Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 356 : The Ball (5)

While a multitude of suspicious gentlemen exchanged discrete handshakes, Alon spent the last several hours at the ball enduring greetings.

“The night has fallen already.”

“Indeed, it has.”

The sky, previously painted in hues of sunset, had shifted into total darkness.

After glancing upward, Alon leaned against the railing of the balcony, exhaling a weary sigh before turning his gaze back inside.

The ballroom remained packed, as though the festivities had only just commenced.

A vast assembly of nobles had congregated on one side of the room.

They were behaving exactly as they had earlier, when they swarmed Alon to offer their pleasantries.

“?”

Alon turned his head, puzzled by the distant commotion, and spotted Eliban standing at the epicenter of the crowd, surrounded by nobles and flashing a cheerful smile.

“Since when did he arrive?”

“Are you referring to Eliban?”

“Yes, I didn’t notice his presence until now.”

“He likely entered the room the moment we made our way onto the balcony, sir.”

Alon nodded at Yutia’s clarification and fixed his eyes once more on Eliban.

The nobles were so densely packed around him that he looked as if he might be swallowed by the throngs of people.

Alon muttered to himself.

“He is quite popular.”

“Are you feeling jealous?”

Alon rotated toward Yutia, displaying his signature expressionless mask.

“As if.”

“I figured as much. You aren’t the type to relish existence in the center of a crowded room.”

Amused by something, Yutia chuckled before continuing.

“The reason for Eliban’s immense popularity is likely because he has evolved into a figure akin to a hero.”

“Fair point. I have heard he has accomplished quite a lot.”

“Indeed. Ever since he was named a Chosen, his achievements have been incredible. He halted the manifestation of the Outer Gods and felled countless monsters single-handedly. He trekked across the entirety of the Allied Kingdoms while completing those deeds, as well.”

“Hm.”

Eliban had undeniably earned his fame.

Regardless of how aggressively the players in Psychedelia might have controlled Eliban, it would have been near impossible to clear every monster in the manner he did.

Simply put, Eliban had secured the world with more perfection than even the most seasoned veterans who had spent years optimizing builds.

“Considering his accomplishments, it makes perfect sense.”

“Exactly. He is, quite literally, the hero who saved the world.”

As Alon observed Yutia’s radiant smile in silence, he questioned her.

“How about you? Are you holding up well?”

“Me? What do you mean by that?”

“I mean, you have been enduring this event for hours, yet you still seem perfectly fine.”

“Oh.” She emitted a soft exclamation.

“Well, this is fairly standard for balls or other formal social gatherings.”

“Is that so?”

“Besides, it is part of my duty.”

“Your duty?”

When Alon inquired, Yutia wore a playful grin and fixated her gaze on the glowing green badge pinned to his chest.

“You had this fixed, didn’t you?”

She deflected the question.

Alon tilted his head but offered an answer.

“Rine took care of the repairs for me.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Looking strangely pleased, Yutia tapped the unusually vibrant badge with the tip of her finger.

“Because you must present your declaration.”

She finished with a sly whisper.

“Declaration...?”

Alon echoed, but before he could press her for clarity, she looked at him as if a sudden thought had crossed her mind.

“Here, my Lord.”

“What is this—”

She pressed a sweet potato into his palm.

“...A sweet potato?”

Now? At a ball?

Alon stared at her, his disbelief clearly etched across his features.

However, whether she processed his confusion or not, Yutia maintained her bright smile.

“You enjoy these, do you not?”

“Well, I do enjoy them.”

“That is exactly why I brought it.”

For a fleeting second, Alon stared at the unexpected vegetable in his hand.

“Go ahead, eat it.”

Following her soft prompt, Alon shrugged and took a bite.

Come to think of it, he had spent the entire evening greeting nobles and had fled to the balcony before the crowd could swarm him again, so he hadn’t consumed a single bite of food.

“How do you like it?”

“It’s tasty.”

Nothing truly compared to a sweet potato when one was hungry.

By this time, the sun had fully descended, and the Milky Way sparkled across the inky sky.

—Does it appear beautiful to you...?

As he looked up at the stars, the voice of the Observer echoed reflexively in his mind. Bizarrely, every time he gazed at the Milky Way, her words resurfaced.

“Beautiful... right.”

Alon stared silently at the firmament beside Yutia.

Unlike the reality he once understood, this night sky was overflowing with a luminous river of starlight.

For a long while, the pair stood in total silence, merely observing the heavens.

***

At that exact moment.

Within the elven nation of Fildagreen.

Boom—!!!

A massive explosion reverberated through the royal castle.

The impact was so intense that the entire citadel appeared to shudder.

Yet, despite the deafening blast...

“What is for dinner tonight?”

“Marmar fruit stew.”

“Again...?”

“Yeah.”

“Ugh... that is not my favorite.”

The elves remained entirely unbothered.

“I just want to go home.”

“Then leave.”

“I would be fired if I did.”

“You were the one complaining about wanting to leave.”

“...Forget I mentioned any of that.”

Utterly peaceful.

What was the reason?

Was it because the elves were so formidable that nothing posed a legitimate threat?

Or perhaps their instinct for danger had been dulled beyond repair?

It was neither.

The genuine reason they were so indifferent...

Boom!

...was that this level of chaos had integrated itself into their mundane, peaceful existence.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

“Hm, she seems particularly furious this evening.”

“It certainly seems so.”

“Judging by those three extra strikes, I would wager she is absolutely livid.”

“Now that you point it out... yeah, that sounds about right.”

