Chapter 120
hfnAThe eyes of the frontier count were the same color as Luina’s, but they were different.2PG
SAHHotter, heavier, and more ferocious.52JuC
w785sEkForcibly holding back his racing heart, Fernan closed and opened his eyes before speaking.UTuSaQs
u4I“…Since you put it that way, I’ll speak sincerely as well.”zncpbq6
ymTk“Speak.”7pa
mm4MQ“The truth is, I initially approached Luina as bait to provoke the current situation.”LfnGG10
r81R3IEver since she had told him that creatures had begun appearing in northern Bercheff, Fernan had partly anticipated what was now happening.5TCm6
AvtviEven if it were the frontier count himself, he would have felt the same curiosity and the same anger.ihMfw
gcVR6The response he now gave was something he had prepared since then.hlzbLGe
i7T8Xc2A lie—but as convincing as the truth.wEN6Hnv
BZCxGHe couldn’t say he had approached her because, after seeing the future, he thought she’d ruin it, or because she seemed destined to become a Royal Knight.ne8u
XC9BDeD“Just because it comes from your mouth doesn’t make it true.”13a4V
4kb6JFa“I only learned a little earlier about the existence of the monsters. And by tracking them, I traced it back to the tragedy that occurred in Bercheff.”qZ7pq
grd“And now you expect me to believe that?”ByjHrs
ThEmVHe knew it was hard to believe. But whether the count believed it or not, Fernan had no choice but to persist.BgLMr7I
Rd2F“Believe it or not, that’s your decision. I only tell the truth.”eErch
PEf1BAt his calm tone, the corner of the count’s mouth twisted.47bOnuO
oX9ojp“Fine, continue. Why did you want to see me, then?”8oHO
7UfJR“Because I want to invest.”aZVjxc
ozeoCRE“Invest?”f8Q
JNQNExV“The monsters won’t just sit around enjoying a picnic, don’t you think?”p1X1B
w3eFNor will the humans.2Xf
78e4“Bercheff was already devastated once by a wave of beasts displaced by monsters.”7AQ4
aA5tAnd what if that repeated itself—as a second wave directly provoked by monsters?dt7T3
9l4Q“You dare say, to my face, that Bercheff might fall.”QJjLh
O7Z3Z“You know that yourself, don’t you?”eHs
EJPKEach person requires a different way of being dealt with.vhTgW4
27ErUIn the case of Albinos Bercheff, he hated empty words and lies more than insolence.TeiPGcv
3eVgxBefore him, it was better to speak firmly, even if crossing the line a little.1nP
1wIMThe proof was the murderous pressure that seemed ready to kill him at any moment but hadn’t yet acted.znC
ilLyAla‘Damn it, I can’t breathe…’SCsvE
tDWLHis mind dulled, and cold sweat ran down his body.KdsRqe
on0kEThat just this murderous intent alone could do so much—indeed, the title of Royal Knight wasn’t for nothing.QSjwDT
JhPErL‘If he found out this is a lie, he’d tear me apart…’YYM6V0l
si8ZkBut no one could prove it was a lie.7NV
py88rtA perfect lie is no different from the truth, so there was no problem.ellJ
aQsIiW“…Is that the will of Pellenberg?”ioHEX15
qKDaAfter a long while, without withdrawing his murderous intent, the count asked.cS8
qHLBTdr“It is my will.”0f1xgv
yGNBzUHis brow furrowed.harcy
L0OBQT4“What real power does a mere young master have to dare utter such words?”BbCu8c1
yWmQrwNThe pressure intensified. Fernan felt it was getting harder even to speak.HGuT
YbZpYRStill, he had to speak.0AakDa
dldE“…Yes, it’s true. I don’t have the same power as the patriarch… What I’m planning, the large investment in Bercheff… I can’t decide it on my own.”uNKdewM
