Chapter 80
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Call to Arms
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The sudden monster wave was more than enough to chill the festive atmosphere that had swept the academy.
“The Imperial side is holding up well, but it seems the Kingdom’s side is having a tougher time than expected.”
“With an estimated ten thousand demonic beasts and monsters, that’s to be expected. Ten thousand… can you even imagine?”
“But are they really demonic beasts? Haven’t they been gone for the last thousand years?”
“Not a thousand. They say the remaining demonic beasts were subjugated over a hundred years after King Collomo fell at the hands of the first emperor.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Whenever students gathered, they talked of the war.
“I heard we might be sent to the battlefield.”
“What are you talking about? Why us?”
“It’s just something I heard. They’re apparently considering sending some students to the front lines for practical experience.”
Perhaps because many of them came from prominent families, the rumors spreading by word of mouth were quite accurate.
“I’m sure you’ve all heard the rumors of the large-scale monster wave that erupted in the Taklakan Desert.”
When Professor Grad began with those words, Pernyan knew this was it.
“While there are exaggerated rumors mixed in with the truth, one thing is certain.”
Professor Grad lightly tapped a crystal ball, and a recorded image materialized above it.
──!
It began with the eardrum-shattering roar of a monster.
A vast plain, and across it, monsters charged.
The scene shifted to corpses strewn everywhere and smoke billowing from castle walls.
It was a battlefield.
Not a moment from history, nor a prediction of the future, but the present, happening right now.
If Pernyan’s eyes didn’t deceive him, those high walls were the ramparts protecting Altriark.
“You will be going to the front lines.”
It wasn’t unusual for students to be mobilized for monster subjugation.
But this was the first time they would be sent to a battlefield where monsters, humanity, and demonic beasts clashed.
“Of course, not all of you. Only those who volunteer, and only those who are qualified.”
The chancellor’s goal was to prepare for the great war to come, not to send the unqualified to a pointless death.
“For details, refer to the information sheets the teaching assistants will be handing out.”
Just then, the assistants began distributing the papers.
“Any questions?”
“…”
“If not, you’re dismissed. The application deadline is noon, three days from now. Review the qualifications carefully so none of you do anything foolish. That’s all for today’s lecture. Dismissed.”
The lecture was over.
* * *
Notices seeking volunteers were posted throughout the academy.
Pernyan summoned those he was close to—and who were connected to the prophecy book.
Aint, Ruina, Aria, and even Verian.
He wanted to include Jace as well, but he restrained himself.
With the prophecy already having deviated several times, he didn’t want to introduce any more variables.
“I wish to go.”
When asked if she wanted to go to the front, Ruina was the first to answer.
“Pernyan, as you know, our domain is in a rather difficult situation.”
It was far more than just difficult.
Margrave Bercefe had discovered the cause of the massive monster wave that had brought the worst days in his family’s history.
Demonic beasts.
To the north and east of their domain, where monsters had originally dwelled, demonic beasts had made their nests.
The terrified monsters were naturally pushed out in territorial disputes, encroaching upon human lands.
In other words, it was a prophecy of a new disaster.
The monster wave would become a demonic beast wave, and a moment more terrifying than before would arrive.
That was why Ruina steeled her resolve.
Not only did Altriark’s situation feel like her own, but it was the pride of the Bercefe family to stand and fight, to protect what was theirs, even in the face of a foretold catastrophe.
Altriark’s present was Bercefe’s past.
“I believe this is a good opportunity to prepare in advance.”
And it would also be their future.
“Aint Armian. What are your thoughts?”
“Um, I’d like to go too. It’s scary, but after seeing Andromalius, I don’t think just running away is the answer.”
Pernyan gave a small nod. He had expected Aint would go.
The prophecy book had said as much, and he had seen the boy’s courage, charging at Andromalius despite his fear.
“I’m going too. The more I think about it, the more unfair it feels.”
“Unfair?”
“I wasn’t knocked out by a single blow like someone else. I’ll prove it this time.”
“…Can you even speak without picking a fight with me?”
Someone scowled.
“Come to think of it, how on earth did you beat Carlo?”
“It was easy.”
“Easy?”
“No, actually, it wasn't easy. To be honest, I felt wronged. I was hailed as the greatest prodigy in Elven, but standing before you seniors, I was just another elf!”
The battle with Andromalius, in particular, had been a great shock to her.
Unlike the three who had stood against the demon to the end, she had been among those, like Verian, who had been knocked unconscious.
“So I’ve been training hard since then. Thankfully, it seems to be paying off. And he was much weaker than you, senior.”
