CHAPTER 68: CONTRACT WITH CONSEQUENCES [1]

"What is the meaning of this!"

Upon returning to Lavidus Hall after attending a lecture, an unwelcome but expected visitor was waiting.

"What’s the matter, Veriana?"

Seems like Aint did as instructed.

"Don’t pretend you don’t know! Why did you tell Aint about me?"

"Is that a problem?"

"Is that a problem? How can you say that!"

"Veriana Kalproten. Who do you think you’re raising your voice to?"

But regardless of being the cause of the issue or understanding his feelings, there was a need to clearly establish their positions.

As Gerhard frowned, Veriana’s body shrank.

"...I apologize, but...!"

"But?"

"Didn’t we agree that you wouldn’t tell others? In return, I would follow your words."

"Wrong."

Gerhard leaned back against the chair.

"Wrong?"

"To be precise, it was to ensure you wouldn’t be harmed because of that issue."

"What do you...!"

"When making a contract, read it carefully, Veriana Kalproten."

A contract can sometimes be sharper than swords and spears, and sometimes more solid than castle gates.

A single sentence, a single word, could determine heaven or hell.

"However, in this case, consider yourself fortunate that the contract isn’t particularly harmful to you."

"You’re saying there’s no harm in revealing that I was demonized?"

Veriana’s expression said, "What nonsense is this?" Gerhard understood his feelings.

It was inevitable if one didn’t know the future.

"Listen carefully, Veriana Kalproten."

"I’ve been listening very well since earlier...!"

"If it were someone else, it might be a problem, but with Aint, there’s no issue."

"...What’s your basis for that?"

"You’re already isolated in the department, and so is Aint. I want you two to overcome that hardship together."

And then, hopefully, they would defeat evil ones, overthrow demons, and save the world like that.

So Gerhard wouldn’t have to worry.

"You say that knowing why I ended up in this state?"

"Is that what’s important?"

"Then what is important?"

"What’s important is that I have the recording crystal that captured the moment you were demonized."

"..."

Veriana closed his mouth.

"And what’s more important is that it could, at any moment, leave my hands and go to the judges."

"...Why Aint of all people! What if he reports me to the judges!"

"No, Aint will never do that."

"How can you be so sure?"

Because Gerhard had grasped Aint’s heroic narrative and psychology through the prophecy book.

Through the recording crystal shown by Gerhard, Aint clearly recognized that Veriana was also a victim.

In such a situation, Aint wasn’t foolish enough to turn someone who could become an ally into an enemy.

Moreover, Veriana was sent by Gerhard.

Aint would also know that if he turned him into an enemy, his relationship with Gerhard could be damaged.

"The thing on top of your head isn’t just decoration, Veriana. Think for yourself."

"Pardon?"

"Let me tell you one thing: Aint Armian is already pursuing other evil ones. If you stick by his side, you might one day encounter the one who made you like this."

He couldn’t guarantee when that would be. But it was clear that Aint was the hero of this world who would draw in demons.

"...You already know about evil ones?"

"Yes."

"What about the one who made me like this?"

"You don’t think you were infected with evil energy for no reason, do you?"

"...Are you saying we can catch him?"

"Of course."

At that moment, a killing intent flashed in Veriana’s eyes.

"...What exactly do you want from me?"

"Stay with Aint throughout your academy years. Then I’ll destroy the recording crystal."

"Fine."

It wasn’t as if Gerhard would accept a refusal anyway, and the words leaked to Aint couldn’t be taken back.

Veriana’s gaze became fierce.

"Now you’re starting to look human."

Aint Armian had gained his first companion.

Completely different from those who appeared in the prophecy book.

***

A letter from his father had arrived when he woke up in the morning.

Mithril, adamant, golems, or demons and evil ones.

There were mountains of topics to discuss, but this time, it wasn’t about those.

[There has been a certain transaction between Fridien and the Imperial Armian Academy.]

[Fridien has agreed to provide a large quantity of World Tree leaves and spirit stones, among other things, and in return, the academy will...]

[They are items of considerable value. Many should be treated preciously. Therefore, they have formally requested the Golden Turtle Company to...]

As he read through the content, his gaze reached the end.

[The Fridien family has requested you as the person in charge.]

"Hmm."

Gerhard tapped the desk.

To summarize, it was simple.

There was a certain transaction between the Fridien Viscounty and the Imperial Armian Academy.

Various items, including World Tree leaves and spirit stones, would be exchanged.

Fridien requested the Golden Turtle Company for their transport.

And they specifically requested Gerhard Goldenheim as the person in charge.

’The first three make sense.’

The Fridien Viscounty was still treated as an outsider among the haughty imperial nobles.

It wasn’t particularly surprising that they would try all sorts of methods.

It was also natural to entrust the escort to the Golden Turtle Company, the largest company in the Empire.

But the questionable part was the last.

’Why specifically me?’

It was true that Gerhard had made a name for himself by diving into practical affairs from a young age.

But if asked whether there was no one more capable than him in the Golden Turtle Company, that wasn’t the case.

’If being in charge is impossible, they want me to accompany at least. Is there a reason I must participate?’

No particular answer came to mind.

After placing the letter in a drawer, he went outside. The morning lecture was imminent.

This lecture was "Study of Magical Beasts and Monsters," scheduled as a joint lecture with the Knight Department.

The lecture venue wasn’t the joint lecture hall but the indoor arena.

A place with ten stages prepared, with quite good facilities, often used for large-scale duels or festivals.

Inside, where students were chattering as the professor hadn’t arrived yet, students were seen sitting in pairs.

Gerhard found Luina and sat beside her.

"You’re late."

"The professor hasn’t arrived yet."

"The professor is late."

Indeed, it was already 1 minute past the lecture start time.

"I entered exactly at the scheduled time. It’s not late."

"I’d appreciate if you showed the virtue of arriving early."

"Time is an asset that can’t be wasted frivolously."