A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 254

Chapter 254

The‌‌‍ disaster was over.⁠

All‌ the demons that‍ had descended upon‍⁠‌ the capital were‌ defeated, and the‌⁠‍ mastermind fled, leaving⁠ only an arm‍‌ behind.

What‍ remained in the⁠‍ Kingdom of Linelt,‌ which had barely managed to survive,⁠‌ was a completely‍‌‍ destroyed capital.

“…This‌‌⁠ can’t be. Was⁠‌⁠ this the capital?”⁠‌

Den,⁠ one of the‍ refugees who had‌⁠ evacuated under royal‍ orders, couldn’t believe‍ what he was‍⁠⁠ seeing.

A city that once‍ housed seven hundred‍‍ thousand people—the pride‍‌⁠ of Linelt—had become‌⁠ a field of‌ ruins. Everything had‍⁠ been wiped out.‍‌⁠

“No⁠ matter how demonic‍⁠ they were, this⁠‍ is too much!‍ My house! I bought it just⁠ a month ago,‍‌ after saving for‍ ten whole years!”‍‌

When⁠ the king awoke‍ from his coma‌ and decreed a forced evacuation, many‌ resisted.

Why‍⁠ flee? Why abandon‌ the capital?

They‌ said demons had‌‌ been summoned, but‌ summoning demons in the heart of‌‍ the kingdom?

It⁠‌ sounded absurd.

What‍ about the knights?‍⁠ The law enforcement?‍ The court mages?⁠‌‍

What‌ was the point‍ of gathering the‌‌ kingdom’s best talents‍‍ in the capital⁠‌ if they couldn’t‍ do anything?

Were‍⁠ they so incompetent‍ that they would⁠ let demons descend‍ upon the capital⁠ without lifting a finger?

No‌ one believed it,⁠ but the evacuation‌‍ was mandatory.

Hundreds‍ of thousands of refugees were forced‌‌ to leave their⁠‍ homes and scatter across neighboring cities.‌

And‌ just a few‌ days later, explosions‌‍ so powerful they‌ could be seen‌‌ and heard dozens⁠ of kilometers away‌‌ shook the horizon.‌

Panic⁠ over the confirmation⁠⁠ that demons had‍ indeed been summoned,⁠ relief at still‍ being alive, and‍‌⁠ disdain for the‍‍ kingdom’s incompetence—all of it mixed together.‍‌

But‍ even a week‌ after the explosions⁠‍ had stopped, the‌ refugees couldn’t return.‍

The⁠‌ capital was still completely cordoned off.⁠

Living‌‍⁠ off charity in‍⁠ other cities wasn’t‍ easy.

So‌ Den decided to bypass the military‌‌‌ control and return on his own.

And⁠⁠ what he saw left him speechless.‍‍

A capital razed with⁠‍‍ chilling thoroughness, makeshift‍ tents everywhere, and⁠ reconstruction crews working⁠‍⁠ tirelessly.

The operations were massive,⁠ but it was⁠ clear they wouldn’t⁠‍‌ be finished anytime⁠ soon.

His⁠‌ heart sank.

How‌ was he going⁠‍ to live now?⁠‍ What would happen⁠⁠‍ to his home?‌

At that moment, someone approached him.

“Excuse‍ me, are you‌ a citizen of‌ the capital?”

“Who…?”⁠

“Don’t‍ be alarmed, I’m…”‌‌⁠

The‍ man handed him a business card.⁠‌

『Golden⁠ Turtle Company, Linelt‍⁠ Branch — Emergency⁠ Aid Department — Hans Hentmann』

Linelt‍ was the name⁠‌ of the capital.⁠

“…Golden Turtle Company?”

“Yes,‍ I’m a merchant.”‍

“But⁠ I’ve never heard⁠‍ of an Emergency‌‍ Aid Department…”

“First‍ of all, allow me to express‌ my sincerest condolences⁠ for the state‍ of the capital.”⁠⁠

Hans⁠⁠‍ bowed respectfully.

