My Slain Dragon Bride

Chapter 71: Chapter 71

Chapter 71 - Change Must Be Bold

Ferda was left slightly dumbfounded after hearing those words.

After laying out such an elaborate line of deduction, the conclusion had come completely out of nowhere.

"The child of a demon?"

Was this woman seriously making jokes after saying all that?

That was what it seemed like, yet Erdes’s expression was serious.

No—she wore a playful smile, but her face made it clear that, at the very least, those words were no joke.

Ferda thought to himself.

How should I respond to this?

Should he fly into a rage?

Or should he continue wearing the same exhausted expression?

It was Erdes who broke the awkward silence.

"I paid Erembalt Rosnova a visit."

It didn’t sound like a simple visit.

She had undoubtedly turned the place upside down.

House Rosnova.

From the moment she became involved, Ferda had naturally assumed she would investigate his background.

Erdes blinked at his reaction.

"Oh? That’s an unexpected response. Most people lose their temper when someone messes with their family."

"That man wanted to deny my very existence."

After his mother died, Erembalt Rosnova no longer treated Ferda as his son.

He ignored the abuse from his siblings and the servants.

If anything, he seemed to encourage it.

In the end, the center of all that cruelty had been his own father.

"What a wonderful father-son relationship~. Even so, he never denied your existence. Maybe that’s because he’s living quite comfortably under Grand Duchess Valdrova."

As though revealing her next trump card, Erdes immediately continued.

"But your mother was a different story."

His mother.

"Oh? Looks like you truly loved your mother. Your expression changed."

Having found a weakness, Erdes grinned like a mischievous child.

"He said he spent years in bliss because he’d been bewitched by that woman, and only came to his senses after she died."

Her childish mannerisms were beginning to irritate him.

"You know what amazed me? Do you know what that man said? He claimed he spent ten whole years believing he had loved a woman he never actually loved. Ten years. He hypnotized himself for an entire decade. I suppose that’s what happens when a Mage’s bloodline runs true. Or should I say... a demon’s?"

There was no need to think deeply to understand her intention.

That damned woman was insulting his mother.

"Anna Rosnova was a wonderful mother."

"Even a hedgehog thinks its own child is adorable. Especially when that child carries the blood of the demon she loved so dearly."

"I don’t care whether it’s a hedgehog or a goblin. But if you keep running your mouth, I won’t stay quiet either."

"And what if you don’t?"

A fierce light burst from Erdes’s eyes.

"Do you think your pathetic love for your mother is enough to change my conclusion?"

Erdes was deliberately provoking Ferda’s emotions.

She hated Black Magic.

She hated demons.

She hated those who possessed a Red Circle.

Ferda saw through her intentions.

She was trying to shake his emotions and drive him into losing control.

See? This is the true face of those who follow Black Magic.

Yes.

It was an obvious ploy.

Yet even though it was so obvious, he could not ignore it.

Even Alte, whose doctrine preached mercy, mercilessly killed anyone who stepped into the sacred domain.

His mother was his sacred domain.

Anyone who touched it...

He killed every single one of them.

Erdes Roton.

It seems that even in this lifetime, you are destined to die by my hand.

"Don’t you think you’ve strayed far too much from the original subject, Erdes Roton?"

A refined, noblewoman’s voice echoed through the room.

Ferda remembered that voice.

He remembered those he hated better than those he liked.

For him, she was someone impossible to forget.

He turned his head.

She was there.

A woman with blue hair dressed in military uniform.

Erika Iorga.

The leader of the Blue Dragon Spawn.

Why is she here?

Ferda quietly glanced toward Luri.

Luri subtly raised his thumb, as if answering the question.

At least she seemed to be an ally.

"Strayed from the subject? Whatever do you mean?"

"Weren’t we clearly discussing Abel Silverwind’s death? Yet you’re so obviously trying to shake his emotions by suddenly claiming his mother was a demon."

"If he’s the child of a demon, then naturally Sitri must have favored him."

"Demons do not help other demons. And the idea that a Great Demon like Sitri would assist someone simply because they’re of the same race is absurd."

She defended Ferda by using the very characteristics of demons.

