Chapter 155
wMvMAfter that major assault, nothing out of the ordinary happened again.Cb3QI
cWGArOThe delegation arrived safely in Valerich, and the magical stone combination artifact was handed over to the organizing committee of the Vienderk academic conference.mUvtah
NlUiF“We would never allow the young lady’s research to be stolen.”IkWC
UU1xkz1Security for magical projects was usually strict, but after the previous chaos, this time the vigilance was airtight.Snp
layMoreover, since it was Rosalia’s work, it had the added advantage of family ties.Cwsb5
qLp“Then I’ll stop by the Golden Turtle Branch and catch up with you shortly.”2H4oV
sO6D8“All right.”rwmK
OXHQParting 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.jwZVvSB
Tjz“Welcome, young master.”bxEVFb
mTEyl“Where’s the letter?”fvq
RLb“Here it is.”6VNR
zoaRdcThe branch manager handed him the letter. It was addressed to Aint.oWR
BzDid9[I’ve received the director’s proposal to capture the corrupt within the Academy.Dm8
qvot6ZQDuring your absence, another corrupt individual managed to infiltrate the Academy…]b1jsu
svRIt didn’t seem like much on the surface.Dt9i
q1mKTsfBut it summarized that, after the summoning of Andromalius, the Aaron incident, and now Abel Kalens, the Academy’s situation had become problematic again.hiVIHV
D7CUuFThe director, furious, had acknowledged his own shortcomings and asked Aint for help.auLkU4b
UZlAint accepted, and during that time, detected yet another corrupt.QBV
WVkThis corrupt, like the others, also left no corpse behind.Ebrzn0
BrUThe pattern was repeating, and the difference from before was clear. They had to stay alert and find the cause as soon as possible.RKbRBTZ
FvKESvHowever, what hit Fernan hardest was another part.5Kkz
KQhY5eH[And regarding this, the director has promised compensation…]Ivxv
4o6KWThe director and Aint Armian working together.NgeygbQ
KyweatAnd with that, the director promising him money and rewards.ib7eHo
AmLa“What kind of shameless person…?”qmMwrf
XdlkZaFernan let out an incredulous laugh.6Neo8
0azqx9yHe had already spent more than a year investing time, resources, and efforts into Aint Armian—medicines, equipment, all kinds of support.XyaN
jc9ZPc4And now another wanted to stick a straw into what he had been feeding.k3Pgh
vT3odoIt wasn’t the same kind of investment, but the result would be the same—diminishing his influence over Aint.hTNJe
r5NjEven if it was the director, this crossed all lines.aali7sw
zPnCIQ8“…What’s wrong, young master?”VOR3Pj
UxW“Read this.”bYqJeR
fZAUTmHyde read the letter, and his expression hardened.23bdB
i8K“This could hinder your plans.”ZSIVpZR
ikphkn“Not just hinder them, it’s a huge obstacle. The biggest so far.”r7cN
onDCPSPIt was something that needed immediate attention.BJF8g
4aK“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.”ZY6bNS
wV4WeH“The director’s compensation isn’t the real problem.”6ldC
HJGWThe 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.ZKh
ezaThat money, though valuable, wasn’t enough.PMZm3EM
9WOPELh“That amount I could yield without issue. It would hurt, yes, but it’s better than provoking Aint’s animosity.”Iibb
l6CFT1What mattered was the lesson.9oI
SYI5“This move by the director is a warning. There will be many more like him trying to move in.”kdq
rqMOLWhat was sweet for him would be sweet for others too.hOy3JfX
D6OPhThough most would hesitate out of respect for Fernan or House Pellenberg, there would always be those who ignored that “territorial mark.”cLJQ
GkD3Uz“There’s no choice. Before others appear, I must secure the loan contract with Aint.”oM9bUF
U1T2vThat was the only sure way.jaK
Rp0G“And who knows—maybe the First Emperor left behind another immense treasure. If Aint found it, that would be a problem too.”YK0TNRM
4W0MGw“Are you saying you’d want to intercept it yourself, young master?”cBEBX
