Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 306 : Raksas (2)

Two weeks had passed since Alon departed from the Divine Land and set his sights on Raksas.

Alon’s training regimen had become notably more relaxed compared to his previous intensity.

The explanation for this shift was straightforward: Penia was no longer accompanying him on this trek.

During her presence, he would frequently engage in sparring sessions with Kylrus, utilizing the "Footsteps of the Past."

Now, however, that option was unavailable to him.

While he could theoretically charge "Footsteps of the Past" by repeatedly toggling Reverse Heaven on and off, the physical toll on his body was far too severe.

Even a momentary activation of Reverse Heaven inevitably caused internal damage.

Consequently, Alon had refrained from entering the "Footsteps of the Past" state recently.

He spent his time instead focusing on designing new spells and overseeing Blackie's personal awakening training.

“Well done.”

“Kyuu,” Blackie chirped affectionately, instinctively burrowing into Alon’s chest.

“Are you finished for the day?”

As Alon stroked the creature’s head, Evan walked over to inquire.

“Yeah.”

“You certainly are dedicated.”

“It’s a necessity for me right now.”

“Hm~ Didn't you mention before that managing mana becomes much smoother once you achieve that form?”

“That is correct.”

After Alon confirmed this, Evan gave a thoughtful nod and gestured to the side.

“Come eat dinner. I’ve prepared something.”

“Calling it ‘prepared’ is a bit of a stretch. Didn’t you just toss them in the fire?”

Alon remarked as he looked at the sweet potatoes roasting in the embers.

“Well, it counts as cooking, doesn’t it?”

Evan gave a casual shrug and pointed toward Basiliora, who was already busy devouring the food.

“Snakehead, try not to eat like a savage.”

[Hmph. Why should I wait? I am nothing like a common human such as yourself.]

“That damned lizard is starting again.”

It was just a typical day on the road.

During the fortnight spent traveling toward Raksas, Alon had begun to observe firsthand the significant transformations within the Allied Kingdom.

“Evan.”

“God, I want to strangle— Yes, Marquis.”

Evan immediately broke off his bickering with Basiliora to respond.

“How much further until the next settlement?”

“Hm— Under normal circumstances, we’d be there by tomorrow. But as we heard in the last village, the original destination was raided. It will likely take us four days now.”

“Four days…”

In the past, when traversing the Allied Kingdom, Alon would usually find a place to stay every other night.

Essentially, a village could be found every one or two days of travel.

Yet, over these last two weeks, Alon had only encountered four intact villages.

The others had been reduced to ruins by rioters and bandits.

Alon was well aware that the circulation of the Abyssal Core had brought violence and lawlessness to the Allied Kingdom.

However, hearing about the destruction and witnessing the charred remains of villages were two very different experiences.

“The situation is grimmer than I anticipated.”

Evan nodded solemnly in response to Alon’s quiet observation.

“Indeed. And we still have no lead on the source of these Abyssal Cores...”

“Have you gathered any new information?”

“I’ve tasked the Information Guild with an investigation, but there’s nothing solid yet… Oh, I wouldn’t call this great news exactly, but it isn't bad either.”

“What is it?”

“Word is that knights and mercenaries have started hunting down bandits on their own initiative.”

“Was a bounty issued?”

“No, according to the reports, they are doing it for free.”

“That is peculiar.”

It was one thing for knights to act out of a sense of duty, but for mercenaries to work without pay was highly unusual.

Mercenaries in this realm rarely concerned themselves with matters outside the borders of Lartania unless gold was involved.

“Yeah, I found it odd as well. Regardless, those are the current rumors.”

Agreeing with Evan, Alon took a bite of a sweet potato and suddenly spoke up.

“Thinking back—why haven't we been ambushed by any bandits ourselves?”

“Didn't you bring that up last time?”

“I did.”

Alon tilted his head in confusion.

Logically, with so many villages being pillaged, they should have crossed paths with at least one group of outlaws.

Yet, they hadn't seen a single one.

“Furthermore, if these places were raided, there should be bodies… but the sites are empty.”

A strange sense of unease flickered through Alon’s mind.

But it was fleeting.

“Well, avoiding bandits isn't exactly a problem, is it?”

That was a fair point.

Regardless of the reason, not having to fight off bandits was a positive thing.

Alon finished his sweet potato and turned his thoughts to another matter.

He recalled what had transpired when he declared the Divine Land.

“The Star Eater…”

The entity that had placed the restriction on Alon had addressed him by that name.

