A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 25

Chapter 25

It was early morning,‌ before the sun‍⁠‌ had fully risen,‍ and Aint had‌‌‌ already finished his preparations and left⁠ home.

— What did I tell you?

“That‍ I should read‌‌ the contract carefully‌⁠‌ and be careful‍‍‌ not to get⁠ swindled.”

— Exactly. Don’t forget‌ it. Those damned⁠‌‍ Pellenbergs are bastards⁠‍ who’ll steal your⁠⁠ nose if you close your eyes!‍

“Aren’t⁠ you exaggerating a bit? After all,⁠ I’m the one‌⁠‌ putting my nose⁠‌ to the knife.”‍

— Don’t be ridiculous.⁠‍ It’s not just⁠ your nose — they’ll cut your‍⁠ neck! If they⁠ see a weakness,⁠‌ the Pellenbergs strike‍‍⁠ with brutal force.⁠‍

With‌‍‌ Gardner Alfenparsen’s continuous warnings and the‌⁠ persistent rumors about‌ the Pellenberg family,⁠‍ Aint began to‌ feel nervous.

“Pff…‌ if I believed⁠‌‍ everything people say,⁠ it’d almost feel‌‍‌ like I’m about‌ to face a demon.”

— It’s not that‍ bad. No matter⁠⁠ how Pellenberg they are, they’re still⁠ human. Demons are‌⁠ far worse.

“…I don’t know if‍⁠‌ that means demons‍ are terrifying or⁠ that the Pellenbergs‍ aren’t as scary‍‌‌ as they say.”‌

I guess I’ll find⁠⁠ out when I get there.

Aint⁠⁠ carefully opened the‌ tavern door. It‌ was the establishment‍ owned by the‍⁠ Golden Turtle Company‌‌ that Fernan had‍⁠⁠ mentioned.

***

In⁠‍ a private room,‍ isolated from any‍ outside eyes.

“I⁠‍ noted all your‍ requirements. Read it⁠ carefully.”

Aint‌ swallowed and began‌⁠‌ to review the‌ contract Fernan handed‌ him.

【Adamantite‍‌ Sales Contract】

【Aint‌‌⁠ Armian and Fernan‌‍ Pellenberg agree to⁠‌ the present sales‍‍ contract for adamantite⁠‌‍ based on mutual⁠‍ trust.】

【Aint‍ Armian will be‌⁠ referred to as‍ Party A, and‍ Fernan Pellenberg as‍ Party B.】

【1.‍ Party A will‍ sell to Party B 70 kg of adamantite. Hereinafter‍‍ referred to as⁠ “the object.”
2. Party B will pay Party‌‍ A for the‌⁠ object…】

The‍⁠ contract spanned several‍‍ pages, but in‍ summary, the key⁠‌ points were three:‌‌

Aint‌ would hand over‌‌ the adamantite to⁠ Fernan.

Fernan would pay with adamantite equipment, money,‌ and discreet support.‍

— No abusive clauses.‌‌ You can sign⁠‍ it as it‍‌ is.

What‍ happened to all‍‌ those warnings earlier?‍

— Precisely because everything‌ is carefully aligned⁠⁠ with your demands.‍

— And I can’t⁠‌ just invent problems‌⁠ when there aren’t⁠ any.

After⁠‌ confirming that everything⁠ he requested was⁠⁠ clearly written, Aint signed the contract.‍‌

“I’m‍ fine with it,‌‌ but… aren’t you‍⁠ losing out with‌‌ this? Compared to⁠‍⁠ the value of‌‌ adamantite, the price‌ is pretty low.”‍

Fernan,‌⁠ while storing a copy of the⁠‌⁠ contract, asked:

“But⁠‍‍ then, isn’t it‌ advantageous for you?”‍‍‍

“Yes,⁠ but even as‍ a merchant, I’m⁠ not naïve enough‌‌ to celebrate a deal with no⁠‌ reason.”

