A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 41

Chapter 41

“My‍‌⁠ father has decided‍ to accept your‍⁠‌ condition.”

There was no need‌‍ to wait long⁠ for a response.⁠‍ At most, a day.

“Really?”‍

“And‌ that face—after you⁠ were the one‌‌‍ who requested it?”‍⁠

“…”⁠‍

He⁠‍ knew very well⁠ how excessive and‍ even rude his‍ demand had been. That’s why, in‍‌‌ part, he had‍‍⁠ expected Marquis Fridian⁠ to be angry‌⁠‌ and refuse.

Even⁠‍ if things were‌⁠ handled carefully, problems‌‌ would remain. And‌⁠‌ if they escalated,⁠ it could become a conflict between families. Still, that⁠⁠ was preferable.

At‌ least, better than⁠‍ watching Fernan fall‍‌‍ under suspicion of‍ being allied with‌‌ the corrupted.

‘Honestly,‌⁠ that would’ve been⁠ the best-case scenario.’⁠

If‍ it were like‍ other prophecies—where the‍⁠ outcome was clear—it⁠ would’ve been easy‍‍ to act. But‌ this time was‌⁠ different.

When,‌ where, how, and⁠ exactly what would‌ happen… He knew⁠ nothing beyond that‍ something would.

When‌⁠ a storm brews,‍ the wise step⁠ aside. But it‍‌⁠ seemed fate wouldn’t⁠ allow him that⁠‌⁠ luxury this time.‌

“…Thank‌‍ you for agreeing⁠ to such an‍ excessive request.”

“My‌ father thinks highly‌‌‌ of you.”

Of‌ the Pellenberg family,‌ more likely.

‘Or‍⁠‍ perhaps the breath‌ of the corrupted‌ has already infiltrated.’⁠‍

If‍ trouble occurred without⁠⁠‍ any clear signs,⁠‍ it could only‌⁠ mean one thing:‍ something hidden was‌ behind it.

And that suggested an‍ inside accomplice.

‘How‌ far have those⁠⁠‌ bastards infiltrated?’

It⁠ wasn’t just one‌⁠ thing he had⁠⁠ to watch out‌ for.

‘And what if Aria‌ Fridian…?’

After⁠⁠‌ all, she had‌ been the one‍ who proposed assigning him to the‌⁠⁠ task.

No…‌‍ It couldn’t be.‌⁠ Aria Fridian was⁠‌ marked in the prophecy book as‌‍‌ an ally of‍ Aint. She couldn’t⁠⁠ be on the⁠ enemy’s side.

‘But‌‌⁠ you can never‌ be completely certain‍‍ about anything.’

Fernan‌ changed the subject‌ as he considered⁠ his own contingencies.⁠‌⁠

“Then,‍ when exactly are⁠ we leaving?”

“In‍ six days. You‌ said one week⁠ yesterday, so it’s the minimum.”

“Not bad.”

He‍ would have preferred‍ sooner, of course,‌⁠ but a week‍ was still a good advancement.

“Still…‍‍ was all this‌‌ really necessary?”

“Yes.”⁠

“And⁠‌ why?”

“You⁠ don’t need to‍ know.”

“I⁠‍ disagree.”

Aria‍⁠ shook her head.⁠

“Since⁠ your request was‌⁠ accepted, the commission‍ proceeds as usual, and that makes⁠‍⁠ me the client.‌ In that case,‍‌ there should be⁠ no secrets about the job, right?”‍

“The‌‍ client is Marquis‌ Fridian, not you.”‌‌

He⁠ hadn’t signed any‍‍ contract with Aria,‌ and the contract‌⁠⁠ issued through her‌ father stated the‍ same.

“But‌ I’m his representative.”‌‍

“Proof?”

“…Blood?”‍‌

“Bring‌‍‌ me concrete proof that you’re his representative. Then maybe⁠⁠ we’ll talk.”

Fernan⁠‍ stood up.

“Wait!⁠‌⁠ Where are you‍⁠ going?”

“To‌‌ prepare the caravan,‍ of course. You‌‍ think an operation⁠ like this doesn’t⁠ require groundwork?”

“Shouldn’t⁠ we just hop‌⁠ on the carriage⁠‌ and go?”

If‌‍ there were no‌‌ corrupted involved, maybe.

Fernan‌ didn’t respond and left the room.‍ But he wasn’t⁠‍ alone.

“What‍‌ now?”

“I‍⁠ might not be listed as the‍‍ representative, but it’s‌ obvious I’m part⁠‌ of the Fridian‍‍⁠ family, isn’t it?”

Not‍‍ a bad point.‌ No one is‍⁠ more connected to‍ a family than‌ its blood.

“Therefore,⁠‍ I think I have the right⁠ to oversee caravan‍‌⁠ preparations.”

