[{"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-429":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},759519,1006,"Chapter 428: Seeker (7)","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-429",429,"\u003Cp>The Darkness-Eating Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—the Divine blood who had used a Divine blood ability to create split bodies and move near the Divine Land all stared blankly at the sight before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A greatsword floating in the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the sword was magnificent, but the Divine blood were not shocked simply because it was large.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its size was absurd, yes, but that was all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason every one of them had lost their words and could not tear their eyes away was the aura pouring from that greatsword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What in the world is that?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It feels similar to us, but different-]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confusion rippled through them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the middle of it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[So that’s it......!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>one of the Divine blood realized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[That is- human divine power.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Human divine power?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Yes. When the tools gather faith among themselves, it can manifest like that. I’d seen it briefly from above, but I never thought I’d see it after coming down to the surface.......]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did the other Divine blood realize what it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As curious stares continued—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[......Wait, isn’t something strange here?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Darkness-Eating Sword, which had been silent until now, finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What do you mean?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Wasn’t this supposed to be the territory ruled by the Star Eater?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It was.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Then how can a human with a different faith exist inside it?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could not understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the deepening suspicion in the Darkness-Eating Sword’s voice, the other Divine blood also began to sense something was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[If this is the Star Eater’s territory, then a tool that handles another divine power should not be able to arise here.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[That’s not wrong.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Then what exactly is going on?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The murmuring lasted only a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Wait.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One Divine blood finally spoke up—the one that, ever since arriving in the Divine Land, had not said a single word and had only quietly watched the greatsword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the Divine blood turned to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with every eye on it, it stayed calm, paying them no mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It simply focused on something in silence, using its grotesquely enlarged ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then its eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[......It really said that?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, an incredulous murmur slipped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other Divine blood grew puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What are you listening to?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Darkness-Eating Sword asked, the Divine blood—whose grotesquely huge ears had already shrunk back down—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It seems the reason humans have become able to handle faith is because of the Star Eater.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Is that true?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other Divine blood immediately fired questions at it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Whether it’s true or not, I can’t say. But one thing is certain: that human who awakened faith said the Star Eater gave it power and made it able to use faith. And—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine blood that had been eavesdropping paused to catch its breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[-if we assume those words are true. In other words, if the Star Eater can make humans use a # Nоvеlight # faith they never possessed before—then granting divine power should be possible as well.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the conclusion it voiced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A conclusion completely opposite to what the Divine blood gathered here had expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet none of them could refute it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—more accurately, there was nothing they could use to refute it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had seen it themselves, and they had heard it as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A human handling faith inside the Divine Land ruled by the Star Eater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the testimony that an ordinary human used merely as a tool had become able to wield that power thanks to the Star Eater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[......Let’s go back.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine blood who had come to confirm the Star Eater’s power quietly decided to turn back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...All of that happened barely five minutes after they arrived in the Divine Land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>####\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A month passed after that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon was traveling through the wasteland beyond the border of the Allied Kingdoms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dry, desolate land where nothing existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring blankly out through the carriage window at that barren waste, he—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hoo-”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>let out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after meeting Yutia and Karsemm over the past month, Alon had not stopped his magical research.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strictly speaking, the research itself could be considered finished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, all that remained was proof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Alon still had not built up the ability required for that proof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so things had stopped progressing any further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'......It’s harder than I expected.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon turned his head to the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penia was immersed in her research.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since she had become able to use a True Mage’s magic a month ago, she had spent the entire day researching a True Mage’s magic whenever she was not helping Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True to her reputation as a genius even in Psychedelia, she was mastering formulae at a remarkably fast pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, she was advancing even faster than Alon, who had started his research a month earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to that, Alon could partly understand why so many people envied her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'......What’s the problem?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penia glanced his way, then smoothly brushed her hair back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon sank deeper into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The basic formulae were already close to perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, even now, he still could not successfully cast magic through will alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his thoughts deepened—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......There really is nothing here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan’s voice broke in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon shoved his thoughts to the edge of his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wasn’t Nangwon supposed to be here, maybe?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard this was the base.