I Married the Dragon I Killed
Chapter 75
Chapter 75
“……M’lord.”
“…….”
“……M’lord!”
“…….”
“My lord!”
“Oh, yes?”
Stefan snapped out of it with a start.
His attendant was leaning in, shaking Stefan’s shoulder.
“Are you alright? You haven’t said a word since we got in the carriage.”
“Ah, I’m fine.”
Fine, indeed.
Stefan turned his head to look out the window.
They were moving away from Herman Pascal’s estate.
“Since when has the carriage been moving?”
“For thirty minutes now, sir.”
“Thirty minutes…….”
He had no memory of those thirty minutes, nor did he even remember finishing the meal.
Stefan’s mind felt as if it were shrouded in a thick fog.
And as soon as that fog cleared, it threatened to consume him again.
That fog was woven from the words of Herman Pascal.
It was clear that he had attempted an overt interference.
If it were Herman Pascal—the great merchant, the respected man of trade—this was something he normally wouldn’t have done.
In reality, had anyone ever truly shown interest in the Eastern Region?
Stefan agonized over it again and again.
Yet, thinking wasn’t going to solve the problem.
“Where is the carriage heading?”
“Where else would we be going but home, sir?”
“Ah, right. Of course…….”
He had asked an incredibly obvious question.
Why had he even asked it?
Stefan questioned himself.
Deep down, he felt that he shouldn’t be going home.
Then where should he go?
The destination was clear.
“How are the horses?”
“They’re fine, sir.”
“Then don’t head back. Let’s go somewhere else.”
“Where to?”
“To Valdrova Castle.”
“That’ll take several days. We haven’t prepared anything, sir. We need to pack clothes, send letters…… Shouldn’t we just go home first?”
“Just go. No more talk.”
Seeing Stefan’s dazed state, the attendant couldn’t bring himself to argue further and instructed the coachman to change the route.
The thick fog filled Stefan’s head once more.
For now, Stefan simply walked through that fog.
‘The Far East.’
What did the Far East represent?
There were occasionally those who dreamed of a gold rush in that uncultivated wasteland, but they were thwarted every time.
It was only natural.
Demonic energy was a calamity that even immortals couldn’t handle; how could a mere human overcome it?
Like moths flying into a furnace, the outcome was obvious.
Despite such an obvious conclusion, what was I trusting to do this?
‘Is it because of the Mana Stones?’
Stefan had become obsessed with those Mana Stones and sniffed out the opportunity.
But his father, Herman, hadn’t.
Tilda and Murchit also seemed to have no interest in them.
If they had caught the scent, they would have been frantic to interfere or seize them somehow.
Stefan asked himself.
‘Am I the one who’s wrong, then?’
He wanted to believe in himself, but his nature was always like this.
He would fall, blinded by the arrogance of believing himself to be objective.
His father, Herman Pascal, had always made him witness the miserable ends of such merchants with his own eyes.
As a merchant who had grasped wealth, and as a father, he had advised Stefan.
Am I being arrogant?
Am I just wearing rose-colored glasses, making him look like a savior?
Is he just another con artist?
The thought that he might end up just like those who died trusting ‘themselves’ and their arrogance wouldn’t leave his mind.
Am I someone prepared enough to bet my life on him?
I’m afraid.
I’m afraid that I’ll be unable to leave the Empire because of the transit taxes and slowly die within it.
I need something to make me forget that fear.
Alcohol? Women?
Or…….
“M’lord!”
“Gah! You scared me! What?! Why!? What!?”
“We’ve arrived, my lord! Please, pull yourself together!”
“What? Arrived at Valdrova Castle? In just a few minutes?”
“What are you talking about? It’s been four days.”
He had been in a daze for a full four days.
He smelled because he hadn’t washed properly, and his high-quality tunic was stained yellow with bodily fluids.
Why did I come here?
He realized the question was strange.
Hadn’t he come here to find the answer to that?
Stefan walked into the inner castle to find Ferda.
He was with Bernel, the chief researcher.
They seemed to have just finished a conversation.
“What is the matter?”
Ferda asked.
“Well, that is…….”
What had he intended to say upon coming here?
Only one phrase was circling in Stefan’s head.
‘I’m pulling out.’
Since I can’t trust myself and I’m afraid of becoming a beggar, I’ll cut my losses here.
He was about to say it, but Ferda beat him to it.
“There is some good news. The Chancellor of Escoleia has made a major proposal to Bernel.”
At those words, different words rose up his throat.
“W-what kind of proposal?”
“He offered the main slot at the exhibition to be held in Halim in two weeks.”
Stefan felt as if he had been struck on the head.
The fog cleared, and a single ray of light poured in.
“Congratulations! Being the main feature of an Escoleia exhibition is huge! From what I know, it’s a massive deal!”
“Yes. It is indeed that place of honor for all scholars.”
Being recognized among those picky scholars held great significance.
It would also draw attention from merchants, and nine times out of ten, it meant something that would make money.
“This is something we can’t just let pass. How about we celebrate today with some food and drink?”