“You‍ gave me the heart of the⁠‍ Saint bird. That‍⁠ alone has immeasurable⁠ value.”

The‍ heart of the⁠‌‍ Saint bird was‌‍ an elixir as⁠ valuable as adamantite.‌ When Gardner suggested‍ approaching Fernan, Aint⁠‌ never thought he’d‌‌‍ actually get it.

Of⁠ course, that wasn’t⁠ the only reason‌ he was selling⁠‍ the adamantite so⁠‌‍ cheaply.

“Even if I have‌⁠⁠ the adamantite, I have no way‍‍ of using it‍‍ right now…”

“If⁠ you auctioned it,‌‍ you could get‌ much more.”

“I‌ don’t have the‍ power to protect‌‌ it.”

The‍ extinct imperial family‍ Armian still received‌‍‍ respect from many,‌‌⁠ but that was‍ all.

Adamantite was so precious⁠ that it could‌‌ be enough of⁠‌ a reason for⁠ someone to raise a sword against them again.

“Before⁠ rumors spread, I’d⁠ rather get rid⁠ of it.”

“And‌⁠⁠ if I decided‌ to kill you‌‌‌ and make it‌‍ disappear?”

“You‌ could do that,⁠‌ sure. But you gave me the‌ heart of the Saint bird.”

Such⁠ a valuable object‌‍ — perhaps even⁠⁠ more than adamantite,⁠ depending on the⁠‌ perspective — was‍ given freely, without‌⁠‌ expecting anything in⁠ return.

Would‍‍ someone like that‌‍ risk everything just⁠ to get discounted‌‌ adamantite?

Aint⁠‌ didn’t think so.

— Besides, the fact‍‌ that he signed‍ the contract means‍ he’s taking a risk too.

— It has the‌⁠ Seal of Succession,‌ so if he‌ breaks it, you⁠ can make it‍ public. I don’t⁠‍ think he wants‍ that, so he’ll‍⁠ tread carefully.

The‌⁠ Pellenbergs valued their‍ reputation highly. They⁠‌ might exploit loopholes⁠‌⁠ in a contract,‌‍ but they wouldn’t⁠⁠ outright break one.‍

“So‍⁠ you chose to‍ take a loss‍ on purpose to‍ get rid of⁠‌ it?”

Knock,‌ knock. Fernan tapped‌‍⁠ his fingers on‌‍‍ the table. Then⁠ nodded.

“I‍⁠ understand.”

A reasonable explanation. And saying he trusted‍ because of the‌‍ heart of the‌‍⁠ Saint bird also‍‍ made sense.

That‍⁠ heart was considered top-tier even within the family’s vault⁠⁠‍ packed with elixirs.‍

If⁠ Aint weren’t the⁠ hero destined to⁠‍ save the world⁠‍ from demons, Fernan‌⁠ would never have‌‍ handed it over.‌‌

“Doesn’t‌⁠ seem like you’re‌ getting the short‍ end of the⁠ stick.”

“Thanks.”

“And it was an⁠ excellent decision to⁠ choose me as‍‍ your buyer.”

Fernan gave a faint‍⁠ smile.

“If I were to⁠‍ help you, I’d⁠ help you. But‍‌⁠ I’d never betray‌‌⁠ or kill you,‍ like you said.”‌

“Never.”‌

Fernan⁠ repeated it firmly.

— What’s with this‍ guy? Did he go dumb from excitement after seeing the adamantite or⁠ what?

‘Maybe⁠‍ he just won⁠ his favor thanks‌ to the adamantite.’‌‍

— I don’t think⁠‌ it’s just that…‍⁠

Neither‍ Aint nor Gardner,⁠‍ unaware of the‍‌‌ contents of the‌⁠‍ book of prophecies,‍ could fully understand‍⁠ Fernan’s attitude.

***‍‌

It‌ was a satisfying‌ deal.

