episode_0024

“… … Follow me for a moment.”

After saying those words, the emperor stood up.

I looked around lightly.

Not only were Isabelle and Luna not around, but Rudine was also away at the time.

He passed the Empress, who was sitting quietly looking at the ceremony, and followed behind the Emperor.

Jumble-jump-

After a breathtaking time, we finally arrived at the living room.

“Sit down.”

I bowed my head slightly and carefully sat down.

The emperor glanced at me and slowly took out his business.

“ Tuberculosis… Did you say it can be cured?”

It was a question I had already expected.

Because the emperor at this time had a trauma that bordered on obsession about his hair loss.

Therefore, all kinds of resources were poured into research into a treatment for trichiasis, but of course, all efforts were in vain.

‘He must be desperate to death.’

Overcoming hair loss is not just a matter of treatment.

Strictly speaking, it is closer to the realm of miracles than cure.

However, this world is a world within a game.

This means that hair loss, which has been classified as an incurable disease for centuries in modern society, can be overcome in this world where magic, alchemy, and divine power coexist.

“Yes, you can.”

“Are you serious? Is it possible to improve?”

“Complete treatment is possible, not just improvement.”

“Then give me that treatment right now… !”

“However, the cooperation of the imperial family is required.”

The emperor’s eyes widened at the firm answer.

“… Let’s talk about it in detail.”

“To treat trichiasis, a special elixir must be prepared. But the problem is… ”

“What is the problem?”

I smiled lightly.

“The cost is astronomical.”

Astronomical cost.

This literally means that the cost of manufacturing one elixir is extremely expensive.

Also known as Elixir.

It cures all diseases and even restores cell defects.

The final boss of the elixir world, who is said to revive the life of a corpse that has just died.

The underlying theory is simple.

A black fog that eats away at the continent.

If it is not surrounded by divine power, the cells in the area it touches will die just by touching it, but if it goes through a special process, the property of extinction will completely change and heal everything it touches.

It may seem easy at first glance, but in reality it is not at all.

Materials and manpower required for manufacturing.

It is an insane cost, but it is impossible to even attempt it without the imperial infrastructure that spans the entire empire.

That’s not all.

Even if manufacturing is successful after many twists and turns, the results obtained are only a very small amount.

In other words, it is absolutely impossible to produce elixirs like a factory.

This means that even if you manufacture it, there are clear limits to the use of the elixir.

‘I couldn’t even try it in the previous episode.’

No matter how good the performance is, what is the point?

There was no reason to save anyone while playing a villain, and his relationship with the imperial family was also at its worst.

However, for this episode, elixir is absolutely necessary.

It is not just because of the favorable impression with the emperor.

Since we are completely outside the main scenario, at least one insurance policy is necessary to prepare for unexpected situations.

“… ”

“… ”

He whispered something to the servant standing next to him.

A moment later, the servant left the room and entered the living room with cautious steps.

In the servant’s right hand, he held a flask filled with a clear liquid.

“Try to drink it.”

“What is this?”

“Confession system. It’s usually an elixir used when interrogating prisoners, but just understand it today. There is no better way to determine whether what you say is true.”

I drank the elixir without even batting an eyebrow.

As the cold elixir passed down my throat, I felt the changes in my body in real time.

A strangely refreshing and cool feeling, as if small threads were crawling all over the body.

It feels so familiar.

It is a movement of magical power.

“Are all the words you just said the truth without a single lie?”

The Emperor’s stern voice forcibly entered my mind.

After a while, my lips moved against my will.

“Yes, it is the truth without any lies.”

At that time, a harsh laugh came out.

It was the emperor who sat down and glared at me with indescribable eyes.

“…I get it now. The reason they showed me a blank check from the beginning was to aim for this.”

That’s correct.

When receiving a blank check, the recipient’s information is revealed.

If I pass that responsibility on to the imperial family, at least the Duke’s residence will not be able to put external pressure on me in the name of a blank check.

“Ha, haha… ”

The Emperor burst into laughter a couple of times.

I kept smiling and waited for his answer.

The emperor, who was washing his face with both hands, soon parted his lips with a face filled with joy.

“Tell me what you want.”

“Full support and protection from the imperial family is required. Additionally, the information must not be leaked to anyone except the two of us. Do you agree?”

“Agree.”

Wow, that’s very cooperative.

I made my demands without hesitation.

“Free entry and exit from the imperial palace is also necessary. Please temporarily grant appropriate status to use research facilities owned by the Imperial Family.”

“I will grant you the status of a chief alchemist belonging to the imperial family.”

“All production processes are not disclosed. Even if His Majesty requests information, the same applies.”

“If the result is certain, there is no need for information.”

A joy bordering on madness flashed in the emperor’s eyes.

“Only one person can perform the procedure using the manufactured elixir.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

It won’t matter.

That’s because you just need to get treatment yourself.

The elixir left after curing the emperor’s hair loss will be mine.

“Finally, I need appropriate compensation for my hard work.”

“Just say anything. I will give you the best treatment in the name of the imperial family. From the looks of it, it looks like you and Rudine are on quite good terms. If you want, I can arrange a seat for you whenever you want.”

