Chapter 18: What is done is done
j9rGPerda climbed to the top of a solitary mountain.cceN
uVS7aHe had asked Ruri to help him get there with a single purpose—to observe Valdrova’s battle.WiR
Shq3CTE— KROOOOAAAH!04c
2zHA deafening roar seemed to overturn heaven and earth.Cnp90
XZNQKtToday, she had stopped the advance of more than a hundred demonic beasts.vmIM4r7
mK3SzLIIn the past, that would have been a moment in which he would not even have been able to breathe.Lphk
9r6gXTBut now he was as calm as if he were contemplating distant mountains.n58
hUVWYBY‘The effect of that liquor is undeniable.’qbp
KE8The fear toward dragons had disappeared, and even the fear they exhaled barely interfered with his body.syPjf
Jl4f8m6Even so, while he was surprised, he also felt curious.Pyobl7
rhliVDo“How do the others endure this? Even inside the castle it must not be easy.”0Ra
0TxBKm“There are artifacts.”wh2rlA
Glaah7vRuri took a ring from beneath her skirt and showed it.XNFba
aujKIt was a common silver ring, with inscriptions engraved on its inner side.xsJr0
NcEO5atPerda could not read those characters.xf0lJXO
FKDx“It serves to track the location of the castle’s employees and to mitigate fear toward dragons. Up to one hundred employees can live inside the castle without problems.”c5ytvj
G10on“Does it have an effect similar to what I obtained by drinking?”C2rI
1Mp7M“Not as much. In their hearts, the fear toward dragons still remains.”Vupz1
LEL“Even so, they prepared quite thoroughly.”GumJxy
Yvf“They prepared unnecessarily much.”1tc8
bI73JRo“Hmm……”Z5xBl
7llmdbOAfter thinking for a moment, Perda spoke again.xMR
rrVcf“Did you say there are a hundred of those?”FaFOw
2XD“That is correct.”s5uOUx
WlO9“Then, could you not have used one on me from the beginning?”uV0
aNtw4C“I could.”eXVpGEO
nY9GGJJ“And why did you not give me one?”zmQtR
o4MDaw5Ruri’s eyes slowly shifted, and she shrugged.14Aoy
1X6Fl“You never asked for it.”Yim
k1wOne could feel how much she had hated the previous Perda before the engagement.kAk
xJPxp7a‘Although it seems she still hates me.’OEmqUZ
OcS29But what was the point of dwelling on the past?ua1mp
ENqqPerda turned his gaze downward, toward Valdrova.6Lkx
SrJIf there was something different from the past, it was that now, after finishing her task, she did not immediately return but instead turned her gaze.LwZ
WNsDA pair of horns rising forward and another pair lifting toward the sky.Z0dw
qD7lA presence so imposing that the word tyrant seemed insufficient.O4n78C
rAlEOHe even felt that those golden eyes met his.ZicHS
fFYc‘I can sense it.’bLcoPD
4GFmSince he drank the engagement wine, he felt as if an invisible thread connected him to Valdrova.MUca
AFgOp8xAnd whenever it happened, without realizing it, he would form a smile.Tu1dO5m
D6wwCWValdrova, on the other hand, avoided his gaze and returned to her lair.l8D8g
WyGb‘Did I put her in an awkward position again?’chYg
6kOXAlthough he was already her fiancé, he had never truly spoken with her.DXv
BiCugEZEvery time he tried to approach, she avoided him, and the only thing he could do was observe her.BKCO9
8pcQgp3‘Social anxiety…?’nxz
tTkPIf one saw her tearing apart demonic beasts, she seemed nothing more than a barbarian.bQdpgzO
r70But in Perda’s mind, the first thing that came to him was her lips.HLnAaYW
nNt‘She has an extraordinary talent for making me despair.’LpahehP
BDKAn oasis that springs forth in the middle of the desert.z52
IOQThe faint warmth of a blue flame in eternal ice.Lf8MDvn
YW5ATo be so close and be able to do nothing but observe her.uo4
CN7dzGLike a condemned man who has an apple before him but can never eat it, who has water but can never drink it.WF1I
thU4tAt least to be able to look her in the eyes and speak with her…8qe
SgT“Is it still not permitted to speak with her?”hZkK
AzxMCZ0“Yes. She has given the order to wait until the time comes.”krSK9o1
Z2rmg0Z“It has been more than a month.”aFun
7OpMyB9“Compared to her life, it is as brief as a blink.”cA4g
