Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 7
Previously on Became the Patron of Villains...
Alon had anticipated that issues like these would eventually surface.
Within the game’s narrative, the Palatio family served as nothing more than a minor hurdle for the protagonist’s advancement. However, in the actual Kingdom of Asteria, the prestige associated with that name was quite substantial.
Naturally, this prominence didn't equate to being well-respected. Despite maintaining a reputable status for nearly three generations, the current generation of the Count Palatio family was infamous for being the most troublesome noble house in the eastern territories.
To put it more bluntly, they were the kind of nobility that became an absolute nightmare to deal with if they were ever slighted.
Yet, there was one detail Alon had failed to grasp, even while being aware of their reputation…
“The flavor of this wine is quite remarkable.”
“Huh? Oh… um, excuse me…?”
“I am a fan of fine wines, and the bouquet of this one is very distinct. I would love to bring a few bottles back with me.”
“I will speak with my father and ensure some are delivered to you…!”
“I beg your pardon…?”
…It was the fact that the Palatio family’s talent for causing trouble went far beyond anything he had imagined.
Alon stared with a blank expression at the young noblewoman, who recoiled like a terrified mouse, bowed her head in a panic, and scurried away.
“Did you see that? He’s using threats against Lady Malantino just to seize their estate's specialty wine—”
“Is… is that really what happened?”
“Just listen to his tone! It’s exactly how the eldest Palatio son used to make his demands…! And that wine is a rare, limited edition…!”
As Alon tried to pinpoint exactly where things had gone wrong, the hushed whispers reached his ears, leaving him with a bitter look on his face.
Feeling dejected, Alon turned his eyes toward the spot where the young ladies had been gossiping. The moment they noticed his gaze, they bowed their heads sharply and vanished into the crowd.
The situation was entirely beyond Alon's comprehension.
He had assumed there would be some negative rumors about his house, and he understood why other nobles might keep their distance. However, he never expected the reaction to be this severe.
More specifically, he hadn't realized just how loathed the Palatio name was among the high society.
…He had not foreseen that he would be treated like a monster simply because of a misunderstanding regarding him taking down the family’s notorious troublemakers.
Just as Alon released a quiet sigh,
“Greetings.”
He turned toward the voice and found a girl in a black dress offering him an enchanting smile.
Even among all the beauties at the ball, her appearance was exceptionally striking.
Alon returned the greeting with a polite smile.
“Greetings, Lady Zenonia.”
“Oh? You are familiar with me?”
“But of course.”
From Alon’s perspective, not knowing her was impossible.
It was only natural, considering the girl before him was the eldest daughter of the Zenonia family. Much like the Palatios, they were famous for their notoriety, though their influence reigned over the western region.
In six years, she would no longer be just a daughter; she would be the Countess Zenonia. Furthermore, she was destined to be one of the three primary villains the protagonist would have to face within the Kingdom of Asteria.
“After all, you are quite famous.”
“Famous, am I?”
“Indeed.”
Simply put, she was someone he wanted to avoid at all costs. Noticing a brief, subtle spark of emotion in Lady Zenonia’s eyes, Alon added quickly:
“Because your beauty is so renowned.”
The world of the nobility was fundamentally convoluted.
Within Asteria, various factions existed, primarily split between the Royalists and the Aristocrats, both locked in a fierce political struggle.
These weren't just empty debates. Because tangible power and wealth were on the line, politics were the lifeblood of the nobility.
Of course, Alon hadn't attended this ball to play political games.
Even if his efforts were somewhat clumsy, Alon’s ultimate goal remained a life of tranquility. He knew all too well that "peace" and "politics" were mutually exclusive.
Nevertheless, he had intended to engage in some socialization, knowing that even the smallest connections could prove useful in aristocratic circles.
Alon studied Lady Zenonia.
The Zenonia family was considered the western equivalent of the Palatio troublemakers. However, unlike the Palatios, who operated recklessly without regard for politics, the Zenonias were masters at manipulating political tides for their own gain.
In essence, they were far more calculating—behaving more like a sophisticated criminal syndicate.
“I appreciate the compliment.”
“It is merely the truth.”
One might assume that befriending Lady Zenonia would be beneficial if Alon stayed out of politics, but that line of thinking was dangerous.
People usually flock to those of their own kind.
Politicians seek out other politicians, and criminals associate with other criminals.
So, what would happen if Alon formed a bond with Lady Zenonia now?
If he intended to follow the path of the late Palatio thugs and engage in illicit activities, it might be a useful alliance. But if he didn't, it would be a catastrophic error.
In the worst scenario, he might end up as nothing more than a chess piece in her hand.
Despite the rumors suggesting he led a group containing a Swordmaster, the reality was that Alon was just a typical noble with no real assets to his name.
“I would enjoy further conversation. What do you say?”
“I would be honored, but I’m afraid I must take my leave for the evening.”
“Is that so?”
Lady Zenonia’s eyes narrowed for a moment, radiating the aura of a predator.
It was a gaze that was impossible to read.
However, for just a fleeting second—
“…!”
The young lady’s eyes widened as if she had been struck by a sudden realization. Then, she nodded understandingly, a smile returning to her lips.
“It seems the rumors were true.”
“Pardon me?”
“It is nothing. I look forward to our next encounter.”
With those final words, she walked past him.
“…?”
