Chapter 149
hLQ3After the Masked Club ball, the Academy was in an uproar.ooaVb
bQBu“Did you hear the news? They say a Saintbird appeared.”Mgvfhr
Wt00rQ“I heard Aint Armian is raising it.”AKG488
oOlO8“What? Where did he get a Saintbird? And is that even something you can tame?”uyv32s
2MJ“From what I know, it’s something Armian used to raise generation after generation. There are records saying the First Emperor rode the Saintbird to behead demons.”fUOPN
rKm2SudAint had merely had it perched on his shoulder while enjoying the ball, but to those watching, that couldn’t be seen as a simple eccentricity of wearing a bird on his shoulder.IVaU
K2TXy2D“Could it be that Armian is finally breaking its silence?”FtQ9
EIi“If not, then why reveal the Saintbird they’d kept hidden?”IpF
6VZTz“The timing is perfect. Aint Armian caught the corrupted who ruined the Continental Academic Congress, and a demon descended in Bercheff. And now he’s showing the Saintbird? That’s totally intentional.”uuT
RpR48TNo one thought this was a personal decision by Aint.Vs00d
WOpVEdThey saw it as a calculated move by House Armian.q7hxJ8
J1ZAs if the appearance of demons signaled the awakening of a hero.2Br
zGY6he4Everyone believed that, at last, Armian was returning to the main stage.DrL
cdcrZZ3It was exactly what Fernan had planned.vy5yzPk
3707v0The rumor of Aint Armian and the Saintbird spread not only through the Academy but across the entire continent, drawing a wave of inquiries and visitors to the island.LIbf3V
ItWOf course, not all reactions were positive.sHnkau
uBFfUg“Sorry, all this is my fault…”Td9W
o0S“No, you don’t need to apologize.”Xir
SDmsAlthough, in truth, it was. The headmaster corrected his words.apCc
80cHHqF“You know what’s happening? The entire continent’s attention is focused on the Academy. Letters arrive nonstop every day, and many even come in person.”e5u
ba30wThat’s why the headmaster decided to temporarily close the Academy to outsiders—the island was on the verge of overflowing.85eu1W
sesSDbv“I figured as much.”ttx
ahQcD“So, where did the Saintbird come from? No, forget the question. I’m sure it was something Armian had been hiding.”j077udU
TPKThe headmaster sighed. Aint, who didn’t see the need to explain how he had obtained it, let him assume what he wanted.ExnECC5
Gmr“To be honest, showing the Saintbird is your right, I won’t blame you. But what will you do about Schwaben? You know this is practically a declaration of war, don’t you?”LbG3iK
02r“Yes. I’m aware of that.”xxi1i
BiGAs strange as it seemed, Schwaben remained silent, but Aint knew they wouldn’t stay that way for long.X35
uvtyYoDemons, Armian, and now the Saintbird.BpXTT3
z8DUvjnPublic opinion across the continent was heating up, favoring Armian and weakening Schwaben.QkYdQy
wwMJTJ“From what I see, Fernan has convinced you quite well.”dzo6
xFe“Pardon?”kyoOA
dAw“Don’t act so surprised. Most people at the Academy know that Fernan is the one holding up the ground beneath your feet.”jkH
NAvNsThey had shared too much for it to remain hidden.6X744
bFrAint knew this, but hadn’t expected the headmaster to state it so openly, and was slightly taken aback.K0Ulc
SsXJI“To be honest, I don’t care in the slightest. Whether you ally with Pellenberg or whether Armian and Schwaben fight over the throne means nothing to me.”thuJQ
nI60D2UThe headmaster had no ambition for power. Even though the position of Academy Rector was significant, he didn’t care about that.2hwz
10QB“You can conspire with Fernan if you want, but keep one thing very clear.”F1t
mgZafFEInside the Academy—85mh4
0vK“If that causes trouble, it won’t be to your benefit.”dOb
y5eWhether it was Armian or Schwaben.L6N
8XW664“This is the Academy—a place for students to learn. Don’t forget what this place means.”qUSwG
