A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Demonic⁠ spawn and monsters⁠⁠ are not the‌ same.

While‌ monsters were native‌ species that had⁠ inhabited this continent‍ since time immemorial, demonic spawn were‍⁠ minions brought by⁠ demons.

Their‌⁠ difference was fundamental,‍‌ and the most‌ evident at a glance was the‌ open presence of‌‍⁠ demonic energy.

That’s‍ what they taught⁠‌ at the academy.⁠

And‌‌‌ it was correct.‍‌

“Those‌⁠ are Shades.”

Demonic⁠ creatures in the‍⁠‍ shape of shadows, completely covered in‍‍ absolute black. They⁠ have no defined‍‍ form and tend‌ to mimic nearby‌ living creatures.

“I didn’t expect to see spawn here…‍‍‌ But it’s just⁠‌‌ like they taught‍‌ at the academy.”⁠⁠

At first glance, it⁠ looked like a group of assorted‌ monsters. Except for‍‍ the detail that‌ all their eyes‌ were red and‍‌‍ their bodies black.⁠‌

“Professor‌⁠‌ Balmon really was⁠ a great teacher.”‍

“This‍ isn’t the time‌⁠ for sentimental comments.”‌

The⁠ situation was quite⁠‌⁠ serious. Thanks to‍‌ Fernan’s magic, everyone‌ falling had been saved, but it‌⁠‍ wasn’t possible to safely stop all‍ the huge carts‌⁠ loaded with goods.⁠

Several of them were‌ falling directly into‌ the depths full‌‍ of Shades.

And‍‌ among them was—‌

“Aria,⁠ stop the carts⁠ from falling using⁠‍⁠ spirits!”

The⁠‌ fourth cart—the one‍⁠ transporting the World⁠‌ Tree.

Damn⁠ it. Fernan dove‍‍ down.

“Which‍⁠ one?”

“All‌ of them!”

Aria came to his⁠ side instantly, deploying⁠‌ five spirits in‍ different directions.

“I can’t handle them all!”

It‌ was true, she‍ only had five⁠‍⁠ spirits and seven⁠‌ carts were falling.‍‍

“Then‌‍‌ push yourself past‌⁠ your limit!”

Fernan‌⁠‌ didn’t even listen‌ as he manipulated‍⁠⁠ his mana. His‌ enhanced vision lit‍ up the darkness‌ a little.

Even‍⁠ while saying that,‌ he knew exactly which one to‍⁠ protect. He had‌‌‍ already marked it beforehand.

The⁠‍ cart closest to‍ the ground, about to crash.

“That‌‌‌ one, Aria! The‍⁠‍ one furthest down!”‌

“Understood!”‌

Wind‌‍ brushed past Fernan⁠⁠ as Aria, followed by three wind⁠ spirits, shot down‌ like an arrow.‌

Just‍‍ before the cart‍ fell into the⁠ open mouths of⁠‌ the spawn, the‍ fall stopped.

About‍‍‌ 50 centimeters above‌‌‍ the ground. Aria‍‌ landed lightly atop‍ the cart.

“I’ve⁠⁠ got it!”

It was a relief,‌‌ but that didn’t‌ mean the danger⁠⁠ was over. Shades transformed into monsters‍ like hounds, orcs,‌‍ goblins, and even‍ animals like bears‍⁠ or bats bared their fangs at the prey that⁠‌ had fallen from‌ the sky.

But‍ Fernan wasn’t going to let them act.

Clang!‍‌

Flasks‍‌ with reagents fell⁠⁠ around the cart.⁠⁠ Whoosh, flames surged,‍⁠‍ and the Shades,‌ creatures of shadow,‍ instinctively retreated.

A second later, Fernan⁠ landed.

He⁠‌ struck the ground⁠⁠ with his staff⁠ and activated a pre-prepared spell, erecting⁠⁠ a huge barrier⁠ that separated the Shades from the‍⁠ cart.