uFhThe time of immortals and that of mortals is different.oLu
9MpZIFrImpatience began to take hold of Perda.qedM
G5Bw2ca‘Waiting until she orders her feelings must also be part of the role of consort.’yNr
ikVwUZHe decided to be patient.LbQV
uQRsHe still had much life ahead of him.jQZ
OL5xG2Ruri, who had been observing everything, looked away.5aFPrT5
wCPiZI“Lord Perda.”t5Q
ihkjc1“What is it?”cReA
MGZu5M“A guest has arrived.”kSDujg
hx6VPIn an area Perda could not see, he barely made out an elongated figure in front of the castle.19n
Q44Ruri, acting as his eyes, said,eww
HIIU“It seems Vernell Marquis has arrived.”b7sD
efeF***qRIIo
fvFHVernell Marquis.oslMYCI
mjskyWhen they met again, he was in even worse condition than before.8ham9IX
ZNDyrDuHis debts had been settled and the troublesome thugs no longer harassed him, but that did not mean his life had improved.34s
hH6FuC“Uh… I have thought it over…”Hk672
zPAJAbm“Get to the point.”Iebl6Od
89U8N0SPerda was direct.GGqJ
eIZ“I am not in the mood for detours.”32nQ
izasLY3He not only wanted to prevent Vernell from changing his mind, but in his dantian the Red Circle was spinning intensely.tdRfWHg
DaIyHe did not want to let that exhilaration slip away because of Vernell.zw16h
i1L“As you said… I think it is better to manufacture weapons.”iAJl1af
vpb0taY“Have you abandoned your convictions?”jQHHsNN
vyAnco“No, I have not abandoned them. As you said, manufacturing weapons can also serve to maintain peace. I was just… afraid of criticism.”yxY
hfqVernell looked at the letter of appointment he was holding.Ttr
ef39“I will manufacture weapons. To eliminate the demonic beasts of the far east. But I wish that those weapons not be used in wars between humans. At least while I am still alive.”Fche
QK54“That I cannot promise.”8qpB6N
nhTxQ32Perda did not lie; he told the truth.Ugg
7So“I see…”ObUV
jZVoPefVernell did not show great disappointment.WGz92w
32KYgEven if he was a frog at the bottom of a well, he still lived in society and knew how things worked.NlK
gb2E8The development of weapons can overturn the balance of war depending on who advances first.Up3wAk
3ilxLPpAnd in that field, magitechnology would become an innovation that accelerated everything.Io0m
vBO“You do not need to feel so guilty. Think of it this way—if you forge a sword, with what do you stop it?”aXv
Fb4SIg“If a sword is created… then a shield and armor are created to block it.”tEH
8yEG“If a sword is created that pierces even that armor and shield, should we surrender and remain watching the ruin?”eCq
MDuVernell finally understood.Suzfzcn
lZzQnIm“No. We must create even better armor and shields.”bbD4y
wnb“You manufacture weapons, but at the same time you manufacture shields. If you want to avoid war, you must continue developing. If you stop…”wHGTn
IiK8Y7J“The adversary will take a step forward.”nprV
LRo1It was a race that could not be stopped.c1uyUP
CnyIWBefore his eyes, a reality he did not want to imagine took shape.4O9VM
rWfmD5In his nose, there still seemed to linger the faint aroma of coffee, black tea, and ink.2F6tD
5sTOHe deeply missed Escolea.od9V
QxWf7ZgAt least there, that small room had been his world.Ao8FvJ
y9KNYK‘But I cannot return.’CDe1sm
wav3vMagitechnology was a desire he wanted to fulfill at all costs.mGyik
PWEplj“Of course, when there is room later, I will allow you to research applications in other fields. But the priority is to develop a tool that pushes the front line of the far east. If you achieve that first, I will have no intention of interfering.”DopKvI
2Dtb7“Y-yes, understood.”qF6oZuE
rvTxir7“Good, I think that is clear…”tVWpt
O4SU1mPerda then moved on to speak seriously about Vernell’s research.Trb
gYgUXo“Tell me first what you need to begin.”V0FpNB
Uk7“More than tools, I need demonic beast corpses.”ipiZq
Xpq“Corpses?”5Osz
Q4uFf3w“I must observe them first. The tools come afterward.”ku0sF
fZAZcqVernell scratched his head and smiled awkwardly.MYwVkrj
