Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 466: Fragment (5)

The Spit-Forth Arm turned to look behind him with a bewildered expression at the Burning Trees’ response.

There, Divine blood had indeed congregated. However...

[Is that what you call correction work?]

[Precisely.]

The issue was the conspicuously peculiar arrangement. Two Divine blood entities were ensconced amidst a vast multitude of other Divine blood. It was an undeniably brutal spectacle at first glance, leaving the Spit-Forth Arm momentarily speechless.

Profound confusion washed over its features. It directed its gaze back towards the Burning Trees, feeling an urge to inquire about numerous things given the unfolding scene. Yet, acknowledging that ignorance can sometimes be bliss, as the Spit-Forth Arm wavered—

the Burned Trees emitted a sigh.

[Haaah— this is truly not easy.]

[...What isn't easy?]

[Lately, even within the collective, there’s been a ceaseless influx of rascals— no, brats who require correction work.]

The Trees shook its head, remarking on the troublesome nature of the situation. Before the Spit-Forth Arm could offer a reply, a cry echoed from behind.

[.......]

It was immediately apparent what method Star Root had employed to gather the Divine blood. The Spit-Forth Arm gazed blankly at the Burned Trees.

For a fleeting moment, it considered if the Burned Trees genuinely failed to grasp the underlying issue. But—

[Ahem—]

—it soon cleared its throat. Although its question had, in truth, already been answered upon meeting the Burned Trees, departing without further ado felt somewhat amiss. No, to be precise, leaving at this point would be technically permissible, but how to phrase it...

[.......]

It felt inappropriate to simply leave. For the time being, maintaining the conversation was the only viable option.

[Speaking of which, do you happen to know of Astarotte?]

[...Astarotte? Ah, those fanatical zealots? I have a general understanding due to the constant influx of newcomers.]

[Newcomers arriving... does that mean...]

[Why do you ask?]

[No, no. It’s nothing consequential.]

The Spit-Forth Arm gave an unprompted, awkward little cough. Then, the Burned Trees continued.

[Now that I recall, I heard things have become quite tumultuous recently concerning Astarotte. Is it related to the "fragments"?]

[Precisely. I am uncertain of the reasons that led a high-ranking Divine blood to undertake such actions, but regardless, the circumstances are dire.]

[How so?]

[So you genuinely are unaware of the specifics.]

The Spit-Forth Arm proceeded to briefly elucidate the current predicament to the Burned Trees.

[I see. So that is what transpired.]

[Nevertheless, I presume no requests for aid have reached this quarter yet? I heard other Divine blood entities have been active recently, consolidating their forces.]

In response, the Burned Trees shook its head.

[Even if they extended an invitation for assistance, I doubt we would be inclined to act.]

[Is that so?]

[To begin with, if that particular entity does not make a move, there is no possibility of us stepping forward independently.]

Upon hearing this response, the Spit-Forth Arm experienced a flicker of bewilderment, quickly realizing that the "that particular entity" the Trees referred to was the Star Eater. Simultaneously, a previously heard rumor resurfaced in its memory.

[However, I heard the Star Eater is indeed on the move.]

[...What?]

[I heard that he has already pledged to join the subjugation force.]

The Burned Trees’ eyes widened considerably.

[...Is that truly the case?]

[That is what has been conveyed to me.]

[...Then this implies the Star Eater will be participating in the subjugation force as a Divine blood entity.]

To the Trees' subsequent inquiry, the Spit-Forth Arm drew out its response.

[Uh....]

Primarily, all it had gathered was a rumor that the Star Eater would be joining this subjugation force. Yet, hearing the Trees articulate it in such a manner, it did appear to hold considerable plausibility.

[I am not privy to the finer details either, but... well, I suppose it can be assumed so.]

The Spit-Forth Arm offered a faint nod. A sudden spark ignited in the Trees’ eyes.

[I see— is that how it is.]

Finally, as if the opportune moment had arrived, it presented a smile imbued with significant meaning.

[Then, at long last—]

It rose from its seated position.

As though it had been anticipating this very day for an extended period.

[The time has come to properly dedicate ourselves to that one.]

