A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 235

Chapter 235

— Kyu!

Finally!

Wooden‍ leapt through a slightly open window.‌

Fwoosh—he⁠‍‍ landed on a soft carpet.

The‍‌ old room was⁠‌ empty. Just a small bed and‌‌ a few pieces⁠ of furniture.

‘It must be a guest room. Wooden,⁠ get out of there.’

— Kyu.

Yes.⁠‍

He‍ checked the hallway‍‌ for any presences and, after making‍‍⁠ sure it was clear, enlarged his‍⁠‌ body to the‌‍ size of a child. He turned⁠ the doorknob and,⁠⁠ shrinking again, slipped⁠ through the gap.‌

The⁠ hallway was empty.⁠‍

— Kyu!

Hello!‌

He⁠‍ saw a full‍‌ suit of armor‌‌ displayed in a corner and waved at it, happy.‍‌‍

But‍‍ since he got⁠‍ no response, he⁠ soon realized it‌‌ wasn’t like him.⁠

— Kyu, kyu.

A spirit. Like me.‍ Another. Fun.

‘Do you have any⁠ idea how hard‌ it is to‍‌ make a golem‌‌‌ like you?’

— Kyu!

I don’t!

Wooden‌ answered proudly.

It‌ was true, so‌ there was nothing‌ to be ashamed‍⁠ of. A spirit‍‌ that knew something‍⁠ that complicated would‌‌ be a strange‌‌ one.

‘…Check‌ the basement you‌‍ mentioned.’

— Kyu!

Yes!⁠‌

Was‍‌ it this way?

Wooden‍ moved down a corridor, but suddenly‌‍ hid under the‍‍‌ carpet.

“Did‍‍ you finish hanging‌‌ the laundry?”

“Yes.‍⁠ Now we have to prepare dinner.”⁠⁠

“The count is coming‌‍‌ the day after tomorrow, right?”

“Yes.”‍‍

Four⁠ maids passed by⁠ chatting. Wooden sighed‌‍‌ in relief.

— Kyu.

Almost‌‌‍ got caught.

He‌ wiped his cold‍ sweat—even though he⁠‍ didn’t sweat—and continued‌ on his way.⁠

Several⁠ times, when a door opened or a dog ran‍ past, he was⁠‌ almost seen, but managed to avoid everything. He finally‍⁠ reached the mansion’s⁠ central staircase and‌⁠ descended.

The‌ basement had two⁠‍ levels with the‌ same layout as‌ above. However, what‌ Fernan was looking‍ for wasn’t there.‍

— Kyu.

No,‌⁠ not here. Further‌ down.

‘We’ve‌⁠‍ checked every room‌⁠ on the map.⁠⁠ Then there’s a secret room.’

He⁠ couldn’t force a hole open. Patrick‌‍ Firandello must have‍‌ a passage and‍‌ an entrance.

‘Search‍ more carefully.’

— Kyu.

Easy‌⁠ to say. You’re⁠ not the one‌‍ doing it.

Snorting, Wooden moved through⁠⁠ the area with‌‍ his small body.⁠ He was nearly‌ discovered several times⁠ but finally found‌‍ a door that‍ wasn’t on the⁠ maps—a storage room⁠‍ under the stairs.

The⁠‍ map showed nothing⁠ there.

Click.⁠⁠‍ The door opened easily. Inside was a small storage‍ room with scattered‍‌ items.

— Kyu.

Nothing⁠ again.

‘No,⁠ you hit the⁠ jackpot, Wooden.’

— Kyu?

Where?‍‍

‘Look,⁠ there’s no dust‍ buildup. Someone comes in often.’

If‍ the whole place‌⁠ had been clean,‌‌ one might think‌ the maids cleaned‌‍ well. But only‍‍⁠ certain parts of‍ the wall lacked dust.

‘Move⁠‍ that, Wooden.’

When⁠ he moved the‌⁠‍ objects, a hidden door appeared. Click. It was locked.