That was incorrect. Pernyan could say with certainty.
“Carlo is stronger than me.”
“He seemed weak to me. If Wooden had shown up, I would have surrendered immediately.”
“Wooden is not my own strength.”
“Then are all knights and mages who use artifacts weaklings?”
“It can’t be used in the tournament.”
“Maybe that’s why it was a bit boring. After fighting a demon, it felt like child’s play.”
The shock of being knocked out must have been so great that her entire focus was now on Andromalius.
It was unexpected, but not bad. Aria was also one of Aint’s companions, acknowledged by the prophecy book.
A key player in the fight against the demons growing stronger was always welcome.
*I just hope this doesn’t make Carlo go down the wrong path.*
Pernyan clicked his tongue and dismissed the thought. He wasn’t in a position to worry about the career path of a grown man.
“I will go as well.”
Verian gave a reason similar to Aria’s.
“But will we be able to go? The official notice hasn’t been sent to the first-years.”
As much as the academy valued practical experience and had dispatched students to various places, this was a deployment not normally permitted for first-years.
“You can go.”
But the chancellor was no fool. He would not be ignorant of how crucial Aint’s growth was to confronting the demons.
*Even if he doesn't fully believe in the legends of the Armians, it wouldn't be difficult to help Aint prepare for a worst-case scenario.*
A mage is one who prepares.
The chancellor, having reached the rank of Archmage, would understand Aint’s value better than anyone the moment a demon appeared.
He would also know that simply coddling him was not the answer.
The delay for the first-years was likely due to the need to persuade the academy’s other leaders.
Even the chancellor couldn’t make every decision unilaterally.
“Here, take these.”
At Pernyan’s gesture, his attendants handed over a stack of documents.
“What is this…?”
“It’s about the student dispatch. It details how many students are being sent, where, and how.”
Pernyan turned the first page. The four students followed his lead.
“As you may have guessed, qualification means being a student ranked in the top ten.”
This was about demonic beasts, after all. The mediocre wouldn’t even dare to apply.
“The first and second-years will be grouped together, as will the third and fourth-years. The academy has assessed their skill levels differently.”
The first and second-years would head to the less dangerous Altriark.
Conversely, the third and fourth-years would go to the domain of House Molten.
One was the still-sturdy bulwark of an Elector family; the other was House Molten, holding on by gathering the remnants of two collapsed domains.
Of course, Imperial reinforcements were already there, but it was obvious which was more dangerous—a place with defensive walls or one without.
“The first and second-years will move together, led by Professor Grad Xant of the Knight Department and Rosalia Vienderk of the Magic Department.”
And.
“Departure is exactly three days from now.”
There were other specific schedules and details, but these were the most important points.
“Any questions?”
“Is this fake?”
The red-haired elf tilted her head.
Pernyan’s eye twitched.
“Fake?”
“Didn’t you just say it hasn’t been decided for the first-years yet? Then how is there a plan like this already? You must have gotten something you shouldn’t have, so it has to be fake.”
But then he chuckled.
“It seems living cooped up in a forest has left you knowing one thing but not the other.”
“What?”
“Listen well, Aria. The chancellor’s intentions are clear. That’s all that matters.”
The academy isn’t a dictatorship? It has a decision-making body?
What did any of that matter? The combined leadership of the academy wasn't worth a single chancellor.
“That is the nature of an Archmage. When the chancellor expresses an opinion, it isn't an opinion—it's a command. Following due process is just for show. It’s his way of demonstrating respect for Imperial law.”
“Isn’t that totally messed up?”
“The Empire is a society based on status to begin with.”
“…Then how did you get this plan? It must be top secret for now, right?”
“I got it from the chancellor.”
“What?”
He hadn't received it directly, merely had it passed on to him, but that didn’t matter.
“Aria, there is nothing in this world that money can’t buy.”
“Are you saying the chancellor sold it for money?”
“The chancellor is not moved by petty cash.”
“…Then?”
“The Fallenberg family is the single largest benefactor of the Armian Imperial Academy.”
“Ah…”
Aria stared blankly at Pernyan, as if she had just grasped a fundamental truth.
Seeing this, Ruina shook her head, her hand already reaching for a piece of chocolate.
* * *
“Do you see this?”
Looking at the golden medal dangling before him and Ruina’s overwhelmed expression, Pernyan felt a sense of nostalgia.
The fact that she stayed behind in the empty private room just to show this off to me proves that my efforts haven’t been in vain.
