Raising Villains the Right Way Novel - Chapter 145

Chapter 145
“Anticipate the present.”

“Is that so?”

“It is.”

“…In that case, I shall allow myself some anticipation.”

“You should.”

Observing Rine’s faint smile, Evan, who stood beside Alon, murmured under his breath.

“You’re a fortunate man, Marquis, aren’t you?”

“Hm?”

“Last time, you seemed a little let down when you didn’t receive a gift for your birthday.”

“…Not at all, truly.”

Alon answered with composure.

…Yet, Evan hadn’t been completely mistaken.

If he was honest, it had bothered him slightly.

‘…If I had never been told about it, I wouldn’t have developed any expectations to begin with.’

Naturally, he didn’t hold it against Rine for mentioning a gift previously.

A birthday present is a matter of the giver’s heart, and it would be improper for the receiver to feel entitled to one.

Just then—

“You were hoping for one, though, weren’t you?”

“Pay him no mind. Evan is merely speaking foolishness.”

Rine gave a soft laugh.

“Do not concern yourself, Godfather. This year, I will most certainly present you with a gift.”

After this brief, cheerful discussion, Alon finally addressed the true purpose of his visit.

“Rine, I have read the letter you sent… Do you possess any further knowledge regarding the ‘Shadow Dragon’?”

Rine’s eyes moved to Blackie, who was curled up in the breast pocket of Alon’s coat.

“That is the ‘Shadow Dragon’, correct?”

“Yes.”

“I see~”

After a moment of reflection, Rine started to explain slowly.

“Following your inquiry about the ‘Shadow Dragon’, I conducted more research. However, to be frank, the materials available to me yielded little further detail.”

“Is that so?”

Rine’s reply prompted a strange look from Alon.

‘Just as I inferred from her letter, the ‘Shadow Dragon’ seems to be an even more perilous being than I imagined.’

His reason for consulting Rine’s knowledge about the ‘Shadow Dragon’ after acquiring its egg was straightforward:

He was aware of the library within Rine’s mind.

That library held nearly all knowledge, aside from that which was considered ‘forbidden.’

In fact, even information on the ‘forbidden’ existed within the sealed section of her mental library.

But those documents were locked away, and the library’s regulations prevented Rine from accessing them.

Of course, Alon was aware of the method to open the sealed section.

However, he had no desire to permit it, as doing so meant accepting the *Five Deadly Sins.*

As this fact crossed Alon’s mind, Rine continued,

“Nevertheless, I was able to discover a small amount of information.”

“You did?”

“Yes, though I cannot be certain of its practical value.”

She relayed the remainder of her findings, and Alon listened without a word.

Some time later—

“That is everything.”

“I see…”

Alon gave an absent-minded nod.

As she had said, not every piece of information was directly applicable.

However, two significant points stood out:

“‘Shadow Dragons’ can rise to godhood if they meet specific requirements as they grow…”

“The records I found indicated that, different from other dragons, ‘Shadow Dragons’ may attain divinity by mastering their destructive instincts and devouring what is profane.”

The first: the creature he was raising, Blackie, had the potential to become a ‘deity.’

The second: Blackie was not like other ‘Shadow Dragons.’

“Not like the others?”

“Correct. Based on my research, ‘Shadow Dragons’ generally cannot alter their forms. This holds true even if they recover their reason.”

“…Meaning, under ordinary circumstances, it would be impossible for one to assume the shape of a cat, like this.”

“Precisely.”

Blackie was an exception.

Alon gazed thoughtfully at Blackie.

“Meow?”

The small animal cocked its head with an air of innocence.

‘…It is difficult to comprehend.’

Naturally, he had witnessed it shift into different forms and assault enemies.

But because Blackie was consistently gentle in his presence, the notion of its ‘true form’ felt distant.

While he studied the black cat, a recollection came to him.

‘Could it be… that when it consumed Rikrakamur… it was part of this very process?’

The idea flashed through his mind before Alon breathed a sigh of relief.

If Rine’s information was correct, the ‘Shadow Dragon’ merely consumed the profane, which meant Blackie was not tainted by the grotesque entity’s essence.

‘Even so, it does appear distinct from other ‘Shadow Dragons’. For the moment, I must be satisfied with what I now know.’

Alon gave Blackie’s head a single pat before facing Rine.

“Thank you for uncovering this information, despite the challenges.”

“It is nothing. It is a favor for you, Godfather.”

Rine offered a gentle smile, and Alon gave a light cough.

There was one more matter he wished to discuss.

“This may seem somewhat sudden, but might I ask another favor of you?”

“By all means, what is it?”

Rine’s immediate, unresisting answer gave Alon the confidence to continue.

“Could you facilitate an introduction to Perion?”

