Chapter 33

A trivial matter, if you want to see it that way.

Taken literally, it was just a junior showing some courtesy to a senior.

But the hierarchy and order the academy had upheld since the Empire’s founding weren’t taken lightly, and no one thought the courtesy between generations was excessive.

However, when those involved were descendants of the current and former imperial families, the matter took on a different tone.

— It’s a stiff move, but not entirely wrong.

It had already been three generations since the Schwabens became the imperial family, but before that, the Armians had held the throne for nearly nine hundred years.

Erasing from the people’s minds a family that was practically synonymous with the Empire’s history wasn’t something achievable in just a century.

— Aint Armian bowing to the Schwabens?

One of the most effective ways to shatter that perception was an official abdication.

A public, documented act that made clear the throne had been transferred.

— They say the Armian family, after losing the throne, locked themselves away in their last remaining territory.

— No wonder you’re so tempting.

Compared to a real abdication, this was insignificant, but every major act starts with something small and seemingly trivial.

‘What should I do?’

— What’s there to think about? Just do it.

Gardner didn’t seem to consider it a big deal.

— After all, they are the current imperial family. Denying their authority would be like denying the country the First Emperor founded.

Because that was the reality. Even if he hoped the Armians would reclaim the throne someday, that didn’t mean the Schwabens didn’t belong there for now.

— And anyway, it’s only temporary. You’ll be emperor again. I’ll make sure the Armians rise to the top once more.

— If you can’t endure a momentary humiliation, you don’t have what it takes to be emperor.

— The previous emperor even knelt before the King of Bercheff to win him over…

“A pleasure to meet you, senior. I’m Aint Armian.”

Noticing the conversation dragging, Aint gave a slight nod with a measured courtesy—not excessive, not rude.

And since he greeted naturally, the other’s reaction wasn’t hostile.

“Yes, likewise. Aint Armian.”

Ludger returned the greeting with a smile and gave him a light pat on the shoulder.

“Valoshi Bienderk. A pleasure to meet you as well. I’ve heard of you.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you too, senior.”

“About me? There’s not much to say.”

“It’s no small feat being second place in an academy that gathers the best talents on the continent.”

With that, Ludger began chatting more casually with Valoshi.

As the tension lifted, sighs of relief spread throughout the room.

The music, which had stopped, began to play softly again—and then, someone slipped between them effortlessly.

A man in a black half-mask. Ink-black hair, a pristine, high-quality suit, and an unmistakable aura that could not be ignored.

‘…Senior Fernan?’

The crowd parted as he walked, and for a moment, he met Aint’s eyes—but Fernan ignored him and kept walking.

He headed straight for the prince, and the prince signaled Valoshi. As if on cue, murmurs filled the deck.

‘He didn’t even acknowledge me.’

— He’s watching the prince. Do the same. It’s not that hard.

‘Right, got it.’

— That Ludger guy… isn’t much.

‘Not much?’

— Talks too much. A scared dog barks the loudest.

— If I were in his place, I’d have ordered him to kneel on the spot.

Doing that in front of everyone would’ve been a terrible move.

“Aint, let’s go greet the others.”

“Sure.”

Aint followed Valoshi, who had just approached.

***

“Now I see why you got here early. How was it?”

“Not very entertaining.”

Ludger tilted his wine glass, red as blood.

“That guy, who claims to descend from the old imperial family, bowed without a shred of dignity.”

“Were you the one who called him?”

“I had Alkan deliver the invitation. I figured if I gave it to Valoshi, he’d come along. They can’t avoid each other forever.”

After all, even in different years, it was inevitable they’d run into each other at least once in the academy.

And if they were in consecutive years, they might even share occasional joint classes.

“That’s all?”

“What else would there be?”

At his sharp tone, Fernan changed the subject.

“I meant your first impression.”

“Oh, that?”

Ludger shrugged.

“A person who swallows humiliation without resistance is one of two things.”

Either someone with absolutely nothing.

