Marquis Manuel couldn't sit still in his study and paced around the room, consumed by unease. Perhaps someone sensed his restless state, as soon he heard a knock on the study door.
"Your Excellency, it's Saveros."
"Come in."
Saveros, the marquis's butler, opened the door and entered, immediately posing a question.
"Did you manage to find it?"
"Yes, Your Excellency. Although it's only one bottle, I succeeded in finding it."
"Oh!"
The marquis, visibly moved, scanned Saveros but found him empty-handed.
"Why did you come back empty-handed? Didn't you say you found it?"
"Well, Your Excellency, I was able to place the order successfully, but it will take about a week for the actual product to arrive. There is a backlog of orders, you see..."
"A week? Is that how long it takes?"
"Yes, Your Excellency. I tried to expedite it, but even those who placed their orders before us are influential figures, so there was nothing we could do."
"Hmm... I see. It's regrettable, but there's nothing we can do."
As the marquis expressed his disappointment, a servant knocked on the door.
"What is it?"
"A guest has arrived. It's Viscount Rankrat."
"Viscount Rankrat? I see. Show him to the reception room."
Although the marquis felt slightly annoyed by the unexpected visitor, he couldn't disregard Viscount Rankrat, who had amassed considerable wealth in the region.
"Saveros, was Viscount Rankrat scheduled to visit recently?"
"Not to my knowledge, Your Excellency."
"That's quite strange. Anyway, let's go and greet him together."
Taking Saveros along, the marquis headed to the reception room, where he could soon meet the esteemed Viscount Rankrat.
"Your Excellency Manuel! I apologize for visiting so suddenly."
"Not at all, Viscount Rankrat. There's no need for such formalities between us. Please, have a seat."
The marquis welcomed Viscount Rankrat with a warm expression.
Viscount Rankrat nodded as if satisfied with the marquis's attitude and took the seat indicated.
"It's been a while since we last met, but you still maintain your dignified appearance. How do you manage to keep such a sturdy physique? Perhaps you have a secret?"
"You flatter me, Your Excellency. I merely take good care of my health through proper rest and nutrition. Moreover, Your Excellency seems to have rejuvenated over time. How is it that you become younger as the years pass?"
The conversation continued, filled with flattery and various pleasantries. As the atmosphere grew more relaxed, the marquis discreetly asked about the purpose of the visit.
"But why did you come here today?"
"Oh, please wait a moment. Charlie!"
Viscount Rankrat called for a servant waiting outside the room.
As the servant entered with a box in his hands, the marquis's curiosity heightened.
"Your Excellency, although it's a small gift, I would like to present it to you in advance for the upcoming New Year."
"Oh, really? Haha, this is unexpected. I accept it gratefully."
Saveros stepped forward to receive the box on behalf of the Marquis.
The box was not large and felt light.
"If it's alright with you, you can check its contents now."
"Hmm? Based on Viscount Rankrat's words, it must be something quite remarkable."
The marquis, after uttering these words, asked Saveros to inspect the contents.
Saveros opened the box and his eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh, this is...!"
"What is it? Why such a reaction?"
Viscount Rankrat, seemingly pleased with Saveros's response, cleared his throat and spoke.
"To be honest, I had the opportunity to acquire quite a valuable item in large quantities. Although it's a small quantity, please use it without hesitation."
The marquis, still taken aback by Saveros's reaction, checked the box's contents. Inside were three potion bottles, each surrounded by high-quality internal material.
"This... Could it be?"
"It's the Everlast Potion."
The marquis picked up one of the potion bottles with trembling hands. It emitted a yellow glow.
The marquis stared at the potion for a while as if captivated, then regained his composure and looked at Viscount Rankrat.
"Ah, I can't believe you're offering something so precious. Are you sure it's alright?"
"Of course, Your Excellency. Don't you think we have that level of relationship?"
"Oh, dear. Thank you so much."
The Everlast Potion had gained a reputation even before its release. Several nobles had experienced its effects in advance, and their testimonials quickly spread. The potion was touted as a dream elixir, with no side effects and a guaranteed 100% efficacy.
Even those who were skeptical couldn't resist the temptation of experiencing it for themselves. The moment it was available for sale, people lined up to purchase it. Despite the exorbitant price, reservations continued to pour in. The more the price increased, the more trust it gained among the nobility, leading to a surge in reservations.
"Viscount Rankrat, have you personally experienced its effects?"
"Yes, I'm certain. It's genuine. If you take it tonight, you won't believe it, but you'll come to trust its effects. Hahaha!"
"Oh, Viscount Rankrat, I'm starting to believe you. This gift will be cherished for a long time."
"Hahaha! There's no need for that, Your Excellency."
As the two continued to exchange pleasantries, they moved on to discussing the potion's creator.
"I heard that Everlast's genius inventor is a lady named Lucia."
"Yes, that's correct. She's a charming young lady."
"Well, well. Everlast seems to be thriving. Not only do they possess the rights to the potion, but they also hold an exclusive patent."
"Actually, I've heard that the patent for the potion is co-owned by a joint creator."
"A joint creator?"
"Yes, Count Cromwell. You know, the recent successor of the Cromwell Viscountcy, Adrias Cromwell."
"Cromwell?"
The marquis pondered for a moment before recalling the name of a noble family.
