Last Gun Alchemist

Ezra quietly looked at Blake.

His calm, pitch-black eyes rested on the young noble standing before him, observing the determination hidden beneath Blake’s tired expression.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Ezra raised his Starlix 11.

"I’ll send you the details of the contract through a message."

As soon as his thumb tapped the screen, a blue holographic Wi-Fi symbol slowly rose from the device, floating gently in the air between them.

Blake’s eyes immediately lit up.

The excitement on his face couldn’t be hidden.

"I’m about to get my idol’s contact..."

He muttered under his breath with excitement.

Without wasting another second, he hurriedly pulled out his Para 12.

His fingers quickly moved across the screen before another holographic symbol appeared above his own device.

The two holograms slowly connected.

A stream of blue light flashed between them.

Moments later...

Ezra’s contact information appeared on Blake’s screen.

At the same time...

Blake’s contact was transferred to Ezra’s device.

The two of them quietly pressed Save.

Blake looked down at his phone.

A wide smile slowly spread across his face.

He had finally done it.

He had obtained the personal contact of the inventor he admired more than anyone else.

Not only that...

He was about to become someone who would work alongside him.

Just imagining it made his heart race.

Of course...

This had to remain a secret.

His parents still believed the contract involved entering the Ashenlocke Family itself.

Until everything was finalized...

He intended to keep it that way.

After exchanging contacts...

Ezra and Lucy finally took their leave.

They left through the side path of the Wellston Estate just before Baron Wellston and his wife started looking for them, completely unaware that the two young guests had already departed.

The morning breeze gently swept across the estate as the two quietly walked through the gates.

Their destination...

The Miles Estate.

When they arrived...

The guards immediately recognized Ezra and Lucy.

Without wasting time, they respectfully welcomed both him and Lucy inside before leading them toward the familiar VIP waiting room.

The room hadn’t changed.

Sunlight streamed through the tall glass windows, illuminating the polished wooden floor and the elegant furniture arranged neatly throughout the room.

Only a minute after they sat down...

The door gently opened.

Gena entered first.

Walking beside her was Baroness Miles.

Several maids followed behind them while pushing silver trolleys filled with snacks, tea, fruit, and fresh desserts.

The atmosphere felt far more relaxed than the previous day.

No one looked worried anymore.

"Greetings, Baroness."

Ezra immediately stood.

He placed one hand over his chest before giving a respectful bow.

Lucy gracefully followed.

Her posture remained as proper as ever.

Every movement reflected the etiquette expected from a maid serving a Highline Noble.

Baroness Miles smiled warmly.

"Ezra Ashenlocke..."

She looked at the young inventor with sincere gratitude.

"I truly don’t know how to thank you."

Her eyes carried genuine appreciation.

Without Ezra...

Her family might still be trapped beneath that crushing debt.

Perhaps even worse.

"That’s right."

Gena immediately nodded.

A bright smile appeared on her face.

"If it wasn’t for Ezra... our family would’ve been in serious trouble."

The Baroness gently reached over and rubbed Gena’s head.

A mother’s proud smile quietly appeared on her face before she turned back toward Ezra.

"I know this isn’t nearly enough."

She sighed softly.

"Especially since we’re only just beginning to recover the money our family lost."

She lightly clapped her hands twice.

Clap. Clap.

The waiting room doors opened again.

Four male servants entered while carefully carrying silver trays.

On each tray rested several neatly tied bags overflowing with large silver coins.

The bags produced soft metallic sounds as they were carefully placed on the glass table before Ezra.

Lucy quietly glanced at them.

Even she could tell the amount wasn’t small.

Ezra looked down.

Without changing his expression...

He slightly bowed.

"Thank you, Baroness."

One by one...

He calmly placed every bag into his Space Bag.

Not a single unnecessary movement.

Not a single dramatic reaction.

Only efficiency.

Watching him...

"Are you leaving today?"

Gena suddenly asked.

Before Ezra could answer...

Lucy nodded.

"Yes."

She smiled politely.

"We’ll be leaving shortly."

Gena’s shoulders visibly dropped.

"Oh..."

She had already expected that answer.

Even so...

Actually, hearing it still made her feel disappointed.

She quietly sat down on the main couch.

Her mother gracefully sat beside her.

Meanwhile...

Ezra was already sitting on the sofa opposite them.

Several moments passed before Gena spoke again.

"You know..."

She scratched her cheek awkwardly.

"I actually took the entrance examination for the Royal Academy."

Ezra turned toward her.

"You did?"

For perhaps the first time that morning...

A trace of surprise appeared in his eyes, but it disappeared almost immediately.

Gena laughed bitterly.

"As you probably guessed... I failed during the written examination."

She leaned back against the couch.

"I couldn’t even reach the second stage."

She sighed.

For a brief moment...

Disappointment appeared across her face.

