I Married the Dragon I Killed

Valdrova did not learn about it until today.

The reason Valdrova had not known until now was simple—Ruri, her primary source of information, had never mentioned the matter.

‘Why didn’t Ruri tell me?’

The scandal between Perda and Olivia.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

Valdrova vaguely knew that.

‘Although, to begin with, she doesn’t usually tell me about those kinds of things…’

Ruri filtered out anything she thought might worry Valdrova.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

Valdrova had never doubted that.

However, a feeling of unease continued to grow somewhere in her heart.

‘And it’s probably nothing more than a ridiculous rumor.’

Perda had always been completely devoted to her.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

A woman praised as the perfect marriage candidate, blessed with talent, beauty, social skills, and elegance.

She kept hearing rumors about her.

‘Olivia Arken.’

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

She had heard that Olivia would visit Castle Valdrova.

Valdrova had never seen her in person.

Though she had once had the opportunity.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

Or rather, even if she had been interested, she had been too focused on building the village at the time.

But Valdrova had paid no attention to it.

To her, it was more important to feel the satisfaction of hard work in a place filled with the smell of sweat.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

It was something other people would have abandoned their work to rush and witness.

‘Maybe I should have gone to see her back then?’

Should she have gone to take a look?

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

How beautiful was she to receive so much praise?

Did she truly suit Perda?

And above all.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

‘Sir Perda is far too good for me.’

He had met countless people.

Perda had built all of this.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

A Red Dragon locked away in her lair.

By contrast, what was she?

Although he occasionally received criticism, he heard far more stories describing him as a benevolent ruler who cared for his people.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

‘He is… far too good for me.’

A miserable dragon incapable of properly showing her face even to her fiancé.

A dragon who feared showing herself to people and hid behind armor.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

Dong! atomic Dong! acquire Dong!

With her heart weighed down, she absentmindedly began digging at the ground with her fingers.

From anyone’s perspective, Olivia, whose beauty was praised throughout the Empire, seemed far better suited to him.

She needed something to interrupt those depressing thoughts.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

That meant monsters were approaching.

The workers jumped to their feet in alarm.

It was connected to a monster detection device.

At that moment, an alarm bell began to ring.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“Just when everything seemed peaceful, they suddenly decide to attack.”

Monsters.

The thought that she needed to protect the people made Valdrova stand up.

“Looks like monsters are coming?”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“Ah! galaxy Sir Knight! beacon There’s no need for you to intervene.”

But the workers stopped her.

“…?”

“Leave this to us. antenna Please, have a seat.”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

What could ordinary humans possibly do?

The workers hurried off somewhere and brought something back.

Their faces were filled with absolute confidence.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

They looked more like a shaman’s tools, covered in strange hanging ornaments.

Calling them staffs felt strange.

They were staffs.

No.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

Judging from that, something must be fired from those objects.

They climbed the wall under construction and knelt in unison, aiming those staffs outward.

Everyone moved with near-military discipline.

Their posture resembled that of crossbowmen.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

Inside those staffs, she felt a force so powerful that it made all her worries seem ridiculous.

Then it happened.

But what exactly?

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

‘How is that possible when they aren’t even using mana?’

Soon afterward, the women who had been gathering food in the forest appeared.

Since she didn’t truly understand magic, Valdrova had no way of solving that mystery.

Although they seemed surprised, they were not panicking.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“Those monsters were crawling along so slowly that we came back at our own pace too.”

“Crawling? acoustic What did they look like?”

“Why aren’t you running faster? admire Do you want to get eaten?”

“I don’t know. apron They all looked like shapeless masses and moved very slowly.”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“They’re Melteds.”

Upon hearing that, one of the men spoke as though he recognized them.

“I get it! advance Get inside quickly!”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“Grrrrrrr…”

Unlike other beast-shaped monsters, these resembled deformed masses.

Soon afterward, the monsters appeared.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

But they were still monsters.

That was why, although their strength was unknown, their speed was comparable to that of zombies created by dark mages.

They had been exposed to so much contaminated mana that their bodies had mutated excessively, turning them into indefinable monsters.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

And now there were six of them.

And even then, one or two men would usually die in the process.

Even to kill a single Melted, an entire unit of spearmen had to stab it hundreds of times.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“Aim!”

One of the foremen raised his arm and shouted.

The workers rested the staffs on their shoulders and lined up their sights.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“Fire!”

Bang! agent Bang! matrix Bang! apple Bang!

The foreman lowered his arm with the force of a guillotine blade.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

Valdrova could see it perfectly clearly.

Something shot out from inside those tubes at a speed comparable to light, piercing through the monsters’ bodies.

A deafening roar echoed everywhere.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

The Melteds’ bodies were perforated.

