Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 339 : This Wasn’t in the Plan (2)
Previously on Became the Patron of Villains...
Two weeks went by after Alon set off toward the Palatio Marquisate.
Counting from his departure from Ashtalon, exactly one month had elapsed.
At this point, he ought to have reached the Marquisate.
Yet on this occasion, Alon chose to head to Divine Land before proceeding to the Marquisate.
The journey to Divine Land proved somewhat swifter than going straight to the Marquisate from Ashtalon.
As Divine Land lay on the path to the Marquisate in any case, he resolved to make a detour and assess the circumstances there.
Alon reached a village roughly a day's travel from Divine Land, where he stumbled upon an odd sight.
"Evan."
"Yes, sir."
"What's that?"
"......"
"Huh?"
"I have no idea either."
A statue resembling him stood prominently in the village's heart.
To be precise, it depicted "Kalannon."
Observing the villagers prostrating before the statue and offering sincere bows, Alon turned toward Evan.
"Why are you glancing at me like that?"
"......Are you truly unaware of this?"
"Marquis, do you actually believe I'm feigning ignorance?"
"No, I don't think so."
"Exactly. Though I have to say, it's a tad discouraging to hear it stated so plainly…"
Alon was well aware of Evan's role.
In reality, Evan's standing remained somewhat unclear.
Formally, Evan oversaw Divine Land in Alon's stead.
This was why he had initially rejoiced at the establishment of Divine Land and its knight order.
Recently, though, Alon learned that various matters were unfolding without prior consultation with Evan.
As Alon nodded in agreement without resistance, Evan sighed deeply.
"Be it Sili or Deus, they charge ahead without a second thought. It's truly draining at times."
"Have you needed to tidy up their messes?"
"Well...... not precisely."
Alon pondered silently, "Then what's been troubling you so much?"
"Wow, that's a statue of Master! It's incredibly lifelike!"
Seolrang, who had been dozing in the carriage while hugging Blackie, abruptly jumped up and examined the statue closely.
Soon enough, Alon pieced together the situation.
"They mention that Divine Land dispatches volunteer teams on a regular basis."
"......Volunteers?"
"Indeed. It seems they distribute provisions and spread teachings, along those lines."
"Did I issue any such command?"
"No, I don't recall you doing so."
"I understand…"
Evan had inquired with a villager and received this explanation.
While Alon replied distractedly, a sudden curiosity struck him about how extensively matters had veered off course—and that sparked thoughts of Yuman.
Strangely, Yuman, who should have faced the greatest impact, had allowed it all to proceed seamlessly, almost too effortlessly.
At that instant—
[Meowwww~!]
From afar, Alon noticed Seolrang soaring about like a playful bird, lifting Blackie triumphantly overhead.
Blackie appeared to wail as if pleading, "Help me~!!!"
His gaze brimmed with utter misery.
Yet the villagers posed an even greater concern.
Despite Seolrang's lively antics right nearby, they continued their fervent devotions to the statue.
And it wasn't merely a handful—numerous individuals participated.
Such a crowd directing their devotions to the statue?
"......Evan."
"Yes, Marquis?"
"Who was it you said passed through this area?"
"From what I gathered, it was Sili."
"......Sili, is it."
Ah, that explains it.
"Perhaps it's some form of hypnotic method."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing, forget it."
Alon murmured to himself unwittingly.
The following day.
Rising somewhat earlier than his norm, Alon journeyed to Divine Land and reached a vantage point on a cliff by midday, gazing over the surroundings.
And there—
"Evan.......It appears larger than on my previous visit."
"It's grown considerably more than just a bit, sir."
"Whoa, this must be Divine Land!"
Alon beheld the profound transformations in Divine Land.
The expansion wasn't limited to scale alone—
"It's evolved into a complete community now."
Divine Land had developed into a substantial settlement.
"......Should we simply refer to it as a village at this stage?"
Evan remarked, surveying the vast array of tents stretching out, prompting Alon to reflect.
With his mouth pressed firmly, Alon started heading toward Divine Land.
Upon nearing, as though anticipating his arrival, knights rushed forward from the distance, much like in past times.
"We've awaited your coming!"
The lead knight bowed profoundly while proclaiming.
"Understood."
With a nod, Alon stepped into the expansive Divine Land.
Shortly, he observed the knights and soldiers assembled in precise ranks.
This no longer struck him as novel.
He had become accustomed to such displays.
After all, knights and soldiers had been present from the outset.
However, the element that rendered Alon speechless before the spectacle—
Were an outsider to behold this, they might conclude:
—This fellow is gearing up for battle!
"Marquis."
"Yes?"
"I wasn't aware, but… are you covertly readying for conflict or the like?"
Absolutely not.
He yearned to deny it outright, but with knights and soldiers arrayed before him, he restrained himself and attempted to shift positions.
That's when—
"......?"
A strikingly recognizable face caught his eye.
No, more than one.
"Ryanga? And—"
Ryanga, clad uncomfortably in ill-fitting armor.
And—
"Historia?"
Historia lingered there, her face bearing its customary emptiness.
"Ahaha… Hello, Chief."
"Greetings, Divine One."
Ryanga averted her eyes slightly, while Historia maintained her typical vacant demeanor.
