Chapter 21: I’m Not That Kind of Person (2)

Time passed quickly.

Evan was planning to establish an orphanage.

Based on the research journal he obtained, his alchemy skills had slightly improved.

The day Evan had to attend the ball also approached.

Ugh, I really don’t want to go.

Twice a year, the regularly held ball.

The location was the Astria territory in the south.

As expected of a count’s territory that loved dance and music, it was often used as a banquet hall.

Should I just turn back?

“Evan! You look super cool today!”  

“There’s no one more dashing than the young master today!”  

“…Thank you.”

Evan accepted the compliments awkwardly.

Instead of his usual comfortable clothes, he wore formal attire.

A custom-made suit only available in the capital.

He remembered it being outrageously expensive.

To think such clothing was standard for this place.

Should I just pretend to be sick and skip it?

Evan seriously considered it.

People entering the ballroom, laughing heartily.

Not just one or two, and none of them were of ordinary status.

Noble heirs.

Only those under twenty could attend this ball, and the representatives of each family were highly promising.

Perhaps every word they spoke hid daggers and thorns?

That’s just how socializing and politics worked.

A battlefield without bloodshed.

It made him even less eager to go.

No, I can’t get scared here.

Evan quietly pinched his cheek.

Get it together.

I can do this.

Right.

I can do this!

A man among men.

A true man doesn’t back down in the face of a crisis.

Besides, his life wasn’t in danger here.

For Evan, who prioritized safety above all, this meant he could step in.

This is an opportunity.

A chance to end this loner lifestyle!

He vaguely knew what the nobles called him.

The recluse.

The one who shuns the world.

In simple terms, a loner.

The title was just dressed up in noble fashion.

It’s about time I shed this title.

If he could earn a better title, people wouldn’t misunderstand him anymore.

“Dolph.”

“Yes, young master!”

“Is there a way to find out in advance who’s attending this ball?”

“Yes! Just a moment!”

I should figure out who’s coming and pick a few people to get close to.

With so many families, he couldn’t befriend them all.

But there should be a couple of useful ones.

Families that wield influence even when the original story begins.

The western ones would be ideal.

Foreigners from other kingdoms or outsiders would be fine too.

The first act, the start of the original story, takes place in a nearby kingdom, not the empire.

The impact wouldn’t reach here immediately.

Still, just in case.

Allies—better to get close to the good ones.

If I build connections, meeting other main allies or getting new items and materials will be easier.

There were only about six “safe” main allies.

In reality, there were more main allies.

Even if not main, there were plenty who played supporting roles in a single act.

Using them could bring significant benefits!

Alright. This is my chance to build connections.

…Two hours after making that resolution.

The ball began.

Hic…

Noble heirs who couldn’t even meet Evan’s eyes, and young noble ladies who teared up or bowed their heads the moment their gazes met.

Building connections? What a joke.

It felt more like he’d get sued first.

…Should I just go home?

***

Two hours into the ball.

The atmosphere was lively, with dancing and partners spending time together.

However, the mood was less festive than expected.

The reason was a single person.

A boy sitting in the corner.

Even while sipping wine alone, he exuded a presence stronger than any other heir.

S-Scary!

If I make too much noise, will he cut my head off for being annoying?

Evan Alkart.

The star of this ballroom.

No noble heir was unaware of Evan.

The second son of the renowned Alkart Ducal Family.

How could anyone not know?

However, most of the impressions about him were negative.

No fiancée, no friends.

He never showed up at social gatherings or academies.

As if there was something wrong with him.

The only flaw of the Duke.

For any other noble, such a person would’ve been disowned or struck from the family register long ago.

The perfect prey to gossip about and tear apart in secret.

His lineage didn’t help.

Evan’s mother was a concubine.

“His mother was a concubine? Not the legitimate wife’s son?”  

“And yet, he’s recognized as a legitimate son…”  

“The Duke is famously kind. He must’ve taken pity on him.”  

“So admirable. I heard he married for love? That’s so cool!”  

“But that son of his… why is he like that?”

He rarely showed his face, yet there was plenty to gossip about.

He became a regular topic of conversation, almost inevitably.

This continued even a year ago when rumors spread that he’d suddenly changed.

The shift in rumors began just a few months ago.

Noble heirs who had visited the black market.

It started after they returned.

“E-Evan Alkart?! T-That person! No, we shouldn’t say his name like that!”  

“What’s with you all of a sudden? Hey, snap out of it!”  

“Urgh… ughhh…”

The moment they heard Evan’s name, their faces paled, and they fainted, foaming at the mouth.

They wouldn’t say why.

Imagination filled in the gaps.

The underworld they’d visited.

A term for places like the black market, auction houses, and fighting pits.

Places where blood and drugs were rampant daily.

Yet, with enough money, there was no safer place to indulge in pleasure.

To react with such terror at his name?

Could it be… Evan had been quiet all this time because he was active in the underworld?

Suspicion turned into rumors, and rumors spread like wildfire.

Soon, all sorts of stories began to circulate.

“Hey, did you hear? Evan Alkart made his annoying sibling disappear!”  

“They say he created a chimera! Secretly experimenting in the basement of the mansion…!”

“Did you hear the Count of Blue Beard sends him tribute regularly?” 

“Tribute? Isn’t it test subjects?”  

“Same thing!”

On top of that, his profession was an alchemist.

A job often portrayed as villainous in fairy tales, history, and myths.

Known for unethical deeds, creating unnatural creatures, and frequently collaborating with dark mages.

A profession said to be full of lunatics.

The youngest alchemist.

The title of “youngest” couldn’t mask Evan’s infamy.

