Chapter 10: Dragon’s Breath
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 10: Dragon’s Breath
The promised month had arrived.
With only three days left until the engagement ceremony with the Archduchess, Ruri gestured toward a sheet of paper and a pen, her expression clouded with dissatisfaction.
“Please write a set of vows to be used at the ceremony.”
“Isn't there a standard formal version for these things?”
“Of course there is, but…”
Ruri’s throat bobbed. She forcibly swallowed a sigh that threatened to manifest as a true Dragon's Breath.
“Since this is an unofficial ceremony, Her Highness wishes to proceed without unnecessary formalities.”
“And?”
“She wishes to replace the standard rites with the reading of self-written vows.”
Ferda nodded calmly at the news. “She’s a romantic.”
“‘Romantic’ is a generous way of putting it. This is barely a step above getting married in a stable. Writing your own vows… it’s like children playing house.”
Ruri grumbled. Eventually, the frustration she had tried to keep bottled up in her small chest came bursting out.
“Haaaaaa….”
It was a Breath. A hollow, dejected exhalation that felt heavy enough to sink right through the floor.
An engagement to a human, a private ceremony, and now making each other write their own vows…
Even as a Spawn bound to a dragon, emotions were bound to accumulate. Ferda could understand why she was sighing like that.
Still, her loyalty lies with Valdrova herself rather than her status as a ruler.
If she had prioritized the latter, Ferda wouldn't be standing here. Ruri was more than capable of attempting to kill him or framing him to create a scandal if she truly wished. But Ruri didn't stoop to such lowly methods.
If anything, she’s been helpful.
He could sense her complicated feelings. She hoped the engagement wouldn't work out, yet at the same time, she sincerely desired Valdrova’s happiness.
Being trapped in that contradiction is likely why she’s so irritable.
It was truly a pity. Ferda decided to offer her a brief look of sympathy.
“What’s with that look?”
“I was just thinking how pitiful you are.”
Ruri’s face crumpled at the sincere pity. “I hardly want to hear that from a human like you.”
“I’m still a guest for now, so I’ll let that slide. But in three days, I’ll be your master’s husband. What will our relationship be then?”
“It won’t be much different from now. I hope you aren't under the delusion that you’ll be able to give me orders.”
“Of course not. That wasn't why I asked.”
“However, if you ever ask me to strike you, I will do so without hesitation.”
“I’ll pass on that.”
“No need to worry. I’m confident in my strength. My control is impeccable.”
“? I said I don’t need it.”
Ruri held up her dainty fist. That same dainty fist had once smashed a bed and the floor beneath it. He had no intention of entertaining that thought, even as a joke.
“Anyway, once the engagement proceeds, you will need to bring servants into the castle. You’ll also have to appoint ministers to lead the territory.”
“Servants and ministers? Am I the one who has to do that?”
“Yes. As the consort, you will be responsible for the administration of the territory under the Archduchess of Valdrova and other miscellaneous duties.”
Ferda looked puzzled. “I thought you didn't like people who sought power. Are you telling me to take it?”
“It’s not that I hate humans who hold power; I simply hate humans who are blinded by it.”
The 3rd Prince of the Arken Empire had been blinded by power and met his end because of it.
“Power should naturally be held by those who have no interest in it. Because they do not crave greater power, they look after the welfare of the people. That is the kind of person we need right now.”
Ferda tilted his head. “Is the public welfare not good?”
“If you saw the state of the current lords, you’d know it’s a complete mess.”
Ferda recalled the lords he had seen in the council. Their bodies were bloated and incredibly dull. Trembling in fear for their lives, they looked like pigs trapped in a slaughterhouse.
“Those who should be the pillars of the land are too busy stuffing their own bellies. Because they’re on the front lines, they spend their time frequenting brothels and gorging on expensive food, claiming they never know when they might die. The current discontent is only being suppressed by the military force at the border; one day, it might explode into a massive riot.”
“I didn't know. I had no idea that was the situation.”
Public welfare. Hearing that word made Ferda feel a sense of doubt.
“Does the Archduchess of Valdrova not wish for humans to be happy?”
“She does.”
“Then wouldn't almost everything be resolved if she just stepped forward and said a word?”
“It would.”
“Then why hasn't she?”
“…”
Ruri fell silent. Her face turned cold, and she began to radiate an uncontrollable Dragon Fear. She looked like a dragon whose Reverse Scale had been touched.
“I will remain silent on that matter for now. You will find out soon enough anyway.”
Ferda decided to take a step back. “Very well. Then I just need to write the vows?”
