Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 306 : Raksas (2)

Two weeks had passed since Alon departed from the Divine Land and set his course toward Raksas.

His training regimen had become notably more relaxed compared to his previous intensity.

The explanation for this shift was straightforward: Penia was no longer traveling by his side.

During her presence, he had frequently engaged in combat practice with Kylrus, utilizing the "Footsteps of the Past."

Now, however, that method was no longer viable.

While he technically could charge "Footsteps of the Past" by repeatedly toggling Reverse Heaven on and off, the physical toll on his frame was far too severe.

Even brief activations of Reverse Heaven inevitably caused internal damage to his body.

Consequently, Alon had refrained from entering "Footsteps of the Past" for some time.

He filled his days instead by refining spell diagrams and overseeing Blackie's independent awakening training.

“Well done.”

“Kyuu,” Blackie chirped softly, instinctively burrowing into Alon’s chest for warmth.

“Are you finished for the day?”

Evan approached and asked while Alon rubbed the small creature’s head.

“Yeah.”

“Your dedication is impressive.”

“It’s a necessity for me at this stage.”

“Hm~ Didn’t you mention before that reaching that state makes mana manipulation much smoother?”

“That’s right.”

Nodding at Alon’s reply, Evan gestured toward the side.

“Come eat dinner. I’ve prepared something.”

“Calling it ‘prepared’ is a bit of a stretch. Didn’t you just toss them into the fire?”

Alon remarked as he glanced at the sweet potatoes roasting in the embers.

“Hey, cooking is still cooking, isn’t it?”

Evan gave a casual shrug and pointed at Basiliora, who was already busy devouring the food.

“Snakehead, try to show some restraint. You’re eating like a savage.”

[Hmph. Why should I wait? I am far superior to a common human like yourself.]

“This damn lizard is starting again.”

It was just another typical day on the road.

During the fortnight spent traveling toward Raksas, Alon had begun to notice the profound transformation within the Allied Kingdom.

“Evan.”

“God, I’m going to strangle— Yes, Marquis.”

Evan immediately shifted his focus from the bickering dragon to answer the call.

“How much further to the next settlement?”

“Hm— Under normal conditions, we’d be there by tomorrow. However, as we learned in the last town, the village on our route was razed. It will likely take us four days now.”

“Four days…”

In the past, traveling through the Allied Kingdom meant finding a village to camp in every other night.

A settlement was usually reachable within a day or two of walking.

Yet, over these last two weeks, Alon had encountered only four intact villages.

The others had been reduced to ruins by rioters and brigands.

Alon was well aware that the circulation of the Abyssal Core had triggered a surge in lawlessness and violence across the kingdom.

However, hearing reports was one thing; witnessing the charred remains of villages was quite another.

“The situation is grimmer than I anticipated.”

Evan agreed with a somber nod.

“True. And we still have no lead on the source of these Abyssal Cores...”

“Have you picked up any new information?”

“I’ve tasked the Information Guild with an investigation, but there’s nothing solid yet… Oh, I suppose there is one piece of news. It’s not exactly a breakthrough, but it’s interesting.”

“What is it?”

“Word is that various knights and mercenaries have begun hunting down bandits of their own volition.”

“Was a bounty issued?”

“No. Reports say they are doing it without seeking any coin.”

“That is unusual.”

While such behavior might be expected from knights bound by honor, it was bizarre for mercenaries to act so selflessly.

Mercenaries in this region generally didn't lift a finger for anything beyond Lartania’s borders without pay.

“Yeah, I found it strange as well. Still, those are the rumors circulating.”

Alon nodded, taking a bite of his sweet potato before a thought struck him.

“Now that I think about it—why haven't we been ambushed by any bandits yet?”

“Didn't you bring that up a few days ago?”

“I did.”

Alon tilted his head in confusion.

Statistically, with so many villages being raided, they should have crossed paths with at least one group of outlaws.

Yet, they hadn't seen so much as a shadow of a thief.

“Furthermore, if these places were raided, there should be remains… but the sites are empty.”

A sense of unease flickered in Alon’s mind, but it was fleeting.

“Well, I suppose avoiding trouble is a blessing.”

That much was certain.

Regardless of the reason, the lack of bandit interference was a positive thing.

Alon finished his meal and turned his thoughts to a more pressing matter.

He recalled the events that transpired during the declaration of the Divine Land.

“The Star Eater…”

The being that had restricted Alon’s power had addressed him by that specific name.

They had spoken of welcoming the Star Eater’s return with sincerity.

