Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 156

Chapter 156
Spiritual Realm.

The dragonkin, who had confined themselves and been captive for a millennium, far beyond a mere few hundred years…

[Kuaaaah!]

[Be silent.]

As they adjusted an artifact for Alon on the spot, they contemplated.

Regarding the “dark presence” attached to Alon’s back.

‘…What could that possibly be?’

Through their self-imposed sealing, the dragonkin had forfeited the majority of their strength.

Even their identity and powers had been dispersed across the world when they sealed themselves, rendering them more vulnerable than before.

Nevertheless, the dragonkin could still perceive the two eyes following Alon.

This was due to the divine nature they possessed since the era of lost gods.

‘An entity capable of meddling with eternity…?’

In contrast to the “blue one,” the “black one” actively intervened each time they attempted to analyze it—all without Alon’s awareness.

With absolute, crushing force.

‘That power…’

It caused their whole form to tremble.

Even in their spiritual state.

Merely by dispersing its lingering resonance, it could unmake their existence without a second thought. A horrifying strength unlike any they had ever known.

Truthfully, even without its menacing presence, the dragonkin had little capacity to understand it.

Yet, despite their confusion, it appeared the black one had no intention of bringing harm to the final mage remaining in this world.

Even if its true nature remained a mystery, its motives could be partly interpreted from its behavior.

‘…No, it almost felt as if it was offering assistance.’

Finally, the dragonkin released a deep, weary sigh.

Any attempt to guess its origin was futile with so little to go on.

And so…

‘…What manner of being is he, to bear such a fearsome presence on his back…?’

Muttering under their breath, they could only float aimlessly through the spiritual realm.

***

Approximately two weeks later, as their journey across the desert was concluding…

“Godfather, I believe I should return now.”
“Is that right?”
“Yes. My task here is complete, and there is a matter I must attend to.”
“You appear to have many responsibilities.”

At Alon’s remark, Rine gave a light laugh.
“My efficient secretary manages most affairs, so I am not overwhelmed. Still, certain duties require my personal attention.”
“……”
“Such as arranging a present for you, Godfather.”
“…A present for me?”
“Yes.”

Alon was briefly confused but answered anyway.
“…There is no need for anything lavish.”

That was true.
Although he had felt a slight pang of disappointment when no one marked his last birthday, it did not mean he expected grand gestures.

Naturally, a more substantial gift would be welcome, but what he truly desired was for someone to remember the day.
“No, this is something I sincerely wish to give you.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. I want to present you with a gift you will always remember.”
“If you are set on it, I will not refuse. But please do not go to extremes.”
“I will not.”

Rine shook her head gently.
“I wish to forge a bond with you as well, Godfather.”
“…A bond?”
“Yes. Like Seolrang.”

Why was Seolrang being mentioned now…?

After a short pause, Alon spoke.
“…Whether it is Seolrang or you, you are both family to me.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. If you are planning an elaborate gift for that reason alone, it is truly unnecessary. Regardless of your thoughts, I regard you both equally.”

He held equal affection for all of the Five Great Sins.
“Then, please do it for me as well. That thing.”
“…That thing?”
“Yes. The same thing you did for Seolrang.”

Unlike her earlier demeanor, Rine was now being remarkably straightforward.

Alon hesitated briefly, then softly covered her ears with his hands.

A short silence passed.
“Mm~ Thank you.”

When it ended, Rine smiled once more.
“…Are you content?”
“Yes.”
“Then that is good.”

A simple interaction.
Yet, the surrounding chatter intensified.

[What is the meaning of this? It appears pointless.]
“Ugh, you are so oblivious. Well, I suppose a serpent with no hands could never comprehend—”
[Hah, another human child posturing. So, do you understand it, then?]
“Of course.”
[Then what is it?]
“I have no idea.”
[…?]
[?]
[Did you not claim to know?]
“I was not telling the truth.”
[…]

Basiliora stared at Evan with a look that plainly said, This insolent fool…

Witnessing this absurd conversation, they finally left the desert behind.
“Well then, I will take my leave, Godfather.”
“Very well. I will call on you when I can.”
“I will visit for your birthday.”

