I'm being Mistaken for The Mastermind

Chapter 9

Ten minutes after arriving at the forest.

The carriage did not move at all.

Jackson, the hunter hired to guide them through the forest, glanced at the knight.

"Um... Sir Knight? Did I do something wrong?"

"No. Just wait a moment."

Ferok shook his head.

"The Young Master is organizing his thoughts."

"Ah, yes! Understood!"

Jackson quickly stepped back.

Ferok did not stop him.

Honestly, Ferok also couldn't grasp Evan's intentions.

'What's with that beggar that he's been staring at him for 10 minutes without moving?'

Evan's eyes, glimpsed through the carriage window.

They showed no emotion.

It was a sufficiently strange situation.

To say that someone who had reached the level of a Sword Master and qualified as a top-tier expert had been deceived.

It was one of two things.

Either he was stronger than Ferok, or he possessed an ancient artifact that could deceive eyes and senses.

'...Both are possible.'

As much as Ferok hated to admit it, it wasn't impossible.

The possibility that Evan's level was higher than Ferok's.

A mage attains enlightenment, comprehends the truth of magic, and ascends to the supreme level—

A priest proves their faith, accepts divine power, and ascends to the supreme level—

A blacksmith hears the sound of the hammer striking and ascends to the supreme level.

Similarly, an alchemist could ascend in a similar way.

For example, by committing a 'taboo'—

'...But he probably hasn't committed a taboo yet.'

Honestly, Ferok couldn't be certain.

The rumors about Evan spreading in the underworld.

Even if only half of them were true, it was enough to suggest he might have challenged a 'taboo.'

But if he truly had committed a taboo and ascended to the supreme level.

By now, Ferok might no longer be human but a chimera or an experimental subject.

'I should hope not.'

Perhaps he had been lucky enough to obtain a rare artifact.

Or he had created one himself.

Evan was an outstanding alchemist.

If necessary, wouldn't he just make one?

With the wealth and fame of the Alcart Ducal Family, obtaining materials would be a piece of cake.

Even if he were human.

'Could it be... is he planning to use that old man as a test subject?'

Human experimentation.

As long as it wasn't caught by law, it wouldn't be a problem.

The taboos of alchemy are the creation of gold and resurrecting the dead.

Only these two.

'...It's not strange.'

Grinding humans to produce results.

It was something an ordinary person couldn't do.

But the opponent was Evan Alcart.

Ferok knew his true nature.

Could that cruel and ruthless alchemist not grind up a single human?

'...I hope he restrains himself this time.'

Otherwise, this innocent hunter might also have to be killed.

Ferok quietly stroked the hilt of his sword.

Hoping that Evan would make the right decision as soon as possible.

***

Inside the carriage.

Evan, who had been secretly watching the Dark King, made a decision.

'...Decided.'

Evan had two choices he was contemplating.

First, pretend not to know.

Act as if he hadn't seen the Dark King and remain indifferent.

Second, act like he knew.

Approach him, greet him, and start a conversation.

Like a confident man or a social butterfly!

'The latter is a bit difficult, though.'

It was absolutely not because Evan was timid.

It was simply because he knew how much the Dark King valued promises.

Integrity.

Words once spoken carried weight and required responsibility.

The Dark King had always kept his promises, saying as much.

'Meeting him now would technically be breaking a promise, wouldn't it?'

The Dark King had clearly said, 'Let's meet tomorrow.'

Whether he had accepted or not, the Dark King had made a promise.

Evan, who needed to maintain a good relationship with the Dark King, had to keep it.

Maintaining a good relationship with the Dark King, the main supporter.

That was Evan's goal.

'Alright. This time, I'll pretend not to know.'

Meeting him now would be an act of breaking integrity.

The promised meeting was tomorrow.

He was simply trying to adhere to it.

It wasn't because he was scared or unprepared, absolutely not.

"Dolph, Lapis."

"Yes!"

"Understood. Yes."

"Let's get off now."

Dolph and Lapis nodded obediently.

Neither of them asked why Evan had been agonizing for so long.

Lapis ran over and grabbed his hand.

She was chewing a carrot with her other hand.

