The full moon hung high, and in the dead of this night, we sat in a carriage, making our way home through deserted, desolate mountains. The occasional crack of the whip and the sound of the carriage wheels entering the cabin felt like a subtle, almost unreal rhythm.
It was almost October, but the weather remained oppressively hot, especially when you were sitting in a carriage, alone with a beautiful, sensual woman.
"Master, those magic stones, while a bargain, are of unknown origin. I'm afraid they won't be easy to sell."
In the spacious carriage, large enough to lie down crosswise, there was only her and me. She was my assistant and secretary, an orphan adopted and raised by my family since childhood. Her name was Ameliss.
She had short, golden hair, a gentle yet sharp, pretty face, and was dressed in a stunning, short, off-the-shoulder dark blue evening gown that revealed her captivating, ample bosom and graceful long legs. Even after five years of being with her day in and day out, I still couldn't help but stare.
"I'm sorry, Ameliss, I didn't expect these regular meetings to run so late."
"You overstate it. This is my duty."
Leaning on the soft sofa opposite her, I carefully averted my gaze from beneath her alluring skirt, fiddling with a ring on my middle finger, and slowly looked out of the carriage to admire the night.
Ameliss smiled faintly, not showing any displeasure that I had avoided her question. Since she was assigned to me by the family, she had never been able to truly grasp my thoughts. Perhaps it was I who deliberately kept her guessing.
I came from a prominent family, the Radell family, who held military power in the Empire. From a young age, I was sent to the Empire's highest academy, the Chiara Military School. However, I gave up on the most popular subjects, choosing to study Summoning and Alchemy, which were considered "crippled" subjects. Because of this decision, I even had a fight with the old stubborn man of the house – the one known as the Empire's Great General, the mixed-up man who accidentally sired me.
My grades at school were always at the bottom. The reason was that I disliked the incredibly boring homework and exams, and to this day, I'm still known as an over-aged repeater and haven't graduated, even breaking the school's 1,100-year record for the longest time without graduating.
However, just when I was being ridiculed as the family's disgrace, a turning point appeared in my life. I was set up by political rivals of my family, assigned to Febenli City, a desolate capital on the northern border, and forced to defend against 150,000 half-beast invading the border with only 5,000 young men.
Those powerful figures had intended to eliminate me using someone else's hand, but today, I could still comfortably sit in a carriage admiring a beautiful woman. It went without saying what the outcome of that war was. It was also because of that battle that I was appointed Lord of the Northern Febenli County by the Imperial family and granted the title of Baron. The bald prime minister who had pushed me to my supposed death had a look of utter shock that made my father and brother burst into laughter.
"Ameliss, are the preparations for the Harvest Festival going smoothly?"
"Please rest assured, everything is going very well. Approximately 80% of the nation's major merchants have replied to us, and a rough estimate puts their attendance rate at no less than 75%. Additionally, the festival arena north of the capital is in its final stages and should be completed within about a week. As for the honor guard, fireworks, and various ceremonies, simulation rehearsals have already begun."
"Mm, you've worked hard. I just hope it won't be so hot then."
Within the Empire, the Harvest Festival is the most significant holiday of the year. This festival is held annually, but its location changes each year. Since five years ago, under my leadership, this county, which had been desolate for many years, has continuously flourished. Febenli City was once mockingly called "Waste-benli City," but in five years, it miraculously jumped to become the third-largest city in the country, influencing 1.75% of the national economic revenue.
Even for this year's Harvest Festival, I leveraged my wealth and influence to defeat the other fifty-six county cities across the nation and win the right to host it. The reason I was simply because of my underestimated Alchemy.
It was actually by chance. I had originally only intended to refine an ultimate aphrodisiac. Although the experiments failed several times, some by-products were invented. Among these by-products was a resurrection medicine... not for the dead, though...
I called it Viagra. Besides Viagra, there was also Divine Oil for enhancing endurance, Breast Enhancement Pills for women, and Fat Reduction Water.
At that time, I sought out a merchant's daughter who had been falsely accused of treason. I used my family's power to clear her name, then funded her to rebuild her family business, and made her the exclusive agent for my alchemical by-products.
When the products were launched into the market, the demand was so high that even I was surprised. I never imagined that so many people in the Empire had sexual problems.
"Ameliss, when will the Imeloo Merchant Group arrive?"
"It should be tomorrow evening. I've already assigned a specialist to welcome them. I will inform the Third Young Master immediately when they arrive."
Looking at the beautiful woman before me, besides her undeniable beauty, her work efficiency was also first-class. At least, so far, I haven't found another talent who could replace her.
Perhaps the carriage was getting hotter, or perhaps it was because I thought of that person from the Imeloo Merchant Group, but I felt myself getting flushed all over and finally couldn't help but act.
"By the name of Avanti, summon Snow Orb!"
A small ball of pure white fuzz suddenly appeared in my palm, and the previously stuffy carriage slowly began to cool down. A very peculiar expression flashed across Ameliss's face, a mix of surprise and sadness, and to me, even a touch of wonder.
This was the first time in five years I had used summoning magic in front of her.
"I didn't expect you, Third Young Master, to finally be willing to use this magic in front of me."
"Is that so? I apologize, but aside from women and money, I'm quite forgetful about other things."
Ameliss was momentarily stunned, then finally gave me a reproachful look. Perhaps influenced by her gaze, I suddenly felt a strange sensation, as if tonight was an unusual night. I gently let go, and the small ball of fuzz slowly floated in mid-air, while Ameliss stared at the little creature curiously, seemingly very fond of this adorable thing.
This ball of fuzz was actually a failed experiment; its abilities were very limited, only its appearance was presentable. Of course, I, who advocated for making the most of everything, would still fully utilize its strengths.
Just as Ameliss's attention was drawn to the snow orb, I secretly peeked under her skirt.
Suddenly, Ameliss's expression changed dramatically, and I couldn't help but be startled.
Could I have been discovered...?
As I busied myself shifting my gaze, I finally realized the reason for Ameliss's reaction.
Outside the carriage, an abnormally powerful magical energy was fluctuating constantly.
I rushed out of the carriage, pushed aside a knight, and borrowed his horse. At the same time, a blinding flash of light erupted ahead, and I galloped towards the source of the light without hesitation.