A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?!

It couldn’t be confirmed that Duke Harbert was a corrupt.

Just like what happened with Adolf or the third prince of Esrin, there are those who, without being corrupt, ally with them for convenience or personal gain.”

“And you, brother? How was it in your case?”

“Somehow, they discovered that I harbored resentment, and they were the first to approach me.”

Adolf recalled that moment.

“It all started with a letter. One morning, without anyone entering or leaving, it appeared on my desk.”

That was his first contact with the corrupt. He tried to find out who had left it, but couldn’t.

“At first, I ignored it. Ally with the corrupt? I thought it was absurd.”

But seeing how Fridian, despite having obtained the title of Elector, still couldn’t do anything, changed his mind.

“I thought that if we gained independence, we could restore the former Kingdom of Fridian.”

“But the Empire would never stand idly by.”

“That’s why I needed chaos. If something more serious happened, the Empire would have to postpone its issues with us.”

“So you were willing to sink Fridian for that? Do you think the Empire is stupid? Even with chaos, once everything settled down, they would come to punish you.”

Aria, who had listened in silence, couldn’t hold back. It was natural for her to be angry—her family had almost disappeared because of that decision.

“I’m sorry. At the time, I believed the Empire wouldn’t have the capacity to intervene.”

He thought that if a demon descended, not even the Empire could react normally.

And, in fact, his prediction wasn’t entirely wrong.

If not for Fernan, Bercheff and Linelt would have fallen, and Esrin and Alprosen would have been dragged into chaos.

The monster armies led by three demons would have attacked the northern Empire, and it wouldn’t have been able to concern itself with something as “insignificant” as Fridian’s independence.

But, like everyone who made a pact with the corrupt, his end wasn’t good.

“It was also written in the book of prophecies.”

He didn’t know when it would happen, but eventually Adolf would fall by Aint’s sword, regretting his own weakness.

Thanks to Aria, Fridian would survive, though badly damaged.

If they knew that future, both Adolf and Aria should be deeply grateful to Fernan.

He had not only saved the kingdom from disaster, but also planned to make Adolf a Royal Knight.

“That’s worth millions of gold coins.”

It was a shame he couldn’t tell them. Well, Gismond knew, but it was of little use.

“So, brother, if Duke Harbert really made a deal with the corrupt, what do you think motivated him? Speak as someone with experience.”

“Experience, you say?”

Yes, he had it.

Adolf responded uneasily, especially in front of Aria.

“You have to understand their desires. In my case, the corrupt targeted exactly where my ambition was strongest.”

“Ambition, huh?”

What could a man like Duke Harbert, second in command of the Kingdom of Frazia, possibly hunger for?

A more powerful kingdom? Greater authority? Turning the kingdom into an empire?

Or maybe…?

“The throne…”

“That sounds exaggerated. It’s said he voluntarily gave up his right of succession when he was still a prince.”

Aria was right.

If he gave it up to prevent the kingdom from bleeding in a succession war, how could he now draw the corrupt for that very same reason?

It made no sense.

But upon investigating, they found nothing.

A respected duke.

An admired man.

The second most powerful in the kingdom.

Only he knew his true reasons.

“Or maybe…”

Fernan looked up.

“He might be Dantalion’s substitute, a copy of him.”

Whatever it was, they would find out upon arrival.

***

The carriage arrived at the capital of the Licatus Duchy, Licatus.

It was, without a doubt, so large and prosperous it deserved to be called the second city of the Kingdom of Frazia.

Tall and splendid buildings filled the streets, bustling with people.

Fernan and his group crossed the city and headed to the lord’s castle at the center.

The enormous gates opened, and a high-ranking knight received them.

“Welcome. Be received in Licatus.”

Soon after, they were guided to an annex residence of the castle, spacious and majestic.

Dozens of maids and attendants assigned them their rooms.

Once inside, Fernan activated the dragon’s mana.

His senses sharpened, and he scanned the surroundings, but detected no strange mana flow.

‘No eavesdropping or surveillance.’

Well, being a duke, it would be ridiculous for him to use such vulgar tricks.

‘I’m getting used to this.’

Thanks to Professor Rosalia’s research, Fernan understood that the Dragon Heart not only granted massive amounts of mana, but also the very power of dragons.

