A Famous Traitor and Treacherous Genius

33 – Children of the Canyon (3)

The substance called ‘white silver’ is not the substance commonly thought of as a drug.

‘It’s definitely not drugs.’

Here for a moment.

What are the definitions of drugs on this continent?

‘Drugs are a crime. It’s something you shouldn’t touch.’

According to imperial law, substances called narcotics are –

Drugs. ‘A substance that causes stimulating effects on the nervous system and causes dependence symptoms when taken long-term.’

It is called

.

In short, it is a product that causes addiction and destroys the mind if taken for a long period of time.

Silver is different.

‘This has been used for a long time.’

If you really want to be specific, silver is similar to substances such as coffee, cigarettes, and alcohol.

Somnus flower tea.

Dream powder.

Elf’s invitation.

The blessing of the succubus.

‘The name was different, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t exist.’

Silver has existed since ancient times, and has been used by many people in various ways.

‘It’s bad to abuse it. It was wrong to remodel it.’

However, it began to spread to the point where it was banned by imperial law after the fall of the kingdom.

‘Because it was used as a war weapon.’

Silver destroyed the kingdom.

‘The emperor turned silver into a drug.’

The empire converted silver into a synthetic substance and poisoned people in a completely different way from its original use.

‘Baek Eun should end as a dream.’

Silver was a kind of hope.

‘The herb used to bring hope has been turned into a substance that destroys humans.’

It was a motivation that satisfied those who took it in their dreams and then instilled hope in moving toward that dream in reality.

‘Who said that? After the fall of the kingdom, the concept of silver itself became corrupted.’

The Empire used alchemy to destroy Baeksil.

‘The white silver of the past and the white silver of the future should be called completely different substances. It was like that in reality.’

It made me pursue only the happiness of the past.

Without Baek, it made it impossible to live in the present and aim for the future.

People became ruined one by one.

My father was the same.

-White silver, bring it.

-Father.

-I have to go see your mother. Hurry.

-…Use only the correct amount. Quantitative quantity only.

My father’s happiness was in those days with his dead mother.

Every time her father slept, he looked for her mother.

If there was a positive side, it was that my father tried to escape reality by swinging a sword when he was awake.

If it were anyone else, I would have already laid down in bed and tried to sleep.

To have a happy dream even without the effect of silver.

‘The silver is actually like a free pass ticket.’

If you fall asleep 100 times in a simple lucid dream, you wonder whether or not you will enter it once.

However, ‘White Silver Dream – Lucifer Dream’ is different.

It allows you to enter the world of lucid dreaming without having to try 100 times.

‘The typical symptom of silver poisoning is sleep.’

Even if someone gets silver poisoning, there is no major health problem.

‘I’m just trying to sleep. ‘Not eating, not working.’

Just denying reality, trying to sleep, and going crazy with white silver to enter the dream more clearly?

Some may criticize it as being mentally retarded.

However, for people like my father who lost his mother, the past was happiness.

In that sense-

‘In the classical sense, we make white silver for the purpose intended by the first person who developed it.’

So that those who are frustrated and despairing in the present are not tied to the past.

Based on the happiness of the past, so that we can live ‘tomorrow’ with the hope that that happiness will exist in the future.

Keep going into your dreams, going back in time from the present and not obsessing over the past.

‘White silver to counter the white silver spread by the empire as a weapon.’

Somnus flowers are grown in the basement of the Angel’s Canyon Orphanage here and synthesized into silver.

This was the development of military supplies to oppose the emperor.

‘This is all about researching military supplies to counter the enemy’s strategic weapons.’

Never.

‘There can be no selfish intentions.’

I never developed it solely for the purpose of burning her silver and meeting her in her dreams.

‘Nothing.’

It’s definitely not because I want to see her every day in my dreams through her silver.

* * *

In a moment.

After taking a walk through the basement and thinking about the purpose of using this military material.

“Somnus tea.”

“I will give it to you.”

I sat at the table in the orphanage’s reception room.

“It’s a little hot. Be careful with your hands.”

“It’s just the right temperature.”

Nursery director Mary Lee placed tea brewed with dried somnus petals in front of me.

“Hmm… Okay. I’ll sleep well today again.”

If you brew warm flower tea and drink it before going to bed, there is nothing better for a good night’s sleep.

‘Some say that the reason why the Empire’s soldiers are one fist bigger than the Kingdom’s soldiers is because of Somnus tea.’

In particular, it has been found that drinking it in growing children has a significant impact on their development.

Not now, but in the future.

What is the status of this flower now?

‘If they’re hungry, they’ll even chew somnus roots.’

A word used when a kingdom insults an empire.

Without knowing that the flower actually made the average height of the imperial army 5cm taller.

It is such a common flower, and it is a weed that is treated as pretty trash by farmers.

‘They’ve probably razed one territory to the ground by now and planted only this one.’

I can’t hear much news from the empire, but if I recall, one territory would have been converted into a Somnus plantation.

They pretend to grow other flowers like me, but in reality they are producing somnus flowers in large quantities.

“Marylee. What is the condition of the other flowers besides the somnus flower?”

