I Married the Dragon I Killed
Chapter 92
The second gift he received so unexpectedly—Frank Fontaine spilled everything he knew.
After listening to his story, Ferda and Isabella realized one fact.
“So, giving us the Dandolo Company meant giving us everything Tilda has prepared.”
It had been somewhat puzzling why she would plan to take over and hand over the Empire’s largest merchant guild.
As Frank Fontaine poured out his testimony, the outline became clear.
—If I cooperated, I was promised a position as a headquarters executive of the Dandolo Company in a few years! In exchange, I was to hire and manage the assassins!
“He did something foolish.”
Ferda had thought that a merchant, at the very least, would weigh gains and losses meticulously enough to avoid such a thing.
Suddenly, he recalled what Stefan had said.
That the reason Frank Fontaine failed to rise in the world was entirely due to his lack of ability.
And that incompetence was clearly revealed in this rebellion as well.
Even so, Ferda hadn’t blindly believed that Frank Fontaine was a complete idiot.
He was clumsily foolish and clumsily clever.
Frank Fontaine held documents in his possession that could prove that while he led the charge, the person ultimately responsible for the foul plan was someone else.
The confirmation column for all the funding was stamped with Henri Dandolo’s seal.
Tilda had been preparing to pin everything on the Dandolo Company in the worst-case scenario.
And Ferda could also make use of this document.
“This means that when Black Bandana hands over the Dandolo Company, they intend to use this document.”
“Do you think it will be enough?”
“It’s possible to ruin the Dandolo family’s credibility, but taking over the business entity itself is still a stretch.”
Regardless, thanks to the document and the testimony, Ferda’s job became easier.
Tilda Pascal as Tilda Pascal.
And Henri Dandolo could fall as Henri.
‘Was Rico Dandolo really the client?’
When it was simply about protecting the business and his son from a trash daughter-in-law, he was the prime suspect.
But the moment he gave this document to Ferda, it meant he was willing to cut his son off from the business, which could be seen as saving the company itself.
He wondered if that was a choice a father would make.
“I don’t know how he plans to give the company to Ferda-nim, who is practically a third party, but the backlash will be quite fierce.”
“There’s no need to worry about that.”
Ferda possessed the most attractive element: Magic Engineering.
Many investors were salivating over it, and if it were offered to the Dandolo Company, they would welcome a new manager.
“Still, I can’t quite think of a way to seize it through normal means.”
“From an administrator’s perspective, would it be better to quit now?”
“It’s something that helps the finances, so how could I quit? I’ll look into the acquisition further and prepare in advance.”
“Do so.”
Isabella pushed up her glasses with a finger and smiled.
Since she was someone who often groaned about finances, this proposal was something to rejoice over.
In a situation where everyone should be happy, Ferda glanced at Ruri and asked.
“More importantly, how about you?”
“About what?”
Ruri was businesslike and blunt as usual.
“Cooperating with a human plan. It doesn’t seem like something you’d enjoy that much; are you really alright with it?”
Ruri replied.
“I do have pride as a dragon spawn, but I am not a fool. Why would I stand on pride for something like this?”
“Is that so?”
“Most of all, if I were to resent someone, it would be my master.”
Ruri sighed and complained.
“Unlike other dragons, she didn’t gather treasures and lived like a loafer, which is why we’ve ended up needing to pull in these kinds of finances. So, shouldn’t even this insignificant attendant take action?”
“You had quite a bit built up against your master.”
“Do you have a problem with that?”
“No.”
Even if she insulted her master, how could he not find her admirable for acting for her master’s sake?
“I’m just grateful to you for working hard.”
Ferda reached out his hand toward her head.
Seeing that hand, Ruri flinched slightly and bowed her head a little.
“Regent-nim.”
Just before his hand touched her head, Isabella’s voice cut in between them.
“What is it?”
“Were you just about to touch Ruri-yang’s head?”
“I was, but?”
