Chapter 204
mEmjThe ship cut through the current as it advanced.LZVNv3
0isThe fresh sea breeze brushed the hull, and the fully unfurled sails bent strongly, pushed by the wind.J3XA
jBAEsInside the ship bound for the Academy.pxD12
xXSSarak—PjlNrOW
AiR2yXkFernan opened a book.FQTMqI
l7rUiA blank book, with nothing written and emitting nothing in particular.bEhNd
czRqBeSince the moment he obtained it, he had reviewed it for at least an hour a day, but he had never managed to discover anything special.Xzk
2uh41If he submerged it in water, it got wet, but dried quickly and returned to its original state; however, ordinary fire did not affect it at all.I0Z
aJA5lXwThe pages were thicker and stiffer than regular paper, so resistant they were almost impossible to tear.szr
5xXBut that was all.A4plN
CMRZHe had tried infusing it with mana, even asked Aint for help bathing it in Armian’s light, but the result was always the same.Wig
ilG“No way out. I’ll have to entrust it to a real mage.”6ma
kyiz5“Ueeekh!”8MEEhIC
YkAMClap. Fernan closed the book. Looking at an unsolvable problem only gave him a headache.pyY
bOR9WS— Pii!tq6Y
g4XeuAs if it had been waiting for him, a white bird immediately perched on his knees.T2UH5
xy8JFernan stroked Silver.5VNdsz
kPEoSnt“So, how was your stay in Armian?”JjiWovf
xUT0S— Pii, pii!XPBEG
wLT— Kyu, kyu!Ilw
VOtWooden translated what Silver was saying.cqQ
kMnGQ9t“That it was pleasant, but he was sad because you weren’t there.”MQUzek
9HLOtt“Uugh!”sNEl3Q
Sz9UXFernan smiled from the corner of his lips.Lmd10
JpEWhen he and Aint left the Academy at the same time, they couldn’t take the Saintbird because it drew too much attention, but leaving it at the Academy wasn’t an option either.CvOqV3S
iKBe4KqIn the end, since Silver showed an affinity with Armian’s power, they had left him there.uGFJr
cx7TrHe had spent more than a month and a half eating and resting at House Armian, and although Fernan had been a bit worried, the bird’s words eased his doubts.O4d
U5SnfHe petted Silver more enthusiastically, who responded with a satisfied chirp.tnZ
J90lv6“Hyde, bring me a coffee.”CvdLzkv
zEgZ“Yes, young master.”vmjOKYu
Ywn“Ueeek….”0IcQHD
s4F28QHyde quickly served him a cup of hot coffee.Frqx
RI5bAr“The jousting and magic tournaments must’ve already started, right?”OvBgl
nAQ1y9“Yes, today already….”3J28x
RFS“Ueeeek….”Wq95w
7PTSitting at the prow, Fernan drank his coffee while gazing at the open sea.OGoSmAv
AR3The vast horizon reminded him that there was still more than a day left before they reached the Academy.LyBEUI
ebTwU“What a shame. If we’d been a bit faster, maybe I would’ve made it in time.”tAgp01
9inZLuina’s disappointed face came to mind.uQFm6VR
WtFTLX“There’ll be another chance anyway.”OqI
bFCn“At least it’s not the last one…”jEpmfU
sQUub“Ueghhh…!”wmhL
phdhK7k“Kills my appetite.”b8Fr
FLqFernan clicked his tongue in annoyance.H0NnD
2rumv9gAria, looking pale, raised her head after spending a good while vomiting over the side of the ship.pRM
Qxm“…It’s not like I want to, ueeek! It’s not on purpose!”leHpG
hEqT“But if you haven’t eaten anything, what exactly are you throwing up?”ZIc4
UAaxPeM“And for your information, I was the first one to start vomiting here, ueeek!”94ftb7
5S6Q7“It’s true, young master. She’s been diligently feeding the fish for a while.”Znci97c
b8dFernan let out a nasal chuckle.gX9G1K
ApPEjYm“Even Silver doesn’t get seasick, and you do… torturing elves would need nothing more than this.”h0OO
smpbZz9“Exploiting people’s weaknesses! Ueeek! Even demons would be horrified by you!”odcq
uY2m“That would be perfect. So they tremble the moment they see me.”e4ExWa
2H0oWjIf demons were cowardly, they’d avoid invading. That would be ideal.3eE5u
uCKBut remembering their stubbornness even after being defeated by the First Emperor, Fernan knew it would never happen.tuO0s7
DuW“He doesn’t have a drop of compassion. I bet instead of blood, gold runs through his veins.”SZx
