Chapter 262
hNW4VDImpressive.G11XPf3
zJGJ9Jn“From now on, count on me, brother. Don’t worry about Fridian; I’ll do everything I can to help you solidify your position.”9XAMGd
KowGismond came back to his senses.TItbxN
TEkP0xtThe sudden vision of the prophecy had hit him so hard that he had to grit his teeth not to groan. He couldn’t think about anything else.7Kr3zj
sHgZfgFernan, however, was different. He didn’t even bat an eye and, right after, began to wrap Adolf in sweet words, handling him with mastery.wYT
rnoLkbIn the blink of an eye, the two were already calling each other “older brother” and “younger brother,” and Fernan was launching his new project—turning Adolf into a Royal Knight.8Xu
HT2v“Have you ever considered becoming a professor at the Academy?”FUKwr
JbIOf course, that wasn’t his real goal. What he wanted was to keep Adolf close, raise him, and shape him with his own hands.uwXyC
CvWBEO1“I’m not sure I could. I don’t know if they’d accept an elf.”z4BU5
AccL3“They will. I’ll make sure of it. Besides, with your skill, it’s more than enough.”5psc
VSaBAnd so, Adolf fell.Nwe2
AaxiD6x‘…Of course, this is how you manipulate even the protagonist of a novel like Aint.’duNOBW
9PXIHYHe kept thinking for a moment, and a spark of pride crossed his mind.cycM
Kyy‘So then I’m also a talent? So valuable that Fernan wants to keep me close?’YG8Q16
1YwDiCould it be that I also have the potential to become a Royal Knight?limh
Tgac4But that flash of vanity faded quickly.j6c
hME8R‘No, it’s impossible. The way he treats Aint or Luina is completely different from how he treats me.’Rvb1L7
qWNQXDamn it.9g7JAcA
QloGismond sighed silently.YulrI
A4y7PrEven so, his conviction to stay by Fernan’s side grew stronger.Aa9DRP7
bRP7HW2At least he was sure of one thing—if he stayed near that man, he wouldn’t die in some absurd or unjust way.duRAON
4iyhv“Sir, Professor Rosalia hasn’t stopped looking at you for a while.”e0aiP6M
FeGhBW“…Oh, right. I forgot.”HSrGE3V
QlbltR4…I’m dead, aren’t I?As0Bcq
E0lSRf***PzXPVkt
nfn9x0A new Archmage had been born.0ndRa
0n8QvxThe news swept through Eargrath and spread across the entire continent.J7L
m8p2c2wThe name Rosalia Vienderk shone brighter than ever.WM4SyRp
Ioyl“I declare that in this place, a new Archmage has been born!”ZC8Cm
LULANThe Pope himself blessed her and proclaimed her title.BlUJ
eJIWXThus, she officially became an Archmage.SFbNFx
m5AaVT3It was the first piece of the puzzle completed.3udOd2r
uiiVU“I should pray that in three days her grudge has passed.”Mo4ld
W5JTxHe knew Rosalia tended to hold grudges, but at least he wouldn’t have to see her soon.6iDLZV
44JPsNow, he had to attend the official events organized by the Cult of the Dragon God.ZZW7Hiu
QSGFernan used that time to spend more time with Adolf.Gk1jY
SpyUHe had already secured his promise to become a professor, and even had him calling him “brother,” but there was still something missing—a bond.T38OeVH
y5n5If he didn’t want to see the Royal Knight he’d trained end up serving someone else, he had to start strengthening that connection now.txxLx
bQjN“And how’s Aria?”OgCt
84C3“Much better. Not only has she recovered; it seems this whole ordeal helped her mature. Her progress has been remarkable.”j1af
zNfOAs expected, Aria Fridian was also one of the companions chosen by the prophecy to stand at Aint’s side.ZL1xcc
vj8cv3Maybe not as brilliant as Aint or Luina, but still, a genius in her own right.kDxrWqG
