#11th Episode. The Beggar (4)
“Alrighty, I’ve prepared the tea…”
“…”
“…”
Silence hung heavy in the reception room.
Theodore glared daggers at the Dark King, who just grinned without saying a word.
While casually rolling a black pebble between his fingers.
Thud.
Dolphe carefully placed the tea on the high table with a nervous glance around.
Evan expressed his gratitude.
“Thank you, Dolphe.”
“A-ah! Not at all, Master!”
With composure that defied belief in this tense atmosphere, Evan sipped his decaf zero tea.
Dolphe inwardly praised Evan’s calm demeanor.
‘As expected of Master! To maintain such tranquility in this situation…!’
Is Theodore even worthy competition anymore?
A flicker of respect entered Dolphe’s eyes.
“…Please don’t look at me like that. It’s not what you think.”
Evan could feel it through his whole body.
Clutching his heart as he put down his custom tea, Evan was practically bursting with tension.
One false move and it could all explode.
If Theodore made one rude comment, bam – head gone!
‘Not to mention he’s already been restless lately!’
Lucky or unlucky, today happened to be the day Theodore ended his self-imposed isolation.
And wouldn’t you know it, the Dark King decided to visit right then.
“What is this? Who let this bum in?”
“T-t-this is a guest of Master Evan…”
“What? Big Brother’s?”
It wasn’t uncommon for noble households to receive visitors.
Guests were a way to flaunt one’s connections after all.
Though not frequent, Evan’s household did have its share of guests regularly.
Except for Evan himself.
No friends, no fiancée.
The result of both the Duke’s neglect and Evan’s previous hikikomori tendencies before the reincarnation.
For someone like Evan to suddenly have a guest drew attention naturally.
Evan had anticipated this.
But still tried to wrap things up quickly.
“…Man, these stares are intense.”
Theodore was giving Evan an especially fiery glare.
Understandable though.
Guests were important.
They reflected directly on the family’s reputation.
Between the house that invited the Crown Prince versus the one that brought in a vagrant serial killer – which would have higher standing?
The Alkarte Ducal Family, a prestigious lineage.
And they brought in a beggar?
Unless said beggar was some mystical fortune-teller or divine oracle, it brought shame upon the family name.
“Fortunately, he hasn’t said anything… yet.”
Though only barely, given the death glares.
Evan silently prayed.
“Please, don’t make a scene.”
You’ll die if you do!
The Dark King was dangerous, sure.
But only if proper etiquette was maintained.
Get rude?
Then it’s time for the deadly roulette.
Not Russian roulette with a bang, but more of a slash-and-die.
Though others might not realize it.
“I need to end this meeting quickly.”
Resolving firmly, Evan spoke as steadily as possible.
More out of tension than fear.
“Thank you for visiting my residence today.”
“Ho ho! I’m the one who should be grateful for your kind invitation, young master.”
The Dark King exaggeratedly bowed his thanks like a theatrical host.
“Would inviting someone like me into such a luxurious mansion be alright?”
“…Inviting guests is within my authority. No one can say otherwise. Besides, we aim to exchange what each of us possesses, so there’s justification for this meeting.”
“Certainly, if you give me enough time…”
That’s when it happened.
“So I hear. Guess you can’t accommodate me, huh? Exchange?”
Theodore interrupted, eyes wide open.
“Are you implying our family is so trivial as to associate with such an old man, Brother?”
Ah crap! You’re gonna die!
*
For nearly a week, it had been Theodore’s worst days ever.
“Repent.”
“What? What does that mean…”
Kidnapped and forced to repent.
Repentance meant acknowledging one’s sins and seeking absolution from God.
“But what sins have I committed?”
Absurd to the atheist who prided himself on being sinless.
Despite his protests, the kidnappers persisted.
Locked away in darkness, they played hymns continuously using expensive artifacts.
No physical torture, just relentless psychological torment.
“What have I done wrong?”
Wrong?
Nothing really.
He’d diligently studied and fulfilled his duties as a noble.
Other than looking down on his incompetent older brother, what had he done?
What crime was it to disdain a fool sitting pretty as second son, getting all the attention while acting like a lunatic?
A lunatic who looked exactly like their late duke father yet acted nothing like him.
Obsessed with reviving his concubine mother, a disgrace to their bloodline.
So much so that society labeled him ‘the recluse.’
Considering how one’s nickname and connections determined reputation, it was quite embarrassing.
Was disdaining such a person wrong?
Sure, he didn’t just stop at words. There was a bit of violence involved too.
Which led to getting beaten up several times by golems later.
Still, he couldn’t comprehend it.
Thus, he refused to repent, but poor Theodore’s mind wasn’t that strong.
Eventually…
“Repent! Repent, you bastard! I said repent!”
“Finally acknowledging your sins, have you? Remember this: He is someone you must never offend.”
Even after being rescued by some strange golem, the mystery remained unsolved.
What gives? Why does everyone – the kidnappers, the duke – seem to want that guy eliminated?
“God…”
Every night, Theodore prayed in his secluded room.
“Please… kill Evan Alkarte… Why subject me to this trial… If only he weren’t here, I could rise higher… What does Father see in him…?”
Accumulated grievances and complaints.
Tainted with jealousy.
Jealousy towards Evan Alkarte’s talents.
Alchemy required the chosen ones.
Similar to magic, which depended not only on innate mana but also on natural talent.
Alchemy went beyond mere potion-making.
Through processes of [Understanding], [Decomposing], and [Reconstituting], it could transform materials at will.