Alon and Rine went their separate ways.

After his carriage had vanished into the distance, Rine turned around.
“…The connection between you and me… is not so simple.”

She whispered softly to herself.

I desire a bond closer than anyone else’s.

Her jade-green eyes glimmered with a faint light.
“More than anyone.”

She walked onward, in quiet determination.

***

Alon reached the domain of the Marquisate of Palatio about two weeks later.

The instant he saw the estate…
“…Is this truly the marquis’s estate?”

He could not contain his astonishment.

He had been away for only a month, yet the estate had expanded and grown even more splendid.
“Incredible, that was quick. It has only been a month, but everything is so transformed. Is this the work of magical construction?”
“Magical construction?”
“Yes, I’ve heard that with sufficient funds, one can employ mages to erect buildings with great speed.”
“I see…”

Only then did he grasp how the estate could change so drastically in such a brief period.

And when he entered the residence…
“Hello.”
“Are you well…?”
“Uh, um… I think I am fine. Perhaps. Or perhaps not.”

Penia stood there, looking completely drained.
“…Did something occur?”

She appeared as though she had been squeezed dry and left withered.

Feeling somewhat concerned, Alon inquired.

Penia offered a weary, self-mocking smile.
“Many things happened—Ah.”

Then, as if suddenly remembering, she straightened up.
“Nothing happened!”

She quickly corrected herself.
“Yes, truly. Absolutely nothing occurred. Right. Of course.”

As Penia’s energy faded and her movements slowed, Alon briefly wore a curious expression.

But soon, he realized why she seemed so thoroughly exhausted.
“Wait, did you truly complete all of this?”
“…Did you not instruct me to do so before you departed?”

Seeing the reproachful look on Penia’s face, Alon turned his attention to the research journal she had presented.

It was so voluminous it could almost pass for a legal code, causing Alon to stare in mild disbelief.
“No, what I intended was only a ‘preliminary’ outline.”
‘…What? Really?’
“I specifically said to simply organize the magical array calculations using the formula.”
“But doesn’t the sum include the method of combination?”
“No, it does not.”
‘What? Then what have I been doing all this time…?’

Penia’s face went blank with hopelessness.

Alon felt a touch of guilt.

Even if he had not explicitly assigned the extra work, the reality was that she had exerted tremendous effort.

Wondering how he might make it up to her, Alon suddenly let out a soft ‘ah’ and spoke.
“…Would you accept this, if you are willing?”

He offered Penia a glass vial.
“What is it?”

Her eyes, full of weariness, grievance, and irritation, now stared at him with suspicion.

Alon met her gaze somewhat awkwardly.
“…I was told it is a highly refined catalyst.”
“A high-quality catalyst?”
“Yes.”

He was not entirely certain of its properties—he was merely repeating what Seolrang’s secretary had said.
‘Well, Rine also seemed to believe it was extraordinary.’

So he thought it might serve as suitable compensation for Penia.

She accepted the vial with a doubtful look and carefully channeled a trace of mana into it.

—Gasp!

She immediately jolted back in surprise.
“W-Where did you acquire this?!”
“Why?”

Penia’s voice shook, and even Alon was taken aback by her intense reaction.
“T-This is extraordinary! Even within the Twisting Forest, locating this would be impossible—it is an absolutely phenomenal catalyst…! With this, I could conclude experiments I had to abandon, no, I could repeat them at least five times over!”

Muttering rapidly to herself, she clutched the vial tightly, her earlier resentment replaced by a shimmer of exhilaration.

It was as if all her previous hardships were forgotten, replaced by the excitement of enumerating all the magical trials she could now undertake.
“Hehehe~”

As she began to emit a peculiar giggle, Alon was reminded once again that she was, fundamentally, a magician to her core.
“Does this suffice as compensation?”
“Yes, yes, absolutely!! More than enough!!”

