Chapter 109
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: The Legend Reborn
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“……”
“……”
The light faded from the banquet hall.
Save for the two Vile Breeds writhing like insects on the floor, there was no movement.
Nobles, merchants, officials, peasants, even royalty.
It was a gathering of diverse people, yet the emotion they shared was the same.
A thrill, and then reverence.
After a thousand years, demons had long since become beings of legend.
But they were not the only ones spoken of in tales.
If demons were legends, then so was the first emperor, who had defeated them and saved the world.
The adversary of demons.
The power to extinguish magi.
The emotion felt by those who had witnessed this legend with their own eyes was anything but light.
This was the Empire, they were its people, and this was their legend.
Above all, this was the recreation of a legend, happening at a time when the Vile Breeds had revealed themselves for the first time in a thousand years.
It was only natural that a sense of overwhelming elation filled their hearts.
“…To think I would witness the recreation of a legend with my own eyes.”
“Ooh…”
“O, First Emperor…”
“The Saint Bird… Armian protects the Empire…”
Some fell to their knees; others shed tears.
Then, someone in the crowd shouted.
“Hail Aint Armian!”
“The adversary of demons!”
That was the signal.
“Hail Aint Armian!”
“Hail Aint Armian, the adversary of demons!”
The emotion and thrill erupted into a single roar.
The heavy atmosphere of the banquet hall, once filled with people gathered to find the Vile Breeds, was instantly filled with hope.
‘Not a bad start.’
The corners of Pernyan’s mouth lifted slightly.
He had firmly imprinted Aint’s name and deeds in the minds of everyone present.
Considering there were nobles and even royalty among them, the events of today would soon spread throughout Valerich, and then to the entire Empire and continent.
Of course, he would be adding more fuel to the fire.
‘Hm?’
Just then, he noticed someone who, like the others, was chanting Aint’s name, yet seemed somehow awkward.
‘What is…’
He soon realized why.
His complexion. For some reason, the man looked a little pale. Pernyan approached him.
“Count Daniel, are you unwell?”
“Ah, Young Lord.”
Count Daniel smiled awkwardly.
“I suppose seeing a corpse up close has unsettled me. It’s my first time seeing one so… graphic.”
“Ah, I can understand.”
The Koul family, located in the heart of the Empire, was quite removed from war.
Especially after the Empire had halted its three-hundred-year expansion, there were quite a few families who had never experienced war at all.
It wasn’t so unusual for there to be hothouse flowers who had never seen blood spilled or mutilated corpses.
‘Still, I thought a family of count status would provide some experience…’
By participating in the family's monster hunts or joining the knights on missions.
After all, one couldn't live in this world completely detached from death and combat.
“…In any case, it’s truly reassuring to see the old legend is more potent than I thought. It seems those Vile Breeds won’t dare to challenge the Empire.”
“Yes, I’m sure they won’t.”
And I’ll make sure of it.
Pernyan nodded.
* * *
【The legend of the Empire, the legend of the first emperor, and indeed the legend of Armian, was true.
Aint Armian, the second-ranked first-year student at the Armian Imperial Academy, is the first heir of Armian to enroll in the academy in nearly a hundred years.
Initially ranked 38th in the Knight Department, he was met with scorn and ridicule from all, but the situation changed by the end of the semester. He…
…As the brilliant light of the Saint Bird enveloped the banquet hall, the Vile Breeds fell to their knees of their own accord. The magi and darkness that had been eating away at their bodies were extinguished, unable to offer any resistance….】
“…Wow, it’s so embarrassing to be praised this openly. I think I could die.”
Aint’s face turned red.
- You’ll have to get used to it.
- It’s absurd for one who aims to be emperor to be unable to handle this much attention.
“Of course. It’s just unfamiliar, but I’ll adapt quickly. It’s not so bad.”
True to his words, his mouth and eyes were grinning.
“But it feels a bit off that I’m getting all the praise. I didn’t really do much.”
It was Pernyan who had first realized the Vile Breeds were hiding at the Continental Academic Conference, Pernyan who had brought Aint to the city hall and set the stage, and Pernyan who was now using the newspapers like this.
Aint had merely followed his instructions.
- Didn’t I tell you?
- There’s no backer as reliable as those nouveau riche.
“He’s truly amazing. Not just this time, but always.”
Pernyan was always there whenever Vile Breeds or demons were involved. He always foresaw their plans, prepared for them, and overcame them.
“…If it weren’t for you, Sunbaenim, I’d probably be dead.”
He didn’t have to look far. If it hadn’t been for Pernyan’s golem, he would have died when Andromalius descended.
- But you survived, and you grew stronger.
- That’s a pointless worry.
“I’m always just receiving help from you, Sunbaenim. Yet, shamelessly, I’m the one getting all the fame. Is this right?”
- You know that’s what the nouveau riche intended, don’t you?
- Those Fallenberg types hate the spotlight. He’s using you, too.