“…Perion? You mean the commander of the *Kalz Mercenary Corps* who established himself in Lartania two years ago?”

“Yes.”

“Might I ask why?”

Rine tilted her head, curious.

She had good reason to be—

There had been no prior interaction between Alon and Perion.

The reason Alon desired a meeting was that Perion possessed an item Alon required.

Perion, head of the Kalz Mercenary Corps.

A figure one encountered after completing a series of quests in the labyrinth city of Lartania within Psychedelia.

While he presented himself as human, he was actually an elf from southern lands inhabited by non-human races.

‘The story was… he journeyed to Lartania in pursuit of something.’

Regrettably, Alon could not recall the specifics.

Perion was undoubtedly a powerful individual, but he had not been pivotal to the player’s narrative.

‘He might have become a major figure if the DLC had been released.’

However, Alon never experienced the DLC.

Although the DLC introduced new material, it was said to lessen the appeal of the core story, so he had steered clear.

Consequently, Alon’s understanding of Perion was quite basic.

Simply a character who supplied an item crucial for a magic-wielding class.

“I have a matter I wish to discuss with him.”

Initially, Alon had planned to approach Perion without involving Rine.

But he had failed to consider one important detail: Perion was not a man who granted audiences readily.

As a player, Alon had naturally met Perion while dealing with major incidents in the labyrinth.

It was only upon reaching Lartania that he understood how challenging it was to meet Perion, who kept to himself despite being a mercenary.

Of course, Rine responded without hesitation,

“If you wish it, Godfather, I can arrange for you to meet him tomorrow.”

“You can?”

With an air of assurance, she smiled and said,

“Naturally, if that is your desire, Godfather.”

***

Elsewhere, outside the window of Rine’s shop, Merd, Yuna was positioned on a tree branch, concealed as she scrutinized Alon’s face.

‘Hmm~ He does not appear especially remarkable. Why does Red Moon follow him with such fervent dedication?’

She even tilted her head slightly in puzzlement.

Her observation of Alon from the window of Merd’s office was entirely accidental.

She had come to deliver a message from Yutia to Rine and had simply arrived during Alon’s visit.

This coincidence allowed her to witness Alon and Rine together.

After watching the pair for a time, Yuna remembered Alon’s earlier comment.

‘His… birthday?’

A birthday.

It was not a term that stirred any particular feeling in her, yet now it seemed to carry unexpected weight.

This was because she had overheard that the “Great Moon,” whom Red Moon revered, had been somewhat disheartened at not receiving a birthday gift.

…Of course, according to the knight, the Great Moon had displayed no outward emotion.

Whether the knight’s joke about their intimate bond was accurate or not, Yuna pondered for a short while.

‘…Should I convey this to the other moons as well? I will need to see them all regardless.’

She soon resolved to tell the other leaders that “the Great Moon may experience a slight sense of disappointment if his birthday passes unacknowledged.”

…A decision that was potentially unwise.

***

In Alon’s recollection, Perion, leader of the Kalz Mercenary Corps, was a mercenary who carried himself with the resolve of a knight.

Outwardly, Perion seemed a knight living without burdens, yet no player perceived him that way.

Amusingly, while his disguise was effective, his conduct did not match his facade.

This inconsistency painted Perion as a man of steadfast principle, an impression that was largely accurate.

In truth, Perion was an elf of the “Pagade,” a rank just above Master Knights within Caliban.

Knowing something of Perion’s history, Alon intended to secure the item he wanted through discussion.

…Although acquiring the item Perion required would involve a journey into the labyrinth, taking several days, Alon decided the future advantage justified the time invested.

***

The following day, due to Rine’s efforts, Alon proceeded.

“I am Perion of the Kalz Mercenary Corps.”

“I am Marquis Palatio of the Kingdom of Asteria.”

“Ah, yes, I have heard much of you.”

“I see…”

At last, Alon came face to face with Perion.

Contrary to the image of a knight brimming with conviction, Alon found a man who appeared distinctly nervous.

“Yes, yes, please, go ahead.”

Perion repeatedly darted his eyes around their surroundings and avoided meeting Alon’s gaze directly as they spoke.

Noticing this, Alon instinctively looked to see what had captured Perion’s attention.

“Is something the matter, Godfather?”

“…Oh, it is nothing.”

“Speak freely, Godfather. Perion has ample time today, isn’t that right, Perion?”

“Ah, yes, indeed. I have plenty of time today.”

There, Alon saw Rine smiling.

She observed Perion, who was nodding emphatically, with a calm demeanor.

Suddenly, a rumor Evan had mentioned a week earlier returned to Alon’s thoughts.

A rumor that all the senior council members had perished, leaving Rine as the only one remaining.

Alon felt he had accidentally uncovered a truth he did not particularly need to know.