Chapter 46
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: The Goose That Lays Golden Eggs
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News awaited Pernyan upon his return to the academy after a month and a half.
“The academy will soon be establishing a ‘Naval Combat Studies’ program.”
Pernyan offered a faint smile at the deputy chief's report.
It was a future foretold by the Prophecy Book, which meant one thing.
“In accordance with the contract you secured, Branch Chief, we have finalized an initial order for thirty warships.”
It was scheduled income.
“Who's the professor?”
“Parmion Hakan is the leading candidate. He's a former Imperial Navy officer who served at sea for twenty years.”
He was the same man Pernyan had read about in the Prophecy Book.
“The number of credits for ‘Naval Combat Studies’ has not yet been announced, but it is highly likely to become a required course…”
Pernyan's eyes glinted with interest as he listened to the report and flipped through the documents.
“You're expanding the island's shipyard?”
“Yes. We anticipate the ships will sustain heavy damage, given their educational purpose. We determined that our current facilities would be unable to handle the required maintenance.”
“Good. The academy warship venture will be a goose that lays golden eggs.”
“Yes, I believe so as well.”
He turned to the next page of the report. On it were written the words he had so desperately longed to see.
“We've received the sea dragon's carcass?”
“Yes. The items you requested, Branch Chief, have been placed in a special storage warehouse.”
The Sea Dragon's Mana Heart. It was finally in his grasp.
A thrill of pleasure washed over Pernyan's face.
* * *
[Weekly Academy]
[Friedien's Spirit Stones Safely Delivered. To Be Used in Spirit Studies Classes and Research...]
[New Spirit Studies Professor Joins the Academy! Who is Professor Nania Veris...]
[The Dragon God Cult's Saint, Jace Baintz, Evangelizing Around the Academy with 'Do You Believe in Mana?'... Some Cult Followers Join In...]
[Barog Hernim, Top Student of the 3rd-Year Knight Department, Slapped by Liana Horton, Top Student of the Magic Department...]
[Yesterday's Enemies, Today's Friends? Aint Armian and Verian Calburden Have Suddenly Become Best Friends...]
“It's been a while.”
Pernyan folded the newspaper he was reading. Ruina sat down across from him.
“It has been.”
Seeing her after some time, Ruina didn't look too bad.
“How have things been in my absence?”
“Not bad, but if I had to point out a disappointment, it would be my grades.”
“I heard they assigned you a teaching assistant as a partner. Was the assistant not up to par?”
“The assistant's skills were by no means lacking. In fact, they were more than sufficient.”
Pernyan voiced the reason he had already suspected.
“Point deductions.”
“Exactly.”
“True, letting one of Professor Rosalia's assistants loose among the second-years would be unfair.”
“Of course, I understand that, but…”
“But?”
Ruina continued, tapping her fingers on the table.
“I'm only saying that because I don't think the result would have been much different even if you were here.”
“I didn't realize you held me in such high regard.”
“I'm just stating a fact. It feels like you would have found a way to achieve a good result regardless.”
Whether through genuine skill or by using artifacts and various reagents, she didn't know, but still.
“Well, my mother used to say it when I was young. That I don't apply myself, but I'm smart and could do well if I tried.”
“Isn't that something all parents say? I didn't think you'd be naive enough to believe it.”
“But I've perfectly accomplished everything I've ever set my mind to.”
That was how he'd become an executive of the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild at a young age, and why he'd been getting decent grades since partnering with Ruina.
Of course, his Fallenberg bloodline had played a large part in him becoming a guild executive, but he wouldn't have reached the position of branch chief without any skill.
“I'll take your word for it. Did your trip go well?”
“No.”
He had achieved his goal, but the material losses had been substantial, resulting in a significant deficit.
It was better than losing the Branch of the World Tree and paying damages, but it was infuriating to have lost things he wouldn't have with better preparation.
‘The golems, too.’
Each and every golem was a costly culmination of magi-tech engineering. To have lost four of them, barely salvaging their scrap value, was enough to make him sigh.
‘I really need to build an Ego Golem as soon as possible.’
If he'd had one, something like this would never have happened. That ultimate weapon would have crushed the Varga on the spot.
At least, in theory.
“I heard there were no problems with the trade journey, so you must have suffered some kind of financial loss.”
“…Have you been investigating me?”
“It was obvious.”
Ruina let out a dry laugh and changed the subject.
“Have you prepared for the final exams?”
“I got the cheat sheets.”
“That's cutting corners, you know.”
“Want me to get the ones for the Knight Department too?”
“…Not necessary. I will compete fair and square.”
“It looked like you hesitated for a moment.”
Ruina avoided Pernyan's gaze.
“I might be asking for your help soon.”
“My help?”
“Your promise to help against demons or Vile Breed is still valid, I presume?”
“You've found a lead on the Vile Breed.”
The look in her eyes changed.
“Of course.”
“Good.”
‘A sense of justice is a wonderful thing.’
