A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 169

Chapter 169

— Kyuu.

Wooden‍‍ looked excited, as‍ if he were‍‌⁠ proud of having‍‍ done something important.⁠

“Well‍ done.”

Fernan patted Wooden’s head‌ and gave him⁠‍ a piece of⁠ chocolate made from‍ the bark of the World Tree.⁠ The piece, absorbed‍‍‌ by spiritual energy,‌‍ fell to the‌ dry, withered ground.‍

“Did‍‌‍ you really find‍‍ it?”

“Of⁠ course, senior.”

“And‍‌ now what do you plan to‌ do, young master?”‍

“We⁠‍ have to exterminate‍ them.”

They were going to⁠ wipe everything out‍ and then observe⁠⁠ what Adguif’s reaction⁠ would be.

“Let’s go.”

As‍‌ they stepped out‍ of the tent,⁠ five dwarves who‍ were sitting on⁠ some rocks chatting⁠‍⁠ in low voices‍⁠ stood up immediately.‍‍

“Are‌ you going out‍ already?”

“He‍ stayed for us.⁠ We asked for⁠ his support.”

“Yes, us too…”

“Before⁠ that, could you⁠‍‌ help me with‍ something?”

Fernan⁠‍ pulled out a crystal orb. It‌‍ was an artifact‌‍ from the Cult of the Dragon‌ God that detected demonic magic.

With‍ it, he could‍ tell who was‍ a corrupt and‍ who wasn’t.

It‍ was the perfect‌‍ moment, since Adguif‌ wasn’t present.

The‌‍‍ dwarves, although puzzled,⁠ obeyed without resistance—Adguif‍ had ordered them to cooperate with⁠ Fernan in whatever‍ he asked.

“What‌ did we do?”⁠‌⁠

“We‍⁠ poured our aura‌‌ into that strange‍⁠ crystal. And nothing‍‍ happened.”

“What⁠‍ kind of artifact⁠ is that?”

Even‍⁠ if they didn’t⁠‌ understand what it⁠ meant, at least⁠‍ none of them‌‍‍ were corrupt.

“Ahgrot,⁠ I’m going to‍ step out for‍ a moment. Stay‍⁠‍ here and keep‌ watch.”

Showing‌‍‌ the guards the⁠‍ monsters to win‌ them over as‌‌‍ reliable allies wouldn’t⁠⁠ have been a bad idea. But‌ Fernan preferred to⁠ keep Wooden hidden.‌

‘With‍ Wooden recording the‍‌‍ evidence, that’s enough.’‌‍

“Eh?‌ But…”

“Make‌ up a good‌‌⁠ excuse for them.”‍

“O-Okay…”⁠⁠‌

Fernan‌‍ and his group‍ left without really‌‍ listening to Ahgrot’s‍ response and disappeared‌ down the other‌‍ side of the⁠⁠ gallery.

As‍ soon as they‌ were out of‌‍ sight, they began⁠⁠ digging underground.

“What?‍⁠ Where are they‍⁠ going all of⁠ a sudden?”

“What’s‍ going on?”

“They‌ say they’ve got⁠⁠ stomachaches…”

“All of them together?”‍

“They’re‌ not even heading‍ toward the restroom.”‍

“Hmm.”‌

Ahgrot,‌ uncomfortable with the suspicious looks from the other dwarves,‍ scratched the back⁠‌ of his neck.‍

***⁠

Digging‌ with magic was⁠‍‍ one of Fernan’s specialties.

In⁠ fact, he had⁠ already dug faster‌⁠‌ than Ahgrot before,⁠ even blocking his⁠ path.

— Kyuung.

Fernan⁠ moved forward without‌⁠ hesitation, guided by⁠‌‍ Wooden as if‌ he were a compass.

“It’s‍‌‌ quite far.”

“That’s‍ why the dwarves‌‍ didn’t find it.”‍‌

Of‌ course, there was‍‍ also the fact that they didn’t⁠ want to look‌ for it. Even⁠ if Adguif and⁠ his men had‍‍ disguised the location⁠⁠ carefully, if it‌ were too close‍ the dwarves would⁠‍‍ have found it‌‌ several times already.‌

“Stop.”

Fernan‍‌‌ stopped digging. With‌ a finger, he‌ opened a small‍ hole to peek‌⁠ through.

