I Married the Dragon I Killed — Chapter 98: Acrobat

Chapter 98: Acrobat

“Lady⁠⁠ Erika, Tower Master.”‍

“Regent‌‌ Valdrova.”

“Are‌ your internal injuries⁠‍ severe?”

Perda‌‌‍ did not direct‌⁠ his gaze toward‍‌‍ her.

It‌ was to preserve‌‍⁠ her dignity as‌⁠ the Tower Master.‌

Erika hardened her gaze‍ and straightened her posture.

“They‌‍ are not severe‍ enough to make‌‍‍ me a burden.”‌‍

“Understood.”‍‍

Perda⁠‍ gave a brief‍ nod as he‌ assessed the enemy‍ forces.

He‍ saw the wyverns‌‍ beating their wings,⁠ the gigantic man,‍ and the comparatively smaller man.

The‌‍⁠ smaller man stared⁠ directly at Perda‌‌ and spoke.

“So‍ you are Perda‍‌ Rosnova. It is⁠ a pleasure to⁠ meet you.”

Perda‌ corrected him.

“Valdrova.”‌‍

“Raised⁠‍⁠ by the Rosnova family and still⁠ struggling to escape⁠⁠ your roots? How‌⁠‍ pathetic.”

The‌ man mocked him.‌

But⁠ Perda was no‌‍⁠ longer a brat⁠ who could be⁠⁠ provoked by something‌⁠⁠ like that.

“Demonic‌ wolves overflowing into‌‍‍ Hestia Village and‌‍ demonic wyverns here watching you release⁠⁠ monsters everywhere, I suppose you were‌‍‍ also responsible for‌⁠ the Hallim incident.”‍

“That‌ is correct. Shouldn’t‍‍ you be thanking⁠ me?”

“And‍ why would I thank you?”

“Did‍ you not obtain‍ the branch of the World Tree‌ struck by the‍‍ Reverse Heaven Lightning‍‍‍ thanks to your‌‍ enormous merits in⁠⁠ Hallim?”

The man calmly recited‍ a fact that⁠‌ nobody knew.

Perda⁠‌‌ did not let‍‍ himself be shaken‍ and replied provocatively.⁠

“That⁠‌ sounds like the‍⁠ consolation of a defeated dog.”

“Haha!⁠⁠‍ I suppose you‍⁠⁠ are right. It‍ is true that I underestimated both⁠‍ you and those⁠‌ around you too⁠‌⁠ much. Even when‌ my goal was‍‌‌ only to kill Rector Bernard, I failed.”

“Do‍‍⁠ you intend to‍ target him again?”‍

“Unfortunately,⁠ there is no⁠‌‌ longer any need.‌‍ What I wished‌ to destroy seems‍‌‍ to have ended‍ up in your‍ hands. So you‍⁠‌ may rest easy.”‍‌‌

“And⁠⁠‍ why do you‌⁠ think I am⁠ going to trust‌ your words?”

“Because‌ I am already‍ above you. I have no need‍‌⁠ to lie. For⁠‍ example…”

With‌ a finger infused‍‍ with mana, he‌‍ traced a broad‌ motion across the⁠‍ ground.

A gust of wind rose, and the‌ dry leaves on‍‍‍ the ground were⁠⁠ swept into the‍‌⁠ sky.

“Even‌⁠ noticing such a superficial trick and⁠ pretending not to‌⁠‌ know.”

The‌ ground was cleared,‌‌ and what had⁠‍ been hidden underneath appeared.

From‍ the shadow beneath‌‌ Perda’s feet, a Shadow Hand was‍‍⁠ reciting a spell.⁠

“A‍ truly ridiculous trick.”⁠⁠‌

Snap!‍

The‍ man snapped his‍‍ fingers.

At the same time,⁠ an explosion occurred‌‌‌ where the Shadow Hand was.

Boom!‍

The‍‌ Shadow Hand shattered‌ into pieces and‌‌ dispersed.

“Ugh!”‍‍

At first glance, it‍‍ did not seem‍‌ like a lethal⁠ attack, but the⁠‍‍ reality was different.‌

If⁠‍‌ it had been a real hand,‍ it would have⁠‍ torn through magical⁠‍ barriers and armor‍ as if they⁠‌ were paper.