“Or someone biding their time for payback. But that look wasn’t one of someone with nothing.”

He didn’t think Aint or the Armians posed a real threat. Even ruined, they were a family that had ruled half the continent for 900 years.

They had to have something up their sleeve. But probably nothing too serious.

“If they really had something that could turn the tables, they’d have used it by now.”

Ludger muttered, dismissively.

“What do you think?”

“I had a similar impression. There’s something there, but it’s probably not much.”

“If you see it that way, it’s more convincing. It’s always been that way, hasn’t it? A merchant’s eyes can read people.”

Ludger smirked as he narrowed his eyes.

“Now that you’ve answered one, it’s my turn. I saw you came in with Luina Bercheff.”

“The eldest daughter of the Bercheff house and second in the Knight Department. She more than qualifies.”

“And yet, you were the one who kept her out, weren’t you?”

Ludger slowly swirled his wine glass.

“And I don’t think you just suddenly forgave her debt…”

“That’s not something I can decide on my own.”

“Exactly. Which is why I’m even more curious.”

Since the start of second year, the nature and behavior between the two had completely changed.

“What the hell happened over the break? Did the two houses arrange a political marriage?”

“Do I have to answer that?”

“I’d like you to.”

“Wishes are worth more when they stay wishes.”

“So you’re not denying it?”

Fernan didn’t reply. Either way, if he said no, Ludger would just take it as a veiled yes.

“Looks like everyone’s aboard. Let’s set sail, then.”

“Do as you like. If this is the Yacht Club, we should at least head out to sea once.”

Set sail!

Set sail!

At last, the massive cruise ship pulled away from the dock.

***

“….”

As soon as she boarded the ship, Luina—who had been brushed aside by Fernan—sat in a corner and gazed at the sea with a distant look.

Watching the calm waves soothed her heart. That serene sea almost made her feel like she was on vacation.

‘Don’t let your guard down.’

But today’s objective wasn’t a social gathering or a holiday. It was to catch the traitors to humanity who served the demons—the corrupted.

Luina slowly caressed her glass. The cocktail inside was low in alcohol.

“What are you doing alone, senior?”

Luina looked up. Through the mask, she saw kind brown eyes. Behind them, a soft wave of golden hair.

“Aint Armian.”

“That’s right, senior. I’m glad to see you here.”

Aint, still wearing his mask, casually leaned against the wall next to Luina.

“Everyone’s enjoying themselves. Why are you alone?”

“I’m not used to it.”

It wasn’t a lie that she lacked experience with gatherings like these. As someone who had lived upright as a knight, this kind of event felt uncomfortable to her.

“And you? Why are you here?”

“…I don’t fit in.”

The reason was similar, but the meaning was different. For Luina, it was by choice. For Aint, it was imposed.

Though he had been invited, the other students still hesitated to approach him due to the scrutiny from the Schwabens.

Valoshi had tried to stay by his side, but due to the pressure of the stares, Aint had withdrawn.

And that’s when he saw Luina.

“That was a foolish question on my part.”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

A moment of silence fell. After a while, Aint spoke, somewhat shyly.

“If you don’t mind… would you like to dance with me—?”

“I hate to interrupt such a lively moment, but…”

Someone suddenly cut in and broke the rhythm of the conversation.

It was Fernan.

“Aint Armian, I didn’t know you were close with Luina.”

“Ah, we just had a short conversation recently.”

“That’s right. I wouldn’t say we’re close.”

Luina’s calm words caused a faint look of disappointment to pass over Aint’s face.

Fernan didn’t miss it.

‘The context may have changed, but the key elements are still in motion.’

Even if it hadn’t happened under the moonlight as in the prophecy, Luina had met Aint while training alone in swordsmanship.

And that he fell in love with her at first sight wasn’t likely to change.

‘If this keeps going, Luina’s value will rise.’

Love, sometimes, turned people into the most irrational beings.

If he could properly make use of Aint’s feelings for Luina, he would gain a powerful card to play when needed.

“Let’s go, Luina.”

