[{"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-361":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},759651,1006,"Chapter 361 : What Must Be Done (4)","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-361",361,"\u003Cp>“What did you just say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon was momentarily stunned by Deus’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news he had just heard was that shocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eliban has become a Sin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But asking again wouldn’t change what came out of Deus’s mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you explain the situation in detail first?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon sighed, calming his confused mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed to grasp the situation before reacting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“According to the current report—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the heavy atmosphere, Alon quietly listened to Deus’s explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the report was over, his headache grew worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, he awakened as a Sin by killing all the nobles who attended the ball in Tern? Is that what you’re saying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon recalled Eliban’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This wasn’t in the cards at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew that anyone could become a Sin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had seen it happen before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That the final Sin would be Eliban...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t have imagined it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eliban stood as the polar opposite of Sin—he was the protagonist of Psychedelia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haah...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon rubbed his eyes and tried to cool his heated head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Deus’s words were true, then what’s done was done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way to undo it now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, an image of Eliban from the recent ball came to mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like the boy he once knew—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had smiled brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Omniscient and omnipotent?\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>—Shall I tell you?\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>The next thing that surfaced in Alon’s mind was their last conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, it had seemed random—irrelevant to anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now that Eliban had become a Sin, the meaning behind his words resurfaced vividly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had Eliban said such a thing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the thought clicked into place, Alon snapped out of his daze and spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deus.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you remember when Eliban’s birthday party in Tern took place?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two days ago, I believe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two days...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From what Alon knew, the Sin of Wrath would fully manifest within two months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meaning, he had fifty-eight days left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Alon knew he couldn’t afford to think of it as having that much time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already learned—this world no longer followed game logic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And since Eliban had become a Sin, his nature could have changed in unpredictable ways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, the time he had left might be far shorter than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that in mind, Alon began to estimate the Sin’s power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As far as he knew, Sins were inherently powerful, but their strength also depended on the body they possessed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, the final Sin had taken the body of Eliban—the hero of Psychedelia himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alone meant this Sin would surpass all others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that’s the case, then his strength must be...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon’s thoughts deepened, someone called out urgently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up to see Evan rushing into the tent, breathless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear from his expression that something was very wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Alon could ask what happened—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ashtalon has fallen...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly as I said! Ashtalon has been destroyed... by Eliban, the one who became a Sin!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon didn’t ask again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just let out a hollow laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days had passed since the capital of Ashtalon was annihilated by the Sin of Wrath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kings of the Allied Kingdom convened an emergency meeting at the Magic Tower, where all mages’ guilds gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, not every monarch was physically present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days was enough time for rumors to spread, but far too little for rulers to travel and assemble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, instead of appearing in person, the kings used the help of the towers—who shared their sense of urgency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the combined power of the Green and Brown Towers, they joined the conference via magical avatars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For both the mages and the monarchs witnessing it for the first time, the sight was extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of resonating magic circles filled the chamber, their complexity and brilliance beyond description.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet despite the spectacle, no one uttered a word of admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation was far too grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, what do you propose we do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first to break the silence was Carmaxes III.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At this point, what else is there but that monster in Ashtalon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know that. What I’m asking is—what should we do about him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, King Palmarian replied dryly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t it obvious? We must eliminate that creature. Mobilize the troops.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you really think that kind of monster can be ‘eliminated’ by sending soldiers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rebuttal came instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carmaxes III fell silent, his eyes turning toward the magical sphere projecting the live feed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing visible was the ruin of Ashtalon’s capital—utterly shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And across its remains, a single enormous scar stretched like a wound carved by wrath itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And next—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter how many times I see it,” someone muttered, “it’s revolting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mountain of corpses had been formed right in the heart of the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked as if slaughtered livestock had been piled together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All throughout the capital, heaps of bodies had risen, and red blood flowed endlessly from them, staining the ruins a dark, crimson hue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kings turned their eyes toward the magic orb and all frowned at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mages maintaining the spirit projection spell and the tower lords quietly observing the conference also showed the same reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was how horrific the scene on the screen was—like a vision of hell itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even more suffocating than that terrible sight was the information being shared in the chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One noble had miraculously survived the massacre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The single message delivered by Filian Merkiliane was this—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One strike.