Raising Villains the Right Way Novel - Chapter 188

Chapter 188

Alon remained completely still.

“……”

As he maintained his silence, Queen **Magrina** mirrored him, staying quiet as well.

Yet, unlike **Alon**, a broad, evident smile curved on her lips.

‘What does she mean by that sentiment?’

He was utterly baffled by the queen’s words and demeanor.

It could simply mean she wished to avoid conflict.

But to **Alon**, the queen’s underlying ‘motive’ registered like this:

‘Oh, so you want me to play along? I’ll simply pretend I’m oblivious to everything.’

“……What precisely do you mean by ‘that feeling’?”

“Just as I expressed, that specific sort of sentiment.”

“Well then~”

**Alon** repeated his words several times, unsure of how to proceed.

He had no idea where he should even begin to set the record straight.

What was he possibly meant to do about this peculiar situation…?

“Look, I’m going to state it clearly again—I am not **Primordial Elf**.”

“You are not.”

Queen **Magrina** gave a nod.

Her face showed neither doubt nor hesitation.

Seeing that, **Alon** felt even more lost for words.

‘She completely refuses to believe me, doesn’t she?’

“That cannot be. I do trust what you say.”

“It’s awkward for me to point this out, but if I’m not **Primordial Elf**, shouldn’t you be treating me like an adversary right now?”

“If that is your desire, I can certainly oblige.”

“No, I mean… even if not outright hostility, shouldn’t you have no valid reason to be so cordial toward me?”

How had it come to this, where he was desperately trying to assure her he was *not* **Primordial Elf**?

It was profoundly confusing, yet the queen merely observed him with composure.

“Let’s just say I wished to finally meet **Marquis Palatio** in person.”

“……?”

“I hear you are quite famous, **Marquis**. Isn’t that accurate?”

“Well, yes, that is true.”

“Then let us accept that as the reason.”

It was only then that **Alon** understood.

No matter how many times he tried to clarify, this misconception would not be resolved.

No, it wasn’t even a matter of misconception—they had no intention of correcting their view.

‘What in the world is happening?’

**Alon** knew next to nothing about **Greynifra**.

He had never even encountered their people before.

And yet.

What could have led the elves to fall into such a massive, fundamental error?

‘They wouldn’t be blindly revered just because I put on a single glove, would they?’

After a brief pause for consideration, **Alon** chose to utilize their unexpected goodwill for the time being.

“……Might I pose a question?”

“Anything you wish.”

The queen smiled broadly as if highly pleased.

Watching her expression, **Alon** organized his thoughts.

‘What **Siyan** told me was basically just to proceed to **Greynifra**, so I don’t have many questions concerning that. That leaves only inquiries about the **Primordial Elf** who utilized magic similar to mine, and the **Root**.’

He pondered which of the two to ask about first.

“Do you happen to have any knowledge regarding the **Root**?”

He opted to ask about the **Root**.

Although he had wanted to ask about the **Primordial Elf** first.

Given the current delicate circumstances, it seemed too risky to bring up immediately.

The queen instantly nodded.

“Yes, although it might be difficult to explain clearly.”

“……Why so?”

“The **Root** is something that must be experienced firsthand.”

“It must be experienced firsthand?”

“Yes. No one can accurately describe it as anything other than simply ‘the **Root**.’”

It requires direct observation, he thought.

“Am I permitted to go and see this **Root**?”

“If that is your desire, I shall grant you access.”

“That is greatly appreciated.”

“However—”

The queen, who had agreed so readily, cast a glance toward the area behind **Alon**.

“It is immensely perilous, so it would be wisest not to take the knight with you.”

She was referring to **Evan**, **Alon**’s companion.

“For him, merely going there could lead to his demise.”

**Evan** flinched visibly.

Even **Alon** began to feel a profound reluctance about going.

“……Is the danger truly that severe?”

“It is.”

A firm, unyielding reply.

His internal conflict deepened.

Judging by the queen’s warning, the **Root** appeared to be a truly hazardous location.

Nevertheless.

“Then, please lead the way.”

**Alon** decided to proceed to the **Root**.

He concluded that the potential reward justified the risk.

‘Learn how to use **Arrow**, was it?’

**Alon** recalled the ‘**Eyes**.’

Initially, merely looking at them caused blood to stream from every opening in his body.

Even recently, a mere few dozen seconds of gazing at them had made him weep tears of blood.

Those **Eyes** had indeed communicated a message to **Alon**.

They had instructed him to descend to the **Root** and acquire the use of ‘**Arrow**.’

But **Alon** had no understanding of what the ‘**Arrow**’ mentioned by the **Eyes** actually was.

Even during his time playing **Psychedelia**, this specific kind of power had never genuinely surfaced.

However.

‘It must be vital.’

He knew he had to face it directly.

“Please.”

“Understood. We shall enter tomorrow, then.”

