145th Episode
It was a melancholic thing to have no one around to share memories with.
Ray closed his eyes with a slightly troubled expression, reminiscing about the fireworks festival he had seen long ago at Yeouido Han River Park.
The face of his old troublemaking friend briefly appeared and then disappeared from his mind.
BOOM!
The fireworks that adorned the sky before the sunset completely faded away.
If they had launched fireworks during the pitch-black night after the sun had fully set, it would have looked even more splendid. However, doing so would have made it difficult to manage the crowd after the festival ended.
As the dazzling streaks of light disappeared, people blinked as if waking up from a dream and burst into cheers.
Now only the final event of today’s festival remained.
Among the gathered crowd who had spread out across the streets, Mohamed began a swordsmanship demonstration.
Against the twilight backdrop, a long streak of blue Sword Aura extended outward, entwining itself in a rough yet brilliant flash of light.
Many were greatly astonished by the mysterious and awe-inspiring sight, taking several steps back.
After slashing through the air a few more times, Mohamed swung his sword toward a prepared pile of massive rocks.
The Sword Energy broke apart into dozens of smaller Sword Auras that rained down onto the rock pile.
KABOOM!!!
The solid rocks shattered into powder under the thunderous explosion.
Ropheiren, who had prepared a barrier beforehand, contained the rock fragments within it, preventing any harm to the spectators.
The scene, which seemed impossible for humans to create, earned praise from the townsfolk for Count Philips and Mohamed.
With that, today’s festival came to an end.
There were still some minor events scheduled for the next day, but the main festival was now officially over.
Ray approached Luna and gently patted her head.
“You worked hard preparing the fireworks. Thank you. Everyone enjoyed it thanks to you.”
Luna smiled calmly while standing still, feeling Ray’s touch.
As Ray patted Luna’s head, he glanced at Johanna.
Johanna’s mouth was still agape, and sending her home like this would undoubtedly mean a few days of trouble ahead.
“Johanna, you should dress up occasionally. You looked much better today.”
“Huh?”
While muttering under her breath, Johanna turned her head away, unwilling to show Ray the corners of her mouth twitching.
After exchanging pleasantries appropriately, Ray headed toward the Manor.
Alesya was waiting at the main gate with a bright smile.
“My knight!”
“What brings you out here?”
“I’ve been waiting!”
Though she sounded cheerful, Alesya soon looked somewhat gloomy.
“It seems the older I get, the more things I need to worry about…”
Had she been just a bit younger, Alesya would have thrown a tantrum until she received the Count’s permission to join Ray in the commoners’ festival.
But now that she was nearly of age, the scope for throwing tantrums had significantly diminished.
Her once mischievous nature hadn’t entirely disappeared, so Alesya had to make efforts to restrain herself.
“This life is exhausting!”
“You’re maturing.”
Ray chuckled softly.
To Ray, Alesya felt like a daughter he had raised directly.
She used to be a troublemaker that couldn’t be easily let loose, but now she was becoming a proper young noblewoman.
She was unusually honest in front of Ray, but when outside, she could put on airs quite well.
Whether Alesya realized Ray’s feelings or not, she excitedly talked about the new warhorses recently acquired by the Count.
Although Ray already knew most of what she said, he played along enthusiastically as if hearing it all for the first time.
Warhorses were expensive, and those ridden by knights were even pricier.
Especially among the knights’ horses, good breeds were treated as luxury items, with their prices often fluctuating wildly.
This time, Count Philips had truly obtained three top-notch warhorses. These horses boasted enormous builds and strength, each weighing close to a ton.
Sir Jenkins’ eyes must have almost popped out.
Smiling at the thought, Alesya entered the manor, noting that the horses’ heads were far above her own eye level.
“I look forward to sparring.”
Now that the commoners had finished enjoying the festival, it was Alesya’s turn.
The training grounds inside the Manor were set for the knights of the Philips family to test their skills against one another.
The tournament-style competition would reward the winner with a warhorse.
Though they wouldn’t fight to the death, the participants were evenly matched, promising an exciting duel.
“Who do you think will win? What do you think, Ray?”
“Well, Sir Jenkins will likely win.”
“Even so, it shows loyalty that you support your master.”
“Not exactly… You’ll see soon enough.”
Ray entered the training grounds inside the manor with Alesya.
“ROOOAAARR!!”
“Cowardly, Jenkins!!!”
“How can you call yourself a knight?!”
Other knights angrily condemned Jenkins.
Unbothered by their criticism, Jenkins laughed maniacally as he swung Moros.
“Hahahaha!”
Watching this, Ray massaged his forehead.
