Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence
The scandal involving Ferda and Olivia.
The Archduchess of Valdrova had only learned of it today.
‘Why didn’t Ruri tell me?’
The reason Valdrova had remained ignorant until now was that her primary source of information, Ruri, had not breathed a word about it.
‘Well, she doesn’t usually gossip about such things anyway...’
Ruri had a habit of self-filtering anything she thought might weigh on Valdrova’s heart. Valdrova was vaguely aware of this protective streak.
‘Besides, it’s probably just a baseless rumor.’
Ferda was a man who had always been devoted to her. Valdrova believed that without a shadow of a doubt. And yet, a sense of unease kept creeping into the corners of her mind.
‘Imperial Princess Olivia Arken.’
She had heard endless praise regarding that woman’s reputation. Olivia was lauded as the ultimate bride—a woman who possessed both talent and beauty, perfectly blending social grace with impeccable etiquette.
Valdrova had never seen her in person, though there had been one opportunity. She had heard that the Princess was planning a visit to Valdrova Castle.
At the time, however, Valdrova had no interest in such matters. To be precise, even if she had been interested, she was preoccupied with the immediate task of building the village. To her, finding fulfillment at a sweat-scented construction site was more important than courtly visits.
‘Should I have met her then, after all?’
It was an event significant enough for others to drop their work and run to see; should she have gone to check for herself? Just how beautiful was this woman to earn such praise? And did she truly look good standing beside Ferda?
‘Mr. Ferda... is a man far too good for me.’
Ferda had built this place. He interacted with so many people. Though there were occasional voices of criticism, she heard far more stories of how he was a wise ruler who looked after his people.
On the other hand, what was she?
A Red Dragon holed up in a lair. A dragon who donned a suit of armor because she was afraid to face the world. A pathetic dragon who couldn't even properly show her face to her own fiancé.
‘He is... far too good for me.’
To any observer, he seemed a much better match for someone like Olivia, whose beauty was world-renowned.
Feeling dejected, she idly poked at the ground with her finger. She needed something to break this cycle of gloomy thoughts.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Just then, the alarm bell began to ring violently. Since the bell was connected to the monster detection array, it was a signal that monsters were approaching.
The workers jumped up in surprise.
“Looks like monsters are coming!”
“I thought things had been quiet lately, but they’re launching a surprise attack now of all times!”
Monsters.
Driven by the instinct to protect her people, Valdrova stood up. However, the workers stopped her.
“Ah! Sir Knight! There’s no need for you to step in.”
“...?”
“We’ll handle this one ourselves. So please, stay seated!”
Confident smiles were etched onto their faces. What could these ordinary humans possibly do?
The workers rushed off and pulled something out from their storage. They were staves. No, to call them staves was a bit of a stretch; they had various mechanical parts dangling from them, making them look like something a shaman might carry.
The men moved with the disciplined coordination of soldiers. They climbed atop the rising castle walls, knelt in unison, and aimed their staves toward the ground. Their posture was similar to that of crossbowmen.
Presumably, something would come out of those staves. But what?
It was then that a power so formidable it made her previous anxiety seem trivial radiated from within those devices.
‘How? They can’t even use mana.’
As someone who didn't fully understand the intricacies of human magic, she had no way to solve the mystery.
A moment later, the women who had been gathering resources in the forest appeared. Though they were startled, they didn't seem panicked.
“What are you doing? Run for your lives! Do you want to be eaten?”
“The monsters were just waddling along, so we took our time too.”
“Waddling? What did they look like?”
“I don’t know. They all looked like lumps, and they were moving so slowly.”
“I get it, just get inside quickly!”
Hearing that, one man spoke up knowingly.
“It’s the Melted.”
A moment later, the monsters revealed themselves.
—Gwoooooh...
Unlike other monsters that took the form of beasts, these were closer to mere lumps of flesh. They were creatures that had become neither one thing nor another due to excessive mutations caused by overexposure to junk mana.
Consequently, while their strength was unknown, their speed was on par with zombies raised by a black mage.
Still, a monster was a monster. Even a single Melted was the type of creature that required a squad of spearmen to stab it hundreds of times to kill. In the process, one or two people were bound to die.
There were six of them in total.
A foreman raised his hand high and shouted.
“Aim!”
The workers shouldered their staves and lined up their sights. The foreman brought his raised hand down with the force of a guillotine blade.
“Fire!”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The sound and flashes of light shook the heavens and earth. Valdrova saw it clearly. Something had shot out from inside those pipes at blinding speed, piercing through the monsters' torsos.
