Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 351 : Voting (6)

On the day when the vote for selecting Marquis Palatio’s partner was held.

Alon remained seated motionlessly in the vast auction hall, positioned right next to the statue of the Marquis.

“Is this truly worthy of being termed an auction hall?”

He gazed vacantly at the unfolding spectacle in front of him.

First to draw his attention were the outer walls of the hall, which had been entirely flung open.

Then, the enormous throng of domain citizens crowding the space overwhelmed his sight.

And in the middle, where auction items were supposed to be showcased, Deus stood prominently instead.

[Now, prior to starting the voting, let’s listen to some remarks from the last candidates.]

As the townspeople erupted in applause and enthusiastic shouts, Alon averted his eyes and glanced at Evan.

Evan responded only with a look that conveyed, “Don’t stare at me; I’m clueless about this too.”

When Alon shifted his focus once more, the auction master, Alexion, began to speak as though he had anticipated this exact instant.

“The candidates themselves asked for it.”

“They asked for it?”

“Indeed, they mentioned wanting to address the crowd one final time before the vote takes place.”

“Doesn’t that seem like… throwing away too much money on such a thing?”

Alon’s face twisted in displeasure.

Naturally, he possessed ample fortune to spend without concern if he chose to.

Yet he felt no inclination to squander it on something so insignificant.

Despite his newfound riches, Alon’s modest, ordinary-folk mentality remained unchanged.

“No need to fret over the expenses. None of it came out of our pockets.”

“…How so?”

“That’s how it happened. The candidates footed the bill for things like building the walls, leaving us with zero costs. Plus, it was an ideal moment for some upgrades anyway.”

“I see.”

“Yes. With our family’s trade operations growing steadily, merchants have been flocking here in greater numbers. You must have observed that yourself.”

Alon gave a nod.

Alexion spoke the truth.

“So, you’re saying the auction hall’s area has slowly become too cramped?”

“Precisely. And having the walls opened this way brings plenty of benefits. For one, as you suggested, my lord, the Marquisate can control the timing and manner of merchant assemblies here.”

Alon murmured in contemplation, nodding once more.

Truly, utilizing this arrangement for public gatherings would allow them to summon particular merchants as required.

“Understood.”

And right as Alon accepted the explanation, the initial candidate ascended the stage.

[Greetings to all of you.]

It was Duchess Altia.

She utilized her allotted two minutes to present a refined, graceful address, seeming as though she had practiced it endlessly, then descended the stage with poise.

It was so meticulously composed that Alon inwardly praised it quietly.

However, the townsfolk’s reaction proved somewhat tepid.

The subsequent candidates each took their turn to speak, but none succeeded in captivating the audience, nor did any outshine Duchess Altia’s oratory skill.

Then, as the fourth candidate advanced—

[Ahem, ahem~]

It was Seolrang.

She gently struck the magic-enhanced communicator, checked it with an “Ah, ah—,” and then proclaimed—

[Should I become the Marquis’s partner, I’ll construct a Colosseum within the Marquisate!]

She abruptly unleashed a startling vow.

“…What’s this?”

Alon directed his gaze toward the assembled gladiators.

As expected, they cocked their heads in bewilderment too.

But Seolrang ignored it all.

[And I’ll relocate… wait, no, not relocate… er… shift! Right, I’ll shift the gladiators over here!]

Flashing her toothy grin radiantly, she bellowed her commitment.

‘Babayaga? So does that imply we can enjoy Colosseum matches right here as well?’

‘That would be incredible!’

The hall burst into fervent uproar.

And in that manner, her address—barely lasting a minute—drew more cheers and fervor than the sum of all previous ones.

“…Do you believe that vow can truly be fulfilled?”

“It… might be possible.”

“Might be?”

“Well… it could ignite a war.”

“…Hmm.”

Gladiators formed the primary armed strength of a colony.

And now, one colony’s vital forces were being targeted by the Marquisate?

Even if it wasn’t the Marquis’s aim, from the colony’s viewpoint, it resembled their key troops being snatched away right under their noses.

“So Seolrang merely—”

“She merely let it slip out, honestly.”

Alon gulped hard.

The following candidate mounted the platform.

After Seolrang came Magrina.

And then—

[Everyone, I am the Queen of the Elves.]

For an instant, the entire assembly froze at the unexpected disclosure.

[If I become Brother’s partner, I vow ongoing interactions between our kingdom and the Marquisate.]

Her statement left a fog of bewilderment over the listeners.

Their expressions screamed, “And?”

But then—

[Such as unions between elves and humans.]

The second she appended that, the confused expressions of the townsfolk morphed into astonished outbursts.

“!!?”

Even the elves found themselves in turmoil.

‘Did she actually say that?’

They gaped at Magrina, their faces brimming with initial shock that soon turned to distress.

Alon swiveled to view Evan.

“Why glance at me all of a sudden?”

“I was just curious if Magrina had mentioned anything about this to you earlier…”

“Absolutely not.”

“…So she simply…”

“She simply let it slip.”

Alon quietly faced ahead again.

Magrina descended the stage with a confident demeanor after concluding her words.

It resembled observing politicians who dangled endless unkeepable assurances, flinging hollow assurances to secure support.