Such power came naturally to Evan.
Within a year of studying alchemy, he became renowned even in the underworld.
Not through active effort either.
Just twice.
Two instances of activity earned him a title.
An accomplishment even the duke’s eldest son couldn’t achieve.
It infuriated and envious Theodore.
How could that coward who couldn’t even look people in the eye be such a great man?
Things changed rapidly.
Seemingly overnight.
Switched to polite speech patterns, made eye contact.
Then started properly mastering alchemy.
Perhaps he really could perform necromancy and resurrect the dead.
The feeling rising within Theodore.
It wasn’t just jealousy anymore, but a faint trace of fear.
Which is why he intended to stay quiet today…
“What’s with this beggar grandpa bowing so low?”
Unfathomable.
If this old man were truly a big shot, Father would have appeared.
But he didn’t.
Just a common old man.
Exactly as he appeared.
So why was he bowing? Diminishing the family’s prestige?
Young Theodore still struggled to control his impulses.
So the words slipped out unintentionally.
But immediately regretted his past actions.
“…”
Evan’s gaze.
It felt like his whole body froze.
Completely devoid of any emotion.
Had there been anger or contempt, maybe he could have understood.
But there was nothing.
“…I’ve never said our family is trivial.”
Monotone.
Utterly expressionless voice.
“This person is a guest I personally invited. Neither the family name nor reputation is involved. This is purely for exchange purposes. We receive his techniques, and I provide compensation in return.”
“…I can’t understand. What skills could this old man possibly possess-”
“Experience and history, that’s what. Even small things accumulate weight and power over time.”
Softly.
Like consoling a child, Evan continued speaking.
“Your behavior is quite discourteous, Theodore.”
“…”
Hearing his name called for the first time.
Shivers ran down his spine.
As if warning him there would be consequences if he crossed another line.
“Do you understand?”
“…Yes. Master.”
“…I may have overreacted. You may take your leave.”
Breathing room finally opened up.
Only then did Theodore notice Evan’s attire.
The leather armor moving like it was alive.
Unrecognizable due to its material, but it was a golem.
The staff leaning against the chair.
Familiar.
That was a golem too.
Everything.
This entire reception room had been swarming with golems from the start.
“Oh my…”
Evan’s golden eyes, identical to their father’s, bore into Theodore.
More oppressive than the mental torture endured during forced repentance.
Thinking about leaving right now when…
Knock knock!
“Evan, may I come in for a moment?”
“You may enter.”
The door opened.
A mysterious girl with white hair and red eyes skipped in cheerfully.
The girl spoke with bright enthusiasm.
“Evan! I finally got to try the improved potatoes!”
“Improved potatoes?”
“Yes! They grew huge and contained mana, making them super delicious… Especially when steamed!”
Her lively tone lightened the mood.
Evan’s expressionless gaze turned toward her.
Theodore internally sighed in relief.
Phew, survived.
“Good job, Lapis. Introduce yourself.”
“Ah! The person I met yesterday… Hello!”
“Ho ho, nice to meet you, little miss.”
Lapis?
The name rang a bell.
The new slave Evan acquired, right?
But she seemed more like…
‘A cherished younger sister… perhaps?’
“Lapis, what did you eat today?”
“Carrots… and potatoes… salad!”
“Meat?”
“Not really interested yet…”
Slave talking back?
Defying her master’s orders stirred Theodore’s noble blood.
Should he step in bravely now?
Then Lapis clasped her hands together.
Threads emerged smoothly, forming beautiful shapes on their own.
“…Your embroidery skills have improved further. Well done.”
“Hehe…”
Bravely suppressing his discontent, Theodore watched.
Meanwhile, the Dark King who had been observing curiously finally spoke.
“So, when would be a good time for this old man to teach you? Heh heh. With not much time left for this old man, it’s a bit difficult to delay.”
“Could you perhaps give a brief overview of the technique beforehand?”
“Nothing special. Just involves some bodily movements.”
After confirming the pebble remained calm, Evan spoke.
“In that case, instead of me-”
Swish.
Carefully, Evan moved Lapis in front of him by holding her shoulders.
“Could you teach this child instead?”
“?!?”
“?!?”
Giving such an opportunity to merely a slave?
Their eyes widened in shock.
Watching their reactions, Evan thought privately.
‘I mean, how am I supposed to learn this?’
What the Dark King possessed were techniques.
Naturally, assassination techniques.
Or perhaps movement arts.
But…
‘Trying to learn that would shatter my body.’
Evan was naturally frail.
Extremely so.
Avoiding sprained ankles would be considered lucky.
Completely destroying cartilage wouldn’t be surprising.
‘Handing it over to Lapis is somewhat concerning…’
But a decision only the real-world survivor Evan, who’d lived a year here, could make!
‘Having her deliver letters and fight in my place. Two birds with one stone, right?’
“…Ho ho! Is it fine to pass such an opportunity to a mere slave?”
Giving another chance to reconsider, the tone implied.
“Yes. It’s fine. More appropriate for someone suited to it rather than me.”
“Ho ho! Excellent choice!”
Pleased, the pebble remained calm.
The Dark King squatted down to Lapis’s eye level.
“Little one, shall we chat for a bit?”
“Yes!”
“Let’s see… Quite talented indeed. Exceptionally so. At this level, you’d qualify as a Thousand Assassins. So your favorite thing… vegetarianism? …A Thousand Assassins? Huh, huh huh… Never seen anything like this in history…”
…Will this work out okay?
