ã€ŠWizard from The Modernã€‹


 Chapter 1

    In the shadowy halls of the Baron¡¯s Castle, young Richard, the lord of the estate, accustomed to viewing the many wonders of this magical medieval world through the lens of science.

    ¡°So, ghost fires are nothing more than phosphorescence, and the fish with human faces are merely genetic mutations. As for the Fireball spell, it¡¯s just a small-scale chemical explosion¡ªsomething that could easily be achieved with a bag of flour. But¡­¡±

    Richard gazed out the window, his brow furrowed in thought. ¡°But the transformation of a werewolf? No matter how you look at it, it defies the law of conservation of mass! I fear we couldn¡¯t hold the good Mr. Lomonosov''s coffin down when he heard this stuff. He would be angry and jumped out of it!¡± With a determined glint in his eyes, he murmured, ¡°It seems it¡¯s time to catch a werewolf and conduct a thorough dissection.¡±

    Richard was the man from modern world. Without any reason, when his mind became conscious, he had traveled to this world with the memory from the last world.

    ¡°Very well then... The First Guard Squadron, let¡¯s set out! Target: the Black Forest!¡±

    Lightning cracked across the sky, and torrential rain poured down.

    The downpour lashed fiercely against the fields, obscuring the horizon in a wash of white; human traces were nearly lost to the elements. Yet, standing resolute beside a small river, the Baron¡¯s Castle remained unmoved. Inside, in one of its upper chambers, an almost eerie silence prevailed, save for the unmistakable sound of liquid bubbling.

    ¡°Glug, glug¡­¡±

    A boy''s voice emerged, rich with seriousness yet youthful in tone, as if he were both talking to himself and instructing others.

    ¡°Distillation, quite a simple operation, is based on the differing boiling points of the components within a liquid mixture to achieve separation.¡± He was about fourteen or fifteen, dressed in a sky-blue short-sleeved tunic.

    Nearby, a young maid dressed in rags, probably around twelve or thirteen, gazed wide-eyed at the array of ¡°complex instruments¡± cluttered on the table.

    At the heart of the apparatus was a copper basin heated by a roaring flame, filled with water and a sealed jar floating atop. A single bamboo tube extended from the jar to the outside, first plunging into a basin of cold water to cool down before the other end fed into a small ceramic pot the size of a fist.

    ¡°Drip, drip! Pssh, pssh!¡±

    Small droplets of liquid ebbed forth from the bamboo¡¯s end, falling into the ceramic pot, while thick clouds of white vapor hissed from the jar¡¯s mouth and the bamboo tube, filling the air with a faintly acrid scent of alcohol.

    ¡°L-lord, are you really distilling?¡± the girl asked, her eyes shimmering with a mix of awe and curiosity. ¡°But... why use alcohol?¡±

    ¡°Because I need pure alcohol for disinfection or perhaps to create some basic alcohol specimens to prepare for the possible dissection of a¡­ werewolf,¡± Richard replied, his expression turning serious. ¡°Did I not send Tuku and the others to capture a werewolf from the Black Forest?¡±Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    He seemed to recall something and added, ¡°Of course, it¡¯s not accurate to claim that distillation yields ''absolute purity'' of alcohol. To be precise, what I can obtain is ''relatively pure'' alcohol, since mixing water and alcohol results in a mixture with a fixed boiling point known as an azeotrope. Thus, using traditional distillation, we can only obtain this type of substance, which explains why the maximum alcohol concentration usually hovers around 95%.¡±

    ¡°How can you achieve ''absolute purity,'' my lord?¡± Lucy asked, her curiosity piqued.

    ¡°To acquire ''absolute purity,'' one must employ a fractional distillation column for multiple continuous distillations, then introduce calcium oxide¡ªoften referred to as quicklime¡ªto remove water. However, considering the current state of technology in this world, we cannot fabricate such a column. Not even a distillation flask is available, so we must keep it simple.¡±

    ¡°Alas,¡± Richard sighed, his tone heavy with resignation. ¡°The downside is significant; pure alcohol eludes us, and due to the rudimentary equipment, achieving any more than 80% alcohol concentration is a struggle. The best I can hope for is 75% medicinal alcohol¡ªuseful for disinfection and some basic specimens, but other uses are out of the question. Well, nearly perfect is better than nothing, wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡±

    As he spoke, Richard filled a small ceramic pot with distilled alcohol, sealing it away before reaching for another pristine jar.

    Lucy, watching him in his industriousness, wanted to help but didn¡¯t know how, so she remained frozen in place, wide-eyed. To her, the second heir of the baron, whom she had served for a year, seemed like a mysterious alchemist or wizard, often spouting incomprehensible words and engaging in strange tasks.

    To avoid causing any disturbance, her priority was to remain quietly attentive, striving to remember and understand the complex terminology that flowed from his lips. Perhaps, when he asked questions in the future, she might be able to provide answers. Yes, he often inquired of her, and she resolved to be prepared.

    At that moment, Richard had finished transferring the contents into a new jar and strode over to the window, casting a glance at the heavy curtain of rain outside. He turned to Lucy and quietly asked, ¡°How long has Tuku and the First Guard Squadron been gone?¡±

    ¡°Um, perhaps... two hours?¡± Lucy replied, hesitating and stuttering slightly.

    Richard¡¯s eyes shimmered thoughtfully. ¡°About two hours? Considering the rain might hinder their progress, that time should be just enough for them to make a round trip on horseback to the Black Forest. Let us hope they do not return within the next hour¡­¡±

    ¡°Ah?¡± Lucy''s eyes widened in confusion, yet she dared not ask further.

    Richard explained, ¡°It¡¯s simple. They are searching for the rumored werewolf! Legend holds that a werewolf possesses the fighting strength of three to five grown men. With only ten men in Tuku¡¯s party, under such weather, it would be challenging to capture a werewolf without significant cost¡ªan hour at the very least.¡±

    He continued, ¡°Considering the time taken to locate the werewolf and potential unexpected delays, they would require even more time. Typically, they should return around three and a half to four hours after departing. If they come back sooner, it only means they either failed to capture the werewolf or¡­¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Lucy looked up expectantly.

    Richard simply narrowed his eyes, a frown creasing his forehead. ¡°Let¡¯s hope it isn¡¯t¡­ the kind of possibility I dread the most.¡±

    Half an hour later¡­

    ¡°Pitter-patter¡­¡±

    The torrential rain gradually softened, and the Baron¡¯s Castle appeared refreshed, washed anew by the downpour. Meanwhile, on the muddy path leading to the castle, a cavalry team rode forth at a gallop.

    ¡°Clatter, clatter!¡±

    Horses¡¯ hooves pounded against the muck, splattering mud across the riders, leaving them in a disheveled state. Though the horses occasionally slipped, they remained under control, galloping toward the Baron¡¯s Castle.

 Chapter 2

    At the forefront of the riders rode a towering figure, far surpassing his peers in stature. His face was a canvas of brutality, marked by a deep scar that ran across his visage, lending him an aura of savagery. He was Tuku, the captain of the First Guard in Baron Rio''s dark fortress, a man who reveled in severing his foes'' heads and trampling them beneath his boot, characterized by a temperament as fierce as the storms themselves.

    Yet at this moment, Tuku clenched his teeth, his gaze cast low upon the muddy path ahead, his countenance shadowed by foreboding dread over what awaited them. The very thought compelled him to glance back at the "something" bound upon his horse, a venomous spit escaping his lips as he cursed beneath his breath, before reluctantly directing his steed toward the Baron¡¯s castle.

    With a clatter, as the cavalry approached, the drawbridge before the fortress lowered, the gates creaking open.

    Tuku and his men surged into the heart of the castle, soon setting their sights upon a youth descending from the castle¡¯s tower, regarding him with a tightening in his chest. He hastily dismounted, eager to explain, but found that the young master spoke first.

    "An hour earlier than I anticipated. It appears the worst of my assumptions hath come to fruition," Richard addressed, exhaling lightly, his face marred by disappointment.

    ¡°Master, I¡ª¡± Tuku began, lowering his head.

    ¡°Speak, then. Though I surmised the rumor we received to be false, and the werewolves to be naught but a fabrication, I find it curious who spun such lies, and for what purpose. Pray tell, I hope thou hast captured the purveyor of these falsehoods, else I shall be even more dismayed,¡± Richard implored.

    At last, Tuku raised his gaze sharply, gesturing toward the figure lashed upon his mount. Bound securely was a weary man of some forty years. Richard, noting the calluses upon his weathered hands and the attire he donned, could readily discern that he was a hunter.

    If so, might he be the one responsible for spinning this tale¡­?

    ¡°Milord, this man is a hunter from a village bordering the Black Forest. Fearing his fellow hunters would encroach upon his territory and pilfer his prey, he concocted that vile rumor,¡± Tuku explained, his voice stoic.

    A faint chuckle escaped Richard''s lips as he shook his head in acknowledgement. ¡°Indeed, just as I suspected.¡±

    ¡°And how shall we deal with him, my lord?¡± Tuku questioned, a hint of concern in his tone.

    ¡°Deal with him?¡± Richard inquired, turning his gaze toward the trembling figure upon the horse. The hunter, quaking in fear, was utterly unprepared for the consequences of inciting the ire of the baron¡¯s heir.

    In a swift motion, Richard turned back toward the tower and declared softly, ¡°Dispose of him. Cleanly.¡±

    It was unimaginable to any soul that a lad so young would speak of murder with such ease, yet there he stood unwavering.

    Tuku¡¯s brow furrowed slightly; while he did not harbor a dislike for bloodshed, he pondered the implications of executing the hunter without due process. After all, the man¡¯s sin was merely of spinning a rumor; a thrashing, or even a spell in the dungeons, might suffice. Yet, to execute him outright would invite discontent among the peasantry; fear would suffocate loyalty and foster dissent, which served to undermine the baron¡¯s dominion.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    Yet the order had been given by the baron¡¯s second heir, and with both the baron and first heir absent, Richard''s command bore the weight of a decree. Moreover, as the First Guard operated directly under Richard''s oversight, they had no choice but to comply.

    As Tuku gazed upon Richard¡¯s retreating figure, words danced upon his lips, but in the end, he remained silent. Grinding his teeth, he turned toward the hunter bound upon his mount. A flicker of cruelty ignited within his eyes as he seized the man and flung him forcefully to the mud below.

    With a swift motion, Tuku unsheathed his heavy knight¡¯s sword, raising it high as he prepared to deliver the fatal blow to the prone figure.

    At that instant, the hunter let forth a cry, not beseeching Tuku for mercy¡ªoh no, for he understood that mere pleas would neither alter his fate nor delay the inevitable. Instead, he called out to Richard, exclaiming, ¡°Young Master Richard! I have not encountered a werewolf, but I have seen the fire bear, the fabled beast said to be engulfed in flames! I know thou art intrigued by such strange creatures! Spare me, and I shall guide thee to it! I truly shall!¡±

    ¡°Clang!¡±

    Tuku¡¯s knightly sword halted abruptly, wisps of breath distorting as it lingered just above the hunter¡¯s neck, trembling dangerously close to contact, yet frozen in midair.

    For¡­Richard, stepping toward the tower, had halted, a glimmer of authority in his raised hand.

    Such a modest gesture was enough to reign in the battle-hardened Tuku, who found himself compelled to sheath his weapon, turning his gaze toward Richard.

    ¡°Curious indeed,¡± Richard mused, his demeanor calm as he pivoted to scrutinize the hunter more intently. ¡°Thou sayest thou hast beheld this fire bear? Art thou certain¡­this time, thou speakest naught but the truth?¡±

    ¡°Nay, ¡¯tis unerringly true¡ªabsolutely!¡± the hunter declared fervently.

    Richard maintained a stoic expression, neither confirming nor dismissing his claim, instead locking his gaze with the hunter''s, pressing further, ¡°Pray tell, when didst thou observe the fire bear?¡±

    ¡°¡®Twas¡­some three or four days hence.¡±

    ¡°Is it three days, or four?¡± Richard pressed, his tone insistent.

    ¡°Er¡­three days! Three days, I assure thee,¡± the hunter stammered.

    ¡°What was the weather like that day? Morning or afternoon?¡± Richard queried, his voice steady.

    ¡°It was¡­¡± The hunter¡¯s eyes fluttered toward the right, as though searching the corners of memory. ¡°A sunny afternoon, I believe.¡±

    ¡°What did the fire bear appear as?¡± Richard continued.

    ¡°Similar to an ordinary black bear, albeit with a slight reddish hue to its fur,¡± the hunter replied, his eyes wandering once more as he recollected, ¡°And I witnessed flames engulfing its form, just as the tales foretold. Truly, I intended to inform others of its existence in the forest, but I thought the tale of a werewolf would be more easily believed, hence my fabrication.¡±

    The hunter, desperate for survival, implored, ¡°Young Master Richard, grant me this boon! Spare my life this once, and I shall lead thee to the fire bear!¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡± Richard mused noncommittally, then turned once more to stride toward the tower.

    ¡°Milord,¡± Tuku queried, cold steel in his voice, ¡°shall we execute him or...?¡±

    At this moment, the hunter felt tension pervade his being, fearing Richard might utter a word that would seal his doom.

    Finally, Richard spoke, his tone languid as he addressed Tuku, ¡°For now, spare him, for he speaks true. He hath not lied. Bind him to the dungeons for the time being. When the weather clears and the air dries¡ªa season suited for the fire bear¡ªthen take him with thee to capture this beast.¡±

    ¡°Understood, Milord,¡± Tuku affirmed, swiftly following Richard¡¯s command. He seized the hunter from the mud and marched toward the castle¡¯s dungeons, while Richard ascended into the tower above.

    Lucy, the young serving girl, followed closely beside Richard, her silence broken at last as she inquired, ¡°Milord, how didst thou know the hunter spoke true? What if¡­?¡±

    ¡°Nay,¡± Richard interjected, shaking his head slightly, ¡°I discerned naught but the truth from his eyes when he answered my queries; he gazed toward the upper right.¡±

 Chapter 3

    ¡°Ah?¡± Lucy queried, puzzled.

    Richard clarified, ¡°Typically, when an individual recalls a genuinely occurring event, their eyes instinctively shift to the upper right. Conversely, when fabricating a story, they tend to look down to the lower left.¡±

    ¡°Ah, but why is that?¡± Lucy probed further, even more confounded.

    Richard paused upon the stairway leading to the attic, gesturing toward his own forehead. ¡°Permit me to elaborate. The human brain can be simplistically divided into the left and right hemispheres. The left hemisphere governs memory, while the right hemisphere oversees imagination. When engaging in each function, the eyes will subconsciously drift toward the corresponding hemisphere.¡±

    ¡°Yet, that seems to contradict what you suggested earlier,¡± Lucy noted.

    ¡°Indeed, it does.¡± Richard did not deny it, but upon observing Lucy¡¯s further confusion, he sighed softly, ¡°The divergence between theory and outcome stems from a feature of the human brain known as cross-lateralization. In plain terms, during physical activity, the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body, whilst the right hemisphere commands the left side. Thus, it is true that the eyes may veer toward the functional areas; however, the final results will be quite the contrary.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± The young maid nodded, feigning understanding, yet comprehending little.

    ¡°Moreover, regarding why the eyes look upward or downward in conjunction with left or right orientations, it pertains to the human instinct to minimize visual stimuli. The cross-lateralization of the brain relates to fields of evolutionary biology and neuroscience. Alas, it may still be too premature to delve into such concepts with you; I shall explain those in detail at a later time.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± Once more, Lucy nodded obediently, holding her tongue from further inquiries, though she remained entirely baffled.

    Terminologies such as ¡°cross-lateralization,¡± ¡°evolutionary biology,¡± and ¡°neuroscience¡± were foreign to her ears; their meanings eluded her, let alone grasp their implications. Though such conversations had often unfolded, the outcome remained unchanged¡ªLucy felt ever the stark contrast between herself and her master, sensing herself simply a dim-witted servant, failing in her duty to alleviate Richard''s burdens.

    Thus, she resolved to memorize those terms, trusting time would elucidate their meanings, so that she might render assistance whenever required, perhaps even supplying answers to earn a smile of approval from Richard.

    When one reminisces, their gaze shifts to the upper right; when they concoct tales, their eyes wander downward to the left. This indicated that to gaze upward right was to speak truth, whilst downward left would signify deceit. Was this truly the case? Did Richard¡¯s contemplations manifest in downward glances as well?

    Lucy mused upon these thoughts when suddenly Richard halted, glancing backward and reminded her, ¡°Ah, regarding the eye-based method of lie detection, remember this: It is effective solely upon those unacquainted with this theory. Those who have knowledge of it can easily learn to feign contrary expressions, as I can.¡±You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    Upon perceiving the teasing glimmer in Richard''s expression, Lucy instinctively recoiled, fearing her master possessed some arcane insight. She hastily shook her head, ¡°Nay, I... I promise I shan¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°That shall suffice,¡± Richard replied, dismissing the concern with a wave as he pushed open the door to the upper chamber of the side castle¡ªthe so-called ¡°laboratory.¡± Though simple in its construction, the technologies contained within far surpassed the advancements of this world by many centuries.

    ¡°If we intend to capture the fire bear, we must prepare adequately; it shall not be as simple as with the werewolf, given the bear''s bulk and ferocity exceed that of a mere werewolf. Hence, it stands to reason that... we must distill more alcohol, as well as¡­¡± As Richard spoke, he busied himself with various tasks within the laboratory.

    Lucy, entering the ¡°laboratory,¡± swiftly assumed her role as a maid. While she could not perform experiments in Richard''s stead, she could at least lend a helping hand¡ªpassing instruments, washing used apparatus, and liberating Richard from the burdens of minutiae. This had been Richard''s intent in personally training a maid.

    Within the flurry of activity, Richard¡¯s voice resonated continuously.

    ¡°Bring me the largest crucible.¡±

    ¡°The glass flask¡ªyes, the one labeled as ¡®Number 3.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Go yonder, and hold that shaking bamboo tube steady for me.¡±

    ¡°And wash these ceramic jars; remember to use the clean water from ¡®Number 8¡¯ jar for the final rinse.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Days swiftly passed.

    The sun hung high in the sky, a colossal fireball scorching the entirety of the realm. The air stood still; nary a breeze stirred, and even the treetops remained unmoving.

    The small river in the meadow flowed serenely, while the dust upon the road leading to the Baron¡¯s castle lay still, as if poised for an event.

    Suddenly!

    ¡°Creak, creak, creak!¡±

    With a crash, the drawbridge of the castle lowered, the gates flung open, and the thunderous clatter of hooves echoed¡ªa cavalry unit surged forth into the open.

    Dust swirled up from the path ahead!

    Leading the charge was Tuku, appearing conspicuous as he towered upon his steed. Midway through the troop, Richard sat expressionless upon his mount, watched closely by the surrounding cavalry.

    Bringing up the rear was the unfortunate hunter, recently retrieved from the dungeons, still adjusting to the harsh glare of daylight. His hands bound, he was dragged along by the ropes tied to his mount''s girth, pulled along as he stumbled out of the Baron¡¯s castle.

    This was Tuku¡¯s master plan. In his eyes, a commoner¡ªa man bold enough to spread rumors that deceived the Baron¡¯s second heir¡ªhad been fortunate enough to escape with merely a few lashes; riding horseback was an impossibility for him.

    As for Richard, his stance was markedly different¡ªhe cared not for the man¡¯s fate, so long as the fellow lived and could guide him to the legendary fire bear.

    Thus, the party sped northwest across the Baron¡¯s domain like the wind.

    An hour later, a verdant forest materialized before them.

    Before their eyes stood rows of black pines, trunks darkened as though singed, their needles pine-green as if infused with smoke¡ªthis was precisely from whence the ¡°Black Forest¡± derived its name.

    The company halted before the edge of the forest; the hunter, having run tethered behind the horses, was at last granted a moment to catch his breath, gasping for air.

    With a thud, Tuku¡ªencased in heavy armor¡ªleapt from his steed, causing the ground beneath him to sink slightly. He looked upward at Richard.

    Richard understood the unspoken query¡ªwhether the hunter should be sent ahead to lead the way. Without hesitation, he nodded slightly in affirmation.

    Upon receiving Richard''s signal, Tuku''s expression hardened. He strode to the rear of the group, unbinding the ropes tethering the hunter, yanking him forward with a forceful tug, devoid of sympathy. ¡°Enough of your whimpering like a dead dog! Get to the front and guide us! Should you fail to lead us to the fire bear today, your life shall be forfeit!¡±

    The hunter recoiled, trembling, uttering not a word of defiance. Nodding submissively, he dashed toward the forefront, leading the band onward.

    Numerous riders dismounted, guiding their mounts into the periphery of the forest.

 Chapter 4

    Upon entering the forest, the searing sunlight was swiftly muted, the oppressive heat dissipated, replaced by a stifling humidity akin to that of a sauna.

    Richard remained composed, his countenance betraying no change as he followed the procession deeper into the woods.

    As time progressed, the company plunged further into the heart of the forest, yet aside from encountering a pair of grey rabbits and a decrepit wolf, not a single other creature graced their path.

    Richard remained unperturbed, but he noted Tuku¡¯s growing agitation. The captain¡¯s gaze toward the hunter became increasingly hostile¡ªa clear sign of waning patience. Richard surmised if they continued to tread this same path without finding the fire bear, Tuku would be the first to lose his temper and mete out a severe punishment upon the hunter.

    Another hour slipped by, and still, no sign of the beast to be found. Tuku, possessed of a foul mood, could contain himself no longer. Without warning, he delivered a sudden kick to the forward-leading hunter, then began to rain blows, bellowing, ¡°Where is the fire bear? Thou promised the fire bear! Why have we yet to lay eyes upon it?! If thou hast deceived Young Master Richard, if thou hast fooled me, I shall not only slay thee, but I will also grind thy head into the dust!¡±

    ¡°This¡­¡± The assaulted hunter curled into a ball, fearfully seeking Richard¡¯s gaze.

    But Richard, preoccupied, remained focused on a peculiar plant at the roadside. It was a sapling¡ªnot unlike any ordinary tree¡ªyet its bark bore an intriguing texture, and its leaves exuded a faint fragrance.

    Richard recognized it as a species known on Earth as "moon orange," valued for its analgesic and hemostatic properties. While commonplace upon Earth, in this world, where medical resources were scarce, it was a treasure beyond measure. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Richard reached out and carefully collected the medicinal parts before turning his attention back to the hunter.

    The man now bore bruises from Tuku¡¯s wrath, trembling as Richard glanced at him. ¡°You need not seek my favor. Should you fail to lead our party to the fire bear by dusk, I shall not stay Tuku''s hand from following through on his threats. If anything, I shall ensure your fate is even more dire. Thus¡­finding the fire bear is your only means of survival.¡±

    The hunter quivered with dread, relinquishing any last threads of hope. Struggling from beneath Tuku''s foot, he hurried ahead, repeating, ¡°Spare me! I shall lead you to the fire bear! I assure you, I will¡ª¡±

    ¡°Let us hope so,¡± Richard replied succinctly, offering no further words.

    Another hour passed as afternoon set in, yet still, the fire bear remained elusive. The hunter¡¯s despair mounted. Tuku cast a sardonic glance at him, prompting the man to stumble back in fright; at that very moment, a resounding roar echoed from the distance.

    ¡°Roar!¡±

    ¡°What was that sound?¡± The guards, including Tuku, quickly converged, forming a barrier around Richard to guard against any potential threats from all directions.

    The hunter found himself isolated on the periphery of their protective circle. Momentarily stunned, the hunter''s expression morphed into one of wild elation. He swung his head around, tears of joy brimming in his eyes, and shouted, ¡°Young Master Richard! Young Master Richard! It¡¯s the fire bear! That is the roar of the fire bear! I swear, that is indeed the sound! When I first saw the fire bear days ago, it was precisely this noise!¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°Is it truly?¡± Tuku scoffed, skepticism evident in his gaze.

    Richard¡¯s eyes gleamed with interest. ¡°Let us proceed to investigate.¡±

    ¡°Indeed,¡± Tuku affirmed, immediately rallying the troops toward the source of the fearsome roar.

    As they drew closer, the roar''s intensity amplified, resonating in their chests.

    After traversing a distance, a colossal figure broke the horizon on the hill, emerging in their sight.

    It was a bear¡ªupon first glance, that was Richard''s immediate impression. Yet, upon analyzing its form, it appeared no more than an ordinary bear.

    However¡­there was something amiss; the air surrounding it shimmered subtly.

    Narrowing his eyes, Richard focused intently on the creature. Suddenly, clarity struck him: this was no ordinary bear¡ªit was indeed a fire bear, its entire form ablaze with flames. The distortion of air was attributed to the refracted light caused by the intense heat.

    Alas, the others were oblivious to this understanding.