ru1Bts‘She might even become a Contractor of the Spirit King.’htJ
skoThe Spirit King—the supreme existence among all spirits.O7jS0oD
ikAIt was hard to summon and even harder to form a contract with, but its power was worthy of an absolute being.MQxTQ
5EEIf she managed to summon it, even for a short time, Aria could take down a demon on her own.gZH6
Q6ZIWLjBecoming an Archmage was, for her, only a matter of time.lbD2
MV4GVrV“So this is the famous golem I’ve heard rumors about. Did you really insert a spirit inside?”fpfXRr
5Ztd— Kyuu!ttWHP
nqVqr“His name is Wooden. Aria helped me create him.”uSMPq
5XaeRR“When I heard her talking about trapping a spirit inside, I thought she was insane, but I see now that she’s not actually forcing it to stay.”Cxk2i1T
RQ3rBTIAdolf shook his head in disbelief.BrYX
wxNiOz“Well, if that’s the case, I understand it a bit more now.”jcR
qrOjzXZNo, it really seemed like he understood it.4JiG
0xe“I think you, brother, can become a Royal Knight.”7S7ewW
64M0b“Me? The one who allied with the corrupt because I lacked confidence in myself?”tUbN
lDrKL“No one is certain of becoming a Royal Knight. No one who’s desired it has ever reached that end by sheer conviction alone.”AGyOcC
rjVfBut Fernan could be certain.Q5mVnD
SeETDAdolf Fridian was strong.FbD
wc3jrAMaybe not as much as Aint or Luina, who were on the verge of reaching the Royal Knight rank, but even so, anywhere on the continent he’d be considered among the best.DTk
cvfAnd that had already been confirmed by Guardner of the prophecy—that Adolf could also become a Royal Knight, just like Luina.BgNk98D
RvdLaPAnd that was enough.jbOH
7JpbWH3Guardner’s judgment had already proven correct with Luina.HslgiE
rZymAnd on top of that, there was something better.f2nUg
Q5h‘He doesn’t need elixirs.’Bx6Fda
7QNAdolf had already consumed plenty thanks to Fridian’s support; any more doses would be useless, even counterproductive.puDO
JDz9iLAnd, as a seasoned knight, his body was perfectly trained.1Ui
BpqR‘I’ll have to take him to the battlefield against the demons.’DjQ
B0i3jGGWhat he needed wasn’t more power, but enlightenment—and for that, an extreme battlefield that would push him to the limit.Xooi4lB
rKPtDdoAs long as he didn’t die, he’d grow stronger.ScIdgtz
n1k2jAnd Fernan would make sure he didn’t die.FnbIT
yMnXTn“…I suddenly felt a chill.”SKedBE7
TTYWE“It’s winter, isn’t it? Must be the cold wind.”voJl
42CIXc“Is that it?”qGTR8
lKsihFor three days, Fernan stayed by Adolf’s side, speaking with him at length.uk4
JzlS0“Then I’ll see you when the new semester starts at the Academy.”7EKxKR
aO2“Yes, see you then.”Bu8
KSZ8Q7QDuring that time, Fernan obtained two things—a closer relationship and final confirmation that Adolf would accept the position of professor.EV6LWab
yaX3eHe had taken the bait—the new “Royal Knight in training,” an elf, was now firmly under his control.bDsY6NJ
4REUa3x***bSt1Sfj
uYcNThree days had passed since Rosalia Vienderk became an Archmage.fLah
pZFYdAfter attending countless ceremonies and official events, she had finally regained a bit of peace. Then she asked.ZUoMP
uWTob“Who was it?”N91zx
hHPaM1“Who, Professor?”efez6
o4JoDiu“Do I have to repeat myself twice until my tongue hurts?”Rlabd
5N0“Adolf Fridian.”LOMbA4p
ZOKj“The eccentric from Fridian, right?”Olg1fYg
rzcH“Yes, well eccentric, certainly.”VhPO6
PquAdolf Fridian was known among elves for being a staunch vegetarian in a race famous for its love of meat.v3k6
