I Married the Dragon I Killed
Chapter 13
Bernel Marquis.
Age: 27.
525th graduating class of Veritas Academy.
Assigned Title: ‘A Mess’.
Residence: A semi-basement in the slums of Escoleia (The previous tenant couldn't handle it and fled after a week).
Assets: 72 gold coins.
“When are you going to pay me back, you piece of shit?!”
-72 coins.
Two hulking brutes were trashing the place, accompanied by a smaller but fierce-looking man.
And then there was a man on his knees, trembling as he watched their violence helplessly.
The frail man, wearing oversized glasses, began to rub his hands together imploringly.
“P-please, just give me a little more time. This is a long-term experiment, so the results are taking a bit longer than expe—”
“How much more ‘long-term’ do you need? I gave you a year. Didn't you say there’d be meaningful results within a year?”
“I s-said there could be. But collecting those monster corpses is difficult, and I…”
“Ah.”
The loan shark waved his hand dismissively, cutting him off.
“I don’t need excuses. Can the shit you have right now be turned into money or not?”
“T-that… it probably won’t be worth anything yet…. There are still variables, so…”
“Sigh…”
The man looking down at Bernel was a loan shark.
He lent money at high interest rates to those who couldn't even get credit loans from banks.
Their goal was usually to snatch away the research before it was even finished.
“I really stepped in deep shit this time.”
At this rate, he wouldn't even be able to recover the money he’d lent to Bernel Marquis.
The loan shark pulled a worn-out chair over, sat down, and lit a cigar.
“Fine. I’ll give you a bit more of an extension on the debt.”
“R-really?”
“On the condition that you give up on the research you’re doing now.”
“……Pardon?”
The loan shark exhaled a long plume of cigar smoke.
“I heard you were quite the hotshot during your first year at the Academy? Looking at your transcripts, you weren't just top of your class—you were top of the entire year.”
“Ah, yes, well, I didn't know what I wanted to do back then, so I just breezed through it and happened to take the top spot…”
Breezed through it, he says.
This guy was the only one who would describe the position of valedictorian as something he ‘breezed through.’
“So let’s do something else. Can’t you just breeze through something else and get results? I’ve got a few projects I took from other losers. I’ll give them to you, so finish them up and bring them to me. Then we’ll call the debt even. How about it?”
“Um… could I perhaps do them alongside my current experiment? If it’s just that much—”
Thud!
A dagger flew through the air and embedded itself in the floor, precisely in front of his crotch.
“Hieeeek!”
“I try to be nice, and you start losing your perspective. These days, because of that thing called human rights, I hear organs fetch a very high price. How much did they say they go for?”
“I think we could pay off all the interest if we just leave him barely breathing, boss.”
“How about it? Sell your organs. Then you can keep doing your experiment. You don’t want that, do you?”
“No, that’s a bit…”
“Then give up the research and do mine.”
“That’s also a bit…”
Thwack!
The loan shark’s boot slammed into Bernel’s ribs.
“Is this bastard joking with me right now?! You don’t want this, you don’t want that? Then just die, you son of a bitch! You dog-like bastard who isn't even worth the air you breathe!”
“Urgh! Ack! Ugh!”
Bernel curled up helplessly, taking the beating.
Unable to even draw a proper breath, he screamed inwardly.
‘Someone, someone please save me!’
His prayer, wishing for a single rose to bloom in the gutter, had never been answered.
“That’s enough.”
But today was different.
The brute and the loan shark stopped their assault.
They turned their heads toward the door they had broken down.
Bernel followed their gaze, lifting his eyes.
“Well, I’m sorry to interrupt your quality time, but I’d like you to stop.”
The ray of salvation Bernel had yearned for so desperately.
Its color was gray.
‘Ah…’
Bernel felt a wave of despair.
The man was a stranger.
There was no reason for a stranger to save him, so he couldn't help but feel hopeless.
