Chapter 81
9HdBEKtThe official announcement was corrected within hours, clarifying that first-year students would also be included. In just one day, the participants were selected.MXP1
As9Rosalia reviewed the documents.QGJxJDX
fbjVL7“From the first year, there are three.”2Jze4
tPWMgAint Armian, Aria Fridian, and Verian Kalburdern.kZZp
hNNNIt was evident that most first-year students had been frightened by the unknown enemy called demons.EZ91
U4JIn truth, that number was appropriate. First-years were still inexperienced and required too much supervision on the battlefield.qYDuX
cw8uRM2Moreover, it fulfilled the rector’s order that Aint Armian had to participate no matter what.bwIvC6P
kzymo3K‘It must be because they’re demons.’UVPtyZ
ss2XIIf Aint Armian managed to stand out in the battle against them, even just by making a name for himself, the Schwaben would boil with rage.aQfS
UPH9VY3‘Valoshi isn’t here…’7NjkVG
4e7H9rGProbably because of her, but that wasn’t Rosalia’s concern.8mBf0
FooYmzH“And in the second year, there are twenty.”0Y1
1TAhUpon confirming with surprise that all those who met the requirements had applied, Rosalia handed the documents to Professor Grad.HSL3G
pakHIfd“All of them? Everyone applied?”J9w
2NPdNd“Yes, that’s right.”zFBRhk
YQJpGrad, after double-checking the papers, let out a short laugh.bG6Gj
Fb5A“At least among the second-years, there are no cowards.”FnH7Uyr
PgLy“There are cowards. They just don’t want to be left behind.”5cY
3KQit“Competitiveness is also good fuel. Who are they?”RULKq
nP8a“Who do you think? Fernan Pellenberg and Luina Bercheff, who took all the honors this time.”jFn9jFL
5PptG5cWhen they signed up, Carlo Deneb and Almon Donertz, who had fallen behind, rushed to apply as well.hpWiQH
9jmlAnd with the top ranks signed up, the others didn’t want to be left behind either, fueled by rivalry.3FhlLDh
iWw“The only one missing was Ludger Schwaben.”4G7BtG
FwnD“He changed his mind when he heard Aint Armian was participating.”kWzXiK
AB8I“Destiny, I suppose.”Jt0LIa
7Yd“Amazing, the Armians. Anyone could’ve been emperor, but that family held the throne for almost nine hundred years. Even after losing it a century ago, they still carry a weight that’s impossible to ignore…”DfsUE9K
sQeThough it’s not as if they were deified, which made it even more peculiar.IhbL7pv
f7BVq“The merit of the First Emperor was too great.”AVRr
NYQf2K“Of course it was. He defeated the Demon King and the demons, saving the world.”lBLUY
KPvThe pride of being descendants of the First Emperor remained a flame in the hearts of the imperial people.jx4mt
VfhINo one could deny that it was that very flame that sustained the Armian dynasty for so long.NbAm
cqrFNCJ“In any case, twenty will be hard to manage.”LlQ
5Dw0N0CEven if it was just defense on the walls, even if Altrierc had its elite, this wasn’t a simple duel—it was real war.WmjB1
UroIn the chaos where demons roamed, they couldn’t guarantee the safety of twenty students.Xhq
FsruP“I don’t care. I already warned them not to expect safety, so they’d better be prepared.”fMaLk
gCG“Still, can you say that so lightly?”LksKJp
80tbDG9Even if they’d been told their lives couldn’t be guaranteed, it was still the instructors’ mission to ensure everyone returned alive to the academy.w6Z6Z
FiY3eqThat’s what Grad believed.Qsq2OCA
JEJbL“Then what do you suggest?”keIqESb
gDMOBf6“Cut from the top. Reduce them by half. I think I could manage with about ten. What do you think?”jOIw
FgfSm3“I don’t mind fewer problems. Besides, you always get to be the villain, Professor, so I’ll gladly let you.”fAyrPnU
se2URosalia shrugged.yuO3CHs
M4nx“It’s annoying, but I don’t hate you.”zJogn7
dpqfqGrad snorted hard.ZKkXJif
TPWFka“And I need to correct something.”TuZX
JU0x2mA“What is it?”un4vM8
aekYO“It won’t be ten, but thirteen. Including the first-years.”95oz
D6s“In second year, the top three are pairs, right? Don’t split them. Take all three groups as they are. Better to have fewer than ten in total.”ZqFbsO
14Dg5DcNot a bad idea.YtRE
