A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 230

Chapter 230

“Alright.‍ Whenever you want.”‌⁠

Aint‌⁠‍ also took the‍‍‌ bait, just like⁠‌ the rector.

At‌ first glance, it‍ seemed there was⁠ enough strength, but‌ Fernan couldn’t rest easy.

‘More.‍ We need more‌⁠‌ power, something even‍ more certain.’

They⁠‌ had already experienced Flauros’s trap. If‌ it hadn’t been for the Dragon⁠ Heart, that place⁠‍ would have been‌ Fernan’s grave.

Especially⁠ because Dantalion had‌ escaped.

No‌ one knew how‍‌ many more avatars‌‌ he had or‍‌ where they might⁠‌ be hiding. If‍‌ he noticed Fernan‌ and Aint moving, he could set‌⁠ up any kind⁠ of ambush.

After‍ all, demons had⁠⁠ already been summoned‍ multiple times.

There‍ was no guarantee‍ another wouldn’t appear‍ and that two⁠ or three more‍‌ wouldn’t be waiting.‍‍

That’s why more was needed.

A force even more‌ certain, more overwhelming.‌

And‍‌ in moments like this, there was‌⁠ someone who could‍ easily be brought‌ in and who was the most‌ reliable bet.

“The⁠⁠‍ master, you say?”

“Yes.⁠ I want you⁠ to deliver a request to the‍ Mercenary King.”

The⁠ Mercenary King—a Royal‍ Knight who accepted⁠ almost any job⁠‌ as long as‍‍ there was money‌‍ involved, and who⁠⁠‌ even had experience killing demons.

He‌‍ had refused to‌ fight a demon‍‍‍ again with only⁠‌‍ two Royal Knights,‌‍ but this time‍‌ would be different—a⁠ Royal Knight and⁠‌‍ an Archmage.

Moreover, with Aint, natural‍ enemy of demons,‌ and Wooden, everything‍ changed completely.

‘It‌‍ wouldn’t be bad‍ to call upon‌⁠‌ the family’s superhumans,⁠ but they can’t⁠ move so freely.’‍

The‌ two superhumans of‌⁠ the Pellenberg Family‍‍⁠ had fixed roles‍ within the lineage.⁠

Pulling⁠ them from their⁠ duties and sending‍ them into battle‌⁠‍ would cost far‌ more than hiring‌⁠ the Mercenary King.‍

“What⁠ exactly should I tell him?”

“Demons.”‌

“…Excuse⁠ me?”

“If‌‍ you say that, he’ll understand.”

“Understood.”‍

Varus’s‍‍⁠ reply came three⁠‍ days later.

“The‌‍‌ master says he‌‌ at least wants to hear it‍ in person.”

But⁠‍⁠ that wasn’t all.‌⁠

“Where‍ is he now?”

“He⁠ told me he‌ boarded a ship heading for the‍ Academy.”

“Suddenly?”⁠‌

“Yes,‌‍ he was headed‍‌ here already.”

It‌⁠‍ wasn’t a bad‌ thing. That same⁠‌ afternoon, Fernan secretly⁠⁠ met with the‌ Mercenary King at⁠‌ the Academy.

“I⁠ didn’t expect you‌ to come in‌‌‍ person.”

“When‌ I heard the‍‌ Academy was in ruins, I came‍‌ immediately. I want‌‌‌ to see those‌‌ marks with my‍⁠ own eyes.”

The‍ Mercenary King chewed⁠‍ on high-quality dried‌‍ meat.

“I⁠ could offer you‍⁠ something more exquisite.”‌‌

“It’s‍ fine. No matter‌‍‌ how good it‌⁠ is, nothing beats⁠‍⁠ what you’ve eaten‌ your whole life.⁠⁠ Get on with‍‌ it.”

“We’ve‌‌⁠ found traces of⁠ demons. It’s highly likely another summoning⁠ is being prepared—or‌ has already happened.”‌‍

“And⁠⁠‍ who’s going with‌‍ you?”

“The‍ rector himself.”

“Michael⁠ Montella? He must‌ be furious. Of‍‍‍ course, his old‍ age has been‌‍ tarnished by demons.”‌

“So do we still‍‍ need more?”

The Mercenary King tilted his head.

“I believe I made⁠ it clear last‍⁠ time.”

“But‍‌ this time it’s‌‍ not two Royal‌‌ Knights—it’s a Royal⁠‌⁠ Knight and an⁠‌ Archmage.”

