Chapter 179

Chapter 179

I Married the Dragon I Killed
Chapter 179: Symbol of Prosperity

179. Symbol of Prosperity
Chapter 179. Symbol of Prosperity

Before Valdrova and Ludmilla met,
Ferda toured his territory lightly, introducing them to the people of House Purity.
— This might be somewhat cautious to say.
When he entered the plaza, Family Head Valeri Purity noticed a striking object and asked:
— Do you intend to operate that fountain?
— Of course. It is an object handed down by Iorga, the Phase of Water, and his descendants, so why wouldn’t we use it?
— That is amazing.
It was not sarcasm, but genuine admiration.
The fact that a simple small village could operate a fountain meant they were prepared for such prosperity.
Although Ferda was remarkably young, Valeri had never considered him someone full of vanity.
He could see the future where the Far East would prosper in his eyes.
— And I heard you plan to use adventurers for the conquest of the Far East.
— Yes.
— What do you think of our Northern warriors?
The Northern warriors were rougher and cruder than knights, so they were often treated like barbarians.
— Isn’t hunting frost giants beyond the Northern Wall the highest honor?
— Going around hunting Northern frost giants is an old tale now. In my entire life, I have never crossed that wall. In fact, even for the people of the North, crossing it with a human body is nearly impossible.
— That sounds as if it is related to the Ascension Ritual.
— It is practically everything. The pride of the Northern clans is to be chosen by the descendants of Silverwind and ascend. To become a true warrior and cross the wall.
They select the most outstanding individuals of the clan and offer them to the Dragon Spawn.
If they are chosen as warrior material, they say the clan received an enormous amount of money and food.
Becoming a true warrior was, ultimately, no different from twisting one’s own body for the survival of the clan.
“Sounds like a damn joke.”
Becoming a Dragon Spawn means erasing the past.
Memories of being human are nothing more than a trivial past life, and they form bonds as a dragon’s clan.
It is practically abandoning one’s own clan, yet they still call it an honor.
— Regardless, Silverwind’s death must have been significant in the North as well.
— It was significant, but we do not dwell on it. If we had only lived by offering warriors, we would still be living like barbarians.
It was just the flow of history, and they willingly adapted to that flow.
Valeri cleared his throat.
— The story deviated. In any case, since there is no need to cross the frost wall, I wanted to say that I hope the Northern warriors can set foot on the Demonic Land and take on new challenges.
Ferda felt a strange atmosphere in those words.
Valdemar Golt.
It was a sensation similar to when that old man spoke.
— Duke Purity.
— Yes.
— Are those the words of a single warrior, or the words of a single noble?
He asks directly.
Valeri Purity stroked his beard and replied:
— If they are the words of a warrior, what would you do?
— I will believe them as they are.
— If they are the words of a noble?
— I want to have a proper conversation.
Valeri was able to deduce from those words.
That Ferda knew what his intention was.
And that he viewed that intention favorably.
— They say there is a demonic spy in the Arken Empire.
— That is correct.
— And one was caught in the Golden Parliament, and Duke Peri Urey is also suspected of being a demonic spy and is detained. You know up to that point, since you were at the scene, right?
— That is correct.
— The problem is that, after Duke Peri Urey’s detention, they say there is no noble treatment. They tortured him repeatedly like a commoner and made him bleed no matter what.
That was a terrible act that not only the Kingdom of Heinckel, but other kingdoms as well, would have no excuse not to criticize.
— Do you know what that means?
Ferda nodded.
— It is a provocation of war.
— The Kingdom of Heinckel has found itself in trouble due to this incident.
They could not help but be worried.
With his son Marcus Urey being a demonic follower, where is the guarantee that Duke Peri Urey is not a demonic follower?
If they protect him blindly and he truly is a demonic follower, that suspicion will also be directed toward the Kingdom of Heinckel.
Yet they cannot simply abandon Duke Urey either.
If Duke Urey is not a demonic follower, it could be used as a pretext that the king purged the duke.
The Arken Empire has much to gain from this conflict.
For the Kingdom of Heinckel, which had enjoyed a long peace, clashing with the Arken Empire was a terrifying prospect.
This complex incident brought numerous difficulties to the Kingdom of Heinckel.
