Chapter 139
tdEPE“…This is madness.”1kr
WLkWhen he confirmed the new prophecy, a curse slipped from Fernan’s mouth.9FqUQQR
XdeUThe descent of Flauros, which he thought would occur next year and had therefore been keeping relatively under control, was now practically at hand.FPs
decvo“…The chances of it happening exactly as seen are high.”WW2JtQk
jQUIThere really were corrupt ones and monsters in Frazia, and even though Aint had eliminated several, that was also the expected course in the original future.uikNh
RrVxAbove all, summoning a demon was by no means simple.oIwUh
GAPjgThough he didn’t know the exact details, judging by the demons that had already appeared or were about to appear, it was clear it required major preparations.BhjA1Yy
ktu824And based on Fernan’s experience, ventures demanding so much preparation, time, and resources were rarely abandoned halfway.pJEI
HFHu5The manpower, time, and money invested became a runaway cart that couldn’t be stopped.kk0f
3NHNt9“Hyde, send a letter to the King of Mercenaries.”11oSPx
qsU“Yes, young master.”FuW
VHDHe had already spoken to him previously, so most likely he’d come right away.kLZA
ccE34“Young master, a visitor has arrived.”pwBokA
sukMot3“A visitor?”qOp7N7g
4gTG“Student Gismond Ert.”2T3mz
eea2PThat was exactly when Gismond came to see him.G72t0
Asvr‘As I suspected, the future manifests in the same way and at the same moment.’dIcf
veFHe had a hunch, but now it was confirmed.ico42zy
IPmGismond was too large a variable to leave unchecked.NgB
TR4“Senior Gismond, you should also prepare.”ygDO
H9S8oN3“Hm? Prepare for what?”XTHcYO
0uG“Obviously, to go to Fortress Fairos.”ldG
zmtoJD“…But I’m not in the top 10.”NxKp
tDi“Even if you were ranked 100th, if I decide to take you, I can do it without issue.”HkK3
Xhcib“Eh…?”da8J
qtCXQYes, he could definitely make use of him.0iU
ZLARhNb‘Besides, he’s swallowed a ton of elixirs. If I manage him well, he could be a useful piece. I can’t let him roam free.’yLH
QHjB6He had already confirmed in Bercheff that he wasn’t entirely useless. The more he worked him, the more value he had, so there was no reason not to.jda4A
r35rOrgAfter sending off a nearly-crying Gismond, Fernan began thinking over what was to come.uNAAl
fUyF‘The core is Flauros. Everything depends on whether Aint can defeat him or not.’soTI
xcbKFortress Fairos didn’t have the thousands of elites that were in the north.8snEY
GiFfODThis time, instead of ten thousand, there were only two thousand soldiers.U2OE
DIQ9LNot a small number, but compared to before, it was at least some relief.2LeNmj
Xwwv9Yg‘If I can also gather mercenaries in advance and have the troops stationed at the obsidian mine move south…’sdr
hc9YFCThen, even if Aint fought Flauros, the fortress wouldn’t fall.p40sCZK
HzefTX6‘There’s no choice but to rely on the Mercenary King, on Aint, and on Luina.’V9yd
VWpAnd if things went sideways, he could always use Wooden as a hidden trump card.Slt
1Zwhvk‘With that, I’ll have done everything I can for now.’LCO448
EiKikbXAll that remained was for the Kingdom of Frazia to request help from the Academy, and for the director to make the decision.wjKj
uYoSW5a***gFadB
UsMThe days passed peacefully, like the calm before the storm.ZE4k
vKkj“It feels like it’s been ages since we were at peace.”KKd
kc3jELuina chewed a piece of chocolate.eR9hPFE
24D5E“Bercheff really was hell.”xiJhlp
BbCE“Seriously, thanks for back then. If it hadn’t been for you, Bercheff would’ve fallen.”zZ2
tZN2“Without my money, of course it would have. But no need to thank me—I got what I wanted too.”ab7D
6PhjiL“I figured you’d say that… but still, I’m grateful.”F60Uc
AlzhBWLFernan gave a small nod.9eS3
