Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 137

Chapter 137

“When you mention Rikrakamur, are you referring to the abomination located in the northern reaches of the borderlands?”

“Correct.”

Alon acknowledged Yuman’s question, his own thoughts turning inward.

‘I must confront that creature.’

The forest monster Rikrakamur was also a horror that players would face in Psychedelia.

This entity, taller than most structures, resided north of the border. It didn’t necessarily require intervention unless the Five Great Sins were involved.

Since it stayed beyond the border, it typically caused no trouble.

However, the protagonist of Psychedelia, and Alon himself, had a singular reason for wanting to eliminate Rikrakamur.

It was because of the artifact it guarded.

The Relic of the Five Great Sins.

This object, akin to a future exclusive item for the Five Great Sins, had the power to double their strength if acquired.

Knowing the Five Great Sins would eventually come for it, Alon was determined to defeat Rikrakamur at any cost.

Furthermore, there was a personal benefit he could secure.

“So, was it Rikrakamur’s power that brought down the wall yesterday?”

Turning his mind to the spoils he could claim, Alon nodded in response to Kiriana’s inquiry.

“That’s right.”

“I found no clues, so how did you…?”

“There was a black slime evaporating on the shattered wall.”

“Slime?”

“Yes. This particular black slime warps any magical formation it contacts. The wall likely collapsed because Rikrakamur’s slime disrupted the integrity of the wall’s enchantment.”

“I see,”

Kiriana agreed.

Yet, a look of uncertainty soon crossed her face.

“But, my Lord, are you suggesting that Rikrakamur deliberately used this slime to assault us?”

“I cannot be certain, but it is a possibility. As a monstrosity, Rikrakamur holds the power to command other monsters.”

“So, the monster waves attacking us… it wasn’t a failure of the repelling gates, but Rikrakamur’s doing…?”

Kiriana theorized.

Yuman, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up.

“I intended to report this, but we inspected all five installed gates for a full day and found no faults.”

“Therefore?”

“It is highly probable the Lord’s assessment is accurate. But why would Rikrakamur do this?”

Puzzled murmurs spread through the group.

“To be honest, I don’t understand its motive for attacking the wall.”

Alon was equally perplexed.

In the game, Rikrakamur had never launched an assault on the wall like this.

‘It seemed content to remain stationary before.’

After a brief period of reflection, Alon dismissed his confusion.

His primary focus now wasn’t the reason for the attack, but the enemy itself: Rikrakamur.

“This is why I will require assistance.”

He moved decisively.

“In fact, I must ask for your help. If it continues to send waves of monsters, especially ones capable of neutralizing our defenses, it must be eliminated.”

A fierce fighting spirit ignited in Kiriana’s eyes.

Alon smiled to himself.

Dealing with Rikrakamur would absolutely require her aid—specifically, the support of the allied forces.

“Then, we should depart at once.”

There was no reason to postpone.

***

The punitive force was assembled.

They could not mobilize the entire allied army.

A majority of the troops were required to remain and defend the wall.

Had they withdrawn all forces for the expedition and monsters from the wasteland invaded the interior, the situation would have become dire.

Kiriana split the allied forces, assigning 70% to wall defense and 30% to the expedition.

Though Alon felt a twinge of disappointment, it was a sufficient force, so he accepted.

Saint Yuman also decided to remain at the border.

Someone needed to command the allied forces in Kiriana’s absence.

Despite being a cleric, the authority of his title as a saint was considerable.

It was a position respected enough to lead the coalition.

“This is unfortunate.”

Yuman displayed a slightly aggrieved expression.

His attention shifted to Yutia, who was beaming.

“Saint, your role is to bolster the morale of the allied forces.”

“What about the Cardinal?”

“How can a saint and a cardinal be compared? The troops who remain will surely want their saint to stay. I, too, deeply regret this.”

Despite expressing regret, Yutia’s smile was a little broader than usual.

The saint frowned slightly, but ultimately,

“It seems there is no alternative.”

He let out a deep sigh and leaned closer to whisper to Alon,

“My Lord, do not place your trust in her. As I have warned you repeatedly, she is not a person to be relied upon.”

“I understand.”

Alon found the situation strange.

Not because of the warning itself; he had heard it before and was not shocked.

It was the manner of the delivery.

‘If that’s the case, why whisper?’

His voice was loud enough for others to overhear; it was conspicuously unnatural.

Alon glanced at Yutia.

Fortunately, her expression remained unchanged; no damage was done.

Her faintly glowing red eyes were fixed on the saint, like a victor surveying a defeated opponent.

‘Why is their relationship so hostile?’

Well, it wasn’t essential knowledge at the moment.

Alon turned to Evan and gave an order.

“Evan, you will stay as well.”

“Understood!”

Evan replied with eager energy, as if he had been anticipating this.

“Aren’t you going to ask why you aren’t coming?”

“Why would I need to ask? I simply follow your commands, my Lord.”

