Raising Villains the Right Way

Yuman’s sudden arrival startled everyone.

However, the kings attending the conference showed no emotion at Yuman’s appearance, and Alon immediately realized that Yuman’s arrival had been expected.

‘It’s not so strange when you think about it. This incident involved the entire coalition kingdom, including the Holy Kingdom.’

As Alon was watching Yuman, King Stalian V broke the silence.

“What are you talking about?” he asked, clearly confused by Yuman’s remarks.

Yuman moved closer to Alon naturally and said, “Take it literally. Do not ask why he roams to capture the Outer gods.”

“Why can’t we ask?” asked Stalian V, his expression uncomfortable.

Alon was also puzzled, but Yuman calmly replied, “I cannot tell you the reason.”

“What?” said Stalian V.

“The only certain thing is that he is contributing to the peace of the world right now,” Yuman assured.

The kings, who had been silent until then, were all visibly impressed.

Generally, the Holy Kingdom maintained neutrality, so openly taking sides was quite unusual.

“So, are we to just take the saint’s word and stop questioning the Marquis?” Stalian V frowned.

Once Yuman spoke up, it might have been wise to stop challenging him further.

Although the saint’s status was not above a king, antagonizing the Holy Kingdom could create a tiresome situation.

Yet, aware of this, Stalian openly expressed his dissatisfaction.

He had a reason to show his feelings, as Yuman offered no reasonable explanation that could help understand the situation.

Then Yuman stared at Stalian V for a moment before curling his lips, “So, does the king of Ashtalon not trust our Holy Kingdom’s intentions?”

“Wait, no, I didn’t say that—” stammered Stalian V.

“It sounds like that to me,” Yuman interjected.

Stalian V was flustered; he had expressed his discontent with the saint but now it seemed as though he had criticized the entire Holy Kingdom.

“Wait, that’s too much of a leap,” Stalian V hurriedly defended.

But Yuman, both a saint and a spokesman for the Holy Kingdom, retorted, “An exaggeration? Complaining about what I said goes against the intent of the Holy Kingdom that sent me.”

Yuman then removed the shallow smile he had been wearing and spoke coldly, leaving Stalian speechless.

Yuman’s words might as well have been, ‘Can’t you trust us? Are you a heretic?’

Stalian V quickly backpedaled, “I didn’t mean that.”

As a nation, particularly one belonging to the coalition, offending the Holy Kingdom was a different level of problem, especially since the damage from the recent incident was significantly worse in Ashtalon, and they desperately needed support from the clergy and the Holy Kingdom.

“I’m sorry, I should apologize,” Stalian V conceded, but Yuman simply shook his head, “No, you should apologize to Brother Alon.”

“What? Me? No, I’m fine,” Alon quietly denied, not fully grasping the unfolding events.

Whether Yuman knew Alon’s inner thoughts or not, he remained calm, “Brother Alon was just contributing to the world, and yet he faced suspicion.”

“It’s not so much suspicion, just some unclear points,” said Stalian V, but he soon closed his mouth.

Though the saint said nothing more, the expression on his face clearly conveyed his message, and Stalian V realized he was indeed facing a silent condemnation.

“Marquis, I’m sorry.”

Once again, he bowed his head.

“……It’s okay.”

Alon awkwardly, yet to others seemingly calmly, accepted Stalian V’s apology.

Then, “Brother.”

He felt a strange emotion while watching Yuman nod subtly with an expression that seemed to say, ‘Just trust me.’

‘…I’m thankful, but isn’t it a bit too much?’ Alon thought as the idea briefly crossed his mind and left.

***

Evening was approaching outside the window.

The meeting finally ended late in the evening.

“Are you feeling alright?”

“I’m fine.”

“How impressive. When did you form a connection with the saint?”

“……Well.”

Asked with curiosity by Cretinia Siyan, Alon fell silent unintentionally.

Not because he didn’t want to answer, but because he himself didn’t know when exactly he had formed such a connection with Yuman.

“If you really don’t want to speak of it, I won’t ask. Besides, after today, there will be no more need to summon you, so you should go back and rest. You don’t seem to be in good condition.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

“No problem—see you next time.”

Cretinia Siyan said her goodbyes lightly and left.

Watching her retreating figure, Alon was then approached by Seolrang.

“Master! What happened?”

“It was nothing big.”

“Really? That’s good!”

With a bright smile, Seolrang came over, and Alon petted her head.

“So, are you going back now?”

“Probably. I need to rest.”

“Oh…”

Seolrang made a visibly disappointed face.

“Master! Wanna go to the colony with me!?”

“……Next time. I’ll have to stop by eventually.”

“Ugh, that’s disappointing, but can’t help it.”

Despite her disappointment, Seolrang nodded understandingly.

Watching her, Alon unwittingly smiled like a father and petted her head even more diligently.

