Became the Patron of Villains

Alon remembered Karsem as a troublemaker who was arrogant and dismissive.

While not inherently cruel, the environment Karsem had grown up in was enough to shape him that way.

In any case, Karsem had never shown any respect to players in the game.

Although he might gradually grow more friendly or favorable as quests progressed, his underlying personality did not change.

So it was quite shocking for Alon when Karsem—who usually spoke informally even after being saved or helped by the player—looked at him with respect and used formal language.

In spite of Alon’s thoughts, Karsem said, “Your body must have suffered a lot. It’s only natural, considering the formidable presence you’ve displayed.”

Karsem’s eyes were unusually bright, for reasons unknown.

“Why do you ask, my lord?” Alon said.

‘I don’t understand why you’re acting this way all of a sudden.’

As Alon spoke in a steady tone, Karsem, as if he had made up his mind, straightened up.

“I have come to respect you, Marquis Palatio.”

“Suddenly?”

“Yes. Ever since I saw you a few days ago, alone against the Outer Gods and that incredible wizard, I couldn’t help but respect you...!”

“Ah.”

“It may sound odd, but I’ve lived quite a reckless life until now.”

Karsem continued his impassioned speech, even spitting as he spoke fervently. “You may not know, but I am far removed from the line of succession. It was decided when I was young. No matter what I did, my father had already chosen my older brother as his successor. That’s why I never tried before.”

Alon was speechless beyond his expressionless facade, and Karsem did not stop talking, going on for over five minutes.

“That’s why I have come to respect you...!”

His confession was, honestly, filled with cringe-worthy words.

While it was understandable to be amazed by a battle or to dream of becoming a wizard, the sudden realization and shame over his wasted life, all because he had witnessed Alon’s battle, was somewhat hard to understand.

Thus, wondering what it was all about, Alon quietly sighed. ‘If I remember right, Karsem’s age was... seventeen?’

Seventeen years old.

A bit late for the typical teenage angst, but not too late for it to strike.

‘It seems the angst has developed late.’

Alon internally expressed his pity.

In about two or three years, Karsem would remember this confession and might be kicking himself under his blankets.

But Alon felt no need to mention that.

Above all, it seemed like Karsem was caught up in his teenage angst, yet had finally determined to live earnestly.

Alon simply nodded without saying anything.

*****

A week later, Alon’s body—which had nearly lost its life to mana addiction—was recovering quickly.

“Marquis! How are you!”

“Marquis! Are you feeling alright!?”

“Marquis! I’ve prepared dinner!”

It was Filian, who had become the lord of the Merkilane territory, expressing his gratitude with utmost care.

“No, you don’t need to go to such lengths.”

“What are you saying! It’s the least we can do after you saved us!”

The thorough care Alon received was undoubtedly due to Filian’s sincere gratitude.

In reality, it was because changes had occurred in his body.

“Mana addiction is being cured?”

“Yes. Initially, there was a severe case of mana addiction, but now most of it has disappeared.”

“Wait, didn’t you say last time that there was no mana addiction?”

To Alon’s question, the cleric shook his head.

“To be precise, I said it wasn’t severe enough to hinder your life or use of magic.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Once mana addiction occurs, it doesn’t disappear. That’s why I told you last time to be very careful about consuming potions.”

“I see, it seems you did mention that.”

As Alon nodded, the cleric continued.

“Originally, Your Grace was at a stage where the addiction could have worsened, potentially preventing further use of magic.”

“But... it’s being cured?”

“Yes. Normally, once this condition sets in, it can’t be cured. But in your case, it is being cured.”

The cleric, amazed, repeatedly infused divine energy into Alon’s body and nodded.

“Yes, it’s improving.”

“Is something happening to my body?”

“It doesn’t seem so.”

“Then could it be because my magic core is small?”

He asked, wondering if a small magic core had its advantages.

“Uh... that’s even less likely. If the magic core is small, addiction usually progresses faster.”

“I see.”

He nodded, realizing once again that his body was of no help from start to finish.

After the cleric left, “What’s this?” Alon murmured, and Evan shrugged his shoulders.

“Why worry about it? Isn’t it good if it’s good?”

“That’s true, but...” Alon crossed his arms, only to let them drop due to the pain.

“I feel like there’s a lot more to think about.”

In fact, he had struggled with mana addiction over the past week and hadn’t been able to think properly, but now he had many mysteries to unravel, from the “things” left by Duke Komalon to the “rituals” he mentioned.

Additionally, there were the stories related to the “south of the border.”

“There’s a lot to find out.”

While he was thinking this, “Ah, Your Grace. I have something to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“I just heard, but as soon as your body recovers, it seems you need to move.”

“Move?”

“An emergency meeting of the Allied Kingdoms has been called, and you are asked to attend.”

“Attend?”

