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Chapter 72
It's a Misunderstanding
An uncomfortable silence passed between them.
Ferda was rubbing his forehead vigorously with his index finger.
'I understand.'
Anyone can talk shit.
If you grab onto one thing and pick at pumpkin seeds together, you can feel a sense of belonging to that group.
Ė ǹú m̈ а
You *can* do it, but getting caught is a different matter.
Especially when it's the pumpkin seeds of your beloved fiancée.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
However, Ferda didn't get indignant.
Rather, he calmed down.
Was it because his temper had flared too much over Erdes's matter, or was it simply because it was the past and he had no intention of making an issue of it?
For now, he decided to ask what he was curious about.
Е ñ um̊ a. іd
"I have a question."
"...Please speak."
"Do other dragons also think of my fiancée that way?"
"...I just hope you'll think that dragons just don't get along with each other."
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"No, I just need objective facts. If you're going to help, tell me without filtering."
Ferda spoke seriously.
Е n.um̄а̇
Erica had no way of knowing if those serious eyes held anger or curiosity.
But she gave the answer he wanted.
"Yes. Looking at her track record, there's no choice but to say that."
"..."
"Even right now. Wanting to marry a human as a partner? It's an absurd story that isn't even worth joking about."
The Aspect of Power, or the Aspect that cannot use power.
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Hearing that contradiction, it was indeed absurd.
Valdrova is a being where everything is contradictory.
"Setting aside emotional talk."
Getting caught up in the past wasn't good, so he decided to talk about the present.
"What's the benefit of allying with Iorga?"
"We can lend our strength to the Far East conquest that Regent Ferda will undertake."
W̃е̇ b̊n̊о v ê l. Е̌n u_mӑ
"With you people?"
"We've been researching the Far East for a long time, after all."
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Pride could be felt in Erica's tone.
And the characteristic arrogance of a Dragon Spawn.
"The reason the Far East can't be conquered is because demonic energy exists there."
It was a story Ferda also knew.
Еn̂ u m̌ǎ
The junk mana rising from the Demon Land disintegrates mind and body.
"To set foot in the Far East, all divine blessings and magics were needed. That's why only a select few elites could enter as the Hero's party."
12 Heroes.
The high priests serving each god and all dragons protected them by chanting blessing spells.
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Among those 12 expedition members were the Dragon Spawn Erika Iorga, and Erdes Roton.
"While researching Project Hestia, we've only recently achieved meaningful results."
Е̊ n ů m̀ á
Meaningful results.
At those words, Ferda felt a slight stirring of anticipation.
"What is it?"
"It's called Anti-Magic Resistance."
Anti-Magic Resistance.
Not a bad name.
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Since the word didn't exist in Ferda's head, he wondered if this was a strategic weapon Iorga had been hiding.
"Can you cure with that?"
"No. It's not a fundamental solution to the problem of being eroded by demonic energy."
"Didn't you say it was a meaningful result while researching the cure?"
"Research is like that. Discoveries in unintended directions also count as results."
Is she fucking with me right now?
É ñ ŭm а̃
Shooting her a look like that, Erica brushed it off with "Anyway."
"To put what we discovered simply, it's about the difference between prevention and cure."
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Prevention is preparing for what's to come; cure is resolving what's already happened.
"Then how's the cure coming along?"
"That's... still no progress. Since it's research starting from bare ground, the direction of results is uncertain."
Erica let out a big sigh through her nose.
We bn o v̇ е̌l Е̊n̆u m̌ a
"So the point of this conversation is: if you intend to approach the Demon Land, we'll research the Anti-Magic Agent more instead of the cure."
"Research the Anti-Magic Agent to do what? The Valdrova Grand Duchy side takes the risk?"
"No. We're thinking of pulling in the Adventurer's Guild more."
"Adventurer's Guild?"
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"We've already pulled them in, but until now we've only been throwing requests that amounted to errands. We've been throwing stopgap measures, and now's the time to actually use them."
Adventurers do various jobs. From mail delivery and trivial errands to subjugating Guardians, the regional protector monsters.
Ẁè bňо v̇е́_l̈ Е ñůmа̂
Request fees differ greatly depending on skill and difficulty.
"Would they voluntarily go to the Demon Land for that?"
"If this works, there's no reason they wouldn't."
Erica made a circle with her thumb and index finger.
"Not just investigation requests—what if they could bring back Eastern mysteries before being eroded by demonic energy? Even trash would get heated up at the auction house."
Mysterious records about the East were items that could captivate not only mages but knights as well.
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Even Ferda thought that if he learned Eastern magic, he might make significant progress.
'But it failed because of demonic energy.'
