Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 346 : Voting (1)
Previously on Became the Patron of Villains...
Upon receiving the interview documents from Alexion for the first time, Alon figured he could easily select a fitting companion without excessive worry.
This assumption held true, at least until his gaze landed on the names listed among the candidates.
—Why does Yutia’s name appear here…??
Indeed, Yutia’s name appeared clearly on the interview list.
And she wasn’t the only one.
He discovered that every name of those residing at the Marquis’ estate was included, causing a brief wave of bewilderment to wash over him.
Now, regarding Yutia or Seolrang, as Evan had mentioned before, their regular letter exchanges might explain their applications for the partner selection.
Yet what of Rine and Magrina over in Fildagreen?
How in the world had he reached out to them?
The same puzzle applied to Historia and Ryanga.
If Alexion knew they were in Divine Land, reaching them might be feasible, but how could he have learned of Alon’s ties to them?
Unknowingly, Alon cocked his head in confusion.
His eyes shifted toward Alexion.
“Alexion.”
“Yes.”
“…You mentioned sending letters and gathering participants that way, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Yutia and Seolrang are understandable, but how did you contact the rest?”
“Well…”
Alexion averted his gaze uneasily before mustering a strained grin to respond.
“Ah, I… I got the info from Sir Evan.”
“From Evan?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
This explained things somewhat.
Alon gave a nod, though he soon caught Alexion’s eyes flicking away repeatedly.
The instant he sensed those looks directed behind him, he whipped around swiftly.
However, beyond the window at his back, nothing unusual appeared.
Just the usual vista of the inner citadel that he knew so well.
His suspicion flickered only briefly.
Maybe it was his imagination, he mused, before facing forward once more.
Next, he chose to voice one of the queries nagging at him.
“By the way.”
“Yes.”
“These interview lists… did you review them thoroughly?”
“Yes, absolutely… but why the question…?”
“Well, it lists Yutia Bloodia as eighteen years old.”
A straightforward inquiry.
Alexion paused uncertainly.
Should he reveal the facts?
In Alexion’s view right then, he perceived the insistent stares pushing him toward honesty.
Earlier, when the Marquis Palatio had glanced back, the citadel view had shown nothing— but now, numerous silhouettes reemerged, fixating on Alexion with intensity.
Among those figures, Seolrang and Rine seemed to scream through their gazes: ‘Now! Be honest! Hurry up!’
They huddled at the far window, visible solely to Alexion, staring with fierce encouragement.
“The truth is…”
As Alexion gathered bravery from their frantic urging and parted his lips—
He spotted it.
The enthusiastic expressions of Rine and Seolrang abruptly drained of color.
And then—
In a flash, they were yanked from the window, disappearing entirely.
“…!”
“?”
Like something ripped from a chilling tale of spirits.
Alexion choked out a gasp and stared wide-eyed.
Alon appeared baffled, yet Alexion remained locked on that location.
What emerged next were luminous scarlet eyes.
It was supposed to be broad daylight.
Still, in the oddly dimmed opposing window, a duo of blood-red eyes shone brightly.
And below them—
Yutia Bloodia’s subtle grin was visible.
Was it subtle due to the dim light?
Or was her grin actually waning?
But suddenly—
“??”
As Alon observed Alexion’s stare and pivoted his head once more, Yutia dissolved as though she’d never existed.
“Alexion.”
“Yes, my lord…”
“Is there anything at that window?”
To Alon’s query—
“…No, nothing whatsoever.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“You look quite agitated for nothing being there.”
His denial came out feeble.
Alon eyed him with suspicion.
But Alexion stayed silent.
For as soon as Alon faced ahead again, Yutia reappeared, her diminishing smile lingering at the window’s border.
And thus—
“T-The truth is—!”
“…The truth is?”
“I-I put down Lady Yutia’s age myself!”
“Yourself?”
“Yes, I questioned the others, but I overlooked asking Lady Yutia by mistake…!”
Alexion chuckled awkwardly.
“I understand. But why eighteen?”
“Well, she appears incredibly youthful, doesn’t she?”
“…And?”
“Yes, but I figured I needed to include some basic details on the sheet, so I added it as a rough guess…!”
He repeated, “She just seems so youthful.”
His desperate bid for survival was obvious to all.
“Hmm… alright, that could be. Yutia does seem young, and her stature is rather petite too.”
Alon nodded, appearing persuaded.
In that instant, Alexion noticed the space grow lighter.
Yutia was there, offering a warm, soft smile while gently waving toward him.
And beside her—
Seolrang and Rine, each seized by the collar, mouthed silent shrieks on their faces: ‘You sold us out, you betrayer!!’
Yet this scene endured only briefly.
Yutia, with her charming smile, pulled them both off.
Alexion exhaled deeply in relief.
“So, the rest of the info here is accurate?”
“For the moment, yes. But when I give you the interview lists, I’ll include a couple of notes where necessary.”
Replying to Alon, Alexion remembered his prior determination.
Though he hadn’t managed to incorporate his views into the lists themselves,
He would at least attempt this subtle way to influence things a bit.
“Fine then. Let’s start.”
“Yes.”
Regrettably for Alexion, his main objective remained out of reach.
Whenever he attempted to elaborate, a figure would materialize unexpectedly—visible only to him—each bearing a menacing scowl.
Ultimately, his responses to Alon were limited to “Yes” and “That’s correct.”
“Is that everything?”
“…Yes.”
“Hmm. I’ll consider it.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Following that, Alexion departed Alon’s office and headed to his own.
There, a golden chalice sat upon his desk.
The golden chalice seemed to proclaim with its whole form, “I’m a lavish item hailing straight from Rosario!”
Alexion scowled while examining it, then picked up the chalice.
