Chapter 27: Misunderstanding (1)

The dungeon conquest and the purge of the heretics were successfully completed.  

The remaining chimeras were all taken care of by Arthur.  

There was no need to create a separate golem.  

Even when traps appeared, they were smashed with strength; when enemies appeared, they were smashed with strength; and when puzzles appeared, they were smashed with strength.  

Is this why they say if you have strength, your brain doesn’t need to suffer?  

After marveling at that thought, the conquest was over.  

Phew. I’m alive.  

It was the time when the moon was high in the sky.  

The refreshing early morning air filled his lungs.  

It ended earlier than expected.  

It felt like a whole day had passed, though.  

If that were true, he would’ve been exhausted.  

“No. 4, make sure you don’t lose the items and keep them safe.”  

Nod, nod.  

No. 4 nodded and carefully stored the items.  

A few sheets of documents containing information and research on alchemy.  

It wasn’t a massive haul.  

Most of it was related to human experimentation.  

The contents were gruesome just to look at.  

So, most of it was incinerated.  

What was kept was basic knowledge about alchemy and chimeras.  

That much was tolerable.  

There were also some surprisingly high-level alchemy texts, possibly related to attempts at human transmutation.  

Arthur gave him a strange look when they burned those documents, but oh well.  

The biggest gain was getting two useful artifacts.  

Two rings worn on his index and middle fingers.  

These were the most valuable items from this conquest.  

The first ring.  

A ring with a bluish tint, engraved with a spell formula that could store magic.  

It could hold up to three spells of choice and be used three times a day.  

The downside? 

The mana had to be supplied by Evan himself.  

Normally, artifacts store mana as well, but this relic was peculiar.  

No mana, no activation.  

It was a pity, but not a dealbreaker.  

Why?  

Because its other advantages overshadowed this flaw.  

It can hold up to 4th-tier magic.  

Magic is broadly divided into nine tiers.  

From the lowest, 1st-tier, to the highest, 9th-tier.  

Starting from the 5th-tier, magic is classified as “unique magic.”  

So, excluding unique magic, it could hold almost anything.  

Even in the original story, items like this were hard to come by.  

I got lucky. 

What magic should I store in it… subspace would be the most efficient, right?  

Subspace.  

Simply put, an inventory.  

It’s about 3rd-tier magic.  

However, it requires learning spatial magic to use.  

That’s why it’s classified as unique magic.  

Tch, the Spacetime Magic Tower is so secretive… I shouldn’t get my hopes up.  

The method to engrave spells was simple.  

Just wear the ring and cast the magic.  

It even worked with magic scrolls.  

I should learn some magic if I get the chance.  

Evan’s golems weren’t omnipotent.  

Just like his own lack of talent, each had its flaws.  

No. 2 could only stay in shadows and had limited time outside; No. 3 was strong but lacked precision control, and so on.  

And the common flaw?  

The absence of magic.  

Because Evan was clueless about magic.  

Fortunately, alchemy didn’t require an Aura Hole or Mana Hole.  

As long as you had mana to use during transmutation, that was enough.  

So, he could learn it if he wanted.  

Since he hated moving around, he’d skip the Aura Hole and aim to create a Mana Hole.  

He’d just shoot magic from the back.  

The safest way possible.  

Next.  

The second reward.  

This is my favorite.  

Evan fondly stroked the ring on his middle finger.  

It was painted bright red, so the design was a bit tacky.  

But its effect was beyond perfect.  

By consuming the blood stored in the ring, it restored the wearer’s stamina and cured status ailments.  

In simple terms, a health ring.  

A must-have artifact for the frail Evan.  

“Hmm.”  

Evan let out a satisfied smile.  

“Let’s call it a day here,” Arthur said.  

He hadn’t gained much himself.  

Yet, his expression showed satisfaction.  

Thanks to the potion Evan gave him.  

A potion that alleviated some of his cursed condition.  

Probably the most necessary reward for him right now.  

“I had fun today.”  

“I enjoyed it too. I hope you gained something worthwhile.”  

“I gained quite a lot.”  

Arthur bowed politely.  

“All thanks to you.”  

“It’s thanks to your own efforts, Arthur.”  

He wanted to agree it was true, but that’d sound too lame.  

So, Evan modestly deflected and offered a final farewell.  

“Write to me when you get back.”  

Suddenly, Arthur’s face froze with a flinch.  

Evan glanced at him cautiously.  

…Did he not want to write letters?  

It was just a suggestion to keep in touch.  

“I’ll make sure to write regularly. Bishop Blake will ensure the letters are delivered without fail.”  

“Understood.”  

“I won’t upset you, so no need to worry.”  

“???”  

What’s that supposed to mean?  

Evan gave him a puzzled look, but Arthur vanished in an instant.  