“Please,⁠ take this first.”‍

“A‌ newspaper?”

“Yes,⁠‌ from four days⁠ ago. You don’t‍⁠ need to read⁠‌‍ it all, just‌⁠ look at the⁠ front page.”

『The Kingdom of Linelt‌ signs an agreement‌‍⁠ with the Golden⁠ Turtle Company to‌‍ provide emergency aid‌‍‌ to capital refugees』‍‍

In‍ the photo, the‍‍‍ newly awakened king‌ was shaking hands⁠ with Fernan Pellenberg,⁠‌ both signing a contract.

“Emergency‍ aid?”

“That’s right. This new‍‍‍ department was created‍ precisely for that.
Although the capital⁠⁠ is being rebuilt,⁠‍‍ the citizens are‍ homeless, right?”

That‌‌ was exactly what Den wanted to‍‌ say.

“The⁠ great and compassionate‌ king of Linelt,‌ moved by his⁠‍ people, decided to‍ reach out to‌ us.”

“And⁠ how…?”

“All‍ citizens who can‌‍ prove their residence⁠‍ in the capital‍‍‍ can receive an‍ emergency aid loan‍‍ through the Golden Turtle Company.”

Each resident had an⁠ ID plaque, so‍⁠ proving it wasn’t⁠⁠⁠ difficult.

But‌‍⁠ Den’s face filled‌ with suspicion.

“A⁠ loan? But the⁠ Golden Turtle Company‌ is infamous for‍ its predatory loans…”‌‌

“Certainly,‍‌ we acknowledge that‌ our reputation in that area has⁠‍ been somewhat questionable.”

“‘Somewhat,’‍⁠ he says…”

“However.”⁠‍

Hans⁠ interrupted and pulled‌ out another document,‍ freshly printed.

“This⁠ time is different.‍⁠ The agreement was‌‍ signed directly with⁠ the Kingdom of⁠ Linelt. It has⁠ nothing to do‍ with our old‍ methods.”

“Really?”⁠⁠

After‍⁠ all, the king‌ and nobles weren’t‍‍‌ fools. They wouldn’t‌‍ let their people‍ fall into ruin‍‍ knowing the company’s⁠ reputation.

“If‌ you read it⁠ carefully, you’ll see⁠ this loan has‌ no interest.”

“…No‌‍ interest?”

Den‌‌‍ flipped through the‌ paper with trembling‍ hands. It was‍ true.

0%⁠ interest. He wouldn’t⁠ have to worry‌ about an unpayable‍ debt.

“Yes.‌‍ The kingdom will⁠ guarantee the loan. As I said,‍ it’s emergency aid.‍⁠‌ And how could⁠ it be called⁠‍ emergency aid if‍ we charged interest‍ to profit off⁠⁠ others’ misfortune?”

Den‍⁠ carefully checked the‍‌‌ contract, searching for‍‌ hidden clauses.

Nothing.⁠‍

It was completely legitimate.‍

There‍‌‍ was a loan‌ limit, but the‌ 0% was real.‌‌

“I-Is this real?”

“Of⁠ course. Look, there’s the royal seal. With the kingdom‌‍⁠ as guarantor, there’s‌‍ nothing to worry‍‍ about.”

“Then‍⁠ I want to⁠‌‍ apply too!”

“You‌ can’t do it‌⁠⁠ here. Where are⁠⁠ you currently staying?”‍

“At⁠ the temporary shelter⁠‍ in Dras…”

Hans⁠ scribbled something on‌⁠ a paper and‍‍‌ handed it to‍‍ him.

“Then‍‍⁠ go to the‌⁠ Golden Turtle Company‌‌ branch in Dras⁠ with this.
I’ve written my‌‍ name as a reference; you’ll get‍ additional benefits.”

“Thank‍⁠ you! Thank you so much!”

“Thank‌ you for trusting‍‍‍ our company. I wish you strength…‍⁠⁠ and may the⁠ capital be reborn‍‌ soon.”

Den‍‌ ran off.

