Chapter 67

“Good work. Thank you for answering sincerely.”

“It’s nothing. With your permission.”

Luina gave a slight bow and left the headmaster’s office.

“Hmm…”

The headmaster leafed through the reports one after another.

“They all say exactly the same thing.”

“That’s right. Demons, demons… frankly, it doesn’t sound real. Do you believe it’s true?”

“Not at all.”

“At least act like you doubt it a little.”

“We’re talking about demons. Is it possible that mere students could have exterminated one—if one really descended?”

He was right. Demons were the enemies of humanity, disasters in human form.

If they could be defeated by students, would they really deserve to be called enemies of humanity?

Would the First Emperor, who founded the Empire after defeating demons and King Colomo, have been glorified if such things were so common?

No. It would be like not celebrating a knight for slaying an orc.

Even so, the puzzling thing was that all the interviewed students said the same thing.

“They clearly agreed beforehand.”

“And why would they do that?”

“For prestige. Doesn’t it sound better to say they defeated a demon than a corrupted entity?”

“And would they risk lying knowing how easily the truth could be exposed? Consider their circumstances. If discovered, the damage would be far greater than the benefit.”

That was true as well.

“I suppose the answer will come when we speak with the next student. Send him in.”

And if someone had schemed this with a clear purpose, the most likely suspect was Fernan Pellenberg.

“Come in.”

Moments later, Fernan entered. Though his face looked a little pale, his eyes were calm.

‘He still hasn’t fully recovered, it seems.’

“Sit.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Serve something. What would you like?”

“Coffee, please.”

“Sweet?”

“I don’t need sugar.”

The secretary served black tea for the headmaster and coffee for Fernan.

“Fernan. First of all, I want to thank you. In my absence, you and your companions protected the academy from what could have been a disaster.”

“I only did what I had to.”

“Whatever the reason, your contribution and that of the others deserves recognition. I’ll make sure you are rewarded appropriately.”

“Thank you.”

Rejecting material rewards was not in Fernan’s nature.

“Now then, let’s get to the point… I imagine you already know what I’m going to ask.”

“To be honest, yes.”

It was obvious. With everything that had happened, there was nothing else to ask about but the demon.

“Before that, would you read this?”

The headmaster handed him the reports with the other students’ testimonies.

“A barrier suddenly appeared, isolating the area. The enemy appeared. We fought. We won with difficulty.”

As he spoke, the headmaster poured milk into his tea and stirred it slowly.

“The words of the four interviewed students match word for word. At another time, I would have accepted their accounts without question.”

“But this time something doesn’t add up.”

“Correct.”

The headmaster brought the tea to his lips.

“Will you also say you fought a demon?”

His eyes, wrinkled yet piercingly sharp, bore into Fernan.

“Or will you tell the truth?”

“I’ll tell the truth.”

“Good.”

“We fought a demon.”

The headmaster’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Specifically, the 72nd demon, Andromalius.”

“Why are you convinced of that?”

“His appearance matched perfectly with what’s described in ancient texts.”

“That’s all?”

“He introduced himself as the general of hell, Andromalius, and his power was far beyond any corrupted entity.”

“I see.”

The headmaster stroked his long beard, which reached his chest, and turned to the next page of the report.

“Then, according to you, what happened was this: corrupted entities infiltrated the academy, activated a barrier, and within it a battle with a demon took place. Do you agree with that version?”

The headmaster lowered the documents.

“Yes. That’s what happened.”

“I believe it’s possible.”

“Possible?”

“The enemies were new, weren’t they? And they were targeting Aint Armian. Surely they gave it everything they had.”

“Are you suggesting I’m lying?”

“Not at all. I trust you. And the others. But precisely because of that, I think you may have mistaken a corrupted entity for a demon. It’s normal under pressure.”

The headmaster spoke calmly.

A demon and a corrupted entity were different things. Only one letter apart, but the gulf between them was immense.

Even knowing the headmaster doubted him, Fernan didn’t feel offended.

