Chapter 82
EHtThe wave of monsters and demonic beasts was unfolding in real time, so the academy students had no luxury of traveling peacefully across the continent.LAKtc
fICZGE“All right, everyone, please step onto the magic circle.”ZILL5Bi
yAsZrAt the mage’s command, two professors and nine students moved forward and positioned themselves on the circle.8su
win“When using the transport circle, mana becomes unstable and may cause some dizziness, so keep that in mind.”fJW7V
BbKBAfter these brief instructions, the circle began to glow.BmDxz6W
E5xZBp“Destination: the capital of the County of Altrierc, Artc. Number of people: twelve. Activating circle.”CUJl5
mQEhnRbA flash enveloped them and, in the blink of an eye, the world changed.XE0yLCT
QHTM5q“Welcome! Professor Grad Xanth, Professor Rosalia Vienderk, and nine students, correct?”EBG7
pLaj9The surroundings had completely changed, even the mages receiving them. Professor Grad showed his identification plaque, and the mage, after verifying it, nodded.fHqUVl
r1g“Welcome to Altrierc! I am Deid, knight of this land.”2Aa
oqV“I am Professor Grad from the academy.”Rdm
UDLThe knight greeted them alongside the mage.Ueq0uwe
rhqa“Please, follow me. I’ll guide you.”sOI9
t6bUD6h“Are we going to meet the count?”aaa3v
VMRSjrP“No. Although the count was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Empire’s new sprouts, he is currently at the defensive wall. You’ll be able to see him there. For now, I’ll take you to your lodgings.”WO357sR
ipPN8qIThe capital of Altrierc, Artc, seemed incredibly peaceful for a territory at war.z2Idqw
bO15The faces of the people showed no worry or distress; nothing looked destroyed, nor were there corpses in the streets.gNybI
vGmTArtc was some distance from the walls where the fighting occurred, but that calm was mainly due to the absolute trust they had in their count.CyNhV
8Ol‘Or maybe they’re just used to it.’fau2mz9
0myZgtfSince ancient times, Altrierc had withstood relentless waves — before, assaults from demonic beasts from the north; now, hordes coming from the desert.mZkq
aThJcAQThe enemy changed, but war had always been their daily bread.nOttF
4N11PM“What do you think? That is the statue of the first count…”FaOD9q
M6b“…And that is the famous Pasa Bell. It is said that the first Emperor, founder of the Empire, left it as an inheritance…”mlpJMO
NrQtAYAs they moved forward, Deid proudly explained each monument.JOM9AZr
6mGtzGWhat caught Fernan’s attention was the Pasa Bell.da5y0
rE365Just as the knight said, it was an artifact left by the first Emperor. The sound of that bell contained a power of extinction capable of weakening demons.YKFwMG
uIPMXr‘They say that… because in a thousand years it hasn’t been used again.’eyQP
gd7a8aNo one had been able to verify it since the demons disappeared. But according to the prophecy book, it was authentic and truly effective. That’s why the corrupt wanted to destroy it.OvY
QF6Rkl‘Then, in this area, that damn corrupt must be hiding…’iiM
aoIuCdr“What an intense look.”wz4
2SyIj7AFernan snapped out of his thoughts when he noticed a cold stare fixed on him.OND4I8b
dQO“What do you mean?”VLAYG
L9w“While looking at that bell, your face was like someone about to commit murder. Are you a corrupt?”Er2UML
TSe“What nonsense are you saying?”DNQ
Mes“Didn’t you find the joke funny?”QNEpkRo
fEAt“That was a joke?”mOfTvi3
AjnPm“Forget it.”M2Q
g9YNl7Fernan let out a brief laugh.J5cGY
sTs9QFb“We’ve arrived.”Em3yi
qxo2zFThe knight led them to the lord’s fortress at the center of the city. The castle’s grand quarters would be their lodgings.4p1KJV
1tEMT1“Thank you.”lu8
Z71WEH“You’re welcome. The count would have liked to welcome you personally, but he is at the front. Even the countess and her children have gone up to the wall.”QnY
bfChFIt wasn’t surprising. Everyone knew the countess was the family’s best knight, and her children were equally notable. As soon as the monster wave began, the whole family headed to the battlefield.hBE
SE7qd“In his place, tonight the chief butler will dine with you.”3EDq
GW6F“Understood.”RrPxE
