ushernet Chapter 122 122 The Boy Behind the Curtain
Chapter 122 122 The Boy Behind the Curtain
122 The Boy Behind the Curtain
Finding Heide's estate was easy.
As a registered alchemist of the guild, he had been granted a residence by the empire—one that lacked even a single guard at the entrance.
William approached the door and knocked.
No response.
'Out buying more Moonlight Grass, perhaps?'
"W-Who's there?"
William tilted his head.
The voice was quiet—so faint it was barely audible through the door.
He raised his voice.
"I'm here to see the owner of this house."
"M-Master Heide isn't here right now! Please come back later!"
"I'm not here for the alchemist."
"T-Then you've got the wrong house!"
"No, I haven't."
William's voice dropped, laced with quiet amusement.
"I came for the thief. The one using his master's name to buy expensive herbs behind his back."
Crash! Bang! Clatter!
The moment the words left his mouth, chaos erupted inside the house.
The distinct sounds of things toppling, shattering, and someone scrambling in panic.
A few seconds later, hurried footsteps approached the door before it was yanked open.
Clatter.
"I-It's a misunderstanding! I wasn't stealing! Master Heide asked me to buy those for his research...!"
The boy standing in the doorway was practically drenched in cold sweat, his voice breaking in desperation.
But William wasn't listening to his words.
Because the face that appeared before him was far more shocking than any excuse.
'A... boy?'
Wide, deer-like eyes stared up at him.
The thief in question wasn't some seasoned criminal or rogue alchemist.
He was a child—one around William's own age.
"P-Please, have some tea."
Clink.
With trembling hands, the boy placed a tray on the table before William and Raymond.
Ian's face drained of color at the mention of the emperor.
William tilted his chin slightly, silently daring him to explain.
"I-I already told you, this is a misunderstanding! Master gave me permission...!"
"Oh? Heide let you spend his money however you wanted?"
"Not exactly... He said I could use it for alchemy! As long as I produced results, it would be fine!"
William nodded to himself.
'So that's how it is. He gave his apprentice access to the non-negotiable portion of the funds while keeping the rest for himself. And if Ian ever succeeded in his research, Heide would simply take the credit.'
Still, that explanation alone wasn't enough to account for the sheer amount of Moonlight Grass that had been purchased.
"All of it?"
Ian remained silent.
William smirked. "I doubt it. The amount spent far exceeds what your master would have allowed."
Ian's shoulders slumped.
"...Are you going to report this to him?"
"That depends on your answer. First, tell me—what exactly did you need so much Moonlight Grass for?"
Ian hesitated, but before he could answer, William spoke first.
"Amplification of magical energy to enhance the physical body."
Ian visibly trembled.
Raymond, who had been listening quietly, frowned in confusion.
"What are you talking about? The ingredients you listed sound like potion components."
William nodded.
"They are. But if combined correctly, they could create something far beyond a simple potion—a substance that could change the world. A formula capable of turning even the most mediocre individual into a legendary figure."
Ian's breath hitched, his eyes widening.
"S-Someone else has researched this before?"
His excitement overrode his caution, and he instinctively stepped toward William.
Raymond reacted instantly, pressing the hilt of his sword against Ian's chest to keep him at a distance.
But Ian didn't even seem to notice the pressure—he simply leaned in further, desperate for an answer.
William gently pushed him back and nodded.
"Yes. But their research was incomplete. It was missing one key component—"
"Stalkflower!"
The moment William uttered the word, Ian recoiled as if struck.
His expression twisted in disbelief.
"How could I not see it before?! That's it! That's the missing piece! If I add Stalkflower, everything—ugh!"
Crash!