The‌ calm didn’t last.⁠‌ The thunder and⁠ blows shook the⁠⁠ barrier.

“What‍ do we do⁠ now?”

Aria‍ landed softly with⁠⁠ the cart suspended.⁠

“What⁠‍‍ else? Kill them⁠‍⁠ all and get out of here.”‍⁠

Looking‍‍⁠ up, he noticed⁠ they had fallen‌‌⁠ about 40 meters.⁠

‘Was‍‌⁠ this space down⁠‍ here?’

It‍⁠‍ wasn’t a simple‌‌‍ cave but a kind of gigantic‌ dungeon with a massive underground flow⁠⁠ to one side.‌

And‍ it was crawling‌‌⁠ with demonic spawn‍‌ and destroyed carts.‌

“All‍⁠ that… so much‍‌ money lost.”

“Yes, it’s a shame.”⁠‍

“…?”⁠‌

“What’s⁠ wrong?”

“Nothing.”‍

‘Maybe‌⁠⁠ I’m getting too‍‍ used to Luina—she⁠ would’ve complained if‍ that was really‌‌ important right now.’‌

“Listen⁠‌ up, Aria.”

“I’m‌‍ listening.”

“Take‌ the cart up immediately. Can you⁠ do it?”

“I⁠‌ can. For now.”⁠

“For‍⁠‌ now?”

It‍ was an ambiguous⁠ answer.

“I‍ think I won’t‍ be able to‍‍ much longer.”

Then‌‌ Fernan noticed something⁠ strange.

Aria’s‌⁠ pointed ears wouldn’t‍ stop twitching. That⁠ meant she was‍‌ hearing something he‌‍ couldn’t.

“What⁠⁠ is it?”

“You’ll⁠⁠‍ hear it soon.”‍⁠‍

A rhythmic sound shook⁠‌ the cavern.

If‌ he wasn’t mistaken,⁠⁠ they were footsteps.⁠‍‍ Of something enormous.‍

As⁠ the sound approached,⁠ the demonic energy‍ also intensified.

“…Barca.”⁠

A ten-meter-tall creature, bipedal with skin harder⁠ than steel, fangs capable of devouring‍⁠ anything, and monstrous‍⁠⁠ jaws. Claws sharper⁠ than any legendary⁠⁠‍ sword.

A category 4 demonic⁠‌⁠ spawn registered in⁠ the book “Studies‌‍‌ on Spawn and Monsters.”

It⁠⁠⁠ could easily devour⁠ dozens of trolls⁠ and even ogres.‌

Unlike‍ Shades, which were⁠⁠ category 8 and‍‌ numerous but manageable,‍ this was another matter.

“…Damn⁠‍ it.”

Its⁠‌‍ four red eyes‍ gleamed, clearly focused‌ on them.

His‌⁠ skin crawled.

He‍ understood—with his current‍⁠⁠ level, it was‍‌‍ impossible to defeat‍ it. Die here?‌‍ In a place‌ like this?

Not‌ after everything he’d‌ been through to⁠ interpret the prophecy‍ and survive.

“Hyde!”‍

The Shades charging ahead‌‌ of Barca were‍ cleaved in two.⁠

A cut so silent the spawn didn’t⁠⁠ even realize they’d⁠‍ been killed.

In‍‌‍ front of Fernan⁠ appeared a bodyguard⁠‍ wielding a sword.⁠

“…Eh?‌⁠ That’s the senior’s‍‌ escort? I didn’t‌ know he had‌‍ that much skill.”‍‌

Fernan‍ ignored Aria’s light‌ tone.

“Hyde, handle that thing.”‍

“That‌ thing… even for⁠ me, it’ll be‌‍ tough.”

“I’ll‌‍ distract it. You‍‍ find an opening‌ and…”

Roaaar!⁠‍

A deafening roar shook⁠ the cave.

BOOM!‍⁠⁠ BOOM!

Barca began charging toward‌ Fernan.

