A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 47

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.