[{"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-178":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},759468,1006,"Chapter 178","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-178",178,"\u003Cp>The leader of the Shadow Leaves, Draim, distanced himself from Marquis Palatio right after meeting a certain man last time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, distancing himself did not mean he had abandoned his duty as a bodyguard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he had doubts about the mission from the start and had been threatened by that suspicious man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, the Shadow Leaves must obey the queen’s orders without question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, until the order was rescinded, he had no choice but to protect Marquis Palatio, whether he liked it or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, Draim chose to observe the marquis from a distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, close-range protection was the norm, but there was no other way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s no ordinary man.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man so powerful that even Draim himself could not guarantee victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who had threatened him in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man whose strength was immeasurable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On top of that, he exuded an eerie fanaticism as he protected Marquis Palatio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more so than the queen’s personal guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fearing unnecessary conflicts, Draim made a decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would protect the marquis while keeping himself at a distance beyond detection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking back, Draim believed his judgment had been correct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The madman had not noticed him anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was natural, as Draim had expanded the protective perimeter threefold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why Draim had never imagined—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That he himself would be discovered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guh—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With trembling eyes, Draim stared at the figure before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the blue moon, golden lightning crackled and spread in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beastkin with an expression so chillingly impassive it seemed to freeze the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How… was I detected?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draim could not comprehend the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—more precisely, he could not accept how he had been discovered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had no time to dwell on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The longer his silence dragged on, the tighter the grip around his throat became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wa-wait—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the suffocating Draim hurriedly tried to speak—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deus told me. You’re the ones, aren’t you? The elves sneaking around after Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beastkin, Seolrang, spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice carried no emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won’t say much. Stay away from Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We have no intention of harming Marquis Palatio—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t care about that. Just having suspicious pests near Master is unpleasant enough. Unless—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seolrang’s golden eyes flashed like lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“—I should just kill you and everything behind you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A murderous aura that made every hair on his body stand on end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even in the face of such killing intent, Draim forced out a bitter chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……How arrogant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seolrang did not reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, she silently activated Thunder God Manifestation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackle—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, golden lightning coursed through Seolrang’s body, condensing within her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if unable to contain the immense energy, the compressed lightning burst outward, dyeing her entire form in golden light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike her previous battle against the Apostle, Seolrang’s use of Thunder God Manifestation was far more stable this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draim’s eyes widened in shock at the sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magical energy radiating from Seolrang was anything but ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember my words, elf. This is your final warning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stay away from Master. Never appear before me again. If you do, I will kill you and everything behind you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Do you think that’s possible?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draim scoffed at the sheer arrogance in those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Because it won’t just be me—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seolrang’s golden lips curved into a chilling smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yutia will move as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draim’s neck was crushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah—what a shame.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his severed head fell to the ground, the world flipped upside down in his vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in that desolate landscape, he saw—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re a shadow, then I just need to make an example by killing them all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the blue moon in the middle of the desert, eerie golden eyes pursued him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gah—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draim coughed up blood as he woke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Captain!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you alright!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The aftereffects of Shadow Magic—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His subordinates rushed toward him in alarm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Propped up by them, Draim leaned against a rock and clutched his throbbing head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do not act rashly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Apologies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The subordinates bowed their heads at Draim’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet they all bore expressions of utter confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because they knew exactly what it meant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For their captain to awaken while coughing up blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing the turmoil within him, Draim let out a strained breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not only did she find me in the desert, but she also figured out I was a shadow. How in the world—?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Questions filled his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, his face twisted in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until now, only one person had ever been able to immediately see through his Shadow Magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant the beastkin he had just encountered—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……That’s insane.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A curse slipped from Draim’s lips before he could stop himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His subordinates flinched at the unfamiliar sight of their captain losing composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Draim’s thoughts were elsewhere—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fixated solely on Marquis Palatio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Just what is that man…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such overwhelmingly powerful beings acting coy and eager for praise—it was absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Should I return and report first?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draim’s thoughts deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon was briefly startled by Carmaxes III’s sudden use of honorifics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem, my apologies. I’ve been reading books on etiquette lately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing Alon’s reaction, Carmaxes III quickly lowered his tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon found it odd—did a king really need to study etiquette? But he chose to accept it for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, from that moment on, the banquet became increasingly uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does the food suit your taste?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s delicious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If anything tastes off, let me know. I’ll have it remade immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, yes….