“Are‍⁠‍ you trying to⁠ play with words?”‍‍⁠

The‍ Mercenary King didn’t‌‍ raise his voice‍ or show bloodlust, but just looking‌⁠ at him was‍ suffocating pressure.

“We’ll‍‌ be joined by‍‍ me, Aint Armian,‍ Luina Bercheff, and‍ Gismond Ert.”

“The⁠ natural enemy of‌ demons?”

The‍ Mercenary King showed‌⁠ interest.

He‍ had heard the‌‍ rumors, but had‍ never witnessed that‍⁠ power of the‌ Armians.

If‌ even half of‌⁠ it were true,⁠ it was intriguing.‍‍

“That‍ would be enough‌ to fill the‍ gap Albinos left.”‍‍‍

“Exactly.”‍

“And⁠ you’ve got that‌‌ hanging from your‌⁠‌ neck.”

His⁠‌ finger pointed straight‌ at Wooden.

“How‍‌ amusing, you’ve kept‍ it hidden.”

“Only⁠‍ because there was⁠‌‌ no need to‍ show it.”

“There’s‍‍ one more condition‌ for the money‌ you asked for.”‍

“Name‍‌ it.”

“The⁠‌‌ golem.”

The‍⁠⁠ Mercenary King leaned‍ forward.

“Can‍⁠‌ it really grow‌ to ten meters?‍ I want to⁠ see it.”

“Don’t‌ you want to⁠‌ see the Saintbird‌⁠ too?”

“I’ll‌ ask Aint about‍ that directly.”

“If‍⁠ I promise to‍‌ show it to⁠ you, will you‌ accept the job?”⁠⁠

Without‌ a second of⁠‌⁠ hesitation, he nodded.

“Of‍‍ course.”

Ah, and I want‌ to see my‌‌ disciple next to‌ him too.

“So‍‍⁠ be it.”

“But‍ tell me, who‌ is this Gismond‍ Ert? Doesn’t seem‍⁠ like anyone famous‌‍ if even I don’t know him.”‌

“Just‌ a very competent‍ senior.”

Surely⁠ it’ll even be‌ fun to put⁠ him to work.‌

Fernan‌‍ smiled.

***

Meanwhile,‌ the Academy’s students were beginning to⁠ leave one by‌ one.

Neither‌ Aria nor Verian were exceptions.

Both‍ watched the continent‍⁠‍ draw closer as‍‍ they felt the⁠ sea breeze.

“I told you I don’t need this.”

“That’s‍‍‌ not possible, young⁠ lady.”

Aria‍‌ huffed as the‌‌‌ elves sent by‌ her family attended⁠ to her. Her‌ father had ordered‍‍ it as soon‍ as he learned‌‍ she was injured.‌

“And⁠ you, Verian, where⁠‌ are you going?⁠ Finally heading home?”‍⁠

“Yes.⁠‌ I can’t avoid⁠ it forever.”

Since‍⁠ his defeat against Aint, he had feared returning home,‍‌ afraid of his‍‌‌ father.

But‌ the situation had changed—Aint was no⁠ longer just a rival, and the⁠‍‍ demons had made it clear how‌ crucial he was.⁠⁠

Even‍⁠ if he couldn’t⁠ beat him yet,‍‍ everyone now knew‍ it wasn’t due⁠‍ to his lack‌ of talent.

So⁠‌‌ now he felt⁠ capable of returning‌ home with his‍ head held high.‍

“And⁠ you’ll just rest⁠‍ with your family?”⁠

“For‌ a while. Then⁠‍‍ I’ll head straight⁠ to the Mother Tree.”

“The‌ World Tree?”

“Yes.‍ After all this,‍‌ I feel like⁠ I must.”

For an elf, going⁠⁠ to the Mother Tree meant training.‍

Aria,‍‌ after being manipulated again by a demon, understood it‍⁠ well—she was weak.

If⁠‌ she wanted to‍⁠⁠ survive in the⁠ chaotic era ahead,⁠ she had to grow stronger, build mental defenses, and‍ make pacts with‍ more spirits.

“I’ll‍‌ support you.”

“Just‍⁠‍ with words?”

“I’m‍ the one who‍ can best understand‍⁠⁠ what you’re feeling.”‌⁠

“That’s‌ true.”

Verian had also been⁠‌ controlled twice and‍⁠⁠ nearly a third‍‌‌ time.

