I Married the Dragon I Killed — Chapter 13: Meticulous Calculation

Chapter 13: Meticulous Calculation

Vernell‌ Marquis.

Age:‌ 27 years.

Class⁠ of 525 from Veritas Academy.

Title‍‌ granted: Chaotic.

Residence:⁠‌ semi-basement in the‌‍ slums of Escolea‍ (the previous tenant⁠‍ didn’t last a week before running‍ away).

Assets‍⁠‍ in possession: 72‌‌ gold coins.

“When‍ do you plan‍ to pay me‌ back, bastard?”

— 72 coins.

Two‌ burly men had⁠⁠ trashed the house,‍‌ and with them,‍ a smaller man‍‌‍ with a fierce face.

And‌‌ a single man,‌‍ kneeling, watched their⁠‍ rampage helplessly, trembling nonstop.

The‍ scrawny man with‌ oversized glasses began⁠ to wring his⁠⁠‍ hands.

“I… please, give me⁠‍ a bit more⁠⁠‌ time. It’s an experiment that needs‍ to be evaluated⁠ long-term, so the⁠‌ results will take‌‍ a bit more—”‌‌

“How‌‌ much more is‌‌ ‘long-term’? Didn’t I already give you⁠ a year? You⁠ said in a year there’d be⁠‌ significant results.”

“I-I‍⁠ said they might‌ show, but it’s‍‌ hard to gather‍⁠ the monster corpses,‍ and I—”

“Ah.”‍

The‍‍ lender waved his‌ hand and cut⁠ him off.

“I‍‌⁠ don’t need excuses.⁠⁠ Tell me something‍ simple—can what you have now be‍‍ turned into money‍ or not?”

“T-that…‌⁠ probably not yet.‌⁠ There are still‌‌ unresolved variables…”

“Haa…”

The‌ man glaring down⁠‍ at Vernell was⁠‌ a loan shark.⁠

He⁠ lent money at‍‌ outrageous interest rates‍‍‍ to people who⁠⁠ couldn’t get a single bank loan.‌

His usual tactic was‌‌ to cut off⁠⁠ funding just before⁠ the research could be completed.

“Damn‌⁠ it… I really⁠‍ stepped in something‌ nasty.”

He‍⁠ closed his eyes‌ tightly. Everything indicated⁠ he wouldn’t recover‌ the money he’d‌‍⁠ loaned Vernell Marquis.⁠

He⁠⁠ dragged over a rickety chair, sat‌ comfortably in front‍ of him, and‍‍ lit a cigar.⁠‍

“Alright.‍ I’ll give you‌ an extension on⁠‍ the debt.”

“R-really?”‍‌

“On⁠‌‍ the condition that‍ you abandon the‍ research you’re doing⁠⁠ now.”

“…What?”⁠⁠

The⁠ loan shark exhaled a long puff‍ of smoke.

“From‌ what I see,‍‌‍ you were doing‌ pretty well your‍‍ first year at‍⁠ the academy, weren’t⁠⁠ you? I checked‌ your record—you weren’t‌‍⁠ just top of‍‌ your class, but⁠‍ first in the⁠⁠⁠ entire year.”

“Ah,⁠⁠ yes… back then⁠‌‌ I wasn’t really sure what to‌ do, so I just studied casually‍⁠ and ended up‌ first, but…”

“Casually?”‍

Only‌⁠⁠ this guy could call ending up‌‍‌ first “casual.”

“That’s why I’m saying‍ do something else. Do something else‍ casually and get⁠‌ results. I’ve got⁠ a few projects‍ from other nobodies;‍ I’ll give them‌⁠ to you. Finish⁠‌ them and hand‍‌‌ them over. Then‌ we’ll call the debt settled. How‌ about that?”

“Couldn’t‌ I do that‍‍ while still working⁠ on my current‌ research? If it’s‌ just that—”

Thud!‌‌

A dagger flew and‌‌⁠ stabbed into the‌ floor—right in front‌‍ of his groin.

