Grellint

After Lucius finished washing up, eating, changing clothes, and the other preparations under the butler's urging, he was ready to set out for the Military Port.

"Hahn, do I really have to wear formal clothes?" Lucius asked, feeling thoroughly uncomfortable in them.

"Yes, young master."

"Is there no room for discussion?"

"No, young master."

These formal clothes were truly uncomfortable! Unlike modern suits, which came in loose or fitted styles, the "formal clothes" he was wearing now were entirely fitted.

Since Lucius had only recently transmigrated, he wasn't used to Hahn's way of addressing him, so he said, "Just call me Lucius, Hahn."

Hearing Lucius's words, Hahn said sternly, "Young Master Lucius, that's not allowed. After today, there's a very high chance you'll inherit your father's barony."

"If outsiders learn that your butler isn't using the proper honorifics, it will undermine your authority and, in turn, affect the Sheffield Family's business."

After hearing Hahn out, Lucius tried again. "Then when we're alone, you can call me by my name. When there are outsiders around, address me however you think best."

Lucius, who had come from the modern world, truly wasn't used to the way Hahn addressed him. After more than ten minutes of lecturing, he still hadn't managed to change the butler's mind. He'd even ended up being given a lecture himself.

It was the first time the Instigator had ever been lectured.

Once the preparations for their outing were complete, the iron gates enclosing the house—with its enormous garden in Empress Borough, Bexland—swung open.

Sitting in the carriage, Lucius watched the scenery pass by and couldn't help marveling. As expected of a noble family with a history of more than six hundred years.

Even in Empress Borough, Bexland, where every inch of land was worth a fortune, they had a medium-sized estate with such extensive grounds.

As Lucius leaned against the carriage window to look outside, he noticed that another carriage had joined their convoy after they left the estate. He asked casually, "Hahn, why did another carriage join us after we left the estate?"

Hearing his young master's question, Hahn opened the carriage window, took a look, and said, "That's necessary security, Young Master Lucius. You're now the only member of the Sheffield Family."

"Yesterday, I called in a favor and secured a special squad from the Storm Church to protect you for the time being."

Lucius felt they were making too much of a fuss and said, "Hahn, there's really no need to go to all this trouble. I probably won't be leaving the estate for a while."

"Once things have settled down in the next couple of days, you can send them back."

Storm Old Pigeon? Hearing that it was this church, Lucius wanted to find out more, so he asked,

"Hahn, do you believe in the Storm Church?"

Hearing Lucius's question, Hahn calmly explained, "I don't, Young Master Lucius. I believe in the Church of the Evernight Goddess. We were able to get members of the Storm Church this time because of your father. He believes in the Storm Church."

When he heard that it wasn't the answer he wanted, Lucius lost interest in exploring further. There was no need for Hahn to explain the Church of the Evernight Goddess to him, either.

I haven't inherited the title yet. The Storm Church probably sent a squad to protect me out of consideration for my father. Otherwise, a noble who hasn't inherited his title wouldn't have that much influence.

Lucius said casually, "We should make as little use as possible of the church's goodwill for now. We still don't know when we might need it later."

"Once this is over, send them back. Hmm... I'll give the squad some Gold Pounds in my personal capacity."

After thinking it over, Lucius asked, "What do you think about 200 pounds?"

Hearing the amount, Hahn thought it was a little high and said, "Isn't that a bit much? For just a few days' work, it would come to 40 pounds per person on average."

After considering it for a moment, Lucius said, "Let's make it 200 pounds. The Sheffield Family can afford it. It'll be a decent bonus for this Beyonder squad, too."

Port Pritz, Oak Island, Royal Navy Base.

When the carriage stopped, Hahn turned to Lucius and said,

"Young master, we're here."

"You'll have to go to the area where the nobles are gathered on your own. I'll take care of everything else. I'll wait here for you after the meeting."

After Lucius stepped out of the carriage, a soldier came over to greet him and asked,

"Lucius Sheffield?"

"Yes, sir," Lucius replied to the uniformed man.

After confirming his identity, the uniformed man said,

"Please come with me."

Lucius's arrival caused a small commotion, because everyone realized they didn't recognize him.

Even among these well-traveled "nobles," no one had ever seen such a "beautiful man."

Since Lucius didn't know anyone there, he went straight to a corner to wait for the event to end.

"Are you here alone, too?"

?

"Hello, Grellint."

Seeing the hand held out toward him, Lucius shook it casually. Then he introduced himself:

"Hello, I'm Lucius. Lucius Sheffield."

Grellint asked curiously, "Did you come alone?"

Seeing that the other man had no intention of leaving and wanted to keep talking, Lucius answered casually,

"Yes. I came to, well... bring my father home."

Hearing Lucius's answer, Grellint immediately said,

"Looks like we're here for the same reason."

As the two grew more familiar, Grellint asked curiously, "Do you live in Bexland? How come I've never seen you before?"

Lucius didn't hide the truth. "I live in Bexland, but for personal reasons, I rarely go out. I'm usually at home."

Grellint immediately replied, "No wonder. It's not as if I can recognize every noble my age, but I should at least have heard of you."

"Besides, someone with your looks shouldn't have escaped my notice."

Listening to Grellint, Lucius thought, That sounded a little strange. Someone with my looks?

