Chapter 50: Grand Council
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 50: Grand Council
“I feel the same.”
“…….”
At Ferda’s blunt response, Erdes leaned back. The murderous tension that had filled the air vanished as if it had never existed, replaced by a boisterous laugh.
“Is that so? I have a feeling we’ll get along quite well. You’re young, unlike those old fogies. I hope we can have more chats like this in the future?”
“I shall make sure to contact you first.”
“Or I’ll just reach out to you. Prince! I’ll be heading elsewhere now. They say a beauty is always busy, don’t they?”
“Yes, of course! Please, take care!”
Erdes raised her glass in a parting gesture and swept away. Once she was far enough away, Alexander turned his head toward Ferda.
“Do you happen to have some history with the Magic Society?”
“I do not.”
He had plenty, but that was a story for the distant future.
“I don’t intend to scold you. It’s always better to resolve any lingering issues or grudges quickly, after all.”
Alexander spoke those words, but Ferda could see the truth. The Prince was sweating bullets. For an incompetent First Prince to solidify his power base, he needed a massive amount of strength—and that strength was magic.
“More importantly, I’ve heard rumors that you’ve been importing a large number of monster corpses to the Far East lately.”
Ferda replied to the sudden change of topic. “That is correct.”
“I was already thinking it was a hassle to burn them every time because we ran out of burial space. It’s quite a relief to have someone move those corpses for us.”
Alexander spoke with a smirk, but his expression betrayed a sense of urgency.
‘Spit out what you’re up to.’
Ferda contemplated his answer. He had originally decided to keep the production of Magic Stones a secret, believing it was too early to reveal the process. He had come prepared with a vague excuse, but looking into Alexander’s eyes, he realized he couldn't use it.
‘This is the man who pointed a sword at his own father because he craved the throne.’
No matter how hard he tried to defend himself, the man was a greedy bastard. That was an immutable truth. He was blinded by the throne, desperate to reign over a hundred million subjects. That was why he flattered Erdes; he was terrified of offending her.
‘That’s why Erdes thinks I’m succeeding Thesalos’s work.’
In any case, there was a connection. Ferda weighed his options. Both were terrible choices, and he had to pick the lesser of two evils.
“Actually, I am researching a way to manufacture Magic Stones using monster corpses.”
He told the truth. Alexander seemed intrigued, leaning in to listen. Anything related to magic usually meant money.
“Magic Stones? What are those? Are they like the… crystal balls mages use?”
“They are similar yet different. These items purely contain mana.”
“Ho…”
Ferda explained the current progress to Alexander.
“So, for instance, they assist a mage’s magic?”
“There is that, but they are primarily for replenishing mana. Mages cannot use them directly.”
“Ah, is that so?”
“Furthermore, the efficiency is only around 7% at the moment, so for actual mages to use them…”
“Ah, I see. Impressive.”
Alexander let out a series of exclamations, but Ferda could see the interest draining from his eyes bit by bit.
“Anyway… are you certain this has nothing to do with Black Magic?”
“I am certain.”
“Of course, when doing research, one must reach into various fields. There is such a thing as intent, is there not? What I mean is, can you assure me that there isn't even a shred of such intent?”
Alexander was being persistent. Just as Ferda was about to repeat himself like a parrot, a faint fragrance brushed past his nose. He knew this scent.
“You’re pushing him too hard for a first meeting, Brother.”
The refined voice made the men turn their heads. It was Olivia Arken. Fitting for the Flower of the Empire, she wore a magnificent dress and a smile laced with allure.
When Alexander saw Olivia, he burst into laughter again.
“My sister has arrived! Come to think of it, you must have met the Regent once already. My sister welcomed him on my behalf, after all! I wonder if she treated you well?”
Alexander casually placed a hand on Olivia’s shoulder.
“Oh my? Why would you worry about that?” Olivia replied with a bright smile. Alexander’s hand, which had been about to rest on her shoulder, slid down her arm.