“Hiik!”‍‌⁠

“You’re‌ awfully confident when‌‍ I’m trying to‍⁠ be reasonable. Lately,‌‍ because of that⁠ thing called ‘morality,’⁠‍⁠ organs are going‍ for crazy prices.⁠ How much do‌‌ you think yours‍‍⁠ would fetch?”

“If‍ you guarantee I’ll‌ still be breathing,‌⁠‍ I think that⁠⁠ alone could cover⁠‌ all the interest.”⁠

“How about it? Sell‍⁠ your organs and⁠‌‍ keep doing your‍ experiment. You don’t‍ like that idea,‍⁠ right?”

“Yes…⁠ not really…”

“Then drop the research‌‍ and do what⁠‍‌ I tell you.”⁠

“That‌‍ either…”

Pow!‍⁠

The⁠ lender’s kick landed hard in Vernell’s‍‍ side.

“Are you mocking me,‌⁠ bastard!? Don’t like‌‌⁠ anything, huh? Then‍⁠ go die! Useless mutt not even⁠⁠ worth living!”

“Ugh…⁠ ugh… ugh…”

Vernell⁠ curled up, taking‌ the beating without‍ resistance.

He⁠‌ couldn’t even make a sound—inside, he‌ was screaming with‍⁠‍ all his might.⁠

‘Someone…‍‌ someone save me!’⁠‌

His⁠⁠ plea, like a rose blooming from‍‌⁠ the sewers, never‌ reached anyone.

“That’s‍⁠ enough.”

But today was different.⁠⁠

The‍⁠ blows from the‍ brute and the‍⁠ lender stopped.

They⁠‌ turned toward the door they had kicked in when they entered.

Vernell‌‌ also looked up.

“Sorry to interrupt such‌⁠ a fine moment,‍‌ but it’d be⁠ best if you⁠⁠ stopped.”

The⁠ ray of salvation‌‍ Vernell had so‌‍ longed for.

It‍ was gray.

‘Ah…’⁠

Vernell⁠ fell into despair.‍‌

It‍⁠ was a stranger.

And‌‍ a stranger had‍ no reason to‌‌‍ save him.

The‍‌‍ loan shark, still⁠⁠ riding the high‌‍ of violence, ran‍ his hand through‍‍⁠ his hair and‌ clicked his tongue.

“From⁠⁠ the looks of⁠⁠ you, I’d say‍ you’re some rich‍‌⁠ young master from‌ out of town.‌ Don’t get in‌ the way.”

“Sorry,‍⁠ but I’m going to get in‌ the way.”

The‍ man with gray⁠‍ hair pointed at‌‍‌ Vernell.

“I‌ have unfinished business⁠ with that man.”⁠⁠

***⁠

When⁠⁠ Perda entered the‌ semi-basement, the beating‌ was already underway.‌

Seeing⁠ the man being‍‌ beaten like a dog that bites⁠⁠ its master, he⁠⁠ thought,

‘What‍‌ perfect timing.’

Appearing⁠‍ just when someone‌⁠ is begging for⁠‌‌ a ray of‌ salvation.

“That’s⁠ enough.”

That was how Perda‌⁠ stopped the loan‌ shark’s beating.

Vernell faded into the‍‌ background, and the⁠ loan shark looked‌‌ at Perda with‌ a crooked stance.⁠

“You‍ don’t look like‌ the same type‌‌ as those Escolea bookworms. You from‍ outside?”

“That’s‍ right. I come from another region.”⁠

“Did‌‌ that bastard ask‌ you for money‌ too?”

“No.”⁠

“Then respect the order.⁠‍‍ I got here‌‌ first. Let me⁠ finish with him, then you can‌‍ talk.”

“How‌⁠ considerate. And what‍‌ if I were‌‌ to take care‍⁠‌ of settling that‌ debt?”

A brief silence.

The‍⁠ loan shark showed‌ a hesitant expression‌ before answering.

“With‍ interest included, it’s‍‍ 72 gold coins.⁠ Can you pay⁠ them?”

“Of‍‍ course.”

“Then‍‌ pay.”

Seventy-two‌‌ gold coins.

For‍‌ Perda, now lord⁠‌‌ of Valdrova’s castle,‌‍‌ it was not⁠⁠ a particularly large‌‌‍ sum.

