Chapter 1
‘After that, I did everything I could to find out what that soul was, but I learned nothing.’
Why did it try to possess him?
Why him, of all people?
How did it have such memories?
He still couldn’t understand.
‘It’s wasteful to devote oneself to something that won’t yield immediate answers.’
In the end, Fernyan had set aside thoughts about souls and possession for the time being and lived his life until now.
After all, time flows regardless.
“Where is today’s newspaper?”
Having finished his contemplation, Fernyan extended his hand. Hyde placed the newspaper on top of it.
“Here it is.”
Fernyan unfolded the newspaper.
Image from ePub
“……”
The moment he discovered a single name written in the newspaper, a strange emotion settled in Fernyan’s eyes.
“Young Master? What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing.”
Though his servant asked about his peculiar expression, he brushed it off lightly.
‘Finally, he has appeared.’
The book of prophecy didn’t reveal everything about the future.
Most of it was locked away, so except for a few things, what Fernyan could currently perceive was only up to a certain point in time.
And the name in the newspaper was the most important person even within that brief content.
“…He really did enroll.”
Though he had made good use of it for trade matters, he had prayed this part wouldn’t be real.
“Who are you suddenly talking about?”
“Hyde.”
Fernyan cut off Hyde’s words.
“Yes.”
“Do you think there’s a possibility I could be expelled from the family and become a beggar?”
“What are you suddenly talking about?”
“Just answer what I’m asking.”
“Since there’s no such thing as absolute in this world, I think there’s a one-in-ten-thousand possibility. Like how you were struck by lightning out of a clear sky, Young Master. But from my perspective, I can’t even imagine you losing all your money.”
“Right, I feel the same way.”
Me being expelled from the family and becoming a beggar—such a future couldn’t possibly exist, could it? Haha.
Crumple—
The newspaper crumpled under Fernyan’s grip strength.
“Young Master?”
“I’m going to verify that from now on.”
“Verify what?”
“The Southern Wetlands.”
“Pardon?”
“I need to make a brief trip to the Southern Wetlands.”
Fernyan stood up from his seat and put on his coat.
The time he had been counting down to since the moment he was struck by lightning had finally come.
‘Most of the prophecies centered around the Armian Academy of the Empire.’
Through the so-called protagonist that the book of prophecy clearly specified.
He didn’t know why the book of prophecy took the form of a novel or why it centered around the academy.
‘That’s not important.’
Fernyan had concluded through countless cross-verifications that the prophecies were half-truths, but the truly important content was starting now.
The moment the so-called protagonist enrolled, the full-scale story of the book of prophecy would begin.
Verification of that protagonist had to be prioritized above all else.
“I’ll go alone, so prepare a horse.”
“Will you be alright by yourself?”
“Don’t make me say it twice.”
The servant brought out a glossy purebred horse. Shortly after, the horse carrying Fernyan began galloping down the main road.
The Imperial Academy was a vast territory built on Vardian, an island located in the empire’s inland sea.
The extensive grounds were an artificial environment created by magic, and in the south, vast wetlands stretched out.
As Fernyan headed south, fragments of memories floated through his mind. The three most vivid stories that remained:
The future where Fernyan Fallenberg gets expelled.
The future where Fernyan Fallenberg falls into ruin.
The future where Fernyan Fallenberg becomes a beggar.
“No, that’s not it.”
The future where Fernyan Fallenberg becomes a beggar.
The future where the 72 demons that King Colomo summoned a thousand years ago stir again.
And the story about the protagonist of the book of prophecy.
Among these, what he needed to carefully examine now was the third—the story about the protagonist.
[Having finished the entrance exam, Aint didn’t return right away but headed to the Southern Wetlands.
He had come to the academy to follow the traces of a map that the founding emperor had left to the family.]
“Aint Armian. The founding emperor’s arrangement… Argh.”
The terrible headache that occurred as soon as he recalled the contents of the book of prophecy nearly made him fall from his horse, but he barely managed to regain his balance.
Clutching his throbbing head, he continued his thoughts.
The two figures appearing in the book of prophecy were people that no imperial citizen could possibly be unaware of.
The great founding emperor who had been the last king of the Armian Kingdom and established the empire together with five surrounding kingdoms.
The descendant of the Armian family who had lost all the glorious authority of the imperial house and retained only honor—Aint Armian.
If the book of prophecy was certain, he was someone perfectly suited to save this world from demons.
“The founding emperor’s arrangement is hidden in the academy. No one has discovered it in the past thousand years….”