Then...

It disappeared.

She slowly clenched one fist.

"But that’s alright."

Her eyes gradually became firm again.

"I’ll attend the Ash Academy instead and I’ll continue improving my Alchemy. My knowledge. My strength."

She smiled.

"And next time... I’ll become someone worthy of standing beside everyone."

The determination inside her eyes couldn’t be mistaken.

Ezra quietly looked at her.

Several seconds passed.

Finally...

"I wish you good luck."

His answer remained simple and flat.

Exactly like him.

Gena laughed.

"Thank you."

Her smile became even brighter.

Baroness Miles quietly watched the interaction between the two children.

Then...

She slowly folded her hands neatly on her lap.

"Young Ezra Ashenlocke..."

She spoke gently.

"Is it really alright... to leave Velcryon without accepting proper recognition for everything you’ve done?"

Her expression became slightly troubled.

She truly wanted every Baron family to publicly thank him.

Someone who had resolved a crisis that nearly ruined several noble houses deserved far more than quiet appreciation.

Ezra simply shook his head.

"It’s better this way, Baroness."

His voice remained calm.

Inside...

His thoughts were much simpler.

In the first place... I never did this to become a hero.

The debt scandal had never been his true objective.

His real goal had always been Blake.

Helping the Wellston Family.

Earning Blake’s trust.

Creating enough goodwill for the contract negotiations to proceed smoothly.

Everything else...

Had merely become part of the process.

Of course...

Ezra hadn’t predicted one thing.

Blake being one of his biggest admirers.

At the end of the day...

This made his plan work out more smoothly.

"I need to return home."

Ezra continued.

"There are preparations I need to make before entering the Royal Academy."

He looked toward the window.

"And... attention isn’t necessary."

Baroness Miles couldn’t help smiling.

The more she spoke with Ezra...

The more she realized something.

The young inventor truly didn’t care about fame.

His focus remained fixed only on moving toward something she couldn’t understand.

"Very well..."

She nodded.

"But..."

A slightly playful smile appeared on her face.

"You’ll still accept another set of money as a reward... right?"

Lucy slowly lowered her head.

She already knew the answer.

"I’ll gladly accept that."

Ezra answered immediately.

Without even a second of hesitation.

The waiting room fell completely silent.

Gena slowly narrowed her eyes.

Lucy simply smiled helplessly.

Master really loves money...

She had stopped being surprised a long time ago.

The Baroness couldn’t help laughing softly.

"I’ll speak with every Baron family. We’ll prepare an appropriate reward."

She glanced toward Gena.

"My daughter will personally deliver it to you."

Ezra gave another respectful bow.

"Thank you, Baroness."

"It is the least we can do."

The Baroness smiled warmly.

"I wish you both a safe journey. And... good luck at the Royal Academy."

Ezra nodded once.

Then...

Her gaze shifted toward Lucy.

"And you."

She smiled gently.

"Take good care of both yourself... and your master."

Lucy immediately bowed respectfully.

"I’ll do everything within my power to accomplish that, Ma’am."

Her answer carried complete sincerity.

After Lucy straightened herself...

Ezra adjusted the black cardigan he wore before calmly standing.

"We’ll be taking our leave now."

He gave another slight bow again.

"Please pass my greetings to the Baron."

"I will."

Baroness Miles smiled.

Lucy quickly walked toward the snack trolley where the same maid from before stood waiting.

She leaned forward slightly.

"May I have the small chocolate bars again..."

She whispered with an embarrassed smile.

The maid immediately recognized her.

A gentle laugh escaped her lips.

She remembered very well how much Lucy had enjoyed them during her previous visit.

Unfortunately...

Lucy had barely managed to eat any before everything surrounding Baroness Orvain forced them to leave in a hurry.

"Of course."

The maid carefully packed several chocolate bars into elegant snack pouches before handing them over.

Lucy happily accepted them.

One by one...

She placed them inside her Space Bag with obvious satisfaction.

Ezra quietly glanced at her.

Then...

Without saying anything...

He began walking toward the exit.

"Ezra!"

Gena suddenly called out.

Ezra stopped.

He slowly turned around.

His calm black eyes met hers.

Gena took a deep breath.

"I don’t really know much about starting a company...Or what your true goal is."

She looked directly into Ezra’s calm black eyes.

"But there is one thing I’m certain of."

Her voice gradually became firmer.

"You’ve helped me more than anyone else and I really want to repay you..."

She smiled faintly before shaking her head.

"No... I don’t want to simply repay you."

She slowly clenched both hands.

"I want to keep working with you. I feel... like there is still so much I can learn by your side."

The determination in her eyes was impossible to hide.

She wasn’t speaking based on impulse.

She had thought about this carefully ever since returning from the Trial of Steel.

Everything Ezra had done...

Every lesson.

Every correction.