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s nothing here, so I have no idea how Nangwon even lives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon agreed, but another person here came to mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Before I head back this time, I should meet that one too before moving on.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golden dragon, Reinysius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one he had met in order to deal with Rakrakkamur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And one who might know why Blackie uses the power of Divine blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......But seriously, how much farther are we going? At this rate it feels like we’re going to cross all the way into the Empire’s side- ......Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan abruptly voiced his confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when Alon followed his gaze—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......A tower?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One he definitely had not seen at all the last time he came to the wasteland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at a glance, it was enormous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......It looks bigger than the Central Tower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Penia let out an admiring remark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwish-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the scrap of letter that had been glowing purple until a moment ago shot toward the tower and vanished into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like we’ve reached our destination.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short while later, the Colony carriage and the Rosario carriage, including Alon, arrived at the tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After getting down from the carriage, Alon looked up at it and was even more astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'......It’s huge.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was no exaggeration. The tower the purple light had led them to was truly massive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Central Tower, which had felt imposing every time he saw it, seemed small in comparison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It almost felt as though it touched the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought came to him for no reason at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a voice came from beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The skull mask that had appeared when the letter was delivered was now standing at their side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have been waiting for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It bowed politely toward Alon’s group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are still several days left until the schedule proclaimed by the Seeker, so I ask that you make yourselves comfortable in the meantime.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying that it would first show them to their rooms, it then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>swish-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>split into three in an instant right in front of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group was startled by the unexpected spectacle, but the now-three masks merely turned around as though nothing had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From here, His Majesty the King of Palantia will follow me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our honored guest from Rosario, this way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His Majesty the King of Colony, please come this way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without offering any real explanation, the three masks immediately started moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll see each other in a bit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood, Brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Teacher.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, they exchanged a few light farewells and split up as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, after entering the gigantic tower, Alon followed a maze-like path until he arrived at a guest room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I will give you a brief explanation as we move.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......Move?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the mask’s continued words, Alon asked back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. In truth, someone arrived before you, so I would like to introduce that person to you briefly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t mind, but why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Seeker wishes for the defeated kings to maintain as much friendship as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mask added that it was for the peace of the continent, then turned around once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon quietly followed behind it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some more time had passed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The place the mask brought him to held a man sitting there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man with dazzling golden hair, radiant enough to shine on sight alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s gaze, which had been directed out the window, shifted to Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is Contanias, Emperor of the Northern Empire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the mask’s introduction, Alon gave a light nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not know the details, since he had never actually played Calypsophobia, but he did know what kind of person Contanias was from the rumors Evan had brought back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'......The Weeping Dragon, was it?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contanias, the imperial prince who wielded the Northern Empire’s guardian god, the Weeping Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Alon recalled that information, the mask opened its mouth again—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Contanias, this person is-”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—and could not continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Contanias cut it off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the silence, Contanias stared at Alon with an unreadable expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he casually spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am not magnanimous enough to hear and remember the name of something inferior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Alon understand the emotion on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You should be grateful simply to be allowed in the same place as me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was contempt—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and mockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>####\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The capital of the Northern Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though a quarter of the Empire had been wiped away by Divine blood, there stood a massive palace in the middle of a capital still enjoying extraordinary prosperity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A palace even larger than the one where Emperor Contanias resided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that palace\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is Contanias?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-Your Majesty the Emperor is currently away in attendance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>was under the control of a woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman with the massive tail of a pitch-black dragon, proof that she was no ordinary human, or rather—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell him to come at once. I have something for him to do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“T-that is- at the moment, that may be a little-”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so? Then may I leave now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Weeping Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, no! Please! Please stay anchored, Lady Arculainysis!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Call him as quickly as you can.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the dried tracks beneath her red eyes and deep dark circles settled under them, she quietly muttered—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have something to ask him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>all while toying with a scrap of someone’s coat in her arms.\u003C\u002Fp>",1803,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.413Z",1,"novelbin.me","51b98bd64405b603a443f9f34f778366e19534d9285f29254e1256989d20f7eb","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-430","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-428",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]