Alon turned back, watching Lady Zenonia with a confused expression.
***
Specialty wine from Malantino. Tangerine tea from Penia. Fine metalwork from Vilanda. A top-tier steed from Paldeon.
These were the items Alon had managed to secure instead of making friends. After deciding to at least try to meet people since he was already there, these were his only results.
Looking at the list of goods he had acquired in place of social connections, Alon could only let out a frustrated laugh.
Thinking back on the wine knowledge he had studied specifically to aid his socializing, Alon clicked his tongue. He then turned to carry out his original plan.
“One moment, please.”
“Hm?”
Yet another voice called out to him.
“Hello.”
Turning around, Alon found a woman dressed in a magnificent red gown, decorated with an array of jewels.
It was clear she had spent a great deal of effort on her appearance, attending to every small detail. Yet, despite her ornate look, her face remained entirely stoic.
“Yes, hello.”
Facing her, Alon offered a greeting while noting how her rigid expression clashed with her vibrant attire. She immediately posed a question.
“If you can spare a moment, could we speak?”
Alon looked at her with a hint of surprise.
Up until now, only one other person had proactively approached him at this event.
For a second, he scanned his mental list of villains from the Kingdom of Asteria before nodding.
“Certainly.”
Regardless of her motives, she wasn't on his list of future villains, and more importantly, she was the one who had initiated the contact.
The two moved to the terrace for a quiet conversation.
Shortly after—
“May I ask for your name, my lady?”
“Please excuse my late introduction. I am Roria, the third daughter of the Duke of Altia.”
“Ah… the Altia family.”
“Yes.”
Internally, Alon suppressed a heavy sigh.
The Altia family was notorious throughout the northern regions of Asteria.
And just like Lady Zenonia, the family was tied to one of the three great villains—the Duke of Altia himself.
Alon realized just how much he had learned about his precarious situation from attending just this one ball.
He studied Roria’s face.
Her elaborate jewelry only served to highlight her already remarkable beauty.
In the world of Psychedelia, every member of the Altia household was a villain.
This meant that if she truly belonged to that family, Alon—who had completed the game many times—should have recognized her name, even if he didn't recognize her face.
Because of this discrepancy, Alon decided to be direct.
“…May I speak plainly?”
“What is it?”
“Please, I need your help.”
“…My help?”
“I am going to be assassinated.”
At those words, a realization struck Alon.
…In the game's story, he had only ever seen four members of the Altia family: the Duke, his two older daughters, and a younger son. If Roria was the third daughter…
It meant that Roria was already dead by the time the game's main events began six years in the future.
“My sisters… no, they… they will attempt to kill me very soon.”
As Alon processed the truth, Roria’s story unfolded:
She was the daughter of the Duke’s sole concubine, a woman he had loved far more than his legitimate wife. Roria had survived this long only because of the Duke's protection. However, the Duke of Altia was now terminally ill and could pass away at any moment.
The second the Duke breathed his last, Roria’s life would be forfeit.
“Then, why seek help from me?”
“With the power you possess, it should be possible to save me.”
For the first time, her stoic mask cracked, revealing deep-seated anxiety.
“I must refuse.”
Despite seeing her desperation, Alon had no choice but to turn her down.
“I am not asking for a favor without compensation. If you assist me, I will give you half of the Altia family’s—”
“I’m afraid I cannot accept.”
Roria spoke with increasing urgency.
Yet, Alon’s stance did not waver.
It wasn't that he lacked compassion for her situation.
If he actually held the power she believed he had, her offer would have been worth considering, even if he didn't agree immediately.
The problem was that Alon possessed no such power.
The rumors surrounding him were almost entirely fabrications.
He didn't have a secret assassin who killed Leo Palatio, nor did he have the prowess of a Swordmaster that defeated Avalon.
Therefore—
“I will be leaving now.”
As Alon turned to walk away, he caught the look of utter despair in Roria’s silent eyes.
But seeing that despair didn't grant him any magical strength.
He was struggling enough just to secure his own future.
Still, as he stepped back toward the ballroom, he clicked his tongue and glanced back at her one last time.
“Good things will come your way.”
It was a hollow blessing, spoken more to ease his own heavy heart.
Roria didn't respond.
Alon didn't expect her to as he walked away.
“I hope we meet again.”
It was only the lingering traces of his modern morals that made his chest feel tight, so he whispered the words while staring up at the crescent moon-shaped chandelier, trying to offer a shred of comfort.
And then—
“We should probably report this development to the Red Moon.”
On the roof of the ballroom, near where the chandelier was anchored, an observer tasked with tracking Alon and suppressing any information regarding the Avalon incident spoke to his companion.
“No need. She isn't one of our targets. Even if we stay out of it, Ladan will take care of her.”
“Understood. So she is the only one of Altia’s offspring that isn't a ‘target’ for Ladan.”
“Precisely. Regardless, we have other things to focus on.”
As the green-eyed observer turned his attention elsewhere, Deus also looked in a different direction.
There, he spotted a figure in black stealthily following Alon.
“…A tail?”
Deus began to inconspicuously gather his mana to eliminate the intruder, but then he paused.
He remembered Yutia’s command not to act without explicit orders.
Thus—
“We will just observe for now.”
Deus and Rine remained still, silently watching the black-clad figure that was stalking Alon.