Chapter 61
a1QGThe corrupt magic of the monster exploded.kOL86
VHqkgThe mercenaries were blown back, and Varus hurled himself among them.D6Zr1KR
pWXdx‘No…!’qT1Zd
hqIAJPHe wanted to scream in despair, but no voice came out.Bnylk9D
wiAJBoom!9JM
u1kcWMrA roar shook the place, and Varus was sent flying.1EmO
Dz4ZEVmThe corrupt magic, spreading like tentacles, engulfed him completely once he hit the ground.9bCnF
zYOzUzRight after, Aint’s body, which had been motionless all that time, suddenly surged forward.hDfIpp
Xl6DgGFlash!kJuGv
BVEzRA white light flared, slicing through all the corrupt magic in one stroke.ZJd
uZfseThe light, fueled by rage, shone fiercely and charged straight toward evil.nqZ
qyQcPK“This can’t be! You’ve already reached that level? I definitely can’t let you live!”mF8fBB
WFjoAWith a furious roar, evil clashed against light, and darkness and clarity collided.h5Y
I5pIt was then that Aint opened his eyes.b579lW
nXa0“……”lpq5ClE
jqGNUFrom halfway through the dream, he had already suspected what it was.8RU5VF
YUCNAxTA replay of a past that wouldn’t have happened if he had just been a little stronger.axHr
6GQisO— You’re drenched in sweat. That dream again?ykUpDI
MhoN“Yes. I can’t get it out of my head.”hVw28b
XjgKF— It’s a useless worry.a9PRAJ
DekvR— That filthy corrupt was defeated by your sword.8RmMa
XctxpcB— He was injured, but survived. And the healer said with proper rehabilitation he could recover. You don’t need to worry so much.Gs7
JCxOeiGardner was right. Varus had received grave injuries and was in danger, but he overcame the worst.OIJlFBk
KgGUvRNot 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.mF7O
77AkA4YAnd the corrupt had fallen to Aint’s sword.F4tQ6b
oqI“…Can it really be called a victory?”PSuvmF
iJrU5OBut it hadn’t been an easy battle.KAY
QdVPThe fury at Varus’s injury, the desperate will to survive, and the repeated struggle had driven him into a new awakening.iFOcbI
eApk9GThere was no other way to describe it except as luck.KcmgEC
iE24— It wasn’t luck.irR
vHas6Y— Enlightenment only comes to those who are prepared.ZLjt
3ta8Tg— 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.6jHG
hkXTrue. Aint gave a faint nod.IjQ
XnA2uhFernan’s intervention had caused a butterfly effect that raised Aint’s evaluation.nZXgVrA
ImGgAnd because of that, no one knew that an even stronger corrupt was drawing near.p4F6
dg7“I know. I know all that…”ytLU2
T0pPQW— You’re afraid that if you barely managed against that corrupt, you won’t be able to face a real demon?Cg4Obc
KkYJYThe words, which struck the nail on the head, made Aint nod cautiously.1pR
kYNaRNeither 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.CQkG
jfFFXkz— You’re right. At your current level, you probably couldn’t face a demon. No, you definitely couldn’t. I’m sure of it.38Oi7
cJi“…But I’m not the same as before.”859V
Do04vgB— Was that too obvious?JPr
Zuop“That’s such a cliché line from a play. I never thought I’d hear it for real.”mUx
MN4Still, at least it was a little comforting. Aint let out a small laugh.SC3L4X
eKmqah“You’re right, Gardner.”TJ21
XMyLmjJWhen he first entered the academy, Aint had ranked 38th. He was somewhat special, but not enough to stand out.eLZ
B9M1SThat changed.Yin9D
QLSeK7Since meeting Gardner, he had defeated Anton, who was tenth.ty0wPW8
l2OlldLHe had survived the corrupts’ ambush, fought sea serpents, and grown even further.63a
f9zgAnd 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.9EeI
BTNAs Gardner said, Aint was growing, and at a terrifying pace.mvjUd
SaU6Y“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.”SPeu3U
6f6NYes, the situation had improved considerably.YXuWCyI
9i6“Unless a demon suddenly pops up out of nowhere, there shouldn’t be a problem.”Vbv8E
EdTb1rAint allowed himself some hope.ZsYtLF
e5PR— Exactly. Besides, it’s not like demons are insects crawling everywhere. They’re not going to appear out of nowhere.FAiPx
8qMGPGKnock knock.mPg
HUT“Aint, Lord Varus asks if you’d like to have dinner with him. Do you have time?”fr9i
5GmaMP“Of course.”Y3YK28
0xSZWith those thoughts dispelled, Aint’s face, as he stepped out of the room, radiated peace.Zbev5
31xy***qy6MFe
YQ6K6YB“Really, I still can’t believe it! You killed that monster?”2dcoT
48MNV1“But you didn’t see it, did you?”zfA
va90“Uh-huh, so shut it, coward who dropped without even fighting.”vET
S1svHQB“Are you calling me trash?”p6Ah
w1Dw“Yes.”v9D2Vcn
Cx3Pffft, Varus and Aint burst into laughter at the same time.abIbND3