    Tuku reacted most vehemently, his expression sharpening as he drew his knight¡¯s sword, pressing it menacingly against the hunter''s throat, while gesturing toward the bear. ¡°This is the ¡®fire bear¡¯ for which you wasted Young Master Richard''s precious time? This is the ¡®fire bear¡¯ you spoke of, engulfed in flames? Where are the flames? I see none!¡±

    ¡°It truly is the ¡®fire bear!¡¯¡± the hunter stammered, trembling under the blade¡¯s threat, ¡°This bear is ablaze! Only, the flames are small when afar. You cannot perceive them until you draw closer, thus¡ª¡±

    ¡°Liar!¡± Tuku interrupted, disbelief etched upon his features.

    Richard sighed softly, turning to Tuku. ¡°He speaks truth; the fire bear does indeed burn.¡±

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    Richard indicated the bear upon the distant hill. ¡°If thou scrutinize deeply enough, thou shalt see the air around the bear is warped¡ªthis is due to the combustion of flames. In technical terms, this results from the bending of light as it travels through different mediums. Ahem, thou need not grasp the intricacies¡ªsimply recognize that we have indeed found the fire bear.¡±

    ¡°Oh, is that so?¡± With Richard''s assurance, Tuku felt no further reason to question, redirecting his gaze toward the fire bear and, pressing his lips together, inquired, ¡°Then, Young Master Richard, shall we prepare to capture it?¡±

    ¡°Prepare, indeed, and release him while we are at it. No need to waste manpower keeping a watch over him,¡± Richard indicated the hunter.

    ¡°Understood.¡± Without hesitation, Tuku delivered a swift kick to the hunter¡¯s rear, scowling, ¡°Be gone!¡±

    Freed as if granted amnesty, the hunter rapidly chattered, ¡°I¡¯m leaving! I¡¯m leaving!¡± and darted into the embrace of the forest, disappearing swiftly.

    With that, all attention turned to the fire bear a hundred meters away.

    The operation to capture the beast commenced in earnest!

    Tuku waved his hand, instructing the guards to encircle the fire bear upon the hillside, while Richard remained behind.

    All unfolded according to plan.

    The first step of the plan involved utilizing hand crossbows and arbalests to incessantly harass the fire bear, inciting its fury while preventing it from going on a rampage, thus depleting its strength and extinguishing the flames enveloping its body.

    The second step entailed launching special rope arrows from powerful crossbows to pierce through the bear¡¯s flesh and thereby control its movements.

    The final step would be to deliver the killing blow.

    Before long, Tuku and his party had encircled the bear from three directions, unleashing a hail of arrows.

    Lacking substantial intelligence, the fire bear found itself momentarily confused, unable to determine where to focus its aggression. It would dart left when struck from that side, only to redirect right as arrows rained down, creating a chaotic dance of evasion.

    As the exchanges continued, the bear''s temper ignited; its flames promptly grew from virtually unnoticeable flickers to towering tongues of fire reaching several inches high, radiating a fierce crimson hue.

    Richard arched an eyebrow.

    The unfurling barrage from Tuku and his contingent did not cease, only stoking the fire bear¡¯s rage further. The flames surged and swelled, ascending to over half a meter in height, the color shifting toward a vivid azure.

    Meanwhile, Richard, positioned at a distance and observing intently, furrowed his brow.

 Chapter 5

    Generally speaking, the temperature of a flame is closely tied to its color. When the temperature is low, combustion is incomplete, leading to darker flames. Thus, black flames may appear striking but typically do not exceed three hundred degrees. Meanwhile, red flames signify a temperature of around one thousand degrees, and blue flames indicate an even higher heat.

    On Earth, there is a saying: "Â¯»ð´¿Çà" (attaining the purity of azure flames), which implies that the azure flames represent the pinnacle of flames that can be reached under normal circumstances. In such cases, temperatures typically soar above two thousand degrees, sufficient to melt iron.

    This complicates matters...

    Richard¡¯s brow furrowed even deeper. Initially, the plan had anticipated that the fire bear would not exhibit such formidable strength, and the flames it bore might extinguish after a brief moment. However, this unforeseen circumstance posed a dilemma.

    But perhaps it was not a dilemma at all, for unforeseen events are merely part of a good plan. If one has no backup measures, then that indeed is an unexpected turn of fate.

    Given that the fire bear possessed such formidable might and the flames were so intense, why not lend a hand to the creature?

    Richard squinted towards the distance, observing Tuku and the others.

    At that moment, Tuku¡¯s group appeared to be on the verge of collapse. The fire bear was engulfed in flames that towered half a meter high; it resembled a blazing bonfire. Even from dozens of meters away, one could feel the oppressive heat. Clad in heavy iron armor, they sweated profusely, the moisture evaporating swiftly, leaving their throats parched and their mouths dry.

    Yet this was not the worst part; most concerning was the bear''s escalating fury, which threatened to spiral out of control at any moment. If it did erupt into a full-blown rage...

    Even the fierce Tuku could not help but show signs of concern.

    Just then, Richard¡¯s voice rang out from afar, commanding, ¡°Retreat and scatter the flour!"

    ¡°Hm? Understood!¡± Tuku and his companions were momentarily taken aback, but they quickly responded, releasing their arrows towards the fire bear before retreating. Naturally, they also remembered Richard''s orders, scattering the flour from their sacks as they went.

    Unbeknownst to them, the purpose for carrying flour was a mystery; they simply followed Richard¡¯s instructions without question.

    The white flour cascaded down from above, cloaking the area around the bear in a manner akin to a gentle snowfall.

    Caught in a fit of rage, the fire bear was startled, abruptly halting its rampage to gaze curiously at the descending flour, which in turn caused its flames to diminish slightly.

    As more flour continued to rain down, the concentration surrounding the bear escalated.

    Utterly bewildered by the unfolding scene, the fire bear¡¯s previous wrath dissipated entirely; its flames extinguished. Driven by its inherent curiosity, the bear instinctively pawed at the flour, though it proved futile, leading it to scratch its head in confusion.

    The flour fell thickly, enveloping the area around the bear in a dense fog-like layer.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    Within this white haze, the bear engaged in playful antics, swiping at flour drifting by, seemingly enjoying itself. Yet, an incongruous sense of danger loomed within, intensifying as time unfolded.

    Once more, the beast grew restless, its flames beginning to flare, yet simultaneously, an innate sense of peril rooted deep within its bloodline stifled that impulse and urged it to flee from the flour-clouded zone.

    With a low growl, the fire bear began to lumber forth, seeking escape.

    But it was too late. A flaming arrow shot forth unexpectedly¡ªTuku¡¯s group had dropped to the ground, covering their ears. In the distance, Richard carefully lowered a hefty arbalest.

    ¡°Roar!¡±

    The fire bear¡¯s furious cry echoed!

    ¡°Whoosh!¡±

    The burning arrow struck the zone consumed by flour.

    Suddenly, flames burst forth, igniting particles of flour suspended in mid-air, causing a rapid spread. In an instant, all the flour-drenched area flared up.

    Within the blink of an eye, a combustible mix of fine powder caught fire, releasing a torrent of energy¡ªthus igniting a dust explosion.

    ¡°Boom!¡±

    A thunderous cacophony erupted, akin to a clap of thunder in the still air, sending a reverberation that buzzed in the ears of Tuku and his comrades, who remained prostrate on the ground.

    Everything nearby succumbed to the force of the blast. Tiny branches splintered, thick grass went flat against the earth, and flying debris crashed against tree trunks with an audible clatter. Even Richard, ensconced in what was deemed a ¡°safe zone,¡± felt the breeze of the explosion lift his noble cloak, momentarily fluttering before settling back down.

    After what felt like an eternity, as the dust began to settle, Richard squinted towards the area where the fire bear had once stood.

    The cloud of flour had completely dissipated, revealing a scorched earth where the bear lay; it was sprawled and unable to rise, its strength utterly exhausted, clearly devoid of any resistance.

    ¡°Continue with the plan,¡± Richard commanded, glancing back momentarily.

    ¡°Understood.¡± Tuku''s group acted without hesitation, grasping their reinforced arbalests and took aim at the incapacitated bear, pulling the triggers.

    ¡°Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!¡±

    Several harpooned arrows, tethered with ropes, pierced through the bear¡¯s flesh, tightening around it, completely immobilizing any movement. The fire bear attempted to struggle but lacked the strength, merely managing to twitch feebly before allowing its forelimbs to droop.

    Tuku¡¯s mouth curled into a savage grin as he slowly unsheathed his heavy knight¡¯s sword from his back.

    ¡°Thump, thump, thump!¡±

    In his iron armor, Tuku began to dash forward, accelerating with fervent purpose.

    ¡°Thump, thump, thump!¡±

    His heavy footfalls pounded against the ground, growing ever quicker until he stood directly before the fire bear. With a fierce glare, he stabbed his sword forward without hesitation. The combination of powerful force and momentum drove the blade deep into the bear''s heart.

    ¡°Shlick!¡±

    Scarlet blood erupted from the wound like a fountain, spraying Tuku¡¯s face in an instant, while the bear convulsed a few times before slipping into stillness, its eyes forever closed.

    ¡°Young Master Richard, the fire bear is dead,¡± Tuku reported nonchalantly, wiping the blood from his face.

    ¡°Mm.¡± Richard nodded in acknowledgment and stepped closer, beginning to examine the bear.

    Earlier, he''d maintained a distance due to the fire bear''s inherent danger, thus his observations had been rather superficial. Now that he stood nearer, he could clearly discern that the bear''s fur leaned toward a reddish-brown hue.

    ¡°So, this signifies that it is of the brown bear classification?¡± Richard mused aloud, performing a cursory examination based on the bear species characteristics from Earth.

    Bending low, he pried open the bear¡¯s jaws to inspect its teeth.

    ¡°One, two, three, four¡­¡± Richard counted assiduously.

    Before long, he tallied a total of 42 teeth upon this so-called fire bear. Notably, the carnassial teeth were relatively small, suggesting a diminished capacity for tearing food, whilst the molars were considerably large, reflecting a strong ability to grind. Moreover, the notable regression of the premolars behind the canines were unmistakable hallmarks of a brown bear.

    Rising upright, Richard advanced to further inspect the bear¡¯s forelimbs and shoulders. He noticed pronounced muscular swellings across its shoulder and the back of its neck, while the forelimbs were short and robust, with claws extending over ten centimeters that lacked retractability. These features were exceptionally indicative of the brown bear on Earth.

    Thus, it was confirmed: categorically, this was a creature belonging to the biological classification of a brown bear.

    Richard considered these points as he continued to scrutinize the bear¡¯s physique, his eyes narrowing further.

 Chapter 6

    If the fire bear truly belonged to the species of brown bears, it was rather diminutive. Now lying on the ground, the fire bear measured about one point eight meters in length and weighed approximately three hundred pounds. Compared to an ordinary Asian black bear, it was slightly larger but still within typical parameters. However, when compared to an adult brown bear, which could grow to three meters in length and weigh over a thousand pounds, the fire bear seemed significantly smaller.

    ¡°Thus, could it be that this is merely a juvenile fire bear?¡± Richard mused aloud, his expression growing solemn as he recalled the fire bear¡¯s demonstration of flames that towered over half a meter high.

    If this rather small creature could produce such high-temperature flames, what kind of power would a fully matured fire bear possess?

    What could cause this bear to unleash such intense heat?

    Richard crouched down again, scrutinizing the fire bear, yet he found neither any unusual organs nor special glands upon its skin. It appeared strikingly similar to any typical juvenile brown bear. Why it could combust without sustaining injuries completely eluded him. At least, without further dissection and investigation, he couldn¡¯t draw any conclusions.

    With this troubling thought, Richard resolved not to waste any more time. He turned to Tuku and commanded, ¡°Bring the corpse back; we¡¯ll continue at the castle.¡±

    ¡°Understood.¡± Tuku nodded, signaling several members of the guard team to firmly bind the fire bear with ropes and drag it behind two horses as they swiftly exited the forest, making their way toward the baronial castle.

    As dusk approached, the ground was painted gold by the setting sun, the western clouds ablaze in crimson. A contingent of men rode into the dark castle of the baron, returning from their expedition.

    Richard directed Tuku and a few others to lift the fire bear¡¯s carcass into the laboratory on the side tower of the castle and then turned to seek out the young maid, Lucy.

    ¡°Prepare a bath for me; I need to wash up. Additionally, gather a complete set of cutlery in the laboratory and fetch the distilled alcohol; I have need of it.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Lucy nodded obediently and hurried off.

    Not long after, the kitchen had heated sufficient water under Lucy¡¯s instruction, and Richard began his bath.

    Once he had bathed, donned clean, loose-fitting garments, and dried his hair, Richard entered the laboratory. There, Lucy had arranged a complete set of tools neatly upon a table along the wall and carefully placed the distilled alcohol in a designated spot. Her eyes wandered anxiously toward the center of the lab, where a sizable mass with reddish-brown fur lay sprawled across two tables.

    ¡°Sir¡­ is that the fire bear?¡± she asked hesitantly.

    ¡°Indeed,¡± Richard affirmed, not allowing Lucy the chance to voice further inquiries. ¡°That will be all. You should wait outside.¡±

    ¡°Ah?!¡± Lucy gawked in shock, her eyes wide as she cautiously queried, ¡°Sir, did I do something wrong? Why don¡¯t you want my assistance? This hasn¡¯t been the case before.¡±The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    ¡°Because¡­ the scene may become somewhat grisly, and I fear it would be too much for you to bear,¡± Richard replied, then pointlessly waived toward the door. ¡°Out you go.¡±

    ¡°Well, alright¡­¡±

    With her head drooping, the maid exited the room.

    Richard took a deep breath, steeling himself for the preparations of the dissection ahead.

    He tightened his sleeves and pant cuffs with fine linen cords, then sanitized his hands with alcohol.

    After soaking the tools in alcohol, Richard held the implements as he approached the lifeless fire bear.

    Resting one hand upon the bear¡¯s chest, he began to gauge the anatomy, eventually pressing down on a spot near its throat.

    ¡°Thud.¡± A sharp dagger plunged swiftly from that location, slicing downward.

    Sensing the resistance of the blade, Richard gradually increased his force. After switching between three different tools, he spent the better part of the afternoon methodically opening the fire bear¡¯s chest, exposing its internal workings to the light.

    Upon discarding the tools and washing the blood from his hands, he began his careful examination.

    ¡°Magical creature? The fire bear? Since it can ignite flames across its body, it must possess some corresponding specialized physiological structure. But what could that be? A magical crystal core? A vital essence? Mutated organs?¡± Richard mumbled to himself as he compared the fire bear''s insides with those of a typical brown bear from Earth, scrutinizing each detail.

    After some time, Richard found himself feeling somewhat disheartened.

    ¡°Are there truly no differences? All the organs appear identical; nothing extra or lacking, all perfectly aligned with a standard bear¡¯s anatomy?¡±

    Richard furrowed his brow.

    ¡°This cannot be! If there are no differences, how can its exterior ignite? How does the fur remain unscorched in the flames?¡±

    Richard began to pace within the laboratory, and a spark of suspicion lit in his eyes as he directed his gaze toward the fire bear¡¯s fur.

    ¡°Whoosh!¡±

    He seized a knife once more, selecting a portion of flesh from the bear¡¯s chest and forcefully slicing it away, ultimately obtaining a piece roughly the size of a palm.

    Walking to the wall, Richard poured some of the stored alcohol into a ceramic bowl and ignited it. As the orange flames leaped upward, he tossed the palm-sized piece of bear flesh into the fire, squinting thoughtfully as he observed its response.

    The flames danced, steadily consuming the alcohol while the fire bear''s flesh remained unscathed.

    ¡°The temperature of an alcohol lamp ranges between four hundred to six hundred degrees Celsius, yet this flesh does not char. This suggests that even away from the body, the flesh can easily withstand temperatures beyond what a common person can endure. Thus¡­¡±

    Richard examined the ceramic bowl closely and saw that once the alcohol had burned away completely, the flames did not extinguish. Instead, they clung to the surface of the fire bear''s flesh, continuing to burn. The fire¡¯s hue brightened further, shifting from orange to a vivid red, finally evolving into a brilliant yellow.

    Experiencing the heat radiating from the flames, Richard estimated that the temperature must now be at least one thousand three hundred degrees.

    ¡°Thus, the secret lies within the fire bear''s flesh?¡± Richard¡¯s eyes shimmered, and his mind raced as he tried to form a logical explanation. ¡°There may exist an unknown substance within the bear¡¯s flesh, something akin to fat or alcohol, that can ignite and release high heat. Moreover, this substance evaporates during combustion, carrying off immense amounts of heat and safeguarding the fur from scorching.¡±

    ¡°If the fire bear is considered a ¡®magical creature,¡¯ this unknown substance surely plays a pivotal role, does it not? If I can refine it, could it serve as a form of magical essence? Might it even provide magical energy?¡± Richard¡¯s enthusiasm grew.

    Without a moment''s hesitation, he set to work.

    Using his knife, he cut away swathes of the fire bear¡¯s flesh, placing them into a pot filled with water to boil.

    At this stage, he had yet to determine precisely where within the flesh the so-called ¡°magical substance¡± resided, but he could only employ this rudimentary method to extract it.

    The water in the pot quickly reached a boil, evaporating steadily while the oils from the bear¡¯s flesh began to seep out, forming a deep red layer at the bottom of the pot, reminiscent of coagulated plasma.

    Richard remained undeterred, continuing to boil away. Once all the water had evaporated, he discarded the withered flesh and extracted roughly a pound of deep red oil.

 Chapter 7

    He scooped out a small portion with a spoon, ignited it, and began his experiment anew. To his surprise, a brilliant blue flame of extraordinarily high temperature erupted at first, but it did not last long before it dwindled into a dark red flame of lower intensity. Meanwhile, the previously intact fat quickly began to char, releasing an aroma reminiscent of burning feathers.

    Richard recognized well that this peculiar smell was the result of protein combustion, likely caused by impurities within the fat.

    ¡°Well, it seems that this red fat is not pure magical substance; rather, the magical essence is merely concealed within. To obtain pure magical material, it must first be extracted from the fat, after which I can pursue my desired endeavors,¡± Richard muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing into slits.

    Just then, a rhythmic series of knocks sounded on the laboratory''s closed door: ¡°Knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock!¡±

    ¡°Come in,¡± Richard replied, already knowing who it was.

    With a soft ¡°squeak,¡± the door opened, and the timid maid Lucy peeked inside, her voice quivering, ¡°Master...¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡± Richard asked, glancing at the maid while continuing his work to prepare for the extraction of the pure magical substance.

    ¡°There¡¯s something¡­,¡± Lucy swallowed hard and said, ¡°Lord Baron has returned from inspecting the territory.¡±

    Richard did not pause his work, merely shrugged slightly, ¡°So what?¡±

    He was aware that his somewhat wealthy father, Baron Leo, had set out several days earlier to survey the land, and according to plan, he should be returning around this time¡ªthere was nothing to be surprised about.

    ¡°But... Lord Baron said he wants to have dinner with you,¡± Lucy continued.

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Richard''s hand hesitated ever so slightly before resuming its task, speaking in a flat tone, ¡°Tell Baron Leo that I am busy and don''t have time to accompany him. He can eat alone.¡±

    After saying this, Richard placed the pound of blood-red fat into a ceramic jar, then set the jar into a basin of water. Next, he pulled out various bottles and containers, attempting to assemble them into a complete set of instruments.

    At that moment, Lucy observed Richard¡¯s flurry of activity, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled to find her words. After some time, she timidly said, ¡°But... Master, Lord Baron insists on dining with you. He is waiting for you in the main hall of the castle, and he said he won¡¯t serve the dishes until you arrive.¡±

    The timid Lucy¡¯s voice grew softer until it was barely audible.

    Richard frowned and lifted his gaze to Lucy. Their eyes met, and Lucy''s face was filled with apprehension as she softly asked, ¡°Master... are you going?¡±Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    ¡°Ha,¡± Richard exhaled, his eyes flickering momentarily before he turned to wash his hands, a hint of sarcasm in his voice, ¡°Of course I¡¯ll go! The esteemed Baron is so ¡®sincere¡¯ in inviting me to dinner; how can I refuse? That would be terribly disrespectful!¡±

    ¡°Uh...¡±

    ¡°Alright then, let¡¯s go,¡± Richard declared, pushing the door open and stepping out of the attic, descending into the side keep.

    At the heart of the castle stood the main keep where Baron Leo resided, constructed entirely of blue stones, towering over twenty meters high. To the left and right were adjacent lower keeps; the right one housed Richard, while the left accommodated the knights, their squires, and higher-ranking servants.

    The remainder of the staff resided in the simple dwellings behind the main keep, adjacent to the stables, which were dark, damp, and foul-smelling.

    As Richard walked down the side keep, he cast a glance toward the direction of the simple dwellings before turning toward the main keep.

    Upon entering, the spacious main hall of the keep greeted him.

    The floor was paved with large stone slabs, some of which were already chipped and carefully repaired. The surface of the slabs was incredibly smooth from years of foot traffic.

    In the center of the hall stood a long dining table made of black walnut, over four meters long and one meter wide. The tall and slender Baron Leo Angrel was seated at one end, facing the door, his back straight as an arrow. Upon seeing Richard arrive, he spoke, ¡°You¡¯ve come, my son...¡±

    Richard remained silent, sitting at the opposite end of the table, meeting Baron Leo''s gaze. He understood well that his father, Baron Leo, was not simply inviting him for dinner out of the goodness of his heart; this dinner was merely a pretext, behind which lay some unknown agenda.

    Sensing Richard''s scrutinizing gaze, Baron Leo chuckled a few times, an awkward rippling laughter that seemed to convey his mood.

    Yet, the atmosphere was palpably tense.

    To alleviate the discomfort, Baron Leo clapped his hands and called out, ¡°Begin dinner, serve the dishes!¡±

    ¡°Yes, my lord,¡± came the reply, followed by a stream of maids entering with trays, quickly laying out the food before Baron Leo and Richard.

    Richard glanced over the meal and felt his appetite lost¡ªdespite having lived in this world for a full fifteen years, he still struggled to adapt to the dismal medieval cuisine.

    Insufficient seasoning and a lack of culinary variety rendered the food nearly inedible. The soup was sour, the steak burnt, and the cabbage was yellowed...

    The bread, the main staple, was even worse. Unlike the modern Earth, bread in the medieval world was often unleavened, resembling hard, dry crackers more than actual bread. The flour used for the bread was typically unrefined, mixed with a large amount of bran, yielding an unpleasant texture.

    Some unscrupulous bakers even added sand or gravel to their flour, producing hard black bread that could arguably serve as a weapon¡ªmedieval chronicles recorded multiple instances of inept thieves meeting their demise at the hands of a housewife wielding such black bread. During domestic disputes, many men similarly fell victim to attacks by their wives'' black bread¡ªa flavor one could only imagine.

    Of course, the bread served to Richard and Baron Leo could not be that atrocious. The flour was carefully sifted multiple times, yielding a soft white bread with a faint wheat aroma, yet still tasted dreadful in Richard¡¯s opinion.

    He tore the white bread into small pieces, submerged them in the meat broth until softened, and then used his knife and fork to deliver the mushy morsels to his mouth. After swallowing the bread soaked in broth, he chewed on the terribly overcooked steak and hastily swallowed some of the yellowed cabbage, barely managing to fill his stomach.

    At that moment, Baron Leo across from him had also finished his meal, wiping his mouth with a napkin, drinking the remnants of his wine, and looking over with an expression that indicated he wanted to speak.

    Richard knew the main course had only just begun.

 Chapter 8

    ¡°The past few days, I¡¯ve conducted a tour of the territory,¡± Baron Leo began, a worried expression etched across his face. ¡°To be honest, things are not looking good. Some villages are frequently plagued by bandit raids, and two towns have been ransacked from time to time. Many merchants are too afraid to do business on our lands. I fear that this year¡¯s revenue will be even lower than last year¡¯s. Last year, we had earned over two thousand silver coins; this time, we may be lucky to scrape together a mere eighteen hundred.¡±

    Richard remained silent, continuing to observe Leo, curious to see what his true intentions were.

    Under Richard¡¯s scrutiny, Baron Leo at last voiced his real objective: ¡°To stabilize the territory and restore order, I¡¯ve decided to recruit more knights and soldiers. It¡¯s manageable to recruit soldiers as long as there is money. However, when it comes to knights, mere silver coins won¡¯t suffice; something more enticing is needed to sway them. Usually, this entails granting them lands. But currently, our lands are too scarce, reserved for only the most loyal knights. Therefore, I need to offer them something else in place of land, so¡­¡±

    ¡°So?¡± Richard prompted.

