Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 407: Proclamation Ceremony (2)

At Kun's words, Alon was left bewildered, his face blank. He'd never extended such an 'opportunity' to Kun before. 'If anything, shouldn’t I be the one thanking them?' A merchant isn't considered a top-tier supplier. This meant that unless the merchant had already amassed the materials being offered to Alon beforehand, it would result in a truly colossal loss.

"..." Alon cast a quick glance at Evan. With a look implying 'What is that even supposed to mean?', Evan offered a slight shrug. It meant he had no idea.

"First, let me inquire."

"Yes!"

"Is it accurate that you can procure the materials precisely as listed on this estimate?"

"Yes, that is possible."

"..." Alon had posed the question on the off-chance the estimate was mere fantasy, but unfortunately, that didn't seem to be the case either. Even more questions surfaced in Alon's mind, yet he didn't push for further details. If someone was offering to absorb the loss themselves, there was no need to investigate exhaustively. More importantly, Alon wasn't the one incurring the loss. So.

"By what timeframe can you deliver the goods?"

"Should I begin gathering the materials now, I estimate twenty percent can be delivered within the first month. Following that, I believe three to four months should suffice."

The confidence in the answer was somewhat surprising to Alon. The quantity of materials required for territorial expansion was no trivial matter.

"Is there any assistance you require?"

"Assistance, you say?"

"Yes. If there is anything you need, I will provide support."

Kun offered a smile and appeared to contemplate something seriously. However, it was only for a fleeting moment. As if a realization struck, Kun's expression became grave.

"Thank you very much for the offer, but I will handle this matter myself."

"...Are you stating you will not accept help?"

"Correct." That was the response. Internally startled, Alon inquired again.

"...You truly do not need it?"

"I am genuinely fine."

"...Really?"

"Yes." Kun nodded firmly. Alon looked towards Evan. Evan looked back.

'I seriously cannot grasp what that person is even implying.'

'Me neither.' A brief exchange of mirroring glances passed between them.

"If that is the case... I shall be counting on you."

"Yes! I will give it my utmost effort." In the end, Alon nodded, still feeling a sense of unease. Then, just as Kun stood to finalize the detailed schedule with Alexion— Alon halted Kun.

"Wait." Now that the negotiation had concluded, Alon felt as though he had entered into some kind of inequitable agreement. Of course, the other party had desired it, so the feeling was somewhat different— but allowing Kun to depart so readily left Alon feeling unsettled.

After his gaze lingered on Alon for a moment, Alon suddenly noticed the small statue on the desk. It was the miniature sculpture Sili had mentioned creating yesterday as a trial piece. Alon did consider, 'Perhaps something else would be more suitable than this...' but nothing else in the office appeared particularly valuable.

"Take this." Alon offered the statue. Kun's eyes, which had been alight with confidence moments before, widened considerably.

"Th-this... you mean this?" Kun's voice trembled slightly.

"Do you perhaps not want it?" Alon awkwardly wondered if handing it over personally was excessive and started to retrieve it—

"No, not at all!" In that instant, Kun moved with incredible speed, snatching the statue.

"Really—really, I will work diligently! Thank you so very much!!" Kun exclaimed loudly and bowed repeatedly to Alon. Then, clutching the statue with both hands as if it were a sacred relic, Kun quickly exited the office.

Immediately after Kun and Alexion departed—

"Marquis."

"What is it?"

"Did you, by any chance, learn hypnosis while I wasn't looking?"

"Do you believe I did?"

"That's peculiar... That individual seemed almost directly hypnotized..." Evan voiced his suspicion.

'...What is this, really?' Alon couldn't help but tilt his head. And at that very moment.

While moving with Alexion, Kun—

'Just as I suspected. It was a test.' Kun replayed the recent events in his mind. Marquis Palatio, known only through whispers and rumors. The instant the Marquis regarded Kun with those indifferent eyes— ...when they had spoken so calmly just now.

"Whew—" Initially, Kun had been taken aback by the Marquis's reaction. The estimate Kun had submitted was, without exaggeration, an amount no merchant could possibly offer, regardless of who they were. Naturally, it was the case. That price point could only exist if a merchant was prepared to accept an unreasonable loss. Yet, even after presenting such an outrageous estimate— there wasn't even the slightest hint of emotion on Marquis Palatio's face. As if it were the most natural thing in the world, the Marquis confirmed it and proceeded to the subsequent step. And by that composed demeanor, Kun surmised— wasn't presenting this estimate in the first place part of the Marquis's own trial? Marquis Palatio grasped the world's underlying dynamics far more acutely than Kun had anticipated. Clearly enough to understand that even if a merchant like Kun suffered a substantial loss at this moment— as long as a contract with the Marquis was secured, the 'profit' gained would vastly outweigh it.

That the Marquis was not ignorant of this fact explained his calm and unsurprised reaction.

Of course, someone might find reason to question this:

Perhaps Marquis Palatio was simply oblivious.

However, such a notion was utterly preposterous.

In recent years, the Palatio marquisate had ascended to become the most dominant commercial power across all of Asteria.

Could the proprietor of such a vast commercial empire truly be unaware of its affairs?

That was an impossibility.

This understanding was precisely why Kun had declined the Marquis's offer of assistance, stating it was unnecessary.

