Chapter 63

Haide was terrified and fell to his knees on the floor.

“Lu-Lucian, young master. Please, calm down. I didn’t mean it like that.”

“You didn’t mean it like that? I heard it exactly like that. Are you mocking me, suggesting my ears don’t work?”

“No! That’s not it…!”

Despite the humiliations that followed, the only thing that dominated Haide’s mind was not anger, but fear.

Putting everything else aside, the real problem was that the emperor’s name had been brought up without the slightest restraint.

‘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.’

Being a great family close to the emperor, any problem had a high chance of reaching his ears directly.

At 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.

And 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.

‘And on top of that, he has the emblem of the Knights of the Black Scale, the First Prince’s personal guard…’

“I can hear your brain spinning. Are you thinking of what more you can demand from me?”

Lucian’s voice brought Haide back to reality.

He bowed violently, slamming his forehead against the floor.

“Please, forgive me! I was insolent!”

“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.”

“…”

“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.”

The cold sweat running down Haide’s forehead soaked the floor like a waterfall.

The alchemist guild was already seen as a somewhat parasitic group even at the imperial court.

And 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?

Even before the emperor got upset, it was very likely the alchemist guild itself would take the lead and hang him in the town square.

“Is there anything you’d like to say before we go see His Majesty?”

Lucian spoke coldly. Finally aware of his situation, Haide responded with his forehead pressed to the floor.

“I’ll give you everything you want—just please, let me live.”

***

After reestablishing the hierarchy, Lucian waited calmly for Ian to wake up.

Haide, the owner of the house, had to sit curled up in a corner, at the mercy of Lucian’s mood.

“I… if you’d like, I could serve you some tea…”

“Shut up and stay still. You seem incapable of even preparing tea, so don’t say anything stupid.”

“…”

Faced with those words hitting right on target, Haide shrank back again.

In reality, Lucian didn’t want to take his eyes off Haide for even a second.

‘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.’

Haide was pathetic, but after all, he was still an alchemist.

If 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.

Shortly after, Raymond came out of the room after checking on Ian’s condition.

“He’s awake.”

“How does he look?”

“Other than some fatigue, he’s fine. He can talk without issue.”

“Good. Go talk to him. I’ll stay here to keep watch over this guy.”

“Understood.”

“Huh? But this is my house…”

Lucian ignored Haide’s timid protest and entered the room.

Ian was sitting up in bed, raised only to his waist, looking at Lucian.

“You just woke up, so you must be confused. I’ll start by explaining—”

“I know.”

“What?”

“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.”

I see. It wasn’t what he expected, but if there was no need to explain, all the better.

With his head lowered, Ian muttered with a worried expression.

“So now I’m going to the Grand Duke Valdeck’s estate?”

“That’s right. Your master agreed as well. You said you didn’t have another tutor, right?”

“I see. He recognized the value of my invention—and got greedy.”

“…Huh?”

“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.”

Lucian blinked, stunned. He wasn’t entirely wrong, but that sounded like quite the exaggerated self-praise.

After thinking for a moment, Ian spoke trembling, as if squeezing out each word.

“Please. I’ll tell you the full manufacturing method, so please let me continue researching.”

“What are you talking about?”

“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…”

“Wait, wait, wait!”

Lucian interrupted him hurriedly. He had thought no explanation would be needed, but it seemed Ian had fallen into serious misunderstanding.

“What nonsense is this all of a sudden? Why would I need to torture you for information?”

“Eh? Didn’t you come because you coveted the method for that medicine?”

“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.”

“B-but… once I give you the knowledge, I’d be useless, so you’d need to silence me…”

“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.”

“…”

Ian blinked a few times, and his face turned red. He finally seemed to realize the future he had imagined was just a fantasy.

“Anyway, where did you even get those ideas? From what I can tell, you never leave this place and just focus on research.”

“F-from… The Tragedy of the Silverfall Family.”

“The Tragedy of the Silverfall Family?”

“It’s a novel that was popular in the capital a few years ago…”

Seeing Ian respond in an almost inaudible voice, Lucian let out a dry laugh.

More than research, what this boy needed urgently was to learn how the real world works.

***

“I thank you in advance, young master.”

As soon as he understood the situation, Ian changed his attitude instantly, bowing his head with impeccable obedience.

His complete lack of resistance was such that even Lucian felt slightly bewildered.

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

Wouldn’t he rise in rank immediately just by showing the medicine he created?

Lucian tilted his head, and catching his meaning, Ian gave a bitter smile.

“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…”

“He’d drain it completely and present it all as his own achievement. I understand what you mean.”

Ian didn’t respond and continued organizing the documents.

Even if it was true, he seemed uncomfortable speaking ill of his master directly.

“All done.”

Ian 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.

“What’s that?”

“Incorrect hypotheses and failed cases due to errors. They’re not important—they can be thrown away.”

