Chapter 112

“Here she is!”

“Damn it…! Miss! Are you alright?”

The attack that took place in Vienderk’s territory immediately drew the attention of the family’s knights.

The duke understood that Rosalia had been ambushed amid that sudden snowstorm and sent the order to assist her.

“There’s no need for help. I’ve already defeated the corrupt.”

“We cannot withdraw. His Excellency ordered us to escort both of you to safety.”

Rosalia tried to refuse them, but there was no way. In the end, she had no choice but to accept their protection until leaving Vienderk’s lands.

At the port, a ship was already waiting. The group boarded and set sail for the Dragon Peninsula, where the Cult of the Dragon God was located.

“Did you make contact in advance?”

“Of course. Everything’s been arranged.”

“But I didn’t see you do it.”

“When the corrupt attacked, my assistant wasn’t present, remember?”

“…Don’t you ever do something like that again.”

Hyde, who had rejoined the group after finalizing the arrangements, found out there had been an attack in his absence and vowed even more firmly never to leave Fernan’s side again.

“Nothing happened.”

“Nothing? You call being attacked by a corrupt nothing?!”

“No one died and no one was seriously hurt. In that sense, it amounts to nothing. That’s why I brought the Red Turtle Order, isn’t it?”

“That’s true, but still…”

Hyde sighed in frustration.

“What I mean is that every time something important happens, you always keep me out of it.”

“What would I gain from that?”

“That’s exactly the problem, young master. If there’s no reason, then why do it?”

“In any case, not this time.”

“What did you say?”

“You can already see the Cult of the Dragon God from here.”

“That’s just a deserted island, not the cult!”

The ship finally docked on the peninsula. It used to have another name, but when the Cult settled there, its dragon-head-like shape made them change it.

‘Doesn’t look like it at all to me.’

Anyway, since the Cult was settled there, it wasn’t strange that they imposed their whims.

Crack.

The vessel moored at the dock.

“Welcome. The Cult of the Dragon God welcomes Professor Rosalia, young master Fernan Pellenberg, and their companions.”

They were ceremoniously led inside. As agreed, the mana core was immediately handed over to the Cult.

“Oh, I can’t believe they managed to create something like this. If it’s not too much trouble, could we examine it a bit…?”

“It is too much trouble.”

“Mm, what a shame.”

“Are you sure you’ll guard it properly?”

“Though they may seem that way, they uphold their agreements to the letter.”

The priest-researchers, with eager eyes, carried the core into the temple’s inner vaults.

“His Holiness wishes to share dinner with you two.”

And so, Fernan and Rosalia were invited to the banquet.

“Welcome, young Fernan. It’s been a while since I last saw you.”

“An honor to see you again, Your Holiness.”

“Rosalia, you too… oh, I suppose I should say Professor Rosalia now, right?”

The pope, stroking his long beard, showed a benevolent smile.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the dishes were served.

“Let’s eat.”

The pope and Rosalia took their utensils, but Fernan remained still, watching him.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

“With such a solemn tone, you worry me. I hope this old heart can take it.”

The pope set down his utensils and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

“I’m ready. Speak.”

“I imagine you’ve heard what happened in Valerich.”

“Yes, and I must say I’m pleased.”

“Pleased, you say?”

“Of course. The heir of Armian regained the lost vision and defeated the corrupt. How could I not be pleased?”

He raised a glass of red wine.

“But the true goal of the corrupt wasn’t to kill eleven nobles and royals.”

“Oh no? In Vienderk, to kill eleven at once would require tremendous preparation. If that wasn’t the goal, then what was?”

“The summoning of a demon.”

“…!”

The wine stopped at his lips. The pope abruptly set down the glass.

“…I hope you can prove those words.”

“What if I told you the demon has already been summoned?”

“Not even coming from you could I believe something like that lightly…”

Fernan pulled a recording orb from his subspace.

“Judge for yourself.”

It was the orb containing the appearance of Andromalius, originally intended to be shown at the Continental Congress.