From skin, muscles, bones, vessels, and blood—his entire body had become more like that of a dragon.

It wasn’t that his appearance had changed, but his body now accepted dragon mana naturally, without him coughing up blood every time he used it.

“Of course, I’ve never seen a dragon with my own eyes, but I have an idea of how it must feel.”

Wooden nodded slightly, as if accepting the explanation.

At nightfall, the maids brought dinner. The meal was served in the dining room of the residence.

“The duke is currently away from the territory. He’ll return in a week, so we ask for your understanding.”

“Understood.”

The fact that the host of the invitation wasn’t present could only mean one thing—he was avoiding meeting them.

Was he trying to buy time?

Fine. Fernan had his own plans too.

“Perfect. After so much travel by ship and carriage, take the week to rest. I noticed there’s an underground training field. If you want, you can train there.”

“So we can do nothing?”

“Yes. It seems he’s trying to stall us on purpose.”

“We won’t be doing nothing, exactly.”

In reality, something had already begun moving the moment they arrived—it just wasn’t Fernan behind it.

“Ah, you sent Wooden, right? Since when?”

“From the start.”

There was no better choice than Wooden for detecting demonic energy, tracking someone, or finding what’s hidden.

Maybe he’d been using him too much lately, but the golem seemed excited to have a purpose, so there was no reason to stop.

“Can we go for a walk?”

“No problem. They already know we’re here anyway. If you get bored, go out and take a walk.”

After dinner, Fernan returned to his room. He planned to meditate and link with Wooden to explore the mansion from afar.

“Who wants to go for a stroll with me?”

“I’ll go to the training field. Lately, I feel like something is about to unlock.”

“Me too. Aint, help me with a spar?”

“Yes, senior.”

Aint and Luina took their swords and left.

“I might take this chance to relax a bit…”

“Gismond, you’re coming with me.”

“Huh?”

“Fernan asked me to look after you especially.”

“W-wait, professor!”

Gismond was dragged off by Adolf, who winked at Aria.

“I could go train too…”

Aria pressed down on Verian’s shoulder to stop him from getting up.

“No, you’re coming with me.”

“Why would I?”

“Would you let a fragile, delicate lady walk alone in unfamiliar lands?”

“Fragile? An elf capable of summoning two greater spirits?”

“More fragile than a contractor of the Spirit King.”

“By that standard, no one here would be strong.”

“Exactly.”

Aria popped a candy into his mouth.

“We weaklings have to stick together.”

Verian let out a chuckle.

“If you just want to go with me, say so directly.”

“And if I do, would you come?”

“Yes.”

“…How strange.”

His sudden change in attitude puzzled Aria.

“Is something going on?”

“Yes.”

He had always lived under pressure—grades, his family, his father, succession.

His father sought a strong heir through competition, and Verian had always fought to not fall behind his younger brother.

But during this break, all those worries had melted away.

Following Fernan and Aint, the days spent trying not to fall behind had made him grow more than ever.

His brother could no longer catch up, and his father had made a decision.

Now, all was peace.

“What will you do out there?”

“I don’t know. Just see what’s around.”

The elf and the human stepped out together.

“Damn couples…”

Gismond, being dragged by Adolf, saw the scene and held back tears.

“Why take it out on others? You could have a partner too.”

“And with what time? Thanks to you, my life as an assistant is in ruins…”

“And when you were a student?”

“…Damn couples.”

***

Wooden’s adventure ended in failure.

— Kyuuu…

The little golem returned with slumped shoulders.

“It’s okay. You can’t find something that doesn’t exist.”

Fernan patted his head while thinking.

There wasn’t the slightest trace of demonic energy in the mansion.

There were some hidden spaces, but they were nothing more than secret storage rooms filled with treasures.

Tempting as it was, he couldn’t rob his host while being a guest.

Unless, of course, the duke turned out to truly be corrupt.

‘For now, nothing in the castle.’

Even so, Fernan couldn’t shake the suspicion that their host was indeed connected to the corrupt.

The sudden invitation, the deliberate absence—everything was far too suspicious.

Several days passed.

“Lady Aria says the whole city is in a festive mood. There are many shows. Would you like to go out for a bit?”

“Planning to use your aura again?”

“You’ve been using magic too.”

