Chapter 42: Chapter 42
Chapter 42 - Dragon’s Reverse Scale
Valdrova Castle, within the Grand Duchy of Valdrova.
That day, Luri was giving her weekly report before Valdrova.
"According to the latest report, Lord Ferda has safely arrived in the Empire and is currently speaking with people in the Imperial Palace."
It was, of course, a report on Ferda’s movements.
Upon hearing it, Valdrova let out a snort as though finally able to breathe easy.
—I see. I’m glad he arrived safely.
"...Haven’t I told you countless times already? Ordinary monsters would never dare target that carriage."
The Far Eastern Region was considered abandoned land, with many undeveloped areas.
As a result, dense forests were everywhere, and where there were forests, there were monsters.
Encountering monsters while traveling happened more than twice as often there compared to other regions.
Even so, there was virtually no chance that Ferda’s carriage would ever be attacked.
When the carriage had been built, a single Dragon scale had been secretly concealed inside it.
Monsters driven by wild instinct would hesitate even to approach the scent and aura of a Dragon.
There would be no monster attacks whatsoever, and as an extra precaution, Arwen, a Knight serving Count Ulvera Consilus, had been assigned as an escort. Even if an attack somehow occurred, Ferda would still travel safely.
’And yet...’
Valdrova still could not put her mind at ease.
She simply disliked the idea of him leaving the Grand Duchy altogether.
She was already anxious the very moment he stepped beyond her sight. For the Red Dragon, Valdrova, the thought of him entering lands beyond her influence was like a bolt from the blue.
—I hope he’s eating properly.
—There aren’t any monsters lurking nearby, are there?
—He isn’t hurt anywhere, is he?
Those were the questions Luri had heard only six hours after Ferda’s departure.
’It’s not as though she’s looking after a sickly chick.’
She worried endlessly, treating him like a frail creature that might die at any moment.
It was inevitable.
To an Immortal who had existed since nearly the beginning of time, an eighteen-year-old Mortal was no different from an ant crawling on the ground.
Moreover, Ferda’s body was even weaker than that of an average human.
Left with no other choice, Luri had attached one of her Spirits to Ferda’s carriage so that it would report back every three hours.
And she absolutely hated making those reports.
’With every passing day, Her Majesty grows further from the dignity of a Monarch.’
To begin with, Valdrova had never been much like a Monarch.
Luri knew both sides of her master.
Whenever Valdrova assumed her Red Dragon form, she always spoke with solemnity and gravity.
The lonely, isolated guardian she became radiated overwhelming tension.
Yet when she took on human form, she cast all of that tension aside.
Her face, expressions, and gestures changed so completely that she seemed like an entirely different person—a pure-hearted woman utterly devoid of imposing dignity.
’I can accept every side of her...’
But Luri at least wished the boundary between those two selves would remain intact.
However, ever since Ferda entered Valdrova’s life, even her dragon form had begun losing its majestic presence.
Conflicting emotions swirled within her.
Luri wanted her master to be happy.
At the same time, she also wished the Aspect of Strength would continue to possess the dignity befitting her status.
’Ferda.’
Everything had changed because that man had appeared.
There was much for which she was grateful to him, yet just as much she resented him.
"I will refrain from reporting on his return journey."
At those words, Valdrova shifted uneasily.
—Why?
"Now that we know Lord Ferda’s route is safe, there’s no need to keep reporting while he’s coming back, is there?"
—...But the return journey could become dangerous as well, couldn’t it?
There she went again, sounding just like a grandmother worrying over her grandchild.
"Then why don’t you go and meet him yourself?"
—Hmm...
Valdrova lowered her head with a thoughtful groan.
For all the concern she carried, she still found facing humans uncomfortable.
Seeing her unable to answer, Luri drove the point home.
"You needn’t worry so much about Lord Ferda. To our eyes, eighteen is still a child, but in human society, he is a fully grown adult."
—I know that.
"And he has been handling all the things that even you could not do."
—I know that as well...
"So please don’t worry too much. As long as you remain safe, there will never be a moment when Lord Ferda is truly threatened."
Just as she was trying to reassure Valdrova...
A breeze stirred through the quiet Lair before gathering into a white silhouette.
Tormenta, the High-ranking Wind Spirit, floated beside Luri with only her face manifested.
"It seems news regarding Lord Ferda has arrived. Please excuse me for a moment..."
—I understand.
Valdrova straightened herself and waited for Luri to speak.
Luri listened calmly...
Then her eyes suddenly widened.
"What? What do you mean by that...?"
She shouted in shock before hurriedly lowering her voice again.
But Valdrova had not failed to hear it.
—What is it?
Luri did not answer.
She merely continued listening to the Spirit’s whisper.
—Has something happened?
"Please wait a moment, Master."
Valdrova’s golden eyes shifted.
She could sense it clearly from Luri’s demeanor.
—What has happened?
—Has something happened to my fiancé?
Her patience had reached its limit.
