Chapter 156
nAqNhlWhen Aria suddenly appeared and bowed her head, Fernan looked a little confused.Ycg
DDVDdFirst, because he didn’t expect Aria to act so intensely.QsiMUC
mHiusSecond, because in his mind, there was only the idea of going to see Aint.kpDHcJ
JkQHowever, after reviewing the two letters she handed him, he understood her feelings.5QDRHOA
FRDcThe contents were completely opposite.ecPG
B32TLj“You said they arrived only a few days apart?”rwvtE
7h2zRRc“Two days. It reminded me a lot of that time.”F6zqQy
q9M“The order isn’t switched, right?”VDw0GZ
7exm“No.”KAOAw4e
A017K“Then I’m sure it brought back memories of that moment…”q8mlB
FlFRkOf that moment when Verian and Aria were made to look like fools.DO9Q
zvYhwOf the time when Andromalius was summoned and plunged Fernan into panic.hie9xZL
x2hPEG“Right? It’s not just my imagination, is it?”Zhl8vO7
ezYHSb“It could be. You can’t judge just from a couple of letters.”grvw75r
Q6sZvIKAlso, if what Aria said was true, another assumption had to be added.jX8A
ip2“You think that elf named Adolf Fridien is connected to the corrupts?”R7k1Z
4Na8M“I don’t know. I wish he weren’t.”I0Z
4h9“You suspect him anyway?”ZfB27
1Kky“Brother Adolf, to put it nicely, is passionate; to put it badly, he’s extreme.”x2m4
nRS“Neither sounds good.”5DB4E
qXsWpAlthough in reality, that wasn’t the important part. Aria continued.eg13WO
ydNYnT“Do you know that even after Fridian became an elector prince, they continued to suffer discrimination?”dGTk
tGQh“How could I not know?”K4XJDd4
gXInkThe 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.OLBidpZ
sYu4UwmThey didn’t like the crack opened in a ruling system that had remained unchanged for a thousand years.sBZ1N
nmRIXL“That’s why some elves complain—what was the point of joining the Empire if this is how it is?”hT0EuX
cWVzXzS“I’ve heard it.”HaQPAW
gKuIt wasn’t unusual.MmB
LQ1NBk8It wasn’t about being an elf; anyone would be angry if they felt they weren’t getting the rights they deserved.YmPj
Ls8s“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.”6ZD
u7zJM7I“That’s not something that can be ignored.”YyLM5Q
FalTZI“As you know, fifteen years is a long time, isn’t it?”S6j
BsgIt definitely was.MDuE3C
SVSqvIf the Pellenbergs had been treated like that for fifteen years, Fernan probably wouldn’t have endured it either.caG8
9DDuNzh“I understand everything you’re saying.”trLy3n
gZE7Fernan folded the letter in two and handed it back to Aria.81Nmnw
k7x0YBv“But right now, there’s nothing I can do.”if4
ClwDj8“Huh? Why not?”XNDxo
SqvzK“Did you forget we’re in the middle of the semester?”IwISG
cjfB4iIf there really were corrupts involved, it wouldn’t be a matter easily resolved.qsEy0ue
NczSIt wasn’t something that could be solved in a couple of days, and the Academy was still in full session.7DYR
2HeqH2hEven Fernan couldn’t be absent from class for too long without consequences.tpm
j2Y1a0“But being you, you could find a way to take leave.”ym9vUQ
Swe“And why should I do that for you?”497lZ
Mx9e“Because we’re talking about corrupts! And of course, I’m not asking you to do it for free. I’ll pay you.”CYwAWPq
1gZ7gSv“…That’s tempting, but there’s still no certainty.”F34D
4RRLcj5And if there really were corrupts, and they acted like they did with Aria, they wouldn’t make a move that quickly.42k3gG
B5vtnl“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.”Sve5IH
vgpI“…Yes, but I’m still anxious.”wsqJXQ
dHWyAria’s pupils trembled with anxiety.xqok
