Chapter 47

After gaining Aria’s cooperation, Fernan headed to the academy library.

『King Colomo and the 72 Demons』

He examined more closely the book he had first seen when he learned about the prophecy book and the existence of demons.

『The 72nd demon, Andromalius.
Has the appearance of a man with a snake coiled around one arm.』

『Black hair, black eyes, and a robust build. He fights using the snake in his hand.』

However, since the book covered all 72 demons in a general way, there wasn’t much detailed information.

Fernan looked for another book.

『The Relationship Between Demons and Monsters』

『Monsters are originally beasts that dwell in the demonic realm. They are servants of demons and form part of their legions.』

『All demons are commanders who lead legions of demonic monsters.』

『In the legion of the 72nd demon, Andromalius, snake-like monsters predominate.』

Even so, he couldn’t find the detailed information he was looking for.

‘How much information has been lost…?’

He understood. A thousand years had passed, and since there hadn’t been any demonic manifestations during that time, it was natural for them to be forgotten.

Even so, considering they were enemies of the Empire, the lack of records was excessive.

‘Isn’t there anything else…?’

As he searched the shelves, someone unexpected appeared in his line of sight.

“Aint Armian?”

The person sitting at a table reading a pile of books was none other than Aint.

Fernan sat down across from him.

“Senior Fernan?”

『The Great War: The Expulsion of the Demons』

The book Aint was reading chronicled the events of that great war.

“You were researching demons?”

“Yes. Gard… No, with the appearance of the corrupted, I thought it’d be best to be prepared.”

Advice from Gardner Alfenparsen? Not a bad idea—if the library held any decent information.

“You’re researching demons too, senior?”

“Yes… But…”

Thinking about it, why was he doing this alone? Right in front of him was the hero destined to face the great demons according to the prophecy book.

They had already witnessed the appearance of the corrupted together and had agreed to cooperate.

Habits are strong. Even though it wasn’t necessary anymore, he kept circling around.

“Aint Armian.”

“Yes, senior.”

“Can you purify demonic energy? Or detect it, for example?”

Though it wasn’t detailed in the prophecy book, there were a few lines suggesting that Aint could purify demonic energy.

Even ancient records of the first emperor’s achievements mentioned such purification. He didn’t know how effective it would be, but Aint shouldn’t be completely incapable.

“…It’s not completely impossible.”

“Then, if a demon manifested right now, could you defeat it?”

“…Which demon specifically?”

“Let’s say the lowest one, the 72nd, Andromalius.”

He recalled reading that a demon’s number didn’t represent its power, but that wasn’t the point now.

“…Uh, um… I don’t know.”

— What nonsense are you saying now?

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Aint couldn’t answer immediately. Sure, since entering the academy, he’d grown significantly.

He had drawn the sword of the first emperor, recovered a lost secret technique thanks to Gardner, consumed the heart of the Saint Bird—a top-tier elixir—and defeated Verian Kalburdern, positioning himself as one of the best in his class.

However, demons still felt like a distant threat. Fighting corrupted wasn’t the same.

— It’s impossible. As you are now, you couldn’t defeat Andromalius.

Gardner Alfenparsen was blunt.

“…I don’t think I could.”

“I figured as much.”

Fernan didn’t look disappointed. In fact, that’s exactly what the prophecy book said.

Aint was defeated, and Luina faced Andromalius. And after Luina’s defeat, Aint awakened.

Victory only came through a nearly theatrical sequence of events.

That’s why Andromalius’s manifestation needed to happen. However, they could at least prepare the stage in their favor beforehand.

“Then, setting that aside, I’d like you to use that ability to detect demonic energy…”

At that moment, the thing he feared most arrived—at the worst possible time.

A terrible headache struck Fernan.

***

[“Final exams begin now!”]

The first was “Warfare and Practical Dueling Techniques.”

It was a real combat exam, like those they’d practiced since entering the academy.

The difference was that it wouldn’t be held in a dojo, but on an open battlefield.
“The field will be circular, with a 5 km radius. Terrain will be randomly selected: forest, lake, desert, swamp, mountain, grassland, or tundra.”

And terrain types were practically endless.

[“Aint defeated Barus!”

“So it wasn’t a fluke that he beat Verian?”

“Verian beat Hain. It’s not like he was weak.”

“He ranked in the thirties during the entrance exam. How did he climb so fast?”]

Barus Dene was third in the Knight Department’s first year, and Hain Caronin was ranked sixth.

[“Aint Armian in second place?”

“Wow, he really got second! I thought that was a joke…”

“Verian Kalburdern is third.”

“From thirty-eighth to second in one semester…? Is that even possible?”
“It’s Aint Armian, after all…”]

[“Aint Armian will move to Rabidus residence starting the second semester.”]

— Vacation lasts 70 days. If you’ve got nowhere to go, come with me off-campus.

“A kind of training?”

— There are limits in the academy. Being a mercenary in the real world might help too.

— Monsters, or rather, the corrupted?

“Thanks for giving me this opportunity, Aint Armian. Leaving the academy of your own will to venture into the wild…”

—Run!]

***

“Senior?”

The voice calling him brought Fernan back from the future to the present.

“Are you okay, senior?”

With superhuman effort, Fernan suppressed the grimace of pain threatening to twist his face.

