I Married the Dragon I Killed
Chapter 69
Ferda checked the bag he had brought from the demon research facility.
Inside were a research journal and several ampoules.
It was in the exact same state as when he had handed it to Zed.
‘He certainly handles his work thoroughly.’
Ferda marveled at his own foresight in recruiting Zed Swallow; it had been a masterful move.
The only thing Ferda could offer him in return was a bonus.
‘And Emilia’s whereabouts.’
He had to do something about that before Zed started voicing his dissatisfaction.
That was the condition for keeping a phantom thief who couldn’t be caged.
He needed to handle it before the man showed any signs of discontent.
‘For now, I’ll just keep it in mind….’
Ferda took the bag to his study.
There, a young girl was always waiting for his orders.
“Mori.”
Mori turned her head and looked up at him.
With her hair styled in lush curls, she looked every bit the young noblewoman today.
“Can you decode this for me?”
Ferda handed the journal to Mori.
Linne’s journal was written in code.
By utilizing Mori’s Library of All Things ability, the contents of the code should be easily decipherable.
-Decoding is impossible.
However, what returned was a declaration of failure.
“What do you mean, impossible?”
-These are characters for which I have no clues to interpret.
Characters for which even the Library of All Things had no clues.
That meant only one thing.
“It means they are oral characters.”
Characters that were passed down only by word of mouth rather than records, with meanings set differently by each individual.
There was only one race that possessed such characters.
‘High Elves.’
The nobility among nobility, those capable of entering the very heart of the World Tree.
Each individual constructed their own unique language, possessing a level of difficulty so extreme that no one but themselves could interpret it.
If Director Linne was a High Elf, it was possible.
‘So that Dark Elf was originally a High Elf?’
It was a peculiar matter.
For a High Elf—the most conservative and reclusive race, thinking only of the World Tree—to swear loyalty to Godwin and fall into corruption.
It was like a headless chicken going for a stroll, or a catfish out of water breathing air.
“Then, do you have records on High Elves?”
-Several observation records exist.
“Anything related to their characters?”
-None.
It was disappointing to end it like this.
“Is there no way you can try to interpret it?”
Mori nodded.
Then, she quietly stared into the void.
Creeak, creak.
Her body contorted unnaturally like a marionette.
Her face flushed bright red, and she trembled violently as if she might explode at any moment.
“I cancel the order.”
Pshhhhh.
As if steam were escaping, she returned to normal.
Even if he wanted to know the characters, he had no intention of breaking Mori just to do so.
Mori looked up at Ferda with a languid expression, her head drooping toward her shoulder.
“Is the work manageable?”
Mori nodded.
-Regarding matters within the castle and the Ducal territory, there are currently no major issues. However, external problems exist.
“What are they?”
-The first is Hellus Phobidas.
The man he had hooked using the Eradication Squad.
Because Ferda had lent him Mori’s wisdom in exchange for his oath of loyalty, he was maintaining his life as a Sage.
“What about him?”
-Hellus Phobidas asks many inefficient questions. Occasionally, they are inconsistent, and he frequently requests descriptions of fantastical stories.
Conversations that lead nowhere are always exhausting.
Recalling how Mori had just wrung her brain trying to force a decoding, Ferda could tell how inefficiently Hellus was behaving.
“So he’s hindering your work. And?”
-He has shown eight hints of attempting to usurp Valdrova-nim’s authority.
That was less surprising than the inefficient questions.
He had decided to use the man precisely because he never thought Mori would say such a thing to him.
“I’ll limit his questions to five from now on. And if you personally judge that no conclusion can be reached, you may refuse to answer. Will that allow you to bring out more efficiency?”
-Efficiency is projected to increase, but one more factor remains.
“What is it?”
-Echidna Philiaz.
It would be a lie to say he didn’t know.
He had seen Mori’s eyes roll back several times because of her.
“If Echidna’s behavior is an issue, I can limit it slightly, but I cannot control her completely.”
-The impact caused by Echidna Philiaz is three times that of Hellus Phobidas. She occasionally demands to be called by titles that I cannot understand.
“What titles?”
-From ‘unnie’ to ‘Mom,’ ‘Mother,’ and even ‘Queen Mother’—titles inappropriate for our relationship.
To Ferda, it seemed like a simple request.
“Can’t you just grant those requests?”
-If I accept those requests, she follows up by demanding roleplay. If I accept the roleplay, she becomes immersed in it and begins to accept it as reality. Her delusional disorder deepens.
That was why it was three times as difficult.
‘Because she’s a witch.’
While understanding Mori’s position, Ferda pondered.
Echidna was the only one he could leave to look after Mori, and more than anything, she had been in a frantic state lately because of Zed’s business.
“Accept it for the time being. We need that witch as well. Is there any other way to bring out your efficiency?”
Mori thought for a moment.