“I‍ can’t even stand‍⁠ hearing the word‍‌ demon anymore.”

“Me‌‍‌ neither.”

The‌ ship docked. Aria and the elves‌ began to disembark.‌‍‌

“Then,⁠‍ see you later.‌⁠ By then, we’ll both be third⁠‌‍ years.”

“We‌⁠ will.”

“If‍ you ever get‌⁠‍ bored, come to House Fridian. You’ll‍‍ always have someone⁠ to hang out⁠‌ with.”

“It’s⁠‌⁠ far.”

“But‍‍ worth it. You’ll‌‍‍ get to see‌ me, won’t you?”‍‍

Aria‍ smiled playfully. Verian‌ furrowed his brow‌ deeply.

“That‍‌ makes me sick⁠‍ to my stomach.”‌

“Bah,‍ what else can⁠‍ I expect from‌ you? Go on‍⁠‍ already.”

Aria‍ walked away. Verian‍ watched her from‌‍ the ship’s railing‍⁠ until she vanished‌‌ from sight.

“……”‍‌⁠

He‌ wasn’t so clueless‍⁠‌ as to not‍ notice that Aria’s⁠ attitude toward him had changed a bit.

But⁠‍⁠ now wasn’t the⁠⁠ time.

He⁠ had no room‍⁠⁠ or time for‌‍⁠ romantic games.

Kalburdern territory was approaching.‍⁠⁠

***

Three‍ weeks had passed‍‌ since the Academy‌‍‍ suffered the demon‍‌ invasion.

The‍‌⁠ Golden Turtle received‌ the reconstruction contract, and finally, everyone‍ not directly involved‌‍‌ had to leave‍⁠‌ the island.

Rrrrumble—‍

With‍ magic, the leveling‍ works made the‍⁠ entire island tremble.‍ Fernan watched the‍‍ scene.

“Does‍‍‌ it make you⁠⁠ sad, young master?”⁠⁠

“Yes,‍⁠ very much.”

Fernan‍ clicked his tongue‌ at Hyde’s question.⁠

It‍ wasn’t just about‌ repairing: the entire⁠ Academy grounds were⁠ being razed to⁠‍⁠ build it from‍‌‌ scratch. Aside from a few buildings‍ that remained intact,‍ it was practically⁠ a full reconstruction.‍⁠

A colossal project, obviously⁠ costing fortunes but⁠ also capable of‍ generating astronomical profits.‌

Raw⁠‍‍ materials, transport, labor‌⁠ wages—there were a thousand things to⁠‍ bill.

But⁠ this time was‌ different. They couldn’t⁠‍ do it.

The‌ eyes of the⁠‍‌ people prevented it.‍⁠

“It‌ wasn’t simply that‌ demons descended. It‌ was the destruction⁠ of the Academy,‌ the Empire’s symbol,‍‍⁠ with enormous damage.”‌

Although‌ students suffered few⁠⁠ casualties, there were‌⁠ many victims among⁠‌ professors and civilians.⁠⁠

It‌ was a tragedy‌ not only for‌ the Empire, but⁠ for the entire⁠ continent.

And⁠ while merchants usually‌‍⁠ profited from such misfortunes, this time⁠⁠ the scale was‌ too great.

Using‌‍ this to enrich themselves was risking‍ infamy far greater‍‍ than any profit.⁠⁠

No‍‍ matter how stained⁠‌ the reputation of⁠ the Pellenberg family already was, this‍ case was different.

That’s‍⁠ why the Golden‍⁠‌ Turtle agreed to‍ charge only the⁠ basic cost of‍⁠ the project.

Profits⁠‌ would come anyway,‍⁠ because the Academy’s‌‍ property was divided‍ among the seven‍‍ prince-electors, and Pellenberg‍‌ would get their⁠‍⁠ share.

Even⁠‍ so, what could‍ have been a giant gold ingot⁠⁠‍ was reduced to⁠ a few specks‌‍ of dust—there was no way to⁠⁠‌ feel pleased.

“Here’s⁠ today’s newspaper.”

Hyde‌⁠ handed him the‍‍ paper. On the‍ front page, there‍‍ was only one‌‌ headline.

