Chapter 70

Early in the morning, Fernan was reviewing reports while drinking coffee.

“I thought I knew everything about you, young master, but lately I don’t understand you in the slightest.”

One of the reports dealt with the current state of the search for the corrupted within the academy.

‘They were very well hidden…’

Three bases discovered. Twelve corrupted captured or eliminated.

“A demon, a demon! Nothing else, a demon! Did you not even consider the possibility that a demon could be summoned while you were fighting the corrupted?”

When had they begun to nest inside the academy? Their number far exceeded any expectation.

‘If that’s only what has been uncovered, I don’t even want to imagine how much more there is.’

Fernan did not believe that those were all the infiltrators within the academy.

“If not for Aint Armian and the others, you would have died. No, in fact, you are dead.”

From all he had lived through until now, it was clear that the power and stealth of the corrupted were far greater than had been thought.

“You are not someone who acts out of a sense of justice, so why on earth are you doing this? Please, come to your senses!”

What they had shown until now was too much for him to think a single incident would be enough to eliminate them.

‘The Rising Moon Bookstore? That was where Bella Hoenne was infected with demonic magic.’

He remembered not finding anything strange at that time. The ability of the corrupted to hide terrified him.

“And don’t assign me any more tasks, please. Even if you order it, I won’t do it.”

And even more terrifying was the academy, which had managed to find that.

‘I suppose an archmage is an archmage.’

Not even searching desperately had they found anything, and yet he did it in one strike.

Of course, it wasn’t only the rector’s merit. There was a big difference between openly mobilizing the whole academy and conducting a secret search.

“I am your official escort, sir. Do you realize the fright I got when I learned you had fought against a demon without me?”

Finally, Fernan, who had been ignoring him, spoke.

“Are you going to keep going on like this much longer?”

“This is going to take me months. You have no sense of danger.”

“I also know I was in danger. But it was pure bad luck. Come on, who would expect a demon to be summoned inside the academy?”

“Then why did you leave me behind?”

“From now on, wherever I go, I’ll go with you. Satisfied?”

“…It seems insufficient, but I accept.”

Hyde nodded with a clearly displeased expression.

From Fernan’s point of view, it felt a little unfair to be blamed.

He was not like Aint, someone with a great sense of justice. He was a practical man who valued money and his life.

All this had been a monumental misfortune. If he had known that a demon would appear, of course he would have brought Hyde. Just as he did when transporting the branch of the World Tree.

“A letter has arrived from the duke.”

“Give it to me.”

Fernan opened it.

“I received the recording crystal you sent me. It was a real demon. Andromalius, the seventy-second demon. His presence could be felt even through the crystal—chilling. And seeing Aint Armian and Luina Bercheff face him, I am beginning to understand your decisions.”

When Fernan had shown him proof of the corrupted, the duke had decided to fight evil alongside him, but that didn’t mean he understood everything.

Luina Bercheff.

He had only turned a blind eye to Fernan’s decisions out of convenience, given the business of the magical crystal mine. He still thought Fernan had been mistaken.

But now that he had seen the recording, he thought differently.

What he had once believed to be a flimsy excuse now seemed like true talent that justified it.

“Sir Amod said that he surpassed his own self at that age. And in a sense, you have a better eye than I do for recognizing people.”

After acknowledging his judgment came the words Fernan had longed to read.

“As for anything related to demons, act first and report later. As long as you have justified reasons, it will not be considered an abuse of authority.”

But not all was good news.

“Although, it seems there are parts of the recording that are incomplete. According to Lord Duleo, there are no signs of tampering, so you must have recorded it that way from the start. I can imagine what you concealed, so I won’t ask.”

“But there is something I cannot ignore, so I will ask you: as soon as the recess began, you returned home and immediately focused on building a golem. As if something were chasing you.”

The duke had reconstructed the events with precision.

“Fernan Pellenberg, you knew that a demon was going to manifest, didn’t you?”

“……”

“You used my artisans, my facilities, and didn’t even pay. What a shameless act. I look forward to the next recess. We have much to discuss.”

Fernan swallowed dryly.

…How on earth was he going to justify that?

A chill ran down his spine.

***

“Are you going to participate in the jousting tournament?”

“Yes.”

Fernan, with two cups of coffee, sat down in front of Luina, who was filling out the form. Despite the looks around them, they quickly dissipated; perhaps because she was already used to it.

“And? Do you think you can win this time?”

“I have the confidence that I won’t lose to anyone.”

“Not even against Rob Kaelin?”

“Yes.”

Luina nodded firmly.

Rob Kaelin was the top student of the fourth year in the Department of Knights.

It was unfortunate, but not every year produced talents equally. In fact, the fourth-year generation was particularly weak compared to others.

