“Have you heard the story?”
“Yes. Should I observe young master Christian?”
“Yes. Watch how he behaves as he prepares for the Holy Black Ritual.”
“Understood. I will follow your orders.”
The man bowed respectfully.
Then, as if a thought struck him, he grinned mischievously.
“Ah, while I’m checking, may I play a little prank?”
“A prank? What kind?”
“It would be dull to just observe. To properly assess him, perhaps a test of sorts?”
The elder frowned.
“No excessive pranks.”
That meant moderate pranks were acceptable.
The man’s lips curled into a deep smile before he melted back into the shadows.
With his presence gone without a trace, Merian sighed deeply.
“I hope Christian, that boy, will do well.”
* * *
Count Kazar’s estate.
Christian was preparing to go to the Dark Pill Hunting.
“Preparations are needed to secure the Karazov.”
This time, he intended to prove his worth and claim the Karazov as his own.
It might seem strange since the Karazov already had an owner.
“Just need to divert it.”
Christian thought simply as he whistled.
“This batch of Karazov is supposed to go to Lorin, who opposed me, right? Good. Killing two birds with one stone.”
Lorin was his competitor in this Holy Black Ritual.
Moreover, Lorin had led public opinion to ban Christian from the ritual, so getting the Karazov meant double satisfaction.
“Preparation is key for perfection.”
Christian headed to the castle.
His destination was clear.
Last time, he got the sacred sword Grunade from the merchant Gruntel.
“Young master, I am honored to see you!”
Gruntel greeted Christian with a pale face.
“Ah, it’s been a while.”
“W-what brings you here?”
“Not happy to see me? Seems like you’re not thrilled I’m here.”
Gruntel gritted his teeth inwardly.
‘Who would be happy to see you?!’
He swore in his mind, though outwardly he maintained a smile.
“Absolutely not. I am deeply honored to see you again. I was merely overwhelmed by the honor.”
“Hmm.”
“Please, come in! Bring out the feast! Though modest, allow me the honor to serve you.”
Christian did not refuse.
Soon, splendid dishes were served, comparable to those of Count Kazar’s estate.
“Does it suit your taste?”
“Yes, it’s decent.”
As the atmosphere seemed not too bad, Gruntel subtly signaled to his subordinate.
The subordinate stepped out and soon brought back a silk pouch.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a token of my feelings for you, young master.”
Inside the pouch was a golden cat—a bribe.
‘This must be another attempt to extort money. That scoundrel.’
Gruntel swallowed his tears.
But he decided to think positively.
There are no free lunches.
If you take a bribe, you’re expected to be reciprocate—that’s the way of the world.
‘It’s a dirty connection, but it might also be an opportunity! If a descendant of the Dark Magus backs me, I can rise to the top!’
Gruntel plumped his chubby face into the most servile expression and bowed deeply.
“Hehe, please accept it. It’s nothing much.”
“Yes, it’s nothing much indeed.”
“…What?”
“Is this supposed to be a gift? Disappointing.”
Crash!
Christian dropped the pouch to the floor.
Suddenly, the atmosphere turned icy.
Gruntel hastily bowed again.
“I-I’m sorry! I was merely expressing my feelings…! It seems it was not to your liking.”
‘You scoundrel! Even a gift is criticized. Being powerless is a sin.’
Christian crossed his arms.
“Such a petty gift. You really don’t understand your own position.”
“What?”
“I’ve had you investigated after our last encounter. You’ve been dabbling in all sorts of illegal activities.”
“…That’s…”
“Of course, some illegality in business is expected. I understand. We can’t harp on every little thing, or there’d be no traders left. But.”
Christian gave a slow, knowing smile.
“There are limits. And it seems you’ve been skirting dangerously close to the line. You know better what I’m talking about, don’t you?”
Gruntel gulped.
He was a corrupt merchant.
Certainly, he hadn’t committed the worst of crimes like harming people.
But he had engaged in quite a few nefarious deeds.
Some of which should never come to light.
Christian tapped the merchant’s shoulder lightly with his finger.
“Greed often invites disaster.”
“I-I’m sorry. Please, have mercy…”
Gruntel shivered.
Christian chuckled softly.
“However, considering our previous dealings, I’ll give you a chance. I’ll set a deadline, and you need to sort out all the missteps. Compensate anyone who has suffered because of you.”
Compensation.
Gruntel’s face turned ashen.
It meant he had to dig deep into the merchant house’s assets again.
Yet, this was a significant mercy.
Gruntel bowed hastily.
“Th-thank you!”
“And there’s a condition.”
Christian stated his demand.
“Bring me the Gray Elixir.”
“!!”
“You have three days.”
Gruntel’s face turned pale.
Gray Elixir.
It was a mystical substance derived from the body of the Karazov.
‘The components are the same as the Karazov.’
Processed through a special method according to alchemy, the primary ingredient for Dark Pill could be derived from Karazov.
