A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 106

Chapter 106

The⁠⁠ deceased was Yurik Bellins, head of‌‌ the viscountal House‍‌‍ of Bellins.

“I⁠‍⁠ remember him. He‍ came a couple‌ of times to⁠‌ negotiate with our‍ family and the‌⁠ Golden Turtle Company.”‍

If⁠⁠ anyone wanted to⁠⁠ do business in‌ the Empire, sooner‌ or later they’d end up dealing‌‌⁠ with the Pellenbergs.‍

After‍⁠‌ a copper mine‍ was discovered on⁠⁠ his lands, Yurik⁠‌ Bellins had founded‌⁠ his own company‌ to sell it‍ and was hoping‌‌ to use Pellenberg’s distribution network.

“Make⁠‍ way!”

“Everyone,‍ step back!”

The‌‍ city guard arrived immediately, dispersing the‍⁠ crowd.

Some‍‍ collected the body‍‍ while others went‍‌ up into the‍ hotel.

“Could‌‌‍ it have been‌‍ suicide?”

“As⁠ far as I know, Viscount Yurik‍‍ had no reason‌⁠ to kill himself.‌ Besides, I heard‌‌ the mage he‌‌ was sponsoring was‌ going to present‍ research at this very conference.”

“So murder?”

“To‍ kill someone in‍ Vienderk, during the‌ continental conference, is the same as‌ declaring war on⁠‌‍ the duchy.”

It‌ wasn’t just an affront—it was a blow to their⁠ honor. And worse,⁠⁠ the victim was‍ a noble.

“Could it have been‍‍ an accident?”

“Most‍⁠‍ likely, yes. Though‌⁠ along with the stench of blood,⁠‌‍ there was also⁠⁠ a faint smell‌ of alcohol.”

Falling‌ out a window‌‍‌ drunk—although for that,‌ he’d have had⁠ to drink more⁠‍ than just a couple of bottles.

“From⁠ now on, no‍‌ one may leave⁠‌ the hotel!”

“Hey,⁠ that’s…!”

“We‌‍ ask for your⁠ cooperation.”

More⁠ guards arrived and⁠‍ cordoned off the‌‍‌ hotel, preventing anyone⁠⁠ from leaving.

Fernan‍ and Hyde quietly⁠‌ slipped out before⁠⁠ getting caught.

“What‌ now, young master?”

“He‌ was a man⁠ with no reason to die, and⁠‌ yet he’s dead.⁠‌ Something doesn’t add‌ up…”

Could⁠⁠ it be the‍‌ work of the‍ corrupt?

But‌ what would they‍‌ gain from killing‍‌⁠ a mere viscount?⁠‍‍

“For⁠‍ now, let’s meet⁠‌‍ with Aint and⁠‌ Aria. We’ll think‌⁠ after.”

He‌ already knew where‌ they were staying—in⁠ a modest inn‌ on the outskirts‌⁠ of the city.‌

He‍ found them in⁠ the dining room,‌ eating dinner.

“Oh,‌⁠‍ senior! You’ve arrived!”⁠‌

Aria waved her hand,‍ her long elven⁠ ears twitching.

“And‍‌ why the hell‍‍ do you have⁠‍‌ your face covered⁠⁠⁠ in the middle‌ of a dining‌⁠‌ hall?”

Fernan‍‍ sat next to⁠ Aint, who was‌ eating pasta with‍ his hood up.

“He‍⁠‍ doesn’t want to‌⁠ draw attention.”

“What⁠ a ridiculous excuse.”⁠⁠

“Ridiculous?‍ Just imagining someone⁠‌‍ recognizing me as‌ an Armian and⁠ trying to entangle⁠‌ me with other‌ nobles gives me⁠ the chills. At⁠‌‌ least for now.”⁠

“You⁠ should be more‍ worried about whether‌‍‌ anyone could even‍ recognize you.”

“They⁠ couldn’t?”

“It’d⁠‍‌ be a miracle‍⁠ if they did.”⁠

Since‍⁠‌ the Armian family⁠‌ lost the crown,⁠ they had lived‍⁠ in isolation, with‌ no contact with⁠⁠⁠ the outside world.‍

No‌‌‍ one knew what Aint looked like.‌

Even⁠‌‌ when he enrolled⁠‌ in the academy,⁠‌ it had only‍⁠ been a topic⁠ for a few‌ days.