Rob Kaelin was the only standout who saved the honor of his class.

“Last year you reached the round of sixteen, right?”

“I lost against Sir Rob in that round.”

“Almon fell in the round of thirty-two.”

“He also ran into Sir Rob.”

That was the misfortune of both. Two monsters above first-year level faced an even greater monster and couldn’t advance further, though they deserved to.

“And this time?”

“Of course.”

The Luina of now was very different from the one last year.

From the small gains through time and training, to the battle against the corrupted and demons, and even the elixir Fernan had given her—everything had raised her level enormously.

“And you, aren’t you going to participate in the magic tournament?”

“There’s no need.”

“I really don’t understand you…”

Luina’s face tensed slightly.

“…This coffee is so bitter.”

“I ordered it bitter on purpose. I brought something that goes well with it.”

It was chocolate. A fine, elegant sweet, smooth and refreshing at the same time.

“…What’s this?”

“Chocolate made with bark from the World Tree. I bought it from Aria. Elves eat it very sweet.”

And it was true. Although so sweet it numbed the tongue, it melted gently in the mouth. The combination with the bitter coffee was excellent.

“This is very valuable… Thank you. But why don’t you participate?”

“Why are you asking?”

“Because it’s a pity. You already got first place, isn’t it useless to keep hiding your abilities?”

“You’re right, partly.”

If he had hidden them from the beginning, it could be understood, but Fernan was already the center of attention as the top student.

Even if he paired with Luina in class, his position wasn’t at risk, so participating or not in the tournament wouldn’t change anything.

However.

“Luina Bercheff. You’re overlooking something important.”

“What?”

“In the magic tournament, it’s forbidden to use artifacts and scrolls.”

“……”

Though Fernan wasn’t weak without them, it was undeniable that much of his performance came from equipment bought with money.

“So don’t worry about me and focus on doing well yourself. I trust you.”

“…You trust me?”

“Yes. I believe you’re going to win.”

Those words made Luina pause for a moment. Then, regaining her composure, she asked.

“…Are you going to bet money on me?”

“If I win thanks to you, of course I’ll give you a share.”

She knew it.

Luina let out an empty laugh.

“Then I’d like you to deduct part of my family’s debt.”

Even if it wasn’t much, everything helps.

“Of course.”

Fernan smiled confidently. That was how Luina remembered it.

After that, they only talked about trivial things before parting.

But even so—

“Aina, Bella. Let’s go again.”

Perhaps because she felt the weight of those expectations, even knowing it was all for money.

“Again?”

“You’re going to kill me…!”

Luina felt a surge of motivation for no clear reason.

She wanted to return the favor. Whatever the reason, Fernan had given her much.

“I’m going.”

“W-wait!”

“You’re way too focused!”

The hand that held the sword gripped tightly.

***

Central region of the Empire.

Territory that was once the Kingdom of Armian, ruled by the family of the same name, but now belonged to the Duchy of Schwaben.

There was the headquarters of a fairly famous organization.

“…Corrupted?”

The man rubbed his eyes and checked the report again. But what it said hadn’t changed.

“Have corrupted truly appeared?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Those who sold their souls to demons to gain power. Corrupted, demon worshippers, dogs of hell, traitors of humanity—they were called many things, but nowadays they were simply known as the cursed.

“Could this be another forgery? If we get caught again, we’re finished…”

“It’s a direct report. Please read it carefully.”

“A report? Is it from someone reliable?”

Since the disappearance of the demons, the corrupted had also been eliminated or gone into hiding due to imperial persecution. They were believed extinct for centuries.

“Yes. It was submitted by Mikale Montella.”

“Mikale Montella?”

The man’s eyes widened.

“The rector of the academy?”

“And an archmage.”

“Really?”

“Completely true.”

“A man like that wouldn’t send a false report out of boredom.”

“Definitely not. The corrupted were discovered inside the academy.”

“Ha…!”

Now understanding the situation, the man began to read the report thoroughly.

“The cursed attacked students inside the academy…?”

“And not only that. They had infiltrated the entire academy.”

“Those damned bastards…! They’ve lost all fear. How dare they in the academy…?”

The man exploded with rage. But both his eyes and his smile contradicted him.

“If there is scum threatening the future of the Empire, we cannot stand idly by, right?”

“Of course not.”

“Can you imagine the fear the students felt? Those worms sold their souls to a demon.”

“They must all be exterminated.”

“Exactly. For things like this, experts are needed.”

Like us.

The man’s smile widened.

“Find a ship. We’re going to the academy. We must protect our poor, frightened students.”

Those who prospered when demons existed.

Those who even wished they would return.

The Empire called them the Inquisitors.