Chapter 67
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Proof and Suspicion
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“You’ve done well. Thank you for your honest answers.”
“Not at all. I’ll be on my way, then.”
Bowing her head, Ruina left the Chancellor’s office.
“Hmm.”
The Chancellor flipped through the reports one after another.
“They all say the same thing.”
“Indeed. A demon, a demon… Frankly, it doesn’t feel real. Do you believe this to be the truth?”
“I do not.”
“At least pretend to consider it.”
“This isn’t just anything; it’s a demon. If demons had truly descended, does it make any sense that a few mere students could subdue one?”
He had a point. Demons were the adversaries of humanity, walking calamities.
If they could be defeated by students, would they truly be called humanity’s great foe?
Would the first emperor, who founded the empire by defeating demons and King Collomo, be so revered?
No. It was like praising a knight for killing an orc.
And yet, what was unsettling was that every student interviewed so far had told the exact same story.
“They must have colluded and gotten their stories straight.”
“Why would they?”
“For their own fame? Isn’t defeating a demon more impressive than defeating a Vile Breed?”
“Tell a lie that would be so easily exposed? Consider their backgrounds. The risk of their reputations being tarnished when the lie is revealed is far greater.”
That was also true.
“We’ll find our answer after speaking with the next student. Send him in.”
And if someone had orchestrated this with a purpose, it was highly likely Pernyan Fallenberg.
“Come in.”
A moment later, Pernyan entered. His complexion was a little pale, but his eyes showed no particular change.
‘He must still be unwell.’
“Have a seat.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll have some tea brought in. What do you like?”
“Coffee, please.”
“Sweet?”
“No sugar necessary.”
The secretary brought in tea and coffee.
“Student Pernyan. First, I want to thank you for protecting the academy from what could have been a major incident while I was away.”
“I only did what was necessary.”
“Whatever the reason, your contribution and that of the other students is a credit to you all. I will reward you separately.”
“Thank you.”
Refusing a material reward didn’t suit Pernyan’s nature.
“Now, then, to the main point… I imagine you have a good idea of what I’m going to ask.”
“Indeed, I do.”
It was too obvious. After all the commotion with the demon, what else could he possibly ask about?
“Before that, would you read this?”
The Chancellor handed over the documents detailing the interviews with the other students.
“A barrier suddenly sealed off the area. An enemy appeared, they fought, and barely managed to win.”
The Chancellor poured milk into his tea and stirred it with a teaspoon.
“The accounts of the four students I interviewed are all identical. Normally, I would have just believed them and left it at that.”
“But you’re saying there’s something strange.”
“I’ll ask you.”
He brought the milky tea to his lips.
“Will you also claim to have fought a demon?”
His eyes, though wrinkled, were sharp as they gazed at Pernyan.
“Or will you tell the truth.”
“I will tell the truth.”
“Good.”
“We fought a demon.”
The corners of the Chancellor’s eyes crinkled minutely.
“To be precise, it was the 72nd demon, Andromalius.”
“And why do you think so?”
“Its appearance was identical to what I’ve seen in historical texts.”
“Is that all?”
“It introduced itself as a legion commander of hell, Andromalius, and its power was nothing like that of a mere Vile Breed.”
“I see.”
The Chancellor stroked his long beard, which reached his chest, and turned to the next page.
“So, to summarize, Vile Breeds infiltrated the academy and caused an incident, and you all were trapped inside a barrier they created. You’re saying a life-or-death battle with a demon took place within it, and you agree with this account.”
Was that right? The Chancellor set the report down.
“Yes. That is correct.”
“I think that’s possible.”
“Possible?”
“The Vile Breeds you encountered for the first time were surely strong. They were targeting Aint Armian, so they would have given it their all.”
“Are you suggesting I’m lying?”
“Of course not. I believe you, and I believe the other students. However, I also believe it’s possible to be mistaken. One might mistake their minions, the Vile Breeds, for a demon. You were all in a state of panic, after all.”
The Chancellor spoke calmly.
A Vile Breed and a demon were different. Though only a single word apart, the gap in their presence was as wide as heaven and earth.
Pernyan wasn’t particularly offended by the clear disbelief.
He had already seen this coming through the Prophecy Book, and if their roles were reversed, Pernyan would have thought the same.
What was a demon? One of only seventy-two adversaries of humanity.
