The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

Chapter 24

Honestly, I had never given much thought to Niki. She was merely Nakia’s sister or a pity-evoking sick child, nothing more. But then…

[Name]: Niki (13 years old)

[Level]: 5

[Occupation]: None

*Association: The Free City of Mira

*Talent: ???

[Stats]: Potential (SS Grade)

[Strength 5]

[Agility 3]

[Endurance 3]

[Intelligence 60(-30)]

[Willpower 65(-25)]

[Magic Power 62(-61)]

[Senses 52(-45)]

*Unique Traits

???,

???,

???

‘An SS grade potential?’

In my past life and in this one, I had never come across potential that exceeded an S grade. I hadn’t even considered the possibility. Her stats were so depleted they were nearly in the negatives, not to mention her talents and traits hadn’t even begun to awaken, likely due to her illness.

However, if.

‘If her illness could be cured, and her talents could blossom?’

The thought of how far this girl could grow was almost frightening.

“Young master, is something wrong?”

Startled by Raul’s muttering, Nakia asked.

Thanks to her, Raul managed to regain his composure and brushed off the concern. However, he felt that he should learn more about Niki.

***

A few days later, in the late afternoon.

Raul was sitting at his desk, waiting for Nakia’s arrival with a thick stack of documents placed on top. He had finished dealing with all the things that needed to be resolved in Mira these past few days.

Based on the information about the missing persons he had gathered, he had thoroughly searched the forests around Mira, sweeping through without discrimination against thieves, slave traders, spies, and the like.

This effort led to nearly fifty citizens being saved, and the area around Mira became safer than ever before. However, remains of over 70% of the reported missing persons had not been found. It was regrettable, but Raul had concluded that investing more time wouldn’t make finding them any easier.

Despite not finding their families, the clients expressed their gratitude to Raul and his team. The acknowledgement that someone had taken up their cause and the promise to repay the kindness made Raul feel that their hard work hadn’t been in vain once again.

Buildings that had been under construction for a month were gradually taking shape, with the guild house, which received the most attention, already having its main building completed and some subordinates moving in.

Among those who were kidnapped and then rescued, some came seeking to work under Raul. Among them were some highly skilled craftsmen and laborers, much to Raul’s delight.

Now, only Nakia and Niki remained.

Timed with a knock on the door, Nakia entered the room. She bowed her head softly in greeting and sat down on the sofa. Raul asked,

“How is Niki doing?”

“Thanks to the efforts of the priests, she’s gotten much better. Thank you once again.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Raul paused, taking a sip of his tea. He said those words, but Niki’s illness had not improved in the slightest. After all, it wasn’t something that could be cured with divine power.

“I called you today because I wanted to have a talk with you, Nakia. There’s something I need to give as well.”

Upon hearing Raul’s words, Nakia’s face stiffened as she asked,

“Is it true that you are leaving today, without me having properly greeted you yet?”

“Yes. I’ve stayed longer than planned, which has made my schedule quite tight.”

Nakia bit her lip slightly as she looked at Raul, who spoke indifferently. Then, she relaxed her expression and asked seriously,

“Please tell me. How can I assist you, sir?”

Nakia was by no means a naive young lady. She had experienced many challenges while taking care of her sick brother to get to where she was, and knew all too well that the world was far from being forgiving.

There must have been a reason why Raul showed kindness and special treatment to her and her brother. And she guessed it most likely had something to do with her past.

‘Maybe he expects more…’

All the nobles she had met were greedy, wishing to receive tenfold while giving only one.

Most of them pretended to be kind, only to harbor dark ulterior motives behind their backs.

That’s why she was afraid. She feared that the kind Raul, who helped her and her sister, would not be any different from the other nobles. She was terrified of feeling disappointed in her benefactor once again.

But then…

“Um. That’s not exactly why I called you here. First, read this, and then we can talk.”

Raul, looking somewhat embarrassed, scratched the bridge of his nose and handed over a document to her.

Nakia glanced at the document with a puzzled look.

But as she read on, her eyes widened in disbelief, and finally, with her hands trembling, she gasped,

“What is this?? No, is this for real?? How could this be??”

The document she was holding fell onto the table. The first page boldly proclaimed [Pardon Permit].

“Nakia, everything in the world can be divided into two categories: things that can be solved with money, and things that cannot. Fortunately, your issue belonged to the former.”

The document Raul handed over was a [Pardon Permit] issued by the Alchemist Association.

It stated that all the crimes Nakia had committed in the past were pardoned and all sanctions against her were to be lifted.

Originally, Raul had prepared Nakia’s recruitment by submitting a petition to the Alchemist Association, and the response had finally arrived today.

Luckily, as five years had passed, there were few who remembered Nakia, and the association no longer had any interest in her, leading to a favorable outcome.

