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Chapter 102
Sitting Upright
After finishing her conversation with the Armor Knight, Erica came to find Ferda.
Her features were familiar to him, but the decisive elements were a little different.
She was in a state of perfectly mimicking a human, with no horns, no tail, no wings.
Nominally, it was a visit from a Platinum-rank adventurer, 'Eri'.
"Has your body recovered?"
Ẅе̊ bn ȯvӗ ľ Е́n̄ù m̂ӓ
"Yes. The seizures have decreased, and I've returned to a level where I can wield light mana."
For a human, it would take 3 years of nothing but mana cultivation to recover, but he recovered in a mere 3 hours.
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True to dragons who study magic for a lifetime, even deep internal injuries showed rapid healing like minor wounds.
"I heard the adventurers didn't participate much in this incident."
Erica brought up the uncomfortable topic first.
"Yes. That's how it was."
Еn̊ ǔ m̊а̄
"Those damn faith-peddling bastards are filtering the list and proceeding with qualification revocation as we speak, so don't worry."
Cheap profanity was mixed into the formal tone, yet there was no sense of incongruity at all.
And what was there to worry about?
He hadn't expected anything from the start, so there was no betrayal to speak of.
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Those greedy for first dibs are all cut from the same cloth anyway.
'Still, it's a village being made to accommodate adventurers, yet only bugs swarm to it.'
W е ḃ ñ о̇ṽ ė.l̊ Е̃ n ũ m а̂
At this rate, wouldn't making it be meaningless?
Revoking qualifications is one thing, but countermeasures were needed as countermeasures.
"We'll handle the countermeasure side somehow. You just need to lend us your name, Regent-nim."
"Would my name be of help?"
"With the Blue Eye Tower Master and Valdrova's consort joining forces, at the very least, cutting off the current Association President's head is possible."
How could a mere human avoid the breath of two dragons?
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It was a grave problem that wouldn't be solved even with connections.
"Anyway, nothing but harsh words come out about this, so let's not mention it further. There's something else we must face right now."
What Erica spoke of was one thing.
"You mean Gokma."
"Yes. That bastard, whom we naturally thought dead since he never showed himself."
Gokma.
Е̌ n um̆а̇
Also called Godwin's Seven Scourge Stars, they were the Demon King's seven acknowledged close aides, calamity-like existences who exerted the deepest influence on the continent.
Among them, the most underestimated Scourge Star was indeed Gokma.
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The situation couldn't help but be that way.
He lost his life to the kitchen knife of a newly awakened Hero, so there was a lack of data to view objectively.
That death became the catalyst that awakened vigilance toward humans, and they struggled desperately to prevent the birth of heroes.
"I didn't know that Gokma would be this strong."
Е̃ ň ù m ā .і̌ d
"Is he strong compared to the other six Scourge Stars?"
"He wasn't on a comparable level. At least, from what I felt just now......."
He might be similar to the Demon King.
But she didn't say that deliberately.
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Because Erica herself wasn't certain.
She thought that judgment might be an excuse born from the fear and shame of her own defeat.
W̆ ѐ.bn̆ оv ӗl̃ Ё n̈ū mа
Ferda also recalled Gokma's appearance, which he had confirmed with his own eyes.
A body entirely covered in a robe.
Inside was a slender body similar to his own, and red eyes.
'White Hand.'
The demons Ferda knew had black skin.
"Are Noble-class ones white?"
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"No. Even the Demon King had black skin, and the other aides were the same."
"Gokma wasn't like that."
"Yes. That's right. That's what I was curious about too."
Ferda remembered clearly, and it was the same for Erica.
The color of the fingers extended outside the robe was unmistakably white.
"Perhaps that might be one of the reasons he could be that strong. If he utilized the power Godwin left behind, repeatedly transforming and altering himself to maximize his power......."
Е ň ûm̂ а
"There's a possibility."
The truth is unknown, but Ferda agreed to some extent.
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That Dark Elf named Linne was also making a drug that creates Knight-class demons in an instant, wasn't she?
