Chapter 264
cYEpPThe prophecies still existed, but some of them, due to the changes caused by Fernan, no longer made sense.9T1C
SDQThat had happened in Bercheff, and it was happening again now.sRyBjB
aco18z8The demons who, in the original future, were supposed to spread terror across the continent, had already been eliminated.v9SM
sPdrThat was also proof that Fernan was properly guiding the course of events.TY0Hm
VkHTetW‘Even so, the original future was truly horrible.’OIcp
WXekIBercheff destroyed, Esrin plagued with monsters, Linelt ravaged, and three demons attacking the Empire at the same time?Sc3i
PnZpAnd that in the middle of all that, I ended up ruined and expelled without a cent?exxO
ucUJvIt was a relief that such a nightmare would never come true.042x6
mYUAfter finishing his conversation with Rector Rosalia, Fernan stepped out of the office.2L7
JiRDvOutside was buzzing with activity.iHdOtDy
GHRS6dStudents returning, professors resuming their posts, and also new students who had just been admitted.vnb
fWI7ufAlthough the city hadn’t been fully rebuilt yet and there were no civilians, the selection of new students had already taken place a week earlier.m0M
1xB6‘Too bad I can’t use the power of the prophecy book this time.’gGMjOl
0z9BIn the original future, the academy was supposed to have closed its doors, so that semester no new students were admitted.0cbH
P2V8ADThat’s why the book didn’t mention any outstanding students.nlE
2zNjRicA shame, but nothing more.T8CaCgM
vAS941‘Well, let’s check the student register first.’uebp
pbc8S5He could identify the new ones the traditional way, no need for prophecies.hIMoU91
NNTs3‘Now that I think about it, I’m already in my fourth year.’OSd
nQuguGraduating next year.zJMrr
ukAStill, he had no intention of leaving the Academy immediately.V5KLM
wIguAWith demons still moving in the shadows, he had to stay as close to Aint as possible.VudpE
qMx9Y‘If I ask Rector Rosalia for a favor, she’ll surely find me a post.’lfx
ifm1glWith her support, staying another year at the Academy wouldn’t be a problem.Uy5jOx
NqMrY7You can always come up with a good excuse.eZ4vU
JiR2zTime passed, and the students who had left the Academy began returning one by one.x2qKt5
pz9ljy“Fernan, how have you been?”5sjiAr
Ph9P“I’ve been well, but you seem thinner.”uUpwEj
zFal“I spent quite some lively time with my father. Ah, here.”YzhS
sijsw“A letter?”kDasaNr
gvUvh“Yes. My father asked me to deliver it to you.”QAU4GX
n92Fernan unfolded the letter.hgyj
chrug“Do you know what it says?”hT2
5RhR“Yes.”Kkaz0
s6UjLuina had returned from Bercheff. In just one month under the frontier count’s tutelage, she had become even sharper and deadlier.AvEwx
cvJjC7“Senior.”gpbAdH
va9iLr“Your skin is quite tanned. Weren’t you in Armian?”PBqrfr3
hXuAint had returned as well.Hn19dBp
1EiQrFernan already expected it—after all, he had the best master possible, Gardner, by his side.xZoN9
ypCGxFa“I was in the Taklakan Desert, meeting with the tribes.”s1INCV
oo239“Taklakan?”Qkhp7r
ceOCBfQHe had almost forgotten, but the desert tribes had sworn loyalty to Aint.mbxhbn
TgXsu“Yes. They’re doing well. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem like the corrupted are moving in that area again.”23DiR1W
QS8vVAAint added that the tribes would join Armian’s army.SsE
BwX4mAn excellent move—no, the best Armian could make at that moment. The desert tribes were a naturally fearsome force.gMFp
kY6o‘Was it Gardner’s advice, or is he starting to understand the situation on his own?’jFgSl
vRAu8Either way, it was a good sign.O7D2z5s
377“Senior, didn’t you miss me?”caEN2
E25Aria had also returned.VaR
yaTjaFully recovered, she was now powerful enough to summon two high spirits at the same time.Cva
Nup3“Do you level up every time you get brainwashed or what?”xWxQFOC
