A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 255

Chapter 255

The city of Bellak,⁠ one of the‍‍ satellite towns of‌‍‍ the capital, had‌‍ become the kingdom’s‍‌ temporary seat.

“We’ve‍ arrived.”

The‍ carriage stopped in‌‍ front of an⁠‍‍ elegant tea salon‍‍‍ owned by the‌ royal family.

When‍‍ Fernan stepped down⁠ and entered, the‌‍ manager, already informed,‍‌⁠ discreetly led him⁠ to a private⁠ room.

“Sorry‌⁠ for the delay.”‌‌‌

“No problem.”

Princess‍‍ Yuli of Linelt‍‌‌ offered him a glass of cold⁠‍ water.

“If‌ we had to⁠ choose the busiest⁠ person in Linelt‌ today, nine out⁠‌ of ten would‍ pick you. I’m⁠‍ grateful you made‍⁠ time to see⁠‍‌ me.”

As⁠ Fernan sat down,‌⁠⁠ the food was⁠‍ served immediately.

“Please,⁠ eat. The chef‍‍ here is quite‌‍ good.”

“Gladly.”⁠‍

Fernan⁠ tasted the dish.‌ Just as she‍‌‍ had said, it⁠⁠ was quite good.⁠⁠‍

“The⁠⁠ reason I called‌ you today is⁠‍‍ to give you⁠ something in return.”⁠

“I‌ suspected as much.”‌‌

Yuli picked up a piece of river‍⁠⁠ fish and brought‍ it to her‌⁠ mouth.

“We’ve⁠‍‍ already entrusted the‍ Golden Turtle Company⁠ with the capital’s‍ reconstruction and the⁠⁠ emergency aid program,‌ and yet you‌‍ haven’t turned anything down, huh?”

Rebuilding⁠‌ the capital required⁠ far more effort‍ and money than‌ building a new⁠ one from scratch.⁠

Moreover,⁠‍ the aid program‌ that lent money‌‍ to hundreds of⁠ thousands of citizens‍⁠⁠ while charging interest⁠⁠‍ to the kingdom‍‍‌ had already brought⁠ massive profits to‌⁠⁠ the company.

“Your⁠ calculation is curious,‍ Your Highness.”

“What⁠ do you mean?”‌⁠

“The⁠‌ reconstruction was an‍ inevitable project. The‍‍ capital is the⁠ historical symbol of‌⁠ Linelt—someone had to‌‌ handle it, and‌‍⁠ we simply won‍ the bid.”

Of⁠ course, his influence‌ had helped, but‌‌ officially, that was‍ the case.

“It’s⁠⁠⁠ the same with‍⁠ the aid program.⁠‍ Even if we‌‍⁠ hadn’t participated, the‍ kingdom would have⁠⁠ had to create⁠ a fund for‌ its people. They⁠ couldn’t just abandon‍ them.”

Had⁠ they done so,‌‌‌ it would have‌⁠ been grounds for rebellion.

“So‌‌ yes, the Golden‌‌‍ Turtle Company made‌ enormous profits, but‍ did the Kingdom‍ of Linelt lose⁠‌ anything from it?”

No.⁠‌ Even though the‌ economic burden increased,⁠ the interest rates‍‌ offered by the‌⁠ company were unusually⁠ low.

Only the scale of⁠‍ the loan made‌‌ the total seem‌‌⁠ overwhelming.

In‍⁠ normal times, that‌ alone would have⁠ been a massive⁠ reward.

But‍ these weren’t normal‌ times—the value of‌‌ the Kingdom of⁠ Linelt surpassed any‌ legitimate contract.

“I⁠ suppose that’s why‌‌⁠ Your Highness wanted‍‌‌ to organize this‍‍⁠ meeting, isn’t it?”⁠⁠

Indeed,‌‌ it hadn’t been‌‍ Fernan who requested the meeting—it was⁠⁠ Princess Yuli herself.⁠

“…Let’s⁠⁠ say I had⁠‌‍ my doubts. If‌ you had already‌⁠⁠ told me you’d⁠ received something, I would’ve simply left.”‍⁠‌

“And‌ coming in with‌ such an obvious‌ air of wanting‍‍ to give something—how‌‌ could I refuse?”⁠⁠

“…I‌‍ don’t think I’m⁠ cut out for politics.”