In‌‍ any case, Fernan⁠‍ had already planned‍ to support Aint‌‌‌ both materially and‌‌ spiritually, but if‌‍ a merchant could⁠ obtain a valuable‌ item at a much lower price,‌‌ there was no reason to complain.‌

“Who‍ would’ve thought giving‌ away the heart‌ of the Saint‌ bird would lead‍ to this?”

That deal was possible thanks to the⁠‍‍ favor earned by‍ giving away the⁠ heart of the‌ Saint bird. Without⁠ it, Aint probably⁠‌⁠ wouldn’t have told‍⁠ anyone he had‌‌ obtained adamantite.

“Money‌ really is the best.”

If‌⁠‌ his family hadn’t‌ had money, they‌‍ wouldn’t have had⁠ the heart of‍‍ the Saint bird,‌⁠⁠ and none of‍⁠ this would’ve been⁠ possible.

Just‌ as he was‌‍⁠ thinking that—

“…Kugh?”⁠

─!⁠

A massive explosion burst inside his head.‌

Fernan⁠‌⁠ instantly recognized it⁠‌ as the same thing he had⁠‍ experienced before.

He‍ grabbed his head with both hands⁠‌ and collapsed onto‌‌ the bed, as‍ a flood of⁠‌ memories overwhelmed his mind.

***‌

[“What‌ do you think,‌⁠‌ Aint? Don’t you want to join‍‌ the club with‌‍ me?”

“Club?”

“Yes.‌‍ The seniors invited⁠‌ me. I think‌ it was called‍ the yacht club.⁠ It’s a group‌‌ where they strengthen⁠ bonds by sailing⁠‍ once a month.”]‍⁠‍

[“So‍ you’re Aint.”

A man sitting comfortably⁠‌ in the main‌‍ seat was watching‌ him.

Aint‍ bowed his head.

“It’s‍⁠⁠ an honor to⁠ greet you, Your‍‌⁠ Highness.”

“No‍‌⁠ need for such⁠‌‌ formality. At the⁠‌ academy, we’re all‍ just students.”

— What are you‌ doing, Aint?! A descendant of Armian‌‍ bowing to a bastard like that!]⁠‌

[There‍‌ were so many‌‌ of them they‌ couldn’t be counted.‌ Like a tide⁠ of horrors.

“They’re‍‌ monsters!”

“What‌ are monsters doing⁠⁠‍ here?”

“The‍ boat’s shaking! Turn‍ back to the‍ academy right now!”

But‌ the boat was‍‌ heading in the⁠ exact opposite direction⁠ of their shouts.]‌‌

[—Aint,⁠ behind you!

At‍ Gardner’s shout, Aint‌‌‍ urgently twisted his⁠ body. But his‍ attacker was faster.‌

Crunch!⁠‍

The⁠ knife pierced his‍‌ armor and sank⁠ into his chest. A burning wave‍‍ of pain was‌ followed by a sinister poison.

“Kugh…!”

— That’s… demon magic?‌ This guy’s a servant of the⁠ demons!

Aint‍ saw the attacker’s‌ face. If his memory served him⁠ right, he was⁠ one of the‍⁠‍ yacht staff.

“Die,‌‍ Armian.”

The⁠ employee’s eyes glowed⁠ with a chilling‌ black hue.]

[“…This‍⁠ is…”

— Light dispels darkness‍‌ and annihilates demonic‍ magic.

— Poison made from⁠ demonic magic is⁠‍ just trash before the light of⁠‍ Armian.

— This must be‌ what they call “turning crisis into‌⁠ opportunity.” He’s awakened the power of‌‍ light. And what⁠⁠‌ he gains next will shine even‌ brighter.]

[“Do you think the⁠‌ Pellenbergs are involved?”‍

— If they knew,‌‍ then they’re traitors‌‍ to humanity. If‌‌ not, they’re more⁠ incompetent than I imagined.]

“Khrrrrrrg…!”‍‌⁠

Unable‍‌ to withstand the‍⁠ impact, Fernan fainted on the spot.‍‍‌ He missed all‌ his classes that⁠‍‍ day.