M86B9Z“How’s mercenary work? Getting used to it?”ednR
7w0k1i“I’m starting to feel comfortable.”bhhnv
FZQdSince Varus had woken, Aint’s routine had become quite simple.ClT9ZmO
c33He 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.vg3gu
OnCS0M“It’s an ogre! Spread out and surround it!”B4DP
rNP“Don’t face it head-on! Wear it down bit by bit!”vpy4WG
3lTlFrom simpler extermination missions.dup
Zv6“This isn’t gnoll territory…?”aLG
FrsXSjM“Protect the cart! It can’t take damage! What it’s carrying is worth more than any of you!”iIv
h80MTo caravan escorts.zomhC
11eg“We want to reach Alsen in three days.”5VBkIJ
wz0NE6“If you want that, you’ll have to pass through Kalkan Canyon.”Lls
rhz“That’s why we hired mercenaries. It’s dangerous, so the pay is high.”zHqMp
bN9IwEven escorting important people.yWzL
NuzIn about forty days, Aint had completed seven missions, establishing himself as an experienced mercenary.AjcZAuO
fnf“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.”B6K
72LSWt“I never imagined I’d end up working as a mercenary myself.”qtn
ohs9BEven fallen, he was still royalty.VCJVI
PbXPKrVThey say even a ruined rich family can last three years. And a dynasty that had ruled the empire for nearly nine hundred?pqt6T0
vIQHe had never thought he’d end up in stinking armor, sleeping on the ground and eating tough dried meat.fj8zX
qDpR— And that’s why this experience is so valuable.sSghO
CiacL— Complaining about a bit of dried meat? Back in my day, we swallowed monsters alive and fought demons.Fjx
YLQdAint didn’t even bother replying anymore. Varus glanced at the calendar.bjc
adDj“You’re leaving tomorrow?”xHMf
coq88“Yes.”2TH77Cp
6eCXvDc“Classes are starting soon, huh?”aKzId
7rBsqs2The holidays, which had seemed endless, now had only two weeks left. If he left tomorrow, he’d reach the academy in about seven days.rdWlB
sWXpONAnd then the second semester would officially begin.olKby5v
55vikXK“…Actually, I should go too.”kFhCms5
tKLsp“Recover and come back soon.”Ys6shtb
HRO“I applied for a leave of absence for this semester.”CCwfN
Pn8qEF5Though he was recovering well, considering rehabilitation, returning to classes that same year was unrealistic.AVn5
VGPGi7There was no way to keep up with the others in that condition.74Fl5oQ
vwtTtth“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.”Nxk2
LSpNMgThe day of the empire’s founding.LnPzogX
IFwc3hThe day the First Emperor proclaimed it was the empire’s greatest holiday, celebrated across the nation. The academy was no exception.Nxu
lmzEspecially important were the Knight Department’s jousting tournament and the Mage Department’s Grand Magic Duel.8jSFE
YT5C“It was the perfect chance to show those knights what the Shadow Lance is worth…!”4Pr7vtS
6wKCertainly, Varus’s skill in mounted combat was exceptional. If he had participated, he would have achieved remarkable results.RGX
qynX“I’ll do well in your place.”rquRhrH
mlArXQB“You? Sure, you worked with me as a mercenary, but that doesn’t mean you can represent me. What’s mine is mine.”Pj6EL
SbOAVThough.OpAto
auWoH9“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!”W2x8
Q520v4“Aren’t I ranked higher than you?”mJ4jF
7aXgIeu“Reputation and ranking are two different things.”TvthhM
wsdkHAint and Varus laughed together, locking eyes with camaraderie.zVpOb
J72fgWithout 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.xaE
fUUjGz“Well, I’m off.”ywe
Pe8AOg4“Yeah, see you.”5ZLvVL2
LNhh3***H3ZPefM
qtx4Eb7Aint returned to the academy the same way he had left, traveling by ship.Ji4
FY4Since the incident at the Yacht Club, quite a few naval patrols could be seen patrolling the academy’s waters.j7WMK
CB3HSF‘Now that I think about it, didn’t they say they were going to open a naval combat course?’it9R
A3sbfAfter all the chaos they had gone through, it was only natural that they started worrying about battles at sea.Us99
4LKMThe ship glided across the waters until it reached the academy. The port was filled with students returning, just like Aint.hAnJB
RfmqB— Where are you going? You don’t have to stay in those filthy places anymore. Now you should head to the Ravidus Building.rbYq
8Y0VibC“Ah, right. I had forgotten.”zHute15
T98LU4LHe 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.efF
9bAiAE“I can’t believe I came back here by my own merit. It’s quite a special feeling.”LLtPU
c3JAint 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.Y8W
