Chapter 71 - Bold Change

Ferda was a little dumbfounded after hearing those words.

She had laid out a good deduction, only for the conclusion to be completely out of nowhere.

A child of a demon?

Was this woman saying all of that just to crack a joke?

He looked at her that way, but Erdes's expression was serious.

No, she was wearing a playful smile, but it was a face that showed she was at least certain her words weren't a joke.

Ferda thought.

How should he respond?

Should he jump up and down in anger, or should he maintain a fed-up expression?

It was Erdes who spoke up amidst the awkward situation.

"I went to see Erembalt Rosnova."

It didn't feel like a simple visit.

She had definitely turned the place upside down.

The Rosnova family.

He had figured she would naturally do a background check from the moment she got involved.

Erdes blinked at Ferda's reaction.

"Oh? Your reaction is a bit surprising. I thought there were many who would flare up if their family was touched."

"That man is someone who wanted to deny my very existence."

After his mother died, Erembalt Rosnova did not treat Ferda as his son.

He turned a blind eye to the harassment from his brothers and the servants, and the atmosphere flowed in a way that even seemed to encourage it.

In a way, his father was at the center of the harassment.

"Such a nice father-son relationship~. Still, he didn't deny your existence. Maybe it's because you're living well under Valdrova."

Erdes continued the story as if she were immediately pulling out her next card.

"But it wasn't the same for your mother."

Mother.

"Oh? You must have loved your mommy terribly, huh? Your expression is changing."

Erdes found his weakness and grinned like a mischievous brat.

"He said he was bewitched by that bitch and spent a dreamlike time with her, only coming to his senses after she died, you know?"

Her childish gestures were starting to get on his nerves.

"It was truly fascinating. Do you know what that guy said? He said he lived for 10 years believing he loved a woman he didn't even love. He said he had been hypnotized for a whole 10 years, can you believe it? It seems the mage's bloodline was passed down properly. No, is it a demon's?"

It was an intention that could be understood without even thinking deeply.

That damn bitch was insulting his mother.

"Anna Rosnova was a wonderful mother."

"Even a hedgehog thinks its own babies are pretty. Especially if it's a child carrying the blood of the demon she loved so much."

"Whether it's a hedgehog or a goblin is none of my business. If you keep running your mouth, I won't just sit still either."

"And what if you don't sit still?"

A gleam shot out from Erdes's two eyes.

"Do you think your petty love for your mother is going to change my deduction?"

Erdes was shaking Ferda's emotions.

She despised dark magic.

She despised demons.

She despised Red Circle possessors.

Ferda read her intention.

She was trying to shake his emotions and induce a rampage.

'Look, this is the true face of those who follow dark magic.'

Yes, it was an obvious intention.

Even though it was such an obvious intention, he couldn't help but get swept up in it.

Even the Order of Altes, whose doctrine was to show mercy, heartlessly killed those who set foot in their sacred domain.

His mother was a sacred domain.

He killed anyone who touched it without exception.

'Erdes Roton.'

'It seems you are destined to die by my hands in this life as well.'

"Don't you think you've strayed too far from the subject, Erdes Roton?"

A tone like a noble lady's could be heard.

Ferda remembered this voice.

To Ferda, who remembered people he disliked better than those he liked, she was an unforgettable existence.

He turned his head and saw her.

A woman with blue hair wearing a uniform.

Erica Iorga.

She was the leader of the Blue Dragon spawns.

Why was she here?

Ferda averted his gaze and sneakily glanced at Luri.

As if to answer that, Luri slyly gave him a thumbs up.

For now, it seemed she was an ally.

"Strayed from the subject? What do you mean by that?"

"Isn't the subject we're talking about right now definitely regarding Abel Silverwind's death? It's painfully obvious that you're trying to shake his emotions by so naturally calling his mother a demon."

"He's a child of a demon, so of course he would have received benefits from Sitri, right?"

"Demons do not help other demons. And it makes no sense for the Great Demon Sitri to help him just because they are of the same race."

She defended Ferda using the characteristics of demons.

Erdes smiled and twirled her golden thread-like hair with her index finger.