QdU“If someone like that existed, I’d catch them and make them bleed for life.”KOQO
vt3JqhhOf course, he’d keep them well-fed so they wouldn’t die.osAeBn
pyyxT“Still, missing the magic tournament weighs on me. I’m sure if I’d entered, I would’ve won this time.”LjY
sOTIt was true. With her current level, Aria would have been one of the top favorites.XrUqH
3AZJKUKThe only ones who could compare were the saint of the Church of the Dragon God, Jace Vines, Carlo Deneb, or the fourth-year prodigy Liana Horton.ygv7
w8A0ZWWBut Jace wasn’t even participating, and Carlo Deneb had already been defeated by her before.ugBbOz
TxMpjkxThe only real rival would’ve been Liana Horton, and with Aria now able to summon higher spirits after her recent awakening, it was hard to imagine her losing.aSwT5iz
BUnnyogOf course, since she didn’t register in time, it was all just speculation.EnS1
oh56D“It really was a shame. Though the worst part was losing the chance to bet…”eVkv
pxGXFk“You can still do that, can’t you?”h2Dd
s9vXRfK“I wouldn’t win the same as if I’d bet from the start.”4jMwlSX
nneAHH“That’s only if you knew all the results beforehand.”C1i6u
jd2cCg“Well, that’s true too.”UpZ7s
25pqwTThis time, there were no prophecies about the founding anniversary.oVQ
0bcDoNo predictions of winners or losers. And with so many major participants absent like Aint and Luina, any foresight was useless.02SyJ
OjXdE6“Ueeek… but… isn’t it a problem that we’ve been absent from the Academy for so long?”O1W
70gm05d“Maybe.”SBbb
ouxygq8“What do you mean maybe?”HnRn
4jg4“There’s no such thing as perfection in this world.”qkeX
N38lgVNo matter how meticulously one planned something, it could always fail.HY0
FNsLEQEThey had achieved great results and had enough proof to convince the rector, but even so, in politics there were never guarantees.JbM
KxJs“Don’t worry. The Academy isn’t everything in life.”wy9k
bWf“How irresponsible!”aymNbLh
fuX1R“Money is.”wQpg
7Cxd“Oh my god.”ei9TC7m
x7jqKd2“…Too calm.”PZx
VMZ2The one who murmured that was Gismond, from the other side of the ship.acf
FDm“Why do you say that, senior?” Aint asked, opening his eyes after meditating.GqBq
gErJwl“It’s nothing. I just have a bad feeling.”BdT
TG9sZ“A feeling?”xqb
vww03u“Normally, when things are this calm, something usually happens…”SCk
VdMOIMTHe was going to say it’s a cliché, but kept it to himself.uq8
iBx‘Nah, nothing will happen.’c5CQ
tXQNo new prophecy had surfaced.0kG8
hDwAnd after every arc, there was always a bit of peace, right?ADJR
Z6EC2Gismond forcibly dismissed his unease.5W6MJe
sDlV0ZEThe ship continued to slowly approach the Academy.IEK
VQvS***HNngY
04pWThe Academy was immersed in a festive atmosphere.yXYmd
c4jThe founding anniversary was the Empire’s greatest celebration, held once a year and always with grandeur.ZPI
UoiLFernan, without even unpacking, went straight to the commercial district.a4x2
b8QhHe entered the betting hall of the Golden Turtle Guild, at the Bardaan branch, to check the favorites.zhqcgkW
JeaP“For the jousting tournament, bets are on Valoshi Vienderk, Almon Donertz, Varus Dene, and Balrog Hernim. For the magic tournament, Liana Horton, Carlo Deneb, and Ludger…”8KptQN
eIiuJust as he had predicted.rfa96v
63PJauThe only unexpected thing was that Carlo Deneb was getting more expectations than he thought.RWXrDZ
14svLooks like it wasn’t a lie that he trained like crazy over the break.27kRsx
gaqJFFS“Fernan?”AnP6sw
3UBDtc“Almon? Long time no see.”QBeXtw
hOI6fTHearing his name, Fernan turned around.GRX9j
1lI“Did you just get back?”uTZb4D
cU25“Yeah, just arrived.”MN0K
g6S70q“So Luina too…”WWKh
3OsO2“That’s right.”KEK
sR8FuDW“Why so late?! If you’d come back a few days earlier, Luina could’ve entered the jousting tournament!”ZDvyLK
KWgnM“And wouldn’t it be better for you that she didn’t participate?”8VPjA
Vuc“What are you talking about? I missed the chance to face her and beat her—how is that good?”2Ifg