Who would believe that a few academy students had managed to defeat such a being, each one a walking disaster?
“I can see why you would think that. I understand, Chancellor.”
Thus, Pernyan readily nodded. But the Chancellor did not miss the sharp barb hidden within his words.
“You’re turning my own words back on me. You don’t seem particularly flustered or wronged.”
The Chancellor’s hand, which had been stroking his beard, paused.
“Do you have something to prove that you’re right?”
“What do you think?”
“A demon and a Vile Breed are not a simple matter. The future response of the academy and the empire will be determined by the testimony of you students, the first witnesses and victims.”
Rampaging Vile Breeds clamoring about a bygone past was an entirely different issue from the descent of a demon.
“I am aware.”
“Can you take responsibility for the words you’ve spoken?”
The Chancellor’s eyes grew heavy. The atmosphere shifted. There was no oppressive aura, yet its very presence made the air in the office heavy.
“No.”
Even amidst it, Pernyan calmly shook his head.
“I have no desire to take responsibility, nor any reason to. I am simply telling the truth.”
“The truth according to a Fallenberg. That sounds like you have proof.”
Pernyan took a sphere from his subspace and placed it on the table.
“A recording sphere?”
“See for yourself.”
“Excuse me for a moment.”
The Chancellor infused the recording sphere with mana. With a soft glow, the events that had transpired within the barrier began to unfold.
A demon tearing through space.
The battle that followed.
Battle, and more battle.
“…Truly.”
Having watched the entire recording, the Chancellor wiped his face.
“…A demon.”
His eyes changed.
“Haha, it seems I’ve grown too soft in my old age.”
Otherwise, how could they have dared to summon a demon within the academy?
“Kugh…!”
“Ah, my apologies. I got too excited.”
Pernyan swallowed a groan at the aura that had unconsciously erupted from him. The Chancellor, realizing his mistake, withdrew his energy.
“Well, this leaves no room for doubt. It’s a hundred times better than any eloquent words.”
“I’m glad you’re satisfied.”
“But, you know. If I’m not mistaken, this doesn’t seem to be the original. It looks like quite a few parts are missing.”
A sharp gaze settled on Pernyan.
Of course he had cut them.
The scenes showing his traps being triggered would have been a confession that Pernyan knew about the demon from the start.
He had cut out Wooden to avoid the mistake of putting himself at the forefront instead of Aint.
“It is the original.”
But it was also true that it was the original. He hadn’t erased data from the sphere; he had simply not activated it during the unnecessary parts.
“There was originally more, but some of the engravings were damaged during the fight with the demon.”
“Is that so? I understand.”
The Chancellor nodded.
“Then may I ask just one more thing?”
“By all means.”
“Why were you there at that time?”
It was a question he had anticipated.
“As you know, I was the one who personally brought the Branch of the World Tree. I developed a certain attachment to it and wanted to check if it had rooted well during the break.”
“I see. It’s no ordinary object, and you went to great trouble to transport it. It’s understandable you’d feel an attachment.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
He’d gotten past it. Just as he felt a sense of relief.
“But why did you call the other students?”
A sharp question suddenly pierced through his defense.
The Chancellor’s hand lazily stroked his beard.
“You couldn’t have been unaware that the location of the World Tree’s branch is top secret. All the other students testified that they went there because you called them.”
But since he already knew this was coming, it wasn’t difficult to raise the shield he had prepared.
“Is that really so? That’s strange. I never called them. In fact, they told me they were out training and simply got caught up in it.”
The barrier’s range was quite wide.
They hadn’t followed Pernyan; they had been hunting monsters on the outskirts of the forest for training and got swept up.
That was the story they had all agreed upon.
“Ah, is that what they said? My apologies. My memory is getting hazy in my old age.”
The Chancellor let out an awkward laugh.
“It’s quite all right.”
“Thank you for being so understanding.”
He poured a little more milk into his tea.
“Ah, speaking of which, something happened a while ago.”
He moistened his dry lips with the tea.
“A certain merchant guild suddenly requested priority rights for a fleet business. It wasn’t a particularly important matter, so I just accepted it.”
His tone was gentle.
“Then, with impeccable timing, a problem arose, and a new course was established. The demand for ships skyrocketed accordingly.”
But the meaning behind his words struck like a dagger to the heart.
“I hear the name of that guild is the Golden Turtle, and that you were the one who led the initiative.”
