I Became the Patron of Villains

185. Grainif (1)

The day after seeing the magnificent view of evening primroses in full bloom with Yutia.

“I’m going now, teacher.”

“Yes, take care.”

“Okay. See you next time.”

Even Yutia left the marquis’ house.

The office, which had become distinctly silent unlike yesterday.

‘……It feels like a holiday.’

Memories of my original life come to mind.

My uncle and father, who always fought due to their different political views whenever they met.

The youngest, who took over the eldest’s computer and turned it into a virus paradise.

Still, it was quite harmonious.

Even though it was a mess every time we met, there was a certain sense of regret when everyone dispersed.

“It certainly feels empty, Marquis.”

Evan’s voice also carried a hint of regret.

“It does feel a bit like that.”

“Right?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, everyone has their own work to do.”

Alon agreed as he scanned the office.

Indeed, it felt a bit empty.

“……Next time, if everyone has time, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have such gatherings regularly.”

Evan’s eyes widened slightly before returning to their usual size.

“Well- let’s discuss that next time we meet.”

Alon nodded lightly.

“Then let’s start preparing now.”

“If it’s about preparations, you mean the elf village you mentioned last time?”

“Yes.”

Evan hesitated with a hum.

“I’ll make the preparations, but are you sure? I hate to say it, but it seems honestly dangerous.”

“Hmm.”

The places Alon had visited so far weren’t exactly safe either.

Still, Alon didn’t mind much.

Because he already had some information.

But the land of the elves, Greynif?

Unfortunately, there was almost no information about it.

To what extent, you ask?

There was no information gained from playing Psychedelia.

The only information he had was the small amount he encountered after being transported to this world.

Even the information he had was likely incomplete.

‘…It might indeed be a bit dangerous.’

The presence or absence of information greatly affects the level of danger.

No matter how dangerous a place you crawl into.

If you have knowledge about it, you can move to avoid danger.

Conversely, even in less dangerous places.

If you don’t know what to be careful of, you could be caught off guard.

But.

‘…Even considering that, it’s worth a visit.’

Whether he wanted to or not.

Alon realized he was quite entangled with many secretive matters in Greynif.

“…Well, let’s prepare for now.”

“You’re not going to look into it more?”

“I’ve already gathered all the information I can at this point.”

“True, that’s also the case.”

Alon also tried to gather information about Greynif in his own way.

But the problem was.

Despite spending quite a fortune to investigate, there was no meaningful information.

Sitting here and searching further would yield nothing.

“First, before crossing into the territory of the other race, let’s check once more in the nearby estates or villages.”

“There should be an estate called Nail.”

“Then we can inquire there.”

Alon decided so.

After a little time had passed.

“Marquis.”

“Is the preparation complete?”

“No, it’s not that – do you remember the Cyan Forest merchant group?”

“……Ah, there?”

“Yes. It seems they have just arrived. I thought it might be good to have a brief conversation before we depart. What do you think?”

Evan brought new information.

Alon, who was pondering for a moment, nodded.

“Well, let’s do that. Anyway, it’s still early, and this is our first transaction.”

“Yes, then I will call them.”

Evan immediately turned and disappeared upon receiving permission.

After a while.

A man entered the office following Evan’s guidance.

“Greetings, Marquis Palatio.”

“You are-“

“My name is Recon. I was behind the merchant leader last time…”

“Ah, I remember that.”

“It’s an honor.”

Recon bowed deeply.

He was alone.

“But, where is the merchant leader?”

Alon’s question was reasonable.

Unless it was a large merchant group, the leader usually met the nobles in person.

“I’m sorry. The merchant leader was attacked by a monster and is currently under treatment, so he couldn’t come.”

“……Oh, don’t mind what I said.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Rekon bowed his head once more.

Soon, they began to talk business.

“……Are the terms the same as last time?”

“Yes, there will be no changes.”

The terms were extremely favorable to Alon.

He wondered if it was right for a merchant group to prioritize profit so much.