“Oh.”‍‌⁠

The‌‍⁠ man showed interest.‌‌

“I‌ heard that Barbatos’‌⁠ shadow arts can‌⁠ be handled as‍‌‍ if they were‍ arms and legs,‍ but that they‍ also transmit pain⁠ as though they⁠ were truly limbs⁠‍ however, you reacted‌ as if you‌ had pulled your‌ hand away after being burned, not‍⁠⁠ as though your⁠⁠‍ hand had been‍⁠‌ torn off.”

The‍⁠ man was analyzing‍ Perda.

But⁠‍ Perda neither responded‌ nor reacted to‌‍ his words.

Instead,‍⁠ he tried to‌‌⁠ understand the enemy’s‌‌ magic, just as⁠⁠‍ the other man‌⁠ had done with‌ him.

‘What⁠‍ kind of magic‌⁠‍ was that?’

Perda‌⁠ recalled what had⁠ happened moments earlier.⁠

The⁠‍ explosion caused by⁠⁠⁠ the snap.

No,‌‍ that had not‌‍⁠ been an explosion.‍‍

At‍ first glance it‌ looked like an‍⁠ explosion, but it⁠‌ was not.

‘That was…….’

Perda‍ focused on that scene.

He⁠ slowed time within‌‌ his mind, breaking⁠‍ it down frame‍⁠ by frame to‌‍⁠ vividly recall the⁠ movement.

‘It⁠‍ is magic that⁠ distorts a point,‍⁠ not an explosion.’⁠‍

For‌ an instant, space⁠⁠‌ warped as though being sucked toward a point in⁠‌ the void and‌ then released again.‍

‘A‍‌ magic that destroys‍‍ objects by distorting a point in‌⁠ space.’

Once⁠‌⁠ he clearly understood‌‍‍ the phenomenon, he‍⁠ also discovered the‌ identity of the⁠ one capable of⁠⁠ using it.

There‍ was only one⁠ person capable of‌‍⁠ wielding that magic.‌‌

A name lost in‍‌⁠ a single line‌ of history.

“You‍‍ are Curved Demon.”

Curved‍ Demon.

Upon⁠ hearing that name,⁠⁠ the man showed‌ admiration.

“Oh.⁠⁠‍ You discovered my identity from just that?”

The⁠ only surprised one‍‌ was not him,‍ but Erika as‌⁠‍ well.

She knew he was‌‍‍ a Noblesse-class demon,⁠ but she had‌ not figured out‍‍‌ who he was.⁠

And‍⁠ naturally so.

Because‌⁠ Curved Demon should⁠‌ not exist.

“If‍ you are Curved‌‌ Demon, then you⁠ should have been‍ the first Noblesse⁠ killed by the⁠‌ Hero.”

The‍‌ man admitted it⁠‌ without issue.

“That⁠ is correct. The‌ demons of that‌‍⁠ era had no⁠‍ sense of caution‌ toward humans. That⁠‍‌ is why he‌‍ died so absurdly at the hands⁠ of the Hero.”‍

“Then how are you‍ still alive?”

“Simple.‍ Back then there‌ existed only a Hero full of passion. Neither you‍‌⁠ nor Erdes existed.”⁠‌

In other words, the‌⁠ caution and precision⁠ of mages did‌ not exist.

There‌ had been room⁠ for resurrection.

“I⁠ never imagined demons⁠ would wait for‍ the future in‍⁠ this way.”

“That⁠ is correct. I also did not‌‌ wish to reveal‍⁠ myself. But I had no other‌‌ choice.”

Curved‍⁠ Demon’s eyes turned‍ toward Perda.

“Because⁠ there was something‌‌ troublesome.”

Troublesome.‌

Normally,‌ that should have‌ sounded unpleasant.

But⁠‍‍ Curved Demon’s lips‍ curved upward.

“Does‌ becoming a demon also distort emotions?‌‍‌ It seems you‍ do not know⁠‍⁠ when you should smile.”

“Demons‌⁠ also feel joy.⁠‍⁠ We simply do‌ not cling to‍ insignificant emotions like‍‌ you humans do.”‌

“Then‍‍ is returning everything‍ to the void‌ something grand?”

