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A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! Chapter 280

Chapter 280

The‌⁠​ prophecy had been⁠​‍ just a simple,‍ continuous conversation.

But‍​‌ the information it⁠‍‍ contained was anything⁠‌⁠ but light.

‘Pellenberg​‌​ is in danger.’‍‌‍

It‍‍ might be a false alarm, of‍‌ course.

The⁠​ situation described in​⁠ the book and‌‌ the current one‍⁠​ were completely opposite.‍

However,‍⁠⁠ that didn’t mean​⁠ the demons no​‍ longer posed a threat to Pellenberg;‍‌‌ on the contrary,‍ Fernan’s rise may‍​​ have provoked them​‍ even more.

The‍ attack would come,‍ sooner or later.‍​⁠

They‍‌ had to be⁠‍‍ thoroughly prepared.

‘The‌ man who was‍ talking to Dantalion…’⁠

Dantalion‍ had called him‍ “Your Majesty.” That‌ could only mean‍​​ he was a king.

‘He​‍​ said the south⁠ of Befalecio belonged⁠‌‌ to Dantalion, and​​ the north to⁠ that king.’

So​⁠⁠ he had to‍​ be one of⁠‌ the northern monarchs.⁠‍​

That⁠​​ was the most‌ likely possibility, though​‌ Fernan considered another—that‌⁠⁠ he was a descendant of a fallen kingdom who⁠‍‍ declared himself king.​‌‌

It​‌ was more believable⁠​‌ that a sovereign​ with no real‍‍​ power would ally‌⁠ with demons.

A king without a throne, with nothing‌ to lose, made​‌‌ more sense.

‘In⁠‌ the prophecy, that⁠ supposed king treated‍ Dantalion as an⁠ equal.’

And​​ demons didn’t consider‍‌⁠ useless humans as‍‌‌ equals.

Whether‍‍‌ he was a true king or‌​ not, he had‌‌⁠ to have considerable​ power behind him.‍

‘Then‍​ it’s settled—demonic armies‍⁠ will advance from‌ the north.’

And‍⁠⁠ their starting point‍​⁠ would be the‍ northern kingdoms.

From‍ now on, finding​‌‌ out who that​‍⁠ “king” was would⁠​‌ be Fernan’s number​ one priority.

Clop-clop-clop-clop.‌‌

The‍⁠ horses galloped swiftly‍‍ down the mountain‌ path.

“We’ll‌ reach the port‍ any moment now.”⁠

“Good.​⁠ The ship should‌ already be ready,⁠ so we’ll set‌‌‍ sail immediately.”

Fernan‌ had already sent‌⁠‌ a letter to‍⁠⁠ his father from⁠ Esrin, via the‌ Golden Turtle Company.⁠​

“It’s⁠​​ hard to believe‍‍ the demons have‍‌ such deep roots⁠ they’d go after‍‌‍ Pellenberg?”

“They‍​ already did at⁠​ the Academy. Why‍‌‌ would it be​‌ any different with‌​‍ us?”

“That’s‍‌​ exactly why I said it.”

On‌ the surface, the‍ attack on the‌‍‍ Academy had been‍⁠ carried out by⁠​ Andrealphus and his​⁠ army.

But‍⁠ the truth was‍⁠‌ far more complex.‌

“Andromalius,⁠​ Andrealphus, and Dantalion.”‍​⁠

No​‌ less than three‍ demons had acted​ within the Academy,‍​ and Dantalion in‌⁠ particular had set​ traps for years⁠​‍ to neutralize the⁠‍ professors.

Moreover,‌​⁠ nearly a hundred⁠⁠ lesser demons had⁠ died there.

Luina​ realized the demons⁠ had poured massive​ power into that‌‌ attack.

It⁠​​ was hard to​ believe they still‍​ had enough strength‍‌‍ in the Empire⁠‌⁠ to threaten Pellenberg.⁠‍

Or‍‌ more precisely, that​‍​ they had infiltrated⁠‍​ so deeply without‌ anyone noticing.

