My Slain Dragon Bride

Chapter 73: Chapter 73

Chapter 73 - Isabella

A few days later, a Dragon Spawn arrived from Iorga.

"Greetings. My name is Isabella Iorga, and I have been assigned here on dispatch. Starting today, I will be serving as the administrator of Castle Valdrova."

As befitted a descendant of Iorga, the pair of horns on her forehead were rounded and not at all intimidating.

Her sharp eyes and disciplined demeanor made her seem like a strict dormitory supervisor at first glance.

Ferda had heard that a Spawn would be arriving, but there was one discrepancy in the paperwork.

"I heard about this, but wasn’t the Spawn coming here supposed to be named Yuria?"

"I volunteered in Yuria’s place. Rest assured, as Lady Erika’s Chief Secretary, I can confidently say that my ability to carry out my duties far surpasses Yuria’s. Within the Tower, I am known as the merciless secretary."

Isabella adjusted her glasses and wore a solemn expression.

He could tell she was overflowing with confidence, but whether she was truly as capable as she claimed remained to be seen.

After all, he already knew how arrogant Dragon Spawn tended to be.

"Very well. Understood."

"The alliance declaration ceremony is scheduled for one week from now. It will be based on the document personally signed by Lord Blancaros and will be announced throughout the entire Cerdes Continent. Do you have any questions?"

"I’ve already received a written explanation from Leader Erika, so I don’t have any major questions."

"Understood. Please review the alliance agreement intended for our leader and affix your seal."

Since it was an important document, Ferda carefully checked every word before stamping it with the official seal.

Just when he thought it was over, another document was placed before him.

"This document is the authorization agreement required for my position as administrator. It delegates judicial authority and tax collection authority to me, as well as the authority to make decisions whenever subcontracting becomes necessary for administrative matters..."

The contents were simple when summarized.

Major matters such as tax policy, law enforcement, and diplomacy would still require Ferda’s direct approval.

However, smaller matters, private disputes, tax collection management, and similar administrative affairs would be handled directly by Isabella.

"That concludes all of the delegation documents."

"Is that everything?"

"This is merely the beginning. We must carefully review the castle’s security classifications. Other than permanent personnel, all laborers and anyone without the proper clearance will be removed from the castle. And—"

After that, they discussed the castle’s administrative affairs.

She explained, one after another, how the changes Ferda had previously discussed with Mori would work in reality, persuading him with practical arguments about efficiency and appearance.

When the discussion about the castle’s administration came to an end, Isabella quietly looked out the window.

Below stretched a forest completely devoid of the sounds of beasts.

"I had heard about it, but it seems Castle Valdrova truly doesn’t have a city beneath it."

"I’ve heard it’s too harsh a place for ordinary people to live."

"Where do you intend to accommodate adventurers?"

"Wouldn’t Count Consilus’s territory suffice?"

"That is not a good idea."

Isabella answered coldly.

"If we are to build national strength, population takes priority over both capital and food. We must begin designing a city around this area so adventurers can settle here."

"I’ve heard ordinary people can barely survive near this place. It seems you’re overlooking that."

"That would be true only if there were no experts capable of using magic. I will request that Blue Eye dispatch Mages to maintain the Magic Circles. Naturally, this will be handled as employment, so I will prepare a budget proposal allowing us to organize a Mage unit for approval. If we can eliminate the anxiety caused by Dragon Fear, this city would be worthy of becoming a capital."

A capital...

Those were the very words Olivia Arken had once spoken.

She had hoped this place would become a second capital.

It was destined to happen someday, but wasn’t it far too soon?

"What about the Empire’s interference?"

"That’s nothing more than fearing maggots and refusing to make soy paste. They won’t dare interfere recklessly. Adventurers will naturally gather in the Land of Demons, and where adventurers gather, a city inevitably forms. Since it is all under the banner of the eastern campaign, if the Empire dares obstruct it, Iorga will make its opposition known."

Until now, the Empire may have regarded Valdrova as nothing more than a watchdog guarding a house.

But Iorga was an organization of Mages whose influence extended across the entire continent.

Hearing that they intended to support him properly left Ferda satisfied.

"We’ll need to bring in merchant companies. However, I understand the Regent has already recruited one. The Pascal Trading Company, correct?"

