Chapter 207: A Ridiculous Misunderstanding

The Arken Empire was the largest power on the Cerdes Continent.

Its vast territory had been built through endless conquest and expansion.

But even that had its limits.

As an empire continued to expand across the continent, it would inevitably run into someone else's land.

Even so, the Empire had continued swallowing neighboring territories and steadily growing.

That ambition only came to a halt before the Dragon-Demon War broke out.

When the Demon Race began to surge, the Empire actually became even more active under the pretext of providing protection.

But once the Dragon-Demon War erupted in earnest, everything stopped.

Because the Grand Ducal Council had been established.

From the moment every intelligent race on the continent began gathering to deliberate together, the enormous Arken Empire could no longer act so freely.

There were simply too many eyes watching for it to move under flimsy pretenses, and the Empire itself had become far too large.

But looked at another way...

As long as it had a legitimate justification, it could move whenever it wished.

And the Arken Empire possessed the key that could provide exactly such a justification.

"That key is Duke Yurei."

Olivia explained.

"They'll soon seize on the fact that he's supposedly one of the Demon Race. They'll exaggerate it, stir public opinion, and ignite the people's anger."

"So they're planning quite a spectacle."

"Of course. They'll execute him in the Empire's central square, deliver a blood-soaked speech, and declare war on the Heinkel Kingdom."

"Whose plan is this?"

"Would either Ureas or Valdemar Golt have any reason to oppose it?"

For Ureas, who thirsted for conquest, a war was simply welcome.

As for Valdemar, it would allow him to redirect his fame and the growing domestic dissatisfaction toward an external enemy.

Naturally, the two would cooperate.

"Duke Yurei..."

It was a complicated name for Ferda.

The one who had made his life miserable had been Marcus Yurei, Duke Yurei's son.

After Marcus died, the one who came seeking revenge had been Perry Yurei.

"I know that name leaves a bad taste in your mouth. He was the one who tried to cast you into the abyss, Regent Ferda."

"I hold no personal feelings."

Whatever Duke Yurei had done meant nothing to Ferda.

He had already anticipated the Duke's misunderstanding.

In fact, encouraging that misunderstanding had been Ferda's intention from the very beginning in order to expose the members of the Demon Race.

Above all else, Duke Yurei's grief and rage held no meaning for him.

"Where is Duke Yurei now?"

"In the torture chambers beneath the Imperial Palace. They're treating him with... extraordinary hospitality."

"The security must be extremely tight."

"Naturally."

They knew perfectly well that he was the decisive key that could determine whether a war began.

Naturally, they would guard him carefully to prevent any unnecessary variables.

"How am I supposed to do anything about a place like that?"

"You may not be able to... but don't you happen to have a very capable subordinate?"

"You mean Zed."

Zed Swallow.

The Master Thief who had once thrown the Empire into complete chaos.

Nowadays, however, that legendary reputation had become little more than a bard's exaggerated tale.

The current Zed was merely seen as someone who had gotten his position through connections and constantly flirted with women like a shameless swindler.

But Olivia had witnessed his infiltration skills firsthand.

After all, when Dvelung had been delivered to her, the one who had entered her private bedchamber had been none other than Zed.

"With his abilities, stealing someone out of there should be child's play. What do you think, Regent?"

"He'll do it."

"He must be an incredible operative. You didn't hesitate for even a second."

He was already exceptional.

And one day, he would become the greatest thief even the Empire could never stop.

"If Duke Yurei is rescued, he'll return home and give a speech. He'll accuse the Arken Empire of torturing a noble instead of treating him with the dignity his rank deserves, and he'll turn the entire continent upside down. What do you think will happen then?"

"I don't know."

"An emergency session of the Council will be convened. By the White House, that is."

The White House—the residence of the White Dragon, Blancaros, and the headquarters of the Grand Ducal Council.

"You're saying Blancaros himself will intervene?"

Ferda had assumed that, since this was a matter between humans, they would simply be left to settle it themselves.

"More precisely, he'll act according to the laws he established. If half the humans on the continent rise in outrage, recklessly throw around the term 'Demon Race,' distort its meaning, and sow chaos, that would be considered a threat to the peace of the continent."

