Chapter 12-Â Beggar (5)
Fortunately, it worked out well.
“Hahaha! If I teach one, you will awaken ten! It’s enjoyable to teach!”
The Dark King burst into laughter.
There was a small knife mark on his sleeve.
Two hours after passing on some technique.
Surprisingly, she had succeeded in making a scratch on the Dark King’s clothing.
Lapis, looking slightly tired, ran trotting to Evan.
“Evan… I’m tired.”
“Good work, Lapis. Take a short rest.”
Evan put a prepared cabbage in her mouth.
Lapis melted with a happy expression.
A manifestation of her vegetarian tendencies.
With her snow-white hair, she looked just like a rabbit.
Except for the part where she might become a man-eating killer rabbit if raised wrong.
“Ahem.” The Dark King’s face became slightly sour. “…It’s fascinating how much she likes vegetables the more I see it. Although this old man’s techniques are specialized in protecting the body…”
“Aren’t herbivores among animals typically strong?”
Evan made up an excuse.
Elephants were the example.
Fortunately, seeming to accept it, he didn’t question further.
‘Actually, this isn’t the only strange thing…’
There were many aspects to be suspicious about.
Starting with the Dark King’s technique.
‘He teaches well, more than expected, but still.’
Teaching assassination techniques… as protection techniques, isn’t that a bit strange?
He was even teaching his unique techniques.
-Hmm… it’s easy.
-W-what?
-These are too easy…
He seemed hurt by Lapis’s honest assessment.
‘Lapis seems too talented though.’
Generally, it was with ‘Shadow Stepping’.
The Dark King’s unique technique that allows movement without any presence.
Even an Expert-rank knight would find it difficult to master, yet Lapis succeeded in learning it in 10 minutes.
The same went for the assassination techniques learned afterward.
-Hmm! With this, I can make prettier string figures! Thank you, Evan. For predicting this…!
‘What’s that, I didn’t know…’
Anyway, Lapis, who had received thorough training, became an excellent assassin in two hours.
At least high Expert-rank knight level.
The footwork technique ‘Shadow Stepping’ had evolved into ‘Shadow Crossing’.
From then on, the Dark King showed beyond amazement, no, even joy.
Talent that transcends the realm of proficiency.
It was rare to see someone like that.
“Keke. Where on earth did you find such a child?” The Dark King burst into laughter.
Satisfied eyes.
The eyes of a professor who found a potential graduate student.
It was like the eyes of a professor looking at a friend who became a slave (graduate student) before the possession…
‘Should I tell them to learn more slowly from now on?’
Just as Evan was seriously contemplating.
“Young master. May this old man speak honestly about what he felt?”
“…Yes. Of course.”
“This child is a genius. More so than any child this old man has ever seen.”
“!”
Theodore was the one surprised.
Theodore showed curiosity about how such a slave could have such talent.
His eyes met with Evan’s. Slightly, he raised his index finger to his lips.
Shh.
Please keep quiet!
Perhaps thanks to conveying the sincerity deeply through his eyes?
Theodore nodded.
He seems a bit scared, but it should be fine, right?
“Though this old man may seem insignificant, I’ve seen many people in my long life. But there’s no genius like this child…” The Dark King’s eyes became serious. “However, I’m also worried. Excessive talent can become poison. Above all…”Â
“Above all?”
The Dark King spoke in a small voice that only Evan could hear.
“This child’s talent smells of blood.”
Thump.
Evan’s heart sank with tension.
Tap, tap. He tapped the armrest with his fingers.
A habit that emerges when anxious.
‘Could it be… did he discover it’s the Sin of Wrath?’
What should I do then?
Should I kill him?
The Dark King?
Me? The main helper?
Just as his head was becoming chaotic with confusion.
“In my estimation, it seems like the Heavenly Killing Star.”
“…Ah.”
He was wrong.
Evan stopped his fingers.
‘…It wasn’t discovered.’
If the fact that she was a Sin had been exposed?
Well.
He couldn’t predict how things would turn out.
Sin was originally a name that would be attached in the future.
At present, it would at most be something found in the Bible.
‘The Dark King wouldn’t go crazy over that.’
It was still dangerous.
This fact needed to be hidden as much as possible.
Evan pretended to be as calm as possible.
He spoke calmly. “…The Heavenly Killing Star. You mean one of those stars in the heavens?”
“You know about it?”
“I was fortunate. There was a related book in the library.”
Of course, he saw it in the game.
The information probably wouldn’t be too different.
The heavens.
Beyond that sky, a place where countless stars reside.
Among those stars, one is the ‘Heavenly Killing Star’.
A star that contracts with those destined to dye the continent in blood and grants them power.
“The Heavenly Killing Star made a contract with Lapis?”
“Though I’m not certain, my old intuition tells me so.”
The Dark King strongly expressed his opinion, spitting as he spoke.
“Let me confirm right now whether this child has really made a contract!”
“Wait…”
“Lapis.”
Before Theodore could step in, Evan spoke first.
