Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 323 : Ryanga (5)

Having just verified the notion that making Ryanga's body feel pleasant (?) soothes her spirit.

Alon chose to depart from the White Ghost's lair.

"We've been apart for centuries, so parting after only a single day feels a touch sorrowful..."

"Would you prefer I linger a while more?"

Alon inquired of Ryanga, whose eyes seemed on the verge of tears.

Yet she shook her head firmly.

"No need. If I yearn for you once more, I'll seek you out on my own."

She uttered with a gentle smile.

"Farewell for now, Chief!"

"Yes, until we meet again."

"Goodbye, Ryanga!"

Right as their farewells were wrapping up.

"Ah. Chief, mind if I inquire about one thing?"

As though the thought had suddenly struck her, Ryanga halted Alon's departure.

"Sure, what?"

"Blue Ghost didn't head out to you on my command, yet he vanished abruptly."

"...Oh."

A soft sigh escaped Alon's lips unwittingly.

The matter had slipped by so seamlessly that it hadn't crossed his mind, and truly, he hadn't mentioned Blue Ghost at all.

Thus, he halted briefly to share the details.

Do I reveal this to her?

Alon wavered.

Naturally, he needed to inform her of Blue Ghost's visit, yet explaining his current whereabouts posed a dilemma.

Was it best to simply state that Blue Ghost took a liking to Divine Land and chose to remain?

Such an approach felt off.

It might lead to a scenario where pain befalls all involved, so with brief reflection, Alon responded.

"He did seek me out."

"Is that so? So, where's he at now?"

"He's assisting with tasks in Divine Land for the time being."

"Divine Land?"

"Indeed."

While Alon nodded and gave a basic overview of Divine Land.

Ryanga appeared astonished, as if captivated by an intriguing tale.

"In any case, he's tied up helping out there presently, so I'll relay the message upon his return."

"Mmm~ No, it's alright to let him stay."

"...Are you certain?"

"Yes, I'll inform him directly during my next visit."

She stated it casually, without fuss.

"Alright then~"

Putting the exchange aside, they ventured out of the woods.

Thus, once Alon's companions departed the White Ghost's refuge.

"Boss—"

"Yes, what is it?"

Red Ghost, the crimson-hued figure ranking just below Blue Ghost and third in the White Ghosts' hierarchy, addressed her while observing Ryanga's lively face shift to one of ennui.

"You seem let down, Boss."

"Do I? Why do you say that?"

"After waiting ages, he departed after merely a day."

With that, Ryanga let out a soft laugh in response.

"No worries."

"No worries?"

"Exactly. The mere encounter and assurance were sufficient for me. Besides— Chief surely has his duties, so detaining him merely due to our reunion would only inconvenience him."

Upon hearing Ryanga express this with such ease, Red Ghost's respect deepened.

He adjusted his view of the leader subtly, from 'a girl simply powerful and benevolent' to 'one who appears youthful yet possesses profound maturity.'

Next, he mentioned something as if it had just occurred to him.

"Is it alright to abandon Blue Ghost there? He handled the crew most effectively, didn't he?"

"Hmm~"

Ryanga rested her hand on her chin, humming thoughtfully.

As Red Ghost noted, Blue Ghost excelled at overseeing the followers.

"You're right."

"So, shouldn't we retrieve him promptly?"

"Relax. I intended to fetch him regardless."

"Eh? For real?"

"Yep."

"In that case, we could have that fellow relay the word, no?"

"No point in troubling Chief with such a trivial task. It's preferable for me to handle it personally."

'Troubling?' The notion puzzled Red Ghost briefly.

"Anyway, Red Ghost, Chief should reach his domain in roughly a month, correct?"

"Likely so?"

"I'll head over then to retrieve Blue Ghost."

"Wouldn't it be quicker to depart immediately?"

"Since he's aiding Chief, snatching him away now would seem improper, wouldn't it?"

Aware of Ryanga's knack for achieving her desires, no matter the odds, Red Ghost voiced his uncertainty.

"Understood? I'll set out in about a month."

"What? ...Alright."

"And I'll offer Chief a fitting welcome as well."

Her motive was plain to discern.

She's clearly scheming another meeting...

At last, Red Ghost spotted the subtle grin playing on Ryanga's lips.

Within his thoughts, his assessment of Ryanga shifted yet again.

From a formidable and aloof figure feigning detachment...

***

Roughly one day following their exit from the White Ghost's sanctuary.

Alon intentionally routed through the dilapidated zones, steering clear of the mutant-infested area to avoid burdening Ryanga.