SpIR“By the way, you seem different.”vIE8w
N7y8Luina, whom he hadn’t seen in a few days, radiated something different—though he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.fgy
ctLfPerhaps she seemed calmer, more composed.4sCOJ
Rj9“Is it noticeable?”fioI1
aoK1“What happened?”0GDx3
PyBw6“Nothing big, I just had a sort of breakthrough.”04oV
ia5tMDA drop of coffee slipped down the corner of Fernan’s lips.9IOd0bX
7IIHe restrained his expression and wiped it away with a handkerchief.v8WIB
3GZnDtg“…That’s not something small.”N2l
dRRVFBreaking through and leveling up was never trivial.D1A8m
mmK7“Compared to the Royal Knights, I still have a long way to go.”fOImh
CGe0bDespite her words, her cheeks were slightly flushed.08a4DX
v2GDBShe wasn’t being entirely honest.FDkAH6
fKFDpo“Did something trigger it?”vgelxx0
pDUqX“Watching my father, the Mercenary King, and the demon fight helped a lot.”U2meSq
gLZnM“A masterclass.”jQGM
cJny“Yeah. I replayed over and over the moves of my father, the lance of the Mercenary King, and the greatsword of the demon.”pJ1
Kd5Lm5gSeeing something above one’s level was an invaluable lesson.PE8h51
C5qWJYBOf course, only if one could truly absorb it.wZ5
ir3HP“At first, I couldn’t fully understand it. My father’s sword and the Mercenary King’s lance were at an unreachable level. But even a single movement contained a world of meaning.”lunC5tx
6FQnFernan was once again reminded of Luina’s incredible talent—able to turn such experience into real progress.LFB
uRKZC1“That’s…”7cUfWj
BIZw“This is the first time you’ve talked this much.”gBGN
vEdr3“Ah, that…”X9RA8kK
jwlle5P“Congratulations.”Vpckg
B8nbOquFernan smiled broadly as he handed her an elegant box of chocolates.nvyjD7
BPRJMGvHe meant it—Luina getting stronger was proof that his investment continued to bear fruit.NmLI
ACz“Here, a gift.”V4Oc4
jPe8rU“But you just now learned I broke through… how…?”QZmvSK
enWCd1M“I always carry a few things in my subspace.”20ol9eb
JmzsF7“…I thought you didn’t like chocolate.”rpf9Lu
zo5ZIwQ“It’s for emergencies.”6c0P
T40x“Chocolate emergencies you don’t eat?”Dvsrp
eDQe“Don’t think too hard about it.”RNufzZ
pQn9The reality was simple—it was a tool to win people over. Giving someone what they liked at just the right moment was a way to earn goodwill.G6W
vuqv“…Thanks. I’ll accept it.”Gvvfc
JAhOWith a slightly wary glance, Luina accepted the chocolate.2EZd0
jcib“So, how are the preparations going?”4DO
nrw“You mean Frazia? We’ve found traces of corrupt ones, and just like you said, the kingdom might ask for the Academy’s help.”eLkykbI
V9wpShe closed her eyes, clenched her fist, and nodded firmly.VZNjbKt
UwM“Now I feel ready to face it with dignity.”zClZ
oywnT“Thinking of Andromalius?”ycQi
IUS2zsR“Yes.”w3H1g
CZVN“That suits you.”bUfP4j
Qtlq8vIFernan chuckled softly and took a sip of coffee. Then, suddenly, his gaze turned toward the window.cur
uZe“Eh?”FBwSiPz
tYvb9“What is it?”fSyLi
1SIEb“Lately, someone’s been a bit annoying. Do you see him? That brown-haired kid, plain-looking.”L7e69jF
bwxboD“Isn’t he a freshman? I think his name is… Abel…”6Y3R
jkbNCr“Abel Kalens. That’s right.”cgq8p
H9Q“I heard he was admitted as the top of his class in the Magic Department.”XPYWe
dhvPAbel Kalens, the boy who shot to the top like a comet, defeating favorite Jeff Lavre and claiming first place.Ni9hR
qdiTMAll they knew about him was that he came from the Kingdom of Alprosen and was a commoner.3Bu3QGC
xYRbNp“And he approached you?”xebW
qjaXkA“Yes. He reminded me a bit of Aria, though younger.”UiInDc8
FVy“Hmm, I see. You’re quite popular, it seems.”LLEsg
SNHThe boy made it obvious he wanted to get close—enough to be annoying.ZvRZ68y
