Chapter 64: Dilemma
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 64: Dilemma
A blizzard raged with such fury that the world vanished just inches from his face. Frigid air bit at him in sharp, sudden gusts, yet an atmosphere far colder than the wind seemed to pierce Ferda’s heart.
His eyes locked onto the intruder with startling clarity.
“A pleasure to meet you, Regent.”
The man introduced himself with a sly, nonchalant expression as he stepped through the swirling snow.
“I am Abel, one of the children of Silverwind. I’m not sure if you remember, but I was the one guarding the door during the Grand Council.”
“……”
“What brings you to a remote place like this? Did you come to enjoy the sights and the Northern snow?”
“……”
“Hmm, but for a sightseeing trip, this seems rather foolish. You aren’t some senile old man out gathering herbs; surely a Regent would know that this is Silverwind territory.”
“……”
Abel mocked him, closing the distance with slow, deliberate steps. Ferda retreated further into the cave, matching the intruder’s pace.
“Why so silent? Are you perhaps so terrified that you’ve lost your voice?”
“I am simply fascinated,” Ferda finally replied.
“Pardon? Fascinated by what?”
“How could I not be, when a beast is standing before me, speaking like a man?”
There was no one else before Ferda but Abel.
“Haha, is that so?” Abel’s grin widened.
The moment his wandering footsteps pressed firmly against the ground, his figure vanished.
Whoosh—!
Leaving only the sound of displaced air behind, he reappeared instantly in front of Ferda. He let out a boisterous laugh.
“What a mischievous sense of humor you have. Haha!”
Abel flicked Ferda’s chest as if delivering a simple fillip.
Crack!
“Gah…!”
The sickening sound of bone snapping followed. Ferda gasped in agony.
“Oops! Does it hurt? I only gave you a little tap.”
“Cough, hack!”
“I mean, really, what am I supposed to do if your ribs shatter from a tiny poke? Honestly, how can a Regent be so frail? You won’t have much of a body left by the time you try to get anything done in the bedroom at night.”
Ferda spat out the blood pooling in his mouth. His expression remained indifferent, as if he were merely clearing his throat.
“You talk way too much.”
“Wow, truly impressive. I heard you had the guts to defy Lord Goz, but I see now it wasn’t just because you had Blancaros backing you.”
Abel grabbed Ferda by the collar and hoisted him up. He unsheathed his claws, flashing them as a warning.
“But it’s unwise to keep acting up in front of a descendant of Silverwind. We aren’t exactly known for our mercy, you see?”
With a calm face, Ferda checked his remaining mana. He had enough left to cast 4th Tier magic a few times.
Can I defeat this Dragon Spawn with that?
It was impossible. This was a problem on an entirely different level compared to his fight with the Dark Elf. However, he allowed no sign of weakness to show. Ferda responded with a derisive snort.
“Are the descendants of Silverwind… a tribe that encourages consorting with demons now?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb. I already know you’re the one cleaning up after Sitri. Your target was likely the demon we were sent to rescue.”
The hand gripping Ferda’s throat tightened momentarily—a sign that Abel was shaken. Ferda continued to goad him.
“What were you planning to do by getting in bed with that bitch? Did you get bored of the rules you’ve kept for centuries and decide to indulge in a messy sex life?”
“Ha! Do you think we’re beasts like you, obsessed with breeding and raising runts? Fighting is far more entertaining than such tedious nonsense!”
Abel’s slit pupils flashed sharply.
“Right now, an unfit fool sits upon the throne. He calls himself the successor of Silverwind and harbors our father’s soul.”
It was a blade of treason aimed at Goz Silverwind.
“Strange. It doesn’t suit you either.”
“Ah, I know. If I faced Goz head-on, I’d be turned into a bloody pulp within seconds. Captain Goz is just that strong.” He gave a sickening smile. “But Ruri Silverwind is different.”
A familiar name surfaced.
“Do you have any idea how incredible that brat is?”
“I know she is strong.”
“She isn’t just strong. She was the only one capable of challenging Captain Goz, the leader of the Special Task Force Silverwing and the head of the personal guard. When the succession of Lord Silverwind was discussed, their two names were the only ones mentioned.”
“Is that why Goz is trying to kill her?”
“No. Captain Goz wants to keep her by his side. That is precisely why the war hasn’t started yet.”
The war hasn’t started because of that?
“What does that mean?”
“Valdrova and Silverwind. If war breaks out between the two, whose side do you think Ruri Silverwind will take? If she insists on siding with Valdrova, she must die. Captain Goz will not permit that death.”
It was unexpected. To think the reason war had been averted all this time was because Ruri was there. Whatever Goz’s intentions were, Abel’s motive for bringing this up was clear.
“But you are different from Goz.”
“Ruri is a warrior who refuses to use a sword. What do you do with a warrior like that?”