It meant she was annoyed.

"It's been a while, Erica dear. Have you been doing well?"

"Yes, it's been a while, Erdes Roton."

Erdes, who called her without hesitation, and Erica, who smiled while keeping her formalities.

However, a war of nerves no less intense than the one between Goz and Ferda went back and forth between the two.

"Iorga is still going strong, right? Hmm? I heard there's been a lot of gossip at the Magic Tower lately."

"There's no need to worry. Compared to the criticism you've received, Erdes, it's just a drop in the bucket, mere dust on a fly's front leg. It's at a manageable level."

"Oh, really? Still, a jewel that's supposed to shine brightly shouldn't have any little flaws, right? At the very least, a leader shouldn't tolerate such things."

"It's fine. It's because we're in a different class from those who claim to be jewels without even realizing they are broken glass."

The two of them maintained their smiles in a situation where even a graze was a critical hit.

Unlike Ferda, a deep divide could be felt between them.

As he watched that conversation, he felt his anger at the insult slowly subsiding.

"To continue the defense, what Ferda uses is a shadow art. It doesn't align with Sitri, who governs hallucinations and lust, so claiming he made a deal with a demon is incorrect."

"Amon could give Marbas's grimoire. Something like that isn't impossible, you know."

Amon is the demon of fire, and Marbas is the demon of ice; they are bitter enemies.

"That might be true if it benefits them. But that would be meaningless, and there's no way demons would do something so meaningless. How can someone who calls herself an authority on dark magic not even know that?"

It was exactly as Erica said.

It would be like putting in the effort only to make someone else look good.

There was no way the demons would tolerate that.

And Erdes knew it too.

The fact that she was throwing a tantrum.

She was just being unreasonable and trying to forcefully shake him.

She was extremely annoyed by Erica, who had suddenly appeared and interfered.

"So you think it's fine for the man who will become the dragon's Consort to use dark magic? Or is your reason for ruthlessly driving Valdrova to become an Evil Dragon just some bullshit trick to induce her to take her own life? Erica dear, unlike your pure white clothes, your insides are pitch black, huh?"

"Just because Regent Valdrova uses dark magic does not mean his true nature is evil."

She asserted this firmly, and Erdes let out a scoff as if she was dumbfounded.

"Erica dear. I've told you time and time again, haven't I? That damn dark magic is a filthy thing that pollutes Serdes. I want to wipe out every last one of those bastards."

That was the mysophobia Erica possessed.

"Human Red Circles originate from emotions. And among those, the easiest are negative emotions. Those negative emotions draw out the darkness. Those who use dark magic are a threat."

"Among the virtues of a knight, there is a saying to use your anger. If one knows how to handle negative emotions, it is by no means a bad thing."

"It's the magic of those demon bastards trying to swallow the continent."

"The intentions of demons themselves are impure, but you cannot argue that it is unconditionally bad just because it was derived from a demon."

"Hah, you're still caught up in that damn Dragon-Demon War. So what? You participated in it too, and since you used dark magic to help turn the tide of the war, you think you have a say in this?"

This was yet another surprising fact.

Erica Iorga.

Unlike other spawns, she was an Elemental Master and a Meister capable of wielding all elements.

He learned for the first time today that she used dark magic.

"Erica dear, that's not magic. It's a tool that hands humans a sense of omnipotence, draws out their innate evil nature, and makes not only themselves but even others miserable, you know?"

"No, you are wrong."

Erica also asserted firmly.

"Magic is a tool, and it falls on the person wielding it. Even if it is the magic of Hell, if it is worth researching and developing, then it must be used."

"So you believe this little brat is going to use it well?"

Erdes motioned toward Ferda with her chin.

Erica also turned her eyes to look at Ferda.

She had a look in her eyes as if she had made some sort of decision.

"When it is time to change, one must do so boldly."

Erica spoke, articulating each and every syllable clearly.

"I, Erica Iorga, as the representative of all Blue Dragon spawns, propose an alliance with the Grand Duchy's territory of Valdrova right here and now."