“Luina,‍‍ it’s believed the‌⁠ demons returned to‍‍‌ this world decades​ ago. It wouldn’t‌⁠ be strange if‌​ they’ve been making​​​ preparations ever since.”‌​​

“Yes.​ Learning that the⁠‌ Monster Wave that​ nearly destroyed Bercheff‌​ was caused by‌ them is still⁠‌ shocking.”

During⁠⁠‍ his explanation about‍‌‌ the prophecies, Fernan‌⁠ had also told‌ her why Bercheff⁠ had suffered an⁠‌ unprecedented monster wave​ years ago.

Kimaris‍‍ had descended, gathered⁠‌ the magical beasts,‍⁠⁠ and pushed the​⁠‍ region’s former rulers​‌‍ southward.

“It’s‌ believed Dantalion summoned‌ him. So we‌‌​ have no idea‌‍‍ when he arrived⁠ in this world​⁠‍ or how long‍‍ he’s been here.”​​‍

That’s‍​‌ why he was⁠ the most dangerous—and⁠‍​ the one who‌‌‌ needed to die‌ first.

“I​‌‍ swear I’ll be‍‍ the one to‌⁠ cut off his‌‌⁠ head.”

Luina‌‌ clenched her fists.‌

She‌ had come to‍ understand who her⁠ family’s true enemy‍‍ was.

“If⁠⁠‌ possible, I’ll let⁠ you.”

Soon‌‌ after, the two‍‌ boarded the ship,‍ which set sail⁠​ for Pellenberg.

“Shouldn’t‍‍​ we notify the⁠‌ Academy? The authorized​ leave period is‍ over.”

Fernan​‍‌ had requested special​ training leave to⁠​ participate in the‌​‌ Dragon God Tournament.‍​​

A student from the⁠ Academy participating in‌ that tournament hadn’t⁠ happened in a thousand years, and‌‍‍ the news had⁠​‍ caused quite a stir.

“Incredible.‍ I knew you’d​​​ become an Archmage‌​​ one day, but⁠⁠⁠ not so soon.”‌‍

“Can‌⁠ I go, then?”‌⁠‌

“Of​⁠ course. If I don’t let you,​ Duke Pellenberg will‌⁠ demand my resignation.”‌

“Thank‌ you.”

“Now​ that you’re going,​‍ win. If you⁠ lose, I’ll expel‌‍⁠ you.”

“They’ll​‌‍ probably scold me,‌ but they won’t‍‌​ expel me.”

After​ all, who would​‍‍ be stupid enough‍‍⁠ to expel a newly recognized Archmage?‍⁠

There‍​ was no need⁠ to mention Fernan’s‍‌ relationship with Headmistress‌ Rosalia.

Luina‍⁠ also had no‍‌ issues. She wasn’t⁠‌⁠ a Royal Knight⁠​‍ yet, but she‌ was the spear‍ tournament champion and⁠⁠​ a recognized heroine‍‌‌ for fighting demons.‌⁠⁠

Days⁠⁠ later, they arrived​‌ in Pellenberg.

“We’ve​⁠ been waiting for‍‌⁠ you, young master.”‌

At​‌ the duchy’s first⁠‍​ port, the city‍ of Hatoon, the‌​⁠ escorts sent by‍‍​ the duke awaited​‍​ them.

“And‍⁠ my father?”

“He⁠⁠‍ awaits you at‌​ the mansion.”

Fernan​ and Luina boarded​⁠ a carriage that⁠ took them to​ a building in​⁠ the city center,‍ where there was⁠​ a direct teleportation‍ circle to the⁠⁠‌ main residence.

Pellenberg⁠‍ was connected via​​ magic portals to‍⁠ several of its‌​ most important cities.​‌

Building⁠⁠ them required massive​‍ sums of money​​​ and time, so⁠⁠‌ almost no kingdom​​ or territory did‍‌ it—but Pellenberg’s motto‍​​ was: “Time is‍​ also money.”

In​​‌ an instant, they⁠⁠ arrived at the‍⁠ main residence.

“The⁠‍​ duke is expecting​‍⁠ you.”