At‌‌‍ Erika’s question, he nodded as though‍⁠ it were obvious.‍⁠

“It‌‌ is His great will. And for⁠‍ me, that is immense happiness.”

“Then⁠ disappear quickly and‍ go join those‍ who died before‍‍ you.”

Crackle!⁠

A bolt of lightning shot toward Curved‍‍‌ Demon.

But‌ it failed to‍ pierce his magical⁠‍‌ barrier and bounced‍⁠⁠ off.

It‍ was a Lightning⁠⁠ Bolt cast by⁠ Perda.

“Did⁠ you intend to‍‌ kill me with‍ something like that?”

“No.⁠⁠ From the moment‌‌ the Tower Master’s⁠‌‌ magic failed, I already knew that‍ would not work⁠⁠ either.”

Hearing⁠‌ that, Erika turned‌ her head toward⁠‍ Perda as if‍‌‍ she had realized⁠‍⁠ something.

“……Were‍⁠ you observing me?”‌

There⁠⁠ was reproach in‌ her gaze.

As⁠‍ if asking why⁠ he had not⁠ come earlier to help her.

But⁠‌⁠ Perda also had‍ his reasons.

“You‌ were planning to‍ destroy the entire⁠‍‍ area. How could⁠ I not observe⁠‌‍ the situation first?”‌‍⁠

“T-that⁠ is true, but…….”‌

“Did⁠⁠⁠ you truly intend‌ to blow away‍⁠ an entire section‌ of the Duchy‌‍‌ as if you‍⁠‌ had lost your mind?”

When‍‌‍ Ruri complained, Erika‍ shut her mouth.‌‍

Her‌ emotions were overflowing‍‍ too much due‍ to her severe‍‌ internal injuries.

“It is admirable how⁠ confident you are‍ after analyzing our‌‌‍ strength. However……”

With‌ a faint smile,⁠ Curved Demon said,‌‍

“I‌‌ have no desire‌ to fight you.‌ What do you‌ say we part ways peacefully?”

“This‌ is Duchy territory. You think you‍‌ can make a mess here and‍ then run away?”‌‍

“Hmm,‍⁠ in that case.”‍

He‍‍ waved his fingers‌ through the air.‌‍‍

“Try‌ to stop this.”‍

Another⁠ space tore open⁠ and expelled what was inside.

It‌‌ was a familiar‌‌⁠ scene for Perda.⁠

But‌‍ the number was‌ different from Hallim.⁠‌

Five rifts appeared simultaneously‌‍ in different locations,‍ releasing their contents.‍‌‍

Some‌ of the creatures‌‍‌ headed toward Perda‌‌ and the others.⁠‍

But‌ others changed direction⁠‌ toward Hestia Village.⁠

At‍‌ the same time,‌‍ Curved Demon and‍ the giant man attempted to leap⁠⁠ into the rifts.⁠

In‌ the current situation,‍ they could not‌ even move easily‌ to stop them.‍

No‌ perhaps Ruri could do it.

She‍⁠⁠ was a descendant‌‌ of the Silver Dragon, famous for‌ supreme speed.

But⁠ if Ruri intervened,‍⁠ all those monsters would head directly‍ toward Hestia.

And‍ it was doubtful‍‍ the people of‌‍⁠ the village could⁠ withstand them.

“Lord‌ Perda.”

Ruri⁠ looked at Perda.⁠‍⁠

Her‍⁠⁠ eyes looked like those of someone wearing a poorly⁠‍‌ fitted mask, unable⁠‍ to decide what‍ to do.

“Go.‌ Protect what your‌‍ lady wishes to‍‌‌ protect.”

“And⁠‍ Lord Perda’s safety?”‌‌

“Do‌⁠ not worry. I am here.”

Although⁠‌ Erika had suffered⁠ severe internal injuries,⁠⁠ the ring of⁠ water around her‌ body remained firm.‍⁠

“Understood.”‍‌

Ruri‌‍ grabbed the axe‍⁠‌ and spread her‍ wings.

Boom!‍

A fierce gust burst‌‍⁠ forth and crashed⁠‌‍ down upon the⁠ monsters heading toward‌‍‍ Hestia.

