Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 308 : Raksas (4)
Previously on Became the Patron of Villains...
“The Egg of Sin?”
“Are you saying you carried it all this way without even knowing its identity?”
“So, that really is the Egg of Sin?”
“Indeed. I suspected as much at first glance, but now I am certain it is the genuine article.”
Alon found the situation entirely baffling.
He shifted his gaze toward the Observer, who remained fixated on the sphere, and questioned, “Can sin actually be born?”
According to his understanding, sins were not things that came into being—they were constants that already existed.
The Observer, eyes never leaving the orb, answered him.
“No, your understanding is correct; sins are primordial entities. Even if you manage to suppress the ones that manifest, they can never truly be extinguished.”
“That is simply the nature of their existence,” the Observer remarked.
“Is that why you were so vague about the black ones during our first meeting?”
“It was. However, since the black ones have already made their appearance, there is no longer a need for secrecy.”
“You were aware that the sins had surfaced?”
“Yes. Residing in this place, I have no choice but to be sensitive to such shifts.”
With a faint, somber expression, the Observer adjusted the course of the conversation.
“Regardless, this is undeniably the Egg of Sin. More accurately, it is an egg that was brought into existence but has failed to hatch.”
“...Created but not yet hatched?”
“Precisely. It was fashioned as an Egg of Sin, yet the birth never occurred. It remains trapped in its embryonic state.”
“Your knowledge on the subject is surprisingly deep.”
“I learned of this egg from the one who held this position before me. Furthermore, the unique magic power it radiates is impossible to mistake.”
A short silence followed before Alon spoke again.
“Do you possess any other information regarding this orb?”
“Is it more knowledge about the sphere that you seek?”
“No, that isn't exactly it.”
Alon proceeded to explain the circumstances that led him there. After listening to the entire account, the Observer provided a summary.
“So, if I have this right, a mysterious individual told you that delivering this orb to me would open a path for communication.”
“That is correct.”
Alon gave a firm nod.
After taking a moment to process the information, the Observer stated, “I should clarify first that I do not know the identity of this person. Nor do I have the means to use this orb to contact... whatever entity you are referring to.”
“Is that so?”
“However, I can guide you to someone who might understand how to converse with the one you cannot identify.”
The Observer then returned the orb to Alon.
“Behind this area lies a door. Pass through it and enter. Once you are inside, you will find that communication comes naturally.”
He indicated the area toward the back.
As Alon prepared to head inside with Radan, the Observer spoke up again. “Actually, if you don't mind, could I have a word with you?”
The Observer was looking directly at Radan.
“...With me?”
“Yes.”
Radan looked toward Alon for guidance.
Alon responded with a slight nod of approval.
“Very well.”
Radan agreed to the Observer’s request.
Following the directions provided, Alon walked past the massive stone pillar.
“You are—”
“Me?”
As the voices of Radan and the Observer grew faint in the distance, Alon discovered the door.
It was a wooden door that seemed strangely out of place within the rugged cave walls.
After a brief hesitation, Alon opened it and stepped through.
A long corridor stretched out immediately before him. After walking for several minutes, Alon reached a chamber at the far end.
The room contained what looked like an altar, built as if to hold something of great importance.
Alon observed the structure in silence.
Absentmindedly, he rubbed his chin.
He felt a nagging sense of familiarity, as if he had encountered an altar of this design once before.
But before he could place the memory—
Wooooong~!
The black orb, previously dormant, began to pulse with a sudden vibration.
Alon looked down at the sphere in his hand and then instinctively turned back to the altar.
Then—
Tuk—
The moment he set the orb upon the center of the altar,
Saaaaa—
A dark, shadowy aura began to bleed outward.
“P—”
A look of alarm flashed across Alon’s face.
The atmosphere that flooded the chamber in an instant felt chillingly identical to the presence of Sin.
Panicked, Alon began to move his hands to form seals for a technique.
[There is no need for such actions.]
A voice echoed through the room.
It was a voice of profound calm and softness.
Alon turned his head. In the space that had been vacant just a second ago—
[Sin cannot manifest in this place.]
—A figure had appeared.
To be more precise, it was a soul taking on a human shape. She stood directly in front of Alon, though her form was incredibly translucent and blurry.
“...Who are you?”
Alon demanded immediately.
[I possess a name, though I doubt that is what the person who sent you here wishes for you to find out.]
She whispered to herself before addressing him directly.
[I am the previous Observer.]
That was her revelation.
“So, are the Observers linked to Sin?”
After a short pause, Alon asked the question. He could follow the logic of the events so far, but he couldn't grasp why the Egg of Sin acted as a catalyst to summon a former Observer.
[No, that isn't quite right.]
“Then why is your aura so similar to it?”
[That is merely because I am utilizing the orb’s power to take this form.]
As she spoke, she made a gesture toward the sphere. Alon watched as the dark energy radiating from the orb was drawn into the altar.
“Does that mean you cannot appear without the orb's energy?”
[No, that isn't the case either. To be precise, I require a power source on the level of the Egg of Sin to manifest in this specific way.]
