Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 374 : Divine Blood (2)

Within a certain section of Fildagreen Castle, a soft sigh escaped Rine’s lips.

Her journey through the Illanef Empire had resumed after her departure from Alon. This exploration served a dual purpose: to hone her command of Pluto and to address a lingering, ancient memory that had been troubling her. This memory, now somewhat faded, dated back to her days in the orphanage, before she gained access to the Forbidden Section.

She recalled the Illanef Empire identified as “The Era of Forgotten Gods — the Illanef Empire.”

While this recollection had seemed unimportant, its significance grew exponentially the moment she realized it was incorrect. Why? Because the Eternal Library was supposed to contain only absolute truths.

This revelation spurred her ongoing investigation. Her efforts eventually led her to a profound understanding: prior to her entry into the Forbidden Section, certain books had propagated falsehoods instead of truths.

The motive behind this deception by the Eternal Library's founder remained unknown. Nevertheless, this discovery enabled her to unearth several new truths as she re-examined her previous knowledge. These truths were connected to “the Black Thing.”

Rine had previously interpreted “the Black Thing” as “sin,” a notion not entirely inaccurate, as even in the Age of Forgotten Gods, “sin” was frequently depicted as “black.”

However, a peculiar detail surfaced: records mentioning “the Black Thing” persisted even into the era of the Illanef Empire, a time when sin supposedly did not exist.

A slight tilt of Rine’s head indicated her confusion. The truths she once held and the truths she now grasped seemed to be in a constant, unresolved spin, as if a crucial piece were missing.

After a period of intense contemplation, Rine took a deep, calming breath, attempting to clear her mind of the perplexing puzzle that had consumed her thoughts. She closed her eyes, seeking a momentary respite by focusing on pleasant memories.

“Only a few more months remain. At most four, even if progress slows,” she mused. The stabilization period for the artifact was nearing its end.

A faint smile touched Rine’s lips. Upon the artifact’s stabilization, she would finally be free to depart Fildagreen. And once she could leave Fildagreen—

She would be reunited with her godfather.

“Wouldn’t he be surprised if I showed up before he even thought to look for me?”

The mere thought caused the corners of her mouth to curve upwards involuntarily.

“When that time comes, I’ll be sure to tuck that red brooch away in my pocket first.”

Her smile remained for a considerable while.

***

“...Abominable Blood?”

“Indeed.”

The Predecessor’s words caused Alon to briefly frown. Abominable Blood. It was an unfamiliar term in this world, one he had never encountered before. Even Psychedelia offered scarce mention of it.

And yet—

Alon recognized the term. No, it was impossible not to.

“Do you… know anything concerning Abominable Blood?”

“I… am unaware.”

Recalling this, Alon responded to the Predecessor’s query with a shake of his head. In a way, it wasn’t entirely untrue. He knew three things:

That Yutia was of Abominable Blood. That Abominable Blood revered a being akin to Cthulhu.

“No—”

He quickly revised his statement. His understanding of their lore had a single flaw up to this point: the assumption that Abominable Blood worshipped something like Cthulhu. Perhaps their faith itself was not a fabrication. However, during his time playing the game, Yutia’s true object of worship was “the Black Thing” — that is, the Sins.

This implied the old lore was now obsolete. Sin originated from the Empire—while Abominable Blood predated the very existence of sin.

“So then, what precisely are they—Abominable Blood?”

When Alon posed the question, the Predecessor, who had been silent, finally spoke.

“To be perfectly honest… I do not truly know.”

“What?”

“I recognize that expression, but it’s the truth.”

“Then why did you bring up Abominable Blood?”

“I merely mentioned them to help elucidate the events, nothing more.”

“Ah.”

Alon emitted a soft sound of comprehension. He finally grasped that the narrative wasn’t focused on the Abominable Blood themselves—but on the entity observing from the shadows.

“Even in the past I witnessed, Abominable Blood only appeared from the shadows. Beyond that, everything is shrouded in mystery.”

“So the sole confirmed fact is that they annihilated two nations?”

“Yes. Both nations—utterly and without exception.”

The Predecessor softly added, “Though the reason remains unknown.”

“Did they ever make another appearance after that?”

“Afterward?”

“Yes.”

The Predecessor paused, lost in thought for a moment.

“They did, yes. During what you refer to as the Era of Forgotten Gods—they reappeared once more with the intent to destroy the world, just as they had before.”

“...Is there anything else you know?”

“I understand your eagerness to learn more about Abominable Blood, but regrettably, that is the extent of my knowledge. More importantly, no information about them remains. It is as if they were perfectly erased…”

Upon hearing this, Alon remained silent for a considerable duration—then slowly nodded.

[Regardless, to return to the primary subject matter, in the end, both nations were destroyed. The Divine Blood failed in its attempt to ascend to godhood and subsequently crumbled, while the magical engineering artifacts created by humans were buried deep within the abyss.]

