Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 286

C286. Deal (5)

“Wow.”

Upon arriving in Seonju, everyone was left open-mouthed without exception.

The city was incredibly beautiful.

From the outer walls to the colorful buildings that filled its interior, everything looked more like a work of art than simple constructions.

It was impossible not to admire it with a gaping mouth.

And when Alon Palatio arrived in front of the great gate that served as the entrance to Seonju—

“We greet the Great Race!”

Once again, he felt Historia‘s greatness in his own flesh.

Until just a moment ago, there were only two guards at the entrance, but suddenly dozens of them rushed out and stood at attention, saluting all at once.

And not only that.

Even the people lined up for entry control gave Historia looks filled with devotion.

‘…Wow, she really is popular.’

Historia, for her part, accepted it with total naturalness, nodding as if it were the usual routine.

Alon clicked his tongue internally at such a reception… but only for an instant.

“But, these people?”

The gazes of the beastmen began to turn toward Alon‘s group.

…To be more exact: toward Alon himself.

And the reason was obvious.

It was all because Historia had her tail wrapped around Alon‘s waist.

He was about to explain something, something uncomfortable, but—

“I came to see Wurang.”

“Do… do your words… mean… His Majesty?”

“Yes.”

A single sentence from Historia was enough for the guards to let them pass without any verification.

A new doubt arose in Alon.

He had already noticed that Historia‘s status was incredible, but this confirmed that her social position in this place was much higher than expected.

Not even when she mentioned the king —the ruler of the country— did anyone correct her for using his name so freely.

At this point, just how high was she in the hierarchy?

‘…I could swear she told me last time that she only received “normal” treatment.’

As he thought that and looked at her—

“What?”

She tilted her head with that characteristic silly expression, as if she felt his gaze.

The difference between that attitude and how everyone treated her was too much.

At that moment—

“We greet the Great Race.”

They had barely entered the capital when a group of high officials came out to receive her, as if they had been waiting for her.

Just by seeing their clothes, it was evident they held high positions.

But even they, bowing respectfully, received nothing more than—

“Let’s go.”

Historia barely tilted her head a little and kept walking without stopping.

The group followed the officials toward the center of the capital, where a huge palace finally appeared before their eyes.

It was so large and imposing that comparing any other building to it was meaningless.

“It’s there.”

Historia explained briefly and guided them inside.

And as soon as they crossed into the palace—

“I’m going to go do something.”

“…You have business?”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

Without acting clumsy this time, she walked away without hesitation and disappeared.

After she left, Alon was guided to a huge door.

When it opened, it revealed a man sitting at the back of the spacious hall.

A golden throne, placed at the highest point to represent the king’s authority.

And sitting upon it, a wolf beastman emanated an impressive aura.

Remembering that most of the officials were wolf beastmen, Alon thought: ‘Seolrang was also a wolf beastman, right?’ and bowed in greeting.

“Alon Palatio greets the ruler of this nation.”

A brief greeting.

But that was enough.

The king let out a soft “Oh,” as if he had perceived something.

“Are you… Marquis Palatio?”

“That is correct.”

“Surprising. I didn’t expect to see you at this time.”

It was Wurang, King of the Eastern Kingdom.

Alon wondered what his interest was about, but soon understood.

‘It must be because of those creatures.’

Not exactly creatures… but the monstrous sea current.

According to what Hazard said, that situation had even halted trade.

“Thank you for receiving me.”

“Whenever you come, that is not important.”

“You were worthy of being received. I was waiting for you.”

The king showed a faint smile, then thought for a moment.

“Normally I would offer you rest before discussing the main issue… but what do you say? Personally, I would like to talk immediately.”

It was an invitation to get straight to the point.

Alon nodded without hesitation.

“Sounds good to me.”

“Excellent.”

The king nodded with satisfaction.

“Everyone must leave. Ah, and your companions must also exit.”

“It is a topic I must discuss with you alone.”

As Alon‘s group looked at each other, soldiers and officials left the room without a single complaint, like a receding tide.

Seeing that, Alon made a slight gesture to his group, and Radan, Penia, and the others walked out.

Only two remained in the vast hall. A brief silence passed.

“Now we can talk.”

The king let out a slight sigh and stood up, walking toward Alon.

Step by step.

