Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 279

279. The East (1)

“You arrived a little late, brother.”

“I apologize. Did I take too long?”

“Not at all.”

“That’s good, and also…”

Alon Palatio, who had arrived near Greynifra, the elf country called Fildegrin, was greeted by Magrina and…

“Brother.”

“Nangwon?”

He could see Nangwon.

“Yes, how have you been all this time, great brother?”

“Good, I’ve been well, but…”

Before he could ask, ‘what are you doing here?’, Nangwon spoke first.

“Truthfully, I came because I wanted to confirm something.”

Alon thought briefly, then nodded.

“Now that I think about it, I knew you since the time I saved you.”

The children Alon had saved usually walked around together.

“Brother, it’s late tonight, so please rest easy, and we’ll talk tomorrow.”

“I’ll do that.”

When Magrina waved her hand, another elf led Alon Palatio to a room.

“Marquis, you arrived a little early, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to ask some things?”

Evan was right.

Alon Palatio had several questions for Magrina.

But he decided not to ask them yet because of Nangwon.

“If they are talking this late, it must be an important matter.”

Alon Palatio didn’t want to interrupt Magrina and Nangwon.

His curiosity could wait until the next day.

“They seemed busy.”

“I see.”

Evan shrugged slightly, as if relieved that Alon Palatio had arrived quickly.

“Then, could you help me with that?”

Evan pointed to the side.

Alon Palatio looked where he was pointing.

There stood Penia, holding a mountain of books that looked like it would collapse at any moment.

“…What are you doing?”

The height was so absurd that it was hard to imagine how it wasn’t falling.

“It’s just that I have my reasons…”

“Reasons?”

“Yes, you know, I went to the library, and oh heavens! There were a bunch of books perfect to help the Marquis’s magic.”

[Aren’t those things that will help you? Gueeek!]

Penia placed an old book on Basiliora’s body, who let out a direct groan like a verbal slap.

“Ahem… anyway, I selected only the really necessary books…”

“That’s what you call ‘only the necessary ones’?”

“Well… yes… maybe?”

Penia timidly put her index fingers together and moved her eyes from side to side like a nervous cat.

Then she asked cautiously:

“So… Lord Marquis… how long will we stay here?”

“About three days, I suppose.”

“Then, if I sleep three hours a day…”

Penia began to plot a monstrous plan in her head.

While Alon Palatio marvelled at her eternal passion for magic, in the audience room…

“Then, that means it’s not true.”

“Did you really come to ask me something so obvious?”

Nangwon and Magrina were talking.

“Obvious or not, the rumor spread everywhere.”

“Who on earth could have started such a rumor…?”

Magrina sighed with a tired expression.

Nangwon stared at her.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You say your head hurts, but the corners of your mouth are turned up.”

When he pointed out that detail, so different from her usual calm demeanor, Magrina let out a small sound and hurriedly covered her mouth.

Nangwon sighed upon seeing her cheeks lightly tinged with blush.

“Wake up.”

“I wasn’t even thinking about that!”

Magrina frowned hard. Nangwon smiled and said:

“I know. Both you and I only feel respect for the great brother.”

“…I would prefer you not to joke like that. It makes me feel like something is being sullied.”

Nangwon shrugged.

“Are you sure? Or perhaps you were ready to let it pass if the great brother thought it was okay?”

He joked again.

He knew perfectly well that Magrina felt something similar to him, which is why he played with confidence.

Magrina averted her gaze.

Nangwon saw it clearly.

A thick silence suddenly fell.

The joy of reuniting after so long was replaced by a sudden awkwardness.

Nangwon searched for something to say to lighten the mood and opened his mouth.

“If you think about the age difference, it’s like you’re…”

“If you say one more word, I’ll kill you.”

Magrina did not say it as a warning. She said it as a sentence.

Nangwon closed his mouth.

Even so, he kept thinking and muttered unintentionally:

“…With that difference, you would be quite the grandmot–”

BOOOOOOM–!!!

“A-Are we being attacked!?”

“Calm down.”

“…Can I sleep four hours a day then?”

[Idiots! Get me out of here first!]

[Gyuu~]

Alon Palatio’s group looked confusedly towards the audience room, where a roar had erupted.

The servants assured them it was nothing serious, so the group went to rest.

The next day…

“Did you fight with Nangwon, perhaps?”

Behind Magrina’s radiant smile…

…one could see the gap where a complete wall had been before, revealing the bright World Tree.

Alon Palatio was about to ask something else, but…

“No, of course not.”

