Chapter 268
hqLT5It couldn’t be confirmed that Duke Harbert was a corrupt.mTC67P
0AWJust like what happened with Adolf or the third prince of Esrin, there are those who, without being corrupt, ally with them for convenience or personal gain.”CxS4xu
gVmXk“And you, brother? How was it in your case?”NPe
4vneI“Somehow, they discovered that I harbored resentment, and they were the first to approach me.”PuShy
NsoMJdMAdolf recalled that moment.MA6v4Pq
FTM“It all started with a letter. One morning, without anyone entering or leaving, it appeared on my desk.”SdOtl
VnBAMhThat was his first contact with the corrupt. He tried to find out who had left it, but couldn’t.fSJ9
Fkzw46“At first, I ignored it. Ally with the corrupt? I thought it was absurd.”cRUN8
eYANdBut seeing how Fridian, despite having obtained the title of Elector, still couldn’t do anything, changed his mind.t3H7b
fig“I thought that if we gained independence, we could restore the former Kingdom of Fridian.”y2bVup
OFP“But the Empire would never stand idly by.”NzuV
Q9YEUk“That’s why I needed chaos. If something more serious happened, the Empire would have to postpone its issues with us.”An71Ahw
7oabXU“So you were willing to sink Fridian for that? Do you think the Empire is stupid? Even with chaos, once everything settled down, they would come to punish you.”7XtT
iK9D1yAria, who had listened in silence, couldn’t hold back. It was natural for her to be angry—her family had almost disappeared because of that decision.9if0
iimz6D“I’m sorry. At the time, I believed the Empire wouldn’t have the capacity to intervene.”gQz
5rt4fHe thought that if a demon descended, not even the Empire could react normally.FNZz
SvZ4And, in fact, his prediction wasn’t entirely wrong.ZB8jQM
8ktGLV2If not for Fernan, Bercheff and Linelt would have fallen, and Esrin and Alprosen would have been dragged into chaos.Pls
GGgiOThe monster armies led by three demons would have attacked the northern Empire, and it wouldn’t have been able to concern itself with something as “insignificant” as Fridian’s independence.cDn73
Pi4But, like everyone who made a pact with the corrupt, his end wasn’t good.3hon
7khD“It was also written in the book of prophecies.”EiudBA
kQTyHe didn’t know when it would happen, but eventually Adolf would fall by Aint’s sword, regretting his own weakness.MzjR
BlmgcwwThanks to Aria, Fridian would survive, though badly damaged.GW6Err
aiamsvIf they knew that future, both Adolf and Aria should be deeply grateful to Fernan.jpT
MuTABpdHe had not only saved the kingdom from disaster, but also planned to make Adolf a Royal Knight.vnD5
E7XXu“That’s worth millions of gold coins.”PEMpk
PEv8F7NIt was a shame he couldn’t tell them. Well, Gismond knew, but it was of little use.6GO
NWO“So, brother, if Duke Harbert really made a deal with the corrupt, what do you think motivated him? Speak as someone with experience.”hko
CeQQ“Experience, you say?”Zm3lsl3
Si1RcYes, he had it.CkeCrsp
JeahdAdolf responded uneasily, especially in front of Aria.gvK
8jvAQ“You have to understand their desires. In my case, the corrupt targeted exactly where my ambition was strongest.”1TY5uto
MQM“Ambition, huh?”g3MKB
admWhat could a man like Duke Harbert, second in command of the Kingdom of Frazia, possibly hunger for?bT7DKVd
gai8A more powerful kingdom? Greater authority? Turning the kingdom into an empire?ezL3N5
TGxmOr maybe…?MCr5yLT
CRo“The throne…”t6Hktpj
5Sr1Iw“That sounds exaggerated. It’s said he voluntarily gave up his right of succession when he was still a prince.”VG4
a1fV8mAria was right.5nA9
IW6vIf he gave it up to prevent the kingdom from bleeding in a succession war, how could he now draw the corrupt for that very same reason?7vesna
Dg9JDIt made no sense.uDQf
cPdG8DBut upon investigating, they found nothing.NWGz
6u7A respected duke.iQF
FhyuQDAn admired man.cBMve5
STIwbYThe second most powerful in the kingdom.JUJ8HoI
IKoOWOnly he knew his true reasons.D6Bn3cD
QTHCOU“Or maybe…”V3pc6
1oOlFFernan looked up.k849Fn