— The Reverse Hero, Margrave Oldin Rooster, is showing movements to deploy troops near the Kingdom of Heinckel. At the same time, King Hudret also joins in agreement.
— If two kingdoms attack one, its destruction is only a matter of time.
At that, Duke Purity smiled.
— That is not the case. Rather, the reason King Hudret joined is to protect the Kingdom of Heinckel.
— What do you mean by protecting by attacking?
Ferda could not understand those words immediately.
— If the Arken Empire and the Kingdom of Heinckel engage in a total one-on-one war, the Kingdom of Heinckel will become entirely theirs. But what if King Hudret joins?
— The problem will be when they distribute the gains according to merit.
— That is right. King Hudret will move so that he is promised more gains than the distribution. If disputes begin again, this time they will have to fight not only against the Kingdom of Hudret, but against all of Serdes.
Once, the expansionist movements of the Arken Empire made many kingdoms and territories tremble in fear.
Not allowing the land of the Kingdom of Heinckel to be taken was also to avoid setting a precedent.
— If they are determined to isolate the Arken Empire, is that possible?
— Sure, in the old days I might have thought it was possible, but…
Duke Purity let out a subtle sigh.
— As you know, during the subjugation war the legions were wiped out, and the Arken Empire played three superpowered moves.
Erdes Roton, Silverwind, and Storeus.
They even made a dragon tremble, and even the proud descendants of Silverwind assisted in the Empire’s work.
— And the Far East also has Archduchess Valdrova.
— She will not move for the Empire.
— Better not to be certain. Given that Storeus and Silverwind moved to save the Empire, terrifying possibilities lie hidden.
From his words, Ferda learned a fact.
He does not know that Silverwind owes a debt to the Arken Empire.
“What kind of debt was it?”
He speculated, but could not understand it.
Valdrova remains in the Far East as a base to atone for killing countless people, but for other dragons it is merely a pastime.
Owing a debt to humans was unimaginable.
He did not bother revealing that point.
Since Ferda was not yet experienced enough to trust Duke Purity.
Regardless, the reason he brought up such a story was that when the Empire reveals its ambitions, Duke Purity also prepares to counter them.
“Politics is a headache.”
At the same time, it was interesting.
Merely cooperating does not mean everything will go well.
It is a complex chessboard that takes into account the events that will follow.
Ferda decided to join that chessboard and place his pieces.
— To answer what you said, I cannot allow Northern troops to be stationed.
— That is a pity.
— But.
Ferda’s words did not end there.
— It would be good to consider the Adventurers Guild.
Duke Purity’s eyebrows twitched.
— The Adventurers Guild, you say?
— Our city was designed as a city for adventurers. If 500 Northern warriors enter, it becomes a matter of vigilance. But if they are 500 adventurers, we have no reason to refuse.
— Oh…
— If adventurers of Northern origin increase like that, control will naturally become necessary, and then active exchange with the North will become inevitable. On the surface, if we just make pretexts, who would say anything?
— That is a sufficiently justified story.
Hearing Ferda’s response, Duke Purity smiled slightly and extended his hand.
— This will be of great help to both of us, Regent-nim.
— Let us work well together for the peace of the Serdes Continent.
Ferda took that hand.

Hestia Village, Grand Duchy of Valdrova.
As the morning sun rose, the steps of the people heading to work stopped in front of the town square.
People who did not know the situation subtly asked the onlookers who arrived first.
— What is happening today? Why is the Administrator-nim there?
— It seems they are doing something with a fountain, right?
— Fountain? What is that?
— That statue over there, right?
— What is that?
— They say water originally comes out of there.
— Water comes out? How does that work?
— That’s why we’re here, aren’t we?
— My goodness!
Since most of the town members were people who grew up only in small villages, this was shocking.
Even those who had experienced a bit of city life could not laugh and call them bumpkins; it was such a rare spectacle.
Isabella, who had reviewed the rehearsal and the stage several times, soon spoke with a ringing voice.
— From now on, we will proceed with the completion ceremony of the fountain and the water supply activation ceremony.
The one delivering the congratulatory speech was Valdrova’s representative, Ferda.
He walked across the carpet and ascended the platform.
