Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 372 : King? Me? (2)

For a moment, Alon wore an expression as though he had misheard something.

"What troubles you, King Palatio?"

However, to his dismay, the confirmation that followed from Carmaxes III solidified the fact that Alon had indeed heard correctly.

What kind of predicament was this?

His mind raced, desperately trying to understand how, by what series of events, he had suddenly been addressed as a king.

He seriously contemplated whether he should first inquire about the reason.

"No."

He soon shook his head. Everyone was acting as if Alon being king was the most natural thing in the world.

Amidst these kings, there was nothing more awkward than responding with a bewildered, "Huh? Me?"

Therefore, Alon maintained a guise of composure and proceeded with the meeting.

After some time had elapsed.

"Then, for the time being, let us observe the overall situation."

"I concur."

"Very well."

"So be it."

A preliminary conclusion was reached. Despite discussing for several hours, they ultimately agreed to proceed with caution until the peculiar monsters, these special entities, exhibited any significant movements.

Following the coordination of a few minor details, the meeting drew to a close. The kings of each nation promptly rose from their seats and hastily departed one after another. From the matter of "Divine Blood" to the descent of the Milky Way and the appearance of strange monsters—too many pressing issues burdened the kings of the present era.

Among them, Siyan was the last to remain.

"We shall reconvene. Should I now refer to you not as 'you,' but as 'Your Majesty'?"

With a mirthful expression, Siyan regarded Alon, and before he could respond—

"In any event, once your affairs are concluded, you should pay a visit to Teria."

With these parting words, she exited the chamber. It was an ambiguous gesture—it was unclear whether she was treating Alon as royalty or as a mere noble. Alon remained perplexed but soon stood.

Outside the door, Evan was waiting.

"My lord marquis, did the meeting conclude satisfactorily?"

His reaction was his usual one. Alon gazed directly at Evan.

"Evan."

"Yes?"

"Am I the king of the Palatio Kingdom?"

He posed the question. For an instant, Evan's face went blank.

"My lord."

"Speak."

"Have you perhaps suffered some sort of mental affliction? I am becoming concerned... Shall I summon Rine once more?"

With a tone of deep worry, he expressed what could only be described as sincere loyalty. For some unknown reason, Alon felt a surge of anger.

***

Evan's earnest concern for Alon persisted only briefly. Before long, they naturally identified the instigator—or perhaps, the unintentional cause—of this peculiar situation.

"Yes! I already announced it!"

It was Sili, the Saintess of Kalannon. "So... Sili, you're stating that you informed them in the conference room that we had established a nation?"

"Yes! I believed there would never be a more opportune moment than the present! But do not fret. Since all of this is a result of your accomplishments, Marqu—no, Your Majesty, no one raised any objections!"

"No..."

Alon found himself speechless. More precisely, he had no idea where to even begin lodging a protest. "Sili..."

"Yes! Please, speak!"

With sparkling eyes that felt somewhat burdensome, Sili waited eagerly. Alon slowly began to speak.

"...Were the other kings silent?"

This was his primary inquiry. No matter how he considered it, the emergence of another king would hardly be a welcome development for the kings of the Allied Kingdoms. The establishment of a new kingdom, even among allied nations, was tantamount to gaining a new competitor. Numerous other concerns also arose, particularly regarding territory and populace. A nation is not something that can be conjured casually simply by possessing a piece of land. Well, it could be established in name, but to officially declare, "This is a new country, and this individual is its king," required far more than mere material resources. Founding a nation was no simple child's play.

When Alon consolidated all these concerns into a single question, Sili responded with a radiant smile. "I made them remain silent."

She stated it plainly. "...Hmm? Made them silent?"

"Yes. As you are aware, the current circumstances are not particularly favorable, are they?"

"What circumstances are you referring to?"

In response to Alon's question, Sili nodded with a smile. "One of the major powers within the Allied Kingdoms, Ashtalon, has essentially crumbled after losing its capital, and ever since the Milky Way descended, special entities have begun to roam freely."

"Things are indeed unstable, but that alone should not be sufficient..."

"Of course, that alone would not suffice. But beyond the border lies the Empire, does it not?"

"Ah."

Alon let out a soft gasp, almost involuntarily. Certainly, Ashtalon's fall and the appearance of special entities were matters of concern for the Allied Kingdoms. However, ultimately, they were precisely that—concerns. In reality, the unclaimed territories left by Ashtalon's collapse presented an attractive opportunity for them. Yet, if the Empire were to intervene in that region, the entire situation would drastically shift.

The Allied Kingdoms had only managed to fend off imperial invasion up to this point due to their mutual alliance.

What would happen, however, if a critical pillar of that alliance were to crumble?

From the perspective of the Empire, this situation presented the Allied Kingdoms as easy targets.

Regardless of the Empire's own intentions, the Allied Kingdoms were compelled to maintain a state of constant vigilance.

As Alon gestured in understanding, Penia, who had been silently observing the conversation's progression beside him, interjected with a question.

“But wouldn't merely stating that be insufficient to sway the kings?”

Her inquiry was entirely sensible.

It was true that the Empire represented the most sensitive issue for the kings of the Allied Kingdoms, making them likely to pay close attention.

However, mere uncertainty lacked the necessary weight to be truly convincing.

Yet, despite Penia's astute observation, Sili's smile never wavered.

“Naturally, that alone would not suffice. Thus, I added a touch of... flavoring.”

“...Flavoring?”

To Penia's perplexed query, Sili responded with an enthusiastic nod.

