Chapter 154

Two Rahnas, countless monsters, and even the corrupt mastermind behind it all.

The attack had ended, and for the time being, the situation was considered resolved.

But Fernan’s mind was far from calm. He now had more questions than before.

As he gently petted Wooden, who was sleeping while hanging from his necklace, he asked.

“Do you have any idea what that book might have been?”

He was referring to the book the corrupt man had held. It had no writing inside.

If that man hadn’t used it as a medium, neither Fernan nor Rosalia would ever have thought it was a grimoire.

“I don’t know. I’ve never heard of a grimoire that lets you use magic beyond your limits in exchange for its pages.”

“Me neither. If something like that existed, the Dragon God Cult would’ve monopolized it from the start.”

It was the faction most obsessed with magic on the entire continent; if such an artifact had been developed, it surely would have come from them.

‘A book… now that I think about it, Abel also carried one.’

It wasn’t unusual for a mage to carry a book.

What was strange was that, just like that corrupt man, he had disappeared without even leaving a corpse behind.

Fernan regretted not having opened Abel’s book; had he seen its contents, he might have had more clarity.

“As far as I know, only demons leave no corpse.”

“But he was far too weak to be a demon.”

“And that’s the mystery. They’re not demons, not mere corrupts, and there seems to be more than one…”

“More than one? Have you encountered another?”

Fernan clicked his tongue inwardly.

He had promised the headmaster not to talk about Abel to anyone, but he had slipped up.

“No, this is the first time.”

“Speak.”

“It’s better we leave here first. Even if the carriages are intact, we’ve descended very deep; getting everything reorganized…”

Craaack—

Fernan’s foot froze and stuck to the ground.

“Speak.”

“I’m an investor.”

“And I’m a professor.”

“…You mustn’t tell anyone.”

“You know I’m not loose-tongued.”

And that was true. Fernan had known Rosalia for years.

“…So that was it. I already thought it strange that Abel Kalens suddenly left the Academy.”

In any case—

“If something like this happens again, don’t hesitate to ask for my help. It’s not the first time, and it seems they see us as easy targets. We’ll have to teach them otherwise.”

Having such a useful ally at hand wasn’t a bad idea.

***

The ambush had exhausted all their resources, as no further problems arose afterward.

Fernan and Rosalia resumed their journey, now with some peace.

“Surely among the corrupt there are earth magic experts, or those who use tunneling monsters. Otherwise, they couldn’t move so freely under Imperial territory.”

“I agree.”

There wasn’t even a need to talk about the monsters.

Fernan had been in many situations, and in almost all of them, the corrupt had attacked from underground.

Nine times out of ten, they used the earth. There had to be something behind it.

“And what do you think will happen at this continental congress?”

“If they’re smart, nothing. That’s why they attacked now, before we could gather our defenses.”

Though you could never be sure. When plans fall apart, even cornered rats bite back at the cat.

“True.”

Rosalia agreed as well.

It would be the first time, since the change of electors, that the seven would gather.

Having seen how the corrupt and demons wreaked havoc, would they dare neglect security?

It could be a dangerous place, where even the seven electors could be killed at once—but it was also the least accessible place for the corrupt.

“And after the transport, what do you plan to do?”

“I’ll stay until the end. I want to see how things unfold.”

Although the primary goal was to protect Rosalia’s research from falling into enemy hands, Fernan was also interested in the congress and the assembly of electors.

“What do you think? Will there be an alliance at this meeting?”

“To begin with, all the electors are part of the Empire.”

“But they’re different states under that name.”

Also, it wouldn’t be just the electors attending.

Using the congress as a pretext, royalty and influential nobles from other countries would also be present.

It wasn’t realistic to form an alliance on the spot, but they could lay the groundwork if the dialogue went well.

“The electors aren’t fools. At the very least, there won’t be outright rejections.”

“Let’s hope it works.”

“That’s what everyone’s thinking.”

As the clouds drifted by, the carriages sped onward toward Valerich.

***

Peck, peck, peck—

“Mmm.”

Peck, peck, peck, peck—

Aint opened his eyes with a headache that felt like it was splitting his skull.

No sunlight streamed in through the white curtains.

“…That’s enough.”

Aint pushed away Silver, who was pecking at his forehead.

Pip—

Silver flapped his two pairs of wings, greeting his awakening.

— Geez, you’re like a rooster. Though it is convenient not having to use a separate magic alarm clock.

“If you didn’t peck my forehead to wake me, it would be perfect.”

It was five in the morning. Aint checked the time and pulled back the curtains. The sun had yet to rise.

After a light shower, he pulled out a few blood worms from the food box Fernan had given him for Silver.

They were monstrous worms, two or three times the size of a normal earthworm, with bodies red as blood.

They clung to human or other creature skin and sucked blood like leeches—but Silver loved them.

