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I Married the Dragon I Killed Chapter 72: Illusion

Chapter 72: Illusion

An​​ uncomfortable silence spread‍⁠ between them.

Perda⁠⁠⁠ repeatedly rubbed his​ forehead with his‌⁠⁠ index finger.

‘I​‍ understand it.’

Speaking⁠‍ badly about someone‌⁠‍ was normal.

When‌⁠ several people gathered‌ together to criticize‌⁠‍ someone behind their‍ back, they ended​ up feeling a strange sense of‍​ group belonging.

That‌ could happen.

The‍‍ problem was getting​‍ caught doing it.‍

And‌⁠‍ even more so⁠‌ when it involved⁠⁠⁠ speaking badly about⁠​‍ your fiancée.

However,⁠‍‍ Perda did not⁠⁠‍ explode in anger.⁠‌

Rather,‍⁠ he calmed down.⁠‍​

Was​‍ it because he‌⁠‍ was still agitated​⁠⁠ from what had⁠ happened with Erdes?‌‌‌ Or simply because‌‍ it was something‌​ from the past‌⁠ and he had‌‍ no intention of‍ turning it into‍‌ a problem?

For⁠‍‍ now, he decided‍‍ to ask what⁠ he was curious‌‌ about.

“There’s‌‌‌ something I want‌ to ask.”

“……Go⁠‌‍ ahead.”

“Do‌ the other dragons‍‌​ also see my​‍‍ fiancée that way?”‌​‌

“……I​​​ would prefer you‍​ understand it as​⁠‌ dragons simply not​ getting along with⁠​‍ one another.”

“No.⁠‍ I only need​ objective facts. If⁠⁠ you truly intend⁠ to help me,‍⁠ then tell me​⁠ without filters.”

Perda​‌ spoke seriously.

Erika​‌‍ could not tell‌ whether that serious⁠ gaze came from​⁠‍ anger or curiosity.⁠

But‌‌ she answered as⁠​ he wished.

“Yes.‍ Looking at the​​‌ actions she has‍⁠ taken, it is‌​ inevitable to speak‌⁠ that way.”

“……”‍‌‍

“Even​‌‌ now. That she​ wants to take‌​ a human as​ a partner and​ marry him… It⁠ is something so​‍ absurd it doesn’t​​ even work as⁠​‌ a joke.”

The⁠‍ Incarnation of Strength.⁠

And‌⁠​ at the same‍ time, an Incarnation‍‌ incapable of using‍​⁠ her strength.

Just‌ hearing it already‌⁠ sounded contradictory.

Valdrova⁠ was an existence​‍⁠ full of contradictions.⁠

“Leaving​⁠⁠ emotions aside.”

It⁠ was not good⁠⁠ to remain trapped‍ in the past,‍ so he decided⁠​‍ to speak about‍⁠ the present.

“What​‍ advantages do I gain if I form an alliance​⁠ with Lorga?”

“We‍⁠​ can support you⁠ in the conquest‌‍‍ of the Far​ East.”

“You?”‌

“We‍‌ have been researching‍‌⁠ the Far East​ for a very‌​ long time.”

There⁠⁠⁠ was pride in⁠ Erika’s voice.

And⁠⁠ also the arrogance⁠​ characteristic of the‌⁠ Dragon Spawn.

“The⁠‌‍ reason no one‍ can conquer the‌⁠⁠ Far East is‍⁠⁠ because of the‌ demonic energy that​‌ exists there.”

Perda​​ already knew that‌​ story.

The⁠ corrupted mana rising⁠‍ from the Demon⁠​ Lands destroyed both​ mind and body.⁠‍

“To‌‍ set foot in⁠⁠‌ the Far East,‍‍​ one needed the⁠​ blessings of every​​ god and all‍‍ kinds of magic.⁠​⁠ That is why​​‍ only an extremely​‌‌ small group of⁠ heroes could enter⁠‌ there.”

The⁠ twelve heroes.

The⁠ high priests of‌ each god and⁠ all the dragons⁠⁠​ had cast protective​⁠⁠ blessings upon them.‌‌

Among‌‌ those twelve expedition‍‍⁠ members were Erika⁠‍ Iorga and Erdes‍ Roton.

