🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 50. The Grand Council
“I feel the same way.”
“……”
Hearing Ferda’s response, Erdes leaned back. The tense atmosphere from moments ago disappeared as she burst into hearty laughter.
“Really? I feel like we can have a proper conversation. Unlike those old men, you’re young too. I hope we can talk like this more often in the future.”
“I will make sure to contact you first.”
“Or maybe I’ll contact you instead. Prince! I’ll be heading somewhere else now! Beautiful people are always busy, you know?”
“Of course! Please take care.”
Erdes raised her glass and left. Once her figure had faded into the distance, Alexander turned his head.
“Do you have any connections with the Magic Association?”
“No, I do not.” Well, not yet. That would happen in the distant future.
“I don’t mean to scold you. But if there’s any resentment lingering, it’s best to resolve it quickly.”
Though Alexander spoke casually, Ferda could tell. He was anxious. The incompetent First Prince needed immense power to solidify his political position, and that power was magic.
“By the way, I heard you’ve been importing monster corpses from the Far East lately….”
Ferda answered the sudden change in topic.
“That is correct.”
“I see. We always struggle to find places to dispose of them, and burning them every time is a hassle. It’s quite convenient that you’re taking them off our hands.”
Alexander was smiling, but his expression betrayed his sense of tension. ‘Tell me what you’re up to.’
Ferda hesitated. He himself had decided to keep the development of mana stones a secret. Revealing it now was premature. He had planned to make up a story, but looking into Alexander’s eyes, he realized that wouldn’t work.
‘This is the man who raised a sword against his own father for the throne.’
No matter how he justified himself, Alexander was a greedy bastard. That was an undeniable fact. He was a man obsessed with ruling over a hundred million subjects. That’s why he was sucking up to Erdes, careful not to displease her.
‘That’s why she thinks I’m following in Tesallos’ footsteps.’
After all, there was a connection between the two.
Ferda considered his options. Both choices were terrible, but he had to pick the lesser evil.
“In truth, I am researching a way to produce mana stones using monster corpses.”
He chose to tell the truth.
Alexander’s interest was grown. Anything related to magic meant profit.
“Mana stones? Are they like the crystal balls used by mages?”
“Similar, but different. These stones contain pure mana.”
“Hoo…”
Ferda began explaining what he knew so far.
“For example, can they assist a mage’s magic?”
“Something like that, but they cannot replenish mana or be directly used by mages.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Moreover, their efficiency is only about 7% at this stage, and for actual mages to use them…”
“I see, I see. Very impressive.”
Alexander kept muttering words of admiration, but his initial interest visibly faded.
“Anyway… you’re sure this has nothing to do with dark magic?”
“Yes, I am certain.”
“Of course, research often delves into various fields. But can you assure me that even a tiny bit of dark intent is absent from this?”
Alexander was persistent. Ferda was about to repeat his answer like a parrot when suddenly, a faint, familiar scent reached his nose. He recognized this fragrance.
“You’re being quite pushy for a first meeting, brother.”
A soft, melodious voice made the men naturally turn their heads. It was Olivia Arken. Dressed in an elegant gown befitting the Empire’s flower, she wore a seductive smile.
Seeing her, Alexander burst into laughter once more.
“My dear sister! Now that I think about it, you’ve already met the Regent. I suppose you welcomed him on my behalf! I hope you treated him well?”
Alexander casually draped an arm over Olivia’s shoulder.
“Oh? Why would you worry about that?”
She responded with a bright smile.
Alexander’s hand slowly slid off her shoulder.
“Well, isn’t it natural? A significant issue has arisen for the Imperial Family.”
“It was just an overreaction. Ferda is a man of great tolerance.”
“A nation’s stability cannot afford to overlook such matters. The recent incident in the Imperial storage could have thrown the country into chaos. With events like that, I can’t help but worry that your involvement in politics will only lead to trouble.”
“Oh, is that so? But the issue was resolved smoothly. Oh, speaking of which, you wouldn’t know what happened, would you? As soon as the level-one alarm was issued, you fled—ah, no, I mean, you evacuated in a hurry.”
Her innocent expression and fluttering eyelashes only made her words more piercing. It was a verbal duel—both were smiling as they mercilessly stabbed at each other. Even those listening felt uncomfortable.
‘Both of them are quite the actors.’
Ferda simply admired their skill. Perhaps this was an inherent trait of the Arken family.
“That was the proper procedure, was it not? If the heir to the Empire dies, the nation collapses. For the sake of the Empire, I had to survive.”
“Oh, of course. You’re absolutely right. How thoughtful of you, as expected from the heir.”
She flashed a crescent-moon smile and subtly covered her mouth with a fan. Or rather, she pretended to cover her mouth while revealing a smirk.
“You boldly raised a blade against your own father, only to withdraw in disgrace. It’s fitting that you’d know how to preserve yourself.”
“Haha, this sly fox. With all those assets at your disposal, no wonder men keep falling for you.”
“Well, it’s better than having something and not being able to use it. For instance…”
Olivia’s gaze briefly flickered downward—toward Alexander’s groin.
“Father mentioned he wants to see his grandchildren. When will you be giving him one?”
Alexander’s face flushed red, though he was still smiling. Then, his eyes shifted to Ferda.
“Be careful. A beautiful rose always has thorns. Who knows? Those thorns might even be laced with poison.”
He spoke in a serious tone.
Ferda gazed at him in silence. Though his expression remained neutral, he could barely contain his contempt.
‘Says the man who got pricked by those thorns.’
