A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 192

Chapter 192

The⁠‌‍ collapsed ground didn’t⁠⁠ stop until they⁠‍‍ had fallen nearly‌‍⁠ several hundred meters.‌

“Hahh,‌‍‌ hahh…!”

Roderick‍ was breathing heavily.⁠ The wounds inflicted‍‌⁠ by Aint were⁠ burning.

“Aint,‌ Fernan, Aint, Fernan,⁠⁠ Aint, Fernan…”

They‍ had known from‍‍ the beginning? And⁠ still, they ridiculed‍⁠ him?

It‍⁠ was the first‍‍‍ time he had suffered such humiliation.‌‌ An uncontrollable fury‌ reddened his face.

But‌⁠ when he saw‍‍ Aint and the⁠‌ other two insects staring at the⁠⁠ enormous underground hall⁠ they had fallen‍ into, his anger⁠‍ calmed a little.⁠⁠⁠

‘Yes,‍‍ even if they⁠ knew, now that‌⁠ they’ve entered here,‌ they’re going to‍ die.’

No⁠ matter how well Fernan had prepared‍ them, so what?‍‍ The fact remained‌ that they were‌ only three.

“Did you ask if⁠‍‌ I had any‌ more surprises?”

It‍‌⁠ was only a little more complete⁠ than expected, but‌‍‌ the essentials hadn’t‌ changed.

The‍⁠ only difference was‍ that they would‌ hold out a bit longer. This place would still‍⁠‌ be their grave.‌

“You⁠ would’ve been better‌⁠ off not coming,‍⁠‍ paralyzed by fear.”⁠⁠

Fernan’s‌⁠ precautions had made⁠‍‌ them overconfident, leading‍ them straight into⁠‍⁠ their own trap.‌‍‍

“You⁠‍ should thank Fernan.⁠ Thanks to him,⁠ I can kill you right here.”⁠‌⁠

“What⁠⁠ talent for saying nonsense so convincingly—”‌

“Wait,‌ Verian.”

Aria‍ stopped the one‍ shouting. Her pupils‌‍ trembled with seriousness.‍‍‍

“Aint, this…”

“Yes. Maybe that guy‍ is right.”

From⁠ every corner of‍ the vast hall‌‌ came monstrous presences.⁠‌ They were much‌⁠ stronger and more⁠ numerous than those‌ outside.

— …He summoned beasts‍‌ of this level?

— How many servants‌‌ did that damn‌‍‌ third prince give‌‍ to the corrupt?!⁠‍

The creatures began to‍ reveal their forms.

There were hundreds. But‌ it wasn’t the‌ number that was‌ terrifying—it was the‍ quality.

— …They’re rank 1.‌‍ Rahnas.

They‌ were Rahnas, first-rank‌‌‍ demons known as‌⁠ generals of the⁠ infernal armies. And⁠‌ there were two⁠⁠ of them!

— There are also‍‌ several of rank⁠‍ 2.

Aint‌ bit his lips.‍‍‍

One,‍ even two, would‍⁠⁠ still be manageable with the help⁠‌⁠ of Armian’s holy‍ light.

But⁠ there was no‌⁠ way to deal⁠ with everything else—the⁠⁠ hundreds of monsters,⁠‍ Roderick as a corrupt, and the⁠⁠ Blue Wolf mercenaries now serving as‌ dogs to the⁠ corrupt.

Realizing‍ the reality, Aint’s⁠ expression changed. Emboldened,⁠ Roderick let out‌‍‌ a laugh.

“You’re‌⁠ only realizing your situation now?”

Hahaha… he laughed.

Emergency⁠ food? Luxurious tents?⁠‍ Potions like water?‍ Defensive and flying‍⁠‌ amulets?

“So⁠ what about all⁠⁠‍ that? None of‌‍⁠ it matters here!”

Maybe⁠‍‌ the potions, but⁠ they would only⁠ extend their lives.⁠⁠ They weren’t enough⁠‍‍ to save them.‌

Roderick’s‍ eyes gleamed with‍ madness.

