Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 287

C287. Deal (6)*

“The scenery is indeed breathtaking.”

This was the path leading to the place where the secret Rangban had left behind was located.

Evan murmured as he looked around.

Penia, walking beside him, nodded as if in agreement.

“Yes. I think in general, the landscapes of the Eastern Kingdom are beautiful.”

“Hahaha, thank you for such a compliment. I’m flattered.”

The girl with fox ears guiding them wagged her fluffy tail, clearly in good spirits at the praise. A proud smile played on her lips.

“Seeing these landscapes really makes me emotional.”

Evan ran a hand through his hair, making an exaggerated comment.

“More than emotional… wouldn’t it be that you are becoming instinctive?”

Penia did not miss the chance to throw a jab at him.

“… On what basis do you say that?”

“Well, look at yourself. Your instinct is hypertrophied and you’re already preparing to flirt.”

“I— I wasn’t like this before, but lately I feel that the treatment towards me has deteriorated…”

[Of course. Your actions are too consistent. Honestly, you’re already a little pathetic.]

While Evan was speechless, Basiliora also didn’t let the opportunity pass to add more.

“Shut your mouth, pet-snake.”

[You— even when being told the cause you refuse to face it. A classic image of a foolish human.]

While the trio chatted animatedly (??), Radan had already gotten used to them and watched in silence.

Alon, for his part, turned his gaze to the young fox guide.

“If it’s not indiscreet, may I ask you something?”

“Of course. How could I refuse the request of His Majesty’s guests?”

The young fox inclined her head courteously.

Her clothing, similar to the traditional hanbok, and her gently moving tail made her look like a genuine gumiho.

“It might be a sensitive question, but I heard that the situation in the Eastern Kingdom is not very good.”

“Ah…”

The fox paused for an instant and then gave an awkward smile.

“That is correct. As you may have already heard, the Eastern Kingdom is currently going through very difficult times due to the Cheonggwi uprising.”

“Cheonggwi…?”

“Yes.”

The fox was silent for a moment, as if organizing her thoughts, and then began to explain the situation of the Eastern Kingdom to Alon.

Summarizing her words:

“In short, Great General Cheonggwi has committed treason.”

“Yes. He and the generals under his command have already taken over the east and continue the war.”

Alon thought for a moment and recalled Historia‘s face.

“I heard before that Historia received a request for help. Then, shouldn’t the war end soon?”

Alon did not know the military strength of the Eastern Kingdom.

He could barely deduce it because the Eastern Kingdom area in the DLC had a recommended entry part of the game where sin was already starting to become serious.

Even so, Historia was strong.

Perhaps even stronger than Alon knew thanks to Psychedelia.

Just seeing one of her fragments was enough to realize her power.

“I also heard that the Great Ones have intervened… but even for them, I think this time will be difficult.”

“Is their strength that great?”

“In soldiers alone they have tens of thousands, and the generals—including Great General Cheonggwi—have reached Doknyeom.”

“Doknyeom…?”

“Oh, excuse me. I think in the West you call it ‘Derivation’.”

“You mean their unique abilities.”

“Yes.”

An even darker shadow covered the face of the fox girl.

“Furthermore, I heard that recently Cheonggwi and the generals have become even stronger.”

“… Is it said that they emanated a black energy?”

“Ah, yes! How did you know?”

“It has caused many problems in our territory as well.”

The image of the current situation in the Eastern Kingdom formed in Alon‘s mind.

‘They were already in trouble due to the rebellion, and now it seems that the Martyrs have stolen Abyssal Cores to release them around here. Where the hell do they keep getting so many Abyssal Cores?’

Abyssal Cores were initially created by Duke Komalon, and according to Alon‘s deduction, he also eliminated the Apostle of Sloth, who was capable of reproducing them.

And yet more kept appearing.

Alon was momentarily lost in doubt.

“I see… In any case, it would be a great relief if the Great Ones could take care of the matter.”

Alon nodded, understanding the sincerity contained in the fox’s words.

While Alon headed to the place indicated by Rangban, in the east of the kingdom…

Prince Birang, son of the king who currently ruled the Eastern Kingdom, and dressed in ostentatious clothes, was talking to a man.

“Did you already send the letter?”

“Yes.”

“And the request?”

“They said they will achieve it without fail. They have already prepared a lot to eliminate the Great Ones.”