Hans⁠‍ whistled in satisfaction.‌⁠

“One more.”

When‌ headquarters ordered them⁠ to offer 0%‌⁠‍ loans, he thought‍‍⁠ they were crazy.⁠

Victims‌‍⁠ were still victims,‍ but a company‍ had to make‍ a profit, right?‍

However,‍‍ his worry had⁠‍ been unfounded.

As‍⁠ a high-ranking official‌⁠ of the company,‍‍ Hans knew the‌ secret behind those‌⁠ loans.

“The‍‌ interest is paid‌⁠ by the kingdom…”⁠

In reality, it wasn’t‍ 0%.

Simply‍‌ put, the full⁠ interest would be‍‌ covered by the⁠ Kingdom of Linelt.‍

And‌‌ even though the⁠ rate was low,‌ the number of⁠ victims approached seven hundred thousand.

Even‍⁠ if only a quarter of them—say,‍⁠ 170,000 people—took out‍ loans, the profits‍⁠ would be unimaginable.⁠‌

And⁠ since the kingdom‍‍ itself was the⁠ guarantor, as long⁠ as Linelt didn’t⁠⁠ completely collapse, payment‍ was guaranteed.

Moreover, the reconstruction of‌ the capital was⁠ also under the⁠ supervision of the⁠ Golden Turtle Company.⁠

It⁠‌ was as if‌ they had stabbed‍⁠ a giant straw‍‌ directly into the‍ royal treasury.

“Let’s⁠‍‍ see… if I can get more‌ people to apply‌‌ for loans, how much was the‍‌‌ bonus per person?”‍⁠

With⁠‍ a sly smile,‍ he set out⁠‌ to find his‍⁠ next prey.

And⁠ identical scenes were‌‍‌ repeating in every city where the capital’s citizens had‌ taken refuge.

***‌⁠

It‌ had already been⁠ two weeks since‌‍‍ the demons descended‍ and reduced Linelt’s‍ capital to rubble.‌‍‍

Fernan⁠‌ had not left‍‍ the kingdom and⁠‍ continued to reside⁠⁠‍ in his former‍ safe residence.

There‌⁠ were too many‌ unresolved matters, and⁠‌ many of them‍⁠⁠ required his direct⁠‍ supervision.

Since‍ Fernan stayed, the⁠ others remained as‍ well. Only the‍‍ rector had returned‌⁠‌ to the Academy,‍‌‍ determined to focus entirely on its‌ reconstruction before officially⁠ resigning.

“I’ll‌ keep my promise.‍ I’ll speak to‌‌‍ the professors. Professor‍ Rosalia may be‍‍⁠ young, but she’s‌ proven herself more‍ than once. She could be a good candidate.”

He⁠‌ intended to appoint Rosalia as the‍‌‍ new rector of the Academy.

“I’m‌‌ exhausted. What’s on‌ the afternoon agenda?”‍⁠⁠

“A‍⁠ meeting with Princess‍‍ Yuli.”

After a late lunch,‍‌ Fernan stepped into⁠ the garden to⁠ enjoy afternoon tea.‌⁠

【The‍ traitor was the‍ second prince! The⁠ Mercenary King, unjustly‍ accused while saving the kingdom!】

【The‍ Mercenary King who‍ fought demons even‌ under a false⁠ accusation.】

“Hehe…⁠ that’s more like‍ it.”

The‌‌‌ Mercenary King, reading‍ the articles filled‍ with apologies and praise about him,‌‌ smiled in satisfaction.⁠

Even‍ when he walked‌ the streets, people‍ recognized and thanked⁠ him.

【Even⁠ if the enemy is a prince,‌‌ I cannot tolerate‌‌ corruption! The Mercenary‍⁠ King who pursued‍‌‌ justice and the⁠‌ greater cause at the cost of‍‍‍ his honor.】

Not‍‍‌ only had he cleared his name,⁠‍ but now he‍ was even more‌ revered than before.‍⁠

“Are‌‍‍ you satisfied?”