— Our Hestia is a village formed by people gathering from all over. The place where we all met is a rootless land of less than a year.
In reality, it was a derogatory remark often uttered by outsiders who came only to earn money.
They said we were nothing more than losers who turned our backs on their hometowns and fled, suffering oppression.
Most residents of Hestia had no choice but to take those words to heart.
— But those who say such things have no right to insult us.
Ferda’s voice powerfully pushed aside the worries they harbored.
— We have the ability to repel monsters without mages, and we rose again after overcoming the worst moment of being isolated by monsters. What would that be?
The times when they fought isolated by monsters.
In the despair that they could only die, they saw a single ray of light.
They saw the majestic form of the dragon that guarded the Far East.
Ferda clenched his fist and said.
— It means we become the new root of this Far East, and we take root so firmly that we cannot be ignored.
Embers of hope ignited in the residents’ hearts.
The rising sun behind the young regent on the platform looked like a halo.
— This fountain will become our root, and the promise of prosperity that we will achieve from now on.
Upon his declaration, streams of water erupted forcefully from the fountain.
The water dispersing coolly within the fountain reflected the sunlight and created a rainbow.
The crowd, seeing that astonishing spectacle, said this:
That the bridge of God has touched Hestia.
— Have you been well?
Right after finishing the completion ceremony, Erica’s telepathic communication arrived.
— Yes, how is the Blue Eye?
— Same as always. I heard you held the fountain completion ceremony today; may I ask how the reaction was?
Ferda replied as if dumbfounded by that question.
— Didn’t you see it with your own eyes?
During Ferda’s speech, he confirmed with his own eyes that Erica was watching.
It was the arrogant and prideful expression unique to Dragon Spawn.
— It seems you are mistaken. I have never been there. Perhaps you confused me with someone else? Like perhaps you confused me with someone named Erira? I am Erica, you know?
Erica giving a sly hint.
Ferda ignored it with a weary expression and replied.
— The reaction was good. Seeing it create a rainbow, they prayed toward Alte.
— It’s like doing the work for someone else to take the credit. They can’t even praise Iorga, who made something so cool; they just stare blankly at Alte, who takes all the credit.
Erica grumbled like a child.
Ferda looked toward Hestia Village visible beyond the window.
The wide central plaza and the fountain erected there.
Two hours had passed, but there was no sign of people leaving from there.
Innocent children and women worn out by life were at the same level, happily watching the fountain.
— Is that why you contacted me?
— Not necessarily. I just received a contact.
— What contact?
— About the High Elves.
— High Elves, you say…?
It was something he had forgotten due to being busy.
The characters written in Director Linne’s research diary were in the High Elf language, and the cooperation of the High Elves was needed to interpret them.
Ferda jumped up from his seat and asked.
— What did they say?
— For now, they said they understand and that we should meet.
We are at the starting line.
It was good news to the point that it would not be an exaggeration to say we have already passed the halfway mark.
— Understood. When should we depart?
— There is no time for the calm of asking ‘when’. They are funny things that are terribly slow at everything, yet change their whims in units of 1 second.
— Understood. Then I will prepare a carriage right now and depart—.
— No. There is no need for that.
At the same time, a strange tremor was felt from the side of Ferda’s office window.
A shape descending slowly like a curtain from above the window.
It was a carriage painted blue.
It was not a simple car powered by mana.
It was a celestial carriage, a transport that only high mages operate.
From inside, the Master of the Blue Eye Tower, Erika Iorga, poked her face out.
— Get in. I will guide you.

Chapter 180: World Tree

180. World Tree
Chapter 180. World Tree

It was an unusual sight for ordinary humans, let alone for nobles of ducal rank or higher with renown, to travel in an aerial carriage alongside a dragon spawn.
They flew at high speed with the Serdes Continent spreading beneath them.
— First time in an aerial carriage, I suppose?
He had ridden in one several times and had even driven it.
He had simply stopped using it because there was no reason to ride it.
— That is correct.
Ferda nodded for the moment.
— They almost never operate them. Humans, especially, only use teleportation magic circles if they are in a hurry, after all.
As Erica said, the utility of the aerial carriage was truly ambiguous.
It lacked the leisure that nobles desired, yet was not as immediately effective as a teleportation magic circle.
