Chapter 10: Beggar (3)

“Who are you?”

Chang!

Ferok drew his sword with a rigidly hardened expression.

He hadn’t felt any presence until the beggar, the Shadow King, got up.

Deceiving the senses of a top expert knight?

Not an ordinary guy.

By any chance, was this the reason Evan was watching from earlier?

Wasn’t watching to make it into an experiment subject.

Did he instinctively feel something off?

Tension tightly entered his body.

The aura located in the dantian boiled.

Smolder-

A menacing momentum rose over his shoulders.

Momentum that feels oppressive just looking. The knights beside them also flinched.

He’s fine?

One of Ferok’s eye corners rose.

The beggar was unaffected even receiving the momentum head-on.

As if this level is nothing.

“The Angol Demon King will descend if you enter the forest today! All will die!”

Angol Demon King?

Chewing on the unfamiliar word for a moment.

Ferok’s face wrinkled more.

……Was a superstition fanatic.

Superstition.

Faith from before the empire was established.

Now become vain beliefs or faiths.

Vain beliefs with no basis, no proof.

Honestly, it was ridiculous.

Superstition fanatics mainly babble that there’s an ominous sign, so the Angol Demon King will come that day.

Even if very trivial.

‘Writing name in red ink brings the Angol Demon King!’

‘Gifting shoes to lover, the Angol Demon King kidnaps!’

‘Writing number 13, the Angol Demon King brings misfortune!’

‘Black wolf is sign the Angol Demon King comes!’

Etc.

How idle a god is the Angol Demon King, to try to come at every turn?

Fragment of history that even old people don’t believe, now forgotten by all.

The beggar was shouting holding that fragment.

There was still a guy believing that.

Seeing someone believing superstition wasn’t first time.

Since wandered various places following duke’s orders.

Believing minor superstitions is plausible.

For example, not eating slippery food the day before knight exam.

Or not giving shoes to lover before knight exam.

First time directly seeing ‘superstition fanatic’ directly mentioning Angol Demon King.

Eyes of a madman.

Two eyes.

Very clear.

Not doubting superstition at all,

Eyes of a fanatic in the literal sense.

“Don’t interfere and get lost. Do you know who is here?”

“It’s not like I want money! Can’t move me with such material things! Enter today all die! I’m just informing this oracle!”

Drrr.

The beggar rolled pebbles while speaking.

Strange habit.

Ferok clicked his tongue with chut.

“Who told you that?”

“Ancestors’ wisdom! That sky! All this airflow! Is speaking!”

Definitely crazy.

Ferok clicked his tongue.

Now feeling pitiful.

Rather the Oracle of the Starry Sky has more credibility.

The oracle known to read ‘fate’ with night sky stars.

Even the emperor calls sometimes,

That level maybe, but such ominous superstition?

Not even worth believing.

“Get lost.”

“Can’t enter today!”

The beggar went wild.

The pebbles in hand clattered.

Old and bony body approached largely.

Terrible smell wafted.

Squirm-

Evan’s expression faintly frowned.

Ferok’s expression also frowned noticing that.

Keeps trying to touch the bomb.

If Evan gets angry here, it would be troublesome.

This whole forest might become experiment ground.

Can’t guarantee knights or hunter’s lives.

“Wait.”

Before Ferok raised hand to knights for threat.

Evan spoke first.

“Will you step aside?”

Damn.

Too late?

“Yes. Young master.”

Ferok bowed and stepped back.

Other knights also back largely.

Hunter also perceptively left.

Evan stood in front of the beggar.

“Are you a noble sir? Duke Alkart’s son!”

Such a madman.

Ferok inwardly cursed.

Please.

Please!

Shut your mouth.

Evan silently stared at the beggar.

Will he rage like that?

Tense situation.

Ferok gripped sword handle tightly.

In between, the beggar, no the Shadow King’s front, Evan inwardly thought.

……Shouldn’t have stepped forward?

Rigidly hardened, no cramped expression.

Inwardly clutching heart.

Evan who stepped forward.

Evan soothed his heart.

Ugh! Trembling!

Seeing the Shadow King directly first time.

Perhaps because, heart pounded.

Reason for stepping forward despite that.

Simple.

What if he offends him like that.

Clearly the Shadow King was beggar in appearance.

Among beggars, top beggar.

But he is the Shadow King.

History and legend itself of current assassins.

Could kill Ferok with a slice.

Fortunately lucky though.

Of course, the Shadow King also has rules.

Those black pebbles in hand.

That’s a tool for divining fortune.

However, the Shadow King uses a bit differently.

