Chapter 14: Blue Beard (2)

The mansion was turned upside down.

Evan Alkart.

The second son of the Alkart Ducal Family.

A person known as a recluse who rarely leaves his room.

That Evan declared he would be staying out for more than a day!

“Young master!”

Thud!

Dolph knelt on one knee before Evan.

A face stained with shock.

Lapis, crunching on a carrot, looked puzzled.

What’s with him?

“Please reconsider!”

“What are you talking about?”

“Staying out for more than a day…!”

Dolph whimpered.

“You might get seriously hurt!”

“I won’t overdo it. Just a few days out.”

“A few days!”

Gasp!

Dolph made a choking sound.

Seriously…

Anyone would think I’m heading to my death.

“It’s dangerous! Especially since your physician isn’t here right now…!”

Originally, Evan had a dedicated priest.

Past tense.

Not anymore.

Too old, retired.

A new priest hasn’t been assigned yet.

‘Hmm. But I’ll stock up on recovery potions before I go.’

Fifty High-Grade Recovery Potions.

Storage will be handled by a golem.

Injection, of course, and even on-site brewing is possible.

Diluted separately so there’s no issue drinking daily.

‘…This won’t convince him, will it?’

Of course, High-Grade Recovery Potions aren’t omnipotent.

If you die in one hit?

Potions or not, poof, you’re dead.

That’s it!

Imagining death sent a slight chill through his body.

I’m doing this to avoid dying.

What if this becomes a shortcut to death instead?

‘Ugh! Absolutely not.’

But not going isn’t an option either.

His pride was also a bit hurt.

I’m not some weakling, and I’m backing out here? Scared of a trip to meet one person? With no real danger, no reason to retreat?

At least for Evan, the man among men, there wasn’t.

Just prepare more thoroughly!

‘But can I prepare more than this?’

The secret weapon, No. 2, and plenty of potions.

Will definitely wear the Living Golem.

Will pack everything usually left behind. Above all.

“…I have Lapis, don’t I?”

“Huh?”

Evan patted Lapis’s head.

Lapis obediently offered her head like a gentle herbivore.

“Lapis will protect me.”

“Hehe.”

Lapis flashed a bright smile and spread her arms.

Mana Thread.

White threads shimmered as they wove.

“Yes! I’ll protect you!”

…Has she gotten faster than before?

“Hehe. My skills have improved a lot.”

Swish!

Lapis gathered the threads she released and played cat’s cradle.

A passing fly, snap, became a speck of blood on the thread.

…I didn’t raise a monster, did I?

Ahem. Anyway, this trip will be safe.

“Even so! At least Sir Ferok…”

“He’s a busy man. It wouldn’t be right for him to leave his post for days because of me, would it?”

“That’s… true, but…”

“Don’t worry too much.”

Evan continued calmly.

“I’ll go quietly, safely.”

“Really…?”

“Yes. Of course.”

Evan declared.

“Absolutely no incidents will happen.”

Please!

Evan’s desperate plea.

Dolph nodded with a gloomy expression.

“Understood.”

“I should see brother before I go.”

Normally, reporting to father would suffice, but the Duke is currently absent.

No choice but to report to the eldest son, the heir candidate.

The lady?

She’s too intimidating…

Actually, the eldest son isn’t much better.

‘Still, better this way.’

Reporting to the eldest son could be politically interpreted.

It implies acknowledging he’s closest to being the heir!

‘Yeah. No choice but to do it.’

Manly, quickly finish and return.

“Did you hear? Young Master Evan is going out?”

“Really? The weather is great today!”

“No. They say he’s going to meet a friend.”

“What? The young master has a friend?!”

“Apparently. Even staying out overnight!”

“Whoa, to meet a friend?”

Two maids whispered in a corner.

Both were long-time maids at the mansion.

They knew a bit about the mansion’s rumors.

That Evan has neither a fiancée nor friends.

“Doesn’t seem like a friend… Maybe he’s secretly going to procure test subjects?”

