Chapter 142
yERZZ“I offered the demon’s flesh! You should believe me! Where have you ever seen a corrupt sacrificing a demon’s flesh?”6yktxLu
Y6I9Abel Kalens’ face turned red, unable to contain his fury.Mni
pFP6j8Z“He’s standing right in front of me.”QwmL
sro0With no intention of hiding anymore, a wave of demonic energy began to leak out.J4zK
SRl8“Do you know how much mental preparation it took to bury that there?”64UdLk9
nb8UP“Should I care?”5QBrF
snK“Of course, you should! Fernan Pellenberg, you have no idea how many plans were ruined because of you.”41ickf
zsvWuskAbel growled in a low voice.977
9ZZMZN“According to the plan, the Academy was supposed to be reduced to rubble. The continental academic conference was to be destroyed, isolating Vienderk, and the northern legions were supposed to grow even stronger.”G03hM
2BIQmjThat way, the continent would fall into chaos. In the meantime, the corrupt would rule, and demons would be summoned one after another, turning the world into a new hell.CZTRO
Scm“Thanks for the compliment. Sounds like I’ve done a good job.”dDUUp8
oBu“Yes, too good for a mere human. Do you know how shocked I was? You, who were supposed to fail and drag Pellenberg into ruin, are now standing beside Aint as his ally!”7UPSv
1Hy0AevFernan gave a twisted smile.Zfkn
sx3Gt1HSo that was it. The cursed plans of the corrupt had tormented him for so long that just thinking about them made his teeth grind. But it didn’t matter anymore. The future had changed for the better, and now he could see with his own eyes how the corrupt were crumbling.4fEYsY
BnxJhe1Most importantly, Abel had confessed in front of Aint that it was all the work of the corrupt.GUQYB5
SjncHqzThat alone made any chance of becoming enemies with Aint practically zero.ZmhvV
UrXv7C“So I infiltrated to observe you…”nlYadk
NAPa9N“For that, your plan was far too sloppy.”iEmBC3n
xce36eGSurprisingly, Abel nodded without hesitation.0eP4
DHKFEj“My mistake. I admit it. I was so focused on watching Aint Armian that when you suddenly appeared, I panicked.”dPlTkMB
RfIQeXGThat’s why the plan had been so poorly executed.4k3i
A3bl0bW“No, not really.”s0tK7h
7zcMSuddenly, the anger vanished from his face as if it had been fake. Abel doubled over with laughter, clutching his stomach.0By
RZYx3“Surprise! This was all part of my plan.”GuO
ijT“Your plan?”2KvZ
uX1TEt“Yes. The plan. I convinced myself that you were the one to watch, not Aint. That’s enough.”m5Af5
cbVEQThe eye had been a costly sacrifice, but in exchange, he had confirmed what he needed.Z9agw1
1fvl78“For that, what you offered was too much. Don’t pretend it didn’t hurt to lose it.”8kNRGw
I82AiAHe should’ve suspected Fernan much earlier. Fernan had faced the corrupt alongside Aint several times. Pretending not to have noticed was absurd.TO9B
tVEq“What’s your real goal?”eHtXDi
oejOR“And you think I’ll tell you? Besides, of course it hurts, damn it! I offered something like that and you still don’t trust me, you damned skeptic!”hOLziY
X2ChvWith a face twisted like a demon’s, Abel raised a book in one hand and a staff in the other. Blades of wind shot toward Fernan, but a solid wall intercepted them.Tc05V
WF6mClang, clang, clang!Hgb
Gpc7snxThe wind couldn’t get past Aint’s sword.LnpO
gOyqLx“Damn Armian blood!”hRugGRh
zFg“The damned ones are you, disgusting corrupt who sold out humanity.”AJ1dvX
RP1Aint stepped forward in a single motion, and his sword was already aimed at Abel’s chest.Bku6nU
fSARVjj“Urgh!”q0bZlcU
GPsmkWThe staff intercepted the thrust, and a shield surrounded Abel.n2wH
1eUCrash!ZNPd2W
HQyLBut it shattered easily. The staff flew out of his hand, and Aint’s sword nearly pierced through him. Abel barely managed to turn and take the blow in the shoulder instead of the heart.JHqs
HWA7“Argh…! Damn Armian power!”FGsB
w813SfHe gripped the blade with both hands. Sparks and smoke erupted from the clash between holy light and demonic energy. It lasted only a moment—but the winner was Aint.WHomlim
eEs6RoPAbel screamed and staggered back.1Q6qoV
v8K3av“This is cheating! How can you grow so fast?”mpIr
OpG“That’s the power of money, you stupid corrupt.”N6czr
