Chapter 278
X4KlPGHuman beings think most clearly when presented with an opportunity to make money.7As
mtc2kAlthough Fernan had descended beneath the stadium floor guided by the Dragon’s Eye almost instinctively, the conclusion that followed was the result of meticulous calculation.znCxOgL
g4SS6Fv‘Perfect. With this, I’ll be able to sell them the White Dragon statue.’C6RiFbU
dBtt3rIt was true that giving away all the other documents and research materials was painful, but sometimes one must sacrifice the small for the sake of the greater.Qh1
h78eegBesides, he had already made copies of everything.RVr
k8PiwyP‘I need to go back to that dungeon. I have to document the place, but omit everything related to the Dragon Heart.’89THd
amzPerhaps he could even edit the parts of the record where the heart was mentioned.QLXMOqq
8VZ44p“Young Master Fernan, congratulations!”qqXlfe
dJs2ABz“How did you do it?!”zzC6
nvxsR“Young Master Fernan, could it be that earlier…!”IN8
1iNeg8No sooner had he left the audience with the Pope than the cardinals surrounded him with enthusiasm, blocking his path.BPA9jfr
whBHIt seemed they wouldn’t let him go so easily.qD7dOsF
2N6“I’ve already told His Holiness everything.”tyhB
Mhd“I see!”97DpGv
NgGC“Your Holiness!”UwtA
VAxLeaving the cardinals behind, he came across a familiar face.R2igj
FUCk8Xu“Congratulations, brother.”3kYF
nKW“Jace.”MF0
ObDff“I never imagined you were capable of something like that.”7AjuJtW
lmvp“You already said that earlier.”lvS
ypHsa“Before, I thought you had simply reached the level of Archmage—but you’ve gone far beyond that, haven’t you?”rknF
FmeqJRkFernan didn’t reply.8quzn7
6Yd‘Well, maybe he’s right.’mP0q
M0B2uNYThe Dragon’s Eye, the dragon’s senses, the second mana heart—the Dragon Heart—and the overwhelming magic he could unleash thanks to them.5kyC
92lakFernan couldn’t deny his words were accurate.QGAP7u
gn12MB1He had won partly thanks to his ability to see through illusions and the trick of burrowing beneath the arena, but even without those, the outcome wouldn’t have changed.UI68Vl
mFDBIV“Seeing you, I realized I’ve been too complacent.”BEs66Sl
cwmMSo“Complacent?”pCVlC4
pzmPm4“Everyone around me called me a genius. They said the only mages stronger than me were much older.”N2c2
K1dHHe always heard the same: that he was destined to become Pope.w2kp
zoj“So I thought it was enough to let time take its course. That I could move forward slowly, enjoy the journey, and still surpass everyone.”dzG
MV80LHe smiled bitterly.GqRuA
vmMo“But seeing you today, I realized how foolish I’ve been. With demons moving across the world, there’s no room for complacency.”i5wMS
G2mQ9abFernan raised an eyebrow.Rp5
h7V“And what do you plan to do? Ask His Holiness for special training?”D1TW
vlHtWs“That wouldn’t be a bad idea, but…”C3Q
jadHe lowered his voice.ACOsohJ
9Ukjg“I’m telling this only to you.”W2d
CVvvfpG“What is it?”4Xbd
6cM6w“A while ago, I found an old map in the library. It’s believed to have been left by the first Pope.”eiuU7
Hnl3EF“The first Pope?”ZsC
6296lThe name immediately caught Fernan’s attention. He had always been curious about that mysterious man.Lo6fy
3SXmw0I“Yes. It contains a prophecy: ‘When demons descend and the world is shrouded in darkness, the saint of the era must seek the White Dragon and aid the hero.’”Wj6Fve
4T1Lsd0“So it’s now.”Tcm
iK1“Yes, now.”SKuc7
blyZH6“And you plan to find it?”aRn0nF
JstYmP“Yes.”IEv
LUxJgJace nodded firmly.z9l3Zk
OrZEC‘Did he foresee all of this and leave such precise instructions?’8Sss9sa
POYFernan let out a short, incredulous laugh. But, whatever the truth, he was glad.wMw
qHvu‘I still don’t know why Jace, being who he is, hasn’t played a larger role in the prophecies…’qdNXi
y3xdF1eIt didn’t matter.gE7JWL
DhbAIn a future full of demons, the more powerful allies, the better.hqV
YBshwfqIf Saint Jace became an Archmage, he’d be a great ally.GzFe1EG
3g0Xy“If you need help, I can lend a hand.”NroEw