“The‍⁠‌ First Prince will⁠‌⁠ manage just fine.”⁠‍‍

Yuli‌ pulled out a key ring from‍‌ her purse and‍‍ placed it on‌⁠‍ the table.

“Take‍⁠‍ it.”

“What‍ is this?”

“Do⁠ you know Bartia?”‍

“The‍‌ major city of‌⁠ the Kingdom of⁠ Helfen? Yes, one⁠‍ of the five‌ main cities along⁠‌‍ with the capital.”‌⁠‌

The⁠ Kingdom of Helfen⁠ was in the‌‍ southwest of the‍‍ Lutar continent, bordering‍‌ the Marquessate of‍ Fridian.

“The‍ royal family has⁠‍‌ a mansion registered‌⁠⁠ under a false‍‌ name in Bartia. In its basement, there’s a vault.”⁠‍⁠

She‌‌ pushed the key⁠ ring toward him.‌‍

“From⁠ today on, both‌ the mansion and‍‍ the vault are‌ yours. My father⁠⁠‌ grants them to‍‍⁠ you.”

“Well.”‍

Fernan immediately understood that‌⁠ this vault was‍⁠ the same one‍‍ he had seen‌ in the prophecy.‍

He⁠‍ had finally obtained what he was‍ looking for.

A smile formed on⁠‌⁠ his face.

“You⁠‌ really like money.‍ Do you know‍⁠ what face you⁠ just made?”

Yuli⁠‍ murmured with amusement.‍‍‍

“What‌‍‍ face did I make?”

“The‌ face of a child who finally‌‌ gets the toy‌ he wanted.”

“I⁠ think keeping a bit of innocence‌‌ when enjoying what you love isn’t‌ a bad thing—like‍‌⁠ how you like‍‍ handsome men, for example.”

“W-What?”⁠

The‍ princess flinched at‌ the sudden comment.‍‍

“Relax,‍ I didn’t mean to offend. It’s‌ natural to feel‌ attracted to someone‌‌ beautiful. After all,‍ appearance is also⁠⁠‍ a form of⁠ power.”

“That’s⁠‌ why I want‌ to ask you⁠‍ something.”

“What⁠‍ is it?”

“Are⁠ you in love‍⁠ with Aint?”

“……!”⁠

Yuli’s‌ face lit up.‌

In‍ a tiny voice,⁠‍ barely audible, she replied.

“…Is⁠ it that obvious?”‌⁠

“A‌ little, yes.”

“…Oh⁠ god.”

She‍ covered her face⁠‍‍ with both hands.

“If⁠‍ you’d like, I can help a bit.”

“Really?”‍‌

Normally,‌ Fernan wouldn’t have‍‌ gotten involved, but‍‍‌ after all he‌ had gained in Linelt, he could‌‍ afford the favor.⁠‌

“I‌‍‌ could arrange a meeting, but the‌‌ rest is up‌⁠ to you.”

“Of course!”

Yuli’s⁠‍⁠ eyes sparkled with⁠‍ determination, the same‍ fervor Fernan showed‌ when it came⁠‍‍ to money.

“Ah,‌ by the way…‍⁠‌ have you thought‍ about filming a commercial?”

“A commercial?”

If⁠ anything stood out‍‍ about Yuli, it‌⁠ was her white,‍ soft, radiant skin—the‌‌⁠ kind of skin every woman envied.‌

Thinking⁠ about that, Fernan⁠‍ smiled as he‌ imagined the perfect‌ slogan.

“Even⁠ amid the chaos⁠ brought by the‌ arrival of demons,⁠ skin must remain⁠‍ flawless!”

“Me?⁠‌ I use Flos⁠‌ products.”

Flos⁠ was the Golden⁠ Turtle Company’s luxury⁠ cosmetics brand.

