Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 347 : Voting (2)

A short time passed.

Has everyone arrived?

Alon scanned the five individuals in the reception area plus the additional one.

Yutia, Rine, Seolrang, Ryanga, Magrina.

And Historia too, perched there with a pouty face.

As Alon shot a baffled glance toward Evan.

Is there an issue?

Evan, equally perplexed, responded with a question.

Historia wasn’t included in the list.

Huh? What list? …Oh, you mean the partner roster?

Exactly.

Hold on… So the folks you assembled here are from the partner list?

Evan appeared completely in the dark, his eyes growing wide.

Alon’s doubts only grew stronger.

You had no idea?

Naturally not.

…How could you not know?

How should I?

Alon attempted to remember Alexion’s statement from the day before and parted his lips.

Alexion explicitly mentioned that you would—

Ahem, my Lord, isn’t that beside the main issue?

Regrettably, he got interrupted right away.

…Beside the point, you say?

The outcome is already set, right?

I feel the same, brother.

Me as well, my Lord!

Ahem, indeed, Chief.

Correct, godfather.

Beginning with Yutia, the rest chimed in sequentially, like they’d practiced beforehand.

Alon went speechless briefly.

…He was certain they hadn’t been so friendly before.

Stealing a look at Evan, his expression revealed deeper bewilderment, as if he grasped the circumstances even less than Alon.

…Alright, let’s proceed.

There was nothing to be done.

Regarding how these individuals got the letters and cleared the interviews—he’d have to postpone that inquiry temporarily.

His interest hadn’t vanished, nor had his concern faded.

He just sensed intuitively that probing further would yield no useful responses.

Alon released a soft exhale and spoke to the assembly.

You probably already understand, but I summoned you for the partner selection.

He surveyed the affirming nods and inquired to confirm.

Does anybody wish to pull out as a partner hopeful immediately?

He pondered if pressure had forced anyone into the interview.

Yet only utter quiet answered, without even a hint of sound.

No—rather, their gazes flickered with an odd resolve.

Alon himself grew quiet without thinking.

Why did they all crave the partner role so intensely?

It puzzled him, yet it also brought a touch of satisfaction.

To imagine they yearned for the spot to this extent.

Admittedly, few among them fully comprehended the implications of being a partner during the interview.

Nevertheless, appreciation remained appreciation, so he cleared his throat pointlessly.

Having all of you apply makes it tough for me to select one personally.

That was factual.

Regardless of the approach.

The unselected ones might breed grudges.

And Alon desired none of these people to harbor such feelings.

Therefore—

We’ll conduct a vote.

Alon unveiled his secret plan.

A vote?

Affirmative. Starting now, you get roughly an hour. In that period, vote for each other.

In essence, it was a straightforward vote.

Truthfully, it altered little beyond lifting the weight from him of picking someone directly.

But he believed this method would suit everyone.

A vote, eh—

Sounds entertaining.

Count me in!

Luckily.

All five hopefuls agreed without objection.

Then, it commences now.

The balloting started.

Precisely one hour afterward.

The outcome was—

Yutia: 1 vote

Rine: 1 vote

Seolrang: 1 vote

Magrina: 1 vote

Ryanga: 1 vote

Historia: 1 vote

Despite the secrecy of the votes, the results clearly revealed who supported whom.

But hold on—wasn’t Historia excluded from the initial roster?

Alon directed his attention her way.

Her typical vacant look.

However, she gazed at her slip with eyes brimming with serious intent.

With it tied, let’s revote.

Noticing Historia’s tail flicking, Alon chose not to bring up her non-candidacy and proposed another round.

Another hour elapsed.

And subsequently—

The results:

Yutia – 1 vote

Rine – 1 vote

Seolrang – 1 vote

Magrina – 1 vote

Ryanga – 1 vote

Historia – 1 vote

...

The identical result recurred.

Alon paused briefly, then stated,

This time, you have two hours. Why not talk it over together?

With those instructions,

I’ll exit briefly to attend to tasks.

He departed the chamber.

***

Time elapsed following Alon’s departure.

Per his directive, Evan silently watched the proceedings.

Hoo~ At this pace, it’ll drag on forever.

The remark came from Magrina, who’d stayed quiet up to that point.

Mmm, indeed.

I concur.

Me too.

The group assented in turn.

Magrina continued,

Thus, let’s select one to concentrate our votes on.

What’s pooling votes mean, Magrina?

A contest. How does that strike you?

