I Married the Dragon I Killed
Chapter 79
Chapter 79
5 minutes before the incident.
Bernel, backstage.
“Whew, whew….”
He was breathing heavily.
How long had it been since he’d stood on a stage like this outside his own home?
And had he ever allowed himself to feel this kind of anticipation?
‘I have, once.’
But had he truly expected a day like this to come?
Perhaps others had, but Bernel never did.
His life had been a series of being ignored, nearly ending with his organs being harvested by loan sharks.
Everything had changed when Ferda stepped in, but even then, he hadn’t imagined standing here.
Bernel peeked through the curtain at the auditorium.
He saw the rows of seats in the grand opera house.
His heart fluttered.
But greater than the excitement were the pressure and the fear.
—Bernel-gun, do you truly believe that is feasible?
Chancellor Bernard’s voice echoed in his ears, amplifying those feelings.
It was back when he was a student at the Escoleia Academy, during the Q&A session of an Academic Conference.
—Anyone can present such hollow ideals. But what are you doing, letting yourself be consumed by them?
—Do not believe you can break all the existing laws. You may be smart, but you can never be that kind of genius.
Bernard had tried to crush Bernel’s will.
Bernel hadn’t given up, but ever since that day, he had become uncomfortable around people.
Especially standing on a main stage like this.
Would they mock him again?
Would they confuse him with useless critiques?
Would he disappoint the people who believed in him?
Those questions became hands that tightened around Bernel’s throat.
‘Still, I have to do it.’
For the Regent, Ferda-nim, who believed in him.
To spite Bernard, who had insulted him instead of accepting his success.
And for himself, who had sacrificed everything for this.
“Whew!!! Why is this medicinal tea so ineffective…?”
Despite drinking several cups of the tea meant to calm nerves, the distractions in his mind wouldn’t fade.
He clasped his hands tightly and prayed.
He prayed that something would happen to cancel the event unexpectedly.
“Kyaaaaak!”
As if answering his small wish, a scream rang out.
Startled by the sudden outcry, Bernel snapped out of his thoughts.
“What? What happened?”
The staff members who were running the stage began to flee all at once.
Instead of following them, Bernel decided to assess the situation.
“Gasp…!”
A rift had opened.
In Halim, and inside the opera house of all places, a rift was spewing out monsters.
‘Is that even possible?’
Though gates where monsters appeared did exist within cities, such occurrences were extremely rare.
To appear now, when people were gathered and the Monster Appearance Prediction Device was being introduced?
The timing was too coincidental.
‘Should I run?’
The moment Bernel tried to turn back, his feet stayed planted.
He saw Ferda.
Ferda was standing his ground.
As if the option to flee never existed, he was confronting the rift with cold, steady eyes.
Noblesse oblige.
Ferda was fulfilling the duty of a noble.
Bernel was inspired by that gaze.
‘I have to do something, too.’
Even if he couldn’t risk his life like Ferda, he had to be of help.
He whipped his head around.
There stood the Magical Engineering Rifle he had prepared.
Bernel picked up the rifle and activated it.
Adjusting the mana flow, preheating it sufficiently, setting the selector, adjusting the power according to the displayed values….
‘Why are there so many steps?’
It required more than twenty operational procedures.
Originally, there had been over a hundred. Bernel had simplified it repeatedly after Malcolm complained it was unusable.
‘It’s still too many.’
Until the presentation, Bernel had thought this was enough.
Wouldn’t this be usable?
Couldn’t people operate and use it at this level?
‘I was wrong.’
To be simple enough for someone like Malcolm to use meant it had to be ready at any moment.
With such complexity, it couldn’t be used in an urgent moment like this.
Even while holding the line, sacrifices would follow.
‘Damn it.’
Stupid fool.
Just as the Chancellor said, I am a fool.
This is the result of failing to imagine what was truly needed and obsessing over increasing efficiency by a mere 1%.
Even as he spat out those regrets, Bernel moved incessantly.
He decided to do what he could in this very moment.
Finally finishing the load, he pulled the bolt.
Wrooooong—!
The object acceleration magic circle activated, vibrating inside the pipe.
Bernel stepped onto the stage holding the rifle.
The situation had already reached its climax.
The two remaining wolf monsters were lunging toward Ferda.
‘They’re so fast!’
Bernel had only one chance.
He had to land a telling blow with that single shot.
But it was hard enough just holding the rifle; he wasn’t confident he could track their movements and fire.
Crackle!
A bolt of lightning shot from Ferda’s hand.
He succeeded in stopping one, but the other was not deterred.
It bypassed Zed and lunged straight for Ferda.
It went right for his throat, intending to tear it open.
‘No!’
Bernel hesitated no longer.
He pulled the trigger.
As the magic formula activated, a sphere of mana formed within the glass tube.
The sphere flowed into the long pipe and streaked out as a flash of light.
Bang!
It pierced the chest of the monster targeting Ferda.
It struck precisely in the heart.
As the pure mana bullet hit, the wolf monster let out a yelp, flailed, and then went stiff.
One shot.
With just one shot, the monster was taken down.
Even Bernel, who had fired the rifle, looked shocked.