“For instance, I might have subtly suggested that if the Empire were to launch an invasion, there could be no certainty regarding our allegiance.”

She delivered this statement with the ease of someone discussing mundane matters.

Both Penia and Evan involuntarily flinched, drawing sharp breaths.

However, Sili remained utterly composed.

“Of course, I did not state it directly. I merely dedicated a considerable amount of time to elaborating through nuanced metaphors.”

In other words—

She had spent an extended period issuing a veiled threat.

“We simply reminded them that we are but a humble religious order, diligently fulfilling our sacred duties.”

If they were to deny their request for the establishment of a kingdom—

Essentially, she had threatened to applaud and welcome the Empire's invasion.

“Ahem, in any event, that is how we amicably concluded the meeting and achieved this magnificent outcome!”

Even as she voiced words that bordered on outright intimidation, her countenance radiated an innocent smile, and her hands were raised in a cheerful, exclamatory pose.

Alon cast a glance at Penia and Evan, who were still visibly stunned.

“...Right, well... good work.”

“Yes! Because His Majesty commanded it!”

“......?”

“In any case, all that remains is for Your Majesty to issue the official decree at your convenience! Upon that declaration, the Duchy of Luxibl will also undergo a transformation in its national designation!”

“......The Duchy of Luxibl has already given its consent?”

“Yes!”

Before Alon could even fully process the concept of becoming 'King,' Sili dropped another significant piece of information.

Alon's jaw went slack momentarily.

“Well… isn't that a positive development?”

Evan's subsequent remark helped Alon regain his composure.

“...A positive development, you say.”

The title of King.

As Evan observed, the position of king was not inherently undesirable.

In a world such as this, ascending to kingship meant an end to bowing to anyone else.

However, this advantage was purely in terms of status.

Alon did not find the role of king particularly appealing.

To be more precise—

It stemmed from his precise understanding of the responsibilities inherent in the role of king.

A King.

While appearing glorious on the surface, the position was, in reality, an exceptionally arduous undertaking once the embellishments were stripped away.

From the moment of ascension, any semblance of personal freedom outside the palace walls vanished, and from dawn till dusk, an unending stream of tasks demanded attention from all directions.

In essence, for Alon, whose current life as a marquis presented no significant inconveniences, the prospect of becoming king offered nothing but an accumulation of burdens.

As Alon made a silent, unexpressive gesture of contemplation, Evan let out a wry chuckle.

“You are likely the only individual who would react with such lack of enthusiasm at the news of potential kingship.”

“Precisely! His Majesty will be someone even more extraordinary than that!”

Sili chimed in enthusiastically, failing to grasp the subtle undertones of the conversation.

Before Alon could inquire about the meaning of her statement, Penia spoke first.

“Well, I do empathize with His Lordship's perspective. While kingship may appear appealing superficially, it is, in truth, an exhausting responsibility.”

“Hmm—”

Beneath his stoic demeanor, Alon nodded with a sense of validation—

“If one becomes king, shouldn't it allow for the consolidation of fundamental administrative tasks, the allocation of the budget as one sees fit, and its utilization for magical research?”

“...That prospect suddenly holds considerable appeal.”

Before Alon could even register his surprise, Penia had already been swayed by Sili's persuasive argument.

“Should His Lordship ascend to kingship, you would not even need to manage governance directly. You could dedicate yourself entirely to magical research, with access to boundless resources.”

“Given the circumstances, why not give it a try?”

“Penia… isn't your change of heart occurring a bit too rapidly?”

Perhaps sensing Alon's bewildered expression, Penia subtly shifted her gaze.

“Even so, the Marquis is truly one of a kind. It's rare to find someone displaying so little excitement at such significant news.”

Sili had successfully won Penia over.

Penia had clearly switched her allegiance.

And Evan, entirely at ease, observed the scene with evident satisfaction.

Alon expelled a lengthy sigh.

***

Several days later—

“Farewell for now, Master!”

“My Lord, I shall eagerly await your return!”

“Marquis, I shall now take my leave.”

“Very well.”

With the special entities' affair concluded, Seolrang, Yutia, and Yuman took their leave.

“Brother, I believe I should depart as well. There seems to be a discrepancy in the information, and…”

“Chief! We’re also venturing into the jungle for a bit. Some matters require our discussion. Ah, Historia will be accompanying us!”

“But I wish to remain here—”

“Understood.”

Nangwon, Ryanga, and Historia also departed.

After seeing them off, Alon put aside the question of proclaiming the kingdom for the time being.

He then set off for Raksas with Radan, Penia, and Evan.

Their objective was to meet with the former Observer in Raksas.

To be more precise, they intended to converse with the being who, according to the former Observer, held the key to the truth of this world.

“Hoo—”

Alon contemplated the three artifacts currently in his possession.

The Mask of the One Who Walks Forward, which Ryanga had delivered.

The Crying Blessing, brought forth by Seolrang.

And lastly, the Jewel of the Closed-Eyed One, acquired from Eliban.

Consequently—

A sense of keen anticipation washed over him.

In the past, the world's mysteries had been secondary to his primary objectives.

At that time, Alon's sole aim was to halt the Sins.

However, with the unfolding circumstances, the secrets of this world had transformed into matters of immense significance.

Thus, a delicate seed of expectation began to sprout within Alon's heart.

Following several weeks of arduous travel, Alon finally reached the coast.

There—

“Observer.”

As if prescient of Alon's arrival—

“I have been anticipating your presence.”

The Observer was already seated at the precipice of the cliff, awaiting his arrival.