Chapter 133

Starting with the rank 72 demon, Andromalius, followed by the rank 70 demon, Seir, the rank 69 demon, Decarabia, and even the rank 66 demon, Kimaris.

Although Seir and Decarabia were prevented from descending thanks to Fernan, the fact that they had come so close to doing so was undeniable.

It hadn’t even been two years since he obtained the prophecy book, and already four demons had descended or nearly done so.

The war against the demons was no longer a matter of the distant future or a ridiculous fantasy.

That’s why Fernan valued Aint even more.

‘The Aint of now is strong.’

If Luina had the potential to become the next Royal Knight, in Fernan’s eyes, Aint was someone with the potential to become the youngest Royal Knight in history.

That, along with the help of Sir Gardner himself, the first Royal Knight, and the power of Armian.

‘If things continue like this, it’s only natural for Armian to reclaim the throne.’

As long as Aint had the ambition, Schwaben wouldn’t stand a chance.

That’s why he advised him to surround himself with mercenaries.

For Aint, whose house lacked sufficient power, there was no better support force than mercenaries.

‘And having Varus as a companion will be another great advantage.’

Even if the prophecy book hadn’t mentioned it yet, surely the Aint of the future also expanded his strength in this way.

‘In that sense, that guy would’ve been useful… what a shame.’

Fernan glanced at Roderick Fisher, who was leading the mercenaries beside Aint.

“Demonic beasts! Make way!”

Waaaah!

Roderick, who killed a creature in a single blow and charged forward, was at a level among the best in the mercenary world.

‘It’s said he idolizes the King of Mercenaries, right?’

That’s why he named his group “Blue Wolves,” similar to the “Red Wolves” of the Mercenary King.

Of course, there wasn’t a mercenary who didn’t idolize him.

‘But for a corrupted to idolize a man who killed a demon doesn’t make sense…’

It was pure coincidence that Fernan noticed him among those storming the hideout from all sides.

But seeing him at the front, leading the charge, was strange.

A mercenary, someone who values money and life above all, leading the way?

Maybe he wanted to earn the trust of Aint and Fernan, or maybe he just trusted in his strength.

Fernan thought that too at first and, as a precaution, sent Wooden to observe. He never imagined he’d find such prey.

‘There was nothing suspicious in the records of any of the three.’

With the help of the Golden Pillar, he investigated the background of the three mercenary captains, but found nothing unusual.

They were all mercenaries who lived for money, easy to trust if paid fairly.

If he hadn’t seen with his own eyes the actions of that damned corrupted, Fernan would have trusted Roderick Fisher without hesitation.

— Kyu?

“Well done. It’s thanks to you.”

Fernan patted Wooden’s head. Hyde asked,

“Will you keep watching him?”

“Yes. From what I felt, among the corrupted, he was someone of high rank. We’ll pretend ignorance and keep him close while we figure out the best way to use him.”

Fernan twisted the corner of his lips.

Anyone who dared take his money and then betray him would never die peacefully.

And if they were corrupted, even less so.

Besides, killing him right away would be a waste.

From just that brief conversation between Roderick and the corrupted, he had already gained a lot of information.

‘That now I’m considered as dangerous as Aint… that there are hierarchies even among the corrupted…’

And finally, that even the demons weren’t as united as they seemed.

‘That corrupted insulted Kimaris.’

Serving another demon, it was clear he didn’t revere Kimaris.

‘Now that I think about it, when we obtained the First Emperor’s legacy, there were paintings with demons…’

And in those paintings, the demons appeared facing each other, as if in confrontation.

This deserved further thought, more information.

“Should we tell Aint…?”

“No, we won’t. That guy shows all his thoughts on his face.”

“That’s true. Still, it’s surprising. In the end, there was a corrupted Aint couldn’t uncover…”

“I’m not that surprised, I suspected. Now I’m sure, and that’s enough.”

What remained was to see how far Aint would go.

He had already advised him to win over the mercenaries, and Aint was making the effort.

Thanks to that, several mercenaries were already leaning in his favor.

“In any case, even without that, that Roderick will probably wag his tail like a dog.”

After closing that topic, Fernan asked something else.

“Hyde, are there any more leads?”

“We’re following the tracks found in the hideouts, but nothing new.”

They had found more lairs, yes, but nothing that connected them to the demons or to Frazia’s nobles.

‘Just because the corrupted are active doesn’t mean the nobles are involved…’

Were they too well hidden? Or maybe there was no connection? Still, the doubt remained.