“So,‍ are you saying‌ you’ll only organize‌⁠⁠ the meeting with‌‍⁠ Aint if I film the commercial?”

“Of‌ course. And the‌ compensation for participating‍ will be generous.”‍‌

“Alright.”‌‌

“I⁠‌ appreciate your cooperation.”⁠‍

“The‍‌ pleasure is mine.”‌⁠‍

Yuli‌‌‌ and Fernan’s eyes‌‍ met, reflecting the‌ same calculating gleam.⁠

***⁠

After‌‌ a successful negotiation,⁠⁠ Fernan stepped out⁠ onto the street.

He‍‍ couldn’t believe a “tree that gave‍‍⁠ so much without‌⁠ asking anything in‌ return” actually existed.

For⁠⁠ a moment, he⁠ thought he might⁠⁠ just spend the‍‍ rest of his‌‍‍ life in Linelt.‍‍

“Oh,‍ brother!”

Someone‌‍ called out to‌ him.

It‍‌⁠ was Jace Vines,‌‍⁠ the Saint of⁠‍ the Dragon God⁠ Cult, with his fiery red hair‌ and bright green‍‌‍ eyes.

“What‌ brings you here?”‌⁠

“I‌ had a matter‌‍‍ to attend to.‍‌ And you? Still‍ on relief duty?”‍‍

“Yes,⁠‌ that’s right.”

Since⁠⁠‌ the demons had‍ descended and destroyed‍‍ the capital, all‍ the continent’s attention‌ had turned to‍ Linelt.

Among‌‌‌ them was also the Dragon God Cult, which had‍ dispatched a large⁠‍‌ relief mission led⁠‌ by its Saint.

It‌‌ had already been‌ a week since⁠ then.

“How are the refugees?”‌

“Not‍‍ too bad. At‍ first, there weren’t‌⁠ enough shelters, but‍ more and more⁠⁠ temporary tents are⁠ going up. And most importantly, thanks‌⁠ to the kingdom’s⁠ announcement, people have‌‍⁠ regained their spirit.”⁠‌‌

What⁠ drains a person‌‌⁠ most isn’t the⁠‌ present hardship, but‍‍ the lack of hope.

But⁠‌ now, the citizens‌ of the capital knew that once reconstruction was complete,‌‍ they would be‍‌‌ given a home‍‌⁠ equal to what‍ they had before,‍⁠ free of charge.‌

That‌ had restored their faith in the‍ future.

It⁠‍⁠ would be a colossal expense, but‍‍ after it was‍ revealed that the⁠ second prince had⁠‍‌ conspired with corrupt⁠‍‌ officials and destroyed‌‌ the capital, the⁠ king had no other choice.

Fortunately,‍‍⁠ the people saw‍‌ him as a victim—a father betrayed⁠‍⁠ by his own son.

“That‍‌ makes me glad.”⁠

“Ah,⁠⁠‍ by the way, did you hear‌‍ that an emergency⁠‌‌ meeting of the‌‌‍ prince-electors has been‍⁠ convened?”

“Yes,⁠‌ I heard.”

“It‍⁠ seems a real‌‍ alliance might finally‌ form this time.”‌‌

“Most‍ likely.”

With‍ the current situation,‍ it would be‍‌ absurd for one‍‌‍ not to form.‍‍

Regardless⁠‍⁠ of who led⁠⁠ it, the process‍‍‌ would move forward.‍‌

“Oh,‌ I also heard that Professor Rosalia⁠ is going to‍⁠ challenge the test⁠ to become an⁠ Archmage…”

“That’s⁠‍ right.”

Her opponent was Bador‍ Elverto, Duke of‍‍ the Kingdom of‌ Helfen and a court mage, carefully⁠‍ chosen by the⁠ king himself, taking‌⁠ both strength and‍⁠ magical compatibility into‍ account.