Pernyan faltered for a moment. But the change was fleeting, gone in a flash.
“Does that have anything to do with this incident?”
“I believe it’s not entirely unrelated. It’s often mentioned in historical texts that demons and Vile Breeds commanded monsters.”
A calm tone, as if discussing everyday matters.
“Perhaps the events at sea were a harbinger of the demon’s summoning.”
But the tip of that blade was pointed at Pernyan.
The Chancellor clearly thought Pernyan was suspicious.
“I see. But even if that were true, what does it have to do with our guild? We simply built and sold ships.”
“True. But it’s too perfect a coincidence, isn’t it?”
“It is, as you say, merely a coincidence.”
“I suppose you’re right. Who could have known the monsters would suddenly swarm?”
The Chancellor burst into a hearty laugh.
“It seems fortune favors you. Perhaps the god of money has taken a liking to you.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“This old man has kept you for too long. You may go. I will make good use of this recording sphere.”
“Yes, I’ll take my leave.”
“The reward I mentioned at the beginning will be delivered to your dormitory soon.”
“Thank you.”
Pernyan rose from his seat. As the door clicked shut, the secretary asked cautiously.
“Do you suspect Pernyan is a Vile Breed?”
“How could that be? This recording sphere is genuine. A Vile Breed would never lend a hand in killing a demon.”
It was impossible for a Vile Breed, whose soul was forfeit, to rebel against a demon.
“It’s just a small suspicion.”
Whether he had known about the demon beforehand and kept silent to make a large profit.
“The Fallenbergs are certainly capable of such things.”
History proved it.
“However, I’m concerned you believed him too readily. Is there a possibility the recording sphere was manipulated…?”
“It seems I’ve been quiet for too long. To hear such words even from you.”
Tap, tap. The Chancellor lightly tossed the recording sphere up and down.
“There is nothing wrong with this sphere.”
“…Ah, my apologies.”
The secretary, his face pale, bowed his head.
“I overstepped my bounds…”
Yes, that was right. If the Chancellor said so, it was so.
“You didn’t particularly overstep. I understand. Even I find it hard to believe that a demon fell at the hands of mere students.”
There were no more than five mages in this world more skilled than the Chancellor.
One of only ten great mages in the world, recognized by the Pope of the Dragon God Cult.
An Archmage.
No matter what Pernyan did, he could never deceive the Chancellor with magic.
“The recording sphere is real. That’s what makes it all the more surprising. It was a real demon.”
Aint Armian.
The one who shone more brilliantly than anyone in the recording as he cut down the demon.
“The greatness of Armian has not yet faded.”
They were the rulers who had governed the empire for nearly nine hundred years.
Though their power had collapsed with astonishing speed after a misstep, the foundation they had built was not so easily erased.
“So that’s the bloodline of the first emperor. Now I understand why people always spoke of the Armians.”
“Indeed. They aren’t Armians for nothing.”
He had thought they’d lost their secret sword arts in the chaos of losing the throne, but that wasn’t the case either.
“The Schwabens will raise a fuss over this. They’re the ones most wary of an Armian revival.”
And yet, they wouldn’t be able to stop it.
If it were merely Vile Breeds, it would be one thing, but the summoning of a demon was a sign that disaster was imminent.
The deeper the darkness, the more brilliantly the light will shine.
“From now on, keep a closer watch on student Aint Armian.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And the students who fought the demon with him. Above all, Pernyan Fallenberg in particular.”
“Is there a particular reason?”
“There is one thing that even the most seasoned person has difficulty hiding. The look in their eyes.”
Trust, faith, and admiration.
The wily old man had sensed those three emotions in everyone’s eyes whenever Pernyan’s name was mentioned.
“A Fallenberg who earns trust and admiration, and thus defeats a demon alongside an Armian.”
Drawing Ruina Bercefe to his side, suddenly becoming the top student.
“There are more than a few strange things…”
The Chancellor leaned back heavily in his chair. He took a sip of his cold tea.
“It seems he’s going to walk a different path from the Fallenbergs of the past.”
It was quite intriguing. But unfortunately, he didn’t have the luxury to indulge that interest right now.
“I’ve had my fun meeting the young sprouts, so now it’s time to get to work.”
The Chancellor sat up straight.
“Summon all the executives.”
It was time to exterminate the cockroaches hiding in the academy.