Chapter 72

Chapter 72: It’s a Misunderstanding

It’s a Misunderstanding
Chapter 72. It’s a Misunderstanding

An awkward silence passed between the two.
Ferda rubbed his forehead firmly with his index finger.
“I understand.”
Anyone can talk trash.
If you latch onto a single thing and criticize someone behind their back, you can feel a certain sense of belonging to that group.
You can do it, but getting caught is a very different matter.
Especially when it comes to talking behind the back of your beloved fiancée.
However, Ferda did not grow indignant.
Rather, he calmed down.
Was it because his temper had flared too much over the Erdes matter, or simply because it belonged to the past and he had no intention of making an issue of it?
For now, he decided to ask what made him curious.
— I have a question.
— …Please, speak.
— Do the other dragons also think that way about my fiancée?
— …I only hope you think dragons simply do not get along well with each other.
— No, I just need objective facts. If it helps, tell me without filters.
Ferda spoke earnestly.
Erica had no way of knowing whether those serious eyes harbored anger or curiosity.
Yet she gave him the answer he wanted.
— Yes. Looking at her track record, there is no choice but to say so.
— …
— Even right now. Wanting to marry a human as a partner? It is an absurd tale that isn’t even worth taking as a joke.
The Aspect of Power, or the Aspect that cannot use power.
Hearing that contradiction, it truly was absurd.
Valdrova is a being where everything is contradictory.
— Leaving emotional talk aside…
Getting entangled in the past was not good, so he decided to speak of the present.
— What is the benefit of allying with Iorga?
— We can lend our strength to the conquest of the Far East that Regent Ferda will undertake.
— With you all?
— After all, we have been researching the Far East for a long time.
Pride could be felt in Erica’s tone.
And the arrogance characteristic of a Dragon Generation.
— The reason the Far East cannot be conquered is because demonic energy exists there.
It was a story Ferda also knew.
The trash mana surging from the Demonic Land disintegrates the mind and body.
— To set foot in the Far East, all divine blessings and magics were needed. That is why only a few selected elites could enter as the Hero’s party.
Twelve Heroes.
The high priests who served each god and all the dragons protected them by chanting blessing spells.
Among those twelve expedition members were Dragon Generation Erika Iorga and Erdes Roton.
— While researching Project Hestia, we have only recently achieved significant results.
Significant results.
At those words, Ferda felt a slight stir of anticipation.
— What is it?
— It is called Anti-Magic Resistance.
Anti-Magic Resistance.
It wasn’t a bad name.
Since the word did not exist in Ferda’s head, he wondered if this was a strategic weapon Iorga had been hiding.
— Can it cure with that?
— No. It is not a fundamental solution to the problem of being eroded by demonic energy.
— Didn’t you say it was a significant result while researching the cure?
— Research is like that. Discoveries in unplanned directions also count as results.
Is she mocking me right now?
Giving her a look like that, Erica dismissed it with an “Anyway.”
— To put what we discovered in simple terms, it is the difference between prevention and cure.
Prevention is preparing for what comes; the cure is resolving what already happened.
— Then how is the cure going?
— That… still has no progress. As it is research starting from scratch, the direction of results is uncertain.
Erica let out a heavy sigh through her nose.
— So the point of this conversation is: if you intend to approach the Demonic Land, we will research the Anti-Magic Agent further instead of the cure.
— Research the Anti-Magic Agent to do what? Does the Grand Duchy of Valdrova’s side assume the risk?
— No. We are thinking of involving the Adventurers’ Guild more.
— The Adventurers’ Guild?
— We have already involved them, but until now we have only been issuing requests that amounted to errands. We have been using temporary measures, and now it is time to use them for real.
Adventurers do various jobs. From mail delivery and trivial errands to the subjugation of Guardians, the regional protector monsters.
Request fees vary greatly depending on skill and difficulty.
— Would they willingly go to the Demonic Land for that?
— If this works, there is no reason they wouldn’t.
Erica made a circle with her thumb and index finger.
— Not just research requests… what if they could bring back mysteries of the East before being eroded by demonic energy? Even trash would fetch a high price at the auction house.
Mysterious records about the East were items that could captivate not only mages but also knights.
Even Ferda thought that if he learned oriental magic, he could make significant progress.
“But it failed due to demonic energy.”
