I Became the Patron of Villains

162. …Huh? (1)

Arriving at the Zenonia Duke’s residence in the inner city at sunset, Alon said,

“It’s been a while, Marquis Palatio.”

“It’s been a while.”

“Have you been well?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s have dinner first.”

After meeting the Zenonia Duke only through the crystal ball for over a year, they decided to have dinner together.

‘It’s huge.’

Following the Zenonia Duke, Alon looked around.

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He had felt it when entering the inner city, but coming into the mansion made him feel it even more clearly.

The Zenonia Duke’s residence was almost as large as a castle.

‘Even in the game, the Zenonia Duke’s residence was vast.’

For a moment, he recalled getting lost in the Zenonia Duke’s residence several times before getting used to the game, and soon they arrived at the dining room.

“Oh.”

Alon couldn’t help but exclaim.

The large dining table was filled with dishes that made his mouth drop open.

“This is-“

“I prepared it because you said you were coming.”

“……Thank you.”

“Hehe- Let’s start with the meal first.”

Thanks to the Duke of Zenonia’s consideration, Alon sat down and began to eat.

As he was finishing his meal, he slowly opened his mouth.

“Come to think of it, there’s something I want to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Do you know anything about the ‘Chosen One’?”

Alon recalled the beautiful face of Elivan.

The Duke of Zenonia nodded.

“Yes, I know. I’ve done some personal investigation as well.”

“Personal investigation?”

“I heard that he came to stop the strange phenomenon near the territory, but I wondered if he could bring significant changes to the current political system.”

“So, what do you think?”

“I don’t think there’s much to it. If there’s one thing-“

The Duke of Zenonia paused for a moment before answering.

“He might be acquainted with Cardinal Utia… perhaps?”

“……With Utia?”

“Yes. I heard that during the process of being appointed as the Chosen One, he acted as if he knew Utia. Well, to be precise, he tried not to show it, but there was a mistake.”

“Hmm-“

Alon tilted his head inwardly, recalling Elivan and Utia.

It was strange for the two to know each other, as far as he knew.

‘……Of course, they could have formed a connection without my knowledge.’

Alon knew that Utia volunteered here and there.

He pondered for a moment, wondering where the connection might have formed.

“Could something have happened? If so, I can probe the Chosen One tomorrow.”

“……Are you meeting him tomorrow?”

“Yes, since he got rid of the strange phenomenon in front of the territory, I should reward him.”

Alon shook his head at the Duke’s suggestion.

Unless there was a clear justification, there was no need to do so now.

“No, I don’t think that’s necessary.”

“Understood.”

Alon, who had been conversing with her about various topics—mainly about Kalpa—continued.

“By the way, do you plan to attend the upcoming ball, Marquis?”

“Hmm, I think I will.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Why do you ask?”

“I heard that kings and nobles from other kingdoms might also attend this ball.”

“…Kings and nobles from other kingdoms?”

“Yes. I thought it might be somewhat necessary to build friendships with nobles from other countries, so I asked.”

Of course, the Duke of Zenonia added, “Although it seems you already have many connections, Marquis.”

“Moreover, the Duchy of Luxible will also participate this time.”

“The Duchy of Luxible, you say—”

“It’s the place where the royal family took power after ousting the corrupt forces.”

“…I have heard about it to some extent. I heard they changed their state religion.”

“Yes, so—”

The Duke of Zenonia paused, placing his index finger on his lips as if recalling something, then answered.

“The one who receives the lightning, Kalanon… I think that’s it.”

“I’ve heard that too, but is their attendance important?”

“Well—it’s not that important. But if the conversation goes well… As you might guess, Marquis, there could be many benefits for our faction.”

Of course, Alon was in the dark.

The Kingdom of Luxible was a different country from the Kingdom of Asteria, and the distance was quite far.

In other words, he had no idea how they could benefit from their relationship with the Duchy of Luxible.

However, it was awkward to ask that outright.

“…I see.”

He could only respond indifferently.

####

The next day.

“Let’s go.”

“I’ll see you at the ball.”

“Yes.”

After a brief greeting with the Duke of Zenonia, Alon headed north, not to the Marquis’ house.

[Weren’t you going home?]

Basiliora, who had rarely emerged from the ring and was having a peculiar staring contest with Kamang, asked.

“I have a place to visit.”

[A place to visit?]

“Yes. But why are you suddenly curious about that?”

[Hmm- It’s nothing.]

Basiliora, coiling up and feigning indifference at Alon’s question.

“You snakehead, are you hiding something?”

[What!? I’m not hiding anything!]

“Not hiding anything? The way you turn your head is just like a squirrel hiding something.”

[Don’t be ridiculous, human! I’m better than you who fooled around with a maid yesterday!!]

