Chapter 198. Could We, Somehow?

Storeus left the castle and walked down the corridor.

He could have stepped out onto the balcony, transformed into a dragon, and flown away, but Storeus deliberately chose not to.

There was one person he hoped to run into along the way.

And, by coincidence, that person entered his sight.

He had never heard what he looked like, nor had he been curious, but the moment they met, he knew.

Gray hair, blue eyes.

That scrawny little shrimp standing there with his head held high was Ferda.

Ferda respectfully greeted him first.

"Greetings, Great Aspect of Storms, Lord Storeus."

Looking down at him, Storeus spoke.

"So, you're the one. Ferda."

"It is an honor that you recognize me."

"You speak empty words remarkably well."

Storeus released his aura, attempting to crush him beneath its pressure.

Yet Ferda's expression did not change in the slightest.

Without showing even the slightest sign of strain, he faced him head-on.

"I heard the Captain's fiancé was a frail little thing, but you're even worse than I imagined... You're planning to crawl into the Land of Demons with a body like that?"

"..."

"It seems you have no idea what kind of dragon your fiancée truly is, insignificant one."

"Even if two people stay together for a long time, how much can they really know about each other?"

"At the very least, I know a side of her that you don't."

Even though it was obvious he was trying to provoke him, Ferda couldn't completely suppress the stir in his emotions.

"In the end, you're nothing more than a fleeting amusement enjoyed amid the irreversible flow of time. Do you really think you can endure that? How long do you think you and Valdrova will last?"

"Ten thousand years."

"Ten thousand years?"

"Yes."

Ferda answered without the slightest hesitation.

"She told me she wanted to spend ten thousand years with me, so we'll spend ten thousand years together."

Storeus stared at him as though he had just heard something absurd.

What was even more ridiculous was that those weren't words spoken out of stubborn pride.

In his eyes, there truly seemed to be the resolve of someone who intended to live a life approaching immortality.

"...I thought you might be a little different, but I suppose birds of a feather really do flock together."

He laughed in disbelief.

Having been maliciously pressing him with Dragon Fear, Storeus finally withdrew it.

"I heard you're after the Emperor's head, brat."

"I have no need for the Emperor's head."

"If you want to bring down the Empire, you'll have no choice."

Storeus spoke with absolute certainty.

"Olivia Arken will come looking for you before long. Help her."

Having said that, Storeus turned and left.

For some reason, the warning thrown out by that unbearably arrogant dragon carried considerable weight.

***

After the Flint Expedition returned, everyone took some time to reorganize.

Erika quickly distributed the spoils among the expedition members.

Immediate rewards usually led to a loss of motivation, but under the circumstances, it was the best option.

They needed more adventurers, and to achieve that, they wanted people to see the treasures recovered from the mysterious Eastern lands.

The adventurers proudly showed them off to merchants, filling them with anticipation.

Before it became the hottest attraction around, adventurers and merchants alike rushed to join, hoping to grab even a single noodle from the feast.

It served perfectly as bait.

"For now, the other adventurers all say they're willing to participate again."

"They must've had a pretty rough time, yet they haven't lost heart."

"Having a rough time isn't the issue. By adventurer standards, this expedition was a huge success!"

The reasons it was considered such a great success were much the same as she had explained before.

First, everyone returned alive, with no deaths or serious injuries.

Second, the expedition was completed within a single day.

Third, the very first expedition had brought back meaningful information and valuable results.

"Although we've only explored a small portion and will have to go back, we managed to bring this back. The harvest is definitely worthwhile."

What she showed him was a map related to Gyeonghui Palace.

Adventurers normally ventured into mortal danger blind.

Now, it was as though they had gained a pair of eyes.

Naturally, it was welcome news.

"Escolleia also said they're steadily developing new mana-powered automobiles, and after only about two more trips, we'll be able to collect everything inside Gyeonghui Palace and leave."

"I see."

"So, we're preparing for the next expedition now. We'll depart in two weeks. What about you, Regent Ferda?"

Erika expected the obvious answer, but asked anyway.

"For now, I'll simply think about it."

"It'll already be a tight schedule in two weeks. I really need your answer now."

"In that case, it's best to consider me absent from the next expedition."

Ferda answered without even the slightest hesitation.

Erika's eyes widened.

"Is it because of the Trauma?"

The monster that amplified each person's deepest emotional wounds.

She couldn't say it had nothing to do with it.