It was even dismissed as legend because they couldn't overcome the huge wall of demonic energy.
If big money can be made, jumping into a firepit is an adventurer's job.
It was a genuinely good idea.
Who had ever directly set foot there while only observing the current ecology of the Demon Land?
Е́ň üm̈ а.іd_
If they grasp the terrain and figure out what's inside, it'll help with future conquest attempts.
Based on her proposal, he kept drawing out the future endlessly.
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What Ferda lacked was being filled in, and things he couldn't imagine were becoming increasingly abundant.
Even so, Ferda couldn't let go of one suspicion.
'Can I really trust this woman?'
The emotions he'd felt at the Grand Council were still vivid in his head.
Ė num̀ а̌.. і d
"You're wondering if you can trust me, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"You're really direct."
Lifting her teacup, she pretended to savor the tea and narrowed her eyes.
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Then, as if having made up her mind, she opened her eyes and spoke.
"What you said kept coming to mind. You asked what I'd do in the end, right?"
Е ň u̇.m à
It was something Ferda had thrown out in a fit of anger.
"My conclusion is that I won't think about that end at all."
It was dumbfounding the moment he heard it.
Is that something a leader should say—wanting to run from the future?
But he soon realized it wasn't that.
What dwelled in her eyes was a sense of responsibility as a leader.
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"I want to do my best at what I can do right now."
Seeing those eyes, Ferda could be certain too.
I can trust this woman.
"Good. Let's form an alliance."
Joy spread across her face.
But like a skilled leader, she replied with a composed expression.
Е.n̂ u m̂ а .і̌ d
"It'd be nice if we can build a good relationship."
"Since we've formed an alliance, can I ask a favor now?"
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Erica, who was about to wrap things up, was slightly taken aback by Ferda's request.
"I didn't know you'd need help this soon."
"The timing's just coincidental."
Ferda had Ruri bring the items seized from the Linne Research Institute Director and showed them.
Е̌n um̆ а . ī d
"What's this?"
"Items brought from the demon research facility. The director's journal and samples."
"Demons!"
Erica was quite startled.
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Ferda briefly explained what happened at the research facility.
The more the explanation continued, the more Erica was shaken.
Wе̊b́ ňо v̇ е̃ ĺ. Е nu m ȧ
"My god... Demons have created a drug that makes Night-class demons instantly?"
"It's still a prototype, but a Bouncer-class went up against two of our knights."
"There's a skill gap, but if it were a real Bouncer, it wouldn't have struggled that much. So the prototype means the efficacy is lacking or there are side effects..."
Erica peered into the liquid in the bottle.
Her eyes, floating several layers of mana and magic circles, tried to analyze the components.
But all that returned was a frustrated expression.
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"Above all, this is something mimicking that Godwin's power. My god. To only find out about such an item now, Erica, you stupid bitch. What the hell have you been doing all this time?"
Eyes wide open and body shaking up and down.
She couldn't contain her excitement.
Then she met Ferda's eyes and gasped, "Uh!" swallowing her breath.
"I apologize. I showed an unsightly side. Before being a leader, I'm a researcher, so when I see things like this I get too excited..."
"I'm used to it."
Wе̂b n о̆v̀ е̊l Ë n u mа
There was already a bastard who ran out naked screaming, and a bitch who sniffs head smells to absorb components—this level is cute by comparison.
She examined the journal next.
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Seeing the journal's characters, she frowned.
"This is... High Elf language."
Unlike Ferda, she recognized it instantly.
Maybe she can interpret it?
Еn ǔm а̌.і̌ d́
"Can you interpret it?"
"Unfortunately, I only know it's High Elf script. The World Tree guardians' language exists for secrecy."
"Then it's impossible?"
"Not completely impossible. No matter how secret, the principle is that Elves' minds must always be connected. Those closest to the rooted source handle everything."
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The meaning of that source was something Ferda could also understand.
"The Great Chieftain."
W ӗ b_ń ǒ v̈ е̄ l Еn u m̄ а̊
"Yes, that person could interpret it. We'd have to go deep into the West, but it shouldn't be a big problem..."
A breakthrough method was found, but it wasn't as good as he thought.
High Elves are the highest tier among Elves, a closed group.
The Great Chieftain would never be lenient.
"If we persuade the Great Chieftain, it might work somehow..."
"No need to persuade. Just threaten."
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"Huh?"
"If we threaten to reveal to the world that a High Elf became a Dark Elf, they'll come running barefoot."
"That... well..."
It was a subtle problem.
Should I call it a good idea, or crazy talk?
"Let's try talking about it later. High Elves are currently in the middle of the Autumn Festival, and they'll prepare for the Winter Festival too."
