A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?!

Garrett opened his eyes.

‘How…?’

‘Did I survive…?’

The last memory returned to his mind.

His final blow, launched with all his might, had pierced through the crown prince’s black aura and hardened body.

It should have pierced his heart, but only managed to tear his side.

And right after—that wound disappeared.

No, it regenerated.

‘Corrupt magic…’

The repulsive chill he felt at the moment of regeneration confirmed it.

It was corrupt magic. Very subtle, almost imperceptible—but Garrett wasn’t someone to miss something right under his nose.

“Yes, damn it—corrupt magic! That bastard prince is a corrupt!”

Garrett shot up.

“When you’re alive, you should watch your mouth.”

Tap.

Next to him, Fernan was calmly peeling an apple and offered him a plate.

“Fernan?”

“Yes. Have something to eat, Sir Royal Knight.”

The vein on Garrett’s forehead bulged with force.

“I didn’t lose. If I hadn’t twisted the spear at the last second, I’d be the one standing now.”

That had nothing to do with corrupt magic or regeneration.

His strike had enough force to destroy the heart before any regeneration could occur.

“And if I had, I’d be a royal killer hunted by all of Schwaben.”

Oh, and of course, he’d be stripped of his Royal Knight title.

“The guy is corrupt. Nothing would’ve happened if I had killed him.”

“I doubt you truly believe that.”

“You already know, don’t you?”

“Only Aint and I. Not even Luina noticed.”

That meant that aside from Fernan and Aint, no one else realized.

“The prince’s corrupt magic was so subtle that the explosion’s smoke perfectly covered the sight. Plus, the magical barrier protecting the audience helped conceal it too.”

In short—there was no proof.

“If we accuse the crown prince of being corrupt without evidence, the backlash would be disastrous.”

“So you’re asking me to sit still? My Royal Knight title was stolen!”

“Of course I’m not asking that.”

‘Stolen.’

It was a word said in anger, but it was accurate.

He had shown mercy by not killing him, and in return, he was betrayed.

And a corrupt had claimed a title meant for heroes.

“Do you have a plan?”

“No.”

“Fernan!”

“No matter how soundproofed this room is, if you keep flaring your energy like that, everyone will notice.”

“Speak already.”

Fernan placed the knife on the table.

“It’s not that there’s no way. The problem is that it’s not certain. If everything goes well, we could bring the prince down though I find it unlikely.”

“And what is it?”

“Well…”

Garrett leaned in toward him.

“How about seeing it with your own eyes?”

“Seeing it…?”

“Yes. After all, you’ve almost recovered.”

Thanks to the best potions and the most skilled healers, Garrett could move without issues.

“Just in time for the naming ceremony.”

Fernan stood up.

“Let’s go.”

***

Even though the New Covenant Tournament had ended after three days, the coliseum was packed.

Not a single empty seat.

The day before, prior to the final match, Schwaben had publicly announced that the Royal Knight naming ceremony would be held today.

“What the hell? Tickets cost the same even though there’s no fight?”

“Those Schwaben bastards are money-crazy.”

“That’s something Pellenberg would do, not them.”

People cursed—but still bought tickets.

It was the final event, the tournament’s grand closing. No one wanted to miss it.

“They say the Emperor of Schwaben will name someone of Armian blood a Royal Knight.”

“Aren’t you curious how that’ll turn out?”

Traditionally, the naming of a Royal Knight was the duty of the Emperor of Armian, who designated those worthy of the title.

For over nine hundred years, Schwaben had been a vassal of Armian—now the tables had turned.

How could that not stir interest?

That curiosity filled the stadium.

In the waiting room, Aint Armian watched the people arrive and tried to calm his racing heart.

“There’s so many people…”

— You already fought in front of all of them. What are you worried about?

“I’m not worried about going out there, or being named.”

The problem was what came after.

“What if something goes wrong?”

— Then you endure it.

— In this world, nothing is gained without paying a price.

— Up to now, thanks to Fernan, you’ve gained much without risking almost anything. But it won’t always be like that, Aint.

Heroes are great—but their greatness comes with responsibility.

— And if things go south, and you become a laughingstock?

— If the people mock you?

— The world keeps turning, with or without laughter.

— Corrupts and demons will never rule this world. And you will prevail, Aint.

‘Then I have to make it real.’

— So don’t run from your responsibility. Face it with pride. That’s what makes a hero.

The words of Gardner Alfenparsen deepened Aint’s gaze.

— Besides, you’ve got Fernan behind you. A backing so firm, it can solve any problem that comes up. What’s there to fear?

“You’re right.”

Aint smiled. Fernan Pellenberg.

At first, he didn’t trust him—but now it was different.

A hero greater than himself, an enemy of demons, and yet a man who only chased money and gave all the glory to others.

“I can’t back down now. It’s time to repay everything I owe him and fulfill my role.”

Aint stood from his seat.

“Sir Aint Armian, it’s time to head out…”

The attendant who had come to get him opened the door and was startled to find him already standing in front of her.

“Let’s go.”

Aint transformed Gardner into a pendant and stepped forward.

He was about to meet the emperor, and no one was allowed to approach carrying a weapon.

When he stepped into the stadium, the other candidates for Royal Knight also appeared.

At his side was the crown prince; beside him, Luina.

Aint looked at the prince. As if everything that had happened yesterday were a lie, he felt no trace of corrupt magic.

— They put the corrupt one right in the center. The intent is so obvious it’s transparent.

The floor was covered with a red carpet, and hundreds of knights were lined up along the sides.

‘That man…’

Aint’s gaze shifted to the one leading them.

