[{"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-337":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},759777,1006,"Chapter 337 : Perplexity (3)","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-337",337,"\u003Cp>Everyone who had helped in the recent battle, including Alon, gathered in the conference room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the first time King Stalian V had made an appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you all for your help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were finally able to see his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked much more emaciated than the last time they saw him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Alon was momentarily surprised, Stalian V quickly ended his not-so-grand speech and lightly gestured toward the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, the knights who had been completely still until then stepped forward and handed each person in the room a small jewel box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is what I promised you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stalian V added a few more words of formal thanks before turning away and leaving the room with his haggard face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the brief audience ended, Evan, standing behind Alon, slowly opened his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That ended quicker than I expected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It did.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The king didn’t look all that happy, though?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penia, standing nearby, gave him a scolding look, as if she found his comment ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would he be happy? More than half the territory is gone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, he nearly died and lived to tell the tale.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So what? From now on, it's going to be hell for him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Evan's doubtful expression, as if wondering “Is it that bad?”, Penia shook her head in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think about it. What’s the real problem when you lose your territory?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Money?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Money’s already gone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmmm—Power?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That too is as good as gone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his continued wrong answers, Penia let out a deep sigh and explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Listen carefully. This isn’t just about losing territory. If it was just a region or two, maybe, but half the kingdom was obliterated. And that happened because of the king.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That hasn’t been confirmed, has it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the situation became public, rumors spread that Ashtalon had secretly pursued the strange black stones and that’s what caused this mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, nothing had been officially verified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Penia furrowed her brows in frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Officially, yes, but in reality, it’s practically confirmed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She continued, ‘Why else would he try to clean up the mess if it wasn’t something he started?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, from now on, the king of Ashtalon is in for a rough ride. Internally, he’ll have nobles brimming with resentment watching for any chance to strike. Externally, he’ll be held accountable for this disaster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, if he continues to pretend he knows nothing, maybe he won’t be held responsible—but either way, the kingdom’s influence was bound to decline significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In short, it’s only going to get worse from here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Is it okay to talk about this here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course not. Normally, I mean.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a shrug, Penia turned to look at Marquis Palatio with a trusting gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why is she looking at me? I haven’t said a word…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He greeted the people he knew, quickly pushed the clingy mages off onto Sharan, and returned to his room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis, how about opening it now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Together with Penia, he looked down at the jewel box they’d received earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he was curious about the black stone Stalian V had offered as a reward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Unlike the Abyssal Core, it supposedly boosts your power with no side effects…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon recalled the rumors about the mysterious stone and opened the box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s amazing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Evan and Penia admired it, he looked inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the box was a purple gemstone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was clearly different from a normal gem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed, it’s quite strange.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked as if something was trapped inside the gem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon stared at the white light confined within the gem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its brightness pulsed with such life-like intensity that he couldn’t take his eyes off it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Meow-?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black kitten, Blackie, who had been sleeping in his pocket, suddenly poked out his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With wide, curious eyes, the little one stared intently at the gemstone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His big round eyes sparkled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To top it off, Basiliora also emerged from the ring and examined the gem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[This is—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Basiliora tilted his head as if he didn’t quite understand what he was seeing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know what it is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Alon asked, Basiliora stared at the gem in silence for a moment, then finally spoke with an uncertain look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[If I’m right, what’s inside this gem is divine power.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Divine power?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Yes. But it doesn’t feel like the kind of divine power we use.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perplexed, Alon asked again, and Basiliora tilted his head a few more times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The divine power we use comes from faith.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[But this definitely feels like divine power, yet—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmmm~ After dragging it out a bit, Basiliora finally said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Honestly, I don’t really know.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Then just say you don’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Didn’t I just say that!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Basiliora protested, clearly frustrated by Penia’s disappointed glare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Alon rolled the gem in his hand, he noticed that Blackie still had his face practically pressed against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted the gem higher to take a closer look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, Blackie turned to look at Alon, as if saying with his eyes, ‘Gimme.