Damn it, if I had found it, how much would that be worth? I could have uprooted the few remaining pillars of the Armian family.
Anyway, if the book of prophecy was correct, Aint Armian’s importance would be greatly elevated.
He wouldn’t just be an existence with only the honor of the old imperial house remaining, but a dark horse who had obtained the founding emperor’s arrangement.
[After preparing several days’ worth of food and weapons, the first thing to greet Aint when he arrived at the wetlands’ boundary was a swamp crocodile, a Crocker.
It was unexpected. He had heard that it was uncommon for Crockers to come out to the outskirts.]
“…Damn it. I still can’t get used to the headache that occurs every time I recall a prophecy that is stuck in my memory.”
The Crocker was a top predator of the swamps. Its hide was tough, its teeth were sturdy, and its jaw strength could crush steel.
A monster that even decent knights found difficult to handle. It was originally a monster prepared for third-years and above.
Why a creature that normally inhabited the swamp’s center had come to the outskirts was questionable, but the affairs of the world don’t always flow according to natural order.
Just like when he was struck by lightning.
‘If it’s according to the book of prophecy, it might not be bad luck but destiny.’
According to the briefly glimpsed contents of the book of prophecy, he always encountered incidents and accidents.
However, it wasn’t a particularly important matter at the moment.
[Aint had talent, but the family’s swordsmanship, which had become base due to most of it being lost, couldn’t make it bloom fully. The Crocker was clearly an enemy too overwhelming for him to face in his current state.]
[He barely escaped by enduring injuries.]
“Up to here is real.”
Fernyan muttered calmly. He wasn’t particularly surprised since he had already benefited several times thanks to the book of prophecy.
The Crocker had disappeared, but traces remained. In the distance, the scent of the monster’s blood and fishy smell were mixed together.
Crack—
However, his mood wasn’t particularly good.
The prophecies falling into place one by one meant that the future of him becoming a beggar was also gradually approaching.
[Aint’s injuries were serious. He administered first aid with the potion he had brought, but monsters began flocking after smelling the blood.]
[Aint ran. It wasn’t reckless. Even in this serious situation, he checked the map.]
[And at the place marked on the map, there was a very small hole. It had no magical feeling whatsoever and seemed absolutely impossible for a human to enter.]
[He wondered if this was right, but behind him, blood-hungry Lizardmen were running toward him.]
[‘Don’t doubt, throw your body.’]
[Recalling the phrase written at the bottom of the map, he gritted his teeth and threw his body. And there was a dungeon there.]
Fernyan circled around the Lizardmen who were distracted by the Crocker and followed Aint’s traces.
Whether he had run recklessly, traces were left starkly, with bloodstains visible here and there among them.
And at the end, he discovered a pit.
A small cave that seemed absolutely impossible for a person to enter. It was closer to a rabbit hole, but according to the book of prophecy, this was the entrance to the dungeon.
And beside it.
“…Huh?”
“…Huh?”
He encountered Aint, who was clutching his chest wound and approaching the cave with difficulty.
What?
Why is this guy here?
‘…Damn it, did I come too early?’
It seemed that way.
Waiting anxiously for the day to verify the protagonist, he had come too hastily.
***
It was completely unexpected.
Fernyan’s plan was only to follow after Aint entered the dungeon and verify the facts.
He only knew that Aint had obtained the founding emperor’s arrangement on the day the enrollment newspaper about new students was published, but he didn’t know the exact time, which made it even more so.
That created the current situation.
He never imagined that Aint hadn’t even entered the dungeon yet.
After briefly pondering, Fernyan decided to go out boldly.
“Aint Armian. The entrance exam should already be over, so why are you here? This place shouldn’t be permitted to you.”
When both parties are flustered, striking first is always the best approach.
He could see Aint becoming flustered at his words.
“…Do you know me?”
“There’s no one within the academy I don’t know. Whether they’re current students, professors, or prospective new students who passed the entrance exam. Even if that weren’t the case, you’re too famous.”
Under the cold gaze, Aint shrank back.
“…If it’s not rude, may I ask who you are?”
“Fernyan.”
“Fernyan…? Fer…nyan Fallenberg…?”
“That is my full name. But you’re missing the word ‘senior.'”
Aint’s eyes widened. He probably never imagined he would meet him here. Just like how he never thought he would encounter Aint.
“I’m, I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. I don’t mind much. Just answer what I’m asking. The entrance exam should already be over, so why are you here? This place shouldn’t be permitted to you.”
“…Well.”
“You’re injured.”
