[{"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-347":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},759787,1006,"Chapter 347 : Voting (2)","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-347",347,"\u003Cp>A little while later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is everyone here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon looked at the five people in the reception room and the one extra.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia, Rine, Seolrang, Ryanga, Magrina.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even Historia, sitting there with a sulky expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why is Historia here?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Alon glanced at Evan with a puzzled look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Is something wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan, looking just as confused, asked back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Historia wasn’t on the list.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? The list? …You mean the partner list?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait… the people you gathered here were the ones on the partner list?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan looked utterly clueless, his eyes widening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Alon’s suspicion only deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You didn’t know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Why wouldn’t you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How would I know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon tried to recall Alexion’s words from yesterday and opened his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alexion clearly said you would—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem, my Lord, that’s not really the point, is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, he was instantly cut off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Not the point, huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The results are already in, aren’t they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think so too, brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me too, my Lord!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem, same here, Chief.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right, godfather.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Starting with Yutia, the others jumped in one after another, as if they had rehearsed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon lost his words for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...He could have sworn they weren’t on such good terms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he stole a glance at Evan, his face showed even more confusion, as though he understood even less of the situation than Alon did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Fine, let’s move on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no helping it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How these people had received letters and even passed interviews—he had no choice but to shelve that question for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that his curiosity was gone, or that he no longer cared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply had a gut feeling that he wouldn’t get any meaningful answers even if he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ll have to ask Alexion later.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon let out a light sigh and addressed those gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sure you already know, but the reason I’ve called you here is because of the partner selection.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked around at the nodding heads and asked just in case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does anyone want to withdraw as a partner candidate right now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wondered if anyone had been pressured into attending the interview.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the only reply was complete silence, not even a breath out of place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—instead, their eyes seemed to burn with a strange determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon unconsciously fell silent himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why were they all so obsessed with becoming a partner?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was troubling, but at the same time, a little gratifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To think they would desire the position this much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, not many of them truly understood what being a partner meant when they sat for the interview.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, gratitude was gratitude, so he cleared his throat unnecessarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since you all applied, it would be difficult for me to choose one of you myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how he did it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone who wasn’t chosen could harbor resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Alon didn’t want these people to feel that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, we’ll hold a vote.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon revealed the card he had kept hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A vote?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. From now, I’ll give you about an hour. During that time, you’ll all vote among yourselves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was, simply put, a vote.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, it didn’t change much except removing the burden from him of having to personally choose someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he figured this was something everyone could accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A vote, huh—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That sounds fun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m in!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five candidates all nodded without protest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, starting now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voting began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And exactly one hour later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The results were—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia: 1 vote\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine: 1 vote\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seolrang: 1 vote\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magrina: 1 vote\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryanga: 1 vote\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Historia: 1 vote\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though it was an anonymous vote, the outcome made it obvious who had voted for whom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But wait—wasn’t Historia not even on the original list?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon shifted his gaze toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her usual blank expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet she was staring at her ballot with eyes filled with solemn determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since it’s a tie, let’s do it again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Historia’s tail swish, Alon decided not to mention that she wasn’t on the candidate list and simply suggested a revote.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another hour passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The results:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia – 1 vote\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine – 1 vote\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seolrang – 1 vote\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magrina – 1 vote\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryanga – 1 vote\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Historia – 1 vote\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The exact same outcome repeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon hesitated for a moment, then said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll give you two hours this time. How about you discuss it among yourselves?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving those words behind,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll step out to handle some matters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He left the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some time passed after Alon left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following his instructions, Evan quietly observed the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hoo~ if this keeps up, it’ll never end.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice belonged to Magrina, who had been silent until now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm, true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I agree.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Agreed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nodded one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magrina added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, let’s pick someone to pool our votes on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean by pooling votes, Magrina?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A game. How about that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...A game?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehh, a game—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia nodded with interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright then, suggest a game.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The discussion moved forward quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chosen game was rock-paper-scissors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, just rock-paper-scissors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Magrina, come over here for a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, you see~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seolrang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it, Yutia?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could you step aside for a moment?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan witnessed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Groups breaking off here and there, whispering conspiratorially.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Wasn’t rock-paper-scissors just a straightforward game with clear winners and losers?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why in the world did they need scheming sessions for such a simple contest?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought barely formed when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each and every one of them bore grave expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer force of their mana and divine power surged, overwhelming even Evan, who had the strength of an average knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt crushed by the pressure and had to step back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The result—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The votes came in as:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia – 1 vote\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine – 1 vote\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seolrang – 1 vote\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magrina – 1 vote\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryanga – 1 vote\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Historia – 1 vote\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another deadlock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Evan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, my lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t you say a winner was decided?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon, returning, looked baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, a winner had been decided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been Yutia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan turned his gaze forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite it being only rock-paper-scissors, Yutia had played with cunning strategies and ruthless planning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled—just her lips curling upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha... You all broke your promise. That’s a little unfair, don’t you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said it with a laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Magrina coolly replied,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We didn’t break our promise. You cheated, didn’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cheated? What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From the start, you were using holy power to read everyone’s muscles, figuring out what they would throw.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s something everyone else was doing too~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And you threw a little late as well~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t you all say nothing at the time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because we knew you wouldn’t admit it otherwise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan realized with a start—so the reason they unleashed enough mana and holy power to practically shatter the house... was for that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While he mulled over the absurdity, Alon stared down at the tied ballots once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At this rate, we’ll never reach a conclusion. Let’s change the method.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes turned to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drawing their full attention, Alon declared,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One month from today, we will hold a vote among the citizens of the territory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He announced a public vote.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, everyone was shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll follow your decision, my Lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me too. It does seem fair.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...If Chief says so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then it’s my win!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s much to consider, but alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Historia nodding last, everyone departed, each carrying a quiet confidence, as though sure of their own advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan, deep in thought, spoke softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...This way, there will definitely be a result.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, though the scale’s gotten a bit bigger. But this is actually how partner selections are sometimes done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Alon had proposed it to dodge choosing someone himself, he secretly worried he had gone too far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But hearing there was precedent, he felt relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least it wasn’t excessive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon nodded to himself, Evan added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not without precedent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good to know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, it’s usually royalty who’ve done it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve heard that royalty have often chosen brides or grooms this way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Royalty?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. But so what? Just because royalty have done it doesn’t mean they’re the only ones who can.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They might think we’re copying them, but that’s about the worst of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan shrugged, and Alon felt reassured once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few days later—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A pilgrimage group from Rosario is on its way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. They say they’ll arrive for the completion of the new church.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Warriors from Colony are also coming to the Marquisate of Palatio.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From Colony? Suddenly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, apparently for some kind of training. And remember that trade guild we signed with? The one run by the Elf Queen? They’re also arriving with a caravan in a month. And on top of that—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon realized instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something was happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that all?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, my lord. This next part is the most important.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You remember you told me to send invitations to the kings?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Did a problem arise?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not a problem. More like... everything went a little too smoothly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Meaning?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of the kings accepted your invitation. Their representatives will be arriving soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see—wait, what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They all accepted your invitation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh? Well... asking me won’t...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan trailed off awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon froze in bewilderment, yet at the same time instinctively understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Evan, if they accepted, when will they all arrive in Divine Land?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In about two weeks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something was going wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Terribly wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>",1605,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.412Z",1,"novelbin.me","ac4c49a410bdbaa95e3cbe244ee611c468c23906e3395f5f27f5d8713828f8d8","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-348","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-346",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]