After all, Ferda had nearly died because of the illusion that Trauma had shown him.

But if she asked whether Trauma was the main reason...

It wasn't.

"No. I've realized just how much can be gained within the Land of Demons."

What does not kill you makes you stronger.

The Shadow Circle had reached the Second Circle, while the Red Circle had reached the Fifth Circle.

The amount of mana circulating through his body had already begun approaching that of a Six-Circle Opener.

Ferda had become a mage skilled enough to effortlessly use spells that were normally difficult for a Fifth-Circle mage to handle.

He would undoubtedly be a tremendous asset during future expeditions.

If he ventured even deeper, he would grow even stronger.

However, that was only possible because it was the Eastern Region.

Ferda had already found his answer.

And that answer wasn't somewhere far away.

Once you have found the answer, searching for another only creates confusion.

"Just asking, in case."

"Yes."

"...There really isn't any other reason, right?"

"...Just what exactly happened while I was unconscious?"

Erika couldn't answer.

"I understand. Then we'll select a new mage candidate."

"Yes."

And so she let Ferda leave.

After he disappeared, Erika couldn't help feeling disappointed.

He was incredibly capable...

She hadn't said it aloud, but he was far more capable than the middle-aged mage they had recruited this time.

I figured he'd eventually reach a new realm... but I never imagined it'd happen during the expedition...

As someone who had learned magic through humanity's methods of cultivation, Erika knew exactly how arduous that journey was.

She was a Grand Mage of the Sixth Circle, but only because she had far more time than anyone else.

His true training probably only began after reaching adulthood...

The Fifth Circle in only a single year.

For the Blue Circle, that was impossible.

Even for the Red Circle, it bordered on impossible.

The reason he was able to reach the Fifth Circle...

The Armored Knight...

And the Yin-Yang Chamber...

No matter how she imagined it, only disturbing images came to mind.

I think I've lost my mind.

Should she cast a memory-erasing spell and wipe those scenes away entirely?

Perhaps enduring the side effects would be preferable.

Or maybe I should deliberately make myself think about Regent Ferda instead... No, that's torture.

If someone who already had a fiancée remembered such a humiliating scene, the shame alone might drive him to an extreme decision.

Better not think about it.

She cleared those distracting thoughts away and resumed writing her report.

Knock. Knock.

"Come in."

Someone entered.

The moment she looked up, she froze in surprise.

The very person at the center of those disgraceful thoughts from only moments ago...

The Armored Knight had entered.

"What brings you here?"

He cautiously walked over and handed her something.

A neatly folded piece of paper.

For some reason, she had a terrible feeling about it.

—Resignation Letter.

Her bad feeling was right.

"You're leaving?"

Nod. Nod.

Staring blankly at the resignation letter, Erika thought,

Just what the hell happened inside that damned Yin-Yang Chamber?

Did the two people who had been inside together somehow confirm their love for one another and decide to run away together?

Before such ridiculous and filthy fantasies could completely corrupt her thoughts, she politely asked,

"Why?"

Unlike how she had spoken with Ferda, her tone was considerably more forceful.

Naturally, the Armored Knight didn't answer.

Silence lingered.

Finally, Erika answered for him.

"No."

She slid the resignation letter back across the desk.

The Armored Knight gestured as though asking why.

"You contributed more than anyone during this expedition. That's exactly why I can't allow it."

"...?"

"You nearly killed me, and yes, you were dangerous. But to me, that's a truly insignificant issue. Do you know why?"

"..."

"Because your contribution during this expedition was greater than anyone else's."

If Ferda's strength could be replaced by herself, then the Armored Knight was utterly irreplaceable.

Even the battle-hungry Jonathan the Iron Wall looked like fragile glass that would shatter after a single crack when compared to him.

The Armored Knight hesitated briefly before once again pushing the resignation letter across the desk.

Finally unable to contain her frustration, Erika spoke.

"Sir Armored Knight. Don't you think it's time you started talking?"

"...!!"

"I know you never swore the Oath of Silence. You serve neither a religion nor a lord. How long did you think we'd keep pretending not to notice?"

"......"

"If you have a legitimate reason, I'll accept it. But everyone's struggling right now. If you leave us, there's nothing we can do."

Erika crossed her arms and crossed one leg over the other.

No matter what approach he took, he wouldn't be able to persuade her.

Her posture made that abundantly clear.

It was practically a threat.

But Erika had no other choice.

