Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 265

The scenery of the Holy Kingdom Rosario remained largely unchanged.

Pristine white edifices and immaculate streets defined the landscape.

In particular, the colossal temple situated at the heart of Rosario—so majestic that its mere presence stirred devotion in all who beheld it—stood exactly as it always had.

However, despite the lack of visible changes, a peculiar tension permeated the atmosphere of Rosario.

It definitely feels like something is wrong.

Alon observed the citizens through the window of his carriage.

Physically, their appearances were no different than usual.

If there was a distinction to be made—

It was the unease clearly etched onto their faces.

The blessing isn’t descending.

That was what Evan had told him.

The fact that the blessings had ceased was a significant issue for Rosario.

No, it was more than a mere problem—it was a catastrophe.

As a nation, Rosario operated less like a country and more like a massive religious order rooted in faith.

Its entire foundation rested upon the moon god, Sironia.

This system was sustained by the clergy, who bolstered the faith of the believers.

But now, the clergy had stopped appearing?

Naturally, since the country was fundamentally built on faith in Sironia, the entire nation was bound to waver.

Regardless of the reason, the fact that divine miracles no longer touched the earth—

Was sufficient to incite anxiety among the populace.

Just what is going on?

Hand stroking his chin, Alon contemplated this unfamiliar situation.

He had thought this previously, but even back in Psychedelia, when heretics or corrupt cardinals occasionally caused trouble in Rosario, there had never been a crisis quite like this.

As his worries deepened—

[Meow!?]

“?”

The small black creature that had been lazily dozing until moments ago suddenly sensed something, scrambling up Alon’s body to burrow into his chest.

Just as Alon questioned the reaction, he realized the carriage had halted.

And then—

“My Lord.”

“Yutia.”

He saw Yutia smiling at him, just as she always did.

“It has been a long time, My Lord.”

“Yes, it has.”

Alon stepped out of the carriage and surveyed his surroundings.

At some point, they had arrived right in front of the central temple of Rosario.

“Apologies for failing to greet you properly last time, My Lord. I had matters to attend to.”

As Alon gazed up at the temple, Yutia’s voice reached him.

“No need. I am sure you had your own duties.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

The two of them walked together toward her office.

“So, what brings you to Rosario, My Lord?”

Once inside, the real conversation began.

“I had some personal matters to handle.”

“Personal matters?”

At Yutia’s question, Alon nodded.

Ostensibly, his visit was to speak with Yuman.

But in truth, he had a different objective.

It was to acquire an artifact currently located in a labyrinth near Rosario.

Meeting Yuman was merely a pretext.

Of course, Siyan had also hinted that ‘something valuable could be gained from the Holy Kingdom.’

“Yes. And I also planned to speak with Yuman briefly.”

“I see……”

Yutia gave a small nod.

“By the way, are you holding up well, Yutia?”

“Hmm? What do you mean, My Lord?”

Alon cautiously broached the subject.

“Well, regarding the current situation. I heard a rough explanation—”

Yutia, momentarily looking puzzled, soon let out a quiet hum.

It somehow carried a sense of detachment, as if the matter didn’t concern her.

Though Alon found this strange—

“You refer to the Goddess’s blessing, correct?”

“Yes.”

“There is definitely a problem.”

“I thought so as well.”

“Is there something specific that worries you?”

Well, to be honest, it doesn’t really concern me… But I asked because I was worried about you.

It wasn’t just a polite gesture.

After all, Yutia was a Cardinal of Rosario.

And the authority of a cardinal fundamentally depended on the moon god Sironia remaining intact.

But what if the loss of blessings continued?

Naturally, it would become difficult for Yutia as well.

That was why Alon had asked, out of genuine concern.

“Thank you for worrying, My Lord. But—”

Yutia then smiled more radiantly than usual, like a flower in full bloom.

“You really do not need to worry too much.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, I believe everything will return to normal soon.”

“Return to normal?”

“Yes.”

“Have you perhaps found a solution?”

“No, but I think I might be able to find one.”

“A solution?”

“Hm.”

Yutia spoke with certainty.

Alon, tilting his head in curiosity, soon accepted it.

If Yutia said so, then surely there was a way.

“Still, the timing is quite fortunate.”

At the sudden remark, Alon looked curious.

“What do you mean?”

“Ah, I was planning to tell you anyway. I was hoping you would come by, My Lord.”

Yutia then retrieved a small box from her inner pocket and handed it to Alon.

“……What is this?”

“Open it.”

When Alon opened the small box, inside was—

……A necklace?

A neatly arranged necklace.

Unlike the birthday gift from last time—

This one featured a white jewel, resembling a diamond, embedded right in its center.

“This is?”

Alon stared at the necklace, unable to bring himself to touch it.

