Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 7

Alon had a feeling that complications like these were inevitable.

In the original game, the Palatio house was merely a stepping stone for the hero’s progression. However, within the Kingdom of Asteria, the name carried significant weight.

This prestige didn’t exactly equate to honor. While they had been respected for roughly three generations, the current Count Palatio’s lineage was infamous as the most troublesome noble house in the eastern territories.

To put it bluntly, they were the kind of aristocrats who became an absolute nightmare if anyone dared to provoke them.

Yet, there was one detail Alon had failed to anticipate despite his awareness of their reputation…

“The flavor of this wine is quite exceptional.”

“Huh? Oh… um, excuse me...?”

“I am a fond of wine, and this vintage possesses a very unique bouquet. I would be delighted to bring several bottles back with me.”

“I shall inform my father and ensure they are delivered to you immediately…!”

“Pardon…?”

…It was the fact that the Palatio family’s penchant for causing trouble far surpassed anything he had imagined.

Alon watched with a hollow gaze as the young noblewoman, trembling like a cornered mouse, bowed frantically before scurrying away.

“Did you see that? He’s actually intimidating Lady Malantino to seize their house’s specialty wine by force—”

“Is… is that what’s happening?”

“Just listen to his tone! It’s exactly how the eldest Palatio son used to make threats…! And that vintage is a rare, limited edition…!”

While Alon was trying to figure out where things had gone wrong, the hushed whispers reached his ears, leaving him with a bitter expression.

Feeling drained, Alon turned his eyes toward the spot where the young ladies had been gossiping. The moment they noticed his look, they ducked their heads and vanished into the crowd.

Alon was completely baffled by the situation.

He had expected negative rumors and understood why other nobles might keep their distance. However, he never imagined the ostracization would be this severe.

More specifically, he hadn’t realized just how notoriously loathed the Palatio name was among the high-born.

…He hadn’t foreseen being treated like a villain simply because of a misunderstanding regarding his role in taking down the family’s actual troublemakers.

Just as Alon let out a quiet sigh,

“Greetings.”

He turned toward the voice and found a girl in a black gown smiling at him with an alluring charm.

Even among the many beauties at the ball, her appearance was strikingly radiant.

Alon offered a polite smile in return.

“Greetings, Lady Zenonia.”

“Oh my, you are familiar with me?”

“But of course.”

From Alon’s perspective, not knowing her was impossible.

It was only natural, given that the girl before him was the eldest daughter of the Zenonia family—a house famous for its notoriety in the western region, much like the Palatios were in the east.

In six years, she wouldn’t just be a daughter; she would be the ruling Countess Zenonia. Furthermore, she was destined to be one of the three primary villains the protagonist would face within the Kingdom of Asteria.

“You are quite famous, after all.”

“Famous, am I?”

“Indeed.”

Simply put, she was someone he wanted to avoid at all costs. Noticing a faint, subtle flicker of emotion in Lady Zenonia’s eyes, Alon added:

“Because your beauty is so renowned.”

The world of the nobility was fundamentally convoluted.

Even within the borders of Asteria, numerous factions existed. These groups were divided between Royalists and the Aristocratic faction, both locked in a fierce political struggle.

These weren't just empty debates. Because real wealth and power were on the line, politics were an essential survival tool for the nobility.

Of course, Alon hadn’t attended this ball to play political games.

Even if his current situation was messy, Alon’s ultimate goal was a quiet, peaceful life. He knew full well that "peace" and "politics" were mutually exclusive.

Nonetheless, he had intended to socialize to a degree, knowing that even minor connections could prove useful in aristocratic circles.

Alon studied Lady Zenonia.

The Zenonia family was considered the western counterpart to the Palatio family in terms of being troublemakers. However, while the Palatios stayed out of politics to act recklessly, the Zenonias manipulated political theater to suit their agendas.

In essence, they were more calculating than the Palatios… functioning more like a sophisticated criminal syndicate.

“I appreciate the compliment.”

“It is merely the truth.”

One might assume that befriending Lady Zenonia would be harmless if Alon avoided politics, but that was a dangerous assumption.

People are judged by the company they keep.

Politicians gravitate toward their own, and thugs congregate with other thugs.

What would happen if Alon formed a bond with Lady Zenonia now?

If he intended to follow in the footsteps of the deceased Palatio brothers and dive into illegal schemes, it would be a powerful alliance. If not, it would be a catastrophic mistake.

In the worst scenario, he might end up as one of Lady Zenonia’s disposable pawns.

Contrary to the rumors suggesting he led a group with a Swordmaster, Alon was actually just a typical noble with no real assets to his name.

“I would enjoy further conversation. What do you say?”

“I would be honored, but unfortunately, I must take my leave for the evening.”

“Is that so?”

Lady Zenonia’s eyes narrowed slightly, giving off the aura of a predator.

Her expression was impossible to read.

However, for a fleeting second—

“…!”

The young woman’s eyes widened as if she had been caught off guard by something. Then, she nodded as if reaching an understanding, a smile gracing her lips.

“Just as the rumors suggested.”

“Pardon me?”

“It is nothing. I look forward to our next encounter.”

With those parting words, she walked past him.

“…?”

Alon turned and watched Lady Zenonia walk away, looking utterly confused.