“Because a problem arose, didn't it? A great problem for the Imperial Family.”
“It was merely a groundless fear. Lord Ferda is a man of great magnanimity.”
“For the sake of the Empire’s precarious safety, it’s a matter that cannot be neglected. What about the fact that the country almost turned upside down because of the incident in the Imperial warehouse? No matter how I think about it, it seems nothing but dangerous things happen whenever you stand in the political arena.”
“Is that so? But the matter was settled smoothly. Oh, by the way, Brother, do you even know what’s been happening? As soon as the Level 1 alert was issued, you turned tail and—no, you evacuated, didn't you?”
Her face was innocent, her eyelashes fluttering like a butterfly. The two were smiling while ruthlessly stabbing at each other with words. It was enough to make anyone listening feel uncomfortable.
‘They both have quite the nerve.’
Ferda could only marvel at the sight, wondering if it was a genetic trait of the Arken family.
“Wasn't that standard procedure? If the heir to the Empire dies, the Empire falls. I must survive for the sake of the Empire.”
“Ah, yes. Of course. Naturally. An heir, you say.” She smiled with eyes curved like crescent moons and slightly covered her mouth with a fan—or rather, she pretended to cover it while letting a sneer slip through to provoke him. “It is indeed the kind of conduct befitting someone who ambitiously bared the blade of treason only to retreat so pathetically.”
“Haha, this fox-like wench. You possess far more than you deserve and spend your time bewitching men, which is why people call you a temptress.”
“Isn't it better than having something and not being able to use it? For example…” Olivia glanced down toward Alexander’s crotch. “Father said he wants to see a granddaughter. I wonder when you’ll give him a grandchild.”
Alexander’s face turned beet red, contrasting with his forced smile. He glanced toward Ferda.
“Be careful. A beautiful rose always has thorns. Who knows, those thorns might even be venomous.”
He gave that advice with a serious expression. Ferda looked down at him silently. His face was expressionless, but he couldn't suppress his disdain.
‘You have a lot to say for someone who was pricked by those thorns.’
He didn't know the exact details, but in the previous timeline, right before Olivia died, she had been in Alexander’s bedroom. In the end, hadn't he been stabbed to death while trying to have his way with his own sister? Alexander was ultimately a man who had been bewitched by Olivia’s beauty. Hearing such words from him felt pathetic.
“I am aware.”
“You are? Then that is a relief. In that case, try to smile a little. Isn't your face far too stiff?”
Alexander tapped Ferda on the back and naturally wore a friendly, affable smile. When he laughed, the surrounding nobles laughed with him.
Watching this, Ferda thought: ‘I want to go home.’
Valdrova’s face flickered in his mind.
“So, in short, you’re saying it’s not useful yet?”
“Yes.”
“I see. For the development of the Far East territory, I shall start paying attention as well.”
It was likely a lie. Why would the First Prince, who was busy scoring points with the central nobles, care about the Far East?
“I am merely grateful that Your Highness is showing interest,” Ferda replied with a lie of his own.
“Try to meet various people before the council begins. It seems someone is calling for me.” Alexander raised his glass and walked toward the crowd.
Finally, I can catch my breath.
No sooner had he thought that than someone lightly tugged on his sleeve. It was Olivia. She was still standing by his side.
“Is there no one else you wish to see?” he asked bluntly.
“They aren't particularly important people. More importantly, there’s something else left to do.” Olivia’s shoulder brushed against Ferda’s. “Soon, the representatives of the Great Dragons will arrive.”
The representatives of the Dragons—the Dragon Spawns were coming.
‘Dragon Spawns, huh.’
Ferda hadn't encountered Dragon Spawns very often. At most, he had caught a passing glimpse of the spawns of Iorga, the Blue Dragon and master of magic. He needed to see with his own eyes what Dragon Spawns other than Ruri looked like.
“I am curious,” Ferda replied.
