Chapter 35. Encounter (1)
It had been two days since Ossera left.
Duke Cavaro.
Lately, he hadn’t seemed to be in a good mood.
There was still much paperwork to handle.
The vassal peasants and the nobles under his command were numerous.
As a nobleman, there was no way around the responsibilities he had to uphold.
He had no complaints.
Fate was inherently unreasonable.
However,
‘I didn’t expect the Tower of Space-Time to seek cooperation first.’
Tower of Space-Time.
While they showed interest in talents, they maintained a closed-off policy regarding other matters.
They could be considered arrogant, but their abilities were undeniable, making them a force everyone wanted to engage with.
Yet, such a tower had come seeking cooperation first.
For just one person.
Evan Alkart’s sake.
– “Distinctions in talent are meaningless. A brilliant talent is valuable in itself, and that is what the Tower of Space-Time desires.”
A statement implying it didn’t matter if Evan’s magic was alchemy or something else entirely.
He had never heard of this before.
If he had, surely the knight would have already been recruited by the tower.
Even now, among those called knights within the current tower, most were merely wizards masquerading as knights.
And yet, they intended to recruit Evan, an alchemist?
The reason was clear at a glance.
That level of talent must mean he’s exceptionally gifted.
More so than even the Golden Generation during Duke Cavaro’s childhood.
‘Moreover, an elder from the Alchemy Tower is also present.’
The Alchemy Tower was another formidable closed group.
Not every alchemist warranted contact; proof of exceptional talent was required before any interaction occurred.
For an elder from such a group to personally initiate contact was rare indeed.
Isis.
The runaway princess who sought freedom.
Once known as the youngest alchemist, a genius among geniuses, she now showed interest in Evan.
How could Cavaro feel anything but pleased?
No parent dislikes their child’s achievements.
Until today, that is.
“I wish to go out.”
“…Go out?”
“Yes.”
Going out.
He wouldn’t even suggest it for nearby places.
In such cases, separate approval from the duke himself was necessary.
Especially when it wasn’t the south or west but beyond—
“I plan to visit the Kingdom of Demesia.”
Abroad.
“…The Kingdom of Demesia…”
Cavaro tapped his fingers on the table, prolonging his response.
The Kingdom of Demesia was far, requiring at least a month’s travel from the empire.
It wasn’t safe either.
Though named Knights, they were more akin to warriors obsessed with battle.
One couldn’t predict what might happen to Evan there.
Silence filled the office.
Closing his eyes, Cavaro slowly reopened them after some thought.
“Why do you want to go?”
“…There’s something I need. It will help my research.”
“Did Elder Isis tell you this?”
“…Yes.”
Elder Isis.
She mentioned the Kingdom of Demesia?
A country famously dismissive of everything except martial prowess?
‘Something is being hidden here.’
Whether it was Evan or Elder Isis, it was likely the latter.
Evan might resemble him, but not enough to master such deception. Hadn’t Evan once openly displayed hostility without concealing his disdain?
It wasn’t desirable.
Yet, sending him away was unavoidable too.
What should he do…?
After much deliberation, the duke finally decided:
“…Go ahead then.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Ultimately, he permitted the foreign trip.
If harm befell Evan, he resolved to confront the elder directly.
‘Whew! Made it!’
At the door of the office, Evan clutched his chest upon stepping outside.
His heart raced wildly.
He thought he’d been caught lying…
But fortunately, he managed to deceive successfully.
Truly, a seasoned survivor!
Well done, Evan!
The duke’s usual taciturn demeanor helped.
A normal father might have stopped him, citing danger.
But sending him off so nonchalantly suited his cold nature.
Evan had hoped for some escort but received none.
‘Tch, really.’
Just as Evan mentally scoffed, someone spoke up:
“Evan. Did you receive permission?”
“Yes. I did.”
“Oh! That’s great!”
Clap clap!
Isis applauded joyfully.
A journey that would take at least a week, even under optimal conditions.
This trip to the Kingdom of Demesia?
Under normal circumstances, it would be exciting, but not now.
There was something more important at hand.
‘I must definitely lure him into the Alchemy Tower along the way!’