When Aint offered one with a pair of tongs, Silver swallowed it in one gulp, letting out a satisfied chirp.

“Interesting. A spirit that eats monsters.”

— Later on, it’ll eat everything. It’s omnivorous. The Saintbird raised by the First Emperor loved well-grilled steaks.

— And wouldn’t settle for anything less than the best beef.

— Plus, if it didn’t get elixirs as treats from time to time, it would get moody.

“Then someone without money couldn’t even raise one.”

— Why do you think it’s a sacred spirit?

In a way, it was best that Silver recognized Fernan as his “father.” Aint wouldn’t have been able to afford his upkeep.

“He seems very docile now, but once Senior Fernan shows up, he’ll definitely go straight to him, right?”

— No doubt about it.

While watching Silver eat, the clock struck six.

Aint pulled the cord by the door, and shortly after, a servant brought him breakfast.

“Please enjoy your meal.”

“Thank you.”

It was just a light soup with bread, but the smooth texture and the aroma of high-quality butter were exquisite.

Already changed into training clothes and with sword in hand, Aint headed to the practice field.

There, occupying a corner, someone was already present. Aint waved cheerfully.

“Senior Luina!”

“Aint, I got here before you today.”

“How long ago did you arrive?”

“Ten minutes.”

“Then, shall we start the duel already?”

It wasn’t a formal arrangement, but for some time now it had become routine to meet at dawn to train together.

And this was Aint’s favorite time—being able to cross swords as equals with the senior he admired so much.

It’s said that knights speak through their swords. And with her, each clash seemed to convey far more than words.

— I’d tell you to give up.

— Those eyes of hers aren’t looking at you.

‘I know.’

Aint wasn’t sure where that gaze was truly directed, but even so, this much was enough for him.

He slowly drew his sword.

“Can’t you see me?”

At that moment, Verian, who had been stretching nearby, frowned.

“Ah, there you are.”

“…I can’t believe this.”

Verian drew his sword.

“This time, I’m starting. Come.”

“Whenever you like.”

Silver perched on a tree just as Aint’s and Verian’s swords clashed.

After dozens of exchanges, the one sent flying was Verian.

“…You’re stronger than before, huh?”

“I had a little revelation.”

“…Bastard…”

Verian gave a bitter smile and slumped down. He had completely drained his aura and couldn’t stand.

He closed his eyes and began circulating his mana to recover.

When he opened them, Aint was already crossing swords with Luina.

“Damn… the gap keeps growing.”

Their movements were so fast, precise, and heavy that he couldn’t fully follow them.

If he were thrown into that duel, he wouldn’t last a second.

“It makes sense that Luina, the champion who beat Rob Kaelin in the jousts, is this strong, but Aint…”

When he first met him, he had been above him.

His rank—38th—and the title of runner-up proved that.

But at some point, the gap had shrunk, and in no time, Aint had surpassed him and left him behind.

“The world is unfair.”

Even as an Armian, from a bloodline that opposed demons, did this make any sense?

The worst part was that he wasn’t weak at all.

He was still third in the Academy.

“Did he swallow some rare elixir? His aura is at an insane level.”

And not just Aint—Luina as well.

Piiii—

At that moment, the Saintbird descended in front of him.

“The Saintbird…”

That sacred spirit that always followed Aint around lately.

Where had he gotten something so rare? Verian even felt jealous.

“Your name was Silver, right?”

Verian grabbed a worm from the ground and offered it. Silver tilted his head and slowly approached…

“Argh!”

And pecked his hand.

“It hurts! What’s your problem?!”

Silver dropped the worm to the ground and crushed it with his foot.

“So you don’t eat worms? Got a refined palate ‘cause you’re a sacred spirit?”

Damn bird.

Now even a bird looked down on him. What a miserable life.

“Fuaaah… you’re all such early birds.”

At that moment, a red-haired elf appeared yawning and sat beside him.

“Oh, Silver. Hi there.”

When Aria waved at him, Silver perched on her shoulder and nuzzled her cheek.

“…And you treat me like this? What gives?”

“I’m an elf, remember?”

“So?”

“Elves have an affinity not just with spirits and forests, but with all animals and plants.”

“The Saintbird is a spirit.”

“And also a bird.”

Aria pulled something bright red from her pocket, and Silver devoured it instantly.

“What did you give him? I offered him something and he didn’t even try it.”

“High-grade beef.”

“….”

This picky-ass bird, seriously.

Acts just like his owner.

Well, though the real owner was Fernan.

‘Though they’re way too alike, huh?’

Verian swallowed his annoyance.

At that moment, an elf page came running from afar.

“Miss Aria, there you are.”

“What is it?”

The page handed her a letter.

“A letter from your house.”

“A letter?”

Aria’s expression immediately darkened.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, nothing.”

She got up from her spot.

“Sure doesn’t sound like nothing…”

But deep down, it wasn’t really his business.