A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 33

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.