Hmm, right. This hand had crushed the Dark King's disciple.

'...Could she fight the Dark King too?'

Not that he wanted her to fight him.

Just in case the Dark King tried to kill him, she'd need to stop him.

Evan cautiously asked.

"Lapis, do you see that old man outside?"

"Hmm? Yes."

"Do you notice anything unusual?"

"Hmm..."

Lapis narrowed her red eyes.

"A beggar...?"

"......Other than that. Is he the same person who threw the dagger at me?"

"Hmm...... Other than both being old men...... I couldn't see his face......."

He couldn't be sure.

What a pity.

"Still, the feeling seems similar......."

"Anything else?"

"He smells really awful. Like the stench of a decaying animal......."

The stench of a decaying corpse?

Oh.

Evan understood.

'It means he's killed someone a long time ago.'

That's a relief.

Evan felt reassured.

Although he didn't know why it specifically smelled like a decaying animal.

"......Lapis. Lastly, can you tell how strong that person is?"

"Hmm...... He's much stronger than the man we saw last time...... Hmm, this much? Thiiis muuch?"

Lapis flailed her arms.

He didn't know the exact level, but the difference must be significant.

"Can Lapis win?"

"Hmm......."

Lapis hesitated for a moment.

After thinking for a while, Lapis held up three fingers.

"Three minutes?"

"Hmm."

She shook her head.

"Thirty minutes?"

"Hmm."

She nodded.

It meant she could hold out against the Dark King for thirty minutes.

'Impressive.'

He felt he could worry a little less about dying.

He glanced.

Lapis, who had been observing cautiously, asked timidly.

"......By any chance, is he a very dangerous person?"

"No. He's just an ordinary beggar."

Evan firmly denied it.

Since he was pretending not to know, denial was essential.

......Ah, would knowing he's an ordinary beggar also seem suspicious?

"......Probably."

So he added casually.

Lapis tilted her head.

"Probably?"

"He's someone I don't know."

"Ah."

"I just asked because he was in front of the forest."

Evan signaled to Dolph with his eyes.

The loyal Dolph understood Evan's gesture.

Dolph mimicked zipping his lips shut.

Evan nodded in satisfaction.

"Dolsoe. No, Dolph. Give me more vegetables."

"Here you go."

Dolph handed her a carrot he always carried with him.

Lapis, looking satisfied, crunched on the carrot.

"Dolph. Would you please open the door?"

"Yes! Let's finish this quickly and return!"

Dolph energetically opened the carriage door.

He hopped out and helped Evan down.

Ferok, who had been waiting outside, bowed politely.

"Have you finished your thoughts?"

"......Yes."

Evan nodded.

Internally, he calmed his startled heart, surprised by the sudden question upon stepping out.

"......Everything is settled."

"Congratulations."

Ferok didn't ask what he had been pondering.

Evan felt relieved inside.

"Young Master. This man is the hunter who will guide us today."

"Greetings, Young Master."

Ferok introduced the man standing next to him.

A middle-aged man who appeared to be in his forties.

The man, wearing sleek leather armor and carrying a bow on his back, bowed.

"I'm Jackson, the hunter who will guide you through the forest today."

"......I'll be in your care."

Evan nodded slightly in return.

Despite the difference in status, Jackson was old enough to be his father.

It felt inappropriate to treat him casually or disrespectfully given the age gap.

"......."

But Jackson couldn't help but be surprised.

A noble child who actually returned a greeting?

'This is the first time I've met such a noble child.'

Jackson had been a hunter for thirty years.

Naturally, he had plenty of experience.

He had been burned by nobles many times.

'It's the complete opposite of the rumors.'

Ferok's eyes glimmered with intrigue.

"Young Master. Before entering the forest, is there anything else we need to prepare? The luggage will vary depending on how many days we'll stay."

"It's fine."

Evan shook his head.

"I plan to collect the Glowing Calming Herb and leave today. We'll finish before sunset."

"!"

Jackson was surprised again.

Glowing Calming Herb?

Though difficult to obtain, it wasn't something to be shocked about.

The surprising part was.

'He even shared the schedule and purpose?'

Evan's kindness.

Nobles usually didn't share their plans.

