Chapter 30
Jze“It’s been a good deal.”jeg
exEProfessor Grad had more than fulfilled his role. He had served as an effective bridge, allowing Fernan to close the contract just as he intended.hAdE
3iQZgZE“We’ve also been able to experience firsthand the greatness of the Golden Turtle Guild.”KSV0qXU
TRSqMFernan and the vice-rector exchanged their copies of the contract and shook hands.xvl
ylfkoQBWith this, the sea dragon’s corpse became the full property of the Golden Turtle Guild.vB1R
OIZF1. Party A will have priority in the sale of vessels within the academy (including boats, ships, cruises, etc.) for the next 20 years.Ng5gse
7qIL6Z2. Party A will sell certain by-products of the sea dragon to Party B at reasonable prices.t5vsg
ThcD93. Party B commits to…ESpk8
nfVThere were many more clauses in the contract, but those three were the key points.9Xy
ygTeeThe academy would sell the sea dragon’s corpse to the Golden Turtle Guild.zpyB
cqqGi7In 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.FhC9CB3
NCxnnW4‘Perfect. Everything I wanted is included.’nxA
qGoTDXcThe first point was obvious. The second was one of Fernan’s demands. And in exchange for that demand, the academy offered the third clause.SCsnk
MdY‘A magical creature’s corpse always sells better if it hasn’t been dismantled.’X9icD
JpI61aBuying the corpse at a high price and then selling the by-products cheaply would’ve been idiotic in any other context.SQFLa
amR4LBut now was the time to take a step back to pursue greater profit.zmWcaz4
QcK0From 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.h73D
efb78I6‘They’re probably wondering why the hell I want something as useless as priority in such a minor naval business.’5rB
cneCxBut Fernan knew exactly how big the naval business in the academy would become.cAUB
N9BWQNobody lost. It was a reasonable deal for both sides.CgOM
vEZ“Good job.”5Wh
TmqZvF“Good job? Bah, it’s not like it’s my first time signing a contract.”zp2PI6g
u1jAfter closing the satisfying deal, Fernan stretched broadly to ease the tension in his body.F2uS7YP
0wW8co“The board is set. Now I just need to get my father’s permission.”SDugf
lCgThe reason the contract specified “priority in sales” instead of “exclusive rights” was because he still hadn’t gotten his father’s approval.fLxZPvB
k1ZnEPUntil the issue exploded, there was no solid justification to convince him.2OxLq
jJ4OmCBut giving up a business that was pure gold wasn’t an acceptable option for Fernan either.YUgOgK
4a6n7YThus was born the “priority in sales” clause.bJ6G0aq
6a91xE‘An option that won’t cause trouble even if something goes wrong, and the best I could get for now.’MAe
itJtqSAfter all, it was just a priority right, not an immediate obligation.
He could postpone the rest until the prophecy issue came to light.BDhdWIZ
miUYOE“How’s the work going?”sWkY
ngJIZKW“We’ve finished the installation.”AKP
aaRtTThat meant the recording devices had been set up on the cruise ship that would be the site of the Yacht Club.13uc
VQSWith that, they could monitor every move of the degenerates.yg4
dKHbjG“The staff list?”b5ep4Xs
gCxEW“Left it on your desk.”UMMnG
fLog8K“Any problems?”2jn
fAVKONy“We didn’t find anything unusual.”Xou2DSv
rdIfh21“As expected.”cNij
QiVO4If they were that easy to spot, they wouldn’t be demons—they’d be idiots.G5rf
qeIlagFrom the beginning, they were monsters that had nearly destroyed the continent a thousand years ago. There was no room for complacency.XUZARe
S3f“Well, in any case, we have an ace up our sleeve.”ndFvvG0
093Aint Armian, the hero recognized by the book of prophecies.5qi
oVx0‘I’m counting on you, Aint Armian.’GcZRcl
cgqI trust you, the book of prophecies, and the first emperor who foresaw all this and left behind his legacy.Mv1
N67TIFernan’s role was simple.7Zckf
mJSAvoid being seen as an enemy by Aint, support him appropriately, and lead everything to a happy ending.1OP
9nGUo5‘Because that’s how you protect money.’o1qoXW
8DBd2CProtect the money… with money.O4zDaqg
ynIB7j2“For now, I better go check out the ship.”tzN
JXnI11That was the Pellenberg way.g2v9
0ky***p8M2
aPSMeTpKiirook, kiirook—G4XS
ajoSeagulls flitted over the coast. The refreshing sound of the waves was accompanied by the strong, salty scent of the sea.XkxR
7mEeFernan stood on the deck.jdPbZr5
xxSqiAn 80-meter long, 18-meter wide vessel. More of a luxury cruise ship than a yacht, perfectly equipped for comfort and parties.xqsh3F4
