[{"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-233":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},759723,1006,"Chapter 233","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-233",233,"\u003Cp>The girl blankly stared at the man before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man wrapped in blue lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before him, the followers of Baarma had already begun to gather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, there were dozens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, hundreds from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the horn, which sounded like a human scream, blared, an uncountable number of followers gathered at this “priest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like when they attacked her village—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“R-Run—We have to run—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overwhelmed by instinctive fear, she forced out the voice that wouldn’t come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eyes of the playthings, who had also been running away until just a moment ago, were now filled with despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that so many of them had gathered here meant one thing: no one would survive this place today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She let out a pained sigh as she watched the followers reach the man’s front before she even realized it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Numbers were an overwhelmingly important factor in war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how strong an individual was, they could never defeat the masses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like her village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like her parents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Just like her entire race.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how exceptional one’s power was, a single hand could not block ten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the violence of overwhelming numbers, even the strongest was reduced to a mere individual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With an expression full of fear, the girl looked beyond the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Already, countless followers were charging forward, enough to fill the vast passage, all with the intent to kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thunderous sound of their footsteps, like an overwhelming roar, sent her into a panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their screams repeatedly resurfaced the traumatic memories buried deep within her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very moment when the soldiers reached the man and swung their spears—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man, wreathed in lightning, suddenly shone brilliantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackle—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lightning clutched in the man’s hand—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It spread its greedy tendrils in all directions as if it sought to consume the entire world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The followers who had charged at him to kill him— were incinerated in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, the man threw the lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A simple, short motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A decisive one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, after a burst of pure white light so blinding it nearly robbed her of sight—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ah?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pristine landscape lay before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No more followers remained in her view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No longer did she see the bloodstained weapons they had carried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No longer did she see the cruel decorations they had crafted in devotion to their faith.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the man stood there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With an utterly calm and indifferent expression—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man who had swept away her fear and terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white-haired girl blankly stared at the man’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if trying to carve it into her memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blankly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>####\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the ashen world, a golden crown, still shining in brilliant gold, was bent and broken here and there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right after the last of the approaching men were slain—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It’s over now. I don’t sense any more enemies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penia, who had just been using magic to scan the surroundings, reported.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon let out a deep sigh as he looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everywhere his gaze landed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who had just moments ago been slaughtered like playthings by those wielding weapons—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now looked at him with a mix of bizarre hope and fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Was this the right choice?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their expressions, Alon unconsciously questioned himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From his own standpoint—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hard to say that the choice he made today was the right one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t even know who exactly he had just killed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor did he understand why they had been so cruelly hunting these other races as mere toys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, Alon had saved these people without any special knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that didn’t mean he had done it thoughtlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the beginning, the reason Alon had come down to save them was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because, with the help of Rine’s “eyes,” he had confirmed in advance that no overwhelming threats existed here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, even with that confirmation, choosing to oppose an unknown force in an unknown land, without knowing their full strength, was never a wise decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even so—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon did not regret his actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it wasn’t the best choice—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He believed it was the right one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Um—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was lost in thought—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint voice called from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Alon turned around, a wolf beastman with a long scar over his right eye stood there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Alon turned to face him, the beastman suddenly dropped to his knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for saving us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head struck the ground with a loud thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Alon was momentarily caught off guard—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I—I truly thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, the other beastmen followed the wolf and knelt, offering their thanks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Men and women, young and old—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All bowed their heads to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching this, Alon spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rine, can you remove their restraints?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just finished analyzing them. They can be undone right away, Guardian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, please do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine moved her hands lightly, murmuring something under her breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The restraints binding the beastmen’s hands began to fall away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The—the restraints—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re gone!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chains that had bound them vanished in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they looked down at their now-free hands, they were overcome with emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon judged that the priority now was to leave this dreadful place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We must leave here at once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>####\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you are looking for a place nearby where the Baarma fanatics won’t find you, leave it to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first to step forward was the wolf beastman who had bowed his head to Alon in gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as his restraints were removed, he moved eastward with practiced ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They walked for nearly an entire day before arriving at a cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it’s here, the fanatics won’t find us. The divine blessing in this area prevents them from entering.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wolf beastman led the other non-humans and Alon into the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Alon finally hear his introduction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I apologize for the delay in introducing myself to my savior. I am Rangban, a warrior of the Azure Fang Clan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Alon Palatio.