Chapter 4: The Qualifications of a Royal Consort
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 4: The Qualifications of a Royal Consort
Leaving the dragon’s lair, Ruri led Ferda toward a specific destination.
It was a castle perched halfway up the mountain, its silhouette visible even from a great distance. A path led directly up from the cavern that served as the lair, bringing them straight into the main hall.
“Immaculate.”
Ferda could tell that Valdrova had been more sincere about this marriage than anyone else. She wouldn't have bothered building such a grand castle atop her own lair, nor would she have tailored everything to human standards, if she weren't.
‘They said it was built for the 3rd Imperial Prince’s engagement.’
If the 3rd Imperial Prince had married the Archduchess of Valdrova, he would have gained the immense power that came with the union. Since he would have essentially become the King of the East, a residence befitting that status had been prepared.
However, an incident had occurred where the prince was quite literally torn to pieces. Consequently, the place had become a ghost town.
Ferda had assumed the castle would have been neglected after the prince’s death, but it was surprisingly well-maintained. It didn't feel like a rushed cleaning job done just because he was coming; he could sense the meticulous, daily care put into the place.
“Who manages this castle?”
“I do,” Ruri replied.
“Anyone else?”
“I am the only one who serves the Master.”
“Then all of this is…”
“I handle everything myself. I believe that answers your question.”
Ruri replied curtly, her tone sharp. She seemed thoroughly displeased that he had accepted the engagement.
‘Like a dog.’
He didn't mean it as an insult; she literally felt like a dog to him. A guard dog growling because it felt threatened that the affection it received might be directed elsewhere. Because of that, Ferda was able to let it slide.
‘As long as she doesn't bite me, it doesn't matter.’
If she was a guard dog, she just needed to guard the house well.
Ruri led Ferda to a vast bedroom.
‘This is about the size of five of my old rooms combined.’
It was on par with the chambers of his father, Erembalt, and even the Emperor of Arken.
“This is the guest bedroom,” she announced.
“This is for guests?”
“You are a guest invited by a Dragon, a Ruler. Not just anyone.”
At the very least, Dragons were beings that stood on equal footing with the Emperor. Regardless, being guided to such a room allowed Ferda to gauge his current standing.
“So, for now, I am ‘just’ a guest?”
“Yes. Since you are not yet the fiancé, you are ‘just’ a guest.”
“Do you always show this much hostility to guests?” Ferda asked, genuinely curious.
“No. I simply hate humans.”
“You’re honest.”
“And among them, I simply hate you the most.”
“You’re unnecessarily honest.”
“I see no reason to hide it.”
Ruri shrugged with a blank expression. She was so incredibly obnoxious that she practically seemed to be begging for a slap.
“Fine. I suppose it’s better not to hide it.”
Ferda actually preferred this. It was a hundred times better than dealing with nobles who smiled brightly while planning to stab you in the back. Every time Ferda accepted her attitude calmly, Ruri would glare at him with even more distaste.
“I have a question,” she said.
“What is it?”
“Are you not afraid of me?”
Ferda tilted his head. “Why should I be afraid?”
“I tried to snap your neck. If the Master hadn't given the signal, I would have broken it right then and there.”
Cr-crack.
As Ruri clenched and unclenched her slender fists, a chilling sound echoed through the room.
‘That I would have died…’
He already knew she harbored murderous intent. However, Ferda had no intention of dodging Ruri’s hands back then.
‘If the engagement hadn't gone through, I had no reason to live anyway.’
At that time, he thought dying wouldn't be so bad. Hiding his inner thoughts, he changed the subject.
“Let’s postpone the useless power struggle for later. So, when is the engagement ceremony?”
“The engagement ceremony with the Master is in one month.”
“Will it be held officially?”
“If by ‘official’ you mean inviting people we don't care about and making a fuss, then no. It will be held simply in the lair. Just the three of us.”
“Three?”
“The Master, myself, and the guest.” She pointed at Ferda with a sharp flick of her chin.
“I see. One month from now.”
“Since we’re on the subject, I will say one more thing,” Ruri added. “The engagement ceremony is in a month, but that is also your deadline.”
“A deadline for what?”
“The deadline for you to prove that you have the capability to be her fiancé.”
