Chapter 64 - Dilemma

A blizzard raged so fiercely that one couldn't even see ahead.

The cold air that seeped in every now and then.

But an atmosphere even colder than that seemed to pierce Ferda's heart.

His eyes stared clearly at the intruder.

"A pleasure to meet you. Regent."

He introduced himself with a sly face as he stepped on the snow.

"My name is Abel, one of the children of Silverwind. I don't know if you remember, but I was the one guarding the door when the Grand Council was held."

"..."

"What are you doing out in the outskirts like this? Did you come to enjoy some sightseeing while getting hit by the northern snow?"

"..."

"Hmm, but it seems like too stupid of a move for someone who came for sightseeing. You aren't some foolish old man out foraging for herbs. Someone of a Regent's standing should know that this is Silverwind's territory."

"..."

Abel slowly walked toward Ferda, mocking him.

Ferda backed away deeper inside in tandem with his steps.

"Why aren't you saying anything? Have you lost your nerve because you're too scared?"

"It's just because I find it fascinating."

"Excuse me? What's fascinating?"

"How could I not be fascinated when the beast right in front of my eyes is talking?"

There was no one in front of Ferda except Abel.

"Haha, is that so?"

Abel smiled even deeper.

The moment his sauntering footsteps touched down on the ground, his figure disappeared.

SWOOSH!

Leaving behind only the wind and its sound, he moved right in front of Ferda.

He let out a loud laugh.

"You make such mischievous jokes. Haha!"

Abel struck Ferda's chest with his index finger, as if flicking it.

CRACK!

"Keugh!"

Bones broke with a hideous sound.

Ferda coughed from the pain.

"Oops! Does it hurt? I just gave you a little tap as a joke, though?"

"Cough, cough!"

"No, but I really just gave it a little tap. What are we going to do if your ribs break? Hmm? How can someone who's a Regent have such a weak body? Your body won't survive when you're doing the deed at night."

Ferda spat out the blood pooling in his mouth.

He had a nonchalant face, as if he were merely spitting out saliva.

"You talk a hell of a lot."

"Wow, this is truly surprising. I heard you fearlessly defied Goz. I guess it wasn't just because you had Blancaros backing you up."

Abel grabbed Ferda by the collar and lifted him up.

He raised his claws, showing them off as a warning.

"But it isn't a good idea to keep acting up against the descendants of Silverwind. We aren't exactly a race known for our mercy, you know?"

Ferda checked his remaining magic power with a relaxed face.

He had enough magic power left to use 4th-tier magic a few times.

'So, can I beat this dragon spawn?'

Impossible.

This was on a completely different level from when he fought the dark elf.

However, he never showed the slightest sign of being at a disadvantage.

In response, Ferda snorted.

"Were the descendants of Silverwind... a race that encouraged making deals with Demons?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb. I already know that you're the one supposed to clean up after Sitri. You were probably aiming for the Demon we were supposed to rescue."

The hand gripping his neck suddenly tightened.

It was tight enough to be slightly painful.

It meant that he was shaken.

Ferda continued to run his mouth.

"What were you planning to do by getting into bed with that bitch? Were you sick of the rules you kept for hundreds of years, and decided to enjoy a promiscuous sex life instead?"

"Hah! Do you think we're beasts that just breed and raise kids like you humans? Fighting is far better than doing something so boring!"

His vertically slit pupils flashed sharply.

"Right now, an unworthy bastard is sitting on the throne. That bastard calls himself the successor of Silverwind and harbors our father's soul."

A blade of treason aimed at Goz Silverwind.

"Strange. It doesn't suit a bastard like you, either."

"Ah, I know. If I opposed Goz, I'd be beaten to a bloody pulp and die in less than a few seconds. Leader Goz is just that strong."

He gave a sinister smile.

"But Luri Silverwind is different."

A familiar name popped out.

"Do you know just how incredible that little kid is?"

"I know she is strong."

"She isn't just strong. As the commander of the mobile brigade Silver Wing, she was the only one who could challenge Leader Goz of the royal guard. When the topic of who would succeed Lord Silverwind was brought up, the two of them were the ones discussed."

"Is that why Goz is trying to kill her?"

"No. Leader Goz wants to keep her by his side. That is also why a war hasn't started."

A war hasn't started because of that?

"What do you mean?"

"Grand Duchess Valdrova and Silverwind. If a war broke out between the two, whose side do you think Luri Silverwind would take? If she chooses to stick to Valdrova's side, she would have to die. Leader Goz will not allow her death."

It was unexpected.

To think that the reason they couldn't wage war all this time was because Luri was there.

Regardless of Goz's current stance, Abel's intention in bringing this up was clear.

"But you are different from Goz."

"Luri is a warrior who doesn't use her sword. What would you do with a warrior like that?"

"Take the sword away, I suppose."

"Exactly. Holding onto a great sword and not using it is a sin in itself. And I merely intend to use that sword that Luri Silverwind refuses to use."

He understood.

