I Married the Dragon I Killed
Chapter 60
“The humans and dragons seem to be catching on.”
A pitch-black meeting room.
Inside, where even the identities of the participants remained obscured, a secret meeting was underway.
“Catching on? How?”
“Is it because of the proposal linking the proliferation of monsters on the continent to the second coming of the demon race?”
“Who is harboring such suspicions?”
“It’s coming from Escoleia.”
“Escoleia? Isn’t that the collective intellect of the continent, the lighthouse of knowledge?”
While some voices were filled with concern, others dismissed the news as trivial.
“It’s a place where all sorts of intellectuals gather, so naturally, there are many eccentric types. The high and mighty of the continent won’t believe them so easily.”
“In fact, there’s been little sign of agreement. Even if those two things are linked, it’s not enough to convince the lords.”
“Still, the fact that they’ve made that connection is bothersome.”
“What was the conclusion?”
“Blancaros, the White Dragon, personally put the matter on hold.”
“So we’ve bought some time.”
“The humans might be one thing, but the dragons will likely begin an investigation now. If we’re discovered, we’ll be suppressed before the war even starts.”
They all lowered their heads, letting out low groans.
The greater the effort invested, the deeper the frustration.
“What shall we do? I believe it would be best to create a diversion now….”
“That is out of the question.”
A man who had remained silent for a long time finally spoke.
His voice instantly seized control of the heated atmosphere.
He was the leader of this group.
“And why is that?”
“The White Dragon is likely hoping for exactly that.”
“Hoping for it?”
“If we move because of those words, he will realize that internal enemies still remain within the Grand Council.”
“Then what do you intend to do?”
“We proceed as planned. That is the better path. It is enough to make it appear as though something long-brewing has finally erupted.”
“Can… can it really be made to look that way?”
“The only variables I have to worry about are your mouths.”
It was an insulting remark, but they only exchanged fleeting glances. No one dared to voice a complaint.
“If that is your opinion….”
“Are there any other peculiarities?”
“If there is anything else, it would be….”
He didn’t even need to strain his memory.
There was one human who had left a powerful impression.
“There is a man named Ferda Valdrova.”
The mention of that name startled them.
“You mean Valdrova’s fledgling fiancé?”
“What is there to say about a fool who walked into a dragon’s maw of his own volition?”
“When I first heard the rumors, I thought the same. But having seen him in person, he is quite different.”
The middle-aged man was a noble and a lord before he was a demon follower.
“I suspect we may need to be wary of him.”
“What is his alert level?”
“I believe he should be designated at a level similar to Alberto, the Walking Fortress.”
“That seems a bit premature.”
“It took five years for Alberto, that damned butcher, to become a threat. But this boy has barely started his term—”
“That is exactly why he is dangerous.”
“Terrified of a mere fledgling. You’ve aged for nothing.”
One looked at the other with disdainful eyes, and the man looked back at them with equal contempt. Since they could not fathom each other’s thoughts, conflict was inevitable.
Just then, a masked man walked into the meeting room and whispered to the noble seated in his chair.
Hearing the words, the noble’s expression became complex and subtle.
“A messenger has just brought unfortunate news.”
It was the embarrassment that comes from failure.
“It seems the Escoleia Overwrite has failed.”
’Overwrite’ was a code name.
It was an operation to replace high-ranking nobles using Dopplers from among the demons. Some in this very room had already infiltrated through Overwriting.
“It was none other than Ferda Valdrova who stopped it.”
The men who had been mocking him just moments ago stood with their mouths agape.
As if they had rehearsed it, everyone turned their gaze toward the leader at once.
The man’s complex expression flickered into a faint smile before crumpling into bitterness. Even their leader was irritated by the unexpected turn of events.
“Do you think the existence of Dopplers has been exposed?”
The question was devoid of any composure.
The revelation that there were demons capable of mimicking humans was on a different level than a mere conspiracy being uncovered. It was equivalent to realizing that critical detonators for a bomb had been planted everywhere.