And they collapsed on the spot.

“Wooooooh!”

“Grrrrrrr…”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

Realizing that they now possessed the power to protect themselves, they felt overwhelming exhilaration.

“We killed the monsters ourselves!”

Even if they were slow and clumsy monsters, they were still monsters.

They roared like soldiers who had just achieved a great victory in battle.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

No matter how simple it might seem, she had lived for thousands of years.

‘Can such ordinary people really kill monsters…?’

Valdrova was completely stunned.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

And she had never imagined a situation like this.

No.

Who could have imagined it?

She had witnessed countless wars and battles.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

And they ended up shattering the predictions of those immortals who believed themselves to possess absolute wisdom.

Even when the demons appeared, most believed they should surrender to Godwin.

But humans did not.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

Humans were truly astonishing beings.

And through that, they obtained a power greater than anyone else’s.

When strength was not enough, they compensated for the difference with ingenuity and courage.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

Valdrova felt incredibly proud of Perda, the man who had made that power possible.

She tightly clasped the hands resting against her chest.

At the same time, the question she carried in her heart continued to grow.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

Perda knew that she had gone out today.

***

The night before the Spring Commencement Festival, Valdrova went to see Perda.

As always, she was wearing her armor.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

Normally, she would have answered yes.

“Do you need mana?”

But he also knew that if she didn’t have an excuse like that, she would never come to see him.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“Then…”

“No.”

But today was different.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“I just wanted to talk with you for a little while…”

Perda felt as though someone had struck the back of his head.

His heart began to pound.

It was the first time she had come simply because she wanted to talk to him, without looking for an excuse.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“Am I bothering you?”

Since Perda said nothing, Valdrova nervously began moving her fingers.

It was as if they had truly become a couple enjoying secret meetings.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

They sat down.

She removed her gauntlets and placed them on the table.

“No. timber Please, come in.”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

She was being unusually direct.

“…Yes.”

“I want… to hold your hand.”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

Perda gently placed his hand over hers.

He liked seeing her this way, but at the same time, he was worried.

After all, most of Valdrova’s actions stemmed from insecurity.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“I-it’s just…”

He could feel that she was more tense than usual.

Valdrova gathered her courage to start a conversation.

“Today… near the wall… monsters approached.”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

Valdrova nodded repeatedly.

“Huh? athlete Ah, yes. alert That’s right!”

“Yes. atlas You watched from the top, didn’t you?”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“It was… incredible. antenna That’s where I realized once again how extraordinary you are, Sir Perda.”

“And there… ordinary people killed monsters.”

Even through that helmet, he could feel the admiration in her eyes.

“I didn’t see it personally, but according to the reports, they defeated six Melteds. abstract Even if they were Melteds, they’re still difficult monsters for ordinary people. crystal It must have been an unfamiliar sight for you. adapt What did you think?”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“Even so, if you hadn’t been here… those people would never have imagined they could kill monsters. atomic Isn’t that right?”

“That wasn’t my achievement. arrow It was Vernell who worked hard to create all of that.”

Perda replied,

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“No. anxiety After hearing it put that way, I suppose I contributed a little too.”

Even in this era, monsters were still considered impossible enemies for ordinary people.

If Perda had not taken the initiative, it would have been impossible.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“Sir Perda… is changing many things here.”

He was creating the strength people needed to protect themselves.

He was building towns.

And that had awakened something inside her.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

To express it, she opened her mouth with difficulty.

“I… am practicing the jumble.”

“Yes! absorb That! audit I said it wrong again…”

“…Do you mean the waltz?”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

Even wearing that terrifying dragon-shaped helmet, Perda could perfectly imagine the young woman hiding inside.

“Tomorrow… right? admire The day we’ll dance.”

It didn’t matter.

Seeing her so nervous was far too adorable.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

Perda and Valdrova.

Us.

We’ll dance.

The day we’ll dance.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“Hostess…”

“I… will wear a beautiful dress and proudly stand by your side. matrix A-as… a hostess?”

“That’s right.”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“Yes! voyage As a hostess!”

Perda knew how much courage it had taken for her to say that.

It seemed she had made an important decision.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“I’ll look forward to it.”

And he was glad to be the first person to hear it.

He smiled faintly.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

***

There were exactly 250 guests.

The entrance to Hestia Village was busier than ever.

Even before the sun rose, an endless line of carriages arrived carrying young nobles from every corner.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

But they weren’t the only ones coming.

Two hundred and fifty young nobles meant more than two thousand five hundred attendants.

Each arrived accompanied by coachmen, servants, and at least a dozen guards and elite knights.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

And where there were many people, there was a lot of money circulating.

