Chapter 201
2GoThe day dawned.trJFA8q
Gg9uQOWFernan still hadn’t returned.WIz9ev
0lGThe usual morning practice was canceled, and the group decided to carry out an urgent search in the surrounding area to find him.M99m3w8
Tfnv“For safety, we’ll split into pairs.”HFZK
vfv3mLuina with Gismond, and Aint with Verian teamed up.CeDT
eFHuFGLSomeone had to stay behind to guard Prince Tulwin Esrin, and Hyde volunteered.LE6eQ
p9J8t8l“We can’t allow it to be discovered that we’re here. Be extremely careful. If you find traces of anyone other than the young master, you must retreat immediately.”HNvNp1
rST“Understood.”iKrjM
40qUluKThe two search teams dispersed.XZiV
FyhjVAint and Verian headed in the direction Fernan had left.YkoKvv
cFmX5mF“He said he was going to look for adamantite, so wouldn’t it be better to track places where there might be mineral?”ACJwD
onGQBQr“Sounds good. But tell me, do you know how to identify where mineral might be?”GoaYr1
ZOGe8“……”dSG
HYj5V“……”OAwS5L
ZqxHG“…I’m a knight, not a miner…”YGHUk
zcrBO7k“And do I look like an explorer?”Nzi
Pai8Verian scratched the back of his head irritably.fGJ2RJM
ezFY“In these cases you have to go with the basics—follow the senior’s tracks.”YWbpEj
eyFHe remembered the campaign tactics lessons, where they were taught how to track an enemy or reunite with allies after separation.tZQ6P
nsjCB“Exactly! That’s what I meant.”p8qeU
oERxNb“Speak less, please… Does this guy really say he wants to be emperor…?”61zP
5ZQAint and Verian began a serious search, striving to apply what they had learned in the Academy.0qsmMTb
RqiM4“Here are footprints.”8URU
Pfg“Of orcs. And many of them.”ZRNgNYt
KZlr“Yes, orc tracks. Don’t tell me the senior ran into them?”hkO81db
NCPWX“I can’t imagine it.”3ddsnGB
MGminneSlowly, though with firm steps, they closed in on Fernan’s trail.r5ifK2
he5“…Hey, but where are we?”CMF
PWuHZ9“……”4VX5Gd
M9c“In which direction did we come?”OSS
UsR“……”vPdkyCp
ePUUyQUThey didn’t realize until they no longer knew how to return.GHP
En7Meanwhile.QgT0
J7a1mTb“The ideal would be to focus the search on places where there might be adamantite, but I have no idea how to recognize them.”WVWa
Qh8wnE1“Neither do I.”8JKYVQ
mMvMPzUnlike Aint and Verian, Luina had followed Fernan’s trail from the beginning.vuzfd
O7zo“That’s why I plan to track his exact footprints.”bci
aWsGY“That would be correct, but is it possible? More than three weeks have passed since he disappeared.”EFZ3s
QrQ1Me“It hasn’t rained, so it’s not impossible.”6tdb0
RliAFkLuina had served for years in Bercheff as an explorer and tracker.y2I
xxiGDetecting and following footprints was one of her specialties.qMqexKj
LHS“Actually, it’s easier than it seems. Humans leave tracks different from animals or monsters.”CzTB
hwA0Qw8They leave barefoot tracks. Humans, in contrast, wear boots, emit artificial scents, or even drop handkerchiefs or pendants.suuNaMQ
M35zpgA“But perfume scent fades in three weeks, and Fernan would never lose his money or a necklace.”E0zISd
WDDGr8W“I think so too.”9AE
gzy65Still, Luina found a clue.5HA
K48aQQ“I’ve got it.”9cm3Efw
BSp“What is it?”kkV7PtD
Mt6Le“A hair.”nqm
9AvePuf“It’s Aria’s!”mehD1
ITXAn orange strand was caught on a branch—a trace Aria had left when she secretly followed Fernan.LMVBA
QKxrily“It’s this way.”zDvCmFv
G0bXsThe flattened leaves and broken branches confirmed the path.Dnh
1quyCSoon, the trail ended atop a cliff.M3Ti
ugPEJ2G“Here? There’s nothing.”cnf4t
vPlfrP“Let’s check around.”Bh02V
pc1o“What if we rest a bit? We’ve gone hours without a break.”qbcWY
uQOE“…Alright.”pzvs4Ri
ZvY19UHLuina sat on a rock, wiping sweat.yuNpg
TDmiFD‘Where are you, Fernan?’6pg
f1W4qAt first, for one or two days, she wasn’t worried.Rsy
jtVL5WAfter all, it was about adamantite—nothing unusual.wOzLh
0KGLujBut when days became weeks, it was different.ZJ26uUb
YhxThe Fernan she knew would never vanish for three weeks without word.ak4fJ
ernPS5TAt least he would’ve sent a message telling them to go forward.Nfcl
07gBd3xShe thought that with Wooden by his side he would be safe, but she couldn’t stop worrying that the corrupt might have prepared another trap.CVXC
