Chapter 63
hZDiHmHaide was terrified and fell to his knees on the floor.Tvb
HBZ7“Lu-Lucian, young master. Please, calm down. I didn’t mean it like that.”tPC1
kRUf“You didn’t mean it like that? I heard it exactly like that. Are you mocking me, suggesting my ears don’t work?”PthA
DzXETO“No! That’s not it…!”psV5
QkrxGGjDespite the humiliations that followed, the only thing that dominated Haide’s mind was not anger, but fear.bboVyk
Ea8PaPutting everything else aside, the real problem was that the emperor’s name had been brought up without the slightest restraint.BzCpdpt
D9skIts‘Fabricating false claims and mentioning the emperor is a crime of blasphemy. Even if he’s a young master of House Valdeck—no, precisely because he’s from House Valdeck—this is even more dangerous.’udD
uoDBeing a great family close to the emperor, any problem had a high chance of reaching his ears directly.13Kb
0T1PuAt the same time, a grand duke’s son who spoke of the emperor lightly was automatically at a disadvantage in the competition for the headship of the family.9N8x3
K08wGPuAnd even knowing all of that, he had mentioned the emperor, his sons, and even his closest allies openly. That could only mean one thing—everything was true.sGMQ9uY
dWZ‘And on top of that, he has the emblem of the Knights of the Black Scale, the First Prince’s personal guard…’lP3wvP
RqoKR“I can hear your brain spinning. Are you thinking of what more you can demand from me?”ZMBcPi
lM4RTZqLucian’s voice brought Haide back to reality.62Y
ZfRbvHe bowed violently, slamming his forehead against the floor.CGl
zXKfC“Please, forgive me! I was insolent!”FfzI
c4kT“Of course you were. A worm living off imperial benevolence, acting as if he were the emperor’s representative. His Majesty would love to hear that.”TTerf6
2gVQ4“…”OF2t
yWogu“This is perfect. You seem quite proud of your research achievements. What do you say we go together to present them to His Majesty? He said he wanted to speak with me again, so we can go together.”q9xxsbr
JX60EfThe cold sweat running down Haide’s forehead soaked the floor like a waterfall.NtDSvp8
psk9The alchemist guild was already seen as a somewhat parasitic group even at the imperial court.qne
YlfAnd if it were discovered that one of its members had invoked the emperor’s name to pressure a comrade who had fought on the battlefield?usmgNFF
SloEven before the emperor got upset, it was very likely the alchemist guild itself would take the lead and hang him in the town square.WAn3YM
DnoIW1“Is there anything you’d like to say before we go see His Majesty?”L2ZLudQ
xYUf62Lucian spoke coldly. Finally aware of his situation, Haide responded with his forehead pressed to the floor.HPvs5A
axwo2U2“I’ll give you everything you want—just please, let me live.”lYW
BIzxSv***dMpadBW
gqFKUqAfter reestablishing the hierarchy, Lucian waited calmly for Ian to wake up.koNoith
TxWHaide, the owner of the house, had to sit curled up in a corner, at the mercy of Lucian’s mood.NFuP
5Te“I… if you’d like, I could serve you some tea…”AOHwW7A
5QMGYN“Shut up and stay still. You seem incapable of even preparing tea, so don’t say anything stupid.”sXzezi
ySX“…”9lQ
VeAAJ1Faced with those words hitting right on target, Haide shrank back again.Axiz
BiPIn reality, Lucian didn’t want to take his eyes off Haide for even a second.PSZ8s
eCnX5tY‘It would be a problem if he happened to see the nectar research materials. Most of it is on the second floor, but there’s always the chance he left something elsewhere.’Elw50yR
rsa7fGLHaide was pathetic, but after all, he was still an alchemist.RQR
enLIf he saw Ian’s records, he’d surely grasp at least part of their value. Until he retrieved everything related to the nectar, Lucian planned to keep him under constant watch.zLf
g7ZN5KFShortly after, Raymond came out of the room after checking on Ian’s condition.iMGA7m
7vHc“He’s awake.”dVKW2KL
77O2H“How does he look?”ybqlYrZ
cItvFJP“Other than some fatigue, he’s fine. He can talk without issue.”gIwicB
ibci6M“Good. Go talk to him. I’ll stay here to keep watch over this guy.”wLaY
Uh9YigL“Understood.”G4Bo
zxNoH“Huh? But this is my house…”3WG
auS5yLucian ignored Haide’s timid protest and entered the room.65rQT37
MPJfBIan was sitting up in bed, raised only to his waist, looking at Lucian.AySji