    ¡°So!¡± Baron Leo inhaled deeply and turned to Richard seriously. ¡°My dear son¡ªRichard Angrel, I would like you to forge two sharp knight''s swords, the kind you demonstrated to me before that can easily cut through an ordinary long sword. I plan to use them to secure the allegiance of the knights; then, it won¡¯t be long before the territory stabilizes.¡±

    Upon hearing this, Richard smiled, shrugging his shoulders as he replied, ¡°Alright then.¡±

    ¡°Really? You agree!¡± To Leo¡¯s surprise, the expression on his face quickly shifted as Richard added, ¡°But each sword will cost six hundred silver coins.¡±

    ¡°Wh-what¡­?¡± Leo¡¯s expression froze, murmuring, ¡°That¡­ that¡¯s exorbitant! It equates to four months'' worth of the territory''s income!¡±

    ¡°The swords I craft are inherently expensive,¡± Richard stated matter-of-factly.

    ¡°Well, I could provide iron ingots, and the blacksmiths in the territory can assist you. It¡¯ll only take your word to get it done.¡±

    ¡°Then why not simply seek out other blacksmiths? They would surely be too intimidated to charge you, my dear baron.¡±

    ¡°You¡­¡± Leo trailed off, visibly flustered.

    ¡°You must understand,¡± Richard interjected, ¡°the most precious commodity here is my word. If I don¡¯t lend it, I cannot craft the swords you desire.¡±

    ¡°I am your father!¡± the baron exclaimed, a tinge of irritation in his voice.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to be angry, my lord father,¡± Richard replied calmly. Considering his fifteen-year existence in this world, he continued, ¡°Ever since three years ago, when I was twelve and you resorted to cutting off my allowance to coerce me into abandoning my experiments, I made it clear to you that I would no longer rely on your funds. Every expense in my life has been self-sufficient since then.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    In fact, over the past three years, I¡¯ve earned sufficient money through the two shops I opened in town and have reimbursed you for every last expenditure from the twelve years you supported me, based on current market prices. Later, when you forbade me from commanding the castle''s soldiers, I promptly recruited the First Guard myself. I personally rewarded them, ensuring their loyalty to me, while nominally still obeying you.

    From one perspective, I owe you nothing. My dear father, we stand as equals, perhaps even adversaries, since three years ago. Thus, if you desire something from me, you must provide me with something of equal value. Just to remind you, the swords you seek are alloy swords, with technology hundreds of years ahead of what this world possesses; three hundred silver coins translates to merely thirty thousand copper bits, a true bargain. Hence, there is absolutely no room for negotiation.¡±

    ¡°But I cannot come up with that kind of money right now,¡± Baron Leo said, visibly displeased. Sighing, he added, ¡°Can¡¯t you let it slide for now? My son, you are my heir. I admit that my actions three years ago may have been somewhat misguided, but you are bound to inherit my title; soon the entire territory will belong to you. Surely, that is worth more than three hundred silver coins?¡±

    ¡°Ha,¡± Richard laughed, extending a finger. ¡°First of all, I am merely your second heir. Although my ¡®dear¡¯ older brother¡ªEdward Angrel, who is five years my senior, followed tradition and left the territory to serve as a knight-errant in his mother¡¯s family¡¯s domain, I am well aware that he remains the true first heir, the future baron; this is unequivocal.¡±

    ¡°Secondly¡­¡± Richard raised a second finger, ¡°I have no intention of inheriting the title. What would I do with it? Plow the land, live modestly, and then recruit an army to conquer the world? Unfortunately, I¡¯ve never found such pursuits to be remotely interesting. What I desire is far more substantial and considerably more engaging. The things I wish to achieve need not be encumbered by an inherited title, so I will never consider that, nor think about it.¡±

    ¡°Lastly¡­¡± Richard raised a third finger, ¡°my current stance is not an act of retribution for events three years ago; I am no longer a child. Only children concern themselves with right and wrong; adults contemplate interests. My principle is fair exchange: you provide me with money, and I will forge your swords. Of course, if you truly lack the funds, I would also accept goods as compensation. My experiments require many items not currently found in the territory. I will have Lucy prepare a list for you; whenever you¡¯re able to procure those items, I will deliver the swords you seek.¡±

    The baron fell silent, reflecting for a long while before speaking again.

    ¡°Very well¡­¡± Baron Leo conceded begrudgingly, a hint of frustration mingling with resignation in his voice. As he gazed at his fifteen-year-old son, the unease that had lingered deep within him intensified. Many nights, he had awakened abruptly from dreams, standing at the window of the main fortress bedroom, peering toward the lanterns that burned ceaselessly in the side tower, endlessly questioning: Is this truly my son? How did I come to have such a son? What in the world does he intend to pursue?

    ¡°Alright, if there is nothing further, I will take my leave. Good night, my father¡ªBaron Leo Angrel,¡± Richard interrupted the baron¡¯s thoughts, turning to exit the main hall.

    Just then, the baron called out, ¡°Wait a moment.¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Richard paused, turning back to look at the baron and asking, ¡°Is there anything else?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard¡­¡± Leo inhaled deeply, cautiously organizing his words. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that before your return from the territory tour, you, along with Tuku, killed a bear in the Black Forest?¡±

    ¡°Mm.¡± Richard nodded.

    The baron turned his gaze, hoping to glean more from Richard, but received nothing in return. He had to ask again, ¡°The bear you killed¡ªit was a fire bear, correct? The one of legend, the entire body engulfed in flames, right?¡±

    ¡°Right.¡± Richard¡¯s response was brief and to the point.

    ¡°Aah.¡± The baron sighed deeply, furrowing his brows in worry, unable to restrain his inquiry. ¡°What exactly do you intend to do?¡±

 Chapter 9

    ¡°Regarding this, you should understand a portion, right?¡± Richard retorted.

    The baron¡¯s brows furrowed even deeper as he replied, ¡°It seems you¡¯ve never given up on your attempts to comprehend the legends of wizards, have you?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that a fascinating endeavor?¡± Richard smiled.

    ¡°Honestly, you would do better to pursue other interests. You are much smarter than I am, smarter than your mother who died in childbirth, smarter than the tutors I found for you, smarter than anyone I¡¯ve ever met. If you focused on something practical instead of chasing after the elusive notion of wizards, I believe you would achieve greater heights than I ever could.¡± Baron Leo spoke earnestly.

    Richard chuckled and shrugged, ¡°My views are precisely the opposite. Engaging in practical matters is indeed feasible, and I¡¯m confident I could perform much better than you imagine. But what significance does it hold?

    I could teach people how to create high-explosive compounds, construct rifled cannons, and develop rapid-firing firearms to lead an army to conquer the world. Alternatively, I could impart the secrets of distilling fine spirits, crafting transparent glass, or making small mirrors, amassing wealth to rival nations. But what would be the point?

    I can predict the outcome of such endeavors¡ªa tedious life ending in a dull, unchanging conclusion. Everything pales in comparison to the whimsical novels I¡¯ve read and the virtual games I¡¯ve played long ago.

    In contrast, the elusive concept of wizards piques my interest far more. Not long ago, I too dismissed their existence as nonsense, scoffing at such tales. However, when I encountered inexplicable phenomena¡ªsuch as someone suddenly finding themselves in an entirely unfamiliar place, reborn as a stranger¡¯s infant¡ªit changed everything. Perhaps wizards, and even more fantastical things, truly exist. The existence of creatures like the fire bear only corroborates this.

    Therefore, exploring it, understanding it, and utilizing it could prove to be immensely engaging. I believe dedicating my life''s work to this pursuit would be worthwhile.¡±

    Richard finished speaking, and Baron Leo lapsed into silence. A portion of Richard''s words eluded him, but he had grown accustomed to it. After a long pause, Leo finally looked over and said, ¡°Since I can¡¯t persuade you, I won¡¯t attempt to anymore. Just¡­ take care of yourself. Honestly, my greatest regret is giving you that book purported to contain wizard spells for your tenth birthday; otherwise, none of this would have happened.¡±

    ¡°I believe it was the best thing you could have done. Although the book is blank, devoid of any content, and after five years of study has yielded no results, perhaps tonight, with a stroke of luck, I might achieve some breakthrough. Well then, my lord baron, it¡¯s getting late. I really must attend to my work now. You¡­ good night.¡± With that, Richard turned and walked out of the hall, vanishing into the darkness.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    Baron Leo remained standing for a long while, shaking his head imperceptibly before turning and ascending the stairs into his bedroom.

    The night deepened, and the moonlight dimmed.

    The baron¡¯s castle transformed into a silhouette against the night, the towering fortress and its flanking keeps becoming three swords pointing towards the stars.

    Richard strode up to the side tower¡¯s loft, pushed the door to the laboratory open, and headed straight for the table to resume his interrupted experiments.

    First, he gathered his thoughts before getting to work.

    Carefully assembling a complete set of apparatus, Richard ignited the flame, officially beginning the distillation of the blood-red oil extracted earlier.

    Distillation serves to extract various substances from a mixture based on their differing boiling points. Richard cautiously adjusted the flame''s temperature, first extracting the water, which boiled at one hundred degrees Celsius, and then increased the heat to extract animal fats boiling around four hundred degrees Celsius.

    In the end, the distillation flask held only a shallow layer of crimson liquid, resembling blood. Richard knew well that it was certainly not blood; otherwise, it would have already coagulated. If all went as anticipated, this could potentially be the magical substance he had sought for so long!

    Magical substance!

    Carefully, he extracted the shimmering red liquid, sealing it within a bamboo tube, and turned to the corner of the laboratory.

    In that corner sat a heavy black iron chest. Richard opened it and retrieved a thick, hefty book from the bottom.

    This book measured thirty centimeters on each side, was four to five centimeters thick, and weighed at least five pounds. The cover was dark red, while the pages were a light yellow, smooth to the touch, bearing no roughness of paper but rather a leather-like sheen.

    Flipping through the book, Richard found it entirely blank. Not a single word graced its pages, merely the faint inscription on the cover: When I drink the powers of magic, you shall gain all the knowledge I document!

    Without a title or an author¡¯s name, this peculiar tome had been a gift from the baron on Richard''s tenth birthday. Rumors suggested it was a spellbook belonging to an evil sorcerer, but those had only ever been rumors.

    After acquiring it, Richard diligently studied the book but soon realized its extraordinary nature¡ªfirst, it was impervious to fire and water, constructed of an exceptionally unique material. Furthermore, it emanated a powerful, unknown energy that rendered nearby animals extremely agitated. Even the fiercest hunting dogs, upon nearing the book, would unleash pitiful howls and flee in terror. If they were forcibly restrained, over time, they would transition from shrill cries to trembling, ultimately succumbing to convulsions and death.

    Upon dissecting the deceased dogs, Richard found no abnormalities in their organs, yet the brain was suffused with a strange gray hue, suggesting their demise stemmed from a mental assault rather than physical injury.

    At this juncture, he reached an impasse. Lacking adequate information and hampered by the baron¡¯s restrictions, Richard reluctantly locked the book away in the iron chest. However, he refused to give up. He relentlessly searched for magical creatures, desperate to extract magical substances for breakthrough research.

    Richard speculated that the pages of the book were coated in a special substance, normally colorless, which would reveal writing upon the introduction of the so-called ¡®magical energy.¡¯

    Now was the moment to uncover the truth.

    ¡°Breathe,¡± Richard inhaled deeply and exhaled, focusing his gaze as he placed the book on the laboratory table and reached for the bamboo tube containing the crimson liquid.

    On the cover of the book, just below the obscure inscription, there was a crack resembling a sinister mouth. Tilting the tube slightly, droplets of the red liquid began to seep into the fissure.

 Chapter 10: Lorens Human Skin Diary

    ¡°Gurgle, gurgle!¡±

    At the moment the crimson liquid began to drip, a sound resembling a human gulping water echoed sharply, and the entire book visibly twitched, its cover and pages seeming to come alive.

    Simultaneously, Richard felt the temperature in the room plummet several degrees, turning the atmosphere chilly and dim. Outside the side tower, the hounds barked sharply, and the horses in the stables whinnied in distress. But soon, as if their throats had been strangled, the sounds ceased abruptly because...

    ¡°Crack!¡±

    Richard¡¯s hand rested firmly on the cover of the book.

    At the moment of contact, he felt a sensation of warmth and elasticity, akin to pressing against human skin.

    Immediately, from the point of contact, dark ink began to spread like ripples, radiating outward.

    Before long, a line of text appeared just above the previous inscription, occupying the rightful place of the book''s title: Loren''s Human Skin Diary.

    ¡°Loren''s Human Skin Diary?!¡± Richard read aloud, pausing dramatically at the last four characters.

    ¡°A human skin diary? ''Diary'' suggests it¡¯s a reading notebook; ''skin'' implies it¡¯s written on human skin. So, this must be a systematically compiled reading journal, right? Hm, written on human skin, nonetheless,¡± Richard mused.

    Without much hesitation, he flipped open the cover and glanced at the contents.

    The first page of the book was filled with densely packed handwriting.

    Richard started reading from the first line: ¡°Mortal, be quiet and listen as I unveil the secrets of wizards¡­¡±

    A night passed without sleep.

    As dawn broke, light flooded in, replacing the darkness with daylight. Richard slowly closed the human skin diary in his loft laboratory.

    Standing by the window, he observed the soldiers, servants, and grooms stirring in the morning at Baron Leo¡¯s castle, a rare smile crept across his face.

    ¡°How interesting,¡± Richard reflected.

    He couldn¡¯t help but add, ¡°Really, very interesting.¡±

    In that moment, Richard felt a surge of excitement. After a night of reading, he realized that his years of effort in searching for magical creatures were not in vain; he had caught a glimpse into the corner of a mysterious world.

    Closing his eyes, Richard quickly recalled the diary''s contents. After a long while, he murmured, ¡°If this diary isn¡¯t deceiving me, then becoming a wizard capable of casting spells, even as a lowly apprentice casting simple spells, is incredibly difficult.¡±

    Many fantasy novels depicted training methods that often involved meditative postures, absorbing the energies of the world, and storing them within one¡¯s body to be released during battles.

    However, the diary described a far more complex process.

    Though it didn''t completely stray from the trio of absorbing, storing, and releasing energies, each process came with numerous requirements.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    Richard sat down at the laboratory table, unrolling a papyrus scroll and laying it out. Dipping a quill into ink, he began to write, organizing his thoughts; this too was a form of his notes.

    First, energy absorption.

    In the human skin diary, this process was referred to as meditation.

    Richard understood meditation, rooted in modern India''s yoga, a technique for entering a deep meditative state. While it was said to help one grasp the universe¡¯s essence, that was rather mystical; however, it truly did enhance focus and calm the mind.

    The meditation described in the human skin diary was even deeper than that found in Indian practices. If Indian meditation brought one to a state of semi-consciousness, the meditation in Loren''s diary led one into complete slumber, maintaining awareness while becoming entirely unresponsive to the external world.

    Richard felt this resembled a nightmare state, somewhat akin to what some modern individuals on Earth called ¡°lucid dreaming,¡± Monroe¡¯s ¡°Journey Out of The Body,¡± or ¡°astral projection.¡±

    Generally, achieving this state often required abruptly waking from deep sleep. Before the motor centers of the body were activated, one had to willfully keep the body paralyzed while only the brain remained active. However, the success rate was extremely low; perhaps one in dozens of attempts would yield results.

    Entering such a state slowly and deliberately under normal conditions was also exceptionally challenging, as it required mastery of the Indian meditation technique.

    These were the first two difficulties Richard faced¡ªneither of which he could overcome.

    Following closely was the second difficulty.

    According to the human skin diary, meditation allowed for the acquisition of some elemental energy. However, under normal circumstances, these elemental energies could not be stored in the body. One must create a specialized mana core through consciousness to store them.

    Creating a mana core demanded exceptional mental strength and required the body to be in a peculiar activated state. Knowing how to enter this state constituted the second difficulty.

    Lastly, there was the third difficulty.

    The diary detailed that the energy stored within the mana core could not be summoned directly. As the absorbed elemental energies varied, they had to be refined into a pure and singular elemental energy before they could be successfully released as spells. The refining process required the body to enter another activated state, similar yet not identical to that needed for creating a mana core. Knowing how to achieve this state formed the third difficulty.

    Only when all three challenges were overcome could one be deemed capable of casting spells.

    Those who managed to conquer all three difficulties were considered gifted candidates for wizardry, referred to as ¡°golden seeds.¡± Those who stumbled at one hurdle but navigated the other two were deemed ¡°silver seeds.¡± Generally, silver seeds, under the guidance of true wizards, had a considerable chance of becoming competent wizards; however, they were often not as formidable as their golden seed counterparts.

    The majority of individuals, ordinary people, found themselves unable to conquer any of the three difficulties, living their entire lives lingering at the gates of the wizarding world. They were known as ¡°black seeds,¡± a term akin to ¡°Muggles¡± in Earth¡¯s novels like Harry Potter, bearing discriminatory and derogatory connotations.

    Richard was one such individual.

    Testing a method from the human skin diary, Richard soon realized he was indeed among the ordinary, incapable of overcoming any of the three barriers¡ªan unequivocal black seed. Upon discovering this reality, Richard accepted the truth without distress.

    To be honest, Richard had never viewed himself as possessing any special talent. According to the diary, golden seeds had a likelihood of less than one in a hundred thousand, while silver seeds fell below one in ten thousand. Black seeds comprised a staggering forty-nine thousand nine hundred ninety-eight point nine out of fifty thousand. Thus, possessing talent was an exceedingly rare occurrence; lacking talent was the norm.

    Richard felt no disappointment in this.

    For him, the most intriguing prospect wasn¡¯t becoming a wizard but rather studying wizards. The desire to be a wizard without talent was essentially a death sentence. However, the aspiration to research wizards, devoid of talent, simply guided him towards a variety of research directions.

    Why must wizards conquer these three formidable challenges in order to cast spells? Was there a way for someone utterly devoid of talent to adeptly tackle all three obstacles?

    What was so thrilling about becoming a wizard? The actual excitement lay in the potential to unveil the secrets of wizardry, develop methods for mass-producing wizards, and unravel the mysteries of all the enigmatic forces of this world¡ªthat was what truly captivated him.

    ¡°Rustle, rustle¡­¡±

    Richard slowed his writing with the quill on the papyrus until he finally came to a complete stop. Looking over what he had written, surveying the various possibilities and hypotheses for overcoming the three hurdles, a smirk appeared on his face.

    ¡°The three great challenges? Interesting! Let me see just how difficult they can be.¡±

 Chapter 11

    In the blink of an eye, several days had passed.

    Afternoon, side tower loft.

    Sunlight streamed in, brightening the laboratory, where Richard was engaged in an incredibly complex experiment. The table was crowded with a multitude of bottles and jars, more than ten times what he had used during the distillation, creating a dizzying display.

    ¡°Puff, puff¡­¡± White steam constantly billowed from the connected bamboo pipes.

    ¡°Puh, puh, puh, puh¡­¡± Containers bobbed up and down in the boiling water.

    ¡°Bang, bang, bang, bang¡­¡± Sealed jars filled with boiling liquid shook violently, their lids threatening to pop off at any moment.

    Richard''s face was serious as he surveyed the entire experimental setup, continuously directing, ¡°Add 100 milliliters of water to jar number two using container number five. I hope you remember the method I explained last month.¡±

    ¡°Open the lid of jar number nine to vent the gas¡ªhurry!¡±

    ¡°Cool down jar number seventeen with cold water, slowly! We need to prevent explosions¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Under Richard¡¯s instructions, the young maid Lucy scurried about, adding water here and adjusting pipes there. Her face was slick with sweat from nerves, causing the strands of her bangs to cling to her forehead.

    Richard paid no mind to her, continuing to issue commands while his eyes remained fixed on the minuscule amount of extracted substance in the last jar, his expression grave.

    As the extracted substance increased, its color grew more intense. The moment he saw the hue shift from light yellow to dark yellow, he knew the experiment had failed. He glanced up at the young maid and said, ¡°Alright, no need to keep going. Just stop.¡±

    ¡°Ah!¡± The young maid Lucy gasped, halting her movement as she carefully turned to ask, ¡°Did you manage to create what you wanted, Master?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Richard shook his head, letting out a breath as his expression returned to calm. ¡°On the contrary, the experiment failed; the final product has too many impurities and is completely unusable.¡±

    ¡°This¡­¡± Lucy opened her mouth in surprise, unsure of what to say. Comfort? It seemed that the master didn¡¯t need it. Admitting fault? Richard never unjustly blamed anyone.

    ¡°The experimental method wasn¡¯t at fault,¡± Richard reasoned, analyzing the cause of the failure. ¡°It was the equipment that was inadequate; after all, it¡¯s terribly crude. Generally, minor errors can be tolerated, but this experiment''s lengthy process accumulated too many discrepancies, resulting in a qualitative change that led to failure.¡±

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Lucy still didn¡¯t know what to say.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough. Just clean up the apparatus,¡± Richard waved his hand, ¡°and I¡¯ll think of other methods to try making different anesthetic agents.¡±

    As he spoke, Richard walked over to a table against the wall of the laboratory, retrieving papyrus and a quill to begin sketching out ideas.

    For the last few days, Richard had been striving to overcome the first of the three challenges outlined in the human skin diary related to deep meditation.

    He had formulated a simple solution to the meditation challenge: since he couldn¡¯t naturally enter the required state, why not leverage an external aid? Using anesthetic agents could perfectly facilitate the state described in the diary.

    However, making anesthetics was no easy task, particularly in this world, which was at a technological level akin to Earth''s medieval period.

    Considering this, despite the hundreds of anesthetics available on Earth, Richard ultimately selected three types to experiment with: plant alkaloid anesthetic agents, nitrous oxide, and ether.

    Richard believed that plant alkaloids would be the easiest to prepare, as many plants contain the necessary components and would simply need to be purified.

    Yet following his earlier failed experiment, Richard had to rethink some of his assumptions.

    ¡°Shh, shh, shh¡­¡±

    Richard quickly scribbled his thoughts on the papyrus, attempting to devise an experimental plan for the second anesthetic¡ªnitrous oxide.

    Nitrous oxide, the N2O, was a very simple anesthetic agent; in modern Earth''s history, it was first used in dental surgery. It allowed patients to undergo tooth extraction without feeling pain while remaining conscious enough to follow the dentist¡¯s instructions.

    Given this, Richard focused on how to produce it.

    He wrote the symbol representing nitrous oxide on the papyrus and began contemplating.

    The most straightforward method to create nitrous oxide was through thermal decomposition. Heating ammonium nitrate at about two hundred degrees Celsius would yield both nitrous oxide and water.

    The problem was that ammonium nitrate was not a naturally occurring substance but a chemical synthesis product. On modern Earth, it wasn¡¯t until the late 19th century that Europeans began producing ammonium nitrate through a double decomposition reaction between ammonium sulfate and Chilean nitrate.

    Now the situation became complicated: ammonium sulfate, a key ingredient in fertilizers, also required synthesis, and Chilean nitrate, a certain type of sodium nitrate, had a unique composition that necessitated synthesis, often more challenging than ammonium sulfate.

    To synthesize these two compounds would require...

    Layer upon layer, Richard looked at the copious notes he had written on the papyrus and couldn¡¯t help but chuckle bitterly.

    Creating nitrous oxide on modern Earth was a remarkably simple task, but in this world, it was akin to a pipe dream. The absence of just one necessary ingredient forced him to substitute more materials, which in turn led to the need for even more ingredients¡ªa simple process spiraling into an extremely complex one.

    As Richard stared at the lengthy procedure written on the papyrus, he let out a helpless sigh, ultimately abandoning the idea of producing nitrous oxide and placing his hopes on the last anesthetic option he had chosen: ether.

    In contrast to the solid nature of plant alkaloids and the gaseous state of nitrous oxide, ether was a colorless, transparent liquid with a peculiar sweet odor. Even at very low concentrations, it could produce anesthesia. It featured prominently in many films on modern Earth, often depicted as soaking a handkerchief in ether and holding it over a target¡¯s mouth and nose, causing them to collapse into a state of complete relaxation.

    So, how did one create this substance?

    Taking a fresh sheet of papyrus, Richard once again began plotting an experimental procedure.

    Ether on modern Earth wasn¡¯t solely used for anesthesia; it was often utilized as an extracting agent. The industrial method for its production appeared to rely on aluminum catalysis.

    Thus, to obtain ether via this method, one would first need to source aluminum.

    ¡°Rustle, rustle¡­¡± Just as he had written this down, Richard suddenly paused the quill, quickly dismissing the method.

    The reason was straightforward: securing aluminum was impossible.

