[{"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-166":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},759456,1006,"Chapter 166","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-166",166,"\u003Cp>It’s been two weeks since Alon set out for Terea to attend the ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finally arrived, have we?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The distant landscape of the capital began to come into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan, standing nearby, exhaled as if overwhelmed by the heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After this ball, are we heading to Lartenia and then straight to Colony again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That seems to be the plan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seem disappointed about something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Alon looked curiously at Evan’s face, Basiliora interjected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Heh, judging by that expression like a dog needing to pee, it must be about a girl.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What nonsense are you spouting now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Don’t deny it. I saw you pulling a letter out of your pocket a few days ago and smirking creepily.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh—you saw that—when!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Aah, the nights when Evan’s gaze feels so nostalgic—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Waaaargh!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan screamed at the top of his lungs as Basiliora began dramatically reciting the contents of the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon, watching Evan’s face turn crimson, gave him a peculiar look. Evan, embarrassed, calmed his breathing and soon managed an awkward laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, well, you see… When we visited the Zenonia duchy last time, I met a lady knight. We… got along quite well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, you’ve been exchanging letters, I take it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes, something like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon, observing the embarrassed Evan, asked quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seem more flustered than I expected. Haven’t you been in relationships before?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, that’s true, but….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan, who had always followed Alon closely while chatting and laughing with all sorts of women, now seemed different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was a hint of grievance in Evan’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This feels… different, you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In what way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those were just light conversations, but this… feels more like something deeper. Maybe… a step beyond mere flirting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hmph, how sickening.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t ruin the mood, you snake-headed bastard! And you, haven’t you been flirting with our family’s maid?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[W-What?! Flirting?! When did I ever—! I only chatted with her because she seemed so eager to serve me!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, right. Didn’t you do all sorts of antics whenever she brought you snacks?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Krrrrgh!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Basiliora began writhing in embarrassment at the sudden exposure of his “dark history.” Seizing the opportunity, Evan launched an attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst the racket, Blackie peeked his head out from Alon’s chest to watch the two bicker and chatter noisily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, the group arrived at the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Terea hasn’t changed a bit.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their carriage crossed the well-maintained, thriving streets of Terea and entered the inner city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they arrived in front of the ballroom, Alon stepped out of the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis Palatio, before attending the ball, His Majesty requests an audience with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…? Very well, let us proceed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if waiting for him, a guard approached and delivered the message. Alon tilted his head in curiosity but followed behind the guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the invitation of the Queen, Alon entered her private office after a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been a while, Marquis Palatio.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you been well, Your Majesty?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There she was, greeting him with the same ambiguous smile as always—Queen Siyan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, sit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gestured to the chair in front of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Alon was seated, the queen once again took out a sweet potato and placed it before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You may eat it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah… Yes. Um, Your Majesty…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I shall simply watch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus began another sweet potato eating session.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, one would think he’d have grown accustomed to this, but it was as baffling as ever…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a while, only the sound of Alon munching on the sweet potato echoed in the office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You still eat well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My apologies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Siyan’s ambiguous comment, Alon cautiously bowed his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He halted his movement, his gaze fixed on a statue at the edge of his vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A statue positioned in one corner of the office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was undoubtedly the first time he had seen it, it felt strangely familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, are you referring to this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing his stare, Siyan picked up the statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a sculpture brought from Luxible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Luxible, you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I’ve heard they revere the figure depicted in this statue as a god. That is to say…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Siyan paused briefly before uttering a name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“‘Bearer of Lightning,’ Kalannon, was it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I’ve heard about that as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, have you seen this statue before?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, this is my first time seeing it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Alon’s response, Siyan gazed at the statue in her hand with interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is my first time seeing it too. It was brought as a gift from the Duchy of Luxible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, what do you think of it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What do you mean, exactly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This statue, I mean. To me, this Kalannon figure resembles you quite a bit. What’s your take?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She asked, tilting her head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sergius stared blankly ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, the party led by Eliban stood face-to-face with Cardinal Yutia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group had dealt with numerous strange phenomena outside the Papal Basilica.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve done wonderfully this time as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of it is thanks to the power granted by Him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, without His power, none of this would have been possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the crowd of priests, Yutia and Eliban exchanged pleasantries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed, and soon Eliban spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Until next time, Cardinal Yutia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Chosen, I look forward to seeing you again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia handed over the reward for dealing with the disturbances to Eliban.