A few days before departing from the Imperial Capital.
Ray called Luna to his room for a private conversation.
Though Ray had prepared a table and two chairs beforehand, upon entering the room, Luna plopped herself down on Ray’s thighs instead.
Lately, Ray had been forced to sit on Saria’s lap every day, so when Luna sat on him, it gave him a headache.
“Luna, can you go sit on the other chair over there?”
Luna gently shook her head.
“…Ray does this all the time too.”
“It’s not like I want to sit this way…”
It was clear that Luna wasn’t going to budge.
Ray stared at the back of her head and smirked.
Although she usually covers herself with a robe whenever they go out, so others don’t notice, Luna’s long blue hair flowing like a waterfall easily draws people’s attention.
As Ray braided her hair, he continued speaking.
“Luna, I have a favor to ask.”
“…?”
“When we return to Phillip’s County, no matter what happens, please don’t step forward.”
The usually expressionless frown of Luna immediately deepened.
She who had silently allowed Ray to handle her hair reached back and lightly slapped his cheeks.
“Chal!”
“Aiya.”
Ray, who had offered both cheeks, added an explanation.
“That old man has sharp instincts.”
Rather than mere intuition, it would be more accurate to call it seasoned insight.
“I think that old man might have already figured out that I am the user of the Spatial Blade.”
Ray had given Ernst too many hints.
It wasn’t that he willingly provided them; rather, it was closer to having them forcibly revealed. Nonetheless, too much had been exposed.
My skills were exposed, as well as the fact that I use dual swords.
‘If it’s Ernst, he likely also knows information related to the Crown Prince…’
If his thinking is just a little flexible, Ernst possesses all the necessary groundwork and insight to arrive at the correct conclusion.
“For now, the Empire’s Swordmaster shows goodwill towards me and watches over me, but the situation could change anytime.”
In the worst-case scenario, he might even end up in direct conflict with the Empire’s Swordmaster.
In such a situation, even if Ray uses every trick in the book, survival will be difficult. But he needs a hidden card to ensure the escape of the other children.
“Luna, you’re wise and strong. You’ll become even stronger in the future. It’s almost unbelievable.”
And the Empire doesn’t know about this.
If he were to prepare a hidden card, it should be Luna, not Ray.
“So please, from now on, don’t step forward. If a situation arises where I can’t handle it alone, please be the one to protect everyone.”
“…”
Luna was angry.
Though she was angry, her exceptionally sharp mind quickly understood and accepted the validity of Ray’s request.
This made her even angrier.
Luna still felt her own power was insufficient.
To fully protect Ray against the powers ruling the world, she needed to create at least six rings.
While it wouldn’t take an incredibly long time, she didn’t want to see Ray get hurt again during that period.
With a swish, Luna turned around while still sitting on Ray’s thighs.
As Ray found himself facing Luna, he momentarily fell silent before groaning.
“Luna, isn’t this position quite inappropriate…?”
Regardless of whether Ray minded or not, Luna crossed her legs on the chair’s legs, bringing herself closer, and grabbed his cheeks.
Like Ray usually does, Luna fondled his cheeks and pressed their foreheads together.
“…You have many precious people.”
“…”
“…But none of them combined are as precious to me as you, Ray.”
“…”
Taking a deep breath, Ray placed his hand on top of Luna’s head.
The thought that this dazzlingly talented child, who he met in her younger years, still remembered and cherished those early kindnesses was truly…
“Thank you.”
He was grateful.
*
Mohamed returned after finishing his duties at the royal palace.
Among the group from the Phillip’s Count family reunited after a long time, Ray asked,
“Is there anything else we need to do in the Imperial Capital?”
“We need to visit the Crawford family’s mansion.”
Mohamed replied.
Only then did Ray recall the noble who had caused trouble due to Karen on their way to the capital.
“Wasn’t his name Sachel? Do we really have to visit?”
“He admitted his mistake first and invited us to his mansion. If we refuse without proper reason, it would seem like we’re ignoring him. Instead of unnecessarily making an enemy, it’s better to make a brief appearance.”
Considering Phillip Count’s standpoint, Mohamed found it hard to ignore Sachel’s invitation.
Since attending the invitation wasn’t a difficult task, Mohamed, along with Alesya and Ray, decided to spend a little time visiting the Crawford family’s mansion in the Imperial Capital.
Upon arriving by carriage at the Crawford family’s mansion, Sachel personally came out to welcome them.
“Thank you for coming by.”
“Not at all. Thank you for the invitation.”
Mohamed greeted more humbly than last time.
Seeing Mohamed bow first, Sachel inwardly felt satisfied as he guided the group into the mansion.
Inside, a light party was underway.
In the center of the mansion hall were displayed lavish decorations and snacks, with members of families close to the Crawford family mingling and chatting everywhere.
After Sachel introduced Mohamed to the party attendees, a round of applause echoed through the hall.
After Mohamed’s greeting ended, Ray approached Sachel separately and bowed deeply.
“I apologize for my earlier rudeness.”
“Hmm, no need.”
Sachel smiled and responded.
Though internally tempted to loudly reprimand Ray for being arrogant despite his low status, Sachel decided to set aside his emotions.
Because he knew that Ray was the subject of recent rumors.
“My mistake too. No need to worry about it. Enjoy the party.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
After wrapping up the apology appropriately, Ray slowly wandered around the hall, observing the party.
Quite a few nobles unfamiliar to him made friendly gestures.
Recently, rumors about Ray had been circulating hotly in the Imperial Capital.