The Trees’ resolute declaration resonated powerfully through the surroundings.

####

The day immediately following their arrival in Colony, Alon and his companions commenced their journey towards the Empire without delay. While rest was certainly needed, time was of the essence. Unbeknownst to them, a full week had already elapsed since they began their trek across the desert.

"Hoo—"

Deep in the night, after all others had succumbed to sleep. Out in the desert, which had grown piercingly cold in stark contrast to the daytime, Alon ceased his practice session.

"Hm— I believe it has advanced considerably now. The level of completion is quite high."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

Upon Penia’s assessment, Alon exhaled softly. Observing his reaction, Penia became thoughtful before carefully articulating her next words.

"However, Alon."

"What is it?"

"Why are you suddenly practicing that magic?"

"This magic?"

"Yes. To be honest, it isn’t really magic you need to be practicing right now. And it’s a little dangerous too."

In response to Penia’s inquiry, Alon paused for a moment before replying.

"As a precaution."

"...As a precaution?"

"Yes. As a precaution."

A mixture of concern and curiosity flickered across Penia’s face.

Her gaze lingered on Alon, but she eventually ceased her questioning.

She instinctively understood.

Further probing would yield no answers from Alon.

Thus, Penia opted to shift the conversation.

"Come to think of it, what are you going to do about that?"

"What do you mean?"

"The Sin. You said you were going to tell Seollang too, didn’t you?"

Alon gave a slow nod.

As she had mentioned, his intention was indeed to inform Seollang about the Sin.

More specifically, to educate her on the proper method of handling a Sin.

"I did."

"Are you going to tell her tomorrow?"

"Yes. I should hand over the vessel too."

"Then should I prepare separately for it as well?"

This time, Alon shook his head.

"No, let’s put that off for a bit."

"Hm— alright."

"...?"

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"...Aren’t you going to ask why I’m putting off the preparations?"

"Ah, that?"

He had fully anticipated Penia questioning his decision to postpone the preparations.

However, witnessing her unexpected reaction, Alon inquired further, prompting Penia to ponder.

"Hm... because you said so, Alon. I figured there must be a reason."

"...Is that so?"

"Yes. And besides, you’ve been continuing to keep an eye on Seollang, haven’t you?"

She then added,

"...Honestly, I don’t know what it is about Seollang that keeps drawing your attention. To me, other than the fact that she’s gotten much stronger, she doesn’t seem any different from before."

"......"

"But even so, if you’re concerned about it, then there must be something there."

Because I trust you, Alon. Evan probably feels the same way too, she concluded, then suddenly appeared flustered.

Observing this, Alon remained blank for a moment before running a hand over his face.

The realization that someone placed such unwavering trust in him was unexpectedly unsettling.

After quietly regaining his composure for a brief period, Alon—

"Thank you."

—expressed his gratitude in those few words.

"It’s nothing."

Penia offered a smile.

And so, the following day arrived.

As the landscape shifted from barren desert to patches of green grassland and forest in the far distance—

"Seollang."

"Hm? What is it, Master?"

"Take this."

Alon presented the vessel to her.

"This is...?"

"It’s a vessel of Sin."

"...A vessel of Sin?"

"That’s right."

Alon nodded and briefly recounted the information he had received from Rine to Seollang.

"Ah— so if I can use the Sins properly, I can become even stronger than I am now, Master?"

"That’s right. Of course, with a Sin that has already been dealt with—"

As he started to add this, Alon faltered.

It suddenly dawned on him that the Sin of Pride had never actually been extinguished.

'...What are you supposed to do in a case like this?'

While Alon was lost in thought—

"Hm— so the point is, I just need to let the Sin dwell in this vessel, right, Master?"

"That’s true for now, but...."

Seollang inquired.

Alon returned to the present moment after a slight delay and nodded.

Seollang seemed to consider something upon hearing this, then—

"I’ll try it!"

—she exclaimed loudly almost immediately.

"...?"

Alon couldn’t help but display his bewilderment.

He had been able to assist previously because Rine had explained how to summon a Sin using an extinguished one as a medium.