Ju6“And if I did, all the better.”61gnIUD
Vc2cqCxFernan smiled at the thought of another shining mountain of gold.QtmlC
gJ43“I must return to the Academy.”tGRj2HC
Y8dZI2“And the academic conference? You won’t attend?”1C0P
h8Z7“I won’t.”GHF
EZpHis original plan was to help Rosalia with the presentation and stay until the end, but this changed things.pLOHRZE
JKLofo“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.”Tjk4
lotN“And what about the Council of Elector Princes? You said you’d attend as an observer.”9eQM
lalO“That council won’t resolve anything immediately.”rEKRM
EJDForming an alliance would never be simple—even the Empire’s nobles argue endlessly; how could different kingdoms reconcile their interests in a single meeting?8rx
a9QStill, the fact that the discussion was opening was already progress.SlF
x7ItDND“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.”TFusZ6d
EMqOcmv“First, let’s go to the professor’s hotel.”07z3U
g0VNiNHe couldn’t leave without saying goodbye.Ihr9
x53y38Fernan stood up abruptly.3i2
r0g***cEn
EsWBhsG“How shameless.”JJ5
4UeaBMVClick.vB01N
izrERosalia lit a cigarette.os1
NJ8vhRl“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.”jMxV
UXE“I know.”eV5P3
0kbmER“No, you don’t. Until now, I’ve tolerated a lot because you’re my investor.”Se7uYW
7cxSV4Her voice was cold, her gaze even colder.xbC
syJ8qT“But don’t you think you’ve been crossing that line lately?”YrD
31Y160Fernan understood instantly—Rosalia was angry. Rightfully so.HzC
g3pHe had insisted on accompanying her, and she had relented. If he left alone now, the Academy would assume the worst.5jghZ
pZR“I know I’m causing you trouble, professor. I’m sorry.”sa7aI2N
jmE2“And yet you’re not backing down.”18Y0
2q6W“That’s right.”QdB
NWuSnXKHe had to go—no excuses.FGMC
cVJ6be“It’s for a particular situation.”64oYTrJ
u0u0“What is it?”C0Bdtm
gRYkZKbShe exhaled smoke slowly.kUru
LUFnkj“Don’t tell me you can’t say.”bIR2J
z5A68n“One of my investments is at risk.”KklHw
ON9oKRosalia looked at him in surprise. The seriousness on his face made her understand the weight of those words.tUd
m08HgALFor Fernan, a mistake in his investments was critical.REPJO
2PM“I can’t give details, but it’s related to Aint Armian.”db33
6yWYM“And to the corrupt?”03kb
UDDU3“Yes. Very directly.”9XgmP
3z11It was true—if Aint, his trump card against the demons, went astray, his entire plan would collapse.Cbvy9jb
RfDft“…You should have started with that.”mSG
CEVRosalia nodded slightly.jKkLgD
bfdlRK“Do you need me to step in?”xnF0
tlXvnz“No, professor. Focus fully on the conference. That’s best.”emJbm3
bScG“Not even against the corrupt do you abandon your greed.”pCg11
dlnv“I believe consistency is important.”hhE
DEqNQ1“Wait. I’ll give you a letter.”AOh
SP4Rosalia quickly wrote a document.Ha0D
R440NP8“Deliver this to the Academy. It’ll serve as justification—saying I sent you back for urgent matters.”vteIlD
TyI“Thank you. Then, excuse me—I must go now.”xx3ek1
yC5oBNHFernan hurried out.zLV
2OYVY“…Did the corrupt attack the Pellenberg warehouses or something?”4a63x
Pg2BRosalia had known him for a long time, but she had never seen him with such an urgent face.mxN2Z
5kUHQA2***MSG
M2Q【Resumption of the Continental Academic Conference! And, after 14 years, the Council of Elector Princes returns!】88Hs
pisQ“The Council of Elector Princes, huh?”uEB2G
RlXwThe professor of spiritual magic, Nania Veris, set the newspaper aside.lqF
UJwOAu“Let’s hope the patriarch does well.”zwdCIo2
fJvTo Nania, this council carried great weight. It was the first time Fridian would officially participate as an Elector Prince.QqUp
QgX9“He’ll do fine.”t6Rm
8EIb5XDAria sat down in front of her.TMx
Cs7CG“Attending that meeting means that, regardless of criticism or outside treatment, it officially plants the flag that yes, he is an Elector Prince.”03Jsx