A vast underground space,‌ completely filled with‍ monsters.

A sight far too familiar by now.‌‍

“It’s‌‌ amazing how these⁠‌ bastards never change their patterns.”

After‍‍ checking through the‌‌ gap, Fernan turned to Gismond.

“There‍‍ are monsters ahead.‌ I’m not going‍⁠‌ to intervene—how about‌ you take them‌‍ on alone, senior?”⁠‍‌

The reason he had⁠ brought Gismond was⁠ precisely to give‌‍ him more real‌ combat experience.

A huge space full‌ of mid-level monsters.

A perfect scenario.

“Just‍‍ me?”

“Yes.‍⁠‍ You didn’t come‍ all this way‍ just to watch,‍ did you?”

Gismond‍⁠‍ hesitated for a moment and asked:‌‍

“What‌ kind of monsters⁠ are they?”

“Fifth-rank‌ monsters called Zikrik.⁠‍⁠ Giant worms of⁠‍ various sizes, experts‍‌⁠ in digging tunnels.”

“Fifth‍ rank? That sounds⁠ too strong…”

“If‍‌ you’re really in⁠ danger, I’ll help.”‌

Fernan‌ had no intention⁠‍ of letting him⁠‍ die there. He‍ wouldn’t be as⁠‍ useful as Luina‌ or Aint, but‌‍ Gismond could become‍‍ a valuable card.‌⁠

“Sooner‍⁠ or later you’ll⁠ have to fight‍‌ demons. Consider this preliminary training.”

“Me?⁠‌ But there’s Aint…”‌

“Aint‌ can’t guard every⁠ front.”

“That’s‌ true… alright. I can’t keep avoiding‌ everything in this‍ world.”

Deep down, Gismond also⁠ felt curious.

He‌ wasn’t originally from‍ this world. He‍⁠ had never received‌‍ formal training in‍ swordsmanship.

Over⁠⁠ time, he had⁠‍ practiced based on‍‌ the memories of⁠ the real Gismond,‌⁠ but there were‍ clearly limits.

“I‌⁠ can do it.”⁠

Since meeting Fernan, that‌‍‍ had changed. In‍‍‌ Bercheff, he fought‌⁠ against experts and⁠⁠ received instruction. And‌ back at the‌‌ Academy, he continued‌ the same.

Swordsmanship,‍ once only theoretical,‍ had etched itself‍ into his body,‍ and even he‍ could feel his great progress.

And⁠⁠ above all, Fernan’s‌⁠‍ words weren’t suggestions—they⁠‌ were orders.

Gismond drew his sword.‍ At the same⁠‌ time, Fernan collapsed⁠ the wall completely.⁠‌

A guttural roar echoed⁠‍⁠ through the cavern.‍‌

The⁠⁠‍ monsters fixed all‍‍ their attention on‌‍⁠ them. Gismond felt⁠ every hair on‌ his body stand⁠ on end.

“I‍⁠ can do this.‍⁠ I can do‌‌ this…”

Breathing in a controlled⁠ rhythm, he forcefully pushed aside the⁠‍‌ fear.

He⁠‍‍ focused his mind⁠⁠ and drew in‌‍ his aura.

He‌ had learned it‍ late, but the‌ Ert family’s style⁠ focused more on‌ speed than strength.‌

“You‌ use speed swordsmanship‌ and swing the sword with brute⁠‌⁠ force? What an⁠‍ idiot…”

That’s⁠‍ what that veteran⁠‍ knight Haken—or was‌ it Baken, he‌ didn’t remember well—had‍ told him during‌⁠ training.

“Remember‍ this fast swordsmanship‍‌‍ is explosion.”

A human had limits,⁠⁠ no matter how‍ much they trained.‌

Speed‌ also had limits.⁠ And to break⁠‌⁠ them, you used⁠‌ aura.

Fast swordsmanship involved detonating‍ aura to generate‌ recoil and using‍ it, increasing the blade’s speed to‍ the extreme.

Many‍⁠ thought it was⁠ all about speed,‍ but they were‌ wrong every thrust‌ carried the force‌⁠‌ of an explosion.‌

He‌‌ felt his heartbeat‌ accelerate. The aura⁠ coursed through his‍‌⁠ veins like liquid‌ fire.

