Chapter 173
iXdIX7─!vDUq
dhMMkQvNasgrim’s torso reeled violently. Without giving him a break, the sword came down again.At5
oDLM─!oRCnTl
Pa0HLBut this time, it was Gismond who was thrown back.jeXq
O61hJIThe twin scythes, twining like serpents and striking relentlessly, forced him to retreat uncontrollably.mJy
3uH“Help…”mL4XQ
yrAHe was about to shout—but stopped.q7qX
ZsSKThe assault had stopped. Or rather, Nasgrim had vanished.UYfWLPP
xPOGu“Ha…”dd48EC
ebW54hdHe let out an incredulous laugh. Nasgrim was charging toward Fernan—or more precisely, toward Adguif, who was half-slumped against the wall as if already dead.hdWfB
far037“…This is just too much, isn’t it?”grb0o7
CzoQnSLEven if I’m weak, even if you’re a level 2 monster—clgExwO
ZZDB“I’m not at the point of turning my back for free.”OucgPE3
rukThe days when he stole elixirs from Aint, the battles he was thrown into against the knights of Bercheff—all of it came rushing back like a whirlwind.1ov4iYT
3voNGismond clenched his teeth. Aura burst across his body, his sword, and especially his feet.3L5
jdHjhBoom— The aura exploded, shattering the ground. At the same time, Gismond shot forward like an arrow.7g5l
CssHf6“Speed sword…!”0E3Stx
YSPGRMcIt’s an explosion, damn it!26OkL
OPvx7BHis sword carved a long arc.Ast6
28tbzHo“No, no—!”YDOk
o6d“Yes!”mdV2wk
FWNjEGismond’s sword pierced Nasgrim’s heart. Hyde’s blade sliced his neck.vr3
801vcCDThe body, which had begun to swell for self-destruction, collapsed and withered.pW3
mfPMThe monster fell.cQTAWeZ
nxlCFvl“Hah… hah… I beat him?! Me?”WBd6wX
o87ZGismond trembled at the miracle he had just pulled off. He had defeated a level 2 monster. Even if he’d barely held on—even if Nasgrim had only tried to self-destruct on Adguif’s corpse at the end—it didn’t matter.vcfj
AOvF“I did it!”IjC
Ea27He raised both arms. His whole body hurt, but euphoria flooded him. Compared to when he first fell into this world, it was like the difference between a firefly and the full moon.UFxcU
S6ox“These creatures never change.”ODa
H6hWObFernan clicked his tongue, looking down at Nasgrim’s corpse.VN67ePc
XGBWhy had he tried to self-destruct on a corpse? Was there something in Adguif’s body?Ka2kUF
pnDOgHe didn’t know it was just a delayed order to erase evidence.xPPXtcM
qXlh“Let’s go back, senior. We’ve already got what we wanted.”TCF0HPy
WwtdV“Weren’t we going to catch the real corrupt ones? Are we just letting them go?”owsa
ZjEHKuGismond brimmed with confidence.GHyWM
nXu7“We already know who’s responsible. And besides, if he’s not an idiot, he didn’t stick around here.”o5jvGxM
053By now, he had surely fled.YQV
Ax55Kugggg—Gff4qof
cJ0“Waaah! What is that?”jymv2B
ZrIKDThe monsters surged toward them—but not to attack. They were running in the opposite direction, fleeing.T8w
EzB“That’s proof the corrupt are escaping.”sTB
JTd“…But before that—aren’t we going to die?”lHgBpJ
bykrv4d“As long as the senior puts in the effort, we won’t die.”tvI
i0l“You—!”OBYpB
foH“A mage never goes to the front line.”EH3
mh039“Only when it suits you, huh?”Lohe
p7u8RGismond roared with rage and swung his sword.PCMJUZ
mm2After barely holding off the wave, they managed to escape the tunnel.tcav
fd4sC“The monsters are retreating!”KPDrbS0
LneBm“We won!”2Qp
6Yt“We’ve repelled the beasts!”7Hv9hJZ
GqTrThe dwarves erupted in cheers.5XF
vv5It was a victory.ouDI6O
7EJn2EA victory made of scars—the eastern district lay in ruins.35tvv
HErKg***BmPfX
LMTEKBwooooo—Jvu
gbIThe sound of the horn echoed through the entire underground city.T6o0P
s9S6f0In the devastated center, dwarves in black uniforms marched. Among them, hundreds of coffins were carried.e4I6A
8OZ“Damn monsters…!”PMa
2ga6c“Karoi! How can you leave before your parents, Karoi?!”LWHBt
5P3zx“Mom, Dad, aren’t you coming back?”jrEHHW
GvaChildren searching for their parents, parents mourning their children, devastated lovers—everyone cried, and everyone was filled with rage.gv5CJ
fLrXzLAt the head of the procession, in a coffin, lay Adguif’s body.t8j1hW