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon hesitated for a second, then handed the gem over to Blackie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something was instantly sucked into Blackie’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t even take a full second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon quickly pulled the gem away from Blackie’s forehead, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black stone had already lost its light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon, Penia, and Evan stood there, speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Meow-]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, Blackie looked extremely satisfied, licking his front paw as he snuggled back into Alon’s arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is… is that okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan’s voice was laced with panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Alon didn’t really care whether he had the gemstone or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d only been curious because it hadn’t appeared in Psychidelia, not because he intended to use it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, regardless of whether he planned to use it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t confirmed the safety of the black stone yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Alon looked toward his pocket where Blackie had gone back in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite everything, Blackie curled into a ball with a satisfied expression and went to sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I should probably ask him about it later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon could only press a hand to his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon moved to meet with Eliban.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He figured that someone like Eliban, who had often dealt with corrupted gates, might also know something about the black stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon couldn’t help but be surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because he saw a crowd of nobles surrounding Eliban.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He really is popular.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Honestly, I didn’t think it’d be this much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon was aware of Eliban’s fame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was impossible not to be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been steadily gathering information, and every time, stories of Eliban’s heroic deeds would come up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, isn’t this kind of small?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. Eliban attracts nobles wherever he goes, no matter the country. And in towns? He’s treated like a living legend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, that makes sense. After all, he’s the one chosen by the goddess of Sironia, and all of his actions are focused on protecting people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Alon nodded at Penia’s last comment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, Marquis! What brings you here!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eliban.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Eliban spotted Alon from afar, he abandoned the crowd of nobles and ran over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From afar, Alon could feel the mixed stares of unease and awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could practically hear them say, “I’ve been waiting forever to meet him!” and “Wait, Eliban respects him that much??”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling a bit awkward, Alon cleared his throat and replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Am I interrupting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I was just chatting. What’s going on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I had something I wanted to ask you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ask away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you happen to know much about the black stones?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon gave a brief explanation of what had happened yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, you probably don’t need to worry too much about that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eliban answered lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I mean, I don’t know everything about them either, but some of my comrades have absorbed them, and so far, they’re all fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your comrades too…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. Watching them grow stronger made me want to try it too, but I couldn’t absorb it, so I gave up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon nodded, satisfied with Eliban’s personal account.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, by the way, are you planning to head back soon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, that’s the plan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll see you next time! Though we’ll probably run into each other again in about three months.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three months?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Alon asked, Evan, who had been listening nearby, added a clarification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, I think he’s talking about the upcoming ball in Asteria.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, that’s the one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eliban said it with a refreshing smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, see you then!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a light wave, he turned and went back to conversing with the nobles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon watched him, he said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s right. It really is time to return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then shall we get ready to leave?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s stay for about one more day. I still haven’t said goodbye to Seolrang or Radan, and I need to meet with the Saint as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penia, who had been standing nearby, quickly raised her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, Marquis. Then I’ll go visit my Master real quick. I should say goodbye at least.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After parting ways with Penia, Alon began walking back toward his room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, right. Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan spoke up, as if he had just remembered something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When you return to the Marquisate, there’s something you’ll need to do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Something I need to do? Did I leave some official business unfinished?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, not that. You need to choose a partner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Partner?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. For the ball in Asteria, you need to have a dance partner of the opposite sex.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon’s gaze grew troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Can’t I just not attend…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fleeting thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he quickly shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…I’ve skipped too many. I should go at least once.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon hadn’t attended a single ball since a few years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure, he’d always had plausible excuses each time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, even he felt the social pressure from skipping so many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And I didn’t even go to the one Siyan personally asked me to attend last time.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling that, Alon opened his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve put it off until now, so I’ll attend this time. But do I absolutely have to have a partner?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, I’m pretty sure you do. This ball apparently requires a partner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guess I’ll have to find one then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. You should start thinking about it ahead of time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He chewed on his lip in thought for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Once I get back, I’ll just ask someone close by.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That works too. It doesn’t have to be a noble, after all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re not the type to care about that sort of thing anyway,” Evan added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Or I could ask around for you if you’d like?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He offered casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sure, that works too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon replied without much concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Completely unaware of the crimson brooch shining unusually bright.\u003C\u002Fp>",1799,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.412Z",1,"novelbin.me","cc8ec9ad843ec8b884e850ac1458ea5d9d0ea48671a62945af41e3b77cb6d79b","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-338","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-336",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]