[{"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-348":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},759788,1006,"Chapter 348 : Voting (3)","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-348",348,"\u003Cp>“Duke Altia, we’ll soon be arriving at the Marquis Palatio’s estate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At her secretary’s words, Duke Altia turned her gaze outside the carriage window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The marquis’s domain came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to when she had briefly visited years ago on business, it had developed to an entirely different level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duke Altia couldn’t help but let out a gasp of admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, a thought rose in her heart—“Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who was Marquis Palatio?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The head of Kalpha, the largest faction in Asteria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the countless titles and rumors attached to his name were so extraordinary that even the title of Kalpha’s leader paled in comparison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His achievements were beyond what any ordinary human could possibly accumulate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And to think he possessed not just one or two such feats, but dozens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it was his domain, then naturally, it should be splendid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From that perspective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The marquis’s estate, in a way, reflected Palatio’s frugality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the territory itself drew admiration from all who saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In front of the marquis’s overwhelming feats, it would always feel insufficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Altia let out a sigh, her expression still flushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For about the next three weeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was about to lead a very busy life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason she had come to the Marquis Palatio’s estate this time was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vote to choose the marquis’s partner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And her participation as a candidate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s going to be a very tough fight, but I’ll give it my all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she crossed the castle gate and looked deeper into the estate, Duke Altia made a small vow to herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had already gathered some general information on her way here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Starting with which people had entered the candidacy for the marquis’s partner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what sort of relationships those candidates had with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it was not going to be an easy fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a duke of Asteria, and one called the right hand of Kalpha, Duke Altia possessed a social standing that would not bow to anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the same could be said of the other candidates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True, there were a few whose backgrounds yielded little useful information, but she couldn’t afford to let her guard down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If someone was connected to the Marquis Palatio, then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could hardly be “ordinary” in a favorable sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paradoxically, it wasn’t an unwinnable fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, the deciding factor of this battle was the vote.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply put.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Winning the hearts of the domain’s citizens would decide victory or defeat, and their personal relationships with the marquis could not interfere in that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, even if Duke Altia didn’t share a deep connection with the marquis like the others, she could still start on equal footing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than anything, Altia had confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had led Kalpha, the largest faction in Asteria, until now. Of course, it was made easier with the marquis’s prestige at her back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the point remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had run Kalpha as the largest faction without issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meaning, this kind of fight was something she was familiar with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you completed all the preparations I ordered?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, everything has been taken care of.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confidence spread across Duke Altia’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She steeled her resolve, going over the tasks she had to complete while staying in the marquis’s estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, her confidence did not waver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, not until the following day arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So… what exactly is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the northern gate of the marquis’s estate, Duke Altia watched the endless stream of arrivals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clerics, all dressed in pure white robes, entering reverently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They say it’s a pilgrimage group from Rosario. Apparently, a new church is being built here at the marquis’s estate—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duke Altia answered absently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that she didn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had already completed her preliminary research and was aware that a pilgrimage group would arrive under the pretext of the church.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, she could not help but be astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer number of pilgrims she could see—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How many do you think that is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Easily over a thousand, perhaps much more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That can’t be possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hard to believe that the establishment of a mere church could draw a crowd of that scale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duke Altia’s head spun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, even if their numbers easily surpassed a thousand, even if all of them voted, compared to the number of citizens in the estate, it wasn’t overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if Cardinal Yutia truly brought this pilgrimage group into the fight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle would become far more difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—more than that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would become an overwhelmingly disadvantageous fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a grueling struggle awaited Duke Altia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pressed her forehead with her hand and sighed, but her spirit was not broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For although the situation had turned against her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In another sense, it might also be an opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a competition where only one winner could emerge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If someone drew too close to an overwhelming victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other candidates would begin to unite in dragging that person down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, Duke Altia discarded her previous plans and devised a new one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They look like fighters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I know that much. But what I don’t understand is… how did they arrive so quickly from Karmakses? And more importantly… has the Golden Flash Guild always had that many members?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, Duke Altia found herself staring at another massive crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like the pilgrims she had seen the day before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An overwhelming number of warriors poured in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even her secretary couldn’t come up with an answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duke Altia let out a sigh and steadied her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s still fine… still fine,” she told herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, the next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Elves?