Chapter 76
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: A Calculated Move
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Round of 16 and the quarterfinals were both over, leaving four semifinalists.
【Jousting Tournament Semifinals Bracket
- Valoci Vienderk (1st-Year Top Student) VS Rob Kaelin (4th-Year Top Student)
- Ruina Bercefe (2nd-Year Top Student) VS Kunz Bayer (3rd-Year, 12th Rank)】
People were surprised to see one student from each year—first, second, third, and fourth—but the first-year wasn't Aint.
- That should have been my spot!
- My name should have been in that paper!
- I even defeated a demon! Why! Why!
‘It’s not that serious. I was wrong. Please, just stop!’
Aint put down the newspaper. Only then did Gardner’s voice cease.
- You pathetic whelp. A thousand years ago, knights of your caliber were a dime a dozen.
“…A dime a dozen? Really?”
- Well, maybe not quite that common.
Aint let out a sigh of relief, finding a sliver of comfort.
- In fact, I was a little surprised. This era is exceedingly prosperous.
- I never imagined that you, having absorbed the Heart of a Saint Bird and the power of Andromalius, would fail to gain a significant advantage with your aura.
Of course, on average, Aint’s aura was certainly plentiful. But in Gardner’s view, there were far too many in this era who surpassed that average.
Aura and mana weren't things that could be amassed in an instant simply by practicing a superior training method over and over.
It meant there were many supplementary methods. Elixirs, for instance.
Though, of course, drinking an elixir didn’t guarantee an unconditional increase in aura.
- Either that, or that Almon fellow has an incredible family.
“The Doneretz family isn’t particularly great.”
- Then he must have a sponsor. Some wealthy magnate.
“…Pernyan Sunbaenim?”
- Not him. The atmosphere between them wasn't exactly friendly.
True, there was more than one wealthy magnate in the Empire.
The Fallenberg family was merely the wealthiest on the continent, not the only wealthy family.
After finishing his conversation with Gardner, Aint checked the time, then washed up and changed into his day clothes.
He was going to watch the semifinals.
He wanted to see the match between Ruina Bercefe and Rob Kaelin, the latter of whom was considered a strong contender for the championship, with his own two eyes.
“Wow, if it weren’t for Pernyan Sunbaenim, I never would have gotten a ticket.”
- This is why it’s convenient to keep those nouveau riche bastards around. They’re like all-purpose artifacts that can solve most problems.
He hadn’t thought of him as an all-purpose artifact, but it was true that Pernyan made things convenient.
As Aint sat in his seat, he realized there were already people on either side of him.
“Aria? Verian?”
“Aint? This is your seat?”
“Looks like you got a ticket from Pernyan Sunbaenim, too.”
- So these ones also got tickets from the rich brat.
It seemed so.
“Aria, aren’t you going to watch the Magic Tournament?”
“I wanted to, but Pernyan Sunbaenim only gave me tickets for the jousting tournament. I wonder why?”
It was because he wanted the three of them, who would face the demon together, to grow closer.
Especially Aria, who the Prophecy Book had certified as Aint’s companion.
Unaware of this, Aria felt as though she’d been dragged here against her will, forced to miss the match she wanted to see.
The match was soon ready to begin.
“Rob Kaelin!”
At the announcer’s shout, Rob Kaelin slowly entered the arena.
He had a solid, well-built frame, yet he exuded a strangely gentle air, creating a somewhat contradictory impression.
- Despite his gentle face, he’s like a well-honed blade.
- A worthy one to have won last year.
Gardner commented that he was certainly a talent who could aim to be the next Royal Knight.
“Rob Kaelin!”
“Win again this time!”
“I bet everything on you!”
“Rob! Rob! Rob!”
The crowd’s cheers echoed thunderously. Most of them were about money and betting.
“…Is it normal for there to be this much talk about betting?”
“You didn’t know? Pernyan Sunbaenim promised a reward to whoever guesses the most winners.”
She had heard that was why more people were participating in the betting than in previous festivals.
“To turn the sacred jousting tournament into a gambling den…”
“I know, right? It’s funny how hard they’re trying when I’m going to take the prize anyway.”
“Right, you’re going to…?”