But that wasn’t for now.

“Now?”

“Yes, I have something to tell you.”

“Then I’ll excuse myself…”

“No need. Enjoy the ball.”

Fernan left with Luina.

Aint’s eyes, left alone, remained fixed on Luina’s back.

— They don’t seem to have a normal relationship.

— They’re a couple, aren’t they? And Fernan brought her here personally to the Yacht Club.

“…Yeah.”

— Wake up. That girl might be talented, but if there’s any risk she’s getting involved with that upstart, be cautious.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Aint patted his cheeks, following Gardner’s advice.

His once-empty eyes regained focus.

“What were we talking about again?”

— Among what the sailors said, they mentioned something about the route. Apparently, they’re stopping at several islands near the academy. And on one of them, the founding emperor’s legacy is hidden.

That meant there was a high chance they’d go to that island.

— You know how to swim, right?

“More or less.”

— If you see an uninhabited island with two peaks, jump into the sea and pretend it was an accident.

“And if I get it, how do I get back?”

— What’s the problem?

— If an academy student goes missing, they won’t just sit back and do nothing.

— Besides, you’re an Armian.

It wasn’t a lie.

Though the Armians had been pushed out of the center of power, their symbolism was still considerable.

“Yeah, that’s true…”

Aint fell silent. He had sensed something nearby.

“Would you like a drink?”

It was a crew member walking across the deck with a tray full of champagne glasses.

“Ah, thank you…”

Just as he was about to take a glass, Aint felt the hairs on his neck stand on end.

An indescribable feeling—an instinctual sense of danger.

— Aint!

Gardner’s voice came just as Aint realized his instinct had been right.

Fwoosh!

A gigantic wave rose behind him.

Crash!

With a deafening roar, the deck beneath him shattered.

Rolling across the floor, Aint grabbed the fallen crew member to save him—just as a massive tail slammed down and smashed the deck again.

“…Damn it.”

And that’s when Aint realized what was attacking the ship.

Monsters. No, a horde of monsters.

Hundreds of sea worms—those so-called marine worms—were crashing into the ship like a living wave.

***

DING DING DING DIN!

The emergency bells rang urgently over the deck.

The enormous worms began climbing the ship like a living tide.

Though he’d known from the book of prophecy, seeing it in person was entirely different.

“How disgusting.”

Fernan’s face twisted. The screams of students echoed endlessly across the deck.

“Why are sea worms here?”

The Empire had routinely patrolled the routes to the academy.

A large-scale appearance of marine monsters was something no one expected.

Except for Fernan, who already knew thanks to the prophecy.

“Luina. Help your friend a bit, then retreat.”

“Aren’t we supposed to stop the monsters?”

“Did you forget why I brought you?”

“…Don’t tell me…”

“Yes. This is the work of the corrupted. And they’re after something bigger.”

Something bigger.

Undoubtedly, Aint Armian.

“With the level of students gathered here, there shouldn’t be much of a problem.”

“…That’s true.”

“Go.”

“Yes!”

Luina rushed into the battlefield. But Fernan hadn’t told her everything.

“The ship is going to sink.”

Though the students were strong, they weren’t trained for combat at sea.

The academy didn’t teach naval warfare. And despite knowing that, Fernan hadn’t arranged any defense against the monsters.

Because he wanted the ship to sink.

“The ship must sink.”

Only then would things proceed as the prophecy dictated. Aint would be cast adrift, alone, on the island where the founding emperor’s legacy was hidden.

The corrupted would attack him there. And from there, everything would change.

A bond would form between Aint and the corrupted.

And there would be no reason for him to suspect the Pellenbergs were connected to them.

“And that way, I won’t end up as a nobody.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Forget it.”

Fernan shrugged as Hyde materialized like a shadow.

“The other ships?”

“They’re waiting nearby. If we signal them, they’ll arrive immediately.”

“Good. I don’t care about the freaks, but if someone important dies, that would be a problem. Take care of the rest.”

“Understood.”

Fernan smiled.