Chapter 80: The Mad Professor (2)

Evan turned the handle and opened the carriage door.

Creak—

The outside scenery came into view along with the sound.

And at the same time, the faces of the imperial knights surrounding the carriage.

Every single one of them had their eyes wide open, mouths slightly agape, staring at Evan in utter shock.

Why are they acting like that?

Evan wore a puzzled expression.

Hadn’t they been banging on the door full of bravado just moments ago?

Yet the moment he stepped out, why were they suddenly making those faces?

The door wasn’t that big, so they couldn’t see behind him, could they?

…Isn’t this the polite thing to do??

Evan frantically tried to recall.

The situation had been so urgent that he hadn’t thought properly.

He had already forgotten the etiquette he normally never remembered anyway.

The opponent was a prince, after all.

Even if he was obese, looked like a pig, had only flashy hair, and was the seventh prince with no real power.

If the imperial family disliked the Alkart house, this could be used as good ammunition to secretly criticize or condemn him later.

…Ah, right.

Now he remembered.

Nobles don’t come out like this.

In fact, the other side could call it rude.

A noble’s buttocks must be heavy.

Not because of fat.

It was a form of image management and combat.

Noble fights were not simple brawls.

It was a contest of who was superior using the complex factors of rights, honor, and so on.

That was the elegant way nobles fought.

Should I go back inside right now?

…I’m insane.

W-What the…

Contrary to Evan’s thoughts, the imperial knights were staring at him with more tension than ever.

Evan Alkart.

Jet-black hair and golden eyes that shone from below.

An appearance that perfectly resembled the born ruler and underworld king they had seen several times before—Drug King Cabaro Alkart.

He was still a little short and not fully grown.

But was this truly a born ruler?

The aura he exuded was by no means light enough to ignore.

Even the imperial knights, who had trained for years and were considered the elite, felt burdened.

H-He came out himself…

I-Is he that furious?

Imperial knights had brains too.

They were mocked for wearing helmets, but they knew that Evan Alkart personally stepping out was not supposed to happen in this situation.

A noble’s buttocks are heavy.

Not because of weight.

Fundamentally, they did not move themselves; they delegated to subordinates.

It was not laziness—it was a matter of status.

A noble who runs around personally.

And one who commands from above as a born ruler.

Who looked cooler and more noble?

Evan Alkart surely knew this well.

The imperial family quietly expected him to be the next successor.

Yet he had come out himself, which also meant he was that angry at the current situation…

W-We could die if we’re not careful…

He might be planning to kill everyone here.

That’s what the imperial knights thought.

Is he angry? Why is he glaring like that?

Of course, Evan had no such thoughts.

He wasn’t trying to give off any special pressure.

He was simply looking at the knight in front of him, thinking, What do they want?

But to the knight who was already terrified and mentally collapsing, it looked different.

That gaze felt as if it pierced through and mocked his very soul.

A chill ran down his spine, and the knight involuntarily swallowed.

U-Ugh…! I-I don’t know anything! It was only His Highness the Prince’s order…!

The knight desperately made excuses inside his head.

He absolutely didn’t do it himself.

It was all that incompetent prince’s doing.

It was a thought a loyal knight should never have, but Evan’s gaze was that murderous.

Especially when considering the rumors that quietly circulated.

Information bound by a magical secrecy oath that must never leak out.

Evan Alkart.

Another nickname used to call him.

Wastrel.

Young master.

There were many names, but those who knew his true nature called him this:

Drug Manufacturer King Evan Alkart.

A monster who wielded enormous influence in the underworld with just his medicines.

To dare stand against him…

He wanted to slap his past self who had been blinded by a little extra pay.

W-Wait.

Evan, who had been still, turned his head.

His eyes met the imperial knight’s.

Ah, aah…!

In that instant, all sorts of horrific imaginations flashed through the knight’s mind.

Himself soaked in drugs, his family likewise unable to think, forgotten and disappearing from the world…

Eventually, unable to withstand the pressure, his knees buckled.

Thud!

The sound of the sword falling rang out as he collapsed to the ground.

Following him, several other knights dropped their swords and crumpled.

Evan looked at the scene with an even more bewildered expression.

What the…? Dizziness?

Are they sick?

Yes.

This could be an opportunity.

Just heal them a little.

If he gained their favor that way, even they would lower their guard a bit.

It wasn’t like approaching a cat.

Having to go through this trouble for humans felt ridiculous… but there was no choice.

“I’ll help you.”

“N-No need…”

When Evan approached, the imperial knights flinched even harder.

Evan stopped for a moment.

The knights sighed in relief.

When he took another step, they gasped “Hik!” and shrank back.

In the end, the knights made their decision.

To avoid even meeting his eyes, every single one lowered their gaze.

Not screaming “Hik! Hiiik!” in an ugly manner and fleeing.

That was the last resolve they had.

I’m really going insane.

In the end, Evan made a heroic decision.

…Talk to the prince quickly and get the hell out!

