Chapter 195: Upon the Ever-Dark Throne
Upon the ever-dark throne, Raha muttered with a troubled expression.
“This is another unforeseen variable……”
Nadan's actions had truly caught even her off guard.
“It's obvious that, given Ludenberg Lavante's nature, he'd come to me with questions.”
“Then why not just reveal everything?”
“……Leven.”
The man with hair the same color as Raha's. Leven, masked just like her, responded to her soliloquy.
“Fate is like that, Raha. Nothing flows the way we want it to.”
“If that's the case, then the veils I've so carefully woven would all be for nothing?”
“That just means more people will come to cherish Ludenberg Lavante. Don't forget—someday, he'll have no choice but to confront Prisper directly.”
“……I know.”
“Besides, even that one won't dare target him recklessly. Solemnute Empire is a strong nation. The more his fame spreads there, the more people will fight for him.”
“……”
Raha fell silent, lost in thought, and Leven continued while she was quiet.
“The more people around him who care for him, the more perfectly we'll achieve our goal. Since an unexpected path has opened toward that end, a minor risk is worth taking.”
“Do you really……think so?”
“Even if Prisper learns of Ludenberg Lavante's existence right now, do you think that bastard could truly seize him? I don't.”
“Who knows. You know better than anyone how many humans have fallen to Prisper's temptations, Leven.”
“……True. But Ludenberg Lavante has Ashytara Solenute by his side, and us. He won't fall easily to that one's lures. Especially after what it showed last time.”
“What if the Salvation Cult goes all out? We might not even get a chance to react before they snatch him away. Solemnute Empire may be strong, but the Salvation Cult's insidiousness is on another level.”
“If it comes to that, I'll step in. Even if they kidnap him……I can rescue him.”
“Haa.”
Raha let out a sigh. Considering how most events so far had unfolded under her plans, this was undoubtedly outside them. But the thought that it wouldn't lead only to negative outcomes was holding back her decision.
If Ludenberg Lavante overcame this crisis, it meant he'd gain countless supporters. In Solemnute Empire, the names of the Six Heroes were absolute. No imperial citizen disrespected them, so if it became known that he was the Starting Knight—Liberatus Ahad's reincarnation—he'd rise from cursed boy to chosen one.
After all, Liberatus Ahad had been the Six Heroes' mentor.
Those touched by fate had existed since ancient times. Eve Arcadia, Abaran's saintess, was a prime example. Tales of her directly facing Arcada were widespread even in Solemnute. Her perception had just been poor, but she had indeed manifested a god's miracle in the flesh.
And now, such a being had appeared in Solemnute. One whose fate intertwined with the Six Heroes' master, no less.
If he accepted this truth, proving he was chosen would be simple. There was the manifested Liberra, after all. The Setra Church could verify his sword and the ruins. The mere fact that he could read thousand-year-old script would make authentication straightforward.
“This is tricky. The plan's going awry. To stand against Prisper, Ludenberg Lavante needs to break through his trials faster.”
“It's actually a good thing. You're worrying about him so much that you're underestimating his potential.”
“……Can't deny that.”
“No matter the hardship, he'll overcome it. The mental or physical pain from the trials? You think he can't handle that much?”
“……No. But it's dangerous……”
“Being overprotective isn't good, Raha. As I said, Ludenberg Lavante must confront Prisper. Coddling him will only hinder his path.”
Raha sighed again.
“I know. I know, but……I'm still anxious……”
“Trust him. I'll teach him as best I can too. Just because he can now infuse his blade with conviction doesn't mean he doesn't need a master.”
“……True. He's been entirely self-taught so far. Reaching that point without genius talent would be impossible.”
“I can't infuse conviction like he can, but I can drill him mercilessly……He'll improve quickly.”
“The moment Ludenberg Lavante returns to Solemnute, we start the second trial.”
“Right. Then I'll stockpile a bit more power. I should be able to descend to the mortal realm soon.”
“Yeah.”
As soon as their conversation ended, Leven vanished.
“Then my role……until Nadan acts, is to reinforce the veil. That's all.”
Raha muttered to herself, then waved her freed hand. In that instant, the veil over Ludenberg Lavante grew even stronger.
“This should do for now. But soon, even this veil will scatter. Prisper's power grows daily, and……Ludenberg Lavante's existence will soon shake the empire.”
What future lay ahead? Raha could no longer predict it.
But as Leven said, it wasn't all bad. The more supporters he gained, the stronger he'd become.
“I'll believe in you, Ludenberg Lavante. Please, hang in there.”
In the silent throne room, Raha could only whisper that.
It was time to depart.
The long journey in Ortara had reached its end, and the people from Istaltin, Abaran, and Solemnute had finished preparing to return to their homelands.
“Next time, you won't see me in such a pathetic state.”
Eve Arcadia departed for Abaran, her resolve burning bright.
“The academic conference is coming up soon—come visit if you're bored. Nadan might drag you there anyway?”
Denetim and Tradiaan tempted them with invitations to the conference.
“When I return to Ortara next year, I'll have trained enough for at least an even match.”
Gail burned with determination.
And finally.
“Farewell.”
Heydel Solenute saw Ludenberg Lavante and Ashytara Solenute off with simple words.
“Yeah.”
Responding to all the farewells, the two boarded the sky path with the Solemnute group.
After arriving in Solemnute, time flew by like an arrow.
The Ortara trip had delayed them too much, leaving precious little time until finals. Some even suggested postponing the break, but it was swiftly rejected. The Glory Festival had to coincide with Founding Day.
In the end, only about a month remained until break. Students who had enjoyed themselves en route to Ortara were now suffering equally.
“……Done with your assignments?”
Ashytara Solenute's eyes were hollow.
“……No. Not yet.”
Ludenberg Lavante was in the same boat. He barely blinked at normal workloads, but the professors' recent assignments were massive, headache-inducing torrents.
This must be a month's backlog.
Training time was scarce. No—sleep was too.
“So sleepy……”
Ashytara Solenute forced her eyes open. She never showed sloppiness before Ludenberg Lavante, but even she was adrift in this tidal wave of assignments.
“Me too.”
The problem was Ludenberg Lavante felt the same. He couldn't recall ever being this exhausted—the assignments were nightmarish.
And it wasn't just assignments. Classes were hyper-compressed, skipping non-essentials, piling on material. Even meticulous Professor Calvin skimmed some parts. Professor Irina, usually laid-back, now scolded dozing students, so the professors' pressure matched the students'.
They'd planned to carry over to next semester, but reconsidered. Thus, students and faculty alike grew weary.
Facing endless assignment mountains, Solemnute Adem students began losing their minds. Doing homework during class was routine; some ditched tough subjects entirely. Professors didn't scold much—they'd half-given up too, facing a month's worth themselves.
For all these reasons, the Wisdom Pavilion—usually serene, bustling only during evaluations—was now packed.
It wouldn't regain its quiet until finals ended.
“……Seats.”
“None.”
Ludenberg Lavante and Ashytara Solenute eyed the sprawl of slumped students in the Wisdom Pavilion, then locked eyes and said in unison.
“Star Tower.”
“Star Tower.”
As student council members, they had access to the normally off-limits Star Tower. Realizing this, they fled the cacophony of the Wisdom Pavilion and headed there.