Chapter 10- The Beggar (3)
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“Who are you?”
Chang!
Perok drew his sword with a hardened expression.
Until the beggar, the Dark King, got up, he hadn’t even sensed his presence.
To deceive the senses of a top-tier Expert knight?
‘He’s no ordinary person.’
Perhaps this was why Evan had been watching him since earlier?
‘So he wasn’t watching to make him a test subject.’
Did he instinctively sense something was off?
His body became taut with tension.
The aura located in his lower abdomen churned.
Creeping up-
An ominous pressure rose above his shoulders.
A pressure that felt overwhelming just by looking at it.
The knights beside him flinched.
‘…Is he unaffected?’
The corner of Perok’s eye raised.
The beggar received the pressure head-on without caring.
As if this level was nothing to him.
“If you enter the forest today, the Great Demon King Angol will descend!Â
Everyone will die!”
Great Demon King Angol?
He pondered the unfamiliar term for a moment.
Perok’s face wrinkled further.
“…So you’re a superstition fanatic.”
Superstition.
Faith from before the empire was established.
Beliefs and faiths that have now become meaningless.
Beliefs without any basis or proof.
Honestly, it was laughable.
Superstition fanatics would typically ramble about how the Great Demon King Angol would come when there were ominous signs.
Even if those signs were trivial.
‘If you write your name in red ink, the Great Demon King Angol will come!’
‘If you gift shoes to your lover, the Great Demon King Angol will kidnap them!’
‘If you write the number 13, the Great Demon King Angol will bring misfortune!’
‘A black wolf is a sign that the Great Demon King Angol will come!’
And so on.
How idle must the Great Demon King Angol be to try to come at every little thing?
A fragment of history forgotten by everyone now, not even believed by the elderly.
The beggar was now shouting while brandishing that fragment.
‘I can’t believe someone still believes in that.’
It wasn’t the first time seeing someone who believed in superstitions.
Having traveled to many places under the Duke’s orders.
Minor superstitions were believable enough.
For example, not eating slippery foods the day before the knight’s exam.
Or not giving shoes to a lover before the knight’s exam.
It was the first time seeing a ‘superstition fanatic’ who directly mentioned the Great Demon King Angol.
‘Eyes of a madman.’
Two eyes.
Very clear.
Not doubting superstitions at all,
Literally the eyes of a zealot.
“Get lost and don’t interfere. Do you know who this person is?”
“I don’t want things like money! Such material things won’t move me! Everyone who enters today will die! I’m just delivering this oracle!”
Clatter.
The beggar rolled pebbles while speaking.
What a strange habit.
Perok clicked his tongue.
“Who told you that?”
“The wisdom of ancestors! The heavens! All these currents! They’re speaking!”
‘He’s definitely mad.’
Perok clicked his tongue disapprovingly.
Now he was starting to feel pity.
‘The priestess of the constellation would be more credible.’
A priestess known to read ‘fate’ from the stars in the night sky.
Even the Emperor calls for her occasionally,
That might be believable, but such ominous superstitions?
Not even worth believing.
“Get lost.”
“I’m telling you, don’t enter today!”
The beggar went berserk.
The pebbles in his hand clattered.
His old, skeletal body stepped forward.
A terrible smell wafted.
Twitch-
Evan’s expression slightly furrowed.
Noticing this, Perok’s expression also furrowed.
‘He keeps trying to touch the bomb.’
It would be troublesome if Evan became angry here.
The entire forest might become a testing ground.
The lives of knights and hunters couldn’t be guaranteed.
“…Wait.”
Before Perok could raise his hand to the knights as a threat.
Evan spoke first.
“Would you please step aside?”
Damn.
Was it too late?
“…Yes, young master.”
Perok bowed his head and stepped back.
The other knights also stepped back.
The hunter also tactfully retreated.
Evan stood before the beggar.
“Are you a noble sir? You must be Duke Alcart’s son!”
‘What a madman.’
Perok cursed inwardly.
Please.
Please!
Just shut up.
“…”
Evan silently stared at the beggar.
Would he become angry like this?
A volatile situation.
Perok gripped his sword handle tightly.
Meanwhile, Evan, standing before the beggar, no, the Dark King, thought to himself.
‘…Should I not have stepped forward?’
A stiff, or rather, cramped expression.
While inwardly clutching his heart.
***
Evan who stepped forward calmed his heart.
‘Ugh! I’m trembling!’
It was his first time seeing the Dark King directly.
Perhaps that’s why his heart was pounding.
Yet the reason he stepped forward.
Was simple.
‘What if he offends him.’
Clearly, the Dark King appeared to be a beggar.
Among beggars, the lowest of the low.
But he was the Dark King.
The history and legend of current assassins, itself
He could even kill Perok with a swish.
‘Fortunately, luck was on our side.’
Of course, the Dark King had rules.
Those black pebbles in his hand.
They were tools for fortune-telling.
However, the Dark King used them differently.
Whenever someone acted disrespectfully, he would roll the pebbles in his palm.
The pebble that stops in the middle of his palm.
The moment a crow symbolizing ill fortune appears on the pebble.
