Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 388 : Awakening (3)

Had plans unfolded as anticipated, Alon would have journeyed to the Mage Tower or Teria following discussions in Rosario. However, his destination abruptly shifted to the Colony, and the subsequent day dawned.

“From Rosario to the Colony…”

“At the very least, it will consume about a month’s travel.”

“A month, you say….”

A month. It was a duration that could feel either incredibly long or surprisingly brief.

This time, Alon’s gaze settled on Evan.

“Evan.”

“Yes, Marquis.”

“Have you managed to procure any further intelligence regarding the subsequent developments?”

“I did ascertain some information by consulting the Information Guild within the village not too long ago, but the overarching situation appears quite unfavorable.”

“Proceed.”

With that, Evan began to relay the intelligence gathered from the Information Guild, one point after another. Alon listened intently in silence as he spoke—

“It feels somewhat inauscitary to mention, but… if this trend continues, might the Allied Kingdom Alliance not find itself being torn asunder as it stands?” Penia murmured, a distinct note of concern coloring her expression.

“Even I concede… this predicament seems rather grave,” Evan concurred.

Without offering any immediate commentary, Alon calmly began to synthesize and organize the information he had just received.

Broadly categorizing the intelligence Evan presented, three key points emerged.

Firstly, as of yesterday, individuals exhibiting anomalous traits, identified as divine-bloods, had commenced assaults upon the Colony. Secondly, the attacks were not confined to the Colony alone; rather, the majority of the Allied Kingdom Alliance was under siege. And thirdly.

Faced with these onslaughts from the divine-bloods, the various kingdoms were being helplessly overwhelmed, utterly incapable of mounting any effective resistance.

“Hoo—”

Alon exhaled a sigh.

While compiling this information alone painted a grim picture, it wasn’t yet the absolute worst-case scenario.

According to Evan’s account, the primary entities among the anomalous individuals—the divine-bloods themselves—had not yet made their full move. Furthermore, not every single kingdom within the Allied Kingdom Alliance had been subjected to attack.

Specifically, the island kingdoms of Raksas and Asteria, along with the Duchy of Luxibl, remained untouched by the assaults.

Naturally, other kingdoms and smaller duchies were enduring devastating, irreversible damage even at this moment. And even those nations currently safe had no certainty as to when they might become targets. Nevertheless,

With these considerations in mind, Alon turned his attention back to Evan.

“Evan.”

“Yes, Marquis.”

“The Colony—has its situation deteriorated significantly?”

“Indeed. Based on the Information Guild’s reports, for a nation of its scale, the circumstances are, I’ve heard, exceptionally dire.”

“Are the assailants formidable, or does the issue lie with the Babayas?”

Given the Colony’s peculiar societal structure, this was a perfectly reasonable inquiry. Evan then responded.

“That might indeed be a contributing factor, but I’ve been informed that the Colony's predicament is rather peculiar.”

“Peculiar?”

“Yes. Numerous negligent errors were made, actions that should never occur during wartime. Consequently, I understand they sustained rather substantial losses during yesterday’s engagement.”

“Negligent errors?”

“Precisely. While I did not delve into the intricate details, it is undeniable that the situation there is the most critical.”

Responding to Evan’s report, Alon let out another sigh, seemingly having lost count of the number of times he had done so.

“This will not be a simple matter.”

At this point, Penia, who had been observing him silently, cautiously addressed him.

“Um, Marquis.”

“What is it?”

“……If I voice this, it might come across as somewhat lacking in empathy for the plight of humanity, but………… you needn't carry such a heavy burden of stress, must you…?”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because—you are currently exerting your utmost effort, Marquis.”

Penia continued, meeting Alon’s gaze directly.

“As you are well aware, Marquis, you possess only a single physical form. From the outset, there exists a finite limit to what one individual can accomplish. And when the Milky Way descended, did you not already provide ample warning to all?”

Her words were accurate. Following the fall of the Milky Way, during the assembly where the kings convened, Alon had emphatically stressed the inevitability of such a crisis and the urgent need for preparedness.

“I believe it is sufficient that you went to such lengths. You undertook all that was within your power and all that was deemed necessary.”

Alon looked towards Penia, soon discerning the subtle thread of worry woven into her expression.

“Thank you for your words.”

Alon responded with that sentiment, offering a nod.

Her reasoning was sound. In reality, Alon could not possibly rescue every single kingdom. He was confined to a single body, an entity that could not be divided or replicated.

However, the reason Alon felt such a profound weight from this unfolding situation

was not solely due to self-recrimination that he might fail to save everyone.

Penia and Evan might hold a different perspective, but Alon himself did not harbor such an immense, all-encompassing love for all of humanity.

Even so, the source of Alon’s stress in this scenario stemmed from the inherent nature of the divine-bloods, coupled with the narrative imparted by Sironia’s original account.

—The present-day divine-bloods have already fully embraced the understanding that the lives offering their faith need not be confined to the ‘ordinary’ any longer.

Those very words resonated deeply.

The fundamental principle by which the divine-bloods ascended to godhood within this world remained unchanged. Their strength grew in proportion to the faith they received from sentient life.

If perhaps the divine-blood possessed a method, any method at all, to compel humans into “faith,” then the greater the harm inflicted by the divine-blood, the more difficult it would become for Alon to manage the situation. This implied Alon absolutely had to impede the divine-blood as much as his capabilities allowed. If outright blocking them proved impossible, he at least needed to implement safeguards to prevent humans from falling prey to the divine-blood.

After extensive consideration, turning the matter over and over in his mind…

“Penia.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I believe it’s necessary to dispatch a message to Divine Land.”

“Understood.”

He resolved to undertake whatever actions were feasible at the present moment.