Evan’s emotionless eyes turned to Lapis.
“Would that be alright? Checking if you’ve made a contract with a star.”
He’s asking this directly?
Interest settled in the Dark King’s eyes, while shock settled in Theodore’s.
Why ask a slave?!
Of course, Evan had something to say about that.
‘No, you shouldn’t see them as an ordinary slave…’
She is a slave in name only.
For the purpose of keeping them in the mansion.
Far from being a real slave, it was like a friendship that could end after one argument and sulking.
But to ignore their opinion and perform a ritual to confirm a star contract?
‘This could be bad.’
A man should value his friends.
It definitely wasn’t because he was scared.
“Yes!” Lapis nodded.Â
“Of course it’s fine. Ah…”
“Is there a problem?”
“You’re not hurt or anything, are you?”
“Keke. As if this old man would ask for such a thing. It definitely won’t hurt.”
“Then, yes. If Evan wants it, I’ll do it.”
“If Lapis is fine with it, I’m good.”
Evan agreed without refusing.
There was nothing to worry about.
‘Because Lapis hasn’t actually made a contract with any star.’
The Sin of Wrath, huh.
Her destined fate wasn’t a contract with a star.
He didn’t know exactly.
Evan was a veteran player, not the game’s creator.
What was certain was that Ira’s destined sin was more powerful than any star contract.
‘Still, this is an opportunity.’
An opportunity to make Lapis into an ordinary talent.
If I could deceive the Dark King, I could deceive others too.
“Of course, this old man may not be as good as the Priestess of the Constellation, but I can do some small fortune-telling.”
The familiar mention of the Priestess of the Constellation.
Were they acquainted?
…Would he introduce me if I asked?
Evan suppressed his impulse and nodded.
“Please do.”
***
‘This is surprising.’
The Dark King.
He couldn’t hide his surprise while preparing the small ritual to confirm the constellation contract.
‘A contractor of the Heavenly Killing star!
The ritual hadn’t been performed yet.
But he could be certain.
Lapis was a contractor of the Heavenly killing star.
‘Nothing else could explain such talent.’
Beyond human.
Lapis’s talent couldn’t be measured by human standards.
Overwhelming talent that transcends even time.
A talent rarely recorded in history, more suited for legends, or rather myths.
‘How exciting.’
His fingers twitched with excitement.
Because ‘history’ was one of the few things the Dark King retained after giving up so much.
‘To think I’ll be writing history anew!’
Where else could one find such an excellent opportunity!
A contractor of a star like the Heavenly killing star appears maybe once in several hundred years, so there were few records.
Hero, or massacrer.
Whatever they become is fine.
As long as they write new history.
The Dark King would be recorded as the mysterious elder who taught them.
‘The crow’s fortune must have been wrong.’
How could this be bad luck?
Nonsense!
Where else could one find such good fortune!
‘With this, I’ll set another record.’
The Dark King became a legend among assassins by writing history himself,
However, he hadn’t raised another talent who could write history. One of the reasons for taking disciples.
Finally, the moment to fulfill his long-cherished wish had come.
If that happens, only one thing remains.
It would end by completing the history built as the Dark King into legend.
‘Honestly, it’s tempting. If it weren’t for that person, I would have kidnapped her.’
The Dark King looked at Evan with regretful eyes.
That frail young alchemist had long noticed the talent and placed them under his command.
A slave!
With even a seal engraved, kidnapping and betrayal would be impossible.
How truly ruthless.
‘Even more so than me.’
Even the Dark King hadn’t made slave contracts.
The Dark King’s misunderstanding that Evan and Lapis were only master and slave in name naturally grew deeper.
Tok, tok.
A small magic circle drawn on the floor.
The Dark King, rising from the ancient technique that looked like an alchemy circle, spread his arms dramatically.
“Now then! Let’s see about Lapis’ contract status!”
“How do we do that?”
“Kekeke. It’s simple. Just roll this steel ball.”
This too was a kind of superstition.
It was a superstition that for star contractors who have the power to endlessly draw in star power, the steel ball would roll endlessly without stopping within this ‘constellation’ implementation.
And this was true.
The only condition was that a high understanding like the Dark King’s was needed to implement the ‘constellation’.
“Come on, it’s rolling.”
The Dark King started rolling the steel ball.
Degururu! Degururu!
The endlessly rolling steel ball.
It moved without hesitation as if drawn by a magnet.
The Dark King’s smile deepened.
‘Indeed, they are a contractor!’
This technique could only determine contract status.
If the steel ball stops, they’re ordinary,
If it keeps rolling, they’re a contractor.
If it’s destroyed?
Well.
In very rare cases, that means they’re entangled with a fate stronger than the stars.
For that to actually happen…
Crack! Bang!
The steel ball shatters.
The Dark King’s smile disappeared.
“…No, no… how…”
“Lapis. Are you alright?”
“Yes.” Lapis nodded.
In her hand were fragments of the shattered steel ball.
Evan felt relieved. Phew! That was close.
