Chapter 79
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: The Coming War
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Aint played the recording sphere he had received from Pernyan.
The countless spectators filling the stadium, their deafening cheers.
"His Majesty, the Emperor!"
All of it was directed toward the emperor of this nation.
“…So that’s him.”
"So that's the current emperor."
The emperor had brilliant blond hair and striking gray eyes, much like Aint.
His robust physique was like that of a warrior.
The aura, authority, and dignity that emanated from him, even through the recording, made it clear that he was the man most befitting the title of emperor.
“……”
If this was the impression he gave through a recording, what would it be like to see him in person?
Aint swallowed dryly.
The emperor slowly waved to his people and began his speech. The dignity imbued in his every word was enough to inspire loyalty where there was none.
"Judging by appearances alone, if a man like that is emperor, I can somewhat understand how Armian lost the throne."
"In truth, nine hundred years was a long time. It was about time for the throne to be lost, and since competent men appeared, it was a natural outcome."
“Pardon?”
Aint tilted his head at the sudden remark. It seemed to contradict everything Gardner had shown him so far.
"Why are you surprised?"
"Objectively speaking, the Schwabens took the throne simply because they were good at what they did. Of course, it could also be that the Armians were incompetent."
In truth, that wasn't what mattered.
"His Majesty the former emperor didn't think the Armians would hold the throne forever either."
"Three hundred years at most. Nine hundred years far surpassed that prediction."
The very system of the Armian Empire made it inevitable.
"The divided kingdoms had to be united to defeat the demons, but who would willingly become a subject just for the promise of some trivial benefits?"
To incorporate a perfectly fine kingdom into the empire, one had to offer something worth giving up a crown for.
Not just empty hope, but a tangible reward.
“Are you saying that was the throne?”
"Yes."
The hope that, while they might become subjects now, they or their descendants could one day claim the throne.
A system that made it possible.
That was how the current empire was born.
"A few opposed it, but at the time, the survival of humanity was more urgent than the Armian throne. It couldn't be helped."
Nevertheless, the fact that the Armian throne had been passed down for nine hundred years was nothing short of a miracle.
"It just goes to show how great the former emperor's achievements were. Well, it also probably means that there were fewer incompetent emperors in the Armian line than one might think."
At least there weren't many who tarnished the former emperor's name, Gardner muttered.
“…Then why did you curse the Schwabens as usurpers to me?”
"Because I am a subject of Armian, not a subject of the Empire."
The two were distinctly different.
"Even if the Armian Empire was a cobbled-together mess, and it wouldn't have been strange for anyone to ascend the throne."
"I wanted the Armian line to continue, and I still do."
That was why Gardner had volunteered to become the ego of the sword.
To prevent the demons from reappearing in the future and to save humanity.
"If we fail to stop them, the former emperor's great work, our sacrifices and efforts, will all be for nothing."
And if, as everyone expected, the Armians lost the throne, he would be there to help them reclaim it.
"Therefore, I will make you the emperor."
It was the final act of loyalty to repay the former emperor's grace.
Aint paused for a moment, weighed down by that heavy devotion.
“…Why go to such lengths?”
"Because His Majesty saved me when I was sick, starving, and dying on the streets."
"Why, is it too much of a burden? Do you suddenly dislike it?"
“It is a burden, but I don’t dislike it.”
Aint couldn't comprehend the depth of a loyalty that had lasted a thousand years.
It could be seen as tenacity or even obsession. But as an Armian, it would be a lie to say he wasn't pleased.
“Our goals are the same, after all.”
Moreover, since that loyalty flowed in the direction he desired, there was even less reason to refuse.
He also needed the help to defeat the demons.
"You seemed like just a child, but you're not."
"As expected of an Armian."
“I want that seat to be mine.”
Aint’s gaze was fixed on the emperor in the recording sphere.
“To do that, I can’t remain a child forever.”
Even if the former emperor had foreseen this situation.
Even if it was fated for the Armians to lose the throne.
It didn't matter.
For Aint, who had grown up listening to the history of the past nine hundred years, the throne rightly belonged to the Armians.
The recording continued to play, and soon, the Chancellor and Professor Rosalia appeared, stepping forward.
“Here it is.”
This was when Aint, Pernyan, and Aria had taken their seats in the audience. And when the news of the massive demonic beast swarm's attack spread.
Afterward, the Chancellor canceled his announcement about the Vile Breed.
With a legion of demonic beasts on the loose, announcing the existence of the Vile Breed would likely only heighten the fear.
Instead of ‘There were Vile Breed, but they were safely subjugated!’, the narrative would become, ‘While demonic beasts are running rampant, Vile Breed were also secretly active in the academy! The Vile Breed have begun to make their move in earnest!’
"There's nothing you can do right now. As the nouveau riche said, lying low is your best option."
“I know.”
He had intended to do just that anyway.
