#17. Blue Beard (5)
Small golems kept neatly stacking things.
And then something crimson too.
Ugh!
As soon as he saw it, his face twisted in disgust.The smell and visuals were pretty intense.
“…You didn’t need to bring anything like a heart.”
Nod.
Seeing an organ you’re not supposed to see made his stomach churn.
While Evan was calming his nausea…
This time the small golems neatly stacked some papers too.
Roughly filled with complex magical formulas and records.It was a research journal.
“Wow! The letters are suuuper dense!”“Hmm.”
The main purpose of the research was ‘life extension’.He wasn’t interested in this at all.Safety first – though Evan wouldn’t admit it, being a gentleman meant he didn’t want to risk any side effects.
“Homunculus? Oh, so you had one of these too.”
It was fascinating seeing it up close.Maybe he should take it just in case?
“Oh, this isn’t bad either.”
Tch!
The new find was a book containing alchemy knowledge.It was scribbled “Beginner’s Alchemy” on it.Looked handmade?
“Probably a book made by this guy’s master.”
This wasn’t bad at all?It was actually a newer edition than what Evan originally had, and better organized.
“I should copy this and take it with me.”“This might be useful.”
Maybe even better than…“Saving the master is hopeless.”
Looking at Blue Beard made him realize –Even if they’re fellow alchemists, you can’t trust them!
Especially since alchemy is a one-on-one succession.A system where everything is passed down to one disciple.If it goes wrong, it’s a huge problem.
Might as well study alone.With the information from the game, he should be able to tell if he’s going in the wrong direction.
Chop chop!
Next were items that looked suspicious at a glance.Not golems, but things with enough power to ‘contaminate’ any living being that touched them.Mostly stuff like the skull goblet that emitted smoke earlier.
“Are these heretic items?”
The fallen heretics who disappeared.The kind of things that someone like Arthur killed recently would have.Why are they here?
“Did he buy them somewhere?”
Makes sense.Heretics are always short on cash.Selling stuff like this wouldn’t be unusual.Just…
“Geez, way too early compared to the original story.”
Blue Beard and the Count did interact with heretics in the original story.But it never came to fruition.Not out of conscience, but because it was discovered beforehand.
Turned to dew on the gallows, right? And now it’s this point in time?Doesn’t make sense.
“For now, I’ll just take a few.”
Curses?They only affect living beings, not inanimate objects.No problem for golems.
Had the golems put them in boxes and seal them tightly.This should be fine, right?
Chop chop!
“Good job.”
He’d taken everything he needed.Checked over the acquired items.A few mysteriously appeared gold coins, homunculus research notes, alchemy books, necessary materials like Moonlight Reflection Grass…
This should be a sure reward.
Satisfied, Evan headed back down to the first floor…
“Huff!”
Count Zildre gasped awake.
The moment Count Zildre woke up, he fell into despair.His last memory was getting knocked out after being struck under the jaw.
That golden-eyed gaze staring down at him was vivid in his mind.
“The plan failed.”
They had failed despite sacrificing countless lives for the greater cause.
“Apparently, they had read my plans from the start.”
Something hidden in the shadows.What could it have been hiding there, something that couldn’t really be called alive?Probably from the very beginning.
“It must be a chimera.”
Not a golem.A golem residing in the shadows?Never heard of such a thing.
There’s no such thing as a golem that dwells in shadows.Not even a hundred-year alchemist or his master would know about it.There shouldn’t be.
Golems are a forgotten art in alchemy.An art that no one teaches or learns, leaving no records behind.The only known golem artisan supposedly became a corpse rolling around in the afterlife without leaving any successor.
Unable to find any information, Count Zildre had struggled with creating homunculi.
Rather, a chimera sounds more plausible.
A rare entity that resides in shadows.Though said to only exist in the north, the resources of the Alkarte Ducal Family would be enough to obtain one.If they combined those, it would be plausible enough…
But more importantly…
“One complete failure.”
The long-held dream had collapsed.
“…”
“You’ve awakened.”
A deep voice reached his ears.Opening his eyes, he saw Evan sitting on the upper seat.Golden eyes shining calmly even in the dim room without lights.Evan rested his chin and stared at him intently while asking.
“Are you feeling alright?”
“Y-Yes…”
Evan showed no trace of anger.Not just anger, there were no emotions at all.Like looking at a doll devoid of any feelings.
Watching him brought out an emotion slowly creeping up.
The emotion was fear and dread.
“Why did you betray me?”“…”
“Answer me.”
The prompting came from the little girl right beside him.Two red eyes glaring fiercely from beneath her white hair.
“Seriously, I want to kill you.”“T-That… um…”
His teeth chattered involuntarily.
Just the killing intent born purely from the desire to slay an enemy made his head spin.
Worse than the Dark King.Like an embodiment of pure rage itself…
“Lapis.”“Huff.”
Cut.
The killing intent that was building up instantly ceased when Evan spoke a single word.Then she glanced at him sideways like a tamed rabbit.It caused quite a cognitive dissonance.
“Calm down.”“…Sorry, Evan.”“It’s fine. You were angry for my sake. I’m just worried this frail body might not withstand the killing intent.”
Evan stroked Lapis’ head.It was like watching a young ruler.
Swoosh.
Evan slowly rose from his seat.Though his body was small and wiry,the presence he exuded was far from ordinary.
This is it, I’m dying.Really?
When faced with imminent death, his mind went completely blank.The only remaining emotion…was the survival instinct.
“I’ll confess everything!”Thud!
Count Zildre collapsed and bowed deeply.
“So please! Spare my life!”
A look of terror surpassing even hearing the name of the Dark King.Evan merely looked down at the trembling count with a blunt, rather curious expression.