5aV8EYWThough deep down, he was still an elf—he loved animals and plants equally.paa43
K6pH“Let’s put that aside and talk about something else. First of all, congratulations on becoming an Archmage, Professor. You’ve finally obtained what you desired.”agp
0UO5n“Don’t talk as if I’ve already achieved everything. This is only the first step.”6G6EFAv
JvdA67“If other mages heard you call the title of Archmage just a ‘first step,’ they’d surely be furious.”Hk1MLz
ECWjYoy“And do you think I have time to worry about that rabble?”EJXG
8Z1ju“Well, technically, I’m one of them.”Cems
4OvProfessor Rosalia let out a brief sarcastic laugh.TfvNF
u6x812“You don’t even bother hiding your lies anymore.”6LnbXIp
FvrbC7n“I tried, I swear I did.”RtAi
7aP0Gg3“Give me a cigarette.”OU9
d1zoTzO“You already finished the last ones?”NsOco4
aEhlKShe snapped her fingers silently.We8wYIG
HBR“You’re smoking too much lately. I still need to recover my whole investment, so please don’t die so soon.”F0m
dgl“You don’t even bother hiding your curses anymore. You said they weren’t harmful, didn’t you?”8yt
0ZnHFernan lit her cigarette. The magical smoke, completely harmless to the body, dissipated into the air.6wC4gXh
vXzS4zL“So what will you do now?”Fz2zy
b276G“I’m going to study you until the Academy reopens.”TxgU
Iqr“…Excuse me?”Mb4Kxn
4zy1“It won’t be bad for you. The more I understand the nature and principles of your power, the easier it’ll be for you to control it.”INlgw4I
unDw“And don’t you think you’re speaking a bit too confidently?”KTZ
9u4“Of course not. It’s only natural.”9qc
fiwpTMI am Rosalia Vienderk.rw4x
NIQLr“I’m one of the ten Archmages in this world and the future head of the Imperial Academy of Armian.”naf6
DKyIf I can’t figure it out, no one can.x358Gb
axN“So your refusal is rejected.”3QUj
pHG2jAs always, Rosalia radiated absolute confidence.Ar2
Vbvk***MyhFUv
GxZClop, clop—bfJP
pwwrThe carriage moved along the imperial road.JYnGRWI
93avKwkThe owner of the carriage, marked with the Saintbird emblem, was Perdicas Armian, who couldn’t calm the nerves tightening his chest.Dk9
wJvP“Dear… do you think I’m doing alright?”fQ8XW
NNKlP6Q“You’re doing perfectly, darling. Don’t worry.”Smq
IkfThe golden-eyed woman, Olivia Armian, spoke sweetly as she watched him hyperventilate.IhA0JA
rbH“You always act so dignified in front of Aint, and now your legs are shaking?”c6Tdy
foR“But this isn’t just any occasion…!”6xs
hHnqZwThey knew exactly where the carriage was taking them, and also what awaited them there.YZ8Bet
ROElAnd that was precisely why Perdicas didn’t want to arrive.VUZt
Sw6Gya“Do you want us to turn back then?”BbcUR
HZrKooI“No! Never! It’s for Aint, and also because I have to repay at least part of my debt to Pellenberg.”bDVo
MsbPerdicas shook his head firmly.3cSZtIx
gHWZThe debt wasn’t only about the money Aint had borrowed.3zf
ynmv9SWhen it was revealed that Count Daniel was a corrupt traitor, the County of Kool—with its distilleries and cellars, one of the Empire’s top five liquor producers—was left ownerless.K6abP
enGNAnd suddenly, without lifting a finger, that territory ended up in the hands of the Armian family.lYzZPs
DaQmWAll thanks to the intervention of Duke Yvon Pellenberg.Mwc9V
ADdBBsTo say he wasn’t grateful would be a lie. The County of Kool was a rich and prosperous land.TMJg
pLiZBut at the same time, it scared him. Why had he been given something so valuable?dfgRJG6
vSAWas it out of fear he couldn’t pay?hfRo
Sh8TOr because Aint’s value was truly that high?H7gBU
