Reincarnated with the King’s Power

Chapter 7

The Eurasia Family Head's office.

In a spacious room located in the center of the family's main castle, two men were drinking tea.

They were the Family Head, Simon Eurasia, and the Commander of the Knights, Escardo Schtenberg.

Clink.

“The seclusion where I was training in the Adamas Succession was less tiring, I’d say.”

Simon, a middle-aged man with unkempt silver hair that reached his neck, said as he set down his teacup.

Contrary to his words, a sharp glint was radiating from his eyes. It was because he was holding back the immense mana within his body from leaking out.

It was the same for Escardo, who sat opposite him.

Woooong. Woooong. Wooooong.

The presence contained by the two superhumans filled the Family Head’s office.

It was an energy that a knight below 6-star couldn't endure for even 10 seconds, a power known to the common people as ‘aura’.

“If the 8-star knight, the Family Head, says so…… what about me, a 7-star knight? Moreover, you only taught me a fraction of the Adamas Succession.”

A smile formed on Simon’s lips at Escardo's grumbling.

“That's all because you're competent. Didn't you make the Eurasia Succession your own without even mastering 7-star?”

“If I’m competent twice more, my body won't be left in one piece.”

“Why so disheartened, acting Family Head.”

Slurp. Slurp.

For a moment, only the sound of drinking tea echoed in the room.

And then, suddenly, the two men burst into laughter.

“My apologies. I can see what you must have gone through without even looking.”

He said that because of the family’s mistresses.

The three women who had entered into a political marriage with the Family Head. Dealing with them, the mothers of the three young masters, was not an easy task even for a superhuman.

“You have also suffered a great deal, Family Head.”

Simon quietly nodded his head.

He had just met with all three of the family mothers.

Each of their influences, wielded to make their own son the next Family Head, was so fierce that if it weren't for the steadfast mentality of a superhuman, he would not have been able to make time like this with Escardo tonight.

“It has been a week since you ended your seclusion. It’s only natural that they would be anxious, as you sought the family mothers out only at the very end.”

Escardo quietly observed Simon's complexion while drinking his tea.

The Family Head had a major event ahead of him.

‘If Killian shows even a small result, he won't be treated like he doesn't exist anymore.’

He was exchanging pleasantries with Simon, wondering where to begin the conversation, when.

“To think the acting Family Head and Commander of the Knights of Eurasia thinks of me so, I cannot treat you lightly today.”

“……?”

Simon pointed to the display case with his index finger.

A pair of bottles that had floated up gently landed on the table.

Two liquor bottles of clear blue porcelain with red beaks engraved on them.

“Don't tell me this is…….”

“It’s Cheonghwamyeongju .”

“……!!”

Intense mana shot out from Escardo's eyes.

Cheonghwamyeongju was a liquor brewed with the feathers and mana of a Blue bird , which was said to produce blue flames.

It was said that drinking a single glass would strengthen one's Mana Heart, and drinking a whole bottle would grant strong immunity to fire energy. It was one of the top three liquors Simon possessed.

It was an item that would fetch any price and couldn't be obtained even with money.

“Isn't this the liquor that the Sepia Merchant Guild gifted to commemorate the birth of the Third Young Master?”

“You remember. I hope the Cheonghwamyeongju helps console your weary heart.”

“Family Head……!!”

Fwhoooosh.

The remnants of mana that Escardo had failed to contain swept through the room.

Gulp.

The sound of the renowned superhuman of the continent swallowing his saliva echoed in the Family Head's office.

“I will offer the first glass to you, Family Head.”

“No. Today is for our hard-working Commander of the Knights.”

Simon personally filled Escardo's and his own glass.

“Haha. To be treated to Cheonghwamyeongju, it seems I haven't lived my life in vain, have I?”

“The merchant guild sent four bottles.”

“Family Head…….”

“Are we being formal with each other?”

“Brother Simon…….”

The boyish innocence of his youth appeared on the face of the middle-aged knight, Escardo.

It was a purity that he had to hide while undertaking the great responsibility of the family, one he could only show to his sworn brother, Simon Eurasia.

A short while later.

The surroundings grew hot with the heat generated by the Cheonghwamyeongju.

Escardo had been looking for an opportunity to discuss Killian's future, but as the sound of laughter grew louder, thoughts of the Fourth Young Master quickly faded away.

***

“Let's go, Haman.”

As Killian, who had grabbed the Cheonghwageom, left the bedroom, Haman followed with an anxious face, clutching the silver box to his chest.

The apothecary was located outside the main castle.

Standing in front of the magnificent building, Killian let out a small exclamation of admiration.

‘It’s huge.’

The apothecary, at least, wasn't much different in size compared to when Eurasia was a kingdom.

He had heard that besides the apothecary run by the family itself, they also accepted verified external apothecaries and guilds.

‘Even so, to be of this scale. I'm getting more and more curious to meet the current Family Head.’

As he approached the entrance, a royal guard let him pass without asking for identification. It seemed the soldier was acquainted with Haman.

“This way, Young Master.”

Haman, who had frequented the apothecary countless times over the past year at Killian’s command, guided him through the interior with familiar steps.

Underneath wooden signs, each bearing a name, hundreds of apothecaries were bustling about.

The two stopped in front of a wooden sign that read ‘Sephiroth’.

Unlike the other apothecaries, the space allocated to it was large and splendid. At a glance, the number of affiliated apothecaries seemed to be over fifty.

“Isn't this Head Chamberlain Haman? What brings you here……?”

A man who was organizing the counter asked as the two entered.

