I Became the Patron of Villains (Novel) - Chapter 96 - Allied Summit (2)
Chapter 96 – Allied Summit (2)
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Translated by Jinmu
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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Inside the office of Duke Komalon of the Kingdom of Ashtalon.
“…Was the result successful?”
“Yes. According to the report, it was. However, it seems there were some shortcomings.”
He was listening to a report from a dark elf.
“Shortcomings? What do you mean?”
“To state it clearly, rather than the perfect incarnation you originally desired, it was closer to a somewhat incomplete incarnation. As for the reason, I suspect it may be due to a shortage of Abyssal Cores.”
“A shortage of Abyssal Cores?”
“Yes.”
At the dark elf’s report, the duke of Ashtalon let out a low hum and sank into thought.
“And there is one more thing I should report.”
“What is it this time?”
“…It was Marquis Palladio who dealt with the Holy Kingdom’s artificial god.”
“Hah, Palladio again?”
“Yes.”
At the dark elf’s words, Duke Komalon gave a hollow laugh, then seemed to think for a moment.
“Very well.”
“Yes.”
“And push a little more Abyssal Core into the test subject currently under experimentation as well.”
With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the dark elf.
The dark elf gave a small bow, turned at once, and vanished.
Without paying any attention to her departure, the duke continued thinking deeply.
Then.
“It has been a while.”
He suddenly spoke.
Though there was clearly no one there, Duke Komalon offered a greeting into the empty room.
“Indeed.”
With a low exhalation, someone stepped out of the darkness.
That thing wore a black stellar robe.
A moment ago there had been nothing there.
Yet it appeared as if it had been there from the beginning.
“It has been a while.”
It naturally took a seat before the duke.
“What brings you here?”
At Duke Komalon’s question, it leaned back in the chair.
“You already know the reason. I came because I was curious. When, exactly, do you intend to make your move?”
“All preparations are complete. Once I obtain what lies in the jungle, I will move soon enough.”
Duke Komalon answered dryly.
At that, it let out a thoughtful hum and looked at him.
The silence stretched.
And as the tension in the room slowly began to rise.
“Well, is that so.”
The thing in the stellar robe shrugged, easily dispelling the tension that had been mounting.
“How interesting. To think you are still managing quite well as a human.”
It rose from its seat and turned away.
“Very well. I will believe you. That before long, you will raise the great cause you keep speaking of.”
Standing before a patch of darkness in one corner of the office, the black-robed thing turned its head and looked back at Duke Komalon.
Then.
“I hope your great cause succeeds. Ah, and one more thing.”
Just before walking back into the darkness.
“Just in case, be wary of that man.”
“…That man?”
“You know who I mean.”
It sounded faintly amused.
“Count Palladio. No, I suppose he is a marquis now?”
Leaving those words behind, it disappeared completely into the dark.
Left alone in the office, Duke Komalon.
“…Marquis Palladio.”
Quietly repeated the name.
####
After properly completing the title-bestowal ceremony in the Holy Kingdom and rising from Count Palladio to Marquis Palladio, Alon made his way at a leisurely pace toward the Palladio estate. No, the marquisate now.
Ordinarily, he would have gone straight to Theria once the ceremony ended.
However, he decided it would be better to leave the gifts he had received from the Holy Kingdom at home first.
Alon turned his gaze and looked behind him.
There, just as when he had left Colony, was a wagon piled high with goods.
‘I didn’t expect to receive something like this from the Holy Kingdom.’
Looking at the wagon Yutia had prepared for him as a reward, Alon found it rather novel.
As far as he knew, when one completed a Holy Kingdom quest in the game, the reward was usually a skill book or a holy relic instead of money.
It did not normally hand out material compensation like this.
‘Well, material compensation is much better.’
Just as Alon smiled to himself at the thought of the wealth that would soon be added to House Palladio’s stores.
“Marquis.”
He turned at Evan’s voice.
By now, it seemed the word marquis had settled comfortably enough on Evan’s tongue that he could say it without stumbling.
“What is it?”
“It just occurred to me, but why does the Holy Kingdom conduct title-bestowal ceremonies at all?”
“…Who knows?”
“You do not know either, Marquis?”
“Well.”
Alon briefly considered it, then shrugged.
“It is basically just an old custom that has continued from the past. I doubt it carries any meaning beyond that.”
“Is that so?”
“At least, as far as I know.”
Of course, it was not as if he knew much himself.
He was only answering based on something Yutia had said in passing.
She had murmured, “You came because of a custom that means very little, but I am glad to see you, Teacher.”
Only after relying on that memory to answer did he hear Evan mutter.
“…To be honest, it sounds a little pointless.”
“I agree.”
Then, as he casually shifted his gaze, he found himself looking at the mercenary group ahead of them.
More precisely, he was looking at Myaon, who was leading from the front.
And he felt a strange question arise.
On the previous trip, she had wandered into the carriage without hesitation and kept him company, so the road had not been especially boring.
This time, however, she had not come to the carriage even once.
And more than that.
Whenever she happened to glance his way and their eyes met.
She startled.
Then, with an awkward smile, gave a small nod and immediately turned back to face forward again.
She had repeated that over and over.
‘…What in the world did Yutia say to her?’
He could roughly guess why she was acting like this.
A few days earlier, he had seen Myaon freeze in front of Yutia like a mouse placed before a cat.