Whenever opponent acts rude, rolls pebbles on palm.

Pebble placed in middle of palm during rolling.

The moment crow symbolizing ill omen is drawn on pebble.

-History has decided your fate!

Kills enemy with slice!

That’s the ideology the Shadow King has.

One of few things the non-possession he has.

Can ask if non-possession isn’t abandoning all, but no.

Non-possession is ‘not possessing unnecessary things’.

Abandoning money or offerings, greed, not even self.

Mind, memory, skill, history.

The Shadow King cherished these 4.

Especially obsession with history beyond imagination.

-History must be remembered by all!

Stories passed down generations, knowledge, survival ways etc.

Includes superstitions being forgotten by all.

That too is history.

“Your appearance that even Angol Demon King would see and fear!”

……A bit wrong there though.

Anyway, not a bad purpose.

This is why didn’t want to meet.

Sigh.

Inwardly sighed, gathered mind.

No choice.

First, only treat politely.

No need to make fight unnecessarily.

Hates fight, absolutely not because scared.

“How did you know I am the duke’s offspring?”

“Overflowing face, eyes looking empty despite possessing more than this old man and bony dignified body! Everything proves young master’s status!”

“I see.”

Evan affirmed for now.

Not denying but yes, perhaps because.

Rolling pebbles stopped.

Curiosity dwelled in the Shadow King’s eyes.

Ah, shouldn’t have answered.

“By any chance, what is your name?”

“Evan Alkart.”

“Wonderful name! But never write name in red ink. Angol Demon King will anger and visit.”

“I’ll remember.”

Evan answered in polite attitude.

Ferok’s expression became strange.

Why such attitude to that superstition fanatic?

Like some big shot?

By any chance Evan was superstition fanatic too?

While absurd misunderstandings pile.

The Shadow King made extremely satisfied expression.

“Hoho! Listening to this old man’s words! Somehow fortune good today!”

“Fortune good means?”

“As soon as woke today, heard magpies’ cries. Isn’t that symbol of luck.”

“……Ah, I see.”

“By any chance did young master hear magpies too today?!”

“No. I heard crows in morning.”

“Oh no! That’s symbol of ill omen!”

The Shadow King lamented.

Genuinely regrettable sign.

“Tonight be sure to sprinkle salt water and sleep. Will block Angol Demon King coming!”

“I’ll keep in mind.”

“While at it, refrain from entering forest today.”

The Shadow King said in serious voice.

“Black wolves came out today. As many as 3. Black wolves are symbol of ill omen. Especially for hunters entering forest!”

“Don’t know what purpose, but still better not enter.”

Subtle wise energy felt in the Shadow King’s voice.

But Evan had no particular expression change.

If anything, reluctant side.

……Didn’t plan to enter directly anyway?

Survival principle 1, safety first.

Absolutely no thought to go to dangerous place with body.

Still need to answer.

If well, might gain favor with this.

“Then if people don’t enter it’s fine.”

“For now yes.”

“Then, No. 4. Golem Dog.”

At Evan’s order, long-armed No. 4 waiting behind, 6-legged and long-necked Golem Dog approached.

Thud!

No. 5 also stepped forward largely.

As if waiting only for this, shoulders slightly rose.

“No. 5 standby.”

Squeak?

Squeak…….

No. 5 retreated with sullen sign.

Evan inwardly relieved.

Where are you going.

No. 5 is top single golem for combat power alone.

Suitable to protect Evan.

The Living Golem worn on body expressed dissatisfaction.

But what to do.

This one only blocking possible.

Attack impossible.

Need to modify later.

Definitely put beam from chest like Iron Man.

That’s man’s romance.

Though impossible now.

“Golem? Are you an alchemist?”

Surprise dwelled in the Shadow King’s eyes.

Evan nodded.

“Still very lacking, but yes.”

“Golem as main! Amazing. Heard incredibly high difficulty!”

“Lucky.”

“By any chance learned from which master?”

“Didn’t learn.”

Evan shook head.

“Self-taught.”

“Self-taught??”

At self-taught word, the Shadow King surprised as if shocked.

“Today truly full of luck! Meeting genius who self-taught alchemy! Oh my! Genius to remain in century!”

Praise excessive.

This level talent nothing special.

Level to die meeting slightly strong boss.

Still good mood hearing praise.

Actually I, quite amazing maybe?

“Planning to enter forest with this!”

“Yes.”

“What plan to do with these golems?”

“Plan to get herbs. Have something to make.”

“Hoo! Plan to sell?”

“No interest in money.”

Evan said as indifferently as possible.

“Material things like money not important.”

Actually no.

Money?

