The Founder's POV

Chapter 44: Burying the dead [2]

"Are you stupid?!" Elara was on the verge of shouting at me. What's with this reaction?

I looked at Jin for a while, who nodded after a few seconds.

"I trust that you'll use it well, but I can't just simply give it to you."

Elara calmed down after hearing Jin's response and returned to his seat: "You don't realize the risks of consuming that fruit. Just forget about it. And didn't Jin cure your addiction with the rest?"

I rested my head on my hand, continuing to look at Jin without responding. I became entirely resistant to negative effects after consuming the elixir from my phone.

But the Vaccine Jin got from old Adam only helped someone take the first step towards overcoming addiction and could only be used once. Maybe they guessed I wanted to consume the fruit to advance quickly and then take the Vaccine again.

Well, that was my plan, but with some differences. Perhaps Elara and Jin thought the same, which is why they didn't take my words seriously. Even though I had done a lot and proven myself to them, I still seemed like someone who had just stopped being a minor.

Also, didn't Jin hear the rumors about me? About me being a talented pharmacist? And my ability to make high-level potions without any effort?

If I continued my studies for a while after returning to my lab, I might be able to make ancient potions within a few months.

Jin nodded slightly and continued his meal.

Finally, he sighed, "Can you at least tell me the reason?"

I closed my eyes for a second, thought for a bit, and took a deep breath. I opened my eyes and looked at Jin's face. He had stopped eating entirely and was looking at me seriously and sternly.

The real reason I wanted the fruit was to reach rank B, where I would have a chance in the Inheritance war against Darian at least.

Things would be a lot simpler if I had been freed from the puppet society a month or so ago, but I was freed at this particular time... After the deadline had already passed by a few days.

When I left StarHold palace for the first time, I was supposed to return before the succession ceremony, which would take place six months later.

I got stuck on the Mountain of Fog for two and a half months, then in the puppet's society for just over four months.

The six-month deadline had already passed, and Darian should now be the actual head of the family. Since I would need the family's strength in the great war after a few years, and I didn't want Loana forces on my back, I needed to return and continue the Inheritance war.

Although I am the legitimate heir, the matter ended as soon as Darian sat on the throne. Fortunately, I wasn't too late, so he shouldn't have solidified his rule yet.

I could go and ignite the court of Inheritance as quickly as possible and reclaim my rule. But I needed to be at Darian's level or higher. That's if I wanted at least some supporters, which was indispensable.

I made my decision and spoke.

"I have a use for it. I want to increase my knowledge from it. Maybe gain some other benefits." I hesitated a bit about revealing my immunity and decided not to.

There's no problem telling Jin since I trust him now, but I hesitated with Elara and Killian. Although some trust was beginning to build between us, I decided to conceal it.

Especially Elara, trusting him is a decision that can't be made in a short time. After all, he is the older brother of someone in the MC's party— my younger brother Darian -.