Chapter 108

Chapter 108: Karma

Karma
Chapter 108. Karma

The strike had ended and the dispute was resolved.

The incidents that occurred in Hestia Village were, for the moment, settled.

Of course, they might be settled for the people of Hestia Village, but for Ferda, many more problems persisted.

“The Resurrection of the Demons.”

In the end, the prediction of the Chancellor of Escolleia, Bernard Wayne, had been correct.

After all, it was confirmed that one of those once called the Seven Scars, Gokma, was alive.

“Moreover, he is strong.”

The visible magnitude of his magic power was not that vast, but its depth was different.

The ability to create a subspace with a single flick of his finger.

The power to distort and destroy a designated location with a single snap of fingers.

All of it surpassed Ferda’s abilities.

“If I face him again, would I be able to fight and win against that guy?”

The cards Ferda held.

And the data obtained from observing Gokma.

He simulated battles hundreds of times in his head using those elements.

“Is the win rate in the single decimal points?”

Even that prediction of victory was made under the assumption that an unexpected miracle would arrive.

Furthermore, the virtually simulated Gokma was measured solely with the currently understood power level.

If they clash seriously and he brings out his hidden cards, Ferda has no means to respond.

No matter how he went about it, it meant Ferda’s probability of victory converged to 0%.

“I must become stronger.”

He needed the power to reach a higher realm and subdue him.

“But is that possible right now?”

A territory had been created, and he had to coordinate everything under the Archduchy.

If work grew busy, it would become even busier, and the more so, the more he would neglect his training as a mage and his duties.

“Perhaps it is precisely at times like this that I need to train even more?”

But if that worked as easily as he thought, how comfortable would it be?

The Red Circle fundamentally moves following emotional turmoil.

Affection and hatred are a paper-thin difference.

It is not for nothing that the word love-hate exists.

If it falls into a twisted heart, it will lead to the path of hatred that Ferda knows, and only through vigilance and perseverance will proper growth be achieved.

“But how strong can I become doing that?”

There might be a lighthouse, but it was ridiculously insufficient to illuminate all the fog.

He did not know what lay on the path Ferda walked.

“Wouldn’t it be better if I could… use that power again?”

The Red Circle that rotates with rage.

That was a path Ferda knew, and he knew how to walk it.

Against someone like Gokma, Ferda might be able to subdue him easily.

There is a possibility.

Then, as if awakening from a dream, he shook off the thought.

“……To think I would seriously distress myself over such a stupid thought.”

That power must not be created by any means.

Wasn’t that the emotion that ultimately killed Valdrova?

He must not think he can control it.

Ferda had been trapped in that illusion for 10 years.

Ferda moved on to the next thought as if fleeing.

“Then, means….”

A staff imbued with mana or a scroll inscribed with a magic circle.

Or the byproducts created through magical engineering could also become his means.

“What I used in the past was…….”

It was the staff called the ‘Sixth Element.’

The ultimate armament obtained after a week-long battle in the Tomb of the Immortal King.

“That is not something that can be used.”

It is a relic of the Immortal King, who was the public enemy of the continent in the era prior to the Dragon-Demon War.

Back then, Ferda was alone anyway, no different from a heinous criminal, so using it or not was not an issue.

It did not matter if his reputation fell, but it was an act that would endanger Valdrova.

“Even so, there is an item comparable to it.”

A branch struck by the Reverse Lightning.

An item given as a reward for his meritorious deeds during the monster incident in Halim.

He hadn’t shown it to anyone in particular; it was just something he had set aside briefly.

If he crafted a staff with this, he would be able to wield a mighty pure power, the Reverse Lightning.

“But it is not easy to make either.”

It is natural that the greater the power and efficiency of magic, the greater the difficulty.

It might have been different 100 years ago, but in Ferda’s generation, there was no enchanter or blacksmith outstanding enough to withstand the Reverse Lightning.

The Southwestern Dwarven Village would not handle witches’ items either, and if he asked an elf, they would show hostility as if asking if he was mocking them.

“I have no choice but to persuade the dwarves.”

He had the thought that if he kept persuading them, they would manage it somehow.

While thinking that, a guest arrived.

Knock.

Knock.

A knocking sound with long intervals.

Along with a sound that seemed to lack confidence just from hearing it, the door opened cautiously.

— Ferda-ssi? Are you busy?

A terrifying dragon head appeared.

It was Valdrova.

— No. It’s fine. Do you need mana?

— Yes, today as well, a little…….

— Understood.

No deep conversation was needed, familiarized as they had become.

She wore Dragoon armor exceeding 2 meters.

The only place exposing skin was her right hand.

Ferda extended his hand toward hers and injected his mana.

“Warm, as expected.”

The mana seeping into her chest calmed her anxious heart.

She had felt it many times, but it made her feel comfortable enough to want to feel it many more times.

Perhaps that was why she even momentarily forgot the reason she had come here.

“I didn’t come for that!”