iN8Gv“For a price, right?”bOE1a
C5SNeJace smirked.HPex
NGWQd“I appreciate the offer, but I’ve already deciphered all the codes on the map and know the location. I can’t pinpoint it exactly, but I’ll track down the area.”V1g
Is9V“I see.”M1lBUh
wbIx“I plan to inform His Holiness and depart.”KE2Cd
95Q8“I wish you luck.”vAV9
YoNxCH“Thanks.”GHkt
1lKKz6“But tell me—it’s not in the northern kingdoms, is it?”pvd
fx5Fernan frowned.9IWi2wN
i0iSBKThe northern kingdoms were infested with demons and the corrupt; it would be dangerous for Jace to venture there.usWD
UJ1EYIf that were the case, he’d have to help him—even by force.Kp8
zBv“No. It’s in Esrin.”t9nv
zb2De“That’s a relief. Esrin… Esr—…”IwdUnq
YDhAA flash ran through Fernan’s mind.N2Cjw
g7O‘The place where I obtained the Dragon Heart…’J3Qb2
HS421Could it be…?Tcoec0a
Apbxdn“Well then, I’ll be off. Congratulations on becoming an Archmage.”J1r
JwtKJace left, leaving Fernan motionless, lost in thought.7IhkfvE
80oz4“…I need to go back.”ScSG3v
ZP4wTo the dungeon.o7g1u
plbyt5And as soon as possible.u5XWIiE
BJdp4qe***WWEC
WQ0SnQ“……”y6WPFC
nLWJYBFrom the top of the podium, Luina watched Fernan ascend the steps with a racing heart.77Ov3D
dzAh8ck‘Fernan won.’rbg8
m2bHe had won. He had become an Archmage.EOc0
e7WvThen.wyuicP
K4I2QL“‘When I become an Archmage, how about we go on a cruise together?’”uT5d7rz
QDnA cruise trip. With Fernan.tEbwuA
Jb8u0They wouldn’t be alone—their positions wouldn’t allow it—but even so…iM2tFVp
4qooi‘No, wait.’I95
CaXZsacLuina’s heart tightened.UN0rVi4
WNvShe remembered what she had said afterward, almost thoughtlessly.FJDd
DsNlML“Only when we are both Archmage and Royal Knight, will we go together.”9Y7
XbKZ4She hadn’t made it.u4uy
vyxN‘Will I ever be able to?’kCi98I
ikukPeShe mentally replayed the fight between Fernan and the other Archmage.RwX924r
t5TThe battles of mages and knights were different, but when one reached the peak, the difference blurred.XW6J
qisAnd in that duel, she had only seen overwhelming superiority.zlDBJ
FWaFernan, who had just earned the right to participate in the Dragon God Tournament, had completely defeated a great mage with decades of experience.z2S8GZ
7nfHThough she had suspected it, seeing it with her own eyes was different.T996xn
xAzxSv‘It was Fernan who had the most merit in defeating the two demons.’vew
9KYHe said they had been incompletely summoned, but that didn’t change their nature.2t4Vp
0RMsEOuCould any other Archmage have defeated two demons so easily?LN5Qz
kXKCLuina doubted it.vhR
M7pTntn“…I declare the appearance of a new Archmage.”9kH
Rb2bpRNThe Pope’s announcement filled the stadium with cheers and applause.rnwIWWI
MMm6With that, Walter Hanfmann was officially stripped of his Archmage title, and Fernan Pellenberg became one.G2u
ipMcVThe Pellenberg House now counted three superhumans among its ranks.AE8Gv
nQrThe next day, newspapers across the continent would announce the birth of a new Archmage, and Fernan would officially rise to a level beyond the rest.jUAwE
NcciPAfter the event, attendees returned to their lodgings to pack. Luina was the first to finish and head down to the first floor.B8XQ
K4gA1b3She hadn’t brought many things, so she didn’t have much to pack.uKB
ymQkThat’s when Fernan burst through the door.9nwQB9B
XFKzbuL“Fernan? Why are you back so soon?”1peK
mfbyNormally, when a new Archmage or Royal Knight was born, they would stay to mingle with the distinguished guests.msq
vumBaAnd in Fernan’s case, even more so—for someone who saw everything in terms of business and money, the Archmage title must seem like pure gold.VhNqmkd
Qjilo“There’s no need to waste time with them. In the end, I’ll have the advantage.”kR6M
TVPi“But… why do you seem in such a hurry?”gbfBtc
rMkj“I have to go somewhere.”px6Dv
kjEJ“Somewhere?”RH1SP
sMdQmFernan, already hurrying up the stairs, stopped and looked at her.Abh
4XhvJ10“What is it?”vLAvL