“While​ researching Project Hestia,‌‌ we recently achieved‌‍⁠ a significant result.”⁠​‌

A significant result.

Hearing‍ that, Perda felt⁠⁠ a slight excitement.‌

“What‌‌‍ is it?”

“Demonic⁠‍‌ resistance.”

Demonic⁠⁠ resistance.

It​ did not sound‍​​ bad.

And‍‌⁠ since Perda had​⁠ never heard that‌ term before, he​‍‍ assumed it had​‍⁠ to be some⁠ kind of secret​ strategic weapon of‍​ Lorga.

“With​ that, can you‌ cure her?”

“No.‍ It is still‍⁠ not a solution⁠ capable of resolving​‌‌ the fundamental problem​ of demonic corruption.”‍‌

“But‌​ you said you​‌​ had achieved significant⁠ progress while researching‍ the cure.”

“Research‌ works that way.‍‍ Sometimes unexpected discoveries​ also count as‍ results.”

Are‍​ you mocking me?‍‍‍

Perda‍‍​ looked at her‍ like that, and⁠⁠⁠ Erika quickly continued.​‍

“In‍‌ short, it is​‌‍ like the difference‌​ between prevention and‌⁠‍ treatment.”

Prevention‌‌ prepared for what‌ had not yet⁠​‌ happened.

Treatment⁠ solved what had‍​ already happened.

“Then‍ what about the⁠ cure?”

“That…‌‌‌ still has no‌‌⁠ progress. We are‌‌​ researching something completely​ unknown, so we⁠​‍ do not even⁠‍ know where the​ results will lead.”​‍‌

Erika‌‍ let out a long sigh through‌‍ her nose.

“That​​‍ is why the​​⁠ important point of⁠‌ this conversation is‌​‌ that, if you‌​‍ truly intend to‌⁠‍ approach the Demon‍‍ Lands, then instead‌‌ of focusing on‌‌ the cure, we⁠‌ could focus our‍‍‌ research on antidotes‍ against demonic energy.”‌

“And⁠⁠‌ what would you⁠ do after developing​⁠​ them? Do you‍ expect the Duchy​⁠​ of Valdrova to‍‌ assume all the⁠⁠ risks?”

“No.‌‍ We plan to​ involve the Adventurer’s⁠‌‌ Guild much more.”‌

“The‌ Adventurer’s Guild?”

“We⁠⁠ already work with⁠​‍ them, but until‍‍‍ now we have​‍‍ only given them‌​ minor assignments. After​​ limiting ourselves to​​ temporary solutions, the⁠⁠ time has finally⁠​ come to use​​⁠ them properly.”

Adventurers‌‌‍ did all kinds​ of jobs.

From⁠⁠ delivering letters and⁠⁠ handling small errands‍ to exterminating monsters‌ or defeating Guardians​‍‍ who protected entire⁠ regions.

The‌ more difficult the‌⁠ mission, the greater‌⁠ the reward.

“And‍‌⁠ you think they​ will willingly go​⁠​ to the Demon⁠ Lands?”

“If‍ this works, they‌⁠ will have no​​​ reason to refuse.”‌​

Erika‍ made a circle​‌⁠ with her thumb⁠‍​ and index finger.‌‍

“What​​​ would happen if​​⁠ they were not​ only exploration missions,‍‌‍ but also opportunities‍⁠​ to bring back​​‍ mysteries from the⁠ East before they​‌ are corrupted by‌⁠ demonic energy? Even​‌‌ garbage would spark⁠⁠ bidding wars at‍ auctions.”

The‌‌ mysterious records of​⁠ the East were‌ objects capable of⁠ fascinating both mages‌‍ and knights.

Even‌⁠‌ Perda had thought⁠ that, if he‌‌​ could learn Eastern​⁠ magic, he would‌ advance enormously.

‘Though⁠ demonic energy prevented‌⁠ it.’

That⁠‌ energy was such‌ an enormous barrier‍⁠ that everything had⁠ been reduced to⁠‍ mere legends.