B4JP“Welcome, Sir Aint. We will escort you.”5pFUFJ
THWnNfUAs soon as he entered the lobby, the maids greeted him kindly. At that moment, he ran into Verian, who was just leaving the building.5cIfT
KbDJL“Verian, it’s been a while.”z5Vw
TQUznBO“Aint, you’re back already. Did you relax too much just because you ranked second?”7kPY
Qa13“I wouldn’t say that. Where are you going?”shGlp0C
zl4“I’m going to see Senior Fernan.”q0hlW
Fxy5“Senior Fernan? Let’s go together. I also have things to tell him.”GP9haf3
Au8J8qThings 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.xfI
26ef“…Do as you want.”BprNg2
Plfa0Verian nodded with a reluctant expression.AQyzu
C2zK5qo“Did you go home during the vacation?”boW
TJh5yG“No. I took summer semester classes.”XD8IOk
OLmzcM“Ah, that’s right, you said you would.”DkmBx
lWY“And you? I feel like your aura is a bit sharper.”scX
DBW“I was in Frazia.”10oSc
j5fgu8v“Frazia? Doing mercenary work, perhaps?”8Qu477w
9UeiiYG“How did you know?”BITf0iI
2fCuGRn“It’s obvious.”cbG7xY
hCEK0There were two places on the continent where mercenaries were most concentrated.xvZ62
Mne9QEqOne was Bercheff, and the other, Frazia.Mp2
Nd9E8ROThe reason was simple: they were filled with monsters to be exterminated, which brought in good money.QSDHqG
DKgtFOW“So that’s why you have that rougher air.”K5c50M8
ltfVkYi“Is it that obvious?”IDTdtZ
2m5L“Someone who used to look so calm now looks sharper. How could it not be noticeable?”Qm48
J6wAfter that, there was a brief silence.HP2CA
vtynB“By the way, where are we going?”arX
BUeh6G“To the southern forest.”ay3
DQN“Senior Fernan is there? Why?”h0JB
xyhE“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.”0FYFW4q
KueJ“Me? Why?”EMvcbOf
Wz1pFt0“That I don’t know. Stop asking so much.”9yPogd7
rMZbxAnother silence fell between the two.9yNaI
ClmAfter walking quite a distance into the forest, Aint felt a strange sensation brush against his senses.d55mM
gpjwE“…Black magic?”zKUj4hA
RggLyMk— It’s black magic.M12aw3
Zb8That repulsive feeling, already so familiar to him.HBc5
7UxAint stopped. And at that moment,kY6KO
dBhqnrkRumble rumble rumble!598XF3v
mJ6Not far away, a massive column of darkness rose vertically, tearing the sky with a roar.KoYQ
FTlm48b“…! Kgh!”NeI0s
NoX“What the hell is that…?!”Xh2i2l
zRcEYThe shockwave swept the surroundings. Aint and Verian crouched to withstand the impact.8SY
jBaS7—!eyxtHDD
3szTpThe column of darkness released a magical wave that expanded in the form of a dome, covering the entire forest with a murky miasma.YiwFVI
e9YF4W— …It’s a barrier!OzRxa
8t4LO“…What the hell is happening here?!”YCEiWnS
KU6r2P“Verian! What’s in there?!”X2fX
EP2wH3“…A branch.”VjfngF
uLjG“Branch?”piZQs
HWo“A branch of the World Tree. It’s half corrupted.”08XEXJW
xNvBno“…What did you just say?”a5QJf
yWfeFernan had already told him they had brought a branch of the World Tree. But this?wBUrQ5
9OWl— Wasn’t this supposed to be top-secret information? How the hell does this guy know where it is?Wpjh
czbX6y0— Wait… did you say the branch is corrupted by black magic? Then that means…V8Vk
PzjuThose damned fools! Is this how they guard the World Tree?! Gardner cursed furiously.whTj2j
KMfpcOAt that moment.g2LO
muxkQlR—!CvM6ktr
KLGAn inhuman sound, impossible to describe with human words, resonated inside the barrier.3wjp
4j8Va──!HhDKV
V8MRSA chilling scream spread through the forest, making everyone’s skin crawl.B5ij
mbVAmV“…A tree?”3D9jQTj
o3uRThe branches intertwined, forming a gigantic tree that grew rapidly, as if trying to pierce the sky.MYybn0
V35nO4R“…Is space… breaking apart?”oppbG
pc5POOVerian’s jaw dropped. Aint followed his gaze.FtagFd
fgHWhere the branches stretched, the sky began to crack, and fragments fell to the ground.Cyge
A6B— It can’t be… it can’t be!UxV
xNKiOs‘What is all this?!’cx3y
cwE15D— If my suspicions are correct, this is…!NEJ
6UNXAt that moment, a white hand emerged from the crack.IAp
p6qHECrack crack crack— Forcing the space open, the destruction accelerated.xnoXrx
6Lkae0DThe suffocating stench of black magic inside the barrier made Aint turn pale.y2i
lh1wYz— …It’s a demon.DDiBLUu
c8DdAfter the hand came an arm, then a head, and finally, a torso.fWdub
tW1Mr— A demon is descending…!zKI57
X7F2RThe creature had a human form, but it was impossible to consider it human. Around its arm coiled a snake.coyR
grMj“…Andromalius.”5jLjqKw
l4DNsdlThe rank 72 demon Andromalius had descended.VILr2
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