Chapter 5: Picked Up (3)

Chimera transmutation.

The act of combining different living beings to create a new life.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t a taboo.

There were only two taboos in alchemy:

Turning stone into gold.

And resurrecting the dead.

Turning stone into gold disrupts the market’s balance.

Resurrecting the dead defies divine providence.

Necromancers?

They were qualitatively different.

Necromancers merely reanimate corpses and manipulate souls.

‘Resurrection’ was revival itself.

Recreating a body that had lost its life, summoning the soul back, and healing all diseases or injuries—a true ‘miracle of God.’

Naturally, Evan had no intention of attempting taboos.

Why would I, when I don’t know the cost?

Alchemy wasn’t omnipotent.

Equivalent exchange.

Just as you pay a fair price for goods, you must pay an appropriate cost for transmutation.

So, what was the cost for creating life?

The cost to summon a departed soul, restore a vanished body to its original state, and heal all ailments or wounds?

Ugh, I don’t even want to imagine it.

Evan knew how horrific the consequences of taboos could be.

Forget taboos—he didn’t even dare attempt anything close.

Why?

Because it would bring chaos to his life, if not the world.

It absolutely wasn’t because alchemy was dangerous or because he valued his life.

Absolutely not.

I have to protect my life at all costs.

But why did these strange misunderstandings keep piling up?

In the dimly lit study.

Evan, hands clasped under his chin, pondered seriously.

He had clearly lived quietly.

During this Theodor disappearance incident, even when accused as the culprit, he’d gone out of his way to help.

Anything else?

Nothing.

That’s how quietly he’d lived.

It was about time for good rumors to spread, so why…?

“What’s the problem here?”

“Hmm…”

Tap tap! Dolph, shaking out a pristine white blanket, tilted his head.

“I don’t know either. Someone as diligent and quiet as you, Young Master…”

“Exactly.”

“Ughp. Urp?”

“Finish eating before you talk.”

Lapis, chewing on a raw cucumber, raised her hand enthusiastically.

“Is it because of me?”

It was Lapis’s third day staying at the mansion.

In that time, she had fully adapted.

A future Sin’s adaptability was no joke.

Evan asked Lapis,

“Have you been hitting anyone or eating living people?”

“Nope.”

“Did you ask anyone to weave threads with you?”

Lapis primarily handled mana threads—threads of magical energy.

It was her specialty and hobby.

A perfectly wholesome and healthy hobby.

At least it didn’t involve shredding people into tiny pieces.

“Nope. I didn’t. I just helped the aunties…”

Aunties?

Oh, she means the maids.

It’s not because of my polite speech that weird rumors are spreading, is it?

“Hmm. Alright. For now, avoid using the word ‘aunties.’”

“Got it.”

“Did you happen to kill any magical beasts while helping the maids?”

“Do those show up in the mansion? That’d be bad. They don’t taste good.”

“?”

Taste wasn’t the issue here.

He swallowed the retort that almost escaped.

He survived.

“Of course they don’t. I was just curious.”

“Okay. But… if I mess up, will I not get to eat this?”

Lapis pointed at her bowl.

It had been full of vegetables and fruits.

Now, only a few pieces remained, as she’d nearly cleaned it out.

“No way. That’s separate. Food is food.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

Lapis’s face brightened.

Evan subtly handed her a bell pepper he’d set aside.

It absolutely wasn’t because he didn’t want to eat it.

“Eat upítő

“Wow!”

Lapis devoured the bell pepper.

In just three days, Lapis had become nearly vegan.

Vegetables when she ate, more vegetables when she ate again.

If she felt aversion to meat, it was strong enough that she refused it herself.

She should eat some meat for health, but let’s leave it for now.

The priority was the present.

Her diet had changed, and she’d picked up a wholesome hobby.

Wasn’t this enough to lay the foundation for reformation?

Evan gave a satisfied smile.

First, I need to clear up this misunderstanding.

Calling such a young child a chimera?

How could they say something so cruel…

“Ta-da! I can make stars now.”

“Impressive. Well done.”

Evan patted Lapis’s head.

At that moment, Dolph, who had stepped out briefly, rushed back in.

“Young Master! A reply has finally arrived!”

“…A reply?”

Dolph handed Evan a pristine white letter.

A familiar seal caught his eye.

O? O…

“The Saintess?”

“Yes!”

Dolph couldn’t hide his excitement as he said,

“A reply came…! Does this mean your illness can be cured?!”

“…Really?”

Even Lapis looked up at the letter with expectant eyes.

Having spent three days with Evan, she quickly noticed his poor health.

I was worried she might underestimate and attack me because of it, but thankfully not.

In fact, she’d been kind.

Like an animal trying to earn its keep.

“Open it quick!”

“Young Master! Hurry!”

“Alright.”

What if the letter’s contents weren’t what they hoped?

A chill ran down his spine.

Rubbing his arm, he carefully opened the letter.

– To Evan Alkart.

– I received your letter. I’ve been unable to sleep at night.

– Why did you send us a letter first, with such a precious gift?

– But I realized after seeing your other letter. It’s not yet time.

– I’ll wait for the answer to come.

– From Adrianna Saint, the Saintess of the Sun.

– P.S. Did you receive the ‘gift’ we sent?

“…?”

The emotion that surfaced upon reading the letter.

It was ‘confusion.’

What does this mean?

He’d expected something like “Thank you,” “I’ll repay you,” “Do you like blessings?” or “Will you join the church?”

What were these cryptic responses?

Did the reply go to the wrong person? No, that can’t be.

The seal was one only the Saintess could use.

Definitely not a forgery.

Hmm, so… she didn’t understand why I sent the gift?

Fair enough.

Evan and the Saintess had never met.

