Chapter 82

The wave of monsters and demonic beasts was unfolding in real time, so the academy students had no luxury of traveling peacefully across the continent.

“All right, everyone, please step onto the magic circle.”

At the mage’s command, two professors and nine students moved forward and positioned themselves on the circle.

“When using the transport circle, mana becomes unstable and may cause some dizziness, so keep that in mind.”

After these brief instructions, the circle began to glow.

“Destination: the capital of the County of Altrierc, Artc. Number of people: twelve. Activating circle.”

A flash enveloped them and, in the blink of an eye, the world changed.

“Welcome! Professor Grad Xanth, Professor Rosalia Vienderk, and nine students, correct?”

The surroundings had completely changed, even the mages receiving them. Professor Grad showed his identification plaque, and the mage, after verifying it, nodded.

“Welcome to Altrierc! I am Deid, knight of this land.”

“I am Professor Grad from the academy.”

The knight greeted them alongside the mage.

“Please, follow me. I’ll guide you.”

“Are we going to meet the count?”

“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.”

The capital of Altrierc, Artc, seemed incredibly peaceful for a territory at war.

The faces of the people showed no worry or distress; nothing looked destroyed, nor were there corpses in the streets.

Artc 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.

‘Or maybe they’re just used to it.’

Since ancient times, Altrierc had withstood relentless waves — before, assaults from demonic beasts from the north; now, hordes coming from the desert.

The enemy changed, but war had always been their daily bread.

“What do you think? That is the statue of the first count…”

“…And that is the famous Pasa Bell. It is said that the first Emperor, founder of the Empire, left it as an inheritance…”

As they moved forward, Deid proudly explained each monument.

What caught Fernan’s attention was the Pasa Bell.

Just 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.

‘They say that… because in a thousand years it hasn’t been used again.’

No 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.

‘Then, in this area, that damn corrupt must be hiding…’

“What an intense look.”

Fernan snapped out of his thoughts when he noticed a cold stare fixed on him.

“What do you mean?”

“While looking at that bell, your face was like someone about to commit murder. Are you a corrupt?”

“What nonsense are you saying?”

“Didn’t you find the joke funny?”

“That was a joke?”

“Forget it.”

Fernan let out a brief laugh.

“We’ve arrived.”

The knight led them to the lord’s fortress at the center of the city. The castle’s grand quarters would be their lodgings.

“Thank you.”

“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.”

It 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.

“In his place, tonight the chief butler will dine with you.”

“Understood.”

“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.”

The twelve assigned rooms were spacious and elegant.

“No need to fight over them. Pick one and rest.”

Each student took a room, though Fernan stayed still.

“What’s wrong, Fernan? Do you want to say something?”

“May I go out to explore the city during our free time?”

“We didn’t come here for sightseeing.”

“I’m not going out for sightseeing either.”

“Then what for?”

To find the corrupts’ hideout.

“To do some market research.”

“In this context?”

“Precisely because of this context, it’s worth it.”

“No.”

Fernan showed a small bag of money.

“Do whatever you want, but don’t cause trouble.”

“Can I take other students?”

“Do whatever you want, but check with Knight Deid first.”

“Yes.”

Fernan pulled the cord in his room.

‘Tonight is the only night we’ll spend here. Before it ends, I must find that hideout.’

He couldn’t waste time — finding it or not would make all the difference in his whole plan.

“Did you call for me?”

Shortly after, Deid appeared.

“Can I go out before lunch?”

“Of course. I only ask that you allow me to accompany you.”

“I don’t mind.”

That’s what he expected, and it even suited him. If he was discovered alongside the knight, his credibility would be greater.

“Can we go right now?”

“Of course.”

Deid nodded.

***

“Would it be all right if I take you to the market first?”

“I would appreciate it.”

Fernan put on his coat and went out with Knight Deid.

He 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.

“Because of the war, there seem to be many weapon stalls.”

“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.”