【Prince-Electors’⁠ Council convened again.⁠ This time even⁠‍⁠ Perdicas Armian, patriarch⁠‍‌ of Armian, attends! Is the long silence of the‌‍ Armian family finally‌ broken…?】

The⁠ demon invasion at⁠ the Academy had been a massive‌‌⁠ shock. Everyone was⁠⁠‌ demanding the formation‌ of a union.‍

The‍‍ prince-electors were finally‌ beginning to move‌‌‍ according to that outcry.

Although‌⁠ the presence of‌‌‍ the Armian patriarch‌ would complicate things,⁠⁠⁠ it was clear this time the‍ council wouldn’t end‌‌ with evasions like⁠ before. Some result‌ would have to‍ come.

Fernan‍ turned the page.‍‌

【How⁠‌⁠ was a golem with its own⁠‌ will created? The secret weapon Pellenberg‍⁠‌ prepared for decades?】‍‌

【The⁠ Saintbird returns to⁠⁠ Armian. Military reinforcements‌ underway: will House‌‍⁠ Armian take off‌‌‍ again?】

【The‍ feat of Aint‌ Armian—the demon-slaying hero⁠‌‌ exists!】

Everything‍ revolved around the‍‌ same things Aint,‍‍ the Saintbird, and‍‌ Wooden.

Everywhere,⁠⁠⁠ they were the⁠⁠⁠ central topic.

And‌⁠ now, with Armian‌ appearing at the council after more‍‌ than a century⁠‍ of absence, the⁠ spotlight was even⁠ more focused on Aint.

Everything was flowing in‍ the right direction.‌

Well—except‌‍‌ for Schwaben, who⁠‌‌ was surely feeling‌‌‌ uncomfortable. Very uncomfortable.⁠

“The preparations?”

“Ready,‌ young master. The‌ ship is prepared;‌ they can set‍‍‌ sail whenever you‍ wish.”

“And‍‍‌ the rector and⁠ the Mercenary King?”⁠

“As‍ soon as you⁠‌⁠ board, we’ll inform‍ them.”

Of‌ course, they couldn’t⁠⁠ keep the rector⁠ or the Mercenary‌ King waiting. They were the ones⁠⁠‌ who had to‌⁠ wait.

“And‌⁠ Luina and Gismond?”‌‍

“We’re⁠‍ here.”

“We‌ just arrived.”

Luina‌ and Gismond stepped onto the rooftop,‍ both wearing light leather armor.

“Uh…⁠⁠ but do I really have to‌ go? I just‌ fought a demon…”‍

“Yes,‍‍ senior. You have‍‍ to come. At⁠ least to pay⁠‌‌ for the cost⁠‍ of the potions‌ you drank, don’t⁠⁠‌ you think?”

“…Right.”⁠

Fernan‍‌‌ silenced Gismond with‌ that line, then‍ turned to Luina.⁠‌

“The‌ luggage?”

“All‍ in the subspace⁠ bag you gave‍⁠⁠ me.”

“I⁠ shouldn’t be the‍ one saying this,⁠⁠ but it’ll be‌⁠ dangerous. No, it⁠⁠ will definitely be‍ dangerous.”

“I‍ know.”

“And‌‍ you’ll still come?”‌⁠‌

“Yes.”‌‍⁠

Luina‍ answered naturally.

“This⁠‌⁠ is what I wanted—to fight demons.”⁠‍

“Why?”⁠⁠

“When⁠ we fought Andrealphus,⁠‍ I felt like⁠ I was about⁠‌ to grasp a thread. It’s still⁠ vague, but maybe⁠ against another demon⁠ I’ll truly catch‍ it.”

And‌ also—

“The⁠‍ Mercenary King is‌ coming with us,⁠‌ right?”

“Yes.”⁠

“If‍ I’m lucky, I might even get‌‍ a duel against‌‌ him.”

“…You’re⁠‌ crazy. Everyone’s gone‍ crazy.”

Luina⁠ showed a certain ambition. Fernan smiled,⁠ amused by how much she had⁠ changed.

And‍‍ seeing Gismond’s horrified‌‍ face at that⁠ ambition was almost‌‍ just as amusing.⁠

“Alright.⁠ But don’t overdo‌⁠ it. If everything‍‌ goes wrong, run.”‍‌‍

“I’m⁠ not going to‍ run alone.”

“Do⁠ as you like.”⁠

Fernan⁠‌ stretched and turned⁠⁠‍ around. Luina, Hyde,⁠⁠ and Gismond followed‍ him.

“Alright, it’s time to⁠ collect our revenge.”