“…Not‍⁠ even a second‍‍ of respite, huh?”⁠

WUUUUNG!‍

The‌⁠ subspace opened, and⁠⁠ a five-meter golem launched to block‌ Barca.

Exactly‌‌ 30 seconds.

2 seconds for the⁠⁠‌ golem to swing⁠ its greatsword. 4 seconds for the‍‍⁠ claws to block and rip off‍ the chest armor.‌ 10 seconds for the tail to‌‌ wrap around its‍‌‍ body. 25 seconds‌ to completely destroy⁠ it.

And⁠ 30 to hurl‍ it to pieces.‌⁠

Fernan,‍ Aria, and Hyde⁠⁠ were left speechless.⁠

“…What‌‌ the hell…”

“What‍‍ kind of monster⁠⁠ is that…?”

“That’s‌ category 4…?”

Even⁠‍ if the golem‍ wasn’t directly linked,‌‍ this was insane.‍ But there was‌⁠⁠ no time to⁠⁠⁠ contemplate the carnage.⁠‌⁠

Ka-ka-ka-kak—‍‌

A chilling laugh. Barca‍ was mocking them.‍

As‌ if playing with‌ its prey, Barca⁠‌ leapt gracefully.

And‌ then—

——!⁠

Another⁠ golem fell on‍⁠ him.

Boom!‌‌

The⁠⁠ golem’s weight crushed‍‌ it.

“Hyde,‌⁠‍ do what I told you now!‍ It won’t hold‌⁠ much longer!”

“…Yes,‍ I trust you.”⁠‌

Hyde‌ vanished.

“Who‌⁠ said I’d let‌‍‍ myself be devoured‌ so easily?”

Spawn, mutated spawn, demons—it‍ didn’t matter. In‍ the end, the‌‍ one who survives‍ is him.

Fernan‌ looked at the⁠ Barca pinned under⁠ the golem.

“I’ve⁠ still got four left.”

He‍⁠ hadn’t brought just‌ one golem. Spawn‌⁠ and golems clashed.‌‌

The ground trembled and‌‍ chunks of the⁠ cave ceiling fell.‍⁠⁠

Shockwaves‌‌ swept over the⁠ Shades, who screamed‍ as they were⁠⁠⁠ dragged along. Those‍‍⁠ who survived lunged‌ instinctively at their‍‍‌ prey.

Even‌ if their legs‍‍ were torn off or torsos crushed,⁠ they didn’t stop.⁠

Their⁠ target was Fernan‍‌ Pellenberg, completely still,⁠‌ linked to his golem.

Just⁠ before they reached⁠‍ him, blades of‌‌ wind shredded them.‍‍

“This is too reckless!”‌‍‍

Aria⁠ summoned spirits. Her⁠‌ maximum—five.

They‍⁠ formed a barrier‌⁠ around the immobile‍‌ Fernan. They were the only defense‌⁠ against the wave‍ of Shades.

“Haa, haa… I can⁠⁠ do this! I can do this!”‍‍

Compared‍‌‍ to Barca, the‍⁠ Shades were weaker,‍‌ but they were⁠‌ still spawn.

And‌ Aria had to stay still. Give‌‍ up her elven‍ agility and push‌ herself too far.‍‌

“No,‌ I can’t. I’m‌ going to die‍ like this.”

Her‌ mana and stamina were running out.‌‌

She‌‌⁠ extended her staff‍ and recited a spell. A small⁠ tornado tore through‌ a dozen Shades.

“My mana…!”

But‌⁠ as it weakened,⁠⁠ a spawn broke‍ through the wind‌ and tried to‍ bite her. Aria‍ reacted and struck‌ it with her⁠ staff.

Boom, the bat went⁠ flying, but an⁠ orc raised its‌⁠ mace behind her.⁠

She‌ opened her eyes‍ wide in desperation.⁠‍

She tried to lift‌⁠ her staff but‍ had no strength.‍‌‍

At⁠ that moment—

BOOOM!‌‍

Something‍ fell on the‍⁠‍ Shade.

