A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 273

Chapter 273

“Urgent‍ news! Urgent news!”

Early in the morning,‌⁠‌ Aria burst into‌‌ the room with‍‌ a newspaper in‌ hand.

“A‌⁠‍ demon! A demon⁠⁠ has descended!”

Another‍ one?

Fernan‌⁠ put down the‌‍ cup of coffee‍⁠ he was drinking and snatched the⁠ newspaper from her.‌

“Where?”⁠

But‍‌ the demon had‍ not descended in⁠‍ the Kingdom of‌⁠ Frazia.

【A‌ demon descends in⁠‍ the territory of‍⁠ Viscount Ashiof! The‌ 67th demon, Vapula!】⁠

【Another‍ demonic descent! Ashiof⁠⁠⁠ territory falls into chaos!】

“The⁠‌‌ territory of Viscount Ashiof…”

Ashiof⁠‍ was one of⁠⁠ the lands located⁠ between Bercheff and‍ Schwaben, a rather⁠ ordinary place without⁠⁠ any particular features.‍‍

‘They’re‌‌ attacking the Empire‌‍ just when Aint‌ and I aren’t‍‍‍ there?’

That⁠ was the first⁠ thought that crossed‍‌ Fernan’s mind.

Sending⁠‍ Aint and him to Pandrein, and‍‍ in the meantime‍ summoning a demon‍‌ in Lutar to⁠ ravage the area?‌

It⁠‌‌ was one of‌‍⁠ the two most‍‍ likely possibilities Fernan⁠‌ had considered from‍‌ the moment he‍ received Dantalion’s invitation.‌

The⁠ other was that they had prepared‍ a trap in‌ Frazia and were‌‌ waiting for them⁠ there.

Even‌‌⁠ so, he had‍ accepted the invitation⁠‍ for two reasons.⁠⁠⁠

The‍ first was because,⁠‌ no matter what‌ happened, he trusted‍ he could either‌ win or escape.‌‌

After⁠‌ all, he had‍ managed to hold‍ his ground even⁠‍ when Vapula and⁠ Amy had descended.‍‍

“Call Aint. We’ll ride Silver and…”

The‍ second reason was‍‍‍ that, in case⁠⁠‌ of emergency, he⁠ could ride Silver and cover the‌‌ distance immediately.

Although⁠⁠ there would be‍ inevitable damage, when‌‌ a demon is summoned, it’s impossible‍‍ to come out‌‍⁠ completely unscathed.

However,‍‍‍ just as he⁠ was about to⁠ summon Silver, Fernan stopped.

The‌‍ article didn’t end‍ there.

【The‍ First Prince of‌ the Empire, Ruben⁠‌ Schwaben, decapitates a demon. The birth⁠ of a new‌ hero?】

【Ruben‌‌⁠ Schwaben wields a holy light—Armian’s power?】‍‌

【Ruben‌‍ Schwaben declares, “It⁠‌ is not a technique of Armian. It is an‍‍ anti-demon sword style⁠ developed over generations⁠‍ in the Schwaben⁠ family.”】

“…What‌ kind of stupidity‌ is this?”

Ruben‌ Schwaben killed Vapula?⁠‌‍ And with an⁠⁠ anti-demon sword technique‌⁠ developed by his‍ family?

Fernan already knew that‍⁠ Schwaben had stolen‍⁠ Armian’s secret techniques,‍ but the timing⁠‌ of this was‌⁠ far too suspicious.⁠‌

And‍‌ the most absurd‌‍ part was the next article.

【Where is Aint Armian?⁠ While he disappears,‍ the two princes‍‍ Ruben and Ludger‌⁠ Schwaben save the Empire from crisis.】⁠

It‌ was shameless. So⁠ shameless it almost‌ felt like a direct provocation.

An‍‍ article made to denigrate Aint and‍ elevate the Schwaben⁠‍ princes.

“What if Schwaben really‌⁠⁠ did develop an‌‌ anti-demon technique?”

Aria‍‌‌ murmured anxiously.

But⁠‍⁠ Fernan knew that‍‍ was impossible.

“Where’s‍‍ Aint?”

“Over‌ there.”

Aint,⁠‌ with a serious expression, was reading‍ the newspaper intently.‌ Upon noticing Fernan,⁠⁠ he stood up.⁠‍

“Senior,‍⁠ this…”

“I⁠‌ know. It’s Armian’s,‍⁠⁠ right?”

“…Yes.‍ I think so‌⁠ too.”

“What‌ a conveniently timed⁠⁠ coincidence.”