sfWgO“Stop saying that! It’s not because of brainwashing! It’s because I worked hard so it wouldn’t happen again!”fyn
iLth1Q“But the result’s the same, isn’t it? Maybe if you get brainwashed a few more times, you’ll be able to contract the Spirit King.”63ZU
Eea9l“Stop saying nonsense.”ULI33A6
XBTPa5Because if he was the one saying it, it was scary to think he might actually do it.0odoTt
QwAAria clicked her tongue.kgSM6
ffH“……”TWtGV
diDXiRmVerian had also returned. And like Luina, he came back sharper and more focused than ever.LIMB
nWv6k7“Looks like you were busy during vacation.”WCSzI1
waOR“Yes. I defeated my younger brother in just two moves, and my father hasn’t let me rest since.”sLjTbl2
sAIpObVerian’s brother was none other than his rival for succession—Obert Kalburden, a youth nearly as talented as him, and one of this semester’s new students.0Mzq
h1e“So he’s officially acknowledged you as heir?”KDUyrOV
4t4u“I don’t know. It’s impossible to understand what he’s thinking.”XdHgYvs
6rjqAlthough Verian said it indifferently, Fernan had a different view.odZ
hS0doZ‘The Marquis Kalburden is a typical noble—he craves fame, power, and prosperity for his house.’rsaxe
6QDK6He had pitted his two sons against each other to decide who would become the next head of the lineage, using anything that might benefit the family.5CB52Bc
0Ni3MIf he had started personally instructing Verian in swordsmanship, it meant he had already taken sides.aZUCQfH
QVMrq‘The Kalburden family is, after the Elector Princes’ lineages, one of the richest families in the Empire.’8UW6zQO
nhwHe tried to push aside Armian to reach the title of Elector, but that dream was shared by all nobles, so he couldn’t blame him.nBHjAn
Bjm7ZAnd so, with the return of all students and professors, the Academy began a new semester.dtSkE
SwcTg***6Z9av
MAZPQAs professors and students returned, the Academy gradually came back to life.1gosOW
EIbDIt was as if Andrealphus’s appearance had been a lie—everyday calm reigned once more.NhIIV
BgscpelFernan, sitting on the rooftop terrace of Ravidus Hall, drank a cup of hot coffee while overlooking the Academy’s landscape.dU0pa
dSJ3jTwo weeks had already passed since the start of the semester.5NCd
2cQSJNAlthough many areas were still unfinished, the buildings were rising quickly, and the scenery changed day by day.V9j
QWz“Sometimes, having a bit of free time isn’t so bad.”BN6sD
MEIN2q0It was the most peaceful period he had had in a long while.1kBfuvw
CzKSince the academic city hadn’t been fully rebuilt yet, the population had decreased considerably, and with that, so had the activities of the Golden Turtle Guild.jOHE2UB
6I19yGNothing requiring his direct attention—only minor matters.6Dh6h1
c7oZabpWhile pondering over the passages in the prophecy book, Fernan contemplated how to install the Bell of the Pasa in the Kingdom of Linelt.YHObyJi
h7hyXvi“The young master doesn’t look very calm, I must say.”8P6eI9
p72jJW7“The Bell of the Pasa is the issue. How do I get it out of here? No matter what excuse I come up with, the Elector Princes will oppose it without hesitation.”AVA
incNOmHis father, Duke Yvon, was still buying time in the meetings, but no one could guarantee how much longer he’d be able to delay the decision.h2VotMo
QrI5HFOThe Black Turtles he had sent north should soon bring back some convincing evidence.R2mlo
cupmDv6“Taking a relic of the First Emperor out of the Empire is crazy to begin with.”wUyBW
97xA8j“That’s not a relic of the First Emperor—it’s my mithril, my orichalcum, and my adamantite they used to make it.”7km
faXg“But officially, it’s said that it was created with the collaboration of the Elector Princes.”L1hTFj
PqwY9onThere was the problem.O8iS6Th
