Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 182

Chapter 182

Alon stood motionless, his gaze fixed through the windowpane.

Outside, a colossal figure was set in a stance that was all too recognizable to him.

In a short while, he made his way outside toward the massive effigy and came upon the person responsible for its creation (?).

“Marquis.”

“……Deus.”

Deus inclined his head deeply beneath the statue’s towering presence.

Alon extended a finger, pointing at the structure.

“What is this?”

“It is a token of my esteem for you, Marquis.”

His face showed sheer self-assurance.

Alon silently regarded the monument.

Up close, the sculpture, which mimicked the posture of the North Korean Leader, seemed even more immense.

It was, truly, preposterously large.

To be honest, it caused him a slight sense of awkwardness.

“Er… well, so.”

“Please feel free to ask anything you wish.”

Alon was inundated with questions.

Not just a couple—an abundance of them.

However, the reason he found it difficult to speak was simple:

He didn’t know where to begin.

So, after contemplating the statue for a period,

“How did you manage to transport this here?”

He started with the most pressing enigma.

“I first employed a shrinking enchantment to minimize its size as much as possible. I wasn’t pleased to diminish your likeness, Marquis, but it was essential for the move.”

Deus’s reply was immediate.

“I understand.”

“Is there anything else you desire to know?”

The silence resumed.

Several times, Alon nearly blurted out, “Isn’t this excessive?”

But he kept the words trapped.

No, he found himself unable to say them.

Alon subtly observed Deus.

His demeanor was placid, as always.

The environment was calm, and save for the slight upturn of his lips, there was no noticeable shift in his expression.

But most notably,

His eyes were different.

In contrast to his composed features, his eyes gleamed like distant stars.

Like a child anxiously awaiting commendation, they seemed to plead, “I performed well, didn’t I? Hurry and offer praise!”

“Ah—”

Had Deus ever been capable of such an openly enthusiastic look?

To avoid discouraging the sheer delight in his eyes,

“I appreciate it, Deus. Thank you.”

Alon expressed his approval of the monument resembling the North Korean Leader, and a genuinely satisfied smile spread across Deus’s lips.

“I am honored that it pleases you, Marquis.”

“It certainly does~”

“But, if you witness this, you will be even more astonished.”

“……?”

There’s more?

Before Alon could fully process the implication,

With an air of total conviction, Deus gave a command,

“Prepare the display.”

Upon his signal, the accompanying knights efficiently took positions and swiftly presented a massive target.

And then—

BOOOOM!

In an instant, a magic circle materialized from the diamond-studded eyes, and a tremendous magic cannon fired forth, utterly vaporizing the target.

“What do you think of that?”

Deus’s pride was even more palpable now.

Alon once more stared up at the statue in stunned silence.

A ludicrously oversized construction, large enough to survey the entire domain, in the distinct stance of the North Korean Leader… and it can discharge magic cannons?!

For a fleeting second, he felt he could hear an inner voice proclaiming, “You, too, must gaze upon me with reverence!”

Clearing his throat, Alon shifted his attention to Deus.

Deus stood tall, shoulders back, radiating a sense of accomplishment.

Observing him, Alon had a sudden realization.

‘Deus… You possess the sensibilities of a young boy.’

Though slightly mortified, he couldn’t bring himself to disappoint Deus after receiving such an elaborate present.

“……It’s magnificent.”

“Thank you.”

Ultimately, Alon became someone who appreciated statues.

---

[It launches beams from its optical sensors?]

“……That is genuinely impressive.”

[Meow?]

As Basiliora and Evan, gathered before the statue, voiced their admiration—

“Brother!”

Radan arrived on the scene.

“You made it.”

“Of course, today is your celebration, Brother.”

Radan grinned broadly.

‘Come to think of it, have we ever acknowledged my date of birth before?’

But this wasn’t the moment for dampening spirits, so Alon simply inclined his head.

“My gratitude.”

“No need for thanks. Ah, and your present should be arriving shortly… Oh, perfect timing, here it comes now.”

Following Radan’s pointed finger, Alon turned his view.

And there, traversing the north gate, was an enormous entity.

“What exactly is that?”

“It is the Sea King God, a creature from the ocean depths. I captured it for you, Brother.”

“My goodness.”

Alon couldn’t stifle his astonishment.

A dragon-like head, emanating overwhelming grandeur.

And oddly, he experienced a faint feeling of recognition.

‘Sea King God.’

In Psychedelia, it was a monstrous entity that any mage player would inevitably encounter at least once.

Naturally, despite its title, it was not an actual deity.

Merely a gigantic, dragon-headed, mysterious animal.

However, its outer covering could be refined into incredibly potent magical armor.

“I’ve never encountered a live one, though.”

In Psychedelia, regardless of one’s chosen path, the Sea King God was never seen in a living state.

It was exclusively used as a crafting material.

Witnessing its original form was fascinating, and for some reason, it felt strangely alive.

As if it might spring to life at any moment—

RUUUUUUUUMBLE—!!

“!?”

The Sea King God’s head began to thrash violently the instant it passed the north gate.

Is that… truly alive?

While Alon was silently reeling from shock,

“Ah, there it goes again. One moment, Brother.”

Radan sprinted out casually, as if this were commonplace, and struck the Sea King God’s head a few times.

It soon settled down.

Radan offered an awkward laugh.

“My apologies, Brother. I definitely spent time conditioning it, but it’s proving a little troublesome.”

‘…Is that creature actually living?’

Radan tilted his head as if Alon’s question was self-evident.

“Well, certainly. It’s a companion animal.”

“A… companion animal?”

Alon regarded the Sea King God once more.

It let out a pained, soft sound.

