Chapter 18: No Turning Back
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 18: No Turning Back
Ferda ascended to the summit of the Lonely Mountain.
He had asked Ruri to bring him to the peak for one reason alone: to witness Valdrova in battle.
— Roaaaaar!
A thunderous roar erupted, shaking the very foundations of heaven and earth.
Today, she had single-handedly halted the advance of over a hundred monsters. In the past, the mere sight of such a horde would have left Ferda breathless with terror, but now he watched with the serenity of a man gazing at a distant, peaceful landscape.
The effects of that wine are truly potent.
His primal fear of dragons had vanished. Even the 'Fear' they naturally radiated—a pressure that could paralyze the brave—no longer held any sway over his body.
While impressed, he couldn't help but feel curious.
“How do the others endure this? Even from within the castle walls, the pressure must be immense.”
“We use artifacts,” Ruri replied, pulling a ring from a pocket beneath her skirt.
It was a plain silver band, yet it was intricately inscribed with characters Ferda couldn't decipher.
“These items track the location of the castle staff and mitigate the dragon’s Fear. With these, up to a hundred servants can live and work within the castle without issue.”
“Is the effect similar to the wine I drank?”
“It is inferior. A trace of fear always lingers in their hearts.”
“Still, you’ve prepared extensively.”
“We have made many... unnecessary preparations,” she remarked dryly.
“Hmm…”
Ferda pondered her words for a moment before turning back to her.
“You said there are a hundred of those rings?”
“Yes.”
“Then couldn't I have simply worn one from the start?”
“Yes.”
“Then why didn't you give me one?”
Ruri’s eyes shifted slightly before she gave a nonchalant shrug.
“You never asked, did you?”
Ferda realized then just how much Ruri must have disliked him before he became the fiancé.
I suspect she still isn't my biggest fan.
But there was no use dwelling on the past. Ferda turned his gaze back down toward the valley.
One thing was different today: after finishing her task, Valdrova didn't immediately return to her lair. Instead, she turned her head.
He saw the pair of horns curving forward and the second pair rising toward the sky. Her majestic appearance, perfectly suited to the title of Tyrant, was vivid before his eyes. He felt her golden pupils lock onto his.
I can feel it.
Ever since he had downed the engagement wine, it felt as though an invisible thread connected him to Valdrova. Whenever he felt that connection thrum, a smile would unconsciously tug at his lips.
Then, as if avoiding his gaze, Valdrova retreated toward her lair.
Have I made things awkward for her again?
Though they were now engaged, he had never actually spoken with her. Whenever he tried to approach, she showed clear signs of avoidance, leaving him with nothing to do but watch from afar.
Social anxiety... is that it?
Anyone who saw her tearing through monsters like a primal force of nature would find that impossible to believe. Yet, the image of her hesitant, silent lips was what naturally came to Ferda’s mind first.
She truly has a talent for making one's heart ache.
She was like an oasis in the middle of a parched desert, or the warmth of a faint blue flame flickering amidst the permafrost. To be so close, yet only able to watch.
He felt like a sinner condemned to the pains of Tantalus—an apple sat before him that he could never taste, and water was within reach that he could never drink. He wished they could at least face each other and talk.
“Is she still refusing to speak?”
“Yes. Her instructions were for you to wait until the time is right.”
“It’s been over a month.”
“Compared to the centuries she has lived, that is but the blink of an eye.”
The time of an immortal differed from that of a mortal. Despite knowing this, impatience began to take root in Ferda’s heart.
I suppose it is a husband's duty to wait until his bride has composed herself.
He decided to be patient. He still had plenty of time left to live, after all.
Ruri, who had been observing the horizon, suddenly looked in a different direction.
“Lord Ferda.”
“What is it?”
“A guest has arrived.”
Far below, in an area Ferda couldn't see clearly, a long line had formed before the castle gates. Ruri, acting as his eyes, continued.
“It appears Marquis Burnell has arrived.”
* * *
Marquis Burnell.
When they reunited, the man looked even more of a mess than before. His debts had been settled and the gangs no longer hounded him, but that didn't mean his spirit had recovered.
“Um, I’ve been thinking…”
“Just give me the conclusion,” Ferda said brusquely. “I’m in no mood for beating around the bush.”
Part of his coldness was to prevent Burnell from wavering, but it was also because the Red Circle inside Ferda’s Dantian was spinning rapidly. He didn't want to lose his heightened focus to Burnell’s indecisiveness.
“As you said… I’ve decided it would be best to create weapons.”
“Have you abandoned your convictions?”
“Of course not. I simply realized that, as you said, creating weapons is a way to maintain peace. I was merely afraid of the criticism.”
Burnell looked down at the appointment letter in his hand.
