Count’s Youngest Son is a Warlock

* * *

As soon as Lucion returned to his room, he hastily removed his clothes, sweating profusely.

―Hurry, hurry!

Ratta circled around Lucion anxiously.

“It’s alright. Take your time,” Hume reassured Lucion, who had made various preparations upon his return.

However, Lucion was distracted by the small fox running around his feet.

“I’ll take care of the rest, so please lie down now.”

After changing into new clothes, Lucion finally settled onto the bed.

“Sigh.”

His eyelids felt heavy, as if they were being forced shut.

Perhaps it was due to dealing with Carson, or maybe it was because he had learned a troubling truth.

The warlock, who had already vanished at Bethel’ hands in the mansion that belonged to Tefellow Selga, had told him that the Fourth Prince had given the Kingdom of Neubra several Imperial secrets, and that he had taken the ingredients from the Sea of Death to create an undying soldier.

Although Lucion didn’t know what secrets the Fourth Prince had handed over, the shock of knowing that the corrupted darkness they had used came from the Sea of Death was no joke.

‘Crazy bastards.’

Just the thought of it made Lucion shudder.

[Lucion. Just lie down and don’t think about anything.]

Russell poked Lucion on the forehead.

―That’s right. Lucion tends to have a lot of thoughts. Um, Ratta thinks about how to play with a ball and have fun, but Ratta prefers running around without thinking too much!

Ratta also approached Lucion and playfully poked his forehead with her paw.

“I can’t help but have thoughts, and my head feels complicated.”

[If it’s not complicated, then you’re not human. Look, look.]

Russell extended his hands, listing the facts.

1. The Sea of Death is a place where corrupted darkness gathers.

2. Nevast is behind the disappearance of the Kingdom of Keortia, Kran’s homeland.

3. Nevast ordered the slave trader Chayton to enslave Kran for ten years.

4. The third fact shows that the disappearance of the Kingdom of Keortia was highly likely to have been planned from the beginning.

[And through Heint, you also received confirmation that Nevast is targeting you, right?]

Russell’s fingers are already fully stretched out.

[There’s the black orbs, my lost memories, the matter related to the ‘vessel’ that Troy and the darkness mentioned when they saw you. Want me to continue?]

“It’s enough. Just hearing about it gives me a headache.”

Lucion was immediately disgusted.

Every time he solved one thing, two more would arise. When he resolved two, four more would appear. It was impossible not to feel frustrated.

[Don’t be anxious. If Lord Lucion continues to focus like this, he will soon reach the truth.]

Bethel gently smoothed out Lucion’s furrowed brow to alleviate the tension.

‘Did someone smear honey on my forehead?’

Russell paused for a moment to explain, but Ratta kept poking him as if it was fun, and Bethel continued to smooth out the wrinkles on his forehead.

Even Hume, who was organizing the clothes, let out a giggle.

“I’m not anxious. It just frustrates me, that’s all.”

Lucion remained still, only moving his lips, whether someone touched him or not.

He had thought that everything would be over once he defeated the boss of the Hand of the Void, but the process was dragging on, and new challenges kept emerging.

He had even slightly altered the novel’s storyline in an attempt to ensure his survival. 

Although he felt that such a small adjustment shouldn’t have caused so many changes, if it meant he could survive, then what did it matter?

‘What have I done to deserve this? Why won’t they let me go?’

In the novel, he was the mid-boss of the Hand of the Void.

While it could be considered a special position, it wasn’t a fixed role like that of a boss.

Of course, his position may have been slightly unique because he knew that placing him there could be a ploy to destroy the frontier.

‘But still, this is too much.’

―Hop! Are you angry because of Ratta’s prank?

Lucion chuckled at Ratta and Bethel, who were observing him closely.

He couldn’t let all the efforts he had made to change and find happiness go to waste.

Above all, he didn’t want to bring tears to the eyes of those who looked at him affectionately.

‘Be it fate or something, I will never die. Never.’

Knock. Knock.

At the sound of a knock on the door, Lucion slightly relaxed his stiff expression.

[It’s Carson.]

Russell immediately peered through the wall.

Hume finished organizing the clothes and opened the door.

“How is Lucion?”

As soon as Carson saw Hume, he asked softly.

“He just woke up.”

