Chapter 170
The story continues off the page
The Last Dance Before Midnight
A masked dragon asks the lanternwright for one slow dance
Though his face twisted, he did not become agitated.
“Stop playing dumb. The princess alone could never have pulled off something like this.”
“That’s right. I went to that man’s mansion.”
“And?”
“He tried to make me drink drugged tea, so I made him drink it instead. Then he got angry and had people search the place, and that was how I learned about that filthy place.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
Valdemar let out an exclamation as though he found it interesting.
His reaction was far too calm for someone who had lost his right hand.
“Did you touch his trigger? That couldn’t have been easy….”
“I know those sordid perverts quite well.”
There was a common pattern among mages.
Once they advanced through the Circles, they looked down on the lower Circles.
They believed that, no matter what, those below them could never surpass them in ability, so the hierarchy was firmly established.
That sense of superiority always led to carelessness.
Ferda had exploited that opening dozens of times.
“What a shame.”
Valdemar stroked his chin and muttered.
“The time to discard him would have come someday, but he still had some use left in him.”
There had been a reason his reaction seemed so underwhelming for someone who had lost his right hand.
“Shall I tell you what my plan was?”
“I’m not curious.”
“Originally, I was planning to bring that magitech engineer in your territory here.”
Even though Ferda already knew, the words still grated on his nerves.
The urge to crush that self-assured expression welled up inside him.
“I would provide an environment where he could conduct his research, give him money, and support him so he could use precious resources as freely as he wished. Is that all? Nobles from every region would beg me to take their daughters. I would even arrange a wife for him, and he would have children. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?”
“You would create things for him to lose.”
“Exactly. That is why I would attach them to him. I would hang, one by one, the things no human could bring himself to abandon with a clear mind around his neck. At first, he would eagerly accept them, thinking it was wonderful, but before long, his neck would grow stiff and ache.”
His emotions would take precedence, dulling his thoughts until he could no longer make rational judgments.
By telling him this, Valdemar was revealing that he knew there was no way to recruit Vernel.
“That was the plan: to make him my new right hand.”
“So the price of Marquis Develung’s loyalty is becoming a boiled dog?”
Valdemar gave a short laugh.
“Loyalty to me is meaningless. What matters is what someone can do for this nation. Develung has nothing more to offer the nation, while Vernel has plenty to offer.”
He was a man who deserved to die, but that was only from Ferda’s perspective.
Akad’s father had thwarted the Third Prince’s ambition.
And Akad had worked to contain epidemics for the sake of this Empire.
“Since we’re on the subject, tell me this. Do you think you’re any different?”
His gaze grew sharp.
The tension in the air suggested he might draw his sword at any moment.
“How many people stand behind you? It may be a number you can handle for now. But judging by what you’ve done, your faction will gradually grow. Before you know it, you’ll become too large to embrace them all.”
“……”
“Eventually, the time will come when you have to give something up. You’ll have to choose whether to live as a ruler or merely as an emotional human being.”
“Are you a ruler?”
“I am.”
“For someone like that, you certainly can’t conceal your ugliness.”
Ferda mocked and provoked him.
“Isn’t the reason you’re this angry that you failed to obtain Olivia?”
Valdemar’s expression wavered once more.
For that moment, he had become nothing more than an emotional human being.
“Yes. If it weren’t for that… I wouldn’t have been this angry.”
Valdemar admitted it readily.
“After everything you’ve done, if I simply let you leave, my dignity would be ruined.”
“So what are you going to do?”
Ferda did not back down either.
He wanted to know what other scenario Valdemar had drawn up and where he intended to take things.
Come if you dare.
I’ll strike back as Akad did and squeeze the life out of you.
It was at that moment, just as Valdemar was about to speak.
The area outside suddenly grew noisy.
Footsteps hurriedly ran somewhere outside.
Aware of the commotion, Valdemar set the conversation aside and crooked a finger at the attendant behind him.
“What’s going on outside?”
“I’ll find out.”
Leaving those words behind, the attendant went outside.
“Let’s wait a moment.”
“Very well. Would you like a cup of tea?”
“……”
Valdemar did not answer.
A short while later, the attendant returned.
As soon as he came back, he whispered something into Valdemar’s ear.
Ferda subtly extended his hearing and eavesdropped on them.
“It seems… I was the one acting impudently.”
Valdemar’s gaze was anything but ordinary.
Within it remained the greed of someone who had seen a precious jewel, along with the regret of knowing it could never become his.
“Take care on your way.”
“I will.”