VJZO8Yt“Tomorrow at dawn, you’ll depart with the order of knights to the wall. If you need anything, just pull the service cord. See you later.”3kgp
swZPp1PThe twelve assigned rooms were spacious and elegant.4Gwv5js
zIsoFH“No need to fight over them. Pick one and rest.”jM1QB
vlJcZoEach student took a room, though Fernan stayed still.Mq6NVeG
WW7“What’s wrong, Fernan? Do you want to say something?”vJa
tGcH“May I go out to explore the city during our free time?”CpD
fW7i4J“We didn’t come here for sightseeing.”9ZqC2L
4V6f2pm“I’m not going out for sightseeing either.”9WH4hT
Ci7“Then what for?”kTBunf
eyf5bTo find the corrupts’ hideout.YdQ4xs
UEiFl“To do some market research.”E5ko
yWO1Du“In this context?”X9PH3j
wzZlNuj“Precisely because of this context, it’s worth it.”wFwyf
BlnI“No.”PueYFii
ZvbGzFernan showed a small bag of money.27NQrqR
9VJxx“Do whatever you want, but don’t cause trouble.”fuG
XMyCf“Can I take other students?”RmeXnG
NpO“Do whatever you want, but check with Knight Deid first.”huzcMo
0sbV9“Yes.”SYwPpc
6S6wFernan pulled the cord in his room.wzCf
EUC6S‘Tonight is the only night we’ll spend here. Before it ends, I must find that hideout.’f1mo0d
OmjSUmVHe couldn’t waste time — finding it or not would make all the difference in his whole plan.GVBDZ
K4Joc“Did you call for me?”DSgA
q6uBSyMShortly after, Deid appeared.Dj8
1oH“Can I go out before lunch?”yecD
zoNilB“Of course. I only ask that you allow me to accompany you.”Zg6
KwRSo“I don’t mind.”lZ3mZ
vRHEFHThat’s what he expected, and it even suited him. If he was discovered alongside the knight, his credibility would be greater.0p6rC
rsvFJP“Can we go right now?”KrjwUz
Tc9“Of course.”VNaX
NS37eQHDeid nodded.2Uv
wZ4lII***4pWQth
8he6“Would it be all right if I take you to the market first?”IiRtE
ihN“I would appreciate it.”Kix6vtP
rxiZFernan put on his coat and went out with Knight Deid.LMlFCZS
09sHe didn’t bring Aint or Luina with him. In a situation where he still didn’t know where the corrupt ones might be, he couldn’t drag them along recklessly.S8M
NQmx“Because of the war, there seem to be many weapon stalls.”RRB1aty
SKO9“Yes. Most knights and soldiers receive supplies from the Golden Turtle Company, but not the mercenaries, so there’s always activity here. It increased with the war, but not by much.”Z6Jsfmk
C8wmrn“I see.”RZnYG9a
lmPvIn truth, this wasn’t new for Altrierc. They had always fought against the hordes coming from the Taklakan Desert, so the demand for weapons surprised no one.6EWZ769
4OY‘Where could it be?’w8MU
N7DAs he walked through the market, Fernan’s gaze naturally turned toward the Bell of Pasa.UsL
Ifw0cAgIt was completely white, without a single blemish, and engraved on its surface was a relief—mountains, trees, sky, clouds, the sun, and above that sky, flying, the symbol of the Armians, the sacred bird Saintbird.QoUr9A
EpRsbV“The Bell of Pasa is bigger than I imagined.”aGu
Vpkj9“Yes. It’s seven meters high and four in diameter. There’s no larger bell in the world.”Cgcp
xyGmS“Then it should be visible from anywhere in Artc.”phB0tpP
Xlx“Not exactly.”MMb
YUzDeid shook his head.7nVDu
Y5bEH6“If it had been placed higher, yes. But it’s been in the same spot for a thousand years, and now the surrounding buildings block it from view at a distance.”jWlZg
xRc“Buildings?”pWip
DxgaI“That’s right. That’s why houses with a view of the Bell are more expensive and sell for very high prices.”V6K
oeIKkLFIn other words, an affluent neighborhood had formed around the Bell. Useful information.2yFwZs
RdYhXS“It’s normal for property values to go up or down depending on what’s nearby.”kEZ
i7wSo he didn’t need to check the whole city—just the houses around the Bell.BNPpp
Ie05Ky‘Now, how?’QgU3
79KL8The answer was simple.zLII
OYWz4l“Could you take me to the local branch of the Golden Turtle Company?”SB0cR
mRbT9In these situations, power and money were the best tools.KszwpHP
YR6***P1GS
wXhj“Found it.”tbDCx
x8YUMeFernan requested a report on all the houses from which the Bell could be seen, along with the names of their owners.X1Gg3h
