Chapter 156

When Aria suddenly appeared and bowed her head, Fernan looked a little confused.

First, because he didn’t expect Aria to act so intensely.

Second, because in his mind, there was only the idea of going to see Aint.

However, after reviewing the two letters she handed him, he understood her feelings.

The contents were completely opposite.

“You said they arrived only a few days apart?”

“Two days. It reminded me a lot of that time.”

“The order isn’t switched, right?”

“No.”

“Then I’m sure it brought back memories of that moment…”

Of that moment when Verian and Aria were made to look like fools.

Of the time when Andromalius was summoned and plunged Fernan into panic.

“Right? It’s not just my imagination, is it?”

“It could be. You can’t judge just from a couple of letters.”

Also, if what Aria said was true, another assumption had to be added.

“You think that elf named Adolf Fridien is connected to the corrupts?”

“I don’t know. I wish he weren’t.”

“You suspect him anyway?”

“Brother Adolf, to put it nicely, is passionate; to put it badly, he’s extreme.”

“Neither sounds good.”

Although in reality, that wasn’t the important part. Aria continued.

“Do you know that even after Fridian became an elector prince, they continued to suffer discrimination?”

“How could I not know?”

The Pellenbergs made no distinctions between humans or elves, or between old or new elector princes, as long as there was money. But the other electors weren’t like that.

They didn’t like the crack opened in a ruling system that had remained unchanged for a thousand years.

“That’s why some elves complain—what was the point of joining the Empire if this is how it is?”

“I’ve heard it.”

It wasn’t unusual.

It wasn’t about being an elf; anyone would be angry if they felt they weren’t getting the rights they deserved.

“My brother Adolf is among the most extreme. He even said that if things were going to be like this, it would be better to separate from the Empire again. And most of the discontent elves follow him.”

“That’s not something that can be ignored.”

“As you know, fifteen years is a long time, isn’t it?”

It definitely was.

If the Pellenbergs had been treated like that for fifteen years, Fernan probably wouldn’t have endured it either.

“I understand everything you’re saying.”

Fernan folded the letter in two and handed it back to Aria.

“But right now, there’s nothing I can do.”

“Huh? Why not?”

“Did you forget we’re in the middle of the semester?”

If there really were corrupts involved, it wouldn’t be a matter easily resolved.

It wasn’t something that could be solved in a couple of days, and the Academy was still in full session.

Even Fernan couldn’t be absent from class for too long without consequences.

“But being you, you could find a way to take leave.”

“And why should I do that for you?”

“Because we’re talking about corrupts! And of course, I’m not asking you to do it for free. I’ll pay you.”

“…That’s tempting, but there’s still no certainty.”

And if there really were corrupts, and they acted like they did with Aria, they wouldn’t make a move that quickly.

“Right now, everyone is focused on hunting corrupts. They’ll be more cautious. So it won’t explode right away. In my opinion, there’s time until summer vacation, at least.”

“…Yes, but I’m still anxious.”

Aria’s pupils trembled with anxiety.

Fernan thought she hadn’t even shown that expression when fighting Andromalius, which was surprising.

‘No, it’s only natural.’

After all, if she was wrong, her entire family could collapse.

“Investigate more, confirm everything you can. If more evidence linking them to the corrupts appears, I’ll help you during summer vacation.”

If what Aria said was true, even if it weren’t her request, he would have to step in.

No matter how discriminated they were, the Fridians were still a house of elector princes.

If a lineage like that fell to the corrupts, the impact would shake the entire Empire.

If the Empire wavered, so would the continent—and that would be exactly the outcome the demons longed for.

And in a demon-controlled world, gold would become nothing but worthless scrap metal.

Those idiots didn’t know how to appreciate the value of money. A world like that must never come to pass.

“Thank you.”

“Get all the money you can.”

“I’ll try. But why have you been so restless for a while now?”

“Me?”

“Yes. You look like a student waiting for the lunch bell to ring…”

Aria narrowed her eyes.

