261st Episode
Ray continued to rest in the infirmary.
Having pushed his body to its limits, it would take a few more days of groaning before he could move properly again.
In reality, he needed months of convalescence rather than just days, but lying in bed wouldn’t bring back the lifespan he had lost.
If he wasn’t going to spend the rest of his life lying down, he had to force himself to move.
“Ray.”
Speira came to visit him.
Seeing Ray sprawled out on the bed, Speira greeted him warmly.
“It’s been a while.”
“Hello, Young Miss. Did you manage well during my absence?”
“Yes, I’ve been fine.”
“Nothing unusual happened with the Prizzran Clan either?”
“Yes… Oh! My great-grandfather occasionally grabbed his neck after Ray entered Dragonheart Academy.”
“Dear me, he needs to be careful with his blood pressure at his age.”
After hearing Ray’s words, Speira smiled lightly and sat closer.
“You always seem to get involved in major incidents.”
“Hmm… You really don’t have much luck.”
Indeed, Ray had endured unnecessary hardships up until now.
However, the battle in the Imperial Capital was something even Ray hadn’t anticipated.
He had enrolled in Dragonheart Academy thinking he’d spend half the time on vacation, but ended up losing more than half his lifespan.
‘At least I established some solid achievements this time around…’
Ray intended to secure the royal family’s Dragonheart as compensation for these accomplishments.
Once Lea’s Dragonheart issue was resolved, Ray believed he could finally find some peace of mind.
Speira, observing Ray’s complex expression, spoke again.
“Wouldn’t it be hard to keep hiding Ray’s identity and achievements from the public any longer?”
“Hah… That’s probably true.”
There had been quite a commotion right in the middle of the Imperial Capital.
The royal family was maintaining silence about Ray for now, but soon everyone who needed to know about Ray would inevitably find out.
‘Even if we try to conceal it externally, those with power will surely discover it anyway…’
So hiding it was pretty much meaningless.
Though Ray looked troubled, Speira seemed slightly excited.
“Isn’t it likely that Ray will eventually join the royal family?”
It would be difficult for the Emperor to compensate Ray’s achievements with anything else.
Ernst would oppose arbitrarily reducing Ray’s contributions, and in the long term, it wouldn’t be a wise decision either.
Ultimately, the most stable choice would be to incorporate Ray into the royal household.
Unaware of Ray’s lifespan issues, Speira was confident about this outcome.
“A little disappointing, isn’t it, Ray?”
Recalling when she first met Ray, Speira chuckled softly.
She had thought her great-grandfather had picked up some strange character, but within such a short time, Ray had already become a hero capable of significantly influencing the Empire.
Speira had never imagined finding someone surpassing her own conditions as a potential spouse.
And, retrospectively, Speira’s prediction turned out to be correct.
Ray was simply too outstanding to be tied down by an engagement with her.
“If only Ray had been a little less talented, you might have caught him.”
“Hahaha…”
It was a plausible story, so Ray burst out laughing.
As they continued their calm and friendly conversation, Speira suddenly stiffened her expression.
“There will be many people approaching Ray from now on, trying to connect through family ties.”
“That’s true.”
Ray sighed.
When attention is drawn, variables increase.
While skillfully managing such situations could present good opportunities, that was only if there was plenty of lifespan left.
From Ray’s perspective, minimizing risks took priority over increasing variables for opportunities.
That’s why he had kept his achievements hidden until now, but it seemed increasingly difficult.
Speira carefully advised him.
“I feel awkward giving this advice, Ray… but please be careful.”
It was a warning to pay attention to political maneuvering.
Especially, it would be best to avoid actions that might provoke the Emperor or the royal family.
Lying in bed, Ray nodded.
“Yes, I need to be careful.”
“If you ever run into trouble, let me know. I’ll definitely help you.”
“At that time, I’ll ask for your assistance, Young Miss.”
“Yes, please do tell me. By the way… aren’t you planning to return to Phillip’s County?”
“I think I should go due to the war. I intend to stay with my family until the war ends, though it shouldn’t take long.”
“My great-grandfather also said the war would conclude quickly. Please take care and come back safely. Oh, and I’m scheduled to enroll in Dragonheart next year?”
“Young Miss?”
“I’ll only complete the third-tier curriculum and then leave, but regardless, stop by once. Not as a student… maybe as an instructor?”
With a playful request, Speira made Ray nod.
Though keeping this promise might be impossible, there was no reason to reveal that now.
After exchanging a bit more conversation, Speira bid farewell with a wish for him to rest well and left the infirmary.
*
His body began responding to his consciousness gradually.
Deciding to visit Delun after walking around the infirmary once, Ray changed his clothes.
Since Delun was currently also in the Dragonheart Academy hospital wing, there was no need to walk far.
Just as Ray was about to step out, Saria arrived.
Ray greeted her happily upon seeing her.
“Aunt!”
“…”
Saria silently hugged Ray, patted his back a few times, and stepped back.
“…Diorica wanted to come too. With me.”
“Ah, Lady Diorica? Where is she then?”
“I left her behind.”
Ray burst into laughter.
Diorica must have learned that Ray had received the Empire’s Guardian Medal and tried to see him before the information spread further.
But Saria, not wanting Diorica to bother Ray, left her behind.
Thinking about the abandoned Diorica, Ray chuckled and nodded.
“Maybe I’ll meet her next time.”