“I see.”

In 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.

‘Where could it be?’

As he walked through the market, Fernan’s gaze naturally turned toward the Bell of Pasa.

It 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.

“The Bell of Pasa is bigger than I imagined.”

“Yes. It’s seven meters high and four in diameter. There’s no larger bell in the world.”

“Then it should be visible from anywhere in Artc.”

“Not exactly.”

Deid shook his head.

“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.”

“Buildings?”

“That’s right. That’s why houses with a view of the Bell are more expensive and sell for very high prices.”

In other words, an affluent neighborhood had formed around the Bell. Useful information.

“It’s normal for property values to go up or down depending on what’s nearby.”

So he didn’t need to check the whole city—just the houses around the Bell.

‘Now, how?’

The answer was simple.

“Could you take me to the local branch of the Golden Turtle Company?”

In these situations, power and money were the best tools.

***

“Found it.”

Fernan requested a report on all the houses from which the Bell could be seen, along with the names of their owners.

He 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.

There were about fifty mansions with a direct view of the Bell. That list had to be narrowed down.

And Fernan had one strong lead—a golden ashtray with five stars in relief.

It might seem insignificant, but clues always began with small details.

“Bairan Osmond.”

A forty-year-old man, mercenary.

Leader of the Black Star Mercenary Company, with over seventy members under his command.

In recent years, he had earned large sums fighting on the wall and had made a name for himself in Artc.

The records confirmed he had ordered the manufacture of a golden ashtray with stars in relief.

“Was it arrogance or did he think no one would find out?”

Ordering 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.

Although there was always the chance it was just a coincidence. That’s why he had to confirm it in person.

“Wooden.”

— Kyu?

Now that they were alone, the small golem, which had returned to doll form and was scampering among the objects, approached Fernan.

“Your time has come.”

— Kyukyu?

“No, it’s not to wreck everything.”

— Kyu.

“Disappointed? As a forest spirit, shouldn’t you love peace a little more?”

— Kuu.

“You say having that body and not using it is a sin? Well, I can’t argue with that.”

Fernan nodded.

“In any case, your mission is simple.”

He had to shrink and sneak into the mansion.

“Find the owner’s study and verify if the ashtray is there. That’s all. Understood?”

— Kyu!

Wooden’s body shrank to just two centimeters—the minimum possible.

“Perfect. From now on, when you’re a pendant, stay that small.”

— Kuu!

“What, three centimeters smaller is uncomfortable? Don’t exaggerate.”

Wooden shook his head vigorously, as if those three centimeters were a whole world.

“All right.”

Fernan 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.

Now he could see and hear everything Wooden did.

The golem opened the window and left.

‘Go on, Wooden. No one must spot you.’

Wooden advanced, hiding between alleys and bushes until he reached an imposing mansion.

He blended in with the servants entering and darted inside.

‘Go up. Usually, the owner’s study is on the top floor.’

The small golem climbed the stairs lined with red carpet.

‘That door. Go in there.’

It was the tallest and most ornate, engraved with a soundproofing seal.

‘In the prophecy, the corrupt’s voice echoed. Only a soundproofed room would fit.’

With no other magical protections in sight, Wooden hid behind a decorative suit of armor, and when a servant opened the door, he slipped inside.

He hid behind a potted plant.

‘Look forward.’

— Kyu.

‘Relax, your moment to unleash yourself will come soon.’

— Kuu!

When he turned his head, the study was revealed. A man sat behind the desk next to the window.

“I bring a report.”

“Speak.”

The servant bowed, and the man’s voice echoed through the room.

As soon as the servant uttered his next words, a shiver ran down Fernan’s spine.

“The students from the Academy have arrived at the front under the pretext of gaining real experience.”

His mind went blank—or rather, caught fire.

“Real experience?”

Could he witness such a moment again?

“How soft, they’ve gone soft with peace.”

It was the exact moment.

Fernan’s face filled with emotion.