behind him.

Both wore smiles, but their eyes held no warmth.

‘They truly cannot get along.’

Alon threw a brief look in their direction before turning his attention back to Kiriana.

“So, what of the monsters?”

Kiriana had already departed by then.

“Safe journey!” she called from afar.

Now close to the border entrance, Alon saw her offer a slight, easygoing nod with a relaxed smile. Beside her, Yutia and Yuman were conversing while a nearly lifeless aide stood nearby. In that moment, Alon understood.

‘…She didn’t come here to express gratitude. She simply seized a moment when no one was watching and made her escape.’

Just as the notion, ‘How shrewd,’ passed through his mind—

“Cardinal, your usual method should suffice. Brother is not someone who would fail to comprehend your actions.”

“What are you implying?”

“Even when Brother was being maligned in the kingdom, did you not remain silent?”

“…As I stated before, I have completed all the required preparations.”

“Still, at that time, you were not physically present when everything transpired, correct? I believe you understand, Cardinal, that aid is a matter of timing and location.”

Alon realized one thing—Yuman, with his tranquil smile, was far more adept at provoking people than he had imagined. The proof was visible in the rigid expression on Yutia’s face. Witnessing this, Alon felt a secret, cold sweat break out.

***

A short time later—

Not long after they began their journey into the border, Alon found himself parted from Yutia and Yuman. This was made possible by their consideration. Yutia, as if she had planned it, gave Alon a signal to proceed on his own once the allied forces were hidden from view by the wasteland. Oddly, Yuman also permitted him to leave with a benevolent smile, stating, “You must have your own affairs to attend to.”

Because of this, Alon was able to act independently.

“Marquis.”

“What is it?”

“How did you grow so familiar with the Saint?”

“I don’t know.”

“…Truly?”

“Would I deceive you about such a thing?”

Even Alon himself could not fathom it. Why was Yuman behaving so amicably toward him?

‘…What manner of misunderstanding is this?’

Before he could reflect further—

“…Let us proceed downward for now.”

“Yes.”

Remembering what Duke Komalon had told him, Alon started walking toward the southern border.

—

By the time Alon and Evan had been traveling south for a considerable while, the sun was high overhead, and Alon became absorbed in his thoughts. As they drew closer to the location the Duke had indicated, repressed concerns began to emerge.

He questioned how much of the Duke’s words were truthful and what might be waiting for them in the south. He grew intrigued by a place never before referenced in Psychedelia. Finally, anxieties regarding the Five Great Sins also pressed on his mind.

A whirlwind of feelings and reflections churned in his head. After walking south for some time, Alon abruptly became aware of something.

‘I was only instructed to go south, but not how far I needed to travel.’

The border extended a great distance from north to south, even if it was less expansive from east to west. Despite the shorter connecting segments of the border, the immense stretch of wasteland between them made the trek formidable.

With a sigh, he wondered how much further he would have to go when—

[How curious. A sorcerer, perhaps?]

An abrupt voice echoed in Alon’s mind. It was a clear, male voice. Before Alon could react—

[Since you have come to such a barren place where no one else journeys, I assume you are seeking me. How fortunate—I was growing bored. Shall we converse for a while?]

As soon as the mental voice finished speaking—

Wooooong~!!!

A magic circle materialized under Alon’s feet.

“!”

It happened in an instant. Before Alon could respond, the magic circle activated, consuming him with astonishing speed.

In a flash, Alon had disappeared from the wasteland.

“…Marquis?”

Left by himself, Evan, who had been plodding behind Alon while staring at the ground, stood in stunned silence, looking at the empty spot where Alon had vanished.

And then—

Suddenly transported by the magic circle, the first thing Alon saw was a cavern of unnerving vastness.

And next—

“!”

Golden eyes.

Eyes so enormous they easily towered over Alon’s own height, though their shine had faded and they seemed lackluster. Staring vacantly at the vertically slit, reptilian pupils, Alon gradually moved his gaze.

Beyond that, he perceived more details—golden scales, though dulled to a brownish tint, and three large black spears thrust deep between the gaps in the colossal creature’s scales.

