Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 215

Chapter 215

 

Fulton struggled to grasp the reality of the situation unfolding before him.

Indeed, his confusion was perfectly warranted.

He had never personally encountered an elf before.

The ties between the Allied Kingdom and the elves were notably strained.

Even at the slave markets, he’d only managed the briefest glimpse of a single elf.

Yet now, there were well over ten of them right in his immediate vicinity.

And these were clearly no ordinary elves.

They were unmistakably powerful fighters.

As soon as he registered their formidable presence, Fulton instantly encased his body in mana.

He still couldn’t fully process the situation.

Why were elves so close to the Kingdom of Asteria?

Why did they speak of Marquis Palatio with such intense rage?

Fulton had absolutely no answers.

But one truth resonated with absolute certainty within him:

“Peril.”

The circumstances were dire for him.

“I must escape immediately.”

Without a moment of second-guessing, Fulton unleashed his magical energy.

A burst of azure power scattered widely in all directions.

The elves’ instincts flared, prompting them to move and intercept his escape.

However, before they could fully react, the mana released by Fulton instantly transformed into a dark fog, completely obscuring their vision.

“!?”

As the elves faltered, momentarily taken aback by the sudden clouding, Fulton managed a sly grin and turned to flee.

‘You wasted precious seconds talking when you should have been moving to capture me.’

In terms of direct battle strength, Fulton was actually one of the least powerful among the Black Hand‘s executive members.

Some even whispered that he wasn’t strong enough to hold his current rank.

Yet, despite this opinion, no one within the Black Hand ever dared to challenge his standing.

There was only one critical reason for this.

His capabilities in concealment were outrageously dominant.

Especially his unique talent—the ability to turn his magical essence into a thick mist.

Once he activated it, even those attempting to track him using detection magic would completely fail to pinpoint his location.

‘First, I need to get away from here and report this unexpected encounter.’

Fulton immediately made his move—

And promptly lost consciousness.

“-?”

His awareness snapped back in a split second.

The first sensation he registered was a sharp, agonizing pain in his side.

The next chilling realization hit him—

Something had struck him while he was within his own mist, hurling him through the air.

And finally, his last coherent thought was shattered by a booming voice—

“Hmph—so this is the pathetic creature who intended to harm the Great One’s beloved friend.”

“Kugh—!”

A colossal hand clamped down on his neck, hoisting him up effortlessly, as if his skull was moments away from being crushed.

It belonged to a towering lizardman, whose enormous form dwarfed anything Fulton had ever witnessed.

As the lizardman’s menacing face loomed over him, Fulton’s eyes widened with profound dread.

“……You Lizard, do not even think about claiming our rightful capture!”

An elf’s voice suddenly pierced the air.

The lizardman let out a scornful noise, his grip on Fulton’s throat tightening further.

“Nonsense. We simply finished the job you clearly botched.”

“You had no idea where he was until we brought him down!”

“Regardless, had you let him slip away, the Great One’s esteemed friend—the Marquis—would have been needlessly troubled.”

“We would have secured him without your unnecessary meddling.”

As if following a routine, the two factions immediately began a loud, trivial argument.

Fulton could only stare, completely dumbfounded by the bizarre exchange.

The beings standing before him were elves and a lizardman—

Races almost never encountered within the borders of the Allied Kingdom.

And judging by their frantic squabbling—

It appeared they were all acting as guards for Marquis Palatio.

Not merely protecting him, but fiercely contesting the honor of doing so, and speaking of him with the utmost reverence.

Which could only mean—

‘……Just who exactly is he?’

Fulton found himself recalling the Marquis Palatio’s remarkably unassuming appearance.

In that instant—

“You elves are irritatingly loud. More to the point—”

A deeply unsettling grin spread across the lizardman’s face.

“Perhaps we should have a brief discussion first?”

As the lizardman’s predatory gaze settled upon him, Fulton realized with cold clarity—

“Ah.”

Everything had gone monumentally wrong.

---

“What precisely are you implying?”

