Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 162

Chapter 162
As dusk settled, Alon reached the Zenonia Duke’s estate, located deep inside the inner castle.

“It has been a long time, Marquis Palatio.”

“It certainly has.”

“I hope you have been well since we last met?”

“I have.”

“Shall we dine first?”

After meeting the Duke of Zenonia, whom he had only seen through a crystal sphere for more than a year, Alon agreed to share a meal.

‘It’s enormous.’

Walking behind the Duke, Alon let his eyes wander.

He had sensed it upon entering the inner castle, but stepping into the mansion itself confirmed his feeling.

The Zenonia Duke’s home was immense, nearly the size of a fortress.

‘Even in the game, the Zenonia Duke’s residence was vast.’

He briefly remembered how, before growing accustomed to the game, he had frequently lost his way inside. Soon, they entered the dining hall.

“Incredible.”

Alon couldn’t hold back his surprise.

A massive table was completely covered with dishes so astonishing they made his jaw drop.

“What is all this—”

“I had this prepared, knowing you would arrive.”

“……My thanks.”

“Please, let us eat.”

Appreciating the Duke’s generosity, Alon took a seat and began his meal.

As he finished, he slowly began to speak.

“Now that I recall, there is something I wish to ask.”

“What might that be?”

“Are you familiar with the ‘Chosen’?”

Alon pictured Eliban’s refined features.

The Duke of Zenonia gave a nod.

“Yes, I know of them. I have even looked into them myself.”

“You conducted your own inquiry?”

“Rumors said he was appearing to seal the strange gates near my lands, so I wanted to see whether he might bring meaningful shifts to the present political landscape.”

“What did you discover?”

“Nothing especially notable. If I were to mention one detail—”

The Duke paused briefly before answering.

“It’s possible they have a link to Cardinal Yutia, perhaps?”

“……Yutia?”

“Indeed. I heard that during his appointment as the Chosen, he gave the impression that he knew Yutia. Or rather—he tried to conceal it, but it showed.”

“I see—”

Alon tilted his head in thought, considering Eliban and Yutia.

From what he understood, it seemed odd that the two would be acquainted.

‘……Still, they might have formed a bond without my knowledge.’

Alon was aware that Yutia often went out for charitable work.

Where might their paths have crossed? He reflected for a short while.

“Has something occurred? If you wish, I could attempt to probe the Chosen tomorrow.”

“……You are meeting him tomorrow?”

“Yes. Since he handled the strange gates near the territory, I ought to provide some kind of reward.”

Alon shook his head at the Duke’s suggestion.

Unless there was strong reason, it did not seem needed at this time.

“No, I don’t believe that is required.”

“Very well.”

Their discussion turned to other matters, mostly concerning Kalpha.

“Incidentally, will you be present at the approaching ball, Marquis?”

“Most likely. I expect I will.”

“I am glad to hear it.”

“Why is that?”

“I have heard that kings and nobles from other kingdoms may also attend this ball.”

“……Kings and nobles from other kingdoms?”

“Yes. I considered it a good chance to form ties with nobles from abroad.”

The Duke of Zenonia added, “Though it seems you already have many connections, Marquis.”

“Furthermore, the Duchy of Luxible will also be present this time.”

“The Duchy of Luxible?”

“They recently cleansed the corrupt elements and returned authority to the royal house.”

“……I heard something of that. I also heard they altered their state religion.”

“Yes, and—”

The Duke touched a finger to her lips, then spoke as if remembering.

“They now revere the ‘One Who Commands Lightning,’ Kalannon, I believe.”

“I heard similarly, but is their attendance so important?”

“Not exactly. But if discussions go favorably—Marquis, as you might imagine, there could be several advantages for our faction.”

Alon, however, was at a loss.

The Duchy of Luxible was a separate nation from the Kingdom of Asteria, and it lay far away.

In other words, he couldn’t see how they might gain from a relationship with the Duchy.

Even so, it felt uncomfortable to question directly.

“……I understand.”

He could only pretend indifference.

***

The following day.

“I will see you at the ball.”

“Of course.”

After a short farewell with the Duke of Zenonia, Alon departed the estate. However, rather than returning to the marquisate, he traveled north.

[I thought you were going home?]

Basiliora, who seldom left the ring, asked as he engaged in a strange staring contest with Blackie.

“There is a place I must visit along the way.”

[A place to visit?]

“Yes. Why the sudden interest?”

[Hmph, it’s nothing.]

Coiling unnecessarily, Basiliora averted Alon’s eyes.

“This snake head, are you keeping something from me?”

[What!? I am hiding nothing!]

“You say that, but you’re acting just like a squirrel storing nuts.”

[Do not be absurd, human! You are no better, fooling about with the maid yesterday!!]

“What!? I did no such thing with any maid!”

[Hah! Did you think no one saw? I witnessed it all yesterday, you base human!]

“Nonsense! We merely took a brief stroll in the garden!”

