[{"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-207":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},759697,1006,"Chapter 207","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-207",207,"\u003Cp>Alon felt dizzy from the completely reversed situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a noble from another country, he was seated on the throne, while King Pamilono, the rightful owner of the throne, was bowing deeply below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If someone were to ask, “Is this a normal situation?”, he could shake his head without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Alon had no desire to sit on the throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was nothing for him to gain, and he had something to request—so why would he dethrone the king?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything, he wanted to stop this from happening as much as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, the reason he was seated there was none other than the persistency of King Pamilono.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……I’m fine with it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am fine as well. Please, I ask this of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I mean, is there really a reason I must sit—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There is. Marquis, you must sit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be precise, it was more due to Jenira and Syrkal, standing behind him, who seemed to be coercing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hoo—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon looked down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing beside the king, as if he were already used to the absurdity, Evan let out a light chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring his expression, Alon asked the king.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……I have a favor to ask first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, speak of anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king bowed his head politely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon felt discomfort once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A noble seated on the throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A king bowing beneath him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how one looked at it, this was utterly abnormal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since he more or less grasped the situation, Alon decided to make his request as quickly as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That, about the statue…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The statue? Are you referring to the one of Kalannon, the lightning receiver?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, yes. Is there a problem with Marquis’—no, with the lightning receiver Kalannon’s statue?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, there’s no problem. It’s just—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon abruptly shut his mouth mid-sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he made a request, the king would comply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant at least he didn’t have to feel burdened about asking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, the reason he hesitated was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s harder to say than I thought.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was embarrassing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To specifically request horns to be attached to Kalannon’s statue…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the lightning receiver Kalannon had nothing to do with him, it wouldn’t have mattered, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, speak of anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t need to think too far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just by looking at their eyes, he could tell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To them, Alon was Kalannon himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it wasn’t his intention, requesting horns to be added to the statue was practically akin to a child throwing a tantrum, demanding his own statue be made cooler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘……This is embarrassing.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t bring himself to say it aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it’s about improperly representing Kalannon’s form, we shall rebuild it properly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……I would appreciate that. That—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, we shall reconstruct it and ensure even the majestic horns are properly implemented!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to Syrkal’s quick wit, the horn request was smoothly settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling secretly grateful to her, Alon nodded as nonchalantly as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, he was able to escape from the throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two days later—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon headed to Caliban in preparation for his journey to the Snowy Mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truthfully, he would have liked to rest for a few more days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had no choice but to leave Luxibl Duchy as soon as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since he had defeated the Apostle of Sloth, everyone who saw him would immediately prostrate themselves…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unbearably suffocating to remain there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he managed to flee from the duchy, unfortunately, he hadn’t completely escaped discomfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knights of Caliban were the reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he stepped out of the carriage, every single one of them bowed their heads deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new wave of burden crept over him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, he had merely stepped out to have dinner, yet the moment he appeared, everyone dining abruptly stood up, solemn expressions on their faces, and bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…It was far more uncomfortable than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But more than anything—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis, would you like to try this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think nothing of it. If there’s anything else you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final touch to his burden was the Macallian siblings, visiting his carriage every hour to check on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deus had always been like that, so Alon had grown somewhat accustomed to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real issue was his younger sister, Sili.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since he saved her, she hadn’t missed a single day checking on him, making sure he was comfortable and preparing his meals three times a day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if they had planned it, they even came separately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So practically every 30 minutes, Alon received greetings from one of the Macallian siblings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Aren’t you overworking yourself?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Overworking? Not at all. Thanks to you, Marquis, I’m even alive right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sili smiled brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at her, Alon spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even so, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s a lot of effort. If there’s anything you need, just ask me. If it’s within my power, I’ll help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that really okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sili widened her eyes at the lighthearted suggestion Alon had made, concerned that she was overworking herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he nodded, she glanced around nervously and began fidgeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon was momentarily bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of request is she planning to make…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contrary to his worries, Sili’s request was surprisingly simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would it be possible to get… your autograph?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……An autograph?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……You mean a signature?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought of why on earth? crossed his mind only briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon received a piece of paper from Evan and signed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will this do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“………! Yes, yes! This is more than enough, Marquis!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But… why did you ask for my autograph?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an obvious question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This world didn’t really have a culture of autographs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in the modern world, unless one was a celebrity, exchanging autographs wasn’t common.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Alon’s question, Sili beamed as she replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m going to keep it as a family heirloom!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A… family heirloom?