Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 256

Chapter 256

“…Rioche?”

When Alon uttered the name with a bewildered look, Rioche offered a profound smile.

[Although these days, I go by the name Hazad.]

Seeing Rioche’s self-assured demeanor, Alon’s confusion only deepened.

It was true that Alon had crossed paths with Rioche in the past.

However, he never anticipated that Rioche would ascend to become a deity of the Lizardmen.

It made sense, really.

Back then, Rioche was far from divine—or anything resembling a god—and above all, they weren’t exactly close enough to call each other ‘friends.’

[It is a bit uncomfortable to talk while standing, so follow me.]

Rioche gestured for Alon to accompany him.

The moment Alon placed just one foot on the stairs—they had instantly materialized at the summit of the pyramid.

[Please, have a seat.]

Obeying Rioche’s lead, Alon and Evan took the chairs positioned before them, and a moment of quiet ensued.

“…What exactly happened?”

Alon broke the silence first.

[To which part are you referring?]

“Just as I said. In my memory, back in the past, you were—”

[Ah—starting from that point, then.]

Rioche nodded understandingly.

[It is a lengthy tale, but I will attempt to abridge it.]

He began to explain calmly.

After some time had passed—

[…And that is how things transpired.]

Alon quietly mentally sorted through the narrative he had just absorbed.

“To recap, after my disappearance, you started collecting faith not as a monarch, but as a god. Is that correct?”

[Yes. Once you departed, the massive threat known as Baarma vanished and tranquility returned—however, the issues did not cease there.]

“Did other problems arise?”

At Alon’s query, Rioche affirmed with a nod.

[The elves and the Eastern nations remained at peace, yet the Lizardmen were a different story.]

Seeing Alon’s expression urging him to elaborate, Rioche continued the account.

[As you are aware, I was more of a chieftain than a king—merely a leader uniting various tribes. The clans under my leadership followed me only temporarily, contingent on the situation.]

[With the war over, the tribes fractured again and engaged in internal conflict. Tribes weakened by the battle against Baarma were swiftly devoured by others, resulting in anarchy.]

“So you ascended to godhood to halt the warfare?”

Rioche slowly shook his head.

[That played a role, but it wasn’t the primary motivation. To be exact, there was a different cause.]

“A different cause?”

[Indeed, though I cannot disclose it at this moment. It is a private affair. Nevertheless, putting that aside, I began to deify myself to harvest faith—and eventually succeeded in becoming a god.]

“……”

[Honestly, accumulating faith was so arduous I had to stage my own demise and resurrection over a century just to pull it off,] Rioche admitted with a dry chuckle.

Alon felt he could guess the lengths Rioche went to in order to become a god.

Just then—

[Hmph, you certainly have a way of spinning things to your liking.]

A familiar voice cut in suddenly.

When Alon and Evan turned their heads—

“…Magrina?”

It was unmistakably Magrina’s face.

Upon seeing Alon, she immediately beamed brightly.

[Did you arrive safely, Brother? This is a magical projection.]

Only then did Alon realize her form was translucent and he let out a soft gasp.

[…How is this possible? I never agreed to anything like this.]

The crystal orb placed on one of the desks had suddenly activated, and a look of panic appeared on Rioche’s face.

In response, Magrina narrowed her eyes and glared at him.

It was a look completely different from the gentle gaze she usually showed Alon.

[Who do you suppose provided you with that magical orb in the first place?]

[……Isn’t this a clear violation of etiquette?]

[Etiquette aside, you appear to be hiding a great deal from my brother. Is that not a greater offense?]

At that, Rioche looked away with a guilty expression.

As Alon and Evan stared him down simultaneously, Magrina exposed the truth.

[Brother, he utilized your divine authority to attain godhood.]

“…My divine authority?”

Magrina nodded and detailed the full situation.

Once again, after hearing everything, Alon responded—

“So, in short, he fabricated a connection with me, the one who vanquished Baarma, in order to amass faith. Is that it?”

[Precisely. Even though the two of you weren’t even that close, he shamelessly labeled you a Celestial Saint and all that… truly spineless.]

Magrina’s gaze turned even colder.

Rioche coughed awkwardly and averted his eyes.

[Well, you see… attempting to collect faith on my own was incredibly challenging. I lack your natural talent and gifts, after all… ahem.]

He began making excuses.

All signs of dignity had long since evaporated.

“Uh…”

Standing nearby, Evan now wore an expression mirroring Magrina’s, as if he too grasped the situation.

Rioche, humiliated, cleared his throat once more.

[…Regardless, I never intended to hide it forever. If I had, I would have just pretended not to know you from the start.]

[Well, I suppose it is fortunate you retained at least that much conscience.]

Rioche groaned at Magrina’s biting comment but continued speaking resolutely.

[In any case, it is true that I became a god with your assistance. Therefore, I plan to repay that debt by becoming your strength.]

“…My strength?”

[Yes. I acknowledge you as a god and intend to share divine power with you.]

