Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 216

👋 An Audience with the Marquis

 

“Welcome, Marquis!”

“You have arrived, Marquis……………”

Upon Alon’s entry into the office, Sili greeted him with lively enthusiasm, whereas Deus, in stark contrast, offered only a minimal nod, appearing utterly drained.

Alon inquired about their welfare.

“So, have you both been well?”

“Yes! Owing to the generosity you’ve shown us, I’ve been enjoying a wonderful time!”

“I feel the same……”

Their responses maintained the same disparity.

Sili eagerly leaned forward, chatting spiritedly, while deep fatigue was etched onto Deus’s face.

Observing them with intrigued interest, Alon addressed Sili.

“I was just told the story, by the way.”

“Oh, what story……………?”

For a moment, the term “pyramid scheme” nearly escaped her lips out of sheer habit.

Alon struggled internally to hold the phrase back and find a better way to articulate his thought.

Since the idea of a “pyramid scheme” was fixed in his mind, an alternative wording was slow to surface.

After a brief pause for consideration, Alon cleared his throat.

Despite the difficulty, he fortunately managed to formulate the correct words.

“I heard you’re carrying out charitable work utilizing the might of Kalannon.”

“Yes! I am deeply thankful for the power the Marquis has bestowed upon me, and as a recipient, I endeavor to behave in a manner that honors the gift.”

“……Is that so.”

“Yes!”

Sili replied with a brilliant smile.

Well, simply seeing her happy face was pleasant enough, so…

Interrupting his thoughts, Alon placed a hand on Sili’s shoulder.

“Just to be certain, please don’t push yourself too hard.”

Naturally, from Alon’s perspective, it was advantageous if Sili worked diligently and amassed followers.

However, as she was also Deus’s younger sister, he wished to avoid placing an excessive burden on her.

“Oh—have I, perhaps, created a problem?”

As soon as she heard this, Sili’s eyes welled up as if her entire world had just collapsed.

Alon was inwardly unnerved by her sudden, dramatic reaction.

“To clarify, I didn’t mean it that way. What you’ve accomplished has obviously been tremendously helpful.”

“Then—”

“It’s simply genuine concern. Aid work is much harder than it sounds.”

Fortunately, the misunderstanding was swiftly resolved.

Sili’s face brightened immediately, as though nothing negative had occurred.

“Don’t worry about that! I’m absolutely not overexerting myself!”

“……Is that so?”

“Yes! Besides, I believe a little exertion is necessary. I serve the Marquis, so this is my duty!”

Sili announced, her face radiating a sense of grave importance, as if she had been entrusted with a grand and noble undertaking.

Beside her, Deus clicked his tongue in palpable envy.

Yet, the very person who had supposedly instilled this profound sense of obligation in her, Alon,

“Right, I understand.”

Was, in reality, slightly puzzled behind his composed expression.

‘Did I… ever imply anything of the sort…?’

He had certainly mused upon it when the rumors first surfaced, calling Sili a saint.

But Alon had never explicitly mentioned any “mission” when he granted her power.

That wasn’t all.

He had neither imposed any sense of responsibility nor officially proclaimed her a saint.

And yet—

“I will keep striving to do my best!”

Beholding the girl, her eyes alight as if she had been handed the most sacred task on Earth,

To tell her, ‘Actually, you’re not a saint,’

Was utterly out of the question.

“……I leave it in your hands.”

“Yes!”

Alon simply gave a slight shrug.

‘Well, does it even matter in the end?’

He had only ever focused on his possession of divine power—he had never seriously considered establishing a formal religious institution.

Thinking about it now, allowing the situation to develop organically didn’t seem like a poor decision.

Since he had no intention of forming a structured religious order, it was irrelevant who took the role of the saint or the knight.

Therefore—

“If you require anything for the relief efforts, inform me. Also, feel completely free to take whatever actions you deem appropriate.”

He offered this to lighten her worries, even slightly.

“……!! I will work even harder!”

Sili’s eyes widened yet again, and she nodded with such force it appeared her head might dislodge.

‘So, the relief work must be quite costly after all.’

A faint feeling of satisfaction settled within his chest.

---

😮 Divine Concerns and Rivalry

 

After concluding their discussion, Alon left the room with the two siblings.

It was only then that he remembered Yutia accompanying him, and he realized his oversight.

“……Yutia, have you felt uncomfortable?”

“Hmm—what aspect made you think that?”

“Because you worship the goddess Sironia.”

Even as he spoke, Alon felt a degree of awkwardness.

‘I haven’t paid adequate attention to Yutia.’

Adherents of the goddess Sironia generally did not outright reject the existence of other deities.

However, while they didn’t actively oppose other gods, it was undeniable that they often found them disconcerting.

Knowing this, Alon wore a slightly apologetic expression as he gave his explanation.

Despite their closeness and Yutia’s unwavering loyalty, she remained a devout follower of Sironia and had even held the rank of Cardinal in Rosario.

After hearing his expression of regret, Yutia observed him for a moment before a faint smile touched her lips.

“Hmm~ That is true. Just as you assumed, while we don’t actively oppose other gods, we do find their presence somewhat unsettling.”

“So, it genuinely is like that?”

“Well, that’s the common sentiment. But—it’s acceptable.”

“……?”

“In this instance, it involved you, My Lord. So it poses no issue.”

“Is that… so?”

“If I were required to distance myself from you or experience discomfort simply because I must believe in the Goddess Sironia—”

Despite the gentle curve of her smile,

Yutia’s eyes narrowed like a predatory cat’s as she continued her thought.

“Then I don’t believe I would have any need for such a god.”

