214th Episode
Ropheiren had set up a workshop for magical research within Phillip’s County.
Though it wasn’t equipped for highly specialized work, it still had a respectable array of tools and materials.
Luna was examining the broken Artefact, ‘Valerius,’ there.
Originally Ulte’s Artefact that enabled Blink, Valerius had ceased to function entirely due to Luna’s excessive use.
Tsik!
Luna began analyzing the structure of Valerius.
She sat still for quite some time, focusing intently on studying its construction.
Mage Engineering had been continuously developing since ancient times.
While some techniques were lost along the way, overall technological progress had been upward.
Since most of this history of development was recorded in the Obelisk, Luna, who inherited Resina’s arrangement, understood the process of technological evolution very well.
Valerius was an incredibly advanced and refined Artefact, seemingly far ahead of what could have been created hundreds of years ago. It also showcased unique technical fusion, offering valuable lessons.
However, from a Mage Engineering perspective, this Artefact was outdated in many aspects.
This meant that despite being inferior to modern top-tier Artefacts, Valerius achieved the supposedly impossible ‘Blink.’
It was nothing short of a ‘miracle.’
Something immeasurable or materializable influenced this Artefact.
In other words… it was the manifestation of the ‘will’ possessed by Dragons.
The phenomenon caused by willpower without clear logic or medium is known as authority in common parlance.
It was absurd to think that naturally occurring organisms, let alone an entire species, could possess such authority.
Thus, the Dragon as an organism…
Luna turned her head after pondering deeply. Someone had come to the workshop.
Recognizing the footsteps as Ray’s, and even without hearing them thanks to the soul contract imprint, Luna knew Ray’s location.
As Luna tidied up her workspace, Ropheiren greeted Ray.
“Ah, you’ve arrived?”
“It’s been a while, Ropheiren.”
After being guided into the workshop and finding a seat, Ray asked if everything had been fine during his absence.
Ropheiren grumbled about having to maintain the wards due to frequent visits from outsiders.
Understanding Ropheiren’s stress, Ray nodded.
“Still, I don’t sense any surveillance now.”
“Hahr… No, around the time you returned, most of the outsiders withdrew.”
“That makes sense.”
The investigation in Phillip’s County must have concluded, and maintaining surveillance even after Ray’s return would have been tantamount to provoking him outright.
Had outsiders still been roaming around assertively, Ray would have certainly taken action.
“I appreciate your efforts while I was gone, Ropheiren.”
“So, what happened in the Imperial Capital?”
With shining eyes, Ropheiren asked.
Knowing Ropheiren already knew most of it, Ray gave a summarized account of recent events.
At one point, Ropheiren muttered something like “Khh… I should have been there…” and pretended to sob.
When the topic of Meteor came up, Ropheiren questioned further.
“You redirected the Meteor’s path?”
“Yes.”
“Really… All you did was redirect the Meteor?”
Ray sighed after giving Ropheiren a long look.
“You know everything, so why keep prying?”
“Hohehehe…”
Ropheiren moved closer to Luna with a sinister smile, leaving Ray disgruntled but ignored.
Calculating quickly, Ropheiren deduced the power hierarchy in Phillip’s County: Luna at 1st place, Ray at 2nd, and Phillip Count at 3rd.
In Ropheiren’s eyes, it was clear that in about ten years, Ray would likely become nothing more than a cherished doll to Luna, regardless of Harshia or anything else.
Ray shook his head and brought out the bracelet containing Aptel.
“Ropheiren, I need your help with something.”
Ray explained to Ropheiren that they needed a fake theory to acquire the Royal Dragon Heart.
Naturally, he didn’t mention his terminal condition.
After some thought, Ropheiren nodded.
“I’ll assist Luna to complete it quickly. It shouldn’t take too long.”
Creating plausible fake theories isn’t overly difficult because most magic theories require time and cost for verification.
With the vast reference materials from the Obelisk and Luna’s genius, they could craft a much more refined fake theory.
Ray entrusted Luna once more.
“Luna, I leave it in your capable hands.”
“…”
After a long silence, Luna took the bracelet Ray handed over, her silver eyes unreadable.
Trying his best to manage his expression, Ray watched as Luna finally accepted the bracelet.
“…Understood.”
“Yeah, thank you.”
Ray smiled calmly.
*
After concluding his conversation with Ropheiren.
On the way to the Manor, Ray briefly thought of Jimy and decided to visit the tavern run by the Jimy Family.
Inside the Jimy Family tavern, drunk men were sprawled all over the floor, apparently having extended their evening drinking session until morning.
None of them seemed fully conscious, including Jenkins, who was among those rolling around.
Stepping over the unconscious drunks, Ray tapped Jimy, whose head was planted on the table.
Jimy, unable to regain full consciousness, chuckled with his eyes closed before suddenly choking and laughing maniacally.
“Grrk, gack…! I… am not… your father!!!”
It seemed Jimy was having a nightmare.
Muttering under his breath about how annoying this was, Ray left the tavern.
Judging by the scene, Jimy would probably wake up and have another drink soon, so Ray decided to let him enjoy himself fully.
Next, Ray visited Clemens at the Manor.
Walking down the corridor, Ray encountered an elf crawling on all fours with an apple in its mouth.
Upon noticing Ray, Mineher dropped the apple in surprise.
Frozen in place for a moment, Mineher then awkwardly started backing away on all fours.
Frowning deeply, Ray gestured Mineher over.
“Hey, come here.”
“…”
“Not coming?”
Awkwardly standing on two legs, Mineher shuffled towards Ray.