The course of events had changed because of Fernan, and humanity had yet to grasp the magnitude of the danger.

‘I must correct it.’

If the world didn’t understand the severity of the problem because the summoning failed, he would open their eyes himself.

‘There’s no point hiding it anymore.’

Fernan decided to reveal the recording of Andromalius to expand the scale of the board.

The demon was no longer a local issue—it now concerned the entire continent.

***

【The legend of the Empire, the legend of the First Emperor, and even more so, the legend of Armian…】

【The great young master Fernan of House Pellenberg, who moves alongside Aint Armian. Between the two, what could their relationship be…?】

“…These damn lunatics.”

Verian Kalburdern, who had remained at the Academy and was spending an uneasy day, spat out the tea in his mouth upon reading the morning paper.

“What is this?”

Wasn’t he supposed to have gone to see the Continental Academic Conference like any other person? Why were there corrupt involved again?

At this point, he was starting to think that the problem was Aint. How was it possible that wherever he went, he always ended up encountering corrupt or monsters?

“…Eleven members of royalty and nobility died in Valerich?”

Does that even make sense?

It’s true that with the Conference, there must’ve been an uncontrollable crowd, but still—this was Vienderk!

There’s no way Duke Vienderk would have neglected security.

Much less if the dead were royals and nobles, not commoners.

‘This only means the corrupt are truly formidable…’

He didn’t know much about the world, but it was clear that the corrupt’s schemes weren’t few. And those schemes had grown more sophisticated over time.

‘The demon has already been summoned, and on top of that, they stir chaos in broad daylight within the domains of prince-electors—this won’t end here.’

If anything, it would only grow. Never shrink.

“I need trustworthy people. People willing to help me.”

“I need you. To be precise, I need you to become one of mine.”

He remembered the invitation Aint had made not long ago.

If demons began to run rampant, Aint would begin to rise uncontrollably.

‘But I can’t put myself under that guy’s command…!’

Even if he called him friend or companion, in practice, that relationship would eventually impose an implicit hierarchy.

With his heart sinking, Verian finished his tea in one gulp and returned to his lodging. At that moment, a maid from Hall Ravidus stopped him and handed him a letter.

“Young master Verian, a message has arrived from your family.”

“A letter?”

Seeing the patriarch’s seal, Verian instinctively tensed his shoulders.

“Ahem… thank you.”

Pretending to be calm, he quickly locked himself in his room. Nervously, he unfolded the letter.

[Verian Kalburdern. I am deeply disappointed in you.]

From the very first line, the words gripped his heart.

His father’s rage was palpable, and he clenched his teeth hard.

‘Damn it.’

At first, when he entered the Academy, he never thought he’d end up in a situation like this.

[I heard you disgracefully lost to the one you were supposed to defeat, and that your rank also dropped. And on top of that, during the summer vacation you didn’t even return to the family, avoiding your responsibilities…]

The first half of the letter was nothing but reproaches against him. But from a certain point, the tone changed.

[You must have heard about what happened at the Continental Academic Conference. That has changed things. You no longer need to defeat Aint Armian. You don’t have to surpass him.]

His father’s order had changed.

[Approach Aint Armian. Try to become one of his close allies. Well, since you’re at the Academy, it’s enough if you become his friend.]

“…Huh?”

Verian’s face twisted at once.

“Shit…!”

Fernan, Aint, and now his own father.

At this point, it felt like the whole damn world was conspiring to push him into becoming Aint’s subordinate.

***

The Continental Academic Conference, held every five years, always brought changes to the Academy.

Since the Conference could be a valuable experience even for students, the Academy actively encouraged participation as a form of practical learning.

Although it was especially useful for mages, that didn’t mean it wasn’t useful to other students. Therefore, for three weeks, all classes were suspended.

Students called it the “autumn break” that came every five years.

During that time, they could do as they pleased—attend the Conference, go home, travel, or even stay at the Academy.

More than half of the students chose to visit the Conference, but Luina Bercheff did not.

Clang!

A dull sound rang out as her sword flew through the air. Blood streamed from her torn palm.

