[{"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-188":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},759478,1006,"Chapter 188","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-188",188,"\u003Cp>Alon remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he stayed silent, Queen Magrina also remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, unlike Alon, an unconcealed smile played on her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What does she mean by that feeling?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t understand the queen’s words and expression at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could just mean she wanted to smooth things over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to Alon, the queen’s ‘intent’ sounded like this:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ah, so you want me to play along? I’ll just pretend I don’t know anything.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……What do you mean by ‘that feeling’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just what I said, that kind of feeling.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon mouthed his words several times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no idea where to start correcting this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What on earth was he supposed to do about this…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look, I’ll say it again—I am not Primordial Elf.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Queen Magrina nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face showed no doubt or hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that, Alon found himself even more at a loss for words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She totally doesn’t believe me, does she?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That can’t be. I do believe you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s funny for me to say this myself, but if I’m not Primordial Elf, shouldn’t you be treating me as an enemy right now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you want, I can do that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I mean… even if not outright hostility, shouldn’t you have no reason to treat me this warmly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did it come to this, where he was desperately trying to clarify that he was not Primordial Elf?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was beyond bewildering, yet the queen simply gazed at him calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, let’s just say I wanted to see the face of Marquis Palatio at least once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard you’re quite famous, Marquis. Isn’t that right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, that’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then let’s just go with that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Alon realize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how many times he explained, their misunderstanding wouldn’t be resolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, it wasn’t even a matter of misunderstanding—they had no intention of correcting it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What on earth is this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon knew very little about Greynifra.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never even come into contact with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could have caused the elves to fall into such a huge misconception?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They wouldn’t be blindly worshipping me just because I put on a single glove, right?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief moment of contemplation, Alon decided to make use of their goodwill for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……May I ask you something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anything at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The queen beamed as if pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her expression, Alon organized his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What Siyan told me was basically just to go to Greynifra, so I don’t have many questions there. That leaves only questions about the Primordial Elf who used magic similar to mine and the Root.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He debated which of the two to ask first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you happen to know anything about the Root?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He chose to ask about the Root.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he wanted to ask about the Primordial Elf first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the situation, it seemed too delicate to bring up right away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The queen immediately nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, though it may be difficult to explain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Root must be seen in person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It must be seen in person?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. No one can describe it as anything beyond just ‘the Root.'”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be seen firsthand, huh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I go see this Root?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you wish, I will open the way for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Much appreciated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“However—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The queen, who had readily agreed, cast a glance behind Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is extremely dangerous, so it would be best not to bring the knight with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She referred to Evan, Alon’s companion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For him, just going there could mean death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan flinched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Alon started to feel reluctant about going.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Is it really that dangerous?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A firm answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His dilemma deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the queen’s words, the Root seemed to be a truly perilous place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then please lead the way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon decided to descend to the Root.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He judged that the risk was worth taking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Learn how to use Arrow, was it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon recalled the ‘Eyes.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, just looking at them made blood pour out from every orifice of his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even recently, merely glancing at them for a few dozen seconds had caused him to shed tears of blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those eyes had certainly spoken to Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had told him to descend to the Root and learn how to use ‘Arrow.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Alon had no idea what the ‘Arrow’ mentioned by the eyes actually was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when playing Psychedelia, this kind of power had never truly appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It must be useful.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to face it head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood. Then let’s enter tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shortly after the brief meeting with Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind Queen Magrina, who was smiling lightly without saying a word, an elf stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rim.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elf’s face was slightly sullen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A member of Paggade, responsible for the Root, she furrowed her brows as if she couldn’t comprehend the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her expression, the queen let out a small chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seem to have a lot to say, Rim.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My apologies, but I am unsure if I may speak my mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The queen granted her permission with a benevolent smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cautiously, Rim parted her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that man truly the Primordial Elf?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does he not appear that way to you, Rim?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Forgive me, but no. He himself insists that he is not Primordial Elf. Furthermore, if we follow Philde’s words, wasn’t he not even supposed to come near this World Tree?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, that’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And yet, he has arrived here in Greynifra…? While carrying something on his back that would send chills down anyone’s spine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as she spoke, Rim shuddered involuntarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, as a swordswoman rather than a mage, she could only see it faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thing that lay behind Marquis Palatio’s back, in the world beyond, was only a faint fragment to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, not even a fragment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just the faintest speck, nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even that was enough for Rim to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What lay behind him was something beyond her comprehension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something incomprehensible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps even similar to what lay beneath the Root—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rim.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As her thoughts reached that point, the queen’s voice brought her back to reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Your Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’d like you to escort him to the Root tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Escort him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you truly allowing him into the Root?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He wishes to go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rim tried to protest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she soon found herself unable to speak further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You understand, don’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The queen was smiling at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An endlessly gentle smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the same time, it was a firm smile, one that left no room for further objections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rim had no choice but to comply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The queen’s orders were absolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry too much. Everyone else will be going as well. Right, Draim?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Magrina’s murmuring, a man emerged from the shadows, where nothing had been just moments ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……I shall obey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good, then I’ll leave it to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The queen nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief hesitation, Rim spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If, by any chance, he not only enters the Root but also attempts to go below it, what should we do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they somehow allowed him to reach the Root,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Going below it was an entirely different matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because ‘that’ was there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Naturally, you should guide him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The queen continued to smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though she clearly knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That something lay beneath—something that would be extremely troublesome if awakened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Rim bowed her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that same moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know you won’t give me a straight answer, but—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan’s voice carried a hint of exasperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who exactly are you, Marquis?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon gazed into the void for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……That’s a good question.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m starting to wonder about that myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a night filled with unexpected introspection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, after being bewilderingly dragged to Greynifra—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although only about a day had passed, Alon had a general grasp of how he was being treated there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A few high-ranking elves are under a misconception and are treating me favorably, while most of the other elves are openly hostile…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Alon wasn’t particularly upset about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t surprising—the queen’s attitude was the unusual one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By nature, elves being hostile toward him, a human, was perfectly normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even among those who were mistaken about him, some showed subtle hostility, which he could fully understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After spending a day roughly gauging the atmosphere—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well then, take care. Rim will guide you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the queen’s send-off, Alon set out for the Root.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accompanied by Rim, an elf who made no effort to hide her displeasure toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Rim. I will be guiding you from here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……I’ll be in your care.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shortly after,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprisingly, they reached the entrance in just thirty minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon, looking puzzled, asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think I would disobey Her Majesty and bring you to a false location?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tone was slightly sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Alon paid it little mind and examined his surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So, the Root refers to the roots of the World Tree itself?’\u003C\u002Fp>",1506,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.412Z",1,"novelbin.me","1ae4f2d4b62a276ad0b321ca6d53314331af18b9c82629294ac6a7368aa3927f","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-189","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-187",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]