Chapter 49
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Bernard Sherman
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Would it feel like this if a herbalist out gathering herbs on an ordinary day suddenly stumbled upon a thousand-year-old snow ginseng?
Meeting Bernard Sherman here was sheer heavenly luck.
Bernard pushed his glasses back up his nose.
"Do you really know me?"
Know him? Of course I did.
"I've taken an interest in that field, you see. I heard rumors about a noble's son who loves inventing."
Though it was a matter far in the future.
Back then, there wasn't a soul on the continent who didn't know Bernard's name.
The so-called 'Bernard Corporation.' A genius who distributed his inventions across the entire continent.
From everyday necessities for commoners to weapons for knights and magic tools for mages.
In my first life, their ideas had permeated nearly every field.
And every product bore the words 'Bernard Corporation' stamped on it.
How could anyone not know?
The future titan stared at me curiously.
"I never imagined someone from House Pador would be interested in that field... Ah!"
Bernard scratched his head.
"I didn't mean it that way. House Pador is such a prestigious sword family... Nobles usually aren't into this sort of thing."
He twisted his ring slightly, and a faint blue glow emanated from it.
"What's that?"
I was dying to know.
Bernard's first invention!
"Oh, this ring? Well, it's a portable seal! Nobles have to stamp documents or sign things all the time, right? No need to carry pens or seals around anymore—just press the ring onto paper anywhere, anytime!"
Huh?
I'd imagined something like curing poison or deploying a powerful weapon.
It was a bit underwhelming, but this guy was definitely Bernard, right?
That's what mattered—nothing else did.
No need to gorge on the first sip.
Against my inner thoughts, I flashed a bright smile.
"That's brilliant! No more lugging around separate seals."
"You get it! Exactly—eliminating even the tiniest inconveniences. That's what this ring does!"
"Is... that so...?"
I had no idea.
Never even occurred to me as an issue.
Who even finds that inconvenient?
But hearing it now, it sounded pretty clever.
Humans invent things precisely because they can't tolerate those little annoyances.
Come to think of it, all of Bernard's inventions were like that.
No wonder they say, 'A person is their reputation.'
Bernard went on to demonstrate a few more features.
Most seemed utterly pointless... but I feigned fascination. I needed to keep the conversation going with him, after all.
Maybe because of my positive reaction?
Bernard's eyes curved into a smile.
"You're fascinating, Deyan. You've stayed out of the public eye until now, then suddenly showed off your skills—and you appreciate my inventions too. Most other nobles in the empire just shake their heads, but you seem truly special!"
That wasn't it.
History is the mirror of humanity, isn't it?
I'd seen the mistake reflected in that mirror.
The empire's mistake.
Back then, inventor Bernard Sherman sought a noble patron who would recognize his worth and support him—but he was turned away everywhere.
Heartbroken, Bernard left the empire... for the city-state alliance.
And after that? Well, what happened next is history.
A massive jackpot. Inventions that upended life for all humanity, earth-shattering stuff. Nobles wept in regret, lament, and remorse.
So.
No way I'd make that mistake.
I replied to Bernard with a kindly expression.
"It's not me—it's your inventions that are outstanding. Bernard, I'd love to have a deeper talk. Got some time?"
Unlike when boasting about his gadgets, Bernard awkwardly gestured to his shabby clothes.
"I've always got time, haha."
The inventor who would one day sweep up the world's wealth, dressed like this.
What a stark contrast between past and future.
Just as I was about to dive into a real conversation with him.
"Lord Deyan, Lord Ran Pador summons you."
"Hm?"
The butler who was always with Ran Pador had come for me.
Ran Pador?
"He... Ah."
After the chaos at Ran Pador's birthday party, it would've been weirder if he hadn't called.
This was the Pador estate's villa, and the birthday boy himself wanted to meet—who was I to refuse?
I had to go.
I tried to set a time with Bernard first, but he backed away preemptively.
"I-I'll be going! If you're ever curious about my inventions later, just ask for Bernard in Ehalin Village!"
He must've figured he didn't belong here.
"Sure, I'll make sure to visit."
"Th-thank you!"
No rush anyway. I'd located Bernard now—I could seek him out later. I nodded and bid him farewell.
Then, to the waiting butler:
"Alright... let's go."
"This way."
I followed the butler to the drawing room.
Why was Ran Pador calling me?
Probably the duel, mostly.
I'd bruised his pride fighting Gilpert North, after all.
Yeah, I should apologize for that.
I'd gone overboard too—might as well offer fitting compensation.
With that settled, I entered the drawing room.
Surprisingly, Pador's second son, Ran Pador, greeted me with a smile.
"Come in, Lord Deyan."
"...?"
He wasn't angry?
"After that duel, are you alright?"
"Fine. No injuries."
"Impressive..."
A glint appeared in Ran Pador's eyes.
"Amazing. Someone this strong, staying out of sight all this time."
"Circumstances."
Ran Pador smiled faintly.
"I won't pry. Everyone has secrets."
"Appreciate that, but why'd you call me? Not for birthday wishes, I hope. Or an apology for the duel?"
"Would you give birthday wishes or an apology if I asked?"
I schooled my face to blankness, ready to clap.
If he asked, I'd do it.
"Not a big deal."
"You're an interesting one."
Ran Pador pointed to the chessboard on the table.
"Do you play chess?"
Not your average board—the pieces and squares gleamed like artwork, ornate yet sharp.
"Played a lot as a kid."
"Good. Then you know the state of this game."
The pieces were already advanced.
Nothing standout at first glance, but anyone who knew chess would see Black held an absolute advantage.
