Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 385 : Magic (5)
Previously on Became the Patron of Villains...
A span of several weeks elapsed.
“It’s beginning to appear on the horizon.”
Just as Penia had predicted, the city of Rosario was now visible in the distance.
Alon observed the unfolding panorama, his mind adrift in contemplation.
His sole objective in Rosario was singular.
To seek an audience with the goddess Sironia, precisely as he had been instructed by “that” entity.
Should there be any secondary purpose for his presence there,
it was to inquire of Yutia concerning the “Abominable Blood.”
Abominable Blood.
Alon possessed exceedingly limited knowledge regarding this matter.
The extent of his understanding was confined to the fact that Yutia Bludia was its scion, and that it had been responsible for the downfall of two empires.
That comprised the entirety of his comprehension.
Nevertheless, there was a significant probability that Yutia Bludia held pertinent information.
After all, she was directly descended from Abominable Blood.
‘Naturally, the possibility exists that she, too, is unaware.’
The very reason Alon had identified Yutia Bludia as the daughter of Abominable Blood stemmed from revelations within Psychedelia.
However, if Yutia herself happened to be ignorant of her own lineage, then it was conceivable that she had no inkling of her true identity whatsoever.
“Phew—”
Certainly, the likelihood of such ignorance was extraordinarily remote.
Having followed this line of thought to its conclusion, Alon resolved to confront the matter directly.
At present, he experienced a peculiar hesitance in broaching the subject of Abominable Blood with Yutia.
The source of this reluctance eluded him, yet the sentiment was undeniably present.
Were it not so, he would not find himself wrestling with this internal debate.
A faint premonition of unease surfacing, Alon’s thoughts unexpectedly turned to Eliban.
The man whose motives remained inscrutable, yet whose actions clearly bespoke a hidden agenda.
“Penia.”
“Yes?”
“Do you have any information regarding Eliban’s current whereabouts?”
“Eliban?”
“Indeed.”
Penia tilted her head slightly, pondered for a brief moment, and then offered her response.
“The last I heard, the majority of his injuries had been treated. However…”
“He has not yet awakened, has he?”
“No. Despite being brought to Divine Land and receiving continuous care, he remains unresponsive.”
Alon let out a soft exhalation and shook his head.
He suddenly felt that his extensive deliberation was rather futile.
“…I shall simply ask her.”
This was the resolution he ultimately reached.
Before long, the imposing gates of Rosario loomed into view.
“Both Yuman and Yutia had advised me to visit this place, and now, I have finally arrived.”
Setting aside thoughts of Yutia for the moment, Alon recalled his primary reason for the journey.
“The goddess Sironia.”
To Alon, the figure of the goddess Sironia had evolved into something far more enigmatic than before.
Initially, she had appeared as just another deity one might encounter in any typical fantasy realm.
Subsequently, she transformed into an unfathomable divine being whose actions defied logical interpretation.
Later still, he recognized her as a divinity who emerged during the era of the forgotten outer gods.
But now, his perceptions had shifted once more.
More precisely, his conjectures had intensified.
He had never anticipated that the name of the goddess Sironia would be uttered in connection with those striking blue eyes.
“Well, the truth will be revealed soon enough.”
As Alon’s carriage drew nearer, the colossal gates began to recede, as if anticipating their arrival.
The formerly sealed portals swung wide open, revealing beyond them—
—Yuman, standing in wait.
Upon spotting the approaching carriage, Yuman’s face broke into a smile.
Observing this, Alon instinctively tensed as he disembarked.
“Welcome, brother.”
The moment Alon stepped down, Yuman extended a cordial greeting.
In all honesty, Alon had no cause for apprehension.
He had committed no offense against Yuman.
However, unlike in the past, Alon was now privy to the nature of the “misunderstanding” Yuman harbored concerning him.
This awareness was the source of his slight discomfort in Yuman’s presence.
It might have been a different matter during the nascent stages of Divine Land’s formation, but at this juncture, Yuman was likely fully aware of Alon’s intention to establish his own kingdom.
…Regardless, this underlying tension had rendered their previous encounter following the battle against “One Who Bears It” somewhat awkward for Alon.
“It has been some time, Saint.”
“Yes, I have been anticipating your arrival. Please, enter.”
In stark contrast to Alon’s subtle anxiety, Yuman maintained a serene smile and ushered the group inside.
Naturally, Alon followed him into the heart of Rosario.
“Oh—”
“It has been significantly restored.”
[Hmph—indeed.]
[Yes.]
Upon their entrance into Rosario, Evan, Penia, Basiliora, and Blackie simultaneously voiced their astonishment.
Alon silently concurred with their assessment.
Once ravaged by Sin’s destructive rampage, Rosario had now been meticulously reconstructed to its original resplendent white state.
The metropolis once again radiated a pristine brilliance, seemingly repelling even the faintest hint of darkness.
After a moment of admiration for the luminous cityscape, the contingent proceeded directly to the temple.
***
Upon Alon’s arrival at Yuman’s office, he was apprised of the reason for Yutia’s absence from the welcoming party.
“She has stepped out briefly?”
“Yes, but she is expected to return either this evening or tomorrow.”