Nav7NOxAlmost by reflex, she pulled out the little chocolate box she always carried.Ygd
4kEFq“Ah.”fFoCJ
B9JIt was empty.W4Zp
U9NaWhenever it emptied, Fernan would appear as if by magic and refill it.5vBQt
T5eDYf“We must find him as soon as possible…”49VZsY
2WaLuina sprang to her feet. And at that moment, the ground trembled.8kdGPT
ay3Zzw“…What was that?”hQhBBE
EnXIr“Something’s coming…”wxeXHgS
WZQle5dAbout ten meters away, a mound of earth exploded, and suddenly two figures appeared.IUbA
ZnZ“…Eh?”UFouPEX
joKW3rO“…Eh?”wGE5
vfAU“…Why are you here?”A7tH
66TM“Rather, what are you doing…?”qWJFAGT
AZmdzr“……!”UsQxHOM
EDLSGB5Aria and Gismond looked at each other, surprised. Meanwhile, Fernan was stunned when Luina rushed to hug him.rfl
ncf“…What’s this all of a sudden?”1llx3Rd
gq54Q“Where were you, Fernan?”yNDrKt
AlJfU“Weren’t you told, Gismond?”vZRCE
NYfJ9iA“Yes, but… more than two weeks have passed.”D3K
AFp6“There was a setback.”Uky
6wcoGz4“Setback? Did you make any discovery?”0DQ
5azCZ0zLuina’s eyes grew wide. Fernan’s aura had changed drastically compared to three weeks ago.5x8u
AnWs1A“I reached a new understanding.”tCSE
sjebp8w“Congratulations. Ah, sorry.”2M1zT
jTj72plRealizing her boldness, Luina quickly stepped back, cheeks flushed.qPew
bKHUt“I… it’s just that…”seAhx
Z4v“It’s fine. I’m happy to see you too. Did you come to look for me?”mwh8v
U9n“…Yes. We were worried you were taking so long.”E9u
RER“…I appreciate that.”cKyVI
Sl4“What are the two of you doing exactly?”Es1X
zRUOv“Reuniting.”xWXMpt9
Qkr5W8p“That seems more than a simple reunion…”Pg3KzS1
KtJ3iLRUnder Aria’s narrowed gaze, Luina changed the subject.K03Ta
sx5“So, did you find the adamantite?”FMJbR8
Kzw“Ah… the adamantite.”YdsQ
BrhXV“Right, that was the mission.”CUg
KtW“How could I forget it!”QrDaz
CnqVRFernan again lunged toward the hole from which he had emerged.s23ivB
DgmodNx“Where are you going now!”1liACm
GC2EWJ“To look for the adamantite!”jlUMpm
sgSshXC“…Eh?”biVvQp
1AWNnKRHis figure vanished, swallowed by the darkness of the underground.147g
csIWtbThud, thump.9BwTICU
TSptY“Relax, Wooden. My heart’s beating normally.”zEHJlqJ
9z8PzIZHe forced himself to calm his nerves.QXq
WfE— Kyu?cRdb
DG0H6“You say I’m red? In this darkness, how would you see my face?”7Y9ix
2jdtBJHe still felt the imprint of Luina’s embrace on his body.UQt9WJ
3yscW‘…Did she use perfume?’CGD3d
PJsdFNo, Luina never did. Yet, there remained a pleasant scent.QcwHJ
NawK1“Focus on the adamantite, Fernan. Forgetting the essential is unworthy of a merchant.”3EvXKf
ny5xMvYWooden extended his roots to explore.3BzBSH
sV2aMeanwhile, Aria was in a bind.hKD
GIe“Aria, what really happened?”NSgwod
kBxv9W“Ah, well… you see…”dBT
O0RAria gave a nervous laugh.UfGd
5mt“Nothing happened.”7uskn2S
0KxH1Hf“Do you want me to believe nothing happened, when you didn’t bring the adamantite, Fernan changed completely, and even you gained new power?”cMfHaBM
Cizg“Yes, not even a stray dog would believe that.”bBDPN
oz5“…Well, maybe a dog would…”rkMxx
mt3“Are you joking with me?”4W1
x5241“No, seriously—nothing happened!”naB
9BYi8Aria was unsure whether she should keep the secret even from them. Just in case, she decided to stay quiet.p5lpOb
tFZ“Your staff looks different, Aria. It looks better.”EBBkaL
nSIqXn“Yes! I changed it recently.”IrT0gf
OGzB“Did you find it underground?”qma8mKH
YH9“Yes, there was a hidden Pellenberg branch down there. It was surprising, wasn’t it?”rVONCrn
qwv‘Senior, come back soon!’JPDC
RdpNgShe thought, forcing a smile.60C
VSo8W9***dXfzGZp
X1NXfThree weeks could be considered a long or short time. For Esrin, it was undoubtedly the former.SMAgjD
ZYjhWhen Fernan returned after finally securing nearly 1 kg of adamant, the situation was very different.iIEf
0IXNgek“The third prince’s faction collapsed.”mLHQCPB
Drz8Y0eHyde gave the report.MXteD33
17Hc4The third prince and all his guards had disappeared.vJsa
4Q2SUCAt first, they thought he was just taking too long, but after a week, they discreetly began a search.oS6
9N8They couldn’t do it openly, because the other princes might find out.Vacv8eX
LJCmko“The searches are focused on the cave where the corrupt tried to lure Aint. They’ll probably get here in a few days.”CgqzW9