“I can’t say it’s very good. Ah, it’s not that children can’t take good care of themselves, but in the basement….”

“Even though it is a mana herb, it does require a minimum amount of sunlight. That’s okay. The goal is to research and cultivate it until it succeeds.”

“Ha, hahahaha….”

“To begin with, the somnus flower is strange. It grows well even without sunlight.”

If I were to make an excuse, I grow several flowers other than silver in the basement.

‘Although somnus is its original purpose, there should also be things grown for camouflage.’

Somnus is a control group, and its actual purpose is a magical plant that grows deep underground.

Everyone thinks that mass production of magic candles is the main purpose.

‘To deceive the enemy, you must first deceive your allies.’

Before the Empire’s Intelligence Department, the Kingdom-Morgania Intelligence Department already knew of the existence of the basement.

They will think that Gray Gibraltar is currently researching ‘magic candles that can be mass-produced underground.’

‘I wouldn’t think that Somnus itself is the goal.’

If you are an emperor, you might wonder.

‘The plan was designed so that people would laugh when they read the intelligence content, but if they noticed even after going this far, they would be a regressor like me.’

Research on magic herbs for camouflage work is not done in vain.

Since the target was White Silver, I truly risked my life and death on the camouflage of this orphanage.

In many ways.

‘If I succeed in mass producing magic candles, I will chew them every day to increase my mana.’

Normally, plants need sunlight to grow, but things like ‘mana plant’ can grow in the dark.

In this case, you need to put a glowstone on top that continuously emits mana instead of the sun’s sunlight –

‘It’s not like Gibraltar doesn’t have that much money.’

A method in which the light of mana emitted by casting a light spell on a magic stone is condensed into a magic candle.

This is also one of the research technologies of the future empire.

Fortunately, it is one of the technologies that has not been developed yet.

‘The problem is that this cannot be made public without permission, and progress is slower than expected.’

This technology was researched by graduate students at the Imperial Academy.

In other words, it was developed by researchers who were adults or older – even those with higher education at universities.

If we leave it in the hands of children who have picked it up from various places and run it with the mindset of ‘just give it a try’, there is no way it will succeed.

‘It’s okay. That failure will become the cornerstone of silver production.’

Children don’t know.

‘Practice with magic candle as much as you like.’

As I instructed, dry the magic herb, grind it, extract the juice, mix it with other liquids, and cool it.

‘That way, when I make bags later, I will be able to manufacture them skillfully.’

That series of processes are all training to create a certain synthetic material.

‘Even young children sometimes have greater dexterity than adults.’

Although it may be work for adults.

Because it may feel like ‘play’ to children.

‘It’s going well.’

If all goes according to my plan, results will be achieved within the next 5 years – 3 years at the earliest.

If only the material corresponding to ‘silver’ in white silver can be secured on a regular basis –

‘This place will immediately be turned into a manufacturing plant.’

You can freely produce refined white silver by combining it with Somnus flowers.

‘I can’t tell you all these things, it’s a pain in the ass.’

Because my father does not understand this part.

-Nursery centers are at a loss. It would be better to turn it into a soldier training center.

-Father.

-Shouldn’t you pay for what you paid?

It was determined that the nursery was not productive at all.

-Do you really think that growing these flowers underground will generate enough funds to feed your children?

-How about giving those flowers to your mother?

-It is a separate issue from your mother. I’m serious too.

The special move for avoiding the skin and the mother’s excuses didn’t work either.

-Up to 100 children and 30 Gasol. The cost of running a daycare center alone exceeds hundreds of millions per month.

-…….

-More than 70% of these are basement research costs. If the results are like this, we have no choice but to have the children in the basement participate in physical training as well.

If the deficit continues, the father plans to put all the children in the orphanage to manual labor.

‘It will never work.’

Only 12 out of 90 children have the talent to become knights, but it is possible to become a security guard for patrolling the territory or maintaining public order even if you have above-average physical strength.

‘We can’t put helmets on future pharmacists and raise security guards.’

So you have to show results.

Successful mass production of magic candles.

Whether it is manufacturing real white silver.

Or-

‘Whether we find the sword master-level talent my father wants and maintain the current management of the orphanage.’

Produce a true sword master.

Even if the budget is broken in hundreds of millions of dollars per month, it is not a waste of money if you create just one Sword Master within 10 years.

On the contrary, such nurseries will be springing up all over the place.

After the Imperial Academy was established in the empire and achieved results, just as the nobles established their own private academies.

‘If the orphanage is successful, the number of orphanages will immediately increase throughout the kingdom.’

The kingdom’s nobles will also collect orphans to ‘pick’ a sword master.

Because nobles are such people.

‘Me too.’

Take a moment to check your watch.

The time on my watch is already approaching 9 PM, and it is already dark outside, making it difficult to walk down the road without a torch.

“Is there another hour until curfew?”

After the kidnapping incident, a curfew was placed in the mansion.

No matter how much I am, I cannot go outside the mansion after 10 PM.

So.

Kkiik.

The door opens.

“Hey, I heard you called me.”

“Yes. Wow, seeing you washed up like this, you really look like a master from a noble family.”

