I Married the Dragon I Killed
Chapter 52
“What I wish to speak of today, taking advantage of this occasion, concerns Valdrova, the one who is to become my companion.”
Among those gathered, the faint of heart looked as if they were about to stop breathing.
Seeing such expressions actually gave him confidence.
“The edge of the Eastern Region, a land where all things could once roam, was devastated by the Black Dragon, Godwin, becoming a land of death where demonic beasts are endlessly born.”
Ferda used that confidence to lend strength to his words.
“The great Red Dragon, Valdrova, has served for 150 years by fighting those eastern demonic beasts without any reward. Yet, what is the epithet attached to my companion?”
The name that had once made everyone tremble in terror.
The name that, as that terror faded, had become an object of contempt.
A name used for mockery.
“Tyrant. Evil Dragon. The demonic beasts are always swarming from that distant Demonic Land. They strip her scales and tear her skin. Their claws are aimed at your homes and your families. Despite such devotion, she asked for nothing. Even amidst tearful agony, she maintained her silence and fought steadfastly. We are the ones who have received her grace. Even a beast repays a debt of gratitude. Therefore, I have opened my mouth here today to clear her name.”
Ferda’s gaze swept across the surroundings.
Many had gathered, but their faces fell into predictable categories.
From those who were indifferent to those who were interested, and those calculating how to exploit the situation.
However, their eyes were always directed toward one place.
The dragon spawns occupying the front seats.
The masters of mystery, beings of high status, and servants of the immortals.
“Did you say you are Regent Ferda Valdrova?”
Someone among them spoke up.
Was it an objection from the Silver Dragon spawns?
Contrary to what he had expected, it was the elegant voice of a woman.
Blue hair and horns that were not pointed.
‘Was her name Erica Iorga?’
It was Erica Iorga, the leader of the Iorga spawns.
Bright blue hair and eyes, a sharp jawline, and a striking impression.
She was beautiful enough that one might believe she was a princess of the Empire rather than a leader of spawns.
She rose from her seat and greeted him with an elegant motion.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Regent Ferda. I am Erica Iorga, representative of Iorga and Master of the Blue Eye Tower.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“I am reluctant to begin our first meeting with harsh words, but since the motion is what it is, I will not beat around the bush either.”
Erica’s eyes locked onto Ferda.
Sharp pupils, ill-suited to their clear sky-blue color, were directed at him.
“To put it bluntly, this is a motion where the conclusion is a simple ‘no.’”
A conviction embedded deep within her pupils was aimed at Ferda.
It was not good.
Because those eyes were drawing everyone in the Grand Council to her side.
“One hundred and fifty years ago, when the Dragon-Demon War broke out, Valdrova-nim became a war hero by piercing the heart of Godwin, who had caused us to struggle for twelve years.”
Her tone was soft and rational.
However, Ferda did not take her words at face value.
“But that wasn’t the end of it, was it? Valdrova-nim lost control of her own power and went on a rampage. Many people, many races, many lives perished. Do you know how many?”
Erica asked Ferda while simultaneously adding to her statement.
“Since you are to be Valdrova-nim’s husband, and since you have brought forward this motion, I trust you have done extensive research.”
This was a part he had to answer.
To say he didn't know would be to fall into his own trap.
Ferda spoke the truth.
“Half the casualties... that occurred during the Dragon-Demon War caused by Godwin.”
Half that number had died in just half a day.
This was the greatest catastrophe recorded in every history book.
“Yes, half. And that was the result of just half a day, compared to the damage spanning twelve years. And...”
Erica slightly turned her head, drawing attention somewhere.
It was Goz Silverwind.
“Even the leader of the Silver Dragons, Silverwind, passed away because of it.”
Goz Silverwind said nothing.
No, he was unable to speak.
He was a man of a hot-tempered nature, more prone to using his fists than words.
He seemed to be keeping his lips tightly shut, unable to handle whatever curses might pour out if he opened his mouth.
However, Ferda, the proposer of the motion, showed no signs of being intimidated.
In the first place, if he were the type to be cowed by this much, he wouldn't have spoken at all.
“The case is different from Godwin. At that time, it was a total war; the entire military force of Serdes was surrounding Godwin, and many soldiers and beasts were gathered. Going on a rampage in the midst of that made it inevitable for them to become easy prey.”
“The important thing is that she went on a rampage at that moment and caused sacrifices. Regardless, she killed half the number that the Evil Dragon Godwin killed, and did so in half a day.”