UJv“Adguif!”BAePT
bqkU“Captain Adguif!”v7Gx
W7p0rThe dwarves cried out his name through tears.rts
LvcA“Captain Adguif and the thirty guards gave their lives to buy time against the monster horde. We will never forget their sacrifice.”fKFT
rVev9hThe coffin reached the city hall, where the mayor delivered the final speech.xjvIN
w2pHG5“Dead, and now he’s celebrated… the same man who handed over hundreds of dwarves to the corrupt is now a hero.”llQs
0hA“It was the best decision under the circumstances.”lcqt
RREmThe dwarves had suffered too much. Hundreds had died in recent years, and in this attack, hundreds more.rnigi
uW6YIf it were now revealed that the much-respected captain had actually been a traitor, the blow would be irreparable.6GN
iGZThe mayor and the councilors didn’t want to give them more despair. So, Adguif died a hero.1jjGz
nK4vAfter the funeral, Fernan was summoned by the mayor.FpEH1A3
hKt“We’ve lived too comfortably in peace.”jVrvT
9LwThe mayor’s face was grim as he spoke once Fernan sat down.rtlURG8
IiY“We preferred hiding and fleeing to fighting.”HMD0f
PhWRDXzThat’s why they had taken refuge in the underground city. For centuries, thanks to that, the dwarves had avoided invasions and known peace. But the price was high—they forgot how to fight.soKs8
Z6OJAnd now, the cost had been collected.02ioO
cQbj“If it weren’t for you, Fernan, the city would’ve been devoured.”MU2y
dYpIndeed, it would be in the future—but Fernan didn’t mention that.43pUTA
u0R5“We’ve realized our weakness. If there are two, three, four more attacks, we’ll be wiped out.”gvxZ
2rhThe dwarves didn’t have the strength to withstand many more invasions. Maybe with enough time, they could prepare—but the corrupt would never give them that time.FyzS243
H0iLE“So, we’ll choose the only path that lets us survive. Among all the options, we’ll take the strongest rope.”KdeDML5
I3d9YxFernan straightened his posture even more.7zoxmC
uYHbfJ“I’ve already discussed it with the councilors. We should’ve done it long ago.”0r8Y
ZiRKf“But let’s make one thing clear.”U1yKsJh
y50AzDaFernan interrupted him.3u1Qi5
xwd9W7a“The Pellenberg don’t help for free.”83ZU
B379nIm“Creating things is what we do best. I’m sure even by Pellenberg standards, this will be worth it.”zN5t
MshKjyE“Once the contract is signed, it can’t be undone.”gSo
KnVNSO“That’s obvious.”u4GZ4
fdcjmNot even the hero who saved the city would be allowed to decide the future of an entire race lightly.ztG1
x06Ofuz“The contract has already been reviewed with the councilors. We deemed it fair and acceptable.”oHR
OU7QFernan took out the contract he had prepared.UvcmQWx
YQMxOEh“Then sign first, and we’ll talk afterward.”4UMNAWE
nJe“But first, one question.”sVF
mb8lThe mayor, pen in hand, paused.31tC6
ODhM“We must not let the elves discover we’ve been hiding here.”IYeLSv
A0EdgdY“That benefits us too.”Zuplz
7ZAwj1aIf they found out there was a large dwarven city on their territory, and that the Pellenberg planned to absorb it, the elves would never stand idly by.v2WN
WIlFernan didn’t want that conflict either.qZr1
7GDp“Then plan a way to move them without anyone knowing.”6Uac
ihxTMA“You mean relocating the dwarves to the promised land?”uiV
iFflFix“Call it whatever you like, but yes.”HdIdgQA
rSRUQ7W“Leave that to me.”rihniU
SpYMoving things was what the Pellenberg did best.H21n6
JATpIJ“No matter how hard it is, I’ll do it. Even if they say it’s impossible, I’ll do it. Even if they say I’ll die trying, I’ll do it.”gP8knY
zvB877“…Do you have to put it in such grim terms?”MfGVulO
ajn“I’m just being honest.”SMRp1
kAdcmbVSo don’t sign with anyone but the Pellenberg.uBXp
oSFChML“Understood?”ZgBQU
LTebasiFernan’s eyes burned with greed.Z8C4vf
gvH***Hr2ux
BWpHWhile Fernan fought monsters in the underground city and, through negotiations with the mayor, finally got what he wanted—SrVQTk
GVjpAint was also about to fight his own battle.awtG
clt“…It’s been a year and a half.”ESIu635