“Brother.”

“……Saint.”

Suddenly, Yuman approached and started a conversation.

“Are you feeling alright?”

“Not really well, but I think I’ll recover enough with some rest.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“But, are you really okay?”

“What do you mean?” Yuman asked crisply.

Alon hesitated for a moment then said, “You defended me.”

“Ah—don’t worry about it. I just did what I had to do.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Alon felt a slight sense of unease at Yuman’s firm response.

He appreciated the help, but he suspected it was based on some misunderstanding.

‘I’m not sure what misunderstanding he’s under…’  

As Alon made a slightly strange expression, Yuman caught on and continued, “Have you been talking frequently with Archbishop Yutia?”

“We’ve been exchanging letters.”

“Hmm.”

Worry crept into Yuman’s expression.

“Brother, I keep telling you, it’s not good to be close to Archbishop Yutia.”

“……Is that so?”

“Yes. Trust me.”

Yuman firmly pursed his lips.

Alon’s expression grew more complex.

Thinking back, Yuman had always warned him to be cautious of Yutia.

Therefore, “I just want to clarify, in case there’s been some misunderstanding.”

“No.”

Instead of addressing the potential misunderstanding, Yuman’s expression became like that of someone who had laid out their child by the riverside.

“Remember my words, Brother, Yutia is a person you need to be very careful around. She’s someone who hides things. Remember my words.”

Yuman, seeming genuinely concerned, reiterated his warning several times.

Instinctively realizing that any response would only make the conversation go in circles, Alon said, “……Yes, well………….. I will do as you say.”

“That’s good.”

He nodded reluctantly, and then Yuman, with a calm smile, turned and left.

“……He might be smarter than I thought.”

“Huh?”

Surprised by Seolrang’s sudden remark, Alon slightly tilted his head.

The next day, after hearing all sorts of incomprehensible talk, Alon left Tern and headed to the his estate.

At that moment, in the Harlem district of Laksas.

After being dragged away once by Radan, Alexion, an Appraiser who had since been trying to live life more interestingly instead of wasting each day, faced an unexpected disaster.

The disaster was none other than, “Ra, Radan… sir?”

“Hey, have you been well?”

The very person who had turned his life upside down, the Pirate King of Laksas, was grinning brightly.

“Yes, yes, I’ve been well……. But, what brings you here…………?”

Alexion naturally bowed his waist and asked while shaking his head submissively.

Although his back was normally unbowed to anyone, having seen what happened to those who stood against Radan before, this attitude came naturally.

Radan, seeming to like his demeanor, nodded and asked,

“So, are you still up to illegal stuff?”

“What!? No, how could I! I’ve been out of that business for a while now-!”

Alexion protested as if it were a great injustice.

Indeed, he had been out of the illegal business since staying in Harlem, obviously due to Radan’s words, “Stop doing illegal stuff and live right,”

Radan had casually mentioned this while tapping his head a few times, but for Alexion, the situation had become a trauma and he really acted as Radan had instructed.

Recently, he had started a legitimate business.

Alexion, whose mind was sharp when it came to making money, even without illegal activities, had innate business talent and was even making a good deal of money.

“Is that so?”

“Yes, yes- I’m really only doing legitimate business now.”

To prove his sincerity, Alexion showed his sparkling eyes and nodded several times.

“Then, go to my brother’s domain.”

“What……?”

An unbelievable command, no, an order, was dropped.

“Didn’t you hear?”

“I did, but…… if by brother you mean- the Marquis Palatio’s domain?”

Alexion, questioning whether he had heard wrong.

“Yes, you heard right.”

“Why should I go there?”

“You’re good at business, aren’t you?”

“Yes…… well, yes.”

“Go there and do some business, what’s it called,”

Radan paused to scratch his head, then added, “Make some specialties, gather some influx for the domain, you know, stuff like that.”

“……Me?”

“Yes, you.”

“… Why me?”

He looked even more puzzled.

“Don’t like it?”

Following Radan’s question, “……No.”

“If you don’t like it, just say so.”

“I-”

“Just talk, that’s all.”

“I will go.”

Alexion had no choice but to obey.

“That’s right, good decision.”

Radan casually patted his shoulder and left with ease.

After a brief moment, Alexion, checking his surroundings, exclaimed, “They make my life unbearable!!!”

Bang!  

He slammed the desk and shouted, “What?”

Immediately after, Radan opened the door and came back in.

“Gasp-”

“Did you call me?”

Radan’s question.

“No. No.”

Alexion, repeatedly shaking his head with both hands held forward, “Okay, then. Do well?”

“Yes, yes……………”

Radan shrugged his shoulders, turned around, and left,

Alexion tightly closed his eyes and then checked his surroundings again.

‘Sigh…’  

He quietly sighed to himself.