Just‌⁠⁠ when Aint had‌ left the Empire,⁠⁠ a demon descended, and conveniently Ruben Schwaben—who had learned⁠ Armian’s secret sword⁠ style—defeated it.

Could‍⁠‌ it be just a coincidence?

It⁠‍ didn’t seem like‍‍ there was anything‌⁠ concrete behind it, but.

‘This‍‌ needs a premise.’⁠‍

First,‍‌ Schwaben would have‌⁠ to have allied with the corrupt.‍

Second,‍‍⁠ they would have‍ to have willingly‍⁠ sacrificed a demon.⁠

Both‍⁠ were extremely low-probability‌ scenarios.

Even‌‍ if one granted‌‍ the idea that‍ Schwaben had collaborated with the corrupt‌ to strengthen his⁠⁠ position on the‌ throne, sacrificing a demon just to‌‍‍ boost the First‌‍ Prince’s reputation was‍ absurd.

‘They‍ could throw a thousand monsters if‍‌ they wanted, but⁠‌ a demon? That⁠ makes no sense.’⁠‌‍

There‌⁠ are only seventy-two demons, and each‍ one is a commander of the‌ infernal army.

The‍ idea of using‍ one of them⁠ as a propaganda‌‍‌ sacrifice was ridiculous.

Fernan‍ concluded that it‍⁠‍ was a genuine⁠ coincidence.

‘No…‍ not exactly. Dantalion‌ must be fuming.’‍

He‍‌ couldn’t help but‍ smile in satisfaction.‍⁠

This‍ must have been‌‍ a move prepared⁠ by Dantalion, but‍ it had been⁠‌‌ thwarted by an‍ unforeseen twist.

Just imagining him gnashing‌ his teeth in⁠ rage lifted Fernan’s⁠⁠‍ spirits.

‘Ruben‍ Schwaben…’

He⁠ didn’t like him,⁠‍ but this time‌⁠ he’d have to⁠ thank him.

Thanks‌⁠ to him, the‌ demons’ plans had‍⁠ fallen apart once‍ again.

“As⁠‍‌ irritating as it‌ is, let’s watch‍ for now. As‍ long as they‍⁠ deny it’s Armian’s‌ secret technique, there’s‌ no way to⁠‌ prove it.”

“Understood.”‍

“Even⁠‌ if you paint‍‍ lines on a pumpkin, it won’t become a watermelon,‌‍ Aint. There’s no‍⁠ reason to be⁠‍‌ discouraged.”

“Thanks‌ for the encouragement.”‌

“First,⁠ we must find‌ out if Ruben‍⁠ Schwaben truly mastered‍‍⁠ that technique.”

There‌‌ was, however, a doubt gnawing at‍ him.

As‍⁠‍ far as he‍⁠ knew, the power‌‍ of the Adversary⁠ came from the‍‌‍ dragons.

That’s‍ why, when Fernan⁠ absorbed the Dragon Heart, the demons‌⁠ had been horrified.‍

‘The Armian technique must⁠ be the same.’‍

Swordsmanship‍‌ alone wasn’t enough—that power wasn’t passed‌ down like that.⁠‌‌

Then the only possible‍⁠‌ explanation was—

‘Does⁠ Armian have dragon‌ blood?’

And‌‌ if Ruben Schwaben⁠‍‌ really used Armian’s⁠ secret technique, that⁠ would mean the‍ Schwabens possessed it⁠‌ too.

‘It’s⁠‍⁠ not entirely impossible.‍⁠⁠ According to old‌⁠ records, Armian and⁠ Schwaben shared the⁠ same lineage before‍‍⁠ splitting.’

That⁠‍ was nearly thirteen‍‌‍ hundred years ago,‍‍⁠ but in any‍ case, the origin of both bloodlines‍ was the same.⁠⁠

For‍‍ now, Fernan knew‍⁠ he would have‌ to investigate further.‌

***‌‌‌

“…Does this make any⁠‍⁠ sense?”

Aint‍‍⁠ fell backwards onto⁠‌ the bed. The‌ soft mattress received him gently.

“How‍‌⁠ could Schwaben use⁠ Armian’s sword technique…?”

— You already suspected‍‌⁠ it. You knew‍⁠ they had stolen‍ Armian’s technique.

“But⁠‍‍ still…!”

He‍ knew it, but⁠ seeing it with⁠ his own eyes⁠⁠‍ infuriated him.

That‍ wasn’t a technique‍⁠ that belonged to‍‍ them. Seeing those‌⁠⁠ thieves claim it⁠‍⁠ as theirs made⁠⁠ his blood boil.⁠‌

Or‍ was his anger coming from somewhere‌ else?

