Chapter 93

Chapter 93

Translator: Yonnee

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After Rosé revealed her thoughts of becoming that dragon fledgling’s contractor, Albert knew that even if he tried to talk it out with Rosé, he wouldn’t be able to change her mind. It was also a problem when he could read her this quickly.

The ever-increasing pain he was feeling also added to why he wanted to let her leave right away. He wasn’t used to showing his struggles to others.

“Hu…”

After sending Rosé back to her room, Albert groaned in pain as though his entire body was burning.

This pain was never something he had gotten used to. It felt like his whole body had been set ablaze in a fire pit. Every moment, every second, this fire burned through him. As he felt as though his bones were being broken to pieces then melded back together again, the thought even crossed his mind that it might be better to die than to endure.

At first, this was all he thought about.

Even though he knew that the human body was much tougher than anyone would expect.

Fortunately, he wouldn’t have to hold back his groans due to the soundproofing spell on the walls.

He was aware that the pain of becoming a contractor was far beyond just this. So, he couldn’t understand what Rosé was thinking anymore.

‘…What kind of contractor do you even want to be when you can’t even overcome a black magic curse by yourself?’

It hadn’t been long since Rosé found that dragon fledgling, but why was it that she’s gotten so attached already.

‘You’ll think differently once you’ve seen it for yourself.’

A visual manifestation of fear had a much greater effect on people. That moment would be stuck on their minds for a long time.

Albert once thought that there would never come a time when he’d feel like a normal person. He still had that notion while he was trapped in the tower.

Until she urged him to sign that contract.

Then, they spent the days normally—eating, talking, then going to sleep at night. He had expected this period in his life to be like living hell. But instead, he was given a chance to realize a new meaning of life.

Precious moments in one’s life would not come often. If one did not act in time, then they would be left brooding and lamenting the past.

Like his foolish self, during the days of his childhood.

* * *

Before sunrise, Liam was already in Albert’s room. This was because Albert had called for the duke.

Holding desperately onto his fleeting consciousness lest he’d collapse, Albert was sitting against the wall as he let out a long, drawn-out sigh. He swept back his sweat-drenched hair.

“The dragon fledgling, its condition.”

“We’ve determined its location at Hetendorr. According to a mage’s report, it had let out a cry not too long ago.”

When a dragon fledgling would let out a deafening cry, it was a sign that it had less than a week left until it’s dead.

“It is a blue dragon, but it’s being much more cooperative than we expected. I believe it’s taking this as an opportunity to take revenge against Marquis Evnen.”

“So it knows the ways of the world.”

Unlike some other fledgling here, Albert muttered to himself. He thought of Blanc, who continued to stick to Rosé’s side. How incredible it was to just be sleeping all day.

“What kind of revenge is it?”

“The fledgling is nearly 500 years old, and apparently it had been attacked by Marquis Evnen before.”

“How sad.”

Despite his words, Albert’s tone was indifferent.

Dragons could travel through time and space, even back to the past, and they could easily change reality as it was here in the present. An increase in dragons in this world was something that wouldn’t benefit this side at all.

“It must be because Marquis Evnen hadn’t been able to control his greed again.”

“Yes, that seems to be the case, sir. There are also reports that the mages and the Marquis had made a deal between themselves.”

Marquis Evnen was a close aide of the current king, Rosteratu. The marquis was a man who yearned to become a mage, but because he lacked the mana for it, he instead had a great desire to acquire a dragon to allow him to gain the constitution of a half-dragon.

If that dragon fledgling were to be left with that marquis, then it’s obvious what its fate would be.

“I believe I’ll need to go there myself, Your Highness. It’s a great opportunity to hasten the coup.”

With the disaster that the dragon fledgling’s death would cause, Albert intended to maximize this opportunity to damage Marquis Evnen’s side and drive a wedge between him and Rosteratu.

“I was going to say that as well. And, I have another order for you.”

“What is it, sir? Is it the rumors you told me to spread starting at the outskirts?”

“……”

The moment those rumors were mentioned, the first thing that Albert thought of was Rosé—back when she said that he didn’t have to tell her about it if he didn’t want to. That expression of hers that comforted him so.

How could he not love that kindness of hers?

Schooling his features, Albert continued speaking.

“Take Rosé Artius to the capital with you and show her the landscape of the disaster.”

“…Pardon?”

Liam asked back with a dazed expression. Just taking the maid with him to the capital was baffling enough, but to take her to the forefront of the disaster?

Albert narrowed his eyes. He explained the situation briefly to Liam.

“She’s planning to become a dragon’s contractor.”

“…Is that so? But how, when you’ve just been at the tower…”

“The cat that came here with us is a dragon fledgling.”

“Ahh…”

Liam grew silent, choosing his words slowly and carefully before he replied. He didn’t want Albert to catch on that he and Rosé had talked back in the library. There was a risk that Albert would put two and two together if Liam made anything slip here.

That the maid, Rosé Artius, and Liam had met in the library and decided to cooperate so she could run away.