— Kyu?

What‌‌ do I do?‍‍

‘No‌ magic circle. Make‌⁠⁠ a hole next‌‌ to it.’

Wooden‌ nodded, gathered aura,⁠ and cut the⁠ wall. He made‌ a hole so⁠ small it looked⁠‍‍ like a mouse‌‌ hole.

Wooden entered and found⁠‍‌ a staircase descending‌ endlessly.

— Kyu!

Here‌ it is!

He‌ hopped his way down. After quite‌ some time, he‍ reached another door‌‌ with magic circles⁠‍ engraved on it‍ and on the‍ walls.

That⁠‍⁠ was what had⁠ disturbed his senses.‌‍

— Kyu?

And‍⁠ now?

‘If‍‍‍ you force the‍⁠⁠ entrance, they’ll find⁠ out. Dig.’

— Kyu?

Like‌ that one time?

He⁠ remembered the day‌⁠‌ Fernan dug a tunnel and found⁠ treasure. There hadn’t‍ been circles on‍ the floor either.‌‍

‘Yes,‌ like that time.’⁠‌

Wooden‌⁠ nodded and began‌ digging. He wasn’t as fast as‍⁠‌ Fernan, but being a golem, he⁠ never tired.

After‌ an hour, he‍ had dug about⁠⁠⁠ 100 meters. Emerging,‌‍ he lifted the⁠ floor of the⁠ secret room and‌ poked his head⁠ out.

There‍ were no corpses‍ or monsters, as⁠⁠ Fernan had feared.‍

‘Potions?’‌

There were massive amounts‌ of potions and‌⁠ magic stones.

The‌‍ walls were full⁠ of circles to‍‌ conceal mana.

‘…What a treasure.’

— Kyu?

Take‍ it?

‘No,‌‌ wait.’

While⁠‍ Wooden investigated, Fernan thought from the⁠‍ hideout.

‘No⁠ corpses or monsters.⁠⁠ Just potions and‌‌⁠ magic stones. That‍ means something.’

The‍‍ 71st-ranked demon, Seir.‍⁠

He⁠‌‌ didn’t use blood⁠ or corpses, but‍‍⁠ rather the results⁠ of Professor Rosalia’s⁠‍‍ research to descend.‍‌‍

Magic‌ stones or sacrifices,⁠ it didn’t matter—all⁠ were energy to⁠ pierce the dimensional‌ barrier.

‘This⁠ is the same.⁠ They’re using potions⁠ and magic stones‌ to summon the demon.’

And‌ where had they‍ gotten so much‌ wealth?

It‌⁠ was obvious.

‘From‌⁠ the treasure of‍ the Kingdom of Linelt.’

They‌ had surely emptied⁠ it. Whether the⁠ second prince knew‍ that his own‍ treasury was being‍‍ plundered or not—⁠

It⁠ didn’t matter.

‘Taking‍ everything would be⁠‌‍ foolish. Patrick Firandello‌ would notice.’

They‌ couldn’t raise suspicion yet.

‘Wooden, get out now.‍ Cover the tunnel⁠ well. And then—’⁠‍

— Kyu?

And‍ then?

‘We‍⁠ go straight to‍ the other mansions.’⁠

— Kyu? Kyu!

Now?‌ You said one‌ a day.

‘Don’t⁠ be silly. Would⁠ you leave this⁠⁠ and rest? Even‍⁠ if we can’t‍‍ take it yet,⁠ we must prepare⁠⁠ the way for‌‍‌ when the chance‌ comes.’

They‌⁠‍ had to explore‌ all the mansions‌ and open access‍ routes. That way,⁠‌‍ if something happened, they could grab‍ it fast.

— Kyu.

Liar.‍‌

‘Gathering this will help⁠ me create a friend for you.’⁠‍

— Kyu?

A friend? Where?

Wooden‌ departed for the‍ next mansion.