“Oh, to put it simply—I’m curious if you two have fallen in love.”

Siyan’s tone was as light and unconcerned as if she were inquiring about breakfast.

Alon paused for a second before slowly shaking his head.

“There is no such romantic connection between us.”

“Is that truly the case?”

“But, if I may ask, why are you posing such a question?”

Siyan delicately tapped her forefinger against her lip, then replied in a casual manner.

“It’s simply a thought that has been occupying my mind.”

“……A thought occupying your mind?”

“Yes. It’s nothing the Marquis needs to concern himself with. Merely a matter of personal interest.”

“May I know the nature of this curiosity?”

At Alon’s probing question, Siyan paused, let out a thoughtful hmm, and then offered an enigmatic smile.

“I shall tell you the next time you come for a visit.”

“Is that so?”

“That should ensure you rush straight here the moment your duties are completed, wouldn’t you agree?”

Alon’s expression flickered for a brief moment.

‘She knew my intentions.’

Maintaining a perfectly neutral expression, he carefully turned his gaze aside.

“……My sincerest apologies, Your Majesty.”

“It’s quite alright. I was merely teasing.”

Siyan let out a gentle, airy laugh.

Then, as if a sudden memory had struck her, she slightly knitted her brow.

With a small sigh, she extended something toward Alon.

It was a small container filled with roasted sweet potatoes.

“My apologies. I almost forgot my manners.”

“……It’s nothing at all.”

“Eat. I had them prepared when the Cardinal was here, so they should still retain some warmth.”

With the most natural air in the world, Siyan presented him with the sweet potatoes.

Alon respectfully inclined his head.

“I accept them with gratitude.”

“Take your time enjoying them.”

Siyan watched with evident satisfaction as Alon, now perfectly accustomed to this ritual, skillfully took his first bite.

---

‘……Why do I have the distinct sensation of being a spectacle?’

Although the intense pressure had noticeably lessened compared to his previous visit, an odd feeling of being observed still lingered.

For a period, the only sound filling the space was the quiet chewing of the sweet potatoes.

“Now then, let us proceed with your official report.”

After confirming Alon had finished the food, Siyan adjusted her posture, becoming formal.

Alon systematically recalled the chain of events that had transpired in Greynifra and began recounting the details, making sure to omit nothing.

A significant amount of time passed as the report continued.

“Hoh~ So, in the end, you’ve basically ascended to become the deity of the elves?”

“……Something to that effect, yes.”

As Siyan questioned him with clear amusement in her voice, Alon hesitated but ultimately conceded the point.

She nodded slowly, as if a missing piece of the puzzle had finally clicked into place.

“So that’s the true reason you referred to them as a great assistance.”

She then spent a few moments in contemplation.

“By chance, have you managed to recall any additional fragmented memories beyond what you’ve reported?”

Siyan gave a little shrug.

“No, none further have surfaced.”

“……Is that the honest truth?”

Then—

“Well, there is one minor fragment. It’s not about the marquis, though.”

She added, allowing a playful smile to cross her face.

Alon remained silent for a moment before responding calmly.

“I understand.”

‘This particular conversation is clearly going to take some time to reach a conclusion.’

“Indeed, it is. I will be sure to inform you the moment the next memory becomes accessible.”

Then, she raised her index finger and gently curled up the corner of Alon’s mouth with a slight push.

“However, if I prolong this process for too long, you might lose your motivation. So, I will offer a small clue to maintain your interest.”

Her voice was utterly composed, as if she were simply manipulating him exactly as she pleased.

“In the brief recollection I witnessed, Cardinal Yutia made an appearance—although she looked somewhat different from her current self.”

“A different appearance?”

“Yes. Her hair was styled to the side, and her formal attire was distinct as well.”

Siyan replicated the motion with her free hand, sweeping her own hair back and to the side.

Alon barely reacted to the light pressure on his face, and Siyan eventually withdrew her fingers.

“That is all you get. I will share the remainder the next time you visit.”

“Understood.”

“Oh, and just so you are aware—”

A cheerful, light laugh echoed through the vast audience chamber.

