Raising Villains the Right Way Novel - Chapter 164

Chapter 164
“?”

“..?”

Alon was overcome with a profound sense of confusion as he observed the woman begin to weep without warning.

One moment she had been looking at him, and the next, tears were streaming down her face.

‘Was I… the cause?’

A torrent of possibilities flashed through his thoughts, but logically, he had done nothing.

In truth, he hadn’t even been given the opportunity.

His state of bewilderment was short-lived.

“My apologies, a sudden irritation found its way into my eye.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“…I understand.”

Alon could only offer a halting response to the woman’s measured explanation.

From his perspective, it bore no resemblance to a simple irritation; it looked much more like she was crying from a place of deep sadness.

But since she maintained that explanation, it felt wrong to challenge her, so he chose to let the matter lie.

“……Should we perhaps begin with introductions?”

“Of course. I am Lina, the leader of the Greenwood Trading company.”

For a brief second, Alon searched his memory for any knowledge of the Greenwood Trading company, but he abandoned the effort almost immediately.

‘It doesn’t appear to be a widely known enterprise.’

The only details he possessed were those the attendant had relayed to him moments before.

“I was told you wished to speak with me about gold crafts. Is that accurate?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Then please, explain the specifics.”

She gave a nod, dabbing at her eyes once more.

***

Half an hour later.

“My Lord.”

“Yes?”

“Did the negotiations proceed favorably?”

“They concluded well enough.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Alon questioned Evan at his startled tone.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“It’s only… Typically, discussions with the heads of Trading companies do not wrap up this swiftly. And given the subject is gold crafts, I anticipated a lengthy process of offers and counteroffers.”

“Well, you’re not incorrect.”

Alon nodded in concession.

‘It’s true that gold crafts hold significant worth.’

The raw material was costly, and the value of a finished piece could fluctuate dramatically based on the craftsman’s skill.

Naturally, Alon was broadly aware of these market principles, even if he wasn’t an expert.

“To be honest, I was somewhat taken aback as well.”

“For what reason?”

“That it was resolved so quickly.”

In reality, Alon had spent the entire discussion in a state of quiet amazement at how effortlessly it had all unfolded.

‘The conditions were excessively favorable.’

Terms that benefited Alon were, of course, not undesirable.

However, the more advantageous the terms were for him, the more disadvantageous they should have been for his counterpart.

Fundamentally, a negotiation is a process of finding a middle ground where both parties can accept a mix of gains and concessions.

This rule had proven true in every single transaction Alon had ever conducted with other Trading Companies.

Yet, in this particular discussion, numerous clauses were skewed in Alon’s favor even before the real bargaining started.

‘…Something isn’t right.’

This was the specific point that struck Alon as strange.

While the negotiation was a success, no matter how he analyzed it, Alon couldn’t identify what the Trading company stood to gain.

‘Well, if I were to split hairs, it isn’t a complete loss for them either… But even so, there were clear areas where they could have pushed for more. Why did they concede so much?’

As Alon delved deeper into his thoughts, he eventually gave his characteristic shrug.

The result was positive.

Since the contract placed him at no discernible disadvantage, there was no point in dwelling on it.

‘…I still can’t comprehend why she was crying at the start, though.’

The memory of her tears appearing the instant she laid eyes on him remained an unresolved puzzle.

“Ah, My Lord, one more thing.”

“What is it?”

“They are saying the vice tower master has successfully developed a new formula.”

“…Is that so?”

With no opportunity to linger on his musings, Alon stood up to go to where Penia was.

***

At the same time, Lina, the head of the Greenwood Trading company—or more accurately, the Elf Queen Magrina, who had just concluded her talk with Alon—was immersed in profound reflection.

Her human disguise removed, Perion, who had been serving as her guard, observed her with a slightly bewildered look.

The source of his confusion was the queen’s conduct earlier.

‘…What was that about?’

Perion found her entire demeanor today difficult to comprehend.

The queen had departed from Greynifra, a place she should never leave unattended, for one sole purpose.

To verify whether Marquis Palatio was the Primordial Elf.

But privately, Perion had been convinced this trip would bring the queen little satisfaction.

If Philde—the most esteemed wizard amongst the elves—was correct in her theory…

Even if Marquis Palatio was the Primordial Elf and did recognize his sister, Queen Magrina, he would be unable to acknowledge her openly.

Therefore, under such constraints, the queen would have no means of determining Marquis Palatio’s true identity.

So, despite the queen’s firm belief that a face-to-face meeting would provide confirmation, Perion had remained doubtful.

And yet…

‘…Why did she weep?’

Although the queen now wore the stern, thoughtful expression of a ruler, Perion had seen it clearly.

Just moments ago, the very second she saw Marquis Palatio’s face, a single tear had traced a path down her cheek.