And​ adventurers were the‍⁠ kind of people⁠‍‍ capable of jumping⁠ into fire if‌​‍ enough money was⁠ involved.

It⁠‍‍ was quite a good idea.

Until⁠​‌ now, no one‍ had done more​‌​ than observe the‍‍⁠ Demon Lands from‌‍ afar.

But‍​‍ if they managed‌‍ to explore the⁠‌ terrain and discover‌ what was inside,⁠​ it would be​​ of great help​ for future conquest⁠ campaigns.

Perda⁠ began imagining countless​‌‌ possibilities based on⁠​⁠ that proposal.

The⁠⁠‍ pieces he had‌⁠​ been missing were‍ beginning to fit⁠​ together.

And‍‌‍ scenarios he had⁠‌‌ never imagined were⁠ starting to become‍‍ richer and more‌ detailed.

Even‌​ so, he still⁠‍ could not get⁠⁠ rid of one⁠ doubt.

‘Can⁠ I really trust​‍ this woman?’

He​ still clearly remembered​ what he had​ felt during the‍⁠ Grand Council.

“You’re​‌‌ wondering whether you​​ can truly trust‌⁠ me, aren’t you?”‌⁠‌

“Yes.”‍​

“How⁠⁠‍ direct.”

Erika​‌​ lifted the cup‌⁠​ and pretended to‍⁠ savor the tea‌‌ while slowly closing‍ her eyes.

Then​​​ she opened them,‌⁠​ as if she‍‍‍ had made a decision.

“The⁠‍ words you said‍ have not stopped⁠⁠ circling in my⁠⁠ head. That thing​ about what we‍⁠‍ would do in⁠ the end.”

That​​⁠ had been something⁠‍ Perda blurted out‍​ impulsively in the‌‍ middle of the‍⁠⁠ argument.

“About⁠⁠‍ that ending, I reached the conclusion​‌ that I do‌ not intend to‌‌​ obsess over it.”‌​

Hearing⁠ that, Perda was​ stunned.

Was⁠‍ the leader really⁠‌ saying she wanted‍‍⁠ to escape from⁠‍ the future?

But⁠ he immediately understood⁠‍⁠ that was not‌‍⁠ it.

What‍⁠ shone in Erika’s‌​ eyes was the​‌ sense of responsibility‍⁠ of a leader.‍‍​

“I⁠‍‌ want to do‍‌‍ everything possible with‍⁠ what I can‌ do right now.”​‍

Seeing‍‌⁠ that gaze, even​ Perda could convince​​ himself.

He⁠‍ really could trust​‍‌ this woman.

“Very‌ well. Let us‍​‌ form an alliance.”​

Joy‍‍ reflected across Erika’s‌⁠‌ face.

However,‍ as the capable⁠ leader she was,​⁠ she responded calmly.⁠

“I​‍​ hope we can‍⁠​ develop a good‌ relationship.”

“Now‌ that we are‍‍ allies, may I ask you a favor?”

Erika,‌⁠‌ who had already‍ been thinking of⁠‌ ending the conversation,⁠‌‌ was slightly surprised‌‍ by that request.⁠

“I⁠‍ did not expect‍‍​ you to need‍‌​ help so soon.”‌

“The‌‍‌ timing turned out‍‍ convenient.”

Perda​​ asked Ruri to⁠ bring the objects⁠ captured from Linne’s⁠ laboratory.

“What⁠‍ is this?”

“Objects⁠⁠⁠ we took from‌ a demon research​⁠ facility. The director’s⁠​‍ diary and some‍ samples.”

“Demons!?”​⁠‍

Erika​ was greatly startled.⁠⁠

Perda​ briefly explained what‌‍​ had happened in‌ that facility.

As‌‌ she listened to‌⁠ the explanation, Erika’s‌⁠ expression became increasingly‌​ agitated.

“My​ God… are you​⁠ telling me the‌ demons developed a drug capable of⁠ creating Knight-level creatures​ almost instantly?”

“It‍​ is still a prototype, but even​ a Bouncer was‌ able to fight‌​ against two of‍⁠​ our knights.”