Today,‌ Aint Armian would‌ die. He would‍ finally eliminate the‌‌‌ enemy who had‍‍ so often foiled‌⁠ his plans.

“Good.”‍

He released a wave‌ of demonic energy. The creatures responded,‍‍ roaring with even⁠⁠ more ferocity.

“Die—”⁠‍

Clap—‌

A muffled clap echoed‍ against the cavern‌‍ walls.

Clap,⁠ clap, clap, clap—‍

The‍⁠ clapping intensified, accompanied‌ by approaching footsteps.‌

“The‌ hero of humanity!⁠ The hero of⁠ the Empire! At⁠ last, I meet‍ Aint Armian.”

The monsters stepped aside,‌‍ opening a path.⁠ But at the‌ end, it wasn’t⁠ another corrupt or‍‍ a new beast that appeared.

Humans.⁠

“Pleasure‍ to meet you.⁠‌ I am the‌‌ third prince of‍⁠ Esrin, Tulwin Esrin.”⁠‌‍

He‌‍ was a prince‌ with a hundred⁠⁠ knights and soldiers‍ at his side.⁠‌‍

“This‌⁠ may not be‌⁠‌ the ideal place,‌⁠‌ but what does‌‌ it matter? What’s important is that‌ we’ve met.”

He⁠⁠ smiled, stopping casually‌ a short distance from Aint, flanked‍‌ by his guards.⁠ The monsters didn’t‍ attack them.

“…The⁠ third prince… your‍‍‌ highness?”

Aint,‌ Aria, and Verian‌‍ were stunned. No,‍‍ it was more‌‌‌ accurate to say‍‍ they were experiencing‍ cognitive dissonance.

They‍ had suspected the⁠ third prince might‍ be cooperating with‍⁠⁠ the corrupt to dethrone his brother,⁠⁠ but never imagined‌ he would appear⁠ so blatantly.

“That’s right. I am‍‌ Tulwin Esrin.”

That⁠⁠ overflowing confidence and arrogance was something⁠ Aint’s logic couldn’t‌ comprehend.

“…So‍ it was true⁠ that he allied⁠ with the corrupt.”‍‌

“It‌⁠ is. And what’s‌‍‍ the problem?”

“The⁠‍ problem is that‌‌ you think there‍‍ isn’t one.”

“I‍‌ don’t see it⁠⁠⁠ that way.”

Tulwin’s‌‍ sharp eyes didn’t⁠⁠ show a hint⁠‍ of deceit. In‌ the darkness, they‍ gleamed with the‍⁠ same brown irises‍ as his brother.‍

He‌⁠‍ stepped forward firmly.⁠

“Some⁠ will call me⁠⁠⁠ a traitor to‍ humanity for allying with the corrupt.‍ That’s just envy‍ from the incapable.”‍

“I⁠ don’t envy you,‌‌‍ your highness.”

But‍ Aint moved.

Clang—‍

His sword stopped centimeters from the prince’s⁠‌ face. A knight⁠‌ had intervened, and‍⁠ the rest of‍⁠ the guards reacted⁠‌ immediately.

“How dare you attack‌ his highness!”

“Damned‌⁠‍ insolent!”

In response to their shouting and murderous⁠ hostility, Aint returned‍⁠ a gaze of⁠ pure contempt.

“That’s‌ your argument?”

“I‍‌ don’t envy you,‍ but I’m also⁠‍ not indulgent enough⁠ to let a traitor live.”

“You’re‍ stubborn. It seems‍ you don’t understand‌‌‌ the situation. Do⁠ you think you’re‌ in any position‍ to speak like⁠ that?”

The‍‌ knights surrounded Aint‍ fiercely.

“Aint!”‌

“Aint!”‍⁠

“That’s‌‍ not going to‍ happen.”

Roderick‍ moved the monsters,‌ separating Aria and⁠‍ Verian from him.‌

“Aint Armian, do you‍‍ despise others hiring⁠‍‌ mercenaries?”