“Wait—do not tell me the Queen is assisting as well?”

The elf Rohan, currently standing guard on the ramparts, spoke up.

Upon hearing him, Tuman, who had been quietly listening nearby, released a thoughtful hum.

“Yeah, I suppose that is possible.”

“Man, the maids tomorrow are going to be completely exhausted.”

“Why? Does Lady Magrina not usually remain idle?”

“Well, that is correct.”

“Then why would the maids suffer?”

“They say the atmosphere is terrifying in a psychological sense.”

“...Psychological?”

“Yes. Apparently, she just sits there in total silence, void of expression, never uttering a single word.”

At that, Tuman paused, as if visualizing the scene, then nodded.

“...Ah, yes, that would be frightening.”

“Right?”

“Indeed.”

“It is a relief we are assigned to the ramparts.”

“That is precisely what I was just thinking.”

The two of them released sighs of relief.

Boom!

Another colossal explosion rang out.

“By tomorrow’s end, most of them will have hollow, dead eyes.”

Everyone’s gaze shifted back toward the epicenter of the blasts.

And inside the castle, where the eyes of Rohan and Tuman were locked...

There, at the heart of the disruption...

“...Hoo.”

Rine and Magrina were staring into a magical orb.

Their expressions were twisted in obvious frustration.

To be precise—

Ever since Rine discovered she could covertly (though she insisted it was strictly legitimate, as it was for Alon’s protection) observe Alon’s face through the artifact, she had magnified the orb to a massive scale.

Inside it, Yutia’s smiling features were visible.

Or rather—

It would be more accurate to say the artifact had frozen on the image of Yutia’s face and subsequently ceased functioning entirely.

“Just what is she? She is not even a mage, so how could she directly infiltrate an artifact and pull something like this off...?”

Magrina voiced her disbelief, clearly unable to comprehend the situation.

Rine fully agreed, wearing an identical look of total stupefaction.

They were aware Yutia was absurdly powerful.

But neither had anticipated she would possess such profound knowledge of magic.

And so—

“...Haah.”

“Haah...”

All Rine and Magrina could manage were weary sighs as they stared at the broken artifact.

***

The following day, after enduring countless offers of “secret friendship” from suspicious old men, Alon finally uncovered the truth behind those peculiar overtures.

The revelation came via King Cretinia Siyan of Asteria.

“To begin, let us speak gently. Please, continue eating comfortably.”

“Yes.”

In the stifling atmosphere, Alon shoved a sweet potato into his mouth and studied Siyan.

What Siyan found so entertaining about Alon consuming sweet potatoes, she did not say.

She merely observed him with a subtle smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

After a significant interval had passed—

Once Alon had finished every bite of the sweet potato he held in both hands—

“Was it delicious again this time?”

“...Yes.”

“That is wonderful to hear.”

Satisfied with the response, Siyan delivered a pleased nod and cleared her throat discreetly.

“I requested your presence here today for two reasons.”

“Two reasons...?”

“Correct. Firstly, I simply wished to see you again after such a long absence. And secondly, because of that particular matter.”

“That matter... do you mean what was just implied?”

“Indeed. The rumor indicating you have been recruiting nobles for the new kingdom you intend to establish.”

Alon exhaled a heavy breath.

So that was the reason so many of those “secret-friend” nobles had tried to attach themselves to him the previous evening.

The rumor had been circulating widely among the aristocracy.

“Allow me to be crystal clear—I possess absolutely no such intention.”

“Is that truly the case?”

“Yes. I am being entirely sincere. I have no reason whatsoever to pursue such an endeavor, do I?”

“Hmmm.”

Siyan appraised him in silence.

The mood, however, was not particularly heavy.

A gentle smile persisted on Siyan’s features.

“Well, based on my observations, I am aware you are not the type of man to engage in such schemes.”

“That is... a relief to hear.”

“Even so, just in case, I would appreciate knowing how such a misunderstanding originated.”

“I would be happy to explain.”

Alon calmly began recounting what he identified as the catalyst for the misunderstanding.

After listening to Alon’s complete explanation—

“So that is how it occurred.”

Siyan nodded slowly.

“I see, that is how it happened?”

“Yes.”

Alon released a quiet sigh.

Observing Siyan, he could tell the Queen genuinely believed him.

But only for a moment.

“Well, I possess a rough understanding now.”

“I am glad to hear that.”

“Honestly, I never really believed you were plotting something of that nature. The circumstances were a bit complex, but as I stated, I know the character of the man you are.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. However, I did manage to uncover something.”

“Uncover something...?”

To Alon’s question, Siyan smiled softly and pointed a finger toward his eyes.

“Did you recall something once more, perhaps?”

“That is correct. Whether I view you here or view you there, you remain exactly the same.”

With a lingering smile, Siyan rolled her shoulders slightly, as if easing some tension in her neck.

“Regardless, I am pleased to hear it. Then that implies rumors regarding the Luxibl Kingdom preparing an army must also be fabricated.”

“...Excuse me?”

Alon’s expression froze in utter confusion.

“Recently, there have been numerous whispers that the Principality of Luxibl, which supports you, is organizing a holy army to coincide with the Divine Land season.”

“...Uh—”

“We even observed sudden shifts in the royal capital, alongside several other indicators, so I dispatched informants. But it appears it was all unfounded.”

“I see... If I may ask, this newly crowned king you spoke of... who is he?”

And then—

“I believe I heard the name was... Syrkal.”

The instant Siyan casually uttered the name,

Alon...

“....”

...was struck by a nameless, gnawing sense of apprehension.