htArf“Good thing we weren’t too late.”lgtN
Tb7usqqFernan let out a sigh of relief.GZEz
qOAlThe three weeks spent navigating traps had been a unique opportunity, but if it had ruined the plan, it would’ve been a major issue.vTGmkFL
RhbxO“And the Golden Turtle?”8PKkU
itxr“Most of the war supplies have already been sold. Since the third prince’s movements became erratic, the other princes started buying weapons more fervently.”3SkSUl
dcYwtd3“Excellent.”SmTVC18
4NzHQCIt had been worth locking himself away in the mountains for over three weeks.TzakBon
yS90uc“But where did you really go? They said it wasn’t for adamant.”NKk
xhDM“I found a dungeon believed to have been built by the first pontiff. Once you enter, you can’t leave until you reach the end. It was quite the ordeal.”WcHdJ
rSGa“…So that realization you achieved…?”Wj4wv
s0za5U“That’s right.”0qpMG
EyWq7Fernan showed a greedy smile.rEZ
yoXTD“I struck gold. There were truly impressive things.”3acUf4d
QAQHundreds of magic lamps, a large number of potions, the Dragon Heart, and even a white dragon statue.wHkMle
Jp4It was, without a doubt, the best treasure imaginable.KsLXLh
SkWB“…If the Dragon God Cult finds out, they’ll cause a huge uproar.”skA2
4tfOW4X“That’s why it must stay secret. No one else must know.”17VR7G6
YiwSu1rHe had already told Luina, Gismond, and also Aint and Verian—but the confidences ended there.dXRm
bxXcv“Those of us here are the absolute limit.”eu5
dlM0t“I’ll keep that in mind.”hCwGS
L4X4NBwThen, it was time to return.csjV1
XG7“What could we get from the first prince to call this a success?”m4KCR
mfs“The Golden Turtle’s profit doesn’t count as Aint’s gain.”ZdX0cuQ
ThcpGgAfter all, it was Aint who sent the letter asking the first prince for help.yf5AA
7kZ5Maximizing the Golden Turtle’s profits was just extra income, not legitimate compensation.AKh9fDv
zHAL“Bring Aint.”txba
XyKUM6x“Yes.”vRSj
luMXShortly after, Hyde left and Aint entered.rGmU
n9Yz“Congratulations, senior. Aria told me what happened.”90k
q55Bf“I’ll select a few things and give them to you.”4vmwbb
FCdB“Thank you. But if it was just piles of grimoires, is there anything useful for me?”X0aLQe
PKBjNOFernan had agreed with Aria to tell them almost everything, but kept the Dragon Heart a secret.wE8862J
jIrMThat item was incomparable, and if it was discovered that he had absorbed it, it wouldn’t be a simple matter to handle.pb7eP
BZqfStaffs, books, and potions could be returned without issue, but what he had already consumed could not.32iZVCZ
Sj6RPkp“There were quite a few supreme-level potions. Take them as if they were an extra life.”3NgNm
hJRG“Thank you very much.”0NvKi
OawR30“Besides that, I called you to close this matter.”59On
SrlX1GFernan rolled a recording orb across the table containing everything that had happened.Q0WJ8W
XgPY7“You fulfilled your mission perfectly on behalf of Esrin’s first prince. You should receive your reward.”EA8iafG
GRIZ“Exactly.”53Pphj
KboqM5i“Just asking—do you know how to negotiate well?”5zMs8
v1J4dX“…No, not really.”aMio
N5biDuring the summer break, he had learned a bit from his father, but he didn’t feel confident.vU7lE
htxLza“Then, do you know what you could ask the Kingdom of Esrin for?”q6vJinK
ZWD“Not that either…”03YCDHk
yw95SvAint wasn’t meticulous enough to have researched everything about a foreign country in advance.vscaa
NM04x“In that case, you have two options.”9Fc
br1KtOFernan pulled out a document.XR8
DkSVDV“A contract?”umqAj
5QX3“Yes, a contract.”KMyRb
stV8It had only one clause.vN7T
b1i【Fernan Pellenberg will be the primary contractor (A) and Aint Armian the secondary (B).ueaqt
TrRClause 1. A will help B obtain the best possible reward in the negotiation with Esrin, and B will give A 30% of that reward.】E1imlKq
SCXNQ“You can negotiate with Esrin on your own, or follow my guidance and give me a portion in return.”axaF
Waj“It’s simple.”t5UopWI
mrfbUAint signed the contract without hesitation.LrCF
DNZ“You’re not even going to think about it for a bit?”u5ohc0
aAm“As long as I give you 30%, I’ll earn double what I would alone. It’s obvious.”o0g
mc3LEc7Aint knew his own value clearly.GXxdn
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