He could throw it‌‍‍ away as easily‌ as tossing aside⁠⁠ a bone already‌ gnawed clean.

But he did not⁠⁠ accept immediately.

His⁠‍‍ blue eyes slid‌‌‍ toward Vernell, curled⁠⁠ up and bleeding.

Seeing⁠‌ him, Perda proposed,

“Let’s‍ do this. Deduct‍ the beating and the material damage‌ and leave it⁠‌ at fifty. What⁠ do you say?”‌‌

The‌‌ loan shark let⁠ out an incredulous⁠⁠ laugh.

“Are‍ you crazy? What‌⁠‍ we broke isn’t⁠ worth even three‌‍⁠ gold coins!”

“Oh,⁠ really? Then accept forty-nine. For the‌‌‌ man you beat‍⁠ up, I’m giving‍⁠ you about twenty‍ coins for free.”‌

“Have‌‍ you lost your mind? Burning twenty‌‌ coins just for⁠ exchanging a few⁠ words?”

“Then‌ no deal?”

“Deal?‌ This isn’t negotiating,‌ it’s extortion.”

“Then‌ the deal is⁠⁠⁠ off.”

Perda‍‍⁠ raised one finger.‌

“In‌⁠⁠ that case, have⁠ them pay exactly⁠‍ the same to‍ settle accounts as‌⁠‍ well, Ruri.”

Ruri,⁠ who was behind‍ him, stepped forward.‌

“Leave‌ them in the‌⁠ exact same state.”‌

“…”

“I’ll⁠ keep my word,⁠ so don’t worry.”‌

“Haa…‍ understood.”

The‌‌ silver side-ponytailed maid⁠‍‌ advanced with an‍‌⁠ expressionless face.

“What‌‍ is this, a kid?”

“Bringing‌ a kid to a place like‍‍ this? Is this⁠ young master an⁠‍⁠ idiot or what?”‍‍

The burly men laughed⁠⁠⁠ maliciously.

The‍ loan shark, unlike them, understood it⁠⁠ instantly.

That‍⁠ “kid” was no‍⁠ ordinary kid.

At‌⁠ that moment, the‍⁠ little girl released‍ a portion of‍‍ the power she‌‌ was concealing.

Ruri’s‍‌⁠ silver eyes shone⁠‍ with a strange‌ glow.

Piiiii—!‌

A shrill ringing pierced everyone’s ears at⁠‌ once.

“Ugh!”‌‍⁠

“Ugh?!”⁠⁠

“W-what‍‍ the hell…?”

The⁠⁠‍ men were left‍ bewildered.

But⁠⁠ what followed was⁠ even more terrifying.⁠

“Ah…‍⁠‌ ah…”

“M-my‌⁠ body…”

They‌⁠‍ could not move.‍

No‌ matter how hard⁠ they tried, they‍‌ could only tremble‍ slightly.

Their⁠ bodies were stiff like rocks.

Ruri⁠⁠⁠ looked at them‌ for a moment⁠⁠ and then approached‍ the nearest burly‍⁠⁠ man.

“I’ll start with you.”⁠

She⁠‍ pointed with her‍⁠ finger.

At‍‌⁠ that instant, the‍⁠‍ space the man‍⁠‍ occupied warped like‍ a mirage.

Pow!‌‌ Pow! Pow! Pow!⁠‍‍

A barrage of blows⁠ burst through the⁠ air, and the‌ burly man collapsed‍ to the ground.‍

“Ugh…‌⁠ ugh…”

His body was covered in bruises, blood‍‍‍ pouring from his‌ nose as he groaned on the‍⁠ floor.

He‍‌ looked exactly the⁠ same as Vernell.⁠‌

‘What⁠ the hell was‍⁠ that?’

The‍‍ remaining burly man‍⁠ and the loan⁠‍ shark broke out‌ in cold sweat.‍

In⁠ their world, none‌⁠ of this made‍⁠‍ any sense.

Her‍ gaze shifted to‌ the other burly‌⁠ man.

“You’re‌ next.”