“Kuk…”
Theodore was injured.
Honestly, it wasn’t their concern.
He’d recover soon anyway.
“Theodore, are you alright?”
“Y-yes, I’m fine.”
Still worried for once. I was relieved to hear he’s not hurt.
Just in case, I handed him a potion.Â
Theodore’s expression was complicated.
“Elder, are you alright?”
The Dark King seemed dazed.
When asked worriedly, the Dark King hurriedly nodded.
“Ah, yes! Of course.”
‘Seems like he’s quite shocked?’
Is it that significant that she’s not a Star Contractor?
Though puzzled, Evan subtly gestured to Golem No. 4.
Now’s the chance.
The perfect moment to hand over the potion and strengthen their relationship.
“You seem tired, please drink this potion.”
“…Potion?”
“It’s good for your body. When I get nervous and my hands shake, drinking this helps.”
Theodore gave a look that said ‘what nonsense.’
Evan ignored it.
‘The potion’s effects might be a bit excessive.’
It not only addressed physical issues but could even deceive curses by numbing the nerves.
But that should be fine, right?
At least the effects are good?
The Dark King stared at the potion for a moment.
Finally, he accepted it.
“…I’ll drink it well.”
With a strange emotion.
***
That evening.
“There’s nothing more to teach.”
The Dark King, who had drunk the potion and passed on many techniques, rose from his seat.
Crunch. Lapis, taking a big bite of an apple, nodded.
“Thank you, crunch, for your, crunch, hard work.”
“…You can speak after finishing eating.”
“Teaching such a bright child has been a great experience for me too. Please use my techniques well.”
“Mmm. I like cat’s cradles.”
The Dark King professionally ignored Lapis’s last words.
“…I seem to have received too much in return. The potion and all.”
“It’s nothing…”
“This is my small token of gratitude.”
Swoosh.
Suddenly, a letter appeared on Evan’s desk.
Evan’s face remained expressionless, as if he had known.
“Please read it after I leave.”
“…I shall do so.”
“May you have better encounters in the future.” The Dark King disappeared with a whoosh.
Shadow stepping.
Instantly leaving the mansion, appearing in the nearby forest.
“Master.”
Another beggar appeared before the Dark King and knelt on one knee.
“I’ve come to escort you.”
Red hood.
Black coat.
The representative symbol of the Resistance.
And also the Dark King’s first disciple.
“Judas. Is everything prepared?”
“Yes. As you commanded.”
The red eyes under the carefully written ‘Judas’ spoke calmly.
“I have destroyed the territory ruled by the Emperor’s direct knight.”
“Well done.”
“Is this Duke’s estate also a target for destruction?”
The red eyes turned toward the Duke’s estate.
“No.”
The Dark King shook his head.
Overthrow?
Ridiculous.
It was impossible for the Dark King alone.
Even if all his disciples came, it would be the same.
Not because of the Duke,
But because of that little girl and.
The young alchemist who enslaves her.
“I met an interesting person. My vision was still narrow.”
“How could you say such things, Master…”
“My dream is far, far away.”
A smile was drawn on the Dark King’s lips.
To be remembered in history.
What’s one way to achieve that?
It’s power.
Becoming an Emperor with absolute, unbreakable, overwhelming power and strength.
Dante Midas.
Crime: Attempted assassination of the Emperor.
Punishment: Thousand years suspended sentence and the curse of the golden hand.
Not satisfied with the offerings pouring in.
Now seeking ‘power’ that will remain in history.
The Dark King, Dante, removed his glove.
The hand inside was golden.
The curse of the golden hand.
A curse that turns everything touched into gold.
Thump.
He touched the nearby tree.
Surprisingly, the tree turned to gold.
However, the far branches remained wood.
Originally, even the ground should have turned to gold.
“He eased my curse. With just one potion.”
“…What does that mean?”
“Interesting. Very interesting.”
I knew he wasn’t an ordinary alchemist.
But to this extent?
A fate beyond that of a Star Contractor.
A fate stained with blood, one that might even destroy this continent.
Just being near her involves one in chaos.
Yet he placed her below him.
‘He said he was self-taught in alchemy too.’
If he were to formally learn alchemy?
How far would he grow?
What would become of him?
Rattle!
The Dark King rolled a black pebble.
A black stone that doesn’t change despite the golden curse.
Fate stone.
Part of the monument used only by the Emperor’s bloodline.
The picture drawn on the fate stone foretells his future.
“…Nothing appears.”
No animal picture appeared at all.
As if hiding from Evan.
Even after rolling it two more times, the result was the same.
The first might be coincidence, the second necessity, the third destiny.
The current Dark King couldn’t even glimpse Evan’s fate.
And this was just a child who hadn’t even finished growing.
“Young dark lord.”
A smile formed on the Dark King’s lips.
“Next time, when you’re grown – what kind of monster will you have become-“
How truly exciting.
Swoosh-
The Dark King left the forest after leaving those words.
The gift he gave before leaving.
Without doubting that he would like him.
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