S18“Is it really necessary? Everyone should take responsibility for their choice. In the end, they’ll blame you.”DBu081
0D4xiG8“I’d rather be insulted. Dreaming of dead students is worse.”lkr3tp
okf“And do you think the rector will stay quiet?”fgv
5se“That’s why we need to resolve this quickly and head to Altrierc.”5bW
Vk4OUWGrad scratched his neck in frustration.GdMk9Q
7wltf“Then it’ll be done.”7ux
p1u0“Understood.”Dt31
hgMpD0BRosalia nodded.7S25
YhJLIHonestly, she didn’t care much. Neither about the expedition nor the students—it stirred no particular interest in her.DBT
GaQ***nGzJ5O
LYNvh‘Six?’rSeg
trGFrom the twenty qualified, they would cut it down to the top three of each year.VDDWvq
nwjWOnly the top three counted.EyuF0c6
1JFwN“If anyone disagrees, beat me. Then you can go.”4JY5l6S
dDee“……”hISvW4v
OFBThe students fell silent.WAJ6jE
SIG“Why only six?”VVVEYsV
8dy“Because that’s the maximum I can take responsibility for.”9mybcy
ONcdV“……”pdLik8w
52DiTVg“What’s that look? Got a complaint?”ByA7
e3nbG“No, sir.”sEt6
w66Q2tA‘Is he sentimental?’FMAU2
rMXHe didn’t seem the type, but Fernan sensed the professor Grad’s firmness and calculated quickly.9HAWkMr
qcMvzq‘If he picks the top three from each department, that would be me, Carlo, Ludger. And Luina, Almon, and Alia.’wwIaJC
kWueUNGert and Neria, whom he had planned to bring as support, would be left out.KzGJaq
mVGE‘They were just backup anyway. If they don’t come, nothing I can do. But…’qLJUaV
7wRIH“And what about the first-years?”SENfSaR
qhjRg“There are three participating.”kUv8Q
vBbwnI‘At least that’s a relief.’Do6vuCL
JxQew4LFernan could bet his fortune and his arm that among those three was Aint Armian.tCpfL
dhTvn7“Isn’t it more dangerous for them? They should stay behind and let more second-years go.”kC0Fz
lSs“I’ll repeat myself—the rector gave me full authority over the expedition. If you have complaints, prove your worth.”mOHyXO
lxI“……”j1AxBn
sJlZnThose muttering criticisms went silent immediately.XUnN
LZ51“At least we’re lucky to be going.”odUyz
nQSAS“If the top ones were excluded, then no one would go. Are you all ready?”VSvErJy
72md6g“Yes, we were told just to bring personal belongings…”uSL
OHPLuina was counting on her fingers the items she had packed.58sNSAG
dWocQO“But is it really okay for them to support us this much…?”4QwiXui
Pmom“It’s a battlefield against demons. Even with the best gear, it’s a place where no one can feel safe.”UGpJZ
rP6RpBesides, I’m your sponsor.2wFZq
sPJTsLmOf course, he kept that part to himself. It wasn’t something to say in front of the other students.ihan
N61av“Oh, I also brought all kinds of chocolate.”3rk
V9RR“…Thanks.”Tgn
ZkoHpGeGratitude aside, if just a few pieces of chocolate could earn him more favor from real Royal Knights, Fernan was willing to spend whatever it took.rmHWv
UibFeCThat’s how powerful money was. With money, you could buy almost anything.VPCfY3x
QLSSoE“Silence!”yso42
qoFProfessor Grad’s voice echoed through the classroom. Instantly, the chatter ceased.XoyV
ApMx“Now that I’ve informed you who will be participating, I’ll give you the schedule.”FMazl4
5hle1nBThe six selected students nodded.9WJ
A8EZN“Tomorrow at dawn, we will teleport to Count Altrierc’s estate using a teleportation circle.”r9Ql
9b9T19jAltrierc. If the Bercheffs were the shield of the Empire’s north, Altrierc was the wall defending the west.CIM2G
8vXUteLThe Academy had teleportation circles installed that connected to all the houses of the Elector Princes, which made the transfer possible.RHZH
pMcOf course, the cost was enormous. It was proof of how much the rector valued this mission.uvogyJ
jRW7‘Don’t tell me he reduced the number to nine just to save money…’kKynEPo
35u5eLvAs he thought that, Grad continued.ayq
Wowja“…Our objective is to experience war and face demons. If any of you, thinking you’re a hero, gets carried away and does something stupid, I’ll smash your face in myself. Understood?”Q4QnwZ
jdvPspc“Yes, sir!”2c2o
XpVE“The six of you will now return to your dormitories to pack. Tomorrow, before five, you must be at the dimensional pavilion—no delays.”neSitW
