A week had passed since dealing with Kyle.
During that time, many things had happened, but personally, there were only troublesome and complicated matters that I didn't want to recall.
'Fortunately, it was Dianne who directly killed Grace. If it had been me or Vivian, it would have been much more troublesome.'
I was trying to simplify my expression, but would it be merely troublesome?
Perhaps there would have been a bigger uproar due to political issues.
In Dianne's case, thanks to her family, the situation didn't escalate much.
"We're almost there."
Looking at the scenery outside the train window, I spoke.
The place I was heading to now is the Everlast Headquarters.
The patent application for the newly created potions was delayed, overlapping with the year-end and the beginning of the year, but now I could finally make the contract.
Moreover, the Academy had a one-week break due to this incident, so I had plenty of time.
'Things might get a bit chaotic because of the evolution, but it shouldn't be a problem. If it wasn't now, the timing would have been ambiguous, and I had no choice but to come out.'
After the battle with Kyle, my experience points had piled up, and the success rate for the evolution of the 'Black Magic Command Series Talent' had significantly increased. It had surpassed 30% a few times before, but this time, as a result of the incident, I boldly chose evolution, surpassing 90%.
It wasn't an immediate process; there was still some time left until the evolution would be completed after finishing various investigations at the Academy.
Pwoosh.
Finally, I got off the train and looked around.
I had been here once before, so there was no need to look around again, but memories from when I played as Lucia surfaced, making me react involuntarily.
I immediately took a carriage from the nearby carriage station and headed to Hollington Castle.
I knew that Lucia had also come down to her hometown during this break, so if I was lucky, I might be able to meet her.
Hollington Territory wasn't large, so the carriage quickly arrived at Hollington Castle.
Of course, since it was a territory purchased with money, it wasn't particularly big or unique.
'Of course, there must be something hidden. When I played as Lucia, I clearly saw its virtue.'
Whether it was because Lucia was playable or not, this seemingly unremarkable territory had a hidden secret.
It wasn't influential enough to change the game's story, but it was quite a helpful item.
'I guess it's more like a material than an item.'
Among the materials for making magical artifacts, there was a top-grade material hidden.
It was a primary ingredient that could create a Named-grade item, and I always carried it since it was an item that suited Lucia very well.
'A Named-grade magician's item, it reminds me of the Roar of the Dawn.'
After killing Grace, the Roar of Dawn lost its master.
I left the place without checking it, but surprisingly, the Roar of Dawn immediately chose a new master.
'Once a Named-grade item chooses its master, the selection cannot be changed until the master dies.'
Surprisingly, the new master was Dianne.
As if it wasn't enough that Dianne was the one who directly killed Prince Grace, her selection as the master of the Roar of Dawn caused chaos in the Mayern Kingdom, which was evident without saying.
If it weren't for the Alven Family, Dianne might have been assassinated due to the revenge sent by the Mayern Kingdom.
'Perhaps they really hired assassins?'
That's how ruthless the world of politics was.
As long as they didn't get caught, no matter how high their status was, they could manipulate things on this playing field.
Still, I wasn't particularly worried because it was Dianne, who was growing at a rate that no other playable character, excluding myself, could catch up with. Moreover, equipped with the Named-grade item, the Roar of Dawn, her abilities would be formidable even if dozens of assassins came at her.
In any case, due to this incident, the Alven family apparently compensated the Mayern Kingdom handsomely. No matter how much Grace had consumed potions related to black magic, the position of being a prince was not to be taken lightly. In addition, the Roar of Dawn had been taken, so it was a natural consequence.
'It's good for Dianne to get stronger. Besides, with Keshurn's hindrance gone, it's actually better.'
Well, apart from this incident, from the Empire's perspective, they were rather infuriated with the Mayern Kingdom.
Using the excuse that the Mayern Kingdom had caused a disturbance in a foreign country, along with the fact that the kingdom's prince was involved with black magic, it was a perfect opportunity for political attacks.
Thud — hehe!
"Sir, we have arrived."
This was Everlast's main headquarters and the Hollington family's home, Hollington Castle.
It was a mansion surrounded by wooden walls, but even though it only looked like a castle in name, it was still part of the Hollington Territory, so what was visible was not all there was.
Since the appointment had already been made, passing through the entrance was quick.
I received guidance from a servant and entered the building.
"Ah! Lord Cromwell!"
As I was guided inside, I ran into Alfred, the butler.
{T/n: This is just lazy writing now XD}
Since we had met during the previous contract, it was a familiar face.
"Alfred. It's been a while."
"Yes, have you been well, Your Excellency?"
Even as he greeted me, he seemed to subtly gauge my reaction.
What's going on?
"What's the matter?"
"I apologize sincerely, Your Excellency. Our master knew about the appointment with you and had been preparing, but suddenly an important guest arrived, and he couldn't ignore them. So, he's currently occupied elsewhere."
This is a bit awkward.
I wasn't trying to assert my authority, but naturally, when someone else had made the appointment first, it was inevitable to feel uncomfortable when they received the attention first.
