A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 129

Chapter 129

War⁠⁠ was the clash‌‍‌ of multitudes against‌ multitudes.

For‌ a single individual‌ to change the‍ course of a war was, generally⁠ speaking, impossible.

But⁠⁠ if that individual⁠ was a Royal⁠‍ Knight, recognized as‍‌ the greatest knight⁠‍ on the continent by the Emperor‌ himself.

If he was an‍‍ Archmage, acknowledged by‍ the Pope of⁠⁠ the Dragon God‍⁠ Cult as the⁠⁠ greatest sorcerer on⁠ the continent.

The‍‍‍ story changed a little.

They‍ could alter the⁠‍ battlefield by themselves,‍⁠ and that’s why‌‍‍ they were called‍ one-man armies.

And‌‌ right now, that⁠⁠‍ miracle was unfolding‍ before their eyes.‌

Countless⁠⁠ fireballs rained down.‍⁠‌

It‌ was a disaster‍⁠ in itself.

Of‌⁠ course, the Archmage⁠‌⁠ wasn’t entirely alone—dozens‌⁠ of priests from‌‌ the Dragon God‍‌ Cult were assisting him.

But⁠ that didn’t diminish⁠ the feat of⁠ the massive magic⁠‌ he was unleashing.‍‌‍

“Now’s‍ the time to counterattack!”

“Fight!”‌

“Drive‍‍ the monsters out!”

The‍‍‍ morale of the‍‌ soldiers, who had‍ glimpsed a ray of hope, rose.‌‌‌

The⁠⁠ lifeless eyes regained‍‌ their light, the⁠ wounded grit their teeth and raised⁠ their swords and‍ spears once more.‍‌

War‍‍ was a matter⁠ of spirit.

And⁠‍ the flame of‍ Bercheff was burning‌ once more.

“…An Archmage? Shit, we’re‌‌ saved…! Saved, damn⁠⁠ it! And they⁠‌ thought I’d die‌ here?”

Gismond⁠‌ raised his trembling‍⁠ hands and shouted‌⁠‌ in joy.

“Huh?‌‌⁠ That face looks‍ familiar, who is‌‌‍ it?”

“That’s‌‌ Senior Gismond.”

“Gismond?‌ Ah, the one‍ who did well⁠⁠ in the jousting⁠ tournament! But why‍‌⁠ is he here?”‌‌⁠

“I‍⁠ brought him. How‍⁠‌ much holy water‌‍ did you bring?”‍⁠

At‌ those words, Jace⁠ brought his palms⁠‍⁠ together and dodged‌⁠‌ the question.

“Well…‌‌ I brought a lot, but…”

“And⁠ who do you‌ think you’re trying‌‍ to haggle with?”⁠⁠

“You‌‌ know monsters and‍‌ the corrupted are‌ popping up everywhere.‌ The demand for‍ holy water skyrocketed,⁠‍⁠ so the prices—well,‍ they rose a bit, no, a lot…”

“I‌‍ owed you four⁠ favors.”

Fernan⁠⁠⁠ cut him off‌‍ flatly.

“That…”⁠‌

“Did‍‌ you digest the⁠ Itarium root well?”‍‍

“Don’t⁠⁠ mix personal matters‌ into public ones…”⁠⁠

“I’m⁠ not asking for⁠ it free. Just⁠ sell it at‌ cost.”

“Brother, that I really‍ can’t do!”

“Then‌ give me the⁠ equivalent amount of‌ holy water for⁠ what the Itarium‌‍ root was worth.”‍‍

“Uhm…”‌‍

Jace averted his gaze.‍⁠⁠ He knew exactly‌‍ how valuable that root had been.‍‍

“I’ll⁠ deduct two of⁠⁠‌ the four favors.‌‍⁠ Give me as⁠‍ much holy water‌ at cost as‌ possible. That way‍ you don’t lose‍⁠⁠ out.”

“…If‍ I think of⁠⁠ the root’s value,‌‌ I’m not losing‍‍ anything…”

At last, Jace nodded‍‌‌ in resignation.

“You’re⁠⁠ a true merchant,‌‌ brother. Alright, I’ll‍ try.”

“The‍⁠⁠ Dragon God will‍‍ bless you.”

“Don’t‌‍⁠ say things even‌⁠ you don’t believe⁠‌ in.”

He‍‍ replied bluntly.

