Chapter 30

“It’s been a good deal.”

Professor Grad had more than fulfilled his role. He had served as an effective bridge, allowing Fernan to close the contract just as he intended.

“We’ve also been able to experience firsthand the greatness of the Golden Turtle Guild.”

Fernan and the vice-rector exchanged their copies of the contract and shook hands.

With this, the sea dragon’s corpse became the full property of the Golden Turtle Guild.

1. Party A will have priority in the sale of vessels within the academy (including boats, ships, cruises, etc.) for the next 20 years.

2. Party A will sell certain by-products of the sea dragon to Party B at reasonable prices.

3. Party B commits to…

There were many more clauses in the contract, but those three were the key points.

The academy would sell the sea dragon’s corpse to the Golden Turtle Guild.

In addition, it would grant the guild priority in the sale of vessels within the academy for the next twenty years. And the guild would sell the dragon’s by-products to the academy at a fair price.

‘Perfect. Everything I wanted is included.’

The first point was obvious. The second was one of Fernan’s demands. And in exchange for that demand, the academy offered the third clause.

‘A magical creature’s corpse always sells better if it hasn’t been dismantled.’

Buying the corpse at a high price and then selling the by-products cheaply would’ve been idiotic in any other context.

But now was the time to take a step back to pursue greater profit.

From the academy’s perspective, obtaining cheap by-products in exchange for something as trivial as priority rights to a small naval business was a great deal.

‘They’re probably wondering why the hell I want something as useless as priority in such a minor naval business.’

But Fernan knew exactly how big the naval business in the academy would become.

Nobody lost. It was a reasonable deal for both sides.

“Good job.”

“Good job? Bah, it’s not like it’s my first time signing a contract.”

After closing the satisfying deal, Fernan stretched broadly to ease the tension in his body.

“The board is set. Now I just need to get my father’s permission.”

The reason the contract specified “priority in sales” instead of “exclusive rights” was because he still hadn’t gotten his father’s approval.

Until the issue exploded, there was no solid justification to convince him.

But giving up a business that was pure gold wasn’t an acceptable option for Fernan either.

Thus was born the “priority in sales” clause.

‘An option that won’t cause trouble even if something goes wrong, and the best I could get for now.’

After all, it was just a priority right, not an immediate obligation.
He could postpone the rest until the prophecy issue came to light.

“How’s the work going?”

“We’ve finished the installation.”

That meant the recording devices had been set up on the cruise ship that would be the site of the Yacht Club.

With that, they could monitor every move of the degenerates.

“The staff list?”

“Left it on your desk.”

“Any problems?”

“We didn’t find anything unusual.”

“As expected.”

If they were that easy to spot, they wouldn’t be demons—they’d be idiots.

From the beginning, they were monsters that had nearly destroyed the continent a thousand years ago. There was no room for complacency.

“Well, in any case, we have an ace up our sleeve.”

Aint Armian, the hero recognized by the book of prophecies.

‘I’m counting on you, Aint Armian.’

I trust you, the book of prophecies, and the first emperor who foresaw all this and left behind his legacy.

Fernan’s role was simple.

Avoid being seen as an enemy by Aint, support him appropriately, and lead everything to a happy ending.

‘Because that’s how you protect money.’

Protect the money… with money.

“For now, I better go check out the ship.”

That was the Pellenberg way.

***

Kiirook, kiirook—

Seagulls flitted over the coast. The refreshing sound of the waves was accompanied by the strong, salty scent of the sea.

Fernan stood on the deck.

An 80-meter long, 18-meter wide vessel. More of a luxury cruise ship than a yacht, perfectly equipped for comfort and parties.

It was lent to nobles as a way to curry favor, to awaken their vanity and sense of power. Thus, what began as a simple social club became a yacht club.

‘The more I think about it, the more it hurts. I paid quite a lot for this… and it’s going to sink, isn’t it?’

The ship, sailing calmly toward the open sea, would soon encounter a sudden “monster wave.”

Aint Armian, barely escaping the ship with his last breath, would be swept onto a deserted island where he would fight to the death against the degenerates trying to kill him.

That was the future foretold by the prophecy.

Fernan had already seen it. He could prevent it if he wanted to… but had chosen not to.

‘To truly become Aint’s ally, he must know that I rationally acknowledge the existence of demons.’

Only then would questions like “how did you know?” or suspicions of something strange not arise.

The best, of course, would be for him to be swept to the island too, to be with Aint during the attack and help him.

Nothing builds trust like surviving a crisis together.

“Not bad. Let’s go.”

“Yes. But… may I ask something?”

“What?”

“Where did you get that information, young master?”

“I have a source.”

“I thought I was your source of information?”

“Just because you’re my hands and feet doesn’t mean you need to know everything my head knows.”

Hyde nodded, as if he had guessed as much.

“I suppose it’s some student at the academy who knows about the corrupt. Most likely from the Cult of the Dragon God. Also, you have a good relationship with the saint, Jace.”

Although his guess was entirely wrong, it was the most plausible deduction given his ignorance.

Fernan simply nodded indifferently, saying no more.

“What matters is capturing the corrupt.”

“And what will you do afterward?”

“Find out. How they hid their identity, how they infiltrated… and what their goal is.”

Although, honestly, their goal was so obvious it might not even need explaining.

What mattered was tracking them down and capturing their leader.

“Together with Aint Armian.”

“Why Aint Armian, of all people?”

“Did you think I gave him the Saint bird’s heart for nothing?”