Still, judging from the way he spoke, the person he referred to was probably a noble of higher rank than me or someone of equivalent status, so I just nodded, pretending to understand.
'It's better this way. Should I go see Lucia?'
Since I was already here somewhere in this building, I should meet Lucia and then leave.
I didn't have anything particular to discuss with her, but since I came, I should at least greet her.
"In that case, can I meet Lucia?"
"Oh! I will inform Miss Lucia right away."
"No need."
As soon as I said that, a voice suddenly came from behind, and both Alfred and I turned our heads.
There was Lucia coming down the stairs, wearing her pajamas with teddy bears printed on them.
'A bear-themed pajama....'
Feeling like it was an unnecessary observation, I greeted her.
"It's been almost a week. How have you been?"
"Yes, except for being bored to death, I've been doing well."
...Did she say she's been doing well?
It seemed like she didn't come down to her hometown by her own will.
Considering she got directly involved in the incident, her parents would want her to come back home. After all, she almost died.
"I heard roughly what happened. It seems like you're an important guest, and my father seemed flustered. I'll apologize on his behalf."
"What's there to apologize for between us?"
"What is there between us?"
Lucia opened her eyes wide and asked with a puzzled expression.
What's wrong with you today?
"Why do you look so irritable? We're senior and junior, you know that. Why are you asking when you already know? Anyway, let's change the place. Can you just leave me standing here like a guest?"
At my clumsy words, Lucia turned her body around and said, "Follow me."
Seeing her like that made me feel sorry for Alfred, who was watching us with a nervous look. If he knew that Lucia was like this on a regular basis, he must feel uneasy having to serve her.
I followed Lucia up the stairs.
The place she led me to was none other than her private study.
''Seeing her like this, it seems she didn't come straight out of bed but rather spent time eating and sleeping here in this attire.'
The study was messy.
Various odds and ends were scattered around, and there were even dining utensils that seemed to have been used for meals, yet they hadn't been cleaned up. From the looks of it, it seemed like personal servants were not allowed to enter her private study.
'Since she's an only daughter, her parents must think vey much of Lucia.'
That's why they were so desperate to cure her illness.
Thanks to that, Lucia's room was filled with expensive and rare herbs and magical ingredients, some covered in dust. All these luxurious materials could be found everywhere.
'Unfortunately, Lucia alone will never be able to create the cure.'
She was an unquestionable genius.
However, no matter how much of a genius she was, there were still areas where she was weaker.
Of course, even that weakness was far superior when compared to others, but her true talent lay elsewhere.
'Her talent will only blossom after curing her illness, so the priority is the cure.'
I had already planned everything for the past week.
It wasn't just planning; I was already seeing some results.
Since I set her cure as the top priority, the results were only natural.
'There's only one chance to make Lucia's cure. We need to be cautious.'
Of course, if we could get more ingredients, there would be more opportunities.
But those materials were not easily accessible, and we didn't know what variables could come into play. So, succeeding at once would be the best.
"Senpai?"
"Oh, sorry. I got lost in thought for a moment."
"Did you think about Vivianne-senpai?"
"What?"
I was taken aback by Lucia's sudden question.
Why would Vivianne come up now?
"I just had a feeling."
"Why would I suddenly think of Vivianne? Why would you think of Vivian out of the blue?"
Have they become that close?
Though lately, they seem to be spending time together. It's an interesting development.
'A player and a villain becoming friends. It's a combination I've never seen in a game before.'
Exhaling a sigh towards Lucia, who was about to answer, I shook my head.
"Enough with the nonsense. Where did we leave off? You already made the antidote, right?"
"Ah, yes. That... Since then, I have been researching for over an hour."
I pretended not to know her research purpose, but I don't know why she's trying to hide it.
'Is it because you think it's a weakness?'
Well, it doesn't matter.
Regardless, I will cure Lucia one way or another.
We continued our research in a hurry, and I was so engrossed in it that I even forgot the reason for coming here in the first place. Suddenly, I felt the presence of someone approaching the study.
'It seems like the conversation is over.'
After sensing the presence, I remembered why I had come here in the first place.
It must be a servant calling me.
"Knock."
However, something felt off.
The person standing outside the study door knocked on the door with an abrupt sound of onomatopoeia.
I had a gut feeling that the one knocking on the door playfully wasn't a servant.
'Just in case...'
Always alert, I hid Lucia, who looked puzzled, behind my back and asked toward the door.
"Who is it?"
"Knock! Can I come in?"
"I asked who you are."
I pulled out my Galakshur.
I felt Lucia behind me tensing up slightly.
"I'll go in."
The person on the other side of the door kept it open.
I glanced at the intruder to confirm their identity.
"I asked who you are before you barge in..."
I stopped mid-sentence.
Although their appearance had changed, I could see their mana talent.
Dozens of runes intricately inscribed on their body.
While there were a few people with runes, only one person had so many.
"Salem?"