My Slain Dragon Bride

Chapter 74: Chapter 74

Chapter 74 - If You Desire

Two hours later, Ferda welcomed the guest he had been expecting.

"President Escolleia, Bernard Wayne. It is an honor to meet the spouse of the great Aspect of Strength."

"It is my pleasure to meet the overseer of humanity’s greatest repository of knowledge."

"I sincerely thank you for allowing me to set foot inside Castle Valdrova."

President Escolleia, Bernard Wayne, removed his hat and bowed his head.

The flesh-colored plateau nestled between two patches of hair still gleamed as smoothly as ever.

"You must have had a tiring journey, President. I noticed through the window that you brought an escort."

"Two Mages, two Knights, and twenty soldiers. Haha! Only now do I finally feel like a proper noble."

After the operation to frame President Escolleia had failed, the entire academy had been thrown into chaos.

People often belittled the presidency by saying it was merely a position meant to shoulder the blame as a scapegoat, but in the end, he was still the face of Escolleia.

An assassination attempt was serious enough to shake the very foundations of Escolleia.

Because of that, the President had managed to seize power within Escolleia’s governing council.

"Hoho, living in such a magnificent castle, I imagine you receive many distinguished guests."

"Rather than distinguished guests, far more ruffians have come here to threaten me."

"...Pardon? That can’t be. After all, you’re the Aspect of Strength capable of overturning the entire continent..."

"Just last week, someone came here to threaten me again."

"Ah... I... see."

Not knowing how to respond, Bernard decided to change the subject.

"This is the blueprint of the Monster Appearance Prediction Device that I promised to give you before."

Ferda accepted the paper he handed over.

The blueprint had been inscribed onto enchanted parchment that maintained its form through Mana, making it immune to burning, soaking, or weathering like an ordinary book.

Even though it was only a copy, the fact that Bernard had used such valuable parchment meant he had no hidden intentions.

"Thank you."

"Not at all. Though... are you able to read this blueprint?"

Of course not.

Ferda had never been someone familiar with engineering designs.

"My Chief Researcher will examine it."

"Chief Researcher? May I ask who that is?"

"Vernel Marquis."

"V-Vernel Marquis... You mean... that Utter Disaster? He’s here?!"

Bernard exclaimed in shock, repeating the name over and over.

"I’ve heard he was famous, but it seems he’s even more famous than I thought."

"He certainly is. There’s no one in Escolleia who doesn’t know him. He was someone everyone placed tremendous expectations on... and someone who disappointed them just as greatly."

The one who had been disappointed was undoubtedly Bernard himself.

Letting out a deep sigh, he asked Ferda,

"What is he doing now? Did he finally abandon that ridiculous dream and come here?"

"That ridiculous dream succeeded."

"Just as I... What?"

Bernard’s eyes widened.

"You’re saying he actually succeeded?"

Ferda had expected exactly this reaction.

That was why he had brought out one of the samples Vernel had made before Bernard arrived.

"A Mana Stone. It’s processed from the corpse of a Monster."

"My goodness... That boy really did turn the world upside down..."

Among scholars, that was how they described a revolutionary discovery.

Countless emotions flashed across Bernard’s face.

Astonishment.

Admiration.

Jealousy.

Regret.

The man he had turned his back on had ultimately been right, and Bernard clearly had no idea how he was supposed to accept that reality.

"May I ask what the current efficiency is?"

Apparently trusting that Vernel had already calculated everything, Bernard skipped asking whether any calculations had been performed.

"It’s currently ten percent."

"Do you know what it was at the beginning?"

"I heard it was 7.1 percent."

"I see."

Though wonder filled his face, there was also a trace of discomfort.

Ferda was not a scholar, so he couldn’t understand what was going through Bernard’s mind.

So he made a suggestion.

"Would you like to meet Vernel Marquis?"

Bernard snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head.

"No. It’s not necessary to meet him and have a conversation... Ah, that’s right."

Clapping his hands together, Bernard said,

"Do you remember the Grand Ducal Council? I invited you to participate in the exhibition, didn’t I?"

"I remember. You said it would be held in Halim."

