# Episode 22: I’m Not That Kind of Person (3)
“Archbishop Greisz. Everything’s ready.”
“Hmph. Good job.”
The fourth forgotten finger of God.
Greisz, with his crimson nails, glared at the mansion, leading one faction of the remaining heretics.
His eyes burned fiercely.
In the future, the talents who will lead this detestable empire are in that mansion.
‘Disgusting bunch.’
A laugh echoed—haha hoho—and anger boiled within him.
While the heretics were freezing in the mountains because they’d been forgotten by God…
These people were inside their warm homes, drinking wine as if nothing was wrong.
Still, he had endured it until now.
For the great cause three years from now.
But all of that turned to nothing because of just one man.
‘Arthur!!’
The nightmare of the heretics.
The bloodthirsty Holy Knight and Full Moon Knight Arthur Morayter.
Arthur suddenly appeared and wiped out the group of heretics.
As if he were back in his prime.
Greisz, who had survived that era and witnessed it with his own two eyes, could not have mistaken it.
How did he regain his strength?
Arthur had lost his Aura Vessel in some incident.
A wound no priest could heal.
It wasn’t even a disease.
An irreversible, eternal loss.
Not even divine grace could fix it.
Unless it was some mythical elixir from legends.
It should’ve been like that.
Yet, standing against the moon, shining brilliantly was that silver Aura.
Its brilliance was so intense it momentarily eclipsed the moon itself.
Shiver! Just thinking about it made his nails tremble.
Even though these nails were ‘transplanted’ after that incident, they reacted as if they’d experienced the horror firsthand.
Fortunately, it seemed Arthur hadn’t fully regained his full power—estimated to be about half of what he used to be.
But that was more than enough to leave fatal wounds on the heretics.
Arthur left with just a minor scratch while the heretic side was nearly annihilated.
Leader Archbishop Blake critically injured,
Approximately a thousand ‘devotee’-level deaths.
Approximately a hundred ‘priest’-level deaths.
All other archbishops survived but fled with the remnants.
‘There’s no longer any chance for us.’
It was clear from the failure of the grand cause before it could even begin.
This is our last opportunity.
The final chance to bring down those who twisted tongues led astray, seizing all power and wealth while forgetting their god.
“Today, we kill everyone except three. Remember that.”
“Understood, Archbishop.”
Among the noble heirs attending the ball right now, only three are useful:
Evan Alkart, second son of the powerful underworld family, the Alkarte Ducal Family.
Asela Fraus, the eldest daughter of the southern ruling house, the Fraus Baron Family.
Bellia Yorta, the second daughter of the perennial runner-up merchant family, the Yorta Trading House.
Originally, Bellia Yorta was supposed to die according to the request placed by the elder sister of the Yorta family.
But when Greisz noticed Bellia’s potential, he changed his mind.
‘Money is needed.’
Bellia might be younger than her sister, but she was far more skilled in business and sharp-minded.
Sharp enough to make her sister jealous.
With such a brain, she could be useful.
She could help lay the foundation for a comeback.
Asela Fraus?
That could be handled through ‘negotiations.’
Everyone knows Asela dreams of creating a second Alkarte family.
Everything was going smoothly… except for one person.
‘Evan Alkart.’
There was almost no information on him.
Mostly rumors, which couldn’t be relied upon alone.
And if you do believe them, that’s even more problematic since there’s no way to predict how big of a figure he might be.
‘For now, let’s aim to suppress him.’
Greisz bit his lip.
‘Shit! If only that brat had been here, it would’ve been much easier…!’
Spuer.
Born with a massive destiny, an unknown child whom God commanded to guard.
It was confidential information known only to Greisz.
-‘Until the time comes, you must remain silent.’
His defining trait was his silver-tongued rhetoric.
One priest who fell under his spell ended up taking his own life.
If that kid had been here, anything would’ve been possible!
The loss at the end stung bitterly.
He’d have to recover him eventually.
It was God’s will, after all.
“Is everything ready?”
“Yes, Archbishop.”