1W4Was he really upset that the strongest rival didn’t enter?APVUOt
eE04GLOOr did he really believe he could beat Luina?2fZlcOG
2xbFWThese knights—I’ll never understand them.DAD
CSjp“Fernan, the rector requests your presence.”jatYz1
mE9sxN8At that moment someone tapped him on the shoulder as he reviewed the bets. It was a messenger from the rector.21rMw
Ob4Q2Z“Not even half an hour in the city and he already knows. Anyway, I was just confirming this before heading over.”O499
Ozb0XyC“I’ll accompany you.”N6o4tS
LrpAlthough it sounded somewhat imperative, Fernan agreed.nmdXJz
TPcyB4FHe knew that nearly two months of absence could mean significant political pressure for the rector.RNe
lhqG6‘Even though they say he doesn’t get too involved in politics…’tkKlTk6
zp2EEven so, if the matter escalated too much, he could even end up dishonorably dismissed.1AIPsX
yoYmWuFernan entered the rector’s office. The man set aside the documents he was reviewing.rG4I2Ex
afUlXE“You took longer than I expected.”YWp3G4f
7beQ“That only proves the threat of the corrupted was real. If we had returned with nothing, we would’ve been back much sooner.”EMUNy
Qn1“Good news, then.”yauldmj
UVMglQsThe rector extended his hand. Fernan placed the duplicate recording in it.k8l4
HRVI“It contains the battle against the corrupted. With Aint’s actions recorded, it will serve as solid proof.”GVKCL
1aB9X3The rector injected mana into the recording without saying anything further.VLG
15C“These are strange times—a prince of the kingdom offering his people to the corrupted.”cC3hydg
zQACKfr“That’s the true face of power.”gZMA
23KbAV“If they had succeeded, what do you think would’ve happened?”been4
tU2“The Empire’s security would’ve been in grave danger.”77Pv
UsASbTqAnd not only Esrin—there had also been schemes attempted in Alprosen. If both kingdoms had fallen to the corrupted, it would’ve been a total disaster.tTw6aCX
nXNggqI“Aint’s performance is impressive too. At his age, defeating Rahnas, a class 1 monster. That reputation wasn’t exaggerated.”bd9A
4eWfThere was pride in the rector’s smile over the student’s growth.HThfS
H5YUmDF“But it seems some parts are cut.”krsdRAJ
xreEzq“The battle was too chaotic; the mana was interrupted several times.”yMQcDX
f1Rkm2“Did you perhaps use hidden Pellenberg forces? Whatever the case, I’ll overlook it.”MrbR
7yUy“Thank you.”Boxi
sjjEven though he didn’t really believe it, he wasn’t expecting explanations either. Fernan bowed his head.m44DG
WnJxgz“And about our situation, how was it resolved?”ohha
ABXPCO“You’ll be able to remain at the Academy without any problems. Not a single complaint.”3TMl
RUxp“Really?”ka4W
E6kCdThat was strange.rek
DMg“Surprised? So am I. What’s incredible is that Schwaben didn’t try to interfere.”wYPEzv
RBYb6“…?”0CMY
HhPFThat he hadn’t expected. Did they really let this opportunity slip by?EJ9pT
fMnG***WZ7qr
1VyxElsewhere, Aint was receiving an unexpected visitor.xssiMl
4Tsz3RK“Senior Ludger? What brings you to me…?”4koBBPm
G6rThe reception room of Ravidus Hall.GA0h
rUADA prince of the current imperial family and a noble of the former royal family were face to face.rqoy
qyQqicThe visitor was Ludger Schwaben.JDW74J
3YuS9MKThe sudden visit caught Aint so off guard that he couldn’t hide his bewilderment.86S
ahIPgsF‘Why would he come looking for me?’UY77At2
FdTtNrl— I don’t get it either. Weren’t the Schwaben the ones dead set on tearing you apart at the first chance?2K24MKS
KPYGardner Alfenparsen’s thought echoed Aint’s own.W4c9X
irxj3B1Although more than a problem with the Schwaben themselves, it was an inevitable consequence of the relationship between the two houses.PphNzES
xMrKd“It’s been a while, Aint. Did you enjoy your long excursion?”Ohpr7
K86X“It wasn’t bad.”24g
eqLn“If I ask what you were doing, you won’t tell me, will you?”UWw9Tlq
FBUQFFWhat was he trying to do?aiw