1umDH“I’ll keep it in mind.”DyW1
lk2OFaced with his cold gaze, Aint nodded without realizing it.OdUaf
0ggKHRR— It’s been a thousand years, but an Archmage is still an Archmage.nOa
ba2V— I thought peace might have weakened them compared to a thousand years ago, but I was wrong.YXc1E4K
8lk“I have no intention of causing trouble in the Academy either. I just want to study here in peace.”bLZomeY
nKQYOW“Good. I’m glad we agree on that.”wTlfVp
1VWTrcVThe headmaster smiled and took a sip of tea.DGW7ScJ
qhB413q“Now let’s get to the main matter.”oqz
jFl“Wasn’t that the main topic already?”lJKpR
GURPbwB“What I said before was just a warning—not to cause trouble in my territory. If that had been the main topic, I would’ve summoned Fernan, not you.”C9KIP
673EZ8The serious part began now.giQnWXK
q5G4n“As you know, after the appearance of Andromalius, I turned the Academy upside down. I caught exactly thirteen corrupted.”IkPt
TgzF9Fk“Yes.”ra5P
cNioPS“But shortly afterward, another appeared. And with a serious problem to boot.”WzF6R78
zt6He was referring to Aaron, who had hidden in Professor Rosalia’s lab, having planted nothing less than a demon seed in her research.h6Vj3ZP
U63aIf Fernan hadn’t discovered it in time, it was terrifying to imagine what might’ve happened.XiDXN
Yid— Most likely, a demon would have descended during the Continental Academic Congress.6a1mbSl
5tG— And then countless attendees would have died.TGIdkZc
iUd5B— And someone would’ve had to take responsibility.i6e
8KWzfIt would’ve been a disaster. Stopping it in time had been a stroke of luck.U4Y1owt
T9edm“And now, another has appeared.”Sca2Pm
VsVM“You mean Abel.”DYvs
lbUQ“Exactly.”xjZsBxU
xa3RThe headmaster’s brow furrowed.NWOS
hoYum“It was absurd. In Aaron’s case, I thought that after a thorough purge, there was nothing left, and I let my guard down. But Abel’s case is different, don’t you think?”DvxRp4n
u7fMWAfter Aaron, the headmaster had secretly investigated the Academy again, looking for corrupted.TLDw
B8dT9hDHe found none, so he thought they were clean. And just then, another incident exploded.tWEybo
tuN“It wasn’t someone already inside the Academy—it was a new student.”oKm
OYch“Then we should’ve blocked their admission.”7lvQyg
ihc“If they managed to infiltrate even without my intervention… shouldn’t we question the Academy’s own capabilities?”TcQrwGM
QUScIt wasn’t clear if the corrupted were too clever, or if the Academy was simply incompetent.7PJqz
E4LHHThe headmaster, however, leaned toward the latter.2tyvnfv
MYiAfter all, the breach existed—and that was shameful.sTrL
f1gAhw“That’s why I want to ask you something.”cHVG
mA7aW“What is it?”DsnS
gpeaG“No matter how capable I am, it seems I can’t match you in detecting corrupted or demons.”5F7qY25
KFTkGHZThe headmaster admitted his limits.NZU
VdEAmz“So help me. Let’s make this Academy a place pure of corruption.”DXP
1KvHe asked for his cooperation.syOJS
Gg6XF9“Of course, I’ll reward you properly. I’m an old man, but I’ve accumulated enough wealth over the years.”FdvMR
WWHd“That means…”PDR0x
ekAe5“These are things I won’t need once I’m gone. But if you’re planning to rebuild Armian, they could be very useful to you, don’t you think?”7Gl
ZOt7p6The headmaster let out a calm chuckle.yYVl
Tap71KsIf Fernan had heard it, he might’ve gotten quite the scare.Dc3mzO
JtJZ***mJH
3aaOQMeanwhile, Fernan was alone with Professor Rosalia in her office.CzEM
4sGg“You’ve been coming a lot lately.”cBleIb
Hxr4IXF“That’s because I bring news. Something you’ll find interesting, Professor.”288
eBwgSzFernan pulled out a letter.FUo2xG
M1TKVb“It arrived this morning from my father.”NRCq
c19f“From Duke Yvon?”Shlk
am9U“…”2oy3i
wFSB0wmRosalia’s eyes sparkled as she read the contents. Fernan was right—that letter contained something that intrigued her.XVBd
