Chapter 45
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: A Worthy Trade
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It had been well over a month since Pernyan had left the academy for his practical training.
“It’s been over a month, and I have no idea when he’ll be back. Final exams are just around the corner.”
Ruina Bercefe found her current academy life to be quite unsatisfactory.
Objectively speaking, Aaron Prain possessed outstanding skills, as if to prove he didn't belong in Professor Rosalia's lab for nothing.
Thanks to him, Ruina had earned excellent scores in all their joint classes, but not all of it was reflected in her grades.
“To think they’d deduct points just to account for the assistant’s skill level. If that’s the case, wasn’t making him my partner the real problem in the first place?”
“You’ve got a point there.”
Aina nodded, mumbling around a mouthful of cake.
“But that assistant is really amazing.”
“He is, but it would have been the same if Pernyan were here.”
Others seemed to think the point deduction was fair, but to Ruina, it was anything but.
“Are you saying Pernyan is as strong as Assistant Aaron? Is he really on that level?”
The skills Assistant Aaron had displayed surpassed even Carlo, the top student of the Magic Department. Naturally, his performance was unparalleled.
“Right, Ruina. That doesn't make any sense… or it shouldn’t… anyway.”
Bella, who had been agreeing with Aina, faltered.
Logically, it seemed correct, but the memory of Pernyan’s nonchalant demeanor in the face of the Vile Breeds made her wonder, ‘What if?’
“What’s with you, Bella? You think the same as Ruina? Did you suddenly hit your head or something?”
“What did you say?”
“Aah, I’m sorry!”
Watching her two friends bicker, Ruina was lost in thought.
Certainly, in terms of pure skill, Assistant Aaron was superior. And yet, she had a feeling that Pernyan would have somehow managed to get the same results, if not better.
Whether through some clever scheme or by using his precious money and artifacts.
“So, when are Pernyan and Aria coming back?”
“They said they’d be here before final exams.”
“Can we trust that?”
“It’s not a matter of trust. The practical training period ends before the finals.”
Bella retorted.
If Pernyan arrived after the final exams, he wouldn't be able to take them. Since the training period ended by then, he wouldn't be allowed to take a separate test or substitute it with something else.
Doing so would cause too many complaints about preferential treatment.
“Huh?”
Not too far away, she could see the city’s port area becoming busy.
“Did something arrive?”
“Looks like a ship is coming in.”
Ruina focused her aura to enhance her vision.
In the distance, she saw a fleet of more than ten ships.
All of them were warships with sails bearing the crest of a golden turtle.
Pernyan Fallenberg had returned.
* * *
“Thank you.”
Pernyan immediately had the goods unloaded from the ship and handed them over to the academy.
Naturally, there was nothing wrong with the items.
With that, the trade mission was complete.
“My father will send the remaining balance to His Excellency, the Duke.”
“Alright. You’ve worked hard as well.”
It had been a trade mission fraught with work and trouble. Still, it was a relief that it ended well.
“Then I’ll be on my way. I still have things to discuss with the academy. As I mentioned, I’m the representative.”
The Golden Turtle Merchant Guild’s role this time was strictly transportation; the main deal was between the Friedien family and the academy.
There were bound to be more than a few things to coordinate in that process.
“Well then, good luck.”
After sending off the members of the merchant guild, Pernyan parted ways with Aria.
Hyde, carrying a box containing the fragment of the World Tree branch, now stained jet black, followed behind him.
“Where are we going, sir?”
“To purify that tree.”
“Will that be possible?”
“It’s the Dragon God Cult. I figure they’ll have a way somehow.”
Honestly, he didn't have a concrete plan. It was just that throwing away something as precious as a branch of the World Tree felt like too much of a waste.
“Jace Baintz proved to me that the cult can purify demonic energy.”
“Isn’t their method to burn the demonic energy away? If they burn the seedling…”
“…Surely they have more than one method.”
Well, if they didn't, there was nothing to be done about it. It was something nice to have, not an absolute necessity.
Pernyan entered a private room in a teahouse operated by the merchant guild.
“It’s been a while since I was last here.”
“You’re late. Our appointment was, if I recall correctly, thirty-two minutes ago.”
There was already a guest in the private room. Jace Baintz, the Saint of the Dragon God Cult.
“The waves were higher than expected. The ship couldn’t pick up speed.”
“Even so, for someone who claims that time is gold to waste my time like this…”
“Saying that won’t get you any money.”
“I know. I was just saying.”
Jace smiled nonchalantly.
*He knows, yet he’s licking his lips. What a money-grubbing fiend,* Pernyan clicked his tongue.
“So, what is it? You must be tired after your long journey, yet you wanted to see me right away.”
“We’re both busy, so let’s get straight to the point. I encountered demonic beasts during my trip.”
“Demonic beasts? So those Vile Breeds aren’t even trying to hide their existence anymore?”
Jace revealed a hint of anger.
“What happened to the plan we discussed back then?”
“The items have arrived. His Holiness said to request his assistance whenever you may need it.”
“Good.”
“But are you certain you don’t need any direct help? His Holiness is very concerned.”
“Tell him I’m grateful for his words alone. But even for His Holiness, bringing the cult’s forces into the academy would be politically difficult, wouldn't it?”
Pernyan savored his coffee.
He hadn't expected that much in the first place. Nor should he have.
Aint Armian was a clear hero, but in the present, he was not yet a complete one.
He was meant to obtain the provisions left by the first emperor, gain experience by fighting his adversaries, and grow and grow until he was finally complete.
The first demon to be summoned, Andromalius. The first true demon Aint Armian would have to face.
Aint had to fight him. Whether he won or lost, regardless of the outcome, the experience would become a great source of strength for him.
