My Slain Dragon Bride

Chapter 95: Chapter 95

Chapter 95 - Master and Slave

Tilda Pascal was an evil woman.

According to the testimony of Stephan and Merchit, who had lived under the same roof as her, she knew no mercy.

They said she was the kind of woman who destroyed anything that displeased her.

Such a personality was always bound to accumulate grudges.

Ferda knew that better than anyone, having earned more resentment than most.

That was why he had assumed there must be an obvious mastermind behind this incident as well.

The prime suspect had been Rico Dandolo, the man who had been poisoned.

After him came Stephan, Merchit, or perhaps even their wives.

He had even suspected Herman, their father.

Yet there was one person Ferda had never once suspected.

The dull-looking middle-aged man standing over there.

Henri.

"So, you’re the one who commissioned the investigation into Tilda?"

Unable to believe it, Ferda asked him directly.

"That’s correct."

"You requested it because you wanted to see her downfall?"

"That’s correct."

"You did all this knowing it would end like this?"

"Of course. I had already taken this outcome into consideration."

Henri smiled faintly.

At first glance, it was the smile of an exceptionally kind man.

The kind of person who seemed too good-natured to hide anything in his heart.

"Why?"

"Because I truly love Tilda. For her, there is nothing I wouldn’t do."

"And this is your idea of ’anything’?"

Luri cut in, unable to hold herself back.

Disgust was written plainly across her face.

"Of course."

Henri answered with a smile, as though her reaction meant nothing to him.

Hearing that answer, everyone around them reacted much like Luri had.

"I don’t mind if you condemn me. There have been countless women who whispered words of love because of my money and reputation. Am I not allowed to love someone for nothing more than the shell they wear?"

"I have no intention of condemning your actions. But there is something I’d like to ask."

"Please."

"Was this woman really worth handing your company over to me?"

Tilda was beautiful, but she was hardly a peerless beauty.

She wasn’t on Olivia’s level—a woman for whom a man had sold everything in his territory and offered a million roses.

Henri answered as though it were nothing.

"My father treasured the company, not me. To me, it never held that much value. If anything, I wanted to cast it aside. So I used the woman I love."

"Tilda?"

"She is breathtakingly beautiful... but also a deeply sinister woman. Who else in this world would poison her own father, or scheme to kill her own family?"

Henri had wanted only one thing.

For Rico to die.

He had watched everything.

He had controlled everything.

In a sense, the one who had truly held Tilda in the palm of his hand had been Henri.

Only then did Ferda finally understand a question he had long pushed to the back of his mind.

"I heard that when the catalyst was destroyed, the head of the family, Rico Dandolo, suddenly lost his life."

"That’s correct. My father passed away."

"So that wasn’t Tilda’s doing."

Ferda stared at Henri as though trying to pierce straight through him.

"But it certainly looked that way."

Henri answered vaguely.

"My father always wanted me to become a strategist. I simply became the son he wished for."

"..."

Ferda found himself speechless.

As silence settled over them, Henri brought the conversation to a close.

"As promised, I will transfer the Dandolo Trading Company to you. I will grant Lord Regent Ferda ownership. If you then delegate management authority to my brother-in-law, everything will proceed smoothly."

"Very well."

"Every one of my companies will fall under your control. So... may I ask one small favor?"

"What is it?"

"I would like you to return something that was taken from my wife."

Ferda’s gaze shifted toward Luri.

She frowned, looking vaguely offended.

"I didn’t touch anything."

Which meant someone else had secretly taken it.

Ferda immediately knew who that someone was.

"Why are you looking at me?"

Penelope.

"Because you’re the only possibility."

"Now, saying something so embarrassingly flattering is rather— Gyaaah!"

"Quit your nonsense! Where did you hide it?! Spit it out!"

"Ghk! Ack! M-my tail! It’s hanging on my tail!"

"You’re a demon, all right. If you go one day without causing trouble, do your insides start twisting? Seriously..."

"Sob... my diamond..."

"What do you mean your diamond, you crazy woman?"

Zed thoroughly searched her body.

Just as she had said, a ring was hanging from her tail.

A ring made from a Blood Diamond, something money alone could never buy.

Zed handed the ring to Ferda.

"A Blood Diamond... Is this an engagement ring?"

"That’s correct. It’s the only thing my wife truly loves."

As soon as Henri accepted the ring, he walked straight over to Tilda.

"Uuu..."

She let out a mournful sound like a wandering ghost.

"Tilda, my love. Look here. It’s the diamond ring you love so much."

Tilda, whose soul seemed to have left her body as drool dripped from her lips, slowly turned her eyes toward the ring.

Her aimless gaze finally focused clearly on the diamond.

"Hehe..."

She smiled as though she possessed the entire world.

Seeing that smile, Henri smiled as well.

***

Henri had already decided to disappear together with Tilda.

He had not lied when he said he had anticipated this ending.

He had already purchased a house in the western region and prepared enough money for them to live modestly.