He had set the power higher than usual, but he hadn’t expected it to go down in one hit.
He thought he would only be buying time at best.
But regardless of his intent, it didn’t matter.
The thunderous roar that shook the air and the death of the final monster.
Everything drew everyone’s attention to Bernel.
They were staring at him with their mouths agape like fools.
“What was that?”
“Did magic just shoot out of that thing?”
“Is it a staff, then? Did he use magic?”
“There’s no way a staff looks like that.”
They were all speculating about the object Bernel was holding.
Originally, the mana stones were the main focus of the presentation, and the Magical Engineering Rifle was only meant to be introduced as a simple application.
“Uhm….”
He had to say something.
Bernel felt the pressure to speak and opened his mouth.
“This is the item I brought this time… the Magical Engineering Rifle…?”
That was it.
He couldn’t find any more words to say.
But at the same time, it was enough.
That introduction alone was powerful enough to be burned into everyone’s minds.
While the presentation hall was in an uproar, there were people watching from a distance.
The situation had ended, and the scene of the cleanup was reflected in their eyes.
“Seven wolf monsters.”
A man muttered, crossing his arms.
“How many did you expect those seven wolf-type monsters to kill?”
The man standing next to him replied.
“At least three hundred should have died. Including the Chancellor of Escoleia.”
“And yet, there isn’t a single fatality. Bernard didn’t die either.”
“The one who planned this won’t escape responsibility.”
It was a failure that went beyond simply missing expectations or being outperformed.
“What do you think was the cause of failure?”
“Do you really need an answer?”
“I’m asking to see if we’re thinking the same thing.”
The cause of the defeat could be defined in two words.
“Ferda Valdroba.”
“As I thought, it’s him.”
The two were of the same mind.
Ferda Valdroba.
Lately, that name had been constantly brought up among the demons.
Things had started going wrong ever since he began to intervene.
“I heard he even raided a research facility with the help of demons. Is this the result of overlooking him?”
“He wasn’t overlooked. If anything, it was closer to an overestimation.”
That overestimation came from the testimony of Director Linne.
The demons thought Linne’s testimony was just a repertoire used to excuse a defeat.
“But it seems even that overestimation is being surpassed.”
Ferda was beyond imagination.
“He knows how to neutralize monsters using 1st and 2nd circle mages who can’t even be used in battle.”
“His assessment and distribution of forces were perfect. He pushed them a bit, but it seems he accounted for that as well.”
“He’s a cold one. Somehow, he seems experienced in this kind of combat.”
“He’s only eighteen. How is that possible?”
“Could he have been to a battlefield?”
“Look at that body. What could a scrawny kid without any muscle do?”
“If not that… is it innate?”
“It doesn’t feel like innate sense; there’s no feeling of improvisation. It’s on a different level.”
There were many speculations about Ferda, but they remained in a fog with no answers.
“The factors involved might give us the answer.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean we should broaden our perspective. Let’s look for factors in other things.”
He gestured with his chin toward a brown-haired man.
“That guy named Zed is also strange. Can someone move like that just because Haste was cast on them?”
“Ordinary humans can’t. To move like that, he would have to be someone who has lived at that speed.”
“I thought it was strange for a gigolo to be called a knight, but it seems there was a reason he was chosen.”
The man nodded as if he understood.
“And that fellow Malcolm….”
“Just a fool. Isn’t he still busy kidnapping mages even now that the situation is over?”
“…I see.”
In the meantime, the other man replied while deep in thought.
“We’ll have to change the danger rating. At least to the level of Alberto.”
“For Ferda Valdroba? That seems like a hasty judgment. I think he’s still within expectations.”
At those words, the man shook his head.
“The one I’m talking about is that guy.”
He pointed his chin toward the blue-haired man standing on the stage.
The man who had killed a wolf monster in one shot with an object that looked like a work of art.
It was Bernel Marquis.
“His influence will undoubtedly surpass that of Ferda Valdroba.”
With the death of the seven wolf monsters, the crisis at the presentation hall came to an end.
Though there were many injured, the fact that the battle ended without a single death was significant.
Normally, even if one monster appeared, at least three people would die, and as the numbers increased, the death toll would rise exponentially.
But despite seven monsters invading, not a single person had died.
Everything was resolved before Halim’s support forces even arrived.
It was a wonder that transcended mere words like ‘impressive.’
The person who had led that wondrous situation was Ferda.
“Thank you for saving our lives, Regent-nim.”
“I am truly moved and in awe of your brilliant nobility, Regent-nim. I offer you my worship. Thank you.”
Not only those who had fought alongside him but also those who had fled returned and showered Ferda with flattery.
Ferda’s action of standing his ground on the front lines was the very essence of noblesse oblige.
Of course, the praise wasn’t only for Ferda.
There was someone else who had left an equally strong impression.
“Do you know who that man is?”
“I heard his name is Bernel Marquis. He was one of the participants in this presentation.”
It was Bernel.
Since he had appeared at the end of the monster invasion to provide the grand finale, he was naturally the talk of the town.
“Ah, I remember. Chancellor Bernard pushed for him so much, it seemed like something incredible.”
