[{"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-383":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},759673,1006,"Chapter 383 : Magic (3)","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-383",383,"\u003Cp>“I suppose it’s my turn to have a little fun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Rine finished speaking, a cold silence filled the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But only for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia, who had been slightly startled, slowly began to compose herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face calmed with surprising speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if what had just happened was a lie, she quickly regained her smile and opened her mouth—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wh-what is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—but couldn’t finish her sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Hidan, who was standing right next to her, could clearly hear the tremor in her voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a sign of Yutia’s agitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if she had expected this reaction, Rine smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You already know this, Yutia, but I’ve been doing my best to protect the Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that alone was enough for Yutia to easily understand how that magic orb had been made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forcing a smile, she stepped closer to Rine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“R-right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Don’t you have anything to say, Yutia?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I just remembered that you once told me spying on someone wasn’t a good idea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Rine’s reply, Yutia froze for an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still smiling, she naturally reached toward the orb in Rine’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But of course not. I know how much you care for the Lord, Rine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, Yutia’s hand grasped only empty air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two exchanged smiles that didn’t quite reach their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hic—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hidden in the shadows, Hidan hiccupped involuntarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Yutia’s hand darted toward Rine again—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once more, her hand caught nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Refusing to give up, Yutia moved again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet she never managed to grab the nearly damaged orb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This prank’s going a little too far, don’t you think, Rine?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it? I don’t think I’m moving that fast, Yutia. You could easily catch it if you wanted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine winked teasingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Yutia truly wanted to, she could have snatched the orb from Rine’s hands in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she didn’t—because Rine had already tampered with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, she hadn’t completely destroyed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The orb was still functioning properly even now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, if Yutia exerted even a little strength to take it by force, it would almost certainly shatter beyond repair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’re saying you want to test me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia glared sharply without realizing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me? Oh, no way. If you took my little prank that way, I apologize. I guess I should stop now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine’s motion to crush the orb made Yutia cry out in panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why? You told me to stop, didn’t you? That’s all I’m doing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine’s calm tone only deepened Yutia’s strained smile—the kind worn by someone barely holding back anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What I want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, you must want something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re suddenly asking what I want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sure. I might’ve taken things a little too far myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia’s expression said, 'Let’s settle this peacefully, shall we?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine smiled mysteriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thirty days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Thirty days?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me spend thirty days alone with Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s... not exactly something I can decide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe not decide, but you could make it happen, couldn’t you? Oh, and I don’t mean completely alone—just mostly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words hinted that she already understood Yutia quite well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutia remained silent for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ten days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so the bargaining began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Twenty-five.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine countered immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Twelve.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Twenty-three.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifteen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Twenty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sixteen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nineteen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their fake smiles vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the chill in their eyes remained as they locked gazes and exchanged numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sixteen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nineteen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sixteen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nineteen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation reached a stalemate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'W-what on earth is happening?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hidan stared blankly, unable to follow their sudden haggling match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seventeen days. I won’t go any lower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Yutia’s concession, the orb that had been trapped in Rine’s grasp dropped to the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if she’d been waiting for it, Yutia caught it at once and tucked it into her chest like a precious treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That was a good deal, Yutia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Yeah. I suppose it was.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forcing a smile, she folded her arms and watched Rine’s sly grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just like that, the tense battle of nerves between them came to an end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I have no idea what just happened anymore...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hidan let out a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>####\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, after Alon discovered a new possibility with a bit of Yutia’s help, he suddenly opened his eyes and realized something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'My memory’s back.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat there blankly for a moment, feeling a flood of memories rushing into his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, as he looked at the view before him, he realized this wasn’t reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'A dream?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no better word to describe what Alon was seeing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if dozens of gray pastel shades were constantly sketching something and fading away, over and over, in a world otherwise painted entirely in black and white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hello.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Predecessor—no, wait, you’re... the Blue Eyes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He came face to face with Blue Eyes in the form of Predecessor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Correct. I like that you catch on quickly.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blue Eyes answered with satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Alon had only guessed that it was Blue Eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its form was so hazy and shifting, like smoke, that no one could have identified it clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only reason Alon had recognized it was the vivid glow of its blue eyes and the black clothing that stood out even in this colorless world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether Blue Eyes knew that or not, it spoke casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[So, how was the gift? Did you like it?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Gift?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I made it last a little longer for you, didn’t I?