I Became the Patron of Villains

126. Are you a heretic? (1)

The troublemaker Karsem that Alon remembers is arrogant.

Although his basic nature is not violent, the environmental factors surrounding Karsem were enough to make him that way.

Anyway, such a temperament of Karsem never shows respect to the player in the game.

Even as the quest progresses and he feels more familiar or favorable, his unique personality does not change.

Therefore.

‘…Brother?’

No matter how much the player saves him or solves problems for him, Karsem, who used to speak informally and rudely,

Seeing him speak respectfully with eyes full of admiration was a bit surprising for Alon.

But even though Alon thought so,

“Indeed, your body has suffered a lot. Yes, considering the majesty you displayed, it’s only natural.”

For some reason, Karsem’s eyes were very bright.

…To the point where it was burdensome for Alon.

“I-“

“Why is that, Marquis?”

“I don’t know why you’re doing this all of a sudden.”

When Alon asked in a flat voice, as if he really didn’t understand, Karsem, ah, then seemed to make up his mind and straightened his posture.

“I have come to respect you, Marquis Palatio.”

“…Suddenly, you say?”

“Yes, since a few days ago, when I saw your great figure standing alone against the foreign invaders and the wizard who uses that absurd magic, I couldn’t help but respect you…!”

“Ah.”

“In fact, it’s a bit embarrassing to say this, but I’ve lived my life recklessly until now.”

He was so passionate that he even started spitting.

“You may not know, but I am far from the line of succession. That was decided since I was young. No matter what efforts I made, my father had already decided my brother as the next successor. So, until now, I haven’t tried.”

Alon was at a loss for words behind his expressionless face at the sudden confession, but Karsem did not stop.

For almost five minutes.

“So, I came to respect you, my lord…!”

“……”

…His confession was honestly filled with words that were quite embarrassing to hear.

It was understandable to be impressed by the battle itself.

It was also understandable to have a dream of becoming a wizard.

However, to feel ashamed of himself and awaken just by watching Alon’s battle, after having been pushed out of the line of succession and living a reckless life until now… that was a bit hard to understand.

So Alon, wondering what on earth it could be, suddenly let out a low exclamation, “Ah.”

‘Come to think of it, Karsem’s age… is he seventeen now…?’

Seventeen years old.

It was a bit late to catch that disease that comes at the sensitive age of fifteen, but it wasn’t an age where the disease couldn’t come.

‘…It seems the disease manifested late.’

Alon made a sympathetic expression inwardly.

In about two to three years from now, Karsem would remember this time when he confessed everything to him and would kick his blanket in embarrassment.

But even so, there was no need to tell him that.

Above all, even though it seemed like he was suffering from the middle school syndrome, Alon didn’t want to break Karsem’s spirit, who had resolved to live diligently.

Alon could only nod quietly.

####

A week had passed since then.

Alon’s body, which could have lost its life due to magical hardening, was recovering quite quickly.

‘My lord! How are you!’

‘My lord! Are you alright!?’

‘My lord! I have prepared dinner!’

That was thanks to Filian, who had become the owner of the Merkiland territory, with a very grateful heart.

‘No, you don’t have to go this far-‘

‘What are you talking about! You saved us, so this is the least we can do!’

…It was clear that Alon was being taken care of with utmost devotion to the point of feeling burdened.

But in reality, it was because his body was undergoing changes.

“…The magical hardening is being cured?”

“Yes. Originally, when I first saw it, the mana hardening was quite severe, but now a significant portion has disappeared.”

“…Wait, but didn’t you say there was no mana hardening last time?”

At Alon’s question, the priest shook his head.

“If I remember correctly, I said it was not enough to affect your life or use of mana.”

“Did… I?”

“Yes. Once mana hardening occurs, it doesn’t disappear. That’s why I told you last time to be especially careful about taking potions from now on.”

“…I think you did say that.”

As Alon nodded, he continued.

“Originally, the Marquis had progressed to a point where, if it got any worse, he might not be able to use mana at all.”

“But, the hardening has been cured?”

“Yes. Normally, this condition cannot be treated once it occurs. But the Marquis… is being cured.”

The priest nodded several times, as if in wonder, while channeling divine power into his body.

“Yes, it is improving.”

“…Has something happened to my body?”

“I don’t think so.”

“…Then could it be because my mana hole is small?”

He asked, wondering if it was an advantage of having a small mana hole.

“Uh… that’s even less likely. If the mana hole is small, the hardening progresses faster.”

“…I see.”

Realizing once again that this wretched body was of no help from beginning to end, he nodded.

After the priest left.

“…What is this?”

As Alon muttered, Evan shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, is there really anything to worry about? Isn’t it good that it’s good?”

“That’s true, but.”

Alon crossed his arms and then dropped them due to the pain, thinking.

‘…It feels like there are many things I need to think about.’

In fact, over the past week, he had been suffering from mana addiction and couldn’t think properly, but now he had many questions to solve.

From the story left by Duke Komalon about ‘those things’ to the ‘ritual’ he mentioned.

In addition, there was also the story related to the ‘southern border.’

‘……There are so many things to find out.’

While he was thinking that.

