Count’s Youngest Son is a Warlock - Chapter 179: The owl laughs

* * *

<We took over the eastern branch early this morning.>

Lucion listened leisurely to Kran’s report.

He was already aware of the situation.

When he woke up in the morning, he noticed that one of the blue threads was missing.

Now, the blue threads were connected to the anthill and the magic tower.

The red threads represented Carson, Heint, the leader of the Hand of the Void, Asha, Troy, Sephiro, who ordered Chelga to frame J.L., as well as Twilo, the former master who betrayed Bethel.

Four red threads that were previously connected to Lucion had suddenly disappeared.

‘…Damn, there are quite a lot.’

He sipped the tea Hume had poured for him.

When he woke up, he initially thought that the mansion he was staying in had changed, only to discover it was an entirely different mansion.

It was fascinating to think that he had traveled all the way to the east without waking up, as if someone had drugged him.

Hume explained that everyone had decided to move him carefully since he didn’t wake up and it would disrupt the schedule. But the more Lucion thought about it, the more amusing it seemed.

“Thank you for your hard work, Kran.”

Lucion said while suppressing his laughter.

<No, there is one left now. The most crucial one, the anthill. Isn’t that the place you wanted, Hamel?>

“Because information is always helpful.”

“Heroan seems to be the most excited. Paying more attention to the anthill…”

“No, there’s really no need to be concerned about that place.”

<Yes?>

“At most, there are only about four people guarding there.”

As soon as Lucion finished speaking, Bethel interjected.

[I’ll take care of the ghosts there, so don’t worry.]

Bethel had cleared the ghosts not only in the Northern, Central, and even Eastern branches, excluding the Southern branch.

She had taken action, fearing that Lucion would intervene.

Lucion briefly covered the communication device with his hand before speaking.

“I can do it. We’re in the East.”

[No, there’s no need for you to go through the trouble. It’s enough if I go.]

Bethel now knows Lucion very well.

She knew that if she didn’t take care of it, Lucion would take matters into his own hands, causing trouble even if it meant forcing his way back. It was better for her to take the initiative.

[Well, then, it’s better for Bethel to go. There’s no reason for you to go out this time, Lucion, as Bethel said.] Russell agreed, nodding his head.

<How do you know that?>

When Kran asked in a puzzled voice, Lucion answered as if it were obvious.

“It’s a place I’ve been to before. Anyway, I’ll be waiting in the East. There’s something I need to take care of.”

<You mean the undying soldier?>

“That’s right. There’s one more thing.”

<Are you referring to the owl Peter mentioned?>

“Yes. I’ll find it and twist its neck. I’m curious to see how many secrets it can reveal.”

<It’s quite complicated.> Kran expressed with a deep breath.

<For our organization to grow stronger, we need the support of the Empire. To establish an alliance with the Empire, we must uncover and expose the wrongdoings of the Empire’s enemies. Personally, I have concerns.>

Kran paused for a moment.

<While the organization is crucial, your safety is equally important. I hope you won’t push yourself too hard or undertake unnecessarily dangerous tasks just to gather information.>

Lucion couldn’t help but wonder why he wasn’t hearing those words again.

―Lucion is in pain! He stumbled in front of Ratta and collapsed! Ratta was so surprised!

Squeak!

Ratta suddenly ran up with the ball in her mouth and complained fervently.

Even though it’s unlikely to be heard.

Listening to Kran’s voice with one ear, Lucion casually mentioned something significant. “I have something for you once the anthill is cleared out.”

Lucion had made the decision to no longer hide the truth from Kran.

As the organization grew and joined forces with the Empire, Kran would gradually step into the past, uncovering the destruction of his homeland, the Kingdom of Keortia, and the events that held him captive for a decade.

He needed to know that Nevast was connected to it all.

Kran responded, <The finances are fine now. The mine is operational, and the businesses of the Chefran and Chonest families will cover the organization’s operating expenses.>

“Anyway, I’ll talk to you later,” Lucion concluded, ending the conversation.

After disconnecting the communication device, Lucion removed his mask.

