I Married the Dragon I Killed
Chapter 35
Inhuman conquest knows no bounds.
Carrying that slogan as its banner, the Arken Empire had enjoyed an era of prosperity since the death of Godwin.
The first emperor, Jeffrey Arken, was a legendary Hero, a tactician, and a politician. He had declared that he would lay a foundation for the Empire that would not crumble for centuries. That declaration had, in fact, held true to this day.
The current Emperor of Arken, Godfrey Arken, was a man of profound incompetence and infinite greed. In any other kingdom, his avaricious and mercurial governance would have led to ruin within three years, yet he had maintained his rule for forty.
He remained in power, and the Empire remained intact. One could truly say the Emperor’s authority descended from the heavens.
‘But the Emperor’s authority actually comes from the storehouse.’
The treasures and holy relics amassed by previous emperors were what supported the Empire. To be able to touch that storehouse meant one could share in that authority. And there was not a single noble who was unaware of this.
‘Blinded by gold, they obey the gold.’
As incompetent as the Emperor was, they flattered him; as much as he strayed from the right path, they extolled him. The rate of decay would only accelerate, the foundation of the first emperor’s thousand-year empire would crumble, and the downfall would quicken.
“So, where exactly do you plan to hit?”
Zed asked, sounding incredulous.
“The Sealed Storage.”
“The Sealed Storage….”
The Sealed Storage. While there were treasure vaults for expensive riches and relics imbued with holy power, the Sealed Storage was the opposite—it sealed away things that were evil and must never be made public. Within it lay magic books left behind by demons, as well as books and magical items developed by demon worshipers.
Zed’s expression soured even further. Raiding a treasure vault was already a suicidal mission, but the Sealed Storage was like adding a bed of hot coals to the fire.
“I’m asking just in case… can you tell me what you’re planning to steal?”
There was no reason not to.
“It is one of the grimoires of the Great Demons, specifically Barbatos’s Shadow Art.”
Barbatos, known as the demon of shadows and schemes among the seven Great Demons of Hell.
“Barbatos….”
Zed muttered with a serious face, then looked up.
“…Who the hell is that?”
“You don’t know?”
“I hear those damn Amon worshipers mentioned occasionally, but a demon named Barbatos… I’ve never heard of him.”
Though called one of the seven Great Demons of Hell, Barbatos was actually the demon with the lowest influence, rarely spoken of.
“It’s only natural you don’t know. He isn’t a demon who gathers followers like the others.”
That was less because he was too weak to be mentioned and more by design. Barbatos was a demon who preferred to move in secret. Knowing that a low profile was advantageous for utilizing his abilities, he did not demand initiation rites or exorbitant prices.
‘Though the conditions are immense.’
The requirements for manipulating shadows are the most demanding among all the magic left by the Great Demons. Even ‘Shadow Hand,’ the lowest-tier spell Ferda had used, is beyond the proper control of most mages. Consequently, followers of Barbatos are almost non-existent, and few seek his magic book.
‘Which means it can be used as a wildcard.’
Since it is a magic with low recognition, people will not know how to counter it. For mages, the psychological battle of catching an opponent off guard is paramount.
“Assuming we steal this Shadow Art thing….”
Zed voiced the lingering discomfort in his mind.
“How do we even get there?”
Ferda crossed his legs and spoke.
“You tell me. If it were you, how would you get in?”
“Are you dumping this on me?”
“It’s your field of expertise.”
“I’m not a petty thief. The only thing I’ve ever stolen is a woman’s heart.”
“Stop talking nonsense and speak.”
“Hmm….”
Zed rested his chin in his hand, letting out a long breath. After about five minutes of silence, he spoke.
“There have been many who tried to rob the Imperial storehouses. Among them, even the group that claimed to be half-successful had ten people working on it.”
“And?”
“The way I see it, you’d need at least twenty people and about a year of preparation. Are you going to hire twenty of those thieves?”
“No.”
Twenty people and one year. He didn’t have that kind of luxury.
“Then how long do we have?”
“Immediately.”
Zed found himself momentarily speechless. He felt like asking if Ferda had forgotten what he just said, but knowing it would be a waste of breath, he let it go.
“To do it immediately and without repercussions… you’re saying I have to rob it alone?”
“That’s how it would be.”
“How am I supposed to do what ten people failed at?”
Looking at him, Ferda answered with a serious gaze.
“You can do it.”
Zed felt like he was going to die from the sheer absurdity of it. However, Ferda felt the same about Zed’s reaction.
‘He’s exaggerating.’
Zed Swallow. Right now, he was nothing more than a playboy wandering around seducing women, but he possessed the talent of a master thief. One of his future achievements was infiltrating the Imperial treasure vault that no one else could penetrate.
‘And he did it without a plan.’
Officially, it was three times, but according to Zed’s own claims, he had already visited twelve times. This meant he already knew the flaws in the surveillance system and how to exploit them.
‘Of course, that’s a story for the future.’