Smiling, Erdes twirled a strand of her golden hair around her index finger.

It was a sign that she was annoyed.

"It’s been a while, Erika. Have you been doing well?"

"Yes. It has indeed been a while, Erdes Roton."

Erdes addressed her casually.

Erika smiled politely.

Yet the tension between them rivaled even that between Goz and Ferda.

"How is Lady Iorga these days? Hmm? I hear the Magic Tower has been caught up in quite a few scandals lately."

"There’s no need for your concern. Compared to the criticism you’ve received, ours amounts to nothing more than a drop in the ocean—a speck of dust on a fly’s leg. It’s something we can handle."

"Oh really? But a jewel that’s supposed to shine brilliantly shouldn’t have even the tiniest flaw, don’t you think? At the very least, a leader shouldn’t tolerate such things."

"It’s fine. We’re in a completely different class from people who don’t even realize they’re shattered glass while insisting they’re precious jewels."

Despite exchanging words that could kill with a mere brush, both women maintained elegant smiles.

Unlike Ferda, there was an immeasurable gulf between the two of them.

Watching their verbal battle, he felt the anger born from the insult slowly subside.

"To continue defending him, what Lord Ferda uses is Shadow Arts. It doesn’t align with Sitri, who governs lust and illusion. Claiming he made a deal with that demon simply doesn’t fit."

"Amon could have handed him Marbas’s Magic Grimoire. That’s hardly impossible."

Amon was the Demon of Fire.

Marbas was the Demon of Ice.

The two were bitter enemies.

"Only if it benefited him. Otherwise, there’s no reason for it. Demons don’t do meaningless things. Surely someone hailed as an authority on Black Magic should know that."

Erika was absolutely right.

It would mean doing all the work only for someone else to reap the rewards.

Demons would never allow such a thing.

And Erdes knew it as well.

She knew she was forcing an unreasonable argument.

She was merely trying to provoke him no matter what.

Which was exactly why Erika’s sudden appearance infuriated her.

"So you’re saying it’s perfectly acceptable for the future husband of a dragon to use Black Magic? Or is your relentless effort to paint Grand Duchess Valdrova as an Evil Red Dragon just another scheme to drive her into taking her own life? Our dear Erika wears spotless white, yet her heart is pitch-black."

"The fact that Regent Valdrova uses Black Magic does not automatically mean her nature is evil."

Erika answered firmly.

Erdes let out a disbelieving laugh.

"Erika. I’ve told you countless times. That cursed Black Magic is filth that pollutes Cerdes. I want to wipe out every last one of them."

That was Erika’s obsession.

Her almost pathological purity.

"A human’s Red Circle is born from emotion. The easiest source is negative emotion. Those negative emotions draw in darkness. Anyone who uses Black Magic is a threat."

"There is a teaching among Knights that says one should make use of anger. If one knows how to control negative emotions, then they are by no means evil."

"It’s the magic of those demon bastards trying to devour the continent."

"The demons themselves may have impure intentions, but that alone doesn’t mean everything derived from them is inherently evil."

"Hah... You’re still trapped in that Dragon-Demon War. So what? You participated in it too, and because you used Black Magic to contribute to the war effort, you think that gives you the right to speak?"

That revelation came as quite a surprise.

Erika Iorga.

Unlike the other Dragon Spawn, she was an Elemental Master capable of controlling every element.

She was also a Meister.

Today was the first time Ferda had learned that she used Black Magic.

"Erika, that’s not magic. It’s a tool that gives humans a false sense of omnipotence, draws out the evil hidden within them, and destroys both themselves and everyone around them."

"No."

Erika answered just as firmly.

"Magic is merely a tool. How it is used depends entirely on the person wielding it. Even if it is magic born from Hell, if it is worth studying and advancing, then it deserves to be used."

"So you actually believe this little brat can use it properly?"

Erdes jerked her chin toward Ferda.

Erika also turned to look at him.

Her eyes showed that she had made up her mind.

"When the time comes to change, one must do so boldly."

She spoke each syllable slowly and clearly.

"I, Erika Iorga, representing all Blue Dragon Spawn, hereby propose an alliance with the territory of Grand Duchess Valdrova."

