Chapter 108: Chapter 108
Chapter 108 - Karma
The strike had ended, and the dispute had been resolved.
The incidents that had occurred in Hestia Village had, for the time being, been brought to a close.
Of course, while everything had been settled for the people of Hestia Village, Ferda still had many more problems to deal with.
’The return of the Demon Race.’
In the end, the prediction made by Bernard Wayne, the Headmaster of Escolleia, had been correct.
After all, it had been confirmed that Curved Demon, one of those once known as the Seven Calamities, was still alive.
’And he’s strong.’
The amount of Mana visible on the surface wasn’t particularly great, but its depth was on an entirely different level.
The ability to create a pocket dimension with nothing more than the swipe of a finger.
The power to distort and destroy a designated location with a single finger snap.
Every one of those abilities surpassed Ferda’s own.
’If I meet him again... can I really defeat him?’
Every card Ferda possessed.
Every piece of data he had gathered while observing Curved Demon.
He replayed the battle hundreds of times inside his mind.
’My win rate doesn’t even reach a whole percent.’
Even that prediction of victory assumed that some unforeseen miracle would occur.
Moreover, the simulated Curved Demon was limited only to the level of strength Ferda had already observed.
If they truly fought and the monster revealed hidden trump cards...
Ferda had no means of responding.
No matter how he looked at it, the probability of Ferda winning approached zero.
’I have to become stronger.’
He needed enough power to ascend to an even higher realm and crush him completely.
’But is that even possible for me right now?’
He now had a territory.
Everything under the Grand Duchess’s domain had to be coordinated by him.
As his workload increased, it would only continue to grow.
And the busier he became, the more his training as a Mage would inevitably suffer.
’Perhaps... this is exactly when I should train even harder.’
But if things were as simple as wishing them into existence, life would be far easier.
The Red Circle fundamentally moved according to emotional upheaval.
Love and hatred were said to be separated by nothing more than a sheet of paper.
There was a reason the phrase "love-hate" existed.
If his heart were to become corrupted, he would once again walk the path of hatred that he knew so well.
Only through restraint and unwavering conviction could proper growth be achieved.
’But... just how strong could I become that way?’
He had a lantern.
But it was far too dim to illuminate the endless fog.
He didn’t know what lay ahead on the path he was walking.
’What if... I could use that power again?’
The Red Circle fueled by rage.
That was a path Ferda already knew.
He even knew exactly how to do it.
Against someone like Curved Demon, he might even be able to overpower him with ease.
There’s a chance.
Then, as though waking from a dream, he forcefully shook the thought away.
’...I’m far more cornered than I realized.’
To think he had actually been seriously considering such a foolish idea.
That power must never be created again.
In the end, wasn’t it the very emotion that had killed Valdrova?
He must never believe he could control it.
For ten whole years, Ferda had lived under exactly that illusion.
As though fleeing from the thought, he turned to another possibility.
’Then perhaps... another means...’
A Staff imbued with Mana.
A scroll inscribed with Magic Circles.
Or perhaps something created through Magitech Engineering.
Any of those could become another weapon at his disposal.
’What I used in the past was...’
A Staff known as the Sixth Element.
The ultimate armament he had obtained after fighting for an entire week inside the Tomb of the Undying King.
’That’s not something I can use.’
It was a relic left behind by the Undying King, once the Public Enemy of the Continent before the Dragon-Demon War.
Back then, Ferda had been alone.
He had been little different from a notorious criminal himself, so it hardly mattered whether he used it or not.
The only thing at stake had been his own reputation.
But now, using it would put Valdrova in danger.
’Still... there is something comparable.’
The tree branch struck by Reverse Heaven Lightning.
The item he had received as a reward for his contributions during the monster incident in Halim.
He had never shown it to anyone.
He had simply stored it away.
If he forged that branch into a Staff...
He would be able to wield the pure power of Reverse Heaven Lightning.
’But making it won’t be easy.’
The more powerful and efficient a spell was, the more difficult it naturally became to craft.
Perhaps a hundred years ago it would have been possible.