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rangban bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, after some hesitation, he carefully spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I ask you something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you come from the Human Federation to aid us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Human Federation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I see. You are not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Alon’s reaction, Rangban let out a deep sigh, as if he had expected that answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a faint trace of resentment on his face, prompting Alon to ask,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If possible, can you explain the situation to me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Explain, you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Unfortunately, we are not fully aware of the current state of affairs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rangban tilted his head in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon hesitated, wondering if he should reveal the truth, but soon decided to be honest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We ended up here due to an unforeseen accident from the Allied Kingdom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The Allied Kingdom?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rangban spoke as if he was hearing something utterly foreign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon responded,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Do you not know of it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I apologize, but this is my first time hearing of such a place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It borders the Empire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I’m sorry, but I’m not sure where you mean.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Rangban’s words, Alon felt a sense of unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Is this not part of the Empire?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon had assumed it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew that ‘Calypsophobia’ was set in the Empire, filled with grotesque and brutal tales.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Rangban had no knowledge of the Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ve heard there are primitive tribes and even islands far from the Empire in Calypsophobia… But could someone really not know about the Empire at all?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he pondered this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Regardless, since you seem unfamiliar with the situation, I will explain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rangban began his explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It lasted for quite some time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In summary, humans who worship the god Baarma have declared war on non-humans, slaughtering them mercilessly to gather faith?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, that is correct. That is why we formed a coalition to resist Baarma, but we are being utterly overwhelmed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rangban grimaced, as if recalling terrible memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A fanatic cult that slaughters non-humans indiscriminately to gain faith… Baarma, huh?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon repeated the name in his mind but found nothing familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Was there ever a cult named Baarma in Calypsophobia?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never played the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had seen plenty of spoilers and discussions about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Baarma had been a significant faction—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least, he would have remembered its name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a similar name should have come to mind, yet nothing did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What troubled Alon even more was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer scale of the war between Baarma’s cult and the coalition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If it’s this massive at this point in time… I should have at least some memory of it…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he pondered, Rangban moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For now, would you wait here a moment? I need to properly conceal the hideout, just in case. We came in a hurry and didn’t set up proper defenses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought you said the divine blessing prevents entry?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Preparation is never a bad thing. I’ll be as quick as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bowed and then walked off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Come to think of it… would Rine know something?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon’s thoughts turned to Rine’s library.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he looked toward her, she wore a serious expression, as if something had come to mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Alon was about to call out to her—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“U-Um—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice interrupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white-haired girl had approached without him noticing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her purple eyes glowed faintly in the darkness, like reflected moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hesitated, rubbing the front of her dirt-stained dress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“T-Thank you for saving me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, she bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her trembling voice echoed through the space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if trying to suppress her unease, she fidgeted with her soiled dress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon, looking down at the girl’s white head, noticed a wound that had remained despite Penia’s healing magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you alright?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah— Y-Yeah, I’m fine!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She exaggeratedly puffed out her chest, as if to prove her strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was both pitiful and endearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s your name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“R-Ryanga.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he asked, her shoulders shrank slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ryanga… Ryanga.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon repeated her name a few times in his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a good name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ryanga?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-Yeah… Is something wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange sense of déjà vu brushed past his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon— knew that name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He definitely knew it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he searched his memory—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized whose name it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes widened instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence filled the space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he calmed his thoughts, Alon carefully asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ryanga, can I ask you something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh, yeah? It’s okay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What is your race?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“M-My race?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his question, Ryanga’s expression turned slightly anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I’m a Demonkin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She mumbled quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that answer, Alon let out a quiet breath and looked at her forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small but unmistakable horn had grown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Demonkin… They are known to use unique, non-repeating true names among their kind, correct?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just to confirm, Alon asked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-Yeah… But how does a human know that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryanga looked slightly surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon let out an involuntary chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he had realized who she was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew the name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As far as he knew, there was only one white-haired, purple-eyed Demonkin with that name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the Four Great Powers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ruler of the Hundred Ghosts— Hyakki\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Godfather, I believe… we might be in the past.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The past?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Approximately 700 years ago…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it was the name of the Demon Lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Alon understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place— was 700 years in the past.\u003C\u002Fp>",1920,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.413Z",1,"novelbin.me","26dd2bd15dc70e45fb504e7e51cf84bfdf4e14feab3c47976ba7a47dcf4efd84","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-234","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-232",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]