Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 299 : Divine Land (2)

To be perfectly honest.

Hidan had never imagined today’s gathering would feel this heavy.

This marked the inaugural assembly following the return of Green Moon, whose location had been a mystery for quite some time.

He had anticipated a meeting with a gentler, more welcoming vibe than their usual sessions—

[It has been a long time, Rine. I am relieved you have returned safely.]

[Indeed. It has been a while, Yutia.]

Instead, the air was biting.

The atmosphere was so frigid that Hidan felt he might actually turn to ice if the eyes of either Red Moon or Green Moon shifted toward him.

In the midst of this tension, Hidan felt a surge of curiosity.

That intrigue, however, was quickly satisfied.

[So, Rine, tell me why you acted that way?]

[To what specific action are you referring?]

[I am speaking of the brooch.]

[The brooch? Ah, the one pinned to the Marquis’s chest?]

[Yes. You intentionally unfastened it and tucked it into your own pocket, didn’t you?]

A smile played on Yutia’s lips, yet her tone was completely devoid of warmth.

In response, Rine—who had maintained a polite demeanor until now—let out a soft sound of realization.

[That? Well—]

She flashed a sugary grin.

[I was worried it might graze my head when I embraced my godfather.]

It was a blatant provocation.

[Wait—what? Rine! You actually hugged the Great Moon and then swiped the brooch?!]

The shout didn’t come from Yutia, but from Seolrang.

Seolrang stared at Rine with a look of pure betrayal, but Rine ignored her entirely, keeping her focus locked on Yutia.

Yutia’s smile deepened as she continued.

[Rine, you must not remove that without permission. Its purpose is to safeguard the Great Moon.]

[Oh, that little thing? Did it actually possess some kind of special power?]

Rine acted surprised, delicately masking her mouth with her hand.

[…You were well aware of its function, weren’t you?]

[I had no idea.]

She added, “None at all,” while giving her head a gentle shake.

Observing this, Seolrang, who had been glaring at her like she was a traitor just a second ago, shifted her gaze away uncomfortably.

She wasn’t the only one.

Every person in the room began to look around awkwardly.

They were all conscious of the truth.

It was obvious to everyone that the friction between them had escalated significantly.

Attempting to ease the pressure, Radan finally spoke.

[Ahem, uh, Deus?]

[What?]

[Didn’t you spend time with Brother recently? Did anything noteworthy happen?]

He was clearly trying to pivot the conversation toward Deus.

Seolrang’s eyes instantly sparkled with respect as she looked at Radan.

She grasped his plan immediately—to use Deus’s simple-minded admiration for Alon to thaw the icy room.

[Yes, I was curious about that too!]

Seolrang jumped in to assist.

To support Radan’s effort, she posed a question she would normally find trivial.

Then—

[Ah—now that you mention it, I haven’t shared that tale yet—]

Deus, taking the bait instantly, began to look nostalgic as if relishing a pleasant memory.

Even Hidan was secretly impressed by the maneuver.

[Deus.]

[Are you blind to the fact that we are currently in the middle of a discussion?]

But the freezing voices of Rine and Yutia cut him off mid-sentence.

Deus went rigid just as he was about to start his story.

[Ahem, well, please excuse me, but a very pressing matter has just surfaced.]

He blurted out the excuse suddenly.

Under normal circumstances, claiming a sudden errand wasn't a valid reason to exit a Blue Moon assembly.

Everyone was aware of this, and no one had ever dared to try such a flimsy excuse before.

[H-However, I really must depart.]

Deus felt that the glares from Rine and Yutia were ten times more terrifying than his sister Silly’s wrath—and he promptly deactivated his communication orb.

[I just remembered I need to return to my Cultivation training—]

[It occurs to me that we are all meeting again soon anyway… let’s just finish this later.]

Following Deus’s lead, the other Moons began to vanish, offering similar thin excuses.

Consequently, only Rine, Yutia, and Hidan remained.

While the others could escape, Hidan knew he was trapped.

He had no choice but to stay in that stifling environment alone.

As he tried to breathe shallowly just to remain unnoticed—

[Rine.]

Yutia spoke.

[Wouldn’t it be wiser to simply be satisfied with the status you currently hold?]

