Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 213

Chapter 213: Between Greynifra and the Lizardmen

 

In a temporarily erected spot for negotiations, situated between the territories of Greynifra and the Lizardmen.

“…No accompanying guard is needed?”

“Yes, that’s what he communicated.”

Magrina received this information relayed by Rim.

“Can that be confirmed?”

“Indeed, Your Greatness.”

Hazad was seated across from Magrina.

When Hazad posed the question, Zukurak confirmed it with a solemn nod.

Observing this, Hazad ran his hand over his chin in contemplation a few times.

“Well, I suppose there is nothing to be done. If my associate feels this way, then I shall withdraw.”

Contradicting expectations, he accepted the decision and stepped back without any fuss.

“Hmph, you are accepting this with surprising grace.”

“I am not like those underhanded elves who pretend to be noble while secretly plotting.”

“You were once even more underhanded than we are—”

“Ahem.”

The instant his past was brought up, Hazad cleared his throat and avoided eye contact.

To anyone unfamiliar, it might have appeared as a mere wisp of black vapor, but to a careful observer, it was clear that Hazad was momentarily flustered.

After a brief moment of silence.

“In any case, if my associate insists, there’s no justification for us to remain here.”

Hazad rose, indicating the discussion was over.

“Let us depart, then.”

With that, he calmly spun around and exited the meeting location.

As Magrina stood, gazing at the spot where he had departed,

“Your Majesty.”

“Speak, Rim.”

Rim addressed the queen, a slight look of disappointment on her face.

If the elven side had been given the responsibility of the escort, she would have had the chance to personally safeguard the Primordial Elf.

For Rim, and in truth for all elves, protecting the Primordial Elf—whom they revered almost as a deity—was an enormous distinction and honor.

Normally, the duty of Paggade was to defend the World Tree against the threats emerging from its roots, leaving no capacity to protect anyone else.

However, ever since the Primordial Elf paid a visit to the roots, those threats had vanished.

Now that Rim was available for other tasks, she felt the missed opportunity even more keenly.

“Then, according to your prior instruction, I will summon back the Shadow Leaves.”

As if sensing her feelings, Magrina offered a gentle smile and shook her head.

“No.”

“…I beg your pardon?”

“There is no need to recall the Shadow Leaves.”

“But didn’t we just conclude—”

“Rim, even if he declines an escort, the Primordial Elf is someone whose safety we must ensure. You recognize this, don’t you?”

“Yes, of course.”

“That is your answer. He may have refused, but surely, it was done out of consideration for our circumstances.”

In reality, it was Alon’s frantic attempt to prevent his secret from being revealed.

But unaware of this, Magrina’s smile became warmer.

“That is precisely why we must still provide an escort. We cannot simply entrust his well-being to those reptiles, can we?”

The logic was sound.

Rim assented but could not help the question forming in her mind.

…What precisely is the connection between Her Majesty and that supposed Sage we just saw?

The queen, Magrina, and the Lizardmen’s Sage, who had spoken so casually with her—

Rim was certain they had not frequently crossed paths before.

And yet, their dynamic felt oddly familiar.

…Despite the fact that they spent the entire time trading insults.

In spite of the verbal attacks, their interaction felt more like that of long-time rivals than genuine adversaries.

However, Rim quickly set aside her curiosity.

That was not the most pressing issue at hand.

“Then, we will keep the Shadow Leaves in their current position.”

“Proceed.”

“And, Your Majesty.”

“Yes?”

“Would it be permissible—”

Just as Rim was about to tentatively voice her request,

Inside the large carriage being borne by the Lizardmen, Zukurak tilted his head, perplexed.

“…You wish to deploy accompanying forces?”

“That is correct.”

In a lavishly decorated interior, spacious enough to be considered a chamber, Zukurak was bewildered by Hazad’s command.

It completely contradicted what he had just stated in front of Magrina.

“…But didn’t you just say you wouldn’t send any?”

Hazad let out a quiet laugh.

“Naturally, that was a pretense.”

“But doesn’t your associate wish for privacy?”

“Well, honestly, he probably does not, but that is a separate concern.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I am dispatching them because I am anxious about him.”

That summarizes the situation, Hazad mumbled softly, before continuing.

“Anyway, simply execute the order. But ensure they remain hidden—send the operatives who are the most inconspicuous.”

“…Should I send the Shadow Veil clan?”

“Hmm, that is an acceptable choice.”

Hazad reclined into his seat, satisfied.

Observing him, Zukurak suddenly posed a question.

“May I inquire about something?”

“What is it?”

“…If you intended to send an escort regardless, why bother concealing it from the elves?”

“Self-evidently, because it is necessary.”

“?”

“The elves pretend to value honor, yet they are devious. If they inform my associate, it will only create unnecessary trouble.”

Hazad nodded to himself, as if he understood the elves perfectly.

In simpler terms, he was worried they might inform Marquis Palatio.