“Besides, neither you nor⁠‍ the Armian bloodline‍‌ have unique features.‌⁠ There are thousands‍⁠ of blondes with brown eyes on‌‌ the continent.”

The‌‌‍ only thing that‌ proved his lineage‌ was the aura‍ of light. But⁠‌‌ if he had‌⁠‌ to use that,‍⁠ it would already⁠ be a situation⁠ where discretion didn’t‌‌ matter.

“Seen‍‌‍ that way, I guess you’re right.‌‍ Though… are you‍⁠‍ sure no one⁠ will notice?”

“Maybe⁠‌ the Vienderk nobles.⁠ And a few⁠ high-ranking officials keeping⁠ an eye on the Armians.”

“That‌ sounds different…”

Aint⁠‍ hesitated but eventually‌ removed his hood.⁠ No one in‌⁠ the dining room‌ paid him any‌‌‌ attention.

“You‌ look healthy. I guess you enjoyed‍ the festival.”

“Yeah, quite a bit.”‌

“But more importantly—what about‌‍ leads on the corrupt?”

Aint‌ lowered his voice.⁠⁠⁠

“There⁠⁠‍ are traces leading⁠ here.”

“Specifically…?”⁠‌

“That’s‍‌ what we have‌‌ to find out.‍ What they plan‍ to do at the presentations.”

In‍‌⁠ truth, even Fernan‌⁠⁠ didn’t know.

Originally, the corrupt had‌ planned to summon‍ a demon during‍ the conference.

He‌⁠ had foiled that‌ move. But would‍ they give up—or‌ try something else?‌‌‌

That⁠‍ was why he‌ had brought Aint—he‌‌ couldn’t rule out⁠⁠ the latter.

With⁠⁠ so many powerful⁠‌‍ people gathered, the‍⁠ conference was a tempting target.

‘But‌ after failing to⁠ summon the demon, what would make‌‌ them cling so⁠⁠ hard to the⁠⁠ presentations?’

That‌⁠ also needed to⁠ be considered.

“You’re‌‌ talking about the‌ mage presentations—the climax‍ of the conference? If they cause‍ chaos there, it‌ would be a huge blow to⁠ the continent. With⁠‌ all those leaders present.”

Then⁠ Aria paused.

“People…?‌ Someone…?”

Kyaaaaaa!

Another‌ person dead!

Screams‌ echoed in every‌‌ direction.

Fernan⁠ immediately looked out⁠ the window. In⁠‌ the avenue, there was another corpse.‍‍

And‍‌⁠ it wasn’t the‍‌ only one.

“Everyone‌ stay put! This‌ building is now⁠⁠ under control!”

“Stop⁠⁠ right there!”

Guards‍ appeared from all‌⁠ directions.

The‌‍ stench of blood⁠‍‌ hung in the‌⁠ air.

The‍ death of Viscount‌‍ Yurik Bellins was‍ only the beginning.‍‍‌

***‍

【198th‍ Continental Magic Conference‍‍ becomes a bloodbath.】‍⁠

【11‌ nobles and royalty‌‍⁠ murdered in the⁠⁠ city of Vienderk!】⁠‌

【Terrified⁠⁠⁠ citizens—what was Vienderk‌ doing all this‌ time?】

【Eslin⁠‍ mourns the lost⁠‍ princess. “Vienderk must⁠ answer,” says Prince‌ Ferrant of Eslin.】

【Large-scale⁠ massacre in Vienderk⁠‍‍ territory. Who was‍ behind it?】

【Lives taken in a single night. Is‍‍ Vienderk still safe?】‍

The⁠⁠‌ next morning, every‍‍ newspaper headline covered‌⁠⁠ the killings.

No fewer than eleven‌⁠ victims. Nobles from‌⁠ the Empire, various‌ kingdoms, and even‍ members of royal⁠ families.

