Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 315 : Something Feels Off (2)
Previously on Became the Patron of Villains...
A little over a week had gone by since Alon departed from the marquisate to attend the academy.
“Are you saying the frequency of Strange Gates appearing has increased?”
“Indeed, and it’s been triggering numerous complications lately,” Evan replied.
Evan sighed, “It felt like the bandits had already turned everything into a disaster, and now life won’t give me a moment of peace.”
Alon inquired, “Hadn't the bandits been essentially eradicated?”
“That is accurate, but those types of criminals have a way of reappearing indefinitely. It isn't a major concern near Lartania... however, incidents are still occurring in other regions. Regardless, the most pressing issue currently is definitely the Strange Gates.”
Hearing this, Alon became lost in his own thoughts.
He rubbed the back of his head, recalling that approximately two years had passed since the start of the original narrative.
Calling it the “original” plot felt inaccurate now, given how much the trajectory had shifted.
Nevertheless, looking at the timeline of events, they were currently aligned with the latter half of the source story.
As far as he could remember, the mid-to-late phases of Psychedelia depicted a world slowly descending into an apocalypse because of the proliferation of sins and Strange Gates.
In the “original” version, Eliban’s efforts to suppress the sins never prevented massive destruction.
This was logical, considering the immense number of elite soldiers and powerful masters required for mobilization.
Furthermore, the Outer Gods—
“...Wait?”
“Is something the matter?”
As Alon let out a small, confused sound while deep in thought, Penia—who had been playing nearby with Blackie—called out to him.
Alon shook his head dismissively and returned to his silent reflections.
While the Outer Gods didn't always show up in the game, the lore suggested they should at least be mentioned by this point in time.
“Evan.”
“Yes?”
“Has there been any recent information regarding the Outer Gods?”
“Outer Gods? Hmm... I don’t believe there has been a single report for at least a year.”
“Is that so...?”
“What prompted such a sudden question?”
“No particular reason.”
Alon ignored Evan’s curiosity and tilted his head in thought.
Honestly, worrying about it might be pointless since the world had diverged so drastically from the original path.
In the game, the Outer Gods weren't always direct enemies; sometimes they were just mentioned in flavor text, such as “This region was annihilated due to an Outer God.”
That was likely why Alon had overlooked it.
Yet, a nagging feeling persisted in his mind.
His focus shifted toward the Strange Gates that became more prevalent in the story's later stages.
A long-buried curiosity began to resurface within him.
When he played Psychedelia, he had dismissed them as a forced world-building element meant to justify the game's dungeon mechanics.
Now, however, he was noticing strange discrepancies.
“Strange Gates aren’t connected to the sins or the Outer Gods.”
The sins and Outer Gods were clearly linked.
After all, the Outer Gods were entities hailing from the forgotten era of deities.
But the Strange Gates seemed unrelated to the central theme of “sin” in Psychedelia.
At most, one could say the way Strange Gates manifested was similar to the sins.
Alon pondered this for a moment before shaking the thought away.
Even in the game, there was no explanation for what happened to the Strange Gates once the sins were eradicated.
And despite being a dark fantasy, Psychedelia always provided happy endings regardless of the player's path.
“Marquis, we are nearly there.”
Evan’s voice broke through his meditation, and Alon instinctively looked out the carriage window.
The massive Mage Tower immediately dominated his vision, appearing awe-inspiring no matter how many times he viewed it.
The carriage halted as he admired the spire that seemed to pierce the heavens.
“Marquis, let's head inside!”
Penia’s voice followed, and Alon stepped down from the carriage, making his way toward the library where Heinkel was waiting.
Shortly after—
[It has been some time.]
“It truly has.”
Alon was finally reunited with Heinkel.
***
Following a brief exchange of pleasantries—
“Um, Heinkel? Would you mind if I asked you something?”
[What is it?]
“Do you recall what you mentioned previously? Regarding the magic formula?”
Heinkel paused to reflect for a moment before nodding.
[Hmm~ yes, I remember.]
“The Marquis and I have been analyzing that specific part for some time now~”
Penia immediately began explaining the results of the research she and Alon had conducted over the past month.
Heinkel listened in silence before providing a summary.
“So essentially, the computational capacity falls behind after the spell array is used. You wish to automate it like a toggle—sending commands simultaneously to connected mana spheres. However, under the current parameters, it is unfeasible.”
“Well, it might function for something extremely rudimentary. But the moment the calculations become slightly complex—or involve the specific phrases the Marquis utilizes—it becomes impossible.”
[Hmm~]
Heinkel hummed thoughtfully several times before speaking again.
[I believe I understand the cause of the failure.]
“Truly?”
[How long do you intend to stay?]
“Uh—”
Penia glanced at Alon, her voice trailing off.
“A week or so should be acceptable,” Alon replied under her gaze, and Heinkel gave a nod.
[Then try to relax for a while and wait. I have a solution in mind.]
“I appreciate your assistance.”
[Do not mention it. But—could you demonstrate your magic for me now?]
At Heinkel’s request, Alon recalled Penia’s words from a month ago and agreed.
“That isn't difficult, but what specifically would you like to see?”
[Hmm... if possible, something from your history? A spell that holds personal meaning?]
“Something from my past?”
[Yes.]