She used the shock of the sudden alliance declaration to pressure the opposing side.

"If Silverwind's side declares all-out war, Iorga's side will fight to protect the Grand Duchy's territory."

Her voice, overflowing with appeal, countered the opponent's momentum.

Erdes, who had been twirling her hair with her finger, made a fed-up expression.

"You're making a big mistake right now, Erica dear. You're jumping into a pit of fire, you know?"

"You are too extreme, both now and in the past. If I leave Regent Ferda as he is, I know perfectly well how you will torment him, so how could I just sit still?"

"You can just sit still, can't you? Who told you to step in? What does that have to do with you, Erica dear?"

"He is the man who declared the recapture of the far east, something no one has brought up for over 100 years. As someone who protects the continent, if he made that declaration, I have no choice but to support him."

"Hmm. So you're saying you're going to side with that young thing?"

Her eyes became even more vicious.

She looked itching to throw away the conversation and everything else to start a battle right this instant.

Goz, who had been sitting quietly and watching the situation, opened his mouth.

"Erdes."

"Yeah, why don't you say something too! They have two people and we have two people, so we can make something happen!"

"Let's head back now."

"I'll take that bitch, so—what?"

Erdes's eyes went wide as she glared at Goz.

"What are you talking about? I haven't even finished talking yet?!"

"All I wanted was the full story. I only needed to know what Abel, that bug-like bastard, had done."

"I told you!! That could be a trap that Regent Ferda set—!"

"He already made a deal before he died, didn't he?"

"That's true, but—!!"

"Then that's the end of it. That bug made a deal, and the Regent executed him. That doesn't change."

"You can just ask why he executed him on his own without permission!? Why are you people with nothing but ice in your heads suddenly trying to think!?"

"A guy who made a deal with a demon and still couldn't even beat a single human got off cheap with a fate like that."

Goz stood up from his seat and walked toward the door as if he had nothing more to say.

"Then I will be taking my leave now."

His eyes subtly took in Luri one last time before he left down the hallway.

Erdes, who was watching his retreating figure, made a displeased expression and then glared at Ferda.

"It seems the conversation is over. Regent Ferda, shall we end it like this?"

Eyebrows twitching three times a second.

It contained both a question asking if he had anything to clarify and a provocation to fight more.

Ferda, his head now cooled, answered.

"I'll see you out."

"No. I might not need that? When I'm next to Dark Mages, it makes me want to die. Or does it make me want to kill them? I'm not really sure. Anyway, that's how it is, okay?"

Now she revealed her disgust without any sign of hiding it.

And then she spun around, running down the hallway with loud thumps while shouting.

"Ah, damn it! Go together! Seriously!! Is it a racial trait of yours to just abandon a lady rather than escorting her!?"

* * *

The death of Abel Silverwind.

The deal with a demon that Ferda had made.

Contrary to the thought that those two storms would come and sweep everything away, the matter had been safely concluded.

He wanted to take a breather, but he couldn't do that right now.

Ferda cast his gaze to the opposite side.

The seats that Goz and Erdes had occupied were now taken by Erica.

Ferda asked her.

"Why did you help me?"

At that question, Erica's eyebrow twitched upward.

It was a voice full of a dragon spawn's pride.

"Shouldn't you be saying thank you here? I helped you, didn't I?"

"It was something I could have perfectly handled on my own."

"You say that even though you were swept up in Erdes's pace. That woman's skill at getting under people's skin is truly extraordinary. I can brush it off flexibly since I've fought with her so much, but it isn't easy for other people."

She was right.

Because Ferda had also unwittingly gotten swept up in it.

"And you went ahead and proposed an alliance on your own."

"If you were dissatisfied, you should have thrown water on it, shouldn't you? And maybe even provoked those fools with nothing but ice in their heads?"

He had never asked for her help, but if he said it hadn't been helpful, that would be a lie born of pure pride.

"Of course, I will express my gratitude for resolving the matter smoothly."

"I gladly accept that gratitude."

"However, the alliance is a matter that needs further thought."

"It seems my sincerity did not reach you during my defense this time."

