I Married the Dragon I Killed

In response to Perda’s question, Garnet answered.

“Creating a position for shadows that must not be known would be a contradiction. The only people who should know about our relationship are you and the Administrator.”

“And how do you intend to do that?”

“We will create an organization that can have a legitimate justification for existing in this city.”

“And what would that be?”

“Mehina Pallenge is a southern noblewoman who ran a merchant company.”

Mehina Pallenge.

Perda recalled having seen that name somewhere before.

It was Garnet Swallow’s false identity that appeared on the first page of the document.

“That merchant company is currently interested in the Far East and, at the same time, has witnessed numerous injustices.”

“And?”

“Therefore, as a representative of the merchants, she will file a formal protest in Hestia Village. After that…”

“She’ll establish an association.”

“Exactly.”

Perda felt a strong sense of déjà vu.

He had discussed something similar with Stephan before.

“Stephan Pascal already has his eye on that.”

Garnet let out a small laugh.

“The president of Pascal Company is truly greedy. He already controls the Workers’ Union. If he also tries to take over the Merchants’ Guild, the credibility of the associations will eventually deteriorate. I doubt he wants to become an unnecessary target.”

Stephan had also expressed concern about that point.

But human greed was like that.

If something could be obtained, people would always seek a way to make it their own.

Even knowing that they were an intelligence organization, Perda could not help but admire how they had struck where he least expected it.

“I should state clearly that this project must be carried out through an alliance of merchants assembled by me.”

Out of curiosity, Perda reviewed the current identities of the principal members.

Eight of the twelve senior leaders were listed as regional merchants.

All of them ran ordinary companies whose names barely attracted attention.

“It seems you don’t have much talent for business.”

There was a slight provocation in his words.

But Garnet answered calmly, showing not the slightest annoyance.

“Merchants who misuse their products eventually lose the trust of others.”

It was true.

If Black Bandana had decided to seriously enter any sector, monopolizing it would have been easy.

But they were information merchants.

Their business was selling information, not goods.

For that reason, those documents once again reinforced the organization’s reliability.

“How many members of Black Bandana know about this matter?”

“Other than the senior leadership and the core members, no one else knows. Everyone included in the list I gave you has already given their approval.”

“Then it will still appear as though Black Bandana continues to exist.”

“Yes. But it will cease to be a neutral organization.”

Perda did not feel the slightest sympathy for the users of Black Bandana scattered throughout the continent.

That did not concern him in the least.

“If you’re going to organize the association yourselves, I won’t oppose it.”

“We will do it through our own means. However, there is something we must agree upon with you beforehand.”

“What kind of agreement?”

“Dandolo Company. Or rather, the current Hestia Company.”

“Yes.”

“As I understand it, you and Vernell Marquis own 51%. Stephan Pascal, as administrative representative, owns 20%. And the remaining 29% was reserved for investors. Of that percentage, Halim already owns 10%.”

“That’s right.”

“We would like you to transfer the remaining 19% to us.”

Perda immediately frowned.

“An organization that is dying out is making rather bold demands.”

“It may seem that way. But simply by obtaining a share of Dandolo Company, we will be able to grant enormous credibility to the Merchants’ Association. That will allow us to create ideal shadows.”

“Explain.”

“When the Far East Merchants’ Association is established, we will also gain civic representation and a position equivalent to that of the lower nobility.”

“You’ll have political influence.”

“That is only for appearances. What I truly need are obligations.”

Obligations.

Most people did everything they could to avoid them.

“If we become a Merchants’ Association, we will have the obligation to contribute to Hestia’s prosperity.”

“Correct.”

“And that will allow us to inspect goods to determine whether merchants are transporting dangerous products or contraband.”

“That’s right.”

“And if we decide that a simple inspection is not enough, we will also have a legitimate justification to investigate and pursue matters on our own.”

Upon hearing that, Perda understood how attractive the proposal was.

Because those investigations could be applied to far more than merchants.

They could also be used against those attempting to incite rebellions or unrest.