Taking only what they needed to quietly spend the rest of their lives together, they left the Dandolo estate.

"What a frighteningly twisted man."

Luri muttered.

Her tightly clenched fist was filled with the urge to snap Henri’s neck.

"You’re really just going to let someone like that go?"

Ferda nodded as though it were the obvious thing to do.

"He kept his promise. Naturally, I must keep mine as well."

"What if that disgusting man ruins our plans someday? After all, he placed a witch at the very top. He’s more than capable of it."

Looking down at Luri, Ferda replied,

"Wanting to kill him is nothing more than your personal desire."

"It’s revolting. I can’t understand how someone can kill his own family and destroy the person he loves like that."

Luri, who normally never interfered in human affairs, spoke with unusual emotion.

He had used his wife to kill his father.

Then, in the end, he had made his wife entirely his own.

To the Dragon Spawn, whose devotion to family surpassed that of anyone else, such an act was utterly unforgivable.

"Tilda Pascal tried to do exactly the same thing. She failed, but she drove her brothers apart, attempted to poison her sister-in-law, and turned her father-in-law into a living vegetable. If the end of such a wicked woman is to spend the rest of her life under that man’s control... isn’t that rather fitting?"

"When you put it that way... perhaps it is..."

Even Luri’s angry voice gradually softened.

His actions were disgusting.

Yet at the same time, she couldn’t help feeling that Tilda had received the punishment she deserved.

In the end, Luri decided to stop thinking about the two of them.

After all, they would never cross paths again.

Ferda silently stared at the place where Henri had disappeared.

What a pity.

He was an exceptionally intelligent man.

Even Ferda had failed to see through his true intentions.

Had Henri possessed even the slightest ambition for business, he would undoubtedly have led the Dandolo Trading Company into an era of prosperity that surpassed even the Pascal Trading Company.

Yet such talent meant nothing to Henri.

The expression Ferda had seen on Henri’s face before they parted remained in his mind.

He had abandoned wealth beyond measure.

Yet he had looked happier than anyone else.

That face lingered in Ferda’s thoughts.

Whether because it left him uneasy...

Or because he envied it...

For now, he could not tell.

***

Pascal Trading Company Headquarters.

"I see. So the matter concerning my sister has finally been resolved."

Stephan appeared surprised that everything had been handled in secret, but he did not seem overly concerned.

In the end, the burden that had weighed on his heart had finally been lifted.

That alone was enough.

"Understood. I’ll inform my elder brother and explain everything to Father as well so this matter can be brought to a close."

After ending the communication spell, Stephan remained lost in thought.

He couldn’t help but admire Ferda.

To think he’d actually acquire the Dandolo Trading Company.

It was an unexpected prize.

If matters had escalated further, Stephan had fully intended to destroy that company in the end.

He had never imagined they could acquire it intact.

Lord Regent truly is an extraordinary man.

He felt ashamed of himself for having nearly given up only a few days ago.

Now... it’s time to clean up the aftermath.

A sigh escaped Stephan’s lips.

The conspiracy with Merchit was over now that everything had been resolved.

But Herman was another matter entirely.

Unaware of the truth, Herman had genuinely viewed Stephan as an enemy.

And Stephan had been forced to respond just as seriously.

"Director... the Chairman is..."

The secretary trailed off.

That alone was enough to tell him just how furious Herman was.

Part of him wanted to run away.

His instincts screamed at him to flee.

But instead, he calmly nodded.

A moment later, four enormous bodyguards, each broad enough to fill the doorway, entered the room.

Behind them came a frail old man.

The bodyguards were intimidating enough.

Yet it was the old man’s razor-sharp eyes, gleaming from between countless wrinkles, that pierced straight into Stephan’s soul.

"Why are you still here?"

The question was simple.

Why hadn’t he resigned yet?

"Everything is over."

"What exactly is over?"

Stephan explained everything.

How Tilda had tried to use her husband’s company to drive a wedge between him and Merchit.

How she had even conspired to kill Herman in the process.

The parts that might have sounded exaggerated, he intentionally toned down to make them more believable.

Even so...

He could not read Herman’s thoughts.

His expression was as unyielding as a sword forged in a dwarf’s smithy beneath the deepest mountains.

"So... that happened."

"Yes."

"And yet... you still haven’t answered my question."

"What question...?"

"I asked why you’re still here."

It was a response that hardly sounded like it came from someone who had just heard the entire story.

Stephan answered,

"Because I’m the Director of the Pascal Trading Company."

"I am the Chairman. Stripping you of your position would be effortless. I had hoped you would step down of your own accord... yet you refuse."

"You still believe my judgment was a mistake?"

"Of course. If I’m convinced I’m right, what fool would abandon his own conviction?"

"The Grand Duchy of Valdrova will prosper."

"It will not."

Herman declared without hesitation.

"You seem curious as to why. Very well. I’ll tell you myself."

His eyes narrowed like those of a tiger.