“Even‍‌ if there is​​⁠ a difference in​‍​ skill, if it‌ were a true⁠‌‌ Bouncer they should‍‍ not have struggled‍​ that much. Then,​ if it is‍⁠⁠ a prototype, that​‍‌ means the effect⁠⁠⁠ is still incomplete​‌ or it has‍⁠​ side effects…”

Erika​ observed the liquid‍‍‌ inside the ampoules.⁠​

Her‍⁠‍ eyes, reinforced with‌‌‍ multiple layers of‌‍ mana and magic⁠​​ circles, tried to⁠​ analyze the composition.⁠

But‍‍‌ the only thing⁠‍ that returned was⁠ a frustrated expression.⁠‍

“And‌‍⁠ most importantly… this​‌ is imitating Godwin’s⁠ power. My God.‍‌ To only learn⁠‍ about something like​ this now… Erika,​​⁠ you damn idiot,‍​ what the hell​⁠ have you been‍ doing all this‌ time?”

Her⁠ eyes widened while⁠​‌ her body shook‍⁠​ up and down.‌

She​⁠ could not contain⁠‍ her excitement.

Then⁠‌ she met Perda’s​ gaze.

“Ah!”⁠‍

And​ swallowed her words.‍​

“I’m‌ sorry. I made‌⁠ a fool of​‍ myself. Before being‍ a leader, I’m‌ still a researcher,‍​‍ so when I see something like‌​‍ this I get‌ too excited…”

“I’m‌ used to it.”‍‌‍

He⁠⁠‍ had already seen‍‌ a guy run⁠‍‌ around naked screaming‌‌ and a lunatic​ sniffing someone else’s‌‍ hair while claiming‌​ she was absorbing​‌‌ chemical components, so‌⁠ this was barely‍ adorable in comparison.‌⁠

Afterward,⁠ Erika took the​‍‍ diary.

Seeing⁠ the writing, she‍⁠⁠ frowned.

“This‌‍ is… the language​⁠ of the High‍​ Elves.”

Unlike​‍ Perda, she recognized​‍ it immediately.

Perhaps‌‌‍ she could decipher‍‍​ it.

“Can​‌‍ you interpret it?”​​⁠

“Unfortunately,⁠​​ I can only​‍ recognize that it​ is High Elf⁠‌ writing. The language⁠‌​ of the guardians​ of the World‌‌ Tree exists precisely⁠⁠​ to protect secrets.”​⁠‌

“Then‌‌ it’s impossible?”

“Not⁠‍​ completely. No matter‍⁠ how secretive they​ are, the spirits‌‌ of the elves‍ must always remain​ connected. That is‌‍​ the rule. Those⁠‌ closest to the⁠​ original root are‌‌⁠ the ones who​​​ manage everything.”

Perda⁠‍ immediately understood what​⁠​ she meant by​⁠ “the root.”

“The⁠​ Great Chief.”

“Yes.​ If it’s him,​ he can surely‌ decipher it. Though‍ we would have‍‌ to go very‌​ deep into the⁠‍ west, but that⁠‍​ should not be⁠ a major problem…”⁠‍‌

They‌ had found a way to break‌⁠‌ through the obstacle,‍ though it was​​ not as good​ as it sounded.​

The‍ High Elves were⁠‌‌ the elite among‌⁠‍ elves and an‍⁠ extremely closed-off group.‌‌‍

And‌​​ the Great Chief⁠​‍ would never be‌‍‍ someone easy to​ deal with.

“If​‌​ we manage to​‍ persuade him, perhaps…”‍‍​

“There’s⁠‍ no need to‍​ persuade him. It’s⁠‍ enough to threaten⁠ him.”

“Huh?”‍‌‌

“If​ we threaten to​⁠​ reveal to the‌‍ entire world that⁠ a High Elf​ ended up becoming‌‌ a Dark Elf,⁠​ he’ll come running​‌ barefoot.”

“That⁠‍ is… rather…”

It‍‍​ was difficult to‌ define.

Was‍ it a good‌‍‍ idea or complete‍ madness?

“Let’s‌‍ leave that conversation​⁠ for later. The⁠ High Elves are‍⁠⁠ currently celebrating the‌ Autumn Festival, and‍⁠⁠ soon they’ll begin​‍ preparations for the​​‌ Winter Festival.”

