Chapter 14- Blue Beard (2)
The mansion was turned upside down.
Evan Alcart.
The second son of the Duke’s family.
Known as ‘the hermit’ for rarely leaving his room.
This Evan declared he would stay out for ‘more than’ a day!
“M-my young master!”
Thud!
Dolph knelt on one knee before Evan.
His face was stained with shock.
Lapis chewed on a carrot with a puzzled expression.
What’s wrong with him?
“Please reconsider!”
“…What are you referring to?”
“Staying out for more than a day…!”
Dolph sobbed.
“You could get seriously hurt!”
“…I won’t go far. I’ll only stay out for a few days.”
“F-few days!”
Gasp!
Dolph let out a gasp sound.
Really…
Someone might think he’s going to his death.
“It-it’s dangerous! And the court physician isn’t even here…!”
Originally, Evan had a dedicated priest assigned to him.
Past tense.
Not anymore.
Too old, retired.
A new priest hasn’t been assigned yet.
‘Hmm. But I’ll stock up on recovery potions.’
50 high-grade recovery potions.
A golem will store them. Can inject them, and even make new ones.
Diluted separately so daily consumption won’t be a problem.
‘…This won’t convince him, will it?’
Of course, recovery potions aren’t omnipotent.
What if death comes in one blow?
Recovery potions or whatever, you just die with a boom.
That’s the end!
Imagining death made his skin crawl slightly.
Isn’t he doing this because he doesn’t want to die?
What if this becomes a shortcut to death?
‘Ugh! Absolutely not.’
But backing out isn’t right either.
Actually, his pride was slightly hurt.
Am I not man enough to back down here?
Afraid to go meet just one person? With no particular danger, why retreat?
At least for Evan, a man among men, there was no reason.
Just prepare more thoroughly!
‘…But can I prepare more than this?’
The secret weapon No.2 and potions are fully stocked.
Will definitely wear the living golem.
Planning to bring everything usually left behind.
Above all.
“…I have Lapis, don’t I?”
“Yes?”
Evan patted Lapis’s head.
Lapis gently offered her head like a docile herbivore.
“Lapis will protect me.”
“Hehe.”
Lapis spread both arms with a bright smile.
A magic user.
White threads were created, sparkling brightly.
“Yes! I’ll protect you!”
…Seems faster than before?
“Hehe. I’ve improved a lot since before.”
Swoosh!
Lapis gathered the threads she emitted and did string figures.
A passing fly became a drop of blood stuck to the thread with a thud.
…I hope I haven’t raised a monster?
“…Ahem. Anyway, this journey will be safe.”
“But, but! Even Sir Perok–.”
“He’s a busy person. It wouldn’t be right for him to leave his post for days because of me.”
“That’s… true, but…”
“Don’t worry too much,”
Evan continued calmly.
“I’ll go and return quietly and safely.”
“Is… that so?”
“Yes. Of course.”
Evan declared.
“Absolutely nothing will happen.”
Please! Evan’s desperate cry.
Dolph nodded with a gloomy expression.
“…I understand.”
“I should see my brother before leaving.”
Originally reporting to father would suffice, but currently the Duke is away.
Had no choice but to report to the eldest son, the heir candidate.
The wife?
That person is too concerned…
Unlike the eldest son who isn’t concerned at all.
‘Still, this is better.’
Reporting to the eldest son could be interpreted politically.
It acknowledges that he’s closest to being the heir!
‘Right. There’s no choice.’
Just need to finish quickly and return like a man.
***
“Did you hear? Young Master Evan is going out?”
“Really? The weather is really nice today!”
“No. They say he’s going to meet a friend.”
“What? Young Master had friends?!”
“That’s what they say. He’s even staying overnight!”
“What, to see a friend?”
Two maids whispered in a corner.
They were maids who had worked in this mansion for quite a while.
They knew a bit about the mansion’s rumors.
That Evan had neither a fiancée nor friends.
“Doesn’t seem like a friend… Perhaps he’s going to secretly supply test subjects?”
“Gasp.”
That makes more sense.
Supplying test subjects!
Isn’t that an important matter!
Especially for someone serious about alchemy like Evan!
It would be unfair to Evan, but it couldn’t be helped.
The perception of Evan was already a mess.