Although the air of war hung over the academy due to the shocking news, it was unlikely the students would be called to action. The empire was not so weak as to need them.
"You never know, though."
"They might ask for volunteers in the name of gaining experience."
“That could happen.”
It seemed entirely possible for the academy to do something like that.
* * *
Contact from the Inquisitor was well within the realm of predictable events.
The Inquisitor General personally contacting Aint was also expected.
But the monster wave starting in the Taklakan Desert was not. Nor was the fact that it included demonic beasts.
Demonic beasts and monsters were fundamentally different. Therefore, the shock of their attack was greater than that of a simple monster wave.
‘Are they thinking, ‘Since we’ve been discovered anyway, we might as well make a big move’?’
Rather than having the Vile Breed captured and their existence announced by the enemy, it was certainly more impressive to reveal themselves by moving their legions and laying waste to a territory.
At least, from the perspective of the humans on the receiving end.
‘Did it happen this way in the original history? I have no way of knowing.’
There was no way to tell if the Vile Breed had acted out of greater anger because history had changed, or if this was how it was always meant to be.
If only he knew that, his response would be much easier. The previous prophecy was already fulfilled; wasn't it about time for the next one to appear?
‘Well, not that there’s anything I can do right now…’
It was happening far from the academy, and a large-scale war like this was a matter for his father to handle directly.
His father would probably make a fortune from this opportunity. War was profitable.
‘I’m envious.’
That money should have been mine.
No, it wasn't the time to be too greedy. The war would escalate anyway. There would be plenty of opportunities to make money.
‘At times like this, I feel like it would be fine to create a separate merchant guild…’
But the thought of the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild quickly put that idea to rest.
There was no need to leave the protection of the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild and start over in a barren wasteland.
His father wouldn't stand for it anyway, so why bother?
‘For now, the academy branch will purchase as many weapons, armor, and artifacts as possible.’
He had said he would grant the branch full authority on matters related to demons and the Vile Breed, so this much should be acceptable.
Having concluded his thoughts on the war, Pernyan’s train of thought moved on.
‘Gismond wasn’t a Vile Breed. No, he really wasn’t?’
That's what Aint had said. He must have confirmed it through Sir Gardner, so it was probably certain.
Then what was he? That bastard who didn't appear in the prophecy.
Why did he suddenly pop up and ruin everything?
‘His body wasn’t enhanced with demonic energy, but stuffed with elixirs to its absolute limit?’
Was he insane? Or did he just have a death wish?
Judging by his actions, that wasn't the case. That left only one answer.
‘He luckily found some elixirs. And greedily consumed them all. And was lucky enough to stop just before he exploded.’
There was no other explanation. And yet, even that explanation didn't make sense.
‘He even said they weren’t of the same type.’
He couldn't have found them all at once, and it wasn't sponsorship from the Bamond County either.
There was no trace of anything flowing from the Bamond County to the Erdt Barony, and the county didn't have that kind of wealth.
Then what could it be?
‘Damn it, this guy is a real headache. Everything is a mystery. I can’t figure it out.’
"Kkoong?"
Deep in thought, Pernyan was snapped back to reality by something tapping his cheek.
Wooden, who had changed from a necklace to a doll's size, was looking at him with worried eyes.
“…I’m fine. I wasn’t in pain, just had something to think about.”
"Kkoo-oong?"
“Yes. Since it’s just me here, you can run around a bit.”
At those words, Wooden leaped off the table. A thud echoed, and a crack appeared on the floor.
“Stop! Do you know how much this marble floor costs…”
It was then.
──!
A feeling like lightning striking inside his head.
Goosebumps erupted over his skin, followed by a terrible headache.
“Keuk…!”
Pernyan recognized that what he had been waiting for had arrived.
Perhaps because he had been expecting it, the pain was still there, but it felt somewhat bearable.
The Prophecy Book unfolded in Pernyan’s mind.
[News of the legions of demonic beasts and monsters stirring in the Taklakan Desert swept through the entire empire.
Naturally, the academy was no exception.
“The Chancellor has decided to deploy students to the battlefield, on a volunteer basis.”
The academy officially decided to dispatch students to the war.
“Decide carefully. An escorting professor will accompany you and help as much as possible, but on the battlefield, you are responsible for protecting yourself.”
At the mention that their lives could be in danger, the students began to murmur.
"Go. You must absolutely go."
‘Yes, I know. I can’t miss this opportunity.’
But there were also those who, on the contrary, hardened their resolve.]
‘So this is how it happens.’
It was understandable, in a way. The Chancellor was one of the few who knew that the last incident was related to demons, not just the Vile Breed.
He would have guessed that Andromalius was not the end, but the beginning.
Sending the students was likely to prepare them for the great war to come. There was a clear difference between experiencing it beforehand and not.
[“…This is infuriating.”
“Your Highness?”
