345th Episode
Ray followed the Royal Guard.
Walking quietly behind the Royal Guard with Luna, Ray tapped his bracelet and whispered.
“Aptel.”
Even after restoring Resina’s consciousness, Aptel continued to function without any issues.
Since Aptel could access information stored in facilities like the Imperial Magic Tower, Ray asked it hopefully.
“Do you know anything about this?”
[…]
After a brief silence, Aptel responded negatively.
[The Empire’s information security has been tightened since the Demon Realm Expedition began, limiting the information I can access.]
“So, you don’t really know anything?”
[…Yes, that’s correct.]
“…”
Though Ray understood the situation, he felt a bit uneasy.
Previously, Aptel would often bypass restricted information and provide hints to Ray. However, now Aptel’s complete lack of knowledge made Ray feel very uneasy.
At that moment, the Royal Guard ahead turned around, looking between Ray and Luna, and spoke.
“Duke Prizzran requests an audience with the Empire’s Guardian alone.”
This was a message implying that Luna should stay behind while Ray proceed. Before Luna stepped forward, Ray quickly questioned the Royal Guard.
“I heard my family evacuated to the Imperial Capital.”
“Yes, they are safe.”
“Then, could you assign someone to guide Luna there?”
“Understood.”
The Royal Guard then designated one of the nearby knights directly under the Imperial command as Luna’s escort.
Meanwhile, Luna gripped Ray’s wrist firmly, signaling her intention to move together. She had already noticed the abnormality of the current situation and felt too anxious to leave Ray alone.
However, Ray smiled brightly and tried to send Luna ahead.
“Go ahead and greet them first. Everyone is fine, but I wonder if anyone got injured.”
“…”
Seeing Ray finally able to smile freely after putting down his burdens, Luna reluctantly nodded.
After reminding Ray to be careful, Luna followed the knight’s guidance toward the Imperial Capital. The knight maintained a polite demeanor throughout the journey.
Upon arriving at a grand mansion, the knight stepped back and announced.
“This is the place.”
“…”
As Luna stood silently, the door suddenly swung open, and Johanna rushed out.
“Luna!!!”
Johanna tightly embraced Luna upon seeing her.
Looking around anxiously, Johanna’s excitement was evident as she held Luna close.
“Where’s Ray? Didn’t he come with you?”
“…He’s in the Imperial Capital. He’ll be here soon.”
Hearing Luna’s response, Johanna relaxed her grip and rested her forehead on Luna’s shoulder.
Though she had recently learned that Ray survived the Demon Realm expedition, Johanna had still been trembling with anxiety.
For days, she hadn’t slept well, but upon confirming Luna’s safe return alongside Ray, her tension eased somewhat.
“Thank goodness…”
With complete relief, Johanna’s eyes welled up with tears, and she sniffed.
While Luna silently lent her shoulder for support, familiar voices from inside the mansion started calling out.
“He’s returned!”
Alesya appeared next, proudly showing off her protruding belly as she welcomed Luna.
Karen also walked out from the mansion, warmly greeting Luna with a broad smile. Upon hearing Luna confirm Ray’s safety, Karen shed tears of relief.
Delun, Jimy, and Matthew were all present as well, healthy and uninjured, welcoming Luna warmly.
On the other hand, Lea hid behind Bella and quietly asked.
“Mom, when will Brother arrive?”
“He’ll stop by somewhere first and come later.”
Lea, who seemed subtly awkward or uncomfortable around Luna, didn’t ask directly but instead inquired through Bella about Ray’s whereabouts.
In the past, Lea used to approach Luna warmly as she did with others, but due to repeated cold stares, she now acted this way.
While Lea cautiously observed Luna, Luna slowly looked around the mansion’s surroundings.
“…”
Something felt strange. It was too quiet nearby.
There was plenty of noise from beyond a certain radius, but the area around the mansion remained eerily silent.
This indicated that a part of the Imperial Capital’s division centered around the mansion had been completely vacated.
Luna coolly asked Jimy with a lowered voice.
“Jimy, what happened?”
“Ah… There was an attack, and we were the targets. They aimed for people close to Ray.”
“…”
“Therefore, we evacuated further into the Imperial Capital. The Knights patrol the area continuously… so it’s safe.”
Jimy’s expression also twisted strangely as he spoke.
No matter how much goodwill was extended, it was odd that a whole section of the Imperial Capital had been emptied and the Knights were continuously patrolling the vicinity. This felt less like protection and more like being locked up and monitored.
Still, Jimy stayed silent because voicing dissatisfaction wouldn’t change the current situation.
Luna stared at Jimy with her silver eyes and lowered her voice.
“Jimy, I’ll ask again. What exactly happened?”
