FANSiA Originals and KakaoPage
I Became the Genius Bastard of a Noble Dark Clan
[Author/Original: Yuin]
[TL: Dekor]
[PR: Spades]
Episode 27
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"You've heard the details?"
"Yes. I'm to observe young master Christian, correct?"
"Indeed. Watch how he handles things leading up to the Black Sanctification."
"Understood. I'll follow your command."
The man bowed respectfully.
Then, as if struck by a thought, he flashed a mischievous grin.
"While I'm at it, may I play a little prank?"
"A prank? What kind?"
"Just observing feels dull, so maybe something to properly test him. A trial, if you will?"
Nordian frowned.
"Nothing excessive."
Meaning a light prank was fine.
The man's smirk deepened, and he vanished into the shadows as if melting away.
Marian let out a soft sigh at his silent departure.
'I can only hope Chris handles it well.'
---
Kazar Count's Estate.
Chris was preparing for the Black Pill Hunt.
'To get my hands on a Black Pill, I need to be ready.'
His goal was twofold: prove his worth and claim the Black Pill for himself.
It might seem odd.
The Black Pill was already promised to someone else.
'I'll just steal it.'
Chris whistled, thinking simply to himself.
'Conveniently, the Black Pill is meant for that Loin guy who opposed me. Perfect. I'll screw him over while I'm at it.'
Loin was his rival in the Black Sanctification.
He'd also led the charge to bar Chris from participating, so snatching his Black Pill would be doubly satisfying.
'For a perfect crime, preparation is key.'
Chris headed to the city.
His destination was set.
The mansion of Merchant Lord Grantel, from whom he'd previously taken the holy sword Grunade.
"Young master! I-I greet you!"
Grantel welcomed Chris, his face pale with dread.
"Well, it's been a while."
"W-what brings you here?"
"Not exactly thrilled to see me, are you? Don't like my visit?"
Grantel gritted his teeth inwardly.
'Of course not, you wretched brat!'
He cursed in ways unfit for print, though outwardly he maintained a servile smile.
"Absolutely not! It's an honor to see you again, young master. I'm just overwhelmed by the privilege."
"Hmm."
"P-please, don't stand there—come in! Servants, prepare a feast! Allow me the honor of hosting you, however humbly."
Chris didn't refuse.
Soon, an array of lavish dishes arrived.
They rivaled the cuisine of the Kazar estate in quality.
"Does it suit your taste?"
"Yes, it's decent."
The atmosphere wasn't bad, so Grantel subtly signaled a subordinate.
The subordinate left and returned with a silk pouch.
"What's this?"
"A token of my devotion to you, young master."
Opening it revealed a golden cat figurine.
In other words, a bribe.
'He's here to extort money again, isn't he? That vile punk.'
Grantel swallowed his tears inwardly.
But he tried to think positively.
Nothing in life was free.
If he gave a bribe, the world's logic dictated something in return.
'A dirty connection, but it's an opportunity! With a Dark Mana Clan heir backing me, I'll soar!'
With his plump face, Grantel put on his most obsequious expression and bowed.
"Hehe, please accept it. It's nothing much."
"Indeed, it's nothing."
"…Pardon?"
"You call this a gift? Disappointing."
Clang!
Chris tossed the pouch to the floor.
The air turned icy.
Grantel hurriedly bowed.
"I-I'm sorry! I only meant to express my heart, but it seems it wasn't up to your standards!"
'You rotten brat! Complaining even when I give you a gift? Powerless is my only sin!' Chris crossed his arms.
"A gift like this? You clearly don't understand your position."
"Sir?"
"I looked into you after last time. You've got your hands in all sorts of illegal dealings."
"T-that's…"
"Of course, business involves some law-bending. I get it. If we nitpicked every little thing, no merchant would survive. But."
Chris gave a sly smile.
"There's a line, and you've dangerously crossed it a few times. You know exactly what I'm talking about, don't you?"
Grantel swallowed hard.
He was a crooked merchant.
Not guilty of heinous crimes like murder, but he'd done plenty of shady things.
Some were secrets that could never see the light of day.
Chris tapped Grantel's shoulder lightly.
"Greed invites ruin."
"I-I'm sorry! Please, have mercy…"
Grantel trembled.
Chris chuckled.
"Given our last encounter, I'll give you a chance. I'll set a deadline—clean up all your oversteps. Compensate everyone who's suffered because of you, properly."
Compensation.
Grantel's face paled.
It meant dipping into the merchant group's coffers again.
But it was still immense leniency.
Grantel bowed frantically.
"T-thank you!"
"There's a condition."
Chris got to the point.
"Get me a Gray Pill."
