Chapter 61

The corrupt magic of the monster exploded.

The mercenaries were blown back, and Varus hurled himself among them.

‘No…!’

He wanted to scream in despair, but no voice came out.

Boom!

A roar shook the place, and Varus was sent flying.

The corrupt magic, spreading like tentacles, engulfed him completely once he hit the ground.

Right after, Aint’s body, which had been motionless all that time, suddenly surged forward.

Flash!

A white light flared, slicing through all the corrupt magic in one stroke.

The light, fueled by rage, shone fiercely and charged straight toward evil.

“This can’t be! You’ve already reached that level? I definitely can’t let you live!”

With a furious roar, evil clashed against light, and darkness and clarity collided.

It was then that Aint opened his eyes.

“……”

From halfway through the dream, he had already suspected what it was.

A replay of a past that wouldn’t have happened if he had just been a little stronger.

— You’re drenched in sweat. That dream again?

“Yes. I can’t get it out of my head.”

— It’s a useless worry.

— That filthy corrupt was defeated by your sword.

— He was injured, but survived. And the healer said with proper rehabilitation he could recover. You don’t need to worry so much.

Gardner was right. Varus had received grave injuries and was in danger, but he overcame the worst.

Not only had all the corrupt magic been cleansed with an elixir brought by the King of Mercenaries, but he had even grown because of it. It was a blessing in disguise.

And the corrupt had fallen to Aint’s sword.

“…Can it really be called a victory?”

But it hadn’t been an easy battle.

The fury at Varus’s injury, the desperate will to survive, and the repeated struggle had driven him into a new awakening.

There was no other way to describe it except as luck.

— It wasn’t luck.

— Enlightenment only comes to those who are prepared.

— And besides, you should thank that rich brat Fernan. If it weren’t for the Saint bird’s heart he gave you, you’d be dead right now.

True. Aint gave a faint nod.

Fernan’s intervention had caused a butterfly effect that raised Aint’s evaluation.

And because of that, no one knew that an even stronger corrupt was drawing near.

“I know. I know all that…”

— You’re afraid that if you barely managed against that corrupt, you won’t be able to face a real demon?

The words, which struck the nail on the head, made Aint nod cautiously.

Neither his lineage as Armian’s heir, nor his radiant swordsmanship, natural enemy of demons, nor even the pride of having been chosen by the First Emperor… none of that mattered in that moment.

— You’re right. At your current level, you probably couldn’t face a demon. No, you definitely couldn’t. I’m sure of it.

“…But I’m not the same as before.”

— Was that too obvious?

“That’s such a cliché line from a play. I never thought I’d hear it for real.”

Still, at least it was a little comforting. Aint let out a small laugh.

“You’re right, Gardner.”

When he first entered the academy, Aint had ranked 38th. He was somewhat special, but not enough to stand out.

That changed.

Since meeting Gardner, he had defeated Anton, who was tenth.

He had survived the corrupts’ ambush, fought sea serpents, and grown even further.

And now, though he had nearly died, the one still standing was Aint. If it had been the Aint from before he entered the academy, he would have died without even resisting.

As Gardner said, Aint was growing, and at a terrifying pace.

“Varus nearly died, but in the end he survived. We defeated the corrupt. The King of Mercenaries learned of their existence and vowed to eradicate them. So, in a way, everything turned out well.”

Yes, the situation had improved considerably.

“Unless a demon suddenly pops up out of nowhere, there shouldn’t be a problem.”

Aint allowed himself some hope.

— Exactly. Besides, it’s not like demons are insects crawling everywhere. They’re not going to appear out of nowhere.

Knock knock.

“Aint, Lord Varus asks if you’d like to have dinner with him. Do you have time?”

“Of course.”

With those thoughts dispelled, Aint’s face, as he stepped out of the room, radiated peace.

***

“Really, I still can’t believe it! You killed that monster?”

“But you didn’t see it, did you?”

