Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 206

Chapter 206

Of the four paramount organizations within Psychedelia, one is known as the Hundred Ghosts (百鬼).

Alon possessed considerable knowledge concerning them.

They were fundamentally different from the Apostles.

The four paramount organizations are factions that inevitably surface during the mid-stage of the game Psychedelia.

For highly experienced players, they introduce a fresh source of danger beyond the mere threat of Sin.

In truth, Alon was notably well-informed about the Hundred Ghosts, even compared to the other three organizations.

Actually, it wasn’t just Alon—virtually every player of Psychedelia was obligated to be most familiar with the Hundred Ghosts.

By default, the allegiance of the four organizations—whether they become allies or adversaries—is determined by the player’s choices and the specific path they pursue.

Even if a faction is designated as an enemy.

By selecting correct dialogue choices or fulfilling certain vital quests, players can sometimes completely bypass direct conflict.

But the Hundred Ghosts operated differently.

Regardless of the decisions made or the paths taken, they consistently materialized as foes.

Unlike the other three paramount organizations, there was no method to avert combat through conversations or quest completion.

To put it plainly, encountering the Hundred Ghosts invariably meant a fight.

And since they were a major faction, even their lowest-ranking members possessed formidable power and were extremely tough to defeat.

Furthermore, the Queen of Hundred Ghosts was so overwhelmingly potent that if the player and their party weren’t near the maximum level in the game’s final phase, the most sensible course of action was simply to load a previous save rather than attempt engagement.

Setting aside their immense strength.

The reason the Hundred Ghosts remained most prominent in every player’s mind was—

“My, this is truly pathetic. Is that truly the extent of your effort? How incredibly dull.”

“I shall annihilate them all. From this point to that point, and from that point back here—everyone, without a single soul left standing!”

“You fought Sin? And what significance does that hold? What relevance does your conflict with Sin have to my utter boredom?”

“It’s a grand celebration, a feast of destruction—! Eliminate every last one of them!”

It was owing to their completely anarchic and destructive personality.

The Hundred Ghosts, and their Queen in particular.

They embodied arrogance and sheer recklessness, viewed by every player as an “absolute madwoman.”

They assaulted players at random, devastated villages without a second thought, and, depending on the route, even obliterated Ashtalon or Caliban.

Their justification for demolishing an entire Kingdom?

“It simply seemed like it would be entertaining.”

—An utterly preposterous rationale based purely on amusement.

Given their constant traveling and perpetration of all manner of horrific acts.

When the Hundred Ghosts first appeared before him, Alon felt an extreme sense of dread.

If the individuals currently confronting him were the Hundred Ghosts he knew, there was absolutely no possibility of him departing this location alive.

Nevertheless.

“It’s been quite a long time~!”

Upon seeing her greet him with a bright, welcoming smile.

Alon‘s mind instantly filled with countless queries.

Because this reaction was entirely unanticipated.

“What…?”

Alon gazed at the Queen of Hundred Ghosts, utterly perplexed.

She wore a radiant smile and enthusiastically waved her hand, appearing genuinely pleased to see him.

It was an expression that, to any observer, seemed no different from someone eagerly reuniting with an old and cherished acquaintance.

Alon quickly glanced around.

Every single person present was staring intently at him.

Even those who had been following indifferently behind the Queen of Hundred Ghosts only moments before.

All their eyes were wide with shock, as though they had just witnessed an event of unimaginable oddity.

“What in the—”

By force of habit, he began to speak but then abruptly stopped.

Because he recognized that this unusual situation might present a valuable opportunity.

‘The Queen of Hundred Ghosts is mistaken.’

Alon was certain—she had confused him with someone else.

Whether it was a mix-up regarding Kalannon, the lightning receiver, or some other identity.

Right now, she was unequivocally mistaking him for another person.

Alon had never before encountered the Queen of Hundred Ghosts.

In fact, it wasn’t even logically possible for him to have met her yet.

‘I must exploit this chance.’

Alon held back the words he had been about to utter.

Honestly, he desperately wanted to respond to her greeting with a bewildered inquiry.

But if he did, and she realized her error.

That would instantly mean his demise.

No, there was no doubt he would be killed immediately.

So, after a difficult swallow, he spoke.

“It has certainly been a while…”

Mirroring her energy (?), he returned her greeting.

Apparently, the Queen of Hundred Ghosts was delighted that Alon had responded.

Her face instantly brightened—the change was so dramatic it seemed almost audible.

The Queen of Hundred Ghosts, who in the game always looked either bored or perpetually annoyed, displaying only negative feelings.

Now, she smiled with an innocent, childlike cheerfulness, as if utterly unburdened by any worry.

Alon found himself momentarily taken aback before his attention was snagged by something specific.

‘Her hair is black?’

That was it—the Queen’s hair was black.