Good.

More the better.

However, important not to show in front of the Shadow King.

He hates nobles.

Precisely those revealing greed for money.

“Hoooo……. Then what do you think is important?”

Important, important.

Ah!

Yes.

“Knowledge, isn’t it.”

Answer perfectly fitting alchemist.

“Knowledge.”

“Money can earn even as time passes, but not knowledge. There are knowledges only obtainable at times.”

“Hoo…… What knowledge can get from that herb?”

“Even if not get knowledge right away, I believe this will be stepping stone.”

This was sincere.

Plan to build connection with the Shadow King with this potion.

For a moment the Shadow King’s eyes serious.

Sweat profusely on Evan’s palm.

Trembled slightly from tension.

Then!

“Hoho!”

The Shadow King burst laughter.

“This old man learned a lot. How to express thanks…….

“No need.I”

“Got good thing, so must give good thing. But this old man has little hmm…….”

The Shadow King seemed intent to give something to Evan.

Momentum of refusal is refusal.

Evan shut mouth tightly.

“This old man has nothing. Ah! Then by any chance about pre-empire establishment history…….”

“Skill.”

Urgently opened mouth.

“How about ‘skill’?”

“Skill?”

“If skill containing elder’s wisdom, wouldn’t it be sufficient reward for me?”

At Evan’s words, the Shadow King stroked bearded chin.

Sign of pondering momentarily.

Well, skill has high value.

Enough for the Shadow King not to abandon.

Damn.

Threw skill unnecessarily?

“Good, hoho.”

Nice!

“Then tomorrow, may I teach?”

“Tomorrow…… you say?”

“Yes. Tomorrow. See you.”

The Shadow King stared at Evan’s two eyes.

Evan intuited.

The Shadow King knew Evan from the start.

……Was this to make contact like this?

Yeah. Rather at home, better to meet after seeing in advance.

Tomorrow duke will stay at mansion.

Rather safe.

“Yes. Tomorrow.”

Evan emphasized tomorrow word.

Please don’t come today!

“See you.”

“Hohoho, this old man will visit personally.”

The Shadow King smiled faintly and promised next.

Evan also smiled awkwardly.

Corners of mouth convulsed like mocking.

……Ah..

Cramp.

Forest front where carriage left.

Squatting beggar.

Drrr.

Pebbles in hand rolled.

Pebble stopped exactly in middle.

Pebble had rabbit drawn.

Animal symbolizing luck.

Smile formed on the Shadow King’s mouth.

“Interesting.”

Lucky.

Originally planned to just kill time.

Very coincidentally, met the person who saved disciple.

Extraordinary person.

Name was Evan Alkart?

Atmosphere unbelievable not even had coming-of-age.

Quick-witted too.

That too very.

“Unexpectedly guessed my identity to some extent.”

Evan used polite speech consistently.

Noble’s offspring to commoner?

Even a beggar?

“Any material thing has no meaning.”

Snicker.

Moreover, words Evan spat.

Smile formed on mouth as soon as recalled.

Noble’s offspring saying that?

Words not said even as joke.

Words not said even to match opponent’s mood.

However, no such sign from Evan.

He was sincere.

“Realizing me also, same.”

Evan is same kind.

Scent only smellable from same kind.

As the Shadow King abandoned life for one purpose, vowed lifelong deception.

Evan similar type.

Such intuition.

The Shadow King murmured like humming.

“Yes. Material things, no value.”

Same for the Shadow King.

Non-possession.

Not having unnecessary things.

For the Shadow King, that was ‘offerings’.

Why?

Because no longer value.

Even more after ’emperor assassination attempt’.

“Had strange thing too.”

Child wafting blood smell from whole body.

Not yet, but future very promising.

Perhaps kill more people than the Shadow King.

If hungry, one who would eat even humans.

Even questionable if see as same human.

Carrying such nonchalantly?

Perfectly to taste.

Will become very big figure in future.

Or already is.

The Oracle of the Starry Sky was right.

-Go to Alkart Ducal Family. Will create very special person.

Smile of joy formed.

Tomorrow exceedingly anticipated.

Drrr!

Black pebbles rolled in hand momentarily.

Hand stopped.

This time ill omen symbolizing crow pebble was up.

“Ill omen.”

The Shadow King smiled and put pebbles in pocket.

“Whose ill omen, truly curious.”

Like that next day.

Lunch.

The Shadow King visited Alkart Ducal Mansion.

“What, this beggar?”

Theodor in front of the Shadow King.

Unpleasantly distorted face.

Scene seen right after leaving room, Evan thought.

Ah, life sucks.