But Alon didn’t bother to ask.

After all, he had nothing to lose in this deal.

“Then let’s proceed as such.”

“Yes, understood.”

The discussion flowed smoothly.

After the contract was finally signed,

Alon suddenly became curious.

“By the way, where does the Cheongnok Forest merchant group usually operate?”

“In the southern region.”

“Where do they usually travel?”

“Well- we generally roam around the entire southern area. This time is a bit of an exception, we came up to expand our route.”

With that, Alon asked with a hint of curiosity.

“Then, just out of curiosity, do you know anything about Greynif?”

“Greyni, f…… you mean?” 

Rekon, who had been smiling just a moment ago,

His face turned to one of confusion.

“Yes, but if it’s difficult to talk about, you don’t have to. I was just curious.”

As Alon added, Rekon quickly composed himself.

“No, it’s just- I was a bit surprised. People usually don’t take an interest in Greynif.”

“That’s true.”

“But, why did you suddenly ask about Greynif-?”

Alon answered calmly.

“I have some business there.”

“Bus…iness, you say?”

“Yes.”

“So, you’re going to- I mean, heading to Greynif?”

“That’s right. I was curious. About things to be careful of or the way to get there.”

At Alon’s words, Recon momentarily had a blank expression,

“…Well, if it’s just a little, I know something.”

He cautiously opened his mouth.

“Then it would be good if you could give me a hint.”

And an hour later.

After Recon had left.

“Marquis, are you ready to depart?”

“Yes, I think it’s time.”

“Oh, and I did some research. There’s someone in Nail who has been picking herbs in the Greynif territory forest for a long time. If we ask him, we might get some information.”

Evan brought good news, but Alon shook his head.

“No, I don’t think that’s necessary.”

“What? Why?”

“Because I heard some pretty good information.”

“If you heard good information- oh, from that merchant?”

“Yes, he knew quite a lot.”

“…Really?”

Evan was bewildered.

Alon was just as bewildered.

He had asked lightly, thinking the merchant mainly wandered around the southern area.

But he had heard far more than he expected.

And the information seemed quite credible.

‘…I never thought I would hear such detailed information about how to enter Greynif.’

He couldn’t be 100% sure it was true.

But from Recon’s perspective, there was no need to make up information that didn’t exist.

Moreover, it was detailed and vivid…

‘……Could it be, an elf?’

That thought suddenly crossed his mind.

But Alon soon shook his head.

There was no reason for an elf to hide their identity and come to trade with him in the first place.

“Anyway, let’s get going.”

“Understood.”

As Alon and Evan were about to leave for Greynif.

Just a moment ago, Recon—no, Perion, who had been at the marquis’ house, couldn’t hide his confused expression.

The reason was, of course, because of Marquis Palatio.

‘The First Elf is coming to Greynif? Why? No, did they discover my identity before that? That can’t be……?’

Thoughts swirled chaotically in his mind.

Perion tried to calm down and listed the points he couldn’t understand one by one.

‘……Surely, Filde said that the First Elf wouldn’t come to Greynif because they were holding something……?’

‘No, why did they ask me how to get to Greynif before that? They must know—’

‘Did they say it to avoid getting involved? Wait—does that mean they discovered my identity too?’

‘That can’t be. Last time, I was just disguised with magic, so I was caught, but this time I used the heirloom of the elves. Even last time, the queen and I weren’t caught.’

‘Or—did they just pretend not to know—?’

But unfortunately.

One thought led to another.

Unable to organize his thoughts properly, Perion finally reached one conclusion.

That was—

‘I must report this to the queen……! Before the First Elf arrives—!’

Before the First Elf enters Greynif.

He must report this to the queen.

Perion immediately ran out.

####

The Arbiter, Alexion.

“Hmm—”

No, now he was Alexion, the owner of the huge auction house at Marquis Palatio’s estate.

He had been living a very enjoyable life lately.

Because he received bribes from the nobles?

Of course not.