nmC“Luina, do you have any plans after this?”7AUgrG
CL5IU2“No, none.”GbcyBRZ
kn2oL“Then come with me.”k95krt
dWJvmdM“To where?”0oi
fpLEX“To Esrin.”u1VfEY
GzVQq“To Esrin? Why so suddenly…?”mbuuT
gps“Are you coming or not?”SIWEaO
9exUXc“I will, as long as you take care of the Academy affairs.”M00H6z8
RwOV1JQ“Deal.”305OdF
u5rc1wLuina nodded without thinking too much, while Fernan smiled, satisfied.Gm6
irV‘I’ll bring her just in case.’AfG9G
8WjIf not even as an Archmage he could break that adamantium, at least he could ask Luina for help.GWS
8CejHer swordsmanship had reached the pinnacle, and the destructive power of her compressed aura surpassed any of his spells.44LTm
Y1lAnd if not even Luina could do it—cId
iKq‘Then I’ll bring the entire dungeon down.’POESiq2
Xf8tAyTHe’d regret it for Jace, but there was no other choice.OvJeSlv
W0ro1“There’s no time to waste. Let’s go now.”Iwy
vPhdFernan quickly grabbed a few things from the lodging and pulled Luina by the wrist.vmJrl
KpjAs soon as the two disappeared, Hyde found a note on the table.G8pP
oF6d“…What’s this?”7EmZI4
hCZLY6K[I’m stepping out for a bit. Going with Luina.]V0y5
mWu“…Young master, please!”cEni
AoXUoThere was no point in talking about escorts anymore; Fernan was now an Archmage.NvuN
UQW4wIStill, how could he leave without even a clear address?wk3
Nu7TUFrustrated, Hyde tore the paper.LPz
5apf“What’s going on? Did the young master and Miss Luina elope?”1JxUpXf
xhXCpjI“Verian, shall we go after them?”V26AW
J0g8PHB“We have to return to the Academy.”V3K84ts
KMHocDC“Damn couples, may they all drop dead…!”wawWY
sTYThough everyone had already read it, Gismond’s comment hung in the air.0DX4
IKW***TlAloCX
dJ42It didn’t take long to reach Esrin; at some point, Fernan had already prepared a direct teleportation circle.OEdMH
taQp“What are we doing in Esrin?”TYu
ku02b1“You’ll know when you see it.”NOeEZ
QjNKQZ2Without further explanation, Fernan advanced quickly until he stopped at the edge of a cliff.qoI
vfNsWeAt the entrance of a deep cave, a white dragon’s carved mouth appeared before them.5DvmG9
39JuOG“…What is this?”4cI
E0yC7“It’s believed to be a dungeon left behind by the first Pope.”41iO
5C5W2E“A dungeon of the first Pope…?”ZjCL
OSIFernan poured holy water into the stone mouth. When the hundredth vial fell, a rumble shook the place and the door opened.fdMr
35q8“Definitely a money-devouring dragon. A hundred vials of holy water and it still wants more.”qOVGyq7
eetRmInside was a long, completely dark corridor.B3X
NhumcBoth Fernan and Luina could see without issue, but the atmosphere was oppressive.pGN
v9gj“Why are you taking out a recording orb?”yKMhc
2bIboz“Because I have to leave a record. Some people need to see this.”LzRqq
ONy0“……?”N155MZ
NK3Nothing happened until they reached the end of the corridor.RmsA
Zr14Even after opening another door into a large, empty chamber, nothing occurred.sVWD
kStm1cThere were three more doors in the back, but the rooms were also empty.MRl5X
4LU8niPLuina, tense from the start, finally relaxed.4BEc5sH
RaR3Hi“Are you sure this is the first Pope’s dungeon? There’s nothing here.”6o6wMO
OofFU3X“It is. It’s just that before, there was something here.”10Kf6RE
bL0“Before? Wait, so you’ve already been here?”Wr6Ds
6rtAt that moment, Fernan began pulling objects from his subdimensional space—a luxurious-looking artifact, several grimoires, potions, and research documents.jYFBr
JRw2Then he started placing them all around the empty room.zormR
Q0Z“…What are you doing?”0ftaKRQ
ODXzGN“This is what was originally here.”PakjKp
joQsGAq“So you really did take everything…”430
r02luOhIf the priests of the Cult of the Dragon God heard this, they’d have a heart attack.zZI2oAD
stSv2R0“And why are you putting it all back?”UejjS
rk2Cj“Because I promised the Pope I’d show him a record of the place.”fSL8
D3tBkJX“……?”bddsehH
iZdLuina didn’t understand a thing.UuQq
