Chapter 134
Luina returned to her original form and chuckled softly.
In truth, it wasn’t just about the money.
“After all is said and done, that demon prince isn’t truly a villain.”
If Chris had been truly cruel, he wouldn’t have taken care of Luina’s trading company like this.
Chris was subtle but clear about give-and-take.
It always seemed like he was taking more than he gave, but looking back, he had returned quite a bit.
Compared to those truly evil types who suck the life out of others and ruin them to take everything for themselves, Chris was at least somewhat conscientious.
“But still, I can’t just sit back and take this. Someday, I’ll land a serious blow to that annoying prince’s back of the head!”
Luina vowed quietly to herself.
Whether that vow would ever come true was another question.
For now, that was a problem for later.
Right now, dealing with the immediate situation was what mattered.
“So, what’s the plan moving forward?”
“First, you need to investigate whose influence was behind the downfall of your trading company. You still have your network of contacts, right?”
As the head of a major trading company, Luina had ties to many influential figures.
If they traced things back far enough, they could catch the mastermind pulling the strings.
“That alone won’t be enough. We need solid proof that the real culprit caused the plague.”
“Leave that to me.”
“How? I heard this plague involves the Curse Mage. Even for you, Prince, finding evidence will be difficult.”
The most feared assassin group on the continent was none other than the Curse Mages.
Those targeted by their curses died without even realizing it was a curse, leaving no trace behind.
They were so meticulous that they never left evidence.
“Don’t worry. There’s always a way. Marie?”
Chris snapped his fingers.
[Oh ho ho, did you call, young master?]
“Go fetch Alos.”
Marie tilted her head but obeyed.
Soon, Alos appeared, looking confused.
“W-what is it, Prince?”
“I have an important task for you.”
“Uh, but I don’t have any special abilities?”
“That’s fine. This doesn’t require any extraordinary skills.”
Chris pulled an artifact from his storage pouch.
It was the “Emblem of the Constellation.”
Luina’s eyes widened as she recognized the value of the artifact, fitting for an auction house owner.
“Come here and touch this artifact.”
“…??”
As Alos hesitantly touched the Emblem, something incredible happened.
A flash!
Light enveloped Alos.
“Ahh?!”
Startled, Alos screamed, and when the light faded, an unbelievable transformation had taken place.
Alos had taken on Chris’s appearance!
‘One of the Emblem’s abilities,’ Chris thought.
The Emblem of the Constellation was a sacred relic with concealment powers and various effects.
One of those effects was to transform another person to look exactly like the user.
There was a condition, though.
“The person has to share some resemblance with me.”
In that regard, Alos was a perfect match.
They were blood relatives, similar in build and age.
Ideal conditions for using the artifact—exactly why Chris had brought Alos along.
To test the artifact’s effect, Chris gave a command.
“Now, try smiling like me.”
“…Like this?”
Alos forced a smile but then flinched.
It was the same irritating smirk Chris usually wore.
Not just the smile.
“…What’s this?”
Even his tone had changed.
The Emblem didn’t just mimic appearance; it disguised the very essence of the person, allowing Alos to naturally imitate Chris’s mannerisms.
It even made his magic patterns look similar, so unless someone was very close to Chris, no one would notice the disguise.
“You know what you have to do, right?”
“…Act as the prince?”
“Exactly. Pretend to investigate, but make a big show of it. Draw everyone’s attention so they can’t think straight.”
Alos often seemed unreliable, but he wasn’t without talent. This much he could handle.
“If any tedious tasks come up, use Count Roy. If you need to apply pressure with authority, call on Princess Olivia. And if you need to cause a ruckus with force, bring in Jupien.”
Alos nodded pale-faced.
“And what about you, Prince?”
“I have more important work to do. While you’re distracting them up front, I’ll be gathering evidence from behind the scenes.”
Chris pulled out a prepared item.
Luina and Alos’s eyes went wide.
“Could it be…?”
“Yes.”
A crow mask.
An artifact worn by doctors treating the plague!
The reason for bringing it was simple.
Chris planned to infiltrate the enemy ranks disguised as a plague doctor to gather proof.
For the first time in a while.
It was time to become a divine healer.
Flash!
Chris broke away from the group and spurred his horse forward.
‘The Emblem’s effect won’t last long. At most five days. I have to get the evidence within that time.’
As he rode hard, Chris suddenly stopped.
‘Someone’s tailing me?’
“Show yourself.”
No answer came.
Only the faint sounds of dawn grass rustling.
Without hesitation, Chris drew his dagger and threw it into the forest.
Then something surprising happened.
The sound of metal clashing echoed from thin air.
At the same time, a voice rang out.
“…How did you know?”
“There’s no way I wouldn’t notice your presence.”
Chris smirked.