zJu1znBut.9sG76
Oda“…I can persuade my father.”hGME
xyP28oCough—, with a cough, red blood spilled from his throat.Yzn1pV
mDBYtfeDamn it, even mana shielding hadn’t been enough.RmRGpa8
WN7IFernan gritted his teeth.IH9
C33y79“Persuade him?”aJS7
qEBU3“Yes…! If Bercheff falls… the northern Empire will be devastated. Even all of Schwaben’s territory… will collapse.”IaIg
Sz4ZEven if it had been destroyed once before, Bercheff was still Bercheff.BHAL
PppDGsCould the other lands withstand a monster wave that had devastated it?xnb
GA1sImpossible. With the current power, only Schwaben could stop that advance.sku
h6lpjk4And between Bercheff and Schwaben stretched a territory—including Bercheff itself—that made up nearly one-eighth of the Empire.STs
P2IR8A land barely smaller than the great kingdom of Alfrosen would vanish all at once.1OAshlm
5x0J“In… that region, Pellenberg has many interests.”1pd
0FBjThe Golden Turtle Company had long been expanding into the north, with multiple investments.YckOz
HuufaIf that region fell, not only the Empire but especially Pellenberg would suffer colossal losses.Cbnifb
i1W“My father… won’t let it go. And above all, within that eighth of land is…”p3Z
XjMlVt“The County of Ashdov, yes. And I doubt that greedy man would lose it so easily.”9s2
QajNFvThe County of Ashdov was one of Pellenberg’s holdings on the Lutar continent, famous for its vast plains and warhorse breeding.Htsto
zriThat’s why, when introducing his father, he was filled with endless titles—“Grand Duke of Pellenberg, Count of Ashdov, Lord of Holtian, and so on.”9Daq1a
3pmgkuNLike all electors, after all.gYS
dkfMeni“Then, what is it that you demand?”IeAcR
Xg5oYThe murderous intent disappeared. Fernan could finally release the breath he had been holding and catch his breath.s19xe6j
PaW“…I want us to go north together.”hZrz0WM
Ktyzp“To the north?”xF3FnjG
0Ck“Yes. We need evidence—solid evidence. Something to convince my father.”JroJ
pVFm0“To bring proof that there’s a monster nest?”RSb
ytBMkoHahahahahaha…!rghy50
wT7vN9YThe count burst into laughter. The force of his laugh made Fernan shield his ears with mana.CEt
Msy3v“You expect me to sacrifice my knights for Pellenberg?”WYGCS
uIqt“Not just for Pellenberg—but for Bercheff and the Empire as well.”JOZ7Q
0xUytbEAnd he added:KtG3u
A3bPoe“I’ll go too.”9OW
b7Wqmb“…What?”VbqqT
z3B2n4The count’s expression cracked for the first time, as if he hadn’t expected to hear those words.7vY9h4
oqQr“…You say you’ll go personally?”mHOlnY
WQxgE“Yes.”eSQ5c
LZK“It’s an extremely dangerous place.”wU6im
lC7eL“I’m aware.”v7X
kfyQDVHmm… The count fell silent for a moment, then hardened his face again and spoke.FQz
KLcCu“But there’s a problem. Why should I bind myself to Pellenberg, when it’s enough to officially notify the Empire of the danger and request aid? Your people already made me suffer enough.”903z5
SwVIL“It’s better to have a large chunk taken from us than to be devoured by hundreds of hyenas until not even bones remain.”NGuv8M
9v0jIf it became public, many nobles would come to aid Bercheff.YWH2
DHS3LThey knew that if it fell, they’d be next, and there was much to gain there.u5X44
GiwmkBut in this world, nothing is free.XZzq
KMSAid always came at a price.ETSNDS
kvfDwThough everyone was under the Empire’s roof, at heart each noble prioritized their own interests.UUQUq
aAgEp“You’re not saying you wouldn’t take a bite yourself, huh?”B3yX
