I'm being Mistaken for The Mastermind

Chapter 10

"Who are you?"

Clang!

Ferok drew his sword with a stiff expression.

The beggar, or rather the Dark King, had gone unnoticed until he rose.

To deceive the senses of a top-class expert knight?

'He's no ordinary man.'

Could it be that this was the reason Evan had been watching him all along?

'He wasn't observing him to use him as an experiment.'

Did he instinctively sense something strange?

His body grew tense.

The aura located in his danjeon began to surge.

Ssshhh-

A menacing energy crept up onto his shoulders.

Just looking at it was oppressive.

Even the knights beside him flinched.

'...Is he fine?'

One of Ferok's eyebrows raised.

The beggar faced the energy head-on without flinching.

As if this level was nothing to him.

"If you enter the forest today, the Angol Great Demon King will descend! You will all die!"

Angol Great Demon King?

He mulled over the unfamiliar term for a moment.

Ferok's face twisted further.

"...A superstitious fool."

Superstition.

A belief system from before the empire was established.

Now, it had become a hollow belief, something abandoned.

A baseless, unproven, hollow belief.

Honestly, it was laughable.

Superstitious fools often claimed that ominous signs meant the Angol Great Demon King would appear that day.

Even if it was something trivial.

'If you write your name in red ink, the Angol Great Demon King will come!'

'If you gift shoes to your lover, the Angol Great Demon King will kidnap them!'

'If you use the number 13, the Angol Great Demon King will bring misfortune!'

'A black wolf is a sign of the Angol Great Demon King's arrival!'

And so on.

How idle must the Angol Great Demon King be to show up at every trivial thing?

A fragment of history, now forgotten by all, not even believed by the elderly.

And yet, the beggar was shouting while clutching onto that fragment.

'There are still people who believe such things.'

It wasn't the first time he'd seen someone believe in superstitions.

He had traveled to many places under the duke's orders.

Believing in minor superstitions was understandable.

For example, not eating slippery food the day before the knight's exam.

Or not gifting shoes to a lover before the knight's exam.

But seeing someone directly mention the Angol Great Demon King as a 'superstitious fool' was a first.

'Those are the eyes of a madman.'

His two eyes.

They were very clear.

Eyes that didn't doubt superstition in the slightest,

The very definition of a fanatic's gaze.

"Get out of the way. Do you know who is present here?"

"I don't want money or anything like that! Material things cannot move me! If you go in today, you'll all die! I'm merely delivering this oracle!"

Clatter.

The beggar rolled the pebbles in his hand as he spoke.

A strange habit.

Ferok clicked his tongue.

"Who told you that?"

"The wisdom of the ancestors! The sky above! All these currents! They are speaking!"

'He's definitely crazy.'

Ferok clicked his tongue again.

He even felt pity at this point.

'The Shaman of Starry Sky would be more credible.'

A shaman known for reading 'fate' through the stars in the night sky.

Even the emperor occasionally summoned her, they said.

If it were someone of that caliber, maybe, but this ominous superstition?

It wasn't even worth believing.

"Get lost."

"I'm telling you, you must not go in today!"

The beggar raged.

The pebbles in his hand rattled.

His old, emaciated body stepped forward.

A foul stench wafted in.

Sniff-

Evan's expression faintly twisted.

Noticing this, Ferok's expression also soured.

'He keeps poking the bomb.'

If Evan were to lose his temper here, things would get complicated.

The entire forest might turn into a testing ground.

The knights' or hunters' lives couldn't be guaranteed.

"...Wait."

Before Ferok could raise his hand to signal the knights.

Evan spoke first.

"Could you step aside?"

Damn it.

Was it too late?

"...Yes, Young Master."

Ferok bowed his head and stepped back.

The other knights also retreated.

The hunters tactfully withdrew as well.

Evan stood before the beggar.

"Are you a nobleman? You're the son of His Grace, the Duke Alcart!"

'What a lunatic.'

Ferok cursed inwardly.

Please.

Please!

Just shut up.

"......."

Evan silently stared at the beggar.

Would he explode in anger like this?

A situation on the verge of explosion.

Ferok tightly gripped the sword's hilt.

Meanwhile, Evan, standing before the beggar—no, the Dark King—thought to himself.

......Should I have stayed out of this?

A stiffened expression, no, a face cramped with tension.

Inwardly clutching his heart.

***

Evan stepped forward.

Evan calmed his racing heart.

'Oh! This is nerve-wracking!'

It was his first time seeing the Dark King in person.

Perhaps that's why his heart was pounding.

Yet, the reason he stepped forward.

It was simple.

'What if he gets offended like that?'

Surely, the Dark King looked like a beggar.

Among beggars, he was the lowest of the low.

But he was still the Dark King.

The living history and legend of assassins themselves.

He could even kill Ferok with a single swipe.

'Luckily, things turned out okay.'

Of course, the Dark King had his own rules.

That sword in his hand was a pebble.

It was a tool used for fortune-telling.

However, the Dark King used it a little differently.

Whenever someone acted rudely, he would roll the pebble on his palm.