Even when he asked, curious about what Yutia had said.
Myaon only clenched her teeth and repeated in a voice pretending to be calm, “She really didn’t say anything at all.”
At this point, Alon had given up trying to find out what Yutia had told her.
‘Well, if I keep asking, it will only make her more uncomfortable. I should stop.’
Letting out a soft sigh, Alon settled back in the carriage almost as though lying down.
It was a leisurely afternoon beneath a blue sky.
####
About two weeks later, Alon arrived at House Palladio.
After parting ways with Myaon there and taking about a day’s rest, he headed straight for Theria.
Passing scenery he had now seen several times, he was able to seek an audience with Critenia Siyan within the royal castle.
However, he met her not in the audience hall, but in her office.
“I greet Your Majesty.”
“Raise your head.”
As soon as he bowed and paid his respects, he heard her voice.
When Alon slowly lifted his head, the interior of Siyan’s office came into view.
‘It is austere.’
Her office was remarkably simple.
The furniture within was plainly of very high quality at a glance.
Yet compared with the office of the king of Colony that he had seen before, it felt extremely modest.
As he gave the room a few covert glances.
“I heard what happened. They say you saved the Holy Kingdom.”
“…The story is greatly exaggerated.”
“Is it? For something so exaggerated, there seems to be remarkably little dissent. Ah, sit first. It would be a little uncomfortable to remain kneeling.”
At those words, Alon carefully rose and sat in the chair before her desk, looking at Siyan.
Her golden eyes, unique to the Arteria royal line, gleamed as she spoke.
“Well, to continue. There is no need for false modesty. Humility is certainly a necessary virtue, but if taken too far, it becomes poison.”
“Then I will refrain from excessive modesty.”
“Do so.”
Smiling as if satisfied, Siyan soon propped her chin on one hand and stared fixedly at the marquis.
Then.
“Ah.”
As if something had just occurred to her, she took something from one side of the desk and held it out to Alon.
“…This is?”
“A sweet potato. Do you not like them?”
“Pardon?”
“Do you dislike them?”
“Uh… no. I do like them.”
“Take it.”
Alon accepted the sweet potato with a thoroughly bewildered expression.
For a moment, he wondered whether he had ever told anyone that he liked sweet potatoes.
But he focused again as Siyan continued.
“Ordinarily, after a few formalities in the audience hall, I would simply send someone away. What do you think the reason is that I summoned only you here specially?”
“…I lack the discernment of one who serves to guess Your Majesty’s intent.”
“Well, there is no need to phrase it so formally. In any case, you mean you do not know.”
“…That is correct.”
At Alon’s answer, Siyan said.
“It is nothing special. The reason I called you to my office was merely that I thought I might chat a little. The favor I want to ask is simpler than you expect.”
“…May I ask what it is that you would command?”
“Exactly one month from now, there will be an allied summit of the allied kingdoms.”
“An allied summit?”
“Yes. In practical terms, it is an extension of the talks that were held last time. I would like you to accompany me there as my aide. Is that possible?”
At her words, Alon fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
“…It is possible.”
To be honest, participating in the summit was not bad for him either.
The central stronghold of the allied kingdoms, Tern, was a place only caretakers could enter except during the time when the central summit was held.
And there, much like at the magic academy, were items he could obtain.
Still, he did not understand why she had specifically chosen him as her aide.
He looked puzzled, but did not ask.
Whatever the reason, he understood this world’s law and truth well enough.
If the king told you to do it, you did it.
“I like that your answer was decisive.”
Siyan nodded with satisfaction.
“Now then, eat it.”
“Pardon…?”
“The sweet potato. Did you intend not to eat it?”
“No, I will eat it… but here?”
“Yes. Where else did you intend to eat it?”
“I will eat it here.”
He had no idea why she was doing this.
Still, he nodded and ate the rest of the sweet potato right there in front of her.
Of course, he did not taste a thing.
####
A few days later.
As word gradually began to spread that Marquis Palladio would attend as Critenia Siyan’s aide.
There were two people who reacted more strongly to the rumor than anyone else.
One of them was.
“Guild Leader.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“I have good news.”
“What is it?”
“You know the allied summit you agreed to attend at the kingdom’s request this time?”
“Yeah. Was it canceled or something?”
Seollang was sprawled limply across the guild leader’s office.
“No, not that, but…”
“Then it isn’t good news. I said I don’t want to go.”
“Even so, the support you received was considerable, was it not?”
“If I hate it, then I hate it.”
As she sighed heavily and radiated with her whole body that she truly did not want to go.
“Ahem. Even so, there really is good news.”
“What is it?”
“Marquis Palladio will be participating in the summit.”
“…Really!?”
At her secretary’s next words, the tail that had been hanging limp at once began to sway.
The other was.
“…Captain.”
“What is it, Vice Captain?”
“I thought I should mention it, just in case. Did you know that Marquis Palladio will be attending the talks you declined this time?”
It was Deus, who had refused the kingdom’s request in order to focus on training.
“Is that… true?”
“Yes. Marquis Palladio will be attending the summit.”
“I am going to the palace at once.”
“Then I will prepare at once. Ah, wait, Captain. At least change your attire…”
The moment he heard the news, he bolted for the royal palace in the same clothes he had been training in.
Determination burned in his purple eyes.