“She killed Godwin, who had tormented the Serdes Continent relentlessly for twelve years.”
“And she murdered Silverwind-nim. A brave warrior who cared for others more than anyone, and the finest of leaders.”
Valdrova, who had brought death to the most heinous Evil Dragon and the greatest Guardian Dragon in a single day.
Since both events occurred simultaneously, Valdrova’s standing was inevitably left in a state of limbo.
However, Ferda had evidence.
“That rampage was neither Valdrova’s will, nor was it born of the essence inherent in her status of power.”
“If not the essence, then what was it?”
“It was merely an incident caused by contamination from the chaos dwelling within the heart of the Evil Dragon, Godwin.”
Ferda had shared many conversations with Mori in order to bring this story up.
“Chaos dwelt within Godwin’s heart. The one who came into the closest contact with that chaos was Valdrova-nim. Since she directly destroyed the source dwelling within the heart, she would have been affected by it, whether she liked it or not.”
Erica’s gaze sharpened.
“It is true that Valdrova-nim was the closest to Godwin-nim. However, you are making one mistake.”
Erica seized control of the atmosphere once more.
“Valdrova-nim was not the only one who fought in that place. Everyone fought desperately. There were far more who gave Godwin distance and were wounded.”
Ferda knew as well. By cross-referencing the records, he knew that Valdrova had relatively suffered less damage.
“If what the Regent says is true, then every dragon present should have been affected. Including Iorga-nim, who suffered deep wounds. Yet, he is still perfectly fine.”
Erica shifted her gaze.
It was to the old man sitting next to her.
“Is Odograsado-nim doing well?”
The old man chuckled as he replied.
“Odograsado-nim is one who is draped in a shining golden faith. How could he possibly fall for Godwin’s shallow tricks?”
At the firm denial, Erica raised her head.
“Look. If what you say is true, many should have been eroded and contaminated during the Dragon-Demon War.”
“...”
“That chaos seeped in because she destroyed the heart? Certainly, that could be the case. But look at things now. Unlike the others who overcame those wounds and rose again, what is Valdrova-nim doing?”
Erica poured emotion into her voice.
“She does not wish to protect anything. She is like a beast that has tasted blood. It is as if the destructive instinct she awakened cannot be reversed. The only thing that can suppress that instinct are the demonic beasts flowing out from the Demonic Land, and she chose them because they leave the fewest complications. Isn't that why she stays close to that Demonic Land while showing no will to eliminate it?”
Ferda began to see Erica differently.
She was a wall.
And not just any wall.
The wall in the North.
The massive wall erected to block the frost giants and demons coming from beyond the land of ice.
It was called the Frost Wall.
Ferda had also seen that wall before.
Beyond that wall, mercy and tolerance did not exist.
Erica’s argument was just like that wall.
Granting not a single inch of room, she bestowed only intolerance and ruthlessness upon those who approached.
‘Why.’
Ferda was curious.
‘Why is she so desperate to destroy her?’
He could not understand this struggle to thoroughly ostracize Valdrova.
If Goz Silverwind had been the one raging, he certainly would have understood.
Yet, the Iorga faction, which had no direct relationship to the matter, was acting desperately as if to leave no room for reconsideration.
Ferda read the atmosphere.
His eyes inadvertently scanned the entire Grand Council.
The nobles were siding with her intentions.
Alexander, who had been acting as if he were on Ferda's side until just a moment ago, was now holding his breath and watching the situation.
He was likely making political calculations that there might be some gain in this.
‘Despicable.’
In Ferda’s eyes, everything was itching to kill her, to strip her bare and consume her.
‘I expected this.’
He might not know what politics was, but he knew what humans were.
The moment someone receives attention and comes under attack, everyone joins forces to tear them down.
If Ferda hadn't had the name Valdrova behind him, they would have been prowling around to devour him one by one.
Ferda always kept this in mind.
‘Even so...’
His insides began to boil.
The more they boiled, the more Ferda’s face twisted into a cold expression.
He had abandoned the idea that he could persuade them from the start.
Yet, it was not easy.
To have to remain still even while facing this situation head-on.
Ferda felt a surge of agitation boiling in his heart.
The anger he had discarded and put to sleep was now mocking him.
And so, he asked.
‘Valdrova. My heart...’
Must you go this far,
Even after accepting all these slanders and insults,
To steadfastly love and protect
The things you wish to love?
Then, his agitated heart began to calm down with surprising speed.
The mockery of his anger ceased.
