[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-became-the-patron-of-villains":3,"chapter-became-the-patron-of-villains-became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-161":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Became the Patron of Villains",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},759451,1006,"Chapter 161","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-161",161,"\u003Cp>“Is that… really true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magrina’s question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perion was shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elven queen, Magrina, was benevolent and a wise ruler who smiled upon all, but she never showed her personal emotions openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the role of a monarch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A being who must protect the people and always lead for their sake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could never reveal weakness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, for hundreds of years as queen, she had never displayed emotions other than benevolence and anger before her subordinates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, Magrina, who had strictly upheld that rule for so long, was showing emotions other than joy or anger in front of her subordinates for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confusion and hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, tell me more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Magrina’s urging, Philde broke her silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, let me reiterate, Your Majesty. What I am about to say is purely speculation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even so, you believe that the marquis, the primordial elf, my brother, is him, don’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then explain why.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An anxious demand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Philde recounted everything that happened at the Marquis Palatio’s estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The time when she used magic to observe the marquis from the outskirts of the estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How she had glimpsed the marquis’s soul through her spiritual sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And finally, the black pupils at the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Haa—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing the tale, Philde took a moment to catch her breath before summarizing the key points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In conclusion, the soul of Marquis Palatio did not match his body. In other words, someone else’s soul resides in his body.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As Your Majesty knows, it’s inconceivable for a mere human to possess such a golden soul. Just as a sage cannot become a god, and a hero cannot ascend to godhood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Philde stared at the queen intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……This is why I suspect that Marquis Palatio may be the primordial elf.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then the reason my brother cannot return is—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As I mentioned, the person presumed to be the primordial elf has something strange attached to him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling the scene, Philde involuntarily gagged, though she quickly regained composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I couldn’t confirm it completely, but based on my assessment, this strange entity is entangled with him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Entangled?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. To an extent where they cannot be separated—complexly and chaotically intertwined. I suspect this may be why the primordial elf cannot come here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magrina fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes trembled more than ever before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mixture of hope and confusion consumed her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips quivered as she bit them, her head bowed low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Couldn’t he at least tell me?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tearful voice escaped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Couldn’t he at least say… that he’s alive, that he has returned…?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How long had she searched? How long had she waited?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To her murmurs, Philde responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That was also puzzling to me, but I believe it may be due to a ‘restriction.'”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A restriction?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Philde nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This, too, is purely speculation, but as Your Majesty knows, a dead soul occupying a living body is abnormal. It shouldn’t happen. A dead soul disrupts the order of humanity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Continue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In my opinion, the primordial elf may have made a contract involving ‘restrictions’ with that strange entity. His soul is intertwined with it to such an extent. The restriction likely prevents him from engaging with ties from his previous life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would he accept such a restriction?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Philde shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I cannot imagine. It’s merely my guess, based on the fact that he transferred blessings instead of directly involving himself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once again, this is purely my speculation. I have no way to know the truth. But despite that, I say this because—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Philde glanced at Perion, who stepped forward after a long silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, may I continue?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Marquis Palatio uses ‘words’ and ‘symbols.'”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!! That means—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Yes, just like the primordial elf, he is a mage. Furthermore, upon personal investigation, it became clear that the marquis has achieved feats impossible for an ordinary human.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, Perion added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He has defeated not one but two Outer gods, numerous artificial gods, and recently handled a monstrous entity. All of this—done by a mere human.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is why we suspect he is the primordial elf.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Perion finished speaking, the queen remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her heart pounded violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Memories from centuries ago, memories she could never forget, resurfaced in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—You’re the only one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—You must do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—You must lead the elves well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Please, I beg of you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he foresaw his death, he smiled as he stroked her hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, the queen finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Perion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Prepare yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I must meet him in person. I must confirm whether he is truly who I believe he is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With eyes full of resolve, she looked at Perion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon managed to clear the Iron-Blood Citadel without any harm, thanks to Eliban’s help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this what you need?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll give it to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you sure?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And thus, he obtained the item he desired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt almost too easy, but there was no reason to refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon accepted the item Eliban handed him with a bright smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an artifact obtained from the Iron-Blood Citadel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be precise, an artifact disguised as an “object.