“What⁠‍‌ I didn’t expect‍⁠⁠ was to see‌ Cardinal Alby here.”‌‍‍

“It’s‍‍ a massive monster‌ attack. It’s precisely⁠ in moments like‍ this that the‍ Cult must step‌‍‍ forward. We’re only‌ thirty, but they’re‌ all high priests.”‌‌

And those high priests‌ of the Cult‌ were all top-tier‍ sorcerers.

“I‌ don’t think that’s⁠⁠ the only reason.”‌

“Hahaha,‍‍ we’re also interested‌‌ in collecting some‌‌‍ monster corpses. For‌ research…”

“Saint!⁠ Stop talking and‌ come help us!”

A priest’s voice interrupted‍‍⁠ from the wall.⁠

“Coming!‌‌ Brother, I’ll be right there!”

Startled,‌⁠ Jace ran toward⁠ the wall.

“Luina,⁠ Hyde. We’re back‍‍⁠ in the fight.”‍⁠

“Yes.”‍

“Yes.”‌

Fernan‍⁠ summoned more golems‍‍ to cover the⁠ damaged wall.

But‌⁠‍ the situation was‌ no longer the⁠ same.

Outside,⁠⁠‌ everything was a sea of fire.⁠⁠⁠

The‍‌ monsters, with their⁠ brutal endurance, pushed‍ through the flames,‍⁠ but they did‍‌‌ not emerge unscathed.‌‍

Still,‍‍ they were monsters—the‍‍‍ fight remained brutal.‍

It‍⁠‍ was unclear how‍ much time passed.

Fwooooot—‌

A trumpet sounded in‌‍‍ the distance.

Thud thud thud thud—‍⁠

Cavalry⁠‌ thundered across the‌ ground, and cheers⁠‌‍ filled the field.‍

“Reinforcements!”‌

“Reinforcements‌ have arrived!”

The⁠ Bercheff reinforcements had come.

***⁠⁠⁠

The⁠‌ reinforcements struck the⁠ monsters’ rear.

The‌ enemy lines became‍ disordered, and the‌ fortress gates opened‌‌⁠ so the soldiers‌ could push out.⁠⁠

The‌⁠ tide of battle‍ was turning.

But⁠‌ even with retreat‌⁠‍ orders, the monsters‌⁠ didn’t back down.

Lacking‌ fear, they weren’t‍⁠ easily swept away.⁠‌

However, the priests’ massive‌ spells gradually tipped‌ the balance.

“Hyde,‍‌ Luina. Let’s go.”⁠

“Yes!”

Taking⁠⁠ advantage of the distraction, Fernan left‌‍‍ the fortress with⁠ both of them.⁠⁠⁠

He⁠ couldn’t contain his⁠ curiosity—he had to‍ see how the‍⁠⁠ real battle was‍ going, the one‌⁠‍ that mattered.

‘If,‌‍ even by the⁠‍ slightest chance, the‍‌ two Royal Knights⁠‌ lose, I must‍⁠ intervene immediately.’

Even‌‍ if he had⁠‍ to use Wooden, the demon had to die.

“This⁠‍ is it.”

The‍⁠ roars and explosions⁠⁠‍ still rumbled.

The‍ once ordinary plain‌ was now a scorched battlefield.

And at the center‌ of it all.⁠‌

There‍⁠ they were.

Two⁠⁠ knights and a demon.

Their‌ movements were so fast Fernan could⁠‌ barely follow. Brutal.‌ Dangerous.

The‌ blue and red‍⁠ auras, mixed with‌‍⁠ black magic, covered⁠⁠ the entire plain,‍‌ unleashing shockwaves that‍ reached even Fernan‍ from afar.

“…Are‍ they doing it?”‌

As‌ much as he‌ wanted to think‍‍ positively, the battle‍ didn’t look favorable.‌

Fernan⁠ muttered, uneasy.

***‌

Boom!⁠‌

The‍ swords clashed.

Sword‍‌ and spear met.‍

They‌ traced lethal paths,‍ aiming for the‌ enemy’s vital points.‍⁠

─!

A quick body twist⁠‌ left only a fine slash of blood.

At‌ the same time,‌‌ the Mercenary King’s spear tore a wound into his⁠ own body.

“Ugh…!”‌⁠‍

“Fine,⁠ I admit your⁠‍ combined attack exceeds⁠⁠‍ my expectations.”

Kimaris⁠ growled in a low, savage voice.

His⁠‍‌ armor was shattered,⁠ his helmet torn‍ off, and his‌ grotesque face laid⁠ bare.