***⁠‍‍

Fernan‌‍ opened his eyes.⁠

The‌⁠ connection with Wooden‍ had ended.

Seeing‍⁠⁠ the smile spreading‌ across his face,⁠⁠ Hyde, who was‍‍ guarding him, asked,⁠

“You‍‌ seem to have‌ gained something.”

“It’s⁠ like digging to‍‍‌ build a house⁠ and finding a gold mine.”

“Don’t tell me that‍‍ gold belongs to‌ the Kingdom of‍‌ Linelt?”

“Since‌‍ when does something‌ lying on the‍‌‍ ground have an‌‍ owner?”

Even⁠‌ if Fernan took it, all the‍‌ blame would fall⁠ on Count Patrick‌ Pirandello, so there‌⁠‌ was no problem.‍

And‌⁠ if, on top‌⁠ of that, he‍‌ received the secret‌ treasure of Linelt’s‍‍ royal family as⁠‌⁠ payment for all‍⁠ this, then everything‌⁠ would be worth⁠ it.

“We‌‌ need to find⁠⁠ the first prince‍ as soon as possible. Then, seal⁠ an alliance with‍‍ Yuli Linelt and⁠‍ corner the second⁠ prince and Patrick⁠‍‌ Pirandello before they use up all‍ those potions and‌‍ magic stones—or worse,‌ before they summon‍‌ the demon.”

“…At⁠⁠ least wipe the‍ drool off your⁠ mouth while you⁠‌⁠ talk.”

“It’s‌‌‌ not shameful to be loyal to⁠ desire, Hyde.”

“I‍⁠ only ask that⁠ you don’t act‌⁠ like this in‌ front of Yuli Linelt.”

“Do‌‌ you think I’m⁠‍‍ a fool? Of⁠‌⁠ course not.”

Fernan⁠ stood up. After⁠‍⁠ hours of being‍ still, his body‌‌ felt stiff.

At‍‌ that moment, a servant knocked on‍‌ the door.

“Sir, a letter has‍‍‌ arrived.”

“Come‍‍ in.”

The servant handed him‍⁠ the letter and‌ withdrew. Fernan opened⁠⁠ it.

“What⁠⁠ does it say?”

“It’s‍‍‌ from Garrett. He‌‍ says that, at‍‌‍ the second prince’s request, he’s heading‌ to what appears⁠ to be the‌‍‍ hideout of the‍‌ corrupt.”

“Isn’t‍ it strange? That⁠ the second prince‍⁠ wants to eliminate the corrupt when⁠‍ he’s the one who allied with⁠‌ them to cause⁠⁠ this whole mess.”‌

“It’s one of two‍⁠ things.”

A trap to catch⁠‌ the Mercenary King.‌

“Or‍ he just used⁠ them and now⁠‍ plans to discard⁠⁠ them.”

Fernan‍ leaned toward the‍ latter.

That’s‍‌‍ how false humans⁠ are, self-interested. They borrow with one‌ face and repay⁠‌ with another.

They had already squeezed‌ everything they could⁠‌ out of the‌ corrupt, and now‍ that they no‌⁠ longer needed them,‍‍⁠ they were thinking⁠‌ of getting rid‌⁠ of them.

Although‌ it was also‍‌‍ true that, even‍‌‍ if not for‌ that reason, the‌‌‌ corrupt were too‍ dangerous to be left roaming free.⁠‌

Whichever⁠ it was, it⁠‍ wasn’t a bad⁠‌ thing for Fernan.‍⁠

The⁠⁠ more conflict there was between them,‌ the easier it⁠‍ would be to‍ push through.

“Even‍⁠ so, we must‌ be prepared in⁠‌ case it turns⁠ out to be⁠ a trap.”

Fernan‍ doubted they could‌‍ prepare something capable‍⁠ of killing the‌‌⁠ Mercenary King outright,⁠‍ but the possibility always existed.

