I'm being Mistaken for The Mastermind

Chapter 11

"Ho, I have prepared black tea......."

"......."

"......."

Silence filled the reception room.

Theodore was glaring at the Dark King, while the Dark King was smiling brightly without saying a word.

With his hand, he was rolling the black pebble around.

Tak.

Dolph quietly placed the black tea on the seat of honor while observing the atmosphere.

Evan expressed his gratitude.

"Thank you, Dolph."

"......Ah, no! Young Master!"

Slurp, Evan calmly sipped the black tea.

A calmness that seemed unbelievable in such an atmosphere.

Dolph silently admired Evan.

'As expected of the Young Master! To remain composed even in this kind of atmosphere......!'

Was Theodore not even a match for him anymore?

A faint sense of respect appeared in Dolph's eyes.

'......Please, don't look at me like that. It's not what you think.'

Evan, who felt it with his entire being.

Evan, who had placed the handcrafted decaffeinated zero black tea, clutched his heart inwardly.

It felt like his heart was about to burst from the tension.

A hair-trigger situation.

If Theodore committed even one act of rudeness, his neck could be sliced in an instant!

'No wonder my sleep has been so restless lately!'

In many ways, his luck was terrible.

After the runaway incident, Theodore had gone into seclusion, and it just so happened that today, he decided to end it.

Coincidentally, the Dark King also visited at that exact timing.

-Who is this beggar? Who let such a beggar in?

-Th-that...... He, he is Young Master Evan's guest.......

-......What? My brother's?

It wasn't uncommon for guests to visit the mansion.

For nobles, guests were a way to showcase their connections.

Though not frequent, they occasionally invited guests.

Of course, Evan was an exception.

Evan had neither friends nor a fiancée.

It was the disastrous result of the head's indifference and Evan's reclusive tendencies before his transmigration.

So when Evan invited a guest, it naturally drew attention.

Evan had anticipated this.

That's why he wanted to end it quickly.

'......Ugh, these stares are intense.'

Theodore was sending a very heated gaze toward Evan.

It was understandable.

Guests were quite important.

A family's reputation could change depending on the guest.

A family that invited the Crown Prince,

Versus a family that invited a serial killer beggar.

If you think about which family's reputation would be higher, the answer is obvious.

The Alcart Ducal Family was a prestigious family with a long history.

And such a family invited a beggar?

Unless the beggar was actually a shaman predicting the future or a divinely inspired fortune-teller, it was an act that degraded the family's reputation.

'......Fortunately, no one is saying anything.'

Luckily, they were only cursing with their eyes.

Evan prayed earnestly in his heart.

'Please, don't act out.'

You're going to die!

The Dark King was undoubtedly low-risk.

As long as he was treated with respect.

If treated rudely?

Then the roulette of death would immediately start spinning.

And the roulette was, of course, that black pebble.

Instead of a bang like Russian Roulette, it would be a slash! and death.

Others didn't know this.

'I need to end this situation quickly.'

Evan resolved firmly and opened his mouth.

Trying his best not to show he was trembling.

......Not because he was scared, but because he was tense.

"Thank you for visiting my residence today."

"Keh-keh! I should be the one thanking the Young Master for inviting this old man."

The Dark King expressed his gratitude with exaggerated movements.

As if he were a host on a theater stage.

"Is it really okay to let an old man like me into such a luxurious mansion?"

"......Inviting guests is my prerogative. No one can say otherwise. Moreover, our purpose is to exchange what we have, so there's justification."

Evan continued speaking calmly.

"It seems all you need to do is spare enough time......."

That was when it happened.

"From what I hear, it's unacceptable. Exchange?"

Theodore spoke up.

His eyes widened fiercely.

"Are you saying our family is so insignificant that we need to exchange with such an old man, brother?"

Ah, please! You're going to die!

***

For nearly a week, it had been the worst days for Theodore.

-Repent.

-What? What is that.......

He was kidnapped and asked to repent.

Repentance.

It meant to admit one's sins and confess them to God to cleanse oneself.

