A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 137

Chapter 137

“Are‍‌ you sure the‍ assassins managed to⁠⁠‍ infiltrate the Academy?”

Attempting‌ to assassinate a descendant of the‍‍ ancient imperial family‌ was an enormous‌ crime.

Even⁠‌ if it was‌⁠ just a simple noble, an attempt⁠‌‌ on their life‌ was considered a serious offense. And⁠ if the target⁠ was Aint Armian,⁠⁠‌ the punishment would‍‌‌ be even more⁠⁠ severe.

The‌‌ significance of Armian⁠ within the Empire⁠⁠ was different—especially now⁠⁠ that demons were⁠⁠ prowling.

Even‍⁠ so, Schwaben was⁠ attempting assassination.

That‍‌ implied three things.‌

— First, that they‍ had a substitute⁠ prepared in case⁠⁠ Aint died.

— Second, that they‍⁠ were confident they wouldn’t be discovered.‌‌

— And third, that‍⁠ they felt such‍‍ a great level‍⁠ of threat that‌ they couldn’t let⁠ it go.

“Yes,‍⁠ but we couldn’t‍⁠ figure out how‍ they got in.”‍‌

Schwaben’s confidence had two‌‌ foundations having obtained⁠ Armian’s secret swordsmanship, and the influence⁠ granted by their‌⁠ political power.

Fernan had ordered Hyde‌‌ to secretly track‍ the assassins’ entry‌⁠‍ route, but they‌⁠ found nothing.

“In⁠ any case, they‍ must have used‍‌ the regular ships‍‌ traveling to the Academy. Whether they‌ hid in them‍ or came in‍⁠ disguise, there should’ve⁠‍ been some trace.”‍⁠‌

“To‌‍ review all that,‍⁠⁠ we’d have to‍ go through the‌‍ Golden Turtle Company.‌ And if we‍ do…”

“Schwaben‍ will notice.”

And‍⁠‌ even if they‍⁠ investigated everything, there‌‍ was no guarantee‍‌ they’d find evidence.‌⁠

Schwaben‍‍‌ would never take⁠ action without alternatives.‍

If‍⁠ they became too‍‍ suspicious and then⁠ backed off, all‌‍‌ they would do‍‌ is raise Schwaben’s‍ caution.

And‍ if they denied⁠‍ everything, without solid‌⁠ proof, that would‍ be the end‌⁠ of it.

“That’s‍‍ why we can’t⁠ reveal anything until⁠⁠ we have clear⁠⁠ evidence.”

They⁠ could also investigate professors or assistants⁠‍ backed by Schwaben.‌

But‍ if they denied⁠‍‍ it, there’d be⁠‍ no way to‌‍⁠ pressure them.

“What‍ I still don’t⁠ get is—would they‍ really risk trying⁠ to assassinate Aint‍⁠⁠ Armian just because‌‍ they don’t want‍ to lose the‍⁠ throne?”

For‌‍ a noble to attack another was⁠‌ equivalent to declaring‍‍ war.

Disputes‌‌ between nobles weren’t rare in the Empire, but this⁠‌‍ case was different.‌

Schwaben⁠⁠‍ wasn’t an ordinary‍ noble, but an elector prince and‌ part of the‍⁠‌ imperial family.

And‌ their opponent was⁠‍ too.

In‌ the thousand years‍ since the founding‌‍ of the Empire,‍‌ there had never⁠‍ been a conflict‌‍ between elector princes.‍

Everyone⁠ knew that would‌ endanger the entire‌‌‍ Empire.

“Even‍⁠⁠ if Armian is‌ half ruined, he’s still an elector prince…”

“Precisely because he’s half⁠⁠ ruined.”

But if Aint managed‌‌ to restore Armian,‍ they might never⁠‍⁠ have another chance.‌‍

In‍‌ fact, they surely⁠‌ wouldn’t.

“For‍⁠ them, this is‌‍ the first and⁠‌‌ last opportunity. That⁠ also means they⁠‌‍ acknowledge how serious‍ Aint’s growth and the current situation‍ are.”

The‍ demons would keep‍‌ appearing, and Aint‍⁠ would continue growing⁠ stronger.

Thinking about how the‍⁠ First Emperor rose‍ to the throne‌‌ made it clear‍‍ that their reasoning‌⁠ wasn’t wrong.

“My⁠ presence probably plays a part too.”‍

No⁠⁠ one ignored anymore‍‌ that the Pellenbergs‌ were supporting Armian.‌‌

‘In‌‍ the original future‍ line, that wasn’t‍⁠‍ the case, but‍‌ my father even‌‌ handed Aint my⁠‍ excommunication seal.’

