Chapter 20

"I'm Hannah, Master Evan."

"It's Bernard Garcia, little boy."

"Ohoo…!" exclaimed Evan.

Despite having mentally prepared for this meeting in advance, Evan was impressed by their presence. It was really Bernard Garcia from Yoma War 2. The most fabulous alchemist of all series stood before his eyes!

When Evan had met Shine and Belois for the first time, he was shocked to see them. But the amazement of this moment was incomparable to that!

"Hey, is this kid crazy?"

"Did I not tell you to watch your tongue in front of the son of Marquis! Don't point at him! And change your habit of talking while in his presence!" The slave's head shouted at the careless remark of Garcia.

The hero of Yoma War 2, turned 63 this year. He was getting old.

At the slave trader's words, alchemist Bernard Garcia looked at Evan with his mouth slightly open. He was making a strange sound.

As Evan understood it, the alchemist had arrived here after getting into a plausible provocation. And the condition of the slaves' head did not look excellent.

Evan spoke directly to Bernard," This man who brought you has been polite to you on my request. We highly acknowledge your alchemy skills, so please, provide an example of your knowledge before us in an appropriate way, which can prove to beneficial for all of us."

"Kheh, what kind of manners do you want from an old man like me? I'll just go home if I'm being ordered around like that to do tiresome work. Oh, and thank you for the long walk." he replied.

"Hey, stop! Don't go!" the head of the slave trade shouted. He knew how much Evan was obsessed with Bernard so he could not let him return. He blocked his way. Seeing this, Bernard frowned with puzzlement.

"No, they know about my identity and what I'm capable of," Bernard thought. "How is this even possible? Have I been caught working with Leo, because that's the only way Someone can recognize my skills or even know about me. How old is this kid? It's ridiculous."

Bernard had all these questions inside his mind, which were making him confused and flustered by the minute. At that moment, bowed his head to Bernard.

"I'm sorry, but I didn't formally introduce myself. I am Evan D. Sherden. Nice to meet you, Senior Bernard Garcia."

"Ah, young man, don't make it too hard on yourself. If you're going to call me, feel free to call me Grandpa Bernard," he smirked.

"Yes, Grandpa," Evan replied.

"A noble being so polite, calling me grandpa like that. I mean the son of an absurdly high ranking noble, the second son of the person in charge and in control of this Dungeon city, Sherden!" Bernard Garcia thought, somewhat shocked.

"Mr. slave trader," Evan looked back at the head of the slave trade who was screaming again and again at Bernard's manners. He bowed at Evan's words.

"Thank you for bringing Grandpa Bernard as promised."

"No problem, Master. But would you really like it to be this way, sir?"

"Sure. It's perfect."

Evan spoke the next words with a very polite attitude, but the meaning in them was clear. "Your work is over now. I am very impressed by your efforts, and I bid you farewell in congratulatory spirits."

"There must be some mysterious intention in sending me away," the slave trader thought hard. He showed excellent emotional control while thinking about this.

"Okay, Master. I have brought you, Bernard Garcia and Hanna, as promised. I will take my leave now. Oh, and Young Master?"

"What is it?" Evan inquired.

The slaves' head glanced at Bernard, who was watching them both very carefully. He approached Evan and whispered to him so as not to be heard by anyone else.

"I think I will be able to find other children for you soon."

"Those children will be called rookies in the future. So try to address them like that from now onwards." Evan replied.

"Rookies in upcoming years. Yes, I remember now. You want the same as last time?" asked the head of the slave trade.

"Sure. Please bring them as soon as you find them. Thank you."

"Yes, Master," the slaves' head replied.

This was good news for Evan. Shine and Belois were one of the most famous Rookies in Yoma War 3, but in the next installment, Yoma War 4, they were compared to gods.

"How many races are there actually?" Evan thought. "You may think that you can rescue them, or even if you can't, just bringing a Rookie to your household is worthwhile. Apart from all that, it was a satisfactory achievement enough to rescue the children from the bogs, helplessly driven by destiny according to God's intentions."

"I'll be looking forward to them in the future," Evan said to the slave merchant.

"I'm very grateful to work for you, sir. I'll be taking my leave then," said the slave merchant.

"Oh, and stop by my father before you go."

"Are you sure, Master?"

The slave trader was not expecting this. But Evan was satisfied to see the head of the slave trade move enthusiastically. It was a little early, but he decided to bring out a carrot to give to the slave trader.