The knights seemed to have collectively lost their minds.

Ending this fast was the best option.

Evan turned his head.

Jiggling belly fat, flashy blond hair that didn’t suit him.

His eyes met the terrified face of the seventh prince.

“!”

The moment their eyes met,

The prince’s entire body trembled.

W-What. Why is he looking so murderously…

No.

Evan was just looking.

But the prince, with a guilty conscience, couldn’t help but cower.

W-Why did he come out himself…

The only reason the prince had bothered to show up.

To pressure an empty carriage—especially one driven by a mere servant—and show off even a little presence.

The prince was useless.

At best, he prevented food waste?

He scraped and ate everything served.

Originally, he would have been sold off as a hostage to another country or proven his worth through marriage.

But there was no such partner now.

Because the princesses from the kingdoms who were supposed to be engaged all ran away the moment they saw him.

So he had come out for a bit…

I should’ve listened to my brother…

You idiot. 

Do you think the name Alkart is that light? 

It’s a den of monsters who can read the thoughts of commoners like you with ease.

Don’t come crying to me later.

Horrific imaginations rose in the prince’s mind.

A life collapsed on the floor addicted to drugs.

Unable to eat anymore, unable to even use the bathroom—a life worse than trash.

Aah!

“Are you alright?”

Step!

“Hik! Hiiik!”

Following the horrific imagination, a chilling voice pierced his ears.

Those cold golden eyes looking at him…

Thud!

In the end, the prince’s legs gave out and he collapsed on the spot.

“Hic…! Ugh…”

Hot liquid flowed between the prince’s legs, soaking his pants.

Thump!

He even fainted completely.

“Y-Your Highness!!”

One knight shouted in panic, but the prince was already foaming at the mouth, unconscious.

Clearly a shock from pure terror.

…Not death, just fainting.

And he had pissed himself in the process.

…??????????????

No.

Fuck.

No.

No!!!!!!

Evan’s mind blanked out for a moment.

Of course it would—some grown man had just pissed himself and collapsed…

Was his body always this weak?

Amid Evan’s deepening confusion, his companions inside the carriage were having completely different reactions.

“Puhahaha! Serves him right! Evan! A full-grown adult pissed himself!”

“How pathetic.”

Lapis clutched her stomach laughing as she peeked through the window gap at the prince wetting himself.

She looked utterly refreshed.

Frey called it pathetic but kept glancing at Lapis and the prince.

She seemed just as satisfied.

“Evan! What was that just now? Knocking someone out with a single look? No, you made him piss himself!”

“One look? Anyway, that was amazing!”

Charlotte’s eyes sparkled as she praised Evan, clearly fascinated.

“…Wasting time is fine, but wasn’t that a bit too much? Ugh, my eyes…”

Aegis folded her arms, analyzed the situation, then tilted her head.

Royan didn’t even show his face, looking utterly annoyed.

Their reactions were subtly different, but in essence:

“As expected, amazing!”

“As expected of Evan!”

“Evan, you’re the best!”

“Still impressive.”

…They were all pretty much the same.

Absurdly so.

…What the hell did I even do…!

Evan’s head throbbed from the fainted prince,

the flustered knights who didn’t know what to do,

and the flood of praise coming from behind him.

Just came because I was invited.

Just wanted to arrive quietly.

I only wanted to meet Professor Moriarty quietly.

Why… why does it always turn out like this?

Have I lived my life wrong?

Possessed body age: 16, Evan Alkart. Real name: Lee Han-ol.

He fell into deep contemplation…

***

The incident didn’t drag on for long.

Even the imperial family had face to save, so cleanup was swift.

“Uuu… Evan, my head hurts.”

As if her earlier laughter had been a lie, Lapis sidled up and rubbed her head against Evan.

“…Why does your head hurt?”

“The ammonia smell was too strong…”

The imperial knights sent for cleanup quietly averted their eyes.

Was that on purpose?

He glanced down.

He could only see the back of Lapis’s head, but he could clearly tell she was grinning…

How did things end up this twisted?

Evan felt he needed time for serious reflection when—

“We have been rude to our guest.”

A resonant voice rang out.

A voice that carried a certain kindness.

When he turned, a young man with similar golden hair approached.

The second prince.

This time Evan remembered his manners.

“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Evan Alkart.”

“I am Cr—.”

The prince stopped in his tracks at the sight.

“?”

Did I mess up the etiquette?

While Evan thought that,

The prince spoke with a slightly choked voice.

“To… show such courtesy. Truly befitting the next duke.”

“?”

Was showing courtesy that impressive?

What on earth had he been doing until now?

No.

Thinking about it, it kind of made sense.

“How deeply moving…”

The approaching prince flashed a slightly sinister smile and whispered very quietly.

But there is no need to pretend in front of me.

…?

I know your goal.

Me?

Even I don’t know it?

“You.”

The prince asked in a clear voice.

“You came to research the resurrection of the dead, didn’t you?”

…Huh?