Chapter 82
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: The Golden Ashtray
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With a wave of monsters and demonic beasts currently underway, the academy students had no time to leisurely wander the continent.
“Now, everyone please stand on the magic circle.”
At the magician’s words, two professors and nine students stepped onto the circle.
“Please be aware that using a teleportation circle can destabilize your mana, which may cause some nausea.”
Following the brief announcement, the magic circle began to glow.
“Destination: Artk, the capital of Altriark. Twelve individuals to be transported. Activating the magic circle.”
The circle began to emit a brilliant light. In the blink of an eye.
The world changed.
“Welcome! Professor Grad Xant, Professor Rosalia Vienderk, and nine students, correct?”
The surrounding facility and the magician had changed. Professor Grad presented his identification tag, and the magician who confirmed it nodded.
“Welcome to Altriark! I am Dayd, a knight of Altriark.”
“I am Grad, a professor at the Academy.”
A knight who had been with the magician greeted them.
“Please follow me. I will be your guide.”
“Are we going to see the Count?”
“No. The Count was quite looking forward to the arrival of the Empire’s budding talents, but he is currently out at the barrier wall, so you will be able to see him there. For today, I will first guide you to your accommodations.”
Artk, the capital of Altriark, seemed so peaceful it was hard to believe it was a territory at war.
There was little worry or concern on the people’s faces, and there were no signs of destruction or corpses.
Artk was a fair distance from the barrier where the battles were taking place, but this level of detachment also signified the people’s trust in the Count of Altriark.
*Perhaps they’ve just grown used to it.*
Altriark was a place that had constantly fought against demonic beasts from the north in the distant past and, now, against monsters pouring in from the desert.
While demonic beasts were a special case, battle and war were a part of daily life for these people.
“What do you think? That is a statue of the first Count…”
“…And that is the famous Bell of Ruin. Left behind by the first Emperor who founded the Empire…”
Dayd guided them, explaining the various sights of Artk. His face was brimming with pride for Altriark.
Pernyan’s attention was drawn to the Bell of Ruin.
An artifact left by the first Emperor, just as Dayd had described. It was said that its toll held the power to smite evil, weakening the strength of demons.
The reason it was ‘said to’ and not ‘known to’ was because there had been no demons for the past thousand years, so the bell had never been used.
But according to the Prophecy Book, it was genuine, and its effect was certain. That was why the Vile Breed was so desperate to destroy it.
*Which means a Vile Breed is hiding somewhere around here…*
“That’s a murderous look.”
Pernyan was jolted from his thoughts by a pair of expressionless eyes approaching him abruptly.
“What is?”
“The way you were looking at that bell, it was like you wanted to kill someone. Are you a Vile Breed, by any chance?”
“You’re saying strange things.”
“Was it not funny?”
“Was that a joke?”
“Never mind.”
What was that? Pernyan let out a hollow laugh.
“This is the place.”
Dayd led them to the lord’s castle in the center of the city. The bedrooms within the massive castle would be their lodgings.
“Thank you.”
“Not at all. The Count had intended to greet you personally, but he was unable to, as he is on the battlefield.”
Dayd explained that not only the Count, but the Countess and their children were all at the barrier as well.
It wasn’t particularly surprising.
Everyone knew that the Countess of Altriark was the finest knight in the family, and that the Count’s children were all outstanding knights in their own right.
When the monster wave began, they had taken the initiative and rushed to the front lines themselves.
“Instead, the steward will dine with you this evening.”
“Understood.”
“You will stay here for today, and at dawn tomorrow, you will head to the barrier with the knight order. If you need anything or have any questions, please pull the service cord. I will see you all later.”
The twelve assigned rooms were all spacious and elegant.
“There’s no need to share rooms. Each of you, pick one and get some rest.”
The students each chose a room and went inside. Pernyan, however, remained where he was.
“What is it, Pernyan? Is there something you wish to say?”
“During our free time, would it be permissible for me to go out and look around the city for a while?”
“We are not here on a vacation.”
“I am not going out for leisure, either.”
“Then?”
*I’m going to find the Vile Breed’s hideout.*
“I’d like to do some market research.”
“In a situation like this?”
“It is precisely because of this situation that it is worth investigating.”
“No.”
Pernyan held out a small pouch.
“Do as you please. Just don’t cause any trouble.”
“May I go with the other students?”
“Do as you please. Ask Sir Dayd before you go.”
“Yes, sir.”
Pernyan entered his room and pulled the cord.
*This is our only day here. I have to find the hideout within that time.*
There was no time to delay. Whether he found the hideout or not would slightly alter his future plans.
“Is there something you need?”
A short while later, Dayd arrived.
“Would it be possible for me to go out for a bit before lunch?”
“Of course. However, I must ask for your understanding that I will have to accompany you.”
“I don’t mind.”
He had expected as much, and it was actually for the better.
If they discovered it together, it would lend more credibility to the finding.
“Then, would it be possible to go right now?”
“That is also possible, of course.”
Dayd nodded.
***
“Shall I guide you to the market first?”
“Please.”
Pernyan put on his coat and went outside with Dayd.
He didn’t bring Aint or Ruina with him. He didn’t know where the enemy was yet, so he couldn’t just drag them around aimlessly.
“It seems there are many places selling armaments, likely because of the war.”
“Yes, the knights and soldiers are mostly supplied by the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild, but the mercenaries are not. The number of such shops has increased due to the war, but the difference isn’t that significant.”
“I see what you mean.”
It was merely a matter of degree; Altriark had always fought against the monsters that crossed the Taklakan Desert.