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Footsteps of the Past.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon, staring at the object shaped like feet running on the ground and forged from dark steel, spoke to Eliban.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, don’t mention it! After all, you came here to help me at my request! Is there anything else you need?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the beginning, the only thing he needed from the Iron-Blood Citadel was the ‘Footsteps of the Past.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the items from this place were warrior-class weapons, and even the rare mage-class items weren’t particularly useful to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, this is enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon carefully stowed away the ‘Footsteps of the Past.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eerie gate, which had been open, began to fade away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After watching the scene, Alon and his group headed to the nearest territory, the Duchy of Zenonia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time they arrived at the Zenonia Duchy’s lands, it was already dusk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I suppose we’ll meet again next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, understood! If I need your help again, may I request it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sure, as long as it’s not too demanding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eliban bowed deeply before moving on with his companion toward the territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve been feeling something odd for a while now. May I share it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left alone, Evan, as if waiting for this moment, began to voice his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve been thinking, this Eliban guy… He came to us for help because he felt there was danger, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But doesn’t it seem strange? He has skills far beyond what he let on. Why would he come to you for help at all?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inconsistency Evan pointed out had also been bothering Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eliban’s words and actions didn’t quite align.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon, with a neutral expression masking his thoughts, quietly gazed at the place where Eliban had disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What is it, really?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He considered multiple possibilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A whirlwind of thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of those, he identified a few plausible ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He narrowed it down to three hypotheses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eliban may have summoned him here for a specific purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or he may have intended to harm him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Or perhaps, he was acting on someone else’s request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Alon quickly shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t seem like Eliban intended to harm him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that had been his goal, he would have had plenty of opportunities, both before entering the eerie gate and within it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If anything, he was overprotective.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eliban’s behavior in the Iron-Blood Citadel didn’t match that of someone with malicious intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the remaining possibilities were either that he summoned Alon for a specific purpose or acted at someone else’s behest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But neither explanation felt quite right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had suffered any harm, he could have used that as a basis for speculation. But instead, he easily acquired what he needed without any losses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For that reason—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What could it be?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon’s confusion only deepened as he absentmindedly stroked the head of Blackie, who had popped out at some point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eliban.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm? What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Why did you hide it all this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Inn at Zenonia Territory\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the quiet inn, Yan hesitated before speaking, her voice wavering. Eliban looked at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm? About what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Your strength.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scratched his cheek awkwardly, as if unsure of how to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry? I meant to tell you eventually, but I thought it was still too early.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eliban replied with a sheepish smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yan’s expression didn’t soften.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…If you had that level of power, couldn’t you have helped in the last situation? Or the one before that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t let it go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eliban’s party had been through life-and-death situations multiple times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When Ralph was about to be crushed to death by the Giant Wood, or when I almost had my soul devoured by the witch—never once did you use that power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just about him hiding his strength that angered her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the fact that, despite having such immense power, he didn’t use it in situations where his party members’ lives were on the line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It implied that their deaths weren’t important enough for him to reveal his strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But for Marquis Palatio—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan’s brows furrowed even deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To her, the threat facing Marquis Palatio seemed trivial compared to the brushes with death they had endured as a party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Eliban had revealed his secret without hesitation to protect him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The secret he had kept even when their lives were at stake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Eliban remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yan, I know what you’re trying to say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But this was unavoidable. How do I put it… it’s like a ‘habit.'”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…A habit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. I’m not lying. It’s really a ‘habit.'”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His serene blue eyes glimmered softly as he took a step closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Placing a hand on her shoulder, he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And in time, you’ll understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Understand what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The reason I acted this way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He enunciated every word deliberately, almost as if weighing each syllable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He is an incredibly important person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was an unsettling fervor in his blue eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“More important than anyone else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the rising blue moon, Yan met his gaze, and a peculiar chill ran down her spine.\u003C\u002Fp>",1715,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.412Z",1,"novelbin.me","2fbd7b692d3a74e1254a8041bbf0cebbb4683f392bbfe076b060bf36ec959442","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-162","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-160",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]