However, without this special technique, killing a Karazov would result in the fake Dark Pill, the Gray Elixir.
In other words, Christian planned to use this Gray Elixir to swap out the real Dark Pill.
“But… that’s…”
Gruntel looked extremely troubled.
“The Gray Elixir is… not easy to…”
Though Christian referred to it as a counterfeit, the Gray Elixir was still incredibly valuable.
“You’re connected to the Dark Auction House, aren’t you?”
“!!”
“Deal with them directly.”
“B-but if I want to make a direct deal for an auction item, I’d have to pay an astronomical price…”
“That’s for you to figure out. Should I be concerned about your financial affairs?”
Christian spoke indifferently.
“It seems you don’t need my help then. If you dislike it, no matter. Forget what I said earlier about leniency. Pay for your crimes.”
Christian was now threatening him.
If Gruntel failed to obtain the Gray Elixir, Christian would ruin his merchant house with all the illegal activities he had engaged in.
“No, no!”
Gruntel clung desperately to Christian.
‘This wretched, devilish man!’
Tears welled up, but he had no choice.
He would have to strip the merchant house’s assets again to procure the Gray Elixir.
“I will somehow obtain the Gray Elixir as you requested.”
“Three days.”
Gruntel’s face grew even paler.
An unbelievably short deadline.
Yet, he had no choice but to bow hastily.
“Yes, yes. I’ll bring it within three days.”
“Oh, and also bring a small dagger. One sharp enough to cut through armor would be nice.”
A dagger sharp enough to cut through armor.
It would certainly be categorized as an exceptional blade.
It would be extremely costly, but Gruntel was in no position to complain.
Christian looked pleased.
“I’ll be waiting. Oh, and may I offer you one more piece of advice?”
“Please, do.”
“From now on, live righteously.”
“!!”
Christian grinned broadly.
“That way, you won’t have to meet another apostle of justice like me again.”
* * *
After leaving Gruntel’s mansion, Christian stopped by the bustling district and bought various random items.
[Young master… why such items?]
“I have a use for them.”
[…are you referring to the aphrodisiac?]
“…….”
Christian remained silent.
Aphrodisiac.
A miraculous drug for men to be more rigoruous to their wives at night.
[Ohoho… young master… are you perhaps?]
“Not at all!”
[It’s alright… I understand… ohoho.]
“I said no!”
The shop owner also looked curious.
Christian cleared his throat.
“It’s not for me, I have another use for it.”
[Perhaps for the Count?]
“…Yes. I’m a dutiful son, after all. Given my father’s age, I must take care of him. He seemed quite troubled.”
Christian cleverly disguised the reason for obtaining the aphrodisiac by implicating Count Kazar as a concerned son.
“For the honor of Count Kazar, let no one know I acquired the aphrodisiac.”
“Yes, I will keep that in mind!”
The shop owner responded with a determined face.
After purchasing a few more items, Christian secluded himself in his room.
A few days later.
“It’s done.”
Christian grinned, holding a glass beaker filled with a clear liquid.
It was a secret weapon made by mixing the aphrodisiac with various other reagents.
Just in time, as Gruntel had obtained the Gray Elixir and was prepared.
Christian, now ready, went down to the basement of the mansion.
A horse was waiting there, ready for departure.
“I’ll be back soon.”
Count Kazar nodded his head.
Then he looked straight into Christian’s eyes.
“Make sure you give them a good thrashing.”
Count Kazar added one more thing.
“You’re my proud son.”
Christian’s lips curved upward.
He wasn’t Count Kazar’s original son.
But he didn’t dislike the Count.
If his real father had been even a speck like Count Kazar, his past life, his fate would have been much different.
“I’ll be waiting.”
That’s why Christian said,
“I’ll return with exhilarating news that will please father.”
This time it was Theren’s turn.
“…Brother.”
“Address me properly.”
“…Respected King Emperor Majesty.”
Theren clenched his fists, seeming frustrated.
Christian chuckled and said,
“Take good care of father while I’m away.”
“!!”
Why indeed?
Theren clenched his mouth shut.
A flicker of complicated feelings passed, and Theren spoke,
“…When you return, please duel with me.”
“Hmm? Didn’t we do that last time? It seems you were beaten by me, no?”
“Not that kind! A proper duel!”
Theren fumed.
“I will definitely defeat you, brother.”
“Well, if getting beaten again is your wish.”
“Brother!!”
Christian chuckled and then extended his fist to Theren.
“Be back soon.”
Theren looked at Christian’s offered hand, hesitated for a moment, then scoffed and threw out his fist in response.
“Karazov hunting is dangerous, they say. Be careful not to get hurt unnecessarily.”
“That’s concern?”
“I’m just worried we won’t be able to have a proper duel!”
“Right. Return safely so you can give me a proper beating, huh? I didn’t know you had such a taste…”
“Ah, enough!”