The​⁠⁠ ceremonies honoring the⁠​‌ abundance of autumn‌​​ and the desolation⁠​⁠ of winter continued‌‍‍ almost until the​‌ arrival of the‌⁠ first spring sprouts.‍⁠⁠

At​‍‌ minimum, they would⁠⁠ have to wait‌ more than an⁠ entire quarter.

Even‍‍ so, the mere‌ fact that there​ was a possibility⁠ was already enough.⁠⁠​

“I’ll‍​ return the diary⁠⁠ to you, but⁠‍ I’ll keep these​​ samples. Perhaps we‍‌ can find clues‍ about the cure.”‍​

The​ excitement on Erika’s‌​‌ face made it‍⁠ seem as though⁠‍​ she really might​ achieve something.

Perhaps​ because of that—‍

“There’s⁠ still one more⁠​​ thing.”

“What‍‌ else is left?”​

Erika’s‍‌⁠ eyes shone like⁠‍ those of a child receiving a birthday present.

“My⁠ mana.”

“……What?”‍‌

The‌​⁠ excitement vanished immediately,‍‌​ like a child​‌ who had received‍‍ a gift chosen⁠‌​ by a grandmother.‍⁠⁠

“What‍⁠ do you mean,‌ your mana?”

“I​​ can relieve Lady‍ Valdrova’s blood thirst⁠‌​ with my mana.”‍⁠​

Erika’s​ eyes widened.

Her‌‌ vertical pupils contracted‌​ like a cat’s​ under daylight.

“You‍​ mean you managed⁠‍⁠ to cure her?”​‌

“No.​⁠ I only relieve​⁠ the blood thirst‌‍​ that arises at‌‍ those moments.”

More⁠ than interest, Erika⁠ showed a bewildered​‍ expression.

It​‍ was far too‌ absurd a claim​​‌ to accept just​‌ like that.

The​‌​ mages of the‍‍​ Blue Eye were‌ the absolute elite.⁠

All⁠‍ of them had⁠‌ spent years researching‍ without even managing‍​ to create something​⁠​ capable of suppressing​‌ or relieving it.⁠⁠‍

And⁠ now a mere​‌‌ human possessed such‍ strange mana?

A human affecting a dragon?

“We‍⁠ knew the mana⁠ of the Red⁠ Circle had special⁠ properties because it‍⁠​ originated from emotions.‍​‌ But that it⁠‍​ could suppress or‌‍‌ relieve Godwin’s chaos…”‌

She‍ thought and thought‍‍‌ again.

But⁠​‌ even so, she‍⁠‌ could not understand‍‌⁠ it.

Lorga,​​​ the Incarnation of‌‍ Water and Magic.⁠‌

And‍⁠‌ Erika, the leader‌⁠​ under his command.⁠

That⁠ even she could⁠‍ not understand it​‍‍ deeply wounded her​⁠ pride.

Finally,​‍​ Erika cast that‍‍‍ pride aside.

“Very⁠‍ well.”

She⁠⁠‍ said it.

“Let’s‍⁠⁠ test it.”

“Test⁠ what?”

“The‌ mana. I need​ to discover what‌⁠‍ kind of mana​ you possess, so‍ I’ll have to‌​ feel it directly.”​‌

Erika​‌​ removed her glove‍‌ and extended her​‍ hand toward Perda.⁠‍

“It​‌ probably won’t have⁠⁠​ any effect. It​⁠ only works with‌‍ Lady Valdrova.”

“Are‌ you sure? One​ hundred percent?”

It⁠ had worked with⁠‌⁠ Valdrova.

But‍⁠ it had no‌​ effect on Ruri,​⁠‌ who was also‌‍ a Spawn of‌​​ Silverwind.

So‍‍‍ it probably would‌​ not work on‌ Erika either.

“I’m​⁠‌ fairly sure.”

“Fairly‍‌ and sure are⁠ words that cannot​‍​ coexist. It’s better‌‌ to confirm it‌​ directly. Besides, it‍ shouldn’t matter that​​ much.”