“The⁠⁠⁠ Dragon God Cult‍ is very excited.⁠‍ It’s been a long time since‌‌ such a challenger⁠‌ appeared, and the‍‍ emergence of a new Archmage in‌‌‌ these demonic times⁠⁠ holds great meaning.”‌‌

Royal‍ Knights were appointed‌ by the emperor, while Archmages were‌‍ designated by the‌ pope of the Dragon God Cult.‍‌

The⁠‌ process was simple—the⁠ challenger had to duel one of⁠‍ the ten superhuman⁠⁠‍ beings before the‍ pope and a large audience, in‌ a near-death battle.⁠‌

“Congratulations.”⁠

“There’s nothing to congratulate‍⁠ me for.”

“Oh,‍‌ come on. Everyone‌ knows you’ve supported⁠⁠ the professor all⁠ along, both materially‍‍‌ and personally.”

Jace⁠ lowered his voice.⁠

“I‌ heard you plan to propose her‍ as the new⁠ rector. Is that‌‌ true?”

“The‌⁠‌ Dragon God Cult’s‌‌ information network is‌ impressive.”

“I’m⁠ flattered.”

The⁠‍‌ Saint smiled broadly.‍

“I wish you success‌⁠ in everything.”

“Thank‌‌ you.”

“Oh,‌‌ do you need‍ more holy water?⁠‍ I heard you’ve⁠ been using quite⁠‌‍ a bit lately.”‌

“I’ll‌‌ buy as much‍ as possible under‌ the name of⁠ the Golden Turtle⁠‌ Company.”

“Well, the price has⁠ gone up a bit—demand is high.”⁠⁠

“That’s‍ not a problem.”‍⁠

“As‌ expected of you,⁠ brother.”

After⁠ all, Fernan was‌ buying it with⁠ someone else’s money.⁠‍

A profitable business for‌‌ both parties—Pellenberg and⁠ the Dragon God Cult.

“And‌⁠ where are you‍ headed now?”

“I’m⁠ going to see Luina.”

Probably‍‌⁠ not in Linelt,‍ but that didn’t‍⁠ matter.

***‍

Inside‍‍‍ the moving carriage,⁠ Fernan reviewed a new report.

“Wow,⁠⁠ quite a few‍ applications.”

More‌ than 150,000 people‍‌⁠ had applied for‌ emergency relief funds.‍‍‌

A huge number—and the amount of money⁠‍ requested was just‌‍ as large.

Even‍⁠ for the Golden‌‍ Turtle Company, gathering‍‌ that much capital⁠⁠⁠ at once wasn’t⁠ easy.

If‌ not for the‍ royal treasures embezzled‌⁠ by Patrick Pirandello,‍ it would’ve been⁠‌ impossible.

And⁠‌ even then, Fernan’s⁠ personal resources were nearly depleted.

The⁠ problem was that⁠‌ more requests were‌‍ pouring in every‍‍‍ day.

The‌‍ money was beginning⁠ to run out.‍⁠

‘If‍ things get tough,‌‍⁠ I’ll have to‍‌‌ use the Kingdom‌‍ of Helfen’s funds‍ I got in⁠ Linelt. I need⁠‍ more capital.’

His confidence always came‍‍ from having deep‌ pockets.

“Is⁠ that why you’re‌‌‍ going to see‌ Luina?”

“Yes.”‍‌

Infusing‍ mana into his‍⁠ magic register, a video was projected.‍‌‌

It showed the moment Luina pierced Valac’s‌‍ fist with her‌ sword, when the‌ demon bit down‍‌ in fury, and still, the blade‌ suffered only a minor scratch.

The‍ hilt, barely marked,‍‌⁠ had even gained‍ a distinctive touch—like⁠‍ a personal signature.‌‍

With‍‍ a good promotional⁠‌ campaign and an⁠ auction, that weapon⁠⁠ would be worth‌⁠‌ a fortune.

“If⁠ I sell this,‍‌ I’ll be able⁠ to breathe easy⁠ with my personal‌ finances.”

“And⁠‍‍ do you think‌ Luina will give⁠ it to you?”⁠

“There⁠ are two adamantite‍ alloy swords. I’ll⁠⁠ give her the other one in exchange.”

And‍⁠ if he offered⁠⁠‌ her a share‌‍ of the profits,‌ he was sure‌ she’d agree.