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You were the one who did that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Of course. I can help to that extent.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Would’ve been nice if you’d thrown in a hint while you were at it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon’s complaint made Blue Eyes chuckle lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Sorry, that’s not my role.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not your role?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Anyway, once you wake up, go find that friend of yours.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That friend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What was her name again? Sironia? Yeah, that one.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blue Eyes dropped the hint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, what do you mean—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[All right, that’s enough talk for now. We’ll meet again someday.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Alon could say more, Blue Eyes turned away, waving a hand as if to say farewell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the moment it did, Alon opened his eyes completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was staring at a ceiling that had become all too familiar by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blinking a few times, he wiped his face and sat up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Was that really a dream?' he wondered for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he soon shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The memory was far too vivid to dismiss as a dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Said our next meeting would be much later, though...Always doing things their own way.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a faint sigh, Alon reached over to gently stroke Blackie, who was still sleeping beside him as usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Meow–?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little creature blinked awake and looked up at him with bright, curious eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Meow–!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if realizing that Alon had regained his memory, Blackie began excitedly wriggling around him—so different from before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling, Alon patted the happy creature and rose from bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time to deal with everything that had piled up while his memory was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>####\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even while he’d been without his memory, Alon had done his best to handle his duties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there were still matters he hadn’t been able to fully address.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Specifically, those concerning Divine Land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had managed the simpler issues, but unfortunately, most problems from Divine Land weren’t the kind that could be solved lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That didn’t mean they were bad problems, though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, what exactly are the things we need to handle first?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, to list the main ones—overpopulation, housing shortages, public safety, supply management, civil disputes... oh, and there’s also the matter of proclaiming the kingdom,” Penia explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that, Alon let out a quiet groan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s... quite a lot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, it’s been nearly a month of neglect, after all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if we’d dealt with it a month ago, it probably wouldn’t have been much different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true,” Penia admitted readily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, after thinking for a moment, she added, “Still, I think it’s about time we decide on a proper direction.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Direction?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Up to now, we’ve been letting Sili handle things with full authority, but honestly, most of it’s been improvisation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s grown too big to keep running that way... Though, honestly, the fact we’ve managed to last this long like that is a miracle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then the first thing we need to decide is—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think we should start by deciding whether to declare the kingdom officially. Once we do, we can establish a proper system and—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She trailed off, saying that once that was done, the rest would naturally follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon began to think deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'A kingdom proclamation...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he had no intention of becoming a king.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless of good or evil, Alon knew himself well enough to know he lacked the temperament to be a ruler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the reason for his hesitation lay elsewhere—because of the Divine Blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His magic alone wasn’t enough to face them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To stand against the Divine Blood, he needed divine power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant that, at this point, Divine Land itself had become something Alon needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether he liked it or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some time in thought, Alon finally said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll proceed with the proclamation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d made his decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm. I didn’t want to say it first in case it sounded like personal opinion, but I think that’s the right call too,” Penia agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then the first tasks are to decide the date of proclamation, then set up the governing structure, and afterward assign personnel...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just hearing that already makes my head hurt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry too much. I’m sure Sili will handle it well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sili, huh...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon thought of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing that came to mind was her bright, innocent smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, all the work she had done so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Yeah, if it’s Sili, things will definitely move forward.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The only concern is that she might overdo it,” Penia added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief moment of mutual admiration for Sili’s abilities, the two got to work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll let her know about the decision right away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. And... prepare a gift as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A gift?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. We are declaring a kingdom, after all. We’ll need to be mindful of how neighboring nations see it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon was well aware that Divine Land’s power was overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Allied Kingdoms had already suspected the proclamation was coming, largely because of Sili’s influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, officially declaring it would be another matter entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the Allied Kingdoms’ perspective, it wouldn’t be taken lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Alon thought it best to make some preparations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After discussing a few more details, Penia left the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'While I’m handling the Divine Land matters and preparing the proclamation, I’ll also need to move through Rosario,' Alon planned to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that night—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[A gift?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[So... send a gift, huh...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Alon’s message through Penia, Sili thought about it for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hmm, all right. I’ll prepare a ‘gift.’]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nodded with bright, determined eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just to be clear, you’re not thinking anything weird, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What? Of course not! This time I fully understand what Lord Alon means! I’ll prepare a proper gift for the kingdoms, so don’t worry one bit!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled radiantly as she answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...Why do I still feel uneasy about this?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penia couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of dread.\u003C\u002Fp>",1891,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.413Z",1,"novelbin.me","76925174dc36cb8c0dc33b4853aba251287d94cc2d23c76bdcd9b453e884a855","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-384","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-382",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]