Chapter 257
gGW1Baf“What a strange thing.”oQFoQ4B
gt5VFOAint looked at his reflection in the mirror. The dark blue suit fit him perfectly—even he had to admit he looked pretty good.6mt
H2Qp“Personally negotiating with the Kingdom of Linelt? Now that’s rare.”KFN
YdBDPpANormally, Fernan handled all the negotiations.In2
ZrLYbAnd Aint had always considered that natural.efN0mWN
kTh6Yes, he was the one who had earned the merits, but it was Fernan who had prepared the ground.k3lq
kHuyBesides, Fernan was infinitely better at negotiating, and every time he did it, he also made sure to secure benefits for Armian.Rjh
Wr4There had never been any reason to complain.uHS4eZA
XsV5Y7GBut the day before, he had received a different message.gBeDA
9N6“I’ve already secured everything Pellenberg was due. What belongs to Armian—go get it yourself.”EwR2UB3
v4gllRCIt wasn’t a wrong statement.3JjoG3
jWvFernan belonged to House Pellenberg, and he belonged to House Armian.dmDd
AH0No matter how much Fernan helped him, they were still from different families.hQUy
qEXFF7They could sail on the same ship, but they were not a single entity.accD
53LR— It’s only logical that you’re the one to negotiate this time. Fernan can’t do everything for you forever.i7uyqI
K6TTruth be told, it wasn’t like Fernan had completely done it in his place.nsAOqX
QTadYsWhen it came to matters directly concerning House Armian, the family had sent their own representatives.aA5ob
dCYJonEven so, Fernan was right.NFkNEk
Q4YVjAGThe only thing that puzzled him was how sudden it all was.rHcQQ
o7Zh“Ugh… I hope I can do well.”50xMD8
OnM— They say that even a dog at the Academy learns to wield a sword or use magic in three years.ouujGYl
nqw— And you’ve watched Fernan for more than two, so you should be able to do it.Y9Yb5KH
dzD“That advice isn’t helpful at all, but at least it’s encouraging.”b47bYEp
9vc1w7When he stepped out, the carriage prepared by Fernan was already waiting.k9nYkD
vHT7S“We’ve arrived.”tYyhHF
aEF92TbAfter a long journey, the carriage stopped in front of an elegant restaurant.nTjPE
Jc2ioDV“Why here…?”MYuY0X
DdZrUWasn’t this supposed to be a formal negotiation with the Kingdom?Sx8b6qw
tdXWhy, then, were they not at the palace?5sZVV1
g18“Are you sure this is the place?”TWwmw
47k36q“Yes, sir. If you go in, you’ll find her inside.”rj2Ouhi
e9BTSomewhat confused, Aint entered.fyxW
B3NXThe owner, recognizing him, led him directly to a private room.t927
P5G“Welcome, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”LVoy8N8
XYCSomeone was waiting for him.oCIpm2
m3oDKFSomeone Aint knew well.73LE
0Slj“Princess Yuli.”rYcDzC
Dai7It was Princess Yuli Linelt.4Ck
tLPT7DShe clapped her hands, and at once, the table was filled with dishes and delicacies.Rgs
87QT3“First of all, on behalf of the Kingdom of Linelt, I want to express my gratitude to Young Master Aint.”8mHaPeP
VcAky6Yuli stood and bowed respectfully.lO5k6zi
EJhfKG“Thanks to you, Linelt survived. And although the people were engulfed in despair, they did not lose hope.”8S2b
zXuA7Z0“I only did what I had to do.”vnTYHr
8wTbDM“And doing what’s right is the hardest thing in this world.”R06e0I2
5EjjWith a smile, she dipped a piece of bread into the hot soup and continued.UAK0
g5ZBry“Please, eat. It’s much tastier when it’s still hot.”DUe
B0oQk“Thank you, I will.”XJgvD
Vf38YSThe food was truly delicious.9OSFsA
toY4tzAs he ate the soup, Aint recalled Fernan’s advice.k5pzw
98vW“In every negotiation, there’s a dominant side and a weak one. And this time, you’re the dominant side.”z8de
rS41KAint was the hero who had saved Linelt, and it was inevitable that the Kingdom would be in the more desperate position.HLw1y
x05vPT“Whoever speaks first can tip the balance. Don’t reveal what you want immediately. Make the other side start to beg or ask—that will give you the upper hand.”XXIVZ
VBqL‘I mustn’t bring up the main topic first. I have to let her mention it first…’wpCtq
ad56ZSo he decided to circle around the topic, beat around the bush, make her impatient.HuY
Onld6LpHe began with idle talk.1nDk
1gykDXD“The food is excellent. The chef must be very skilled.”j73
lssqOe“Isn’t it? He was the palace’s head chef. His talent was so great His Majesty highly valued him.”PC7EQ
q4mRwDl“I see.”laT3w
OoPBgx“If Young Master Aint ever wants to come here, you’ll always be welcome free of charge. Just give notice.”DMkrLuc
