Chapter 247
UIJHN7NTwo demons had descended.FowqEPf
GLx9An overwhelming presence, completely different from anything before, covered the entire capital.XztUco
zDfVA chill ran down everyone’s spine.MTXeE
dLn4FdN‘Since when did Valac become two?’ZwWIU
86akuNot really—Patrick had said that there were originally supposed to be three. Maybe it was a strategy by the corrupt, after their repeated failures against Fernan and Aint.dYg
lax4nCL‘Perhaps I pushed them too far.’uEw43
ZtoHe had tried to achieve too much at once, ignoring the possible countermeasures of his enemies.4bJ
cuZiDgHe had changed the future several times, had seen the consequences, and still became overconfident.fZfu
LkBBhIt was undeniable that his faith in Aint, in the Mercenary King, and in the Rector had served as the foundation for that confidence.QX2
B3V9yzBut if he really trusted them that much, he should have at least thoroughly analyzed the magic circle before acting.zRpIbyc
MAbgThe corrupt who had been defeated in Alprosen, Eslyn, and the Empire were no fools. They wouldn’t keep falling into the same traps.Qdn
8AcHe acknowledged that his arrogance had caused him to let his guard down.ICsO
rlHz“Yes, you’re right. This time it was my mistake. It won’t happen again.”EY64q
pt5sIEven so, at least part of the summoning had been intercepted.VGrPpt
Hhjd2PIf all three had appeared, there would have been no way out.muelww
DGD“Next time? You think you’ll get another chance?”8wWjn
f0iR4a“I’ll ask you the opposite. Just as you expected Aint to appear the moment I did, would you believe me if I said I also considered the possibility that there might be more than one demon?”qryP
A8Y“You’re spouting nonsense out of fear. Saying it doesn’t make it true.”mLB6
96yvoRV“Do I look scared?”nKiG
tXavdMkFernan’s face remained calm—too calm for someone facing two demons.aiAKLx
EBx5Even with a royal knight and an archmage at his side, maintaining that level of composure seemed impossible.PqEZ7sZ
bdexlo“Are you implying you’ve got something else? Or is it… the Border Count of Bercheff…?”Tedg7Lx
6H0“Some time ago, a fragment of Dantalion asked me how I managed to survive. How I killed Flauros.”EkKq
AMrrA‘Go to the other world before me and I’ll tell you when you get there.’6Tm8a
6srIk“That’s how it was.”EW6i
zJz68Fernan extended his hand. Something began to stir, formed by magic.cOHfBrm
eeoh“……!”klQ59z
iKtPoyIt was only a cluster of sand, a small storm of magic dust.0OXPUs
aYABut the grains it was made of, and the energy they held, were far from ordinary.lVLJ
f8cvPatrick’s eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open.8fkt
hTCWob“You…!”lUWeAM
b0iAkZHe shouted unintentionally.bK8j4G
0HSh“How the hell do you have that?!”ydSYn
nfpoo3That energy that made his skin crawl—he had felt it countless times.rdHb
otelgxWA cursed power.KrTYwn3
WU55Humans called it “the power of Armian.”DVNTg4
9SlMlCBut its true origin was not Armian.vtj
HuLkCFV“You! What connection do you have with Eargrath?”70X05Bn
1exI6CPatrick’s face turned pale.HYh
hJ8ihAK***0y8
vMMEargrath.m86h
kuPPvNrThe first Pontiff of the Cult of the Dragon God.GoJkSi
LGYeatSWhen Fernan heard that name from the mouth of a corrupt, he wasn’t too surprised.LyVUjp
jZ7After all, no one knows an enemy better than the enemy itself. It made sense that they would know the Dragon Heart originated from the Cult of the Dragon God.Z5T5Zr
AaLC6e“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”bv15KB
ym9AJZrFernan had no obligation to answer.YKNB
1RxlMI“Fernan, that power… what is it?”KssePP
aFW“Yes, Fernan. When did you get something like that?”r9uJ19
LOxKnw“What’s going on? Even Aint doesn’t have that kind of power—why do you?”pMh
fxSVPatrick wasn’t the only one who noticed the unknown energy in his magic.dJcg
K6FIBDEveryone was stunned by that power revealed for the first time.8Cj
McDF30“Senior…?”mOLKT
uCW— What is that? How can Fernan Pellenberg use the power of Armian?Pv8Dlrx
R1k72But no one was more shocked than Aint and Gardner.IsH
0WU0“How…?”ZxuXeuy
TOh“I’ll explain later.”oiX
P00Fernan ignored the confused looks.yoY8v
aGXLY0“For now, the demons take priority.”W4V5bdT
iZAKZThe gazes of the hellish beasts turned toward them—drawn to Patrick or to Aint, it wasn’t clear.xdiqWH