What in the world is happening?
***
Ryanga's initial purpose for departing Ronovelli Forest was to retrieve Blue Ghost.
Certainly, that served merely as a pretext—her true intent was to encounter Alon.
In any event, Ryanga traveled to the Palatio Marquisate.
Ere long, she entered Divine Land.
But an unforeseen development arose.
Alon had yet to arrive, and Historia was already present.
Of course, that by itself posed no major issue.
Ryanga and Historia actually shared a harmonious rapport.
Thus, Ryanga intended to converse with Historia for a day before departing.
Honestly, even the excuse she employed—fetching Blue Ghost, who resisted returning—had lost its basis, leaving no cause to linger.
As such, Ryanga aimed to exit Divine Land the subsequent day.
Yet right before her departure, Blue Ghost oddly demanded a spar with Historia.
That marked the beginning of everything.
Post-duel, Deus promptly approached Ryanga, proposing her enlistment in the Order of Knights.
Naturally, she intended to decline—but Blue Ghost murmured in her ear.
Why not experiment with it lightly, as a brief trial?
It sounded utterly absurd—yet somewhat captivating.
Engaging in it would furnish a legitimate excuse to reunite with Alon.
Thus, Ryanga, who joined solely for that fleeting motive, ultimately rose to become—
One among the Four Knights safeguarding Kalannon.
In this manner, Ryanga remained in Divine Land as the Order's leader.
But naturally, she couldn't reveal the reality to Alon.
"Uh, well? I got curious about it—"
Within the secluded chamber meant for clarifications, Ryanga offered that and chuckled uneasily.
"...You took an interest in something like this?"
"Yes—kind of."
"Ah, alright."
"Yeah."
Alon cocked his head at her fumbling reply but refrained from probing deeper.
Alon eyed Blue Ghost, who posed victoriously from afar for inexplicable reasons.
Then, addressing Historia, he inquired,
"And you, Ria? What's your story?"
"Me?"
"Yes."
"I simply went where I belonged."
"I see."
"Is that the case?"
Ria twitched her ears and flicked her tail, seeming pleased with her choice.
Alon nodded, taking her explanation at face value.
Next, another matter came to mind.
"Incidentally, what's the deal with these ‘Four Knights’?"
He was aware of a knight captain, yet the Four Knights concept was new, so he questioned it.
"They're the knights dedicated solely to protecting the Divine One."
Ria responded straightforwardly.
"Guard knights... So that's the idea?"
"Correct."
"Who fills the other two positions?"
"The leftover two are still open."
"Then why label it Four Knights prematurely... no, who devised that title?"
"The Saint did."
...What exactly has that Saint been up to behind my back?
That brief notion crossed Alon’s thoughts when—
"Marquis! Welcome!"
The Saint herself emerged, beaming radiantly.
***
As Alon remained within Divine Land—
"Um, Lord Alexion?"
"What is it?"
"A... visitor has come to meet you."
"A visitor? I believed my schedule clear for the day."
In the Palatio Marquisate, Alexion learned of an unexpected caller from his aide.
"Recall the issue of the Marquis’s companion from before?"
"...Someone has shown up already?"
"Yes, sir..."
The aide paused briefly, then sealed her lips and affirmed.
A puzzled expression clouded Alexion’s features.
Merely weeks had passed.
He hadn't anticipated such prompt arrival.
After a moment's deliberation—
"Fine, escort them inside for now."
"Understood, sir."
"Can't turn them away outright."
He issued the directive, then shrugged inwardly.
Invitations had gone to more than a dozen noblewomen.
Dozens of prospects raced through his mind swiftly, but Alexion ceased speculating.
Regardless of who appeared, he must remain vigilant.
Selecting the ideal match for the Palatio Marquis fell to him.
Even should the contender hail from influential nobility.
Alexion fortified his determination.
He drew a steadying breath to preserve his composure and impartiality.
But that composure shattered swiftly.
Alexion’s determination faltered in an instant.
For the entrant was—
"...?"
"Greetings."
—Cardinal Yutia.
Alexion stood rooted in shock.
No invitation had ever been dispatched to Cardinal Yutia.
"Wh-what occasions your visit—"
He stammered uncomfortably.
"I learned you seek a match for the Marquis, so I arrived for the assessment."
"How did you possibly—"
Yutia spoke in her calm, serene tone.
"Oh, yes. Since you 'unintentionally' omitted my letter, it's fortunate I 'unwittingly' learned of it, right? Isn't it?"
...
Her words rang riddled with inconsistencies.
He hadn't forwarded her a letter to begin with.
Most prospects likely remained unnotified.
How had she 'casually' discovered it, deduced the 'oversight' in contacting her, and arrived so soon?
Yet—
Alexion found no ground to challenge her.
"—Perhaps... it wasn't an oversight?"
As Yutia, her crimson eyes alight, opened her mouth—
A single name surged in Alexion’s mind.
Yutia Bloodia.
The supreme authority dominating Rosario.
And should anyone oppose her—
They disappeared entirely.
Thus, her moniker: “Pure White.”
Consequently—
"Uh—"
"Yes?"
"It... appears I erred."
"So it was an error, then?"
"Y-yes... truly it was......"
Alexion opted for self-preservation.