Lsvc“That would be too shallow a lie.”GBFR1d4
ooBwFernan felt the count’s voice soften a bit. It was time to strike the final blow.0yRcHMj
pjP9aFX“And there’s another reason I’m doing all this.”oxYjp
kKy2He took out from subspace a recording crystal—the same one containing the summoning of Andromalius.cs1gQJG
bztwX“I don’t want the wealth Pellenberg has built up to be lost to the demons.”6ifQI
hAhThat was the most honest answer he had given so far.BpcS
9Ik6Rp***UK4g3c
VVQhtjq“How did it go?”bp9
6FnIV55At the chief butler’s question, the frontier count, now back in his office, let out a dry laugh.EihO
lMsGqWa“He tricked me.”NeOMf62
U6I“Pardon?”eH0sW
VJfQsD“I didn’t ask what feelings he has for Luina.”LUW8
pdjE3“Seems he said something tempting enough, sir.”xasUP
cNObThe frontier count nodded as he picked up an almond chocolate from the table and popped it into his mouth.NX6
JrZ“It was a proposal like rain in the middle of a drought.”3UAM
yVe9Even if it hadn’t been Fernan, the count already felt firsthand the threat of the monsters.qGrZR
RBvjfYBecause the monsters that used to cross into Bercheff were gradually, though steadily, decreasing.xhbTc9
he9qLThanks to that, reconstruction had become easier, but ever since the monsters appeared, no one interpreted it as a good sign.X2ejCE
zl0fW“That’s why it’s even more suspicious. What is that Ivon plotting, using his son at the forefront?”iUuFD
A5l7KcThe count didn’t believe this was Fernan’s unilateral decision.yRlus3
mGooSupport of such magnitude from Pellenberg couldn’t have happened without the patriarch’s approval.scLgun
Qih6Q“Then will you reject it?”ExB70yZ
epXkwn“No.”oNVO
tPJtThey had lost the right to the golden edict due to Pellenberg’s proposal.8K60
Pk8rqThey had nearly lost the family’s secret swordsmanship, along with the debts they incurred with Pellenberg.OQ7yWLN
gZpjEven so, the frontier count couldn’t reject the current proposal.R2SQ
pk0zVWhatever trap it held, whatever poison it carried.lJKsa
W9LSometimes, even knowing it’s poisoned, one must swallow.GcM67
bKnzd“As he said, it’s better for Pellenberg to bite off a large chunk than for others to devour us down to the bones.”kX35dTS
KEgtHEIf they still held the title of elector, things might be different.8B3oq
Jj0XGxBut they had already lost it. And Bercheff’s situation was what it was.0rDSi
iSpN6WL“Above all, after seeing this, it no longer matters what Ivon is scheming. There’s no choice but to accept.”ibWPy
xErKBpThe count shared with the butler the recording crystal he had received from Fernan.dUcE1su
EscQMNWhen he checked its contents, his face turned pale.d7PveV
ikS“We expected that someday the corrupt ones would summon a demon… but that it had already happened? Where was this?”hyTD
YJ1“At the Academy.”cgln
Zd7Z8“…Then, the rumors about the corrupt causing trouble—it wasn’t them, but a demon.”uJKcTl
ebKFThe butler let out a bitter, disbelieving laugh.n45x7K
pfKAfh“Mikale Montella… to hide something like this…!”kRfx
ySs“Don’t waste time lamenting the past. What matters most there is Aint Armian.”XqYgqF8
c8R4IThe holy light that defeated the demon. His figure was the same as that of the legendary First Emperor.nXcMqu
Ns2R“The world has not yet abandoned Bercheff.”XJy
kQ2The demons were showing their fangs again—but a new hero had also emerged.ZKLxBV
RU3oxAU“Prepare an expedition.”pDjZH5
HcrU“To what scale…?”gSKyzU
