IMTDIK 64

Chapter 64: Dilemma

A snowstorm raged so fiercely that it was impossible to see ahead.

The cold pierced deep, but more than that, it was the chilling atmosphere, like a blade against the heart. Ferda’s eyes sharpened as he stared at the intruder.

“Nice to meet you, Regent.”

The man introduced himself with a shameless smile, stepping across the snow.

“I am Abel, one of Silverwind’s children. You may not remember, but I was guarding the door during the Grand Council.”

“…….”

“What are you doing in such a remote place? Here to enjoy the northern snow like a tourist?”

“…….”

Abel’s voice dripped with mockery as he walked slowly toward Ferda.

“Hmm… but for a tourist, you’re doing something really foolish. A weak old man might come here to gather herbs, but a Regent should know better. This is Silverwind’s territory.”

Ferda took a few steps back.

“Why so quiet? Are you scared, or just trembling in fear?”

“I’m just curious.”

“Huh? Curious about what?”

“There’s a beast talking in front of me. How can I not be curious?”

Abel laughed loudly. In an instant, he disappeared and reappeared right in front of Ferda, leaving only the whisper of wind behind.

“Such a wicked joke! Ha!”

With a flick of his finger toward Ferda’s chest—snap!—a sickening sound echoed. Bones broke. Ferda coughed, tasting blood.

“Oh dear! Does it hurt? I only tapped you lightly.”

Ferda spat out the blood as if it meant nothing.

“You sure talk too much,” he said calmly.

“Wow, I’m really surprised. I heard you had the guts to stand against Goz, but now I see it wasn’t just because Blancaross had your back.”

Abel grabbed Ferda by the collar, raising his hand with sharp nails.

“But you shouldn’t mess with Silverwind’s children. We are far from merciful.”

Ferda calmly measured his remaining mana. He had enough to cast Fourth-Rank magic a few times.

‘Can I win against this dragon spawn?’

No. This was a completely different level from fighting dark elves. Yet he never showed any sign of disadvantage.

“Silverwind’s children… do they encourage making deals with demons?”

“What do you mean?”

“Silverwind’s descendants… were they the ones who encouraged deals with demons?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t act dumb. I know you’re the one cleaning up the mess for Sitri. You must have been targeting the demon we have to rescue.”

Abel’s grip around Ferda’s neck tightened just enough to be uncomfortable—a sign of unease.

Ferda continued, cold and precise.

“What were you planning to do with her? Tired of following rules for centuries and wanted to enjoy chaos?”

“Hah! Do you think we breed and raise kids like you humans? Fighting is far more fun than that boring stuff!”

Abel’s slit pupils gleamed sharply.

“The wrong person sits on the throne. He calls himself Silverwind’s heir and holds my father’s soul. That’s who I oppose.”

“Strange. You don’t seem fit for the throne either.”

“Oh, I know that. If I fought Goz, I’d be torn to pieces in seconds. He’s that strong.”

Abel smirked coldly.

“But Ruri Silverwind is different. Do you know how amazing she is?”

“I know she’s strong.”

“It’s not just strength. She was captain of the Silver Wing Combat Unit and the only one who could challenge Goz. When people discussed Silverwind’s heir, both were mentioned.”

“So that’s why Goz wants to kill her?”

“No. Goz wants to keep her close. That’s why the war hasn’t started yet.”

The war hadn’t started… because of Ruri?

“What do you mean?”

“If war breaks out between Valdrova and Silverwind, which side do you think Ruri Silverwind will take? If she stays loyal to Valdrova, she must die—but Goz won’t allow it.”

Unexpected. The reason the war hadn’t begun was because Ruri still lived. But Abel had different plans.

“Ruri is a warrior who doesn’t use her sword. What should be done with such a warrior?”

“Take away her sword.”

“Exactly. Holding a greatsword but never using it is a crime in itself. I intend to use the sword she refuses to wield.”

Ferda understood. This was the condition of his deal with Sitri. Ruri had the power to oppose Goz. Abel wanted that power fully under his control.

‘The old ways always rot in the end.’

Even a dragon spawn was powerless against time. His greed would destroy everything.

‘Ruri…’

Ferda muttered her name in his mind, irritation rising, then turning into murderous intent. A smile crept onto his lips.

“Truly amazing.”

“Ha, now that it’s time for you to die, you finally flatter me?”

“No. It’s important to fix weaknesses. If you don’t have them, you must borrow them.”

Ferda smiled back.

“I just find it funny that a brainless fool like you actually thought about such a basic principle.”

—Crack!

Abel snapped Ferda’s index finger.

“Ugh…!”

“You really don’t know when to shut up. Looks like I’ll have to play with you a little more.”

Abel grabbed Ferda’s middle finger next.

“Well, I have to make sure that brat Ruri surrenders.”

Ruri wouldn’t even blink. She hated humans, she hated Ferda—nothing could change that.

“And before she arrives—”

You’ll be dead.

A sound pierced the snowstorm. A small figure appeared in the swirling white.

“What… are you doing?”

It was Ruri. Her expression was different than Ferda had imagined. She was shaken.

Ruri had heard a report from the spirits: Ferda had made a deal with a demon to infiltrate enemy territory and had fallen into a trap.

Flying straight to Count Consillus’s land, she located Ferda and rushed to the cave. The process took only five minutes.

Her plan was to grab Ferda and escape—but she was too late.

Inside the cave stood a Silver Dragon Spawn. Ferda was badly wounded.

“What… are you doing?”

Ruri’s presence radiated terrifying killing intent. Even as a dragon spawn, her Dragon Fear pressed against Abel.