And⁠ not only that?⁠‌‍ Most likely, without‍ openly saying it,‍ he had promised‌ some level of‌⁠‍ assistance.

The⁠ clearest way to‍ prove that House‌ Pellenberg wasn’t allied‌‍‌ with demons was‌‍ precisely by supporting⁠ those who fought⁠‍ them.

In‌‌‌ the original timeline,‌‍ that must have‌ been what triggered‌ Schwaben’s alarm.

“Well then, I’ll see‍‌ you later.”

“Yes.‌ Take care.”

Hyde⁠ couldn’t follow him‍⁠ into the temporary⁠ assistant role, so⁠ he let him⁠‍ go.

“This‌ is the second⁠ time you’ve barged‍ into another class.‍ You’d think you‍⁠ were his nanny…”‍

Fernan‍‌‌ clicked his tongue‌ and headed to⁠ the second-year practice‌ area.

“Anyway, better to have a just in⁠ case.”

If‌ everything went as‌⁠ in the prophecy⁠ book, Aint would‌ handle it himself.‌⁠

But‌ there was always‌⁠ a chance he wouldn’t.

And⁠⁠ Fernan was there to prevent that‌‌ just in case.⁠‍

***⁠‍

The‍ second-year practices followed‌ the same format that Fernan and‌ Luina had done‌⁠ the previous year.‌

Each‌ pair had to arrive exactly at the designated time‍ at their destination.‌‌

The‌ route crossed mountainous zones full of monsters, and the‌⁠ other students were⁠ also rivals.

Out‌ of the hundred‍‍ pairs, two stood‌‌ out above the‍ rest.

The⁠ pair of Aint‍ Armian, first in⁠⁠ the Knight Department,⁠ and Aria Fridian,‌ second in the‍⁠ Magic Department.

And‍ the pair of‍‍ Jace Vines, first‍‍ in the Magic‌ Department, and Valoshi‍‍ Vienderk, second in‌ the Knight Department.‍‍

First⁠‍ and second together,‌‍ they dominated wherever they went.

“Jace…?”

“May⁠‍‍ the Dragon God’s‍⁠‍ blessing guide the lost.”

“That’s‍⁠⁠ fire!”

“It’s‍ the Dragon God’s warm heart.”

“The‍ ground’s melting, stop‍ spouting nonsense!”

There⁠‍‌ wasn’t a single‍ student who could⁠⁠ easily withstand Jace’s⁠‌ fire magic.

“Tch…!‌‍‌ We’ve only just started—could you take‌‍‌ it easy?”

“I‌ want to reclaim‍⁠ first place too.”⁠⁠‍

And‌‍ no one could⁠ stand before Valoshi’s⁠‍‌ sword when he‌⁠‍ got serious.

The same happened with‌ Aint and Aria.‍‌

“Let‍‍⁠ the typhoon blow!”‍

“That’s‌ Aria! It’s definitely‍ Aria! Run or—gwaaagh!”

Aria’s⁠‌ wind magic left‍‌ students unable to‍ react, and Aint’s⁠ blade fell like‍ lightning upon them.‍

“That’s‍ too much!”

“What‍⁠ nonsense. In battle,‍‌‍ there’s no such‍ thing as too⁠⁠‍ much.”

“You’re‌‍ a ruthless elf, cold-blooded and tearless!”⁠⁠

“If‌⁠⁠ I had no‍‌⁠ blood or tears,‍ I’d be dead.”⁠‌‍

“What…?”⁠

“Do‍‌ you prefer being‌⁠ disqualified quietly or⁠ being a dead⁠‍‍ elf?”

“……”‍

Both‍ pairs were busy‍‍ eliminating rivals, until⁠ finally, they ran‍‍‍ into each other.⁠‌

“……”‌‌

“……”‌

“…Do⁠ we really need‍‍ to fight now?⁠‍ There are still‍⁠ many students out‍‍ there.”

“I⁠‌⁠ agree. It doesn’t‍⁠⁠ make sense to⁠ waste the blessings⁠ the Dragon God‍‌‌ gave us here.”‌‍⁠

“…Thus‍‍ says our saint.‌‌⁠ See you later,‍ Aint.”

“See‍⁠‌ you, Valoshi.”

The⁠ clash didn’t happen.⁠‌

There⁠ was still time‍ before the time‌‌ limit, and it‍⁠ was wiser to⁠‌ conserve energy.

And‍ from a distance,‌‍⁠ other eyes were‌ watching them.

‘That’s⁠⁠ Aint Armian. And⁠‌ the elf with‍ him must be⁠ Aria Fridian.’

Three‌⁠⁠ figures blended with⁠ the mountain as⁠‍‍ if they were‍ part of nature⁠‍‌ itself.