zAs“They’re going to hold the ruined Continental Academic Congress again?”qymB5r
Bp8“The location will be the same, Valerich, and the date is in two weeks…”1YhbM
ALPNOThe continent was still in chaos after the corrupted uprisings and the descent of demons.kUi
PLOGQEven so, Vienderk wanting to resume the congress so soon was to show that they still stood tall.RJz6KB
LfZThey wanted to erase the stain of the previous failure and restore their pride by holding it without incident.y9q6
RsQBQ“If what the letter says is true, the seven electors of the Empire have given their approval. The Congress will happen no matter what.”hGGn
i1BrBut for most electors—except Vienderk or Pellenberg—the real goal wasn’t the congress itself.WvT2
OFXH62yIt was just a pretext, a starting point.TQwvAg
S2VI“All the electors or their delegates will attend. There, for the first time officially, they’ll talk about the demons.”wziJ7O
Z5p3Alongside the imperial electors, the powerful figures of each nation were also invited.xLlGxL
Mtd4Thus, the Congress would become the first forum where the relationship between humanity and demons would be discussed.LDqx9Aa
DOyeOIf the talks failed, it would be a disaster. But if successful, a Continental Union could be born.Jpv6We
T7L“And if your research is presented at that historic moment, Professor, it will be recorded in history.”V447s
JMo“Won’t it get lost among everything else?”pyXgaz
QQP“My role is to make sure it doesn’t go unnoticed.”9FSI
JNSqcDS“In any case, it benefits me to publish it as soon as possible. If you say so…”A3fFG
xpjk6eAt that moment, Rosalia’s voice faded.01pLN3
BaoYNothing special had happened.NB3
PogYpIt was simply that, as always, the vision of the prophecy came with a sharp headache.53R
89B2ue3Fernan, enduring the pain, kept a composed expression as he pretended to listen.rWEL
mldKkThe book of prophecy opened.ptw3Z6B
qMK[“They say a meeting of electors will be held in Vienderk.”jFw6s6s
y5KAint closed the newspaper.cXoWWe6
Tgx— After Seir descended during the Congress, Vienderk should have been left in ruins, even if they survived.e7m1N
OF4kr— They’ll try to make up for their mistake somehow, and that meeting of electors is their plan.fOXxD1Y
OdFdkNIn a place stained by blood and disgrace, they’ll take the first step toward human unity. That’s what Vienderk seeks.]5DSU
3gLxT‘A meeting of electors?’hYt6KS
hLxIt wasn’t very different from the future he knew.a93
dQkmThe only difference was whether Seir had been summoned or not—and the scale of the damage.LPU
r4rKlTIn the original future, with such devastation, no one would have dared mention a “Congress,” but now the course had changed.fmzt3nv
YRUMnbf[“All attention is focused on Valerich.”nX3
g3LHf2To the report from the shadow, the man nodded.tKsf
tEUCP3J“With Seir’s descent, everyone already feels the imminence of war against us.”B7WsW
umkX3tJust like a thousand years ago, humanity will inevitably form a union.cA08my
V4GsThe most we can do is delay it a bit, but stopping it is impossible.B8Ecj2i
pAcThat’s why the corrupted and demons chose a different path.Sp9fL
5MO“Even if this increases their sense of crisis, it doesn’t matter.”I6Nv0CI
y3tZe4W“In return, we’ll erase Bercheff.”]eubPy2
gack868That unknown presence appeared again. Their plans were disasters that, if fulfilled, had to be stopped at all costs.xg01qsY
MGk1Yn[“T-The magical beasts…!”D7P
T7e“It’s a demon! A demon has descended!”W3q
QblqY“Hold the line! If we falter, we all die. Buy time so your families can escape!”YnhVT
b3Qxm4FTens of thousands of magical beasts.HjqyWA7
6hWhy45“Keuhuhuhu, how long it’s been since I breathed the air of the mid-world.”H53QQJ
v6Wji9“Don’t get cocky, Decarabia.”eqS
kVO“Mind your own business.”yedq5
UVvbM8KAnd two demons.aBRwfUx