She concluded, as if stating an ordinary fact.

—Isn’t that an extremely dangerous pronouncement if overheard by anyone else?

Yet, Yutia spoke without a trace of concern and proceeded with nonchalance.

“Now that I think of it, if that were the case, I would have nowhere left to go. How would you feel about accepting me as your saint instead, My Lord?”

“A-Absolutely not!”

This time, Sili sharply interrupted.

Clenching her tiny fists tightly,

“Y-Yutia! You are devoted to the Goddess Sironia! You cannot say such things—it’s sacrilegious!”

“But I am perfectly serious.”

“S-Still, you mustn’t!”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m the saint!”

“Hmm~ Did you know, Sili? The saint is ultimately chosen by the deity. Depending on the god’s decision, that position can shift at any moment.”

“S-Still, I am the saint!”

Sili trembled, her small frame visibly shaking, as she looked to Alon with desperate eyes.

Her gaze practically pleaded, ‘Right? That’s my position, isn’t it? Tell her it’s not true! It’s truly not possible, right?!’

Unfazed, Yutia also looked toward Alon with subtle expectation.

However, that moment was fleeting.

“Of course, I’m just teasing.”

Yutia took a step back—

“Sili, you must not distress the Marquis. After all, you are the saint.”

She stated with a calm and collected smile.

---

⚔️ Downfall of the Black Hand

 

Tulman, the leader of the Black Hand, was immersed in a euphoric daydream.

Indeed—he was practically forced to dream happily.

Because the contract he had recently acquired— stood to potentially pay more than all his previous jobs combined.

Of course, the fact that the target was the Marquis of Palatio presented a significant personal risk for Tulman.

But even so, he never entertained the notion of failure.

The request, after all, was not the far more difficult task of kidnapping the Marquis, but simply to steal one of his possessions.

And when it came to the craft of theft, Tulman firmly believed the Black Hand, his syndicate, possessed the absolute finest skills.

Furthermore, he had already devised a method for dealing with any risks after the task was completed.

Of course, that “plan” involved liquidating the high-ranking members who took part in the operation, scapegoating random underlings,

And making his own clean getaway—a truly despicable, low-tier strategy.

But to Tulman, it was the most effective course of action.

He had recently been filled with optimism for the future.

—At least, that was true until mere moments ago.

“Ah—”

Tulman stared blankly at the defeated figures scattered before him.

Each of these men had been considered an elite member of the Black Hand.

Yet now—they had all been utterly annihilated.

And walking amongst their ruined bodies, two races Tulman had never seen in his entire life emerged.

“Our contingent eliminated more of them.”

“No, we did.”

Elves.

And—

Lizardmen.

“You arrived late.”

“We obliterated two additional bases before reaching this location. That signifies we were substantially faster than your group.”

Is this genuinely happening…?

Tulman was left in dumbfounded shock at the sight of two mythological races, whom he had only encountered in literature, scowling at each other as they approached him.

It was unbelievable enough to witness them in person.

But why were they assaulting the Black Hand’s headquarters?

He had no idea.

However, his deepest instincts screamed one command.

‘Run.’

Tulman attempted to turn his wounded body and flee, but—

Thud!

“Kh—!”

Unfortunately, the sword driven through his heart made any escape impossible.

“You despicable long-ears, ambushing someone while you were arguing?”

“Hmph, you were simply too negligent.”

As all strength drained from his body, Tulman barely managed to whisper,

“Why…?”

He genuinely did not comprehend.

Hearing his weak voice, the Elf and the Lizardman, who had been glaring moments before, both shifted their gaze toward the sword embedded in his chest— and as if perfectly coordinated, they responded.

“Because you targeted the Marquis.”

“If you dare raise a hand against the great one’s friend, you are obligated to pay the ultimate price.”

Their words were devoid of emotion.

And with that final declaration—

“This concludes the matter.”

“Of course, we still need to track down the originator of the request—”

Tulman’s awareness faded completely.

---

🗺️ Departure to the North

 

“…The Black Hand is finished?”

“Yes, that’s the intelligence I gathered.”

“……Is that really the case?”

“It is.”

Before departing for the North, Alon had been staying in Caliban for about a week, awaiting the start of the expedition.

During lunch on the day they were to leave, he received this surprising bulletin from Evan.

“……Who was responsible for their downfall?”

“Hmm—Even the Information Guild hasn’t managed to ascertain that yet. But I anticipated your curiosity, so I made sure to inquire beforehand.”

Alon absentmindedly rubbed his chin.

‘…The Black Hand is gone? That notorious Black Hand?’

It was challenging to believe.

In the game, the Black Hand had been a persistent thorn in the side, harassing players well into the middle-to-late stages.

And now, they had simply been wiped out?

‘Well, I suppose their disappearance isn’t a bad outcome.’

Even so, the mystery of who had annihilated them continued to bother him.

Just as he was absorbed in thought—

“We are ready!”

The expedition had finally gathered.

As Alon started walking, he noticed Reinhardt among the members.

“Listen carefully, Reinhardt. Failing to bow before the statue of the magnificent Kalannon constitutes a grave transgression—”

“Bow your head, Reinhardt.”

“Arghhh, just be quiet already!!”

“Reinhardt, please reconsider. You witnessed his immense power, did you not? If you dedicate your faith, you too could command that power.”

Clutching his ears as if in excruciating pain, Reinhardt let out a tormented shriek.

Beside him, Sili stood resolutely, logically (?) attempting to persuade him to convert.

In that moment, Alon experienced a sudden revelation.

He finally grasped why his accumulated faith had been increasing so rapidly over the preceding months.

And so, the journey toward the North began.