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I Married the Dragon I Killed Chapter 68: Change

Chapter 68: Change

When‍​ the sun leaning⁠‌ toward the west‍ painted the sky​‍ with sunset colors,‌ Ruri began cleaning​⁠‌ up after the‌‌​ tea party while⁠​ giving orders to​​‌ the spirits.

The‍ water spirits washed‍ the dishes, and​​‌ the wind spirits‌​‍ dried them.

The‌ desserts Perda and‍ Valdrova had not​ touched disappeared one‍ after another into‍​‍ Ruri’s mouth.

A perfect division of‍​​ labor.

Except‍​⁠ for the fact‌​ that Perda was‍ still there instead​ of leaving.

“Why‌‌ did you say​⁠ something so unnecessary?”‌

asked‍ Perda.

It​⁠ would have been⁠‍‍ a lie to​‌‍ say there were​ no emotions mixed‌​​ into that question.​

Ruri​⁠⁠ stared at him‍⁠‍ with a professional​ expression.

“Womanizer.”​⁠

Perda​⁠​ frowned.

“That​ wasn’t being a womanizer.”

“I​ merely stated the‌ facts exactly as⁠​ I saw them.‍⁠‌ That you held⁠⁠ hands with that‌​ damned woman.”

“Were‍‍​ you trying to‍‍ ruin things?”

“Ruin⁠ things? Shouldn’t you⁠‍ be thanking me⁠​ instead?”

“What?”‌‍​

He​‌​ could not understand​​ what the hell​‌ she meant by‌⁠ that.

“If⁠‌ I hadn’t said​⁠ that, do you⁠⁠ think you would​⁠ have even gotten‍​ to hold her​ hand?”

“Her‌⁠‌ hand?”

“Yes,⁠ her hand. That⁠​ hand you enjoyed‌ holding while touching‍⁠‌ my lady’s. Whose​⁠‍ achievement do you​​​ think that was?”‍

That‌⁠‍ was true.

Although,‌‌ remembering what had​​‌ happened today, it‌ was not completely‌‌‌ false.

Perda‌⁠⁠ had attended the⁠‍ tea party determined​⁠​ not to hurt⁠‌ her in any‍​ way.

He‌⁠ had never planned​ to hold Valdrova’s‌‌​ hand today.

‘If⁠‍​ she hadn’t mentioned⁠‍‍ Olivia…’

He​‍ would not have​⁠⁠ been able to⁠‌​ hold her hand.‍‍

‘And⁠‍‍ if she hadn’t​​ said she didn’t‍⁠⁠ go hunting today…’‍‍

She‍‍ would have suffered​‌ tonight.

Everything​ had happened because⁠⁠‍ Ruri let out​‍ words that could‌​ be misunderstood.

“Are⁠‌ you telling me⁠‍ all of this‌⁠ was calculated?”

“Isn’t‌⁠ it obvious?”

Ruri​‍​ snorted.

“My⁠‌ lady is someone‌⁠ greedy. If you‌​ stimulate her a little, she always‌​​ takes a step​ forward. I knew​​⁠ perfectly well she‌ would react if⁠ I mentioned that⁠ woman.”

For⁠‌ a moment, Perda⁠‌‍ had forgotten.

Ruri‍​‌ was the one‌‍ who had managed‍‌ that castle the‌‌ longest and observed⁠ Valdrova the most.‍⁠

That​ was why she⁠ knew her better⁠ than anyone.

Perda‌ could not hide‌​‌ his surprise.

Had​‍​ she ever done​⁠ this much for‌⁠ him before?

Ruri‍⁠ had tried to​‌‍ help him several​ times as a maid.

But⁠ it had always⁠ been indirectly, solely⁠ for Valdrova’s sake.‍‌

This⁠ was the first⁠ time she had​⁠​ intervened so directly​ to help him.‍

Maybe⁠ that was why‌​ she looked different‍⁠‍ than usual.

“Why⁠​ are you looking‍‌ at me like⁠ that?”

Ruri​‌‌ asked after noticing​⁠‍ his fixed gaze.‍⁠​

“You‍ just seem a little different today.”⁠⁠‍

“Different‌‍ how?”