'What sins have I committed?'

For Theodore, who was a skeptic and had committed no sins, it was absurd.

-I have committed no sins.

Despite Theodore's protests, the kidnapper was indifferent.

He was locked in a place where no sunlight reached, and expensive artifacts were used to play hymns all day.

Without any physical torture, it was entirely mental.

As he suffered from the mental torment, he pondered deeply.

'What exactly did I do wrong?'

Wrong?

He had done nothing.

He had studied hard and worked diligently to fulfill his noble duties.

The only thing he did was disregard his incompetent brother.

A brother who, as the eldest son, lived recklessly while receiving attention from their father.

Despite resembling the Duke in appearance, his actions were utterly disgraceful as a family member.

A scoundrel who rampaged, claiming he would resurrect his concubine mother.

He was so reclusive that society even labeled him as a "Hermit."

When you consider that one's reputation depends on nicknames and connections, it was truly a shameful title.

Was it wrong to disregard such a person?

Yes.

Not only did I verbally disregard him, but I also used a bit of violence.

Though after that, I was beaten up several times more by the golems.

It was completely incomprehensible.

So I refused to repent, but Theodore, who was cherished as the youngest, did not have a strong mind.

In the end, at the very last moment.

- "Repent, I repent! You f*cking bastard! I repent!"

- "Finally, you show remorse. Remember this: He is someone you should never dare to offend."

Even after being rescued by a strange golem that appeared by chance, the question remained unresolved.

What exactly makes that guy so special!

The kidnapper, the Duke, everyone desired him!

"......Oh God......."

Every night in his secluded room, Theodore prayed.

"Please...... kill Evan Alcart for me....... Why do you give me such trials...... If only he disappeared, I could rise to a higher position, but what does Father even see in him......!"

All the accumulated complaints and grievances.

Mixed within them was jealousy.

Jealousy toward Evan Alcart and the talent he possessed.

An alchemist must be someone chosen.

It was similar to magic. Magic also required not only innate magical power but also natural talent.

Alchemy went beyond merely creating potions.

It involved transforming materials through the processes of [Understanding], [Disassembling], and [Reconstructing].

Evan was born with such power.

After just one year of learning alchemy, he had already made a name for himself in the underworld.

That doesn't mean he was actively involved.

Only twice.

With just two actions, he earned a title.

Achievements even the Duke's eldest son couldn't accomplish.

He was so hateful and enviable.

A coward who hid in his room and couldn't even make proper eye contact was such a great person?

The change didn't take long.

Overnight, it all changed.

He started speaking in strange, polite tones and making direct eye contact.

From then on, he began to properly master alchemy and achieved great success.

At this rate, he might actually carry out the taboo of Resurrecting the Dead.

The emotion that arose from this.

It was a faint fear that went beyond jealousy.

So today, I tried to stay quiet.......

'Why is he bowing so low to that beggar old man?'

It was incomprehensible.

If that beggar were really a "big shot," Father would have stepped in.

But he didn't.

A worthless old man.

That's exactly what he looked like.

Then why, why was he bowing his head?

Disgracing the family's reputation?

Theodore was still young.

It was difficult for him to control his impulses.

So, without realizing it, he blurted out something.

But, in that instant, Theodore regretted his past actions.

"......."

The gaze fixed on Evan.

It felt like his entire body was frozen.

Eyes devoid of any emotion.

If they had held anger or contempt, he could have at least understood.

But there was no emotion at all.

"......I have never said that our family is insignificant."

A steady tone.

A dry voice that revealed no emotion.

"This person is a guest I invited unilaterally. I did not involve our family name or reputation. It is purely for the sake of exchange. I receive the skills this person has left behind, and I pay them in return."

"......I cannot understand. What kind of skills could that old man possibly have-"

"Experience and history, that's what it is. Even if it's not something grand, when accumulated, it carries its own weight and power."

Calmly.

Evan continued speaking as if he were explaining to a child.

"Acting like this is quite rude, Theodore."

"......!"

The first time he called his name.

