Chapter 206
I Married the Dragon I Killed
Chapter 206: War Maniac
-
-
War ManiacChapter 206. Warmonger
-
Meanwhile, Ferda and Ureas were conversing in the reception room.
Since Ruri was attending to Valdrova, Ureas was served by the valets sent from the Imperial Household.
— You may have noticed, but the reason I came under the pretext of a visit is because, in reality, there is a separate matter I need to discuss.
Ureas opened his mouth with a grave expression.
One wondered if there was any fool who didn’t know.
— What matter do you wish to discuss?
Ferda knew, but feigned ignorance while waiting for him to speak.
He did not rule out the possibility that Ureas might mention something he truly did not know.
— Since you are in the Far East, perhaps you do not know. The Empire is currently planning to declare war on the Kingdom of Heinkel.
He should have ruled it out.
Thinking that perhaps it was not such an obvious story, Ferda showed a look of surprise.
— War, you say?
— There is Duke Urey, is there not? They say that shameless demon-following bastard still refuses to acknowledge it.
— Is that so?
— So I contacted the Kingdom of Heinkel. I told them that Duke Urey is suspected of conspiring with demons, so we must search the Duke’s territory. Do you know what they replied? They told us to hand over Duke Urey first. What could that mean?
— Do you mean they are colluding?
— Exactly!
Ureas struck his knee.
— They have something to hide, which is why they ask us to hand over Duke Urey first. If they were clean, they would have allowed us to search, wouldn’t they?
— That is so.
Of course, Ferda’s inner thoughts were different.
Strictly speaking, the Kingdom of Heinkel was making a legitimate demand.
It was the Arken Empire that was conducting an illegal detention, and the intention to occupy under the pretext of an investigation could not be overlooked either.
— Of course the law exists, and there is talk of maintaining courtesy among nobles. But that only applies to reasonable beings who pass through the Grand Council on this Serdes Continent. How could that be possible in a situation where they might be demons?
— Your words are very correct.
The Second Prince of the Empire, Ureas Arken.
A Generalissimo who values national defense.
Considering that reputation, there truly was no greater king.
Yet Ureas’s true heart was not that.
“He just wants a war.”
Ureas was already famous among the high nobility as a warmonger.
If Alexander tried to subdue someone insidiously, Ureas was the type to brazenly boast of his pressure.
Subduing someone with a sword, exercising the power over life and death of the loser.
That was the thirst for power he possessed.
— So, finding it suspicious, I sent spies to examine the Kingdom of Heinkel. Do you know what the surprising thing was?
— What is it?
— Those bastards are truly allied with demons!
“What nonsense he is spouting.”
Thinking that, Ferda settled his mind and reflected calmly.
Ureas might be a fool, but would the bastards under his command be fools to that extent?
There was a way to verify it for Ferda.
— What does Archduke Golt think?
He only needed to gauge the movements of Valdemar Golt.
The moment he heard that question, Ureas’s face soured.
— It seems you do not trust me.
— It is not that. If you are going to declare war, this matter needs a solid justification throughout the entire Empire. Even if the Second Prince is certain, without the support of Archduke Golt, it is like losing half of your foundation. I only meant to say that, if it is something certain, it must be done with certainty.
— Is that so? I misunderstood. My apologies.
Ureas retorted.
— That old man also judged that he could get good profit out of the war. He intends to have General Ruterus organize an army and attack there.
If the intention is to attack the Kingdom of Heinkel, it means they are resolved to crush it completely.
— If the Kingdom of Heinkel is incorporated into the Empire, the economic gains would be enormous. The West is a land of magic, is it not? If we seize the magic stones and rare earth elements mined there, the Arken Empire will also be able to be first-class in magic! You are a mage, you know it well, don’t you?
I know it well.
From the country of the future, I know it well.
— Until barely a year ago, I was from a family of knights. Those areas are…
— Is that so? I heard you have achieved tremendous successes… it seems your talent is outstanding. In any case, this is a very profitable business. I propose we do it together, what do you think?
— You are asking for support.
— Of course there will be appropriate compensation for the support.
Ureas proposed to Ferda.
— If you support the war, I will grant you iron mining rights and rights over a fourth of the territory of the Kingdom of Heinkel. With rights over so much land, you would also gain prestige in the Golden Congress. How does that sound?
