Chapter 102

Chapter 102: Sitting Upright

Sitting Upright
Chapter 102. Seiza

After finishing her conversation with the Armored Knight, Erica went to find Ferda.

Her features were familiar to him, but the decisive elements were a bit different.

She was in a state of perfect human mimicry, with no horns, no tail, no wings.

Nominally, it was a visit from a Platinum-rank adventurer, ‘Eri’.

— Has your body recovered?

— Yes. The convulsions have subsided and I have returned to a level where I can wield light mana.

For a human, it would take 3 years of pure mana cultivation to recover, but he recovered in barely 3 hours.

True to dragons who study magic all their lives, even deep internal injuries showed rapid healing as if they were minor wounds.

— I heard that the adventurers did not participate much in this incident.

Erica brought up the uncomfortable topic first.

— Yes. That was how it was.

— Those damn faith-peddling bastards are leaking the list and proceeding with the revocation of qualifications as we speak, so do not worry.

Cheap vulgarity blended into the formal tone, without there being any sense of incongruity.

And what was there to worry about?

He had not expected anything from the beginning, so there was no betrayal to speak of.

Those greedy to be the first to choose are all of the same stripe anyway.

“Still, it is a town being built to house adventurers, and yet, only bugs swarm through it.”

At this rate, wouldn’t building it be useless?

Revoking qualifications is one thing, but countermeasures were needed as countermeasures.

— We will take care of the countermeasures somehow. You only need to lend us your name, Regent-nim.

— Would my name be of help?

— With the Master of the Blue Eye Tower and Valdrova’s consort joining forces, at the very least, it is possible to cut off the head of the current Association President.

How could a simple human avoid the breath of two dragons?

It was a serious problem that would not be resolved even with connections.

— In any case, only harsh words come out of this, so let us not mention it further. There is something else we must confront right now.

What Erica mentioned was one thing.

— Do you mean Gokma?

— Yes. That bastard, whom we naturally believed dead since he never showed himself.

Gokma.

Also called Godwin’s Seven Scourge Stars, they were the seven recognized close aides of the Demon King, calamity-like existences that exerted the deepest influence on the continent.

Among them, the most underestimated Scourge Star was in fact Gokma.

The situation could not be otherwise.

He lost his life to the kitchen knife of a newly awakened Hero, so there was a lack of data to view objectively.

That death became the catalyst that awakened vigilance toward humans, and they fought desperately to prevent the birth of heroes.

— I did not know Gokma would be so strong.

— Is he strong compared to the other six Scourge Stars?

— He was not at a comparable level. At least, from what I felt just now…

He could be similar to the Demon King.

But she deliberately did not say it.

Because Erica herself was not sure.

She thought that judgment might be an excuse born of the fear and shame of her own defeat.

Ferda also recalled Gokma’s appearance, which he had confirmed with his own eyes.

A body completely covered by a robe.

Inside was a slender body similar to his, and red eyes.

“White Hand.”

The demons Ferda knew had black skin.

— Are the Noble class ones white?

— No. Even the Demon King had black skin, and the other aides were the same.

— Gokma was not like that.

— Yes. That is right. That was what intrigued me as well.

Ferda remembered clearly, and it was the same for Erica.

The color of the fingers extending outside the robe was unmistakably white.

— Perhaps that could be one of the reasons he was able to be so strong. If he utilized the power that Godwin left behind, repeatedly transforming and altering himself to maximize his power…

— There is a possibility.

The truth is unknown, but Ferda agreed to a certain extent.

That Dark Elf named Linne was also creating a drug that generates Knight-class demons in an instant, wasn’t she?

They learn from the past and prepare to advance into the future.

If there is an opportunity, they will not hesitate.

So that humans are left with no ‘next time’.

— I do not know why bastards like those touched Hestia Village. It does not seem like they intended to wipe it out just because it was a nuisance…

The number of wolf monsters that Gokma sent to the village was 15.

But the number of monsters he poured out to escape was the astonishing figure of 4 times that.

If he had poured that amount into the village from the beginning, at least dozens would have died and hundreds would have been injured.

That lukewarmness was surely a probe.

If so, a probe for what?

It was difficult for them to understand that demons, who only desire certain destruction, would conduct a probe.

— For now, the best thing would be to build the wall first.

Erica made that suggestion.

— Do you think the demons will come again?

— There is no reason for them to return given their methods, but the thoughts of the people living there are different.

— It is a fair point.

Right now, we must see through the eyes of the public, not a leader.

In any case, an incident broke out and there were casualties.

That corpse lying on the road could have been theirs.

A seed called anxiety was planted in them.

If I stay in this city, someday that kind of fate will be mine.