“What!? I didn’t fool around with any maid!”

[Hmph- Did you think no one would know? I saw everything yesterday! You inferior human!]

“Don’t be ridiculous! We just took a walk in the garden for a while!”

[Hmph! Didn’t you cunningly boast about things that didn’t happen in the mystery?]

“Are you a stalker, you b*stard!?”

Evan, who was startled and horrified, and Basiliora, who laughed heartily at the sight.

…Honestly, from Alon’s perspective, there was no difference between Evan, who boasted to the maid, and Basiliora, who secretly stalked him.

[Ha, now I see you’re no different from a monkey rather than a human-]

“Shut up, you snakehead b*stard! We just took a walk!”

[Hmph-]

Basiliora, who snorted at Evan’s rebuttal, suddenly smiled wickedly and then-

[Oh, Orle, your eyes are as clear as the purple sky I saw in the mystery.]

[Ah- Evan!]

Lowering or raising his voice, he began to act.

Evan’s face immediately turned red, and he screamed, Waaah-!!!

“Kamang, please, make that snakehead shut up!! Please!”

He urgently sought help.

[Kyuu-]

Even Kkamang was looking at Evan as if he were pathetic.

After a barrage of all sorts of humiliations.

“Huff- Huff-”

Evan, looking extremely exhausted, turned his head towards Alon.

“…So, Marquis. We are heading north as you instructed, but where exactly are we going?”

“We probably need to go a bit further, about two more days.”

“Two days? If we go that far-”

Evan, pondering deeply, asked.

“I know there’s a village called Parsley. Are we heading there?”

“Precisely, we are going to the ruins near Parsley.”

Only then did Evan nod his head in understanding.

“You must be looking for something at the ruins.”

“You’re quite perceptive.”

“It’s not like I’ve been with you for just a year or two, Marquis. I can figure out this much easily.”

“Then shouldn’t you know without asking if we’re heading north?”

“Well, I just asked out of formality.”

Evan playfully curled his lips.

Alon also smiled slightly and then looked at the surrounding scenery.

But then.

“Huh?”

“What is it?”

“Marquis, you smiled.”

Evan’s eyes widened.

“Really?”

“You’ve returned to your usual expression now, but you definitely smiled a moment ago.”

Alon lightly touched his lips.

‘Hmm, it seems like I’m showing emotions a bit more these days, unlike before.’

He recalled something Seolang had said once, but soon shrugged his shoulders.

In fact, showing emotions on his face wasn’t something to worry about too much.

“By the way, Marquis, after visiting the ruins, are we heading back to the Marquisate?”

“Maybe, unless something special happens.”

“Understood.”

Alon made a peculiar expression as he watched Evan, who seemed a bit more excited, driving the carriage.

Just like Basiliora, Evan also seemed eager to return to the marquisate quickly.

Alon considered asking why for a moment but then decided against it and looked out the window.

It was an afternoon with the sun starting to blaze.

####

Three days later.

After wandering around for about a day even after arriving in Parsley, Alon finally reached the desired location.

“…Is this the ruin?”

Evan, with a puzzled expression, looked at the ruin in front of Alon.

It was understandable.

The ruin in front of them was so small that it was almost embarrassing to call it a ruin, with only a small door.

“Yes.”

“…It’s so small. It looks difficult for even one person to enter.”

As he said, the door was so narrow that it looked very difficult for even one person to enter. However, Alon shrugged and took out the ‘Oath of Lemiel.’

“…Isn’t that the item you received from the elf last time?”

“Yes.”

“Are you going to open it with that?”

“That’s right.”

Alon immediately lifted the ‘Oath of Lemiel’ and began to examine the ruin. It didn’t take long before he found it.

‘Found it.’

He discovered a slot on the lower right side of the ruin where the ‘Oath of Lemiel’ could be inserted and matched the ring to it.

Then-

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The only additional thing Alon knew about this ruin was one thing.

‘Is this the place where the staff used by the First Elf is stored?’

Alon had no idea who the First Elf was or what kind of stature they held.

After all, there had never been any mention of the First Elf in the game.

‘…I think there was one more ruin.’

Other than that, Alon knew nothing about the First Elf.

The only thing he could guess was that the First Elf must have been a great wizard—no, a sorcerer.

‘The artifact itself is good, after all.’

The slowly opening door was now fully open.

And then.

‘Found it.’

Inside the door that opened with a huge noise, the relic left by the First Elf—

‘The Staff of the Holy One’

—Alon found the staff in the form of a glove and smiled inwardly with a blank expression.

At that moment.

“…Shall we depart?”

“Are you really going to go, Your Majesty?”

“Yes. I will see it with my own eyes.”

In Greynif,

“To see if he is really—the First Elf.”

The queen began to move.