36QAfter Aint hunted two demons in the Kingdom of Linelt, the answer was clear—the second option.PoN0Kw
yZ4549Duke Yvon’s follow-up letter was long, but its message was simple:74DZjAX
eWkMcFY“It is a reward for the services of Aint Armian, who hunted countless demons and brought peace to the Empire.”JAcf
VSdzjZ8“I can’t sit idly by while my son works so hard. This time, I will exercise the rights of House Armian and do everything possible to obtain some benefit.”HWar
C6XnpnkIt wasn’t about whether he could or not—he had to.90F5k
9b8“Wow, I’m seeing a Perdicas I didn’t know.”2FN4SwS
JV4CWBa“Before that, could you give me another heart pill?”wYi
notVmc“Yes, that’s the Perdicas I know.”4r7
2t24acOlivia smiled tenderly.SJLUH
ZWKHsxHer husband always underestimated himself, said he wasn’t brave, and preferred a quiet life.upfaL
Pj0gc2HBut when the time came, he always followed through.PwE43Q
un8oBThe only downside was that afterward, he ended up soaked in cold sweat.DQFH
iq57V“Don’t worry. You just have to agree with Duke Yvon, right?”rcMsJ7
584“You’re right. This time I just have to raise my hand when he says to.”cW6sxL
jDQ1fYes, just raise my hand.z3cagyu
6NDThen why am I so nervous?XKNtHE
HiGPerdicas murmured to himself.Ou4BvBb
GSC58“What was the topic of this meeting again?”MNh5sj
BgRLrEX“The dismissal of Rector Michael Montella from the Academy, the decision on the fate of the newly completed Bell of Pasa, and the founding of the Human Alliance.”wDn
dsLGBlBThe first two were important, but the last point was the most monumental.XVY
Eh92H5UAlthough for now the Empire was the only one involved, this meeting would determine whether it would expand to the entire continent.xf1ltEb
VK1hUnder the leadership of the Empire, a true Human Alliance was being planned.zKGS
akO3mvY“The rector’s dismissal will surely pass without issue. And they’ll probably name his successor immediately.”ujFdRn
020P“Do you know who the candidates are?”WJdqxB5
5WkEkHg“Only one. Duke Yvon mentioned it in his letter.”sAu
LeEa4“Who?”IH0jJ0U
8XNYgPerdicas unfolded the newspaper beside him.3gT
W2n6SB【Rosalia Vienderk defeats Duke Bador Erbeto and becomes the new and youngest Archmage.】MKfdv
D3CoW“Rosalia Vienderk. The prodigious woman who just became an Archmage.”l4VXyW
EOzlfv“So Pellenberg is backing her.”jXJt
8IJ“It seems so.”PweC
oPhVThe Armian information network, dormant for so long, was no longer what it used to be.cuLGrm
olZThat’s why they still didn’t know Fernan had been sponsoring Rosalia for years.8V6ZB8
T9vF8jR“My lord, the city is in sight.”PoZfo
hZul1Hearing the knight, Perdicas looked out the window.rtD
0yYIn the distance, a massive and majestic city rose before them.gVXeeQ
MbhNothing like the capital of House Armian.pjk8
TqQWBIt was Schurfein, the imperial capital and seat of the Duchy of Schwaben.YfHA
Nx2“Huff, huff… By all the gods, I can’t control my heart…! And it’s not even the first time!”2yU
uxa“Deep breath. Like this—deeply.”IpKTAQ0
tMsUigtPerdicas Armian’s face had gone pale, and Olivia patted his back to calm him.3WBBR5
B0lGThe wind coming through the window flipped the pages of the newspaper.5DW0
sxJ6WU【The Conference of the Elector Princes of the Empire is about to begin. House Armian, fully reactivated, announces its participation for the second consecutive time.】rd3vv
etIAt last, the full Conference of the Elector Princes was about to begin.XUsI759
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