Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 180

## Chapter 180: The Eye of All Things

Alon gazed in stunned silence at the immense dragon that had consumed the destroyed realm.

Except for its blazing scarlet eyes, its form mirrored **Blackie**, its entire massive body shimmering like an apparition.

Finally, as **Kylrus** executed the sealing gesture, the colossal creature slowly dissipated and faded away.

“…Was that the **Shadow Dragon**?” **Alon** breathed out, bewildered.

“No, not exactly. What I presented to you was a fully mature **Spirit Dragon**. A being I once controlled,” **Kylrus** replied, his voice tinged with a delicate nostalgia.

He then shook his head lightly, as if to clear the sentimental fog.

“Regardless, that specimen was only half the full size.”

“…Half?”

“I mean, it was half the size of a fully developed **Shadow Dragon**.”

“Are you suggesting it’s twice the magnitude of what we just witnessed? Its sheer scale?”

It was simply incomprehensible.

He struggled to process the idea.

Even **Kylrus**’s **Spirit Dragon** from a moment prior had been staggering in its proportions.

‘It was already vast enough to engulf the entire planet… and you’re saying double that?’

Unconsciously, **Alon** glanced downwards.

For some reason, **Blackie** was looking up at him with an expression of self-importance.

‘This miniature creature holds such immense power?’

“By the way, young one. Where did you obtain the egg for the **Shadow Dragon**—or rather, the **Spirit Dragon**?”

Snapping out of his reverie upon hearing **Kylrus**’s query, **Alon** recounted the events that had transpired up until that moment.

After a short pause,

“I understand; so that’s how it happened,” **Kylrus** murmured, as if putting pieces together, then directed his gaze toward **Alon**.

“You have come into possession of the heritage I put aside.”

“…The heritage you put aside?”

**Kylrus** confirmed **Alon**’s question with a nod.

“It is an artifact I entrusted to the last surviving magus.”

“…The last surviving magus?”

“Yes, although it appears you have received the inheritance instead.”

A specific person suddenly came to **Alon**’s mind.

“The final magus you mentioned… could he be **Duke Komalon**?”

“**Duke Komalon**? My apologies, that name is unfamiliar to me.”

The query itself had been ill-informed.

“…I did encounter one imperfect magus sometime ago.”

“…An imperfect magus?”

“Frankly, I’m uncertain if that is the correct designation. He simply referred to himself as such.”

“Elaborate, young one.”

After a moment of contemplation, **Alon** recounted everything, starting from his initial encounter with the artificial deity.

Listening attentively, **Kylrus** eventually spoke a name.

“…It seems the individual you encountered was **‘Diad’**.”

“…**Diad**?”

**Kylrus** retrieved the memory.

“He possessed more pride as a magus than anyone else, yet, ironically, he never acquired a genuine mental imprint. Furthermore, he was the apprentice of a dear companion of mine.”

“…”

“He was unable to participate in the mages’ conflicts. He had not truly inherited any specialized techniques, let alone a mental imprint. That’s probably the reason he managed to stay alive.”

His voice softened, perhaps recalling distant times.

He uttered in a low tone.

“So, he’s spent all this time clinging to existence… merely to uphold words his master spoke as a simple reassurance.”

“…Did that master instruct him to ‘slaughter people to prevent the resurgence of the dark’?”

“I doubt he willingly desired to do that. It was likely an ultimatum he felt he had no alternative but to accept.”

“…No alternative?”

“Precisely. Ultimately, that was the limit of what an ‘imperfect’ magus, who didn’t fully inherit his power, could do just to survive. Well, I am no different.”

**Kylrus** clicked his tongue after making that statement.

For a brief second, a strange fusion of unease and regret flashed in his eyes.

That look brought a past event back to **Alon**’s memory.

The sight of **Kylrus** mercilessly massacring people.

Following an extended silence,

“Tell me, young one, didn’t you mention you wished to learn how to manage the **Spirit Dragon**?”

“I did.”

“Very well, I shall instruct you.”

“Truly?”

“But first, I must inquire about your objective.”

“…My objective?”

“Yes.”

**Kylrus** fixed his gaze directly into **Alon**’s eyes.

“What is your intent after mastering the control of that **Shadow Dragon**?”

“I—”

“And don’t bother with idealistic nonsense, by the way. That is not what I want to hear.”

**Alon** remained quiet, thinking deeply.

To be truthful, even without resorting to high-minded ideals, offering a response that would satisfy **Kylrus** wasn’t particularly difficult.

Based on their interactions so far, he had a general grasp of **Kylrus**’s philosophy.

However, **Alon** decided to articulate his genuine motive, just as **Kylrus** had requested, rather than providing the expected reply.

“To lead a peaceful existence.”

“…To lead a peaceful existence?”

“Yes, that is all. I wish to gain the skill to eradicate the perils that loom ahead.”

A straightforward reply.

Nevertheless.

“Acceptable.”

Instead, **Kylrus** nodded, offering a pleased smile.

“Very well, I will impart the technique to you.”

“In addition to that, I have also entered into a covenant with **Lainisius**.”

“…With **Lainisius**?”

**Alon** shared the specifics of his discussion with **Lainisius**.

“…So, whether I liked it or not, I was obligated to be informed.”

**Kylrus** let out a soft chuckle, regarding **Alon** as if he were a fascinating anomaly.

“By the way, may I pose a question?”

Suddenly, a thought occurred to **Alon**.

“What is it?”

“You stated you have been deprived of everything except your name, correct? If so, how are you capable of utilizing techniques connected to the **Shadow Dragon**?”

**Kylrus** looked around as if the solution were self-evident.

“The answer is simple—because this space is the mental domain.”

“…Because it is the mental domain?”