GbsNuVaIt 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.dKPJG
heD‘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?’1tIByeh
vnkThe ship, sailing calmly toward the open sea, would soon encounter a sudden “monster wave.”glVDhQ
bFOYSAint 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.dWfBN
Mt3fThat was the future foretold by the prophecy.0tNDO
QvIFernan had already seen it. He could prevent it if he wanted to… but had chosen not to.YDSi1
BA48c7‘To truly become Aint’s ally, he must know that I rationally acknowledge the existence of demons.’K0qgJ5G
AgioVOnly then would questions like “how did you know?” or suspicions of something strange not arise.rquDcuA
J0ECBThe best, of course, would be for him to be swept to the island too, to be with Aint during the attack and help him.kXac
lazkxWNothing builds trust like surviving a crisis together.7LZQUz
dtTJS“Not bad. Let’s go.”Tt05
0fk“Yes. But… may I ask something?”sCm
J1Hqo“What?”JrVm
NtEWBzO“Where did you get that information, young master?”gTwKzA
HWRi“I have a source.”uZv1q57
SzF7Ja“I thought I was your source of information?”0ZNwt
QVbJ“Just because you’re my hands and feet doesn’t mean you need to know everything my head knows.”Vdgz
KUUPotHyde nodded, as if he had guessed as much.T1z8N0r
w7tTIX“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.”Vb7HL
j9V4rtxAlthough his guess was entirely wrong, it was the most plausible deduction given his ignorance.KlpSSW
v2OFernan simply nodded indifferently, saying no more.4xx
bwVD“What matters is capturing the corrupt.”NKBV
0r8lp“And what will you do afterward?”60ms6qR
REqd“Find out. How they hid their identity, how they infiltrated… and what their goal is.”2i8Q
BDtH6UUAlthough, honestly, their goal was so obvious it might not even need explaining.yF3
Nr2v6What mattered was tracking them down and capturing their leader.PUD
Lwig“Together with Aint Armian.”JGv7LUY
afcTQ“Why Aint Armian, of all people?”2a2a
mvsxUCH“Did you think I gave him the Saint bird’s heart for nothing?”zrHF7
7QOHx“Well, yes… got to make the most of the investment.”T3H
ZC3RPThe corrupt weren’t demons, but they worshipped them and used their power.hYh8G
8otDrOf course, it had to be the hero recognized by the book of prophecies who dealt with them.uYrN
Z3Ubue“Hmm…?”651S
22P3At that moment, a commotion erupted outside the ship.K8es7fe
OcaFernan and Hyde stepped out and saw a guild employee running toward them, panting.glZ
51mzbiD“Sir, I was told you were here, so I ran.”ynzQ0
yPSX0I“What is it?”Xfa7m
OFz9h“A letter from the Duke has arrived.”exdX
b7yxMR“Oh, finally.”jxqO
6RofFernan smiled and took the letter.uK74qT
o8p9a9[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.LUB4E4e
WzScXIn return, you must fully explain how you obtained the mithril and adamantium.yUL
M4q4QAlso, you must deliver the promised amount without a single deviation, as per the contract.]L1mFsi9
l83Cw[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.]OXv35
fx1i9“Perfect!”R7F2K
4w90DoLThe duke was someone who believed that not even parent and child should co-sign, and that monetary relations should always be clear-cut.pbK1
b8fWFSfThis too wasn’t a matter between father and son, but a transaction between merchants.jfJSKVk
L8sahThat’s why Fernan had to hand over some mithril and adamantium in return, but the result wasn’t bad.HuW
T29hW‘The naval business will have to wait for now.’kzlNJCc
07HWyDpHe couldn’t exactly say he’d seen the future, so there was no other way.nGve
9Xu‘But I’ll soon have an excuse.’MeU
KFzkWhen the Yacht Club incident breaks out, the academy will panic and open a new naval combat course.dctu
2o98nMIt wouldn’t be long.lpguTK
mMo“So the duke agreed?”OvtUcv
OttAZ“Yes. I’ll have to return to the mansion during the holidays.”Cm4nH
bnCmDemons or not, during the summer break he planned to lock himself in the workshop with full enthusiasm.v8cAE4
dhdlkXCWell, that would be later. For now…vjD
tqL“I need to meet with Ruina Bercheff.”36Rz
SCMIt was time to move to the next step.ruue
DCbC***eyc8n
a8CPPerhaps because a small mistake in business can mean huge losses or gains, Fernan Pellenberg was always meticulous in preparation.FBseKT
H79KhSince the unexpected could always happen, his principle was that there’s no such thing as being overprepared.1mrye1g
Skekv7Battles with sea monsters, prophecies about degenerates.