 Chapter 12

    In modern Earth, aluminum ranks third in abundance in the Earth''s crust, following only oxygen and silicon. Yet, owing to the weak oxidizing nature of aluminum compounds, their reduction from ores remained a daunting challenge. Not until the year of our Lord 1854 did the German chemist W?hler utilize sodium in place of potassium to reduce aluminum chloride, thus producing the first ingots of this precious metal.

    For a considerable period thereafter, aluminum was as rare as gold or silver, its production so scarce that it became a jewel for monarchs and nobles alike. The illustrious French Emperor Napoleon III once dined with forks of aluminum; the king of Thailand adorned himself with a chain of the same. At the World¡¯s Fair in Paris, gleaming aluminum was displayed alongside regal gemstones, labeled as ¡°the silver from clay.¡±

    Richard was acutely aware that to cultivate aluminum from naught would require decades, a luxury he could scarcely afford. What then could be done? Did the first challenge truly end here?

    Furrowing his brow in contemplation, his young maid Lucy busily tidied the instruments behind him, anxious to avoid any sound that might disrupt his thoughts.

    Suddenly!

    Richard''s eyes brightened, as he realized he had ensnared himself within a mental impasse.

    First and foremost, the production of the anesthetic did not demand a copious quantity; merely enough for his own use would suffice. Thus, the industrial methods could be discarded altogether in favor of the more manageable laboratory synthesis.

    As he recalled, the laboratory method for preparing ether involved the heating of ethanol with concentrated sulfuric acid to a temperature of 140¡ãC, resulting in the elimination of water and yielding the desired ether. This should be the content gleaned from the pages of a high school chemistry textbook.

    During this process, two key ingredients were requisite: the first being concentrated sulfuric acid, which served as a catalyst¡ªsomething Richard possessed. The second ingredient, however, was ethanol, required as a base material for the reaction.

    Now, what precisely is ethanol?

    Is it not alcohol? Indeed, alcohol is but the common name for ethanol¡ªits chemical identity!

    As for alcohol, had he not previously distilled a considerable quantity?

    Richard glanced towards the corner of the lab, where bottles sealed tightly with spirits stood aligned, their contents intact. A smile unfurled upon his lips; how curious it was¡ªexperiments could be mystifying, complex to the brink of absurdity, yet astonishingly simple at times.

    In the next breath, Richard addressed Lucy, whose delicate fingers had just finished arranging the last of the instruments: ¡°Prepare for the experiment!¡±

    ¡°Yes, my lord,¡± the diligent maid replied with a respectful nod.

    The experiment commenced.

    And then it concluded.

    With nary a hitch, Richard adeptly followed his plan, obtaining a modest yield of ether. Though the quantity was small, it sufficed for his purposes. He carefully transferred the ether into a sealed bamboo tube, nodding with satisfaction before he stepped out of the laboratory, making his way towards the chamber below the loft.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Night soon descended.

    At the depths of the darkened hour, Richard sat silently upon his bed, counting the rhythm of his breath.

    ¡°One, two, three, four¡­¡±

    Upon reaching one hundred, he found his mind utterly tranquil. He withdrew the bamboo tube containing the ether and, upon opening it, inhaled lightly. The ether, volatile in nature, surged quickly into his system, and Richard felt his body grow suddenly heavy.

    Sealing the tube once more, he closed his eyes, embracing the sensation as the ether unfurled its effects within him.

    The weight of his body intensified, until he felt utterly numb¡ªa sensation akin to petrification. His consciousness, as if ensnared by an invisible force, began to rise upward.

    Such a state persisted for an unmeasured duration, until, like a bird freeing itself from a cage, Richard felt an abrupt lightness. At that moment, a dazzling expanse unfolded before his eyes, revealing a magnificent ¡°starry sky.¡±

    Surveying his surroundings, Richard marveled at the multitude of colorful lights: crimson, emerald, golden, azure, and violet¡­

    ¡°Is this but an illusion, or¡­¡± Richard murmured to himself, recollecting the teachings inscribed within the human skin diary.

    According to that sacred text, those who successfully enter a meditative state may perceive energy elements permeating the external world¡­

    ¡°Verily, these luminous points are the so-called energy elements,¡± he confirmed.

    He recalled the techniques detailed in the diary for drawing these energy elements into oneself using sheer will. Richard, resolute, set about putting this knowledge to practice.

    He first selected the nearest red energy element as his target, envisioning his form elongating, reaching out with his intangible awareness to touch it, then straining to draw it closer into his being.

    Swiftly, the red light surged into him, igniting a wave of warmth that spread through his entire body as though ablaze.

    ¡°Could this be the fabled fire element?¡± Richard pondered, only to discover that the ¡°fire element¡± he had internalized lingered but a fleeting moment before vanishing into nothingness.

    ¡°Indeed, without having formed a wellspring of magical energy, it is impossible to retain the energy elements acquired within,¡± Richard reflected. His thoughts turned to further entries within the human skin diary, ¡°While mere meditation does not permit storage of these energy elements, it serves a noble purpose in strengthening one¡¯s consciousness, preparing it for the release of complex spells.¡±

    ¡°But what, pray tell, is this consciousness strength?¡± he questioned, pondering the very nature of existence. Is this so-called consciousness a true ¡®awareness,¡¯ or merely an unknown ¡®substance¡¯? To utilize this consciousness to absorb elements¡ªdoes that not influence the material world? Is this thus an idealistic or materialistic perspective?¡± Richard mused, lost in profound contemplation.

    The night passed in silence.

    At dawn, the cheerful serenade of birdsong heralded the morning, and Richard slowly opened his eyes.

    His prior meditation had lingered through the night. Yet realizing that meditation could not replace sleep, and indeed had caused weariness of spirit, he decisively withdrew from the meditative state, embracing slumber. After all, only through ample rest could he retain vigor for the day¡¯s endeavors.

    In a sense, the meditation described within the human skin diary truly exercised his awareness, hence the resultant fatigue. From this viewpoint, the so-called consciousness seemed to embody a more ¡®material¡¯ quality, hinting that meditation leans toward a materialist worldview.

    As Richard pondered the nature of meditation, he developed a newfound understanding: to break through in his studies of sorcery, a consistent commitment to daily meditation was vital, necessitating adjustments to other activities to avoid conflict.

    ¡°Rather than simply cultivating, it feels more akin to attending lessons. Indeed, only through diligent study might one achieve excellence?¡± Richard murmured, exiting the chamber.

    Having surmounted the initial challenge of meditation, Richard directed the majority of his focus towards overcoming the second difficulty that lay ahead.

    The second challenge demanded the construction of a wellspring of magical energy within his own body.

    The human skin diary elucidated that the wellspring serves as a special structure wherein the absorbed energy elements may be stored, ready to be formed anywhere within the corporeal vessel. However, the primary obstacle in this endeavor rested in entering a particular state¡ªa state described in the diary wherein energy flowed continuously throughout the body, rejuvenating the entire form.

    How could one achieve a state where energy coursed unceasingly, and how might one bring vitality to the body?

    Richard found himself ensnared in a web of confusion.

 Chapter 13

    Within the cells of the body, energy flows continuously, yet since the diary deliberately mentions it, this energy must not count. Another type of energy, one that has yet to be experienced, is needed to exert influence. But what kind of energy could that be?

    Magical energy?

    Could it be that one must orally ingest the crimson liquid extracted from the fire bear? Yet even if it were consumed, this liquid would simply travel down the throat into the esophagus, then into the stomach, progressing through the intestines, only to be expelled from the body after traversing the entire digestive system, not truly flowing throughout the body.

    Then, is it intravenous injection? Much akin to the infusion employed in modern Earth? However, the problem lies in that liquid, once injected into the veins, merely follows the blood circulation; though it reaches more areas than in the digestive system, it still cannot arrive at places devoid of the vascular network within the body. Thus, it also does not count as flowing throughout the body.

    What, then, could it be...?

    In the laboratory, Richard pondered deeply, while the little maid, Lucy, stood quietly to the side, fearful of interrupting Richard''s train of thought. Yet after a long while, Richard still gleaned no answers.

    Turning his gaze to the little maid Lucy, he noticed her evident boredom, so he casually picked up a scroll of papyrus filled with writing from the table and handed it to her, saying, "Place this on the shelf where I keep my notes, and then bring me two new scrolls of papyrus."

    "Yes," Lucy replied, her eyes lighting up with purpose, as she reached out to take it.

    As the scroll was held in Richard''s hand, Lucy took it from him, and her fingers lightly brushed against his. Suddenly, a sharp sting surged through her, and she exclaimed in surprise, "Ah!"

    At the same moment, Richard felt a faint electric shock-like sensation.

    "This is... static electricity!" Richard was momentarily taken aback, and his eyes sharpened suddenly, and he stood up quickly.

    The little maid, startled, looked over and stuttered, "M-Master, what is it?"

    "Nothing," he waved his hand dismissively, but his eyes sparkled with excitement. "Yes, it is static electricity; it is electricity!"

    "The body is a conductor; if there is a form of energy that can traverse the entire body, it must be electrical energy. Yes, electrical energy!"

    "Ha," Richard exhaled slowly, having found a direction to tackle the second problem, and now he needed to figure out how to obtain electrical energy.

    "Batteries? Generators?" Countless ideas flashed through Richard''s mind, and ultimately, he decided to start with the simplest concept. He turned to the little maid and instructed, "Prepare some materials for me¡ªsaltwater, iron rods..."

    Before long, all the materials Richard needed were assembled.

    Richard utilized the items prepared and embarked on his first experiment: the creation of the ancestor of dry batteries¡ªthe voltaic pile.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

    The voltaic pile was the first documented electrical generator invented in 1800 by the Italian professor Alessandro Volta. Its structure is incredibly simple; it consists merely of alternating layers of zinc and copper discs, with paper soaked in saltwater in between, which generates electric current. The principle is based on the differing reactivity of zinc and copper in the saline solution, resulting in a redox reaction that yields electrons and produces current.

    This knowledge is well within the grasp of Richard from his high school chemistry classes. In no time at all, he crafted a nearly perfect voltaic pile, but upon testing it, he was disappointed to find the resultant current was exceedingly weak, not nearly sufficient for his needs, so he had to make improvements.

    Richard placed the zinc and copper discs into cups filled with saltwater, connecting multiple cups of the same design, yet the current produced was still inadequate. To achieve the desired effect, he would need to connect hundreds of saltwater cups in series.

    Reluctantly, Richard abandoned the voltaic pile and attempted to create another type of special dry battery¡ªThe Baghdad Battery.

    The Baghdad Battery, speaking of it, is quite a marvelous artifact.

    It emerged from the Tigris-Euphrates region in the 3rd century BC, predating the widely recognized ancestor of dry batteries¡ªthe voltaic pile¡ªby over two thousand years. It is unfathomable how such a creation could arise in that era, and its excavation has astounded and puzzled scientists around the globe, who offered no reasonable explanation.

    Richard, however, was not keen on researching the reasons for the emergence of the Baghdad Battery in the 3rd century BC, but simply wished to replicate its functionality.

    Constructurally, the Baghdad Battery is more complex than the voltaic pile. Its body consists of a ceramic pot filled with asphalt, within which stands a copper tube encased in a layer of asphalt, surrounding an iron rod. The iron rod protrudes slightly above the copper tube and is enclosed in a lead block to ensure complete isolation between them, forming the positive and negative terminals of the battery. When an acid solution is poured into this pot, electric current can be generated.

    After considerable effort, Richard finally constructed the so-called Baghdad Battery, but upon testing it, he felt dismayed once again. Though the electric current generated was significantly stronger than that of the voltaic pile, it was merely a fewfold increase and bore no essential difference, rendering it unable to propagate throughout his body.

    "In that case, the dry batteries cannot suffice, for the current is far too minimal. I need to consider other means,¡± Richard mused. ¡°It seems that relying upon convenient methods is inadequate; I must employ something more intricate, like constructing a generator.¡±

    "Construct a generator, you say?" Richard¡¯s eyes narrowed. He instructed the little maid Lucy to fetch a pristine scroll of papyrus as he began, contemplating while sketching the design of the generator.

    There are many types of generators: hydroelectric, wind, and human-powered generators. After careful consideration, Richard deemed it prudent to first attempt the construction of a wind generator.

    Simply put, a wind generator consists of two primary components: the generator responsible for producing electricity and the windmill.

    Richard quickly sketched on the papyrus, making adjustments as he went, and before long, the draft was complete. Glancing outside where the sky was still bright, he turned to the little maid and commanded, "Go notify Tuku; I want him to accompany me to find Mark."

    The design was complete, yet Richard did not wish to undertake the labor himself, as it constituted a considerable workload; it was best left to a skilled craftsman.

    The little maid Lucy nodded obediently, swiftly darting out.

    Shortly thereafter, as Richard descended from the attic, he saw Tuku already waiting at the door.

    "Let us go," Richard said without further elaboration, turning toward the row of cottages behind the main fortress, with Tuku following closely.

    As they approached the cottages, a foul odor began to waft, reeking of horse dung, mingled with the musty, fermented scent of damp fodder.

    Tuku frowned, yet Richard remained expressionless as he continued toward one side of the stable.

    On that side, a dilapidated shed stood, and upon entering, Richard beheld a man lying atop a filthy blanket, fast asleep.

 Chapter 14

    The man appeared to be in his fifties, with a beard that was half white and half black, uneven in length. His malnourished physique made him look somewhat bloated, with exceedingly rough skin, and his wrinkled linen robe clung to his body, barely concealing it. A pungent odor of low-quality ale emanated from him, and his eyes were caked with yellow discharge, left uncleared, rendering his face a dark, grimy canvas that had not been washed in ages.

    In truth, his condition was only slightly better than that of a beggar, yet he was in a state that was drastically worse than even the poorest of farmers. Unconcerned with his plight, he snored loudly, oblivious to the world, his mouth agape as saliva trickled down, pooling on the ground beneath him, creating a small puddle.

    Richard arched an eyebrow at the sight and turned to Tuku beside him with a simple command: ¡°Wake him.¡±

    ¡°Understood.¡± Without hesitation, Tuku strode toward the man, lifting him effortlessly and then hurling him to the ground with a thud.

    ¡°Wham!¡± The impact jolted the man from his slumber, causing him to flail about in confusion, shouting, ¡°What¡¯s going on? What happened? Have the farmers revolted and breached the fortress?¡±

    Tuku scoffed derisively, grabbing the man again and delivering two swift slaps to his face. ¡°Look clearly, do you not recognize who approaches? It is Young Master Richard come to see you! Not a horde of rebellious farmers! I warn you, Mark, should I ever hear you utter nonsense again, I shall teach you a lesson you will not soon forget!¡±

    ¡°Ah, yes! Young Master Richard has come!¡± At this revelation, the groggy old man named Mark began to regain his senses, plastering a fawning smile upon his face. ¡°Good day, Young Master Richard! What¡­ what can I do for you?¡±

    ¡°You are a craftsman, are you not? I have work that requires your hands,¡± Richard replied, producing the design for a wind power generator and tossing it to the seated Mark. ¡°Here, take a look. If you can craft this within three days, I shall reward you with two barrels of ale to indulge yourself!¡±

    ¡°Truly?!¡± Mark¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement as he struggled to rise, hands trembling as he picked up the design. Yet he could blink and blink again, finding the drawings utterly indistinct; the world appeared as a blur, and he could barely make out the features of those close by.

    Clearly, he was inebriated. As he attempted to blink for a third time, his legs buckled, and he collapsed back to the ground.

    Witnessing this, Tuku chuckled derisively and turned to Richard. ¡°Young Master, it appears he shall not be fully conscious before nightfall. Shall I toss him into the river outside the castle to assist him?¡±

    ¡°No, no, no!¡± Mark exclaimed in an urgent tone, waving his arms frantically. ¡°Young Master Richard, I am not unconscious! The drink within me is merely insufficient, causing me to see poorly and feel weak. I swear it! Just let me have one drink¡­ no, just a single sip of ale, and I shall be able to see your drawings clearly and craft your device with every detail precise!¡±Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    Tuku glanced at Richard with a questioning expression.

    ¡°Very well then,¡± Richard said, ¡°give him some ale.¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Tuku responded, unfastening a wineskin from his waist and tossing it to Mark.

    Mark caught the skin, torn with anticipation, uncorked it, and began to gulp down its contents greedily.

    ¡°Gulp, gulp!¡± The ale poured rapidly into Mark''s throat, and soon a look of gluttonous satisfaction appeared on his face as he drained more than half the wineskin in one breath.

    In that instant, Mark transformed entirely.

    His hands no longer trembled, his body steadied, and his eyes brightened with renewed vigor. Within moments, he deftly grabbed the design again, quickly scanning its contents, and then struck his chest with confidence. ¡°Fear not, Young Master Richard! I shall certainly craft the device you require! I need not three days; no, merely two and a half days¡­ no, just two days!¡±

    ¡°Are you certain?¡±

    ¡°Certain!¡± Mark affirmed with conviction, then grinning, added, ¡°However, Young Master Richard, do not forget the two barrels of ale you promised me!¡±

    ¡°That promise stands, provided you complete the task on time. But should you fail, do not hold me accountable for the consequences,¡± Richard replied, his tone unfazed, turning as he exited the shed, heading toward the side fortress.

    Behind him, Mark¡¯s resolute voice rang out, ¡°Rest assured, Young Master Richard! Should I fail to deliver, I shall whip myself a hundred lashes¡­ nay, a thousand lashes! I would gladly suffer for it!¡±

    Richard did not respond, striding out.

    Time flowed swiftly, and before long, three days had passed.

    On that afternoon, the sky was darkened, devoid of sunlight. The clouds hung low, almost touching the earth, thick and oppressive, suffocating in their weight, as if an unattainable burden pressed down upon all below.

    Across the plains, the air felt stagnant, with not a whisper of wind. The heat and humidity coalesced from all directions, enveloping the castle in a tight embrace.

    Within the lowest hall of the side fortress, Richard sat silently in a chair, as if awaiting something.

    He waited¡­

    After what felt like an eternity, a sound reached his ears. A figure staggered into the room, a look of despair etched upon their face. Upon entering, they promptly fell to their knees with a thud, directing their gaze toward Richard as they cried out, ¡°Young Master! I am doomed, I¡­ I have failed to fulfill your request!¡±

    It was Mark.

    Richard narrowed his eyes, studying Mark for some time as he pondered the possible reasons for Mark¡¯s failure. After a long moment, he inquired, ¡°You have failed? Surely you must have completed at least part of it, no? To what extent did you actually complete it?¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­ Uhm ¡­¡± The old craftsman stumbled over his words, hesitating.

    ¡°Speak!¡± Richard¡¯s tone sharpened.

    Mark trembled, his lips moving without sound for a while, till finally he answered, his voice tinged with whimpers, ¡°Not¡­ not a single bit was completed.¡±

    Richard¡¯s brows shot up at this revelation.

    Not a single bit? How could that be?!

    The design was not overly complex; any seasoned craftsman¡ªor even a simple farmer¡ªcould muddle their way into crafting at least half of its framework.

    And yet now¡­

    ¡°What on earth transpired?¡± Richard slowly rose from his seat, advancing toward the old Mark, his voice steady as he questioned, ¡°What circumstance could have resulted in your utter failure?¡±

    ¡°It was¡­¡± Mark shrank back, casting a wary glance at Richard. ¡°I was unable to procure the materials necessary for its construction.¡±

    ¡°Materials? What materials?¡± Richard pressed.

    ¡°It is¡­ the ¡®lodestone¡¯ you specified in your drawings.¡±

    ¡°¡®Lodestone¡¯?¡± Richard paused, then furrowed his brows. ¡°Is there no ¡®lodestone¡¯ within the castle?¡±

 Chapter 15

    The so-called lodestone is, in truth, nothing but a magnet. In the annals of modern Earth¡¯s history, it was widely utilized in ancient China during the Warring States period, and references abound in the chronicles of the Western Middle Ages.

    According to young Richard¡¯s understanding of his present world, it appeared to be a mere reflection of the medieval epoch of modern Earth. Therefore, the absence of the lodestone was, indeed, an unforeseen twist of fate.

    Yet, as is often the case, reality doth shake our expectations asunder.

    ¡°Master Richard,¡± affirmed old Mark with unwavering conviction, ¡°not only within this castle, but throughout the entirety of Lord Baron¡¯s realm, one may find no sign of it. This ¡®lodestone¡¯¡ªI have but heard whisper of it in my youth, spoken of as a treasure of distant lands. Yet here in our territory, it is utterly nonexistent¡ªtruly, not a trace to be found!¡±

    Upon gazing at Mark¡¯s earnest countenance, Richard felt compelled to accept this truth. Nevertheless, his thoughts spiraled into deeper reflection: could it be that this world, though nearly akin to the medieval spirit of Earth, bore peculiar divergences? The existence of sorcerers became one such illustration, and now the absence of the lodestone revealed another stark difference. Without the lodestone, without this fundamental magnet, how could he hope to forge the generator?

    He had previously surmised that the generator''s capacity to yield power depended principally upon a grand windmill that transformed the caprice of the wind into force. And the crux of that transformation lay in a magnetic rotor.

    Magnetism breeds electricity, whilst electricity engenders magnetism. His design envisaged the winds driving a magnetic rotor, which would whirl around an iron coil. Thus, the lines of magnetic force conjured from the magnet would continually intersect with the coil, invoking the wondrous phenomenon of electromagnetic induction to generate an electrical current.

    Such principles are but rehearsed tenets from the tomes of high school physics, yet now, he found himself ensnared in the constraints of raw materials.

    The stark reality was that the lodestone remained undiscovered!

    Without the lodestone, there could be no magnet, and thus, the cutting of magnetic lines lay beyond his reach, alongside the generation of electrical currents.

    It was apparent this folly lay not upon old Mark.

    In this realization, Richard softened his expression, for though he had found it within himself to call for the execution of a hunter for his transgressions, he deemed it rational to refrain from punishing others without cause or fault.

    Raising his hand in a gesture of conciliation, Richard sought to aid Mark to his feet. Yet Mark, to Richard¡¯s surprise, produced from within his tattered linen garment a worn, yellowing whip, casting it upon the ground. He then fell to his knees, prostrating himself and beating his head upon the earth, exclaiming, "Master Richard! I am in the wrong! I have failed to procure the lodestone and cannot fulfill your requests in three days¡ªstrike me, whip me, let me face your wrath!"The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Richard''s brow furrowed in silence.

    Old Mark''s act of contrition seemed less an earnest confession and more a feigned display of penance, made in the assumption that Richard would not punish him.

    Then a nearly forgotten detail flickered to life in Richard¡¯s mind, and his eyes gleamed as he turned to Mark and inquired, "Pray tell, you assert that you have discovered no lodestone, thus rendering your labors for naught, is this true?"

    "Yea, Master! I admit my fault!" Mark nodded his head fervently, his voice loaded with regret. "Purge me with your whip!"

    ¡°There exists a pressing question,¡± Richard pressed on, squinting with focused scrutiny. ¡°Your inability to secure the lodestone does not wholly account for your failure to undertake any of the tasks assigned¡ªthis, would you not agree?¡±

    "This¡ª"

    Old Mark¡¯s visage stiffened at Richard''s probing inquiry, his voice suddenly stifled.

    ¡°Lo! My design was rendered most explicit: each component stands alone. Verily, even in the face of the lodestone''s absence, one could craft the other parts, could they not? Yet here you stand, with naught to show for it! What say you?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± Old Mark struggled, words failing him under the weight of Richard¡¯s gaze.

    ¡°Speak forth!¡± commanded Richard.

    His tone was light, yet such words precipitated a tremor within Old Mark, who, overwhelmed, collapsed onto the ground. Under Richard''s penetrating gaze, he faltered and, at last, bared his soul.

    The truth was simple, and yet absurd. The root of his folly lay in his longing for the two promised barrels of ale from Richard.

    By their prior agreement, it was only upon completing the labor that old Mark might indulge in the ale. Failing in his duties, the precious ale would slip through his fingers.

    Thus, upon acknowledging the absence of the lodestone, old Mark made no move to remedy the situation by crafting the other components. Rather, he spent his time in the fruitless search for a substitution, hoping to deceive Richard and secure the ale posthaste.

    His tragic fate was sealed as he assiduously searched for three full days yet found no adequate replacements. With time having slipped away, he had no choice but to come forth and beg for pardon.

    At this, Richard¡¯s brows knitted tightly, a spark of ire flickering within him.

    The absence of the lodestone did not herald the end of the world; such natural magnets were not irreplaceable. Should circumstances demand, artificial magnets could suffice. Richard was familiar with several methods of fabricating these artificial magnets. Though time-consuming and potentially less effective, hope lay within reach. Had old Mark begun crafting the remaining framework, forgoing the magnetic rotor, they might now be facing a minor inconvenience.

    Yet now they were left with naught. The time lost to reforge the structure anew and fabricate the artificial magnet would require no less than four or five days.

