[{"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-35":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},759396,1006,"Chapter 35","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-35",35,"\u003Cp>In the vast territory of Malteon, located south of the Kingdom of Ashtalon, two men sat in the underground of a massive mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them was Carmine, the third son of Duke Komalon, the owner of this mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man standing before him wore a relaxed expression, despite facing Carmine, who was infamous as a tyrant and scoundrel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re the ‘Agent,’ right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carmine asked, as if confirming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man with half-closed eyes smiled quietly, then, without a word, took out a quill from his pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first glance, the quill didn’t seem to possess any special power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, soon a hum was heard, and the tip of the quill revealed an aura blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a light smile, the man raised his arm above his head, releasing the aura, and drew a line in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite being drawn in empty space, a dark line clearly lingered where the quill had passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carmine, watching this, soon realized that the line was seeping into the air, like ink bleeding through water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the moment the black ink in the air disappeared, a sharp splatter echoed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chwaaak!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood burst out in the previously empty basement, and bodies, which had not been visible before, collapsed to the floor, their blood blossoming on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Privacy Settings\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were nine corpses in total.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a space that had been pristine just moments ago, the pungent scent of blood now filled the air, thanks to the man, who nonchalantly returned the quill to his chest pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems my answer should be clear now. What do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man grinned mischievously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carmine, who had momentarily appeared dazed, suddenly smiled grimly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed. A swordmaster with such a unique ability… as expected, you’re one of the ‘Agents.’ Your level is on another plane…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his subordinates had been slaughtered in a single strike, Carmine showed no concern, instead expressing admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for the compliment,” the Agent responded with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satisfied, Carmine nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘As I thought, this is the right answer.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Agents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were assassins operating out of the United Kingdoms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While their exact numbers were unknown, Carmine was certain that each member of the Agents possessed enough skill to be considered at the level of a swordmaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their service fees were exorbitant, and they were selective in accepting contracts, but once a job was taken, it had never failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, let’s get straight to the point,” said the Agent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Carmine responded, “I want you to kill a noble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Which noble?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Count Palatio of the Asteria Kingdom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the Agent paused briefly, deep in thought, before replying, “I’m afraid that particular contract will be a bit difficult.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blunt refusal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Carmine had anticipated this response to some extent, so he continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it an issue with the payment?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed. As you’re well aware, our fees are quite high. Moreover, there would be additional costs involved with Count Palatio.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, you’re saying that if I pay the fee, you’ll be able to kill Count Palatio?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve never failed any contract we accepted—whether it was to take the head of a noble,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pisik-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Or even the head of royalty, for that matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Agent’s overwhelming confidence was apparent in his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carmine then responded, “I will pay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m afraid the fee we charge will be quite burdensome for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Privacy Settings\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True, if it’s only money, that might be tough. But—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carmine, with a confident smile, pulled something from his chest and presented it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How about this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Carmine held was a black cube.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cube so dark it seemed capable of absorbing even light itself, resembling the abyss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interest flickered in the Agent’s eyes as he observed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, it’s not Abyssal Jade, but an Abyssal Core…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” Carmine confirmed with a nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Agent silently stared at the item for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Greed briefly flashed in his eyes, but after a moment of contemplation, he shook his head as if the answer was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, it’s certainly tempting, but even an Abyssal Core alone…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The agent spoke as if genuinely disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What if it were three Abyssal Cores?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Carmine’s following words, the agent fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you sure?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a faint chuckle, the agent said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll complete the job as quickly as possible and return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he vanished from the spot as if he had simply disappeared, leaving only the sharp scent of blood lingering in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left alone, Carmine finally smiled broadly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘At last!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five months ago, after failing to exact revenge through Vilan, Carmine had tirelessly sought ways to exact his revenge, though he had repeatedly failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumors had spread that Deus Macallian, one of the master knights of Caliban, was deeply connected with Count Palatio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the more the revenge was delayed, the more Carmine’s hatred for Alon grew, almost like an obsession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was no longer a rational emotion but an irrational and intense loathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of that excessive hatred, he had consumed far more Abyssal Cores than necessary, leaving himself in a precarious position with his father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, despite that, Carmine was still smiling wickedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Did you really think you could ignore me and live comfortably? …That will never happen, not ever.