A silver flash crossed‍‍‌ through the forest,⁠ and wherever that‌⁠ light passed, only⁠ brutally torn corpses⁠‍ remained.

“How‍⁠ many should I face?”

“I‍ alone will be enough.”

“Then⁠‌‌ I will watch⁠ your back.”

The‍ opponents were monsters⁠‌ that had lost‌‍ their reason and‌‍ were filled only‍‍ with instinct.

Every⁠‍‌ attack was dangerous,‌ but their movements‌ were simple.

And the simpler they‍ were, the easier‍ they became to‍ predict.

Erika’s‍ water droplets easily‌ found and pierced⁠‍‌ their vital points.⁠⁠

‘So⁠ this is Lorga’s⁠‍ magic?’

On‌ the outside it‍‌ appeared soft and‍ harmless, but once‌ released from her⁠ hands, it was‍‍ harder and deadlier⁠ than any metal.‍‍

And‌ it did not‌ merely pierce.

The‌ rotational force contained‌ within twisted and⁠‌ exploded the insides⁠ of the body‌‌‌ every time it⁠ pierced a vital⁠ point.

Even‌ while facing many⁠‍ enemies at once,⁠ she did not⁠ waste a single‍‍ movement and finished‌ each one in‍‌ a single strike.⁠

‘And⁠ yet, someone capable⁠‍ of cornering even‌ a person like‍ her is that⁠ Curved Demon……?’

Thinking⁠ about it calmly,‍‍ it was not‍ that they had‌⁠ let those demons‍ escape.

Rather,‍⁠⁠ it was as‌‍ though they themselves‌ had been spared‌ by those demons.

Finally,⁠⁠ even the last⁠‍ monster that had‌⁠ charged at them‌ was eliminated.

Erika‌ once again detected⁠ signs of life⁠‍ nearby and confirmed⁠ that it was‍⁠⁠ safe.

“Huu…….”⁠

Then‌ she collapsed onto⁠ the ground.

She‍‍ no longer had‍‌ the strength to⁠⁠ pretend to remain‌‍ calm.

“Are you alright?”

“It⁠ is not something‍⁠ that threatens my‍ life, but I will need to‌⁠ concentrate for a few days to‌ recover my mana.”⁠

“Can⁠ you stand?”

Perda‌ extended his hand‌ toward her.

“Thank⁠ you.”

Erika‌⁠ took that hand.‍‍‍

A hand filled with‌‌ calluses inappropriate for⁠ a mage.

Erika had touched that⁠ man’s hand before.‌⁠

Then‍ it happened.

At‍‍ the same time,⁠ something began to‍‍ flow into Erika’s‍‌ hand.

She⁠‍‌ knew perfectly well‍‌ what it was.‍‌

It‍ was that mana⁠ that had embarrassed‍ her earlier.

“Eek!”‍⁠

Erika‍⁠ startled violently.

She‌ released Perda’s hand⁠ and dropped back‍ onto the ground.‍⁠‍

“……What⁠ is wrong?”

Her⁠⁠ face had turned‍‍‌ bright red.

What‍⁠⁠ do you mean‍‌ what is wrong?!‍‍ The moment you⁠‍‍ grabbed my hand,‍‌⁠ you tried to pass mana into‌⁠‍ me again! Pervert!⁠‌ You were trying⁠ to do strange things to me again!

She wanted to scream‌⁠ that.

But‍ she could not.⁠‍

Perda⁠ genuinely looked like‌ he did not⁠⁠ understand anything at⁠‌ all.

And⁠ she was certain⁠⁠ only she would‍‍ end up looking⁠ like an idiot.‌

“C-cough. It is nothing.‍ I think it‍ would be best‍⁠‌ for me to‌⁠⁠ recover my mana‍ right here. I will leave the‌‍‍ surroundings to you.”‍‍

“Understood.”‍

Erika‍‌ crossed her legs‌⁠ and closed her‍ eyes.

The⁠ circuits within her‍ body began to‍ rotate as they⁠ accumulated mana in rhythm with the‍‍ beating of her‌⁠ heart.

