[{"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-246":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},759736,1006,"Chapter 246","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-246",246,"\u003Cp>[Now then, what do you think?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remains of the World Tree fall to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Massive debris crashes down with a monstrous sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fluttering leaves decorate the ashen land, and small fragments scatter across the world like sleet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hope is shattered before their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That stark scene brought despair to the allied forces, a despair as if they were standing on the edge of a cliff with no way to resist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It spread like a plague.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that was only the beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ah, come to think of it, you asked one more question.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sharp mouths on Baarma’s body sneered mockingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baarma, standing beside the shattered World Tree as if amused—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You were curious how I could appear before the World Tree now, weren’t you? The answer is simple. There’s a traitor among you.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—smirked and dropped another truth no one wanted to hear.Original content can be found at novel⟡fire.net\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A tr-traitor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A traitor among us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The morale of the allied forces wavered again at those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tens of thousands of eyes turned to each other with suspicion, deepening the already cracked unity of the alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that crack soon began to tear open rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if someone had been waiting for this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of the person who left the alliance and joined Baarma’s side in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That can’t be…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is insane—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surang and Ashur burst into incredulous laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Groans erupted from the allied forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person who appeared from Baarma’s side was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kalanda…!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Kalanda, the king of the elves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would you betray us~!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A face always filled with solemnity and goodwill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, it was filled with malice no one had ever seen before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked like a devil, smirking just like Baarma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the furious Surang shouted,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Betrayal? Betrayal? That’s a strange word.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kalanda chuckled and looked down at Surang—no, the allied forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was never part of the alliance to begin with.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Then don’t tell me… The World Tree was attacked to coincide with Lord Yongrin’s sacrifice—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kalanda didn’t respond to Surang’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he stuck out his lips, turned his body, and bowed deeply toward Baarma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“O great Baarma! Have you been well!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His booming voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The betrayal by the king was like a confirmation kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elves’ eyes filled with intense hostility, betrayal, and despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But almost proudly, Kalanda raised his voice even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have faithfully carried out the mission your servant entrusted to me, and I am here to receive your blessing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Heh—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baarma, smiling cryptically, walked up to Kalanda and looked down at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[So, you’ve completed all your tasks?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed! I have always delivered the alliance’s information to you and provided a secret path to the World Tree.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kalanda shamelessly listed proof of his betrayal without the slightest guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words brought mixed emotions to everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baarma’s followers smiled even more,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the alliance drowned in betrayal and despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And among them, the one who reacted the most intensely—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A-Ahh—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—was Magrina.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had to be her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if she couldn’t believe what was happening, her despair-filled eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her speechless lips trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Therefore—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On one side, there was ecstasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that I have completed all my missions for you, please grant me what was promised, O great Baarma!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, despair spiraled to the extreme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when everything was said and done, Baarma, watching the scene, said—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Heh, yes, that’s right. I did promise you immortality in exchange for completing your task. I remember.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kalanda shouted joyfully at Baarma’s affirmation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[However, you haven’t completed all the tasks.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Pardon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kalanda’s face briefly went blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked as if he didn’t understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Baarma continued to sneer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[That wasn’t the only command I gave you, was it?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Th-that is…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Did you forget my final command? The task of preparing a body to host the birth of His black being.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“O-Oh, Baarma! As I said, I intended to offer a high elf’s body—my own daughter’s body! I tried to corrupt her spirit in any way I could to make her worthy for the great ones, but that—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kalanda’s voice trembled violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A low gasp flowed from the elves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Alon realize all the pieces were coming together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why the elves harbored such irrational emotions toward Magrina.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why she, despite being the daughter of the king, had to suffer such horrors repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I know your efforts. You even contacted the apostles and led your daughter to be captured by our tribe, didn’t you?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-Yes! There were some minor issues, but I did my utmost—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kalanda, with his hideous face, pleaded as if asking for recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baarma, looking down at him, wore an unusually serious expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Yes. I fully understand your efforts.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you~!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[But—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>KWA-DUDUDUDUK!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, he stomped and crushed Kalanda’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a chilling sound, dark red blood soaked the ashen land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Baarma’s blood-red foot, who had only been smirking,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[In the end, that was a failure.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kalanda was instantly crushed and vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>####\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon sensed it instinctively. The situation was at its worst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, it was worse than the worst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had experienced this once already while breaking through Baarma’s intense frontlines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But undoubtedly, the current situation was many times worse than back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were too many things the enemy had that they didn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The morale of the alliance was at rock bottom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could even hear the sound of weapons dropping here and there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon asked himself a question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he change the tide of battle with the power he had shown last time?