[{"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-283":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},759573,1006,"Chapter 283 : Treatment (2)","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-283",283,"\u003Cp>Stalian V stared at that thing in his hand with a confused expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blue proselytizing letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, it was hard to even call it a proper proselytizing letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he worshiped Sironia, the Goddess of the Moon, not Kalannon, the lightning receiver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So unlike the one he received from Rosario, this blue proselytizing letter posed no political burden to Stalian V.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, the reason his expression was clouded... was because of the followers of Kalannon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First of all, there was Saintess Silli, who was currently gathering believers and expanding the Kalannon religion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the one and only younger sister of Deus Macallian, Caliban’s First Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Deus Macallian cherished his sister deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short—he was a textbook siscon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That reason alone was enough to give Stalian V a pounding headache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he overreacted to this letter and ended up provoking that strategic bomber Deus Macallian, who was already hard enough for Caliban to control?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was a scenario that simply must not happen, and one Stalian V refused to even imagine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he had to consider the possibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he knew all too well that Deus Macallian was even more reckless than people assumed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time, he personally showed up and threatened to cut off someone’s head just because his son had made an offhand remark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what if he ignored the proselytizing letter this time?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Deus Macallian flew off the handle and came charging in...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure, maybe they could mobilize everything they had and deal with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, since Deus Macallian would be making the first move, Ashtalon could politically frame itself as the victim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the real problem was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious that a massive amount of resources would be needed just to stop Deus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it would be near impossible to quickly find capable allies to help restrain him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, if Deus Macallian made a move, no matter how things played out, Stalian V would only come out at a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haa—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And beyond that, there were plenty of other complications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even just the mages the Kalannon saintess had brought together would be a huge headache if they became hostile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But more than anything else, the reason he couldn’t afford to ignore Kalannon was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Marquis Palatio was connected to Kalannon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The connection between the Marquis and Kalannon was still the subject of much speculation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some said the Marquis was Kalannon himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others claimed he was merely Kalannon’s apostle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the truth didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Stalian V’s perspective, what mattered was that the Marquis was entangled with Kalannon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With just one word from the Marquis...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a real possibility that those deranged strategic bombers would gather and reduce Ashtalon to rubble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And on top of that...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, I’m not the most patient person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope there won’t be any more unfortunate incidents like this in the future.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl’s voice remained etched into his memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So vivid it felt like it was whispering in his ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A breathtakingly beautiful face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, the eerie terror that made him hold his breath was unforgettable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why Stalian V silently stared down at the letter for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whew—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let out a short sigh, wondering how things had come to this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, finally managing to move his stiff fingers, he unfolded the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>####\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon let out a quiet gasp as soon as they neared the Eastern Kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scenery in the distance looked unlike any other kingdom he had seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oriental-style buildings gave off an air of mystique at a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the village view, reminiscent of martial arts novels or fantasy games, was breathtaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow... it's like a painting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Amazing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan and Penia followed with their own exclamations of awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hmph, not bad,]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Basiliora, despite grumbling, was clearly absorbed in the view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, the group entered the Eastern Kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smoothly and without incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes—up until their arrival, there were no problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Up until they arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon looked ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment they stepped down from the carriage,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were met with a chilling scene—spears raised toward them as if they had been waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis, were we supposed to start from a situation like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan asked nervously, his body tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon shook his head, though he couldn’t help but wonder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t exactly expected a warm welcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure, he fought alongside the beastkin 700 years ago and defeated Baarma, but that was 700 years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except for the long-lived spirit beasts, few would remember that event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even so, to be treated with this much suspicion...?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon scanned the soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes brimmed with hostility, as if facing a mortal enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as his doubts grew deeper—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Surrender.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wolf beastkin stepped forward from between the spear-wielding soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wore a slightly more ornate armor than the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the hatred on his face matched the rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I’d like to have a conversation, if possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon offered after some thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph! What could I possibly talk about with a filthy human who incited rebellion?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wolf beastkin drew his sword and held it to Alon’s neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation escalated from a single sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as it was about to become a headache—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haa—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sigh came from beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soft, but full of irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll give you five seconds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Radan’s voice rang out, and all eyes turned toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ever-playful smile on his face had disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The usual mirth in his eyes was gone, replaced by cold indifference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mischievous air around him had twisted into a strange pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Radan stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Put that sword down. Now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chilling warning aimed at the soldier threatening Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldier scowled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Five.