2KTr8“Farther than any expedition we’ve done so far.”1On7
ybiMH“Right away, sir.”AJLh
wKQSYTThe butler bowed his head. Just then, Luina entered.1HN
8InX“He tricked me, Father.”mxKjQx
4Bzg“I had to see Fernan first.”zUkmnM
Pl7cw“And how did it go?”iUThxOn
ca2tJt“Now I understand that your praise for him wasn’t just from being infatuated.”srPC
E920“…It’s not that. Fernan is objectively an outstanding mage.”gQW
m4dGkua“Fine, let’s say that’s true.”zgCvLX
CJ8The count shrugged.cUe2
vgs8q“But I’m still against it. The Pellenbergs are so sly, you never know what they’re hiding.”yeaOlMz
Ad8CLpv“Father!”jS4237L
odtv1CAt Luina’s shout, the count covered his ears.720u8
sIVA relatively peaceful day.mDNu1
d7YJo***VZXmkM
tsK73“Ugh, I’m a mess inside.”6447
UQGqkMFernan drank a potion. It was a waste, but he had no other choice.EpT9
rAZgaXoKnowing the frontier count of Bercheff, whose decisiveness and ability to act were among the fastest in the Empire, he would soon prepare the expedition.skL
UtNj8And until then, if his wrecked body didn’t stabilize, he wouldn’t be able to prepare effectively.Bg9Nh
Nb7c“I’m sorry… it’s all my fault…”yw90Cc
mgumD“It’s not your fault, Luina. It was something I had to face sooner or later, and in the end, it turned out quite well.”ViEZ6
aYhHplI“Thank goodness. Ah, my father says we should have dinner together later.”CdN6uc
oIo0xnl“It would be my pleasure.”r29
CAmi2Fernan nodded at the positive signal.OdLeoPZ
Qbc‘There’s no way to refuse. Even if I were the frontier count, I’d accept.’omEIsH8
zMZ6IThe situation had backed him into a corner.jXj
sCkJ‘Though he could’ve made it public to avoid relying on Pellenberg…’IFW
FFlNo, the count wasn’t that foolish.7NPNP3u
6vqBTo anyone, choosing Pellenberg was the best option.3brdc
SNtlRg‘I set the whole board myself. I won’t let someone else grab the fork first.’Ey3W0ju
W7LULQ7Making it public would make things easier, of course.NEz
rdBMdZFBut Fernan didn’t just want to stop the demons.XHwI
MeD3oHe wanted to stop them and, at the same time, have him and his house profit even more.4nu
2EzU4All big investments come with risks.xX1talX
uccemIf he failed, he’d lose a lot.rkkGl4Z
7H46If he succeeded, Bercheff would become Pellenberg’s backyard.xgua5xF
OzugDx2‘What should I start with? Maybe with so many mercenaries I should build a hotel… No, better to exploit Bercheff’s abundant mines, make weapons, and profit from the war…’vkq2Ptl
9AZm6The greed characteristic of Pellenberg, the same that led them to even sell to demons, came to the surface.Va0hI
JhI“…Are you listening to me?”FLU36lm
fpaWcgA pale hand waved in front of his eyes. Fernan snapped out of his thoughts.96HdJ41
iy0705“I’m listening. What did you say?”IZ64DW
yYVq“You don’t even know what you’re saying.”GJ6u
3jM7Luina sighed before continuing:HCFPkk
qYy6“I said that, if you want, I can show you Bertén.”njz5
9pwqm0gBertén was the main city under Bercheff’s domain and where they were now. The largest city in the north.XlV1d4
NKoYjRi“If you show me, I’d be grateful.”bO0SHLW
g53“Then let’s go.”LNZG4M
mpY“Can I bring senior Gismond too?”ekzUy7
v0mkp“Him?”P14zpV
snLZOgjLuina didn’t like the idea and stopped.1POC
G4r6i“If you don’t want to, it’s not necessary…”DRCP
AMrLk“No, let him come too.”EcOE
YQnPPw3Fernan and Luina dragged out Gismond, who had locked himself in his room, and went out.nFIFi
ZHuSrThe first destination was the street of forges and workshops.BpmBz
