[{"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-265":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},759555,1006,"Chapter 265","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-265",265,"\u003Cp>The scenery of the Holy Kingdom Rosario hadn’t changed much from before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pure white buildings and clean streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the grand temple located in the center of Rosario, so majestic that its mere existence stirred the faith of all who saw it, remained unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, despite nothing having visibly changed, there was something strange in the atmosphere of Rosario.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It definitely feels like something’s wrong.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon observed the citizens visible from the carriage window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their appearances were the same as always.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there was one difference—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was that unease could be seen written across all their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The blessing isn’t descending, huh.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was what Evan had told him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that the blessings weren’t coming down was a huge issue for Rosario.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, it was more than just a problem—it was a catastrophe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rosario, as a nation, was more like a religious organization grounded in faith.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its foundation lay in the moon god, Sironia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this system was sustained thanks to the existence of the clergy, who strengthened the faith of the believers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now the clergy had stopped appearing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, since the country was fundamentally built upon faith in Sironia, the entire nation was bound to be shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For whatever reason, the fact that divine miracles no longer touched the earth—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was enough to incite anxiety among the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Just what is going on?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a hand stroking his chin, Alon contemplated the unfamiliar situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thought this before too, but even back in Psychedelia, while heretics or corrupt cardinals occasionally stirred up trouble in Rosario, there had never been a situation like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his worries continued—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Meow!?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little black creature that had been dozing lazily until just now suddenly sensed something and climbed up Alon's body to hide inside his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Alon was wondering, he realized the carriage had stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My Lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yutia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw Yutia smiling at him as always.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been a while, My Lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, it has.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon stepped out of the carriage and looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At some point, they had arrived at the temple in the center of Rosario.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry I couldn’t greet you last time, My Lord. I had some things to take care of.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon was staring at the temple, Yutia’s voice reached him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need. I’m sure you had your own duties.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for understanding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two of them headed together to her office,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, what brings you to Rosario, My Lord?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They began the real conversation once inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I had some personal matters to attend to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Personal matters?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Yutia’s question, Alon nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the surface, his visit was to speak with Yuman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in truth, he had another goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was to obtain an artifact located in a labyrinth near Rosario at this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meeting Yuman was merely a pretext.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Siyan had hinted that ‘something valuable could be gained from the Holy Kingdom’ too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. And I also planned to speak with Yuman briefly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia gave a small nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, are you okay, Yutia?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm? What do you mean, My Lord?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon cautiously brought it up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, about the current situation. I heard a rough explanation—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia, momentarily puzzled, soon let out a quiet hum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It somehow carried a sense of detachment, as if it didn’t concern her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Alon briefly found it strange—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean about the Goddess’ blessing, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s definitely a problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought so too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there something in particular that worries you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, to be honest, it doesn’t really concern me... But I asked because I was worried about you.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just a polite gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Yutia was a cardinal of Rosario.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the authority of a cardinal fundamentally depended on the moon god Sironia remaining intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what if the loss of blessings continued?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it would become difficult for Yutia too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why Alon had asked, out of genuine concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for worrying, My Lord. But—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia then smiled more brightly than usual, like a fully bloomed flower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You really don’t need to worry too much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I believe everything will return to normal soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Return to normal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you perhaps found a solution?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, but I think I might be able to find one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A solution?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia spoke with certainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon, tilting his head in curiosity, soon accepted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Yutia said so, then surely there was a way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, the timing isn’t too bad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the sudden remark, Alon looked curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, I was planning to tell you anyway. I was hoping you’d come by, My Lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia then took a small box from her inner pocket and handed it to Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......What is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Open it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Alon opened the small box, inside was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......A necklace?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A neatly placed necklace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the birthday gift from last time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This one had a white jewel, like a diamond, embedded right at its center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon stared at the necklace, unable to bring himself to touch it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a gift for you, My Lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......It seems a bit too much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The necklace looked undeniably expensive at a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I’d still like you to accept it, My Lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of a sudden?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I think my gift was the smallest among all for your birthday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon let out a quiet sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the birthday gifts had meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if one judged purely by impact (?), Yutia’s gift had been the most modest compared to the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yutia, as you know—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, since each gift had its own value, he was about to politely refuse if that was her concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know. I know that you don't really judge gifts by their worth, My Lord. But I just couldn’t stop thinking about it, so I wanted to give you this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia, as if she had already expected Alon’s reaction, blocked his refusal ahead of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, will you accept it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Alon said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......In that case, I will accept it with thanks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He accepted her sentiment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would you like to try it on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon nodded and carefully put on the necklace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia looked him over with great satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, My Lord. For going along with my little fuss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t think of it as fuss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m relieved to hear that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The necklace hung next to the brooch she had gifted before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon stared at the symbol of the necklace for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just after that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady Yutia, I have something to report.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cardinal Sergius came looking for Yutia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I suppose I kept you too long.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, I’ll see you next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I’ll visit you again while you're here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon stood up to give them space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good day to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, good day, Marquis Palatio.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cardinal Sergius looked at Alon with a somewhat awkward expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He looks a lot thinner than the last time I saw him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, he had a hearty impression, but now his face was gaunt—it puzzled Alon for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Huh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Sergius let out a squawking noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon realized his gaze had stopped on his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to ask why—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem—hem hem~!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sergius hastily cleared his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, farewell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He unnaturally turned his gaze and passed Alon, heading straight to Yutia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon couldn’t make sense of the reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lightly brushed the necklace with his hand as he left Yutia’s office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been a while, Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Saint. I was delayed because of work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No worries.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right after leaving Yutia’s office, Alon headed straight to where Yuman was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ah, come to think of it, I meant to ask her about that but completely forgot.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t until he met Yuman that Alon remembered the question he had for Yutia, but he decided to leave it for next time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, I couldn’t mention it last time, but there are quite a few amusing rumors about you, Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......Rumors?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Things like you being a god named Kalannon, the lightning receiver, or his apostle—interesting stories like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon was at a loss for words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......Of course, Rosario wasn’t a country that officially rejected other deities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Yuman was a Saint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might feel uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And given the situation, he might be especially sensitive right now, so Alon carefully considered how to reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even so, you really hid it well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuman spoke first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon blurted out his confusion without meaning to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was really impressed. If such rumors are circulating, no one would ever guess your true identity, Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yuman, seemingly not hearing him, continued speaking with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem, this is getting lengthy. Let’s return to the main point—I'm sure you’ve already guessed why I called you here, Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flow of conversation was definitely odd...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before Alon could ask again, Yuman changed the subject, so he decided to go along with it for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it because the blessings have stopped descending?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, exactly. It’s already been two years since the Goddess has ceased all communication with us. That’s why I wanted to ask you a favor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A favor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Of course, you’re likely in a similar situation as I am, but may I ask you to meet with the Goddess?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon, confused, asked as he failed to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......I understand your words, Saint, but—why ask me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was genuinely baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only natural, since he had no relationship whatsoever with the Goddess Sironia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is he asking me to relay a message to Yutia instead? But surely Yutia has already tried many times?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon considered various interpretations of Yuman’s words—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuman, who had also been tilting his head, let out a soft sound as if he realized something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand your intention, Brother. But given the urgency of the matter, I would like to ask you to temporarily set aside your Oath of the Hidden Saint made in her presence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, with an earnest expression, he added—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Alon—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......The Hidden Saint?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Me...............?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no choice but to swallow his words in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>",1698,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.412Z",1,"novelbin.me","54d107a924286887018a3f8961fc6b69d1adf0d859c21ba78fff2fd40c12b586","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-266","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-264",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]