Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 346 : Voting (1)
Previously on Became the Patron of Villains...
When Alon initially got the interview documents from Alexion, he figured he'd just select an appropriate companion with little fuss.
That assumption held until he glanced at the list of candidates.
—Why does Yutia’s name appear here…??
Indeed, Yutia’s name appeared on the interview list.
And she wasn’t the only one.
He discovered that every name of those residing at the Marquis’ mansion was listed too, which left him briefly baffled.
For Yutia or Seolrang, as Evan had mentioned, they’d been corresponding often, so it wasn’t surprising if they’d submitted applications for the partner selection.
However, what about Rine and Magrina, located in Fildagreen?
How in the world did he reach out to them?
The situation applied equally to Historia and Ryanga.
If he’d been aware they were in Divine Land, making contact might’ve been feasible, but how could Alexion have learned about Alon’s ties to them?
Unwittingly, Alon cocked his head.
He turned his gaze toward Alexion.
“Alexion.”
“Yes.”
“…You mentioned sending letters and gathering participants that way, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Yutia and Seolrang are understandable, but how did you contact the rest?”
“Well…”
Alexion looked away uneasily, then mustered a strained grin as he responded.
“Ah, I… I got the info from Sir Evan.”
“From Evan?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
It added up somewhat.
Alon inclined his head in acknowledgment, yet he soon spotted Alexion’s eyes flicking about.
The instant he realized those looks were directed behind him, he spun around swiftly.
However, beyond the window at his back, nothing stood out.
Just the usual view of the inner citadel he knew so well.
His suspicion faded quickly.
Maybe it was his imagination, he mused, and faced forward once more.
Next, he chose to voice one of the queries nagging at him.
“By the way.”
“Yes.”
“These interview forms… did you really check them thoroughly?”
“Yes, naturally… but why bring it up…?”
“Well, it states that Yutia Bloodia is eighteen years old.”
A straightforward inquiry.
Alexion paused.
Should he reveal the facts?
Currently, in Alexion’s view, he sensed the stares compelling him to be honest.
For earlier, when the Marquis Palatio had glanced back, the citadel’s landscape had shown nothing— but now, numerous silhouettes reemerged, fixating on Alexion closely.
Among those, Seolrang and Rine were virtually yelling through their gazes: ‘Now! Speak the truth! Hurry!’
They huddled at the far window, visible solely to Alexion, staring intensely in encouragement.
“The truth is…”
As Alexion gathered bravery from their fervent urging and parted his lips—
He witnessed it.
The countenances of Rine and Seolrang, previously so enthusiastic, abruptly paled.
And then—
Suddenly, they got yanked from the window, disappearing entirely.
“…!”
“?”
Like something from a eerie tale.
Alexion emitted a choked noise and stared wide-eyed.
Alon appeared confused, but Alexion remained locked on that area.
What followed were luminous red eyes.
It ought to have been broad daylight.
Nevertheless, in the oddly dimmed opposing window, a duo of scarlet eyes shone.
And below them—
Yutia Bloodia’s subtle smile emerged.
Was it subtle due to the dimness?
Or was her grin actually waning?
But then—
“??”
As Alon caught Alexion’s stare and twisted his head once more, Yutia dissolved as though she’d never existed.
“Alexion.”
“Yes, my lord…”
“Is there anything at that window?”
In response to Alon’s query—
“…No, nothing whatsoever.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“You look quite tense for nothing being there.”
He refuted it feebly.
Alon eyed him doubtfully.
Yet Alexion stayed silent.
For as soon as Alon faced ahead again, Yutia reappeared, her diminishing smile lingering at the window’s border.
And thus—
“T-The truth is—!”
“…The truth is?”
“I-I put down Lady Yutia’s age myself!”
“Yourself?”
“Yes, I inquired with the others, but I mistakenly overlooked asking Lady Yutia…!”
Alexion chuckled anxiously.
“I see. But why eighteen?”
“Well, she appears so youthful, doesn’t she?”
“…So?”
“Yes, but I figured I needed to include some basic details on the sheet, so I added it as a provisional guess…!”
He emphasized again, “She really looks that young.”
It was clear he was striving desperately to save himself.
“Hmm… well, that could be. Yutia does seem youthful, and her height isn’t great either.”
Alon bobbed his head, seemingly persuaded.
At that instant, Alexion noticed the space lightening.
Yutia was present with a radiant, soft smile, gracefully beckoning to him.
And beside her—
Seolrang and Rine, each seized by the collar, mouthing silent shrieks on their faces: ‘You sold us out, you betrayer!!’
But that scene endured briefly.
Yutia, with a charming smile, hauled them off.
Alexion exhaled in relief.
“So the rest of this information is accurate?”
“For the time being, yes. But when I give you the interview lists, I’ll include a couple of minor notes where necessary.”
Replying to Alon’s statement, Alexion remembered his prior determination.
Although he hadn’t managed to incorporate his views into the interview forms,
At minimum, he’d attempt to meddle slightly through this method.
“All right then. Let’s start.”
“Yes.”
Regrettably for him, Alexion failed to reach his actual aim.
Whenever he attempted to elaborate, a figure would abruptly materialize—visible only to him—each bearing a frightening look.
Ultimately, all he managed to tell Alon were “Yes” and “That’s correct.”
“Is that all?”
“…Yes.”
“Hmm. I’ll consider it.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Following that, Alexion departed Alon’s study and headed to his own.
There, he spotted a golden chalice positioned on his workspace.
The golden chalice seemed to proclaim, “I’m a lavish item directly from Rosario!” with its whole form.
Alexion scowled while examining it, then picked up the chalice.
