Chapter 65: Salt and Sand
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 65: Salt and Sand
Thump!
A dull thud resonated deep within Abel’s chest, like a muffled explosion.
Simultaneously, his frame went limp.
The agonizing groans and violent tremors vanished in an instant.
“Ah…”
A faint, broken gasp escaped Ruri’s lips.
She tried to convince herself this was a dream—that she was actually safe in her bed, and a demon had crept into her mind to inflict this nightmare upon her.
But she did not wake.
The more she concentrated on escaping the dream, the tighter the cold reality pressed in.
“Ah… ah…”
Ruri stumbled toward Abel.
She rolled his collapsed body over. His pupils were unfocused. His pulse had vanished. His skin was already growing cold.
She tried to manifest a healing spell, but she knew it was futile.
His heart had been shattered.
No Dragon Spawn could survive a destroyed heart. Ferda must have known this as well. He had never intended to leave the boy a single chance at life.
The sensations of this atrocity—committed in this dark, frozen wasteland amidst a blizzard—were seared into her mind.
A spawn of the Silver Dragon was dead.
Another of her father’s children had died today.
She could see what that other child had seen. And the man responsible stood right in front of her.
“Do you…”
Her voice forced its way through her constricted throat.
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done, Lord Ferda?”
“I do,” Ferda replied flatly. “It is murder.”
His voice was as cold as the Northern air.
“It isn’t just murder… Lord Ferda.” Ruri’s hands trembled. “A child of Silverwind is dead. You killed one who carries his blood. Do you understand what that means?”
“I understand.”
“No. You don’t.” Ruri lifted her head and walked toward him. “You killed one of dragon blood. They will never stop seeking revenge.”
“I understand.”
“They will never stop… until you are dead.”
“I understand.”
“If you understand, then—!” Ruri lunged forward and grabbed Ferda by the collar. “Then you never would have made this choice!”
Everything she had built.
“Because of your actions!”
Everything Ferda had done.
“The peace I maintained for Lady Valdrova has been shattered!”
It had all crumbled into nothingness.
“Because of you… because of you…”
Ruri’s head dropped. The hands gripping his collar shook violently. Her legs wobbled, barely supporting her weight.
She wondered: Can this even be fixed? Can we just move past this as if nothing happened? What on earth is going to happen now?
She tried to fathom the consequences, but she couldn't. This was beyond her control. There was no way to resolve this peacefully.
“Huff, huff…”
Tension throttled her. She gasped for air, her breathing ragged. Her vision began to blur.
“It’s… your fault.”
Resentment spilled from her lips.
“Lady Valdrova… was perfectly happy without you.”
Vicious words she didn't truly mean poured out.
“You…! Because you tried to force your way into her life…!”
But Ferda didn't budge. He looked down at her with eyes that seemed to be watching a pitiable child.
“Ruri.”
“Don’t you dare say my name with that mouth! Don’t you—!”
“Ruri.”
His cold voice took hold of her spiraling mind.
“Look at me.”
Ruri looked up. Her silver eyes, lost and wandering, met his.
“Abel had to die. This was the only choice.”
“There were other choices! And I made one!”
“The choice to sacrifice yourself was the worst possible option.”
“What does it matter if I’m here or not? All you need is Lady Valdrova, don’t you? Wasn’t that how you were going to keep the peace?”
“There was never any peace to begin with.”
“There was! It was right there! The peace I created!” Ruri snapped back.
A seed of doubt that she might be wrong swelled in her chest, but she refused to acknowledge it. She didn't want everything she had done to be in vain.
“Ruri,” Ferda asked. “Did I break the peace you made?”
“Yes.”
That was the truth.
“Did I put my fiancée in danger?”
“Yes.”
That was also the truth.
“Then, am I wrong?”
“…”
Ruri couldn't answer. She didn't understand why she hesitated.
He had clearly killed Abel. Because of that, the peace was broken. Valdrova was in danger.
So, was he wrong?
A part of her heart said no.
“You… are wrong.”
She lacked the courage to admit it. She clung to her stubbornness once more.
“I see.”
Ferda pulled her hands off him. As he moved, Ruri’s hands followed his lead. Her eyes widened. He moved her hands up past his collar, wrapping them around his own throat.
“Then kill me here and now.”
Ruri asked in a trembling voice, “Are you… serious?”
“That is what I asked of you.”
Ruri recalled something she had tucked away in the back of her mind. Back when Ferda had finished selecting his subordinates, the last name he had written down was his own.