Rolling it until the pebble stopped in the center of his palm.

The moment a crow, symbolizing misfortune, appeared on the pebble.

-History decided your fate!

He would kill the opponent with a single swipe!

That was the Dark King's philosophy.

One of the few possessions he had as someone who owned nothing.

You might ask, isn't owning nothing about giving up everything? But that wasn't it.

Owning nothing meant 'not possessing unnecessary things.'

It meant abandoning money, wealth, and greed, but not one's self.

Spirit, memory, skill, history.

The Dark King cherished these four things dearly.

Especially his obsession with history was beyond imagination.

-History must be remembered by everyone!

Stories, knowledge, survival methods passed down for generations.

Even superstitions that everyone was forgetting were included.

He said those were also history.

"Even the Angol Great Demon King would fear your appearance!"

......Though, at that point, it went a little wrong.

At least, it wasn't with bad intentions.

'This is why I didn't want to meet him.'

Sigh.

He sighed inwardly and composed himself.

There was no choice.

For now, he could only act politely.

There was no need to create unnecessary fights.

It wasn't because he feared fights, but because he disliked them.

"How did you know I am the son of His Grace, Duke Alcart?"

"Your noble face, eyes that look empty despite owning more than this old man, and your thin frame! Everything proves your identity as the Young Master!"

"......I see."

Evan agreed for now.

By not denying it and saying yes, was that why?

The rolling pebble stopped.

Curiosity flickered in the Dark King's eyes.

Ah, I shouldn't have answered.

"May I ask your name?"

"Evan Alcart."

"What a splendid name! But never write your name in red ink. The Angol Great Demon King will come in fury!"

"I will keep that in mind."

Evan responded politely.

Ferok's expression turned strange.

Why was he acting like that towards this superstition fanatic?

As if he were some big shot?

'Could it be Evan is also a superstition fanatic?'

While such absurd misunderstandings piled up.

The Dark King wore an immensely satisfied expression.

"Hoho! To think you'd listen to this old man's words! No wonder today's fortune seems good!"

"What does it mean for fortune to be good?"

"When I woke up today, I heard magpies chirping. Isn't that a symbol of good luck?"

"......Ah, I see."

"Did you, by any chance, also hear magpies today, Young Master?"

"No. I heard crows this morning."

"Oh no! That's a symbol of misfortune!"

The Dark King lamented.

He genuinely looked regretful.

"Be sure to sprinkle saltwater before you sleep today. It will keep the Angol Great Demon King away!"

"......I will keep it in mind."

"If possible, avoid entering the forest today."

The Dark King spoke in a serious tone.

"Today, black wolves appeared. As many as three of them. Black wolves are a symbol of misfortune. Especially for hunters entering the forest!"

"......."

"I don't know what your purpose is, but it's better not to enter."

A subtle tension was felt in the Dark King's voice.

But Evan's expression didn't change much.

If anything, it leaned towards indifference.

'......I wasn't planning to enter anyway.'

The first rule of survival, safety first.

He never intended to go to a dangerous place.

But he still had to respond.

Perhaps he could gain favor through this.

"As long as no one enters, it should be fine."

"For now, yes."

"Then, Number 4. Golem Dog."

At Evan's command, the long-limbed Number 4, with six legs and a long neck, which had been waiting behind, approached.

Thud!

Number 5 also stepped forward.

As if it had been waiting for this moment, its shoulders slightly raised.

"Number 5, stand by."

Squeak?

Squeeeak.......

Number 5 withdrew with a sullen expression.

Evan felt relieved inside.

'Where do you think you're going?'

Number 5 is the strongest individual golem in terms of combat power alone.

It's suitable for protecting Evan.

The living golem draped over its body expressed dissatisfaction.

But what could he do?

This one could only block.

Attacking was impossible.

'I'll modify it later.'

He'd definitely add a beam that shoots out from its chest, like in X-Men.

Because that's every man's dream.

Even if it wasn't possible right now.

"A golem? Are you an alchemist?"

Surprise flickered in the Dark King's eyes.

Evan nodded.

"I'm still lacking in many ways, but yes."

"A golem as the main focus! Impressive. I've heard it's extremely difficult!"

"I was lucky."

"Did you perhaps learn from a teacher?"

"I didn't."

Evan shook his head.

"I taught myself."

"Self-taught??"

The Dark King was astonished at the word self-taught.

"Good heavens! Today is truly a day full of fortune! To meet a genius who mastered alchemy on their own! A genius who will go down in history!"

'That's too much praise.'

This level of talent wasn't anything special.

He could die just by encountering a slightly stronger boss.

Still, hearing compliments felt good.

Maybe, he was secretly amazing?

"So you're planning to enter the forest with this!"

"That's correct."

"What do you intend to do with these golems?"

"I plan to gather herbs. There's something I need to make."

"Oh! Are you planning to sell it?"

"I'm not interested in money."

Evan spoke as calmly as possible.

"Material things like money aren't very important to me."

Actually, that's not true.

Money?

He liked it.

The more, the better.