‘Originally, Aint is supposed to win. But what if, due to the slightly altered past, Aint is defeated by some slim chance?’
That was a horrific future that must never come to pass, which was why Pernyan was preparing for the worst-case scenario through the cult.
“The real reason I called you is this.”
At Pernyan’s glance, Hyde, who had been standing behind him, placed a box on the table.
“What’s this? It’s inscribed with some rather high-level magic sigils. Must be quite valuable, I take it?”
“Open it.”
*Click.* As the box opened, a thick demonic energy spread out from within.
“This is…?”
“A branch of the World Tree, corrupted by demonic energy.”
“…Excuse me?”
“To be precise, it’s a part of an offshoot, but still.”
In any case, their roots were the same.
“How did you…?”
“Does it matter?”
“The Friediens, then? Is what you want from me to purify this?”
“Yes. But with a different method than the one you used on Bella.”
“Indeed. Even for a branch of the World Tree, the flames of purification would be its natural enemy.”
Jace reached his hand toward the corrupted branch. With a crackle, the demonic energy tried to invade his body, but it failed and was repelled.
“This is potent. The usual methods will be difficult.”
“Are you saying there’s no way?”
“It’s not that there’s no way at all. It’s just that…”
Jace shrugged and trailed off. At the same time, Pernyan’s brow furrowed.
“As greedy as the Fallenbergs are, they’re nothing compared to you cultists. What is it?”
“Holy Water.”
“Holy Water?”
“The flames of purification are certainly too destructive. It’s not a method one would use on the sick or on children. So we found another way. A gentler, safer method.”
“And that is Holy Water?”
“Yes.”
Like the flames of purification, it wasn't a form of holy power. The only difference was that the medium was water instead of fire; the principle behind them was the same.
To break down and dismantle the demonic energy itself.
“Unlike the sacred flames, it will dismantle the demonic energy slowly, but safely. I haven't been able to confirm its effectiveness, but since my flames worked, well…”
Pernyan tapped his fingers on the table.
Jace was unlikely to be bluffing, so it would probably be effective.
“Can it be removed completely?”
“I can’t give you a definitive answer.”
“You can’t even guarantee it, yet you’re asking for money?”
“The choice is yours, Senior.”
“You’ve become quite the merchant.”
“A true mage, you mean.”
A mage who earned his own research funds.
“I don’t waste my money. If it's not 100% effective, there's no need for me to buy it.”
Pernyan shook his head.
“You call it Holy Water, but in the end, it’s not very useful, is it?”
“Not useful?”
“It’s a useless item that has no effect on anything other than demons, Vile Breeds, and demonic energy. It’s a white elephant.”
No matter how high the production cost, if there was no demand, the price was bound to fall.
“That was before the Vile Breeds began to run rampant. Why are you being so difficult when you’re the one who found proof of their existence?”
“Difficult? I’m giving you a chance to prove whether it’s a white elephant or not.”
“A chance?”
Pernyan opened his subspace. Another box, engraved with magic sigils, appeared on the desk.
“What’s this one?”
“Open it.”
A demonic energy, even more vile than that of the World Tree branch, filled the private room. Jace’s eyes widened at the sight of what looked like pulsing blood vessels on the mass inside.
“This is…?”
“A chunk of what used to be a demonic beast. It’s the perfect item to test your Holy Water on—or rather, to verify whether everything the Dragon God Cult has done up until now was right or wrong.”
To some, it was just a grotesque lump, but to others, it was a tantalizing research material.
A treasure that would prove their history and research were not mistaken.
“…So you’re suggesting we trade this for the Holy Water?”
And in the eyes of one of those people, greed began to shimmer.
“Wrong.”
“Wrong?”
“You’ll have to add more to the Holy Water. For instance, the artifacts I want, or a much larger quantity of Holy Water.”
“That’s unreasonable. It might be a demonic beast I’ve never seen before, but now that one has appeared, it’s highly likely more will show up in the future.”
“This is the body of a 4th-grade demonic beast, a Varga. A monster that can chew up an ogre.”
The corpse of a powerful monster was a good material and research specimen. The same was true for the corpse of a powerful demonic beast.
Especially for the Dragon God Cult, which was starved for demonic beast corpses, the remains of a 4th-grade demonic beast—said to have been rare even during the Great War a thousand years ago—was an irresistibly sweet fruit.
“…He wouldn’t lie about something like this.”
“That’s right. I don’t lie when it comes to deals. I can even bring in Aria Friedien as a witness if you wish.”
“…In that case… No, but this is too… No, but it’s a Varga…”
After a long moment of deliberation, as if his mind were split, Jace finally nodded.
“…Al…right!”
The corpse of a Varga, of all demonic beasts, would be in high demand even within the Dragon God Cult.
At a time when Vile Breeds and demonic beasts were beginning to run rampant, having the time to study them before they truly flooded the world was an incredibly valuable opportunity.
“An excellent choice.”
The deal was struck.
The corrupted World Tree branch was immediately submerged in Holy Water that very day.
***
“You truly have a gift for making money, sir.”
To think he would keep the Varga’s corpse and use it like this.
Hyde was in awe.
“Send the rest to the family and tell my father to begin research. We also need to prepare for the demonic beasts.”
“Yes, sir.”
Although most of the Varga’s body had been lost in the explosion, a significant amount remained due to the sheer size of the beast.
“And Hyde.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Find out everything you can about where the World Tree branch is planted and how it’s being managed.”
He hoped it was just needless worry, but so far, the futures in the prophecy book had followed the same major currents, even if small details changed.
Was this peaceful present the original future, or had things changed, preventing the demon’s summoning?
‘It’s time to find out.’
Pernyan’s eyes grew cold.