[{"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-357":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},759647,1006,"Chapter 357 : The Ball (6)","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-357",357,"\u003Cp>After hearing words from Siyan that carried an indescribable sense of unease, Alon let it pass without giving any sort of reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the conversation about the eyes shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This time, I have no intention of telling you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Excuse me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t help it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon looked at Siyan with a puzzled expression, but she still wore her gentle smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if you look at me like that, it can’t be helped. It’s already been decided.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If... it’s not too rude, may I ask why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why, you ask—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Siyan gazed at Alon, thinking intently for a moment, then gave her answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because I was asked.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Asked, you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By whom...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if I told you, you wouldn’t be able to find them. They’re not from this place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At her playful words, Alon froze for a moment, but only briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon enough, he was able to grasp what she meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it a promise remembered from the past?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As expected, you’re usually rather dense, but when it comes to things like this, you can be quite sharp.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Shall I take that as a compliment?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think of it as half compliment, half mockery.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon considered pressing her for more, but quickly gave up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since she had already decided not to answer, there was no meaning in asking again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t have to be too disappointed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Siyan still smiled brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon clicked his tongue and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did it show on my face?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No? You’re still expressionless as always.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then how did you know I was disappointed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon, grumbling for no reason, immediately realized he had just said something foolish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because normally you would have been.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was what Siyan added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, all Alon gained from the conversation with Siyan was frustration and her last words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the time comes, I’ll tell you naturally...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling the mischievous smile she wore until the end, Alon tilted his head in curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Normally, huh...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought about it the whole way back to his room from her office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn’t understand why Siyan had said such a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmmm...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did she suddenly stop sharing information with him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did she use the word “normally”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon pondered with a strange expression,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My Lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yutia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He encountered Yutia, who had been waiting for him to head to the ballroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you been waiting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm—what answer do you want to hear?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...What do you mean, what answer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Between ‘I wasn’t waiting at all’ and ‘I was waiting.’ Which one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yutia’s lips curved upward gracefully, Alon replied,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, honestly, I’d prefer you tell me the truth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, I’m a little conflicted then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Conflicted about what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The truth is, I was waiting. But it wasn’t difficult to wait. The thing is—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia leaned forward slightly and whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I say that, I won’t have an excuse later to drop by. That’s why I’m hesitating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether to lie or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To her gentle smile, Alon responded,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t need an excuse. You can always come by.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As I’ve told you before, I don’t think we’re the kind of people who need formal excuses to talk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm~ but still, having an excuse makes it easier, doesn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Would a wish coupon or something like that work?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words, Yutia walked beside him toward the ballroom and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then that makes two now, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two? Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already given her something like a wish coupon once before in the north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You remembered?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, so it makes two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s nice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike her usual smile, Yutia chuckled mischievously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following her, Alon couldn’t help but smile too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, Alon stepped into the ballroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Quite the crowd today as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The place was even more packed with people than yesterday, and he felt a bit overwhelmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, in truth, the ball starts in earnest from today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True enough—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the ball lasted five days, it could be said the real beginning was on the second day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon scanned the ballroom, his gaze stopped at one spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The place where countless nobles had gathered once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There stood Eliban.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once again, Eliban is surrounded by people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Ah—it might be because of his birthday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Birthday?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. It’s soon, apparently. I heard he’s inviting nobles for a birthday celebration.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia pressed her finger lightly to her lips as she explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon slowly nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A birthday party, huh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t something that existed in Psychedelia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My Lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I step away for a moment?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Yutia pointed to one side, Alon naturally followed her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, cardinals from Rosario had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flinch—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surely they could see this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They looked as though they were deliberately trying not to meet his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was strange, but Alon nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll just be a moment. I should at least greet them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Yutia head in their direction, Alon frowned in puzzlement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I thought you needed a partner to attend this ball. How did the cardinals get in...? No, more importantly, isn’t it a little odd for cardinals to be here at all?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was entertaining those thoughts,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, Marquis!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice called out to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eliban?