Through⁠ the dust, a golem appeared. Or⁠‍ rather, a heap⁠⁠ of scrap—the golem‌ destroyed by Barca.‌

It⁠ stopped moving, and‍‌ Barca crushed it,‌ roaring in victory.‌‍

But.

──!⁠

The⁠ battle wasn’t over.⁠

The⁠‍ subspace opened, and⁠‍‍ the fourth round‌ began.

“Haa…”‌‍

Aria,‍‍ barely saved, glanced⁠ sideways at Fernan,⁠ seated cross-legged with eyes closed.

His⁠⁠ clothes soaked—not with⁠ water, but sweat.‌‍

“…I’ve⁠‍ saved his life⁠⁠ several times now.‌ He better thank‌‌ me. With something‍ real, not just‌⁠ words.”

Like⁠ an invitation to‍⁠ the Yacht Club.‍‌‌ Or a closer⁠ relationship between Fridian‍⁠ and Pellenberg.

No‌‍ response, as expected.⁠‌

“I⁠‍‍ hate risking my life like this!”‌‍

Aria‍ forcibly drank a potion.

The⁠ Shades were still‍ too many.

***⁠

‘….’‌

When a mage controls⁠ a golem, they are completely defenseless.⁠

They close their eyes⁠‍ and block out‌ all their senses.‌⁠ But that doesn’t‌⁠‍ mean they are totally disconnected from‌ the outside world.‌

Because‍⁠‍ they still perceive‍⁠ the world through‌ the golem.

Sensory‍ blocking exists to‌ be able to‍ control the golem⁠ more precisely, to⁠‌ feel it as‍⁠‍ if it were their own body.‌‌‌

‘Damn⁠ it.’

That’s‍ why he could⁠ feel everything so‌⁠ clearly.

How‍ much difference there‍⁠‌ was in strength,⁠‍⁠ how clumsy and‌ weak that gigantic‌ body was.
And how little⁠⁠ talent he had‍‍ for swordsmanship.

“Tsk!”⁠‌

The⁠ massive sword custom-made‍‍ for the golem⁠⁠ sliced through the‌ air.

Barca‍ dodged the attack‌ with ease, without⁠‌ even rushing, and‍⁠‍ let out a mocking laugh.

‘Damn‌‌ spawn!’

Fernan⁠ threw a punch,‍ but it was blocked. The monster’s⁠ tail struck the golem’s chest.

Boom!⁠‍

The‌ thick armor caved‌ in. The impact‌ pushed the golem‌ back several steps, and Barca didn’t‍‍ waste the opportunity—he‌‌ lunged at it.

Crash!⁠‍

The⁠ head burst under‌ the pressure of‍⁠ his jaw.

The‌‍ link was abruptly⁠‍ severed, and Fernan‍⁠ barely managed to‌‍ suppress the blood rising to his⁠ throat.

He‍⁠ wanted to give‌ up. His mana was nearly depleted,‌‍ and both his‍ mana heart and‍ circuits were damaged‌⁠ from overuse.

And‌ still.

Even⁠‌ so, he couldn’t⁠‌‍ give up.

Bzzzt!⁠

A new golem emerged‌ from subspace. It‌ lunged at Barca’s‌ neck, who was⁠‍ roaring triumphantly over‌ the fallen golem.

‘This‍‍⁠ is the third‌ one.’

This‌ was the fourth‍ golem. He only⁠‍ had one left,‍ and he didn’t⁠‌ even have the⁠‌ energy to control⁠ it. He had to finish it⁠⁠ here and now.‍

Bam!‌⁠

The‌‍ golem struck from above as Barca‌‌ fell backward.

Bang!‍ Bang!

‘Die…!’⁠‌

He‍⁠ hit again and⁠ again.

‘Just‌⁠ die already, damn‌ it!’

Barca’s‍⁠ head was partially⁠‌ crushed. And still, the monster spewed⁠⁠ miasma and shoved‍‍ the golem forcefully.⁠‌

The‌ armor melted from‌ the acid. Fernan⁠⁠ clenched his teeth⁠‌ at that insane‍ resistance.