The​⁠⁠ butler, who had‍‍ already been informed,⁠⁠ personally welcomed them.‍

“Oh,‌⁠​ and this young⁠⁠⁠ lady must be​ the famous…?”

“Luina‌ Bercheff. It’s a pleasure to meet⁠‌⁠ you.”

“The⁠ honor is mine.⁠‍‌ I ask you‍ to please take​‍⁠ care of our​ young master.”

“Yes.”​

“…And‍‍‌ why do you‌‍ so calmly accept‌ a request like‍‍ that?”

Fernan​ didn’t even have⁠ time to complain​⁠ before his father⁠ changed the subject.⁠‍

“I​‍ received your letter,​ Fernan. If you​​ brought Luina Bercheff​​​ with you, I can assume she​ also knows the‌ truth, right?”

“Yes.”‍

“Yes.‍ I’ve also heard‍⁠⁠ about the prophetic​​⁠ book.”

“Then​‌ I can speak⁠‌ freely. Explain to⁠​ me in detail—you’re‌ saying they’re targeting​‍‌ Pellenberg?”

The‍⁠​ conversation went on‍ for quite a while. Not only​‌⁠ did Fernan recount‍ what he had‍‍⁠ seen in the‍⁠‌ prophecy, but the⁠⁠ duke also spoke‍​ of what was‍‌ happening in the‍‍‍ north and shared⁠ his own deductions.​

“I‌​⁠ suspected it. Several‍⁠​ things you mention⁠ fit, and there‌ are events that‍‌ can only be​‍⁠ explained if demons‍‌⁠ are involved.”

The​‌‍ northern kingdoms were⁠ moving in near-perfect‍⁠ coordination, as if‌ they were a single nation.

Although⁠ with some time⁠ lag, they had‍ all begun attacking⁠‍‌ the Golden Turtle‌‌​ Company—criticizing its products,​​‍ spreading rumors, and⁠‍​ stirring the people​​ against it.

“In​ many northern regions,​⁠⁠ monsters and lesser⁠‌ demons have already‌‍⁠ been detected. One​ could say those⁠‌⁠ kingdoms are now‍‍​ under their control.”​

It​⁠ was hard to‍ believe—but when it​ came to demons,​ nothing was impossible.​‍⁠

“Will​‍ you retreat, then?”​‌‍

“I​‍​ must do it.​​‌ I hesitated in‍‌​ case there was⁠⁠⁠ even a slight‌ chance to reverse‍‌ the situation, but‌‍‌ it’s better to​ save what we⁠​‌ can than to​​​ lose everything.”

If‍​⁠ the demons had‌ taken the north,​​ all the wealth‌‍ of Pellenberg would‍​⁠ be of little​‌ use.

To⁠‍⁠ them, gold was​ just a worthless‍⁠​ piece of metal.⁠

Nor⁠​​ could they cross​ borders and deploy‌‌ military forces without‌ a formal reason.‍

“They​​ won’t allow a peaceful retreat.”

If​‍​ Pellenberg evacuated with⁠ all its goods‌ and supplies, the‌ demons would know‌ those resources could⁠ fund an enemy⁠​ army.

“In⁠ fact, we’ve already​‍‍ begun the withdrawal.‍⁠​ Not massively, but‍‌⁠ it’s underway.”

“Ah.”​​‌

Fernan‍‍⁠ was surprised—his father‌⁠ was already several‍​ steps ahead.

“In​⁠ any case, if‌‍​ what you say⁠‍​ is true, sooner‌​ or later the‌​‍ demons will attack​⁠ the main residence.‍⁠‌ We must be​ prepared.”

“Yes,⁠⁠ sir.”

“I’ll‌ take care of‍ it.”

Duke‍ Yvon Pellenberg placed​​‍ a hand on‌ his son’s shoulder.​‍

“And⁠‍‍ although it’s late,⁠‍‌ congratulations on becoming‌‌‌ an Archmage, Fernan.”⁠

“Thank​⁠ you, Father.”

