Count’s Youngest Son is a Warlock

Lucion, however, suppressed his laughter and addressed Owen with more formality.

“Many seek an audience with me. Nevertheless, as a member of the Cronia family and a saint, I am inclined to avoid entanglements in political affairs. I hope you can understand and respect my position.”

“I see. I merely wanted to extend an invitation for tea, so there’s no need to take it too seriously.”

Oh, please stop.

Owen seemed to be fed up with Lucion’s repeated words and actions, as if those words were going to come out at any moment.

Lucion glanced at Carson. 

Carson hesitated under Lucion’s pleading gaze but soon let out a sigh, relaxing his shoulders.

“Your Highness. Then I shall take my leave.”

“Oh, are you? Thank you.”

Owen smiled broadly at Carson’s now obedient retreat, quite different from his attitude a moment ago.

He seemed to suddenly think that things were going well.

But he was mistaken.

‘My brother must leave for me to use black magic.’

Lucion was going to take advantage of Owen’s plan.

It wouldn’t matter if he added another sin to the one he was already going to be blamed for by poisoning a saint.

No, Lucion needs to break the line between him and Neubra.

There must surely be someone around Owen who connects him to Neubra, a close aide or such.

[Lucion, I’m not sure of your intentions, but proceed with your plan. Whatever it may be, act upon it.]

Russell encouraged Lucion unlike his usual self.

It was quite amusing, but Lucion asked Owen as if nothing was wrong.

“Where would you prefer, Your Highness?”

“I think this place is fine.”

Owen pointed awkwardly at the table that still had remnants of the meal on it, clearly eager to leave.

“Please guide me to an appropriate location.”

* * *

In the reception room, the desserts Owen had brought were beautifully arranged on the table.

—Wow! Ratta wants all of that!

Ratta’s mouth watered.

[You can’t have any, Ratta.]

—Why not? Ratta really wants some.

Ratta glanced at Bethel.

[It might be poisoned.]

—Whoa, poison! Lucion! Don’t eat it!

Wide-eyed and alarmed, Ratta turned to Lucion.

‘I know. And I won’t eat it.’

Lucion patted Ratta’s head, reassuring her not to worry.

“It’s hot.”

Interestingly, it was Owen’s servant who poured the tea.

He used his past rudeness towards Lucion as an excuse to serve him.

‘Well, that’s quite something. How can he be so brazen with someone he’s trying to poison?’

Lucion looked at the servant.

“Please excuse me. I am feeling a bit uncomfortable.”

“Leave us.”

Having achieved what he wanted, Owen sent out his servant as Lucion had hoped.

“What is it you wish to discuss?”

At Lucion’s question, Owen smiled brightly.

“Don’t be so formal. I didn’t come to make any demands; I just wanted to have a conversation.”

“My apologies, Your Highness. Lately, there have been so many people seeking favors from me.”

“I understand. It is indeed bothersome when those pesky insects cling to you once you have power; it can be quite irritating, can’t it?”

“No, rather than finding it bothersome or irritating, I feel a pang of regret and sorrow for not being able to fulfill their requests.”

Lucion had no intention of accommodating Owen’s sentiments; he hoped the conversation would wrap up quickly. 

After all, his neck was destined to be severed—why bother appeasing him?

No matter how much Owen tried to mask his emotions, the anger in his eyes was almost palpable. 

Lucion turned his gaze away, blowing on his hot tea as if to dismiss the tension.

[Hahaha! Oh, this is too amusing!]

Russell observed Owen intently, as if watching a thrilling match.

“How does it feel to be a saint?”

“It is an honorable position.”

“Do you not aspire for something greater?”

“Unfortunately, I do not.”

For some reason, Lucion responded firmly and succinctly to Owen’s probing questions, almost as if he was dismissing them outright.

“Then, is there nothing you desire?”

There was a hint of irritation in Owen’s voice.

“I simply wish to return home and rest comfortably in my bed.”

“Is that truly all you wish for?”

“Oh, there is one more thing.”

