My Slain Dragon Bride

Chapter 102: Chapter 102

Chapter 102 - Seiza

After finishing his conversation with the Armored Knight, Erika came to see Ferda.

Her facial features were familiar to him, but the decisive traits were slightly different.

She had completely imitated a human, with no horns, no tail, and no wings.

Officially, she was visiting as the Platinum-rank adventurer, "Eri."

"Has your condition improved?"

"Yes. The seizures have become less frequent, and I’ve recovered enough to use a small amount of mana."

For a human, it would have taken three years of nothing but practicing the Mana Cultivation Method to recover to this extent, yet she had healed in only three hours.

As expected of dragons who devoted their lives to the study of magic, even severe internal injuries healed with the speed of minor wounds.

"I heard that not many adventurers participated in this incident."

Erika deliberately brought up the uncomfortable topic first.

"Yes. That seems to be the case."

"We’re already compiling a list of those worthless bastards and stripping them of their qualifications, so there’s no need to worry."

A crude curse was mixed into her formal tone, yet it sounded completely natural.

Besides, what was there to worry about?

He had never expected anything from them in the first place, so there was no sense of betrayal.

Those who only cared about claiming benefits for themselves were always like that.

’This village is supposed to welcome adventurers, yet all it attracts are pests.’

At this rate, building it would be meaningless.

Revoking their qualifications was one matter.

Finding a solution was another.

"As for countermeasures, we’ll handle them somehow. Regent, all we need is to borrow your name."

"My name would actually be of help?"

"If the Master of the Blue Eye Magic Tower and Grand Duchess Valdrova both stand with us, we can at least have the current Guild Master removed."

How could a mere human withstand the pressure of two dragons?

Even gathering every connection available would never solve such a problem.

"Well, nothing but harsh words would come from discussing that any further, so let’s leave it there. There’s something else we need to face right now."

Erika was referring to only one thing.

"Curved Demon."

"Yes. The one we naturally assumed was dead because it never showed itself."

Curved Demon.

One of Godwin’s Seven Calamities, one of the seven trusted subordinates personally acknowledged by the Demon King, and one of the calamities that had exerted the greatest influence across the continent.

Among them, Curved Demon had always been the most underestimated.

There was no helping it.

It had supposedly died to the kitchen knife of a Hero who had only just awakened, leaving too little information to judge its true strength objectively.

That death had become the event that awakened the Demon Race to the threat posed by humans, causing them to spare no effort in preventing the birth of future heroes.

"I never imagined Curved Demon would be this powerful."

"Is it stronger than the other six Calamities?"

"It isn’t even on the same level. At least... that’s how it felt to me."

It might even rival the Demon King.

However, she chose not to say those words aloud.

Even Erika wasn’t certain.

She feared that such a judgment might simply be an excuse born from the terror and humiliation of her defeat.

Ferda also recalled the Curved Demon he had seen with his own eyes.

A body concealed almost entirely beneath a robe.

Inside it was a slender frame similar to his own, along with crimson eyes.

’A white hand.’

Every member of the Demon Race Ferda knew possessed black skin.

"Are Noblesse Class demons white-skinned?"

"No. Even the Demon King had black skin, and so did all of the other subordinates."

"But Curved Demon wasn’t."

"Yes... that’s right. I’ve been wondering about that as well."

Ferda remembered it vividly.

So did Erika.

The fingers protruding from beneath the robe had unquestionably been white.

"Perhaps that’s one of the reasons it became so powerful. If it repeatedly transformed and altered itself using the power left behind by Godwin to maximize its own strength..."

"That’s certainly possible."

The truth remained unknown, but Ferda agreed to some extent.

Wasn’t the Dark Elf Linne also creating a drug capable of turning someone into a Knight-class member of the Demon Race in an instant?

They learned from the past and prepared for the future.

If given the opportunity, they would never hesitate.

All to ensure humanity would never be given another chance.

"I just don’t understand why they targeted Hestia Village. It doesn’t seem like they were trying to wipe it out simply because it was becoming a nuisance..."

Curved Demon had only sent fifteen Wolf Monsters into the village.

Yet during its escape, it unleashed four times that number of monsters.

If that many had been sent into the village from the beginning, at least dozens would have died and hundreds would have been injured.

That half-hearted attack had merely been a probe.

If so, what exactly had it been probing?

It was difficult for them to understand why the Demon Race, who sought nothing but destruction, would bother testing the waters.

"I think you’d be better off building the walls first."

Erika made the suggestion.

"You think the Demon Race will attack again?"

"They probably won’t, judging from the way they operate. But the people living there won’t think that way."

"That’s a fair point."

Right now, he needed to see things through the eyes of the public rather than those of a leader.

No matter what, an incident had occurred.

There had been casualties.

The corpse lying on the road could just as easily have been theirs.

The seed of fear had already been planted.

If they stayed in this city, someday that fate might become their own.

Before this winter ends.

Perhaps tomorrow.

No...

Perhaps even tonight.

Even if it was only for appearances, they needed to show that the people were being protected.

’They keep saying manpower is always in short supply...’