He⁠ infused it into⁠‍‌ his sword and⁠ his legs, and‍‌ then triggered the⁠ explosion.

A bang echoed only‍ in his mind.‍ His body shot‍ through space in‍‌‍ an instant, the⁠⁠ sword gaining speed⁠ along its trajectory.‌

And⁠⁠ it struck the‌‍ first Zikrik squarely‌‌‍ in the head.‍

Boom!

The‍‌ impact was so⁠⁠ brutal it was‌ hard to believe‍‍‍ it had been just a single⁠ thrust.

It‌‌‍ was proof that‍ he still hadn’t⁠⁠‌ fully mastered aura‍ control.

But‍‍ Gismond smiled. He‍ couldn’t help it.⁠‍‌

“It‌ works!”

With‌⁠ a single blow,⁠‌ the head of the Zikrik, a level 5 monster,‍ flew through the‌⁠‍ air.

An⁠‌ impressive feat that‍ he could never‌⁠⁠ have achieved before.

“What, did you stumble⁠‌ across a field⁠ of elixirs or‌ something? Your body’s‍ overflowing with aura.‌‍ Though it’s like‌⁠ putting a pearl necklace on a pig—it’s not bad.”⁠

“Because‍ an explosion becomes⁠⁠ even more violent⁠ and powerful the‍⁠ more aura you⁠ have.”

Haken‌ was right.

Taking‍‌ a deep breath,‌⁠‍ Gismond calmed his‌‍ trembling body while⁠‍‍ growling toward the‌ monsters.

“Come⁠‌ on!”

And‌ he lunged forward.‌‌

Boom!‌‌

Explosions‍⁠‌ echoed one after⁠‌‌ another.

The‌ Zikriks’ heads burst without fail.

“I’m⁠‍ strong!”

A strength he never could’ve imagined before‌ possessing this world.

Gismond‌ laughed loudly.

“I’m‍‌‌ strong!”

The‍ fear of having‌ reincarnated in a world where demons descended and destruction‍ loomed had vanished.

Now‍ he felt like‌ he could cut⁠ through anything.

A superhuman, just like‌ those he once‌ only saw in‍⁠ novels.

Rumble!‌‌

At‌ that moment, the⁠‍ ground trembled and a giant shadow⁠⁠‍ emerged.

Another‍ monster. Without hesitation,‍ Gismond thrust his‌⁠ sword.

Like‌ a runaway car,‍‍ his slash drew‌‍‌ a straight-line lightning‌ bolt.

───!‍⁠

The‍‍ shockwave spread out.‍ The aura exploded‌‍ in all directions.‌‌

But‍ the result was‍ completely different from‍‌‌ before.

“Ugh…!”⁠⁠⁠

The sword didn’t pierce the target. The⁠ recoil, unchecked, hit⁠‌⁠ him head-on.

Gismond‌‌ spat blood and‍‌ rolled across the‌‌ ground.

“What…⁠ is this?”

He massaged his trembling⁠‍ right arm as he looked up.‍

A colossal shadow loomed‍ over him.

It⁠‍ was a gigantic‍⁠ monster, about 5 meters tall. It had a turtle-like‍⁠ shell, but six⁠‌ legs and two⁠‍ heads.

And‌⁠‍ the demonic energy‌‌ it exuded was⁠⁠ on a completely⁠⁠ different level than⁠⁠ a simple Zikrik.⁠‍

Gismond‌‌ understood instinctively.

“I’m‌⁠ weak! I’m weak!”‌

He‍ didn’t even think‍ about picking up‌⁠ his fallen sword;⁠⁠ he turned around.⁠‍

“Save‌ me, Fernan!”

You‌ said you’d help‌ me if I was in danger!⁠

***

Fernan‌ enjoyed watching someone⁠ beg through tears‍‌‌ and snot.

In⁠ most cases, it⁠ was people pleading⁠ for more time‍ to repay borrowed‍‌ money or begging⁠‍‍ to be given merchandise.

Reaching⁠ that point meant‌‍⁠ Pellenberg had far⁠‌ more to gain.‍⁠

After‌ all, the Pellenberg⁠ never lent money‌‌ without collateral.