PmpnxFernan had accepted Aria because she was prophesied to be Aint’s partner, but generally, he was very wary.pqATFS
XN5‘Especially since he appeared right after the prophecy started twisting. Until I know what kind of person he is…’p3dv
hL6“Maybe he just wants to get along because you’re his senior.”j7b8zw
8xyUO“No, that wasn’t the impression.”d3E
GY01D“Then it’s probably financial interest. You yourself said a mage starts with money and ends with money.”kU53d
MKITxKdTrue, he had said that long ago, right when he proposed forming a partnership.bIp
6mp“You remembered that?”Mur0eU
FeYtJ9H“Well, what you said afterward was pretty shocking.”jAF4uNR
kLi“‘A loser with a mage’s cloak’?”YB48M
thAH46“…Yeah, that.”cITb3Ln
NlBNEfLuina instinctively looked around, and upon remembering they were in a private room of the Golden Turtle, she sighed in relief.tOBaUqm
8Hfr“In any case, you wouldn’t say something like that in public. You’re shameless, but not that shameless.”fgAjdv
NAzg“Well, I am shameless—but not to the point of causing a boycott.”LZlplG
eZEHbq“…Wow, what a convincing argument.”z3tL
Pz4g0LA“Anyway, maybe you’re right—he could just be approaching for money.”vjCnRv
zgknfJAt another time, that’s what he would’ve assumed from the start.DNLB
ZRdWFvBut ever since he received the prophecy and got entangled with corrupt ones and demons, money had ceased to be his immediate priority.6sz
GqaY4‘I’m slipping. I’ve been dismissing the most obvious explanation from the start.’QJmuyF
g0vzZSr***XWVdI
mcH7bThe island city of Bardian.DbIN0LU
Coh89Aria, the elf with orange hair, sipped her drink as she spoke.ITiVc
ipfPF“Did you hear?”P495
nxvF“If you mean that we’re going to Frazia, Senior Fernan already told me…”EzN3R
0KzG“No, I mean the rumor that Aint knocked out the first-year deputy leader of the Knight Department with his fists.”WruLa7
R4BF6n“Cough, cough…!”YvComE
Yfmy3PHAt Aria’s words, Aint spat out his drink.odJaH
K1w6r“Disgusting bastard…!”Jbdkq
e8DVerian, who had taken the full brunt of the spray, grimaced in disgust.skD
tK2Q35“S-sorry. But Aria, isn’t it normal to tell those kinds of stories when the person involved isn’t present?”NG7fRc
Yye“Why? It’s better when they are—that way we can hear how it really happened.”NYqGrhs
Nb3a— In a way, she’s right.eUMml9
MjNsXDAria crunched the ice between her teeth.1baFmA
NSv“So, how did it really happen?”Fad9gu
P2TSBO3“Well…”woU
aDsXAint lowered his voice after making sure no one was around.EYZdgsz
1rtP5TdWhen he finished, Aria and Verian both nodded.8bP
28D6y“So in the end, he wasn’t a corrupt one.”BBMQLo7
DYn“No.”kRB2Mo
K1T4dO“That’s strange. Senior Fernan usually doesn’t make mistakes.”mvDsq0r
nZN8tVg“Senior Fernan is still human. It’s not like he’s infallible.”jtSD
ODYLTH“But look at everything he’s done—he’s predicted all the corrupt ones, even defeated a demon. Does he seem like an ordinary human to you?”fcR0vcj
id1mQOJ“…Well, when you put it that way.”l3v11
sCPQYjyAint and Verian both nodded again.h0hL
hALAxuK“It’s like he knows ahead of time when and where the corrupt ones will act.”rKjyhUx
yVk7XK2“That just means the Pellenbergs’ intelligence network is that precise. There’s no organization on the continent that can match it.”8Sxf
ONuv3The Pellenberg information web, tied to the Golden Turtle Company, was widely recognized as the best—so both accepted the explanation.jTV5Er
6WNBq“But Aria, don’t you feel a bit of urgency?”AZe8v0
XmRVQYQAt Verian’s sudden question, Aria tilted her head.lWh2jG
PGz“Urgency? About what?”BKAaL
M8e“Haven’t you heard the rumor? The new student trying to stick close to Senior Fernan—the top of the Magic Department.”brnQ
Vv0I“I heard it too. His name was Abel Kalens, right?”QuBKy