“Ah, Marquis. I have something to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“I heard something a little while ago, and it seems that as soon as your body recovers, you will need to move. An emergency meeting of the United Kingdom has been convened, and they insist that you must attend.”

“……Attend?”

“Yes.”

Alon nodded slightly.

This time, it was an incident that erupted across the entire United Kingdom, so he had expected such a situation to arise, whether positive or negative.

“When do I have to go?”

“It seems you should go by next week.”

“It’s tight.”

“It is.”

Alon thought for a moment about the tight schedule.

“……Well, I still have to go.”

He soon made a decision.

About a week later.

Although it was impossible to use magic, Alon, who had recovered to some extent, was able to move.

“Eunsa! Let’s go together! I have to go too!”

“I will go with you!”

Taking Seolang and Philean with him, he headed to Tern, where the emergency meeting of the United Kingdom was being held.

####

Although he had not deduced anything on the way to Tern, Alon was able to learn an unexpected piece of information through Seolang.

“……You said you couldn’t hear the conversation between me and Duke Komalon?”

“Yeah!”

“……Not only could you not hear Duke Komalon’s voice, but mine as well?”

“That’s right! Even though my body couldn’t move, my mind was clear, but I couldn’t hear anything at all!”

It was that the conversation between Alon and Duke Komalon, for some reason, was not heard by those around them.

They clearly recognized that they were talking, but they couldn’t hear what was being said at all.

‘……Did the Duke do something?’

Naturally, Alon did nothing at that time.

To be precise, it was more accurate to say he couldn’t do anything.

At that time, although he was better than Seolang, who blocked most of the attacks directed at him, he was in no position to do anything.

However, Alon soon stopped thinking about it.

Because he had arrived in Tern.

Upon hearing that a meeting was being held, he immediately moved to the conference hall of the kings.

“You’ve arrived.”

He could see the gathered kings.

Familiar faces appeared.

The first one he saw was Cretania Sian, who was looking at him with a relaxed expression.

King Carmaxes III of Colony.

And then.

“……Then let’s get straight to the point.”

King Shtalian V of Ashtalon stared intently at Alon.

“Thank you for stopping Marquis Palatio and Duke Komalon.”

He stood up and bowed politely.

For a king to bow his head.

Even though Marquis Palatio had saved the Kingdom of Ashtalon from crisis, it was an extreme courtesy that was not easily received.

King Shtalian V was a king, and for a king to bow his head meant that the entire Kingdom of Ashtalon bowed to him.

“I just did what I had to do.”

Anyway, Alon calmly returned the courtesy.

Soon.

“Now that I’ve thanked you, let’s get to the main questions.”

“What questions?”

“Marquis Palatio, who are you really?”

“……What?”

Such a question came from King Shtalian V.

“……I don’t understand the point of the question.”

“Just as I said.”

King Shtalian V’s face was extremely serious.

“Since this incident occurred, I’ve been investigating you. I had already heard rumors, but I looked into it more thoroughly.”

“……”

“……You’ve stopped the Outsiders more than three times so far, haven’t you? When the Outsiders appeared in the North, and also when they appeared in the Labyrinth City.”

He continued, staring intently at Alon.

“I’m not certain, but it seems you also stopped the Outsiders when you went to Raxas, and when you went to the Holy Kingdom. As if you knew in advance that the Outsiders would appear. Of course, there were times when that wasn’t the case.”

The conclusion is, wherever the Outsiders appeared, you miraculously showed up and dealt with them. This time is no different, he added.

“In the end, there’s only one thing I want to ask.”

“……”

“Why do you go around dealing with the Outsiders?”

After hearing his words, Alon realized.

King Stalian V was suspicious of him.

At the same time, he understood his question.

Though he had phrased it indirectly, it was essentially asking if he was involved in this incident.

Of course, there was some exaggeration in his logic.

And it was clear he didn’t have complete certainty.

The fact that he was speaking indirectly was proof that he only had some circumstantial evidence.

‘……Is it because of the upcoming reward issue?’

Alon easily grasped why King Stalian V was casting suspicion.

In essence, this incident had been caused by Duke Komalon.

The Kingdom of Ashtalon was in a position where it had to take responsibility for the current situation in some way.

In other words, from the king’s perspective, who had to think about national interests, there was nothing to lose.

He intended to probe anything he could.

To put it bluntly.

‘If it hits, great. If not, oh well-‘

That was clearly his mindset.

Of course, as mentioned earlier, there was some exaggeration in King Stalian V’s words.

In other words, since he was casting his fishing line based on circumstantial evidence, there were quite a few weak points.

These points could be explained if necessary, and could be clarified if needed.

However, the reason Alon remained silent was.

‘……Why should I say I’m going around to catch them?’

The reason he was chasing after the foreign god.

He couldn’t quite grasp how to explain it.

To lead a comfortable noble life?

But at this point, saying that would only arouse even greater suspicion, as clear as day.

‘What should I do?’

So, while he was racking his brain to come up with a reasonable story.

“Do not ask why he is chasing after the foreign god.”

At the sudden voice from behind, Alon turned his gaze.

There stood.

“……Saint?”

“Sorry, I’m a bit late.”

The Saint of Rosario, Yuman.

“It’s been a while, Marquis- no, Brother.”

With a small smile on his lips, he was looking at Alon.