Most would say, 'Hmph, is that important? You should figure it out yourself!' and get angry.

Jackson's expression softened.

'This employer feels promising.'

"Do you know where the Glowing Calming Herb is located?"

"Yes. You just need to keep going this way."

Jackson politely pointed to the center of the forest.

The Glowing Calming Herb is an herb that only grows in the center of the forest.

The reason is that it requires a location with optimal humidity, temperature, and 'sunlight.'

There is even a small pond, making it the perfect place to grow.

However.

"There are many monsters nearby. So you must be careful."

"We will guard you thoroughly."

"It's fine."

Evan dismissed their concerns.

Entering the forest was not scary at all.

Why?

Because he wasn't going to enter.

"How long will it take to reach the center?"

"It won't take long. By the time the sun is high in the sky, it will have shifted slightly."

That meant the distance was manageable.

"Number 5, Number 4. Golem Dog."

Evan gestured behind him.

Number 5, which could inject something like a syringe.

Number 4, with long arms.

And the Golem Dog, specialized in finding or moving things.

Thud! Thud!

They walked forward.

The knights looked at them with puzzled expressions.

Instead of answering, Evan drew upon his magical power and stared at a tree.

The basics of Synthesis lie in [understanding]. For that purpose, he had mastered the second-tier magic [Analysis Eye].

It was one of the few magical skills he possessed.

'The components are similar to regular wood.'

Then the preparations for Synthesis were complete.

Evan touched the ground.

At that moment.

Rumble!

The ground shook violently, and the trees twisted.

They transformed as if they were rubber, [Disassembled], bent, twisted, and rearranged into a [Reconstructed] form.

The range was so vast it couldn't be seen with the naked eye.

Evan's strength.

It was the lack of limitations in [Synthesis] range.

Normally, Synthesis only applied to the part touched by the hand or the object itself.

Evan had no such restrictions.

As long as the objects were in contact and his magical power could sustain it, he could alter them.

Rumble...

'This should be enough, right?'

A considerable amount of magical power had been consumed.

Evan took out a small high-grade strawberry-flavored mana potion from his pocket and drank it.

He wiped his lips and gave orders to the golems.

"Golems, move out. You know what to do, right? The Calming Herb. Be careful not to damage the roots."

Number 5, Number 4, and the Golem Dog nodded and entered the forest.

Their sturdy backs looked quite imposing.

Like protagonists.

'...Should I just go in with them? I do have the Living Golem.'

Honestly, Evan was still young.

At an age where his blood boiled with energy.

He felt the urge to join in and take action alongside them.

But.

"Achoo!"

His nose itched, and he sneezed.

His body shivered slightly, as if a cold was coming.

'Ugh, this cursed body.'

If it weren't for this, huh?

I'd be acting like a protagonist too.

It's not that Evan was a coward; the world just made him one...

Roar!

At that moment, a loud roar came from the forest.

His body froze stiff.

Was this what they called Fear?

"Evan."

Lapis quietly approached and held Evan's hand.

"You mustn't go inside. It's dangerous."

"That's right, Young Master! Let's wait here quietly!"

"Young Master, the inside is dangerous. Leaving it to the golems is the best option."

"A-amazing, Young Master. How did you even think of using the golems for gathering...?"

Everyone tried to stop Evan.

Even mixing in occasional praises.

"Ahem."

Evan cleared his throat softly.

It wasn't because he was scared that he didn't go in; it was because everyone stopped him.

"I will follow everyone's wishes."

"As expected, Evan is the best."

"As expected, the Young Master is amazing."

Lapis giggled, and Dolph gave him a thumbs up.

Whew.

Evan sighed in relief and perched on the carriage.

'Should I make some potions while waiting?'

It was then.

"No! You must not enter that forest today!"

A thin, old voice.

Crack, Evan's body tensed up.

He forcibly turned his head to the side.

The beggar, or rather the Dark King, who had been sleeping earlier.

He was clutching a few black pebbles in his hand and shouting at us.

"Today is full of ominous signs! The ground is damp, and more than three wolves howled together! The Angol Great Demon King has foretold doom! If you go in today, you'll all die!"

...Spouting strange nonsense.