I Became the Patron of Villains

103. Malacca Ruins (3)

The reason why wizards couldn’t use magic within the ruins of Malacca was because of the dispersion of magic power.

Extracting and arranging the magic power within the body is the basis of magic manifestation.

However, in this space, the moment the magic power was extracted, it dispersed into the air, making arrangement impossible.

This meant that even Teon, who created this situation, was magically neutralized.

But there was one reason why Alon was an exception.

‘The phrase of fixation holds the magic power arrangement.’

It was because he could use the phrase that enforced the laws of magic in any situation.

‘……If it weren’t for the hint on the wall, I might have become bug food while trying to find a way. Well, the current situation isn’t exactly safe either.’

However, it wasn’t entirely leisurely.

Even if he could use magic, the situation where the magic power itself was forcibly dispersed was extremely disadvantageous for Alon – no, for any wizard.

‘No matter how much magic power I pour in, it takes time to arrange it, so the efficiency of the magic is low. Moreover, the armor and bracelet are unusable. In other words, the maximum number of spells I can use is three.’

Alon calmly assessed the current situation and looked around.

Mutant species, as large as humans, took the form of mosquitoes and flew through the air, emitting the threatening frequencies characteristic of insects.

Not just the air.

On the moss-covered stones.

On the walls of the ruins.

On the ground.

Behind them.

The entire ruin was covered with grotesquely shaped insects to a horrifying degree.

“This is impossible-!”

While Alon was checking the surroundings, Theon’s horrified voice came from the front.

“Surely, it’s normal not to be able to use magic…!?”

Theon, his mouth agape in shock.

Despite Theon’s agitated reaction, Alon still focused all his nerves on calmly assessing the current situation.

‘We must deal with this in one go.’

Countless area spells that could solve this situation flashed through Alon’s mind.

There were many area spells he could use, but unfortunately, he couldn’t use them now.

If he used an area spell here, Evan and the wizards would likely—no, inevitably—get caught up in it.

But even so, it was impossible to fend off the insects one by one with single strikes, as he lacked the number of spells needed, so Alon pondered.

‘…Wait, if the magic disperses…?’

Suddenly, an idea came to him.

“Disperse.”

He spoke.

The feeble magic that had gathered until just a moment ago suddenly vanished.

The magic, disintegrated into tiny particles, scattered in all directions in an instant.

The sighs of the wizards, who had held onto a sliver of hope, lingered around their lips.

“Y-yes, of course, that’s how it is-!”

Theon, too, regained his confidence and swung his dark staff.

The moment the insects, which had been swimming through the air, turned threatening.

Alon thought calmly behind his expressionless face.

‘As expected, even if it disperses, the magic doesn’t disappear.’

He looked around.

Despite the grotesque insect lunging at him, aiming for his life, he did not despair.

Because he could see it right in front of his eyes.

The dispersed magic he had broken down, naturally scattered due to the characteristics of this room.

Moreover, the moment he realized that the control of the magic spread throughout the room was working as he intended, since he hadn’t yet released the seal.

“Hoo-“

Alon let out a light sigh, maintaining the seal with his left hand, and this time, he formed the Earth Seal with his right hand.

“Cheonggwang (淸光).”

Pazzz-!

Once again, on Alon’s hand, a sphere of lightning emitting a brilliant light, distinctly different from before, was created.

“Acceleration (加速).”

With that, the lightning devoured the surrounding air, presenting a splendid blue light around.

And the moment the spiky mouths and feet of the mutants were about to touch Alon’s body.

“Designation (指定).”

The flash was fired.

Kwa-ga-ga-ga-ga-gak-!

The sphere of lightning Alon had created began to mercilessly pierce through the flying insects.

The heads of the insects soaring into the sky and falling from above.

The bodies of the insects that moved sideways, trying to crush his hand.

The bodies of the insects that curved, revealing their beaks towards his heart.

Drawing a blue trajectory, as if guided, piercing only the insects.

In just a short amount of time, the flash that swept away all the insects.

Kwa-jik-!

Finally, it disappeared after piercing the heart of Theon, who was hastily trying to swing his staff again.

““……””

Soon, the rain of mutants began to fall on the ground of the ruins.

Limbs fluttering.

Greenish liquid falling on the heads of the wizards.

Yet, no one avoided the corpses of the insects.

Even Liyan, who was drenched in the green liquid, did not think of wiping it off, but only stared at one place.

The place where Marquis Palatio was.

“Ah…”

A low sigh escaped from Riyan’s lips.

Even she herself couldn’t discern what emotions were mixed in that low, drawn-out sigh.

And then, standing at the center of all eyes, was Alon.

‘Ah, ah… I’m going to die…’

Having invested a bit too much magic, he felt the symptoms of magic depletion after just two spells, and behind his expressionless face, he was on the verge of tears.

####

Immediately after.

Having hastily gulped down a potion to perform emergency treatment, Alon realized that his magic had normalized from the moment Theon died.

“…Marquis.”

“Why?”

“What on earth was that? I’ve seen similar things during practice, but never that kind of magic.”

“You probably won’t see it again.”

‘Because I won’t use it anymore.’