Even‌‍‍ so, he didn’t‌ look like he‍‍‍ was losing.

Quite⁠ the opposite—the count‍ and the Mercenary⁠‌⁠ King were in⁠‌ worse condition.

“But‍ even so, I am Kimaris! I will never lose⁠ to mere inferior‍⁠ humans!”

He‌‍ unleashed a burst of demonic magic.‍‌⁠

The⁠‍ two Royal Knights‍ quickly dodged, but‌ he followed instantly.⁠

Clang!‍

The‌ count barely managed to block the‍‍ slash. The Mercenary‌ King struck at his exposed back,‌ but Kimaris reacted⁠⁠ to even that.⁠‍

Spinning⁠‍ swiftly, his sword⁠‌ hit and sent⁠‌ him flying with a groan.

“Where’s⁠‌‍ that confidence from‌⁠‌ before, Mercenary King? Did you think‌⁠ leading a bunch‍ of trash made⁠ you someone important?”‍⁠

“Of‍ course. The title‍⁠ of Mercenary King‍⁠ isn’t won by⁠⁠ playing cards.”

“Even⁠ to the end, all you do‌ is talk. Fine,⁠ I’ll praise you⁠ for that. For⁠‍ a human to⁠ boast in front⁠‍ of me is⁠ already a feat.”

“What⁠⁠⁠ a load of⁠‍ crap.”

Spitting⁠ blood, the Mercenary King got back‌ on his feet.‍⁠⁠

In⁠ that brief pause‌ in words, he‌⁠ exchanged a glance with the count.⁠‌‍

“Do⁠ you really call⁠‍ that praise? You‌ must be insane…”‍

At‍ that moment, the‍‌ count stomped the‌ ground.

“…Or⁠ not?!”

He⁠‍ charged at Kimaris‌‌⁠ again, and the⁠⁠ spear attacked from‌‌ behind.

The⁠ demon reacted as⁠ before, but the‍‍‍ mercenary’s counterattack was‌⁠ different—he ducked and‍ dodged, the spear‌ slithered like a viper and smashed‍ his leg.

As⁠ he flinched, the‌ count unleashed a flurry of slashes.‍

“…Incredible.”

Luina‌⁠ murmured unconsciously.

“Yes…”⁠

Even‌‌ Fernan, who wasn’t‌ an expert in‍‍ swordsmanship, could see‌⁠ it clearly.

The⁠ combined attack looked‌‍ like it was‍ about to break—but‌ it held.

It‌‍‌ was as if‌ sword and spear⁠ had always been‍ one weapon—they covered,⁠ hid, and complemented each other without getting in the‌‌⁠ way.

Natural‌‌ like a river,‍‍ furious like a storm, violent like‌‍‍ a tidal wave.

“…It’s‍ like that sword‍⁠ and that spear were born to⁠ be together.”

“I’d⁠‍ heard my father⁠ and the Mercenary‌⁠ King shared the‌‍ battlefield for years‍ in their youth,‌⁠ but I didn’t‍ think it was‌⁠ this much…”

“Years⁠ together?”

“Yes.”‌

That explained the coordination bordering on art.‌‌

The⁠‍ problem was, even‍ so, the demon‍‌ wouldn’t fall.

“Congratulations!‍⁠ No non-demon has⁠ entertained me as‍ much as you‍ two.”

“Is‌ your memory disposable?‍‌‍ Did you forget‍ you were defeated⁠ and cast into‍ hell a thousand⁠⁠ years ago?”

“…You‌ dare speak words you shouldn’t.”

The‌‍ Mercenary King struck⁠‍ Kimaris’s most sensitive‍ nerve.

The‌‍‍ tension rose.

“I’ll⁠⁠ tear your corpse⁠⁠ apart and feed‍⁠‍ it to the‍ Hellhounds.”

Suddenly,‌ the world turned‍‌⁠ black.

A massive torrent of‌⁠⁠ demonic magic fell⁠⁠‍ upon them.

Boom!

A devastating explosion engulfed‍⁠‍ everything in darkness.

Only‍‍ flashes of blue⁠‌‍ and red flickered⁠‌ intermittently.

“Father…!”‌‌‍

“Hold on! If you⁠ go now, you’ll‍ die!”

Luina‌ screamed, and Fernan⁠‍‌ grabbed her tightly⁠ to stop her‍ from running.

