Chapter 22: I’m Not That Kind of Person (3)

“Bishop Graize, preparations are complete.”  

“Good work.”

The Fourth Finger of the Forgotten God.

Graize of the Red Nails, leading one of the remaining heretic factions, glared at the mansion.

His eyes blazed with intensity.

The future leaders of this detestable empire were gathered in that mansion.

Filthy creatures.

The sound of cheerful laughter echoed.

Rage boiled within him.

While heretics shivered in the cold mountains for being forgotten, these people were drinking wine in warm homes, weren’t they?

He had endured it until now.

For the grand cause to be fulfilled three years from now.

But it had all gone to waste.

Because of one person.

Arthur!!

The nightmare of the heretics.

The bloodthirsty holy knight, Arthur Modriter, Knight of the Full Moon.

Arthur, who had suddenly reappeared, annihilated the heretic group.

Like the Arthur of his prime.

Graize, a survivor from that era who witnessed it with his own eyes, couldn’t be mistaken.

How had he regained his power?

Arthur had lost his Aura Hole due to some incident.

An injury no priest could heal.

It couldn’t even be called a disease.

An eternal loss, unhealable.

Not even divine grace could fix it.

Unless it was the mythical Elixir.

That’s how it was supposed to be.

Yet, standing with the moon at his back, his radiant silver aura shone so brightly it momentarily eclipsed the moon itself.

Shudder! Just thinking about it made his nails tremble.

Even though the Red Nails had been “implanted,” they reacted as if they had experienced the horror firsthand.

Fortunately, Arthur hadn’t fully regained his prime strength.

It was estimated to be about half of what it once was.

But that was enough.

Enough to leave a devastating wound on the heretics.

Arthur escaped with just a scratch, while the heretics were nearly wiped out.

Their leader, Bishop Blake, was on the verge of death.

Roughly a thousand “believer” class members were killed.

About a hundred “priest” class members perished.

All other bishops survived.

They fled with the remaining remnants.

There’s no more chance for us.

The grand cause had failed before it could even begin.

This was their last opportunity.

A chance to make them forget their god with serpent-like tongues and bring down those who held power and wealth.

“Tonight, kill everyone except three. Don’t forget.”  

“Understood, Bishop.”

Among the noble heirs attending the ball, only three were useful.

The underworld’s powerhouse, Evan Alkart, second son of the Alkart Ducal Family.

Asella Prous, the eldest daughter of the Prous County, which dominated the south.

Velia Yorta, the second daughter of the perpetually second-place Yorta merchant family.

Originally, Velia Yorta was meant to die.

That was the request from the Yorta family’s eldest daughter.

But Graize, recognizing Velia’s potential, changed his mind.

We need money.

Though younger than her sister, Velia was far more business-savvy and intelligent.

Enough to make her sister jealous.

A mind like that was useful.

It could be a stepping stone for revival.

As for Asella Prous?

That could be settled through a “deal.”

Everyone knew Asella dreamed of creating a second Alkart family.

Everything was going smoothly.

Except for one person.

Evan Alkart.

There was almost no information about him.

Most of it was mere “rumors.”

But acting solely on rumors wasn’t an option.

Believing them blindly was even worse.

Who knew how big of a figure he really was?

The goal is to subdue him first.

Graize bit his lip.

Damn it! If only that kid were here, it would’ve been easier…!

Super.

A mysterious child born with a grand destiny, ordained by the god to be protected.

A secret only Graize knew.

“Until the time comes, you must remain silent.”

His defining trait was his eloquent speech.

In fact, one priest, swayed by his words, had taken his own life.

If that kid were here, anything would’ve been possible!

It was agonizing that he’d been lost at the last moment.

He’d have to reclaim him later.

That was the will of the god.

“Is everything ready?”  

“Yes, Bishop.”

The priest bowed.

Each held a flask of red liquid in their hands.

Graize looked up at the sky.

The sun was setting, the sky filling with the glow of dusk.

