Having secured Aria's cooperation, Fernan headed to the academy library.
『King Kolomo and the 72 Demons』
He examined more closely the book he had first encountered when learning about the prophecy and the existence of demons.
『The 72nd Demon, Andromalius.
A man with a snake coiled around his arm.』
『He has black hair, black eyes, and a sturdy build. He engages in combat using the snake wrapped around his arm.』
However, since the book gave a broad overview of the 72 demons, it didn't contain much detail.
Fernan moved on to another book.
『The Relationship Between Demons and Monsters』
『Monsters are originally beasts of the Demon Realm. They serve the demons as their limbs and are part of their legions.』
『All demons are legion commanders of the Demon Realm, leading monsters.』
『In the legion of the 72nd demon, Andromalius, monsters in the form of snakes make up the majority.』
Still, the information wasn't as detailed as Fernan wanted.
"Just how much information has been lost?"
He could understand it. A thousand years had passed, and during that time, demons hadn't appeared—of course they'd be forgotten.
Even so, considering they had once been the Empire's great adversaries, the lack of information was excessive.
"Is there really nothing else…?"
As Fernan was scanning the bookshelves, someone caught his eye.
"Aint Armian?"
The person sitting at one table with books stacked in front of them, reading intently, was none other than Aint. Fernan approached and sat down across from him.
"Senior Fernan?"
『The Great War: Driving Out the Demons』
Aint was reading a book that detailed the events of the Great War.
"Were you researching demons?"
"Yes. Since the Guards—no, rather, the demonic species are showing up, I thought it'd be good to prepare in advance."
Probably Gardner Alfenfarsen's advice. Not a bad idea, assuming the library had reliable information.
"Are you looking into demons too, Senior?"
"Yeah… but…"
…Now that he thought about it, was there really a need to run around on his own?
Right in front of him sat the hero designated by the prophecy to face the Great Demon.
They had already encountered demonic species together and agreed to cooperate.
Habits really were frightening things. He had volunteered to run around needlessly when there was no need to do so anymore.
"Aint Armian."
"Yes, Senior?"
"Is it possible… to purify demonic energy? Or maybe detect it?"
Though the prophecy didn't go into detail, there had been hints suggesting Aint had the ability to purify demonic energy.
Old chronicles about the First Emperor also mentioned records of him purifying such energy.
Fernan wasn't sure how effective it would be, but it shouldn't be completely impossible for Aint either.
"…It's not completely impossible."
"Then if a demon were to descend right now, could you defeat it?"
"…Which demon are you talking about?"
"For example, the lowest-ranked one—Andromalius, the 72nd."
He remembered reading that the rankings of demons didn't necessarily indicate strength or hierarchy, but that wasn't important now.
"…Um, well. I'm not sure?"
—What's with this sudden nonsense?
Caught off guard, Aint couldn't give an immediate answer.
Of course, Aint had grown significantly since entering the academy.
He had drawn the sword of the First Emperor, reawakened a half-lost secret swordsmanship thanks to meeting Gardner, and had even consumed Saintbird's Heart, an ultra-high-grade elixir. He had defeated Berrian Kalburden and was now considered a top student contender.
But demons still felt too far removed.
Even if he had fought demonic species, demons themselves were in a different league.
—It's impossible. As you are now, you absolutely cannot defeat Andromalius.
Gardner Alfenfarsen drove in the final nail.
"…I don't think I can."
"Just as I thought."
But Fernan wasn't disappointed.
In fact, that was how it went in the original prophecy. Aint had been defeated, and it was Ruina who stood in Andromalius's way.
And after Ruina's defeat came Aint's awakening—like a scene from a play, they had narrowly secured victory.
Which is exactly why the descent of Andromalius must proceed as it originally did.
However, before that, they could try to tilt the odds in their favor.
"Well, let's set that aside for now. Back to the main point—I was hoping you could use that ability to detect demonic energy…"
At that moment, something came at the worst possible time.
A searing headache struck Fernan like a hammer to the skull.
["The final exam begins now!"]
First, the final exam was 『War and Practical Dueling Techniques』.
The content was simple: the same kind of practical duels they had done countless times since entering the academy.
The only difference was that the stage had shifted from the usual training grounds to an open field.
"The field is a 5-kilometer-radius circle. It's randomly chosen from seven types: forest, lake, desert, swamp, mountain, grassland, or snowy field."
And the possible variations of those fields were practically endless.
"Aint defeated Varus!"
"So it really wasn't a fluke that he beat Berian?"
"Berian defeated Hain. It's not like Berian is weak or anything."
"He was ranked somewhere in the 30s during the entrance exam—how did he climb this fast…?"
Varus Drené was ranked 3rd among the first-year knight faculty students, and Hain Caronin was ranked 6th.
"Aint Armian is ranked 2nd?"
"Wow, it's actually true. I thought it was a long shot…"
"Berian Kalburden is 3rd."
"To go from 38th to 2nd in just one semester… is that even possible?"
"An Armian is still an Armian after all…"
"Student Aint Armian. Starting next semester, please move your dormitory to the Ravidus Hall."
—Summer break is 70 days long. If you've got nowhere to go, come with me and leave the academy.
"So it's like… a training expedition?"
The academy has its limits. Gaining hands-on experience doing mercenary work can be quite valuable.
—A monster? No, a demonic species?
"Thank you for the opportunity, Aint Armian. To step outside the cradle of the academy and set foot in a danger zone on your own accord…"
Run!!
"…Senior?"
Fernan returned from the future to the present at the sound of a voice calling him.