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carmaxes III had never once cared about food before, yet now he was paying attention to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, by the way, is the guild comfortable enough? If staying there is difficult, you’re welcome to stay at the royal palace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The royal palace, you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. What do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I truly appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to decline.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see? That’s unfortunate. But if you change your mind, let me know—I’ll treat you as an honored guest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the king was offering him a place in the palace out of kindness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the end—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there anything you find inconvenient or anything you need?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Are you asking if I need anything?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. If there’s anything at all, just say the word. I’ll spare no effort to provide it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If anything comes to mind, I’ll let you know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed desperate to do something for Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Did I do something wrong? If not, is there something he wants from me?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, suspicions and questions arose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well then, I’ll be taking my leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, alright. If you ever need my help, don’t hesitate to ask!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, the banquet concluded without any requests being made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon barely managed to shake off Carmaxes III, who seemed reluctant to let him go, and boarded the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you happen to find some sort of leverage over Carmaxes III? Something incriminating about him…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan, who had accompanied him, also sensed something unusual and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I figured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But then, why is he acting like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That, I have no idea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You really don’t know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan’s face showed a hint of suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon shrugged as if to say he was telling the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, I truly don’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmm, that’s strange.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, Alon himself was the most baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no clue why Carmaxes III was acting that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the unanswered questions lingered, the carriage soon arrived at Seolrang’s guild building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seolrang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh! Master! You’re here?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she spotted Alon, Seolrang threw her arms around his neck, wrapped her legs around his waist, and clung to him like a cicada.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon no longer found her excessive greetings surprising and simply asked—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I went to the palace, but you weren’t there. Where did you go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, I was heading to the palace, but I suddenly remembered something and got sidetracked.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Something you forgot?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah! There was something I had to do, and it just popped into my head~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nod, nod!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seolrang’s head bobbed vigorously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a father respecting his growing daughter’s privacy, Alon chose not to pry further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The day after recovering from the banquet’s fatigue—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good morning!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Early in the morning, Karsem arrived, leading a group of soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Karsem, it’s been a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only had Karsem lost weight, but his muscles had also grown more pronounced, bulging through his clothes as if declaring their presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Evan muttered under his breath, “Wow, life really is unfair.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon almost unconsciously agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard you’re heading to the ruins! I will escort you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karsem’s booming voice echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Escort…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon glanced at the soldiers standing in formation behind Karsem and hesitated for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…This seems a bit excessive for an escort.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just an offhand remark—it was a fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even at a glance, the number of soldiers Karsem had brought easily exceeded several hundred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, Marquis! Since you’re going, this much is only natural!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karsem answered firmly, without the slightest hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he was always a bit over the top, something about him today felt… off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Why do his eyes look even more eager than before?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon couldn’t shake the feeling that Karsem’s gaze was filled with even deeper reverence than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was different from the admiration he had sensed in the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What on earth happened to make him like this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new question formed in Alon’s mind, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Very well, I’ll leave it to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, sir!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt too awkward to ask outright, so without further comment, Alon set off for the ruins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, they arrived at their destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the sun began to rise, Alon moved toward the central tower, walking through the now-familiar ruins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He entered the tower and ascended to the upper floors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after some time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What appeared in his view was not a Dragonkin—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—but a red pendant and a single letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time that Alon discovered the red pendant in the ruins—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the royal palace of the Ashtalon Kingdom, Zakurak, who was standing with King Stalian V, received a letter from a strange creature that flew through the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A letter from that side?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…A spirit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They are their kin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The letter itself was blurry, its form flickering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zakurak took it and immediately tore it open to read.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heavy, dark-colored armor shifted slightly as his shoulders trembled with laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s so amusing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the chuckle, King Stalian V raised an eyebrow in curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I apologize, but I’ll need to act alone for a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…All of a sudden?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. It would be troublesome to move together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the matter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s something I need to confirm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Confirm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stalian V shrugged and returned his attention to his documents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since nothing major had begun yet, Zakurak’s absence wouldn’t cause any issues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. It must be important.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He casually acknowledged and picked up another document.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I need to confirm whether Marquis Palatio is truly a close friend of the one we serve.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That makes sense. Marquis Palatio is a close friend of the one you ser—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stalian V reflexively lifted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What did you just say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without realizing it, the words escaped his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>",1886,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.412Z",1,"novelbin.me","09846a3c5d338da3857bae319d1ed1ae6c67bbeaa6e9d0dc957c0b66ce1bc296","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-179","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-177",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]