“Just in case, burn them before we leave. It would be troublesome if someone saw them and got useless ideas.”

Lucian called Raymond, and they threw all the discarded documents into the fireplace, burning them completely.

Only after confirming they had turned to ash did Lucian let out a sigh of relief.

‘Now the nectar formula belongs to me alone.’

He still couldn’t make it public, but at last, Lucian had an exclusive weapon—something different from everyone else’s.

A way to attract talent, a medicine to heal a weak body, a method to create powerful soldiers, a commercial product to strengthen finances.

The nectar was a treasure of immeasurable power, no matter how it was used.

“Then let’s go. No need for you to come with us—stay home.”

“D-dear Lucian… at least the research funds that brat misused…”

“Do you want to come with me to see His Majesty?”

“No! My apologies!”

Haide, 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.

“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.”

“And someone who doesn’t forget kindness dips his hand into his master’s money? You’ve got some nerve.”

“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.”

“How dare you say such—!”

“…”

“Wow… I didn’t expect to hear such sensible words. As your master, I’m proud of you. I hope you find happiness.”

“Yes, Master.”

Ian gave a bitter smile seeing his master, now pale under the murderous pressure radiating from Lucian and Raymond.

In the end, as always, he was infinitely weak in the face of power.

***

After accomplishing his goal, Lucian searched one last time for John from the Thieves’ Guild before leaving the capital.

He planned to leave a thin thread of connection as insurance for the future.

However, John completely vanished and never appeared before Lucian again.

“How strange. He must have known I was here by now. Why won’t he show up?”

“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.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

Lucian felt a slight regret, thinking maybe he should’ve threatened him to force another appearance, but decided to let it go.

After all, it was just a kind of insurance. If there was no fate, there was nothing to be done.

Returning to the Black Scale Knights’ lodgings with Ian, Lucian returned the badge and expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you very much. Thanks to this emblem, I avoided quite a few problems.”

“If it helped you, the honor is ours.”

In response to his sincere thanks, the knight smiled broadly as he accepted the badge.

He seemed happy to have repaid even a small part of the debt he owed Lucian from the battlefield.

Before departing, Lucian retrieved the horses they had left in care and clicked his tongue inwardly.

‘They took care of them too well. They’ve fattened up quite a bit in just a few days.’

Even normal care would have sufficed, but they had been treated with extreme attentiveness.

Once again, it was clear how much the Black Scale Knights valued Lucian.

“Have a good trip, young master.”

“Thank you. May you all enjoy good health.”

Bidding 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.

“I can’t believe there was a hidden entrance like that in the wall…”

“Don’t go around spreading that. It’s a sign of the trust your lord received from them; don’t break it lightly.”

“Yes!”

Ian 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.

At that diligent attitude, Lucian smiled slightly.

“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.”

“Yes, my lord!”

Happy to be able to continue his research, Ian responded enthusiastically.

Satisfied, Lucian took the reins and quickened his pace.

It was time to return to Kelheim.

***

The return journey was as peaceful as when they had headed to the capital.

Although Ian’s poor physical condition required more stops, aside from that, it was a comfortable trip.

Days later, upon arriving in Kelheim, Ian couldn’t hide his amazement.

“I didn’t know such a big city existed outside the capital.”

“Doesn’t seem like something that would surprise someone who lived in the capital.”

“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.”

According to Ian, even though he lived in the capital, the places he could go were so limited that it barely qualified as capital life.

He practically only knew Haide’s house, the market, and a few herbal shops.

“My master hated city life, saying it only made people spend money on useless things. Will I be able to move freely here?”

“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.”

“Thank you, my lord!”

While chatting, Lucian entered the outer city heading for the inner city.

It was then that Raymond, who had been observing silently, approached and whispered.

“My lord, the atmosphere around us is strange.”

“Strange?”

“It’s hard to explain. See for yourself.”

Hearing the title “my lord” instead of “third young master,” Lucian looked around.

People were gathering here and there, murmuring among themselves non-stop.

Sensing the unusual mood, Lucian called out to a nearby patrol.

“Hey, friends. Come here a moment.”

“Who dares…? G-greetings, third young master!”

“Forget the greetings. Tell me, the atmosphere in the territory is strange. Did something happen?”

One of the guards, still kneeling, responded with a confused expression.

“You didn’t know? Today is the investiture ceremony of Swordmaster Eisen’s heir.”

“Oh, so the day finally came. I suppose everyone is curious about who the ceremony’s star will be.”

“That too, but more than that, the other young masters…”

The guard immediately covered his mouth, realizing his mistake.

But what had been said couldn’t be undone. Unable to endure Lucian’s inquisitive gaze, he finally confessed with a tense face.

“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.”

“Ho…”

Lucian narrowed his eyes as he heard the explanation.