[{"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-214":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},759704,1006,"Chapter 214","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-214",214,"\u003Cp>In a small clearing within a forest located somewhere in the southern part of the Allied Kingdoms, five people sat together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gathering consisting of four men and one woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, are we really doing this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman was the first to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She frowned as if she disapproved of the situation, but the man who answered, Tulman, wore a slow, unwavering smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We are going to steal the property of Marquis Palatio.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter how I think about it, this seems insane—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman voiced her dissatisfaction, and the man beside her nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Tulman, a man with a large scar on his face and the leader of the infamous “Black Hand” organization within the Allied Kingdoms, spoke once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, we will do it. No, we must do it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Even if it means risking our lives?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Absolutely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there really a reason to go that far?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, there is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A confident smile spread across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the other executives eyed him with skepticism, Tulman pulled out a commission letter with an attached illustration and placed it before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A bracelet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the executives slowly examined the document, their pupils gradually widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…??!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number of gold coins written at the bottom of the request— was an amount so immense that it surpassed their very comprehension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Is this real?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Just in case, I went and confirmed it myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve handled quite a bit of money in our time, but this amount… Have we ever seen anything like this before? More importantly, can they even pay this sum?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I already told you. I checked.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Tulman’s firm response, everyone’s jaws dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was… real?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that case—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s worth betting our lives on, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you think about it, it’s not even a matter of life or death. We’re just stealing an item. What’s the big deal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well… It is Marquis Palatio, which is a little concerning—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man who had previously been voicing his opposition alongside the woman slowly nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To be honest, this is quite tempting. It’s not like we’re doing anything else but stealing. That is our specialty, after all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what exactly is this bracelet for it to have such an absurd reward?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A natural question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Tulman dismissed it with ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does it matter? From our perspective, all we need to do is deliver the requested item and collect our payment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well then, since we’re all in agreement, shall we get started right away?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Tulman’s words settled in, the eyes of the executives—fixated on the commission—began to gleam with greed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s start with a little reconnaissance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And, of course, in Tulman’s own eyes— a deep, insatiable greed flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About two weeks after their departure for Asteria—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is delicious—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon, who was once again savoring his sweet potatoes, took a bite and—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Kraaaah! I told you not to touch me!!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—watched Basiliora, who was angrily shouting with his mouth still full, and Blackie, who ignored him entirely and continued to playfully smack him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made Alon suddenly think—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Now that I think about it, Blackie keeps absorbing those monstrous entities, yet nothing much seems to be changing.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right after they had taken down the Apostle of Sloth— Blackie had absorbed Krakscha, who had turned to dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They said it would get stronger by devouring them, but does it evolve all at once?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon pondered while chewing on his sweet potato— Blackie, who had been tormenting Basiliora, suddenly turned its gaze toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, it approached and started rubbing its face against Alon’s legs affectionately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the unexpected show of affection, Alon gently stroked its head, sensing that it had been acting unusually affectionate lately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It used to be more aloof.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Blackie had always been fond of him— had it ever been this affectionate before?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon found himself marveling at this change— Blackie continued its playful affection, all while sneaking occasional glances at the brooch hanging on Alon’s chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Alon was about to tilt his head in curiosity—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan, who had been peeling a potato unlike the others, called out to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You remember those organizations you mentioned before? The ones I reported had vanished completely?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, those?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. You seemed a bit skeptical back then, so I did some extra digging, and it turns out they really are gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But ever since, that organization called ‘Black Hand’ has been running rampant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Black Hand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. It was one of the names on the list you asked me to investigate, and apparently, they’ve grown quite notorious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon nodded while holding a sweet potato.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an organization he was very familiar with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were primarily involved in theft and human trafficking— and in Alon’s memories, they were an incredible nuisance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For several reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, they were cowardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike many other organizations in Psychedelia, the Black Hand never revealed their base of operations nor directly confronted opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, they persistently harassed players through means other than combat— making them far more troublesome than one might expect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, their structure was cellular.