“I will make weapons. To clear out the monsters in the Far East. But it is my hope that those weapons will never be used in human wars. At least, not while I am alive.”
“I cannot promise you that.”
Instead of lying, Ferda gave him the cold reality.
“Is… that so?”
Burnell wasn't entirely surprised. Though he was a recluse, he understood how the world worked. The tide of war shifted based on who held the technological lead. In such a world, Magitech would become an unstoppable force.
“There’s no need to be consumed by guilt. Think of it this way: if someone makes a sword, what must be made to stop it?”
“If a sword is made… then a shield and armor must be made to block it.”
“And if a sword is made that can pierce even that armor and shield? Is it right to simply give up, stand still, and watch destruction unfold?”
Only then did Burnell understand.
“No. One must create even better armor and a better shield.”
“You are making weapons, but at the same time, you are making shields. If you want to prevent war, you must continue to develop. If you stop…”
“The enemy will take a step ahead.”
It was the start of a never-ending race. A reality Burnell hadn't wanted to imagine began to take shape. The faint scents of coffee, black tea, and ink still lingered in his nose. He missed Escoleia terribly. At least there, his tiny room had been his entire world.
But I cannot go back.
Magitech was a dream he desperately wanted to realize.
“Of course, if we have the luxury later, I will allow you to research other applications. But for now, the priority is a tool that can push back the front lines in the Far East. If you develop that first, I won't have anything to say about your other projects.”
“I… I understand.”
“Now that we’ve settled that…”
Ferda began to discuss Burnell’s research in earnest.
“Tell me what you need to begin.”
“More than tools, I first need monster corpses.”
“Monster corpses?”
“I need to observe them first. Tools come after that.”
Burnell scratched his head with an awkward laugh.
“Actually, if they were alive, progress would be much faster… but capturing a monster alive isn't exactly easy, haha!”
Ferda listened quietly and nodded.
“I see. So we just need to capture one alive?”
“Yes, alive… wait, what? You’re going to capture one alive?” Burnell asked, shocked.
“If it speeds up progress, we should do it, shouldn't we? We have a long way to go; we might as well take a big first step.”
“It will be quite difficult… but alright. Thank you so much, Your… Highness.”
“Call me Regent. That is my official title now. And there’s no need for thanks.”
Ferda stood up and threw on his coat.
“We leave within three days. Get ready.”
“Pardon? Where are we going?”
“How can you ask that after what you just said? We’re going to capture one alive.”
“We are?!”
Burnell’s eyes went wide, his pupils shrinking to tiny dots.
“Did you expect to just sit here and wait for someone to bring it to you?”
“Well… isn't that how it usually works?”
“What a ridiculous joke. How could I just sit by and watch dozens of people die for the sake of a scholar’s ambition? In times like these, one must move personally.”
Ferda patted Burnell on the shoulder.
“Isn't it the belief of scholars that the truth shall set man free?”
“W-well, yes, but…”
“You shouldn't expect the truth to just fall into your lap while you’re sitting still. You’ll have to put in some physical labor.”
“Uuugh…”
“Prepare yourself. I need you in top condition.”
Burnell’s face turned deathly pale.
I—I shouldn't have come!
There was no turning back now.
* * *
Ferda and Burnell traveled on horseback.
As they moved along the path, they saw a group of people waiting at a crossroads. Thirty subordinates were lined up in perfect order, led by a man on horseback wearing half-plate armor.
He was the guide waiting for Ferda.
Arwen dismounted and gave a polite bow.
“I greet the husband of the Archduchess of Valdrova, Regent Ferda Valdrova. I am Arwen. I have been ordered by Count Consilus to escort you.”
“Glad to meet you. Have your orders been properly delivered?”
“Yes. I heard you are going to hunt a monster.”
Ferda corrected him.
“Not hunt. Capture. We are going to capture a monster alive.”
“My apologies. It seems the official document was misread to me.”
In truth, it hadn't been misread. It was just such an absurd statement that Arwen had mentally corrected it himself while asking for clarification.
“It’s fine. Where is the monster located?”
Arwen turned and pointed.
“We’ve received reports of a monster’s unique aura emanating from that direction.”
“And the numbers?”
“Considering the range it has expanded into recently, it’s likely a solitary individual.”
“I see. Then capturing it should be easy.”
“The thing is…” Arwen continued, his voice turning grave. “The size of the individual is estimated to be larger than a grizzly bear. It’s a size that even we would find difficult to kill.”
He was implying that capturing it alive was a fool's errand. Of course, such warnings didn't work on Ferda.
“The bigger, the better. We must capture it alive.”
Ferda patted Burnell on the shoulder.
“It sounds like it will be very helpful for your research.”
“Haha… I-I suppose so.”
