Chapter 27
Basically, these mushrooms got their nutrients from Besamut’s energy.
But Besamut had been dead for hundreds of years—maybe even close to a thousand.
Even though their “host” no longer existed, the poisonous mushrooms stubbornly survived. That was definitely because Besamut’s poisonous energy still lingered in the land.
“The strongest concentration of it is near the breeding grounds,” Fiorentia thought.
But that alone probably wasn’t enough for the mushrooms. That’s why, in the original story and now as well, they switched to humans as soon as they appeared.
Humans, unlike dragons, have consciousness.
So the poisonous mushrooms could be commanded and controlled.
And since humans provide nutrients, the mushrooms would instinctively recognize them as beings to serve.
“Judging by the circumstances, they seem quite friendly so far,” Fiorentia thought.
But she wasn’t completely at ease.
“To keep controlling them, I’ll need to keep giving them nutrients regularly.”
That could be Besamut’s energy or, if not, her own life force.
It was more likely that they switched to her because of the nutrients, not just because she was a conscious being.
“Teo awakened his ability later, so something probably canceled it out for him. But I haven’t.”
Fiorentia bit her lip tightly.
“Damn it. I can’t let this just drain me.”
Still, she didn’t plan to let herself be consumed without a fight.
There was no choice.
“I’ll have to take regular walks around the breeding grounds from now on.”
She had completely removed Teodor from Desdemona’s control, so there would be no more experiments until he escaped. Providing steady nutrients to the mushrooms was her only option.
“And since Desdemona finds me staying in my room strange, the timing couldn’t be better,” she thought, taking a calm breath and resolving the matter.
“Alright. That problem is solved. What’s next?”
Ah, yes. The ability that she might be able to control with the poisonous mushrooms.
Her head ached again. But she knew it was most efficient to keep thinking while the fire of curiosity was burning.
Fiorentia pulled together all the information she had about Besamut.
Every dragon had different abilities: water, fire, wind, lightning.
“But Besamut was called the Dark Dragon because he used mental abilities.”
This was recorded more clearly in the founding history of the Ritchen Empire.
“History is always written from the victor’s perspective.”
So even the founding history she read exaggerated the hardships of the first emperor to glorify his achievements.
“But it didn’t explain the details.”
For example:
[The first emperor, Stefano, fiercely resisted Besamut’s attacks.]
“Fine, but what kind of attacks? And how exactly did he resist?”
Well, it didn’t matter if the resistance method wasn’t detailed. What she needed was information on Besamut’s abilities.
For some reason, history books didn’t record that.
The Ritchen royal family only emphasized that the first emperor finally defeated a transcendent dragon, ignoring the other facts.
“Some of Besamut’s abilities were passed to the first emperor, and he divided three of them among the three dukes,” Fiorentia remembered.
Maybe… Teodor knew about them.
“I just have the name Marcella, but Teodor doesn’t. He probably had proper education, unlike me.”
She turned her body toward him. It had been past noon when she returned from the bookshelf, but outside, the sun was already starting to set.
Realizing how much time had passed, she slowly spoke.
“Hey, Teo.”
He seemed to have been paying full attention to her, responding immediately.
“Yes?”
“Do you know about Besamut?”
“Somewhat.”
He frowned, probably finding the question odd. But he didn’t ask why she wanted to know.
“I want to know how much. Just what’s in books won’t help.”
“Well, I don’t think you’ll waste time. I am part of the Three Dukes’ family, so I had to sit through all those boring history lessons.”
Fiorentia silently rejoiced but kept her tone calm.
“Then do you know what abilities the Dark Dragon Besamut had?”
“Roughly.”
Things seemed easier than she expected.
“I should’ve asked you sooner,” she thought, and directly requested, as if retrieving something she had left with him.
“Tell me. I want to know.”
His blue eyes scanned over her mask. The room had grown dim, but his gaze was sharp.
He could have asked why she was curious or demanded something in return, but he didn’t. Instead, Teodor spoke freely.
“Pay attention to his nickname.”
His low voice was oddly resonant. Fiorentia repeated the word slowly, like a child learning to speak.
“Dark Dragon.”
“Right. It means ‘hidden’ or ‘dark.’”
She already knew that part.
“Not because the dragon’s lair was a fortress?”
“It’s a metaphor. Besamut’s abilities weren’t visible.”
Fiorentia frowned lightly.
It made sense… Fire dragons were called Fire Dragons, water dragons Water Dragons. But Dark Dragon… even after the explanation, it was hard to imagine.
“So what? What exactly were Besamut’s invisible abilities?”
Teodor slowly raised a hand and tapped his temple with his index finger.
“Confusion.”
“…!”
“In short, that’s the word. Generally, he could affect the mind. He’s dead, so this is just from oral stories.”
Fiorentia’s red eyes glowed behind her mask. Rarely had something interested her so much.
She didn’t like that her focus wasn’t on herself, but she still wanted Teodor’s attention.
He unconsciously slowed his speech.
“In attacks, he mainly caused confusion to make enemies self-destruct.”
“Confusion?”
Teodor nodded.
“It’s convenient in a way. He could destroy troublesome things without lifting a finger.”
Fiorentia agreed but still didn’t fully understand.
“So how did the first emperor defeat Besamut?”
Surely the emperor wouldn’t let it harm him. Teodor seemed to read her mind and answered immediately.
“He used a dirty trick.”
Fiorentia’s eyes widened.