He’d only heard of her fame unilaterally.

Sending a potion and letter out of the blue?

Even if Evan were the Saintess, he’d be a bit wary.

So she’s losing sleep over it?

She’s more soft-hearted than he thought.

The gift didn’t seem to have displeased her.

A precious gift.

Meaning she saw its effectiveness, right?

But ‘it’s not yet time’? What’s that about?

Wasn’t that the phrase he sent to Arthur?

More precisely, the one written on the envelope’s exterior.

I didn’t understand it in the main story either. Maybe an oracle came down?

Evan decided to let it slide.

The Saintess was a character blending holiness and suspicion.

A bit of weirdness wasn’t out of character.

The DLC might be an issue, but it’s just a side story.

According to the main story, there was no significant connection between Saintess Adrianna and Paladin Arthur Modriter.

Would the developers be crazy enough to overhaul all the established settings?

The gift? Guess it hasn’t arrived yet.

What could it be?

He felt a small spark of anticipation.

It was from the Saintess, after all.

Though, being five years before the main story, her letter-writing skills didn’t seem great.

Hmm!

After a moment’s thought, Evan nodded.

I might be overthinking it.

The important thing was that the Saintess didn’t seem to view him negatively.

I should send a reply.

In a letter, the heart matters more than the content.

Saying let’s be friends shouldn’t be a problem, right?

Send the reply right away.

Evan pulled out fresh stationery and scribbled quickly.

Something like, “Let’s get along well,” “We can be good friends,” “What do you usually enjoy?”

To some, it might look like a love letter, but Evan was sincere.

Who knows? Maybe the Saintess will give me a hearty blessing.

A precarious life where he could collapse at any moment.

Preparation was essential.

“This should do. Dolph, please deliver this reply.”

“Yes! I’ll deliver it right away!”

“Lapis? What’s outside the window?”

“Huh? …Oh, nothing. Just some bugs flying around.”

Lapis stared out the window.

Her blood-red eyes gleamed with an unreadable light.

***

In the nearby Black Forest.

Shadow watched the back of Evan’s servant, Dolph, heading out to deliver the letter.

The Saintess finally sent a reply.

Six days.

Not a short time.

Thankfully, the distance between the capital and the Alkart ducal estate was far, or it wouldn’t be surprising if they thought the letter was ignored.

The Saintess had agonized greatly before sending her reply.

How to avoid upsetting Evan.

How to probe his intentions.

Thankfully, it seems to have worked.

Shadow rubbed his chin.

Everything was going smoothly.

The Saintess had started moving, and Arthur’s recovery was showing progress.

Last night, he said he finally succeeded in channeling aura into his sword.

It had been years since Arthur lost his aura.

Since the day his only family, his sister, was stripped of her title as ‘priestess’ due to a divine illness.

He’d wielded his sword with raw strength alone.

Now, he was starting to channel aura again.

How strong would he become?

It was starting to get exciting.

The growth of a master you respected always brought joy to a subordinate.

Come to think of it, my master should be arriving soon.

Shadow was an assassin.

He had a master who taught him the art of the blade.

A beggar.

Literally.

A wandering beggar and assassin who never settled in one place.

Occasionally, he sent word to his disciple.

In quite a brutal way.

Letters arrived with daggers.

Sometimes, the memory of his master’s eerie “Hee hee hee” laugh sent shivers down his spine.

He said he’d visit once. It’d be nice to see him.

Focus on the mission for now.

The letter was headed to the Saintess.

He had to ensure no one stole it.

“Hello.”

That’s when it happened.

A polite greeting came from behind.

Shadow nodded.

“Sure, nice to—”

Wait.

Hello?

Whoosh!

Shadow quickly stepped back.

Where he’d been standing.

A girl with white hair and red eyes stood calmly.

An almost inhuman presence.

Since when?

“Who are you?”

“I’m Lapis.”

“Lapis? …The kid rumored to be a chimera.”

“That’s a bit harsh. I’m too unstable to be something he created.”

Unstable?

He caught it in her tone.

This girl wasn’t an ordinary kid.

“Who are you?”

“It’s not bad, though. It means I seem natural enough to pass as his creation.”

Lapis smiled.

It was an awkward smile, as if she’d never practiced it.

But one thing was certain.

Right now, Lapis was utterly loyal to ‘Evan.’

“In just a short time, I’ve learned a lot. Speech, delicious foods like vegetables and fruits, basic knowledge…”

Rustle—

Cut branches and leaves rained down.

“And finally, the ‘peace’ that came to my heart.”

Lapis.

No, Ira had always been angry.

She didn’t know why.

It had been that way since birth.

Everyone looked at her with anger, and she, too, was angry.

But Evan?

He was different.

He didn’t get angry at her.

He used polite speech, always maintaining basic courtesy.

As if he were from another world. Which couldn’t be, so there was only one explanation.

He must know my fate.

How much did Evan know?

And how much could he fix?

No, it didn’t matter if he couldn’t fix her.

Evan.

If just he alone understood and cared for Ira, that was enough.

The Sins instinctively sensed their fate.

Destined to wield the power symbolizing their sin, to destroy the world.

It was inevitable.

An impurity that didn’t belong, interfering with that inevitability.

So small and precious.

She had no intention of losing it.

“I don’t know if you’re a bad person or not, but you’re watching him, so that’s enough.”

Swoosh—

The forest began to glow faintly.

Mana threads, spread like spider webs, started to shimmer in the moonlight.

[Mana Thread – Weaving]

A forest glowing silver.

A nearby beast’s body was sliced into pieces by the threads, spurting fountains of blood.

“I won’t kill you.”

…Oh no.

Shadow twisted his body urgently.

At the same time,

The threads surged like a wave.