I Married the Dragon I Killed
Chapter 64
A blizzard raged so fiercely that one could not see an inch ahead.
Icy air seeped in through the gaps.
But a chill far colder than the wind seemed to pierce Ferda's heart.
His eyes stared fixedly at the intruder.
「Nice to meet you, Regent-nim.」
The man introduced himself with a smug face as he stepped through the snow.
「I am Abel, one of Silverwind's children. I don't know if you remember, but I was the one guarding the doors when the Grand Council was held.」
「…… .」
「What are you doing out here in the middle of nowhere? Did you come to the North to enjoy the sight of the snow like a tourist?」
「…… .」
「Hmm, but if this is a tour, it seems like a rather foolish move. You're the Regent, not some senile old man out gathering herbs; surely you must know that this is Silverwind's territory.」
「…… .」
Abel mocked him as he walked slowly toward Ferda.
Ferda stepped back deeper into the cave as the other approached.
「Why the silence? Are you perhaps so terrified that you've frozen up?」
「I'm simply fascinated.」
「Eh? Fascinated by what?」
「How could I not be fascinated when a beast is standing before me, speaking like a human?」
Abel was the only one in front of Ferda.
「Haha, is that so?」
Abel's grin deepened.
The moment his sauntering feet struck the ground, his form vanished.
Whoosh—!
Leaving only the sound of displaced air behind, he reappeared right in front of Ferda.
He laughed loudly.
「That is a very wicked joke. Haha!」
Abel flicked Ferda's chest with his index finger, as if flicking a marble.
Crack!
「Guh…!」
The sickening sound of bone snapping followed.
Ferda gasped in agony.
「Oops! Does it hurt? I only gave you a playful tap.」
「Cough, cough!」
「I mean, really, what am I to do if your ribs break from a tiny tap? Hmm? How can someone holding the title of Regent have such a weak body? You won't have much of a frame left if you try to perform any great feats in bed at night.」
Ferda spat out the blood pooling in his mouth.
His face remained indifferent, as if he were merely spitting on the ground.
「You certainly talk a lot for a damn dog.」
「Wow, truly amazing. I heard you were fearless enough to talk back to Goz-nim. I see now it wasn't just because you had Blancaros-nim backing you up.」
Abel grabbed Ferda by the collar and lifted him up.
He bared his claws as a warning.
「However, it's not wise to keep acting cocky with a descendant of Silverwind. We aren't exactly known for our mercy, you see?」
Ferda checked his remaining mana with a composed expression.
He had enough left to cast a 4th-circle spell a few times.
'So, can I defeat this dragon spawn?'
It was impossible. This was on a completely different level compared to fighting the dark elves.
Nevertheless, he showed no sign of weakness.
Ferda let out a snort of derision.
「Since when did the descendants of Silverwind… make a habit of encouraging deals with demons?」
「What are you talking about?」
「Don't play dumb. I already know you're the one cleaning up after Sitri. You were likely aiming for the demon we came to rescue.」
The hand gripping his throat tightened instantly.
It was enough to cause genuine pain.
It meant he had succeeded in unsettling him.
Ferda continued to run his mouth.
「What were you planning to do by getting in bed with that bitch? Were you bored of the rules you've kept for centuries and looking to enjoy a depraved sex life?」
「Ha! Do you think we are beasts like you humans, who only care about breeding and raising brats? Fighting is far better than such tedious nonsense!」
Abel's vertically slit pupils flashed sharply.
「Right now, an unfit fool sits upon the throne. He calls himself the successor of Silverwind and harbors our father's soul.」
It was a blade of rebellion aimed at Goz Silverwind.
「Strange. It doesn't suit you either.」
「Ah, I know. If I were to face Goz, I'd be turned into a bloody pulp and die within seconds. Captain Goz is just that strong.」
He gave a gruesome smile.
「But Ruri Silverwind is different.」
A familiar name surfaced.
「Do you have any idea how incredible that brat is?」
「I know she is strong.」
「She isn't just strong. She was the only person capable of challenging Captain Goz, the leader of the Silverwing Mobile Brigade and the personal guard. When the question of who would succeed Silverwind-nim arose, both of their names were mentioned.」
「Is that why Goz wants to kill her?」
「No. Captain Goz wants to keep her by his side. That is also why the war hasn't started yet.」
The war hadn't started because of that?
「What does that mean?」
「Valdrova and Silverwind. If a war breaks out between the two, whose side do you think Ruri Silverwind will take? If she insists on staying by Valdrova's side, she must die. Captain Goz will not permit her death.」
It was unexpected. The reason the war hadn't happened until now was because Ruri was there.
Regardless of Goz's feelings, Abel's intention in bringing this up was clear.
