Chapter 76

After the round of sixteen, the quarterfinals also concluded, and only four remained standing.

【Jousting Tournament Semifinals】

Valoshi Bienderk (1st year, top of his class) VS Rob Kaelin (4th year, top of his class)

Luina Bercheff (2nd year, top of her class) VS Kuntz Bayer (3rd year, 12th place)

People were surprised to see that there was one representative from each class: first, second, third, and fourth.

But the first-year wasn’t Aint.

— That place should be mine!

— I’m the one who should be in the newspapers!

— I’m the one who defeated a demon! Why?! Why?!

‘It’s not that big of a deal… it was my fault, okay? Please, stop torturing me!’

Aint set the newspaper aside, and Gardner finally fell silent.

— Pathetic. A thousand years ago, knights of your level were as common as stones on the road.

“…Really? That common?”

— Well, not that many.

With that small consolation, Aint sighed in relief.

— Although I admit I’m surprised. This world is overflowing with the powerful. I didn’t think that, after absorbing the heart of the Saintbird and the power of Andromalius, you wouldn’t gain more of an advantage with your aura.

It was true that Aint’s aura was above average. But, according to Gardner, in this era the average was absurdly high.

Aura and mana weren’t accumulated just by endlessly training techniques.

There were many auxiliary means like potions and elixirs. Though, of course, just drinking them wasn’t enough to become strong.

— If it’s not that, then Almon must have an exceptional family.

“The Donertz family isn’t remarkable.”

— Then he must have a rich patron.

“…Fernan?”

— I don’t think so. I didn’t sense any special fondness from him.

After all, the Empire had no shortage of magnates. The Pellenberg family was the richest on the continent, but not the only one.

After speaking with Gardner, Aint checked the time, freshened up, and dressed in formal clothes.

He was going to see the semifinals.

Especially Luina Bercheff and Rob Kaelin, the great favorite.

“Wow, if not for Fernan, I never would’ve gotten tickets.”

— That’s why having a rich guy around is so convenient. It’s like carrying an almighty artifact that can solve any problem.

Aint didn’t quite see it that way, but he admitted it was useful.

He sat down and noticed two people beside him.

“Aria? Verian?”

“Aint… this was your seat?”

“You also got your ticket from Fernan, right?”

— Uh-huh. These two also took advantage of the rich guy.

So it seemed.

“Aria, weren’t you going to watch the magic tournament?”

“I wanted to, but Fernan only gave me a ticket for the joust. Why do you think that is?”

Because Fernan wanted the three of them, future companions against demons, to strengthen their bonds.

Especially Aria, who according to the book of prophecies was Aint’s destined ally.

She, not knowing it, felt obligated to be there against her will.

The match began.

“Rob Kaelin!”

The announcer called out the fourth-year knight, who calmly stepped onto the stage.

His bearing was robust, yet he gave off a gentle air, which created a peculiar contrast.

— Behind that gentle look hides a finely honed edge. No wonder he was champion last year.

Gardner assessed him as a clear candidate for future Royal Knight.

“Rob Kaelin!”

“Win again this year!”

“I’ve got all my money on you!”

“Rob! Rob! Rob!”

The crowd roared.

Most of those voices were talking about bets.

“…Do people always talk this much about betting?”

“Didn’t you know? Fernan promised rewards for those who guess the most right.”

That had made more people join the betting than in past festivals.

“Turning the joust into a casino…”

“Bah, whatever. The prize is mine anyway.”

“Wait a second… the prize is yours?”

Verian frowned.

“Don’t tell me…”

“What?”

“You placed bets?”

“Of course, on every match.”

Verian stared at her, dumbfounded.

“And aren’t elves supposed to be free from greed?”

“That means I’m not obsessed, not that I reject easy money.”

And he couldn’t argue with that.

“Valoshi Bienderk!”

The first-year representative appeared on the other side.

Despite the crowd’s excitement, he remained as calm as always.

“…Valoshi Bienderk.”

“What do you think of him?”

“Weren’t you close with him?”

“Not really. I just wanted to be.”

“And he didn’t reciprocate. Poor thing.”

“Shut up, Aria.”

“Well, I don’t have that problem.”

While his friends argued, Aint watched Valoshi.

— Strange fellow. Verian isn’t weak—his family, the Kalburdern, are among the Empire’s most distinguished. And yet Valoshi pushes him aside and instead shows friendliness to you, who has nothing.

Aint thought the same.

‘Could it be that he only favors elector families, like Aria?’

— No. That elf doesn’t only approach electors. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have dealt with Verian either.

True. That made it even more mysterious. What exactly did Valoshi want?

“Even you won’t have it easy against him.”

That was Verian’s sincere opinion.

Though Aint had defeated a demon, he couldn’t deny that the peculiarity of his light power had been decisive.

‘And like Gardner said, I also had Fernan’s help.’

— That golem of his was an unmatched weapon. I never thought someone could face a demon with a mechanical giant.

Remembering that made Aint more curious about Fernan than about Valoshi.

‘What kind of person is he really?’

‘Did he know in advance that demons would be summoned?’

— Impossible. No one can know the future.

‘Yeah, you’re right…’

Maybe Fernan was just a prevention maniac, always carrying potions, reagents, and artifacts.

“Begin!”

The fight began.

Both charged without any prior testing.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

After three clashes, they dismounted and drew their swords.

Hundreds of exchanges later, everything was decided.

“Valoshi lost!”

“Last year’s champion remains undefeated.”

— His swordsmanship is almost complete. His grandfather, the Royal Knight, trained him thoroughly.

Gardner was right. Even Aint could see that Rob had controlled the fight from beginning to end.

— But something doesn’t add up.

‘What do you mean?’