IaY9WpAint looked him in the eyes for a moment, but there was nothing to read—they were too calm.bLsZ
lpto5“Yes, I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you.”wC7C
dENJk“I figured. I understand.”2wAzem
VqQKLudger didn’t press the issue further and sipped his tea.5MRq
c9dBhK“Did you know this? Since the Academy was founded, you’re the only ones who have been absent for nearly two months without a clear reason.”OTzh
yGSJ0BIn reality, they were the only ones who had been able to skip that long without facing consequences.wbEzWD
MLKe“Are you threatening me?”KyEpP
TZ8bqX“Not exactly. I’m just telling you nothing will happen.”eg25rNa
wnc8H“…Excuse me?”l6fYzj1
ZqIQDsLThe unexpected words made Aint open his eyes wide.Gbu0
FzQMI“It means Schwaben won’t question what happened. And if Schwaben doesn’t, no one else will dare.”tRB2hg
46vNXBecause it wasn’t just Armian—touching this matter also meant dealing with Pellenberg, Bercheff, and Fridian.gap2rRV
GGgSkIf Schwaben, who should be the first to raise the spear, didn’t act, no one else would.fADD6U
IhidKI“…What’s your intention with this?”3qSj
XmQhEgS“How unfair. Do you think everything Schwaben does must have a hidden motive?”feryn
ChyDobq“I was taught that every action of the nobility holds meaning.”g368
Fd2jRt“You’ve learned well.”bjTV1C
BymrLudger smiled slightly.r8MplN
Znv7Ho“It’s true. If there weren’t any intention, that would be a lie. This is a gesture of reconciliation from Schwaben to Armian.”riOR3
7qnImCg“Reconciliation?”OFL
Y44wcIo“They say Armian is strengthening its military.”WiZ
SuMAcross the continent, knights and soldiers were flocking like bees, drawn by Aint Armian.Zfe
c68FIt was something already widely known.r200
cSW“For us, that’s not very pleasant. It feels like a challenge to imperial authority. But His Majesty sees it as something even more serious.”flXP
hjTsWbf“More serious?”ovf
XweiAfter taking another sip of tea, Ludger continued calmly.vdPVDY
p6b1“Armies eat up money. Yet Armian is recruiting like they have nothing to lose, when for over a century they lived in practical isolation.”E9XeoN
Lc5HWhatever the reason, what was clear was that Armian didn’t have that kind of wealth.wlpOc
pQYmZDlSo, where was the money coming from?Kry8Dk
Y0jKsThe answer was obvious.0zTcfZ
u1Fki1h“Pellenberg.”57fE0J
DD3CThe only place capable of moving such large sums with ease.MgwxT
ntqThe only one willing to lend that amount.Ki1Hxa
sZU“And considering your relationship with Fernan, there’s no doubt it came from there.”sLdJ
L6BBut the reasoning didn’t stop there.fBi
z6lo“Fernan doesn’t let emotions or friendships interfere when it comes to money. Even if he likes you, lending funds is a completely different matter.”77v3oF2
cW8JEMoreover, the Pellenberg were notorious for their ruthless usury.LYFMS
KmNg“Even so, Armian borrowed from Pellenberg. You’re recruiting troops, preparing for war.”GNhQq
tchRAnd what did that mean?sgqpPPg
Ud0TDSome might say it was to reclaim the lost throne.NAgP
haUtBut Schwaben’s judgment was something else.SkD5SOF
der“Demons.”7iMYwv
IavLudger said it like spitting venom.M3Wfzt
BGNIGi“It means the demon incursion is more serious than we believe. That they’re closer than we think.”E1wFd
L1lVIsn’t that right?Vm9
65gHe whispered it as if seeking confirmation, though he expected no answer.j2Htbz
ltlYEBefore Aint could respond, he continued speaking.CE7C
rBcs“That’s why Schwaben has decided not to question this matter. It’s our gesture of reconciliation toward Armian.”xKSPx
97aThe throne was important, and Armian was unpleasant—but.YGHF
2aG9W7“It’s preferable to let that go than to have demons destroy the continent.”koBJxP
TKFmLudger extended his hand.Z28s
btdouNQ“This is Schwaben’s will right now.”06er
vhEQAnd then he added.if9Eh
a5Qscqq“What is Armian’s?”vmR4V
2Ov4HG8“……”F25zz
mnm5h2Aint could not answer lightly.D6MBPF
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