Finally, Owen’s face lit up with a broad smile.

“Please, do share.”

“I crave the macarons from my favorite shop.”

Lucion smirked slyly, causing Owen’s clenched fist to tremble.

[He’s clearly upset. Look at his expression. He looks ready to take you down.]

Russell chuckled and couldn’t seem to stop laughing.

‘Now that the conversation has progressed…’

Lucion picked up his teacup again, “It seems cool enough to drink now.”

Sending a signal to Owen that he was going to drink the tea now.

Owen’s flushed face was amusingly relaxed.

“Go ahead and taste it. I tried it from the shop, and it was delightful.”

“If Your Highness approves, then it must be exquisite.”

“You can’t.” 

“Don’t drink that.” 

“There’s poison in the tea. And in that dessert as well.”

As soon as Lucion smiled and lifted the teacup to his mouth, the darkness whispered urgently to him.

—Lucion knows too. So there’s no need to worry.

Ratta responded on his behalf.

Lucion, aware of Owen’s gaze, sent out darkness under his feet.

Without Heint’s presence, he felt free to use black magic.

The darkness he sent crawled across the floor, over the back of Owen’s chair, up his back, and into his head.

The darkness turned spiky and pierced his head in one swift motion.

A slight sting.

It was only a minor pain, enough to make his wrist twitch.

‘Well, it seems his mental strength isn’t that great.’ 

Lucion sneered when he saw the darkness burning like a flame in Owen’s eyes.

When under the influence of distraction, the victim retained no memory of it, allowing Lucion to exploit that fact.

The reception room was on the first floor, and thanks to Owen, the nearby knights had already retreated.

Lucion stood up, opening a window.

—It’s Hume! Hume!

Ratta dashed over, wagging her tail as she looked out the window.

“Hume.”

“Yes, young master.”

Hume’s voice came from beyond the window.

“Did you bring the tea?”

“Yes, I did. I also made sure to bring the desserts he had with him.”

As Lucion guided Owen to the reception room, Bethel explained everything to Hume and asked him to bring some tea and desserts.

The kitchen staff here had no idea what Owen had brought.

However, since Hume frequently brought treats for Lucion and Ratta, it wasn’t suspicious to retrieve desserts at any time.

Of course, Owen likely had no idea what desserts he had purchased.

As soon as Lucion received the dish that Hume passed to him, he asked, “What about your cheek?”

Hume answered as he crossed through the window, “It’s just a mosquito bite; there’s no need to worry about it.”

“You could hit him now if you wanted.”

“If I did… he might die. It didn’t hurt, but it felt bad. Very unpleasant.”

Hume swiftly exchanged the dish Lucion held for a dessert resembling tea.

“I’ll dispose of this.”

“No, keep it, just in case. Oh, I can ask Reint to find out once we return to the West.”

For a moment, Shaela crossed Lucion’s mind, but he considered that inquiring about poison mages at the Magic Tower, where it was banned, would be a dangerous action.

Moreover, since he needed to visit the organization to meet Miella and J.L., who had returned to the West ahead of him, it was better to handle everything at once.

[Good idea. Reint has experience as a mercenary; he might know something about poison mages.]

Bethel nodded in agreement.

As Lucion sat down, preparing to recite the spell for a curse, the darkness interjected.

“Do you wish to cast a curse, Lucion?”

Lucion nodded.

“Then I’ll show you how to curse instead of casting a spell. Just point your finger at the target and flick it twice to the side. We’ll guide you on the motion.”

Lucion’s fingers were soon enveloped by darkness.

[What’s happening? Is the darkness teaching him black magic?]

Russell reacted in disbelief.

Typically, using a curse necessitated a spell. Yet currently, wasn’t the darkness offering a different approach?

“No, that’s not it.”

The darkness immediately refuted Russell’s words.

“Lucion doesn’t need to plead with us. So, no spell is necessary.”

“That’s right. We’ll listen to anything Lucion says.”

“So hurry up, get stronger soon,” Darkness said shyly. 

The darkness moved Lucion’s fingers to form a sideways figure-eight.

