Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 194

Chapter 194
The **eastern district of Greynifra**.

Tucked away where colossal, ancient **trees** stood, just brushing against the edge of the **World Tree’s** territory, a solitary **hut** was situated.

Within.

The dwelling, appearing almost consumed or incorporated by the old growth, housed two people facing each other.

One was **Philde**, wearing a relaxed smile.

The other was **Perion**, who had traveled with her to the **Marquisate of Palatio**.

“Hmm—”

**Perion** surveyed the inside, and remembering **Philde’s** previously luxurious office, he inquired:

“Is this where you always spend your leave, **Philde**?”

“Well—for the most part, yes.”

“You even used up your holiday allowance. Is there a specific reason you’re staying here?”

“It might not seem like it, but I find it quite pleasant.”

**Philde** responded with a smile, leaning her chin on her hand.

“So, what brings you to me, interrupting my extended time off after such an exhausting journey?”

“……You weren’t actually that worn out, were you?”

Recalling the trip to the **Marquisate**, **Perion** remembered how she had passed the entire day drinking and being thoroughly inebriated.

But **Philde** gave an unashamed shake of her head.

“Of course, I was. Are you truly suggesting otherwise, knowing how much **blood** I *coughed up*?”

“Well, that’s fair, but… setting that aside—”

Clearing his throat, **Perion** resumed.

“The reason for my visit is simple: I was curious about something.”

“Curious?”

“Yes. You might not realize it since you’re on holiday, but **Marquis Palatio** is currently in our land.”

“**Marquis Palatio**?”

At the mere mention of the name, **Philde’s** interest stirred.

“Allow me to outline the circumstances first.”

As if he had been anticipating this moment, **Perion** began detailing everything that had transpired since **Marquis Palatio’s** arrival in **Greynifra**.

“That summarizes the current situation.”

“I see.”

**Philde** slowly nodded.

“I grasp the main points. So, what exactly is it that you’re curious about?”

**Philde** asked the question.

**Perion** paused momentarily before speaking.

“You mentioned it to the **Queen** last time, didn’t you? That the reason the **Marquis**—or rather, the **Primordial Elf**—couldn’t come to the **World Tree** was because of the **’black presence.’**”

“I did, yes.”

“But the **Marquis** has come to the **World Tree**. And according to the whispers—”

“He destroyed the **Ash Seeder** deep beneath the surface and restored vitality to the failing **World Tree**. Is that correct?”

“Yes. Just as the **Primordial Elf** himself would have done.”

**Philde** gave a slight shrug.

“Well, in that case, isn’t that sufficient? Given that the **Marquis** proved to be the **Primordial Elf**, just as expected?”

“Looking only at the outcome, that is correct. But there is still something that doesn’t quite add up for me.”

“What is it?”

**Perion’s** expression became serious.

“Ultimately, wasn’t your original theory wrong?”

“Which theory?”

“The speculation that the **Marquis** couldn’t approach the **World Tree** because there was something dangerous accompanying him that must not be brought here.”

“Hmm, yes, that is true.”

“If that initial assumption was disproven—”

His voice briefly faltered.

“Then there’s no logical reason for him to have intentionally kept his distance all this time, nor to continue denying that he is the **Primordial Elf**, is there?”

The deluge of questions flowed out.

“And the **Queen’s** behavior is also peculiar. If she genuinely wished for the **Primordial Elf** to keep his identity hidden, she would have ensured that only a very limited number of people knew the truth about the **Marquis**.”

“But instead, the **Queen** subtly conveyed to those around her that the **Marquis** is the **Primordial Elf**?”

“Furthermore, despite being aware of your hypothesis, she didn’t show any trace of doubt when the **Primordial Elf** finally appeared.”

**Perion** scratched his head after his summary.

“I realize my questions might seem trivial. Regardless of why the **Marquis** denies being the **Primordial Elf**, he has already demonstrated his true nature.”

“Hmm—”

“But I was simply curious, so I came to ask you.”

**Philde** instantly grasped **Perion’s** lingering uncertainty.

“So, to summarize, you are wondering why the **Queen** could believe so firmly that the **Marquis** is the **Primordial Elf**, even though his actions contradicted what I had previously stated?”

“Yes.”

**Perion** replied without hesitation.

**Philde** smiled faintly and then said—

“I don’t know.”

“……Pardon me?”

“I said, I don’t know.”

That was her reply.

“Wait, seriously?”

**Perion** was taken aback.

“Of course. Why would I know?”

“Well, you are the most insightful person I know! I assumed you might have an understanding of why the **Queen** is behaving this way…?”

“An understanding, you say—”

**Philde** let out a thoughtful sound before adding:

“Well, I wouldn’t say I have *no* ideas at all. After the **Queen** met with **Marquis Palatio**, I did conceive of one potential explanation.”

“……Then, could you share it with me?”

“Hmm—should I?”

**Philde** shot **Perion** a teasing smile before stating—

“I like you, but simply telling you everything would be dull. So, I’ll offer you a clue instead.”

“A clue?”

“The **Ring**. Observe closely the **ring** the **Queen** constantly wears.”

“……The **ring**?”

“Yes, the **ring**. If you do, you might begin to comprehend.”

That was the hint **Philde** provided.

“……Hold on, that’s barely a hint at all!”

“No, it’s a vital clue.”

With that, she presented **Perion** with a bottle of **liquor**.

