[{"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-339":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},759779,1006,"Chapter 339 : This Wasn’t in the Plan (2)","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-339",339,"\u003Cp>Two weeks had passed since Alon left for the Palatio Marquisate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Including the time he had departed from Ashtalon, it had been a full month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, he should have arrived at the Marquisate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, this time, Alon was heading to Divine Land first instead of the Marquisate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s because traveling to Divine Land was a bit quicker than heading directly to the Marquisate from Ashtalon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Divine Land was along the route to the Marquisate anyway, he decided to stop by and check on the situation first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon arrived at a village about a day away from Divine Land, and there he encountered something strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Evan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, sir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a statue of himself erected in the center of the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, a statue of \"Kalannon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he saw villagers kneeling in front of the statue and bowing their heads earnestly, Alon turned to Evan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you looking at me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......Do you really know nothing about this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis, do you seriously think I’m pretending not to know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I suppose not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right. Though I must admit, it's a little disheartening to have it confirmed like that……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon already knew Evan’s position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Evan's status was a bit ambiguous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Technically, Evan was the one managing Divine Land on Alon’s behalf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why he had been pleased when Divine Land and its order of knights were first formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But lately, Alon had heard that more and more things were happening without reporting to Evan first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Alon nodded without protest, Evan let out a sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether it’s Sili or Deus, they just rush into things like it’s nothing. It’s honestly exhausting sometimes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you ever had to clean up after them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm...... not exactly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon briefly thought, “Then what’s been so hard for you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow, it’s a statue of Master! It’s really well made!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the carriage, Seolrang, who had been napping while clutching Blackie, suddenly sprang up and started checking out the statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, Alon figured out what was going on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They say Divine Land sends out volunteer groups regularly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......Volunteers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Apparently, they hand out food and preach, things like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did I ever give an order like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I don’t believe you did.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan had asked a villager and gotten the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon absentmindedly responded, he suddenly found himself wondering just how far things had spun out of control—and that led him to think of Yuman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Now that I think about it… the Saint must have heard about the creation of Divine Land too, yet he never mentioned it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a way, Yuman should’ve been the one most affected, yet he had let it go so smoothly that it was almost suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Meowwww~!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a distance, Alon spotted Seolrang flying around like an airplane, holding Blackie high above her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blackie looked like he was crying out “Save me~!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were absolutely pitiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But more troubling than that were the villagers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with Seolrang putting on a whole show nearby, they were still bowing devoutly to the statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just a few people either—there were a lot of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That many people were offering prayers to the statue?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......Evan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Marquis?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who did you say came through here again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard it was Sili.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......Sili, huh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that’s why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe it’s some kind of hypnosis technique.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excuse me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, never mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon muttered to himself without realizing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waking up a bit earlier than usual, Alon made his way to Divine Land and arrived at a cliff overlooking the area around noon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Evan.......It looks bigger than last time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not just a little bigger, sir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoa, so this is Divine Land!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon saw how drastically Divine Land had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It hadn’t just grown in size—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s practically a whole settlement now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Land had transformed into a full-scale settlement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......Wouldn’t it be better to just call it a village now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan added, looking at the endless rows of tents, and Alon had to think.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I knew the divine power had grown absurdly strong… but I didn’t expect it to be this much.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his lips tightly shut, Alon began walking toward Divine Land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he approached, as if they had been waiting for him, knights came running from afar just like before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve been expecting you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knight at the front bowed sharply as he shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nodding, Alon entered the now-massive Divine Land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, he could see the knights and soldiers waiting in orderly formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t all that surprising anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a sight he’d grown used to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, knights and soldiers had been around since the beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what left Alon staring blankly at the scene—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No matter how you look at it, isn’t this… a bit much?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If someone else were to witness this, they would probably think:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—This guy’s seriously preparing for war!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t know, but… are you secretly preparing for war or something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to respond immediately, but with knights and soldiers in front of him, he held back and tried to move elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spotted a very familiar face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, not just one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ryanga? And—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryanga, awkwardly wearing armor that didn’t suit her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Historia?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Historia stood there, wearing her usual blank expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahaha… Hey, Chief.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hi, Divine One.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryanga subtly shifted her gaze to the side, and Historia just stood there with the same vacant look as always.