Gwoooooh...
The bodies of the Melted pack were riddled with holes, and their forms collapsed instantly.
“Woooooah!”
“We killed the monsters!”
They roared like soldiers who had achieved a great victory in a major battle. Even if the monsters were slow and dull, they were still monsters. The workers felt a rush of euphoria upon confirming that they, who had nothing, now possessed the power to protect themselves.
Valdrova could not hide her shock.
‘To think that ordinary people could kill monsters like this...’
Even if she wasn't the most intellectual, she had seen and fought much in her thousands of years of life. Valdrova had never once imagined a situation like this.
In fact, had anyone?
Even when the Demon Race was first created, the majority opinion was that they had to surrender to Godwin. But humans had not done so. They had overturned the predictions of the immortals, which had been regarded as absolute wisdom.
Humans were such wondrous beings. Where their strength fell short, they squeezed out wisdom and courage to produce a power more resilient than anyone else's.
Valdrova felt so proud of Ferda for creating that power. At the same time, the question she held in her heart grew larger. She tightly clenched her hands against her chest.
* * *
The night before the Start of Spring Festival, Valdrova came to see Ferda. As always, she was clad in her armor.
Ferda knew she had been out in the field today. He also knew that without such an excuse, she wouldn't have come to see him.
“Do you need mana?”
Normally, she would have said yes, but today was different.
“No.”
“Then...?”
“I just... wanted to talk...”
Ferda felt as if someone had struck him on the back of the head. This was the first time she had come to see him directly because she wanted to talk, without searching for an excuse.
His heart pounded. It felt as if they had truly become a man and a woman enjoying a secret tryst.
When Ferda didn't say anything, Valdrova fidgeted with her fingers.
“Am I... being a nuisance after all?”
“Not at all. Please, come in.”
They took their seats. She pulled off her gauntlets and placed them on the table.
“I want to... hold hands.”
“...Yes.”
She was being proactive. While he liked this sudden change, he also felt a sense of unease. Most of Valdrova’s motivation stemmed from anxiety, after all.
Ferda placed his hand over hers. He could feel her being even more stiff than usual.
“Th-that is...!”
Valdrova struggled to bring up a topic of conversation.
“Today... I saw monsters approaching the castle walls.”
“Yes. You were watching from the summit.”
“Pardon? Ah, yes! That’s right!”
Valdrova nodded repeatedly.
“There, you see... ordinary people killed the monsters.”
“I didn't see it myself, but the report said they took down six Melted. Even if they were Melted, those are still monsters that civilians would find difficult to handle. It must have been a strange sight for Your Highness. How was it?”
“It was... truly amazing. It made me realize once again how incredible you are, Mr. Ferda.”
He could feel her gaze of admiration from behind that helmet. Ferda replied to her.
“I didn't do that. It was the result of Burnell’s hard work.”
“Still, if it weren't for you, Mr. Ferda... those people wouldn't have even dreamed they could kill monsters. Isn't that right?”
“No. But hearing you say it, I suppose I did contribute in that way.”
It would have been impossible if Ferda hadn't taken the lead. At this point in time, monsters were still perceived as beings that were difficult to hunt.
“Mr. Ferda... you are changing many things here.”
A village was being built, and people were gaining the power to protect themselves. She had felt something from that. To express it, she forced herself to speak.
“I, um... I’ve been practicing the wallop.”
“...Do you mean the waltz?”
“Yes! That... I misspoke again...”
It didn't matter. Her flustered appearance was incredibly cute. Even though she was wearing a fearsome dragon-head helmet, the young woman inside was vivid in Ferda’s mind.
“It’s tomorrow... isn't it? The day we dance.”
The day we dance. We meant us. Us meant you and me. Ferda and Valdrova.
“That is correct.”
“I... I’ll wear a pretty dress and stand proudly by your side. As... as your ho... ho... hostage?”
“Hostess...”
“Yes, as your hostess!”
He could feel her determination, as if she were psyching herself up. Ferda knew just how much courage it took for her to say she would step forward proactively. He was happy that he was the first to witness such courage.
Ferda allowed a small smile to form.
“I will be looking forward to it.”
* * *
The entrance to Hestia Village was incredibly busy. Even before the morning sun had fully risen, a procession of carriages carrying young ladies and lords from various regions continued to arrive.
A total of 250 nobles had been invited. But it wasn't just 250 people coming. There were coachmen, several servants, and at least ten elite knights and soldiers acting as escorts for each party.