imkPUThat pavilion was the place where the Academy’s transport circles were controlled and guarded. No unauthorized person could set foot there.Q7GEppV
XgfXV“And since we also have to prepare, today’s classes will be taught by other professors. The six of you, dismissed.”SiX4kb
zSpzLFernan left the classroom with Luina.qVG
reBPNwu“Isn’t it interesting?”1qkQ
F9F1aSuddenly, Ludger, who was walking behind, grabbed his shoulder as if they were old friends.3osvk
FMqBeQ“What is?”870
qt8w7u“That in the end, we’re all going in pairs. Don’t you think it was deliberate?”ZIgo
1k5JtTrue.u0t01
oxFzguLFernan and Luina, both first-ranked.0x5mDSl
eEKLudger and Almon, second and third.gCeK5zi
Jtq0lFAnd Carlo together with Alia, third and second respectively.7XA
x2RzThe fact that Alia, normally in fourth place, had moved up a rank thanks to being Carlo’s partner was pure luck.SjO
O5M“It’s true.”Vi8DL
foUv“Luina, last time you weren’t in shape, and we couldn’t really measure up. But now it will be different.”mZy
eng3“This time it’s not a duel. We’ll fight as allies.”2qh0Oc
LTBnDP“We could wager—with demons and monsters in between.”Xnj
R0WS9nc“No, thank you.”cQqV
KvFSc“Why not?”6wPgaL
jEE“Because we’re going to protect the Empire, not to have fun.”5zdp
Q1Zs5fFernan let out a short laugh as he watched Luina flatly reject Almon.0oxjmh
j9dpDIn moments like this, she seemed like her usual self, but something in how she treated him had changed.c7jIKi
ch25kOS“……”Vq6D
tftDW0hThen Fernan felt a burning gaze behind him. It was Carlo Deneb.vJN
xPGUL7cWhen their eyes met, Carlo walked up with firm steps.iNR
U9B“Do you know what Aria Fridian told me?”OxH
dg5LAn unexpected opening.V1QSB
LoW1Fernan kept his merchant’s unshakable face.1Pbj
OKmp93“No.”jeD
frxeUob“She said she was disappointed.”vVA
YMMDGCarlo continued in a low voice, almost a murmur.DZHBcn
4FN“That it would have been better if you had gone out instead of me. That I was weaker than Fernan.”LyJI
ZMMv“Words from a brat who knows nothing.”BpTrUMw
nWCPzdgA blatant provocation.xf4GzAH
SSG3WThough the funny thing was, knowing Aria, those words weren’t provocation or mockery—they were a sincere impression.qIAr
Gq1lFZ“The ridiculous thing was that I couldn’t deny it.”7HARtV
JYBUCarlo ground his teeth.tM0i
ZfRbDF“I lost the first-place spot.”iwdb
HfDWHis voice grew harsher.6p7z8
wyMV“And even though it’s true, I was filled with rage. I couldn’t accept that a first-year student looked down on me. So I wanted to beat Aria Fridian in the Magic Tournament and prove my worth once again.”sN0Zs
af0wlgj“But you lost.”sY0ek
56LwJ“Yes. I lost. Pathetic.”1BI0CV
lqqEaxIt was by a slim margin, but a loss was still a loss.wlKkIh
cN3psThe second-ranked second-year student had been defeated by the second-ranked first-year.wWU
kMyMnXCFor Carlo, who had always stood out even among the Academy’s geniuses, it was a devastating blow.fdW3zV4
f6NLgThat’s why, as soon as Fernan signed up for the expedition, he reacted instinctively.0dpX
8yuf84fA premonition overcame him—if he kept falling behind, he would never catch up.sfh7
ewrc“I realized how lazy I had become, drunk on the label of being first. I was an arrogant fool. I won’t make that mistake again. This was the first and last time I lose the top spot.”I1J3
qbo“…This might not be the best time to say it, but I’m actually not interested in being first.”edomD
aPL“I don’t believe you.”miAcE1r
yCB3E“Think what you want.”fiXd
8QTSFernan shrugged.Mo9GNB
zB0LUCarlo, his eyes burning with renewed determination, gave him one last look before turning and walking away.ULmQcu
LRm1“Let’s go.”Wado
PVOTF6t“Yes.”0JzbNt
WJGMFuFernan headed to the Golden Turtle Company branch.isz5f2
YE5***arRS5u
eBqd“This is the plan sent from the Bardian branch.”iP7
1GpBardian was the island between the two continents where the Academy was located. The document was addressed to the duke, Fernan’s father.EaJm
b7m“A plan about the black obsidian mine?”8JciUk
cs2JLrThere was nothing more urgent to send at that moment.PHWm1
2broiThe duke opened the papers. The information detailed the surroundings of the discovered vein, nearby monster nests, profitability—everything well organized.6hnlIZW
