Became the Patron of Villains

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

The previous meeting was extended significantly due to Deus’ outburst in response to Seolrang’s question, but that was merely an exception.

Once everyone but Deus and Yutia had internalized the notion that there were certain questions they should never ask Deus, such exceptions could be avoided.

Although Deus, who usually remained silent, would occasionally speak up whenever the topic of the Great Moon was mentioned, those conversations no longer dragged on.

This was because Rine and Radan consistently redirected the conversation.

Thus, today’s meeting should have proceeded peacefully, unlike the last one, and thanks to their efforts, it was expected to conclude in under 20 minutes.

[By the way, Seolrang, that person said he was going to the colony this time, did you meet him?] Yutia asked Seolrang.

[I’m going to marry Great Moon!]

[What?]

That was before Seolrang answered.

In the beginning, the atmosphere wasn’t all that bad.

The other members of the Blue Moon were aware that Seolrang sometimes used exaggerated expressions, and Yutia thought it was just one of those moments.

But then.

[That person is truly wonderful. No wonder Seolrang likes him.]

[Exactly! That’s why I’m going to marry him!]

The moment they realized that Seolrang wasn’t just exaggerating but was actually serious.

[…What are you talking about?]

Yutia’s face, usually calm under any circumstance, suddenly hardened, and the other members of the organization held their breath at the sight.

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Everyone at the meeting knew exactly when her expression and tone would take that turn.

‘She’s holding back.’

‘She’s really holding back.’

‘She’s holding it in.’

Deus, Radan, and Rine immediately sensed Yutia’s mood and recoiled.

Even though it was just a virtual meeting using magic projection, they instinctively knew how terrifying Yutia could be when she was angry.

But the three of them assumed that this storm would soon pass.

Seolrang knew Yutia well enough and feared her too.

However.

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

Contrary to their expectation that Seolrang would back down, she confidently declared her intention as though it was a final decision.

The other members of the organization were left dumbfounded.

Yutia briefly closed her eyes, as if trying to regain control of her expression, then opened them and asked,

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

[Of course I do! We’re going to become a family. I’m confident I’ll do well!]

Yutia closed her eyes again, as if feeling dizzy, then opened them slowly.

With a faint smile, as if trying to soothe a child, she spoke softly.

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

[Why?]

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

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

Seolrang’s face showed no sign of being convinced, instead asking, what’s the big deal?

A crack formed in the faint smile that had returned to Yutia’s face.

[Listen carefully, Seolrang. We are the shadows of the Great Moon. Shadows can’t stand by the side of their master. Do you understand what I’m saying?]

Yutia’s face, which anyone present could see held a subtle yet distinct edge of anger, made the other members think that this conversation would finally come to an end.

[…]

Seolrang, seemingly feeling Yutia’s emotions more clearly this time, shrank back a little.

But then, as if gathering her resolve, she blinked and answered,

[Still! I’m going to get married!]

Even after Yutia’s growing irritation became clear, Seolrang’s firm declaration left the members momentarily stunned.

“I know! Anyway, the most important thing is what the Great Moon thinks!”

The organization members couldn’t help but gape at the situation, as Seolrang was openly declaring war against Yutia.

As Yutia and Seolrang began glaring intently at each other, Rine and Radan had a single question running through their minds.

What exactly happened between Seolrang and the Great Moon to make her act like this?

“Do you really think that person will choose you?”

“Master said that I’m not too bad!”

Of course, Alon didn’t say that sincerely but merely to comfort her when Seolrang was whining and asking if she was disliked.

However, cutting out the context, only that part of the conversation surfaced, causing Rine and Radan to react.

“What, what did you say…?”

Just as Yutia was about to be hit by shock.

“What exactly happened between you and that person, Seolrang?” Deus asked, attempting to change the subject.

“So,” Seolrang began recounting her interactions with the Great Moon, slowly shifting the atmosphere to one of calm.

Seeing that Deus had effectively defused the tense situation, Rine and Radan exchanged satisfied glances.

“…And that’s what happened.”

“I see.”

“So? Isn’t that amazing!?”