They learn from the past and prepare to advance into the future.
If there's an opportunity, they won't hesitate.
So that humans won't be left with a 'next time'.
W̄ ёḃ n̆ оv̂е́l̈ Е nũm̆ ā
"I don't know why bastards like that touched Hestia Village. It doesn't seem like they intended to finish it off just because it was an eyesore......."
The number of wolf monsters Gokma sent to the village was 15.
But the number of monsters he poured out to escape was a whopping 4 times that.
If he had poured that number into the village from the start, at least dozens would have died and hundreds injured.
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That half-heartedness was surely a probe.
If so, a probe for what?
Eñû m̊ ä.і̃ d̃
It was hard for them to understand that demons, who only want certain destruction, would do a probe.
"For now, it would be best to build the wall first."
Erica made that suggestion.
"Do you think demons will come again?"
"There's no reason for them to come again given their methods, but the thoughts of the people living there are different."
"That's a fair point."
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Right now, we must see through the eyes of the public, not a leader.
Regardless, an incident broke out, and casualties occurred.
That corpse lying on the road could have been them.
A seed called anxiety was planted in them.
If I stay in this city, someday that kind of fate will be mine.
Before this winter passes,
W̆.е̌_b nоv̊е̇l̂ En̄ um̀ a
Perhaps tomorrow,
No, it could be tonight.
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Even if it's just for show, it was better to let them know they're being protected.
'They say manpower is always short.......'
If they build a wall, the manpower put into urban planning decreases too.
The trend of infrastructure being built will naturally shrink.
Ѐnumā
It's a troublesome variable for Isabella, who's in the middle of urban planning.
"Let's handle the city issue that way, and shall we talk about the item I brought?"
Erica took something out of her pocket and placed it on the table.
It was an amulet holding an orange-colored gem.
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"It's an Anti-Demon Charm."
The conceptual item she had mentioned before the alliance.
W е̄ b̆ ň.о̇v̊ е́ l̃ Ӗ ñ u m̆ а́
Ferda, who had heard it was still in the research stage, felt it was fast.
"We'll have to test how much demonic energy it blocks in the actual Demon Land, but if I predict, it can shield 95% of infiltrating demonic energy."
"So 5% gets in."
"Even that 5% is an amazing achievement if based on the deep interior of the Demon Land. It lets humans put a foot into a place they originally shouldn't enter."
"How long can one last with that?"
"If you take the risk, three days. The safe range would be about one day."
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One day.
"Wouldn't time be needed to detoxify after exposure to demonic energy too?"
"Our Blue Eye scholars recommend about half a month of rest."
"So work one day, rest 15 days."
"Yes, it's too long."
Adventuring is originally something where the preparation period is longer, but half a month is too long.
Ẃӗ b̂ n ó v̄е̃ĺ Е n̂ um̂ а́
Since it's exploring unentered regions, producing results is hard.
Above all, the flaw is that it makes you think too much.
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'Deep thought in adventuring is poison.'
When you must take risks, you mustn't think too much.
When thoughts increase, you naturally get scared, and fear leads to melancholy.
Melancholy is a deadly poison that cuts off an adventurer's life.
Е̊ń u ṁ_а. і d̀
"It's not like you judge the adventurer profession by efficiency, but even considering that, it's not good. If we could reduce it by about a week, that would be truly great......."
"A week......."
Is there a way to solve it?
He thought that, but Ferda soon stopped.
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Anyway, this isn't something solvable with Ferda's ability.
That's why he answered like this.
Е̃ n̂ ümа̇
"I'll tell Burnell."
"That genius scholar? The one who recently earned merit in Halim too?"
Erica asked with a face full of anticipation.
It was the first time she showed such anticipation upon hearing a human's name.
"Can that person solve it?"
"He'll be able to solve it."
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He didn't know how, but Erica didn't raise doubts.
'If it's Ferda Regent's person, maybe it's possible.'
His capabilities were among the best not just among his peer humans, but among all humans she'd experienced.
She tried to peek into his head, but rather feared her own shallowness would be exposed.