The loan shark, who had been beating him senselessly, brushed back his hair and licked his lips.
“From the looks of you, you seem like some young master from somewhere, but don’t interfere right now.”
“I’m sorry, but I must interfere.”
The gray-haired man pointed a finger at Bernel.
“I have business with that man, you see.”
* * *
By the time Ferda entered the semi-basement, the beating was already well underway.
Seeing him being thrashed like a dog that had bitten its master, Ferda thought to himself.
‘The timing is quite perfect.’
To be able to appear at the very moment someone was desperately wishing for a ray of salvation.
“That’s enough.”
With those words, Ferda brought the loan shark’s assault to a halt.
Bernel was pushed to the back of their minds as the loan shark stood with a crooked posture, looking Ferda up and down.
“You’re a different breed from the usual nerds in Escoleia…. Are you an outsider?”
“Yes. I’ve come from afar.”
“Did that bastard owe you money too?”
“No.”
“Then wait your turn. I was here first. Meet him after I’ve taught him a lesson.”
“How kind of you. What if I were to settle that debt for him?”
A brief silence followed.
The loan shark made a slightly troubled face before opening his mouth.
“Totaling the interest, it’s 72 gold coins. Can you pay it?”
“Of course I can.”
“Then just pay the money.”
72 gold coins.
For Ferda, who had become the regent of Valdrova’s castle, that amount wasn't particularly large.
It was something he could give as easily as tossing a leftover bone to a dog.
However, Ferda didn't readily accept the offer.
Ferda’s blue eyes shifted toward Bernel, who was curled up and bleeding.
Seeing his state, Ferda made a proposal.
“Let’s do this. You beat this man up and damaged his property, so let’s deduct that and settle for 50 coins. How about it?”
The loan shark let out a hollow laugh.
“Ha, are you crazy? The stuff we broke isn't even worth 3 gold coins.”
“Is that so? Then take only 49 coins. Considering the condition of the man you beat, 20 gold coins is a bargain.”
“Are you insane? You want me to burn 20 gold coins just because we got a little friendly?”
“Is the negotiation a failure, then?”
“Negotiation my ass, this is just extortion, isn't it?”
“A failure it is, then.”
Ferda raised a finger.
“Then you shall receive as much as you gave to settle the account. Ruri.”
Ruri, who had been standing behind him, moved forward.
“Make them exactly the same.”
“…….”
“I will fulfill my promise, so do not worry.”
“Sigh, I understand.”
The maid girl with silver hair tied in a side ponytail walked forward with an expressionless face.
“What’s this, a brat?”
“A young master bringing a brat to the slums, is he stupid?”
The brutes sneered crudely.
Unlike the large, uncultured men, the loan shark was perceptive enough to tell.
That brat wasn't just a brat.
In that moment, the unusual girl released a fraction of the power she had been hiding.
The girl’s silver eyes flashed with an eerie light.
Peeeee—!
A ringing sound erupted simultaneously in all their ears.
“Ugh!”
“Argh!?”
“W-what is this?”
The brutes and the loan shark were thrown into a panic.
But what was even more bewildering was—
“Ack… Argh…”
“M-my body…!”
Their bodies wouldn't move.
They tried to struggle, but the most they could manage was a slight trembling.
Their bodies felt as if they had turned to stone.
Ruri glanced at them before approaching the nearest brute.
“I shall start with you.”
Ruri pointed her finger at him.
In that instant, the space around the brute distorted like a mirage.
Thwack-thwack-thwack-thwack!
The sound of a relentless beating erupted, and the brute collapsed.
“Ugh… blegh…”
His entire body was covered in bruises, and blood streamed from his nose as he groaned on the floor.
He was in exactly the same state as Bernel.
‘What on earth was that?!’
the remaining brute and the loan shark broke out in a cold sweat.
This was beyond the common sense of their world.
Her eyes turned toward the other brute.
“Next is you.”
