MBD | Chapter 13

Viktor von Grabenhaupt.

He was a young head of the Grabenhaupt family, having just inherited the position in his early thirties.

Among young nobles and the wealthy heirs of the Bergent families, he was quite popular.

Especially because Viktor spoke out about issues that young people cared about—such as job discrimination between magicians and non-magicians, racial issues, market reforms, and educational equality.

Older and more conservative folks didn’t like him, but among the Bergent circles and commoners, he had a solid fanbase.

A magazine even conducted a survey, and the results showed a high approval rating for Viktor among the younger generation.

At a glance, he appeared to be a young noble passionate about reform and social issues.

But Everhart knew the real face behind the mask.

‘Ah, reality check: he’s just an attention-seeker.’

The Grabenhaupt family was a second-rate household. Not prestigious enough to sit at the table with the top five noble families, yet still better off than the completely ruined third-rate nobles who were looked down upon even by capitalists.

A spineless fool who mingled with capitalists, claiming that the nobility system should be abolished, yet desperately wanting to be part of the upper class.

Market reforms for the Bergents? Abolishing discrimination against non-magicians? Expanding mandatory education?

All just a mix of fancy words he had heard somewhere, sprinkled with trendy topics that people liked to hear. In reality, he didn’t give a damn about any of it.

And above all, contrary to his public image, anyone who actually knew him was well aware that Viktor was anything but discreet.

‘God, it nearly gave me a headache trying to remember all this.’

Kang Woojin didn’t remember every tiny detail of the novel either.

But after staying up all night agonizing over Graf’s request for ten million gold, Viktor was the conclusion he arrived at.

The Grabenhaupt family would collapse precisely two years later due to an insider’s exposé. During that downfall, an unexpectedly massive amount of slush funds would be revealed.

That scandal was known as the Dawn’s Light Incident.

Dawn’s Light—just a shady cult centered around Viktor.

‘Ugh, I really didn’t want to get involved with this mess, but oh well.’

Last night, even while drinking, Everhart had seriously considered just borrowing money from Karl Heinrich instead.

But in the end, he hadn’t asked. And since Karl Heinrich hadn’t brought it up this morning, that meant even in his drunken state, he had managed to hold his tongue.

‘Just gotta squeeze out exactly ten million gold.’

It’s not like he wasn’t a scammer anyway.

Graf had already said he’d take care of the dirty money.

And since the guy was bound to self-destruct in a couple of years, there’d be no need to repay the ten million gold.

Everhart pretended to chat with the bootlicking nobles while carefully observing Viktor.

‘No need to make the first move.’

The guy was an attention-seeker. And if Everhart’s calculations were correct, there was no way Viktor wouldn’t approach him first.

“Well, well, look who we have here! What brings someone who should be at the academy to such a humble gathering?”

Sure enough, Viktor naturally struck up a conversation.

Everhart grabbed a cocktail from a passing server’s tray, took a sip, and flashed a business-like smile.

“Might you be Lord Grabenhaupt?”

“Oh? You recognize me?”

“Of course. Your recent book, ❮A Calling Towards Dawn❯—I read it with great interest.”

❮A Calling Towards Dawn❯ was, on the surface, a book critiquing modern society while proposing solutions.

It had resonated with both nobles and commoners alike and had secretly served as a stepping stone for Viktor’s cult.

“Ah, what an honor! The eldest son of the Friedrich family has read my humble work.”

“I truly didn’t expect to meet you like this, Lord Grabenhaupt.”

With practiced ease, Viktor extended his hand for a handshake. Everhart, despite his inner reluctance, took it. After all, this man was a useful cash cow he wouldn’t have to be responsible for in the future.

“Please, call me Viktor.”

“Had I known I’d meet you today, I would’ve brought my copy for a signature.”

For a brief moment, Viktor’s grip tightened. His greasy eyes gleamed ominously as he started talking non-stop, his words pouring out effortlessly.

Everhart played along, nodding in the right places.

Had he actually read the book?

‘As if. That garbage-filled nonsense?’

Viktor himself probably didn’t even know what he was talking about.

From the way his eyes gleamed, it was clear that what mattered to him wasn’t whether Everhart had truly read the book, but the fact that he claimed to have read it.

Rather than discussing the book, Viktor had already started rambling about how he could personally impart a “meaningful lesson” beyond what was written.

”…So, Ever-kun, if you’re alright with it, how about we continue our conversation outside?”

As soon as Everhart called himself a fan, Viktor naturally dropped the formalities.

