[{"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-286":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},759576,1006,"Chapter 286 : Treatment (5)","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-286",286,"\u003Cp>“Wow—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the group exclaimed in awe as they arrived at Sunju.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because the city looked so breathtakingly beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the outer fortress and the vividly colored buildings within it looked more like works of art than mere architecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone had their mouths open, unable to hold back their astonishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Alon stood in front of the main gate leading into Sunju.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We greet the great race!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, he could feel Historia’s commanding presence firsthand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just moments ago, there were only two guards at the main gate, yet now dozens had rushed out and saluted in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even those waiting in the long line for inspection were casting admiring glances at Historia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She really is popular.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Historia, however, simply nodded nonchalantly as if she was used to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon clicked his tongue inwardly, though only for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But who are these people?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beastkin began to turn their attention toward Alon’s group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…More precisely, their gazes fixed on Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because of the tail that Historia had wrapped around Alon’s waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling oddly embarrassed, Alon tried to say something—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We came to meet Urang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His Majesty… you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With just that single remark from Historia, the guards let Alon and his companions into the capital without any further inspection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon once again felt a surge of curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was already clear that her social standing here was impressive, based on what he had seen so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to call a king by name without anyone objecting?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he was genuinely curious just how high her status actually was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m sure she said she just received “reasonable” treatment here last time…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking that, Alon looked at Historia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if she sensed his gaze, she tilted her head with her usual vacant expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still couldn’t get used to the contrast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We greet the great race.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hardly had they entered the capital when officials, who seemed to have been waiting, came out to receive Historia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just judging by their attire, it was clear they were high-ranking individuals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even in front of them, who all bowed respectfully,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Historia gave only a light nod and proceeded forward without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group followed the officials deeper into the heart of the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, a massive palace came into view in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A palace so overwhelmingly large that it made comparison with other buildings meaningless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s in there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Historia gave a brief explanation and led the group in that direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as they entered the palace,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll be gone for a bit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You have somewhere to be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without further explanation, she left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite her vacant expression, she walked away decisively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After she left, Alon followed the officials to a giant door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the door opened, a man seated at the far end of the room came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A golden throne, placed at the highest point to signify royal authority—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting upon it was a wolf beastkin whose entire being radiated majesty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling that many of the officials were also wolf beastkin, Alon thought, ‘Was Seolrang also a wolf beastkin?’ and bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alon Palatio greets the ruler of a nation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A concise greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even that seemed to convey something, as the king let out a soft “Oh” of recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you are Marquis Palatio?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s correct.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Incredible. I didn’t expect you to come at this time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Urang, the King of the Eastern Nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his intrigued reaction, Alon was momentarily puzzled, but soon understood the reason behind it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It must be because of the sea creatures.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More precisely, not just sea creatures—but the invasive deep-sea monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling Hazad’s words, Alon remembered that trade routes had been severed because of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, your timing doesn’t really matter now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for your welcome.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You deserve it. I’ve been waiting for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king gave a brief smile and hummed in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Normally, it’d be proper to let you rest before discussing matters… but how about it? If you prefer, we could jump right into the conversation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He offered to get straight to the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon nodded without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That sounds good to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Glad to hear we’re in agreement.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satisfied with Alon’s answer, the king nodded and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone else, leave us. Ah, and I’m sorry, but I’d like even your companions to step outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a conversation that must be shared between just the two of us,” he added as he issued the command to clear the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon’s group exchanged glances, the soldiers and officials withdrew from the audience chamber without a moment’s hesitation, like the tide going out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Alon gave a small nod to his companions, and Radan and Penia, along with the rest, followed suit and exited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now the space held only the two of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief silence passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now we can finally talk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king let out a light sigh and rose from his seat, walking toward Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step step—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Descending the stairs, Urang finally stood before Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even having come down the steps, he was still tall enough that Alon had to crane his neck to look up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even setting aside the instinctive pressure he gave off—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What’s going on?