The leader spoke his conclusion, reached through cold, rational thought without a shred of hope.
“It will likely be discovered.”
“Hmm….”
The leader tapped his face with his finger.
“Who is the general manager for the Escoleia Overwrite?”
“…….”
“I asked who it is.”
A man cautiously raised his hand.
“I-I was in charge of this—”
Before he could even finish his sentence, the man’s head was severed.
His body collapsed forward, hitting the floor.
“Gasp….”
“Ugh….”
Silence and terror filled the room, now thick with the scent of blood.
“Messenger.”
“Yes.”
The man who had brought the ill news stepped forward.
The leader tossed something to him.
It was a syringe filled with a black liquid.
“From today, you are Viscount Battlehorn.”
“I thank you for your grace.”
The masked messenger plunged the syringe into his own neck.
Instantly turning into a black mannequin, the man ruthlessly absorbed the blood gushing from the severed neck on the floor.
Viscount Battlehorn died, and a new Viscount Battlehorn took his place.
The others in the room swallowed hard at the gap that had been filled in an instant. It was a warning that no matter who died, their position could be replaced at any time.
“Wrap up the research on Dopplers. The time for leisurely study is over.”
“Understood.”
“Dispose of the remaining stock and eliminate everyone associated with the research data.”
“Yes.”
The method of disposal was very simple.
Their research facility was located beneath a mountain.
They only had to collapse the mountain.
“The Grand Council has ended. Are you not returning?”
Ruri asked.
“Something has come up.”
“Valdrova-nim will be waiting.”
“I know. It weighs on my mind to keep her waiting as well.”
“And yet, you will not go?”
“It is important work.”
It was important enough to make the appearance of monsters seem trivial. It was a place that held a clue to eliminating the things that had caused Valdrova pain.
Ruri knew this as well.
She spoke because she knew where he was heading.
“That place is Silverwind’s territory.”
Ferda nodded.
“I know.”
“Goz currently harbors hatred for Ferda-nim.”
“I know that as well.”
“Demons are a common enemy. But the enemy of an enemy is not necessarily a friend. If you enter that territory… you will have to get your hands bloody.”
Silverwind hates demons.
Ferda also loathes the demons who torment Valdrova.
However, they do not welcome Ferda.
“That is why I am conducting this operation in secret.”
“…….”
“It is dangerous, but once it is finished, there will be no lingering trouble.”
Ruri’s lips kept trembling.
You must not go.
Those words wouldn’t quite leave her mouth.
“…Are you going?”
“I must.”
“I understand. Then I shall wait.”
“No, you are to return.”
“…….”
“While I am away, your job is to protect my spouse.”
Ruri bit her lip hard.
She didn’t like it and, naturally, she wanted to refuse. But the words wouldn’t come out. Ruri did not have the right to defy his will.
“Please return safely.”
Ruri left the spot immediately.
As Ferda prepared for the secret expedition, he began to calculate various factors.
‘Focusing on mobility and keeping supplies to a minimum, even if I push myself with a mid-scale teleportation magic circle, it will take a day.’
One day.
It was fast for attacking a country, but slow for a single research facility. Moreover, the other side wouldn’t be sitting idly by.
News of the failed kidnapping of the Escoleia Chancellor must have reached them by now. They would move quickly to prepare for all contingencies.
‘It would be ideal if I could have someone like Ruri carry everyone and fly, but….’
That was Silverwind’s territory.
He had already experienced what happened when Ruri confronted Silverwind. Ferda did not want to involve Ruri. And he shouldn’t.
‘This matter must be settled by us as much as possible.’
The next important thing was combat power.
‘Did they say the research director is a 5th Circle mage?’
The researchers under him were nothing more than assistants at the 1st or 2nd star level, but the director was said to be a powerful mage. It would have been good to know what kind of magic he used and how he fought, but even torture couldn’t dig up information that didn’t exist.
‘I’ll have to handle that mage myself.’