Valdemar rose from his seat and released him.
Ferda’s attendant, a beat late, entered as well.
“Regent, you must prepare quickly.”
Ferda cut him off before he could finish.
“Is His Highness the Grand Duke coming here?”
“Yes, that’s right… How did you know?”
There was no way he could not know.
He had just heard it himself.
* * *
Meanwhile, inside the Red Dragon’s lair in the Grand Duchy of Valdrova.
“Lord Ferda… I understand.”
Luri received the message from the spirits.
Valdrova asked,
“Is it good news?”
“Yes. He says that everything, including the plan, is proceeding smoothly.”
“Hmm, I see.”
Valdrova fidgeted with her fingers and blushed.
Luri did not like the impatient look on her face.
Ferda was the one who should be fretting and courting her, yet the so-called sovereign was utterly unable to make a move.
She was so restless that the smooth letters she had been writing became crooked like a child’s scribbles.
Regardless, Luri relayed what she had heard.
“Because special circumstances frequently arise in the Far East, its autonomy has been strengthened. There is no longer any justification for interfering with the magitech research, so they will not have any reason to touch Hestia Village.”
“Could they have touched it before?”
“If Master had stepped forward and spoken directly, the matter would have been resolved much more quickly.”
“Hmm…! I-I see….”
Valdrova turned her head away in embarrassment.
“Of course, if Master had intervened personally, the problem would have grown much larger.”
“Maybe it’s because I’m bad at speaking and can’t handle hearing unpleasant things….”
“That isn’t it. Lord Ferda’s position would have been called into question.”
“Why would Ferda’s position be questioned?”
Luri answered.
“Lord Ferda is still a fledgling Regent who has held the position for only a year. Even though he has accomplished many things in that year, some people still believe he is merely rising through beginner’s luck. If Master had stepped forward then, Lord Ferda’s influence would have been greatly diminished.”
“Hmm… In simple terms, does that mean staying still got us halfway there?”
“No. It means that Lord Ferda chose the difficult path and protected both his own authority and Master’s.”
Ferda was Valdrova’s fiancé, but he was also her subordinate.
For a subordinate to resolve a matter without the superior’s involvement demonstrated that the superior was capable as well.
That was how dragon society worked.
“It’s such a relief that Lord Ferda handled his own affairs so well.”
“Yes, it is. Lots of people like Ferda, and now Luri likes him too.”
“That’s righ… What?”
Wondering if she had heard incorrectly, she asked Valdrova again.
Innocent golden eyes gazed at Luri as Valdrova smiled brightly.
“You like Ferda now too, don’t you, Luri?”
Luri’s heart sank.
She desperately tried to hide her eyes, which had widened like the moon, by narrowing them.
“What do you mean?”
“Hmm? I mean… when I said Ferda had brought good news, I could see how happy you were….”
“Isn’t it natural to be happy when someone brings good news?”
“But you seemed exceptionally happy for that reason.”
Luri disliked humans.
Ever since the Third Prince, she had trusted no nobleman in particular.
“You were so wary of Ferda at first that I was a little worried. Now you’re finally seeing him properly and opening your heart to him, so I’m happy.”
“Ugh….”
Her face twisted as it prickled with embarrassment.
The first problem was that she had mistakenly thought Valdrova meant she liked him as a lover.
The second was that there was nothing incorrect about Valdrova’s words.
That was why she disliked her.
That smiling face.
When that face saw straight through her, even the expression she tried to maintain so casually fell apart.
‘That’s just how Master is.’
Like an awl hidden in a pocket that eventually poked its way out, she was a sovereign.
Those eyes held an insight rivaling that of her father, Silverwind.
It was only because she said nothing and quickly forgot things that she seemed dull, as though her head contained nothing but a flower garden.
‘Master is right.’
To be honest, Luri did have a favorable impression of Ferda.
But not as a man and woman.
If asked whether she loved Ferda, she would shake her head.
If she had to define that affection, it would be something like familial love.
‘Family….’
Ferda was like family to her.
When Ferda was around, he made her turn back to look at his face for no reason, and whenever she became anxious, his face was the first thing that came to mind.
When he said things would go well for him, she somehow felt reassured, as though they truly would.
The only person who had made her feel that way until now was Silverwind, whom she regarded as her father.
‘It’s the same feeling I have for Lord Silverwind….’
That realization embarrassed Luri terribly.
She felt that a man much younger than herself was mature, admired him, and felt comfortable with him—so much so that she now wanted to rely on him.