The Aspect of Strength was beginning to lose her composure.
Crunch—
Her claws dug into the stone floor, shattering it.
Rumble...
As Valdrova’s emotions fluctuated, the entire cavern shook violently.
—Speak truthfully.
Tell me what has happened to my fiancé.
Red Dragon, Valdrova.
The mistress of fire and strength.
The power she had been suppressing was slowly being released.
At last, after listening to the Spirit’s report, Luri spoke.
"There is no need for concern."
—Then what happened?
"It is merely a political matter. The report was sent urgently for that reason alone."
—So... my fiancé is unharmed?
"Yes."
The trembling of the cavern ceased.
Valdrova, who had begun rising, let out a relieved sigh before curling back into place.
—Then why did you look so serious?
"I was simply concentrating. I apologize for causing you concern."
—Hmm... I see.
No, it’s alright.
Trusting Luri, Valdrova calmed her racing heart.
"Then I shall take my leave. There are still many documents concerning the territory waiting to be handled..."
"Very well. You may go."
Luri quietly left Valdrova’s Lair.
She walked without saying a word.
Leaving the cavern, she slowly made her way into the forest before stopping beside a signpost.
This should be far enough.
Only after reaching a distance where Valdrova could no longer sense her did she finally open the mouth she had kept tightly shut.
"Tormenta."
The High-ranking Wind Spirit, who had shown only her face earlier, fully appeared at her call.
—Yes, Master.
"Regarding the report delivered by your subordinate..."
Her calm voice trembled faintly.
"Do you swear that not a single word of it is false?"
The Wind Spirit Tormenta visibly flinched.
Behind her expressionless, businesslike face lay unmistakable agitation.
It was only natural.
The news she had received was far more than a simple political matter.
—Yes.
It has been officially recorded that he was attacked by a Magic Investigator inside the Sealed Vault and sustained injuries.
An urgent report was sent, and I merely conveyed it as instructed.
The Regent of the Far Eastern Region had been injured within the Imperial Palace.
Among ordinary humans, such a matter might eventually be settled through politics and diplomacy.
But the victim was no ordinary man.
He was the one destined to become a Dragon’s spouse.
’Master’s fiancé.’
Valdrova had already become deeply shaken merely by suspecting that something had happened.
Had Luri told her he had actually been injured...
It would never have remained a matter of diplomacy or politics.
’Master would lose all reason and begin moving...’
And the other Dragons would move as well.
That absolutely had to be prevented.
’The Dragons must not move.’
Dragon Spawn, however...were another matter entirely.
"I understand."
Silver wings spread from Luri’s back.
They shone brilliantly, larger than ever before, extending with overwhelming force.
Whooom!
With a single beat of her wings, Luri vanished.
The Silver Dragon.
The master of wind and steel.
Once she took flight, she was famed for being impossible to follow with the naked eye, earning her the title of the Silver Comet.
Having inherited that power, Luri herself could move at extraordinary speed.
An oppressive emotion kept welling up inside her chest.
Why had he entered the Sealed Vault?
And why had he nearly died inside the Imperial Palace?
’Did they truly think so little of Master?’
Luri had disliked the Empire from the very beginning.
Its Third Prince, who carried that bloodline, had approached Valdrova solely to exploit her.
As if that were not enough, the nobles had even used it as an excuse to expel Ferda from House Rosnova.
An insult.
An unforgivable insult.
Yet Luri had remained still.
Not because she did not care...
But because Valdrova herself had wished it.
She believed her own unhappiness was only natural and had let go of the hope she once held without desperately clinging to it.
’Only now... had she finally managed to grasp that hope.’
And they dared place the person destined to become a Dragon’s spouse in mortal danger?
Craaack—
After flying at full speed for about five minutes, the Empire finally came into view.
The place that had taken Ferda an entire week to reach...
She had arrived there in an instant.
Her silver eyes locked onto the Imperial Palace.
’It doesn’t matter what the reason was.’
Someone would have to answer for this.
The silver comet that split the heavens descended toward the Imperial Palace.
***
"Level One Alert! This is a message to all Knights and Mages within the Imperial Palace! Everyone is to enter wartime readiness and assemble immediately at the entrance to the Palace Garden!"
The impact site was the Palace Garden.
The Knights and Mages, rudely awakened by this bolt from the blue, hurried toward the scene.
Ferda also walked toward the garden along with them.
One Knight noticed him calmly walking and immediately drew his sword.
"Who are you!? I’ve never seen you in the Imperial Palace before!"
He looked like a young man overflowing with justice and a sense of duty.
At the same time, unlike the other Knights, he also looked rather naïve.
"I am Ferda, Regent of Valdrova."
"Ferda Valdrova? Ah! You’re the one who was arriving today... My apologies for not recognizing you, Lord Regent!"
"It’s quite alright. Is everyone gathering at the Palace Garden?"
"Yes, sir. Since this is a Level One emergency, would you please take shelter in your room?"