The question was polite, but the thought ‘What are you scums doing here?’ was written all over his face.

“Please call Apothecary Ned. Young Master Killian wishes to see him personally.”

At the mention of the Fourth Young Master's name, a look of bewilderment crossed the apothecary's face.

No matter how ignored he was in the family, a young master was still a young master. A low-grade apothecary couldn't dare to openly disregard him, unlike a high-grade one.

“……I understand. Please wait a moment.”

The man went inside the tent with a dubious look on his face. A short while later.

A gruff-looking middle-aged man pushed aside the tent flap and revealed himself.

“You were looking for me?”

He had a face that one would believe belonged to a hunter rather than an apothecary, and he was even frowning.

‘Like master, like apothecary.’

I knew that Julian was behind Sephiroth.

Recalling the encounter from the day before, a pleasant smile formed on Killian's lips.

The eyebrows of the man opposite him, Ned, twitched.

‘The Fourth Young Master…… why is this bastard suddenly smiling?’

Ned's face slowly contorted. It was a silent expression of, ‘Who do you think you are, summoning someone and acting like that?’

“Ahem. You are in the presence of the Young Master. Show some respect.”

Haman, sensing it like a ghost, said so, but.

“What brings Young Master Killian here?”

Ned simply bobbed his head with a swaggering voice.

For an apothecary, who wasn't even a family knight, to act so insolently. It was a moment that made one realize once again the Fourth Young Master's standing within the family.

Of course, it wasn't entirely unexpected.

“Well now…….”

Killian, with a look of feigned trouble, brought his hand to the scabbard.

Shhhring.

He drew the Cheonghwageom with a chilling sound.

And.

“Wh-What…….”

Ignoring the reaction of Ned, who was flustered by the unexpected action.

Stab!

He plunged the Cheonghwageom into the counter where medicinal herbs were lined up.

Ned's flustered face turned red.

“Wh-What is the meaning of this?!!”

The surrounding murmurs grew louder, and apothecaries began to gather.

Killian paid them no mind and raised his voice.

“No need to be so surprised. I just thought I'd show my dear Apothecary Ned the sword that my dear brother Julian gifted me.”

“Wha-What did you say……?”

Dear Apothecary? Dear brother Julian?

‘Is this Fourth Young Master bastard crazy?’

It was an open secret among the family's servants that Killian feared Julian.

But to use the Third Young Master’s name so brazenly?

‘How dare he use Young Master Julian’s name, knowing where he is…….’

In that moment, a plausible inference unfolded in Ned's mind.

‘Don't tell me he's here to settle the grudge from what he suffered at the hands of the Young Master?’

Grasp.

Unable to hide his emotions any longer, Ned’s face contorted mercilessly.

Killian clicked his tongue as he watched him.

“Tsk tsk. You look like you could catch a bear…… but how can a high-grade apothecary of a knight family be so faint of heart.”

“Wha-What?! Look here, Young Master Killian!”

“Ahem. You are in the presence of the Young Master.”

Haman subtly interjected, reminding him of Killian's status.

Ned's face turned so red it looked like it would burst at any moment.

“If I have shown any rude behavior, I apologize. However, I am an apothecary belonging to the Sepia Merchant Guild, and! I am the manager of this Sephiroth, who ‘directly’ supplies herbs to Young Master Julian and the family!!”

“Oh-ho. And so?”

Killian asked back, as if teasing him.

“Even if you are a young master of the family, you cannot just come here unannounced and interfere with our work like this!”

“Hah…… interfering with work, you say. You're more timid than you look. I came here as a customer too, you know?”

“You…….”

Ned gritted his teeth at Killian’s sneering tone.

He wanted to smack this scrawny Fourth Young Master right now, but there were too many eyes watching.

On the other hand, if he made a fool of himself for no reason, a report might later go to Julian, and he could be reprimanded.

“This place, although affiliated with the family, is operated independently. We have no herbs to supply to the Fourth Young Master, so please look elsewhere!”

“So you're playing hardball?”

“Young Master Killian…… sir. I repeat, I am the high-grade apothecary in charge of this place. I have no reason to endure such disrespect from you.”

“Your use of honorifics is getting rather ambiguous. More importantly, disrespect? I told you I came with good intentions after seeing my dear brother Julian, didn't I? Haman.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Haman, who was standing by his side, opened the silver box he was holding.

The medicinal ingredient, carefully stored in the box, was revealed.

“Th-That…….”

“Isn't that a Lycanthrope's Magic Stone?”

The observing apothecaries began to add their own comments.

The surrounding commotion intensified.

“It's different. Look at that silver surface.”

“Don't tell me…… is that a Half Lycanthrope's Magic Stone?”

“A Half Lycanthrope……!!”

As the murmurs grew thicker, Killian's smile also deepened.

He had deliberately come to this place among the many apothecaries. It was to provoke Ned by mentioning Julian's name and, by doing so, to draw the attention of other high-grade apothecaries.

‘It's about time I get a bite. I'll let it slide for a bit, so just one of you take the bait.’

Unlike the composed Killian, Ned's eyes were trembling violently.

“Why do you…… Young Master…… have this…… bri-bring this…….”

“Ahem!! How dare you carelessly…… towards an item that ‘Young Master Julian personally gifted’!!”

SLAM!!

Haman shut the box with a loud noise and hugged it to his chest.

“No, wait, that was definitely supplied through us……”

It was the moment Ned reached out to Haman, asserting ownership of the item.

“What is all this commotion?”

From the crowd of apothecaries.

Suddenly.

A woman showed her face.