Yes,⁠⁠ what could be​‍⁠ so special about​ simply transferring mana?⁠

Thinking‍‍​ that, Perda took‍‍ Erika’s hand.

“I‍ suppose your magic​‍​ power cannot be​‌‌ anything so special.⁠​ Perhaps, like mages‌​‍ who inherit blood⁠​ curses, you unconsciously‌​ used magic or‍ something along those‌ li— kyaaaah!?”

The‍‍‍ moment she received‌⁠‍ the mana, a sharp scream escaped‌ her mouth.

It⁠⁠‍ was the startled​‍ shriek of a young lady feeling‍​ a cold draft‍‌​ slip beneath her‍⁠​ skirt.

Erika’s​ legs gave out,⁠‌‌ and she collapsed​​‍ onto the floor.‍

Sitting‍‌ there, she looked‌ up at Perda.​‌‍

The‌‌​ situation was so‍ unexpected that Perda⁠⁠ was also startled‍‍‌ and immediately let‌ go of her​‍ hand.

Erika’s⁠ cold and dignified​‌‌ face was now​‍ dyed with intense⁠ embarrassment and trembling​ pupils.

“???”‌‍

“???”‍‍

Perda‌​ and Erika stared‍ at each other’s​‍‌ faces.

“?????”​​‌

“?????”⁠⁠

But​‍ no matter how‌ much they looked,​‌​ neither of them​‍ could solve that​‌​ mystery.

***​

“Womanizer.”‌‍‌

Ruri⁠‍ accused him with​‍‌ an icy stare.‍

She⁠‌‍ had not said‍ anything, but she‌⁠ had watched everything⁠ in silence.

Perda⁠⁠‌ was fairly agitated.‌‌⁠

“And⁠⁠‍ now what does⁠ this have to‌‍‌ do with anything?”⁠‌

“Didn’t‌⁠‍ you flirt with​​⁠ that arrogant woman?”​

“I⁠ only held her‍​‍ hand, and she‍⁠ started screaming.”

“Screaming?‍ Anyone would think⁠ those were moans.”⁠‍

Even⁠​‌ Perda acknowledged that.‌

“I⁠‌ only transferred mana⁠‍‌ to her. It​‌ was what Lorga’s​‍​ leader wanted.”

“You‍​‌ are using exactly‌⁠⁠ the same excuses⁠‌ as cheaters.”

This‌​‌ was madness.

“You‌​⁠ experienced it too.”‍

“And⁠⁠ did I scream‌⁠‌ like that arrogant⁠ woman?”

“No.”⁠⁠‍

“Nothing⁠​ special happened with⁠​​ me. It was‌ only mana. But​ with Lorga’s leader,‌​ something clearly happened.‌‍ Could it be…?”​

Ruri⁠​ narrowed her eyes​ and asked.

“Do​ you like that​‌ woman?”

“Are‍‍ you crazy?”

He⁠⁠ answered automatically with‌‌⁠ a serious expression​ and a curse‍​ included.

“It‌⁠ was only mana.”​

“Then​ why does nothing​‌‌ happen only with‍ me?”

“Is⁠⁠​ that important?”

“Yes,‌‌‍ it is.”

Ruri​ irritably removed her⁠⁠ glove.

“Do‌ it. If I feel even a little something too,‍‌⁠ then I’ll scream‌⁠ with all my‍ strength just like​ that woman.”

Seeing​ her act like⁠‌‍ that, Perda no⁠ longer felt like‍ holding her hand‌‍ no matter what⁠​ the truth was.‌‌‌

So‌⁠⁠ he also decided‍‍​ to respond firmly.⁠

“Why​‍‌ are you being​ so sensitive?”

“Don’t‌⁠ change the subject.”​​

“It‌​ didn’t bother me‌ that you questioned​⁠‌ me. But today‍ you’re being absurdly⁠‌ persistent.”

“……And⁠ don’t you think‍⁠⁠ that’s normal when⁠ you have a fiancée?”

