[{"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-187":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},759477,1006,"Chapter 187","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-187",187,"\u003Cp>Currently known as Duke Merkiliane, Filian’s younger brother, Gilan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was originally supposed to be in the ducal house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason, of course, was to manage the territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although several years had passed since the diplomatic incident involving Duke Komalon, and all damages from that time had been fully restored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The issue of succession, which had been carried out in haste, still remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden death of the duke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of this, the proper succession process could not be followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gilan was unable to obtain full authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were still some vassals who had not yet come under his influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the fact that Gilan was the second son was also a point of exploitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much the eldest son, Filian, acknowledged him, the weakened ducal house provided a valid political justification for intervention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In any case, due to these circumstances, Gilan was living a rather busy life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, he should have been wrestling with paperwork at the ducal house today as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, that is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, Marquis Palatio has left for a while?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard he will be away for more than a month.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, Duke Merkiliane was at the Marquisate of Palatio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because an order had been given by King Stalian V.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An order that simply stated, ‘Confirm the identity of Marquis Palatio.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone would respond with ‘What on earth does that mean?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an order that felt somewhat absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no further explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since it was a royal command, he had no choice but to obey, but from Gilan’s perspective, it was utterly baffling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, hadn’t Gilan been receiving continuous support from King Stalian V since the time of Duke Komalon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That made it even harder to refuse, so he ended up coming to the marquisate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was accompanied by the knight in black, whom Stalian V had been keeping by his side for some time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Just what in the world is this all about…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gilan, or rather, Duke Merkiliane, sighed as he waited for the knight’s answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To his astonishment, Stalian V had also commanded him to treat this knight with respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Who exactly is this knight?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From start to finish, nothing made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight in black hesitated for a moment before speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm… Well, let’s wait a little longer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The duke questioned him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You intend to wait?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, since we’re here, we might as well confirm things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight’s voice carried a certain amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gilan sighed, as if he had no other choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, from the moment he received Stalian V’s order, he had lost any right to make his own decisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well, let’s do that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By this point, his curiosity could no longer be contained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But, may I ask something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it’s something I can answer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The order was to confirm the identity of Marquis Palatio.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it possible that the marquis is not actually human? For example, could he be a different species hiding his identity, or if not that, a monster—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Puahahahahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight burst into loud laughter as if he had heard something incredibly amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duke Merkiliane frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Is something funny?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, my apologies. I just found it quite amusing to hear that all of a sudden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From inside his helmet, he continued to chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But of course, if the marquis were a different species or a monster, I wouldn’t have to be here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, what exactly is the marquis?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The laughter stopped abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A god.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What did you just say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The single word rang vividly in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A god. I am here to confirm whether Marquis Palatio is a god.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duke Merkiliane’s mouth fell open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis Palatio is—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if he had just heard something completely unbelievable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Did you just say he’s a god?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, it’s not confirmed yet. I haven’t personally verified it. But, well, almost.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The duke’s mouth fell even further open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even without Recon’s warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon had already known to some extent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That elves were inherently extremely hostile towards humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the Psychedelia playthrough, when meeting Perion, some of the elves’ background information was briefly revealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the exact reason for their hatred of humans was unclear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What mattered was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That elves despised humans far more than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You’ve been waiting for me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon found this situation undeniably bewildering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I have been waiting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young elf with a gentle smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, more than gentle—he was outright courteous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An elf, being this kind to a human?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Something was seriously wrong here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had they mistaken him for someone else?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if that were the case, Alon was human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way they could have mistaken him for another elf…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As various thoughts raced through his mind, he struggled to find a convincing explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please come inside first. They are waiting for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, hold on—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon shook his hand to stop the elf who was persistently trying to guide him inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elf looked puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, from Alon’s perspective, it was unsettling to follow this elf without any questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if, after entering the elven kingdom, their misunderstanding was cleared up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that point, the situation would become even more difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I guess I have no choice.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he was concerned about their hostility, he had to resolve the misunderstanding from the beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes, the most direct path is the shortest one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is the name of the person you have been waiting for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…There are at least a hundred of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just in case, Alon formed a seal with his hand inside his pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mana subtly spread into the surrounding space, disrupting its molecular structure just enough to remain undetected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing Alon’s intent, Evan also subtly raised his hands, ready to draw his sword at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, it’s—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the elf spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis Palatio.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon unknowingly released the seal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan did the same, even lowering his hands in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Alon with an expression that screamed, ‘Why is the marquis’ name coming up here?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You were waiting for me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. We have been waiting for you, Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Me? Why? For what reason?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did they really just say my name?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless questions rushed through his mind,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could even organize his thoughts,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elf suddenly grabbed his hand again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go inside first. They are waiting for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those enigmatic words, the elf led him inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After boarding a carriage escorted by elves—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon whispered softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For once, his face showed genuine surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve never really been surprised by you going places, searching for things, or handling enemies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…But this time, no matter how many times I think about it, I can’t help but be shocked.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m just as shocked.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan looked at Alon with an utterly skeptical expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon felt wronged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If nothing else, this was something even he had absolutely no clue about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I never even played the DLC in the first place.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could dwell on his frustration—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We have arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the carriage door opened, Alon hesitantly stepped out, carefully observing his surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t help but exclaim in awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A colossal tree filled his entire field of vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just any large tree—it was so massive that it could easily cover an entire domain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon stood there, dumbfounded, a voice whispered in his ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Welcome back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words sounded strange, but Alon didn’t respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he realized something even more clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever was happening, they had made a massive misunderstanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just that they mistook him for someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew he was Marquis Palatio and were addressing him accordingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly did they misunderstand? And how did they come to this conclusion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never done anything that could even remotely lead to such a misconception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When did you visit the elf village?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Does it seem like I’ve been here before?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, no, not exactly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as he followed the elves into the grand palace beneath the World Tree—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow…! That’s the Primordial Elf—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept hearing murmurs about him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…The Primordial Elf?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was then that Alon—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who had been utterly unable to understand the situation—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally found one small puzzle piece related to the misunderstanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t enough to fully deduce what had happened, but it gave him a faint clue about the kind of misunderstanding that had triggered this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he stood there, lost in thought—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No way.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked down at his hand, remembering the staff that once belonged to the Primordial Elf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before his thoughts could develop further—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Queen is waiting for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was guided to the most magnificent place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It’s been a long time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An elf was waiting for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike any other elf he had seen before, she radiated a light of an entirely different level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A breathtaking beauty, so overwhelming that she could only be described as the essence of elegance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elf Queen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Alon could even comprehend the misunderstanding the elves had, he was swiftly brought before the queen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of contemplation, he slowly spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Before we begin this conversation, I must say one thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The queen responded with a gentle smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…In truth, there was no real need for Alon to say this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather, there was no point in saying anything at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he still had no idea exactly why or how the elves had come to this misunderstanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if he continued the conversation like this, he had no idea when or how the worst-case scenario might unfold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I regret to inform you, but I believe you are mistaken about something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In what way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He decided to tell the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seem to have mistaken me for the Primordial Elf, but I am no such being.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The response he received was far too calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon looked puzzled and asked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Did you properly understand what I just said?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. You said you are not the Primordial Elf, correct?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood. We’ll consider it as ‘that kind of feeling.'”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…’That kind of feeling’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, that kind of feeling.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…???”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he faced their unwaveringly composed reactions, Alon clearly realized that something about this conversation was completely off.\u003C\u002Fp>",1726,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.412Z",1,"novelbin.me","4da2f6cbff791d15d30704f53c1e5ca28c9efa4bbbefbf23f8287f3dcaa52160","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-188","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-186",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]