***

Specialty wine from Malantino.

Tangerine tea from Penia.

Intricate metalwork from Vilanda.

A high-bred horse from Paldeon.

These were the "tributes" Alon had collected. Instead of making friends, his attempts to be social had resulted in these gifts being offered out of fear.

Reviewing the list of items he had acquired in place of actual acquaintances, Alon couldn’t help but let out a dry chuckle.

Thinking about the wine knowledge he had studied specifically to help him socialize, Alon clicked his tongue. He then turned to resume his original plans.

“One moment, please.”

“Hm?”

Once again, someone called out to him.

“Hello.”

Turning around, Alon found a woman dressed in a magnificent red gown, decorated with an array of jewelry.

It was clear she had put immense effort into her appearance, perfecting every small detail. Yet, despite her glamorous look, her face remained strangely expressionless.

“Yes, hello.”

Facing her, Alon noted how stiff she seemed in her elaborate attire as he returned the greeting. She immediately posed a question.

“If you can spare a moment, may we speak?”

Alon looked at her with a hint of surprise.

Only one other person had approached him of their own volition at this entire event.

He briefly ran through his mental list of the Kingdom of Asteria’s villains before giving a nod.

“Certainly.”

Regardless of her motives, she wasn't on his list of future villains, and more importantly, she had been the one to initiate the talk.

The two moved toward the terrace for a private conversation.

Shortly after—

“May I know your name, my lady?”

“Please forgive my delayed introduction. I am Roria, the third daughter of the Duke of Altia.”

“Ah… The Altia family.”

“Yes.”

Internally, Alon suppressed a heavy sigh.

The Altia family was a notorious powerhouse from the northern regions of Asteria.

And much like Lady Zenonia, the family was tied to one of the three major villains—the Duke of Altia himself.

Alon realized just how much he had learned about his precarious standing after attending just one social event.

He studied Roria’s face.

Her careful grooming only served to highlight her already exceptional beauty.

In the game Psychedelia, every member of the Altia house was a villain.

Therefore, if she belonged to that family, Alon—who had completed the game many times—should have at least recognized her name, even if her face didn't ring a bell.

Because of this discrepancy, Alon decided to be direct.

“…May I speak plainly?”

“What is it?”

“Please, grant me your assistance.”

“…Assistance?”

“I am going to be assassinated.”

With those words, Alon grasped the truth.

…In the game’s timeline, he had only ever seen four members of the Altia family: the Duke, his two older daughters, and a younger son. For Roria to be the third daughter…

It meant that Roria was already dead by the time the game’s story began six years from now.

“My sisters… No, they… They will attempt to kill me very soon.”

As Roria’s story unfolded, Alon pieced together the facts:

She was the child of the Duke’s sole concubine, a woman he had cherished more than his legal wife. Roria had survived this long only because of the Duke’s protection. However, the Duke of Altia was now deathly ill and could expire at any moment.

Simply put, the day the Duke died would be the day Roria was executed.

“Why have you come to me for help?”

“With your strength, it should be possible to save me.”

For the first time, her stoic mask cracked, revealing deep anxiety.

“I refuse.”

Despite seeing her desperation, Alon had no choice but to turn her down.

“I am not asking for a favor without reward. If you protect me, I will give you half of the Altia family’s—”

“I must decline.”

Roria spoke with growing urgency.

Yet, Alon’s answer stayed firm.

It wasn’t a lack of empathy for her situation.

Had he actually possessed the power she thought he had, her offer would have been worth considering. Unfortunately, Alon held no such power.

The rumors following him were almost entirely fabrications.

He didn’t control an assassin who had killed Leo Palatio, nor did he possess the martial might of a Swordmaster that had defeated Avalon.

Consequently—

“I shall take my leave now.”

As Alon turned to walk away, he caught the flicker of hopelessness in Roria’s silent eyes.

But seeing that despair didn't grant him any magical strength. He was struggling just to ensure his own survival.

As he headed back toward the ballroom, he clicked his tongue and glanced back at her one last time.

“Good things will happen.”

It was a hollow blessing meant more to soothe his own conscience than anything else.

Roria didn't reply.

Alon hadn't expected her to. He turned his head away.

“I hope we meet again.”

It was only a lingering trace of his modern morality that made his heart sting slightly. He whispered the words while staring up at a chandelier shaped like a crescent moon, trying to offer a shred of comfort.

And then—

“We should probably report this development to the Red Moon.”

High on the roof of the ballroom, near where the chandelier was anchored, an observer tasked with monitoring Alon and suppressing information about the Avalon incident spoke to his companion.

“There is no need. She isn't a target. Ladan will take care of it even if we stay out of it.”

“Understood. So she is the only Altia child who isn't a 'target' for Ladan.”

“Correct. Regardless, we have other priorities.”

As the green-eyed observer looked elsewhere, Deus also shifted his gaze.

He spotted a figure dressed in black, silently stalking Alon.

“…A tail?”

Deus began to circulate his mana to eliminate the intruder, but then he paused.

He remembered Yutia’s specific instructions not to act without explicit orders.

Therefore—

“We will just observe for the time being.”

Deus and Rine remained still, quietly watching the black-clad figure that was following Alon.