“What on earth happened here? And what is this mess?”
Herbert, the herb gatherer, who had left Remt Village early in the morning and returned around dusk, wore a dazed expression.
The usually tidy village entrance was now stained with blood and scattered with various fragments, completely ruined.
Joseph, who happened to find him, spoke with a slightly weary face.
“There was an enemy ambush.”
Shock flickered across Herbert’s face.
He was well aware that the northern region had recently become unstable.
That was why he had been gathering herbs much more cautiously than usual, which also delayed his return.
But to think that enemies had come and gone during that time…
“W-What? Is that true? I noticed some people missing… could it be…?”
“Many died, they say. Half the guards are dead, and the villagers either died near the stables or got seriously injured.”
“M-My family—is everyone safe? Kate, my daughter?”
“Yeah, except for the men, no one else got seriously hurt or killed. No women suffered either.”
Is that even possible?
The enemies killed only the men and left the women untouched?
“What kind of…?”
At his question, Joseph pointed to the knights nearby.
“They were saved just in time by the Lion Knight Order. Truly, a goddess’s blessing.”
Joseph naturally clasped his hands and bowed his head.
Seeing usually cynical him like this, it was clear the shock was immense.
“The Lion Knight Order? You mean the knights of the Republic of Lepent?”
“That’s right. They broke through the enemy’s defenses and wiped out the raiders who were in the middle of looting.”
“Ah! Is this about that recent talk of the Red Wolf?”
At Herbert’s question, Joseph paused mid-step and nodded with a pale face.
“…Yes. The so-called Red Wolf is Prince Glenn. The one known as the heir to the duchy.”
“If he’s the heir of the Republic of Lepent, then is he the same one you mentioned earlier…?”
Suddenly, Joseph interrupted him, startled.
He approached with a terrified look and whispered harshly.
“Shh! Hey, be careful with your words! When did I ever say Prince Glenn was a maniac?”
“No, you definitely said that when you were drunk…”
“Sure, there were rumors like that in the past. But rumors are just rumors, don’t you know? ‘Shh!’”
Though his voice was quiet, his expression was almost like a scream.
His bulging veins and trembling words seemed quite strange.
“Alright, I’ll watch my tongue. But why are you so scared? Is this prince really that terrifying?”
“…He is terrifying, indeed.”
“What does he look like? The Red Wolf is supposed to have a huge horn on his demon-like head, right?”
At the ridiculous notion, Joseph shook his head.
“No, not at all. In fact, he looks very handsome. I’ve never seen such a noble-looking man before.”
“Really? No horns? I heard he looked like a terrifying demon.”
“Terrifying? Not at all… When the prince rode in, the village women went crazy. My daughter was so excited, oh my.”
“Then what did you mean by ‘terrifying’ earlier?”
Joseph’s brow furrowed.
“At first, when the prince was fighting off the enemies… it was a bit unsettling.”
He was shivering unconsciously—he must have been quite brutal.
“Anyway, the prince was looking for an herb gatherer earlier. He might call for you.”
“Me? Why would he want me?”
How would I know? If you meet him, be sure to thank him. He’s the one who killed the guy trying to assault Kate.”
“Really? The prince?”
“Why would I lie? Also, don’t ever act carelessly in front of him. He may seem kind on the outside, but he’s a frightening man. Remember that.”
“Ah, understood.”
Joseph warned him with serious eyes, and Herbert only nodded.
Why would such an important person seek out a mere herb gatherer?
Feeling an inexplicable unease, Herbert moved on.
Some time later, past evening.
“Are you Herbert?”
A man who looked like a knight had just visited, and now a young man who clearly seemed noble appeared and suddenly called out.
Herbert instinctively bowed deeply.
“I-I’m a humble herb gatherer. Are you really Prince Glenn?”
“That’s right.”
Hearing the conversation from downstairs, Herbert’s wife and daughter hurriedly came down.
They couldn’t ignore a noble visitor who came personally without a greeting.
“Ah, don’t mind that. Since I have business here, I had to come personally. Everyone, please raise your heads.”
The gentle tone and raised heads allowed Herbert to study the man’s face again.
…There were truly no horns.
“Nice to meet you, Herbert. So, you’re an herb gatherer? I have something I want to make.”
Far from a fearsome appearance or horns,
as Joseph said, he was a white-painted, handsome man with striking red hair.
“Yes, yes! If there’s anything I can help with, please just say the word.”
“Then I have quite a lot… Ah, I see the girl over there too. Is that your daughter?”
His green eyes looked at Kate, acknowledging her.
He must have recognized the blonde lady who had offered help earlier.
“That’s right. I heard you saved my daughter, Kate. Thank you very much.”
“Of course, it was my duty, haha. So, Kate, are you alright?”
“Y-Yes?!”
“Kate… I-I’m sorry. My daughter is still immature.”
Kate, who had been staring blankly at Glenn, suddenly startled.
Knowing it was rude, Herbert’s wife immediately scolded her.
But Glenn didn’t seem angry.
He just smiled gently.
“It’s fine. I was just asking if you were alright.”
“I-I’m fine. Thank you for your concern!”