Е̄ nu ḿ ӑ.
They pray for autumn's abundance and winter's desolation, and it doesn't stop until spring buds sprout.
We'd have to wait at least past the first quarter.
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But he still found significance in the fact that a possibility had emerged.
"I'll return the journal, and I'll take these samples. We might find a clue for the cure."
Her excited face made him think she could pull it off.
That's probably why,
W̊ еbn̈ öv̂ е l Ĕ n ŭ m а
"One more thing remains."
"What else is left?"
Erica's eyes sparkled like a kid receiving a birthday present.
"My mana."
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"...Huh?"
She looked disappointed like a kid getting a grandma's taste in gifts.
Ŵ еb̌.ṅо̀v е̂l̈ E num̃а
"Mana? What do you mean?"
"I can relieve Valdrova-nim's Blood Qi with my mana."
Her eyes went round at those words.
Her vertically slit pupils shrank like a midday cat's.
"You mean you cured her?"
"No. Just relieving the Blood Qi that comes out in that situation."
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Erica made a puzzled expression rather than an interested one.
It was too outrageous a claim to take at face value.
Blue Eye mages are elites.
They all racked their brains researching, but couldn't even make something to suppress or relieve it.
Yet a mere human possesses such strange mana?
And that human's mana affects a dragon?
Е̂ nŭ mа̇ .і d
"I knew Red Circle mana has special properties since it's composed of emotions. But for that to be a power that can suppress or relieve Godwin's chaos..."
She thought and thought and thought again.
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Yet she couldn't understand.
Iorga, the Aspect of Water and Magic.
The fact that Erica, the leader under him, couldn't understand this was too damaging to her pride.
Erica finally threw away that pride.
W̆еb́ n̊ оṽ е̃l Е́n.ũ m̄ а́
"Fine."
She said.
"Let's try it."
"Try what?"
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"Mana. We need to find 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.
E̊ nům̌ à . íd̊
"Probably won't have much effect. It only works on Valdrova-nim."
"Are you sure? 100%?"
It worked on Valdrova.
But it had no effect on Ruri, a Silverwind Spawn.
So it'd likely have no effect or minimal effect on Erica, the same kind of Spawn.
"Fairly certain."
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"'Fairly' and 'certain' can't coexist. Let me feel it directly. It's not like it'll have significant meaning anyway."
Right, what special meaning could giving mana have?
Ferda thought so and took Erica's hand.
"I expect your magical power isn't anything special. Like born sorcerers who unconsciously used magic, or it flowed in that form—hwi-ki-ya-a-ang!?"
The moment she received the mana infusion, a sharp scream burst from her mouth.
It was a young lady's wail, startled by the cool wind entering her skirt.
Е n um а́.. ìď
Erica's legs gave out and she collapsed right there.
Erica, sitting on the floor, looked up at Ferda.
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At the unexpected situation, Ferda was also flustered and hurriedly let go of her hand.
On the cool leader Erica's face sat a shame-flushed blush and shaking pupils.
"??"
"??"
En u ma
Ferda and Erica stared at each other's faces.
"?????"
"?????"
No one could solve this mystery even if they stared at each other.
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* * *
"Playboy."
Е̇ń ûm̆_а
Ruri condemned with a cold gaze.
She didn't speak, but she watched everything, holding her breath.
Ferda was quite shaken.
"What wind are you talking about?"
"Didn't you have an affair with that arrogant bitch?"
"I only held hands, and the leader screamed."
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"Scream? Anyone who heard it would call it a moan of pleasure."
Ferda had to admit that too.
"I only passed mana; it's what the Iorga leader wanted."
"You've brought the exact repertoire of cheaters."
This is driving me nuts.
"You've felt it before too."
Ӗn̈ u m̌а . і́ d̈_
"So I screamed in pleasure like that arrogant bitch?"
"No."
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"There was nothing special. It was just mana. But when you did it to the Iorga leader, there's something different. Maybe..."
Ruri narrowed her eyes and asked.
"Do you like that bitch?"
"Are you crazy?"
W̆е bn о́ vеl Ě n̂ ŭ m а̊
He reflexively hardened his face and swore.
"It was just mana."
"Then why am I the only one who's fine?"
"Is that important?"
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"It's important."
Ruri irritably took off her glove.
Е n̆ū m а̂. i̊d́
"Try it. If I feel even a little, I'll scream in pleasure with all my might 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 too.
"Why are you being so oversensitive?"
"Don't change the subject."
"I didn't care about the interrogation. But today you're being awfully persistent."
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"...It's because you have a fiancée that I'm doing this, isn't it?"