The former Observer continued, “Actually, it is more that this altar consumes more mana than it can typically sustain—I am not some grand, divine being.”
[Now, tell me, why have you sought me out?]
She looked at Alon expectantly.
“In the East—”
Alon began to recount everything that had transpired. He detailed how he obtained the orb in the East and how the current Observer had pointed him toward this hidden room.
The former Observer remained silent, absorbing every detail of his story.
[I see. I understand now why that entity sent you to this place.]
She nodded, the pieces falling into place for her.
“You know who that being is?”
[I do. However, I am unable to speak their name.]
“And why is that?”
[It is for your own protection.]
“...Is the mere mention of their name truly that dangerous?”
[Yes. Even if I were to utter it, the sound would likely fail to reach your ears.]
“Then is there any way for me to contact them?”
[I am aware of a method. However, gathering the necessary components will be a difficult task.]
“What do I need?”
The former Observer paused to organize her thoughts before speaking clearly.
[The Mask of the One Who Walks Ahead, the Crying Blessing, and the Jewel of the Closed-Eyed One. You must obtain all three.]
“If I secure these items, will I be able to hold a conversation with that being?”
[That is correct.]
Alon recognized most of the artifacts she mentioned, save for one. He thought about it for a moment before setting the matter aside. This effectively meant he wouldn't be getting any answers here today.
So—
“May I ask you something else?”
[What is it?]
“Do you have any knowledge regarding the Star-Eater?”
Alon changed the subject, posing a new query. The former Observer shook her head slowly.
[No, I know very little of that.]
“Truly?”
[Yes. Had that name been known in the ancient past, I would certainly have heard of it. But there are no records of a ‘Star-Eater’ in existence.]
“I see...”
Alon trailed off, then tried one more angle.
“Can you tell me anything at all about that being?”
[That being—]
“The one I am trying to meet. There are things about our interaction that I don't understand.”
[Such as?]
“Frankly, there is a great deal that confuses me.”
[In that case, would you mind sharing the details of your conversation with that entity?]
Alon focused his mind and began to relay the dialogue to the former Observer. It was easy to remember, as the topics had been limited primarily to rebellion and sin.
“That was the extent of it.”
Once Alon finished, the former Observer fell into a deep, contemplative silence.
After a while—
[I believe I can clarify the meaning of that conversation for you.]
“That is exactly what I was hoping for.”
[First, regarding the rebellion. I am unsure about the part regarding ‘becoming the Star-Eater,’ but the term ‘rebellion’ is a reference to the True Mages.]
“...Why would ‘rebellion’ signify True Mages?”
[Because—]
The former Observer explained—
[Just as the ‘Closed-Eyed One’ placed a curse upon the elves,
that being completely wiped the True Mages from the face of this world.]
“What?”
Alon was left speechless by her revelation.
***
At the same time Alon was deep in discussion with the former Observer—
“Is the plan proceeding as intended?”
“Yes, Lord Zukurak is currently working diligently to collect the items listed in the Strange Text.”
“That is good to hear.”
King Stalian V, traveling to Tern for a summit, listened to the report from his spy.
“Are there any other developments I should know about?”
“Nothing further regarding Lord Zukurak, but there is one other matter.”
“Speak.”
“Do you remember our discussion about Marquis Palatio establishing a new knight order?”
Stalian V nodded.
“Yes. I assume he has finished the recruitment process?”
“He has. However, the size of the force is...”
“How many?”
“He has gathered fifty knights and six hundred soldiers.”
“That... is quite a substantial force.”
Stalian V nodded again, though he didn't seem overly concerned. For a noble of Palatio’s status, commanding such a group wasn't entirely unheard of.
“Furthermore, he has relocated these troops to a new territory and is subjecting them to incredibly rigorous training.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
Stalian V continued to nod. He reasoned that intense training was justifiable for a new unit, especially if they were stationed in a new fief.
However—
“There is one final detail.”
“There is more?”
“Yes. It appears that the followers of Kalannon are also moving to the same territory where the Marquis is training his men.”
“...?”
Upon hearing this, Stalian V’s composed expression began to falter.
“The followers of Kalannon... aren't they primarily composed of mages and knights?”
“That is correct, Sire.”
“And they are all congregating there?”
“Yes.”
“What are their numbers?”
“An exact count is difficult to obtain, but the numbers are reportedly significant.”
“......”
Stalian V’s face clouded with concern.
Fifty knights and six hundred soldiers? That could be explained away as a standard, if large, garrison for a new territory.
Relentless training? Perhaps he just wanted a disciplined force.
But a massive influx of independent mages and knights to that same location?
Stalian V’s eyes twitched slightly. Was it possible—was something major on the horizon?
The mere thought sent a shiver of unease through him. He tried to dismiss the suspicion quickly. There was no logical reason for Marquis Palatio to make such a provocative move; it would be politically ruinous.
...Wait.
A memory suddenly flashed in his mind. He remembered how a single mistake by the prince had sparked a massive political upheaval. He recalled how strategic assets were deployed without any regard for political fallout just to crush Stalian.
Given that history... was it really so unlikely?
A deep shadow of worry began to settle over Stalian V’s features.