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes! You did come after all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eliban had slipped away from the nobles and appeared before him, wearing his usual refreshing smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, you look... quite busy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon glanced behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was still a line of nobles waiting to speak with Eliban.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, as if struck by an idea, Eliban smiled awkwardly and said—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah. Do you happen to have some time, Marquis?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. If you’re free, I thought maybe we could talk for a bit!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...? Well, I suppose that’s fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the sudden request for a conversation, Alon looked puzzled, but nodded nonetheless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two stepped out onto the balcony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the setting sun, Alon glanced at Eliban.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a calm face, Eliban simply gazed at the sunset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he just want to rest for a moment? That was the thought that crossed Alon’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, Eliban had been surrounded by nobles since yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t had a moment to breathe during the ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he couldn’t just remain silent forever, so just as he was about to say something—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looking at it this way, it’s really been a long time, Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since the day you suddenly came up to me and handed me some things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon recalled the memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true. It has been quite a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right? Back then, when we first met in the empty forest, and you shoved all those items into my hands, I didn’t know what to think.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eliban laughed lightly, while Alon fumbled awkwardly with his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, he had only been focused on the purpose of giving him the items, so he hadn’t thought much of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But looking back now, it certainly might have seemed a little strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he was hesitating, Alon suddenly felt a sense of discord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A very faint one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something that tugged at him nonetheless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While staring at the sunset and pondering, Alon realized the source of that unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A forest...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eliban had said they met in the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Alon remembered meeting him not in an empty forest, but in a bustling village—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eliban’s voice cut through his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know what’s important when one becomes a god?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...All of a sudden?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of a sudden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was such an out-of-the-blue question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon couldn’t figure out Eliban’s intention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why do you ask?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm—think of it like a kind of personality test.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though abrupt, Alon gave an answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Omniscience and omnipotence?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, that’s a quality a god possesses. I meant what’s important when one is ‘becoming’ a god.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Becoming a god, you mean—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon pondered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shall I tell you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eliban spoke quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Imprint.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Imprint?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s about how one is perceived, as a being.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eliban’s low words made Alon stare at him intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eliban.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Didn’t you say this was a personality test? But the moment you talk like this, it doesn’t sound like one at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, it’s fine. I already got my answer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eliban let out a quiet laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon couldn’t make sense of the exchange, but he kept the conversation going.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come to think of it, I heard you’re holding a birthday party.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, you heard?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I plan to invite some nobles. In Terea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Terea, you mean—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The central city. Fortunately, I received permission to use the venue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If time permits, I’ll attend as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon nodded as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, there’s no need for you to come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Oh, is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. You’re a busy man, Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling, Eliban soon rose from his seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem, well then, I’ll be off first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he briskly left the balcony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left alone, Alon thought to himself,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What was that... did I just get rejected?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood there dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, attending a birthday party would have been bothersome anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, it was better not to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had only offered out of courtesy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, regardless of the reasoning, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had just been brushed off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon felt a strange sense of betrayal rising within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, as Alon left the balcony, he noticed nobles all turning their eyes toward one spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wondered if it was Eliban, but even Eliban was looking that way, so Alon followed their gaze as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw a woman approaching him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her attire clearly marked her as someone of very high status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon, dumbfounded, suddenly realized that her face looked familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the sound of her familiar voice, Alon finally realized who she was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Syrkal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Syrkal answered with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at once, Alon felt the nobles’ gazes focus even more heavily on them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling slightly awkward, he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard the rumors. They say you became a king.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, that’s right. The former king suddenly ran into... difficulties.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Difficulties?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, difficulties.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was he injured?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not exactly, but something did happen. He hasn’t passed away, though.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...He hasn’t died?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, he hasn’t passed away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A king replaced without dying...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thought crossed Alon’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as he looked at Syrkal, smiling and nodding,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quietly closed his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>",1717,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.413Z",1,"novelbin.me","bf6633769060d4f676788ce99b5b3069017ed3e0bf8f388c53c4da0969c15e5c","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-358","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-356",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]