Chapter 53
Chapter 53 – Duke of Arnold
The next day . Ares headed out to yet another old acquaintance of his, the residence of Duke of Arnold .
[Reizen-dono often visited esteemed father and played games with me when he’s still alive…it’s really been a while since then . I wonder how Kevin is doing?]
There is no stranger that doesn’t know about prestige of Duke of Arnold in the capital . They have such a large presence in the capital due to the late former prime minister Reizen . After all, Reizen was widely acknowledged as the biggest contributor to the development of the capital .
Kevin was Ares’ childhood friend, as well as an alumnus of the Imperial Academy . Always watching over Ares warmly…to Ares, he can be considered a good friend just like Elan back at the Schwarzer Territory… . . that is Kevin .
Kevin was originally a very serious person . Unlike Ares who often ditched classes, Kevin attended and took every class seriously . To the point that he’s always top ranker in each class . He’s been deemed by many as a brilliant mind, especially in terms of politics, even being compared to a genius like [George Walter] .
However, after taking the post as the Duke, a mysterious disease struck him . Currently, he’s still resting and under treatment for his illness . It was Reizen’s younger brother John who took over the post as acting duke .
[Anyways… . . the main purpose of my visit is to check his condition . Hopefully he’s fine… . ]
Carrying some gifts with him, Ares proceed to Duke of Arnold residence .
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Immediately after arriving, Ares was allowed to enter Kevin’s room .
[Ah, Ares . It’s been a while . Are you well?]
Kevin spoke as he got up from the bed .
His bright brown hair and his clear blue eyes were still as lustrous as usual . However, his complexion was a bit pale . His current appearance would remind people of a wax doll .
[Don’t overdo it, Kevin . I’m here because I want to see how you are faring . ]
Ares also took a seat in a nearby chair .
[I heard about Ares’ arrival in the capital a couple of days ago . You really took your time to finally visit me, didn’t you?]
Ares smiled wryly at Kevin’s words .
[Sorry . There were lots of things I needed to do . ]
It was just an excuse though .
[Then you are here to…gather information?]
Having said so, Kevin handed over a booklet to Ares .
[This is a summary of the aristocrats’ recent movement . I think some of the information recorded here has been reported by Balzac…but that’s not all . I want you to look through it . ]
Ares gave it a read… . it was indeed a record on recent movement of the major aristocrats .
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[Nothing less from the Duke of Arnold’s intel . ]
[What can I say, the intel came from the『former』prime minister’s cousin himself . ]
After laughing that out, Kevin’s face turned serious as he spoke to Ares .
[By the way…seeing you returned to the capital this soon, does this mean that you’ll soon start your move in earnest? I want to talk about that . ]
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Kevin fell ill a few years after Reizen passed away . The young, well-favored, and highly sought after Kevin was appointed as the duke of Arnold tasked with the Capital’s development on the first year of his career . But his illness plagued him .
So instead, Reizen’s younger brother John became the acting Duke…but he never proceeded with the capital development plan .
Unlike his brother Reizen, John was prone to give in to his selfish desire and was not a well-educated person himself . However, he’s still a person belonging to the clan of the duke .
Not proceeding with the capital development plan, the title of Duke of Arnold was truly wasted on him .
After Reizen’s death and with Kevin taking a rest, the prestige of Duke of Arnold plummeted sharply . But John was too proud to change his attitude as he is currently the acting duke . He never got in contact with Kevin, and instead placed guards outside the residence, making Kevin a prisoner in his own abode .
[Uncle would be really happy if I died all of a sudden . After all, what he really wanted is not merely the post as acting duke, but to be assigned as a proper official duke . ]
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Kevin let out a small sigh as he said so .
[As for me, I don’t really mind giving up the position if that will free me from this place . ]
Apparently John had repeatedly requested to take over Kevin’s position due to the latter still suffering from his disease . Kevin had also sent similar request as well . But Emperor Sephiros stubbornly rejected the notion .
[The current me couldn’t be bothered with jealousy or such . What is His Majesty thinking… . ]
Kevin let out yet another sigh .
[This disease may worsen in the future . Although you have helped me to lessen the symptoms, there is no telling of what will happen in the future . ]
When all other doctors gave up on Kevin’s illness, it was Ares who came to aid him . Ares pulled out all of his available memories on alchemy, and fashioned a medicine that could stabilize Kevin’s condition . But that’s the limit of the current Ares .
[It’ll be alright… . . I’ll definitely… . . do something about it . I need your strength . I will definitely cure this disease . ]
Kevin let out a small laugh in response to that .
[How strange… . . when Ares said it, I couldn’t help but to think that it’s possible . Well then, I guess we just have to work even harder, yes?]
After that, Kevin changed the topic .
[Now then, Ares . Enough talk about me . Let’s continue with your story . What are you planning to do after this?]
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And thus, Kevin and Ares talked until the day passed .
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Ares once asked Gilbert in his dream . Is there a cure to Kevin’s illness?
Gilbert’s reply was unbelievable .
[I’ve never seen these symptoms before . Without me understanding the symptom…it’ll be hard to concoct a medicine . ]
But he added .
[However… . . there is this ancient drug, Elixir, which probably can completely cure him . I myself have only seen this elixir once in my whole life . ]
Elixir
A legendary drug that was said to be capable of even reviving the dead . Perhaps there is one in the imperial palace or the temple’s treasury… . . but even someone from the Archduke clan does not have the right to take it out .
[Even so, I’ll find one……there is no way I’ll let my friend be killed that easily . No matter the cost . ]
Having said that, Ares renewed his determination as he returned home .