「But you are different from Goz.」
「Ruri is a warrior who does not use a sword. What does one do with such a warrior?」
「You take the sword away.」
「Exactly. Possessing a masterwork blade and refusing to use it is a sin in itself. And I merely intend to use the sword that Ruri Silverwind is leaving idle.」
Ferda understood. This was the condition of the deal with Sitri.
Ruri, who possessed the power to oppose Goz.
He was providing support in exchange for making that power entirely his own.
'Stagnant water is bound to rot.'
No matter if he was a dragon spawn, he was powerless before the passage of time.
His greed was threatening to destroy everything.
'Ruri…'
Ferda called her name in his heart.
A strange irritation rose from deep within his chest.
That irritation took the shape of murderous intent.
The irritation slipped through his lips as a laugh.
「Truly remarkable.」
「Haha, have you finally found the energy to flatter me now that you're about to die?」
「No. Supplementing one's weaknesses is an important task. Being able to borrow what you lack is also a fundamental skill.」
Ferda laughed along with him.
「It's just so surprising to me that a blockhead like you has the brains to think of such fundamentals.」
Snap!
Abel snapped Ferda's index finger.
「Ugh…!」
「You really do have a loose tongue. I can't have that. I'll have to play with you a bit more.」
Leaving the broken index finger alone, he grabbed the middle finger this time.
「Well, I have to, if I want that bitch Ruri to submit.」
「Ruri won't even bat an eye.」
That child hated humans.
And she hated Ferda.
Nothing he did pleased her, and she disliked everything about him.
So, threatening him would change nothing for her.
And you will be dead before she even arrives.
It was then.
Another sound pierced through the blizzard.
Visible within the pure white snow was a small figure.
「What… are you doing right now?」
It was Ruri.
Her expression was quite different from the one Ferda had imagined.
She was shaken.
* * *
The story Ruri had heard from the spirit was simple.
That Ferda had made a deal with a demon to infiltrate the area.
And that he had fallen into a trap.
At least, that was the situation as the spirit had perceived it.
Therefore, Ruri had flown quickly to Count Consilus's territory and secured Ferda's location.
The total time taken was five minutes.
She entered the cave with a plan to quickly take Ferda and escape.
But she was already too late.
There stood a Silver Dragon spawn.
And there was Ferda, battered and broken.
「What… are you doing right now?」
A menacing bloodlust radiated from Ruri's body.
Despite being a dragon spawn, Ruri's killing intent was strong enough to mimic a Dragon Fear.
Even though that bloodlust was aimed at Abel, he did not panic.
He grinned widely at her appearance and spoke.
「Ruri Silverwind. We meet again. Do you remember me?」
「You were the one with Percival.」
「Oh, you do remember. Well, it hasn't even been two weeks, so I suppose it's only natural.」
Abel smiled thinly.
Ruri found that smile revolting.
She felt like leaving this place this very instant.
The more that unpleasantness grew, the harsher Ruri's expression became.
「Release Ferda-nim.」
「I don't want to.」
「If you refuse—」
「What will you do? Start a war?」
Ruri faltered at those words.
「You have entered Silverwind territory. And so has this human here.」
「…… .」
「I have a legitimate justification. Ruri Silverwind. As a Silverwind yourself, surely you know? What happens to those who trespass, or those who resist too fiercely…?」
She bit her lower lip and forced the words out.
「Summary execution…. 」
「You know it well! Yes! Execution!」
Abel shouted gleefully.
There was no way she could accept that.
「If you kill my fiancé, Valdrova-nim will not stay silent. If that happens, all of Silverwind will have to face her.」
「Go ahead and try! If you can! Then war will break out!」
Abel snickered and mocked her.
「What would you gain from that? The children of Silverwind would die off, and your master would be burdened with even more guilt.」
「Ugh…!」
「Is that what you want? If so, feel free to go around blabbing about it!」
Ruri was visibly shaken. Every word he spoke struck her right where it hurt.
「Ruri. This man is acting on a demon's instigation.」
「A demon's…?」
Crunch!
「Oops, you keep saying unnecessary things. Don't you realize your life is in my hands? Why do you keep acting up?」
The hatred in Ruri's eyes deepened.
However, to Abel, even that hatred was cute.
「Let's say I did join hands with a demon. Go ahead and testify if you want! Tell them this man was possessed by a demon. Tell them I'm holding two people who trespassed while possessed by a demon! But they won't listen.」
He acted as if he had nothing to hide.
No, on the surface, he truly had nothing to fear.
「Because there won't be a single trace of a deal with a demon on my body.」
Those words were likely true.
Ferda had also dealt with Sitri, but there was no seal indicating a contract had been made.
All they had was circumstantial evidence.
But no one would believe it.
Between the traitor Ruri and the elite guard Abel, there was already a discrepancy in whose word carried more weight.
「You could kill me here. But what do you think will happen to you?」
「I…」
「After betraying your father, you'll fail to protect the very thing you wanted to save. How incredibly incompetent.」
Abel continued to provoke her.