A high demand for weapons was nothing out of the ordinary.
*Where could it be?*
As Pernyan strolled through the market, his gaze naturally drifted toward the Bell of Ruin.
Upon the flawless, pure white surface of the bell, a landscape was embossed.
Mountains and trees, sky, clouds, the sun. And soaring in that sky, the symbol of the Armian family, the Saint Bird.
“The Bell of Ruin seems larger than I’d heard.”
“Indeed. It stands seven meters tall with a diameter of four meters. There is no larger bell in this world.”
“Then I suppose you can see this bell from anywhere in Artk.”
“That is not the case.”
Dayd shook his head.
“It would be so if the bell were placed higher, but it has remained in that exact spot for a thousand years. Now, it is obscured by buildings and cannot be seen from afar.”
“Buildings?”
“Yes. As a result, the buildings with a view of the Bell of Ruin have soared in value and are traded at quite a high price.”
In other words, a wealthy district had formed around the Bell of Ruin. That was good information.
“It’s common for real estate prices to rise or fall based on special fixtures or environments.”
There was no need to check all of Artk. He just needed to investigate the area around the Bell of Ruin.
But how?
How, indeed.
“Would it be alright if I stopped by the Golden Turtle branch for a moment?”
This was what power and money were for.
***
“Found it.”
Pernyan had requested information on every mansion with a view of the Bell of Ruin from its windows, along with data on their residents.
It didn't take long to receive the report.
As Dayd had said, those houses were in the wealthy district. The Golden Turtle had an impeccable nose for money and always kept a close watch on the area.
There were about fifty houses with a direct, clear view of the Bell of Ruin. He had to narrow it down as much as possible from this list.
And Pernyan had a very promising clue.
A golden ashtray embossed with five stars.
It might seem like nothing, but clues often start from such trivial details.
“Bairan Osmond.”
A middle-aged man of forty. His occupation: mercenary.
He was the leader of the Black Star Mercenary Group, a large outfit of about seventy members.
For the past few years, he had distinguished himself at the barrier, not only earning a fortune but also making a name for himself in Artk.
Records showed he had commissioned a custom-made golden ashtray embossed with stars.
“Is he brazen, or did he think no one would ever find out?”
To think he had placed the order with the Golden Turtle.
In truth, it was the latter. If not for the Prophecy Book, it would never have been an issue.
But it was possible it was a coincidence, that he just happened to use the same ashtray. There was no choice but to confirm it himself.
“Wooden.”
-Ggwoong?
Now that they were alone, Wooden, who had shrunk to the size of a doll and was busily touching things around the room, approached Pernyan.
“The time has finally come for you to shine.”
-Ggwoong-ggwoong?
“No, you’re not smashing everything.”
-Ggwoooong.
“Disappointed? You’re a forest spirit. Try loving peace for a change.”
-Ggwoooooo.
“You say it’s a sin to have a body like that and not use it?”
Hmm, he had to agree with that point. Pernyan nodded.
“In any case, your job is simple.”
Shrink your body and enter this house.
“Find the office, and just confirm whether there is a golden ashtray inside or not. Understand?”
-Ggwoong!
Wooden’s size rapidly decreased. To about two centimeters. It was the smallest size Wooden could manage.
“Perfect. From now on, stay that size when you’re a necklace.”
-Ggwoooo!
“Too small and inconvenient? Isn’t it just a three-centimeter difference?”
Wooden shook its head again.
*You don’t know how big a three-centimeter difference is?* It seemed to say. He’d never seen it shrink to five centimeters, so how could he know?
“Alright.”
Pernyan gave a half-hearted nod, closed his eyes, and connected his mana.
Wooden was a golem that didn't require a link, but that didn't mean it lacked the function.
And right now, there were two things Pernyan wanted from the link.
To see what Wooden saw, and hear what Wooden heard.
Pernyan’s vision shifted to that of the tiny two-centimeter Wooden. Wooden opened the window and went outside.
*Let’s go, Wooden. You can’t be seen by anyone.*
Wooden ran, hiding in secluded alleys and bushes, and soon arrived before a massive mansion.
It slipped inside the mansion, mingling with the servants coming and going.
*Go up, Wooden. The master’s office is usually on the top floor.*
It passed through a corridor laid with a red carpet and climbed the stairs.
*There, go in there, Wooden.*
Before the most ornate door on the highest floor.
He could guess that this was the master’s room. More importantly, Wooden’s eyes confirmed that a soundproofing magic circle was inscribed on it.
*The Prophecy Book said the Vile Breed’s voice was thunderous.*
The fact that there had been no problems meant the soundproofing was thorough. No other magic inscriptions were visible.
Wooden, hiding behind a decorative suit of knight’s armor next to the door, slipped inside when a servant opened it.
It hid behind a nearby flowerpot and breathed a sigh of relief.
*Look forward, not at the wall.*
-Ggwoong.
*Right, I’ll let you run wild soon enough.*
-Ggwoong!
When Wooden turned its head, the entire room came into view.
It was an unremarkable office. A man sat at a desk with his back to the window.
“I have something to report.”
“Speak.”
The servant bowed his head, and the man replied.
The moment the servant’s next words came out, a strange sense of déjà vu washed over Pernyan.
“The Academy has brought students to the battlefield under the pretext of gaining practical experience.”
His mind went blank. No, it grew hot.
“Practical experience?”
A moment so exquisite, he wondered if it could ever happen again.
“They’ve grown soft from peace.”
It was a truly perfect moment.
Pernyan’s face was flushed with elation.