But‍‍ Gismond’s case was⁠ different.

“Senior⁠⁠ Gismond, crying like‍‍ that is quite⁠‍‍ pathetic.”

The⁠⁠⁠ monster, hiding its‍‌ legs and heads⁠ inside its shell and rolling fiercely,⁠⁠ and Gismond running‌ away crying and⁠⁠ sniffling, was not exactly a pleasant⁠ sight.

“Turhel?”

A Turhel, level 2 monster. A turtle-like‌‌ beast whose shell‍ was said to‌‌‌ be tougher than‌‍ most metals.

“It would be perfect‌‍ for Wooden.”

Fernan‍‍‌ already imagined Wooden,‍‍ in full size,‍ wielding that shell‍‍‍ as a shield.‌‌

— Kyu?

Wooden perked up at‍‌‌ the word “shield.”‍⁠

“Go.‌ Get your own‍‍ shield.”

And‌⁠⁠ while you’re at‌ it, get that‍ teary, ridiculous face‌ out of sight.‍

Wooden grew and entered‍ the battle.

“I’m⁠ strong!”

While‍⁠ Wooden took care⁠⁠ of the level‍‍ 2 monster, Gismond‌⁠‍ regained his confidence⁠ and began massacring‌ Zikriks.

That day, they fought‌ three battles and‍ cleared out three‍‍‍ caverns.

***‍

In‌‍ a dark tunnel.‍

Adguif walked through the‍ mine alongside the‌ dwarves following him.⁠‍

The air was cool‍‍ and heavy. Since‌⁠⁠ it was abandoned,⁠‍ there were no⁠ miners or guards.‍

Not‍⁠ even torches lit‍‌ the gloom.

At‌ the end of⁠‍‍ the tunnel, surprisingly,⁠⁠ someone was waiting.

Golden⁠‍ hair and black eyes. If Fernan‌⁠‍ had seen him,⁠ he would’ve called⁠‌ him “my lord‍ count.”

“Daniel‍‌⁠ Kool.”

“Long‍ time no see,‌‍‌ Adguif. How have⁠ you been?”

“Fine.”‍‍

“And⁠‍ what’s this about?‍⁠ Calling me out⁠ so suddenly—is today⁠ some special day?”⁠

“What⁠‌ do you mean?”‍

“Oh,⁠‍ nothing. Just that⁠ certain things have‌‌ happened outside. Nothing for you to⁠‌‌ worry about.”

Count Daniel smiled, but⁠⁠ Adguif’s reason for‌‌ being there was‍‌⁠ anything but pleasant.‌‌

“I‌‍ came to inform⁠⁠ you that our‌‌‌ relationship ends today.”⁠

“…I‍⁠ see.”

Count⁠‍⁠ Daniel’s reaction was‌⁠ completely different from‍ anything Adguif had‌‌ imagined.

He merely smiled coldly‍‌ as he observed‌ him.

“…You’re⁠‍ not surprised.”

“I’ve⁠‌‍ already been surprised⁠‍‌ enough.”

“What…?”‍‍

“That’s‌ why they attacked⁠ the monsters, isn’t‌ it?”

At‍⁠⁠ that accusation, Adguif‍‌ frowned.

“Attacked⁠⁠ the monsters?”

“No need to deny⁠ it. If it‍‌ wasn’t you, there⁠⁠ are no other‌‍ suspects.”

The‍⁠‍ monsters hidden deep‍⁠‌ within the mines, impossible to find‌‍‌ for humans or‌‌ elves, had been‌ annihilated.

“Without⁠‌‍ your cooperation, knowing‌ their hideouts, it⁠ would’ve been impossible.”‌

“That’s‌ absurd! I never⁠ did such a thing!”

“Well,‍⁠‍ it seems you‍⁠‌ also have a talent for acting.”‍⁠⁠

Black‌ energy coursed through⁠⁠ Count Daniel’s body,‌ overflowing. The tunnel‌ trembled and a hidden space was‌‌ revealed.

Hundreds‍ of monsters exuded‌‌‍ a brutal thirst‍‍ for blood.

“You⁠⁠ took us for‍‍ fools? Thought we⁠ were a card⁠‌ you could use‍‍ and discard at⁠‌ your convenience?”