“Aint Armian, a descendant of Armian, is heading to the battlefield against the demonic beasts. Isn’t that just the kind of topic to make the people go wild?”
Ludger Schwaben’s eyes grew cold. This was no simple exaggeration.
Demonic beasts appearing for the first time in a thousand years, and a descendant of Armian heading toward them.
Ludger didn't even want to imagine what would happen if he let it be. The outcome was all too predictable.
“Bring me the application form. I will go as well.”
Therefore, he had to erase Aint somehow.
Noblesse oblige. As the highest-ranking prince in the empire, second only to the emperor, he would go to the battlefield himself.]
‘If Ludger isn’t a fool, this is the natural course of action.’
It was an expected consequence of Aint’s actions, so it didn't stir much emotion in him.
[“What is this…?”
“A spirit herb?”
“There’s a spirit herb here!”
The spirit herb, faintly exuding mana, was impeccably clean and pure.
“I found it, so I will take it.”
It was Ludger Schwaben who had discovered the spirit herb. Generally, a spirit herb belonged to its discoverer, so his claim was natural.
Ludger took the fruit of the spirit herb. Deprived of its fruit, the spirit herb looked utterly pathetic.
"He's just taking the fruit?"
‘Is that strange?’
"Of course it's strange! The fruit of an Itarium is an excellent elixir, but the root is even better. Itarium is a spirit herb that holds the mana of the earth, so the root is where…"
"Has that fact not spread even after a thousand years? All the better. Aint. You secretly take the root."
"By the way, the fact that an Itarium is growing here means there's a mineral vein nearby. Itarium grows by feeding on the energy of ores."]
‘A mineral vein?’
No matter what kind, there was no such thing as a useless mineral vein. Despite the throbbing headache, Pernyan’s eyes gleamed.
It was then. The content of the Prophecy Book changed. What was surprising was that even the perspective had changed.
[“The academy has brought students to the battlefield under the pretext of gaining practical experience.”
“Practical experience? They’ve grown soft from peace.”
Pfft, the man laughed.
Did they dismiss the current situation as a mere coincidence? They were far too complacent.
“However, it is said that Aint Armian is among those students.”
“Aint Armian…?”
The man’s eyes widened.
Armian. The adversary of demons. That cursed bloodline.
“This is an opportunity…!”
*CRASH!* The man slammed his fist on the table. Papers, an inkwell, and a golden ashtray engraved with a star pattern fell to the floor.
“A golden opportunity to devour not just Aint Armian, but the entire future of the empire!”
They often called the academy the cradle of the empire. It meant it was where the empire’s future leaders resided.
That was why they had summoned the 72nd-ranked demon, Andromalius, to destroy the academy, but they had failed.
In such a situation, what if he succeeded?
“I can receive a deeper grace!”
The man couldn't hide his excitement.
“Contact His Excellency immediately and request support! Even if we lose everything, we will kill every last one of them from the academy! Above all, Aint Armian, that cursed bastard!”
A shout, colored with elation and madness, rang throughout the office.
“Khuhuhu, I’ve been stuck here for quite some time, but to think there’d be such a harvest.”
He drew the curtains.
Through the half-opened curtains, a giant bell was visible. It was a cursed object that had once tormented the demons.
He had made his nest here for the sake of its destruction.]
It was the first time he had seen a prophecy from the perspective of someone other than Aint.
“……”
And even more so when it was from the viewpoint of a Vile Breed.
What did this mean?
‘The Prophecy Book unfolds centered on the protagonist, Aint, but it isn't composed solely from Aint’s perspective?’
It was a possibility.
The Prophecy Book was a single book, and it was rare for a book, even with a protagonist, to be told entirely from their point of view.
“…Wait a minute.”
Pernyan searched his memory.
The room where the Vile Breed was giving orders. The description in the Prophecy Book of the view outside the window.
[Through the half-opened curtains, a giant bell was visible. It was a cursed object that had once tormented the demons.]
[He had made his nest here for the sake of its destruction.]
A bell, a cursed object, destruction. The details weren't specific, but it was enough.
“I think I know where it is.”
After all, there was a bell-shaped anti-demon weapon left behind by the first emperor in the empire.
When he opened his eyes, Wooden was taking a handkerchief from the table and wiping the cold sweat from Pernyan’s brow.
"Kkoo-oong?"
It stomped its feet, anxious about what might happen if something went wrong.
“Stop, Wooden. Any more and the table will break.”
It was a sturdy table made of high-quality wood, but it stood no chance against the fretful stomping of an Ego Golem.
"Kkoong?"
“Yes, I’m fine. And thank you for wiping my sweat.”
That’s not what’s important, Wooden.
“You might just get another chance to run wild. Didn’t you say you wanted to go berserk in your main body one more time?”
Pernyan’s eyes flashed menacingly.
"Kkoong kkoong!"
Wooden nodded its head vigorously.