“That’s‌ sophistry. Mercenaries and‍ corrupts aren’t the⁠ same.”

“For‍⁠ me, they are—they’re⁠ just means to‍‍ an end.”

Just‍ like using an‌ army to hunt‍‌ monsters.

Just‌⁠‍ like using money‌⁠ to earn more‍ money.

For⁠ him, the corrupt‍‍‍ were only tools⁠ depending on who‍ wielded them.

“But⁠ I see you‍ as a fool‌‌ dancing in a traitor’s hands.”

“…Audacious.‌‍ Even if you‌‍‍ are an Armian,⁠‍‍ it seems I must remind you⁠ of your place.”‍

The⁠ third prince clicked‌‍ his tongue and‌⁠ gestured with his‍‍ chin. The knights attacked en masse.⁠

Ten‌ swords descended at‍ once.

Aint⁠‌ took a deep‍ breath and deflected‌‍ them all. The⁠ real battle had begun.

— Ally with corrupts?‌‌ That naive brat‍‌ doesn’t know what‌‍ he’s saying.

— All the humans who collaborated with‍‍⁠ them said the same: “I’m different,⁠‍ I made a fair deal.”

— And how did‍ they all end?⁠⁠‌

— Nonsense unworthy of‍⁠ a response, Aint.‌

Gardner’s⁠⁠ voice oozed hatred.‌‍ Aint thought the⁠⁠ same.

The‍ corrupt thrived on‌ blood and life.‍ That was their essence.

Aint’s⁠‌ sword shone with‍ a white flash⁠ as it slashed‍⁠‌ across a knight’s⁠ chest. The armor‍⁠‌ caved and flew‌ off.

“That’s⁠ what I think,⁠ your highness! The‍ corrupt may follow‌⁠ your orders now,⁠⁠⁠ but sooner or‍⁠ later, they’ll stab‌⁠‌ you in the‌‌ back!”

“That’s‍‌ slander, your highness! We always uphold‍‍‍ our contracts! Filthy‌‍ Armian, don’t try‌ to divide us‌ from his highness!”‍‌‌

The‍‍ one shouting was⁠ another corrupt, standing‍‌ beside the prince.‍⁠

“Count‌‍ Daniel…!”

Recognizing‍⁠ him, Aint clenched‌ his teeth and‍‍ ducked, barely dodging‌ a thrust that‍ cut strands of‌‍ his hair.

“Do⁠‍⁠ you understand now?⁠ You won’t leave⁠ here alive.”

The⁠ third prince snapped⁠‌ his fingers.

The knights withdrew instantly.⁠

“But‌ it’s not too‌‌⁠ late yet, Aint Armian.”

“…What?”‍‌

The‌‍ prince extended his‍ hand toward him.‌‍‌

“Take‍‌⁠ it. We can⁠‍ join forces.”

— What nonsense is‌⁠ this now?

“Are⁠ you asking me⁠⁠ to be just another dog of the corrupt, like‍ you?”

“I‍ already said the‍ corrupt are just‍‍ a means.”

Tulwin‌ clicked his tongue.‍‍

“Look‍ at the big⁠⁠ picture, Aint Armian.‌⁠ Don’t lose sight‌‍ of what’s important⁠ over trivial things.”‌‌

“What’s‌‍⁠ important here is⁠ that you are‌‌ a traitor to‍⁠ humanity.”

“Fool.⁠⁠‌ Utter fool.”

He extended his hand‍ again.

“Think⁠‍ about it. I will be the‌ king of Esrin. And you know‌ it: Esrin is⁠ not just any‌‍ insignificant kingdom.”

It⁠ may fall below⁠‌ giants like Alprosen‌⁠ or Hainburk, but⁠ it was still⁠‌ one of the⁠ five most powerful countries on the‌ continent.

“If⁠‍⁠ you take my‍‌ hand, I will⁠ be king of Esrin! And Esrin‍‍ will be…”

He⁠⁠ shouted with force.‌

“…the⁠ pillar that supports you! Don’t you‍‌‍ wish to become‍ Emperor?”