No words came from Ruri's mouth.
「Incompetent Ruri. There is nothing you can do here.」
Ruri tried to think of the best choice.
If she left him be, war would break out.
Even if she didn't leave him be, war would break out.
The castle she had protected was crumbling down.
Variables.
She could not control the variables. It had always been this way.
「What…」
She asked cautiously with trembling lips.
This was the only way. A small sacrifice to save everyone.
「What must I do?」
Ruri fell to her knees.
Even Abel, who had been laughing in mockery, looked surprised.
「Haha… it was true.」
Abel trembled.
「Ruri Silverwind really does kneel.」
He had never imagined it. The unbreakable Wall of the North. The nightmare of the Frost Giants. Ruri Silverwind, the center of that legend, had crumbled before a few mere words.
A cruel smile played on Abel's lips.
Ruri Silverwind's power was now his.
That sense of accomplishment was short-lived.
「If that is your intent.」
Ferda's voice rang out at that moment.
「Then I shall do as you wish.」
At the same time, Abel's body suddenly jolted violently.
「Cough!」
Abel spat out a mouthful of blood. Strength drained from his entire body, and he collapsed onto his knees. He let go of Ferda's collar.
Abel felt it vividly. Something was heavily crushing his heart.
Was it Ruri's doing?
That was impossible. She could use spirit arts or simple magic, but it was impossible for her to affect his internals without an external wound.
There was only one variable left.
Abel lifted his head, blood dripping from his mouth.
Ferda, the man he had been toying with, stood tall in his place.
He was radiating a blue light from his eyes.
As expected, it was his doing.
However, there was one thing he hadn't expected.
It was the darkness. Only a pitch-black darkness that even the eyes of a dragon spawn could not pierce through resided there.
Ruri had come. He could roughly guess how she had arrived here. She must have left a wind spirit behind and received a report from it.
She had undoubtedly rushed here after hearing he was in danger.
It was a very quick response. But it was the worst possible outcome.
She would have been the most reliable ally, but at this moment, her presence was a catastrophic mistake. Because he knew Abel was targeting Ruri.
Abel had begun to wag his tongue. He could feel it burrowing into Ruri's heart every time the man spoke.
Abel was seeing right through Ruri. He was unnecessarily clever.
'Was this the deal?'
Ferda instinctively knew it was the demon's advice.
'A story that wouldn't have stood a chance if a demon had told it.'
But since it was a fellow kin speaking, it was a story she couldn't help but be shaken by.
A dilemma. She was being forced to make an impossible choice between Valdrova and the descendants of Silverwind.
'She cannot abandon either side.'
Ferda knew the reason. And that was why.
「What must I do?」
He watched as Ruri knelt. It was the 'best' choice that could embrace both options. And yet—
'The worst choice.'
Now he understood.
'Is this how you ensnared Ruri?'
The demon's scheme and a greed that exceeded its bounds. All of it had reached out its devilish hands to the child who tried to protect the peace.
'Is this why you didn't stay by Valdrova's side?'
Because you loved peace, because you loved Valdrova, did you make the worst choice of sacrificing yourself?
It was then. The mana circuits within Ferda's body began to spin. It was a sensation quite different from when he had desperately searched for Valdrova while thinking of her.
Something he had buried deep in his chest began to crawl up. It caressed Ferda's heart and rolled the circles in his dantian with its fingers.
Valdrova's face overlapped with Ruri's helpless expression. She was suffering.
It whispered in a sweet voice.
Are you just going to watch?
No. He couldn't just watch. He knew that wasn't Valdrova. But if Ruri disappeared, it would become Valdrova's future.
'That must not happen.'
The chains of restraint shattered. The mana created in the Red Circle spread out secretly in all directions. It swallowed everything within the darkness.
Thus, everything was in Ferda's grasp.
The cave. Ruri. Abel. And even his very entrails.
「Cough, hack!」
Abel collapsed and writhed in pain. He poured blood from his mouth. He couldn't breathe. His lungs were ruined.
「You bas— bastard, cough!」
He tried to move to take Ferda down with him, but he couldn't move an inch. The thick darkness and the rampaging Red Circle were enough to suppress a dragon spawn.
Abel, who had held the upper hand just a moment ago, was now in the opposite position.
「If you kill me…」
Abel spoke while vomiting blood.
「Every Silverwind will remember your face and name.」
The price for killing a dragon spawn was not light. A life spent being hunted, a life spent praying to wake up the next morning. A life where one could not truly be said to be alive even while living.
「I don't care.」
Ferda was already used to such things.
「I'm sick and tired of the threats your kind makes.」
Ferda raised his hand. His blackened palm looked as if it were holding something. Like he was gripping an object with a rounded base that filled his palm.
As if he were clutching a heart.
「If you lot want war so badly, I won't avoid it either.」
Ferda clenched his fist.