Fernan wasn’t the type to sit idle.

“What about that over there?”

“An arm-wrestling contest for money? Running low on funds lately?”

“I just meant for fun.”

Fernan ended up strolling through the festival with Luina.

“This chocolate is excellent. It has a fruity flavor, like apricots, grapes, and something else I can’t quite identify.”

“Where’d you buy it?”

“This? It’s a typical product from the territory of Calum.”

“The territory of Calum, huh? Got it.”

Fernan memorized it instantly.

“What are you doing?”

“You just said excellent. If it came out of your mouth, that means this product will be a hit.”

“That makes no sense…”

“Not a bad profit.”

They kept eating and trying sweets as the day faded.

Bang! Bang!

Fireworks began bursting in the sky.

“Don’t tell me this will turn into another Andrealphus.”

“Relax. He’s dead.”

“Right…”

Flowers, birds, and whales of light filled the sky, creating a dazzling display.

“What do you think of that?”

“A big, pretty crystal. I guess they sell them as decorations.”

“Doesn’t it inspire you? Might spark some creativity. You know, after the first time, the second is easier…”

“Oh, you meant that. Fine.”

Luina bought a huge blue crystal, about the size of a closed fist.

“How much are you going to pay me for it?”

“…You’re charging me?”

“Of course. Don’t you call yourself a merchant? Or do you plan to become a thief?”

“…Where did the pure and innocent Luina I knew go?”

“She died long ago.”

Boom!

A much larger firework lit up the sky and briefly erased the darkness.

Luina watched it with a slight smile—so serene and beautiful that Fernan stared at her silently.

“You’re beautiful.”

“Yes, the fireworks are lovely. Looks like they put a lot of effort into it.”

“I’m not talking about the fireworks…”

Then, his skin prickled.

He sensed killing intent before he could react.

The adamantite sword shot out.

Clang!

A dagger was deflected just before it reached his neck.

“How dare you…!”

Luina growled with fury, and her sword, flowing like a river, severed the attacker’s wrist.

“W-what?”

“Ahhh, a hand!”

“There’s an injured person!”

The attacker backed away without a single scream, but the crowd started screaming in panic.

The festive atmosphere turned to chaos in seconds, and people fled in all directions.

And amidst the chaos—

Ssshh! Ssshh!

Three arrows whistled through the cold air.

Luina yanked Fernan’s shoulder, pulling him down just as the arrows flew over his head.

Immediately, assassins hidden among the crowd charged at them with daggers drawn.

‘Fifteen.’

While Luina dispatched them, Fernan fully awakened his senses.

He felt the demonic energy in their bodies.

There were fifteen—no, forty-five.

Luina turned to the front, where a column of fully armored riders was rapidly approaching.

“Tch…”

She let out a dry laugh and charged at them.

A blue energy enveloped her entire body.

“Die, bastard!”

The man at the front—the only one not lowering his helmet visor—shouted.

“Fernan Pellenberg! Your time has come!”

Fernan instantly recognized the strongest demonic presence.

“Kret Helan?”

One of the former corrupt candidates—though now there was no doubt.

At the tip of his spear, a large amount of demonic energy gathered.

The dozens of knights around him resonated with him, amplifying the power.

Luina summoned a blue lion that charged straight into them.

Booom!

A shockwave swept the area.

The horses neighed and fell, some riders flying like leaves caught in a storm.

And amid it all—

Twelve daggers flew at Fernan.

Clang, clang, clang!

“What the hell…?”

The daggers, imbued with aura, pierced the sand Fernan had raised as defense, reaching his skin.

Of the twelve, eleven were blocked.

Shining scales had appeared on his body, deflecting the blades.

The assassins were stunned, but one of them managed to stab Fernan in the shoulder.

“Hehehe, you’re done for, Fernan Pellenberg!”

“The blade’s poisoned?”

The edge glowed with a bluish tint.

“Yes! It’s venom distilled from a hundred basilisks. One drop and you’ll be dead in ten seconds.”

“I see.”

Fernan nodded slowly.

“I think the ten seconds have already passed.”

“Huh…?”

Fernan grabbed his head.

“The rector’s poison was much stronger.”

Did you really think a dragon could die from poison?

Crack.

The assassin’s head shattered in his hand.