And he had made a request:
“If I ever put my fiancée in danger or commit a wrongful act, do not hesitate to kill me.”
Ruri hadn't believed him then. No living creature truly wants to die. Not humans, not Dragon Spawn. Not even Dragons.
“If I die, the peace you protected will return.”
But Ferda was different. His eyes didn't waver. From the moment he killed Abel until now, his resolve had not faltered once.
Ruri spat out the question she had been harboring, the one she couldn't understand.
“Lord Ferda… do you not regret what you did?”
“I do not.”
Ferda had thought about it countless times. He thought before he acted, he thought while he acted, and he was thinking even now.
The conclusion was always the same.
“Even if I were to turn back time a thousand times, I would still save you.”
“Why?”
Unlike her own shaking pupils, his eyes shone with clarity. It was a light Ruri did not possess.
“Because I do not doubt for a second that this is for my fiancée, Valdrova.”
That light seemed to brush against Ruri’s cheek.
“She needs you more than she needs me.”
The moment she heard those words, everything that composed Ruri collapsed.
“Just… why?”
Her grip on Ferda’s neck loosened, her hands sliding down his chest.
“Why… I’ve lived longer… I’ve served Lady Valdrova longer…”
Her voice grew thick with tears.
“Why is it you, a human…”
Ruri hated humans. Human greed had always brought Lady Valdrova pain. Ferda was different from those humans.
And yet.
She hated Ferda more than any other human.
Why?
He acted for Valdrova’s sake. He actually had the power to protect her.
She hated him to death for it.
“Why can’t I… be like you…”
Ruri’s body slumped forward. She didn't want to lean on this man she despised. But she hated the thought of him seeing her cry even more.
“Ugh… hic…”
Ruri tried desperately to swallow her sobs. Realizing she couldn't, she buried her face in his clothes to muffle the sound.
As she wept uncontrollably, she caught a faint scent.
It was the scent of the man who, long ago, had taken in a girl who was the sole survivor of a village razed by a great fire.
* * *
Ferda returned to Count Consilus’s castle with Ruri.
“Thank you.”
“…”
Ruri didn't answer. She hadn't spoken a word since she finished crying.
“You should go back now.”
There was no affirmation or denial. Instead, her hand gave the answer. She couldn't let go of his sleeve. The lingering anxiety in her heart seeped through her fingertips.
“Ruri.”
“…”
“Are you afraid a war will break out?”
She gave a small nod. It meant she was worried, but that wasn't everything.
“There is no need to worry. If I am right, there will be no war.”
“…”
“Return to your mistress’s side. Go back as if nothing happened and prepare for the tea party.”
“…”
“Can you do that for your master?”
Only then did Ruri release his sleeve. Without a single word, she took flight and vanished.
Ferda straightened his clothes and opened the balcony door. The inside of the castle was already in chaos.
“Kill that demon wench already!”
“Don’t just kill her, burn her with holy light!”
The knights were fuming.
“Waaaaah! I don’t want to die!”
The pink-haired demon was wailing loud enough to shake the castle.
“No, just calm down and listen to me!”
And in the middle of it all, Jed was sweating profusely, trying to mediate.
“Move aside, Sir Jed!”
“Have you been bewitched by that demon wench?!”
“You damn noble-born hack! Hand her over this instant!”
“Hey, watch your mouths! I’m not protecting her, I’m telling you I received orders!”
“Waaaaah, Sir Knight! Save me!”
“Damn it, you crazy woman! Let go of my leg! Ugh, seriously, I’m going through all this hell because of that man!”
They say there is no shame in any work, but accepting this job was a mistake. Jed regretted it over and over again.
“Just kill her!”
“Waaaaah!”
“What is going on here?”
“This sub-human demon wench hijacked the Gate the Regent was supposed to use and caused this mess… Huh?”
“The… The Regent?”
The appearance of the Regent himself, the man at the center of the conversation, brought an instant silence.
“Are you alright, my lord?”
“I am fine. A few broken ribs and fingers, but nothing serious.”
“That demon claimed you were the one who let her in…”
“Waaaaah! I told you I wasn't lying!”
“She isn't lying. I did let her in. So, lower your weapons and return to your posts.”
“Ah, yes. If you say so…”
“See! I told you! Why did you call me a liar! Life as a demon is so unfair, mububub!”
“You’ve been noisy enough, seriously!”
Penelope was about to pour oil on the fire, but Jed promptly gagged her with a piece of cloth.