"From what I see, it looks like oversensitivity beyond that. Did I whisper love? Did I drag you to the bedroom? It was just a new reaction 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 just Valdrova-nim's attendant, so..."
Ŵ еḃn o v е́l̄ Ёn u m a_
Seeing her mumbling like a scolded puppy, Ferda remembered what happened today.
Ruri had a hard day today, no less than Ferda.
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Pressure about the war and Goz Silverwind's gaze.
She had to endure those.
'Right, today was a hard day.'"
That's why she's being this oversensitive and making a fuss.
E ñum̀а
She was holding up like usual.
It's not something to scold; it's something to praise.
Ferda looked down at Ruri with her head bowed and said.
"You had a hard time today."
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And he placed his hand on her head and stroked lightly.
"..."
Ŵ е bṅо v̊ e l̄ Е n ům̈ ȧ
Ruri neither raised her head nor reacted.
From the moment his hand touched her head, she froze stiff.
After placing his hand on her head, Ferda thought.
What is this, this crazy act?
My body just followed unconsciously, but why did I do this?
Ferda knew why that action felt like déjà vu.
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They say when an adult man praises a child, patting the head is effective?
So he'd told Mori to do that when praising him.
Right.
Ferda had treated Ruri like a child.
This guy who got annoyed at being treated like a child.
She'll definitely get angry.
W̆ eb n̊ о̄v́ё l En ûm а̀
"Uht..."
Thinking that, but it wasn't that either.
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Don't treat me like a kid, I'm a Dragon Spawn and you're human.
Contrary to the expectation she'd come at him like that, Ruri said nothing.
She kept her head bowed, feeling Ferda's touch.
'Why?'
W̄ е̊b̌_n̆о̌ v̂ĕĺ Еṅ uṁ а̇.
I don't know.
They say beasts feel comfort when their nape is grabbed.
Because they feel mother's love, or is it habit?
Or did she think that the moment this hand lets go, she'll die like a detonator button with rage overwhelming her?
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When all sorts of thoughts filled his head, she spoke.
"Uh, please leave quickly. I have to clean."
E̊ n u ṁ а̊
"Yeah, got it."
Only then did Ferda remove his hand, and Ruri moved too.
She immediately whipped around and started sweeping the floor.
For just a moment, her skin not covered by hair was visible.
Her face was burning bright red.
* * *
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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 don't know what that man is thinking anymore.
Wė bň о.v̆е l̀ Е̌ṅ ũ m̌ а̃
In less than a year, a person changed that much.
Valdrova-nim is there, yet now he's continuing playboy antics holding other women's hands.
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He's only doing hateful things.
'...'
No, Ruri knew.
That man hadn't changed.
Ŵ êb̀ ǹоv̂ el̀ Е̂n u̇m̀ â
That he had no thoughts when holding their hands either.
That he had no intention of cheating.
It was just an excuse to use when he needed a reason to tease.
But now a stifling emotion welled up.
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Right.
What changed was Ruri herself.
Е̊n um̀ а
Ruri was subtly aware of it too.
When anxious, Ferda's name naturally came to mind before the thought that I can do something.
Then when Goz arrived at the castle, she unconsciously grabbed his collar.
That change started after Ferda killed Abel, and after she cried her heart out in his arms.
'Silverwind-nim.'
Ferda had felt like Silverwind of the past.
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'Why...'
She couldn't understand how she'd made such an absurd misunderstanding.
Silverwind and Ferda were different.
Unlike the rough northern men, he had a gentle and intellectual personality.
The strictness valuing discipline was created by the rough North and the second-in-command, Goz.
'They don't resemble each other at all.'
W ӗ b̆n̂о̊v ё l̂ Е̌num̌ a_
Silverwind becomes a middle-aged man with a long beard when polymorphed, while Ferda is a blue young man.
The only similarity might be hair color, and even that's only when he forcibly insists.
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She retraced her thoughts deeply.
Ruri realized one thing.
'Smell.'
The smell she felt when leaning on Ferda and crying.
Ẅ_е b nо_vе̃ l E nu m̌ а
Peppermint and chamomile mixed, spreading intensely yet subtly—a cool smell.
And the ash smell that makes things desolate.
Why did she feel that smell from Ferda?
'It's a misunderstanding.'
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An absurd misunderstanding.
Her memory was confused from being overwhelmed by emotion.
E ṅu̇ m̃а̇ .ĭ d̀
Ruri thought so.
She had to think so.
Confusing Father, Silverwind, with him was sacrilege.
'As expected, I need to scrub the hell out of myself.'
Fill the bath with lavender and soak thoroughly to erase it.
Whatever it is, the bad one is Ferda.
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