A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 174

Chapter 174

“Father!‍ Are you okay?”‌⁠

“Let go of me!”

The‌ duke brushed Aint’s⁠ hand aside and straightened up.

Pellenberg’s⁠ usurious loans had‍ always been infamous,⁠‌ but what had⁠ caused the most‌‌⁠ recent uproar was,‌ without a doubt, the deal with‌‌⁠ Bercheff.

A ten-year term, with an annual compound‍‍ interest of 33%.⁠

Considering⁠ the average usury‌‍ rate in the Empire hovered around‌‍‍ 8%, there was⁠ no greater exploitation‌‌‌ than that.

But‌ back then, Bercheff‌⁠ had no choice.‌

To‍ rebuild his house,‍ he urgently needed‌ another infusion of‌‌ money, and Pellenberg⁠⁠‌ had made sure⁠⁠ to block all‍ other sources.

All‍⁠‍ he could do‍‍ was borrow while‌‍ crying in frustration,‌ handing over enormous‍ guarantees in return.⁠

It‍⁠ was the very‍⁠ embodiment of vileness.⁠

The⁠‍‌ duke trembled with‌ rage at the‍ thought of doing⁠ that to a fellow prince-elector—even though‍ he himself hadn’t‌‌ been directly affected.‍

Then‌‍‌ came rumors that‍‌ the interest had‍ been forgiven, even‍‍‍ that a large‍ investment had been⁠ made, but in‌ the duke’s eyes, it had never‌‌‍ been out of‍ consideration for Bercheff.‌

‘He‍‌‌ probably did it‍⁠ because he feared‍ he wouldn’t recover⁠‌ the money if‌‍ Bercheff went under.’‌‌

That was Pellenberg.

And‌ now what?

Borrow money from Pellenberg?⁠⁠‍

“You damned fool! How⁠ could you make‌⁠ such a grave‍ decision on your⁠ own?! How much?!‍ How much did⁠‌ you borrow?!”

“…That‌‍ amount.”

Upon‍ hearing the number,‌ the duke’s vision⁠ went blurry. Not⁠ even selling all‍‍‌ the house’s assets‌‍ would reach that‍‌‍ sum.

The⁠ son he had⁠ sent to the‌‌⁠ Academy after a hundred years, who‍‍⁠ had made a name for himself‍⁠ as a hero⁠ and whom he‌‍⁠ was so proud‍‍ of, now stood‍ before him like‌ a demon.

Perhaps‌ the demon of‌ usury. With seventy-two⁠‌ demons in existence,‍ it wouldn’t be‌ strange if one‍ of them was⁠ like that.

Yes,‌ this was the⁠‍ work of a demon. Before descending‌⁠‍ again to conquer⁠ the world, it‌ was trying to⁠ ruin Armian in‍ advance.

Otherwise,⁠‍‍ there was no explanation.

“Son, I know you’re‍‌‍ scared, but listen⁠‍ to me first.”‍‌

What⁠‌‍ enraged the duke⁠ the most was⁠ precisely that calm‌‌‍ face. He didn’t even seem to‍ grasp the magnitude‍‍ of his wrongdoing.‍‍

The‌ problem was having raised him like‍⁠ a frog in‍ a well.

Thrown‍‍ into the jungle⁠ of the Academy‍ without knowing anything,‍‍ he would’ve been‍ scammed a hundred⁠‍ times over.

“What‍ were you trying‌ to achieve with‍ such madness? What‌⁠ the hell were⁠⁠⁠ you thinking?”

“It⁠‌‍ was the best‌‌ option.”

“The‌ best? This is‍ outright entrapment!”

Beyond⁠⁠‌ the interest rate, what kind of⁠ idiot lends a fortune to someone‌ ruined?

Pellenberg‌ would never lend more money than‍‍ Armian was worth⁠⁠ without expecting something⁠‌⁠ in return.

There was undoubtedly a hidden motive.

“Father!”‍‍

Aint‌ raised his voice,‌⁠ cutting off the‌‍‌ duke’s train of⁠ thought.

“Could‌⁠ you please look‍⁠ at this?”

He‍ knew that more⁠‍ than a thousand‌⁠ words, a document‌‍ would be enough⁠ to convince him.

He⁠ carefully took out‌⁠⁠ the contract he⁠⁠⁠ had kept in‌⁠ his chest.