I7CynMW“You just woke up, so you must be confused. I’ll start by explaining—”2gJbAE
15igG“I know.”1Cys
x0RGZ“What?”FKaiRlY
zVR0“I wasn’t completely unconscious. I didn’t have the strength to move, but I woke up several times. And also… this house doesn’t have very good soundproofing.”oGNRM
pweI see. It wasn’t what he expected, but if there was no need to explain, all the better.qBW
Rs06buVWith his head lowered, Ian muttered with a worried expression.Xzy3Q
S7U4d“So now I’m going to the Grand Duke Valdeck’s estate?”hIJ
dhMdzVb“That’s right. Your master agreed as well. You said you didn’t have another tutor, right?”COpL
RNHx“I see. He recognized the value of my invention—and got greedy.”ff7K
ESMb“…Huh?”lcwYMx
K75“I know. I’ve created a once-in-a-century invention. Who wouldn’t covet such a treasure? After achieving something unprecedented, of course they’d want to claim my knowledge.”9AkfT
kd6xnLucian blinked, stunned. He wasn’t entirely wrong, but that sounded like quite the exaggerated self-praise.W1PNx9C
c2wN2After thinking for a moment, Ian spoke trembling, as if squeezing out each word.at6
0uGq“Please. I’ll tell you the full manufacturing method, so please let me continue researching.”Fepo8Q1
K3bSw“What are you talking about?”BarGnx
wvfm5“I know. A novice orphan like me, with such great knowledge—they’ll just take the method and eliminate me, right? Torture me until I spill everything and then cut my throat to silence me…”IZKtBp
Pgkgx6“Wait, wait, wait!”zlP
52eFxLucian interrupted him hurriedly. He had thought no explanation would be needed, but it seemed Ian had fallen into serious misunderstanding.Vo7m
E5PW“What nonsense is this all of a sudden? Why would I need to torture you for information?”IsUS4Xu
9FHd3“Eh? Didn’t you come because you coveted the method for that medicine?”1XhI
6I3Wo“Of course I’m interested, but there’s no need to do something like that. I just need to hire you. And of course, let you keep researching.”IRNG5i
9en“B-but… once I give you the knowledge, I’d be useless, so you’d need to silence me…”ylSAq
YHgeBx“That’s something you do to someone who gets information they shouldn’t by accident. You’re the original creator. If you keep researching, you could achieve even greater results. Why would I do something so stupid? It’d be like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.”Mn6
UEzd“…”A41H
HyDPpKIan blinked a few times, and his face turned red. He finally seemed to realize the future he had imagined was just a fantasy.DIP
kRQFd“Anyway, where did you even get those ideas? From what I can tell, you never leave this place and just focus on research.”TMd
aU3“F-from… The Tragedy of the Silverfall Family.”TZgBql
eRcvz“The Tragedy of the Silverfall Family?”4EOeBK
uF4Zc0y“It’s a novel that was popular in the capital a few years ago…”ks5H
m3sqSeeing Ian respond in an almost inaudible voice, Lucian let out a dry laugh.58Vmp
vw1Zm3More than research, what this boy needed urgently was to learn how the real world works.FDfJJ
1cQZX***uVUfi
nJejm“I thank you in advance, young master.”vRz
naH9As soon as he understood the situation, Ian changed his attitude instantly, bowing his head with impeccable obedience.8EXTr
Ir5His complete lack of resistance was such that even Lucian felt slightly bewildered.SVoZ
lClZuy“Just to be clear from the start—even if I hire you, that doesn’t mean you’ll go back to researching immediately. For several years, you’ll have to focus solely on producing the medicine you developed today.”CQOZ
zBV“I don’t mind. After all, the result of the clinical trial only happened once. If I can gain more information by making it repeatedly, it’s even better for me.”PxPPRtV
NcF“You’ll also be lacking alchemy books. Unlike the guild, there will be times when you won’t have access to the information you need.”MFo3
Sy7“I’ve already read all the books I had access to. To consult more important information, I’d have to be promoted in rank—and who knows when that would happen.”5aItmRq
ighWouldn’t he rise in rank immediately just by showing the medicine he created?ufZby
M8XpvGgLucian tilted his head, and catching his meaning, Ian gave a bitter smile.kM3