The priests bowed their heads.
Each held a flask filled with red liquid.
He looked up at the sky.
The sun was setting, filling the sky with a deep orange glow.
The time had come.
Greisz nodded.
“All of this… ”
He too pulled out a flask filled with the red liquid.
Preparations to receive God’s blessing.
“…for God.”
At that moment, as they drank the potion…
KUROOOOOO!
The ground shook violently.
“!”
An ambush?
Greisz crouched low, raising his crimson nails.
God’s blessing surged within him, red fur sprouted, his eyes turned crimson, and his body began to swell.
A body repeatedly modified through experiments solely to kill Arthur.
The power that earned him the title of Crimson Nails.
‘Whoever comes, I’ll tear them apart!’
Just as his primal instincts were about to explode…
KURUUUUUU!
The earth warped, and walls began to rise.
Endless walls soaring into the sky.
By the time they realized something was wrong and rushed forward, it was already too late.
BOOM!
They were completely enclosed by the wall.
Greisz’s expression hardened.
Clomp.
A small sound of footsteps reached his ears.
*
Evan slowly withdrew his hand.
Far away, where the remnants of the heretics had gathered, the land was warping and walls were rising.
“Huff! Success.”
He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand.
Did I use too much mana? I’m feeling a little dizzy.
Couldn’t help it. I was pretty shocked.
‘Although, why did they suddenly appear and start causing chaos?’
Luckily, the body I possessed has decent potential.
Not bad for a first-year. Still far behind players, though.
Unaware of this, Bellia looked at him with astonishment.
“…You… did you create that wall?”
“Yes.”
“With just a touch? That’s impossible… I heard you’re an alchemist…”
“To an alchemist, this is something anyone can do.”
“…”
Bellia shut her mouth tightly, seemingly accepting it.
Well, this is average, right?
But she didn’t truly understand.
She compared him to the alchemists she knew.
‘Range of transmutation… much wider. And he used much less mana.’
Overwhelming difference in ability.
A natural sigh escaped her.
‘Being called the youngest alchemist wasn’t just hype.’
Gulp!
Swallowing hard, the implications were clear.
Meaning he could trap, kill, or abduct enemies wherever he went.
Now it made sense why the other noble heirs were afraid.
‘But I can’t back down here.’
This is the only chance.
The only chance to escape my witch-like sister and survive.
The chance to achieve my lifelong dream of independence!
Right then.
Evan spoke.
“Are they trying to kill you?”
“…Yeah. They’re heretics. Probably… because of my sister’s request.”
Evan understood why he didn’t know Bellia’s name.
A character who exited the story before even appearing properly.
Probably died or got kidnapped here.
Made sense.
Why mention someone who died three years ago when the world’s destruction is imminent?
Anyway.
‘This is an opportunity, isn’t it?’
Evan glanced at the back of her head.
Uncertain whether she was an ally or a villain was a disadvantage.
‘But even if she’s a villain, maybe she can reform like Lapis.’
Either way, it’s fine.
Building connections here is enough.
Cutting ties if necessary won’t be a problem.
‘Not bad, huh?’
Typical macho-hero thinking.
“You asked me to save you.”
“…Yes.”
“You said you’d pay any price. What price are you willing to pay?”
Bellia bit her lip.
Hmm, is he asking for something weird?
Like… feelings or something?
Nope, don’t want that.
Connections would be nice instead.
“I’ll give you whatever you want.”
“Too abstract.”
“Then… do you have anything specific in mind?”
Bellia sneakily checked his reaction.
Surely, he wouldn’t throw her back out there if he doesn’t like the deal, right?
“Yes.”
Evan nodded.
“Connections.”
“…Connections?”
“I’d like your help forming bonds at this ball.”
…Isn’t that too easy?
A flicker of doubt crossed Bellia’s face.
She was a natural merchant.
Dealing with people was easy for her.
Rather, he should ask for money.
Evan also picked up on her hesitation.
Hmm, is it too light?
“Afterward, I’d like to continue building these connections.”