“Why are you doing such a thing?”
Isabella’s voice grew fierce.
At the unexpected emotional reaction, Ferda simply answered.
“I heard this is effective when praising a child.”
“While that is the correct way to praise a minor, it is an action you must not do to Ruri-yang.”
“Is that so?”
“I am….”
“I trust you haven’t forgotten that dragon spawns have strong pride?”
Ferda nodded, thinking it made sense now that he heard it.
Isabella continued her argument.
“Most of all, Ruri-yang is several times older than you, Regent-nim. Although she has an appearance that looks young and possesses an immortal purity like an unwithering flower, you must not overlook the fact that she is an adult.”
“Is that so?”
Though filled with self-serving flowery words, there was logic in Isabella’s speech.
Ferda turned his gaze to Ruri and asked with his eyes.
“That is correct.”
Ruri nodded.
“I have lived hundreds of years longer than Ferda-nim; do you think I would enjoy such praise?”
Ruri seemed to agree with the logical argument, but inwardly, a look of dissatisfaction was written on her face.
However, Ferda thought it was resentment over her wounded dignity.
“My apologies. It seems my method of praise was wrong, so I shall refrain from stroking your head—.”
“No.”
It was Isabella who cut him off as if she had been waiting.
“There is a way.”
“A way?”
“As I said, it is a method of praise an elder uses for a younger person. Is that not right?”
“Yes.”
Isabella pushed up her glasses and said.
“In that case, wouldn’t it be fine if an elder among the same dragon spawns praised the younger one?”
“…?”
“…?”
Ruri and Ferda wondered what on earth she was talking about.
Isabella held her glasses high and said.
“That means, I, as the elder, should praise Ruri-yang.”
“Huh?”
“…Ha?”
Ferda looked puzzled again, and Ruri’s face soured.
The two wondered if this was some kind of joke.
“What did you just say?”
“To repeat, I am saying that I will praise Ruri-yang by stroking her head.”
Isabella’s glasses shimmered.
She was more serious than anyone.
Isabella took a step forward.
Ruri took a step back, reflexively taking a defensive stance.
“Do not come any closer.”
“There is no need to be shy. As your senior, I shall…”
Her fingers wiggled.
“Praise you over and over again.”
Her finger movements were so fluid it was hard to believe she only did office work and magic.
They squirmed like tentacles crawling up from the bottom of the abyss.
Finally, with a look of utter disgust, Ruri fled from the spot as if running away.
“Ah.”
Isabella looked hollowly at the spot where she had vanished like the wind.
A moment later, she returned to her businesslike, stiff demeanor.
Ferda said.
“It seems it wasn’t a good idea after all.”
“…It appears so.”
Isabella was truly disappointed.
The headquarters of Black Bandana.
In reality, there was no fixed headquarters.
For the sake of secrecy, the headquarters moved once every three months, and even the low-ranking members moved in secret, not knowing where they were going until the day of the move.
The place they currently used as their base was deep inside a mountain in the Eastern Region of Serdes.
It had once been used as a hideout for those involved in drug manufacturing and smuggling, but after they were wiped out, Black Bandana utilized it as their own.
It was rare to bring an outsider into such a secret location.
And it was also rare to receive such bloodlust despite being brought in as a guest.
In that sense, Zed Swallow was the first person in the history of the Black Bandana organization to experience this.
“Zed Swallow. I’ve only seen you in drawings every time, but this is the first time I’m seeing your mug in person, eh?”
“Haha, look at how smooth this punk’s skin is.”
Men with hands the size of pot lids fumbled over Zed’s body.
Zed let out an awkward laugh, his entire body stiff.
“Haha, could you please not just grab my face? I might not look it, but I’ve managed it incredibly strictly…”
“Is that so? Then shall we take a look at your backside? We’ve got a guy here who enjoys the company of men, and if he sees your ass—”
“It’s just a face, it’s not like it’ll wear down from touching. Feel free to touch all you want. Haha!”