If the pilot was inexperienced, it was no different from placing a large piece of furniture on a catapult, so even in the Empire they kept them on standby without operating them.
But if a region lacked leisure and also could not use teleportation, nothing beat an aerial carriage.
The residence of the High Elves was precisely such a place.
— When will we arrive?
— At this speed, in about an hour. Would you like to converse in the meantime?
— I am not interested in small talk.
— Hoho, would I really suggest it just to pass the time?
Her laughter sounded heavy, as if her nerves were on edge.
— Let us talk about the black solution you handed to me.
Black solution.
Among the items taken from Research Institute Director Linne, the Dark Elf, there were two: one was a diary, the other a sample box.
— Our research results show that there is good news and bad news. What is certain is that it is similar to dragon blood.
— Is that good and bad news?
— Similar means there is as much difference as between humans and monkeys. It is like saying they are the same because both have limbs and rejoice when you give them food.
It was a strangely condescending nuance, but Ferda decided to ignore it.
— In any case, to summarize: the fact that they cannot produce dragon blood means they cannot create dragons artificially. That is the good news. Understand?
The most feared thing in the Dragon-Demon War was Godwin’s magic.
All dragons were mobilized to stop Godwin as he expanded his influence, and they barely protected the continent through sacrifice.
At a time when dragons are weakened as they are now, if another Godwin appeared, no one knows what would happen.
— Then what is the bad news?
— The bad news is that dragon blood has effects similar to those used in the Ascension Ritual.
Demons are made from Godwin’s blood.
Now they are known by different names, but there was a time when they were also called dragon spawn.
They cannot create Godwin, but creating demons is possible.
— Is production possible because Godwin’s essence remains?
Essence, called the true nature of the dragon.
If one could obtain that power, one would gain immense strength and could freely do things previously impossible.
Erica shook her head at Ferda’s assumption.
— Essence is related, but it would not be the main factor. Even if it remains, dragon spawns that are not dragons cannot perform the Ascension Ritual.
Ferda recalled Silverwind’s situation.
Since the Dragon-Demon War, Silverwind’s descendants were no longer being created.
Godwin, who had absorbed all of Silverwind’s essence and reached a level similar to Silverwind, did not skip the Ascension Ritual because he didn’t want to, but because he couldn’t.
— In any case, this black solution itself is far from being a dragon. So I thought it might be related to Research Institute Director Linne being a High Elf. I planned to ask for an analysis and also ask them to investigate it.
— Said Erica, showing the bottled sample.
— I hope we obtain meaningful results.
— That is right.
The conversation about the black solution ended there.
Ferda turned his gaze toward the window.
At some point, the carriage’s destination appeared in Ferda’s view.
“World Tree.”
A tree that rose toward the sky, whose roots, it was said, extended throughout the Serdes Continent.
They say anyone in the western continent region begins their morning marveling at the majesty of the World Tree the moment they wake up.
He later learned that it was a saying that had evolved from crude jokes.
Yet seeing the World Tree certainly aroused different emotions.
People often say the spire of a cathedral pierces the sky when looking from below, but once you are in the sky, it makes you feel like mere creatures under the heavens.
Especially after mages learn magic to stay in the air for a long time, they often say such things out of vanity.
But the World Tree was completely different.
Even from so far away, even flying so high, its summit could not be seen; the branches faded into the color of the sky, appearing as if the sky itself were richly distorted like leaves.
It truly seemed to hold up the sky.
— First time seeing the World Tree?
As he could not take his eyes away, Erica asked in a low voice.
Ferda answered that question to himself.
“This is the second time.”
He remembered seeing it from a similar height in memories steeped in vengeance and ruined.
What he remembered was a sky turned to ash and the World Tree glowing red.
The smell of ash pierced his nose, and for a month afterward he could not smell anything properly.
Ferda confronted his past self.
He saw that ugly figure that abandoned his purpose, cast away his humanity, and focused solely on emotion, wanting only to become stronger.
— This is the first time I see it with a clear mind.
— You might be nervous and make mistakes, but elven etiquette is similar to human etiquette. Besides…
Erica placed a hand on her chest and said.
— I am here, so do not worry too much.
