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Chapter 315
A Donkey's Life
"Light—."
The incantation's cry did not continue to the end.
While blocking the chanting mouth, Ferda's attack was neutralized.
The opponent was estimated to be a large man with rough hands.
He didn't suit an assassin, but that wasn't something to think about.
Ĕ nu m̀а
Ferda was subdued, and once subdued, he would die without being able to move.
Ferda's shadow squirmed.
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Since the intruder had a human form, it grabbed his neck directly and twisted.
The shadow hand touched the skin.
Hwik!
But the moment it touched, it escaped from the sensation of that hand.
Ẃe_b̀ ǹо̌ ṽ ѐ l̃ Ӗ ṅ ům̀ а̀
Even Ferda's secret attack was useless before him.
He kept throwing desperate struggling-like moves, and the assassin terrifyingly evaded and dismantled them.
It meant he was a first-rate warrior who possessed flexibility despite having a sturdy body.
'At least I have to make a loud noise to make him dodge......'
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Ferda gathered mana with the intention of flipping the entire building over.
"I'd prefer if you didn't make this bigger than it already is."
Е̇ num̂ а̂ .і́ d́
The assassin said that.
Hearing those words, Ferda regained his reason.
He knew this voice.
"I heard it's dangerous without light, but I didn't expect to struggle this much."
The man clicked his tongue and removed the hand covering Ferda's mouth.
Ferda also stopped attacking.
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"The sleep-talking ends now, Regent. Don't make me say it twice."
The intruder's identity was Goz Silverwind.
Ferda calmed his wildly beating heart and wiped his cold sweat.
When Ferda showed signs of calming down, Goz also quietly removed his hand from Ferda's mouth.
"What business brings you here? A descendant of Silverwind secretly intruding into someone else's bedchamber......"
"It's an important matter. If it weren't, what reason would I have to see you?"
Еṅum̃a
That's right.
The mere fact that Goz, the leader of the Silverwind Spawns, moved secretly was a dishonorable thing.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"Lord Storeus and Lord Frontesis wish to see you. It would be best if you came quietly."
"If I refuse?"
"It won't end with just covering your mouth."
Ferda would lose.
Ê n̊ ũ m a
He was a first-rate warrior, and Ferda was an unprepared mage.
No, even with full preparation, he wouldn't easily beat that man.
He wasn't a simple dragon spawn, but one close to a dragon with Essence.
'Storeus, Frontesis, and Silverwind......'
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Ferda sensed it instinctively.
This was a matter related to the Empire's survival.
Ĕ ñ ũm̆ а̌
* * *
The place Goz took Ferda was above.
At Silverwind's characteristic speed, they endlessly went up and finally pierced through the clouds.
When the cold and pressure that seemed to tear his skin disappeared, warmth enveloped Ferda as if lying.
Ferda opened his eyes at the strange sensation.
What unfolded before his eyes was a remarkably clear sky and stars.
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And a single castle standing tall above the clouds.
'Storeus's Castle......'
The Lord of Storm and Lightning, Storeus.
He used the clouds rising into the sky as his ship, drifting leisurely on the lake called sky.
An unknown place where humans had never set foot even once.
Ferda set foot there.
Е ňum̆ а
If recorded in history, it would undoubtedly be humanity's first.
Goz placed Ferda on the carpet.
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The carpet line stretched long toward the entrance, and dragon spawns lined up around it, waiting for the visitor.
Left side: Storeus's Spawns.
Right side: Silverwind's Spawns.
Frontesis's Spawns were absent.
Е̊n̈ u m̆а̂
They couldn't fly to begin with.
Ferda walked between them, glancing at their reactions.
Silverwind's Spawns still didn't look kindly on Ferda.
They still hadn't escaped the thought that he killed their kin.
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'The fact that I cooperated with a demon must be hidden too.'
There was no need to reveal it unnecessarily.
Ё ňüm а. і́ d
The one who should be the organization's central point is Goz, but the fact that someone existed who believed they could oppose Goz would only accelerate the shaking of his authority.
It was what a leader had to do, and Ferda didn't mind it.
Ferda just walked quietly along the entrance.
As he approached the door, the castle gate opened quietly.
What leaked from within was pressure.
Pure violence that couldn't be felt at the White House poured out without reservation, trying to crush Ferda.