goWgK“…What is this?”9SMG
IbkfSIt also included the amount of funds and troops needed to exploit it.8SAPA
BmSGThe duke rubbed his eyes.E4kv
O7GY“Any problem, sir?”6ssv
lcgsW“Take a look at this.”3j4r5c
qIyThe butler leaned over the document. The duke’s finger pointed to the section on required troops.fx7wa9y
621JRbL“Five hundred mercenaries plus the Red Turtle Squadron and the Blue Turtle Brigade?”vqkHraG
y4TFEThe Red Turtle was the pride of House Pellenberg—their best knightly order.njk9
hsokSVQThe Blue Turtle was their best magical brigade.6rxupk
wCQConsidering that their commanders were a Royal Knight and an Archmage respectively, the power of both forces was enough to wipe out an entire kingdom.7lF
yAXPdlW“…Is the young master planning to start a war against Frazia?”p6Dgj
NsN“He’s not that foolish.”kPqO
rE7NrThe duke, though surprised, quickly understood his son’s move.EBsqFlf
Gvfk“He’s trying to manipulate me.”JaYUlYP
Ju3GGIbIt was the classic tactic—ask for a lot at first to ensure what’s truly necessary.HiU
ibfu“What he really wants… is half the mercenaries, plus the Red Turtle Knights and the Blue Turtle Brigade.”qzCWws
VMx“But those are also elite forces. He can’t expect to use them just to guard a mine.”wfuB2Bt
iQFu2QFernan knew full well it would be overkill.Rilf
HukThen why send such an exaggerated plan?r1Yn
1ao“…Fernan has never acted beyond reason, right?”UNsA
HHh“Correct.”mi7t
2uiGEm“Except when it comes to Luina Bercheff or demons.”OUAZDe8
NC3YJW“That’s right.”Ilvm3t
FWuHSN“Then it can only be one of those two.”Uw8S20
lA7iOr rather, just one—demons.K31
rfNIf the mine was connected to them, that kind of troop deployment made sense.xm8
AmnBzn“This bold kid…”iHHv
S9DJrAnThe duke let out an incredulous chuckle.hZtnn
CoywDN6Fernan wasn’t someone who took on the impossible alone.SmBI
IVjXrnIf he was asking for such force, it was because he had judged there was a high likelihood of needing it.dpY
em6RTy“Not even I was that ambitious.”PSA
70kzuOlMeaning his son didn’t want to share the profits—not even with him, his own father.AwEE4MQ
bEU1aYWAnd to top it off, using his men.yY3rj8
cZCEven if he had advanced capital upon discovering the vein, it was still an insolent move.VlE
XGmi2s4“What shall we do, sir?”nwh0j
xVfKU31“Send the Red Tail Order and the Blue Tail Brigade, along with one hundred mercenaries.”YifoV
POPs7acThey were the third-ranked order and brigade of House Pellenberg. Of lower level, but still among the best on the continent.a6rjr1k
TQ9U“Arrogant or not, if demons are involved, we can’t let them get away.”2gPh
ZG3qpkx“It will be done.”6SMHQ89
4Q8KThe butler nodded. The duke’s eyes gleamed with a different light.BdDrRQ
3z4Ke“And the demons infiltrated in Pellenberg?”NmTq7EJ
VvTvXv“We’ve identified forty-one. In the purge operation, thirty-three were eliminated, and eight were captured.”qRcO0j2
rZV1“There were too many hiding under my own roof.”wIoIh
Cejdck“But…”qTL
ct5The butler lowered his head.PThN
36kGCY“When attempting to interrogate them, even after destroying their cores, they all died vomiting blood due to a secondary curse.”mmy9a
zXpFq“Not even Master Dureleo could lift it?”DK6
3r7f3XA“No. He says it’s not something that can be resolved quickly.”Tq8
u9BuThe duke clicked his tongue.XhcDjE
LA6h2q“And the war supplies?”TYmN
9TQkV7“We’re buying in secret and steadily. Although prices have skyrocketed due to the monster wave in the Taklakan desert.”deZKrj
Tdg“Keep buying.”YjKTRK
eMHAXc“Yes, sir.”2QSkNuL
3FqUlIt might seem like a loss, but it wasn’t.QtgP2
T3uSince he saw Andromalius through the recording sphere, the duke knew.eGi
X0ZThe war was just beginning.CSpW
TisThe tragedy from a thousand years ago was rearing its head again.R3zY
pgLAkt“Pellenberg became a prince-elector and the richest on the continent thanks to that war against the demons.”TupIoaa
2vTYnKSo then, what would they gain this time?gaP
WuqMnwA greedy smile appeared on his face.3dTJCCY
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