Damn, he’s fast.  

“Lapis, Frey. Let’s head back.”  

“Okay, got it.”  

“Yes! Evan! To the ballroom, right?”  

“That’s right.”  

But now that it was time to return, he wasn’t thrilled.  

His expression didn’t show it, though.  

Ugh. I feel a bit queasy.  

…Ugh.  

Should I just not go?  

No such luck.  

Evan quietly returned to the ballroom.  

“Young Master! Where have you been?!”  

“Just had some business to attend to. How’s the ball?”  

“It’s almost over, heading into the afterparty phase!”  

There’s an afterparty for a ball?  

Fortunately, the ball was nearing its end.  

“Hahaha! You’re really ugly, man!”  

“Haha! Look who’s talking! That’s why you got dumped by a commoner!”  

“What, you bastard?”  

The atmosphere was even livelier than when Evan was there.  

Nobles’ sons drinking and chuckling loudly.  

Some were even stumbling, as if they’d taken something.  

Ugh. The smell.  

He almost felt jealous for a moment, but the stench of drugs made him reconsider.  

Good thing I skipped this.  

This should be enough of an excuse, right?  

Surely the Duke wouldn’t want him mingling with such flawed nobles.  

Duke Alkart’s infamous nickname was the Drug King.  

But that didn’t mean he encouraged his kids to use drugs.  

Why was he called the Drug King?  

Because he was a powerhouse in the underworld.  

Even that nickname was given by the imperial family to keep him in check.  

To diminish his status, even slightly.  

Otherwise, he’d probably be called something like the King of the Underworld.  

“Young Master!”  

At that moment, Dolph, who had been resting among the servants, spotted Evan and rushed over.  

“Where did you go?!”  

“Just went for a walk.”  

“A walk? But why are your clothes…?”  

“…Oh.”  

Only then did Evan check his appearance.  

A robe draped over his fancy suit.  

It was filthy, covered in dirt and dust.  

He hadn’t noticed.  

…I was playing with a snake for a bit.  

“A snake?!”  

“A tame snake. No venom. Right?”  

“Yep! Super tame snake!”  

Lapis chimed in from the side.  

Only then did Dolph’s expression relax.  

Pure concern.  

Almost overwhelming.  

Especially because there was no malice in it.  

If he found out I fought heretics, he’d nag me to death.  

Luckily, the bodies were well hidden.  

Even a necromancer wouldn’t find them.  

They’d already been [decomposed] and turned into food for microorganisms.  

“Oh! Young Master! Did you see the barrier that went up and disappeared in the east?”  

“I don’t know anything about that. Maybe someone cast an illusion spell?”  

“Seems like it! Earlier, some young masters were practicing magic, and a few got hurt…”  

Phew.  

Dodged that one.  

Dolph’s suspicions vanished completely.  

His loyalty was high, so as long as it made sense, he’d let it go.  

But Dolph wasn’t the problem.  

The servants with him.  

They started casting suspicious glances.  

“Isn’t that a bit weird?”  

“Lady Belia suddenly got quiet too…”  

“No way, he couldn’t wait and…?”  

Whispers about Evan reached his ears.  

What are they even suspecting?  

He couldn’t even guess.  

It wasn’t the first time he’d been misunderstood like this.  

By the way, where’s Belia?  

Belia.  

The second daughter of the Golden Caravan, who was supposed to die.  

He’d saved her life from the heretics’ threat, as she wished.  

He deserved some reward, right?  

Did she ditch him or something?  

Tch, but looking at them, maybe not…  

Guess I’ll send her a letter later.  

She wasn’t at the ballroom, so she must’ve left early.  

As he scanned the room, Frey whispered so only Evan could hear.  

“Evan, those servants. They’re badmouthing you with nonsense…”  

Her blue eyes glinted coldly.  

“Should I take care of them?”  

Her voice held no emotion.  

As if she were offering to remove a pesky pebble, like it was no big deal.  

Evan almost nodded instinctively.  

He quickly stiffened his neck to stop himself.  

“I can do it if you want.”  

“It’s fine.”  

“Okay, got it.”  

Frey backed off obediently.  

Something about her vibe had changed.  

She was definitely more docile than before.  

The subtle defiance, like a rebellious teenager, was gone, replaced by the kind of look Lapis gave Evan.  

But… it was more like a feeling.  

Like she’d become a ticking time bomb.  

The fact that she was calm right before exploding was the scariest part.  

Eh, it’ll be fine, right?  

He’d even given her a name.  

She wouldn’t do anything, would she?  

Still, it was a tiny bit scary.  

Just a tiny bit.  

Evan stepped back slightly and said, “The ball seems to be wrapping up, so let’s head back.”  

“Yep! I had fun today!”  

“Dolph! I’ll never forget this!”  