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That one fact plunged the entire conference room into despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter how you look at it, a single strike destroying an entire kingdom—surely that’s an exaggeration?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king of Raksas, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Queen Siyan of Asteria replied calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It doesn’t seem like an exaggeration to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Why is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because we’re not talking about ordinary soldiers here. Filian Merkiliane of Ashtalon was a man who had already reached the realm of mastery. No matter how terrified he was, someone of his level wouldn’t distort his own memories.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides,” she added quietly, “we can see the proof with our own eyes right there in the orb.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That vast scar stretching from left to right across the capital’s ruins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words left the room in complete silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one could bring themselves to argue, for they all knew inwardly that what she said was likely true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But even if our opponent is that powerful, we can’t just stand by and do nothing, can we?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I agree, but do you truly believe gathering our armies will allow us to defeat that thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’re suggesting we just sit here and watch? We have no idea where that creature will strike next! Or do you think Raksas is safe simply because it’s an island?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’d suggest you watch your words.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voices of King Carmaxes III and the King of Raksas gradually grew louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet no one else dared to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone present understood that both sides had a point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The being who had wiped out Ashtalon overnight—the one who appeared to be Eliban, once called a “Hero”—didn’t seem like a monster that could be slain merely by sending an army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, doing nothing was not an option either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this rate, the monster that appeared in Ashtalon less than half a day after the Tern ball could surface anywhere next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we gather every soldier we have and send them all at once, what happens if that thing moves and attacks somewhere else? We’d be finished!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s why we must strike first—mobilize quickly before that happens! Sitting on our hands won’t solve anything!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite hours of debate, their opinions refused to align.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere in the chamber grew more and more tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, when the representative of Rosarion, Yuman, let out a deep sigh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creaaak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conference room doors suddenly swung open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noise died instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every gaze turned toward the source of the sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there stood—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Marquis Palatio?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marquis Palatio stood quietly in the doorway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t say a word as his calm, unreadable eyes swept across the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step, step—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked inside without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No change in expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just quiet, deliberate composure, as if none of that was necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Alon finally reached the center of the chamber, he turned his eyes toward the magical display.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A vision of hell unfolded before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who followed his gaze stiffened at the gruesome sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Alon, seemingly unaffected, walked toward the orb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Voooom—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He placed his hand on the sphere, and the horrifying image vanished as he shut down the device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kings looked at him in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis Palatio, what do you think you’re doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their resentment was only natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how renowned Alon was, this was a royal council—a meeting of the kings of the united realms to decide matters of state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t asked for permission to attend, and as a mere noble, barging in and acting as he pleased was tantamount to open disrespect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter how lofty your reputation may be, this is clearly out of line—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To act so boldly just because of your own strength—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before the rebuke could continue, Alon spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There is a way to deal with that thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words, every mouth fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If my presence is uncomfortable, I’ll leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That passive threat was enough to make the two kings who had scolded him shrink back under the others’ stares.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-no, that’s not what we meant...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes, what we meant was—Marquis Palatio certainly has the right to speak here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hurriedly corrected themselves, trying to save face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as they stumbled over their own words—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, I’ll begin,” Alon said, opening the discussion in earnest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that same time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the royal castle of Fildagreen—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Imperial Guardian Weapon of Illanef.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine, who had been reading in the Eternal Library moments earlier, murmured in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...A Sin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She whispered the word she had just uncovered in her research.\u003C\u002Fp>",1708,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.413Z",1,"novelbin.me","c621983aaad21082976532fd1a98f0e15d0b12620c2cc4a623dd41d4faaa901d","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-362","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-360",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]