Just because he used honorifics and became serious, people’s perception wouldn’t change instantly.
Rather, most people became more afraid.
‘A test subject…’
Leo, the young man who was listening to the maids’ gossip, propped his chin.
The eldest son and currently the only heir to the Dukedom.
He swept back his black hair that resembled the Duke’s.
‘Was that your purpose? Evan.’
Leonardo, shortened to Leo, recalled Evan who had visited just earlier.
-Brother. I will be going out for a while.
Evan had come with various golems in tow.
An expressionless face with eyes that showed no emotion.
It was as if he was saying a refusal would be rejected.
‘Acting so impudent.’
Leo twisted the corner of his mouth.
Certainly, Evan’s way of speaking was polite and respectful.
Like treating a superior.
However, Leo saw it clearly.
Evan’s eyes.
Those golden eyes that shone even in darkness.
Resembling father’s eyes more than anyone else’s, reminiscent of father.
The eyes of an arrogant person.
‘Looking at me with such eyes, while outwardly being respectful?’
Clearly, Evan and Leo’s positions were equal.
Even if Leo was closest to being the heir.
Being of the same blood couldn’t be changed.
Yes. There would be nothing to fear.
From the outside, he had inherited the Duke’s blood most strongly.
A necessary evil of the Empire.
A powerful figure and influential person who practically ruled the underground world used by not just criminals but nobles as well.
The leader who controlled the current Empire’s economy, Duke Alcart.
He completely resembled that powerful figure.
Such a useless delinquent!
‘What’s so special about that mother, making such a fuss about resurrection. Has he finally grown up?’
Acting as if he suddenly matured.
Of course, he probably hadn’t really matured.
He probably just got a bit smarter.
Smart enough to learn how to mock enemies without causing direct trouble.
Even directly reporting his going out was like that.
With father absent, report to the brother closest to being heir?
‘How impudent.’
On the surface, it’s an act acknowledging his position as heir.
But this is ‘that’ Evan Alcart.
Would he approach with pure intentions?
No way.
He’s a vicious person who made a name in the underground world with just two activities.
An impossible achievement accomplished just a few months ago.
Even now, most people in the underground world either fear or worship the name Evan Alcart.
And this was just the first trial before the coming-of-age ceremony.
What amazing achievements would he accomplish in the remaining second and third trials?
Perhaps this outing was in preparation for those trials.
Considering how he dealt with Theodore recently.
‘Bluebeard Count.’
Bluebeard.
A quite famous count from the east.
Also, he was similar to Evan.
He was one of the few alchemists in this continent.
Famous for his notoriety.
‘They say he took in wives as test subjects.’
They say he’s already his sixth wife.
I heard they’re having a wedding ceremony, and he even had the audacity to send an invitation to the Duke’s mansion.
It wasn’t sent to the Duke himself.
If it had been, he would have been dealt with already.
The letter was sent to Evan Alcart.
He invited him as a fellow alchemist.
He clearly ignored him before, so why visit now?
‘He must have some evil intentions.’
Leo sat on the windowsill.
Beyond the windowsill was a departing carriage. Evan was in that carriage.
The security was relatively loose.
Even Perok was away.
Could he eliminate Evan now?
Evan wasn’t yet considered a big shot.
‘Rising star’ suited him better.
But what if he completes all the coming-of-age trials and becomes a full adult?
Would he really stay quiet then?
Wouldn’t he covet this heir position that Leo was aiming for?
“…Should I eliminate him now.”
It was when Leo muttered this.
Something white flashed outside the window.
There wasn’t even time to wonder what it was.
Swoosh! With the sound of something being pulled, the window closed and Leo was thrown to the middle of the room.
Thud!
“Mmph!”
Before he could make a sound, Leo’s mouth was covered.
In front of him were red eyes.
“I came because I had a bad feeling for a moment.”
Red eyes contrasting with snow-white hair.
Lapis’ lips twisted as she released magical power with both hands spread.
“Well, this is quite a catch.”
‘This girl, she’s definitely that bastard Evan’s slave…!’
“Though I can’t leave a dangerous element like you alone, I need to avoid being discovered this time.” Lapis spoke in a gentle voice.
As if imitating Evan’s voice.
“Mmph mmph!”