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if one executive was taken out, the overall organization remained largely unaffected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On top of that— regardless of which kingdom a player started in— if their renown increased, the Black Hand always came after them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless a player invested in specific stats, by the late game, they would have to eradicate the Black Hand completely— or else they would be continuously plagued by their relentless looting attempts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For this reason, Psychedelia players absolutely despised the Black Hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially those who refused to distribute their stats according to the developer’s intended balance— and instead focused all their points into extreme builds for role-playing purposes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To those players, the Black Hand was especially loathsome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, Alon—who had once lost a valuable resource he had painstakingly gathered—hated them as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’d love to avoid dealing with them if possible.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the moment, there was no way to eradicate the Black Hand entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sigh, Alon took another bite of his sweet potato.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sweet potato was delicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another week passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Alon had nearly stabilized the magic he had been developing alongside Penia, the carriage finally arrived at the capital of the Asteria Kingdom—Teria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there, waiting for him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, My Lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yutia…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—was Yutia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wearing a bright smile as warm as sunlight, Yutia lowered her head in greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon, watching her, asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t expect to see you in Asteria. What brings you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have a few things to take care of, but first and foremost, I need to meet with the Queen of Asteria.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t particularly unusual for a cardinal to visit a Queen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Yutia’s gaze dropped to the red brooch pinned to Alon’s chest pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft smile appeared on her lips as she spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m glad to see you’re wearing the brooch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It would be a waste to just keep a gift as mere decoration.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m relieved. I was worried you might just store it away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry. I’ll wear it well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, will you promise me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a casual motion, Yutia held out her pinky finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon, smiling faintly, hooked his pinky around hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After exchanging light pleasantries, the two walked together toward the royal castle of Asteria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go in first. I’ll wait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for your kindness, My Lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia gently bowed her head at Alon’s consideration and then headed into the audience chamber first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some time had passed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis Palatio, we will escort you now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was finally Alon’s turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knight, bowing politely, guided him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following behind, Alon walked forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And once again, instead of being led to the audience chamber, he was directed to Siyan’s office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I greet Your Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon bowed respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sit down first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following theQueen’s invitation, Alon took a seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Siyan, wearing an amused expression, stared at him intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve been hearing quite a lot of exciting rumors again lately. Since you came to see me, I assume you’ve also been to Greynifra?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Alon confirmed it, Siyan nodded in satisfaction, but then, she quickly changed the subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m quite curious about that as well, but first, there’s something I want to ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you and Cardinal Yutia…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon tilted his head, wondering why Yutia’s name suddenly came up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…In love with each other?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at the unexpected words—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He almost lost his composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the executives of the Black Hand, Foulton was known to possess the most outstanding stealth abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this very moment, he was observing Marquis Palatio from a cliff beyond the castle walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘For all the overwhelming rumors, he doesn’t feel particularly special.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was Foulton’s first impression of the marquis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had heard plenty of rumors about Marquis Palatio before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stories were consistent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every single one praised his strength, claiming he was so powerful that even those who merely heard the tales couldn’t help but be in awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But contrary to those stories— the man before him was emotionless and cold, but otherwise, he seemed rather ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that— judging by his own standards, Palatio’s abilities didn’t seem particularly remarkable either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I compare him to a mage… at best, he’s at the fourth tier… No, maybe the fifth tier now?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he knew that appearances weren’t everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with that in mind, the marquis looked far too normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smirk naturally formed on Foulton’s lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it’s just this, not only could I steal from him, but I could take him down myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A murmured remark, full of ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though, it wasn’t entirely sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having survived in the underworld since childhood, Foulton never judged anyone solely by their appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, the fact that Palatio seemed this unimpressive was rather odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Foulton hesitated for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You plan to take down Marquis Palatio?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who else would I be talking about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would you dare attempt that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of habit, he casually answered the voice beside him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This bastard is speaking so informally again. I’m trying to pull off one big job and finally retire—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then— he realized something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, he was alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been monitoring Marquis Palatio in hiding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meaning, he had no subordinates nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one was supposed to be here to ask him anything— and certainly, no one for him to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly turning his head, utterly confused— Foulton saw them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me, what exactly do you plan to do to the marquis?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glaring straight at him— with expressions twisted into sheer hostility— were a group of elves.\u003C\u002Fp>",1800,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.413Z",1,"novelbin.me","a469aadfe45a4d644f5b458f0025e7377e13aa35c45a3346f8f0d393b5319c20","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-215","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-213",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]