Before this winter passes,

Perhaps tomorrow,

No, it could be tonight.

Even if it was just for show, it was better to let them know they were being protected.

“They say labor is always scarce…”

If they build a wall, the labor allocated to urban planning also decreases.

The infrastructure construction trend will naturally shrink.

It is a troublesome variable for Isabella, who is in the middle of urban planning.

— Let us handle the city matter that way, and shall we talk about the item I brought?

Erica took something out of her pocket and placed it on the table.

It was an amulet holding an orange gem.

— It is an Anti-Demon Amulet.

The conceptual item she had mentioned before the alliance.

Ferda, who had heard it was still in the research stage, felt it was fast.

— We will have to test how much demonic energy it blocks in the actual Demonic Land, but if I predict, it can protect against 95% of infiltrating demonic energy.

— So 5% leaks through.

— Even that 5% is an astonishing achievement based on the deep interior of the Demonic Land. It allows humans to set foot in a place they originally should not enter.

— How long can one last with that?

— If one takes the risk, three days. The safe range would be approximately one day.

One day.

— Wouldn’t time also be needed to detoxify after exposure to demonic energy?

— Our Blue Eye scholars recommend approximately half a month of rest.

— So work one day, rest 15 days.

— Yes, it is too long.

Adventure is originally something where the preparation period is longer, but half a month is too much.

Given that it involves exploring uncharted regions, producing results is difficult.

Above all, the flaw is that it makes you think too much.

“Thinking too much about adventure is poison.”

When risks must be taken, one must not think too much.

When thoughts increase, one naturally becomes afraid, and fear leads to melancholy.

Melancholy is a deadly poison that shortens an adventurer’s life.

— It is not that the adventurer profession is judged by efficiency, but even considering that, it is not good. If we could reduce it by about a week, that would be truly great…

— One week…

Is there a way to solve it?

He thought that, but Ferda soon stopped.

In any case, this is not something that can be solved with Ferda’s ability.

That was why he answered like this.

— I will tell Vernel.

— That genius scholar? The one who recently gained merits in Halim as well?

Erica asked, her face full of anticipation.

It was the first time she showed such anticipation upon hearing a human’s name.

— Can that person solve it?

— He will be able to solve it.

He did not know how, but Erica raised no doubts.

“If it is a person of Regent Ferda, perhaps it is possible.”

His capabilities were among the best not only among his fellow humans, but among all humans she had experienced.

She tried to peek into his head, but rather feared her own shallowness would be exposed.

Erica thought there must be an incomprehensible wisdom unique to Ferda.

In fact, he did not have a proper plan either.

Ferda thought this.

“Vernel will manage somehow.”

Ferda still does not know how magitech works.

In reality, even the assistants working under him barely understand a handful of things, so how would Ferda understand it?

So the answer in his head was that whether he could truly achieve it was also unknown.

Even so, if it is Vernel, he is a magitech genius, so he will give some answer.

Only Vernel was being worn down by that vague hope.

Late at night, when all the work was finished,

Ruri went down to Valdrova’s lair.

As usual, she carried summarized contents to discuss the situation.

However, her expression was not the usual one.

It was a face as if she were going to confront a prisoner trapped in an underground prison.

— Master-nim, it is Ruri. I am entering.

She entered Valdrova’s lair through the small side door.

— Master-nim, what I will tell you today is—.

Ruri’s words were cut off abruptly.

The great dragon’s lair did not have the usual Great Phase wrapped in red scales.

Instead, a small woman was kneeling in seiza without her armor.

— Why are you doing seiza?

She looked at that scene and asked with an astonished voice.

— T-that…….

Valdrova replied in a troubled voice.

— Because Ruri will be angry……?

— I am not angry.

— Really?

— Just…… a little disappointed.

Valdrova fiddled with her fingers and bowed her head deeply.

Those words sounded more painful than anger.

— But, Ruri…….

— Yes.

— How did you know?

— ……I could not help but notice from Valdrova-nim’s demeanor. That demeanor reminded me of the armor’s function.

— Was it that obvious?

— Not exactly, it seems. Ferda-nim does not know, right?

— I see.

Valdrova let out a sigh of relief.

Seeing that, Ruri’s expression turned slightly fierce.

— It is too early to be relieved.

Ruri took something out and showed it to her.

The Rumor of Calamity opened.

— Looking at the records, you have been active under the name Armored Knight.

— Uh, yes…….

— You have already been working here for several months.

— That is right…….

Valdrova’s shoulders sank heavily.

— Vow of Silence. Truly ingenious. If you had spoken, Ferda-nim would have noticed immediately.

— It just happened like that without meaning to…….

— That is right. There is no way Valdrova-nim would do it with such meticulousness.

Ruri sighed.