“You answered so quickly because you didn’t want to go?”

“Hey, what kind of person do you take me for?”

Evan laughed,

“Then let’s go together.”

“My Lord, on second thought, I believe I came down with both heatstroke and a chill yesterday from waiting for you for so long.”

Evan, who had said he would follow without question, swiftly altered his story. Alon chuckled to himself.

A few hours later,

“We move out.”

The expedition began its march.

***

The journey to Rikrakamur would take approximately three days.

Recalling this, Alon thought of the relic the monstrosity possessed.

‘If I remember correctly, it was the ‘Relic of Wrath’.’

He cast a sidelong glance at Yutia walking beside him.

Originally, this relic was destined for Yutia in the future.

However, in the original story, after she awakened as the ‘Sin of Wrath,’ she never obtained it.

The protagonist Eliban acquired the relic before her and shattered it.

Eliban’s eventual conquest over the Sin of Wrath was largely due to this event.

Naturally, Yutia was restrained, the mages from the Tower unleashed a storm of spells, the swordmasters of Caliban joined the punitive force,

and even powerful figures hidden across the continent emerged to lend their strength.

‘The more I consider it, the more unbelievable her strength seems.’

Yutia suddenly felt like an enigma.

A Sin that required a global, all-out war to finally defeat.

Then,

“My Lord.”

“Yes?”

As they walked, Kiriana looked at Alon with a hesitant expression.

“Might I… possibly pet that cat?”

“The cat? Oh, you mean Blackie?”

Blackie peeked out from Alon’s chest pocket, observing its surroundings.

As Alon gestured toward the small creature,

“Is his name Blackie?”

“Yes.”

“What an adorable name.”

Kiriana fidgeted slightly, her expression a little excited.

Alon shrugged casually, feeling a sense of pride since he had chosen the name himself. Quite pleased, he retrieved Blackie.

“Would you like to hold him?”

“Oh? Truly, may I?”

“It should be fine.”

“But what if he dislikes being handled by others? Like yesterday, he might… change again…”

Alon hesitated, looking puzzled, then sighed. He too had experienced a minor shock yesterday when red eyes had sprouted all over Blackie’s body.

But when not using magic, Blackie maintained his feline form.

“It will be alright.”

“Is that so? Then I shall try.”

Without any suspicion, Alon passed Blackie to Kiriana. The moment the cat was in her hands, she smiled involuntarily, but then—

*Poof!*

“Ah.”

As angry red eyes erupted all over the cat’s body, she froze. Hearing a low growl, she hastily returned Blackie to Alon. Once back in Alon’s embrace, Blackie rubbed against him vigorously and acted endearing.

Kiriana wore a wistful expression.

“It appears he only shows this gentle side to you, my Lord.”

“My apologies. I didn’t know he would react that way.”

Alon looked down at Blackie with complicated feelings.

‘I didn’t realize he was so aggressive toward others. Is it just toward Kiriana?’

Curious, Alon attempted to let other soldiers and knights hold Blackie, but—

“Eeek!”

“My Lord, please take him back!”

Each time, the cat glared fiercely with red eyes and growled, and Alon understood that Blackie disliked being handled by anyone else.

After the disturbance, Yutia approached Alon.

“My Lord.”

“What is it?”

“Might I hold Blackie for a moment?”

“Blackie?”

“Yes. He appears quite charming.”

“But he doesn’t seem to tolerate others holding him.”

Hadn’t he just caused a scene moments before?

Yet, Yutia nodded as if it were no concern.

“But he is so endearing. May I try?”

Asked again, Alon handed Blackie over to Yutia, maintaining a calm exterior though slightly concerned internally. As anticipated, the moment Blackie was in Yutia’s hands, he began to growl and produce red eyes across his body.

But Yutia continued to smile gently down at Blackie.

“That simply will not do, will it?”

She murmured softly, her eyes narrowing slightly. Then,

Abruptly!

The previously ferocious Blackie froze as if time had stopped.

“?!”

Both Alon and Kiriana stared in bewilderment. Blackie, who had been the picture of fury moments before, now gazed up at Yutia with wide, terrified eyes.

Trembling, Blackie began to shiver in Yutia’s arms, and she slowly stroked his back.

“You should listen well to your master, shouldn’t you?”

Blackie nodded his head frantically in agreement.

Alon and Kiriana could only watch the strange scene unfold blankly.

And then,

Yutia naturally lifted the shivering Blackie to face her.

“If you don’t wish to be destroyed, understand?”

She whispered in a voice only Blackie could hear, and his head shook even more vigorously.

A moment later,

“Wow… he’s become completely docile, hasn’t he?”

Kiriana observed the now placid Blackie in Yutia’s hands with amazement.

Alon noticed Blackie’s gaze was locked on something. Following it,

“My, is something wrong, my Lord?”

Yutia was smiling.

“It’s nothing.”

Alon considered saying something but decided against it.

It was a rather warm spring afternoon.