Alon clutched his dizzy head and made a resolution.

The magic he had just used was a combination of two phrase spells.

First, he deliberately dispersed his magic throughout the room, utilizing its characteristic of scattering magic.

Among the scattered magic, he specifically arranged the magic attached to the insects and Theon in a controllable manner.

Then, on the other side, he crafted a phrase to induce magic into the specific magic arrangement he had designated.

Thus, the magic from a moment ago was completed.

However, as he had just mentioned, he would probably never use this magic again.

This method was only possible when the magic was scattered everywhere, and controlling it in this way was far too inefficient.

As proof, his headache still hadn’t subsided.

“…Really? It was impressive.”

“Magic isn’t used to impress.”

“Well, I mean… that’s just a saying.”

How long had he been talking with Evan?

“Marquis, I’m sorry. And thank you so much.”

Alon soon received Riyan’s gratitude.

“There’s no need to bow your head like that.”

“That can’t be. If it weren’t for you, Marquis, I would already be dead. Truly, truly, thank you.”

Alon reassured her once more as she bowed at a 90-degree angle.

“So, about that, could-“

Just as Rian lifted her head to say something.

RUMBLE-!

Suddenly, the ruins began to tremble.

The wizards, who had been retrieving tools to escape the ruins, tensed up again.

But contrary to their expectations.

“Stairs…?”

As soon as the massive tremor subsided, what appeared was a staircase that had formed in the central arena where there had been nothing before.

The stairs led underground.

All the wizards realized it at once.

It was the place Teon had mentioned earlier.

But only for a moment.

“Please, Marquis, take this item.”

“…Is that alright?”

“Of course. Everyone else has agreed.”

As Alon turned his gaze to her ensuing words, there were wizards bowing their heads.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen wizards bowing collectively.”

Evan whispered as he watched.

“…Then I won’t refuse.”

Alon, who received the item, walked down the stairs without hesitation.

Soon, he could see a door and the letters written in front of it.

Just like before, it was written in a strange ancient language that Alon could read.

The door read:

‘To the mage who never forgot the phrase, who ultimately fled, the unity leaves a will.’

“……”

Alon, who stared at the letters, soon opened the door.

With a creaking, chilling sound, the inside of the door was unexpectedly bright enough to see ahead.

Soon, inside, Alon could see two things.

One was an egg.

A pitch-black egg placed upon an altar, as if it would devour all the light in this world.

The other was a word.

That too.

“……Union of Shadows?”

The letters that seemed to be the key to self-manifestation.

As Alon confirmed the sentence written on the wall behind the dark egg, he approached to examine the black egg more closely-

“Hmm?”

– He discovered an old parchment lying beside the egg, with sentences written in ancient language as well.

1. Until the Shadow Dragon (影龍) is born, it must only consume magical power.

2. If the Shadow Dragon (影龍) has consumed a certain amount of a wizard’s blood, the egg must be broken immediately. If not broken, the Shadow Dragon (影龍) will become a Death Shadow Dragon (死影龍) and go berserk.

Two main precautions.

Having read this, Alon soon realized what Theon had been trying to do earlier.

‘……Was he trying to turn the Shadow Dragon into a Death Shadow Dragon……?’

Though he couldn’t understand the reason, that alone seemed to be true enough.

‘Someone deliberately drove the wizard to turn the Shadow Dragon into a Death Shadow Dragon……’

For a moment, he naturally thought about Theon’s backer.

Then, he tilted his head in confusion at another question that arose in his mind.

It was about King Siyan Crittenia of Astenia.

‘The attack was initially mentioned by Theon, so it might not be related……. But sending me here means he definitely knew something……’

Of course, it was somewhat rumored among wizards that Alon used primitive magic, but even so, there were parts that didn’t make sense.

‘Well, if I go there, I’ll find out why she told me to go to the ruins of Malacca.’

She had clearly said that to Alon.

And these ruins of Malacca could only reveal their true value if one could read the ancient language.

In other words-

Siyan Crittenia clearly knew that Alon could read the ancient language and that being here would benefit him.

‘……What is this?’

Alon made an even more puzzled expression, but only for a moment.

‘……Let’s go up first.’

Putting his worries aside, he began to ascend towards the surface, holding the dark egg.

……The egg was incredibly heavy.

And at that moment.

“We should be arriving soon.”

Siyan, who was returning to Teria in a large carriage that could almost be called a room, spoke.

Her secretary, who had been silent until just a moment ago, opened his mouth at her words.

“Your Highness, you seem to be quite concerned about Marquis Palatio.”

Concerned, concerned indeed.

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Siyan leaned back even deeper into the backrest.

“Does it seem that way?”

“I apologize, but yes, it does.”

“Well, I suppose it does.”

“I apologize, but may I ask what part of him concerns you?”

“What part of him, you ask-”

She pondered the secretary’s question for a moment, then smiled softly.

“Well-”

She turned the question back to the secretary.

“What part do you think it is?”

“…….”

The secretary dared not answer that question.

However.

Siyan’s golden eyes, reflected in the secretary’s eyes, seemed to shine a little brighter than usual, perhaps it was just an illusion.