Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 184

Chapter 184

The heavy air that Alon hadn’t fully understood finally lifted.

Seolrang, murmuring about “my design” with a hint of grievance, paused before stepping back out of the large container.

Click—

“I’ll present this to you, Master.”

Seolrang watched Yutia for a signal of acceptance even as she extended a paper to Alon.

“……Is this considered a present?”

“It is!”

Alon held the document, looking at it without comprehension.

Was he supposed to express appreciation for this, or what?

He had no idea how to proceed.

‘……In a way, I suppose it does feel like that.’

A distant recollection came to mind.

A story he had once come across in an online group during his past existence.

‘Is this what a father experiences upon receiving a note from his young daughter proposing marriage?’

Naturally, what Seolrang offered was not a handwritten note, but a complete marriage registration form.

And it was thoroughly filled in with both their names.

If Alon were to just put his seal on it, they could potentially become a married pair (?).

Still, the true value lay in the sentiment behind the offering, didn’t it?

He quickly nodded.

“I will receive it with thanks.”

“……You are welcome to use it whenever you like! ……………Truly.”

Seolrang, who had been listening keenly, recoiled when her gaze met Yutia’s, quietly retreating.

Her childish reaction drew a faint laugh from Alon.

Lifting his hand, he gently stroked Seolrang’s head a few times.

Tap—

A slight touch suddenly brushed his side.

“?”

When he glanced over, Yutia’s hand was frozen awkwardly mid-motion.

“Is something the matter, Yutia?”

“No, nothing at all.”

“?”

Despite her smile, her voice carried a trace of vexation.

After a quick look at Seolrang’s head, Yutia quickly pulled her hand back and released a quiet breath.

“Ah, speaking of gifts, I would also like to present you with a small item.”

“I will gladly accept anything you offer.”

“Hmm— I’d prefer to give it to you right now, but—”

She looked around the room.

“It is rather challenging in this location, so you will have to join me briefly.”

“……Where precisely must I go?”

“Yes. Will you be available tomorrow?”

“Will it take a significant amount of time?”

“Hmm— Possibly?”

His schedule was packed.

He had planned to depart for Greynifra immediately after his birthday celebration.

‘It would be inconvenient if it takes too long a period.’

As Alon seemed hesitant, Yutia added,

“It should only require about one day.”

“……If that is the case.”

A one-day postponement wouldn’t cause a major issue.

With that, their arrangements were finalized.

Yutia scanned the faces of those assembled in the space.

“Since the daylight is fading, how about we have our evening meal?”

“That sounds splendid.”

---

The dinner gathering at the Marquis’ residence felt more energetic than usual.

It was understandable.

There were five additional individuals present.

“Isn’t this enjoyable!?”

[Meow~!]

“One more time!”

[Meowww~!]

Seolrang, who had been eating, abruptly started engaging in a game with Blackie.

‘I can’t tell if Seolrang is amusing Blackie or if Blackie is amusing Seolrang.’

Blackie had even escalated from simple squeaks to letting out strange, high-pitched cries.

It seemed the tiny creature was genuinely exerting effort simply to be sociable.

Beside Blackie, who was struggling to summon his non-existent energy,

“Hmm, it is so utterly unimportant that it becomes somewhat endearing.”

“Precisely. Its insignificance is what makes it charming.”

[You detestable fools!!! I have repeatedly stated, I am a deity! A deity, I tell you!!]

“But something feels slightly wrong. Its face appears a bit uneven. If we just adjusted it slightly, it might look better.”

[You scoundrel!!!!!!!!!!]

“Hmm— I don’t particularly mind its current look, though.”

“Really? I personally favor perfect equilibrium.”

[If I emerge in this realm, I shall consume all of you first! Do not take the divine retribution lightly! I will do it! I genuinely will!!!]

“Ah, anyway, that whole mess in Raksas happened, and now it’s an enormous complication.”

“I understand.”

[Stop completely ignoring me!!!!!!!]

Radan and Deus were engaging in some kind of sport with Basiliora.

Or perhaps,

It wasn’t so much cooperative play as it was……………

“This flavor is delightful.”

“Mm, I concur.”

[Cease ignoring me—!!!!!!]

They were purposefully provoking him.

Meanwhile, looking to the opposite side,

“Hmm— The Marquis typically stays secluded in his library or dedicates his entire day to researching magic, doesn’t he?”

“That is correct.”

Evan, Rine, and Yutia were having a lighthearted discussion.

“Apart from that, he occasionally goes for walks or checks out the local auction houses. But why do you inquire?”

“Hmm— I was merely curious?”

“Me as well.”

Alon recognized that he was the subject of their exchange.

For a moment, he considered joining in.

But in the end, he simply consumed the rest of the cooked meat.

‘Delicious.’

Juices exploded in his mouth.

The rich taste caused the corners of his mouth to turn up slightly.

No, it wasn’t solely because of the taste.

“Blackie, you enjoy this, correct?”

[Meowww~!]

“Let’s just make your face symmetrical, something like this…?”

“Hmm, satisfactory.”

[I am a god! A god, I say~!!!]

“Indeed, the Marquis is usually quite solitary.”

“That is a comfort, hehe.”

“It certainly is.”

More than just a long time—it was practically the first occasion the dining space was so filled with sound.

The comforting warmth that permeated the surroundings.

It felt quite agreeable.

No—

‘…It’s actually rather pleasant.’

Alon instinctively touched his lips, which were curved into a smile, as he watched the vibrant dining hall for a time.

