[{"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-193":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},759483,1006,"Chapter 193","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-193",193,"\u003Cp>“What… What did you just say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Rim’s reaction, Paloel’s expression turned to one of shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, he couldn’t help but be shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much she was affiliated with the secret organization Paggade, her rank and authority were not higher than that of the Elder Council.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, Rim speaking informally to Paloel right now was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blatant overreach of authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paloel’s brow furrowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he dared not utter his next words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This girl… she’s serious.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A murderous aura filled the space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer intensity of it spoke volumes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he said another word—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Paloel, I will eliminate you.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Paloel struggled to find the words, he could not understand Rim’s behavior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a few days ago, she hadn’t even liked that human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why had her attitude changed so drastically?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he pondered, Paloel finally reached a conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was only one conclusion he could draw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could it be that Marquis Palatio, who arrived in Greynifra claiming that human might truly be a god—’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not, Rim’s sudden shift in attitude was simply incomprehensible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me make this clear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, any attack against Marquis Palatio will be considered an attack against me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving behind that warning, Rim walked past him effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paloel could only watch her back in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, at that same moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……So that’s the situation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see, I understand now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a private audience with Queen Magrina of the Elves, Alon observed her reaction after explaining the full story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he moved on to the next topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, I have a few questions about this matter. May I ask?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. If it’s something I know, I’ll answer anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At her friendly smile, Alon asked his first question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By any chance, when did the ones below—no, the Ash Seeder—first appear?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That… I can’t say for sure. Even we elves don’t know the details.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“However, if I were to make a rough estimation—I’d say it was about 600 to 700 years ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“600 to 700 years?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. That’s when I first heard about it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon unconsciously tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘600 to 700 years… Is that too ambiguous to be related to Greed?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From what Alon knew, the Mother of Greed always manifested alongside the Sin of Greed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even after that, the Sin of Greed had to be nearby for her to appear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Five Great Sins, including the Sin of Greed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they descend, they never remain idle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if their goal was the total annihilation of the continent’s population, they would move toward any place teeming with life to spread death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, if the Sin of Greed had truly appeared, chaos should have already erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I assume the Sin of Greed appeared 600 to 700 years ago and perished, leaving only the Mother of Greed alive—then the timeline isn’t completely implausible.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he pondered, Alon asked another question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Was there ever an instance of the Sin of Greed awakening around that time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm… I’m not sure about that. I don’t think so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A vague response came back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deciding to set aside his hypothesis for now, Alon moved on to the next question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He judged that pressing further wouldn’t yield any useful information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If it’s something from that far back, it might be recorded in ancient texts. I should look into it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, suddenly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon found himself scrutinizing Queen Magrina’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘……How old is she?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a pressing issue at the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no matter how he looked at her, the years she casually mentioned didn’t match her youthful appearance, which raised questions in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Casually talking about events from 700 years ago means she was alive back then. So that would make this elf at least—’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his thoughts naturally continued—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh—no, Marquis? Are you perhaps entertaining some rather disrespectful thoughts?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words snapped him back to reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The queen was smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, despite the curve of her lips, her eyes were not smiling at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, no, that’s not it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He answered more quickly than usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then please continue with your questions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the moment passed without incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know about the mirror beneath the roots?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A mirror?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, a full-length circular mirror.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon recounted the strange experience he had encountered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, first of all, I can confirm that what you saw was indeed an artifact. However—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused briefly, then gently shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know exactly what its effects are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t know its effects?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Normally, that mirror doesn’t reflect anything. That’s why we assumed it was an artifact.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Since when has that mirror been there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, Queen Magrina took a moment to consider before answering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know exactly. But it’s been there since the first time I visited that place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then that means no one knows who placed it there either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Regrettably, that seems to be the case.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This, too, remained a mystery…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon let out a short “Hmm~” before moving on to the next question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know what this is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What he held out was a golden fruit obtained from deep within the roots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the queen saw it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…! This is… How did you obtain this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She asked, seemingly a little surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon briefly explained the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a short pause—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see, so that’s how it happened.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magrina nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if she had come to understand something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sank into deep thought for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, as if surfacing from the depths, she finally gave Alon an answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The fruit you are holding right now is the fruit of the World Tree.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The World Tree’s fruit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What happens if one eats this fruit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magrina’s answer came immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t it obvious? It’s the fruit of the World Tree.