Her lips curved upward as she spoke.

But the warmth never reached her eyes.

In fact, they looked more than just cold; they were almost predatory.

Logic dictated the conversation should end there.

Even if the Green Moon occasionally had subtle disagreements with the Red Moon, Hidan always assumed the Green Moon ultimately deferred to the Red Moon’s authority.

But—

[Mmm— I never actually desired anything more, you see?]

[…Is that the truth?]

[Yes. Because my Godfather is mine. However—]

The Rine who had returned was fundamentally different.

[If my Godfather happens to see things differently, then that is a separate matter entirely.]

She threw those words back at the intimidating figure with a chilling grin.

At that, the Red Moon’s smile faltered for a second.

However—

[There is no chance he views you as anything else. You are merely his cherished daughter.]

The Red Moon’s smile returned quickly.

This time, it was the Green Moon’s face that briefly turned rigid.

[Even so, I am closer to him than you are.]

She replied flatly, as if stating a simple fact of life.

A fissure appeared in the Red Moon’s composure once again.

But the Green Moon didn't care—

[Well then, until we meet again.]

She departed with a radiant smile.

Hidan instinctively stole a glance at Yutia.

Surprisingly, the intense fury she had displayed just moments ago—

“…?”

Had vanished, replaced by a relaxed expression.

While Hidan sat there wondering about the sudden change—

[…Hidan.]

“Yes!”

[Let us conclude this meeting for now.]

“…? Oh, as you wish.”

Yutia exited the meeting as though nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

Still confused, Hidan cut his own orb connection.

The following day.

“Is that news actually accurate?”

“Yes, I heard that the entire temple where the Red Moon was staying was suddenly reduced to rubble.”

Hidan received this information from Yuna, whom he had met to swap intelligence.

Hidan began to feel a deep sense of dread regarding the meeting set for that evening.

***

Several days passed.

Alon was preparing to depart Fildagreen to head back to the Marquis’ estate—

“Allow me to assist you with your garments.”

“…I told you before, I can handle it myself.”

Lately, the overwhelming hospitality of the elves had started to make him feel a bit restless.

Their intense loyalty had begun the moment he was recognized as royalty, but it hadn't been an issue until recently.

Usually, when Alon gave a polite refusal, they would step back without making it awkward.

But ever since the incident with Sin—

“It would truly mean a lot to me if you let me help, please?”

“…If it is that important to you, then proceed.”

Even when he said no, more elves were becoming persistent in their desire to serve him.

The resulting discomfort was only intensifying.

That wasn't the only change.

“I offer my greetings to the Primordial Elf.”

Now, every time he walked past someone, they would immediately drop to their knees.

Alon was still human at heart, so he didn't entirely despise the respect, but the scale of it felt excessive.

“Godfather.”

“Rine.”

By the time he reached Rine, Alon had already been bowed to by more than five different elves.

He sighed softly as he took a seat across from her.

“Did you have a restful night?”

When Alon inquired, Rine paused briefly before shaking her head.

“No, I didn't.”

“…Is there a problem?”

“Hmm— I’m just struggling to get used to a different bed. I think I could sleep much better if you provided a little help, godfather…”

As Rine’s voice trailed off expectantly, Alon replied without hesitation.

“I will help you.”

“Truly?”

“Yes.”

When Alon confirmed it, a small smile touched Rine’s lips.

“In that case, would you mind staying by my side until I fall asleep?”

She leaned toward him slightly.

“…Pardon?”

Alon was caught off guard.

Rine let out a mischievous laugh.

“I’m only teasing, godfather. I’ve actually been sleeping quite well.”

She giggled, clearly enjoying herself.

“…So, didn't you mention you had something to discuss with me today?”

Seeing her playful expression, Alon cleared his throat and moved to the main topic.

He had come to see Rine because she claimed to have vital information for him.

Rine stopped laughing and turned serious. “The reason I asked for this meeting is regarding your power, godfather.”

She went straight to the heart of the matter.

“…My power?”

“Yes. It concerns the process of making your divinity truly your own.”

“Making my divinity fully mine?”

“I am aware you command your divine power skillfully. However, currently, it is as if you are merely borrowing the divinity of another god, is it not?”