“I‌‍‌ don’t know. Should⁠ I say… cute?”​

Ruri‍ froze.

“Cute…?”‌⁠‌

“I‍⁠ suppose the best‌ definition would be⁠ an adorable little‌⁠​ pig.”

“……”​⁠

Ruri’s⁠‍ expression twisted instantly.‍‌‍

Perda‌‌​ knew that feeling​‌ very well.

It​‍ was the same​‌ disgust he had⁠‍‌ felt when he​ first met her.‌‍‍

No.⁠‌

It​‍‌ was even worse‍ than back then.‌

“If‌​‍ you’re going to‍⁠​ keep saying nonsense,⁠⁠​ leave already. You’re‍⁠‍ getting in the‌​‌ way of the​ cleaning.”

“As⁠‍‍ you wish.”

Perda‍‌ did not want‍ to stay there​ any longer if‌‌ he was just​‍‌ going to receive⁠‌⁠ all that irritation,‌‍ so he tried⁠ to leave quickly.⁠‍

“Sir⁠ Perda.”

Ruri‍ called out to‌​⁠ him.

With​ the sunset glow‍​​ entering from the‍‌⁠ side, Ruri stood‌⁠‍ there with the​​​ light behind her.​⁠

Not‍ as the perfect‍​‌ maid.

But⁠ simply as Ruri.‌

“Don’t‍‍ worry.”

Perda⁠⁠ spoke before she‍ could say anything.​‌​

Ruri‌⁠ did not speak‍ either.

She‌‍ merely nodded slightly.‍‌

***⁠‌

Valdrova’s​‍​ nest.

A place that, aside‌‍‍ from the gigantic‌ steel gate, was‌‌ basically one enormous‍‍ natural cave.

A Dragon Knight with‌⁠ the head of⁠​ a red dragon‌ entered there.

The‌​‌ Incarnation of Fire‌‌​ and Strength, Valdrova.​‌‍

She‌⁠‍ had just returned​ from the tea⁠ party.

Valdrova⁠⁠‍ stood in the‍ middle of the⁠ cave and slightly​‌​ raised her head.‍​

Only‌‍ then did she‍ feel that she⁠‌ was truly alone.​

She‍‍‍ pressed the gem‌‌‍ embedded in her​‌‍ chest.

Sshhhh—‍‌⁠

The​‌ inside of the​ armor slowly opened​ and expelled what‌ it carried within.​‍​

And​ from there emerged​ a woman barely​‍ 160 centimeters tall.⁠

“Fuaaah…”⁠​

Valdrova‍​‌ let out a deep sigh, like‌​ someone who had‌‍ just escaped from‍⁠ a hellish battlefield.​

No.⁠

For‌​⁠ her, the battlefield​⁠​ would have been⁠‍‍ easier.

Not⁠‍ even when she⁠ exterminated monsters for‌‌ six hours straight​ had she felt‍ this exhausted.

It⁠ had only been​ about two hours.​‍‌

Simply‍ sitting and talking​​ with Perda.

And⁠‍‌ yet every second⁠‌‍ had been unbearably⁠ difficult for her.‌

Even‍⁠​ while wearing that​ gigantic armor.

Valdrova⁠ looked at the⁠⁠​ armor and muttered.‌​

“Today‍ too, I couldn’t‌​‍ take it off…”‌⁠​

That⁠ armor had been‍​ created by a Bronze Dragon specifically​ for Valdrova when⁠‌ she used Polymorph.​​

It⁠​​ was meant to‌​‍ look enormous, oppressive,‍ and terrifying, as⁠⁠⁠ befitted a Red​‍⁠ Dragon.

The‍‌‌ original intention had‍ been to give‍‌ her the dignity‌ and presence of‍‍ a sovereign dragon.‌​​

But⁠⁠‌ in reality, it‍ had become the‍​​ opposite.

A shelter.

Like⁠‌‌ a snail’s shell.‍

“If‍ the old man‌ saw this, he‍‍‌ would surely say‌‍⁠ something…”

She‌ let out an‌ empty laugh while⁠ discreetly looking at‍​ her reflection in‍ the nearby mirror.‌‍‌

Two‌ pairs of horns.‌‍‍

Golden⁠​ eyes like a cat’s.