— Is what you are doing now a human hobby?

— It is not a hobby or anything. T-this is, helping humans.

— …….

True.

This could not even be called a hobby.

A dragon’s hobby mainly refers to doing things that ordinary humans cannot handle.

Leaving great achievements or infamy and suddenly disappearing, boasting the dragon’s greatness to posterity—that can be said to be the main purpose.

But,

What dragon would disguise themselves as a human and do laborer work carrying weights at a construction site?

It is not a great achievement, nor a simple hobby—it is a job that becomes a laughingstock.

As the dragon’s attendant, Ruri did not like that work.

She wanted Valdrova to treat her own power and fame with more appreciation.

— Still…….

Yet without knowing such feelings, Valdrova smiled radiantly and held something out.

— I worked hard and saved this much money?

With pride, she showed her pouch.

Inside were copper coins and silver coins mixed together.

Ruri felt her emotions boiling.

She could get more money than this simply by kicking warehouse goods and dragging them away.

She did not like that appearance of finding reward in a few coins.

This is something to be angry about.

— Is it good?

— Yes. It is good.

— What is good about it?

— I thought, I can do something without breaking anything.

— …….

Hearing those words, surprisingly, her anger subsided.

Ruri knows.

That within that self-deprecation casually cast while laughing so purely, there is an unfathomable abyss.

Only Ruri, who has looked deeply into that interior, can reproach her and pity her.

That joy was only momentary.

Valdrova’s head drooped toward the floor.

— But…… in the end, I broke it again. Is breaking things all I can do?

Valdrova scratched her cheek and smiled foolishly.

— That cannot be. Valdrova-nim is the Phase of Power, you can do greater things.

Ruri hugged her shoulders.

Valdrova leaned her head lightly against her.

— But people were afraid. Because I broke it again…….

— It was only the heat of the moment. Do you not know? Humans are foolish. They fear what is right in front of them, but if they reflect again, they will soon realize Master-nim’s deeds and sing of them.

Valdrova raised her head and looked at Ruri.

Her golden eyes were moist.

— Will they?

— Why do you not confirm it with your own eyes? Wearing that armor.

At Ruri’s words, Valdrova’s eyes opened wide.

— Can I…… keep doing that work?

— You can do it.

— Even if Ruri hates it?

— How could a mere attendant like me stop Master-nim’s will?

Even in this situation, she would not dare do that.

‘If such a trivial hobby can even calm her heart a little and heal her wounds…….’

How could she call it a foolish act and tell her to stop?

Even if it is out of place for a dragon’s dignity, if she can be a little happier, she will gladly endure it.

— Then, then…….

Valdrova asked one more favor with an excited face.

— Can I also become Ferda-ssi’s knight?

She already felt the limit of her patience.

— ……Why do you want to do that?

— Well…… because I could meet Ferda-ssi often?

She said, fiddling with her fingers.

— Do you not meet often already?

— O-of course we meet often…… we meet, but…….

Valdrova answered, scratching her cheek.

— It is a bit…… different from usual, cool.

— ……Cool?

— Ferda-ssi always treats me gently, so I always thought he was a kind person. But…….

— But……?

— That slightly cold treatment made it feel like we had become strangers, so…….

Valdrova’s face turned red.

Her face is no different from that of a woman.

— It made my heart race, or something?

— …….

At that, a fire instantly ignited in Ruri’s heart, which had calmed down.

A light called responsibility burned fiercely in her eyes.

— Master-nim.

— Yes?

— Do seiza.

— Uh, yes?? Why?

— I am going to start a lesson.

The Rumor of Calamity opened in earnest, and Valdrova’s complexion turned pale.

She winced in pain with tears welling up, but even those tears became new lesson material.

Following Ruri’s words, Valdrova went to Hestia Village again.

The same armor, the same act.

She was the Armored Knight herself, hiding nothing.

‘They are watching me.’

Their gazes were felt clearly.

At the same time, even whispering sounds.

— The monster came.

— The monster that kills people again…….

— Kyaaaak!

The auditory hallucinations felt from those sticky gazes tormented her.

‘Should I just go back?’

Her two legs, which did not tremble before any attack, wavered before a fragile heart.

— Knight-nim.

The fog cleared and she returned to reality.

A little girl stepped forward boldly and stood in front of her.

That girl was the little one captured by bad adventurers.

The girl who was almost devoured by a monster’s maw.

And

The girl who saw me as a monster.

— T-thank you…….

The girl barely opened her mouth and held something out.

— Thank you for saving me.

It was a flower.

A common wild flower that you would kick around in the forest.

But Valdrova held that flower as if it were more precious than anything.

The little girl’s toothless smile was more beautiful than anything.