"In fifteen days, every scholar and noble will gather there. The exhibition will last for three days, with presentations during the opening, the main event, and the closing ceremony."

Then came his proposal.

"I’ll use my influence to place Vernel in the main presentation slot. Would you be willing to attend?"

***

"President Bernard... made that offer? He said he’d put me in the main presentation?"

Vernel asked with his eyes wide open.

Ferda had seen Vernel become excited before, but never this shocked.

He was so stunned that his hands had frozen in place.

"It seems it was quite an extraordinary offer."

"Out of the three days of the Escolleia Exhibition, the main stage is by far the most important. Even renowned scholars find it nearly impossible to earn that position."

"Then that’s good news for you."

"It... should be."

Contrary to his words, Vernel wore a conflicted expression.

Eventually, he set down his pen and leaned back against the table.

"I don’t know... I don’t want to go."

Ferda could tell Vernel had been overwhelmed by his emotions.

"Are you going to turn down the place every scholar dreams of standing?"

"Honor or not, it’s obvious President Bernard has prepared a trap for me. Why would I walk right into it?"

"A trap?"

"He hated me with a passion. When I remember the humiliation he put me through, I can’t possibly accept such kindness."

"What exactly did he do?"

Vernel clenched his fist tightly.

"When Academy cadets reach their second year, they participate in something called the Academic Conference. Even if our ideas are unrealistic, it’s a place where we talk about the future. Since it’s meant to encourage fresh ideas, being criticized there carries enormous weight. It’s like pulling down my pants and exposing myself before the entire audience."

Some people might say, That’s all?

But Ferda didn’t think so.

It simply meant Vernel had sincerely believed in the future he envisioned.

Having that sincere belief denied was painful.

Ferda only knew that Vernel had gone from being the Academy’s top student to its lowest-ranked graduate.

He knew Vernel had barely managed to graduate before immersing himself in Magitech Engineering.

He had never realized the rift between Bernard and Vernel ran this deep.

"If he humiliated you, shouldn’t that be all the more reason to participate?"

Vernel turned to him.

"How does that make sense?"

"You weren’t the one who was wrong. Then all you need is to stand proudly."

"I’d love to throw it back in his face. Sure... But what if this is all just a scheme to lure me into a trap?"

"Then are you going to spend the rest of your life avoiding him?"

Faced with Ferda’s question, Vernel had no answer.

He wanted to avoid it, yet deep down he also knew that avoiding the issue forever wasn’t the right thing to do.

"I don’t know what happened back then, but you’re no longer an Academy cadet."

"You’re my Chief Researcher now."

"If Bernard does something utterly unreasonable to you..."

"...Then it won’t be you he’ll have to answer to."

"It’ll be me."

Those words snapped Vernel out of his thoughts.

He looked at Ferda.

That’s right.

He wasn’t alone anymore.

Once again, he realized he had someone powerful standing behind him.

"I understand. I’ll do as you say and meet him. By the way... may I ask what you’re holding? It looks like a blueprint."

"It’s President Bernard’s child."

"...Child?"

"Apparently it’s the blueprint for the Monster Appearance Prediction Device. Could you take a look at it?"

"Ah, I see. The Monster Appearance Prediction Device... I’ll examine it as well."

As Vernel began studying the blueprint, the door opened and someone entered.

It was Stephan.

Perfect timing, Ferda thought, intending to say something to him.

But Stephan’s complexion looked terrible.

He looked as though he was about to deliver bad news at any moment.

"Um... well..."

Stephan stammered.

***

Several days earlier, Stephan had been traveling by carriage.

He was wearing a top-quality tunic, something he rarely wore.

Not merely top quality, but the very finest—clothing so expensive it was almost frightening to put on.

In stark contrast to his magnificent attire, worry never left his face.

"Sigh..."

"Are you all right, my lord? You don’t look well. At this rate, you might collapse."

"I’m... somewhat fine... sigh."

"Shall I loosen your collar?"

The servant sitting across from him loosened the string around his collar.

Looking at the servant, Stephan said,

"Tighten it even more."

"Make sure it doesn’t come loose."

It couldn’t be allowed to become untidy.

He would rather be strangled by the knot itself.

