Chapter 155

After that major assault, nothing out of the ordinary happened again.

The delegation arrived safely in Valerich, and the magical stone combination artifact was handed over to the organizing committee of the Vienderk academic conference.

“We would never allow the young lady’s research to be stolen.”

Security for magical projects was usually strict, but after the previous chaos, this time the vigilance was airtight.

Moreover, since it was Rosalia’s work, it had the added advantage of family ties.

“Then I’ll stop by the Golden Turtle Branch and catch up with you shortly.”

“All right.”

Parting ways with Rosalia, Fernan headed to the Valerich branch of the Golden Turtle Company. He had heard that a letter had arrived from the Academy.

“Welcome, young master.”

“Where’s the letter?”

“Here it is.”

The branch manager handed him the letter. It was addressed to Aint.

[I’ve received the director’s proposal to capture the corrupt within the Academy.

During your absence, another corrupt individual managed to infiltrate the Academy…]

It didn’t seem like much on the surface.

But it summarized that, after the summoning of Andromalius, the Aaron incident, and now Abel Kalens, the Academy’s situation had become problematic again.

The director, furious, had acknowledged his own shortcomings and asked Aint for help.

Aint accepted, and during that time, detected yet another corrupt.

This corrupt, like the others, also left no corpse behind.

The pattern was repeating, and the difference from before was clear. They had to stay alert and find the cause as soon as possible.

However, what hit Fernan hardest was another part.

[And regarding this, the director has promised compensation…]

The director and Aint Armian working together.

And with that, the director promising him money and rewards.

“What kind of shameless person…?”

Fernan let out an incredulous laugh.

He had already spent more than a year investing time, resources, and efforts into Aint Armian—medicines, equipment, all kinds of support.

And now another wanted to stick a straw into what he had been feeding.

It wasn’t the same kind of investment, but the result would be the same—diminishing his influence over Aint.

Even if it was the director, this crossed all lines.

“…What’s wrong, young master?”

“Read this.”

Hyde read the letter, and his expression hardened.

“This could hinder your plans.”

“Not just hinder them, it’s a huge obstacle. The biggest so far.”

It was something that needed immediate attention.

“But if the director and Aint have already come to an agreement, you won’t have room to intervene. Forcing him to accept money from you would only earn his resentment.”

“The director’s compensation isn’t the real problem.”

The director, unlike the Cult of the Dragon God, wasn’t driven by money or fame. He might have wealth due to his long life, but not enough to rebuild Armian.

That money, though valuable, wasn’t enough.

“That amount I could yield without issue. It would hurt, yes, but it’s better than provoking Aint’s animosity.”

What mattered was the lesson.

“This move by the director is a warning. There will be many more like him trying to move in.”

What was sweet for him would be sweet for others too.

Though most would hesitate out of respect for Fernan or House Pellenberg, there would always be those who ignored that “territorial mark.”

“There’s no choice. Before others appear, I must secure the loan contract with Aint.”

That was the only sure way.

“And who knows—maybe the First Emperor left behind another immense treasure. If Aint found it, that would be a problem too.”

“Are you saying you’d want to intercept it yourself, young master?”

“And if I did, all the better.”

Fernan smiled at the thought of another shining mountain of gold.

“I must return to the Academy.”

“And the academic conference? You won’t attend?”

“I won’t.”

His original plan was to help Rosalia with the presentation and stay until the end, but this changed things.

“She’s a perfectionist. She can handle it alone. Besides, it’s enough to order the Golden Turtle Company to give her all the support she needs.”

“And what about the Council of Elector Princes? You said you’d attend as an observer.”

“That council won’t resolve anything immediately.”

Forming an alliance would never be simple—even the Empire’s nobles argue endlessly; how could different kingdoms reconcile their interests in a single meeting?

Still, the fact that the discussion was opening was already progress.

“Participating would be useful, of course, but sooner or later I’ll have to anyway—as heir of the Pellenbergs. It doesn’t matter if it’s not now.”

“First, let’s go to the professor’s hotel.”

He couldn’t leave without saying goodbye.

Fernan stood up abruptly.

***

“How shameless.”

Click.

Rosalia lit a cigarette.

“Fernan Pellenberg. I think you’re mistaken. You came with me on an official learning trip. You can’t leave just because you feel like it.”

“I know.”

“No, you don’t. Until now, I’ve tolerated a lot because you’re my investor.”

Her voice was cold, her gaze even colder.

“But don’t you think you’ve been crossing that line lately?”

Fernan understood instantly—Rosalia was angry. Rightfully so.

He had insisted on accompanying her, and she had relented. If he left alone now, the Academy would assume the worst.

“I know I’m causing you trouble, professor. I’m sorry.”