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Ferda took a deep breath.
His blurring vision cleared, and the inside of the castle gate came into view properly.
At the end of the carpet were two men.
Frontesis and Storeus.
There were four seats total at the wide table.
Storeus, the castle lord, sat in the center seat, and Frontesis took the left.
Е̌ńu m̆ а̂ . і̇ d
The empty right seat must have been reserved for Silverwind.
Goz, who had served as guide, quietly headed to Silverwind's seat.
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Ferda stood before the seat across from him that would be his.
Scanning their appearances once more, he offered a polite greeting.
"I greet the two Great Aspects."
"Two...... Goz, looks like you don't even acknowledge that guy."
Ёǹuṁа̂
Storeus teased.
It was a ploy to put Ferda in a difficult spot.
But Ferda answered calmly.
"If you acknowledged Goz Chief as a dragon, you would have seated him."
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Goz didn't sit in Silverwind's seat.
There was his own refusal to acknowledge it, but the bigger reason was that Storeus didn't permit it.
Ӗ ǹû m̆ a . і̃ ď
"Right. No matter how much you fly and jump, you can't become like us. A dragon is a dragon, and a spawn is a spawn."
Storeus pointed to the seat across from him and said.
"Because you know that, you have the qualification to sit in that seat."
It felt like his thoughts stopped.
What did he mean by qualification?
Because I'm Valdrova's consort?
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Or
'Do they know what dwells inside my body?'
A blade at the throat.
It felt like a poison-soaked blade was about to pierce Ferda's neck.
'Don't misunderstand.'
All that pressure is an illusion.
Ẅе b̌ n о vе́l_ Ēńú m â
They don't know I'm Godwin.
If they knew I was Godwin, there would've been no need to arrange this meeting.
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Ferda quietly offered his neck by sitting in the seat, as if placing his head into the dragon's open jaws.
Frontesis opened his mouth.
"The reason we called you here is because we are those deeply involved in the Empire's birth."
"Yes."
W еb̂nо̄ v̊ е̄ l̆ Èn̆ u̇.mä
"You don't seem surprised at all. Did you already know?"
"If I said I didn't know, wouldn't that be deceiving you?"
"Then let's check just how sharp your hearing is."
Storeus spoke as if Ferda's behavior was insolent.
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"Explain the purpose for which we called you. You can do that much, right?"
Lightning flickered from his finger.
Ěn̊u ḿа . ĩd
That was on a different dimension from the simple lightning mages shoot.
It would become a beam that tracked Ferda to the end and pierced his heart.
And he doesn't make meaningless threats.
'Evil Dragon Storeus.'
He's a madman who likes destruction, a natural disaster, and chaos.
He has no reservations, so he doesn't watch his step, and thus reveals everything without holding back.
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'He created that image.'
But he's different from the hot-blooded appearance.
He's skilled at hiding emotions, cool-headed and calculating.
'The main purpose of creating chaos is to create the order he desires.'
It must be an intention to make everything go according to his will, like it or not.
A dragon's fear was a power that forced submission.
Ё n̂ um а̇_
'If they don't like it, they'll kill me even if it means turning against Valdrova.'
He's a dragon who can't guarantee he won't do that.
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But Ferda knew the answer to him.
Ferda opened his mouth.
"You're going to tell me to participate in killing Valdemar...... aren't you?"
Storeus's fingertip touched the table again.
E n̆u m ӑ ..і̄d̊.
A satisfied smile spread across his face.
"Why do you think that?"
"This morning, Grand Duke Valdemar Golt made me an offer. As his successor."
"Did he say he'd give you the Emperor's seat?"
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"No. Valdemar doesn't think of himself as Emperor. So he can't give the Emperor's seat."
And just as Goz isn't acknowledged as a dragon, Ferda can't be acknowledged as Emperor either.
E n̆ um̂а . і̇ d̀
That's an act that can't be done even with Valdrova's authority.
He can rule with Valdrova's authority, but it can't become the legitimacy that continues the Empire.
"Valdemar wants me to become a shackle that sustains the Empire."
"A shackle...... Do you think you can control Alexander in Valdemar's place?"
"Alexander is impossible. But if Olivia is enthroned, it becomes possible."
Storeus's eyebrows shot up.