A face that said: ‘trust only in me as your senior’.
Erica seemed to have arbitrarily accepted that he was nervous because it was his first time.
There was nothing in particular to explain, so he left her with her misunderstanding.
The aerial carriage approached the World Tree, lowering its altitude to the waist of the World Tree.
What looked like dots turned into a large clearing where a carriage could land.
— Let us get off.
Erica opened the door and stepped out first.
The crisp air pierced their lungs, hard to believe it was summer.
The Elves who came to receive them caught Ferda’s attention.
Luxurious armor made of high-quality elven metal.
Elven archers wearing them lined up, paying their respects.
Ferda still did not know how to distinguish Elves, but he was certain they were Wood Elves who lived in the forest.
Because the man at the lead shone too brightly.
Among the Elves, those whose noble beauty stands out are the High Elves.
His face looked like it would light up the world if he smiled, but what rested on their faces were only dry, blunt expressions like drought-stricken land.
— I greet the noble Guardians of the World Tree.
Erica greeted them first.
The High Elf accepted the greeting in turn.
— Blessings and joy of the earth. Welcome, daughter of water.
— Thank you for your valuable time while you are busy with festival preparations, Elder.
— There is no need to thank me. Everything was permitted by the Great Chieftain.
He cut himself off and glanced sideways at Ferda.
Erica immediately moved to the introductions.
— Regent-nim, this is one of the High Elf Elders.
Erica did not introduce the Elder’s name.
Because Elves do not introduce their names through others.
— Blessings of the earth. It is a pleasure to meet you.
And that High Elf did not reveal his name either.
It meant that Ferda’s visit was not welcome.
— It is an honor to meet you.
Ferda ended with an equally dry greeting.
The High Elf Elder turned his eyes toward Erica.
— I heard you need the help of the High Elves.
— Yes. This matter is important, and it is something only the High Elves can do, so I had to ask for it.
— Of course we must accept since the Great Chieftain permitted it, but may I ask what the matter is about?
Erica sensed a strange atmosphere at those words.
And she noticed a fact.
— It seems they did not inform you properly why we came.
— That is correct. They only said a guest would come.
Humans, whether transmitting or receiving, are bound to have misunderstandings if there is a flaw.
Yet for Elves, whose minds are connected as one, such a thing was as rare as being struck by lightning in the middle of a city.
Which meant they did not want to inform the other Elves of this situation.
So Erica silently refused.
— I am sorry, but I came as the Representative of Iorga. This matter must proceed after speaking first with the Great Chieftain.
Yet the Elder did not yield.
— This land is Elven land; we are the first children of the earth and we protect our mother.
— I know your efforts and your will well. But my intention and the Great Chieftain’s message remain unchanged.
— Then we cannot send you off easily.
— Presumptuous, High Elf Elder.
The chilling final words did not come from a voice between the two.
The voice came from the other guest, Ferda.
— What did you say, Regent?
— I will say it again. Do not be presumptuous.
Ferda pressed firmly.
— Even as the future consort of Valdrova, does a short-lived race dare spit insolence?
— Do you think it is only because I am Valdrova’s consort? The guest in this matter is me. I am telling you not to interfere in my affairs; what else needs to be said?
— Insolent…
The atmosphere grew increasingly hostile.
The High Elf’s expressionless face twisted slightly.
His fingers twitched in his gestures.
At that spasm, tension mounted among the Elven archers behind him.
Ferda prepared his mana, and Erica likewise readied a response.
— Stop!
A woman’s voice shattered the calm before the storm.
A woman who appeared to be a High Elf came running toward them.
A frail body, platinum blonde hair scattering with the light, round green eyes filled with bewilderment.
— What is happening?
— Ha, ha… This person, these people are the Great Chieftain’s guests. You clearly only said to guide the guests, why are you causing such a commotion, Elder-nim?
— A human sets foot on this sacred land; as one who listens to the mother’s heart, how could I stand still?
— You said not to harass the guests and to bring them to me. This is the Great Chieftain’s message.
The Elder looked at the woman with displeasure.
The woman clasped her hands over her chest and bit her lip.
It seemed she was trying not to avoid his gaze.
In the end, the Elder yielded.
— Since the blood relative of the Great Chieftain has come personally, I have no further need to greet them. I will return.