"…Senior, are you alright?"
With superhuman endurance, Fernan suppressed the contorted expression trying to form on his face.
'What was I about to say…?'
"…Right. I've been narrowing down the list of people I find suspicious, but I have no way to track them down without revealing my intent. That's why I need your help."
"If that's what you need, I'm happy to help anytime."
"Thanks. I'll send someone when the time comes. Also, read this. I'll get going first."
Fernan handed over the section on Andromalius from 『King Kolomo and the 72 Demons』 and abruptly left.
"…What was that about?"
—He looked like he'd just taken a huge shock. Did he see something?
There hadn't been any visible change in Fernan's expression, but for a brief moment, the focus in his pupils had faded.
—And he broke into a cold sweat… even though there was no reason to. Just in that split second.
"Could it be some kind of chronic illness?"
—Possibly. Either way, he's something else. For someone to sweat that much and not even frown…
—Typical of those Pellenberg bastards.
"Guess money isn't everything. What kind of illness makes you break out in cold sweat like that…"
Aint clicked his tongue with pity.
—Still… why bring up Andromalius all of a sudden? Could that nouveau riche bastard know something…?
* * *
"So very disappointing. Failure, again, and again… and yet again."
A man flipped a page in a book.
"One time—maybe it was bad luck. Two times—perhaps the timing was off. But a third time? That's just incompetence."
"…I've committed an unpardonable sin, Your Excellency."
A shadow slammed its head to the floor with a thud. Its hunched figure trembled violently.
"An unpardonable sin…"
The man turned another page.
"Then die. What face do you have to show yourself with?"
"Your Excellency…!"
"But before that…"
Thump. The man closed the book.
"The plan itself wasn't flawed. So what went wrong?"
"We succeeded in leading them to set up camp where we had prepared the trap. Just as planned, we summoned rain to bog them down and weakened the ground to collapse it."
"Up to that point, everything went according to plan."
And then? the man murmured softly.
"Then we used the Sades to draw their attention, and sent in Varka."
That part was perfect as well. Up to that point.
"Their attention was entirely focused on Varka. Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't have been able to stop him. And in that opening, we would've corrupted the World Tree branch!"
The corrupted branch of the World Tree had to be planted inside the Academy.
The Empire's cradle. The Empire's future. Only by toppling that could they more easily trample the Empire itself.
"I was the one who devised that plan. So why are you making excuses after failing?"
"I—I apologize, Your Excellency."
"So what went wrong? When their focus was on Varka and they were driven away from the World Tree, it was your job to blend in with the Sades and corrupt the World Tree branch."
Given Fernan Pellenberg's personality, he would've gladly covered up a failed shipment if it could be concealed.
No one would have noticed the discreet corruption prepared in secret over so long. Fernan would have replaced the other goods with new ones and buried the incident.
Because that cost less money. Because that was the way to preserve the Pellenberg name.
That would've been the end of it.
The corrupted branch of the World Tree would've taken root in the Academy without resistance, quietly waiting for the right moment.
At the very heart of the Empire—in its serene cradle.
"…A golem appeared."
"…What?"
Gulp. The shadow swallowed dryly.
"A single golem diverted Varka's attention. When he destroyed that one, another appeared. And when that one was destroyed, yet another came…"
Four in total.
"Four golems perfectly held Varka back, and Aria Fridien and Fernan Pellenberg never left the World Tree's side. That's why…"
If anyone saw them tampering with the World Tree, the operation was over.
Even Fernan Pellenberg wasn't so foolish as to allow a corrupted World Tree—tampered with by demonic forces—into the Academy.
"…He was carrying around four golems?"
Could that even be true?
The man's face twitched slightly.
"…Is there any chance he knew about our plan in advance?"
"No, Your Excellency. If he had, he never would've fallen for it in the first place."
"True. If it were Fernan Pellenberg, he'd have made sure the goods weren't damaged just to save the money."
Ha. The man let out a bitter laugh.
"So you're telling me this spoiled rich brat carries around four golems—or who knows how many?"
Hahaha… The man's laughter grew louder.
"Now I understand. Why you failed. It makes perfect sense now…! That cowardly nouveau riche ruined everything…!"
Hahahahahaha…!
"T-thank you for understanding—"
POP!
Suddenly, the laughter stopped.
The shadow's head exploded.
Chunks of black matter splattered in all directions.
"But that doesn't mean you get to live. Three chances are enough."
Tlick—
The man snapped his fingers lightly.
All the black matter scattered around the bookstore evaporated without a trace.
"From now on, monitor Fernan Pellenberg along with Aint Armian. From this point forward, all our plans must consider Fernan Pellenberg and the Pellenberg family. Do not make the same mistake again."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
Another shadow bowed.
"There's one more thing to report, Your Excellency."
"What is it?"
"We've discovered an arrangement he left behind for his descendant."
A glint of interest lit the man's eyes.
"However, it will take some time to retrieve. A rather sturdy defensive magic circle is guarding it."
"Set a trap."
The man answered without hesitation.
"When Aint Armian comes to retrieve it, end him in one blow. If we can kill Aint Armian, even if our existence is exposed, it will be worth it."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"If he doesn't show up, that's fine too. We'll just destroy the magic circle and take it ourselves."
Summer break would begin after the final exams anyway. There was more than enough time to seize the arrangement at leisure.
"Understood. And what about the World Tree?"
"We'll delay that plan and observe for now. Taking action now would only expose our tail."
"Yes, I will remember that."
The shadow disappeared.