“You‌‌⁠ want to follow⁠⁠⁠ me around?”

“In⁠‍‌ plain terms, yes.”‍⁠

“……”‌

Fernan‌‌‌ wondered if he⁠ could ditch Aria⁠‌ by making a bold escape.

‘Impossible.’

She⁠‌ was an elf,‍ and superior in‍‍ both speed and‍‍ agility. He could‌ try to throw‌⁠ her off with‌ artifacts, but it⁠⁠ would be a waste to use‌‌⁠ them for that.‍

‘All‌ I’m picking up‌⁠⁠ at the academy⁠ branch are potions⁠ and basic consumables.’

He⁠‌ doubted Aria was‌ connected to the‌⁠ corrupted. Either way,⁠ the important things‌ were already entrusted‌‍ to Hyde.

“Do‌ what you want.”‍

“Thanks.‌ Shall we? Where⁠‍‌ do we start?”‍

Aria‌‌ smiled radiantly.

That⁠ forced expression drew⁠‌ a twinge of⁠⁠ pity.

‘Well,⁠⁠ if a new‌ stone wants to⁠⁠ push out the‍⁠ one that’s already‍‌ wedged in, it⁠⁠ has to work‍‌‌ hard.’

It⁠‌ wasn’t like rushing‌‍ around like that‍ would earn her‌⁠‍ connections or recognition‌ from the heirs⁠ of the other‌‍‍ prince-elector families.

‘Don’t⁠ tell me that’s‌‌‍ why she sided‍‌ with the corrupted?’‍

He⁠ had no intention of insulting someone‍⁠ who was at‍‍ least sincerely trying.⁠‌

“Oh,‌ by the way,⁠ I heard something‌ happened at the‌ Yacht Club. Aint‌‌ received an invitation.‌ Think I could get one too?”⁠

“Keep‍⁠ dreaming.”

Or⁠ maybe she did‍‌ deserve a little‍ disdain.

***‍‌

Time‍‍⁠ flew by.

Since⁠⁠ there wasn’t a direct transport circle⁠‌ to Fridian territory,⁠ Fernan departed four⁠‍ days early with Hyde and Aria.‍‌‌

The‍ journey wasn’t particularly‌ long. There was⁠⁠‍ a transport circle‍ in a nearby‍‌ city, so they‌⁠‌ transferred there and‌ walked to the‍⁠‍ marquis’s residence.

It took them three⁠⁠ days. They reached⁠‌ the main city of the territory⁠ just one day‍ before the caravan’s‍⁠ scheduled departure.

“I must also report‌ to my father.‍ Once we arrive‍‌ at the castle, I’ll send escorts.⁠‍ If something were⁠ to happen to‌ you in our⁠⁠ territory, it would‌⁠ be quite problematic‍⁠‌ for us.”

Though⁠⁠ unnecessary, it was‍⁠‍ a courtesy. Being⁠‌ on foreign soil,‍ he had no choice but to‌ accept it.

“That’s⁠ fine.”

Before going to the‍‍‌ castle, Fernan headed‌ first to the‌‌ Golden Turtle Guild‌‌ branch.

“Welcome,⁠ young master.”

The⁠ branch head, a man with a flawless mustache, greeted‌⁠‌ him politely.

“Is‍ everything ready?”

“All‌‍ prepared. The only‍‌ inconvenience is the lack of good‌ resting spots along⁠⁠ the route, but⁠ fortunately your lordship‍ intervened.”

“That’s‍‌ good.”

Fernan⁠‌‌ inspected the supplies loaded in the‍ carriages—ten vehicles filled with cargo. Nothing to scoff at.⁠

‘So‌⁠‌ the World Tree⁠‌ sprout is in‌ one of these.’⁠‍

“Which⁠ one?”

“The⁠‍ fourth carriage.”

“Who⁠ else knows?”

“Only⁠ me and a few high-ranking guild‌ officials.”

Since‌‍‌ they couldn’t use⁠⁠⁠ teleportation circles, the⁠ schedule was tight.

They‍ had to cross‍‍ two territories from‌ Fridian’s main city‍‌ to Kaid Port,⁠ then sail to the academy. A journey of two‍⁠ to three weeks.⁠

‘Even⁠ without the World Tree, we wouldn’t⁠ have used a teleport circle anyway.’⁠‍‌

Transporting‌‍‌ this much would‌‍‍ cost a fortune⁠‍ in magic stones.⁠ A financial mistake.‍ No merchant would⁠⁠ do it.

“Hyde,‌‌ has my father⁠⁠‌ responded?”

“Yes.‍ Our warships are‌⁠ heading to Kaid. They’ll receive the‌‌ cargo along the⁠ way.”

“Perfect.”‌⁠

Just‍ as he finished verifying everything, escorts⁠ from the castle⁠ arrived.

