Chapter 42: Reverse Scale

Valdrova Castle, territory of the Grand Duchy of Valdrova.

That day, Ruri was presenting her weekly report in front of Valdrova.

“The latest we know is that Perda has arrived safely at the empire and is currently speaking in the imperial palace.”

It was, essentially, a report on Perda’s movements.

Upon hearing it, Valdrova let out a sigh, as if relieved.

— I see. I’m glad he arrived safely.

“…Haven’t I told you several times already? That, except in extreme cases, monsters wouldn’t attack that carriage.”

The far east was considered an abandoned land, with many undeveloped areas.

Because of that, forests were abundant, and where there are many trees, there are also many monsters.

Encountering monsters during a journey was more than twice as common as in other regions.

Even so, Perda’s carriage did not run that risk.

When it was built, a dragon scale had been hidden inside it.

Monsters, guided by instinct, would avoid even approaching due to the smell and presence of the dragon.

Zero probability of attack.

And just in case, it was also escorted by Arwen, a knight of Count Consilus, so even if an attack occurred, they could move safely.

‘And even so…’

Valdrova could not remain at ease.

The mere fact that he had left the territory made her uneasy.

If she worried even when he was right in front of her eyes, sending him somewhere beyond her reach was like a bolt from the blue.

— Is he eating well?

— There won’t be monsters nearby, right?

— He isn’t hurt, is he?

Those were questions Ruri had heard barely six hours after his departure.

‘As if she were taking care of a sick chick.’

She treated him like a fragile creature that could die at any moment.

It was inevitable.

For an immortal being that had existed since times close to the origin, a mortal human of 18 years was no different from an ant.

Moreover, Perda’s body was weaker than that of a normal person.

Ruri had no choice but to attach a spirit to his carriage to receive reports every three hours.

And she deeply hated having to do so.

‘She is straying further and further from the dignity of a sovereign.’

She had never been a particularly majestic dragon.

Ruri knew Valdrova’s two sides.

When she took her red dragon form, she always spoke with solemnity and seriousness.

She was a solitary guardian, and her presence imposed constant tension.

But when she adopted human form, all that tension disappeared.

Her face, her gestures, her behavior everything changed until she seemed like a different person.

She became a pure woman, far removed from any imperial dignity.

‘I can accept all her facets…’

But Ruri wished that at least that line would not disappear.

However, the more Perda integrated into Valdrova’s life, the more she felt that even in her dragon form she was losing her dignity.

Her emotions were mixed.

Ruri wanted her master to be happy.

But she also wanted her to maintain her presence as a sovereign.

‘Perda.’

Everything had changed since that man appeared.

She owed him a lot, but she also had many reasons to detest him.

“I will not report on his return.”

At those words, Valdrova moved abruptly.

— Why?

“We already know that the outgoing path is safe, so there is no need to worry about the return, right?”

— ….But the return path could be dangerous.

Once again speaking like a grandmother worried about her grandson.

“Then why don’t you go yourself to receive him?”

— Hmm…

Valdrova lowered her head, hesitating.

Despite her concern, she still felt uncomfortable interacting with humans.

Seeing that she could not respond, Ruri pressed on.

“You don’t need to worry so much about Perda. For us, 18 years is little, but in human society he is an adult.”

— I know.

“And he is handling well the things you could not do.”

— I know that too…

“So don’t worry so much. As long as you are well, there will be no moment when Perda is in danger.”

It was at that moment that it happened.

Inside the calm refuge, the wind began to stir, taking shape.

The superior wind spirit, Storm, appeared floating beside Ruri, showing only its face.

“It seems news from Perda has arrived. One moment…”

— Alright.

Valdrova adjusted herself and waited.

Ruri listened calmly but her eyes suddenly widened.

“What? What does that mean…?”

Out of surprise, she raised her voice.

Then she lowered it again.

But Valdrova was not someone who could ignore it.

— What’s happening?

Ruri did not respond.

She only listened to the spirit.

— Has something happened?

“Please wait a moment, my lady.”

Valdrova’s golden eyes moved.

She had sensed something.

— Has something happened to my fiancé?