“Uh…?”
Thwack-thwack-thwack-thwack!
The loan shark was witnessing the phenomenon for the second time, but his face still showed he couldn't fathom what was happening.
A beating that occurred simultaneously after the air distorted.
‘Magic!’
He realized it, but that realization didn't mean he understood everything.
‘It’s magic, but! There’s magic like that?’
The magic the girl used had no magic circles; it was just a flick of her finger.
To think she could use magic with such destructive power so easily.
“Next… there’s no one else, so it’s you.”
“U-uaaaah!”
The loan shark made a final, desperate struggle.
He tried to force his stiff, trembling body to move.
The view before him distorted.
Thwack-thwack-thwack-thwack!
The loan shark crumpled forward.
Snap!
“Aaaaaagh!”
Another scream erupted.
As he fell, his right index finger had snapped.
“Ack! My finger—!”
An unplanned variable had occurred.
“You son of a bitch! You said you’d make us exactly the same! The finger wasn't part of it!!”
The loan shark threw a fit.
With his fierce face, he was throwing a tantrum like a child.
The leader of the loan sharks had started his initial capital through blackmail and intimidation.
His true colors were being revealed at this very moment.
It was a truly absurd sight, but Ferda didn't think so.
“You’re right. This has become quite problematic.”
Ferda’s expression became serious as he looked down at him.
The loan shark felt an oddly ominous sensation.
“You’re saying it’s unfair that only your finger is broken, is that it?”
“Y-yeah, you bastard! What are you going to do about my finger?!”
Ferda turned his head toward Ruri.
“The gentleman says he feels wronged.”
“Understood.”
The way to soothe that feeling of being wronged was to give a fitting compensation.
Or simply to do the exact same thing.
Ferda had no intention of giving compensation.
Snap!
“Gyaaaaah!”
Snap!
“Uwaaaaah!”
He made the fingers of the other two brutes exactly the same.
Ruri was about to turn away, thinking that was the end of it.
“Ruri.”
Ferda called her name.
“Yes.”
“Isn't there still someone left?”
“……Are you serious?”
Ruri asked with a furrowed brow, and Ferda nodded.
“We must be thorough with the calculation.”
Ruri had a look that said she couldn't understand.
If the calculation had to be thorough, there was still one person left.
“Uh…?”
Bernel Marquis.
Snap!
“Aaaaaagh!”
She broke Bernel’s index finger as well.
The loan shark who had been throwing a tantrum, and his subordinates, were left speechless by the sight.
‘W-what the?’
‘Why did he break that nerd’s finger?’
‘Wasn't he on Bernel’s side?’
They even forgot the throbbing pain in their bones.
Because he wanted to be fair, he had broken Bernel’s finger too.
So that they were all in the exact same state.
‘What a crazy lunatic!’
They began to feel a sense of terror toward Ferda.
Ferda glanced at their condition and nodded as if satisfied.
“To my eyes, it looks settled. If anyone feels they were punished too excessively, speak up.”
Ferda’s lips curled up slightly.
“I’ll handle everything fairly, after all.”
“N-no, there isn't!!”
“T-this is more than enough.”
“Is that so?”
Ferda held out his hand to Ruri.
She pulled a pouch from within her skirt, and Ferda tossed it to the loan shark.
Exactly 69 gold coins, with the cost of the property damage deducted.
“Now that the debt is settled, leave.”
“T-thank you.”
They bolted without looking back.
Watching them disappear, Ferda spoke softly to Ruri.
“You’re skilled with magic.”
“I merely used the most basic of basics.”
“Is healing magic among those basics?”
“I can do it to some extent.”
“Then I’d like you to treat Bernel over there.”
“Uuuugh… no thank you.”
Bernel, groaning in pain, waved his hand.
“If you receive too much recovery magic, you develop a resistance to it. I don’t want a disaster where recovery magic doesn't work when I really need it later… I can endure this much.”