The reason he was so nervous was because of the enormous mansion standing before him.

The residence of Herman Pascal—

Founder of the Pascal Trading Company, a great merchant, and Stephan’s father.

It was Stephan’s hometown.

At the same time...

It was a battlefield.

Stephan stepped down from the carriage and entered the mansion.

"Welcome home, Young Master Stephan."

Seeing the familiar face, Stephan smiled and embraced him.

"It’s been a while, Grandpa Sebastian! Have you been doing well?"

"My body isn’t what it used to be. I suppose it’s about time I retired."

"What are you talking about? Didn’t you say you’d devote your whole life to this place? You should keep working until your bones fall apart."

He joked around, trying to hide his trembling.

The Butler noticed and played along to help him relax.

After walking down the long corridor and passing countless employees and servants, they finally arrived before an ornate door.

"Second Young Master Stephan has arrived."

The door opened.

Before him stretched a long dining table laid out like a red carpet.

At the far end of that table, seated as though upon a king’s throne, was an elderly man.

Herman Pascal.

The head of the Pascal Trading Company.

A man who had started as a fruit vendor before extending his reach into every imaginable business.

At one point, he had nearly become a dictator capable of controlling the Empire’s entire commercial market.

Despite such legendary fame, he now looked like nothing more than an aging old man.

"You’re late, little brother."

The man seated to Herman’s right rebuked him.

With his sturdy build, he looked more like a mercenary than a merchant.

It was the eldest son, Merchit Pascal.

"My apologies. It’s been an especially busy period, and I was finishing up some work..."

"What can you do? Isn’t the company more important than family? I do admire how diligently you serve as a loyal subordinate, dear brother."

The heavily made-up woman smiled sweetly.

She was his younger sister, Tilda Pascal.

At first glance, it sounded as though she were defending him.

But the smile in her eyes clearly said,

"That’s all someone like you is good for."

This was exactly why he hated this house.

He had returned to his own family home, yet he felt like an outsider.

"Sit down."

Pushed toward the far end by his already-seated nieces and nephews, Stephan quietly took his seat.

The entire family had gathered.

"Now then, let us eat."

The Butler rang a bell, and the Maids entered carrying dishes.

As expected of the wealthiest family on the continent, every dish was infused with the rich aroma of spices that were nearly impossible to obtain.

Ordinarily, this would have been a rare opportunity to enjoy such delicacies.

But Stephan couldn’t taste any of it.

"Recently..."

The moment Herman began speaking, every hand around the banquet table stopped.

"How has everyone been doing?"

As though they had been waiting for the question, Merchit and Tilda immediately set down their knives and forks and wiped their mouths.

The eldest son, seated closest to Herman, spoke first.

"Recently, I’ve been expanding our business into the Southern Region. You know Colosenia, don’t you? One of the greatest Entertainment Cities, famous for its magnificent gladiator matches. We’ve signed a contract to supply mercenaries to one of the gladiator training schools there."

"Are you planning to do nothing but sell meat?"

"Of course not. Isn’t that region so hot that they say even the moon shines like the sun? The spices there are so potent that their quality rivals even the Empire’s finest."

"Indeed. Luxuries like those are worth more than gold."

Herman nodded calmly.

As though he had barely met the standard, Merchit let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Next, Tilda Pascal spoke about what she had been up to.

"As for me, I’ve been overseeing the western territories alongside my dear husband. They may be called a mystical land of magic, but surely even they have things they need. The moment we open a trade route, the Pascal Trading Company will become an unstoppable storm."

"That’s a rather fanciful story."

Herman shot Tilda a sharp glance.

However, as if she had expected the criticism, she answered without hesitation.

"I thought the same at first. But doesn’t the story change once we’ve secured the contract for the mana crystal mine? It’s something every Mage would kill to have, isn’t it?"

"Hmm..."

Herman withdrew his gaze.

Tilda had also been skillfully securing contracts one after another, so there was little to criticize.

Now only one person remained.

"Stephan."

"Y-Yes?"

"Why have you remained silent?"

"My apologies. I didn’t think you’d be particularly interested in what I’ve been doing..."

"Don’t make me ask twice."