“Yes. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
Ruri gave a stiff bow and walked out the door.
Haaaaaaa.
The sound of her sigh traveled along the floor and reached Ferda’s ears. He gripped his pen, reflecting on her words.
Vows, huh…
They say the first step is half the battle, but Ferda was stuck on the very first line. Should he have asked for specific details on how to write them? It would have been much easier.
Should I put this off for later?
Instead of the vows, Ferda decided to write a few letters. He had once told the lords:
—I don’t have the slightest interest in what you do.
But now, he had to take more than a slight interest. That was the problem.
I told the lords I wasn't interested, so if I try to interfere now, there will be backlash.
Ferda was well aware that his initial image wasn't great. Since he was essentially going back on his word, his reputation would only worsen. He had no choice but to send a letter to each of them.
The letters stated that he might interfere in internal affairs. At the end, he included this sentence:
—If you do not like this, do not reply. I wish to respect your wishes.
Every single lord sent a reply that very same day.
* * *
The day of the engagement ceremony.
Ferda had demonstrated his abilities and, at the same time, proven that there was not a single lie in his words. With nothing left to object to, Ruri quietly accepted the ceremony.
“Your epaulet is crooked. And I went to the trouble of starching these trousers; how could you wrinkle them like this?”
Instead, she started the day by nitpicking every little thing.
“I’d be quite happy if I had an extra pair of hands and eyes in your position as well.”
“Why don't you hire someone then?”
“I think you’re doing just fine.”
Ruri took a step back, hiding both her hands behind her back.
“I don’t want to touch you. I am merely the attendant of the master I serve, so do not expect too much from me.”
“Hmm, you’re quite the loyal hound.”
“Do you want to fight me? Just say the word. I’ll give you a real fight anytime.”
“No, I simply meant you are loyal.”
Ruri growled, but Ferda accepted her nitpicking and addressed her criticisms one by one.
The engagement ceremony…
It didn't feel real. Usually, when a man gets married, he feels one of two things: the joy of union or the sadness of being sold off. Ferda felt neither.
It’s been like this ever since I returned to this day.
A calm heart, unbefitting the owner of a Red Circle.
Am I getting engaged simply because I feel I must?
He wondered if this was just a mechanical action, born out of duty. With his overwhelming rage and hatred gone, Ferda’s other emotions felt faint as well.
Is it alright to face Valdrova with a heart like this?
A vague sense of anxiety lingered in a corner of his chest.
Vague anxiety, huh…
Ferda smiled faintly. Vagueness is a human weakness.
Despite everything, I am still human.
For now, that was all that mattered. Ferda decided to focus on that fact alone.
* * *
The engagement ceremony was held in front of Valdrova’s Lair.
Inside the Lair, illuminated by hundreds of bundles of candles, the ceremony was set to take place just twenty paces away from a massive iron door.
Ruri, having finished the preparations, knocked on the door.
“Master, we shall begin the ceremony.”
At her words, the giant iron door opened cautiously. Air escaped from the gap, mixing with the outside air before flowing into Ferda’s nose and mouth.
“Ugh.”
His breath hitched. Even without any murderous intent like the monsters he’d fought, the air itself was thick with the sensation of terror. If Ferda had been any weaker, he might have fainted right then and there.
Ruri glanced at Ferda’s condition and said, “You must endure.”
“I… know.”
“Then, we shall proceed with the engagement ceremony.”
Ignoring Ferda’s state, Ruri began the procedure. Since he had already been briefed on what would happen, Ferda focused on maintaining his posture and steadying his breath.
“Mortal and Immortal shall become one today, weaving a golden thread that neither heavenly authority nor the storms of time can sever.”
Ruri placed a bowl and a small table of liquor in front of Ferda. She carefully held the bottle, pouring the clear liquid while reciting the words.
“The Mortal shall become one by stepping out of the unknown and washing away their fear.”
As instructed beforehand, Ferda took the bowl and drank. The taste was as clean and clear as its transparency.
I really can’t handle alcohol.
Ferda had never enjoyed drinking, even as he grew older, so this was the first drink of his life. After finishing the first bowl, he poured the remaining half into the bowl and brought it to the iron door.
“The Immortal shall become one by erasing the futility of the infinite flow.”
Now it was Valdrova’s turn to drink.
Sliiiide.
What emerged from between the giant iron doors was a claw larger than Ferda’s entire body. It was the same terrifying weapon that had torn through the bodies of monsters. That claw carefully descended toward the bowl containing the engagement wine, and—
Clatter!