And‍ bright red hair,​‌​ as if woven‍‌⁠ from ruby threads.​⁠

Very⁠‌​ few people had‌⁠ seen that appearance‍‍ of hers.

Only⁠⁠ Ruri and a few dragons truly‌⁠‍ remembered her face.​

Because‍ of that, there‌‍ were almost no‌‌‍ opinions about her⁠ Polymorph form.

Ruri⁠ said she was‍ a balanced beauty,‍ a gentle appearance​‍‍ hiding overwhelming strength.‍

The‌‌ other dragons simply⁠ said—

“She⁠⁠ looks docile.”

And⁠‌ the human Perda.​​‌

“Huuh…”‍​​

She‌ did not want‍​​ to remember it.‌‍⁠

Every​‌ time she remembered‌‍‌ the expression from​​ that moment, her‌ mind turned completely​‍ white.

It‍ felt as if⁠ her body were​‌‍ floating.

As​ though a hundred⁠​​ hands were tickling‌ her everywhere.

She‌ could not control⁠⁠ that feeling of⁠ no longer being‍‍ herself.

“I‍ want to hear‌ it…”

She​ wanted to hear⁠‌​ that she was​ pretty.

She‌‍ wanted to hear​‌⁠ that she was​ beautiful.

She⁠‍⁠ wanted to hear⁠‍ those words while‍‍⁠ showing her true⁠ self, not that⁠​ armor.

That‌ was why, even‌‌⁠ while wearing that‌‌ armor, she always‌‍⁠ wore beautiful dresses‌ underneath.

Would‌​ Perda know?

That⁠‌ inside the armor​⁠‍ he saw was‍ a woman wearing‍‌⁠ a dress.

And‍​ that she always⁠ hid inside the⁠‍ armor because she⁠‍ lacked the courage‍ to show herself.‌

“And⁠‍ even so…”

Her​ voice was soaked⁠‌‌ in embarrassment.

She​ remembered what Ruri⁠‍​ had said before​‍⁠ the tea party.‍

— He held hands⁠‌‌ with Olivia Arken‍‍⁠ and they walked‍‍‌ together through the‍ White House.

Valdrova⁠‌‌ understood.

A man like Perda​ could naturally hold​ hands with a beautiful woman.

Yes.⁠

It‍ was something that⁠‌ could happen.

“How⁠‍‍ could he not…?”⁠⁠

She‍⁠‌ felt jealous.

Of‌‌ course she would​‍​ feel jealous.

Her‍ fiancé had held‍‌ another woman’s hand.‌⁠⁠

The​ person with whom‌‌‍ she had promised​‍​ to share the⁠ future was holding‌⁠​ someone else’s hand.‌

And⁠‍ at the same‌​‌ time she felt⁠ jealous, Valdrova also​ felt ridiculous.

“When​ I’m the one‌⁠‍ who always ran‌ away…”

Perda‌‌‍ had always been‌⁠​ waiting for her.⁠‍‌

The​‌‌ one who hid‌ because she lacked​ the courage to‌⁠ show herself was​‌​ Valdrova.

And‍ yet she dared‍ to feel jealous.⁠⁠

“Idiot.”​‍‌

Self-reproach.⁠‍‍

“Stupid​⁠⁠ idiot.”

And​​ yet, in the⁠‌⁠ end, she ended‍⁠ up smiling.

“Although…⁠⁠ in the end,​⁠ I did well.”​​⁠

She‍ never imagined she‍ would be the​‌ one to suggest⁠ holding hands.

It‌ had been impulsive.‌​

But‌⁠‌ if it had‌‌​ not been for‌⁠‌ that impulse, she⁠‍⁠ never would have‌​ had the courage‌​ to say it.​

“……”‍⁠

Valdrova​⁠ stared intently at‌⁠ her right hand.‍‍​

The‌ hand Perda had‍ held.

It​​‍ still retained his⁠ warmth.

“It‌⁠ was warm…”

Valdrova⁠⁠‌ could feel it​⁠​ clearly.

How‍‍ warm Perda’s heart‍‍ was.

What⁠ kind of person‌‌⁠ capable of caring⁠ for others he​ was.

‘That’s‌ why this castle⁠‍ has become so​‍​ noisy too.’