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And that means?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You will likely gain magical power beyond imagination.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Magical power beyond imagination?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. The World Tree’s magical power is contained within it. Just consuming it will fill you with mana.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint expression of admiration appeared on Alon’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Magrina’s words were true,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fruit could be the key to resolving Alon’s congenital mana depletion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, you should exercise some caution before consuming it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing in this world came so easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there some kind of side effect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rather than a side effect… It’s more that the effect is too powerful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too powerful?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. If you eat it improperly, your body might explode.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Are you serious?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The fruit only increases your mana, but it doesn’t enhance your body’s capacity to handle such a massive amount of energy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized that the golden fruit before him was nothing more than a “gilded persimmon”—all show, but potentially deadly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enhancing my constitution, huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t about to give up on this rare opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Determined to research ways to improve his constitution, Alon put the fruit away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you asked everything you were curious about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the conversation was about to wrap up—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon remembered one last question on his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I ask one final thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the many questions he had already asked, Magrina showed no sign of annoyance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She simply smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief hesitation, Alon finally asked—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Can you tell me everything you know about the Primordial Elf?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, he asked that question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since she had mistaken him for the Primordial Elf,  this question would undoubtedly sound strange to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after coming this far, leaving without any information on the Primordial Elf?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t an option either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carefully, he posed the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his expression remained neutral on the surface,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, he was quite tense, waiting for Magrina’s response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Primordial Elf… you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Magrina—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh—sure, sure, I’ll tell you. That’s not difficult at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled as if saying, ‘Oh, so that’s what you’re curious about?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like the first time, when Alon denied being the Primordial Elf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm~ Where should I start?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’d prefer if you told me everything you know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to gather as much information as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Alon made his demand without holding back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magrina, as if she found it an entertaining game,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Began sifting through her memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First of all, he was a mage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He had a daughter, too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…A daughter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was unexpected information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So he was married.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon casually shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anything else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He was intelligent. And although he seemed stern on the outside, he was kind-hearted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From that point on, Magrina shared many nostalgic memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he quietly listened to her stories, Alon eventually said—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This should be enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re very welcome.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving behind Magrina, who seemed a little disappointed, he returned to his quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sili, the second daughter of the Maccalian family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recently, she had become quite a celebrity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Sili had always been well-known.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, her older brother was Deus Maccalian, Caliban’s Swordmaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he was widely recognized as a “sister fool” who doted on his younger sister to an excessive degree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the reason Sili had gained fame recently—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was because of magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Caliban, mages were generally not held in high regard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite learning magic for less than two years, she had rapidly risen to the second rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A testament to her genius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of this, she had become quite a prominent figure in the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, she had something to discuss with Deus, so she visited his office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She found her brother holding binoculars, engaged in some strange activity—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, he was observing something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What are you doing, brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What am I doing? Oh, you mean this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Sili nodded, Deus grinned confidently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take a look.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He handed the binoculars to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though puzzled, she accepted them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adjusting the focus,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is—?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She unknowingly gasped at the vast estate that filled her vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, beside her, Deus’s cheerful voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the Marquis’s estate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Excuse me? The Marquis? As in Marquis Palatio?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. The view is quite clear, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, yes, but… How?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Sili looked confused, Deus proudly straightened his shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I asked a mage to cast a sharing spell on a gemstone retrieved from a labyrinth. Normally, such a distance would be impossible, but artifacts from the labyrinth are exceptionally effective.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deus burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Oh, I see. But… why exactly did you do this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why? Obviously, to protect the Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Marquis?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. There might be enemies targeting him. This way, we can keep watch over him 24\u002F7.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hahaha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deus’s face was filled with smug satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Sili—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Watch over him? Like this…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If any scoundrels try to target the Marquis, we can deal with them immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more she listened,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Isn’t this more illegal…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt like she was falling into a labyrinth of confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No one will ever dare touch the Marquis! Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a rather strange evening…\u003C\u002Fp>",1829,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.412Z",1,"novelbin.me","6b74d09f26880ae28f15724e957abd2bebeb7fc1e99d90bd8336549f197d02e7","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-194","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-192",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]