Though the details were unclear, Olivia had been in Alexander’s bedroom just before her death. He had tried to seduce his own sister and paid the price. For him to give such a warning now was laughable.
“I am well aware.”
“Oh? That’s good to hear. Then at least try to smile a little. Your face is far too stiff.”
Alexander patted Ferda on the back with a friendly smile, acting as if they were close. When he laughed, the surrounding nobles laughed along with him.
Watching this, Ferda thought to himself.
‘I want to go home.’
He could almost picture Valdrova’s face in his mind.
“So, in short, there’s no practical use for it yet?”
“Yes.”
“I see. For the development of the eastern territories, I’ll start paying attention to it as well.”
Of course, that was a lie. The First Prince, who was too busy gaining favor with the central nobles, had no real interest in the eastern territories.
“I’m grateful for your interest, Your Highness.”
So, Ferda responded with a lie of his own.
“Before the assembly starts, try to meet a few more people. Ah, looks like someone is calling me.”
Alexander lifted his glass and walked off toward another group. Finally, a moment to breathe.
But just as Ferda thought that, someone lightly tugged at his sleeve. It was Olivia. She was still standing beside him.
“Is there anyone else you need to meet?” she asked bluntly.
“No one important. Besides, something more important is about to happen.”
Olivia’s shoulder brushed against Ferda’s.
“The representatives of the great dragons will be arriving soon.”
The dragon’s representatives—meaning the Dragon Spawns were coming.
‘Dragon Spawns, huh.’
Ferda hadn’t encountered many of them before. At most, he had briefly seen the spawn of the Blue Dragon, the master of magic. He needed to see with his own eyes what other Dragon Spawns looked like.
“I’m curious,” Ferda replied.
Hearing this, Olivia smiled brightly.
“Then let’s go together.” She reached out her hand. Her red lips moved shyly, like a delicate maiden. A situation that would make any man’s heart flutter.
“What is this?” Ferda asked, staring at her.
“Oh my, I’m asking you to escort me. Or are you just going to let a lady walk alone?”
Olivia blinked her eyes. Her slightly hunched shoulders made her look completely defenseless.
Ferda took a step back.
“I’m already engaged.”
“Engaged or not, this is necessary. If we are to build trust, we need to do at least this much, don’t you think?”
“I’ll leave it to Sir Jed—”
“Have you ever seen a woman get upset?” Olivia’s face darkened. “Don’t you like me?”
Ferda had no idea what she was trying to say. When he showed no reaction, Olivia leaned in closer.
“As allies in the Empire, shouldn’t we build trust with each other? I’m sure we both have many secrets.”
She was subtly threatening him while persistently clinging to him. But for now, Olivia was the only ally he had in the Empire, so ignoring her completely was not an option.
“…Fine.”
“You should’ve agreed sooner.”
Ferda reluctantly reached out his hand. But instead of just lightly holding it, Olivia firmly grasped his hand with both of hers and smiled brightly.
Ferda glanced at Ruri. Her expression was blank. No, if he looked closely, her lips were slightly pouted—an almost imperceptible sign of displeasure. If someone didn’t know her well, they wouldn’t even notice.
Of course, Ruri didn’t openly express her dissatisfaction. She acted properly, like a true attendant. But that only made Ferda feel more uneasy.
‘She’s going to make me suffer for this later.’
Social gatherings were nothing but a source of pain, both mentally and physically.
Resigned, Ferda followed Olivia towards the window. Beyond the Blancaros estate, a golden carriage stood waiting. From inside, a group of elderly priests and clergy members stepped out, wearing religious robes and ceremonial crowns.
“Do you know who they are?” Olivia asked, slipping her hand more firmly around Ferda’s arm.
“They’re from the Holy Empire of Odograsado.”
“Correct.”
The Gold Dragon, Odograsado. A nation built upon the faith that worshiped Odograsado as a divine being. Though called an empire, in reality, it was more of a coalition of the Holy Kingdom and its neighboring states. Unlike other dragons, Odograsado had no Dragon Spawns. So instead, the Pope and four High Priests had come to attend the assembly.
Just then, a blue portal opened. Beyond it, the northwestern lands, with their characteristic cold atmosphere, came into view. A group of figures stepped through—Dragon Spawns with blue hair and smooth, curved horns.
“The Spawns of Iorga. They never miss a Grand Assembly.”
Iorga, the master of the Tower of Magic, and the one known as the Eye that Watches Over the Continent. Unlike typical mages, Iorga’s followers were more like scholars, and they walked gracefully like nobles.
“Oh, here come some more,” Olivia said, tilting her head up. From the sky, five small dots rapidly approached. Like silver comets, they streaked through the air at incredible speed.
Ferda had seen them before, through Ruri’s eyes.
‘Silverwind.’
Despite their swift arrival, they landed softly and stepped into Blancaros’s territory.
Ferda shifted his gaze slightly. Standing beside him, Ruri was silently watching them. But her expression was different from before. There was something in her eyes—a new emotion that he hadn’t seen before. It was clear how tense she was.
“Looks like only three factions have arrived. Storeus isn’t participating this time. Well, at least we won’t have any troublemakers.”
“They have quite a bad reputation, I take it?”
“They’re Evil Dragons, after all. They’re nothing but violent troublemakers.”
As more Dragon Spawns arrived, the spectators began moving. They were heading toward the Grand Assembly Hall.
“It’s time to move.” Olivia released Ferda’s arm and spoke in a calm voice. As a princess, she had no voting rights. Meanwhile, Ferda followed the crowd heading toward the assembly hall.
The Grand Assembly, where all the powerful figures from across the continent gathered, was about to begin.
