I Became the Patron of Villains

88. The Investiture Ceremony (4)

Myaon’s mind couldn’t keep up with the current situation.

The whisper she heard in her ear in such a harmonious atmosphere was clearly out of place.

So, unable to respond, Myaon erased her smile and frowned a few seconds later.

Of course, she knew she had to manage her expression in this situation.

No matter how rude the words were, the other person was one of the Cardinals of the Holy Kingdom of Rosario.

Even if she heard something unreasonable, she had to calm her mind and have a composed conversation first.

But despite knowing that, her face, which had already frowned, and the unique anger of the Myo tribe that began to build up in her heart.

“What did you just say-”

A gruff voice escaped from her lips.

Immediately after.

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Myaon stopped speaking.

No.

It wasn’t that she stopped speaking.

The words just stopped.

The lips that had opened.

The tongue that had moved to pronounce.

The frown that had formed.

Everything.

Stopped.

“!”

The moment she realized it, Myaon suddenly understood that this world had changed.

The sunlight, which had been warm just a moment ago, was now tinged with red.

The subordinates who had come with her to carry out the mission were also red.

The holy knights who had been beside Yutia just a moment ago were also frozen.

As if time had stopped.

‘What-‘

Instinctively, Myaon tried to look around, but unfortunately, she couldn’t move her body either.

All she could see was the sight of lines, like blood, being drawn over the bodies of the subordinates and holy knights who had been moving just a moment ago.

Seeing the lines being drawn on the bodies of the holy knights and subordinates as if dividing boundaries, Myaon instinctively felt threatened and tried to move her body somehow.

“Listen carefully.”

At the voice coming from the front, she unconsciously held her breath and stared straight ahead.

And soon she could see.

In this red world, the only one maintaining color and looking at her was the Cardinal of Rosario,

Yutia Bloodia.

Fear began to nestle in Myaon’s instincts.

Because she had lost control of her body?

No.

Because Yutia Bloodia seemed like she would cause harm?

It wasn’t that either.

It was simply incomprehensible.

For reasons unknown.

However, as if it were only natural, the fear that began to be instilled in Myaon quickly took over her mind and began to torment her.

Yutia, as if she didn’t care about Myaon’s condition, was the only one moving in this world where everything had stopped. She approached Myaon without any restrictions and met her eyes.

What she saw were eyes redder than the red world and an expression so indifferent it was almost cruel.

…Rather, it was a face where the anger was even more vivid because of it.

Yutia, looking at Myaon.

“He is-“

Soon, she placed her finger on Myaon’s right hand.

“Not someone you can play with as you please.”

Anyone could see, she spoke in a clear warning voice.

“I hope you understand my words well.”

The moment a faint smile appeared on her lips.

“-Ah?”

Myaon realized that the world had returned to normal.

She stared blankly at the sky.

The sky was blue.

The forest had also regained its original color.

Yutia, who had been approaching her, was now smiling like a ‘saint’ without any expression.

The only thing that remained the same as before was Yutia Bludia’s vivid red eyes visible through her smiling eyes.

“First of all, it seems you are another guest, but I will guide you inside the Holy Kingdom.”

After saying that, she turned without hesitation and started walking towards the Holy Kingdom, and Myaon stared blankly at her back.

She still couldn’t properly grasp what had just happened.

No, to be precise, she couldn’t even distinguish whether it was a dream or reality.

“…??”

The moment Myaon made a puzzled expression.

“Captain, is something wrong?”

“Huh, what? Why?”

She turned her head at the voice of her subordinate coming from behind, and he asked with a slightly worried expression.

“No, you don’t look very well. You’re sweating a lot.”

“Ah.”

Only then did Myaon realize that his entire body was drenched in cold sweat.

Clearly not in a good state, and…

“…Ah.”

Myaon looked at his right hand, feeling a faint pain, and soon saw a small wound there.

A very shallow wound, the one Utia had touched in the red world earlier.

The moment he confirmed it, Myaon looked at Utia.

Even as he boarded the carriage heading to the Holy Kingdom, he saw her red eyes smiling at him.

As Utia, who had just lightly wiggled her index finger, boarded the carriage, it was clear that the world he had seen earlier was indeed reality.

Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-!

Myaon’s entire body was engulfed in fear.

####

Meanwhile, Alon, who had easily passed through the castle gate with the Holy Knights, took in the sight of the Holy Kingdom he had only seen in illustrations for the first time and thought:

‘…The name Holy Kingdom does suit it.’

The outer city of the capital was not much different from other territories.

However, from the inner city, the roads were meticulously maintained, and pure white buildings were orderly constructed.

As Alon entered the massive cathedral next to the central building of Rosario and the Great Temple, he soon encountered Utia again.

“It’s been a while, teacher.”

“Indeed. How have you been?”

“Of course, I’ve been well. Sometimes I feel a bit sad when your replies to my letters come a little late, though.”

Seeing Utia’s light-hearted joke, Alon couldn’t help but smile.

Unlike meeting the other five great sins, it didn’t feel awkward with Utia, perhaps because they had been in regular contact through letters.

After some time had passed while they exchanged pleasantries,

“So, the ennoblement ceremony will be in a few days?”