Fragile as if it might break,
Soft like a sprout pushing through the moist earth at dawn,
Yet melting his frozen heart,
And becoming engraved deep within his chest,
That heart
Answered Ferda’s question.
Even so,
“In that case.”
That she loves them all.
“I shall prove it.”
At Ferda’s words, Erica asked.
“You say you will prove it? Prove what?”
“That her making the far East her base is not merely some sort of outlet to release her destructive instincts.”
Standing on the podium, Ferda shouted more clearly than ever before.
“As the representative of the far East, as the Regent of the Valdrova Principality, and as Valdrova’s fiancé, I declare here today.”
In that case, the task Ferda had to do was extremely simple.
To merely help her spread her steadfast wings.
Holding his head high, he hammered each syllable into their ears with a loud, distinct voice.
“I shall purify and reclaim this land defiled by Godwin, the father of demons, the source of chaos, and the most sinister of dragons.”
It was a declaration to conquer the Demonic Land.
At Ferda’s radical declaration, everyone attending the Grand Council began to stir in commotion.
“He’s going to conquer the Demonic Land?”
“The land that even the immortal beings of high status found impossible...?”
Everyone was shocked, and their reactions were negative.
It was only natural.
Since the Demonic Land was created following the Dragon-Demon War, many had attempted to conquer it.
However, everyone who had set foot there dreaming of conquest had failed.
That land, which had been abandoned for a full hundred years after countless attempts ended in frustration,
“What Valdrova, the great power and the Master of Fire, desires is the eradication of the demonic beasts appearing in this land. The primary objective and the final goal of that eradication is the conquest of the Demonic Land.”
The young Regent was ambitiously challenging it.
“Just as she desires peace for this continent, I too will lend my strength and act so that everyone may accept that the title of Evil Dragon is a false stigma.”
Ferda’s ambitious declaration sent a massive shockwave through the Grand Council.
Ferda was a representative of a Prince-King attending the council for the first time today.
Being young at eighteen and lacking experience, it was enough for others to say he was being incredibly arrogant.
Everywhere one went, experience and age were significant factors that weighed heavily.
But not for Ferda.
They believed Ferda was acting this way because he had the prestige of Valdrova behind him.
However, deeper within their subconscious, it was different.
Perhaps a hope was hidden there—that this broad-shouldered man might actually pull it off.
“This motion...”
Blancaros’s voice echoed quietly through the meeting hall.
Simultaneously, the voices of everyone present died down.
Even the dragon spawns were surprised to hear his voice.
“We shall end the discussion here, Regent.”
Blancaros had personally opened his mouth to make a request of Ferda.
Ferda had no choice but to accept that request.
The mere fact that Blancaros, who usually conducted everything through representatives, had spoken directly gave his words an extraordinary weight.
“I thank you for allowing me this time.”
Ferda decided to be satisfied with this for now.
With this, his debut was over.
Ferda returned to his seat, and Blancaros proceeded.
“We shall move on to the next agenda item.”
After that, talk of trivial matters began to be heard.
To Ferda, they were nothing but insignificant stories, and he did not pay them any heed.
‘Erica Iorga.’
Her name was echoing in his mind.
The habit of the mage who had lived for revenge was unconsciously engraving that name deep into his marrow.
‘It is a useless thing to do.’
Ferda tried to ignore the old habit.
It was then.
- Regent Ferda, can you hear me?
Speak of the devil, and she shall appear.
Erica’s voice echoed in Ferda’s ear.
She was using telepathy magic.
- I have heard your opinion well.
At her voice, Ferda carefully gathered mana in his fingertips.
After condensing it to a point where it wouldn't be a threat, he lightly brought it to his head.
- I, Erica Iorga, am receiving your opinion positively, and also—.
Snap—.
The ringing in his head stopped as if a line had been cut.
Ferda had severed the telepathy she had connected.
Erica’s body flinched at the sudden disconnection of communication.
She slightly turned her head and cast a glance toward Ferda.
It was a look that asked what on earth he thought he was doing.
Ferda stared back intensely and replied.
‘Get lost.’
She sent another telepathic message.
- Wait a moment, Regent Ferda. I understand well that you are in an emotional state. Do not block me and listen to what I have to say—.
Whenever she did, Ferda would simply block her again.
- No, listen to me—.
Another telepathy came, and he blocked it again.
In that manner, for the remaining thirty minutes until the meeting ended, they engaged in a battle of sending and blocking messages.