“Huh…?”⁠

Pow‌⁠ pow pow!

It was the second⁠ time the loan⁠⁠ shark witnessed that‌ phenomenon, yet he‌‍ still could not‌‌ comprehend it.

The⁠ air distorted, and‌⁠ immediately after, a beating erupted all⁠ at once.

‘Magic!’‍⁠

He understood that much,‌‌ but understanding did‌⁠ not mean accepting‌⁠ everything.

‘It’s⁠⁠‍ magic, sure! But‍ does magic like⁠ that even exist?!’‌‌‍

The⁠ magic the girl‌ used had no magic circles.

She⁠⁠ merely moved her⁠‍‌ finger at random.⁠

Could‌ such destructive power‍ really be unleashed⁠ with something like that?

“There’s‍‌ no one left,⁠ so now it’s⁠⁠‌ your turn.”

“Ugh…‍‍ Aaaah!”

The‍⁠ loan shark tried‍‌ to resist one⁠⁠ last time.

His‌‌‍ rigid body trembled‌‌‌ as he tried‍‌ to force it‌⁠ to move.

His‍ vision warped.

Pow pow pow!

The⁠ loan shark collapsed face-first.

Crack!

“Aaah!”‍‍

Another‍‌⁠ scream erupted.

When‍⁠ he fell, his⁠ right index finger‌‍ had bent in‍‌⁠ an impossible direction.⁠⁠

“Ah! My finger!”

An unforeseen variable had‌ arisen in the‌ calculation.

“Son⁠‍ of a bitch!‍ You said you’d‌‌ leave us the⁠ same! A finger‌ wasn’t part of⁠‌ the deal!!”

The‌⁠ loan shark threw‍‍ a childish tantrum,‌ kicking and screaming.‍‌

The‌ ferocious face he‌ had shown earlier‌ now looked like‌ that of a spoiled child.

The head of the‌‍ loan sharks had⁠⁠ built his initial⁠ capital through blackmail‍⁠ and threats.

His‌‌ true nature was being laid bare.‍

It‌⁠ was a ridiculous‌ scene, but not‍ to Perda.

“You’re‍ right. This is‌⁠ quite problematic.”

Perda’s‍⁠ expression turned serious⁠‍ as he observed⁠‌‌ him calmly.

The⁠ loan shark felt⁠ a chill run‍⁠⁠ down his spine.‍‌‍

“What‍‍ you’re saying is‌⁠‌ that you’re the⁠ only one with‍ a broken finger,⁠‌ and that feels‍‍⁠ unfair to you?”‍

“Y-yes,‌ damn bastard! W-what⁠⁠‌ are you going‍⁠ to do about‍ my finger!?”

Perda‌ tilted his head⁠ toward Ruri.

“It‍⁠ seems this gentleman‍‍‌ feels wronged.”

“Understood.”⁠⁠

The‍ way to ease‌‌ an injustice was to offer appropriate‌ compensation.

Or‌‌ to do exactly the same.

Perda⁠ had no intention of compensating anything.⁠‌

Crack!⁠‌‍

“Aaah!”‌

Crack!⁠‌‌

“Aaaargh!”‌

The⁠ fingers of the⁠‌ other two burly‍ men were broken in the same⁠‍‍ way.

Ruri‌‍ turned around, believing⁠‌ it was over.

“Ruri.”

Perda‍ called to her.⁠‍

“Yes.”‍

“Isn’t‍‍ there still one‌⁠ left?”

“…Are‌ you serious?”

Ruri‍‍‌ frowned, and Perda⁠⁠ nodded.

“Calculations‌‌‍ must be meticulous.”‌‌

Ruri⁠ did not understand.‌

If⁠ they had to be meticulous, then‍ there was still‍⁠‍ one missing.

“Huh…?”⁠

Vernell‌‍ Marquis.

Crack!‍‍⁠

“Aaah!”‍

Vernell’s⁠ index finger was‌‍ broken as well.‍

The‌ loan shark and‌‍ his men, who⁠ had been screaming‍ and complaining, fell‌ silent at the⁠ sight.

