Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 337 : Perplexity (3)
All those who had aided in the recent fight, Alon included, assembled in the meeting hall.
For the first time, King Stalian V showed himself.
“Thank you all for your assistance.”
Now they could finally glimpse his features.
He appeared far more gaunt than during their previous encounter.
Alon felt a brief shock, but Stalian V wrapped up his modest address swiftly and waved his hand casually in the air.
Upon that signal, the knights, who had remained utterly motionless before, advanced and presented a petite jewel case to everyone present.
“This is the reward I vowed to give.”
Stalian V offered a bit more in the way of courteous gratitude before pivoting and departing the chamber, his weary visage trailing behind.
Once the short meeting concluded, Evan, positioned behind Alon, gradually spoke up.
“That wrapped up faster than I thought.”
“It did.”
“But the king didn’t seem too pleased, right?”
Penia, close by, shot him a reprimanding glance, as though his remark struck her as absurd.
“Would he be? Over half the land is lost.”
“Even so, he barely escaped death and survived.”
“And? From here on, it’ll be pure torment for him.”
“Hm—”
Noticing Evan’s puzzled face, like he was pondering “Is it really that severe?”, Penia shook her head in exasperation.
“Consider this. What’s the true issue when territory vanishes?”
“Money?”
“The money’s already vanished.”
“Hmmm—Power?”
“Power’s essentially vanished too.”
With his persistent incorrect guesses, Penia heaved a heavy sigh and clarified.
“Pay attention. This goes beyond mere territory loss. If it were only one or two areas, perhaps, but half the realm got wiped out. And it stemmed from the king’s actions.”
“That’s not verified yet, is it?”
As news spread widely, whispers circulated that Ashtalon had covertly chased those odd black stones, sparking the chaos.
Yet, no official confirmation existed.
Nevertheless, Penia creased her forehead in irritation.
“Officially, sure, but in truth, it’s basically certain.”
She went on, ‘Why would he scramble to fix it if he hadn’t ignited the problem himself?’
“In any case, the king of Ashtalon faces turbulent times ahead. Inside, nobles full of grudges will lurk for any opening to attack. Outside, he’ll face blame for this catastrophe.”
Well, if he keeps feigning ignorance, perhaps he avoids full blame—but regardless, the kingdom’s sway was destined to plummet sharply.
“To sum up, things will only worsen.”
“...Is it fine to discuss this right here?”
“Absolutely not. Under normal circumstances, I mean.”
Shrugging lightly, Penia swiveled to regard Marquis Palatio with a gaze of confidence.
He acknowledged the familiar faces, swiftly redirected the persistent mages to Sharan, and headed back to his quarters.
“Marquis, shall we open it now?”
Alongside Penia, he peered at the jewel box bestowed earlier.
Truth be told, curiosity burned about the black stone Stalian V had granted as recompense.
Alon remembered the tales surrounding the enigmatic stone and unfastened the lid.
“Oh—”
“That’s incredible.”
As Evan and Penia expressed awe, he inspected the contents.
A purple gem lay within the box.
Yet it differed markedly from ordinary gems.
“Yes, it’s truly peculiar.”
It seemed as though an entity dwelled inside the gem.
Alon fixed his gaze on the white glow imprisoned in the gem.
Its vivid, pulsating radiance held such vitality that his eyes remained locked.
In that instant—
[Meow-?]
The black kitten, Blackie, who had dozed in his pocket, abruptly thrust out his head.
With enormous, inquisitive eyes, the tiny creature scrutinized the gemstone fixedly.
His large, round eyes gleamed brightly.
To add to it, Basiliora also slipped from the ring and inspected the gem.
[This is—]
Basiliora cocked his head, seemingly baffled by the sight.
“Do you recognize it?”
Alon inquired, and Basiliora contemplated the gem quietly for a beat before responding with a hesitant expression.
[If I’m correct, the essence within this gem is divine power.]
“Divine power?”
[Indeed. However, it doesn’t resemble the divine power we employ.]
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Confounded, Alon pressed further, and Basiliora tilted his head several more times.
[Our divine power derives from faith.]
“Correct?”
[Yet this unmistakably feels like divine power, but—]
Hmmm~ After prolonging it slightly, Basiliora at last revealed,
[To be frank, I’m not entirely sure.]
“...Then admit you don’t know.”
[I just did!]
Basiliora objected, evidently irked by Penia’s crestfallen stare.
As Alon twirled the gem in his palm, he observed Blackie still nuzzling right up to it.
He raised the gem upward for a nearer examination.
Thereupon, Blackie glanced at Alon, his eyes pleading ‘Hand it over.’
Alon paused briefly, then passed the gem to Blackie.
And suddenly—
Fwoosh—!
“!?”
Something vanished into Blackie’s form in an instant.
It occurred in less than a second.
Alon hastily withdrew the gem from Blackie’s forehead, yet—
The black stone had already dimmed completely.