Yet Abel remained calm.

“Ruri Silverwind. We meet again. Do you remember me?”

“You were with Percival.”

“Oh, you do remember. Well, it’s been less than two weeks, so of course.”

Abel’s smirk irritated Ruri. She wanted to leave immediately.

“Let Ferda go.”

“I refuse.”

“If you refuse—”

“What will you do? Start a war?” Ruri flinched.

“You have entered Silverwind’s territory. And this human is here too.”

“…….”

“I have every right. Ruri Silverwind, you should know the law well. If someone trespasses, we capture them. If they resist…?”

“…Immediate execution.” Ruri forced out the words.

“Yes! Execution!” Abel shouted.

There was no way to accept it.

“If you kill her fiancé, Lady Valdrova will not stay silent. Then all of Silverwind will have to fight against her.”

“Try it! If you can! Then a war will break out!”

Abel laughed mockingly.

“What will you gain? The children of Silverwind will die, and your master will bear more guilt.”

“Ugh…!”

“Is that what you want? Then go ahead and spread your words!”

Ruri was shaken. Every word struck at her weak spot.

“Ruri, this man is under the influence of a demon.”

“A demon…?”

Crack!

“Oh, you talk too much. Don’t you realize your life is in my hands? Why act tough?”

Ruri’s eyes blazed with hatred—but Abel found it amusing.

“Let’s say I made a deal with a demon. Then go ahead, testify! Say I was bewitched and captured two intruders! But no one will believe you.”

There was no proof of any deal on his body. Ferda also had no mark—only suspicion. Words alone carried different weight for humans and dragons.

“You can kill me here. But what will happen to you?”

“I…”

“You betrayed your father, and now you can’t even protect what you wanted. How pathetic.”

Abel kept provoking her. Ruri had no words left.

If I let him live, a war will start. If I kill him, a war will start anyway. The castle will fall. I cannot control the variables.

Her lips trembled as she spoke carefully, making a small, calculated sacrifice.

“I…”

Ruri knelt.

Abel, laughing, froze.

“Haha… It’s real.” His body shivered.

“Ruri Silverwind actually knelt.”

He never imagined it. The unbreakable wall of the North—the nightmare of the Frost Giants—crumbled with a single action.

A cruel smile spread across Abel’s lips. Ruri’s power now belonged to him.

But his victory was short-lived.

“If that is your wish,” a voice rang out.

Ferda’s voice.

“Then let’s do it.”

Abel’s body jolted violently.

“Kuhek!”

He coughed up blood. His strength drained as he collapsed to his knees. Ferda released his grip on Abel’s collar.

Something heavy pressed on Abel’s heart—he could feel it clearly.

Was it Ruri? Impossible. She could use spirit magic and minor spells, but she couldn’t harm him internally without leaving a trace.

There was only one answer.

Abel, bleeding, looked up. Ferda stood tall before him, eyes glowing blue.

As expected, it was his doing.

But there was one thing Abel had not expected: darkness.

The blackness was so deep that even the Dragon Spawn’s eyes could not pierce it.

Ruri had arrived. Ferda guessed how she had come. She must have left a wind spirit behind to watch and report. When she heard the danger, she rushed here immediately. Her reaction was fast—but it was the worst possible choice.

Ruri was a strong ally, but in this moment, she was a vulnerability. Abel knew this, and now, he targeted her. His words cut into her heart. Ferda could feel it. Abel understood her completely. He was annoyingly clever.

Was this the demon’s plan? Ferda realized instantly.

If a demon had said these things, Ruri would not have hesitated. But because they came from her own kind, she paused. A dilemma. She had to choose between Valdrova and the children of Silverwind. She could not abandon either.

Ferda understood why—and because he understood—he saw it clearly.

Ruri knelt.

It was her best choice to protect both sides.

But it was also the worst.

Now he understood how they had trapped her: a demon’s trick, combined with a greedy wish. They had ensnared the girl who only wanted peace.

So that was why she hadn’t stayed with Valdrova? Because she loved peace. Because she loved Valdrova.

She had made the worst choice—sacrificing herself.

And then—something happened.

The mana inside Ferda’s body began to move. It was different from when he had called for Valdrova. Something deep within him had awakened. It touched his heart. It stirred his core.

Ruri’s powerless face overlapped with Valdrova’s. She was suffering.

A soft, sweet voice whispered to him.

“Will you just watch?”

No. He could not just watch.

He knew this was not Valdrova—but if Ruri disappeared, one day Valdrova would face the same fate. That could not happen.

The chains of restraint shattered.

The mana within his Red Circle spread in every direction. It devoured everything in the darkness.

Now, everything was under Ferda’s control: the cave, Ruri, Abel—even the very insides of Abel’s body.

“Kurgh! Cough!”

Abel collapsed, coughing up blood. His lungs failed.

“You… damn… cough!” he gasped, trying to resist—but his body would not obey. The suffocating darkness and Ferda’s rampaging Red Circle crushed him completely.

The situation had reversed entirely.

“You kill me…” Abel coughed blood as he spoke. “…then every Silverwind will remember your face and name.”

Killing a Dragon Spawn came at a price. A lifetime of being hunted. Praying every night just to wake alive. A life where living meant nothing.

“I don’t care.”

Ferda was already used to it.

“I’m sick of your kind’s threats.”

He raised his hand. His palm, blackened as if holding shadows themselves, seemed to grasp something solid—like a heart.

“If you want war so badly, I won’t run from it.”

Ferda clenched his fist.