Chapter 134
Ruina chuckled as she returned to her original form.
In truth, it wasn’t simply because of money.
‘Say what you will, but that devilish noble brat isn’t truly a wicked one.’
Honestly, if Chris were truly malicious, he wouldn’t have looked after Ruina’s merchant guild in this way.
Chris, in his own subtle way, had a clear sense of give and take.
It felt like he was always taking, but in hindsight, he gave back quite a lot.
Compared to truly bad people who leech off others, bring them to ruin, and take everything for themselves, Chris was relatively decent.
‘Still, I can’t just keep taking hits like this. One day, I’m going to give that unlucky brat a real hit to the back of the head!’
Ruina made a silent vow.
Whether that vow would ever come true was questionable.
Anyway, that was something for the future.
Right now, solving the matter at hand was more important.
“What’s the plan from here?”
“First, you investigate whose influence led to the downfall of your merchant guild. You still have some of your network left, right?”
As the head of a trading company, Ruina had many ties with powerful individuals.
If she traced things in reverse, she might catch the tail of whoever was behind it.
“I don’t think that’ll be enough. We need solid proof that the real culprit caused the plague.”
“Leave that to me.”
“How? They say the Cursed Demonic House were involved in this plague. Even for you, my lord, getting evidence won’t be easy.”
The most terrifying group of assassins on the continent was none other than the Cursed Demonic House.
Those targeted by the Cursed Demonic House often died without even knowing they had been cursed.
Naturally, no trace of the curse would be left behind.
They were so meticulous—there was no way they would’ve left any evidence.
“There’s a way. Mari?”
Chris snapped his fingers.
[Ohoho, did you call for me, young master?]
“Could you go bring Alros here?”
Mari tilted her head but followed the order.
Soon, Alros appeared with a puzzled look on his face.
“Wh-What is it, my lord?”
“There’s something important I need you to do.”
“Gasp. But I don’t have any abilities…”
“It’s fine. This doesn’t require any special abilities.”
Chris pulled an artifact out of his storage pouch.
It was the Emblem of the Constellation.
Ruina, being the owner of the auction house, recognized the value contained in the Emblem of the Constellation, and her eyes widened.
“Come here. Touch this artifact.”
“……??”
As Alros touched the Emblem of the Constellation in confusion, something astonishing happened.
Flash!
A light enveloped Alros.
“Huuh?!”
Startled, Alros screamed, and as the light faded, something unbelievable happened.
Alros had transformed into Chris’s appearance!
‘One of the abilities of the Emblem of the Constellation.’
The Emblem of the Constellation was a divine relic with concealment effects and possessed various abilities.
Among them was the power to transform someone into another person, just like now.
However, there was a condition.
‘The person must share certain similarities with me.’
In that regard, Alros had many things in common with Chris.
To start with, they were blood relatives, and their body shape and age were similar.
Perfect conditions for using the relic. That was why Chris had deliberately brought Alros along for this task.
Chris gave an order to verify the artifact’s effects.
“Now, smile like I do.”
“…Like this?”
Alros forced a smile and flinched.
It was the same irritating smirk that Christian usually wore.
And it wasn’t just the smile.
“…What’s this?”
Even his tone of speech had become similar.
The Emblem of the Constellation didn’t just mimic appearances; it disguised one’s essence, allowing Alros to naturally act like Chris.
Even his magic pattern appeared similar, so unless someone was extremely close to Chris, no one would notice the disguise.
“You know what you have to do, right?”
“…You want me to impersonate you, my lord?”
“That’s right. Pretend to investigate while drawing as much attention as possible. Make it so chaotic that no one can focus.”
Alros always came off as unreliable, but he wasn’t completely useless. He could handle at least this much.
“If annoying little tasks come up, boss around Count Roy. If you need to apply pressure through power, use Princess Olivia. And if things need to be smashed with brute force, unleash Jupien.”
Alros nodded with a pale face.
“Then what about you, my lord?”
“I’ve got something more important to do. While you’re out front drawing attention, I’ll secure the evidence from behind.”
Chris took out an item he had prepared in advance.
Ruina and Alros opened their eyes wide.
“Don’t tell me, that’s—?”
“That’s right.”
A crow-shaped mask that covered the face.
It was an artifact worn by doctors treating the Black Death!
The reason Chris had brought it was simple.
He planned to infiltrate the enemy as a doctor treating the plague and gather evidence.
For the first time in a while,
It was time to become the Divine Healer.
* * *
Flash!
Chris separated from the group and rode off on his horse.
‘The duration of the Emblem of the Constellation doesn’t last long. At most, five days. I need to secure evidence within that time.’
But just as he was galloping at full speed,
Chris suddenly brought his horse to a halt.
‘A tail?’
Someone was following him.
“You might as well come out now.”
No response came.
Only the sound of the early dawn breeze brushing through the grass.
Without hesitation, Chris drew a dagger and threw it deep into the forest.
Then something astonishing happened.
A metallic clash rang out from seemingly empty air.
At the same time, a voice echoed.
“…How did you know?”
“There’s no way I wouldn’t notice your presence.”
Chris smirked.
“You’re my first slave, after all.”
That’s right.
The one who appeared was none other than the Hero, Evan!
“Shut it.”