Of course, he shouldn’t engage in a direct confrontation. Ferda considered the moves he had at his disposal.
‘Shadows that I can manipulate without chanting.’
When manifested, they took the form of a Shadow Hand, but they could also take the form of octopus tentacles or something flat like parchment. They grew stronger as light faded and became weak enough to shatter if the light was intense.
‘It wasn’t originally a technique meant for combat anyway.’
It was Barbatos’s magic, centered on stealth and conspiracy. It was used as a means for mind games and catching the opponent off guard rather than a direct fight.
‘According to the Shape of Shadow, this is a part of my body.’
The shadow is used as a part of the body and is perceived as such.
‘That means magic is also possible through the Shadow Hand.’
It was possible, but it was a task that required a high level of understanding of magic. It went beyond simply being similar to a real arm; it required the manifestation of mana pathways and circuits for mana to flow.
Ferda concentrated his mana into one manifested Shadow Hand.
Mana flowed beneath his feet, traveled through the connected black shadow, and condensed in the black hand. He went through the series of steps to draw a magic circle.
Blue particles erupted from the black hand, and he succeeded in drawing a white magic circle. With this, he could launch a surprise attack on an opponent anytime, anywhere.
However, Ferda frowned.
‘The time to complete the magic circle is about four times the average.’
It was slow enough that a skilled mage could react the moment they noticed it. Unless he perfectly understood the type of opponent and the location that would become the battlefield, it was a reckless gamble.
‘There’s no need to think about that part.’
Wit over prediction.
Immediate reaction was more important than establishing countless hypotheses. That was what Ferda did best.
So, he lay down, simply keeping the fact that he had such a means in mind.
He tried to get some sleep.
It was better to look forward to tomorrow than to harbor worries in a situation he couldn’t control.
It was then.
The moment he tried to close his eyes, Ferda’s mind snapped awake.
His intuition had detected an anomaly in his surroundings.
‘Hmm….’
It was something he had never felt in the castle.
Naturally so. Valdrova’s castle was a place layered with isolation magic far superior to that of the Imperial Emperors. It was unlikely that anyone’s intrusion would be easily permitted.
However, a Count’s mansion was a different story. Compared to Valdrova’s castle, it was as flimsy as a net rotting in seawater.
‘Who’s coming?’
Ferda heard and felt the surging of that mana. Soon, the pungent smell of sulfur brushed his nose.
“Hello, darling?”
A seductive voice he had heard once before.
It was Sitri, the demon of lust.
“Get lost.”
“My, how cold. Were we really that kind of relationship?”
Her snake-like tongue flicked over her lips as she approached.
“I have no intention of contracting with you, Sitri.”
“I don’t have the slightest intention of contracting with you either. I can’t stand your type. They’re hard to handle, and even if you do, they don’t listen properly.”
“Then why are you wasting your time? Get lost.”
“So impatient. I’m here for business.”
Ferda’s face crumpled even further.
“Is there any fool who does business with a demon?”
“There is. Right here.”
She pointed her index finger lightly at Ferda.
Ferda raised both hands to cover his ears.
“The research facility you’re planning to raid will be completely destroyed within six hours.”
His hands stopped.
It was information he couldn’t help but be interested in.
“Don’t give me that ‘how do you know’ look. I’m a great demon; how could I not know that?”
Sitri enjoyed Ferda’s reaction.
“So, how do you know?”
“Come on, darling. Most of those I treat like dogs are high-ranking nobles. Big babies who can’t be satisfied with ordinary pleasures. Among them are those who have joined hands with the demon race.”
It was something he had guessed to some extent. The attempted kidnapping of the Escoleia Chancellor was proof of that.
“The kidnapping failed, and the one supposed to become the Chancellor was captured alive. If he were to blurt out the location under torture, they’re in a situation where they fear exposure, right?”
“So they’re going to destroy it.”
“It’ll be too late even if you leave now. Even if you combine all the means you have, it’ll take a day or two.”