I guess it’s really urgent.

No matter what, I never thought the emperor, who was famous for being a fool, would go so far as to bring up Ludine.

At this level, the transaction is successful.

Then finally…

“What is that?”

“Oh, you mean this?”

I took out the highest grade Geass that I had previously received from Merlin.

“This is a contract.”

Because I have a lot of doubts.

****

After completing the contract, I left the reception room.

It was just as I was passing through the hallway to go down to the ceremony hall to find Rudine.

“Kyle.”

Luna, standing in a dark hallway, dressed perfectly neatly, called me.

It was so beautiful that it made me sigh like never before.

‘When did you come here again?’

I met Luna’s gaze towards me.

And I soon realized.

Luna’s face looks quite different from usual.

Luna Winfred also inherited the memories from the previous episode intact.

Did they come here to talk nonsense again?

I reluctantly parted my lips.

“What are you doing standing there in the dark?”

“Sure.”

Luna’s answer came out immediately.

Unlike usual, it seemed dry and crumbly.

“If you have nothing to say, get out of the way.”

Luna tilted her head lazily.

Disheveled jet-black hair swayed precariously.

Her slightly exposed eyes looked gloomy at first glance.

I sighed inwardly.

Just when I was about to leave the place.

“Imperial Palace.”

Luna’s empty voice flew out.

“The place you ended up visiting after leaving the duke’s residence was the imperial palace?”

“What?”

“Stop wandering and come back to your home.”

The moment I heard those words, my lips parted.

My home, at least something like that doesn’t exist in this world.

“My house?”

“Okay.”

“Where is it?”

“Where are you, Winfred?”

A shockingly simple answer.

For a moment, reason froze coldly.

Suddenly, a realization struck me like a thunderbolt.

Ah, as always, it’s just a simple mocking pun.

“All problematic employees have been replaced, and Ian Winfred will also be leaving the mansion for the time being.”

“… ”

“Your name will be proudly featured in all Winfred’s official events. Not as an illegitimate son, but as a second son, and as a member of Winfred.”

“… ”

“If you want, I will prepare you a whole new mansion next to the duke’s residence.”

My head buzzed as if my eardrums had been pierced.

“There is no one in Winfred who can threaten you anymore.”

My stress soared over nonsense that didn’t even sound like words.

I’m no Kyle Winfred, but I definitely know that the best response is not to respond to nonsense.

Nonetheless, a cold laugh broke out that was out of control.

“Ha.”

I looked down at Luna with an expressionless face.

“Why is there no one who can threaten me?”

“… ”

“You know, right here.”

I approached Luna one step at a time.

“Luna Winfred.”

At that moment, Luna’s shoulders trembled.

“Your very existence is a threat to me. Where am I going?”

My stomach turned, as if it were in knots.

Suddenly a memory passed through my mind.

— Ah, my brother.

— You wear a human mask, but you are truly worse than an animal.

These were the words spoken by Luna as she mixed the leftover scraps together and threw them into my room as food.

– please… Please, the room is too cold…

— Please, at least a blanket to cover it… !

One day in the middle of winter, all my clothes and bedding were confiscated because they needed to be washed.

Thanks to you, I remember being on the brink of death from the flu.

— Do you have to be this weak to use it?

— Now, here are the knights of your family gathered for you.

— Try to approach training with a grateful heart.

Another day, when I was starving all day and had no energy, the so-called knights of the family decided to beat me for training.

Thanks to this, my whole body was creaky for several days, let alone training.

I endured it for a long time.

To increase progress and return to the original world.

Yes, he had that kind of look in his eyes back then too.

Double-faced eyes, as if feeling guilty.

I rolled my eyes and fired wildly.

“What? Come back home?”

It’s funny.

And it’s disgusting.

“I’m sorry, but I won’t be returning to Winfred unless you go somewhere to stay.”

Luna’s pupils shook violently.

I spat out harshly in a subdued voice.

“Ha, damn.”

Her face was distorted, as if she had forgotten how to use her facial muscles.

“I would rather die than go there.”

Luna’s arms, which had been crossed the whole time, collapsed without strength.

Her limp hands were shaking.

‘Fuck, why am I so dizzy… ‘

My head was spinning and my stomach felt as if it had melted.

At the same time, veins appeared between the eyebrows.

Something is strange.

At that time, a realization stuck in my mind like a stake.

‘Ah, confession.’

A confession drug taken at the emperor’s recommendation.

Confessions have one characteristic.

A boosting effect that forcibly awakens the magic power in the body.

It’s okay up to this point.

However, Kyle’s body is one that has never used magical power before.

A side effect that occurs when magical power is forcibly awakened by an elixir.

Mana runaway.

The aftermath…

“… Cough!”

Oh, shit.

This is blooming.

“… Damn.”

My vision becomes blurred.

At the same time, my body, which was barely holding on, swayed helplessly.

“Ka, Kyle!!”

Luna grabbed my shoulder and held me up as I was collapsing.

A moment later, a scream with a cracked voice rang in my ears.

“No—!!”