ANHBMqH“This place is the workshop street.”JPPIr1H
2NcvCiAClang, clang, clang—87p0Kf
AaFHeat and smoke poured out from everywhere.SqNr
hAKThe regular pounding of hammers sounded like a melody.kksqY
fdWFernan examined a sword at a nearby workshop.jmI
y8DX“Well made. Firm and with good elasticity.”jmG
RDlA“Bercheff’s swords are the best on the continent, I assure you.”lKn
URRLipLuina’s pride was justified.PCe
6pqRkBercheff was the region with the most wars and battles in the Empire, which had led to the extreme development of its weapons and armor.25mJ
J6PbwBercheff’s weapons were considered the best anywhere on the continent.R2QuW
W7idJeY‘If I buy these weapons in bulk and resell them, I’ll make a fortune.’sJFq
okBThe problem was, no matter how many were produced, most were consumed within Bercheff.jty
JxomsThe battles were so frequent that they rarely exported.Gf7
cQ5‘In the investment contract, this is the first thing I’ll secure.’gVq
s8DRGHe could also support the craftsmen, learn the technique, and expand the business.718
HtpCOK3“This is the statue of the first patriarch.”VSlJ5H
CKJoatuIn the central plaza stood a ten-meter statue.SInJtD
pXYNuUIt vividly conveyed the feeling of the founder on horseback.WNIA
RxyRxLcFor having been erected a thousand years ago, it showed no signs of wear.pV8TI46
EHvUl“Do you want to eat something?”RKRka6m
4hd“I’m curious about the food here.”HLCv
aluKqIEAfter eating, they returned to the castle.hxbPzie
6brv8They passed by the training grounds, where knights were practicing.oyzGLp
o1HTB“Can I see that?”5B4
I30DIUV“Observing the knights’ training is forbidden. Not even you can.”JWCPB
tEYImMlHmm… Fernan shifted his gaze elsewhere.mF8
aMHHNot far away was the dueling arena.o2bNe2s
WqqGHET“What if it’s not training, but a real duel to instruct senior Gismond?”MJD
EcUkusuThe person in question, who was watching the fights, flinched at the mention of his name.V2kAB
pUMw“M-me…?”Gpk
oLZgUHe followed Fernan’s pointing finger. There were Bercheff knights engaged in bloody duels.ZXI5ud
by0o“I’m not talking about teaching you the family’s secret techniques. Just some real practice or basic aura handling.”Cnuo1X
xIA“Can’t that be taught somewhere other than Bercheff?”EZ8H2gV
CBjMg“Yes, but here they do it better.”CUgA
glbAt that praise for Bercheff, Luina’s expression softened a little.ogwyCb
srYv“Was that your intention from the start when you brought the senior?”9MCqX
C3B“It was. As you know, his skill doesn’t match the aura he has. And in the war against the demons, even one more expert is valuable.”T4QKG
CQM4ccoThough in truth…mJSpl
8gsa‘I need to keep an eye on Gismond.’pNw9
AyDSooner or later, he would get entangled with demons.XXArsR
zSS1wfIf he died suddenly, it would be a problem.bTKYXvz
G9lx3MVThere were still too many things to draw from him.P9Gh
lEPpRqb“That said, it’s not enough.”TzN8cQv
v3b8Luina evaluated him with her gaze and sighed.pqocm
QcE“Compared to Bercheff’s knights, he’s… far behind.”5R9eNP
96gtMgM“Can’t that be fixed?”YuF
Wnq“…Since it’s you, I’ll ask the training captain for a favor.”Ls7k
Qzgv“Thank you.”CLpmmW
26sBO“No need to thank me.”DZjt7
UJENLuina entered the training grounds.pLOTb
jSMfPbLeft alone, Gismond asked:gSWdh
VIflWk“…Hey, what about my opinion?”uMO0PkE
WcSX“Obviously it doesn’t count, senior.”yyi
HmaGismond’s face turned pale.TP7J
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