    Richard possessed not the luxury of such time!

    Narrowing his gaze, a sense of resolve surged within him.

    Old Mark, now slumped upon the ground, dared a glance at Richard, dread coursing through his veins at the mere meeting of their eyes. ¡°Master¡­ Master Richard! I know... I know my offense! I vow¡ªI shall not repeat it! Spare me, I beg of you!¡±

    ¡°Humph.¡± Richard¡¯s disdainful sound resonated, but he paid the groveling man no heed. Far beyond the thought of punishment, he found his mind woven with the necessity of addressing their plight.

    To summon forth electrical current, a plethora of methods lay open. Yet the avenue of batteries had been sealed, and the chaotic ventures into the generator yielded naught but despair. Thus¡­

 Chapter 16

    In the next moment, Richard uttered with authority, "Mark, your affairs must wait. I grant you time¡ªforge for me a kite and a bottle. I shall provide you with the blueprint for the bottle, and the result is simple; do not fret. Should you fail to meet the deadline, do not blame me for the outcome. You well know that the butcher has long held a grudge against you, seeking the slightest opportunity to sever your head from your shoulders¡ªyet he has found no chance thus far."

    At these grim words, Mark trembled, his body coursing with cold dread, protesting, "Master Richard, no! It shall not come to that! This time, I shall indeed craft it for you, I promise!"

    "Very well," Richard replied crisply.

    After a span of ten minutes, amidst the howling winds outside the castle, Mark struggled to control the kite, his body shaking and face pale as the storm brewed overhead.

    Casting a wary glance at the lightning that flickered across the sky, he turned his head towards Richard, now safe in the distance. With a voice tinged with despair, old Mark cried out, "Master Richard... Master Richard, have mercy! Such weather is ill-suited for kite flying! The silver thread may draw the lightning down upon me!"

    Standing resolute, Richard replied with an impassive expression, "If memory serves me right, you once declared that if you were to fail in completing the task on time, you would rather I whip you to death, correct?"

    "That..."

    ¡°I need not whip you today; I only ask you to undertake another task. I concede this bears its dangers, but I assure you that the odds of death are not absolute¡ªperhaps less than fifty percent. Now, you must choose: would you rather be lashed to death or dare to fly this kite? Believe me, if you choose the former, my heart shall not soften. Even if it did, the butcher¡¯s resolve would remain unyielding¡ªI shall instruct him personally to carry out the punishment.¡±

    Despair flooded Mark¡¯s features, and at last, surrendering, he wept, "Very well, Master Richard. I shall fly the kite."

    "Excellent," Richard nodded, issuing commands, "Now, release the line a bit; allow the kite to soar higher¡ªyes, draw it closer to the lightning. That¡¯s right, approach the spark..."

    "Boom!"

    Before Richard could finish, a blinding bolt of lightning cleaved the air above, followed by a deafening clap of thunder.

    Visible to the naked eye, a twisting arc of lightning appeared to be attracted to the kite, striking it in an instant, racing down the slender silver line towards the ground, ultimately reaching the tip, where it surged into a peculiar-shaped ceramic vessel.

    Old Mark, clutching the kite string, staggered back, his heart racing at the sight of lightning crackling overhead. As the electric current thundered down in proximity, he felt the horror reverberating through the kite string¡ªa sensation of numbness overwhelmed him, and in that moment, he felt encased by death. Not known for his bravery, he crumbled, his body going limp as he slumped to the ground. The kite, along with its tether, flew away, the ceramic vessel rising slowly from the earth.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    Richard reacted swiftly, dashing over to seize the jar, exhaling a sigh of relief. He then called out, "Butcher!"

    "Yes, my lord!" A mountain-like figure approached, revealing the scarred visage of the butcher.

    Foreseeing old Mark¡¯s vehement refusal to engage in the kite experiment, Richard had summoned the butcher as a precaution, a wise choice that, thankfully, had not been needed.

    Richard gestured towards Mark, still sprawled on the ground, and instructed, "Take him to the shed next to the stable, and grant him a barrel of ale to soothe his nerves."

    At this moment, shaken and unhinged from fear, old Mark babbled incoherently.

    "Yes, my lord," the butcher replied curtly, lifting the rambling old man as one might a chick, and hastily departed.

    Richard turned and retreated into the side castle.

    Just as he stepped into the side hall, a deluge of rain began to fall, unleashing a torrent that swept across the wilds, enveloping the world in a shroud of white.

    "Tap, tap, tap," echoed the soft footsteps of the maid Lucy descending from the upper floors, beads of sweat dotting her forehead. Upon noticing Richard in the hall, she paused briefly, then tilted her head in inquiry, "Master, I have cleaned all the experimental apparatus. Do you wish to proceed with your experiment now?"

    Richard, cradling the Leyden jar that contained the captured lightning, shook his head lightly. "Not for the moment; I have more pressing matters to attend to."

    "More pressing matters? What might they be?" the maid asked, her curiosity piqued. To her, it seemed that Richard''s life revolved solely around experimentation¡ªconducting all manner of trials.

    A smile crossed Richard¡¯s face as he ascended the staircase. As he brushed past Lucy, he turned slightly, whispering, "The more important matter, of course, is... to unlock the door to a new era."

    "Hmm?"

    "Tap, tap, tap..." Richard entered the bedroom within the side castle.

    Once seated upon the wooden bed, Richard focused his gaze upon the ceramic vessel in his hands¡ªthe Leyden jar, as it was known.

    The principle of the Leyden jar is straightforward; it functions as a rudimentary capacitor: due to mutual induction, positive and negative charges can be stored on two corresponding metallic conductors, separated by an insulator, thus hoarding electric energy.

    For this reason, the construction of the Leyden jar is remarkably simple. The one Richard held was merely an ordinary black ceramic bottle, measuring a little over ten centimeters in height. After a simple process, the inner and outer walls were lined with a layer of tin foil, serving as the two conductors separated by the bottle''s wall.

    From the inner foil, a thin metallic chain hung, connecting to a metal rod fixed at the jar''s center. The rod extended several centimeters beyond the bottle''s mouth, its end fashioned into a sphere.

    During the recent storm, this spherical end had linked to the silver wire, designed to capture the electrical energy from the natural realm. Now, with the silver wire removed, the energy harvested was all contained within the diminutive jar.

    Do not underestimate the small size of the jar; its capacity to store the energy of lightning is substantial.

    As recorded in modern Earth''s history, in 1748, the French electrical expert Nollet organized over two hundred monks to stand hand in hand within a monastery, with the monks at the head and tail gripping the Leyden jar''s connections. When the jar began to discharge, all two hundred monks jumped simultaneously, sending shockwaves of astonishment through the gathered nobility.

    At this moment, Richard gazed intently at the Leyden jar in his hands, reflecting upon the anecdotes of modern Earth''s history, before taking a deep breath and reaching out.

    The Leyden jar began to discharge...

 Chapter 17

    In a realm obscured by eternal darkness, Richard''s consciousness gradually emerged from the abyss. Upon the awakening of his inner vision, he beheld a vast ocean of stars, shimmering in myriad hues across the boundless cosmos.

    Despite his arduous study of "The Human Skin Diary of Loren" and previous experiences in meditation, he swiftly recognized the starlit spectacle around him as mere illusion, an assembly of drifting energy elements from the external world. These elements glimmered¡ªred, ochre, black, and azure¡ªeach vying for attention within the celestial tableau.

    Gazing upon this starry effulgence, Richard discerned a peculiar divergence in his current state of meditation; he no longer felt utterly detached from the realm without but instead perceived the delicate state of his own body, albeit in a hazy semblance, akin to lying in slumber while sensing the presence of another beside him¡ªyet that other was himself.

    In this realization, Richard mused, ¡°It seems the endeavors undertaken amidst the discharge of the Leyden jar have not been in vain. Verily, I have ignited the mana core now that my being is set in an active state capable of its nascent emergence.¡±

    Yet, he cautioned himself, this exuberance must not burgeon too swiftly; the true triumph shall only be claimed when this mana core has been solidly established¡ªa challenge he had yet to conquer.

    Richard delved into recollections of the Journal, piecing together the wisdom held within regarding the mana core. According to its intricate revelations, the mana core is an exquisite construct, nestled within the corporeal vessel, designed to store the enigmatic energy elements of the world. Only through the successful establishment of this core may one gather energy whilst meditating, thus preparing for the release of spells.

    The creation of the mana core is no simple feat, demanding the full engagement of mental faculties for its formation, with two methods declared viable:

    One, the Brushing Method, wherein one must summon into their mind¡¯s eye a grand brush, conjuring forth all mental strength to bring it to life¡ªsweeping over parts of the body in repetition, until a chrysalis-like form emerges, encapsulating the nascent core.

    The other, the Building Method, necessitates an imaginative array of construction materials scattered throughout the form, compelling all mental energy to manipulate these materials into a fixed shape within, ultimately erecting a distinctly formed structure¡ªa veritable mana core.

    In summation, the construction of the mana core unfolds with considerable difficulty, consuming time and demanding persistence. Moreover, the larger the core, the greater the arduousness and time required¡ªthe reward, however, amplifies as the storage capacity for energy elements expands.

    Upon the fruitful establishment of a mana core, it assumes a semi-physical nature¡ªvoid of mass or volume yet brimming with potent energy. The mana core offers immunity to corporeal harm, yet remains vulnerable to energy-inflicted damage, thus cautioning location choice during its formation¡ªdistant from vital organs such as the heart or mind.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    With the memories consolidating, Richard absorbed this knowledge and soon set forth into action. He resolved to employ the Building Method for his inaugural mana core.

    First, he stationed himself at the location designated for the core, conjuring the vision of construction materials saturating his form. He mobilized all his mental prowess, commencing the construction.

    One by one...

    Soon, Richard discerned the essence of this undertaking; it was to solidify his mental energy into tangible bricks. The true artistry lay in the manipulation of mental power¡ªshaping it into blocks, erecting the structure in the chosen position with uncompromising resolve.

    Piece by piece, the time trickled by.

    The odyssey of mana core creation revealed itself as an unhurried affair¡ªfilling not just days but stretching into numerous moons. Richard devoted vast hours to this singular endeavor, leading a spartan existence while rarely entering his laboratory. This unconventional routine piqued the curiosity and perhaps the dismay of Lucy, the younger maid responsible for the lab''s upkeep.

    As summer faded into distant memory, and the flora adorning the fields succumbed to hues of gold, autumn gracefully made its arrival. A brisk northern breeze stirred, casting aside clouds and revealing the cerulean expanse above¡ªakin to a polished sapphire.

    It was upon such a day that Richard, through sheer perseverance, finally birthed his mana core. After countless days and nights, a symmetrical tetrahedron emerged, nestled slightly to the left of his chest. Were it visible to mortal eyes, this core would resemble a miniature pyramid, exquisite in its design. Yet Richard had not chosen this form for mere aesthetics; it reduced both the labor and challenges involved. Had he constructed a cube or sphere for the core, many more moons would have elapsed in endeavor.

    Upon completing the construction of the mana core, and triumphantly overcoming two of the challenges besetting his quest to become a wizard, Richard did not linger in satisfaction. Instead, he immediately plunged into the third strife awaiting him¡ªthe refinement of energy elements.

    This was the final hurdle, the last tribulation to surmount.

    In the lengthy pursuit of establishing the mana core, Richard had gleaned precise insights for overcoming this challenge, revolving around a singular concept: the magnetic field.

    The third challenge lay in conducting the refinement of the energy elements stored within the mana core, transmuting them into pure essence suitable for spellcasting. This process demanded a state of activation akin to that required when forging the mana core, yet distinct unto itself.

    Richard¡¯s mind awakened to the potential of the magnetic field.

    Electric currents could dance freely within one''s being, whereas magnetic forces enveloped it entirely. Beyond this, the magnetic field carries manifold utility: swaying the compass, exerting influence over various objects. Richard recalled, from the annals of Earth''s scholarly pursuits, ideas of controlled nuclear fusion wherein magnetic fields governed the trajectory of high-energy particles.

    In a sense, energy elements could be likened to such high-energy particles¡ªunidentified in the realms of modern Earth. The application of magnetic fields could feasibly alter these elements, instigating a metamorphosis known as refinement.

    And thus, with this revelation firmly in mind, subsequent tasks appeared markedly less formidable¡ªthe symbiosis between magnetic and electric forces rendering the undertaking less daunting.

    Once masters of electric principles emerged, the challenge of magnetism unveiled itself, allowing Richard to seamlessly approach the act of refinement.

    The refinement was now set to commence...

 Chapter 18: Spell - Ghosphorus!

    In the countless nights following the establishment of the mana core, Richard absorbed vast amounts of free-floating energy elements during his meditation, storing them within the mana core. Simultaneously, he harnessed the energies of the magnetic field to refine these varied energy elements, ultimately obtaining pure energy.

    As time passed, the quantity of pure energy elements within the mana core steadily increased until it was completely filled.

    Half a month had swiftly gone by, and deep in the night...

    The castle lay shrouded in silence.

    In the bedroom of the side keep, Richard sat cross-legged upon his bed, unwavering. He lost track of time as he lingered in this state, until suddenly, Richard¡¯s eyelids flickered almost imperceptibly, before he gradually opened his eyes.

    With a gentle exhale, he expelled stale air from his lungs, and from the depths of Richard''s gaze, a bright light burst forth, illuminating the room.

    Richard rose slowly from his bed, climbing down from the wooden frame, his expression taking on a serious demeanor. At this moment, Richard, following the guidance from the Human Skin Diary, had prepared all the necessary preconditions for casting a spell and had adjusted his physical state to near perfection.

    If indeed there existed wizards in this world, and if spells were truly to be unleashed, now was the time to bear witness.

    "Wizards? Spells? Let come!" Richard whispered as he stepped toward the window. "Let me behold what this truly is."

    The moonlight outside was dim, and the shadows cast by the towering main keep and the distant stables blurred together.

    Richard squinted and took a deep breath.

    In the next moment, Richard extended his right hand, raised it before him, palm upwards.

    ¡°Prasumectus¡­¡±

    The cryptic incantation, learned from the Human Skin Diary, flowed from Richard¡¯s lips with unwavering accuracy, though he spoke at a measured pace. Simultaneously, under the control of his consciousness, the refined pure energy elements began to stream from the mana core within, coursing through specific pathways in his body, gathering speed.

    As these pure energy elements flowed around the thirty-eighth circuit of his body, their pace quickened, achieving the necessary state for the spell.

    In an instant, under Richard''s command, this intricately complex energy flow¡ªthough not excessively wild¡ªcharged into his right arm, racing along the arteries swiftly to the tips of his five fingers, before bursting forth.

    From the outside, as Richard''s gaze focused, the five fingers of his outstretched hand quivered slightly. Suddenly, five points of pale blue light erupted into existence at the fingertips, each akin to the size of a firefly.

    The orbs flickered momentarily, then ignited into brilliance. With a soft "pop," the five blue lights exploded into dazzling radiance, surging into flames that rapidly expanded in volume. Before long, the five globes mingled and fused together, culminating in a single flame, roughly the size of a human head.

    Richard¡¯s pupils dilated slightly, his expression unwavering, yet a glimmer of excitement flickered in his eyes.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Through his gaze, he could observe the flame quietly burning within his palm. This flame possessed neither weight nor heat; it felt as though he were cradling a mere orb of air.

    But this was no mere air. It was anything but air!

    This was a spell recorded in the Human Skin Diary: Ghosphorus!

    Also known as Hand of Ghost Fire!

    ¡°Ghosphorus, Hand of Ghost Fire? Could it be a form of phosphorus fire, based on the combustion of red phosphorus?¡± Richard mused, hypothesizing, as he willed the flame in his palm to diminish in size.

    In the blink of an eye, the head-sized flame shrank to the size of a fist.

    Then, from fist-sized, it reduced to the size of an apple.

    Finally, it dwindled to that of a walnut.

    With a gentle lift of his hand, the walnut-sized flame zipped out the window, wobbling in the air as it drifted off into the distance. The flame soared and expanded, at Richard''s command, to twice its size in a matter of breaths, casting bluish hues across the surrounding ground and the side wall of the keep. The atmosphere turned strangely eerie, and the temperature nearby seemed to drop by a few degrees.

    The flame continued its journey long into the distance, growing ever larger until it approached the stables, where it had expanded to nearly a meter in diameter, resembling a sun descending from the heavens.

    The horses within the stables stirred, their eyes wide with terror as they gazed upon this mass of fire. Though they felt no heat, an instinctual dread welled up from their very souls.

    As the flame surged closer, it grew increasingly colossal, prompting the horses to tremble, retreating to the furthest corners of the stables. Even the most tempestuous stallion seemed to shiver in fright.

    With no mercy, the flames accelerated, crashing like a cannonball into a chestnut horse.

    The horse neighed in despair, a shriek of helplessness echoing out. Yet, the next moment, a miracle occurred.

    Just as the flames seemed poised to collide with the creature¡¯s body, they vanished¡ªlike a vibrant bubble that had been popped, dissipating in an instant, leaving no trace behind, as if it had all been a fleeting dream.

    The horse stood dazed...

    In the nearby side keep¡¯s bedroom, Richard had just snapped his fingers, lowering his hand slowly.

    At that moment, Richard gazed toward the stables from his window, a rare smile gracing his face. In that moment, Richard felt a surge of exhilaration, for he understood that a true door to an entirely new world was slowly opening before him.

    Wizards!

    The mysterious and perilous world of sorcery had arrived!

    With autumn¡¯s crispness in the air...

    The following morning brought a touch of humidity, with dew still lingering on the ground, yet Richard stepped out of the side keep.

    He encountered Tuku, who was vigorously striking a wooden post with a knight''s sword, glancing over with a look of surprise. Pausing his actions, he wiped the sweat from his brow and asked curiously, ¡°Is there something you need, Master Richard?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Richard nodded, his spirits high from glimpsing the arcane realm. ¡°Prepare yourself; I will need you to take the guards and accompany me out of the castle shortly.¡±

    ¡°What for?¡± Tuku inquired, puzzled.

    ¡°An autumn outing,¡± Richard replied with a smile.

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Tuku paused, the expression on his face growing somewhat peculiar, yet he said nothing further. He simply nodded and set off to gather the others.

    After breakfast, the entire first guard assembled in the clearing before the side keep. As Richard stepped out with Lucy, the young maid, he saw Tuku leading two horses from the stables.

    Richard recognized they were the horses Tuku had brought for him. Without saying a word, he approached the chestnut horse nearest to him.

    However, Tuku suddenly spoke up, pointing to the other horse. ¡°Master, perhaps you should ride the white one.¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Richard halted, looking back at Tuku, and asked, ¡°What¡¯s the difference?¡±

    ¡°Well, um¡­¡± Tuku hesitated for a moment, finally confessing. ¡°The chestnut horse is a recent arrival, still quite young and spirited, so it¡¯s a bit unruly. But the white horse is older, more docile, and therefore safer.¡±

    Upon hearing Tuku''s words, Richard''s eyes gleamed as he glanced at the white horse, then pivoted back to the chestnut horse, drawing out his words with slight intrigue. ¡°Is that so...¡±

    ¡°Indeed,¡± Tuku nodded earnestly.

    ¡°Yet, that may not be the case,¡± Richard suddenly stated, striding directly toward the chestnut horse.

    Tuku, taken aback, observed as the once fiery chestnut horse let out a plaintive whinny upon Richard''s approach, as if sensing a dread beast encroaching upon it, trembling and recoiling involuntarily.

    When Richard grasped the reins and lifted a hand to the horse''s back, the chestnut horse froze in place, as if struck by a petrifying spell, its four legs rooted firmly to the ground, refusing to budge.

    This!

    Tuku was astonished!

 Chapter 19

    ¡°How can this be? This horse kicked me just yesterday; how can it be so docile now?¡± Tuku asked incredulously.

    ¡°Perhaps something terrifying befell it last night,¡± Richard replied softly, before smoothly mounting the horse and helping the maid Lucy onto its back.

    The chestnut horse stood frozen in place, unwilling to move until Richard nudged its belly with his foot. Only then did it trot forward, timid as a frightened rabbit.

    Tuku stared in confusion, ultimately attributing this behavior to yet another of Richard''s mysterious abilities, similar to the time he managed to make a mound of flour explode. Shaking his head in bewilderment, Tuku mounted the white horse and led the group as they set off from the castle.

    With a creak, the castle gates opened, and the drawbridge descended slowly. The group galloped out, kicking up a cloud of dust as they headed southwest, marking the beginning of their autumn outing.

    This excursion was a small reward Richard had granted himself after expending much time and effort in successfully casting a spell, a means to loosen the tension that had gripped him for months.

    Yet, even though the purpose of this outing was relaxation, Richard''s agenda encompassed more than mere leisure. He had far too many pressing matters at hand to indulge in aimless entertainment.

    Thus, throughout this autumn excursion, Richard also intended to engage in another activity¡ªcollecting plants and creating specimens.

    This endeavor had begun many years ago, shortly after his birth fifteen years earlier when he recognized the illogical events unfolding in his life¡ªa so-called ¡°transmigration.¡± He sought to understand one fundamental question: what was this world he had ¡°traveled¡± to?

    Was it another planet strikingly similar to Earth, or something wholly different?

    Theoretically, even two remarkably similar planets, given their divergent formation processes, would exhibit significant differences in topography and structure. Variations in the internal core would likewise result in discrepancies in the types and concentrations of chemical elements in the crust.

    That said, differences in geography, structure, and crustal elements, compounded by climate, environment, and the evolution of life, would yield vast discrepancies in plant species. Like the classic chain reaction in topology¡ªthe "butterfly effect¡±¡ªwherein a butterfly flapping its wings in the Amazon rainforest could cause a tornado in Texas two weeks later, so too could a slight variation in angles during the planetary formation billions of years ago determine whether common weeds or entirely unknown species thrived on the surface today.

    To unravel such essential mysteries, Richard had been continually gathering various plant species, crafting a multitude of specimens for reference. From over a decade past to the present, he had amassed thousands of samples. This time, he planned to further augment his collection.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    Lost in thought, Richard led Tuku and the others as they rode for over two hours, arriving at a vast stretch of wasteland in the southwestern region of the barony.

    Across the wasteland flowed a small creek, surrounded by an array of plants¡ªsome tall, some short, some green, others yellow, some flowering, others bearing fruit...

    Dismounting, Richard wasted no time bending down to begin his foraging. Each time he fully harvested a plant, he would hand it to Lucy, who gently placed it in a flat wooden box, separating the specimens with linen cloth as they waited for later processing.

    One plant, two plants, three plants...

    To expedite the process, Richard encouraged Tuku and the others to assist. However, once the men eagerly began passing him the ¡°broken branches and leaves¡± they gathered, Richard felt momentarily speechless. With a wave of his hand, he decided it best to rely on his own efforts.

    The gathering continued...

    Okra, Lycoris, Zinnia, Magnolia, Ryegrass, Purple Fescue...

    As noon approached, Richard finally stood up, surveying the flat wooden box in Lucy''s hands, now full to the brim, and concluded the harvesting.

    Next came the urgent task of creating the specimens.

    Because once collected, plants would quickly lose water and wilt; if not processed promptly, their forms would greatly alter, rendering them devoid of reference value.

    With this in mind, Richard exhaled, about to speak, when a rustling sound emerged from the distance.

    ¡°Hmm?¡± As Richard¡¯s meditative practices increased, so too did his senses¡ªheightened perceptions allowing him to see and hear more acutely than most.

    The sound had originated nearly a hundred meters away, amidst the chorus of insects in the wasteland. Even the trained Tuku remained oblivious, yet Richard had heard it clearly and quickly turned to look.

    A figure swiftly entered his line of sight¡ªit was a woman.

    She appeared to be in her twenties, dressed simply, much like the daughter of a common farmer. At that moment, she stood a distance away, her wide eyes reflecting surprise at the sight of so many people.

    ¡°You...¡± she began, speaking up.

    At this point, Tuku finally took notice, turning with a puzzled expression toward the woman. Though his body remained still, his eyes flickered as he speculated about her identity. After a moment, he asked, ¡°Who are you?¡±

    ¡°And who are you?¡± The woman showed no signs of fear, and instead of answering Tuku directly, she retorted with another question. Then she added, ¡°Have you seen Dorkas? She¡¯s my dog¡ªgray, very large¡ªabout this big¡­¡±

    As she spoke, she gestured while approaching.

    Tuku furrowed his brow slightly, sensing boldness in the woman. Not only had she approached with the second heir of the barony and a dozen fully armed knights present, she showed no inclination to run away...

    Hmm? Why was she moving so quickly?

    In mere moments, the woman had closed the distance to Richard, now within mere dozens of meters. Tuku''s instincts flared, and without hesitation, he bolted toward Richard, ready to protect him.

