[{"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-342":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},759782,1006,"Chapter 342 : ???? Years Old (1)","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-342",342,"\u003Cp>Because the office was too small, they first moved to the tea parlor where everyone could sit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon simply served tea, then awkwardly scratched his head in the still-quiet atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it, Evan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s about the auction house matter you stamped last time............”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did something go wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems so. The proposal came up again and I think you should check it now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that’s the case~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan brought the report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon stood up right away and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry, but I’ll go take care of this real quick. We’ve already introduced ourselves, so go ahead and talk amongst yourselves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nodded in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon turned and left the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, silence fell over the tea parlor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though no one was outwardly threatening, there was still an odd sense of tension in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Seolrang, who would usually giggle and mess with Rine whom she hadn’t seen in a while—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clink—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sat stiffly with both hands wrapped around her teacup, her face frozen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the first to speak was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was it Deus Macallian?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Nangwon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deus nodded calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fufufu, I’m impressed you noticed. You must have an eye for such things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so? But it was so well made that I couldn’t help but admire it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the earlier tense mood, Deus and Nangwon were conversing with faint smiles on their lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To think you’d engrave something like that into a statue—never crossed my mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re interested, I can show you how I carve it into a statue next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, I’m looking forward to that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Because of Alon’s statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere quickly lightened thanks to the sudden camaraderie between Deus and Nangwon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As only their voices echoed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem, let me reintroduce myself. I’m Yutia Bloodia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Allow me as well. I’m Magrina, Queen of Fildagreen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m Ryanga.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m Seolrang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m Rine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Historia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who had remained silent earlier now introduced themselves one by one, and naturally, the conversation began to flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air had softened considerably compared to the beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even so, there remained a subtle line between those present, excluding Nangwon and Deus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As the queen of elves, I’m sure you must have a lot on your plate. But no worries, we’re already supporting Lord well, so there’s no need for you to concern yourself too much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t just ignore it. Ms. Seolrang over there and Sister Rine here are all from foreign lands, so I have to offer a bit more help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine, really. We’ve already taken care of anything that might trouble our Lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, Brother often needs information. We believe it’s important to support him in the ways he needs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they were smiling as they spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were clearly referring to each other in distinct groups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It couldn’t be helped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia, along with Seolrang, Rine, and Deus, were people Alon had saved roughly ten years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whereas Magrina, Nangwon, Historia, and Ryanga were people he had rescued after traveling to the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Lord already has plenty of support from us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So do we.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘We can support him well enough on our own, so don’t overstep.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Nope, I will.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what Yutia and Magrina were saying to each other with smiles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the brief moment of harmony began to dissolve and the tension began to rise again—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a coincidence. Who would’ve thought that everyone with a connection to the Marquis would all gather here today for something important.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tea party—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That matter should’ve already been settled though.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With just one line from Yutia, the air instantly froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my, what do you mean by that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raising her teacup with a smile, Magrina paused, then slowly set it down and asked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yutia replied without losing her smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just as you heard? The important decision has already been made, so I thought you might feel a bit regretful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seem to know what that matter is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia didn’t answer Magrina’s question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She simply smiled slyly with those snowy fox-like eyes and took a sip of her tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“S-Seriously? It’s already over? Wait, didn’t it just begin???”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryanga, who had only been awkwardly scratching her head until then, gasped in shock, clearly shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magrina, who had been staring at Yutia, spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As far as I know, it’s not over yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. We were supposed to talk about it today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That conversation won’t mean much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why’s that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because it’s already been decided.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I heard this person only chooses candidates. The one who really decides is Brother, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magrina’s firm retort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia simply kept her calm expression and sipped her tea again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sllrp—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her attitude was just so composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After elegantly setting down her teacup, she said—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. That’s why I’m telling you now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled sweetly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone’s gaze quickly shifted to Yutia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the face of that overwhelming confidence, everyone was left speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s just Yutia’s opinion, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine suddenly countered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-Yeah! Yutia! That’s just what you think! We don’t know what Master’s going to decide!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seolrang chimed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The invisible alliance that had formed moments ago collapsed in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Allies from a few seconds ago became adversaries within seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So it seems.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem, it’s true that Chief will make the final call, so nothing’s set in stone yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magrina added with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryanga clenched her fists quietly, renewing her resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite all this, Yutia remained composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if she’d known she’d win from the beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wore the smile of a victor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, the others all clamped their mouths shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Magrina, who had managed to keep smiling until now, subtly tensed her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Yutia was that certain—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There must be something going on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the pressure, Seolrang clenched her teeth and hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should she use that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But fearing the consequences, she struggled internally—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then made her decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But still, Yutia isn’t really suited to be a partner, is she?