“And‍⁠‌ you, Luina. I’m​​‌ doing everything possible‍⁠⁠ to get you‌‌‍ certified for the⁠ Dragon God Tournament‍ soon, so don’t⁠​‍ worry.”

“Thank⁠⁠ you very much.”‍

“By‍ the way, Father,⁠​⁠ I brought you⁠‍ a gift.”

“Ah,‌​‍ the one you​‌ mentioned back then.⁠ I’ve cleared the‌ central plaza of⁠ the duchy. Deliver⁠​ it, and then‌⁠‌ go see Helena.​​ She’s waiting for‍⁠⁠ you.”

“Yes,‍ sir.”

“Go‌​ together.”

“Excuse​ me?”

With​‌ the duchess?

Luina​ swallowed hard, tense.‍⁠

***‌

“Please,​ have a seat.”​‍

Dark‌⁠‌ blue hair down⁠‍ to her waist,‍​‌ blood-red eyes identical‌⁠​ to Fernan’s, and‌⁠ skin so white‌‍​ it looked like⁠ snow.

Helena,⁠‍‌ Duchess of Pellenberg,‍‌‍ welcomed them in‌ the garden while‍‌⁠ enjoying a cup​ of tea.

“It’s⁠⁠​ been a while,​‍ Mother.”

“I’m‍‌ hurt, my son.⁠ No matter how​​ busy you are,⁠⁠ you shouldn’t go‌ so long without‌‍‌ visiting the family‌‍⁠ home.”

“I’m​​ sorry.”

“It’s​ fine. Sit down.”⁠‍⁠

“Yes.”​

Fernan‍‍​ sat without hesitation,​‌‍ but Luina couldn’t⁠‍‍ do the same.‌

“……!”‌‍‌

She‍‌ had once heard⁠ that only the​‌ strong can recognize‍ the strong.

No‌ aura emanated from⁠​ her, but that​‌⁠ very lack made‍ her skin crawl.⁠‍

Every‌‌ living being gives⁠​ off a trace‌⁠​ of energy; being‌‌ completely neutral was‌ unnatural.

‘…She’s‌ powerful.’

An​​‍ immense strength.

Probably​ at the level‍ of the Royal​⁠‍ Knights or upper⁠​‌ Archmages.

However,⁠⁠ she had never⁠⁠⁠ heard that the⁠⁠⁠ Duchess of Pellenberg‌‍ possessed such a rank.

Who⁠ the hell was​ this woman?

“Mother,⁠‌‍ your sense of​‍ humor is rather⁠‍⁠ twisted.”

“You’re​‍ very perceptive, young‍⁠‌ lady. If your‌‍‌ level were a little lower, you‍ wouldn’t have even​⁠ noticed anything.”

The⁠ duchess returned to‍​ her normal state,‍​ that of an‌​ ordinary human lady.​

“It‍⁠ was only a joke, don’t be⁠ so frightened. It’s⁠​ a pleasure to‌​ meet you, Luina⁠‍‌ Bercheff.”

“…A‌ pleasure to meet‍⁠ you, I’m Luina‍‌ Bercheff.”

“I‌‌ know. You can’t⁠⁠⁠ imagine how much​⁠​ I’ve wanted to​⁠‌ meet you.”

The‌⁠ duchess smiled sweetly.⁠

Luina‌‍‍ leaned toward Fernan‍‌ and whispered.

‘What’s⁠​ wrong with her?’‌‌​

‘She’s‌⁠ my mother.’

‘I‍‍ don’t mean that.’‍

‘Did​‍ her strength impress‍ you?’

‘Yes.⁠​ I’ve never heard‌⁠‌ that the duchess⁠​‌ was an Archmage​‌ or a Royal​ Knight.’

‘Because‌ she’s been hiding⁠ it intentionally.’

‘What?’⁠‌⁠

‘I‌ already told you⁠ — a knife‌ hidden in the‌‍ dark is more​⁠‌ dangerous than one‌‍ in plain sight.’‍

That⁠‍ wasn’t just his‍‍ personal saying; it‍‍ was the philosophy‍‍ of the entire​ Pellenberg family.

