Chapter 21: Good News and Bad News!
As Zorn approached his estate, he spotted a figure standing near the gate from a distance. It was Isaac, the young rat catcher, coming to deliver the gray rats.
In recent days, Zorn had been purchasing large quantities of gray rats from Bevis, the rat catcher, including some remarkably large mutated ones. All of these were preparations for the upcoming "Evil Spirit Sorcerer" sequence.
“Isaac,” Zorn greeted as he dismounted from the carriage.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Zorn!” Isaac, wearing a worn felt hat, responded somewhat timidly.
“This time, there are twelve gray rats in total, two of which are mutated. Also, my mentor asked me to tell you that the sewers have been overrun with rats lately, and they’re bolder than usual. There might even be a plague of rats soon.”
Zorn handed the tied-up rats to old Nero, paid the fee, and added a bonus for the trouble.
“I will write to the city hall,” Zorn said.
In the young rat catcher’s eyes, Zorn was a nobleman with influence over the city of Ograne. Yet Zorn knew all too well that, within this vast political center of power, his “noble” status was barely noticeable—no different from an ordinary person, unnoticed and unimportant.
Still, he would do what was within his means, such as writing to the city hall.
After Nero drove the carriage into the estate, Zorn lowered his voice.
“Tonight... your mentor will pass on the ‘Rat Catcher’ sequence to you, right?”
Isaac blinked, then nodded.
Zorn smiled softly and spoke slowly, “Tonight, many changes will come.”
“During the inheritance ritual, be patient, Isaac. You will witness many fascinating things.”
“Remember! The prey has not yet appeared, so as a hunter, there’s no need to rush.”
The young Isaac furrowed his brow, not quite understanding the deeper meaning behind these words from the respected young noble, but he committed them to memory.
“I will relay your words to my mentor.”
Zorn nodded slightly.
With Bevis’s experience and insight, he would understand what Zorn meant.
Once Isaac disappeared down the street, Zorn proceeded into the estate.
...
Unconsciously, dusk was falling.
Emerging from the dimly lit underground stairs, he twisted the double-serpent ring on his middle finger.
In the underground chamber, he conducted another small round of sacrifice, feeding the double-serpent ring.
As he nurtured this forbidden artifact, his vision sharpened, especially his keen insight into living beings and moving objects.
Forbidden relics grant tremendous power to the extraordinary, but they exact a heavy toll.
The greater the forbidden power one bears, the higher the price to pay.
His vision flickered, and the player panel appeared before him.
...
[Star Scar · Fighter] (30th Anniversary Limited Edition) (Untradeable)
Level: 1 (16%)
[Talent]
Iron Will · Steel Bones (SS Rank): You possess a will and body as unyielding as steel.
[Skill]
Basic · Skull-cracking Punch: LV0 (31%)
...
Though his level and supernatural skill levels had not risen, his experience was steadily accumulating.
Accumulation and patience were key to future growth in level and skill.
The sun had set, and the crimson afterglow faded, casting a thin veil of blood-red over the sky.
In the small sitting room, he waited for dinner.
The old butler, Glanck, hurried in.
“I hope I bring some good news.”
“Master Zorn, I have one good news and one bad news. Which would you like to hear first?”
Zorn twitched his eye.
“Let’s start with the good news.”
“The good news is that the pharmacology instructor at Ograne City Public University read your letter and is very interested. He hopes to meet with you. I’ve arranged a meeting next Wednesday afternoon.”
Zorn nodded slightly. That was indeed good news.
If the other party was willing to engage, Zorn was confident he could win them over.
After all, he possessed many ready-made potions and magical formulae.
His knowledge of pharmacology and potion-making was far ahead of his era.
Steadying his mind, Zorn asked, “And the bad news?”
“The bad news is that when I sought suitable factories, the owners told me the ‘Steam Factory Act’ is about to be enacted. Almost no factory owner is willing to sell their steam factory; they’re holding out for higher prices. Such cunning merchants.”
“The ‘Steam Factory Act’ is about to be enacted?”
Zorn raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, Master Zorn. I even went to city hall and asked some friends. Their answers were affirmative.”
Hearing this, Zorn smiled softly.
“Uncle Glanck, that is the real good news!”
Glanck was taken aback.
“This... is good news?”
“I’ve heard that the ‘Steam Factory Act’ mainly limits the number of steam factories. That’s why existing factory owners feel so emboldened and can demand exorbitant prices.”
Zorn waved his hand lightly.
“If the law were that simple, it would be fine.”
“Let’s hold off on the steam factory matter for now. I believe some factories will sell at reasonable prices.”
Though puzzled, Glanck chose to trust Zorn.
After all, Zorn had been exposed to supernatural power lately and always made precise and accurate judgments.
He needed only to follow Master Zorn’s orders.
The Steam Factory Act did limit the number of factories, which was good.
But many substandard factories failing pollution standards would receive administrative orders to rectify within a deadline.
Failure to comply would result in heavy taxation.
Some would be directly shut down and confiscated.
Clearly, the Ograne City Council had recognized the serious problems caused by steam factory pollution.
If left unchecked, it could lead to disastrous consequences.
Once the Steam Factory Act took effect, at least two-thirds of steam factories would be affected.
Many poorly managed factories would be sold at a discount.
Factories that once cost 10,000 or 8,000 gold pounds might now be acquired for half the price.
That... was the true good news.
After Glanck joined him for dinner, and after giving some instructions, Zorn silently entered the ritual chamber beneath the estate.
Night had fallen.
The Blood Moon would soon reach its destined position.
Zorn would, in the first crimson glow, arrive at his rightful place to receive the inheritance and then hide away.
As the blood-red moon bathed the land,
Countless gazes would converge upon the threads of fate.
As the core of the evil deity, the "Evil Spirit Sorcerer" would attract most of these eyes.
Certain sequences naturally draw attention; they cannot be tolerated and must be eliminated.
The Evil Spirit Sorcerer was such a sequence—among the foremost.
Therefore, Zorn needed to prepare thoroughly.
He must remain as unnoticed as possible, and if discovered, conceal his unique nature to avoid targeted attacks.
Only then could he develop steadily and discreetly.
...
In the dark and silent chamber,
Zorn placed his palm upon the altar’s ritual curtain.
“Er... Gu... Nu... S…”
“Er... Gu... Nu... S…”
The low, resonant, melodious whisper swirled like a vortex, blooming deep within Zorn’s soul.
It was the call of an ancient evil god.
For others, hearing such a secret, ancient deity’s call would likely transform them into horrific abominations or writhing scraps of flesh and blood.
But Zorn remained calm.
In the ancient Tyrian language,
“Ergunus” meant “head,” “soul,” “master.”
All pointing to the perfect vessel—the bearer himself: Zorn Corick.
This power was inherently his.
At this moment, the Evil Spirit Sorcerer sequence urgently sought to awaken, to reach its proper station.
But Zorn did not initiate the ritual.
“Patience... this is the key to success,” he whispered as he lay dormant in the twilight, awaiting that crimson ray.