Olivia beamed. “Then let us go together.”
She held out her hand. Her red lips moved like those of a shy maiden. It was a situation that would make any man’s heart flutter.
“What is this?” Ferda asked.
“Oh my? I’m asking you to escort me. Are you going to let a lady go alone?” Olivia blinked. Her hunched shoulders were the gesture of a defenseless girl.
Ferda took a slight step back. “I am a taken man.”
“Whether you are taken or not, this is something you must do. Shouldn't we do at least this much to deepen our mutual trust?”
“I shall leave it to Sir Jed—”
“Have you ever seen a woman sulk?” A shadow fell over Olivia’s face. “It’s not pleasant, you know?”
“…….”
Ferda couldn't care less. As he maintained a disinterested expression, Olivia leaned her face an inch closer.
“Don't you feel the need to deepen our trust as collaborators within the Empire? We will be sharing many secrets, so I think this much is necessary.”
Olivia clung to him persistently, her words a subtle threat. Since she was currently his only collaborator within the Empire, he couldn't simply ignore her.
“Sigh, fine.”
“You should have said so from the start.”
Ferda reluctantly held out his hand. Contrary to his intention of just going through the motions, Olivia grabbed his hand firmly and grinned.
Ferda glanced toward Ruri. Her face was expressionless. No, her lips were slightly pouting, her expression clearly saying, ‘I don’t like this.’ It was a level of subtlety that no one but Ferda, who saw her every day, would notice.
Of course, Ruri didn't openly express her dissatisfaction and acted like a proper attendant. Perhaps that was why he felt even more uneasy.
‘I don’t want to get my skin scrubbed off later.’
High society was nothing but pain, whether mental or physical. In a state of half-resignation, Ferda led Olivia toward the window.
Outside Blancaros’s domain, a golden carriage stood. Emerging from it was an old man wearing religious vestments and a crown, accompanied by priests.
“Do you know who they are?” Olivia tucked her hand into Ferda’s arm, locking it in place.
“They are from the Holy Empire of Odograsado.”
“That’s right.”
The Golden Dragon, Odograsado. A country built upon a religion that worshipped Odograsado as an idol. Although it bore the name of a Holy Empire, it was actually closer to an alliance between the Holy Kingdom and its surrounding territories. Odograsado had no spawns; therefore, the Pope and four high priests were attending this meeting.
A moment later, a blue portal opened. The scenery visible beyond the portal was the chilly landscape characteristic of the northwest. From there, Dragon Spawns with blue hair and rounded horns walked out.
“Those are Iorga’s spawns. They haven't missed a single Grand Council.”
The forces of Iorga, the master of the Magic Tower and the eyes that watch the continent. These individuals, who were more like researchers than mages, walked with the elegance of nobles.
“Ah, they’re coming over there too.”
Olivia raised her head and looked toward the sky. Five distinct dots flew toward them from the blue sky. They soared through the air ruthlessly, like comets emitting silver light.
Ferda had seen them before through Ruri.
‘Silverwind.’
Contrary to their aggressive flight, they landed gracefully and stepped inside Blancaros’s domain. After confirming their presence, Ferda glanced away. Ruri, standing beside him, was staring down at them. Her eyes held an emotion quite different from anything he had felt from her before. He could feel how tense she was.
“I guess those three are all. It seems Storeus’s side won't be participating today. Well, it’s a relief not to have that headache.”
“They seem to have quite a reputation.”
“He’s an Evil Dragon, after all. They’re nothing but troublemakers. They love starting fights.”
As the Dragon Spawns gathered, the surrounding onlookers began to move. They were heading toward the Grand Council chamber.
“You should head in now,” Olivia said, finally releasing her grip on his arm. Her status was that of a princess; she did not possess the political rights held by the princes.
Ferda walked along with the crowd moving toward the chamber. The Grand Council, where the power players scattered across the continent gathered, was about to begin.
