Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 386 : The Beginning (1)
Previously on Became the Patron of Villains...
[I am the original form of her, the “Divine Blood.”]
“!”
Alon instinctively attempted to prepare a spell upon hearing the sound emanating from the statue.
It was an unexpected development, yet he was prepared.
His magic had been meticulously refined for precisely such moments.
[H-Hey, wait a moment! Isn’t that an excessively sudden attack!? I already told you, I’m not hostile, alright?!]
“You are not the Divine Blood?”
[W-Well, I am.]
“Then why should I possibly believe that?”
A sigh drifted from the statue.
[I am indeed the Divine Blood, but I harbor no intention of engaging in combat with you.]
“And why is that?”
[Because I am an Outsider.]
“An… Outsider?”
“You just claimed to be Divine Blood.”
[Correct—and perhaps you should abandon the presumption that all Divine Bloods are power-hungry lunatics aspiring to divinity.]
“They are not?”
[No, they are not.]
Her resolute tone caused Alon to manifest a flicker of confusion.
“But clearly—”
[Enough. Why don’t you lend an ear to my explanation first, and then render your judgment? I have come here specifically to elucidate matters for you, at least in broad strokes.]
Alon gradually allowed the magic to recede from his hand.
As she suggested, he decided to hear her out before proceeding.
After all, it was Blue Eyes who had advised him to seek her out.
“Proceed.”
A wave of relief seemed to wash over the voice from the statue as it continued.
[Allow me to reintroduce myself. My designation is the “Wanderer.” You common folk refer to us as the Divine Bloods.]
“Wanderer?”
[You may address me as Wanderer. Do you have any inquiries? Aside from doubts regarding my veracity, naturally.]
Alon contemplated for a brief spell before articulating his question.
“You stated you are Divine Blood?”
[Affirmative.]
“Have the Divine Bloods already achieved awakening?”
[Ah—]
The Wanderer swiftly grasped his underlying intent and provided her response.
[Well, I would venture to say that the less potent among them have likely undergone their awakening already.]
“…I had heard that no significant actions have been taken by them yet.”
[Oh, that is entirely logical. Unless they have managed to leave behind fragments of their essence, as I have, the majority are compelled to commence from absolute zero. Consequently, they would undoubtedly be occupied with the endeavor of augmenting their strength first.]
“Is that the reason for their inaction?”
[Precisely. Although, I do anticipate the Empire will become quite active in the near future. You refer to it as the Empire, do you not? Yes, that particular entity—]
She murmured, [That is where the majority of the deranged ones have fallen.]
[In any event, let us proceed to the actual explanation.]
She commenced her narrative in earnest.
***
[The paramount point I wish to convey is that not every single Divine Blood harbors the ambition of attaining godhood.]
“Why is that so?”
[There exist several contributing factors. To furnish you with the necessary context—do you possess knowledge of our origin?]
“…Another dimension?”
[Correct. The Divine Bloods are, fundamentally, entities originating from a different plane of existence, imbued with the potential to ascend into divinity. Their arrival here was motivated by an ardent desire to achieve apotheosis.]
“Then, by that logic, does that not render you identical?”
[No, it does not. Certain among us were conveyed to this realm against our volition.]
“By what means?”
[Because we met the requisite criteria.]
The Wanderer executed a subtle gesture, akin to a shrug.
[In other words, while some arrived by their own choosing in pursuit of godhood, others, such as myself, possessed no genuine inclination toward such an objective.]
“…You belong to the latter category?”
[Precisely.]
“Are there a considerable number such as yourself among the Divine Bloods?”
[Well, while their specific motivations may vary, yes, there are indeed a number of them.]
“What do you imply by differing motivations?”
The Wanderer responded with effortless ease.
[Have you ever borne witness to the Divine Bloods descending from the heavens?]
“I have.”
[That spectacle was not an illusion. Such was indeed the sheer volume of their numbers.]
“And so?”
[From that immense multitude, only a solitary individual attains true godhood. The remainder are rendered inconsequential. Furthermore, it is not as though every individual commences from an equivalent standing.]
Alon grasped the implication and offered a nod of understanding.
“So, some do not even engage in conflict, acknowledging their inevitable defeat?”
[That is accurate.]
“However, if they refrain from contending, will they not simply perish?”
[Theoretically, yes. Without the sustenance of faith, survival is impossible. Nevertheless, should they forge alliances, it remains a feasible outcome.]