"I do not believe in such things."

"Yes, I know. People like you need proof."

As if she had been waiting, she swiftly flicked her finger.

At that moment, a clipboard revealed its shape in midair and was placed on the refreshment table.

"What is this?"

"Do you see the date here? 150 years ago."

"Yes."

"After the first Dragon-Demon War, on the day the Grand Council was first held under Blancaros's initiative, the day before she was designated as an Evil Dragon on the grounds that her true nature was evil. This is the motion that our Iorga proposed on the very next day."

The beginning of that document was written as follows.

-Project: Hestia

Hestia was the name of a little-known ancient myth about a woman who guarded the fire.

It was additionally noted that the secrecy level was maximum, and the execution priority was highest.

Ferda checked the contents.

The summary stated that Iorga was researching to remove the madness of Godwin dwelling within Valdrova's body, and that it was still currently ongoing.

He skimmed the dates for the rest of it and then closed it.

"What are you trying to say?"

"Simply that Iorga's will was not to use Valdrova as a shield."

"Why should we interpret it that way? If we just think that Iorga started this because she felt threatened by Godwin from that time, that's the end of it."

"I brought something else as well, knowing you would think that."

So, setting the document aside, this time she pulled out a heavy object.

It was a crystal ball.

"This is the recording of this motion. This content will prove that Iorga had the intention of protecting Valdrova."

If it was a voice recording, it was a different story.

Above all, since this internal data wasn't made with the intention of showing it to the outside, their true feelings would be clearer.

Ferda nodded his head.

He blew mana into the crystal ball, and the crystal ball reproduced the situation from that time.

["Iorga, is this motion what I think it is?"]

It was Erica's voice.

Someone replied to that voice.

["That's right."]

It was very short, but Ferda knew that this voice belonged to the Blue Dragon Iorga.

Even though it was just a recording, it was a resonance that allowed him to feel just how deep her mana was.

["I am against it."]

That opposing voice was Erica again.

She opposed it more fiercely than any of the voices he could hear.

["We have absolutely no reason to help that damn lizard!"]

“Ahem!”

Erica let out a fake cough and temporarily paused the crystal ball's playback.

She tried to explain the situation calmly, but a flustered voice popped out.

"At that time, many of our spawns had also died, so I was emotional. Please take that into consideration."

"I will do so."

He didn't like the content of what she was saying, but one thing was certain.

The content of this crystal ball was completely unedited and raw.

["No. We have to help her. Because that child has no reason to be called an Evil Dragon. The reason she went on such a rampage was because of Godwin's influence."]

["Then shouldn't we kill her? If she has become unstable, isn't that what we have to do?"]

["We can't kill her. Godwin is already dead, and Silverwind is dead too. There must be no more sacrifices."]

["I cannot understand this, Iorga. Don't you hate Valdrova more than anyone else? You're going to help your enemy?"]

["I do hate her. But I only hate her because she's stupid. Not on the level of her true nature being evil or anything like that. We cannot kill that child."]

He could feel it.

Iorga understood Valdrova.

And she was worried about her.

["What if a second Godwin is born from this? What if that is what will befall our future?"]

["That won't happen. That child will constantly resist and endure her destabilized self."]

That this research was purely to help Valdrova.

["It's because she's so stupid that she can even manage to do that much."]

However, the insults began.

["She's only good at fighting, she's dull and not very smart, and since she knows nothing, the inside of her head is no different from a flower garden—"]

“Ahem!”

["And despite that, she's cowardly, easily hurt, and can't even assert herself properly—"]

“A-ahem!”

["An Aspect of Power who doesn't even lead a single spawn, trying to shoulder everything on her own—it's no different from a red lizard slapping on some wings and clumsily flailing around in the air because she doesn't use her head—."]

“Cough! Cooough! Hack!”

Erica coughed like someone choking on her saliva and eventually stopped the record.

"..."

Erica's forehead was damp with a cold sweat.

Only then did Erica remember.

What kind of conversation followed after this.

That was why she politely made a request to Ferda.

"Umm... would it be alright if we skipped ahead about 10 minutes?"