‘Good⁠ heavens…’

Hiding​‌⁠ a superhuman?

And‍​ that superhuman was​ the duchess herself?​‌⁠

Pellenberg‍​ was definitely a crazier family than‌‍‌ she had imagined.‍​​

She⁠⁠‍ knew other Elector​‌‍ families also hid‍​‌ secret combat organizations,‍‍ but an entire​ superhuman?

If​ Fernan and now⁠ the duchess were‍‌ hiding their power,‌‍ how many more​‍ could there be⁠‌⁠ within the family?​​⁠

‘In⁠ Bercheff, nothing like​‌ that exists.’

There‌‍ was no time‍‌ to hide there⁠ — every day,‍ the walls withstood‌‍​ the onslaught of‍ monsters.

“You​‌‍ seem very surprised.”⁠

“Ah,​​ no, it’s nothing.”‌⁠

“I’ve‍⁠​ heard much about⁠ you.”

“I​ haven’t really talked⁠ much about myself,‍ to be honest.”‍​⁠

“Silence,‌​ Fernan. Ever since​ you became an⁠⁠ Archmage for seeing⁠ the future, you’ve‌ grown far too​ arrogant. Didn’t I teach you to‍‌‍ be humble?”

“…Yes,‍⁠⁠ Mother.”

Fernan⁠‌⁠ shut his mouth.⁠ That was indeed‍​ unexpected for Luina.‌⁠

— Kyu.

At⁠ that moment, Wooden​‍ jumped out from‌ Fernan’s clothes and‍‌ leapt toward the⁠⁠‍ duchess.

She‌‌‍ extended her hand,‍‍​ took him, and​ stroked him tenderly.‍​

“How⁠‍​ have you been?”‍​

— Kyuu.

“Are‌‍ you eating well?‍ Fernan hasn’t mistreated​⁠ you, has he?”​

— Kyu…

“He’s⁠‌ made you work​‍​ a little, but​ you forgive him⁠⁠‍ because you’re satisfied​ with your shield?​‌ Is there anything‍ else you want?”‌​

— Kyu, kyu.

They⁠⁠‌ conversed naturally. Luina⁠ couldn’t help but⁠⁠‌ feel strange at​‌​ the sight.

‘Fernan,‍‌ could it be‍​‌ that the duchess…?’​

‘She’s‍ a spirit summoner.’‌

‘A⁠​ human with spiritual​‌ affinity? That’s extremely‍⁠​ rare…’

Not​‍‍ impossible, but nearly⁠ nonexistent. Among humans⁠⁠ with martial or⁠⁠ magical talent, those⁠​ capable of communicating‍ with spirits were​ practically nil.

‘Well,​‍ not entirely, actually.’‍

‘Eh?’⁠​⁠

‘My‌‌ mother is indeed​‌ a summoner, but‌​ she’s not completely​‌‌ human.’

‘What?’‌

‘She’s​​ half-elf.’

‘What…?’‍‌

Luina’s‍‌ eyes widened so​ much they almost‍ popped out.

And​‍ just then, the‍ duchess dropped another‍​‍ bomb that exceeded​ the limits of⁠ her mental endurance.​

“Ah,‌⁠​ and I apologize‍‍ for that time.​​ I never imagined‌​⁠ I’d end up‌‍ having a daughter-in-law​‍ from the Bercheff‍‍ family. But at‌‌​ that moment, it‍​‍ was the best‍ choice for both‍ sides.”

“Excuse‍‌‍ me? What are​‌‍ you talking about?”​​

“You‌ didn’t tell her,⁠⁠‌ Fernan?”

“Not⁠‍⁠ yet…”

“I​⁠‍ was the one​‍​ who mediated between‍ Bercheff and Fridian.‌​‌ For Fridian’s sake.​‌ I did feel‍​⁠ a bit sorry,​‌ but I’m glad⁠ to know Bercheff​‍ has prospered again.”​​

“…What?”‍‌⁠

Luina’s‍​‌ mind simply collapsed.‌⁠‍

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