“Yes. For the ceremony, the Chief Cardinal, who is currently in prayer, needs to come out. Hmm… After you hear a brief explanation of the ceremony’s itinerary from the person in charge tomorrow, you can rest comfortably until then.”

As Utia said this with a smile, Alon nodded and then cleared his throat before speaking.

“Utia, if possible, I have a favor to ask. Would that be alright?”

“Of course. What is it?”

“If possible, I’d like to visit the Chamber of the Holy Spirit. Would that be possible?”

The Holy Spirit’s Room.

It was literally a special room within the Rosario that only those of high rank could enter, and according to the setting, one could converse with the goddess Sironia whom the Rosario served.

…But, of course, just because an ordinary person entered the room did not mean they could converse with the goddess.

Only those who were chosen by Sironia or those of bishop rank or higher with very deep faith could hear even a faint whisper of her voice.

In fact, unless one was a saint of the Rosario, almost no one could hear the voice of the god.

In other words, even if Alon entered, he could not converse with the goddess.

The reason he wanted to enter the Holy Spirit’s Room was not so much to converse with the goddess, but to obtain something useful.

However, unless one was of cardinal rank, and more importantly, without the permission of the current ‘saint’ of the Rosario, it was extremely difficult to enter in the first place.

He asked with the mindset that it would be nice if it worked out, but if not, so be it.

“It’s possible. If you want it, teacher. It’s not that difficult.”

“…Really?”

“Yes.”

When the permission was granted so easily, Alon felt a bit of surprise behind his expressionless face.

“…No, is it really possible? It’s funny that I’m saying this after asking, but I heard that the Holy Spirit’s Room requires the saint’s permission, wouldn’t it be difficult?”

“It’s okay. If you want to do it, teacher, I’ll find a way.”

“…”

Yutia’s assertion was so certain.

Alon felt very grateful, but he didn’t want to cause her too much trouble.

“…If it becomes difficult, just tell me right away. Don’t overdo it.”

He said so.

“Yes, don’t worry. I can’t do anything too excessive either.”

Seeing Yutia smile as if she knew his concerns, Alon felt a sense of satisfaction.

He had been a bit worried when he saw her arguing with Serlang in the colony, but after talking to her, he was sure.

He was sure that she was better corrected than anyone else among the five great sins.

Therefore,

‘As expected, her mindset is right because of her religious life.’

Alon continued to talk with Yutia about various things with a satisfied heart.

…It was the afternoon of the first day in the Holy Kingdom.

The Duke of Komalon’s Office.

“……The Dark Melody was annihilated overnight?”

“Yes.”

The Duke of Komalon let out a sigh and looked at the dark elf standing before him.

Unlike the one who reported last time, this one stood silently with his head bowed. The Duke maintained his silence for a while before asking,

“Who did this?”

“We are mobilizing personnel to find out, but we have not yet confirmed who exactly did it. However, there is a suspect.”

“Who?”

“It seems to be someone related to Count Palatio.”

“Why?”

“The Dark Melody had also received the directive you mentioned last time.”

The Duke of Komalon pondered something for a moment before speaking again.

“……So, it’s a situation similar to Pigule a few months ago?”

“Yes, it seems they retaliated.”

“Retaliation……”

The Duke let out a small laugh and fell silent. After a long pause,

“……How should we proceed?”

The dark elf asked cautiously, and the Duke of Komalon spoke again.

“……You said it was Deus Macalian who dealt with Pigule last time, right?”

“Yes, he is one of the prime suspects, though not confirmed.”

“Deus Macalian and Count Palatio are benefactors, right?”

“That’s the rumor circulating among the public.”

“They must not have an ordinary relationship.”

Muttering to himself, the Duke then said,

“Enough, let’s stop worrying about it.”

He gave the order.

“Is that acceptable?”

“Yes, for now, the ‘results’ that will soon emerge are more important than Count Palatio. We can deal with the Count after the results are out.”

The dark elf was silent for a moment before speaking.

“……Actually, there is something else I need to tell you about that.”

“What is it?”

“The Count of Palatio is currently in the Holy Kingdom.”

“…The Count of Palatio?”

“Yes. I heard he went to the Holy Kingdom for the investiture ceremony.”

The Dark Elf nodded.

The Duke of Comalon made a peculiar expression, as if it was rather fortunate.

“Then there’s even less need to worry. Soon enough-“

He murmured softly, smiling.

“-the results of the Abyssal Entity will emerge from there. Then we can deal with the Count of Palatio as well.”

A sinister smile.

####

The next day, Alon was able to meet the cardinal in charge of the upcoming investiture ceremony, as a way to preview the schedule.

He was able to meet him.

“Ah, ah, hello Count of Palatio, I, I am, Sergius. Pleased- to meet you.”

“…”

Shivering.

Alon looked at Sergius, one of the eight cardinals of the Holy Kingdom, who was trembling like an aspen tree-

“…”

-No, to be precise, he looked at Yutia, who was smiling serenely, and thought that Sergius had already glanced at him dozens of times.

‘…Is he really practicing his faith properly?’

…Somehow, he felt a bit uneasy.