"I’ve been hearing rumors that this man named Ferda is practicing Black Magic."

"I’ve heard those rumors as well. But he saved countless people in Halim."

"Being treated like a hero only lasts for a moment. Saving people isn’t the issue. The issue is that he practices Black Magic. What do you intend to do if word spreads that the Pascal Trading Company is supporting someone devoted to Black Magic?"

"That..."

"And if you continue supporting Lord Regent Ferda, then decide to pull away later... it will already be too late. Do you intend to throw countless members of this trading company out onto the streets?"

Stephan couldn’t answer.

"And you’re investing in this technology called Magitech Engineering, aren’t you? What happens if that man named Vernel dies?"

Herman continued pressing him relentlessly.

"Then that investment becomes worthless, and we gain nothing. Besides, can you guarantee this Vernel won’t eventually betray you? Or Ferda, the man who owns the debt?"

"They would never abandon me."

Though Ferda had initially acted as though he had no need for Stephan, he had supported him in every possible way when things became difficult.

That was why Stephan could answer with confidence.

But to Herman...

Even those words carried no weight at all.

"Do you know why no cities are built in the Far East?"

"Because the territory keeps shrinking."

"That’s right. Because there’s no hope. Humanity couldn’t stop it, and even the Demigods couldn’t. Do you think you’ll come to your senses only after experiencing the corruption of demonic energy in a place that close?"

"..."

"Fine. Let’s be optimistic and assume it prospers. What do you think that prosperity will bring us? Money? Fame? Connections? No. The Empire will tear through every speck of dust in the name of keeping us in check. Do you know why? We are a trading company based in the Imperial Capital. To them, it’ll look as though the Capital’s influence is slipping away."

"..."

"That young Regent may have the Emperor’s trust and plenty of spirit, but politics is ultimately ruled by old men. Do you know what old men are?"

Herman’s voice grew firmer.

"They’re people who no longer have the strength to stand, yet still cling desperately to their own bowls of rice. It’s easy for someone who lives frugally to indulge in luxury, but once you’ve grown accustomed to luxury, it’s hard to return to a simple life. Power is no different. Those old men protect what belongs to them by sending the young to the battlefield, making them fight, and exploiting them. Do you really think mayflies like us can stand against people like that and survive?"

Stephan had no answer.

Herman’s words carried the wisdom accumulated through long years of experience, and that wisdom was sound.

Looking at the bigger picture, there was nothing fundamentally wrong with what Herman had said.

There were simply too many risks Stephan would have to bear.

"Give up on the Far East. Otherwise, give up this company. That is my decision."

Herman rose from his seat.

Just as he was about to leave, Stephan spoke.

"Father... you’re no different from those old men."

"What... did you just say?"

Herman’s eyes widened as he asked again.

The words sounded as though they had been spoken in a fit of anger.

But what shone in Stephan’s eyes was unwavering resolve.

"Aren’t you also refusing to accept anything new and insisting only on your own beliefs?"

"Are you saying I’m nothing more than a stubborn old fool?"

"Yes."

Stephan answered briefly and without hesitation.

Herman flew into a rage.

"You ungrateful wretch. What gives you the right to say such things?"

"I have every right."

The words poured out as though a blockage in his throat had finally burst open.

They were emotions and convictions that had accumulated over many years.

"I’ve been running and managing your company for the past three years. Its steady growth and stability are achievements that I built. If you’re the one who planted the seed, then I’m the one who nurtured it. Just because someone plants a seed doesn’t make him a farmer. Those accomplishments cannot be credited to you alone. That’s why I have every right to speak."

"You have the right? You?"

"Yes!"

His voice grew louder as his emotions surged.

"While you stood back like an old man locked away in isolation, clicking your tongue and handing swords to your children so you could watch us fight, I devoted everything I had to this company without ever looking away!"

Herman remained silent, staring at Stephan.

Taking advantage of the momentum, Stephan continued pouring out the words that had long been buried inside him.

"Didn’t I tell you before? When you asked me what kind of man Lord Regent Ferda was, I answered that he was someone I could give everything to."

"..."

"I wasn’t mistaken back then. I meant every word of it. Do you know why? Because I believed that even if I handed this company over to him, I would gain far more than what you had built."

"No matter how passionately you plead, all I hear is someone who’s been consumed by his emotions."

"I don’t care. When I was at my lowest, he ordered me to respond to the sabotage against the Grand Duchy. Not against the Pascal Trading Company—the Grand Duchy. He accepted me as part of the Grand Duchy and helped me."

Although Ferda had once tried to cast him aside with ruthless determination, he had shown just as much mercy afterward.

At that moment, Stephan had made up his mind.

Everything depended on the choice he himself made.

"So let me make this perfectly clear."

He presented the final choice from which there would be no turning back.

"I will not step down from this position. I run this company, and I will take responsibility for my own decisions. So if you intend to interfere with those decisions..."

Bang!

"...Then you’ll have to fight me prepared to sever all ties between us!"