543He didn’t have to wait long to receive it. As Deid had said, those properties were in the wealthy district, and the Golden Turtle Company was always alert where there was the scent of money.MQn
ihgKThere were about fifty mansions with a direct view of the Bell. That list had to be narrowed down.lSv
9VNRyhVAnd Fernan had one strong lead—a golden ashtray with five stars in relief.EIO
EfdAdaIt might seem insignificant, but clues always began with small details.DqT
JFH“Bairan Osmond.”Fa8
4T55A forty-year-old man, mercenary.GQ6bwRp
2n6KwLeader of the Black Star Mercenary Company, with over seventy members under his command.HcR
ZT1upIn recent years, he had earned large sums fighting on the wall and had made a name for himself in Artc.zyEvsi
UjffbGThe records confirmed he had ordered the manufacture of a golden ashtray with stars in relief.TYY0DqO
lnZ4PUe“Was it arrogance or did he think no one would find out?”eYJpb
2oyjo2Ordering something like that from the Golden Turtle Company—the latter seemed more likely. Without the Book of Prophecies, it would never have become an issue.ZMxDlyd
VseAlthough there was always the chance it was just a coincidence. That’s why he had to confirm it in person.jz7S
rgxqRMM“Wooden.”EWN5
E3Vwl— Kyu?nu0
a1CNow that they were alone, the small golem, which had returned to doll form and was scampering among the objects, approached Fernan.TApon
7Ctzkh“Your time has come.”Mlv
poyWmz2— Kyukyu?4LIrS6
hOpL“No, it’s not to wreck everything.”ga6
MIt92UJ— Kyu.mbpp
W0Oka“Disappointed? As a forest spirit, shouldn’t you love peace a little more?”bqB
RSrvxa— Kuu.Q0EFR
4nz“You say having that body and not using it is a sin? Well, I can’t argue with that.”Rkv
uUYZFernan nodded.0mYV
Ahh“In any case, your mission is simple.”DVLQB
4W2He had to shrink and sneak into the mansion.Lyri9rC
m0pX1AH“Find the owner’s study and verify if the ashtray is there. That’s all. Understood?”L8m
Lmghcls— Kyu!fAtk
WTqrDUWooden’s body shrank to just two centimeters—the minimum possible.89OaOS
4KrS“Perfect. From now on, when you’re a pendant, stay that small.”lSrlB
x9br4R— Kuu!mFsIK
Xa5Ll0“What, three centimeters smaller is uncomfortable? Don’t exaggerate.”eGN
J3wzeoWooden shook his head vigorously, as if those three centimeters were a whole world.zwr
gZJLFE“All right.”7X3
RxJzHFernan closed his eyes and linked his mana. Wooden was an ego golem, and although it didn’t require a bond, he could still use one.XTEi
PQc002Now he could see and hear everything Wooden did.oiMCYKk
P2QThe golem opened the window and left.Y8xx
r1VRCD‘Go on, Wooden. No one must spot you.’maM
RkCKWooden advanced, hiding between alleys and bushes until he reached an imposing mansion.AvI6
fo1IDczHe blended in with the servants entering and darted inside.Q1lXXy
fgY3U‘Go up. Usually, the owner’s study is on the top floor.’4ISRqw
jKWNThe small golem climbed the stairs lined with red carpet.uM7N2VU
pumq‘That door. Go in there.’dQZffQB
AelIt was the tallest and most ornate, engraved with a soundproofing seal.z7LwI2W
doo‘In the prophecy, the corrupt’s voice echoed. Only a soundproofed room would fit.’bzl
bMu8EgWith no other magical protections in sight, Wooden hid behind a decorative suit of armor, and when a servant opened the door, he slipped inside.mal
9W7dHe hid behind a potted plant.KTUxV
3iRaBpq‘Look forward.’0bY
GEceNF— Kyu.hLgA5h
epl1‘Relax, your moment to unleash yourself will come soon.’18d0oq
Lo8— Kuu!n1G
qprDWhen he turned his head, the study was revealed. A man sat behind the desk next to the window.0pw3m
Wjp“I bring a report.”euIyP
DJ59n“Speak.”nAUL47L
2HDunThe servant bowed, and the man’s voice echoed through the room.kPn
OajAs soon as the servant uttered his next words, a shiver ran down Fernan’s spine.Wrj
cDg“The students from the Academy have arrived at the front under the pretext of gaining real experience.”7L0f
uXBHis mind went blank—or rather, caught fire.06jx
uEBQjmK“Real experience?”4r43WR
z2Q1Could he witness such a moment again?VZBxsC
1SpWfD“How soft, they’ve gone soft with peace.”YNH
EL1TutIt was the exact moment.hBo
wp2ZdFernan’s face filled with emotion.gSy
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