“Alright. Whenever you want.”
Aint also took the bait, just like the rector.
At first glance, it seemed there was enough strength, but Fernan couldn’t rest easy.
‘More. We need more power, something even more certain.’
They had already experienced Flauros’s trap. If it hadn’t been for the Dragon Heart, that place would have been Fernan’s grave.
Especially because Dantalion had escaped.
No one knew how many more avatars he had or where they might be hiding. If he noticed Fernan and Aint moving, he could set up any kind of ambush.
After all, demons had already been summoned multiple times.
There was no guarantee another wouldn’t appear and that two or three more wouldn’t be waiting.
That’s why more was needed.
A force even more certain, more overwhelming.
And in moments like this, there was someone who could easily be brought in and who was the most reliable bet.
“The master, you say?”
“Yes. I want you to deliver a request to the Mercenary King.”
The Mercenary King—a Royal Knight who accepted almost any job as long as there was money involved, and who even had experience killing demons.
He had refused to fight a demon again with only two Royal Knights, but this time would be different—a Royal Knight and an Archmage.
Moreover, with Aint, natural enemy of demons, and Wooden, everything changed completely.
‘It wouldn’t be bad to call upon the family’s superhumans, but they can’t move so freely.’
The two superhumans of the Pellenberg Family had fixed roles within the lineage.
Pulling them from their duties and sending them into battle would cost far more than hiring the Mercenary King.
“What exactly should I tell him?”
“Demons.”
“…Excuse me?”
“If you say that, he’ll understand.”
“Understood.”
Varus’s reply came three days later.
“The master says he at least wants to hear it in person.”
But that wasn’t all.
“Where is he now?”
“He told me he boarded a ship heading for the Academy.”
“Suddenly?”
“Yes, he was headed here already.”
It wasn’t a bad thing. That same afternoon, Fernan secretly met with the Mercenary King at the Academy.
“I didn’t expect you to come in person.”
“When I heard the Academy was in ruins, I came immediately. I want to see those marks with my own eyes.”
The Mercenary King chewed on high-quality dried meat.
“I could offer you something more exquisite.”
“It’s fine. No matter how good it is, nothing beats what you’ve eaten your whole life. Get on with it.”
“We’ve found traces of demons. It’s highly likely another summoning is being prepared—or has already happened.”
“And who’s going with you?”
“The rector himself.”
“Michael Montella? He must be furious. Of course, his old age has been tarnished by demons.”
“So do we still need more?”
The Mercenary King tilted his head.
“I believe I made it clear last time.”
“But this time it’s not two Royal Knights—it’s a Royal Knight and an Archmage.”
“Are you trying to play with words?”
The Mercenary King didn’t raise his voice or show bloodlust, but just looking at him was suffocating pressure.
“We’ll be joined by me, Aint Armian, Luina Bercheff, and Gismond Ert.”
“The natural enemy of demons?”
The Mercenary King showed interest.
He had heard the rumors, but had never witnessed that power of the Armians.
If even half of it were true, it was intriguing.
“That would be enough to fill the gap Albinos left.”
“Exactly.”
“And you’ve got that hanging from your neck.”
His finger pointed straight at Wooden.
“How amusing, you’ve kept it hidden.”
“Only because there was no need to show it.”
“There’s one more condition for the money you asked for.”
“Name it.”
“The golem.”
The Mercenary King leaned forward.
“Can it really grow to ten meters? I want to see it.”
“Don’t you want to see the Saintbird too?”
“I’ll ask Aint about that directly.”
“If I promise to show it to you, will you accept the job?”
Without a second of hesitation, he nodded.
“Of course.”
Ah, and I want to see my disciple next to him too.
“So be it.”
“But tell me, who is this Gismond Ert? Doesn’t seem like anyone famous if even I don’t know him.”
“Just a very competent senior.”
Surely it’ll even be fun to put him to work.
Fernan smiled.
***
Meanwhile, the Academy’s students were beginning to leave one by one.
Neither Aria nor Verian were exceptions.
Both watched the continent draw closer as they felt the sea breeze.
“I told you I don’t need this.”
“That’s not possible, young lady.”
Aria huffed as the elves sent by her family attended to her. Her father had ordered it as soon as he learned she was injured.
“And you, Verian, where are you going? Finally heading home?”
“Yes. I can’t avoid it forever.”
Since his defeat against Aint, he had feared returning home, afraid of his father.
But the situation had changed—Aint was no longer just a rival, and the demons had made it clear how crucial he was.
Even if he couldn’t beat him yet, everyone now knew it wasn’t due to his lack of talent.
So now he felt capable of returning home with his head held high.
“And you’ll just rest with your family?”
“For a while. Then I’ll head straight to the Mother Tree.”
“The World Tree?”
“Yes. After all this, I feel like I must.”
For an elf, going to the Mother Tree meant training.
Aria, after being manipulated again by a demon, understood it well—she was weak.
If she wanted to survive in the chaotic era ahead, she had to grow stronger, build mental defenses, and make pacts with more spirits.
“I’ll support you.”
“Just with words?”
“I’m the one who can best understand what you’re feeling.”
“That’s true.”
