A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 170

Chapter 170

“You‍ were right, young⁠‍ master.”

Hyde⁠ spoke while looking‍ at Gismond, who‌‌ was panting and‍⁠ covered in blood.‍

Most⁠ of the monster⁠‌‍ corpses that filled‌ the area were⁠⁠ his doing.

A surprising level of⁠‌ progress.

“There‌ was no other way. The number⁠‌‌ of elixirs he‌ swallowed wasn’t small.”‍

He⁠‍ had ingested so⁠‌ many that it‌‍ wouldn’t have been‌ strange if his‌⁠ body had exploded⁠ at any moment.‍‍‍ There were probably even elixirs that‌ Fernan didn’t know‍ about.

But Gismond got lucky—the⁠ roots of Itarium⁠⁠ had reinforced his‌ body, preventing him‍⁠‍ from bursting.

The‌ massive amount of⁠‍ mana inside him‌‍‌ was already an⁠‍ enormous potential on‍‌ its own.

“To‌ be honest, I didn’t know the‍ Ert family’s swordsmanship‍ was speed-based…”

Any‍‍ sword style benefited‌‌ from a lot⁠‌ of mana, but‌‍ there were some‌⁠ that relied on⁠‌ it especially.

Speed⁠ swordsmanship was one⁠ of those—a style⁠‌‌ that gained speed‌ through aura explosions.⁠‌⁠

For‌ Gismond, it was⁠ like being given⁠⁠ wings.

“Let’s‌‌⁠ go.”

“Yes.”

Now‌ they just had‌ to observe how‍⁠ Adguif would react‍ after losing all⁠ his monsters.

Such‌‍ a major change‌ would force him‍ to act. With⁠ Wooden keeping watch,⁠‍ everything was covered.‍‍

A simple but solid‌ plan.

“I can’t believe I really wiped out‌ all those monsters…”⁠

Fernan‌ looked at a euphoric Gismond, thrilled‍⁠ by his own‌ power.

— Kyuu.

“Yes,‍⁠ I’ll have it‍ turned into a shield, so stop⁠⁠ carrying it and‍⁠ put it in‍‌‌ this subspace bag.”‌

Wooden danced happily with‍ the massive Turhel shell in his‍‌ arms.

“Let’s‍⁠ go.”

With‌ Hyde, he returned⁠ to Tunnel 31, where the dwarves‍⁠ were waiting for‌ them.

“Hold‍‍‌ it.”

Just‍‌ before reaching them,‍⁠ Fernan used a purification artifact to‍‌‌ completely erase the‍ smell of monster⁠ blood.

“Why⁠‌ did you take⁠ so long?!”

“There‍ was more work‍⁠ than expected. Anything‌‌ out of the‍ ordinary?”

“Other⁠ guards have been⁠ pressuring me.”

“So⁠‌ nothing happened.”

Fortunately,‌ Fernan’s presence still‍ carried weight, and they calmed down‍ upon seeing him‍ arrive.

There⁠ was no need for further explanation,‍⁠ so he led‍‌ the group back to the city.‌‍

There, he was immediately‌ summoned by the‌‌‌ mayor.

“…You’re here. I thought‍‌ you were dead.”⁠‌

“What‌ do you mean?”‍

“Adguif‌ hasn’t returned. Nor⁠ have the 30⁠ guards who went⁠ with him.”

“……”‌‍

Impossible.‌ They had left⁠‌ much earlier than‍ Fernan.

‘He’s‌ plotting something.’

“Would⁠ you like to‌‍ see this first?”‍⁠

The‍ mayor watched some‌⁠ of the scenes‍‍ captured by Wooden‌ in the recording‌ orb. His face‌‌ hardened even more.‌‌‍

“…I‍ can’t deny it⁠‍‍ anymore. Even though‍‌ I would have⁠ preferred it to⁠ be just plain‍‍‌ treason. A traitor‌ who throws hundreds⁠ of his comrades‌⁠ into the abyss‌‌‌ is already horrible—but‍ a traitor and‍⁠ servant of demons‌‌ are not the‌‍ same.”

“I⁠⁠‍ understand.”

“So‍‍‌ what’s your plan?”‍‍⁠

“To‌‍ observe the enemy’s‍‌ reaction. They lost‍ all their monsters;‍‍‌ without a doubt, there will be a move.”

Perhaps‌ Adguif’s disappearance was‍⁠ already part of⁠⁠‌ that reaction.

Upon‍ hearing this, the‍‌‌ mayor’s face twisted.

“Didn’t⁠ I explain why‌ I’ve endured all⁠ this time? If‌ the corrupted take‍ extreme measures, the‍ city will suffer⁠ immensely. And you‍⁠⁠ plan to act without a backup‌‍‌ plan?”