***

Following a period of three weeks and an additional two days, during which he minimized his visits to settlements and proceeded toward the Colony, Alon engaged in two primary activities. The first involved dedicated research into the intricacies of magic. The second was the systematic acquisition of information.

Throughout this interim, Alon managed to procure a remarkably diverse range of intelligence via the Information Guild. Naturally, the preponderance of this information was grim, largely pertaining to the obliteration of villages or entire fiefdoms.

The sole fortunate aspect was that Raksas and Asteria remained untouched by any attacks. Moreover, subsequent to the initial incursions by aberrant individuals, most kingdoms had instituted significantly more robust defensive measures compared to the early stages of the crisis.

Nevertheless, whispers persisted that even these enhanced defenses were perilously fragile. Should the divine-blood decide to intervene directly, the circumstances would undoubtedly escalate beyond control, but…

Regardless of the underlying precariousness, the current situation—by some means or another—was being sustained.

“……This establishes the fundamental framework for the time being, Marquis.”

“I see.”

Aboard the carriage traversing the expanse of golden sands, Alon was conversing with Penia.

“Mmm—it remains challenging, as anticipated. While transforming magic into a viable means was successful, its control still presents a significant hurdle for the present.”

“Indeed, it is more demanding than I had initially supposed.”

“Well, it is all an inherent part of the progression. Considering this as the starting point, the outlook doesn’t seem unfavorable. This phase is, in essence, largely akin to practical training.”

“That is a fair assessment.”

As Alon offered a nod of agreement, Evan’s voice carried from outside the carriage.

“Marquis, if we continue onward for a short distance, I believe we will be able to glimpse the Colony!”

“Acknowledged.”

Alon shifted his gaze outwards, observing the unending vista of golden sand. Then, redirecting his attention toward the front of the carriage, he perceived the Colony, a diminutive speck within his field of vision.

Yet, this observation lasted but a fleeting moment.

Alon, Penia, and Evan—as their proximity to the Colony progressively diminished, a palpable tension settled upon each of their countenances.

The reason for this shift in their demeanor was—

“Is this… the Colony?”

Contrary to its appearance from a distance, the Colony, now observed up close, presented a far more dire state than they had conceived.

Alon’s gaze drifted upward towards the sky, a blank stare fixed upon it. The sun blazed with an intense radiance, seeming to envelop all beneath its light. However, in stark contrast to this solar brilliance, the Colony spread out below revealed a desolate and pitiable reality.

The once formidable walls that had encircled the settlement had been breached, exhibiting colossal ruptures in numerous locations, as if violently gouged by sharp and immense forces.

Fierce desert winds infiltrated these gaping openings, relentlessly propelling ash to scatter across the ravaged landscape surrounding the fortifications. The elegantly domed roofs and soaring spires, once symbols of prosperity, lay shattered and sunken, with jagged remnants protruding like broken teeth.

“This is… the Colony?”

Penia’s voice, laced with astonishment, was carried away by the wind. Alon shared her profound sense of disbelief.

Such was the extent of the Colony’s devastation. No—to be entirely candid, its condition was so calamitous that designating it as virtually fallen would not be an exaggeration.

Thus, after a brief period of stunned silence as all three absorbed the sight of the Colony—

“Halt! Who goes there~!”

As Alon’s party approached the southern gate—which, despite the surrounding destruction, remained vigilantly sealed—they were confronted by sternly positioned guards.

“Ma-Marquis Palatio~?!”

“Quick, open the gate!!”

Before they could even issue a summons for Seolrang, the guards, having promptly recognized Alon, facilitated their entry into the Colony sooner than anticipated.

“……This is.”

“It appears the defenses were breached on more than one occasion.”

“That seems to be the case.”

The interior presented an equally grim spectacle. A significant portion of the area adjacent to the gate had been utterly demolished, with some structures so severely damaged they had collapsed, losing all semblance of their original form.

Standing there, momentarily at a loss for words amidst the devastation—

“Master!”

A familiar voice resounded. From a distance, Seolrang was making her way rapidly towards Alon.

“Wow! It’s Master!”

The instant he turned, Seolrang embraced him tightly as if she had been eagerly awaiting his arrival. Alon reciprocated the hug, offering a gentle smile.

“Have you been well?”

“Yes!”

Seolrang responded with a radiant smile.

However, this moment of cheer was short-lived.

Huh?

Alon’s attention was drawn to the bandages wrapped around Seolrang’s person. Noticing his gaze, Seolrang belatedly released him and offered an explanation.

“Ah, this? It’s— I was a little careless. It’s not a serious injury, so please don’t worry.”

Seolrang awkwardly attempted to conceal the bandages with both hands. Just as Alon was about to speak—

“Greetings, Marquis.”

A subdued greeting was heard. It was Lime, who had approached Alon’s group a moment later.

“Indeed. It has been some time.”

“You must be quite unsettled, having just arrived, but would you be able to accompany me immediately, perhaps?”

Lime inquired of Alon in a discreet manner.

Although Alon had several questions, he also observed that Seolrang’s expression had stiffened, and thus—

“Understood.”

He trailed Lime without a word, and the group that was headed towards Seolrang's guild building diverted from the office, heading downwards instead.

"...Was there a place like this?"

"No, not originally. However, in case of unforeseen circumstances..."

Lime responded to Alon's question. Just as Alon's curiosity was about to peak further—

"We've arrived."

Lime unlocked a door below ground. Alon followed her in, and—

"Marquis."

"Karsem?"

He found Karsem there.

Observing that Karsem was covered in numerous wounds—

"...What happened?"

"Before I recount the events, if I were to reveal the outcome first—"

Alon inquired, startled, but instead of a direct answer—

"The First Prince assassinated his father and sided with the divine-blood lineage."

"What are you saying?"

A shocking revelation reached his ears.