“Could you fetch a drink that Lucion would like? It’s nighttime, so something not too sweet.”

“Understood. I’ll get it quickly.”

“Take your time.”

“Yes, of course.”

Hume knew Carson had something to say to Lucion, so he immediately stepped aside.

“Lucion.”

Carson called out to Lucion and sat down beside the bed.

For a moment, Lucion was surprised.

Carson addressed him as usual, but it wasn’t easy for Lucion to get used to it, recalling how cold and stern Carson had been not long ago.

―Ratta knows what it means to have two faces! It’s Carson! He was so scary earlier, but not 

now.

Ratta wagged her tail and climbed onto Carson’s lap.

―It’s Carson. Kind Carson.

“Are you still… frightened?”

Seeing Lucion startle at his own voice, Carson assessed that his condition was much worse than he had heard.

Lucion still had a fever, and his complexion was pale.

[Wow. Why does Carson suddenly seem like a stranger to me?]

Russell rubbed his arms.

[Let’s go, Russell. Let’s leave the room for a moment so that Lord Lucion can have a comfortable conversation.]

[I won’t say anything…]

[Russell, let’s go.]

Bethel grabbed Russell and moved him past the wall.

Lucion watched them and sighed for a moment.

“No, it’s fine now.”

When Lucion tried to sit up, Carson stopped him.

“You can lie down. The salt water would have opened the wound further.”

Lucion rolled his eyes briefly.

Miella’s work had saved his life, but the wound had changed.

The old injury was nearly healed.

Unfortunately, his personal physician didn’t accompany him on this journey.

The doctor who examined his wounds now was someone else.

‘A good opportunity has come.’

Lucion raised his upper body despite Carson’s dissuasion.

“In truth, I sustained some minor wounds while being dragged by the magic. But I’m fine. Look.”

Lucion raised his arms slightly to demonstrate.

Carson took a short breath.

“Since that day… you always endure everything no matter what. You don’t need to hide it from me. Does it hurt?”

“I can bear it.”

“There are too many people targeting you.”

“It’s alright. I’m used to it now.”

Carson fell silent for a moment, considering Lucion’s straightforward response.

He knew that was what Lucion would say, but he wondered if the weight of the name Cronia was burdening him too heavily.

He wondered if their father felt the same way.

“Once you’re in better condition, we should return home. Father has been eagerly awaiting your return,” Carson said, gently stroking Lucion’s head.

“Brother.”

“Yes, Lucion.”

“Have you heard from Brother Heint that Nevast complained to Newbra about the warlock incident?”

“Yes, I heard.”

“Then, did you also hear that Nevast is trying to summon me, although it’s uncertain?”

“Yes.”

“Then, did you intend to tell me that fact?”

In response to Lucion’s follow-up question, Carson hesitated for a moment, unlike before.

“I thought… you wouldn’t be able to handle it.”

“Is that Father’s wish?”

“Yes. It was also my wish. If you ask for a reason… I didn’t want you to be manipulated. Originally, you didn’t become a saint by your own choice, did you? But now, with the appearance of a warlock in the frontier, it seems like a manipulation to summon you. How could I inform you of that fact?”

“Brother.”

“I understand. I know how upset you must be.”

Contrary to his words, Carson appeared the most distressed in that moment.

“I might be hated for not telling you the truth, and you might be angry for being treated like a child. You are constantly changing, and it’s frustrating that we can’t keep up with it.”

Feeling a pang in his heart, Lucion couldn’t find the words to respond.

“Isn’t that why you embarked on this journey, why you made such an unreasonable itinerary, to let us know that you’ve changed?”

“Did… you know?” Lucion stuttered.

Six branches or whatever, aside from the things he needed to keep himself alive, Carson was right about the reason he’d just said.

He wanted to show it.

Even after traveling for so long, he had encountered no issues, and he believed he could handle any situation that arose.

He wanted to show that he could confidently stand as a Cronia, not just shouting it out with his mouth.

That he wasn’t the one trapped in a corner, unable to take action.

“Of course.” 

Carson smiled warmly.

“After everything you’ve done, why wouldn’t I know?”

Lucion stared blankly at Carson in response to his gentle answer.

“So, I was wrong, Lucion. I ignored your efforts.”

With Carson’s apology following, Lucion tightly gripped the blanket, his expression somewhat distorted.