Luina fell to her knees, panting heavily.

“Get up. How can someone who calls herself a knight fall to her knees so easily?”

“…Yes.”

Clenching her teeth, she forced herself to stand. She picked up the fallen sword and pointed it once more at her opponent.

Professor Grad shook his head.

“That’s enough for today.”

“I beg you, one more time.”

“Hmm, but…”

Luina pulled a small pouch from her chest and placed it on the table.

“I beg you, one more time.”

“…Alright.”

Grad smiled.

“You’ve changed a lot, Luina. I never thought you’d come to me with a bag of coins asking for a duel.”

“I learned it from Fernan.”

“Well learned.”

He motioned with a finger.

“Come.”

Luina took a deep breath and launched herself forcefully across the floor.

Her heart pounded violently, but her mind remained calm.

Blood flowed, aura ignited.

Her sword gleamed with a bluish edge.

—!

Sword clashed against sword, the impact sent a vibration through her that forced her to step back and turn her body.

Clang, clang!

All her combinations were blocked. Professor Grad’s sword was always one step ahead.

Why?

That was the biggest dilemma that had consumed her mind in recent days.

Was it just a matter of speed? He was fast, but it wasn’t just that.

Now she was finally starting to understand.

‘Efficiency.’

Every trajectory of his sword was incredibly efficient. Not a single wasted movement to reach the optimal position.

‘That’s the path I must follow right away.’

Just realizing that made all the money and effort invested in this practice worth it.

—!

After dozens of exchanges, Luina’s sword slipped from her hand again.

“Very good.”

Grad nodded.

“Much better than before. Seems like you had a revelation, didn’t you?”

“Yes. Thanks to you.”

“Ha, you’re certainly not an ordinary girl. I wonder if I’ll end up broke if we keep this up. Want to continue training?”

“Yes. Please continue until the end of the autumn break.”

“As long as you pay me, I’ve got no problem. But for today, we’re done.”

“Yes, thank you again for today.”

Luina bowed her head, and Grad picked up the pouch of coins from the table before leaving.

She sat cross-legged, mentally reviewing the duel. When she opened her eyes, she met the gaze of her governess, who was waiting for her.

“Young lady.”

“Looks like today went well?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Your face looks more at ease.”

Luina touched her face, unsure.

“I managed to gain something.”

“That’s good. Then the money wasn’t wasted. Well, it’s Pellenberg money, after all. But are you really sure about what you’re doing?”

“I suppose.”

The bribe she had given Grad came from Fernan.

Since he promised to support her, in addition to the elixirs, he had been giving her money regularly.

Until now, she hadn’t spent it, but decided to use it this time.

“You truly surprise me. I never thought the young lady would end up giving money to Professor Grad for private lessons. You always hated those kinds of things. Though, in this case, it’s more of a formal request than a bribe.”

Even so, requesting private lessons from a professor didn’t exactly give the best image.

“I still hate it.”

“Then why…?”

“Because I hate even more being a burden.”

“A burden?”

Luina’s gaze drifted to the newspaper on the table. It read:

【The legend of the Empire, the legend of the First Emperor, and even more so, the legend of Armian…】

【The great young master Fernan of House Pellenberg, who moved alongside Aint Armian. What relationship could there be between the two…?】

An article about Fernan and Aint, who had traveled to Valerich for the Academic Conference, took the headlines.

“It’s nothing. But what’s going on—why did you suddenly come?”

“Do I need a reason to come see you?”

“If you came all the way to the training grounds, yes, you do.”

“Well, actually, a letter arrived from the lord.”

“Father?”

The governess handed her the letter, and Luina opened it.

The contents weren’t long.

[Luina, this is the first letter I send you since we last saw each other during the summer break. Life at the Academy… (omitted)…

This winter break, return to the main house. And bring with you Fernan Pellenberg, the young man who inspires you so. As you may imagine, I have many things I wish to ask him.]

The message was clear.

“Hm…”

It was an invitation addressed to Fernan.