“Is‍⁠ it necessary?”

“What‍⁠ the hell are⁠‌ you saying…?!”

“If‌‌ Adguif really is⁠ corrupted, as you‌‌ yourself believe, then‍‌ what’s the point‍ of talking about⁠ alternatives?”

Even⁠‍ faced with the mayor’s shout, Fernan‌ didn’t blink.

“The‍ greatest military power‌ in this city⁠‌ is in his‍ hands.”

“……”⁠

The‍ mayor pressed his‍⁠ lips together.

“The‌ supreme command is‌ mine.”

“Does⁠ that matter?”

No.‌‌ That’s precisely why⁠⁠ the mayor had‍ tolerated Adguif despite‌‌‍ knowing he was‍ causing problems—because he‍ couldn’t stop him.‌⁠‍

“Besides,‍ I never said⁠ there wasn’t an‌⁠‌ alternative. I just asked if it‌⁠ was necessary.”

The⁠‌⁠ mayor’s eyes sparkled‌‍⁠ with a new‍‌ gleam.

“How‌ many guards do⁠ you think have fallen under the⁠‍ control of the⁠ corrupted?”

“It’s⁠‌ classified information, but‍ I can’t hide⁠⁠ it anymore. Approximately⁠ two hundred.”

“And‌ the total number‍‍ of guards?”

“Five‌ hundred.”

Forty‌ percent. Not a negligible figure.

“The‍ numbers are in our favor, but‌ in truth, the‍ mood within the⁠⁠‍ guard supports going to the surface.‌‌ In fact, I’d⁠⁠ say that’s already⁠‍‍ the sentiment of‌‍ the whole city.”⁠‌

The‍ mayor added that,‍ objectively, Adguif’s strength‌⁠‌ was superior.

After‍‍ all, if the captain of the⁠‍ guard himself had‌‌‌ fallen, it was‌‍ logical to think⁠ most veterans had‌‍‍ too.

“We‌‌ don’t know where⁠‌ Adguif is, but‌‍ in a way,‌ this is an‍ opportunity.”

Without‌‌ him present, it⁠⁠ was easier to‍⁠‌ move the pieces.⁠‌

“Opportunity?‌⁠‍ Then what is‌⁠ your alternative?”

“Public⁠⁠ opinion.”

“Public‍ opinion?”

“When⁠⁠ a feudal lord‍⁠ rules with tyranny,‍⁠⁠ he usually fills‍ his troops with‍ outsiders. They can’t replace everyone, but⁠ they mix in⁠ some. Do you‍⁠ know why?”

“No.”‍

“Because⁠ of rebellions.”

A rebellion doesn’t arise⁠‍⁠ easily.

Most nobles don’t even‌ consider it, but‌ some do—the ones⁠ who exploit their‍ people so much that they fear retaliation.

Those nobles filled their ranks with foreign soldiers.

“Because⁠ the ones who⁠ rebel are the‌‍‍ inhabitants of the‍ fief. And if‌‌‌ the soldiers sent‌ to suppress them‌‍ are their neighbors,‌‍ or even relatives,‍‍ do you think⁠ they would kill their own?”

No‌‍‌ matter how noble the order, few⁠‍ men can sever blood ties.

“…I‍ see. I had⁠ never thought of‌ it that way.”‍

“So,‍‌ do you understand what I’ll do?”‍‌‌

“Yes,‍ I understand.”

The‌ dwarves had been‌‍‌ born and raised‍ their whole lives⁠ in the same⁠ underground city.

Same⁠⁠⁠ with the guards—they were all part⁠ of one big‍ family.

Could‌ they rebel and‍ slaughter their own‌‍ loved ones? Impossible.‍‍

‘Adguif‍ is different, but‌ the rest won’t‌ go that far.’⁠⁠‌

The⁠ book of prophecies⁠ said that Adguif‍⁠ would sacrifice all‍ the dwarves.

But‌ that would happen‍‍ in a few‌ years, not now.

He‌‌ didn’t yet have⁠ that much support,⁠‍‍ and most dwarves‍⁠ weren’t cruel enough‌ to kill their⁠‌ whole families.

“Turning‌ the citizens into allies is certainly‍⁠ not a bad⁠‍ strategy. But even‌ with these recordings,‌ it’s still hard to prove the⁠‌ connection.”

“That’s‌‍ why we exterminated‍ them completely. So‌‍⁠ they would react more forcefully and⁠‍ expose that connection.”‍

And‍‌ if they still‍ didn’t show it,‍ Fernan was willing‍ to fabricate it.‌⁠

“There are newspapers circulating‌⁠ in this city‍‍‍ too, right?”

