Chapter 105

It wasn’t really about going to find it, but rather waiting for it to come.

On their way to the continental conference, Aint and Aria set up camp on the plateau, and soon received a visit from a mutant drake drawn by the firelight.

Too old and weakened, the mutant drake, overcome by hunger, charged in desperation. But unfortunately, that bravery only led it to its grave.

‘It’s as if all the luck in the world is concentrated in Aint.’

It wasn’t a coincidence that he was the protagonist in the book of prophecies.

However, according to Fernan’s estimates, that wouldn’t happen again now. The mutant drake had already been stripped of its core by Gismond Ert; it couldn’t still be alive.

So the time had come to check for themselves—whether the mutant drake’s nest existed, whether the creature had really been there, whether its corpse remained, and above all, whether it still had its core.

Leaving the knights behind to set up camp, Fernan ventured down the path accompanied by Rosalia and Hyde.

“Is it far?”

“Not too much.”

The book of prophecies didn’t mention exact distances, but Aria had hunted the mutant drake and tracked its lair in little time.

The three continued walking through the mountains. When the path no longer looked like a proper trail, Rosalia followed Fernan in silence.

“Aren’t you going to ask me what we’re looking for?”

“It’s obvious, isn’t it?”

“What do you mean by obvious?”

“That if you’re insisting on searching for it yourself, it must be something worthwhile. And that usually means one of three things—rare herbs, minerals, or a valuable monster.”

Exactly.

“As expected, I can’t fool you, Professor. And don’t you want to know why I asked you to come with me?”

“I imagine. It must be the third one.”

“And even knowing that, you agreed to come?”

“Right now, I’m not your professor—I’m your sponsored researcher. I can tolerate this kind of hassle.”

Rosalia said it calmly. Their essential relationship was student and teacher, but in this case, they were also investor and researcher.

“So, what is it?”

“A drake.”

“A drake, I see. Its scales, fangs, and bones are quite useful.”

“Unfortunately, not this one. It was too old. Its scales are worn down, most of its fangs have fallen out, and its bones are very brittle.”

“An old drake? Does that have any value?”

“Just add the word ‘mutant’ in front, and it does.”

Rosalia’s eyes widened. So did Hyde’s, who had been silently following them.

She wanted to ask where Fernan got that information, but held back.

“There was a mutant drake here?”

“Yes, if my information is correct.”

“A mutant core is more valuable than anything. And if it lived to old age, its core must be very mature.”

“That’s why I went to the trouble of coming all the way here.”

Soon, they reached the entrance of a huge cave, half-hidden among the undergrowth. Cold air and the stench typical of monsters wafted from inside.

There was also a strong smell of blood.

“…I don’t sense any life.”

“Me neither.”

Fernan’s lip curled slightly.

The smell was too strong. In a monster’s lair, that stench could mean one of two things—it was devouring prey, or it had been hunted.

But with no signs of life, the first option was ruled out.

“Let’s go in.”

“Let me go first, young master.”

Hyde took the lead. Fernan pulled a magic lamp from his subspace and handed it to him.

As they advanced, the stench grew stronger. The dampness of the place only made the feeling worse.

Eventually, they reached the source of the smell—the gigantic corpse of a drake.

“You were wrong, Fernan. It’s not missing half its fangs—it barely has four left.”

The mutant drake was even more deteriorated than expected.

“Someone came before us. It’s already full of worms. Must’ve been dead for months.”

On its chest, where the core should’ve been, was a gaping hole. Dried blood had crusted dark around the wound.

“The bastard… even dared to deceive me.”

There was no way to know about the mutant drake’s existence without having seen it first.

Everything pointed to someone stealing the core before informing him.

“So it seems.”

But the book of prophecies didn’t lie.

The mutant drake had existed, and if no one had gotten ahead, its core would have ended up in Aint’s hands.

‘Gismond Ert.’

Fernan already knew how to deal with him after this.

“What now?”

“Let’s check around. Maybe something’s left in the nest.”

The cave was deeper than expected, but they found nothing special except a shallow spring.

With no other choice, they returned to camp empty-handed.

“I’m going to rest.”

“Not eating?”

“I ate dried meat on the way.”

“Then, rest well.”

The sun had set quickly in the mountains, and darkness had taken over the camp. Several fires lit up the tents.

When Rosalia entered hers, Fernan called the captain of the Red Turtle Order.

“Sir Harten. Anything unusual nearby?”

“None, sir.”

“What did my father say?”

“That the corrupt might covet what you carry. That you must protect it.”

“I heard he led the purge of corrupts in the domain.”

“The search was carried out by the Black Turtle. We only served as the sword.”

Pellenberg had been the first house to detect and exterminate infiltrators. With help from the Church of the Dragon God, they had hunted many.

“And in your opinion, what were those corrupts doing inside the family?”

“They didn’t seem to be plotting anything in particular. More like waiting for the right moment.”

“The right moment?”

“Something like what happened in Taklakan. Do you think ten thousand monsters appeared overnight? They had been waiting to strike.”

Correct.

“And my father’s intention?”

“I can’t guess it… but it’s clear he wants to make money.”

Even now, the Golden Turtle Company of the Pellenbergs was profiting from the war business.

If they did it secretly before, after Taklakan, they did it openly.

“That sounds like my father.”

Harten moved away to inspect again. Fernan handed Hyde a piece of roast meat from the fire.