“…Alliances?”
[Precisely. The formation of pacts amongst Divine Bloods—or more accurately, their integration into established factions.]
“What purpose does that serve? Aligning with a faction seems akin to marching towards one’s demise.”
[Under normal circumstances, yes. As ultimately, all other Divine Bloods are destined for oblivion.]
“Then, why undertake such a course?”
[Because should one achieve godhood, they possess the capability to resurrect the entirety of the others.]
Alon released a hushed exhalation, a silent acknowledgment of realization.
“So, they consolidate their strength behind a single candidate, facilitate their ascent to godhood, and subsequently return together.”
[Exactly. This is the rationale behind the majority of the lesser Divine Bloods aligning themselves with one of the four paramount factions.]
“The four paramount factions?”
[Indeed. Those positioned closest to achieving divinity at the present juncture.]
Watcher of the Abyss.
Whispering Void.
Rot Eternal.
Sky-Rending One.
Upon hearing these appellations, Alon directed his gaze towards the statue and inquired,
“Do you align yourself with one of these factions?”
[No. I am unaffiliated with any of them. My role is more akin to that of an observer.]
“…And why is that?”
[Why what?]
“According to your own reasoning, if you remain unaffiliated, only demise awaits you.”
The Wanderer responded with measured composure.
[That is an accurate assessment. However, I simply possess no desire for affiliation. I find the act of subservience to others distasteful. Furthermore, I harbor alternative intentions.]
“Blue Eyes is also involved?”
The Wanderer exhibited a moment of hesitation.
[I believe it would be imprudent to divulge further information beyond this point. My sole mandate was to provide an explanation concerning the Four Factions.]
Her voice concluded with a distinct finality, conveying an implicit message of, 'This concludes our discussion for the present moment.'
Alon remained silent for a brief interval before remarking in a low tone,
“You truly operate according to your own peculiar methods.”
“That’s a simplistic way of looking at things. We each have our own circumstances, anyway~”
The statue’s shimmering voice continued its discourse.
“The Divine Bloods are poised to make their move soon, and they will begin to rampage as if the current peace were merely an illusion. If you intend to halt them, you must grow stronger and forge many alliances.”
“...Allies?”
“Indeed. You surely don’t harbor the delusion that you can stop all the Divine Bloods single-handedly, do you? Let me assure you, that is an impossibility.”
A question emerged in Alon’s mind.
“I have but one question.”
“Pray, what is it?”
“Is not the ultimate objective of the Divine Bloods to attain godhood?”
“Is it not?”
“Then surely they would require humans to worship these ascendant deities, correct?”
Wanderer readily affirmed Alon’s deduction.
“You speak the truth; life holds significance for the Divine Bloods. That much is accurate—even during past conflicts, the Divine Bloods endeavored to avoid needless loss of life.”
“Then—”
“However, regrettably, that is no longer the case.”
“...Why is that?”
“The current Divine Bloods—”
She paused briefly before elaborating.
“—have already come to terms with the understanding that those who offer worship need not be ‘ordinary.’”
That was the extent of her explanation.
“...What exactly do you mean by that?”
“Consider it straightforwardly: as long as ‘life’ is preserved in some form, that suffices.”
Wanderer added this remark casually.
A peculiar sense of unease permeated Alon.
In truth, he had felt this disquiet from the very outset of their exchange.
It was only after hearing her words that Alon pinpointed the precise origin of that unsettling sensation.
“You are utterly callous.”
“In what manner?”
“In the way you utter such pronouncements with such apparent ease.”
Wanderer became thoughtful, pausing for a moment before emitting a sound.
“Ah—”
she produced a sound of sudden comprehension.
“Hmm, I can see how it might be perceived that way. Yet, I cannot alter my nature. To us, humans are—”
Her voice carried on, stating her perspective.
“—merely instruments, nothing more and nothing less.”
A fresh wave of realization washed over Alon.
The entity before him was, undeniably, a Divine Blood as well.
Alon remained silent, offering no reply.
***
“Did you glean all that was necessary from the conversation?”
“Yes, I did.”
Alon offered a nod to Evan’s inquiry, subsequently sinking into contemplation.
Numerous unresolved questions still lingered in his mind.
He had wished to engage in further discussion, but circumstances unfortunately precluded it.
Wanderer had declared their time to be concluded and departed.
“I suppose it is time for me to return.”
