CH 125

Lucion, receiving Hume’s touch, quickly put together his emotions.

‘Is this okay?’

The black orb he had absorbed suddenly floated in the air when he got closer.

As he wondered what would happen if the same thing occurred, he felt like his lips were burning.

‘… I can’t hear the music for now.’

[The prince has a black orb, and there is a death knight roaming around the prince.]

Russell laughed hysterically.

‘A death knight…?’

Even though he knew he couldn’t them see thanks to Russell, Lucion’s gaze kept moving toward Russell.

[It’s weird to see them walking around even though they can hide their presence. It’s as if they’re telling us where the warlock is.]

With a puzzled voice, Bethel looked at the busy death knight who was looking around as if they were looking for someone.

[You can’t tempt that death knight.]

At Lucion’s wavering eyes, Russell said flatly.

The death knight’s face was hidden by the helmet.

Besides, even though they weren’t corrupted, those who didn’t cover their presences were usually death knights who had no regrets other than their purpose.

‘You’re so quick-witted.’

He couldn’t tempt them.

Feeling regretful, Lucion got on the carriage with Heint’s help.

“Nice to meet you, Your Highness. My name is Lucion Cronia, the youngest son of the frontier family.”

Lucion’s greeting was simple.

A prince, but from a weak country.

Lucion was a nobleman, but he was the youngest son of the frontier family who stood in the position of the Empire’s frontier.

Even a prince was not in a position where they could act recklessly.

“Yes. Nice to meet you, Saint. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you have granted my request. My name is Brachion Myronist, the eldest son of Myronist.”

‘The eldest one is here?’

Lucion hid his surprised feelings inside.

The Empire’s succession wasn’t unconditionally passed down, but Myronist’s succession was.

This was basically no different from the next king’s visit to the Empire.

[Are you sure there’s a black orb? I was prepared for it because I thought it would bounce around, but there’s no response?]

There was no way Hume could lie, so Russell looked around the carriage.

Darkness didn’t talk to him like last time, so he got even more curious.

[I wonder if it takes some time after absorbing the black orb.]

Bethel sighed in relief as she was also wary of the black orbs.

―The black orb is here. Ratta knows. Should Ratta bring it?

Russell didn’t know how Ratta would look for it, but he stopped her.

If Ratta were to jump out of this narrow carriage, she obviously would be caught.

[No, Ratta. I’m sure it’s in a magic pocket, so it’ll be hard to bring it.]

‘At any rate, it is clear that that prince has the black orb. As Bethel said, it’s plausible that it takes time to absorb the black orb.’

Lucion thought and waited for Brachion to speak first.

“Are you not burdened by my sudden request?”

Brachion tensed and parted his parched lips.

“On the contrary, Your Highness, it is an honor.”

“The time for the gate is running out, so I won’t hold Lord Lucion for long.”

“Yes.”

“Like this… It’s no different than asking Lord Lucion…”

Brachion hesitated and shut up.

It was very frustrating, but Lucion remembered his mysterious concept and paid attention to keeping his mouth shut.

“Lord’s blessing… Can I get one?”

“…?”

[Puhahaha!]

Lucion couldn’t even blink in bewilderment, and Russell burst into laughter.

[A blessing from a warlock. I’ve never heard such a strange thing in my life!]

When Lucion didn’t speak, Brachion’s voice rose a little.

“I know that I have made a burdensome request to Lord Lucion.”

“Yes. I’m glad you know.”

Lucion grinned.

In this world, the meaning of blessing was not simple.

The priests didn’t use it because it was a compulsory word that had to be done with their hearts and had to show effect.

“I know I’m brazen, but if you do a blessing… Can you do it for me?”

“I am not a priest.”

Lucion didn’t speak long and cut him off.

“Isn’t Lord Lucion a saint?”

“The Divine Beast just chose me.”

“Yes. That’s it. Didn’t the Divine Beast bless Lord Lucion? Please, I want the Saint to give me a blessing.”

After exchanging a few words, he already figured it out.

Myronist’s first prince was a leech.

Since the prince was not in the mood to say sorry and had no intention of letting him go, Lucion changed his mind.

‘Poor guy. I’m a warlock.’

It was already clear what kind of expression he would make if he knew that Lucion’s blessing had no power.

“I understand.”

“T-Thank you! The Myronist Kingdom will never forget the Saint’s grace.”

“Who should I bless?”

Brachion, who had been so happy until just now, suddenly hesitated.

“Don’t worry. As a saint, I have no intention of speaking out about the blessings.”

Lucion said with a kind smile.

He knew what Brachion was going to ask for anyway.

The king of the Myronist kingdom was poisoned to death.

This beginning was the shortcut that led to the defeat of the Myronist Kingdom, and also the starting point for the Hand of the Void to take control of the Myronist Kingdom.

“My father… I want you to bless him.”

The words Lucion had expected came straight out of Brachion’s mouth.

The king of Myronist was poisoned through ‘alcohol’.

He was a drinker, but only a few people knew about it, and the poison was mixed with the poisoner’s magic and didn’t show up when tested.

When Lucion raised his hand, Brachon clasped his hands tightly and bowed his head.

Lucion put his hand on Brachion’s head.

[L-Lord Lucion? Is that okay? He’s a prince!]

Bethel was taken aback.

‘When else I could put my hand on the prince’s head?’

Lucion was happy.

[Hey, when else would he be able to put his hand on a prince’s head? I would have done the same.]

Lucion was stunned for a moment at Russell’s following words, as if Russell could see clearly through him, but his solemn expression remained undisturbed.

“I bless you, so that all pain and worries will disappear, and that all things will be joyful for His Highness, the ruler of Myronst.”

The words of blessing, it didn’t matter what he said.