While Lucius was still wondering, Grellint seemed to remember something and said, "Sheffield? I remember now. Is it the place at 59 Queen District?"

Hearing someone mention his family's address, Lucius said helplessly, "Uh, yes."

At Lucius's answer, Grellint smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "See? I told you I had at least some impression of you. We live near each other. We should keep in touch..."

Listening to Grellint chatter on, Lucius regretted striking up a conversation. The man was a bit of a chatterbox.

Now Lucius could only pick out whatever topics Grellint brought up and reply to them.

Grellint covered his mouth, looking as if he were afraid someone might notice, and said, "Lucius, do you know about Beyonders?"

Looking at the man in front of him, Lucius asked in confusion, "Beyonders? I know about them. What's up?"

Seeing how calmly Lucius answered, Grellint immediately asked, "Have you ever looked into that sort of thing?"

Lucius asked, puzzled, "What is there to look into?"

"I mean, how to become a Beyonder."

Understanding what Grellint meant, Lucius said, "No. Those things are practically an open secret, aren't they? You can learn about them by joining a church or a special organization."

Hearing Lucius's answer, Grellint sighed helplessly. He'd thought Lucius might know how to become a Beyonder without joining a church, but now that hope was gone, too.

Once the subject of becoming a Beyonder had come up, Lucius remembered who Grellint was: Audrey Hall's childhood friend, who explored Occult Knowledge with her.

To use Audrey as bait and get a way into the Tarot Society, he could let slip some unimportant information.

Lucius pretended to mention it casually:

"Actually, as long as you find the right Potion Recipe, you can prepare and consume the Potion to become a Beyonder. An ordinary person only needs to find the right Sequence Nine recipe."

Grellint was a Viscount's descendant. He knew about Beyonders and how to become one. But since he still wanted to be free, he hadn't planned to become a Beyonder by joining a "faction," so he only knew bits and pieces.

Hearing something useful, Grellint asked, "You only need Sequence Nine?"

Watching Grellint's reaction, Lucius calmly replied, "That's right, Grellint."

Who would have thought that Grellint's imagination would run wild? "Then do you think I could get a Potion Recipe by bribing someone inside the Holy See?"

Hearing Grellint's question, Lucius was momentarily speechless. "Uh, I don't think that would work."

He thought, Bribe someone inside the church? How could he even think of that? He's not worried the church will come knocking to check his gas meter? Besides, I remember that people inside the church don't necessarily know the recipes, either.

He could only tell Grellint something that left him feeling hopeless: "As far as I know, church members don't necessarily know the Potion Recipes. Even if you found someone who did, they might not be willing to make a deal. And the church probably makes them swear an oath not to reveal the recipes."

At the same time, he offered him a little hope: "If you want to become a Beyonder without joining a church, you can go to private Beyonder gatherings and trade for a recipe. Sequence Nine recipes generally cost around 200 Gold Pounds. Since very few people sell recipes, the price may fluctuate, but it shouldn't go above 300 Gold Pounds."

It was a matter of giving him a slap and then a date.

Hearing how familiar Lucius was with Potion prices,

Grellint asked curiously, "Lucius, how do you know so much about this? Have you been to a Beyonder gathering?"

Hearing that, Lucius realized he'd let something slip and denied it. "No. I've barely left the estate since I was born. I only heard about this from someone else."

Grellint said helplessly,

"Then I guess that's all there is to it. It'll be hard to learn anything else."

"Families never provide a way for people who want to become Beyonders. Usually, they have to apply to join a church or a related department, but in return they have to give up their freedom to get the recipe."

"Audrey's second brother became a Beyonder through the Kingdom Army, but he's still serving in the South Continent. There's been no word of him being transferred back."

Listening to Grellint complain, Lucius got the information he wanted and immediately said,

"Audrey Hall? The one known as Bexland's Most Dazzling Gem?"

Seeing that Lucius was interested in his friend, Grellint asked, "You've heard of Audrey, too?"

Lucius answered casually, "Of course. Even someone like me, who stays home all the time, has heard the name Bexland's Most Dazzling Gem."

But what he thought was, How could I not have heard of Bexland's Most Dazzling Diamond? She's practically on par with a High Sequence Witch. Audrey Hall—those titles are famous.

Seeing that his new friend was interested in his childhood friend, Grellint teased him, "I thought someone like you, who's always cooped up at home, wouldn't have heard of her."

"Unfortunately, Audrey didn't come today. If she had, I could have introduced you two."

"Only Uncle Hall and Audrey's Eldest Brother came from the Hall Family today."

He also joked, "But I think you'd be just as beautiful as Audrey if you wore a dress."

!!!?

Hearing Grellint's words, Lucius's hair stood on end.

Seeing his reaction, Grellint laughed loudly. "I'm joking. A Loen man should have a sense of humor like that. But Lucius, you should be careful around people from the Republic of Intis. They're..."

Grellint was still talking when he said, "Lucius, I can tell you're very interested in becoming a Beyonder. Want to come to one of our private gatherings? It's made up of nobles who want to explore Occult Knowledge..."

After that joke, Lucius didn't want to deal with Grellint anymore. Joking was fine, but if someone made a joke at his expense, wouldn't that make him the real clown?