“Gasp.”

That makes more sense.

Test subject procurement!

Isn’t that a big deal!

Especially for someone serious about Alchemy like Evan!

It was unfair for Evan, but nothing could be done.

His reputation was already a mess.

Being polite and serious didn’t change perceptions overnight.

Rather, most people feared him.

‘Test subjects…’

A young man, Leo, rested his chin, overhearing the maids’ gossip.

The eldest son of the Alkart Ducal Family, the current sole heir.

He brushed back his black hair, resembling the Duke.

‘Was that his purpose, Evan?’

Leonardo, or Leo for short, recalled Evan who visited earlier.

-Brother. I’ll be going out for a bit.

Evan came with all sorts of golems.

An expressionless face with emotionless eyes.

As if saying rejection is not an option.

‘Acting cocky.’

Leo twisted his lips.

Evidently, Evan’s tone was polite, respectful.

Like treating a superior.

But Leo saw clearly.

Evan’s eyes.

Golden eyes shining even in the dark.

Resembling father’s eyes more than anyone, evoking the Duke.

The eyes of an arrogant man.

‘Looking at me with those eyes while acting polite?’

Clearly, Evan and Leo’s positions were equal.

Even if Leo was closest to being the heir.

They share the same blood, after all.

Yeah, nothing to fear.

On the surface, he inherited the Duke’s blood most strongly.

The necessary evil of the empire.

The big shot and power controlling the underworld used by criminals and nobles alike.

The leader dominating the empire’s economy, Duke Alkart.

He resembled that big shot perfectly.

That useless good-for-nothing!

‘Making a fuss to revive his dead mother. Has he finally grown up?’

Suddenly acting mature.

Of course, he probably hasn’t really matured.

Just got a bit smarter.

Smart enough to mock enemies without causing a scene.

Telling him directly about going out was like that.

Since father is absent, reporting to the brother closest to being the heir?

‘Cocky.’

On the surface, it acknowledges his heir position.

But, it’s that Evan Alkart.

Approaching with pure intentions?

No way.

A vicious guy who made a name in the underworld with just two activities.

An absurd achievement in just a few months.

Even now, most in the underworld fear or worship the name Evan Alkart.

All just for the first trial before his coming-of-age.

How grand will his achievements be for the second and third trials?

Perhaps this outing is to prepare for those trials.

Considering he recently dealt with Theodor.

‘Count Blue Beard, huh.’

Blue Beard.

A fairly famous count in the east.

Also, somewhat similar to Evan.

He was one of the few alchemists on the continent.

Infamous.

‘They say he takes wives as test subjects.’

Already his sixth wife, right?

They say he’s holding a wedding, even arrogantly sending an invitation to the Alkart Ducal Family.

Not to the Duke himself.

If so, he would’ve been dealt with already.

The letter was sent to Evan Alkart.

Inviting as a fellow alchemist.

Ignored at first, but now going to meet?

‘Must have some sinister motive.’

Leo sat on the windowsill.

A carriage departing beyond the window.

Evan was in that carriage.

Security relatively lax.

Ferok absent too.

Could he eliminate Evan now?

Evan wasn’t yet a big shot.

A promising talent fits better.

But, if he completes all the trials of coming-of-age and becomes a full adult?

Would he stay still then?

Wouldn’t he aim for the heir position Leo desires?

‘…Should I eliminate him now?’

As Leo muttered, it happened.

Something white flashed outside the window.

No time to react.

Swish! With a sound of something pulling, the window closed, and Leo was thrown to the center of the room.

Thud!

“Urk!”

Before he could scream, Leo’s mouth was sealed.

Before him were red eyes.

“I came because I had a bad feeling.”

White hair contrasting with red eyes.

Lapis’s lips twisted as she spread her hands, releasing Mana Threads.

“Got a big catch.”

This girl, clearly Evan’s slave…!

“Can’t leave a dangerous element like you alone, but I shouldn’t get caught this time.”

