Chapter 246
4Q8“…Wow, now that’s surprising.”j1oeRj3
XmcHis tone changed, as if his face had cracked.N7i
SG5s“I didn’t think you knew that much.”AFvkf
j5vRr“Don’t underestimate Pellenberg’s information network.”ga4Mn1g
eEwSl8“Yeah, seems I shouldn’t.”vU6St0
HGoZCEP“Then, what’s your relationship with Baelz?”M2c0yDw
vt1D“Who knows.”Z6D
G9sMdDCount Patrick Pirandello shrugged and smiled.EpqR
pdx“Wouldn’t it be more fun if you found out for yourself? With that magnificent Pellenberg information network.”fsON
FeMf“There’s no sense in taking the hard road when there’s an easier one.”tGSxgh
14CkSZs“This one will be much harder.”iSp98
CVWg“I see.”mMSgiL
FZxEz1Then the only option left was to catch him and ask directly.sebdY4
hwqS7N“When I realized everything I had accumulated had disappeared without a trace, I already suspected things had gone wrong.”BGc0
Lt5Even so, he didn’t give up or flee.oHP
xglavo“I just wanted to see your face one more time.”ujtm91
SxBHe wanted to see with his own eyes what kind of man had humiliated him so thoroughly.ewKDlE
cD6sMqxAnd deep down, he trusted he could always escape no matter what happened.qBPgCF0
wy7d“In that, we’re opposites.”2Ip
N1EaFQRrrrumble—1l0x
nZffPNcA magic circle began to form in the sky.T5iZ
n3GIby“Because I, no matter what, will catch you.”uqL74JU
RGuA figure floated in the air—a mage.1gh
LJFWl7HIt was someone even Count Patrick couldn’t fail to recognize.f1kpCF
SF4qf5L“…The Rector of the Academy?”8IxfcB
7PbgnLAnd not just anyone, but someone he never expected to see.loXLeQU
GDJJWasn’t it enough to bring the Mercenary King, and now the Rector too?h1X
IvJV3X“T-The Rector…!”zIaQMqL
qBAAeCount Patrick’s face, along with the Second Prince’s, turned pale.tO0OtvW
d5vBut they had no time to process it.NcxyxA
Rm2G2OClang!p5LU
NgwqPatrick intercepted a black spear that flew through the air.wyc2i
HQnWU“Don’t we still have unfinished business?”6UUGZ
Zx4The Mercenary King roared and lunged at him.CFneZV
QPWnOstLarge-scale magic fell like a calamity.Kzl0J
3mEAnd so, the battle began.oxCsKL
26bV***dFGTHz
dDVThe fight was fierce.f4SpC
9NeHkZAnd the outcome leaned, as anyone could have predicted.nRJk75
dgTnJA complete defeat.aBZbh
4ElKZCount Patrick Pirandello was strong, but not strong enough to face both a Royal Knight and an Archmage at the same time.6AyK
8XO1pnAnd while Fernan Pellenberg wasn’t an Archmage, he was still a formidable warrior not to be underestimated.V9twV
YQLNqqoDefeat was inevitable, and Gerlan barely managed to escape thanks to the sacrifice of his subordinates.ejQx
VFglfFClop, clop, clop—FGS1cPy
6ZqhrHorses thundered along the mountain path.IuJY2r0
qfzSuFrom hundreds of soldiers, only a few dozen remained—the prince’s closest knights.VPxk
JOTW“How could this happen?! How?!”zgM
TvkLqB“Your Highness! We must return to the kingdom as quickly as possible! Gather the troops in the capital and make the attack public, we must issue a formal protest to the Empire!”jppE
AUK“This is interference in internal affairs—no, something worse! How dare Fernan Pellenberg and the Rector of the Academy attack a prince of Linelt?!”Dm3w6
I2zAaFThey were right. Fernan Pellenberg wasn’t just a merchant, but heir to a princely family.g7KHTDp
SjbnqyyAnd the Rector—his institution’s name said it all—the Imperial Armian Academy, a figure of immense power within the Empire.FHqr
tJr1KnAnd now both had attacked him—the Second Prince and Regent of the Kingdom of Linelt.3j5
JG11It was practically a declaration of war.XkJ
haIKE8p“As soon as I return to the capital, I’ll make this attack public and send envoys to all nations!”QJG
gSIzsSThe Empire was an enemy Linelt couldn’t face alone.oeF