Watching her spin in place like a child given a new toy, Alon remembered something the servants had mentioned earlier.
“Now that I think of it, I heard Yutia came to visit you. Did anything happen?”

A casual comment.

But.

Thunk!

Penia suddenly went rigid.

Moving stiffly, like a broken automaton, she answered in a forcibly cheerful tone.
“Yes, of course! Nothing happened at all!”
“…Truly?”
“Yes. Absolutely nothing occurred. Not a thing.”

Her reply was profoundly unnatural.
“Uh, I-I should be going now.”
“…? Alright.”
“Yes.”

With tears suddenly welling in her eyes, she hurriedly rushed from the room.

‘What in the world happened…?’

Observing her retreat, Alon could only wear a baffled expression once more.

***

Approximately two weeks after the Marquis of Palatio’s return…

Outside the elven lands of Greynifra, Philde and Perion reached the vicinity of the Palatio Marquisate.
“Hmm-hmm~”
“You seem cheerful.”

Perion glanced at Philde, who was humming contentedly.

Philde nodded.
“Of course! I far prefer roaming human settlements to staying in Greynif.”
“That is… an uncommon preference.”
“It is called curiosity. Rather than confining myself to a chamber for magical study, I would rather travel the world while pursuing it.”
“Is that so?”
“Yep.”
“…But is what you actually do not just lounging about and drinking?”
“Mm, is that so? That is enjoyable too.”

Even as Perion pointed it out, Philde took another leisurely sip from her bottle.

Perion observed her with skepticism, then gave a slight shake of his head and continued.
“By the way, Lady Philde.”
“Hm?”
“Have you ever laid eyes on the ‘Primordial Elf’?”
“Nope.”
“…But your ‘Soul Eye’ permits you to perceive souls. If you have never seen the Primordial Elf’s soul, how do you tell it apart from others?”

Philde thought for a moment before offering a straightforward reply.
“I do not.”
“…Pardon?”
“I do not distinguish them.”
‘What?’

Perion’s expression tightened.
“So… does that mean you deceived Her Majesty?”

Seeing his reaction, Philde chuckled.
“Deceived? Not at all. There is a method, naturally.”
“…And what method is that?”
“Listen carefully. The soul is always structured to align perfectly with its vessel. If a soul does not belong to its body, a discrepancy arises.”
“So if I simply search for a soul that does not match its body—”
“That is all.”

Philde casually took another drink from her bottle.
“Though honestly, I believe the likelihood of that is below 1%.”
“…That rare?”
“I have never witnessed it before.”
“Then is the probability not effectively zero?”
“You were the one who voiced suspicion, were you not?”

Perion fell silent for a moment, then understood.
“…You merely wanted a pretext to leave, is that it?”
“Perhaps a little? But look, I am checking, am I not?”

Philde let out a strange laugh, causing Perion’s gaze to turn icy.
‘…And this woman is a mage of the ninth circle?’

He sighed, but only briefly.
“We have arrived.”
“Oh, this is the place?”

Still cheerful and slightly inebriated, Philde flicked her fingers.

With that, the unique spirit magic of the elves activated, and a concealed magical formation silently expanded around the outer walls of the marquisate.

Seeing its enormous scale, Perion let out a low, impressed sound.

A moment of quiet followed.

Then, with her eyes shut, Philde spoke abruptly.
“Found him.”

A mischievous grin touched her lips.

At that moment, the magical formation projected an image of the Marquis of Palatio inside his office.
“Now then, let us have a proper look~”

In a languid tone, she activated the ‘Soul Eye.’

And then—
“…Huh?”

Perion saw it.

The face that had been smiling moments before was now frozen in pure dread.

And he heard it.
“…The soul does not match?”

A whisper of disbelief escaped her lips.