It was even discarded as a legend because they couldn’t overcome the massive wall of demonic energy.
If good money can be made, throwing oneself into a fire pit is an adventurer’s job.
It was a genuinely good idea.
Who had set foot there directly while only observing the current ecology of the Demonic Land?
If they understand the terrain and uncover what lies within, it will aid future conquest attempts.
Based on her proposal, he continued sketching the future endlessly.
What Ferda lacked was being filled, and things he couldn’t imagine became increasingly abundant.
Even so, Ferda could not let go of a suspicion.
“Can I really trust this woman?”
The emotions he had felt in the Grand Council were still vivid in his head.
— You are wondering if you can trust me, aren’t you?
— Yes.
— You are truly blunt.
Raising her teacup, she pretended to savor the drink and narrowed her eyes.
Then, as if having made a decision, she opened her eyes and spoke.
— What you said kept coming back to my mind. You asked what I would do in the end, right?
It was something Ferda had blurted out in a fit of rage.
— My conclusion is that I won’t think about that end at all.
It felt baffling the moment he heard it.
Is that something a leader should say, wanting to flee from the future?
Yet soon he realized that was not it.
What resided in her eyes was a sense of responsibility as a leader.
— I want to give my best in what I can do right now.
Seeing those eyes, Ferda could also be certain.
I can trust this woman.
— Fine. Let’s form an alliance.
Joy spread across her face.
Yet like an experienced leader, she responded with a composed expression.
— It would be good if we could build a solid relationship.
— Since we have formed an alliance, can I ask a favor now?
Erica, who was about to wrap up the matter, was slightly taken aback by Ferda’s request.
— I didn’t know you would need help so soon.
— The timing is just a coincidence.
Ferda had Ruri bring the items seized from Director Linne of the Research Institute and displayed them.
— What is this?
— Items brought from the demon research facility. The director’s journal and samples.
— Good grief!
Erica was quite startled.
Ferda briefly explained what happened at the research facility.
The further the explanation went, the more moved Erica became.
— Heavens… The demons created a drug that turns demons into Night-class instantly?
— It’s still a prototype, but a Gorilla-class took on two of our knights.
— There is a skill gap, but if it were a real Gorilla, it wouldn’t have struggled that much. So the prototype means it lacks efficacy or has side effects…
Erica stared intently at the liquid in the bottle.
Her eyes, in which several layers of mana and magic circles floated, tried to analyze the components.
Yet all that returned was an expression of frustration.
— Above all, this is something that mimics the power of that Godwin. Heavens. Learning about such an object only now—Erica, you stupid bitch. What on earth have you been doing all this time?
With eyes wide open and body trembling up and down.
She couldn’t contain her excitement.
Then she met Ferda’s gaze and let out an “Ah!”, catching her breath.
— My apologies. I showed an unsightly side. Before being a leader, I am a researcher, so when I see things like this I get overly excited…
— I’m used to it.
There was already a bastard who ran around naked screaming, and a bitch who sniffs heads to absorb components; this level is tame in comparison.
Next, she examined the journal.
Seeing the characters in the journal, she furrowed her brow.
— This is… the language of the High Elves.
Unlike Ferda, she recognized it instantly.
Perhaps she can interpret it?
— Can you interpret it?
— Unfortunately, I only know it is the script of the High Elves. The language of the guardians of the World Tree exists through secrecy.
— So it’s impossible?
— Not entirely impossible. No matter how secret it is, the principle is that elves’ minds must always be connected. Those closest to the rooted source handle everything.
The meaning of that source was something Ferda could understand as well.
— The Grand Chieftain.
— Yes, that person might be able to interpret it. We would have to go far to the west, but it shouldn’t be a huge problem…
A breakthrough was found, but it wasn’t as good as he thought.
High Elves are the highest tier among elves, a closed group.
The Grand Chieftain would never be lenient.
— If we persuade the Grand Chieftain, it might work somehow…
— There is no need to persuade. Just threaten.
— Huh?
— If we threaten to reveal to the world that a High Elf turned into a Dark Elf, they will come running barefoot.
— That… well…
It was a subtle issue.
Should he call it a good idea, or pure madness?
— Let’s try talking about it later. The High Elves are currently in the middle of the Autumn Festival, and they will also prepare for the Winter Festival.