“And yet you’re not backing down.”

“That’s right.”

He had to go—no excuses.

“It’s for a particular situation.”

“What is it?”

She exhaled smoke slowly.

“Don’t tell me you can’t say.”

“One of my investments is at risk.”

Rosalia looked at him in surprise. The seriousness on his face made her understand the weight of those words.

For Fernan, a mistake in his investments was critical.

“I can’t give details, but it’s related to Aint Armian.”

“And to the corrupt?”

“Yes. Very directly.”

It was true—if Aint, his trump card against the demons, went astray, his entire plan would collapse.

“…You should have started with that.”

Rosalia nodded slightly.

“Do you need me to step in?”

“No, professor. Focus fully on the conference. That’s best.”

“Not even against the corrupt do you abandon your greed.”

“I believe consistency is important.”

“Wait. I’ll give you a letter.”

Rosalia quickly wrote a document.

“Deliver this to the Academy. It’ll serve as justification—saying I sent you back for urgent matters.”

“Thank you. Then, excuse me—I must go now.”

Fernan hurried out.

“…Did the corrupt attack the Pellenberg warehouses or something?”

Rosalia had known him for a long time, but she had never seen him with such an urgent face.

***

【Resumption of the Continental Academic Conference! And, after 14 years, the Council of Elector Princes returns!】

“The Council of Elector Princes, huh?”

The professor of spiritual magic, Nania Veris, set the newspaper aside.

“Let’s hope the patriarch does well.”

To Nania, this council carried great weight. It was the first time Fridian would officially participate as an Elector Prince.

“He’ll do fine.”

Aria sat down in front of her.

“Attending that meeting means that, regardless of criticism or outside treatment, it officially plants the flag that yes, he is an Elector Prince.”

It was the moment her father had awaited for years. He wouldn’t let it slip.

“Humans are as stubborn as demons. It’s been over fifteen years since we received the title of Elector Princes, and they still don’t fully recognize us.”

“But you expected that.”

“Yes, but not for the resistance to be this strong.”

Fridian’s annexation to the Empire had been marked by intense debates—some advocated joining, others claimed there was no reason to.

In the end, the idea that the Empire’s expansion was unstoppable prevailed, and resisting would only lead to death. So they joined.

Even so, distrustful gazes remained, and with them, dissenting voices resurfaced.

“By the way, you look pale. Almost like Professor Dominique. Something wrong?”

“Professor Dominique… what about him?”

“He seems a bit haggard lately. They say he’s busy with research, I suppose that’s the reason.”

“I’d rather it were just research…”

Aria let out a deep sigh.

“Research, as a student? What’s really going on?”

“I received a letter from my family recently. But no matter how much I think about it, I can’t figure it out alone.”

“A letter?”

Aria handed her the neatly folded letter. Upon reading it, Nania’s face hardened.

“Is this true? Adolf wants to tear everything down and return to the past?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe it’s a misunderstanding.”

That’s what she desperately wanted to believe.

“…It must be. Adolf isn’t foolish enough to do something like this.”

“He has more than enough reasons. You know that, professor.”

“…Yes. But no other elf would support such an idea. Is this really reliable information?”

“It doesn’t matter if it is or not. If it were just that, I wouldn’t be this worried.”

It was an act that evoked rebellion, but nearly impossible to carry out.

There were radicals, yes, but they weren’t the majority, and no elves had turned their backs on her father for being incompetent.

“Then what is it?”

“Let me show you this.”

Aria handed her another letter.

This one said the opposite of the first.

“Nothing unusual is happening. Everything’s the same…”

“And so?”

“It’s the second letter I received.”

“…What?”

“And then I sent another one, so I’m still waiting for the response.”

“So they’re lying?”

“I wish it were just a lie.”

“What if it’s not?”

“It’s that… it brings back bad memories.”

She recalled the moment when Andromalius had been summoned using a branch of the World Tree.

And that moment when the saint, Jace Vines, had plunged her head into holy water.

Maybe it was all in her head, just misunderstandings.

But that strange feeling still gnawed at her heart.

“Bad memories?”

“I can’t talk about it…”

At that moment, Aria’s gaze fixed behind Nania.

There was nothing special there—just sunlight, a clear sky, students enjoying the weekend.

But among them, a familiar face appeared.

Without thinking, Aria stood up abruptly.

She didn’t know why.

It was an instinctive act.

From the first time she met him until now, many things had happened.

And he had always managed to push forward without issue.

Perhaps that’s why she trusted him.

If he said he could solve it, then he would.

“Senior!”

The one who had just returned to the Academy, Fernan Pellenberg, turned his face.

“Aria?”

“…I need a favor. I need your help.”

Though she hadn’t run far, Aria was out of breath.