zaC2ILqBack then, to avoid shouldering all the costs alone, Fernan had made the Electors pitch in funds, and now that very move was tying his hands.HmK
IQbwKf“Stop criticizing and give me a good idea, even just one.”GlnF9H
NIQK“I’m your escort, not your strategist.”hmgsBb
7bpqXHyde answered with total confidence. There was nothing to argue.8QsKitA
ZV2Dtm“Rather, read this.”PlGSxUB
D2oc1Tg“A newspaper? I already read them all this morning.”eAX
Wd2D5s“It’s not from the Empire’s papers.”RwtKK
upafPFernan took the copy. Just as Hyde had said, it didn’t belong to any of the five major imperial newspapers.EXWRW4s
o1a“Balden—that’s the most influential newspaper in Baroska, isn’t it?”A0PS
v73mRBaroska was a northern kingdom, bordering Grunard to the north and Hainburk to the northeast, and separated to the south by the vast Ern Bay, across from the Kingdom of Esrin.su63Z
nz0c5r“Yes, that’s the one.”6UG3si
XUouE“Let’s see.”wIGASZ4
18G0QTFernan unfolded the newspaper.vyry9
E6lqU【The Continental Alliance expands! Following Alprosen, the Kingdoms of Esrin and Helfen confirm their accession.】WoBXedL
g1ho2hv“Page 21, bottom left corner.”pWg4jj
YgGIThere, a small article stood out.nrx
wDz【Red spots appear after using F■■■ cosmetics? Trouble for the brand once considered the best?】739
ij3XQAAt first glance, it was a direct attack on Flos, the luxury cosmetics brand of the Golden Turtle Guild.HD7lS
nlfe“Have they lost their minds or what?”ADxfqJ
6cIMore than anger, Fernan felt curiosity.y4OL7jG
gWdo5Though the Guild was headquartered in the Empire, it already operated in many countries, and Baroska was no exception.fYZ
cJeRkIn fact, the Golden Turtle Guild’s influence there was huge, especially among newspapers, which lived off its advertising and would never dare criticize their biggest sponsor.skf2
ll5df“Want me to investigate?”dX3
zO8“No, leave it.”Kcrh
7q6EFernan shook his head. It was unexpected, yes, but not his direct concern.n8RC5E
F2s“Father must already know. He’s surely aware of the cause and is looking for a solution.”p8KZID
eutaDuke Yvon Pellenberg had led both the Pellenberg Family and the Golden Turtle Guild for decades.c5T
dkk0YEven if Fernan had the prophecy book and achieved great results, he still couldn’t match him as a merchant, administrator, or strategist.eLyi
AoZ33qXHis father would take care of it. Fernan had other priorities.WNhgD
gdoJ“It’s time to prepare the New Emblem Tournament between Aint and Luina.”8OEa
01bkThe competition to obtain the title of Royal Knight.ldh
iw7Whether or not Aint obtained the title, he would remain a hero.rMQA
PL5bBut without a doubt, a Royal Knight hero inspired more confidence than one without a title.h80S4kJ
w7MU2“Do you think it’ll be possible?”tdOMMPG
4hsz“Read this.”G5Qw
HPuajRFernan handed Hyde a letter from Luina.H8O
jC9B9[It’s been a while. You told me you hired Garrett for Bercheff…]O1o
TSf3nThe letter was long, but the message was clear.m3mgr0
Cg6kC6v[…Even facing him, I couldn’t surpass him. What the hell did you do to this girl?]BYQ
7uF1CwuLuina’s growth was terrifying.ORs
cOs1[She’s my daughter, but her rate of improvement is inhuman. A hundred steps become two hundred, two hundred become three hundred in the blink of an eye. By the end of the break, I realized she’s already capable of facing other Royal Knights.]Czd
GLD4A skill level worthy of a Royal Knight, endorsed by Albinos Bercheff himself, a man who never exaggerated.3bOY
a6ZAhQOThe letter concluded by asking that, since he was busy rebuilding the territory, Luina participate in the New Emblem Tournament.btO
dJor“If they ask us for something like this, we must accept. Bercheff and Pellenberg are too entangled to refuse.”1o4yD
qHJ2t3oLinelt and Bercheff were, along with Pellenberg, the biggest partners of the Guild.PNCF
rCS“And what about Aint Armian?”amAy