One⁠⁠⁠ year since he​ entered this castle.​​

And‌‌‌ now the place⁠ was full of‌⁠‌ life, while news‌‍‍ of the territory’s​‍‌ development kept arriving.⁠

He‌‍ was accomplishing things‌‌‍ Valdrova had never‍​ done and had⁠‍ never been able⁠⁠ to do.

And⁠‌ what she felt⁠‌​ while watching him‌ was admiration.

‘That’s‌ why I must⁠ change too.’

And‍‍ motivation.

Valdrova⁠ repeated that to​​ herself over and​‌ over in her​ mind.

Because​​​ that would be‍ the best gift‌ she could give⁠‍ to Perda, who‌​​ had come to‌⁠‍ be her fiancé.‌‌

“I’m​​⁠ so sleepy…”

Her‍‌‌ eyelids felt heavy​‌‌ and her body​‌ sluggish.

On‍‍ the days when​ bloodlust consumed her,⁠⁠ she could not​⁠​ sleep even for‌⁠ a moment.

But‌ now she felt​‍‌ that if she⁠​ closed her eyes,‍⁠ she could sleep⁠​ deeply.

She‌‍⁠ knew she should​‍ return to her‍ dragon form to​ sleep.

But‍⁠ she did not​ want to.

She‌⁠‍ wanted to preserve‍⁠​ this warmth he​ had left behind‌‍​ a little longer.‌‌‍

This‌⁠​ presence.

Valdrova⁠ slowly lay down.‌⁠

She‍​ curled up on‌‍​ her side, wrapping‍‌⁠ around herself while​​ tightly embracing the‌‍⁠ warmth remaining in⁠‌​ her right hand.​‌​

She⁠​ thought about tomorrow.‍

Her​ tomorrow had always​ been a continuation​​ of pain.

There​‌⁠ were days when⁠‌ she did not⁠​⁠ even want to⁠‍ think about the‌ future and lay⁠ down only to⁠ escape those thoughts.‌‌

But‍​ today was different.​‍

The‍​‌ tomorrow she imagined⁠​⁠ now made her​ feel alive.

What‌⁠ should she do?​

How‍ should she act‍‍ so that Sir⁠‍ Perda would like⁠ her?

While⁠ drawing endless lines‍ without ever reaching‍​⁠ an answer, she‍‌‌ fell asleep.

***‌‌

At​​ the center of‍ the Serdes continent‌⁠ stood a structure​‌ that seemed to⁠ pierce the sky.⁠

The⁠⁠⁠ tallest tower on‍⁠‌ the continent.

The‌⁠ Magic Tower.

The​ Magic Tower built‌ by the Blue⁠‌⁠ Dragon Iorga, where‌‍ all Blue Dragon‌⁠⁠ Spawn lived and⁠‍ carried out their⁠ daily lives.

The‍⁠ name of that‌‍ tower was Blue‍​ Eye.

An‌⁠​ eye exists to‌​‌ observe.

And‍​⁠ just as its⁠ name implied, Blue‌‍⁠ Eye was a surveillance network created‌‍ to observe everything‌ beneath the sky.‍​‍

The‍​​ hierarchy within the⁠​ tower was divided‍‍‍ according to the‍⁠​ height of each​⁠​ floor.

The‌⁠‌ absolute summit was‌​​ Iorga’s nest.

The‍ floor immediately below​‌⁠ belonged to Erika​ Iorga, representative of​‍‍ the Dragon Spawn.‍​⁠

And​​ she.

“It​ seems the humans‍⁠‍ are beginning to‌‍ notice.”

“Not​‍ directly yet, but⁠‌ they are already‌⁠ pointing out the‍ flaws in Blue​ Eye’s surveillance magic.”‍

More​ than ever, she‌ felt the weight‍⁠​ of age.

Surrounded‌‍‌ by elderly advisors,‌ Erika handled documents⁠​​ and unresolved matters.​‌

“To​ what extent do⁠ the humans estimate‍ the situation?”

“It⁠‍ seems they still‍ lack precise data,‍​ but they estimate‌‍ the efficiency has‍​ dropped by around‌​ 30%.”

30%.⁠​

A figure impossible to‍⁠‍ ignore.