When⁠ the darkness dissipated—‍

Crunch—‍‌‍

“Cough…!”⁠

The‍ scene before them‍⁠ turned them cold.‍⁠⁠

The‍‌ Mercenary King’s spear‍⁠ was broken.

His‍‌ chest bore a deep wound.

He‌ fell to the⁠ ground, coughing blood.‍

But‌⁠ it wasn’t a defeat.

The‌⁠ count’s sword pierced⁠‍ through Kimaris’s chest.‍

“Guh…?”⁠‍⁠

The‍⁠ demon trembled and‍⁠‌ vomited blood.

“Hahaha…‌‍ that’s how a combined attack is‌ done, you senile‍ demon.”

The‍‌ Mercenary King’s broken‍‌‌ spear was stuck‌ in Kimaris’s foot,‍ pinning him to the ground.

Taking‍ advantage of that‍⁠‍ sacrifice, the count⁠‌ had driven his‌ sword into his‍ heart.

“Damn⁠ you…!”

The⁠ count pulled out⁠ his sword. Kimaris’s‍ body staggered.

“I… me, defeated by mere humans…!”

Slash!

A blue flash decapitated‍⁠ the demon.

“Ah.”‍

“Ah.”‌‍‍

Fernan‍ and Luina collapsed‍ in relief.

“Father…”

Luina‍ exhaled upon seeing⁠⁠ he was alive.‌‍

“…We‌⁠ won.”

They‌ had really won.‍

They had killed a demon—not a weakened‍⁠ one, but a complete one.

Without‍‌‌ Aint.

‘There‌‍‍ is hope…’

Even‌‌ without the Contradictor,‌ humans were not‍ powerless.

Fernan‌ overflowed with euphoria.

And⁠⁠‌ then he heard‌⁠ the voices of⁠‍ the Royal Knights.⁠‌

“Damn⁠ it, when was‍ the last time⁠⁠ we fought like‍ that? I’m exhausted.”⁠

Both⁠⁠⁠ of them, battered‌‍‌ and bloodied, collapsed.‌‌⁠

“You‌⁠‌ okay?”

“Not‍‍ really. If I don’t get treated⁠‍‍ soon, I’ll die.”‌‍⁠

“This‌‍ is serious. We‌ need to return‍⁠‌ as soon as⁠‍⁠ possible. The demon’s⁠ corpse is mine.”⁠

“Says⁠ who?”

“Obviously.‍‌ It fell on Bercheff’s land.”

“If⁠ not for me,⁠⁠‍ you wouldn’t have⁠ killed it.”

“Same⁠⁠‌ to you.”

The⁠⁠ Mercenary King frowned.‍

“Since when are you this greedy?”

“I’ll‍ give it to⁠‌ the Pellenbergs. They’ll⁠⁠ appreciate its value.‌‌ And I need‌ to reduce my⁠ house’s debts…”

But⁠ at that moment,⁠ Kimaris’s body disintegrated into dust. So did his black‍⁠⁠ horse.

“……”‍‌

The‍ count stared in‌‍ disbelief.

“Haha…⁠‌ What a funny⁠‍‌ phenomenon, don’t you think? Cough, gah…”‌‌⁠

The‍ Mercenary King coughed‍⁠ blood as he‍‍ laughed.

The‌⁠‌ count threw him‌ a potion.

“…Ridiculous.”‌

Fernan,‌‌‍ who had almost‍‍ had the corpse‌‌ in his hands,⁠ let out a bitter laugh.

As‍‍ soon as it‌‌ was all over,‌ he remembered what⁠ he’d lost.

If‍⁠‌ demons left behind⁠ corpses, he would‌‌ already have Andromalius,⁠‌‌ the serpent, Kimaris,‌‌‍ and the black‍⁠ horse.

“…My‍ treasures.”

“They’re‌‍ not yours, young‌ master.”

“Shut‌⁠ up, Hyde.”

Fernan‍ gnashed his teeth.‌‍⁠

“Even⁠ tigers leave their‌⁠ skin when they‍ die, and these bastards leave nothing…?”‍‌

His‍⁠⁠ hatred toward demons‌ deepened.

“First,‍⁠ we need to⁠⁠ save the Mercenary‍ King.”

He‍ was on the‍‌‌ verge of death.

Fernan‍‍‍ took out a supreme potion from⁠ his subspace and‍ ran toward him.‍⁠

***

While⁠‍ in the imperial‍ north they fought‌‌⁠ and dealt with‍‍ the aftermath of‍ battle.