With 250 nobles participating, their attendants numbered at least 2,500. A village that had previously only housed a few hundred people was suddenly bustling with thousands.
Where many people gathered, much money changed hands. Stephan demonstrated the true prowess of a merchant. Under the auspices of the Pascal Trading Company and the Hestia Merchant House, various events and charitable activities were held.
Utilizing vacant lots where buildings had yet to be constructed, they held martial arts tournaments and athletic meets to boost the local image and attract merchants. With the Far East Union dispatching troops to maintain order, the day flowed smoothly into the evening.
The evening of the Start of Spring Festival was the time for the nobles to truly enjoy the banquet. Chandeliers shone as bright as day, creating a luxurious atmosphere. As it served as a dragon’s residence, the interior boasted a grandeur that rivaled the Imperial Palace, leaving the visiting nobles in awe.
While social interactions were in full swing among the participants, Ferda prepared to make his entrance. In the meantime, Isabella reported on several matters.
“They say that after confirming the defense results, they are now officially numbering the rifles.”
“Numbering them?”
“I’m told that as they undergo the process of being modified for mass production, they are being assigned serial numbers. They plan to churn out dozens of them a day.”
“I see.”
They had certainly achieved great results in terms of national defense. Several commoners had taken down six Melted together; did this not mean that commoners could wield power similar to that of a mage?
“I mention this out of caution, but the nobles may steer the conversation toward the rifles. Please be careful not to provide any information if possible.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
If one cannot be of help, one should at least not be a hindrance. He vowed over and over again not to give any opening that might upset the balance Isabella had established.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
At Ruri’s appearance, Ferda asked reflexively.
“And the Archduchess?”
“...”
Ruri did not answer. Her lowered head and silence were answer enough. She would not be coming tonight.
Ferda fastened his remaining buttons.
“Right. I’m sure she has her reasons.”
“I am sorry to have disappointed you.”
To think the word 'sorry' would come out of Ruri’s mouth. It meant that Ruri, too, had truly hoped Valdrova would attend this banquet.
“No. Isn't this a common occurrence?”
“I apologize for having a master who constantly stands you up.”
No, she might just be angry. To say he wasn't disappointed because it was a common occurrence was a lie.
The words she had said when she visited him last night rang clearly in Ferda’s ears. Even when he opened his eyes this morning, the first thing Ferda thought of was Valdrova’s hand. His empty hand was still retracing the sensation of her right hand resting upon it.
But today, this hand would overlap with another woman’s.
‘...Let’s not think useless thoughts.’
Ferda grasped at the empty air. Just because she wasn't here today didn't mean there was no tomorrow. If so, today must not be spent in vain for the sake of tomorrow.
With that, Ferda made his way to the banquet hall.
* * *
“Presenting the Prince Consort of the Great Fire, Regent Ferda Valdrova!”
The planner dispatched from the Empire shouted vigorously. As Ferda, the host of the banquet, appeared, the music stopped.
The young ladies and lords took turns offering a slight bow toward Ferda, and Ferda took his place on the dais following the red carpet.
“I sincerely welcome you all to Valdrova Castle.”
His clear voice captured everyone’s attention.
“Today, we are gathered here to welcome the spring after a harsh winter. This Hestia Village is a small town that has been under construction since late last autumn. My time feeling the weight of responsibility as a lord is likely shorter than many of yours.”
Ferda eased the atmosphere with self-deprecating remarks.
“And yet, you have all accepted this novice lord’s invitation and come to this place. What does that mean?”
Olivia Arken. Everyone knew it was a burning desire to make an acquaintance with the Imperial Princess. Because they knew this, they could only wait for Ferda’s next words with bated breath.
“It means that there is hope within your hearts,” Ferda said.
“Now, 150 years after the end of the Dragon-Demon War, the territory of the Far East is gradually shrinking, and the Land of Demons remains as formidable as ever. Though the evil dragon Godwin is dead and even the Demon King has fallen, their will has not died and is currently revealing its ambitions.”
Ferda met the eyes of every person below him, one by one.
“As humans of Serdes, and as nobles who do not tolerate injustice, I was able to confirm here today that you all sincerely wish for the development and peace of this Far East. To welcome the new spring, you have become the new sparks to forge our tattered armor.”
Ferda picked up a glass and raised it for his closing remarks.
“So please, for the sake of that flame, I hope you laugh, talk, and dance tonight. As long as there is love and friendship, our will shall remain firmly united as one.”
Ferda concluded with a polite bow.
Applause erupted, and simultaneously, the musicians skillfully began to play upbeat music.
The banquet had begun.