I Became the Patron of Villains

Chapter 46

46. What’s Going On? (2)

Basically, the regular meetings of the Blue Moon often end without any special events.

Although the meeting was prolonged last time due to Deus’s outburst in response to Seolang’s question, that was an exceptional situation.

Once it was ingrained in the minds of everyone except Deus and Yutia that there were questions one should never ask Deus, exceptional situations could be prevented.

Of course, Deus, who usually remained silent, would occasionally open his mouth as if triggered whenever the Great Moon was mentioned, but now those stories rarely dragged on.

Thanks to Line and Radan, who invariably diverted the topic.

Therefore, today’s meeting should have proceeded peacefully, unlike the previous one, and in fact, due to their efforts, the meeting was about to end in less than 20 minutes.

[By the way, Seolang, I heard that person is coming to the Colony this time. Did you see him?]

After Yutia asked Seolang that question.

[I’m going to marry the Great Moon!!]

[Huh?]

Until Seolang gave that answer.

…Actually, at first, the atmosphere wasn’t that bad.

The other members of the Blue Moon knew that Seolang sometimes used overly exaggerated expressions, and Yutia also thought this was one of those times.

But.

[He is indeed a good person. It’s understandable that Seolang likes him.]

[That’s right! So I’m going to marry him!]

[……?]

The moment she realized that Seolang’s expression was not just an exaggeration but genuine.

[……What do you mean by that?]

Yutia’s face, which had always maintained a calm demeanor, instantly hardened, and the other members of the organization held their breath.

Everyone participating in the meeting knew well when she would show that hardened expression and tone.

‘She’s holding back.’

Deus, Radan, and Rine instantly recognized Yutia’s state and shrank back.

Even though it was just a video conference due to magical projection, they instinctively knew that an angry Yutia was terrifying.

But the three thought this storm would pass quickly.

Like them, Seolang also knew her well and was afraid of Yutia.

However.

[I mean it literally! I’m going to marry the Great Moon!]

Contrary to the expectation that he would immediately back down, Seolang shouted as if making a definitive declaration, leaving the other members with blank expressions.

Soon, Yutia closed her eyes tightly as if trying to manage her expression, then opened them and asked.

[Seolang, do you understand what you’re saying right now?]

[I understand perfectly! We’re becoming family. I’m confident I can do well!]

[…….]

She closed her eyes again as if feeling dizzy from Seolang’s words, then opened them with a faint smile on her lips, speaking in a tone as if soothing a child.

[Even if you’re confident, it’s impossible.]

[Why?]

[Because we are the shadows of the Great Moon.]

[……?? Can’t we be shadows and get married too?]

Seolang, with a face that seemed to say, “What’s the problem with that?” was not convinced at all.

Yutia’s smile, which had briefly returned, cracked.

[Listen carefully, Seolang. We are the shadows of the Great Moon. Shadows can’t stand beside it, understand?]

As if persuading, but with a face that anyone present could feel a subtle anger, the members of the organization thought that this time the conversation would finally end and looked at Seolang.

[Uh…….]

Seolang, who clearly felt Yutia’s emotions this time, shrank back slightly.

However, she seemed to glance around furtively, then blinked as if to steady her resolve and answered.

[But, but still! I’m going to get married!]

Despite Yutia’s display of anger, Seolang’s clear expression of intent left him momentarily stunned.

[I know! After all, the thoughts of the Great Moon are the most important, aren’t they!]

The members of the organization couldn’t help but gape at the situation where Seolang was openly declaring war on Yutia.

[……]

And soon enough, as Yutia and Seolang began to glare at each other, a question arose in the minds of Rine and Radan who were watching.

What on earth had happened with the Great Moon for Seolang to act this way?

[Do you think he will choose you?]

[The benefactor said someone like me isn’t bad!]

Of course, Alon had said that not out of genuine belief, but to comfort Seolang when she was whining about whether he disliked her.