JLxZa“To show my research results to others, I had to go through my master. And I know very well what kind of person he is. Even if he was my benefactor, if I had shown him this data…”trjZ
jRq“He’d drain it completely and present it all as his own achievement. I understand what you mean.”vFKJO3E
w2CbIan didn’t respond and continued organizing the documents.a1DJ
dspOEven if it was true, he seemed uncomfortable speaking ill of his master directly.RNBS
BZf“All done.”wlW9rNs
RtgNMcIan smiled broadly after finishing organizing the documents. The material they would take amounted to just about three thick books; the rest was piled in a corner like trash.PsE3
hyqu“What’s that?”nvtR
pupiy“Incorrect hypotheses and failed cases due to errors. They’re not important—they can be thrown away.”0JXZB
wEdl“Just in case, burn them before we leave. It would be troublesome if someone saw them and got useless ideas.”fMhwWKO
EFaMiLucian called Raymond, and they threw all the discarded documents into the fireplace, burning them completely.c4ro
FxhuOnly after confirming they had turned to ash did Lucian let out a sigh of relief.kCBA
iwdg‘Now the nectar formula belongs to me alone.’u648
u2qHe still couldn’t make it public, but at last, Lucian had an exclusive weapon—something different from everyone else’s.DzUl
lK4ecrVA way to attract talent, a medicine to heal a weak body, a method to create powerful soldiers, a commercial product to strengthen finances.SRId
LxM4The nectar was a treasure of immeasurable power, no matter how it was used.5WdQO
g7O“Then let’s go. No need for you to come with us—stay home.”XyNMSr
kzY31pj“D-dear Lucian… at least the research funds that brat misused…”mq6X
NoMT“Do you want to come with me to see His Majesty?”pM99n
0uR6TU“No! My apologies!”kfm6L
sXPHaide, who had tried to take advantage of the moment, immediately backed off under Lucian’s sharp gaze. Ian, who had been watching the scene in silence, bowed to his master.CVw
A4aV6N“Master, thank you for everything until now. Even though we’re parting in such an unexpected way, I’ll never forget the kindness you showed me.”M0e
EdyxNW“And someone who doesn’t forget kindness dips his hand into his master’s money? You’ve got some nerve.”7woHdKz
w1peZTY“I truly apologize for that. But you used the research funds granted by the kingdom for your personal leisure for a long time. Though I took that money, I achieved a great result with it. As a scholar, please understand me.”uSU
s6jH“How dare you say such—!”dPq
j2MIAF“…”gk0bwOI
lU2WE3q“Wow… I didn’t expect to hear such sensible words. As your master, I’m proud of you. I hope you find happiness.”gBY
706o“Yes, Master.”NziTjZ
lYyIan gave a bitter smile seeing his master, now pale under the murderous pressure radiating from Lucian and Raymond.H84
wJSGVbIn the end, as always, he was infinitely weak in the face of power.fEB0Rr
sSzyk***0AoxuY
KooFAfter accomplishing his goal, Lucian searched one last time for John from the Thieves’ Guild before leaving the capital.m3uwY
7T3LHe planned to leave a thin thread of connection as insurance for the future.NIq6
sOY36DHowever, John completely vanished and never appeared before Lucian again.n3sIpM
1FYfFse“How strange. He must have known I was here by now. Why won’t he show up?”eYaHmid
d2B5vWX“It’s a normal reaction for a thief. Once he realized how close this is to the imperial palace, fleeing was the obvious choice. Besides, the deal is over—he wouldn’t want to get further involved.”nEnE4IA
edyay“I suppose you’re right.”z78r1l
hfU4smCLucian felt a slight regret, thinking maybe he should’ve threatened him to force another appearance, but decided to let it go.hCVCalb
iQTAwXAfter all, it was just a kind of insurance. If there was no fate, there was nothing to be done.dwc
8wBOYReturning to the Black Scale Knights’ lodgings with Ian, Lucian returned the badge and expressed his gratitude.Zpvr
l61A5s“Thank you very much. Thanks to this emblem, I avoided quite a few problems.”9cv14
4XxeuZ2“If it helped you, the honor is ours.”e1NZ
whnVKIn response to his sincere thanks, the knight smiled broadly as he accepted the badge.bXDQ
nuSHe seemed happy to have repaid even a small part of the debt he owed Lucian from the battlefield.aseCP5
2wFBefore departing, Lucian retrieved the horses they had left in care and clicked his tongue inwardly.AQm