However, to contain an unextinguished Sin, they would first need to locate its current whereabouts. Alon was about to voice this very point—

"...Huh?"

"...?"

—but his words were cut short.

The pale vessel, which had appeared utterly devoid of color moments before, had begun to gradually fill with hues.

And then.

Once the color had completely saturated it—

[Just how long were you planning to keep me locked up!?]

Alon witnessed it.

The black dragon that erupted from the gauntlet, now entirely black.

"...?"

"...?"

Question marks materialized above the heads of both Alon and Penia, who stood beside him.

####

Around the time Alon was staring blankly, utterly perplexed by the sudden appearance of the Sin of Pride—

a peculiar rumor began to circulate throughout the Central Mage Tower.

It pertained to Heinkel.

Naturally, it was expected that all manner of rumors would surface about her.

For starters, she was an idol among idols, adored and admired by every mage to an immeasurable degree.

The words spoken upon her manifestation in human form were profoundly astonishing to the mages in numerous ways.

She had effectively defined a miracle so vivid that it became etched into the minds of mages who professed disbelief in miracles.

A deceased individual returning to life—and not just any person, but the very idol of the mages—was more than sufficient cause for widespread gossip among them, however...

The current whisper circulating throughout the Mage Tower was one of a more delicate nature.

It concerned Heinkel’s corporeal form.

The mages no longer harbored any doubts regarding Alon’s divine status.

What he had demonstrated was, without question, a miracle beyond the reach of any magic.

And yet, despite this, the sole reason the mages’ attention fixated upon Heinkel’s body was singular.

Because her physical appearance bore an uncanny resemblance to someone else.

...To be more precise, it resembled Penia Crysinne, the esteemed vice tower master of the Blue Tower.

Perhaps stemming from this resemblance, a rumor recently began to permeate the Mage Tower, suggesting that Penia and Alon’s connection transcended mere significance—that they had already pledged a future together.

This was a profound misunderstanding on the part of the mages.

It could be nothing but a misunderstanding.

The reason for this was that Heinkel’s body was one she had long kept concealed within the Library for her own strategic aims, and on this occasion, she had merely retrieved and utilized that vessel.

Contrary to the actual circumstances, two primary factors allowed this preposterous misconception to flourish among the mages.

The first was the careful revision of historical records that Heinkel herself had meticulously executed over time.

Originally, her appearance had been remarkably youthful for her age, a fact she deeply resented, leading her to perpetually dislike her own looks.

Consequently, as if attempting to conceal this deep-seated inferiority complex, she deliberately portrayed herself as female in every piece of information concerning her, even extending to the fairy tales in which she was featured.

She had even gone to the extent of perpetuating the notion that she had become younger due to her spiritual nature, while simultaneously existing in that corporeal form.

And the second contributing factor was Heinkel’s own declaration.

She had stated that the Magic King had bestowed life upon her.

This implied that Alon had granted Heinkel a new existence and a new body, meaning he was the architect and designer of that physical form.

And given that the body he had crafted looked strikingly similar to Penia during her youth—

"...No matter how I examine it, this is undeniably true, isn't it...?"

"Observe. Even the color of her hair and eyes mirrors hers."

"...No, but if one consults the records pertaining to Lady Heinkel, I believe her original hair and eye color were also depicted as blue."

"However, if you were to visualize her appearance, there's no way that image aligns with how she looked as a child, right?"

"That is certainly the case."

"Then it would seem the rumor holds weight after all."

This particular rumor spread through the Mage Tower like wildfire, never once reaching Heinkel’s awareness as she remained wholly engrossed in the recuperation of her magical power subsequent to her recent corporeal reintegration.

And then—

"...Haaah.... I truly wished it wasn't so...."

Contemplating, fervently hoping, that perhaps the rumor he had encountered was, even by a small margin—just a sliver—an exaggeration,

Hidan, who had infiltrated the premises disguised as a mage from the Brown Mage Tower to ascertain the truth,

"...The vice tower master of the Blue Tower is slated for replacement."

recalled the impending regular meeting of the Blue Moon, now only a few scant months away, and his expression contorted into one reminiscent of a disheartened amphibian....

...It was a crisp autumn day.