Alon experienced an odd twinge of familiarity.

Time elapsed.

Whether inspired by the audacious declarations from Seolrang and Magrina, or perhaps it was premeditated, but—

[Choose me and I’ll safeguard it all.]

[Select me, and I’ll hand out a gold coin to each citizen.]

Historia and Rine joined in, hurling their own extravagant assurances.

Only Ryanga held back from participating.

Instead—

[Um, I don’t possess any particular skills to offer…]

Wearing a shy expression, she shifted uncomfortably.

[B-but still, I’ll give my utmost as Chief’s partner!]

She balled her fist and yelled, as if she had resolved herself and pushed past her shyness.

Among all the addresses thus far, hers contained the sparsest content.

Nevertheless—

—We support you! We’ll rally for you!!

—Go, White Ghost!!!

—White Ghost reigns supreme!!!

Curiously, the cheers for Ryanga rang out with astonishing volume.

No—upon closer inspection, it wasn’t a massive crowd, but rather a dedicated group responding to Ryanga with intense passion.

Alon sensed he had witnessed a similar sight previously.

Where exactly?

“Ah.”

“What’s wrong, my lord?”

After a prolonged pause, Alon pinpointed the origin of his familiarity.

“It reminds me of idol enthusiasts.”

“Excuse me?”

“Forget it.”

He dismissed it casually.

Ryanga waved awkwardly, and from one section of the audience arose an odd bellow of “Uooooo~!!!”

The ultimate candidate to approach the stage was Yutia.

[Hello to all. I am Cardinal Yutia.]

Yutia offered a courteous greeting.

In contrast to the rest, she exuded unmistakable calm.

[I won’t offer promises like the others. I merely wish for you to remember one matter.]

Ahem.

[The lamb ignoring the call of truth and venturing into the prohibited will ultimately be ravaged by wild beasts and sacrificed to divine retribution.]

Yutia’s grave tone echoed deeply through the hall.

As the abruptly silenced audience watched, Yutia offered a soft smile.

[Choices hold great significance, don’t they?]

With those words, she left the platform.

“…That’s somewhat chilling.”

“I concur.”

It was undoubtedly a scriptural passage.

However, once uttered, it struck the listeners as partly a caution and partly ambiguous.

[Now, let’s commence the vote.]

The voting process started.

***

The “election” concluded only after five days.

With better preparations, it might have wrapped up earlier.

The actual voting spanned over two complete days, and tallying required even more time.

Odd efforts to meddle arose throughout the procedure.

For instance, an elf discovered diverting votes intended for Magrina.

A local who attempted double votes for Seolrang.

Fake ballots appeared that the Marquisate hadn’t distributed.

Despite these disturbances, they luckily didn’t severely impact the final tally.

And after the five-day ordeal, the chosen partner for Alon turned out to be—

“Well—a predictable outcome.”

Yutia.

Yutia Bloodia displayed a completely at-ease grin.

“No way~!”

“They surely rigged it!”

“Right!”

“Uuugh—we put in so much effort.”

The remaining candidates yelled at the triumphant Yutia.

Yet—

“Don’t look so defeated. This is genuinely the rightful result. I warned you right from the start, remember?”

“That’s precisely what’s off! I clearly had the stronger audience response!”

Seolrang objected, as though it defied logic.

Nevertheless, Yutia responded to Seolrang’s cheek without faltering in her smile.

“It indicates the world recognized who fits Lord most appropriately.”

Regardless of the insults hurled her way, Yutia’s retorts stayed fixed on, “What can you actually achieve?”

Breathing heavily, Seolrang fixed her with a stare—then abruptly appeared to conceive an idea.

“In that case, I’ll serve as a bodyguard knight!”

“…A bodyguard knight?”

“We can have two escorts! So I’ll act as Master’s bodyguard knight!”

She thrust her hand skyward and declared.

At that, the other losers, who had been scowling at Yutia moments before, switched their aim instantly.

“F-fine, I’ll accept that as a runner-up reward~!”

“M-me as well, I want in too!”

“I’d outperform you—”

“Everyone, keep some propriety. This ought to be settled through an impartial vote—”

The moment “vote” escaped Magrina’s lips once more in the turmoil—

“No more voting.”

Alon decisively halted them.

Then—

Relieved sighs echoed from near the trees and the castle wall beside the office, coming from elves and gladiators alike.

Alon swiftly concluded the matter.

“Now, time is short—let’s move to the ballroom. We must also visit the Mage Tower.”

A trip to Teria.

It marked his first venture outside in months.

Just as Alon readied himself to set off—

“Let’s return.”

“Yes.”

Duchess Altia reached a similar conclusion.

Among the mighty, enduring proves this arduous.

“The feeble cannot endure.”

With drooping posture, Duchess Altia departed from a location scarcely distinguishable from a infernal domain.

***

As Alon headed toward the Mage Tower—

“So you’re telling me he claimed he doesn’t require even triple the initial sum you proposed?”

“That’s right.”

“And should he refuse to yield readily?”

“In such a case—”

King Palmaryan, ruler of Tolenis and Caliban, conversed with a serious demeanor.

“—war might become inevitable.”

Something in this situation… had veered astray.