That is quite an unprecedented offer.
— What exactly would we have to do?
— Magitech rifle technology.
It was a corresponding condition.
— Think carefully.
Before Ferda could even think, he spoke first.
A face that did not match the word ‘carefully’ at all.
— Magitech is, ultimately, something someone can forge.
Ureas was not saying something baseless.
In the future Ferda saw, it was the same, and in fact, there were people researching to obtain magic stones at that very moment.
They said the Empire was also actively manufacturing them.
— Rumor has it that someone has already manufactured a magitech rifle. They are trying to sell it to the Empire.
“I heard there is also such a shameless bastard.”
— Will that mage Vernel remain at the forefront forever? A prophet cannot be a pioneer eternally. The flow is bound to change someday.
He agreed with that.
— Before that, why don’t you hand over the technology to us first? Sell it all when the value reaches its peak. This seems like a really good deal, does it not?
If one considered economic gain, it certainly would be.
Gaining territory and usable commercial rights now and in the future for a single technology was a very good thing.
— I am sorry, but I cannot support with rifles.
However, for Ferda, that was not so important.
— Why? I thought I was proposing undeniably good things to you?
— It is a good thing, but the most important thing for me is the Archduke-nim’s will.
— The will of Her Highness the Archduke? What is that?
— In the Grand Council, I declared that I would conquer the Demonic Land. Toward that end, I established Hestia Village and am developing it as an adventurers’ city. Hestia Village’s magitech is for those who explore the Demonic Land. If my rifles are used in a war among humans, it goes against Archduke-nim’s will.
At that, Ureas waved his hands, denying Ferda’s words.
— That would not go against Her Majesty’s will. We are at war with demons right now.
— Are you certain there are no humans among them?
— Not everyone who dies in war can be innocent.
— Precisely why it is impossible.
If someone leaked the technology and it was created unintentionally, that would be one thing.
Yet Ferda could not extend his hand directly.
If he handed over the magitech rifle technology in Valdrova’s name, it would be no different from her contributing to murder.
Ferda could not face Valdrova with that stigma.
— Can Her Highness the Archduke’s heart not be changed?
— The Second Prince came here as the Emperor’s representative. Then, invoking the Emperor’s name is your duty.
— That is so.
— I am the same. I am the representative of the Archduke, and simultaneously the representative of the Red Dragon, Valdrova-nim.
“So do not give me orders.”
Ureas looked down at the floor with a troubled face, then spoke.
— For now… I understand. Are you saying you cannot support at all?
He said that, but then…
Ferda barely held back a frown.
— All forces and supplies in the Archduchy are for emergencies. Regrettably, I cannot support even a little.
— Sure, if you say so…
Ureas could not hide his displeasure.
That was also the reason why he was worse at politics than Alexander.
Nevertheless, his retreating attitude was suspicious.
At that moment, Ureas’s exclusive mage approached and whispered into his ear.
It was a very quiet whisper, but Ferda already had ears to hear.
— The Princess is trying to enter. What should we do…?
— What do you mean what to do? Tell her to come in.
— Understood.
Upon receiving the instruction, the princess entered.
He knew she had returned after conversing with Valdrova.
“What kind of conversation took place?”
She wore a terribly tired face.
Yet she did not seem to want him to be aware of it, so Ferda feigned ignorance and accepted her greeting.
— What were you discussing?
— Men’s talk. We were discussing war supplies for the Kingdom of Heinkel, but he says he will not support.
— Is that so?
Olivia asked with wide, round eyes.
— It goes against the founding philosophy of Hestia Village, so regrettably…
— Is that so? I thought our relationship with the Far East could deepen a bit more…
Olivia exhaled a breath as if feeling regret.
She opened her eyes slightly and shot him a glance.
Ferda acted as agreed.
— Come to think of it, the Second Prince seems interested in the Magitech Rifle…
— Huh? Ah, that’s right.
— We cannot supply the items, but would you like an opportunity to experience what kind of object the Magitech Rifle and the various weapons under development are?
— If it is such an opportunity, I would love to!
Ureas liked it like a child receiving a gift.
— Understood. I will contact the castle staff to prepare, as the Second Prince will come down.
— Understood. Sister, you come along too.