Ferda thought to himself once more: Getting married is damn hard.
“Did the Archduchess of Valdrova order this?”
“No. This is my own will.”
“So you’re acting on your own. Is an attendant allowed to show such will?”
“It is something that must be done if necessary. To be honest, our Master is far too soft for her reputation.”
She really was incredibly blunt.
“You probably know that already. That is why you didn't bow your head before Valdrova the Tyrant. You are the only human in history who could maintain such an attitude while standing before a Dragon.”
“I see.”
“I let it slide because the Master said she would get engaged to a human, but unlike her, I am not soft.”
Ruri’s eyes gleamed sharply. It was a gaze so cold it felt like a well-honed blade pressed against his throat.
“As the partner of a Great Aspect, I believe you must possess the appropriate ‘stature.’”
A Dragon and a human. The gap between them was far greater than the gap between an Emperor and a beggar. In short, she was setting an absurd condition.
“So? Are you telling me, a mere human, to obtain power rivaling a Dragon right this instant?”
“As if that were possible. I don't have such high expectations for you to become strong immediately.” Ruri snorted. “Just show me that you have potential.”
She raised a small, clenched fist.
“Willpower is unnecessary. Willpower doesn't solve everything. It is important that you show me, within a month, that even a weakling like you has a shred of potential.”
She emphasized her point with a sharp, clear tone.
“That is the first hurdle for a fiancé who wishes to inherit Valdrova Castle.”
Taking all of this in, Ferda thought: ‘My fiancée has a truly good person by her side.’
Though she was foul-mouthed and hated him intensely, Ferda liked Ruri. Despite her hatred for humans, she didn't hide what was required of him as a fiancé. That meant her loyalty to Valdrova outweighed her own personal loathing.
‘She’s this loyal… so why did I never see her?’
When Ferda had raided Valdrova’s lair in his past life, Ruri hadn't been there. He tilted his head at the strange discrepancy but pushed it aside; it wasn't important right now.
“Understood. Let’s say I show my potential. How far do I need to climb? Do I need to become something like the Emperor of the Empire?”
Ruri shook her head. “At the very least, enough so that the other ‘Aspects’ do not look down on you.”
That meant he needed power that easily surpassed the Emperor.
“I see.”
“?”
When Ferda responded calmly, Ruri tilted her head in confusion.
“Are you being arrogant? Are you stupid? Or do you just take Dragons lightly? Whichever it is, I don't like it.”
“It’s none of those.”
“Don't think this will be easy. Especially for a weak human like you.”
“Coincidentally, I don't think it will be easy either.”
“Then why that attitude?”
“Don't worry about my attitude. All I have to do is show you enough potential to satisfy you within a month, right?”
“…”
Ruri pouted. Having her own words thrown back at her was bound to be unpleasant.
‘He’s overflowing with confidence.’
Ruri wondered where that confidence came from, but she couldn't figure it out. She already knew how the term "Valdrova’s fiancé" was used in the Arken Empire. It had become a sort of idiom used when kicking out useless failures. How could such a man have talent rivaling an Aspect?
But Ferda was different.
‘It’s enough.’
He was the Archmage who had reached the 8th Circle at the youngest age on the continent and had cast a 9th Circle Wish spell. He was a man who had already brought the Emperor of the Empire to his knees.
‘Attaining a stature that isn't overshadowed by a Dragon is possible.’
As long as it was possible, it was nothing to Ferda. Certainty settled on his face.
“What a disgusting human,” Ruri said, looking exasperated.
* * *
The castle built atop Valdrova’s lair was named Valdrova Castle, after her.
Ferda stayed there for a week. Overall, life wasn't bad, though he had to handle almost everything himself.
Nobles always traveled with servants to wait on them. If they didn't have at least one attendant, they felt their dignity was compromised. Thus, if told to live without an aide, most would have thrown a fit, asking if they were being mocked.
However, this was no problem for Ferda.
‘I’ve grown used to living alone.’
In fact, it was more uncomfortable when someone came to help him dress. Having become accustomed to standing on his own, life in Valdrova Castle was generally comfortable.
‘Actually, this is better than being at the mansion.’
