Chapter 183
IKRrThe duel ended at that moment.njq
1Sa8hqr“Are you okay?”MUk7C
OwgThe instant Luina was sent flying like a doll, Fernan jumped up and ran toward her.UZ608
0OkPY5“…I’m fine.”BLvSm
TcZFuAlthough a trickle of blood ran from the corner of her lips, her life didn’t seem in danger. In fact, her expression reflected a strange satisfaction.wHuFOGk
ElrFernan poured half a healing potion over her wounds and gave her the rest to drink.KhV
Izu“Thank you.”NvTKa
J6e“Wow… can’t you see the hole she opened in my shoulder?”bMgTQ
L3rQ“Do you need potion?”KQJ2kk
XxYk61L“No need. With a little willpower, this heals.”AWWl
0r8IBr“…A hole in a body doesn’t regenerate with willpower, you know. That’s more like a troll than a human.”ef7t0M
tq0fAs monstrous as the Altrierc bloodline was said to be, there were limits.z8pJad0
AMQVJJ“Can you stand?”UXSL
pWC2Za“Yes, of course.”99zA
stvKatrina ignored Fernan’s mutter and extended her hand to Luina.edVqX
8toocos“You can be proud of your skill. It’s been a long time since I was wounded.”6IU
GunI“It’s an honor.”Oibtk
ZJP7kb“Albinos has raised an exceptional daughter. If you keep growing like this, a position among the Royal Knights will practically be yours in the future.”yNqc
hAJxwD“You flatter me too much.”VSAb4p
oPVpTTAt the highest praise Katrina could offer, Luina bowed her head.3wOjPJB
SzThIk“I’ll assign you a competent healer. Rest well today.”Xdn
2gY“Thank you for your consideration.”Djz9ha
5kx“I enjoyed it too. Hopefully we can do it again sometime.”s6b
0zzrHnp“Really?”DUB
t8l“Of course. You can reach out to me anytime you like.”3lANHym
YIK“Thank you very much!”dm0A
UWejuPcLuina’s face lit up as if she had been gifted chocolate.IdS
exMwgt***jQw
xM8Xe7mJust as Fernan had foreseen, Luina wasn’t in condition to depart immediately. Even though she had received first aid with a top-level potion, she had three broken ribs. Thanks to her aura, she’d protected her internal organs, but bones still needed time to heal.EoBd
enu2uN“Your body is resilient. I’ve aligned the bones properly, but for them to fuse as they should, you must rest for at least a day.”WuGtuI
KUOe“Thank you.”kMJ
HyagThe assigned healer had reduced her recovery to just one day.ZL5VJv9
XE7fIs“How are you feeling?”lBn3
gQGF“Perfect.”qCgOW9x
D98lzLgBy the next morning, her condition had improved notably, but Katrina wasn’t about to let her leave just yet.77wbKW
lbm“What’s the rush? What’s fallen can’t be picked up again. At least stay until lunch. That way we can talk about the new products.”47t5
lEGqgwiIt was clear Katrina had taken a real liking to her.1E3QV
YxbFDK“At your age, you already have remarkable skill. Far beyond my sons.”DuemQ
X1fv“I’m honored.”UGfc2
2c0Y“It’s not flattery, it’s the truth. None of my four sons could defeat you.”bfN
1Qdtd34During breakfast they served freshly baked bread, soup, and a salmon salad.YRPNJJ
xT6fD7“So, there still isn’t a product that completely removes scars, right?”xOEu2SL
zbz“I’ll try to develop one as soon as possible.”O1CwmvS
caXi6w“If you need it, I’m willing to invest.”dCJ
OgfyTAt tea time, she served the same Hersse as the previous day, accompanied by delicate treats.zbD
s2FEHYh“By the way, what a lovely villa.”Pnjyb
OSHCuY“It’s in a privileged spot. From here, I can enjoy the view of Lake Baikan while I drink tea. That’s why I often come to rest. And thanks to that, I was lucky enough to run into you.”BrWR
ALs“I see.”aR2
RzxpGAfter a good lunch, Fernan and his group were finally able to leave Altrierc.k7T
xorn71“And you, Ert Gismond, was it? If you ever want to spar with me, I’d be delighted.”ghm6fM
WyTz“N-no, I’ll pass!”AI7H
nyMUrh“Luina, you can contact me anytime. If I had a daughter like you, I’d be so happy. Though with my useless sons, I wouldn’t even dare think of marrying you to one.”ZTaWqX
5FjipShe even accompanied them to the port to see them off.RGad36j
JXsPk4p“It was a very enriching experience. I’d never fought a Royal Knight other than my father. It was a different kind of experience.”uI4LxQs
X3FtJust different? No. Every Royal Knight possessed their own style and mastery—a unique culmination of their sword and teachings. Just as her father had his own, Katrina had hers. Witnessing it and feeling it firsthand was a privilege money couldn’t buy.uOE7GEZ