They pray for the abundance of autumn and the desolation of winter, and it does not stop until the spring buds sprout.
We would have to wait at least past the first quarter.
Yet he still found meaning in the fact that a possibility had emerged.
— I will return the journal and take these samples with me. We might find a clue for the cure.
Her excited face made him think she might pull it off.
It is probably why,
— There is one more thing left.
— What else is left?
Erica’s eyes sparkled like a child receiving a birthday present.
— My mana.
— …Huh?
She looked disappointed, like a child receiving a gift tailored to a grandmother’s taste.
— Mana? What do you mean?
— I can soothe Valdrova-sama’s Blood Qi with my mana.
Her eyes rounded at those words.
Her vertically split pupils contracted like a cat’s at midday.
— Do you mean you cured her?
— No. I only soothe the Blood Qi that erupts in that situation.
Erica wore a baffled expression rather than an interested one.
It was too wild a claim to take seriously.
Blue Eye mages are elites.
They all racked their brains researching, yet couldn’t even make something to suppress or alleviate it.
And yet a mere human possesses such strange mana?
And that human’s mana affects a dragon?
— I knew Red Circle mana has special properties since it is composed of emotions. But for that to be a power capable of suppressing or soothing Godwin’s chaos…
She thought and thought and thought again.
However, she could not understand.
Iorga, the Aspect of Water and Magic.
The fact that Erica, the leader under his command, couldn’t understand this was too damaging to her pride.
Erica finally cast that pride aside.
— Fine, —she said.— Let’s try it.
— Try what?
— The mana. We need to figure out what your mana is like, so I’ll have to feel it directly, right?
Erica took off her glove and held out her hand to Ferda.
— It probably won’t have much effect. It only works on Valdrova-sama.
— Are you sure? One hundred percent?
It worked on Valdrova.
Yet it had no effect on Ruri, a Silver Wind Generation.
Therefore, it was likely to have no effect or minimal effect on Erica, the same type of Generation.
— Fairly sure.
— “Fairly” and “sure” cannot coexist. Let me feel it directly. In any case, it’s not like it will have any major significance.
True, what special significance could giving mana have?
Ferda thought so and took Erica’s hand.
— I hope your magic power is nothing special. Like innate sorcerers who used magic unconsciously, or it flowed in that manner… hyi-ki-ya-a-ang?!
The moment she received the mana infusion, a sharp shriek burst from her mouth.
It was the wail of a young lady, startled by a cool breeze rushing up her skirt.
Erica’s legs gave out, and she collapsed right there on the spot.
Erica, sitting on the floor, looked up at Ferda.
Faced with the unexpected situation, Ferda was also flustered and hurriedly released her hand.
On the cold leader Erica’s face settled a blush of embarrassment and trembling pupils.
“?”
“?”
Ferda and Erica stared blankly at each other’s faces.
“?”
“?”
No one could solve this mystery even if they stared at each other.
— —
— Womanizer.
Ruri condemned with a cold gaze.
She had not spoken, but she had watched everything, holding her breath.
Ferda was quite taken aback.
— What wind are you talking about?
— Didn’t you just have an affair with that arrogant bitch?
— I only took her hand and the leader screamed.
— Scream? Anyone who heard it would call it a moan of pleasure.
Ferda had to admit that too.
— I only passed mana to her; it’s what Leader Iorga wanted.
— You’ve brought out the exact repertoire of cheaters.
This is driving me insane.
— You’ve felt it before too.
— So did I scream in pleasure like that arrogant bitch?
— No.
— There was nothing special. It was just mana. But when you did it to Leader Iorga, something is different. Perhaps…
Ruri narrowed her eyes and asked.
— Do you like that bitch?
— Are you insane?
He hardened his face by reflex and cursed.
— It was just mana.
— Then why am I the only one who is fine?
— Is that important?
— It is important.
Ruri took off her glove with irritation.
— Try it. If I feel even a little bit, I will scream in pleasure with all my might just like that bitch.
With Ruri coming at him like that, he didn’t want to touch her regardless of the truth.
Ferda decided to respond firmly as well.
— Why are you getting so hypersensitive?
— Don’t change the subject.
— I didn’t mind the questioning. But today you are being terribly pushy.
— …It’s because you have a fiancée that I’m doing this, isn’t it?
