Reincarnated as the third son of the Duke

William set off for the apothecary without hesitation.

He would have preferred to take a carriage, but drawing unnecessary attention was not an option.

Instead, he pulled his hood low and walked.

Hans, still supporting him, looked utterly bewildered.

"Young Master, why exactly are we going to an apothecary?"

"What do people usually do at an apothecary? Buy herbs."

"That's not what I meant! Why do you need to buy herbs? Wouldn't it be better to purchase medicine directly from the Alchemist Guild?"

Apothecaries and the Alchemist Guild both dealt in medicinal herbs.

However, the difference in status between them was immense.

Apothecaries were nothing more than small-time vendors, selling raw herbs—the kind of place commoners or low-ranking knights would visit.

The Alchemist Guild, on the other hand, handled quality control and proper medicine production, making it the superior choice in every way.

Even an apprentice alchemist had more authority over herbalists.

Naturally, anyone of noble standing wouldn't waste their time at an apothecary.

"I don't know what you're thinking, Young Master, but an apothecary is just a glorified street vendor. They don't have anything better than the Guild. In fact, most of their good stock gets sold to the Guild anyway."

"I know, so stop whining. Do you think I'm going there expecting to find some legendary miracle herb?"

"…Weren't you?"

"Of course not. I'm going because they sell something the Alchemist Guild doesn't carry."

Hans frowned in confusion.

"That doesn't make sense. If it was useful, the Guild would've bought it all already."

"No, because it can't be processed into medicine. It's most effective when eaten raw."

To be precise, a method of processing it simply hasn't been discovered yet.

But in a few years, that would change.

Moonlight Herb.

A rare plant that grew near lakes, thriving under the glow of the moon.

It was known to significantly enhance stamina and physical endurance.

However, because there was no known way to refine it into a potion, it was worthless to the Alchemist Guild.

High-ranking nobles, who had access to far more expensive and potent medicines, ignored it as well.

Only a handful of lower nobles and commoners, when lucky enough to acquire it, considered it a valuable treasure.

Right now, with the money I have, I can buy out an entire apothecary's supply.

A year from now, that same money won't even be enough to buy a handful.

In just one year, the Alchemist Guild would begin hoarding Moonlight Herb, purchasing every last scrap from the market.

The reason?

It was a critical ingredient for developing Nectar.

Of course, that truth wouldn't be revealed until much later.

Looking back, the Guild had likely artificially inflated Nectar's value by controlling the supply chain of its ingredients.

I need to stock up before that happens.

William had just started heading toward the town at the base of the castle when another thought struck him.

Wait… in my past life, am I still working as a guard at this time?

To confirm his suspicion, William made a detour to the city watch barracks and asked to see the captain of the guard.

Fortunately, the captain was still the same man from his past life.

At first, the older man didn't recognize him.

But once realization hit, he jumped to his feet in shock.

"Y-Young Master! To what do I owe the honor?"

"It's nothing serious," William said casually. "I'm looking for a particular new recruit."

"A recruit?"

"Yes. The city watch recruited additional guards about a month ago due to injuries among the senior ranks, correct?"

The captain swallowed nervously.

How does the Third Young Master know that…?

"Y-Yes, that's correct. We took in seven new recruits."

"Among them, is there a man named Jayce? He should be nineteen years old, with black hair, and he likely brought a bow with him when he applied."

In my past life, I had applied to the watch carrying a bow.

I didn't even know how to shoot properly, but I figured I needed a weapon of some kind.

I had gotten laughed at, of course.

But despite the mockery, the fact that I had come prepared was seen as a good sign, and I was accepted.

My name had spread quickly among my fellow recruits.

With this much information, they should be able to find me easily.

"…I'm sorry, Young Master, but no such person exists."

William stiffened.

"What?"

"There is no such recruit."

"…Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. No one applied with a bow. If someone had done something so strange, the entire barracks would have been talking about it."

"What about a nineteen-year-old recruit with black hair?"

"None. Black hair is uncommon enough that I would remember."

William's expression hardened.

That's impossible. By now, I should have been here for over a month.

Just in case, he asked to check the enlistment records—

But his name was nowhere to be found.

Instead, another name occupied his former spot.

When William asked for a description, the captain replied,

"A brown-haired man, twenty-five years old."

It seemed that someone else—likely someone who had failed the test in my previous life—had taken my place.

William fell silent.

It was strange.

Had he ceased to exist entirely?

Had history changed?

Either way, it didn't matter.

If I don't have to meet my past self, all the better.

Shaking off his lingering thoughts, William resumed his journey to the apothecary with Hans.

Creak.

"Who is it? We're closed for break. Come back later."

William stepped inside without hesitation.

"Seems like apothecary owners have become quite arrogant these days. Making a noble wait?"

"Who the hell do you think you are—"

The shopkeeper turned, ready to curse—only for his face to drain of color.

His arrogance crumbled instantly, and he bowed so quickly his forehead nearly hit the counter.

"M-My lord! I had no idea—"

He had never expected a noble to step into his tiny shop.

"Tell me," William said dryly, "why else would I come here? To order dinner?"

His words dripped with mockery.

This was intentional.