The time had come.

Graize nodded.

“This is all—”

He, too, held a flask of red liquid.

A preparation to receive the god’s grace.

“—for the god.”

The moment they drank the potion.

BOOM!

The ground shook violently.

“!”

An attack?

Graize crouched low, raising his red nails.

As the god’s grace filled him, red fur sprouted, his eyes turned crimson, and his body began to swell.

A body modified through repeated “experiments” solely to kill Arthur.

The power that earned him the name Red Nails.

No matter who comes, I’ll tear them apart!

Just as his beastly instincts were about to burst forth.

RUMBLE!

The ground twisted, and a barrier began to rise.

An endlessly towering wall.

Realizing too late that something was wrong, he charged forward, but it was already too late.

THUD!

The barrier completely enclosed them.

Graize’s expression hardened.

Step.

A small footstep was heard.

***

Evan slowly lowered his hand.

Far away, at the spot where the heretic remnants had gathered, he saw the ground twist and a barrier rise.

Phew! It worked.

He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand.

Had he used too much mana?

He felt slightly dizzy.

It couldn’t be helped.

He was too shocked.

Why did they suddenly show up and cause a ruckus?

Thankfully, the body he’d possessed had decent potential.

Not bad for his first year.

Though it was far from a player’s level.

Velia, unaware of this, seemed to see it differently, her jaw dropping in shock.

“…Th-That barrier. Did you do that?”  

“Yes.”  

“With just a touch? That’s impossible… I heard you were an alchemist…”  

“It’s something any alchemist could do.”

Velia clamped her mouth shut.

She seemed convinced.

Well, this much was average, right?

But it wasn’t.

Velia was far from convinced.

In her mind, she compared him to the alchemists she knew.

The transmutation range… It’s far greater. And he used so little mana.

An overwhelming gap in ability.

She couldn’t help but gasp.

No wonder he’s called the youngest alchemist.

Gulp!

She swallowed hard.

This meant he could kill, kidnap, or trap enemies anywhere.

She finally understood why the other noble heirs feared him.

But I can’t back down here.

This was her only chance.

A chance to escape her witch-like sister and survive.

A chance to achieve her lifelong dream of “independence”!

That’s when Evan spoke.

“Are they trying to kill you?”

“…Yes. That’s right. They’re heretics. Probably…”  

Velia hesitated, her lips trembling, before bowing her head deeply.  

“My sister must have hired them.”

Evan realized why he didn’t know Velia’s name.

She was a character who exited before the main story even began.

Probably killed or kidnapped here.

No wonder she wasn’t mentioned.

Why would they mention someone who died three years ago?

Especially with the world’s destruction looming?

Anyway.

This is an opportunity, isn’t it?

Evan looked down at the back of her head.

The downside was he didn’t know if she was an ally or a villain.

Even if she’s a villain, I could reform her like Lapis.

Even if not, it was fine.

Building connections here would be enough.

If it came to it, he could cut ties.

Not bad.

A truly manly idea.

“You said you wanted me to spare you.”  

“…Yes.”  

“You said you’d pay any price. What price are you willing to pay?”

Velia bit her lip.

Hmm, she’s not going to offer something weird, right?

Like her heart or something.

I don’t want that.

Just give me connections.

“…I’ll give you everything you want.”  

“That’s vague.”  

“…Or is there something specific you want?”

Velia glanced at him cautiously.

She wasn’t thinking he’d throw her out there if she disappointed him, was she?

“Yes.”  

Evan nodded.  

“Connections.” 

“Connections?”  

“I’d like your help in building relationships at this ball.”

…Wasn’t that too easy a request?

A small doubt crossed Velia’s face.

As a born merchant, handling people was second nature to her.

He might as well have asked for money.

Evan noticed her hesitation.

Hmm, was that too light?

“And I’d like those relationships to continue long-term.”

Not just one-off connections from this ball, but lasting ones!

“…That’s it?”  