***‍

“…It’s‍ like a curse.‌⁠ I barely resolve‌ one prophecy and⁠ another one arrives.”⁠

Fernan‌‍ threw off the‌ sweat-drenched sheets and went to get‌⁠ some cold water.⁠⁠ The coolness relieved‌ his thirst a bit.

“Is‌‌ this the third‌ time already?”

Even‌‌ if it was⁠⁠‍ the third, the‍‍ pain was as⁠ unbearable as the‌‌ first. Thinking one‌⁠ could get used⁠⁠ to the sensation‌ of a burning‍ brain was absurd.‌

“Now it’s at sea?‍ Damn that Aint,⁠⁠ wherever he goes,‌⁠ disaster follows.”

Was⁠ it because he⁠ was destined to⁠ defeat the demons‍ and save the continent that he‌⁠⁠ was always in‍ the midst of‌ chaos, or was‍‌ it his tendency⁠⁠ to attract chaos‌⁠ that let him‍⁠⁠ become a hero?‍

“The‌‌ yacht club…”

Clubs⁠⁠ at the academy‌ were small groups‍‍ for building bonds‍ between students.

They‍‍ were recommended activities,‍ ranging from simple⁠⁠‍ tea sessions to‍ monster hunts.

“I‌ could leave him‍‍ to his own‌‌ devices this time,⁠‌⁠ he’ll probably manage…”

The‌ yacht club, in particular, was practically‍‍ a miniature political‌‌ stage reserved for‍ the children of noble families.

“Damn‍⁠⁠ it…”

The‍‍‌ meetings were held⁠⁠ once a month.‌ Fernan, who valued‌ connections greatly, was‌‍ of course registered‌‌‌ and attended regularly‌ unless he had⁠ pressing matters.

“This‍‍⁠ can’t be…”

And⁠⁠ not only that.‍ He was the‍ one who, by‌⁠ offering a luxury‌‍ yacht for those⁠‌ meetings that used‍‍ to be simple‍⁠⁠ tea gatherings, triggered‍‍⁠ their outings to‌‍ sea.

“…And‌‍ now it turns⁠ out that on‌‌ the ship I provided, a demon⁠‌ servant infiltrated as‍ staff to attack‌ Aint?”

Damn‌ it… this is⁠‍ how that cursed‌ Aint is going⁠ to bring me‍ down.

Fernan’s‍⁠‌ face twisted into‍‍‌ an expression of‍‌ pure resentment.

***‌

While Fernan, who had‍ just awakened from⁠‌ fainting, still trembled‌‍ in horror over⁠ the demons…

Ding!‌

“Welcome!”⁠⁠

The⁠ bookstore owner, standing behind the counter, greeted the customer.⁠‌

“Do⁠⁠ you have the book Fundamentals of Cooking?”

“If‍‌ you’re looking for⁠ it, it should‍⁠ be in section‍⁠⁠ C21.”

“Thanks.”‍‍

Following⁠⁠ the owner’s direction,‌‍‍ the customer spent⁠‌ about five minutes‍‌ searching the indicated section, but then‌ returned to the‌ counter.

“It⁠ doesn’t seem to⁠ be there!”

“If⁠ it’s not there,⁠ it means all the copies have been sold. One‌⁠ moment, I’ll check⁠⁠‌ the storage room.”⁠

The‌ owner headed to the back storage‌‌ room. It was⁠‍‌ packed with books, and the stale⁠ scent of paper⁠ filled the air.

“Let’s⁠ see…”

At⁠ that moment, a black shadow suddenly⁠‌ rose behind him.‍‍⁠

“I’ve‍‍ come to report.”⁠

Without⁠ replying, the owner‌ continued searching for⁠‌ the book, but‌ the shadow began⁠ its report anyway.‍

“According‌‍ to confirmation, Aint⁠ Armian never engaged‌‍‌ Verian Kalburdern, who had lost control due to demonic‍ magic.”

