Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 141

Chapter 141

Shortly after Yuman delivered his warning and departed, Alon went back to his room to get some rest.

“So, that Rikrakamur thing, was it enormous?”

“…Why are you asking this now?”

“The soldiers who came back from the mission won’t stop talking about it. I keep overhearing their stories.”

Evan inquired.

[Hmph, it was just a large, pathetic creature.]

However, the one who answered wasn’t Alon—it was Basiliora.

“Huh? How is it out here?”

[Do not point that finger at me! You inferior human!]

Basiliora snarled at the finger being aimed in its direction.

“It said it was bored out of its mind, trapped inside the ring. So I set it up so it can come out when it wants.”

“…You could do that?”

“If you link a thread of magic to the ring’s slot like it instructed, it can move in and out freely.”

[Ha-ha-ha-ha! Exactly! Now I am unshackled!]

Basiliora coiled its body and stretched its jaws wide.
It remained as small as ever, no more than 30 cm, and simply appeared endearing.

“In any case, Rikrakamur was much larger than Basiliora.”

“Truly?”

“Yes.”

“So this snake-head could have been wiped out with a single blow?”

Evan grinned, as if trying to provoke a reaction.

The little serpent grew furious at his comment.

[What foolishness! If I had taken my full form, I would have torn that creature to shreds!]

“Sure, sure, whatever you say.”

[Do not mock me, human! You were even defeated by me in a card match!]

“You only managed to win one game out of thirty, and now you boast!”

[Hmph! The one who wins the last battle is the true champion!]

The two of them started arguing again the instant they were together.

‘…Are they friends, or aren’t they?’

At the same time, the tiny creature on Alon’s chest—Blackie—climbed out from his coat and stared at Basiliora with interest.

[Huh?]

Noticing the stare, Basiliora scoffed.

[Hmph! A little infant, still smelling of milk, dares to gaze upon me!!!]

With a rumbling noise, Basiliora let out a roar.

But Blackie merely tilted its head once.

Smack!

[Meow?!]

It swatted Basiliora’s spectral form, sending it tumbling through the air.

Basiliora hit the ground like a discarded plaything, tumbling over itself.

“Oh! Ohhh! At last, I have a way to fight back!”

Evan picked up Blackie as though he had discovered a powerful new tool,

but—

Screeeeeech!!!

The small kitten suddenly flashed bright red eyes and let out a horrifying shriek.

Evan, who had been smiling, quickly set Blackie back down.

After watching the entire scene, Alon murmured,

“…What a circus.”

He concisely defined the chaotic trio.

***

While Alon and his companions were enjoying their strange yet comfortable time together, in a guest room near the border, two people sat across from one another.

On one side was Cardinal Yutia of the Holy Kingdom, and on the other was Yuman, the Saint of the Holy Kingdom.

“Your Holiness, you mentioned you had something to discuss with me. What is it about?”

Yutia offered a light smile, while Yuman, his expression stern, went directly to the matter at hand.

“Cardinal Yutia, were you at the border a month ago?”

His tone was dry and interrogative, lacking any social niceties.

Still, Yutia’s smile remained steady.

“Why do you ask me that so abruptly?”

“I heard whispers that you were spotted in the northern canyon region a month back.”

It was only a rumor, but Yuman had not approached Yutia based on gossip alone.

“Cardinal Yutia, you were in Caliban around a month ago, correct?”

“Yes, that is true. I was scheduled to be present at the kingdom’s banquet.”

“No, that is not accurate. The banquet was initially intended for Cardinal Sergius, but you abruptly changed the schedule to attend, didn’t you?”

Yutia did not answer. She simply looked at Yuman with a slight smile, as if encouraging him to go on.

Yuman continued calmly.

“I was told that after you reached Caliban, you vanished for approximately three days.”

“I did let the priests know that I was going to share Sironia’s teachings in a different village.”

“I am aware. And the village you went to, ‘Pigani,’ is roughly a day’s travel from Caliban. It is famous for its cheese—a local delicacy that guests are always urged to sample. A very welcoming place.”

“Is that right?”

“Did you try some of the cheese?”

“Naturally.”

Yutia replied at once, smiling.

But Yuman’s face turned more severe.

“That is regrettable. Because what I just told you was untrue.”

“Pigani’s specialty is cheese, but sadly, no cheese was produced this year. And there is none left in storage, because Pigani’s food warehouse was destroyed in a fire months ago.”

“……”

“In short, Cardinal Yutia, you could not possibly have eaten any cheese.”

Yuman looked directly at Yutia and stated plainly,

“…Cardinal Yutia, you were in the canyon, weren’t you?”

“Maybe.”

Even when Yuman confronted her directly, Yutia kept smiling without the slightest hint of unease.

In fact, she seemed entertained by the situation, her smile growing wider.

To the point where Yuman felt unsettled.

His voice turned icy.