“To‍ me, it seems⁠⁠​ you’re reacting far‍‌ beyond that. Did⁠ I whisper words‌​ of love to‌​‌ her? Did I take her to​ a room? It​‌ was only an‍‍ unknown reaction caused‍ by something neither⁠ of us understood.‍‌ Why are you‌‌​ treating me like​⁠ I’m some bastard?”‍‍​

Perda​⁠ spoke calmly, but⁠⁠ clearly showed his‍⁠⁠ anger.

Hearing​‍ that, the expressionless‌‍ Ruri showed signs​ of agitation.

She‌ thought about Perda’s⁠‍‌ words for a few moments and‌​⁠ then lowered her‌‍ head.

“I’m‌‌​ sorry. You’re right.​ I’m only Lady‍ Valdrova’s maid…”

She‌‍⁠ murmured like a discouraged puppy.

And​ seeing her like​ that, Perda remembered⁠ everything that had​⁠⁠ happened that day.‍‍​

Ruri‍ had also had​⁠⁠ a difficult day.⁠⁠⁠

The⁠​⁠ pressure of a possible war.

The​ gazes of Goz​ Silverwind.

She‍ had endured all​ of it.

‘Yes.​ Today was a hard day.’

That‌⁠ was why she⁠​⁠ was being so‍​‍ sensitive and exaggerated.​‍⁠

She⁠‌ was doing her⁠ best, as always.‍‍

It‌‌‍ was not the​‍‌ moment to scold‍​ her, but to‍ acknowledge her efforts.‌

Perda​‍ looked at Ruri,⁠‍‌ who still had​​ her head lowered,​ and spoke.

“You⁠‍⁠ worked hard today.”‌⁠

And‍ then he gently‌‌ placed his hand‌⁠​ on her head⁠‍​ and lightly stroked‍ it.

“……”​

Ruri‍⁠ neither raised her⁠⁠‍ head nor reacted.‌​

The⁠​​ instant he placed‍ his hand on​ her, she simply​​ became completely motionless.⁠​

And‌ after doing it,‌‍ Perda thought.

What​ the hell am‍‍ I doing?

He​‌‌ had simply let‌‍ his body act​‍ on instinct, but‍ he did not⁠ understand why he‍​​ had done that.‍

Then⁠​ he remembered why‍ that sensation felt​‌ familiar.

Wasn’t​ it that, when⁠ an adult praised​⁠ a child, patting‌ their head was‌ effective?

That​‍ was why Mori​ had asked him‍​‌ to do that​​‍ whenever he praised⁠​ her.

That’s⁠‍‍ right.

Perda‍​ had just treated​‍ Ruri as if‍ she were a child.

And​‌‌ she had already​​‍ gotten angry before‌⁠ because people treated‍​‍ her that way.​‍

It​⁠ was obvious she‍ would get angry.⁠⁠

“Uh…”‌‍

That‍ was what he‌ thought.

But‌⁠ it was not​ like that.

He​​ did not hear​​‌ a “stop treating‌ me like a child, I’m a Dragon Spawn and⁠ you’re a human.”​

Ruri⁠ remained silent.

With⁠‌ her head lowered,‍​ she simply felt‌‌ Perda’s touch.

‘Why?’‍​⁠

He⁠ did not know.​​⁠

They‍​ said animals felt‍ calm when held‍‌​ by the neck.‍‌

Some​⁠​ said it was⁠​ because they remembered‌ their mothers’ affection.⁠‌‌

Others⁠ said it was​⁠‌ simple instinct.

Or‍‌‌ perhaps she was‍ so furious that​‌ the moment he‌‍​ removed his hand,‌ she would explode⁠‌ with rage and​‌​ kill him.

While⁠​ all kinds of‌⁠‍ thoughts crossed his‌ mind, she finally‍‍‌ spoke.

“G-go‍ away already. I have to clean.”‌‌​

“Yes,‍ understood.”

Only‌​ then did Perda‍ remove his hand,‌ and Ruri moved​‍ again.

She‌ immediately turned around​ and began sweeping‌‍ the floor.

For⁠​ an instant, her‍‍‌ hair revealed part⁠‍ of her face.‍​

It‌‌​ was completely red.​

***⁠‍‍

Ruri⁠‌​ thought.