"Look, I am need of a good helper. If you just do as I say, then my father will give you orders, and it will be a perfect opportunity for you. But of course, keep it a secret. I have to give this job to you. Are you confident?"

At Evan's words, the slave merchant turned tight. "I thought I was a big person, but this nine-year-old kid has already gained the Marquis' confidence! Even if he doesn't know it, he is already in a position to advocate himself for what the Marquis do!" he thought, amazed.

"Yes, Master, I am! Thank you! I will prove my abilities!"

The slave trader said these words with soaring pleasure, after convincing his eyes and ears were not deceiving him. He once again bowed his head deeply and stepped back, almost hopping.

Bernard was watching the whole conversation with a strange look on his face.

"What the hell is this kid doing?" he thought. "Of course, I already heard about this little boy. His name is Evan D. Sherden. I came to learn about him through the slave trader on my way here. He is the second of an aristocrat is more powerful than all other aristocrats in reality. His authority consists of armed forces, powerful bureaucrats, and business tycoons, making him stand among this county's "Silk Line". After hearing about this, the actions of the slave trader in front of the child made sense as he seemed to be willing to take whatever order the little kid moderately threw at him."

"But when I came to this place, I came to see the attitude of the guy dealing with the little child first hand. It didn't seem like the look of a businessman who is simply working to trick and humiliate a rich kid and receive as much money from him as possible. To make it easier to understand, it was as if the hyena was dancing on the lion's fingertips. And what the little boy just said proved it."

"What? Stop by my father? Is that seriously what a nine-year-old would say!" Bernard spit out, knowing it was too absurd to be possible.

"Is it transformation magic?" Bernard thought.

"I'm nine years old, Grandpa," Evan said.

"So now you can read minds too, huh?" Bernard asked loudly, a little surprised.

"Everyone asks this question these days, so I thought you would too," Evan replied calmly.

At this point, Bernard began to develop an interest in Evan himself rather than what Evan had said about unknown Alchemy earlier.

"But even to use transformation magic, he needs to have some special skills." Bernard thought again. "Of course, compared to me, he is only like a weak flame in front of the sun. But it was already amazing enough to surprise even the sun with his light. When he grows up, he will be incredibly strong. I'm sure of it. Hopefully, as much as the colleagues who once traveled with me…"

"It's normal to find people in this city who have entered the dungeons; to have the strength that does not match their own level. But this little boy seemed to have already entered the dungeon…"

"You surpass my expectations. You're very good," Bernard remarked.

"Then, will you help me?" asked Evan.

"It's different from that. If it's a lie about alchemy that I don't know, then I won't let you go easily." Bernard said threateningly.

"Okay, let's make a deal then. If we really do have alchemy that you don't currently know, please promise that you will work with me for 5 years. Of course, I will take care of you to the best of my abilities during this time."

"Huh, this little bugger," Bernard thought. "Is this guy already trying to rope me in and make me a part of his group?" Bernard thought Evan was ridiculous about how he was trying to lead him by the nose, so he snorted. "I don't know this little boy, but he claims to know alchemy skills, even unknown to me. He is clearly mistaken. He must be the world's greatest alchemist to even come face to face with Bernard Garcia!"

"Oh, really? If you say you have knowledge about alchemy that I'm unaware of, I'll help you for 50 years instead of 5 years. But in the opposite case, you have to be prepared," Bernard demanded.

"In the opposite case?" Evan asked questioningly.

"You have to tell me all your secrets. As a bonus, you'll become my disciple too."

"That's settled then. I will do that if I fail."

"Maybe that wouldn't even be so bad either," Evan muttered inwardly. Of course, he was already convinced that he would not be defeated.

"Hey, I'm sorry, but I'm also here!" Hannah exclaimed.

"Ah. Miss Hanna. Sorry about that, but can I call you my sis?" Evan asked her.

"Ah, I don't dare to oppose you, Master!" she replied.

"Now, Hanna will be going with you. You have to work in the business together," Evan told Bernard.

"What me…?" Hanna asked in a shocked voice.

Hanna was a commoner girl who turned 19 this year. She was known to possess incomparable beauty. In fact, until she heard those words, she thought she had been chosen as a concubine of the nobility. When she started working in the field of alchemy and everything related to it, she already knew it was a very popular field which paid very well. And with that money, she would be able to buy herself back from the nobility.

