Raising Villains The Right Way

That night, after hearing Seeker’s words.

“Lord ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Alon, you seem to have many worries today?”

Penia asked with curious eyes.

“Does it look that way?”

“Mm—yes? It used to be hard to tell, but these days I can see it a little.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. For example, your posture is slightly different.”

Normally, Alon kept his back straight, but when he had many concerns or thoughts, his back would naturally curve.

As he listened to Penia’s explanation, Alon recalled Seeker’s words once more.

‘……The power of possibility is the power of Abominable Blood…….’

Immediately after hearing that, Alon had been forced to leave Seeker’s room.

Seeker had said that the time he could manifest was not very long, so further conversation was impossible.

“Hmm—”

Alon stroked his chin.

He needed to organize the information he had gathered so far, one by one.

There were only a few precise facts he knew about Abominable Blood.

First, that Abominable Blood had been the one responsible for the fall of Babiloia and Ilanef, nations as great as the two Empires of the past.

Second, that Yutia was called the Daughter of Abominable Blood.

However, the information he had obtained from Seeker this time did not quite align with those two points.

Naturally, Alon’s worries deepened.

At that moment—

“Um, Lord Alon, is it because of what happened today?”

“Today?”

“Yes, well… I heard that one of the imperial princesses proposed to you.”

Penia asked cautiously.

Alon set aside his train of thought for the moment.

“That did happen, but where did you hear it?”

“When I briefly went to see the Queen of Asteria earlier.”

“Ah.”

Alon recalled sending Penia and Evan to meet her earlier.

In the end, she had abruptly left the Tower, so he had not seen her face, but it seemed she had informed Penia in the meantime.

“That is not the reason.”

“I thought so…… ahem, I didn’t think it would be, but I asked just in case.”

For a moment, Alon was puzzled by the way she had been waiting anxiously and only then let out a sigh of relief.

[Meow?]

Blackie suddenly popped out from his chest, looking startled.

“?”

Wondering what was wrong, Alon looked at him.

“I thought it wouldn’t be, but when she heard about that earlier and saw you worrying, she started stomping her feet.”

“Be quiet!”

A brief exchange passed between Penia and Evan in the meantime.

“Hm? What did you say?”

“Me? Ah—nothing. More importantly, Blackie seems frozen?”

With a natural smile, Penia deftly changed the subject.

Alon nodded.

“Yes, he suddenly acted like this.”

Just as he reached out to stroke him, Blackie, who had been glancing around in alarm, slipped back into his chest.

Alon grew even more bewildered.

“So, what were you worrying about?”

Penia asked again.

After a moment’s thought, Alon answered.

“It is not something to worry about greatly.”

“Is that so?”

“Even if I think about it now, it is not a topic that will yield an answer.”

As for Abominable Blood, it was best to postpone it for now.

No matter how much he thought, there would be no conclusion at present.

‘If I can meet Seeker once more tomorrow, I will ask further.’

Having finished organizing his thoughts, Alon changed the subject.

“More importantly, it seems I will not be returning directly to the territory this time.”

“Huh? Why?”

“There is somewhere I must stop by.”

While Penia tilted her head in confusion, Alon recalled another piece of information.

‘Father of Maggots, and the temple at the westernmost end.’

Seeker had told him so.

That he would need something from Father of Maggots and from the temple at the westernmost end.

In truth, if he thought about it calmly, moving immediately might not be the best choice.

Seeker had said that the place was both necessary and dangerous.

Nevertheless, the reason Alon made a swift decision was because there was not enough time.

More precisely, he did not know when the second-stage divine-blood would break free, and thus he did not know how much time he had.

“Where are you planning to go?”

In response to Penia’s question, Alon told her about the conversation he had with Seeker.

After hearing everything, Penia’s brows faintly furrowed.

“Then we should assume there will definitely be a fight.”

“Most likely.”

“Mm—will we be alright on our own?”

Her concern was valid.

Alon had a record of dealing with divine-blood, but he was not strong enough to handle them comfortably.

However—

“We will be fine.”

Alon said calmly.

After looking puzzled for a moment, Penia nodded as if recalling something.

“Ah, come to think of it—”

She seemed to remember something.

“Indeed, it might not necessarily be dangerous.”

She agreed at once.

Alon then recalled another thing Seeker had said.

‘Set your law, was it.’

Just as he had heard from Blue Eyes before, Seeker had told him the same thing.

To advance to the next stage of divine-blood and establish a ‘law.’

Law, a law……

Alon had never thought deeply about law until now.

