My Slain Dragon Bride

Chapter 50: Chapter 50

Chapter 50 - Grand Ducal Council

"I feel the same way."

"......"

Upon hearing Ferda’s reply, Erdes leaned back.

The tense atmosphere vanished as though it had never existed, replaced by her hearty laughter.

"Really? I have a feeling you and I could actually have a conversation. You’re young, unlike those old geezers. I’d like it if we could talk like this more often."

"I’ll make sure to contact you first."

"Or I’ll do it first. Your Highness! I’ll be heading elsewhere now! They say beautiful women are always busy, don’t they?"

"Yes, of course! Please take care."

Erdes raised her glass and left her seat.

Once Alexander saw her figure disappear into the distance, he turned his head.

"Do you happen to have any ties with the Magic Association?"

"I do not."

There were many connections he would have eventually, but that was a story for the distant future.

"I’m not trying to criticize you. If there’s any lingering resentment, it’s better to resolve it quickly."

That was what he said, but Ferda knew better.

Alexander was growing increasingly anxious.

For the incompetent First Prince to build a power base, he needed overwhelming strength, and that strength was magic.

"More importantly, I heard you’ve been importing Monster corpses into the Far East recently..."

Ferda answered the sudden change of topic.

"That is correct."

"I was wondering what to do with them since we had nowhere left to bury them, and burning them every time was troublesome. I’m truly grateful that you’re taking those corpses away."

Alexander spoke with a cheerful smile, but unlike his words, his expression carried a sense of urgency.

’Tell me what you’re really up to.’

Ferda hesitated.

It had been his own decision to keep the production of Mana Stones a secret.

He believed it was still too early to reveal it.

He had intended to brush the matter aside with a vague explanation, but once he met Alexander’s eyes, he found he couldn’t.

’He’s the man who pointed a sword at his own father because he coveted the throne.’

No matter how much he tried to justify himself, he was an ambitious bastard.

That was an unchanging truth.

He was blinded by his desire for the throne.

He wanted to rule over a hundred million subjects.

That was why he had been flattering Erdes.

He was doing everything he could not to offend her.

’That’s why Erdes believes I’m inheriting Teshalos’s work.’

After all, there was a connection.

Ferda pondered.

Both choices were terrible.

He simply had to choose the one that was slightly less terrible.

"The truth is, we’re researching a method to produce Mana Stones using Monster corpses."

He decided to tell the truth.

Alexander seemed intrigued and listened attentively.

Anything related to magic meant money.

"Mana Stones? What exactly are they? Are they similar to those... crystal orbs that Mages use?"

"They’re similar in some ways, but different. These are objects that purely contain Mana."

"Oh..."

Ferda explained everything that was currently known about them.

"So, for example, they assist a Mage’s Mana?"

"That may be one application, but they can’t replenish Mana, nor can Mages use them directly."

"Ah, I see."

"Besides, the efficiency is only around seven percent at the moment, so for actual Mages..."

"Ah, I understand. Remarkable."

Alexander repeatedly expressed his admiration.

However, Ferda could clearly see his interest fading bit by bit.

"Anyway... you’re certain this has nothing to do with Black Magic?"

"That is correct."

"Of course, when conducting research, one inevitably has to touch upon many different fields. Intent is what matters, isn’t it? What I’m asking is whether you can assure me there isn’t even the slightest such intention."

Alexander continued to press him relentlessly.

Just as Ferda was about to repeat once again that there was no such possibility, a faint fragrance brushed past his nose before he could speak.

Ferda recognized that scent.

"You’re being rather aggressive with him for a first meeting, Brother."

The gentle voice naturally drew the attention of every man nearby.

It was Olivia Arken.

True to her title as the Flower of the Empire, she wore an extravagant dress and smiled with an alluring charm.

The moment Alexander saw Olivia, he burst into laughter again.

"My sister has arrived! Come to think of it, you’ve already met the Regent, haven’t you? My younger sister welcomed you on my behalf. I wonder if she treated you well."

Alexander casually rested a hand on Olivia’s shoulder.

"Oh? Why would you worry about that?"

Olivia replied with an innocent smile.

Alexander’s hand, which had been resting on her shoulder, slowly slid down along the curve of it.