“You’re not thinking I’m a nuisance, are you?”

“A client is never a nuisance.”

“Then that means if I weren’t a client, I would be. What’s going on?”

“Business.”

Fernan stood up.

“If we’re done talking, I’m leaving.”

And he disappeared.

“…What’s this? Was there really something more important than corrupts? Is that possible?”

Aria tilted her head, puzzled.

She hoped he hadn’t just brushed her off for convenience.

***

“There it is.”

Aint received the heavy pouch the rector handed him.

“Thank you.”

“We made a deal, and I promised a reward. Thanks to you, we captured a corrupt who had infiltrated the Academy—so it’s only natural.”

The rector poured milk into his black tea.

— That man always adds milk to his tea.

Aint glanced inside the pouch. It held gleaming gold coins; he could barely suppress the smile tugging at his lips.

— Excellent. At this rate, it might even be worth it if more corrupts appear.

His goal was to become emperor, and to do that, he had to restore Armian.

And what he needed most—and would spend the most to grow stronger—was undoubtedly money.

— Fernan made a good proposal, but I think it’s best to avoid borrowing from the Pellenbergs if possible.

‘I think the same.’

Even if Fernan showed goodwill, Pellenberg would always be Pellenberg.

Really, it was the same with anyone—if you borrowed too much money, you’d end up beholden to them.

Aint’s goal was to minimize how much he borrowed, even when he couldn’t avoid it.

“Well then, I’ll count on you for the next one. Though I’d rather there not be another.”

“Do you know what happened to the corrupt we caught in Professor Rosalia’s lab?”

“You mean Aaron?”

Aint nodded.

“His whole body is frozen, except for the head. His magic and movement are sealed, and he can only move his mouth. We’ve tried something akin to torture, but he’s tight-lipped.”

The rector clicked his tongue.

“If the opportunity arises, may I speak with him?”

“Not a bad idea. In any case, I’ve tried everything. I’ll see if I can set that up for you soon.”

“Thank you.”

“No, thank you.”

Aint stood up.

And on his way back to the dormitory, he ran into someone.

“Senior Fernan?”

“Aint.”

“When did you get back? I thought you were at the Continental Academic Conference.”

“I just returned. Heading to the dorm?”

“Yes. I just met briefly with the rector. Did you get the letter I sent?”

“I did.”

In an instant, Fernan’s gaze scanned Aint’s chest. Seeing the hidden bulge, he stifled a growl inside.

‘Damn it, he got money from the rector.’

He had expected it; after all, they had agreed there would be a reward for each corrupt captured.

But seeing it with his own eyes made him more anxious.

He had to stop this.

He needed Aint to accept investment from him.

‘But how?’

No one would just accept an investment for no reason.

Well, some might—but Aint wasn’t that kind.

‘I need to get him to take the investment without resistance…’

Initially, he’d planned to come up with a method and then negotiate with Aint.

But now, having bumped into him on the street—and confirming that he was already getting money from the rector—he felt pressured.

“…Perfect timing. I was looking for you.”

“For me?”

“This isn’t something to talk about here. Let’s go to a tea house.”

“Alright.”

In a private room of the tea house, Fernan sat across from Aint.

While pretending to savor the coffee the servant brought them, he bought time to think.

“They say that when talking, you should look into someone’s eyes. That you can hide your expression, but not the emotions in your eyes.”

Before his first business deal, his father had given him a few tips.

“It’s not a lie. But it’s not the best method either.”

“If you don’t know the other person, it’s the best you’ve got. But if you do, it’s the worst.”

Everything in the world is finite. If someone gains, someone else loses.

Business is about stripping the other party of their gain and redirecting it to yourself.

“Don’t just look at the eyes. Watch the whole—eyes, face, breathing, hands, feet, body.”

“No matter how perfect someone seems, they always have a small habit. And those habits, together, reflect their mental state.”

Understanding someone’s heart, emotions, and circumstances was vital—what they want, what worries them, what they’re thinking.

