Gift (1)
Chapter 135
The repercussions of the incident that occurred in the Osiris Countdom were significant.
Although the Empire’s officials promised a thorough investigation and compensation for this event, it was difficult for the kingdom to trust them.
While the kingdom and the Tarannis Family had yet to determine who was primarily responsible for sinking the ship, it was clear they would keep their distance from the empire for a while.
Since the incident happened near the sea adjacent to the Osiris Countdom, the Osiris Count, distressed, ordered an active investigation.
Central organizations of the empire and other noble families also assisted with the investigation, but it was no easy task.
The biggest problem was that the event took place on the sea.
Much of the physical evidence had either drifted away with the ocean currents into deeper waters or had been pulverized beyond recognition due to exposure to powerful magic.
Through testimonies from people at the harbor and analysis of residual mana, it was revealed that an 8th Circle annihilation magic, Flare, had been activated. However, further progress in the investigation faced numerous difficulties.
The Duke Matthias family suffered great losses from this incident.
Even though the investigation was still ongoing, the Duke Matthias family suspected that the forces aligned with Crown Prince Poibos might have been responsible for sinking the ship.
Following the death of the second prince, the struggle for the throne continued under the emperor’s passive observation.
The claim that Crown Prince Poibos, the illegitimate son of the current emperor, targeted the Duke Matthias family as a way to check his influence over other royal factions seemed plausible.
Assuming this theory, the purpose of the high-level magics, including the Flare that appeared in the middle of the sea, became clearer.
It wasn’t about killing someone; rather, it was a show of force intended as a warning.
If such speculation were deemed credible, the competition for the throne would become far more dangerous and intense.
In any case, the carefully laid plans of the Duke Matthias family had gone awry.
Rebuilding relations with the kingdom and the Tarannis family would be challenging despite all efforts.
Duke Matthias, in his study, furiously destroyed expensive items out of frustration.
Sitting amidst the chaos of his office, Duke Matthias clenched his jaw tightly to stop his grinding teeth.
Though it could be attributed to Crown Prince Poibos’s interference that the matters with the kingdom went wrong,
to make things worse, his knights stationed in the Osiris Countdom had suffered immense humiliation.
“These utterly incompetent fools. How could they lose to mere border riffraff…”
Harrys Matthias nervously observed the angry Duke Matthias, sweating profusely.
Duke Matthias struggled to breathe deeply, attempting to calm himself down.
Though he impulsively belittled the Phillip’s County, he was aware of its once-glorious history.
With a long-standing history similar to the Duke Matthias family, they had frequently interacted with the Phillip’s County in the past.
Though their power now paled in comparison, this recent event proved that Phillip’s County hadn’t entirely lost its former glory.
‘But why has Phillip’s County suddenly decided to bare its teeth?’
It was highly unlikely that Phillip’s Count acted out of ambition.
For a border noble family aiming to engage in power struggles, there were certain preparatory steps that Phillip’s County had failed to take.
‘Maybe it’s because of his daughter’s marriage…’
Upon reflection, Phillip’s Countess had yet to marry.
Given the negative rumors surrounding her in the past, finding a good match must have been difficult.
If they aimed to elevate their family’s reputation to secure a better son-in-law, it made sense.
“Hmph.”
Duke Matthias chuckled dryly before reviewing the report again.
Regardless of the situation within the border noble family, Johanna, the squire, was a talent worth acquiring.
Based on testimonies from the knights and objective achievements, she was expected to reach the graduate level soon and, in the long term, could achieve the master’s realm—a genius indeed.
Considering the losses incurred from this incident, securing this asset seemed necessary.
To recruit a squire of common origin, preliminary investigations were required.
Understanding their social connections was crucial, necessitating a capable individual nearby to discreetly monitor at the expert level.
After pondering, Duke Matthias spoke.
“Mineher, I have a task that only you can handle.”
Upon hearing Duke Matthias’s words, the woman slowly turned her head.
Her elongated ears on either side of her head slightly trembled.
*
After nearly ten days of treatment, Ray managed to recover most of the wounds on his face.
Looking into the mirror, Ray honestly marveled.
“At this point, kneeling down and praying wouldn’t be such a bad idea.”
Back on Earth, resolving scars after treatment would’ve taken years.
The effectiveness of divine power was truly remarkable.
Of course, Ray’s body was not fully recovered yet.
The burns below his neck were expected to remain as scars, and internal damages needed much more treatment to heal completely.
Ray couldn’t exert too much strain on his body, so he ended up relying on a wheelchair for a while.
After rising from bed for the first time in a long while, Ray sat in a wheelchair and met with the count.
Having recounted the events from the Osiris Countdom step by step, Ray brought up another matter.
“My Lord, it would be wise to establish and practice a new emergency evacuation plan just in case.”
As the count’s expression soured, Ray quickly added an explanation.
“It’s merely precautionary advice.”
“Evacuating all the residents is impossible regardless.”
“Yes, thus it would be best to categorize those who need to be prioritized and rescued when danger arises.”
It was a cruel discussion but a necessary one.
In emergencies, depending on the severity of the situation, higher-priority individuals needed to be evacuated first.
This was Ray’s suggestion, and the count agreed.
“The plan can be formulated, but conducting public evacuation drills would be difficult.”
“Well… that’s true. Besides, the emergency evacuation plan shouldn’t be exposed to others anyway…”
Only reliable associates could be entrusted with the plan.
Still, having some preparation was better than none.