“I know, but…”
He wondered if it was right to receive such unconditional favor simply for being an Armian.
That favor felt a little heavy.
Gardner called it being used, but who in the world would use someone by giving them the Heart of a Saint Bird, the root of Itarium, and even this kind of fame?
This was a debt of gratitude. And Aint wasn’t confident he could ever repay it all.
- Why not? Just become the emperor.
- Become emperor and give him mountains of gold.
“Will mere gold be enough?”
- Mere? Say that in front of that nouveau riche, and you’ll get an earful.
- To them, nothing is more important than money.
- They’d probably get angry if you offered them anything else.
Gardner clicked his tongue, as if to say, ‘You still don’t know the Fallenbergs?’
“…I see.”
- And you should be worried about something else. If you fail to pay him back properly, he’ll find a way to collect.
“…What?”
Aint blinked blankly.
- Why are you surprised? Isn’t that obvious? They’re not philanthropists.
- The former emperor also promised the Fallenbergs immense concessions and territory, and he fulfilled that promise. Do you have any idea how much they hounded him until he did?
“…Uh.”
Aint shivered, imagining a deadpan Pernyan taking everything he owned.
“…I have one more reason I must become emperor.”
Because if he didn’t, the current Armian family would never be able to repay this debt.
Aint steeled his resolve once more.
* * *
While Aint was blushing over the newspaper, others in Valerich were reading the very same one.
【Three Vile Breeds Discovered in Valerich. Eleven Dead…】
【The Vile Breeds Begin to Bare Their Claws…】
【The legend of the Empire, the legend of the first emperor, and indeed the legend of Armian…】
Pernyan put down the newspaper, which was filled with stories about the Vile Breeds and Aint.
“Today’s paper. Why are you showing this to me?”
“Reading it made me think. What could you, what could Fallenberg, possibly gain by taking Aint Armian’s side?”
Duke Grancis Vienderk shook his head.
“But I can’t seem to figure it out. Schwaben and Armian. In the past, maybe, but now, even comparing the two families is an insult. Their territories, military strength, power, and wealth.”
Moreover, the Schwabens were the current imperial family.
No matter how much power and strength the Electors held, rivaling that of the emperor, the emperor was still the emperor.
If the imperial throne held no benefit, why would Schwaben fight so desperately to maintain it?
Furthermore, the benefits of siding with Schwaben were far greater than those of siding with Armian.
And the losses from siding with Armian were far greater than those from siding with Schwaben.
“And yet, your actions have been pro-Armian. Since it’s safe to say you represent Fallenberg, this must be Fallenberg’s will.”
“You’re jumping to conclusions, Your Grace.”
“For the Fallenbergs, who have always maintained neutrality and pursued profit, to break that principle and show a clear leaning to one side, it must be one of two things.”
“One of two things?”
“Either you see a greater potential for profit with Armian, or you’re provoking Schwaben to test the waters.”
Pernyan took a sip of his tea.
“Is it the former, or the latter?”
“Someone offers Your Grace a choice between a diamond and a piece of mithril. Which would you choose?”
“Answering my question with a question?”
The Duke’s subtle aura betrayed his displeasure, but he answered nonetheless.
“Mithril, of course. No matter how expensive a diamond is, it cannot compare to the value of mithril.”
“But Adamant, Mithril, Orichalcum—no matter how finely crafted, the beauty of these three metals cannot compare to that of a diamond.”
“It’s not about simple appearance, but its other merits.”
“That is my answer.”
A glint appeared in the Duke’s eyes.
“Are you certain it’s mithril? It could just be a piece of scrap iron disguised as mithril.”
“And what if it is iron? When a large-scale conflict breaks out, the value of that iron will also rise.”
At that moment, the Duke’s eyes widened.
“…You believe the Vile Breed situation will escalate? Has Fallenberg found a clue to that effect?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
Pernyan shook his head.
But the Duke understood his meaning well enough.
“I see.”
After a moment of thought, the Duke seemed to have made up his mind and nodded.
“We’ll say this article was coincidentally published by someone who happened to be there. I’ll erase any trace that you had a hand in it.”
Rip. The Duke tore the newspaper.
“And you and Aint will be said to have gone for an examination after it was discovered you had ‘coincidentally’ crossed paths with one of the deceased.”
Pernyan remained silent, but the Duke continued, unconcerned.
“Consider it payment for showing me the way forward.”
“I don’t know why you’re doing this, but I gratefully accept. And if you’re offering, there is one more thing…”
“It’s true that I invested in Rosalia’s research. I can’t deny what exists. However, it was so long ago that I’m a bit hazy on the exact extent of it.”
He was saying he would still keep a foot in the door, but he would reduce its size.
Pernyan decided to be satisfied with that for now.
“I’ve kept a busy man for too long this morning. You may leave.”
“Yes. I’ll see you again next time.”
At the Duke’s dismissal, Pernyan departed.
Click. The Duke put a cigarette to his lips and lit it.