Nevertheless, after looking at the money and the amount she was worth which was enough to make the poor parents happy for the rest of their lives, she gathered the courage to announce to her parents,"If making myself a concubine of the nobleman will bring happiness to you, then it may not be so bad."

Actually, the family knew that it would happen like this. Due to this decided fate of hers, she often cried and held onto herself, all alone. But now, seeing the series of events, she was convinced that there would never be a better opportunity than this. She seemed to be occupied by these thoughts…

"But was I really called for alchemy? No, that's not the only reason. Besides, what is this that strange feeling that I'm experiencing continuously…?"

The second son of Marquis, whom she thought might have a crush on her, was too young and too cute than she expected. And he doesn't seem to care about her at all. Instead, he's clinging to an old man who came with her! It was really different from her imagination.

"I think I'm going mad," and suddenly, a strange question arose in her mind! "What is alchemy? Why is this old man pretending to be so honorable and great? I know that was sneaking glances at my legs in the wagon before! I don't know what is happening anymore! I don't even know why I'm here!"

Hanna was panicking frantically. She was on the verge of insanity. Even so, Evan wanted her to follow the old man, and he tagged along with them to appear polite.

Together with their escorting driver, Maybel, they headed to the Brotherhood Pharmacy, which was already built by this time. The building stood in the center of the street as advertised and that it was the property of the Marquis. It was magnificent. Everything about the building was perfect except for the occasional priests passing by.

"Wow, it's a great building," Bernard remarked.

"Do you think so too?"

"Yes, it is remarkably built. Especially for the purpose it is built. I personally love the idea of going against the temple."

Evan and Bernard admired the beauty of the building, awestruck.

Evan was very proud of himself. He was actually impressed with the fact that he ended up making a pharmacy even after searching thoroughly in Yoma War 3. Bernard would be able to handle the pharmaceutical technology that had been made on this continent, in the dungeon city. He suddenly felt a strange feeling.

Of course, Hanna was not an exception, and she was equally dumbfounded. She had recently made potion making her business.

"Wow! As long as I'm allowed to work in a building like this, I really don't want anything else," she said.

"You will be working here, sis Hanna," Evan replied.

"Thank you, Master," She exclaimed.

Hanna thought Evan looked very cute in saying that with a proud expression. She almost instinctively reached out to stroke him on his head, but just before that, she stopped moving.

Behind Evan's back, a very pretty short-haired girl in a maid uniform was watching her eerily.

The Hanna came to her senses.

"He is a noble, I forgot. A noble!" she thought. "It's no wonder she's angry because I just tried to reach out towards the person she serves without hesitation!"

Hanna bowed her head to the maid and stopped herself before committing any rudeness on her behalf. The maid ignored her. She seemed to have an icy personality. Of course, it was an awkward situation.

"As I've come this far, I'll help you. But before that, What sort of alchemy are you going to show me?" Bernard asked Evan.

"Make potions," Evan replied confidently.

"Potion? Potion in front of me!? Hahaha!"

"Yes," Evan smirked.

Evan had expected such a response from Bernard. He smiled warmly as he watched the world's best alchemist burst into laughter at his words. Then he tapped on his cheeks. "Don't smile!" he reminded himself.

"Grandpa lets go to the drug room then," Evan said.

"Oh, I'm really looking forward to it!" Bernard shouted.

Exactly 17 minutes have passed since then. The potion that Evan had wanted to make didn't take long to make; he already knew the recipe. Even the ingredients used in it were simple. It was one of the few potions called "Fake Potions".

"How did you make this potion…." Bernard was shocked beyond belief.

The best alchemist of all the NPCs in the Yoma War series was staring wide-eyed at the transparent concoction in front of his eyes, completely forgetting to shut his mouth.

"Do you know how to make this alchemy potion Grandpa?" Evan asked.

"No, I don't," Bernard replied.

"Is that the case? Then you know the consequences…"

"God damn! I lost!"

This potion has frightening results at the end of Yoma War 4. It's a privilege that can only be unlocked after fulfilling some strict conditions. If you have such information and knowledge in Yoma War 3, then you're basically a time traveler!

Bernard, one of the old men among the "decent characters" who had mastered alchemy in the pre-Yoma War series, calmly accepted his victory.

It was at this moment when the bright future of the Brotherhood Pharmacy was guaranteed.