When he was with the Rosnova family, he was always on edge. Even while being hated, there was no one he could trust. Anyone who seemed friendly was always desperate to drag him into a swamp.
‘That girl Ruri might hate me, but compared to them, she’s a saint.’
At least Ruri didn't put strange things in his food or play childish pranks like soaping the marble floors. For that alone, she was like a cute little puppy.
‘Well, I don't know how long that will last.’
Ruri had given Ferda a task: to prove he wasn't a hopeless failure but had potential.
‘The deadline is one month.’
What could he show within that time? Ferda considered his options from various angles. But there was only one conclusion.
‘It has to be magic.’
Ferda had a talent for magic. If he showed a glimpse of that talent to Ruri, she would acknowledge him, even if only a little.
‘To use magic, I need to form a Mana Circle.’
A Circle is formed by taking the chaotic mana within the body and circulating it into a ring to create a circuit. The problem was that Ferda didn't know how to create that kind of Circle.
‘No, I do know the method.’
He just needed to possess overwhelming vengefulness and hatred. If he followed the path he had taken before, he would become an 8th Circle mage even faster than last time.
‘But I shouldn't do that.’
Ferda recalled what his master had said.
— The first button is the most important. Whether your first Circle is Red or Blue will dictate your life as a mage. But I suppose you don't need to worry about that.
His master was a gluttonous, lecherous man who only cared about money, but he had fulfilled his role perfectly when it came to magic training.
A Red Circle is a mana circuit created through emotional upheaval. A Blue Circle is a mana circuit based on calm meditation. Each had clear pros and cons.
Blue Circles are stable, though they form slowly. Because they allow a mage to remain calm and assess the situation in any circumstance, 80% of mages possess Blue Circles through training.
On the other hand, Red Circles form quickly but are unstable. Unlike Blue Circles, which emphasize composure, emotional upheaval is the primary driving force. Thus, while one can become strong quickly, they are prone to being consumed by those emotions and becoming a madman.
‘What I need to do is form a Blue Circle.’
To avoid the same future, that was the correct answer. However, the situation was not on Ferda’s side.
‘They say it takes at least three years to form a Blue Circle.’
He had to show convincing results within the remaining three weeks. It was an incredibly tight timeframe, but Ferda did not panic. He believed he could find a way somehow.
* * *
“Are you making preparations?”
Ruri, who usually just silently delivered breakfast, asked a question for the first time. Ferda replied calmly as he poked at his salad with a fork.
“I am.”
“For someone who is, there hasn't been a single change.”
“I’m doing it with the mindset that it’ll happen eventually if I keep at it.”
“I see.”
Ruri didn't seem to expect much. For the past few days, Ferda had been researching and examining methods to form a Blue Circle. But the only thing he realized for certain was that even if the two types of Circles used the same mana, their textures were different.
‘I might end up failing to qualify at the engagement ceremony.’
It wasn't like Ferda to talk big and then achieve nothing. However, he would calmly continue to search for a way today.
Just as he was about to welcome a new morning—
Rumble!
A world-shaking sound of impact and vibration surged through the castle. It had happened nearby.
“What was that?”
Ruri answered, “The Master is currently conducting a monster subjugation.”
“Monster subjugation?”
“She is sweeping away the things crawling in from the Land of Demons at the eastern edge.”
Rumble!
Normally, he would have just thought, ‘Is that so?’ and moved on, but today was different for Ferda.
‘Perhaps…’
Ferda had a hunch. He felt that the answer he was looking for might be there.
“I want to see that battle.”
“Pardon?” Ruri replied with a blank face. “It would be better if you didn't.”
“Why?”
“The minds of mortals are fragile. No one has ever remained sane after witnessing the Master in battle.”
Ferda thought back to his past self. Back then, he had been consumed by madness. He had encountered many of the Rulers known as Dragons. But among them, the one that had chilled him the most was the Red Dragon.
‘It might have been because she was showing hostility.’
Still, there was such a thing as stature. If he had felt fear even as an Archmage, what about now? He might wet himself and let out a pathetic scream.
“So, do not harbor useless curiosity,” Ruri warned.
“No.” Ferda shook his head. This wasn't useless curiosity. It was a quest for the answer. “I want to watch. That fight.”
And it was the duty of one who would take her as his partner.