The boy with silver hair changed from a scruffy look to the appearance of an aristocratic master who would be seen at a banquet hall.

“It was because I traveled a long distance and was covered in dust. I guess I ate and slept well on a regular basis.”

“Yes, yes….”

“Okay, sit here.”

Ethan Cesar came into the living room hesitantly.

“Marylee. I’d like you to bring me something. I need your ears.”

“Yes. …Yes?”

“Oh, that’s what I heard.”

“…I understand.”

Although Mary Lee was startled for a moment, she soon bowed her head and left the living room.

“Sedan Ezar. I only have 30 minutes from now on. Let’s sit down.”

“…I’m Ethan.”

“Oh, yes. Is that so? Sorry. I’m not good at memorizing people’s names.”

You probably heard it as a warning.

“There is no reason to remember a passing relationship that does not need to be memorized.”

To me, not being able to remember your name means that you are not that important of a person yet.

“Of all the children in the orphanage, I can count on one hand. hahahaha.”

“…….”

“You’re probably curious. Yes. Why was I suddenly called in like this? I called you in to have a quick chat.”

I filled the teacup with somnus tea.

“You have 30 minutes until I drink all of this tea. If you don’t convince me during that time, you will be the first child to be kicked out of this race.”

“Yes?!”

Ethan was scared and tried to jump up.

“Sit down.”

I put my index finger down with my outstretched hand, and Ethan immediately sat down again, squirming.

“Looking at your condition, it would be easier to have a smooth conversation if you simply answered my questions. Ethan Cesar. Who recommended you to the orphanage?”

“My name is Madame Myrddin.”

“Ah, yes. Lady Myrddin. Our family’s tutor and our beloved Lethar’s etiquette teacher. She is a very kind and good person. She has a lot of sympathy.”

Horok.

“I guess I’ll have to cut off Lady Myrddin’s head.”

“……!!”

“If he did it out of kindness, he was incompetent, and if he did it intentionally, it was an attempt to accuse the count of treason.”

“…….??”

It seems that Ethan doesn’t understand.

“Our family will become the guardians of all children left in the orphanage. And you are a descendant of a naval officer who was stripped of his title due to defeat in the war.”

“Ah….”

Is it because you have the talent of a future hero and master?

“Gibraltar accepts the descendants of those who committed crimes. And those who were soldiers. This is a perfect structure to hear that they are plotting a treason.”

Or maybe it’s because I’ve been secretly hearing something since the day I arrived.

“Yes. I would have told someone, ‘You shouldn’t go to Gibraltar,’ or ‘Gibraltar won’t accept you.'”

Since you give them a little hint, they come up with the correct answer right away before you even say it.

“Because you were ‘Cesar’ before you were Ethan. Accepting you would be like directly insulting the royal family.”

“……!!”

“Is it unfair? But what can I do? There are enemies everywhere in Gibraltar, and I don’t want to take the risk of embracing a land mine called you.”

“Well, I’m like that…!”

“Or are you a spy sent by Lady Myrddin?”

“No!! Huh…!”

Ethan screamed, but then covered his mouth with both hands.

“Yes. How dare you raise your voice. I have to go to bed soon, so don’t make a fuss.”

I drank the tea again.

“Still, if you want to stay here, you have to clearly show your will, right? As an ordinary citizen, Ethan, a commoner no different from anyone else.”

“…….”

“I arrived just in time.”

Kkiik.

The door opens.

“Welcome, Marylee. Leave it here on the table.”

Mary Lee came in with a large basket in her arms and, following my instructions, placed it on her table.

“This is….”

“It’s a somnus flower. It has no commercial value. Poor and starving children make porridge with it and eat it.”

It looks like there are about 100 flowers.

“They are weeded out of the underground environment.”

I picked up a somnus flower with a withered end.

“Eat everything. Everything here, everything.”

“……!!”

“It’s good for your body.”

If mana cannot be awakened, the sword master’s talent cannot stand out.

“Before I finish drinking the tea, eat all the somnus flowers in this basket. Then, I will see your will and make a suggestion to your father.”

Somnus flowers just taste like weeds.

Fortunately, it is not tough, so chewing it does not cause much of a problem.

‘If you eat this much, your father will know right away when he reads the mana.’

The size of the mana channel flowing through Ethan’s body.

Ethan Cesar’s ‘Master’s Vessel’.

“It’s all for you.”

In order to awaken that talent, it is necessary to stimulate dormant mana.

“Is this… Torture?”

“Torture? Wow, there is an idiot who doesn’t catch the rope sent down from the sky.”

I opened the lid of the teapot and lifted the somnus petals inside.

“There is no way to explain how good this is for your health.”

It makes you taller, your physique expands, your mana increases, and it is the best medicine for men.

“Medicine that is good for the body is usually bitter in the mouth.”

“Huh, huh…?!”

Squishy.

Perhaps because it is dried and then steeped, it is a little tougher than fresh flowers.

“Show your will. If you can’t even do this, there is no place for you in Gibraltar.”

Master’s talent?

Heroes of the past?

Bad luck that killed your younger brother?

“There is no reason to raise a dog that does not follow its owner’s commands.”

None of that matters now.

“Eat.”