The Dark King

by Steffen Schmidt

  "However to create an aluminum alloy you need to do metal electrolysis. For that you had to have electricity first." Dudian was frustrated as he could see the limitations of the tools that were used.

  Nightingale saw Dudian being silent: "What is the direction of your experiment?"

  "I?" Dudian thought, said: "I am studying 'electricity.' "

  Nightingale was surprised as she looked at his eyes: "Aren't you going to make some basic experiments to get the know how before going with stuff like that?"

  Dudian saw that she tried persuasion as she was worried that his ambitions would be too high. In fact, this was the common problem of the most of the alchemists. Some beginners directly wanted to create the 'Philosopher's stone' and get the ultimate alchemy treasure. However, it was completely whimsical wish.

  However, he was not an 'ignorant fearless'. All the things that he wanted to create need the support of electricity. So supply of 'electricity' was the first problem that had to be solved out.

  Moreover, the post-modern world has proved without electricity the whole human society will go through paralysis. The existence of electricity brought humanity from ancient age to industrial age. It was a significant factor for humsn to improve and develop.

  Dudian shook his head and said that he would adhere to his own experiments.

  Nightingale saw his persistence so avoided to talk more on the topic. As, interference in the experiments of the other was not a good thing.

  At this time, the mouse who came out saw Dudian and Nightingale: "What are you guys talking about?"

  "The experiment," the Nightingale said casually.

  The mouse did not ask about details but looked at Dudian: "Are you ready? I'll take you to the market? Did you get enough money when you went back home eariler?"

  "It should be enough," replied Dudian.

  Mouse nodded: "We should meet at 23 West street. Do you know the place? If you don't then find someone and ask!"

  "OK," Dudian nodded.

  Both of them left the lab.

  He didn't know the place so he hired a carriage to take him directly to the West street. Because of the length of journey he paid a few coins as bill. He was able to afford the carriage and it was efficient.

  West Street was more remote place. There were no shops on the street. There were only residential houses. It was a bleak street with only cold wind blowing past once in a while.

  Dudian's head was half-covered with robe as he got off the carriage. He paied the fare and immediately wore the mask. He went to front of the small building which had number '23' hanging outside of it. All around the house was covered in leaves and it gave a feeling that no one was living in this house for long time.

  However, he could smell that there were three or four humans inside.

  Suddenly, one of the odors disappeared.

  Dudian was startled. It was like the owner of the smell disappeared into thin air out just like that.

  Dudian was puzzled but he didn't take the initiative to enter the small building. Instead, he waited in the vicinity close to the door.

  Mouse came up wearing a mask. He was astonished as he saw Dudian: "How come you are so early?"

  Dudian knew that mouse had run all the way because of his rought heart-beats and breathing: "I'm sorry that you had to run..."

  The mouse waved his hand: "Small things mate. We are companions. Alright, I'll take you in." Then he walked to the front door of the house and began to gently tap the door.

  Dudian noted that he knocked on the door with a certain frequency. All in all three taps. First was light, second was slow and the third was fast.

  Shortly after knocking, the door opened. A person wearing white mask and black robe looked at them indifferently: "Come in."

  The mouse went ahead and Dudian followed.

  When both of them were inside, the tall figure spoke: "Please show your tattoos."

  The mouse lifted robe over the wrist, revealing the black hook tattoo.

  Dudian clawed his chest, revealing black cross tattoos. At this time, he suddenly felt that the tattoo which mouse had came with advantages. It was more convenient and easy to verify the identity. Fortunately, if he could get to be an offical alchemist, showing the badge would be enough for verification.

  Tall figure looked at their tattoos but didn't say anything. He turned to the two people inside the building and got a bottle from them. It was filled with orange water: "The first thing is we going to help you eliminate the odor. So the dogs of the Holy Church wouldn't be aware of your existence inside the place". Then he drank a bit of the orange water and sprayed it on Dudian and mouse's head.

  Suddenly, Dudian sensed that the odor coming from him and mouse was fading away.

  "Go in." Tall figure pointed to the second door.

  Two people who were standing in front of the door opened it, indicating them to enter.

  Chapter 95: Report

  They went through a passage from behind the door. It was a dark deep place but many faint smells floated from inside. Dudian was somewhat surprised as he didn't expect this underground market to be so lively. He was able to identify hundreds of people from the faint smells. Although the special medicine could cover the odors but couldn't completely eradicate them.

  "Come with me." Mouse was very familiar with the place so he was in front leading the way.

  Dudian followed him.

  A brass lamp was lit on the wall at the end of the passage. Two guard were stationed there and their shadows were reflected on the wall.

  Dudian and mouse reached the end of the passage and came towards another door. One of the guard's opened the door and a large mysterious underground market was presented in front of them.

  It was a huge underground place designed as a square. It was dimly light by the lamps that were on the walls. There were wide variety of booths as well as large-scale shops. All kinds of things related to alchemy could be found.