But in Ferda’s era, there existed neither an Enchantment Mage nor a blacksmith skilled enough to create a Staff capable of withstanding Reverse Heaven Lightning.
Even the dwarf villages in the southwest would refuse to handle anything connected to a Witch.
And if he asked the elves, they would probably think he was mocking them and treat him with hostility.
’Convincing the dwarves is my only option.’
If he could persuade them somehow...
Perhaps they would eventually agree.
Just then, a visitor arrived.
Knock.
Knock.
The knocks came slowly, with long pauses between them.
Even the sound alone carried a distinct lack of confidence.
The door carefully opened.
"Mr. Ferda? Are you busy?"
The terrifying head of a Dragon peeked inside.
It was Valdrova.
"No. It’s fine. Do you need Mana?"
"Yes... today as well..."
"Understood."
Now that they had grown accustomed to this routine, there was no longer any need for lengthy conversation.
She wore her Dragon Dragoon Armor, towering well over two meters tall.
The only exposed skin was her right hand.
Ferda placed his own hand against it and infused his Mana.
’As always... it’s warm.’
The Mana flowing into her chest soothed her anxious heart.
No matter how many times she experienced it...
She wanted to experience it again and again.
It made her feel that comfortable.
Perhaps because of that...
She momentarily forgot why she had come here in the first place.
’I didn’t come here just for this!’
The real reason she had deliberately come to see Ferda today...
Was because she had made an important decision.
’Today... I want to choose the topic of conversation myself.’
Wasn’t that exactly why she kept coming here?
As it happened...
There was something she had always wanted to ask.
’What does Mr. Ferda think about the Armored Knight?’
Her heart pounded.
Come to think of it...
Asking what he thought of the Armored Knight...
Was practically the same as asking what he thought of her.
’I’ll ask him.’
Suppressing her pounding heart with all her might, Valdrova forced herself to speak.
"M-Mr. Ferda!"
"Yes."
"Um... L-Luri mentioned something recently..."
Her pronunciation kept slipping.
Because of the voice-modulation device, it sounded like a mournful echo to Ferda.
Remaining calm, he replied,
"What was it?"
"Well... th-that Armored Knight has been doing amazing... things...!"
She even bit her tongue midway, completely killing her momentum.
"So... I-I heard..."
"Ah, that person."
Ferda looked surprised.
He couldn’t understand why she would suddenly be curious about such a thing.
Valdrova desperately suppressed the truth that wanted to escape her lips.
"Luri... told me that he really... cares about the village."
"That’s true."
It certainly was.
Hearing those words...
The anxiety in her heart was instantly replaced by excitement.
"Really?"
"In the beginning, before Halim started providing support, his efforts played a tremendous role. Thanks to him, we were able to construct many buildings much more quickly."
"I-I see..."
So...
He thought she had been helpful.
A warm sense of pride quietly rose within her.
"At first, I worried he might be a rebellious traitor with seditious intentions..."
"And then?"
"I was mistaken."
There was hope in her voice.
"So... does that mean he’s a good person?"
"He is a good person."
Valdrova felt like she could spread her wings and flap happily into the sky at any moment.
"But he has quite a few problems in many respects."
"...Huh?"
That joy lasted only for a moment.
The higher she rose...
The farther she had to fall.
"I think he’s rather foolish."
"F-Foolish?"
"Even during this council meeting, it was obvious that he kept getting pushed around by other people. He doesn’t exactly strike me as someone who’s particularly intelligent."
"Th-That’s..."
"And honestly, wearing a suit of knight’s armor while keeping the Oath of Silence means written communication is more important than for anyone else. Yet his handwriting is terrible, and he can’t even follow basic spelling rules..."
"..."
"A guy like that is bound to ruin his life if he ends up trusting the wrong people. I can’t help feeling a little worried."
"..."
Ferda glanced quietly at her hand.
"Are you alright?"
"...Y-Yes?"
"Your hand is bright red."
The hand that had once been as white as jade had somehow turned as red as a carrot.
Valdrova noticed it as well and hurriedly pulled her hand away.
