215th Episode
It took quite a while for Lea to calm down from her shock.
Even after calming somewhat, Lea continued to cling onto Ray’s back and sniffle.
As she kept sniffing, Lea lightly tapped Ray’s back with her tiny fists.
“Older brother, I hate you!”
“I was wrong. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”
Ray rarely admitted his mistakes so openly.
Lea was surprised to hear Ray’s apology after such a long time, and it oddly boosted her confidence.
Today must be the day to throw a tantrum!
Realizing this instinctively, Lea shouted again.
“Older brother, I hate you!”
My anger won’t dissipate easily. If you want my forgiveness, you’ll have to pay the price. Otherwise, I’ll tell mom that you hit me!
That was the meaning behind her cry.
After calculating cleverly, Lea continued tapping his back as Ray carried her outside.
Ray wandered through the streets and bought Lea her favorite food.
Receiving the meat skewers, Lea happily smiled and began eating.
After finishing one skewer quickly, when their eyes met, Lea resumed pouting.
This isn’t enough to make my anger go away! It was her protest.
Despite her small size, Lea had quite an appetite.
Ray carried her around again, buying and feeding her everything she wanted.
“Buy me that too!”
“Alright.”
Ray did everything Lea asked, and soon her stomach reached its limit.
With her belly full, Lea forgot about being upset and joyfully laughed while clinging to Ray’s back.
Being full made her naturally drowsy.
Before long, Lea started dozing off on Ray’s back, drooling slightly.
Feeling his shoulder getting wet, Ray stopped in his tracks.
His expression, which he had forced to soften while dealing with Lea, hardened again like ice.
“…”
Lea was still young.
She wasn’t at an age where she could properly manifest the power of dragon blood.
Moreover, even though it was just a small fragment, the Dragonheart implanted in Lea’s heart was suppressing and containing part of the dragon blood.
Despite that, Lea had drawn power from the dragon blood and spewed flames.
“…”
The concentration of dragon blood varies greatly among individuals of the royal family.
If we consider the concentration of dragon blood as talent, then Lea was exceptionally gifted, even among royals.
This was contrary to Ray’s wishes.
Ray didn’t wish for Lea to possess great talent.
He wished for her to have mediocre or even less talent, living and dying quietly and peacefully.
If Lea had possessed sufficiently insignificant talent, the Dragonheart wouldn’t have been necessary either.
But Lea defied Ray’s expectations.
Lea’s talent deprived Ray of choices.
Considering the concentration of dragon blood Lea possessed, she would need more fragments of the Dragonheart to survive into adulthood.
“…”
As Ray stood there breathing heavily, Lea reached out in her sleep.
Gripping Ray’s cheek with her small hand, she murmured groggily.
“Older brother is a fool…”
Yes, this is foolish… Ray repeated in his mind.
Saving Lea was a foolish decision.
When Lea was born, he should have swapped her and let her die.
Not doing so was a foolish choice.
Most people would think that way.
However, Ray had already decided long ago not to regret his choice.
He couldn’t deceive Bella’s life, filled only with lies, forcing her to live a lifetime of falsehoods.
Ray believed his choice was right.
Repeating this to himself, Ray resumed walking.
Lea, who clung tightly to Ray’s shaking shoulders, slept soundly, drooling.
*
The tavern was as noisy as ever.
Everyone, including Jimy and Matthew, were repeatedly drinking and pouring despite being half-asleep.
Those who had completely passed out from drinking were dragged out, and others took their place, continuing the cycle.
At that moment, Ray entered the tavern after dropping Lea off at home.
Slightly wrinkling his nose at the thick smell of alcohol, Ray walked towards Jimy and said,
“Jimy, I need to talk to you, so everyone, please stop drinking and clear some space.”
It was about time they wrapped up after nearly a day of drinking.
At Ray’s gesture, most people began packing up, albeit wobbling.
However, one member of the Jimy Family, drunk beyond recognition, raised his voice.
“What… What the hell? Who are you telling us to leave?!!!”
Thwack!
Someone struck the angry member on the back of the head and dragged him out.
If someone were to ask about the power hierarchy within the Jimy Family, everyone now knows that Ray is at the top.
Jimy, seeing Ray pull a chair in front of him and sit down, circulated mana throughout his body to sober up.
Since mana can purify impurities within the body, it was quite useful for sobering up.
However, having consumed alcohol for nearly a day, even circulating mana didn’t immediately clear his mind.
Jimy, feeling a headache, tapped his forehead and poured a drink for Ray.
“Eh… Ray… So… what’s up?”
“Jimy, it’s time to prepare to part ways with Mom and look for another woman.”
“Pfft…!”
Jimy, who was about to take another sip, choked.
“…What, why all of a sudden?”
“The title and territory granted by His Majesty the Emperor… are much better than what I initially expected.”