I answered nonchalantly.
"Black's got the edge. Great positioning. Big skill gap here—whoever set this up."
"Perfect. Just as I intended."
"Intended?"
"I set it up myself."
"..."
What was he trying to show me?
Not boredom—he wouldn't play alone for that.
This board meant something. To draw out his bait, I'd need to bite a little.
I told Ran Pador:
"Playing alone must be dull. I'll join you."
"Excellent. I'm delighted."
Ran Pador moved a piece without a word.
"I see this chessboard as the current state of the continent."
"The continent's state?"
Then who were Black and White?
Black as the empire, owning over half the land? White the rest?
No.
The empire was strong, but not aggressively so anymore—and the other nations weren't weak.
Unclear who he'd pegged as what.
I gave my honest take.
"No clue. Tried every major power, but nothing fits."
"Really? Funny, they come to mind for me."
Come to mind?
Now that he said it...
One did pop up for me too.
The Evil Society and the continent.
It fit perfectly—a calm surface hiding a storm about to break.
Black as the Evil Society, White as the continent. Spot on.
But was that it?
I glanced at Ran Pador.
He wore an enigmatic smile.
The Evil Society?
It flashed through my mind.
Plausible. A man rallying empire nobles, brimming with ambition.
Still, too early to judge.
No info.
Just future Pador moves—Ran expanded influence but nothing suspicious.
He even clashed with the new emperor and empress after the old one's death.
One thing certain: Ran Pador knew the world's underbelly.
"Fun. Guessing game? You mentioning it jogged something for me too..."
If he was hiding info, I'd hide mine.
My bait tossed, Ran Pador's lip curled.
He knew.
He'd sat me down for this match to gain something from me.
Then?
Time to meet him as an equal.
Ran Pador smiled leisurely.
"Oh? Care to share what came to mind?"
"Nope—I'm curious too. Here's a proposal: We each predict Black and White's moves based on our views... and play them out?"
"Sounds fun. Either way works for me."
Acting all relaxed?
As if he could read me no matter what.
Let's test if his confidence matched his skill.
"Alright, I'll take Black."
Never show teeth to the enemy.
Deceive as much as possible.
Ran Pador moved White's pawn.
Didn't shift the disadvantage, but solid standard play against Black.
"My opening move."
"Expected something bold. That's surprisingly orthodox."
"When you don't know Black's intentions, don't you step carefully, one by one?"
True if Black was the Evil Society.
Now, what to do? This wasn't mere chess.
Each move carried meaning—predicting true continental shifts.
To grasp his intent and identity, I needed a shocking play.
Luckily, no one was more suited than me.
I knew the future.
In my first life, when I caught on to the Evil Society.
Didn't know their goal, but roughly how they moved.
I captured Black's bishop.
From now on, I was the Evil Society.
If he truly was, he'd scoff and crush me.
If not, rage.
Either way, fine.
If tied to them, kill this future thorn here. If not feasible, extract info.
If no tie, confirm who recognized them.
Time to test his face.
I moved the bishop next.
Not eating White's pawns—center-left, a spot reaching anywhere, eating anyone.
And added:
"Continent's state, huh? I'll play along. Let's say that White knight is one house."
"...?"
Ran Pador eyed me suddenly.
Thought only he could read the board?
I tossed him a riddle.
"So what's this bishop? Guess."
He moved a rook, not the knight.
Seemed like sacrificing the knight, but actually protected it.
"Getting scary. Alright, let's do it."
Then our match unfolded.
My pawn moved, his bishop countered; knight met bishop, sometimes queen pulled a brilliant stroke.
Meanwhile, I scanned his room with my senses.
If he approached me with intent, Evil Society or not.
He'd have safeguards for himself.
Or a hidden blade to eliminate me on judgment.
Either way, scout ahead.
My hyper senses caught the hidden presences.
Gotcha.
One on the ceiling, one floor, two per side wall.
Thoroughly concealed.
No amateurs. If they joined him, I'd be at a disadvantage.
Head-on, that is.
Earlier, pretending to play, I'd poisoned enemy pieces.
He'd brushed his nose or lip with them, oblivious.
Inevitable poisoning.
Hiding my thoughts, I kept moving pieces. As the end neared, Ran Pador's face twisted oddly.
As intended.
The board was bizarre to anyone.
"Interesting..."
Ran Pador read it and laughed hollowly.
Makes sense.
I hadn't touched his king. Even with chances, I relentlessly dismantled all other pieces.
Not checkmate victory—aiming to conquer the whole continent.
"Fun? Feels brutal to me. If this is the continent, just target that one king."
I tapped his king.
"What's the goal? And funny thing—if so, you could've ignored my moves to chase my king, but you protected the others?"
He guarded every pawn; I eradicated them all.
Our styles revealed intents subtly.
This board told me what Ran Pador was.
Not Evil Society.
They wouldn't care about losing pawns.
Then who?
I smirked, probing him.
"Curious. Whoever you have in mind, seems like too much to protect."
Ran Pador's face twisted for the first time.
With a chilling glare, he replied:
"Who are you?"
No answer—I took his last piece with my pawn.
King captured.
His gaze lingered on the fallen king.
As he looked up, four knights loomed like gods, swords at my throat.
Each formidable—no, stronger than Ran Pador before me.
Some guest treatment.
As they moved to strike, Ran Pador staggered. Mana circulation accelerated the poison.
To play chess demands courage—not just for foe, but self.
I warned the knights reaching for me like chess pieces:
"Move, and he dies."
Their blades halted at my nose.