u3GhBThere was no time to lose.MK89Z
lC4“Fine, I’ll ask later. I’ll take care of him.”46gw9m
DT1Zg4Garrett pointed his spear at Patrick.dXDG4
VmncjLc“I’ve got a debt to settle.”DJkKbMg
gPDKFQ“Aint, choose. Andras or Valac—which one do you think you can kill faster?”SZj
kszSP“…I’ll take care of Andras.”MJ1i7
ta1I“Rector, please assist Aint.”8wQKun
EuHbboX“I shall.”fiTZ9U
AchUfWsFernan looked at Luina.lreYCGa
MNXq4z“You’re coming with me. We’ll face Valac.”u518s
DnNB5hC“Yes, as you command.”ECf7MP
I7Q7mK7“And me?”V7UKa
HlboANGismond, the only one left unassigned, asked with a frown.hzTbD2a
ljE7LK“This isn’t the time for you to face demons. Help Linelt’s army eliminate the monsters.”RJgEdfZ
9myF“Understood!”KqT3HQ
s1ZaHis face brightened with relief; he had feared he would be made to fight demons.KHkJ
qy2Then, everyone split up and charged into battle at the same time.rzQz
YEBq***xdhCp
COWIigThe situation was urgent, so he decided to let it go for now.Q2xBo
VwuXBut was it really something he could let go?nmZCSmp
ai2FNThe fact that Fernan possessed Armian’s power?6ICEOTX
Vka— I can’t accept it.qGso9
lFHyA— He couldn’t have stolen or learned it. It’s not swordsmanship—it’s magic. It’s mixed into his very energy.9xUwb9L
fSwAnd in the visions Gardner knew about Armian, there was nothing like combining magic with that power.VFK
mJHxXfXHis energy felt similar but at the same time strangely different.bDHu
K4UVdl— Eargrath…?v1L
EZm— The first Pontiff was a great mage, yes, but could that Armian power also come from him…?YnUA
wwWBLGardner’s thoughts couldn’t continue.QOCyS
v6B8YK“Why?”8feNi1A
04DA twisted head leaned in close until it nearly touched his nose.uournfg
B1G4vThe owl’s yellow eyes pierced Aint with a savage stare.EBk
kJ6zc“Why? You? You chose… me?”X2LRAm
M35fvIts voice was as rough as metal scraping against metal.qET
QUtPqH“Because you think… you could kill me… faster?”YadBe
eWDQIts fragmented, dissonant speech made the skin crawl.efF
WaQ“You underestimate me? Think… I’m easy?”wbE
t14Andras’s yellow eyes opened wider.W8lgJ6f
nsEY“You think… I’m weaker… than Valac? Because I’m number 63? Weaker… than 62?!”r9iqd
eC8CS8His final scream was almost a roar.DJ7J
xHTjwWhoooosh!2AT2
E1l6afThe demon roared, and his sword came down.dnpZb
ZvoA massive blade engulfed in black fire.u7TRh
x9ITThe very space distorted as the sword fell toward Aint.pUF
NUvRS────!kWN
oebSparks and aura burst forth with the collision. A shockwave swept across the terrain.ZC5N
yd6ylKPIt was heavy. Heavier than any blow he had taken before.trH
o9HIdAint held his breath.T5Mh3
jK7JFev— Don’t drop your guard! What you’re facing is a demon! A complete demon, descended in its true form!wuB8Y5d
BXM4Kt8Gardner’s voice snapped him back to reality.DWiY
EysYes, the enemy before him was a demon. One he couldn’t afford a single mistake against.uHC
Iy3He didn’t know how Fernan had obtained Armian’s power, but that didn’t matter now.2q35
we2gHDKHe could only find out if he survived.0uJsymw
5MdZCStill.8HbphV
8K9‘It’s the first time, isn’t it?’FuI
r87MRGThe first time he had blocked a direct attack from a complete demon.YIra
61NHaJCIt was overwhelming, terrifying—but not impossible to endure.tCTn
yJsgBefore, he wouldn’t have even dreamed of it.wsF4MYj
1tH6AAint realized just how far he’d come.0kx1H3o
RT9ia7“You blocked it?”7Km
nNYnaWThe owl head twisted grotesquely.XPDpy
RufThe sword glowed again, releasing an even larger flame—hot enough to melt aura itself.WBa2
XYiwHBut Aint, instead of retreating, took a deep breath and unleashed all his energy.Fkz2
1o4bHis sacred power spread through his body, and under its influence, the demon’s flames began to weaken.PaU
euhbDThe swords clashed again.e7a
7EJ7nMm────!xQ9Ki
ztiRA bigger explosion than before devoured the surroundings.lVWx
MuHSIn that instant, Aint took advantage of the gap between devouring light and darkness.y1Ow
n6RHe aimed for Andras’s throat with all the speed his body could muster.vkAR
aN8yaWwSlash!wsd7c
8P8R3He only grazed his shoulder, barely—but the impact was as brutal as striking a mountain.vDbGb
PStinqFAint clenched his teeth as he felt the counterstrike, but he saw blood burst from the torn flesh.aEO
uoY77JHis sword had pierced the demon’s skin.bJmLfZ
