Viscount Carlandia looked at Lucian with a smile in his eyes, the corners of his handsome, hard-cut lips curling upward. "Professor, I certainly wouldn't mistake the youthful vitality coursing through your body. Heh heh, ever since Mr. Douglas established the definition of Arcane, the Magic Parliament has been like a young man brimming with vigor and vitality. That's why one young powerhouse after another has emerged — truly enviable."
Lucian studied the handsome, virile Viscount Carlandia and thought to himself, "The local legends are full of vampires and dark mages. And this man can sense other people's life force... could he be a powerful vampire?"
Outwardly, Lucian answered with a calm smile. "In truth, I haven't heard of Mr. Felipe, though I do look forward to meeting him. However, I have quite a few matters to attend to, so I'm afraid I must leave this delightful gathering for the banquet." It was hard to determine whether Felipe's attitude toward "the Professor" was favorable or hostile, and Lucian would rather wait until the Death Banquet to identify the Sturk City contact through Felipe's words and promises to other mages.
"What a pity. Professor, here is your invitation." Viscount Carlandia took the letter from Butler Nide's hand.
The wording on the invitation was identical to that of Hunter and the magic apprentice's, except the mark had changed to a tall black top hat. Lucian glanced at it casually and tucked it into his jacket, then rose with a smile. "My heartfelt thanks, Lord Viscount. I won't intrude on your rest any longer — I shall take my leave."
"Actually, my wonderful day has only just begun." Viscount Carlandia pressed a hand to his forehead. "What a shame you won't stay, Professor. I can't very well insist, so I wish you a safe return under the silver moon's light."
Butler Nide led Lucian out of the castle and returned to the study, his stern face tinged with puzzlement. "Master, why did you invite him to the Death Banquet? Are you truly certain of the Professor's identity?"
Viscount Carlandia walked to the window and gazed at the dreamlike lake shimmering in the night. He chuckled. "Of course I'm certain, Nide. Didn't you see the ring on the Professor's left index finger? Though it's damaged and its original form is unrecognizable, and the Professor deliberately obscured the word engraved on it, that unique seven-element alloy is possessed only by the Holm Royal Magic Court and the 'Will of Elements.' It appears this Professor has come representing the will of both organizations."
Butler Nide was even more astonished. "Master, then why did you still invite him to the Death Banquet? The 'Will of Elements' and the 'Pale Hand' are..."
"Isn't that precisely what makes it interesting? Besides, there seems to be a familiar scent about him..." Viscount Carlandia cut Butler Nide off with a smile, furrowing his brow slightly in puzzlement. Then his voice turned serious. "Amorechuk, what did you make of the Professor's unique magic just now?"
A deep, buzzing voice materialized out of thin air. "It seems to be some sort of sonic magic — it uses feedback to continuously adjust its frequency, and that frequency is rather unusual. It made me feel a bit itchy."
…………
Using the tracking-evasion method Natasha had taught him, Lucian spent half an hour longer than his incoming trip to return to Baron Habero's castle, then used the first-tier spell "Light of Darkness" to slip past the night watchman Simon and into his bedroom.
The first-tier spell "Light of Darkness" created a special zone of darkness that allowed those inside to see clearly outward while preventing anyone outside from peering in.
Lying in bed, Lucian stored and hid the "Mo" ring, then let a small flame blossom at his fingertip to burn Hunter's invitation to ash. He waited quietly for half an hour, and when he was certain no one was tracking him, he seized the chance to sleep and recover.
The next morning, fresh from breakfast and at the insistent urging of Weiss and Mars, the adventurer party set out once more.
This time Lucian sat by the carriage window, periodically instructing Betty in the alert and travel methods used in formal knight training. These methods came from John's accounts and Natasha's occasional guidance.
The serious, tedious knight training was almost too much for Betty, Joanna, and Simon, who were experiencing it for the first time. But whenever they thought of that terrifying non-humanoid necromancer, and of Mr. Evans's formidable, enviable strength, they gritted their teeth and persevered.
By the time Wild Wolf Town came into view at dusk, the three adventurers finally stopped training.
Simon said to Lucian with a hint of melancholy, "Once we report to the Church, that knight with so many heroic deeds will become an avatar of corruption. What a tragic ending."
"Yes, but what I find more tragic are the innocent lives that were lost." Lucian was unfamiliar with Baron Habero's story and could hardly share Simon and Joanna's feelings, but the baron's dying agony and remorse over helplessly aging had still left a deep impression on Lucian. He had to become a high-level mage while he was still young — otherwise, when age came and his memory and spirit declined, he would have no choice but to watch his skin wither and wrinkles multiply before his eyes.
…………
Three hours later.
In the Church's confessional, Third-rank Bishop Arnold carefully examined the identity documents and certificates in his hand, then broke into a smile. "To think that the brilliant musician Lucian Evans is also a formidable knight — that is truly astonishing."
He had already asked Lucian to play "Pathétique" on the Church's piano, and that performance had far surpassed the level of any ordinary musician, winning his complete admiration. Now, having verified the documents as well, he harbored no further doubts.
Lucian shook his head. "I was only able to awaken my bloodline power thanks to a potion bestowed upon me by Her Highness the Princess. I'm merely an aspiring knight — otherwise I would have been ennobled as a baronet long ago."
"Heh heh, were it not for that reason, having a brilliant musician and a brilliant knight mentioned in the same breath would be a tremendous honor — there would be no need to keep it secret. My victory over the fallen Baron Habero and the necromancer was entirely thanks to the extraordinary weapons and items bestowed upon me by Her Highness the Princess."
"Her Highness Princess Natasha's generosity is the envy of all." Arnold's gaze was complicated as he replied. Two magical items, one Divine Art item, two extraordinary weapons — a collection that could rival Viscount Stanley's own. It seemed the rumor that the brilliant musician Lucian Evans was Princess Natasha's secret lover in the Vorlite Principality was indeed true. He thought to himself, Why can't I ever have such good fortune? They say Princess Natasha is a devastating beauty as well.
Three hours earlier, the junior priest of Wild Wolf Town had broken into a cold sweat upon hearing the report from Lucian and the others, and hastily dispatched a messenger bird to the Grand Cathedral of Korse City via the Church's emergency communication network. Two hours later, Bishop Arnold had used a Divine Art item to fly in with two priests and four Night Watch members, then split up to interrogate Lucian, Simon, and the rest, while dispatching the Night Watch to investigate Baron Habero's castle.