“You mean to say—”

[You will possess power equivalent to mine. What do you think? I may have unscrupulously leveraged our alleged bond, but isn’t this outcome favorable for you as well?]

Alon nodded.

Rioche’s proposal, in fact, was not disadvantageous for him in any way.

As the conversation on the topic reached a conclusion—

“Oh, and there is one other matter I must inform you of.”

“What is it?”

“They wish to see you in the East as well.”

Rioche introduced a new subject.

“…The Eastern Kingdom?”

“Yes. It is quite a distance, so it is best to visit when you have time later. However, I would recommend going when your schedule permits.”

“Who exactly is asking for me in the East?”

At Alon’s question, Rioche shrugged.

“Apologies, I am not certain either.”

“Is it possible that someone like you—someone from the past who ascended—resides there too?”

“That is not the case. However, the ruler of that land expressed a desire to meet Marquis Palatio, and requested I ensure that message was delivered.”

Alon fell into brief thought.

“The Eastern Kingdom, huh…?”

The Eastern Kingdom.

To Alon’s knowledge—much like the lands of Greynifra and the Lizardmen, it was an island nation to the east that only became accessible after purchasing DLC.

“…Who could it be?”

However, no matter how much he combed through his past memories and existing knowledge—Alon couldn’t quite figure out who would want to see him.

Among the people he saved in the past, there were no Easterners with whom he had built a relationship.

Therefore—

“Understood for now.”

He tentatively concluded that he would visit if the opportunity arose.

Thus ended Alon’s audience with Rioche.

Alon exited the great pyramid-shaped temple.

“So, Marquis. It seems the urgent matters are resolved. What are your plans now?”

“Naturally, we must also pay a visit to the Teriana Colony,” Evan interjected.

He was right.

“Let us proceed to the colony one final time.”

Alon directed his steps toward the colony.

At the center of the continent—A wasteland situated between the Allied Kingdom and the Empire.

A barren desert where nothing lived and creatures were scarce.

In an underground chamber located somewhere within that wasteland—

“Hmmm~”

A man quietly stroked his chin.

In front of him knelt a masked man, his entire body draped in black robes, maintaining a respectful silence.

Then—

“Rumor has it that Marquis Palatio has returned from the dead… Is that true?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

The masked man bowed his head deeply as he answered the man’s question.

“I see~”

The man’s soft murmur echoed in the chamber.

The masked man cautiously glanced up to observe him—and soon, a look of astonishment appeared on the face hidden behind the mask.

And with good reason—at the corner of his master’s lips—was a distinct smile.

Had he ever seen his master smile before?

The masked man tried to recall but quickly shook his head inwardly.

To his knowledge—not once.

He had never seen his master smile before.

Which is why he stared blankly at him for a moment.

“Why? Are you surprised?”

The master’s sudden words snapped him back to his senses.

He realized he had committed an act of disrespect.

He quickly lowered his head and said,

“I apologize. I was being rude—”

He hurriedly tried to explain, but—

“No, it is fine. After spending so long with me, it is only natural you would find this surprising.”

The man shook his head instead.

Then he asked the masked man,

“Anyway, is there anything else to report?”

“Yes, there is one additional matter.”

“What is it?”

“It concerns the mutants that recently drifted toward the border from the United Kingdom.”

“Mutants—ah, the ones spilling out of the jungle, you mean?”

“Yes.”

“How many were there?”

“Approximately 130 units.”

“And the result?”

“All were taken care of. We also eliminated all remnants of the Maw, as previously reported.”

The masked man bowed again in respect.

In response, the man said,

“Good work. You may go.”

He gave the order for dismissal.

The masked man vanished without another word.

Soon after, as silence filled the room—

“Congratulations.”

A woman appeared, leaning against the man’s chair.

Like the man, the woman also possessed heterochromatic eyes.

“Suddenly…?”

“What do you mean suddenly? You have been dying to meet him.”

“…That is—”

“Am I wrong?”

As if she already knew his thoughts, she spoke with certainty.

The man remained silent for a moment—

“Sis, enough with the teasing.”

“But you intend to see him, don’t you? That strange guy’s predicted time has already passed anyway.”

“Well, that is true, but…”

—No. The King of Curses.

The man who led the Curse Weavers lowered his head and muttered.

“…I do wish to meet him—”

“Then shall we go say hello?”

“Sis, isn’t this a little too sudden?”

“You want to see him soon, don’t you?”

“Still, we should prepare some gifts or something—”

“Hearing he was still alive, you have been gathering all kinds of gifts for the past 300 years, haven’t you? And now you want to prepare even more?”

“Besides—”

“You have been secretly helping him through the information guild this whole time, haven’t you? Barely charging him any money. If you just mention that to him, I bet he will be thrilled.”

“…You think so?”

“Of course. That is the kind of person he is.”

The King of Curses—

“Sis, since we have made up our minds, we should strike while the iron is hot, right?”

“Let us go right now. To meet the one who saved us.”

Nangwon looked up again.

And on the corners of his lips—there was an unmistakable look of anticipation.