---

After the spirited birthday dinner, a new morning commenced.

Alon bade farewell to those who were preparing to leave.

“Benefactor, we are taking our leave now!”

“I will also be on my way.”

“Me too.”

“Brother, I am returning now.”

Each of them offered their goodbyes in their unique manner.

Alon gave a single nod.

“Very well, travel safely. And thank you for the offerings. I will put them to good use.”

Though honestly,

‘Using them as intended might create significant problems.’

Whether they were aware of his internal thoughts or not,

The four of them departed the marquis’ estate with contented expressions.

“Hmm, should we set out now, My Lord?”

“Let us do so.”

Alon and Yutia also prepared to depart—to receive the gift Yutia had arranged.

“By the way, where exactly are we headed?”

Thinking back, he realized he hadn’t even asked about their destination.

“If I inform you now, it won’t be as exciting. I’ll let you know once we are there.”

“Hmm. But from what I gathered yesterday, it sounded quite distant. It is already past the noon hour.”

“It is acceptable.”

“…Really? Will we manage to return in one day?”

Yutia made an indistinct sound and smiled cryptically.

“I will clarify that a little later as well.”

“…A little later?”

“Yes. Once we arrive.”

Yutia’s gift remained entirely cloaked in secrecy.

Alon‘s curiosity intensified, but he simply climbed into the carriage.

Soon, the carriage carrying the pair left the marquis’ estate and began traversing the rough track that wound through the woods.

---

How long had they been moving along the bumpy route?

The sun, which had been high above, slowly descended, resting upon the mountain peak.

As the twilight painted one section of the sky, darkness began to creep in from the other.

“…The sun is beginning its descent.”

“Hmm, we will be there shortly.”

Yutia peered out the window.

“Ah, we have reached our destination.”

She instructed the coachman to halt the carriage.

“Let us proceed, My Lord.”

“Is there something inside?”

Yutia guided Alon into the wooded area.

By this point, a faint gloom had settled over the trees.

Yutia moved forward without hesitation.

Alon followed her steps.

Before long—

“Oh.”

Alon let out a quiet utterance unintentionally.

A truly stunning view.

The final trace of the sun peaked from the mountain’s edge, its light barely clinging to the horizon.

The diminishing sunset, saying goodbye to the world, was slowly being overtaken by the deep sapphire of the impending night sky.

And below it, at the brink of a sheer drop,

Countless evening primroses were blooming, synchronized with the onset of night.

“What is your assessment, My Lord?”

“It is more than just beautiful—it is magnificent.”

Hearing Alon‘s sincere admiration, Yutia smiled, her expression pure and bright like the evening primroses.

She walked slowly among the blossoms.

Completely lost in the expanse of flowering evening primroses.

As Alon watched her—

“…?”

That familiar feeling of unease surfaced once more.

Something was amiss.

A strange, lingering sensation.

A persistent feeling of déjà vu.

Since arriving in this world, he had never before witnessed a landscape like this.

And yet—

‘It feels as if I’ve encountered this sight somewhere before.’

At that very moment—

“My Lord, is there something you know?”

Yutia, standing amid the evening primroses, clasped her hands behind her back and posed the question.

Alon, startled out of his contemplation, answered.

“What is it?”

“Cliffs adorned with evening primroses are not unique to this location. There is one on that distant mountain as well. And another if you travel a few more days.”

“Do you have an affinity for this particular kind of vista? You must have visited several such places.”

Yutia slowly shook her head in response to his words.

Her silver strands shimmered in the lunar light.

“Truthfully, I was not aware of them previously, nor did I care for them. But now—I genuinely do.”

“I see. Did someone introduce them to you?”

A soft, fleeting smile touched Yutia’s lips.

Her gaze was completely fixed upon Alon.

“Yes, that is right. But, My Lord—do you know why I insisted on bringing you specifically here?”

“To be frank, I have no idea.”

Unable to grasp the reason for his unexplainable feeling of déjà vu,

Alon simply shook his head.

Meanwhile—

Yutia had already closed the distance between them.

“That is because—”

She parted her lips slightly.

“I simply wished to spend time with you, My Lord.”

“…You desired to be with me?”

“Yes. The longer the journey, the more time we gain to spend together. So… I embellished the truth slightly.”

“Then the part about a gift that could only be presented here…”

Her eyes curved gently, like the blossoming evening primroses.

“That was also untrue.”

“…I understand.”

“Will you not reprimand me?”

“Is there a valid reason to?”

“But I was deceptive.”

“A minor deception such as this is inconsequential between us.”

Pause—

A brief moment of quietude.

“…Is that truly so?”

“Yes.”

“That is a relief. I worried that you might be displeased.”

“You don’t appear concerned in the least.”

“Did you discern my true feelings? But, I felt I had no alternative.”

Yutia let out a playful laugh.

Then, she produced a small container from her pocket.

It was not large.

Small enough to be carried effortlessly.

“I wanted to give you something more memorable than what the others offered.”

She held both hands forward, the moonlight making her fingers appear almost transparent.

Alon, gazing at her hands,

“I will accept it.”

Carefully received the box.

“When you return, wait a while before opening it. Around one month would be ideal.”

“Why?”

“So you have a little more time to reflect upon it.”

But she never clarified what precisely he should be reflecting upon.

Alon simply stared at her.

With the vast night sky behind her, standing within the gentle radiance of blooming evening primroses, she shone with an otherworldly beauty that left him momentarily captivated.

And so—

“…Very well.”

That was the only response Alon could offer.