VRUNBut then—cpcU
nikiv“Today’s weather is splendid, don’t you think? The clear sky, not a single cloud—it makes me feel the future of Linelt will be just as bright.”8N2
PL0j“I agree.”KBP2R
vpH“How warmhearted you are. You are exactly as you appear to be.”X5jZP
qFE2“…You flatter me too much.”oIUt
rWh“I don’t usually give empty compliments.”rDq
ARyDSomething felt off.xX7oISu
tXs4FBK“I’ve heard the capital’s reconstruction is progressing quickly.”qPhpu8
gAXBlq“The Golden Turtle Guild has proven to be far more competent than we imagined.”QuwA15
6Oi8Sz“I’m glad. I hope the citizens can return to their homes soon.”bCfe
4Na2AP“Thank you. If everyone heard those words from you, they would feel very comforted. Ah, could you accompany me to visit them? It would be a great support for them.”s9HZx
dLnqQThe conversation continued without touching the main topic.Ea5
UnuOMWhen he regained a sense of time, two hours had already passed, and somehow he had agreed to visit the refugees with the princess.RxmwI
Bkob‘…Is this okay?’IaS
gD28fgaWhy am I the one who feels more nervous?nHPvkmb
l0PZFinally, disobeying Fernan’s advice, Aint decided to take the initiative.IRj8pw
YffmBc“Excuse me, but about the purpose of this meeting…”fqkYA
ihWFx“Ah, right.”79VG
bfs74VShe took out a bunch of keys.koBI
g19uC4“What’s that?”ttp
3mu“His Majesty plans to grant you a medal and hold an official ceremony at the palace. But the Kingdom’s circumstances are difficult, and we cannot offer you an appropriate public reward.”nwlrEVG
opip“I had heard that already.”VziGB
9Y6x“But still, someone who saved the kingdom deserves something tangible.”bvMNz
RIfT“This is one of the royal treasury’s secret vaults abroad. From today, it’s yours. Believe me, you won’t be disappointed.”7bT
jiJob5The official treasury of the Kingdom of Linelt was practically depleted.XS5fy3
RDTQ4nBut Linelt, once a trade intermediary between the Empire and the northern kingdoms, had always been prosperous.lX1jSov
C7R7IBoth the royal family and nobles owned multiple secret vaults abroad.TLe
FdUAzxMany of those vaults had already been emptied to fund reconstruction, but not all. They had to keep something to survive.FNv5Wub
M8uZHzWhat had been given to Fernan—and now to Aint—were precisely those remaining vaults.q3U3hY6
tGVWa8V“So let’s leave the heavy topics for another time.”ll05
VJbszxc“…Yes, thank you… Pardon?”WKuI8fR
fSfMG8Wasn’t that the topic they were supposed to discuss today?ZOY
YkSwdUWere there more?TdKY4
32Vvp“What do you mean by another topic?”MLnLCO
0ow3“What I mentioned earlier—visiting the citizens.”1Rt2YE
5Qw5Aint didn’t manage to leave until two hours later.x5dp
3Bn“…What was that?”8UEl
rIG— Nothing strange.FTSmq
aVyUGAYIt just means you have a new official commitment tomorrow.hQYY
PUhGJ9KThe next day, he would visit the refugees with Princess Yuli.mTT
SZqNcfl***G6Qp
ow3A0Time passed quickly, and white snow quietly covered the ruins of the Kingdom of Linelt’s capital.YEGJf
pFaVDuring that time, Aint went on several tours with Princess Yuli, while Fernan wrapped up the last pending matters.35mk4I
hBQny2“With this, there’s no longer any reason for me to stay involved personally.”4L7
pOUWuZThe overall picture was fully outlined, and everything was proceeding smoothly.xghVPZ
wNjFHe had even fine-tuned the minor details, so Fernan’s direct involvement was no longer needed.da6N
oDlJrbThe rest was in the hands of the Golden Turtle Guild’s administrative staff.LCb
7wcgjNnFinally, the time had come to leave Linelt.YL1
a7A7a“It was a productive time. Now I must return to my main work.”WYFG4
oumA4WThe Mercenary King had already departed two days earlier to reorganize the Mercenary Guild, which had fallen into chaos after the storm of events.ohnQ
esP“And you, Luina, what will you do?”ARHDM
i9zKzU“I will return to Bercheff. It’s been a long time since I saw my father. I’m sure he’ll be glad about my achievements.”1Fy3
VbMkl6S“I’m sure he will. Your level is already almost equal to his.”2ZvRYj
BTQO“I meant that I’ve been able to pay off a large part of my debt, actually.”IlteVtL
MJJbxuq“…”qr8z9p
c816“That was a joke.”ArMLOHD
de5t5Though it wasn’t entirely a joke—she had managed to significantly reduce her debt.7HYbfZV