The Sea of Death Purification Festival was an event held to pray for the purification of the ominous Sea of Death.

The festival began at 4 p.m., with the main event starting at 6 p.m.

The priests chose the evening since the Sea of Death appeared darkest then, contrasting with the brightest light.

The festival spanned three days, and Lucion was scheduled to participate in the first day’s event.

As he held his teacup, Lucion’s lips curled upward. “Finally, I’ll be able to see the owl.”

[He said it was a brooch with a dark red jewel, right?]

Russell asked, recalling what Gartio Menn had said.

“Yes. He said it was not red but a dark red color.”

It was Hume who answered instead of Lucion.

Since it was Hume’s words, credibility was assured.

“Young master, you should start preparing now,” Hume advised, checking his watch.

Lucion responded with an arrogant frown. “Who came up with all these formalities? Damn them.”

Just putting on proper clothes and going would have been enough.

Whenever there’s a banquet,

Wherever he goes,

Why does it require so much preparation?

“Everyone is really looking forward to it,” Hume replied.

Lucion smirked slyly, noticing the sparkle in Hume’s eyes. “Are you pretending not to be excited too?” he remarked teasingly.

―Even Ratta is excited, you know?

Ratta giggled and jumped up and down in place.

―Right now, Lucion is already great, but I like the dressed-up Lucion even more because he looks like a star!

To him, there didn’t seem to be that big of a difference before and after dressing up.

‘Hmm…’

[The maids were already excited. I saw them draw lots to dress up Lord Lucion.]

Seeing Bethel smiling brightly, Lucion was taken aback.

“Is that a joke?”

[I don’t know if you’re listening to jokes, but I don’t really like talking. Isn’t it great for the master to make their wishes come true?]

Feeling the weight of her words, Lucion glanced at Russell.

[Lucion. I’m already so satisfied that you’ve escaped from that plain hood you always wore to the banquets. What more could I ask for here?]

‘I have no allies at all.’

Lucion let out a snort and gulped down his tea.

* * *

“…”

Heint, who had been waiting outside, just stared at Lucion without saying a word.

“Is something wrong?”

Lucion looked at himself with that gaze.

Undoubtedly, the maids had reassured him, even applauding among themselves, deeming his appearance a masterpiece.

“…Are there any courageous ladies?”

“Pardon?”

As Heint muttered, Lucion could not understand.

“Well, I guess I can’t muster up the courage either.”

Heint nodded while looking at Lucion.

Lucion was the youngest son of Cronia.

Even if he brushed off the rumors of his madness, how could anyone gather the courage to approach Lucion?

“Courage? Is my appearance that unusual?”

―Not at all. Lucion is like a star today too! Heehee! Ratta really, really likes it!

Ratta twirled around Lucion.

“Lucion. Have you ever received a letter from the ladies?”

“I received one from Lady Tella.”

Suddenly, Heint tapped Lucion’s shoulder.

The pitiful expression on Heint’s face as he watched himself was quite annoying.

“What’s wrong? Please tell me.”

“There is something,” Heint replied, wiping away his smile. “You still have a long way to go, so get on the carriage.”

Heint quickly composed himself and crossed the gate.

Lucion and Hume followed suit and boarded the carriage, with Heint joining them.

As the carriage began moving, Heint spoke up, “Have you ever seen the Sea of Death?”

“No, I haven’t,” Lucion replied.

Heint continued, “Well, as you’ve heard, the Sea of Death is a sea that kills everything. We’re still investigating its exact nature at the temple, but it’s an official fact that light cannot purify that sea.”

[Light cannot purify it. Believing that light purifies darkness is just a belief, but in reality, it’s not purification but an act of killing, isn’t it?]

Russell spoke as if to refute Haint’s words.

―Purification… Let’s see. Ratta can do it; even Uncle Troy agrees.

Russell’s gaze shifted to Ratta, who stretched out her forepaws and cleared her throat.

[That’s right. Ratta restored me to my former self from corruption.]

Bethel affirmed, recalling the events of that day, and Ratta vigorously nodded in agreement.