She tapped the paper lightly with her pen before giving a short answer.
-Please praise me.
“What?”
-When I achieve something, please give me praise. Appropriate praise is required according to the difficulty of the task.
It was a truly unexpected request.
For the word ‘praise’ to come from the pen of a Slave Sage who held the Library of All Things in her head.
“Is that something you need for your work?”
-Papers are consistently being published stating that praise increases work efficiency and is excellent for stress reduction.
“Isn’t that for humans?”
-In Colossenia, the city of gladiators, the win rate of praised gladiators is 20% higher.
“I didn’t think it was necessary for you.”
-In Ophiles, the mining city, it was announced that miners who received praise showed 12% higher performance.
Mori churned out facts one after another as if flatly denying Ferda’s words.
It was peculiar.
Mori was a Slave Sage without a sense of self.
She was an ultimate rational being who felt no emotion, so why did she need such a thing?
Ferda decided not to haggle any further.
Speaking three syllables was better than wasting time on such a useless debate.
“Thank you.”
That should do it.
At that, Mori’s pen scribbled across the paper.
-According to research, when an adult male praises a child, it is heard that stroking their head is effective.
‘This is becoming a pain.’
Despite the thought, Ferda placed his hand on her head as she requested.
A smooth texture met his touch.
“Thank you.”
It was a nonchalant praise.
However, a strange light flickered in Mori’s eyes as she looked up at him.
Mori, who had been unable to hold her head steady, returned to normal.
“Are we done?”
Having received her answer, Mori nodded and turned her head away.
He wasn’t sure if it was actually settled.
Ferda set aside the journal and took out a box.
‘She took the medicine from here.’
The box contained eleven ampoules.
There were three Doppler reagents and eight ampoules labeled with the names of Knight-class demons followed by the word (Prototype).
They all shared the characteristic of being black, viscous liquids; without the labels, it would have been impossible to distinguish them.
‘Including the Bouncer medicine, there would have been twelve.’
Ferda recalled the man who had transformed into a Bouncer.
The Bouncer was a type that was strong in power at the cost of intelligence.
His intelligence had certainly dropped, and his strength had certainly become greater.
‘If a similar situation arises next time, they will become even stronger than that.’
The reason they were able to win was solely because the medicine was a prototype.
In the finished product, the side effects would be mitigated and the power increased.
‘That woman surely made it back alive.’
Ferda had to respond quickly before Director Linne could do anything.
Ferda had the samples, and Director Linne had the knowledge.
The starting line was good, but no one knew who would win in the end.
‘Whom should I have research this substance?’
The difficulty began there.
Ferda went through his list of talents.
Bernel?
He was smart, but his specialty was magical engineering.
He needed to focus on that alone.
Then, Echidna?
She was an expert in Runes; he didn’t want her touching this kind of substance.
Chancellor Bernard?
He didn’t even know what that man was up to, so he couldn’t be trusted yet.
‘Then do I have to do it?’
Ferda also had experience in various researches.
Though it was limited to mana cultivation methods and forms to become stronger, he had plenty of tenacity.
If he applied that tenacity to research, wouldn’t it be alright?
It was just as Ferda was contemplating.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
An alarm bell rang, a sound he had never heard within the castle before.
It was a bizarre occurrence.
An alarm bell warning of danger was ringing in the headquarters of the Red Dragon, Valdrova.
A moment later, someone burst through the door.
It was Ruri.
Her face was etched with urgency.
“Ferda-nim.”
“What is it?”
“They are coming.”
Ruri spoke again.
“The descendants of Silverwind are heading this way.”
It had finally come.
Ferda headed to the balcony.
Dots were visible in the sky.
Soon, distinct characteristics began to enter his vision, clear enough for Ferda to recognize with his own eyesight.
Leading the way was a pair of overwhelmingly large wings.
“That must be the leader.”
“Yes. It is Goz-nim.”
The fact that the leader had come in person meant it was a grave matter.
Regardless, it was a situation that required taking a stance.
“What shall we do?”
Fear was palpable in Ruri’s voice.
Ruri usually hid it well, but in this moment, her anxiety was clearly felt.
“Let’s wait for now.”
“Even though the enemy is coming?”
“Whether they are enemies or not, we will find out soon enough.”
Ferda stared at the dots drawing near.
The palms of his clenched fists were drenched in sweat.
‘Sitri.’
Had that bitch of a demon stabbed him in the back?
She could have very cleverly distorted the information to make it look like it was Ferda’s fault.
But he didn’t jump to conclusions.
Even a demon knows the value of their own life.
Demons who crossed over to this world acted as if they had no fear, but in truth, demons were more cowardly than humans.
A moment later, the result of Ferda’s judgment was revealed.
All of Silverwind’s descendants landed and lined up in front of the outer gate.
“That’s good news.”
“Is it good news that they are at the outer gate?”