Q34Z2“If I could, I’d like to face all the Royal Knights. Though I don’t know if they’d accept.”jz3JZam
35LiF“If you wish, I can arrange a meeting with some of them.”axU
aXJQ“No, thank you. I can’t always rely on you.”VyfE
coweqHThe ship moved quickly until it docked in Alprosen.dwx3w2D
CHj7qIt was the port city of Jessen, a place that lacked nothing compared to the capitals of the electoral princes.ZLm6
yl4FI3aAmong the bustling crowds, Fernan headed first to the local branch of the Golden Turtle.dNv
vA9“Welcome, young master. We’ve been expecting you.”y9Y
dBA8TKVThe branch chief, informed by Duke Yvon, received him enthusiastically and led him to his private office.BVYoo2x
tBn“Where is my father?”tmxf9
sNq“The duke is resting at his villa on Moldin Island.”PBDrFxn
mOqXNMoldin Island, on Lake Baikan, was famous for its mild climate and beautiful landscapes. Nobility often built villas there for retreats.snz
4rxd‘So my father stationed himself nearby to take control if necessary.’Wn5
37NThere was no reason for a Duke of Pellenberg to be officially in a foreign kingdom, so he used the excuse of a vacation.ZmaDrQA
Z4p“How is the situation on the Hopen plains?”jzeqQGC
rIio“It’s been two weeks of nonstop rain. The north is starting to flood. If it continues, the disaster will be worse.”LxZRDgv
esM84g‘Just as I thought.’aK6H
ldU“How has Alprosen responded?”zhna
ioImM“At first, they were slow to act, but with the ongoing rains they sent troops to help evacuate refugees and begin reconstruction. However, with constant rain, there’s little they can do.”Yt2N
u2qAs expected. The storm wouldn’t stop until it had devastated the plains. That’s what the corrupt wanted.bZqhyH
y68s‘Demonic magic truly is the most refined. How the hell do they manage to keep it raining over the entire north for weeks?’pm06
9uM7EDAnd there was still over a week of downpours to go. Even if not always torrential, it was incomprehensible even for Fernan. Not even ten Archmages together could manage such a feat.OGFX8
YXALX“How are the grain prices?”no4l5Z1
TOz“Wheat, corn, and rice have skyrocketed. The warehouses of all the branches in Alprosen are filling up, but we haven’t received orders. The duke told us to wait for your instructions.”XgV
2AocwFernan had to decide the exact moment to maximize profit.uHLAf
w8Glib‘Not yet.’F5DHe
JHMGThe rains would continue, and prices would keep rising. The grain had to be released slowly, just before the absolute peak.6mMs
3rq‘We’ll save the crown prince—but we’ll collect the reward.’QPzgijR
SOgoy5The profits from the grain would reach a satisfying amount.YlKjfeD
qvSQfdq“It’s not time yet. I’ll give the order.”Ntg5d
hdgK“Yes, we’ll be ready. Oh, and…”xKKk
QXmSphThe chief pulled out an envelope bearing a whale emblem—the royal family’s symbol.Qga
sbo6“A servant of the crown prince delivered this in secret.”xcWfeB
kmvtGg7“Thank you.”Kd5RNKV
llcP12Once in his room, Fernan opened the envelope. Inside was a brief letter and a small pendant.L0FC
QYWqhZk[When you arrive, deliver this pendant at Jessen’s town hall. In a few days, I’ll come find you at the branch.]fVb08IZ
TivJZMXThe message was short, but clear.dB1EU
KfoFernan ordered Hyde to deliver the pendant to the town hall.3SqH
y9JOiThe next day.3PpFF
ID00Ge“Are you Fernan Pellenberg?”6aG
htZ5a“That’s right.”lHq
pfqM“I’m sorry to inform you that His Highness is no longer in the city. He left yesterday for the north. If you wait a few days…”WyOdQJ
KWWjUN1He’d already left?RVGd3n1
pwGrFernan’s eyes opened wide.IM1Lu6m
rSiLwf5***cNTz
hhkA9rA difference of just half a day.htMZ
E3PhIRKnowing the other’s destination, it wasn’t hard to close the gap.pKKhAc9
msXw“Welcome!”dVyR
RpibRoderick Fisher handed his tired horse to the stable boy and entered the tavern. After scanning the bustling hall, he spotted who he was looking for.oHb
sN5‘Aint Armian!’VFOG
xjIA face he’d seen to the point of exhaustion in Frazia.XNh
QmQXXGFor an instant, he felt the urge to kill him. It wasn’t common for Aint to stray from Fernan’s side or leave the Academy. Maybe this was the perfect opportunity.7whN3FI
sYuX‘…Impossible. It’s too late now.’SE0z5
kpB9OHe thought twice. If he wanted to kill him, he should’ve done it earlier. Now Aint was far too strong, especially against the corrupt and monsters. Killing him alone was unfeasible.OKZM