‘Weren’t you already present?’
“No. My presence here was compelled. I manifested through a fragment of myself, which I dispersed using my abilities. We shall likely encounter each other again once you gain knowledge concerning the Blue Eyes.”
A sigh escaped Alon’s lips.
He recollected Wanderer’s parting words.
“I have one final question I wish to pose.”
“What is it?”
“What transpired with the Goddess Sironia?”
“That question is phrased imprecisely. After all, I am the original being from whom the goddess Sironia originated. However, if you are inquiring about the fate of the individual who was impersonating the Sironia goddess, rest assured. She will remain here, at the very least, until my return.”
The statue added that prolonged conversation would be taxing for a duration of several months.
Subsequently, its luminescence began to fade gradually.
“Oh, right. Exercise caution regarding the Lava-Eater faction. They are likely ascending from the Empire with the intent to eliminate you.”
A faint muttering followed, inaudible to Alon: “Ah, perhaps you need not concern yourself with that matter?”
Then, Wanderer vanished completely.
“Whew—”
Alon inwardly organized the three critical pieces of information he had acquired.
- The lesser Divine Bloods have largely awakened or will shortly do so.
- The majority of Divine Bloods are associated with specific factions.
- The Lava-Eaters faction is en route to confront him.
“Hmm.”
None of the gathered intelligence was without value, yet it remained profoundly perplexing.
After considerable deliberation, Alon reached a decision.
‘First, I shall attend to my immediate obligations.’
With that resolution, he surveyed the path ahead.
“Evan.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Do you possess any intelligence originating from the Empire?”
“The Empire? Not at this precise moment, but I shall endeavor to ascertain it.”
“Please do so.”
***
In the barren expanse situated between the Allied Kingdom and the Empire, a desolate wasteland devoid of any life, the Divine Bloods affiliated with the Lava-Eaters commenced their advance.
The vanguard was a colossal shadow, characterized by its contorted tentacles and a carapace of scales.
Its movement was deliberate and inscrutable, akin to the slow drift of abyssal currents.
Following behind was a gaunt apparition, possessing only skeletal wings and vacant ocular sockets; each motion it made dispersed the wasteland’s dust like a mournful whisper.
The third entity was a formless, fluid mass, constantly undergoing metamorphosis.
Innumerable eyes flickered within its substance, resembling glimpses into the cosmic void.
The final arrival was a gargantuan crustacean, whose ponderous steps vibrated the very earth.
Its exoskeleton bore the indelible markings of inscrutable symbols, suggesting an ancient and forgotten civilization.
Merely beholding them was enough to shatter a mortal mind.
They endowed the appellation ‘Divine Blood’ with a dread-inducing and uncanny significance.
Their destination was the Allied Kingdom—or, more precisely, the location where Alon was situated.
“Tch, they are considerably distant.”
“I concur with your assessment.”
“Nonetheless, it cannot be helped.”
“I fail to comprehend the rationale behind the Rot Eternal’s interest in such inconsequential beings.”
“Is there a need for such speculation? Our sole purpose is to eradicate these entities and integrate ourselves into their faction.”
They pressed onward without halt, engaged in their discussion.
Their journey was ceaseless.
They continued their inexorable walk.
Until they encountered it.
“Ah—?”
It emitted a low sound, reminiscent of an abyss scraping against a rough surface.
Though it once possessed a multitude of eyes, only a few now remained, fixated upon the scene unfolding before it.
A ghastly scene unfolded before its eyes.
Puddles of thick, verdant blood.
Tentacles, severed from its fallen brethren, lay strewn across the desolate terrain.
Carcass fragments.
Smashed skulls, scattered far and wide.
And the last thing it registered was—
“...Ah.”
A woman.
She possessed crimson hair, her eyes were vacant and weary, shadowed by dark circles, and a peculiar pentagram was emblazoned within her exhausted gaze.
From the instant she materialized, she had mercilessly annihilated every soul present.
[--]
The sight of the woman instilled a profound sense of terror within it.
It struggled to grasp how she remained standing.
The reason for her assault was utterly beyond its comprehension.
[So, then—]
The Divine Blood inquired, its voice faltering, but she offered no reply.
Instead, she posed a sudden question.
“Say—”
her voice devoid of inflection.
“If I were to end you, would Star-Eater—”
she stated plainly.
“—grant me his forgiveness?”
She spoke with unnerving composure.