"I-It’s nothing..."
"It could be some kind of rejection reaction. We should examine it more carefully—"
"I-I’m really fine! It’s nothing at all, so please don’t worry about it!"
Valdrova abruptly jumped to her feet.
Her sudden reaction startled Ferda.
"I’ll be leaving early today."
"Have you received enough? It feels like I gave you less Mana than usual."
"Yes... I... happen to need a little strength today."
With that, she hurriedly fled the room.
Watching her leave, Ferda realized he had made a mistake.
’As I thought... speaking ill of someone behind their back wasn’t a good idea.’
He had believed he had softened his words enough.
Apparently, he had been mistaken.
She had gone to the trouble of bringing up a topic for conversation...
Only for him to make her uncomfortable.
’I’ll avoid doing that next time.’
Making that resolution, Ferda looked forward to their next meeting.
***
Valdrova returned straight to her Lair.
She climbed out of her armor and immediately collapsed onto the floor.
Unlike usual, she hugged her knees tightly.
"Uuu..."
A quiet groan escaped her lips.
Her body trembled slightly.
"Master, it’s Luri. I’m coming in."
Luri entered the room.
The first thing she saw was Valdrova, curled up like a human cocoon.
"...Why are you like this?"
"Luriii..."
Calling Luri’s name, Valdrova slowly raised her head.
Her face was every bit as red as the color of her hair.
"..."
Luri already knew why.
She had heard the entire conversation.
With tears welling in her eyes, Valdrova buried her face into the little Attendant’s chest.
"Please tell me."
"M-Mr. Ferda... Mr. Ferda called me stupid..."
"..."
"Can’t you at least deny it?"
She looked up with tearful eyes.
But Luri didn’t react in the slightest.
"Isn’t that why I’ve always told you to study more?"
"I-I did... I really did..."
"And besides, you’ve heard people say that many times before. Is it really worth reacting like this?"
"I know Iorga said it... and other people did too..."
Valdrova hugged her legs even tighter and whimpered sadly.
"But when Mr. Ferda says it... it hurts so much more."
"He didn’t even say it directly to you, did he?"
"That’s exactly why it hurts even more! He always speaks so kindly to me, but deep down he probably thinks I’m an absolute idiot!"
"..."
"Please deny it. I’m really going to cry."
Luri’s lack of response only made Valdrova feel even more miserable.
"You don’t need to worry. If you continue making an effort, I’m certain he’ll recognize that side of you as well."
"Really?"
"So..."
Luri held out two books toward her.
- Spelling Made Easy Even for Young Children
"- How to Become an Elegant Young Lady for Children: Let’s Practice Beautiful Handwriting!"
"You’ll be studying them... won’t you?"
Valdrova looked back and forth between Luri and the two books before finally speaking with great difficulty.
"...Okay."
There was no age limit when it came to learning.
***
That night, Ferda had a dream.
Valdrova was there.
It wasn’t a castle.
It was a small house.
A humble home, just like the one where Ferda had stayed after being driven out of the castle and losing all his money.
’A dream.’
It wasn’t a nightmare.
So he decided to simply sit there until he woke up.
"You’re awake?"
A beautiful voice gently tickled his ears.
Ferda had heard this voice only once before.
With a faint sense of hope, he slowly looked up.
Long crimson hair.
Golden eyes.
She lacked the two pairs of horns and the long slit pupils, and she wore simple, modest clothing.
Even so, Ferda knew exactly who she was.
’There’s no mistake.’
It was Valdrova.
"What’s wrong? You don’t look well."
Her hand gently caressed his cheek.
A warmth, as comforting as home itself, enveloped his entire body.
Seeing the tension leave Ferda’s face, Valdrova smiled softly.
Perhaps because he was holding her hand...
Its warmth and texture felt unbelievably real.
For a fleeting moment, he even thought...
Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad to remain trapped in this dream forever.
"Shall we do that?"
"...That?"
When Ferda responded with genuine confusion, Valdrova smiled at him as though he were adorable.
She leaned closer.
"It’s something you’re good at."