“Furthermore…”‌

“According‍ to His Excellency’s‌⁠ original plan, Verian‌‌⁠ Kalburdern was supposed to trace Armian’s‍ mana after being defeated, but someone‌‍‌ appears to have‍ intervened.”

“Someone‍ intervened?”

The‌‍ bookstore owner pulled out Fundamentals of‍ Cooking, which had⁠ been deeply buried⁠ among the shelves.‌‍⁠

“We‍ couldn’t determine who‍⁠ it was. The⁠ traces were completely‌ erased…”

It⁠ was because Fernan, anticipating the demons’‍‌ tracking, had perfectly‌ wiped all traces.⁠

“So‌‍ you couldn’t identify‍‍⁠ them because of‌‌‍ that?”

“…Sorry.‍‌ We’ll try to⁠‌ trace it again.”⁠⁠

“No matter. If you’ve‌ come to that‌⁠ point and still‍ can’t, there’s nothing‌ to be done.‌ Forcing you further‌ wouldn’t be wise—stop.”‌

“My‍‍ apologies.”

“I⁠‌‍ was wondering why‌ there was no mention of demonic‌‌⁠ magic… So that’s‍ what happened.”

He⁠‌⁠ blew the dust‍ off the book⁠ he had just retrieved.

“There’s⁠ no way someone‌ knows about us…‌‌ Could it have⁠ been mere coincidence?”‍‍

There‍ was no other‌‌ way to explain‌⁠⁠ it. For humans,‍ demons were little‌ more than legends,‌‌‌ and someone knowing‌ their plans ahead⁠‌⁠ of time to‌ ruin them was‌ simply impossible.

It was strange that‍ demonic magic wasn’t mentioned at all,‌ but if they‍‍ didn’t even know⁠‌ what it was,⁠‌‌ then it made⁠ sense.

“From now on, proceed⁠ cautiously, but don’t‍ obsess. Just do‍ it right next time.”

“…I’ll‍ do my best.”‍‌

“Aint Armian… We can’t‍‍‍ leave him alone.”⁠‌‌

For‌ some reason, since⁠⁠ entering the academy,‍‌ Aint Armian’s rate‍ of growth had⁠‌ far exceeded expectations.

The‌‍ owner was convinced‍ it was the‌‍‍ work of the‍⁠‍ first emperor.

“That⁠ cursed bloodline must have prepared something.‍⁠ It’s obvious.”

That’s‌‍ why he couldn’t allow Aint Armian⁠⁠ to continue unchecked.

At‍⁠ first, they had‍‍ only wanted to‌⁠ observe, to test⁠⁠ the waters… But⁠⁠‍ after that man,‍ ranked 38th, defeated‌ Verian Kalburdern, who held second place,⁠ everything became clear.⁠

“Yes. That will be‌⁠ best.”

“I am ready to receive your order.”‍

“Take⁠ Aint Armian to‌ the sea. If⁠ all goes well,‍ we’ll eliminate that‌‍ cursed bloodline. And‍⁠ if it fails,‌‌ at least we’ll⁠ cause a fracture‍⁠ within the Empire.”‌‌

“Yes,⁠‌ I will fulfill⁠‍‍ your will.”

“We‌ don’t yet have‍‌‌ the power to‌⁠ face the Empire,⁠ so the most⁠‌ important thing is‍ not being discovered.⁠ Don’t fail me‍ a second time.”‌‍⁠

At those words, the‌ shadow trembled slightly.⁠

“…I’ll⁠⁠ keep that in‍ mind.”

With a wave of‌‌ the hand, the‌ shadow vanished.

Now⁠‌⁠ alone, the bookstore⁠ owner’s once-stiff face‍‍ relaxed into a smile.

“Dear customer, here is‌⁠ the Fundamentals of‌⁠ Cooking book you⁠ were looking for.”⁠‌