Chapter 35
c5UshDIn the prophecy Fernan had seen.SJyGn
a2lczyAint, wounded all over and barely surviving the assassins’ attack, fled toward the center of the island to escape the two Sea Serpents.2vXkiB
UyKjbOriginally, those beasts weren’t supposed to stray far from the shore, but due to the power of high demons, they pursued him even into the island’s heart.0Fe
uRP5XJAt that critical moment, Aint managed to defeat the creatures by discovering the hidden resource the First Emperor had prepared.U2gjb6
2L4yiThus, it wasn’t necessary for Fernan to intervene directly against the Sea Serpents.SCt
4Of23l‘Is it around here?’p2Hq
MQqtA7The place mentioned in the prophecy was between two high peaks. Fernan intentionally steered their escape toward that point.HVxhcl
KKDpPSNHis plan was to make the prepared resource appear as a coincidence and have Aint obtain it without suspicion.1kRG6
GsFO───!vdDi
zAto7v8“Is it really okay for us to keep going like this?!”T7AKn
bovLuina, who turned at the sound of trees breaking and the earth splitting, bit her lip.dIy
IWh9VThe two enormous Sea Serpents continued chasing them like raging bulls, leaving devastation in their wake.alud
oRvZTheir only advantage was that the beasts, unused to solid ground, were a bit slower than their size implied.OUZ
4PUJEven so, on a small island, they couldn’t run forever.rEW0
ouW“From the moment we saw two Sea Serpents, it was clear this wouldn’t end well.”1qG0fJ
9fnbbk“Is there any way to fix this if we reach the island’s center?”5C7
m5KoRA4There was. His name was Aint Armian.pr2
A8AJXIyHowever, Fernan couldn’t simply say he knew that, so he shook his head.grnVVF7
uv17“We didn’t expect them to follow us this far. It was an unexpected turn.”zKM5EK
yU2d“…That’s true.”11xY
UgDilhAnyone could tell that was abnormal behavior. Fernan and Aint knew it was caused by the demons.I1h7LJC
YbCLuina and Bella also sensed something strange, though they couldn’t yet link it directly to demons.BYNBma8
SVPGDyf“If they follow us all the way, buy some time however you can. I’ll handle the rest.”LWHgwK
Wk1O“Like last time?”seIrd
HV69d“Exactly.”WVe3DdH
C5r“I’ll trust you this time.”CVf
asJMaybe because there was precedent, Luina nodded with determination.tTGUEMl
9xs“…Hey.”yzRkf
NBZDoU0At that moment, Aint, who was being transported by sand magic, partially sat up.HcWIeS
hOoThanks to a first-aid potion, his complexion had improved.opdeswl
cp1vP“I can go on my own now.”H7D5w
NPwLm“If that’s what you want.”XaPLY
rQpdaOThe magic dissipated.JA40
M0q“But… how are you two here…?”3eZurRK
3XDo“Same as you. We got swept away by a wave during the battle and ended up here.”6fc
bscp“Huh? So we… mmph!”mapVIy8
3ZVqCZ“Bella? Why are you eating sand all of a sudden?”VoHMZMF
6uF“It’s not… that…!”3Mm
CSZoWhile Bella spat out sand after choking on some that had blown into her face, Fernan managed to convince Aint.eaF1Tu
y3RBGiven the circumstances, if they said they were in the same situation, there wasn’t much room for doubt.3PQs
5z7“…Thank you. You saved my life.”rUoQFW
0WXeoB9“I only did what was necessary. Those guys were disguised as Golden Turtle Company employees, but they were clearly not normal.”aLCwrlP
B8itDuR“Ah, that…”7DfiWC7
UNzk3“If I’m right, they were high demons. Am I correct?”qstz6K
z7P6qM“…How did you know?”WgYc
nLiKnAint’s eyes went wide.9tm
WKVSince confirming the prophecy, Fernan had considered two possible paths:vtti1
kYUnOne, witness the events with Aint and let him tell it all. The other, go ahead and take the initiative with a convincing explanation.j8bH
6Ji‘The first option was safer, but I couldn’t justify my prior actions against demons.’OET
NuxjWith the second, as long as he had a solid reason, he wouldn’t need to keep hiding anything he’d done.v2j29RH
M6F6cnIn fact, the moment he chose to include Luina and Bella, it was clear he had made his decision.nf2
EslBecause by bringing them along, it implied they also knew about the demons.heawc
3z5“It’s simple. I’ve been tracking those things for a while.”YPJF
SDmFe“…What?”brubcE4
r9tURvnAint’s eyes widened to the point it seemed impossible they could grow further. His pupils trembled, unable to steady.JGEku
R1Q“…You already knew about high demons?”1pv3j
Y0z2II“Don’t stop running!”yWxy
JbvEfC4“Y-yes…!”XC1Vk
M3lQvAStartled, Aint picked up his pace again. Soon, running alongside Fernan, he asked:sNS8FpC
hBLX“You really already knew they existed?”HZnjM