"That isn’t a bad idea, but I think it would be better if I came with you."
"...Pardon?"
"Guide me to the Palace Garden. I’m not familiar with the layout here."
"I can’t allow that. This is a Level One emergency. Your life could be in danger, Lord Regent."
From those words, Ferda realized something.
This man had absolutely no idea what was really happening.
"You’re already in danger because of me."
"...Because of you, Lord Regent?"
The young Knight looked utterly confused.
Ferda sighed at the blank expression on his face.
"What is your name?"
"Ah, my name is Malcolm. I’m from Peach Hill, so I don’t have a family name."
"I see. Malcolm of Peach Hill. Don’t waste your limited understanding trying to make sense of this. All you need to do is guide me to where we’re going."
"B-But I have a duty to protect the citizens..."
"You’re rather difficult to reason with. Tell me, would you rather lose your life, or resolve this in the best possible way?"
"I came here fully prepared to lay down my life."
"..."
He was even more impossible than Ferda had imagined.
It was best not to associate with people who simply couldn’t understand what was being said.
"I’ll find my own way, then."
"W-Wait! You can’t go that way! Really...!"
Leaving Malcolm behind, Ferda continued walking.
The young Knight kept trying to stop him, but he didn’t dare lay a hand on the Regent and could only follow anxiously nearby.
In front of the Palace Garden—
More precisely, at the entrance leading into the Imperial Palace—
A large number of Knights and Mages had already assembled.
"Third Knight Order! Tight defensive formation!"
"Fifth Knight Order! Tight defensive formation! Form the wing formation!"
Under the command of the Knight Commanders, they sealed off the entrance.
"Second Mage Battalion! Prepare defensive spells!"
"Third Mage Battalion! Prepare bombardment magic!"
The Mages likewise finished their preparations, ready to face the intruder.
"The intruder is moving! They’re approaching the entrance!"
A Mage maintaining a detection spell shouted the warning.
"All forces! Battle positions!"
The tension became suffocating.
Standing before them was a wall woven from rose vines.
A moment later...
A silver flash cut through it in the shape of a rectangle.
With that brilliant flash, the wall of vines collapsed, leaving behind a doorway.
The intruder revealed herself.
Stepping through the opening was a silver-haired girl dressed in a Maid uniform.
’Luri.’
Exactly as Ferda had expected.
If anyone were to storm the Imperial Palace in this situation, she would undoubtedly be the first to arrive.
However, she looked different from usual.
Silver wings spread from her back, and a thick tail extended beneath her skirt.
A pair of horns jutted backward like bolts of lightning.
And surrounding her was an overwhelming aura that instinctively awakened terror.
"A-A Dragon!?"
Someone cried out.
The morale of the assembled soldiers plummeted instantly.
Those who had never even seen a Dragon Spawn, let alone a Dragon, were immediately swept up by the atmosphere.
"Don’t be afraid! It’s only a Dragon Spawn!"
A Dragon Spawn.
Servants of Dragons, created after inheriting Dragon’s Blood and completing the Ascension Ceremony.
Each of them possessed the strength of a highly trained Knight, easily capable of defeating three or four human Knights on their own.
The commander shouted that she was merely a Dragon Spawn.
But those words were spoken only to steady the soldiers’ morale.
Even he couldn’t truly believe what he was saying.
’A Dragon Spawn broke through the Royal Court Mages’ barrier in a single strike and entered the Palace?’
The Imperial Palace was the safest structure humanity had ever built.
The defensive Magic Circles that protected it from aerial attacks consisted of three separate layers.
Unless all three were penetrated simultaneously, the barriers would simply regenerate, making aerial infiltration impossible.
Even meteorites had failed to penetrate those defenses and had instead been obliterated.
Yet that girl had shattered them alone.
’...And can a Dragon Spawn really produce Dragon Fear on this level?’
That was precisely what confused even those Knights who had previously encountered Dragon Spawn.
Dragon Spawn were incapable of emitting Dragon Fear.
Yet that girl was radiating Dragon Fear.
Like a Dragon whose reverse scale had been touched.
Their hands and legs trembled uncontrollably.
Cold sweat poured down their bodies.
The defensive formations were on the verge of collapsing, and several Mages lost concentration, causing their spellcasting to fail.
"Ugh..."
Even Malcolm, who had been lingering nearby, could no longer withstand the Dragon Fear and collapsed onto the ground.
At that moment, he witnessed something unbelievable.
’How is Lord Regent remaining so calm?’
Not only was he free of cold sweat...
He was the only person still standing firmly on both feet.
Even while staring directly at that terrifying figure, he never wavered.
"You said your name was Malcolm, didn’t you?"
Ferda casually spoke to him.
"Y-Yes? Ah... y-yes, that’s right."
"It seems you were correct."
"...Pardon?"
Ferda’s gaze was fixed on Luri.
Luri’s eyes were fixed on him as well.
"It seems... I may be the one in danger after all."
She was absolutely furious with Ferda.
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