[{"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-180":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},759470,1006,"Chapter 180","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-180",180,"\u003Cp>Alon blankly stared at the dragon that had devoured the ruined world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apart from its glowing red eyes, it resembled Blackie, with its entire body flickering like a shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, as Kylrus formed the seal, the dragon slowly dispersed and vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Is that the Shadow Dragon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon muttered blankly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. To be precise, what I showed you was a fully grown Spirit Dragon. One I used to handle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kylrus’s voice carried a hint of tenderness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then shook his head slightly as if to snap out of his sentiment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, that’s only half the size.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Half?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I mean, that’s half the size of a fully grown Shadow Dragon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re saying twice the size of what we just saw? The size?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unbelievable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t really grasp it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Kylrus’s Spirit Dragon from moments ago was overwhelming in size.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It was already big enough to devour the entire world… and you’re saying double that?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unconsciously, Alon looked down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, Blackie was looking up at him proudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This tiny thing is really that powerful?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, brat. Where did you get the egg of the Shadow Dragon—or rather, the Spirit Dragon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snapping out of his daze at Kylrus’s question, Alon explained what had happened so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see, so that’s what happened.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kylrus muttered as if something made sense, then looked at Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve inherited the legacy I left behind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……The legacy you left behind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kylrus nodded at Alon’s question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s an item I left to the last remaining mage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……The last remaining mage?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, though it seems you’ve received the legacy instead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a thought popped into Alon’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The last mage you mentioned… could it be Duke Komalon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Duke Komalon? Sorry, I don’t know that name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question itself had been misguided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……I did meet a half-baked mage once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……A half-baked mage?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To be honest, I’m not even sure if that’s the right term. He just called himself that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me more, brat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of hesitation, Alon recounted everything from the time he first met the artificial god.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening quietly, Kylrus finally spoke a name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……It seems the one you met was ‘Diad.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Diad?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kylrus searched his memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He had more pride as a mage than anyone else, but ironically, he never inherited a true mental image. Also, he was a disciple of a close friend of mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He couldn’t participate in the mages’ battles. He hadn’t even properly inherited any techniques, let alone a mental image. That’s probably why he managed to survive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice grew subdued, perhaps recalling distant memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He murmured softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, he’s been clinging to life all this time… just to follow the words his master uttered for mere consolation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Did that master tell him to ‘slaughter humans to keep the darkness from rising’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I doubt he wanted to do that willingly. It was probably a choice he had no other option but to make.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……No other option?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. In the end, that’s all a ‘half-baked’ mage, who didn’t fully inherit his power, could do to survive. Well, I’m no different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kylrus clicked his tongue after saying that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, a strange mix of discomfort and regret flashed in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That look reminded Alon of a past scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sight of Kylrus mercilessly slaughtering people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a stretch of silence,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, brat, didn’t you say you wanted to learn how to handle the Spirit Dragon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, I’ll teach you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But first, I need to ask about your goal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……My goal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kylrus stared straight into Alon’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you plan to do after learning how to control that Shadow Dragon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, don’t bother with idealistic nonsense. That’s not what I want to hear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon fell silent, deep in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, even without spouting idealistic talk, saying something that would please Kylrus wasn’t that difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on everything so far, he had a rough idea of Kylrus’s worldview.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Alon decided to reveal his true purpose, just as Kylrus had asked, rather than giving the answer Kylrus wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For a peaceful life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……For a peaceful life?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, that’s all. I want to learn to eliminate the threats that lie ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A simple answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not bad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, Kylrus nodded with a satisfied smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, I’ll teach you the technique.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On top of that, I also made a contract with Lainisius.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……With Lainisius?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon shared the details of his conversation with Lainisius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……So, like it or not, you had to be informed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kylrus let out a chuckle, looking at Alon as if he were an intriguing creature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, can I ask you something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a question popped into Alon’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You said you’ve lost everything except your name, right? Then how are you able to use techniques related to the Shadow Dragon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kylrus looked around as if it were the most obvious thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The answer’s simple—because this is the mental realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Because it’s the mental realm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, here, it’s not difficult to manifest magic by relying on my memories.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, even if it’s just an empty shell—’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kylrus muttered bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, it’s time to say goodbye.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Goodbye? What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly that. My mana is running out, so it’s time for us to part ways.