The‍ fury of their⁠ families reached the⁠‌ heavens. Vienderk was‍⁠ forced to react—they‌ deployed massive troops,⁠‌ sealed off the‍‌ city, and began‌ the hunt for‍‌ those responsible. Rumors‌⁠‍ said the duke himself was on⁠ the way.

“How⁠ do you think‍‍ the duke will⁠⁠ respond?”

It‌⁠⁠ wasn’t a light question. A massacre‌⁠‍ of nobles and⁠‌ royalty had occurred‌ on his own‌‌ soil. It could‍‌‌ escalate into an⁠‍ international diplomatic crisis.‍

If‍ he didn’t find⁠‍ a culprit that‍‌⁠ everyone could accept—quickly—the‍ consequences would be⁠ unpredictable.

Fernan‍ sighed.

“Do‌⁠ you know how⁠ long it’s been since I left Vienderk? And you‍ still ask me⁠⁠ that?”

“I just wanted your⁠ opinion.”

A heavy silence fell over the room.‍ Rosalia lit a cigarette while Fernan‌ asked a servant‌‍ for coffee.

“Where’s⁠‌ your assistant?”

“I‌‌ sent him to the company.”

Hyde‌‌ had gone to‌‍ investigate who had‍ died, how, and⁠ what kind of‍ people they were.‍⁠

Fernan‌‌ stood up.

“I’m‌ stepping out.”

“Can⁠⁠‍ you? The city’s‌‍‍ on lockdown.”

“If⁠‍ you help me, Professor.”

It‌ was difficult to‌ stop the heir‍‍ of another elector—and⁠⁠‌ even more so‍ if he was⁠‌ accompanied by Vienderk’s‍⁠ legitimate heiress.

“I⁠‌‌ can do it,‍‍ but the smart⁠‌ thing would be⁠ to stay put.”⁠‌

“I have my own‌ plans.”

“Going‍⁠‍ to solve it?”⁠

“If⁠‌⁠ I can. But it’s not my‍ role.”

Rosalia⁠ looked at him⁠‌⁠ knowingly.

“You’re‌‌ going to find‌‌‍ Aint.”

“Exactly.”‌

“Ludger doesn’t look kindly‍ on you.”

“I‌‌ don’t care.”

“Really?”⁠‌

Fernan‍‌⁠ shook his head.⁠‍

“Not‍⁠ right now. There‌‍‍ are priorities.”

And‌‌ he was right.‍⁠ If the killings‌ had occurred in⁠‌ Vienderk—with so much‌‌⁠ guard presence and‍ security—they couldn’t have‍ been ordinary criminals.‌‌ It had to‍‍ be the work‌‌ of the corrupt.⁠

With‍ Rosalia’s help, Fernan⁠ obtained a brief‌ permit to leave.‌ Upon reaching the‌‌ inn where Aint⁠ and Aria were‍ staying, he called‌ out.

“Aint,⁠‌ it’s your turn⁠‍‍ to act.”

“Me?”

“If‌⁠ my prediction is⁠‌ correct, this is⁠ the work of‍ the corrupt.”

It⁠‍ wasn’t a supposition‌⁠⁠ or a guess.⁠⁠‍ It was certainty.‌

“They‍⁠ tried to summon‍ a demon at‍ the conference through⁠‌⁠ Professor Rosalia, but‌ they were stopped.⁠ After failing, they‍⁠ planned this.”

“You⁠ already told us‌ that part, but‌ was it really⁠‌ the corrupt?”

“Do⁠ you think Vienderk‌ would have such‌‍ careless security?”

Of‌ course not. Just‍⁠⁠ seeing that even⁠ some of Vienderk’s‌⁠ strongest knights were‍⁠ guarding the city‍ hall gave the‍‌‍ answer.

The‌⁠ city guard was⁠‍‍ more than twice‌⁠ its usual number,⁠ and their level⁠ exceeded that of ordinary soldiers. Security⁠ checks were strict, and everyone entering⁠ was verified. They⁠⁠‍ had done everything⁠ possible.

Even⁠‌‌ so, someone had‌ managed to infiltrate‌ and commit murders.⁠ The conclusion was‌‍‌ singular: the corrupt.‌‌‌

“The corrupt receive power from demons, and‍ thanks to that,‌ they possess extraordinary⁠⁠ abilities. If not,‍ how else do‌⁠ you explain what‍ happened?”