She nodded and continued the pending conversation from the day before.

And then…

“So it really was an absurd rumor.”

“Of course, it was. Do you think I would do something like that without asking your permission, older brother?”

Magrina’s tone contained a slight shadow of annoyance.

Alon Palatio quickly replied:

“I knew it was a rumor. I just wanted to know where it came from.”

“Mmm… honestly, I don’t know. Hazard might have heard it, perhaps.”

“Then it must be because of him.”

“Because of him? But I understand he doesn’t have direct contact with humans.”

Alon Palatio broadly explained what he had imagined.

Then he changed the subject.

“Then, when will the ritual be?”

“The preparation is already complete. We can do it tomorrow.”

“Does it take long?”

“Not at all. Think of it as a declaration ceremony.”

“I see. Ah, and just in case, this ritual…?”

“Don’t worry. It’s purely honorary. There will be nothing uncomfortable for you.”

She replied as if she had known beforehand what Alon Palatio would ask.

He nodded. And then she asked:

“When the ritual is over, will you leave right away?”

“Yes. I plan to travel to the Eastern Kingdom.”

“To the East? Ah, I see…”

Remembering the conversation with Hazard, Magrina nodded. Alon Palatio asked:

“Can one travel to the Eastern Kingdom now?”

“There is no impediment.”

“Good. What kind of place is it?”

Magrina thought for a bit.

“It is the country of the beast men that you saved some time ago.”

And she began to explain the details of Oriente (The East).

When the explanation was over…

“After visiting Oriente (The East), what will you do?”

“I suppose I’ll return.”

“Here?”

“Yes. I have to take someone with me.”

“Ah…”

Magrina blinked in confusion, then let out a slight sound of understanding.

“You’re talking about sister Rine…”

“Yes.”

Alon Palatio remembered the inscription he had seen on the stone door where she was sealed, seven months ago.

‘Ten months later.’

She asked him to break the seal within ten months.

Alon Palatio never forgot that request.

In reality, he couldn’t forget it.

She had sacrificed herself for him.

Forgetting her for even an instant would have been unforgivable for Alon Palatio.

That’s why…

“When I return from the East, I’ll stay here until the time comes. Is that okay?”

Alon Palatio asked.

“Of course, great brother.”

“Thank you.”

Magrina nodded as if it were obvious.

The next day…

Alon Palatio participated in the ritual to become a member of the elven royalty.

While the ritual began in Greynifra…

Unlike Alon Palatio, who already knew the truth…

The words that had come from the lips of the supposed author of the rumor, Stallian V, had spread throughout the Union of Kingdoms.

The kings were busy thinking about how to attract Marquis Palatio to their respective countries.

The nobles discussed what gifts to offer him.

And of course, the story reached Deus’s ears.

“Mmm…”

Deus, in reality, didn’t have a strong opinion of the rumor.

If Marquis Palatio genuinely wished to become the Elven Queen’s consort, Deus would have no objection.

It was the will of Great Moon (‘Gran Luna’).

…Of course, apart from that…

If the rumor proved harmful to Great Moon (‘Gran Luna’), he himself would seek the source and wipe it off the map.

But since the truth was not yet known, Deus had made no decision.

The problem was that he was the only one so calm.

“How dare they… how daaaaare they…!”

His sister, Silly, thought something very different.

Deus watched Silly and the temple behind her in astonishment.

Half a year ago, that ground was almost empty except for a gigantic canvas. And now there was a huge and splendid temple.

So large that it almost made the money Deus spent on statues seem ridiculous.

He wondered where she had gotten so much money, but asked cautiously:

“…Silly?”

“What is it, brother…?”

As she turned towards him, a gigantic spark erupted behind her.

Pajijijik–!!!

It was the colossal lightning she called ‘Heavenly Punishment’.

Deus shuddered, but pretended to be calm.

“Just… don’t you think you’re exaggerating a little?”

“Of course not!”

Silly replied before he finished.

“That rumor… tries to downgrade the Lord! That rumor intends to drag him down from his divine throne!”

“…Down?”

“Of course! He is a god! And those rumors seek to devalue him! Do you know what that’s called!?”

Deus closed his mouth at the cascade of words.

He understood some parts… others not so much… rather, almost nothing.

And besides…

He wondered if it really was that big of a deal.

But…

“It’s blasphemy! Pure and absolute blasphemy!”

He didn’t need much intuition to know that contradicting his sister would be a terrible idea.

Deus averted his gaze.

It was the beginning of summer.