Using the shock of her sudden declaration, she pressured the opposing side.

"If the Silverwind faction chooses to declare all-out war, then the Iorga faction will fight to defend the territory of Grand Duchess Valdrova."

Her persuasive voice stood firm against the pressure of her opponents.

Erdes, who had been twisting her hair around her finger, now wore an utterly exasperated expression.

"You’re making a huge mistake. You’re jumping straight into a pit of fire."

"Just as before, you’re far too extreme. If Regent Ferda is left alone, it’s obvious how you’ll continue tormenting him. How could I simply stand by and watch?"

"Then just stay out of it. Who asked you to get involved? What does any of this have to do with you?"

"He is the man who declared the reconquest of the Far East for the first time in a hundred years. As someone who stands to protect the continent, if he makes such a declaration, then I have no choice but to support him."

"Hmm... So you’re really going to side with that child?"

Her eyes became even more venomous.

Forget talking.

She looked like she wanted to start fighting this very instant.

Goz, who had quietly watched everything unfold, finally spoke.

"Erdes."

"Yeah? Then you say something too! They’ve got two people, we’ve got two people. This could get interesting!"

"We’re leaving."

"I’ll handle that woman, so wha—"

Erdes stared at Goz with wide eyes.

"What are you talking about? We haven’t even finished talking yet!"

"All I wanted was the full story. I only wanted to know what that worthless insect Abel had done."

"I told you!! It could all be a trap set up by Regent Ferda—!"

"Didn’t he already make the contract before he died?"

"Well... yes, but—!!"

"Then that’s the end of it. That insect made a deal with a demon, and the Regent executed him. That fact does not change."

"Then ask why he executed him on his own authority! Since when did people with nothing but ice in their heads suddenly start thinking!?"

"Someone who made a deal with a demon yet still couldn’t defeat a single human got exactly the fate he deserved."

Having nothing more to say, Goz stood up and walked toward the door.

"Then we’ll be taking our leave."

His eyes briefly rested on Luri one last time before he disappeared into the hallway.

Watching his retreating figure, Erdes frowned before glaring at Ferda.

"Looks like the conversation is over. Regent Ferda, shall we end things here?"

Her eyebrows twitched rapidly three times every second.

It was both a question asking whether he had any final explanation...and a challenge inviting another fight.

Now that he had calmed down, Ferda replied,

"I’ll see you out."

"No. That won’t be necessary. Being near Black Mages makes me want to die. Or maybe it makes me want to kill them? I’m not really sure. Either way."

She no longer made any effort to hide her disgust.

Then she abruptly spun around, dashed into the hallway, and shouted,

"Damn it! Come with me! Seriously!! What kind of species are you people, abandoning a lady instead of escorting her!?"

***

Abel Silverwind’s death.

Ferda’s contract with a demon.

Contrary to everyone’s expectations that those two storms would sweep everything away, the matter had, for now, come to a peaceful conclusion.

He wanted to breathe a sigh of relief.

But now was not the time.

Ferda looked across the table.

The seat once occupied by Goz and Erdes was now occupied by Erika.

He asked her,

"Why did you help me?"

At that question, one of Erika’s eyebrows lifted.

Her voice was filled with the pride of a Dragon Spawn.

"Shouldn’t you be thanking me first? After all, I just helped you."

"It was something I could have handled on my own."

"You’re saying that after getting completely swept up in Erdes’s pace? That woman is exceptionally good at getting under people’s skin. I’ve fought with her so many times that I can brush it off now, but for most people, it isn’t so easy."

She was right.

Even Ferda had unconsciously taken the bait.

"And yet you went ahead and proposed an alliance on your own."

"If you didn’t like it, you could’ve splashed some water on me. You even provoked those fools whose heads are filled with nothing but ice, didn’t you?"

He had never asked for her help.

But to claim that her assistance had been useless would be nothing more than a lie born of pride.

"Of course, I do appreciate that you helped resolve the situation peacefully."

"I gratefully accept your thanks."

"However, the alliance is something that requires further consideration."

"It seems my sincerity during that defense didn’t reach you."

"I don’t believe in things like sincerity."

"Yes, I know. People like you require evidence."

