Chapter 9: Beggar (2)

10 minutes since arriving at the forest.

The carriage didn’t budge.

The hunter hired for guiding the forest, Jackson, glanced at the knight’s expression.

“Uh…… Sir Knight? By any chance, did I do something wrong?”

“No. Wait a moment.”

Ferok shook his head.

“The young master is organizing his thoughts.”

“Ah, yes! Understood!”

Jackson quickly stepped back perceptively.

Ferok didn’t stop him.

Honestly, Ferok also couldn’t grasp Evan’s intention.

What is that beggar that he’s staring at without moving for 10 minutes?

Evan’s eyes peeking through the carriage window.

No emotion was visible.

It was sufficiently strange.

After all, it meant deceiving the eyes of Ferok, who had reached top expert status and qualified for the sword master realm.

This was one of two things.

Either stronger than Ferok, or possesses an ancient relic that deceives eyes and hearing.

Both possibilities exist.

Though reluctant to admit, it’s not impossible.

The possibility that Evan’s realm is higher than Ferok’s.

Wizards gain enlightenment, realize the truth of magic, and ascend to supreme realm- Priests prove faith, accept god’s power, and ascend to supreme realm- Blacksmiths hear the sound of hammering and ascend to supreme realm.

Alchemists could also ascend in similar ways.

For example, committing ‘taboo’ or something.

But he hasn’t committed taboo yet.

Honestly, couldn’t be sure.

Rumors about Evan spreading in the underworld.

If even half are true, enough to challenge ‘taboo’.

But if he really committed taboo and ascended to supreme realm.

By now, Ferok might not be human but chimera, or experiment subject.

Must pray it’s not.

Fortunately, he got a precious relic or artifact.

Or made one.

Evan was an excellent alchemist.

If needed, wouldn’t he just make one?

Using Alkart Ducal Family’s wealth and fame, getting materials is a piece of cake.

Even if it’s human.

By any chance…… planning to use that old man as an experiment subject?

Human experimentation.

As long as they are not caught by law, there is no problem.

Alchemy’s taboos are gold manufacturing and resurrecting the dead.

Only these two.

……Not strange.

Grinding humans to produce results.

Something ordinary people couldn’t do.

But the opponent is Evan Alkart.

Ferok knew his true face.

Would that cruel alchemist not make by grinding one human?

……Hope he endures for now.

If so, would have to kill this innocent hunter too.

Ferok quietly touched the sword handle.

Hoping Evan makes the right decision quickly.

Inside the carriage.

Evan, who was secretly staring at the Shadow King, made a decision.

Decided.

The choices Evan pondered were two.

First, pretend not to know.

Act as if didn’t see the Shadow King, indifferently.

Second, acknowledge.

Approach, greet, and converse.

Like a manly man or social butterfly!

The latter is a bit hard though.

Absolutely not because Evan is a loser.

Just, because he knows how much the Shadow King values promises.

Integrity.

Words once spoken carry weight, must take responsibility.

The Shadow King said so, and always kept promises.

Meeting now is, strictly speaking, breaking the promise, right?

Clearly, the Shadow King said meet ‘tomorrow’.

Whether accepted or not, the Shadow King made the promise.

Evan, who needs to maintain good relation with the Shadow King, needs to keep it.

Maintaining good relation with the main ally Shadow King.

That was Evan’s goal.

Okay. This time, pretend not to know.

Meeting now is act of breaking integrity.

The promised meeting is tomorrow.

Just faithfully keeping it.

Not because scared, or not mentally prepared, absolutely not.

“Dolph, Lapis.”

“Yes!”

“Oduk. Yes.”

“Let’s get off slowly.”

Dolph and Lapis faithfully nodded.

Neither asked why Evan pondered so long.

Lapis ran over and held hand.

With one hand, was chewing carrot.

Um, yeah. With this hand, overwhelmed the Shadow King’s disciple, huh.

……Can she fight the Shadow King too?

Not telling to fight.

Just, in case the Shadow King tries to kill, need to block.

Evan subtly asked.

“Lapis. By any chance, do you see the old man outside?”

“Um? Yes.”

“No peculiarities?”

“Um.”

Lapis narrowed her red eyes.

“Beggar……?”

“……Besides that. Is he the same as the person who threw dagger at me?”

“O……”

Besides both being old men…… couldn’t see face.

So can’t be sure.

Too bad.

“But the feeling seems similar…….”

“Anything else?”

“The smell is terribly bad. Like rotting animal corpse smell.”

“!”

Rotting corpse smell?

Ah.

Evan understood.

Means it’s been long since killed someone.

Good.

Evan was relieved.

Though I don’t know why specifically rotting animal corpses smell.

“Lapis. Lastly, do you see how strong that person is?”

“Um…… Much stronger than the uncle I saw last time…… Um, this much? Thiiis muuuch?”

Lapis flailed her arms.

Don’t know how much, but anyway, big difference.

“Can Lapis win?”

“Um……”

Lapis hesitated for a moment.

After pondering a lot, Lapis spread three fingers.

“3 minutes?”

“Um.”

Shake shake.

“30 minutes?”

“Um!”

Nod.

Means can hold against the Shadow King for 30 minutes.

Impressive?

Can worry less about dying.

Glance.

Lapis, who was glancing, subtly asked.

“By any chance, is he a very dangerous person?”

“No. Just an ordinary beggar.”

Evan firmly denied.

Since pretending not to know, denial is essential.

…Ah, knowing he’s an ordinary beggar is a bit suspicious?

“Probably so.”

So added subtly.

Lapis tilted her head.

“Probably?”

“Because I don’t know him.”