An unfamiliar battlefield like the ocean, and a future already being twisted by Fernan’s influence.CGShDaN
UnkhSNo one knew how this synergy would alter the original fate.JJck2f
9NchynHopefully for the better—but he had to consider the possibility it might be worse.zeCW6
nvcoc8So…ddEr
JeiDW7B“Luina Bercheff, take this.”3YJgw
y4BWX“What is it?”PSaxa
oYJm9“An invitation to the Yacht Club.”GUz9Ia7
OwKHe handed her the invitation.31DZnY
uLBShe was one of Fernan’s most reliable cards at the moment. Even if something unexpected happened, she could handle it.9W9
GunyvhOf course, besides Luina, Fernan had several other students backed by his family, but the more useful cards, the better.JMWU6
HC5“The Yacht Club… it’s the one I’m thinking of?”HdUqOU
kYxCUt“That’s right. Only the top 5% of the academy can enter.”TFR
TFuaxBRIt 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.V4N2i
mibOriginally, Luina Bercheff had more than enough qualifications to be in the club. Second in the academy rankings, a member of the elector Bercheff bloodline.PpA
Zd6aGqThough the family was half-ruined, the foundation built over a thousand years hadn’t crumbled entirely.ZiXbzmP
q1DEAnd yet, she had never approached the club. All because of Fernan.zTi6g
KwixW‘I tried to subtly pressure her.’gffxd
cj4S7FfHe wanted to corner her little by little using her debt. Denying her entry into the Yacht Club was part of that strategy.FndiR
KKD3ue“Why the sudden change with the Yacht Club? Weren’t you the one who stopped me from joining?”xyUo
OA6ye8“…You knew?”Tsgpe
Tp8l20“Bella’s a member too.”i7Es
sbTRight. Though she had shown some clumsiness regarding demonic energy, Bella Hoenne had both talent and lineage.IM46pD
rC23sht“…Clinging to the past gets you nowhere.”0QcF6
Hqvt“You’re not the best person to say that.”C1PZlrL
nzJSpar“But I’m giving you an invitation now. Not bad, right? We’re even a couple now.”vbp
v0iviAFernan coughed awkwardly and held out the invitation again. Luina looked between him and the card.0DPs
FNUbwi“It’s true that our current relationship is very different from before. It’s not strange for you to give me this now.”oPL
F4qVca“Exactly.”wCY2lpd
ZK6n4F“But I can’t believe you’d do this without a reason. What is it?”svKN
kKYDzw“Does a person need a reason to be nice to someone else?”EihGjw
155pR“What’s strange is not having one.”VMbOCs
CqTCan’t argue with that.7YI7I
EV8RxBf“Don’t tell me you actually…”U8iw
b1wRs“Never! I swear on money that’s not it.”HkowK
CyJjY3PUnder her narrowed gaze, Fernan firmly shook his head.Qr1L4
tfqVs“So there is another reason.”pR08
8HSnc“I already told you—an investment in talent.”yx9Z5H2
2Zw3LDL“Do you really expect me to believe that?”sxlkTt
IrK3gFuUnder her sharp gaze, Fernan finally confessed.RY7B
01rB“I detected traces of demons. They seem to be planning something during this Yacht Club event.”mkf
tFO“…!”Rbt5oB
S7BH“I plan to trap them and capture them, but it’s better to have someone I trust by my side.”WEDKX
Qko“Your priorities are all wrong.”pyv
k6gRuHLuina cut him off.z6Vc6V
O305kRo“That’s what you should’ve led with.”2bgxlb
cAWY2“So, will you go?”zTi
EOAGvD“Of course.”yGpZPjv
LiNSylkShe took the invitation.XtG3r
Mo9CqCi“I won’t forgive the corrupt who infected Bella. Even if not for that, I won’t let them do as they please.”jgZmog
ecg“Good mindset.”Lb4XCg
cArBU0uIndeed, the perfect attitude for someone fated to become the hero Aint’s companion.SI2t
ZLwtOIt had been wise to approach Luina the moment he confirmed the prophecy.YW5D03q
TUt“Speaking of Bella… has she woken up yet?”Py63
OUqF0d“Bella? Not yet…”07yKPo4
5WxMtWas she really unconscious for a whole day? How much internal damage had Jace caused?I9UxDVn
a0jh“What if we include her too? After all, she was the direct victim. Once she wakes, she’ll surely want revenge.”Lr7g
jYDThe more reliable allies, the better.Moh7M
ybmC“…Yeah, this is no longer someone else’s problem for Bella either.”ogNYPU
QMSt7Luina 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.pPHt
P8hOUE9“I’ll do my best to convince her. But if the degenerates scare her and she refuses… tell her this.”0KtmD
8fIFernan began instructing her on how to persuade Bella.ysjje
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