Impossible.‍⁠ If they no⁠⁠‌ longer needed them,⁠⁠ they wouldn’t just‌ say goodbye with‌‌⁠ a smile.

“You’ll‍‍⁠ pay the price.‍ And you’ll regret⁠‍ the choice you made to your‍⁠ very core, you⁠‍⁠ miserable wretches.”

“…I expected this.”

Adguif‍ gripped the axe⁠‍ on his back.‌‍‍ The dwarves drew‍⁠ their weapons.

He⁠⁠‍ didn’t know what the count meant‌ by “attacking the‍ monsters.” But it‌ didn’t matter.

He‍ knew the corrupt‌ wouldn’t let him‌‍ leave of his‍‍ own accord.

“Let‍‌ me be clear.‌ I’m not here‌ to ask your‌ permission—I’m here to‍‍ inform you.”

“Informing‌‌ is something the⁠‌ strong do. When‌ the weak do‍ it, it’s arrogance.”

“Then take it as‍‌ notification. I won’t sacrifice any more‍‌‍ dwarves.”

At⁠ that resolve, Count‍ Daniel burst into‌ laughter.

“Pfhuhuhu,⁠ now you want to play the⁠ hero? The dwarves‍ you delivered will‌‌‌ laugh at you in the afterlife.”‍⁠⁠

“Let‌⁠ them laugh.”

Adguif⁠‍ laughed as well.

He⁠ never thought to‌ ask for forgiveness.‌

“Yes,‌‌ I sinned against‍‍ them. So what?‍ I just did‌‌‌ what I believed‍ was the best⁠‍ choice.”

He‌ didn’t even hope‌‍ for redemption.

“If‍ I could go back, I’d do‍‌‍ the exact same‍ thing.”

“What a disgusting statement.”⁠

“Maybe‌‌ to you, I’m‍‌ just a dwarf‌⁠‍ mad from his⁠‌ own people’s genocide,⁠ easy to use. And maybe that’s‌ true.”

But‌‍‍ Adguif could carry‍ that burden.

“Dozens,⁠ hundreds, or thousands⁠ of times.”

Even‍‍‌ if he built‌ mountains of dwarf‌‌‌ corpses and rivers⁠ of their blood‌‍ flooded the city.‌‌

“I⁠⁠‌ would’ve always made⁠⁠ the same choice.”‌

Because‍ either way, the‍⁠⁠ dwarves had no⁠‍‌ future.

They’d‍‌‍ either die slowly‌‌⁠ in isolation, or⁠ sacrifice half to‌‍‍ save the rest.‍

And‌ Adguif chose the‍‌‍ second.

Even⁠ if others called⁠‍ it madness. Even‌ if they cursed‌ him as a villain.

That‍ was his ideal,⁠⁠ his duty.

There‌⁠‍ was only one thing he regretted.⁠

Believing⁠‍ the mayor had expelled Fernan Pellenberg,⁠ he let anger‌ get the better‌⁠ of him and acted rashly.

“What‌ a cheap sophistry.‍‍ So why change‍ your mind now?”

“Because⁠‍ the situation has‍‍ changed. Before, it‌‌‌ was the best⁠ option. But now,‌⁠‌ someone kinder than you has arrived—a‌ savior. There’s no⁠ need to continue.”⁠

“You‍‍⁠ just turned the‌‌⁠ dead dwarves into⁠⁠‌ meaningless deaths. Adguif,‌‍ don’t pretend nobility.”‌

“I’m‌‍ not. I’m just‌ doing what I believe is right.”⁠‌‍

And‌‍ now, he was⁠‍ sure that choice was right.

Aura‍⁠ surged from Adguif,‌ wrapping his axe‌ in a brown⁠‍ glow.

“So‌‌ then…”

Count‌‍ Daniel unleashed his‌⁠ magic.

“You’re‌ no longer necessary.‍ If you won’t step down peacefully—then‍ die. For the⁠ dwarves.”

“Elves,‌ dwarves, filthy trash!‌⁠‍ You all underestimate‍‌‍ us!”

The‌ monsters charged.

“Kill⁠ that vile corrupt⁠ who massacred hundreds⁠⁠‍ of his brothers!”‍

The‍ dwarves raised their⁠‍ weapons and charged‌⁠ forward.

───!‍