Chapter 203: Second story

Chapter 203: Second story

Lucion blinked, and Russell couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

[Haha! Do you enjoy pain that much? This is driving me crazy!]

“Th-That’s not true!” Lucion raised his voice in response to Russell’s laughter.

“I’m sorry...”

Miella averted her gaze from Lucion for a moment before finally looking at him.

“Then it must be really serious, why do you go around like that?”

Kran nodded vigorously in agreement. “Exactly,” he chimed in.

Miella, adopting a serious expression like Kran, leaned in to whisper to him.

However, since they were in a carriage, Lucion could hear their conversation.

“How about we restrain him so he can’t leave the bed at all? I’m sure I can create something for that,” Miella suggested confidently.

“That wouldn’t work. Hamel-nim moves around quite freely,” Kran interjected.

[Indeed. It’s a shame, but that wouldn’t be very effective.] Russell added, nodding in agreement.

―Ahem, Ratta is good at it.

Ratta, who had been lurking in the shadows, suddenly perked up and lifted her head.

Miella, tapping her chin thoughtfully, suddenly widened her eyes.

“Well, how about an item that can knock someone out instantly? I’m confident in making it painless.”

“Oh! That sounds good. After all, we did break through Cronia’s main gate today. If you think it’s necessary, just come find me and use it.”

[Oh! That’s a really good idea. I’ve been hoping someone would knock Lucion out lately.]

Russell’s eyes sparkled as he gave a double thumbs up.

[But is it really possible to knock someone out without hurting them?]

Lucion couldn’t help but smile at the idea of Bethel contemplating as well.

‘Oh, now even Bethel is considering this?’

—Ratta doesn’t like it when Lucion collapses.

Ratta wiggled her toes, only one ear perked up.

“It might be difficult. Young master’s darkness comes out reflexively,” Hume shook his head.

“I’m right in front of you.”

Lucion couldn’t hold back a snort.

“But who is this person?” Kran finally voiced the question that had been on his mind.

“He’s my butler.”

Where did Rental go?

“My butler.”

Lucion raised one corner of his mouth in a smirk.

“As expected, he’s also Rental.”

“My name is Hume,” Hume replied, bowing his head slightly.

“...!”

Both Kran, who asked, and Miella, who had been quietly listening, were left agape in shock.

Ratta chuckled at the sight, her tail wagging wildly.

“I’ll explain everything when the time comes.”

Lucion tucked the sunbeam in his arms and asked, “So, how do I use Sunbeam?”

* * *

As soon as they arrived at the Chefran mansion, Lucion slipped out first, pulling up his hood to cover his face.

He quickly found a suitable spot to change and looked for J.L.

“Mr. Hamel?” Peter’s voice greeted Lucion warmly.

“Thanks to you, I’m still alive. I appreciate it.”

“What do you mean...?” Peter seemed puzzled.

“That magical item you and Miella made, the one with the defense magic.”

Thanks to that item, it saved him from the King of Darkness’s attacks.

“Wait a second. That means that Mr. Hamel has become like that recently...”

“Are you free, Peter?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Then if you go outside the mansion, you’ll find Kran. Head there.”

Lucion patted Peter on the shoulder and walked after Russell.

“You said you had something to give me?”

Extending his hand, Lucion looked expectantly at J.L., who appeared fatigued but managed a faint smile.

J.L.’s room was in disarray, papers scattered everywhere.

“Perhaps you should take a break and sit down,” J.L. suggested.

“Fine.”

Lucion reluctantly agreed to J.L, who seemed like he might collapse at any moment.

“It seems like you’re quite busy,” Lucion observed.

“Yes. Managing the new branch construction, sourcing materials, overseeing financial aspects of trade routes and organization, and coordinating with merchants, my head feels like it’s about to explode.”

Lucion felt exhausted just listening to J.L.’s list.

This is why he hired talented people.

“But lately, I’ve been feeling content. It feels like I’m finally getting my life back on track,” J.L. added.

“That’s great. Remember to take breaks though. Pushing yourself too hard can lead to trouble.”

“You’ve held up well until now, J.L.”

Lucion looked at J.L., as his head seemed to droop weakly, then turned to Hume and Kran awaiting him outside the mansion.

* * *

“Have you all been waiting long?” Lucion asked as they gathered outside.

Before arriving at the Chefran mansion, Bethel had moved ahead, mentioning that she would head towards the vicinity of Keortia.

The exact location could be inquired about later from Kran once they got there.

“No, we haven’t waited long,” Hume replied, shaking his head.

“But is it really okay to go like this, so simply?” Peter questioned.

It seemed that while passing by, he had run into Reint, who was now standing with them.

“What’s the worry when I’m around?” Reint chuckled.

Lucion briefly surveyed the surroundings, considering if Helon, Kran’s retainer and former assassin, and Stra, the barrier magician, should have accompanied them as well.

“If you’re looking for Helon and Stra... unfortunately, they won’t be joining us,” Kran said, his expression slightly stiff.

Since he didn’t intend to force the issue, Lucion remained silent.

Lucion waited a moment for Bethel’s signal, his palms damp with a strange tremor.

[Lucion. Are you feeling nervous?] Russell asked subtly, and Lucion shook his head in response.

Anxiety prevailed over nervousness.

‘I couldn’t find the black orb in the East. I hope it’s here in the Kingdom of Keortia.’

Although he didn’t know where the border Hume dreamed of was heading to, Lucion hoped that there would be a black orb this time.

After being attacked by the King of Darkness, he had become even more impatient.

If it weren’t for the purple darkness manifesting from his body...

If Ratta hadn’t suddenly transformed into someone he didn’t recognize...

‘I’d probably be dead by now. No doubt about it.’

He was extremely weak compared to that guy.

Even though he didn’t want to think about it, he couldn’t use the black magic he had learned at all.

Helplessness.

The sticky sensation of being trapped in that feeling came creeping back to him.

‘...!’

At that moment, Bethel signaled.

Lucion glanced at Ratta.

—Yes! Ratta just sensed the signal! Let’s move!

Ratta wagged her front paw in excitement.

* * *

[Lord Lucion.]

As soon as the darkness cleared, Bethel urgently called out to Lucion.

[There are priests ahead.]

‘...?’

Lucion stood momentarily stunned by Bethel’s sudden announcement.

‘Why?’

[Why are they there, ahead?]

Russell asked on Lucion’s behalf.

[Something... feels off.]

Bethel fidgeted nervously with her hands.

[No, it’s still very strange, isn’t it? Why would priests be waiting in a ruined kingdom? It’s been over 10 years already.]

[There is something more strange. Among the soldiers are two death knights.]

[What? What kind of combination is this? Is Nevast really in league with the Warlock, or are they merely present?]

Russell’s brow furrowed.

[Nah, I’ll look into that, Lucion, you need not worry.]

“Hamel-nim?”

Kran called out, looking at Lucion, who had suddenly stopped moving.

“There’s an enemy up ahead.”

Lucion looked towards Kran, Peter, and Reint.

“An enemy, you say?”

Peter stammered, having trouble processing.

“We’re facing priests, knights, and soldiers.”

Lucion turned to Bethel.

[What’s the number?]

Russell voiced what Lucion wanted to ask.

[Six priests. Ten knights. Twenty-five soldiers. And two Death Knights whose status is uncertain.]

[Dealing with the priests might be tricky, but with your current capabilities, you can manage them.]

Russell said confidently.

“There are six priests, ten knights, and twenty-five soldiers.”

After stating the enemy’s numbers, Lucion continued.

“It’s an unexpected battle. Are you all prepared for it?”