“I am glad everyone returned safely from the sudden operation. I am fine, so go and rest.”
With that, the commotion settled. Ferda turned his gaze. Two people remained.
Jed, wiping away sweat. And Penelope, dripping with tears and snot.
“You two have a separate task.”
* * *
Early dawn at Count Consilus’s castle.
The black sky was beginning to find its color. It was the twilight just before the break of dawn.
Ferda waited without sleeping. He had broken ribs and mangled fingers. Though he had used healing magic to mend his body, the aftereffects left him more exhausted than ever.
Nevertheless, he endured the drowsiness and waited.
A moment later, Ferda felt an intrusive presence nearby.
“My darling, you’re back?”
The Great Demon, Sitri, crawled out from the shadows.
“I was so worried because things seemed to have gone sideways, but I guess you managed somehow?”
“…”
“Why are you looking at me like that? It’s not like I did anything wrong, right?”
“No, it wasn't your fault.” Ferda leaned back and crossed his arms. “Though it seems you were hoping I wouldn't return safely.”
“Perish the thought. I can’t do business with a dead man, can I? I was waiting for your return more than anyone.”
Sitri flashed a seductive smile. However, it was quite different from the expression she had worn a few hours ago.
It was impatience.
“Your dog is dead, Sitri.”
“My dog? Who are you talking about?”
“Don’t play innocent. I know Abel Silverwind was one of yours.”
“Oh my, that’s too much. Is everyone who dislikes ‘darling’ on the side of the demons? I hate that kind of prejudice…”
She feigned ignorance smoothly. Her eyes curved like crescent moons.
“Even if that Abel was my dog, you have no proof, do you?”
Sitri smiled deeply. It was as she said. There was no proof. If one made a deal with a demon, a seal or a trace of mana was usually left behind. Abel had none of that.
“Do you think you can just accuse a poor demon without evidence? If you keep insisting, they’ll try to call me as a witness. And I’ll just deny it.”
“Then I would be in a difficult position.”
“The picture would be: Regent Ferda, who trespassed and committed murder, tries to evade responsibility by blaming everything on a demon. And…” Sitri slithered closer. “It will just look like ‘darling’ is struggling to survive. Even if it doesn't look that way, the humans won't leave you alone.”
She whispered into Ferda’s ear.
“And after all, the one who actually joined hands with a demon was you, wasn't it, darling?”
Sitri revealed her true colors.
“You borrowed a demon’s magic to sneak into the territory, and you rescued a demon.”
Sitri must have already secured proof of that. From the moment she offered the Bending Bridge, she had set multiple traps that Ferda had no choice but to walk into.
“My poor, cute Regent.” Sitri stroked Ferda’s face. “Isn't it strange? Why is it that the warning not to deal with demons never changes over the years? No matter how much it’s emphasized, people make the same mistake every time.”
“…”
“The moment you used my Bending Bridge, you crossed the point of no return. If you had asked another child sooner instead of me, maybe this wouldn't have happened?”
She mocked him, implying all of Ferda’s decisions were mistakes. The momentum was shifting. Demons always aim for that opening.
Sitri opened her mouth to make a proposal.
“‘Maybe,’ you say…” Ferda spoke first. “‘Maybe’ is the escape of those who regret their actions.”
Ferda lifted his head.
“If one has no regrets, there is no need for ‘maybes.’”
The atmosphere Sitri thought she controlled shifted instantly. She felt a sense of dissonance in his eyes. He was too calm for someone supposedly cornered.
She wondered if he was a fool who couldn't grasp the situation, but that wasn't it. This was a certainty forged from sheer decisiveness.
“Are you planning to start a war? Or perhaps break off the engagement with Valdrova? Neither will end well for you.”
“There will be no war, and no broken engagement.” Ferda spoke leisurely. “Because the fact remains that Abel was a Demon Follower and he cooperated with them.”
“Did my words go in one ear and out the other?” Sitri was incredulous. “I told you, there’s no proof. Why would they believe you without proof? Are they idiots?”
The board was overwhelmingly in Sitri’s favor. She held many cards for this very moment. She was prepared to counterattack no matter what he did.
Ferda was no fool either. He had made thorough preparations to block the backlash from a demonic deal.
“Yes, there is no proof.”
However, by killing Abel, those cards had slipped from his hands. He had no cards left to counter Sitri’s.
“Therefore,” he said.
Instead, what he held was—
“You are going to create it from now on.”
—a leash to bind the demon.