“The‌‍ original contract I signed with Senior‌ Fernan Pellenberg.”

“Fine,‌⁠ let me see‌ it. I want‍⁠ to know what‍‍ the hell made‍‌ you trust Pellenberg enough to sign⁠‌‍ a contract with⁠‍ him!”

The duke was convinced‌ that his son,⁠ intoxicated by his‌‌ fame as a hero, had been‍ swindled.

He‍⁠ unfolded the contract⁠ and began examining it, while Aint‍⁠‍ continued.

“Father,‍ I don’t intend⁠ to settle for‍‌ just being a hero.”

Heroism⁠ was merely the‍ beginning.

“Since I was little,⁠‍ I always heard‌‍ the same thing—Armian⁠⁠ was great, and‍ one day it‍ would be great⁠ again.”

Empty‍ words from those clinging to past‍ glory.

“I⁠ hated hearing that.”

What‌⁠‌ use was being‍⁠ great in the‍‌ past if now‌ it was so⁠⁠ pitiful?

And‍‌‍ how were they‍ going to be‍‍ great again, confined⁠ within the few remaining territories, without even stepping outside?⁠

“That’s‌‍ why I wanted‍‍ to go to‌ the Academy—and I went.”

He didn’t want just⁠ words. He wanted⁠‍ to see it‌ with his own eyes.

At‍ first, it wasn’t‌⁠‌ anything grand. He just wanted to‌ escape a stifling‍‍ home and face reality.

His curiosity about the‌ sword of the⁠ First Emperor also‍‌ played a role.‍

But⁠‍ after meeting Gardner,⁠⁠ facing demons, being⁠‌ recognized as a hero, and receiving‌‍ Fernan Pellenberg’s offer of help, a desire awakened in⁠‍ him that he⁠‌‌ didn’t think he⁠‌‍ had.

“I⁠‍ want to restore⁠‌⁠ Armian’s greatness.”

As‍ much as before—or‍⁠ even more.

“I‌‍ want to make‌ Armian an imperial‍ house again, Father.”⁠

The duke’s hands, flipping‌⁠‌ through the contract,‍ stopped abruptly.

“But‌‍ that’s not something‌ I can do⁠ just by wanting‌⁠ it, or because‍ I’m a hero.”‍‌

A hero without power‌‌‍ to back it⁠ up remains just⁠ a hero. An‍ emperor needs both⁠ glory and a solid foundation.

That’s‌ how Armian must be.

“That’s⁠⁠ why I thought⁠⁠ we needed to‌ strengthen Armian. And‍ for that, a lot of money‌‍ is necessary. Senior‍‌‌ Fernan agreed to help me.”

That highly favorable contract⁠‍ was the proof.

“You‌‍‌ know better than I do that⁠‌ these conditions are⁠‍‍ excellent.”

“……”‍‍‍

“Father.⁠ If we want‌‌ to rebuild Armian,‌‍ we need that⁠ money.”

The⁠‌ duke didn’t respond;⁠‍‍ he just reread⁠ the contract over‌ and over again.⁠

“In‌‌‌ truth…”

After‍ a long silence,‌ he began to⁠ speak.

“I‌‌‌ don’t care about⁠⁠⁠ Armian’s glory, or‍‍⁠ the crown.”

Unlike⁠‍ Aint, he had‍ no attachment to‌ lost glory.

“Why‍ recover something that’s‍‍ already over? It‌ was glory, yes—but in the past.‌⁠ A man must⁠‍ live in the‍‌ present. I don’t⁠‍ cling to what⁠‌‍ I haven’t lived.”‌‍

Besides,‌ he knew how‌‌⁠ much suffering and‌⁠‍ bloodshed trying to‌ restore it would‌ bring. That’s why⁠‍ he rejected it.‍

“I⁠ couldn’t find a reason to shoulder‌ such a burden.‌⁠ In truth, I was afraid.”

Even‌‍ with a grand‌‌ title, he knew‌ his resolve wasn’t‌ as strong.

“I⁠ feared that if‌‌ Armian fought to⁠‌ reclaim the crown,‍⁠ before we succeeded,⁠⁠ we’d have already‍ shed seas of‍‌⁠ blood.”

He‍ knew Schwaben would‌ never allow it. And the current⁠⁠ fragile peace would‌⁠ shatter.