“Uh-huh, so shut it, coward who dropped without even fighting.”

“Are you calling me trash?”

“Yes.”

Pffft, Varus and Aint burst into laughter at the same time.

“How’s mercenary work? Getting used to it?”

“I’m starting to feel comfortable.”

Since Varus had woken, Aint’s routine had become quite simple.

He worked with the surviving mercenaries of the Shadow Lance group, building real combat experience and learning the mercenary lifestyle. Each time he finished a mission, he went to visit Varus.

“It’s an ogre! Spread out and surround it!”

“Don’t face it head-on! Wear it down bit by bit!”

From simpler extermination missions.

“This isn’t gnoll territory…?”

“Protect the cart! It can’t take damage! What it’s carrying is worth more than any of you!”

To caravan escorts.

“We want to reach Alsen in three days.”

“If you want that, you’ll have to pass through Kalkan Canyon.”

“That’s why we hired mercenaries. It’s dangerous, so the pay is high.”

Even escorting important people.

In about forty days, Aint had completed seven missions, establishing himself as an experienced mercenary.

“Just looking at you, anyone would think you’re a mercenary. No one would guess an Armian heir wears worn leather armor and lives like a grunt.”

“I never imagined I’d end up working as a mercenary myself.”

Even fallen, he was still royalty.

They say even a ruined rich family can last three years. And a dynasty that had ruled the empire for nearly nine hundred?

He had never thought he’d end up in stinking armor, sleeping on the ground and eating tough dried meat.

— And that’s why this experience is so valuable.

— Complaining about a bit of dried meat? Back in my day, we swallowed monsters alive and fought demons.

Aint didn’t even bother replying anymore. Varus glanced at the calendar.

“You’re leaving tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“Classes are starting soon, huh?”

The holidays, which had seemed endless, now had only two weeks left. If he left tomorrow, he’d reach the academy in about seven days.

And then the second semester would officially begin.

“…Actually, I should go too.”

“Recover and come back soon.”

“I applied for a leave of absence for this semester.”

Though he was recovering well, considering rehabilitation, returning to classes that same year was unrealistic.

There was no way to keep up with the others in that condition.

“Well, missing a semester isn’t the end of the world. If I take an intensive summer course, I can catch up. But what makes me sad is not being able to participate in the festival.”

The day of the empire’s founding.

The day the First Emperor proclaimed it was the empire’s greatest holiday, celebrated across the nation. The academy was no exception.

Especially important were the Knight Department’s jousting tournament and the Mage Department’s Grand Magic Duel.

“It was the perfect chance to show those knights what the Shadow Lance is worth…!”

Certainly, Varus’s skill in mounted combat was exceptional. If he had participated, he would have achieved remarkable results.

“I’ll do well in your place.”

“You? Sure, you worked with me as a mercenary, but that doesn’t mean you can represent me. What’s mine is mine.”

Though.

“Don’t lose while carrying our group’s emblem. And if you’re going to lose, don’t you dare say you were with us! You’d disgrace us!”

“Aren’t I ranked higher than you?”

“Reputation and ranking are two different things.”

Aint and Varus laughed together, locking eyes with camaraderie.

Without realizing it, Aint felt warm inside. This mercenary experience hadn’t only given him real combat, but something more important—a friend he could trust, no, a true comrade-in-arms.

“Well, I’m off.”

“Yeah, see you.”

***

Aint returned to the academy the same way he had left, traveling by ship.

Since the incident at the Yacht Club, quite a few naval patrols could be seen patrolling the academy’s waters.

‘Now that I think about it, didn’t they say they were going to open a naval combat course?’

After all the chaos they had gone through, it was only natural that they started worrying about battles at sea.

The ship glided across the waters until it reached the academy. The port was filled with students returning, just like Aint.

— Where are you going? You don’t have to stay in those filthy places anymore. Now you should head to the Ravidus Building.

“Ah, right. I had forgotten.”