— Are you upset‍ about Fernan?

No.‍‍ It was because‌⁠‌ of Fernan. Or‍ rather, because of‍ the anxiety he‍‌ felt.

“…Yes.”⁠‍

Aint⁠‌ nodded slowly.

“Fernan‍ and Luina defeated‍‌ two demons. Even‍⁠‌ counting the Royal‌‍ Knight, they were‌ only three people and still defeated⁠⁠ two demons!”

Wooden,‌‌⁠ after all, was‍ part of Fernan’s‍⁠ power, so it‌ was fair to consider him an‌‌ extension of his‍⁠‌ strength.

Three‌ people. Three against⁠ two demons.

Could⁠ Aint do the‍ same?

“…I⁠⁠ couldn’t.”

— You could.

“No, maybe I could⁠‌ face one. I’m no longer weak,‌⁠ and Armian’s power has matured quite‌ a bit.”

But‌‌ two? No.

— Of course you⁠ could. It wasn’t‍‍ just Fernan; Luina⁠‍ and the Royal‍‌⁠ Knight were there‌‍ too.

— Even without Wooden,⁠ those two can hold off one‍ demon.

And if you add‌ in a bit‌‍ of the Adversary’s power, they could⁠ defeat it.

— In that scenario,⁠‌ if you faced‍ the other demon—‍⁠

Aint⁠ fell silent, deep‍ in thought.

Demons‌⁠ weren’t easy opponents.‍‌⁠ He couldn’t guarantee‌ absolute victory.

Even‍‍ if Armian’s power‌ gave him an‌‍⁠ advantage, it would‍ be a long‌‌ battle.

But⁠⁠ if Luina and‌‌⁠ the Royal Knight‌ held out long‍‌ enough—

“…I⁠‌⁠ suppose it would⁠‌ be possible.”

— Exactly.

Aint‍‍ let out a sigh of relief,‌ though his mind‍⁠ remained uneasy.

“What‍⁠‍ if Schwaben truly‌ mastered Armian’s technique‍‌‌ and becomes another⁠‌ Adversary?”

If‌ there had only‌ been one Adversary‍‍⁠ against the demons,⁠ now there would‍ be three.

Once‌ an exception occurs,⁠ the rest come‍ easier. No one could guarantee that‌⁠ three wouldn’t become‌‍‍ four or five.⁠

“I‌ have to reclaim‌‍ the sword technique.”⁠‌

— As Fernan said,⁠ that’s impossible for⁠ now. They won’t hand it over.‍ Stealing it would⁠‌ be the only⁠⁠ way, and that‌ can’t be done.⁠‍‌

Aint‌ knew that, but frustration made him⁠ speak without thinking.‌‍‍

“…To‍ be honest, I felt at ease.⁠‍ Gardner always said‌‍ Armian’s secret technique‌⁠‍ was special, so I thought that⁠‌⁠ even if it‍‍⁠ were stolen, they⁠‌ wouldn’t be able‍ to master it.”‍

— I thought so too.

— But thinking about‌‍ it now, it’s‌‌ not entirely impossible.‍‌

“What do you mean?”‍

— As I said‍‍ before, Armian’s secret‌‌ technique can’t be‌ learned by just⁠‌ anyone. Only those⁠‌ who carry Armian’s‍‌ blood can.

— I learned the‌‌ technique directly from‌‌‍ the former Emperor,‌ just to pass‌‌ it on to‍ you.

And even so, Gardner—‌

— I never obtained⁠⁠‍ the Adversary’s power.‍

It‍‌ wasn’t that he‍ lacked power entirely.‌

The⁠ corrupt and monsters‌ perceived it and‍‌ feared him a little, but it⁠ wasn’t the ultimate‍ force capable of⁠‌ eradicating demons like‍⁠‍ the former Emperor’s.‌

— When I asked⁠‌ why I couldn’t‌ master it, he⁠⁠ told me, “Because this technique doesn’t depend on the⁠‍‌ sword, but on⁠ the bearer.”

It‌‌‍ was true that‍⁠ Armian’s technique was‌‌ advanced, but the‍⁠ essence wasn’t the⁠ art, it was‍‌ the one who⁠ wielded it.

— The sword is‍ only a means.‍ The true power‍ sleeps within Armian’s⁠ blood.

“…A⁠⁠ dormant power…”

Before,⁠ he wouldn’t have‍ understood those words.⁠‍ But now he⁠‍⁠ did.

“The‌ power of the‌⁠ dragon?”

— Exactly.

Gardner‍ confirmed it.

— Perhaps one of⁠‍ Armian’s ancestors was‍‍ a dragon or‍⁠ consumed a dragon‍‌ heart.