JKv3Pm“He might be Dantalion’s substitute, a copy of him.”17P
C3m1mWhatever it was, they would find out upon arrival.lANPK
VZHw***x5vJj
kvxoThe carriage arrived at the capital of the Licatus Duchy, Licatus.Uhxd
qj6ItPIt was, without a doubt, so large and prosperous it deserved to be called the second city of the Kingdom of Frazia.wx1g
hK7OTall and splendid buildings filled the streets, bustling with people.C3ksd
d3duIv5Fernan and his group crossed the city and headed to the lord’s castle at the center.WNP1qh9
ESxx8The enormous gates opened, and a high-ranking knight received them.Ulbxxwi
StLz“Welcome. Be received in Licatus.”yEgrBb
zoQSoon after, they were guided to an annex residence of the castle, spacious and majestic.dqCx
cHXTLmXDozens of maids and attendants assigned them their rooms.jyD4L
92wQRhNOnce inside, Fernan activated the dragon’s mana.hZtm
S9OQHis senses sharpened, and he scanned the surroundings, but detected no strange mana flow.77Fo22S
03xVrG‘No eavesdropping or surveillance.’wcm5SN
I704Well, being a duke, it would be ridiculous for him to use such vulgar tricks.qw776
41s9‘I’m getting used to this.’q0r
kFCThanks to Professor Rosalia’s research, Fernan understood that the Dragon Heart not only granted massive amounts of mana, but also the very power of dragons.B24h
p4BmFrom skin, muscles, bones, vessels, and blood—his entire body had become more like that of a dragon.OUz
Zo8VDLQIt wasn’t that his appearance had changed, but his body now accepted dragon mana naturally, without him coughing up blood every time he used it.PCmew
8pck“Of course, I’ve never seen a dragon with my own eyes, but I have an idea of how it must feel.”v37
RvNoK59Wooden nodded slightly, as if accepting the explanation.nYf
K1a3H0hAt nightfall, the maids brought dinner. The meal was served in the dining room of the residence.QRyb
JfGB“The duke is currently away from the territory. He’ll return in a week, so we ask for your understanding.”dwLzt6c
nxehzkY“Understood.”4ZX
5KrzoCThe fact that the host of the invitation wasn’t present could only mean one thing—he was avoiding meeting them.fAkjOWY
9blQYNKWas he trying to buy time?skRtV2
h05qxFine. Fernan had his own plans too.tTRt
ZuTVB“Perfect. After so much travel by ship and carriage, take the week to rest. I noticed there’s an underground training field. If you want, you can train there.”Oiqglo
Scm“So we can do nothing?”T1z
Dckbg“Yes. It seems he’s trying to stall us on purpose.”w6SDi
Ebnq“We won’t be doing nothing, exactly.”W0ZofX
WM6j3kIn reality, something had already begun moving the moment they arrived—it just wasn’t Fernan behind it.T1oNcK1
yCa“Ah, you sent Wooden, right? Since when?”p492
A8y6S0“From the start.”07ss
dvBYThere was no better choice than Wooden for detecting demonic energy, tracking someone, or finding what’s hidden.45E1So
nMGBe2Maybe he’d been using him too much lately, but the golem seemed excited to have a purpose, so there was no reason to stop.VARZA
E8v“Can we go for a walk?”eOB
mo707“No problem. They already know we’re here anyway. If you get bored, go out and take a walk.”hBD
UHfBTEtAfter dinner, Fernan returned to his room. He planned to meditate and link with Wooden to explore the mansion from afar.gZwC2P
YEP“Who wants to go for a stroll with me?”cH0Ct
Fga“I’ll go to the training field. Lately, I feel like something is about to unlock.”PCkesZD
CRg“Me too. Aint, help me with a spar?”kDxCu0
7MX“Yes, senior.”d8W7E
MpquIvAint and Luina took their swords and left.hik
Up59B“I might take this chance to relax a bit…”SyG
y9iEr8“Gismond, you’re coming with me.”Q3rjY
xXYPz“Huh?”fVxNt
mFp“Fernan asked me to look after you especially.”Kbiwz
Pr8“W-wait, professor!”IiUtu
N0VGismond was dragged off by Adolf, who winked at Aria.QTLVL
LbXBQ“I could go train too…”GqPorb
zcZ6Aria pressed down on Verian’s shoulder to stop him from getting up.bZ8C
PvMhpv“No, you’re coming with me.”nyMCxAs
biw7“Why would I?”qbo6Ew8
MM1“Would you let a fragile, delicate lady walk alone in unfamiliar lands?”54FvO