They had claimed to sincerely welcome the Star Eater’s return.

“They were definitely referring to me.”

This wasn't the first time Alon had heard that title.

He had been called that once by an Outsider in the Deep Sea near Raksas, and again in the East by a being whose true nature remained a mystery.

“What exactly is a Star Eater?”

Alon had been dwelling on the meaning of that name since he heard it, but he had made no progress.

Star Eater.

The name appeared in none of the records of Psychedelia he had seen.

After a period of fruitless contemplation, Alon gave up for now.

He had reached the same dead end many times during this trip to Raksas.

“I’ll likely find the answers from the Observer.”

He idly fiddled with the magatama tucked in his pocket.

A few days later, Alon reached a port town where a familiar figure stood waving at him.

“Brother—!”

“Radan, how have you been?”

“I’ve been doing well.”

To reach the coastal region of Raksas, sea travel was mandatory.

Naturally, Radan was the first person Alon thought of.

With Radan’s assistance secured, Alon set course for the Syphra Archipelago.

His primary objective in Raksas was to reach Syphra and seek out the Observer.

As they sailed toward their destination, they exchanged news, but Alon eventually noticed something off about his companion.

“Radan, is something on your mind?”

“Me, brother?”

“Yes. You look troubled.”

On the surface, Radan wore a gentle, clear smile.

However, Alon sensed a lingering shadow behind his eyes.

“Ah— I’ve just had a lot to think about lately.”

“About what?”

“Just… things. A few issues I’ve been trying to work through.”

Radan gave an awkward laugh, adding, “Haha, it’s a bit embarrassing to talk about.”

Alon considered pressing for details but decided against it.

It was obvious that Radan wasn't ready to share.

Instead, he offered—

“If you ever require assistance, just let me know. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

Alon dropped the subject there, choosing not to pry further.

“Thank you, brother.”

Radan smiled sincerely and gave a quiet bow of appreciation.

Several more days went by.

“We have arrived, brother.”

Alon stood once again upon the Syphra Archipelago, the place of his previous encounter with the Observer.

“Phew—”

Gripping the pendant Yongrin had given him, he began walking toward the eastern coast of Syphra.

***

The Temple of Kalanon, the lightning receiver, had seen its congregation grow immensely.

It had not always been such a grand institution.

When Sili originally established the temple, it consisted only of a few lightning mages and those she had personally converted through tireless effort.

However, ever since Reinhardt, a knight of Caliban, began publicly displaying the power of Kalanon, the number of devotees had skyrocketed.

Currently, the followers of Kalanon—

“Ahhh—”

Were numerous enough to pack the entire cathedral during the hours of prayer.

The growth was nothing short of explosive.

Leading this surging movement was Saintess Sili.

“Brother, is that the truth?”

[It is.]

She was listening to a report from Deus.

“You are saying the Marquis— no, the God— intends to take a throne?”

[It is the absolute truth.]

Deus nodded firmly when she pressed for confirmation.

Sili stared at her brother’s face in silence.

There was no hint of deception or jest in his eyes.

That meant—

His words were factual.

Though she was momentarily stunned,

“I see.”

Sili quickly composed herself, her hands clasping together tightly.

“I believe that is the path he should take.”

[I agree. The Marquis is certainly worthy of—]

Deus began to nod in concurrence.

However—

“No, brother. You are mistaken.”

[…What do you mean?]

“He isn't just worthy of it.”

Sili’s gaze was even more intense than Deus’s.

“It is his natural right.”

[Natural right?]

“Yes. It is illogical for a great god to be positioned beneath mere mortals, is it not?”

She spoke words that would have terrified any high noble—

She said them with total conviction, words that would have made Alon himself speechless.

[Uh? R-right…]

Stunned by her audacity, even Deus struggled to find a response.

But she wasn't finished.

“Furthermore, being a king is insufficient.”

[…Insufficient?]

“The throne of a king is not the place meant for him—”

“He belongs on the seat of an emperor.”

Sili rose from her seat, emphasizing every syllable.

“I will be joining him shortly.”

Concluding the message with those words, Sili added:

“If God intends to ascend to the heavens, it is only right that I offer my support.”

She turned her attention toward the main hall of the temple.

“If he desires to reach that height,”

She looked over the temple, which was overflowing with believers—

“—Then I will do everything in my power to pave the way, no matter the cost.”

Her eyes burned with fervor as she watched the crowd.

A new movement had begun.

And Alon remained completely unaware.