Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 313 : What Is This… (4)

Alon was momentarily stunned by Kalannon’s mature appearance, but his surprise quickly turned into confusion.

“?”

The body of Kalannon, which had visibly expanded in height and stature, began to contract slowly.

“Ah…”

The transformation was reversing, returning her to the form of a young girl.

“…What exactly was that?”

“That was my true form…”

The moment she became a child again, Kalannon resumed her polite way of speaking, just as she had before.

“Eugh~ It seems maintaining my original self is still beyond my current limits.”

She stretched her limbs while looking toward Alon.

“Regardless, have you been faring well?”

“I have.”

“Did you happen to worry about me at all?”

“Well… I suppose I… worried, in a way.”

To be more accurate, Alon felt more curiosity than genuine concern. It had been more than a year since Kalannon had last shown herself to him.

Upon hearing his affirmative reply, Kalannon hummed contentedly and gave a deep nod.

“There is no need for much concern. I have been making preparations in my own fashion!”

“Preparations for what?”

“For survival, naturally!”

“Survival?”

“Yes, don't you remember what I told you? I’ve been developing a method to sustain myself independently.”

“That’s right…”

Alon recalled her mentioning that she was making various arrangements since his presence was absorbing all the divine power. It appeared she had achieved significant results.

As Alon nodded, Kalannon shouted with excitement,

“I’ve finally completed it!”

“…What is it?”

“This!”

With a confident smirk, Kalannon suddenly—

“?”

[Woomnya~!]

—turned into a blue cat.

To be precise, she wasn't just any ordinary blue cat.

“…Is that Blackie?”

Her appearance shared a resemblance with Blackie. However, unlike the shadowy Blackie, her physical form was distinct and solid. Furthermore, she wore the same crown on her head that she possessed during her human incarnations. Her fur appeared more voluminous, and her tail was slightly elongated.

[Nya!]

While Alon was preoccupied observing this sudden change, a meow—which sounded like a voice—struck his ears.

“…I don’t understand cat language.”

[Nyaa!]

Seeing Alon’s blank stare, Kalannon quickly shifted back into her girl form.

“My apologies. I am unable to speak while in that state.”

“And that is your method for survival?”

“It is.”

“I fail to see the connection.”

“Oh, truly?”

“…How does becoming a cat help a god survive?”

“You really are slow to understand.”

In response to Alon’s skepticism, Kalannon shook her head with an expression that suggested he had much to learn.

“By taking this form, I can survive as a mascot!”

She made this declaration with great pride.

“A mascot, you say—”

“Do you recall when I had horns during my last transformation?”

“Yeah.”

“The concept is essentially the same.”

“So, in short, you plan to stay by my side as a mascot. Is that the gist of it?”

“Precisely! That way, my personal recognition will naturally increase as well!”

She gave a smug laugh and whispered, “What do you think? It’s a flawless plan, right?” clearly enamored with her own brilliance.

Alon remained skeptical. Was turning into an animal truly the most effective strategy? Regardless, Alon felt a sense of responsibility for Kalannon’s current predicament.

“So you intend to move around in that form from now on?”

Instead of arguing, he simply asked for clarification.

Kalannon nodded vigorously.

“Exactly! I stayed hidden until now because I needed to accumulate enough divine power to manifest in the physical world. Of course, even when I am out there, I will still exist here.”

“By 'here,' you mean?”

“Inside the divine land you established.”

She added that it was the only safe way to gather divine power.

“I am grateful you created it! You truly saved me!”

“…Well, I suppose.”

“I’ll see you shortly, then!”

With those words, she shattered the blue galaxy realm. The next time Alon opened his eyes, a glowing blue sphere had manifested before him.

“Huh?”

“Hmm?”

[Hmm?]

“Oh.”

The onlookers gasped as they watched the blue orb. Suddenly, the sphere warped and contracted rapidly—

[Nyaa~!]

—taking the shape of the blue cat Alon had seen moments ago.

“…What on earth is this?”

“Are you serious…?”

Evan and Penia asked, stunned by the cat's sudden appearance. Alon clarified for them that the creature was actually Kalannon.

“Ohh~ Now that I look closer, it even has cat-like horns.”

“That is true.”

[Hmm~]

While Evan, Penia, and Basiliora inspected the cat with interest,

[Meow?]

Blackie, who had been dozing in Alon’s chest pouch, snapped his eyes open. He leaped onto the desk and stared intently at Kalannon. Blackie tilted his head repeatedly, his neck twisting almost 360 degrees in shock. Then, with a haughty sniff, he looked down at Kalannon one last time.

[Meow-]

He promptly crawled back into his pouch.

“…What was that about?”

“Indeed.”

[Pfft, was that a clumsy display of jealousy?]

The moment passed quickly. As Alon observed Kalannon exploring the room,

“So, Marquis, were you able to check?”

“Ah.”