Knock,⁠ knock. Fernan tapped‌‌‌ the table with‍ his fingers, almost‌ unconsciously.

***‍

However,⁠⁠‌ there was no‌‍ need to wait‍ too long.

Ding‍‌ ding ding ding—‌⁠‌

Fernan‌‍ woke up to‌ the ringing of‍ bells announcing an‌ emergency across the⁠⁠ city.

“Young‌⁠ master!”

Hyde⁠ rushed in with⁠‍ hurried steps.

“What’s‌‍⁠ happening?”

“An⁠ attack!”

“An‍‍ attack?”

“It’s‌⁠ not against you,‍‍ young master! The‌‌ city is under‌‍ attack!”

Fernan‍⁠ jumped up, fully‍⁠⁠ alert.

“The⁠ city is under attack?”

“Yes!”⁠⁠

Fernan‍⁠‍ pulled back the curtain.

“It’s‍ an attack!”

“From‌ the east side!”‍

“The‌‍‍ monsters have entered!”‍

“Run!⁠‌ Everyone to the⁠‌ shelters!”

The‌ streets, normally crowded‌ and peaceful, were⁠ now in chaos.‌ Amid the crowd,‍ guards drew their‌‍ weapons and ran⁠ toward the front.‍⁠

Rumble—‌⁠‍

The‍ ground shook.

Fernan‌‌ dressed quickly.

“Damn⁠ you, Adguif. In⁠ terms of execution‍ capacity, you’re outstanding…!”⁠⁠⁠

He never imagined he’d‍‍‌ be crazy enough‍ to attack the⁠‌ city head-on.

It‍‌‍ was, without a doubt, a grave miscalculation on Fernan’s‍ part.

He⁠ leaned out to see the origin‍ of the battle.‍‍

The‌ town hall, located‍ in the center‍⁠ of the city, was the tallest‌⁠ building in the‍‍‍ entire underground metropolis,‌ and his lodging⁠‍ was on the⁠ top floor.

Thanks to that, he‍ could see at‍ a glance the‍‌ hordes bursting in⁠‍⁠ from below—they weren’t‍‌ just simple monsters,‌⁠ they were real‍‍ demons.

“Zikrik,‌ Turhel, and… Envif?‌⁠‍ He’s insane!”

Envif‍‍ was a colossal‌ insect-type monster. Similar⁠‍ to a giant⁠‍‍ ant, it lived‍‌ in swarms that numbered in the‌ hundreds.

Weak⁠‌ individuals on their‌ own, but so‌⁠ dangerous in groups‌‍‌ that they were⁠ classified as level 4.

‘Even‌ adding up all‌ the demons from the three caverns,‍⁠‍ there were barely sixty!’

Adguif‍⁠ seemed to be‍‌ dead serious.

Bang!‍ bang! bang!

“Lord⁠⁠ Fernan! Are you⁠ awake? The mayor‍‍ is summoning you!”⁠

The‍ mayor’s assistant was pounding desperately on⁠‌ the door.

“I’m⁠‍ on my way.”

In‌‍ the meeting room,‍⁠ not only was the mayor present,‌‍ but also the‍‌‍ councilors, considered the‌⁠ rulers of the city.

“Come‍ quickly.”

“A‌ human?”

“Why‍ did you bring‍ a human to‍⁠ an emergency meeting?”⁠‍‍

The‍‌⁠ councilors voiced their‍‌‍ displeasure at Fernan’s‍ sudden appearance.

“Everyone⁠‍‌ must have heard⁠‌ of Fernan Pellenberg.‍ After Aint Armian, he’s the one‌ who best handles⁠⁠ demons. Shouldn’t we⁠‌ accept his help⁠‍ if possible?”

“…If⁠⁠ that’s the case,‍ fine.”

“Indeed,‌ I’ve heard of⁠⁠‍ Fernan.”

The‍‍ councilors, not entirely‌⁠ disconnected from outside⁠ news, accepted without‍⁠ much opposition.

No‍ fool would argue⁠ in the middle‍‌‌ of such a crisis.

“What⁠ the hell happened?”‍⁠

“Ten‍ minutes ago, demons—not‍ mere monsters—attacked us‌ from the east. They dug tunnels⁠ and charged directly⁠‍ into District 30.”

The‍ dwarven city, being‍‍ underground, lacked the‍ kind of walls⁠‌‌ that existed on‍‍⁠ the surface.

The‍⁠ terrain itself was‌⁠ the natural barrier,⁠‍⁠ but Zikriks were‍ creatures that devoured⁠ stone and minerals‌‍ to make their⁠‍ way through.

“The‌‌ demons are Zikrik,⁠⁠ Turhel, and Envif.‍‍ Their number exceeds six hundred.”