After all, he already possessed his own power, Reverse Heaven.

But if he could obtain a law here—

If it was necessary for him to move further forward—

Then, as Seeker had said, he needed to think.

More and more.

Alon’s thoughts deepened as much as the night itself.

Two days since Seeker’s assembly had begun.

Surprisingly, in just one day, the number of participants had decreased to less than half.

The two princesses, including Serdea who had thrown flirtatious words at Alon yesterday, and even Contanias, who had glared at him with hatred, were nowhere to be seen.

Among the imperial royals, the only one remaining here was—

“Good morning, Mr. Alon.”

Nataman, greeting him with a bright smile.

“Good morning.”

“Yes, it is a fine morning.”

“……Indeed.”

In a space filled with tension, Nataman alone was smiling cheerfully.

Alon asked him,

“However, Lord Nataman, you have not left the Tower.”

“Yes. There is no need to depart at night. I was just about to leave.”

Nataman looked straight into Alon’s eyes.

“So before departing, I came to see you.”

The relaxed smile at the corner of his lips did not fade.

“To see me?”

“Yes.”

At Nataman’s nod, Alon was left dumbfounded.

“It may be somewhat impolite to ask during conversation, but were we acquainted?”

Perhaps a rather rude question.

But Alon truly could not understand Nataman’s actions.

Thus, he asked despite the discourtesy.

Nataman answered as though he did not mind at all.

“No, not at all. Rather, you could say that I know you unilaterally.”

“Unilaterally?”

“Yes. I have heard many rumors about you.”

“In the Empire?”

“Yes. I may even know more information than you do, Mr. Alon.”

With a slight grin, Nataman tossed out a remark.

“In any case, to give the conclusion—I came to admire you.”

“……Me?”

“Yes. If one hears only the rumors, your story sounds like the epic of a great hero. That is one of the reasons I extend goodwill toward you.”

Nataman added confidently.

Then, as though recalling something he had forgotten, he made an ‘ah’ expression.

“Oh dear, I should be going. Let us meet again.”

Without erasing his lively smile, he leisurely exited the conference hall.

Alon could only stare blankly at the spot where Nataman had disappeared.

Soon, the second day’s meeting began.

Contrary to his expectation of meeting Seeker, the meeting today was led by the skull mask, who seemed to be his familiar.

The main content was the lending of helpful items to those who remained.

As he watched each person follow the mask one by one—

“Master.”

Yutia spoke.

“What is it?”

“I heard that you will not be returning to the Kingdom this time and will be going elsewhere.”

Alon nodded.

“That is correct.”

“May I ask where you are going?”

“It seems I will head west.”

“West?”

Yutia looked as though she had not expected that, perhaps even slightly surprised.

“Yes.”

“Why are you moving there?”

After a moment of silence, she asked carefully.

Alon told Yutia about his conversation with Seeker yesterday as well.

Listening quietly, she said,

“So there is something there that you need.”

“Yes.”

“Then may I go with you?”

She proposed accompanying him.

“Go together?”

Alon asked back at the sudden suggestion.

Yutia nodded.

“Yes.”

“……It will likely be very dangerous.”

He felt some concern.

At that, Yutia brushed her hair behind her ear and said,

“That is precisely why.”

“What……?”

“Because it will be dangerous, I wish to move together. I do not wish for you to be hurt, My Lord.”

With a faint smile, she added,

“So, may I have your permission?”

After conveying her intent once more—

“Very well.”

Alon had no grounds to refuse.

It was decided that Yutia would accompany him.

***

The night of the day Yutia promised to move with him.

“Hu—”

Letting out a light sigh as he pondered something deeply, Seeker suddenly looked out the window.

The view beyond the Tower’s window was, frankly speaking, not particularly beautiful.

There were no clusters of stars, only the moon hanging alone.

Thus, as he stared blankly—

“!!”

He suddenly noticed something.

The color of the moon, which had been purely blue, was gradually changing.

Seeker, who had been relaxed and languid until just before, hurried to move his body—

Thud—

Unfortunately, his body did not move.

No, it could not move.

As if fixed by something.

And—

When the blue moon turned into a complete red moon, Seeker heard it.

The sound of footsteps calmly approaching from afar.

When the crisp steps finally ceased, Seeker faced her.

A girl in black sacred robes, her crimson eyes as deep as the red moonlight that dominated the sky.

And—

“I suspected as much, but indeed.”

Looking at the girl—Yutia Bloodia—

“You have crossed over. Monster.”

He muttered quietly.

The blood-red moonlight settled silently within the room.