Kate’s face flushed red as she stammered strangely, making Glenn’s expression turn sour.
“You seem very nervous. I have business with your father, so you two should head upstairs.”
“Eh, yes, but…”
When his daughter hesitated, a firm hand grabbed her and pulled her along.
After the two disappeared, Glenn briefly glanced around.
The fireplace creaked, filling the small, cramped space with an eerie atmosphere.
Among various clutter and herbs lay an unusual object caught in his eye.
Recognizing it immediately, Glenn’s eyes widened.
“Oh, you handle alchemy too?”
“I only handle it to a limited degree with the herbs I gather. I learned by chance.”
Alchemy is known across the continent as a rare skill.
It is said to have been passed down long ago from the Elven Druids, famous for producing various medicines.
Occasionally, alchemists of high skill even produce potions, though their stability isn’t always guaranteed.
Naturally, mages openly disdain alchemists as frauds.
That’s why alchemists are mostly seen in small villages or towns in remote corners.
“Good. These are exactly what I’m looking for. Can you provide them?”
At the same time, a small note was handed over.
Herbert went to the fireplace and slowly read its contents.
“Eh… sour clover roots, red dogwood flowers, sticky tree roots, and… Banshee Grass? Is that correct?”
“Yes. I managed to gather a few Banshee Grass today. All are available. But… may I ask what you intend to use them for?”
At Herbert’s cautious question, Glenn nodded slightly.
“What do you think? Take a guess.”
*The first three are ordinary ingredients… but combined with Banshee Grass, it can be quite dangerous.
Depending on the preparation method, it could become an extremely potent poison.
Are you perhaps aiming for a poison?*
“Oh, you know your stuff. I plan to squeeze the Banshee Grass and boil it in water.
Then I’ll mix that with Mandrake that has been dried beforehand.”
“Y-You managed to find Mandrake? That rare thing…?”
“I found it by chance.”
Herbert, momentarily surprised by the mention of Mandrake, began thinking deeply about the recipe he had just heard.
“That would be an incredibly lethal poison. The moment it enters the body, the blood will go mad.
Surely, the prince isn’t planning to take this himself?”
“Haha, of course not. But as you said, since it’s a lethal poison, that’s why I came personally.
Do you understand what that means?”
Suddenly, Herbert felt a chill down his spine.
Instinctively, he nodded.
“Of course. I will never reveal this. Not even to my family.”
“Good, you catch on fast. Now, can you prepare the ingredients? I’ll pay generously.”
“No. Even a lowly person like me has pride. I cannot accept money from the person who saved my daughter. Especially someone as noble as the prince.”
“Haha, I see your father has principles. Anyway, show me the goods.”
Herbert busied himself and soon presented a bundle.
“Here it is. I selected only the best specimens.”
Glenn took the bundle and naturally handed over a silver coin.
“Prince, as I said earlier, I can’t accept money…”
One silver coin was enough to feed a family of four for a month.
Compared to the bundle Herbert handed over, it was a generous price.
“This is hush money. Think of it as a bribe.”
Ting—
When the silver coin was passed over, Herbert accepted it awkwardly.
“Seems like it’s good stuff. Take care.”
“T-Thank you.”
Glenn turned and left without hesitation.
***
“A lethal poison…”
Glenn stared at the dark red liquid before him, lost in thought.
He had made it himself, moving busily in the empty house the Chonjang had offered.
As Herbert said, this was close to a lethal poison.
The problem was that it was also a Blood Magic initiation potion.
In other words, he had to drink it himself.
One finger drummed nervously on his arm.
Is this really the best option? Does it have to be now?
Normally, another blood mage would assist with the initiation.
But how could he find another blood mage in the North?
They are already a secluded group, rarely seen even in the South.
The only possible contact would be through the Winter Goddess’s followers.
After all, most blood mages are disciples of the Winter Goddess.
“When will they come?”
Given the Winter Goddess’s followers travel all over the continent, it’s possible they’ll visit the North.
But when is anyone’s guess.
In conclusion, it was difficult for Glenn to receive help from another blood mage right now.
That was the main source of his worry.
“Well, whatever.”
He was a blood mage who had reached a fairly high level in his previous life.
There was no way he’d suffer over such an initiation.
Steeling his resolve, he raised the cup and drank.
Ugh, it tastes awful.
“…Hmm, it’s bearable.”
“Kurgh!”
Just as he thought it was manageable, sudden stomach pain overwhelmed him.
The method of entering Blood Magic was surprisingly cruel.
It involved inscribing mana control over every drop of blood in the body.
In other words, replacing all flowing blood with new blood.
Naturally, the process was excruciatingly painful.
“Ugh….”
He writhed on the floor like a bug.
He fought to force the blood vessels trying to escape back into place.
Thankfully, none of the returning knights were around to see this.
After half an hour of vomiting blood, the pain gradually began to ease.
Barely clinging to consciousness, Glenn dragged himself onto the bed.
“Hah… hah… s-six more times.”
He muttered curses under his breath.
He had expected it to be similar to initiating through a vampire’s heart, but this was completely different.
As he pondered whether to find a truly different method,
his consciousness finally faded away.