“If we move quickly, we can move now.”
“Using that little spawn? Of course, that’s possible. But if you do that, do you think Silverwind will just sit still?”
There was no way they would sit still. Since the time at the White House, when Ferda set foot in Silverwind’s territory without permission, he was already an enemy to them. If they had an excuse, they would not hesitate.
It was a problem.
Sitri was accurately seeing through the current situation. That was likely why she had come to propose business.
“Looking at your face, I feel like our conversation is going to go well now. Is my intuition right?”
Sitri pressed for an answer.
Ferda’s blue eyes moved calmly, trying not to let his intentions be read.
“What can you do for me?”
As if she had been waiting for those words, Sitri reached into her chest. From within, she pulled out a thick scroll.
“It’s a scroll inscribed with the Bending Bridge magic. Do you know what kind of magic it is?”
“A teleportation-type magic that connects two spaces within a dimension.”
“Oh, what an intellectual man. Correct. Do you know how excellent its reputation is?”
It allowed for movement so stealthy that it made most detection magic look cheap, and because it connected space to space, it had persistence. It was the perfect magic for his situation, where he needed to approach secretly.
“Is that all?”
“If you need more, my underlings will play with Silverwind’s trifles for a bit. I’ll give you enough time to turn that place into a wasteland and raid the research secrets.”
Moving a long distance at once and buying time—those were Sitri’s terms. The terms were too good. Far too good.
Therefore, instead of snapping at it, he pondered the proposal. The opponent was a demon. A demon only enters a contract if it’s advantageous to them; they never make a disadvantageous one. For a proposal this exceptional, there had to be a corresponding difficulty or price.
“What is it you want?”
“There’s a stupid demon inside that facility.”
“A stupid demon?”
“Yes. I told her to go seduce a man, but she’s a fool who fell head over heels for him.”
“Is that possible?”
“That’s why I called her a stupid demon.”
Sitri let out a sigh.
“If she dies there, she can’t even come to Hell. She’ll be completely annihilated and fall into the void. So, could you take her out and kill her once you’re outside? So she can be reverse-summoned back to Hell?”
“That’s a very compassionate proposal.”
“What can I do? We demons have to look out for each other. There is such a thing as warmth, isn’t there?”
“A passing dog would laugh at that.”
Sitri was the demon of lust. She was the one furthest from warmth.
“Fine, whatever. I’ll tell you the truth. She’s one of my daughters.”
“I see.”
“She’s of age, so I should let her be independent… Haa, what can I do? A mother has no choice but to save her. I should wrap her in my skirts, but my skirts are too thin and… short.”
Sitri fluttered her skirt seductively.
“Your proposal, then, is to help us while simultaneously rescuing her.”
“Good for you, good for me. Well? Isn’t it a wonderful proposal?”
Ferda thought it over once more. Only one sentence came to mind.
Do not make deals with demons.
“Can you swear on your name that you are not leading us into a trap?”
“I swear by the name of Sitri, a great demon of Hell. I have no intention of leading you into a trap. Once you rescue that child, your mission is over.”
Sitri gave her confirmation. Ferda nodded.
“Fine. I shall accept that business.”
“You’re more straightforward than I thought. Good.”
Sitri placed the scroll she had been floating in the air beside the bed.
“The time I can buy you is two hours starting now. Eight people can enter at once, and only eight can come out. Be sure to keep that in mind.”
Leaving those words behind, Sitri quietly merged into the darkness.
As her figure completely vanished, Ferda’s door burst open at the same moment. Count Consilus and armed knights rushed in.
“Regent-nim! Are you all right?”
“I am fine.”
“A demonic intrusion was detected inside. We must search for a moment—”
“No, there is no need. That demon has gone.”
“Did the demon say something by any chance—?”
“And the expedition is canceled.”
“Pardon? What do you mean….”
Ferda didn’t even have enough time to explain. So, he simply gave an order.
“We will begin the operation within the hour. Summon the elite troops.”