zAnllvAnd worse yet, by his side were Aria Fridian and Verian Kalburdern, two of the Academy’s top students.G8z
iIRu‘…Wait, only two? Weren’t there three?’B3M
hVTWhere was Fernan?Hxw
UkGRoderick sat in a corner and ordered a dark beer.URLWosN
1IOv45He waited, assuming Fernan was in the bathroom, but finished his mug without the boy appearing.snbA6i
V4GP‘Fernan Pellenberg isn’t here?’CtboOFU
ZbbmThey were supposed to have traveled together by boat. Where the hell had he gone? He couldn’t make sense of it, and anxiety began to grow.QVu49
fQQfixW‘Without Fernan, Aint can’t be controlled.’kx5JV6
neMzxZAint, with his opposing energy, was immune to hypnosis. The only way was to tighten control over Fernan and manipulate Aint through him. But Fernan was absent.kesg0
oHBAfter thinking it over, Roderick decided to approach directly.AcjiqA
55iXKIM“Well, what a surprise to see familiar faces here.”2r5VIdC
sLcanI“Oh, Captain Roderick?”aoxSYm
N2dcs“That’s right. Miss Aria, it’s been a while.”N2O
mp0bHe casually drew closer and sat at their table.i5oZ0
7hCZ“What brings you here?”3H6
iZAk7“You know how mercenary life is—traveling all over the continent for assignments. My men are around somewhere.”36mIh
iyzw9C“It’s been a while, Captain. We owe you a lot from back then.”d3uBU2
TvQS“It was nothing, just doing my job.”rJC8uB0
D3UKuWith a rough laugh, Roderick drank from his new mug and asked:xx5yG
Q4Zb“And you all? It’s not holiday season at the Academy.”jnoBSJG
eHOso“Something we had to take care of.”Vd3iN9c
AAb1STSomething surely related to Esrin. Roderick clenched his teeth in silence.aTh
azJf“I see. If it’s a secret, I understand. By the way, just you three?”djj
46gx“Yes, why?”96LJM7r
i31“Oh, I thought if Fernan were nearby, I might drop a gold coin.”rrelR2c
oKAJ60“How materialistic.”jFawyp0
zV7FH5“Mercenaries live off that.”xsO7nS
M2G“True.”iX55A
iDl97VcAria and Roderick exchanged a smile.vDK
L1PHEN6“Fernan’s not here. He must still be at the Academy.”MCI
fInIm“Ah, right, of course.”BMI
e4N69QC‘Lies. I know he’s not there. So where the hell did he go?’psP
B8IeTHThe meal lasted about half an hour. Roderick tried several times to coax out information, but always got the same answer. In the end, he had no choice but to leave.dsFVJv
7PY“It’s been a pleasure. We’ll meet again.”1Pn
8Wa1k“Yes, take care.”i9fPef
t1hAQIWhen he and his men left the tavern, Aint’s eyes darkened.SjAQOTJ
4dAhe‘What do you think?’tf9Cbs4
JXn23H5— Just as Fernan said.S4Mn
b6W‘Yeah. It’s incredible. How could he foresee all of this?’MGVa
SEvxhpHe remembered his words:64IOv
vF0“If anyone asks about me, never answer. Just say you don’t know.”eDL
FaeRAnd so it was. An enemy had come looking—Roderick Fisher, a corrupt.ZvJm6aa
mFVGBmFernan had already told Aint the truth. Though he had once wanted to kill him, he chose to ignore him and use him when useful.RUQkx
nTn0C‘Why is he looking for him?’K0i
qoj— Isn’t it obvious?6NzA0zx
J9NGardner Alfenparsen laughed inside his mind.ii9BaOJ
2NLRN— Whatever Fernan did, it must’ve been something the corrupt absolutely hate.AoZl
JL0YB5— Leave it. Fernan knows what he’s doing.vknTp
8mvSyTThe confidence in his voice sparked curiosity in Aint.uip
hecm‘So now you trust him. You used to just call him rich.’PADfUJ
fx6WlU— Back then, there was no other way to see him. But he’s proven himself. I won’t deny what I’ve seen with my own eyes.lJAT
Umx9L‘Still, you called him rich for a long time. The Pellenbergs have been the richest family on the continent for a thousand years. How could they be?’6rNXo
ywxGardner let out a dry laugh.Ssd0fb
m8HG— Because in my time, they were. On the Pandrein continent, they were barely known. Compared to Lutar, they were nothing.T29
DEYYqk7— But after a few deals with demons, they amassed colossal wealth. The demons didn’t value gold or metals, and Pellenberg took advantage of that.U1CpSq
RBoPC8With that, the demons tried to use them to divide humans, and the Pellenbergs, happy to receive what the demons didn’t need, grew excessively.bnxnEZI
KgvQVS‘Wow… the Pellenbergs really are impressive. Then and now.’sDc1y
AlTFVwr— They’re obsessed with money. But if they’re on your side, there are no more loyal allies.kFZ
pCQReassured, Aint returned his focus to the meal.x8D5
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