Verian had also been controlled twice and nearly a third time.
“I can’t even stand hearing the word demon anymore.”
“Me neither.”
The ship docked. Aria and the elves began to disembark.
“Then, see you later. By then, we’ll both be third years.”
“We will.”
“If you ever get bored, come to House Fridian. You’ll always have someone to hang out with.”
“It’s far.”
“But worth it. You’ll get to see me, won’t you?”
Aria smiled playfully. Verian furrowed his brow deeply.
“That makes me sick to my stomach.”
“Bah, what else can I expect from you? Go on already.”
Aria walked away. Verian watched her from the ship’s railing until she vanished from sight.
“……”
He wasn’t so clueless as to not notice that Aria’s attitude toward him had changed a bit.
But now wasn’t the time.
He had no room or time for romantic games.
Kalburdern territory was approaching.
***
Three weeks had passed since the Academy suffered the demon invasion.
The Golden Turtle received the reconstruction contract, and finally, everyone not directly involved had to leave the island.
Rrrrumble—
With magic, the leveling works made the entire island tremble. Fernan watched the scene.
“Does it make you sad, young master?”
“Yes, very much.”
Fernan clicked his tongue at Hyde’s question.
It wasn’t just about repairing: the entire Academy grounds were being razed to build it from scratch. Aside from a few buildings that remained intact, it was practically a full reconstruction.
A colossal project, obviously costing fortunes but also capable of generating astronomical profits.
Raw materials, transport, labor wages—there were a thousand things to bill.
But this time was different. They couldn’t do it.
The eyes of the people prevented it.
“It wasn’t simply that demons descended. It was the destruction of the Academy, the Empire’s symbol, with enormous damage.”
Although students suffered few casualties, there were many victims among professors and civilians.
It was a tragedy not only for the Empire, but for the entire continent.
And while merchants usually profited from such misfortunes, this time the scale was too great.
Using this to enrich themselves was risking infamy far greater than any profit.
No matter how stained the reputation of the Pellenberg family already was, this case was different.
That’s why the Golden Turtle agreed to charge only the basic cost of the project.
Profits would come anyway, because the Academy’s property was divided among the seven prince-electors, and Pellenberg would get their share.
Even so, what could have been a giant gold ingot was reduced to a few specks of dust—there was no way to feel pleased.
“Here’s today’s newspaper.”
Hyde handed him the paper. On the front page, there was only one headline.
【Prince-Electors’ Council convened again. This time even Perdicas Armian, patriarch of Armian, attends! Is the long silence of the Armian family finally broken…?】
The demon invasion at the Academy had been a massive shock. Everyone was demanding the formation of a union.
The prince-electors were finally beginning to move according to that outcry.
Although the presence of the Armian patriarch would complicate things, it was clear this time the council wouldn’t end with evasions like before. Some result would have to come.
Fernan turned the page.
【How was a golem with its own will created? The secret weapon Pellenberg prepared for decades?】
【The Saintbird returns to Armian. Military reinforcements underway: will House Armian take off again?】
【The feat of Aint Armian—the demon-slaying hero exists!】
Everything revolved around the same things Aint, the Saintbird, and Wooden.
Everywhere, they were the central topic.
And now, with Armian appearing at the council after more than a century of absence, the spotlight was even more focused on Aint.
Everything was flowing in the right direction.
Well—except for Schwaben, who was surely feeling uncomfortable. Very uncomfortable.
“The preparations?”
“Ready, young master. The ship is prepared; they can set sail whenever you wish.”
“And the rector and the Mercenary King?”
“As soon as you board, we’ll inform them.”
Of course, they couldn’t keep the rector or the Mercenary King waiting. They were the ones who had to wait.
“And Luina and Gismond?”
“We’re here.”
“We just arrived.”
Luina and Gismond stepped onto the rooftop, both wearing light leather armor.
“Uh… but do I really have to go? I just fought a demon…”
“Yes, senior. You have to come. At least to pay for the cost of the potions you drank, don’t you think?”
“…Right.”
Fernan silenced Gismond with that line, then turned to Luina.
“The luggage?”
“All in the subspace bag you gave me.”
“I shouldn’t be the one saying this, but it’ll be dangerous. No, it will definitely be dangerous.”
“I know.”
“And you’ll still come?”
“Yes.”
Luina answered naturally.
“This is what I wanted—to fight demons.”
“Why?”
“When we fought Andrealphus, I felt like I was about to grasp a thread. It’s still vague, but maybe against another demon I’ll truly catch it.”
And also—
“The Mercenary King is coming with us, right?”
“Yes.”
“If I’m lucky, I might even get a duel against him.”
“…You’re crazy. Everyone’s gone crazy.”
Luina showed a certain ambition. Fernan smiled, amused by how much she had changed.
And seeing Gismond’s horrified face at that ambition was almost just as amusing.
“Alright. But don’t overdo it. If everything goes wrong, run.”
“I’m not going to run alone.”
“Do as you like.”
Fernan stretched and turned around. Luina, Hyde, and Gismond followed him.
“Alright, it’s time to collect our revenge.”
The sky was clear.
The last ship carrying the Academy’s people was setting sail at that moment.
____
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