Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 348 : Voting (3)
Previously on Became the Patron of Villains...
“Duke Altia, we’ll soon be arriving at the Marquis Palatio’s estate.”
“Understood.”
Upon hearing her secretary's announcement, Duke Altia shifted her attention toward the carriage's window.
The marquis’s territory gradually appeared in sight.
Since her last short visit years back for official matters, the area had transformed into something remarkably advanced.
Duke Altia found herself uttering a soft exclamation of awe.
Simultaneously, a realization surfaced in her mind—“Naturally.”
Who exactly was Marquis Palatio?
He led Kalpha, the biggest group within Asteria.
The numerous accolades and tales linked to him were so remarkable that even being Kalpha’s chief seemed minor by contrast.
His accomplishments surpassed anything a typical person could achieve.
Moreover, he didn’t have merely one or two such successes, but countless ones.
Thus, his land ought to be impressive without question.
Viewing it that way.
The marquis’s residence, somehow, highlighted Palatio’s modesty.
Despite the domain itself inspiring wonder in observers.
Before the marquis’s immense accomplishments, it always appeared lacking.
Altia released a breath, her cheeks still tinged with excitement.
For the upcoming three weeks or so.
She faced a period of intense activity.
The purpose of her visit to Marquis Palatio’s residence this time was straightforward.
The election for selecting the marquis’s companion.
And her role as one of the contenders.
“It’ll be a fierce contest, but I’ll put in maximum effort.”
As the carriage passed through the castle entrance and she peered further into the grounds, Duke Altia silently promised herself.
During her journey, she had already collected basic details.
Beginning with the identities of those who had joined the race for the marquis’s partner.
And the nature of connections those rivals shared with him.
Naturally, it wouldn’t be a simple battle.
As Asteria’s duke and known as Kalpha’s key ally, Duke Altia held a position of influence unmatched by most.
Yet the other participants shared similar prestige.
Indeed, some had scant background details available, but she dared not relax her vigilance.
If anyone was tied to Marquis Palatio, then.
They could scarcely be considered “average” in a positive light.
Nevertheless.
In a twist, victory remained within reach.
Ultimately, the outcome hinged on the ballot.
To put it plainly.
Gaining the favor of the territory’s residents would determine success or failure, regardless of personal ties to the marquis.
In essence, even without a profound bond with the marquis like her competitors, Duke Altia could compete fairly.
Above all, Altia felt assured.
She had managed Kalpha, Asteria’s dominant force, up to this point. Admittedly, the marquis’s reputation had aided her greatly.
Still, the fact stood.
She had effectively overseen Kalpha as the top faction.
Thus, this type of challenge was well within her expertise.
Hence.
“Have you finished all the arrangements I requested?”
“Yes, everything is handled.”
A look of assurance appeared on Duke Altia’s features.
She braced herself, mentally reviewing the duties awaiting her during her stay at the marquis’s residence.
And.
That evening, her assurance held firm.
Indeed, it persisted until the dawn of the next day.
“So… what precisely is that?”
From the northern entrance of the marquis’s grounds, Duke Altia observed the continuous influx of visitors.
Clerics clad in spotless white garments, proceeding with deep reverence.
“They’re said to be a pilgrimage assembly from Rosario. It seems a fresh church is under construction here in the marquis’s domain—”
“I’m aware.”
Duke Altia responded distractedly.
It wasn’t ignorance on her part.
She had conducted initial investigations and knew a pilgrimage would come disguised as church support.
Still, astonishment gripped her.
The vast quantity of pilgrims visible—
“How many would you estimate that to be?”
“At least a thousand, likely far exceeding that.”
“That seems impossible.”
It strained credulity that building just one church could attract such a throng.
Duke Altia’s thoughts whirled.
Granted, though their count readily topped a thousand, and even if every one voted, it paled against the estate’s total populace.
But should Cardinal Yutia involve this pilgrimage in the contest?
The competition would intensify greatly.
No—beyond that.
It would tilt into a hopelessly uneven struggle.
Such a harsh ordeal loomed for Duke Altia.
She rubbed her brow and exhaled, yet her determination endured.
For despite the setback.
In a different light, it presented a chance.
In a rivalry allowing only a single victor.
Should one contender near total dominance.
The rest would ally to pull that leader back.
Thus, Duke Altia abandoned her old strategies and formulated a fresh approach.
The following day.
“…What’s that?”
“They appear to be combatants.”
“Yes, that’s obvious. What baffles me is… how did they get here so fast from Karmakses? And crucially… does the Golden Flash Guild truly boast that many fighters?”
Once more, Duke Altia gazed at yet another enormous gathering.
Similar to the pilgrims from the previous day.
A staggering horde of fighters streamed inside.
