CH 174

Ivan D. Sherden, Execute Human Supplementation Plan (4)

After decades of waiting single-mindedly, the Elf Iloin, who had gotten married to Bernard, acted as if they were the only ones in the world since their wedding. But fortunately, after a few months later, she calmed down to some extent. Thus, the long honeymoon ended, and Bernard returned to the Brotherhood Pharmacy. The very next day, Maybell led the staff of the Brotherhood Corporation, including Shine, to the territory of Duke Leonine.

“Grandpa Bernard!”

Evan went to see Bernard the day he returned to the Brotherhood Pharmacy. While he had been away, Hannah, who was his apprentice, was in charge of the pharmacy, but it was still incomparable to the stability Bernard had given him. Of course, just because Bernard came to work didn’t mean he was working!

“Hello, kid…”

“Welcome, Evan! My dear friend!”

“You seem to be doing well, Iloin.”

“Of course.”

Bernard was still young, but there was a slight hint of mysterious fatigue, while Iloin, who was diligently wandering around, looked as lively as ever.

“It’s as if… Iloin had drained grandfather’s stamina.”

“Be quiet, kid. I don’t know why Iloin is so energetic, either.”

[That’s because that lewd Elf sucked your spirit day and night!]

“Be quiet, Rose.”

[Argh.]

When Rose couldn’t speak, she hit Bernard’s head repeatedly. Evan took Rose from Bernard, feeling a slight sense of pity that Rose was so full of tears. She was a great sinner who could never be forgiven for her crimes. However, considering her current situation, she was very pitiful. Evan patted her (Rose, of course, was angry) and spoke to Bernard.

“Grandpa, I’ve developed a new Stamina Potion. Do you need it? It has an additional effect on everything other than combat skills. The performance is excellent as it is specialized.”

“No, I’ll be fine now… but give it to me just in case.”

“Yes, here. I’ll give it to Iloin, too. For your smooth marriage life…”

“No, you don’t need to! Don’t do that; she already has enough stamina!”

Well, he had a rough idea, but lloin seemed to have taken the initiative at night. Evan stopped joking, overwhelmed by the sight of Bernard in a cold sweat. Evan had more important matters to discuss.

“Grandpa, do another study with me.”

“In addition to the Elixir? Come to think of it, have you been to the west this time? Did you find something there?”

“Yes. It’s kind of weird to say it here…”

Evan glanced around. The Brotherhood Pharmacy was crowded as usual, but Bernard’s absence for a while wouldn’t cause problems because he didn’t usually work, anyway!

“Let’s go inside and talk, Grandpa.”

“But if I stay away too long, Iloin gets nervous.”

“Grandpa, you’re giving me a hard time…”

Eventually, Evan sat face to face with Bernard in the drugstore only after Bernard had finished reporting to Iloin. Bernard and Rose simultaneously exclaimed as Evan took out the scimitar that had absorbed Devil Rune Orc’s blood.

“It’s a sign of ancient mana. Runes deal with the special dark forces… If it’s an artifact carved with runes on it, I’ve seen one in my childhood, but this is unique.”

On earth, runes were used by the Germanic tribes in Northern Europe, and the text itself had magical powers. It had been used in sorcery and rituals. Therefore, most of the earth’s media about magic used runes. This world’s runes had the same pronunciation and appearance as the earth’s, but its origins were different. In this world, the Rune was called the letter of God, called so because only God could read and write with them. How special was the power of God’s letters? Artifacts with runes were bound to be viewed as the best among artifacts.

[I can feel the evil will alive and breathing. You’ve got this in your sword?]

“Correct, Rose.”

“Hmm? Do you mean that this Rune was originally engraved on a monster, not an object?”

“Yes, it was on a living thing, an Orc that was using the Rune’s power.”

As a legendary alchemist, Bernard quickly inferred the answer from Rose’s words. Evan nodded and explained in detail what had happened in the Duke’s territory, focusing on the encounter with Devil Rune’s Orc. The news of the emergence of a variant, which even Evan had not known about, was enough to frighten Bernard.

“The living thing imprints the Rune on the body and draws its power? I’ve never heard of something like that. No matter how corrupt it is, it is the power of God. There is no way that a mortal can withstand the power of God!”

[Devil Rune… I’ve never heard of it. It’s either the latest mana sword or some ancient forgotten race that has now been revived. I think the power of God may have affected it.]

“I didn’t expect anything from you from the start anyway.”

[What!]

Although Rose followed Bernard’s will, it would be hard to use her, one of the sorcery world’s best, to deal with the Devil race. Evan decided to ignore her moderately.

“I want to study their characteristics. We’ve only met once, but it’s going to be a big threat later on.”

“But we lack data right now. The trail is so dim. A living specimen… I wish I could prepare some more data on this.”

“I’m going to keep track of it by sending people to where I first found the Devil Rune. Let’s do something with this for now.”