But Rine and Radan, cutting out all the context, were left with:

[W-what did you say…?]

And just as Yutia was about to be shocked.

[Seolang, what exactly happened with him?]

[So-]

In response to Deus’s question to change the atmosphere, Seolang began to recount the story with the Great Moon.

The atmosphere slightly calmed.

Seeing Deus, who had timely extinguished the urgent fire, Radan and Rine wore satisfied expressions.

[-That’s how it happened.]

[I see.]

[How is it? Isn’t it amazing!?]

[Indeed, hmm- suddenly hearing Seolang’s story reminds me of the majesty the Great Moon showed in the north half a year ago.]

[[……!]]

As Seolang’s story ended after about 20 minutes, they realized with a start.

Taking advantage of their moment of inattention, Deus naturally began to recount the story from half a year ago.

Thus.

[……I still remember, the sight of him standing against the sunset on that desolate, ashen land.]

[Ah- I think I know what you mean!]

[[Ah.]]

Rine and Radan wore gloomy expressions as they watched Seolang chime in with the story that had started as if on cue, without giving them a chance to turn the conversation.

Two hours later.

[Hmm… that was quite a long story.]

…As they had expected, Deus’s story finally came to an end after a long time. The two felt a sense of relief that the meeting could finally be concluded.

[Anyway, you can’t marry him!]

[Yes, I can!]

[No, you can’t!]

[Yes, I can!!]

[No, you can’t!!]

[Yes, I can!!!]

[[……]]

As Yutia and Seolang’s argument started again as if it were a lie, the two engraved a new fact into their minds that day.

Yutia showed a surprisingly childish side whenever the Great Moon was even slightly involved.

…It wasn’t information they particularly wanted to know, Radan and Rine thought as they looked at the sky that was gradually brightening.

About a week later, Alon finally managed to escape the desert.

“I’ll come visit you next time, Count!”

Rad, the head of the golden-haired merchant guild, bowed excessively, almost as if he were a mere servant.

However, none of the merchants, mercenaries, or even the magicians present questioned Rad’s behavior.

They were already aware of the Count Palatio’s renown that had spread from the colony, and among them, the magicians and mercenaries had witnessed the Count’s power firsthand.

“Let’s meet again if fate allows.”

“I am honored!”

As Rad, who had bowed at a 110-degree angle, began to move the guild slowly.

“Count.”

It was Lian, the daughter of the Red Tower Lord, who called out to the Count as he was about to board the carriage.

“What is it?”

“Are you coming to the magic conference next month?”

“Hmm.”

Alon smacked his lips beyond his expressionless face.

‘The Magic Society…’

The Magic Society.

It was literally an event where the wizards of each tower gathered once or twice a year to discuss the theories or experiments of the magic they had explored in their respective towers, and to engage in a bit of friendly competition.

‘I want to go, but…’

In fact, Alon had had business with the Magic Society for a long time.

More precisely, he had business with the ‘Central Tower’ where the Magic Society was held, rather than the research materials of the Magic Society.

Because there was something there that could somewhat alleviate the severe lack of magical power that Alon currently suffered from.

However, unfortunately, the principle was that one could not enter the Central Tower unless they were affiliated with a wizard’s tower, so Alon replied.

“I’d like to participate once, but I can’t go.”

“Ah, why…?”

“Because I’m not affiliated with a tower.”

At Alon’s words, Liyan showed a slightly surprised expression.

“…I suspected it, but it’s true that you don’t belong to a tower?”

“It’s true. There’s no reason to lie about it.”

“Then, perhaps, would you like to participate in the society as a member of our Red Tower?”

“As a member of the Red Tower…?”

“Yes.”

At the unexpected proposal, Alon replied.

“…Well, it’s a good opportunity for me, but I don’t think there’s anything I can do just by participating as a member of the Red Tower.”

“I’m not expecting anything in particular, just a bit of discussion about magic with me at the society, like last time, would be enough.”