Thinking he had made a slip of the tongue, Zed quickly brushed it off.
Zed lamented his life while laughing.
‘Why do I have to come all the way here and be treated like this…’
He hated Garnet for dragging him here.
But naturally, he hated Ferda the most for selling him out.
‘Is that bit of money such a big deal? Is a knighthood such a big deal?’
After thinking about it seriously, he answered himself.
‘It is a big deal, damn it.’
Zed had no choice but to smile quietly.
“Hyung-nim, there’s something I’m curious about.”
“What is it?”
“Why are you all so eager to tear this guy apart?”
“Oh? You haven’t heard?”
The man then smiled brightly and repeatedly smacked the top of Zed’s head.
“This punk defiled our lady. You mean to tell me you don’t know that famous story?”
“Eh? I think I might have heard something like that, but was it this guy?”
“Yeah, it’s this guy.”
“Oh… How dare, how dare he to our lady…”
Just as even that innocent man was about to flare up with rage, Zed waved his hands and shouted.
“Wait a minute! That ‘defiling’ part is a bit exaggerated, you know?”
“Let’s hear your bullshit then.”
“That day, we had just finished a rough mission, we were both tired, and it was a situation where we were comforting each other. And so, a man and a woman were in a room together, the mood felt right, and I felt it would be rude for a man to back out now…”
“So, did you take responsibility like a man?”
“That… if only I had known she was a lady from such a family…”
“I asked if you took responsibility.”
“…I ran away.”
“Then how is that any different from defiling her, you gigolo?”
The hands gripping his face grew rougher.
Those hands held Zed firmly.
“Haha, wh-what are you doing, hyung-nims?”
“We don’t ask for much. Let’s just draw one line on your face. After that, repent and marry the lady.”
“Ahaha! Could you put that dagger away!? I don’t really like this kind of joke?!”
“Things that are jokes to you are real life to us. Boys, hold him tight.”
“What do you think you’re doing?”
A husky female voice rang out from among the men thick with the scent of sweat.
“Oh, Boss is here. We were just about to give him a welcoming ceremony.”
“He’s not even a member, what welcoming ceremony? And that shouldn’t be done with a dagger, should it?”
“Hey, still, we should work in a ‘family-like’ atmosphere, shouldn’t we?”
Zed sent her a signal with his eyes to save him.
Garnet sighed and chased them away.
“Stop messing around and all of you back off. Like it or not, Zed is the Regent-nim’s knight.”
“Tch, consider yourself lucky.”
“I’ll check out your ass next time.”
At Garnet’s command, everyone withdrew.
Zed trembled like a gazelle surrounded by predators before looking at Garnet and speaking.
“Thanks for saving me.”
Garnet slapped Zed across the cheek.
Slap!
“Ack! Why, why?!”
“A price for your stupidity at Valdrova Castle.”
“I deserved that, sure. Other than that, there are no hard feelings, right?”
“None for now. I have a grudge against you, but it’s not such a grand feeling that it would ruin the mission.”
“What? There isn’t a woman who says that after experiencing me…”
“…Want to get beaten to a pulp?”
“My apologies. Please speak.”
As they hadn’t met for several years, many emotions remained between the two.
They could have gone straight to the main point, but they decided to share the stories they hadn’t told.
“You’re shamelessly using the name Swallow.”
“You’re the same, aren’t you, Fiendteeth?”
“Don’t use that nickname.”
“Why? It brings back old memories, it’s nice.”
“Didn’t your nose get broken by me while using that nickname?”
“Even with a broken nose, I used it on you a lot.”
Zed smiled slyly.
Seeing that face, she growled like a mad dog.
“Don’t smile like that. Loose-bottomed girls might like it, but it just makes my blood boil.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Zed immediately wiped the smile off his face.
Garnet took a deep breath and said in a cold voice.
“I need your help with this job.”