“If a full-scale war breaks out between the Rubia Kingdom and us, should we evacuate to the Osiris Countdom?”
“We should retreat even further back. The kingdom likely won’t have much interest in our territory. Instead, they will prioritize occupying the Osiris Countdom to use the port for supply logistics.”
“I see.”
While discussing various topics with the count using the map, the count traced his finger over the Sigini Mountain Range on the map.
“I hope it never comes to us crossing the Sigini Mountains.”
“…”
Understanding the implication behind the count’s words, Ray nodded silently after a brief silence.
“I’ll do my best to ensure that doesn’t happen.”
A moment of awkwardness passed.
Ray changed the subject by looking out the window.
“By the way, it seems like the protective barrier around the manor has changed somewhat.”
“While you were away, I dismissed the last mage with whom I had a contract.”
For several years, the count had either refused to renew contracts or terminated agreements with the mages employed at the manor.
Officially, it was stated that Ropheiren alone could fulfill their roles, which wasn’t entirely false.
However, the count had expelled all the mages from the manor because their prying eyes were perceived as a threat.
Phillip’s County had accumulated too many secrets.
One could never predict when or where problems might arise from carelessness, so risks needed to be minimized as much as possible.
“The barrier has been re-established by Ropheiren and Luna. They assure me it performs better than the previous one.”
“Aha…”
Ray now fully understood why Luna had been roaming freely inside the manor for several days.
Afterward, Ray exchanged a few light-hearted words with the count before leaving the office.
As Ray wheeled himself out, Alesya greeted him with a drooping voice.
“My knight, are you still in much pain?”
“I’m fine now. I won’t be in this wheelchair for long.”
“You’re being too harsh. Not letting anyone see you for ten days…”
Ray shrugged nonchalantly.
He didn’t want others to see his pitiful state and feel pity or worry.
Alesya grabbed Ray’s right hand and teared up.
“Don’t keep getting hurt.”
It was something everyone said upon seeing him.
Despite feeling a mix of emotions, Ray simply nodded.
“Understood.”
“Always remember that many people are deeply concerned when your injuries affect you.”
Alesya emphasized this point repeatedly while dragging Ray along and showing him a few exquisite wooden boxes.
“I’ve kept the items you entrusted here.”
The items Ray had entrusted were nothing but jewel-encrusted accessories.
Alesya looked expectantly at Ray, subtly closing the distance between them.
Ray knew what Alesya wanted, but with his hands injured, he couldn’t properly attach the jewelry.
Taking only the box containing Bella’s earrings, Ray apologized.
“I’ll give them to you when I’m fully healed.”
“Hmm… then I’ll wait…”
Alesya pushed Ray’s wheelchair toward the outside of the manor.
Exiting the manor building, the first familiar face they saw was Karen’s.
Karen approached with heavy steps, then hugged Ray while sniffling.
“I was so worried…”
Judging by her hoarse voice, Karen had been emotionally stressed for several days.
Although Ray felt somewhat strange with his face completely buried in Karen’s chest, he stayed silent, sensing the mood.
After hugging Ray for a while, Karen stepped back slightly once she calmed down.
“Are you still in a lot of pain?”
“I’m fine, really.”
During this predictable exchange, Johanna silently pushed Ray’s wheelchair without saying anything.
The guilt and embarrassment she felt for not apologizing were evident on her face.
Ray subtly lifted his head to look at Johanna’s chin.
“Johanna.”
“…What?”
“I’ll get you a better sword later.”
Clunk!
Johanna irritably shook the wheelchair.
Thanks to the help of both Karen and Johanna pushing the wheelchair, they quickly arrived at Bella’s house.
After knocking, Lea opened the door and greeted Ray first.
“Big brother, how have you been?”
Lea, who had picked up some odd formalities somewhere, bowed politely.
Of course, her politeness lasted only until the first sentence. After greeting, Lea jumped around excitedly with her arms raised, circling Ray.
“Big brother’s here! Wheelchair! Wheelchair!”
“Seems like you’re happier to see the wheelchair than me.”
“I want to ride the wheelchair too! It looks fun!”
“You can’t ride the wheelchair unless you break your leg.”
“How does one break a leg?”
After briefly pondering, Ray lifted Lea and answered.
“One day, we’ll climb the roof together.”
While Ray was joking around, Bella appeared.
Seeing Ray’s condition, Bella sighed deeply.
“What happened to you?”
“Doesn’t my son cause trouble often?”
Ray chuckled mischievously before pulling out the wooden box prepared by Alesya.
“This is for you, Mom.”
“Don’t bother with gifts; focus on taking care of your health.”
Bella scolded while opening the box.
Upon seeing the dazzling earrings, Bella muttered half-heartedly.
“What earrings for someone my age?”
“Just use them properly.”
Aquanicis, gemstones resembling the sea, were hard to find even in the empire.
Few women could resist smiling at earrings adorned with Aquanicis and silver decorations.
Bella reflexively smiled but tried to suppress it as she closed the box.
“Thank you, son. I’ll take good care of them.”
As Ray nodded, Lea waved her arms wildly beside him.
“Gift! My gift!!”
Facing Lea, who was singing the “gift song,” Ray wore a puzzled expression.
“Gift?”
“Yeah! Gift! Give Lea a gift too!”
“But there isn’t one for you.”
Immediately adopting a sad face, Lea received Ray’s final blow.
“There won’t be one in the future either, so don’t expect it.”
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!”