-History has decided your fate!
He would kill the enemy with a swish!
That was the Dark King’s ideology.
It was one of the few things he possessed as someone who owned nothing.
One might ask if owning nothing means getting rid of everything, but that wasn’t the case.
Owning nothing means ‘not possessing unnecessary things’.
It meant abandoning money, offerings, and greed, not abandoning one’s self.
Spirit, memory, technique, history.
The Dark King cherished these 4 things.
His obsession with history was beyond imagination.
-Everyone must remember history!
Stories passed down through generations, knowledge, ways of survival.
That included superstitions that were being forgotten by everyone.
Because that too was history.
“Even the Great Demon King Angol would fear your appearance!”
…That part was wrong, but.
At least the intention wasn’t bad.
‘I didn’t want to meet him because of things like this.’
Sigh.
He sighed inwardly and gathered his thoughts.
No choice.
For now, he had to be respectful.
There was no need to create conflict unnecessarily.
It wasn’t that he was afraid of fighting, absolutely not.
“How did you know I was the Duke’s son?”
“Your dignified face, eyes that seem empty despite possessing more than this old man, and your skeletal body! Everything proves your status, young master!”
“…I see.”
Evan agreed for now.
Perhaps because he didn’t deny it and said yes.
The rolling pebbles stopped.
Curiosity flickered in the Dark King’s eyes.
Ah, I should not have answered.
“May I ask your name?”
“Evan Alcart.”
“What a splendid name! But never write your name in red ink. The Great Demon King Angol will become angry and come for you.”
“I’ll remember that.”
Evan replied with a respectful attitude.
Perok’s expression became peculiar.
Why such an attitude towards that superstitious fool?
As if they’re some big shot?
‘Could Evan have been superstitious too?’
While unreasonable misunderstandings pile up.
The Dark King wore an extremely satisfied expression.
“Ho ho! To think you would take this old man’s words to heart! I thought today’s fortune was good for a reason!”
“What do you mean by good fortune?”
“When I woke up today, I heard magpies singing. Isn’t that a sign of good luck?”
“…Ah, I see.”
“By chance, did you hear magpies this morning too, young master?!”
“No. I heard crows in the morning.”
“Oh my! That’s a sign of ill fortune!”
The Dark King lamented. His expression showed genuine concern.
“Make sure to sprinkle salt water before you sleep tonight.Â
It will prevent theGreat Demon King Angol from coming!”
“…I’ll keep that in mind.”
“If possible, you should also refrain from entering the forest today.”
The Dark King spoke in a serious voice.
“Black wolves appeared today.Â
Three of them, no less.Â
Black wolves are a sign of misfortune.Â
Especially for hunters entering the forest!”
“…”
“I don’t know what your purpose is, but it’s better not to go in.”
There was a subtle hint of dizziness in the Dark King’s voice.
But Evan showed no change in expression.
If anything, he looked slightly disgruntled.
‘…I wasn’t planning to go in personally anyway?’
The first rule of survival: safety first.
He had no intention of going to dangerous places.
Still, he needed to give an answer.
If he played it right, this might help him gain favor.
“So as long as a person doesn’t enter, it’s fine?”
“That’s correct, for now.”
“Then, Number 4. Golem Dog.”
At Evan’s command, the long-armed Number 4 and the six-legged, long-necked Golem Dog approached from behind.
Thud!
Number 5 also stepped forward boldly.
As if it had been waiting for this moment, its shoulders were slightly raised.
“Number 5, stand by.”
Squeak?
Screech…
Number 5 retreated with a dejected look.
Evan felt relieved inside.
‘Where do you think you’re going.’
Number 5’s combat ability alone was the highest among individual golems.
It was appropriate for protecting Evan.
The Living Golem worn on his body expressed its dissatisfaction.
But what could be done?
This one could only defend.
It couldn’t attack.
‘I’ll have to modify it later.’
He would definitely add a beam that shoots from the chest, just like X-Men.
That was every man’s dream after all.
Even if it wasn’t possible right now.
“Golems? So you’re an alchemist?”
Surprise flickered in the Dark King’s eyes.
Evan nodded. “Though I’m still quite lacking, yes.”
“To think golems are your main focus! How surprising. I heard it’s incredibly difficult!”
“I was lucky.”
“May I ask which master you learned from?”
“I didn’t learn from anyone.” Evan shook his head. “I taught myself.”
“Self-taught??” The Dark King was shocked at the word ‘self-taught.’ “Goodness! Today truly is a fortunate day! To meet a genius who learned alchemy through self-study! You’re a genius who will go down in history!”
‘The praise is excessive.’
This level of talent wasn’t anything special.
He’d die if he met even a slightly strong boss.
Still, it felt good to receive praise.
Actually, maybe I am pretty amazing?
“So you plan to enter the forest with these!”
“That’s right.”
“What do you plan to do with these golems?”
“I plan to gather herbs. There’s something I want to make.”
“Oh! Are you planning to sell them?”
“I’m not interested in money.”
Evan spoke as nonchalantly as possible.
“Material things like money aren’t very important to me.”
Actually, that’s not true.