“Indeed. Hmm—listening to your story suddenly reminds me of the majesty the Great Moon showed in the north half a year ago.”

[[…!]]

As Seolrang’s story neared its conclusion, taking about 20 minutes, both Rine and Radan wore expressions of regret.

Deus, seizing the opportunity during their moment of carelessness, seamlessly shifted the conversation back to the events of half a year ago.

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Just like that—

“…I still vividly remember it, the figure of that person, standing against the sunset on the ashen, barren land.”

“Oh! I know exactly what you mean!”

[[Ah.]]

Before Rine and Radan could redirect the conversation, they saw Seolrang eagerly agreeing, as if she’d been waiting for this topic, and their faces darkened.

Two hours later.

“Hmph… that was quite a lengthy tale.”

As they expected, Deus’ story had finally come to an end, and both Rine and Radan felt a sense of relief, thinking the meeting was finally over.

“Anyway, you can’t marry that person!”

“I can!”

“You can’t!”

“I can!!”

“You can’t!!”

“I CAN!!!”

[[…]]

With the argument between Yutia and Seolrang flaring up once again like it was nothing, both Rine and Radan engraved a new realization in their minds that day.

Yutia exhibits a surprisingly childish side whenever the Great Moon is involved, even just a little.

It wasn’t exactly the kind of information they wanted to know, Rine and Radan thought as they gazed up at the sky, which had already begun to brighten.

***

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

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

Rad, the leader of the Golden Hair Merchant Guild, bowed so deeply it was as though he might be mistaken for a mere servant.

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

They were all aware of the growing renown of Count Palatio from the colony, and among them, the mages and mercenaries had witnessed the Count’s power firsthand.

“I’ll see you when fate allows.”

“Thank you very much!”

As Rad bowed at a 110-degree angle and began to prepare the merchant guild for departure, someone spoke.

“Count.”

Just as the count was about to climb into the carriage, a voice called out to him. It was none other than Liyan, the daughter of the Red Mage Tower’s master.

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“What’s the matter?” he asked.

“Are you planning to attend the magic conference next month?”

“Hmm.”

Alon clicked his tongue, his face remaining expressionless.

‘Magic conference, huh…’

A magic conference.

It was essentially an event where the mages from the various towers gathered once or twice a year to discuss the theories and experiments from their research and engage in friendly competitions.

‘I do want to go.’

In fact, Alon had been meaning to attend the magic conference for some time.

More specifically, he wasn’t so much interested in the research materials from the conference as he was in the “Central Tower” where the conference was held.

There was something in that place that could alleviate Alon’s critical shortage of magical power, at least to some extent.

Unfortunately, the Central Mage Tower’s policy required one to be affiliated with a tower to gain entry, so Alon responded,

“I would like to attend, but it seems I won’t be able to.”

“Huh? Why not?” Liyan asked.

“Because I’m not affiliated with any mage tower.”

Liyan looked slightly surprised by Alon’s words.

“…So, it’s true that you’re not associated with any tower?”

“It is. There’s no reason for me to lie about that.”

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

“As a member of the Red Mage Tower…?”

“Yes.”

Alon considered the unexpected proposal for a moment before responding,

“…Well, it’s certainly a good opportunity for me, but I don’t think I’ll be able to do much by simply attending under the Red Mage Tower’s name.”

“I’m not expecting anything in return. Just like last time, it would be enough if we could discuss magic topics together during the conference,” Liyan said, subtly glancing up at Alon.

‘Alright, that’s a pretty good deal,’ Alon thought.

Though he briefly wondered why Liyan was offering such favorable terms, he couldn’t find any reason to refuse, so he nodded.

“Then I’ll gratefully accept your offer. When should I head there?”

“I believe there’s about a month and a half left, but I’ll send you the exact schedule via letter or magic orb.”

“Understood.”

With that, the conversation concluded.

“See you then.”

Alon parted ways with the mages from the Red Mage Tower and began gathering some provisions from the first village he encountered after crossing the desert, preparing to return to his territory.

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“Ah, Count!” Evan suddenly exclaimed, as if he had just remembered something, and delivered two pieces of news.

“What is it?”