According to Alon’s knowledge, it was supposed to be white, which immediately raised questions.

‘Is this a different person entirely?’

He dismissed the thought instantly.

Apart from the hair color.

Her face was precisely that of the Queen of Hundred Ghosts he had encountered in Psychedelia.

‘What is going on? Why is her hair color changed…?’

“Whoa, what’s with the boss smiling like that? If anyone saw this, they’d think—”

BOOOOOM—!!!

…….

Right.

She was absolutely the Queen of Hundred Ghosts.

As the blue-skinned man smugly ran his mouth, the Queen of Hundred Ghosts launched him flying with a single punch, causing the forest to shatter where he crashed.

Alon nodded quietly to himself.

Judging by that ruthless display of savagery, she was exactly the entity he was familiar with.

Just as all his lingering uncertainties vanished.

“Hmmm~”

In an instant, the Queen of Hundred Ghosts had appeared directly in front of Alon.

She had moved with such speed that he hadn’t even registered the movement.

With a face full of intense curiosity, as though examining an object, she stared scrutinizingly at him.

“Black one.”

She suddenly murmured.

Alon had no comprehension of her meaning, but he could tell it was a loaded question.

His instincts screamed that she was testing him.

But he couldn’t offer a careless reply.

Because a single incorrect answer could determine his life or death.

Yet, delaying his response for too long would also likely result in his death, so Alon attempted to force a reply.

“Uh—”

But he stopped mid-word.

Because the expression on her face had shifted.

As if a realization had dawned on her.

The radiant smile from earlier had disappeared, replaced by a strange, knowing look.

Alon felt a sudden, sharp sense of peril deep in his gut.

“So… not yet.”

“?”

The Queen muttered to herself so quietly that even Alon, standing immediately before her, could barely catch the words.

Then, she turned her body.

And.

“Let’s head back now~”

Unlike before, she lazily drew out her words and started leading her subordinates back into the woods.

“Wait, seriously? She came all this way just to immediately leave—?”

At that moment, the blue-skinned man, who had been violently flung into the forest earlier, rejoined the group, covered in dust.

Even after enduring such a devastating blow, he casually scratched his head as if nothing significant had occurred.

Witnessing his composed attitude, everyone present began to regard him as an extraordinary individual.

BOOOM—!!!

Yet, the instant he rejoined the group, the Queen punched him again, sending him soaring through the air once more.

This time, he slammed into the forest and wrecked the surrounding area.

“I’ll catch you next time~”

As if completely unconcerned by the destruction, the Queen of Hundred Ghosts shrugged her shoulders and vanished into the forest.

And Alon‘s party.

“???”

They stood amidst the mutated creatures’ corpses.

Staring in bewildered silence at the spot where the Queen of Hundred Ghosts had disappeared.

---

Immediately following the departure of the Hundred Ghosts.

Alon began preparing for the return journey to Luxibl Principality, having gathered the horn requested by Kalannon and the black-threaded artifact that Krakscha had carried.

“So this was why you were confident in the safety of entering the Hundred Ghosts’s domain.”

Reinhardt asked, but Alon offered no reply.

The true reason he had presumed it would be acceptable to venture near the Hundred Ghosts’s territory.

Was not due to Reinhardt‘s speculation.

But rather because of the Hundred Ghosts’s established behavior.

By rule, those creatures seldom made major movements during the daytime.

Even if they did, they would confine their actions to deep inside their own territory.

They wouldn’t bother pursuing someone simply for briefly stepping near the border.

Yet, despite all this, she showed up and then left without taking any action.

Alon had not at all anticipated this outcome.

‘……What in the world is happening?’

Once again, Alon pondered the Queen of Hundred Ghosts.

There were far too many inconsistencies.

‘I was certain she realized her mistake.’

Her final expression.

It was evident that a realization had struck her.

And yet.

She departed without saying anything further to Alon.

Not only that, but she even said—

—I’ll catch you next time.

‘……What in the world is happening?’

From the moment he got into the carriage, Alon continued to dwell on the matter.

But no matter how deeply he contemplated it.

He couldn’t formulate a single solid hypothesis.

There was simply insufficient information to properly grasp the situation.

As his thoughts consumed him.

The preparations for departure were finalized, and Alon climbed aboard the carriage.

“Marquis.”

“Yes…?”

“You appear to be in distress.”

“……Well, I suppose that’s accurate.”

“But you are a god. Shouldn’t a god be immune to suffering?”

Evan’s casual remark caused Alon to pause.

“……A god?”

“Indeed. The rumors circulating outside are unbelievable. Even the knights of Caliban keep referring to you as Kalannon.”

“Is that really the case?”

“Yes. Otherwise, how would I have heard it, considering I wasn’t even with you?”

“A fair point.”

“So, is it truly factual this time?”

Evan asked as if making ordinary conversation.

