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Episode 46. False Hope
Leaving behind Vernel, whose face was filled with emptiness, Ferda spoke with Count Concillius.
“It’s about the Grand Dukes’ Assembly…”
They were discussing the upcoming gathering where all the high-ranking nobles would meet.
“I received confirmation that they want me to participate.”
“Ah, that’s great news! Finally, the Eastern Territory will have a proper voice…” Tears fell from the wrinkled eyes of Count Concillius. “I’m sorry. As I get older, I find myself crying more easily.”
“Don’t mind it. I heard that only those of Duke rank can attend. Do you know more about that?”
“I’m not an expert, but I’ll do my best to answer your questions.”
“What will my status be at the assembly?”
Count Concillius let out a small sigh, carefully choosing his words. It was clear that the answer would not be a pleasant one.
“To be honest, it won’t be good. You are still a beginner as a Regent and have not even served for a full year. Moreover, you are not ruling independently but as a proxy. If I were to put it simply…” He paused, then continued. “It would be like giving a real sword to a child who should still be playing with toy swords.”
“Do you think the same?” Ferda asked sharply.
Count Concillius chuckled. “Of course not! Though you may still lack experience, the fact that you seek my advice for the prosperity of the kingdom shows your sincere desire for progress.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
“By the way, only five people, including attendants, are allowed to enter White House, the neutral territory of Blancaros. They don’t allow unnecessary crowds.”
“There’s nothing more ridiculous than showing off in front of a cocoon. Do most nobles fill all five spots?”
“Yes. They dress their attendants and children to show off. If you wish, I can assign some of my knights to escort you in a grand manner.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
Although appearances mattered to nobles, Ferda had no interest in meaningless displays of wealth.
“If you have people in mind to bring, that’s fine. But could you at least take one of my knights? They will not disgrace the King’s reputation.”
Ferda frowned. He had grown tired of nobles who spoke in circles to push their interests.
“Speak plainly. If we trust each other, there’s no need to go around in circles. Do you want me to take you?”
“This old man has no desire for fame or fortune at the assembly. Ahem…” Ferda had asked directly, making Count Concillius clear his throat awkwardly. “You know about the knight William, don’t you?”
“Your knight?” Ferda had first met William while hunting a bear monster. Later, William had even escorted him to the Empire.
“I want that child to witness the Grand Dukes’ Assembly.”
“You want to give a mere knight that experience?”
“Yes. Though just a knight, William is loyal and has a strong sense of chivalry. However, having spent his life serving only the Eastern Territory, his perspective is limited. I hope this assembly will expand his worldview.”
Count Concillius’s request was unusual among nobles. Taking a mere knight to gain experience at such an important event? Ferda couldn’t help but wonder—was William related to him?
“What is your relationship with William?”
“Haha, none at all. Perhaps I met him on the battlefield once, and though I’ve forgotten, he remembers me.”
Count Concillius had no family. His wife had died, and their only child had also passed away. After that, he chose not to remarry and instead dedicated himself to the Eastern Territory. For a man with no children, William must have felt like a son.
“Alright. I will take William with me.”
“Thank you for entertaining this old man’s unnecessary stubbornness. Is there anything else you wish to know?”
“What do you think about presenting an agenda at the assembly?”
“An agenda… Technically, you have the right to do so, and no one can stop you. But…” His expression became even grimmer than before. “Not only will it be difficult, but it may also create more enemies than allies.”
“I don’t mind.” Ferda had already made up his mind.
“May I ask what the agenda is?”
“I will question whether it is right to call Valdrova an evil dragon.”
“Valdrova…” Count Concillius instinctively touched his temple. “You know that she is not truly an evil dragon.”
“Of course. I don’t know much, but I do know she is not as wicked as the rumors claim.”
“Valdrova was designated an evil dragon because she cannot suppress her nature, correct?”
“That is what is commonly believed.”
“But what if she can suppress it?”
“If she can control her instincts and has no intention to harm humans, then the label of an evil dragon could be removed. However, I advise you not to have high hopes. There will be no one at the assembly willing to defend Valdrova.”
“Then I will change that.” Ferda’s eyes gleamed with determination. “If they still refuse to accept the truth…”
A sharp, deadly aura filled the room. Count Concillius swallowed hard. He had felt this suffocating pressure before. The same presence Ferda had when he killed Thessalos Wolcher without hesitation.
“The assembly is in Blancaros territory. Please, do not resort to violence.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not a fool.”