IlAD6“Since he returned, he’s been sparring with her every day. With Verian, Hyde, Professor Adolf, and Assistant Gismond, that’s five. And even then, only Aint can match her.”6m2vor
4RwuBoth had talent in abundance. What took others months, they achieved in just a month.xQy
wjIJust as the prophecy book foretold—the genius and the protagonist. Fernan was satisfied.KPHc2I
z7x3‘Making that proposal to Luina that day was the best move I could’ve made.’xEcg
JnOv“The only thing worrying is Schwaben…”BrNx
rqhenThe title of Archmage was granted by the Pope of the Dragon God Cult, but the title of Royal Knight was conferred by the Emperor.pIEGyY
TthwUAnd the current imperial bloodline was still Schwaben.XCEVRJ
4gRF“If Aint requests to participate in the tournament, I can already imagine the reaction.”eGP
I0ygeHis role would be to smooth everything over and ensure the process unfolded without incident.JA7N2
5pfTTCLFernan clenched his fist, resolute.Zjmr4Ia
WvrbEg***KJHs8
fjcSZDucal House of the Pellenbergs.ikz
Z3ylCi【Defect found in Golden Turtle Guild artifacts! Where is your pride in perfection now?】pLnJHY
RR7QnUHDuke Yvon Pellenberg laid the newspaper silently on the table.s1zMT
8gcJust days after the article in Baroska, it was now the Kingdom of Juxen’s turn.MHu
05NqouxAnd it wasn’t the only one—in various northern kingdoms, malicious rumors about the Guild were starting to surface.4kKuX
dHXFF4“What do you think is going on?”4JVUmH1
YnTlF“They’ve lost their minds, your grace.”dbXCx
HZ6sSkpThe Golden Turtle Guild, a continent-spanning organization, was the biggest client of all those publications.Wyz4
uybJsTvAnd even so, they dared to bite the hand that fed them.XmL
MO5zia“The problem is, it’s not just Baroska and Juxen. In Grunard and Nellaton, articles are starting to appear as well.”uzF4
m62855All with the same message—that the guild had serious internal problems.CgqQi
YeFjjTE“Did you meet with the directors?”83u8
oxA74“Yes. They all say the same—that they only published the articles because they were paid, and that they don’t reflect their papers’ actual views.”JWM
L0bNgPNothing but worthless excuses.E53y
GsqmZ“Should we pull the advertising?”FWU
LNRb“That would be pointless. All those editorials are tied to royal families.”mCQ
wzOMTThose who had begun attacking Pellenberg were, without exception, newspapers sponsored by the northern crowns.ar2o
oeBDj1ZThis was no longer just press—it was monarchies making their move.1MHATi
rF6Pulling the ads would be a mistake. It would give them reason to play the victim and manipulate public opinion.y6y
YbGG76Under normal circumstances, Yvon wouldn’t have been bothered, but seeing so many northern kingdoms act in unison was far too suspicious.sYGe
uaT“Do you think the northern kingdoms are behind this?”8pIGa
OkQNIf it were just one kingdom, he would’ve taken it as a sign of greed and sent someone to deal with it.vLjp52
Tp18ALJBut a coordinated movement required caution.BtKTVlU
Um0eotz“Send the Black Turtles to investigate. I want to know who’s behind this.”aSPJ
HltR“Yes, your grace.”zUZRYSe
dJ6wyN7“Until we have something concrete, not a single misstep.”vYZ
P7XEE“Understood.”dSh
PYDqIThe butler withdrew.ydFve
lMxDuke Yvon ran a hand across his forehead.bznPT
GufMddWould it be coincidence that this happened just after Fernan spoke of “the corrupted in the north”?W9j9yK
Ry5hu“Whether they’re kings, corrupts, or demons…”Nz3Top3
iNciGdIt didn’t matter.o5iuXa
vI2The emblem of the Pellenbergs, the Golden Turtle, actually came from a snapping turtle—a predator that never let go of its prey.tBO
MZTdNx“I’ll show them what happens when they try to snatch money from the Pellenbergs.”5RchiR
l283atHis eyes turned cold as steel.QNBBd
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