“It is a gift for you, My Lord.”

“……It seems a bit excessive.”

The necklace looked undeniably expensive at a glance.

“No, I would still like you to accept it, My Lord.”

“All of a sudden?”

“Yes. I feel my gift was the smallest among all those for your birthday.”

“……Ah.”

Alon let out a quiet sigh.

All the birthday gifts held meaning.

But if one judged purely by impact, Yutia’s gift had indeed been the most modest compared to the others.

“Yutia, as you know—”

Even so, since each gift had its own value, he was about to politely refuse if that was her concern.

“I know. I know that you don’t really judge gifts by their worth, My Lord. But I just could not stop thinking about it, so I wanted to give you this.”

Yutia, as if she had already anticipated Alon’s reaction, blocked his refusal ahead of time.

“Please, will you accept it?”

In the end, Alon relented.

“……In that case, I will accept it with thanks.”

He accepted her sentiment.

“Would you like to try it on?”

Alon nodded and carefully fastened the necklace.

Yutia looked him over with great satisfaction.

“Thank you, My Lord. For humoring my little fuss.”

“I didn’t think of it as a fuss.”

“I am relieved to hear that.”

The necklace hung next to the brooch she had gifted before.

Alon stared at the symbol on the necklace for a moment.

And immediately following that—

“Lady Yutia, I have something to report.”

Cardinal Sergius arrived, looking for Yutia.

“I suppose I kept you too long.”

“Not at all.”

“Then, I will see you next time.”

“Yes, I will visit you again while you are here.”

Alon stood up to give them space.

“Good day to you.”

“Ah, good day, Marquis Palatio.”

Cardinal Sergius looked at Alon with a somewhat awkward expression.

He looks much thinner than the last time I saw him.

Previously, he had a hearty impression, but now his face was gaunt—it puzzled Alon for a moment.

“…Huh.”

Suddenly, Sergius let out a strangled noise.

Alon realized his gaze had stopped on his chest.

Just as he was about to ask why—

“Ahem—hem hem~!”

Sergius hastily cleared his throat.

“Then, farewell.”

He unnaturally averted his gaze and passed Alon, heading straight to Yutia.

“…?”

“?”

Alon couldn’t make sense of the reaction.

He lightly brushed the necklace with his hand as he left Yutia’s office.

“It has been a while, Brother.”

“Yes, Saint. I was delayed because of work.”

“No worries.”

Right after leaving Yutia’s office, Alon headed straight to where Yuman was.

Ah, come to think of it, I meant to ask her about that but completely forgot.

It wasn’t until he met Yuman that Alon remembered the question he had for Yutia, but he decided to leave it for next time.

“By the way, I could not mention it last time, but there are quite a few amusing rumors about you, Brother.”

“……Rumors?”

“Yes. Things like you being a god named Kalannon, the lightning receiver, or his apostle—interesting stories like that.”

Alon was at a loss for words.

……Of course, Rosario wasn’t a country that officially rejected other deities.

Still, Yuman was a Saint.

He might feel uncomfortable.

And given the situation, he might be especially sensitive right now, so Alon carefully considered how to reply.

Then—

“Even so, you really hid it well.”

Yuman spoke first.

“…Huh?”

Alon blurted out his confusion without meaning to.

“I was really impressed. If such rumors are circulating, no one would ever guess your true identity, Brother.”

But Yuman, seemingly not hearing him, continued speaking with a smile.

“Ahem, this is getting lengthy. Let us return to the main point—I am sure you have already guessed why I called you here, Brother.”

The flow of conversation was definitely odd…

But before Alon could ask again, Yuman changed the subject, so he decided to go along with it for now.

“Is it because the blessings have stopped descending?”

“Yes, exactly. It has already been two years since the Goddess ceased all communication with us. That is why I wanted to ask you a favor.”

“A favor?”

“Yes. Of course, you are likely in a similar situation as I am, but may I ask you to meet with the Goddess?”

Alon, confused, asked as he failed to understand.

“……I understand your words, Saint, but—why ask me?”

He was genuinely baffled.

It was only natural, since he had no relationship whatsoever with the Goddess Sironia.

So then—

Is he asking me to relay a message to Yutia instead? But surely Yutia has already tried many times?

As Alon considered various interpretations of Yuman’s words—

“Ah—”

Yuman, who had also been tilting his head, let out a soft sound as if he realized something.

“I see now.”

“?”

“I understand your intention, Brother. But given the urgency of the matter, I would like to ask you to temporarily set aside your Oath of the Hidden Saint made in her presence.”

Then, with an earnest expression, he added—

And Alon—

“……The Hidden Saint?”

Me……………?

He had no choice but to swallow his words in silence.