Verian tilted his head. Something didn’t add up.
“Don’t tell me…”
“What?”
“Don’t tell me you’ve been betting, too?”
“I haven’t missed a single one so far.”
Verian looked dumbfounded.
“Weren’t elves supposed to be detached from money?”
“There’s just no need to obsess over it. But there’s no reason not to earn what you can, is there?”
It wasn’t wrong, so Verian couldn’t find anything more to say and shut his mouth.
“Valoci Vienderk!”
Meanwhile, Valoci entered from the opposite side.
Despite the passionate cheers and heat from the crowd, he was as composed as ever.
“…Valoci Vienderk.”
“What do you think? About Valoci?”
“Aren’t you two close?”
“You used to be close with him before.”
“We weren’t particularly close. I just wanted to be.”
“But you didn’t get his attention. How pitiful.”
“Shut up, Aria. Is that really something you should be saying right now?”
“Unlike some people, I don’t have trouble getting attention.”
Aint let their bickering become background noise and turned his gaze to Valoci.
- A strange one. That Verian fellow might seem a bit foolish now, but his abilities are not weak. From what I hear, the Calburden Marquisate is one of the most prominent in the Empire.
- Yet he’s so friendly to you, who has nothing to his name, while deliberately pushing Verian away.
Gardner’s question was the same one Aint had.
‘Maybe he’s only friendly to the Elector families, like with Aria?’
- That elf isn’t friendly ‘only’ to the Electors.
- If she were, she wouldn’t have become friends with Verian Calburden.
That was true, too. Thinking about it that way made it even stranger. What did Valoci truly want?
“Even for you, Valoci won’t be easy.”
Verian suddenly interjected.
He was speaking purely from a swordsmanship perspective.
Although Aint had defeated Andromalius, it was undeniable that the unique power of the Armian family had been a great help.
‘That’s true, and like Gardner said, Pernyan Sunbaenim’s help was also huge.’
- That golem was a weapon unlike any other in this world. I never imagined it would be possible to wage a war of giants against a demon.
With his own power, Aint had killed the weakened serpent and pushed the demon back halfway.
Thinking about it, he was more curious about Pernyan than Valoci.
‘Just who is he?’
Why did he build such a golem, and why does he carry it around?
‘Could it be he knew in advance that a demon would be summoned…?’
- That’s a baseless assumption. Unless that brat can see the future, something like that is impossible.
And knowing the future was impossible.
‘Yeah, you’re right.’
The most plausible explanation was that Pernyan was a safety-first kind of person who always came fully prepared for anything.
In fact, he always carried countless potions, reagents, and artifacts in his subspace.
“Begin!”
In the meantime, the match had started.
Without any probing, the two charged their horses forward.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
After exactly three clashes, they dismounted and drew their swords.
The victor was decided after an exchange of several hundred blows.
“Valoci lost.”
“He was last year’s champion. He’s as strong as they say.”
- His swordsmanship is nearly perfected. It seems the Royal Knight did a fine job training his grandson.
It was just as Gardner said. Even to Aint’s eyes, Rob Kaelin had held the upper hand from start to finish.
- But something is strange.
‘What is it?’
- There’s no tension.
‘What?’
- That brat. He’s acting.
Just then.
“…Huh?”
Rob Kaelin pointed his sword at Valoci’s neck.
It was the first time anyone had built up their momentum in a match that was already over.
***
“What are you?”
Rob smiled. His lips were smiling, but his eyes were not. He looked down at the fallen Valoci with a gaze as cold as frost.
“What do you think you’re doing right now?”
“You defeated me, and now you say such things. I’m rather bewildered, Sunbaenim.”
“Do you take me for a fool? Did you think if you let me win, I’d bow my head and thank you?”
From the outside, it had looked like an incredibly fierce battle. It was so subtle that only the combatants themselves could notice, and even then, just barely.
“I wasn’t particularly hoping for that, but I wouldn’t feel bad if you did. However, I did my best.”
“You’re going to insist until the end?”
Rumble—
The arena vibrated with the pressure Rob was emitting.
“The height of arrogance. You have insulted me, the Academy, and by extension, the Empire.”
“I did my best. I simply lost because I was weaker than you, Sunbaenim.”