‘Hurry…!’‌

Crack!⁠

The golem’s leg snapped.‍‍

The‌⁠ torso staggered backward.‌‌

‘Come‍ on, hurry!’

Barca‍ stomped it and⁠ laughed. When the core heart was⁠ destroyed with a spark, Fernan saw⁠⁠ a black silhouette rising above the‌⁠ monster’s head.

A red sword shot‌‍‍ out like a lightning bolt.

An‌ aura sword nearly‍ three meters long‌‌ pierced straight into⁠‌ the monster’s open⁠‍ wound.

Barca⁠ spat blood.

He⁠ tried to shake‌ it off like‌‍‌ a fly. But‌⁠‍ Fernan didn’t miss⁠ the chance.

With⁠‌ his mana heart‌ on the brink‌‍‌ of collapse, he‍ forced the summoning‍ of the final‌⁠ golem.

There‌‍ was no control‍ or calculation. It‍‍‍ was simply a brutal launch, but‍ enough to briefly⁠⁠ immobilize Barca.

And‍‌ in that instant,⁠ Hyde drove his‌ sword into the⁠‌ wound again.

Crack!‍‌‍

Barca’s⁠‍‌ head split open.‌

With‍‍ a boom, the‍⁠‌ monster collapsed to⁠ the ground. Fernan⁠‍⁠ opened his eyes‌‍‍ just as a trickle of blood‍ ran from the⁠ corner of his‌‌ lips.

“You’re⁠‍ late! So damn‍‍ late!”

“You’re‍‌ right! I was⁠⁠⁠ late!”

“I‌‍⁠ did everything I could!”

“They‍ broke four of⁠ my golems!! Do‌⁠ you have any‌⁠ idea how much‍⁠ they cost?!”

“I‍‌⁠ almost died, remember?!‌ And stop acting⁠ like it’s all‍ over—get over here‍ and help me⁠‌ already!”

Aria,‍ still fighting off‍‌ the Shades, shouted‍ indignantly.

And at that moment—‍‍

“Lord‌‍⁠ Fernan, watch out!”‌

“What‍ the hell is⁠ that?”

“Self…‍‍‍ destruction?”

Barca’s⁠ decapitated corpse began⁠ to swell rapidly.‌

Fernan‍ hastily erected a magical wall, Aria‌⁠ raised a gust⁠‍ of wind, and‍‌ Hyde stood in‍⁠ front of Fernan.‌‌

─────!!!‍⁠

The‍ explosion rocked everything.‍‍ The miasma ravaged‌ everything in its‌ path.

Rocks,‍‌ Shades, underground waters—even‍ the carriages.

Only‍⁠⁠ three people survived,‍‍‌ protected by multiple‍ barriers and artifacts.‍‍‍

“…Hah.”‍

Fernan⁠‌‍ let out a hollow laugh. Most‌ of the carriages had melted from‍ the miasma.

The scene was so‌‌ horrific he almost⁠‍ forgot the pain⁠ in his body.‍

“Aria.”‍⁠‍

“Speak.”⁠⁠⁠

“I’ve‍ got two good‌ news… and one‌ bad. Which do‌‌ you want first?”‌⁠‌

“Hmm,‌‌ the good ones.”‍

“First,‌⁠ thanks to that monster’s self-destruction, all the Shades were⁠⁠ annihilated. Second, I put an artifact‌ inside the box⁠‌‍ that held the‌ World Tree branch.‍‌ Thanks to that,‌‌ the branch survived.”⁠

“And⁠‌ the bad?”

“It’s‍ not completely intact.”⁠‍‍

“Yeah…‌ I can see that.”

The‍⁠ branch of the‍‌ World Tree, peeking⁠‌ out from the⁠ broken box, showed black stains as⁠ if to declare⁠‍ on its own‌‍ that it had⁠ been corrupted.