"!!"
"You have three days."
Grantel's face went white.
The Gray Pill.
An elixir derived from the Karazov beast.
'It's the same base as the Black Pill.'
When a Karazov was processed with the Tyramine family's unique Demon Training method, it yielded the Black Pill's materials.
But killing a Karazov without that technique produced the Gray Pill—a knockoff elixir.
Chris planned to use the Gray Pill to swap out the Black Pill.
"B-but… that's…"
Grantel looked deeply troubled.
"T-the Gray Pill… it's not easy to obtain…"
Chris called it a knockoff, but even the Gray Pill was extraordinarily rare.
"I know you've got connections to the Dark Auction."
"!!"
"Make a direct deal through the auction."
"B-but bypassing the auction for a direct deal means paying an astronomical price…"
"That's your problem. Do I need to care about your wallet too?"
Chris said coolly.
"If you don't want my help, fine. Forget what I said. Face the consequences of your crimes."
He was blackmailing him.
Fail to get the Gray Pill, and Chris would ruin his merchant group with his past misdeeds.
"N-no, that's not it!"
Grantel clung to Chris desperately.
'Sob, you vile brat! You devil!'
Tears welled up, but he had no choice.
He'd have to drain the merchant group's funds again to secure the Gray Pill.
"I-I'll get you the Gray Pill, somehow."
"Three days."
Grantel's face grew paler.
An absurdly short deadline.
But he could only bow frantically.
"Y-yes, I'll deliver it in three days."
"Oh, and get me a small dagger too. Sharp enough to cut through armor."
A dagger that could slice armor.
Likely in the category of a masterwork blade.
It'd cost a fortune, but Grantel couldn't protest.
Chris looked satisfied.
"I'll be waiting. Oh, and may I offer a word of advice?"
"P-please, speak."
"Live honestly from now on."
"!!"
Chris grinned.
"That way, you won't run into another champion of justice like me, right?"
---
After leaving Grantel's mansion, Chris stopped by the bustling market to pick up various odds and ends.
[Young master… why those items?]
"They're useful."
[You mean… the aphrodisiac?]
"…"
Chris fell silent.
Aphrodisiac.
A blessed remedy for men who bow their heads to their wives at night.
[Ohoho… young master… already struggling, perhaps?]
"No way!"
[It's fine… I understand… ohoho.]
"Like I said, no!"
The shopkeeper gave him a curious look.
Chris cleared his throat.
"It's not for me. I have other uses."
[Then… perhaps for the count?]
"…Yeah. I'm a filial son, you know. Father's getting on in years, so I'm looking out for him. He seems stressed."
To keep it hush-hush, Chris pinned the role of humbled husband on poor Count Kazar.
"For the count's honor, don't tell anyone I bought an aphrodisiac."
"Of course, I'll keep it secret!"
The shopkeeper replied with a resolute nod.
After grabbing a few more items, Chris holed up in his room.
A few days later.
"Done."
Chris smirked.
In his hand, a glass beaker held a clear liquid.
A secret weapon made by mixing the aphrodisiac with various reagents.
Just in time, Grantel delivered the Gray Pill, and preparations were complete.
Fully equipped, Chris headed downstairs.
A horse was ready.
He was about to set out.
"I'll be back."
Count Kazar nodded.
Then he looked straight into Chris's eyes.
"Make sure you give them a taste of their own medicine."
He added one more thing.
"You're my pride and joy."
Chris's lips curved upward.
He wasn't Kazar's real son.
But he didn't dislike the count.
If his original father had even a speck of Kazar's qualities, his past life—his fate—would've been vastly different.
"Wait for me."
So Chris said.
"I'll return with news that'll make you proud."
Next was Tern.
"…Brother."
"Title."
"…Esteemed King Emperor Majesty Brother."
Tern clenched his fists, looking frustrated.
Chris chuckled and spoke.
"Take care of Father while I'm gone."
"!!"
Why was that?
Tern pressed his lips shut.
A flicker of complex emotions crossed his face before he spoke.
"…When you return, duel me."
"Hmm? Didn't we already do that? I recall you getting thrashed."
"Not like that! A real duel!"
Tern huffed.
"I'll defeat you for sure."
"Sure. If getting thrashed again is your dream."
"Brother!!"
Chris laughed and held out his fist.
"I'm off."
Tern hesitated at the gesture, then snorted and bumped fists.
"I hear the Black Pill Hunt is dangerous. Don't go getting hurt."
"Is that… concern?"
"Only because I want a proper duel!"
"Right. So I should come back safe to get properly beaten? Didn't know you had that kind of taste…"
"Ugh, come on!"