It was difficult to expect the reputation of a master thief from him right now. At this moment, he was a flirtatious pest chasing women, far removed from being a thief. Ferda was moving forward with the plan having taken all of this into account.
“There’s no need to worry. I’ll set the stage regardless.”
“You will, Regent-nim?”
Ferda nodded and pointed to his eyes with his index and middle fingers.
“All you need are your two eyes. Everything else is just a secondary factor. Do you understand?”
“……Somehow, that makes me even more uneasy.”
Hearing that only deepened Zed’s anxiety. In his experience, there was no task that demanded more skill than one where you were told to bring only “simple tools.”
‘Can I really follow this man?’
He had come because he was lured by the promise of help with his high-society debut, but it felt like the requirements were getting higher by the day.
“You have a face full of worry.”
“How could I not? My life is on the line here.”
Zed replied bluntly. His head was starting to ache from overthinking.
‘Long deliberation always leads to a bad move.’
If Zed were to refuse, Ferda would have to give up on Barbatos’s Shadow Art. Or rather, things would become much more complicated.
‘I’ll have to play that card.’
Ferda decided to make the scales easier to tip.
“The Sealed Storage contains the stains the Empire wants to hide.”
“……Is that so?”
Despite his reply, his face asked why Ferda was telling him this.
“Among them, there should be stories regarding the Red Eye Tribe.”
“!”
The Zed who had been agonizing was gone. Strength returned to his eyes.
“Are you certain?”
“I have absolutely no intention of breaking my contract with you.”
Zed had set a condition that he would leave if he were ever sidelined or merely used. Thus, he didn’t think long. His answer was concise.
“To hell with it, let’s do it.”
Everything was moving according to Ferda’s plan.
* * *
Before moving in earnest, Ferda paid a visit to Count Consilus.
“I greet the Regent-nim. I heard you have business in the Empire.”
“I do.”
“May I ask what business takes you there?”
“In fact, I was about to ask you that. I have a reason to go, but I need a formal excuse to be there.”
“Ah, I see what you mean.”
Consilus fiddled with his beard before answering.
“How about mentioning the vacancy left by Thessalos Walcher? Suggesting that a new suitable candidate is needed….”
“Ah, I have thoughts on that. There is a suitable candidate, but he hasn’t appeared yet.”
“If you give the word, I will search for him.”
Ferda could have described the man’s characteristics, but he didn’t want to go that far to find him. It would be more troublesome if the man hid himself upon hearing someone was looking for him. Therefore, Ferda spoke briefly.
“There will be someone who makes your breath catch the moment you see him.”
“Breath catch… what does that mean specifically?”
“No need for specifics. You’ll feel your breath hitch the moment you see him. Just give that knight the position.”
“Understood, I shall do as the Regent-nim wishes.”
Though he had failed to gather the Wandering Knights, he was still in the process of seeking guardians for the territory. He decided to believe that the man would eventually come seeking him out of interest.
Consilus began to think of another angle.
“Would it not be best to inquire about the Grand Council?”
“The Grand Council?”
“Yes. All kings and nobles of Duke rank or higher in Serdes are qualified to go there, but one needs someone to verify their identity. It would be wise to stop by and inform His Majesty the Emperor or his kin of your intention to attend.”
The Emperor or the Princes. They were a lot he didn’t care for, but Ferda would be crossing paths with them frequently from now on.
“Good. I’ll use that as my reason. What is the current political situation in the Empire?”
“It’s a complete mess.”
Consilus shook his head.
“They are currently forming factions in a three-way struggle.”
“Who are the central figures of this three-way fight?”
“It consists of the Emperor, the 1st Prince, and the 2nd Prince.”
“You mean the Emperor is fighting his own sons?”
Consilus nodded.
“I know it sounds absurd, but it’s true. At one point, the 1st Prince and the 2nd Prince used politics to try and oust the Emperor.”
“But they must have failed.”
“Yes. The Emperor may be incompetent, but he is razor-sharp regarding his own power. He neutralized them by setting the 1st Prince and the 2nd Prince against each other over the issue of succession.”
Presenting a new future to create a new enemy rather than facing the existing one. As long as he created conflict within that, their power would gradually weaken and they would lose their essence.
‘A rotting dragon is still a dragon, I suppose….’
There was a reason he had managed to hold onto power for so long.
“So on the surface, it’s a three-way struggle.”
“On the surface… yes, on the surface, that is correct.”
Consilus wondered why Ferda used the phrase ‘on the surface,’ but he didn’t pry. Ferda thought about those three figures before asking Consilus.
“If it were you, which of the three do you think would be better to side with?”
“If I were to say, I believe it would be the 2nd Prince.”
“The reason?”
“The 2nd Prince has always emphasized national defense, and he is actually traveling to many places to repel monsters and secure the Empire’s territory. Since he is interested in subjugating magical beasts, he is as outstanding as the first emperor.”
It was exactly as Consilus said. In fact, the 2nd Prince’s main support came from military factions that the 1st Prince had failed to recruit. He intended to fill his lack of political power with heroic tales.
