Chapter 257

“What a strange thing.”

Aint looked at his reflection in the mirror. The dark blue suit fit him perfectly—even he had to admit he looked pretty good.

“Personally negotiating with the Kingdom of Linelt? Now that’s rare.”

Normally, Fernan handled all the negotiations.

And Aint had always considered that natural.

Yes, he was the one who had earned the merits, but it was Fernan who had prepared the ground.

Besides, Fernan was infinitely better at negotiating, and every time he did it, he also made sure to secure benefits for Armian.

There had never been any reason to complain.

But the day before, he had received a different message.

“I’ve already secured everything Pellenberg was due. What belongs to Armian—go get it yourself.”

It wasn’t a wrong statement.

Fernan belonged to House Pellenberg, and he belonged to House Armian.

No matter how much Fernan helped him, they were still from different families.

They could sail on the same ship, but they were not a single entity.

— It’s only logical that you’re the one to negotiate this time. Fernan can’t do everything for you forever.

Truth be told, it wasn’t like Fernan had completely done it in his place.

When it came to matters directly concerning House Armian, the family had sent their own representatives.

Even so, Fernan was right.

The only thing that puzzled him was how sudden it all was.

“Ugh… I hope I can do well.”

— They say that even a dog at the Academy learns to wield a sword or use magic in three years.

— And you’ve watched Fernan for more than two, so you should be able to do it.

“That advice isn’t helpful at all, but at least it’s encouraging.”

When he stepped out, the carriage prepared by Fernan was already waiting.

“We’ve arrived.”

After a long journey, the carriage stopped in front of an elegant restaurant.

“Why here…?”

Wasn’t this supposed to be a formal negotiation with the Kingdom?

Why, then, were they not at the palace?

“Are you sure this is the place?”

“Yes, sir. If you go in, you’ll find her inside.”

Somewhat confused, Aint entered.

The owner, recognizing him, led him directly to a private room.

“Welcome, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”

Someone was waiting for him.

Someone Aint knew well.

“Princess Yuli.”

It was Princess Yuli Linelt.

She clapped her hands, and at once, the table was filled with dishes and delicacies.

“First of all, on behalf of the Kingdom of Linelt, I want to express my gratitude to Young Master Aint.”

Yuli stood and bowed respectfully.

“Thanks to you, Linelt survived. And although the people were engulfed in despair, they did not lose hope.”

“I only did what I had to do.”

“And doing what’s right is the hardest thing in this world.”

With a smile, she dipped a piece of bread into the hot soup and continued.

“Please, eat. It’s much tastier when it’s still hot.”

“Thank you, I will.”

The food was truly delicious.

As he ate the soup, Aint recalled Fernan’s advice.

“In every negotiation, there’s a dominant side and a weak one. And this time, you’re the dominant side.”

Aint was the hero who had saved Linelt, and it was inevitable that the Kingdom would be in the more desperate position.

“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.”

‘I mustn’t bring up the main topic first. I have to let her mention it first…’

So he decided to circle around the topic, beat around the bush, make her impatient.

He began with idle talk.

“The food is excellent. The chef must be very skilled.”

“Isn’t it? He was the palace’s head chef. His talent was so great His Majesty highly valued him.”

“I see.”

“If Young Master Aint ever wants to come here, you’ll always be welcome free of charge. Just give notice.”

But then—

“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.”

“I agree.”

“How warmhearted you are. You are exactly as you appear to be.”

“…You flatter me too much.”

“I don’t usually give empty compliments.”

Something felt off.

“I’ve heard the capital’s reconstruction is progressing quickly.”

“The Golden Turtle Guild has proven to be far more competent than we imagined.”

“I’m glad. I hope the citizens can return to their homes soon.”

“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.”

The conversation continued without touching the main topic.

When he regained a sense of time, two hours had already passed, and somehow he had agreed to visit the refugees with the princess.

‘…Is this okay?’

Why am I the one who feels more nervous?

Finally, disobeying Fernan’s advice, Aint decided to take the initiative.

“Excuse me, but about the purpose of this meeting…”

“Ah, right.”

She took out a bunch of keys.

“What’s that?”

“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.”

“I had heard that already.”

“But still, someone who saved the kingdom deserves something tangible.”

“This is one of the royal treasury’s secret vaults abroad. From today, it’s yours. Believe me, you won’t be disappointed.”

The official treasury of the Kingdom of Linelt was practically depleted.

But Linelt, once a trade intermediary between the Empire and the northern kingdoms, had always been prosperous.

Both the royal family and nobles owned multiple secret vaults abroad.

Many of those vaults had already been emptied to fund reconstruction, but not all. They had to keep something to survive.