Once construction of the walls began, fewer workers would remain for the city’s development.

Naturally, the pace of infrastructure construction would slow as well.

For Isabella, who was overseeing the city’s planning, it was an annoying new variable.

"That settles the city issue. Now, shall we talk about the item I brought?"

Erika reached into her pocket and placed something on the table.

It was an amulet containing an orange gemstone.

"An Anti-Demonic Resistance talisman."

It was the very concept she had mentioned before they formed their alliance.

Ferda had been told it was still in the research stage, so he found the progress surprisingly fast.

"We’ll still have to test how well it blocks demonic energy inside the Land of Demons, but based on our estimates, it should shield about ninety-five percent of the demonic energy that tries to penetrate."

"So five percent still gets through."

"Even that five percent is an incredible achievement if we’re talking about the interior of the Land of Demons. It allows humans to step, however briefly, into a place they were never meant to enter."

"How long could someone endure it?"

"If they’re willing to take risks, three days. Within a safe range, about one day."

One day.

"Wouldn’t it also take time to recover after being exposed to demonic energy?"

"Our scholars at the Blue Eye Magic Tower recommend resting for about fifteen days."

"So you work for one day and rest for fifteen."

"Yes. It’s far too long."

Adventuring naturally required more preparation than execution.

Still, fifteen days was excessive.

Exploring unexplored regions rarely produced immediate results.

More importantly, it encouraged excessive thinking.

’Thinking too much is poison during an adventure.’

When the time came to embrace danger, overthinking was the last thing one needed.

Too many thoughts naturally gave birth to fear.

Fear eventually turned into despair.

Despair was a deadly poison that ended an adventurer’s life.

"Adventuring isn’t exactly a profession measured by efficiency, but even considering that, this isn’t ideal. If we could reduce it by even a week..."

"A week..."

Was there any way to solve it?

Ferda considered it briefly before giving up.

It wasn’t something he could solve.

So he answered simply.

"I’ll speak with Vernel."

"You mean that genius scholar? The one who recently made such great contributions in Halim?"

Erika asked with eyes full of expectation.

It was the first time she had shown such anticipation upon hearing a human’s name.

"Do you think he can solve it?"

"He will."

He had no idea how Vernel would accomplish it, but Erika raised no objections.

’If he’s one of Regent Ferda’s people... perhaps he really can.’

Ferda’s abilities ranked among the very best, not only compared to people his own age, but among all the humans she had ever met.

She almost feared trying to understand the workings of his mind, worried that doing so would only reveal how shallow her own thinking was.

Erika believed Ferda possessed a kind of wisdom beyond her comprehension.

In truth, even he had no real solution.

Ferda simply thought—

’Vernel will figure something out somehow.’

Ferda still didn’t understand how Magitech Engineering actually worked.

Even the assistants working under Vernel only understood small portions of it.

How could Ferda possibly understand it?

In reality, he wasn’t even sure Vernel could solve it.

Still, Vernel was a genius of Magitech Engineering.

Surely he would come up with an answer.

In the end, it was Vernel alone who would be crushed beneath those vague expectations.

***

Late that night, after all the day’s work had finally ended.

Luri descended into Valdrova’s Lair.

As usual, she carried a summary of current affairs to discuss.

This time, however, her expression was unlike her usual one.

She looked as though she were about to visit a prisoner locked away in an underground dungeon.

"Master, it’s Luri. I’m coming in."

She entered Valdrova’s Lair through the small door beside the entrance.

"Master, today I’d like to report—"

Luri’s words came to an abrupt halt.

The magnificent crimson-scaled dragon who normally dominated the enormous lair was nowhere to be seen.

Instead, a small woman, having removed her armor, was kneeling formally on the floor.

"Why are you sitting in seiza?"

Luri looked down at her with complete disbelief.

"Well..."

Valdrova answered in a timid voice.

"I thought... Luri would be angry...?"

"I’m not angry."

"Really?"

"I’m only... disappointed."

Valdrova lowered her head, fidgeting with her fingers.

Those words hurt far more than anger ever could.

"But, Luri..."

"Yes?"

"How did you figure it out?"

"...After observing your conduct, Lady Valdrova, there was no way I couldn’t. Your behavior made me think about the armor’s functions."

"Was I really that obvious?"

"Yes... and yet, perhaps not. Lord Ferda still hasn’t noticed, has he?"

"I see."

Valdrova let out a sigh of relief.

Seeing that, Luri’s expression grew slightly colder.

"It’s too soon to relax."

Luri took something out and showed it to her.

It was a report containing the rumors surrounding the calamity.

"After checking the records, I found that you’ve been operating under the name ’Armored Knight’."

"Y-Yeah..."

"You’ve already been working here for several months."

"That’s right..."

Valdrova’s shoulders drooped heavily.

" ’Oath of Silence.’ Quite an ingenious idea. If you had spoken, Lord Ferda would have recognized you almost immediately."

"That... just happened naturally. I didn’t really plan it..."

"I suppose so. Lady Valdrova has never been that meticulous."

Luri let out a long sigh.

"Is what you’re doing now merely entertainment as a human?"