Was that too cheap…?

But saying more might make him seem greedy.

He wasn’t some desperate guy.

…Tch. Should I add one more thing?

Evan added one more condition.

“And if you know any useful connections, I’d like you to introduce them.”

In truth, Velia’s connections weren’t that important.

It was just a minimal justification to frame his earlier request.

This should seem like a reasonable favor, right?

But to Velia, it sounded different.

Useful connections?

Were his earlier words a trap, and this was the real request?

To uncover the connections only she had?

How did he know?

A bead of cold sweat rolled down her back.

Did he know about my contact with the Tower?

The Alchemist’s Tower.

A group that traditionally kept to itself.

But times had changed.

Their leadership had shifted, and internal reforms were slowly underway.

They had approached her, considering opening up exchanges.

By luck, she had become the one leading those dealings.

But her sister opposed it.

Why trust those lunatics?

In reality, it was jealousy of Velia’s abilities.

That opposition was why Velia’s life was now in danger.

Since he’s an alchemist, it makes sense he’d be interested.

Was he waiting for her to approach him from the start?

To make it easier for her to come to him?

…No way.

The timing was too perfect to be a coincidence.

From attending the ball to this very moment.

What if it was all planned?

Were the rumors true?

Recent rumors spoke of Evan.

Connections with the Saintess of the Sun and the Knight of the Full Moon.

Some even said Evan was behind them.

If he was someone capable of such grand schemes, wouldn’t this be possible?

What if the real powerhouse is Evan Alkart…?

Had she messed with the wrong person?

Too big a figure.

A faint fear flickered in Velia’s eyes.

“…???”

Evan, receiving her gaze, was clueless.

Why is she looking at me like that?

Is something wrong with what I said?

Nothing seems off, though?

As Evan furrowed his brow in confusion, Velia’s face grew even paler, misinterpreting his expression.

Swish!

“Evan!”  

The curtains were flung open as Lapis and Super rushed in.  

“Big trouble!” 

“What’s wrong?” 

“There was a weird woman loitering out front, so we chased her off, but that’s not the issue…!”  

Lapis flapped her arms excitedly.  

The carrot in her mouth fell with a thud.  

“Super’s acting weird!”  

“Super?”  

Super was staring at the barrier with a hardened expression.  

An unusually serious demeanor.  

Is there something with those heretics?  

“I need to go there.”  

Super looked at Evan with serious eyes.  

“?”  

“You’re needed.”  

“If it’s not something scary, come with me. Please.”  

Scary?  

That stung a little.  

As expected of a future Sin, his way with words was sharp.  

Not that it hurt a lot.  

Just a little.  

…It’s fine to go, right? Lapis is here too.

He was going because he was asked.  

No way he’d show it, though.  

“Alright.”  

I’m… their guardian, after all…!

It’ll definitely be safe!

Just in case, though.

Click, click!

The Living Armor transformed into sturdy plate armor.  

The bracelets combined into a staff.  

Ready to turn into a small golem or shield at any moment.  

I brought No. 4 just in case… This should be enough.

Summon No. 4.  

Checked the items he’d prepared.  

Three High-Grade Recovery Potions, three antidotes.  

Small in size but guaranteed to work.  

Good.  

Preparations complete.  

His clothes were a bit wrinkled, but he could brush them out later.  

“Velia.”  

“…Y-Yes?”  

“Stay here. You’ll be safe.”  

With that, Evan headed toward the barrier.  

No need to run or climb down.  

Swoosh!

No. 4 lifted Evan onto its shoulder.  

Lapis and Super were hoisted onto its arms.  

Slip!

No. 4, carrying everyone, melted silently into the darkness and vanished.  

At that moment.  

Far away, a silver pillar shot up from the top of the barrier.  

Instinctively, he knew.  

That was the aura of the famed Knight of the Full Moon, Arthur Modriter.  

This confirmed it.  

Evan.  

He was truly commanding that ruthless knight like a subordinate.