‘W-what‍‍⁠ is he doing?’⁠

‘Why⁠ is he breaking‌‍‍ that bookworm’s finger?’‍⁠

‘Wasn’t‍ he on his‍ side?’

The⁠ pain was so⁠⁠ intense they could‌⁠ barely think.

He⁠ had said it‌‌‍ would be fair,‌ and so even‌‍ Vernell had received‌‌ the same.

Everyone‌ was now in‍ exactly the same‌‍ condition.

‘This‍ guy is completely‍ insane!’

Fear‌‍ of Perda began to seep deep⁠⁠ into them.

Perda‍ observed their state⁠ and nodded in⁠⁠⁠ satisfaction.

“To‌ my eyes, this‍‍‍ now looks fair. If anyone feels⁠⁠‌ they were punished‌ excessively, speak up.”⁠‍

Perda formed a faint⁠ smile.

“I’ll⁠⁠⁠ make sure everything⁠ is perfectly balanced.”⁠‍

“N-no!”⁠‍

“T-this⁠‌ is enough.”

“Oh?⁠‍ Is it?”

Perda‍⁠ extended his hand‍ toward Ruri.

She⁠⁠ pulled a pouch⁠ from her skirt,‌‌ and Perda tossed⁠ it to the‌‍ loan shark.

Exactly⁠ sixty-nine gold coins,‍ deducting the material‍‍‌ damage.

“Then,‍⁠ since the debt‌‍ is settled, get‍‌ lost.”

“T-thank⁠‍ you.”

They‍‍‌ fled without looking‍‍ back.

As‍‍ he watched the⁠ place where they‍‌ disappeared, Perda spoke to Ruri.

“You’re⁠ skilled with magic.”

“I⁠ only used the basics.”

“And‌‌‍ within the basics,‍‌ do you know‍‍ healing magic?”

“To⁠⁠ a certain extent.”‌‍⁠

“Then⁠ I’d like you⁠‍ to heal Vernell‍⁠‌ a bit, the⁠ one lying there.”‌‍

“Ghh…‍ n-no need.”

Vernell,‍ groaning in pain,⁠‍‍ waved his hand.⁠

“If⁠ I receive too‍⁠⁠ much healing magic,⁠⁠ I develop resistance‌ later. I don’t‍ want the day‌ to come when‍ I truly need‌⁠ it and it‍ doesn’t work. I can endure this.”⁠

“A‍‌ rational decision, worthy‍ of a scholar.”‌

Vernell‌‍ grabbed his finger.‌‌

“Ghh…!”‍‌‌

Crack.‍

He‌⁠⁠ set it back‌‍ in place and‌ carefully moved it‌‍ again.

After⁠ confirming it had‍ returned to normal,⁠⁠⁠ he wiped the‌‍ sweat from his‍‌‍ forehead.

“Huu…⁠ thank you very‍ much for saving‌ me.”

Even if you broke⁠‌ my finger…

He swallowed those words‌⁠ and asked Perda,‍⁠

“May‌⁠ I know your name?”

“My‌⁠ name is Perda Valdrova.”

“Valdrova?‌ Isn’t that the‍‌ name of the⁠‍‌ red dragon?”

“That’s‌ right. I will‍ be her partner.”‌⁠

“Huh?‍‍ D-don’t tell me…?‌‍ The Dragon Queen’s fiancé is you…?”‍⁠

Vernell’s‌⁠‌ face turned pale.⁠⁠

He‌ fell to his⁠ knees and immediately‍‍ prostrated himself.

“I-I⁠‌ apologize for failing‍‌ to recognize the⁠ consort of the⁠⁠‍ great Dragon Queen!”

“No,‌‌ it’s normal you⁠‍ wouldn’t know. Don’t‌ worry.”

“And‍⁠ he’s not her‌‌‌ consort yet. He’s⁠ just using the⁠‌ Valdrova surname.”

Ruri⁠⁠ interjected to correct‍ him.

Vernell⁠‍‍ introduced himself.

“I⁠ am Vernell Marquis.⁠‍ A scholar whom⁠ the world calls‍ Chaotic, as you‌ surely know. Ha,⁠⁠ ha…”

“Yes.‌ Your reputation is‌‍ well known to me.”