In⁠‍⁠ the Kingdom of⁠‌ Frazia, a hunt‍‍ for the corrupt‌⁠ was also underway.⁠

“Kill the monsters!”

“Kill⁠‌ all the corrupt!‌‌ Aint Armian is‍ with us!”

The‍‌ holy light of‍ Aint illuminated the‍ field, driving out⁠‌ the darkness.

Veteran mercenaries followed in‌‍ his footsteps.

Monsters⁠ fell, corrupt ones⁠ were decapitated.

The‌⁠ fight didn’t last⁠⁠ long: there were‍‌ barely any enemies‍ left.

“…We⁠ arrived late.”

Most‍⁠ had already fled‌ their hideouts.

It‌ wasn’t surprising—Aint had‍⁠ already destroyed five‍ of their refuges⁠‌ in Frazia.

“With⁠ this, the rest⁠⁠ surely went into⁠‍ hiding too.”

Valoshi‌⁠‌ approached his side.‌‌

“But⁠ it feels like‌ we’ve barely scratched‌ the surface…”

“We‌⁠‌ can’t touch Frazia’s‍ nobles. Even if‌‌ you’re a famous‌ hero, attacking the‌ nobility of another‍ kingdom would cause⁠ a diplomatic problem.”⁠‍‍

“I⁠ know.”

Aint‍‍ sighed.

He‍ had come to‍ Frazia by chance,‌ stumbling upon the‌ corrupt.

He‌‌ tracked them, discovered‌‌ they were infiltrated⁠ throughout the kingdom,‍ and tried to exterminate them—but couldn’t.‍‌

— Frazia is already‌ infested. There are‍‌ surely powerful people⁠‍‍ involved.

— Doesn’t matter if they’re corrupt or‍ just accomplices. They all deserve to‍ die.

The⁠ problem was the⁠⁠ lack of solid⁠‌ evidence.

The⁠⁠ Kingdom of Frazia‍ wasn’t cooperating, and‌‍ Aint couldn’t go‍ noble by noble‍ demanding tests.

“Aint,‍ what will you‍‌ do now?”

Varus,‌ disciple of the Mercenary King, carrying his spear over⁠ his shoulder, joined⁠‍ them.

“Let’s go back.”

“Perfect.⁠‌‌ Let’s grab a dark beer.”

“Drinking again? Don’t you‌‌ ever get tired⁠ of it?”

Aria,⁠‍‌ the companion who‌⁠⁠ had followed Aint‍‍‌ since the academy,⁠ frowned.

“Drinking‌‌ never gets old.⁠‍ Mercenaries and alcohol⁠‌ are inseparable.”

“You‍‌ say nonsense with‌⁠ too much confidence.”⁠⁠‌

She‍‌ smiled.

“Let’s‌‍‌ go. I need‌‍⁠ beer too, after⁠ all this dirt‌⁠ in my mouth.”

“That’s⁠ it, Verian! Someone who gets it.‌‌‍ Though this little‍ rich kid probably‍ looks down on‍⁠ cheap liquor.”

“One‌ day your tongue⁠⁠ will get you‍ in trouble, Varus.”‍‍

Suddenly,⁠‌‌ Valoshi frowned.

“Advice‍ from a great‍⁠ house is a precious thing. You’re‍⁠ welcome.”

They⁠⁠‍ returned to the‌ Ramons mercenary guild.‌⁠

“Sir Aint, a letter‍‍ has arrived for‌‌ you.”

“A‍ letter?”

— It’s from Bercheff.‌‌ From that rich‍‌ guy?

[Aint.⁠ We found a demon egg in⁠ the north. The‍ border count and‌⁠ the Mercenary King‌ tried to destroy⁠ it but failed—we‌ need the power⁠ of Armian, the‍‍ natural enemy of⁠ demons. That’s why…]‍‍

It‌ was from Fernan.⁠‍

— If it’s an‍‌ egg, it must‌ be Decarabia’s. Only he descends through⁠⁠ that type of‌ vessel.

— So they took‌ it before he‌‌ could incarnate. You⁠⁠ want to destroy‌⁠ it yourself?

The‍ letter was long,‍‍‌ but the point‍ was clear.

— Come without fail!‍ It’s a one-time chance to take⁠ down a demon.‍⁠

An‌‍⁠ offer impossible to‍⁠ refuse.

That⁠ same day, Aint‌ set off for⁠ the north.