[{"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-297":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},759587,1006,"Chapter 297 : Sin of Greed (8)","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-297",297,"\u003Cp>In a silence heavy with gravity, everyone stares at the god visible within the rift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elves didn't even recognize its existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The members of the Shadow Leaves only sensed that something lay within the rift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon, too, couldn’t quite identify exactly what he was seeing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only thing certain was this—the green light emanating from the grotesquely massive rift, enough to give one goosebumps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[How… How is that possible? That wasn’t even in the library—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon stood there, staring blankly, he heard Greed mumble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Greed couldn’t even finish the sentence, as if unable to comprehend the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grgggggggggh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entity that had been watching motionlessly from beyond the rift began to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just by raising its arm, the entire earth trembled violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And upon the massive hand it extended—a small sphere appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A very small sphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But only for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the sphere grew rapidly, as if devouring everything around it—so large it could engulf the entire kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing what was happening, Greed immediately formed hand signs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A magic circle spread out in front of Greed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So many magic circles appeared in front of Greed that Alon lost count.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was formed was the Fortress of Iron and Blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A magical barrier so solid it seemed nothing could break through it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just as that barrier protected Greed's body—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Judgment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Rine's whisper, a massive beam of light shot out from the rift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just before the world turned pure white, Alon saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fortress of Iron and Blood that Greed had created— being swallowed up and disintegrated by the green light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!!!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, after the blinding white light had devoured sight and sound, the first thing visible was the dust cloud filling the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next came the sticky heat and the smell of burning that clung to the skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And finally, after the dust settled, what was revealed—was a massive hole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So enormous that even the entire western region of Fildagreen couldn’t fill it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at the edge of that hole—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[-]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>stood Greed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the monstrous transformation had been undone—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Greed had returned to the human form shown during the first phase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t look well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its lower body had vanished, as if it was never there to begin with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The countless sheets of paper that had once fluttered from its wings were now all gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the Sin of Greed, this meant only one thing—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Greed’s remaining body began to crumble slowly into dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its eyes, the only part left intact, moved slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon met its gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[So you’ve taken it on, huh?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Greed seemed to be looking at Alon with an expression of understanding—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, that wasn’t it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Greed wasn’t looking at Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was looking above Alon’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing this, Alon quickly turned around—but nothing was there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As confusion flickered across Alon's face—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The remnant we dismissed.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Greed, now nearly gone, called out to Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon turned to face it again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its expression had returned to the blank, emotionless state from earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[We'll see if your choice was the right one.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those final words, Greed vanished before Alon could ask anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon watched silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Is it over?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He murmured without thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head to look around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from Greed disappearing, nothing else had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky remained gloomy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive hole remained in the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fildagreen had suffered more damage than it did during the Rosario incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, the fact that Greed had been defeated was enough for Alon to sigh in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘First, I need to rescue Radan, Seolrang, and Historia… No, I also need to finish what I started with Rine—’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon tried to gather his thoughts—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized that his elevated point of view had suddenly dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next thing he felt—was something warm trickling down his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon raised a hand to wipe it carefully— but before he could, his body slumped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You did well, godfather. Now, please rest a little.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Rine’s soft voice echoing in his ears, Alon closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis, are you awake?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon regained consciousness, he heard Penia’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head felt hazy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon stared blankly into the air for a moment, and slowly, the memories of what happened right before he collapsed began returning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How many days has it been?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been five days since then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon pressed his hand to his throbbing head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What happened to me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gently lifted himself up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t remember clearly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I remember defeating Greed and turning around afterward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then you basically remember everything, don’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That might be true, but what I’m asking is why I collapsed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon looked down to check his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clean, not a single wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are no injuries, though.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he murmured in confusion, Penia explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was probably due to overload.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Overload?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your head’s pounding, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“‘Pounding’ doesn’t even begin to describe it. Feels like someone smashed my skull with a hammer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then that’s likely the cause of your collapse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penia offered her hypothesis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your divine regeneration probably healed everything...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the brain, even when healed, doesn’t seem to be immune to overload... By the way, didn’t that person named Kylrus also tell you that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He did mention it, but I didn’t realize divine regeneration would be that useless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Alon’s response, Penia’s jaw dropped slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Most people don’t do what they’re told not to, you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t have a choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand that, but still...