“You take the sword away.”
“Exactly. Possessing a masterwork blade and refusing to draw it is a sin in itself. I simply intend to use the sword that Ruri Silverwind refuses to wield.”
Ferda understood. This was the condition of his deal with Sitri. Ruri possessed the power to oppose Goz. Abel was acting as her 'caretaker' in exchange for making that power entirely his own.
Stagnant water is bound to rot.
No matter how great a Dragon Spawn was, they were powerless before the passage of time. His greed was threatening to destroy everything.
Ruri…
Ferda called her name in his mind. A strange irritation bubbled up from deep within his chest, solidifying into a cold murderous intent. The irritation escaped his lips as a laugh.
“Truly remarkable.”
“Haha, have you finally found the energy to flatter me now that you’re about to die?”
“No. It’s important to compensate for one’s weaknesses. Knowing how to borrow what you lack is a fundamental skill.” Ferda laughed along with him. “I’m just amazed that a blockhead like you has the brains to think of something so basic.”
Snap!
Abel snapped Ferda’s index finger.
“Ghh…!”
“You really don’t know when to shut that mouth of yours. This won’t do. I’ll have to play with you a bit longer.” He let go of the broken index finger and grabbed the middle finger. “After all, that’s the only way that bitch Ruri will submit.”
“Ruri won’t even blink.”
That girl hated humans. And she hated Ferda. Nothing he did pleased her; she despised everything about him. Threatening him would change nothing for her.
And you will be dead before she arrives.
It was then that another sound pierced through the blizzard. Visible through the white snow was a small, slender figure.
“What… are you doing?”
It was Ruri. Her expression was vastly different from what Ferda had imagined. She was visibly shaken.
* * *
The story Ruri had heard from the spirits was simple: Ferda had made a deal with a demon to infiltrate the area and had fallen into a trap. At least, that was how the spirits had perceived it.
Consequently, Ruri had flown to Count Consilus’s territory at top speed. The entire process had taken only five minutes. She had entered the cave with a plan to quickly grab Ferda and escape, but she was already too late.
There stood a Silver Dragon Spawn. And there was Ferda, beaten and broken.
“What… are you doing?”
A menacing aura of bloodlust radiated from Ruri’s body. Despite being a Dragon Spawn, Ruri’s killing intent was potent enough to mimic Dragon Fear. Even though that intent was locked onto Abel, he did not panic. He beamed at her appearance.
“Ruri Silverwind. We meet again. Do you remember me?”
“You were the one with Percival.”
“Oh, you do remember. Well, it hasn’t even been two weeks, so I suppose that’s natural.” Abel smirked.
Ruri found that smile repulsive. She felt an overwhelming urge to leave this place immediately. As her discomfort grew, Ruri’s expression hardened.
“Release Lord Ferda.”
“I’d rather not.”
“If you refuse—”
“What will you do? Start a war?”
Ruri flinched at his words.
“You have trespassed into Silverwind territory. And so has this human here.”
“……”
“I have a legitimate justification. Ruri Silverwind, as a member of Silverwind yourself, surely you know? What happens to those who invade our lands and resist capture too fiercely…?”
She bit her lower lip and forced the words out.
“Summary execution….”
“You know it well! Yes! Execution!” Abel shouted gleefully.
There was no way she could accept that.
“If you kill Lady Valdrova’s fiancé, she will not stay silent. If that happens, all of Silverwind will have to face her.”
“Go ahead! Try it if you can! Then war will break out!” Abel cackled, mocking her. “And what would you gain from that? The descendants of Silverwind will die in droves, and your master will be burdened with yet another layer of guilt.”
“Ugh…!”
“Is that what you want? If so, feel free to go around blabbing about it!”
Ruri was deeply shaken. Every word he spoke struck her right where it hurt.
“Ruri. This man is working for a demon.”
“A demon…?”
Crack!
“My, my, you certainly talk too much. Don’t you realize your life is in my hands? Why are you acting so bold?”
Ruri’s gaze was filled with a deepening loathing. But to Abel, even that hatred was merely cute.
“Let’s say I did join hands with a demon. Go ahead and testify if you want! Tell them this man was possessed by a demon. Tell them I’m holding two trespassers who were possessed! No one will listen.”
He acted as if he had nothing to hide. In fact, on the surface, he was untouchable.
“Because there won’t be a single trace of a demonic contract on my body.”
That was likely true. Ferda had also made a deal with Sitri, yet he bore no mark of a contract. All they had was circumstantial evidence, and no one would believe such suspicions. Between the traitor Ruri and the elite guard Abel, there was no question whose word carried more weight.
“You could kill me here. But what do you think will happen to you?”
“I…”
“Not only did you betray your father, but you’ll fail to protect the very thing you sought to save. How utterly pathetic.”