“Very.‍‌ Just thinking about‍ all the jobs that will flood‍ in excites me.”⁠

And‌⁠ these weren’t just empty words of‍ gratitude.

Fernan had granted him‍ a real reward,⁠‌ so the Mercenary King was more‍⁠ than satisfied with‍‌‌ the result.

Although‌‌ he regretted letting‌ Count Patrick Pirandello⁠ escape, it didn’t‍⁠⁠ affect his rising‌ fame at all.

“But this is over‍ the top.”

“What‍ do you mean?”

“I⁠‍ mean Aint. They’re‌‌ praising him to another level.”

The‍‍ Mercenary King unfolded⁠ another newspaper.

【The⁠ hero Aint Armian‍ defeats demons ranked‌ 62, Valac, and⁠⁠ 63, Andras.】

【Grand‌‌ Duke Pellenberg declares,‌ If not for⁠ Aint, it would have been the‍ Kingdom of Linelt,⁠‍⁠ not the demons, that perished.】

【Aint‌⁠ Armian, the slayer of three demons—does‍‌ he already qualify‍ as a Royal‌⁠ Knight?】

【Rector⁠‌⁠ Michael Montella saves⁠ Linelt.】

【Luina‍ Bercheff proudly faces the demons.】

The‌‌ articles dedicated to‍ Aint were countless,⁠ far more extensive‌‍ than those for⁠ the others.

The‌ rector and Luina barely received a few lines.

It‌ almost looked like⁠‌ a campaign to‌‌⁠ implant in the‍ public’s mind who‌⁠ the true protagonist‍ of it all‍⁠‍ was.

“It‍ doesn’t bother me,‍ but… do you‌ really think Aint‌‌ Armian could become‌ emperor of the⁠‍ Empire?”

“If⁠‌ I didn’t believe that, I’d have‌ never started this.”‌‍

“Schwaben‍ won’t sit idly‌⁠ by.”

“I’ve‍⁠‌ heard that line too many times‌ already.”

In⁠‍‌ fact, Schwaben had‌ already sent assassins‌‍⁠ after Aint.

But‍ it was pointless. And now, they‌‍⁠ couldn’t do it‌‌ again.

All‍ eyes on the⁠⁠ continent were on‍⁠ Aint.

If‌‍ anything happened to him, Schwaben would be the first⁠ suspect.

“The hero who defeated⁠⁠‌ three demons… people‌⁠‍ will start comparing‌ him to the legendary first emperor.”⁠⁠

The‍⁠‍ devastation of Linelt‌ had left a deep mark on‍ the world.

The‌‌ previous demon appearances‍⁠‍ had been in⁠‍ isolated areas—the monster-infested‍‌‌ north of Bercheff,⁠ or the Academy,‌ which was still⁠‌‍ a remote island.‌

But Linelt was different.

It‍‌‌ was the capital⁠ of a historic‌ kingdom.

And‍ if it could‌ happen to Linelt,‍ what would stop it from happening⁠‍ to other kingdoms?‌

And‌⁠‍ it wasn’t just one demon—but two.‌

Fernan‍‌ flipped through the‍ paper and read‍⁠‍ another headline:

【Duke‍ Yvon Pellenberg declares,‌ The arrival of‍‌⁠ the demons exceeded‍‌ all expectations. Now is the time⁠⁠ to unite for⁠‍‍ the greater good,⁠‍ not to compete⁠⁠ for selfish interests.‍‍ Is the Alliance⁠‌ finally moving forward?】‍‍

“Humanity⁠⁠ will have no‍ choice but to‌ rely on Aint.‍⁠⁠ And Pellenberg, of⁠⁠ course, will support‌⁠⁠ Armian.”

And‌ if things followed‌ their course—who could⁠⁠ stop Aint Armian‌‍ from becoming emperor⁠‍ one day?

“To‍ be honest, I’m not great at‌ seeing the big‍ picture.”

Nor‍ did he care⁠⁠ to rack his⁠ brains over it.⁠

“There’s only one thing‌‌ I think about when I take‍‍‌ a job, when‌‍ I bet on‌‌⁠ someone—do I win or lose money?”‌

“And‌⁠ with me?”