“Specifically, what kind of help?”
“Infiltration and finding an object.”
Zed waved his hands nonchalantly and said.
“Infiltration? What kind of strength do I have to do something like that? I can’t.”
“You are suitable for this job.”
“On what basis?”
“It’s a conclusion drawn from judging your recent work and your time as a mercenary comprehensively.”
“What did I even do when I was a mercenary? I wouldn’t have done anything in particular.”
When Zed tried to deny it to the end, Garnet sighed and spoke.
“Do you remember the battle at Palestine Castle?”
“I know it. It was tough.”
“All of us were caught, but you were the only one who wasn’t. Everyone thought you ran away, but you secretly entered that castle and got us out.”
“I was just lucky then.”
“There were seven such instances of luck. Everyone else might not have noticed, but I know. I know you moved without others knowing and saved us.”
“That’s overestimating me way too much…”
In fact, it was something Zed himself hadn’t been conscious of.
Rather than infiltration, he simply thought it was something he had to do for his comrades, and he felt he did it that way because he had to move secretly.
He didn’t think it was such a grand thing.
When he refused to go along until the end, Garnet decided to pull out her final card.
“Are you going to make me mention that you are the last descendant of the Red Eye Tribe?”
Zed’s face hardened.
“I don’t particularly want to make things uncomfortable with something like this, but right now—”
“That information.”
“What?”
“Who else knows?”
Zed asked with a face full of murderous intent, unlike before.
Garnet took in his emotion and replied.
“Only me.”
“If you’re thinking of covering for someone, you’d better not. Even with our past, I can’t let this slide.”
Garnet frowned and lost her temper.
“You idiot. Who do you think has been managing your information until now? I’m directly controlling the information about you.”
“My information?”
“You believe you’re hiding it so well yourself, don’t you? You think if you live like a gigolo, you’re somehow hiding it? You fool. If it wasn’t for my help, you’d be dead by now. You know? They would’ve noticed everything, captured you, and displayed you like a monkey in a zoo!”
As Garnet huffed, Zed scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
“I-is that so? I thought you hated me enough to kill me all this time.”
“Why would I want to kill you? Like it or not, you’re a comrade who shared life and death with me.”
“Oh.”
“Of course, those guys over there really do want to kill you.”
“Uh…”
Zed managed a smile, but his face was pale and cold sweat poured down.
Garnet chuckled at that pathetic sight.
“So, specifically, what kind of job is it?”
“We need to infiltrate a mansion and find the medium for a Garden Contract.”
“A Garden Contract… I’m done with getting on a Witch’s bad side.”
“Your name is already on the hit list several times anyway, so what does it matter?”
“It was?”
“Are you an idiot, or are you pretending to be one?”
Garnet looked at him as if he were pathetic before returning to the job.
“We believe the opponent has made a contract with Yor Filiaz. I’ve judged that you are suitable for this job; what do you think?”
“It is the best judgment.”
To the Red Eye Tribe, known as Mage Killers, those who use magic are easy targets.
If it were a real Witch, it might be a headache, but the opponent was merely a wicked woman playing pretend.
“Then show me the blueprints of the places I need to infiltrate.”
Garnet pushed a thick stack of documents toward Zed.
A picture began to form in Zed’s mind.
The blueprints and the locations of the identified items.
Through them, he pointed out the place where the item to be stolen was located and ran the operation through his head.
Finally, as the outline became clear, Zed turned back to Garnet.
“But you know.”
“What.”
“This job doesn’t have to be completed entirely through infiltration, right?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m asking if I can do something a bit unsightly.”
Garnet wore a fed-up expression.
“…Are you going to seduce Tilda Pascal?”
“No, why would I do something so laborious?”
“Because that’s what you do.”
“Haha, well now. You say you know me, but you don’t know me at all.”
Zed grinned.
“For this kind of job, you have to cause a bit of a stir to get things settled.”