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"There's a successor, but Olivia ascending sounds like you're saying you'll assassinate Alexander."
A tone that said it grated on his nerves.
It felt like he'd jump out right now and chop off Valdemar's head.
If the words "Isn't that right?" dropped, wouldn't he go cut his throat immediately?
'Unfortunately, that's not possible.'
Storeus isn't that kind of dragon.
Е ñ umа .id̄
If you clumsily try to use him, your head flies off.
If you're going to use someone, it'd be Frontesis next to him.
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So Ferda spoke as he thought.
"I expect Alexander won't last even if he ascends."
"Alexander has handled many duties in place of Godfrey. Does he still lack the qualities of a king?"
"As you know, similar and same are a world apart. Alexander can do the Emperor's duties, but enduring that weight is a different problem."
Е̃_n u̇ m̌ а
Valdemar knows Alexander isn't the vessel to become Emperor.
Whether he knew originally or made him that way, the before-and-after relationship wasn't important.
"Valdemar has continuously isolated Alexander. He brought him repeated isolation and frustration."
"That's why he became so vicious. He had the eyes of a cornered rat."
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"That viciousness won't last long either. Because he'll find out that Alexander, who only took queens who couldn't bear children, actually has no reproductive capacity."
Not being able to produce an heir was a grave matter.
Е nu m̊.а . і d
Then only one person would have the right to the throne.
"Olivia will naturally succeed that way."
"A Queen...... The Great Empire will have its first female Emperor."
The sarcastic tone was strong.
It was a nuance that didn't wish for a Queen's birth.
"But we also agree that Olivia will become the most useful King."
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"She was smart from childhood. Not as much as Godfrey, but she didn't give that stifling feeling I got from Alexander and Ureas."
Frontesis chimed in with supporting words.
That much she had cultivated her image since childhood.
"But Olivia has a body with the duty to bear a seed. Becoming Emperor is a bit too much, no matter how you look at it."
"It sounds like you're looking at Olivia just like a dog."
"A dog? Hmm...... Yeah, I guess you could say I see her like a dog. A good male dog can scatter his seed everywhere and it's manageable, but a female dog isn't easy. If she accepts just any seed, how do you clean it up? It's a heart-tearing situation from the owner's perspective."
Еn̄ ǔ m̈a . і̄ d̄
He clenched and unclenched his fist, laughing bloodthirstily.
In the end, even as Emperor, Olivia couldn't be free.
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"Will you perhaps provide that excellent seed? Great Regent-nim?"
At Storeus's casually thrown question, Ferda thought.
Like Valdemar noticed, does Storeus also know about Olivia's feelings?
'Don't overreact.'
W̆ebn о̃v_ē_l Е̂ nŭḿ а
I mustn't show how Olivia thinks.
I mustn't show my thoughts either.
Don't throw anything that would worry Valdrova.
React like someone who knows nothing.
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"I love only Lady Valdrova."
"That's right. Don't be too harsh on the man who'll become Valdrova's husband."
Е̃n ǔm а
"I'll handle it, old man."
When Frontesis gave a rebuke, Storeus retorted as if it was nothing.
They sat in the same place, but their relationship was still bad.
They were just together in one place in the name of the Empire's survival.
Ferda continued speaking.
"......As you said, if Olivia ascends as Emperor, a troublesome situation will arise."
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She was in a position where she had to bear an heir and manage state affairs simultaneously.
The one who becomes State Secretary would also be a political marriage, not love, so he'd aim for Olivia's power at every opportunity.
"That's why Grand Duke Golt took the lead in this operation."
"What does that have to do with it?"
"Taking the lead means entering first. That means he can find Olivia first."
"Find Olivia first and do what...... Ah."
Ẅ ёb̌ n о̌ v̆ė l .Е̇ n̄ u m̆ а̇
Storeus chuckled.
"The male dog who arrives first takes the female dog!"
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Storeus's reaction seemed like it was no big deal.
He was thoroughly hiding his emotions.
'So what I need to watch......'
Not Storeus, but Frontesis.
W̃ е b̊n о̊ v̆ ӗl̇ _Е nûm̆а́
The giant dwarf next to him had many immature parts unlike Storeus.
Many parts revealed through emotion, nothing hidden.
Ferda continued speaking.
"He expected his own death, so he'll finish his last task."