After hearing Olivia's reasoning, it made perfect sense.

"So this is extremely important..."

"Yes?"

"You're certain Duke Yurei isn't on the Doppler list?"

Was Duke Yurei truly a follower of the Demon Race?

Neither the Empire nor the Heinkel Kingdom actually knew whether he was a Doppler.

Politically, they merely labeled him as one.

In that sense, the list of Dopplers recorded in the journal was decisive evidence.

And Ferda had personally read that list.

"The only member of House Yurei named in the journal is his son, Marcus Yurei."

"In that case, we'd better get him out before he loses the ability to speak."

Olivia began laying out the scenario she envisioned.

"If everything goes according to plan, the Arken Empire will be judged guilty of deliberately distorting the facts and ordered to pay reparations to both the Heinkel Kingdom and Duke Yurei. No... judging by Lord Blancaros's personality, he may make an even harsher example of them. He might even force them to cede territory."

An empire that could no longer expand and instead lost land...

To the Arken Empire, that would be nothing less than utter humiliation.

And once territory was lost, everyone would begin blaming one another.

The public discontent they had tried to vent outward would boil over again like a pot with its lid clamped shut.

"If the tension inside the Empire can't be relieved through war, it'll only continue to grow."

"Unable to direct it outward... divisions will begin to form."

"And the people will long for a savior riding a white horse to lead them."

Ferda knew exactly who that savior would be.

"The Alte Religion will rise to prominence."

"Exactly."

Olivia smiled brightly.

"An apprentice saint who also carries the blood of House Arken. They'll put that person at the forefront and thoroughly shake the existing ruling class."

"Can the Archbishop be trusted?"

"Everything has already been arranged. If the current Emperor loses the people's support, we'll replace the imperial government with theocratic rule and take control of the Empire."

A theocracy.

The religious order intended to take political power as well.

And within the Alte Religion, the highest authority was not the Archbishop...

It was the Pope.

And that position...

"You intend to inherit it."

Olivia was the perfect candidate.

A woman who carried the blood of the Empire and had been chosen by Alte.

No one was more suited to become Pope.

"No."

Olivia shook her head.

"That won't happen."

"My goal is only to cut off the false Golden Bloodline. If I ascend the throne myself, how would that be any different from allowing the Arken Kingdom to continue?"

"You might make wiser choices than the Emperor."

"I can't."

She raised the back of her hand and answered firmly.

"Once my revenge is complete, I'll destroy everything. The Emperor, the Empire... and I won't spare myself."

"If you destroy yourself... do you mean you'll abandon your position?"

"Of course. That's the Oath of Vengeance I made with Alte."

"I doubt the Alte Religion will quietly accept that plan."

"Until then, I'll simply keep acting. I cannot allow anyone to preserve the current Empire. That includes those who call themselves Alte's representatives."

The image of the burning imperial capital resurfaced in Ferda's mind.

How many people had died?

How many screams had echoed through those streets?

She was fully capable of bringing about another catastrophe like that.

Collapse always came hand in hand with misery.

"Living as a commoner won't be easy."

"Of course it won't. I'd have to wear clothes made from rough cloth and eat food I'd question was even properly cooked. But if I were going to complain over something that trivial, I never would've started this in the first place. Or..."

Olivia smiled teasingly.

"How about you take me in, Regent Ferda?"

Ferda answered without hesitation.

"I will."

"...What?"

The teacup slipped from her fingers.

The hot tea splashed over her hand.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. It's only about as hot as bathwater."

"That's a relief."

Seeing Olivia genuinely flustered felt strangely new to Ferda.

She repeatedly opened her mouth to speak, only to stop herself like a fool.

"Uh... I mean... ah... I should dry my hand first... no, before that, I should explain..."

The way she stumbled over her words reminded him of Malcolm.

Unable to watch any longer, Ferda decided to tell her what she should do first.

He offered her his handkerchief.

"Here."

"...Thank you."

Her movements had become oddly stiff.

Gone were the casual brushes of skin from before.

She simply snatched the handkerchief and wiped her hand.

"When you said you'd take me in... you meant you'd become my guardian, didn't you?"

Ferda nodded as though it were obvious.

"Leaving the life of an imperial princess to become an ordinary commoner is painful."