Under the pressure to answer quickly if there was anything suspicious, Jimy hesitantly replied.
“…Duke Prizzran helped repel the intruders.”
“…”
After a brief pause, Luna turned her head toward the eastern tower visible at the edge of her vision.
The eastern tower, located in the eastern part of the Imperial City, was where the imperial family conducted their dragon-ascension ceremony.
The eastern tower’s functions were still active despite the redesign of the Imperial Capital’s defense system, which should have caused conflicts.
Even after the defense system redesign was completed, why was the tower’s functionality still maintained?
Luna pondered this question before shifting her gaze toward the sound of whining.
At the end of Luna’s gaze, a child with crimson eyes resembling those of the royal family sat cradled in Bella’s arms.
*
Ray wrapped a scarf around his neck as he headed toward Ernst.
The scarf was the first gift he received from Lea, which meant more to Lea than to him.
Seeing the family wear the first gift she gave would surely become a cherished memory for her.
So, Ray adjusted the scarf to show it to Lea as he was guided to Ernst’s office.
“…”
When Ray entered the office, Ernst was gazing out the window.
Ray was momentarily confused about what to say first.
He didn’t understand why Ernst summoned him, interrupting even the triumphal ceremony.
Ernst turned around first and spoke.
“I believed you could do it.”
Ernst warmly smiled and praised Ray.
“All of us owe you a debt of gratitude. Thank you.”
Hearing Ernst’s friendly tone, Ray relaxed slightly and shrugged lightly.
“Without the Emperor’s grace and your support, my lord, I couldn’t have achieved anything alone.”
Ray sighed, revealing signs of fatigue.
“Thank you for believing in me.”
“Your name will be recorded as the greatest hero in the history of the Empire.”
Though this was a new story, it wasn’t particularly significant to Ray.
Rather than discussing his achievements, Ray wanted to understand the current situation first.
“Is there any problem in the Imperial Capital? Since you’ve interrupted the triumphal ceremony to summon me, it doesn’t seem to be a trivial matter.”
“…Ray.”
“Yes.”
“The Emperor commanded me to retrieve Moros.”
“Huh…”
Ernst’s sudden mention of Moros startled Ray.
“No… Should I just return it to you now, my lord?”
“Yes, that will suffice.”
Ray’s confusion grew.
Moros was supposed to be returned personally by Ray during the final stage of the triumphal ceremony.
Why was Ernst asking for it now? Despite his confusion…
Ray suppressed any negative thoughts and simply followed Ernst’s orders.
Ernst took hold of the Empire’s divine sword revealed from A-Space.
Glory to the Empire.
Ernst, staring at the inscription on the blade of Moros, calmly asked Ray.
“I hear you pushed yourself too hard. How much time do you have left?”
“Uh… At most, a few months while pretending to walk normally.”
“The Empire will mobilize all its resources to help you. Don’t give up yet. First…”
Ernst opened a drawer and extended the Royal Dragonheart stored inside toward Ray.
“You need this. Take it.”
“Ah… Thank you.”
Ray brightened up.
He hadn’t even considered mentioning the Royal Dragonheart, but receiving it so readily from Ernst made him feel greatly relieved.
Ernst, smiling at the delighted Ray, said.
“This precious artifact has been bestowed upon you by His Imperial Majesty, so there’s no need to thank me. Let’s overcome this challenge together.”
“Yes, understood.”
Ray politely bowed and carefully tucked the Royal Dragonheart into his embrace.
Feeling reassured, Ray smiled, and Ernst smiled back.
“Now, go back.”
Hearing the dismissal, Ray bowed again and prepared to leave.
Nothing about the current situation seemed normal, but Ray was too exhausted to dwell on it and hesitate.
It was no longer easy for him to walk steadily without swaying.
Facing death, Ray avoided confronting his inner unease and merely sought to evade it.
Ernst quietly watched Ray’s weakened figure and offered one last act of mercy.
“One will suffice.”
“…Pardon?”
“Just one. If you kill one with your own hands, that will be enough.”
“…”
As Ray stiffened in silence, Ernst approached him, patted his shoulder gently, and smiled kindly.
“The Emperor commanded two to be personally executed, but it’s fine. One will suffice. In that case, I will stand by your side. I promise.”
Ernst lightly pressed Ray’s shaking shoulders and met his unfocused eyes.
“Ray, there’s still time to rectify the mistake. It’s not difficult. Just kill one person. Kill one person, and everything will fall back into place.”
Ernst reached out to forcibly focus Ray’s wandering eyes and whispered warmly.
“Ray, remember this. You must be recorded as the greatest hero in the history of the Empire.”
If only one small mistake is corrected, it will certainly happen.
Correcting the mistake wasn’t difficult.
Just one person.