*I suppose the future where I become Aint’s enemy and face ruin is gone for good.*
Then again, you never know. The demons’ schemes and manipulations could start again at any time.
But the trust built since the first semester wouldn’t be so easily broken.
That was enough.
“Yes, I see it.”
And that was why an utterly human smile graced Pernyan’s face.
“Ah.”
Ruina stared blankly at Pernyan for a moment.
“What is it?”
“No, it’s nothing. I mean, what this is…”
“I know. It’s the victor’s medal from the jousting tournament, awarded directly by the Emperor.”
The medal, made of pure gold, was engraved with the eagle symbolizing the Schwaben Imperial Family.
“That’s right! I can’t believe I actually received this…! It’s all thanks to you!”
“Yes, congratulations. I never imagined you would defeat Rob Kaelin and win the whole thing.”
“Thank you, truly. Without you, I would have never obtained this as a second-year.”
Ruina nodded emphatically.
But the way she specifically mentioned being a second-year suggested she was confident she would have won it eventually, even without Pernyan’s help.
*Well, she has every right to be.*
If a future Royal Knight couldn’t even win a single tournament medal, the demons could never have been called the Empire’s greatest adversaries.
“Still, I didn’t expect you to boast to me like this.”
“I made a promise, did I not?”
A promise?
Ah, right. I asked her to win at all costs. To protect my money.
“So you won?”
“A knight does not break their promise.”
Ruina’s expression turned solemn.
“I’m starting to like knights today. Perhaps I should have become a knight instead of a mage.”
Pernyan chuckled and reached into his coat.
“Since you kept your promise, there must be a reward.”
“I did not do it for a reward. More than anything, the victory itself is…”
He popped something into Ruina’s protesting mouth. The extreme cold and sweetness that spread through her mouth made her pause.
“…What is this?”
“It’s a chocolate frozen with ice crystals, produced in extremely small quantities for the royalty and high nobility of the northern Grunad Kingdom. They say it won’t melt for a month even at room temperature.”
“…It’s the best.”
“It’s the most expensive. But you earned your keep. As promised, I’ll calculate your share and deduct that much from your debt.”
Pernyan handed her a luxurious box filled with the ice crystal chocolates.
“Thank you. I will not forget this kindness.”
“Good. Make sure you never forget it for the rest of your life.”
“Do you know what this is? It’s a sword I chose from the academy’s armory. Its sharpness is comparable to the finest treasured swords of my family…”
Ruina went on for some time about the sword she had won as a prize and the elixir bestowed upon her by the Emperor before she finally left.
*Was Ruina always this talkative?*
Ah.
Come to think of it, I forgot to ask Ruina to look for the providence left by the first emperor.
*It probably doesn’t matter much.*
In the original history, Aint didn’t obtain it during his first year anyway.
Besides, he planned to lend him a top-tier weapon crafted by the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild, which, while not quite as good, would serve its purpose.
“My, I had no idea you and Ruina Bercefe had gotten so close, Young Master.”
Gert, who had been waiting outside, entered the room with a jesting tone.
“She’s my partner.”
“It didn’t look like a simple partnership to me. Waiting outside, you two were so sweet together…”
“You’re volunteering for the dispatch too.”
“Do I not get a say in the matter?”
“The fact that you think you do is amusing.”
It is a person’s duty to earn their keep once they’ve been paid.
“Tell Neria as well.”
“Well, if the Young Master gives an order, I follow. To be honest, I was curious anyway. Demonic beasts! Haven’t they been gone for a thousand years?”
“No need to be so cheerful. This is just the beginning.”
“All the more reason to go. Whether you’ve experienced these demonic beasts or not will make a huge difference.”
“Right.”
Come to think of it, what happens to Gert in the original history?
Pernyan pondered for a moment before realizing it was a pointless worry.
*He probably lived well. My father, who already took a huge loss by abandoning me, wouldn’t abandon Gert and Neria.*
“I’ll be on my way then.”
“See you later.”
After sending Gert off, Pernyan took out a pen and paper. He wrote ‘Altriark’ and ‘Demonic Beasts’ on it.
“…Potions and equipment will be supplied from all over the Empire, so there’s no profit to be made there. So instead of selling things, I’ll be buying.”
“Unlike demons, demonic beasts leave corpses. I’ll collect all of them, monsters included, and…”
“The demonic beast corpses are full of toxins, so most will consider them trash anyway. If I announce that I’m disposing of trash and take it all for nothing…”
War is profitable.
Pernyan began to devise every possible means by which he could profit.