Over the past few days, staying at the mansion, Isis had witnessed Evan’s talents firsthand.
Potion-making skills surpassed the advanced level.
Skills comparable to the old masters of the Alchemy Tower.
Golems?
No need to elaborate.
Using an alchemy book found by chance in the underworld, written on cheap paper incomprehensible even to Isis, Evan had created a golem.
‘d*mn, I really want to touch that. But he won’t allow it, will he?’
The shadow-dwelling Golem No. 2 was a masterpiece.
No. 1 wasn’t even shown, so how skillfully crafted could it possibly be?
There were flaws, though.
Gaps arising from lack of information.
While creating golems well, he didn’t use auxiliary techniques like “Bestow” effectively.
Teaching him these subtleties might sway him over.
Regardless of what the elders might say later, what mattered was the talent.
‘Someone like him could easily challenge even the position of Tower Master, right?’
The Tower Master position had been vacant for quite some time.
The last Tower Master was the father of Count Zildre, who ascended politically rather than through recognition from the “Tower” of alchemists.
The core of the tower’s operations: The Philosopher’s Stone.
An unparalleled masterpiece crafted by the founding Tower Master, embodying the essence of all alchemy.
If recognized by the Philosopher’s Stone, one could truly become the Tower Master.
Should that happen, Isis planned to subtly propose joint research…
“When asking for the duke’s permission, did you mention me? Is that alright?”
“Huh? Yeah, sure!”
Isis smiled and brushed it off casually.
Evan sighed in relief.
‘Phew. She doesn’t seem upset.’
When seeking permission, Evan had subtly promoted Isis’s name.
Now, any issues would be her responsibility.
Wasn’t that a bit too cunning?
Unavoidable.
Survival came first.
And besides, she said it was fine.
“Young master! I’ve prepared everything!”
Dolphe rushed over with a backpack loaded with supplies enough to last the entire week.
Compressed by magic, its capacity wasn’t a concern, but precautions were always wise.
“Here, let me take it.”
“Huh? But it’s heavy…”
With a swift motion, Evan placed the items into his subspace storage, causing Dolphe to exclaim in surprise.
Knocking his ring proudly, Evan felt accomplished.
“Then, let’s depart immediately.”
“Yes! Then I shall…”
“Dolphe cannot join us this time.”
“What?!”
The sudden announcement caused Dolphe’s eyes to widen in shock.
Evan felt a pang of guilt but knew it was necessary.
“Isn’t it your vacation period?”
Half an excuse, as Dolphe would likely return it given his character.
“Master is more important to me!”
The real issue was whether Dolphe could protect himself abroad.
In a foreign land, Dolphe lacked the ability to safeguard himself.
“I’ll be fine. Most importantly, it’s dangerous beyond the border. You’ll collapse.”
“B-but…”
Dolphe, uncharacteristically teary-eyed, started to whimper.
“I’m weaker than you, aren’t I?”
For a moment, Evan’s pride was stung.
‘How am I weak?! I’m practically a man among men now!’
But he restrained himself—not due to facts but because he was magnanimous.
Letting Dolphe sulk slightly wouldn’t hurt.
Definitely not out of being affected.
Swallowing the words rising in his throat, Evan consoled him gently.
“Please, Dolphe. This is my request.”
“B-but… Alright…”
Dolphe nodded dejectedly.
With that, preparations were complete.
Already feeling drained, Evan wondered if anything untoward would occur during the journey.
Something did happen.
‘Life.’
Upon meeting a true fortune-teller, one should consult their destiny.
Why did things keep going awry?
“Hey! Stop right there!”
“Noble sir, this isn’t your fancy empire anymore, is it? Entrance fees must be paid!”
Bandits wearing hoods, wielding strangely curved swords, numbered at least a hundred.
Appearance rate: 30%.
Desert bandits.
‘My luck is atrocious today.’
Across the border lay the Desia Desert, an obligatory passage to reach the Kingdom of Demesia.
An isolated region plagued by irregularities where sand dunes, oases, monsters, and people appeared and disappeared unpredictably.
Even during stabilization periods, bandits rarely emerged.
Thus, encountering them in games was uncommon.