Losing‌ him here would⁠‌‍ be a fatal‌ blow.

“Where’s‌‍ Luina?”

“Are‍‍ you going yourself?”‍‌‌

“The least known ones⁠‍ are Luina and‌‌ me.”

Fernan‍‍‌ put on a coat.

“And⁠‌ Gismond?”

“Shut⁠⁠ up.”

“In‍‌ that case, I won’t go.”

“Why‍‌ not?”

At‌ Fernan’s curious look,‌⁠ Hyde grinned mischievously.⁠⁠‌

“How‌⁠‌ could I interrupt‍ two people about⁠⁠ to spend some‌⁠ time alone? Besides,⁠ you have Wooden,‌ so the risk⁠ is reduced.”

“…Disappear.”‌⁠‍

“Yes,‌ sir, I’ll withdraw.‌⁠ Don’t worry about⁠‍ this place. Anyway,‌⁠ finding the first‌‌⁠ prince will take⁠ time.”

“Didn’t‌‍⁠ I tell you‍‍‍ to get lost?”

Hyde⁠ vanished.

“I said, even if‌ you go, bring‍ Luina!”

Fernan‍‌ shouted in frustration.⁠‍‍

***⁠‌‍

“Stay‍‌ still. Pretend you know nothing, hear‌⁠ nothing, see nothing.”‌

“Just⁠ be the beautiful‌ princess of the‌ kingdom, look at⁠ pretty things, do⁠ only pretty things.”⁠‌

A chilling hand caressed‌⁠ her cheek.

“If‍ not… I’ll leave‌⁠ your end to‍ your imagination.”

A cold gaze.

“……!”‍

Yuli⁠‍ Linelt jolted awake.‌

The‍ faint light of‍‍ the moon streamed⁠‌ through the half-open‌ curtains. It was⁠ dawn.

“…Water.”‌‍

She‍⁠⁠ sat up. Her‍ whole body was‌‌‍ drenched in cold‍ sweat. She drank‍ from the glass‌‍⁠ next to the‍ bed, her throat burning with thirst.‍

It‌ had been a nightmare. A horrible⁠‍ nightmare.

“…Why‍‍‌ that dream again?”

It⁠‌‌ had tormented her⁠ for years, to‌‌‍ the point of‍ exhaustion.

She‌⁠ thought she had already escaped it,‌‌ at least partly.‌⁠

Then⁠‍ she remembered the‌ previous night.

The‍ man who introduced‌‌ himself as Fernan‍ Pellenberg.

His‌⁠ appearance left no‍‍ doubt—it was Fernan‍⁠‍ Pellenberg. She had‌⁠‌ seen him several⁠ times in the‍ newspapers, alongside Aint‍ Armian.

But⁠‍ the unsettling thing‍ was why he‌⁠‍ had come secretly‍‍ to the capital at that moment?⁠

If⁠ it weren’t for⁠ what he said‌‌‌ about the corrupt‌ and the desperation⁠ of the situation,‌ she wouldn’t have‍ accepted him so⁠ quickly.

‘If⁠⁠ Fernan really solves⁠‍‍ this…’

She‌ had read about‌‌⁠ it in the‍ newspaper.

Fernan‌ Pellenberg, although not‍‍⁠ as much as‍ Aint Armian, had⁠‌ defeated the corrupt⁠‍ several times and‌ had even fought‌ the demon that‌‍ descended at the‌‍ Academy. He was a hero.

If‍ all that was‍⁠ true, if he‍‍ really had come⁠⁠⁠ to track down and exterminate the‌‍‍ corrupt—

‘Please,⁠‍ let him save⁠‌ this kingdom…’

Let‌ him save it.‌

Whatever⁠‍ it took, she‌⁠ would give it.‌

If‌ it was money‌⁠⁠ he liked so‌⁠ much, she would‍ give him as‍‌⁠ much as he wanted.

“Please…”⁠

She‌‍ prayed and prayed.⁠‍‍