“With‌ you, I never‌ lose.”

The‍‌ Mercenary King took‍‌‌ a long swig‌‍ of his beer.‍⁠

“Keep hiring the Red‍⁠ Wolf mercenaries.”

“Of‍‍ course. I’ll visit‌⁠ them with full hands.”

“Don’t⁠ talk like you’re‌‌ about to leave.”⁠

“And⁠‌ those two?”

“They’re⁠ geniuses. Both Aint and Luina. Teach‌ them one thing,⁠ and they learn‌ a hundred.”

Coming⁠⁠⁠ from the Mercenary⁠‌ King, who was⁠⁠⁠ stingy with praise,‍ that meant it‍⁠ was sincere.

And⁠‌ with good reason.⁠ One was a hero recognized by⁠ the Book of‌‌ Prophecies, and the‍ other a knight‍ with comparable strength.‍‌

“Training‌‌⁠ with them wasn’t⁠ a waste of‌‌ time. Though some‌‍ people might start‍‍⁠ to resent me.”‍

For‌‍ teaching too much‍‌ to the young ones who would⁠ eventually surpass them,‌ of course.

The‌ Mercenary King burst‌ into laughter.

After⁠ all, the number⁠‌ of Royal Knights‌‌ and Archmages was⁠‌ limited.

For⁠‍ two new ones‍ to join, two‌⁠⁠ others had to‌⁠‍ fall.

“So‌⁠ you really think‌ both will become‌⁠ Royal Knights.”

“If‍ they fully absorb‌ what they learned⁠⁠ fighting the demons,‍‌ without a doubt.‍‍‍ And it won’t‍ take long.”

At‌ most, just a few months, assured⁠‌‌ the Mercenary King.‌

“Excellent.⁠ And what about⁠‌‌ Wooden?”

Wooden‌‍‌ had taken advantage‍ of Fernan’s lessons‌‌ to train alongside⁠ Aint and Luina,⁠ slipping in among‍‍ them.

— Kyuu!

Hearing his name, Wooden‌⁠ peeked his head‍ out from inside‌‌ the robes.

“Compared‍‌ to those two,‍‌⁠ he’s a bit‌ slow.”

— Kyu…

Wooden⁠‌ drooped his ears, dejected.

“But‍ that’s only because they shine too‌ brightly. He has⁠⁠ talent, and if⁠‍‌ trained properly, he’ll‌ be useful.”

— Kyuu!

After‍ all, Wooden had⁠‌ the physical abilities‍ of a golem.‌‌‌

In⁠ swordsmanship, Aint and‍‌‌ Luina were superior,⁠‌ but in everything‌‍ else, Wooden had the edge.

“That‌‍ doesn’t mean he always wins, of course.”

— Kyuu…

“Does‍‌ he have bipolar‌ disorder or what?‍ With every word,‍ his emotions rise and fall like⁠ a rollercoaster.”

“He’s‍⁠ a spirit. That’s why he’s so‌ pure.”

Fernan‍ smiled and patted‍ little Wooden’s head,‍ who still seemed‌ hurt by the‍‍ remark.

Every‍ being needs a reward.

Just‌ as Fernan had⁠⁠ plunged his “financial‍‌ straw” into the⁠‍ Kingdom of Linelt,‍ Aint had gained fame, and Luina had achieved a new understanding.

Ambition—and‌‍ the reward that⁠⁠ satisfies it—was the⁠⁠ best fuel to‍ keep going.

“Wooden,⁠‌ your shield has⁠‌ arrived. Good work‌‌ in the battle‍⁠⁠ against the demons.”‌‍

That⁠⁠ was his reward.‍

— Kyuuuuiii!

“Oh,⁠ right, it came⁠ with a letter.⁠ It was sent by someone very⁠ special—your mother, the‍ one you love‍ most.”

— Kyuu!

Wooden⁠ squealed with joy.⁠‍