4GK“Are you that surprised?”0SPZ
ZJFJSJ8“Of course! Who on this continent would even believe in the existence of demons or high demons?”NYe
vUZHow was this possible?Buz
tesBXHe’d heard countless times from Gardner that he needed to obtain the preparations left by the First Emperor and fight demons.qJjgYe
U9jBBut this was the first time he’d seen one with his own eyes. Before meeting Gardner, demons were no more than legends or fantasy beings. Even now, he only half-believed in their existence.UBSJ6g
l672Ll6A thousand years was too long.PFsrIGy
4rZUVKTLong enough for any threat to vanish like a dream.2cdI
UFrsYSo how could Fernan Pellenberg know about them? Did he really believe they existed?tPRhO
WT7WgCC— What is this…?wS82FeI
WjZD2d5— Could the Pellenberg family also have been preparing in their own way?w0G
se1W9Even Gardner, usually unflappable, seemed shaken.3At
YmKtL— Or did the demons begin acting earlier than I thought?Ev9znE
nJdt— And you simply took too long to come find me?aux9
ZTJhgIf that was the case, who knew how much damage the demons had already caused the human world?et3
vvtX“You’re mistaken. I didn’t know about high demons in general. What I knew was about the two bugs that tried to kill you.”pa3
YNs“What?”2G7jR
JzcVa5“I’ve noticed suspicious movements in the company for some time. Strange money flows, disappearing funds. Everything looked fine on paper, but something was off in practice.”gm5f
cerOymh“…And that was the demons’ doing?”YG0zr
v6A8ysFFernan nodded.x2i
2jfM“I couldn’t confirm it completely, but I suspected it. I crossed paths several times with strange individuals during my investigations, and one of them released that nasty energy.”kRrkKQ
VLXMK2uHe added that after thoroughly researching its nature, he concluded it was demonic magic.W23Pq
MOMUFvQ“And now that I saw them today, I’m sure.”p7yl0
vmA“You really believe what I’m saying?”agIrc
NLCuTE“How could I not? The Armians have always been the vanguard in the fight against demons. Who could know more than you?”KqU
BKL— The demons were using the company as a funding source?B4eI
7gZcCxD— Makes sense.eTQ
spkp‘Does he really believe him?’ARaay
JRQqF— There’s nothing that contradicts what he said.GJBj
oiRG— The worst-case scenario is that he’s a demon himself and orchestrated everything to get close to you.OY9
WoAbTcgThere were certainly odd details.JNC
uj4Just as Aint joined the Yacht Club, an unprecedented sea monster attack happened.Fxq
gMmFptThe ship belonged to the Pellenbergs, and the demons disguised as employees attacked Aint. And just then, Fernan appeared to save the day.dlvIby
QoZSeWas it all really a coincidence? Or was he being manipulated?jy6
BoRCn8A‘But… what about Luina and Bella, then…?’eaPNjM
Ou6y— He could’ve brought them along to avoid suspicion too.CuvC
yFf9IF8— If it were someone else, I might believe it, but coming from those nobles… I have doubts.UtTEsI
WwSTM— Those bastards sold supplies to the demons! We suffered so much because of them…!bjds2
o1axDBoth Fernan’s words and Gardner’s warnings sounded plausible.37p5F4
5LgHe couldn’t be sure which was right.nIxZO03
CRZBut at that moment, that wasn’t what mattered.WMCek
jm5EAThe crucial thing was surviving the two Sea Serpents that were rapidly approaching.2il
IeYAj— We’re close.jk0qZ
1zQC— The resource left by the emperor.G2urvC
mGx— If you manage to obtain it, you’ll be able to face them without issue.QptTr
EPPDIjOThough they were called “the kings of the sea,” on solid ground, they were no more than “giant serpents.”d1sL
nub72— But it’s a risk. It’s not good for others to know about this resource unless you’re absolutely sure.lursSc
jGpuZ1At that moment, Fernan came to a stop.EIz0Lo3
pZ5“This place will do. There’s nowhere else to run anyway.”CIZ
PIvH9“How much time do you need?”BE02Epy
GgxQWZ“Ten minutes.”QQfI
waFC“Understood.”DS8caK
4A6otbB“Wait, Luina. What are you doing?”5KZDZ
tCJLuina said nothing. She simply turned around, grabbed a stunned Bella by the arm, and ran straight toward the Sea Serpents.jZNdhrX
AMfpsP“…What the hell?”yFR3s
Rr2HAh“Buying time. While I prepare to face them.”dZbiFmx
q8T“Prepare?”4F2
WD0ejhL“What kind of preparation can a merchant make? Hit them with money.”Mrji4pS
F74YClunk.yJEE
ce5ArFFernan pulled out a heavy box from subspace. Upon opening it, a large number of vials and potions appeared.0ph
ijuSeeing this, Aint and Gardner understood what he was about to do.3xosw