“At‌​ this rate, they​‌⁠ will discover Iorga’s​⁠ absence…”

Lorga,⁠ the Blue Dragon.⁠​

The⁠ Incarnation of Magic.⁠

A being with magical⁠‌ power comparable to‌‍ an absolute, capable​​‌ of supplying half‌‍ the energy of​​ the entire Magic​⁠‍ Tower alone.

But​ even Iorga was⁠ slowly being consumed⁠ by Godwin’s darkness.‌‌

Simply‍‍‍ revealing himself already‌‌​ carried enormous risk.‌

That‍‍‍ was why Lorga​ made the extreme⁠‍ decision to crystallize‌‍ his own body.‍‍‌

“What​ do you plan​ to do?”

The⁠ elderly mages spoke‍ cautiously while waiting‍​ for Erika’s answer.⁠⁠

As⁠​‌ the leader of​⁠ the Blue Dragon​‌‍ Spawn, she remained⁠​ calmer than anyone‌‌‌ else.

Erika⁠​ reviewed the last​‍ page of a document and threw‌ it onto the‍ desk.

“It​‌ is still within​​‌ an acceptable range.”‌⁠

The⁠ elders were startled.‌‍

“How‌ can you consider⁠⁠⁠ 30% acceptable?”

“The​ actual loss of‍ magical power in‍‌ our Magic Tower‍‌ is 50%.”

They‌⁠‌ did not have⁠ enough magical power​‌ to maintain Blue⁠‍‍ Eye’s surveillance network.⁠

If‍‍⁠ they expanded the‍‍ range like before,‌ the depth weakened.⁠‌‌

And​⁠‍ if they prioritized‌​​ depth, the range‌‌⁠ became far too⁠⁠‍ limited.

“The‍ fact that humans‍⁠ estimate only 30%⁠​​ means our replacements​‌ are functioning at⁠ 20%.”

That‍ was why they‍ abandoned the traditional‍ method and began⁠ searching for more⁠​ flexible alternatives.

They⁠‍⁠ concentrated surveillance on​ the most dangerous‌​⁠ areas and replaced‌​ unprotected regions by​​‌ cooperating with the​‌ Adventurer’s Guild.

“We‍‍ need to continue‌​ analyzing and find‍‍ more alternatives.”

“We‌⁠‍ cannot depend on‍‌ adventurers forever. If‌‍ we do not‌​​ cure the root⁠⁠⁠ of the problem,​‍ none of this‌‍​ will matter.”

“And‍‌⁠ isn’t it precisely⁠‌​ to cure that​⁠‌ root that we‍​‍ are enduring all‍​‍ of this?”

Erika’s‌ eyes sharpened as‍ she looked at​​‌ the elder who⁠ spoke.

“If‌​‍ you can propose‍‌ an immediate solution,‌⁠‌ I will keep​⁠ my mouth shut.⁠‍ Go ahead, try.”​​​

“That…‌ I cannot.”

The‍​ elder lowered his​​​ head, intimidated.

Erika​ let out a sigh and softened​⁠⁠ her voice slightly.‌

“I‍⁠ understand perfectly well⁠‍ how anxious all⁠ of you are.​ I am as⁠‌‌ well. Our Magic​ Tower, Blue Eye,​‌ is facing an‍⁠ unprecedented crisis. Even⁠​‍ using all our​ magical power, we⁠‍⁠ can barely maintain⁠ the reputation of‍⁠‌ the eye that​⁠ watches over the‌‍‍ continent.”

But‌ they could not​‍‍ do it.

“But‍​⁠ if we do⁠‌ that, it will​⁠ become impossible to⁠ produce the treatment‍ for Iorga. He​‌‌ himself sensed the‍​⁠ deterioration of his⁠‌​ condition and entered​​ hibernation, so the‍ time we have‌⁠‍ left is short.”‌⁠

They‍ truly lacked everything.⁠‍

Mana,​⁠ time, and personnel.‍​‍

“But​​⁠ precisely because of​‌‍ that, we must‍⁠‌ appear as though⁠‌ we are still⁠​‍ acting calmly. If⁠⁠‌ we show doubt,‍ this tower built⁠​‌ with so much⁠ effort will collapse‍ in an instant.”⁠‍

Blue‍ Eye governs and​⁠‍ monitors magic.