The territory granted to Jimy this time was originally a region directly managed by the royal family, akin to a direct-controlled domain.
Though the land was small, its location near the Imperial Capital meant the taxes collected from that small area weren’t significantly less than those from Phillip’s County.
If Jimy wanted to act like a central noble immediately, it wouldn’t be impossible.
“Judging by how such a valuable region was given, it seems there’s also a purpose to easily control my close associates… but of course, it’s not a bad thing for Jimy.”
If a mere mercenary were given an ordinary territory, it would be easy to get swindled or lose everything.
Of course, Jimy wasn’t an easy target, but considering his background, there were many uncertainties.
However, if a region previously under direct royal control was granted, that worry diminished.
“Jimy’s territory has been managed by administrative officers dispatched by the royal family for a long time, and they will continue to manage it. You can gradually take control while learning. The administrative officers will also refrain from causing trouble due to the royal family’s watchful eye.”
“But… what does that have to do with anything?”
“Jimy, first of all, since you’ve received a title and become a noble, you’ve acquired a new status. Your previous marriage doesn’t hold anymore.”
Because of this, when a commoner achieves social elevation, it’s typical for their previous spouse to be driven away.
Very compassionate individuals might give their spouse a lot of money and part amicably, but such cases were rare.
Ray also anticipated that Jimy would offer Bella a substantial sum of money and request a peaceful separation.
However, Jimy couldn’t comprehend this.
“Why are you suddenly talking about this?”
“That was the original plan.”
If Ray had intended to reunite noble Jimy with Bella, he wouldn’t have played around with surnames.
If Jimy were given the Pongpong surname and reunited, both Ray and Lea would end up as Ray Pongpong and Lea Pongpong, which wouldn’t be sensible.
Swirling the wine glass, Ray continued,
“It’s because of Lea. Lea shouldn’t attract attention. It’s safer for her to live quietly as a commoner in a remote land rather than being the child of a newly risen noble who draws everyone’s attention.”
“…”
Jimy pondered for a moment before questioning,
“Wouldn’t that raise suspicion? Bella… she raised you. Everyone knows how much you cherish her. Even the higher-ups have investigated and now understand, right?”
“Yes, I find that part troubling too, but we need to manipulate appearances well.”
There are people who reject wealth and glory and cling to their roots.
There are definitely those who feel greater happiness on the soil of their hometown, smelling of earth, rather than sitting on golden thrones.
“My mother needs to become such a person. I intend to make her appear that way. When Jimy proposed remarriage to Mom, she refused, claiming she wanted to live her life on her native land.”
“No, that…”
Jimy wanted to argue but, due to the lingering effects of alcohol, his thoughts weren’t clear, and he stammered.
Ray tasted the drink Jimy offered and smiled bitterly.
“Please protect Mom for about three more years. By then, I’ll try to obtain more fragments of the Dragonheart.”
Afterward…
Bella will continue living with Lea on the outskirts of their homeland.
Phillip Count will protect Bella, and Luna will also care for her.
In ten or twenty years, other children may also become sources of strength for Phillip Count and Bella.
Even after receiving titles and forming new families, Jimy and Matthew will occasionally visit the baron’s territory, showing responsible faces.
The only thing troubling Ray is the Rubia Kingdom.
Actually, unless the Rubia Kingdom goes insane, there’s no reason for them to provoke the Empire first, and over time, Phillip’s County will grow stronger.
However, with recent political turmoil in the Rubia Kingdom and the existence of demon-worshipping organizations within, caution is necessary.
‘The Empire side is probably gathering information too, but… maybe I should contact the rangers of the Sigini Mountain Range before leaving Phillip’s County…’
While Ray was thinking this, Jimy waved his hand.
“Hold on, hold on…”
Finally realizing the discomfort he’d felt during their conversation, Jimy questioned,
“Ray, you… haven’t you also received a title and territory from His Majesty? …Just… gathered your people within the territory you received… Of course, it might draw some attention… Or simply marrying Alesya and staying here…”
Jimy’s head became even more muddled.
Indeed, Lea’s existence caused quite a headache.
Even with Jimy’s limited knowledge, Lea seemed to be holding Ray back, preventing him from acting freely.
However, apart from that, Ray hadn’t mentioned at all what role he might play in the future.
“In three years… Around the time you’re supposed to propose, what do you plan to do? Tell me. Knowing that will help me assist you.”
Ray thought for a moment.
There was still the matter concerning Titi, and to demand the Dragonheart, he would need to participate in battles a few more times to earn merit.
Considering that…
“…”
Before speaking, Ray used the contract seal inscribed in the circle to check Luna’s location.
Luna had departed for Dinor, believing she would find a tool there.
Confirming the considerable distance between them, Ray responded with a troubled voice.
“By around three years from now, my lifespan will likely come to an end. I’ll probably die.”
Jimy instantly sobered up.
Confession (2)