This was the very condition of his deal with Sitri.

Luri, who possessed the power to stand against Goz.

In exchange for making that power entirely his own, he was cleaning up after her.

'Stagnant water is bound to rot.'

No matter how much they were dragon spawns, they were powerless before time.

His greed was trying to kill them all.

'Luri...'

Ferda called her name in his mind.

A strange annoyance surged from deep within his chest.

That annoyance settled into the form of killing intent.

That annoyance slipped through his lips and burst out as a laugh.

"Truly surprising."

"Haha, do you finally have the energy to flatter me now that it's time for you to die?"

"No. Supplementing your own weaknesses is an important thing. If you lack something, borrowing it is also a basic fundamental."

Ferda smiled along with him.

"What I find so surprising is that a dumbass like you actually has the brains to think of such fundamentals."

SNAP!

He snapped Ferda's index finger.

"Kkkugh..."

"You really flap your jaw too freely. This won't do. I'll have to play with you a bit more."

Leaving the snapped index finger alone, he grabbed Ferda's middle finger this time.

"Well, I suppose I have to. That way, that bitch Luri will submit."

"Luri won't bat an eye."

That child hated humans.

And she hated Ferda.

No matter what he did, it was never enough for her, and she hated everything about him.

So even if he threatened her, nothing would change for her.

And before she even arrives, you will die.

Just then.

Another sound pierced through the blizzard.

Visible within the pure white flurries of snow was a small figure.

"What... are you doing right now?"

It was Luri.

Her expression was quite different from what Ferda had pictured.

She was shaken.

* * *

The story Luri heard from the spirit was simple.

That Ferda had made a deal with a Demon in order to infiltrate.

And that he had fallen into a trap.

At the very least, what the spirit saw took on that appearance.

Because of that, Luri rapidly flew to Count Concillus's territory and pinpointed the location where Ferda had gone.

The time it took her in total was five minutes.

She stepped into the cave with the plan to quickly grab Ferda and escape.

But it was already too late.

There stood a Silver Dragon spawn.

And a battered and bruised Ferda.

"What... are you doing right now?"

A threatening killing intent radiated from Luri's body.

Luri's killing intent was so strong that, bizarrely despite being a dragon spawn, she could project Dragon Fear.

Even though that killing intent was aimed at Abel, he didn't panic.

Smiling brightly at her appearance, he spoke.

"Luri Silverwind. We meet again. Do you remember me?"

"You are the one who was with Percival."

"Oh, you do remember. Well, it hasn't even been two weeks, so it's only natural."

Abel grinned.

Luri found that smile disturbing.

She felt like fleeing this place right this instant.

The more unpleasant she felt, the more fierce Luri's expression became.

"Release Ferda."

"I don't want to?"

"If you refuse—"

"What are you going to do? Start a war?"

At those words, Luri faltered.

"You have entered Silverwind's territory. And the same goes for this human right here."

"..."

"I have a justified cause. Luri Silverwind. If you are also a Silverwind, don't you know very well? If we arrest those who invade our territory, or if they resist too fiercely...?"

Biting her lower lip, she forced the words out.

"Summary execution..."

"You know very well! Yes! Execution!"

Abel shouted as if he was thrilled.

There was no way she could accept that.

"If you kill her fiancé, Grand Duchess Valdrova won't sit still. If that happens, the entirety of Silverwind will have to face her."

"Try it! If you can, that is! Then war will break out!"

Abel giggled and mocked her.

"What would you gain by doing that? Silverwind's descendants will die off, and your master will shoulder yet another burden of guilt."

"Ugh...!"

"Is that what you want? If so, go ahead and run your mouth to everyone!"

Luri was greatly shaken.

Every time he spoke, he completely struck her weak point.

"Luri. This bastard was instigated by a Demon."

"A Demon's...?"

CRACK!

"Oh my, you keep saying useless things. Don't you know your life is in my hands? Why are you acting up like this?"

Luri's gaze contained an even deeper sense of disgust.

But to Abel, even that disgust was on a cute level.

"Let's say I did join hands with a Demon. So go ahead and testify if you want! Say that I was possessed by a Demon. That I was possessed by a Demon and am holding two trespassers captive! But no one will listen."

He acted as if he had a clear conscience.

No, on the surface, he had no choice but to appear innocent.

"Because there won't be any trace of making a deal with a Demon on my body."

Those words were likely true.

Ferda had also made a deal with Sitri, but there was no seal marking the contract.

The only thing they had was mere suspicion.

But there was no way anyone would believe that suspicion.

The turncoat Luri versus the royal guard Abel.

There was already a difference based on who was speaking.

"You can kill me right here. But what do you think will happen to you?"

"I..."

"You betrayed your father, yet you still won't be able to protect what you wanted to protect. Isn't that truly incompetent?"

Abel continued to provoke her.

No words came out of Luri's mouth.

"Incompetent Luri. There is nothing you can do here."

Luri thought about what the best choice would be.

If she left him alone, a war would break out.