And right at that point—
“Lord Alexion, I have a report… Huh, is that a golden chalice!? That’s incredibly scarce and pricey! How did you obtain it?”
His assistant, who had barged in abruptly, made a big deal of it.
“Hmph, ignore it.”
“Wow, that’s serious. Selling that could get you multiple estates for the Marquis’ family!”
“What?”
Alexion, who had replied shortly, stiffened suddenly at the description.
“…This chalice by itself is worth all that?”
“Absolutely! It’s obvious it’s crafted in Rosario. It’d be odd if it didn’t command that value.”
Upon hearing this, Alexion gently placed the chalice back on his desk.
It proved far too valuable an object to boast about.
***
The following day.
“My lord, what’s captured your focus so intently?”
“My partner.”
“…Partner? Oh, you mean that?”
“Yes.”
“You haven’t picked one yet?”
“Well, no.”
Evan, entering the study, murmured and nodded knowingly.
“Indeed, it’s a tough call. A partner holds significance for various causes—for you, and for them.”
“…Is it truly that crucial?”
“Naturally. Showing up at a gala as partners basically signals a particular connection. Of course, gossip will circulate, and your public persona will form around it.”
“…So it’s more substantial than I realized.”
Evan lifted his shoulders at Alon’s remark.
“But no need to fret excessively. If it doesn’t progress further, the talk will die down. Unless you’re royalty, a partner doesn’t weigh that heavily.”
“Is that the case?”
“For monarchs and heirs, swapping partners seems odd. For you, less so.”
“I see.”
Alon nodded, fairly satisfied.
“But it’s still tricky to pick.”
“…Are the options that remarkable?”
“No, not remarkable exactly. Just… hard to settle on one.”
He reviewed the roster again.
Options abounded.
Yet the challenge stemmed from worrying his selection might upset others.
If they were unknowns, it’d be simpler.
The issue lay in over half the names belonging to people Alon knew well.
For an instant, he pondered choosing a complete stranger.
But that option felt off too.
Thus, after prolonged deliberation, he settled on a choice.
“Evan.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“…Could you assemble the others?”
“The others—you refer to the companions at the mansion now?”
“Yes.”
“…Very well.”
With his decision firm, Alon issued the command.
Evan headed out, but paused as a thought struck him.
“Oh, my lord. On that note, there’s something I ought to mention.”
“What is it?”
“You instructed me earlier to dispatch invites to the monarchs, right?”
“Yes, I did. Is there a problem?”
“No issue, but the missives should reach them today. Shall I have the Divine Land folks ready, to be safe?”
After brief reflection, Alon shook his head.
“No need. As I mentioned, it’s merely for appearance.”
“Got it. In any case, none will accept.”
“Exactly.”
“Hm. Fine.”
Evan exited without more words.
***
In a location where presence was unforeseen—
Five monarchs had convened.
Cretinia Siyan of the Asteria Kingdom.
Stalian V of the Ashtalon Kingdom.
Carmaxes III of the Colony Kingdom.
Palmaryan IV of the Caliban Kingdom.
Torimavia of the Raksas Kingdom.
Rulers who typically encountered each other only during alliance gatherings.
At present, they conducted a clandestine meeting, hidden from all outsiders.
Sovereigns who seldom ventured beyond their domains had united for a single purpose.
Marquis Palatio.
Or to be exact—
“I warned you! Marquis Palatio aims to claim the new heavens. He’s gearing up for conflict!”
“…Ahem.”
It was his dubious maneuvers that summoned them.
“Frankly, we can’t confirm it definitively yet,” Stalian V countered gently.
But Palmaryan IV scowled, as if such skepticism was ridiculous.
“Do you truly believe that? He’s already amassed innumerable knights and troops. Moreover, his mercenaries increase daily. Consider it. If not for war preparations, why amass such forces? Do you grasp the expense of sustaining an army? Right? Furthermore, his fame has surged recently—as though orchestrated on purpose.”
The remaining rulers quieted at Palmaryan IV’s assertions.
He spoke true.
And as he continued, Marquis Palatio sounded increasingly perilous.
How much time passed in their argument when—
“Hm…”
“Do you wish to contribute?”
Carmaxes III, silent thus far, at last voiced his opinion.
“Honestly, I doubt the Marquis would extend that far.”
“…Are you in earnest?”
“It might be mere chance.”
“Chance? He builds vast armies of soldiers and knights, recruits the mighty, forges his faith, consolidates settlers and hamlets, and strengthens continually in Divine Land—and you deem that chance?”
“…Listing it all like that, it seems less coincidental.”
Carmaxes III’s face darkened.
If the Marquis had overheard, he’d have blanched and denied it vigorously.
But unaware, the kings pressed on with their talk.
Eventually, Palmaryan IV addressed Cretinia Siyan.
“Do you have input?”
“…Input?”
Siyan whispered faintly, delving into reflection.
Unlike her counterparts, she displayed no overt emotion, her features serene as she contemplated.
Finally, she responded.
“So what action do you suggest?”
“That’s evident—”
As Palmaryan IV started to answer—
Knock, knock.
A courteous rap sounded, and a person stepped in.
It was Palmaryan IV’s attendant.
With a somber look, he drew near and murmured into his ear.
“What?”
Then, simultaneously, attendants from the other realms filed in, conveying dire updates to their kings.
The monarchs shared significant looks.
“…We’ve all gotten the identical dispatch.”
“…Appears that way.”
“An invite, correct?”
“Yes.”
“…We can’t turn down this invite. Its timing means he’s aware of our gathering. Which implies—”
Carmaxes III trailed off.
Yet all grasped the meaning.
“…So refusal isn’t possible.”
The rulers had no option except to embrace Marquis Palatio’s invitation.
All bearing a colossal misconception.