Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 465: Fragment (4)

"No... I mean, truly, you aren’t?"

"...Did I not already deny it multiple times?"

"Really?"

"For starters, I’ve never even exchanged a single word with any Divine blood from Star Root."

"..."

The Sculptor became quite flustered by Alon's declaration.

It was due to the Star Eater's recent statement.

'...The Star Eater isn't the master of Star Root?'

Certainly, the Sculptor couldn't completely trust the words of the Star Eater standing before it.

The Star Eater was indeed famous.

However, fame did not equate to familiarity; the Sculptor didn't truly know the Star Eater well.

Currently, the Star Eater's notoriety stemmed from the fact that the four most prominent Divine blood individuals, on the brink of ascending to godhood, had all mentioned the Star Eater in some capacity. Aside from this, the Star Eater remained an enigma.

Therefore, the Sculptor found it difficult to either readily believe or easily dismiss the Star Eater’s claims without knowing its true nature.

Yet, despite this uncertainty, two potent reasons compelled the Sculptor’s mind to repeatedly ask: *Does he genuinely not know?*

The first reason was the complete lack of any discernible motive for the Star Eater to deceive the Sculptor with such a statement.

Essentially, if there was no conceivable benefit to gain from a falsehood, especially one that would undoubtedly be revealed soon, why would it bother uttering it?

And most importantly, the second reason—

'...He really... doesn't seem like it...'

—was founded upon the actual words that had been spoken.

Even if the Star Eater wished to conceal its leadership of the Star Eater group, was there any logical necessity for it to refer to its own organization as a "trash group" or "sinister bastards"?

For a time, the Sculptor remained with its thoughts in disarray, a multitude of questions swirling in its mind.

'...I'll set this aside for now.'

It came to a decision to cease pondering the matter.

...While a couple of things made that difficult, the fundamental reason for the Sculptor's meeting with the Star Eater was not related to this issue.

Thus—

"...Very well. I will accept that for the moment."

Temporarily concluding that particular thread of conversation, the Sculptor swiftly moved to the core of the matter.

"I will be blunt. I require your participation in the subjugation of Astarotte."

"If you are referring to Astarotte, then those Divine blood in the black armor..."

"Precisely. Those exact individuals."

Upon hearing the Sculptor’s words, Alon paused for a moment before making a request.

"I will need further clarification."

"Regarding what aspect?"

"The entirety of it."

At this, the Sculptor appeared to contemplate.

"...It seems you still lack comprehensive information."

"?"

"Your lack of information is not an issue. That, in itself, is precisely why I have come to provide an explanation."

Then, fixing its gaze on Alon, it inquired,

"First— you are aware of fragments, are you not?"

"I am."

"And you understand the effects these fragments possess?"

"I am aware of that as well."

"Then this explanation will be more straightforward."

The Sculptor proceeded.

"As you are likely aware, fragments originating from high-ranking Divine blood have been dispersed. The precise reasons or the method by which this occurred remain unknown to me, but the crucial point is that these fragments represent the genesis of the current predicament."

"I have heard that numerous conflicts erupted among the Divine blood due to these fragments."

"...If the situation were confined to that extent, I would not be undertaking this endeavor. Conflicts among Divine blood are a natural occurrence, after all. The real issue lies with Astarotte's leader—the Descender."

"...Leader?"

In response to Alon's query, the Sculptor nodded in confirmation.

"To be candid, Astarotte itself posed a moderate threat. Even with their dangerous ideology, they were ultimately only first-tier entities. While they certainly possessed initial momentum, that was the extent of it. They were essentially a group of commoners."

"However, once the fragments were scattered, the circumstances must have shifted."

"Precisely. Not merely a shift—the situation escalated significantly. More accurately, it became perilous from the moment Astarotte's leader assimilated a fragment and advanced to the subsequent tier."

"...Did its power increase?"

"Naturally, its power augmented. The critical concern, however, is its capacity for further escalation from that point."

