[{"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-213":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},759703,1006,"Chapter 213","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-213",213,"\u003Cp>Between the lands of Greynifra and the Lizardmen. In a makeshift negotiation site.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…No escort is necessary?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, that’s what he said.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magrina received this report from Rim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, O Great One.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting in front of Magrina was Hazad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he asked, Zukurak also nodded deeply in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Hazad rubbed his chin thoughtfully a few times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I suppose there’s no choice. If my friend thinks so, I’ll have to step back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contrary to expectations, he backed off surprisingly neatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh, you’re taking this rather well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not like those sneaky elves who pretend to act with honor while scheming in the background.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You used to be even sneakier than us—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the past was mentioned, Hazad cleared his throat and looked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To those of lower standing, it might have just looked like a swirl of black smoke, but to anyone watching closely, it was clear that Hazad was flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, if my friend insists, there’s no need for us to linger here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hazad got up, as if there was nothing more to discuss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s be on our way, then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he coolly turned and left the negotiation site.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Magrina stood watching where he had left,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead, Rim.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rim called out to the queen with a slightly regretful expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the elves had been entrusted with the escort, she would have had the opportunity to guard the Primordial Elf himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Rim, and in fact for all elves, protecting the Primordial Elf—whom they essentially regarded as a god—was a great honor and privilege.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, Paggade had to protect the World Tree from those that emerged from the roots, leaving no room to guard anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But ever since the Primordial Elf’s visit to the roots, those threats had disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that Rim had the capacity for other duties, she felt the loss even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, as you ordered, I will recall the Shadow Leaves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if understanding her feelings, Magrina smiled softly and shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Pardon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no need to recall the Shadow Leaves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But didn’t we just decide—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rim, even if he refuses an escort, the Primordial Elf is someone we must protect. You understand that, don’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That is your answer. He may have refused, but surely, it was out of consideration for us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, it was Alon’s desperate effort to avoid exposing his secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unaware of this, Magrina’s smile deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s why we must still escort him. We can’t entrust his safety to those lizards, can we?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a valid point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rim nodded but couldn’t help wondering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…What exactly is the relationship between Her Majesty and that so-called Sage just now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The queen, Magrina, and the Lizardmen’s Sage, who had casually conversed with her—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rim was sure they hadn’t met frequently before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, they seemed strangely close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Even though they were hurling insults at each other the whole time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite their barbs, their exchange had felt more like that of old rivals than true enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Rim soon dismissed her curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t the important matter at hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, we’ll maintain the Shadow Leaves as they are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And, Your Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would it be possible—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Rim was about to cautiously make her request,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the massive palanquin carried by the Lizardmen, Zukurak tilted his head in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You want to dispatch escort troops?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a lavishly decorated space, large enough to be considered a room, Zukurak was baffled by Hazad’s order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was completely different from what he had said earlier with Magrina.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…But didn’t you just say you wouldn’t send any?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hazad chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, that was a lie.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But doesn’t your friend not want it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, to be honest, he probably doesn’t, but that’s a separate issue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I’m sending them because I’m worried about him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s all there is to it, Hazad murmured in a low voice, before continuing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, just do it. But make sure they aren’t noticed—send the most discreet ones.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Shall I send the Shadow Veil clan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm, not a bad choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hazad leaned back into his seat, satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching him, Zukurak suddenly voiced a question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I ask something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…If you were going to send an escort anyway, why bother hiding it from the elves?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Obviously, because it’s necessary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The elves act like they care about honor, but they’re sly. If they tell my friend, it’ll just be a headache.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hazad nodded to himself, as if he knew the elves all too well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, he was worried they might snitch to Marquis Palatio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his god being wary of another’s interference, Zukurak found it strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never before had he seen the god who granted him power care about anyone else’s opinion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now, Hazad was mindful of the elves, afraid his friend might find out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief silence,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Understood. I’ll make the arrangements immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zukurak bowed and left to carry out Hazad’s command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About a week later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis, I’ve investigated the matter you asked about.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean about Sili?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, what did you find?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems that’s what they’re actually calling her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Evan’s report, Alon gave him a puzzled look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Why on earth?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well—apparently, after you left, she continued various relief efforts in the villages near Caliban.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Relief efforts?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, you know, things like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking care of monsters, distributing supplies—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After listing a few things, Evan added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, because of that, the villages near Caliban have started calling her ‘The Saint of Kalannon, the lightning receiver.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon scratched his head involuntarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This situation wasn’t particularly problematic for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, it was beneficial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Sili’s actions were gathering faith in Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that he had given her power expecting this to happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the reason for his slightly bewildered expression was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t what he had intended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had only given Sili power so she could protect herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, finding himself at the top of an unexpected pyramid scheme, Alon thought to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, it’s not a bad thing, so it doesn’t really matter… But maybe I should tell her not to overdo it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t want to make Deus’s sister work too hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After organizing his thoughts, Alon decided he would bring it up the next time he visited Caliban.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That reminds me… Didn’t you say we needed to visit somewhere else besides the jungle last time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“During the last trip?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Thinking about it now, I don’t think we actually went there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A place to visit—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon pondered for a moment before letting out an ‘Ah.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There was a place we needed to go because of the limited usage of ‘Footsteps of the Past.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right? That’s why I asked. I realized we never stopped by. Why didn’t we go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It wasn’t that I didn’t want to—I couldn’t. That place is only accessible when we have business up north.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan nodded in understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching him, Alon suddenly let out another exclamation and pulled out an item.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a gemstone, identical to the red ruby he had obtained in the colony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They said it would speak to me on its own when the time came.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon gazed at the red gemstone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, just like when he first received it from the dragonkin in the colony, it remained utterly unresponsive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I figured if I just waited, it would eventually speak up… But at this point, is something wrong?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike what he had been told—that it would communicate within a month or two—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had already been nearly six months, and there was still nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Looks like I’ll need to visit the colony after my trip north.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adding another destination to his itinerary, Alon put the ruby away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About two weeks later—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s set out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon departed for Asteria to meet Siyan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Alon was heading to Asteria, Hidan was at the Palatio Marquisate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had received orders from Yutia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, he had only planned to stop by briefly on his way to Caliban, just to pick up something from a hidden stash and then leave immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…If he hadn’t witnessed something strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hidan looked forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What entered his field of vision—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group exuding an unusual presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lizardmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not just them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the opposite side—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of elves, all of them tense and glaring at the Lizardmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hidan had never seen non-beastkin demi-humans before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even beastkin were mostly concentrated in the Eastern Kingdom, though they were active in the Allied Kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But elves and Lizardmen?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were so rare in the Allied Kingdom that they were practically nonexistent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that sense, seeing over ten Lizardmen—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And an equally large group of elves—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All glaring at each other with hostility,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was an incredibly peculiar sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when each one of them was radiating an imposing aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Hidan prepared to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how strange the scene was, it wasn’t worth delaying his mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get lost, lizards! The marquis is under our protection.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah! Don’t talk nonsense, pointy-ears. By his decree, we are to guard Marquis Palatio, so you lot should back off!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“..?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing those words—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hidan stopped in his tracks, a look of confusion crossing his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What nonsense are you spouting, stupid lizards? Where do you get off saying you’ll protect the marquis?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re stronger than you honor-obsessed elves, so of course we should be the ones to protect him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, the elves will guard the marquis!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No! The Lizardmen will guard him!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the argument escalated—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…???”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless question marks filled Hidan’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>",1620,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.413Z",1,"novelbin.me","39edd408853518960b4920b9f0ec21224bb366464502c98eed405301d8ace87a","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-214","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-212",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]