Epic Of The Demonic Sage



'Hmm, I haven't thought about it earlier, but his complaints and circumstances are actually symbiotic in the plan that I wish to implement.'

"Ah, forgive me for complaining." Benjamin scratched his head and bowed a little sheepishly. "I have already vented in the past about this, and it might have been too much if this is what Lord Asher recommends me."

"… I suppose it is difficult to get one parent's trust," Lucius said.

It was hardly the case for Lucius. In his previous world, his parents were nothing more… almost just as irrelevant, or maybe even more irrelevant than the siblings that he killed with his own hands.

Meanwhile, it also took some effort on 'Lord Asher's' part to gain the trust of the Count and Countess when they originally chose to build Dionysia's Brewery and he worked himself from up there.

Not that Lucius could and would relay such vital information to the young man with him.

"But Lord Asher seems to have a great relationship with the Count and Countess. The Masked Legion Mercenary is in contact with you and the Count is it not, and the same could be said for the rehabilitation center. My father says that the apple does not fall far from the tree, because Count Inanis was also the one who chose to implement academies to train future servants… but what does that make me with my own father?" Benjamin chuckled sheepishly.

"Hmm, if Baron Hugh is difficult to please with all of his demands and it does not work out with you, Lord Benjamin… I confess that I have something to tell you."

"Confess to me?" Benjamin blinked and became a little nervous. His head start to go in multiple directions but the most prevalent one was this.

'Is this the part where Lord Asher says that I cannot be like him. He must have already proved himself from such a young age and I wouldn't have any way of catching up… it's why my father is forcing me to be here right now. To learn, even as much as I can… but it's not like people are the same as books.'

"It's not something for you to worry about. In fact, it might be something that you would find useful."

"Useful… confession?" Benjamin looked lost.

"Yes, I was actually looking for someone to work as my administrative head." Lucius explained at last. "If you are in need of capital to start your business venture… what do you think of coming to work for me?"

Benjamin's eyes widened and he stared at Lucius with his mouth hanging slightly open.

Out of everything that he expected to come out of the mouth of Lord Asher, it was hardly the proposal for work.

"M-Me? Work?" Benjamin pointed at himself unsurely. "You wish for me to work for you, Lord Asher? Are you sure about this…? I do not think that I am especially equipped for such a role…"

"Mmhmm, I am serious." Lucius said. "While you are not confident about your ability, Lord Benjamin. I think that you have what it takes."

"You… you truly think so, Lord Asher?"

"Hmm, if I have to relay the reasons why I have chosen you, Lord Benjamin, then I might be able to convince you." Lucius said.

"If it's not a bother." 

"Haha, of course not. One of the reasons is already your background as Baron Hugh's son, Lord Benjamin. I am by far aware that compared to Inanis City, Etara's Cross is much more monumental to the trade than ours." Lucius said. "Hence why Baron Hugh is a bit hard on you since the trade between differing cities and travelers is of much importance."

"I… I understand that well, Lord Asher. But that does not mean…"

"Compared to others around our age, perhaps it will be difficult to find someone who is as well-versed with business than you already are, Lord Benjamin."

"There are others older than us…"

"And I am taking age into the factor, I wish for us to have an amicable working relationship."

Benjamin was surprised, but could also understand why.

'It's much easier to talk when you two are of the same age. If Lord Asher were to hire someone older and more experienced than him, even if he were a noble, it would be a different dynamic altogether. In fact, even talking to my own father is difficult, what more if it were other people? They'll all presume that they know better than me…'

"Is that all, Lord Asher?" Benjamin asked.

Lucius chuckled and his eyes gleamed as he looked at the young man, the Hell Aether within him being used to active his Nexus.

"I have also chosen and selected you base on your Gift, Lord Benjamin. A Rare Gift such as the Book Archiver… is extremely special." Lucius said.

"But it's not really as great as others…"

"Do you remember whom you are speaking to, Lord Benjamin?" Lucius asked.

Benjamin stopped in his tracks and froze. Even though they were nearly the same age, the son of a Baron and the son of a Count were of still different hierarchies.

"My apologies for speaking informally to you, Lord Asher, I do not…"

"I am speaking about me being known for not having a gift." Lucius said. It was a cryptic message. Viscount Felldan would easily parse the meaning behind the words, but the ones who didn't know how to catch it would find themselves deceived easily.

It wasn't even a lie.

Truth in all its technicality.

The obfuscation of words was better as a form of lying, instead of not hiding things completely, but mixing it in with the truth or having the statement appear like something else.

"A-ah!" Benjamin's eyes widened and the warning of his father immediately came to him. If his earlier apology was already worded deeply, this kind of apology was even more important.

Lucius smiled in amusement. He was eager to know what kind of person Benjamin was and how he might respond to what he gave him.

Was it all book smarts?