The more she felt that way, the more strictly she needed to behave as Valdrova’s attendant, but it was not easy.
‘This fact….’
At the very least, Valdrova must not find out.
It was a shame that she absolutely had to keep secret, because it could shatter the image of the attendant she had maintained all this time!
“I’ll just inspect the writing you practiced.”
So she needlessly changed the subject and examined Valdrova’s handwriting.
Elegant handwriting befitting a young noblewoman filled the page.
It became crooked near the end, but that was because she had been shaken by Ferda’s story, so Luri let it pass.
“You’ve reached an impressive level.”
“Right?”
“See? If you try, you can do it.”
“Y-yes, I suppose….”
Valdrova could not hide her amazement either.
“So learning can be this much fun.”
Valdrova looked down at the writing she had been handed and smiled contentedly.
“I want to show Ferda my handwriting and brag a little. I hope he comes back soon.”
“If Master does it, he’s the sort of person who would praise anything and say it was good, isn’t he?”
“He would, wouldn’t he? Hmm… Then should I try to be recognized as an armored knight?”
Viewed with an objective eye unlike Valdrova’s, it could be called an excellent choice.
There was only one problem.
“I won’t stop you if you want to do it, Master, but it would not be advisable.”
“Why?”
“Think about it. What if you and that armored knight fellow used exactly the same handwriting?”
“Hmm… Wouldn’t he fail to notice?”
“You think he wouldn’t?”
“Would he…?”
“Are you talking about the man who has counted the monsters Master killed ever since he came here as your fiancé?”
“H-he did?”
Luri thought his behavior was truly terrifying.
Unlike her, Valdrova smiled shyly at the fact that he had watched her so carefully.
Luri did not understand that sentiment, but she let it pass.
“Besides, the handwriting you’re practicing now is used by noblewomen. If a large man were writing in a woman’s hand, that would be strange in its own way. It would be better for you to practice and use a man’s handwriting separately.”
“Hmm… Then I’ll keep using this handwriting as it is and practice a second one.”
Although she was bothered by having to learn what she had already learned all over again, the prospect of receiving another compliment made her smile.
‘And since something good happened to Ferda too, I can talk about that, right?’
She had a feeling there would finally be some proper talk between a man and a woman.
When he returned, she would hold a tea party.
And they would share many stories.
“Hmm….”
Valdrova closed her eyes and thought quietly before opening her mouth.
“Luri.”
“Yes, Master?”
“Do you think Ferda… is satisfied?”
Luri tilted her head.
“What do you mean by satisfied…?”
“He isn’t always by my side, and we’ve been like this.”
“You are still engaged, and if we put it in human terms, he is roughly the equivalent of a live-in son-in-law. Even if they share a room, it is common for a partner not to have contact with their spouse.”
“I-is that so?”
“Of course, Master has no need to follow such customs. If there is something you want, please do not hesitate to say so.”
At Luri’s words, Valdrova fidgeted before finally forcing the words out.
“That’s why….”
She asked,
“What would happen if I went to the Empire to meet Ferda?”
* * *
The boulevard running from the outer walls of the capital of the Arken Empire to the Imperial Palace was famous for being the widest road on the continent.
Wide enough for eight carriages to move along it at once, the street remained packed with people from sunrise to sunset.
It led to the Imperial Palace, but it was also a great root from which every road branched out.
The only time that street could be emptied was when the blood of House Arken—the imperial family—was on the move. Even Valdemar could not control it.
Yet that street had been cleared for someone who was not a member of the imperial family.
On the continent of Serdes, there was only one being recognized as standing above even the Emperor.
“The Red Dragon, Lady Valdrova, is coming!”
“Shouldn’t she be in the Far East? Why is she in the Empire…?”
The Empire was already in an uproar because of the demonkind followers.
The fact that the Red Tyrant of the Far East, whom people had heard about only in stories, had set foot here at such a time was anything but ordinary.
People eventually abandoned their work and headed for the boulevard.
A dragon.
Now that contact with dragons had diminished since the Dragon-Demon War, entire generations had never seen one.
No one could suppress the desire to see one with their own eyes, even if it was a terrifying dragon.
Who knew?
Perhaps someone would buy them free beer in exchange for the story of having welcomed that dragon.
Tens of thousands of people crowded the emptied boulevard to watch.
“Pay your respects!”
Luri’s voice thundered across the sky.
Every citizen of the Empire placed both hands on the ground and pressed their foreheads against the earth.
It was the etiquette used when the Emperor traveled.