“If they came to fight, they would have charged the balcony; if they came to pick a fight, they would have come to the inner gate.”
Ferda looked down from the balcony and locked eyes with Goz.
A strange exchange of stares occurred.
“Ruri, prepare to welcome the guests… Huh?”
Ferda’s words cut off as he turned his head.
Ruri was staring down at Silverwind’s group.
If she were simply looking down, Ferda wouldn’t have reacted that way.
“Ruri?”
“Did you call for me?”
“Why are you clutching my clothes?”
“What do you—.”
Ruri’s words stopped.
Just as Ferda said, she was holding onto his clothes.
Her face showed her own surprise.
She quickly pulled her hand away and tried to play it off as if nothing happened.
“…There was dust on them.”
“Was there?”
There was no way there was dust on Ferda’s clothes.
Furthermore, even if there were, she wouldn’t have personally brushed it off.
“I will go prepare to welcome the guests.”
Ruri withdrew like that.
Ferda also headed down to meet Silverwind.
The alarm rang.
Non-combat personnel within the castle hid in their rooms, and combat personnel were deployed.
And in Valdrova Castle, there were exactly two combat personnel.
Zed and Malcolm.
Since they held the status of knights, they were deployed in front of the outer gate.
‘Shit, what the hell is this mess?’
Zed cursed inwardly as he scanned them once more.
They were Silver Dragon spawns who looked like they had stepped out of a textbook.
Silver hair and silver eyes.
Fierce faces and sharply rising horns.
They wore armor, but the muscles on their bodies looked ready to burst through.
Facing just one would be nerve-wracking, but they had swarmed in as a mob.
Even the ring that suppressed the fear of dragons couldn’t overcome the pressure of their numbers or their grim expressions.
‘Especially that one.’
The man standing in front with the soldiers behind him.
The way he wore that silver cloak, it was obvious he was the leader.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that man accounted for 80% of this tension.
He was exuding such a vicious aura.
“Your master….”
He opened his mouth.
“When will he appear?”
What came out of his mouth was a cold death, like a soul obtained from sweeping away thousands of frost giants.
Zed was nearly overwhelmed by the bass tone, but he answered with a feigned calm face.
“Could you wait a moment? He said he would be down soon, so he will be here.”
“A moment, you say….”
His face showed he wasn’t pleased.
Even though Zed knew that hatred wasn’t directed at them, it wasn’t easy.
But what was most troublesome of all was that Zed had another variable.
“Hic, hiccup!”
Acting like a knight for once, Malcolm, who was standing beside him, was sobbing.
“Alte-nim, Almighty God of Light, please save me.”
Not content with just crying, he was busy praying to a god.
Zed tilted his head slightly toward him and spoke.
“Just go.”
“Hic, as a knight of this Ducal territory, I cannot step away….”
“No, I’m telling you to go because you’re in the way. I can handle this alone.”
Despite Zed’s suggestion, Malcolm did not leave.
Driven by some grand sense of chivalry, he forced his trembling legs straight and held his ground.
‘Ugh, my life.’
Just when things seem to be quietening down, something comes along and hits me in the back of the head.
Should I just quit being a knight or whatever?
Just as he was thinking that, he heard the footsteps of salvation from behind them.
“I kept you waiting.”
Ferda had arrived.
He stepped between Zed and Malcolm and looked Goz straight in the eye.
“Do you make your guests wait?”
It was a barb thrown by Goz.
“Usually, a guest sends a letter before arriving. Those who don’t are called uninvited guests.”
A tense psychological battle.
Malcolm and Zed, who thought it was the end, realized that this was only the beginning.
“I’ll concede that point. I apologize for not giving prior notice.”
He conceded easily.
Ferda thought to himself.
‘He’s not the type to do that.’
“But just as I apologize, you must also be clear.”
As expected.
If he was stepping back, it was only to take three steps forward.
“Regent Ferda, I have come here because suspicions have been raised that you murdered Abel Silverwind using demon magic and are concealing the evidence.”
At the mention of suspicions being raised, a name reflexively sprang to mind.
‘Sitri?’
An animalistic reflex cried out that name once more.
The most likely candidate was indeed Sitri.
It was a characteristic of demons not to handle matters cleanly.
Ferda kept thinking about what kind of trap she was trying to set.
But surprisingly, he soon learned that Sitri had no intention of screwing Ferda over.
The reason appeared immediately.
“Hello, Regent Ferda?”
A cheerful voice rang out from among the men who smelled of sweat.
The figure of a small woman wearing a wide-brimmed wizard’s hat appeared.
The badge of the Serdes Human Magic Society was prominently pinned to her pointed hat.
There was only one person who could wear such a hat.
The President of the Serdes Human Magic Society, Erdes Roton.
“We’re old acquaintances, aren’t we?”
This stage was her handiwork.