"Correct."

"One major merchant company alone is insufficient. Even if we cannot bring in the western merchants, we must establish active trade with both the north and the south."

"I suppose I’ll have to discuss that with Stephan."

"I shall handle it as the administrator. I’m confident we can reach a satisfactory agreement with the Pascal Trading Company as well."

"Very well."

And that was only the beginning.

Road redevelopment, investment funds, donations, city planning strategies...

Ferda had thought he had studied administration fairly well.

But in front of Isabella, his knowledge was insignificant.

She effortlessly proposed one new idea after another, steadily building her strategy while making perfect use of every resource Ferda possessed.

She truly deserves the title of Chief Secretary.

She wasn’t playing with rhetoric or empty words.

She summarized only the essential points and conveyed exactly what was necessary.

She was firm when handling important matters, flexible when dealing with trivial ones, always emphasizing practical benefits.

I thought I was settling for a pheasant instead of a chicken... but instead, a phoenix descended.

She was undoubtedly someone worthy of trust.

In fact, she was so trustworthy that it became unsettling.

Why would someone this talented come to this castle?

That was what puzzled Ferda.

Had Yuria been the one to arrive, he would have simply assumed Erika had sent her.

But Isabella had volunteered.

The descendants of Iorga were Dragon Spawn.

At their core, they all possessed an overwhelming pride in being fundamentally different from everyone else.

In particular, they were immensely proud of Blue Eye, the organization founded by Iorga, and hated leaving the Mage Tower.

Being dispatched to Castle Valdrova was practically equivalent to being exiled.

So why would such a capable secretary willingly come to a place like this?

As he pondered the question, Isabella neatly organized the scattered documents.

"For now, this concludes the general overview. We shall prepare the detailed roadmap together at a later date. Today’s work will end here. Thank you for your hard work."

"You’ve done well."

"May I ask one question?"

Isabella spoke with a solemn expression.

"Regent, do you happen to enjoy drinking?"

"I don’t even touch alcohol."

The moment Ferda answered bluntly, Isabella’s body stiffened slightly.

For the first time, the woman who had spoken so smoothly looked visibly flustered.

"I should have confirmed this beforehand... Surely this castle hasn’t declared prohibition, has it?"

"Nothing like that. I simply don’t drink."

"I see. Understood."

She visibly relaxed.

For some reason, that reaction bothered Ferda, so he asked her a question in return.

"Do you enjoy drinking?"

"I drink a little. Alcohol after work is something quite special."

"I see."

Regardless of race, a Mage was still a Mage.

A Mage’s companions were alcohol and women.

Even if one indulged in both, no one would complain.

Allowing just one of them was hardly an issue.

Knock. Knock.

Someone knocked before entering the office.

It was Luri, the young Maid dressed in her servant uniform.

"Lord Ferda, someone has arrived at the front gate... Hm?"

She had entered to deliver her report, but upon noticing Isabella, her attention immediately shifted toward her.

"So you’re the one who has been dispatched to serve Lady Valdrova."

Luri frowned and walked toward Isabella.

Stopping about three steps away, the difference in their heights was obvious even from a glance.

Even so, Luri refused to be intimidated and immediately challenged her.

"Since today is your first day here, let me make one thing perfectly clear. No one has devoted themselves to this castle more than I have. If you remove or replace anything without my approval, you won’t be able to avoid conflict..."

The atmosphere was deadly serious.

It was as though she had steeled herself to start a war if anyone so much as touched her belongings.

To Ferda, however, it looked rather different.

She’s like a dog marking its territory.

Prejudice was indeed a frightening thing.

To Ferda, she looked no different from a Chihuahua barking loudly.

Isabella looked down at Luri.

Her rational eyes gleamed as she spoke.

"So small... and adorable..."

"...Excuse me?"

Adjusting her glasses with one finger, Isabella spoke in an icy voice, as though she had never uttered those words.

"I’ve been informed that all management duties within this castle are handled by you, Miss Luri Silverwind."

"That’s correct."

"From now on, I shall address you as Miss Luri. As far as cleanliness is concerned, I’ve confirmed that your standards exceed even those of our Mage Tower. However, your administrative work is an utter disaster. There are far too many procedures that lack efficiency and practicality."