Her soft hand took hold of his.
Without offering the slightest resistance, Ferda’s hand was gently guided away.
She led it...
To her neck.
Before he realized it...
Ferda was strangling her.
"Go on."
"Kill me."
Startled, Ferda tried to pull his hand away.
But it wouldn’t move.
His hand had been firmly fixed in place.
The harder he struggled...
The tighter his grip became.
Blood began flowing from her golden eyes.
Valdrova’s figure melted and twisted.
—Why?
A scream burst from her lips.
—Why did you kill me?
Countless voices swam through Ferda’s mind.
It was karma.
The karma born from everything he had done.
A karma that could never be escaped...
Even by returning to the past.
People said karma would one day return...
And wrap its hands around your throat.
But Ferda’s karma was different.
It was forcing him to strangle someone else’s neck.
The neck...
Of the person he should have loved the most.
His karma knew.
It knew that this was the greatest suffering it could possibly inflict upon him.
—Why? Why? Why?
—I didn’t do anything...
—Give my father back!
The chaotic voices grew louder and louder.
His fingers tightened around that slender neck.
And at the end of the chaos...
An unbearable silence arrived.
Had he awakened?
No.
The slender sensation around his hand was still painfully vivid.
Ferda.
A voice echoed within him.
Now... listen to my voice once more.
The voice was unbearably sweet.
Remember who you are.
Ah...
I...
Crack.
***
He opened his eyes to the sound of something snapping and breaking.
Cold sweat poured down his body, leaving him utterly miserable.
But even more unpleasant than that...
’The circuit...’
The Red Circle was spinning violently.
Again.
Even though these feelings weren’t directed toward Valdrova...
The circuit within his chest was rotating with terrifying intensity.
Ferda forced himself upright.
He emptied his mind.
Until nothing remained.
Until it became completely blank.
Soon, his Circle gradually calmed down.
It had been even easier than he had feared.
But that simplicity...
Only disturbed him more.
Because it meant...
He already knew how.
’Why...’
His thoughts drifted toward a feeling of déjà vu.
A feeling that should never have existed within him.
’Why does hatred still remain inside me?’
Because it was that very hatred...
That had once transformed Ferda into the Ninth Circle Calamity.
***
Ferda’s thoughts became a tangled mess.
This wasn’t some absurd theory like Mana Fatalism.
He could actually feel it.
It was truly there.
Actually spinning inside him.
Deep down...
He had already suspected as much.
’Then... what happened back then wasn’t my imagination after all?’
Abel Silverwind.
A third-rate villain not even worth remembering.
The one who had threatened Luri.
Back then, Ferda had claimed everything that existed within the darkness as his own.
Through it...
He had invaded Abel’s very body...
And killed him on the spot.
That wasn’t something a Four-Circle Mage could possibly accomplish.
Not even Ferda himself should have been capable of such a feat.
He carefully recalled the sensation from that day.
As though slowly rewinding time itself...
He returned to the moment just before Abel’s death.
Are you just going to stand there and watch?
’That voice.’
It had been a sweet voice.
It had stirred something sleeping inside him.
Drawing out a hidden power.
The very power that had once consumed him with rage.
’Even after turning back time... that power still remains?’
The power that had killed his family.
The power that had slaughtered innocent people.
And the power that had even killed...
The woman he now loved.
That power...
Still existed within Ferda.
He was confused.
This was on an entirely different level from simply worrying about Mana Fatalism.
Back then...
It had only been a vague fear.
This time...
He had evidence.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Someone knocked on the bedroom door.
Luri stepped inside.
"Lord Ferda."
"Why are you here?"
Without realizing it, irritation had slipped into his voice.
"You have a visitor."
"I have no intention of receiving visitors today. Send them away."
"It’s someone Lord Ferda knows, so I thought I should ask first."
"Someone I know?"
Who would come here to see him personally?
As countless names swirled through his mind...
The name that left Luri’s lips was someone completely unexpected.
"It’s your father, Lord Ferda."
"Erembalt Rosnova."
The very beginning...
Of all the hatred he carried.
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