I Became the Patron of Villains

97. Union Conference (3)

King Carmaxes III of Colony wore an expression of severe headache.

It was because of the Colony’s proud first Baba Yaga, Seolang, who stood before him.

“So-“

Carmaxes unconsciously dragged out his words.

As he pondered what to say, he soon continued.

“You want to attend the conference as an aide?”

“Yes,”

Seeing Seolang nod without hesitation, Carmaxes let out a sigh.

She, who had always insisted she would never attend such a conference even if the sky fell, suddenly wanted to go as an aide. What on earth had happened?

……Of course, there was no problem with Seolang attending as an aide.

In fact, it was a great boon for Carmaxes.

The Union Kingdom’s conference was not just a meeting, but also a subtle power struggle among the allied kingdoms.

That was why Carmaxes wanted to take her along.

However, there was a problem.

“Didn’t you originally say you didn’t want to go?”

Carmaxes had already decided to take someone else as an aide, having heard that Seolang absolutely did not want to attend the conference.

That someone was Colony’s second Baba Yaga, ‘Makria’.

“I changed my mind.”

“Do you really have to go?”

“I really have to go.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

With an unwavering attitude that left no room for compromise, Karmakxes was at a loss.

Honestly, it wasn’t easy.

Of course, taking Seolang with him was much more beneficial for Karmakxes, but there was a problem with breaking the promise he had already made with the second Baba Yaga.

…Of course, if he didn’t consider the position of the aide, it wouldn’t be difficult to take both of them, but that would obviously cause its own problems.

Basically, accompanying as an aide to such a meeting guarantees a certain level of honor.

In other words, the second Baba Yaga accepted the proposal with that in mind.

However, if Seolang were to accompany him in this situation, no matter how much the second Baba Yaga was appointed as an aide, the first Baba Yaga would inevitably draw attention.

Seolang, who was currently in front of Karmakxes, possessed a strength that no one could rival.

In short, it was obvious that the second Baba Yaga’s dissatisfaction would explode.

“…How about going next time?”

Karmakxes asked, regretting that he hadn’t informed him sooner.

“Ah.”

The moment he asked.

“I said I want to go, didn’t I?”

Seeing Seolang, who had been wagging his tail just a moment ago, lower the temperature to a level that would make anyone flinch.

“…Alright then.”

He had no choice but to agree.

“Hmph-♬”

Seolang, who had gotten everything he wanted, relaxed his expression and hummed as he walked out of the palace.

Watching his back, Karmakxes rubbed his tired eyes.

“……”

Today is a day that calls for magic grass, Karmakxes thought briefly.

Meanwhile.

“…So, you want to go to the meeting?”

“Yes.”

“But the third sword was supposed to go to the meeting-“

“I want to go.”

“Hmm… It’s already been decided.”

“I want to go.”

“……”

The same thing was happening in Caliban.

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“Hmm…”

King Palmarian IV of Caliban showed a slightly perplexed expression as he asked Deus Macalian.

“Didn’t you refuse last time, saying you didn’t have time?”

King Palmarian IV, saying the same thing as the king of the desert somewhere.

“I can make time.”

But seeing Deus Macalian change his words so lightly, he closed his mouth.

Of course, it wasn’t that he didn’t want to take him.

He was well aware that the council of the United Kingdoms was a place where invisible power struggles took place, even though it was called a council.

But for King Palmarian IV, who had already refused to make Deus Macalian his aide and appointed the Third Sword as his aide, the request was burdensome.

No matter how much he was a king, he couldn’t really do everything as he pleased, and he knew that the more he was a king, the more he had to strictly adhere to such matters.

A king must give trust to his subjects.

After pondering for a long time, King Palmarian IV spoke.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t grant that request.”

“Why not?”

“Because everything has already been arranged.”

“With the Third Sword, you mean.”

“Yes.”

Nodding his head, King Palmarian IV, who was talking with Deus, could vaguely understand why he wanted to participate in this council.

‘…Because of Count- no, Marquis Palatio.’

As soon as he heard that Marquis Palatio from the Kingdom of Asteria would be attending as an aide, he must have rushed over.

It was a bit curious.

‘…How much does he admire him.’

Deus Macalian’s admiration, no, deep respect for Marquis Palatio was very well known.

No, it was impossible not to know.

At the meetings of the Five Swords held every few months, as soon as the word ‘mage’ came up, Deus would immediately start talking about, no, praising Marquis Palatio.

Even once, the newly appointed fourth sword, sick of the repeated stories, made a remark that seemed to ignore the Marquis, and there was an incident where he was beaten to death in a duel.

Therefore, anyone who knew anything knew that Deus respected Marquis Palatio.

…At the same time, there was also a rumor that you shouldn’t even mention the first letter of “wizard” in front of Deus.