At Evan’s prompt, Alon closed his eyes to inspect his internal state.

“The growth isn't as significant as I anticipated.”

He spoke after assessing the gathered divine power.

“What? Really? That is odd. I assumed it would be overflowing by this point.”

Evan tilted his head in confusion. After pondering for a moment, Alon replied.

“It isn't entirely without reason.”

“Is that so?”

“The majority of those who gathered here did so because of 'rumors' in the first place.”

“Ah—”

Evan nodded, understanding the point.

“You mentioned previously that divine power won’t manifest without genuine belief, right?”

“Exactly.”

“Hmm~ In that case, I expect things here will stabilize before long.”

“Actually, just confirming the presence of divine power has made me feel somewhat relieved.”

Alongside Evan, Alon looked out at the busy barracks, masking his relief with a stoic expression.

***

Following their talks with Blue Ghost, the group remained in the Divine Land for a month. Once Alon decided it was time to meet White Ghost, they returned to the House of Palatio.

A few days later—

The atmosphere in the Divine Land grew turbulent. To be more specific, while the original soldiers and knights remained steadfast, tension was brewing among the new mercenaries and knights who had arrived as new citizens.

The issue concerned Kalannon’s power.

“They claimed we could wield power if we trained in this Divine Land. Yet, I haven't felt a single spark.”

“Right? I’ve been training here for a month already.”

“Ugh, so it was all just a lie?”

“Logically, gaining powers just by training in a specific land doesn't make much sense anyway.”

“Exactly. Supposedly, only the true followers of Kalannon can tap into that strength.”

Even though Alon had made no such promises, the mercenaries and knights who had come based on exaggerated rumors were now feeling let down by the reality.

“Hmm—so what is the plan?”

“What else? We leave. There's no reason to stay if we can't get that power.”

“True. I’d rather go back to Lartania than keep wasting time training here.”

As these complaints began to circulate—

“It has been a while, Silli.”

“It has indeed, brother.”

Silli Maccalian had arrived at the Divine Land and met with Deus.

“How is the training progressing?”

“It is fine. However—”

“Oh, you are referring to the mercenaries and knights who came because of the rumors?”

“You were aware?”

“Yes, I gathered some information before seeking you out.”

“I see…”

Deus gave a small nod.

“But there is no need for concern. Those who lack faith in the Marquis were never meant to stay. They would only hinder the Marquis’s ultimate vision.”

Despite his comforting words, Silli looked slightly confused.

“Huh? What do you mean by that, brother?”

She countered with her own question.

“Hmm? I simply mean that the knights and mercenaries will depart. I didn't want you to worry. We have enough people even without them.”

Deus tried to clarify, looking puzzled by her reaction. But Silli tilted her head again.

“That is what I find strange.”

“How so?”

“Well, no one has actually left yet, have they? And I don't believe anyone will.”

She gave a small smile. Something about that expression sent a cold shiver down Deus’s spine.

“…Is that the case?”

“Isn't it?”

“But they’ve realized the rumors were false, haven't they?”

At that, Silli hummed softly and shook her head.

“Brother.”

“Yes?”

“Truthfully, the rumors that spread were quite absurd, weren't they?”

“From a rational standpoint, yes.”

“Then why did so many people come here after hearing them?”

“Well~”

Deus paused to consider. “Perhaps they were caught up in the excitement. Or maybe they wondered, ‘What if it actually is true?’”

“Exactly. But the latter part is what matters.”

“The part about ‘What if it’s real’?”

Silli looked past Deus toward the barracks, where long rows of soldiers and knights were still visible.

“Brother. Do you see those people complaining inside the Divine Land?”

“I do.”

“They already know the rumors were lies. So why aren't they walking away?”

When Deus remained silent, Silli provided the answer.

“Hope.”

“…Hope?”

“Yes. Everyone here is holding onto the smallest shred of hope. Even if the rumors were false, they are still thinking, ‘Maybe…?’ That is sufficient.”

“Sufficient for what?”

Silli didn't reply this time. She simply gazed into the distance with her violet eyes and remarked,

“That person will be perfect.”

She smiled and produced two books from her robes, both bound in blue leather.

“Take this, brother.”

“…?”

“Please, read it.”

Deus opened the book in silence. And then—

“This is…”

He immediately recognized that the blue book was a holy scripture. Not just any text, but one Silli herself had written for Marquis Palatio. Realizing this, he looked up—only to see that Silli had already walked toward a nervous-looking knight in the distance.

Approaching the knight, she said,

“Greetings, sir knight.”

“You are—?”

“I am Silli Maccalian, the Saintess of Lady Kalannon.”

“…You are her?”

“Yes. Actually~”

She smiled warmly.

“I believe you will be able to wield Kalannon’s power very shortly.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes. So, if you would permit me—”

She gently offered him the blue-covered book.

“Would you like a little assistance?”

Her deep, captivating violet eyes shimmered as she spoke.