“Borrowing divinity…”

“To be more exact, even if you are the essence of that deity's existence, you are still operating under a name that does not belong to you.”

“…Is that an issue?”

“It isn't inherently bad. But it has obvious restrictions. A divinity you did not forge yourself will never perfectly align with you.”

After reflecting on her point for a moment, Alon asked, “So you’re saying I need to develop a divinity that is tailored to me. Is that it?”

“Precisely. Specifically, it is the act of merging the fragmented parts of your divinity.”

“Merging divided divinity?”

Rine gave a nod.

“Yes, and if you permit me, I would like to guide you through the process.

Based on my research, creating and wielding a divinity that is entirely yours will be far more effective than your current state. For instance—”

She added, “Regarding your current spells, godfather.”

“…My spells?”

“Yes. From what I have ‘read,’ spells and divinity function like matching puzzle pieces.”

“Puzzle pieces, I see.”

“A single piece works on its own, but when joined, they produce a much more formidable power.”

“You found this information in the forbidden area of the library, didn't you?”

“Yes. Though I didn't gain access to everything. The price for entering the forbidden section was paid for by Agui’s physical form, after all.”

Alon nodded in understanding.

That matched the explanation she had given previously about her forbidden knowledge.

Alon rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then looked Rine in the eye.

“So, what is the requirement for me to truly claim my own divinity? Must I collect faith during a crisis like last time?”

“No, that won't be necessary. You already possess an abundance of faith. What you require now is something different.”

Something else.

As Alon watched her, Rine held up three fingers.

“You will need three components: a divine land, divine people, and a knight order.”

Alon’s eyes widened at the unexpected list.

“To put it simply, think of it as establishing a Rosario.”

“…That sounds like a massive undertaking.”

“Don't overcomplicate it. If you just follow my lead, building it won't be as difficult as it sounds.”

Reassured by her confidence, Alon nodded and listened to her detailed instructions.

A short while later—

“Evan.”

“Yes, Marquis?”

“Send a message to our estate.”

“So suddenly…? Aren't you planning to return to the territory in a few days anyway?”

“I am, but I need to get this information moving ahead of time.”

Though puzzled by the abrupt request, Evan took out a pen and paper.

“What should the message say?”

“State that we are forming a Holy Knight Order.”

“A Holy Knight Order?”

“Yes.”

“…Hmm, very well. I’ll get it done.”

Evan agreed without asking further questions.

Seeing his calm reaction, Alon gave him a skeptical look. “Does that… sound strange to you?”

“Pardon? What does?”

“The idea of recruiting a Holy Knight Order.”

“Oh—well—Given that you already wield divine power and elves prostrate themselves the moment you appear, this isn't particularly shocking.”

“…I suppose that makes sense.”

“Yes. Besides, Penia is already in contact with the Magic Tower, so I’ll just bundle this message with that one.

Are there any specific requirements you want to list?”

Alon shook his head at Evan’s question.

“No, don't worry about the details. Even though it’s a knight order, we’re just looking for applicants on a trial basis for now.”

“Understood.”

Surprisingly, the letter was dispatched to the estate without any complications.

Then, a few days later—

“Hm? Recruiting a Holy Knight Order?”

The letter penned by Evan was now in Alexion’s hands.

He stared at the page with a confused look.

The message was only a single line long.

It simply stated that Marquis Palatio was establishing a Holy Knight Order.

“…What is the meaning of this?”

Alexion’s face twisted slightly in confusion.

It was only natural.

The letter offered no context beyond that one statement.

There was no mention of the number of recruits needed, the qualifications required, or even what the purpose of this order was.

No details at all.

Still, since the letter had arrived, he couldn't just disregard it.

“…Well, I suppose I’ll just hang up a notice?”

Acting on Alon’s letter, Alexion decided to put up a recruitment flyer for the Holy Knight Order, giving applicants a two-month window.

He had no inkling that this minor task—

Would snowball into something far more significant.

Exactly ten days later—

“…This is quite intriguing.”

“We must depart at once.”

“The Master’s own knight order!?”

“The Marquis is building a knight order—”

A single rumor began to race through the entirety of the Allied Kingdoms.

Marquis Palatio—

Was assembling a Holy Knight Order.