  Dudian was surprised as he didn't think the scale of the underground market would be so big. Including the guests, buyers and sellers there had to be at least three hundred people gathered in here all over the square.

  It was also the first time for Dudian to see so many 'evil people' from the dark church. He was feeling somewhat strange. The mouse pointed in a direction: "There. Come with me."

  Dudian followed him while looking around the dimly light surroundings. Actually, he was able to see clearly as his vision was much more improved in comparison to an ordinary human. There were small shops, large ones, boothes and even carpet down on the ground where people sold materials. There were variety of bottles and jars, as well as peculiar things which he met for the first time. Actually, he even saw dark claws. He wondered which monster they had took it from.

  "Boss!" Shopkeeper shouted: "Check the alchemy stations! "

  A tall man wearing a dark red mask seemed to be the owner of the shop. He looked at mouse and Dudian. From their height and voices, he knew that their were children and at most were apprentice to an alchemist or potioner. He was lazy to attend to them so he said: "Check, pick and pay!"

  Mouse was accustomed to such treatement so he didn't care much. He pointed to a platform made of stone and birch: "Dog, what do you think of this?"

  Dudian looked, said: "The prices are different?

  "Of course." The mouse was very experienced: "This is the cheapest and costs two silver coins. It enough for my junior apprentice brother. Of course, if you are rich then you can also buy high-end products. Such as this one which costs four silver coins. Its more convenient, but also optimizes the usage of fire. And this one costs seven silver... ... "

  He showed the platforms one by one and his finger came to stop on top of a gold platform: "This is the best. It costs two gold coins. It has automatic fire bolt and can clean the ash in the pot. There are two refining pools. For doing complicated experiments, it is an essential platform."

  Dudian glanced at it. It seemed to be casted on brass. The
platform's material and appearance was better and stable than the rest. However it costed two gold coins, and he had only single gold coin on himself. He didn't plan to spend all of it.

  "That's it," said Dudian, pointing to two silver coin platform.

  Shop owner glanced at him. He seemed to be long expecting the same answer: "Payment now and report the address. If it is within the residential district, the latest would be tomorrow night when it will be delivered to you."

  "You will also help us to transport?" Dudian asked in surprise.

  Mouse laughed: "Of course. We can't move such big things as we will be easily exposed. They have hidden transport channels. They can deliver it to anyone. Even if you are a noble. "

  Dudian was confused, did the dark church penetrate so deep into the society?

  At this time, the mouse suddenly grabbed Dudian, pulled him aside, said: "Come here."

  Dudian was confused at first but when he saw the two figures in front he understood why mouse acted so. There was a man and woman. They were wearing crow masks and were infront of the shop. There was a dark gold hexagon badge on their shoulders. They were real alchemists!

  "Official alchemist!" Dudian whispered. Both of them were official alchemists but the tall figure was wearing an alchemist insignia which had 3 small suns engraved on it.

  From Rosyard's notes, Dudian had learned that from the apprentice to the five-star alchemist, required a lot of hard work. Each one-star required a large number of alchemy points and would often need a lot of experimental results to be submit for review.

  A three star alchemist was basically equivalent to Knight of Light from the Holy Church. It has to be noted that even a big noble family such as Mel had to treat them with hospitality.

  "Boss, what good alchemy station do you have?" Three star alchemist asked the shop owner. His voice was low, apparently he was deliberately trying to change his tone.

  Shop owner quickly stepped forward as he saw the badges on their shoulder: "We have few which would satisfy someone of your position. This one for example." He pointed towards the platform which was the most expensive.

  Male alchemist looked at the female one and asked: "What do you think?"

  There were two suns on female alchemist's bade but she was also regarded as a number one figure. She looked at his eyes and shook her head: "Bad. There is no insulation pool... Not good for decomposition."

  "That is." Tall figure slightly pondered before saying: "Then you should look for one."

  "This." This woman sighed, said: "This market should be monopolized. We won't find anything. Moreover my experimental report has been submitted and soon Iw ill receive a call from above... What about this one?"

  Tall figure hesitated for a moment, but said: "Well."

  They made the payment and left.

  Dudian and the mouse looked at them leave in a grand manner.

  Mouse said with emotion: "We can not afford stuff like that... Too poor. But it was good to be in little contact with them. Alchemy is so esoteric, ah! Unfortunately, they didn't talk much or perhaps we could be inspired form their conversation."

  "Did she just submit the experiment report to the dark church?," he said, "and why didn't she submit after doing the experiment? "

  Mouse shrugged: "There are many alchemists who are worried that there will be other who would submit the same experiment before them. So the first thing is they submit the experiment and wait for the rating. Of course, you can submit for review after doing the experiment but if someone else has the same inspiration as you and submits a step fast than you? You know that you can lose points which is detrimental while moving up the ranks."

  Chapter 96: Talent

  "That's reasonable!" Dudian eyes slightly shined. After all he had seen the modern world. Aircrafts, cannons, cars and any other modern products could be stolen or guessed by some other party at experimental stage!