“Oooh.”

“He was in front of the forest, so asked just in case.”

Evan winked at Dolph.

Loyal Dolph understood Evan’s wink.

Dolph zipped his mouth shut like locking a zipper.

Nodded satisfied.

“Dolsoe. No, Dolph. Give me more vegetables.”

“Here.”

Dolph handed one carrot he always carries.

Lapis made satisfied expression and crunched the carrot with oduk.

“Dolph. Will you open the door?”

“Yes! Let’s finish quick and go back!”

Dolph energetically opened the carriage door.

Heucha, got down and supported Evan.

Ferok, waiting outside, politely bowed.

“Have you finished all thoughts?”

“Yes.”

Evan nodded.

Inwardly soothing the startled heart from being spoken to right after coming out.

“All sorted.”

“Congratulations.”

Ferok didn’t ask what he pondered.

Evan inwardly relieved.

“Young master. This person is the hunter in charge of guiding today.”

“Hello, young master.”

Ferok introduced the man standing beside.

Middle-aged man looking in 40s.

Man in sleek leather armor with bow on back bowed.

“I am Jackson, in charge of guiding the young master in the forest today.”

“……Please take care.”

Evan also faced and nodded small.

No matter the status difference, Jackson is father age.

Age gap too big to treat casually or rudely.

But Jackson who received greeting couldn’t help but be surprised.

A noble offspring receiving greeting?

First time such noble offspring.

Jackson was a hunter active for 30 years.

Naturally much experience.

Been burned by nobles many times.

Opposite of rumors.

A glint passed in Ferok’s eyes.

“Young master. By any chance, before entering forest, anything to prepare separately? Depending on how many days stay,

the luggage changes.”

“It’s fine.”

Evan shook his head.

“Because plan to collect only luminescent calming herb today and leave. Will finish before sunset.”

“!”

Jackson surprised once more.

Luminescent calming herb?

Hard to get, but not surprising level.

The surprising point is.

Telling the entire schedule and purpose?

Evan’s kindness.

Usually nobles don’t share schedule.

Mostly ‘Ahem, is that important? You should prepare well yourself!’ and get angry.

Jackson’s expression softened.

This employer, good feeling.

“Do you know the location of luminescent calming herb?”

“Yes. Just proceed straight this way.”

Jackson politely pointed to forest center.

Luminescent calming herb is herb that grows only in forest center.

The reason is humidity, temperature, place where ‘sunlight’ is key.

Small pond too, optimal place to grow.

However.

“Nearby many monsters. So must be careful.”

“We will thoroughly escort.”

“It’s fine.”

Evan brushed off their worries.

Entering forest interior not scary at all.

Why?

Because not entering.

“How long to go to center?”

“Won’t take long. When sun at midday, a bit tilted degree.”

Then distance sufficient.

“No. 5, No. 4. Golem Dog.”

Evan gestured behind.

No. 5 that can inject like syringe.

No. 4 with long arms.

And Golem Dog specialized in finding or moving something.

Thud thud!

They walked forward.

Knights sent puzzled looks.

Instead of answering, Evan raised mana and looked at trees.

Basic of transmutation is [understanding]. For that, learned 2nd circle magic [analysis eye].

One of few magics he has.

Components similar to normal trees.

Then transmutation preparation done.

Evan touched ground.

At that moment.

Dudududududu!

Ground vibrated greatly and trees twisted.

Changed like rubber, [decomposed], bent, curved, cleared, [reconstructed].

The range so wide can’t see with two eyes.

Evan’s advantage.

Precisely no range limit on [transmutation].

Usually transmutation applies only to touched part or object.

For Evan, no such limit.

If objects attached, changes as long as mana allows.

Kuguuuuuu.

This should be enough?

Mana quite depleted.

Evan drank strawberry flavor small high-grade mana potion from bosom.

Wiped mouth with suk, and ordered golems.

“Golems. All depart. You know? Calming herb. Carefully bring without damaging roots.”

No. 5, No. 4, Golem Dog nodded and entered forest.

Sturdy back view quite majestic.

Like protagonists.

……Should I just go in together? Have Living Golem too.

Honestly Evan also youth.

Age when blood boils.

Impulse to go in and act together.

But.

“Hachoo!”

Nose tickled and sneezed.

Body slightly chilly, seems cold coming.

Ugh, damn body.

Really if not for this, huh?

I would act like protagonist too.

Not because Evan is loser, but this world makes him loser…….

Roar!

Then, roar from forest.

Body stiffened.

Is this fear or something?

“Evan.”

Lapis subtly approached and held Evan’s hand.

“Can’t enter inside. Dangerous.”

“Right young master! Let’s wait quietly here!”

“Young master. Inside is dangerous. Leaving to golems is best.”

“G, great. Young master. How thought to leave collection to golems…….”

Everyone stopped Evan.

With praises mixed in.

“Ahem.”

Evan small fake cough.

Absolutely not not entering because scared, but because everyone stops, not entering.

“Will follow everyone’s will.”

“As expected Evan is the best.”

“As expected young master is the greatest.”

Lapis hehe smiled, Dolph thumbs up.

Whew.

Evan relieved and sat on carriage.

Make potions while waiting?

It was then.

“Can’t! Can’t enter that forest today!”

Skinny old voice.

Tuduk, Evan’s body stiffened with tension.

Forced head to side.

The beggar who was sleeping until now, no Shadow King.

Holding few black pebbles in hand, yelling at us.

“Today full of ominous signs! Ground damp and wolves over 3 gathered and howled together!

Angol Demon King divined ill omen! Enter today all die!”

…… While spouting strange words.