ECTa“Actually, if they were alive, the progress would be greater… although capturing one is not easy at all, haha…”VpQYZzu
COZPerda nodded calmly.qMa
wPwVj“Understood. Then is capturing one alive enough?”IlPAPdy
jhee“Yes, capturing it… uh… wait, do you plan to capture one?”jkf3D
Twv7lNVernell asked, startled.qRHmmd
ad9“If we want to accelerate progress, we must do it. There is still a long road ahead; the first step must be large.”JjSZc
N1ZQh“It will be quite difficult… but very well. Thank you very much, your… highness.”6UMm
Z77kJ85“Call me regent. It is the official title now. And you have nothing to thank me for.”vXZ
AY3Z2Perda stood up and put on his coat.LGinv
grM“We leave in three days. Prepare yourself.”v9FK0
FvEQm4“Excuse me? Leave… where to?”IaON
nCB“Were you not the one who said it? We are going to capture it.”A5LO
u0d“W-we?”nuG8mEy
E2cQJVernell’s eyes widened so much that his pupils seemed to shrink to points.e4kl
dwTWvud“Did you think you would sit here waiting for someone to capture it for you?”Jrj
rdl“Uh… most people do that…”yxQ
BnIOsQ“A ridiculous joke. How could I stand by watching while dozens die for the whim of a scholar? At moments like this, one moves.”lWqdN
ae5mu84Perda patted him on the shoulder.FoZM0
wGl0VMu“Is it not the belief of scholars that the truth sets a man free?”hww
QtZ“T-that is true, but…”tTzNZO7
uDeFj“If you sit waiting for the truth to fall into your mouth, it will not happen. You will have to move your body.”C7ditAV
GYdxDMa“Uuugh…”xbNz3h1
RLMm5c“Prepare yourself well. You must be in the best condition.”VO3EaSP
muJVernell’s face turned pale.q0T8pOV
q5jdZ9R‘I should not have come!’yB7u
ZUE7What is done is done.dnbnEU
ukUrAoD***mJhaNkA
TOcEpaDPerda and Vernell rode toward their destination.OEIm4K
XoopuSFollowing the road, they saw a group waiting for them.Lsw1TSv
imXdGeThirty subordinates lined up with discipline, and at the front, a man on horseback wearing half plate armor.RS9IlMT
xWOBaTwHe was the guide waiting for Perda.duGr
3fkXaArwen dismounted and greeted him respectfully.hZPnsx
CuqaHUq“I greet the consort of Grand Duchess Valdrova, His Excellency Perda Valdrova, regent. My name is Arwen. I have been sent by order of Count Consilus to assist you.”5AF
t5BK75“A pleasure. Did you receive the orders properly?”Q41d
LuDbU“Yes. I was informed that we would hunt a demonic beast.”luQLAr
vXrfRAKPerda corrected him.SLrwbxA
U8EhNj“Not hunt. Capture. We are going to capture it alive.”c5AM
DH2Af“My apologies. I must have misread the document.”ST0P
0NtebmIn truth, he had not misread it.BGZ1
hN5dIt was so absurd that he had assumed it was a mistake.ir4R
fccG“It does not matter. Where is it?”UZFD
RocArwen pointed toward a spot in the forest.IPmz
mjvPekG“We were reported that from that direction emanates the characteristic energy of a demonic beast.”DehHQ
FzLb5uc“How many?”WtX
yx1nB8“By the recent expansion area, it appears to be only one.”axpK
c6Z4kY“Then it will be easy to capture.”UIE
6Pqxd6M“You see…”uWla
ASbRArwen continued in a serious tone.TqcD9VU
v2A04Qv“By the estimated size, it surpasses that of a gray bear. Even eliminating it would be complicated for us.”iW5Er
b4RThat is to say, capturing it would be even more difficult.5vRvbGg
FQgBut that did not apply to Perda.xInz8T6
f6DRl0“The larger, the better. We must capture it.”mdOFr
DwPHe patted Vernell.drym
fj714“It will be useful for your research.”WFactS
j2wZy6Z“Haha… y-yes…”J2p
8QfLVernell smiled stiffly while screaming inside.rpej9
Ajdz2jk‘Do not say that!’OjuO
f6D3cThe soldiers’ gazes fixed on him.mHsG
45UlY‘So this bastard is the culprit.’0tP
5TX25bE‘It is already difficult to kill it, and he wants to capture it?’ygDFQzB
7heR‘If I die trying to catch it, I will curse you until the day you die.’kkH9XJ
fpjnThe curses seemed to echo in his head.WmPYcbM
GgXJ“Haha…”9STaZ
2aTzVernell laughed.JWS77y
tdVsAOne had to laugh while one still could.kclCjW
29Hsx***zXv
TEthArwen advanced first.bScEsNz