“No.”⁠‌⁠

“……”⁠‍

His‍⁠‍ prediction was completely‌ off.

“…Why‌‌ not?”

“That‍ sword is mine.‌‍ It’s very precious‍ to me.”

“Of‌ course I understand‍ that. That’s why‍ I’m offering you⁠ another one made‍ of adamantite.”

“I‍⁠ want that one.”⁠⁠‌

“They’re identical. Made by⁠⁠ the same dwarf,⁠ just days apart.”

The two swords were‌ practically twins—same weight,‍ same size.

“A‍‍ knight wields their‍⁠ sword since childhood. They grow up‌‍ with it, wield⁠ it day after day. Even if‌ we train with‌‍ many weapons, the‌‌ sword is the‌ essence of a knight.”

“I know.”

“Then‍ you must know‍ a sword has‌‍ special meaning for‌ a knight.”

“I‍ know that too.”‌‍‍

That’s⁠‌ why Fernan had‍ given her one.⁠‌

Not‍ a bow, not‍ an axe, not armor—but a sword.⁠‍

“Then it’ll be easier‍ to explain.”

Luina‌ unsheathed her weapon.‍‌⁠

The‍‍ adamantite metal gleamed under the sunlight‌‍ with majestic brilliance.‍‍

“This⁠ was the first‍⁠⁠ sword you gave me.”

“So⁠⁠ I won’t sell⁠ it in any⁠ auction.”

And‌⁠⁠ without giving him‌‌ a chance to‍ argue, she turned‌ and walked away.‍

“I‍‍ suspected it—a young⁠‍ master who only‍⁠⁠ thinks about money understands nothing about‍ women.”

Hyde⁠ shook his head.‌‍

“No.”⁠‍

Fernan‌ interrupted him.

“This is the moment⁠ to recall an⁠‌ old merchant saying.”

‘If‍‌ a problem can’t‍‍ be solved, maybe‍ it’s not for‍ lack of logic—but⁠‌‍ lack of money.’‌‌

“Sir,‍ that sounds terrible.‍ This isn’t a matter that can‌⁠⁠ be solved with⁠ money…”

But‍‌‍ Fernan cut him‌⁠ off, yelling.

“If‍‌ you don’t like‌⁠ 20%, I’ll give⁠‌ you 30%!”

Luina⁠‌‍ didn’t stop.

“40%!”‍

She‌ quickened her pace.‍

Fernan‍‌ gritted his teeth,‍ closed his eyes, and shouted.

“50%!‍‍ I’ll give you‌ 50%, I can’t‌⁠ go higher!”

Then,⁠ Luina stopped.

“…Are‍ you serious?”

Hyde’s‌ eyes widened.

She‌‌‌ turned around and‍ stood before Fernan.⁠‍

“Alright.”‍‍⁠

“…You’ve‍⁠ truly become a merchant, Luina Bercheff.‌‌ I lost. Completely.”

“Being⁠ by your side⁠‌ all these years taught me a few things.”

Luina unfastened the sword‌ from her belt.⁠‌

“How‍ could the noble⁠‍ Luina Bercheff, who‌ once revered justice⁠ and loyalty, end‌‌ up like this?⁠‍ You’re already paying‍ your debt by⁠ fighting alongside me⁠ against the demons.”‍⁠

“I’m⁠ not that greedy‍‍ for money.”

“Then⁠ why?”

“Because‍‍ only by paying⁠‍‌ off my debt‌ completely can I consider myself your⁠ equal.”

She⁠‌ fastened the new⁠ sword to her⁠‌ waist.

“What?”‍

“I⁠ don’t need that⁠⁠‍ 50%. Use it‌ to settle the‍‍‍ debt House Bercheff‌⁠ owes to Pellenberg.”‌‌

With‍‍ that, she smiled‌ softly and walked‌‌ away.

Fernan‌ watched her in‌⁠ silence until she⁠⁠⁠ disappeared completely.

“…They⁠⁠ really don’t seem‍ like a normal couple.”

Murmured⁠⁠ Hyde.