“They were definitely referring to me.”

It wasn't the first time he had heard the title.

He had been called that by an Outsider near the Raksas Deep Sea, and again in the East by an entity whose true nature remained a mystery.

“What exactly is a Star Eater?”

He had been pondering the term ever since, but his search for answers had yielded nothing.

Star Eater.

The name appeared in no records or texts within Psychedelia.

After a period of fruitless contemplation, Alon decided to set the matter aside.

He had reached the same dead end many times during this trek to Raksas.

“I’ll likely find the truth from the Observer.”

He idly fingered the magatama kept in his pocket.

Several days later, as Alon neared a coastal town, a familiar face greeted him with a wave.

“Brother—!”

“Radan, how have things been?”

“I’ve been doing well.”

Since a ship was mandatory to reach the seafaring city of Raksas, Radan was the first person Alon had contacted.

With Radan’s assistance secured, they set sail immediately for the Syphra Archipelago.

Alon’s primary motivation for visiting Raksas was to reach Syphra and seek out the Observer.

As they sailed toward their destination, exchanging casual conversation, Alon studied Radan’s face.

“Radan, is something on your mind?”

“Me, brother?”

“Yes. You look troubled.”

On the surface, Radan maintained a gentle smile, but Alon could sense a subtle shadow of worry behind his eyes.

“Ah— I’ve just had a lot to think about lately.”

“A lot to think about?”

“Yeah. Just a few personal matters I’m trying to work through.”

Radan offered a strained laugh. “Haha, it’s a bit embarrassing to talk about.”

Alon considered pressing for details but decided against it.

It was evident that Radan wasn't ready to share his burdens.

“If you ever require assistance, don't hesitate to ask. I’ll do what I can.”

With that, Alon dropped the subject.

“Thank you, brother.”

Radan smiled genuinely this time and offered a quiet bow of appreciation.

A few more days passed by.

“We’ve arrived, brother.”

Alon stepped back onto the Syphra Archipelago, return to the place where he had previously encountered the Observer.

“Phew—”

Holding the pendant Yongrin had given him, he began the walk toward the eastern shores of the island.

***

The followers of the Temple of Kalanon, the lightning receiver, had multiplied significantly.

It had not always been such a massive institution.

When Sili first established the temple, her congregation consisted only of a few mages and those she had personally converted through her tireless efforts.

However, once Reinhardt—one of Caliban’s knights—began publicly demonstrating the divine power of Kalanon, the temple's popularity exploded.

Now, the sheer number of devotees—

“Ahhh—”

Was enough to pack the cavernous halls of the temple during the hours of worship.

The growth was nothing short of miraculous.

At the helm of this burgeoning faith stood Saintess Sili.

“Brother, is this news certain?”

[It is.]

She was receiving a report from Deus.

“You are telling me the Marquis—no, the God—seeks to take a throne?”

[It is the absolute truth.]

Deus confirmed her question with a firm nod.

Sili studied her brother’s expression intensely.

There was no hint of deception or jesting in his eyes.

That meant the information was accurate.

Though she was momentarily stunned,

“I see.”

Sili quickly regained her composure, her hands clasping together in a tight grip.

“In fact, I believe that is the path He must walk.”

[I agree. The Marquis is certainly worthy of—]

Deus began to nod, but Sili interrupted him.

“No, brother. You are mistaken.”

[…How so?]

“It is not a matter of being worthy.”

Sili’s gaze was even more resolute than Deus’s.

“It is simply his natural right.”

[His natural right?]

“Yes. Is it not absurd for a supreme god to be ranked below mere mortals?”

Her words were blasphemous enough to make any nobleman faint, yet she spoke them with absolute conviction—sentiments that would surely leave Alon speechless.

[Uh? I—I suppose so…]

Even Deus was taken aback by her boldness, faltering for a moment before answering.

But Sili wasn't finished.

“Furthermore, being a king is insufficient.”

[…Insufficient?]

“The throne of a mere king is not where He belongs—”

“He belongs on the throne of an Emperor.”

Sili stood up, emphasizing her point with gravity.

“I will be joining the efforts soon.”

Ending the communication with those words, Sili added to herself:

“If God intends to ascend to his rightful place, it is my duty to assist Him.”

She turned her eyes toward the main hall of the temple.

“If He wishes to rise to those heights,”

She looked out at the sea of faithful followers.

“—Then I will do whatever is necessary to pave the way for Him.”

Her eyes burned with a strange light as she watched the crowd.

A grand movement had begun.

And Alon remained completely unaware.