The Sculptor took a moment to regulate its breathing before turning its attention back to Alon.

"How much knowledge do you possess regarding fragments?"

"All I comprehend is that if an individual of the first tier absorbs a fragment, they can ascend to the second tier."

"That understanding is not incorrect. However, allow me to impart a crucial piece of information you are currently unaware of: fragments are not entities that can be absorbed at will."

"What is the implication of that statement?"

"To put it simply, a temporal process is involved. Regardless of the quantity of fragments one holds, simultaneous assimilation of all is impossible. The core of the problem is—"

"...It appears Astarotte's leader, the Descender, possesses the ability to absorb fragments limitlessly and without constraint."

The Sculptor appeared quite taken aback by Alon’s astute observation.

"You were aware of this already?"

"Not precisely. However, I surmised this conversation could only lead to such a conclusion."

"...Indeed. Precisely as you surmised, that fiend gained the ability to absorb fragments the very moment it advanced to the next stage. And its capacity for absorption is limitless."

Hearing the Sculptor’s account, Alon began to comprehend the overarching situation.

"In other words, if the Descender continues to absorb these fragments unchecked, the predicament will only escalate."

"The situation is already dire. Should that wretch absorb more fragments in its current state, it will become utterly unstoppable."

"...Which explains why the Divine blood are forging an alliance to confront Astarotte?"

"Precisely. Should it mature further, that monster might truly achieve victory. That is why I sought you out."

"..."

"...Although, I must admit, this is somewhat unexpected. Even without a formal pact, your renown as the Star Eater alone makes you incredibly valuable."

The Sculptor murmured that one must have a reason for their fame.

Following a brief pause, Alon inquired,

"...Is there any chance we might be betrayed in this endeavor?"

"Rest assured, there is no need for concern. If we all unite, we shall enact a Divine blood oath. Betrayal will be impossible."

They, more than anyone, understood the sheer folly of treachery in their current circumstances.

"Where must I go?"

After a moment of contemplation, Alon reached his decision.

"You have made the correct choice."

A broad grin spread across the Sculptor’s face.

Having concluded his meeting with the Sculptor, Alon re-entered the carriage.

"They bear a slight resemblance to humans."

At Penia’s observation, Alon turned his gaze.

"Are you referring to the Divine blood?"

"Yes."

"In what regard do they seem similar?"

"...In their tendency to conspire against and bring down an individual, no matter the cost? Ah, not that I find fault with it. It’s simply... I don't know, it suddenly struck me that they truly are human after all."

Alon stroked his chin thoughtfully.

He too had experienced a similar sense of unease.

The Divine blood were undoubtedly powerful.

They scarcely regarded humans as living beings.

This was a consistent trait, regardless of whether the Divine blood in question was amiable or hostile towards Alon.

Yet, despite this, the Divine blood clearly exhibited traits reminiscent of humanity.

"Could it be simply because, in the end, they all originated from human stock?"

To this, Evan offered his own perspective.

"What do you mean?"

"Did you not mention it yourself earlier, Alon? That the Divine blood were all beings who had once been human."

"If I were unaware of that fact, do you believe I would have voiced such an opinion?"

"That’s not why you said it?"

As Evan tilted his head in confusion towards Penia, she let out a sigh.

"...Perhaps your deductive skills are rather lacking due to your mercenary background."

"Ah, there you go again, acting intellectually superior simply because you are a mage. And I was never a mercenary—I was born into nobility, you know?!"

"I doubt anyone would find that assertion credible."

"I swear, it is the truth."

"...You were actually a noble?"

"Even you as well, Alon?! That’s simply too much!"

Evan exclaimed, sounding genuinely aggrieved.

However, Alon’s question was not intended to mock him; it stemmed from genuine surprise.

For in Psychedelia, Evan had consistently appeared only as a mercenary. There had never been the slightest indication that he was once a disgraced noble.

Thus, even Alon possessed no knowledge whatsoever regarding Evan’s origins.