“Is that the item?”
“I don’t think so. The name doesn’t seem to fit for a mana stone. Shouldn’t a mana stone be a rock?”
“Then what on earth is that?”
Since the concept of magical engineering didn’t exist, they didn’t know exactly what the object was.
But there was no need for a long-winded explanation of the concept.
Magical engineering was a technology that could kill a monster in one shot.
That was enough to warrant interest.
Bernel, feeling the change in the way people looked at him, slipped over to Ferda.
“Um, Regent-nim… there’s something I need to tell you….”
“Speak.”
“I did kill the monster… but technically, it shouldn’t have died.”
Ferda turned his head.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well, I’ve been thinking about it. Considering the power measured during the rifle tests, the muscle density of that wolf monster, and the trajectory of the bullet, it should never have been able to reach the heart.”
“You didn’t shoot to kill?”
“I only intended to buy time. So I checked the monster’s carcass briefly….”
“And?”
“The spot where I shot? The muscle had parted slightly there. The shot passed exactly through the gap between the muscles, reaching the heart with almost no loss of power, and then the explosion happened there.”
Ferda summarized Bernel’s explanation.
“So, you’re saying everything happened because of a series of coincidences?”
“Yes, exactly.”
Ferda stared intently at Bernel’s face.
“Is there any benefit to us in making that known?”
“Uh… no?”
“Then don’t spoil the mood and just enjoy it.”
Ferda patted Bernel on the shoulder and walked past.
As soon as Ferda passed, many scholars and merchants flocked toward Bernel.
They introduced themselves and showed him respect.
Bernel gave them an awkward smile.
It didn’t feel too bad.
After all, this opportunity had arisen because of something he had created.
Meanwhile, Penelope was jumping up and down, grabbing onto Zed.
“Ze-ze, Ze-ze! Look over there, look! Look at the eyes of those females!”
“….”
“My god. I feel full already. Can I—can I cry?”
“…Shut up, you.”
Zed pushed away the head of the fussing Penelope.
With a troubled expression, Zed quietly slipped away.
Penelope followed behind him like a child, watching his complicated face.
“What is it? Are you going for the ‘complex man’ concept?! That’s not bad either! Just don’t overdo it! I’m going to feast today!!”
While everyone else was receiving heated attention, Malcolm alone was not.
“Are you insane?! You threw me into the middle of a battlefield?!”
“I’m sorry! I thought you were a witch…!”
“What did you say, you crazy bastard?! Do I look like a witch to you, huh?!”
“Wait, I didn’t mean it like that! I truly thought you were someone who could use magic.”
Malcolm, who was still busy kidnapping mages five minutes after the situation had ended, was facing a firestorm from a noblewoman.
He had mistaken an elderly, wrinkled noblewoman for a witch and kidnapped her, and was now being showered with spit and insults.
In just one minute, his parents and his groin had been verbally erased, and many other things were being taken from him.
Unable to watch any longer, Ferda stepped in front of the noblewoman.
The situation was settled in ten seconds.
Malcolm bowed his head, breaking into a cold sweat.
“I’m sorry, Regent-nim. I made a mistake.”
“No, raise your head. Have you committed a crime?”
“You told me to bring only mages, but I brought a noblewoman and caused trouble….”
“That much was unavoidable. You did your duty. As a knight of the Archduke’s territory, you carried out my orders, and you did a fine job.”
Ferda was truly grateful to him.
What would have happened if Malcolm had tried to persuade the mages instead of kidnapping them?
Not a single one would have come.
Who would be crazy enough to step into a place where death lurked?
If he hadn’t kidnapped them directly, there would have been a setback in the plan.
This operation had gone smoothly because Malcolm had done what he could.
“Thank you, sniff!!”
Malcolm choked back tears of sorrow.
As things were being finalized, someone approached Ferda.
The fact that no one else was standing near the path he took made it clear he was a high-ranking individual.
“I greet the consort of Valdroba, the great power of fire. I am Ahmad, the Lord of this land of pleasure, Halim.”
It was the Lord of Halim.
Before Ferda could even respond to the greeting, Ahmad knelt.
“On behalf of Halim, I sincerely thank you for settling this situation.”
Everyone was shocked by Ahmad’s action.
“My god… the Lord of Halim is kneeling….”
“Even when the Imperial Emperor came, he was a man who kept his back straight….”
It was a characteristic of the Southern Lords not to kneel easily even before a King.
The fact that Ahmad had knelt before others raised Ferda’s reputation even further.
It was a good outcome.
“I only did my duty as a noble.”
“Who would risk their life to clean up trouble that happened on someone else’s land? Instead of staying here, I shall escort you to the castle. You should heal your wounds and we can speak further.”
Only then did Ferda remember that his neck had been pierced.
The bleeding had stopped, but it throbbed with pain.
‘It’ll definitely leave a scar.’
He needed topics to discuss with Valdroba, but he didn’t want to start a conversation with a scar like this.
“Can you heal it cleanly?”
“Of course. I will call for the best so that not a single scar remains.”
Ferda headed toward the Lord’s castle with Ahmad.