As if she had been waiting for that response, she flicked her finger.

At that moment, a clipboard materialized out of thin air and landed on the tea table.

"What is this?"

"You see the date here? One hundred fifty years ago."

"Yes."

"The day the Grand Ducal Council convened under Lord Blancaros after the First Dragon-Demon War—the day before Lady Valdrova was designated an Evil Red Dragon because of her supposedly evil nature. This is the proposal Lady Iorga submitted the very next day."

At the top of the document, it read:

—Project: Hestia

Hestia was the name of an ancient goddess, little known beyond being the keeper of sacred fire.

The document was additionally marked with the highest secrecy classification and the highest execution priority.

Ferda skimmed through its contents.

The overview stated that the Iorga faction had begun researching a method to remove Godwin’s madness residing within Valdrova’s body.

The project was still ongoing.

After that, he merely glanced through the dates before closing the file.

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

"Simply that Lady Iorga never intended to use Lady Valdrova as a shield."

"And why should we interpret it that way? One could just as easily conclude that Lady Iorga began this research because she perceived Godwin as a threat."

"I expected you to think that, so I brought something else as well."

She set the document aside and this time produced a heavy object.

It was a crystal orb.

"This contains the recording of that proposal. It will prove that Lady Iorga truly intended to protect Lady Valdrova."

An audio recording was another matter entirely.

More importantly, this internal material had never been intended for outsiders to see.

Their true thoughts would therefore be much clearer.

Ferda nodded.

He infused the crystal with Mana.

Immediately, the crystal reproduced the events of that day.

—Lady Iorga, am I understanding this proposal correctly?

It was Erika’s voice.

Someone answered her.

—That’s right.

Though only two words, Ferda instantly recognized the voice as that of the Blue Dragon, Iorga.

Even as nothing more than a recording, it carried a resonance that revealed the immense Mana she possessed.

—I oppose it.

The opposing voice was Erika’s again.

Among everyone present, she had objected the most fiercely.

We have absolutely no reason to help that damned lizard!

"Ahem!"

Erika cleared her throat and hurriedly stopped the playback.

Trying to remain composed, she explained the situation, though a hint of embarrassment crept into her voice.

"At the time, many of our own Spawn had also died, so we were rather emotional. I hope you’ll take that into consideration."

"I will."

He didn’t like what she had said.

But one thing was certain.

This recording was completely raw and unedited.

—No. We have to help her. That child doesn’t deserve to be called an Evil Red Dragon. The reason she lost control was because of Godwin’s influence.

—Then shouldn’t we kill her? If she’s become unstable, isn’t that the only answer?

—We can’t. Godwin is already dead, and Silverwind is dead as well. There mustn’t be any more sacrifices.

—I don’t understand, Lady Iorga. Aren’t you the one who hates Valdrova more than anyone? How can you say we should help our enemy?

—I do hate her. But only because she’s an idiot. It’s not because she’s inherently evil or anything like that. I can’t bring myself to kill that child.

Ferda could feel it.

Iorga understood Valdrova.

And she worried about her.

—But what if a second Godwin is born? What if that’s the future awaiting us?

—That won’t happen. She’ll keep resisting... she’ll keep enduring that unstable side of herself.

It was clear.

This research had been conducted solely to help Valdrova.

—She’s such an idiot that she’ll probably manage even that much.

But then the insults began.

—She’s good at fighting, but she’s dense, not very bright, knows absolutely nothing, and her head is basically a flower garden—

"Ahem!"

—She’s timid, gets hurt easily, can’t even properly express her own opinions—

"Ahem... ahem!"

—The one bearing the Aspect of Strength doesn’t even lead a single Spawn. She insists on carrying everything by herself. It’s like she never uses her brain—a red lizard flapping around helplessly after someone glued wings onto it—

"Cough! Cough, cough! Ack! Ack!"

Erika coughed so violently that she looked as though she had choked.

Finally, she stopped the recording altogether.

"..."

Cold sweat drenched Erika’s forehead.

Only then did she remember...what came after this part of the conversation.

That was precisely why she politely asked Ferda,

"Um... would it be alright if we skipped ahead about ten minutes?"