“Yes.”

Alon nodded slightly.

Since this was a matter involving the entire Allied Kingdoms, he had expected this situation to arise, whether it was positive or negative.

“How soon do I need to leave?”

“You should go by next week.”

“That’s tight.”

“Yes, it is.”

Despite the tight schedule, Alon thought for a moment. “Well, I still have to go.”

He made up his mind, and about a week later, although unable to use magic but having regained some mobility, Alon—

“Master! Let’s go together! I have to go too!”

“I will accompany you too!”

—took Seolrang and Filian to attend the emergency meeting in Tern.

*****

During their journey to Tern, Alon didn’t come up with any new deductions, but he did learn an unexpected piece of information through Seolrang.

“Did you say you didn’t hear the conversation between me and Duke Komalon?”

“Yes!”

“You mean you didn’t hear Duke Komalon’s voice, nor mine?”

“Right! I couldn’t move, but my mind was clear, and I didn’t hear anything at all!”

It turned out that the conversation between Alon and Duke Komalon somehow couldn’t be heard by those around them.

They were aware that the two were speaking, but couldn’t make out the contents of the conversation at all.

“Did the Marquis do something?”

Of course, at that time, Alon hadn’t done anything.

More accurately, he couldn’t have done anything.

At that moment, although he was in a better state than Seolrang—who had blocked most of the attacks directed at him—he was essentially in no condition to act.

However, Alon soon stopped pondering this because they had arrived in Tern.

Upon hearing that a meeting was taking place, he immediately made his way to the kings’ council chamber.

“You’ve arrived.”

He could see the assembled monarchs.

Familiar faces were present.

The first person he saw was Cretinia Siyan, looking at him with a relaxed expression.

King Carmaxes III of the Colony, and then...

“Well, let’s get straight to the discussion,” said King Stalian V of Ashtalon, staring intently at Alon.

“Marquis Palatio, thank you for stopping Duke Komalon.”

He then stood up and bowed respectfully.

A king bowing his head was an extraordinary honor, even if Marquis Palatio had saved the Kingdom of Ashtalon from a crisis.

King Stalian V was a king, and his bow meant that the whole Kingdom of Ashtalon was showing Alon respect.

“I only did what I had to do.”

Regardless, Alon responded calmly with due respect.

“Now that we have given thanks, let’s move on to some serious questions.”

“What question do you have?”

“Marquis Palatio, what exactly are you?”

“What?”

Such a question came from King Stalian V.

“I don’t understand the point of your question.”

“Just as I said.”

King Stalian V’s face was utterly serious.

“After this incident, I started investigating you. I had heard rumors, but I looked into it more thoroughly.”

“Thoroughly?”

“You’ve stopped Outer Gods more than three times, haven’t you? When an Outer God appeared in the north, and also in the Labyrinth City.”

He continued, looking intently at Alon.

“I’m not sure, but when you went to Raksas and when you went to the Kingdom of Sanctus, you stopped Outer Gods there too. It’s almost as if you knew in advance that they would appear. Of course, there were times when that wasn’t the case.”

The conclusion is that wherever an Outer God appeared, you miraculously showed up and dealt with it.

He added more to his point.

“What I really want to ask is just one thing.”

“Why do you go around dealing with Outer Gods?”

After hearing everything, Alon realized that King Stalian V was suspicious of him.

He also understood his question.

Although indirectly, he was essentially asking if Alon was involved in this incident.

There was certainly some leap in his logic.

There was also clearly no absolute certainty.

The very fact that he was speaking in such a roundabout way indicated that he only had a certain level of suspicion.

‘Is it because of the upcoming issue of rewards?’

Alon easily figured out why King Stalian V was casting suspicion.

Effectively, the incident had been caused by Duke Komalon, and # Nоvеlight # the Kingdom of Ashtalon had to take some responsibility for the current situation, in one way or another.

From the perspective of a king who must consider national interests, there was nothing more to lose.

He intended to probe anything he could.

Put simply, ‘It’s like throwing something and seeing if it sticks.’

There was certainly some exaggeration in King Stalian V’s words.

This meant that since he was just fishing based on suspicions, there were quite a few loose ends.

These points could be explained adequately and could be clarified if needed.

However, Alon remained silent because—

‘Why should I explain why I go around catching Outer Gods?’

How to explain the reason he hunted these threats was unclear to him.

To live a comfortable noble life?

But saying that at this point would only raise more doubts.

‘What should I do?’

As he was hard at work trying to come up with a rational explanation—

“Do not ask him why he goes around catching Outer Gods.”

Suddenly, a voice came from behind, and Alon turned around.

There stood...

“The Saint?”

“I apologize for being late.”

It was Saint Yuman of Rosario.

“It’s been a while, Marquis—or rather, brother.”

He looked at Alon with a small smile on his lips.