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, he shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then and now may have looked similar on the surface, but there were far too many fundamental differences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much they tried to boost morale, there seemed to be no way to counter the overwhelming number of cultists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they somehow managed to deal with all of them, Baarma was still there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just witnessing that being up close made Alon’s entire body tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baarma exuded a terrifying presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, at this point, there was virtually no way to turn the situation around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, at this rate—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hoo—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon let out a sigh and looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penia, frowning, was arranging her mana so she could cast magic at any moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Rine, her face tense as she stared at Baarma, was preparing to summon Pluton to the battlefield without alerting the enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But their efforts alone were not enough to change the tide of battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something far greater was needed to overturn everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon fiddled once again with the item in his pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Baarma shattered the World Tree right before the alliance’s eyes—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small realization flashed through his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t so much a realization as it was a connecting thread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thread that linked the advice he received through Dowon, and the information and interpretation Penia had spilled while reading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon realized it when he saw the World Tree being destroyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn’t be sure it was truly the right choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could just be a ridiculous delusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could be a foolish waste of effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squeeze—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, he had to do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon took a step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked past refugees staring ahead with eyes full of despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Past soldiers who had dropped their weapons out of helplessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Past commanders who glared forward, trying not to be overwhelmed by fear, even as their limbs trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Past kings filled with betrayal and despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Past everyone—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, standing before the entire allied army, he used up most of the mana remaining in his mana core and said, “Do not be afraid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a shout. Not a scream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a battle cry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a calm voice devoid of emotion, carried by mana and spread across the allied forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes turned toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just that one utterance consumed nearly a third of his mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it was worth that much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon took out the object he had been fiddling with since earlier and looked at it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a seed, small and round like a fruit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he had headed toward the root of the World Tree— after dealing with the Ash Seeder, deep within the World Tree, he had received it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A seed of the World Tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Simply have faith.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using another third of his mana, Alon conveyed his words to the allied forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, under the shattered remains of the World Tree, he dropped the seed and shrouded himself in divinity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, this divinity— was not the divine form of Kalannon he had used until now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoooosh—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the divine power of the “Primordial Elf,” which he had accessed for the first time when he ventured beneath the World Tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Alon’s surroundings began to change completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the ashen ground, vibrant green sprouts appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life began to bloom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Fourth, the divinity of green, is regeneration.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Dowon’s advice surfaced in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then it will bring you victory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon’s final mana spread outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His intent and the divine power infused into the seed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pop—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Caused the World Tree to sprout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The World Tree rapidly grew through the germination process in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From seed to sprout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From sprout to branch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From branch to tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From tree to a giant tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From giant tree—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[!!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the World Tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It absorbed all of the green divinity Alon held and grew at an overwhelming pace, surpassing even Baarma’s height.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, the divine power of the “Primordial Elf” that Alon possessed— unlike Kalannon’s divinity, vanished entirely as if it had never existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The green planet that had existed within his body lost its light and disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even though he felt this clearly, Alon didn’t care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He covered the gray sky with green leaves,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And offered hope to the alliance forces who had only known despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That reverence—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again gathered around one man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baarma, witnessing it, instinctively reached out his hand to stop the growth of the World Tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pluton, limited release.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, Baarma’s movement was halted for a moment by a massive mechanical hand that fell from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried to deflect the giant fist rushing toward him, but things didn’t go as he intended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the reason was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[-!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A girl who had appeared out of nowhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A girl with long, snowy white hair flowing down to her waist stood before Baarma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwa-dudududuk—!!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With brilliant, furious purple mana darker than her burning eyes, she completely shattered the  ground beneath her feet and charged toward Baarma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, as the small girl’s kick pierced Baarma’s heart— inside Alon’s body, where the green planet had disappeared, a snowy white planet took its place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The planet settled in without him realizing it and began to grow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon, without hesitation, seized it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You who have glimpsed the fragment— I grant you a law.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice whispered in his ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t identify who it belonged to, but it was strangely familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But rather than pay attention to that voice now, Alon opened his mouth without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The law he had been thinking about from the moment he received that advice until now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A law meant solely for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I grant it.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the moment he heard those final words, Alon opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene before him looked the same, but clearly, something had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The World Tree had bloomed completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A vivid hope was etched into the soldiers’ eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the number of enemies that needed to be defeated remained the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deep smile formed on the face that had been expressionless for so long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Reverse Heaven (天).”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A star rose in the gray sky.\u003C\u002Fp>",1972,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.413Z",1,"novelbin.me","d4523bd3b57be1f5a5af1e279a38e64efe5b8049b040a01a14e2c05e894da536","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-247","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-245",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]