To think I can use such talent for free.
* * *
Andromalius. When Pernyan learned of the future where the 72nd-ranked demon would be summoned within the academy, he had been conflicted.
If he could stop the demon's advent, if it was possible, should he? Or should he just let events run their course?
A demon is a disaster. Its descent would cause immense damage to the academy, which would in turn be a blow to the empire's future.
‘If that were all, then stopping it would be the obvious choice.’
But what if it was merely the signal flare announcing the beginning?
What if it was just a preliminary battle, with more demons and more terrible disasters lying in wait?
Stopping Andromalius's descent would be like pouring a low-grade potion on a mortal wound with its intestines spilling out.
‘The advent of demons is an inevitable future.’
But if Aint didn't experience battle against a demon beforehand, and thus failed to grow, what if he couldn't prevent the disasters of the future?
He didn't even want to imagine such a future.
And so, the conclusion he reached was that 'the descent of Andromalius must happen.'
To be precise, 'it must descend and be subjugated by Aint.'
“…So, you're saying the Vile Breed are going to make a move on the Mother Tree's branch?”
A small sapling was planted next to Aria.
As the saying goes, hide a tree in a forest. The academy had hidden the Branch of the World Tree among other trees. This was the place.
“Yes. But the security isn't as ironclad as I'd thought.”
“There's no need to make a fuss. No, that's not what's important. Honestly, I'd usually ask if you were crazy, but after what we went through, I can't really ask that.”
Hmm, Aria tilted her head.
“But that sounds like you're saying there are Vile Breed hidden within the academy. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to reach for the Mother Tree's branch planted here…”
“Precisely.”
“…Good heavens. Really?”
Aria's eyes went wide.
“Then shouldn't we tell the academy and wait? Why are you handling this, senior?”
“Because we don't know who the Vile Breed is.”
“So we should find them.”
“If we make it official with the academy, they might go into hiding. Then we'd lose the chance to find them.”
“Your logic isn't entirely wrong.”
Aria rested her chin on her hand and stared intently at Pernyan.
“Why do I get the feeling you're hiding something?”
“Do you want to hear it?”
“Of course.”
“Information comes at a high price.”
“Stop. I don't want to hear it.”
“Why not?”
“I just imagined a very terrible future. One where the payment I was supposed to receive gets canceled in exchange for the information?”
Pernyan let out a small laugh.
“You have good instincts.”
“I tend to. So, what favor are you asking for?”
“You'll just help?”
Aria nodded.
“This is about protecting the Mother Tree's branch from the Vile Breed, right? I'm supposed to be managing it for the time being, so it would be quite a problem if something happened.”
She had almost been caught unawares, so from Aria's perspective, having Pernyan involved was actually a net gain.
“But before that, I'd like you to give me what you're supposed to give me.”
“Impatient, aren't you.”
“After hearing all that, how could I not be? Would that even be human?”
Aria held out her hand with a haughty expression. Pernyan handed her the invitation.
“I finally get it. It's been a long, long time…! An invitation to the Yacht Club!”
“The name has changed. It's the Masquerade Club now, not the Yacht Club.”
After the chaos that had unfolded, no student wanted to go sailing placidly on a yacht again.
Naturally, the Yacht Club's meeting place changed, and since they'd liked the masquerade ball concept, they decided to keep it.
“What does that matter! What's important is that this is in my hands!”
With this, just this…!
“I can become the queen of connections!”
“You should probably discard the notion that you can make everyone there part of your network just by attending.”
“You're so negative. Is it because you're a merchant?”
“It's called being level-headed.”
“You don't get it. You have to dream big. That way, even if you fail, you still gain something substantial.”
Aria grinned.
“So, what exactly do you need my help with?”
“First, who knows that the branch is planted here—no, that it was brought to the academy at all?”
“The chancellor, the vice-chancellor, the Spirit Studies professor…”
Aria's fingers folded one by one.
“…And you and me, senior.”
And just like that, all ten of her fingers were folded.
“Do you think one of those ten is a Vile Breed? They're all key members of the academy's leadership.”
“Or someone around them. The information could have been leaked, either by mistake or by chance.”
“So you're sure they're inside the academy.”
Aria gently stroked the Branch of the World Tree. A soft mana and spirit energy slowly seeped into her.
“I asked for your help, but there's not much you need to do. Just turn a blind eye.”
“Turn a blind eye?”
“I plan to do some 'work' around here.”
Surveillance, so to speak.
He had no intention of stopping the World Tree from being corrupted and Andromalius from being summoned, but he absolutely had to know who would do it, when, and how.
He'd asked for Aria's help because he couldn't work around her without being noticed, as she was the academy's officially recognized—albeit secret—caretaker.
“The Mother Tree doesn't like it when her surroundings are cluttered.”
“Is that a no?”
“But it's better than her being corrupted.”
Perhaps because the World Tree was involved, her decision was surprisingly swift.