UQuaR“Shut up! What worth is a shiny piece of metal?”Ce7Q
13Vj“It’s everything.”nJ4u
RQigW“Shut up!”x5yltk
6YWyQHA demonic wave exploded, trying to engulf Fernan, but Aint blocked it all firmly. Abel cast again. This time, the storm was fiercer, sharpened by mixed demonic energy.8zwDfI
mqx“Can you win?”fet
aS75L“Of course.”VIK4j
KtRAint charged head-on into the hurricane. A spark of light expanded and devoured the darkness.RjyG
rHcEAJ4Boom!lF1WI
PUHThe explosion shook the world like an earthquake. Fernan raised stone walls to shield himself from the shockwave.nHMjp8
1cLPUe“With that, everyone in the Academy will have heard. The director’s going to be furious.”727w
urY‘This is far beyond the level of a first-year.’GsCZ
aYwEJkBecause he was a corrupt. That’s why Jeff Lavre, who should’ve been first, ended up second.sHmrb
a8gQEzThe light faded. In the end, Abel stood with a sword through his heart.Xyfqib
vlsr3g“Khuhuhuh…”6Cz5
DchElpHis eyes were bloodshot, his veins grotesquely bulging. He was either laughing or crying—impossible to tell.PkGs
PgK6oZm“In this state, I can’t beat Armian…”eb4z
GJQ0AWCough! He spat black blood.R0hq
Imi8“That your dying message?”MzaImj
Ygo“Wait, Aint.”vFn36I
kUNoauOFernan stopped Aint before he could deliver the final blow.D0ALMxC
sDP3“Just in case—want to say who’s behind you?”WkUT
6TL7U“When you guess, it’s as good as confirmed.”23jbS9
pAk“I see.”zZu
8UBR“If we’d taken things slower, it would’ve worked. What a shame. A real shame.”7ddm
AFNQHe laughed at himself, then suddenly went still.oQYmOd
bDg“Even so…”ImjP
ZN1e5NHe locked eyes with Fernan.2a5X1
pr8gBFJ“What I said is true. Everything went according to plan. I may be impatient, but I’m not useless. Just wait for what’s coming, Fernan Pellenberg.”8sY
Le6mWith those words, Abel’s body exploded.AqlK1o
fW3***QIMyfyK
9VLPUyThe explosion of a corrupt was already a familiar sight. Aint and Fernan were prepared—they took no damage.tNV
wd7bfBut something didn’t add up.9Hbi
jQFFw“…There’s no body.”RMwJw
k9zqqZEven when they exploded, there were always remains. This time, nothing—only dust.GqD1
D3Ixxb“…A demon?”Qqbgz
jWPC4ShAccording to Fernan, the only ones who left no remains were demons.vyWq
uWansL“If it were a demon, it wouldn’t be this weak.”21Y
dIyz“True. Then maybe a special kind of corrupt, with so much demonic energy that it’s almost at a demon’s level.”ZVTK
0rcyPf“That seems like the most logical explanation.”EISKz
Px15KBN— Was there a demon like that? Even I haven’t seen them all. The war was fought across the whole continent, and I didn’t face only the 72.t54
FYJqFJnIn the end, they could only let it go.3tZe
5xAC“And those last words? What did he mean?”L1BI2
fRJbBu“Not worth worrying about.”FUc0m
V7IIZdIt was probably true that he had achieved his goal—confirming something about Fernan.kSx
3SOlRa“Isn’t it strange to boast that he succeeded in his plan?”uvUS
ouGRMG“It was a threat. It means that now, not just you, but I’m also being watched. That we won’t be able to move as freely.”sSLuzf
l3H6In other words, be careful walking at night. It was a trick to sow fear—but Fernan wasn’t someone who could be intimidated.O8ip4Ix
f5Tm“They want me to back off. Not happening.”78Hrj5L
vETPVLosing money was the only thing he feared. And now he had another reason to oppose them—they despised money as if it were just shiny metal.K0uIx4k
Cb9N“Let’s go back. I’m sure the entire Academy is awake by now.”LYT
d6W“Ah, and what do we do about this?”86d70
OhYFThe place had been reduced to ruins by the battle.LiplWh
f5Ve“It’s all recorded by the artifact. There won’t be any problem.”WuE2N
DdlE1“When did you activate it?”Vpf
azin4F“From the start.”dyC4M8
WfiAOXIt had become a habit since he learned the corrupt had once manipulated a similar device to have him excommunicated—always recording everything suspicious from the start.sBYVbI
09scj“Let’s go before the people arrive.”YthuSE
syCj“Yeah.”IJVa
7xFvbUThat night, both vanished into the shadows.gCM0cf
hAiZ9A***IMZYY
oP5lew“This matter will be buried.”hlVufS8
AdLsThe rector poured milk into his tea.QXg8e
hvyjsG“No need to explain why.”h2Pks8