In‍‍ the darkness behind⁠⁠‍ her eyelids, the⁠‍‍ battle from only⁠ a few dozen‍‌ minutes earlier resurfaced.‌

‘I⁠‍ never imagined that⁠‌ man would be Curved Demon, one‌‍ of the Seven Evil Stars of‌ the Demon King.’‍⁠

The‍‌‌ Seven Evil Stars.‌⁠

The‍⁠⁠ strongest among the⁠ Noblesse, only one‌ level beneath the⁠ Emperors, and legion⁠ commanders.

Even⁠⁠ after exchanging several‌ moves and sensing‌ his mana, she‍⁠ had failed to⁠⁠ discover his identity.‍⁠

She‌ had only known‌ he was a Noblesse.

And‍ it was inevitable.‍

She⁠⁠ had been on⁠ the defensive and⁠‌ needed to focus‌‌ entirely on combat.‌‌

She‌‍ had no room‍‌⁠ to uncover his⁠⁠ true identity.

But‌‍ not even that‌‍ excuse could comfort⁠ her.

She‍ had once been‍⁠ called “The Wisdom‌ of the 12‍ Heroes.”

She⁠⁠ had already fought‍‍⁠ against the other‌⁠ six Evil Stars⁠ before and had‍⁠ even discovered methods‍ to counter them.‍‍

‘And‍ Regent Perda discovered⁠ it from a single move.’

He had uncovered his⁠‌ identity after receiving only one attack.‌‌

That‌ was a fact⁠‌ impossible to deny.‍

‘And‌ I was also‍⁠ surpassed in mana.’‌‌‌

Even⁠⁠ though she had‍ not arrived fully‌ prepared, it was‌‍‌ difficult to argue⁠ against the result‍ of that battle.‌

If‍ Perda and Ruri‍‌‌ had not appeared‌⁠ and she had‌⁠ continued facing that‌ man alone, would‌ she have won?‍‌‍

‘Damn‌ it.’

She⁠ inwardly chewed on that frustration.

Even‌ without seeing the‌‍⁠ final outcome, it‍ was impossible for‍‌ her to ignore the helplessness she‌ had felt.

And‌‌ besides.

‘How⁠‌ embarrassing.’

The‌‌ fact that she‍ had screamed and‌⁠ caused such a scene by herself‍ hurt even more‌ than her internal⁠ injuries.

She‌‍ bit her lips⁠‍ and repeatedly punched‍ her thigh with⁠‌‍ her fist.

‘Ah, idiot. Idiot. You‌‍ should just die.’‌

Perda‍ watched as she suppressed her suffering‌‌ and thought,

‘Her‌⁠⁠ internal injuries must‌ be quite severe.’‌

Soon after, someone flew⁠⁠ over to them.‌⁠

Ruri,⁠‍ who had left‌ with that brutal⁠ axe, had returned.‌‍‌

“I‌‌ already eliminated all⁠ those heading toward‌‍ Hestia Village. I was also informed‍ that the situation‌‌ there is stabilizing without the need for further assistance.”⁠

“Good work.”

“It⁠ is not over⁠‍ yet. We still‍‍ have to deal‍ with the monsters’‌‌ corpses.”

“Vernell‌ will like that.”‍

The forest was filled‍‌ with monstrous corpses.‌‍

The green blood and⁠ purple flesh gave‍ an unnatural and‍‌⁠ sinister feeling amidst⁠⁠⁠ nature.

“I‍ will take care‍ of cleaning this⁠⁠ area.”

The⁠ one who said⁠⁠ that was Erika,‌ still seated in meditation posture.

“There‌ is no need⁠⁠ for you to do that.”

“There are too many, and if they‍ are not cleaned‍⁠ properly, some areas⁠‍ will end up‍⁠ contaminated. Magical assistance⁠‌ is necessary for⁠‍‌ that. If I recover a bit⁠‌ more mana, I will have enough‍ to clean everything.”

“Understood.‍⁠⁠ Then I will leave it to⁠ Lady Erika.”

It⁠ seemed the situation⁠ had finally calmed‍ down.

But⁠‍‍ it had not.‍⁠

Booooom—!⁠‌‌

A massive explosion resounded.‌‌

And⁠ the origin of‍⁠ that sound came‍ from none other⁠ than Hestia Village itself.