“When did you get this information?”

“While you were following Gismond Ert.”

“And who was the brazen one that fooled him?”

“It doesn’t matter. I already knew we’d find this.”

“You knew and still came?”

“A hunch is not the same as certainty.”

Fernan’s tone made it clear he didn’t want more questions, and Hyde fell silent.

“Hyde, do you know something? This peace won’t last much longer.”

“Peace? We’re preparing for corrupt attacks.”

“In the future, they won’t be mere attacks. It will be a war.”

Anyone who thought about it for a moment could see it.

The corrupt, after a thousand years of silence, were on the move. They had shown their strength in Taklakan. The continent was heading toward war.

“As heir, I don’t have much power to prepare.”

Despite being the great heir of Pellenberg, he was not yet a duke or head of the family. His movements couldn’t compare to those of an elector prince.

“The only thing I can do is strengthen Aint.”

“Aint Armian is not a dog.”

“Let the petty things slide.”

For Fernan, who had received the book of prophecies, protecting and helping Aint grow was an unavoidable fate.

If Aint fell, he was doomed as well.

“After this, I plan to hire the Mercenary King.”

“Really? Do you think he’ll accept? You yourself said not to draw his attention.”

“He’ll accept. I have an offer he won’t be able to refuse.”

The demons.

The Mercenary King had lost a disciple to the corrupt, and he accepted any mission related to them, sweeping across the continent.

If offered clues about a demon instead of a corrupt—or the opportunity to face one—he wouldn’t be able to resist.

“It’s like handing fish to a cat.”

He wouldn’t be able to hold back.

‘I don’t know how much the future changed with the arrival of demon number 64, Flauros…’

Fernan recalled the prophecy that had disturbed him during the jousting tournament. In the south of the Kingdom of Frazia, Flauros, demon number 64, would descend.

Unlike Andromalius (72) or Seir (70), who were to appear at the conference, Flauros would descend with a real army of monsters.

Though the demon hierarchy wasn’t strictly based on strength, that number made him more cautious.

‘I must prepare everything. I can’t allow even the slightest crack.’

Even if he had to deceive the Mercenary King and leave him empty-handed, his fury would be preferable to seeing the continent devastated by a demon.

‘Still, I need a backup plan just in case.’

With that in mind, the journey continued quietly.

There were no ambushes on the way to the city.

A deceptive calm prevailed.

***

The venue for the 198th Continental Magic Conference was Valerich.

It wasn’t the capital of Vienderk, but it was considered its second or even third most important city.

As soon as they passed through the gates, they saw pennants fluttering everywhere and dazzling decorations.

Anyone could tell a festival was underway: the atmosphere was lively, the crowd immense, and among the people, the mages stood out the most.

“How many of them do you think will actually present real research results?”

“I’m not interested.”

“Wouldn’t they be your rivals in some sense?”

“Just warm-ups. No one will surpass mine.”

That absolute confidence was very much like her.

“I’ve completed all the registration. All that’s left is for you to confirm it in person and, on the day of the presentation, deliver your work.”

“Let’s go.”

For the 198th Conference, Valerich had offered none other than its own city hall.

The banquet hall of the building had been transformed into the academic venue, and all registrations were being handled there.

“Welcome to Valerich… Oh, miss.”

Upon entering, a guard recognized Rosalia.

“Sir Goron.”

“Have you come to present your research?”

“Yes.”

“And His Excellency…”

“Don’t mention him.”

“…Understood. Go ahead. I’m glad to see you again after so long.”

Rosalia didn’t reply and simply walked in.

“Who was that? He didn’t seem like an ordinary guard.”

“The sub-commander of the Order of the Red Rose.”

“A man like that doing guard duty here?”

The Order of the Red Rose was one of Vienderk’s five most powerful knightly orders.

“And don’t you use your own order as mere escorts?”

“Well, that’s true too.”

It was all part of a display. With so many nobles and dignitaries present, Vienderk didn’t miss the chance to show off its strength.

“Still, it’s surprising he recognized her. She’s been away from her house for quite a while, right?”

“He was my personal knight.”

After completing registration, Fernan and Rosalia rented an entire wing of a luxurious hotel in the city.

“It’s a shame. It’d be nice if we could build hotels in the domains of other electors too.”

Pellenberg had luxury hotels across the continent, but not in lands of other electors.

They didn’t allow it—unlike lesser nobles, who, pressured by Pellenberg’s influence, grudgingly ceded commercial rights.

“They’re quite ambitious.”

“That ambition is what made the Pellenberg great.”

They checked the manarite core. No problems. With plenty of time until the conference, Fernan suggested,

“We’ve arrived ahead of schedule. Want to go see the festival?”

“Not interested.”

Rosalia retreated to her room. Fernan, on the other hand, called Sir Harten to reinforce the security around the core and then went out.

“Where are you going, young master?”

“Aint and Aria are already here. I’ll go meet them…”

Then—

───!

Not far away, something crashed to the ground with a wet thud.

Blood, flesh, and shattered bones scattered everywhere.

“Kyaaaahhh!”

“My god, what is this!”

“Up there! It fell from the hotel!”

A corpse.

Fernan looked up. One of the windows on the tenth floor of the hotel where he was staying was shattered.

“…The Duke of Vienderk must be seething inside.”

Before the 198th Continental Magic Conference had even officially begun, the stage was already stained with blood.