Even her secretary lacked a reply.
Duke Altia breathed out and composed herself.
“It’s okay… still manageable,” she reassured inwardly.
Then, the day after.
“…Elves?”
“…Those are elves.”
“Every single one… elves?”
“Affirmative, they’re elves.”
And then, a day beyond that.
“What are these ones~?”
“Per the latest report from the Information Guild, they belong to a branch of the Hundred Ghosts, among the four major forces.”
“That’s… quite the number.”
“Indeed, it is…”
She gazed vacantly at the main square.
In the core of Marquis Palatio’s domain, dominated by a grand statue.
Pilgrims, fighters, and the Hundred Ghosts’ group.
All eyeing each other tensely, in a wordless confrontation.
“…Maybe I should head back home?”
Seeing the Marquis Palatio’s domain morph into a chaotic realm of otherworldly beings within mere days, Duke Altia whispered without thinking.
Finally, her tone carried utter hopelessness.
***
“Your Highness, we’re nearly there.”
“Noted.”
As he heard his knight commander’s words, Prince Tolenis, Caliban’s eldest prince, remembered his father King Palmaryan’s directive.
“Travel to Divine Land and uncover Marquis Palatio’s real motives.”
His father had seemed exceptionally somber.
Tolenis furrowed his brow as the remote outline of Divine Land emerged.
At face value, Divine Land seemed unremarkable.
It resembled a vast military outpost.
However, that was merely superficial.
A moment’s reflection revealed the peculiarities.
Why maintain the area solely as a “camp” after establishing it?
Tolenis quickly deduced the implication.
“Tch.”
He wasn’t alone in that insight.
Descending from his carriage and scanning the surroundings, he noted prior arrivals.
Each displayed a rigid demeanor, fixated on Divine Land.
He assessed them individually.
“Ashtalon dispatched its crown prince, Raksas its princess, and Asteria… the king’s representative?”
With Cretinia Siyan’s successor missing, sending a delegate made sense.
“Greetings. He awaits you.”
A knight emerged, causing the kingdom envoys to tense up.
He inclined his head politely.
Yet extended no further respect.
The deference knights of the Allied Kingdoms owed to all monarchs equally.
Divine Land’s knight withheld it.
Though their faces tightened, the princes and princess trailed him.
As they moved, Tolenis inevitably caught the attention of nearby troops and knights.
The other nobles fared similarly.
And their countenances soured further.
For the sentiments in those looks were clear.
Indeed, it would be odd not to sense them.
The troops who had been drilling moments ago.
Now halted to observe.
Even their supervising knights joined in.
…As though evaluating foes.
Beneath that uncomfortable inspection, the youthful nobles grasped a stark reality.
This location could already qualify as hostile ground.
After advancing amid those weighty glares, they arrived at the grandest pavilion.
“He’s ready for you.”
Led by the knight, they entered cautiously.
And inside—
“Ah, you’ve all made it.”
They encountered Marquis Palatio.
Addressing the princes and princess with his usual stoic visage.
***
Seated in the hall, Alon calmly observed the assembled nobles’ faces.
Every one rigid, their gazes locked on him.
He sighed to himself.
Frankly, he remained puzzled about why the monarchs had agreed to his summons.
However, given the circumstances, directly questioning, “Why bother showing up?” would seem absurd.
“Ahem.”
To start, Alon resolved to clarify one essential point.
“I’ll state this clearly at the outset: I harbor no plans to attack other realms or ignite conflict. Please keep that in mind.”
It came across as sudden.
But Alon deemed it vital.
By affirming he avoided their greatest worry, he aimed to dispel the oppressive air.
And honestly, it worked somewhat—the tension lifted slightly.
Or better said, they regarded him with faint doubt.
Alon pondered.
With his genuine aversion to warfare, he needed to conclude this assembly amicably.
Just as that thought crossed his mind—
“Could I pose a question?”
“Certainly.”
The moment aligned impeccably.
Tolenis was the one to inquire.
“Rumors say you’ve received land, so why maintain it like this?”
“Well—”
Alon paused on his reply, then opted for straightforwardness.
In certain respects, it exposed Divine Land’s vulnerability.
But sharing it might foster credibility.
Thus.
“It’s an issue of funds. I planned a modest beginning, but unexpected developments accumulated, drawing larger crowds. It’s turned into a real hassle.”
“Understood.”
“Exactly so.”
He responded with utmost honesty, then scanned the nobles.
“I’ve managed it independently without outside aid as much as possible.”
His face stayed neutral, even as he let out a brief chuckle.
Nevertheless—
Though Alon had disclosed his shortfall to alleviate strain, the room’s mood only deepened into gloomier shadows.
Noticing this, Alon silently quelled his empty mirth.
And a profound quiet descended.