Her patience was reaching its limit.

Her presence began to lose stability.

Crack—

Her claws dug into the ground.

Rumble—

The entire cave began to tremble from her emotions.

— Tell me the truth. What has happened to my fiancé?

Valdrova, the red dragon.

Mistress of fire and strength, was gradually releasing the power she had been containing.

After listening to the spirit, Ruri finally spoke.

“It is nothing you need to worry about.”

— Then what has happened?

“It is only a political matter. The message came urgently, nothing more.”

— Then my fiancé is fine?

“Yes.”

The trembling ceased.

Valdrova, who had risen, sighed and coiled herself again.

— Then why that serious expression?

“I was just concentrating. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

— Hmm… I see. Very well.

Valdrova trusted Ruri and calmed her heart.

“Then I will take my leave. I still have territorial documents to review…”

— Good, you may go.

Ruri left the refuge.

She walked in silence.

She exited the cave and slowly advanced through the forest.

Upon finding a marker, she stopped.

This should be enough.

Once she was far enough that Valdrova could not perceive her, she finally spoke.

“Storm.”

The wind spirit appeared again.

— Yes, my lady.

“About the message your subordinate transmitted…”

Ruri’s voice, now lower, trembled slightly.

“Do you swear there is not a single lie?”

The wind spirit, Storm, trembled for an instant.

Its face remained expressionless and professional, but behind that a strong restrained agitation could be felt.

It could not be otherwise.

The news it had brought was not a simple political matter.

— Yes. It is recorded that he was attacked by the magical investigator inside the sealed warehouse and was injured. I received that urgent report and am simply transmitting it.

The regent of the far east had been injured inside the imperial palace.

In human politics, that would normally be resolved through negotiations and agreements.

But the one involved was someone who would become the consort of a dragon.

‘And also my lady’s fiancé.’

When Valdrova suspected that something had happened, she became greatly agitated.

If she had been told directly that he had been injured, it would not have remained a simple diplomatic issue.

‘My lady would lose her mind…’

And then other dragons would also move.

That had to be avoided at all costs.

‘Dragons must not intervene.’

But a dragon’s descendant was different.

“Understood.”

From Ruri’s back, wings spread.

Her silver wings shone brighter than ever, extending powerfully.

Thoom!

With a single flap of her wings, her figure disappeared.

The owner of wind and steel, the silver dragon.

When she flew, no one could follow her with their eyes, which was why she was also called the silver comet.

As someone who possessed that power, Ruri could also move at an overwhelming speed.

A sense of pressure kept growing in her chest.

Why had Perda entered the sealed warehouse?

And why had he nearly died inside the imperial palace?

‘Did they really dare to underestimate my lady that much?’

Ruri had never had a good impression of the empire.

From the beginning, the third prince, who shared that blood, had approached Valdrova with the intention of using her.

And not satisfied with that, the nobles had even used him as an excuse to expel him from his family.

A humiliation.

An unforgivable humiliation.

However, Ruri had not acted.

Not because she didn’t care, but because Valdrova did not wish it.

She believed her own misfortune was natural, and did not cling pathetically to the hope she once had.

‘And now that she had finally regained that hope.’

And they dared to endanger someone who was going to become the consort of a dragon?

Crack—

After flying at full speed for about five minutes, the empire appeared before her eyes.

The place that had taken Perda a week to reach took her mere moments.

Her silver eyes fixed on the imperial palace.

‘No matter what it is.’

Someone had to pay for this.

The silver comet that cut through the sky descended directly onto the palace.

***

“Level 1 alert! All knights and mages within the imperial palace are notified! Enter combat state and assemble at the royal garden entrance!”

The point of impact was the palace garden.

Knights and mages, startled, hurried toward it.

Perda also walked in that direction, following their movement.

A knight, seeing him walk so calmly, drew his sword and asked,

“Who are you? It’s the first time I’ve seen you in this palace!”

He seemed like a young man full of a sense of justice and duty.

And, unlike the other knights, also somewhat naïve.

“I am Perda Valdrova, regent.”

“Perda Valdrova? Ah! The one who was arriving today… My apologies for not recognizing you, regent!”