“……”‍‍‌

“Eleven‌ dead, Aint. Not‌ even an elector‍ prince’s house, using⁠ its full power,‍ could assassinate eleven‌ nobles in a single night within a city under‌ Vienderk’s direct protection.”⁠‍

Of‌ course, if they‌‌ truly set their‍ minds to it, that would be‍ a different story.⁠⁠ But since no house had done‌‍ so, the only⁠⁠ remaining possibility was⁠ the corrupt.

“Would it even be‍ possible for them?”‍‌

“The‍⁠ elf sitting next⁠ to you didn’t‍⁠ even know what‍ she was doing during her vacation,‍ all because she⁠ had fallen under‌ a corrupt’s mental‍ manipulation.”

“Hey,‍ why are you‍ dragging me into this?!”

Aria,⁠ who had said⁠‍ nothing until then,‌‌⁠ raised her voice⁠‌⁠ indignantly.

“If‌ Jace hadn’t cured⁠‌ her, she’d still be unaware she‍ had been under mind control. The‍ corrupt have those⁠ methods.”

Loyal⁠‌ servants rarely betrayed‍ their masters; it‍ was unthinkable they⁠ would do so‍⁠‍ of their own‍⁠‌ free will. But⁠ with mental manipulation,⁠⁠‌ it was a different story.

That’s⁠ why Fernan was convinced only the corrupt could have done something like‍‌ this.

“What‌‍‍ if they manipulated‍ the minds of‌ the servants, the⁠ pages, or the maids of the dead nobles to⁠ carry out the‍ murders?”

“…Horrible.”‍‍

“That’s⁠‌ why I think⁠⁠‌ Vienderk knows it⁠‌ too. There’s no‍ other explanation.”

Vienderk⁠‌ wasn’t stupid. They‍‍‍ would have reached the same inevitable‍‌ conclusion Fernan had.‍

“…If‍ they already know,‍ then isn’t my⁠‍ intervention unnecessary?”

“You‍‍ have to do⁠‌ it. Isn’t your‌‍‍ symbol the war‍ against demons?”

Or‌⁠ rather, the symbol‍⁠⁠ of Armian.

“You‌‌ just need to⁠ prove it. Show‍⁠ that this was⁠ the work of‌⁠ the corrupt.”

“You want me to‌ find corrupt magic?”‍‌‌

“Exactly.”

“And then?”

“Then…”‍

Fernan‌ fell silent, thinking.‌‌⁠

‘Is it too soon?’‌⁠

Aint⁠⁠ still hadn’t achieved⁠ anything solid. He‍ didn’t have his own group at‍ the academy yet,‌ nor had he⁠ recovered much of Armian’s power, and‍‌‌ his personal strength⁠ wasn’t enough yet‍ to defeat a royal knight in‍⁠‌ one blow.

‘But‍ this incident will‍‌ make the entire continent know his‍⁠⁠ name.’

If‍ things followed the⁠ prophecy’s path, Aint‌ would be the‍⁠ one to defeat⁠‍‌ the summoned demon‌‍‌ in front of‍ kings, nobles, and‍‌ powerful figures, minimizing⁠ casualties.

Even‌‌‍ if he revealed‌‍⁠ it now, the⁠⁠ essence wouldn’t change.‍

‘Besides,⁠⁠ with Luina, Aria,‍ Verian, and me‌⁠ supporting him from‌‍ the shadows…’

Two‍‌ elector houses, one‍⁠ former elector house, and the family‍⁠ closest to that level in the‍ entire Empire.

No‍ one would dare‍ crush Aint. He‌‌ would make sure⁠ of that himself.⁠

“A‌‌ hero.”

“Eh?”‍

Fernan‍ murmured quietly.

“You‌ just have to‌ be a hero.”‌⁠‌

“…I⁠ don’t understand.”

“I’ll‍ make you a hero. Humanity’s hope against the demons.”‌‌‍

Fernan‍ gripped Aint’s shoulder⁠⁠ tightly, almost growling.‍

“Image⁠‍‍ work is what⁠ I do best.”⁠