#Chapter 20. “No, I’m Not That Kind of Person” (1)
The Alkarte Ducal Family holds no small significance in the original story.
Whether legal or illegal, this family dominates the underworld where all sorts of things flow—capable of even shaking the empire’s economy. Naturally, they receive considerable attention in the original as well.
‘They were the final boss of Act 3, right? Probably.’
A boss brimming with both gall and difficulty, ranking among the most popular. The powerhouse of the underworld…
<Lord of Narcotics> Karbaro Alkarte.
That was his nickname and name.
Flap!
Karbaro’s crimson cloak fluttered as he rode atop the black horse pulling the carriage, embroidered with golden patterns that symbolized his very authority. His pitch-black hair comparable to the dark steed, coupled with the ruthless golden eyes inherited by Evan, exuded an undeniable nobility and grace, regardless of how shabby his attire might be. A born ruler, destined from birth to command others, and a monarch who fully embraced and utilized this destiny.
Heeeyyah!
The black horse let out a thunderous neigh, slowing down, followed by the carriage gradually decelerating. The manor gates came into view, where the Duchess Alkarte awaited.
She was also the official wife who bore the current Leonardo and Theodore.
‘Her expression is completely rigid.’
Evan had never seen her like this before. He leaned against the window frame, resting his chin on his hand.
Natalia Alkarte.
A formidable warrior who reached the upper echelon of Sword Experts wielding only a rapier. Her appearance evoked a black panther, and despite having given birth to two children, her physique was impressively honed.
Even someone like the Duchess appeared tense at the Duke’s return.
Neigh! Thud.
The black horse stopped right in front of the Duchess. On top of it lay a bundle wrapped in cloth stained red.
‘Could that be…?’
Thud! Rolllll.
The Duke tossed the bundle, revealing the severed head of an enemy, its face frozen in shock.
Clomp, clomp!
As the black horse halted, the knights following behind instantly stopped too, their movements precise and disciplined. Without a single misstep, they knelt on one knee and planted their swords into the ground.
Punk! Punk punk!
The same applied to the knights from the mansion.
At the forefront, Ferroc, the First Knight Captain, true to his title, spoke up.
“Our Lord, we sincerely celebrate your safe return.”
“Congratulations!”
“Hmm.”
Cheers and a loyalty so intense it bordered on suffocating—but the Duke merely gave a casual nod, clearly accustomed to such displays.
“All of you have worked hard. You may rise.”
“Yes!”
“Yes!”
Clomp, clomp!
The knights swiftly reformed their ranks. The Duke gracefully leapt off the black horse.
Upon seeing the Duchess, the Duke’s usually stern face softened ever so slightly—a genuine smile.
It really didn’t suit him.
“Lady. It has been a while.”
“I am relieved you’ve returned safely, my lord.”
Naturally, the Duke extended his hand, which the Duchess took, escorting her in a manner dripping with aristocratic charm. Such a perfect couple.
‘Even Evan’s mother got along well with her, if I recall.’
The Duke wasn’t married out of political strategy but out of true love, leading to a rare case of marriage in the cutthroat world of nobility.
Love marriage? Incredible.
Indeed, the alpha male par excellence. Despite bearing the terrifying title of Lord of Narcotics, ruling over the underworld, here he stood, perfectly normal.
“What is that head for?”
“The head of my second-in-command.”
“He plotted against you?”
“Excellent job.”
“I still fall short. My lack of virtue allowed one of my subordinates to be swayed. I must improve further.”
“You’re already excellent, my lord.”
Clean self-assessment without excessive self-blame.
It felt like checking answers against a prepared answer sheet. Could someone truly be this dry?
“How are the children?”
“They’re all in their rooms.”
“Let’s dine together tonight then.”
On the surface, he seemed gruff, but Evan knew better—he was actually considerate. Or rather, this body did.
-It’s noisy, Evan Alkarte.
Evan sobbing while clutching his late mother’s cold body, while the Duke stood behind him, unseen, speaking with a frosty tone.
-Act with the dignity befitting a second son.
‘Hmm.’
After that, Evan distanced himself from his father. More accurately, he was abandoned.
Evan called it independence, claiming it was not abandonment but liberation from his father. Unfortunately, this didn’t lead to any real maturity.
Especially since ordinary troublemaker Evan began dreaming of the forbidden “Son of Lions.”
‘Not planning on doing it now though.’
The forbidden “Son of Lions.” The cost of achieving alchemical gold differs drastically.
Of course, safety-first Evan wouldn’t even glance at such a choice—not when his real parents were still alive.
‘This dinner thing…I’ll pretend to be asleep.’
Just as he was about to retreat back inside,
“Evan Alkarte.”
There it was, that chilling voice piercing his ears.
With great effort, he turned his stiff neck.
Right by the window.
The Duke staring directly into Evan’s eyes. The icy golden gaze flickered.
“Do not be late for dinner.”
“…Yes.”
Man, I don’t want to go.
Regardless, the words slipped out of his mouth.
Absolutely not because of fear—it’s purely instinct leftover from this body. Definitely not scared.
“Understood.”
Flick.
Satisfied with the response, the Duke disappeared without looking back, leaving the entrance eerily silent.
Evan sighed softly and slumped into his chair.
Geez, what a surprise.
‘Why does he talk to me now after ignoring me for so long?’
There had probably been only two instances where the Duke addressed Evan directly: once shortly after Evan fell ill upon possession, and another time when Evan was forcibly sent into the underworld.
‘This makes three.’
Really didn’t want to see him. Evan shuddered.
But an unavoidable fate was approaching…
*
Dinner time.
In an average household, one would imagine a lively scene.
But not here.
It was barren and silent.
Clatter, clatter.