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penia sighed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon furrowed his brow from the pain, then glanced around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about the others? Are they all okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Um, everyone is—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penia began to explain the situation, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll answer that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan suddenly cut in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penia frowned at him in annoyance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Evan didn’t seem to care and walked up to Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you alright, Marquis?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As you can see, I’m fine. Except for the headache.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s a relief. Oh, and all three of them are doing well. Seolrang and Radan were slightly injured, but they’re fine overall. Lady Historia is the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon let out a breath of relief and asked another question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How’s Rine?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rine is fine too. But—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She said she won’t be coming to see you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon was momentarily at a loss for words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What... what do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he finally got the words out, Evan paused, then answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She said she’d be waiting at the top of the tower every night at midnight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The top of the tower...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, she said she’d prefer your first meeting to be there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan added, “That’s why she won’t be coming to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon asked quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What time is it now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, about two hours until midnight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon turned his gaze to the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky was already filled with a river of stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excuse me? Right now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But it’s not midnight yet. And there’s no need to rush—she said she’ll wait every night. You should rest first—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite Evan’s objections, Alon stood up, lightly pressing his aching head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wanted some fresh air anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying that, he stepped out of the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then let me guide—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my god, read the room, will you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? I just wanted to help since he looked tired.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow... seriously, clueless...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh... never mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving the bickering Penia and Evan behind, Alon made his way to the top of the tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he reached the summit—he was greeted by a cool breeze, the night sky adorned with the Milky Way and the moon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because he was so close to the sky, he could see the stars shine even more brilliantly than before, and beneath that glow, her figure shimmered even more quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Rine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon softly spoke her name aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine, who had been staring at the sky just moments ago, turned her eyes to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a gentle smile spread across her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve come, godfather.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon nodded as he walked toward her, his mind swirling in thought again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What should he say first?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What feelings should he express first?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What story should he begin with?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless thoughts rose and faded in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Things he never gave much thought to when talking to others now rushed through him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, he reached Rine without deciding what to say and stood before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Alon opened his mouth—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine spoke first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words didn’t quite make sense, considering they came from her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry for what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon looked puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring at him, Rine gave a faint, self-deprecating smile and replied—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To be honest, I could’ve escaped ten months ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...You could have?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon couldn’t quite understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine, who had been looking at his face, lowered her gaze slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To me, it felt like centuries. But for you, it’s only been a few months.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon was about to ask what she meant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he realized what she was saying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Rine had been sealed in the past, she had to endure centuries before seeing Alon again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, Alon had returned directly to the present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To him, meeting Rine again was like no more than a few months later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just… wanted you to think about me a little more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was that… too selfish of me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet question echoed beneath the night sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon responded immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not selfish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m glad to hear that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But even if you hadn’t done that— I—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon began to speak again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his words never finished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine’s finger gently pressed against his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t have to say it. Not yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murmuring to herself, “It doesn’t have to be defined yet, does it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine then brushed Alon’s face with the same finger that had just hushed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, the corner of his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, his cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, she gently touched the furrow between his brows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At least for now… this is enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the clear emotions surfacing on Alon’s face, she smiled as brightly as the full moon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, after glancing once at the red brooch on his chest, she spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Godfather, since we’ve reunited like this… may I ask one favor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A favor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I was wondering… if you could give me a light hug.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not difficult.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon nodded to her request—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She removed the brooch from his chest and tucked it into his breast pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you hugged me like that, the brooch might catch on my head,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she explained, noticing Alon’s puzzled expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, without hesitation, she gently wrapped her arms around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll be in your care from now on, Godfather.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tightening her embrace, Rine whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yeah. I’ll be in your care too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon replied with an unconscious smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Milky Way above shone down on the two of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flash—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the brooch in Alon’s pocket glowed as well,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>casting its light over the pair.\u003C\u002Fp>",1832,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.412Z",1,"novelbin.me","5d11f1841cadc97cd72de170cc45240816874042d40204aa3d45b8742e6c9dee","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-298","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-296",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]