Money?
Good.
The more the better.
However, it was important not to show it in front of the Dark King.
He disliked nobles.
More precisely, those who showed greed for money.
“Ohooo… Then what do you consider important?”
Important things, important things.
Ah!
Right.
“Knowledge, wouldn’t you say?”
A perfect answer for an alchemist.
“Knowledge…”
“Money can be earned as time passes, but knowledge cannot.Â
There’s knowledge that can only be gained at certain times.”
“Oh… What knowledge can you gain from these herbs?”
“Even if I can’t gain knowledge immediately, I believe this will serve as a stepping stone.”
This was genuine.
After all, he planned to build a connection with the Dark King using this potion.
The Dark King’s eyes turned serious for a moment.
Evan’s palms were drenched in sweat.
He trembled slightly from tension.
Then!
“Ho ho!” The Dark King burst into laughter. “This old man has learned much. How should I express my gratitude…”
“No need for that…”
“Since I received something good, I should give something good in return. But this old man doesn’t have much, hmm…”
The Dark King seemed intent on giving something to Evan.
With an air that suggested refusing wouldn’t be accepted.
Evan kept his mouth firmly shut.
“This old man has nothing. Ah! Then perhaps, about the founding history before the empire–”
“Skills.”
Then hastily opened his mouth.
“How about ‘skills’?”
“Skills, you say?”
“If it’s skills filled with your wisdom, wouldn’t that be sufficient compensation for me?”
At Evan’s words, the Dark King stroked his bearded chin.
A moment of contemplation.
Indeed, skills are highly valuable.
Valuable enough for the Dark King to keep rather than discard.
Damn.
Was it wrong to suggest skills?
“……Very well, hoho.”
Nice!
“Then tomorrow, may I teach you?”
“Tomorrow…… you say?”
“Yes. Tomorrow. I’ll see you then.”
The Dark King stared into Evan’s eyes.
Evan sensed it.
That the Dark King had known about Evan from the beginning.
……Was this meant to create a point of contact?
‘……Right. It’s better to meet at home, after preparing in advance.’
Tomorrow, the Duke will also be at the mansion.
That would be safer.
“Yes. Tomorrow.”
Evan emphasized the word tomorrow.
Please don’t come today!
“I’ll see you then.”
“Hohoho, this old man will visit personally.”
The Dark King promised with a slight smile.
Evan also smiled awkwardly.
The corners of his mouth twitched as if mocking.
……Ah. Got a cramp.
***
In front of the forest where the carriage departed.
A beggar crouched down.
Clatter.
The pebble in his hand rolled.
The pebble stopped right in the middle.
A rabbit was drawn on the pebble.
An animal symbolizing luck.
A smile formed on the Dark King’s lips.
“How interesting.”
He was lucky.
Originally, he had only meant to kill time.
Yet by chance, he met the person who saved his disciple.
An unusual character.
‘Evan Alcart was his name, wasn’t it?’
His demeanor made it hard to believe he hadn’t even had his coming-of-age ceremony.
He was quick-witted too.
Extremely so.
“To think he would even guess my identity to some extent.”
Evan consistently used honorifics.
A noble’s son to a commoner?
Moreover, to a beggar?
“‘Nothing material has any meaning, he said.”
Snicker.
Furthermore, the words Evan spoke.
Just remembering them brought a smile to his lips.
For a noble’s son to say such things? It wasn’t something said even in jest.
Not even to curry favor with someone.
However, Evan showed no such signs.
He was sincere.
‘That he noticed me is also the same.’
Evan was of the same kind as the Dark King.
He had the scent that only those of the same kind could detect.
Just as the Dark King had abandoned his life and pledged to deceive for a single purpose.
Evan was of a similar type.
He had that intuition.
The Dark King hummed as he muttered.
“That’s right. Material things have no value.”
It was the same for the Dark King.
No possession. Not keeping unnecessary things. For the Dark King, that was a ‘sacrifice’.
Why?
Because it no longer had any value.
Especially after the ‘attempted assassination of the Emperor’.
“He had something interesting with him too.”
The child who reeked of blood all over.
Not yet, but the future was very promising.
Perhaps they might kill even more people than the Dark King.
Someone who would eat even humans if hungry.
It was questionable whether they could even be considered human.
To casually keep such a being around?
He was thoroughly impressed.
‘They’ll become quite a significant figure in the future.’
Or perhaps already has.
‘The constellation’s priestess was right.’
-Go to the Alcart Duke’s family.Â
You’ll meet a very special person.
A smile of joy formed. He couldn’t be more excited for tomorrow.
Clatter!
The black pebble he had been rolling in his hand.
His hand stopped.
This time, a crow pebble symbolizing misfortune had come up.
“Misfortune, is it?”
The Dark King smiled as he put the pebble in his pocket.
“I wonder who will be unfortunate.”
And so the next day.
At lunch.
The Dark King visited the Alcart Duke’s residence.
“What’s this beggar doing here?”
Theodore standing before the Dark King. A face distorted with displeasure.
Seeing this scene upon leaving the room, Evan thought.
Ah, life sucks.