Even with everything in ruins, the Divine Blood who created Babylonoya endured disgrace and refused to surrender. Though banished from this world, he schemed to rise again through the legacy he had left behind.

Alon, listening with deep contemplation, finally spoke.

“Are you referring to the knowledge he bequeathed?”

It was the system of laws. Even if his bid for godhood failed and he was banished once more, the laws he established were already imprinted upon this world.

“If he was already banished, wouldn’t that render it futile?”

Should the opportunity ever arise for him to return to the mortal realm, the narrative would indeed shift.

Alon grasped the Predecessor's meaning without difficulty.

“He would then stand superior to those who inherited that magic from that epoch?”

Precisely. However, that aspiration of the Divine Blood ultimately faltered.

“...The Sins, and the entity known as the Closed-Eyed One.”

Indeed. Owing to the intervention of the Closed-Eyed One, entwined with sin, the Divine Blood forfeited his chance permanently. They annihilated the True Mages, interred the laws beneath the veil of time, and through their nature as sins, completely sealed the very gateway through which the Divine Bloods could descend.

A question formed in Alon’s mind.

“So, unless humanity attains a specific threshold in number, the Divine Bloods cannot descend?”

Correct.

“Is there a specific rationale for this?”

That is the codified law. It's an unshakeable truth that every inhabitant of this world must adhere to. Think of it simply as a fundamental aspect of its creation.

The Predecessor released a sigh.

Regardless, to resume the narrative—at the precise moment the Divine Blood faced the bleakest of prospects, you emerged.

“...Me?”

Yes, you. You, who possessed knowledge of the incantations and seals long thought lost to time. More accurately, a being capable of interfacing with sins and manipulating one’s own ‘laws’ appeared and proposed a pact.

Alon’s eyes flickered almost imperceptibly.

The Predecessor observed him briefly before continuing.

Did you never find it peculiar?

“Peculiar in what regard?”

Why you could wield those seals and incantations. And more than that—why you could freely employ laws that should have been exclusively bestowed upon others, all without even possessing a conceptual grasp of them.

At these words, Alon fell silent.

It was undeniably true that, initially, he hadn't perceived anything strange.

To Alon back then, the incantations and seals were merely components from a game.

Naturally, after some time elapsed and he gradually came to understand the reality of this world—he did begin to harbor doubts.

However, he never voiced these concerns.

At that time, such thoughts offered no practical advantage.

Yet now, in this very moment—

With several crucial fragments of the puzzle falling into place thanks to the Predecessor’s account—

“The reason… is because of the Watcher?”

That is the accurate conclusion.

He could confront this truth without significant difficulty.

The reason you could command all the laws merely by recalling phrases you didn't even fully comprehend was due to that very pact.

“So the crux of it is—he intended to utilize me to eradicate the sins and descend once more.”

Yes. And as you can observe, his plan unfolded flawlessly. However, to clarify one point—you weren't the one being exploited. You were the one wielding the influence.

“...Me?”

Noticing Alon’s expression of bewilderment, she offered a smile as she elaborated.

You might be unaware, but he consistently provided assistance. He manifested multiple times during your most critical junctures.

Alon tilted his head slightly upon hearing this.

But soon, a recollection surfaced.

The voice that had whispered in his ear during his confrontation with Kylrus.

He even extricated you from peril on numerous occasions.

“...?”

Surely you don't genuinely attribute your survival from overexertion, which should have resulted in severe cognitive damage, followed by a complete recovery after minimal rest, to mere chance or good fortune, do you?

As Alon remained speechless, the Predecessor continued her exposition.

You were repeatedly rescued by him. You even received aid. And most crucially—you continue to freely wield the laws intrinsic to the Divine Blood.

“If this power was bestowed by the Divine Blood, couldn't he reclaim it?”

No. That is an impossibility. He willingly transferred the power to you. Regardless of his present actions, it is no longer feasible to divest you of this power.

The Predecessor gave a subtle smile.

Therefore, rather than being a pawn—you were the one who executed the strategy. You appropriated the Divine Blood’s power and leveraged his support to reach this point unscathed. Furthermore, you still retain his ‘laws.’

Alon maintained his silence.

In reality, his thoughts were in a state of turmoil.

The sheer volume of new information only served to generate a cascade of further inquiries.

Even so, Alon endeavored to rapidly consolidate what he had assimilated.

That Babylonoya and Illanef were decimated by Abominable Blood.

That Alon had received succor from the Divine Blood whose ambition was to descend.

That the magical prowess of the True Mages was nothing more than the very laws the Divine Blood had inscribed into this world eons ago.

And then—

“Who exactly are you?”

—That the Predecessor before him was not the original individual.

What is the implication of your question?

Despite the abrupt inquiry, the Predecessor maintained her composure.

But Alon regarded her with a steady and assured gaze.

“You are not the Predecessor.”