The reason she had come all the way here to take up Ferda’s time was because Valdrova had made a great resolution.

“I want to decide today’s conversation topic.”

Wasn’t that why she kept doing this?

Coincidentally, there was something he was also curious about.

“What does Ferda-ssi think of the Armored Knight?”

Her heart beat fast for some reason.

Thinking about it, it was no different from the question of what he thought of her.

“Let’s ask.”

Valdrova desperately suppressed her pounding heart and opened her mouth with difficulty.

— Fe, Ferda-ssi!

— Yes.

— That…… recently Ruri said thaaat…….

Her pronunciation tumbled out stumbling.

Due to the voice modulator, it resonated to Ferda like a mournful echo.

Ferda received it calmly.

— What matter do you refer to?

— So…… the, the person called the Ar, Armored Knight allegedly did aaaa-mazing things! Ac, active……!

She even bit her tongue, and the tension died completely.

— I, I heard…….

— Ah, you refer to that person.

Ferda seemed surprised.

He didn’t know why she was suddenly curious about that.

Valdrova desperately suppressed the truth that tried to spill from her mouth.

— She said that he is a person who immensely values the village…….

— That is true.

It was the truth.

Upon hearing those words, her anxious heart soared surprisingly.

— R-Really?

— When we initially weren’t receiving support from Halim, his strength played an important role. Thanks to him, we were able to erect many buildings even faster.

— I-Is that so?

“He thinks I was useful.”

An unfounded sense of pride welled up.

— At first, I was anxious thinking he might be a treacherous element with a rebellious nature…….

— But?

— It was my delusion.

A voice that gained a handful of hope.

— Does that mean he is a good person?

— He is a good person.

Valdrova felt as if she wanted to spread her wings and fly fluttering in that instant.

— But he has many problems in various ways.

— ……Huh?

That feeling was momentary.

It was time to fall from the height to which she had ascended.

— He seems quite foolish as a person.

— F-Foolish?

— Even by participating in this council, it shows he lets himself be swayed by people, so he does not seem smart.

— T-That is……

— Wearing knight armor and maintaining the Vow of Silence, written assistance would be more important than for anyone, but his handwriting is a disaster and he can’t even maintain a single rule of spelling…….

— …….

— A guy like that is bound to have his life twisted if he meets the wrong person. I was a bit worried.

— …….

Ferda looked at her hand.

— Are you all right?

— ……Y-Yes?

— Your hand is bright red.

The hand that had been like white jade had turned red as a persimmon at some point.

Valdrova checked it as well and hastily withdrew her hand.

— It’s, it’s nothing…….

— It looks like a rejection reaction, I should examine it more closely—.

— R-Really! It’s nothing important, so do not worry!

Valdrova jumped up from her seat.

Ferda was startled by her sudden action.

— I will leave early today.

— Is it enough? It seems less than usual.

— Yes, I think I need a bit of…… strength too.

Saying that, she slipped away as if fleeing.

Ferda, watching her leave, realized he had made a mistake.

“As expected, speaking ill of others is not a good option.”

He thought he had sanitized it a bit, but it seems it was a miscalculation.

He had taken the trouble to bring up a conversation topic and speak, only to make it awkward.

“Next time I should restrain myself.”

Ferda made that resolution and decided to wait for next time.

Valdrova returned to the Lair immediately.

She got out of her armor and simply collapsed on the spot.

Unlike usual, she hugged her knees.

— Uu…….

Valdrova let out a small whimper.

Her body trembled slightly.

— Master, it’s Ruri. I’m coming in.

Ruri entered.

Valdrova, who had turned into a human cocoon, came into view.

— ……Why are you like this?

— Ruri…….

Valdrova uttered her name and raised her head.

Her face was flushed bright red, as red as the color of her hair.

— …….

Ruri knew why she was like this.

Because she had already heard what they had talked about.

Valdrova, with tears welling up, buried her face in the small attendant’s chest.

— Please speak.

— Ferda-ssi…… Ferda-ssi called me foolish…….

— …….

— Can’t even you deny it?

She looked up with teary eyes, but Ruri did not flinch.

— That’s why I told you to study a bit regularly, didn’t I tell you?

— I did…… I did, buuut…….

— Besides, it’s something you hear often, is it something to react so much to?

— Of course Iorga said it too, and others did as well…….

Valdrova hugged her knees tightly and whined in a sad voice.

— But Ferda-ssi said it, that’s why it’s sadder.

— Wasn’t that not directed at you, Master?

— That’s why it’s more miserable! Normally you speak sweetly, but inside you must think I’m a huge idiot, right?

— …….

— Deny it a little. I’m really going to cry.

Valdrova became even more miserable at Ruri’s reaction.

— There is no need to worry. If Master puts in the effort, he will surely acknowledge that side too.

— Really?

— So…….

Ruri held out two books to her.

— Spelling Study That Even a Child Can Learn Easily
— The Process to Becoming an Elegant Young Lady for Children: Let’s Write Pretty Letters!

