Because the wave of monsters and demons was unfolding in real time, there was no leisure for the Academy students to travel peacefully across the continent.
"Now then, please step onto the magic circle."
At the mage's words, two professors and nine students stepped onto the array.
"When using a teleportation circle, your mana may become unstable, which can cause slight nausea. Please keep that in mind."
With that short notice, the circle began to glow.
"Destination: Artc, the capital of Altriarch. Number of travelers: twelve. Activating circle."
The array flared with bright light. In the blink of an eye, the world changed.
"Welcome! Professor Grad Xant, Professor Rosalia Bienderk, and nine students, is that correct?"
The surrounding facilities and mage had changed. Professor Grad handed over his identification badge, and after confirming it, the mage nodded.
"Welcome to Altriarch! I am Dade, knight of Altriarch."
"I am Grad, professor of the Academy."
The knight, who stood with the mage, greeted them warmly.
"Please, follow me. I will guide you."
"Will we be meeting the Count?"
"No. Although the Count was greatly anticipating the Empire's young talents coming to Altriarch, he is currently at the bulwark. You may see him there. For today, I'll take you to your lodgings."
The capital city of Artc hardly looked like a land under threat of war.
The faces of its people bore little worry or fear, and there was no sign of destruction or corpses.
Though the city was some distance from the bulwark where battles raged, the fact that there was so little unease only showed how deeply they trusted the Count of Altriarch.
'Or perhaps they've simply grown accustomed to it.'
For centuries past, Altriarch had fought relentlessly—against demons invading from the north long ago, and now against monsters spilling in from the desert.
Only the enemy had changed; war itself was their daily life.
"What do you think? That is a statue of the First Count…"
"…And that over there is the famous Bell of Pasa, left behind by the First Emperor who founded the Empire…"
As Dade guided them, he proudly explained the sights of Artc. His face shone with pride for Altriarch.
Fernan's gaze fixed on the Bell of Pasa.
As Dade said, it was an artifact left by the First Emperor. Its sound was said to hold the power of demon-slaying, weakening the strength of demons.
But the reason it was said to was because, for the past thousand years, there had been no demons, and thus the bell had never been rung.
According to the prophecy, however, it was genuine and its effect was real. That was why the fiends were desperate to destroy it.
'Which means a fiend is hiding nearby…'
"Ferocious, isn't it?"
A flat gaze intruded, snapping Fernan out of his thoughts.
"What do you mean?"
"Your face, staring at the bell, looked like you were ready to kill someone. Could it be that you're a fiend?"
"You're talking nonsense."
"Not funny?"
"Was that supposed to be a joke?"
"Forget it."
What was that? Fernan gave a faint laugh.
"This is it."
Dade led them to their quarters, a section of the great lord's castle at the city's center. The guest chambers prepared for them were spacious and elegant.
"Thank you."
"Think nothing of it. Normally, the Count himself would have welcomed you, but as he is on the front lines, it was impossible. The Countess and his children are also on the bulwark."
This was no surprise.
It was well known that the Countess of Altriarch was the family's greatest knight, and that their children were all outstanding knights themselves.
When the monster wave began, they had all taken the lead, personally riding to the battlefield.
"Instead, the steward will dine with you this evening."
"Yes."
"Tonight, you will stay here. At dawn tomorrow, you will go to the bulwark with the knight order. Should you need anything or have questions, simply pull the bell cord. I'll see you later."
The twelve rooms they were given were all spacious and stately.
"No need to share. Pick one and rest."
The students each chose a room and went inside. But Fernan remained behind.
"What is it, Fernan? Do you have something to say?"
"May I go out for a short while during our free time to look around the city?"
"We didn't come here for sightseeing."
"I'm not going for leisure."
"Then what?"
To track down the fiends' hideout.
"I'd like to conduct some market research."
"In these circumstances?"
"Precisely because of these circumstances, it's worth investigating."
"No."
Fernan held out a small pouch.
"…Do as you like. Just don't cause trouble."
"May I bring other students?"
"As you like. But first, ask Sir Dade."
"Yes."
Inside his room, Fernan pulled the cord.
'Tonight will be our last night here. I must find the hideout before then.'
He had no time to waste. Whether or not he found it would change his plans.
"What is it?"
A moment later, Dade appeared.
"Would it be possible for me to step out before lunch?"
"Of course. However, I must accompany you."
"That's fine."
He had expected as much, and it was even better. If they discovered something together, it would build credibility.
"Then may we leave now?"
"Certainly."
Dade nodded.
"Shall I take you to the marketplace first?"
"Yes, please."
Fernan donned his coat and stepped outside with Dade.
He had chosen not to bring Aint or Luina. Since he didn't know where the enemy lurked, he couldn't drag them around recklessly.
"With the war, there are many shops selling arms."
"Yes. Knights and soldiers mostly receive supplies from the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild, but mercenaries don't. So demand has risen, though it's not much different from before."
"I understand."