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What on earth is going on here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryanga’s original goal in leaving the Ronovelli Forest had been to bring back Blue Ghost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, that was just an excuse—her real goal had been to see Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, because of that, Ryanga had headed to the Palatio Marquisate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, she arrived in Divine Land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was something she hadn’t expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon hadn’t arrived yet, and Historia was already there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, that alone wasn’t a big problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryanga and Historia actually got along quite well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Ryanga planned to talk with Historia for a day and then return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, even the reason she had used—bringing back Blue Ghost, who didn’t want to return—was no longer valid, so there was no reason to stay any longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, Ryanga had planned to leave Divine Land the next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just before leaving, Blue Ghost strangely insisted she have a sparring match with Historia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the start of it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the duel, Ryanga was immediately approached by Deus, who suggested she join the Order of Knights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, she planned to refuse—but then Blue Ghost whispered to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How about trying it out casually, like a little experience?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was total nonsense—but a little intriguing nonetheless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she did that, it would give her a proper reason to meet Alon again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Ryanga, who only meant to join temporarily for that reason, eventually became—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the Four Knights who guarded Kalannon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was how Ryanga ended up staying in Divine Land as the Order’s captain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But of course, she couldn’t tell Alon the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh, just? I got interested in it—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the private room where she was supposed to explain things, Ryanga said that and laughed awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...You were interested in this kind of thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah—something like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon tilted his head at her clumsy answer but didn’t press further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, Blue Ghost seemed like that too.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon glanced at Blue Ghost, who was striking a victory pose in the distance for some unknown reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he turned to Historia and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, what about you, Ria?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just came where I was supposed to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ria perked up her ears and wagged her tail as if proud of her decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon nodded, accepting her words without question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he recalled something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, what’s this about the ‘Four Knights’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew there was a knight captain, but he’d never heard of a Four Knights system before, so he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re the knights who guard only the Divine One.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ria answered simply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guard knights... Is that what this is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are the other two?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The remaining two spots are still vacant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why call it Four Knights already... no, who even made up that name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Saint did.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...What is that Saint even doing without my knowing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That fleeting thought passed through Alon’s mind when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis! Welcome!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That very Saint appeared with a bright smile on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Alon was inside Divine Land—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Um, Lord Alexion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s... a guest here to see you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A guest? I thought I had no more appointments today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Palatio Marquisate, Alexion received news of a visitor from his secretary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you remember the matter of the Marquis’s partner from last time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Someone’s already arrived?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, sir...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The secretary hesitated for a moment, then clamped her mouth shut and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A question mark formed in Alexion’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had only been a few weeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never imagined someone would arrive this quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘More than half of them probably haven’t even arrived yet.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After thinking it over briefly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, bring them in for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, sir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Can’t just send them away.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave the order, then shrugged to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But who could it be? Count Zenonia? Or Duke Altia?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had sent invitations to over a dozen noble ladies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So many candidates ran through his head in a short time, but Alexion stopped thinking about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever showed up, he needed to stay sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to select the most suitable partner for the Palatio Marquis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the candidate was a powerful noble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alexion steeled himself mentally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a breath to remain cool and objective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn’t last long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alexion’s resolve crumbled instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the person who walked through the door was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...??”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Cardinal Yutia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alexion froze on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never sent an invitation letter to Cardinal Yutia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wh-what brings you here—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard you were looking for a partner for the Marquis, so I came for the interview.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did you even—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia’s voice was gentle and steady as she continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh right. Since you didn’t send me a letter ‘by accident,’ it’s lucky I happened to ‘not know’ about it, isn’t it? Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That statement was full of holes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t sent her a letter in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the partner candidates probably hadn’t even been contacted yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did she ‘happen’ to find out, realize he ‘accidentally’ hadn’t sent her a letter, and still show up this early?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alexion couldn’t refute her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“—Was it... not an accident, then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Yutia, her red eyes gleaming, parted her lips—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One name flashed through Alexion’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia Bloodia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The absolute power holding control of Rosario.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the moment someone crossed her—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They vanished without a trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hence, her alias: “Pure White.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It... seems I made a mistake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So it was a mistake after all?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-yes... it really was......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alexion chose survival.\u003C\u002Fp>",1859,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.412Z",1,"novelbin.me","32cadf66c18057048cd84a04a9fafc0ab78569ae9c2ec5d9fd00d9984dfaad59","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-340","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-338",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]