He tempted him with‍⁠ devilish whispers.

“If‌ you need support, I’ll support you.”‌

The‌⁠ backing of Esrin‍‍‍ was no small‍‍ thing.

“If‌⁠ you need troops,‍⁠ I’ll give them‍‍ to you.”

Esrin’s⁠ army was one of the strongest.

“And‍ if you need‌⁠ money, I’ll give it to you.”

A kingdom’s treasury was⁠⁠ enormous.

“So don’t take my‌ brother’s hand. Take⁠ mine. I’ll be‌ king, and you’ll‍⁠ be Emperor!”

Tap.‍⁠‌ Tap. Tap…

The‌ echo of his‌ last shout resonated‍⁠ off the walls.⁠‌

The‌‍ prince opened his‌⁠ eyes wide, not‍ looking away from⁠‌ Aint.

“That…”⁠‌‍

“What⁠‌ a ridiculous load‍⁠ of nonsense, your highness.”

Then,‍‍ a voice interrupted‌⁠ Aint.

A familiar voice that‍‍ made him urgently⁠⁠ look around.

“Up!”‍‌

At‍‍ Aria’s shout, everyone‍ looked up. There,‌ descending slowly like‍‌ gliding, were several⁠‌ figures covered in‍ cloaks.

“Senior‍‍ Fernan!”

“Senior!”⁠

Tap—‌‌

Fernan⁠⁠‍ landed softly. Behind⁠ him, five more⁠ hooded figures descended one after another.‍

“…What‍ did you just say?”

Meeting⁠⁠ his gaze calmly,⁠‍ Fernan repeated word for word what‌ he had said to the third‍⁠ prince, who raised⁠‌ an eyebrow in⁠ irritation.

“I said it was‌‍ ridiculous nonsense, your⁠‍‍ highness.”

“…You⁠‌ dare utter such⁠ insolence before me!”‍

“Insolence?‍‌⁠ I’m only speaking the truth.”

“The‌ truth? Nonsense! You‌ come with the‌ same thing, that the corrupt will‌‍ betray, and that‌‌‍ my ambition is‍ just a hollow‍ delusion!”

“You’re‌‌‍ mistaken, your highness.⁠‍‌ I speak only‌ of your proposal.‌‌ You mentioned support,⁠ troops, and money…”‌‌

Fernan‍‍‍ raised three fingers.⁠‌

“Even⁠‍‌ if you supported⁠⁠ Aint, do you‌‌ believe that support‍‍ would outweigh that‌ of an Elector‌ Prince like Pellenberg?”⁠

He⁠‍‍ bent one finger.‍

“Even‍ if you sent⁠ troops, could it‍ surpass the number‍⁠ of mercenaries backed‍‌ by Pellenberg? Or‌‍ are you thinking of throwing Esrin’s‌⁠⁠ army against the⁠ Empire and starting‍⁠‍ a full-blown war?”‍⁠

He‍ bent another.

“And‌ if not that…”⁠

Fernan‌⁠ let out a short laugh.

“Ah, pardon me. This‌ is just too⁠ ridiculous.”

“What‌ did you say…?”⁠⁠⁠

“I‍ was referring to‌‌ your offer of‌ money for Aint.”

He⁠ bent the last‍⁠ finger.

“Does⁠ Esrin have more⁠‌‌ money than Pellenberg?”‍

How dare you speak‍‌‍ of wealth in‌⁠ front of a Pellenberg, your highness?⁠⁠

“A‌‍ prince without common‌ sense, without principles,⁠ without ethics or any notion at‌‍‍ all. Your highness,‍ you are nothing⁠‍‌ but a wretch‍‌ incapable of doing‌ anything without taking‌ the hand of⁠ the corrupt.”

Please.‍

“Learn‌⁠‌ your place.”

And‌ stay silent in‍‌ your corner.

Don’t⁠ try to meddle‌⁠ in someone else’s‌‍ table.