But that wasn’t the most perplexing part.

“It’s… larger than mine?”

Although more than half of its bulk had already moved through the biggest thoroughfare of the Marquis’ estate,

Its body continued to extend.

“This is too much…”

For some reason, Deus mumbled, his voice carrying a note of defeat.

Radan smirked, sporting an expression that signaled “I have prevailed.”

Watching the pair, Alon pondered,

‘Is that truly the most crucial detail right now?’

He briefly glanced at the statue, then shifted his focus back to the Sea King God.

Its horn was misshapen, and it was being dragged along, bound in heavy chains.

‘…Where should I even begin to question this situation?’

He was utterly stumped.

“Is that even the kind of monster… no, creature one can keep as a pet?”

“Absolutely. I’ve trained it thoroughly, so it should be excellent as a decorative companion, Brother.”

“Decorative… companion, you say.”

Alon was doubtful if ‘decorative’ was the correct descriptor.

“……Isn’t it a marine animal?”

“Indeed, but it can breathe atmospheric air as well.”

“……Given its size, there’s no place to keep it here.”

“Oh, that’s no concern, Brother.”

With assurance in his voice, Radan walked toward the Sea King God, which was now situated next to the statue.

Alon followed him.

“Hey, contract.”

At Radan’s command,

The Sea King God, which had been nervously darting its enormous eyes about—

Fsssssshh.

Began to progressively reduce in size.

And so—

“……This is the Sea King God?”

“Yes. It turns out it can maintain a small body for extended periods. That’s why I brought it as a pet instead of having it preserved. I’ve heard there are even bigger ones lurking in the deep.”

Shiver shiver shiver—

The Sea King God trembled, seemingly grasping Radan’s implications.

…Or perhaps it’s merely terrified?

Choosing not to dwell on the possibility, Alon spoke.

“……So, I just keep it like this?”

“That’s right. But if you don’t care for it, Brother—”

Although Radan’s words were directed at Alon,

Tremble tremble tremble tremble—!

The Sea King God shook even more violently, staring at Alon with beseeching eyes, as if its very existence hung on his reply.

‘…Seriously, how did this turn out this way?’

“……No, I quite like it.”

In the end, Alon consented.

“I knew you would, Brother! That makes me incredibly pleased, too!”

Radan grinned with satisfaction, and the Sea King God finally relaxed, its body going limp.

‘……………Why do I have the unsettling feeling that this isn’t the grand finale?’

Alon was beginning to feel genuine apprehension about what the others might present next.

---

“……Huh? You already possess a serpent, Brother?”

[I am not a serpent! I am the mighty Basiliora, the revered one!]

“Eh, it registers as a snake to me.”

[I am BASILIORA!!!]

“Hmm—your scales are notably dark, though.”

[Do not disregard me!]

“Yes, unequivocally dark.”

[I SAID DO NOT DISREGARD ME!!!]

Basiliora thrashed in fury.

Radan, completely unbothered by the outburst, appeared lost in profound thought.

“……Brother.”

“Yes?”

“……Could you grant me another thirty days?”

“For what purpose?”

Radan glanced toward the Sea King God.

“I will secure you a black one.”

“……There exists a black variant?”

“Well, I’ll need to confirm that.”

‘Is that truly essential?’ Alon mused, but quickly understood—

‘…Perhaps it’s a compulsion?’

He could already deduce the rationale.

Radan possessed a nature that required every item to be perfectly matched in pairs.

Glancing down, Alon noticed that the Sea King God had somehow ended up clutching his arm tightly.

“……There’s honestly no need to go to such extremes.”

“Is that so?”

Radan clicked his tongue, a little let down.

Alon could distinctly sense the faint, shuddering tremors of the miniaturized Sea King God against his forearm.

Once the commotion subsided, Radan and Alon finally had a moment to exchange pleasantries.

“Greetings, Godfather.”

“You’ve arrived?”

“Yes.”

Rine had joined them.

Since the meeting with the Apostle, her health had markedly improved, which gave Alon a quiet sense of comfort.

As if she had been awaiting this precise moment, Rine produced a small gift box from her outerwear.

“A present for you, Godfather.”

“Thank you.”

Taking the package, Alon felt a strange mixture of reassurance and warmth.

After all the extravagant, nearly incomprehensible presents he had been given since the early morning,

Worry had begun to overshadow any sense of anticipation.

Fortunately, Rine’s gift appeared entirely commonplace (?) upon first impression.

Most importantly, it was not enormous.

That fact alone brought Alon satisfaction.

‘Yes, this is precisely the type of gift I was hoping for.’

Nothing grand—just a heartfelt gesture from the younger ones.

‘…Like a father receiving gifts from his offspring.’

Naturally, that didn’t imply he failed to appreciate the sentiment behind Radan’s and Deus’s offerings.

It’s just that, perhaps next year, if they chose to prepare gifts again, something more modest would be appreciated.

“Please open it, Godfather.”

“All right.”

At Rine’s prompting, Alon carefully unsealed the box, ensuring he didn’t tear the luxurious wrapping material.

Soon, the gift was revealed.

And Alon was utterly perplexed.

Inside the box lay a single, minute button.

“……What precisely is this?”

Behind Rine, Radan and Deus exchanged triumphant looks, mouthing, “We were victorious.”

However, Rine offered a sweet smile and stated,

“If you press that, the Lord of Lartania’s head will detonate, Godfather.”

She said it with the most casual demeanor imaginable.

“?”

“?”

Radan and Deus, who had been silently celebrating their win, froze.

Their expressions morphed into sheer confusion, as if they were incapable of processing what they had just heard.

“???”

Unsurprisingly, Alon was just as bewildered.