Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 259

Chapter 259

The Apostle of Purity couldn’t comprehend the current sequence of events.

Nothing about the situation, from start to finish, made any logical sense.

Just a moment prior, the King of Curses had appeared completely composed.

So why had his face contorted into such a demonic snarl?

Why was he emanating such a terrifying desire to kill?

…Why did the King of Curses react with such ferocity to the name “Alon Palatio”?

‘To my knowledge, they have absolutely no connection…!’

The Apostle of Purity’s expression grew hard.

Naturally, he had conducted thorough preparatory investigations before coming to this location.

He researched Alon Palatio.

And he researched the King of Curses, the commander of the Executors.

But no link between the two was ever discovered.

In fact, the opposite was true—

Did they even realize the other existed in the first place?

The Apostle of Purity attempted to speak, utterly baffled, but—

Crunch!

His intended words were abruptly terminated by the black hands that not only twisted his neck completely around—

But also ripped it clean off.

Kwahhh—!

The instant the apostle’s head was torn away, his body began profusely spilling thick, viscous fluid.

Even then, Nangwon’s facial expression remained heavily distorted.

“Nangwon, you acted too quickly. Shouldn’t we have listened to what he had to say first?”

“Sister, even if we should have, wasn’t it excessive to simply hear out that wretch suggesting we murder Big Brother?”

“True, but he ran off, didn’t he?”

Resting her chin on her hand, Nangwon’s sister, ‘Nangyeon’, offered her response.

Nangwon turned his gaze forward once more.

Toward the corpse that continued to pour vivid red fluid as if it were authentic.

But as the black hands quickly tore the body into pieces—

Squelch.

Instead of internal organs that should have been present, only crimson fluid splashed down onto the bottomless, abyss-like floor.

Nangwon observed the scene.

“I expected it, but I still didn’t want to hear it.”

“You already did hear it, though… oh well, I understand. It’s your sore spot. He’s your irreplaceable idol, right?”

At Nangyeon’s mocking tone, her eyes narrowed playfully, Nangwon turned his head away with a rare sideways movement, muttering in complaint.

“…That was centuries ago. You still bring that up?”

“It seems you haven’t changed one bit since that time.”

Nangyeon laughed, as if tormenting Nangwon was the most entertaining thing imaginable— then looked down at the apostle who had now entirely dissolved into red fluid and vanished.

“Regardless, I think we must go visit him soon. It appears something bothersome is setting its sights on that person.”

“Just confirming, you didn’t gather any information, did you, sister?”

“If I had, I wouldn’t have bothered meeting that fellow in the first place. We called him in precisely to try and collect some details, didn’t we?”

She pushed her brother for an answer.

“In any case, let’s go pay our respects. You’ve chosen the present, haven’t you?”

“Not yet…”

“How much longer will you take? As I said, we can give gifts regularly, so just take something modest this time.”

“Still, it has been such a long time…”

“Don’t fret. That person would be happy even if you just brought some cheap liquor from the nearby market. Isn’t that right?”

“…Yes, that is true.”

Nangwon gave a nod.

The corners of his mouth twitched in anticipation.

Observing that reaction, Nangyeon smiled.

“Alright, let’s depart then. Let’s go see him.”

She began to move.

Nangwon also rose to his feet, following his sister.

On the route back from the ruins toward the settlement.

Alon recalled what Yongrin had mentioned earlier.

‘Perhaps not… Was I mistaken?’

Maybe I’m wrong—ask that guy just to be certain. But if what you stated is correct, then— she murmured something, then vanished, only saying, “See you another time.”

Alon stroked Seolrang’s head, thinking for a moment.

‘Well, if I question the one inside, I should be able to figure out why she was so astonished.’

He organized his thoughts while gazing at the crimson jewel.

Just then, Evan spoke unexpectedly.

“Marquis.”

“?”

“I have something I’m curious about.”

“What is it?”

“You journeyed into the past, 700 years ago, correct?”

“That is correct.”

“Then, like that elf earlier, did you also encounter that Queen of the Hundred Ghosts or whoever he is back in that era?”

Alon confirmed with a nod.

“Yes.”

“Then shouldn’t you go visit her now?”

“…It’s not that I haven’t considered it, but I currently have far too much to deal with.”

Indeed, Alon had intended to meet the Queen of the Hundred Ghosts again one day.

He simply lacked the available time right now.

Evan acknowledged this.

“Yes, you certainly do have a lot on your plate.”

“Precisely, I’ll go see her when I have more free time.”

“In that case, are you also planning to visit other individuals you connected with in the past?”

“Other individuals?”

“Yes. From what I’ve heard, there were quite a few people. Were there not?”

Alon considered the question deeply.

‘Yes, I do wish to meet some of them again…’

Unfortunately, apart from the Queen of the Hundred Ghosts, he didn’t know the current whereabouts of the others.

‘The only one I have a vague idea about is Historia. I have no clue about Arquilainisis… Oh, but I do know where Nangwon is—’

Nangwon.

As soon as Alon thought of him, his expression became peculiar.

‘I didn’t have time to fully process it then, but he truly looks nothing like he used to.’

The leader of the Executors, the King of Curses he observed in Psychedelia— had an incredibly hideous appearance.

But 700 years ago, he had been undeniably handsome.

If he hadn’t possessed the eye of insight, he would not have believed they were the same person.

‘I wonder how that face transformed into… that face.’

Alon now had an additional personal enigma to unravel.

‘I’ll have to meet Nangwon again when the opportunity arises.’