“So, shall I use a little force?”
“So, it won’t hurt much.”
As Lapis’ magical power approached silently, Leo screamed with his mouth covered.
***
Two days later.
An unfamiliar landscape spread outside the window.
Blue castle walls.
Literally.
As if built with blue stones, the walls were blue.
Dolph exclaimed in admiration.‘Wow! Young master! We’ve already arrived!’
“Is that so?” Evan replied with an unwell complexion.
There was one reason.
“…Then, let’s slow down the carriage a bit.”
“Yes!”
It was motion sickness.
Evan soothed his stomach.
When he opened the carriage window, cool wind rushed in.
Ah, that’s somewhat better.
‘I should make an automobile golem soon…’
Evan’s golems hadn’t reached the level of automobiles yet.
Horse Golems and Porter Golems were the best he could do.
“Good work, Number 5.”
Nod.
Number 5, who was pulling the carriage, nodded.
A golem specialized in using strength.
Naturally, it was good at pulling carriages.
Since it didn’t get tired, it moved even at night.
Perhaps because of that?
They didn’t encounter the bandits that were said to be common.
‘We were lucky.’
Let’s finish quickly since we’re here.
Evan looked up at the blue castle walls.
The symbol of Bluebeard’s territory.
There was a reason the Count was called Bluebeard.
It was because he extremely loved the color blue.
That’s why the castle walls were blue, and all the roofs of houses were blue.
Why weren’t the house walls blue?
It was because of the residents’ protests.
They say the food doesn’t taste good anymore.
They say they had to change it because people were actually starving.
‘Did you do all of this with alchemy?’
The BlueBeard Count is a famous alchemist.
He’s known as an expert who transformed his entire territory with alchemy.
Evan nodded as he examined the castle walls carefully.
‘Hmm, not bad?’
I wonder how many times they used synthesis?
For this range, it seems like once or twice would be enough.
The synthesis range shouldn’t be a problem,
It’s probably the magical power that’s the issue.
‘I would need to do it about three times.’
Can’t help that I lack magical power. This isn’t bad. Considering I’m treated as not even worthy of being an extra.
‘They say he’s rich too.’
They should have the necessary materials?
So they entered the city.
Proving their identity wasn’t difficult.
“Th-the House of Alcart?! P-please come in!”
They opened the gates immediately upon hearing the name Alcart.
They were excessively afraid.
Why are they like that? Evan and Lapis exchanged puzzled looks.
Meanwhile, they arrived at an inn to leave their carriage.
“Huh? The horses…”
“Just need to store the carriage. The payment is here…”
“Oh my! Such distinguished guests have arrived! Let me serve you!”
While Dolph was leaving the carriage.
Evan pressed down firmly on his hood.
He’d rather not have his face revealed unnecessarily.
‘Tsk, should I wear a mask?’
That might be better.
Evan tapped the ground with his staff.
That’s when it happened.
Evan noticed people whispering among themselves. They seem to have a lot to say.
Evan quietly asked Lapis. “Lapis. Could you go scout for a moment?”
‘Yes!’ Lapis nodded, pulled down her hood, and hurried over carrying a basket with vegetables like carrots.
Then she suddenly thrust carrots at those people.
“Buy some carrots.”
…That’s not what I meant for her to do.
What a Sin to sell carrots.
While Evan’s feelings became complicated.
“Oh my, hello? What brings you here…”
“I’m selling my favorite vegetable to help my brother with his work”
“Oh my… what a good child.”
“But is something wrong? Today, my brother and everyone else keep telling us to be careful.”
The two ladies exchanged glances.
After looking at each other for a moment, they nodded and carefully said to Lapis.
“You’d better leave this territory if possible.”
“What?? Why?”
“The Count’s wife has gone missing again, so he remarried.”
Remarriage.
Isn’t that common in fantasy worlds?
“Is that bad?”
“Not exactly. However…”
The lady’s voice lowered.
“They say whenever someone becomes his wife, they keep disappearing.”
“And this is just a rumor that’s going around among us.”
One lady spoke very secretly.
“Actually, they say making wives is for creating test subjects to offer to an alchemist named ‘Evan Alcart’…”
“?”
A name that suddenly appeared.
Evan blinked both eyes.
…Me?