"Ah! So it's the Cromwell's! I didn't expect that such a distinguished family's memory would fade away over time. Nevertheless, to have someone of that caliber suddenly emerge... It's only a matter of time before they ascend to power."
"Adrias Cromwell seems to be studying at Rodren Academy. Instead of taking the exclusive rights and the potion's name from Everlast, he decided to transfer the full patent to her."
"Interesting. So that's what happened. In that case, he'll be sitting on a money-making seat in no time."
Marquis Manuel pondered deeply.
The Cromwell family, now even faded in name.
And there, the head of the family, a student who had yet to graduate from the academy.
However, seeing that he had created such an incredible potion, I couldn't help but think that the old Cromwell hadn't disappeared completely.
"He might be the goose that lays the golden eggs."
After Lord Langrat departed, the Marquis decided to support Adrias Cromwell.
"Why have I been so restless lately?"
Who's talking about me again?
A few days ago, the patent registration for the stamina-boosting potion was finalized, and it began to be sold.
During that process, I met William Everlast Hollington through Lucia, his daughter.
As his name suggests, he was originally a prominent figure in the upper class, but he had gathered immense wealth and purchased an estate called Hollington.
Thanks to him, his status as a viscount, which was almost a marquis, had become a respected noble, and he had risen to the position of an influential figure among the nobility.
I had a conversation with him not for any other reason but for a deal.
He wanted to give me all the profits from the patent in exchange for a three-year exclusive rights and the right to name the potion.
"Of course, thank you."
I didn't create the potion for the public good.
So I always welcomed any deal that benefited me.
Although the income from the monopoly might decrease in the short term, it would be beneficial in the long run.
Moreover, he even gave me a separate advance payment, so it was a satisfying deal in many ways.
"It's almost done."
I closed the book I was reading and put it in my bag, then gazed out of the train window at the passing scenery.
I felt a sense of unease because I was heading to a place I had visited the day before.
Now, I was on my way to the empty Harz National Cemetery.
"This station is Heartbell Station..."
Not long after, an announcement came through, and I stood up from my seat.
Normally, I would have had to wait as the income from the patent had not been settled yet, but thanks to William, who made sure to pay the advance payment, I rushed here as soon as the weekend arrived.
The time had finally come to retrieve the signet ring.
"The problem is whether the other party will agree to the deal."
Our relationship with the assembly had already strained due to the previous incident, so I wondered if Pyman, the caretaker, would be favorable towards me.
Fortunately, Pyman wasn't affiliated with the assembly, but as a necromancer, he wasn't easy to deal with either.
Based on the experience of retrieving Nickel's corpse, it didn't seem like it would be easy to find him.
"I have no regrets about bringing Nickel. If Nickel hadn't been there, I would have died in Borrick."
Considering that I risked my life with the now-famous signet ring, it was definitely a gain in every way.
"Let's keep our wits about us. The preparations are complete."
I spoke to myself as if putting myself in a trance, and I rode the carriage towards the national cemetery.
And inside the carriage, I made some preparations in case of any unexpected events.
When I arrived at the entrance of the national cemetery, I gave the same secret password as before.
Then, the gatekeeper, unlike last time, added a final word.
"There's a guest inside."
A seer?
If the gatekeeper had simply said there was a person inside, it would mean there was a civilian inside. But if he said there was a guest, it meant a sorcerer related to dark magic had visited.
"If it's a sorcerer visiting the cemetery, could it be a necromancer? Who could it be?"
Since there weren't many necromancers, I was curious about their identity.
As I entered inside, a vast cemetery spread out before me, with no one in sight.
Instead, I noticed Pyman's cabin in the far corner.
"Are they having a conversation inside?"
Not knowing who had visited, I couldn't help but feel tense.
For now, I decided to wait and observe, taking a brief look around the cemetery.
Roughly estimating, there were around 3,000 graves.
I wondered if there might be someone like Nickel among them and carefully examined the names on the tombs.
"It's quite impressive. To manage all this every day..."
Certainly, it was an optimal environment for concealing one's true identity and practicing necromancy.
But it didn't make me particularly envious.
Lately, just by summoning Nickel, my proficiency in sorcery had been rapidly improving.
"I never expected it to turn out like this."
Since Nickel's evolution, summoning him had significantly accelerated my skill advancement compared to before.
It seemed to be the result of dealing with undead creatures that were beyond my level. It was a positive variable.
While I was checking the names on the graves, I felt someone coming out of the cabin in the distance.
Thunk.
"Yes, I entrust this task to you."
Pyman, who came out of the cabin, spoke to someone who was about to leave.
And without a reply, the person, not a dark sorcerer but a mercenary, left.
How did I know they were a mercenary?
Because they were a character who caused major events in the game.
"Why are you here?"
Bloody Dan.
He was a man with untidy gray hair loosely tied up and wearing a mask.
Although he was a mercenary, his main clients were sorcerers like us or dubious characters.
He was a ruthless person who didn't hesitate to do anything for money and was a typical villainous character.
"He's a skilled mercenary, and his personality is cruel. He also uses masks to make his escape easier."
The problem was that he was the one who caused a major incident.
That incident would lead to a war between the Empire and the Barbarians, as he kidnapped a child using his mask.
"I should just...."
"Hmm?"
Did he feel my gaze? He turned to look at me.
With that, my inner conflict deepened.
...Should I kill him?