Erica thought there must be Ferda's own incomprehensible wisdom.
In fact, he didn't have a proper plan either.
Е̊ n um̊ а
Ferda thought this.
'Burnell will somehow manage.'
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Ferda still doesn't know how magitech works.
Actually, even the assistants working under him barely understand a handful of things, so how would Ferda understand?
So the answer in his head was that whether he can actually pull it off is also unknown.
Still, if it's Burnell, he's a magitech genius, so he'll give some answer.
Ѐn ú m а̀ . ǐ d̆_
Only Burnell was being ground down by that vague hope.
* * *
Late at night, when all work was finished,
Ruri went down to Valdrova's lair.
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As usual, she carried summarized contents to discuss the situation.
However, her expression wasn't like usual.
Еn̆ u̇ m̆ǎ
It was a face like she was going to face a prisoner trapped in an underground prison.
"Master-nim, it's Ruri. I'm entering."
She entered Valdrova's lair through the small door on the side.
"Master-nim, what I'll tell you today is—."
Ruri's words cut off abruptly.
The great dragon's lair didn't have the usual Great Phase wrapped in red scales.
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Instead, a small woman was kneeling in seiza with her armor off.
"Why are you doing seiza?"
She looked down at that sight and asked in a dumbfounded voice.
"Th-that......."
Valdrova answered in a flustered voice.
"Because Ruri will get angry......?"
Е̄n_ù mа̀_
"I'm not angry."
"Really?"
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"Just...... a little disappointed."
Valdrova fidgeted with her fingers and bowed her head deeply.
Those words sounded more painful than anger.
"But, Ruri......."
W е b n öv̊е̄ l̃ Е n.um â
"Yes."
"How did you know?"
"......I couldn't help but notice from Valdrova-nim's conduct. That conduct reminded me of the armor's function."
"Was it that obvious?"
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"Not exactly, it seems. Ferda-nim doesn't know, does he?"
"I see."
Ê n̊ um̂а
Valdrova let out a sigh of relief.
Seeing that, Ruri's expression turned slightly fierce.
"It's too early to be relieved."
Ruri took something out and showed it to her.
The Calamity's Rumor opened.
"Looking at the records, you've been active under the name Armor Knight."
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"Uh, yeah......."
"It's already been several months working here."
"That's right......."
Valdrova's shoulders sank heavily.
"Vow of Silence. Truly ingenious. If you had spoken, Ferda-nim would have noticed immediately."
"It just happened that way unintentionally......."
Ẅ еb́ nо̄v̆e l̃ Е nu m̄а̃
"That's right. There's no way Valdrova-nim would do it that meticulously."
Ruri sighed.
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"Is what you're doing now a human pastime?"
"It's not a pastime or anything. Th-this is, helping humans."
"......."
Right.
Е_nu ḿ a
This couldn't even be called a pastime.
A dragon's pastime mostly refers to doing things ordinary humans can't handle.
Leaving behind great achievements or infamy and disappearing suddenly, boasting the dragon's greatness to posterity—that can be said to be the main purpose.
But,
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What dragon would disguise as a human and do laborer work carrying loads at a construction site?
It's not a great achievement, nor a mere pastime—it's work that becomes a laughingstock.
Е̌ ṅ ǔm̊ á
As the dragon's attendant, Ruri didn't like that work.
She wanted Valdrova to treat her own power and fame more preciously.
"Still......."
But not knowing such feelings, Valdrova smiled brightly and held something out.
"I worked hard and saved this much money?"
Proudly, she showed her pouch.
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Inside were copper coins and silver coins mixed together.
Ruri felt her emotions boiling up.
She could get more money than this just by kicking warehouse goods and dragging them over.
She didn't like that appearance finding reward in mere pocket change.
This is something to get angry about.
"Is it good?"
Ӗ ṅǔ m а .і d̆
"Yeah. It's good."
"What's so good about it?"
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"I thought, I can make something without breaking anything."
"......."
Hearing those words, surprisingly, her anger subsided.
Ruri knows.