But Brachion was strangely moved, and his eyes were trembling as he raised his head.

“Thank you.”

Lucion was able to leave after being thanked repeatedly.

“Brother, may I stop by the market for a moment? I want to buy them something delicious.”

As Lucion grinned at Hume and Ratta, Hume’s eyes suddenly changed.

Heint smiled at that figure and looked at his watch.

“That’s fine.”

“I’ll go alone. I’ll be right back.”

Lucion took Hume to the market as promised.

“Bethel.”

Lucion muffled his voice and moved his lips.

[I’m listening.]

“Listen to what the death knight wants. In return, I need to hear what’s going on in Myronist.”

[I’ll be right back.]

As soon as Bethel left, Russell asked.

[What are you going to do?]

“How desperate would he be? I will help if I can, and in return, I will receive the black orb.”

[As Hamel?]

Lucion nodded to Russell’s question.

After thinking for a moment about which would be more beneficial, approaching as Lucion or approaching as Hamel, he decided that the latter was better.

The nobleman Lucion was already at the top, but Hamel, a member of the organization, was not.

Desperation.

Isn’t it a feeling that makes a person able to do anything?

‘The King of Myronist shouldn’t die.’

The reason why the Myronist Kingdom sent a delegation was simple.

It was to make a request for protection because of the Nutra Kingdom.

From the Empire’s perspective, Myronist Kingdom had to survive for a long time because it served as a breakwater to block the Nutra Kingdom from reaching out.

Lucion also didn’t want the Myronist kingdom to disappear.

“Teacher. I want you to find a suitable place.”

Lucion walked slowly toward the market and made a request to Russell.

* * *

“…Ha.”

Brachion washed his face dry and looked at the place where Lucion had sat down.

He met the Saint and said something ugly.

However, if his father collapsed, it was obvious that the Myronist Kingdom would collapse.

‘If there is a chance, next time…’

“You seem to be deep in thought.”

As if he had been sitting there the whole time, a man wearing a mask calmly spoke out.

Brachion could not make a sound.

Something black was covering his mouth.

At that moment, Brachion’s eyes widened.

The man was a warlock.

“I heard you’re desperate.”

The warlock whispered.

From whom?

“Oh, you don’t have to be so vigilant. I don’t want to hurt you at all. I came here because I wanted to talk to you.”

Brachion raised his hand and tried to cover his ears.

Perhaps this conversation itself was the warlock’s attempt to bewitch him.

“I have heard that His Highness Myronist is ill.”

No, he didn’t even know he was already possessed by the warlock.

“Let me help you.”

Brachion put down his hand at the following words.

It was a strangely captivating voice.

“I am a warlock, and I know very well that you can’t trust me. A warlock that has faith and trust. It’s funny to me, too.”

He heard the warlock laughing.

Brachion thought for a moment and pointed to the darkness.

If the man was planning to kill Brachion, he would have done so earlier.

Only then Lucion retrieved his darkness.

“…What do you mean you would help?”

Brachion spoke in a grumpy voice.

“I hate Neubra Kingdom. Therefore, I hope that the Myronist kingdom will not fall.”

“…!”

Brachion clenched his fist.

The Myronist Kingdom was full of fools who were possessed by the Neubra Kingdom.

How did this man know that his father was sick, too?

“It’s poison.”

Lucion already knew, but as Bethel had told him through the death knight, the King of Myronist was dying.

Fortunately, what the Death Knight wanted was a simpler request than expected: to help Brachion.

“Poison. That can’t be true! I’ve already examined it dozens of times!”

Brachion raised his voice despite himself.

Of course, he had suspected it was poison.

Water used in cooking, water used for washing, and water for drinks were all examined, but no poison was found anywhere.

“It’s really poison. It’s the poison of the poisoner. So, stop him from drinking. Alcohol, not water, is the poison.”

“…Alcohol, you said?”

Brachion gripped his thigh hard with his hand at the feeling of goosebumps.

Only a few people know this information.

If this was real, it would narrow down who the culprit was.

“Bring alcohol as before, but don’t drink it. I’ll come back next time.”

Lucion bowed slightly to Brachion.

He didn’t think he would be trusted anyway.

But it would be different if King Myronist became healthy.

“My name is Hamel. And I’m a member of the organization Ale.”

Lucion referred to his organization.

So that he could meet Brachion easily the next time he visited for the black orb.

“Well, then.”

Lucion said what he had to say and disappeared.

Brachion stared blankly at the place where he had left.

His opponent was a warlock.

He wondered if he might have already been bewitched, but it didn’t matter because he was already bewitched by the words ‘Stop him from drinking’.

Besides, he didn’t ask for anything grand.

“Is it a trap?”

Brachion’s mind became complicated.

He clasped his hands in silence.

* * *

“…He’s not picking up.”

As Kran stared at the contact item, Miella asked while holding a generous amount of food in both hands.

“Isn’t he sleeping?”

“Probably. But I’m worried because there’s never gone without contact like this.”

“For now, put that down and accept this.  Everyone wants to eat, so you have to eat well. Mr. Quate too.”

Kran and Quate shared the food that Miella gave out.

―Oh! It’s really Kran, Miella, Quate, um, Reint!

Ratta, who was walking happily after eating cotton candy, ran to Lucion when she saw the members.

‘Why do we meet so often in the same village?’

Lucion tried to get the contact item that was whirring in the corner, but Bethel wouldn’t stop blocking him.

“Hume.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Hume replied after swallowing the food in his mouth.

“Let’s go back.”

There was no need to meet with organization members.

They would meet at the auction house later.

[Heint is coming here.]

Before Lucion could turn his back, Russell pointed his finger behind him.

[What happened? It looks very urgent.]