Even though Everhart had a modern democratic mindset, in this world, he was still part of one of the Five Great Noble Families. Yet, here they were, at a public charity event, and Viktor was acting like this?

‘I swear, I want to put a bullet in this guy’s head.’

And what the hell was “Ever-kun”? What kind of ridiculous way of speaking was that?

It was a harsh reality check—seeing firsthand how utterly disgusting things were that had only been glossed over in a few lines of the novel.

But for ten million gold, he had to endure.

And then came the real problem.

“I feel like I could share even more with you, you see?”

Viktor blatantly flicked his tongue and leaned in close. His hand even brushed against Everhart’s thigh, making him instinctively grab it.

“Sounds great. Let’s go. I’d be absolutely honored.”

Viktor was the kind of man who looked like he had eaten a million sticks of butter—disgustingly greasy. He wasn’t Everhart’s type. Hell, he wasn’t Kang Woojin’s type either.

“Ah! Let’s go then.”

Everhart walked out to the terrace with Viktor, intending to steer the conversation towards securing his cash source.

As he did, he passed by Karl Heinrich.

‘Why the hell is he glaring at me like that?’

There was a sharp edge in Karl Heinrich’s eyes. Sure, they had spent a night together, but that didn’t give him the right to dictate who Everhart mingled with.

“What the hell are you up to?”

Just as Everhart was about to ignore him and walk past, Karl Heinrich whispered under his breath.

Everhart cast a quick glance at Viktor, who had already stepped onto the terrace, before lowering his voice as well.

“I’m not sure what you mean, sunbae-nim.”

“Are you planning to get involved with him?”

“We just have something to discuss privately.”

“Something that needs to be done in secret, huh?”

“I don’t like noisy places.”

“I don’t know what you’re scheming, but if you cause trouble here, it’ll be a problem.”

“I can handle myself without causing any issues.”

Dragging this conversation out any longer would just make Viktor suspicious. Cutting Karl Heinrich off, Everhart stepped onto the terrace.

“Hmm, Ever-kun, something happen?”

“Haha, not really. Just had a few people trying to chat me up.”

“Of course! You’re from the Friedrich family, after all. It must be tough. Ah, while I was waiting, I took the liberty of bringing a special cocktail just for you. I personally requested it to be crafted in honor of our meeting.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

Why the hell did he keep calling him Ever-kun? Even his own family didn’t address him like that.

“Go on, drink it all in one go. You won’t find a taste like this anywhere else.”

The cocktail Viktor handed over was suspiciously dark and murky, looking very much like it had something mixed in.

It felt sketchy as hell, but if he wanted to earn Viktor’s trust, he had no choice but to play along.

Everhart fiddled with the cocktail glass, stalling for time. He subtly glanced at his wristwatch.

BOOM.

A small firework went off in the garden behind the mansion.

Within moments, more fireworks erupted above the terrace where the two of them stood.

“Beautiful, isn’t it? Just like your sapphire-like eyes.”

‘…What the hell did he just say?’

The moment Viktor’s gaze followed the fireworks, Everhart discreetly tipped the cocktail over the terrace railing, letting the liquid spill down below.

But Viktor turned back faster than expected, so Everhart had no choice but to gulp down the remaining half of the cocktail.

‘Goddamnit.’

Still, at least he had managed to ditch half of it.

Everhart put on his most innocent expression, his eyes crinkling with a smile.

“Delicious. Truly a unique flavor.”

“Isn’t it? This is not a cocktail I’d ask for just anyone.”

“Does that mean I’m someone special?”

“Of course! Our fated meeting means you were chosen by me!”

And with that, Viktor naturally launched into a sermon about his so-called religion, Dawn’s Light.

For over an hour, he rambled on.

But the gist of it was: “I am the divine messenger of a reincarnated god, the world is falling into ruin, and we must usher in a new divine era under my leadership.”

‘Listening to bullshit with a straight face requires a surprising amount of stamina.’

On the bright side, it didn’t seem like the drink had been spiked with anything dangerous.

Everhart humored Viktor, nodding and reacting at the right moments, before smoothly steering the conversation in a different direction.

”…I see. But it’s a shame.”

“What is?”

“Ahem… Well, Viktor-nim, I believe that those who should truly join your grand cause aren’t the commoners, but the nobles.”

“Exactly! That’s why people like you, Ever-kun, are so important!”

Ah, that damned Ever-kun again.

‘I swear to God, I’m putting a bullet in this guy’s head one day.’