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There was a time limit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since we don’t have much time, I’ll briefly tell you what you need to do before we meet again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kylrus explained the tasks Alon had to complete before their next meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shortly after—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See you next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Alon could say anything, a brilliant white light enveloped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Alon opened his eyes again, the familiar scenery…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—was nowhere to be seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the white light faded from his vision, what appeared was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A black abyss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon was confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last time he used the ‘Footsteps of the Past’, right after the white light appeared, he had returned to the real world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, after the white light, he should have seen the real world again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the scene before Alon’s eyes now was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Huh? What is this……………??’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An abyss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A place where nothing could be discerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A place unknown to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—that wasn’t true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did know it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon recognized this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had definitely seen it before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This abyss.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he realized that, Alon noticed something lingering at the edge of his vision—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A nebula.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he realized that what was before him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—was an ‘eye’.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same abyssal eye he had seen in the mirror given by the Observer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That overwhelming eye slowly began to open its eyelid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump thump thump thump thump thump~!!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart pounded like it was going to burst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t even formed an impression or made a judgment yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just perceiving it made his heart race as if it would explode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His whole body trembled as if it were about to shatter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gasping for breath, unable to control the pounding of his heart, Alon—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—finally met the fully opened eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gigantic pupil filled with radiant nebulae.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sinister, yet beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Terrifying, yet awe-inspiring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Eye of All Things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“#%&@:;~#% Now you can finally see me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It uttered incomprehensible words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Reach the root, O devourer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Learn from there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How to wield the arrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a distorted, noisy voice, it commanded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Close your eyes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to resist its overwhelming power, Alon closed and reopened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huff—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled the breath he had been holding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump thump thump thump thump thump~!!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His blood pulsed like it was racing down a highway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gripping his throbbing heart, Alon managed to lift his head, and soon—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis?! Are you alright?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized he had returned to where he was supposed to be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan had rushed in without him noticing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a face full of worry, Evan grabbed Alon’s shoulders and shook him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t look fine at all! Can’t you tell your condition right now…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan frantically held onto Alon’s shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your eyes… they’re bleeding!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Alon feel something warm trickling down his cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, he raised his hand to touch it, and bright red blood stained his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What… is this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon let out a hollow laugh without realizing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling the overwhelming presence of the eye he had witnessed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Next Day\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing his business, Alon decided to leave the colony immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had wanted to take a few days to rest, several things were weighing on his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Greynifra.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right after arriving at the Marquis’ residence, he planned to prepare for a trip to Greynifra.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he first heard about it from Siyan, he intended to take his time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There had been no urgency, and he needed to sort out his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, after his conversation with Kylrus, and realizing there was much to gain from heading to Greynifra, he decided to act sooner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, are you leaving now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, Alon instinctively pressed Seolrang’s ears down gently without being asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seolrang purred contentedly, clearly pleased, and shouted,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it! Then, see you in a month!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……In a month?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yep!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprised by the sudden promise, Alon mentally reviewed his schedule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t have any plans to come back to the colony in a month, though?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how he thought about it, there was no plan to visit the colony…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know! That’s because I’ll be the one visiting then!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Seolrang, you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yep! Master, it’s your birthday then!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon let out a low hum of realization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a month, it would be his birthday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you planning to give me a gift in person?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yep! This gift has to be handed over directly, or I can’t give it! You have to accept it, Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll be looking forward to it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seolrang’s tail wagged excitedly, thrilled just at the thought of giving a gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft, fatherly smile crept onto Alon’s face without him realizing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Maybe I should stay until after my birthday?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering the unexpected change in plans, Alon’s carriage departed the colony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At That Moment\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s finally done!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Is this the gift for Brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, isn’t it awesome?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……It is, but…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luna Blood Sail, the ruler of the second archipelago, barely swallowed the words, ‘Isn’t that a bit too much?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Starting with the proud gift from Ladan, the birthday presents for Alon were being prepared, one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>",1742,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.412Z",1,"novelbin.me","2abda00f07acf6e9363da8a4d08bba9b83d142baece38a44de10fa8d1861e78d","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-181","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-179",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]