Evan did not tell Bernard about the secret of an ancient tribal witch who could be sleeping somewhere in the Duchy with the Devil Rune. That was placed in charge of Evan’s mother, Redine, as well as Belois.

“Oh, I see. Well, I’m sure we won’t be out of work for a while. I’m going to blame you when I tell lloin.”

“Please have mercy on me. I want to live a long life.”

[A shallow Elf is still peeping in here.]

It was true. Iloin was staring at them beyond the window of the drugstore. Evan felt frightened. Bernard had not yet noticed her, however, and asked Evan.

“You were out there for a while. Have you got some hints for the Elixir?”

“Oh, I didn’t mention it. I’ve looked into it, and I think I can get ‘the evil origin’ and ‘the grass of purity’ from the west.”

“What? Aren’t they both the key ingredients of the Elixir?!”

“Well.”

The evil origin was a gem created by the lump of dark energy, and the grass of purity had accumulated mana for hundreds of years to bear the power of strong purification. Both were key materials (assumed to be the ultimate treasure), and Evan did not get the information from his own hard work, but rather he had learned it from playing Yo-ma Great War 3 and 4. Now that the Duke had obtained the right to explore the undeveloped western area, all he had to do was find the dungeon where the treasures were hidden.

“It’ll take a while to explore the west stably…”

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while. If I train until it’s time to explore, I’ll be able to keep my body safe to a certain extent.”

“There must be some traps in the far west of the Silk Line that are too dangerous.”

“We have to be prepared for any situation. No matter how strong you are, stronger monsters or traps can appear in this world!”

Bernard squinted at Evan, who said so with fists clenched. Bernard had heard from Leo that Evan had changed a little, but only now could he understand.

‘This guy became more stubborn. Unless the Demon King shows up, it’ll be hard to break this illusion…’

It was good to realize his strength, but it was still only a relative perception. Evan could say that he was already an ‘absolutely strong man,’ but he still thought that he was only stronger than other weak people. In conclusion, even the past heroes, including Bernard and Leo, had been considered weak people! Of course, Evan was not going to neglect his self-discipline as a result, so it wasn’t a bad thing… While Bernard thought that, Evan grabbed his hand.

“For that, you should start training again, Grandpa. Haven’t I told you about the plan yet?”

“I’ve heard of it, you bastard. But I don’t feel the need to be stronger here, nor is there a guarantee that I’ll be stronger if I start something again at this age…”

“Leo’s been wielding his sword all the time except during his sleep, Grandpa. You can be stronger, too. If you follow the know-how I’m giving you.”

“Are you here to talk about that today?”

“You’re correct.”

The Devil Rune was important, but it was also more important to strengthen Bernard’s power. Evan didn’t want to go through that feeling he had when he had accepted that the Rose Queen would kill him.

“You could persuade a young man like Leo, but I don’t want to, you bastard. It’s enough as it is now.”

[Yes. Bernard is good enough now. As long as I protect my Bernard, no one will dare bother him.]

“Rose… I’m sorry, but you’re weak right now.”

[Oop-?]

Critical hit! Rose was stabbed through the heart and fell! Evan looked coldly at Rose, who wriggled on the ground with blood in her mouth, and turned to Bernard.

“It’s just a small change in your daily life, Grandpa. You’re not that different from the game except for your dungeon level, so you don’t need hard training.”

Bernard had been born as an alchemist. He was the true sage of the world (except for Evan). He did not fully understand the structure of skills, but he had known how to improve the skills effectively before. He had made great achievements in alchemy and marksmanship based on it. Without him, Leo’s adventure wouldn’t have been possible at all.

“But there’s still quite a lot you are missing. Physical training, for example. You lack sense due to your insufficient physical skills, although you mastered alchemy, right?”

“I told you I don’t need it.”

“Yes, you need it.”

“Iloin?!”

lloin was now in the pharmacy! If it were an issue of Bernard’s safety, it was obvious what choice she would make, no matter the cost. Bernard stared at Evan in condemnation. Evan must have opened the door deliberately for this timing!

“I thought that Bernard needed a new stimulus. Now that you’re as young as you can be, wouldn’t it be a good idea to challenge something new, Bernard?”

“So what do you mean, Iloin?”

“I don’t mean anything. I just hoped that Bernard’s physical strength would make our relationship stronger. Of course, Bernard is still very dashing, but I wish he could be more dashing…”

“That’s what she wants!”

Bernard tried to defend himself somehow, but unfortunately, he had no way of escape! As of today, Bernard had also joined the Human Supplementation Plan. It was a very desirable outcome for Iloin.

“By the way, Evan, do you have any training plans for me?”

“Of course, Iloin. But… it’s kind of hard to say, but I’d like to ask you a favor.”

“Oh, say anything. You are my dear friend. I will do whatever you ask me to do, assuming I can.”

Evan asked her, even though he felt awkward. Iloin was willing to nod in agreement.