‘What was I about to say…?’

“…Nothing. I’m thinking of narrowing down the suspects. But I can’t investigate them without raising suspicions. That’s why I need your help.”

“For that, you can count on me anytime.”

“Thanks. When the time comes, I’ll send someone. Also, read this. I’m heading out first.”

Fernan handed him the open book at the Andromalius section and quickly left.

“…What was all that about?”

— He looked like he’d taken a huge hit. Did he see something?

His face showed no emotion, but for a moment, his pupils lost focus.

— He was sweating cold. There was no reason for that, and yet…

“Could he be sick?”

— Maybe. Still, it’s impressive. To be in such bad shape and not even frown…

— Classic Pellenberg…

“In the end, all that money is useless. What kind of illness could it be…?”

Aint clicked his tongue with concern.

— By the way… why did he suddenly bring up Andromalius? Does that rich guy know something…?

***

“What an absolute disappointment. Failure, another failure, and more failure.”

The man turned the page of the book.

“Once might be bad luck. Twice, a bad moment. But three times? That’s just pure incompetence.”

“…I have committed an unforgivable crime, Your Excellency.”

The shadow slammed to the ground with a loud thud, pressing its forehead to the floor. Its hunched body trembled uncontrollably.

“You’ve committed an unforgivable crime…?”

Another page was turned.

“Then you should die. What face do you have to show yourself to me?”

“Your Excellency…!”

“But before that…”

Clack. The man closed the book.

“The plan had no flaws. Where did it all go wrong?”

“We got them to set up camp exactly where we prepared the trap. Just as planned, we caused rain to immobilize them, weakened the terrain, and collapsed it.”

“Up to that point, everything went according to plan.”

And then? The man murmured in a low voice.

“Then, we distracted them using the Shades and sent in Barca.”

Up to that point, everything was perfect. Up to that point.

“Their attention was completely focused on Barca. If things had followed their natural course, they wouldn’t have been able to stop him, and during that time we would’ve corrupted the branch of the World Tree.”

The corrupted branch of the World Tree was meant to be planted in the academy. The cradle of the Empire. Its future. Only by destroying it could they more easily trample over the Empire.

“That plan was conceived by me. So with what right do you dare to make excuses after failing?”

“I-I’m terribly sorry…”

“Then tell me what went wrong. When they were desperately chasing Barca and moved away from the World Tree, your mission was to infiltrate among the Shades and corrupt their branch.”

Knowing Fernan Pellenberg’s personality, he would have done everything possible to cover up the failure, if he could.

The covert corruption prepared over such a long time wouldn’t have been detected, and the other components would have been replaced without a trace.

That would’ve been cheaper. And it would’ve prevented the Pellenberg name from being tarnished.

That would’ve been enough. The corrupted branch of the World Tree would have taken root in the academy without issue, awaiting the right moment.

In the warm cradle that was the heart of the Empire.

“…A golem appeared.”

“…What?”

Gulp. The shadow swallowed hard.

“A golem distracted Barca. When it destroyed one, another appeared… and so on, one after another…”

In total, four golems.

“Four golems perfectly held Barca in place, and Aria Fridian and Fernan Pellenberg never left the World Tree. That’s why…”

If they were caught tampering with the World Tree, it would be over. Not even someone like Pellenberg would be naïve enough to allow the academy to receive a World Tree manipulated by the corrupted.

“…You’re saying he was carrying four golems?”

Did that even make sense? The man’s face twisted slightly.

“…Is there a chance he already knew about our plan?”

“Impossible. If that were the case, he wouldn’t have fallen into the trap in the first place.”

“True. If it were Fernan Pellenberg, he would’ve protected the supplies with tooth and nail.”

Heh. The man let out a bitter laugh.

“So you’re telling me that brat walks around with four golems… or who knows how many more?”

Hahahahaha. The man suddenly burst into laughter.

“Now I get it. Why you failed. It was inevitable… That cowardly rich brat ruined everything!”

Hahahahahaha…!

“Th-Thank you for understanding…”

At that moment, the laughter cut off abruptly.

─!

The shadow’s head exploded. Dark fragments splattered in all directions.

“But that doesn’t mean you get to live. Three times is enough.”

Tap.

The man snapped his fingers.

The black fragments that had stained the library vanished without a trace.

“From now on, watch Fernan Pellenberg along with Aint Armian. From now on, all plans must account for Fernan and the Pellenberg family. Do not make the same mistake again.”

“Yes.”

Another shadow bowed its head.

“And I have a new report for you, Your Excellency.”

“What is it?”

“We’ve found a preparation that man left for his descendants.”

The man’s eyes sparkled with interest.

“But we’ll need some time to obtain it. There’s a very strong protective magic circle.”

“Set a trap.”

The man responded without hesitation.

“When Aint Armian comes to retrieve it, finish him off right then. If we can kill him, it doesn’t matter if our existence is exposed—it will still be a gain.”

“Understood.”

“And if he doesn’t come, that’s fine too. Break the magic circle and take what’s inside.”

Anyway, after the final exams came the vacation period. They’d have plenty of time to steal it at leisure.

“I’ll carry out your orders. And what should we do about the World Tree?”

“For now, postpone the plan and observe. If we act now, we’ll only draw attention.”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

The shadow vanished.