Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 308 : Raksas (4)
Previously on Became the Patron of Villains...
“The Egg of Sin?”
“Are you saying you carried it all this way without even knowing its identity?”
“Is that truly the Egg of Sin?”
“It is. I questioned my own eyes at first, but I am now certain it is the genuine article.”
Alon found himself unable to grasp the situation.
Shifting his gaze toward the Observer, who remained transfixed by the sphere, he inquired, “Is sin something that can actually be born?”
According to his understanding, sins were not things that came into being—they simply existed.
Without looking away from the orb, the Observer replied.
“No, you are correct; sins are entities that have always existed. Even if you manage to suppress the ones that manifest on the surface, they cannot be truly annihilated.”
“That is simply the nature of their existence,” the Observer added.
“Is that why you were so vague about the black ones when we first met?”
“Indeed. However, now that the black ones have emerged, there is no longer a need for such secrecy.”
“You were aware that the sins had surfaced?”
“Yes. Residing in this place means I have no choice but to be aware of such developments.”
Whispering to herself with a somber look, the Observer shifted the conversation.
“Regardless, this is undoubtedly the Egg of Sin. Specifically, it is an egg that was formed but has yet to hatch.”
“...Created but not yet hatched?”
“Precisely. It was fashioned as an Egg of Sin, yet it remains in its embryonic state. It has not yet broken its shell.”
“You are remarkably well-informed.”
“My predecessor spoke of this egg. Furthermore, the magic power radiating from it is unmistakable.”
Following a brief pause, Alon spoke again.
“Do you possess any further knowledge regarding that sphere?”
“Are you seeking deeper information about the orb itself?”
“No, that is not exactly my intention.”
Alon proceeded to explain his motives for coming to this place. After listening to the entire account, the Observer provided a summary.
“So, to summarize, an individual whose identity you cannot fully perceive informed you that delivering this sphere to me would open a path for communication.”
“That is correct.”
Alon gave a firm nod.
After a moment of silent contemplation, the Observer remarked, “To begin with, I do not know the identity of that person. Nor am I aware of how to utilize this orb to contact... whatever that entity may be.”
“Is that so?”
“However, I can guide you to someone who might understand how to converse with the one you cannot recognize.”
She then handed the sphere back to Alon.
“There is a doorway behind this area. Pass through it and enter. Once you are inside, you will naturally find yourself able to speak.”
She gestured toward the back of the chamber.
As Alon prepared to move alongside Radan, she spoke up again. “And, if it is possible, might I have a word with you for a moment?”
The Observer’s gaze was fixed on Radan.
“...With me?”
“Yes.”
Radan looked toward Alon for guidance.
Alon responded with a subtle nod.
“Very well.”
Radan agreed to the Observer’s request.
Following the directions, Alon walked past the massive stone pillar.
“You are—”
“Me?”
As the voices of Radan and the Observer grew faint in the distance,
Alon discovered a door.
It was a wooden door that seemed strangely out of place within the rugged cave walls.
After observing it for a moment, Alon pushed it open and entered.
A long corridor stretched out before him as soon as he crossed the threshold.
After walking for several minutes, Alon arrived at a chamber at the far end.
Inside stood an altar, designed as if to hold something sacred.
Alon stood before it in silence.
Unconsciously, he began to stroke his chin.
He felt a sense of familiarity, as if he had encountered an altar of this design once before.
But before he could dig deeper into the memory—
Wooooong~!
The black sphere, which had been dormant until now, suddenly started to pulsate with vibrations.
Looking down at the object in his hands, Alon’s eyes instinctively returned to the altar.
Then—
Tuk—
The moment he set the orb onto the center of the altar,
Saaaaa—
A dark, shadowy aura began to emanate outward.
“P—”
Alon’s expression tightened with instinctive alarm.
The energy that rapidly filled the room—
It bore a chilling resemblance to the power of Sin.
Feeling the pressure, Alon opened his mouth, preparing to form seals for a technique.
[There is no need for such actions.]
A voice echoed through the room.
It was a serene, gentle voice.
When Alon turned around, he saw someone standing in the space that had been vacant just a second ago.
[Sin will not manifest in this place.]
A figure stood there.
To be more precise, it was a soul manifesting in a human shape.
Though she stood directly before Alon, her form was incredibly translucent and blurry.
“...Who are you?”
Alon demanded immediately.
[I possess a name, though I doubt the traveler who brought that object here came to inquire about it.]
She whispered to herself before addressing Alon directly.
[I am the former Observer.]
That was her revelation.
“Are the Observers linked to Sin, then?”
Alon asked after a short silence.
He could follow the logic of the events thus far.
Yet, he could not comprehend why presenting the Egg of Sin would cause a predecessor of the current Observer to appear.
[No, that is not quite the case.]
“Then why do you radiate such a similar aura?”
[That is merely because I am utilizing the power within that orb to manifest my presence.]
As she spoke, she made a motion toward the sphere.
Alon noticed that the black energy pouring from the orb was being drawn into the altar.
“So you cannot appear without the orb’s energy?”
[No, that is also incorrect. Strictly speaking, I cannot take this form unless I have access to the magnitude of power contained within the Egg of Sin.]
The former Observer continued, “Actually, it is more accurate to say this altar simply draws in more mana than it can process—I am not some grand or divine entity.”
[So, what is the reason you have sought me out?]