"...I wasn't attempting to make light of you. I was merely taken aback."

"It’s the absolute truth, you know? I belonged to a rather prominent noble lineage. It’s just that, before I even reached the age of ten, my entire household..."

Evan trailed off, then scratched his head.

"Regardless—! The crucial point is that it was a noble house!"

"Hm— then is the name Evan also a fabrication?"

In response to Penia’s query, Evan clicked his tongue.

"At this juncture, this name is the genuine one. I adopted it the moment I began to earn my livelihood with a blade."

"Hm..."

With that, Penia briefly regarded him before falling silent.

Alon, too, refrained from pursuing the subject further.

Penia had likely inquired with a hint of playful teasing, but Evan’s reply made it abundantly clear to infer his past.

The fact that he would not even divulge the name of his ancestral house, and that he had completely abandoned his surname—

this was tantamount to admitting that his noble family had met an exceptionally grim fate.

"Ahem—"

Perhaps sensing he had unnecessarily brought up a painful topic, Evan awkwardly ran a hand through his hair.

Observing him for a moment, Alon then redirected his attention towards Seollang.

Still nestled closely by his side, Seollang gazed out the window, her tail giving a gentle swish.

Recalling this, the Sculptor’s earlier remark resurfaced in his mind.

'That must be quite a distraction.'

'What did the Sculptor mean by that?' Seollang pondered, recalling the sculptor's words right after being told by Alon where the Divine blood would congregate in three months' time.

"..."

The meaning behind those enigmatic words lingered in Seollang's mind.

Without further explanation, the Sculptor had simply vanished after uttering those cryptic remarks.

Seollang, too, had been left in a state of bewilderment.

"Ah, Alon."

Penia's call drew Alon's attention back.

"Yes? What is it?"

"Will you be departing immediately?"

"Hm..."

Alon's nod confirmed her inquiry.

If the Sculptor's three-month deadline was accurate, Alon's time was perilously short.

"I will spend a few days making preparations before leaving without delay."

"Master! I’m coming with you!"

As Alon spoke, Seollang turned sharply, his voice ringing out.

"...You too?"

"Yes!"

"...Will that be acceptable?"

"It will be fine! Now that the bandits have been dealt with, everything will be alright!"

Seollang replied with a confident smile.

Observing the tell-tale wag of her tail, Alon finally—

"Very well."

—gave his consent.

The reason the Spit-Forth Arm had sought out the Burning Trees was ultimately due to a recently circulating rumor.

Whispers suggested the faction known as Star Cluster was experiencing an explosive growth.

As far as the Spit-Forth Arm understood, Divine blood factions were not typically capable of such rapid expansion, with the exception of long-established powers and a rare few anomalies.

This was the established order of things.

The majority of Divine blood was already firmly entrenched within established factions.

Certainly, first-tier Divine blood exhibited more mobility between factions compared to those of higher stages, but this movement still occurred within the established framework; Divine blood did not detach itself from the factional system entirely.

Yet, Star Cluster was growing unboundedly, with its Divine blood members defying the long-held conventions.

Furthermore, the Spit-Forth Arm had gleaned some understanding of the Burning Trees' reasons for forming their faction, leading it to believe it would likely face no animosity. Driven by curiosity, it had journeyed to find Star Root.

And thus, it had come to meet them.

[It has been some time.]

[Indeed. Some time has passed, but...]

It had managed to meet them...

[...What is that?]

[Ah, there is no need to concern yourself with them.]

The Spit-Forth Arm's gaze shifted past the Burning Trees.

There, two individuals, identified as Divine blood, were present.

More accurately described—

[S-stop—Kyaaagh!]

[W-we promise we won't come again! We won't target the Star Eater anymore! Ack.!]

—these Divine blood individuals were being subdued by others.

[They are currently undergoing correction.]

[...Correction?]

[Yes.]

At the Burning Trees' explanation, the sole pupil of the Spit-Forth Arm constricted infinitesimally.