“Ah—”
“Ah…”
Alon, Penia, and Evan remained frozen, at a loss for words.
[Meow-]
Conversely, Blackie appeared utterly content, grooming his paw before nestling back into Alon’s embrace.
“Is… is that alright?”
Evan’s tone carried alarm.
Naturally, Alon felt indifferent about retaining the gemstone.
His interest stemmed from its absence in Psychidelia, not from any intent to utilize it.
Even so, irrespective of usage plans—
The black stone’s safety remained unverified.
Thus, Alon glanced toward his pocket where Blackie had retreated.
In spite of it all, Blackie coiled up contentedly and drifted off to slumber.
“I’ll inquire about it later, I suppose.”
Alon could merely rub his forehead.
***
The following day.
Alon proceeded to encounter Eliban.
He reasoned that Eliban, experienced with tainted gates, might hold knowledge on the black stones too.
Yet—
Alon found himself taken aback.
A throng of nobles encircled Eliban.
“He’s genuinely renowned.”
“Truthfully, I hadn’t anticipated it to this extent.”
Alon knew of Eliban’s renown.
It was unavoidable.
He had been collecting details steadily, and invariably, Eliban’s tales of valor surfaced.
“Actually, doesn’t this seem rather modest?”
“You believe that?”
“Yes. Eliban draws nobles in every location he visits, regardless of nation. In villages? He’s revered as a legend in the flesh.”
“That tracks. He’s the goddess of Sironia’s chosen, and his every deed centers on safeguarding folks.”
Just as Alon agreed with Penia’s final remark—
“Oh, Marquis! What’s your reason for coming!?”
“Eliban.”
Eliban, catching sight of Alon from a distance, promptly left the noble cluster and dashed closer.
From afar, Alon sensed the blend of wary and admiring looks.
He could almost overhear thoughts like, “I’ve waited ages for a chance with him!” and “Does Eliban hold him in such high regard??”
Awkwardly, Alon cleared his throat and answered.
“Am I intruding?”
“Not at all, just idle talk. What’s up?”
“I have a question for you.”
“Fire away.”
“Are you familiar with the black stones?”
Alon provided a concise recap of the prior day’s events.
“Oh, you likely don’t need to fret excessively.”
Eliban replied casually.
“…Truly?”
“Well, I’m not an expert on them, but some allies absorbed them, and they’ve all been okay so far.”
“Your allies as well…?”
“Yep. Seeing their strength surge tempted me to attempt it, but I failed to absorb one, so I dropped it.”
Alon nodded, content with Eliban’s firsthand insight.
“Oh, incidentally, are you set to depart soon?”
“Yes, that’s the intention.”
“Then until next time! We’ll likely cross paths again in roughly three months.”
“Three months?”
As Alon questioned, Evan, eavesdropping nearby, supplied the explanation.
“He must mean the forthcoming ball in Asteria.”
“Exactly that one.”
Eliban stated with a bright, easy grin.
“Alright, catch you there!”
With a casual farewell wave, he pivoted and resumed mingling with the nobles.
Watching him go, Alon remarked,
“He’s correct. It’s indeed time to head home.”
“Shall we prepare for departure then?”
“Let’s linger one more day. I haven’t bid farewell to Seolrang or Radan yet, and I need to see the Saint too.”
“Got it.”
Penia, lingering close, promptly lifted her hand.
“Ah, Marquis. In that case, I’ll quickly visit my Master. A goodbye is in order at least.”
“Proceed.”
After separating from Penia, Alon started strolling toward his room.
Shortly thereafter—
“Oh, right. Marquis.”
“Yes?”
Evan piped up, as though a recollection struck him.
“Upon returning to the Marquisate, there’s a task awaiting you.”
“A task? Have I overlooked some duty?”
“No, nothing official. You must select a partner.”
“…Partner?”
“Correct. For the Asteria ball, a dance companion of the opposite gender is required.”
“I see…”
Alon’s expression turned uneasy.
A brief notion flickered.
But he dismissed it promptly.
Alon hadn’t graced a ball in years.
Certainly, excuses had always sufficed before.
Yet now, the mounting societal expectations from his absences weighed on him.
Thinking back, Alon voiced,
“I’ve delayed long enough, so I’ll go this time. But is a partner truly mandatory?”
“Yes, I believe so. This particular ball demands one.”
“Then I’ll need to seek one out.”
“Precisely. Best to ponder it in advance.”
“Hmmm…”
He mulled it over, biting his lip momentarily.
“…Back home, I’ll simply request someone nearby.”
“That’s an option. Nobility isn’t a prerequisite, after all.”
“You’re not one to fuss over such details,” Evan appended.
“Or I could inquire on your behalf, if you wish?”
He suggested offhandedly.
“That’s fine too.”
Alon responded indifferently.
Utterly oblivious to the crimson brooch glowing with unusual intensity.