— From what I see, it looks like hypersensitivity beyond that. Did I whisper words of love? Did I drag you to the bedroom? It was just a new reaction born from ignorance, so why are you making me out to be a bastard?
Ferda showed his anger calmly yet firmly.
Hearing those words, Ruri showed agitation within her expressionless face.
She listened to Ferda’s words, thought, and lowered her head.
— I’m sorry. You’re right. I’m only Valdrova-sama’s maid, so…
Watching her mumble like a scowled puppy, Ferda remembered what happened today.
Ruri had a difficult day today, no less than Ferda.
The pressure regarding the war and the gaze of Goz Silverwind.
She had to endure that.
“Right, today was a difficult day.”
That is why she is getting hypersensitive like this and making a scene.
She was enduring as usual.
It is not something to scold; it is something to praise.
Ferda looked at Ruri with her head bowed and said:
— You had a rough day today.
And he placed his hand on her head, patting it gently.
— …
Ruri neither raised her head nor reacted.
From the moment his hand touched her head, she froze completely.
After placing his hand on her head, Ferda thought:
What is this, this act of madness?
My body only followed unconsciously, but why did I do this?
Ferda knew why that action felt like déjà vu.
Do they say that when an adult man praises a child, patting their head is effective?
That was why he had told Mori to do that when praising him.
Right.
Ferda had treated Ruri like a child.
This girl who hated being treated like a child.
She will definitely get angry.
— Ugh…
Thinking that, yet it wasn’t that either.
Don’t treat me like a child, I am a Dragon Generation and you are human.
Contrary to the expectation that she would lash out at him like that, Ruri said nothing.
She kept her head bowed, feeling Ferda’s touch.
“Why?”
I don’t know.
They say beasts feel comfort when held by the scruff of the neck.
Is it because they feel a mother’s love, or is it habit?
Or did she think that the moment this hand lets go, she will die like a detonator button with rage overwhelming her?
When all kinds of thoughts filled his head, she spoke.
— Uh, please leave quickly. I have to clean.
— Yes, understood.
Only then did Ferda withdraw his hand, and Ruri moved as well.
She immediately turned around and began sweeping the floor.
For a single moment, the skin not covered by hair was visible.
Her face was burning bright red.
— —
Ruri thought.
All humans change.
The heart cannot defy the flow of time.
Consistency is a reed-like thing treated as a respected virtue.
Ferda was the same.
I no longer know what that man is thinking.
In less than a year, a person changed so much.
Valdrova-sama is right there, yet now he carries on with womanizing antics holding other women’s hands.
He is only doing hateful things.
“…”
No, Ruri knew.
That man hadn’t changed.
That he had no intentions when taking their hands either.
That he had no intention of being unfaithful.
It was only an excuse to use when she needed a reason to nag.
Yet now a suffocating emotion welled up.
Right.
The one who changed was Ruri herself.
Ruri was subtly aware of it too.
When she felt anxious, Ferda’s name naturally came to mind before the thought that I can do something myself.
Then, when Goz arrived at the castle, she had unconsciously grabbed Ferda’s shirt collar.
That change began after Ferda killed Abel, and after she wept inconsolably in his arms.
“Silverwind-sama.”
Ferda had felt like the Silverwind of the past.
“Why…”
She couldn’t understand how she had made such an absurd misunderstanding.
Silverwind and Ferda were different.
Unlike the rustic men of the north, he had a gentle, intellectual personality.
The strictness that valued discipline was crafted by the rustic North and the second-in-command, Goz.
“They don’t resemble each other at all.”
Silverwind turns into a middle-aged man with a long beard when polymorphed, while Ferda is a blue youth.
The only similarity might be the hair color, and even that only when he insists forcefully.
She traced her thoughts deeply.
Ruri realized one thing.
“The scent.”
The scent she smelled while leaning on Ferda and crying.
Peppermint and chamomile blended together, spreading intensely yet subtly: a fresh scent.
And the scent of ash that desolates things.
Why did she smell that scent from Ferda?
“It’s a misunderstanding.”
An absurd misunderstanding.
Her memory was confused from being overwhelmed by emotion.
Ruri thought so.
She had to think so.
Mistaking Father, Silverwind, for him was a sacrilege.
“As expected, I need to scrub myself thoroughly.”
Fill the bath with lavender and soak deeply to wash it away.
Whatever it is, the bad one is Ferda.