“Haha, I feel like we might be getting ahead of ourselves, but……”
“What does it matter!? I’ll even use my own funds to throw a grand banquet. Haha!!”
Stefan laughed loudly.
It was an exaggerated gesture, unlike his usual self, but they let it slide, assuming it was because the news was so joyous.
“Stefan.”
“Yes?”
“Weren’t you going to say something?”
At Ferda’s question, Stefan scratched his head and replied.
“Ah, that…… I just came to say let’s do our best! Haha!”
The fog covering Stefan’s mind was gone.
Let’s trust myself.
Even if I end up a beggar.
I’ll move forward without regrets.
One week later, Iorga and Valdrova officially announced their alliance.
The Serdes Continent was thrown into an uproar.
A Guardian Dragon and a Calamity Dragon are like water and oil—they cannot mix.
Though opinions had been exchanged several times through the Grand Council, their conflicts always ended without resolution.
An alliance between such a Calamity Dragon and a Guardian Dragon.
Suspicion grew that the Iorga faction was under some kind of delusion.
Her position was as follows:
—Although Valdrova caused secondary damage, his Regent has shown a will to liquidate the past and conquer the Demonic Land. Thus, we support his intent and have decided to join him.
On the surface, it was the best-looking excuse.
Her support gave weight to the declaration of the ambitious young Regent.
Even so, the majority of public opinion was that the subjugation would fail.
—Even if Blue Eye supports them…….
—How could a mere human succeed in a purification task where everyone else has failed?
Ever since Godwin died, no one had approached that Demonic Land, and those who did all perished.
However, there were quite a few people who placed their hopes in Ferda’s intent.
—Perhaps the subjugation of the Far East really is possible?
—Reclaiming the beautiful lands of the Far East that only exist in history would be a monumental feat.
Regardless, the wind had begun to blow.
For a lone, drifting sailboat, a wind from any direction was a fair wind.
Halim.
It was considered a city of gambling and entertainment, a place he had visited once to recruit Zed.
He was visiting again for the exhibition.
The difference was that this time, Ruri was not accompanying him.
There were already enough people around Ferda, and another dragon spawn was stationed at the inner castle.
Ruri still held a small belief that Isabella had come for sabotage.
Since there was no harm in keeping her in check, he left Ruri behind.
On the way to see him off, Ruri said only one short sentence.
“Do not gamble.”
“Aren’t we short on funds? It’s the perfect place to pull in money—”
“Do. Not. Do. It.”
Her two silver eyes glared at him with murderous intent.
It felt as though a Magic Blast might burst forth at any moment.
Watching her like that sparked a sense of defiance.
What kind of face would she make if he just dumped his entire fortune into it?
Since he didn’t have two lives, he had no choice but to engrave those words in his heart and head toward Halim.
Stefan had left early to prepare the props needed for the main presentation and agreed to meet them in Halim.
Bernel was organizing the presentation materials inside the carriage, unable to relax for even a second.
As it was an important occasion, Ferda spared no support and created an environment where Bernel wouldn’t have to worry about anything else.
His other companions were the knights, Zed and Malcolm.
“Huaaaa, am I really going to be okay? It’s okay, right?”
And even Penelope.
She was wailing like a marmot on the prairie.
Just as they arrived at the entrance of Halim and were about to step out to go through immigration procedures, they were only a step away from the magic circle protecting Halim.
“It’s fine, so let go of my arm, you wench.”
Zed pushed away the clinging Penelope’s head and forced her off.
She clung on tenaciously, never stopping her whining.
“I heard when I was in Hell! They said demons can’t enter Halim! They said your body melts if you try to go in! In fact, that’s how my half-brother died!”
“No, I’m telling you it’s fine. That’s just a total lie they told to scare you, so trust me and just walk in.”
“It’s really okay? I’m not going to die?”
Zed didn’t want to go back and forth anymore and shut his mouth.
Instead, he grabbed Penelope, who was holding his arm tightly, and dragged her along.
Penelope began to wail like a cat being dragged to the water.
“Aaaah! What are you doing!? No, I don’t want to die! I don’t want to dieeee, ugh, my stomach is turning…… Huh? Nothing’s happening?”
The moment she stepped inside the magic circle, Penelope confirmed there was no problem.
The face that had been crying and sobbing was gone, and she stood up abruptly as if it were boring.
“A human magic circle is nothing special.”
“…….”
Zed looked at her with pathetic eyes.
The others, including him, felt the same.
‘Was bringing her a mistake?’
Penelope possessed Sitri’s Life Vessel.
Just in case, he had brought her along this time to keep her where he could see her.
Furthermore, he still hadn’t fully established trust in Penelope.
He had worried that bringing a demon along might cause loud incidents, but those were unnecessary fears.
As she absorbed Sitri’s Life Vessel, she gained a special ability: she couldn’t be detected by ordinary demon-detection magic.
As long as she maintained her human skin, she was essentially no different from a human.
‘And the loud one was her.’
He had expected her to be frivolous and noisy, but it exceeded his expectations.
She was like a storm.
The type of person where incidents happen even if she’s just standing still.
How did Sitri lose her Life Vessel to someone like this?