xGxeQINot once, but twice. And it happened after the rector himself had ordered a thorough investigation—yet another incident with a corrupt in the Academy.f352FsW
hrUblEven if that corrupt was just a first-year, it didn’t erase the Academy’s incompetence.I06cHLF
0FmMFrom the rector’s perspective, and for the Academy’s reputation, the right thing was to keep this incident quiet.wkBKbR0
aNvEh“I understand.”VK5KkAF
lBRc“For that, I need the recording you made.”d4bJaz
f6qb1J“I already gave it to you.”60tax
vQz8“I don’t trust merchants. They’re generous benefactors to the Academy, yes—but whenever they see an opportunity, they try to profit.”DOXv
yLmThe rector stirred his tea with the spoon, blending the milk.YZk
e63Nc“What you gave me—is it genuine?”UJm
dxeeYtn“Yes.”1cH
ivPIxPX“And can you assure me there are no additional copies?”BqCUrB
d0z4YFernan didn’t avoid the rector’s sharp gaze.6rjW
0gf“If I say yes, will you believe me?”e7brZ6v
HyHjnof“No, I’ll confiscate it by force.”cXt7
74X“Then no. I don’t want to make an enemy of an Archmage over something this small. Consider it my compensation for failing to keep the last promise.”M5o
4HOlThe promise had been to keep the summoning of Andromalius secret.zdQEF
uJMWyDQBut Fernan broke it at the Academic Congress, revealing it to Duke Vienderk and the Pope of the Dragon God Cult.e8ANqGi
5PaThere had been no other choice at the time, but he had done so without the rector’s consent.HorT
8kcqFJ0Fortunately, the rector understood and let it go, though an invisible debt remained.AiRzSj
0hBFernan took the opportunity to repay it.EjSrE
7RLlaST“Very well, so be it.”3cIu
r8Sgm0The rector accepted.6VENzM
lQ9Dn“Thank you.”I9otoP
H1PyaBU“I should be the one thanking you. Thanks to you, we extinguished the spark before it burned the entire mountain. If you want something in return, I’m willing to hear it.”rC1zT
59Ce“Just erase this as if my mistake never happened—that’s enough. Rather, what do you plan to do now?”zhVo
4ldHQ“What else could I do, knowing there are still corrupts in the Academy?”dEGW
adimThe rector smiled warmly. A kind smile for humans—but to demons and corrupts, it held no kindness at all.G9qLmEM
v9lK5***EvT
JfMcVpFFernan finished the meeting with the rector and got into the carriage.lt4AB
DSyWJI4“Did the conversation go well?”l3EpZw
sea9d“Yes, I handled it perfectly.”FvJ
AoTT4tg“And Abel—what will happen to him?”YtWnSL8
Lku“The rector will handle it.”TKt1
tu84IFernan already had a good idea of what would happen.K6d
RZJs“If it were me, I’d go straight to Abel’s family and shut them up. I’d show them the recording of their son as a corrupt.”7oMF
ueFdr“I’d tell them—if you don’t want this made public, do as I say.”6o80QC
7pcC5XcAbel would be expelled immediately, and during the return trip, he’d die in an “unfortunate accident.”FVUBa6
2YE52A shipwreck during a storm would be most convenient.ucj1X5e
rPivQPThe ship would be lost, but it was a small price to protect the Academy’s and the Royal Knights’ reputation.t1X
iZjqY“The parents will comply, of course.”17BdEpT
7F1K“I said it as a threat, but in reality, it’s the best outcome for both sides. If it’s discovered that Abel was a corrupt, their house would be destroyed.”iSeW
LmaAfter a demon appeared in Bercheff, the alert against corrupts was at its highest.U6P43
8mBVRumors were already circulating that a purge of corrupts had begun in several kingdoms.N5lDk
KvWvw“The problem would be if the parents were corrupt too…”zLsTzuk
i074FbFernan shook his head.qu91h55
d7FxGMk“That’ll be the rector’s job. Not my concern.”kz9J
sRCa“Right. Then where are we headed?”guk4i4
YLZTVd3“To Ravidus Hall.”fzVGYU
3WuSVu“Understood.”PGWHdTA
yJMiYThe carriage departed.53LVPpj
MTMyWwEFernan, leaning against the window, got lost in thought.woOY0S
xaI‘The corrupt have started to focus on me. I need to be extremely cautious.’045
RhZgzl5Moving around without Wooden in these circumstances was a huge risk.g2VzDv
jFf0‘And Silver—I have to figure out how to deal with him. What a pain. Again.’UL7
GB1jThe headache was familiar by now. Fernan closed his eyes.Lz8wfS
YDmThe pages of the prophecy unfolded before him.1lqzV3L
wF9LH[— Andromalius, and now Seir. The demon invasion advances quickly.