“Are you sure?”

“I assured them not to worry.”

Birang nodded with satisfaction.

“And the rest?”

“The internal preparation is complete. We have captured everyone who could be captured. Tomorrow, once everything is over, it only remains for His Highness to ascend the throne.”

“Excellent.”

Birang smiled broadly and looked out the window.

A huge palace stood there.

He watched it for a while, murmuring in a low voice:

“If my father had voluntarily ceded the throne… this wouldn’t be necessary.”

The reason why Birang allied himself with the traitor Cheonggwi was simple.

His father, King Urang, had decided to appoint the second prince as successor, not the first prince Birang.

And the cause was not favoritism, but Birang himself.

Birang was, by no means, fit to govern the Eastern Kingdom.

Everyone knew it.

Except him.

The only thing Birang recognized was this:

Removing his father from the throne and occupying the legitimate position himself.

To reign.

That was his objective.

And allying with the Great General was the perfect opportunity.

While Cheonggwi caused chaos externally, Birang prepared his internal coup.

And finally, everything was ready yesterday.

‘The appearance of a Great One was unexpected…’

Birang decided not to worry about such an existence.

If he knew Cheonggwi well, he would be able to easily eliminate an ancient old fox.

Although even putting that aside, there were still variables.

Yesterday the king’s guests arrived.

‘Right now, damn it…’

Birang frowned.

Despite having blocked the maritime route with the help of “that one,” they had still managed to arrive.

An unexpected visit that was annoying to him.

But only for a moment.

He took a deep breath and calmed his mind.

He never believed that a handful of outsiders could ruin his plan.

That’s why—

“Tomorrow will be a great day.”

Birang smiled maliciously, imagining the dawn of his great purpose.

---

“Is this it?”

“Yes.”

In the middle of the afternoon, as the sun began to descend, Alon arrived at a mysterious place.

Although the landscape had nothing special about it.

Four enormous Sarasu trees dominated the area.

And in the center there was a staircase descending underground.

But Alon felt something familiar.

A strange sensation, like a déjà-vu.

After observing for a bit—

“Good, I’ll go down.”

“Return safe and sound.”

“We will wait for you, brother.”

“Me too.”

Alon proceeded alone.

The king had warned him that he must enter alone. His steps echoed in the absolute silence.

As he descended, the light from outside faded, and darkness filled his sight.

After a while, the sound of his steps stopped echoing and began to disperse.

Alon stopped, surprised by the scene in front of him.

He had arrived at a massive underground cavity.

He felt a profound disconnect.

Although he had descended a staircase, he hadn’t gone down so much that he had to look up to see where he came from.

Barely twenty steps.

And yet—

‘… Can’t see the ceiling?’

The height of the ceiling was so great that the end could not be distinguished.

A space that defied all logic.

Alon checked no further and continued walking cautiously toward the interior.

The cavity was strange.

Normally, the interior should be plunged into complete darkness.

But it was illuminated, enough for Alon to see clearly.

As he advanced, he discovered the reason.

Lotus flowers were floating inside the cave.

Extraordinary Lotuses, floating on a pond, gave off light.

And in the center of the pond there was a pavilion.

An ethereal and mystical landscape.

Alon, absorbed, walked up the bridge that led to the pavilion.

Upon arriving, a light burst from his chest.

Alon reached in and saw that the white magatama the king had given him was emitting a glow.

He looked up at the inside of the pavilion.

There was a perfectly prepared hollow for the magatama.

He placed it there.

Clack—

It fit as if it had been born for that place.

He barely had time to marvel when—

The lotus flowers began to fly towards the pavilion, propelled by a sudden wind.

Agitating in unison, they formed the figure of a human being.

Alon‘s eyes widened at the sudden change.

He rubbed his eyes carefully.

There was someone before him.

But—

He could not recognize its existence.

Just like when he faced Yongrin before having divinity.

Despite seeing it, he could not perceive what it was.

Something impossible.

Before it might have been normal, but now Alon had many divinities. He could even handle them. And he could see Yongrin with perfect clarity.

In other words, his level had already ascended considerably.

And yet he could not perceive the entity in front of him.

Alon swallowed hard and tensed up.

Then—

[I was waiting for you. Wizard… no,]

A sublime voice resonated in his ear.

[Star Eater.]

The voice that called him that.