r1kwAEven without counting the profits from the adamantite sword auction, the Kingdom of Linelt had granted her a considerable material reward for her merits.EyRqN
WNrIo“How much money were these people hiding…?” Fernan muttered to himself.180dv
UfH“I learned a lot during my duel with Lord Garrett. Together with my father, I plan to use that knowledge to try to become a Royal Knight.”EHYNGyq
hIQXk“I’m sure you’ll succeed.”PLFTa
zXq“And you’ll become an Archmage.”eCWbf67
9RdM“I have no intention of doing so.”KuNjAGq
yvP“You never know.”gWh
wlwgO0LWith a smile, Luina departed for Bercheff.UMp6B38
KJjc“I should head to the main residence as well.”vyK
Re1J4s“The territory of Armian has expanded, so you’ll have plenty to take care of.”fgRC
kdWm“Yes. It’s all thanks to you, senior. I’m grateful.”Bui
nZz3XizAint also departed for Armian.2DnHG
rBtOlE“And I… hmm…”V2AZN
gYevy9“You just have to follow me.”BC4Gm
Au1“And my will?”ssm5RRP
uSa“Do you think such a thing really exists?”NHzwr6t
w4D7LO“…Seriously?”73w
aLsAt Fernan’s retort, Gismond shut his mouth.AGntoGH
MBPHe had many things he wanted to say, but none he dared to utter.U8d3A
gPM6Fi“By the way, where do you plan to go? To Pellenberg?”sxhUx
ywdRA“I’m going to the Dragon God Cult.”9OUBIML
9PNUghM“To the Cult, all of a sudden?”eenSHc
mvDPK“It’s time.”c5RW1f
h4Q“Time? For what?”yxde
OhxneFernan didn’t answer.m34s
BjMInstead, he unfolded the day’s newspaper.QAMsgf
STw3【Rosalia Vienderk challenges the title of Archmage. Her opponent: the duke and court mage of the Kingdom of Helpen, Vardor Erbeto.】cfjGw
8K6lM【First duel for the title of Archmage in 15 years! The entire continent’s attention is on it!】IgCGAkU
leqRnp“Professor Rosalia is going to challenge the title of Archmage?”GT0s
AKR2t4Impossible.Nkjr
RH67G2That was something that never happened in the original version of the novel.b8xIl
q8phIn that version, Rosalia was accused of having summoned the demon number 71, Seir, during the Continental Magic Conference, and disappeared together with Fernan, both condemned as traitors.WoskWx
It0N‘What a butterfly effect…’ thought Fernan, satisfied.zMtVcR
2Z2AK1dFortunately, this time the change wasn’t for the worse.5T2TW
08GA‘Perhaps the author had Fernan falsely accused and disgraced just to balance the story.’pKEa
6HSA fairly reasonable theory.Fmn
KsNyHa“Yes. The seed I planted is finally blooming.”gYk9RYu
ySBIsn’t it exciting?X3XPAhf
7hxu2uv“The birth of a new Archmage.”ghobRBL
R1vF“You seem convinced that Professor Rosalia will win.”VIwaYR
HXXki6“Of course.”FGiDgeA
g3KFMt“She was my choice.”ieHog8
8RfQ4E“Do you think I’d invest in something without potential?”p8W
1vvDFernan smiled with absolute confidence.9fGXY
RF2SF2***1gV
RPkUsp“They’re waiting for you.”P3ZdKsY
zsnC4Creeeak—BTxu
fjx7G6The massive doors of the throne hall opened.mqpG
241jkO2The man once known as Count Patrick Pirandello took a deep breath and stepped inside.2fv
Rt0The great hall, majestic and decorated with golden tapestries, was empty.6OZ2OUn
Mb7KbnFOnly a lone figure seated on the throne, cloaked in shadows, watched him from above.Tf4k
sk1Patrick advanced and knelt down.30s
9Y9RoFm“I greet Your Majesty.”iXXlz
9vr7IqC“……”wai
jHQ“I beg your forgiveness. My ineptitude ruined the plan.”lPeZ1
DYvxThe silence fell heavy as lead.Akj7Fe
EYmA single second felt like an eternal minute.vYcgZ
23n6ept“I’m disappointed.”G3zxjH
FGDThose words, spoken without any emotion, chilled him to the core.XYfbA
0O3u“Borges.”9hM2
mPyhGQ“Yes, Your Majesty.”CvQ0qU
LQh9The man, Borges, bowed his head even lower.SoQv
Vc9V“You have failed.”eVhrFVM
sQUV“I offer my life in apology.”4HXJ5PP
ZumgHsH“It is not for you to decide when you die. Don’t be arrogant.”zhB
8uoy230“My apologies.”5ZaPvv5
HWxHzDc“Go to Grunard. You’ll carry out a mission under Harzen’s command.”5u7Y
g9CM“Yes, Your Majesty.”G4CO3wu
OoqGelGrunard was one of the northern kingdoms.7AhQ
skpNot as powerful as Alprosen or Heinburg, the great realms, but with enough strength to influence the region.eLOw2lL
xIcC7“Now speak.”gDtP7x
KprFHg“Tell me what happened, and how.”USNIf
pDzGgU8“Tell me how that Fernan Pellenberg manipulated you…”5ukQzB
qZpE2“And how it is that he now commands the power of humanity’s enemies.”BfZWCMj
sKAOwiDIn the throne’s shadow, the monarch’s eyes glowed with a cold light.ncklBIF
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