A sword that shines brighter than anything, illuminating the world.
It's a phrase recorded in ancient texts referring to the swordsmanship of the first emperor.
When he first encountered that sentence, Fernan thought it was simply a metaphor.
Something like humanity's hope, driving out the despair and darkness known as demons.
But it wasn't.
Today, Fernan realized it literally meant the sword truly shines radiantly.
"…A swordsmanship that sanctifies the soul itself."
Aura emitted light. It wasn't just a visual effect.
With an overwhelming brilliance of the light attribute, even the giant monsters tainted by demonic influence shrank back slightly.
It was a sight that vividly demonstrated why Armian was called the nemesis of demons.
Fernan recalled one of the most intense visions of the future he had seen when he was first struck by lightning.
When the demons descended and the legion began its southward march, the sky had been stained black under the influence of demonic energy.
"To think he wielded something like that and cut down demons beneath those ashen skies…"
Even the nonexistent respect and faith were beginning to take root.
That's why Fernan was certain.
"As expected, he's the one who must defeat the demons."
Aint Armian was the ultimate card to face the demons.
The battle didn't last long.
Fighting on land without water, and the appearance of an overwhelming counterforce—the Sea Serpents couldn't demonstrate the same might as before.
Even so, they were still monsters far too powerful for an average human to even think of resisting, but their opponent had been the wrong one.
Atop the heads of the two beasts, now covered in wounds—
A massive boulder fell from a golden magic circle drawn in midair.
Boom—
"Hahh… Hahh…!"
As the beasts collapsed and the ground trembled, Aint sat down atop them, completely drained.
"…That was incredible."
— It was a provision left by the late emperor. It couldn't be anything insignificant.
There wasn't any grand transformation—his mana or aura didn't astronomically increase, nor did power surge through his entire body.
But the elemental power within Aint's aura had grown richer. His ability to sense and control its flow had become far more refined.
That alone brought significant change.
— Those two are quite capable.
— Especially Ruina Berchef. While that Bella girl might put up a fight, if you face Ruina Berchef, you'll lose every single time.
Although Aint had grown rapidly enough to defeat Berian, the second-ranked of the first years, there was still a clear gap between first and second years.
No, even setting that aside, Ruina Berchef was simply strong.
— If she grows well, she might even be worthy of becoming a Royal Knight.
"We survived…! I can't believe we took them down! Are you okay?"
Bella, who had been running around to support both Ruina and Aint, let out a sigh of relief.
"Yes, thanks to you… Thank you, senior."
"I should be the one thanking you. So that's the famous Armian I keep hearing about. His swordsmanship really is the natural enemy of monsters, huh?"
"Aint Armian."
At another voice, Aint turned his head.
"I heard you beat the second-ranked first year. Seems you've earned it. Good work."
"Thank you, senior! You were amazing too."
"…Hmph."
When Aint's tone noticeably brightened in response to Ruina's praise, Bella tilted her head in curiosity.
"Good job."
Just then, Fernan approached, having finished off the two monsters.
"Aint Armian. We won easily thanks to you. Is that the power of Armian swordsmanship?"
"Yes."
"I've read about it in literature a few times, but seeing it in person is fascinating. It felt almost divine."
"Thank you."
"By the way, do you need those corpses?"
"Pardon?"
Aint, puzzled at first, quickly understood what he meant.
"Ah, not really…"
"I see. You're not a bad guy."
He'd swooped in to land the finishing blow, ready to claim the contribution points for himself.
"Huh?"
"Nothing."
Without even waiting for a response, Fernan approached the limp corpses.
"…Even in this situation, he's still after the loot? Hold on, what about my opinion? I helped too, shouldn't I have a say in this?"
"You owe me, don't forget that."
"…Alright, I'm convinced."
Bella backed off without further protest. Considering he had saved her from demonic corruption, those corpses were a small price to pay.
"But what about Ruina? She doesn't owe you anything, and she personally took one of them down."
"Ruina does owe me a real debt."