As the Far East Merchants’ Association, they would establish relationships with other associations.

They could obtain information through them.

Or leak information.

Or even guide events in whatever direction they desired.

Furthermore, their apparent ties would be exclusively commercial.

Everyone would regard them as nothing more than a regulatory organization.

The enemies of the Far East might even attempt to bribe or manipulate them.

And if the people occupying that position were Black Bandana, an organization unmatched in matters of intelligence, they would probably be able to control the entire situation however they wished.

“Even so, 19% is too much. I would prefer to reduce it to 10%.”

“With a real stake of 3%, we would already have sufficient influence. The remaining 16% would simply be capital and a tool for projecting a certain image.”

“Hmm…”

“We will not use it for personal interests. It will be dedicated exclusively to the welfare of Hestia and the Duchy of Valdrova.”

Stephan had once said that the exchange of shares was an important matter.

Originally, he was supposed to handle it.

But he had been so busy that he had to postpone it.

‘If I leave this in the hands of the Merchants’ Association…’

With the information at their disposal, they might achieve even better results than Stephan.

Furthermore, this was no longer a simple business proposal.

‘The continent’s greatest secret intelligence organization has voluntarily revealed a fatal secret and is trying to place itself under my command.’

That was why Perda was curious.

At last, he asked the question he had been saving until the end.

“You said you wanted to destroy the Empire because it had strayed from its founding ideals.”

“That’s right.”

“One day, I might become someone like that as well.”

Perhaps the day would come when his judgment became clouded.

Perhaps the regret that dwelled in his heart would consume him once again.

“When that day comes, will you betray me?”

Loyalty meant following someone regardless of the decisions they made.

If there was a possibility of betrayal, then it could not truly be called loyalty.

Garnet answered.

“A ruler is someone who reigns above everyone. An extraordinary being.”

As a collector of information on kings and nobles, she understood perfectly the nature of those who held power.

“And precisely because of that, they often fall into the arrogance of believing that they themselves are justice, ignoring the will of the people.”

They could not tolerate having their opinions questioned.

They could not forgive those who stood in their way.

The heads of loyal ministers rolled across the ground while the tongues of flatterers never rested.

“And for a long time, I thought you were exactly that kind of person.”

Perda seemed like someone prone to falling down that path.

He did not hesitate to kill when necessary.

He possessed the resolve to abandon even his own people if the situation demanded it.

From Garnet’s perspective, someone like that should never rule.

“But I was wrong.”

Her opinion changed that night.

The Red Dragon, treated as nothing more than a watchdog.

The reason she lived consumed by self-hatred and isolated from the world was because she loved humanity.

“You constantly doubt yourself.”

Perda loved someone who loved human beings.

He learned to dance despite never having danced before.

He organized banquets he had never wanted to hold.

And to make a woman happy, he even restrained the nature she had discovered within him, moving forward guided only by his convictions.

“Someone who doubts himself cannot become an extraordinary being.”

“But he can become a wise ruler.”

A wise ruler.

For an instant, Garnet imagined a scene where the entire town endlessly praised and celebrated the name of Valdrova.

Hiding the smile that threatened to appear on his face, Perda said.

“I hope those were the last pleasant words you’ll say.”

Garnet respectfully clasped her hands and bowed her head.

“It is an honor to become the shadow of the Great Flame.”

***

Perda summoned all the nobles to the Assembly of the Far East Front Alliance.

“Have you all been well during this time?”

“A few thieves took advantage of the empty houses, but aside from that, everything was peaceful.”

“The residents who had panicked have already returned to their occupations.”

“Huff! When the first month passed, you have no idea how much we suffered worrying about what would happen next.”

The nobles trembled with indignation.

Their expressions made it clear that they had no desire to remember those days when they lived worrying about tomorrow.

And just as they had suffered, Perda had suffered as well.

“I believe all of you harbor resentment toward the Arken Empire because of what happened.”

“Of course! Those damned bastards!”