WyuThey left the horses behind so as not to provoke the creature.359I5th
xoTA“To which circle have you reached in magic?”COBSC
7yGSi3Perda asked as they followed Arwen.yQvxQS
rXf“My limit is the third circle.”L8qB8Aw
1kHhPz“Blue Circle?”gl0R
sUeMsD“Yes. A mage must at least be Blue Circle… Are you Red Circle?”wLF
66ATmhY“That is correct.”mfR
Kx0kFCyVernell covered his mouth.T32uH
gEVGRfA“I-I am sorry! I should not have…”qzRvaJ
hX88iz“It does not matter. Then, third circle.”nxg
6dVDThe title for those of the third circle was Magic Worker.dhONkMJ
AvmEatMany could not overcome the barrier of the fourth circle, which is why they detested that term.bAe
VmfXft“Can you use Magic Shot?”s8C4h
1ns0QA8“Yes. I can generate and fire spheres, although the effective range is—”wm7H2f8
dxB“As long as you can generate them, that is enough. How many?”3T58Ebs
YO0“Uh… twelve.”z84vX
Yb6Hi“And if you make them large?”dwSWV
83ool“Four.”qF7P2
8MIThe average for the third circle was fifteen shots.RM2J
6t7sgk“You are below normal.”8nnmeJ9
nb3SUo“Hah… that is correct.”C3x
BBOEOa6It hurt, but it was true.gss3Ro
i3D5His first dream had been to be a mage.pyU1I3
LAmNkr5‘In the end, the only thing I knew how to do was not magic, but study.’F1D1pn
IWUAnd even that he had ruined chasing absurd dreams.ti9ZHNa
7GiBQ“It is enough. You only need to support me.”7YqkrL
54RAC“S-support you?”KcI4
UXQPJ“I will take care of everything. You just execute simple instructions. Understood?”M7IS
3A9“Support you? How…?”d0O
hKZ36s“It will be so simple that even a three-year-old child would understand. Do not worry.”ESUtHPO
TrSwLynVernell could not imagine the plan.olei
lrRRH“Excuse me, Lord Regent… which circle are you?”MUZGgDm
Nu6“Me? Second.”6gx
3CeO“S-second?”VCO
TQWuN“Does it surprise you that I am below you?”MPpM
DVl3rg“It is not that…”zGfc
j57TZvHe could not understand it.dbsnpG
r0CpG9‘Was the mana I saw real?’ZMik1nG
fo5biHe had always believed that Perda was hiding his level.ToH
HWB06c1But he was only second circle.hPq
EPPiB6G‘What can someone of second circle do…?’Wd3Gm
75PfAt that moment, Arwen raised his hand.OkZi
oAnUh“I detect its presence.”wXsn
0Q9j“Good. Well done. I will call just before the capture. Wait.”KvRcms
ewJxc“Excuse me?”pL8Lar
BlUD6i3Arwen thought he had misheard.9eaZMV
8CVePerda frowned.5imcT0
1NRyr“Reprimand the one who drafted that document. I said I needed guidance and support for the capture, not that you would do it. Do you want to capture it yourselves?”gDzaB
VHio“Should we not?”5rD6F
AR7“I see knightly spirit.”mMx7j9I
iwDFUPerda gave him a pat.6jjk
KGt2p“Do not take your life lightly. You are a knight of Count Consilus and of the grand duchy.”60p
cugHe put on his leather gloves.wFrJ5tf
KhF9XT“Let us go. When I give the signal, prepare to capture it. Vernell.”5cT
hk2“Y-yes!”CvWO
FSamVTfPerda walked with his hands behind his back, with an elegance unbefitting someone heading toward death.faOAoqv
Cnfgi‘I am going to die!’Ul29Vp
WH5OmNOFor Vernell, he was nothing but a herald of death.xM5x2J
1la9***xcvSoA6
1bVAfter ten minutes in the forest, they found the creature.iaap8oh
rtEZW‘A contaminated one.’EpJq9G
qeUftiIt was not a beast born that way, but a corrupted animal.fXkpJS
keg7Originally, it had been a bear.s3M
sZeTwNow it was barely something that had been “a bear.”2XGrtN5
ZPzf55mA creature whose mere existence seemed irrational.YIRRw64
SitL“Ugh…”XdWr
sBzTHh“Do not vomit. If it detects us, it will be problematic.”D2Sd1c
xNy8d“Ugh…”zRr2
ImlGfPerda fixed his gaze on the target.Sq7NA0
JtXK“Generate the mana spheres on your fingers.”fOxM1
S7QZu“Yes.”UENPmZL
Wkd7cJVernell created a pure sphere.rhyw7w
7Zpy8“Now, at my signal, throw them at me gently one by one.”aWY
5XNwFhP“Eh?”bnb7
j9HXAt him? Not at the bear?ntuoby
CyEE“At you?”Nmg
6vvc6b“Yes. Throw it.”mYwSKly
lb1dvWVernell closed his eyes and threw one.fTfPO
NGK“Eh?”ryGq
emp2m4At that instant, something astonishing happened.HoO0s3y
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