"It’s not entertainment. I-I’m helping humans."

"..."

She was right.

This could hardly be called entertainment.

A dragon’s entertainment usually meant doing things that ordinary humans could never hope to accomplish.

Leaving behind great achievements—or infamous legends—and then disappearing without a trace, allowing future generations to marvel at the greatness of dragons.

That was what it was supposed to be.

But what dragon would disguise herself as a human just to work as a laborer hauling materials at a construction site?

That wasn’t a great achievement, nor was it a dragon’s pastime.

It was something laughable.

As Valdrova’s maid, Luri found it difficult to accept.

She wished Valdrova would treasure her power and reputation a little more.

"But still..."

Unaware of Luri’s thoughts, Valdrova beamed brightly and held something out.

"I worked hard and saved this much money."

She proudly showed her coin pouch.

Inside were a mixture of copper coins and silver coins.

Luri felt her emotions begin to boil.

If Valdrova simply kicked a few items out of a warehouse with her foot, she could earn more money than this.

She disliked seeing her find fulfillment in such a trivial amount.

This deserved a scolding.

"Does it make you happy?"

"Yeah. It does."

"What makes you so happy?"

"It made me realize... that I can create something without destroying it."

"..."

The moment she heard those words, Luri’s anger faded with astonishing speed.

She knew.

Behind that innocent smile and the casual self-loathing hidden within it lay an abyss beyond measure.

Only Luri had ever looked deeply enough into that darkness.

That was why she alone could scold Valdrova...

And pity her.

The joy lasted only for a moment.

Valdrova slowly lowered her head.

"But... I ended up destroying things again. Is that really the only thing I can do?"

She scratched her cheek awkwardly and gave a weak smile.

"That can’t possibly be true. Lady Valdrova is the Aspect of Strength. You are capable of accomplishing far greater things."

Luri gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Valdrova leaned her head lightly against her.

"But... everyone was afraid of me. Because I destroyed things again..."

"They were simply overwhelmed by the situation. You know humans well enough, don’t you? They are foolish. They may fear what’s right before them, but once they have time to reflect, they’ll soon realize your deeds and sing your praises."

Valdrova looked up at Luri.

Her golden eyes glistened with moisture.

"Do you really think so?"

"Why not see it with your own eyes? While wearing that armor."

Valdrova’s eyes widened at Luri’s words.

"I... I can keep doing that job?"

"You may."

"Even though you don’t like it, Luri?"

"How could a mere servant possibly stand in the way of her Master’s wishes?"

Things had already come this far.

She had no right to stop her.

’If such a trivial pastime can soothe her heart, even a little... if it can heal even a fraction of her wounds...’

How could Luri dismiss it as foolish and tell her to quit?

Even if it strayed from the dignity befitting a dragon, she would gladly endure it if it meant Valdrova could be just a little happier.

"Then... then..."

With an excited expression, Valdrova made one more request.

"Could I also become Mr. Ferda’s knight?"

Luri immediately felt the limits of her patience.

"...Why do you wish to do that?"

"Because... I’d get to see Mr. Ferda more often."

She spoke while fidgeting with her fingers.

"Don’t you already see him often?"

"I-I do... I really do see him often... but..."

Valdrova scratched her cheek again.

"He looks a little... cooler when he’s like that."

"...Cooler?"

"Mr. Ferda is always so kind to me, so I always thought he was simply a gentle person. But..."

"But...?"

"When he treats me a little coldly... it feels like we’re strangers, and somehow..."

Valdrova’s face flushed crimson.

Her expression was no different from that of a lovestruck woman.

"My heart... kind of fluttered."

"..."

At that instant, the calmness that had returned to Luri’s heart burst into flames once more.

A blazing sense of responsibility burned fiercely within her eyes.

"Master."

"Hm?"

"Sit in seiza."

"U-Uh? Why?"

"I’m about to begin your lecture."

The Rumors of the Calamity officially commenced.

Valdrova’s face gradually turned pale.

She looked utterly miserable, tears welling up in her eyes.

Unfortunately for her, those tears only provided Luri with another topic for her lecture.

***

Following Luri’s advice, Valdrova returned to Hestia Village.

She wore the exact same armor.

She openly appeared as the Armored Knight once again.

’They’re watching me.’

She could clearly feel everyone’s eyes on her.

Along with the whispers.

"The monster is here."

"The monster that kills people..."

"Aaaah!"

The imagined voices born from those gazes relentlessly tormented her.

’Maybe... I should just go back.’

Legs that had never trembled before any attack now faltered because of a fragile heart.

"Sir Knight."

The fog cleared.

Reality returned.

A young girl boldly walked over and stopped in front of her.

It was the little girl who had been captured by those despicable adventurers.

The child who had almost been devoured by a Wolf Monster.

And...

The child who had looked at her as though she were a monster.

"Th..."

The girl struggled to speak as she held something out.

"Thank... you for saving me."

It was a flower.

An ordinary wildflower that could be found anywhere in the forest.

Yet Valdrova accepted it as though it were more precious than anything else in the world.

The little girl’s toothless smile was more beautiful than anything she had ever seen.