Chapter 81: The Mad Professor (3)

Resurrection of the Dead.

A taboo of alchemy.

An absolute forbidden act.

The moment it is committed, agents are dispatched from the Alchemists’ Tower.

Their objective: execution.

If you’re lucky, you don’t die.

Instead, they simply strip away every last drop of mana from your body so you can never use alchemy again.

If you resist fiercely, it leads straight to execution.

Resurrection of the Dead, to put it simply, is revival.

More precisely, it is an even higher concept.

It is not merely restoring life to the dead; it is implanting a soul into a new body and allowing it to be reborn completely anew.

Through alchemy, every illness, curse, or flaw the person had in life is removed, and they are reborn in a perfect body. That is Resurrection of the Dead.

If such power existed, who would rejoice?

Commoners? Serfs?

No.

A power that could be called nothing less than a miracle of God.

From ancient times, those who benefited were already decided.

Nobles.

Those with power and money.

Though it may begin with good intentions, only ruin awaits at the end.

Reviving the already dead is also an act that defies divine providence, so it is absolutely forbidden.

Later generations all respected that will and followed it.

Of course, there are always those who try to cross the line.

Mad talents that could be called defiers of heaven.

They laugh at the rules and cross them as they please.

That is why they became each other’s watchers.

They monitored one another to prevent anyone from crossing the line.

Yet those who coveted it still remained.

Those who believed that with money and power, anything was possible.

Mostly royal and imperial bloodlines.

Those destined to rule and govern a nation, those who would live that way from now on.

“Ah, no need to look so shocked.”

Second Prince Diel.

He was not the first in line, but he was already quite old.

Approaching thirty.

The emperor was simply too healthy.

He ate all the precious foods every day, managed his body meticulously, kept perfect sleep hours.

And he never lost his charisma or command.

From the prince’s perspective, rather than seizing the emperor’s seat, he had to stay in his good graces.

“I have no interest in Resurrection of the Dead. Of course, I have no intention of committing it either.”

Evan stared at the prince without a single change in expression.

Diel subtly hid his hand behind his back.

It was trembling, just a little.

Just looking at me gives off this much pressure…

Rulers are born with their own aura.

Simply by being seen, they can impose pressure on others.

Add to that the reputation they have built, and the effect is maximized.

They say he’s called the Drug King in the underworld… I see why.

The scarier part was that Evan had only just come of age.

His body hadn’t even finished growing.

Yet the reputation he had built was already absurd.

His growth was steeper than even Cabaro the Drug King.

…They told me not to touch him.

His omnipotent Majesty the Emperor already knew Evan Alkart was coming.

Of course he had said he would come out to greet him.

He was merely preparing and unable to come out yet.

Because he could clearly see which brother would try to take advantage of the gap, he had warned them.

Do not step forward first. He is not someone you can handle.

Naturally, Diel ignored that warning.

He was already old enough to think for himself.

No matter how much he needed to stay in the emperor’s favor, what the emperor liked was not obedient hunting dogs.

He liked those who occasionally went against his will but produced good results.

Surprisingly, the emperor had no lingering attachment to his throne.

He was ready to hand it over at any time.

The bar was simply too high.

“However, I heard you possess the qualifications. Isn’t the Academy also the pride of our empire and a treasure trove of knowledge?”

Even the emperor must have some interest in Resurrection of the Dead.

Evan Alkart. 

His exact level in alchemy is unknown, but with this much fame and skill, he must be capable of attempting Resurrection of the Dead.

Wasn’t there a rumor quietly circulating for a long time?

That Evan Alkart was trying to revive his dead mother.

If so, surely—

“So, would you like to have a short conversation with me? I can provide you with some rather useful information…”

“You are crossing the line.”

A cold voice fell.

Evan Alkart looked down at him.

Expressionless face.

But his eyes were filled with chill.

“Are you saying I look like someone who would commit a taboo?”

“…Haha, what are you talking about? I’m just asking if you’re interested.”

“I am an alchemist. As an alchemist, I know I must not even look at taboos. And certainly not dream of them for personal gain.”

“…Haha.”

The prince’s mask twitched.

This little brat.

Just because he’s a bit talented, he dares to ignore me?

That was why Diel was only the second prince.

Succession was partly by age, but the most important factor was competence.

He had been first, but because of this kind of jealousy, he had been pushed to second.

How irritating it must be for a much younger Evan to speak as if crossing the line.

At that moment,

“You’re the one crossing the line.”

Aegis stepped out of the carriage.

Diel frowned at the familiar face.

“Who the hell are you? Daring to interrupt a noble’s conversation… Wait.”

A brief flash of confusion crossed Diel’s eyes.

“Aegis?”

“Oh, it’s that old man from back then. Still alive?”

Aegis grinned playfully.

Perhaps because someone who shouldn’t be here was right in front of him, Diel pressed his forehead as if he had a headache.

“…Why are you here? Did you come to beg for your kingdom to no longer be a vassal state?”

“As if. That place is no longer my business. You know that, right?”