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…They’re elves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of those… are elves?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, they’re elves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, yet another day later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are those this time~?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“According to urgent intel from the Information Guild, they’re a faction of the Hundred Ghosts, one of the four great powers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s… a lot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, indeed…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared blankly at the central plaza.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the heart of the Marquis Palatio’s estate, where a massive statue stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pilgrims, warriors, and the Hundred Ghosts’ faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All glaring at one another, locked in a silent standoff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Should I just go home?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the Marquis Palatio’s estate turn into a demonic battlefield of non-humans in just a few days, Duke Altia muttered unconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, her voice was one of despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, we’re about to arrive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Tolenis, first prince of Caliban, recalled the order given by his father, King Palmaryan, as he listened to his knight commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go to Divine Land and learn the Marquis Palatio’s true intentions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His father had been unusually grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tolenis frowned as the distant sight of Divine Land came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the surface, Divine Land looked ordinary enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was simply an impossibly large military camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that was only at first glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the slightest thought, the oddities became apparent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why, having settled here, would one keep the land only in the form of a “camp”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t difficult for Tolenis to guess what that meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t the only one to reach that conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he stepped down from the carriage and looked around, he saw others who had arrived before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each one stood stiff-faced, staring at Divine Land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took them in one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ashtalon sent its crown prince, Raksas its princess, and Asteria… the king’s steward?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering that Cretinia Siyan’s heir was absent, he could understand why a steward had been sent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Welcome. He is expecting you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knight appeared among them, forcing the representatives of each kingdom to stiffen their expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bowed respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he offered no greater courtesy than that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The courtesy that knights of the Allied Kingdoms were meant to show equally to all kings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Land’s knight did not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though their faces hardened, the princes and princess followed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they did, Tolenis naturally drew the eyes of the soldiers and knights around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same went for the other royals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And their expressions grew even more severe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the emotions in those gazes were unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, it would have been strange not to feel it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldiers who had been training just moments earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, all of them had stopped to stare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the knights who were training them did the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…As if scanning enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under that unpleasant scrutiny, the young royals realized one truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place might already be enemy territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking further under those heavy stares, they finally reached the largest tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He is waiting for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guided by the knight, they carefully stepped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, you’ve all arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They saw Marquis Palatio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Greeting the princes and princess with his characteristic expressionless face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon sat in the audience chamber, quietly surveying the expressions of the gathered royals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of them tense, their eyes fixed on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Not a good atmosphere.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, he still didn’t understand why the kings had accepted his invitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But given the situation, asking, “Why did you even come?” outright would have been ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, Alon decided to make one thing perfectly clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me say this upfront: I have no intention of invading other kingdoms or starting a war. I hope you’ll take that to heart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might have sounded abrupt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Alon felt it was absolutely necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By declaring he wouldn’t do the very thing they feared most, he hoped to lighten the suffocating mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in truth, it wasn’t ineffective—the atmosphere eased just a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, they looked at him with a slight air of uncertainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Should I crack a joke here?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon considered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he truly had no desire for war, he had a duty to see this gathering end on a positive note.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was thinking that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I ask a question?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The timing was almost perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Tolenis who spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hear you’ve been granted territory, yet why are you operating it in this form?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon hesitated over how to respond, then decided to tell it plainly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In some ways, it was Divine Land’s weakness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But by exposing it, perhaps he could gain their trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a financial matter. Originally, I intended to start small, but unforeseen events piled up, and more and more people gathered. It’s been quite a troublesome situation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, that’s how it is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He answered as sincerely as possible, then looked at the gathered royals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve been running it without external support as best I can.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression remained impassive, though he even gave a small laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite Alon revealing his weakness in hopes of easing the tension, the atmosphere in the chamber only grew darker, more funereal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing this, Alon quietly let his hollow laugh die away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a heavy silence fell.\u003C\u002Fp>",1807,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.412Z",1,"novelbin.me","07852e63b0eb0eab6448e5bcfb4cee64c362c61f8418e452dce9321eb02c00c8","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-349","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-347",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]