Seeing his god, the one who granted him power, being cautious about another’s involvement, struck Zukurak as odd.

Never before had he seen the deity he served be concerned with anyone else’s opinion.

Yet now, Hazad was being careful around the elves, fearful that his associate might discover his plan.

After a brief silence,

“…Understood. I will make the arrangements at once.”

Zukurak bowed and departed to carry out Hazad’s instruction.

---

About one week later.

“Marquis, I have completed the inquiry you requested.”

“You are referring to Sili?”

“I am.”

“So, what information did you uncover?”

“It appears that is genuinely the name they are using for her.”

Hearing Evan’s report, Alon regarded him with a confused look.

“…Why in the world would they do that?”

“Well—it seems after your departure, she persisted with various charitable activities in the settlements near Caliban.”

“…Charitable activities?”

“Yes, things along those lines.”

Taking care of creatures, distributing resources—

After listing a few examples, Evan added,

“In any case, because of this, the villages close to Caliban have begun referring to her as ‘The Saint of Kalannon, the lightning receiver.’“

Alon instinctively scratched his head.

This situation was not particularly disadvantageous for him.

In fact, it was beneficial.

After all, Sili’s actions were inadvertently inspiring devotion towards Alon.

Not that he had granted her power with this outcome in mind.

But the reason for his slightly perplexed expression was—

This was not what he had planned.

He had only provided Sili with power so that she could defend herself.

Now, finding himself at the summit of an unforeseen network of admirers, Alon mused internally.

‘Well, it’s not a bad thing, so it doesn’t truly matter… But perhaps I should tell her not to overexert herself?’

He did not want Deus’s sibling to be overworked.

After organizing his thoughts, Alon resolved to bring it up the next time he visited Caliban.

Just then—

“Marquis.”

“What is it?”

Evan spoke up.

“That reminds me… Didn’t you mention last time that we needed to visit a different location besides the jungle?”

“During the previous journey?”

“Yes. Thinking back, I don’t believe we actually went there.

A place to visit—

Alon contemplated for a moment before an ‘Ah’ escaped his lips.

“There was a location we needed to go to due to the constraints on using ‘Footsteps of the Past.'”

“Exactly? That’s why I asked. I realized we bypassed it. Why didn’t we go?”

“It wasn’t that I chose not to—I was unable to. That particular place is only accessible when we have business in the northern region.”

“I see.”

Evan nodded in comprehension.

Observing him, Alon suddenly made another exclamation and retrieved an object.

It was a precious stone, identical to the crimson ruby he had acquired in the colony.

‘They informed me it would communicate with me on its own when the moment was right.’

Alon stared at the red gemstone.

Yet, just as when he first accepted it from the dragonkin in the colony, it remained utterly unresponsive.

‘I assumed if I simply waited, it would eventually speak up… But at this point, could there be an issue?’

Contrary to what he had been promised—that it would make contact within a month or two—

Nearly half a year had passed, and there had been no sign of communication.

‘It appears I will need to make a trip to the colony after my journey north.’

Adding another stop to his travel plans, Alon put the ruby away.

---

About two weeks later—

“Let’s begin the journey.”

Alon set out for Asteria to meet with Siyan.

---

While Alon was en route to Asteria, Hidan was at the Palatio Marquisate.

He was carrying out instructions received from Yutia.

Initially, he only planned to make a quick stop on his way to Caliban, just to retrieve something from a concealed storage area and depart immediately.

…If he hadn’t witnessed something completely unexpected.

Hidan looked straight ahead.

What came into his view—

A group radiating a peculiar atmosphere.

Lizardmen.

And not only them.

On the opposing side—

A group of elves, every one of them tense and glaring hostilely at the Lizardmen.

Hidan had never encountered non-beastkin demi-humans before.

Even beastkin were primarily concentrated in the Eastern Kingdom, though they were present in the Allied Kingdom.

But elves and Lizardmen?

They were so scarce in the Allied Kingdom as to be virtually nonexistent.

In that regard, seeing more than ten Lizardmen—

And an equally large group of elves—

All exchanging hostile glares,

Was an extraordinarily strange sight.

Especially considering that each individual was radiating an impressive aura.

But Hidan made preparations to leave.

No matter how odd the sight, it was not a reason to delay his mission.

However—

“Be gone, you lizards! The marquis is under our protective watch.”

“Ha! Do not speak nonsense, needle-ears. By his command, we are tasked with guarding Marquis Palatio, so you lot should step aside!”

“?”

“..?”

Hearing those words—

Hidan halted, a look of confusion spreading across his face.

“What absurdities are you uttering, dim-witted lizards? By what right do you claim you will safeguard the marquis?”

“We possess greater strength than you honor-obsessed elves, so naturally, we are the ones who should protect him!”

“No, the elves will guard the marquis!”

“No! The Lizardmen will guard him!!”

As the argument intensified—

“…???”

Hidan’s mind was flooded with unanswered questions.