Every piece of advice.

They had changed her.

Not only as an Alchemist...

But also, as a person.

Beside her...

Baroness Miles quietly smiled.

Her eyes gently closed for a moment.

Seeing her daughter speak so confidently filled her heart with pride.

Compared to the girl who had left for the Trial of Steel...

The young lady standing here now had grown far beyond her expectations.

"I know this might sound selfish."

Gena laughed awkwardly.

"And I know you usually don’t like involving yourself with other people."

She slowly stretched one hand toward Ezra.

Her eyes gently closed.

"But... I want to become part of whatever you’re trying to build. I want to help. So... Please... accept me."

Even as she spoke those words...

She was already preparing herself for rejection.

After all...

This was Ezra.

The same boy who always kept people at arm’s length.

The same inventor who rarely showed interest in anyone outside his own goals.

Deep inside...

She had already convinced herself that he would refuse.

Ezra quietly looked at the hand stretched toward him.

His expression never changed.

Did you really think...

...I spent all that time helping you simply to let you go?

I helped you because I intended to recruit you for how useful you are... from the very beginning, Gena.

The thought quietly crossed his mind.

Finally...

Ezra spoke.

"I look forward..."

His calm eyes remained on hers.

"...to your help, Gena."

His answer remained as flat as ever.

Yet...

To Gena...

Those simple words carried more meaning than any long speech could have.

Without waiting for another response...

Ezra calmly turned around and continued walking toward the exit.

Lucy quickly finished placing the last chocolate snack pouch into her Space Bag.

She respectfully bowed toward Baroness Miles and the maids as well as Gena.

"Thank you very much."

Then she hurried after her master.

Gena remained standing where she was.

For a brief moment...

She simply watched Ezra’s back grow farther away.

Then...

A bright smile slowly spread across her face.

One filled with excitement.

One filled with hope for the future.

"Bye, Ezra!"

She happily waved.

"Bye, Lucy!"

Lucy turned around with a warm smile.

She raised one hand and waved back.

Ezra, however...

Simply continued walking.

As always.

Yet somehow...

Gena knew he had heard her, and that alone was enough.

***

The two left the Miles Estate and boarded a Steam Carriage they ordered waiting outside.

The carriage slowly rolled away from the noble district before making its way through the familiar streets of Velcryon.

Neither Ezra nor Lucy spoke during the journey.

The morning city was already beginning to bustle with activity.

Steam Carriages moved through the wide roads.

Shopkeepers opened their businesses.

Workers hurried toward factories and workshops.

Everything looked ordinary.

As though nothing had happened the previous night.

Eventually...

The Steam Carriage stopped outside the hotel where they had been staying.

After paying the driver...

Ezra and Lucy stepped inside.

The moment they entered the reception hall...

Their attention was immediately drawn toward the large holographic television display on one of the walls of the lounge in the reception hall.

Several guests had already gathered seated before it.

Everyone watched the live news broadcast with surprised expressions.

"The debt scandal involving Baron House Orvain has officially come to an end."

The reporter’s voice echoed throughout the lobby.

"Earlier this morning... Baroness Terenza Orvain publicly confessed that the debt agreements signed by several Baron families had been obtained through fraud. The contracts have now been declared invalid by the State."

One piece of news followed another.

The names of the affected Baron families appeared across the screen.

The reactions from citizens.

Interviews.

Official announcements.

Within only a few hours...

The scandal had spread across the whole of Velcryon.

Soon after...

Reports confirmed that the story had already reached several of Britannia’s major cities.

Then...

Another headline appeared.

This time...

Even more shocking than the first.

BREAKING NEWS

Younger Brother of Baroness Terenza Orvain Arrested

The hotel lobby immediately became noisy.

Guests began whispering among themselves.

"What happened?"

"I heard it involves the missing eldest daughter of House Orvain."

"No way..."

"They actually arrested a noble?"

The reporter continued.

"The charges include..."

The words slowly appeared across the screen.

Molestation of Mina Orvain, First Daughter of House Orvain.

The entire lobby fell silent.

Even Lucy unconsciously looked toward the screen.

Neither she nor Ezra said anything.

The crimes hidden beneath the Orvain family’s name...

Had finally been exposed to the whole Kingdom.

From Velcryon...

To the other great cities of Britannia...

Everyone now knew what had truly happened inside House Orvain.

The family’s reputation...

Built over many years...

Collapsed within a single day.

Recovering from such disgrace would be nearly impossible.

Ezra quietly watched the report for a few more seconds.

Then...

He calmly turned away.

There was nothing else worth watching.

The outcome had already been decided.

Without wasting any more time...

He and Lucy returned to their room.

The two quietly packed everything they had brought with them.

Their remaining luggage.

After making one final check...

They left the hotel together.

Their destination...

Home.

The journey to Velcryon had finally come to an end.