What had been given to Fernan—and now to Aint—were precisely those remaining vaults.

“So let’s leave the heavy topics for another time.”

“…Yes, thank you… Pardon?”

Wasn’t that the topic they were supposed to discuss today?

Were there more?

“What do you mean by another topic?”

“What I mentioned earlier—visiting the citizens.”

Aint didn’t manage to leave until two hours later.

“…What was that?”

— Nothing strange.

It just means you have a new official commitment tomorrow.

The next day, he would visit the refugees with Princess Yuli.

***

Time passed quickly, and white snow quietly covered the ruins of the Kingdom of Linelt’s capital.

During that time, Aint went on several tours with Princess Yuli, while Fernan wrapped up the last pending matters.

“With this, there’s no longer any reason for me to stay involved personally.”

The overall picture was fully outlined, and everything was proceeding smoothly.

He had even fine-tuned the minor details, so Fernan’s direct involvement was no longer needed.

The rest was in the hands of the Golden Turtle Guild’s administrative staff.

Finally, the time had come to leave Linelt.

“It was a productive time. Now I must return to my main work.”

The Mercenary King had already departed two days earlier to reorganize the Mercenary Guild, which had fallen into chaos after the storm of events.

“And you, Luina, what will you do?”

“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.”

“I’m sure he will. Your level is already almost equal to his.”

“I meant that I’ve been able to pay off a large part of my debt, actually.”

“…”

“That was a joke.”

Though it wasn’t entirely a joke—she had managed to significantly reduce her debt.

Even without counting the profits from the adamantite sword auction, the Kingdom of Linelt had granted her a considerable material reward for her merits.

“How much money were these people hiding…?” Fernan muttered to himself.

“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.”

“I’m sure you’ll succeed.”

“And you’ll become an Archmage.”

“I have no intention of doing so.”

“You never know.”

With a smile, Luina departed for Bercheff.

“I should head to the main residence as well.”

“The territory of Armian has expanded, so you’ll have plenty to take care of.”

“Yes. It’s all thanks to you, senior. I’m grateful.”

Aint also departed for Armian.

“And I… hmm…”

“You just have to follow me.”

“And my will?”

“Do you think such a thing really exists?”

“…Seriously?”

At Fernan’s retort, Gismond shut his mouth.

He had many things he wanted to say, but none he dared to utter.

“By the way, where do you plan to go? To Pellenberg?”

“I’m going to the Dragon God Cult.”

“To the Cult, all of a sudden?”

“It’s time.”

“Time? For what?”

Fernan didn’t answer.

Instead, he unfolded the day’s newspaper.

【Rosalia Vienderk challenges the title of Archmage. Her opponent: the duke and court mage of the Kingdom of Helpen, Vardor Erbeto.】

【First duel for the title of Archmage in 15 years! The entire continent’s attention is on it!】

“Professor Rosalia is going to challenge the title of Archmage?”

Impossible.

That was something that never happened in the original version of the novel.

In 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.

‘What a butterfly effect…’ thought Fernan, satisfied.

Fortunately, this time the change wasn’t for the worse.

‘Perhaps the author had Fernan falsely accused and disgraced just to balance the story.’

A fairly reasonable theory.

“Yes. The seed I planted is finally blooming.”

Isn’t it exciting?

“The birth of a new Archmage.”

“You seem convinced that Professor Rosalia will win.”

“Of course.”

“She was my choice.”

“Do you think I’d invest in something without potential?”

Fernan smiled with absolute confidence.

***

“They’re waiting for you.”

Creeeak—

The massive doors of the throne hall opened.

The man once known as Count Patrick Pirandello took a deep breath and stepped inside.

The great hall, majestic and decorated with golden tapestries, was empty.

Only a lone figure seated on the throne, cloaked in shadows, watched him from above.

Patrick advanced and knelt down.

“I greet Your Majesty.”

“……”

“I beg your forgiveness. My ineptitude ruined the plan.”

The silence fell heavy as lead.

A single second felt like an eternal minute.

“I’m disappointed.”

Those words, spoken without any emotion, chilled him to the core.

“Borges.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The man, Borges, bowed his head even lower.

“You have failed.”

“I offer my life in apology.”

“It is not for you to decide when you die. Don’t be arrogant.”

“My apologies.”

“Go to Grunard. You’ll carry out a mission under Harzen’s command.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Grunard was one of the northern kingdoms.

Not as powerful as Alprosen or Heinburg, the great realms, but with enough strength to influence the region.

“Now speak.”

“Tell me what happened, and how.”

“Tell me how that Fernan Pellenberg manipulated you…”

“And how it is that he now commands the power of humanity’s enemies.”

In the throne’s shadow, the monarch’s eyes glowed with a cold light.