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She let it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia stared at her calmly through the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling oddly exposed, Seolrang averted her eyes and mumbled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yutia’s, uh, like, hundreds of times older than Master…… right……?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She blurted it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Avoiding eye contact—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia froze in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seolrang’s secret weapon, launched recklessly, fell right on Yutia’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my, is that so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within seconds—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magrina declared a new alliance with Seolrang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmmm~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s certainly true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryanga and Rine jumped in right on cue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Historia’s emotionless gaze turned toward Yutia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A perfect counterattack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After freezing up for a moment, Yutia softly laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fufu~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glanced around at everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a faint cracking sound—barely audible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry, Seolrang, but that’s not quite right, is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? What do you mean—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m twenty-two years old this year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eh? That can’t be right. You’re clearly—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I said I’m twenty-two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......Aren’t you just insisting on that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, what can I do if it’s the truth, Rine? It’s not nice to spread falsehoods, you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tilting her head, Yutia acted as if she had no memory of her past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time everyone was making an exasperated face, she continued speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, if we’re going to bring up age, I believe most of you aren’t exactly in your teens either. Am I wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone fell silent once more under Yutia’s attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truthfully, she wasn’t wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magrina, Ryanga, and even Historia had all lived for 600 years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On top of that, Rine had technically been sealed for 600 years, so she couldn’t escape either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem, did you know? High Elves live a really long time? So by elven standards, I’m only around twenty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recovering her composure, Magrina pulled out a miraculous calculation method (?).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“M-Me too! We live for a long time, okay!? If I wanted to, I could live for thousands of years… Uh, wait, how old am I in human years again +.....?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trying to follow Magrina’s logic, Ryanga glitched out with spinning eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Historia calmly agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Rine countered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m still twenty, Yutia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because I was sealed. I didn’t age.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you were awake for those 600 years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even so, my physical age didn’t change. If you’re saying I aged during that time, then your logic doesn’t make sense either, Yutia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia clammed up again at her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Rine looked at her expressionlessly but with a strangely triumphant face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem. Then I must be the one who suits Master best!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right after, Seolrang entered the fray, full of confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even while engrossed in the statue discussion, Nangwon had heard everything and spoke absentmindedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether it’s 600 years or more… Honestly, that’s still just aging all the same, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I agree with that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right? In the end, by human standards, you’re all kind of Aun—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t finish the last word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Nangwon tried to say that word, both he and Deus were kicked—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By Magrina and Yutia respectively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOOOOOM—!!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[—?!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“—!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon, who had been reviewing the proposal that had come back, suddenly sensed a surge of violent magical energy and a loud boom—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And saw the mansion wall completely shattered with Deus and Nangwon smashed into a bookshelf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In shock, he tried to activate Reverse Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry, my Lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry for causing a scene.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yutia… Magrina?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon froze at the sight of Yutia and Magrina emerging from the smoky rubble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following behind were Ryanga, Historia, and Rine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three of them silently grabbed Nangwon and Deus by the ankles and dragged them back into the room they came from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon just—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blankly stared at the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry, my Lord. We just got caught up in a small conversation and things got a bit messy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll be heading back now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do your best with work, Chief!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good luck, Divine One!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See you in a bit, Godfather.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girls cheerfully waved as they dragged the two grown men away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon sat down with a thud, his mind completely blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Meow~]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, gently stroking Blackie who had jumped into his arms in alarm,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deus and Nangwon… are they going to be okay…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared blankly at the hole in the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, after the big commotion at the Palatio Marquis’ mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alexion—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Began conducting interviews.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......Good evening.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m Rine Groff.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, yes, but um… the letter, where did you get it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It came to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh… You received a letter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Uh, sorry, but we didn’t send a letter to a Ms. Rine Groff.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I don’t recall writing a letter to Ms. Rine Groff—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t send—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“..............Come to think of it, I guess I did send it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Interviewing the thief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, by the way, I heard the interviews are based on a scoring system?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s correct.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope I get a good score.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, the scoring is based on a number of criteria—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, exactly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine agreed far too easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Alexion was about to revise his evaluation of her to ‘A person who may lack shame, but at least has basic decency’—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alexion saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golden crown emerging from behind Rine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Effortlessly boring a clean hole through the desk between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, I’m so sorry. I’m not used to this body yet, so I messed up. I don’t even have full control over my strength yet… I apologize.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine muttered soullessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that sight—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“L-Let’s begin.................”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alexion tightly shut his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>",1922,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.412Z",1,"novelbin.me","584bd3990145b166a9ced8c7aa029d9b17a243a2ef8bda2347263fa8a1369158","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-343","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-341",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]