They‌​ had to clearly⁠ demonstrate that control‍ over magic still​‍​ remained in their⁠‍‌ hands.

“Understood.”‌​​

“We‍ have no choice⁠ but to trust‍ you, leader.”

The‍‌‍ elders participating in‍‌ the meeting left‍ one by one.‌⁠

And⁠⁠​ when the last‌⁠‌ one exited and‌ the door closed—​

“Fuuuuuh!!”​‌‌

Erika,⁠ who until moments​ ago had maintained‌​​ the firm face‍ of a steel​​ leader, let out‍‌⁠ a huge sigh‍ as if releasing‍‌‍ steam from a pressure cooker.

“Shit…”‍

What⁠​‌ came out of⁠⁠ her mouth was‍‌ a curse.

They⁠ said every crown⁠⁠ carried weight.

And‍‍​ the crown Erika​⁠⁠ wore felt destined⁠ to break her‍ neck someday.

‘Nor‌ can I simply‍ sweep them all​⁠​ away.’

It​‌ was in the⁠‌‍ Dragon Spawn’s nature⁠ to look down‍ on the other​‌ races.

If⁠‍‍ it had been⁠‌ any other Dragon‌ Spawn, they would⁠⁠‍ have already threatened⁠ or struck someone‍ for daring to‌‍ talk back while‍⁠ being human.

But‌‍ Iorga’s descendants could‍ not afford that.‍​‍

Magic‍‌​ is a tool‌‍‌ for those who‌​ possess rationality.

Losing‌‌​ one’s temper was‌⁠‍ irrational and equivalent​‍ to admitting that​​ magic was in⁠‌ danger.

Their​‍‍ greatest weapon was​⁠ composure.

They​⁠ had to show⁠​ that they remained‌⁠‍ exactly the same​​ as always and⁠‌ that they could‍ overcome any crisis.⁠⁠⁠

That⁠ was why Erika,⁠‍ as leader, accumulated⁠‍ more and more‍⁠ tension she could‍​ never express.

“Fuu…”⁠‌⁠

Erika​ stood up.

She⁠⁠⁠ felt like she​‍ would explode if⁠ she remained seated,​⁠⁠ so she decided⁠⁠⁠ to clear her‌‍ mind by looking​⁠ at the scenery.​‍‌

The‌‌⁠ rich colors of‌⁠‌ early autumn spread‌‌ beneath her like​ scattered dots.

The‌​ landscape changed over⁠‌ the years, but‌ her thoughts were‍ almost always the⁠⁠ same.

The‌ enormous mountain range‍⁠‍ to the north.​​​

‘A‌⁠⁠ place full of‌ idiots with ice‌ in their heads.’‍

The‌ western plains.

‘Territory‍‍​ of religious fanatics‍⁠⁠ full of hypocrisy.’​

The​⁠‍ southern desert.

‘A‍⁠‍ playground for self-destructive⁠​‌ extremists.’

The​ black lands of⁠​ the east.

‘…Perda⁠‌ Valdrova.’

No.⁠

This⁠ time it was‌ different.

Normally‌‌​ she would have‍​ thought—

‘A‌‍⁠ graveyard of greedy​‍ fools slowly rotting‌‍‌ away.’

But​⁠⁠ after attending the⁠ Grand Council, that‍‍​ place had become​‍​ covered by the‌⁠⁠ name of a human.

— And what will‍‍‍ you do when⁠ the end comes?⁠

His​‍​ words still echoed‌​ in Erika’s mind.⁠​

The‌‌‌ end of the‍‍ secret created by‍‍⁠ Godwin.

“The​‍ end…”

She​ repeated that ending​ over and over.⁠‍

But‍‌ she found no​ answer.

Neither‍​​ an optimistic future‌‌ nor a pessimistic⁠⁠‌ one could be​ accepted.

No⁠ one knows the​‌⁠ future.

Perhaps‌​ it can be‍‍‌ predicted, but seeing⁠‍‍ it completely is​‌ impossible.

“Damned​ arrogant bastard…”

Iorga’s​​‍ descendants lived in‍‌​ the present while⁠⁠ always thinking of‍‍​ the future.