Even if she didn't leave him alone, a war would break out.

The castle she had protected would crumble down.

Variables.

She couldn't control variables.

It had always been that way.

"What should..."

She carefully asked with trembling lips.

This was the only way.

A small sacrifice that could protect everyone.

"What do you want me to do?"

Luri knelt down.

Even Abel, who had been mocking her with a laugh, looked surprised.

"Haha... it was real."

Abel's body trembled.

"Luri Silverwind actually knelt."

He hadn't even imagined it.

The impenetrable wall of the North.

The nightmare of the Frost Giants.

Luri Silverwind, who was at the center of that reputation, crumbled down with just a few words.

A sinister smile hung on Abel's mouth.

Luri Silverwind's power was now his.

That sense of accomplishment was short-lived.

"If that is your will."

Just then, Ferda's voice rang out.

"So be it."

At the same time, Abel's body violently lurched.

"Kuhuk!"

Abel vomited blood right where he stood.

His entire body lost its strength as he fell to his knees.

He let go of Ferda, whom he had been holding by the collar.

Abel clearly felt it.

Something was heavily crushing his heart.

Was it Luri's doing?

That couldn't be.

Although she could use spirit magic and simple spells, it was impossible for her to mess with his insides without leaving an external wound.

There was exactly one variable left.

Bleeding, Abel raised his head.

Ferda, whom he had been playing with, was standing tall in that very spot.

He was emitting a blue glow from his eyes.

As expected, it was his doing.

However, there was only one thing he hadn't expected.

It was the darkness.

There was only a pitch-black darkness that not even the eyes of a dragon spawn could pierce through.

Luri had arrived.

He could roughly guess how she had made it here.

She must have left a wind spirit behind and heard its report.

She had undoubtedly rushed over quickly after hearing that he was in danger.

It was a very swift response.

However, it was the worst possible outcome.

She would have been the most reassuring reinforcement to anyone else, but at this moment, her presence itself was a terrible move.

Because he knew that Abel was targeting Luri.

Abel started running his mouth.

Every time he said something, Ferda could feel him digging into Luri's heart.

Abel was reading Luri with pinpoint accuracy.

He was needlessly clever.

'Was this the deal?'

Ferda instinctively realized that this was a Demon's advice.

'A story that wouldn't have worked in the slightest if a Demon had told it.'

But it was a story she had no choice but to be swayed by if told by one of her own kind.

A dilemma.

She was being forced into an impossible choice between Grand Duchess Valdrova and Silverwind's descendants.

'She can't abandon either side.'

Ferda knew the reason.

And because of that.

"What do you want me to do?"

He watched Luri kneel.

The best choice that could embrace both of those options.

And...

'The worst choice.'

Now he understood.

'Is this how you ensnared Luri?'

A Demon's scheme and an ambition that didn't fit his standing.

All of that had extended its evil reach toward a child who was only trying to protect peace.

'Is that why she didn't remain by Valdrova's side?'

Because she loved peace.

Because she loved Valdrova.

Had she made the worst choice of sacrificing herself?

It was then.

The mana circuits inside Ferda's body began to circulate.

It was a vastly different sensation from when he thought of Valdrova and desperately searched for her.

Something he had buried deep in his chest was slowly creeping up.

It caressed Ferda's heart and rolled the Circle in his core with its fingers.

Valdrova's face overlapped with Luri's helpless face.

She was suffering.

It whispered to him in a sweet voice.

Are you just going to watch?

No.

He couldn't just stand by and watch.

He knew that wasn't Valdrova.

But if Luri disappeared, it would become Valdrova's future.

'That must not happen.'

The chains of restraint shattered.

The mana that had formed in his Red Circle stealthily stretched out in all directions.

It devoured everything within the darkness.

Thus, everything fell into Ferda's grasp.

The cave.

Luri.

Abel, too.

And even the inside of his internal organs.

"Cough, keheuk!"

Abel collapsed and agonized in pain.

Blood poured from his mouth.

He couldn't breathe.

His lungs were destroyed.

"You son, son of a, cough!"

He tried to move to take Ferda down with him, but he couldn't even budge.

The dense darkness and the Red Circle that moved like it was on a rampage.

It was enough to suppress a dragon spawn.

Just moments ago, Abel had the upper hand, but now, the exact opposite was true.

"If you kill me..."

Abel spoke as he vomited blood.

"Every Silverwind will remember your face and name."

The price of killing a dragon spawn was not light.

A life of being hunted down for the rest of one's days, praying to just be able to wake up the next morning.

A life where one couldn't truly be called alive even while living.

"It doesn't matter."

It was something Ferda was already used to.

"I'm thoroughly sick of the threats your kind makes."

Ferda raised his hand.

His black-stained palm looked as though something was placed on top of it.

As if he was gripping an object with a rounded bottom that completely filled his palm.

As if he was gripping a heart.

"If you all desire a war that badly, I won't shy away from it either."

Ferda clenched his fist.