Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 387 : The Awakening (2)

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Previously on Became the Patron of Villains...
Alon learns that the Divine Bloods are beings from another dimension, many of whom don't seek godhood and instead form factions. He is also warned that the Lava-Eaters faction is coming for him, and after the "Wanderer" departs, Alon resolves to find allies. Meanwhile, four members of the Lava-Eaters faction are ambushed and slaughtered by a red-haired woman who questions if Alon will forgive her if she kills them.
Desert City, Colony. “Ha…” Seolrang’s secretary, Lime, let out a quiet sigh. Lately, unsettling incidents had been occurring in Colony all too often. She stood on one of the highest floors of the towering guild building and cast her gaze northward. As always, the dunes piled high in golden waves formed a breathtaking vista—yet that was not where her eyes lingered. Not on the sand. But further beyond. Instead of gold, the land was now blanketed in a deep, ominous purple. A grotesque aberration born not long after stars had rained from the sky. Ever since that phenomenon, the air in Colony had felt heavy, tense. And now, because of one Babayaga, the atmosphere had grown even darker. The “Scorching Hand,” who had left confidently to investigate the anomaly after becoming a Babayaga, had now been missing for over a week. In this desert, disappearing for more than seven days meant only one thing. Death. But that wasn’t all. The true weight pressing down on Colony—the reason the entire city seemed frozen—was this: Carmaxes III, the current king of Colony. Despite the confirmed death of a Babayaga. Despite the creeping spread of the violet corruption approaching the city itself. He had issued no orders. None at all. As if observing the crisis with detached indifference. And it wasn’t just this matter. The kingdom hadn’t responded to any of the other escalating incidents inside Colony either. It was behavior utterly out of character for the Carmaxes III she had always known. Lime sighed again, more deeply this time. Because, inevitably, her thoughts drifted to Seolrang. 'What on earth is Lady Seolrang doing at a time like this…?' Her gaze shifted toward the corner of the office. The spot where Seolrang would normally be sprawled out lazily was empty today. 'Lady Seolrang hasn’t been herself either… Is she truly alright?' Worry clouded Lime’s eyes. Because recently, Seolrang didn’t seem well at all. To be more precise—she had changed, subtly at first, after the final battle that took place just before the Milky Way poured from the sky months ago. In the beginning, the change was small. She simply spoke a little less. Spent slightly more time deep in thought. But as days passed, those shifts grew darker. She stopped talking altogether. She would remain motionless for long stretches, lost in thought. And the light that once lived in her face had dimmed beneath an unseen shadow. '…I heard that when she was with the Marquis, she seemed like her usual self.' Lime recalled the information she had heard quietly through the Information Guild. 'So what’s really going on with her…?' She stared at the empty seat and slipped into deep silence once more. That was when— “Deputy Guildmaster!!” A voice erupted, shattering the stillness as someone burst through the door. 'How many times have I told them to knock—' Lime began to scold the intruder with a scowl, but the words stopped in her throat. The guild member who had entered looked pale and grave. “You need to come downstairs. Now.” Without hesitation, Lime followed the man to the first floor. When they arrived at a sealed, private room guaranteeing full confidentiality— “P-Prince…?” “Oh— long time no see…” She found herself face-to-face with Colony’s Second Prince. Covered in wounds from head to toe—Karsem. And in that same moment. Inside a cavern west of Colony— “Hah… Hah…” Seolrang was slumped on the ground, gasping for breath. Completely spent, her clouded, exhausted eyes drifted down to the object resting before her. The Essence of the Golden Mane Tribe. The very same essence Alon had entrusted to her long ago. The one whose trials she had failed to complete— The source of power she still had not fully inherited. [Do you intend to attempt the trial again?] She stared at it blankly for a long time. Then, silently, she reached for it—when a voice interrupted. She turned her head. A black dragon stood there. Its dark eyes examined her carefully. Her sclera already stained black, like that of a demon, from the power she had accepted. “…Why?” she asked. [Let me make this clear. If you push yourself any further, your body won’t endure it.] She flinched. She already knew that. Even so—she couldn’t stop now. Because she had finally recognized the truth. That she was weak. That she couldn’t even protect the ones she treasured most. That she was… falling behind. Memories of countless battles flashed through her mind. Alongside them—the faces of her comrades. Her Master. And within those memories, herself. Not protecting anyone. But being protected. She tightened her jaw and reached out again. Her hand closed around the essence. Weakly. Unsteadily. #### The day after Alon had spoken with the divine blood—true origin of Goddess Sironia— “My Lord.” “Yutia.” He met her again. “Have you been well?” “Yes.” “I’m sorry. I wanted to come sooner, but things got a little hectic. I ended up being a day late.” “It’s fine. I wasn’t waiting that long to begin with.” “A day is still a long time, isn’t it?” “That much is easy to wait through.”

Yutia’s eyes widened briefly at Alon’s firm response, but her smile soon returned, widening slightly more than before.

“It genuinely makes me happy to hear you say that. Shall we head inside to continue our conversation, My Lord?”

“Very well.”

As Yutia led Alon towards the study, a flicker of confusion crossed her features.

“But where are the others?”

“You mean Evan and Penia?”