0tZOSFernan thought she hadn’t even shown that expression when fighting Andromalius, which was surprising.6ry
KMJKkU‘No, it’s only natural.’mEis
OzSAfter all, if she was wrong, her entire family could collapse.5TqU07
vBB“Investigate more, confirm everything you can. If more evidence linking them to the corrupts appears, I’ll help you during summer vacation.”g01
xdDoHIf what Aria said was true, even if it weren’t her request, he would have to step in.HXuJ0Uo
kDONo matter how discriminated they were, the Fridians were still a house of elector princes.XyU1
4AvIf a lineage like that fell to the corrupts, the impact would shake the entire Empire.T31
vGZn9GGIf the Empire wavered, so would the continent—and that would be exactly the outcome the demons longed for.ZkwDpK
8mz9olqAnd in a demon-controlled world, gold would become nothing but worthless scrap metal.U2ZA
Z6zQThose idiots didn’t know how to appreciate the value of money. A world like that must never come to pass.XGaX
v7WN7“Thank you.”fjejAx
F0TO“Get all the money you can.”lDhu
rFBaOTI“I’ll try. But why have you been so restless for a while now?”trcl
H5QZ4S“Me?”MLeLxb
Ug3lO“Yes. You look like a student waiting for the lunch bell to ring…”BU35zm
zeWFAria narrowed her eyes.p1I
5vd“You’re not thinking I’m a nuisance, are you?”W0aDN9
FcVx“A client is never a nuisance.”KgCV7K5
1Dw0“Then that means if I weren’t a client, I would be. What’s going on?”zmbaR
n06e“Business.”fJk
CKje8nFernan stood up.E4F
UAIMDoM“If we’re done talking, I’m leaving.”i5L9
0Ax4hRAnd he disappeared.2h0wu
kADiVgg“…What’s this? Was there really something more important than corrupts? Is that possible?”WsdAvs
WqrWAria tilted her head, puzzled.G8NpSIv
iYPAShe hoped he hadn’t just brushed her off for convenience.E1Lo6pl
ZDwDIat***5Pkt
y2fX“There it is.”ZZd
hOoAint received the heavy pouch the rector handed him.87T4LJH
YTSTOQW“Thank you.”rOZZ2
WYimC“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.”CHTb
st8lsAThe rector poured milk into his black tea.HOZcKqR
JSn— That man always adds milk to his tea.FQqs
6JjwAint glanced inside the pouch. It held gleaming gold coins; he could barely suppress the smile tugging at his lips.qA6r
jI3AG— Excellent. At this rate, it might even be worth it if more corrupts appear.oPL6Gl
RUIVgqjHis goal was to become emperor, and to do that, he had to restore Armian.AJskF
PiwQAnd what he needed most—and would spend the most to grow stronger—was undoubtedly money.7TYl3A
xNTXkP— Fernan made a good proposal, but I think it’s best to avoid borrowing from the Pellenbergs if possible.JX9bfLo
45M‘I think the same.’aOvYV
42ILEven if Fernan showed goodwill, Pellenberg would always be Pellenberg.MwW
lZfReally, it was the same with anyone—if you borrowed too much money, you’d end up beholden to them.wY6W
W9fAint’s goal was to minimize how much he borrowed, even when he couldn’t avoid it.HqXsWaF
tLc“Well then, I’ll count on you for the next one. Though I’d rather there not be another.”8AP
NPF“Do you know what happened to the corrupt we caught in Professor Rosalia’s lab?”cLlsO
cH2zu“You mean Aaron?”mxtA
BD89K3Aint nodded.WQfy0mY
iLnnM“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.”CaZi1
ZZIqCRThe rector clicked his tongue.9Bx2
TNf8dKY“If the opportunity arises, may I speak with him?”6i9
V82RXMB“Not a bad idea. In any case, I’ve tried everything. I’ll see if I can set that up for you soon.”2JpyJXu
zcuoRww“Thank you.”q6Fd4
Z4BG9V“No, thank you.”80V