"…That's true."
"I don't need them anyway."
When the subject of debt came up, Bella realized her slip and glanced at Ruina, but the latter simply brushed it off.
"…Alright then, Aint Armian. I'll be direct. Are you willing to work with me?"
"…What?"
Aint blinked at the sudden shift in topic.
"It's simple. I've been tracking the vermin hiding inside the merchant group. I suspected they were Deviants, but had no proof. Today, after meeting you, I'm convinced."
"You mean… they're Deviants?"
"Yes. And if they are, then I've also concluded it would be wise to form an alliance with you."
Aint didn't ask why that would be.
It was obvious. When it came to dealing with demons, there was no surer card than Armian.
Especially after witnessing today's battle.
"Not all the ones hiding in the merchant group are Deviants. But behind them, Deviants are bound to be pulling the strings. And at the very end of that chain, there will be demons."
It made no sense for Deviants to be operating independently without demonic influence.
Even in the Great War a thousand years ago, Deviants always acted under the orders of demons.
"If the Deviants have shown themselves, it means the demons won't be far behind. That's what I think, at least."
It was an accurate deduction.
And considering Gardner had spoken of the demons' recent stirrings, it hit home even more for Aint.
'It's… strangely moving.'
He'd thought he was fighting alone, yet here was someone else who already knew about Deviants and was preparing for them.
Still, there was some lingering doubt.
— Did this guy eat something wrong?
"Why are you telling me all this?"
This open, sincere approach was completely unlike the Pellenbergs he knew.
"Is that strange?"
"It is."
The Pellenbergs were known for hiding lies within the truth, withholding parts of it to manipulate the game in their favor. Always scheming, always angling.
But Aint didn't sense any of that in this conversation.
"You're right. Normally, I wouldn't reveal so much."
Fernan didn't deny Aint's suspicion.
"But this time, I'm making an exception because the one I'm talking to is you, Aint Armian."
"…Sorry, what?"
— What the hell is he talking about?
"I can provide you with the support you need. And in return, you have the kind of strength I require."
It seemed like a mutually beneficial arrangement.
"Isn't it only natural to join forces to fight a mutual enemy like the demons?"
"..."
— There's not a single lie in that. Which makes it all the more suspicious.
— You should never take a nouveau riche bastard's words at face value.
Doubts began to creep in.
Even if demons were involved, why was this money-obsessed Pellenberg extending such a gentle hand—only to Aint?
This was the same Pellenberg rumored to have even sold goods to demons.
— But then again, maybe it's not such a bad deal.
— Even the nouveau riche once served under the late emperor, and more importantly, this guy already supported you once—he gave you Saintbird's Heart.
— If he were a demon's pawn, there's no way he would've handed you something like that.
'Maybe… he just wants to be friends?'
— There are easier ways to do that. Why go so far as to give you Saintbird's Heart?
A top-grade elixir perfectly suited for Armian's secret light-based swordsmanship.
Would a demon really give such a thing to their greatest enemy just to get close?
'So what am I supposed to do?'
— Accept the offer for now, and watch how things unfold.
— There are too many unknowns, but there's no benefit in making Pellenberg an enemy right now. On the other hand, there's a lot to gain by cooperating.
"…Yes. If more people start preparing to face the demons, that would be good for me."
In the end, Aint had no choice but to nod.
"So you're saying there are Deviants in the city? That's not a minor issue."
"Exactly. We're working with the Dragon Faith to…"
Now allied, Aint and Gardner realized the situation was worse than they had anticipated.
— Deviants were spreading demonic energy inside the academy?
— How? I didn't sense even a trace of it…!
Aint felt the same.
Even after learning the Armian aura cultivation method and becoming more sensitive to demonic energy, he hadn't noticed anything unusual.
— We need to verify this.
Following Gardner's command, Aint subtly moved to brush his sword against the three others.
A faint, stealthy aura scanned their bodies and quickly returned to Gardner.