“It’s no problem. Are they gathering in the palace garden?”

“That’s right. It’s a level 1 alert, so could you withdraw to a room for safety?”

“It’s a good idea, but it would be better if I go with you.”

“Huh?”

“Guide me to the garden. I don’t know the place well.”

“That’s not possible. In a level 1 situation, you could be in danger, regent.”

Perda understood upon hearing that.

This guy had no idea what was really happening.

“Because of me, you are already in danger.”

“Because of you, regent…?”

His face showed he understood absolutely nothing.

Seeing such a foolish expression, Perda let out a sigh.

“What is your name?”

“Ah, my name is Malcolm. I’m from Peach Hill, so I don’t have a surname.”

“Alright, Malcolm of Peach Hill. Don’t try to understand it with that limited capacity you have. The only thing you need to do is guide me to where we need to go.”

“B-but I have the duty to protect the citizens…”

“How difficult you are. Tell me, do you prefer to lose your life or to resolve this in the best way?”

“I came here prepared to give my life.”

“….”

Worse than he expected.

With someone like this, it wasn’t worth continuing to talk.

“Then I’ll go on my own.”

“Ah, you can’t go that way! Seriously…!”

Perda moved forward, leaving Malcolm behind.

Even though he kept insisting that he couldn’t, he didn’t dare touch him, so he just hovered around him.

In front of the palace garden, right at the entrance, numerous knights and mages had gathered.

“Third knight squad! Tight formation!”

“Fifth knight squad! Tight formation! Form wing!”

Following the commander’s orders, they blocked the entrance.

“Second mage corps! Prepare for defense!”

“Third mage corps! Prepare bombardment magic!”

The mages also finished preparing for combat.

“The intruder is moving! Heading toward the entrance!”

Shouted a mage maintaining a detection spell.

“All units! Prepare yourselves!!”

The tension became unbearable.

In front of them was a wall made of rose vines.

Then, a silver light shone in a rectangular shape.

With that flash, the wall collapsed, forming something like a doorway.

The intruder appeared.

And what came out was a silver-haired girl dressed as a maid.

‘Ruri.’

Just as Perda had predicted.

If there was an intruder in the palace in a situation like this, it was most likely her.

But she did not look as usual.

Silver wings, a thick tail extending beneath her skirt, a pair of horns stretching backward like lightning.

And an intense aura that awakened instinctive fear.

“A-a dragon?”

Someone shouted, and morale dropped instantly.

Those who had never seen a dragon not even a descendant reacted immediately.

“Don’t be afraid! It’s only a dragon spawn!”

A dragon spawn.

Beings who inherit dragon blood after undergoing an ascension ritual, servants of the dragon.

Each of them is equivalent to a well-trained knight, capable of defeating several human knights without difficulty.

The commander shouted that to maintain morale.

But even he couldn’t believe it.

‘A dragon spawn breaks the palace’s magical barrier in a single strike?’

The imperial palace was one of the safest places created by humans.

The anti-air attack barriers were composed of three layers.

If all were not broken, they would regenerate automatically, preventing any aerial infiltration.

Not even a meteorite could break through them.

And that girl had destroyed them alone.

‘And a dragon spawn can emit a Dragon Fear of this level?’

That was what confused even experienced knights.

Dragon spawn cannot generate Dragon Fear.

But that girl was doing it.

As if she were a dragon whose reverse scale had been touched.

Their bodies trembled, cold sweat flowed endlessly.

The formation was on the verge of collapse, and some mages even lost concentration and canceled their spells.

“Uaaah…”

Malcolm, who was nearby, could not withstand the Dragon Fear and fell to his knees.

And at that moment, he saw something impossible.

‘How can the regent be so calm?’

Not only was he not sweating, he was the only one still standing firmly.

His unwavering gaze was almost absurd.

“You said your name was Malcolm, right?”

Perda spoke to him naturally.

“Huh? Ah… yes… yes, that’s right.”

“You were right.”

“Huh?”

Perda’s gaze was fixed on Ruri.

And Ruri’s eyes were also on him.

“I might be the one in danger.”

Ruri was completely furious with Perda.