Since Saria belonged to the Alstein Dukedom, there was no need to deliberately ignore them.
For Saria’s standing within the house, it was necessary to treat her appropriately.
Meanwhile, noticing Ray’s outfit and the wheelchair prepared in the room, Saria asked,
“Where are you going?”
“To see Delun. There’s a wheelchair here, but I think I’m healed enough to just walk.”
“…Nephew, moving around recklessly is dangerous.”
“Don’t worry. I’m fine now.”
“I’ll take you. Aunt will.”
Saria said this while grabbing under Ray’s armpits.
Startled, Ray began resisting as vigorously as he could.
When Ray’s struggling didn’t stop, Saria pulled out her final card.
“Artefact.”
“…”
“Expensive. Very.”
Saria meant that the Artefacts she lent Ray were extremely costly.
Ray had completely destroyed all of them without leaving a single one intact.
Of course, Ray had plenty to say.
Would the Alstein Dukedom actually bill him for the Artefacts he had destroyed?
They probably wouldn’t even consider billing him, and the royal family would certainly reward those who contributed to the defense of the Imperial Capital.
However, Ray was not in a position to nitpick with Saria about such matters.
Eventually, Ray slumped and allowed Saria to drag him out of the infirmary.
The Royal Guards guarding the corridor glanced briefly at Ray being dragged out and marveled.
“Oh…”
A single exclamation carried much meaning.
Saria briefly showed Ray off to the Royal Guard and then continued on her way.
Fortunately, until they reached Delun’s room, they encountered only a few guards and no one else.
Finally, Ray, slumped over, arrived at Delun’s room.
As Ray entered the room while being held by Saria, Delun greeted him brightly.
“Brother…!”
Although his memory of the event was hazy due to the massive blood loss from the hole in his abdomen, Delun clearly remembered the last moment when he saw Ray’s retreating figure.
After settling Ray in front of Delun, Saria said,
“I’ll wait outside the door.”
This implied she would also escort him back.
Ray felt like crying from gratitude towards Saria’s consideration.
Shaking off his despair forcibly, Ray faced Delun.
“You’re still alive.”
“Haha. Yes, I’m healthy.”
“Are you laughing? Why did you charge forward and get yourself pierced? Huh?”
“Eh, um… haha… Sorry, Brother.”
Delun awkwardly scratched his temple.
Ray teased Delun with a mix of jokes and seriousness.
It was difficult to genuinely commend someone for rushing headfirst into an overwhelmingly powerful enemy.
Pushing Delun’s forehead with his index finger, Ray stopped nagging and brought up the topic of war.
Explaining that a war with the Rubia Kingdom was imminent, Ray sighed deeply.
“You guys should finish the remaining semester at Dragonheart well… I think I need to go back.”
“Ah…”
Delun revealed his regret.
However, worrying about his hometown was mutual for both Delun and Ray, which made it impossible for Delun to hold Ray back.
Delun, whose face bore a hint of melancholy, was reminded by Ray.
“Take care. Study hard. That way, you won’t get pierced next time.”
“Yes, Brother. I’ll work hard.”
“Also, stay close with Johanna. She’s the only family you can trust here.”
“Our sister worries about you a lot. Are you alright?”
“She worries too much.”
Ray laughed it off.
“Anyway, the war won’t last long. The Empire is determined, and there are many collaborators within the kingdom. If things go well, the war might end by the end of this semester. Cleanup will take longer, but… Anyway, see you again in Phillip’s County.”
“Yes, Brother. Understood.”
Afterward, as Ray and Delun exchanged light-hearted conversation for a while, Karen crossed Delun’s mind.
After pondering, Delun finally brought up Karen.
“Brother, about Sister Karen.”
“Hm? What about Karen?”
“Of course… Sister Karen is devoted to you…”
“…?”
“But aren’t you neglecting her a bit too much?”
Ray’s expression became peculiar, prompting Delun to hastily add,
“Sister Karen is beautiful and receives a lot of attention… It wouldn’t be surprising if some foolish person swept her off her feet, would it?”
“…”
“Before that happens, shouldn’t you properly… express what you feel?”
Delun spoke out of frustration.
He often wondered why Ray maintained such a strange distance, having observed it from the sidelines.
Despite hesitantly glancing at Ray, Delun decided to say everything he had on his mind.
“Would it be okay with you if Sister Karen started seeing someone else?”
Ray’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.
Imagining Karen with another man caused a sudden surge of irritation.
Ray had to admit that he harbored an expectation and hope that Karen wouldn’t look elsewhere.
That was incredibly… selfish and uncool.
Without properly setting boundaries or adequately addressing her feelings, ignoring her for months at a time, and then expecting her loyalty remained unchanged…
Simply put, it was pathetic.
As Ray pressed his brows tightly, Delun spoke.
“Brother, in the countryside…”
“Hey, you’ve only been drinking imperial water for a few months, and you’re already talking about the countryside?”
“No, it’s just… In the countryside, there aren’t many forms of entertainment, so everyone is busy with romance. How lonely must Sister Karen be? And… it’s not just her looking out for you alone…”
“This kid talks as if he knows so much.”
“…Brother, may I ask you something?”
“What?”
“…Have you never… slept with a woman?”
“?”
Ray blinked in shock as Delun grew serious and asked again.
“Seriously, haven’t you… ever risen to the occasion?”
“Hey, you arrogant brat…”
Ray threw whatever was nearest to him.
Hometown (2)