“Young‌ master Fernan Pellenberg.‌ We’re sent by‍‍ the marquis.”

“We’ll‍‌ escort you.”

Ten‍‌ elves, all with⁠ cold expressions and‍ impeccable postures. None⁠‌ looked weak.

“Let’s⁠⁠ go.”

It‌ was time to‌‍ meet Marquis Fridian.‍

***‍

The⁠ House of Marquis⁠⁠ Fridian.

Though⁠ long established in⁠‌ the southern continent,‍‍ they were originally‍‌‍ not part of‌‍ the Empire.

They‌ were the former‌‌ royal family of‌ Elven—the kingdom of‍‌ elves.

A lineage that revered‌⁠ the sacred World‍ Tree and ruled⁠ the forests.

Fridian‍‍⁠ territory, as if not forgetting its‍ past, looked clearly‌‍‍ different from the⁠‍ rest of the‍⁠ Empire’s domains.

‘More than history—it’s a matter of racial⁠ identity.’

A forest-woven city, pointed‍⁠‌ ears, and even⁠ from afar the‌ World Tree was‌ visible.

He’d‌⁠⁠ heard that spirits⁠‍ wandered there, but⁠ Fernan, with his‌ weak spiritual affinity,‍⁠‌ couldn’t see any.⁠

“Welcome.”‌

Marquis‍‌ Fridian was an⁠ elf of youthful‌‍ appearance. Though elves‌ lived about as⁠ long as humans, their features remained‍‍ young much longer—so‌‍ it was unsurprising.‌

With‌ similar hair color,‍‌‍ he looked more‌‍‍ like Aria’s brother‌ than her father.‌

“It’s‌‍ a pleasure to meet you, Lord⁠‍‍ Marquis. I’m Fernan Pellenberg, responsible for this caravan.”

“I‍ know. I’m the‍‍ one who asked⁠ for you, so‌ of course I know who you⁠ are.”

He‌‍ laughed heartily—somewhat at‌‌ odds with his‍ appearance. Not a bad impression overall.‍‍

Fernan‌‌ had expected him‍ to be upset about the abrupt‍‌⁠ schedule change.

It‍ had to be‌‍‌ one of two‌ things: either he was genuinely kind,⁠‍ or what mattered wasn’t the schedule—it was that Fernan⁠ himself was responsible.‍

“I’ve⁠⁠ had a meal‍ prepared. Aria told⁠‌ me you hadn’t‌‌ had lunch yet.”‌‌

“Much appreciated.”

In⁠ the grand hall⁠⁠ were only Marquis⁠‌ Freid Fridian, his‌‌ wife, daughter Aria,‌⁠ Fernan, and Hyde.⁠‌

“Do‍‍ you like it?”‌

As‌ he lightly cut his steak, Fernan‌ replied:

“Yes.⁠‌⁠ Now I understand‌⁠ why elven cuisine‍ is said to‌ be so refined.”

“Elves‍ do appreciate fine⁠ dining.”

Marquis‌⁠‍ Freid smiled with⁠ satisfaction.

“Don’t⁠‍‍ you wonder why‍ I asked for‍‌ you specifically?”

“Aria⁠ gave me a basic explanation. Isn’t‌‌ that it?”

“Of‌ course not. Having‌⁠ you in charge‌ does involve the‍ Pellenbergs more, but‍ even without that,⁠ I couldn’t take‌‍⁠ it lightly, could‍⁠‌ I?”

And‌‌ that was true.‌

Even‌ setting aside their⁠‌‍ status as prince-electors,‌‍ the Fridian family‌⁠ was powerful and‌‌ wealthy in their‌ own right.

As‌⁠ long as they paid the price,‍‌ the Golden Turtle⁠ Guild would do⁠‌‌ its best.

“So⁠⁠⁠ what do you‌⁠ want, then?”

“Just⁠ as I’m asking…‌‍ have you considered‍ getting engaged to‍ Aria?”

“I‍ refuse.”

Fernan‌⁠‍ replied instantly, without⁠ a shred of‍ hesitation.

Even‍ though the Fridians‍ had gained a prince-elector seat and‌⁠⁠ had the support‌ of all the⁠ Empire’s elves, Fernan‍‍‍ wasn’t about to tie himself to⁠‍⁠ a political marriage.⁠‌

From⁠ the beginning, he⁠ had better options than Fridian.

“Hmm,‌ was I too‍‍ blunt?”

“Yes.‌ You were.”

“I‍ see.”

The‍‍ marquis let it‍‍ go easily.

Neither⁠ his wife nor‌‍ Aria reacted—they just‌‍ continued eating. And‍ the marquis shifted‌ topics naturally.

“Then‌⁠ let’s talk business.⁠ I already spoke‍ to the branch‍⁠ head, but since‌ you changed the‌⁠ schedule, I want‍ to hear the‌ details directly.”