    Yet, the woman¡¯s actions were evidently swifter. Just as Tuku charged forward, she lifted her head with a mocking smile. Cold light flickered in her eyes as she threw up her arm, revealing a half-arm crossbow. The bolt appeared already loaded, its tip darkened by poison, and it was aimed squarely at Richard.

    A poisoned bolt at such close range, once fired, would be nearly impossible to evade.

    Tuku¡¯s eyes widened in alarm, and he bellowed, voice booming and urgent, ¡°Master Richard, be careful! Quickly, dodge!¡±

    But there was no time.

    In that very instant as Tuku shouted, the woman had already pulled the trigger of the half-arm crossbow.

 Chapter 20

    ¡°Crack!¡±

    The trigger was pulled fully.

    ¡°Whoosh!¡±

    The crossbow bolt transformed into a streak of black light, hurtling straight towards Richard.

    ¡°Die!¡± The woman hissed coldly, her face as frigid as ice. At this moment, she had shed all pretense of being a mere farmer¡¯s daughter, revealing herself as a trained assassin.

    Watching the bolt nearing Richard¡¯s body, she envisioned his poisoned demise, unable to suppress a cruel smile curving at her lips.

    Yet in the next instant, the woman¡¯s smile froze in place¡ªfor it had missed.

    Had it veered off course?

    No!

    Within the briefest of moments, utilizing the heightened perception and reflexes honed through meditation, Richard had deftly shifted his body, allowing the bolt to zip past him, barely grazing his clothing.

    How could this be!

    The woman stared at Richard in disbelief, as if gazing upon a monster. Richard, however, narrowed his eyes in response, his look laden with danger.

    Realizing that her assassination attempt had failed, and that she was now the one in peril, the woman quickly turned to flee.

    "Damn it!" she muttered under her breath. In the next heartbeat, she dashed away.

    But Tuku, with his fiery temper, would not let her escape so easily! Besieged by rage at the near-fatal attempt on Richard¡¯s life, he unsheathed his knight''s sword at once and pursued the fleeing woman.

    She fled ahead, while Tuku thundered after her. Clothed in simple linen, the woman bore no heavy burdens save for the half-arm crossbow, which she hastily discarded as she fled, weighing her down no longer. In stark contrast, Tuku donned heavy armor and wielded a knight''s sword weighing dozens of pounds. While his presence was formidable, his speed was hampered considerably.

    In this race, it was clear who would win.

    The answer was obvious¡­ the one on horseback would prevail.

    Not one to be foolish, Tuku quickly halted, spinning back to mount a horse. With a swift crack of the whip, he galloped forth on the steed, like the wind chasing after the prize.

    Two legs could never outrun four.

    Within moments, Tuku caught up to the woman, delivering a powerful kick that sent her sprawling to the ground.

    When the remaining members of the first guard arrived to protect Richard and the young maid Lucy, they found Tuku standing over the woman, the knight''s sword poised against her neck, contemplating the quickest strike to behead her.

    ¡°Hold on, don¡¯t act yet. Leave her alive; I have use for her,¡± Richard interjected.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Tuku blinked, a trace of displeasure flickering across his face. Yet, knowing better than to disregard Richard¡¯s words, he reluctantly sheathed his sword. However, to relieve his ire, Tuku delivered a forceful kick to the woman¡¯s abdomen, eliciting a muffled groan as she crumpled to the ground once more. Satisfied, he stepped aside with a huff.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    After a moment, the woman struggled to rise, surveying the vigilantly poised guards surrounding her. With a glance at Tuku¡¯s hostile expression, she came to terms with her reality¡ªthere was no escape for her. Yet she retained her bravado, lifting her chin as she set her icy gaze upon Richard, boldly declaring, ¡°Do not think for a moment that I will divulge anything! Even if you kill me, I will remain silent!¡±

    Instead of addressing her defiance, Richard turned to Tuku, asking, ¡°Is there a place nearby suitable for an interrogation room?¡±

    ¡°An interrogation room, well¡­¡± Tuku, initially mulling over his frustration at having missed the chance to take a head, perked up at Richard¡¯s inquiry, brows furrowing in thought. However, after a lengthy silence, it was clear he could not think of a suitable location.

    Just then, an ordinary knight from the guard spoke up, addressing Richard. ¡°Master Richard, if you ride west for another half hour, there¡¯s a village. My sister has been living there alone since I moved to the castle two years ago, and I only visit her every couple of weeks. The house has plenty of vacant rooms; we could empty several for interrogation or other purposes.¡±

    Richard turned his gaze to the speaker. He noticed the man, roughly twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with golden hair that barely qualified as handsome. However, several scars marred his face, diminishing his appeal. At this moment, he looked excitedly at Richard, eagerly awaiting his response.

    Richard recognized the man as Hughes, an adept among the guards, his combat prowess second only to Tuku''s, though he possessed a temperament considerably milder than Tuku¡¯s spontaneous rage.

    Knowing he had little choice, Richard pondered the options and finally nodded in assent. ¡°Very well then.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Hughes replied eagerly.

    In an instant, the group mounted their horses and rode westward, the would-be assassin tightly bound on one of the steeds.

    As Hughes had described, approximately half an hour of riding brought them to a village that emerged before them.

    From an overall view, the village was quite decent. Along the road, houses lined the sides uniformly, with a few trees interspersed, and at the heart of the village stood a mill and a well.

    As Richard and his entourage entered the village, the curious villagers cracked open their doors, only to slam them shut again upon spotting a group of fully armed knights escorting a bound woman, wary of any trouble.

    Richard paid little heed to such trivial concerns and instructed Hughes to lead the way as they proceeded.

    Hughes guided them forward a few more minutes, stopping at the entrance of a yard on the village¡¯s western edge.

    With a loud thud, Hughes leaped from his horse and began pounding on the door, calling inside, ¡°Alyssa, open up! I¡¯m back!¡±

    ¡°Brother!¡± a surprised voice called out, recognizing Hughes¡¯s voice. A flurry of hurried footsteps echoed within before the gate creaked open.

    A girl of roughly seventeen or eighteen emerged, her golden hair mirroring Hughes¡¯s tall stature, though she stood half a head shorter. With her fair skin and delicate features, she could be considered a rare beauty in the barony.

    As she rushed out, ready to embrace her brother warmly, the moment she laid eyes on Richards¡¯s company, her intentions faltered. Slowly, she turned to Hughes and quietly asked, ¡°Brother, who are these people¡­?¡±

    ¡°Uh, this is Master Richard,¡± Hughes quickly pointed to Richard before gesturing to Tuku and the others. ¡°They are all subordinates of Master Richard, just as I am.¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­¡± The girl blinked, seemingly baffled as she looked at Richard perched upon his horse, momentarily dumbstruck that the barony¡¯s second heir stood before her.

    ¡°What are you doing here¡­?¡±

    ¡°Uh, well, Alyssa,¡± Hughes explained, ¡°Master Richard has some urgent matters nearby and needs a few rooms, so I brought him home.¡± Uncertain whether to keep the identity of the assassin confidential, Hughes omitted crucial details for safety¡¯s sake.

    ¡°Uh, uh¡­¡± Hearing this, Alyssa nodded, only halfway comprehending, muttering, ¡°Oh, I see¡­ I see¡­¡± Yet her mind still appeared slightly dazed.

    After a prolonged moment, Alyssa suddenly seemed to snap out of it. She pivoted and dashed into the yard, exclaiming, ¡°Then¡­ then¡­ I¡¯ll go tidy up the house!¡± leaving the group outside, glancing at one another in confusion.

    Hughes rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, casting a sidelong look at Richard as he muttered, ¡°Please excuse my sister; she hasn¡¯t seen the wider world and can be rather oblivious¡­¡±

    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s nothing,¡± Richard shrugged nonchalantly, dismounting and stepping into the yard.

 Chapter 21

    The several empty rooms in the courtyard were soon tidied up, yet after imprisoning the female assassin inside, Richard did not hasten to interrogate her. Instead, he seized the moment to engage in another task¡ªcrafting plant specimens.

    Time, after all, waits for no man; the longer he delayed, the poorer the quality of the specimens would be.

    Thus, it was only as the afternoon drew close to evening, once all the collected plants had been adequately processed, that Richard remembered the matter of questioning the female assassin.

    Stretching lazily, Richard rose and delegated the final touches of work to the young maid Lucy before stepping out into the courtyard.

    At this point, the sun was preparing to set in the west, casting a golden hue across the landscape as if gilding the earth itself.

    Walking upon this ¡°gilded¡± ground, Richard approached a storeroom at the corner of the yard, where the female assassin was bound.

    Tuku and several guards stood watch at the door. Upon seeing Richard¡¯s approach, they relaxed, signaling that all was well.

    ¡°Nothing unexpected occurred?¡± Richard inquired.

    ¡°No,¡± Tuku replied.

    ¡°Good,¡± Richard nodded and reached for the door.

    Just then, a sudden voice broke the air from behind him: ¡°M-Master Richard.¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Richard turned to see Hughes¡¯s sister, Alyssa, standing a short distance away, her expression a mixture of anxiety and determination, as though she had mustered the courage to undertake an exceedingly righteous act.

    ¡°Is there something you need?¡± Richard asked, his eyes flickering with curiosity.

    ¡°Yes! There is!¡± Alyssa vigorously nodded her head, inhaling deeply before solemnly stating, ¡°Master Richard, you are the heir of the baron, and we are mere peasants of the baron¡¯s territory. The clergy say that nobles must care for their subjects, so¡­¡±

    ¡°What is it you wish to convey?¡± Richard asked Alyssa. ¡°Surely, you do not mean to lecture me on human rights? Though a noble thought, it is but a few centuries too early for such discussions in this world.¡±

    ¡°N-no, that¡¯s not it!¡± Although Alyssa struggled to grasp Richard¡¯s words, she fervently shook her head. ¡°In fact¡­ I wish to plead with you¡­ not to harm the sister of the one imprisoned inside!¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Richard furrowed his brow, intrigued. ¡°Why? Do not tell me you know her, or are somehow affiliated.¡±

    ¡°No, I do not know that sister at all,¡± Alyssa replied, lowering her gaze, her voice faint. ¡°I simply find her pitiable¡­¡±If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    Richard''s expression shifted to one of interest.

    Pitiable? To describe an assassin with such a term seemed rather ill-fitting.

    ¡°And¡­ I think she seems quite innocent as well. I¡­ I suspect she must have unwittingly offended you about a trivial matter. I beg of you, Master Richard, spare her! I implore you¡­¡± Alyssa''s pleas grew increasingly heartfelt.

    Richard¡¯s expression became more pronounced, as he accurately deduced Alyssa¡¯s motivations.

    In the next moment, Richard spoke, ¡°You see her as innocent, do you not? You believe she has incurred my wrath over some minor issue that has led me to prepare to torment her, right? Out of sympathy, you muster your courage to dissuade me, hoping I shall release her. Simply put, you perceive the woman in that house as virtuous, while I am a villainous nobleman, and you, a brave and kind-hearted girl?¡±

    Richard''s tone remained serene, devoid of mockery or anger¡ªmerely an account laid bare.

    Alyssa, upon hearing this, felt embarrassed, her hands twisting the hem of her dress as she stammered, ¡°I¡­ I did not mean it that way! I do not see you as a bad person, Master Richard, it¡¯s just¡­ just¡­¡±

    ¡°Just what?¡± Richard pressed.

    ¡°Just that I feel sorry for that sister,¡± Alyssa replied, her expression wavering on the brink of tears. ¡°She is truly pitiable.¡±

    Richard chose not to respond further, turning his gaze toward the courtyard door.

    At that moment, Hughes entered from outside. He had been away acquiring provisions for dinner, running to several hunters in the village, and it was only after visiting the miller that he secured sufficient meat and white bread. After all, he dared not invite Richard to sup on black bread and wild vegetable soup.

    Now seeing his sister Alyssa standing with a tearful expression in the courtyard, not far off from the stoic Richard, Hughes''s heart sank.

    Had Richard been any other nobleman, Hughes might have assumed it was his sister being bullied. Yet, with Richard present, Hughes felt it more likely that his sister was the one in trouble.

    In the next heartbeat, Hughes hurried over to Alyssa, asking a few questions before quickly confirming his suspicions. Upon hearing that Alyssa was pleading for the very assassin that sought to kill Richard, Hughes nearly fainted. In that instant, he discarded any thoughts of maintaining secrecy and revealed the assassin¡¯s identity.

    Hearing this, Alyssa froze, her body stiffening as she stared in disbelief. ¡°This¡­ this is true?¡±

    ¡°Of course, it is true,¡± Hughes replied, a mix of exasperation and amusement coloring his voice.

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Alyssa¡¯s face flushed crimson, akin to a ripe apple, as she cast a bashful glance at Richard, stumbling over her words. ¡°M-master Richard, I¡­ I¡­¡±

    Richard merely waved a hand, saying nothing, before turning to push open the door to the room.

    With a creak, the door¡ªacting as a temporary interrogation chamber¡ªclosed behind him.

    Alyssa glanced nervously at her brother Hughes, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Brother, is Master Richard angry?¡±

    Hughes chuckled wryly. ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it. Master Richard wouldn¡¯t grow angry over such trivial matters. He has far more pressing concerns.¡±

    ¡°But, I did misunderstand him earlier¡­¡±

    ¡°Then simply perform well tonight. Make sure dinner is delightful¡ªdon¡¯t replicate my habit of returning home with unpalatable fare.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Alyssa replied, pondering, ¡°What exactly did you manage to acquire?¡±

    ¡°Well, I obtained some meat from the hunters and acquired some white flour from the miller.¡±

    ¡°Meat and white flour?¡± Alyssa¡¯s eyes lit up with inspiration. ¡°Then let¡¯s make pies! Perhaps bake some onion rings and prepare a pot of mushroom soup¡­¡±

    As she spoke, Alyssa disappeared into the kitchen.

    With a creak, the door closed behind her.

    Turning his attention, Richard gazed with keen interest at the female assassin within the room.

    At this moment, she appeared utterly devoid of her former bravado, tightly bound to a pillar in the room. Gone was the imagined allure¡ªrough hemp rope dug deeply into her flesh, leaving behind darkened bruises akin to unseemly scars, the consequence of prolonged constriction.

    Richard understood very well that even if he were to untie the assassin now, the places bound would likely fester in the coming days, and should her confinement extend further, the repercussions could prove catastrophic.

 Chapter 22

    The female assassin lay there with disheveled hair, tilting her head as she heard footsteps approach. With cold and vigilant eyes, she regarded the newcomer. Upon recognizing Richard, she merely huffed disdainfully, saying nothing.

    Richard, however, took the initiative and addressed the woman. ¡°I do not know if you have overheard; mere moments ago, outside this very door, a girl pleaded for your reprieve, urging me to release a would-be assassin who sought to take my life.¡±

    ¡°What is your intent?¡± the assassin retorted, her tone frigid and unyielding, clearly communicating her resolve not to submit.

    Richard shrugged slightly, ¡°Truth be told, nothing much. I merely wish to express that wisdom is a rare commodity, not possessed by all. And at this time, I sincerely hope you do not lack it.¡±

    ¡°What does that concern you?¡±

    ¡°Of course, it concerns me,¡± Richard answered calmly. ¡°Should you possess sufficient wit, perhaps you might divulge some information I desire before I resort to harsher measures. In doing so, you could spare yourself a measure of suffering.¡±

    ¡°Ha! Spare me your threats! I am not afraid of you! Bah!¡± the assassin spat defiantly, hurling a glob of saliva that landed a short distance from Richard.

    Richard raised an eyebrow, ¡°It seems you are indeed unwilling to cooperate. In that case, do not blame me for what comes next.¡±

    ¡°Do as you will!¡± the assassin said, adopting an attitude reminiscent of a martyr prepared to face death.

    With a soft chuckle, Richard stepped toward her, bending at the waist as he approached. In the next moment, one hand grasped the hem of her linen dress, lifting it slowly, while the other hand descended to her calf, first grazing her ankle before ascending deliberately upward.

    The assassin¡¯s body trembled slightly, her senses heightening with every touch, and she exclaimed, ¡°What do you intend to do to me?¡±

    ¡°You may take a guess,¡± Richard replied, pausing his ministrations as he drew forth a small, delicate knife, akin to a miniature scalpel, from his pocket.

    Upon seeing the blade, an uncharacteristic sense of relief washed over the assassin, which she could not help but mar with a derisive tone. ¡°What? Do you intend to torment me with that little thing?¡±

    ¡°Indeed, one might say so,¡± Richard answered earnestly, pondering aloud, ¡°Are you afraid of pain?¡±

    ¡°It is only your noble kind that shriek at the sight of a mere knife,¡± the assassin replied, loaded with disdain, seizing the opportunity to insult her captor.

    Richard seemed to disregard her latter remarks. He nodded thoughtfully, ¡°So then, you are not afraid of pain? That is splendid, very splendid indeed, for it saves me the trouble of finding a means to silence you. Now, we shall commence in earnest.¡±

    Commence? Commence what? Torture?Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    The assassin remained momentarily bewildered, yet Richard¡¯s knife found its resting place against her calf, the cold steel eliciting goosebumps upon her skin. He applied pressure, cutting slowly and deliberately.

    A crimson line appeared upon her leg, blood oozing forth, yet the assassin did not flinch, her gaze resolute. In her mind, this minor wound seemed hardly significant, this torment far from true torture. Deep down, she dismissed Richard¡¯s blade as a mere toy, one incapable of inflicting real harm.

    Yet before long, the assassin realized her grave miscalculation.

    The blade glided effortlessly, blood streaming down her leg to stain the ground beneath.

    As the knife continued its descent, Richard¡¯s calm voice arose, bearing a weighty but measured tone, as if he were conducting an intricate lecture. For reasons unknown, the sound evoked memories of her instructors who had schooled her in the arts of assassination.

    ¡°Generally speaking, the skin of both humans and higher animals consists of three layers: the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue.¡±

    ¡°Do you see this?¡± Richard asked, his knife moving deftly, exposing a thin layer of skin beneath, ¡°This is the epidermis. From a biological standpoint, it is merely a continuously renewing layer of cells. So long as the regenerative capacity of the cells endures, they will mend quickly even when damaged.¡±

    ¡°Next, we observe this.¡± Richard deftly lifted another layer, explaining with an impassive demeanor, ¡°This is the dermis, composed of collagen fibers, elastic fibers, and various connective tissues. You may not understand this, yet if you have ever seen the skin flayed from beasts, you might grasp its importance. As a significant component of the skin, it is well-protected, being filled with a rich array of sensory receptors to ensure swift reaction upon injury. You see, when I assessed the epidermis, you exhibited no reaction at all, yet when I merely touched the dermis, you furrowed your brow. This highlights its significance. Fortunately, you have not cried out; it seems you truly are not afraid of pain. I hope you can maintain this composure.¡±

    Richard continued, lifting a pale yellow layer and elucidating, ¡°This is the subcutaneous tissue, generally composed of loose connective tissue and adipose lobules, serving to prevent heat loss and shield against external impacts. In simple terms, without this, human survivability would diminish by more than half.¡±

    ¡°Very well, that is the complete structure of the skin,¡± Richard concluded, momentarily pausing in his actions. The assassin exhaled, yet for reasons unknown, despite Richard inflicting no grave wounds, his inscrutable discourse instilled a profound pressure upon her.

    Yet before the assassin could feel relieved, Richard¡¯s voice resumed, calm yet firm. ¡°Now that we have unraveled the skin, let us delve into the muscles. You are familiar with muscles, I trust? They are essential structures that facilitate motion; once impaired, one¡¯s ability to exert strength is significantly hampered.¡±

    ¡°Now then, let us examine the nearest muscle: the tibialis anterior. It is robust and powerful, for it is responsible for extending and flexing the feet. Additionally, it maintains the arches of the feet.

    You may be unfamiliar with the arc, but I will provide a brief explanation: it governs the distribution of weight across the ankle, heel, and toes. Thus, if I were to make a gentle incision, damaging this tibialis anterior, the arch would falter. Consequently, when you stand upright, your feet would lose their stability, making it arduous to walk, even to stand still.¡±

    As Richard spoke, he allowed the knife to glide gently across the muscle, prompting the assassin to feel a sudden chill; her right leg buckled, an unbearable pain erupting in its stead.

    Truth be told, the agony she felt was not particularly severe, yet the sudden weakness in her right leg, coupled with Richard¡¯s incomprehensible words, greatly amplified her disquiet. Pain stemmed not merely from her wound; it was sourced deep within, from a profound fear¡­

    Strangely enough, the once undaunted assassin quaked at the sight of Richard before her. She perceived him no longer as just a detestable noble lad, but as a figure embodying a far greater, more terrifying identity. The nature of this identity eluded her, yet she sensed it to be far more dreadful than all her former instructors combined.

    And so, as Richard raised the knife once more, she could not suppress the involuntary cry that escaped her lips: ¡°Ah!¡±

 Chapter 23

    Richard raised his gaze to observe the female assassin.

    In that fleeting moment, the assassin caught a glimpse of a fleeting disappointment etched upon Richard¡¯s countenance.

    ¡°It seems, in truth, that you are afraid of pain; you are perhaps even weaker than you imagined,¡± he remarked. With a slight shake of his head, he turned to find a scrap of cloth and, after exerting some effort, stuffed it into the assassin''s mouth.

    She struggled, voicing muffled protests, but none of it could halt Richard as he bent down once more to continue his explanation.

    ¡°Now, let us move on to another muscle in the calf; this one is called the soleus. I know not if you have ever seen a sole fish. Even if you have not, upon observing this muscle, you should be able to envision the creature¡¯s form. The function of this muscle may be less critical than that of the tibialis anterior we discussed earlier, yet it holds its own importance.

    On one hand, it aids in straightening the foot; on the other, it accumulates force when the body walks or runs. Without this muscle, every sprinting record would likely lengthen by several seconds. The repercussions of its damage are evident¡ªas you feel now, one slice and your right leg becomes increasingly weak, unable to extend its full length, and furthermore¡­¡±

    ¡°This one is known as the gastrocnemius, and its function¡­ if destroyed¡­¡±

    ¡°This muscle is the extensor hallucis longus, as its name suggests, and its duty is to¡­ if severed¡­¡±

    Richard continued his discourse, each word enhancing the assassin¡¯s agony, a boundless terror encircling her from all sides, nearly overwhelming her. It was only the last whisper of her will to endure that kept her from shattering.

    Time slipped by, and at last, Richard concluded his exposition of the calf''s muscular structure. He slowly rose, wiping the blood from his hands, and extracted the cloth from the assassin''s mouth.

    Upon removal, the assassin uttered no screams; rather, she fixed a glassy stare upon Richard and, from the depths of her throat, repeated, ¡°Kill me, kill me! Hurry, you demon!¡±

    ¡°The issue is¡­¡± Richard elongated his tone, ¡°that I do not yet wish to take your life, for I still seek information from your lips.¡±

    ¡°No! I will never tell you! I will never speak! Kill me, just kill me!¡± the assassin cried passionately.

    Richard raised an eyebrow at her obstinacy and replied, ¡°Given the current circumstances, I believe if I were to apply just a bit more pressure, you would surely divulge everything I wish to know. After all, you are not far from complete psychological collapse. However¡­¡±

    He momentarily paused, squinting at her beneath the dim light, continuing, ¡°However, at this stage, even if you refuse to speak, I have already learned quite a bit. For instance, a skilled assassin such as yourself commands a price far beyond the reach of ordinary individuals, yet your resolute stance indicates you have likely received ample compensation. Moreover, alongside those benefits, threats loom¡ªsuch as the safety of your family.

    Such activities can only be orchestrated by someone powerful, likely of noble blood. To be frank, I have spent most of my years within the castle, preparing for various matters, and I have never strayed far from the baronial territory, nor have I offended any notable person. Yet there seems to be someone actively seeking my demise¡ªthere cannot be many who would go to such lengths.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    Analyzing the situation, the name of the one who attempted my assassination is almost palpable. If my conjectures are correct, it could well be my elder brother, whom I have not seen for many years. He has long been ¡®gaining experience¡¯ in the matriarchal noble houses.

    Logically speaking, he has taken ample time, yet continues to remain absent¡ªperhaps he finds my existence too perilous. Maybe he believes that with a brother like me¡ªnot quite a wizard but close enough¡ªby his side, his ascension to the title would be inevitably jeopardized. Although such notions are foolish, they are not without rationality, and his ensuing actions are entirely explicable.¡±

    Richard leaned closer to the assassin, a hint of sardonic humor in his voice as he remarked, ¡°So, should I now politely greet my brother¡ªEdward Angrel?¡±

    The assassin¡¯s eyes widened in shock; she took several deep breaths to steady her racing heart. After a prolonged stare at Richard, she suddenly exclaimed, ¡°Now I understand why someone would go to great lengths to see you dead. It is because you are too intelligent¡ªso cunning that everyone else appears foolish. You are a wizard, a demon. A person like you must die! Must die!¡±

    ¡°Ah, is that so?¡± Richard replied with a smile, his demeanor unperturbed. ¡°But the harsh reality is that the one who dies here is not I, but you. In truth, from a certain perspective, you are merely a tool, one who has executed his task without guilt. Thus, my letting you go would serve to demonstrate my great mercy.¡±

    The assassin''s eyes gleamed momentarily.