And the moment he absorbed it all, Alon recognized what stood before him.

[Yes, for what purpose have you sought me? I am the Golden Dragon, Lainisius.]

A mythical ancient dragon said to have once battled the Five Great Sins in the legends of Psychedelia.

That very entity was now gazing quietly down at Alon.

***

Lately, as affairs began to stabilize, Filian Merkilane had formally transferred his role as successor to his younger brother, Gilan.

He had never truly desired the position to begin with.

Freed from his duties, he immersed himself completely in practicing swordsmanship and magic. Spending his days in strenuous training, he discovered immense satisfaction in his current way of life. Swordsmanship had always been his strength, and while he possessed little innate gift for magic, he still found pleasure in studying it.

With each minor progression in magic, he felt as if he was moving a step closer to the person he looked up to.

As was his habit, after a morning of magical instruction, Filian made his way to the village center in the afternoon. His goal was none other than the statue of Marquis Palatio in the village square.

Although other nobles, including his own brother, did not fully grasp the reasoning behind the statue’s erection, Filian held no regrets. On the contrary, he felt a deep sense of pride in his accomplishment.

To Filian, Alon was the very image of admiration.

Thus, Filian visited the statue every day.

“…Huh?”

“?”

Today, he came across an unexpected person.

Deus Makalian, whom he had last encountered at the royal conference, was standing quietly, observing the statue of Marquis Palatio.

Why was he here?

Before he could ask, Filian instinctively flinched. Even though he lived a relatively untroubled life, the trauma from that conference remained vivid.

Stuck in hesitation—

“…It has been some time.”

“It has, Sir Deus.”

Filian, somewhat disconcerted, returned Deus’s greeting.

Despite his poor social aptitude, he knew one thing for certain.

Deus Makalian did not like him.

“…I heard you were the one who proposed building this statue. Is that accurate?”

“Pardon? Ah, yes, that is correct.”

Nodding distractedly at Deus’s subsequent question, Filian hesitated before offering an awkward explanation,

“Because the Marquis saved our territory.”

“Is that the only reason?”

“No, not exactly… It is somewhat embarrassing to confess now that I am an adult, but I came to admire him after seeing how he rescued our land.”

“Hahaha,” Filian released an uncomfortable laugh and went on.

“So, I proposed erecting the statue.”

“I see, meaning you developed an admiration for him.”

“It is embarrassing, but yes.”

“No, there is no need for embarrassment.”

“…Pardon?”

Before he knew it, Deus had moved closer and placed a solid hand on Filian’s shoulder.

“That is correct. The Marquis is a person deserving of admiration, is he not?”

With a slight smile, Deus sought Filian’s confirmation. Feeling that emotions he had always considered too awkward to voice were being understood, Filian’s heart warmed, and he nodded eagerly.

“Precisely…!”

“Speaking of the Marquis reminds me of an incident in the North.”

As if it were a natural progression, Deus smoothly introduced the topic of the North.

“Oh…!”

Filian’s eyes gleamed more brightly than ever as he listened intently to Deus’s tale.

Thus, roughly five hours later—

“…Kulan.”

“Yes, Duke.”

“Where is my brother?”

“He is in the central square.”

“…Still?”

“Yes, as I mentioned earlier, he is still in conversation with Caliban’s First Sword.”

“…Did you not report they were speaking five hours ago as well?”

“…Yes, and they are still talking.”

“Why did you not call them for the evening meal?”

“Well…”

“Well?”

“…Both Lord Filian and the First Sword appeared to be enjoying their discussion so thoroughly that I could not bring myself to disturb them. In fact, they seemed to be growing more animated as time passed, so…”

After hearing Kulan’s report, Gilan could not help but feel perplexed—and inquisitive.

“What in the world could they possibly be discussing for all this time?”

Curiosity consumed him.

“Still, they must eat dinner, so go and retrieve both of them.”

“Understood.”

Like the proverbial cat killed by curiosity, Gilan made an unwise decision.

“I am curious.”

A very unwise decision indeed.