C4DAint stood up.BD3
BdRXNAnd on his way back to the dormitory, he ran into someone.Q1e
hRJ“Senior Fernan?”Wkp2lhG
sZ2Exv“Aint.”6n1tC
WhcvP“When did you get back? I thought you were at the Continental Academic Conference.”AEm0CyN
bRTHYL“I just returned. Heading to the dorm?”wT9pJj
YcYpt1c“Yes. I just met briefly with the rector. Did you get the letter I sent?”LGi
NvdfOA9“I did.”6ye
ltns0XnIn an instant, Fernan’s gaze scanned Aint’s chest. Seeing the hidden bulge, he stifled a growl inside.lDId
nBu‘Damn it, he got money from the rector.’UyQyN
imCPhHe had expected it; after all, they had agreed there would be a reward for each corrupt captured.oGiU
cEuTBut seeing it with his own eyes made him more anxious.QDSicu
zu5djCHe had to stop this.q5mYx
7XMo4EEHe needed Aint to accept investment from him.e9g
aBF‘But how?’mYG
EBsPcNo one would just accept an investment for no reason.5n2Id
65ptxhCWell, some might—but Aint wasn’t that kind.P6h
VpW‘I need to get him to take the investment without resistance…’ojgnsP9
l1PNInitially, he’d planned to come up with a method and then negotiate with Aint.904
Su8obBut now, having bumped into him on the street—and confirming that he was already getting money from the rector—he felt pressured.1dCBZ
F3Na“…Perfect timing. I was looking for you.”0Ri9VjW
kzISIs“For me?”7xeyaUw
W7b6Z“This isn’t something to talk about here. Let’s go to a tea house.”LETXy
w12iu“Alright.”ImPk49
plmyIn a private room of the tea house, Fernan sat across from Aint.JvTRE7
oi7CLKWhile pretending to savor the coffee the servant brought them, he bought time to think.Wtmx6v
JjHWua“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.”0x3Nw
yMsxj6Before his first business deal, his father had given him a few tips.Qe5Urf
OFv“It’s not a lie. But it’s not the best method either.”G3qM
yIULKUF“If you don’t know the other person, it’s the best you’ve got. But if you do, it’s the worst.”lKxKU
UCDEverything in the world is finite. If someone gains, someone else loses.CJYv
3VyBusiness is about stripping the other party of their gain and redirecting it to yourself.CaW
UgxM3“Don’t just look at the eyes. Watch the whole—eyes, face, breathing, hands, feet, body.”BlcT
UYkjKN“No matter how perfect someone seems, they always have a small habit. And those habits, together, reflect their mental state.”yJF2hj
xdCUnderstanding someone’s heart, emotions, and circumstances was vital—what they want, what worries them, what they’re thinking.mItCGj
A5bMsbAll that made a deal more favorable.zFW
KWPftdX‘This is the most important business deal I’ve ever made in my life.’wEAlZV
gjybPWFernan recalled his father’s words, returning to his roots.aJBW2o
bNW“I saw Aria a while ago. She was really worried after reading letters from her family.”M64
jDdBHe began with the Fridian matter. A lifeline in his lack of a plan.0xyTOL
TvgU“Worried?”XMB2kB
mIuJG7“About the corrupts. They’ve infiltrated Fridian.”3CnK45
xNN5E1“…Even Fridian?”JxJmO7S
bG09nAint stifled a groan. His breathing and eyes trembled.G2f6
A5uH0‘Aint isn’t a seasoned merchant or politician.’aJgi
oMGHe was just a young student turned heir of the First Emperor.FV5bA
GVVpOvaThat’s why his emotions were easy to read.I7o5cJ
b9NnADv“Yes. Their claws have reached Fridian.”UOh
NvezRTEven if Fridian was looked down on by the other elector princes, it was still one of them.nT0
e64CSjIts power rivaled that of a kingdom, so if the corrupts corrupted it, the storm would engulf the entire Empire.iiC6eF