It just meant he was a young lunatic.

When it was revealed that this Evan Alkart was attending the ball for the first time, everyone was skeptical.

But the moment they saw him with their own eyes, the heirs realized the rumors were true.

Jet-black hair contrasting with golden eyes.

An expressionless face that revealed no emotion.

Features strikingly similar to the Duke.

A black suit as dark as his hair, embroidered with golden threads.

He didn’t speak, and though he was accompanied by two children, his presence alone dominated the ballroom.

No one could approach him.

It was a moment when they understood why their parents feared the Duke’s name.

If Evan had stayed quiet afterward, things might’ve been better.

But as if to show why he’d been silent all this time, Evan revealed a cruel and ruthless personality.

“Greetings. I’m Evan Alkart.”  

“H-Hic! Y-Yes! I-I’m Alyssa from the Choi family!”  

“I see, Alyssa. Do you like wine? That drink is a 38-year-old Jack Daniel, said to come only from the west…”  

“I-I’ll give it to you! Take it, please! I don’t want to be a test subject!”

Taking a rare specialty wine with just a few words.

“That gem is lovely. It suits you well…”  

“I-I’ll give it to you!”

Snatching an expensive gem a boy had secretly taken from his parents.

“What a fine steed.”  

“Tch! T-This horse! It’s useless to me! Please, take it!”

Even seizing a pedigree warhorse refined over decades.

All of it was done with a single sentence.

He’s taking everything…

So cruel!

Even after receiving such treasures, his expression didn’t change, and he just stared quietly.

That alone was terrifying.

The heirs didn’t socialize as they were supposed to; instead, they prayed fervently to the gods.

Please don’t let him come near me!

Meanwhile, the cause of all this chaos, Evan, sipped what looked like wine but was actually homemade zero-sugar tomato juice and thought to himself.

…Life is tough.

Am I too ugly or something?

***

Evan had anticipated that making friends wouldn’t be easy.

The Alkart Ducal Family was portrayed as notorious even in the game.

A family so strong it didn’t fall even after the Duke’s death in the third act.

As the second son of such a family, getting close to others right away would be tough.

They had no prior connection.

It wasn’t like school where you could casually say, “Hey, what school are you from?”

Still, he gathered his courage.

Like a man, he boldly went to talk to people!

But isn’t this a bit too much?

Every attempt at conversation failed.

All he got were useless wine, gems, and a horse.

He’d have to sell them later.

“Evan! Try this!”  

“…I’m full. Lapis, you eat a lot.”  

“Okay! Super, you eat a lot too!”  

“I’m not eat— mmph! Mmph!”

Thank goodness Lapis and Super were there.

They were enjoying the party, unfazed by the atmosphere.

Dolph had stepped away for a bit.

Something about helping with the ballroom’s affairs.

Evan didn’t need him, so he allowed it.

As long as no weird rumors spread, it was fine.

Munch, munch. “Yummy.”

True to her vegan nature, Lapis picked out only salads and vegetables.

Super, on the other hand, ate anything.

Even used a knife with elegance.

Probably trained.

A noble by birth, maybe?

Well, I don’t know their origins.

Lapis had come running, gnawing on a Golem Dog’s leg.

Super was rescued from a band of thieves.

There was no way to know.

He hadn’t asked either.

Still, he was curious.

His curiosity about their backgrounds was starting to surface.

“Greetings, Young Lord Evan Alkart.”

Someone approached with a greeting.

Evan turned his head slightly to see a girl, among the most beautiful in the ballroom, smiling gently.

“I’m Velia Yorta, the second daughter of Baron Yorta.”

Yorta?

A familiar family name.

An ally of the protagonist in the first act.

One of the leaders of a merchant group traveling between the empire and the kingdom.

A group with the humiliating title of eternal second place.

But the name Velia was unfamiliar.

Maybe because she only appeared in the first act? I can’t remember.

Anyway.

“Could we talk for a moment?”

A request for conversation.

Evan hesitated briefly.

She’s not an important character…

Should I just ignore her?

No, that’s not right.

Who knew when another chance like this would come?

Everyone else made weird noises at a single word from him.

If he rejected her request here?

They might shun him even more.

Maybe worse than now!

He wasn’t scared.

Evan was a true man, after all.

But he wanted to prevent weird rumors from spreading.

She didn’t seem like the type to suddenly kneel and offer everything.

At most, she’d probably ask to be friends.

That’s not bad.

Evan nodded.

“Yes.”

“Then, to the nearby balcony…”

The moment the curtains were drawn, he felt a concealment barrier activate.

There was no hostility.

It was just to prevent others from hearing their voices.

Even if there was danger, he was safe.

He wore Living Armor under his clothes.

His staff was ready too.

Three bracelets adorned his wrist.

Having quickly assessed the situation, Evan was startled.

Thud!

…?

Velia knelt.

No way…

“…I know everything about what you’ve done in the underworld, what kind of things you’ve been up to.”

Evan frowned.

Of all things, his dark past!

“Are you blackmailing me?”

“No. I’m begging you.”

Velia bowed her head deeply.

“Please. Spare my life.”

“?”

“I’ll give you anything you want.”

I didn’t even say I’d kill you?

As Evan stood there, baffled, a chill ran through his body.

Zing!

A sensation he’d felt before.

Hm?

He turned his head.

Beyond the garden.

Several familiar presences.

Those are…

Heretics?

Why are they here?

The moment Evan’s gaze shifted to Velia and he saw her terrified eyes, a realization hit him.

Are they targeting her?

It seemed he’d gotten caught up in something strange.

Should I just bail now?