Lo15Even if it became a diplomatic war, they needed support from other kingdoms.MRXQM
PTI96“You’ll see, Fernan Pellenberg!”FnpXxB
6yYHow much must he despise Linelt to dare go this far?fr9QsSs
WV6kCytAt that moment—Pq8USKP
V1lFxuWhoosh!FxydRXh
A9q9An arrow flew and struck the back of a knight, knocking him off his horse.mBgdTh
3oWmY“Sir Prell!”ZJj
7wE6u1“Your Highness, the pursuers have caught up to us!”mtS
miSSome knights split from the group.mViNssA
2bQvV2“We’ll hold them here! Return to the capital safely!”XC8Oz
zJVKThe sound of clashing weapons, neighing horses, and shouts faded into the distance.9HpRuA
RSeLc0ZGerlan clenched his teeth.z4n
vPbq6Fernan Pellenberg.HuJYT6p
rWMThe Mercenary King.KQx
1rmThe Rector.K3GqW7C
bRh2mAntenor Linelt.G2Pku
vYDA2AmAnd Count Patrick Pirandello.ijM
F7yvejOHe repeated the five names in his mind.up9oI
KFjqlUpThe ones he had to take revenge on.l8QU9SI
Tc2gTHe had gone too far. He had done everything to reach the throne.tiZrPp
9RUHe couldn’t give up now. He would reclaim his position and get revenge on all of them.DZXvzge
xNXt8S“Have courage, Your Highness!”f70G
fUk84J“Courage? I can’t go on! I’m nothing but a traitor who sold his country to the corrupt!”keGoF7
F7SMZMThe pursuers attacked them several more times. Some sacrificed themselves for Gerlan, others abandoned him and fled.Bqy5Xd
OZ0Ympr“Your Highness, we should stop in another city and gather reinforcements…!”Dgq
DklW06“No, we’re going straight to the capital! The enemy is Fernan Pellenberg, and right now time is everything! I must issue an official statement as regent before he acts!”nWPXbaF
hH8fKnBHeading to the capital was the smartest move if he wanted to stay ahead of Fernan, who no doubt planned to move the First Prince.O1JRJa
cLS1NqHe was still the regent, and only in the capital could he fully exercise his authority.gmV
i8eSeveral days passed.j1AgE
s2eAn“…Is this all that’s left?”QDBhzA
GE8“Five men deserted last night. I’m sorry, Your Highness.”tlGkK
reFe“…I trusted them, they’ve been with me over ten years.”PdK5
K9sqaTFewer than ten remained by his side.kRz
T4Pd32He was exhausted and covered in grime, but his eyes burned more fiercely than ever.mI4M
icMV4They were full of hatred—the determination to overcome this national crisis, reclaim his throne, and take revenge on the traitors who had abandoned him.mS6
sM4dAt last, he arrived at the capital.OJh
JDpnBut something was off.vRP7l
vKFEO“…Are the gates closed?”empcH
QpiThe gates, which were always open, were now sealed. There were no lines of people as usual.jGWBaB9
rHMO“Open the gates!”t2sLwJ
RjyGerlan shouted as he reached the gate. Fortunately, there were soldiers on the wall. They poked their heads out.NHM4qC
JzaJp“Who goes there?”nMBE0d
Vl6md6“This is His Highness Gerlan Linelt, the regent! Open the gates at once and receive His Highness!”MauMZ
bUfVDf2But the gates didn’t move an inch.Ah6
81a“We cannot do that.”3kFtDRL
xjx“…What did you say?”AwS
gvbJ“Please wait a moment.”MNZ
spY“Wait? Don’t you see he’s the regent?! Open the gates immediately!”IF8W
cwbThe soldiers looked inward again. They didn’t respond, no matter how much he shouted.k379Kw
z5mzcwB“Your Highness…”GK8hZ
ZMk“What’s going on here?”VC9
NtnAnyone with sense could tell something was very wrong.kObw
tDxCrreeeak—RBit
961HlThen, the gates opened.DVJ
I8aUAs a knight had announced, a crowd awaited to receive him.oLH1Sq
l6WBu9“……!”hv3B3j
zPSFrCBut they all wore armor and carried weapons. Spears and swords pointed directly at Gerlan.vFu
b3SjPoAnd at the center of that group—HzQM
LLgJ“…Your Majesty? How…?”M2lWu
17PWuThe king, who was supposed to be unconscious from his illness, was there, standing, supported by his aged body.UHT