He descended the stairs of the throne and planted himself in front of him.

He was so tall that even after stepping down from the throne, Alon had to look way up to see him.

Even leaving aside the intimidating presence, Alon thought:

‘What is it now?’

That the king personally got up to approach him made him tense for an instant.

But only for an instant.

Before he could process it—

King Wurang bowed his body deeply before him.

“…?”

Even someone like Alon, who kept a serene face almost all the time, could not hide his bewilderment.

“The descendant of the Great Race of the East greets the savior of the past.”

At those words, Alon inhaled slightly in surprise.

“Thank you for allowing everyone to withdraw.”

Then he finally understood why the king had expelled everyone.

“No problem. It was something very important.”

“I appreciate your understanding. If the internal situation weren’t so tense… Anyway.”

That reminded Alon that lately, there was talk of an attempted rebellion within the Eastern Kingdom.

‘In a situation like this, the king’s authority is crucial.’

Although Alon wasn’t exactly the most noble-minded person in the world, he had spent enough time among nobles to understand how important it was to maintain authority during moments of national instability.

“So, did Historia speak to you about me?”

Wurang slowly shook his head.

“No.”

“Then…”

“It is something passed down by the fifth ancestor of the Eastern Kingdom.”

“The fifth ancestor?”

“He was known as King Sua. His name was Rangban.”

Upon hearing that name, Alon let out a slow sigh.

He was a beastman very familiar to him.

Although the word “ancestor” should give a distant impression, for Alon, his memories of Rangban remained very vivid.

“Thanks to what he transmitted to posterity, I can express my gratitude to you today.”

Alon nodded and asked:

“So, did you call me to thank me?”

“Yes, but not only for that. I sought you out because I have a message I had to convey to you.”

“From Rangban?”

“That is so. Rangban emphasized it again and again. That this had to reach you, that as long as the Eastern Kingdom existed, we must never forget it.”

Then Wurang took an object from his chest and handed it to Alon.

It was a white jewel shaped like a magatama, which Alon took between his fingers.

And the king conveyed the message:

“North of the Eastern Kingdom, where the four Sara trees are… there rests a person who will be able to help you.”

“That is—”

“Yes. That is the message the ancestors preserved for you.”

“…What is in that place?”

“I know the location and can guide you if you wish, but I myself do not know what is inside. We have only protected it.”

“By Rangban’s order?”

“Exactly. No one except you can enter there.”

Alon looked at the white jewel and asked:

“When can we go?”

“If you wish, right now. But it is far. Perhaps it would be better to depart tomorrow.”

Alon looked around.

The paper walls of the palace were already dyed by the reddish light of the sunset.

It seemed reasonable to prepare and leave the next day.

Thus, the conversation concluded with Alon accepting the proposal.

“Then rest well.”

After the farewell, Alon walked out.

And immediately he felt a gaze upon him. He turned toward where he suspected…

“?”

In the distance, a man was watching him with an extremely unpleasant expression.

He was clearly young for a beastman, with a striking appearance even from afar.

The man shot a cold and hostile look —so evident that anyone would understand he despised him— and then frowned before turning around and disappearing.

“…That brat doesn’t seem very bright.”

Penia, who had appeared next to him without Alon noticing, expressed her disgust without a filter. Beside her, Evan also nodded.

“He must be my age. Looks like a prince.”

“How do you know that?”

“Think about it. Only a guy like that can walk around with that attitude, scrunching up his face in a place like this, living the easy life… and young on top of it. A perfect mark.”

“…Oh, that sounded sharp.”

“Hehe, I’m very smart, aren’t I?”

“No, not that much.”

After that natural comedy between them, Penia frowned, murmuring to herself:

“But… something feels weird.”

“Weird?”

“Yes, hmm…”

She looked at the spot where the “prince” had disappeared, with a thoughtful expression.

But before she could draw any conclusions—

“Brother.”

“What is it?”

“Should I kill him?”

It was Radan, repeating the same homicidal wish that the “prince” had expressed earlier from inside the palace.

“…Don’t do it.”

Alon sighed internally while pressing Radan‘s shoulder.

Somehow, he had ended up protecting the life of the supposed prince.

And so, with the arrival of the next dawn—

“Then, I will start guiding you.”

Alon‘s group departed toward the place where the secret left by Rangban was hidden.