“Lucion doesn’t need to pay a price.”

—Why doesn’t Lucion need to pay a price? It seems essential to me.

Ratta tilting her head in confusion.

“It’s fine. We’re here for him.”

“A curse isn’t merely brute force. It’s Lucion, so it’s acceptable!”

“Yes, the original name itself is different. The restraint of power, absolute obedience. And…”

“Shh! Be quiet! Do you want Lucion to suffer again because of that guy? He was lucky to survive because of that kind human last time, but who knows what will happen this time!”

“…I’m sorry. I got too excited. I was just happy to be talking with Lucion.”

The darkness revealed itself, shaking in unison towards one another.

Lucion felt the same way; he had no desire to call upon the King of Darkness and thus didn’t ask.

What astonished Lucion was the potency of the curse, a form of black magic, far exceeding his initial expectations.

[…Ah. It’s truly frustrating that I can’t document this. Such a remarkable discovery. I must find a way to record it…!]

Russell lamented.

While mana had evolved into magic and spells as tools for humans, light had been learned and mastered under the teachings of divine beasts. Darkness, on the other hand, lacked that knowledge.

Could it be that black magic emerged from direct knowledge imparted by darkness?

“So, what’s the next step?”

Russell appeared enthusiastic, but Lucion was eager to implant the curse onto Owen as soon as possible.

The curse was a magic that was difficult for even warlocks to understand, and it was also difficult to lift.

‘Teacher, can you see that?’

A black ring spun around Owen’s head.

Lucion glanced at Ratta.

Her eyes were spinning in circles.

‘Ratta can see it, huh?’

“Tell him in a commanding manner. It should be very easy for Lucion, right?”

“Ah. We will safeguard this curse. Ensure it remains concealed.”

The darkness chuckled joyfully.

“Thank you. Please continue to do so.”

Knowing the darkness would safeguard the curse brought relief.

“Be careful, young master.”

After Hume disappeared back beyond the window, Lucion spoke inwardly as darkness had instructed.

‘The poisoned tea you tried to feed me, Owen, will be fed directly to the person who connects you and the Kingdom of Neubra.’

The black ring halted its movement, transforming into letters.

[A cup of poison meant to end a life, given by a friend.]

A black star appeared on Owen’s left cheek.

In that moment, Lucion experienced a sudden sharp pain, his face contorting in discomfort.

‘This hurts a bit, doesn’t it?’

“It worked! It worked!”

“See? It’s really easy, right? Different from before, isn’t it?”

“No, Lucion, look at him. He is in pain. It seems he’s still not ready.”

[What on earth did you teach Lucion? Is this really right?]

Russell immediately protested.

“It’s okay. It’s just a slight ache in my chest.”

[Are you really okay?]

“I’m truly fine.”

Lucion turned away from Russell’s doubting gaze and bowed his head toward the darkness.

“Thank you for your guidance.”

“I hope we can talk more next time.”

With a small wish, the darkness spoke and then vanished.

Would remaining with him for too long invite that guy back?

Pushing aside the thought, Lucion directed his attention to Owen.

Just as the glimmer of darkness in Owen’s eyes began to dim, Lucion took a sip of the tea.

Gulp.

The sound of tea sliding down his throat caused Owen’s eyes to widen briefly.

[He’s been deceived, no doubt about it.]

Russell laughed as he looked at Owen.

Lucion wanted to laugh along, but now wasn’t the time.

He held a dessert in his hand.

An apple tart.

Though the crust was crispy, it didn’t quite suit his taste.

Macarons remained his favorite.

Crunch.

The sound caught Ratta’s attention.

—It looks delicious. Ratta will eat anything, without exception. Ratta thoroughly enjoys everything.

Lucion chuckled as he watched Ratta swallow her saliva.

Then, he turned his gaze to Owen.

Look.

I’m consuming the poison you had a poison mage tamper with.

“It’s really delicious!”

Lucion gave Owen a final, satisfied stamp of approval.

‘What do you think? Are you satisfied?’

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