However, it was important not to show it in front of the Dark King.

He despised nobles.

Specifically, those who displayed greed for money.

"Ohhh....... Then what do you consider important?"

Something important, something important.

Ah!

Yeah.

"Knowledge, wouldn't you say?"

A response that perfectly matched an alchemist.

"Knowledge, huh......."

"Money can be earned over time, but knowledge cannot. There's knowledge that can only be gained in this moment."

"Oh...... What kind of knowledge can you gain from those herbs?"

"Even if I don't gain knowledge immediately, I believe it will at least serve as a foundation."

That was his genuine belief.

He planned to use this potion to build a connection with the Dark King.

For a moment, the Dark King's eyes turned serious.

Sweat formed on Evan's palms.

His hands trembled slightly from the tension.

At that moment!

"Haha!"

The Dark King burst into laughter.

"This old man has learned a lot. How should I express my gratitude......."

"You're too kind......."

"Since I've received something good, I should give something good in return. But this old man doesn't have much, hmm......."

The Dark King looked ready to give Evan something.

Refusing seemed out of the question.

Evan kept his mouth tightly shut.

"This old man doesn't have much. Ah! Then perhaps about the history before the empire's founding......."

"A skill."

He quickly spoke up.

"'A skill,' how about that?"

"A skill?"

"If it's a skill imbued with the wisdom of your years, wouldn't that be sufficient compensation for me?"

At Evan's words, the Dark King stroked his beard-covered chin.

He appeared to be contemplating for a moment.

Indeed, skills held immense value.

Enough for the Dark King to preserve and not discard.

Damn.

Should he not have mentioned a skill?

"......Alright, haha."

Nice!

"Then tomorrow, would it be alright if I taught you?"

"Tomorrow...... you say?"

"Yes. Tomorrow. I'll see you then."

The Dark King gazed into Evan's eyes.

Evan instinctively realized.

The Dark King had known about him from the beginning.

......Was this all to create this connection?

'......Yeah. It's better to meet and prepare in advance at home.'

The Duke would also be staying at the mansion tomorrow.

It was actually safer this way.

"Yes. Tomorrow."

Evan emphasized the word "tomorrow."

Please, don't come today!

"I will meet you."

"Hohoho, this old man will come to you personally."

The Dark King smiled faintly and promised the next meeting.

Evan also smiled awkwardly.

The corners of his mouth twitched as if mocking.

......Ah.

He got a cramp.

***

In front of the forest where the carriage had left.

A beggar squatted.

Clatter.

The pebble in his hand rolled.

The pebble stopped right in the middle.

A rabbit was drawn on the pebble.

An animal symbolizing luck.

A smile appeared on the Dark King's lips.

"Interesting."

Fortune was on his side.

Originally, he only intended to kill time.

But by sheer coincidence, he met the person who saved his disciple.

That person was unusual.

'Was his name Evan Alcart?'

It was hard to believe he had not yet undergone the coming-of-age ceremony.

He was quick-witted.

Very much so.

"To think he could somewhat guess my identity."

Evan consistently used honorific speech.

A noble's child to a commoner?

Even more so, to a beggar?

"To say that material things hold no meaning."

He chuckled.

Moreover, the words Evan had spoken.

Just recalling them brought a smile to his lips.

For a noble's child to say such words?

It wasn't something said even as a joke.

Not even to flatter the other party.

However, Evan showed no such pretense.

He was sincere.

'Realizing who I am was the same.'

Evan and the Dark King were alike.

There was a scent that could only be detected among the same kind.

Just as the Dark King had thrown away his life and vowed to deceive for a purpose.

Evan was of a similar type.

That was his instinct.

The Dark King murmured as if humming.

"Indeed. Material things are of no value."

It was the same for the Dark King.

Possessing nothing.

Not holding onto unnecessary things.

For the Dark King, that meant 'sacrifices.'

Why?

Because they no longer had any value.

Especially after the 'Attempted Assassination of the Emperor.'

"He even had something curious with him."

A child reeking of blood from head to toe.

Not yet, but with a very promising future.

Perhaps he might kill even more people than the Dark King.

Someone who might even eat humans if hungry.

It was questionable whether he could even be called human.

To carry around such a person so nonchalantly?

He liked it very much.

'He will become someone very significant in the future.'

Or perhaps, he already was.

'The Shaman of Starry Sky's words were true.'

-Go to the Alcart Ducal Family. You will create someone very special.

A smile of joy appeared.

He was looking forward to tomorrow more than ever.

Clatter!

The black pebble he had been rolling in his hand for a moment.

His hand stopped.

This time, a pebble symbolizing misfortune, with a crow on it, was on top.

"Misfortune."

The Dark King smiled as he put the pebble into his pocket.

"I'm truly curious as to whom this misfortune will befall."

And so, the next day.

At noon.

The Dark King visited the Alcart Ducal Family.

"What is this beggar?"

Theodore stood before the Dark King.

His face twisted in displeasure.

The moment he stepped out of the room and saw the scene, Evan thought.

Ah, life is f*cked.