[{"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-263":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},759553,1006,"Chapter 263","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-263",263,"\u003Cp>The underground waterway of Rosario.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was once the place where Rosario’s chief cardinal, Anderder, gathered abyssal beings in an attempt to create a god for humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, it was thoroughly purged and had become a quiet place where nothing remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, a man—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, the Apostle of Purity walked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm~ I can’t say I’m in a good mood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The apostle muttered with a sour expression as he fiddled with his own body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good thing I used a decoy, just in case.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if speaking to someone, he muttered quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, as he stretched his shoulders, he stopped mid-motion and sank into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘……There really shouldn’t have been any point of contact, so what is this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before approaching the King of Curses, he had done his own investigation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There had been no known link between the King of Curses and Marquis Palatio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Big brother…… huh.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hollow laugh escaped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, even he couldn’t help but grow curious about the true identity of Marquis Palatio, whom he had only thought of as someone to eliminate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘……Could it be that Palatio is also connected to the “Hundred Ghosts” or the “Blind Dragon,” who were only planned for later? No way—’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The apostle laughed briefly at the ridiculous thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with all things considered, it was too far-fetched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, it’s not like I was planning to visit them anytime soon.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truthfully, part of him wanted to go see those on his schedule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, he didn’t have the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, to be precise, he knew very well that “That One” wouldn’t be able to wait any longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why he had come here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I never expected to use my final fallback option, though.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place had been hidden away as a contingency plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It should be ripe by now. Maybe I should take a look?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The apostle walked slowly through the dark waterway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the waterway was once again filled with a chilling silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exactly a week had passed since Nangwon left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During that time, Alon took care of the tasks that had piled up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing he dealt with was the paperwork.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having been absent for over half a year, there was a mountain of documents stacked in his office despite Alexion’s diligent work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It took him about three days to sort through most of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, Alon rewarded Alexion, who had managed the territory in his absence, with a bonus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then immediately resumed ritual research with Penia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The technique Alon had acquired, Reverse Heaven, came with many side effects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Alon began learning not just his usual magic, but also other spells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then today—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So, you didn’t know about the principles either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s only natural I wouldn’t. All I knew was that the technique called Reverse Heaven was used by the Primordial Mage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon had been discussing related matters with Kylrus while using the Footsteps of the Past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If what you said is true, and the Reverse Heaven technique alters concepts themselves, then the Primordial Mage might be the Closed-Eyed One himself. Or perhaps his disciple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kylrus stroked his chin, pondering deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon asked again with renewed curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just to be sure—would it be a big problem if the Primordial Mage really was the Closed-Eyed One?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kylrus shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It wouldn’t be a huge issue. That’s all in the past now. But there is something it suggests.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What would that be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If our guess is correct and he really is the Closed-Eyed One, it means the Primordial Mage was incredibly powerful. Absurdly so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In any case, I understand now why it took you so long to return. A vague past, huh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their exchange didn’t last much longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well then, let’s begin right away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kylrus summoned a spirit dragon and prepared to spar with Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exactly one minute later—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh. You held out a little longer this time, Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…We were talking for a while. It was still only about a minute.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in the present, Alon replied nonchalantly to Penia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he rose from his seat and let out a quiet sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just to check—did you not use any rituals? If you had, I think you could’ve lasted a bit longer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To her question, Alon shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t. The point of fighting Kylrus wasn’t to win through rituals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so? Well then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nodded, but then as if remembering something, she spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, that reminds me. While you were inside earlier, I had a thought.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Up until now, you haven’t been able to control all that mana, right? So, whenever you activate a ritual, your body quickly gets drained.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it hadn’t been long since they began researching, there still wasn’t a clear direction for improvement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was troubling for Alon’s current research into rituals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you come up with a solution?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, calling it a solution might be a stretch, but what do you think about this? Instead of just using ‘sorcery,’ what if you used ‘magic’ too? More precisely, combining the two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon listened to Penia’s explanation carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…That could actually work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded, finding the idea promising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, one full month passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis, don’t you think it’s risky to keep delaying? It’s been over a month since the kingdom sent a letter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immersed in his ritual research, Alon finally began to prepare for departure to Terea after hearing Evan’s reminder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, only Alon and Evan would be heading to Terea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he really wanted to bring Penia with him so he could consistently use the Footsteps of the Past, she was unfortunately too busy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Was it… an additional thesis?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed being recognized by the academic world was something extremely important to Penia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Alon didn’t insist on bringing her along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, what’s important differs for everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[……Strange. Something feels strange.