“They treated the Far East like a penal colony and even tried to use us politically when we were on the verge of death!”

Rather than praising the fact that Perda had not bowed his head, they expressed their fury toward Alexander Arken.

It was obvious how much resentment they had accumulated.

“That is why I will attend the Post Mortem concerning Alexander Arken as a witness.”

“You mean the post-war conference?”

“Naturally, since we were the ones under siege, it is only proper that we participate, but…”

The nobles did not seem very pleased.

Although it was supposedly a meeting to judge Alexander Arken, they knew perfectly well that everyone involved belonged to the same group.

“As your reactions suggest, there is a high possibility that they will try to place all the blame on us.”

“That is more than obvious!”

“It is clear they will try to protect that degenerate Crown Prince!”

“I desire the stability of the Far East, and I know that you desire its prosperity as well.”

Perda extended his hand toward them.

“That is why I, Perda Valdrova, Regent of the Duchy of Valdrova, ask for your wisdom.”

The nobles readily agreed.

They began discussing how the Post Mortem might unfold, how they might attempt to place responsibility on Perda, and how to respond to each situation.

They constructed various scenarios and prepared possible escape routes for him.

The meeting continued well into the night.

And while the discussion progressed smoothly, Count Consilus’s expression remained gloomy the entire time.

***

“I don’t think this is a good idea.”

After an entire day of meetings, when dawn was beginning to illuminate the horizon and the nobles’ carriages were departing, Consilus approached Perda and said that.

“You mean gathering so many minds together to think as one?”

“It is not wise to assume that all of them are allies. Among them are those who love the Empire’s walls more than the Far East’s safety. If information like this is revealed to them…”

“There will be informants.”

Perda finished the sentence for him.

“That is exactly what I am looking for.”

Perda spoke quietly.

Consilus’s eyes widened in surprise, but he immediately lowered his voice.

“What do you mean, you’re looking for that?”

“I was told to let the information leak.”

Perda emphasized every word.

“So that the traitor walks onto the gallows of his own accord.”

“I see…”

Consilus smiled awkwardly as his face reddened.

He felt like a fool for having believed that the young regent was someone naïve who considered everyone his ally.

Seeing him like that, Perda added.

“The fact that you came to speak to me about this tells me you’re not the traitor.”

“That… is a relief.”

Consilus smiled bitterly.

“Then, may I ask how you intend to act during the hearing?”

“At first, I will follow the script. I must determine whether the scenario that ‘we’ created is the one that gets leaked or not.”

“You intend to expose the traitors that way?”

“I already know who they are.”

“If you already know…”

Beneath those white eyebrows, a sharp gaze could be seen.

Unlike the youthful fervor that consumed younger men, the old man flowed calmly.

And that was precisely what made him more unsettling.

“I dare make a request. Would you allow me to be the one who executes the traitor?”

“You?”

Perda had intended to do it personally.

After all, among the nobles, he was known for being far more ruthless when it came to killing.

“Perhaps you do not know this, Regent, but coming to the Far East was practically an exile.”

No one understood that reality better than Consilus, who had lived there longer than anyone else.

“When a person lives too long in a place without hope, they eventually become apathetic. The first thing they think about is escaping.”

The nobles grew fat.

The soldiers became lazy.

And the residents continued dying as they always had.

“Then a rope appeared.”

Consilus’s gaze settled deeply upon Perda.

It was a look filled with gratitude and sincere respect.

“Not a rotten rope, but a strong and sturdy one. A rope that could truly be called hope.”

But then his eyes filled with venom.

“And if there are rats who, without knowing their place, try to gnaw through that rope…”

Those who had lived in despair became fiercer than anyone else once they finally found hope.

“This old man will gladly become the savage tasked with punishing the traitors.”

Upon hearing that, Perda nodded.

“I leave it to you, Count.”

“All for the sake of the Duchy of Valdrova.”

Perda could feel it clearly.

It would not be long before a bloody storm arose to amputate the rotting flesh from the wound.