“You did great today!”  

Dolph returned to cheers from the other servants.  

What the heck did he do?  

Dolph grinned sheepishly.  

“It’s nothing big… I just praised the Young Master!”  

He did something else, didn’t he?  

No idea what, but it probably wasn’t bad.  

“Dolph, before we leave, prepare a letter for Lady Belia…”  

At that moment, a woman’s voice came from the side.  

“Hello, Young Master Evan Alkart.”  

Evan turned to see a woman he’d been deliberately avoiding, dressed in a dazzling gown.  

A natural, confident smile played on her lips.  

Red like roses, red eyes, and a haughty appearance that left an impression.  

She approached, exuding a faint rose scent, her pretty eyes crinkling with a smile.  

“Did you enjoy the ball?”  

“I did.”  

“Oh my. Even though you spent most of it on the balcony?”  

A barbed remark.  

Her malice wasn’t hidden, even by her charming smile.  

Ugh, I was pretending not to notice.  

Evan knew who she was.  

One of the Act 2 bosses.  

The young lady of the Prous family, dreaming of becoming the second Alkart family.  

The notorious villainess, Asella Prous.  

Someone he absolutely didn’t want to meet, for the opposite reason of an ally.  

Why?  

Isn’t it obvious?  

Asella is a villainess.  

She craves power and money.  

She doesn’t care who dies in the process.  

Her only concern is the honor and wealth in her grasp.  

The last person a safety-first guy like Evan should deal with.  

“I never would’ve thought you were close with Belia.”  

“We met for the first time today.”  

“Hmm… The man who intimidated so many noble sons met and talked with Belia for the first time today?”  

What is she trying to get at, Lady Asella?  

The question almost slipped out.  

God, if she weren’t a villainess, he’d have snapped back.  

Even a coward like Evan had a limit to his pride.  

Openly provoking him?  

Of course, he was pissed!  

But he picks his battles carefully.  

He wasn’t scared or anything.  

Oh, wait.  

To say that, there’s a prerequisite.  

Evan needs to know her name.  

She knows him, but he doesn’t know her.  

Naturally, since they’re meeting for the first time.  

Guess I should start with introductions…  

“Before I answer your questions…”  

“What’s your name?”  

Asella’s mouth snapped shut.  

Her blazing eyes.  

Okay, that’s a bit scary.  

“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll take my leave.”  

Evan made his decision.  

Escape—no, immediate exit.  

“Let’s go.”  

“Yes!”  

“Okay.”  

“Yes, Young Master! I’ll go prepare the carriage!”  

Evan left abruptly.  

He could still feel her piercing gaze.  

Ugh.  

Gives me the chills.  

***

At the spot Evan left, Asella, now alone, let out a laugh.  

“Heh, hehe…”  

A laugh as thorny as a rose.  

Asella touched her cheek.  

“To think I’d be ignored like this.”  

Evan Alkart.  

Asella hated him.  

Because he stole all the attention that should’ve been hers.  

Unlike her, he didn’t even actively socialize.  

Just by existing—or stepping out for a drink—he gained infamy.  

Even his brief balcony talk with Belia was enough to stir up gossip.  

Thanks to that, my [party] plans are ruined.  

Asella’s goal.  

To control those fat, lazy nobles.  

Expanding her influence in high society would’ve been a huge help.  

Pleasure.  

She planned to offer pleasures unattainable through normal means.  

Of course, she’d excluded key figures and prepared alibis.  

They all joined “of their own will,” and Asella was merely a supplier, not the mastermind.  

She’d been slyly trying to siphon influence from the underworld…  

And just by showing up, he ruined all my plans?  

She didn’t like it.  

The fact that his rumors were baseless, and that he was judged solely on his looks.  

Sure, he was handsome and a bit cold-looking, but what was so special about that?  

It had to be a mix of coincidence, lies, and manipulation.  

No way it was real.  

The youngest alchemist in a year?  

Challenging taboos?  

Utter nonsense.  

She’d tried to make him admit it himself, but failed.  

And he openly ignored her.  

“…If that’s how you want to play.”  

Asella smiled.  

“I’ll have to prove with my own hands that all your rumors are false.”  

She was already prepared to spread the word.  

All that was left was execution.  

Asella snapped her fingers, and servants hurriedly set up wine and a table.  

Sitting alone, Asella pulled out a letter from her bosom.  

– Sender: Spacetime Magic Tower.  

The Spacetime Magic Tower.  

A tower that teaches and passes down spatial magic.  

Secretive, but their skills are top-notch.  

They’d find out.  

That Evan Alkart’s status and infamy were all fake.  

Hehe, I can’t wait to see the look on his face.  

Asella smiled faintly, raising her glass of red wine as if toasting herself.  

She firmly believed his “false infamy” would soon crumble.