After considering it for a moment, Alon formed the necessary hand signs and began a chant.
A short time later—
An Ice Crystal Thorn materialized and then dissipated in front of him.
Though he kept it small for the demonstration, the library was instantly gripped by a freezing chill.
However, rather than focusing on the frost-covered room, Heinkel stared intently at the Ice Crystal Thorn Alon had summoned.
[If it isn't too much trouble, could you perform it once more?]
Alon complied without hesitation, casting the Ice Crystal Thorn again.
Even though the target area was minimal, the drain on his mana was significant.
Two casts were no longer enough to leave him completely exhausted—though a third spell would certainly push him to his limit.
Alon looked toward Heinkel.
She appeared lost in deep thought, letting out a soft groan.
After a lengthy silence—
[...Just as I suspected.]
Heinkel suddenly whispered to herself.
[This might sound like an odd question, but—how much do you actually understand about the magic you employ?]
She then turned the question directly to Alon.
“You are referring to the magic I use?”
[Yes. I am not asking about the method of casting. I am asking about its specific history.]
Alon paused to think deeply at Heinkel’s inquiry.
In truth, while he possessed significant knowledge about the incantation-based magic he used, there were still many gaps.
He knew that the hand signs and chants traced back to the Babiloyia era.
Beyond that, he only knew that modern magic was essentially a watered-down version of the incantation-based style.
He provided an answer based on what the dragonkin had explained during his initial visit to the Colony ruins. Heinkel listened quietly and nodded.
[I see, so you were aware.]
“Which specific part are you talking about?”
[The degradation of magic. I assume the spell you just displayed was Ice Spear, was it not?]
Alon felt a flicker of surprise beneath his calm exterior.
Even though the Ice Crystal Thorn was the primordial form of Ice Spear, the visual differences were substantial.
“Yes, that is correct.”
In reality, Alon would have had no way of knowing if the dragonkin hadn't informed him.
He nodded truthfully, and Heinkel, as if expecting that response, nodded back.
[In that case, were you also aware of this?]
“…Of what?”
[That the knowledge regarding the original form of the magic you just showed me is secretly hidden within the degraded version we use today.]
She delivered this shocking revelation with unsettling calmness.
***
At the border separating the Empire and the Allied Kingdom—a barren wasteland where nothing grew.
Inside a concealed refuge located within a pupil-shaped valley between the two territories—
“We have yet to locate the ‘Jewel of the Closed-Eyed One.’”
“I see.”
Nangwon was being briefed on the situation.
“Please accept our apologies.”
“...Is there a specific obstacle preventing us from finding it?”
“Not exactly. It’s simply that the ‘Jewel of the Closed-Eyed One’ has not appeared in any of the data we have gathered to date. We are forced to restart the search from the beginning.”
As the scout lowered his head, Nangwon nodded understandingly.
“I understand. However, please try to find it as swiftly as possible.”
“We will give it our all. Also, there is an additional report I must make.”
“Continue.”
“Yes. It concerns the matter regarding Divine Land that you brought up previously.”
The scout began to speak in a composed manner.
“Based on our investigation, it appears Marquis Palatio intends to ascend to the heavens once more.”
“To ascend to the heavens once more?”
“Yes. Publicly, the narrative is simply that he was granted more territory. However, that is only what the commoners believe. Rumors are already circulating among those chosen as the Marquis’s knights.”
“I see—”
Nangwon muttered in agreement, and his sister Nangyeon, who had been resting in a chair, suddenly sat up straight.
“So, what is your plan?”
“If that truly represents Brother’s goals, then I will naturally do everything in my power to assist him.”
Nangwon answered without a second of hesitation before looking back at the scout.
“You mentioned that rumors regarding Divine Land are spreading, correct?”
“Yes, until recently, there were whispers that simply entering Divine Land would grant access to the power of Kalannon… but the situation has become somewhat murky now.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Lately, individuals returning from Divine Land have been claiming those rumors were nothing but groundless lies.”
“Then initiate new rumors.”
“You mean…?”
“Start a rumor that the power can indeed be used in Divine Land—that the claims are true.”
“Understood.”
“And spread rumors about Brother as well.”
“…What sort of rumors?”
The scout asked tentatively, and Nangwon tapped his chair lightly before responding.
“The current story is that Brother was eliminating bandits to clear a path to Divine Land, right?”
“Yes, that is the word.”
“Then start a rumor that every action was part of his grand design.”
“Understood.”
“And once that has spread—”
Nangwon began laying out detailed instructions for the scout, point by point.
After the scout finally departed—
“You’re certainly putting in a lot of effort, aren’t you?”
“Of course, sister. This concerns our brother. I would do anything for him. Honestly, this is a task we should have undertaken long ago.”
“In what way?”
“The people in this place have no concept of how truly magnificent our brother is.”
That was why—
“We must ensure they understand. Everyone needs to realize how incredible he truly is.”
Nangwon whispered with absolute sincerity.
At that exact moment—
“Achoo!”
“Do you have a cold?”
Because Heinkel had suddenly claimed she had a crisis to attend to and left before their talk ended, Alon was now outside the library, snacking on sweet potatoes as he usually did.
“No, I don’t think it’s a cold… I just felt a strange shiver...”
He trembled slightly at the sudden, inexplicable chill that washed over him.