“But⁠ you’re different.”

You⁠‌ broke isolation and⁠‍‌ went to the‌⁠ Academy.

You⁠‌ faced the corrupt and became a hero.

You’ve‌ drawn a concrete‍ plan and set‌⁠ it in motion.‍‍‍

“You’re‍⁠‌ better than me.”‌

The duke set the⁠ contract down on the table.

“This‌⁠ contract is excellent.⁠‍⁠ Too good. No merchant but Pellenberg⁠‍⁠ would lend money⁠ on such terms.”‌⁠

Fernan‌ Pellenberg truly saw‍ Aint as a future emperor.

“I’m‌ the one who⁠ wasn’t up to⁠‌‍ the task.”

What‍‍ Pellenberg had seen‍ in his son,‌ he as a father had failed⁠‍ to see.

“You‍ want to be emperor?”

“Yes.”‌‌

“Then‌ give me the⁠⁠ money Pellenberg gave⁠ you.”

I’ll‍ make Armian your‍‍ base.

“Do‌ whatever you want,⁠ with no limits.”

“A⁠‍ father supports his‍ child’s path—never hinders‍‌ it. Even if‍‌‌ the end is‌ not bright.”

The‌ duke didn’t know⁠‌ it yet—that money,‍‌ in truth, had‌ always been meant‍‍ to be his‍ from the beginning.⁠

***‍⁠

“How‍‌‌ will we do‍⁠‍ it?”

Relocating‍ nearly ten thousand‍ dwarves to Pellenberg⁠⁠ territory without anyone⁠ finding out.

He‌‍ had said it‍‍‌ confidently, but even‌‌ for Pellenberg, it⁠ wasn’t an easy‌ task.

“What⁠ if we disguise‍⁠ them as company⁠‌ workers and move‌ them little by‍ little?”

“That would take too‌‍ long. And more‍ importantly, we’d have to go to‌ Fridian too often.‌ Obviously, they’d notice⁠ something strange there.”‍

“True…”‌‌

At‌ that moment, the‍ butler knocked on‍ the door.

“Young‍‍ master, the lord⁠‍‍ duke asks for⁠ you upstairs.”

“I’m‍⁠ going, Hyde.”

“Take‌ your time.”

They‍‍ had returned to the main house‌‌ and requested an‌⁠ audience with the⁠‌ duke.

Although‍⁠ they already had‍ the contract, a matter of such‍ scale was impossible‌⁠ without putting all‌ of Pellenberg’s power‌‍ behind it.

Besides,‌‍ there were other‍ things to report—like⁠ the fact that Daniel Kool was‍ a corrupt.

“…Daniel‍‌‌ Kool is a corrupt?”

“Yes.‍ But I’d rather we leave him⁠⁠ be.”

“Why?”

Duke‌ Yvon didn’t say⁠⁠ it was impossible.‌‍

“I‌‌ think he had‌‌ me under hypnosis.‌‍‌ He’s convinced I’m‍‌‍ on his side,⁠ so I plan‍⁠ to use that⁠‌ to trace the‌‌‍ root.”

“And‌ Adolf of Fridian?”⁠

“Same.”⁠⁠‍

“I’ve‌ heard the corrupt‍ are masters of‍‌ mental magic. I’m‍⁠ surprised you broke it.”

“I‍ used holy water.”‍

“Still,⁠ go see Count‍⁠ Dulleo for a check-up.”

“Yes.”‍⁠‍

With⁠‌ the first topic‌ closed, the duke‍ got straight to‍ the point.

“It’s⁠ incredible. A dwarven‍ city beneath Fridian?”⁠

His‌‍‌ eyes widened as he reviewed the contract Fernan showed⁠‍‍ him.

No⁠⁠ one would have‍‌ suspected it—right under‍‌⁠ their noses.

“And‌‍ you want to⁠ integrate them all‍ into Pellenberg.”

“The⁠ situation was urgent,‍ so I promised⁠‍‍ them the county⁠‍ of Algot in‌ advance. I apologize.”⁠

“No,⁠ you did very‍ well. If we‌ gain those people,‍ we can offer‍‍ far more than⁠⁠ the county of‌ Algot.”