―Yeah! Ratta got rid of the bad thing from Bethel!

Heint continued, “For now, many of the priests have concluded that it’s not darkness that lies beneath the Sea of Death.”

Lucion raised an eyebrow in response. “If it’s not darkness, then what is it?”

“It’s frustrating because we don’t know. If that sea of death were to engulf the empire, who knows what would happen. That’s why we periodically sprinkle light to prevent it from overtaking the normal sea.”

“I heard that I just needed to stand still like a statue. There shouldn’t be any danger, right?”

“Have you also heard that the place where you stand will be on a ship?”

[…which I objected to].

Russell crossed his arms and sighed.

The Sea of Death extended up to a certain boundary without encroaching upon the regular sea, as if there were a clear border.

While the Sea of Death had not breached that boundary thus far, and the ship would stop before reaching the border between the Sea of Death and the normal sea, it was still worrisome.

“Yes, I’ve heard that. Three ships will be in motion, and I am scheduled to board the ship in the middle,” Lucion confirmed.

“That’s right. The ships on the left and right will carry the priests. I have decided to take on the role of preventing the light from reaching you,” Heint explained, fidgeting with his hands.

Lucion had recently collapsed from exhaustion, and the potential effects of being in a crowded place were unknown.

Moreover, with a warlock appearing at the auction house, it would be unwise to dismiss any potential risks this time.

“The people who will board the ship with you will be determined by a lottery,” Heint revealed.

“A lottery…?” Lucion’s eyebrows twitched, sensing the possibility of manipulation.

Observing Lucion’s slightly darkened expression, Heint quickly reassured him. “Of course, I’ll ensure their identities are verified, and I’ve already assessed the situation to ensure there’s no danger. The imperial knights and Cronian knights who have already arrived are keeping me informed.”

Heint took a breath after his lengthy explanation. “Well, you are special, but the events on the first day of the festival have been the same as in the past. The priests and a select few individuals board a boat together, sprinkle lights, and admire the scenery before returning. There have been no problems with the event so far.”

“I… have never been on a ship before.”

“I suspected as much,” Heint remarked, handing something to Lucion. “It’s motion sickness medicine.”

Upon hearing the mention of medicine, Lucion furrowed his brow.

“Since you might get seasick, it’s better to take it in advance.”

Hume’s eyes widened at Heint’s words, realizing that seasickness was something he had never encountered in the books he had read.

Hume bowed his head apologetically. “I’m sorry. I should have brought it in advance.”

“It’s okay. My brother prepared it,” Lucion replied, though he grabbed the medicine with a disapproving expression, feeling a slight sense of unease.

“Anyway, Lucion, your duty at this festival is simply to board the ship, smile, and wave to people before returning,” Heint explained, clasping his hands together lightly.

Unable to resist the words that sounded like a final decision, Lucion couldn’t help but inquire, “Is that what they told you?”

“Yeah. It was originally longer, but I shortened it,” Heint confirmed.

“Thank you,” Lucion expressed his gratitude, smiling broadly at Haint’s behavior, which he found to be to his liking.

* * *

“…Phew.”

Lucion took a deep breath before getting off.

He had taken medicine to prepare for seasickness and an additional remedy to ease the nervous tension akin to stage fright.

“Are you okay?” Heint paused, looking at Lucion who was trembling ever so slightly, as he opened the carriage door.

“I’m fine. It’s just been a while, that’s all,” Lucion reassured him.

The auction house had been filled with a limited number of people, but the atmosphere here was different.

As Lucion glanced at the bustling crowd beyond the windows, he wiped the sweat off his palms.

[Lord Lucion], Bethel called out to him, having scanned the surroundings before their arrival.

[There are no warlocks. The same goes for ghosts.]

It was reassuring to know that warlocks and ghosts were absent now that the priest had arrived, but the reassurance felt strangely unsettling.

Lucion’s gaze fixed on the red thread that had emerged from Bethel’s past confession.

He may not have knowledge of other matters, but he knew about Twilo Sprikado.

He had come here.

So, how could he not have doubts?