That‍ wasn’t a small⁠ number, and with‍ a minimum rank‌ of 5, the‌ threat was immense.‌‍

‘Did‌ he sacrifice all⁠‌ those missing dwarves⁠‌‌ not to summon‍‍ a greater demon,‌ but to call⁠ forth these hordes?’‍⁠

If⁠‌ so, even this‍ swarm made sense.‍‌

“But‍ if that’s the‍ case, where is⁠‌‌ the captain of‍ the guard, Adguif?”‍⁠

At‌ that moment, one councilor shouted furiously.‍

“Calm⁠⁠ down! Do you‍ think the captain⁠ of the guard⁠ ran away? Maybe‍⁠ he was attacked‍ first…”

“And⁠ isn’t that even‌‌ worse?”

The‍ councilors raised their voices. Fernan, assessing‍‌ the situation, stepped closer to the‌ mayor and whispered.⁠

“Captain⁠‍⁠ Adguif… is he⁠‍ missing?”

“There’s‍ been no word from him for‍‌⁠ three days.”

“Three⁠‍‍ days…?”

“Since‌‍ the day you‍ went with him‍ to Mine 31.⁠⁠ Neither he nor⁠‍‍ the thirty guards⁠ who accompanied him⁠ have returned.”

Damn⁠ it. There was no way to deny Fernan was‌ involved.

“I’m⁠ sorry. I—”

“No,‍ I accepted your‍‌ plan. It made sense. The problem‌‌ is that Adguif turned out to⁠‌⁠ be even crazier‌ than I thought.”

The‍⁠ mayor stifled a groan. It was‍ no time for blame, but for defending the city.‌‌⁠

Bang!⁠

He‌ slammed the table,‍‌⁠ silencing the councilors.‌ All eyes turned‌‍ to him.

“Now⁠‌‍ I’ll reveal a truth I’ve kept⁠‍ from you.”

He⁠ told them about‌ Adguif and his‌⁠⁠ connection to the‌ demons.

“…It‍‌‍ can’t be.”

“Are‍⁠ you saying Captain‌ Adguif caused this?”‍‌‍

“And⁠ that all the⁠ previous incursions were also his doing?”‍‍

“Unbelievable!”‍‍

The‍‌ councilors resisted believing‌ it, but the⁠‍ current situation was‌ proof enough.

“If⁠‍ it weren’t true, what other reason‍ would he have‌‌ to disappear right now?”

“But…⁠ why?”

“And‌ do demons need‌ a reason?”

“Adguif has served the‌ city for more⁠‌ than ten years.”⁠‌

“Half‌‍ the guards who disappeared with him⁠‌‌ were officers. The‌‍ moment they left,‌‌ the demons attacked.‍‌ Does that seem⁠ like a coincidence‌‍ to you?”

The‌⁠ councilors fell silent.‌ Reason told them⁠ it was impossible,‍‌ but the mayor’s words planted inevitable‍ doubt.

“What‍ matters now isn’t‌ that. What’s crucial⁠ is stopping the⁠⁠ demons and protecting‍ the city.”

“…You’re‍⁠ right.”

The⁠⁠‌ councilors nodded. Instead‍‌ of getting caught‌‍ up in arguments,‍ they chose to‌ face the immediate crisis.

“I‌ will personally evacuate⁠ the citizens to‍⁠ the shelters. And you?”

“We’ll‌‍‍ do the same.”‍⁠⁠

“Let’s⁠‌ declare a state⁠‍ of mobilization. Fortify‍‌⁠ the buildings as‌‌ barricades and hold‌⁠‌ sector by sector.”‌

“Agreed.”‍‍

The‍ mayor and the⁠‍ councilors, all warriors‍⁠ of notable level,‍⁠ took up their‌⁠ weapons without hesitation‍ to defend the⁠ city.

They‍‌‌ dispersed toward their‌ assigned districts.

“I‍ don’t think Adguif⁠ will return.”

“I‌‍ think the same.”‍

“Will⁠ you fight with‍‌ us?”

“I⁠‌⁠ won’t let the‍ demons have their‌ way. I’ll do‌⁠ what needs to⁠ be done.”

It‌‍ had been a long time since‌‍ Fernan had faced⁠ such humiliation.

For‌‌⁠ now, as long‌⁠ as he could⁠ contain the situation,⁠‍‍ the contract would‍ remain intact without⁠ major issues. But‌ if there had‌ been indemnity clauses‍ for failure, the⁠ losses would have⁠ been incalculable.

And‌‍ even so, what‌ hurt the most‌⁠ was seeing the‍‍ dwarves fall in‍⁠ such a senseless‍ way.

‘Adguif…’⁠⁠

Creaking,⁠‌⁠ Fernan clenched his‍ teeth in fury.⁠‌