During this extended journey that added an extra day.

"It succeeded...!"

"Yes!"

Alon and Penia celebrated their breakthrough together.

They had accomplished the initial phase of deriving knowledge from Tiered magic: simplifying it.

"Next, we merely assemble the details, and it's complete! Though, truthfully, this marks only the start."

"Even so, the progress is quicker than anticipated."

As he observed.

During their initial attempt to draw out data from the magic bolt.

They lacked any clue on where to begin.

Hence, a brief elation ensued.

"However... is this truly manifesting correctly?"

To Penia's subsequent query, Alon emitted an odd noise while gazing forward.

Before them lay the magic bolt crafted jointly by Alon and Penia across recent weeks.

"At minimum, the structure qualifies as a magic bolt, so one could deem it as such."

"Yet the appearance varies somewhat."

Penia's skepticism held merit.

Fundamentally, the initial-tier magic bolt known to mages consists of compressed mana, typically forming a spherical shape.

Nevertheless, the one produced by Alon and Penia.

"It's linear—"

It manifested as a straight line.

Observing the dimly glowing magic bolt in a slender, rectangular form resembling a simple arrow, Alon pressed on.

"Previously, Heinkel mentioned that the form could vary based on the extracted elements, so this falls within anticipated bounds."

"True enough."

"For the moment, we'll proceed this way. I believe it's on track."

Alon remembered Heinkel's words.

'As I mentioned, should it involve extracting data rather than modifying the magic, the spell won't trigger unless fully drawn out. Tiered magic readily adjusts to changes, yet it's crafted to prevent total extraction since its purpose is data conveyance.'

"Heinkel noted too that activation occurs solely upon flawless extraction of all data."

As he methodically sorted his ideas, Penia agreed with a nod.

"Correct."

While they observed the arrow-like magic gradually dissipate.

"Marquis, we've reached the site."

The carriage pulled into the encampment.

There, Alon quickly learned of unsettling tidings.

"Is this accurate? Three mighty fighters have perished?"

News that the team dispatched to resolve issues in the Kingdom of Ashtalon had met their end.

***

Lately, Palmarian IV, ruler of Caliban, suffered persistent migraines.

Numerous factors contributed, of course.

The northern barbarians, dormant for so long, had resumed their stirrings.

A sudden exodus of numerous knights from Caliban.

Moreover, his three offspring had commenced vying for the crown.

Plenty of intricate matters plagued him, yet what most intensified Palmarian IV's tension were his heirs.

Indeed, at least until several months prior.

"Marquis Palatio has established Divine Land!"

Upon first hearing this, Palmarian IV dismissed it lightly.

Even reports of the marquis enlisting substantial forces of soldiers and knights failed to alarm him.

The undertaking was grand in scope, yet he viewed it as harmless.

After all, the briefing reached him due to whispers that Caliban's premier swordsman was personally drilling the troops.

Yes, that was the extent of his concern then.

Three months back.

"Update: Knights and mercenaries are swarming toward Divine Land presently."

"...Knights and troops?"

"Affirmative. The surge is remarkable."

"How extensive...?"

"Should this continue... sufficient for launching a conflict."

Until that dispatch from his aide.

This prompted Palmarian IV to ponder, 'Is Marquis Palatio scheming something...?' though he quickly set it aside.

He recognized the marquis's competence, yet deemed such recklessness unlikely.

Certainly, he valued the marquis's abilities.

But overcoming the united realms seemed impossible.

Conflicts hinge not on solitary prowess but on sheer volume.

Thus, Palmarian IV easily quelled his suspicions.

Further confidence came from reports of knights and mercenaries abandoning midway.

Two months ago.

"The Saint of Kalannon has led her devotees and knights to Divine Land."

"What?"

"And now, even soldiers and mercenaries cease their departures."

At this juncture, true apprehension seeded in Palmarian IV's thoughts.

For a group that erected a shrine close to Caliban to forsake it for Divine Land—regardless of contemplation, no rationale fit.

Still, Palmarian IV doubted the marquis would ignite war.

He clung firmly to 'Impossible.'

Marquis Palatio? Unthinkable?

Yet.

"Thus, all circulating rumors... they're maneuvers by Marquis Palatio?"

"Yes, per the intelligence team's findings."

"The marquis is meddling in public opinion, which he could ignore?"

"Indeed. And there's additional intelligence."

"What might that be...?"

The intelligence briefing persisted.

Ultimately.

"Among the Seven Strongest, the Sword God, has joined Divine Land."

Upon that revelation.

...!!

Palmarian IV's eyes quivered wildly.