[{"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-364":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},759654,1006,"Chapter 364 : On Sin (2)","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-364",364,"\u003Cp>About two weeks later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following Alon’s suggestion, soldiers began gathering at the Magic Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like warriors preparing for their final battle, both soldiers and knights assembled with resolute expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their numbers had already filled the area surrounding the Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an overwhelming sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Day after day, the army continued to converge endlessly around the Magic Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yutia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rine, it’s been a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine and Yutia were there as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your true body must still be in Fildagreen, huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine nodded to Yutia, who asked with her usual calm smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. As I mentioned last time, it’s still not in any condition to move.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s unfortunate. It would’ve been a great help to the Lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia spoke with genuine regret, and Rine quietly gazed at her, her eyes thoughtful as if weighing something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia asked upon seeing Rine’s expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine shook her head a few times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just had something on my mind. And you don’t have to worry about that part.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What part?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The help. I think I might be able to provide some, at least for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia nodded gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, why did you come to see me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can’t I just come by to visit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine countered softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yutia didn’t lose her smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t think that’s the reason.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...That’s a little harsh, you know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it? When you wanted to see me as a child, you’d always make up excuses—like pretending not to know a word just to come and ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-wait! Why are you bringing up something like that all of a sudden?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flushing slightly, Rine hurried to stop her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia chuckled at her reaction and naturally took a seat in her assigned office chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s how well I know you. After all, we spent quite some time together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Haah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So then, what’s your business this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a small sigh, as if resigned, Rine fell silent for a moment before speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yua... did she know about Pluto?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She asked the question quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course—didn’t you show it to her yourself?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia replied, but Rine shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I mean before that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I’m asking if she already knew about it even before I ever used Pluto.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, Yutia fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She only looked straight at Rine, her expression unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some time passed like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you asking me this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia’s calm voice filled the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine met her gaze squarely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know you’re hiding something, Yutia. But I’m not going to ask about it. You wouldn’t answer anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know me well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“More importantly, I also know things about you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia’s voice rose slightly, almost amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. You wouldn’t do anything that would put us at a loss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her certainty made Yutia waver ever so slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smile didn’t vanish from her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression remained the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for the briefest instant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was subtle, but noticeable enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, I won’t ask about your secrets.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine continued calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s only one thing I want to know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, what she sought wasn’t Yutia’s reaction—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who destroyed the Illanef Empire?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine looked straight into Yutia’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does it matter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia replied evenly, her expression unchanging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I always thought the world had been destroyed by Sin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine began to explain what she had learned so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That both Pluto and Sin were creations of the Illanef Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That “Sin” had been the name of the Empire’s guardian weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that Sin had never once been used during the Empire’s downfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve done quite a bit of research.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My library holds every piece of information there is… except about you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia didn’t respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She simply tapped her finger lightly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap. Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the desk, as if deep in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine didn’t interrupt her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew Yutia wasn’t someone who gave up information easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, Yutia finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t answer your question directly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I can give you a few hints.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Hints?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Hints.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling again, Yutia tilted her head slightly, as though deciding what to reveal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First of all—yes, as your research shows, Sin was indeed created in the Illanef Empire. And yes, it was designed as a ‘guardian weapon.’ In other words, just as you read in your library—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It wasn’t Sin that destroyed the Illanef Empire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The second one is—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia spoke softly as she looked at Rine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gwehyeol.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Gwehyeol?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look it up in your library. You might find yourself closer to the answer you’re searching for.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia smiled as she finished her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine opened her mouth as if she still had more to ask—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock, knock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of someone knocking forced her to close it again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cardinal Yutia, it’s time for the meeting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the voice, Yutia rose from her seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems that’s all we can talk about for now. I’ll be going. I hope you find your answer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving those words behind, she walked out of the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left alone in the office, Rine murmured quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Gwehyeol?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She repeated the name Yutia had left behind under her breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About a week later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the army had gathered around the Magic Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They began their march toward the fallen city of Ashtalon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sight of countless troops moving as one—enough to surround the entire tower— was overwhelming, even for Alon, who was never one for romanticizing such scenes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer scale of it sent a shiver down his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s how massive the army was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phew—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet despite the awe, Alon let out a sigh that sounded somewhere between relief and frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong, Marquis?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penia, who had been diligently calculating something beside him, turned to look at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s just… a lot on my mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it about the strategy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penia nodded thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well—sure, it’s natural to worry. Strategy can collapse in an instant if things don’t go as expected. But from what you’ve told me, I don’t think there’s any other way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I suppose you’re right. Still, if something goes wrong, sacrifices are inevitable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penia tilted her head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know, Marquis… you’re a strange one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In that way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In what way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The way you try to avoid sacrifice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that strange?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course it is. It’s impossible to have a war or a subjugation without casualties. Even a small conflict brings sacrifice. Thinking otherwise is… idealistic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon scratched his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, there’s no harm in wanting it, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sure, but whenever you think like that, you stop acting like yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Do I?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. You always look a little down when that happens. Not like someone who’s accepted reality, but like someone who actually wants to change it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon touched his face, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t an idealist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew full well that sacrifices were unavoidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t feel particularly burdened or sorrowful about it either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he wondered briefly what she meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, right—how’s the magic preparation going?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s done. Fully under control.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then the plan’s on track.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. As long as the power doesn’t spiral out of control, there shouldn’t be any issues. But—what are you doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Penia’s hands, which hadn’t stopped moving throughout their conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penia let out a small exclamation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a scripture I got from Sili.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A scripture?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you reading that all of a sudden?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well—it’s not about the content. I’m looking for something suitable to use as a spell incantation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An incantation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I stopped studying magic formulas a while ago, but remember how I used ritual formulas for activation before?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he’d fully learned to interpret magic, he’d been experimenting with using divine invocations through reverse flow research.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s what you were studying again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sort of. Strictly speaking, I’m just looking for a good incantation here—and this part seems useful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penia pointed to the margins of the scripture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Various activation symbols were written there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the two of them continued to talk—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exactly one week after marching in step with the advancing army,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon arrived at Ashtalon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather—what used to be Ashtalon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight beside him grimaced openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like that reaction, the first thing that hit Alon was the stench of blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came the sight of mountains of corpses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And finally—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center of the ruined capital, one red knight stood silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That knight’s condition was far from good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The helmet looked ancient and battered, and the armor, bulging like swollen veins, was grotesque to behold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still—no one mocked or sneered at the sight before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the soldiers and knights, there was only tension and fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crimson knight did nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply stood there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet everyone present felt the same instinctive emotion— a primal sense of dread shared by all living beings when faced with danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that heavy silence, Alon stared fixedly at the Sin of Wrath— or rather, what had once been Eliban.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still didn’t know anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t understand why Eliban had tried so hard to spread his achievements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t understand why he’d seemed so restless about dealing with the anomalies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t even understand why he’d gazed blankly at a night sky he never liked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew what he had to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Blackie.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He whispered softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as crimson light filled the sky like blood, a star rose above it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You’ve come—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From somewhere far away, inaudible to all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the heart of the shattered capital—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Closed-Eyed One.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sin whispered quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>",1605,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.413Z",1,"novelbin.me","2635c3ac3ef9cd514f3734b494728726f297a778f013a64faa7a60462b6ce811","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-365","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-363",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]