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All for His sake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, all for His sake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After their farewells, the Chosen led his group out of the Papal Basilica.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sergius, having confirmed the dismissal of the priests after the event, habitually followed behind Cardinal Yutia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cautiously, he opened his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Excuse me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm? What is it, Cardinal Sergius?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always, Yutia gazed at him with a gentle smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sergius, caught in her calm gaze, hesitated before finally speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yutia, may I ask you a question?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Receiving her permission, Sergius hesitated again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with her consent, he wasn’t entirely sure whether it was wise to ask what was on his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew better than anyone else—having “experienced” it firsthand—that questioning Cardinal Yutia was a reckless endeavor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But despite knowing that, Sergius couldn’t suppress the curiosity and doubt that had been relentlessly building in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s about… the Chosen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The Chosen, you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That person… didn’t receive their power from Sironia, did they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sergius recalled the ‘Chosen’ whom Yutia had previously acknowledged as having been selected by Sironia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, their power bore a striking resemblance to the divine energy Sironia was known to bestow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faint radiance they emitted also resembled the subtle glow exuded by saints.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The priests who observed Eliban earlier had seemed convinced that he had been chosen by Sironia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other cardinals had shared the same belief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Sergius alone—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It was clearly different.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized that the divine energy Eliban radiated wasn’t Sironia’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He vividly recalled the sacred power Eliban had displayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pure silver-white glow, faintly tinged with blue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It only appeared similar to Sironia’s divine energy but was entirely distinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia let out a soft chuckle, as if amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sergius was now certain his suspicions were correct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve noticed, I see. I was a bit worried because it’s still unrefined, but I thought I’d fooled everyone except the saints.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia’s candid acknowledgment left Sergius silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinarily, Sergius should not have been able to discern the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The holy power wielded by that ‘Chosen’ was undeniably similar to the divine energy bestowed by Lady Sironia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, apart from the saint currently engaged in relief efforts, none of the other cardinals detected the slightest inconsistency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was one reason Sergius could perceive the disparity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was solely because of Cardinal Yutia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having long been treated as little more than a servant by Cardinal Yutia, Sergius knew one crucial fact:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia not only used the divine power of Lady Sironia but also drew upon another form of holy energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Granted, Sergius had only witnessed Yutia using this other divine energy a few times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for someone of Sergius’ stature, seated as a cardinal, those few occurrences were enough to recognize that Eliban’s holy energy closely resembled Yutia’s “other” divine energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…The Chosen was not a being selected by the goddess Sironia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had reached that conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did you figure it out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chilling question sent a shiver through Sergius, but he steadied his racing heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The divine power Yutia briefly displayed was identical to that of the Chosen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm~ I see, that explains it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia nodded as though she had pieced together the situation. Her crimson eyes turned toward Sergius again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, it seems you haven’t realized everything yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Excuse me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Never mind—more importantly, you don’t need to concern yourself with this matter too much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. After all—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia’s eyes softened into a faint, unsettling curve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Soon enough, it’ll all be the same. So much so that even you, Cardinal Sergius, won’t be able to tell the difference.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The same…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Everything will become the same. The holy power, this and that—right now, they may appear a bit different, but eventually, all of it will be indistinguishable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sergius couldn’t comprehend a single word of what she had just said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What, exactly, would become the same?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did “this” and “that” refer to?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what would happen in the future?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above all—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was Cardinal Yutia plotting right now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only thing Sergius could deduce from the information he had so far was one unsettling possibility:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Perhaps the recent silence of Lady Sironia had something to do with Cardinal Yutia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It likely did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even if that were true, there was nothing Sergius could do about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…In a way, things might actually improve,” Yutia mused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The current Rosario is rife with corruption, after all. When that time comes, everything will be better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, Sergius couldn’t do anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Corruption and injustice will vanish. All the holy knights will act for ‘Him,’ all the believers will worship ‘Him,’ and everyone will offer their faith to ‘Him.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sergius—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had already been overwhelmed by the suffocating fanaticism that swirled within Yutia’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But before that happens… if word of this spreads, it could become a little troublesome… so, I ask you~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again and again, Sergius had been overpowered—until he ultimately submitted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Keep quiet, will you, Cardinal Sergius?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the shadowed halls of the papal basilica, under the waning light of the setting sun, Yutia pressed her index finger to her lips, backlit by a flickering crimson glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sergius could offer only one response.\u003C\u002Fp>",1752,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.412Z",1,"novelbin.me","aa52a77c1b499adaf94967d7f426f6418b8387a6ad7b0771f2c5bf81eac3f4ac","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-167","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-165",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]