The Armored Knight was driving her insane.

She desperately needed him.

At the same time, she desperately wanted to know who he really was.

Up until now, Erika had always respected the line while investigating him.

She truly had.

At least until she witnessed Thunder Dragon Storeus quietly backing down.

That completely shattered the scales by which she judged everything.

She could no longer suppress her curiosity.

"If you're hiding some secret, I swear upon my own name that I'll protect it. Until then, I cannot approve this resignation."

At the mention of swearing upon her own name, the Armored Knight visibly hesitated.

Then, as though making up his mind...

Erika assumed he was about to take back the resignation letter lying on the desk.

Instead...

He did something she had never expected.

The armor that defined the Armored Knight began to come off.

Not piece by piece like ordinary armor.

It split apart as though tearing away a cocoon, like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis.

Once the armor fell away, the person hidden inside gracefully revealed herself.

The eyes of Erika, who had been sitting there so confidently only moments before, became as round as full moons.

Standing before her now...

Were two curved horns, crimson hair...

And golden eyes.

She looked exactly like the Valdrova Erika had seen long ago.

Erika felt as though her mind had gone completely blank.

She couldn't think anymore.

No.

That can't be real.

This has to be Trauma sneaking into my office and attacking me.

The person inside spoke.

"Um... could... somehow... this not work out?"

Even that timid way of speaking sounded strangely familiar.

In her dragon form, she carried a dignified presence.

But in human form, she spoke like a timid young woman.

The facts entering Erika's eyes and ears could no longer be denied.

Erika slowly rose from her seat.

"U-Um... Erika, no, Miss Eri...?"

Erika walked over and stood in front of Valdrova.

Then, her height suddenly seemed to shrink.

She dropped to both knees and respectfully folded her hands.

Unlike her quiet movements, her voice thundered throughout the room.

"Please forgive this maiden's disrespectful conduct!!!"

***

People said that when humans were on the verge of death, their lives flashed before their eyes.

Having nearly died countless times herself, Erika had always believed that was complete nonsense.

No matter how many times she had faced death, the only face that ever appeared in her heart was Iorga's.

But this time was different.

The events of her past rapidly flashed through her mind.

Beginning from the very first moment she met the Armored Knight.

From that very meeting onward, Erika searched through every mistake she had made.

Why hadn't she realized it sooner?

Only a dragon could stand against another dragon.

"Um..."

Valdrova looked down at Erika and spoke.

She had dismissed her fully human appearance, revealing her horns and tail as she apologized.

"I'm really fine now... so, could you please stand up?"

"No! Please allow me to remain like this! Only then will my heart be at ease!"

"Umm..."

I'm the one who's uncomfortable...

She couldn't bring herself to say it.

"I should've realized the moment you refused to wear ordinary armor. Yet this ignorant fool dared treat someone as exalted as you in such a manner...!"

"I'm really fine, so you don't have to worry..."

Erika looked as though she might burst into tears at any moment.

Valdrova, meanwhile, was thoroughly embarrassed.

Her awkward hands merely continued brushing against her own legs.

"Um... if I may be so bold..."

"Hm?"

"When... exactly did you realize... that I was Iorga's child...?"

"When?"

"...From the very beginning?"

"I-Is that so?"

It feels like I'm about to cough up blood.

So Valdrova had known she was Iorga's daughter all along...

And yet she still obeyed those orders and carried them out.

Then something Storeus had barged in and demanded suddenly came back to her.

"T-Then... was the reason you stopped Lord Storeus from forcing me to kneel..."

"That?"

"Because you're Iorga's child."

"I-Is that the only reason?"

"Yes."

Just because of that?

No other dragon would ever have done such a thing.

If it wasn't their own child...

If it wasn't their own family...

They would have supported forcing her head into the ground.

Valdrova smiled gently.

"If Iorga found out Storeus made you do something like that, she'd be sad."

"Th-That can't..."

Erika gazed up at Valdrova.

That smile, which she normally would have dismissed as foolish, now seemed incredibly noble.

As she looked at it, memories of the time she had spent with Iorga resurfaced.

"Valdrova really does act exactly like a lizard."

"Indeed she does!"

"She behaves so foolishly that everyone takes her for a complete pushover."

"Exactly! The way she acts is just..."

"Cough!"

"A-Are you alright?"

"O-Of course..."

People say that karma always comes back around eventually.

Right now, that karma was repeatedly punching Erika square in the solar plexus.