Perion was certain he had never witnessed such a raw, emotional reaction from the queen before.

She never displayed personal feelings in front of others.

While she was a compassionate sovereign, she carried the burden of her crown more seriously than anyone and always performed her duties flawlessly.

Could she have genuinely perceived something from Marquis Palatio? Through some method beyond his understanding?

‘But if that’s true…’

Perion studied her once more.
Magrina’s face had now regained the calm composure of a monarch.

Not that of a “sister” showing traces of emotion linked to the Primordial Elf, but the face of a sharp and decisive “queen.”

Just as Perion contemplated breaching protocol to ask the question burning in his mind…

“Perion.”

The queen, who had been silent since their departure from Marquis Palatio’s estate, finally spoke.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Perion held his breath for a moment.

A complex wave of feelings—regret, grief, and a hint of a smile—flickered across the queen’s face and vanished.

After a short silence, Magrina issued her order.

“…Station the Shadow Leaves near him.”

“…! The Shadow Leaves?”

“Yes.”

The Shadow Leaves.

For the guardians of the roots of ‘Paggade’, the Shadow Leaves were an elite assembly of elves who protected the queen from the darkness, each one a master of the sword.

They functioned as the queen’s own personal guard unit.

“Are you implying—”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“…How did you come to know?”

Perion’s face clearly showed his confusion.

Magrina thought of the gloves worn by Marquis Palatio.

Gloves that could only be utilized by elves.

More specifically, gloves that could only be activated by the Primordial Elf—

Her brother.

Tears had come unbidden the moment she saw them, but her conviction that Marquis Palatio was the Primordial Elf was not based on that alone.

“I have my methods.”

“… …”

The queen answered with a faint smile and drew an object from within her robe.

It was an ancient ring.

A ring so aged that its shine had faded in numerous spots.

There was supposed to be only one like it in all the world.

“My own methods.”

The <Ring of Restraint> that Alon had first acquired in the labyrinth was now nestled in her palm.

A ring bestowed by the Primordial Elf.

***

At that very moment, Alon was…

“Hm~ So the Trading company leader basically laid out all her terms, then started crying and laughing? Is that the summary?”

Recounting the earlier encounter to Penia.

“Well… The sequence might be a bit mixed up, but that’s essentially it.”

“It couldn’t have been some form of coerced agreement… or something similar, could it?”

Penia’s expression briefly showed a flicker of pity before Alon cut in.

“What kind of person do you take me for…?”

She quickly waved her hands in denial.

“Ah, no, no, not at all! Haha… Perhaps the Trading company leader is simply… emotionally volatile?”

“…Hmm, maybe so.”

“What a shame, and she is so young.”

And so, their strangely reassuring (?) conversation came to an end.

***

The evening arrived.

For Hidan, the usual gatherings of the Blue Moon were typically somewhat disorderly.

To be more exact, they began calmly but steadily grew more chaotic as they continued.

While the meetings had always followed this pattern, Hidan had never considered it particularly troublesome.

Whenever debates became too loud or intense, Red Moon would intervene to calm the situation and reestablish peace.

However, at this current meeting, Hidan felt a deep sense of apprehension.

The cause?

[You’ve all been informed, correct?]

[A birthday present, of all things—]

It was precisely the issue of the gift for the Great Moon’s birthday.

No, to be more accurate, it was the ensuing debate about said gift.

[Deus, let me be clear, do not prepare some absurdly over-the-top gift.]

[I understand.]

[Do you ‘truly’ understand?]

[Yes, I intend to prepare something ‘suitable.’]

[Hmm, as will I. I am planning something entirely suitable.]

[I share the sentiment. We must ensure our gift does not become a burden for our Brother.]

The moons had initiated a quiet but intense rivalry.

[Hmm, everyone seems to have the correct attitude. It appears we all agree that an excessively lavish gift could cause him discomfort.]

[Yes, I understand completely!]

Hidan let his gaze sweep over the other moons, including Yutia.

They all wore easy, confident smiles.

On the surface, their words seemed sincere, but Hidan, who often moved about collecting information, knew the truth.

…These five moons were ‘definitely not’ planning to give “suitable” gifts.

Which meant—

[Yes, we must present a gift that is ‘suitable.’]

[Correct, I concur. It must be ‘suitable.’]

[Understood. ‘Suitable,’ of course…]

[…I agree.]
[Me as well!]

In this cycle of repetition, everyone, save for the buoyant Golden Moon, was subtly masking their actual plans while cautiously observing one another.

…All because each desired to present the Great Moon with a gift that would outshine the others.

And so—

‘Is this level of competition… truly necessary?’

Hidan felt his strength wane, suppressing a weary sigh deep inside.