"Finally, today is the day."
["Again, again it's you! Aint Armian!"
Veriana rushed at him. Aint calmly withstood her attack.
After her defeat, Veriana's sword tip had become sharper, having ground her teeth in bitter resentment.
A fierce exchange of blows ensued.
But the winner was predetermined. Aint was not careless enough to lose to an opponent he had already defeated once.
Especially with Gardner Alpenfassen, the greatest master, by his side.]
["I don't have any particular ill feelings toward you."
Aint's sword cut Veriana. Veriana's map burned.
"It's over..."
"Don't make me laugh!"
Despite this, no instructor appeared, and Veriana refused to accept defeat.
"You're a filthy one who's forgotten chivalry. Kill him. If he lives, he's a worm that will bring down the honor of knights."
"That's not allowed."
"Then knock him unconscious. If you leave him, the instructors will take care of him."]
[Aint, who left after Veriana collapsed, didn't know. The demonic energy that was beginning to creep out had started to corrupt his body and mind.]
In the early dawn as light began to break, Gerhard Goldenheim greeted the morning with a headache.
After having a light tea time, he visited the Golden Turtle Company's academy branch.
"Young master, you've arrived?"
"Young master."
He roughly acknowledged the greetings from the staff and headed to the warehouse.
Opening the doors of one of dozens of massive warehouses, he went inside and began to sweep items into his personal subspace.
"What are you doing?"
"Preparing for contingencies."
"...Are you going to war?"
Gerhard ignored the other person's words and stuffed his subspace to capacity. Empty spaces appeared here and there in the company's spacious warehouses.
"Hyde, when did you get here?"
"I arrived when you entered the warehouse."
Hyde answered.
"What about Veriana?"
"Didn't you tell her to come early this morning?"
"So, where is Veriana?"
"There's still nothing unusual."
"Even now?"
"Yes."
"That's a bit troublesome."
Hyde had no reason to lie to him. Although something felt off, Gerhard had no choice but to accept it.
'Then there are two possibilities.'
Either the demon doesn't exist, contrary to the prophecy book.
"...Or your abilities were insufficient."
"That's the first time I've heard such words in my life."
Hyde became serious.
"Whatever it is, I carefully offer my opinion on whether your suspicion is just a suspicion or not."
"In short, you're saying I'm delusional."
"That's not what I meant. To begin with, I don't even know why you ordered me to monitor Veriana Kalproten."
That was natural since he hadn't explained the clear reason.
Even if Hyde tried to think about it, without knowing the future where the guy would fall to a demon, it would be impossible to come up with a reasonable inference.
'Right, that's how the world usually works.'
Things rarely proceeded smoothly. Especially regarding matters related to demons that hadn't appeared even once in the past thousand years.
"Anyway, there's something more urgent now."
Gerhard replied as he closed his filled subspace.
"I'm going to observe the midterm exam now."
"First-year students again?"
"Yes."
"Do you really need to go that far for Aint Armian? I don't understand."
"I'll explain everything after this is over."
He would be able to do that. If Veriana really became a demon's dog, he could convince Hyde with evidence, or if the prophecy was false, he could make Hyde understand based on that.
"I trust you, but do you really have to go this time?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Because I can't accompany you."
"...What do you mean?"
Gerhard's eyes widened at the unexpected development.
"A letter came from the family."
Hyde handed him a letter with the seal broken. After checking it, Gerhard clicked his tongue.
"A summons from my father."
"Yes."
"Hah... of all times?"
"Yes."
This was troublesome.
He was on his way to personally verify a demon with his own eyes. Since he couldn't be certain what variables and dangers might be lurking, he wanted to prepare as much as possible.
In that sense, having an escort wasn't an option but a necessity.
After contemplating briefly, Gerhard nodded.
"It can't be helped. Go. I'll go with someone else."
"Who might that be?"
Gerhard tore a piece of paper from the side of the warehouse and scribbled on it.
"Deliver this to Luina Berchef. As quickly as possible."
Fortunately, he had another card left.
***
"What brings you here so suddenly in the morning?"
After leaving the company, Gerhard found a café. It was operated by the company. When he opened the door to a private room, Luina, who had received his message, greeted him.
"Since we don't have much time, I'll get straight to the point. I've discovered a very precious spirit medicine growing in the northwestern mountain region."
"Spirit medicine?"
"It's comparable to the mandrake root you ate. I want to harvest it."
At the mention of mandrake, Luina's eyes widened.
"What does that have to do with me?"
"I'd like to ask you to escort me. When gathering spirit medicine, I can't really pay attention to my surroundings."
Hearing Gerhard's words, she tilted her head.
"...But the western part of the mountain region is where the first-year knight department's midterm exam is taking place now, isn't it? Access should be restricted?"
"In this world, nothing is impossible with money."
"...You speak so boldly about bribing someone."
A contemptuous gaze shot at Gerhard.
"Who was it? No, I don't even need to ask. Professor Grad, to think he would accept a bribe and allow someone to intrude on the exam..."
"That's not particularly important."
"How is that not important?"
Gerhard brought up the nonexistent spirit medicine story because he knew her personality well.
It was better to demonstrate a clear intention that would not harm others, rather than intruding on the exam site without any reason.
"I'll just quietly gather the spirit medicine and leave. If you escort me, we can avoid causing any disturbance."
"Does it have to be today?"
"It's a precious spirit medicine. What if someone else discovers it today?"
"Even if you're late by a day..."
"Even being one minute late can change ownership when it comes to plants."
And all he needed to do was bring her along and make it seem like a coincidence when they encountered the demon.