“And this?”

“A fee for the clue. I was getting bored drinking by myself, so why not keep me company today?”

**Perion** let out a soft sigh, staring at the bottle.

Suddenly, a crucial detail came back to him—**Philde** possessed an impossibly high tolerance for alcohol.

In other words, by tomorrow, he would likely be so intoxicated he wouldn’t be able to move an inch.

‘My stomach is already turning…’

He was already dreading the coming morning.

—

A Few Days Later

**Alon** made preparations to return to the **Marquisate** at once.

His business in **Greynifra** was now concluded, leaving no reason to extend his stay.

Truthfully, he would have preferred to take a moment to rest and compose himself.

“I shall accompany you.”

“That… won’t be necessary.”

“No, I insist! I truly wish to!”

…………Taking a break was not an option.

Ever since he had emerged from the **roots**, news had spread throughout the entire land.

No matter where he went, he was met with overwhelming reverence.

Even now.

Feeling the weight of such deference, **Alon** turned to look at **Rim**.

Her eyes glittered so intensely they could have been mistaken for fragments of the **Milky Way** embedded in her irises.

“In that case, just escort me to the perimeter.”

“I obey!”

**Rim** bowed with a brilliant smile.

He still couldn’t adapt to this behavior.

‘Wasn’t this the same aloof elf from only a few days ago?’

“**Marquis**.”

As soon as **Alon** entered the carriage, **Evan** spoke up.

“What is it?”

“How does it feel to ride in a carriage with your simple **human** physique?”

“……It seems you really enjoy that phrasing, huh?”

“It’s not that I enjoy it. I’ve simply heard it so often from others that it’s practically burned into my memory now.”

**Alon** let out a deep sigh.

‘Why does everyone look at me with such pity?’

In reality, there was another reaction the **elves** had toward him.

Pity.

The powerful and respected **elf**, reborn as a mere **human** with barely a century to live—suffering and unrecognized.

As a result, whenever he moved through the kingdom, he was met with burdensome levels of respect and admiration.

Simultaneously, he was also the subject of sorrow and sympathy.

That kind of prejudice based on race was precisely why…

**Alon** had decided on a quick departure.

Therefore.

“Hearing people constantly murmur about it is… disconcerting.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I’m starting to get confused myself.”

“Confused about what?”

“You are not the **Primordial Elf**, correct?”

“Correct.”

**Alon** nodded without hesitation.

In the past, he might have wavered, but now there was no need.

After all—

*Nod!*

Even if he denied it, no one would believe him.

If anything, **Rim**, as if determined to humor him, nodded even more emphatically.

“Well, I also believe you are not.”

“And?”

“But since everyone keeps reacting that way, even I’m beginning to doubt myself.”

After a brief silence, **Evan** spoke again.

“**Marquis**.”

“What?”

“You truly are not… the **Primordial Elf**, right?”

He asked again, cautiously.

“I am not.”

“……I understand.”

Even as he accepted the answer, a trace of doubt lingered in **Evan’s** eyes.

**Alon** let out a small sigh.

By the time afternoon arrived, the carriage had reached the boundary.

“Then, we will take our leave here.”

“Very well.”

“I look forward to our next meeting!”

Leaving the deeply bowing **Rim** behind, **Alon** finally departed the **land of the elves**.

—

**Alon** headed directly for the **Marquisate of Palatio**.

He needed to stop by **Teria** to deliver a report to **Siyan**.

However, since he had left for **Greynifra** immediately after his birthday, there were still a few responsibilities he had neglected.

‘On top of that, I want to properly study the **divine authorities** and **’Arrow.’**’

He couldn’t analyze the **divine authority** while traveling, as it required a direct confrontation with **Kylrus**.

But regarding **’Arrow,’** he had managed to utilize it a few times on his journey back to the **Marquisate**.

As a result, he had learned four facts.

First, the **divine power** of the **Primordial Elf** that he had exercised was… a force that—though not fully understood—appeared to encourage **growth**.

Second, aside from the **green energy** he had used initially, he still couldn’t access any of the other **’Arrows.’**

Third, using **’Arrow’** depleted far more **stamina** than he had anticipated.

And lastly, the energy of **’Arrow’** could replenish—or even strengthen—depending on the level and concentration of **faith**.

‘At first, the **green energy** was considerably smaller than the others,’

Now, deep in his customary state of contemplation, **Alon** observed the **green energy**, which had expanded enough to rival the **blue energy**, before snapping out of his trance.

‘Perhaps I should discuss **’Arrow’** with **Penia**? Oh, that’s right—I still have to go to the **Magic Society** with her.’

While **Penia** remained unaware, **Alon** mentally organized their schedule.

Before he knew it, he had arrived at the **Marquisate of Palatio**.

And soon after returning—

Before he could even rest, he received word that **Duke Merkiliane** was waiting for him.

At their meeting—

“Hahahaha! So, it was true!”

“?”

“I am **Zukurak, the Scarred**! I offer my greetings to the esteemed friend of the **Great One**—!”

He was suddenly hailed.

With.

*Thud!*

A loud sound as the man slammed his head to the ground in a dramatic bow.

Even **Duke Merkiliane**, startled as well, looked noticeably confused.

But **Zukurak** remained perfectly composed.

“I pay my utmost respects to the **Great One’s** dear friend!”

He bellowed with unrestrained enthusiasm.