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon couldn’t help but tense up as the king had suddenly stepped down from the throne to approach him directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that tension lasted only a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could process the situation—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Urang, King of the Eastern Nation, deeply bowed to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Alon, who rarely showed much expression, couldn’t fully hide his surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As the descendant of the great Eastern Nation, I pay respect to the savior of the past.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon let out a quiet gasp at those unexpected words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for understanding the need to clear the room.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Alon realize why the king had ordered everyone out of the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, not at all. This is a very important matter, after all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you. If things were calm internally, it might be a different story… but given the situation…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Urang’s words, Alon recalled that a rebellion was currently taking place within the Eastern Nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even if I don’t know the full details, in times like this, the king’s authority becomes all the more crucial.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon wasn’t someone with a noble mindset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But having lived as a noble, he also understood just how important authority was in times of national instability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, did you hear about me from Historia?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Alon asked, Urang shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I did not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is something passed down by the fifth ancestor of the Eastern Nation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The fifth ancestor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He was known as King Sua, and his name was Rangban.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the name that came out of Urang’s mouth, Alon let out a quiet breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a beastkin he knew very well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rangban…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange stir rose in Alon’s chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite being referred to as an ‘ancestor,’ Alon had vivid memories of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks to the story he passed down to his descendants, I was able to express my gratitude in person like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nodding at the explanation, Alon asked, “So, is that the reason you wanted to meet me? To thank me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, that’s correct. But that’s not the only reason. The main reason I requested to see you is that I have something to pass on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Something to pass on… from Rangban?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Rangban emphasized it over and over. That this message must be delivered to you, and that it should never be forgotten as long as the Eastern Nation stands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Urang pulled something from within his robes and handed it to Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon took the white, Magatama (comma-shaped jewel), Urang conveyed Rangban’s message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the north of the Eastern Nation, where there are four pairs of sarasu trees, someone who can help you lies in slumber.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That is—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, that is the message left by the former king to you through his descendants.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What is in that place?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know the location, and I can guide you there if you wish, but I don’t know what lies within. We’ve simply preserved it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That too was Rangban’s will?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. No one except you, Alon, can enter that place. It has been guarded with that in mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Urang’s explanation, Alon looked down at the comma-shaped jewel and asked, “When can we go there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’d like, you could leave right now, but considering the distance, it might be best to depart tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon lifted his head and glanced around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he knew it, the palace walls were dyed in a deep crimson hue by the evening light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed wiser to leave after making preparations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, the conversation came to a close with Alon accepting Urang’s proposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then please get some good rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After exchanging farewells, Alon stepped outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing a gaze from somewhere, Alon turned his head toward the suspected direction—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, his eyes met with those of a man who was glaring at him with open hostility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was visibly younger than the other beastkin and dressed so extravagantly that his presence stood out even from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was shooting such a cold look at Alon that it was obvious to anyone how much he loathed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, without a word, he scowled and turned away, disappearing from sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…That brat’s got no manners.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penia, who had walked up beside him unnoticed, cursed under her breath, expressing her displeasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan, standing next to her, nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He looks about the same age as me. Probably a prince.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can you tell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think about it. Someone who can walk around here with that kind of attitude, clearly living an easy life, and young on top of that—pretty much narrows it down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ooh, that was sharp.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh, I’m kinda smart, you know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, not quite.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As their banter flowed naturally, Penia shut Evan down with one remark and then furrowed her brows, muttering as if something was bothering her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But… something feels off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Off?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, hmm~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penia stared at the spot where the prince had disappeared and fell deep into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before she could make sense of her suspicions—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should I kill him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Radan, echoing the words of a certain someone else, casually proposed murdering the prince(?) from within the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t do that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon quietly sighed and pressed down gently on Radan’s shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just like that, he ended up protecting(?) the life of the man presumed to be a prince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, the next morning arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well then, I’ll guide you from here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon and his group set out toward the place where Rangban’s secret was hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>",1793,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.412Z",1,"novelbin.me","7d5af3c1fe4fd0cdba5a5c8ac023c40c843bb503ec3addf467d3ac97a5de30c4","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-287","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-285",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]