Even if he took bribes, Radan or that blonde-haired girl under his command would appear like ghosts and confiscate the money.

Because of that, Alexion gave up on that early on.

The reason Alexion could still live happily.

It was because of the ‘money’ that rolled in without him having to earn bribes.

Yes, money.

Alexion’s happiness came solely from money.

He was happy because of money when he worked in the slums of Raxas.

He was happy when he earned money even when he had no use for it.

Just having money made him happy.

To him, ‘money = happiness.’

And to such Alexion.

“Hehehe-“

The auction house run by the Marquis of Palatio was bringing him so much money that his mouth would rise to the ceiling.

Of course, a certain amount of the money he earned was continuously invested in the development of the auction house or sent to the Marquis, but.

It was fine.

Even after sending it, the remaining money was.

Much more than when he worked hard in the old slums.

He couldn’t help but laugh…

“Oh- nice to see you.”

“…Radan, sir?”

-Not.

At the sudden appearance of the demon, Alexion barely swallowed his hiccup.

“That, surely… you left yesterday-“

“Ah, I did. I should have handled the task my brother asked me to do before I left, but I completely forgot and just left.”

“Hahaha- I see.”

“So, are you still living off bribes these days?”

In less than a second.

Alexion, who shook his head more than five times, shouted urgently.

“That can’t be true! I swear, not once since then have I taken any bribes.”

“Really?”

“I swear to the heavens.”

Alexion wore a very confident expression.

“Oh-“

With that, Radan chuckled as if he had seen through him and patted Alexion on the shoulder.

“Really? Then I guess I can trust you?”

“Of course, you can trust-“

“Then, you take over managing my brother’s estate.”

“…What?”

He gave a special order.

“Didn’t you hear me?”

“No, no, no! I, I heard you, but-“

He heard it all too well.

No, it was impossible not to hear it.

Because the words that came out of Radan’s mouth just now.

Were practically the sound of the end of Alexion’s happy life.

“Are you talking about… the lord’s deputy?”

“That’s right. It’s nothing much. Just handle the paperwork. Summarize the important stuff.”

A tremendous crisis.

Alexion rolled his eyes.

The lord’s deputy.

Just hearing the word had such a nice ring to it.

In reality, it was quite a good position.

If he became the lord’s deputy.

While the lord was away, he could reign like a king and skim off some nice bribes.

But that was only possible.

When he was the deputy of a powerless estate.

What if the estate belonged to the Marquis of Palatio?

‘I’m in big trouble…!’

As a deputy lord, I cannot enjoy a single privilege.

If I take bribes, Radan will come to kill me.

If I abuse my power, Radan will come.

If I play tricks, Radan will come.

Everything.

Radan, Radan, Radan…!

No, even if Radan doesn’t come.

That girl with blonde hair will come-

‘Ugh…!’

Just thinking about it was horrifying.

In other words, being the deputy lord of the Palatio Marquisate.

It means bearing responsibilities without any pleasure.

Moreover, unlike now, it means enduring murderous labor intensity.

Is that all?

If I make a mistake, my head could be cut off…

Therefore.

“So- so, I mean- you know, that’s a bit-“

“You can do it, right?”

“Being a deputy lord, it’s not like I can just do whatever I want-“

“You can do it, right?”

“That Radan? As you know, I’m a scoundrel who rolled around in the slums-“

“You. Can. Do. It. Right?”

Hiccup-!

This time, I couldn’t hold back my hiccup.

Because Radan’s face, smiling at me.

Was clearly saying.

‘You know how much I hate repeating myself, right?’

Radan’s finger, twitching as if ready to cut off my head at any moment.

To that.

“…I’ll give it a try.”

“Really? You thought it through.”

In the end, Alexion nodded.

‘This damn b*stard-‘

A sobbing sigh, in Alexion’s heart-

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“You cursed, didn’t you?”

“Oh, no? I didn’t?”

“……Really? It felt like that. Got it.”

“…….”

Without even ringing, it quietly faded away.

……It was late summer.