Even so, they would⁠ come out ahead.‌

“I’ll⁠ speak with the‍ count. But you⁠‌ said their condition is to move⁠ without the elves‍‌ discovering it.”

“They‍ asked that no⁠ one find out,‍ if possible.”

“That’s‌‌ not difficult.”

“You‍‍ have a method?”‍

The⁠‍ duke nodded calmly.‌‌‌

“Where⁠‍ exactly is the⁠⁠‍ dwarven city?”

“Near‌⁠‌ the center of Denberi. At the‍‌ northeastern edge of‌ the Fridian marquisate.”⁠

Thanks‍‍ to that rocky⁠‍ mountain range, Fridian‍⁠ had resisted Imperial‍ pressure fairly well,‌‌ since it was⁠⁠ considered worthless land.‌‌

“The⁠‍ domain of Holtian‍ isn’t too far,‍‍ right?”

The‍ domain of Holtian⁠‍⁠ was one of‌‍ the few territories‌⁠⁠ Pellenberg held on⁠ the continent of Lutar, adjacent to‍ the Fridian marquisate.‍

“You want them to‌‍⁠ dig a tunnel‍ from the city‌‍ to the domain⁠ of Holtian?”

“Exactly.”‌

If‌ anyone questioned the⁠ dwarves suddenly appearing‍‌ in Holtian, they⁠ could always say‍‍‌ they had lived‍ there before.

No‌‌ one would dare⁠ accuse Pellenberg without⁠‌ solid proof.

“Still,‌ even if it’s⁠ relatively close, the‍‌‍ distance is not‍ small. And in⁠⁠⁠ between is forest,‍ not rocky mountains.‌ Even underground, the⁠ elves might notice.”‌

However⁠‍ short, that stretch‌⁠ was elven territory.⁠

The‍⁠ trees influenced by⁠⁠‍ the World Tree⁠‍⁠ buried their roots‌‍ deeply; it wasn’t‍ something to take‌ lightly.

“Then‌‍ have them go⁠ around another way.‌ They’re dwarves, right?‌ It can’t be‌ that they lack‌ the skill.”

The‍ duke unfolded a map.

“From Denberi, following the‍‍‌ mountain range, through the county of‍ Baden…”

His‍‍ finger traced a line. It skirted⁠⁠ around Fridian’s territory‌‍ and reached the‍ domain of Holtian.‌

“All‍ they need is⁠ to reach Holtian.‌‌ From there, we’ll‌‍‍ transport them directly‍‍ to the continent of Pandrein.”

And‍‌ most of Pandrein⁠‍⁠ was under Pellenberg⁠‍ influence. Once there,⁠⁠ everything would be resolved.

“…It‌⁠‍ will be a colossal project.”

“But⁠‌ it’s the simplest‌⁠ option.”

The‌ problem was that⁠ even underground, the⁠ distance would require⁠ time and vast⁠⁠ resources.

“I’ll‌‌‍ cover everything. And‍⁠⁠ for extra safety, I’ll speak with⁠‌‌ the Count of‍ Baden.”

The‌‍ hurdle was that‌⁠‌ the tunnel would‍ have to pass‌ beneath his lands.

Maybe⁠‍ there wouldn’t be⁠‍⁠ an issue going⁠ deep enough—but one‍‌ never knows.

“I’ll‍‌ organize a festival‌ in Baden County.‍ With noise and‍‌⁠ crowds, vigilance relaxes.”⁠‍

In‍ that atmosphere, no one would suspect⁠ what’s happening underground.‌⁠

“The⁠‌‌ deadline is one month.”

Everything‌‌⁠ had to be⁠⁠ ready by then.‌‍⁠

“There’s⁠ no need to‍‍⁠ complete the migration.‍ It’s enough for‌‍‍ the tunnel to be open so⁠ at least one‍ person can pass.⁠ Once the route⁠ is safe, the⁠‌ migration can begin⁠ later.”

“Understood.‍‍ I’ll carry the‍ supplies in a subspace pouch.”

“I’ll⁠ open the storerooms‍‌ and give you‍ more pouches.”

With⁠‌ the duke’s word‍ that he would‌ fulfill the contract⁠ to the letter,⁠‌ Fernan returned that same night to⁠ the dwarven city.⁠‌

And⁠ from that day⁠ on, a groundbreaking⁠‍ engineering project began.⁠‌‍