g3nQNMeanwhile, Fernan finished filling all the rooms. He even installed magical lights in the ceiling, illuminating the place.ynv7Mev
ytPsraG“And that staff—was it also from the first Pope? If you sold it, it’d be worth a fortune.”pTr
bAy“No, that’s a new masterpiece crafted in Pellenberg.”auuE
gwVh6“Eh?”pyR
1bd“The original was already taken by someone else. This one doesn’t compare, but it’s well-made. We built it based on the information obtained here.”FIBni
YwP8Besides, who cared? The priests of the Cult didn’t even know what the original looked like.lbfb
qz4l“…What? I don’t get any of this.”ydtvaxv
V7AjJY“I’ll explain it later. Just one thing left.”VVMIO
EVOmCFernan’s subdimensional space opened wider than before, and from it emerged a gigantic statue.BdxO
8DUpg“…A white dragon.”opmn
hL1It was a majestic work, more beautiful and detailed than anything Luina had ever seen.7fpq0Q
U5kFernan recorded everything with the orb, then stored the items again.SIy2a
vRo“Listen carefully, Luina. What you saw today is a secret. Because…”5aUk
ulOcDTOAfter hearing the full explanation, Luina understood immediately.N8padMW
VpB“So you plan to deceive the Pope!”g02VE0e
zTEczbk“I have no other choice.”GZyl
p0v“Why?”3EtbeOp
Aen4j“Look here.”lWxte
EhB1On the ground where the statue had been, a metal plate with inscriptions shimmered faintly.211
DJyni“Dragon Heart? No way, this is where you got it?”0hr
Kxa3“That’s right.”9Xp
QA1kEGh“And didn’t you say it was in your family’s vault?”NjmNND
fKdg“Obviously not.”pEBMe
fGonW1ZLuina understood instantly. If the Dragon Heart came from the Cult, Fernan had to deceive the Pope at all costs.WuYrDe2
SmpTSgb“…Got it. I’ll help.”jDv
d8sEvXShe sighed. She couldn’t believe she had fallen for someone like this.YvaKh
86oMAs“Thanks. In that case, I need you to do something.”VLdBo
HO9cSEN“What is it?”5nB
nAKb“Break this.”SBp8a8t
bFsqMFernan pointed at the metal plate.abRHUpj
bVn“It’s solid adamantium. I already tried to break it once and failed.”y7rvGOm
yseb4nX“Solid adamantium…?”KubkbOm
doaDid he know how many swords or armors could be made with that?eISv
bFj“If I break it, can I keep some?”hNO
UpC9zW“Of course.”PNesyLy
w67sKLuina drew her sword, focused her mind, and opened her aura core.IDr4Xn2
6HXGTTShe compressed it to the limit and sharpened it.QPd
0RZuQgB──────!0GQG
geas7omHer strike fell.1jvgTV
BS4ABut…LkRgL
ni9x9nl“…It can’t be done.”U45
TOXgWEven with all her strength, she had made no more than a faint scratch. Luina was breathing heavily.ZN9Bj
f5UZe“…How disappointing.”WWlTF
YjX6XShe thought she was strong, but she couldn’t even break a metal plate.RFG
oeeZe9q“Let me try.”HRBLoVN
fg5NyWFernan cast his magic; the ground around them began to shake violently.NwYWOhg
FJeMHowever, even as everything was reduced to rubble, the plate and the meter surrounding it remained untouched.Gf4s
3mpaJ“I thought an Archmage or Royal Knight could do it, but this is ridiculous.”Aeo8
XzEbPTFernan let out an incredulous laugh. He was increasingly curious about who the first Pope truly was.oP3X
GM9“I want to come train here every day.”rf4vaz0
by6d7CE“You want to keep hitting it?”Iy1g
IcQbO“Yes.”o8323d7
bA3cYkB“Too bad. That won’t be possible.”EjFHZlk
8uhHd“Why?”z7TQL
F9EcpMu“Because I’m going to collapse this dungeon.”V0M
LePm“…What?”CoVxA
IdXSSHhBefore Jace arrives.po3v
Zs4qoWThe dungeon would be sealed.YYkiuiF
0W0SHAlthough he hadn’t been able to break the plate or uncover its secrets, the rest of the dungeon’s foundations were a different story.VQaSE
tbf“From now on, no one will know this place existed.”sS5MA
NxAg“If the Cult of the Dragon God finds out the truth, they won’t sit idly by.”UF7c4H0
OG5“Exactly why I’m destroying it. Let those greedy priests live their lives unaware.”thY2
IyPfzJ“Demon number seventy-three…?”ROIH
iact0“Who are you calling a demon?”cxQY
OXdEjanThe dungeon began to collapse.J9ZZUBg
p2weuoEverything that made it up crumbled into dust.5Ts
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