Chapter 98: Ajef, the Empire's Rising Star

Chapter 98: Ajef, the Empire's Rising Star

“Wow, is Mr. Ajef really a follower of the Internet God?”

“It must be true! Haven’t you seen the videos online? When Sparda was attacked, only Mr. Ajef followed the call. If he isn’t, who else could be worthy?”

“Ah, now I remember! When Mr. Ajef appeared in Willis, wasn’t that around the same time the internet started spreading across the empire?”

“Oh, you’re right! Why didn’t I think of that before?”

“No wonder Mr. Ajef is so incredibly knowledgeable—he’s a divine follower!”

The halls of Felix Magic Academy buzzed with the lively chatter of young noblewomen.

Listening to the discussions, Clairement rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought.

Since the Keville Empire repelled the Saint-Todd United Nations, not only had the nation’s confidence soared, but the entire empire had been swept up in a wave of fervor.

Thanks to the internet, the people of Keville no longer had to rely solely on official announcements or the tall tales of mercenaries in taverns. Online, they could access the latest updates from the authorities, as well as firsthand accounts from frontline mages, soldiers, and even farmers—each offering a unique perspective on the war’s details.

For a time, the minutiae of this sudden conflict became the hottest topic of conversation.

From which village was suddenly attacked to which city fell first, the discussions eventually centered on the stalemate outside the three cities of Edga, Twit Town, and Harold. Countless internet users could recite these events like a well-rehearsed script.

During this period, taverns in every major city were packed.

Under the shadow of war and the looming threat of death, people sought solace in alcohol to drown their fears of an uncertain future.

They also craved like-minded company to discuss the brutal realities of war—topics only men dared to indulge in.

If one wandered through the taverns at night, they would inevitably hear mercenaries boasting about their battlefield heroics or heated arguments breaking out over the finer points of the conflict.

Yet no matter how fiercely they debated, there was one thing everyone agreed on—and revered with fanatical devotion.

It was the Internet God who had turned the tide, who had upheld the collapsing pillars of their nation.

That single word—“Die”—was both a declaration of death and a beacon of hope.

It brought doom to the invaders but delivered salvation to Keville!

That moment had been recounted by countless witnesses of the war, with artistic embellishments growing ever more grandiose.

Online, some even claimed the Internet God had annihilated all invaders with just a single utterance.

Regardless of the version, one thing was certain: the Internet God had captured the hearts of the people.

And then came the Heart-Piercing Scheme, leaving countless in awe and admiration!

It also filled many players with either pride or regret.

Those who carried out the guerrilla missions behind enemy lines were none other than the top-ranked players on the leaderboards, leaving the vast majority of ordinary players kicking themselves in frustration.

If only they had spent more time gaming—now, in wartime, they could only watch helplessly.

Of course, the true highlight of the war—the moment that truly set Keville’s citizens abuzz—was the Internet God’s effortless conquest of Sparda.

After all, merely repelling the invaders was one thing.

But striking back? That was true defiance—a display of unyielding spirit that left everyone exhilarated!

In this battle, the Internet God once again demonstrated his silent, unstoppable offensive power.

With a single strike, the city shattered, reduced to ruins!

When the footage circulated, countless souls were shaken to their core.

For the first time, they gained a direct understanding of divine power.

Of course, alongside the public’s fervor for the Internet God, the name Ajef also spread like wildfire across the Empire.

The Internet God was too mysterious, too lofty—never once appearing in person, much like the Five Great Righteous Gods.

But Ajef was different.

He was the only—no, one of the three firsthand witnesses of the Sparda Battle, the other two being players.

The demon army he summoned, vast enough to blot out the sky, also left countless people in awe.

Come to think of it, his first rise to fame was when he defeated Archmage March with two giants and a handful of demons.

Later, when he reappeared in the public eye, his scholarly image overshadowed that of a battle-hardened mage.

This time, however, he proved with action what Summoning Magic truly was.

This battle also made many realize that Ajef’s identity was far from simple.

At some point, speculation had already run rampant on the Internet that Ajef was a follower of the Internet God.

By now, this had become an accepted fact.

Only the great Internet God could have such a formidable follower.

The hype around this matter made it one of the hottest topics on the Internet recently.

No wonder these girls were chattering away.

Of course, the root of their excitement lay in the fact that they were about to meet the Empire’s hero, Ajef, in person.

But why were they here?

It was all because of Clairement.

Her participation had spurred a trend among noblewomen, escalating into a competition within high society.

The logic was simple—if even a royal princess was willing to join, how could this job be anything less than prestigious?

At this moment, Clairement, resting her chin on one hand, was sketching Ajef’s image in her mind.

She had glimpsed him from afar once, but that was all.

Most of what she knew came from rumors.

At times, he was fiercely protective and hot-tempered—daring to publicly humiliate an Archmage of boundless potential for the sake of a lowly magic apprentice.

At others, he was erudite—not only making history in Wood Spirit Magic but also proving the theory that Thunder Magic could transform into Light Magic.

Then there were moments of romantic elegance—his palace love song enraging the people of Vias, yet failing to provoke the Music Goddess.

And yet, he could also be loyal and courageous—venturing deep into enemy territory for Keville, for the Internet God, all for the sake of revenge! Revenge! Revenge!

Such a contradictory genius—even Clairement, raised in the City of Magic and accustomed to prodigies—found herself dazzled.

Her decision to join this Bank Clerk Training was partly inspired by Eileen, but also driven by a desire to see up close just what kind of man he truly was.

Lost in thought, the hall suddenly dimmed as the doors opened.

The chattering assembly hall fell silent in an instant.

Clairement’s heart skipped a beat as she laid eyes on the man now standing right before her.

Wait… why was he frowning?

Yu Sheng'an took in the sight of the room filled with women of all shapes and sizes, the air thick with perfume, and his mind went blank.

Had he walked into the wrong place?

Impossible!

Weren’t these supposed to be female butlers and attendants?

"So this is the bunch of noble vases Dandell found for me?"

"Just look at them! What kind of spectacle is this?"

"It's a training session! I didn’t expect full formal attire, but at least dress normally!"

"Who are those tiny hats even for?"

"That one over there, blinking nonstop with two feathers in her hair—like a peacock in full display. Problem is, you’re a woman!"

"And that one wearing white lace gloves—what, expecting me to kiss her hand or something?"

Yu Sheng'an arrived in high spirits but stormed off with a scowl.

Before even leaving, he dialed Dandell’s voice communication, his face dark with anger. "Dandell, get out here. Is this how you handle things? You brought me this bunch of bank clerks?"

"The banking plan is crucial for financial warfare—how can it be treated as a joke?"

"What’s the meaning of sending a bunch of noblewomen here?"

"Just for show?"

"Has the Empire grown complacent after a single victory?"