HHdAint took a deep breath as he gazed at the imposing fortress in the distance.tibj
kggl— Aren’t you a little too nervous for just going home?qPxO
o35G“If it were just going home, there’d be no reason to be nervous.”s6pExqr
0JGBut Aint had a heavy mission on his shoulders.xv4wH3
3rHHe had to convince his father and gain forgiveness for what he’d already done.SXsiSR
aqQFUc“When he finds out I borrowed that much money from the Pellenberg, he’ll definitely be furious.”b8a6
paXcqjt— If he finds out how you got it, instead of getting mad, he’ll carry you on his shoulders.4JUiA
O7h1A“Yeah, it’s a huge advantage.”k7CkL
c09aZj7That meant Fernan had been very generous with him.0cZi
2Fech“When I become emperor, I can’t imagine what he’ll ask for in return.”tu1LY5
SStw2— That’s a problem for after you become emperor. It’s not even guaranteed you will.1G1
oJt“I have to be.”BCQnis
mNVHBIt wasn’t that Aint didn’t want the throne—but his main goal was something else: family.UPuG
tpuZfHe wanted to restore its greatness, and to do that, he had to become emperor.tcb
tVbLzbWith a face hardened by determination, he approached the city—the great metropolis of Atrin, now the new capital after the previous one was lost.e4Vb
nKdhh“Young master?”OaLVkj
cNNZK“Is that really the young master?”DoeAx
krmCmqQThe one advantage the fallen House Armian still had was the strong bond that united its people.7qk1
Fgr3The gate guards instantly recognized the young lord returning after a year and a half.vjA11n
5En“It’s the young master! He’s back!”Onj
c8Emcw“Inform the lord immediately!”oPIPD
8L7f4FjThe guards rushed to greet him, and several more ran toward the fortress to announce the news.7HV
7ZcHlZ“Has everyone been well?”Gyp
zDC“Of course, dorenim. We’ve read about you in the newspapers. We’re so proud…!”XVHZpx
8GQSF“It’s nothing special. Don’t praise me so much.”94c
0ckqf“What do you mean? You hunted a demon! It’s like the First Emperor has returned!”Qss
aOa6Q“It wasn’t a demon, it was a Corrupted, idiot.”FPYF
mIs“Same thing.”Bq2
sONHAint chuckled lightly, watching the guards bicker. The warmth of his homeland enveloped him.bGY
SckP6“Can I go in now?”JVW
hYq3“Of course! But…”sAB
y1LCAint noticed the stares weren’t on him—but on his shoulder.kWD6E
7ty0kEY“…Is that really a Saintbird?”64m
C3Z“T-two pairs of wings…”nUTirJh
chXGloIt was Silver, the Saintbird Fernan had entrusted to him to help convince his father.SRtn7
XVgE— Pii!57H5JcK
nAxYNoticing the attention, Silver flapped a wing as if waving.LzOAXj
VPZyRThe guards and surrounding crowd gasped.Wmxnl
iE2m“…Never thought I’d see a real Saintbird in my life.”q3zlTu
vesZct“How can something be this adorable…?”Qee
WE0“A Saintbird has returned to Armian!”SfQrnvD
wdnPRThe entrance filled with excitement.lszCDEI
YDXmE“Young master, can I touch it…?”ERdVYrj
cAg0Isz“No, he’s not used to being manhandled.”XOPU
7wYHuyM“Ah…”GPjjrl
BR7FGThe commotion didn’t stop, so Aint gestured.dAlJMR2
t2PKQdr“Can I enter now?”2VuYQ
EBV“O-of course! Why haven’t you opened the gates yet, idiots?!”dILMOkr
yGNOe5Aint passed through the gate. Despite the time that had passed, Atrin hadn’t changed much.stfY
4vH0t8— They said the city had fallen, so I thought it’d be in ruins. But it looks pretty prosperous.qO35
RLqW9Y‘You know what they say—even a fallen noble house can survive three years.’Mis
dX5ldBLThat was Armian. Though it had lost most of its lands, what remained was fertile ground.2KsSuNr
oKW— Pellenberg could probably last not three years, but three hundred.Kgbi5M
s4gOL7‘Can Fernan even go bankrupt?’Z2M7
uor— True, he’d never let his fortune go without fighting to the bitter end.dzT1
QsTUC2XThat greed gave Aint strength—and spelled doom for the Corrupted.bZy3SU
X9M“Young master!”NJI2US
xRSAs he walked down the avenue, a group of knights ran up. They were Armian’s last remaining knights—the Order of the Sacred Constellation.wcfTQuX
gy0Wj“Sir Gamelun.”bkshlA
lVXOH“As soon as we heard you’d returned, we dropped everything and came running.”Vk1