“If you do not plan to answer, then I will ask a different question. What are your intentions regarding Marquis Palatio? What kind of plot are you orchestrating?”

“Is that what you wish to know?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“…Because he is a man who has already suffered through many hardships. You cannot handle him carelessly or without respect.”

For a moment, a faint spark of interest appeared in Yutia’s eyes.

It was brief, so quick that even Yuman missed it.

But soon after, she concealed it again, softly touching her lips with her fingertips.

“Perhaps you and I are observing the same thing.”

“…What did you say?”

“You said you wanted to know what I have planned for my lord, didn’t you? It is straightforward. I want to shape him into something more significant. Yes, just that.”

“…Something more significant?”

“Yes, something more significant.”

“He is already significant.”

“Well, is he truly?”

Her musical laughter filled the room.

“I agree with you. But it is insufficient. He will become even more significant. No, he must become more significant. More, much more.”

Yuman shuddered involuntarily.

He was certain the individual before him was Cardinal Yutia.

There was no surge of magic or holy power, no obvious transformation.

Nothing was different.

Yet his whole body shook.

Because in Yutia’s eyes, a vivid madness was shining.

Looking into her eyes, Yuman was sure.

They could not possibly be observing the same thing.

She was dangerous.

—

Fleeting ideas rushed through Yuman’s mind.

How could he remove her from the Marquis?

No matter how much he considered it, he could not find a method.

Or rather, he thought of a few approaches, but could not anticipate how Cardinal Yutia would react if it came to that.

Therefore—

“…I will not allow you to manipulate Marquis Palatio as you wish.”

Yuman stated firmly to Yutia, but even that—

“Please do, Your Holiness. The more you do, the more it will also help my lord.”

Yutia answered gently.

For a moment, their eyes met.

A blend of indecipherable feelings and resolve hung in the air.

***

Meanwhile, back with Alon—

Tap, tap~!

[Ugh… Please, I beg you, stop. Show some compassion…!]

“That’s it, Blackie! Destroy that foolish snake-head!”

Alon watched blankly as the one-sided fight between Basiliora and Blackie continued, and a thought crossed his mind—

‘…Maybe I should have some sweet potatoes.’

About a day later, as Alon considered whether to go to Lartania or go back to the Marquis’s estate, at an auction house within Marquis Palatio’s estate—

“Ha-ha-ha-ha~!”

Alexion, formerly the renowned appraiser, now the proprietor of the auction house, laughed heartily in his office.

Even though he slept only four hours each night, he could not help but delight in his present life.

The reason? Wealth.

Alexion was making so much money it felt like he was back in his prime in the back alleys of Raksas.

To give an idea: he had already recovered every coin he had reluctantly invested because of Satan’s intimidating stare.

And that was not everything.

Operating the auction house under Marquis Palatio’s name had brought him an abundance of favors and contacts.

All without any real effort.

Simply establishing the auction house in the Marquis’s estate was enough for people to believe he had connections to the Marquis, earning him not just favors—

No.

“Ha-ha-ha—”

He was taking bribes.

Clink, clink!

Alexion repeatedly plunged his hands into the two boxes on his desk.

The boxes were overflowing with precious items.

He lifted them and let them drop back with a gentle sound.

Just seeing it made him happy.

He could not stop smiling, feeling that the exhausting months of labor were finally yielding rewards.

The fact that this prosperity came from someone else’s standing made it even more satisfying.

It was effortless money, like finding a treasure.

While he was lost in this delight—

Knock, knock~!

A knock came at his office door, and he answered happily,

“Enter.”

But—

The instant he saw the person who walked in, he stiffened.

“Oh my—”

A man stepped inside casually,

“You’ve clearly been relishing the rewards of your work.”

“…What?”

It was someone who should not have been there.

“…Radan?”

“Yes, it’s me.”

The Pirate King of Raksas, Radan, greeted him with a cunning smile.

For a short moment, Alexion stared in shock.

Before he could even question how Radan had arrived,

“So, you’ve been accepting quite a few bribes, haven’t you?”

Radan’s words broke the quiet.

Alexion stumbled over his words,

“Ah, well… you know… this was all intended for you!”

“Is that so?”

“Ha-ha-ha, absolutely! Since these items came because of the Marquis’s status, it’s only right to give a portion to you…!”

Alexion tried to cleverly find a way out.

But—

“A portion?”

“Ah—ha-ha-ha, no, no, more than half! I mean, I did contribute some work, so…”

“You believe you require the remainder?”

At Radan’s next words—

“…No.”

“Then?”

“…I will give all of it to you.”

Alexion agreed submissively.

And then—

“That is the correct decision.”

Radan nodded along with him.

Watching Radan, Alexion cursed inside,

‘This wretched sea bass…’

But on the outside,

“Might I have a cup of coffee?”

“Of course, I will bring it immediately.”

He quickly bowed his head and produced a strained smile.

A smile filled with the raw need to stay alive.