Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 337 : Perplexity (3)

All those who contributed to the recent fight, Alon included, assembled in the meeting hall.

King Stalian V was appearing publicly for the very first time.

“Thank you all for your help.”

Now they could finally glimpse his features.

He appeared far more gaunt than during their previous encounter.

Alon felt a brief shock, but Stalian V wrapped up his modest address swiftly and made a subtle motion toward the empty space.

Upon that signal, the knights, who had remained utterly motionless before, advanced and presented a petite jewel case to every individual present.

“This is what I promised you.”

Stalian V offered a bit more in the way of polite gratitude before pivoting and departing the chamber, his weary visage trailing behind.

Once the short meeting concluded, Evan, positioned at Alon's rear, gradually began to speak.

“That ended quicker than I expected.”

“It did.”

“The king didn’t look all that happy, though?”

Penia, close by, shot him a reprimanding glance, deeming his remark absurd.

“Would he be happy? More than half the territory is gone.”

“Still, he nearly died and lived to tell the tale.”

“So what? From now on, it's going to be hell for him.”

“Hm—”

Noticing Evan's puzzled face, as though questioning “Is it that bad?”, Penia shook her head in exasperation.

“Think about it. What’s the real problem when you lose your territory?”

“Money?”

“Money’s already gone.”

“Hmmm—Power?”

“That too is as good as gone.”

With his persistent incorrect guesses, Penia released a heavy sigh and clarified the matter.

“Listen carefully. This isn’t just about losing territory. If it was just a region or two, maybe, but half the kingdom was obliterated. And that happened because of the king.”

“That hasn’t been confirmed, has it?”

As news of the event circulated widely, whispers emerged claiming Ashtalon had covertly chased after the odd black stones, sparking the entire catastrophe.

Nevertheless, no official confirmation existed yet.

Yet Penia creased her forehead in irritation.

“Officially, yes, but in reality, it’s practically confirmed.”

She went on, ‘Why else would he try to clean up the mess if it wasn’t something he started?’

“Anyway, from now on, the king of Ashtalon is in for a rough ride. Internally, he’ll have nobles brimming with resentment watching for any chance to strike. Externally, he’ll be held accountable for this disaster.”

Well, if he keeps feigning ignorance, perhaps accountability might be dodged—but regardless, the kingdom’s standing was destined to plummet sharply.

“In short, it’s only going to get worse from here.”

“...Is it okay to talk about this here?”

“Of course not. Normally, I mean.”

Shrugging lightly, Penia directed a confident look toward Marquis Palatio.

He exchanged greetings with familiar faces, promptly redirected the persistent mages to Sharan, and headed back to his quarters.

“Marquis, how about opening it now?”

Side by side with Penia, he gazed at the jewel box bestowed earlier.

Truthfully, curiosity burned within him regarding the black stone Stalian V had granted as recompense.

Recalling the tales surrounding the enigmatic stone, Alon unfastened the lid.

“Oh—”

“That’s amazing.”

As Evan and Penia expressed awe, he peered within.

A violet gemstone rested inside the box.

However, it differed markedly from ordinary gems.

“Indeed, it’s quite strange.”

It seemed as though an entity was imprisoned within the gem.

Alon fixed his gaze on the white glow captured inside.

Its vivid, throbbing radiance held such vitality that his eyes remained locked on it.

In that instant—

[Meow-?]

The black kitten, Blackie, who had dozed in his pocket, abruptly thrust his head out.

With enormous, inquisitive eyes, the tiny creature scrutinized the gemstone fixedly.

His large, rounded eyes gleamed brightly.

Adding to that, Basiliora also slipped out from the ring and inspected the gem.

[This is—]

Basiliora cocked his head, appearing baffled by the sight.

“Do you know what it is?”

Alon inquired, prompting Basiliora to contemplate the gem quietly before responding with a hesitant expression.

[If I’m right, what’s inside this gem is divine power.]

“Divine power?”

[Yes. But it doesn’t feel like the kind of divine power we use.]

“What do you mean?”

Baffled, Alon pressed further, and Basiliora tilted his head repeatedly.

[The divine power we use comes from faith.]

“Right?”

[But this definitely feels like divine power, yet—]

Hmmm~ After prolonging the suspense slightly, Basiliora at last revealed,

[Honestly, I don’t really know.]

“...Then just say you don’t know.”

[Didn’t I just say that!]

Basiliora objected, evidently irked by Penia’s crestfallen stare.

As Alon twirled the gem between his fingers, he observed Blackie still nuzzling right up to it.

He raised the gem upward for a better inspection.

Thereupon, Blackie glanced at Alon, his eyes pleading, ‘Gimme.’

Alon paused briefly before passing the gem to Blackie.

And then—

Fwoosh—!

“!?”

Something got drawn straight into Blackie’s form in an instant.

It required less than a second.

Alon hastily withdrew the gem from Blackie’s forehead, yet—

The black stone had already dimmed completely.