“Well, yes… got to make the most of the investment.”

The corrupt weren’t demons, but they worshipped them and used their power.

Of course, it had to be the hero recognized by the book of prophecies who dealt with them.

“Hmm…?”

At that moment, a commotion erupted outside the ship.

Fernan and Hyde stepped out and saw a guild employee running toward them, panting.

“Sir, I was told you were here, so I ran.”

“What is it?”

“A letter from the Duke has arrived.”

“Oh, finally.”

Fernan smiled and took the letter.

[I will support you as you wish.
You are granted the right to use the clan’s facilities and craftsmen, and the funds to acquire the sea dragon’s corpse.

In return, you must fully explain how you obtained the mithril and adamantium.

Also, you must deliver the promised amount without a single deviation, as per the contract.]

[Regarding the naval business within the academy, frankly, I don’t see it as profitable.
Still, if you insist that it must be done and that it can work, submit a formal report with details and clear projections.
This is a guild venture, and you are not only my son but also the head of the Golden Turtle Guild’s academy branch.]

“Perfect!”

The duke was someone who believed that not even parent and child should co-sign, and that monetary relations should always be clear-cut.

This too wasn’t a matter between father and son, but a transaction between merchants.

That’s why Fernan had to hand over some mithril and adamantium in return, but the result wasn’t bad.

‘The naval business will have to wait for now.’

He couldn’t exactly say he’d seen the future, so there was no other way.

‘But I’ll soon have an excuse.’

When the Yacht Club incident breaks out, the academy will panic and open a new naval combat course.

It wouldn’t be long.

“So the duke agreed?”

“Yes. I’ll have to return to the mansion during the holidays.”

Demons or not, during the summer break he planned to lock himself in the workshop with full enthusiasm.

Well, that would be later. For now…

“I need to meet with Ruina Bercheff.”

It was time to move to the next step.

***

Perhaps because a small mistake in business can mean huge losses or gains, Fernan Pellenberg was always meticulous in preparation.

Since the unexpected could always happen, his principle was that there’s no such thing as being overprepared.

Battles with sea monsters, prophecies about degenerates.
An unfamiliar battlefield like the ocean, and a future already being twisted by Fernan’s influence.

No one knew how this synergy would alter the original fate.

Hopefully for the better—but he had to consider the possibility it might be worse.

So…

“Luina Bercheff, take this.”

“What is it?”

“An invitation to the Yacht Club.”

He handed her the invitation.

She was one of Fernan’s most reliable cards at the moment. Even if something unexpected happened, she could handle it.

Of course, besides Luina, Fernan had several other students backed by his family, but the more useful cards, the better.

“The Yacht Club… it’s the one I’m thinking of?”

“That’s right. Only the top 5% of the academy can enter.”

It wasn’t written anywhere that it was for the top 5%, but those without talent or lineage simply weren’t accepted, so the nickname became common.

Originally, Luina Bercheff had more than enough qualifications to be in the club. Second in the academy rankings, a member of the elector Bercheff bloodline.

Though the family was half-ruined, the foundation built over a thousand years hadn’t crumbled entirely.

And yet, she had never approached the club. All because of Fernan.

‘I tried to subtly pressure her.’

He wanted to corner her little by little using her debt. Denying her entry into the Yacht Club was part of that strategy.

“Why the sudden change with the Yacht Club? Weren’t you the one who stopped me from joining?”

“…You knew?”

“Bella’s a member too.”

Right. Though she had shown some clumsiness regarding demonic energy, Bella Hoenne had both talent and lineage.

“…Clinging to the past gets you nowhere.”

“You’re not the best person to say that.”

“But I’m giving you an invitation now. Not bad, right? We’re even a couple now.”

Fernan coughed awkwardly and held out the invitation again. Luina looked between him and the card.

“It’s true that our current relationship is very different from before. It’s not strange for you to give me this now.”

“Exactly.”

“But I can’t believe you’d do this without a reason. What is it?”

“Does a person need a reason to be nice to someone else?”

“What’s strange is not having one.”

Can’t argue with that.

“Don’t tell me you actually…”

“Never! I swear on money that’s not it.”

Under her narrowed gaze, Fernan firmly shook his head.

“So there is another reason.”

“I already told you—an investment in talent.”

“Do you really expect me to believe that?”

Under her sharp gaze, Fernan finally confessed.

“I detected traces of demons. They seem to be planning something during this Yacht Club event.”

“…!”

“I plan to trap them and capture them, but it’s better to have someone I trust by my side.”

“Your priorities are all wrong.”

Luina cut him off.

“That’s what you should’ve led with.”

“So, will you go?”

“Of course.”

She took the invitation.

“I won’t forgive the corrupt who infected Bella. Even if not for that, I won’t let them do as they please.”

“Good mindset.”

Indeed, the perfect attitude for someone fated to become the hero Aint’s companion.

It had been wise to approach Luina the moment he confirmed the prophecy.

“Speaking of Bella… has she woken up yet?”

“Bella? Not yet…”

Was she really unconscious for a whole day? How much internal damage had Jace caused?

“What if we include her too? After all, she was the direct victim. Once she wakes, she’ll surely want revenge.”

The more reliable allies, the better.

“…Yeah, this is no longer someone else’s problem for Bella either.”

Luina nodded after a moment of thought. Hesitating to involve her friend in danger was natural, but it seemed she realized there was no turning back.

“I’ll do my best to convince her. But if the degenerates scare her and she refuses… tell her this.”

Fernan began instructing her on how to persuade Bella.