Aegis strode forward and said,

“I came with the authority of an elder of the Alchemists’ Tower. As Evan’s companion, I have the right to be treated accordingly. So show at least the minimum courtesy, Prince.”

“…Tch.”

“You won’t believe it, but I’m here too!”

Hop!

Charlotte jumped out of the carriage as if leaping down.

As she bounced and spoke, Diel’s eyes grew even wider.

“…Detective Charlotte.”

“Oh my, the rumors have already spread this far? Heehee, how embarrassing.”

“You’re also part of Evan Alkart… Young Master’s party?”

“That’s right! I was going to stay quiet, but seeing this, I can’t just sit still…!”

Charlotte smiled brightly, yet her eyes were sharp as she continued,

“You ignored the emperor’s warning not to touch him, and you’re really no different from that pig prince over there.”

“What did you say?”

“It’s almost time for him to arrive again~ Wouldn’t it be better to back off quickly? You lack both charisma and honor, so stop trying to latch onto Young Master Evan and suck something out of him.”

She said it with a beaming smile, but every word had bones in it.

Diel fumed but couldn’t retort.

Because she was right.

The moment he tried to say more and stepped back slightly,

Thump, thump, thump.

A knight order approached from afar.

Their physique alone was different from the ones the prince had brought.

“…The Emperor’s direct knight order.”

“…Even that knight order?”

Diel’s face showed panic.

He had already widened the distance.

Charlotte, who had been looking at him with contempt under her hat, suddenly smiled brightly and stepped aside.

“We greet the blood of the Alkart ducal house.”

The knight leading the order bowed politely.

“I am Alexander, captain of His Majesty the Emperor’s knight order.”

“Evan Alkart.”

Treatment on a completely different level from before.

Alexander, having shown perfect courtesy, said,

“His Majesty the Emperor has invited the Young Master. Will you follow?”

“I will.”

“His Majesty the Emperor… personally came and summoned him?”

Diel muttered in disbelief.

Alexander nodded.

“Yes. And he said to return now.”

Return now.

Short words, but many meanings were contained within.

Stop your weird schemes and stay holed up in your room. That was the message.

“H-Ha. Young Master. It was a pleasant time.”

Diel pretended to be calm, but his hands and feet were shaking as he quietly retreated.

Charlotte looked at Evan with intrigued eyes.

He hadn’t lifted a finger.

Yet the emperor himself had moved and cleaned up the small fry.

As expected… something is suspicious.

Charlotte’s eyes gleamed.

For some reason, Evan smelled like a criminal.

She felt she absolutely had to watch him properly.

The emperor was not far.

He had personally come nearby in his carriage.

Even bringing the throne.

“Welcome.”

***

The emperor was surprisingly different from the image Evan had imagined.

Bleached hair and a long beard.

Overflowing with dignity, yet somehow approachable.

The emperor, clad in majestic dragon robes, greeted Evan from his throne.

“Young Master Evan Alkart. It is a blessing that a talent like you was born into a fine house. I always wanted to convey that, but I never had the time.”

“Your Majesty. How could the supreme emperor who rules the empire have time for such things? I am grateful enough for the thought alone.”

“Ho.”

Interest flashed in the emperor’s eyes.

“You… are truly excellent. Yes. I cannot steal the time of an excellent young man. You came in response to Professor Moriarty’s invitation this time?”

“Yes. I came to meet Professor Moriarty.”

“Then I must guide you quickly. Ah, but before that, one question.”

The emperor asked in a cheerful voice.

“Are you perhaps interested in the throne?”

“No.”

Evan answered firmly.

“I see.”

It was so firm that the emperor simply nodded.

“Understood.”

Yet inwardly, the emperor thought differently.

The moment one ascends the throne, one gains the Thousand-Li Eyes.

Not only can one see far away, but if close, one can read the other person’s thoughts and emotions completely.

Yet he could read nothing from Evan.

It meant Evan perfectly controlled his thoughts and everything else.

So the rumors were true.

The future successor.

Evan Alkart.

That he would inherit everything from the family.

With the second successor test beginning this time, the duke had tacitly acknowledged it.

There is no harm in building a good relationship.

The emperor looked at Evan with kind eyes.

A young man with broad potential and good character was always welcome.

Above all—

He must know it too.

That Professor Moriarty was researching Resurrection of the Dead.

And that he was trying to complete that research using Evan Alkart.

He must know that for sure.

…Why is he looking at me like that??

Meanwhile, Evan was feeling burdened by the overly kind gaze.

Did I do something wrong?

***

Surprisingly, meeting Professor Moriarty was quick.

As befitting a noble, he went straight to the point.

“Greetings, Evan Alkart…”

“Rather than wasting time, it would be better to state theily reveal the purpose.”

He hadn’t even finished his greeting?

“Resurrection of the Dead.”

Professor Moriarty looked at Evan with calm yet somehow mad eyes and said,

“I wish to hear about it from the pioneer who has already succeeded.”

…Pioneer?

Me?