Abel continued to provoke her. Ruri was speechless.
“Pathetic Ruri. There is nothing you can do here.”
Ruri searched for the best possible choice. If she left him be, war would break out. If she didn’t leave him be, war would still break out. The fortress she had spent her life protecting was crumbling.
Variables. She could never control the variables. It had always been this way.
“What…” she asked cautiously, her lips trembling. This was the only way. A small sacrifice to save everyone. “What do I have to do?”
Ruri sank to her knees. Even Abel, who had been laughing mockingly, looked surprised.
“Haha… it was true.” Abel trembled with excitement. “Ruri Silverwind is actually kneeling.”
He had never imagined this. The unbreakable wall of the North, the nightmare of the Frost Giants—Ruri Silverwind, the heart of that legend, had crumbled before a few mere words. A cruel smile stretched across Abel’s face.
Ruri Silverwind’s power is mine now.
But that sense of triumph was short-lived.
“If that is your intent,” it was Ferda’s voice, “then so be it.”
Simultaneously, Abel’s body jerked violently.
“Gah!”
Abel vomited blood. The strength drained from his body, and he collapsed onto his knees, losing his grip on Ferda’s collar. Abel felt it vividly—something was crushing his heart with immense pressure.
Was it Ruri? Impossible. She could use spirit arts or basic magic, but it was impossible for her to strike internally without leaving an external wound.
There was only one variable left. Abel lifted his head, blood dripping from his chin. Ferda, the man he had been toying with, stood tall. A blue light emanated from his eyes.
As expected, it was his doing. But there was one thing Abel hadn't anticipated: darkness. A pitch-black darkness that even the eyes of a Dragon Spawn could not pierce.
* * *
Ruri had arrived. Ferda could guess how she had found him—she must have left a wind spirit behind and received a report from it. Hearing that he was in danger, she had undoubtedly rushed here.
It was a swift response, but it was the worst possible timing. She should have been his most reliable ally, but in this moment, her presence was a disaster because he knew Abel was targeting her.
Abel had begun to wag his tongue. Ferda could feel every word Abel spoke burrowing into Ruri’s heart. Abel saw through Ruri with terrifying accuracy. He was needlessly clever.
Was this the deal? Ferda instinctively knew this was the demon’s advice. A story that would have been ignored if a demon told it. But when told by one of her own kind, it was a story she couldn't help but be shaken by.
A dilemma. She was being forced into an impossible choice between Valdrova and the descendants of Silverwind.
She can’t abandon either. Ferda knew the reason. And because of that…
“What do I have to do?”
He watched as Ruri knelt. It was the 'best' choice that could encompass both options. And yet, it was the worst choice.
He finally understood. Is this how you ensnared Ruri?
A demon’s scheme and greed that exceeded one’s station—all of it had reached out its demonic claws toward a girl who only wanted to protect the peace.
Is this why you didn’t stay by Valdrova’s side? Because you love peace, because you love Valdrova, did you make the worst choice of sacrificing yourself?
It was then that the mana circuits within Ferda’s body began to churn. It was a sensation entirely different from when he had desperately sought Valdrova. Something he had buried deep within his chest began to crawl upward. It caressed Ferda’s heart and rolled the circles within his Dantian between its fingers.
Valdrova’s face overlapped with Ruri’s helpless expression. She was suffering. A sweet voice whispered in his ear.
Are you just going to watch?
No. He couldn't just watch. He knew this wasn't Valdrova, but if Ruri disappeared, this would become Valdrova’s future.
I cannot allow that.
The chains of restraint shattered. The mana formed in the Red Circle spread out secretly in all directions. It devoured everything within the darkness. Everything was now within Ferda’s grasp: the cave, Ruri, Abel, and even the organs inside Abel’s body.
“Cough, hack!”
Abel collapsed, writhing in agony. Blood poured from his mouth. He couldn't breathe; his lungs were ruined.
“You… you bastard… cough!”
He tried to move, intending to take Ferda down with him, but he couldn't budge an inch. The dense darkness and the rampaging Red Circle were more than enough to suppress a Dragon Spawn. Abel, who had held the upper hand just moments ago, was now completely at Ferda’s mercy.
“If you kill me…” Abel wheezed through the blood, “every Silverwind will remember your face and your name.”
The price for killing a Dragon Spawn was not light. It meant a life of being hunted forever, praying every night that you would wake up the next morning. A life that couldn't truly be called living.
“I don’t care.” Ferda was already well-acquainted with such things. “I’m sick and tired of the threats your kind makes.”
Ferda raised his hand. His blackened palm looked as if it were holding something—as if he were gripping an object with a rounded base that filled his hand.
As if he were clutching a heart.
“If you all desire war so much, I won’t run from it.”
Ferda clenched his fist.