It promptly knocked it over.
“…”
“…”
An awkward silence followed. With a clattering sound, the claw retreated back inside the iron door.
Wondering if this was part of the ritual, Ferda glanced at Ruri.
“…We shall restart the ceremony.”
It literally started over. The vows were read, Ferda drank first, and then it was Valdrova’s turn again.
Clatter!
The claw knocked over the small bowl of engagement wine three more times. Ferda was starting to reach his limit.
I’ve had a few bowls now… I’m getting drunk…
His head throbbed, and he felt his grip on his five senses loosening. He had a gut feeling that the next time would be the last.
Snap.
Suddenly, a loud cracking sound echoed. It would have been foolish to worry that the cave was collapsing. If Ferda hadn't misheard, the sound definitely came from Ruri’s body.
“Please excuse me for a moment.”
Ruri squeezed her body through the slightly opened gap. Just as Ferda was about to wait, thinking she was going to prepare something else—
“What on earth do you think you are doing, Master?!”
Ruri’s sudden roar came flying out. Ferda’s drunkenness vanished instantly.
“You were the one who made a fuss about marrying a mortal, and you were the one who said you wanted to get engaged! And what did I, your loyal servant Ruri, do?!”
The Breath she had been swallowing for the past three days—
“I endured it!”
—she began to vent it passionately.
“I endured the fact that the engagement ceremony, which should rightfully be public for an Archduchess, was made private! And I endured the fact that you are getting engaged without even meeting face-to-face!”
Her voice grew louder. He could feel that she was angrier than ever before.
“But to be so afraid of meeting your fiancé! To hide like that! And sabotage the engagement! What! Does! That! Make! Your! Fiancé! Out! There?!”
There was the sound of heavy breathing, and Valdrova didn't make a peep. What followed was a deep sigh and Ruri’s voice again.
“Come out with dignity and greet your fiancé! If you knock over the engagement wine one more time, I won’t stand for it!”
Ruri, who had been shouting in rage, stepped back out. Her face was once again professional and expressionless. Ferda couldn't help but stare at her blankly.
Through Ferda’s gaze, Ruri could guess what he was thinking.
“…Did you happen to hear that?”
“I imagine even the lords far away heard it.”
“…Sigh. Well, what can you do?”
Ruri let out a long, troubled sigh and said, “As you can probably deduce by now, my Master suffers from social phobia.”
“Social phobia…?”
“It means she is afraid of interacting with humans.”
“…”
“It would be a joke to anyone who heard it. An Aspect who saved the world, hiding because she’s afraid of mortals.”
“You’re giving me some quite important information.”
“It’s something you had to know eventually. I can’t hide this fact forever just because you might not like it.”
Her silver eyes looked down as she spoke.
“She is to be your partner now. That means her weaknesses are your weaknesses as well.”
“Joint responsibility, you mean?”
“Isn't that what marriage is?”
Ferda nodded silently at her words. Joint responsibility in marriage. For some reason, it didn't sound very pleasant. He had never once liked the term ‘joint responsibility.’
A moment later, the closed door opened again. He expected the giant claw to reappear, but what met his eyes was a human figure. Ferda fixed his gaze on the person who was to be his partner.
“…Huh?”
He was so shocked he let out a sound.
…Armor?
It was a person clad in full plate armor. The helmet was shaped like a dragon’s head. Despite being made of metal, it was so sophisticated and intimidating that for a moment, one might mistake it for an actual dragon. It looked exactly how a dragon might look if it walked on two legs.
The detail of the armor was surprising, but—
She’s enormous.
—it was her height above all else. Ferda was tall, standing at 180cm, yet he had to look far up past his own head to see her. She had to be at least 240cm tall. Even without the armor, she’d probably be around 220cm.
I heard a dragon’s polymorph is marvelously beautiful.
If that standard of beauty applied to humans, it meant there was a 220cm tall beauty inside… Could the person inside actually be a man?
“We shall proceed with the final engagement rite.”
Before his ominous suspicion could take root, Ruri resumed the ceremony. Ferda drank the engagement wine again, having already downed three bowls. His eyelids felt as heavy as lead from the alcohol.
He worried she might knock it over again, but that didn't seem likely. Ruri simply grabbed the helmet and lifted it so she couldn't knock it over or spill it.
Ferda saw her face, hidden beneath the cold, hard shell.
And the face of the Red Dragon Valdrova, seen for the first time—
“Ah.”
—made him let out an exclamation of awe despite himself.