“The Vile Breeds are not the end. The Empire seeks Armian…”
Puffy smoke passed through his lungs and mixed with the air in his office.
“Schwaben’s already unstable throne becomes even more so…”
The Duke’s eyes grew cold.
* * *
“Good work, Hyde. The article came out quite well.”
“Yes, I sought out and commissioned the best writer in the area. You also took excellent photographs, my lord. The newspaper companies were very pleased.”
Heh heh, Pernyan chuckled.
“What did Duke Grancis say?”
“It will be spun as an accident caused by a reporter who was coincidentally on the scene and acted rashly.”
“Did you tell him everything?”
“It was only a matter of time before it came out anyway. I just moved the timeline up a bit.”
There was a vast difference between the Vile Breeds simply running rampant and a reenactment of the great war from a thousand years ago.
Whether one clearly recognized that difference or not would change many things.
‘There’s nothing to hold back now.’
He had hidden the summoning of Andromalius because the Prophecy Book had indicated it.
But since a demon was publicly summoned in the original future, there was no longer a need to hide it.
However.
‘I was the one who altered that. So I have to set it back on course.’
By capturing Aaron, the future where a demon was summoned vanished. Naturally, the moment when everyone should have become vigilant about demons was lost.
So, in a way, it was his duty to instill that vigilance in everyone.
Still, he had used the information as a bargaining chip to get what he wanted, so it was a win-win.
“So, how is Aint doing?”
“He’s cooped up in the hotel room you lent him. It seems he’s tired of the constant stream of visitors since yesterday.”
“He’s never met so many people, so he wouldn’t be used to it. Leave him be.”
Continuously meeting people or staying secluded to cultivate an air of mystery were both fine options.
The Vile Breeds wouldn’t stop their activities anyway, and the more they acted, the more people would think of Aint.
“And Professor Rosalia?”
“She is packing her things.”
Pernyan knocked on Rosalia’s door.
“It’s Pernyan, Professor. May I come in?”
“Come in.”
When he entered, Professor Rosalia was indeed packing.
“Are you planning on returning?”
“I have to. This Continental Academic Conference is over.”
She was right. Even if they had caught the culprits and dealt with the source, the chances of the conference continuing after eleven people had died were slim.
Especially since the culprits were Vile Breeds.
“Aren’t you disappointed? You didn’t get to present your research.”
“I’m not disappointed.”
That was rather surprising, as he knew Rosalia had been looking forward to this event.
But one should always hear a person out.
“I’m furious. From the research to the conference, I was tangled up with those Vile Breed bastards far more than I realized, wasn’t I?”
The air grew cold with her rage.
“I’ve been screwed over twice now, and my head is about to explode thinking of how to pay them back.”
“What do you plan to do with the chimera?”
“I can’t wait for the next conference. If you can’t have a pheasant, you settle for a chicken.”
The Continental Academic Conference was the most prestigious, but it wasn’t the only one.
She had hoped to present her greatest creation at the most prestigious conference, receiving much attention, but if that wasn’t possible, she had to find the next best option.
She certainly didn’t want a five-year gap until the next conference.
“Prepare it yourself.”
“Me?”
“Of course. If you want to use my research commercially, you’ll have to.”
Professor Rosalia said brazenly.
“I want exclusive rights, but Duke Grancis is trying to get his foot in the door.”
“I can’t do anything about Duke Grancis, so you handle it. You’re not expecting me to spoon-feed you to the end, are you?”
Pernyan let out a short laugh.
“Understood. I’ll try to set something up in conjunction with the Dragon God Cult.”
The next most prestigious conference after the Continental Academic Conference was the one hosted by the Dragon God Cult itself.
Rosalia reached into her pocket. She took out a cigarette case and opened it, only to look dejected at its empty interior.
“Ah.”
“Here you go.”
Pernyan handed her new cigarette cases from his subspace.
“A hundred of them. Your order has arrived at the Golden Turtle branch.”
“Choosing you as my sponsor was the best decision I ever made.”
“Isn’t that a complete turnaround from a moment ago?”
Rosalia put a cigarette to her lips and lit it.
“When you’re going through withdrawal, you’d sell your own soul for a fix.”
“Is it that bad?”
“You’re the one who did this to me.”
“I just gave them to you thinking they might help with your research. I never imagined you’d smoke this much.”
“Wipe that lie off your face. You’re happier than anyone to have a sucker who’ll keep buying you expensive things.”
Rosalia snorted.
“Oh, and if you find any of those Vile Breed bastards, you must tell me.”
“Are you planning on getting revenge?”
“Revenge? It’s nothing so noble as that.”
It was just.
“Letting off steam.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
But there was no need to inform her of another Vile Breed’s appearance.
“That… I’ll have to take it.”
I’d been caught off guard, well and truly.
To think an ambush would happen now, when there was nothing on the way here.
“…Hah, damn it.”
I never expected one on the way back.
And with more force than I anticipated.