H6iv9“You didn’t have to.”XjT
V7r“We’ve followed your story in the papers. It fills us with pride.”jREgN
YE8TQV“You say that, but you’re not even looking at me—you’re looking at Silver.”8lWgp
tTw“Ah, sorry. We never imagined you’d have a real Saintbird…”UaD
OjR“It was luck.”oLWDT
yGnkU— You lost it to Fernan and were just lent it. That’s not luck.d5F
Gu2GgzyAint ignored Gardner.PaS5p
hzQJBwN— Is that the captain of the order?aMebvMa
84Is63R‘Yeah.’6bWV2Yx
0MIvfp— Wow. He’s competent, but in my time it was unthinkable for anyone outside the Royal Guard to lead such an order. Total decline.5HfxYj
IE1b— Maybe that’s why demons are descending again.ZHyZYM
tlpuAWXAint nearly burst out laughing but held it back. Now wasn’t the time for jokes upon reuniting with his knights.X8j9AUx
dg1c“The lord awaits.”kelF9
8I9Up“Let’s go. That’s why I came—to see my father.”RlOX
zhTtiiAt the top of the fortress was the lord’s office.Yx7PKLD
gmwrThe room was modest, reflecting its owner’s unpretentious character.Tvc2QYX
LTe“Sit down.”nXpQL
e9gXJq“Aint, it’s been a long time… huh? Is that really a Saintbird?”tDac2
Woygi5Upon entering, two people were waiting with tea and sweets ready.lRvkqSO
g0JiA middle-aged man with brilliant blond hair and eyes as blue as the sea.mBt
hMZB0And a woman with chestnut hair down to her waist and golden eyes.7qNboQI
2VmVgim“Father, Mother.”jUlMf
D6qUThey were Ferdicas Armian and his wife, Olivia Armian.jjni
TRBsch“Let me take a good look at you.”DzhbYXo
Ssqe9NtOlivia cupped his cheeks and examined him with concern.nmfmsN
F2yVuc“You look haggard. Seems you’ve lost weight. You must’ve suffered…”JyMeyG9
SIXfV2“I actually gained a little.”meNOZ
FvN0“No way. I’ll have them make all your favorite dishes. Ah! And that bird, what does he eat?”v9f6R
IpQ“His name’s Silver. He likes the best beef.”Lli6H
2TnC“Even that’s fancy.”Eil2C
okTxzWithout another word, she rushed off to find the chef.l2I7jO
V7w7M“…My mother hasn’t changed.”O5He59Z
tJj6hm“Her personality never will.”qbV03
4BmyIn contrast, the duke stayed seated, calmly observing his son.I5tNgAr
ewbdJ“How did you get a Saintbird? That’s more intriguing than seeing you.”wFHbwZ
n3N“More than your own son?”dF8
gACDT“Not since the First Emperor has one been tamed.”SqbEj
Kcrvs“It was luck.”jLi
f5F“It can’t just be luck.”KCX6t
wFfSY7RYou couldn’t raise a Saintbird on luck alone. The duke stared in fascination for a moment, then regained his serious demeanor.JvTtU4
kp6cTkY“It’s been four years, hasn’t it?”XquZJ5
O0L3nfe“Ahem… It was just youthful impulse…”6rv
CU39BFAint coughed and looked away.900
9NeS5— Four years?g1ySq2
3K93FG‘I promised not to come back until I graduated from the Academy.’TD0UgFO
kDaHEZmThere was nothing special behind it.0JGvG7P
VyfFmpThe duke had warned him about how he’d be treated at the Academy, but Aint insisted on going.cK7o
7kesRQ/“I respect your decision. But don’t push yourself. If it’s too hard, come home. No one here will blame you.”/5LovYwO
J3swZrThat irritated him. Even though he knew it was said out of love, it sounded like they already assumed he’d fail.PTOB
AM1osk“A year and a half isn’t that long.”PpAqad9
9LhMkK5“I came back today for a reason.”1pFRnL7
x7IbuA“A reason?”KFkPhlb
gtxLjI“I want to speak not as father and son, but as duke and vassal.”KEs
nkDyQAint’s solemn tone made the duke serious.bGml
sXGIf he returned before graduating and after fighting Corrupted, it must be something important.aQ0
IUH7“Speak.”pdsrG
8FFB“Don’t be too surprised.”FiZ9Vr
3tt0BD“Say it without fear.”38HxCc
vTatThe duke didn’t expect anything that could truly shock him.oMcU
14fW5xw“I borrowed money from the Pellenberg.”E61TQNX
cShb3L“…From the Pellenberg?”UUh3o
lvP“No. I already did.”GoE5
3m3q“…Ah.”kqwv
FJKkxkThe sky fell.XMA
fsRFSOThud—sD5o
vf8The duke slumped over the table.FtAAysf
3x4gDR— Pii! Pii!u5U
oTrLXMKAnd at hearing the name Pellenberg, Silver chirped with tears of joy.upUF1M
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