After all, he had already seen it in the prophecy book. And if he put himself in the headmaster’s shoes, he would have thought the same.

What was a demon? Only seventy-two existed. Each was a calamity unto itself.

To say a group of students defeated one—who would believe it?

“I understand your position. And I respect it.”

That was why Fernan nodded naturally. But the headmaster did not overlook the hidden edge in his words.

“You’re throwing my own words back at me. And you don’t even look surprised or indignant.”

His hand stopped stroking his beard.

“Then… do you have proof?”

“What do you think?”

“The matter of demons and corrupted entities is no small thing. The decisions we make will depend on the testimony of you—the first witnesses and victims. It will change the entire stance of the academy and the Empire.”

It wasn’t the same to declare they had faced entities already known as it was to assert that a demon had manifested.

“I understand.”

“And are you willing to take responsibility for what you said?”

The headmaster’s gaze grew heavy. Without applying direct pressure, the atmosphere in the office became dense.

“No.”

Even so, Fernan denied calmly.

“I have no intention of carrying that burden, nor do I think I should. I’m only stating the truth.”

“The truth… according to Pellenberg. Then, I assume you have evidence.”

Fernan took an orb from his subspace and placed it on the desk.

“Is this a recording orb?”

“See for yourself.”

“Give me a moment.”

The headmaster infused mana into the recording orb. A soft light ignited, and the events within the barrier began to project.

The demon’s appearance, tearing through space.

The battle.

Another battle. And another.

“…This is…”

Seeing the entire recording, the headmaster covered his face with his hand.

“…It definitely was a demon.”

The headmaster’s eyes changed.

“Hahaha… Seems I’ve gotten too soft lately.”

Otherwise, how would someone have dared to summon a demon inside the academy?

“Kh…!”

“Ah, my apologies. I got carried away.”

The aura released unconsciously made Fernan stifle a groan. Only then did the headmaster realize and withdraw his pressure.

“Now I have no choice but to believe you. This is a hundred times better than any fancy speech.”

“I’m glad it was to your liking.”

“But, if I’m not mistaken, this isn’t the original, is it? I get the impression some parts are missing.”

The headmaster’s sharp eyes bore into Fernan.

Of course he had omitted parts.

Showing the traps he had prepared exploding would have been the same as confessing he knew about the demon from the start.

And omitting Wooden was to avoid overshadowing Aint by stealing the spotlight.

“It’s the original.”

And he wasn’t lying. He hadn’t edited the data, he had simply chosen not to record the unnecessary from the start.

“There was more, yes. But during the battle with the demon, some of the engravings were damaged.”

“I see. Understood.”

The headmaster nodded slowly.

“Then, one last question…”

“As many as you like.”

“Why were you there at that moment?”

He had anticipated it.

“As you know, I was the one who personally brought the branch of the World Tree. I grew attached to it and… during the vacation, I wanted to see if it had taken root properly.”

“I understand. It’s no ordinary object, and if you obtained it through effort, it’s natural you’d care about it.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

The critical moment had passed. Fernan allowed himself a brief sigh of relief.

But then.

“And why were the other students with you?”

The question struck like a direct stab.

The headmaster stroked his beard calmly.

“You must know the branch’s location is classified. Yet all the students said you called them to accompany you.”

But since he already knew this would come, Fernan had his defense ready.

“Did they really say that? How strange. I didn’t call them. From what I understand, they were training when they got caught up in the incident.”

The barrier covered a wide area.

They hadn’t followed him. They were training on the outskirts of the forest and got caught inside purely by chance.

And with that, the matter was closed.

“Oh, did they say that? My apologies… I’m old now, my memory fails me.”

The headmaster laughed awkwardly.

“No problem.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

He poured a little more milk into his tea.

“Now that I think of it, something curious happened not long ago.”

He wet his lips with the tea.

“A company came asking me for priority in maritime contracts. It wasn’t an important matter, so I approved it without much thought.”

His tone was friendly.

“Then, problems arose, and a new subject was opened. The demand for ships skyrocketed.”

But the real content was a dagger straight to the heart.