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes! Thank you so much!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bowing deeply in gratitude, she clutched the autograph to her chest like it was a priceless treasure and dashed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother! Look at this! It’s the Marquis’ autograph!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gasp.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the commotion outside the carriage, Alon felt yet another wave of embarrassment wash over him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis, you must be pleased. You even have fanatics now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Not particularly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan asked slyly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If anything, it’s embarrassing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm—I think I’d love it~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hmph, only scoundrels like you, who twist their bodies to win over women, would enjoy something like this.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……This little bastard, you stayed silent the entire time in the duchy, and now that we’ve left, you pop right out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Basiliora, never one to miss an opportunity, had appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hmph—I simply had no interest in seeing those people’s faces.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It wasn’t about that. You just didn’t want to get mocked for being so tiny, did you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Kuh—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by his expression, Alon had hit the mark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Meow-]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps intrigued by Basiliora’s rare appearance, Blackie soon emerged from Alon’s chest as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Alon felt a quiet sense of satisfaction as he looked at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmmm~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze shifted to the finely decorated horns displayed on one side of the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The horns Kalannon had specifically requested to be attached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…I have so many things I want to ask. When will we be able to talk again?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was much he wanted to know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was curious if Kalannon and the Hundred Ghosts were related, and why she had told him he needed faith yet advised him not to recklessly gather it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most importantly, he wanted to understand the detailed usage of divinity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Will we be able to talk once her divinity has recovered enough?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, Alon was well-practiced in observing his inner self.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quietly watched the faintly regenerating traces of Kalannon’s divinity, thinking of her for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dark night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the silent night sky, where everyone was fast asleep—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the carriage, Deus gazed at his sleeping sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sili was clutching Alon’s autograph close to her chest as if it were the most precious thing in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deus smiled at the sight before shifting his gaze toward another carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one where Alon was resting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deus suddenly recalled the past few days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That moment when he could have lost everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, conversely, the moment when everything had been saved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…If Marquis hadn’t come then.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deus would have lost his entire world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His knights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that man—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had protected all that Deus had nearly lost because of that damned bastard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On top of that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had even left that bastard for Deus to handle, giving him time and advice so that he could take revenge himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, in the end…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deus had failed to take revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he was still too weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tch—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unconsciously, Deus clenched his fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thought he had grown stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even now, it wasn’t enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still far too weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t been able to properly exact vengeance on the one he needed to, and once again, he had been protected by that man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I have to get stronger.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deus gritted his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to become stronger—so much stronger that he could serve as that man’s sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, beyond that—strong enough to protect him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To repay the one who had called him family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And to return the endless grace he had received from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dark night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the silent night sky where everyone was fast asleep, Deus made a vow in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blue moon shone upon him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A colossal altar, ancient as the pyramids themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep inside this altar, guarded by the great Lizardman tribe, Karamble—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I greet the great one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zukurak bowed his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ah, it has been a while.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hazad received Zukurak’s respectful greeting with a leisurely demeanor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even for Zukurak, Hazad was an entity whose form and expression he could barely discern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without any unnecessary formalities, Hazad went straight to the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[So, did you find out?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[And?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As you predicted, it was indeed him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Is that so?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Zukurak’s confirmation, Hazad smiled, clearly pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But there is an additional matter I must report.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What is it?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hazad’s expression shifted to one of curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zukurak then relayed in detail what had transpired when he visited Marquis Palatio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[So, the divine power was exactly as expected, but he himself denied it. Is that what you’re saying?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hazad seemed to ponder something for a moment before—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I see—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded in understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I don’t know why he’s denying it, but it doesn’t matter. After all, there are those who would recognize him regardless.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you referring to the elves?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Indeed.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing Hazad’s response, Zukurak bowed his head once more and stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, shall I go and confirm it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[No need.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I will go myself.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……You mean, personally?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Yes. It’s about time I heard directly what’s going on with my dear friend.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Hazad thought of the Elf Queen,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Besides, if I’m going to assign my friend a guard, I need to negotiate with the elves in advance.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rose from his seat leisurely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On his face—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[And I need to make sure that any useless elves unworthy of guarding my friend are removed.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—was a deeply amused smile.\u003C\u002Fp>",1883,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.413Z",1,"novelbin.me","2b9b09a6fcdfb531cf6e6ee799f98a447842ed454f8251350799ecbbb84355a4","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-208","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-206",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]