    Richard continued, ¡°However, I am no saint. After all, it is you who sought to kill me and nearly succeeded. I am a rational man, all too aware of the consequences of releasing a beast back into the wild. Hence, the ultimate conclusion is that I must eliminate you.¡±

    ¡°You truly intend to kill me!¡± The assassin¡¯s voice grew fervent, desperation evident as she cried, ¡°I carry many secrets! If you kill me¡­¡±

    ¡°No need for that,¡± Richard interrupted her. ¡°I have learned all I wish to know; the remaining details hold little significance. Thus, you may freely perish. Truly!¡±

    With those words, Richard advanced toward the assassin, unsheathing his knife without hesitation.

    Yet, the blade did not meet any part of her flesh. Instead, with a swift slice, it cut through the ropes binding her.

    With a resounding crack, the bindings fell away, and the assassin was immediately freed. However, due to her extended confinement and the injury to her right leg, she did not retaliate at once. In truth, confusion engulfed her mind, the situation making little sense.

    Wasn¡¯t he supposed to kill her? Why had he severed her bonds? Did he intend to let her go? What was the purpose behind her torment? What in the world did this nobleman want?

    As her thoughts spiraled, she suddenly felt a chill at her throat, a sensation both mild and unsettling, radiating through her body.

    Richard had swiftly passed the blade across her neck, leaving a thin line of blood in its wake. He stowed the knife away and seized the assassin''s hands, raising them to press firmly against the wound.

    His voice dropped low, grave as a doctor¡¯s as he instructed her: ¡°Cover it tightly¡ªyes, apply pressure. Listen well. I have sliced through your throat, severing your trachea. This is not fatal; in fact, you may find it easier to breathe now, as air flows more directly to your lungs.

    However, in addition to severing your trachea, I inadvertently lacerated several blood vessels. They are neither the aorta nor the main vein, yet they are enough to prove lethal. Blood will leak steadily, flowing into your lungs through the severed trachea, akin to drowning, and you shall ultimately suffocate in your own blood.

    This process will last approximately four to five minutes. Within that time, you will experience a vivid and haunting sensation of suffocation, enduring a painful death. I advise you to apply pressure to slow the flow of blood, thus reducing the quantity seeping into your lungs. Should you try, you may extend your life for up to ten minutes. Naturally, this means that your suffering will double. However, I trust in your fundamental instinct for survival that you will cling to it tightly during these final moments¡ªin ten minutes, you will intimately feel what it is to suffocate.¡±

    ¡°Glug¡­ ugh¡­ Why¡­¡± The woman¡¯s voice, muffled by her clenched hands, was barely intelligible, yet Richard understood.

    Looking down upon her, he spoke calmly, ¡°Are you inquiring as to why I subject you to this? The answer is simple: this is your punishment. After all, I sought your cooperation, which you denied; that is no fault of mine. So¡­ farewell.¡±

    Richard waved dismissively as, in the assassin''s terror-stricken gaze, he turned away, the door creaking open behind him.

    And then with a soft click, the door fell shut.

    Inside, two worlds divided: one living, one dying. Within, the assassin clenched her hands to her throat, her body convulsing as fear consumed her.

 Chapter 24

    Outside, Richard emerged, the evening sky nearing descent.

    Tuku and another member of the guard were waiting outside, Tuku chewing on a pie as he glanced up upon Richard¡¯s exit. ¡°How did it go, my lord?¡±

    ¡°Nothing much,¡± Richard waved a hand, instructing Tuku, ¡°Once you finish your food, go inside and clean up the body.¡±

    ¡°Uh.¡± Tuku nodded, then inquired, ¡°My lord, may I take her head? After all, her actions were despicable¡ªshe dared attempt to assassinate you!¡±

    ¡°Do as you please if you find corpses intriguing,¡± Richard affected an indifference, turning to exit.

    At that moment, young maid Lucy emerged from the kitchen, holding something in her hands as she called out to Richard, ¡°Master, Alyssa made lots of delicious food! Would you like to try some?¡±

    ¡°Perhaps later,¡± Richard waved her off, continuing his way outside.

    ¡°May I ask what you are planning to do now?¡± Lucy¡¯s curiosity broke through.

    ¡°Nothing much; merely taking a stroll,¡± Richard stated, already half stepping out the door. For whatever reason, an assassination attempt was never a pleasant experience, and even now, having resolved the situation with the assassin, Richard still felt a cloud of discomfort lingering, and sought to clear his mind with a walk.

    A few of the guards eager to accompany him promptly moved to follow; however, Richard gestured them to halt. ¡°There¡¯s no need for you to accompany me. I''m just going for a walk in the village vicinity, and won¡¯t encounter any dangers. I shall return shortly; you remain here.¡±

    ¡°Uh.¡± The guards, crestfallen, halted their steps.

    But young maid Lucy piped up, declaring loudly, ¡°Master, if you¡¯re going for a walk, I shall too! I shall accompany you!¡±

    Saying this, she promptly followed Richard without allowing for refusal, leaving him to smile ruefully, conceding to her company.

    Richard took Lucy out through the door, following the road until they reached the outskirts of the village, finally stopping by a gentle stream.

    By this time, the sun had mostly dipped below the horizon, casting the skies into a dull shade, while the last filament of sunlight shimmered on the surface of the water, flickering like flames in the dusk.

    Richard sat upon a flat stone by the riverbank, casting a glance at young maid Lucy before asking unexpectedly, ¡°Lucy, today I took a life; do you think I was wrong for it?¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Lucy blinked, momentarily taken aback, before shaking her head vigorously. ¡°No, my lord, you could never be wrong.¡±Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    ¡°Why so?¡±

    ¡°Because¡­¡± Lucy replied earnestly, ¡°because that individual sought to kill you. Killing is wrong, so it is only right that you ended their life.¡±

    ¡°But in a certain sense, am I not also a killer?¡± Richard mused, his tone tinged with mirth.

    ¡°Then¡­¡± Lucy furrowed her brow, evidently conflicted. After a moment, she sobered and declared, ¡°Though both involve killing, they are different!¡±

    ¡°In what way?¡±

    ¡°Because you are the master! When the master kills, it is right, and when another seeks to harm the master, it is always wrong!¡±

    ¡°Ah, well then.¡± Richard chuckled at her blatant double standards and smiled, ¡°I suppose your logic holds weight.¡±

    As she saw Richard smile, Lucy beamed in return. Though she understood her master likely required no comfort, in that moment she felt she fulfilled a modicum of her duties as a maid.

    In the next moment, Lucy eagerly extended something toward Richard. ¡°Master, do try this.¡±

    ¡°Hm? What is it?¡± Richard glanced at the charred ¡°onion ring¡± before raising an eyebrow in inquiry.

    ¡°This is an onion ring baked by sister Alyssa! It¡¯s crispy and fragrant, absolutely delightful!¡± Lucy enthused, thrusting it into Richard''s hands and urging, ¡°Please, do try it! You will surely find it delicious!¡±

    Faced with the maid¡¯s expectant gaze, Richard felt compelled to indulge her, begrudgingly bringing the so-called baked onion ring to his lips.

    He opened his mouth, took a bite, chewed, and swallowed.

    As the flavors registered on his palate, Richard couldn¡¯t help but shake his head within.

    Was this truly an onion ring? It was merely a layer of flour smeared on the onion and tossed over an open flame¡ªlacking any saltiness and, due to overcooking, carried a bitter undertone. The onion itself had been rendered limp, utterly devoid of its natural flavor.

    If this constituted what could be considered ¡°delicious,¡± then there were no treats worth savouring in this world.

    Observing Richard consume the entire onion ring with no discernible change in his expression, Lucy seemed to sense something and tentatively asked, ¡°My lord, was the onion ring not to your liking?¡±

    ¡°Indeed, it was far from pleasant; not only did it taste poor, but the method was all wrong; it was utterly atrocious,¡± Richard disclosed.

    ¡°The method was wrong?¡± Lucy blinked in surprise, instinctively questioning, ¡°Then what is the correct way to prepare it?¡±

    ¡°The proper method should involve peeling the onion, slicing it into rings, removing the center membranes, sprinkling it with salt and black pepper, and allowing it to marinate for approximately ten minutes. Once marinated, one should evenly coat the rings in fine flour. After this, an egg white should be spread over the flour-coated rings. Finally, they should be rolled in breadcrumbs, and placed in hot oil to fry until golden. That is the correct approach.¡±

    Lucy¡¯s expression shifted noticeably; her astonishment reflected an unexpected depth of understanding regarding the simple onion ring. Not only flour was required, but egg and oil as well¡ªall the while incorporating expensive black pepper!

    Let it be known, in this world, black pepper was a spice comparable in value to gold. In certain large cities, whole peppercorns could even serve as currency, referred to as ¡°pepper coins.¡± When purchasing pepper, it was weighed not by pounds but grams! Apothecaries would secure their doors and windows, tightly wrapping their mouths and noses in layers of cloth to prevent any precious pepper from being lost.

    Ordinarily, commoners would never taste the richness of black pepper; it was a privilege reserved for nobility. Only the most extravagant and wasteful of grandees could afford to spice their meals with it daily. There were even tales of a king who had a voracious obsession with pepper, consuming at least two pounds daily: sprinkling it into dishes, mixing it into soups, even dousing his wine in pepper-flavored concoctions. Ultimately, within mere years, his kingdom was drained and defeated by enemies.

    But here now, her own master sought to use such extravagant spice merely for an onion ring. This was beyond belief¡­

 Chapter 25

    ¡°What sort of conduct is this?!¡± young maid Lucy could not help herself exclaiming.

    Richard glanced at the agitated young maid, fully aware of her reasons for excitement, yet refraining from excessive explanation. He lifted his gaze toward the distance, watching the last rays of the western sun fade away. His voice took on a wistful quality as he murmured, ¡°This is¡­ a custom of my homeland.¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Lucy blinked in surprise, unable to grasp the meaning behind Richard''s words, yet noting the somber tone in his voice, as if he were lost in nostalgia.

    ¡°I truly do not know whether I shall ever return, nor if I shall have the chance to savor the delicacies of old,¡± Richard continued, his thoughts clearly drifting.

    Cautiously, young maid Lucy cast a glance at Richard, tentatively asking, ¡°Master, you seem a bit unhappy?¡±

    ¡°Unhappy?¡± Richard laughed suddenly, quickly masking his innermost emotions as he replied with a half-joking tone, ¡°Of course, I am unhappy.¡±

    ¡°Uh, what for?¡±

    ¡°For instance, we brought plenty of alcohol and fine needles, did we not?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°The intention was to collect plants and capture a few exceptional insects to preserve as specimens, yet not a single insect did we encounter. Thus, this alcohol and these fine needles have become meaningless baggage to carry, hence my displeasure.¡±

    ¡°Well¡­¡± young maid Lucy faltered, unsure of what to say, and after a prolonged moment, she suggested, ¡°Then, Master, you could try to catch a few insects on the way back tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°True enough,¡± Richard agreed, rising to his feet. As he did, he gave Lucy a playful pat on the rear, adding, ¡°All right, let¡¯s be off. It¡¯s too damp by the river; staying here too long at night would lead to a chill.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I understand.¡± Standing, the young maid pouted, rubbing her bottom in feigned grievance. ¡°That hurt.¡±

    ¡°Enough, let¡¯s return.¡±

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    Richard and young maid Lucy, one tall, the other small, walked back toward Hughes''s homestead.

    Silence reigned that night.

    The following morning, at the break of dawn, the First Guard, ready and prepared, awaited outside Hughes''s house to return to the baron¡¯s castle.

    Alyssa and her brother Hughes exchanged reluctant farewells, while the rest of the group saw no such delay. Richard called out lightly, and instantly, the horsemen reversed their mounts, galloping out of the village toward the baron¡¯s fortress.

    Not long after, Hughes galloped up beside them.

    Approximately half an hour later, the group arrived at the desolate patch where they had collected plants the day before, traversing through the area.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    As they rode midway across the barren land, Richard suddenly halted, turning to inquire, ¡°That female assassin appeared nearby, did she not?¡±

    ¡°Uh, yes,¡± Tuku replied, also stopping his horse. Curiosity etched upon his brow, he asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter, my lord?¡±

    Richard surveyed the surroundings, a wry smile gracing his lips as he observed, ¡°Do you not find it rather quiet here?¡±

    In that instant, thanks to his enhanced perception from meditation, Richard could distinctly sense the presence of numerous concealed individuals.

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Tuku initially pondered Richard''s words, only to soon realize the notable silence surrounding them. Ordinarily, one would expect an abundance of insect sounds, yet there resided none now...

    ¡°Stay alert¡­¡± Tuku began to shout, but before he could finish, a group of more than ten emerged from the dense underbrush. Clad in tattered linen garments, these individuals appeared gaunt from prolonged nutritional deprivation. Yet their eyes glimmered fiercely, clutching an assortment of weapons that shone menacingly.

    Upon their appearance, there was no hesitation; they clamored, wielding their blades and charging forth en masse.

    The only two who remained stationary drew strained bows, awkwardly launching arrows that skewed and instead struck one of their comrades.

    The wounded man let out a blood-curdling scream before cursing profusely.

    The two archers shrank back in fright, casting down their wooden bows, and grabbed weapons to join the fray.

    Richard observed the chaotic display from his mount, a bemused expression on his face, wholly puzzled where such courage had stemmed from. Shaking his head, he turned to young maid Lucy, still on horseback behind him, and deftly tied a cloth around her eyes.

    ¡°Master, why can¡¯t I see?¡± Lucy complained.

    ¡°Because things may become rather bloody soon, and you are still too young for such sights,¡± Richard answered calmly.

    ¡°When can I take this off?¡± Lucy asked, sounding somewhat aggrieved.

    ¡°When I tell you to,¡± Richard replied unyieldingly.

    ¡°Hmph!¡± Pouting, young maid Lucy elevated her chin defiantly, yet Richard chose to ignore her, pivoting his attention back to the assailants charging forth.

    The attackers continued their reckless advance.

    Tuku¡¯s anger flared, igniting his sense of honor; how dare these ragtag individuals attempt to assassinate Master Richard! Did they not recognize the First Guard caste? Were they naught but peasants wielding tools of a farmer?!

    ¡°Kill them!¡± they shouted in unison.

    ¡°Die, you vermin!¡± Tuku bellowed, his voice booming like thunder, immediately drowning out the chaos about them. In a swift motion, he unsheathed his knight¡¯s sword and spurred his horse onward, charging fiercely at the assailants before him.

    ¡°Clop, clop, clop!¡±

    The horse surged faster, Tuku brandishing the sword high, ready to bring it down.

    With a sickening ¡°thud,¡± a head was severed from its body, blood spraying from the decapitated corpse, shooting up like a fountain to heights of three or four meters, leaving the remaining assailants momentarily paralyzed.

    The other members of the First Guard, witnessing this spectacle, immediately smirked coldly. They harbored no pity; instead, they swiftly raced to catch up with Tuku, unleashing their wrath upon the assailants. Despite the valiant efforts of those who tried to resist, they merely posed minor inconveniences to the First Guard.

    What had begun as an ambush devolved into a farce. In but ten minutes, the entire group of attackers was dispatched, many of them dismembered¡ªTuku¡¯s handiwork.

    As Richard rode closer, he found Tuku wiping the blood from his knight¡¯s sword.

    ¡°Were there any survivors?¡± Richard inquired.

    ¡°Uh, one, over there,¡± Tuku gestured to a figure off to the side. Richard turned his gaze, spotting a pitiful bloody wretch lying on the ground, pale and trembling in fear.

    Though the individual appeared drenched in blood, most of it was, in fact, from his deceased companions. Richard approached, but before he could utter a word, the trembling man exclaimed, ¡°I¡¯ll tell you everything! Whatever you want to know, I¡¯ll tell you! Just don¡¯t kill me!¡±

    Richard raised an eyebrow, then dismounted his horse, a sardonic smile gracing his features as he observed, ¡°Hold on a moment, let me first take a guess.¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± the man gawked, yet Richard had already begun to speak.

 Chapter 26

    ¡°Let me take a wild guess as to what your motley crew was about. Hmm, you sought to slay me, yes? While your strength and intentions appear sorely mismatched, your prior actions do suggest a genuine attempt on my life.

    Yet I wonder, why pursue the act? Surely it cannot be the virtue of retribution; I suspect the more probable explanation is that someone hired you. Curiously, just yesterday, in this very spot, there was another hired assassin who similarly aimed to kill me.

    Thus, it seems within two days, two separate groups sought my demise in the same location. Might I boldly speculate that you are, in fact, aligned with one another? It appears the previous assassin was simply more astute, opting for singular action rather than remaining with you lot, and thus nearly succeeded in her endeavor. Yet, you lot, today, upon discovering the absence of your ally, faltered and scrambled to proceed as per your initial plan.

    So, much like a whirlwind, you charged forth in disarray, only to be summarily dispatched. Now, do enlighten me, was I correct in my deductions?¡±

    Richard''s smile remained, observing the man beneath him, who appeared visibly terrified, his pupils narrowing with fear as he began to utter, ¡°This¡­.¡±

    But before another word could escape his lips, Richard¡¯s small knife descended rapidly, severing the man¡¯s carotid artery and jugular vein in a single stroke. Crimson and dark hues of blood erupted forth, instantly saturating the man¡¯s linen garments and spill across the ground. Clutching at his neck, the man writhed in a desperate frenzy, but in mere moments, he lay still.

    Standing slowly, Richard wiped the blade clean. Raising his gaze, he displayed an expression tinged with danger.

    Gazing at the lifeless body at his feet and also surveying the surrounding corpses, he spoke slowly, ¡°This is the last time.¡±

    Taking a deep breath, Richard addressed the empty horizon, muttering to himself, ¡°Indeed, it must be the last time. Do not provoke me again. I truly have no intention of squandering my time on this futile, childish game of ''you kill me, I kill you.'' I have far more pressing matters at hand. So, do not challenge me; do not test my patience, or you shall find that the outcome is not as you desire.¡±

    With those hushed words lingering in the air, Richard inhaled deeply once more, prepared to mount his horse and return to the castle.

    At this moment, Tuku and the others gasped in surprise. Richard turned to see a member of the guard suddenly tumble from his horse. In that fleeting instant, Richard recognized him as Hughes.

    ¡°Hughes! Hughes! What happened?!¡± several members of the First Guard rushed toward him.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    Furrowing his brow, Richard dismounted and strode toward where Hughes had fallen. Tuku¡¯s face had turned crimson, fists clenched tight, teeth gritted as he scanned the surrounding corpses with a furious glare, as if he were ready to revive them just to slay them once more.

    ¡°What is the situation?¡± Richard inquired.

    ¡°Master, Hughes¡­ he¡¯s injured,¡± Tuku responded, his voice brimming with rage as he added, ¡°It¡¯s severe; he may not survive.¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Richard was taken aback, his frown deepening. ¡°What precisely happened? Did we not face ordinary foes in battle?¡±

    ¡°True, these foes were not formidable; they crumbled like soft clay at the first stroke. At that moment, I led our men to the left while Hughes led to the right¡ªboth of us reveling in the thrill of battle, completely unaware of any irregularities. Until just now, when Hughes was mounted, discovering that someone had grievously carved into his abdomen with a dagger, leaving him with a slit open across his belly.¡± Tuku trembled with rage, struggling not to unleash his fury further.

    ¡°Slit open? How is this possible?¡± Richard¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°Were you all not clad in armor?¡±

    ¡°Indeed we were. The issue was, it appears the attacker found the perfect opportunity to stab through the gap beneath Hughes¡¯s armor. During the battle, the armor kept him distracted, but once the fighting finished and he relaxed, he felt something amiss. Before he could react, he fell from his horse; damned scoundrels!¡± Tuku cursed vehemently.

    Richard listened, a sense of alarm rising within him, as he strode toward the gathered crowd surrounding Hughes.

    ¡°Clear a path. Let me assess the situation,¡± Richard said firmly as he pushed past the first guards encircling Hughes, kneeling beside him.

    At that moment, Hughes¡¯s armor had been removed, his upper garments torn away to reveal a deep gash in his abdomen, blood seeping profusely. Hughes appeared ghostly pale from the blood loss, his spirit seemingly drained. Were it not for the occasional flutter of his eyelids, he might resemble a corpse.

    As Richard knelt to examine the severity of Hughes''s wound, Hughes weakly parted his lips, struggling to speak in a request-laden tone, ¡°L-Lord Richard, I know I am surely dying, but I must ask you a favor. Please, promise me one thing. After I am gone, look after Alyssa. I know she is of lowly status, and that I have no right to claim her, but if she could merely serve as your maid¡­ I beg you, Master Richard... please, promise me!¡±

    Having reviewed the injury, Richard rose to his feet, only to find Hughes staring at him with desperate anticipation, searching for an answer.

    Tuku forced his way closer, gazing at Hughes with compassion. ¡°Do not worry, Hughes; I trust that Master Richard will look after your sister. You can... rest easy¡­¡± Tuku believed that although Richard presented himself as cold, he possessed a certain kindness toward his own.

    However, unexpectedly, Richard spoke, ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Tuku, along with the other members of the First Guard, gaped at Richard in shock.

    Hughes¡¯ eyes widened, filled with pitiful pleading, ¡°Master Richard, please don¡¯t¡­ I implore you¡­¡±

    ¡°Do not beg; I will not accede to your request,¡± Richard replied flatly, ¡°Your sister is better off caring for herself. I do not have the time or inclination for such duties.¡±

    At this proclamation, all were momentarily stunned, unable to comprehend.

    Care for herself? How could one do so? Could the deceased watch over anyone?

    Richard shot a cold glance at Hughes, then stated bluntly once again, ¡°It¡¯s merely a gash in your belly; what¡¯s the big deal? You shan''t die so easily! We¡¯ll stitch you up, replenish your plasma, and once your wound heals, you¡¯ll be right as rain.¡±

 Chapter 27

    ¡°What?!¡± Tuku and his companions exclaimed in shock, as if they had stumbled upon some fanciful tale. Their eyes widened as they gazed incredulously at Richard, questioning, ¡°You mean to say, that a gaping wound in his abdomen will not lead to death, that it can¡­ it can be sutured? How is this possible, Lord Richard?¡±

    ¡°To turn the impossible into the possible, my friends, is what we call science,¡± Richard replied with a calm demeanor.

    ¡°Science? Science?!¡±

    Ignoring the astonished faces directed at him, Richard turned aside, retrieving necessary items from the horse he had been riding before returning.

    He first uncorked a vessel containing alcohol, pouring its contents over Hughes¡¯s wound for disinfection.

    The alcohol¡¯s sharp sting struck at the nerve endings of the exposed flesh, prompting a cry of pain from Hughes. Unmoved by his suffering, Richard completed the task and stood over Hughes, addressing him, ¡°You will have to share a mount with another on the return journey.¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± The onlookers were puzzled by the statement, but Richard had already grasped a Western-style dagger and approached the horse that Hughes had been riding.

    The blade in Richard¡¯s hand measured nearly three feet, its cylindrical edge tapering to a fine point at the hilt. Evidently, this weapon was designed purely for thrusting, simple yet devastating in its effect.

    As Richard approached the steed, it began to whinny nervously; nevertheless, it dared not move under Richard¡¯s piercing gaze.

    He soon reached the horse''s side, drawing the dagger from its sheath and gently resting the blade against the beast¡¯s side.

    Sensing the icy contact, the horse grew even more agitated. Richard, expressionless, contemplated his next actions.

    Suturing the wound was not a difficult task, yet the challenge lay in the scarcity of necessary materials. Needles were relatively easy to find; however, the surgical sutures¡ªcrafted from animal intestines¡ªwere not as readily available.

    On Earth, such sutures were typically derived from sheep or cow intestines, a process demanding careful treatment. In this realm, neither the conditions nor the time permitted such preparation. Thus, one must rely on alternative materials.

    Historically, the use of sutures based on animal materials predates the advent of modern surgical methods. Reusable materials do exist, such as flax, hemp, and cotton¡ªthough harsh on the body, they are often rejected by the immune system.

    Conversely, animal materials represent a more suitable option: arterial vessels, nerves, muscular fibrous tissue, and tendons.