‘Still, there must be something.’
Everything happens for a reason.
Not wanting to overlook anything, Ferda asked Penelope.
“Tell me about your abilities. Since you’re Sitri’s descendant, do you handle illusion magic?”
“Yes, just a few spells for light illusions and trickery.”
“An Arcane Trickster, then.”
“Oh, that name sounds cool! Right. That’s it.”
When she nodded with a triumphant posture, Zed snorted.
“Arcane Trickster, my foot. She’s a trouble maker.”
“What did you say!?”
Her pale pink eyes glared at Zed.
Zed didn’t back down and pushed his face toward hers.
“Did I say something wrong? Not a single day is quiet when I’m with you!”
“That’s not my fault! Who told you to catch that witch’s eye? Isn’t it because you go around picking up every woman you see!?”
“Do you think I did it because I wanted to? I know well enough which ones I shouldn’t touch!”
The two of them bickered back and forth.
Leaving them behind, Ferda considered the abilities Penelope and Zed possessed.
The Arcane Trickster, Penelope, and the Great Thief, Zed.
“One way or another, you two seem to get along well.”
“Pardon?”
Zed looked at Ferda as if he were dumbfounded.
“I’m sorry, but could you please not lump me in with this dim-witted crybaby?”
“Isn’t she the kind of woman you like?”
“You’re making me sound like someone who just picks up anything, but I refuse to hang around a ‘trouble’ who is a walking accident.”
“I don’t want to be lumped in with such a violent man either! I like women. And only beauties among women! I want to suck the essence out of beauties without restraint!”
“What are you talking about when you sucked my essence just yesterday?”
“I have to eat too, don’t I? Eat! I’m eating very lightly just to maintain myself in the mortal realm! That’s why I can stay human like this!”
So noisy.
Ferda decided to retract what he had said.
“If you wish, I’ll let you find new partners.”
“Eh?”
“Yes?”
The two who had been acting like they were going to eat each other just a moment ago began to wear subtle expressions at those words.
What’s wrong with these two?
“Ahem, well, for now, I’d like to keep things as they are.”
“Why?”
“It’s hard to find a tall, handsome man with such a silver tongue to help seduce beauties…….”
He decided to let Penelope’s reason slide, but he couldn’t grasp Zed’s reason.
“She sucks the essence and erases the memories of the girls I seduce, so…….”
Hearing that, Ferda realized he had thought wrongly.
‘They’re both the same.’
A match made in heaven.
No releasing them back into the wild.
The Escoleia exhibition was taking place by renting out an entire casino in Halim.
It was one of the largest casinos in the city of entertainment, an appropriate venue to accommodate many nobles, merchants, and scholars.
When Ferda arrived, it was the first day of the exhibition, and the opening preparations were just about to be finished.
“Oh, Regent! Did you arrive safely?”
Stefan, who had been lingering nearby, walked over to Ferda and bowed politely.
“I arrived safely. And you?”
“I’ve been fine. The exhibition booth was built according to plan as well. Would you like to take a look?”
“I came here for that, so I should see it, shouldn’t I?”
Stefan guided Ferda as they moved.
Ferda took a general look at how the exhibition was running.
Scholars placed their items in booths, allowing merchants and nobles to see them one by one as they passed by.
And the scholars participating in the exhibition were each burning with competitive spirit.
What researchers always lacked was money.
This exhibition was a crucial moment to continue their research lives.
The ones who would provide that money were the merchants and nobles viewing the exhibition.
If lucky, Ferda could also become their patron.
Ferda roughly examined the scholars’ items starting from the entrance.
‘Nothing particularly attractive.’
All he saw were items that existed only in theory or had poor marketability.
That was likely why they felt isolated in this outer area.
However, as he moved toward the center of the exhibition, the booths became larger and the items more flamboyant.
Among them were items that would be used usefully in the future.
Bernel’s booth was in the center.
Created with the help of the Pascal Company, Bernel’s booth was as grand as the large booths sponsored by other corporations.
“How is it?”
“You’ve done a good job.”
“Right? I brought in our decoration experts to make it, haha.”
Being eye-catching meant it could draw the attention of many.
The booth was ready, but there were no items on display yet.
They were waiting because Ferda’s side was supposed to bring them.
“By the way, where are the Mana Stones we need to prepare?”
“It seems Bernel has them. Where did Bernel go?”
“I think he went toward the lodging first.”
“Without a word?”
Was he going to get some sleep before the main stage, since he hadn’t slept properly for several days?
Having been by his side, Ferda knew how hard Bernel had worked.
“I’ll go and get them.”
“No, I’ll go.”
Thinking there was nothing else to do anyway, Ferda decided to move personally.
Ignoring Stefan’s attempt to stop him, he steadfastly made his way toward the lodging.
Contrary to his expectation that Bernel would be passed out in the lodging, he found him in the corridor leading to it.
Chancellor Bernard, the host of this exhibition, was also there.
The two of them were in the middle of a deep conversation, and Ferda overheard their talk.
“Bernel Marquis.”
Chancellor Bernard said, looking at Bernel.
“I cannot hide my disappointment in you.”