“You’re my first slave, after all.”
It was none other than Evan, the hero!
“Shut up.”
“Hmm. What’s the matter? Did you miss your master so much you just had to follow me?”
“…I said be quiet.”
Evan’s voice grew colder, and Chris shrugged.
He was joking out of fondness, but it felt like he might get punched for it.
‘He’s gotten stronger. Already reached five stars?’
An incredible pace.
True to his reputation as the continent’s greatest genius in his previous life.
‘It’s not just talent. He must have contracted with a Constellation.’
Those who contract with the Constellations receive special blessings, like those who make pacts with demons.
‘Did he receive the “Sword Star” blessing?’
One of the most powerful blessings from the Constellations.
It had played a big role in Evan becoming the top knight of the Light faction.
‘But he made the contract much earlier than in his previous life. Something must have triggered it. Well, whatever the reason, it’s not a bad thing.’
Chris was glad Evan was growing stronger so fast.
“So, why are you here? Weren’t you supposed to stay hidden for a while?”
Chris expected Evan to be at Gold Cross, probably following Luina.
But he hadn’t expected him to show up like this.
“…”
Evan fell silent, not answering, and Chris tilted his head.
“Hmm?”
Finally, Evan spoke in a vague voice.
“Just… came.”
“??”
“Just came.”
“…”
A completely baffling answer.
‘Were we really that close? Close enough for you to just drop by? Well, we are master and servant, so I guess we’re somewhat close.’
Chris cleared his throat awkwardly.
“No particular reason? Then go back. I have to go.”
Ignoring Evan, Chris turned to ride toward the Vintz Duchy.
He frowned.
Evan was following him.
“Why are you following me?”
“…”
“Are you coming or not?”
Still, Evan followed silently, looking displeased.
“Ah, seriously? What are you doing?”
Chris snapped, and Evan finally spoke.
“I’m coming with you.”
“Why?”
“You’re sneaking into enemy territory alone, right? I’ll protect you.”
Chris hesitated to refuse.
It wasn’t a bad thing.
‘Having someone to boss around would be convenient.’
He could put Evan to work.
“Fine. You’re doing this to repay me for saving you last time, right?”
“…Yeah.”
“That’s not nearly enough to settle the debt. Don’t get the wrong idea. I plan to keep using you, slave.”
Chris turned and spurred his horse onward.
Evan followed, his eyes quietly troubled.
‘What on earth…’
In truth, Evan had a reason for following Chris.
A reason he couldn’t share.
[Well done.]
A voice from the contracted Constellation whispered in Evan’s ear.
[Now, wait for the right moment to kill him.]
The heavenly Constellation had ordered Chris’s death.
They arrived at their destination.
Once a magnificent city, the Vintz Duchy had become a land of death, ravaged by the plague.
‘A familiar sight.’
Chris gave a bitter smile.
He had seen countless scenes like this during the Age of Ruin.
Compared to the living hells he’d witnessed then, this was a relatively “mild” scene.
“Here, take this.”
Chris handed Evan the crow mask.
It would protect him from the plague with magic and conceal most of his face, so his identity wouldn’t be exposed.
“You’re my assistant now. Your name is… Hanson.”
The butler was Sebastian, the maid Marie, and the servant Hanson—standard names.
Chris stepped into the castle.
“Doctor?”
The soldiers guarding the castle gasped when they saw the crow mask Chris wore.
“Yes, that’s right. I came after hearing about the outbreak of the Black Death to treat the patients.”
“Ah, thank you so much! But if you don’t mind me asking, where are you from?”
Chris pulled out his nameplate.
A serpent coiled around a staff was emblazoned on it.
The soldiers gasped in shock.
“Wait—no way, is that the emblem of the Uiseon family?”
Chris nodded.
“I’m not an official disciple. I just happened to cross paths with them and received some basic training.”
“Ah, I see. Still, having a doctor trained by the Uiseon family come all this way… Thank you! Truly, thank you!”
“Please, come inside quickly! Hey! What are you standing around for? Tell everyone a Uiseon family doctor has arrived!”
The soldiers bowed deeply, overwhelmed with gratitude.
The Uiseon family was known for treating even the poorest without discrimination, so common folk regarded their doctors as saints.
Evan, who had been silent until now, quietly asked, “Is that really the Uiseon family emblem?”
“No, it’s a fake.”
“…”
Following the soldiers’ lead, they arrived at the treatment center.
Unlike the death-ridden streets outside, it was a dazzling mansion.
A young doctor with glasses and an intelligent air greeted Christian.
“I’m Rodney, in charge of patient care here. You say you’re a disciple of the Uiseon family? Pleasure to meet you. I’m also a disciple—21st generation.”
Of all people, there was another Uiseon family disciple here.
And a fully recognized one at that.