All that made a deal more favorable.

‘This is the most important business deal I’ve ever made in my life.’

Fernan recalled his father’s words, returning to his roots.

“I saw Aria a while ago. She was really worried after reading letters from her family.”

He began with the Fridian matter. A lifeline in his lack of a plan.

“Worried?”

“About the corrupts. They’ve infiltrated Fridian.”

“…Even Fridian?”

Aint stifled a groan. His breathing and eyes trembled.

‘Aint isn’t a seasoned merchant or politician.’

He was just a young student turned heir of the First Emperor.

That’s why his emotions were easy to read.

“Yes. Their claws have reached Fridian.”

Even if Fridian was looked down on by the other elector princes, it was still one of them.

Its power rivaled that of a kingdom, so if the corrupts corrupted it, the storm would engulf the entire Empire.

“Is it the head of the family…?”

“No, not the head. But we can’t be too confident. The suspect is a direct member—Adolf Fridian, Aria’s older cousin.”

“At least it’s not the head… but if it’s true, it’s serious.”

Aint sighed with relief.

His sincere expression gave Fernan confidence that, when it came time to talk seriously, he’d have no trouble reading him.

“It’s just a suspicion for now, but even if it’s true, we have time. The problem is that it concerns you too, Aint.”

“Me?”

“At first, they only attacked you at the Academy. Then in Altrierc, they provoked a horde of monsters and beasts. And in Bercheff, they raised an army made solely of monsters.”

And now, Fridian.

“As you’d expect, the scale is increasing.”

“…I know.”

Now came the critical point. Fernan secretly swallowed hard.

“And on that scale, those without a foundation will be swept away like leaves in water.”

He paused and looked at him. Did he get the message of “you can’t do this alone”?

‘He got it.’

The slight twitch of his eyebrows confirmed it.

Whether it was Aint or Gardner who noticed didn’t matter.

Without further reactions, Fernan continued, this time more directly.

“You want to be emperor? The throne isn’t something you reach just by wanting it—or by defeating demons.”

The First Emperor wasn’t just crowned for defeating demons and King Colomo.

“He became emperor because countless people followed him, and because the powerful Kingdom of Armian backed him. No matter how much I help you, Pellenberg and you, me and you—we are not the same.”

“I know. But…”

His eyes hardened.

It wasn’t anger. Fernan hurried his words.

“I told you before—grow Armian. But this time is different. Time is not on your side.”

Asking directly for money was foolish.

The key was making Aint feel like he needed to ask for it.

Only then could Fernan dictate the terms.

No matter who Aint Armian was, Fernan had no intention of lending to him just to be at his mercy.

“I’m aware. That’s why I accepted the rector’s proposal…”

“It’s not bad, but it’s not stable income. With just rewards, you can’t grow or maintain your house.”

He cut his words sharply. He had to make him see there was no other way.

“I don’t think it’s just rewards…”

“If there are no corrupts, there’s no money.”

An Armian who relied on corrupt invasions to survive.

“Isn’t that ridiculous?”

“…Then are you implying I should ask you for money?”

Finally, Aint said what Fernan had wanted.

And in his eyes, Fernan saw a flicker of rejection.

Too bad, but it had to be faced.

His plan and preparation were still insufficient.

With utmost composure, Fernan replied.

“I never said that. If you can restore Armian without me, you don’t need to ask.”

“Really?”

— A Pellenberg saying that? Impossible.

Aint and Gardner shared the doubt, but Fernan nodded calmly.

“I’m not obligated to lend you anything. If I compare it, I’d even make more profit lending to others with the terms I offer.”

“That’s true. But, senior, are you okay with this?”

“What do you mean?”

Aint smiled awkwardly.

“Well, it’s just… the table has a hole in it.”

Tap, tap, tap.

Fernan’s fingers were tapping the table unconsciously.

With such force that he had pierced it.

“…”

His father’s advice didn’t only apply to Aint.