EoIQX“It hurts! It hurts!”fOnLvh
AG6GtmAndras screamed.gKbdGD
pdbD9BV“Damn it! Power! It hurts!”aEs5ja
DCI1tYQThe black wolf beneath him lunged at Aint, throwing its master into the air.MoH
Y3JBoom!WgQmjy
laYZ2KThe blow was so immense that Aint’s body slid across the ground.j10M
LdvcAbove, Andras spread his wings and shrieked:7Pxpe
zU5vwmr“Die! Die!”p5WydZ
v9lxIQShowers of feathers fell from the sky.h5ULB
LCrEYQ8Each one, charged with demonic energy, was like a bomb tearing through everything in its path.JixLAm7
P6G7But none reached Aint.Vidn
c6ndCrack!jqB
WrLA blue lightning bolt descended, lighting everything up.di3
DWE17yAThe thunder consumed both the feathers and the demon and his wolf.oog
dzLx“Student Aint, it seems the Academy didn’t teach you well.”xhWjA
t6EsHyRector Michael Montella clicked his tongue.TzOUCfc
7ec“In a situation requiring cooperation, you try to fight alone. That’s why we teach teamwork, understand?”fdIZrtd
212t5We’ll have to reinforce training for the professors too, he muttered.8Phe
tu4uIf Professor Grad had heard that, he might’ve fainted.NzPBM
OBBFgSw“Ah…”sHWASxI
pJvvk“You can answer later. Tell me, how did it go, facing him?”wWkdGo6
cvaXW“He’s not an easy opponent.”Qa5
bcTgeUk“Of course. He’s a demon, after all. The same kind that destroyed the Academy.”7XNb1
ADGqrc“But… if you help me, I don’t think it’s impossible to beat him.”ZjaYw
ZgEFrom Andromalius to Andrealphus.uvn2
mZQ6uLeAint had fought countless demons and grown with each battle.EisFop
KLPI6JHe didn’t always gain a revelation, but he had learned—bit by bit—absorbing demonic strength through Gardner.5gO
kQjBesides, he was a natural enemy of demons.SxMLeR
AN6JFighting alone was still reckless, but with an archmage at his side, it was a different story.eeVsvb
1cPOsO“So, you want me to assist?”pzELrN
P1AG4HWhat a bold boy.WHeL7I
vwzxWd“T-That wasn’t my intention…”vrNZl
ncSdiThe rector stroked his beard and smiled.KXvBWs
9nB“Just teasing. Very well, let’s see what you’re capable of. I’ll match your pace.”07OW
439vIpPLike one wave propelling the next—that’s how it should be.U8314
99uFrAn old mage, before retiring, should support the young hero.xjXt2oc
GW47The rector looked up at the sky.FrC
WOJSgg“I suppose their reputation as demons isn’t for nothing.”LhWrQ
ry5Despite the lightning he had unleashed, the demon remained intact.27S
UpJmHis fur and clothes barely scorched, even the shoulder wound inflicted by Aint had already healed.pUw
uufhz“It hurts! It hurts!”ZwsW
MDFAndras raised his sword with both hands.x4aD1
u6f82OKA massive flame erupted, covering the sky. A heat so intense it could only be described as a disaster.P5eJ4
YUYIxl“Listen closely, Aint.”7eVoi
Lz3cnDVThe rector began forming hand seals. Magic circles surrounded him.UcLzdmH
P8B“Yes.”ZT2dg
fAbAint held his sword and focused his aura.Q5xDtO7
3yiT“I’ll block all his attacks. All of them, if I can.”qsVJ5m
vlHjsCEven if he couldn’t nullify them completely, he would deflect the power, twist the trajectory—anything to keep them from landing.JP7
wDnQ“I promise you won’t be touched.”Py1
s6kSo you.8jFD
c4Rb“Drive that sword into the head of that thing. That spawn that’s neither beast nor man. Understood?”UL2
WUiZ6O“Yes.”yry
RQRSAint nodded, tense.0v9t4c
eOSHdThey wouldn’t have many chances.chqysnK
U5ZpPSThe rector planned to endure the demon’s full assault alone.mNlDo34
iIfNot even an archmage could defeat a demon by himself.D10KD
qNup“Die! Die!”TtEOn
kj5mWhoooosh!LzrbYw
wS6VhRWith a roar, Andras swung his sword.uB3oAIa
80IEThe black flames covering the sky descended.8hz
3NSF6T“Go!”ZoB
9MDJJHThe rector extended his staff.bxYdKM
Gx7wStVA pillar of lightning rose from the earth, defying gravity to clash against the fire.vRTNS
LBh34SwThe thunder resisted the apocalyptic fire.RHM
UaoAnd in the middle of that collision—70T
QMA8uoAint charged in.cvBq2
MYMUOGraaah!adtvW
RrxThe wolf emerged from the flames, but—mI4hVhM
X3Q5ECrack!EvO
XGdVRBgA second lightning bolt, striking from another angle, hit its flank.zjSTi
T1MThe wolf howled and fell to the ground.necd
S6Cc— Go, Aint! Defeat the demon, and then ask Fernan!rFDalGp
NhVMTtAint’s sword gleamed with a holy light.GJ32j
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