The High Elf Elder bowed to Erica and turned around.
The Wood Elves moved in perfect synchrony behind him.
As the hostile atmosphere dissipated, the woman let out a sigh of relief and greeted them.
— Blessings of the earth. Greetings, I am Rize, serving as the Great Chieftain’s aide alongside the Secretary.
A woman who bowed politely, introducing herself by name.
Ferda returned the greeting.
— I am Ferda Valdrova.
— I am sorry. I thought something like this might happen, so I tried to come greet you myself…
— Does it seem what we intend to do was not conveyed properly? We almost became intruders instead of guests.
— Ugh…
Erica did not hide her displeasure as she snapped at Rize.
Rize put on a nervous face and replied.
— I am sorry. The Great Chieftain did not convey the specific details of this meeting to anyone. That is why this happened… I am truly sorry!
Seeing Rize bow and apologize repeatedly, Erica stopped pressing her.
— Let us stop arguing about right and wrong. There is something more important. Guide us to the Great Chieftain, Secretary.
— Yes, yes! Please, this way.
Rize chanted in the Elven language and placed her hand on the pillar of the World Tree.
Then the stairs on the outer wall of the World Tree began to move diagonally.
They climbed the steps and headed to the upper section.
As they moved to the upper section of the World Tree, Ferda looked down.
Perhaps because the Elves had gathered densely around the World Tree since they spread widely after the Dragon-Demon War, wooden and thatched roofs were visible here and there.
Even so, true to a race that values harmony, the green leaves looked even more lush.
— Fortunately you contacted us just in time!
Whether embarrassed by the silence, Rize tried to force a brighter atmosphere.
— The Summer Festival is approaching, and if you had arrived a little later, we would have been stuck doing festival preparations again.
— You spend most of the year in festivals.
Ferda asked with an inquiring tone.
It could have been taken as sarcasm, but fortunately Rize replied with a smile.
— That is our job. To enjoy the joy of spring sprouting from the earth, the joy of summer growing in abundance, the joy of autumn bearing fruit, and the joy of winter waiting for a new spring.
Ferda recalled the face of the High Elf who had come to greet them with those words.
No matter how much he looked at it, it felt contradictory: a face that seemed not to have felt joy in an immeasurable age.
— However, it doesn’t seem like they enjoy festivals very much, do they?
— The Spring Festival has already passed. Originally, when summer arrives, everyone’s nerves sharpen.
— Is it different during festivals?
— T-that is…
Rize, unable to continue with a troubled look.
Erica answered for her.
— Originally, summer and winter were for endurance and mourning. Turning them into festivals is a recent change.
— Yes, that is right…
She only nodded slightly at Erica’s words.
If they are harsh seasons, is there really a need to celebrate festivals to raise spirits?
He could not understand Elven thinking, so he did not judge rashly.
— T-that reminds me, I heard that Ferda-nim is engaged to Valdrova-nim.
A sudden start to Ferda’s personal history.
— That is right.
— I have never met Valdrova-nim, but I heard she has many wounds in her heart. I am truly glad she can start anew by overcoming those wounds.
— Is that so?
— Yes. Becoming accustomed to solitude is not good. Having a partner with whom to share life is something truly joyful.
This woman named Rize seemed genuinely full of joy, unlike the Elder.
— If you don’t mind, would you tell me before leaving?
— May I ask why?
— I want to give her a gift. I will make a bouquet suitable for late spring and summer. Ah, but Valdrova-nim has a serious personality, so perhaps she might not like that sort of thing?
— No, she will like it.
A bouquet.
What expression would she make if he brought it to her?
Her voice, sounding so, so happy, echoed vividly in his ears.
— Oh, my.
Rize looked at Ferda’s face and covered her mouth with her hand.
— Why?
— Eh? Ah, it’s nothing!
Rize hastily turned her head.
Sensing another gaze, Ferda turned toward Erica.
Erica was staring intently at Ferda’s face.
She had a nervous expression, as if she had seen something she shouldn’t have.
— Why?
— No…
Erica murmured as if to herself.
— I never thought you could make that expression after always looking like you would destroy the world.
— …?
What expression did I make?
Ferda could not tell.