Especially because that corrupted, Roderick, was handing over other corrupted on a silver platter.

“And the black obsidian mine?”

“We found it and it’s under development, just as you said. With the troops the duke sent us, things are going smoothly.”

“Good—no, wait.”

Maybe because he had defeated Kimaris, Fernan caught himself being overconfident.

Self-confidence? What nonsense, after just one win against a demon.

“It’s during easy times when we must be most careful. Check everything again.”

“Of course.”

“Hopefully some trace of that damned Flauros appears…”

The future had already veered off quite a bit, and they had managed to stop two demon descents before they happened—Seir and Decarabia.

There was no guarantee it wouldn’t happen a third time.

“It’s over! No demonic beasts left in the hideout! The corrupted all committed suicide! They’re truly detestable.”

But what Fernan sought didn’t appear.

Until winter ended.

***

When winter ended and the new semester began, new winds blew at the Academy.

The old students left and the new ones arrived.

The fourth-year graduation ceremony, and the first-year entrance ceremony.

【Academy Daily – 13/02】

【New Students Special – The standouts from the entrance exam.

— First in the Knight Department and monster slayer, Alcmion Altrierc.

— The sword prodigy, Timon Baertz.

— The monster of the Marquess House Fakhar, Justa Fakhar.

— The genius who appeared like a comet, first in the Magic Department, Abel Kalens.

— The dragon of Baron House Lavre, Jeff Lavre.】

“This year has quite a bit of talent too.”

Last year saw the arrival of the saint from the Cult, the daughter of a new prince-elector, the heiress of Vienderk, and even a descendant of the former imperial family.

Compared to that, this seemed inferior, but only because last year was exceptional. This year wasn’t lacking in promise either.

“The surprising part is… I thought Jeff Lavre would be first in the Magic Department.”

The Baron House Lavre was a vassal of Schwaben.

Jeff Lavre was a genius recognized since childhood and received full support from Schwaben.

Everyone thought he would be the top of the class, but surprisingly, an unknown took the position.

“What do we know about him?”

“He’s a commoner from Alprosen. Although a commoner, his father is a landowner with considerable resources. With that money, he hired private tutors and studied magic. His tutors praised him as a genius.”

“Then he should be better known?”

“He is, but only within Alprosen. He started gaining recognition about five years ago.”

The Golden Turtle Company had entered Alprosen before.

But even so, Fernan and the Company were separate things.

At least until Fernan became head of the family.

Also, five years ago, Fernan had been fully dedicated to creating the Golden Pillar.

“In any case, investigate further. If he’s a commoner, he surely has a sponsor.”

“Understood.”

With that, Fernan became a third-year student.

At last, his tumultuous second year had come to an end.

“So, this is the guy?”

Hyde extended a hand and pointed at a name in the paper.

“The sword prodigy, Timon Baertz.”

He wasn’t a commoner like Abel Kalens, nor someone unknown to Fernan.

On the contrary, he was someone Fernan knew better than anyone.

“Yes.”

“So this is the corrupted? There were always rumors that the second son of Viscount Baertz’s house had great talent. I don’t know when he became one.”

“We’ll have to find out now. But it’s strange. If I recall correctly, he should be the first son, not the second…”

Just before winter break ended, another wave of prophecy fell upon Fernan.

This time, there were three main visions.

[- The demon summoned at the Continental Academic Conference was the result of Rosalia Vienderk’s research.

— And that research had long been sponsored by Fernan Pellenberg. You think that’s a coincidence?

“So Fernan Pellenberg has a high probability of being corrupted?”

Looking for those responsible for the conference disaster, Aint found a crucial clue.

“This is…”

— It’s Fernan, without a doubt.

It was a secret letter between Fernan and the corrupted.]

The first vision showed how, due to forged and manipulated evidence, Fernan would be accused of being corrupted.

[“We meet again, senior.”

Aint dropped a document.]

“It’s the expulsion decree. Signed by the head of House Pellenberg himself.”

“What…? Why would my father…?”

Fernan shouted.

“You’ve crossed the line! Becoming a dog of the demons and helping the corrupted!”

“That’s slander! I never…!”

“Slander? With such clear evidence, what more can you say? Don’t humiliate yourself any further.”

Aint’s brown eyes looked at him coldly, full of contempt.

— A wretch who sold everything to the demons for money.
— The blood of the Pellenbergs deserves no consideration.

Gardner sneered coldly.

Thus came Fernan’s downfall—the thing he feared most and worked so hard to prevent.

‘…….’