“Well, it’s about Rine.”

“And?”

“I heard that she’s become a powerful figure in Lartania.”

“A powerful figure?”

“Yes. From what I’ve heard, she’s become one of the council members of the Triumvirate.”

“The Triumvirate… That’s the group responsible for the overall governance of the Labyrinth City, isn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

“…Rine?”

“Yes.”

“She’s certainly moving up in the world.”

The first piece of news was that Rine had risen to power in Lartania, a pleasant bit of news that might bring some benefits their way.

“And Radan…”

“Yes?”

“It seems he’s unified five of the Seven Archipelagos and has essentially become the Pirate King.”

“Hmm, is that a good thing?”

“I’m not sure if it’s good or not… but his bounty has now surpassed several million gold coins.”

“…Several million gold coins…?”

“Yes, apparently, it’s comparable to the bounty on the original Pirate King.”

“…”

The second piece of news was that Radan had transformed from a pirate into the Pirate King of the Somali Archipelago, a rather strange turn of events.

***

Sergius, one of the eight cardinals of Rosario, had held his position for over 20 years. He was a man who enjoyed luxury and indulgence, far from fitting the role of a cardinal.

He cared more for a bottle of wine than reading the scriptures, and valued holding a woman more than praying—he could easily be seen as a cancer within the Holy Nation.

“Pleasure to see you, Cardinal Yutia.”

“Likewise, Cardinal Sergius.”

Yutia Bloodia smiled faintly as she sat facing Sergius.

In truth, Sergius wasn’t close enough to Yutia to warrant a one-on-one meeting like this.

In fact, this was only the second time he had ever seen her face.

Still, there was a reason why Sergius had sought her out.

“I came to make you an offer. Would you care to listen?”

This was that reason.

“What kind of offer?”

“To be blunt, I need a ‘name.'”

“A name?”

Sergius nodded in response to Yutia’s question and answered.

“Yes, it seems there are those in league with impure elements on that side.”

“You want to use my name for a ‘conversion letter,’ correct?”

“Exactly.”

A conversion letter—it was a special letter that only the higher echelons of Rosario, specifically cardinals or above, could send. It was dispatched when there were suspicions that someone had allied themselves with heretics. To write such a letter, the approval of at least two cardinals was «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» required.

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However, Sergius had no intention of sending the conversion letter for its proper purpose.

The real reason was that he had accepted a bribe, and the reason he was now making this request to Yutia, whom he had never even properly met before, was—

“If you lend me your name, I will make sure you’re properly rewarded.”

“Reward, you say?”

“I’ll refrain from saying anything about the suspicious death of Cardinal Biantrea. How does that sound?”

Unlike the other cardinals, with whom he would have to share the bribe, Sergius believed that Yutia would be someone he didn’t have to split the payment with. This confidence came from the fact that—

“Cardinal Biantrea?” Yutia asked.

“I assume you’re not going to claim ignorance, considering the position you’re in.”

—he had gathered enough information to be sure that she, like himself and the other cardinals, had already been tainted.

“So, let’s not complicate things. If you lend your name for the conversion letter regarding Count Palatio, I’ll keep silent about this matter.”

Confident in his leisurely approach, Sergius was ready to conclude the conversation. 

“…I see.”

The gentle smile that had adorned Yutia’s face moments ago faded, and she posed another question.

“So what you’re saying, Cardinal Sergius, is that you want me to lend my name?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“To bury Count Alon Palatio?”

“…? Yes, that’s right,” Sergius nodded, but as he did—

“Hah…”

A soft, low chuckle escaped her lips.

And then.

“!”

The world turned red.

Everything had happened so suddenly.

Sergius, alarmed, tried to move, but soon realized that his body would no longer obey him.

Along with this realization came an overwhelming sense of dread, and he instinctively turned his trembling head toward its source.

And there he saw.

The woman, who had been smiling warmly just moments ago, now stared at him with vividly crimson eyes.

“Did you just tell me—”

Anyone could see the unmistakable rage radiating from her.

“—you’ll kill my God?”

It was in that moment that Sergius realized something had gone terribly wrong.