“To the very end—!”
“Stop!”
The referee intervened, stepping between the two.
“The match is over, Rob Kaelin. What is the meaning of this?”
“……”
“I asked you what is going on.”
Glaring at Valoci, Rob thought for a moment before answering the referee’s question.
“…It’s nothing. The battle was more intense than I expected, and the feeling lingered.”
“Surprising. I wouldn’t have expected that from you. As expected of a Vienderk, I suppose. Be more careful in the future.”
“Yes.”
A moment later, the referee raised Rob’s arm.
“The winner! Rob Kaelin!”
Waaaaaaaaah—
“…I’m sorry, but I have no hobby of doing meaningless things. Nor of putting effort into matters with obvious outcomes.”
Valoci’s quiet murmur was buried in the roaring cheers, unheard by anyone.
***
During the festival, three or four banquets are held at the Academy every day.
Sweet music delights the ears, beautiful sculptures and chandeliers please the eyes, and delicious wine and food make the tongue and mouth dance.
“Hmm.”
Pernyan stood a step back from this place of pleasure and luxury.
He stood quietly in a corner of the banquet hall, sipping champagne and observing the people.
“Young Master Pernyan. What are you doing here?”
“Young Master Pernyan!”
“Pernyan, would you perhaps like to dance…?”
People who recognized him approached, but Pernyan simply offered a light greeting and moved from place to place.
“Young Master, he’s over there.”
Hyde spotted a middle-aged man mingling with the crowd, engaged in various conversations.
Pernyan approached him and offered a greeting.
“A pleasure to meet you, Count Rhodos. I am Pernyan Fallenberg.”
“Fallenberg…? Ah, my apologies. I am Rhodos Franz.”
“It is an honor to meet you. I have been wanting to meet you for some time, Count.”
“…Me?”
Count Rhodos blinked, seemingly flustered by Pernyan’s sudden approach.
“Might we speak privately?”
“Speak? About what?”
“It’s about…”
Pernyan discreetly passed him a note.
Count Rhodos’s pupils wavered as he read its contents.
“With me?”
“Yes.”
“…This certainly doesn’t seem like a conversation for a place like this.”
He said, checking his surroundings. People were murmuring at a slight distance, surprised by Pernyan’s sudden appearance.
“I have prepared a place. If it’s not an imposition, may I guide you there?”
“Very well.”
Pernyan led Count Rhodos to the third floor of the banquet hall.
The third floor housed private lounges specially prepared for distinguished guests, and Pernyan had reserved one in advance.
“What kind of tea would you like?”
“I never thought I’d be drinking tea served by a son of the Fallenberg family, but I’ll have green tea, please.”
Pernyan personally brewed the tea provided and handed it to him.
“Now, tell me. The Golden Turtle wants to do business with me… hmm, you make quite a good cup of tea.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“It’s unbecoming for the lord of a territory to say this, but there’s nothing special about my lands. It’s a worthless piece of ground.”
He knew. Count Rhodos Franz’s territory, the Franz County, was barren, like most of the Prasia Kingdom.
It had little arable land and was mostly covered in mountains and forests. And in various places, monsters that had never been properly subjugated had made their nests.
Consequently, it was a poor territory with no special products.
“Knowing that, the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild has only ever established a single branch within the territory. So what kind of business are you proposing?”
“Nothing has been properly established yet. It is merely a plan. We believe there is a mineral vein in the Franz County.”
“A mineral vein?”
Count Rhodos wore a dubious expression.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but my territory does indeed have some mines.”
However, those had already been developed by Count Rhodos and were being mined.
They weren't very profitable, though. They barely produced enough iron ore or copper for the residents to get by.
Even then, the maintenance costs were quite high due to the monsters.
“And we’ve already touched every place that could be touched. To find and develop a new mineral vein, we would have to go deeper into the mountain range. Naturally, there are more monsters there. Even if we found a good vein, the cure would be worse than the disease…”
Count Rhodos, who had been speaking passionately, met Pernyan’s unchanging expression and fell silent.
“…Here I am, spouting nonsense in front of a great merchant. Of course, you would know better than I.”
“Not at all. It was a good story, and I listened well.”