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Me-Meoww]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“? What’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[No… This isn’t supposed to be a desert, right?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Then why am I sensing a familiar magic?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Familiar magic?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Yes, it feels like that beastkin’s magic.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Me-Meow-]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe you’re mistaken? There’s no way Seolrang would be here in the first place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Right…?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Meow-]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I really hope she is. I hope she’s here and gets dragged into a dress-up game.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Shut up!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in his usual routine, Alon chatted casually with Basiliora, Blackie, and Evan as they headed toward Terea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a journey of several weeks, they finally arrived at a place where Terea could be seen in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis, do you remember that abyssal being from before?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Are you talking about the slightly modified abyssal entities spreading around?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, that one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I do remember it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems there’s quite a serious problem related to that incident.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…How serious?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pretty serious. There’s chaos all over because of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as they crossed the gates into Terea, Evan updated Alon on the situation with the abyssal beings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Are artificial outer gods appearing now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There haven’t been any cases of artificial outer gods yet, but even minor thugs who’ve absorbed abyssal beings are becoming absurdly powerful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even minor thugs, that much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As far as Alon knew, the abyssal beings were originally added in Psychedelia’s latter half to balance the power levels of the protagonist’s party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even then, they weren’t meant to give that much power to mere street thugs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And more than that, the quantities released weren’t that large either, which made it more puzzling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Alon arrived in the inner castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His Majesty is waiting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the servant’s guidance, Alon headed toward the palace where Siyan was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked down familiar palace corridors and, like before, arrived not at the audience chamber but at the office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he entered, he saw Siyan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn’t much change in her expression, but her cheeks were slightly puffed out in a pout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…A humble servant of Asteria greets the Great One.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon subtly observed her reaction as he bowed his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Siyan only glanced at him and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need for words you don’t mean. It’s clear you don’t see me as someone great.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned her head away with a curt reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon broke into a cold sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, this was entirely his fault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, it was something he couldn’t even make excuses for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how powerful Alon was, defying the Queen’s orders without explanation was unacceptable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon awkwardly cleared his throat and tried to read the room,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hoo—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Siyan sighed deeply, as if she had no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough, sit down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Your Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Alon sat down, a sweet potato was placed before him without fail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in this situation, Alon wondered whether he was really expected to eat the sweet potato.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he carefully began peeling and eating it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around the time he was halfway through it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“... …”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He noticed Siyan smiling gently as she watched him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he couldn’t help but wonder:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does watching me eat sweet potatoes make me look charming?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A rather ridiculous thought, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……No matter how he thought about it, it didn’t make any sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve finished eating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s good to hear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon respectfully lowered his head after diligently finishing the sweet potato.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wiping his mouth, Alon finally brought up the main topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, may I ask what came to mind this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Getting straight to the point with no small talk… You must not have missed me much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Siyan’s voice was tinged with disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-no, that’s not it—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon fumbled for a response, Siyan smiled as though she had been waiting for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just kidding. I was being petty and teasing you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Siyan chuckled softly at his reaction, then extended her index finger to gently push up the corners of Alon’s mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As I wrote down, this time a memory involving you and the cardinal came back. It was a bit unusual, so I wanted to tell you sooner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…An unusual memory?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if tracing the memory, she stroked her chin and slowly began her story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was in the audience chamber.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You were there with a rare troubled expression on your face.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see. Was Cardinal Yutia with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Unlike now, she had her hair swept to the side back then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon nodded and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What were we talking about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To be honest, I don’t remember the conversation itself. But Cardinal Yutia seemed to be pouting, and you were going along with it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yutia was pouting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I couldn’t hear the voices, but it was obvious to anyone watching. How should I put it~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She kept turning her head and going ‘hmph! hmph!’—something like that,” Siyan added with a soft laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After you left the room first, she approached the me in the memory and said—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What did she say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Alon’s question, Siyan paused for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, with a lowered voice, she spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“‘Don’t… touch him. He's mine.’”\u003C\u002Fp>",1822,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.412Z",1,"novelbin.me","1049ce4d81e94fb4a3f725c172775c0bd93b4b526bda59dec4510659f9fbfbeb","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-264","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-262",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]