She questioned Alon.
“From the East—”
Alon began to recount everything that had transpired up to this point.
He spoke of how he acquired the orb in the East and how the current Observer had directed him to this specific chamber.
The former Observer remained silent, absorbing every detail.
[I see. I now understand why that individual sent you here.]
She nodded, the pieces falling into place for her.
“You are aware of that being’s identity?”
[Yes. However, I am forbidden from speaking their name.]
“For what reason?”
[It is entirely for your own protection.]
“...Is the mere mention of their name truly that dangerous?”
[It is. Even if I were to speak it, your ears would likely fail to hear the sound.]
“In that case, is there a way to communicate with them?”
[I am aware of a method. However, gathering the necessary components will be a difficult task.]
“What is required?”
The former Observer paused to organize her thoughts before speaking clearly.
[The Mask of the One Who Walks Ahead, the Crying Blessing, and the Jewel of the Closed-Eyed One. You must obtain all three.]
“If I secure these items, will I be able to converse with that being?”
[That is correct.]
Alon recognized the artifacts she mentioned—all except for one.
He reflected on it for a moment before moving on.
Ultimately, this meant—
He could not achieve his goal of speaking to that entity right here.
Therefore—
“May I ask you something else?”
[What is on your mind?]
“Do you have any knowledge regarding the Star-Eater?”
Alon changed the subject to a different mystery.
The former Observer shook her head in the negative.
[No, I know very little of that.]
“Is that so.”
[Yes. Had it been a name of significance in the past, I would certainly have encountered it. But there are no surviving records concerning a ‘Star-Eater.’]
“I understand...”
Alon spoke softly, then followed up with another inquiry.
“Then can you tell me anything regarding that being?”
[That being—]
“The one I wish to meet. There are aspects I find confusing.”
[Such as?]
“To be honest, there is a great deal I do not understand.”
[Then would you be willing to share the details of your conversation with that being?]
Alon focused his memory and began to relay the dialogue to the former Observer.
It was simple enough to recall.
After all, the core of their discussion had revolved around rebellion and sin.
“That was the extent of it.”
Once Alon finished his explanation, the former Observer sank into deep thought.
After a moment—
[I believe I can interpret that conversation for you.]
“That is exactly what I was hoping for.”
[First, regarding the rebellion. I am unfamiliar with the ‘becoming the Star-Eater’ portion, but ‘rebellion’ is a reference to the True Mages.]
“...Why would ‘rebellion’ signify True Mages?”
[Because—]
The former Observer went on—
[Just as the ‘Closed-Eyed One’ placed a curse upon the elves,
that being completely wiped the existence of True Mages from the face of this world.]
“What?”
—The revelation left Alon completely speechless.
***
At the same time Alon was engaged in his serious discussion with the former Observer—
“Is the plan proceeding smoothly?”
“Yes, Lord Zukurak is currently dedicated to collecting the items mentioned in the Strange Text.”
“That is good to hear.”
King Stalian V, traveling to Tern for a summit, listened to the report from his spy.
“Are there any other developments of note?”
“There is nothing further regarding Lord Zukurak, but there is another matter to report.”
“Proceed.”
“Do you recall my mention of Marquis Palatio establishing a new knight order?”
Stalian V gave a nod.
“I do. Has he finished the recruitment process?”
“Yes. However, the size of the force he has gathered is—”
“How many?”
“Fifty knights and six hundred foot soldiers.”
“That is... quite a substantial number.”
Stalian V nodded once more.
Beyond that, he showed little concern.
For a noble of Marquis Palatio’s standing, commanding such a force was not entirely out of the ordinary.
“Furthermore, it is reported that he has relocated these troops to a new territory and is subjecting them to extremely rigorous training.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
Even with this added detail, Stalian V simply continued to nod.
He reasoned that it could be justified as standard military preparation.
Perhaps the new territory required a show of strength.
However—
“And there is one final detail.”
“There is more?”
“Yes. It appears that the followers of Kalannon are also migrating to the same territory where the Marquis is training his new army.”
“...?”
Upon hearing this last piece of information, Stalian V’s expression shifted slightly.
“The followers of Kalannon... are they not primarily composed of mages and knights?”
“That is correct, Sire.”
“And they are all congregating there?”
“Yes.”
“What is the estimated number of followers?”
“We lack a precise count, but the numbers are believed to be quite significant.”
“......”
Stalian V’s face darkened with gravity.
Fifty knights and six hundred soldiers?
That was still within the realm of reason.
It was a bit high for simple fief defense, but for a new territory, it was a plausible figure.
The intense training of the troops?
Admittedly, training a mere garrison so fiercely seemed like overkill.
But it could still be explained away.
But now, a surge of mages and knights were all heading to that same location?
Stalian V’s eyes flickered with unease.
Was it possible—
Was a major event about to unfold?
The mere suspicion made him feel sick with anxiety.
But Stalian V quickly tried to dismiss the thought.
Logically, there was no reason for Marquis Palatio to take such a risk.
It would be incredibly detrimental to his political standing—
...?
Suddenly, a memory flashed through his mind.
He recalled how a single slip of the tongue from the prince had sparked a massive political upheaval—
And how strategic forces were deployed without any regard for politics, solely to dismantle Stalian.
Given that history—
Was it truly so... disadvantageous for him?
A dark cloud of worry began to settle over Stalian V’s features.