VbZGNU“Fragile? An elf capable of summoning two greater spirits?”XoOTnve
kovXQ9“More fragile than a contractor of the Spirit King.”nRU
aaCogCB“By that standard, no one here would be strong.”tRzq8hg
tgF7Ll“Exactly.”FCe
t8OdPAria popped a candy into his mouth.xp8z7e
Q0k10y5“We weaklings have to stick together.”1DIOx
m4ArvbTVerian let out a chuckle.1Aef
aQe“If you just want to go with me, say so directly.”m8ia
HnB0“And if I do, would you come?”T0Km0
WxnFyo0“Yes.”jrTJ
uJBiOZG“…How strange.”cYo
IeJhwHis sudden change in attitude puzzled Aria.PnYm5
kQ4xm“Is something going on?”6JD
5xxFa5“Yes.”DiJlGsC
zRRRvunHe had always lived under pressure—grades, his family, his father, succession.JFeHm
XR7RSHis father sought a strong heir through competition, and Verian had always fought to not fall behind his younger brother.cH4S5WC
rBX2GBut during this break, all those worries had melted away.8AIrSF
MOAccicFollowing Fernan and Aint, the days spent trying not to fall behind had made him grow more than ever.nvUQmZ
aYJFgHis brother could no longer catch up, and his father had made a decision.4B0IB
lweXSiNow, all was peace.jApHrIU
04SCd05“What will you do out there?”sno
QrnJh“I don’t know. Just see what’s around.”nBG
YCFd5gmThe elf and the human stepped out together.eQ9XPl
QhOxX“Damn couples…”ydD
X9TlvGismond, being dragged by Adolf, saw the scene and held back tears.9e421
OmW“Why take it out on others? You could have a partner too.”IzE
hJn“And with what time? Thanks to you, my life as an assistant is in ruins…”7rp8jdB
M8jJ3“And when you were a student?”JRrNYx1
p1iJUGv“…Damn couples.”C2jb
51gdQ***z1Sfm
IwNx5bSWooden’s adventure ended in failure.XKaHxmV
Z2y— Kyuuu…vyf4s
yVl54QgThe little golem returned with slumped shoulders.eJxE05B
4qf“It’s okay. You can’t find something that doesn’t exist.”IjgZS
AfJGFernan patted his head while thinking.KhYoXK3
9kTdNL8There wasn’t the slightest trace of demonic energy in the mansion.e5J
pYNThere were some hidden spaces, but they were nothing more than secret storage rooms filled with treasures.bMWvexx
rBysQTempting as it was, he couldn’t rob his host while being a guest.Tsd9E
mcj2IrEUnless, of course, the duke turned out to truly be corrupt.ZKWnd0a
t4aYs‘For now, nothing in the castle.’2k8tzV
VI4lUEven so, Fernan couldn’t shake the suspicion that their host was indeed connected to the corrupt.5S3G3
s8kdIoHThe sudden invitation, the deliberate absence—everything was far too suspicious.78H95uI
M9nSeveral days passed.l4Y
owV“Lady Aria says the whole city is in a festive mood. There are many shows. Would you like to go out for a bit?”CFoTzNp
q2bOtUA“Planning to use your aura again?”FW5T
sOxdK1“You’ve been using magic too.”4qv
6BQHIFernan wasn’t the type to sit idle.Hv8W
vnw7tt“What about that over there?”9l4ZSS
ihmVnW“An arm-wrestling contest for money? Running low on funds lately?”wNlZt
Fgy“I just meant for fun.”Zzu2a
E10GNmFernan ended up strolling through the festival with Luina.nsI
kr5“This chocolate is excellent. It has a fruity flavor, like apricots, grapes, and something else I can’t quite identify.”7QvHB0g
vnGcK“Where’d you buy it?”cEqhtIj
Lk65“This? It’s a typical product from the territory of Calum.”FcG
hlrWVX“The territory of Calum, huh? Got it.”6mILL
8VbFeKFernan memorized it instantly.v85
Of4W5“What are you doing?”8Tl
6uC“You just said excellent. If it came out of your mouth, that means this product will be a hit.”rtMWT
gvO“That makes no sense…”PBpjeV
BPnu6“Not a bad profit.”9JbJ
Dv9VXGThey kept eating and trying sweets as the day faded.dIqll4b
dXbwUlSBang! Bang!Mvaga
zQHk1uFFireworks began bursting in the sky.S4k
dqpD“Don’t tell me this will turn into another Andrealphus.”2UDlnb
tBS“Relax. He’s dead.”Aiy6Rw
JvsdC9J“Right…”ctV
hdlFlowers, birds, and whales of light filled the sky, creating a dazzling display.2pD
QSS“What do you think of that?”9nRx
adDHKo“A big, pretty crystal. I guess they sell them as decorations.”MfTw5Qi