“Yes.”

“Evan stepped out briefly, and Penia mentioned having a discussion with a wizard in Rosario, so she went as well.”

Both Blackie and Basiliora had eagerly departed to join Penia and Evan when they heard Alon would be meeting with Yutia. However, Alon omitted this detail and followed Yutia into the study.

Upon entering, his attention was immediately drawn to the desk, kept with its usual meticulous order.

Resting upon it was a crystal orb.

It appeared rather battered, exhibiting cracks and chips in multiple areas.

A question formed in Alon’s mind.

“Is something amiss, My Lord?”

“Uh—”

“That?”

“Wasn’t there an orb right there a moment ago?”

“An orb?”

“Yes, that somewhat shattered… weathered orb.”

The very orb he distinctly remembered seeing just moments before had, as if it had never existed, vanished without a trace.

Alon felt a wave of bewilderment wash over him, but—

“Oh my, is that so?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t recall seeing such an item.”

“Really?”

“Please, do take a seat, My Lord.”

Yutia said casually, and Alon sat down, still perplexed.

After a brief exchange of updates, Alon sensed their small talk was reaching its conclusion.

This meant he could finally pose the question that had been weighing on his mind.

Yet, Alon found himself hesitating once more.

Was it appropriate to inquire about Abominable Blood with Yutia?

Certainly, his intention was merely to ask a simple question, nothing complex.

Still, his intuition warned him that asking might instigate a change, and he paused briefly to consider this.

“Yutia, may I ask you one thing?”

“Yes, what is it you wish to know?”

Alon finally opened his mouth to speak.

After all, waiting for Yutia’s return had been for this specific purpose.

“Do you happen to know anything about Abominable Blood?”

Alon’s composed voice resonated within the study.

The moment Alon’s question hung in the air, Yutia’s expression shifted subtly.

Did she recognize the term Abominable Blood, or was she merely contemplating the word itself?

Or perhaps something else entirely was on her mind—after a silent beat, she inquired,

“Which aspect are you referring to?”

Yutia’s face remained unreadable, prompting Alon to pause before responding.

“Somehow, I overheard talk of Abominable Blood.”

Upon hearing this, Yutia made a thoughtful “hmm” sound and tilted her head several times in contemplation.

“Strictly speaking—”

Then, as if dismissing its significance, she added,

“I suppose it’s accurate to say I am aware of it.”

“You are aware of it?”

“Yes, though not in its entirety.”

“...Not entirely?”

“Yes, what I know regarding Abominable Blood stems from information recently relayed to me by Rine.”

Yutia proceeded to recount to Alon the events that had transpired not long ago.

“So, you were investigating divine blood and stumbled upon information concerning Abominable Blood as well… is that correct?”

“That’s precisely right. But as I mentioned, I lack extensive detailed knowledge. Merely—”

Yutia’s brow furrowed slightly, as if recalling a faint memory, before she replied,

“Abominable Blood—was it originally divine blood?”

“Abominable Blood was originally divine blood?”

“Yes.”

“Is that accurate?”

“That is what I learned from Rine.”

“Did you gain any further insights beyond that?”

“Hm, nothing further, but I can inquire with Rine and report back to you.”

“I would be grateful for that.”

Alon nodded, feeling a slight sense of relief that Yutia possessed limited knowledge of Abominable Blood.

He couldn’t quite articulate the reason for this relief, even to himself.

Suddenly, Alon recalled something else.

When he had suffered memory loss, Yutia had offered him counsel as if she already understood his concerns, without him uttering a word.

“Yutia.”

“Yes?”

“May I ask one more thing?”

“For any question you may have, My Lord, I shall provide an answer.”

Alon prepared to speak again, but—

Thud—!

“Marquis! So you were here after all—!”

Regrettably, their conversation was abruptly interrupted by Evan’s flustered entrance.

Panting, Evan urgently exclaimed,

“Marquis, we have a crisis!”

“What has occurred?”

“All the divine blood have surged simultaneously—a war has erupted! Colony is among the most severely afflicted!!”

Alon uttered in stunned disbelief,

“What did you just say?”

Alon’s eyes widened for a moment, and Yutia’s smile momentarily disappeared, her eyes narrowing.

Alon then regained his composure and inquired, maintaining an outward calm,

“When did this report arrive?”

“This morning… sir!”

‘Could it be—but Seolrang?’

“For the time being, reports indicate she is unharmed…”

Following a brief exchange, Alon turned to Yutia.

“Yutia.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

“I suppose we shall have to postpone this discussion.”

“Understood. Are you departing immediately?”

“I believe we must.”

“I will follow once my pressing matters are concluded, My Lord.”

“Good. The remainder of our discussion… we shall have later.”

With a curt farewell, Alon rushed out alongside Evan.

Their rapid footsteps receded into the distance, leaving Yutia alone in the study.

“Hmm.”

Yutia’s serious expression reverted to its previous calm, as if any concern had dissipated like smoke.

In the ensuing quietude— "...Abominable Blood—Abominable Blood, you say." She uttered the words softly. "I wonder who is casting their gaze upon it now...?" Yutia inquired, her lips curving into a profound, knowing grin.