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Frontesis swallowed his saliva with an unconvinced expression.
Storeus would be in a similar position.
Е̌ n û m̀ǎ .î d̄
"Hmm, but there's one thing you're overlooking. Olivia might kill that child, no? Or are you the type who believes maternal love is great?"
If a child is born, maternal love naturally follows.
Such a thing was mere superstition to them.
Everything has a reason, and he judged Olivia wouldn't be able to suppress her hatred with such maternal love.
And that judgment was the same for Valdemar.
"I've already prepared for that too."
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"How?"
"Making me the successor is that very countermeasure."
A shackle to bind Olivia.
That was Ferda himself.
"If I ascend to Grand Duke Golt's position, she won't be able to kill the child recklessly."
Olivia has feelings for Ferda.
Е̌_ńū m_а̃ .і̂d
But Ferda has no feelings for Olivia.
If a one-sided relationship continues, the balance will eventually collapse.
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But if she gets pregnant with Valdemar's child, he could put a weight on her emotions and brake her.
"There's no way she'd love a woman who kills the child born from her own belly, even if it was an unwanted pregnancy."
Olivia would be shackled by the dilemma called dilemma, and her yearning affection also wouldn't be easily revealed.
Ferda could lessen the burden he felt from her.
Еn u m̆a. іd̂
"Moreover, the pregnancy works favorably for Olivia's reign too. She'll have the bloodline of Grand Duke Golt's child."
"What bloodline from a traitor who assassinated the Emperor?"
"He'll have already worked all the angles. Turning a traitor into a knight who fell for romance with bought bards and agitators, he'll rise as a hero again."
Olivia would be pregnant with a hero's child, so with bloodline and achievements both covered, there's no problem with her reign, and the heir would live receiving expectations.
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Valdemar takes Olivia, Olivia becomes Emperor, and Ferda can control all elements threatening the Far East.
"Indeed......"
Еn̂û mа. і̇ d
"Admiration comes out."
Patriot Valdemar Golt's end was truly rational.
Because only one person needs to be unhappy for everyone to see an ideal future.
"Quite an interesting idea. Did Golt say all that?"
"......I predicted it would flow that way."
"Well, your words aren't entirely wrong."
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Storeus's words sounded like he was looking down at someone walking only seeing one inch ahead.
"Unfortunately, Golt will never leave a child with Olivia."
Storeus spoke firmly.
Does he have something to believe in, or is he underestimating Golt's obsession?
"Valdrova's husband. What do you think is the reason for dangling a carrot on a fishing rod in front of a donkey?"
"To make it move forward."
Е̌ n u̇m̊ å .ї d
"But does it really get closer?"
"No."
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Only the cart heading toward the destination gets closer.
"That is the role of the human called Valdemar. The donkey starves and thirsts, but keeps moving. So the carrot in front of its eyes can get just a little closer."
A donkey tied to a cart.
Hearing those words, Ferda recalled one person's secret history.
Е̇n̄ u̇ mа̃
'Stella Arken.'
She had a man she loved, but the imperial family's blood where love alone solves nothing.
Valdemar tried to take Stella, and the moment he tried to obtain her, he tried to put everything down.
The donkey finally tried to eat the carrot and throw off the cart.
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'But they didn't let him.'
Stella died, and Valdemar's retirement wasn't accepted.
Ŵе b̂n̆ оv e l̀ Е ṅumа_
In the end, he lived longer than most old men, rolling around in this world.
"If he has the strength to pull the cart, make him pull it. Just pull the cart. If you make that donkey think about why it came to pull the cart, that donkey becomes useless. You understand what I mean?"
Even the guy called Great Grand Duke is ultimately just a consumable.
"So what will you do? Will you cooperate in killing that old man? If so, we'll all fully support you so you can take the successor's position and whatever else."
The answer to that was clear.
"I refuse."
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The air stopped.
Exactly so.
This place's atmosphere was controlled by Storeus, and he was currently throwing his gaze at Ferda.
"Didn't see you that way...... Did you come to pity him?"
"I do think he's a little pitiful. But this is a separate issue."
But he wasn't consumed by that emotion.
Ёn̄ u̇ m а̌
Valdemar killed many people, and I was such a person too.
"I refused simply because I'm not your donkey."
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