They⁠‌ followed in silence,‍‍‍ waiting for the‌‌⁠ two pairs to‌ separate far enough.⁠‌

‘They⁠ seem stronger than‍ expected.’

‘It⁠‌ doesn’t matter.’

After‌‍⁠ all, no matter⁠⁠ how fallen they were, Armian was still an elector‍ prince.

And‍ that heir already‌ posed a threat‌‍‌ to Schwaben.

The‌ masked leader never‌ underestimated him.

‘What‌‌ do we do⁠⁠ about Aria Fridian?’‍

‘Eliminate‍ her along with‍‌ him.’

It⁠ was unfortunate, but‌ from the start, they had planned to disguise the‍ attack as if⁠ it were done‍ by monsters.

Only‍ by eliminating both and leaving no‌⁠ survivors would it‍ be perfect.

‘Just‌ graze them with‍‌ the weapon.’

Sword,‍‍⁠ dagger, or hidden‍ knife—it didn’t matter.‍‌ All their weapons‍⁠ were coated with‌‌ venom extracted from‍⁠ monsters.

A poison so deadly‌ that even experts⁠ died instantly, and‌‍⁠ high-level masters could⁠ only writhe before‍ succumbing.

‘The‍⁠ targets are heading‍⁠ to the designated‌ point.’

That⁠⁠ point was the‍‌ location chosen for‍‍⁠ the ambush.

When‌‍ they gave the⁠⁠ signal, the professors and assistants backed‍ by Schwaben would⁠ temporarily turn it‍‍‍ into a dead⁠ zone, outside of⁠ all surveillance.

Their‌‍ plan was to‌ finish off Aint and Aria during⁠ that window.

Soon after, the targets⁠ approached the site.‌‌‌

“Looks‌ like there aren’t any other students⁠‌ around here.”

“What‍ if we camp‍ here for tonight‌‍ and continue tomorrow?‍⁠ The sun’s already⁠‍ setting, and with no one around,‍‌ it feels safer,⁠‍‍ don’t you think?”⁠‌

“Sounds good.”

Calmly,‌‍‍ the targets began setting up camp‌ right at the⁠ designated location.

‘Perfect.⁠‌ We just need‍‍ to wait for⁠⁠⁠ nightfall.’

‘Yes.’

‘Understood.’‌‍‍

When‌⁠ the sun disappeared,‍ the leader gave‍ a secret signal‍‍ to a nearby‌ assistant, and at⁠‍⁠ once all human⁠ presence vanished.

Only‌⁠‍ the three assassins‍‍‌ and the pair calmly setting up⁠ their camp remained.‍‍

‘Get‌‌⁠ ready.’

The⁠‌ assassins held their‍ breath even more as they approached.‌

‘Aint‍ Armian is standing⁠⁠‌ guard.’

‘Number 1, you and‍‌ I will handle Aint. Number 2,⁠ you eliminate Aria‌ Fridian while she‌ sleeps.’

‘Yes.’⁠

‘Understood.’‍‌⁠

At⁠‍‌ that moment—

“You⁠‍⁠ don’t look like‌ students.”

A low murmur.

‘How?’⁠‌

Their concealment was so‍ refined that not⁠ even a professor‌‌ would detect them⁠‍ easily.

Schwaben‍⁠⁠ only trusted assassins‌⁠ of that level.

Even‍‌ so, Number 1 met Aint’s gaze,‌‌ who had pinpointed⁠⁠ him with precision.‌⁠

With‍⁠ no time to‌ react, he threw‌ his dagger immediately.‍

Claaang!‍

Sparks‌ flew as the‍⁠‍ blades were deflected.‌‌

“Aria,‌‌ wake up! It’s an ambush!”

The⁠ tent burst open⁠ and spears of‌‌ wind shot toward⁠‍ Number 1 and⁠ Number 2.

Both⁠ deflected them and⁠⁠ charged forward without hesitation.

Clang!‌‌

Aint‌ and Number 1 clashed. Wind spirits‌‍ lunged at Number‍⁠ 2.

In‍ an instant, Aint⁠ and his opponent⁠ exchanged dozens of⁠ blows.

Despite‌ being an assassin,‌‍⁠ he had a level comparable to a seasoned knight,‌⁠ enough to exchange‌‌ attacks with Aint⁠ for a while.‍

But‍‍‍ the difference in‍ foundational swordsmanship eventually⁠‌ prevailed.

Clang!‌ Number 1’s weapon‍‍ flew from his⁠⁠ hand, his body⁠ staggered, and Aint’s⁠ sword pierced his‌ side.

“Got you.”

“……!”‍

Number‍ 1 grabbed Aint’s⁠ sword. He used‌ his own body‌⁠⁠ as bait to‌⁠‍ immobilize him.