— You have to do it, right?

Valdrova looked at Ruri and the two books alternately and opened her mouth with difficulty.

— ……Yes.

There is no age limit for learning.

That night, Ferda had a dream.

Valdrova was there.

It was not the castle.

A small house.

A common-looking house where Ferda stayed after being expelled from the castle and losing all his money.

‘A dream.’

Since it was not a particularly harmful dream, he thought he would simply sit there and wake up.

— Are you awake?

A beautiful voice tickled his ear.

Ferda had heard this voice exactly once before.

Just in case, he raised his head.

Long red hair, golden eyes.

Without two pairs of horns or vertically slit pupils, dressed in simple clothes, but Ferda knew who she was.

‘Without mistake.’

It was Valdrova.

— Why? Your complexion doesn’t look good.

Her hand gently stroked Ferda’s cheek.

A warmth like returning home enveloped his entire body.

Seeing Ferda’s face relax more, Valdrova smiled shyly.

Holding her hand, the sensation of that hand was vividly real.

He even thought it wouldn’t be bad to be trapped like this in this dream.

— Shall we do that?

— That…… you mean?

When Ferda reacted as if he didn’t know, Valdrova smiled with her eyes as if it were cute.

Valdrova drew her body closer.

— It’s what you are good at.

Her soft hand grasped Ferda’s hand.

Ferda’s hand could not resist and was pulled along.

The place she led it to was the neck.

Ferda was strangling her neck.

— Now, kill me.

Ferda was startled and tried to let go.

But it wouldn’t move.

His hand was firmly locked, and the more he struggled, the tighter it squeezed.

Blood flows from her golden eyes.

Valdrova’s form melts and distorts.

— Why?

A scream burst from her mouth.

— Why did you kill me?

Countless voices swim in Ferda’s head.

It is karma.

It is the karma for the deeds he committed.

That karma is something that cannot be avoided even if he returned to the past.

They say karma returns and strangles one’s own neck.

But Ferda’s karma was strangling the neck in reverse.

The neck of the person he should love the most.

Karma knew that was the most painful thing for Ferda.

— Why? Why? Why?

— I didn’t do anything…….

— Give me back my father!

The chaotic voices grow louder.

Force enters the slender neck.

At the end of the chaos,

A terrible silence arrived.

Did he awaken from the dream?

No.

The slender sensation is still vivid in his hand.

Ferda.

What is heard inside is a voice.

Now, listen to my voice again.

That voice was unbearably sweet.

Remember who you are.

Aah.

I am…….

Crack—.

With the sound of something breaking and shattering, he opened his eyes.

Cold sweat was running down him, his entire body unpleasant.

Yet even more unpleasant than that,

‘The circuit…….’

The Red Circle was rotating violently.

Again.

Even though they weren’t feelings toward Valdrova, the circuit in his chest rotated violently.

Ferda forced his body up.

He empties his head.

So that nothing remained, completely empty,

Soon Ferda’s circle quietly calmed down.

It was simpler than he had feared.

Yet even that simplicity was not welcome to Ferda.

Because it meant he already knew.

‘Why…….’

It was heading toward the name of déjà vu.

That déjà vu was something that shouldn’t exist for Ferda.

‘Why does hatred remain in me?’

Because it was what turned Ferda into the Calamity of the 9th Circle.

Ferda’s head became complicated.

It was not an issue about mana fatalism or similar nonsense.

This was something truly felt, truly rotating.

Ferda had also vaguely felt it would be there.

‘As expected…… that time, wasn’t that my delusion?’

Abel Silverwind.

A third-rate villain not worth remembering his name, who threatened Ruri.

At that moment, Ferda claimed everything in the darkness as his own.

And thus entered Abel’s body and killed him on the spot.

That was something a 4th Circle could not achieve, and even Ferda could not do.

Ferda recalled the sensation of that moment.

As if slowly winding back time, it returns to before that death.

— Are you just going to watch?

‘Voice.’

It was a sweet voice.

It stirred what was in his body and drew out power.

His own power, captured by rage.

‘Even though I wound back time, does that still remain?’

He killed his family,
He killed innocent people,
And he even killed the person he loves now,

That power is inside Ferda.

It was confusing.

It was a different dimension from simply being bound by mana fatalism.

Back then it was a vague anxiety, but this time it was a fact with grounds.

Knock, knock, knock.

The sound of knocks on the bedroom door.

Ruri entered.

— Ferda-nim.

— Why did you come?

Irritation unwittingly laced his voice.

— A guest has arrived.

— I have no intention of receiving guests today. Send them away.

— They say it is someone Ferda-nim knows, so I came to ask.

— Someone I know?

Who would come all the way here to see me?

Among numerous names swirling in his head like a whirlwind, the name that came out of Ruri’s mouth was an unexpected person.

— Your father, Ferda-nim, Eremvalt Rosnova.

The starting point of his hatred.