Looking at Liyan, who was subtly looking up at him while talking, he thought.

‘The conditions are quite good.’

Why are they letting me participate under such conditions? He thought for a moment, but since there was no reason to refuse, Alon nodded.

“Then I’ll gratefully accept your kindness. When should I go?”

“I think there’s about a month and a half left, but I’ll inform you of the detailed schedule through a letter or a magic orb.”

“Got it.”

With those words,

“Then, see you then.”

Alon parted ways with the wizards of the Red Tower.

After gathering some simple groceries in the first village he encountered after passing through the desert, he began to move to return to his territory.

“Ah, Count.”

Evan, as if something had suddenly come to mind, exclaimed and delivered two pieces of news.

“Why?”

“That, you know Rine, right?”

“And?”

“I heard this time that Rine has become a power in Lartania.”

“A power?”

“Yes. I heard that he became one of the members of the Tri-Council.”

“The Tri-Council… isn’t that the position that determines the overall policies of the Labyrinth City?”

“That’s right.”

“…Rine?”

“Yes.”

“…He’s made it.”

The first piece of news was that Rine had become a new power in Lartania, a piece of good news that might bring a little more benefit.

“And Radan too.”

“Yes.”

“I heard he unified five of the Seven Archipelagos and has practically become the Pirate King.”

“…Is that a good thing?”

“I don’t know if it’s good… but the bounty is over millions of gold coins.”

“…Millions of gold coins…”

“By the way, it’s similar to the bounty of the first Pirate King.”

“……”

The second piece of news was that the Somali pirate was transitioning into the Somali Pirate King, a strange piece of news.

Sergius, one of the eight cardinals of Rosario and a man who has held the position of cardinal for over 20 years, was a man who liked luxury and pleasure, contrary to his position.

Rather than reading the scriptures, he preferred holding a bottle of wine.

Rather than praying, he thought it more important to embrace women, a man who might be called the cancer of the Holy Kingdom.

“Nice to meet you, Cardinal Yutia.”

“Likewise, Cardinal Sergius.”

He was facing Yutia Bloodia, who was smiling faintly.

In truth, Sergius did not have a close enough relationship with Utia to warrant a private meeting like this.

After all, this was only the second time he had properly seen her face.

Nevertheless, the reason Sergius had come to see Utia was.

“I came to make a proposal, are you willing to listen?”

For this reason.

“What kind of proposal?”

“I’ll be frank, I need a ‘name’.”

“A name?”

Sergius nodded at Utia’s words and replied.

“Yes, it seems there are those who are in league with the corrupt on your side.”

“……A ‘name’ for the ‘Letter of Reformation’?”

“That’s right.”

The Letter of Reformation.

It was literally a letter that could only be sent by cardinals of Rosario rank or higher, sent when there was suspicion that someone had allied with heretics. And to write that letter, at least two cardinals were needed.

However, Sergius had no intention of sending the Letter of Reformation for its intended purpose.

It was simply because he had received a bribe, and the reason he had come to Utia, whom he had never met before, to make such a request was.

“If you lend me a name, I will reward you.”

“……A reward?”

“I will say nothing about the mysterious death of Cardinal Biantrea. How does that sound?”

Unlike other cardinals who would have to share the bribe if they made a request, he was confident that she would not have to share the bribe she received.

“Cardinal Biantrea?”

“Surely, you must know. You are sitting in that position, after all.”

Because of the information he had gathered, he was confident that she was already tainted, just like himself and the other cardinals.

“So don’t deny it and take it easy. If you lend your name to the Letter of Reformation for Count Pallatio, I will remain silent on this matter.”

At the moment Sergius ended the conversation with a relaxed attitude.

“……I see.”

Utia, who had been smiling softly until a moment ago, soon asked.

“So, Cardinal Sergius, you are asking me to lend you a name?”

“That’s right.”

“To bury Count Alon Pallatio?”

“……? That’s right.”

The moment Sergius nodded.