“I understand.”
Following this exchange, Alon and Yuman engaged in polite conversation.
As the opportune moment arrived for Alon to broach the true purpose of his visit,
“It would be most prudent for you to rest today and meet with the goddess tomorrow,” Yuman stated proactively.
Alon inwardly flinched, though his outward composure remained unruffled.
“You were already aware?”
“Yes. The goddess herself indicated that your arrival was imminent.”
“…The goddess Sironia?”
“Precisely.”
Alon unconsciously brought a hand to his chin, stroking it thoughtfully.
The revelation that the goddess Sironia had been anticipating his arrival was entirely unforeseen.
'So, the goddess Sironia is indeed connected to the Blue Eyes after all.'
Lost in his thoughts, Alon suddenly recalled Yuman standing directly before him.
“I appreciate your concern.”
“Ah, please don’t mention it. It’s only right, isn’t it? You are my brother, after all.”
Yuman dismissed it with a warm smile and a wave of his hand.
After a careful observation of Yuman, Alon finally spoke.
“Um, just to be certain…”
“Hm? Yes, brother?”
Seeing Yuman’s gentle smile, Alon found himself hesitating.
Should he bring this up, or not?
...It was already too late.
He knew the misunderstanding could no longer be undone.
Nevertheless, he felt it was best to at least address it once.
“By any chance, has that misunderstanding been resolved yet?” Alon inquired cautiously.
Yuman’s gaze met his for a moment before he offered a slight smile.
“And which misunderstanding might that be?”
“—” Alon was, for a moment, rendered speechless.
Upon reflection, Yuman had been subject to more than one misunderstanding.
Am I to begin recounting them all?
He was unsure where to start.
However, his internal debate was short-lived.
“I’m uncertain which specific misunderstanding you allude to, but if your concern is that my actions stem from such a thing, please rest assured,” Yuman stated.
“Huh?” Alon was surprised.
Even before Alon could voice his thoughts, Yuman had already continued.
“Indeed. Even if your true identity proves different from what I had assumed, I see no issue with that.”
“I… see?”
“Precisely. I have faith in what my own eyes have witnessed.”
With a gentle smile and a gaze brimming with conviction, Yuman added,
“So, please, do not trouble yourself unduly, brother.”
He then kindly reiterated, “Now then, allow me to escort you to your accommodations.”
Yuman stood first, leading the way.
As Alon followed, he reevaluated the true nature of the person Yuman was.
...Is this the essence of being a saint?
Humans inherently place great value on belonging.
This sentiment is amplified when it pertains to matters of faith.
It was for this reason that Yuman’s response resonated so profoundly with Alon.
“Let us proceed.”
“Yes.”
Meanwhile, trailing behind them, Penia and Evan engaged in a hushed conversation as they walked.
“So, was that sigh from the Marquis born of admiration?” Penia inquired.
“What, he’s only just realizing it now?”
“Well, they have been companions for many years.”
“That’s true. Just observe him — he's likely contemplating, ‘This must be the embodiment of true sainthood!’”
“Honestly, one doesn’t even need to be a saint. Anyone aware of the Marquis’s deeds would naturally hold him in the highest regard.”
“There isn’t a single soul among us unaware of his accomplishments. It’s solely the Marquis himself who possesses a peculiar lack of self-awareness regarding his own worth.”
They murmured softly while following in Alon’s footsteps.
***
The following day.
Under Yuman's guidance, Alon made his way directly to the Saint’s Chamber, the designated place to commune with the goddess Sironia.
“I shall leave you to your visit for now,” Yuman said, turning quietly and departing the room as soon as they arrived.
Alon's gaze ascended to the colossal statue that dominated the chamber.
Then—
Vwoooom—!
Without any invocation of magic, a radiant white light began to emanate from the statue.
Recognizing this as the prelude to the goddess’s divine speech, Alon waited with composure, contemplating internally.
What will be conveyed to me this time?
He had arrived in Rosario with a certain degree of expectation, yet he remained unsure of what to anticipate.
He still could not fathom the nature of the connection between the Blue Eyes and the goddess Sironia.
However, he held a firm belief that he would gain some revelation here.
Thus, he stood motionless, his eyes fixed upon the imposing statue.
As the light from the statue finally stabilized into an unblemished, luminous white—
[Greetings.]
A voice resonated through the chamber.
Was this truly the voice of the goddess Sironia?
“Huh?” Alon responded, blinking in bewilderment as he looked toward the statue.
The statue was indeed radiating with an intense brilliance.
On the surface, nothing seemed amiss.
Yet, he found himself momentarily stunned—
It was the voice itself that caused his paralysis.
It sounds… different. Much younger?
The voice of the goddess he recalled was one of sacred maturity.
If his memory served him correctly, that was definitively the case.
But the voice he was hearing now sounded youthful.
Closer to that of a young girl than a fully developed woman.
Naturally, then—
“...Are you truly the goddess Sironia?” Alon inquired.
[Hmm, to be precise, not entirely. You see—]
The voice responded to Alon’s question—
[—I am the ‘Divine Blood,’ the primordial essence from which she originated.]
This was its startling disclosure.