[Hah! Did you not boast about things that never happened at the strange gate?]

“Are you some kind of stalker!?”

Evan, shocked, yelled in disbelief while Basiliora taunted him without mercy.

…Truthfully, from Alon’s perspective, there was little difference between Evan bragging to the maid and Basiliora spying on him.

[Hah, now I understand. You are no better than a monkey imitating a human.]

“Quiet, you snake head! I told you, it was only a walk!”

[Hmph—]

Basiliora snorted scornfully, then suddenly showed a sly grin and began:

[‘Oh, Orlé, your eyes are as pure as the violet sky I saw past the strange gate.’]

[‘Ah, Sir Evan!’]

Changing its voice theatrically, Basiliora mimicked them, as though acting out a scene.

Evan’s face flushed deep red, and he cried out, “Waaaaah—!!!”

“Hey, Blackie, can you please make this snake head be quiet?! I’m begging you!”

But Blackie only gazed at Evan with a blend of pity and contempt.

Finally, after suffering relentless embarrassment, a worn-out Evan turned to Alon.

“……So, Marquis, we are heading north as you ordered, but where exactly is our destination?”

“We will likely need to travel for two more days.”

“Two days? If we go that far north—”

Evan thought for a moment, then asked, “There is a village called Parsley, isn’t there? Are we going there?”

“Not exactly. We are going to the ruins close to Parsley.”

“Ah,” Evan nodded in comprehension.

“You are searching for something in the ruins, I take it.”

“Precisely.”

“Well, I have been journeying with you for a year or two now, Marquis. This is simple to deduce.”

“Then you should already know when I say we are heading north?”

“Well, I was only asking to be polite.”

Evan grinned playfully, and Alon gave a slight chuckle before looking out at the passing landscape.

But then.

“Huh?”

“What is it?”

“Marquis, you smiled just now.”

Evan’s eyes widened.

“Did I?”

“You have your usual expression again, but you definitely smiled a moment ago.”

Alon lightly touched the corner of his mouth.

‘Hmm, it seems I am expressing a little more emotion than I used to.’

He remembered something Seolrang had once mentioned, but he only shrugged.

Letting feelings show on his face was not something to dwell on.

“By the way, Marquis, after we see the ruins, will we go back to the marquisate?”

“Unless something important arises, I suppose so.”

“Understood.”

For some reason, Evan seemed a bit more cheerful as he guided the carriage, which made Alon look puzzled.

Like Basiliora, Evan appeared eager to return to the marquisate soon.

Alon thought briefly about asking why, but decided against it and returned his gaze to the window.

The afternoon sun burned intensely.

***

Three days later.

After reaching Parsley, Alon searched for about a day before finally arriving at his intended location.

“……This is a ruin?”

Evan stared at the supposed ruin before them with a confused expression.

It was understandable.

The so-called ruin was disappointingly small—just a single, narrow entrance hardly deserving of the name.

“Yes, it is.”

“But it’s so tiny. It looks like even one person would have trouble getting in.”

He wasn’t incorrect.

The doorway was so narrow that squeezing through would be difficult. Still, Alon shrugged and took out <Lemiel’s Oath>.

“……That’s the item you got from the elf last time, isn’t it?”

“Correct.”

“Don’t tell me—you’re going to use it to open this?”

“Exactly.”

Alon raised <Lemiel’s Oath> and began inspecting the ruin.

It did not take long to locate what he needed.

“Here it is.”

At the lower right corner of the ruin, he found a slot where <Lemiel’s Oath> would fit.

He placed the ring into the slot.

Then—

Krrrrrrrggggggggg!!!

A loud grinding sound echoed as the small door before them slowly began to open.

“……How do you always know these things?”

Evan’s face was full of admiration and curiosity as he asked.

Of course, it was simply because Alon had used <Lemiel’s Oath> to obtain artifacts many times in the game. Beyond that, he did not truly understand much.

The only extra detail Alon possessed about this specific ruin was one thing:

“This is where the staff once used by the Primordial Elf is kept, I believe.”

He had no idea who the Primordial Elf was or what rank they held.

The game never explored the topic of the Primordial Elf at all.

‘……I think there may have been one other ruin linked to them.’

Beyond that, Alon knew nothing about the Primordial Elf.

The only assumption he could make was that they must have been an extraordinary magician—no, a supreme sorcerer.

‘The artifact alone is evidence of that.’

The door, which had been gradually opening, finally stood fully open.

And there, inside the ruin—

“I’ve located it.”

With a faint smile concealed behind his calm expression, Alon saw the artifact left by the Primordial Elf:

<The Staff of the Sacred One>

—an artifact shaped like a pair of gloves.

At that moment—

“……Let us depart.”

“Do you really mean to go yourself, Your Majesty?”

“Yes. I wish to witness it personally.”

In Greynifra—

“To verify whether he is truly the Primordial Elf.”

—the queen set forth on her journey.