His presence was more imposing than anyone he had ever met.

— So that’s the strongest man on the continent right now.

‘Ivan Cousteau.’

The first knight of the Empire, and the strongest on the entire continent.

The man who proclaimed himself leader of the Royal Knights, and the emperor’s sword.

At that moment—

“Count of Holton, lord of Atunvel…!”

The herald began a long proclamation.

“…Lord of Schwaben, emperor of the Empire! His Majesty Altriertz Schwaben makes his entrance!”

Puuuuh—

The majestic sound of trumpets filled the coliseum.

And then, he appeared.

Golden hair, gray eyes reminiscent of Ludger, an imposing presence that inspired awe.

He was the emperor of this country—Altriertz Schwaben.

He walked forward with slow, deliberate steps.

Aint swallowed hard.

The emperor stopped in front of them and looked over the victors of the New Covenant Tournament.

“In recent years, corrupt demons have appeared without warning. They have disturbed the academy, the empire, and the entire continent.”

His voice was calm, but magically amplified to echo across the entire stadium.

“Demon number 66, Kimaris, descended with an army of ten thousand monsters and invaded Bercheff.”

“Demon number 65, Andrealphus, destroyed the Academy.”

“Demon number 62, Valac, and number 63, Andras, reduced the capital of the Kingdom of Linelt to ruins.”

“Demon number 60, Vapula, and number 58, Amy, attacked Frazia.”

The emperor stomped his foot on the ground.

“And most recently, demon number 67, Amdusias, descended to sow chaos within the Empire!”

His final exclamation echoed powerfully.

“This is not so different from the Great War of a thousand years ago. The demons have returned, and the Empire—the entire continent—faces a real threat.”

But then his tone shifted.

“However, the continent has not fallen. All demons that have descended have been annihilated, the nations have united, and now new heroes rise before us!”

The emperor extended his hand toward the three knights standing before him.

“This is a day of glory for the Empire. As your emperor, it is my honor to bestow the title of Royal Knights upon these superhumans.”

“Luina Bercheff!”

Luina stepped forward and knelt on one knee.

Shing!

The emperor drew an ancestral ceremonial sword, the very blade emperors had used to knight Royal Knights for generations.

The blade touched Luina’s shoulder.

“Do you swear, as a knight of the emperor, to fight against injustice and protect the weak?”

“I swear.”

“Do you swear to love the Empire and never retreat before the enemy?”

“I will never retreat.”

“Will you show mercy to the innocent and punish the wicked?”

“I shall do so.”

“Will you always be truthful, a protector of justice and good?”

Luina solemnly nodded.

“Yes, I will.”

The emperor withdrew the sword.

“Then fulfill your vow as a great knight.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

An attendant brought another sword, and the emperor handed it to her.

“I name you a Royal Knight.”

“Thank you.”

“I declare Luina Bercheff as a new Royal Knight.”

The stadium erupted in cheers.

“Luina Bercheff, long live!”

“Long live the new Royal Knight!”

Luina returned to her place, and the emperor continued.

“Aint Armian, step forward.”

Aint stepped forward and knelt.

— There’s no way to avoid this. There’s no way to avoid this. Damn it…! A descendant of Armian kneeling before that bastard!

He closed his eyes at Gardner’s growl.

The emperor’s sword touched his shoulder, heavy as a mountain.

“Do you swear, as a knight of the emperor, to fight against injustice and protect the weak?”

‘Knight of the emperor…’

A ceremonial title, of little value.

And yet, the word “emperor” carried a special weight.

‘The emperor can change.’

That’s why his vow didn’t mean serving Schwaben.

“Yes.”

Aint nodded with effort.

He gave the same responses as Luina.

“I, Altriertz Schwaben, declare that Aint Armian becomes a Royal Knight.”

The crowd roared.

“Aint Armian, long live!”

— Hmph, his speech was way different than Luina’s.

Gardner clicked his tongue as Aint returned to his spot.

Only one remained.

“Ruben Schwaben, step forward!”

The crown prince stepped forward. In that moment—

“Wait, I have something to say.”

Aint also stepped forward.

“Stop!”

The royal guards raised a barrier in front of the emperor and pointed their swords at Aint.

It all happened in a second.

“Hold.”

The emperor raised his hand, stopping his men.

His gaze, full of interest, fell on Aint.

“What is it?”

“Your Majesty has said that demons are enemies of the Empire and of the continent. Is that correct?”

Though his voice was not magically amplified, it resonated powerfully. He was projecting it with his own aura.

“That is correct.”

“Then a corrupt one—a servant of demons—should not be allowed to become a Royal Knight, don’t you think?”

“…What?”

The audience immediately stirred.

“What is he saying?”

“A corrupt as a Royal Knight?”

“Is he saying there’s one among them?”

“If Aint Armian is saying it, he can’t be talking about himself. And Luina is his ally, isn’t she?”

“Then…”

The murmuring turned into a single conclusion, and all eyes turned to the crown prince.

“Do you know what you’re saying?”

“Yes. And I say it because I know.”

Aint nodded.

“During the New Covenant Tournament, I sensed something strange. Among the great superhumans present, there was an energy that should never exist in a place of honor.”

He spoke not to the emperor—but to the people.

“That’s why, here and now, I wish to make a request to His Majesty.”

“What is it?”

“Permit us to examine the crown prince, Ruben Schwaben.”

The name rang out loudly. Ruben stared at him.

“Shouldn’t we make sure that the enemies of mankind don’t deceive us and steal our most sacred honors?”

A bomb had exploded at the most solemn moment of the ceremony.