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Chapter 55: The Traitor
Ruri also joined the Dragon Spawn War to kill the demons.
And she witnessed Silverwind’s death.
Since she was a Spawn, she felt her master’s death and mourned.
“I also resented my master.”
It was something she could not help.
To Ruri, Silverwind was like a father.
She could not help but hate Valdrova, who had led him to his death.
“But… I cannot hate her.”
“No, that’s not true.”
Goz denied her words.
“If you truly felt what we felt, you would have left her side.”
“……”
“You were only a little distance away, but you have been tainted by that woman. You have forgotten your origin.”
Goz picked up a new glass and poured whiskey again.
“Valdrova is still our enemy. As long as she exists on this Serdes Continent, our hatred will never end. This is the will of all Silverwind’s warriors.”
“I see…”
It was as she expected.
She already knew it was a foolish dream.
“But… I will give you a chance.”
A chance.
Ruri lifted her head.
“What is it?”
For a moment, she had hope.
Maybe she could ease even a little of their hatred toward Valdrova.
Goz reached out his hand to Ruri.
“Ruri Silverwind, return to your clan.”
Her hope was shattered.
“Return…? Are you telling me to leave Lady Valdrova’s side?”
“Now that there is a regent, you no longer have a reason to serve that woman.”
“……”
“You have completed all the missions given by Silverwind. Now, return to your clan and become a warrior again. Become Blade Wind Ruri once more. Take back your position as the leader of the Assault Unit. Defend our lands from the northern invaders. If you do, I will erase the shameful title of ‘traitor’ from you.”
That name stabbed her heart.
But the pain was nothing compared to the responsibility she carried.
“I cannot…”
She was about to refuse.
At that moment, Ruri’s body swayed.
“There is no refusal, Ruri Silverwind.”
The force from Goz’s body pressed down on her.
“My blood now holds the authority of Silverwind. You know what it means for a Dragon Spawn to defy authority.”
Death.
For a Dragon Spawn who disobeyed authority, only death awaited.
“There is no benefit in resisting my authority. So—”
Goz pointed his finger at the floor.
“Kneel before me and submit.”
His words were not a bluff.
Ruri, who had not even blinked before, was now sweating coldly.
She felt like someone was choking her, like her heart was being crushed.
If she refused, she would feel unbearable pain, as if tearing out her own heart.
Even though Goz had only absorbed a small part of Silverwind’s essence, it was already this powerful.
‘I must not give in.’
Ruri desperately resisted.
She clenched her apron tightly and forced strength into her trembling legs.
That was all she could do.
And yet, it was barely enough.
“You endure well.”
It was a genuine compliment.
Any other Spawn would have already knelt.
“Yes, this is why Silverwind favored you.”
But Goz did not like her attitude.
He did not want just obedience forced by power.
He wanted complete submission.
“If it’s so hard for you to leave, shall I make the decision easier?”
Goz tilted his head.
“The regent must know your identity. But does that man know the real reason you ended up with her?”
“……!”
Ruri’s calm expression shattered.
Her sweaty hands soaked her apron.
“Do you think he will still protect you after hearing the truth?”
Ferda Valdrova.
He loved Valdrova.
And he was ruthless toward anyone who threatened her.
‘If Lord Ferda finds out…’
What would Ferda do?
Her determination, which had been holding against the pressure, began to crumble under doubt.
‘I…’
Fear overwhelmed her.
She couldn’t even scream.
‘I… what should I do…?’
It felt like she was sinking into thick, dark mud.
Silently, she screamed inside.
Someone.
Please, someone save me.
—
“It’s rude to barge in like this, but—”
A familiar voice rang in Ruri’s ears.
“What are you doing to my servant?”
＊ ＊ ＊
Ferda had been looking for Ruri.
It wasn’t difficult to find her.
She had gone to speak with Silverwind’s people.
That meant she was beyond the door marked with Silverwind’s crest.
Standing before the door, Ferda thought.
‘Am I interfering unnecessarily?’
Ruri was Valdrova’s servant.
But she also carried Silverwind’s blood.
There was bound to be resentment toward Valdrova, but perhaps they held no grudge against Ruri herself.
If that was the case, Ferda had no reason to interfere in their family matters.
And yet—
Even as he told himself that, it didn’t sit right.
He recalled Goz Silverwind’s expression during the Grand Council meeting.
And Erica’s warning echoed in his mind.
— “The real enemy you should watch is Silverwind.”
Dragons were immortal.
Once they bore a grudge, they never let it go.
Silverwind was no different.
‘Was it a mistake?’
Even if Ruri had begged.
Even if Valdrova had asked.
Should he have refused to let her go?
That thought wouldn’t leave his mind.
And so, he arrived at the Dragon Spawn’s resting area.
What he saw was a door guarded by Silverwind’s soldiers.
And the thick presence of dragon fear.
This was clear.
This was not unnecessary interference.
Ferda walked toward the source of the pressure.
“Are you the Regent of Valdrova?”
A Dragon Spawn with a staff slung over his shoulder—Percival—stood up and asked.
“Is Ruri here?”
“Answer my question first.”
“I asked if Ruri Silverwind is here.”
Percival did not step aside.
“Yes, she is.”
“Then move.”
“This is a family matter, Regent. You have no place in it.”
Family affairs should not be interfered with.
Especially in dragon society, where it was sacred.
But Ferda did not care.
“If you want to stop me, you’ll have to break something.”
Ferda’s blue eyes stared directly at him.
“If you try, Blanca Ross will intervene. Can Silverwind’s warriors afford the disgrace of causing trouble?”
“……”
“If you’re confident, go ahead. I am ready to lose something.”
Percival stepped aside.
With a glance, he signaled his subordinates to retreat completely.
Ferda opened the door.
And he saw Ruri.
She was kneeling before Goz.
She was in pain.
At that moment, all distractions disappeared from Ferda’s mind.
His vision sharpened, locking onto one thing.
The fool playing king.
“It’s rude to barge in like this, but—”
Ferda let out the anger he had been holding in.
“What are you doing to my servant?”