And right at that second—
“Lord Alexion, I have a report… Huh, is that a golden chalice!? That’s incredibly scarce and pricey! How did you ever obtain it?”
His secretary, who burst in abruptly, made a big to-do.
“Hmph, ignore it.”
“Amazing, that’s incredible. Selling that could buy multiple estates for the Marquis’ family without issue!”
“What?”
Alexion, after his sharp reply, suddenly stiffened upon hearing the details.
“…Does this chalice really cost that much?”
“Naturally! It’s obvious it’s crafted in Rosario. It’d be odd if it didn’t command such a sum.”
Upon this revelation, Alexion gently placed the chalice back on his desk.
It proved far too valuable an object to boast about casually.
***
The following day.
“My lord, what’s captured your focus so intently?”
“My partner.”
“…Partner? Oh, you mean that matter?”
“Yes.”
“You haven’t decided yet?”
“Not yet.”
Evan, stepping into the office, hummed thoughtfully and nodded in comprehension.
“Indeed, it’s a tough choice. A partner holds significance for various causes—for you, and for those involved.”
“…Is it truly so crucial?”
“Absolutely. Showing up at a ball as partners basically signals a particular bond. Unavoidably, gossip will circulate, molding your public perception.”
“…It’s more serious than I imagined.”
Evan gave a casual shrug at Alon’s remark.
“However, no need to dwell excessively. If things don’t progress further, the talk will die down. Unless you were royalty, a partner wouldn’t weigh so heavily anyhow.”
“I see.”
Alon nodded, partially satisfied.
“Still, choosing remains challenging.”
“…Are the options that outstanding?”
“No, not particularly outstanding. Merely… difficult to settle on.”
His eyes returned to the roster.
Abundant choices existed.
Yet the hesitation stemmed from fearing his selection might upset certain individuals.
If they were unknowns, it wouldn’t pose an issue.
The complication lay in over half the names belonging to people Alon knew well.
For a second, he toyed with selecting a complete stranger.
But that option felt off too.
Thus, after prolonged deliberation, he reached a conclusion.
“Evan.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“…Could you assemble the others?”
“The others—you refer to the companions staying at the estate now?”
“Yes.”
“…Very well.”
With his decision set, Alon issued the command.
Evan started to exit but halted, recalling a detail.
“Oh, my lord. On that note, there’s something I ought to mention.”
“What’s that?”
“You instructed me earlier to dispatch invites to the kings, didn’t you?”
“Yes. Any problems?”
“No issues, but the messages should reach them all today. Shall I have the Divine Land folks ready themselves, to be safe?”
After brief reflection, Alon shook his head.
“No necessity. As stated, it’s merely for appearance.”
“Got it. Besides, nobody will accept anyway.”
“Exactly.”
“Hm. Alright.”
Evan departed without more words.
***
In a location where presence was unexpected—
Five monarchs had convened.
Cretinia Siyan from the Asteria Kingdom.
Stalian V of the Ashtalon Kingdom.
Carmaxes III of the Colony Kingdom.
Palmaryan IV of the Caliban Kingdom.
Torimavia of the Raksas Kingdom.
Rulers who typically crossed paths only during union assemblies.
Currently, they conducted a clandestine meeting, hidden from all outsiders.
These seldom-traveling sovereigns united for a single purpose.
Marquis Palatio.
Or to be exact—
“I warned you! Marquis Palatio aims to claim the heavens anew. He’s gearing up for conflict!”
“…Ahem.”
His dubious maneuvers had summoned them.
“Frankly, we can’t confirm it definitively yet,” Stalian V countered gently.
Yet Palmaryan IV scowled, deeming the skepticism ridiculous.
“Do you truly believe that? He’s already amassed hordes of knights and troops. Moreover, his mercenaries multiply daily. Consider it. If not for war preparations, why amass such forces? Do you grasp the expense of sustaining an army? Exactly. Furthermore, his fame has surged recently—as though orchestrated on purpose.”
The remaining kings quieted at Palmaryan IV’s statements.
He spoke true.
And with each word, Marquis Palatio sounded ever more threatening.
How much time passed in their debate before—
“Hm…”
“Something to add?”
Carmaxes III, silent until then, at last voiced his thoughts.
“Honestly, I doubt the Marquis would take it that extreme.”
“…You mean that?”
“It might be mere chance.”
“Chance? He builds vast armies of soldiers and knights, collects the mighty, forges his own faith, merges communities and hamlets, and strengthens relentlessly in Divine Land—and you deem that chance?”
“…Listing it all like that, it hardly seems coincidental.”
Carmaxes III’s face darkened.
If the Marquis overheard, he’d blanch and deny it vigorously.
But unaware, the kings pressed on with their talk.
Soon, Palmaryan IV addressed Cretinia Siyan.
“Your thoughts?”
“…My thoughts?”
Siyan whispered faintly, delving into contemplation.
Unlike her peers, her countenance stayed neutral and serene as she reflected.
Eventually, she responded.
“So, what course of action do you suggest?”
“That’s clear—”
As Palmaryan IV started his answer—
Knock, knock.
A courteous rap sounded, followed by an entrant.
It was Palmaryan IV’s assistant.
With a somber look, he drew near and murmured into his ear.
“What?”
Then, as if timed, the aides from the other realms filed in successively, relaying dire tidings to their kings.
The monarchs traded significant looks.
“…Looks like we all got the identical dispatch.”
“…Apparently.”
“An invite, right?”
“Yes.”
“…We can’t turn down this summons. Its timing shows he knows our gathering. Thus—”
Carmaxes III trailed off.
Yet all grasped the implication.
“…Declining isn’t an option.”
The rulers had no recourse but to embrace Marquis Palatio’s invitation.
All amid a colossal misconception.