9MD14“Doesn’t it inspire you? Might spark some creativity. You know, after the first time, the second is easier…”jSi
2DbFM2f“Oh, you meant that. Fine.”ZPUmO
VHGWlLuina bought a huge blue crystal, about the size of a closed fist.kzT8J
KAtu“How much are you going to pay me for it?”ckuT
GGbZ“…You’re charging me?”xVdd
nGwS7a“Of course. Don’t you call yourself a merchant? Or do you plan to become a thief?”rbkblKw
DbV“…Where did the pure and innocent Luina I knew go?”sZGV
Iya17U“She died long ago.”1M3
fES2QyBoom!OOXikz
H322A much larger firework lit up the sky and briefly erased the darkness.Xef
2pDodQLuina watched it with a slight smile—so serene and beautiful that Fernan stared at her silently.do1OM
9V81AEh“You’re beautiful.”9Th
e1mKBkN“Yes, the fireworks are lovely. Looks like they put a lot of effort into it.”tauqwV
DWqy“I’m not talking about the fireworks…”Bvz
NPLiDaThen, his skin prickled.3cg
dmmG0CdHe sensed killing intent before he could react.1wX
a5kThe adamantite sword shot out.s0qxcpQ
2UXzClang!NNM
K5Gl7rA dagger was deflected just before it reached his neck.29dSYQR
MvERV“How dare you…!”4XgGj
czVLuina growled with fury, and her sword, flowing like a river, severed the attacker’s wrist.k7XG
88h“W-what?”pOhs
cjEiX“Ahhh, a hand!”2QZk
E4yY“There’s an injured person!”BgOykd
kYItThe attacker backed away without a single scream, but the crowd started screaming in panic.4Wru
J3rThe festive atmosphere turned to chaos in seconds, and people fled in all directions.QVhq469
tQZKAnd amidst the chaos—NOlIvQG
BCnwpSsshh! Ssshh!5v26dvS
sIXThree arrows whistled through the cold air.v8J
GfBAx5QLuina yanked Fernan’s shoulder, pulling him down just as the arrows flew over his head.AVCNn9h
a9KWmImmediately, assassins hidden among the crowd charged at them with daggers drawn.3wP
pmeUcKI‘Fifteen.’14jSP
UJxwWhile Luina dispatched them, Fernan fully awakened his senses.B19BMLt
JzOlcKHe felt the demonic energy in their bodies.n2hTLf
DPp1guThere were fifteen—no, forty-five.ttqkI62
ue7C6Luina turned to the front, where a column of fully armored riders was rapidly approaching.7EGJ
Mz5STs“Tch…”Y4Cgrt
di7jl2She let out a dry laugh and charged at them.QYrLqA
QyIWNLA blue energy enveloped her entire body.YDvpb1b
Pd8“Die, bastard!”P2w
JynU7The man at the front—the only one not lowering his helmet visor—shouted.IrlITu
HqCFo“Fernan Pellenberg! Your time has come!”TBt
lGErg1GFernan instantly recognized the strongest demonic presence.Pkr1Er
lQu“Kret Helan?”zJrW
VGtAeDfOne of the former corrupt candidates—though now there was no doubt.bpnwQ9k
ZLsB3At the tip of his spear, a large amount of demonic energy gathered.jEwuhh
OYdThe dozens of knights around him resonated with him, amplifying the power.7T4Fny
3jcLuina summoned a blue lion that charged straight into them.TuwFlrV
yM9XfCTBooom!Cy1
HVfA shockwave swept the area.Z1o4
G5LLXpThe horses neighed and fell, some riders flying like leaves caught in a storm.tC1Pup
jcsT1And amid it all—pWpB
A2YLCTwelve daggers flew at Fernan.hLG
uo0WBrClang, clang, clang!Gqpj8e
ZYVV“What the hell…?”jmYt
Z2zcThe daggers, imbued with aura, pierced the sand Fernan had raised as defense, reaching his skin.RMQCA
U8NUADBOf the twelve, eleven were blocked.EDRb4re
zH7nMfCShining scales had appeared on his body, deflecting the blades.zm0
zN6tAzThe assassins were stunned, but one of them managed to stab Fernan in the shoulder.HdALfy
uZu“Hehehe, you’re done for, Fernan Pellenberg!”l4m
bviH“The blade’s poisoned?”yod
nl3A3nThe edge glowed with a bluish tint.xWtQK
x5Mdvpl“Yes! It’s venom distilled from a hundred basilisks. One drop and you’ll be dead in ten seconds.”ojXrlv
E9G0Ab“I see.”O8x
rDIFernan nodded slowly.x3gqW
vBd4“I think the ten seconds have already passed.”44aR
OU2RuR“Huh…?”TLmLSS
QSZFernan grabbed his head.dvp
u0l“The rector’s poison was much stronger.”DNWOgQ1
JJGDid you really think a dragon could die from poison?uNgg
MPfCrack.xnB8cx
s4Mr7The assassin’s head shattered in his hand.aEC
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