“Indeed. In this place, it presents no difficulty to manifest magical power by drawing upon my memories.”

‘Well, even if it’s merely a hollow projection—’

**Kylrus** muttered with a touch of bitterness.

“In any case, it is time for my departure.”

“…Departure? What do you mean?”

He stood up.

“Exactly that. My magical energy is nearing depletion, so it is time for us to separate.”

“There was a limit on time?”

“Since our remaining time is brief, I will quickly outline the actions you must accomplish before we encounter each other again.”

**Kylrus** outlined the tasks **Alon** needed to perform before their next rendezvous.

Shortly thereafter—

“Until next time.”

Before **Alon** could voice a word, a brilliant white luminescence engulfed him.

And then—

When **Alon** reopened his eyes, the familiar surroundings…

“…?”

—were nowhere to be seen.

After the white flash receded from his vision, what emerged was—

“…”

A black void.

—

**Alon** was disoriented.

The last time he employed the ‘**Footsteps of the Past**’ ability, immediately following the appearance of the white light, he had been returned to the physical world.

In other words, after the white luminescence, he ought to have been facing the real world once more.

But the spectacle currently before **Alon**’s eyes was—

‘Huh? What exactly is this…??’

A chasm.

A location where nothing could be distinctly perceived.

A setting entirely unknown to him.

No—that wasn’t accurate.

He did recognize it.

**Alon** identified this space.

He had definitively witnessed it before.

‘This chasm.’

The instant he grasped that, **Alon** discerned something lingering at the periphery of his sight—

A stellar cloud.

And he comprehended that the object before him—

—was an ‘**eye**’.

The identical abyssal eye he had observed in the mirror given by the **Observer**.

That overpowering eye gradually commenced opening its lid.

*Thump thump thump thump thump thump~!!!!*

His heart hammered as if poised to burst.

He hadn’t even had time to process an initial feeling or formulate a conclusion yet.

But the sheer perception of it caused his pulse to accelerate as if it would explode.

His entire body trembled as if on the verge of disintegration.

Gasping for breath, unable to regulate the fierce pounding of his heart, **Alon**—

—finally met the fully opened eye.

A colossal iris filled with shining nebulas.

Ominous, yet magnificent.

Terrifying, yet breathtaking.

“The **Eye of All Things**.”

And then—

“#%&@:;~#% Now you are finally able to behold me!”

It spoke in an unintelligible tongue.

“Seek the origin, O devouring one.”

“Acquire knowledge there.”

“Of how to manipulate the projectile.”

With a distorted, grating voice, it issued a directive.

“Close your sight.”

Powerless to resist its overwhelming might, **Alon** closed and then quickly reopened his eyes.

“Huff—!”

He expelled the breath he had been holding.

*Thump thump thump thump thump thump~!!!!*

His blood rushed as if speeding down an artery.

Clutching his pounding chest, **Alon** managed to raise his head, and quickly—

“**Marquis**?! Are you alright?!”

He realized he had returned to his proper location.

**Evan** had rushed to his side without him noticing.

With an expression full of distress, **Evan** grasped **Alon**’s shoulders and shook him vigorously.

“I am fine.”

“You certainly don’t appear fine! Can’t you perceive your current state…?”

**Evan** gripped **Alon**’s shoulders frantically.

“Your eyes… they are bleeding!!”

Only then did **Alon** feel something warm trickling down his face.

Slowly, he lifted his hand to touch it, and bright crimson fluid stained his fingers.

‘What… is this?’

**Alon** let out a hollow, unwitting chuckle.

Recalling the overpowering presence of the eye he had just witnessed.

—

The Following Day

Having concluded his affairs, **Alon** determined to leave the settlement immediately.

Although he had wished to take a couple of days to recover, several issues were pressing on his mind.

‘…**Greynifra**.’

Right after reaching the **Marquis**’s residence, he intended to make preparations for a journey to **Greynifra**.

When he first learned of it from **Siyan**, he planned to proceed without haste.

There had been no urgency, and he needed time to organize his thoughts.

However, after his conversation with **Kylrus**, and realizing the potential gains from heading to **Greynifra**, he chose to move forward sooner.

“Master, are you departing now?”

“Yes.”

By now, **Alon** instinctively pressed down on **Seolrang**’s ears gently without being asked.

**Seolrang** purred contentedly, clearly delighted, and exclaimed,

“Understood! Then, I’ll see you in one month!”

“…In one month?”

“Yep!”

Surprised by the sudden declaration, **Alon** mentally reviewed his schedule.

“I have no plans to return to the settlement in one month, though?”

No matter how he considered it, there was no planned visit to the settlement…

“I know! That’s because I’ll be the one visiting then!”

“…**Seolrang**, you?”

“Yep! Master, it is your birthday then!”

“Ah.”

**Alon** let out a low acknowledgment of understanding.

That was correct.

In one month, it would be the anniversary of his birth.

“Are you planning to deliver a gift to me personally?”

“Yep! This particular gift has to be presented directly, or I cannot give it! You must accept it, Master!”

“I shall look forward to it.”

**Seolrang**’s tail wagged vigorously, clearly thrilled at the simple thought of presenting a gift.

A gentle, almost paternal, smile unconsciously appeared on **Alon**’s face.

‘…Perhaps I should stay until after my birthday?’

Considering the unexpected alteration of his plans, **Alon**’s carriage departed from the settlement.

—

At That Very Moment

“It’s finally finished!”

“…Is this the present for Brother?”

“Yeah, isn’t it magnificent?”

“…It is, but…”

**Luna Blood Sail**, the sovereign of the second archipelago, barely managed to stifle the comment, ‘Isn’t that slightly excessive?’

Beginning with the proud offering from **Ladan**, the birthday presents for **Alon** were being systematically prepared.