For someone who stood above the Emperor had set foot in the imperial capital.
Contrary to expectations that she would arrive in a carriage drawn by six white horses, what stepped onto the boulevard were two small, delicate legs.
A wide-brimmed conical hat, with a thin red cloth hanging from it.
The silhouette revealed by the sunlight barely piercing through showed the shape of a woman.
The woman dressed in red walked with dignity.
Those who had stepped outside thinking it would make a good tavern story could not raise their heads.
It was as though their instincts had become dictators at that moment, ruling their bodies and pressing their heads down with boot heels.
The Grand Duke walked down the center of the long boulevard with only one attendant.
The destination they were heading toward soon came into view.
The Regent and her fiancé, Ferda.
He was waiting there with knights and carriages in attendance.
Ferda composed himself more properly than ever.
Within that barely visible silhouette was the Red Dragon, Valdrova.
There was someone who made his heart race so.
Contrary to his expectation that he would tremble, his body remained calm.
As she approached, Ferda politely knelt and bowed his head.
“I greet Your Highness, the great Grand Duke.”
Valdrova returned Ferda’s greeting.
“Raise your head.”
Her manner was unusually solemn.
She possessed the dignity of a king.
“You are the one who will become my consort.”
“……”
“I have received word that you would return bearing good news.”
“You flatter me.”
She extended a hand to Ferda through the red cloth.
“Come, let us return together.”
Ferda stared down at that hand for a long while before carefully taking it.
“Yes, my sovereign.”
Led by her hand, he rose and escorted her.
Valdrova walked elegantly and climbed into the carriage.
The Imperial reporters hurried to sketch Ferda and Valdrova, unwilling to miss the sight that looked like a scene from a painting.
The carriage of the Grand Duchy closed its doors and began to move.
The space that had been under control regained its freedom as soon as they passed beyond the city gate.
The commoners who had bowed their heads could breathe again and finally rise from the ground.
Every one of them had the same thought.
Would anyone believe them if they described the terror they had experienced?
***
The carriage of the Grand Duchy had passed beyond the city gate.
Ferda looked at Valdrova’s face.
She had already removed the wide-brimmed hat, so her face was clearly visible now.
Valdrova noticed Ferda’s gaze and smiled.
“Hehe, why are you looking at me? Your expression looks just like—phew!”
Valdrova’s words were cut off.
Ferda had lunged across at Valdrova and seized her by the throat.
“Shut your mouth.”
Ferda’s voice trembled.
The trembling came from anger.
“Tell me. Who are you?”
“I-I am, aren’t I? Your fianc—”
“There will not be a second warning.”
Ferda’s eyes shone an icy blue.
“Her face is still vivid in my mind. You can’t confuse me with a woman like you.”
The real Valdrova was a sovereign, but she was nothing like the woman before him.
The sharp eyes and sleek figure of the woman before him were completely unlike hers.
They might have suited a Sovereign Dragon or a tyrant, but they did not suit Valdrova.
“Who are you?”
If she said anything foolish, he would truly kill her.
Valdrova screamed.
“Eeeek! It’s Penelope! Please spare me!”
Her red hair turned pink, and her two pairs of horns returned to their demonic form.
It was Penelope.
Contrary to his expectation that seeing her face would calm his anger, his rage only continued to grow.
“You insolent demon woman.”
Ferda ground his teeth.
“How dare you impersonate her and come here without knowing your place?”
Ferda’s anger was not merely because she had impersonated Valdrova.
When her figure had gradually approached him, Ferda had mistaken her for the real Valdrova.
Only afterward had he begun to suspect that various details were unlike Valdrova, and when Penelope finally opened her mouth, his suspicion became certainty.
He was furious that it had taken him so long to reach that certainty.
“Th-th-th-that’s why!? I was asked to do this too!?”
“Who asked you? She could never have asked someone like you to do such a thing.”
“Surprisingly, she did?!”
He could not believe it.
Ferda raised his head and looked at Penelope.
She closed her mouth and sighed through her nose.
Ferda could not understand.
“Why….”
Ferda asked like a man watching the world collapse around him.
“Why did she ask someone like you to do this?”
“Uh, well… That is….”
Penelope scratched her cheek awkwardly as she answered.
“Because the Grand Duke and I are friends?”
Ferda wondered what kind of absurdity he was hearing.
“It… seems like it might be a long story, but I’m not sure I really have to explain—.”
“Tell me everything.”
Blue flames burned in Ferda’s eyes.
“Everything that happened between you and her. Leave nothing out.”