After all, Altriarch had always fought the monsters spilling from the Taklakan Desert. High demand for arms was nothing unusual.
'Where could it be…'
As Fernan strolled through the market, his gaze was once again drawn to the Bell of Pasa.
The flawless white bell bore an embossed landscape.
Mountains, trees, sky, clouds, the sun. And soaring across that sky, the Armian family's emblem—the Saintbird.
"The Bell of Pasa is larger than I imagined."
"Yes. Seven meters high, four meters in diameter. There is no bell larger in the world."
"So it can be seen from anywhere in Artc."
"That's not the case."
Dade shook his head.
"If the bell were placed higher, then yes. But that bell has remained in the same spot for a thousand years. Now, buildings block the view, so you can't see it from afar."
"Buildings?"
"Yes. Because of that, the houses that can see the Bell of Pasa are more expensive and sell at high prices."
In other words, a wealthy district had formed around the bell. That was good information.
"It's common enough—real estate prices rising or falling depending on special landmarks or environments."
Which meant there was no need to search all of Artc. He only needed to check around the Bell of Pasa.
But how?
How else?
"Would it be possible to stop by the Golden Turtle branch?"
This was exactly the kind of situation where power and money were meant to be used.
"Found it."
Fernan had ordered a list of every mansion with a view of the Bell of Pasa, and the names of their residents.
It didn't take long to receive the report. As Dade had said, those were the wealthy districts, and the Golden Turtle Guild always had an exceptional nose for money and kept constant watch on such areas.
There were roughly fifty mansions with a direct view of the bell. He would have to narrow it down as much as possible.
And Fernan already had a very strong clue.
A golden ashtray engraved with five stars.
It might not seem like much, but clues usually began with small things.
"Bairan Osmond."
A forty-year-old man. A mercenary.
Leader of the Black Star Mercenary Company, a large force of about seventy men.
For the last few years, he had distinguished himself at the bulwark, earning enormous wealth and gaining some renown in Artc.
And there was a record showing that he had commissioned the custom-made golden ashtray engraved with stars.
"Bold—or did he just think no one would ever find out?"
To think he had ordered something like that through the Golden Turtle.
In truth, it was the latter. Without the prophecy, this would never have been an issue.
But there was still the chance it was just coincidence. The only way to be sure was to check for himself.
"Wooden."
— Koong?
Now that they were alone, Wooden—reduced to doll-size—had been fiddling with various things in the room, but now it waddled up to Fernan.
"At last, your time to shine has come."
— Koong-koong?
"No, not smashing everything."
— Kuuung.
"Disappointed? If you're a spirit of the forest, learn to love peace a little."
— Kuuuuu.
"You say not using such a body is a sin?"
Well, Fernan couldn't really disagree there. He nodded.
"In any case, your job is simple."
Shrink your body and enter that mansion.
"Find the office, and check if the golden ashtray is there. That's it. Understood?"
— Koong!
Wooden's body shrank rapidly, down to about two centimeters—the smallest size it could manage.
"Perfect. Stay that size when you're my necklace too."
— Kuuu!
"Too small and uncomfortable? It's only a difference of three centimeters."
Wooden shook its head again.
How could he not know how big a three-centimeter difference was? But Wooden had never been five centimeters tall, so how could he know?
"Fine."
Fernan nodded, closed his eyes, and linked his mana.
Wooden was a golem, not requiring a link—but that didn't mean it lacked the function.
And right now, Fernan wanted two things from that link.
To see what Wooden saw, and hear what Wooden heard.
Fernan's vision shifted to Wooden's tiny two-centimeter perspective as it slipped out the window.
'Go, Wooden. You must not be discovered.'
Wooden hid among alleys and bushes as it scurried along, soon arriving at a massive mansion.
It slipped inside among the servants coming and going.
'Head upstairs, Wooden. The master's office is usually at the top floor.'
It padded across the red-carpeted hall and climbed the stairs.
'There. Go into that one, Wooden.'
The largest, most ornate door at the highest floor.
It was clearly the master's room. More importantly, Wooden's sight revealed a soundproofing circle etched upon it.
'The prophecy said the fiend's voice shook the air.'
Yet no disturbance had been noticed. Which meant they were meticulous about soundproofing. No other enchantments were visible.
Wooden hid behind a decorative suit of armor and slipped in just as a servant opened the door.
It ducked behind a potted plant near the entrance and sighed in relief.
'Not the wall—look forward.'
— Kuuung.
'Yes, soon enough I'll let you rampage to your heart's content.'
— Koong!
Wooden turned its head, taking in the office.
It looked like any ordinary study. At the desk by the window sat a man.
"I have something to report."
"Speak."
The servant bowed, and the man responded.
Then the servant's next words struck Fernan with a powerful sense of déjà vu.
"The Academy has brought students to the battlefield under the pretense of gaining real combat experience."
His head buzzed. No—burned.
"Real combat experience?"
Could such a moment ever come again?
"Softened by peace."
It was a perfectly exquisite moment.
Fernan's face twisted into pure exhilaration.