‘Do they all make ends meet with this number?’
The Kingdom of Demesia wasn’t prosperous.
A nation located in the middle of the desert.
A strict meritocracy; without skills, even noble offspring struggled to survive.
Even their king, known as Purity, rose to power by breaking bloodlines through sheer capability.
Reading imperial newspapers made one realize how often they faced food shortages.
‘Bandits shouldn’t have sins, right?’
Evan quickly scanned the group.
Luckily, there were no sins detected, nor anyone particularly special.
Each looked like an extra.
Sighing, Evan glanced at Lapis.
Would she get angry if they blocked the road?
That would be highly inconvenient.
“???”
Evan blinked in disbelief.
Lapis.
Surprisingly, she was smiling broadly.
Why was she happy?
‘Ah, I was right!’
On the way to meet the celestial maiden of the night sky, why would Evan personally visit a shaman?
To read ‘fate’ and save those burdened with sins.
Was it solely to save them?
No, he likely desired something—power, strength, or perhaps something else.
Whatever it was, the crucial fact remained—the act of saving itself.
‘This is the path of salvation.’
The path to becoming a true savior.
Lapis, having been saved herself, had the duty to guard him.
‘If I assist him, that’ll suffice!’
Just as Lapis’s threads began to emerge from her body, someone spoke.
“Excuse me.”
A voice, not loud but clearly resonating in everyone’s ears.
All heads turned.
A young man draped in a dull beige robe, a sword strapped to his waist, stood there. He didn’t appear to be thirty yet.
‘Where did he come from?’
Seeing the young man’s face, Evan sighed involuntarily.
“I wish to inquire about the road.”
“…Who are you?”
“A wandering knight passing by.”
“Hah, there seem to be many deranged individuals lately.”
The apparent leader of the bandits sneered.
“Alright, I’ll kindly show you the way. And directions too?”
“That would be appreciated.”
“I’ll carve it onto your body! Boys!”
“Hmm, just drawing it on the ground would suffice.”
Aggressively pulling attention towards himself—a remarkable skill.
‘Should I escape now?’
As Evan seriously considered it,
Wooom! Woooom!
A massive shadow trembled.
No. 2, residing in the shadows beneath the ground, issued a warning.
Something dangerous was approaching from…
“…Lapis.”
“Nng?”
“Could you pull this gentleman back, please?”
“Yes!”
Lapis nodded and shot out her threads, pulling the young man back just in time.
At that moment,
Ku-guuuuuu!
The earth violently shook as something emerged.
A giant caterpillar.
A Sandworm.
A creature roaming the desert, threatening wanderers and bandits alike.
Without hesitation, the Sandworm swallowed the bandits whole and disappeared.
“O-oh wow.”
Isis’s eyes sparkled.
“I should’ve captured that thing for research…”
“…”
She seemed a little crazy.
Evan swallowed the comment rising to his throat.
“…This is magical residue.”
Felix, who had been carefully peeling off magical residue from his body, turned his head.
Their eyes met through the carriage window.
“Did you summon that Sandworm just now?”
Huh?
“Amazing. To defeat them without lifting a finger using such a method.”
The young man interpreted it on his own despite receiving no answer.
Had it been anyone else unfamiliar with the situation, Evan might have punched him.
Despite being caught in an awkward position, Felix tidied his appearance slightly and bowed his head.
“I failed to properly greet a distinguished individual. Felix, a wandering knight on pilgrimage.”
“…Lapis, please release him.”
“Nng.”
Lapis released her threads.
The carriage window slid open, modified by Isis into a smoother version.
“I’m Evan.”
“If it’s not too impertinent, may I inquire about your destination?”
“I’m heading to the Kingdom of Demesia.”
“Then may I accompany you? I’m also headed to the kingdom.”
“…For what purpose?”
“Lately, there’s been talk of an organization called ‘Glory’ that eradicates criminal groups.”
Felix explained kindly.
“I share a similar goal. I’m searching for them. By any chance, do you know where ‘Glory’ is located?”
…Drip.
Cold sweat trickled down Lapis’s face, not Evan’s.
Had they been discovered?