1WKv‘They took care of them too well. They’ve fattened up quite a bit in just a few days.’WXE15
cemwEven normal care would have sufficed, but they had been treated with extreme attentiveness.qmQhC
fKU0SOnce again, it was clear how much the Black Scale Knights valued Lucian.8xBu
1Rz4WI“Have a good trip, young master.”E8jQ4
K7103uu“Thank you. May you all enjoy good health.”L19bLE0
GMLSsm3Bidding farewell courteously to the end, Lucian rode toward the open gate in the wall. Seeing the hidden mechanism for the first time, Ian murmured in awe.oPNAN
0W4“I can’t believe there was a hidden entrance like that in the wall…”BGd8y
70IV“Don’t go around spreading that. It’s a sign of the trust your lord received from them; don’t break it lightly.”cBSQMGS
VkWPsyh“Yes!”4Rac
spi5iApIan responded in a firm voice, full of discipline. He seemed to be learning the proper attitude—not as a scholar, but as a vassal serving his lord.jzakp
k0AyxNAt that diligent attitude, Lucian smiled slightly.cjVj
nDe9MF“Don’t be so stiff. That kind of mindset comes gradually by observing veterans. Instead, focus on your research. That’ll be more useful to me.”Hu8
FTeA7yM“Yes, my lord!”530v
i3Nel2Happy to be able to continue his research, Ian responded enthusiastically.GG9MT
WRaSatisfied, Lucian took the reins and quickened his pace.Czy7c
5ixD3aCIt was time to return to Kelheim.EECXt
KWW4B***y5GOE
Kj0kdjRThe return journey was as peaceful as when they had headed to the capital.5U0qp
xpErvjSAlthough Ian’s poor physical condition required more stops, aside from that, it was a comfortable trip.DDo5
0TQlTDays later, upon arriving in Kelheim, Ian couldn’t hide his amazement.zBP7Jdb
mTPbZWG“I didn’t know such a big city existed outside the capital.”NWXJCq
OEebHk“Doesn’t seem like something that would surprise someone who lived in the capital.”xixI
OXxu“I used to live in a small town. When my master accepted me as a disciple, I moved to the capital, but I thought all other cities were the same.”Sy7E02
VGPplAccording to Ian, even though he lived in the capital, the places he could go were so limited that it barely qualified as capital life.x09oFd
uLwffI8He practically only knew Haide’s house, the market, and a few herbal shops.El91275
ZX0“My master hated city life, saying it only made people spend money on useless things. Will I be able to move freely here?”DKV1G
iBG“As long as you don’t wander into back alleys, there won’t be a problem. I’ll assign you a veteran so you can learn your way around.”GcY
AHW“Thank you, my lord!”rTc
w8yZqLWhile chatting, Lucian entered the outer city heading for the inner city.JxkagO
No1BIt was then that Raymond, who had been observing silently, approached and whispered.aPqY0hy
dkWCWC“My lord, the atmosphere around us is strange.”IcbvRU3
492gEI“Strange?”6Q8FCD
gjPD“It’s hard to explain. See for yourself.”FZRI
Q3S6Hearing the title “my lord” instead of “third young master,” Lucian looked around.KuS
6UrWiPeople were gathering here and there, murmuring among themselves non-stop.AWt
MRNPSensing the unusual mood, Lucian called out to a nearby patrol.JlT
t6O“Hey, friends. Come here a moment.”qNzBiA
PxGLxnR“Who dares…? G-greetings, third young master!”uSmv
ZewcmL“Forget the greetings. Tell me, the atmosphere in the territory is strange. Did something happen?”vIfrrs
4DY4One of the guards, still kneeling, responded with a confused expression.7wxrh
Z8bbtYA“You didn’t know? Today is the investiture ceremony of Swordmaster Eisen’s heir.”yQg
vsqh“Oh, so the day finally came. I suppose everyone is curious about who the ceremony’s star will be.”Dl9
UIzt“That too, but more than that, the other young masters…”FqN7JSK
LjOQThe guard immediately covered his mouth, realizing his mistake.WotRx
kfWEoYKBut what had been said couldn’t be undone. Unable to endure Lucian’s inquisitive gaze, he finally confessed with a tense face.XEkUf
Ot7MX“There are rumors that the other young masters are aiming for Swordmaster Eisen’s heir. They say once the investiture ends and he becomes a knight, he’ll be able to choose his lord, and they’re planning to secure his oath of loyalty.”tzqJB6
Vtzy“Ho…”5budm3i
9Gn3kzLucian narrowed his eyes as he heard the explanation.hqvP
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