The first time he saw that vision, Fernan felt his heart collapse.
He nearly fainted from hyperventilation.

But after the shock and fear came euphoria.

‘I’m finally free! I’ve passed beyond that fate!’

It was the prophecy he most wanted to avoid, and since it had not come to pass, it was now a discarded future.

The book itself confirmed it—that would no longer happen.

That feeling of relief and joy was stronger than anything he had ever experienced.

That night, Fernan slept soundly for the first time in a year.

***

[Fwoosh—

With a sharp whistle, a sword flew through the air. The loser fell to his knees, and the victor remained standing.]

“No way…!”

“Altrierc lost…?”

“Who the hell is that monster…?”

The students were stunned to see the favorite, Alcmion Altrierc, lose.

Alcmion had trained under Royal Knight Katrina Altrierc; no one had expected his defeat.

“The winner! Timon Baertz!”

The referee declared the victor.

But Timon was already looking beyond that victory.

The second vision revealed the rise of a new corrupted.

“You must defeat Aint Armian.”

A hooded man spoke.

“Aint’s fame grows too much with our defeats. We must stain it.”

“I know.”

If humanity managed to unite, Aint Armian would be the central axis.

To weaken that unity and delay it, he had to be shaken.

“We’ve failed several times, yes, but not in everything.”

They had only failed to kill him.

At the Conference, by summoning Seir, many leaders had died.

Because of that, Vienderk carried a stain and was beginning to be isolated.

They had managed to destroy Fernan and plant the seed of suspicion over Pellenberg.

“Aint is the only one who slipped away. In everything else, we’ve succeeded.”

“I know. Don’t worry.”

Timon Baertz nodded calmly.

“With the power I have now, defeating Aint won’t be a problem.”

It was their plan.

A patient plan—to wear him down little by little until finally cutting off his head.

“But are you seriously saying we should assassinate Aint Armian?”

Ludger Schwaben’s eyes widened in shock.

When Aint entered the Academy, he thought it was the perfect chance to crush him and elevate Schwaben’s name.

If not for the demons’ appearance, he might have done it.

“Assassinate Aint? And now, at this moment?”

The plan seemed absurd to him.

That was the third vision.

“And what about the demons? If we don’t stop them, the continent will be destroyed! Does His Majesty want to be the last emperor of a ruined world?”

“Armian’s power will be key against the demons, yes. But even without it, it doesn’t mean we can’t hunt demons.”

And above all…

“We already have Armian’s secret sword in our hands.”

Said the assassin sent by the emperor, calmly.

It wasn’t the prophecy Fernan expected at all.

“…So Schwaben has finally drawn their sword.”

Thinking about it, they had held back long enough, so it wasn’t particularly surprising. It just felt like the inevitable had arrived.

Even so, he thought it would happen a little later because of the demons. Maybe they thought that if they didn’t act now, they’d never get the chance?

That was also true. If more demons appeared, Aint would become irreplaceable.

‘They say they’ve obtained Armian’s secret sword style.’

He could more or less imagine how they had gotten it.

And Fernan, knowing how pointless that was, let out an ironic laugh.

‘The real one is Gardner, after all.’

“…Either way, I can’t let them do as they please.”

If Schwaben tried to kill Aint, Pellenberg would protect him.

Fortunately, the prophecy book also revealed the method Schwaben would use, so he had already begun preparing countermeasures.

‘Though there’s nothing about Flauros. Well, there was no guarantee it would happen this year either.’

Whenever it came, at least he had gained some time, and that wasn’t bad.

Fernan decided to tackle the urgent matters step by step.

For now, it was about Timon Baertz.

He had to crush his intentions, track him, and capture the other corrupted still hiding in the Academy.

As he thought about how to welcome him, Fernan smiled without realizing it.

“Why are you smiling, young master?”

“Last year, reading this paper, I worried about Aint Armian. This year, it’s a damn corrupted.”

Fernan rose from his seat. Hyde followed immediately.

“Are you going to look for Timon Baertz?”

“No, I’m going to see Aint.”

In truth, there was no need for him to get too involved personally.

“Aint, Timon Baertz is suspected of being corrupted. They say he’ll try to defeat you to slowly stain your reputation.”

That was enough.

“…Then, when the time comes, I’ll deal with him harshly.”

“We need information, so don’t kill him.”

“Bah, even if he’s corrupted, I can be that flexible.”

Aint wasn’t weak, nor lacking in fighting spirit.

‘More than anything, the current Aint is much stronger than in the prophecy.’

Timon Baertz, you’re dead.