Ferda had personally experienced the fate of a fallen noble.

The drastic change in one's sense of money and the decline in quality of life always brought misery to those who had once enjoyed privilege.

An imperial princess would be no different.

"I cannot give you everything you once had, but at the very least, it's my duty to ensure you never end up living in utter misery."

Just as Olivia had steeled herself for her resolve...

Ferda showed a faith worthy of it.

"If you're prepared to abandon everything once this is over, then I will gladly help you."

Olivia found herself unable to respond.

At that very moment...

Ferda clearly sensed it.

Her Circle was trembling violently.

***

Olivia thought to herself.

Could there be some ancient artifact hidden inside this castle that turned people into fools?

Ever since coming here, she had lost count of how many absurd misunderstandings she'd fallen into.

Again and again, she kept assigning meaning to things that weren't there and imagining things on her own.

This time was no different.

-How about you take me in?

-I will.

Knowing Ferda's personality, she should have understood without question that he meant becoming her guardian.

And yet...

Her first instinct had interpreted it differently.

For just a moment, his eyes had sparkled brilliantly.

His lips had seemed as sweet and inviting as if honey were dripping from them.

Because of that...

It had sounded as though Ferda were declaring that he would make her his.

'I shouldn't have thought that…'

Ferda already had Valdrova.

He was someone whose love was noble and unwavering.

Yet she had interpreted his words with such impure thoughts.

The greatest irony was the strange emotion Olivia herself felt while imagining that situation.

Deep down...

She became excited as though she had secretly been waiting for that moment to come.

If that truly were her desire, then she would be no different from the men she had always despised.

And yet...

She wanted it.

It was enough to drive her mad.

It felt as though a metronome had been installed inside her head.

Instead of ticking with each beat...

It repeated a different sound.

Ferda.

His name echoed through her mind in a steady rhythm.

Ferda.

Ferda.

It was such a beautiful name.

His given name was Ferda.

His family name was Valdrova.

Yet in Olivia's mind...

He was simply Ferda.

Not Ferda Valdrova.

For some reason, that full name just didn't feel right.

Ferda was perfect.

Ferda Valdrova...

Somehow wasn't.

The two words felt as incompatible as oil and water.

And in truth...

That was exactly how it seemed.

Olivia had met both Ferda and Valdrova.

She understood that much with certainty.

'Valdrova…'

She truly was a pure-hearted woman.

Not merely innocent...

She possessed genuine warmth.

Olivia could easily understand what kind of existence she was to Ferda.

Valdrova was his one and only sanctuary.

The cradle where his heart could finally rest.

'But that can't last forever…'

Olivia also understood Ferda.

He would do absolutely anything for Valdrova.

That "anything" included deeds that would deeply wound her if she ever learned the truth.

He would ruthlessly destroy anyone who stood in Valdrova's way.

Yet at the same time...

He lived in constant fear.

Would the blood staining his hands one day taint her purity?

Everything he did was for her.

And yet those were secrets he could never tell her.

Those secrets weighed heavily upon him.

Olivia knew just how crushing that burden truly was.

'Could Valdrova... really bear a Ferda like that?'

No one could truly know another person's heart.

There was no way to predict Valdrova's answer.

If she remained nothing more than a naïve dragon who only wanted to be friends...

She might recoil in horror after learning that Ferda had slain dragons.

She might call him a monster...

And leave him with a wound that could never heal.

In the end...

She might never truly understand him.

And eventually...

The two of them might part ways.

'If I were the one standing in her place…'

Whenever Ferda found himself at a crossroads, she would advise him toward the best choice.

If he became exhausted and despaired, she would embrace him from behind and whisper that everything would be all right.

She and Ferda understood each other.

That understanding could only deepen their bond.

Together, they could become the perfect pair.

The fantasy swelled further and further.

An absurd question kept circling in her mind.

-Don't the two of us look good together?

Ferda would probably answer—

-My heart already belongs to someone else.

If she dared hope a little more...

Perhaps he would instead say—

-There is no partner better suited to me than you.

That would be the most hopeful answer.

And yet...

It still wouldn't satisfy her.

Because if he said that...

She would undoubtedly reply—

I want to be more than just your partner.