“And yet, it seems you intend to press your point.”
“Yes.”
“What is it, then? What kind of mineral vein has the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild discovered in my territory?”
It wasn’t the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild that had discovered it.
It was Aint and Gardner, in the Prophecy Book.
“To be frank, it’s Blacksteel.”
“Blacksteel…? Truly?”
Count Rhodos’s eyes filled with greed.
Blacksteel couldn’t compare to top-tier metals like Mithril or Adamant, but it was still in the expensive category.
“Yes. However, we still need to determine how much there is, if it’s profitable, and how many monster nests are nearby.”
“Where is it located?”
“I cannot say. Not until we sign a contract.”
“You search for a mineral vein in my territory without permission and then force me to sign a contract? Do you think that makes any sense right now?”
Pernyan shook his head.
“We didn’t search for a vein. We received a tip.”
“And you expect me to believe that?”
“Whether you believe it or not, the truth does not change. And this is a proposal we are making to you, Count.”
Pernyan handed him a contract.
“This is absurd. I haven’t even agreed to anything, yet you’re being so pushy. Does the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild normally conduct business this way?”
“Please, read it first.”
The contract was long, but it had five main points.
【The Golden Turtle Merchant Guild shall be referred to as Party A, and Count Franz as Party B.
One. Should Party A discover a mineral vein within Party B's territory, Party A shall have the right to develop it.
Two. Party B shall permanently lease the developed mineral vein to Party A.
Three. Party A shall pay Party B a lease fee equivalent to thirty percent of the profits from the mineral vein.
Four. Party A shall bear all costs associated with the development and defense of the mineral vein.
Five. If no mineral vein is discovered within one year, this contract shall be automatically terminated.】
“The Golden Turtle Merchant Guild will bear all development and maintenance costs for the vein? With no support needed from me? And you’ll give me thirty percent of the profits?”
Count Rhodos instantly realized how advantageous this contract was for him.
Putting aside the fact that he didn’t know about a Blacksteel vein, all the developable veins in his territory had already been developed.
‘The only place left is the Verdgre Mountain Range…’
It was a place he had judged would incur more loss than profit due to the teeming monsters.
A place he lacked the capacity to develop, a place where expenses would outweigh earnings even if he did, a place he couldn’t afford to maintain.
And now, the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild was offering to break through that place for him and even share a massive amount of the profit.
Without any burden on the Franz County.
And this was all before a Blacksteel vein had even been confirmed to exist.
“Is this really correct?”
“Yes, it is.”
Pernyan nodded.
A contract where the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild bore all the risk. Normally, they would never write such a contract.
There were two reasons this contract had come to be.
One was that, through the Prophecy Book, he could be certain that Blacksteel existed.
‘With a demon’s descent possible at any time, there’s no time for haggling.’
The second was that the fortress where the 64th demon, Flauros, would first be encountered in the Prophecy Book was right next to the Franz County.
It was a stroke of luck.
That the Prophecy Book contained information about a Blacksteel vein.
And that the vein was close to the prophesied location.
‘Blacksteel is a rather valuable mineral, so even if the mine’s maintenance costs are a bit high, it’s more than manageable.’
Was that all?
‘It’s a very good pretext.’
No one would find it strange for a merchant guild to want to develop a mineral vein.
Thus, he could infiltrate without any obstacles. Even more so since the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild already had branches all over the Prasia Kingdom.
The area around the planned mine was overflowing with monsters, so they needed troops to protect it.
That was a sufficient reason to station forces there.
In an emergency, he would be able to lead his troops to fight the demon in a completely natural way.
“The Golden Turtle Merchant Guild aims for mutual prosperity. Since we wish to obtain the resources of the Franz County, we believe it is only right to offer you such a profit.”
What will you do? Pernyan asked, gracefully lifting his teacup.
“Will you sign the contract?”
“…Is there any reason not to?”
“An excellent choice.”
Count Rhodos signed the contract.
And at that very moment.
【I wish to make a proposal regarding business… the Golden Pillar has discovered a new mineral vein….】
“Send this to my father. Express delivery.”
The letter Pernyan had written flew to the Fallenberg estate.