“Yutia looked quite breathtaking with her hair styled in that manner.”

“……I see.”

Alon’s reply was slightly delayed.

Siyan’s smile deepened even further at his reaction.

“Then, I suppose I will anticipate seeing you again in approximately three months—or perhaps four, due to the upcoming Allied Kingdom conference.”

With that final remark, the formal audience was concluded.

Somehow, Alon felt as if all his inner vitality had been completely drained away.

When he finally made his way back to the heart of the inner castle, he found Yutia waiting for him, accompanied by Evan.

“Have you successfully concluded all your duties, My Lord?”

“Yes, I have finished my audience with Her Majesty, so I must depart now. However—”

Alon, who had been answering automatically, suddenly paused, a peculiar look clouding his features.

After a brief moment of observation—

“……Are you particularly content?”

Yutia’s expression appeared noticeably more radiant than usual.

“Hmm? Do I give the impression of being content? Perhaps it is merely because I have been fortunate enough to see you, My Lord.”

“……Is that really all it is?”

She seemed even more delighted than that, though…

“Yes. Furthermore, I also had the opportunity to engage in conversation with a person with whom I feel I can genuinely communicate.”

“Are you referring to Her Majesty?”

“That is precisely right, My Lord. I have been moving around quite a lot recently, meeting various individuals, and surprisingly, Her Majesty is significantly easier to talk to than I had anticipated.”

“You had met her on previous occasions, hadn’t you?”

“I never had the chance for a proper, extended conversation until now. In any case, she is a truly ‘good-hearted person.’ Perhaps that is the reason for my uplifted mood.”

‘Well, if that’s the explanation…’

Alon simply nodded without pressing the matter further.

Yutia then changed the subject and asked.

“So, My Lord, where is your destination now?”

“I have urgent business to attend to in the north, so I am heading in that direction.”

“Then perhaps we could travel together.”

Alon raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“……? You are also traveling north?”

“Yes, I have some essential matters that require my attention there.”

“……If it concerns something in the north, does it relate to Caliban’s forward military base?”

“That is correct.”

Alon nodded, seeing no possible reason to decline the offer.

“In that case, we shall journey together.”

And just like that, their travel plans were finalized.

“That outcome pleases me greatly.”

Yutia murmured softly, casting a quick glance at Alon.

“……It does?”

“Yes. As for the precise reason why—”

Her eyes curved delicately, like fragile petals swaying in a gentle breeze.

“I already conveyed my feelings to you when we visited the moonflowers last time, did I not? So, I will not repeat it now.”

---

The following morning.

Alon and Yutia departed the city of Teria and set a course toward Caliban.

Along the way, Yutia disclosed her specific reason for journeying to the north.

‘It’s because of the Pope, then.’

Rosario’s Pope, Leretelios III, had been in voluntary seclusion for several years and rarely showed himself in public.

She explained that she was traveling north under his personal instructions, but Alon sensed that something was amiss.

No—to be more accurate, he found the Pope’s extended seclusion highly suspicious.

‘In the established plot of the original story, the Pope was supposed to enter seclusion, but he wasn’t supposed to be doing so this early in the timeline, was he?’

Keeping that specific thought in mind, Alon eventually arrived in Caliban after approximately one month of travel.

He immediately proceeded to Deus’s estate.

And there—

He was presented with a sight.

A lavishly decorated statue, far more extravagant and ornate than anything found at the Marquis’s estate.

Before it, dozens of knights were completely engrossed in fervent prayer.

Rendered speechless, Alon was then escorted by one of the knights to the office.

And the next sight that greeted him was—

“Brother, how many more times must I tell you this? You need to precisely tilt your wrist five degrees!”

“L-Like this?”

“No! Absolutely not like that! Watch me~ It’s done like this!”

“……Is this correct?”

Deus was struggling immensely with some task—

And Sili was meticulously correcting every element of his posture.

For some inexplicable reason, Alon was suddenly overcome by an intense, creeping sense of impending doom.