…A contest?

Hehh, a contest—

Yutia inclined her head with curiosity.

Fine, then propose the contest.

The conversation progressed swiftly.

The selected contest turned out to be rock-paper-scissors.

Indeed, merely rock-paper-scissors.

Yet soon—

Magrina, join me here briefly.

What’s up?

Well, you know~

Seolrang?

What’s the matter, Yutia?

Might you move aside a bit?

Huh?

Evan observed it unfold.

Factions forming sporadically, murmuring secretly.

…Wasn’t rock-paper-scissors a simple game with definite victors and defeated?

Why require plotting for such an uncomplicated match?

The idea had scarcely arisen when—

All of them displayed solemn faces.

Next—

Ugh—

The intense surge of their mana and divine power pressed down, even overpowering Evan, who possessed the might of a standard knight.

He sensed the weight bearing down and retreated.

The conclusion—

The tallies arrived as:

Yutia – 1 vote

Rine – 1 vote

Seolrang – 1 vote

Magrina – 1 vote

Ryanga – 1 vote

Historia – 1 vote

Yet another stalemate.

…Evan.

Yes, my lord.

Didn’t you mention a victor emerged?

Alon, reentering, appeared stunned.

True, a victor had been determined.

It was Yutia.

Evan glanced ahead.

Even in mere rock-paper-scissors, Yutia had employed sly tactics and merciless schemes.

She grinned—only her mouth lifting.

Hahaha... You all violated the agreement. Isn’t that somewhat unjust?

She uttered it laughing.

But Magrina responded composedly,

We upheld the agreement. You resorted to trickery, correct?

Trickery? How so?

Right from the beginning, you employed holy power to scan everyone’s muscles, predicting their moves.

Others were doing that as well~

And you delayed your throw slightly too~

You didn’t object then?

Since we realized you’d deny it regardless.

...

Evan suddenly comprehended—so the cause of their mana and holy power outburst, nearly demolishing the structure... served that purpose?

As he pondered the ridiculousness, Alon examined the tied slips anew.

Continuing like this, we’ll never conclude. Time to switch approaches.

He stated evenly.

Every gaze fixed on him.

Capturing their complete focus, Alon proclaimed,

One month from now, a vote will occur among the territory’s citizens.

He proclaimed a public election.

***

Obviously, shock rippled through all.

We’ll abide by your choice, my Lord.

I will as well. It appears equitable.

…If the Chief deems it so.

That means victory for me!

Plenty to weigh, but fine.

With Historia’s final nod, the group left, each harboring a subtle assurance, as if confident in their edge.

Evan, lost in reflection, murmured quietly.

…This guarantees an outcome.

Precisely.

Yes, the scope has expanded somewhat. Yet this mirrors occasional partner selection practices.

Is that so?

Although Alon suggested it to avoid personal selection, he inwardly fretted over excessiveness.

But learning of prior instances eased him.

At minimum, it stayed reasonable.

As Alon nodded inwardly, Evan appended,

It has precedents.

Glad to hear.

Typically, royalty undertake it.

…Pardon?

I’ve learned royalty frequently select brides or grooms thusly.

Royalty?

Indeed. But does it matter? Royalty doing it doesn’t bar others.

True enough.

They may view it as imitation, but that’s the mildest backlash.

Evan shrugged, and Alon gained further comfort.

Several days onward—

Marquis.

Yes?

A pilgrimage contingent from Rosario approaches.

…?

Yes. They claim arrival coincides with the new church’s dedication.

Noted.

There’s more.

What then?

Warriors from Colony head to the Marquisate of Palatio too.

From Colony? Out of nowhere?

Affirmative, seemingly for training purposes. And recall the trade guild we contracted? The one led by the Elf Queen? Their caravan arrives in a month. Plus—

Alon sensed immediately.

Something brewed.

And then—

Is that everything?

No, my lord. This forthcoming detail holds utmost significance.

What?

You recall instructing invitations to the kings?

…Did complications arise?

Not complications. Rather... it proceeded overly well.

…How so?

All kings accepted the invitation. Their envoys arrive shortly.

I understand—wait, truly?

They all accepted.

…Why?

Uh? Well... inquiring of me won’t...

Evan faltered uncomfortably.

Alon stood frozen in confusion, yet simultaneously grasped intuitively.

Evan, with their acceptance, when do they reach Divine Land?

In roughly two weeks.

Something veered astray.

Horribly astray.