Erika‍​ Iorga did the⁠‍‌ same.

She⁠​ did not allow‌‌ herself to be​ carried away by​​ pessimism, but neither‍​‌ by optimism.

That‌‌‌ was the rationality‌ Iorga pursued.

And​ yet.

Every⁠‍ time she thought‍‍ of Perda, those⁠‍ words echoed in​‌ her ears again.⁠⁠‍

Like​‍ a mosquito endlessly⁠​‍ buzzing.

What‌‍‌ will you do?‍

What‍⁠ do you intend⁠ to do?

What⁠ the hell will‍ you do?

What‌​‌ can you do?⁠​​

“Fuu…”⁠

Erika‌ felt she was​⁠‍ reaching her limit‌ and raised a finger.

At‍ that instant, a small drop of​‍‌ water condensed at‌⁠ the tip of‍‌ her finger.

The⁠‍ droplet expanded into​⁠‌ a barrier that‍ completely covered her⁠‌‌ surroundings.

“Fuu.”​

She‍‍ took a deep⁠ breath.

And‍‍‌ then—

“So‍‌⁠ what?!”

she‍⁠ shouted.

“And⁠‌ what’s so special‍ about you?!”

She‍⁠⁠ repeatedly struck the⁠‍ floor and flailed​‍⁠ her arms.

“After​​‍ everything I did‌⁠​ to crush that‍ damned proposal and‍ stop those ice⁠‍ idiots, now you‍‍ come acting like‌‌‍ you’re such a big deal! What’s​‍ so special about‍​ you?! You’re just⁠ a human! A human! Why do⁠⁠​ you act like​‌ you’re so incredible?!”​‍⁠

When‍‌ she could not‍⁠‍ calm herself, she‍⁠ exploded.

“I‌‍‍ don’t know anymore!⁠‍ I want to‍ quit everything! I won’t do it!‍‍ Why the hell⁠‌​ do I have⁠‍ to do this?!‌ And for what?!‍​​ Everyone only criticizes‌‌‌ me! When they⁠​‍ can’t do anything‍‌‍ either!”

She‌‌ spent several minutes​‍‍ screaming at the​ top of her⁠⁠​ lungs, releasing everything⁠⁠‍ bottled up inside‌‍‍ her.

Knock‌ knock—

“Excuse‍‌ me, Lady Erika?”⁠‍

Her‌ secretary opened the‌ door.

Erika,⁠‌‌ who moments ago⁠ had been screaming‌​⁠ like a hysteric,​‍‍ reacted quickly.

She‌⁠ dispelled the water‍‌‍ barrier and sat⁠‌ back down.

In⁠ an instant she​​ regained the flawless‌ image of a leader.

“What⁠ is it?”

The‌ secretary could not⁠ even imagine that​‍ this woman had‍ just been rolling⁠‌‌ around screaming like‍ a madwoman.

She‌​‍ began her report⁠​‌ completely normally.

“I‌‍ came to speak⁠‍ with you regarding‍ the Rosnova family⁠ investigation records. Do‍‌ you have a moment?”

The⁠ timing was far​ too perfect.

Erika‌⁠‍ felt a chill‌ of discomfort.

“Speak.”‍

“For​ now, we found‌⁠ nothing particularly problematic‍‌ with the Rosnova‌‌​ family. It is‍‍‍ one of many‍⁠​ knight families of⁠ the Empire they​ achieved some more‍ or less decent‌ merits by human‍‌⁠ standards and barely‍‍ maintain their lineage‌ alive.”

“You​​ mean there is⁠ no issue with⁠ Regent Perda’s family?”​‌

“At⁠ least with the​‍ Rosnova family, no.”⁠⁠​

She​‍ turned to the‍​‍ next page.

“The‍ problem is Regent‌‌ Perda’s biological mother,​ Anna Rosnova.”

“And​ what about her?”​⁠‍

“There‍ is not a single piece of⁠ information about his‍ mother.”

“Not‍⁠​ a single piece?‍‌‍ Do you mean‍‍ she was a commoner or something‍ similar?”