aAIHGerlan was speechless.tE3cJ
nonHzoWas that possible?3uIqU
Zr7How could he be awake now?lKG
zbLY6CHis face turned completely pale.ELmkv0
mHG“It’s been a while, Gerlan Linelt.”5Q8U
QORrThe father’s voice calling his son held no trace of emotion. It was cold and stern.XYtNB
EGIHl“From today, you are dismissed from your position as regent.”vBZsgrb
5S7weG0The king slowly pronounced the final sentence on his son.Iacvg
4rrRv“For the crime of attempting to assassinate the king, of driving the crown prince mad with poisons, and for using the kingdom’s wealth for personal gain.”Edr
tcO“…Crown prince?”Dbq2
O9kfjX0Although the king of Linelt had always shown favoritism toward the First Prince, he had never officially declared him heir.9rYJAzF
hNALThat was a formal proclamation.LeaQ
DWe“He shall be executed. Arrest the traitor!”WG2LG
qmFJD“Yes, Your Majesty!”xSASY5
BqJW“At once!”Zwm
jeCq46The royal guard surrounded him.2olml
DH6Until he was pulled down from his horse and dragged across the ground.tKJyPP
GEkiZ“……”bRbDo
Z1Xrb3Gerlan said not a word.Psy7aA
KLcpHe couldn’t say anything.MHsTh
5Mj8Z***Bdje
D2xJtCkMeanwhile, Patrick Pirandello had also managed to escape, separated from Gerlan Linelt.r3Tq3LK
fxMgymThe Mercenary King was one thing, but the rector of the Academy had been completely unexpected. He had no intention of dying in a miserable place like the Kingdom of Linelt.0TpKTW
IgN1heuSo he fled. In exchange for escaping those two monsters, he lost an arm, but he didn’t care.vN3g
bIZYEGruuu—bqFg47
caGYJKMFrom the amputated end, bones and flesh began to emerge. Blood began to flow again, and muscles reactivated.m4u
eP1“……”TXPKf
qNcTPatrick clenched and unclenched his new fist with a satisfied smile.6QMEqC
xI1vaEAHis clothes were in tatters, but the rest of his wounds had fully regenerated.efk
sYnEHe was just a bit tired, but his body was in good condition.clF
acnjHe now had two options.VpLRUr9
pZnNlaFlee as he was—or deal one final blow to the Kingdom of Linelt?tmU
Dt2sLHis decision tilted toward the latter. He headed for the capital.TmILgGD
kuDgMAnd when he arrived, what he saw was the Second Prince being arrested and taken away in shackles.zgdb
bk3wx“What a sight.”d8ta
2CNyQoHow had they managed to awaken the king? Wasn’t he nearly dead, corrupted by dark magic?TKpwdLO
igO0It had to be Fernan’s doing.CjueLEk
1AIDantalion was right—Fernan was a much more troublesome enemy than Aint Armian.vv2B0aj
SpyQLWith Aint, one only had to beware of his power.UrbJP
9P5trBLBut Fernan Pellenberg was a strategist capable of dismantling his enemy’s plans from every angle.evl
VL3“Now I understand why Dantalion failed so spectacularly.”y5BC
RrdEjAndromalius, Seir, Kimaris, Decarabia, Flauros, Andrealphus.KfT
yjroHe hadn’t understood how they could have fallen to humans. He had considered them arrogant fools for underestimating humans even after being defeated a thousand years ago.U1q
3fuytCZBut if Fernan Pellenberg had been involved in all those cases, then it made sense.8UKRl
dXOAt least for now, Fernan was more meticulous and precise than any other.b6yaPy
8x8“Well, maybe not so meticulous.”43iabfw
QXtFernan had made a mistake.2i7SOq
nb53b5Arrogance. Pride.CmQuOm
Zi1slA human who underestimated the corrupt and demons so much. Understandable after so many victories—he must’ve thought they were just insects.2Lf
chm“But tell me, Fernan Pellenberg…”zoIs
2zVI, too, know how to dig escape tunnels.mtSfg
HIUsWithout anyone noticing, Patrick jumped over the wall and entered the basement of a mansion.AKJL
gpeGkyHThere, mountains of magic stones were already prepared.99sq9dw