  Moreover, these speculations could be realized at any given moment.

  "Not as simple as you think." The mouse noticed a change of expression on Dudian's face. He shook his head and laughed: "The experimental hypothesis submitted requires a complete derivation, not simply a concept, but a relatively perfect alchemy formula. After all, if the alchemical formula is wrong, it is only a guess. Just like our illusory fantasy. However with the ascension of the alchemy at some point all those fantasies may become a reality. Unfortunately, there is not any actual theoretical support at this point."

  Dudian nodded in agreement. His father had often told him that scientific truth required rigorous attitude. Everything had to be based on the experiments, scientific truths and empirical knowledge rather than whimsical inner fantasies. Even in the old times when there were variety of 'magical' things, they were based on a certain scientifi theory rather than fantasy.

  Because the creator has not really carried out the relevant experiments, most of the propositions were close to 'experimental guess' which were close to fantasy-based novels.

  Thus, submisiion of a rigorous and qualified experimental speculation was not an easy task.

  However, Dudian was still very excited. It may be difficult for other but for him it was simple. As long as he copies few things from the contents of the super-chip would be more than enough for him. After all, there are lots of genuine scientific and technological formula stored in it.

  However, the premise that he had to overcome the problem of electricity.

  Dudian and the mouse checked out other booths for a long time. Later on, the mouse noted that it was getting late and there was not much which could help them out with their experiments. So they left the dark underground market.

  The sun in the sky had faded. Gray radiation clouds were covering the moon. Soo the curfew time would approach.

  Dudian and the mouse parted ways, each going towards their house.

  In the blink of an eye, another three days went by.

  Using his own alchemy station in the lab, Dudian began to study the production of yellow phosphorus match. After three days of consecutive experiments he had a lot of harvest. He had mastered the initial manufacturing method. In fact, producing a match was nothing difficult. It was same as gun powder. The formula was very simple. But the birth of early powder was obtained by the alchemists of the old times through an accident. Before that no one would have expected that mixing few kinds of materials together would explode.

  Many great inventions were often found after a coincidence.

  It was the day Dudian had to report to hunter headquarters.

  Jura and Gray had not yet dismissed their work in the residential district so they were still staying in here. They didn't follow Dudian to the commercial district as they were not anxious to move. After all, they had grown up in here and there were many acquaintances that they had to farewell with before moving out.

  Da da da!

  Dudian took the consortium's carriage to a remote suburb of the commercial district.

  Several silent castles quietly stood here, surrounded by the mountains. The carriage stopped in front of on of the castle's.

  Dudian checked the dark environment. He didn't think that hunter headquarters would be in such a gloomy place. However, it was a good fit with the life of hunters who had to go through some rough stuff outside the giant wall.

  "Please." The coachman jumped out of the carriage, respectfully said to Dudian.

  Dudian followed behind him.

  Both of them walked by the hillside into the castle. The castle's door was opened as they reached it. A youth in black suit came out smiling at Dudian: "Are you the new recruit from the reports, Dean?"

  "Yes."

  "Come with me." The youth turned and walked into the castle. Dudian followed him and the castle door slowly closed.

  They walked along the gravel path and reached the castle's lobby. It was dimly lit. Huge painting of a woman hung on the wall. Dudian's had seen the same woman's picture alongside with a man at Dayton's office in the scavenger's headquarter
s. He was surprised and curious at the same time but didn't ask about the identity of the woman.

  "You have been already registered. So from the moment you join us today you have to fullfil your duties as the hunter of the Mellon consortium. Do you know that the highest goal is to safeguard the interests of the consortium?" Youth said to Dudian.

  "I know," said Dudian and glanced at his shoulder. However he didn't see the medal which identified him as the official hunter.

  Youth noticed Dudian's eyes so he said: "I'm an associate trainee. By the way, even if you have magic marks but you are still consideren as a trainee hunter. Even if the other trainee hunters aren't as strong as you are, you will still be trained by the consortium."

  "Trained by the consortium? " Dudian was puzzled. "Not in the hunter school? "

  Youth smiled: "I had long heard about you. The consortium was going to arrange for your training in the hunter school but you have magic marks now. So your physical strength is better than other people. However there is unified training in the hunter school and they can not give you a double standard alone. That's why you will be directly trained by the consortium instead of entering the hunter school."

  "But you shouldn't be worried as the consortium's training content was basically copied form the hunter school. Its roughly the same and you should have thought about and chosen your path by now. So you only need to have a special training. "

  "Of course, you may study the expertise of the other positions to have better understanding of the hunting process. "

  Dudian saw that there was nothing that he could do since the top have set the program for him so he could only follow the orders.

  "What career did you choose?"

  "Archer."

  "Remote position. The consortium is indeed lacking archers but there are not many people who are talented with bows and arrows. I hope you have good talent in this area otherwise it would be difficult to get to the peak. " youth informed Dudian.