"Because there was a problem, wasn’t there? A major problem for the Imperial Family."

"It was nothing more than needless worry. Lord Ferda is a man of great generosity."

"When the Empire’s safety hangs by a thread, some matters inevitably have to be neglected. What about the incident in the Imperial warehouse that nearly threw the entire nation into chaos? The more I think about it, the more convinced I become that having you involved in politics can only lead to disaster."

"Is that so? But everything was resolved peacefully. Oh, that’s right. Come to think of it, Brother probably has no idea what was actually happening, does he? The moment the Level-One Alert was issued, you tucked your tail between your legs—no, I mean, evacuated."

With an innocent expression and eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, she smiled.

The two of them smiled at each other while mercilessly stabbing one another with invisible blades.

It was painful even for the onlookers to listen.

"They’re both something else."

Ferda could only admire the spectacle.

He wondered if it was some hereditary trait shared by the Arken family.

"Isn’t that simply following standard procedure? If the Empire’s heir dies, the Empire itself falls. For the Empire’s sake, I had to survive."

"Ah, yes. Of course. Naturally. The heir, after all."

With crescent-shaped smiling eyes, she lightly covered her mouth with her fan.

Or rather, she merely pretended to hide it while subtly revealing a mocking smile.

"It certainly suits someone who boldly raised the blade of rebellion only to retreat in such a pitiful fashion."

"Haha, you fox-like woman. You were born with more charms than you deserve, seducing men wherever you go. No wonder they call you a temptress."

"Better than having something you can’t even make use of, don’t you think? For example..."

Olivia’s gaze slowly drifted downward toward Alexander’s crotch.

"I heard Father wishes to see a granddaughter. I wonder when you’ll finally give him a grandchild."

Alexander’s face turned bright red despite the smile he wore.

Then he glanced toward Ferda.

"Be careful. A beautiful rose always has thorns. And who knows? Those thorns may well be coated in deadly poison."

He gave the warning with a serious expression.

Ferda quietly looked at him.

His face remained expressionless, but he couldn’t hide how pathetic he found the man.

’Says the man who got pricked by those very thorns.’

Ferda didn’t know the exact details, but just before Olivia died, she had been in Alexander’s bedroom.

In the end, hadn’t Alexander died after trying to violate his own sister, only to be stabbed?

Alexander himself had ultimately fallen under Olivia’s beauty.

Hearing such words from him only made him seem even more pitiful.

"I know."

"You do? Then that’s reassuring. In that case, smile a little. Your face is far too stiff."

Alexander lightly patted Ferda on the back, wearing the easygoing smile of a friendly man.

Whenever he laughed, the surrounding nobles laughed along with him.

Watching the scene, Ferda thought,

’I want to go home.’

Valdrova’s face faintly appeared in his mind.

"So, in short, you’re saying it still has no practical use?"

"Yes."

"I understand. Then I’ll make sure to pay closer attention to the development of the Far Eastern territory from now on."

It was obviously a lie.

The First Prince, who was far too busy currying favor with the central nobles, had no interest whatsoever in the Far East.

"I am grateful that Your Highness is taking an interest."

Naturally, Ferda replied with a lie of his own.

"Go meet a few more people before the council begins. Ah, someone’s calling for me."

Alexander picked up his glass and walked away.

Finally, I can catch my breath.

The moment Ferda thought that, someone gently tugged at his sleeve.

It was Olivia.

She was still standing beside him.

"Is there anyone else you’d like to meet?"

She asked bluntly.

"No one particularly important. Besides, something far more important is about to happen."

Olivia’s shoulder brushed lightly against Ferda’s.

"The representatives of the great Dragons will be arriving shortly."

The representatives of the Dragons.

In other words, the Dragon Spawn were coming.

’Dragon Spawn...’

Ferda had rarely encountered Dragon Spawn.

At most, he had only briefly seen the spawn of the Blue Dragon, the master of magic.

Aside from Luri, he needed to see with his own eyes what the other Dragon Spawn looked like.

"I’m curious."

Ferda answered.

Olivia smiled brightly.

"Then come with me."

Olivia extended her hand toward him.

Her crimson lips moved with the shy grace of a young lady.