Once Mineher stood nervously before him, Ray grabbed the remaining long ear and twisted it.
“Aaaaaaah!!!”
“Did I not warn you I’d cut off both legs if you kept crawling around on all fours?”
“Mistake! Mistake! I made a mistakeeee!!!”
“Haa…”
Having sufficiently twisted Mineher’s ear, Ray sighed deeply and continued toward Clemens’ quarters.
Upon entering, Clemens greeted Ray warmly.
Telling Clemens to stay seated, Ray got straight to the point.
“I think we can lift some restrictions on your activities. Still, revealing your identity might be dangerous, so please remain cautious.”
“The available budget for the county will increase significantly. Please assist the Count well. For now, there’s no one better than you in managing finances.”
“Yes, I’ll do my best.”
“If you need anything, let me know.”
After checking on Clemens later than usual, Ray noticed some paintings on the wall, including a beautiful depiction of an elf holding an apple. It struck Ray as quite impressive.
“…Is this her?”
“…Yes, that would be her.”
Beautiful though the painting was, it seemed odd to use a cockroach-shaped elf as a model.
Thinking to bring a few of Clemens’ works to the Imperial Capital next time for appraisal, Ray considered the matter.
“Haa… Also, please remind Mineher to walk on two legs. My sister thinks all elves crawl around like Mineher.”
“Haha, noted.”
“Take care of yourself.”
Thinking it was time to rise, Ray glanced out the window and frowned.
His sister, Lea, was happily running into the Manor grounds.
“What’s she doing here?”
*
Inside the Manor training grounds.
Didier practiced swordplay with Mohamed and paused to catch his breath.
Thanks to sparring with skilled knights during his stay at the Prislan Clan Fortress under Ernst’s permission, Didier’s skills had improved considerably.
Mohamed, satisfied, sheathed his sword.
Given Didier’s age and rate of improvement, he was expected to eventually reach the Graduate level with time.
Proud of Didier’s progress, Mohamed patted his shoulder approvingly, relieved that things were going well despite past challenges.
Just then, Lea entered the training grounds accompanied by Picor, a knight of the Phillip family.
Lea had been confined recently due to external surveillances but was now free again, brimming with excitement.
Although non-family members usually weren’t allowed in the Manor’s training grounds, exceptions were made for Lea, especially since she was Jimmy’s child and her actions were endearing.
“I want to spar! Will anyone spar with me?”
Holding a wooden practice sword, Lea eagerly volunteered for a duel.
Picor stepped forward with a broad smile, raising his own wooden sword.
Lea pointed her sword amateurishly at Picor and shouted with spirit.
“Hyyaaa!”
Her cute battle cry echoed.
Unable to hide his amused expression, Picor gently blocked Lea’s swings.
Then, when Lea swung her sword horizontally with force, Picor deliberately exposed his shin and dramatically cried out.
“Yaaaargh!”
Spinning through the air, Picor rolled across the ground.
Watching him roll, Lea laughed joyfully.
Seeing her happiness, the knights present couldn’t help but smile fondly.
However, someone observed the scene with disapproval.
Standing at the entrance with arms crossed, Ray frowned deeply.
Ray simply couldn’t tolerate Lea’s triumphant demeanor after defeating a knight.
Finally gripping a wooden sword, Ray strode into the training grounds.
“Our dear sister needs to taste the harshness and pain of the world…”
“!!”
Startled by Ray’s appearance, Lea hurriedly hid behind Picor.
“Picor-sama! Scold my bad brother!”
“Me…?”
Picor hesitated upon seeing Ray.
“No chance.”
Realizing resistance was futile, Picor quietly backed away.
Left unprotected, Lea stared in shock as Ray approached.
“Let’s see… shall we test our dear sister’s skills?”
Cornered, Lea hesitantly raised her wooden sword, regaining confidence inwardly as she remembered defeating knights.
Ray beckoned with his finger, prompting Lea to swing her sword forcefully.
“Iyaah!”
Clang!
Their swords clashed.
Ray merely maintained a defensive stance, blocking Lea’s strikes.
Despite her cuteness, Lea’s swings were sharper than Ray anticipated.
Continuing to block her attacks, Ray earned smiles from the watching knights, who believed he was playing nicely with his sister.
Suddenly, Ray deflected Lea’s sword and tapped her head sharply.
Never having been hit on the head with a wooden sword, Lea’s eyes welled up.
But Ray remained cold, warning her.
“Crying won’t get you anywhere.”
“…”
Lea, tears brimming, angrily swung her sword at Ray.
Instead of taking the hits, Ray retaliated, striking her shoulder and thigh with his wooden sword.
The watching knights thought this was getting a bit rough.
Then Ray delivered a strong blow to Lea’s calf.
Thud!
“Waaah!”
Struck in the calf, Lea fell over in pain, on the verge of crying.
Yet Ray stood coldly, flicking his wooden sword.
“Get up faster or you’ll get hit again.”
Eventually, Lea began crying openly.
Simultaneously, driven by emotional outburst, her latent bloodline manifested.
A fierce flame erupted from Lea, consuming the wooden sword in her hand and reaching Ray.
Already using the Decoding Authority, Ray effortlessly suppressed the flames.
Unharmed, Ray watched as Lea, shocked by her own manifestation, burst into sorrowful tears.
Ray embraced the sobbing Lea.
Clinging tightly to her brother, Lea continued to cry loudly.
As Ray rocked her gently while consoling her, the coldness in his expression didn’t waver.
Confession (1)