GoCgj— This is a great chance, Aint!bIp9E
4ojvkn— Tell him you’re going to help Luina and Bella, but head instead to where the resource is. It’s very close!WZta
p0NV“I’m going to help Luina and Bella.”yXK08NF
QxEx“If you’re not injured anymore, do as you please. Though honestly, worrying about wounds when your life is on the line would be absurd.”GXV9Wx
uwxlFortunately, Fernan didn’t stop him.6shdK
MSdhAint pretended to launch an attack on the Sea Serpents but quickly turned in the direction Gardner had indicated.GGFRfq
KTPq***4vavk16
CzlsmCR─!COaNWPm
fgHzF──!bvJt
ilS2fTrees, unable to withstand the pressure, snapped loudly.S9C
rJmFThe ground, frozen by the white frost, cracked, and wherever that massive body passed, destruction was left behind.yZno
J7kWhen the two sea serpents roared, the knights raised their swords at them.7Uh3v9k
1fpThe knights’ aura was sharp enough to pierce the scales of those massive serpents.xW6
qY5BJBut just because it was sharp didn’t mean it guaranteed victory. The knights’ swords weren’t enough to inflict fatal damage on the colossal beasts.sKaz
682qLHPMaybe if they got stronger or if the situation changed due to the First Emperor’s plan, it would be different.jkKZnx
2gOQq‘For now, that’s their limit.’u4Sln5
EPKGaA tenuous resistance.CjdDNgQ
ttexFernan sensed the sign that this suffering would soon come to an end.69ylBD
Equ7kNot far away, a faint light filtered through.O5nsX
PZidsIt was the process of Aint’s body being reconstructed as he obtained the hidden plan of the First Emperor.Oigmtk
2vFj[It was the most imposing tree between the two mountains.EMLm
thM47EL— This is called a faerie tree. It’s harder than most metals and brimming with forest energy. Elves go crazy over it.22HbaK
M65XpwA hard tree with such vitality it almost never dies.2HLg
6SbYm5Z— Since it’s so full of energy, it’s the perfect place to hide the plan.dSj7T
sM8havF“So, what exactly is this plan? If I take it, can I win?”qAFGN2u
cEW05— That’ll depend on you, but at the
very least, you’ll have a chance.hjfJ3R
Gke— Place the sword on the tree.7ymE8Gt
jzCAint drove the sword in. In response, the faerie tree split open on its own.uDu
Z2H1zGkInside, a small orb appeared.
It was semi-transparent and emitted a soft light, almost like a spirit.WvPETY
9eXol— It’s an elixir personally created by the First Emperor. But it’s not an ordinary elixir. It doesn’t increase mana—it reconstructs the body.ScuZrep
qnr“Body reconstruction?”CYt62Wm
q2i— Human talent is passed down by lineage. But it’s not perfect. The First Emperor worried about that. What if the person inheriting his plan didn’t have an affinity with light?vdWN
wptSThe secret swordsmanship of House Armian was based on light.XjHjE
09V5vJtThat’s why it was rare, why it was naturally opposed to demons, and why the First Emperor had been able to repel them.qy5
TmPgDP— That orb is made purely of light. Its purity is so high that even someone without affinity can acquire it.lz05
Lptt— It reconstructs the body to be compatible with the light attribute.Rf5
MpMXy“Is that possible?”yIFtX
96T6iJForcing an attribute onto someone who didn’t have it?cfWd4
uYpIf spiritualists heard about this, they’d sell their whole country to obtain it.cB6eEd
vCixah6— Obviously, not just anyone can—ayRE3
Dh3The approaching noise made Gardner cut off his explanation.uPNXm
xaPEr— Take it now!TBfHHDC
08iTc“Yes!”4K0A
ZUyfAint swallowed the orb. A white light completely enveloped him.]nfV1CCy
OKuFernan, grimacing at the stabbing pain in his head from recalling the future, held his temple and chuckled.QY8B
wKh“…Yes. That’s exactly it.”gaJlB2w
f01HlThe plan Aint was meant to obtain.MyX
nd7One that only made sense if it was Aint who received it, so Fernan felt no attachment to it.1Fp
K8aThe light vanished in an instant, but soon Aint came running toward the sea serpents.Sa1H
eYTV4Everything had gone according to plan.ZDj3v
qea3Now, Aint would help Ruina and Bella defeat the sea serpents and fully grasp the threat of demons and the corrupted.LJNeEj
LLBb“And while we’re at it, the academy will implement a naval combat course.”82ZkLVw
y1CEAjbHis wallet would also benefit.CO4tz6m
2lK462“Well then, I’d better get moving.”hMZ
AWCE1aPFernan returned the box of reagents to his subspace.QKp
AKh9vMZHe had never intended to waste money making traps.bEa9udL
jkxoWith a smile on his lips, he began to whistle.xtegyru
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