He had wanted to avoid this moment, but there was no escaping it.

So Stephan reluctantly spoke about his recent activities.

"I’ve... been trying to establish a foothold in the Eastern Region."

"The Eastern Region?"

"My, you’re starting a business in the east? I thought you were focusing on the north."

Tilda acted as though this were the first she’d heard of it.

She was preparing to pour oil onto the fire.

"The north is already stable enough that maintaining our current operations won’t be a problem. So this time, I wanted to make a bold investment in the Eastern Region."

"My, dear brother. As far as I was taught, bold investments and throwing money into the dirt are two entirely different things."

Tilda had a knack for disguising ’Why are you doing something so idiotic?’ as polite conversation.

"I don’t think it looks very wise either, little brother."

Merchit readily agreed with her.

"Isn’t selling liquor, smoked meat, and leather to those northerners already a profitable business? If you simply followed Father’s methods, you’d avoid losses altogether. Why insist on doing something so reckless?"

Wasn’t the answer obvious?

To survive in this family.

"I simply want to invest in something that has potential."

"Potential? Look at what’s happening in the east. The Land of Demons continues to spread, and the territory keeps shrinking. What are you planning to do there? Dig up contaminated soil and make biological weapons?"

"Contaminated weapons? That’s actually a wonderful idea. They’d smell better than throwing manure around, and they’d probably be more effective too. If you want, I’d be happy to invest in that venture, dear brother."

People often said that the sister-in-law pretending to mediate was more irritating than the mother-in-law doing the scolding.

To Stephan, Tilda’s words grated on him even more than Merchit’s.

"Enough."

The silent Herman finally put an end to the argument.

Scratching his head with his thin hand, he spoke again.

"Stephan."

"Yes, Father."

"I know you’re not acting like a fool. After all, among everyone here, you’re the one intelligent enough to understand me best."

This wasn’t going to end well.

Stephan knew it instinctively.

"But when you’re trying to persuade someone, what did I teach you?"

"You must present evidence..."

"And do you have that evidence in your hands?"

"I’m not investing the company’s money. I’ve only put in my personal assets first..."

"So you don’t."

"It’s not that I don’t. I simply don’t wish to reveal it yet—"

"You’re talking about those so-called Mana Stones, aren’t you?"

"...!!"

Stephan’s eyes widened.

Herman frowned at him with clear disappointment.

"What are you so surprised about? This company is still under my control, you foolish boy. Your brother and sister have already figured it out."

Even if the project had been carried out in secret, it was only a matter of time before someone discovered it.

It was one thing for his father, Herman, to know.

But learning that both of his siblings already knew came as an enormous shock.

That meant someone on Stephan’s side had been leaking information from within.

Yet what shocked him even more was the fact that, despite knowing everything, they had simply allowed events to unfold smoothly.

It was as though they were merely standing by, watching Stephan dig his own grave.

Before he could recover from the shock, Herman asked another question.

"Tell me."

"On what grounds did you decide to involve yourself in this venture?"

"I simply saw the future."

"So it was intuition."

"In other words, you’re placing your faith in Regent Ferda."

"Yes."

Stephan answered without the slightest hesitation.

"How certain are you?"

"If I wanted..."

Stephan’s tongue moved before he could stop it.

"I’d be willing to hand over the entire company."

Silence fell over the room.

Stephan immediately realized what he had just said and hurriedly shut his mouth.

His mind had gone blank, and his true feelings had slipped out.

I’ve done it now.

The words could never be taken back.

Even so, he didn’t regret them.

Because that was exactly how he truly felt.

"So you’ve staked your entire fortune on a man instead of a woman."

The sigh mixed into Herman’s words pierced Stephan’s heart.

"You have only one hand, and that hand can hold only one thing."

"Yet there are two things you wish to grasp."

"Greed invites disaster."

"The time will come when you must choose."

Stephan was perceptive enough to understand exactly what Herman meant.

Would he abandon the Far Eastern Region and choose the company?

Or would he abandon the company and choose the Far Eastern Region?

"Think it over carefully."

It was the final ultimatum from Herman Pascal—the man who had built everything he possessed with nothing but his own two hands.