“Hmm. What’s the matter? Could it be that you missed your master so much you couldn’t resist chasing after me?”
“…I said shut up.”
Evan’s voice grew increasingly cold, and Chris shrugged.
He was just joking because he was glad to see him, but at this rate, he might actually get stabbed.
‘Still, he’s grown stronger. Has he already reached 5-star?’
An incredible pace.
As expected of someone once hailed as the greatest genius on the continent in his previous life.
‘But it’s not just talent. He’s become a Star-Ranked Contractor.’
That referred to those who had made a pact with a Constellation.
Just like those who contracted with devils, they received special blessings.
‘So he received the blessing of the Sword Star?’
It was one of the most extraordinary blessings among those granted by the Constellations.
It played a vital role in Evan becoming the top knight of the Light Faction.
‘But he formed a Star Contract much earlier than in his previous life. Did something provoke or push him? Well, whatever the reason, it’s not a bad thing.’
Chris was genuinely glad Evan was growing stronger quickly.
“Anyway, why are you here? Weren’t you supposed to stay hidden for the time being?”
He had already expected Evan to be in Gold Cross—he would’ve followed Ruina.
But he didn’t think Evan would reveal himself.
“……”
Evan clammed up without saying a word, and Chris tilted his head.
“Hmm?”
Eventually, Evan replied in a vague voice.
“Just because.”
“??”
“I just came.”
“……”
A completely incomprehensible answer.
‘…Were we really that close? Close enough for him to just drop by? I mean, we do have a master-slave relationship, so I guess you could call that a kind of closeness.’
Chris cleared his throat awkwardly.
“So there’s no real reason, huh? Then go back. I’ve got somewhere to be.”
Just as he turned away, ignoring Evan, and was about to ride off toward the Grand Duchy of Vinz—
Chris frowned.
Evan was following him.
“Why are you following me?”
“……”
“I’m leaving, you know?”
But again, Evan followed him.
Silently.
With an expression that suggested he wasn’t happy about it himself.
“Ah, seriously? What are you doing?”
When Chris finally snapped, Evan quietly responded.
“…I’ll go with you.”
“Why?”
“Aren’t you trying to infiltrate enemy territory alone? I’ll protect you.”
Chris was about to refuse, but paused.
It wasn’t exactly something to complain about.
‘It’d actually be convenient to have someone to use.’
He figured he could make use of Evan.
“Fine. You’re doing this to repay the favor I did for you last time, right?”
“…Yeah.”
“That favor isn’t something you can pay back with just this, you know. Don’t get the wrong idea and think we’re even. I fully intend to keep using you, slave boy.”
Chris turned and rode off again.
Evan followed behind him, his expression quietly conflicted.
‘What the hell…’
The truth was—
There was a reason Evan had followed Chris.
A reason he couldn’t tell Chris.
[Well done.]
The voice of the contracted Constellation echoed in Evan’s ear.
[Now, wait for the right moment and kill that bastard.]
A Constellation from the Celestial Realm had ordered the death of Christian.
* * *
They arrived at their destination.
The Grand Duchy of Vinz, once a magnificent city, had been turned into a land of death by the Black Death.
‘A familiar sight.’
Chris let out a bitter smile.
It was a scene he’d witnessed countless times during the Age of Ruins.
No, compared to the living hells he’d seen back then, the sight before him now was actually quite “mild.”
“Here, take this.”
First, Chris pulled out a crow mask and handed it to Evan.
Not only would it block the plague with magic, but it also covered most of his face, so there was no worry of Evan’s identity being exposed.
“You’ll act as my assistant. Your name… let’s go with Hanson.”
The butler was Sebastian, the maid was Marie, so naturally the servant had to be Hanson—that’s how the name was chosen.
Chris began walking into the castle.
“Doctor?”
The guards at the gate were startled at the sight of Chris’s crow mask.
“Yes, that’s right. I came upon hearing of the plague outbreak, to treat the patients.”
“Ah! Thank you so much! But if I may ask, where are you from…?”
Chris pulled out a nameplate.
On it was a symbol: a snake coiled around a staff.
The soldiers gasped in shock.
“What?! That emblem—could it be from the House of Medical Saints?”
Chris nodded.
“I’m not a formal disciple. I simply had the good fortune to receive a bit of instruction by chance.”
“Ah! I see. Still, to have someone trained by the House of Medical Saints come here… Thank you! Truly, thank you!”
“Please, come inside! Hey! What are you doing?! Let everyone know a doctor from the House of Medical Saints is here!”
The soldiers bowed their heads in gratitude.
The House of Medical Saints treated all people equally, regardless of wealth or status, so to the common folk, their doctors were considered nothing less than saints.
Evan, who had been silently observing, quietly asked,
“Is that really the emblem of the House of Medical Saints?”
“No, I forged it.”
“……”
Guided by the soldiers, they arrived at the treatment headquarters.
Unlike the death-filled streets outside, it was a splendid mansion.
A young man with glasses and an intellectual look came out to greet Christian.
“I’m Rodney, in charge of treating the patients. You said you’re a disciple of the House of Medical Saints? It’s a pleasure. I also studied under them. I’m the 21st disciple.”
Of all things—there was another disciple of the House of Medical Saints.
And a formal one, at that.