Burnell gave an awkward laugh, but inside, he was screaming.
Don't say that out loud!!
Burnell’s eyes darted toward the soldiers. Glances full of resentment began to pour toward him.
So this guy is the culprit.
It’s hard enough just killing a monster, but what? Capture it alive?
If I die while trying to catch it, I’ll haunt your dreams until the day you die!
Those silent curses seemed to make Burnell’s head spin.
“Hahaha…”
Burnell laughed. He had to laugh while he still could.
* * *
Arwen took the lead. They eventually had to leave the horses behind, as the animals' scent could provoke the monster.
“What level of magic have you reached?” Ferda asked Burnell as they followed behind Arwen.
Burnell answered, “The 3rd Circle is my limit.”
“A Blue Circle?”
“Yes. Naturally, a mage would have a Blue Circle… wait, are you a Red Circle?”
“Yes.”
Burnell covered his mouth. His big mouth was going to be the death of him.
“I—I’m sorry! I shouldn't have said…”
“It doesn't matter. So, the 3rd Circle?”
The title for the 3rd Circle was Magic Walker. Many mages who couldn't break through the wall of the 4th Circle loathed the term. In fact, if a 4th Circle mage or higher called them a Magic Walker, it was practically an invitation to a duel.
“Can you use Mana Shot?”
“Yes. I can create spheres and fire them, but the effective range is—”
“You only need to know how to create them. How many can you manage?”
“Um… twelve.”
“And if you make them large?”
“If I make them large, I can manage four.”
An average 3rd Circle could manage fifteen Mana Shots.
“You’re quite far behind the average 3rd Circle.”
“Haha… that’s true.”
It was a painful yet funny truth. Burnell’s first dream had been to be a mage.
In the end, the only thing I was good at wasn't magic, but studying.
And even that studying had been ruined by his pursuit of an "absurd" dream.
“That’s more than enough. You just need to provide support.”
“S-support?”
“I’ll handle everything else. You just need to follow my instructions and perform a simple task. Understood?”
“S-support, you say. How…”
“It’ll be simple. So simple even a three-year-old could understand, so don't worry too much.”
Burnell had no idea what he was planning. Just in case, he decided to ask.
“Pardon me, Regent. But what is your Circle?”
“Me? I’m 2nd Circle.”
“The s-second Circle?!”
“What is it? Are you surprised that I’m lower than you?”
“Well, that is surprising, but that’s not what I meant…”
Burnell couldn't understand.
The mana I saw earlier was just as it appeared?
Burnell had thought Ferda had simply been hiding his power well. But he was only a measly 2nd Circle?
What could a 2nd Circle possibly do…?
He couldn't grasp Ferda’s plan at all. Just then, Arwen raised his hand.
“I’ve picked up its presence.”
“Is that so? Good work. I’ll call for you just before the capture. Wait here.”
“Pardon?”
Arwen asked again, thinking he had misheard. Ferda frowned.
“Find the person who read that official document and reprimand them. I said I only needed soldiers to help with guiding and the actual capture. Do you want to be the ones to fight it?”
“Shouldn't we be the ones? Naturally…”
“A knightly attitude full of spirit, indeed.”
Ferda patted Arwen on the shoulder and walked past him.
“Do not hold your life so lightly. You are a knight of Count Consilus, and furthermore, a precious knight of the Archduchess’s territory.”
Ferda put on the leather gloves he had in his pocket.
“Let’s go. Burnell, be ready to capture it as soon as I give the signal.”
“Y-yes, sir!”
Ferda walked forward leisurely with his hands behind his back. His posture was so noble that one would never think he was walking into a death trap.
Aaaah, I’m going to die!
On the other hand, to Burnell, Ferda was nothing more and nothing less than a grim reaper leading him to his grave.
* * *
After walking through the deep forest for about ten minutes, Ferda and Burnell finally found their target.
A Contaminated Being.
It wasn't a creature that had occurred naturally, but a monster formed by something being overwritten onto an animal. It had originally been a bear, but it was now so mangled that it could only be described as something that used to be a bear. Its very appearance seemed to scream that its existence was irrational.
“Ugh…”
“Don't throw up. It’ll be troublesome if it notices us.”
“Mmph, mmph…”
Burnell nodded repeatedly, and Ferda fixed his eyes on the target.
“Now, manifest Mana Shots on your fingers.”
“Yes.”
Swallowing his nausea, Burnell did as he was told and created spheres of pure mana.
“And when I give the signal, throw them at me one by one, gently.”
“Pardon?”
At the Regent, not the bear?
“At you, Regent?”
“Yes. Throw them.”
Burnell closed his eyes tight and threw one as instructed.
“Huh?”
In that moment, something incredible happened.