jbX“And what does that have to do with me feeling urgency?”Wqtqh
KOhZj“Because you’re doing the same thing. Well, more precisely, you still are. Because you’re still at it.”Wzx8GN
C0A1G“Ah.”f5OGqG
pcznnAria smiled broadly.UzaMAP
d6uQJ“Then Verian, do you want to play with the spirits? Want me to take you cloud-watching?”b83e
dCag“We’re in a café!”832jbE3
GZtCeQ“Yeah, knock it off. We’re in a café—if you want to do that, take it outside.”ySgm
KH29The little quarrel ended thanks to Aint’s mediation.kUDhZ
CDjFD“But now that I think about it—I’m curious. Why are you so intent on getting close to Senior Fernan? And not just him, it seems like you’re trying to form ties with other nobles too.”3txvaGc
NO0sxD“…Well…”INPRSkh
DGYl1Aria hesitated for a moment. Should she say it? But on second thought, it wasn’t a secret—more like something anyone could guess.jp3
Ujd1B“Because I want the Fridian family to be recognized as a legitimate line of prince-electors.”VpIx
RGR0“But getting close to Senior Fernan doesn’t guarantee that.”WNnpJ
itCX5“Not yet. But in the future?”jjY9
ISUbIn twenty or thirty years, Fernan wouldn’t just be a senior—he’d be the head of the Pellenbergs, and Aint would be the head of the Armians.YDTZLDe
dl3With just those two, that would be two prince-electors favorable to the Fridians.9O5vKp
uDp“And that way, little by little, the Fridians would solidify our standing. My family has a lot of discontent. Even after reaching the rank of prince-elector, the others don’t truly recognize us.”zMPQhK5
VXgbSome even complained that a high elf shouldn’t have joined the human Empire.4XV
kS58cu5“But there’s one problem with that.”7dxo
BP1Kx“What is it?”F0xnU7
foKd“Are you really close to Senior Fernan? Because so far, it seems one-sided…”GAIsE
AMSSb“Verian, I think you need to study more.”ZAVu
WjgCAria’s lips curled into a smile.MO0b4K
xqLdFIeWith her radiant smile, she called forth the spirits again.2KaIa3
pz5oF***x5YZ
arLiRavidus Hall.lz4JdD
QgnZAint sat in front of a box.2F7ckp
4DN3ri“Today, finally, is the last day.”Yga
ktwJc— Yes, it ends today. It’s been a long process.22lPD
3kBeoplIt was the First Emperor’s box, the one he had received from Fernan.q6sPc
1OrAt first, he thought it would open right away, but it wasn’t as simple as just using a descendant’s blood.XFsH
1kJUBlood was necessary, yes—but in a far greater amount than expected. So much that it couldn’t be gathered in just a day or two.hjim3p
sjpRcBb“That’s why I’ve been feeling anemic every day. Why’d they make it so complicated?”4EHS
UrI— Probably to prevent just anyone with a drop of Armian blood from opening it.AjkdqL5
9Nza— Honestly, I don’t even know what’s inside myself, so I can’t say for sure.UvCTx
QkhIn any case, today was the final day. Aint cut his palm and let his blood drip onto the box.Ucg
OhpThe magic circle responded immediately.nm2oK
iyLXClick.zRs3K
GRl7The seal was released.NzJ
t8XtA“At last!”xUJh
LJpm4Sp— Hurry, open it!0n4r5eC
hBy— I want to know what His Majesty the First Emperor hid too!qPkfb
f48vThe box opened.GKTPeN
1ZExtM2Inside was…P8tO
MHD“…What is this?”oKauz
LtqG— Hm?xwBd
Gr6ihxTA completely unexpected object—a pure white sphere.jPC4Tri
D3pfuC“An egg?”ScQUuoI
m1I— It’s an egg.QhC
nnPjQnIt was an egg.CFjA
9rFc— Wait… it can’t be…iQINEJn
o2qb5o2— …Damn it! Your Majesty, what the hell did you do?9MSKVd
MBO2C9Gardner let out a shocked exclamation upon recognizing it.O9jOX
UqkTgsN“Why? What kind of egg is it?”xNnO
uOQUXf9— A Saintbird.Me1t
tdmdDrThe sacred bird with two pairs of wings, one of the highest-ranked mythical beasts.ZD6ma5H
mtdA symbol of House Armian.5HGVEgp
lEQc4h— This is a Saintbird egg!76lS7m
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