And⁠ at that moment…‍‌

— Aint, behind you…!⁠

The‌ leader’s silent blade,‌ waiting in hiding,‌ suddenly descended.

It⁠⁠ was so quiet‍ that even Aint’s‍‌ perception hadn’t picked⁠‍‍ it up.

‘Too⁠‌ late…!’

Even if he let⁠ go of the⁠ sword and retreated,⁠ the enemy’s blade⁠‌ was faster.

All‍ he could do⁠⁠ was twist his‌ body and divert the lethal blow⁠ toward his side‌‍ or shoulder.

Aint‍‍ clenched his teeth.‌

At that instant—

— Kyu!

The black knight dropped‌ vertically from a tree.

Thud!‌‍‌

With‌ a single blow,⁠‍ he deflected the‍‍⁠ leader’s sword and⁠‍ delivered a punch‌ that sent the‍‍ enemy flying with⁠ a loud crash.‍

“…Wooden?”‌

— Kyu!

At‌‍ Aint’s murmur, the black knight waved‌ happily.

“Wooden,‌‌‌ behind…!”

That‍‌ brief moment of‌ respite gave the⁠ leader another chance,⁠ who had already‍ recovered and stabbed‍ his sword at‍ Wooden’s neck.

Clang!⁠

Kyu!‍‍

“…Kyu?”⁠‌‌

The‌‌‍ dry, strange sound⁠ of the blade‍ failing to penetrate⁠ left the leader‍⁠⁠ speechless.

At⁠ that very moment,‍ Wooden’s fist sank⁠ into his abdomen‍ and sent him‍ flying with a scream.

“Wooden,‌⁠ tear him to‍ pieces.”

— Kyu!

Clang!⁠

Clang!‌‍

The⁠‍ leader swung his‌‍⁠ sword again, but‍‌‍ the result was the same.

Wooden⁠⁠ stomped on him‍ forcefully while Fernan‌‌ extracted the poison from his mouth.‍‌

“You⁠ okay?”

“…Was⁠‌‍ this the strange⁠ thing you mentioned⁠‌ earlier?”

“That’s⁠ right. I had⁠ received information they⁠⁠‌ were coming for⁠‍‌ you. I prepared‌‌ just in case.”‌

“Who…?”‍

Aint’s‌‍ eyes sparkled with‍‍ confusion, but Fernan⁠‌ answered calmly.

“I‌‌ have suspicions, but‌‌ no certainties. So⁠‍⁠ I can’t say‍ yet.”

“Then‍⁠ at least tell‍‌‍ me your suspicions.‌ Was it the corrupt…?”

“It was Schwaben.”

“……!”‌⁠

Aint’s‍‌ eyes widened.

“Schwaben…‍ why me?”

“Don’t‌⁠ tell me you‌⁠‌ can’t guess the⁠⁠ reason.”

“Then,‍‍‍ all the more…‍ I…!”

Aint⁠ stopped himself, restraining‌‍‌ the impulse.

Fernan⁠‌ noticed Gardner was‌ helping him think and calm down.‌

“…Understood.‍ I get it‌ now.”

“Glad‍⁠ to hear that.⁠‍ Either way, we’ll‍‍ interrogate this one,‍ but don’t expect‌ much. Schwaben wouldn’t‌‍ leave loose ends.”‌‍

“Yes.”‌⁠

“Not‌‍ even I could⁠‍ get proof if⁠‍ they acted with‍ that much preparation.”⁠‍⁠

“…Yes.”‍⁠

“And‍⁠⁠ if it becomes⁠‌‌ public that Schwaben attempted this in‌ the middle of⁠ a demon invasion,‌⁠ the Empire will‍ split.”

That,‌‍‍ in fact, was⁠‌ the bigger problem.‍⁠

That’s⁠ why even in‌⁠‌ the prophecy book, Aint had overlooked‍ Schwaben.

At‌ least for now.‍

‘Originally, I was just‌⁠ going to observe‌⁠ if it happened.‌‌ But this time,‌‍⁠ there was an‍‍ additional factor.’

Unlike‌‌ in the prophecy‌ book, now there⁠ was another person⁠‍‌ in play, and‌‍ that’s why he‌ stepped in.

Registering‌⁠‌ as a temporary‌‌ assistant made sense‍‍ precisely for cases‍ like this.

“Hey,‌ Senior Fernan! Chatting is great and‌‍ all, but could you help me‌‌ out here? Why‍‍ are you talking‌⁠ like it’s all⁠ over already? Why⁠‍ does that side look like a different genre altogether?”⁠

At⁠⁠⁠ that moment, Aria,‍‍ still fiercely battling‌ Number 2, shouted‍ irritably.