Chapter 150: Nine Hundred Years Is Long Enough [2]
Having finished his thoughts on the war, Gerhard’s stream of consciousness moved on to the next topic.
’Gismond wasn’t a malignant creature. No, was he really not?’
That’s what Aint said. He would have verified it through Lord Gardner, so it’s probably certain.
Then what was he? This guy who didn’t appear in the prophecy.
Why did he suddenly appear and ruin everything?
’So he wasn’t enhanced by magical contamination but stuffed his body with elixirs to the limit?’
Is he crazy? Or is he just suicidally obsessed?
Judging by his behavior, that didn’t seem to be the case. Then only one answer remained.
’He luckily discovered some elixirs. And out of greed, he consumed them recklessly. Luckily, he’s just on the brink of bursting.’
There was no other explanation. But even these explanations didn’t make sense.
’And they weren’t even of the same type, he said.’
He wouldn’t have discovered them all at once, and it wasn’t even from Count Bamond’s sponsorship.
There was no trace of flow from the Bamond county to the Ert barony, and the county didn’t have that kind of wealth.
So what was it?
’Damn this guy, he’s really troublesome. Everything is unknown. I can’t figure it out.’
<Kung?>
After pondering for a long time, Gerhard was awakened from his thoughts by the feeling of something tapping his cheek.
Wooden, who had changed from the necklace to doll size, was looking at him with worried eyes.
"...I’m fine. I’m not in pain, I was just thinking about something."
<Kuung?>
"Yes. Since it’s just us here, you can play around a bit inside."
At those words, Wooden jumped off the table. With a thud, the floor cracked.
"Stop! Do you know how much this marble floor costs...?"
That’s when it happened.
──!
A sensation like lightning striking in his head.
Goosebumps rising and a terrible headache.
"Kugh...!"
Gerhard recognized that what he had been waiting for had come.
Perhaps because he had been waiting, the pain was still there, but it felt somewhat bearable.
The prophecy book unfolded in Gerhard’s mind.
[Rumors about the magical beast and monster legion stirring in the Tacklakan desert swept the entire Empire.
Naturally, the academy was no exception.
"The headmaster has decided to deploy students to the battlefield, limited to volunteers."
The academy formally decided to dispatch students to the battlefield.
"Decide carefully. Although supervising professors will accompany and help as much as possible, protecting oneself on the battlefield is something one must do on their own."
Students stirred at the warning that their lives could be in danger.
<Go. You must definitely go.>
’Yes, I know. I can’t miss this opportunity.’
But conversely, there were those who were strengthening their resolve.]
’So that’s how it will be.’
It made sense in a way. The headmaster was one of the few people who knew that the previous incident was related to a demon, not a malignant creature.
He would also guess that Andromalius was just the beginning, not the end.
Sending students would be to prepare for the great war that would occur in the future. There’s definitely a big difference between having prior experience and not.
["...This is infuriating."
"Your Highness?"
"Aint Armian, a descendant of Armian, is heading to the battlefield against magical beasts. Isn’t that just the perfect topic to excite the people?"
Rudger Schwaben’s eyes sank coldly. It wasn’t a simple exaggeration.
Magical beasts appearing after a thousand years, and the descendant of Armian heading toward them.
If left unchecked, Rudger didn’t even want to imagine what would happen. Because the result was all too predictable.
"Bring me the application form. I’m going too."
So somehow, Aint had to be erased.
Noblesse oblige. As the highest prince in this Empire, second only to the Emperor, by personally going to the battlefield...]
’If Rudger isn’t a fool, this is naturally how it would turn out.’
Since it was a natural consequence of Aint’s actions, it didn’t evoke much emotion.
["What is this...?"
"A spirit herb?"
"There’s a spirit herb here!"
The spirit herb, faintly emitting mana, was immaculately clean and pure.
"Since I discovered it, I’ll take it."
It was Rudger Schwaben who discovered the spirit herb. Generally, a spirit herb belongs to its discoverer, so his claim to it was natural.
Rudger took the fruit of the spirit herb. Without its fruit, the spirit herb looked utterly shabby.
<He’s only taking the fruit?>
’Is that strange?’
<Of course it’s strange! While the fruit of Itarium is certainly an excellent elixir, the root is even more so. Because Itarium is a spirit herb that embraces the mana of the earth, the root...>
<Has the fact not spread even after a thousand years? Well, that’s good. Aint, secretly take the root yourself.>
<By the way, the growth of Itarium indicates that there’s a vein nearby. Itarium grows by feeding on the energy of minerals.>]
’A mineral vein?’
Whatever it was, there was no such thing as an unnecessary mineral vein. Despite the throbbing headache, Gerhard’s eyes widened.
That’s when it happened. The content of the prophecy book changed. What was surprising was that even the perspective changed.
["The academy has brought students to the battlefield under the pretext of practical experience."
"Practical experience? They’re steeped in peace."
Puhehe, the man laughed.
Did he dismiss the current situation as mere coincidence? He was too complacent, far too complacent.
"By the way, Aint Armian is included among those students."
"Aint Armian...?"
The man’s eyes widened.
Armian. The nemesis of demons. That cursed bloodline.
"This is an opportunity...!"
Bang! The man struck the table. Papers, an inkwell, and a golden ashtray engraved with a star pattern fell to the floor.
"Aint Armian, no, not just him, but a golden opportunity to completely devour the future of the Empire!"
The academy is commonly referred to as the cradle of the Empire. It means it’s where the future of the Empire resides.
That’s why they tried to destroy the academy by summoning Andromalius, the 72nd demon, but failed.
In such a situation, if he were to succeed?
"I could receive even deeper grace!"
The man couldn’t hide his excitement.
"Contact His Excellency immediately for support! Even if we lose everything, we will kill all those who came from the academy! Above all, Aint Armian, that cursed one!"
Shouts tinged with ecstasy and madness resounded loudly throughout the office.
"Kuhehe, I’ve been stuck here for quite a while, but there’s such a harvest."
He drew back the curtain.
Between the half-drawn curtains, a huge bell was visible. It was once a cursed object that tormented demons.
To destroy it, he had nested here.]
It was the first time he had seen a prophecy about someone other than Aint.
"..."
And even more so when it was from the perspective of a malignant creature.
What could this mean?
’The prophecy book revolves around Aint, the protagonist, but it’s not solely composed from Aint’s perspective?’
It was possible.
The prophecy book was a book, and even with a protagonist, it was rare for all the content of a book to be from the protagonist’s perspective.
"...Wait a minute."
Gerhard traced his memory.
The room where the malignant creature was giving orders. The content of the prophecy book describing the view outside the window.
[Between the half-drawn curtains, a huge bell was visible. It was once a cursed object that tormented demons.]
[To destroy it, he had nested here.]
A bell, a cursed object. Destruction. Though not detailed, it was enough.
"I think I know where it is."
Since the Empire has an anti-demon weapon in the form of a bell left by the first Emperor.
When he opened his eyes, Wooden was taking out a handkerchief from the table and wiping Gerhard’s cold sweat.
<Kuuuung?>
Anxious about what might go wrong, he stomped his feet.
"Stop, Wooden. If you continue, the table will break."
Though it was a sturdy one made of premium wood, it couldn’t withstand the stomping of an ego golem.
<Kung?>
"Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for wiping my sweat."
That’s not the important thing, Wooden.
"If things go well, you might get another chance to run wild. Didn’t you say you wanted to return to your main body and run wild again?"
Gerhard’s eyes flashed menacingly.
<Kung kung!>
Wooden nodded vigorously.