Most of the nobles approaching Ray wanted to establish some connection, just in case, but there were others genuinely interested in him.
“Mother, hello.”
The Baroness of Cannesvay, wearing a dress with a deep neckline, greeted Ray.
Thereafter, the Baroness repeatedly showed interest in Ray and subtly made physical contact.
Apparently, she was interested in that kind of rumor.
Alessia, munching on dessert, observed this spectacle and snickered to herself.
After wiping her mouth with a napkin, Alessia approached the Baroness of Cannesvay and asked,
“Could I borrow your ear for a moment?”
“Yes…?”
The Baroness of Cannesvay couldn’t hide her awkward expression at Alessia’s sudden request.
However, seeing Alessia’s innocent eyes, she reluctantly lent her ear.
Alessia glanced around briefly before sternly whispering into the Baroness’s ear.
“Don’t wag your tail, fox girl.”
“?”
The Baroness of Cannesvay momentarily looked confused before turning red with anger and shouted,
“Hey!”
As the furious glare of the Baroness shot out, Alessia darted behind Ray to hide.
“That woman suddenly started yelling…”
“…”
Ray, who had closed his eyes tightly and then opened them, smacked Alessia’s forehead and apologized to the Baroness.
“If our Young Miss has been rude, I sincerely apologize on her behalf.”
“Hmph!”
Even if they escalated things here, it would end badly for both sides.
The Baroness of Cannesvay shook her head and moved away from Ray.
Alessia was delighted.
“I won!”
“Miss Alessia, do you want another smack?”
Ray pointed his finger at Alessia’s forehead again to deliver another smack.
Startled, Alessia fled toward the dessert display.
Afterward, Ray frequently drew attention from his surroundings, which tired him out. Using the excuse of going to the restroom, Ray headed upstairs to the second floor.
“Hmm…”
After using the restroom, Ray looked at the staircase leading to the third floor.
There should have been guards stationed nearby, but they seemed to be temporarily absent.
‘Should I go up?’
The mansion that a noble family owns in the Imperial Capital is a symbol of authority.
Out of pride alone, they never neglected its upkeep, and the hallway was adorned with expensive artworks.
Among the displayed artworks, paintings were most common, and typically, the more valuable pieces were placed higher up.
Thinking he might enjoy viewing these expensive artworks more than the tedious party, Ray took a step forward.
Even if he was caught just walking briefly down the corridor, it would only result in a scolding.
“…”
After glancing at the paintings hanging in the second-floor hallway, Ray headed toward the third floor.
When he was almost at the top of the stairs, Aptel warned him.
[There’s a barrier.]
“Oh, noted.”
There was no need to break through the barrier and cause unnecessary problems.
As Ray turned around with that thought, he paused in place.
“…What kind of barrier is this?”
[A detection barrier.]
“Does it have any function to distort vision?”
[Unlikely.]
Ray frowned.
The third-floor hallway seemed empty.
The most valuable artworks should have caught his eye first, but the hallway was mostly vacant.
‘Maybe they arranged the artworks in a peculiar way…?’
That thought briefly crossed his mind, but upon closely inspecting the walls, he noticed traces indicating something had been hung there.
‘They removed the items…? From a mansion in the Imperial Capital?’
Despite the recent instability in the empire, as long as the entire empire hadn’t collapsed, it was unlikely that mansions in the Imperial Capital would be plundered.
Still, the removal of valuable items suggested the intention not to return to this mansion.
Of course, this interpretation might be overly speculative, but it was certainly suspicious.
As Ray continued pondering, he sensed movement nearby and quickly descended.
Just as Ray arrived at the restroom entrance, the knight originally responsible for security blocked the stairs.
Ray glanced at the knight for a moment before turning around.
*
Two days later, a lockdown order was issued in the Imperial Capital.
Except for a few authorized visitors, most visitors were required to leave the Imperial Capital until the lockdown ended.
Panic erupted everywhere.
The problem wasn’t the lockdown itself, but the fact that the Emperor had begun moving to decide his successor.
Every noble family reacted extremely sensitively to this situation.
Numerous noble families recalled their external forces back into their households.
This was true for the Alstein Dukedom as well, and Saria and Diorica received orders from the head of the household to return immediately.
They had to leave right away, but Saria insisted while holding Ray aloft to Diorica.
“I’m taking him with me.”
“…”
Looking at Ray dangling between her armpits, Diorica shook her head.
“No, you can’t.”
“I’m taking him.”
“No, Lady Aunt.”
While formally inviting Ray might not be impossible, it was an emergency situation.
It meant flexibility was difficult.
Diorica gently persuaded Saria.
“Let’s formally invite Ray next time. Once this matter is resolved, we’ll have leisure for a while, so taking a few months’ vacation to your hometown wouldn’t be bad. You’ve worked hard, so the head of the household will gladly approve.”
Ultimately, it meant no.
Disappointed, Saria kissed Ray’s face several times before letting him go.
After a while, Saria put Ray down, whose face was wet, and boarded the carriage.
Wiping his face with his collar, Ray greeted Diorica.
“Please take care of yourself. And take good care of my aunt too.”
“You must take care too. This is a very dangerous time.”
“To a country bumpkin like me, it probably doesn’t matter much.”
“You’re no longer just a regular country bumpkin. Keep that in mind, real cousin.”
“…I’ll remember that, fake cousin.”
Ray and Diorica exchanged smiles and shook hands.
After the carriage of the Alstein Dukedom departed, it was time for the Phillip’s Count family to leave the Imperial Capital as well.
However, just before their carriage departed, a visitor arrived.
It was Ernst Prislan.