Alon hesitated for a moment.

Then he shrugged slightly.

“……About halfway there?”

“What kind of answer is that? It either is or it isn’t!”

“There are… complications.”

“And I suppose you won’t share those complications even if I inquire, right?”

“I will explain once everything has concluded.”

“Whoa…….”

Suddenly, Evan’s face was alight with profound admiration.

“……What is that expression for?”

“I simply… I never imagined you would actually tell me anything before you expired, but now you’re saying you’ll explain later… I find myself somewhat moved.”

Feeling uneasy due to the reaction, Alon instantly changed his mind.

“Disregard that. I am not telling you anything.”

“Hey—why?! I even brought you a present!”

“A present?”

At that, Evan pulled a deer’s antler from his coat and presented it to Alon.

“It is the antler you mentioned earlier, Marquis.”

“I appreciate it.”

“No need for gratitude. It’s not like I personally dug it up—I merely transported it here.”

The moment Alon accepted the antler.

“Ah.”

[Oh, excellent. That’s a relief.]

Alon found himself face-to-face once again with Kalannon, the lightning receiver.

However.

[Don’t ask any questions yet, just listen very carefully, alright? My remaining time is extremely limited.]

“…What? Why the sudden urgency?”

[It’s not sudden. I’ve completely depleted all my divine power, so I won’t be able to reach you for a while.]

With visible urgency, she stretched out her small fingers, counting something intently, before continuing.

[First of all, you need to know this—I used up every single bit of divine power I possessed in that last fight.]

“All of it?”

[Yes, all of it. You likely won’t be able to access any divine power for quite some time.]

“But I thought divine power accumulates through faith?”

[That is correct. It is probably regenerating even at this moment. But the figures aren’t exactly enormous, you know? It will require some time to recover. Also… I had to make it a bit dramatic.]

“…Dramatic?”

[Right? I needed a certain degree of impact if I wanted to remain in existence. But honestly, I didn’t utilize that much. I merely created an antler. Well, and perhaps a small amount of lightning crackling here and there.]

“…Wait, so that antler was essentially just for show?”

[Not just for show—it is my crucial lifeline. …It’s something of a desperate maneuver to avoid being forgotten…]

Hearing the slightly emotional undertone in her voice, Alon inquired.

“Is that sufficient to sustain you?”

[As long as the antler continues to exist as a symbol, I will not vanish. I made certain it left a lasting impression. Ahem. Anyway, that is not the primary issue.]

Kalannon fixed her gaze on Alon and pressed on.

[Gather faith once more as quickly as possible. The sooner you achieve this, the sooner I can properly instruct you on how to wield divine power.]

“…I will make an effort.”

[But! Absolutely do not go causing trouble merely to acquire faith!]

“Why is that a problem?”

[There are several reasons, but we don’t have the time to discuss them now. Instead, I have one final request to make of you.]

“What is it?”

[You know those statues? The ones currently being constructed in honor of your faith?]

“Hmm.”

Alon nodded, prompting her to continue.

Kalannon hesitated for a moment before speaking cautiously.

[If it is not too much trouble… Could you arrange for antlers to be affixed to them?]

“You want me to add antlers?”

[I need to ensure my survival somehow…]

RUMBLE—

The moment Kalannon sighed, the world surrounding her began to break apart.

[Oh dear! Time is up! Regardless, please, I am begging you! This is far more crucial than you realize! Please!]

With those rapid, urgent pleas, Kalannon vanished completely.

---

“Marquis.”

“…Huh?”

“Why do you suddenly look so bewildered?”

Alon blinked, realizing he was back in the real world, with Evan staring at him in confusion.

“Affix antlers…?”

Staring down at the antler in his hands, Alon contemplated something deeply.

“That… will not be simple.”

Letting out a quiet sigh, he fell into profound contemplation.

---

The Following Day.

Without receiving a single clear answer from Kalannon, Alon dragged his aching body out of bed at dawn.

The moment he woke up, he headed straight for the audience chamber to meet King Pamilono.

Because of Kalannon’s request from the previous day.

Even if it was not an easy task, he could not simply ignore it.

“…Still, this is going to be difficult.”

Attaching antlers to statues that were already finished.

It was a taxing request even for Alon to make, and likely an even greater burden for those who would be tasked with carrying it out.

In essence, it was the equivalent of remaking the statues entirely.

So, feeling a slight sense of discomfort, Alon finally arrived at the audience chamber.

And there, he witnessed—

“We salute the Great One, Lord Kalannon.”

The King had stepped down from his throne—

“Ah, please, take a seat.”

And was now bowing profoundly, courteously offering Alon the throne itself.

At that moment.

Alon’s head began to feel slightly dizzy once more.

Would you like me to find out more about any of the proper names mentioned, such as the Hundred Ghosts or Kalannon?