The sound of food being served and taken away. No one dared to make noise while eating—that was etiquette.
Only the head of the house could speak first.
‘If Lapis were here, I’d probably suffocate.’
Lately, she’s been focused on playing with Spuer, so even her beloved vegetables aren’t getting eaten as much. Two baskets used to disappear; now, it’s just one and a half. A bit quieter, sure, but also less fun.
While munching away, Evan briefly reminisced about the past—or something like it.
Clack—
The Duke finished his meal, wiping his mouth elegantly with a napkin. His flawless gaze settled on Evan.
“Evan.”
“…Yes, my lord.”
Body tensed up. Like a herbivore standing before a carnivore. Thankfully, his face went numb.
Seeing the mature version of himself reflected every time he looked in the mirror was somewhat awkward, but whatever.
“Lately, there have been many rumors about you.”
“My luck was bad.”
“Bad, you say? Are you implying your infamy isn’t enough yet?”
Huh?
“The Blue Beard Earl is hardly satisfying, I agree. Strive harder.”
Huh?!
“But the Holy Maiden and Holy Knight—they match your status. Excellent.”
HUH????
“Also, I heard you invited a beggar recently. Did you gain anything worthwhile?”
“…Not bad connections.”
“Not bad.”
Could he have figured out about the Dark King?
Leow gave a dangerous look, as if questioning what kind of scheme this was.
No…
Yeah, it was correct.
Still, entirely accidental. Absolutely not intentional.
And answering ‘no’ would be embarrassing. It takes one line to incite rebellion but several times longer to clarify innocence.
“…Yes.”
So, he just nodded.
“Seems you’re still unsatisfied.”
Apparently interpreting his reaction incorrectly, the Duke’s words made Evan question his hearing.
…What?
What’s lacking?
‘Isn’t this infamy enough?’
If this isn’t enough, that’s borderline psycho, right?
“I’m satisfied.”
“No need to pretend otherwise. Moderate humility is beneficial, but excessive humility weakens you.”
The Duke interpreted Evan’s intentions however he pleased.
“Always be careful not to overdo it.”
“…Yes.”
Both Leonardo and Theodore glared fiercely at Evan, clearly annoyed by his monopolizing the Duke’s attention during dinner.
If you’re mad, go do it yourselves.
I don’t need it.
When Evan was inwardly cursing them,
Swish.
Ever so slightly.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of the Duke’s lips before disappearing instantly.
Almost like an illusion.
‘Eh, must’ve imagined it.’
In the game, whenever Evan met an untimely demise, the Duke only responded with textbook precision. Smiles? Don’t make me laugh.
“I shall assign you your next mission personally. An opportunity to make a name for yourself.”
“It’s fine…”
“Attend the ball, Evan.”
No.
Let me finish my sentence.
“When you go as the representative of our family.”
Glow, glow!
The brothers’ gazes intensified.
Ah, I don’t wanna!
But alpha males don’t run. Running now would make me a beta.
Evan forced out a word.
“…I’ll think about it.”
The gaze questioning ‘is he insane?’ grew stronger.
Thus ended the evening, leading into the dead of night.
A letter arrived.
Destination: Full Moon Sect.
A silver bird with a red ribbon tied around its leg flew in, carrying a scroll.
Rustle!
“Hmm.”
The scroll wasn’t a letter but a type of newspaper sharing news and trends across the continent. Adrianne, who occasionally visited the Full Moon Sect, watched with interest.
“Hmm.”
Arthur swallowed audibly.
“What is it… Hmm.”
Adrianne mirrored his action.
The scroll contained shocking news.
-Heretic group annihilated.-All members currently missing.-Evan Alkarte suspected as the one responsible for their annihilation.
“…”
Sweat trickled down.
Annihilated the remaining heretics?
This suddenly?
Is he really angry?
“Is this telling us to clean up more thoroughly?”
“Hmph. It’s not that.”
“Then what?”
While Arthur pondered, Adrianne, the brilliant strategist and hidden mastermind, quickly grasped the meaning.
“This is about insufficient staging.”
“Staging?”
“With all the effort put into restoring your Aura Vessel, shouldn’t information about you have spread by now?”
“…Ah. So, he’s dissatisfied with his own reputation not being known.”
“That’s right.”
Evan Alkarte.
Playing the true puppet master, manipulating even the Sun Maiden and the Knight of the Full Moon.
‘So, he met that lecherous old man, the Dark King.’
How did he encounter that old man?
By chance?
No.
This is fate.
Deliberately created.
‘To orchestrate this.’
Yet his skills continued to grow.
Did he visit that centuries-old alchemist for nothing? Surely, he gained something.
‘So, he plans to toy with us like this?’
We won’t play along.
A monkey placed on top of Buddha.
That’s not the life we chose.
We must uncover his true intentions and place Evan under our control. By doing so, we can achieve the goal of the Sun Descent.
That’s the Holy Maiden’s aim.
“Arthur, how’s your sister lately?”
“She’s still fine.”
Arthur’s sister, Lail, suffering daily due to her innate destiny and capacity, the sole Goddess of the Full Moon Sect.
“Maybe? Perhaps you have a potion that could heal her.”
“…Can you take responsibility for that statement?”
Arthur’s gaze turned icy instantly. Adrianne smiled calmly.
“That’s something we can confirm. I obtained some valuable intel.”
Adrianne handed over an invitation—an exclusive ticket to the social gathering for nobles and key figures.
“Evan Alkarte is apparently making his debut in this social circle.”
That’s the moment.
An opportunity to approach directly and extract information or intentions.
‘I look forward to it.’
What sinister plan is he concocting?
“You have a chance to meet him directly.”
Meanwhile, unaware that Evan simply thought ‘just get the repair request done,’ Adrianne’s lips curved into a deep smile.