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Privacy Settings\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His twisted inferiority complex and misery had turned into hatred, now directed toward Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, a sentence that felt like it belonged in the title of a web novel from another world passed through his mind:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I accidentally became the leader of a group formed by a shadowy alliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Do you have anything to say?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unaware of Alon’s complicated feelings, the moderator asked another question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon, however, wanted to ask back,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What? Me? The leader of a group created by a shadowy alliance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hmm, it seems you have nothing to add, so we will move on.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Alon could voice his confusion, the moderator smoothly continued, leaving the words stuck in his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon, desperately trying to understand the situation,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shifted his gaze and looked toward Duke Altia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nod!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the young days he remembered, Duke Altia now exuded the aura of a shadowy figure, nodding confidently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Likewise, Lady Zenonia—no, now officially Countess Zenonia, who had held her succession ceremony after her father’s death a few months ago—was also smiling beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Is this some kind of prank?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought crossed Alon’s mind, but he knew very well that this wasn’t just a prank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he continued to piece together the confusion,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ah.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally understood the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized why the nobles had looked puzzled when he had sat down earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And why the two men sitting across from him, who had clearly been through many battles, were watching him with intense wariness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ah.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this new understanding, Alon realized once again that he had truly become the leader of a shadow faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling a sudden dizziness, Alon instinctively held his head and tightly closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About two hours later, the grand council meeting ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although a lot of discussions had taken place, Alon couldn’t recall a single thing from the meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Privacy Settings\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Alon, the reason he had somehow become the leader of the Kalpha faction was far more important than the nobles’ contradictory arguments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For two hours, he struggled with this unsolvable riddle, and just as the meeting was coming to a close, a hypothesis dawned on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Could it be that I’m just a puppet figurehead?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the worst conclusion for him, but also highly plausible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, after the grand council meeting ended, Alon found himself, as if entranced, being led to the banquet celebrating the birth of the Kalpha faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as the banquet began, and he had a three-way conversation with Countess Zenonia and Duke Altia, Alon quickly realized that his hypothesis was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How about this? I think it’s perfect now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Alon’s perspective, the situation was becoming more perplexing with every passing moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the words of Lady Zenonia—no, now Countess Zenonia—Alon couldn’t easily bring himself to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be precise, he couldn’t respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no idea what Countess Zenonia meant or what she was trying to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems like it’s been crafted just the way Count Palatio wanted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon felt as though he could throw dozens of question marks into the air after hearing Duke Altia’s remark, as if to ask, ‘Me? What are you talking about?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he still managed to maintain a stoic expression on the outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon glanced between Duke Altia and Countess Zenonia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes were filled with a small sense of expectation, as if they were waiting for him to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their expressions, Alon began seriously wondering if he might have a split personality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t particularly close with either Duke Altia or Countess Zenonia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, he had only met Duke Altia a few years ago, and all they exchanged were a few words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even those few words weren’t anything pleasant, as it was a negative conversation about rejecting Loria’s plea for help at the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Likewise, Alon wasn’t particularly familiar with Countess Zenonia either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had only met twice before, and during their second meeting, Alon had even issued an order to expel her from his manor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing that he had been silent for too long, Alon finally opened his mouth to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he wanted to ask what in the world was going on, but Alon was perceptive enough to read the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear that these two believed he had intentionally formed this faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Privacy Settings\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asking ‘What is going on here?’ would likely only make things worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, Alon decided it was best to gather as much information as possible to figure out where their misunderstandings were coming from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he had more details, he could work on resolving the issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m just glad I was able to repay you for saving my life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Alon affirmed them, Duke Altia followed up with this statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon instinctively closed his eyes tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What in the world is going on!?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He screamed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>",1688,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.081Z",1,"novelbin.me","01714fe080ab920877d852c8a6937f6d63b59ccdd50d77f9a06ccf11437792b7","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-36","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-34",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]