NgpiKThe legion they brought mercilessly ravaged Bercheff.]2r2A5
pjeThe vision showed a destroyed Bercheff.jwi
CZeGp3S[“Father!”1BgxSuT
GGm“Run, Luina. Take care of our people. From now on, you’re the head of Bercheff.”ZT7A
2rfesp“Father, come with me…!”S9JVFdK
ojQRX“There are two demons. Someone has to stay behind to stop them, or the people won’t be able to escape. And in Bercheff, aside from me, there’s no one strong enough.”NNaKz
jx2RZKnights of the count! Soldiers!m5EodQ
7jx“Give me your lives! Die for Bercheff! But you won’t be alone. I’ll fight with you until the very end.”fmb
wmfZp“With pleasure!”IK3
GKs0t“Long live the border count!”4AtP2
Cci“Long live Bercheff!”Yjp
lSxXEhThe border count charged with five thousand men against the hordes.lMbipC
EopThey knew they were going to die, but no one retreated.0eD
gO7p“Father…!”5eN
Jwo59P“My lady, we must go. If we don’t, they’ll have died in vain. We must reach Ashdov County.”wMYy0
FUplAint cleared the way with his holy light.]izFrge
hb9QThe count, leaving only a small escort with Luina, led the final legion against the demons.un94J0Q
U4oThanks to his sacrifice, the refugees made it to Ashdov County.evz
xCHi51M‘In the original story, did Fernan also ally with Aint?’hIA
uG19Ashdov was a Pellenberg territory, full of merchant and warships from the Golden Turtle Company.8pW
dsa‘Did they expel me from the family, and to prove their innocence, they cooperated with Aint? Well, it was the safest move.’F7KNBWt
BVfP[“…What was the Empire doing? We protected it for a thousand years! And when we were in danger, where were they?”Zb3k8G
J5ofK5jWhile tens of thousands of beasts and demons devastated Bercheff, the Empire didn’t lift a finger.tpgEjE
tmxhSOn the ship bound for the Pandrein continent, Luina fell unconscious and awoke again and again.3UaCp3
rujQGOne day before arriving, under the full moon’s light, she stepped out on deck.Hz7vke
LZhw“Senior…”lFn
Jk8uE8Her face was pale and haggard, but her eyes were darker than ever.gMJfkG
G5kvoU“Aint. You’ll fight the demons to the very end, right?”ga4Xat
vwp“Of course. Demons are invaders who cannot coexist with humanity. I’ll exterminate them all to the last.”oKlXE
Dsc“…Then I’ll be your sword.”fQa
ZFC2wEShe murmured calmly.qeaP
tOeYx“I’ll cut down all your enemies.”voLNV
lU9Though quiet, Aint felt a chill.fAveGf
qBUK“So kill them all.”wXvT
HIS2She unsheathed her sword.71j8E3
7q6q9T“Behead them to the last. And at that final moment…”UBrZU
FvWpNWShe offered the sword.oj5AEwF
PIryiN“I’ll be at your side.”DNOsOW
RURusFrom Luina’s eyes, tears of blood flowed.]J7HWR
2CC8eS4There were more prophecies—electors rushing the union in the face of the demon threat, aid destined for ruined Bercheff, and so on. But Fernan paid them little attention.dT7
R8d78‘In the original story, did Luina end up like that…?’bCw
lSAbThe image of Luina Bercheff swearing vengeance with tears of blood chilled him.hSRG3sT
9Iw1qC7But he brushed it off right away. After all, those were things that would no longer happen.02nIbnv
SriiCkIIn fact, that thought reassured him.jwJEf
L3WqQB“What is it?”C08L
o6S“Nothing. I just think I definitely should attend the Congress.”9YF
sE4Fernan shook his head at Rosalia’s words, though he couldn’t stop the slight curve of his lips.F4BIJ
rAwh“You’re hiding something.”hD9
MpL“No, I was just imagining how much money your research’s publication will generate.”vh1
zVvi“…Didn’t sound like that.”Kro
HR5zr5“It is.”y9TcPa
vlnXX‘They’ll try to destroy Bercheff while everyone’s at the Electors’ Congress?’XAI0U
GRzrDu9Let them try, if they can.w3lMP
Of6g‘With Kimaris and Decarabia dead, what do they have left?’Qt4
5IUQsTzSince he started having visions, he had never felt so at peace.v0h0
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Jose Diaz
MortalFlauros in Frezia probably