Goosebumps rose all over his body.

It was as if Evan was warning him that crossing the line one more time would result in consequences.

"Do you understand?"

"......Yes, Brother."

"......It seems I overreacted. You may rest."

Theodore felt a sudden sense of relief.

Only then did Theodore notice Evan's clothing.

Leather armor that wriggled as if alive.

He hadn't realized it because of its texture, but that was also a golem.

That staff draped over the chair.

It looked familiar.

That was also a golem.

Everything was a golem.

From the beginning, this reception room was teeming with golems.

'What, what is this.......'

The gaze fixed on Theodore.

Golden eyes that resembled the Duke's perfectly.

A pressure greater than the mental torment he had endured during his repentance.

Just as he considered whether he should leave immediately.

Knock, knock!

"Evan. May I come in for a moment?"

"You may enter."

The door opened.

A girl with white hair and red eyes, exuding a mysterious aura, scurried in.

The girl spoke in a lively voice.

"Evan! I finally tried the improved potatoes this time!"

"Improved potatoes?"

"Yes! They've grown much larger and are imbued with magical power, making them delicious......! Especially when steamed, they're even tastier......!"

The bright voice of the girl transformed the atmosphere.

The lifeless gaze turned toward the child.

Theodore felt relieved inside.

Phew, I survived.

"......That's good, Lapis. Say hello."

"Ah! The person I met yesterday......! Hello!"

"Haha. Nice to meet you, little lady."

Lapis?

The name sounded familiar.

Evan's new slave, apparently.

But rather than a slave.......

'A cherished younger sibling...... isn't she?'

"Lapis. What did you eat today?"

"Carrots...... potatoes...... and salad!"

"Meat?"

"I don't feel like eating it yet......."

A slave talking back?

Seeing a slave reject the master's orders made the noble blood boil.

Should I step up courageously right now?

At that moment, Lapis clasped her hands together.

Threads swished out and formed themselves into a pretty shape.

"......Your Cat's Cradle skills have improved. Well done."

"Hehe."

Theodore courageously suppressed his dissatisfaction.

Meanwhile, the Dark King, who had been observing him with interest, opened his mouth.

"So, when should this old man teach you? Haha. Since I don't have much time left, keeping it for long seems a bit unreasonable."

"Could you perhaps explain the skill you'll be teaching in advance?"

"It's nothing special. Just moving the body a little."

Evan, confirming that the pebbles were still calm, opened his mouth.

"In that case, instead of me learning that skill-"

Whoosh.

Evan carefully grabbed Lapis by both shoulders and moved her forward.

"Could you teach it to this child instead?"

"?!"

"?!"

Passing on such an opportunity to just a mere slave?

Their eyes widened in shock.

Watching them, Evan thought to himself.

'How am I supposed to learn a skill?'

What the Dark King possessed was a skill.

Naturally, it was an assassination skill.

Or perhaps a movement technique.

But.

'If I try to learn that, my whole body will be crushed.'

Evan was inherently weak.

Very, very weak.

It would be a miracle if he didn't sprain an ankle while trying.

It wouldn't even be surprising if his cartilage gave out entirely.

'Leaving it to Lapis worries me a bit.......'

But this was a choice only Evan, a man who had survived in this world for a year, could make!

'She could deliver letters for me, fight for me. Isn't it killing two birds with one stone?'

"......Haha! Are you sure it's fine to pass this opportunity to a slave?"

His tone seemed to offer one more chance to reconsider.

Evan nodded.

"Yes. It's fine. It's only right for it to go to someone more suitable than me."

"Haha! Very well. You are a virtuous ruler."

Apparently satisfied, the pebbles remained calm.

The Dark King approached Lapis, crouched down, and met her gaze.

"Little one. Shall we have a little chat, just you and me?"

"Yes!"

"Let's see, hmm. You have talent. Very exceptional. At this level, you could become a Heavenly Killer Star. So, what do you like...... vegetarian food? ......A Heavenly Killer Star? Haha...... This is unprecedented in history......."

......It should work out, right?