Of course, some influence had to be wielded under the name of the Count Ashton’s household, and a significant amount of money had to be spent, but considering Nakia’s worth, it was a trivial amount.

“Ah.”

Rather than joy, Nakia felt a sigh of emptiness escape her first.

5 years.

It could have seemed short to some, but for her, it was a hellish time comprised of despair and suffering.

Could she really have hoped to escape from it? And now, to have it all resolved in an instant?

Though countless thoughts surged through her mind, one thing was clear,

‘I was foolish. The lord is not someone I can judge frivolously.’

It’s about giving and receiving help; making transactions. These are discussions to be had among equals.

But from the beginning, Raul was on a different level. What would have been an impossible achievement for her despite a lifetime of effort, was but a minor inconvenience for him.

Moreover, now that she had already received tenfold, debating whether to repay one or two seemed not just arrogant but downright ungrateful.

“When I was very young and knew nothing, I met my mentor.”

Nakia quietly shared her past. She wanted to hide nothing from Raul, who had unlocked her shackles.

At a very young age, Nakia had caught the eye of an alchemist and was brought into the association. Her talent was exceptional, and she quickly rose through the ranks, breaking records to become the youngest titleholder. At the age of 13, she mastered 3rd circle magic, proving her aptitude as a mage as well.

But good times attract misfortune; as she dedicated herself to training in the association, her hometown was struck by a plague.

Her parents and siblings were victims, leaving only her youngest brother, Niki, alive.

Nakia took Niki in and raised him while continuing her training. Being a recognized alchemist in the association, she was financially well-off, and there was no issue in supporting their life together. However, their misfortune did not end there. In the year Niki turned six, she fell ill with a disease. Even the most skilled alchemists declared it incurable and gave up on finding a cure. Nakia blamed herself; among the substances she handled were many dangerous materials. It seemed all too likely that Niki’s illness was her fault.

For the next two years, she dedicated herself to developing a cure, forsaking sleep. By eighteen, she had reached the astounding rank of 5th circle, but it meant nothing to her. No solutions appeared, and her sister edged closer to death each day. This ultimately led to catastrophe.

[Human Alchemy]. Nakia breached the forbidden act of applying alchemical magic on humans, and her own sister no less. At the end of a forbidden human alchemy that used rare materials stolen from the association, Niki barely managed to cling to life.

But that was all. Without the medicine, she could not even stay awake, and crucially, Niki’s body had become something hardly human. Afterward, Nakia was banned from using her mana circles by the association and also expelled from it.

She had to live under surveillance to ensure she didn’t commit forbidden acts again and needed to repay the stolen items’ cost. For a while, she wandered from place to place.

Although she did not starve thanks to selling potions, the world was unkind to a young woman caring for her sick sister. It was the relative safety of the city of Mira and the ‘Divine Blessing’ that helped stabilize Niki’s condition which led them to settle there.

Click.

Raul placed a small ampoule on the table. With complex feelings, Nakia boldly opened it and swallowed its contents.

Whirring.

A warm spring breeze-like mana enveloped Nakia and danced around her. Exuberantly frolicking as if meeting an old friend, the mana soon plunged into her body.

Despite five years having passed, not a hint of awkwardness was felt. Nakia’s figure, savoring the sensations quietly with her eyes closed, looked vibrant with life.

Raul watched her with a pleased expression.

[Name]: Nakia (23)

[Level]: 68

[Occupation]: Intermediate Alchemist (5th Circle)

[Affiliation]: Free City of Mira

[Stats]: Latent Potential (S-Rank)

[Strength 43]

[Agility 48]

[Stamina 55]

[Intelligence 80]

[Mental Fortitude 77]

[Mana 78]

[Perception 81]

*Unique Traits

Young master of Alchemical Synthesis (S),

Precise Tuner (A),

Genius’ Quirk (A-), ???

Finally, having gathered herself, Nakia opened her eyes. She rose from the sofa and approached Raul, then knelt before him, bowing her head.

“From this moment on, I, Nakia, pledge my loyalty to you, young master Raul. I can only hope you become a savior to many others, as you have been to Niki and me.”

Raul stood and placed his hand upon Nakia’s head, saying, “I accept your loyalty. And I will not forget your wise counsel. In that regard, take this.”

He handed her the remaining documents from the table.

“What is this?”

“This is information about Niki’s disease, ‘Mana Filariasis’. It’s about a cure developed by a great alchemist who is no longer in this world after lengthy research. Unfortunately, parts are missing, so additional research is needed to actually produce the cure.”

“!!!”

“Nakia! Based on this information, I order you to produce a perfect cure. That is my first command to you as your lord.”

(To be continued)