“Then, could Schwaben fully‍‌‍ use Armian’s secret‍‍‌ technique?”

— Possibly.

They‌⁠ both knew Armian‍ and Schwaben shared⁠⁠ an ancient origin.‌‍

In⁠ fact, the mere‌‌‍ fact that the⁠⁠ princes had slain a demon was⁠‍ the clearest proof.‌⁠

“……”‍⁠‍

— For now, let’s‌ follow Fernan’s advice.‍⁠ As he said,⁠‌ going to a place where everything‌ is already over‍⁠ won’t help.

— It’s better to‌⁠ consolidate your position‌ and reputation here⁠ in Frazia.

“I‍ need to train‌‍ with my sword.”‌

Aint took his sword⁠⁠ and headed to⁠ the training grounds.‌‌⁠

‘If‍ I’m no longer⁠ the only Adversary…’‌‍‍

Before,‍ that would have‍ left him in‌⁠‌ despair.

But‌ Aint was no‍ longer the same.‌‌

He‍ had survived countless⁠ battles.

His desire to become‍‍ emperor and restore⁠ his family’s honor,‍ combined with the‍‍ experience of seeing‌‌ Fernan overcome each obstacle with calm⁠‌‍ and strategy, had‌ transformed him.

‘First‌ I need to‌ become a Royal‌‌ Knight. Even if‍⁠⁠ I’m not the‍ only Adversary, that‌‌‍ title still carries‌ weight.’

That‍ pushed him to⁠ grow.

“…Senior?”⁠‌

In⁠ the training field,⁠ someone else was‍‍ wielding a sword.‌‍‌

Luina‌ Bercheff.

Her‌‍ body was covered‍ in sweat, and‌‍ as soon as‌‌‌ she saw Aint, she raised her‍‍ sword.

“Aint. Let’s fight with everything we’ve got.”⁠

Aint‌ noticed the intensity‍‍ in her gaze.‍‍

“Is‌‍‌ something wrong?”

“Yes.”‍‍

“Fernan?”⁠

“Exactly. Because of Fernan.”‌‌

During⁠ her battle against‌ the demons, Luina‍‌⁠ had felt many‍ things.

“Fernan⁠ became incredibly strong.”⁠⁠

Though‍⁠‍ he had always‌ let them go‍⁠ first, though he⁠‌ called himself a merchant, she never‌‌ imagined he would surpass her.

It⁠‌‌ was arrogance.

Fernan⁠ was strong. Maybe—no,‌ definitely—stronger than her.‍‍

That‍‍ flame he wielded,⁠ even if it was deadly to‍‍ demons due to‍ the Adversary’s power,‌ didn’t mean it had no effect‌‌ on humans.

Could‍ she withstand it?‌‍‍ Resist and defeat⁠ him?

She‍‍ wasn’t sure.

And‍‍⁠ if Fernan was‌‍‍ accompanied by Wooden,⁠ even less.

Wooden,⁠‍ being a golem,‍‍ was practically an‍ extension of Fernan’s‍‌ magic.

In‍ a real fight,‌ she would lose.

“If‌ that’s a merchant,⁠‌⁠ then what am⁠⁠ I?”

She‍ had always considered‌‌ herself a proud‍ knight—and yet she⁠ was weaker than⁠ a merchant.

“I‌⁠ guess I’m just‍ a simple soldier.”

“No⁠ one would think⁠ that of you,⁠ senior.”

“What⁠‌ others think doesn’t‌ matter. What matters is that, compared to Fernan, that’s‌ my worth.”

She‍ couldn’t stay still. Her body burned‍‍ with emotion.

As⁠‍ a knight, and as someone with‍‍‌ pride, she didn’t‍‌ want to fall behind.

She‍ wanted to stand‌ beside Fernan.

“So⁠ fight me, Aint.‌‌⁠ With everything.”

If‍‍ she had fallen⁠‌⁠ behind, she just‌‍‌ had to catch‍ up.

Effort,‍⁠ after all, was‌ what she did best.

“Perfect,⁠‍ senior. I was‍ just in the‌ mood to move‍‌ a little myself.”⁠

Aint⁠‍ smiled with confidence.‌⁠

And‌ that very afternoon—‌

“…You‌ completely destroyed the⁠ royal training field?‍ Luina, Aint, what‌‍ were you thinking?⁠ Be grateful His⁠ Majesty decided to‍‌ let it slide.⁠ Do you have⁠‍ any idea how⁠‌‍ expensive this is?”⁠⁠

Both⁠ received a scolding⁠‍ full of fury from Fernan.