“Yes,⁠ I was just⁠ about to bring that up…”

And⁠ until the meal‍‌⁠ ended, not once did the marquis⁠‌‍ ask why Fernan⁠⁠ had brought the‌‌ departure forward.

***

“It’s⁠ a letter from‍ the young master.”‍‍⁠

The⁠‌ duke slowly read‍ the letter, written‍‌ in neat handwriting.‍‍

“I’m⁠‍ glad to hear everything went well.‍ Proceed as planned.”‌‍

“Yes,‍‍ sir.”

“And‍⁠ what do you‍ think?”

“I‌‍‌ don’t believe the‍ young master has‍‌ any reason to⁠ lie.”

“I‌ think the same.”‍⁠

They‍⁠‍ had already received‌ the second piece‍⁠‌ of evidence at‌⁠ the estate.

The‍‌‍ two corrupted individuals‍ who attempted to⁠ assassinate Aint Armian.⁠‍⁠

After‍‌ confirming that those⁠ corrupted had infiltrated the Golden Turtle‌⁠ Guild as members,‍ the duke understood‍‍ they were trying‍ to drag the‍⁠ Pellenbergs into the‍‍‍ mire.

“Those‌ insects dare…!”

A thousand years was‌ a long time.‍

Long⁠‍ enough for humans‍‌‍ to forget the‍ existence of demons,‍‍ and for even‍⁠ the prince-electors to forget the fear they once inspired.‌

“It’s⁠⁠ absurd that we‍‍ failed to notice‌ how many corrupted⁠ had hidden themselves⁠‌ within the family⁠ and the guild.”⁠‍

The‌‍ duke let out⁠‌ a bitter smile.⁠‍‍ It was, without a doubt, a personal failure.

“And‍ the Dragon God‌ Cult?”

“They said they’ll deliver‍‌‌ what was promised⁠ shortly. They’re aware‌ of the corrupted‌ too, so it‍ was easy to‍‍ negotiate with them.”‍⁠‌

Once‌ the supplies from⁠ the Dragon God⁠ Cult arrived, they⁠ would begin a thorough search for‌ the corrupted infiltrators‍ within the family.‍

Of‍‍ course, they couldn’t‍⁠ do it openly.‌

The‍‍⁠ fact that no‌‍ one knew the‍⁠‍ corrupted had begun‍ acting again was⁠‌ precisely their greatest‍ strength. And the‌⁠‍ opposite applied as‍ well.

Believing they hadn’t been‍⁠‍ discovered… That false⁠‌ sense of security‍ was one of⁠‌⁠ the two most‌‌‍ powerful weapons the‍ Pellenbergs had right⁠ now. The first,‍ of course, was⁠‌⁠ money.

“For now, comply with⁠‌ all of Fernan’s‌ requests.”

“Yes.‍⁠ We’ll do everything‌ we can.”

Tap, tap.

Even⁠ so, the duke‍ tapped his fingers‍‍ on the desk as if something⁠‍‌ still didn’t sit‍ right with him.

“…We’d‌‌⁠ better prepare for‍ the worst.”

“Sir.”

“He’s‍‌ willingly walking into an obvious trap⁠ set by the‌ corrupted. Even though‌ he’s asking for⁠ support and taking⁠⁠ precautions, what if‍ it’s not enough?”‍⁠

After‌ all, these were‍ the first corrupted‌ to appear in‌‌ a thousand years.‍ He couldn’t afford‌ to let his‌ guard down.

“If⁠‍ the transport operation⁠‌ fails, both the‌ guild and the‌ family will lose‌ all credibility. And⁠ as head of⁠‍⁠ the Pellenbergs, I can’t allow that.”⁠

“Sir.”

“Immediately‌⁠ gather the Red Turtle Company…”

“Sir…!”‍⁠‍

The‍‍⁠ butler interrupted the‌⁠ duke. A serious‌‌‌ breach of decorum,‍⁠ but between them,⁠‌ it had long⁠‌ become a common⁠ practice.

“The‍‌ young master will⁠⁠ be fine. He detected the demonic‍ presence before any⁠‍ of us and‌‍ is already dismantling‌‍‌ their plans.”

“That’s‌‍⁠ what worries me‍ most.”

The‍‍ duke’s eyes turned⁠ cold.

“It⁠ might’ve been coincidence‌ that he discovered the mana stone⁠⁠ vein…”

But‍ repeatedly detecting signs‍ of the corrupted and preparing against⁠‍ them was another‌⁠ matter.

The duke, despite his‍ vast information network,‌ hadn’t even suspected⁠‍⁠ a thing. How‍‍ in the world⁠ had Fernan uncovered‍‌‍ them?

“When‍ this is over, I have many‍‍ questions to ask⁠ him.”

Many,‍‍⁠ indeed.