To that, Olivia replied with a troubled expression.
— You know I get scared seeing blades? Brother, go by yourself.
— Then you two converse. I will go alone.
He departed with a dignified pretense, but his lightened step could not be concealed.
Ureas, heading toward the corner of toys, disappeared, and Olivia cleared her throat.
— Shall we have a conversation just between the two of us now?
Olivia smiled alluringly.
— Did the conversation with Her Highness the Archduke go well?
He asked first about the story with Valdrova.
— Yes, there were quite a few bewildering parts, but it went well enough.
She spoke as if it were ordinary, but inside she seemed to not want to speak of it.
Ferda asked her.
— I had many questions I wanted to ask you.
— Fufu, are you curious about me? How exciting.
— What is your relationship with Storeus?
When Storeus met Ferda, he had told him to help her.
Contrary to the thought that Olivia’s smiling face would harden, she remained serene.
— Simple. Pet and master? No, that’s ambiguous. Closer to a circus monkey and a spectator. He performs tricks, they applaud and throw apples.
— Support?
— Borrowed power at the decisive moment. Power to kill the Emperor.
It was an incomprehensible statement.
— As much as the Arken Empire is an empire, is it not nothing before a dragon?
— A dragon can destroy a kingdom without blinking. But not even such a dragon can touch the Arken Dynasty, they say. Isn’t it peculiar?
He could not deny it.
— Storeus began cooperating with me 3 years ago. He approached knowing that I wanted to kill the Emperor.
— Did he say he would cooperate?
— Cooperate? That arrogant bastard wouldn’t use the word cooperation. Did I tell you? Monkey and audience. He said he is watching us. Back then he didn’t explain any reason. But after the monster subjugation war, he came and told me.
She extended three fingers.
— The lineage of the Arken Empire made a secret pact with three dragons, they say. Storeus said that is a debt.
Secret pact with three dragons.
Two had moved.
Silverwind and Storeus.
— Who is the remaining one?
— The Bronze Dragon, Frontesis.
Fortunately, it was a story unrelated to Valdrova.
Famous as the blacksmith dragon, it is said that legendary armaments always passed through his hands.
Yet he could not stay long in one place, because dragons took all those armaments as tribute after listening to the sagas sung by bards.
As if legends were just that, legends.
— Alexander used that debt to move both Silverwind and Storeus. Otherwise, it would have been difficult.
— Does Alexander know about that debt?
If it was useful, Ferda intended to dig it up.
— Unfortunately, no. This is an orally transmitted secret. Only those who can become Emperor can know such a secret.
— How did you know?
Olivia smiled with her eyes and closed her mouth.
Understanding that those were words she would never answer, he decided to move on.
“In any case, this woman has quite a few eyes on her.”
Among humans, Valdemar.
In Hell, the Great Demon Sitri.
And now even the Dragon Storeus.
The expression “jewel on the auction block” made sense.
— Living as a beauty is an exhausting job.
— Exhausting beyond words.
Olivia’s eyes looked at Ferda.
Eyelashes drooping like eaves, and pupils like a lake on a clear day.
She answered with an alluring smile.
— But it seems better than before.
— Please do not smile like that.
— Why? Have I not always been someone who smiles like this? Could you be conscious of me?
Not at all.
— Fufu, understood. I’ll stop teasing. Any other questions?
— Ureas is quite intelligent.
Ferda’s eyes stared intently at Olivia as he added.
— As if looking at another you.
— That is an excessive joke. Brother Ureas doesn’t even amount to half of me.
— So, was that proposal yours?
— Of course. It was a scenario I wrote from the beginning.
— Should I have accepted the favor back there?
Olivia shook her head.
— No. Even your refusal was what I expected. Had you accepted, I would have rather felt in a bind. I am in a position where I must stop the war the Empire is attempting to start by any means.
Olivia’s gaze sharpened.
— For that, I need Regent Ferda-nim’s help.
— Specifically what kind of help?
She spoke.
— The key to this war is Duke Urey. We need to make that person disappear.
Comments for chapter "Chapter 206"
MANGA DISCUSSION
Madara Info
Madara stands as a beacon for those desiring to craft a captivating online comic and manga reading platform on WordPress
For custom work request, please send email to wpstylish(at)gmail(dot)com