“Ah—”

“Ah…”

Alon, Penia, and Evan remained frozen, at a loss for words.

[Meow-]

On the other hand, Blackie appeared utterly content, grooming his paw before nestling comfortably into Alon’s embrace.

“Is… is that okay?”

Evan’s tone carried evident alarm.

Naturally, Alon held no strong attachment to possessing the gemstone.

His interest stemmed purely from its absence in Psychidelia, not from any desire to employ it.

Even so, irrespective of his intentions—

The black stone’s safety remained unverified.

Thus, Alon directed his attention to the pocket where Blackie had retreated.

Regardless of the circumstances, Blackie had coiled up contentedly and drifted off to slumber.

“I should probably ask him about it later.”

Alon could merely massage his temple in response.

***

The following day.

Alon proceeded to rendezvous with Eliban.

He reasoned that Eliban, experienced in handling tainted gates, might possess insights into the black stones as well.

Yet—

Alon found himself taken aback.

A throng of nobles encircled Eliban.

“He really is popular.”

“Honestly, I didn’t think it’d be this much.”

Alon recognized Eliban’s renown.

It was unavoidable.

He had been compiling data consistently, and invariably, accounts of Eliban’s valiant exploits surfaced.

“Actually, isn’t this kind of small?”

“You think so?”

“Yeah. Eliban attracts nobles wherever he goes, no matter the country. And in towns? He’s treated like a living legend.”

“Well, that makes sense. After all, he’s the one chosen by the goddess of Sironia, and all of his actions are focused on protecting people.”

Just as Alon agreed with Penia’s final remark—

“Oh, Marquis! What brings you here!?”

“Eliban.”

Spotting Alon from a distance, Eliban promptly deserted the noble gathering and dashed toward him.

From afar, Alon sensed the blend of wary and admiring gazes.

He could almost overhear thoughts like, “I’ve been waiting forever to meet him!” and “Wait, Eliban respects him that much??”

Sensing mild discomfort, Alon coughed lightly and answered.

“Am I interrupting?”

“No, I was just chatting. What’s going on?”

“I had something I wanted to ask you.”

“Ask away.”

“Do you happen to know much about the black stones?”

Alon provided a concise recounting of the prior day’s events.

“Oh, you probably don’t need to worry too much about that.”

Eliban replied casually.

“…Really?”

“I mean, I don’t know everything about them either, but some of my comrades have absorbed them, and so far, they’re all fine.”

“Your comrades too…?”

“Yeah. Watching them grow stronger made me want to try it too, but I couldn’t absorb it, so I gave up.”

Alon nodded, content with Eliban’s firsthand testimony.

“Oh, by the way, are you planning to head back soon?”

“Yeah, that’s the plan.”

“Then I’ll see you next time! Though we’ll probably run into each other again in about three months.”

“Three months?”

When Alon questioned it, Evan, who had overheard from nearby, supplied the explanation.

“Oh, I think he’s talking about the upcoming ball in Asteria.”

“Yeah, that’s the one.”

Eliban stated it with a bright, easygoing grin.

“Well, see you then!”

With a casual farewell wave, he spun around and resumed his discussions with the nobles.

As Alon observed him, he remarked,

“He’s right. It really is time to return.”

“Then shall we get ready to leave?”

“Let’s stay for about one more day. I still haven’t said goodbye to Seolrang or Radan, and I need to meet with the Saint as well.”

“Understood.”

Penia, lingering nearby, promptly lifted her hand.

“Ah, Marquis. Then I’ll go visit my Master real quick. I should say goodbye at least.”

“Go ahead.”

After separating from Penia, Alon started heading back to his room.

Shortly thereafter—

“Oh, right. Marquis.”

“What is it?”

Evan interjected, as though a recollection had struck him.

“When you return to the Marquisate, there’s something you’ll need to do.”

“Something I need to do? Did I leave some official business unfinished?”

“No, not that. You need to choose a partner.”

“…Partner?”

“Yes. For the ball in Asteria, you need to have a dance partner of the opposite sex.”

“Is that so…”

Alon’s expression turned uneasy.

A momentary idea crossed his mind.

But he dismissed it rapidly.

Alon hadn’t graced a single ball in several years.

Admittedly, he’d always devised reasonable pretexts.

However, now the mounting societal expectations from his absences weighed on him.

Reflecting on that, Alon voiced,

“I’ve put it off until now, so I’ll attend this time. But do I absolutely have to have a partner?”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure you do. This ball apparently requires a partner.”

“Guess I’ll have to find one then.”

“Exactly. You should start thinking about it ahead of time.”

“Hmmm…”

He pondered briefly, nibbling his lower lip.

“…Once I get back, I’ll just ask someone close by.”

“That works too. It doesn’t have to be a noble, after all.”

“You’re not the type to care about that sort of thing anyway,” Evan added.

“Or I could ask around for you if you’d like?”

He suggested offhandedly.

“Sure, that works too.”

Alon responded indifferently.

Utterly oblivious to the crimson brooch glowing with exceptional intensity.