Lapis spoke in a soft voice.

As if mimicking Evan’s voice.

“Mmph mmph!”

“So, I’ll use just a little force.”

“It won’t hurt too much.”

Lapis’s Mana Threads slithered closer.

Leo screamed with his mouth sealed.

***

Two days later.

An unfamiliar scenery unfolded outside the window.

Blue walls.

Literally.

The walls looked built with blue stone, blue as they were.

Dolph exclaimed.

“Wow! Young master! We’ve arrived already!”

“Is that so?”

Evan replied with a poor complexion.

The reason was one.

“Yes!”

“Then, let’s slow the carriage a bit.”

Motion sickness.

Evan rubbed his stomach.

Opening the carriage window let in cool air.

Ah, finally some relief.

‘Gotta make a car golem soon…’

Evan’s golems hadn’t reached car level yet.

At best, Horse Golem or porter golem.

“Good job, No. 5.”

Nod.

No. 5, pulling the carriage, nodded.

A golem specialized for strength.

Naturally, it pulled the carriage well.

Never tired, so it moved at night too.

Thanks to that?

Didn’t encounter the usual bandits.

‘Lucky.’

Let’s finish quickly since we’re here.

Evan looked up at the blue walls.

The symbol of Blue Beard’s territory.

No wonder the count is called Blue Beard?

He loves blue so much.

So, the walls are blue, all house roofs blue.

Why not the house walls?

Due to the residents’ protests.

They said it ruined their appetite.

Some even starved, so he had to change it.

‘All this with Alchemy, huh?’

Count Blue Beard is a famous alchemist.

Known for transforming his entire territory with Alchemy.

Evan nodded, examining the walls closely.

‘Hmm, not bad?’

How many times did he use Transmutation?

For this scale, one or two times might do.

Transmutation range shouldn’t be an issue,

Probably mana is the problem.

‘I’d need about three times.’

Can’t help the lack of mana.

This isn’t bad.

Considering he’s treated as an extra.

‘He’s supposed to be rich too.’

Should have the ingredients I need, right?

Entered the city.

Proving identity wasn’t hard.

“Th-The Alkart Ducal Family?! C-Come in!”

The name Alkart opened doors instantly.

They were that terrified.

Why so much?

Evan and Lapis exchanged puzzled glances.

Meanwhile, arrived at an inn to entrust the carriage.

“Uh? The horses…”

“Just store the carriage. Payment here…”

“Oh my! Honored guests! We’ll take care of it!”

While Dolph handled the carriage.

Evan pulled his hood down firmly.

No need to reveal his face.

‘Hmm, should I wear a mask?’

Might be better.

Evan tapped the ground with his staff.

Then.

He noticed people whispering.

They seemed to have a lot to say.

Evan quietly asked Lapis.

‘Lapis. Could you scout a bit?’

‘Yes!’

Nodding, pulling her hood down, carrying a basket of vegetables like carrots,

Lapis approached briskly.

Then, she thrust a carrot at them.

“Buy a carrot.”

…That’s not what I meant?

Selling carrots, what a sin.

While Evan’s feelings grew complicated.

“Oh, hello? What brings you here…”

“Helping my brother, selling my favorite vegetables.”

“Aww… Such a good kid.”

“But what’s going on? My brother and people keep saying to be careful today.”

The two women exchanged glances.

After looking at each other, they nodded and cautiously told Lapis.

“You should leave this territory if you can.”

“Huh?? Why?”

“The count’s wife went missing again, and he remarried.”

Remarriage.

Common in a fantasy world, isn’t it?

“Is that bad?”

“Not exactly. But…”

The woman’s voice lowered.

“Every time someone becomes his wife, they keep disappearing.”

“And this is just a rumor among us.”

One woman whispered very secretly.

“Actually, making wives is to create test subjects for an alchemist named ‘Evan Alkart’…”

“?”

A name popped up out of nowhere.

Evan blinked twice.

…Me?