— He isn’t giving off tension.

‘What?’

— He’s acting.

Then it happened.

“…Huh?”

Rob pointed his sword at Valoshi’s neck.

In a fight already decided, it was strange to continue pressing with such intensity.

***

“What are you?”

Rob smiled, but only with his lips. His eyes, however, were cold as ice as he looked at the fallen Valoshi.

“What the hell are you trying to pull?”

“Hearing that from someone who just beat me… I’m confused, senior.”

“Do you take me for an idiot? Did you expect me to bow my head and give thanks after losing?”

On the surface, it seemed like a fierce duel, so much so that not even the duelists themselves could have noticed the subtlety of what was really happening.

“I didn’t expect anything in particular, but if you do that, I won’t mind. I gave it my all.”

“Do you intend to keep up this farce until the end?”

Rumble rumble rumble—

The aura Rob exhaled made the stadium tremble.

“You’re insufferable. You’ve insulted me, the Academy, and more than that, the Empire.”

“I did my best. I’m simply weaker than you.”

“Still, until the end…!”

“Enough!”

The referee stepped in, placing himself between the two.

“The match is over, Rob Kaelin. What is going on here?”

“……”

“I asked you what’s happening.”

Rob fixed his gaze on Valoshi, hesitated a moment, and replied.

“…Nothing. The fight was more intense than I expected, and I’m still wound up.”

“I’m surprised. For you to say that… I see, so it’s Bienderk. Try to control yourself.”

“Yes.”

A moment later, the referee raised Rob’s arm.

“The winner, Rob Kaelin!”

Waaaaaaah!

“…I’m sorry, but I don’t have the hobby of doing pointless things. Straining myself for something whose result is already decided…”

Valoshi’s low murmur was buried under the cheers of the crowd.

***

Night, during the festival.

During the days of the festival, the Academy hosted several banquets a day.

Sweet melodies delighted the ears, sculptures and chandeliers pleased the eyes, and exquisite wines and delicacies made the palate dance.

“Hm.”

Fernan, however, stayed apart, champagne glass in hand, quietly observing from a corner.

“Sir Fernan, what are you doing here?”

“Young master Fernan!”

“Fernan, would you grant me a dance…?”

Some recognized him and approached, but he only gave brief greetings before moving somewhere else.

“Sir, there he is.”

Hyde pointed to a mature man speaking in the middle of a group.

Fernan approached and greeted him.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Count Lodos. I’m Fernan Pellenberg.”

“Pellenberg…? Oh, excuse me. I’m Lodos Franz.”

“A pleasure, Count. I’ve been eager to meet you.”

“…Me?”

The count blinked, surprised by the sudden familiarity.

“Could we speak in private?”

“What about?”

“Business…”

Fernan discreetly handed him a paper. The count’s face tightened as he read it.

“With me?”

“That’s right.”

“…Indeed, this isn’t something for here.”

The count looked around. Several people were already whispering, keeping their distance at the unexpected scene.

“I have a place prepared. Would you mind if I guided you there?”

“That’s fine.”

Fernan led him to the third floor of the hall, where he had reserved a private room for distinguished guests.

“What tea do you prefer?”

“Never thought the son of Pellenberg would serve me tea… green tea, please.”

Fernan prepared the infusion himself and offered it.

“Now, tell me. What’s this about Golden Turtle wanting to do business with me…? Hm, you brew good tea.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“But I must be frank—my territory has nothing special. It’s poor land.”

Fernan already knew that. The County of Franz, like much of Frazia, was arid and hard to cultivate, plagued with hills, forests, and monster dens. With no notable resources or products, it was an impoverished domain.

“That’s precisely why Golden Turtle has barely opened a branch there. What business are you proposing, then?”

“Nothing concrete yet. Just a plan. We believe there’s a vein in the County of Franz.”

“A vein?”

The count looked at him incredulously.

“Yes. We’ve received information about a black stone deposit.”

“Black stone…? Truly?”

The count’s eyes gleamed with greed. Black stone wasn’t as valuable as metals like mithril or adamantium, but it was still quite valuable.

“Yes. Though we don’t yet know the quantity, whether it’s profitable, or how many monsters are nearby. We need to study it more.”

“Where is it?”

“I can’t say without a signed contract.”

“You expect me to accept blindly, when you haven’t even discovered anything in my land? To sign by force?”

Fernan calmly shook his head.

“We haven’t explored, we only received a report.”

“And you expect me to believe it?”

“Believe it or not, the facts remain. It’s a proposal.”

He handed over a contract.

The count opened it warily.

The clauses were simple.

1. If Golden Turtle finds a vein in the county, it has the right to exploit it.

2. The count leases it out permanently.

3. Golden Turtle gives the count 30% of the profits.

4. All development and defense costs are borne by the company.

5. If no vein is found within a year, the contract is annulled.

The count’s eyes widened.

“All costs borne by you, and I receive a clean 30%? Without contributing anything?”

It was far too favorable.

Even if no real vein existed, he lost nothing.

“Is this real?”

“Yes.”

Fernan nodded.

Normally, he would never offer something like this, but now he had two reasons.

The first, that the book of prophecies confirmed the existence of that deposit.

The second, that the 64th demon, Flauros, would first appear near the fortress by the County of Franz.

Luck was on his side—the vein was right there.

Also, developing a mine justified deploying troops in the area, which served as the perfect excuse to be prepared against the demon.

“What do you decide, Count?”

“…I have no reason to refuse.”

“Excellent choice.”

The count signed the contract.

Immediately, Fernan drafted a letter.

【Regarding mining exploitation matters… from Golden Pillar we report the discovery of a new deposit.】

“Send it to my father. Maximum priority.”

The message departed for House Pellenberg.