Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 341 : This Wasn't in the Plan (4)
Previously on Became the Patron of Villains...
Alon stayed in Divine Land for roughly a week.
Naturally, it wasn't due to any urgent tasks for Alon.
Actually, Alon had intended to travel to the Marquisate.
Yet he found himself unable to depart.
The reason was Sili.
During Alon's absence, Sili had diligently expanded Divine Land and now demanded to display all the progress, pulling him along everywhere.
Due to this, an additional pair of days slipped by.
What astonished him was how those two days brimmed with activity.
It was only the day before that he completed the tour of every faction within Divine Land.
Alon reflected on Sili's words from the previous day.
"Now, this is the Holy Knights!"
"I see—"
"This is the Blue Knights!"
"...?"
"This is the Order of Anguish!"
"Uh... is there some difference between all these knight orders?"
"Well, first of all, the Holy Knights are—"
Because their armors looked so alike, his query sparked almost an hour of detailed breakdowns for each group.
"Hmm—"
While Alon mulled over this briefly, a noise caught his attention, prompting him to glance downward.
[Meoww–!!]
Smack!
[Meow–?!]
Blackie delivered a squishy paw swipe to Kalannon, who had sneakily attempted to curl up beside Alon.
Afterward, Blackie widened his eyes innocently and boldly occupied Alon’s lap as if it were his right.
Kalannon’s expression screamed unfairness.
She appeared ready to protest, “That’s my place.”
However, Blackie haughtily turned away, showing no signs of giving ground.
As Alon remembered how Blackie had smacked Kalannon on the head multiple times during those two days—
“Marquis, the preparations for departure are ready.”
"Really?"
“Yes.”
Evan’s voice reached him.
Alon promptly agreed and rose, cradling Blackie.
With all matters in Divine Land settled, it was finally time to head back.
Of course, Alon slipped Blackie into his chest pocket.
As he stood, Kalannon swiftly leaped into the empty seat, like she had anticipated the moment.
Alon offered her a soft stroke on the head.
Hisss–!
Kalannon hissed in objection.
She seemed to voice her frustration over his lack of reprimand for Blackie.
[Meoww–!]
Smack!
Yet Blackie emerged from the pocket and landed a strike that quickly cowed Kalannon, making her hunker down.
Alon gave a wry smile at the pair's antics and proceeded toward the carriage.
"Ah, Marquis! May I accompany you this time?"
"You have something to do?"
"Yes! Something came up briefly!"
"I'm going too."
"...Well, I don't mind."
Sili and Deus both volunteered to travel with him.
Though confused, Alon consented with a nod.
After all, they weren't the sole companions joining him to the Palatio Marquisate.
"Shouldn’t you stay behind to guard Divine Land?"
"Nope."
"Why do you get to decide what I do?"
"You’re both knights, aren’t you?"
"Hmph—we’re escort knights."
"Agreed. If anyone should be returning, it’s you."
"Right, that Colo—what was it? Anyway, go back to the desert."
"No thanks. I’m on an official journey with Master, unlike you guys who just tagged along with excuses.”
“!? This is a legit mission!"
Seolrang, Historia, and Ryanga were already quarreling beside Alon’s carriage.
Since vanishing after their initial appearance, the trio had engaged in nonstop disputes.
Alon observed their typical bickering.
Historia abruptly noticed Alon’s approach and glided to his side like a shadow.
Swoosh—
She effortlessly coiled her tail around his waist.
Sway—
The end of her tail quivered faintly, as if delighted.
Then, spotting it a beat late, Seolrang rushed forward and encircled Alon’s waist with her own tail from the opposite direction.
Suddenly, Alon was ensnared by two tails.
Ryanga, isolated, dashed up with a hurt look and yelled,
"What are you guys doing?! You’re annoying Chief!"
"Hmph! Master doesn’t mind stuff like this!"
Seolrang retorted with smugness.
...Briefly, it seemed their positions had swapped from the prior exchange between Historia and Seolrang.
Ultimately, with the crowd too large, they divided into several carriages.
Only then did Alon get to serenely observe Divine Land receding into the horizon.
“No matter how I think about it, this has all gotten too big.”
“I think so too,” Evan concurred, also staring at Divine Land.
“At this point, aren’t we being blatantly checked?”
"Hmm~"
Alon nodded without thinking.
Indeed, to his eyes, Divine Land's forces had grown to an undeniable level.
If Siyan sent a message come morning demanding, “What kind of scheme are you pulling?” he wouldn't find it shocking.
As Alon pondered potential responses—
“Should I just invite the kings?”
“Invite them?”
“Yeah, just to say something like ‘Don’t worry, nothing dangerous will happen.’”
He devised a basic strategy.
Of course, it lacked perfection.
But it sufficed as a superficial measure to quash absurd gossip like “he’s preparing for war.”
As long as it cleared up misconceptions, that would do.
After all, his purpose in establishing Divine Land was solely for divine power.
While Alon immersed in his thoughts, Evan, who had been quietly contemplating, at last voiced his opinion.
“I understand your reasoning, but… would the kings actually come if invited?”
“Of course not.”
“…? Then what’s the point of inviting them?”