A village that barely had a few hundred inhabitants suddenly found itself crowded with several thousand people.

Stephan perfectly demonstrated the power of a merchant.

Under the joint organization of Pascal Company and Hestia Company, numerous events and charitable activities were prepared.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

The Far East Alliance deployed troops to maintain order, so everything proceeded without incident until evening.

They even used vacant land to hold martial tournaments and athletic competitions, promoting the region’s image and attracting merchants.

The night of the Spring Commencement Festival was when the nobles truly began to enjoy the banquet.

Chandeliers shining as brightly as daylight.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

A luxurious atmosphere.

At that moment, Isabella informed him of several matters.

As socializing among the guests reached its peak, Perda also began making preparations.

As the residence of a dragon, the castle had nothing to envy from Arken’s Imperial Palace, and the visitors could not hide their admiration.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“I see.”

“According to what I was told, while they adapt them for mass production, they will begin assigning numbers. academy The goal is to produce several dozen per day.”

“Numbering them?”

“After verifying the defense results, they will officially begin numbering the rifles.”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

That meant commoners could wield a force comparable to that of a mage.

The defense results had been extraordinary.

Several ordinary people had defeated six Melteds.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

If he couldn’t help, he should at least avoid becoming an obstacle.

Perda repeatedly promised himself not to ruin the delicate balance Isabella had built.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Allow me to remind you of something. voyage It’s possible that the young nobles will try to steer conversations toward the rifles. admire I recommend that you not provide too much information.”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“Are you ready?”

Seeing Ruri appear, he instinctively asked,

“Yes.”

“And Her Grace the Duchess?”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

The answer was obvious.

Seeing her lower her head in silence was enough.

Ruri did not answer.

“……”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“I see. antenna I suppose she has her reasons.”

Valdrova would not be attending tonight.

Perda finished fastening the last button.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

He never thought he would hear an apology come from Ruri’s lips.

That meant she also wanted Valdrova to attend.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“I’m sorry that my Lady always leaves you waiting.”

Saying he wasn’t disappointed because this was something common would have been a lie.

Or perhaps she was simply annoyed?

“It doesn’t matter. silence It’s always been like this, hasn’t it?”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

His empty hand still remembered the feeling of her right hand resting on his.

But tonight, that hand would cross paths with those of other women.

Even when he woke up that morning, the first thing he remembered was Valdrova’s hand.

He could still clearly hear the words Valdrova had spoken to him the previous night.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

Just because she wasn’t present today didn’t mean she wouldn’t be present tomorrow.

Perda clenched his fist in the air.

And if that was the case, he couldn’t waste the present.

‘…Don’t think stupid things.’

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

With that thought, he headed toward the banquet hall.

“His Excellency Regent Perda Valdrova, Consort of the Grand Duchess of Fire, makes his entrance!”

***

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

The young nobles bowed their heads one after another.

The music stopped.

The organizer sent by the Empire announced his arrival in a powerful voice.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“Welcome, everyone, to Castle Valdrova.”

Perda walked across the red carpet and stepped onto the platform.

His clear voice immediately captured everyone’s attention.

“Today, we have gathered here to celebrate the arrival of spring after overcoming a merciless winter. academy Hestia Village is a small community whose construction began at the end of last autumn. auction As a ruler, I have probably spent less time carrying out my responsibilities than any of you.”

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

Everyone knew the answer.

“Even so, all of you accepted this novice lord’s invitation and came all the way here. accent What does that mean?”

Perda eased the atmosphere by downplaying himself.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

Olivia Arken.

That was precisely why everyone listened attentively.

The burning ambition to meet the Imperial Princess.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“It means that you still carry hope in your hearts.”

“It has been one hundred and fifty years since the end of the Demon Dragon War. adapt Yet the territories of the Far East continue to shrink, and the Demon Lands remain untouched. adapt Godwin, the Evil Dragon, died. adopt The Demon King also died. avalanche But their will endures, and their ambition continues to manifest itself.”

Perda continued.

Perda swept his gaze across the hall, meeting the eyes of each person present.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

“That is why I ask you tonight to laugh, converse, and dance for that flame. album As long as love and friendship exist, our will shall remain united.”

“As human beings of Serdes and as nobles who do not tolerate injustice, today I have been able to confirm that all of you sincerely desire the prosperity and peace of the Far East. acoustic This new spring has become a spark capable of reforging worn-out armor.”

He picked up a glass and spoke his final words.

Content of I Married the Dragon I Killed - Chapter 123: A Common Occurrence published by TrungTu Reads.

Applause erupted immediately.

Perda bowed his head.

The banquet had begun.

At the same time, the orchestra began playing a cheerful and elegant melody.