Chapter 58
He said that and then strode off to the battlefield with Lady Irang. Soon after, a giant magic circle appeared in the sky. Complex patterns, like fireworks, lit up the sky and intercepted the nearby zombie wyverns.
As I had seen in the morning, Lady Irang’s arrows were also enhanced. It seemed like the young master was casting buff spells on her while also attacking the zombies with his own magic. Even our brute-force young master couldn’t physically attack wyverns flying at a distance.
I stood there, holding my vacuum cleaner, unsure of what to do. My poor… what was it called again? It had a long name.
“I guess I’ll just clean…”
I turned on the vacuum cleaner. Whirr! It roared to life, and I started cleaning the ground. Dust and dirt were sucked in.
“Ah, so satisfying…”
As I was vacuuming, wiping away a tear, Strategist Lund approached me.
“My lady, if you’re bored, may I offer my assistance?”
He extended his arms, asking for permission to cast a spell on me. I was indeed bored, and I didn’t dislike Lund, so I nodded.
“There are many flying magical beasts here, like wyverns and gargoyles. Long-range mages are naturally preferred over close-combat warriors.”
He took my wrist and shoulder and slowly moved my arm, drawing a magic circle in the air. I thought I had seen many magic circles while watching the young master, but these were all new to me.
As I moved my arm according to his instructions, various magical beasts emerged from the magic circle and flew into the sky. They attacked the zombie wyverns, disappearing when hit. The chaotic battle continued, and I just stared at the sky, thinking, ‘Magic is so cool.’
“You’re amazing, Lund. I thought strategists only planned strategies, but you’re a skilled mage? It makes me feel powerful too.”
“You flatter me.”
Lund replied modestly, releasing my arm.
“I moved your arm as if controlling it, I apologize if that was rude.”
Every word he uttered seemed designed to emphasize his gentle nature. I waved my hand dismissively, saying it was fine. Touched by my words, or perhaps with ulterior motives, he stepped closer and tilted his head.
“You’re truly unique. You seem to be powered by one person’s magic, but there’s a complex mix of magical energy around your heart.”
“How did you know? I came to Dragon’s Waist to get help with activating my heart.”
“Ah, I see. So you didn’t originally have a heart.”
I replied awkwardly,
“I used to have one. A real heart.”
Lund nodded seriously, not dismissing my words.
“I see. If I’m not mistaken, your soul has a human hue. As if you were once a human and then inhabited a doll. I apologize if that was a rude remark.”
“It’s fine.”
I almost told him that I was actually a human named Anna, but I stopped myself. It would be too much to explain.
“Could you perhaps help me? I don’t really know how to make my heart work. I don’t even know what I don’t know.”
“It’s a simple task for a dragon person. May I have your hand?”
I extended my hand, and he kissed the back of it. A unique magic circle appeared on my skin. A faint blue light flowed from my hand towards my heart. The light, upon reaching my chest, flashed red and then disappeared.
“…Is it done?”
Something seemed to have happened, but I couldn’t tell.
“It’s done.”
“I don’t feel any different.”
“That’s normal. Multiple types of magic are now coexisting within you, but nothing has changed for you. You’re still you.”
“That sounds nice!”
I placed my hand on my chest. I couldn’t feel a heartbeat. Wait! Was something wrong? I looked at Lund with a worried expression, but his face was calm and serene.
“I can’t feel my heartbeat!”
“No creature can feel its own heartbeat. I don’t feel mine either.”
“Oh.”
“It’s normal.”
He held my hand in both of his.
“Since I’ve helped you, may I ask for a favor in return?”
“What kind of favor? I should discuss it with the young master. He’s the one who pays my salary. And I have to ask Head Butler Godora for an advance.”
“It’s not about money. I have plenty of that. Dragons love shiny things. Just like humans.”
He blushed slightly as he said that.
“I have a rather embarrassing confession. My sister, General Irang, lacks tact and always argues with the Elder Council. Stubborn people aren’t popular. Even with me, her strategist, mediating, the situation isn’t improving. And I lack the magical power to participate in combat.”
I thought to myself, ‘He seems incredibly powerful, though…’ He had been able to control all those magic circles while holding me. Wasn’t he as powerful a mage as the young master? Perhaps he was just being modest, or he genuinely believed his magic was weak. I decided not to point it out. But I knew, this man was truly powerful.
“General Irang’s problem stems from her futile hope. She’s still waiting for Sir Castor Nova to return. She’s postponing all important political matters and matters of honor, always keeping Sir Castor in mind.”
“My goodness. Procrastination is a bad habit. The retired head maid always said that.”
“I’m glad you agree. Our position is weakening because of it. But I don’t think Sir Castor will return. He’s forgotten about Dragonuska. He left the continent when he was too young.”
“Hmm, you’re right. He seems happier staying at the magic library.”
“We need power.”
Lund, his face flushed, finally got to the point. It was the “marriage” proposal from earlier.
“If you, with Count Lupin Zepetto’s backing, marry me, our position will be strengthened.”
“Ah, so it wasn’t love at first sight?”
“I can’t deny that you’re attractive.”
“You’re making this very complicated.”
He tightened his grip on my hand and stepped closer. I could see the desperation in his eyes. Not the romantic kind, but the desperation of someone who desperately needed power.
“A marriage of convenience. It’s not a bad proposition. For either of us. You’ll gain status, and I’ll gain influence.”
“But I like the young master.”
“I don’t mind if you have a lover. Or we can get divorced after I gain a stronger foothold, and you can remarry. Of course, I’ll make you so happy that you won’t even think about remarrying. I’ve considered many possibilities.”
His serious tone made me think. I weighed the probability of ending up with the young master against the possibility of helping someone by getting married, and then the slim chance of marrying the young master after helping him.
It was a difficult decision. I wanted to refuse outright, but his expression was so earnest…
“I understand that it’s difficult to give me an answer right now. Please take your time and think about it.”
He kissed the back of my hand, which he was still holding.
“I’ll await your wise decision.”
Just then, I heard voices calling, “Strategist! Strategist!” Lund smiled at me apologetically and slowly released my hand. His warmth lingered on my skin, so I unconsciously clasped my hands together.
He walked away slowly, but not before turning back and giving me a parting glance. He was a heart-wrenching, handsome man…
The young master was handsome, but Lund was just as attractive. Three men had proposed to me so far. One was a five-year-old boy who lived nearby when I was nine, one was the enigmatic Crown Prince Umbram, and the last was Lund, the strategist of Dragon’s Waist.
Ignoring the young master, who had never proposed, Lund was the best option among the three.
Should I change my target? What were the chances of the young master marrying me? Was it even a possibility? Should I try a jealousy tactic?
“He needs to be jealous for the tactic to work…”
I sighed, disappointed. Since I had nothing else to do, I picked up my abandoned vacuum cleaner. Cleaning always calmed my mind. Even though I was outside, and the outdoors was naturally dusty, I turned on the vacuum cleaner.
The motor sound would soothe me.
Whirr! The vacuum cleaner sounded weak. I turned around and saw the young master surrounded by a crowd of people, impressed by his magic. I could hear their praises and questions about magic.
But he didn’t seem to be paying attention to any of them. He was just staring at me with a displeased expression.
Was I not supposed to use the vacuum cleaner to clean the dirt ground?
He strode towards me, then said curtly before walking past me and into the fortress,
“Looks like you’re having fun.”