***

A short while after her brief discussion with **Alon**.

Behind Queen **Magrina**, who was smiling gently without speaking, an elf came forward.

“Your Majesty.”

“**Rim**.”

The elf’s face held a slight look of distress.

A member of **Paggade**, the organization responsible for guarding the **Root**, she frowned as if she could not fully grasp the situation.

Seeing her expression, the queen let out a soft laugh.

“You appear to have much on your mind, **Rim**.”

“My apologies, but I am uncertain if I should voice my thoughts.”

“Proceed.”

The queen gave her permission with a kind, genial smile.

Cautiously, **Rim** began to speak.

“Is that human truly the **Primordial Elf**?”

“Does he not seem so to you, **Rim**?”

“……Forgive me, but no. He himself firmly denies being **Primordial Elf**. Furthermore, if we are to trust **Philde**’s prophecies, wasn’t he never supposed to come near this **World Tree**?”

“Hmm, that is accurate.”

“And yet, he has arrived here in **Greynifra**…? While carrying something on his back that would terrify anyone sensitive to it.”

Even as she spoke, **Rim** involuntarily shivered.

Naturally, as a swordswoman rather than a mage, she could only perceive it faintly.

The presence that lay behind **Marquis Palatio**’s back, in the world beyond, was only a dim fragment to her.

No, less than a fragment.

Just the faintest hint of an outline, nothing more.

But even that was enough for **Rim** to realize.

What resided behind him was something far beyond her comprehension.

Something utterly ungraspable.

Perhaps even comparable to what lay dormant beneath the **Root**—

“**Rim**.”

Just as her thoughts reached that ominous point, the queen’s voice pulled her back to the present.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I would like you to personally escort him to the **Root** tomorrow.”

“……Escort him?”

“Indeed.”

“Are you seriously permitting him access to the **Root**?”

“He desires to go.”

“I—”

**Rim** attempted to raise an objection.

But she quickly found herself unable to speak further.

“You understand, don’t you?”

The queen was smiling at her.

An infinitely gentle, benevolent smile.

But at the same time, it was an unyielding smile, one that disallowed any further argument.

“……Understood.”

**Rim** had no choice but to comply.

The queen’s directives were absolute and final.

“Do not trouble yourself too much. Everyone else will also be present. Isn’t that right, **Draim**?”

At **Magrina**’s soft utterance, a man emerged from the deep shadows where moments before there had been nothing.

“……I will obey.”

“Good, then I entrust this to you both.”

The queen nodded her approval.

After a brief pause, **Rim** spoke again.

“Your Majesty.”

“Yes?”

“If, by some chance, he not only enters the **Root** but also attempts to venture *below* it, what course of action should we take?”

Even if they managed to allow him to reach the **Root**,

Going *below* it was a completely different matter altogether.

Because ‘that thing’ resided there.

However—

“Naturally, you should guide him further.”

The queen maintained her smile.

Even though she clearly knew.

That something lay beneath—something that would cause extreme trouble if roused.

“Understood.”

In the end, **Rim** lowered her head in submission.

At that exact moment—

“……**Marquis**.”

“What is it?”

“I know you won’t give me a direct answer, but—”

**Evan**’s voice held a trace of frustration.

“Who *are* you, exactly, **Marquis**?”

**Alon** stared into the emptiness for a moment.

“……That is a good question.”

“?”

“I’m starting to wonder the very same thing myself.”

It was a night unexpectedly given over to self-reflection.

***

The following day, after being unexpectedly drawn into **Greynifra**—

Although only about twenty-four hours had elapsed, **Alon** had acquired a general sense of how he was perceived and treated there.

‘A small number of high-ranking elves are operating under a false premise and treating me kindly, while the majority of the other elves are openly hostile…’

Of course, **Alon** wasn’t particularly bothered by this.

It wasn’t surprising—the queen’s demeanor was the truly abnormal thing.

By their nature, elves being openly antagonistic toward him, a human, was perfectly standard.

Even among those who were mistaken about his identity, some displayed subtle animosity, which he could fully grasp.

After spending a day roughly assessing the atmosphere—

“Well then, travel safely. **Rim** will accompany you.”

With the queen’s farewell, **Alon** began his journey toward the **Root**.

He was escorted by **Rim**, an elf who made absolutely no effort to hide her displeasure toward him.

“I am **Rim**. I will be your guide from this point forward.”

“……I will rely on you.”

Shortly after,

“We have arrived.”

Surprisingly, they reached the entrance in barely half an hour.

**Alon**, looking perplexed, asked,

“This is the location?”

“Do you honestly believe I would defy Her Majesty and bring you to a fraudulent spot?”

Her tone was noticeably sharp.

But **Alon** disregarded it and observed his surroundings carefully.

‘So, the **Root** refers to the literal roots of the **World Tree** itself?’