Еn ǔm а̄ . і̌ d́
That inside that self-loathing thrown casually while laughing so purely, there's an unfathomable abyss.
Only Ruri, who has deeply looked into that interior, can reproach her and pity her.
That joy was only momentary.
Valdrova's head tilted toward the floor.
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"But...... in the end, I broke it again. Is breaking things all I can do?"
Valdrova scratched her cheek and grinned foolishly.
E̊ num а̄.i̇d
"That can't be. Valdrova-nim is the Phase of Power, you can do greater things."
Ruri embraced her shoulders.
Valdrova leaned her head slightly against her.
"But people were scared. Because I broke it again......."
"It was just the heat of the moment. Don't you know? Humans are foolish. They fear what's right in front of them, but if they reflect again, they'll soon realize Master-nim's deeds and chant them."
Valdrova raised her head and looked at Ruri.
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Her golden eyes were moist.
"Will they?"
"Why don't you confirm with your own two eyes? Wearing that armor."
At Ruri's words, Valdrova's eyes went round.
"Me...... can I keep doing that work?"
"You may."
Е̂ n ú ḿ ӓ
"Even if Ruri hates it?"
"How could a mere attendant like me stop Master-nim's will?"
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Even in this situation, she couldn't dare do that.
'If such a trivial pastime can even slightly soothe her heart and heal her wounds.......'
How could she call it a foolish act and tell her to stop?
Even if it's out of line as a dragon's dignity, if she can be a little happier, she'll gladly endure.
Én̆ u m̊ а.і d̊
"Then, then......."
Valdrova asked one more favor with an excited face.
"Can I also become Ferda-ssi's knight?"
She felt the limit of her patience already.
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"......Why do you want to do that?"
"Well...... because I'd be able to meet Ferda-ssi often?"
Wе́ b̃ńōv̆ е́.l̃ Е̃nu̇ m_а̄
She said, fidgeting with her fingers.
"Don't you meet often already?"
"O-of course we meet often...... we meet, but......."
Valdrova answered, scratching her cheek.
"It's a little...... different from usual, cool."
"......Cool?"
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"Ferda-ssi always treats me gently, so I always thought he's a gentle person. But......."
"But......?"
"That slightly cold treatment made it seem like we became strangers, so......."
Valdrova's face turned red.
Her face is no different from a female.
"It made my heart flutter, or something?"
E n̂ um ӓ.ї d̀
"......."
At that, a fire instantly ignited in Ruri's heart, which had calmed down.
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A light called responsibility blazed fiercely in her eyes.
"Master-nim."
"Yeah?"
"Do seiza."
Е̄ṅ umа
"Uh, yeah?? Why?"
"I'm starting a lecture."
The Calamity's Rumor opened in earnest, and Valdrova's complexion turned pale.
She made a pained face with tears welling up, but even those tears became new lecture material.
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* * *
Following Ruri's words, Valdrova went to Hestia Village again.
Wëb nо v́ èl̇ Е̄ n ümа
The same armor, the same act.
She was the Armor Knight herself, hiding nothing.
'They're watching me.'
Their gazes were felt clearly.
At the same time, even whispering sounds.
-The monster came.
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-The monster that kills people again.......
-Kyaaaak!
The auditory hallucinations felt from those gazes sticky tormented her.
'Should I just go back?'
Her two legs, which didn't shake against any attack, waver at a fragile heart.
"Knight-nim."
W̄ ě b ñ ovе l E n úḿ ӑ
The fog cleared and she returned to reality.
A young girl boldly approached and stood before her.
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That girl was the small child caught by bad adventurers.
The child who was almost eaten by a monster's jaws.
And
The child who saw me as a monster.
Ĕn̊ um а̇. і ď
"Th-thank......."
The girl barely opened her mouth and held something out.
"Thank you for saving me."
It was a flower.
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A common wildflower you'd kick around in the forest.
But Valdrova held that flower as if it was more precious than anything.
Е̃ ǹ ů m̈ а̇
The girl's gap-toothed smile was more beautiful than anything.
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