Fernyan’s gaze turned to Aint’s shoulder. Quite a lot of blood was flowing through the half-broken armor.
“Did the Lizardmen get you?”
“…I encountered a Crocker.”
“There was a Crocker at the entrance? You were unlucky. To experience something that happens once or twice a year.”
Fernyan, who had been pretending to ponder for a moment, took out a potion from his subspace.
“Take it. It’s a top-grade potion.”
“I don’t have money to buy a potion from Master Fernyan.”
“Didn’t I tell you directly to call me senior? Do I need to say it explicitly for you to understand?”
“…Yes, senior.”
“Money isn’t necessary. But it’s not free either. This is an investment, Aint Armian.”
“An investment, you say?”
At the sudden words, Aint’s eyes widened. Looking at that expression, Fernyan explained as if it were no big deal.
“Fallen or not, ‘former’ or not, an imperial house is still an imperial house. At least you won’t become a worthless human.”
“……”
“Will you take it or not? If you bleed just a little more, you’ll be able to kiss the ground.”
“…I will definitely repay this kindness later.”
Aint took the potion and poured it on his wound. The flesh bubbled and regenerated quickly.
Money really is good. If it had been low-grade, he would have had to pour about ten bottles.
“I won’t ask why you’re here. Everyone has at least one secret.”
“……”
“But don’t think you’ll have the fortune of meeting me twice. Go back. This is still a place too overwhelming for you.”
“…Yes. But why are you here alone, Senior Fernyan?”
“I came to gather medicinal herbs. Very expensive and rare herbs that only grow in this area.”
“By yourself?”
“Because they can only be properly harvested by a mage.”
“Ah….”
“See you next time. It’s dangerous, so get out of here quickly.”
“Yes, thank you for the advice, senior.”
Fernyan rode away on his horse.
When his figure was no longer visible, Aint let out a sigh of relief.
“…That was close.”
To encounter someone just before entering the dungeon.
“Fernyan Fallenberg.”
The eldest son of Fallenberg, who was famous for being a money ghost who chased after money.
“He didn’t seem like such a money ghost.”
Rumors are originally like that. They’re generally exaggerated and maliciously attached to make people into trash.
After the Armian family lost the imperial throne, Aint knew very well what kind of gossip and contempt had circulated.
It had been ingrained in the family’s bones for generations.
“Anyway, I will repay this kindness.”
Although it was an investment made looking at his family rather than him, he felt good anyway. It meant he was worth that much.
Above all, in a situation where he didn’t know what would happen in the dungeon, healing his injuries was no different from having his life saved.
After checking the surroundings once more, Aint threw his body into the cave.
He disappeared.
***
“It really is a dungeon.”
Fernyan, who had been hiding his presence, stuck his head out.
“But why is he so naive? He feels completely different from the guy I met in my dream.”
What on earth did he experience between then and now to change so drastically?
Tsk, clicking his tongue, Fernyan stopped his contemplation and turned his gaze back to the dungeon entrance.
“If you enter, you fall straight down.”
[From the impact of the fall, Aint swallowed his groan. His whole body ached, but to survive, he consumed all the remaining potions. Even so, his injuries were severe and the potions were of such poor quality that he wasn’t completely healed.]
[He advanced despite the pain.]
After that, Aint had advanced while injured, but since he met Fernyan, the story would be slightly different.
“Top-grade potion….”
It was a bit wasteful, but if the book of prophecy was real, it was worth the investment.
Since even the first impression had changed, it felt like he had sewn the first button well to change it to a positive future.
A considerable amount of time passed. When the sun was setting, Fernyan threw his body into the cave.
The world flipped without any resistance.
“It’s been cleared.”
The fact that a dungeon that only responds to imperial bloodline responds to anyone means the dungeon has fulfilled its duty.
Thud
Lightly landing, Fernyan stared ahead.
There were no enemies or traps in particular. Only a straight passage extended long.
Soft magical lights were installed here and there, so the interior was brighter than expected.
“With so many magical lights, there’s almost no trace of mana felt?”
Fernyan floated his body and examined the magical lights.
“It’s an engraving I’ve never seen before….”
He could tell it was very faintly absorbing surrounding mana. He realized it. These were semi-permanent magical lights.
The precisely carved patterns also evoked an antique feeling in appearance.
Fernyan frowned.
“I’m starting to doubt whether Aint Armian is really the person from the book of prophecy.”
He pulled out a magical light. Even so, the light didn’t lose its glow.
“The future of this world depends on a guy stupid enough to just leave these behind?”
Only darkness remained where he had passed.