On the other hand, Palmarian, who was a bit worried about what would happen if he pushed too recklessly,

“Understood.”

Nodded obediently and stepped back, showing a surprised expression.

Because he thought Deus would do something… no, anything to become an aide.

However,

“Since it’s already decided, it would be troublesome for me to tell you.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“No problem.”

Deus then turned around and left so neatly.

“……”

Palmarian IV, who was bewildered by this, exactly one day later,

Received an audience request from the third sword, who was supposed to go to the meeting together.

“…I greet the master of the five swords of the great sword of Caliburn.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Your Highness, may I resign from the position of aide?”

“…Suddenly?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“…It seems that my sword is not sharp enough to assist Your Highness.”

At the following words,

“Ah.”

The scene from yesterday flashed through Palmarian IV’s mind.

‘I’m sorry, but I can’t grant that request.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because everything has already been arranged.’

‘With the third sword, you mean.’

‘Yes.’

Eventually, it wasn’t hard to figure out what had happened.

“…I understand.”

“Thank you.”

That day, Caliban’s aide was replaced.

####

Three weeks later.

Having barely rested for two weeks, Alon returned to Teria and headed to Tern with Cretania Sian for a conference.

During the break, Alon understood why Cretania Sian wanted to take him as an aide.

‘Power struggle.’

He recalled what Evan had told him and continued to think.

‘Indeed, where the powerful gather, there are always these kinds of power struggles, childish as they may be… Well, why was I chosen for this… or rather, am I worthy?’

Objectively, his resume was quite impressive, so he thought it made sense.

…Of course, it was only impressive on the surface. In reality, he was a half-baked wizard who would be rendered combat-ineffective with just a couple of spells due to a very small magic hole.

‘Well, in the end, it’s a win-win.’

Cretania Sian used Alon’s honor, and Alon obtained the item he could only get by entering Tern.

About a week later, they arrived at their destination.

‘Oh.’

He marveled inwardly at the sight of the massive castle built solely for the royal families of the United Kingdom to use as a meeting place.

The outer castle, situated in the middle of a vast meadow, looked quite picturesque, and its exterior was also quite impressive.

Of course, it felt more like a fortress of iron and blood than a meeting place.

Anyway, Alon arrived at the castle shortly after.

“The meeting is in the evening, so rest in the banquet hall for now.”

“Understood.”

Nodding at Sian’s words, he headed to the banquet hall.

####

‘Surprisingly, there aren’t many people here.’

Alon thought as he looked around the quiet interior of the banquet hall, following Sian’s words.

Shrugging his shoulders, he began to snack on the desserts laid out.

He wanted to move immediately and get the item, but unfortunately, the item he was looking for could only be obtained at night due to its nature.

‘Tasty.’

At the moment when he was moderately indulging in the sweetness of an egg tart.

“Excuse me, are you the Marquis of Palatio?”

“?”

When Alon turned his gaze to the voice, there stood a man.

A typical handsome man with red hair, a cross earring on one ear, and a sword at his waist.

“Yes, but who are you?”

“Oh, it’s really you. Nice to meet you!”

He introduced himself with a bright smile.

“I am Philian, the first son of the Duke of Merkilian from the Kingdom of Ashtalon.”

“……If it’s Philian, the Swordmaster of Ashtalon?”

“Oh? You know me well? It’s an honor to be recognized by a famous person. I guess I’m quite famous now.”

Seeing Philian’s cheerful demeanor, Alon thought.

‘Well, it’s not because he’s famous, but because I already knew him.’

Alon knew him.

Philian Merkilian.

The youngest Swordmaster of the Kingdom of Ashtalon and a character who becomes a companion of the player in Psychedelia.

“You’re quite famous. The youngest Swordmaster of the kingdom, after all.”

“Thank you for the compliment. But-“

Philian’s personality, as you can see, was not abrasive.

As a companion character of the player, his personality was consistent and quite cheerful.

However, the downside was.

“Marquis, you seem weaker than I thought?”

“……”

The character was designed to have all his talent focused on the sword, so his interpersonal and social skills were abysmally low.

“That’s strange? You should be much stronger.”

……Just as he appeared before his eyes.

Additionally, he had a strong competitive spirit.

“……Hmm.”

Of course, Alon recognized that Philian had no ill intentions.

Philian Merkilian was not the type to mock someone in the first place.

……I don’t know if it’s because he can’t think of anything sarcastic or if he lacks intelligence.

Anyway, as I was pondering how to respond to him, who opened his mouth purely as if he had no malice.

“What did you just say?”

“……Huh?”

I instinctively turned my gaze to the voice coming from behind.

“?”

I almost widened my eyes at the familiar silhouette.

‘……Seolang, Irang…… Deus?’

Seolang and Deus, who were clearly wearing very angry expressions, stood before my eyes.