    The tendons, a form of dense connective tissue linking muscle to bone, boast excellent compatibility with the human body and are among the most effective substitutes imaginable.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    Among both human and animal subjects, the longest and most manageable tendons are found along the sides of the spine...

    With a swift ¡°thud,¡± Richard drove the dagger into the horse with a flash of unyielding determination, piercing straight through its heart. Blood issued forth, pooling in torrents along the channel of the blade.

    ¡°Thud, thud¡­¡± The wounded horse began to neigh in agony, its body convulsing as it foamed at the mouth.

    With a firm grip on the dagger, Richard yanked it free and, with a swift motion, slapped the horse¡¯s back, causing it to tumble to the ground like a mountain. Tuku and the others, caught off guard, gasped in astonishment.

    At that moment, the meaning of Richard¡¯s earlier remark¡ª¡°you will ride back with another¡±¡ªbecame painfully clear. They had previously assumed Hughes was too injured to ride on his own; however, that assumption proved mistaken. The main reason was apparent now: there were no sufficient horses left for Hughes to ride alone.

    ¡°Thud!¡±

    The horse''s carcass crashed heavily onto the ground, flattening nearby foliage. Richard¡¯s eyes gleamed with purpose as he promptly approached, pulling forth a small knife. In the ensuing moment, the blade descended against the horse¡¯s skull with vigor, swiftly gliding down the spine.

    Within moments, the hide of the horse slipped away like a discarded garment, exposing a silver-white tendon nestled within the sinews.

    With no hesitation, Richard deftly extracted the tendon, slicing it into fine strands, allowing them to dry slightly before soaking them in alcohol for disinfection.

    Once all was prepared, Richard threaded the delicate strands through a specialized bone needle and approached Hughes¡¯s side. Under the watchful eyes of his companions, he commenced the act of suturing.

    No anesthetics, no analgesics¡ªRichard¡¯s expression remained impassive as he conducted the procedure with brutal efficiency, ignoring Hughes¡¯s sensations entirely.

    Once, twice, thrice¡­ twenty-one stitches, and he secured the final knot.

    Exhaling a breath of exertion, Richard stood, pouring another measure of alcohol over the stitched wound in repeated disinfection. At this juncture, the agony etched on Hughes¡¯s face was palpable.

    Unfazed by the suffering around him, Richard busied himself with wiping the blood from his hands, satisfied only when no trace remained.

    In that moment, Hughes, as if regaining his senses, gingerly touched his wound and looked up at Richard, asking, ¡°Lord Richard, having sewn it up like this, I truly shall not die?¡±

    ¡°It is premature to say such things. While you need not worry about immediate complications, there remains a significant risk of infection in the days to come. After all, this world lacks antibiotics and can only rely on alcohol for disinfection,¡± Richard informed him.

    ¡°Nevertheless, I am alive, yes?¡± Hughes replied, attempting to comprehend Richard¡¯s words, his brow furrowing slightly. ¡°Yet, I must ask, why, Lord Richard, did you have to kill the horse for my sutures? Horses are not cheap, after all, and¡­¡±

    ¡°In truth, I did contemplate using the tendon from a human spine,¡± Richard replied, gazing meaningfully at Hughes. ¡°There are many corpses nearby; not utilizing them would be wasteful. However, I feared such an act may trouble your conscience, prompting me to use the horse instead. Of course, were you inclined, I would not quibble at redoing the suturing with materials from the cadavers.¡±

    ¡°Uh, well¡­¡± Hughes quivered involuntarily at Richard¡¯s proposal, quickly waving his hands to shift the topic. ¡°No need for that! I believe this is perfectly adequate. Let¡¯s return to the castle.¡±

    Richard made no further comments, instead saddling his horse before stating, ¡°It would be best to return swiftly. Upon our arrival, we shall assess your blood type, then procure a transfusion from another, hastening your recovery. However, I do hope you are not of blood type O, or some other rarer type.¡±

    Hughes failed to grasp the full implication of Richard¡¯s words but instinctively felt it was beneficial, kindling a firm nod. Supported by his companions, he mounted the horse, following behind Richard as they returned to the baron¡¯s castle.

 Chapter 28

    Two hours hence, the baron¡¯s castle came into view.

    As the group entered, the noise they made was not insignificant. Baron Leo, hearing the commotion, stepped out. Upon seeing Hughes being supported by companions, he turned his attention to Richard, frowning slightly as he queried, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Someone has been injured? Surely you didn¡¯t¡­ encounter robbers?¡±

    Robbers? Can an assassin be counted among thieves?

    While it was clear an assassin was not merely a robber, Richard could not muster the desire for deeper discussion with this so-called ¡°father.¡± Instead, he simply nodded, ¡°Something like that,¡± his tone dripping with disinterest. A clever man would recognize his unwillingness to elaborate.

    Yet, surprisingly, this time the baron did not simply ask a few cursory questions before retreating. Instead, upon hearing Richard¡¯s words, his demeanor suddenly shifted to one of gravity. With a furrowed brow and a serious expression, he remarked, ¡°It appears the orderliness of our territory has declined alarmingly if one can so easily run afoul of robbers. More powerful knights must be hired¡­¡±

    At this, Richard''s eyes glinted, an urge to laugh rising within him as he discerned the implications of the baron¡¯s commentary.

    In the next moment, he fixed his gaze on Baron Leo, speaking evenly, ¡°My dear father, is it your intention for me to promptly forge a few alloy blades for you, so you might employ knights accordingly? Then I need not live in fear upon my ventures beyond the castle walls.¡±

    ¡°This¡­¡± Baron Leo hesitated slightly, ultimately confessing with a hint of awkwardness, ¡°No matter how you slice it, this would, after all, prove beneficial for you as well, seeing as¡­¡±

    ¡°But a transaction remains a transaction,¡± Richard interrupted, speaking in a measured tone. ¡°If I recall correctly, we discussed this matter prior: you would gather the necessary materials from outside our territory, and upon receiving them, I would forge the alloy blades. Yet months have passed, and I have yet to see even a scrap arrive, while you now demand my alloy blades. Is this not a touch unreasonable?¡±

    ¡°Um¡­¡± Baron Leo¡¯s brow knit together in displeasure. ¡°It is not that I lack integrity; rather, what you have requested is exceedingly difficult to source. Compiling everything requires a considerable amount of time. However, I have recently received news that a merchant caravan transporting all your desired materials has departed from the Myron Alliance, headed for the Pure Empire where we are situated. It shall arrive before long.¡±

    ¡°Then let us discuss the alloy blades upon its arrival,¡± Richard stated without a hint of concession.

    Upon seeing Richard¡¯s demeanor, Baron Leo felt anger bubbling within. He spoke in a lowered, stern voice, ¡°I am your father! Would I deceive you? What is this attitude? Can you not show me at least a modicum of respect?¡±

    ¡°I do respect you, my dear father¡ªthe honorable Baron Leo.¡± Richard bowed slightly, a gesture that flowed with feigned courtesy. Yet, his expression remained cold, even betraying a trace of disdain.

    Baron Leo observed Richard¡¯s expression, discovering himself at an impasse. With an exasperated huff, he turned sharply to return to the keep, declaring, ¡°Then let us wait a while longer before discussing it. How frustrating!¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Richard merely shrugged and stood upright again, his gaze sweeping across the vicinity.

    ¡°Uh, Lord Richard, you shouldn¡¯t treat the baron in such a manner. Surely, that cannot be wise?¡± Tuku and the others approached anxiously, their whispers laced with concern.

    ¡°That does not require your worrying; I possess a handle on matters,¡± Richard replied, then turned to Hughes, saying, ¡°Come, Hughes, let us assess your blood type.¡±

    Richard preferred engaging in practical tasks rather than entangling himself in fruitless schemes of suspicion.

    ¡°Uh, yes¡­¡± Hughes replied, complying as he shuffled toward Richard with the assistance of his companions.

    Consequently, Richard began testing Hughes and several others in the castle to determine blood compatibility, initiating a blood transfusion.

    Indeed, the process of blood transfusion posed little challenge, simply drawing blood from one individual and introducing it to another¡¯s system.

    Different blood types could unleash reactions leading to hemolysis and death; however, a series of titration and observation experiments would preempt this.

    Though assembling the hollow needle might prove a challenge¡ªgiven the current state of technology in this world¡ªthere existed alternatives. Using a sterilized bamboo tube would suffice, creating a slightly larger wound yet inflicting only minor discomfort.

    Under Richard¡¯s guidance, the transfusion proceeded seamlessly. Before long, a sufficient quantity of compatible blood infused Hughes¡¯s body, rapidly revitalizing his physiological functions.

    Upon witnessing the regained color blooming in Hughes''s cheeks, Tuku and those around him could not contain their astonishment, exclaiming in wonderment. ¡°Incredible! It¡¯s remarkable; without needing to bleed him, a mere blood transfusion can save a life!¡±

    ¡°Indeed! Who could have imagined?¡±

    ¡°Truly, Lord Richard is impressive¡­¡±

    Hearing their enthusiastic remarks, Richard shook his head, feeling baffled by the ignorance surrounding the state of medicine in the world.

    It was no wonder Tuku and the others were so taken aback; after all, this world resembled the medieval era, a time when medical knowledge remained rudimentary and blended with theology and superstition.

    In this world, not only were there insufficient medicinal herbs, but the prevailing treatment methodology revolved solely around one¡ªbloodletting. Physicians, often barber-surgeons or priests, brutishly resorted to this singular method for any ailment.

    Headache? Not an issue¡ªjust let some blood! Nausea? Not a problem¡ªbleed a little! Arm nearly severed and blood loss critical? Not to worry, just bleed more!

    Historical records recount how a soldier in the Bourbon monarchy (ancient France) suffered significant chest wounds and fainted due to excessive blood loss. Upon reaching a physician, they bled him 600 milliliters to alleviate pain; later that evening, they bled an additional 700 milliliters. The following morning, another 250 milliliters were drawn. Over fourteen hours, they bled him five times anew¡ªtotaling almost half his body¡¯s blood drawn in addition to his injuries.

    In the days following, the bleeding persisted, utterly failing to improve his condition, turning instead to inflammation of the wounds. Even then, the physician insisted on the application of leeches to stem the inflammation, deploying over forty leeches on the soldier¡¯s body. The unfortunate man endured torment at the physician¡¯s hands for over a month. Not even the strongest vitality could withstand such tribulations, leading ultimately to his demise.

    The illustrious King Charles II of England met a similar fate; after fainting, he underwent bloodletting, already weak in health; the process left him further drained until he ultimately perished after losing less than 700 milliliters.

    Due to this historical context, it¡¯s no surprise that in many cases, individuals who had managed to survive their suffering succumbed due to the ¡°physician¡¯s¡± hand¡ªfalling victim to hemorrhagic shock from excessive blood loss, or infections born from unsanitary bleeding instruments.

    In short, in this world, physicians often instilled more death than preservation. Thus, it is entirely understandable for Tuku and his comrades to be taken aback, witnessing the ¡°hopeless¡± Hughes triumphantly revived. This truly felt like a miracle.

 Chapter 29

    If Richard so desired, leveraging some of his knowledge, it would pose no difficulty for him to masquerade as a priest in this world. However, compared to such a charade, Richard felt that far more pressing matters required his attention¡ªsuch as investigating the scientific principles behind sorcery and magic, or unraveling the mechanics of his own transference to this realm.

    Thus, after tending to Hughes¡¯s wounds, Richard wasted no time indulging in idle chatter with Tuku and the others and instead plunged headlong into the plans he had long since laid out.

    With that, the rhythm of Richard''s life returned to a tranquil yet monotonous state.

    Days passed punctuated by either meditation or experimentation, the hours slipping away without notice.

    In this interval, Richard made notable progress.

    Primarily, he learned to cast another spell recorded in Loren''s Human Skin Diary¡ªthe Fireball. This was a genuine spell, a far cry from the mere parlor trick dubbed the ¡°Ghosphorus¡± he had previously mastered.

    According to the classifications laid out in the Human Skin Diary, wizards are ranked in tiers. The most formidable among them are hailed as Grand Wizards, followed by the ordinary wizards. Ordinary wizards are split further into three ranks: low, mid, and high. Below the ordinary wizards stand the apprentices, who are similarly categorized into low, mid, and high.

    The Grand Wizards, ordinary wizards, and apprentices form a rigorous hierarchy within the world of magic, where each category corresponds with its own specific set of spells. Generally speaking, an apprentice can barely wield the simplest of spells; if one were to dare employ spells of an ordinary wizard or a Grand Wizard, the consequence would be death¡ªa backlash of magic perhaps fatal.

    The spell Richard had acquired¡ªthe Fireball¡ªwas of the apprentice level, albeit the most rudimentary form of sorcery, it nonetheless represented true magic. In stark contrast, the former ¡°Ghosphorus,¡± or ¡°Hand of Ghost Fire,¡± didn''t even qualify as an apprentice-tier spell; it was merely an entry-level trick, serving exclusively as a source of illumination without possessing any offensive capability. By comparison, the Fireball could obliterate ten thousand ¡°Ghosphorus¡± with ease.

    Resembling the ¡°Fireball¡± spells portrayed in numerous tales, the essence of the Explosion Fireball manifests as a blazing orb, the size of a fist. The crucial distinction lies in its mechanics: the Explosion Fireball bears little to no force upon launch, only to unleash its devastating power upon impact with a target. In many ways, it more closely resembles a magical variant of a grenade than a conventional fireball.

    Having carefully executed multiple power tests, Richard accurately quantified the energy released during the explosion from the Explosion Fireball, equating roughly to 20 grams of TNT.

    Such an energy release rivals that of a weakened grenade, not particularly exaggerated but certainly not to be underestimated. Within a five-meter radius, it could inflict severe damage on an unprotected human body, while the epicenter of the explosion had the potential to greatly injure or even kill an average person.

    Even against a seasoned warrior like Tuku, donned in heavy armor, a single Explosion Fireball could inflict substantial harm, with two capable of grievously wounding him, severely diminishing his battle capacity, while three¡­ would surely result in death.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Currently, Richard could launch twelve Explosion Fireballs if he filled his mana core with the refined energy element. This meant he could potentially incapacitate nearly half of the First Guard with such a display.

    Yet, casting a spell requires the recitation of incantations, alongside the manipulation of internal energy; failure to perform these tasks correctly would lead to a botched casting. Therefore, during actual combat scenarios, the efficacy of the Explosion Fireball would be significantly hampered.

    To address this concern, having learned the Explosion Fireball spell, Richard promptly dedicated himself to researching a method for delaying the release of the Fireball, aiming to synchronize multiple explosions to amplify their destructive force.

    What he envisioned was a deployment of several, perhaps even dozens of Explosion Fireballs, unleashed in succession at varied speeds, converging to explode at a single point.

    Achieving this would yield an instantaneous surge in destructive power, capable of altering the tide of battle in a heartbeat, far more practical than relying upon a crossbow.

    With these thoughts in mind, Richard immersed himself in experimentation and study, ultimately filling over a dozen papyrus scrolls with his findings regarding the endeavor. Yet, the specifics of implementation remained unresolved, demanding a bit more time.

    Absorbed in contemplation, Richard rose from the desk in the laboratory, glancing out the window to discover dawn had arrived¡ªhe had unknowingly pulled an all-nighter in pursuit of his studies.

    With a wry smile, he shook his head and prepared to depart the lab, heading back to his chamber. At that moment, with a creak, the lab door swung open to reveal young maid Lucy, her round eyes wide as she exclaimed, ¡°Master! The Baron seeks you!¡±

    ¡°Hmm? The Baron wishes to see me? I hope it¡¯s not about forging more alloy swords again?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know,¡± Lucy replied, shaking her head. ¡°The Baron instructed me to find you and say he wishes to see you. He did not disclose anything else.¡±

    ¡°Where is he now?¡±

    ¡°Just outside the main keep.¡±

    ¡°Very well. I shall inquire what it concerns.¡± Stifling a yawn, Richard pushed through the door and descended from the side keep. There he found the tall, lanky Baron Leo waiting for him.

    ¡°What is it, my dear father¡ªBaron Leo?¡± Richard inquired as he approached.

    Upon hearing his voice, Baron Leo turned, responding in a measured tone, ¡°I have just received word that the caravan carrying the goods you requested has entered Pure territory. They are currently traveling within the domain of Lord Lanster. At their current pace, they should reach the northernmost part of my lands in four to five days.¡±

    Richard¡¯s eyes gleamed momentarily as he sensed Leo had further details to share, prompting his inquiry, ¡°So¡­?¡±

    ¡°Given that the northern land is quite distant, I have been remiss in managing it. With the current disarray in our territory, it¡¯s uncertain if bandits may be lurking.¡± Baron Leo sighed, his expression earnest, devoid of any deceit. ¡°While the caravan is expected to have its own escort, should they encounter a large enough band of thieves, they would undoubtedly be overwhelmed.

    Although the loss of life among the caravan members is regrettable, if the goods you require were pilfered, acquiring replacements would prove challenging, potentially taking months. Furthermore, I¡¯ve already advanced payment to the caravan. Should they unfortunately run afoul of trouble, my losses would be considerable. It may likely take until winter¡¯s end before I can procure enough silver and labor to compensate.¡±

    ¡°I understand.¡± Richard comprehended the Baron¡¯s implication: the goods were on their way, but not without risk, and since they belonged to him, it fell to him to ensure their safety.

    With a firm nod, Richard stated decisively, ¡°I will immediately take the First Guard to Lord Lanster¡¯s domain to intercept the caravan and escort them back to the castle.¡±

    ¡°That would be ideal. Your presence should resolve any issues that arise,¡± the Baron replied, his posture relaxing. ¡°When do you intend to depart?¡±

    ¡°I said, immediately,¡± Richard affirmed, refusing to indulge further discussion as he turned and called out, ¡°Tuku, gather the men!¡±

    ¡°Understood!¡± came Tuku''s voice from afar, followed by his rallying cry, ¡°Skinny Monkey, Red Eye, Mangy Dog¡­ assemble! Master Richard has tasks to undertake! Move swiftly!¡±

    Immediately, figures rushed out from behind the main keep, swiftly donning armor and bringing forth their steeds¡­

 Chapter 30

    Four days hence.

    A column of riders sped along the roadway.

    At the center sat Richard, tranquil and composed. Clinging to Richard''s waist was young maid Lucy, who curiously observed the world around her, occasionally exclaiming, ¡°Master, look! There¡¯s a huge bird over there!¡±

    ¡°Master, look! There¡¯s a rabbit!¡±

    ¡°Master¡­¡±

    The members of the First Guard flanked Richard in silence. Among them, Tuku advanced at the forefront, ever vigilant, while Hughes, still recuperating from his injuries, trailed at the back of the procession.

    The party moved swiftly; in the span of four days, they journeyed from the castle to the northernmost extent of the Baron¡¯s lands.

    At this moment, Tuku¡¯s keen gaze sweeped the surrounding area, his mind fully alert. After four days on the road without washing or grooming, he had grown noticeably scruffy, the scars on his face appearing freshly deepened, yet fatigue failed to claim his spirit. Suddenly, Tuku''s eyes sharpened, and he seized the reins of his galloping steed, pulling it to a halt, causing its front hooves to crash down heavily and leave two circular impressions in the earth.

    The procession halted in unison, eyes turning towards him in inquiry.

    Ignoring their looks of concern, Tuku instead focused on Richard, pointing ahead towards a stone marker that had been erected. ¡°My lord, past that stone lies Lord Lanster''s territory. Do you propose we proceed? The relationship between Lord Lanster and Baron Leo is fraught with tension.¡±

    Richard regarded Tuku¡¯s words thoughtfully, his gaze briefly flickering.

    Indeed, the rapport between Lord Lanster and Baron Leo had not been harmonious, marred by past frictions over territorial borders. Yet no outright conflict had erupted; they maintained a tenuous peace characterized by outward calm yet underlying discord.

    Richard weighed both choices: venturing forth into Lanster¡¯s lands or remaining idle. While stepping into Lanster¡¯s territory posed possible risks, waiting could stretch the timeline indefinitely for the caravan¡¯s arrival.

    Contemplating, Richard spoke, ¡°On our way here, I observed no substantial traces of wheel tracks, suggesting the caravan must still be within Lord Lanster¡¯s domain. Thus, we either await here or proceed to intercept them. Let us move forward,¡± Richard decided as he spurred his mount, crossing past the boundary stone.

    Tuku glanced over, opening his mouth as if to voice concern, but ultimately held his tongue. He cracked the whip across his steed¡¯s backside, urging it onward, with the rest of the guard hastily following in suite.

    And so, the company passed into Lord Lanster''s domain.

    In this world, the hierarchy of noble titles ascends from duke, marquis, earl, viscount, baron, lord, to knight, yet Lord Lanster''s lands boast nearly double the area of the Baron¡¯s.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    In this medieval tumult, the status and power did not necessarily correlate. There existed dukes with no lands and honor-bound knights possessing vast estates despite lacking noble titles. To assess an individual¡¯s territorial extent, one must consider their legacy and abilities far more than their title.

    Lord Lanster had inherited considerable wealth from the previous lord, and through sheer ambition and cunning over decades, expanded his domain significantly, encroaching directly upon Baron Leo¡¯s lands.

    In proximity to Baron Leo''s territory, Lanster had repeatedly sought to annex the latter''s substantial holdings. Yet Baron Leo was not one to yield easily; the exchanges had left Lanster nursing considerable losses after several skirmishes. Ultimately, thwarted, Lord Lanster was forced to divert his attention to expanding his holdings elsewhere.

    With these thoughts swirling, Richard led his forces across Lanster¡¯s lands for half a day. As dusk deepened, they beheld a caravan camped by the roadside ahead.

    Needless to say, Richard urged his party to approach rapidly.

    As they charged forward, the caravan became aware of their presence, recognition and wariness evident among its members as they drew weapons to defend themselves against the potential threats posed by the armored riders.

    Yet, upon nearing the caravan, no attack was initiated; instead, caution painted the tense atmosphere, all eyes apprehensively watching.

    Richard likewise observed the caravan with keen interest. Scanning swiftly, he appraised their situation: there were just over twenty individuals; two or three appeared to be managers, while the majority seemed to be laborers, yet the seven or eight who bore weapons unmistakably fulfilled the role of guards.

    Upon recognizing this, Richard spoke up, querying, ¡°Are you from the Myron Alliance?¡±

    ¡°Uh, yes,¡± said a weathered middle-aged man, perhaps in his forties. He emerged from the group, likely one of the overseers. He wore dusty yellow garments, a cautious glint in his eyes as he nodded in affirmation before retorting, ¡°I am the caravan''s overseer, Mular. And you are¡­?¡±

    Without indulging his inquiry, Richard pressed, ¡°Are you delivering a haul to Baron Leo?¡±

    ¡°Indeed,¡± Mular confirmed. Then, curious about Richard''s identity, he ventured, ¡°May I inquire who you are?¡±

    ¡°I hail from Baron Leo''s castle; I am his second heir. You may call me Richard Angrel. Given the current state of disorder in this territory, I have come prepared to escort you.¡±

    ¡°Ah, I see.¡± Mular nodded, momentarily struck dumb by the revelation, finding himself at a loss for words, for he had never encountered such a situation before.

    Richard, comprehending the underlying mistrust and wariness, chose not to pressure them further. ¡°I will not coerce you in any manner; you may remain here and rest as you wish, while my men will set camp beside you without any interference.¡±

    ¡°Then that will suffice.¡± Mular visibly relaxed.

    ¡°That said, there is one condition: at dawn tomorrow, we must set off.¡±

    ¡°Ah?¡± Mular¡¯s brow furrowed.

    Yet without further ado, Richard turned away.

    Amidst the gathering, a young woman raised her eyes toward Richard, a slight swing of annoyance in her voice as she huffed, ¡°What gives him the right to command our caravan?! We are merchants, not his slaves! Moreover, he¡¯s merely a baron''s heir¡ªeven second in line¡ªhow does he presume to strut about with such bravado? How ridiculous!¡± Finishing her outburst, the girl glowered defiantly at Richard''s retreating figure, casting an indignant glare.

    This girl, named Melissa, was a unique presence within the caravan at seventeen years of age. Her true identity was the daughter of the owner of the Bauhinia Merchants¡¯ Guild in the capital of the Myron Alliance. Unlike her peers, she possessed a rebellious spirit, uninterested in demureness, favoring adventures that teetered on the edge of danger. Coupled with her noble status and her father¡¯s pampering, she had become something of a local tyrant, striking fear into the hearts of the young men within her circle.

    Before long, boredom consumed her, and on a whim, she insisted upon embarking on a genuine escapade. Though her father resisted initially, he ultimately yielded to her charms, yet out of concern for her safety, he had assigned her to accompany the caravan to deliver goods to a moderate noble''s estate in the Pure Empire.