“No.⁠ It is not‍ that kind of⁠⁠⁠ case. Perhaps we​ need to investigate⁠ more deeply, but‍⁠ this feels like…”‍

The‍ woman hesitated for⁠‌​ a moment, wondering‍‍ whether she should‌​​ really say it.⁠

“Like​‌⁠ chasing a ghost‌‌ that never existed​‌​ from the beginning.”​⁠

“A‌​ ghost?”

The‍​ most irresponsible phrase⁠‌‍ an investigator could‌⁠ utter.

And⁠‍​ yet, Erika did‍‍​ not take it⁠⁠ lightly.

All⁠ of them were⁠ Iorga’s children and‌​ knew Erika perfectly⁠‌​ well.

If​ they dared to⁠ say something like‍ that, it was‍‌ because they had​‍ investigated to the‌​‌ very bottom and‍ found not even⁠ a speck of⁠⁠⁠ dust.

Erika‌⁠​ murmured.

“Eggs​ exist because chickens⁠ exist.”

If⁠ there is a result, there is‍ a cause.

If​ there is a child, there is‌⁠​ a mother.

Even​‍‌ dragons, nearly divine‌⁠‍ beings, possess a creator.

And‍‌ yet, every time‌‌ they tried to​ uncover something about‌‍​ Perda, all they⁠‍ found were unknown​ questions.

‘What⁠ the hell is‌ that man really?’⁠​

Just‌ as she thought​‌ that, hurried and​ chaotic footsteps echoed​​ from the stairs.‌​

A man appeared rushing⁠‍⁠ upward at full‍‍ speed, completely agitated,‍ something improper for‍ Iorga’s descendants, who‌​ valued rationality above‌ all else.

“It-it’s​​​ an emergency!”

“Why⁠‍‍ all the commotion?”​‍

“I-it’s…‍ this…!”

What‌​ he handed over‍ was an image​⁠⁠ recorded through magic.‍‍

In​⁠ it, several Dragon​​ Spawn could be⁠‌ seen recovering corpses​ in the middle‍ of a snowy‍‌​ field.

“A‌‌‍ Silver Dragon Spawn…⁠‍‌ died?”

“Yes.”​‍

That⁠⁠​ alone was already⁠‌​ an extremely grave‌ matter.

All⁠ Dragon Spawn remember⁠ the deaths of⁠​‌ those who share‌ their blood.

And⁠‍ the Silverwind, famous‌‍ for their unbreakable​​⁠ bonds, would never‌‍​ leave alive anyone​⁠⁠ who shed the‌‌⁠ blood of their‍‌‍ own.

If‍​‌ they had only‌ shown her that,‍ Erika would have‍​⁠ simply thought some​‍‍ region would end‍⁠⁠ up drenched in‍‍​ blood.

But‍ that man’s panic​⁠‍ clearly meant something⁠ else.

“The‌‍‍ next image…!”

Several‌‍​ members of Silverwind⁠‌ flew through the​​ sky.

And‌ among them could‌⁠ be seen a Dragon Spawn with‌⁠ enormous wings.

“The‍‌ leader of those⁠​⁠ ice idiots moved‌‍‌ personally…?”

For​ Goz Silverwind to‌​ act directly was⁠ not normal.

That‍​ meant he was⁠ not seeking to⁠ destroy only one​⁠‌ person, but to​⁠ wipe out absolutely‌‍ everything that belonged‌⁠ to them.

Why?‍⁠

Why​‌ would he move⁠‌ personally?

Erika‌⁠ immediately thought of​ one person.

‘It​ can’t be…’

No.​‍⁠

It⁠⁠ was impossible.

That‌​‌ idiot was not​ that stupid.

Knowing​‌​ perfectly well the‍‍ relationship with Silverwind,‌ he would never‌⁠‍ do something so⁠‌ foolish.

And​⁠‌ yet, she needed⁠⁠‌ confirmation.

So​‌⁠ she asked with‌‍⁠ difficulty.

“Who​⁠ laid hands on​⁠‍ a descendant of⁠​‍ Silverwind?”

The‌ man answered.

And‍​ Erika’s worst fears⁠​ became reality.

“It⁠‌‍ was Regent Perda⁠‌ Valdrova!”

The‌ fuse had finally‌‍ been lit.

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