Having come to that resolution, he chatted a bit more with Evan.

Eventually, as the sun began to descend— Alon reached the settlement.

“Oh, you’re back!”

Lime greeted Alon with a cheerful smile the moment she saw him.

But beneath the smile, there was a hint of apprehension.

“Is something troubling you?”

“T-Troubles? N-No, it’s nothing of the sort.”

“Really? You simply seem uneasy, that’s all.”

“Th-That can’t be right, can it?”

Lime let out an awkward laugh.

Alon looked slightly perplexed but soon shrugged and summoned Seolrang.

“Seolrang.”

“Yes? What is it, Master?”

“Have you chosen the location for our journey?”

He had previously pledged to travel with Seolrang.

Frankly, with everything that had occurred, he wanted to return to the Marquisate and recuperate.

But he couldn’t break the promise he had made to Seolrang.

At that, Seolrang paused to think and then replied,

“I have, but we don’t need to go immediately!”

“…Is that so?”

“Yep! You look exhausted, Master. We can go another time! I want you to enjoy it too!”

Her ears perked up as she smiled brilliantly.

Alon felt a gentle warmth spread in his chest and stroked Seolrang’s head.

Because of this, he failed to notice.

That behind him, Lime was watching Seolrang with a rather peculiar look.

The following day, after recovering from the strain of travel—

“Then, I will see you next time.”

“Okay, understood, Master!”

With Seolrang waving enthusiastically, Alon departed the settlement.

Not long after—

[F-Finally, I can speak again!]

An unfamiliar voice originated from inside Alon’s coat.

It was Sparrow’s voice.

Alon, who had been observing the long file of merchant wagons in the distance, looked down at his chest.

“So, you can finally communicate again?”

[Alon! You scoundrel! How could you trade me away!?]

“…Trade you away?”

[You absolutely traded me off!]

At Sparrow’s infuriated response, Alon recalled the events from several years ago.

‘…Did I sell him?’

Strictly speaking, it was more like he entrusted him to someone rather than selling.

Sparrow had certainly been stunned at the time.

“Well, I didn’t sell you, merely entrusted you. And observe, I brought you back, didn’t I?”

[Kyaaahhhh!]

Sparrow let out a frustrated shriek as if Alon was unbearable.

Just then, Basiliora, who had been resting languidly atop Blackie after Seolrang left, interjected.

[Who are you speaking to?]

“You cannot hear it?”

[Not at all.]

“I’m talking to this.”

Alon held up the gem where Sparrow resided.

Basiliora lost all curiosity and replied,

[Ah, I see.]

Clearly not wishing to understand, it once again settled into peaceful relaxation atop Blackie.

A short while later—

“Now that I think about it, there’s something I wanted to ask.”

[What is it…?]

Sparrow responded slightly sulkily to Alon’s question.

But he didn’t refuse, so Alon calmly brought up the technique Yongrin had told him about yesterday.

While listening to Alon and giving simple answers—

[…Wait, what did you just say?]

“What do you mean?”

[The Reverse Heaven technique.]

When Alon began explaining the concept— Sparrow, like Yongrin, repeated the name in a startled tone.

“It’s a technique that reverses the principles of magic. Or rather, it inverts the very idea. But is that truly so surprising? Yongrin reacted similarly.”

After hearing Alon’s explanation, Sparrow fell silent for a moment.

[Yes. It is surprising.]

“Why?”

[Because the fundamental principle behind the technique you described is identical to that of the ‘Closed-Eyed One’ who created the black beings.]

“…What?”

A startling revelation was disclosed.

[Are the arrangements proceeding smoothly?]

“Yes, they are progressing without issue.”

At the report from the tribe chief, the god of the Lizardmen, Rioche—or rather, Hazad—let out a heavy sigh.

[Ensure that every detail is properly prepared.]

“Yes, understood. But—”

[?]

“O Great One, may I pose one question to you?”

[Proceed.]

It was unusual for the chief to ask questions.

When Hazad nodded, he cautiously began to speak.

“…May I ask your rationale for wishing to bring that person to stand alongside someone as magnificent as yourself?”

Why—

Hazad paused to consider.

In his mind, that individual was more than worthy of being venerated as a deity.

Furthermore—

It was with that man’s assistance that he had essentially achieved godhood.

Of course, he did question whether it was truly necessary to distribute divinity in this manner.

No—more than questioning, it nearly brought him to tears.

Even so, the reason Hazad had made the proposal to Alon was simple.

‘There is no advantage in making an enemy of him.’

Hazad recalled that specific moment.

Back then, he had perceived a fragment of Alon’s power.

He noticed the eye from the world behind Alon that he hadn’t been aware of before.

And not only that.

‘…That girl.’

When Alon visited recently, Hazad had sensed— a presence that still remained distinct in his memory.

She hadn’t displayed hostility toward Hazad.

But simply by entering his domain, her overwhelming power had been undeniable.

A golden-eyed beastkin girl who was silently watching over Alon.

Hazad found himself revisiting the same question again.

Just what kind of being was Marquis Alon Palatio?

But he quickly dismissed that thought.

As long as he didn’t become Alon’s adversary, there was no need to dwell on it.

Also—

He understood.

He understood perfectly.

That becoming Alon’s enemy— was something that must absolutely never happen.

So the only answer he could offer was—

[Because he is deserving of it.]

“I see.”

That was the extent of the conversation.

Still, what exactly was that beastkin girl? A guardian or something similar?

Well, either way— he would never make Alon his enemy.

Hazad vowed with deep conviction.