It was the sort of situation that would make any man feel his heart race.

"What is this?"

Ferda asked as he quietly looked at her.

"My? I’m asking you to escort me. Surely you’re not going to make a lady walk alone?"

Olivia blinked.

Her slightly hunched shoulders gave her the appearance of a defenseless young girl.

Ferda quietly took half a step backward.

"I’m already spoken for."

"Whether you are or not, this is something you should do. If we’re going to strengthen our mutual trust, shouldn’t we at least do this much?"

"I’ll leave it to Sir Zed—"

"Have you ever seen a woman sulk?"

A shadow fell across Olivia’s face.

"It’s not pleasant, you know."

"......"

Ferda honestly couldn’t have cared less.

When he remained indifferent, Olivia leaned even closer and spoke softly.

"Don’t you think it’s necessary for us to strengthen our trust as partners within the Empire? We’ll both be carrying many secrets. I think this much is the least we can do."

Olivia subtly threatened him while stubbornly refusing to back down.

However, at the moment, Olivia was his only ally within the Empire.

Ignoring her completely was difficult.

"Sigh... Very well."

"You should have agreed from the beginning."

With no other choice, Ferda extended his hand.

He had only intended to pretend to take hers lightly, but Olivia firmly clasped his hand and smiled happily.

Ferda quietly glanced toward Luri.

Her face was expressionless.

No...

Her lips were sticking out just slightly, wearing an unmistakable expression that said, ’I don’t like this.’

It was so subtle that only Ferda, who saw her face every day, could have noticed.

Of course, Luri didn’t openly complain.

She behaved exactly as an Attendant should.

Perhaps that made it even more unsettling.

’I’d rather not get scrubbed.’

Whether mentally or physically, the social world offered him nothing but suffering.

Half resigned to his fate, Ferda led Olivia toward the window.

Outside the territory of Blancaros stood a golden carriage.

Stepping out of it were an elderly man wearing ceremonial religious robes and a crown, accompanied by several clergymen.

"Do you know who those people are?"

Olivia slipped her hand through Ferda’s arm and held it firmly.

"Those are from the Holy Empire of Orosagrado."

"That’s right."

Gold Dragon, Orosagrado.

A nation founded upon the religion that worshiped Orosagrado as its supreme deity.

Although it bore the name Holy Empire, in reality it was closer to an alliance of the Holy Kingdom and the surrounding kingdoms.

Orosagrado had no Dragon Spawn.

Therefore, the Pope and the four High Pontiffs were walking toward the venue to attend the Grand Ducal Council.

A moment later, a blue portal opened.

Beyond it stretched the cool, characteristic landscape of the northwestern region.

From it emerged Dragon Spawn with blue hair and rounded horns at the ends.

"Those are Iorga’s Dragon Spawn. They never miss a Grand Ducal Council."

The forces of Iorga, the master of the Mage Tower and the being known as the Eye that Watches the Continent.

Rather than Mages, they were more suited to being scholars, and they walked with the elegance of nobles.

"Ah, they’re here as well."

Olivia lifted her head and looked toward the sky.

Five unfamiliar specks flew toward them through the blue heavens.

They streaked across the sky like silver comets, advancing without hesitation.

Ferda had seen that before through Luri.

’Silverwind.’

Despite their tremendous speed in flight, they landed lightly before stepping into Blancaros’s territory.

After confirming who they were, Ferda quietly shifted his gaze.

Luri, standing beside him, silently watched them.

There was an emotion in her eyes unlike anything he had sensed from her before.

He could feel just how tense she was.

"So that’s all three groups. It seems Storeus won’t be participating in today’s Grand Ducal Council after all. Well, it’s a relief not to have that headache."

"So they’re infamous?"

"They’re an Evil Dragon, after all. They’re nothing but troublemakers. They love stirring up fights."

As the Dragon Spawn gathered, the surrounding spectators began moving one after another.

They were heading toward the Grand Ducal Council chamber.

"You should get moving now."

Olivia said as she released the arm she had been holding.

Her status was that of a princess.

Unlike the princes, she held no voting rights in the council.

Ferda walked along with the crowd heading toward the council chamber.

The Grand Ducal Council, where the rulers from across the continent had gathered, was about to begin.