All‍​‌ humans change.

The‍ heart cannot resist‌ the passage of​‌‍ time.

Constancy​‌ was something so⁠ fragile that it​⁠ was even considered‌ a virtue worthy‌ of admiration.

Perda​‍ was no different.⁠

Now​‌​ she no longer⁠​‌ understood what that⁠‍⁠ man was thinking.​

How⁠‌⁠ could a person⁠‍​ change so much​ in less than​‍‍ a year?

Valdrova‌‍ was there, and‌ yet now he‍ kept holding other⁠‌⁠ women’s hands and‍ acting like a womanizer.

He⁠ kept behaving in​ detestable ways.

“……”‌‍

No.‌

Ruri⁠​ knew it.

That‍​​ man had not‍ changed.

She⁠‍ also knew he‌​​ did not think‍⁠ too much when⁠ holding other people’s⁠‌ hands.

And‍ she also knew⁠​​ he had no‍​⁠ intention of being⁠‍ unfaithful.

She‌⁠ simply used that​​‌ as an excuse‍ whenever she needed‍ to annoy him.‌

But‍‍‍ now suffocating feelings​ were beginning to‌ arise inside her.‌

Yes.‌⁠‍

The⁠‍ one who had​‌‍ changed was Ruri‍‌​ herself.

She​ had gradually realized‌‌‌ it too.

When​ she felt insecure,​⁠ before thinking “I⁠‌‌ can do it,”‌‍⁠ Perda’s name naturally‌⁠ appeared in her‍‌​ mind.

And​​ when Goz arrived​⁠⁠ at the castle,​​ she had even‌‍ unconsciously clung to‍⁠ the edge of‌‌​ his clothes.

That‌⁠ change had begun​‍​ after Perda killed​⁠​ Abel.

After‍‌‌ that time when⁠ she cried helplessly‌ in his arms.​‍

‘Lord‌ Silverwind.’

For‌ an instant, Perda‌⁠ had felt like⁠ the old Silverwind.⁠

‘Why…?’​​

She⁠ could not understand​⁠ why she had‌⁠‍ such an absurd‍⁠‍ illusion.

Silverwind⁠‌ and Perda were‌ different.

Unlike‌ the rough men⁠​ of the north,‌‍‌ he had a calm and intelligent​ personality.

The​ severity obsessed with‌‍‍ rules was something‍‌ shaped by the​ harsh north and‍​‍ by Goz, the‍​ second-in-command.

‘They⁠‌ are not alike‌‌ at all.’

When‍ Silverwind used Polymorph,‍​​ he took the⁠ appearance of a mature man with‍​‌ a long beard.‌​

In‌ contrast, Perda was​ a ridiculously young⁠‌‍ man.

If​ there was anything‍​‌ similar at all,‍‍‌ it would be‍ the color of‌‌​ the hair.

And‌ even that was‍⁠⁠ forcing it too⁠ much.

Ruri‌⁠ thought about it⁠ carefully.

And⁠​⁠ then she realized​‍⁠ something.

‘The‍‍​ smell.’

The​‍​ scent she had‌‌ perceived when she‍​ cried leaning against​ Perda.

A fresh and piercing​‌⁠ fragrance, yet gentle‌⁠ at the same‍​ time, mixing mint​‍​ and chamomile.

And‌​⁠ also the smell​ of ashes that‌⁠ left behind a desolate feeling.

Why‌⁠‍ had she smelled‌ that scent on​‍‌ Perda?

‘It’s​⁠ an illusion.’

A ridiculous illusion.

Her‍ emotions had overwhelmed⁠‌ her so much⁠​‍ that her memories⁠ became confused.

That⁠‌ was what Ruri‍ decided to believe.​‌‍

She‌ had to believe​‍‌ it.

Mistaking‌⁠ him for her⁠ father, Silverwind, was​ disrespectful.

‘I‌‍‌ definitely need to‍ scrub myself thoroughly.’‍‍

She​​ would prepare a lavender bath and‌ soak in it⁠​⁠ until all of⁠ this disappeared.

No‍ matter what, Perda​‌ is the bad⁠⁠ one.

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