He remembered that after placing second in the rankings, his residence had changed, and that he had sent his luggage there right after the semester ended.

“I can’t believe I came back here by my own merit. It’s quite a special feeling.”

Aint admired the classical silhouette of the Ravidus Building. Before, he had been there as a guest visiting Verian, but now he was a rightful resident.

“Welcome, Sir Aint. We will escort you.”

As soon as he entered the lobby, the maids greeted him kindly. At that moment, he ran into Verian, who was just leaving the building.

“Verian, it’s been a while.”

“Aint, you’re back already. Did you relax too much just because you ranked second?”

“I wouldn’t say that. Where are you going?”

“I’m going to see Senior Fernan.”

“Senior Fernan? Let’s go together. I also have things to tell him.”

Things about the demon they had encountered in the Kingdom of Frazia. Although he had sent a letter during the recess, there were many details that could only be discussed in person.

“…Do as you want.”

Verian nodded with a reluctant expression.

“Did you go home during the vacation?”

“No. I took summer semester classes.”

“Ah, that’s right, you said you would.”

“And you? I feel like your aura is a bit sharper.”

“I was in Frazia.”

“Frazia? Doing mercenary work, perhaps?”

“How did you know?”

“It’s obvious.”

There were two places on the continent where mercenaries were most concentrated.

One was Bercheff, and the other, Frazia.

The reason was simple: they were filled with monsters to be exterminated, which brought in good money.

“So that’s why you have that rougher air.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Someone who used to look so calm now looks sharper. How could it not be noticeable?”

After that, there was a brief silence.

“By the way, where are we going?”

“To the southern forest.”

“Senior Fernan is there? Why?”

“You’ll know when we get there. Ah, and now that I remember, he asked me to let him know as soon as you arrived, so I guess you can come.”

“Me? Why?”

“That I don’t know. Stop asking so much.”

Another silence fell between the two.

After walking quite a distance into the forest, Aint felt a strange sensation brush against his senses.

“…Black magic?”

— It’s black magic.

That repulsive feeling, already so familiar to him.

Aint stopped. And at that moment,

Rumble rumble rumble!

Not far away, a massive column of darkness rose vertically, tearing the sky with a roar.

“…! Kgh!”

“What the hell is that…?!”

The shockwave swept the surroundings. Aint and Verian crouched to withstand the impact.

—!

The column of darkness released a magical wave that expanded in the form of a dome, covering the entire forest with a murky miasma.

— …It’s a barrier!

“…What the hell is happening here?!”

“Verian! What’s in there?!”

“…A branch.”

“Branch?”

“A branch of the World Tree. It’s half corrupted.”

“…What did you just say?”

Fernan had already told him they had brought a branch of the World Tree. But this?

— Wasn’t this supposed to be top-secret information? How the hell does this guy know where it is?

— Wait… did you say the branch is corrupted by black magic? Then that means…

Those damned fools! Is this how they guard the World Tree?! Gardner cursed furiously.

At that moment.

—!

An inhuman sound, impossible to describe with human words, resonated inside the barrier.

──!

A chilling scream spread through the forest, making everyone’s skin crawl.

“…A tree?”

The branches intertwined, forming a gigantic tree that grew rapidly, as if trying to pierce the sky.

“…Is space… breaking apart?”

Verian’s jaw dropped. Aint followed his gaze.

Where the branches stretched, the sky began to crack, and fragments fell to the ground.

— It can’t be… it can’t be!

‘What is all this?!’

— If my suspicions are correct, this is…!

At that moment, a white hand emerged from the crack.

Crack crack crack— Forcing the space open, the destruction accelerated.

The suffocating stench of black magic inside the barrier made Aint turn pale.

— …It’s a demon.

After the hand came an arm, then a head, and finally, a torso.

— A demon is descending…!

The creature had a human form, but it was impossible to consider it human. Around its arm coiled a snake.

“…Andromalius.”

The rank 72 demon Andromalius had descended.