“And‌ what business could you have with‌‍⁠ someone as useless‍ as me…?”

“I⁠⁠ don’t like beating‌⁠ around the bush.‌ I’ll be direct.‌‍ I’m interested in‌ your research.”

“M-my‌‌ research?”

His‌‍ eyes widened.

Not‌ even the loan‍‌ shark who had‍ lent him money had taken it‌‌ seriously.

“If you come to⁠ Valdrova Castle, I promise unconditional support‍ for your research.”‌‌‍

“E-eh?”⁠‌

“Materials,‌‍ funds, facilities. Everything‍‌ you need, without‍⁠ conditions.”

“H-huuuh.”

Unconditional⁠‍ support.

An‌⁠‌ unprecedented deal for‌ any scholar.

It‍‌ filled him with‍ joy, but also‌⁠ with unease.

What condition was hidden‌ behind it?

With‌‍‍ a trembling voice,⁠ he asked,

“W-what‍ is the condition?”‌‌

“Your‌ research. With it,‍ we will manufacture⁠ weapons.”

Vernell’s expression hardened.

“Weapons…?”‍

“That’s‍⁠‌ right. With your‍‌ research.”

Vernell shook his head.‍‌

“Then‌ I cannot accept.”⁠‍

“That’s⁠ what you say‌ to someone who forgave your debt?”⁠‍

“Even‌⁠ with a knife at my neck,‍‍ I cannot do‌⁠ it. I desire⁠ a peaceful continent of Serdes. I only want the‍ people who live‍‌ on it to‍‌ be happy.”

Perda⁠ had already expected⁠⁠ resistance.

Vernell Marquis was a pacifist.

“Weapons of war only‍ create more victims.‍⁠ Not even for⁠‌ my benefactor can‍‍ I do something‍ like that.”

Perda⁠⁠ brought a hand‍ to his chin.

“So⁠⁠⁠ you wouldn’t change your mind even‍⁠ with a knife‍ at your neck.”‌‍

A chill ran down Vernell’s spine.

He‌⁠‍ had heard threats‍ many times, but‌‌ this one was‌ different.

Death‌ seemed to embrace‌‍ him from behind.⁠‍‍

“But⁠‍ think carefully.”

Perda‌ dragged his index⁠ finger across the‍⁠ dusty floor.

“Who⁠ do you think‍‍ you owe the⁠ ability to research‍⁠‍ peacefully in this⁠‍ rat hole?”

“It‌‍ was my choice.”⁠‌

“No.⁠‍ It wasn’t. The⁠⁠ peace you enjoy‍ is not created‌‍ because someone insignificant⁠‍⁠ chooses it.”

Vernell stiffened.

Clear‍ emotion colored his‌⁠ tone.

“The‍ Dragon Queen Valdrova,⁠‍ who will be‍‌⁠ my partner, goes‌ to the front‌ lines almost every three days. She‍‍ faces monsters capable‍ of wiping out⁠ a city like‌ this. What do‌‌ you think she‌‌ stakes each time?‍‌ A bit of⁠ territory? The inhabitants‍ of the far⁠ east? Or my‌⁠‌ life?”

Perda‌‍⁠ pointed at his‍‍ chest.

“No.⁠ She stakes her⁠ own life. While you would be‍ willing to die‍ for an empty‍ faith, she turns‌ her life into‍ a sacred sword‍ to reap enemies⁠⁠‍ and protect peace.”

Perda always watched Valdrova‌‍ fight on the‍ front lines.

From⁠‍ far above, in‌‌ silence.

At‌ that moment, her⁠ figure seemed to⁠‍ overlap before his eyes.

His‌‌⁠ chest hurt.

His‍‌ fingers unconsciously dug⁠ into his own⁠⁠ chest.

All⁠‍ that remained was‌ guilt, for being able to do nothing but watch.‌

“That‍ is why, for⁠ her, I will do anything.”

A flame burned deep within Perda’s eyes.⁠

“So, whether you like‌‍⁠ it or not,⁠‌ I will make⁠ you manufacture weapons.”