“What do you want to do?” Carson asked.

“Are you… serious?”

“Have I ever spoken carelessly?”

“No. You are not someone who speaks carelessly.”

“Then tell me your opinion. Aren’t you a Cronia too?”

Lucion’s tightly closed lips trembled briefly.

Carson’s perception of him had truly changed.

Now was the time to speak, but suddenly his throat felt constricted.

―Lucion…? Are you crying?

Ratta’s eyes widened.

“If… if.”

Lucion looked at Carson with twinkling eyes.

“If it’s clear that Nevast is after me, I’ll go, no matter when.”

“And what do you intend to do when you get there?”

“I’m going to find out who they really are.”

“And you as bait?”

“That’s right. You know the saying, brother. When the enemy shows its true colors, it’s when it has its prey right in front of it.”

Lucion hadn’t finished speaking yet.

“Whether it’s Nevast or Neubra, they will eventually want me eliminated. I am my father’s greatest weakness.”

“Lucion, you…”

“Don’t worry, brother. I have no intention of dying, so you can rest assured.”

Carson chuckled softly, his shoulders relaxing as he witnessed Lucion’s strong will to live.

Change wasn’t always positive, but Carson was relieved and grateful that Lucion was changing for the better.

Lucion valued himself.

That was enough.

“Yes, Lucion. Please continue to value yourself as you do now. Value yourself so that I can feel secure.”

Ting!

The red thread connecting to him and Carson tightened.

Lucion wasn’t disappointed; he knew the red thread was as strong as Heint’s.

On the contrary, he was glad.

It meant he was one step away from death.

“Of course, no one loves me more than I do.”

Lucion replied with a wide grin.

Carson smiled and took out a macaron from his pocket.

Instantly, Lucion and Ratta’s eyes sparkled in unison.

―Oooooh!

“That’s still a long way off, so let’s eat first. You should eat and recover quickly, shouldn’t you?”

“Sure! Just looking at the macarons makes me feel better!”

Lucion smiled as he held the macaron in his hand.

Even the overwhelming fatigue he had been feeling vanished like a lie.

* * *

Lucion hasn’t gone to bed yet.

Since the mansion where he stayed was about a 40-50 minute carriage ride from the palace, he observed and waited for the situation of the knights leaving the mansion.

The Fifth Prince, Cetyl, was in such a rush that he immediately contacted Heint. Even though there was a ghost, Russell went out of his way to inform him.

[I can meet you now. If you want, hang a white cloth or something pretty outside the window and shake it.]

It’s nice to have written a note, but as he thinks about how to send it, his eyes lock with Ratta.

―Ratta can do it!

Ratta said in a voice full of enthusiasm.

“Can you do it without getting caught?”

―Sure! Ratta is an expert at that! Ratta could eat cookies stealthily in the kitchen, and no one would know…

“Ratta. That’s not allowed.”

Lucion lifted Ratta up and gave her a slightly stern look.

Ratta’s voice trembled slightly.

―No, the chef said Ratta can eat whatever she wants! Ratta didn’t do anything wrong!

“Ratta, I told you to go see Hume and ask him if you want something to eat, remember?”

―Yes. Lucion said that. Did Ratta do something wrong?

Ratta looked at Lucion.

“Yeah, if it’s something that nobody owns, it’s fine, but touching food prepared by the chef is not right.”

Ratta’s ears folded, and her tail drooped.

Today, her mouth seemed poutier than usual.

―Then, Ratta was wrong. If Ratta wants to eat anything in the future, Ratta will go and tell Hume. Because Ratta is a good girl.

“Yeah, you’re a good girl.”

Lucion finally put Ratta down and gently stroked her belly.

―Hehe.

He had noticed Ratta sneaking out earlier, but he didn’t know what she had eaten. 

Nevertheless, her belly had become plump.

Whether it was because of her fur or because she had gained weight, it didn’t matter. She was adorable.

“Come on, Ratta.”

Lucion handed out a note to Ratta.

―Woohoo!

Ratta ran around the bed with a happy face.

“I’m entrusting you with a very important mission. Can you deliver it to Brother Heint without getting caught?”

―Yes! Ratta can do it! Leave it to me!

Ratta put on a serious expression and wagged her tail so vigorously that it was almost invisible.