“I told you. The invitation itself conveys the message.”
Naturally, Alon held no expectations of the kings agreeing.
If anyone summoned a ruler and truly anticipated their arrival—
All parties would need to be somewhat deranged.
Even thus, Alon preferred terming it an ‘invitation’ since—
It served as the mildest method to declare, “I have no intention of causing any trouble. Feel free to come see for yourself.”
Reaching his own resolution, Alon stated,
"Ah—I get it now.”
He nodded as Evan appeared to grasp the intent.
“Make sure that’s conveyed.”
“Understood.”
Alon attempted one final look at the sprawling Divine Land.
“Ah, Marquis. Please take this as well.”
“This is…?”
Evan passed him a book.
“It’s a scripture.”
“Oh, that?”
“Yes, it’s what I received from Sili yesterday.”
Alon eyed the book with an odd look.
He had ample cause for it.
This scripture chronicled Kalannon’s biography, penned by Sili.
In essence,
The volume outlined Alon’s own life narrative.
Alon momentarily fretted— or rather, speculated— about the contents.
He could simply flip it open to verify, yet lacked the boldness to dive in abruptly, so he paused.
“You’re not going to open it?”
“...You haven’t looked either?”
“I wanted to see it with you, Marquis.”
In time, Alon gently parted the scripture’s pages.
And then—
“Let there be lightning.”
“...?”
The bold opening line on the first page stirred an unusual sensation in Alon.
For he recognized a similar phrasing from elsewhere.
He skimmed a few additional pages.
“The one who receives lightning, Kalannon, spoke thus:
To the one who believes in me, you shall be free from hunger and find a place to rest your feet.
Your life shall shine with glory, for this I promise you.
To the spirit who believes in me, I shall share the lightning of my power.
This is my holy covenant.”
“And also—”
Flip—thud.
Alon softly shut the scripture.
Then he leaned forward a bit.
It seemed his fingers clenched in mortification.
“Did you really say stuff like that?”
“Do I look like someone who would?”
Evan laughed softly nearby.
Alon replied sharply, then regarded the scripture (an evident sham posing as sacred text) with conflicting feelings.
He couldn't shake the curiosity—what exactly did Sili perceive in him?
A flurry of ideas swirled in Alon’s head.
And they converged on a single realization:
He began to feel somewhat concerned for Sili.
***
The following day, the party arrived back at the Palatio Marquisate.
Despite the interval, the Marquisate remained largely unchanged.
The domain thrived with traders, creating a lively vibe.
Nevertheless, a handful of unexpected developments awaited Alon.
The initial one being—
“Yutia?”
“My Lord.”
Yutia was present at the Marquisate.
“It’s been a while.”
“It has. Have you been well?”
“I’ve been fine.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“So what brings you to the Marquisate?”
“Hmm—I had some work to do.”
“Work?”
“Yes. Do you remember? I said I wanted to build a church.”
“Oh, that? So you’re here for that?”
“Hmm—I also just wanted to see you, My Lord.”
“Me?”
When Alon inquired once more, Yutia grinned.
“Yes. It’s been a while since I saw your face.”
She straightened the slightly askew red brooch on his chest while speaking.
“I’m glad you seemed to like the gift.”
“...Yes, I do.”
The brooch she had presented him ages ago.
It struck him as odd that she mentioned it anew, sparking brief intrigue—but nothing more.
“Ahem, Brother—”
“Ah, Nangwon.”
“Have you been well?”
“Yes.”
Once the exchange with Yutia concluded, Nangwon smoothly positioned himself next to her.
But Nangwon’s appearance didn't shock him much.
He had learned of it previously.
The individual who truly startled Alon was—
“Hello, Brother.”
“...Magrina?”
“Yes, Brother.”
It was Magrina.
“And I’m here too, Godfather.”
—And Rine.
When exactly had these two come to the Marquisate?
“Rine, are you able to move now?”
“No. This is an artifact projecting my body, Godfather.
It can only be used twice, and after one use, the effect lasts about three months.”
“Was there something important enough to use it for?”
“Yes. Several things.”
Rine replied smilingly.
Was it truly that crucial?
As Alon nodded, he instinctively scanned the office.
The office, typically occupied solely by Evan, now teemed with figures.
Beside Yutia sat Seolrang, Rine, and Deus.
Across from them, with Magrina, were Nangwon, Nangyeon, Ryanga, and Historia.
They weren't exchanging glares.
Actually, each bore faint smiles.
Yet somehow—
With such a gathering, the office—
Felt oddly hushed.
In the peculiar air, where smiles only touched lips, Alon grew increasingly perplexed.
***
Meanwhile, Alexion—
“What’s going on.”
“Lord Alexion. There are many noble ladies visiting today.”
“Already?”
“Yes. There are eight ladies scheduled for interviews this evening.”
“Didn’t we only send six letters?”
“Yes...”
“Then why are there eight?”
The secretary failed to respond to Alexion’s query.
He merely averted his eyes awkwardly—
“But each of those eight letters was delivered by different people. All from different women.”
He merely relayed the details.
And Alexion—
Trembled briefly from a bone-deep chill of foreboding.