“Of course, even that cannot be called the right answer. If he truly cared about national defense, he would have reached out to this Far East Front.”
“True.”
Having heard his opinion, Ferda nodded as if he had made a decision.
“Then I shall write three letters: to the Emperor, the 1st Prince, and the 2nd Prince.”
“Shall I assist you?”
The Empire still believed that Count Consilus held more influence than the Regent. However, Ferda shook his head.
“No need. I will send them under the name of the Regent of Valdroba.”
“If that is your wish….”
The reason Ferda was sending three letters was that he was curious about their intentions. The thirsty man digs the well, and the desperate man reaches out. Ferda was curious to see which of them would reach out to him. Count Consilus stepped back because he felt the same way.
“I have something else to ask of Count Consilus.”
“Just say the word.”
“Are there any unclaimed bodies?”
Bodies with no names and no known origin.
“Unclaimed bodies… yes, there should be. I heard one was recently discovered near the estate.”
The timing was good.
“Excellent. Have that person burned at the stake.”
“Burned at the stake… you say?”
Consilus blinked. Not cremation, but burning at the stake. Unable to keep his confusion to himself, Consilus asked.
“I ask just in case… but this is for the good of the Far East Front, correct?”
“Of course. At the very least, it is not for my personal greed.”
“Then I understand.”
“Burn him as if he were the most wretched bastard. That will be enough.”
“Haha, the gods will be angry.”
Consilus fiddled with his necklace. It was an amulet worn by followers of Alte, the state religion of the Empire.
“Where in the world is a man who hasn’t sinned at least once?”
“True enough.”
Though he felt uneasy about desecrating an innocent corpse, Consilus did not complain. Whatever the case, he needed to trust Ferda if he wanted the Far East Front to prosper.
* * *
After sending the three letters to the Empire, Ferda boarded the carriage. It was obviously impossible to receive a reply immediately, and Ferda had no intention of waiting for one. That was the core of sending the letters.
‘The only thing that matters is how they react to one-sided communication.’
His companions were Zed, the knight Arwen under Count Consilus, and his subordinate soldiers. After traveling for a full week, they finally spotted the massive walls standing upon the plain.
‘The Arken Empire.’
The scenery of the Imperial Capital, a blend of lush greenery and well-tended fields, made one’s heart flutter. Zed, looking out the window, smiled with excitement.
“The Empire is magnificent every time I see it. It’s worth the trip.”
“Indeed.”
Every noble and commoner desired the Imperial Capital. The Rosnova family was also a family that had wanted to become central aristocrats. Yet, Ferda felt no need for it. That place was a den of monsters wearing human skins, the beginning of a true hell; why would he want to enter?
Thus, they arrived before the great city gates. Ferda announced his identity to the sentry.
“Please wait a moment.”
The sentry went into the guardhouse for verification. However, even after several minutes, no order to pass was given.
“It feels like we’re off to a bad start, doesn’t it?”
Zed whispered an ominous thought, but to Ferda, it was not so.
“This is a green light.”
“A green light?”
“Making a noble wait means there’s a reason for it.”
A moment later, a luxurious white carriage stopped inside the city gates. The fact that he had to change carriages meant he was going to the Imperial Palace. That meant they had responded to his letters.
The knight at the lead placed his hand over his chest and bowed politely.
“Welcome to the Empire, Regent-nim! I am Marco, Commander of the 5th Imperial Knight Order.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“This way…!”
Ferda followed his guidance and changed carriages. When Zed, who had been riding with him, tried to follow, Marco blocked his path.
“I beg your pardon, but who might you be?”
“I’m an employee?”
Marco’s face twisted coldly.
“An employee cannot ride in this carriage. Only those invited may enter the Imperial Palace.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Step back. This carriage is bound for the Imperial Palace.”
Zed stepped back from the carriage with an awkward look. Thus, Ferda proceeded toward the palace alone.
‘Utterly extravagant.’
Was this what they called showing off? Ferda’s carriage had been decorated lavishly, but the Imperial carriage offered a level of comfort that was on another dimension. Ferda shifted his gaze slightly to look at the scenery beyond the window.
As expected of the Imperial main road, it was clean and filled with laughing people. It was a sight full of hope, fitting for the place every noble dreamed of. There was a reason why nobles entering the capital suffered from a fever the moment they had to leave.
Where there is happiness, there is an equal amount of misery. And that misery was currently targeting Ferda.
Ferda’s sharp insight caught an unusual gaze. A man hiding in an alleyway was stealing glances at the carriage.
‘He’s targeting this carriage.’
The soldiers guarding the perimeter had not yet noticed the man. An initial suppression would certainly not take place.
‘Neutralizing him before the attack… should be possible.’
He alone could protect himself. Ferda reflexively generated a mana sphere. Not knowing what the man might do, he prepared to counter-attack discreetly.
As the distance closed, the man lunged out and blocked the carriage’s path.
Neigh!
The horses reared back in great surprise and came to a halt.