g10EdJt“Is it the head of the family…?”7AfzgxF
9fqaJ“No, not the head. But we can’t be too confident. The suspect is a direct member—Adolf Fridian, Aria’s older cousin.”S11N
EMgb“At least it’s not the head… but if it’s true, it’s serious.”Q7V9
ZP5Aint sighed with relief.DUUnc
Dg7pxHis sincere expression gave Fernan confidence that, when it came time to talk seriously, he’d have no trouble reading him.uzmxV
3HD6cn“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.”UZwP
WQjojnm“Me?”jpZjHNf
4JIO41J“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.”XWd
UXoryPAnd now, Fridian.EFPRXOh
18DKTyB“As you’d expect, the scale is increasing.”uVmD5R
5h421E“…I know.”fYt
KOkSbDNow came the critical point. Fernan secretly swallowed hard.dfk
eduFK“And on that scale, those without a foundation will be swept away like leaves in water.”cyhWqqe
jDZN2vHe paused and looked at him. Did he get the message of “you can’t do this alone”?LgR
TTbQE‘He got it.’LXv6dfy
OfOThe slight twitch of his eyebrows confirmed it.hcD
PzjZWhether it was Aint or Gardner who noticed didn’t matter.JgK9
8EZLWithout further reactions, Fernan continued, this time more directly.eUVJNO
7Xqw1“You want to be emperor? The throne isn’t something you reach just by wanting it—or by defeating demons.”CWVk
jqNtaThe First Emperor wasn’t just crowned for defeating demons and King Colomo.Rf3q1U
nXkT“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.”QSnUTKZ
t8Vn1wV“I know. But…”JG0VkMS
TaGipjbHis eyes hardened.7vPVP
9VrPIt wasn’t anger. Fernan hurried his words.aEdt
D5H“I told you before—grow Armian. But this time is different. Time is not on your side.”696xCd
7KBAsking directly for money was foolish.VRQMb4H
zW5DThe key was making Aint feel like he needed to ask for it.AuIC6f
bi3sHseOnly then could Fernan dictate the terms.EkwNoA
p869No matter who Aint Armian was, Fernan had no intention of lending to him just to be at his mercy.tk6wnd
LK64“I’m aware. That’s why I accepted the rector’s proposal…”GaHUAH
62h“It’s not bad, but it’s not stable income. With just rewards, you can’t grow or maintain your house.”iXW0v6
TzmUxHHe cut his words sharply. He had to make him see there was no other way.oOI
4ajA“I don’t think it’s just rewards…”J7wN
kX2c8“If there are no corrupts, there’s no money.”zX9Pfjp
q0aYTAn Armian who relied on corrupt invasions to survive.IF5
fAV“Isn’t that ridiculous?”9vt24eD
O6yja9c“…Then are you implying I should ask you for money?”kiOIeK
AfPFinally, Aint said what Fernan had wanted.U53Hge
HhH7And in his eyes, Fernan saw a flicker of rejection.I6Ptn1
2idjToo bad, but it had to be faced.TxNJgj
6rwHis plan and preparation were still insufficient.aq7vo
YFYFWith utmost composure, Fernan replied.W6e3B
hB4w“I never said that. If you can restore Armian without me, you don’t need to ask.”iKLX5zj
B7QH“Really?”6pGkWlj
UAdIU— A Pellenberg saying that? Impossible.xMjTBn
mfzAint and Gardner shared the doubt, but Fernan nodded calmly.KKJs3z
3kznjqk“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.”MX0
ejLEgc“That’s true. But, senior, are you okay with this?”9mmk
BrD“What do you mean?”go8Q
aWF3Aint smiled awkwardly.7cyn
pOAK“Well, it’s just… the table has a hole in it.”pehwm
oTQs5r9Tap, tap, tap.hnQv
gcuFernan’s fingers were tapping the table unconsciously.sW9
ln8DWith such force that he had pierced it.riaJVm4
D6VYR“…”5K0x23e
8a7CtHis father’s advice didn’t only apply to Aint.EqWj
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