“…Why does he look like he’s seen a ghost?”Was Lapis too scary?
Count Zildre confessed everything.Not just unknown parts of his past, but also why he betrayed and what tools he used – everything.
“Hmm, saying it like this makes him seem a bit pitiful?”
The reason being to see his master again.Listening directly made it sound slightly sad…
Though that feeling was fleeting.
Count Zildre, he’s still a mass murderer.In modern terms, a mad scientist.
Still revering life as he claims to.
Other information matches the game exactly.The only difference is the connection with the heretics.
“Met them much earlier than in the original story, huh?”
The reason being Arthur’s massacre.…Which is somewhat related, so hard to comment on.
Still, got good intel.This might let the heretics avoid trouble.
“…Will you kill me?”
Zildre asked with a firm voice.
Evan thought for a moment.Clean cut without consequences?
Killing Count Zildre here.But that would be a bad move.Why?
“Don’t want to get involved with the Alchemist’s Tower unnecessarily.”
There’s an Alchemist’s Tower where alchemists mainly gather, similar to how wizards have their mage towers.Though its original names were things like cauldron, alchemy refinement chambers, etc.
“Changed because they were hard to remember, right?”
Count Zildre belongs to the Alchemist’s Tower, abbreviated as AT.If he kills him, they’ll definitely come investigating why.Blocked them from coming a year ago using a duke’s authority.
“Don’t want unnecessary attention either.”
Evan prioritizes safety above all.Not because he’s a gentleman, but thoroughly for safety reasons.
“Keeping him alive might be more beneficial anyway.”
A supplier for obtaining materials without contacting the underworld.Wide connections mean he can provide what’s needed like now.Too scared to stab him in the back twice.
In the game, he often used him as a material supplier.
Conscience aside, he’s useful.Evan slowly shook his head.
“No, I won’t kill you.”“…Why?”
“It’s inefficient.”
Just making up any excuse.Wants to leave quickly.
“We’re both alchemists. A profession that values efficiency. No need to do something inefficient, right?”“…”“You wanted materials, not your life. Plus all the knowledge I needed, I already obtained.”
Swish.
No.4 shook the Moonlight Hallucination Grass with his long arm then tucked it away.
“So let’s just move on from this incident. I assume you understand what comes next without me saying.”
“…”
Let’s end this nicely without making it an issue!That was the meaning behind his words.Count Zildre stared blankly at Evan.
Looks like he has more to say.
“I’ll retrieve the homunculus research journal, but I won’t touch the other journals.”“!”
Didn’t…touch them?
Count Zildre’s eyebrows trembled.
“I’ve taken the data I need and a few books. Let’s call it even at this.”
“But…!”
“Or would you prefer paying a heavier price?”
“!”
Count Zildre hurriedly shook his head.Heavier price?Couldn’t even imagine what that would entail.
“Just don’t continue the research. If this lady has the same goal, either proceed with divorce or become a proper husband.”“…Understood.”
“And don’t forget to repent daily for those you’ve killed.”“Understoo…d.”
Should be good enough, right?Evan glanced at Lapis.
Lapis formed an O with her thumb and index finger.Seems like it’s enough?
‘Time to wrap this up.’
“Contact me when you need to. Here’s my contact info.”
Swish.Evan pulled out a single letter from his bosom and extended it.Not quite a business card, more like a credential.Something exchanged between noble friends mostly.Need to establish connections for receiving materials when necessary.
“What is this…”“Consider it payment for the items.”
Having finished his business, Evan suddenly stood up.
“Eh? Where are you going?”“My business here is done, so I’m heading back. Is there anything else?”“N-No…”
Without another word, Evan left abruptly.Count Zildre didn’t even consider stopping him.
The audience chamber Evan had vacated.Count Zildre gazed at the upper seat he had occupied, his eyes filling with emotion.
“…Ah! To think he could maintain such composure.”
Jealousy, hatred, anger – all erased.Something stronger than those.
Someone who could bestow such mercy.
Reverence arose, as if looking at the father figure he once respected.
“Could this gentleman be…the one Father spoke of?”
The words Father left before passing away.
“A distinguished person will come.”
That’s right!This Evan was that distinguished person.
All confusion and jealousy washed away, enlightenment dawned.Enlightenment.Before the brilliant sun illuminating that field of enlightenment, shadows became meaningless.
“How foolish I’ve been.”
This is the gentleman.He was certain.
Evan.The true aura of dominion radiating from him, beyond the word ‘genius’.
He could become the new Tower Master of the ‘Alchemist’s Tower’ that Zildre’s master once led.
“Now’s the chance.”
A chance to atone for his rudeness.
Count Zildre, trembling hands reaching for the desk, extended them toward stationery.The purpose was a recommendation letter.
A recommendation letter recommending Evan as the ‘Tower Master’.
One observing this.
“Hmm.”
Evan sneaked away quietly watching Lapis confirmed.Had been wondering if he was faking it, but now she was certain.
At this level, probably fine not to kill him.Might even be better.
Since Evan’s reputation would spread even wider.
“Hehe.”
All for Evan.Lapis quietly chuckled.
*
The returning carriage.Thanks to No.5 driving, the ride was decent.
“Ah, that was tough.”
Now just need to return safely.Must avoid dangerous missions like this again.
Made that resolution, two hours later…
Clunk!
“Stop right there!”“Hand over everything you have! Then perhaps you may escape the false embrace of the gods!”
Some strange guys attacked.
Oh come on!
Groaning inwardly, Evan glanced out the window.Despite looking like bandits, they were excessively devout.
Among them, familiar blue hair caught Evan’s eye.
The future prideful sin that would reign supreme above all sects, unifying forces with various schemes.There he was among the heretics.
What’s he doing here?