Ferda rested his chin on his hand. One month remained. The assembly would be attended by Dukes, Kings—and Dragon spawns. The gathering would be a meeting of both human and dragon societies. Ferda had to face both. It was a heavy burden, but he had no choice. This was why he existed.
Ferda decided on his companions. First, Knight William, as Count Concillius had requested. Then, Garnet Swallow, perfect for gathering information.
‘Three people should be enough.’
Though five were allowed, Ferda saw no need to bring more just for appearances. While he was finalizing his group, an unexpected person approached him.
“I will accompany you to the Grand Dukes’ Assembly,” said Ruri.
Ferda replied, “There won’t be any good food there.”
“Do you think I’m some kind of pig?”
“A pig—”
“If you say anything weird, I will scrub your back raw again.”
Ferda closed his mouth. She was a woman who followed through on her threats.
“I will not disgrace you, so please allow me to come.”
“I already told you, there’s no reason for you to be there. Silverwind attends regularly.”
Silverwind, the Silver Dragon. Ruri was a spawn of Silverwind, not Valdrova. The silver dragon spawns hated Valdrova because Valdrova had killed Silverwind. If Silverwind’s faction already disliked Ferda, they would despise Ruri even more. She would face nothing but hostility. Yet, Ruri remained firm.
“That is why I must go.”
Ferda narrowed his eyes. “Then tell me your true reason. Don’t hide anything from me.”
Ferda’s voice turned cold.
“…I simply wish to exchange information.” Ruri hesitated before answering. “I have been too disconnected from Silverwind’s faction. I need to know if they still hold a grudge.”
“You already know the answer.”
As a silver dragon spawn, Ruri understood them better than anyone. “They will never forgive Valdrova.”
“…I still want to try talking.”
Ferda looked into Ruri’s eyes. She was clinging to a false hope.
“No.” His response was firm. He knew there was no hope. “I will take three people. You will stay and guard this place.”
Ruri trembled slightly. She tried to hide her emotions, but he could sense her resentment.
“…Understood.” Without another word, she turned and left.
Ferda sometimes tried meditation again. He could focus perfectly, but the red circle that should support it was missing.
“What am I missing?” he wondered.
If he needed more anger for revenge, he could create it. He had envied those stronger than him and worked hard to match their power. But how could he fill this empty feeling inside?
Year after year, month after month, day after day, hour after hour, minute after minute, second after second… Would he only feel satisfied if he thought about her all the time?
“Satisfaction… What a joke.”
Desire was not like thirst. When you drank water, your thirst disappeared. But with desire, the more you satisfy it, the stronger it becomes. If you tried to fill it, it only grew worse.
Ferda had killed many people for revenge. His emotions came from deep inside him. But the more he tried to control them, the more he lost his way.
“What am I missing?” he thought again.
He closed his eyes and entered his mental world. He wanted to see her face again—the face he had only seen once. But Valdrova would not show her face. She did not like being around people. So, he forced himself to forget about it. If he didn’t, it would consume him.
“Meditation isn’t for me,” Ferda muttered.
He was better at filling his heart with emotions than emptying them. Sitting and thinking didn’t help him. Walking and doing something else was better.
Ferda stood up. It was late at night. The moon was high in the sky, shining its soft light through the windows. The corridor was quiet. Ferda walked to the window and looked up at the full moon.
“Anna Rosnova.”
The name escaped his lips like a whisper. It was his mother’s name. Every time he saw a full moon, he thought of her. When he was young, he hated the night. He imagined monsters hiding in the darkness, waiting to attack him. Even now, he still disliked the night. Danger had always found him in the dark.
But when he looked at the moon, he felt a little comfort. In the darkest moments, the moon shined the brightest. It reminded him of his mother’s gentle smile. Until the day he was completely consumed by revenge, he had always found peace in looking at the moon.
“Mother…”
His beautiful mother. Golden hair, blue eyes. He filled his mind with thoughts of her. It helped him calm down and see himself more clearly.
Then, he heard footsteps. A soft sound echoing through the long corridor. If this were another castle, it might be a guard or a knight on patrol. But in Valdrova’s castle, only Ruri walked the halls at night. And Ruri always wore a maid’s dress, not armor.
“That means…”
Ferda hesitated. No, it couldn’t be. Something like this couldn’t happen at this moment.
But the footsteps grew closer. The silhouette became clearer. A figure stepped out of the darkness. A person wearing dragon knight armor. There was only one person in this castle who could wear it.
His fiancée.
Valdrova.
She stood before him now.