Not a one-time connection but a lasting network of communication.
“…That’s it?”
Feels kinda cheap… But still, saying more feels lame.
Too clingy, and he’s not some desperate guy anyway.
‘…Fine, I’ll add one more thing.’
Evan added another condition.
“In addition, if you know anyone who could be helpful, I’d appreciate introductions.”
Actually, Bellia’s connections weren’t particularly important.
This was just a minimal excuse to package the earlier request.
This should seem like a reasonable favor, right?
To Bellia, it sounded different.
‘Usable connections?’
Were the previous statements traps, with this being the main goal?
To uncover Bellia’s unique network?
‘A little cold sweat trickled down.’
‘Did he somehow find out about my contact with the Tower?’
The Alchemical Tower.
A group that usually maintained strict isolationist policies.
But times changed.
Their mindset evolved, and internal reforms were gradually happening.
They started reaching out for exchanges, and luckily, Bellia became the main point of contact.
Her sister opposed it.
Claiming they shouldn’t trust those lunatics.
In reality, it was jealousy of Bellia’s abilities.
Which ultimately led to Bellia becoming a target.
‘An alchemist would naturally be interested…’
Was he aware and waiting for her approach?
Making it easier for her to connect?
‘…Impossible.’
The timing was too coincidental.
From attending the ball to this very moment.
If all of this was planned?
‘…Could the rumors be true?’
Recent rumors talk about the Sun Maiden and the Full Moon Knight.
Rumors of their contact with major figures.
Apparently, Evan was behind them.
Someone who could orchestrate such a grand plan could easily pull this off.
‘Perhaps the real power player is Evan Alkart…!’
Did she mess with the wrong person?
Too big of a fish.
A faint hint of fear flickered in Bellia’s eyes.
“…???”
Meanwhile, Evan, unaware of the gaze, wondered.
Why is she looking at me like that?
‘What did I say wrong?’
…Seems fine to me?
Evan slightly frowned in confusion.
Just as Bellia misinterpreted this and her complexion paled further.
BAM!
“Evan!”
The curtain flew open, and Lapis and Spuer rushed in.
“Big trouble!”
“What happened?”
“That strange woman was loitering around, so I chased her off, but she wasn’t random!”
Lapis flailed her arms.
The carrot she was chewing fell out.
“Spuer’s acting weird!”
“…What about Spuer?”
Spuer stared intently at the wall, his face frozen.
Unnaturally serious.
What does he have to do with the heretics?
“…I need to go there.”
Spuer looked at Evan seriously.
“…I need you.”
“Huh?”
“It’s not scary, but please come with me. I’m asking.”
Scary?
Stung a little.
Future sinner or not, that tongue sure is smooth.
Though not deeply hurt.
Just a little.
‘…Should be fine to go, right? Lapis is here too.’
It’s a request, after all.
Absolutely not showing any signs of it.
“…Alright.”
I… am the guardian…!
Evan reassured himself internally.
Definitely safe!
And just in case.
Click, click!
Living Armor transformed into solid plate armor.
The bracelet combined into a staff form.
Prepared to convert into a small golem or shield anytime.
‘…Just in case, I brought Number 4… This should be enough, right?’
Summon Number 4.
Checked the separately stored items.
Three high-grade healing potions, three antidotes.
All compact but effective.
Great.
Preparations complete.
The clothes are slightly wrinkled, but they’ll iron out later.
“Bellia.”
“…Y-yes?”
“Stay here. You’ll be safe.”
Leaving those words, Evan headed toward the wall.
No need to run or descend.
SWISH!
Number 4 lifted Evan onto its shoulder.
Lapis and Spuer were placed on its arms.
SLIDE!
Carrying everyone, Number 4 silently melted into the darkness and disappeared.
At that moment.
Far away, a silver pillar shot up over the wall.
Instinctively, he knew.
That was the aura of the famous Full Moon Knight, Arthur Morayter.
Through this, it was confirmed.
Evan.
He truly had control over that brutal knight as his subordinate.