“That company was called Golden Turtle, and according to what they say, you lead it.”

Fernan froze for an instant. But his reaction was so brief it was almost unnoticeable.

“Does that have anything to do with the incident?”

“It’s possible. There are texts that mention that demons and corrupted entities often employ monsters.”

His tone remained serene. As if he were talking about the weather.

“Perhaps the problems at sea were a sign that a demon’s summoning was approaching.”

But the intent was clear—he was accusing Fernan.

The headmaster openly suspected him.

“I see. But even if that were the case, what does that have to do with our company? We only build and sell ships.”

“True. Although… what a convenient coincidence, isn’t it?”

“Exactly. A coincidence.”

“I suppose so. Who could predict a sudden invasion of monsters?”

The headmaster let out a broad laugh.

“It seems the goddess of money smiles upon you, Pellenberg.”

“I appreciate the compliment.”

“An old man like me has detained you long enough. You may leave. I’ll be grateful for the use of the recording.”

“With your permission.”

“The reward I promised will arrive at your quarters soon.”

“Thank you very much.”

Fernan stood. Thud. As the door closed, the secretary asked in a low voice:

“Do you suspect Fernan is a corrupted entity?”

“Do you think so? That recording is real. No corrupted entity would help kill a demon.”

A corrupted entity could not rebel against a demon. Their soul was chained.

“I just have a slight suspicion.”

What if Fernan already knew about the demon and kept silent out of economic interest?

“Because if it’s the Pellenbergs, they are perfectly capable of it.”

History had proven it.

“But… didn’t you believe him too easily? What if he manipulated the recording…?”

“It seems I’ve grown too lenient lately… even you’re saying that to me.”

Tap, tap. The headmaster tossed and caught the orb in his hands.

“This recording is authentic.”

“…I’m sorry.”

The secretary, visibly pale, bowed her head.

“I was impertinent…”

“No, you weren’t. I understand. Even I have difficulty believing a demon fell before mere students.”

Across the continent, there were fewer than five mages above the headmaster.

Recognized by the Pope of the Cult of the Dragon God, one of the only ten Archmages in the world.

Fernan could never deceive him with magic.

“It is authentic. That’s why it’s so surprising. It truly was a demon.”

Aint Armian.

The figure that shone the brightest in the recording, the one who cut the demon with dazzling light.

“The greatness of the Armians has not yet vanished.”

For nearly nine hundred years, they ruled the Empire.

Their fall was catastrophic, but their legacy still remained.

“No wonder he was a descendant of the First Emperor. Now I understand why everyone kept saying Armian this, Armian that.”

“Exactly. It’s no ordinary surname.”

It had been believed their power died with the fall of the family and the loss of their legendary swordsmanship style—but that was not the case.

“This will cause an uproar in Schwaben. They are the ones who fear most the resurgence of the Armians.”

But they could not stop it.

If it had only been corrupted entities, perhaps. But that a demon had been summoned was the sign of an imminent catastrophe.

The denser the darkness, the brighter the light shines.

“Have them keep a close watch on Aint Armian.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And also on the others who fought alongside him. Especially Fernan Pellenberg.”

“Is there a specific reason?”

“No matter how experienced you are, there’s something you cannot hide: the gaze.”

Appreciation. Faith. Admiration.

Every time Fernan’s name was mentioned, the old fox read those three emotions in the eyes of others.

“A Pellenberg who earns faith and admiration—and who killed a demon alongside Armian.”

Having drawn Luina Bercheff to his side. Having become the most brilliant student from nothing.

“There isn’t a single thing about him that doesn’t strike me as suspicious…”

The headmaster leaned back against his chair and sipped at the now cold tea.

“Without a doubt, this Pellenberg will show a path different from that of his ancestors.”

It was very interesting.

But unfortunately, he didn’t have the time to keep observing quietly.

“I’ve enjoyed chatting with these young prospects enough. It’s time to work.”

The headmaster straightened.

“Summon all the executives.”

It was time to eradicate the cockroaches that had infiltrated the academy.