Jf8He had almost completely emptied the remaining royal treasury, converting everything—including emergency treasures and the newly collected special taxes—into magic stones.yAQkM
Mcqk“Your pride will be your downfall.”jsVWq
ceFFernan’s mistake had been his overconfidence.n2aKy
5hxxKvbDiscovering the summoning circle, stealing the sacrifices, and leaving it undestroyed.Hj2sB7
hSMsuThinking that, just because it had been looted once, no one would use it again.AW7OSN
g23BaiZ“The Kingdom of Linelt will fall because of you.”TFf4lZ
DrbJMThe magic circle began to glow as it reacted with the magic stones.bFmR
B9zSix mansions shone at the same time, connecting to form a six-pointed star.XDOKf6
rkCvA sinister energy covered the entire capital.ftta
rYBPatrick slowly stepped into the garden. They were waiting for him there.JgswT
FNYa“You’re late.”gCcC
NpbPatrick smiled calmly.5tVQ
A9JOtgeFernan responded.TQV8
dhxllK“Late?”CqNZkRR
R2OF“Yes. The summoning circle has already been activated. Once it’s in motion, there’s no way to stop it.”kNZL
L3vB7YiThe demon would be summoned. That was an immutable truth. And once summoned, everything would be over.jzYPCk
3E2xR8T“I win.”xfG
V6j“How stupid.”uGq6o
gi82f“Stupid?”5Nds07H
Bw1iX“Do you really think that after facing so many corrupt and demons, I wouldn’t have anticipated the possibility of another summoning?”CVP2y
2xgThe person behind Fernan removed their cloak.33Gbdg
u9UlqA0Radiant golden hair was revealed.oEksoV
8jkjC“…Aint Armian?”c5PUV
yjMIt was Patrick’s first time seeing him, but there was no doubt. He was too famous not to recognize.bihAm
rIx3rIf it was Aint Armian, he was the best possible card against demons.zNZ
Q9Jfmbf“And you think I didn’t know Aint Armian would appear the moment you did?”K4YBA
IGVGPatrick had anticipated that too.5nWLsch
2IeWWft“How many disasters have the two of you caused together?”M2oF
yzDhHe spread both hands.yXSgNO2
r3yLA“Look.”9nSP
TM7YbmHe looked up at the sky.NPGloh
WUCZe0───CRACK!zRYxZU
vzTySpace tore open. From the rift poured a dense tide of corrupt magic.cKWO7J
TcjHA small hand emerged from the fissure and tore it open further.Xh09w0
9azZzC2Riding atop a red two-headed lizard, an innocent-looking winged boy slowly descended.x0xMLhD
nBvrBut the chaotic magic surrounding him proved he wasn’t just a child.etgf8
o2JbBA“Demon No. 62—Valac.”BzMeH
jzYSA wicked being wearing a child’s mask.sY1G
81KHad descended.dTte
1n6N5hBut Patrick wasn’t done.cbT
2Hfu0qs“And next.”hWWHgS
Fy6MM“Next… what?”iG0
V7g“What did you say…?”NSFE
Uq24biv“……!”QbAjFUh
l45DSe9Another hand emerged from the same rift.CM6
R6hbysrThis time, a larger creature—a humanoid body with an owl’s head, wings on its back, and a sword wrapped in black flames, mounted on a dark wolf.ElgchU
aFsjNThe moment it appeared, the concentration of demonic energy became unbearable.wJlu6
qpu“Demon No. 63—Andras.”ShCHzgx
JDb“……!”sZMoWL
LTz5wM“Two demons…?”rI8xvid
rWtbSuch a thing had never been seen before—two full demons summoned simultaneously in the same place.FnlR
V55sThere were cases like Andrealphus and Flauros, but those were in different locations.oL9ZKz
m1rDantalion, on the other hand, had only been a projection, not his true body.lW0EX
kQMiBut this time, no. Two full demons had descended together.JXWL
u8o“A shame that, because of you, Fernan Pellenberg, the three were reduced to two…”rVWUCZe
sEGWell, it didn’t matter.2of
uPE8jCould just the two of them really stop two demons and me?27nwi
MlihS“What do you think of my little surprise gift?”R4SZ
BIhqFernan Pellenberg. Aint Armian.vWfyORh
hto13V“This will be your grave.”FVdbG
m5nPatrick declared it.lpyHvS
FjmaZkAnd immediately, a rain of monsters fell from the sky.doUs7pz
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