And when the offer was reiterated, Kun maintained his refusal.

To Kun, this exchange was a trial.

Marquis Palatio possessed an acute awareness of the value placed upon assistance within the merchant community.

Consequently, the Marquis understood that simply agreeing to the contract was a significant form of aid in itself.

Thus, Kun's immediate rejection of further help—

signified his successful passing of the Marquis's test.

As a token of this success, Kun was presented with the statue.

It was a statue depicting Marquis Palatio.

“……”

With a heart thrumming with emotion, Kun gently took hold of the statue.

News had already circulated widely:

The reason Caliban had been spared from the Divine Blood curse was attributed to the Marquis’s statue.

Yet, here Kun was, receiving a statue directly from the Marquis's own hand?

“……Incredible.”

A soft gasp of astonishment escaped his lips.

He could not help but feel that what had seemed like mere fantasy the day before—

might now become a tangible reality.

Therefore.

‘No matter the cost, I will see this through to the end…!’

Filled with a renewed sense of purpose, Kun embraced the statue, letting out a sound of exhilaration.

Meanwhile, Alexion, observing the entire spectacle from a distance—

‘…Why is that person experiencing such intense emotions while gazing at a statue??’

—began to subtly retreat a few steps further from Kun.

####

A full week after concluding the marquisate’s pressing affairs, Alon remained deeply engrossed in preparations for the proclamation ceremony.

As the date of the ceremony drew ever nearer—

“Greetings, Teacher.”

“Yutia. Is your schedule manageable?”

“This is an event profoundly important to you, Teacher. I could not possibly miss it.”

“I appreciate you saying so.”

“It is of no consequence.”

Beginning with Yutia’s arrival, distinguished individuals from various nations commenced their visits to the Palatio marquisate.

Despite the sudden influx of guests, Alon remained composed.

Penia had previously assured him that such a level of attendance was merely a customary formality.

Nevertheless, there were two instances that caused Alon a measure of discomposure. The first occurred when—

“Greetings, Godfather.”

“…Rine?”

‘…You are permitted to appear now?’

‘Not quite. My powers are still restricted outside due to the ongoing interpretation process, but I can move about independently.’

‘Thank you for making the journey.’

‘It is your occasion, Godfather. Naturally, I had to attend. Although, you did promise to visit me first, and then you did not.’

‘……’

‘Of course, I am merely jesting, Godfather. I understand you had pressing matters to attend to.’

‘Is that… so?’

‘Indeed. You mentioned you would come, so I secretly prepared a small gift and watched from atop the wall daily for your arrival, yet…’

‘……My apologies.’

Though Rine followed up her statement with a lighthearted smile, her words carried a palpable sincerity that made Alon feel compelled to offer some form of recompense.

The second instance that unsettled Alon—

was occurring at this very moment.

“……I had not anticipated the two of you would make the journey in person.”

“No, it is only right that we attend. This is your significant event, Marquis.”

“I concur. It is your event—how could I possibly abstain?”

King Palmarian IV and Queen Torimavia of Raksas had graced the occasion with their personal presence.

“Is… that so?”

“Undoubtedly. Have you required any assistance recently? Simply voice your needs.”

“Oh my, I have heard that Caliban is facing numerous difficulties; such matters are best undertaken by those with ample resources. Marquis Palatio, should you require any support, please do not hesitate to inform me. I shall provide all possible assistance within my capabilities.”

“What are you implying? Caliban continues to prosper.”

“Would Raksas not possess more of what the Marquis requires than Caliban?”

Their polite smiles concealed a subtle power struggle, as the two monarchs vied to impress Alon with their offers of aid, causing a dull ache to throb at his temples.

Penia had explicitly stated—

that while dignitaries from other nations typically attended proclamation ceremonies as a matter of protocol, members of royalty rarely appeared in person.

So.

‘Isn’t it unusual for them to attend?’

‘I cannot say for certain. Those two are rather peculiar… ‘

Alon and Penia exchanged a brief, unspoken communication.

Composing himself, Alon then attempted to divert the conversation with the royal couple towards lighter subjects.

Alon remained uncertain of their reasons for attending in person, but ultimately, their presence was not entirely detrimental to his interests.

Fortunately, as the pleasantries continued in a relatively ordinary fashion—

“Mm-hm—”

Queen Torimavia suddenly cleared her throat subtly, then fixed her gaze directly upon Alon and inquired.

“Marquis, may I pose a single question?”

“What is it?”

“You are on the cusp of ascending to a throne; have you given any consideration to marriage?”

“......Marriage?”

“Yes. The role of a spouse is indeed crucial.”

Although Alon was taken aback, he grasped Torimavia’s implication.

For a monarch, marriage was practically a requirement.

Failing to marry could lead to unforeseen complications from subordinates.

However, from Alon’s viewpoint, with his proclamation ceremony looming, it felt premature. Just as Alon was about to offer a measured response—

“If a suitable candidate is lacking, perhaps my daughter would be amenable?”

Torimavia interjected.

“...What did you say?”

Concurrent with Alon’s stunned query, the green badge and red brooch adorning his chest emitted a faint luminescence ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here).

...An aura that felt, if not chilled, then certainly unnerving.