joIjIt was the moment her father had awaited for years. He wouldn’t let it slip.4sDAN8
q0cOz“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.”Wkg9
2lZcPx“But you expected that.”Q60w
v8EYH“Yes, but not for the resistance to be this strong.”A0a5AMe
oPEFridian’s annexation to the Empire had been marked by intense debates—some advocated joining, others claimed there was no reason to.k0T
7hdbavtIn the end, the idea that the Empire’s expansion was unstoppable prevailed, and resisting would only lead to death. So they joined.4FdnP
4WXbud3Even so, distrustful gazes remained, and with them, dissenting voices resurfaced.C2j
KocZoFh“By the way, you look pale. Almost like Professor Dominique. Something wrong?”30rv
kyuz“Professor Dominique… what about him?”z5NeVc
26brO“He seems a bit haggard lately. They say he’s busy with research, I suppose that’s the reason.”H7tL
iQTRl6j“I’d rather it were just research…”u6X
dOeMAria let out a deep sigh.7T5Y4bo
xV5Mhkn“Research, as a student? What’s really going on?”vr5
kVDx5“I received a letter from my family recently. But no matter how much I think about it, I can’t figure it out alone.”wpqzjg
R6J7“A letter?”BQ79Md
Mn2lhWAria handed her the neatly folded letter. Upon reading it, Nania’s face hardened.zpyn
Fnh3“Is this true? Adolf wants to tear everything down and return to the past?”hSLH2k0
k44R“I’m not sure. Maybe it’s a misunderstanding.”2HOIrD
iFKThat’s what she desperately wanted to believe.03O
WHjuxYf“…It must be. Adolf isn’t foolish enough to do something like this.”cYpI
jfhDli5“He has more than enough reasons. You know that, professor.”O8YBfF
pV6“…Yes. But no other elf would support such an idea. Is this really reliable information?”VJWIzh
dqQEI“It doesn’t matter if it is or not. If it were just that, I wouldn’t be this worried.”e66CMWu
BUQdIt was an act that evoked rebellion, but nearly impossible to carry out.mWRFOjk
FjUThere were radicals, yes, but they weren’t the majority, and no elves had turned their backs on her father for being incompetent.IlO
iGw0my“Then what is it?”IewMRcH
F3U7H“Let me show you this.”rVwYBi8
Y0yNenAria handed her another letter.imw
fG29qD2This one said the opposite of the first.zwwIg
EyHfju“Nothing unusual is happening. Everything’s the same…”E3Ttl
yGtwxc“And so?”u1eCae
XufJlD“It’s the second letter I received.”BjC
e1pEL7O“…What?”wzBcZ0l
l8F7Fz“And then I sent another one, so I’m still waiting for the response.”NvdR
4GME“So they’re lying?”YsSZR
Akl2“I wish it were just a lie.”vMyzuSj
Vtgr“What if it’s not?”7T4k8o
u2o“It’s that… it brings back bad memories.”gVzx3i
1FyHjbShe recalled the moment when Andromalius had been summoned using a branch of the World Tree.X2O
eeknj8XAnd that moment when the saint, Jace Vines, had plunged her head into holy water.GPCm
3hq8GMaybe it was all in her head, just misunderstandings.qfie3L
WZyBut that strange feeling still gnawed at her heart.3EJZfdj
MRM2wgt“Bad memories?”4ZCUf
CUoI“I can’t talk about it…”QTMzaT
kOgmQAt that moment, Aria’s gaze fixed behind Nania.LvTZqp4
YTKThere was nothing special there—just sunlight, a clear sky, students enjoying the weekend.7MIh3vg
KDcBut among them, a familiar face appeared.frtJ3V
Kq7Without thinking, Aria stood up abruptly.JG70Fv
iiELMF2She didn’t know why.DHTQdhV
JBYXwBIt was an instinctive act.FT2
TGDmURFFrom the first time she met him until now, many things had happened.hkSsFf
battUAnd he had always managed to push forward without issue.gR9Xu
BLWPerhaps that’s why she trusted him.shIu
L6SuIf he said he could solve it, then he would.zVDwgdj
y1Z“Senior!”TAv6
kh5j9The one who had just returned to the Academy, Fernan Pellenberg, turned his face.gAFlV2c
LVG“Aria?”UgdACA
09AkRH“…I need a favor. I need your help.”ADC
DgWWwpfThough she hadn’t run far, Aria was out of breath.Itih
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