Preparations are necessary.m6YxwN
yG4nuO— This time, no matter the cost, we must win the jousting tournament and obtain the reward the Founding Emperor left behind.jX9geMd
uDiWe5— But right now it seems impossible. Against other rivals, maybe. But against Luina Bercheff, nine out of ten times you’ll lose.]Baf03b
WHKaq7This time, the prophecy didn’t announce an imminent crisis or a corrupt’s appearance.coJUqTs
7qeVkIt was Gardner who felt the urgency—due to the advancing demon invasion, Aint needed to grow stronger faster.0Vg
xjkexeBBut wishing wasn’t enough—he needed a catalyst.D7hsV
eVP[— It’s time to search for what the Founding Emperor left behind.YGile
CJS4b“What is it?”MYi6
wZLca— The true swordsmanship.7g7c
7eekGaH“Swordsmanship? Aren’t I already learning it?”e2z83VK
p3f— What I know, what you’re learning, even the secret art passed down in Armian—it’s all incomplete.IkhXesf
EjIml“What?”0rtEC
JzARgL— All inferior levels. The Emperor, at the end of his life, reached enlightenment and perfected swordsmanship. He hid it in a sea cave beneath the Academy.]s3K5
1Z3d85So, Aint headed to the sea.4qj
JGi[“…What is that?”8TqSuie
EyMmBefore the door carved by human hands stood a massive block of ice.PZHk
GDRWHInside the ice was a monster, and glacial air filled the cave.WGjNLC
blvF— Ah, I forgot to mention there’s a guardian protecting the entrance.aDkr
yBB6j— The Emperor said—if you can’t defeat it, you’re not worthy of learning his art.jcaWp
r0IBh“And you tell me that now?! Did you really forget?”rxsH
KQx— If you knew in advance, it would be meaningless. That’s a chimera.oM8MXUG
8lk— Created by the first Archmage and Pope of the Dragon God Cult, Eargrat. The Emperor wanted only someone who could defeat it to enter…]sv7mupP
Ww9hThe battle with the guardian began.f6e3
0KeHaON[The chimera, humanoid like a knight, was powerful.
─!lK7du94
BaLW0gEvery clash of blades took his breath away.lnEYhGG
CJDhYVKIt was faster than him.AW8
EAtDRPTIts strikes were heavier.0aE
QWt80Its swordsmanship was no less refined.0Mf40
zm4In every way, it was a superior version of Aint. He could barely hold on…]WOeoZ
G7ukAwAfter a hard fight, Aint won.tW3b8
j4hKSThough he was on the brink of death, it didn’t matter—because what came next in the prophecy was even more astonishing.x1aKxX
lZ6[“…Defeating the chimera isn’t enough. What does that mean?”lrO
sINwl— …Damn it. Emperor, you fooled even me.qb5vpd
ZhR“Wait, is that…?!”Q1l
Ch6ebBeyond the door, there wasn’t swordsmanship—but a note and a mountain.IvRq8q
mjvwtUA mountain of gold, gems, and treasures.Lipo
79T— Every weapon is a high-level artifact.KhXD
4O8— Did the Emperor loot a dragon’s nest? Or was Armian always this wealthy?MoBt7
owuhzHR— If the Pellenbergs saw this, they’d lose their minds.Ijo
sMeWOA“…Not just the Pellenbergs. Anyone would lose their minds over this.”LIuB
U50ze— Perfect. With this, Armian can be reborn.9ng
54f— You could even lend it to Bercheff to settle the debt with the Pellenbergs.Yikc
jQtAVh“Yeah, that…”OcumV
78KMB5UAint gulped.cAV09
QFf“With this, it feels like I could do anything.”HVR9Q
JjcHe was human too—and in front of such a mountain of treasure, greed was inevitable.]9vMh0b
WUeJFernan clenched his fist tightly.o7ge4L
41m“……”5gtDp
Oi76His heart pounded as if it would burst.48HYz8
CrVMore than when he learned of Andromalius’ descent.JeoG
ZWgy0More than when he found out where the mithril was.2AB9Q8B
fZg2Desire burned within him.Qy8PoC
EE2wl“…It’s mine.”C7LePNZ
NnRDIt was the first thing he muttered, consumed by greed.9Ywjd
wfQThere were many things he could give to Aint.j3YRqy
FuPThat’s why he gave him the Saintbird’s heart.h77U3h
a4n1That’s why he provided him with elixirs and helped him grow.1KRz
fxON1siBut if it was a treasure so vast that Gardner compared it to a dragon’s hoard—then it was a different story.XA4a
IKN1S“All of it must be mine.”D4C
mEuAA treasure piled like a mountain.slv36
7S5W“It can’t belong to anyone else.”bHt
0g6qOAn unclaimed treasure belongs to the first to take it.MUAULi
0tCE2TzAnd now only Fernan knew the secret.kpJUh14
s8psNoi“Gismond Ert… Hyde, turn the carriage around. Right now!”iAK
BYpBBfFirst, he had to shut the mouth of a rival.wtDsp
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