— It's true. I'm not sure about the other two, but that girl, Bella—there are clear traces of demonic energy in her body.
— Her mana heart is slightly damaged. It'll recover quickly, but it's a textbook sign of someone infected by demonic energy.
— But seriously, how stupid can someone be? Did they just burn the demonic energy, mana, and even the mana heart all at once?
— The mana heart is damaged, for crying out loud. Who in their right mind uses a method like that?
Had Bella heard this, she'd have ripped out Jayce's hair in rage while shouting "See? I told you!"
'Have the demons already descended and begun spreading their influence? Or is it just the Deviants?'
— We'll have to investigate, but I doubt the demons have descended yet. Their arrival always comes with clear signs.
As Aint conversed with Gardner, he reflected on Fernan's true intentions and the state of the demons.
His pace naturally slowed, putting some distance between him and the group.
Fernan, noticing, didn't bother interrupting his thoughts.
'That look… He's suspicious. Must be talking to Gardner.'
A certain degree of suspicion was expected.
It was impossible for people to truly trust one another.
The human heart is never absolute. That's why trust wavers like reeds in the wind.
Even the most solid trust can falter with the smallest trigger.
'Trust. That lukewarm notion isn't worth relying on.'
That's why people created credit—a more reliable form of trust, built on wealth and contracts, not vague sentiment.
All Fernan had to do was show Aint.
That he was the best possible ally in the fight against demons.
"What do you plan to do with that Deviant?"
Ruina gestured toward the floating clump of sand that had been hovering near Fernan.
Inside was a single Deviant, unconscious.
"I plan to interrogate him separately."
"I'm glad it worked out. And now I understand everything."
"What are you going on about now?"
Ruina glanced at Aint, who was still walking slightly behind them.
"I was curious how you stayed so calm when we first encountered the demonized Berian. But I get it now—you already knew about them and were tracking them. Is that how you found out about Berian too?"
"…?"
Had Ruina fallen for his lie meant to bait Aint?
It wasn't a bad misunderstanding, so Fernan didn't deny it.
"Sure, let's say that."
"I thought so."
"In any case, it all worked out in the end. Though I didn't expect things to get this big."
"This is 'working out'?"
"What else would you call it?"
Ruina tilted her head.
"It all went exactly as you planned. It doesn't seem like there was much room for it to go better or worse."
That innocent compliment caught Fernan off guard for a moment, but he quickly regained composure.
"Flattery won't get you anything."
"I'm just stating facts. Oh, and the ship's completely wrecked—are you fine with that?"
"Doesn't matter."
If the academy started a Naval Combat Studies course because of this, he'd make far more money than that ship was worth.
One ship was nothing more than an investment.
"Same with the student issue."
"Well, yeah. This isn't exactly something you could blame Pellenberg for."
"Exactly."
Bella jumped in suddenly, and Ruina agreed with her.
The large-scale appearance of sea monsters was unprecedented since the academy's founding.
Of course, someone could try to make a case and demand compensation—but who would dare take on the Pellenbergs?
They weren't even particularly disliked by the other electoral families.
"But how are we getting back? Don't tell me we're walking all the way to the academy using Breath Scrolls like we did before…"
"Don't be stupid, Bella. Who would do something that foolish and inefficient?"
"…That's a relief, but somehow, I still feel insulted."
"Did you get a good recording?"
"I missed the beginning, but I definitely got the part where the Deviants used demonic energy."
Bella handed over the recording device with the combat footage.
"That's good enough."
"You're going to report this to the academy, right?"
"I'll handle it. Don't worry about it."
Until he knew how far the Deviants had infiltrated the academy, he had no intention of going public with it.
"Oh great, after all the help I gave…"
"Thank you, Bella. Thanks to you, we've got solid evidence."
"…I'm only letting this slide because of Ruina."
"Just get ready to head back."
Fernan pulled out a flare and fired it into the sky.
A thick red smoke rose high above.
Not long after—
A Pellenberg ship arrived at the island.