"Worrying about such things doesn’t suit the dignity of Dragons."

"It will have to. Among all confirmed Dragons, Lady Valdrova possesses the least wealth. In fact, it has already forced us to abandon our original budget."

"So you’re dissatisfied with that?"

"It’s not dissatisfaction. I’m simply saying that proper financial management is necessary."

Hearing that Valdrova had little wealth irritated Luri.

Yet she couldn’t refute it.

In truth, Valdrova had never cared about collecting rare treasures.

"There will naturally be changes within the castle as we reorganize the administration. Before making any changes, however, I will personally consult you and ask for your understanding. Would that be acceptable?"

"If you do that, I have no objections."

"Very well. Then I’ll take my leave. I’ll see you tomorrow, Regent Ferda."

"Very well."

The sound of her heels echoed across the marble floor.

True to the Chief Secretary of Iorga’s prestigious Mage Tower, she departed with graceful elegance.

Watching her leave, Luri wore an expression filled with disgust.

"I don’t like that woman."

"Are you jealous?"

"Of course not. Why would I be jealous of those water lizards? I simply don’t like her."

Whenever Isabella looked at her, Luri had experienced a strange feeling.

She had clearly won.

Yet somehow, it didn’t feel like victory.

The unsettling gaze behind those glasses had left her strangely uncomfortable.

Naturally, Ferda paid no attention to any of that.

He simply assumed she was jealous.

"So you came here just to mark your territory?"

"Please don’t compare me to a stray dog wandering around the neighborhood. Headmaster Escolleia has arrived."

Headmaster Escolleia.

In exchange for saving his life, Ferda had been promised the blueprint for a Monster Appearance Prediction Device.

There had been too many important matters lately for him to press the issue, but apparently the man had not forgotten.

"He must have come a long way. Treat him well for now, and tell him I’ll meet him in two hours."

"Understood."

Luri quietly withdrew.

Partly because Ferda wanted a brief rest, but also because he had another matter to attend to.

A crystal orb sat upon his desk.

The Communication Crystal engraved with Communication Magic was flashing.

Someone was attempting to contact him.

Ferda placed his hand upon the crystal and accepted the transmission.

"—Greetings, Regent Ferda."

It was Erika Iorga.

"Yes, Leader Iorga."

"—You’re not going to cut off the transmission this time, are you?"

"If that’s what you wish, I can disconnect it immediately."

"—Don’t be so cold. We’re about to become allies, aren’t we? I’ve received the document confirming the alliance agreement."

"Is that why you’ve contacted me?"

"—Partly. By the way, someone other than Yuria was sent, wasn’t she?"

"Yes. Her name is Isabella."

"—That’s right. So, what do you think? If you don’t like her, I’ll send Yuria as originally planned."

For some reason, it sounded as though she wanted her Chief Secretary back, and Ferda instinctively rejected the idea.

"That won’t be necessary. She’s exactly the capable person I needed."

"—That’s true. She’s excellent at her job. After all, she’s my Chief Secretary. She’s so passionate about practical work that she even secretly attended Escolleia while hiding her identity and earned a doctoral degree. However..."

A long sigh followed.

"Is there a problem?"

"—No. Let’s not talk about that. It’s better if you learn about it gradually. It’s not that she’s a bad person."

She’s perfect at work.

The way Erika muttered those words only made Ferda more curious.

Just what kind of problem did that woman have?

It was probably the sort of issue that was troublesome personally, yet never interfered with her work.

"—As I said, the official declaration will take place one week from now. You’ll have that much time to prepare, so make good use of it."

"Understood."

"—Then, for the sake of our alliance, I’ll be in contact more often from now on."

Speaking with what sounded like a cheerful smile, Erika ended the transmission.

One week until the declaration...

They said that beginning was half the battle.

Ferda could already foresee mountains of paperwork.

It would be troublesome.

But he didn’t mind.

After all, this too was for Valdrova.

Ferda gazed outside.

For now, it was nothing but a dense forest covered with towering trees.

Someday, that place would be filled with buildings and crowded with people.

The streets would bustle with people and horse-drawn carriages.

They would sing Valdrova’s name and praise her.

And so Ferda would endure all of this hardship.

For the sake of his one and only fiancée.