“A rational judgment, quite like a scholar.”
Bernel grabbed his own finger.
“Gnuuuuuugh…!”
Crack!
After setting it back in place, he flicked it once more.
Confirming it had returned to normal, he wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“Whew… thank you for saving me.”
Even though you did break my finger…
He swallowed those words and asked Ferda.
“May I ask your name?”
“I am Ferda Valdrova.”
“Valdrova? Isn't that the name of the Red Dragon?”
“Correct. I am the one who will become her consort.”
“Huh? B-by any chance?! The one who was betrothed to that Duke is…?”
The color drained from Bernel’s face.
He knelt once more and prostrated himself on the floor.
“I-I apologize for not recognizing the Duke’s consort!”
“No, it’s only natural that you wouldn't know. Don’t worry about it.”
“And he is not the consort yet. He merely uses the Valdrova name.”
Ruri chimed in to correct him.
Bernel introduced himself.
“I am Bernel Marquis. A scholar called ‘A Mess,’ as is widely known. I’m sure you came here knowing that. Haha…”
“Yes, I have heard much of your reputation.”
“What business would you have with such a failure… sir?”
“Beating around the bush is tedious, so I’ll be direct. I am interested in the research you are doing.”
“M-my research?”
His eyes went wide.
To think someone was interested in the research even the loan shark who lent him money treated as a joke.
“If you come to Valdrova’s castle, I promise unconditional support for your current research.”
“Pardon?”
“I mean I will provide whatever materials, research funds, and facilities you want, without question.”
“H-huh!”
Unconditional support.
It was an extraordinary support condition that no scholar had ever received.
So while he was happy, he was also simultaneously anxious.
Wondering what kind of conditions would be attached to such an offer.
Bernel asked with a trembling voice.
“W-w-w-what is the condition?”
“Your research. We will use it to create weapons.”
Bernel’s expression hardened.
“Weapons… you say?”
“Yes. With your research.”
Bernel, who had been ready to cheer just a moment ago, shook his head.
“Then I cannot do it.”
“Is that something to say to the person who just cleared your debt?”
“E-even if a blade were at my throat, I cannot do that. I… I want a peaceful Serdes Continent. I only wish for the people living in it to be happy.”
Ferda had expected it wouldn't be smooth sailing.
Bernel Marquis was a pacifist, after all.
“Tools of war… only create more victims. So even if you are my benefactor, I cannot do that.”
Ferda muttered while stroking his chin.
“So you won’t change your mind even if a blade were at your throat?”
Bernel felt a chill run down his spine at those words.
Bernel had heard countless threats about being killed or crippled.
But this time was different.
It felt as if death itself was embracing him from behind.
“But think about it.”
Ferda lightly swept his index finger across the dust-covered floor.
“Who do you think is responsible for you being able to leisurely conduct research in a rat hole like this?”
“This is my own choice.”
“No. It wasn't your choice. This peace isn't something created by the choices of someone as insignificant as you.”
Bernel couldn't help but feel a surge of tension.
There was a clear weight of emotion in Ferda’s tone now.
“Duke Valdrova, who is to be my partner, goes out to the front lines almost every three days. She fights monsters that could easily destroy a city like this. What do you think she stakes every time? A bit of territory? The people of the Far Eastern region? Or my life?”
Ferda answered by poking his own chest with his finger.
“No, she goes out staking herself. While you would throw away your life to the enemy for that trivial belief of yours, she uses her life as a noble sword to strike down enemies and create peace.”
Ferda had always watched Valdrova fighting on the front lines.
He had secretly watched her from the highest point.
In this moment, it felt as if the image of Valdrova was appearing before Ferda’s eyes once again.
His chest felt tight.
What remained for him, who could only watch helplessly, was guilt.
“So, I will do anything for her sake.”
A flame flickered deep within Ferda’s eyes.
“Therefore, regardless of what you think, I will have you create weapons.”
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