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Radan began counting, unfazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Four.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Alon recalled a moment from the past—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The time Radan casually took off a ship captain’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s alright, Radan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon decided to stop Radan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother. But these guys...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Radan’s face twisted with frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truthfully, Alon wasn’t in a great mood either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had come to the East solely on Hazad’s word, but he never expected to be treated like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, if Radan acted out here, not only would things become more complicated, but it might take much longer to accomplish what they came to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why he intervened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m really fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Radan clenched his jaw in displeasure but took a step back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beastkin who had pointed a sword at Alon now looked even more agitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing this, Alon calmly explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Marquis Palatio, here by introduction from Hazad, the Sage-God of the Lizardmen. If it’s not too much trouble, could you please explain what’s going on here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A polite request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps thanks to that...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beastkin withdrew his sword and slid it back into its sheath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon sighed in relief, thinking, Now we can talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bind them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…???”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those next words, his mind went blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To cut to the chase, Alon was dragged away, tied up by soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis, aren’t we in serious trouble here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan whispered anxiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His concern was warranted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon’s party had been restrained to the point that they couldn’t do anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clearly an unpleasant situation, but there were two reasons why Alon tolerated it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first was the original goal—gathering more information about the Words of Sin or Sin itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t afford to make enemies of the beastkin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he’d been to the Eastern Kingdom even once through Psychedelia, maybe things would be different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unfortunately, this region was only available as DLC, and Alon had never set foot in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On top of that, Hazad had only given him the most basic of briefings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Alon wanted to achieve anything here, he had to gather information first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That information would have to come from the beastkin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the second reason was simple confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon could easily break out of these restraints.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that wasn’t all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Evan might not be able to, both Penia and Radan confirmed with eye contact that they could break free at any time too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, they were in no real danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having reached that conclusion, Alon remained alert even as they were led away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, upon entering a large building, he saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’re the ones? The humans from outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flamboyantly dressed man stood before them, the type whose face practically screamed narcissist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I am Marquis Palatio, here by introduction from Hazad, the Sage-God of the Lizardmen. If it’s not too much trouble, could you please explain what’s going on here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon introduced himself once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the man sneered openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s unfortunate. That won’t be possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why not?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because you’re humans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It sounds like something happened involving humans, but we have nothing to do with it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s what they all say. Every last bug we’ve caught said the same thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon could see it clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deep disgust in the man’s eyes, and the mocking smile at his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, whether or not you’re actually involved with them… we’ll find out once you’re dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the man’s signal, the nearby soldiers began raising their spears toward them one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Alon realized something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know what had happened in the Eastern Kingdom, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contrary to what Hazad had said, there was never any room for dialogue in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the moment he recognized that, he began preparing to release his mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Radan and Penia did the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as they were about to act—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s going on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman’s voice rang out from the direction of the door, which had been tightly shut until now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was clear and elegant, like the scent of lilies in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was something oddly familiar about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Alon heard it, he turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there she was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman with large wolf ears like delicate snowflakes, and white hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her clothes weren’t fancy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what did stand out was the beautiful sword at her waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gasp...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just her appearance caused the entire room to stir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the beastkin lowered their weapons and bowed deeply to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unmistakable sign of respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it didn’t end there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We greet the Great Race…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the arrogant beastkin who had flaunted his hatred of Alon moments earlier widened his eyes and hurriedly bowed his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s going on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman asked again, her tone calm and detached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We were just about to execute these disgusting traitors’ allies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man reported, bowing even lower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman, with a slightly vacant look unlike the others, slowly approached everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she saw Alon’s face—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if turned to stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon finally realized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why her voice had sounded so familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And beyond that, why her appearance felt so familiar as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, a question arose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To his knowledge, she wasn’t supposed to be in the Eastern Kingdom—she should’ve been on the continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was no doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman before him was the one he knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ria…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He called her name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Divine One?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her once still tail gave a small flick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beastkin who had been sneering at Alon just moments earlier realized something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something had gone very, very wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>",1892,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.412Z",1,"novelbin.me","e0116c94f36820bd547dcc53d0cb639c79e55df5c742a4a08dcf510c48fb819a","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-284","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-282",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]