Though knights may be less efficient than mages in terms of raw magical power, equipment quality is undeniably important for them.
Moreover, Moros was one of the highest-tier artifacts rarely found even within the Empire.
If two knights were equally skilled, the one wielding Moros would simply dominate the other.
“Ugh!!”
Jenkins’ opponent was once again helplessly flung away.
Moros amplifies most of the energy transmitted by its user.
Not only does it enhance the power of Sword Auras, but it also amplifies kinetic energy, increasing the speed of the strikes significantly.
Jenkins smoothly dismantled the other knights and advanced to the finals.
On the other hand, Didier barely reached the finals due to sheer luck, seething with anger.
“Unfair, Sir Jenkins!!”
Didier also had access to borrow Moros.
He had considered asking Ray to lend it to him but decided against it, deeming it too petty an act.
Had he known Jenkins would pull such a trick, he might have acted first, grinding his teeth in frustration.
Swinging his sword, Didier lunged forward.
Jenkins continued laughing maniacally, showing no trace of embarrassment as he swung Moros.
Thinking that he held the divine sword that led legends, his excitement overwhelmed his rational thoughts.
“Hahahaha!!”
“Graaaagh!!”
Didier was repeatedly pushed back, emitting painful groans.
Alesya, who had hoped for an honorable duel between knights of equal skill, muttered disappointedly.
“Today’s Sir Jenkins is rather unsightly…”
Philips Count couldn’t hide his sour expression and gestured for Ray to come closer.
Approaching silently, Ray stood beside the Count without uttering a word.
The Count’s expression looked quite serious.
It seemed he was upset because the outcome of the duel wasn’t what he originally intended.
“Ray.”
“…Yes, my Lord.”
Cringing slightly, Ray observed the Count’s reaction.
The Count, who had been watching the duel intently, asked seriously.
“Could I perhaps try swinging it myself next time?”
“…”
Furrowing his brows momentarily, Ray pointed at Jenkins.
“Are you referring to Moros?”
“Yes, Moros.”
“…”
Ray faced the Count.
In the solemn expression, only the Count’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Ray wanted to say a lot, but since he himself was reluctant to part with it, he plastered a pleasant smile on his face.
“Whenever you wish. I’ll lend it to you ten, a hundred times if needed.”
The Count’s face brightened further.
The festival had come to an end.
It concluded successfully, with no significant incidents.
Sir Jenkins, the winner of the knights’ tournament, grinned widely as he received his prize—a warhorse.
The other knights expressed their frustration, but the result was already set in stone.
Mohamed would soon need to visit the Imperial Capital.
Thanks to Count Philips’ support, several children were able to accompany him.
Ray chose not to dwell on the influence Moros had on the Count’s decision-making process.
“Where…”
About a week before the departure to the Imperial Capital, Ray sat in his chair and opened a letter.
It was a letter from Florya.
[Ray, it’s been a while.]
Since there was a possibility others might see it, the letter addressed him as a subordinate and was filled with complaints.
Apparently, some “damnable creatures” had caused chaos in the waters near the port, giving her father a headache.
Toward the end of the letter, Florya finally expressed concern for Ray.
She had heard he was injured in an accident and hoped for his quick recovery. She advised him to take care in the future.
The last line was written particularly clearly.
[May El-Lam’s blessings be with you.]
“Hmm…”
As Ray smiled while resting his chin, Lea beside him shouted.
“Love letter! Big brother’s love letter!”
“Little sister, do you even know what ‘love’ means?”
“Holding hands and kissing!”
She seemed to understand quite accurately.
Lea clung to Ray, who wore a slightly impressed expression.
“I want to go too.”
“Where?”
“To the Imperial Capital! I want to go with you!”
“You won’t survive if you go there.”
Regardless of the refusal, Lea persisted.
“I want to go! I’m going with you! With big brother!”
“…”
Ray stared at Lea for a moment, then fetched a small chair for her to sit on and tapped it lightly.
“Try sitting here.”
Without suspicion, Lea tried to sit on the chair Ray had tapped.
Just as Lea bent her legs and lowered her bottom to sit,
Ray pulled the chair away.
Naturally, Lea fell straight down onto her bottom.
“WAHHH!”
Thud!
Clutching her aching tailbone and looking around, Lea realized the situation and burst into tears.
“WHAAAAAAA!!!!!”
“Hmm…”
Ray extended his hand toward Lea, who cried uncontrollably.
Grabbing her cheeks, Ray used his decoding ability while gazing into her red eyes.
The flow of dragon blood mixed in her veins faintly etched itself into his mind.
‘Still holding up… somehow.’
Even amidst heightened emotions, the mana flow stemming from the dragon blood remained stable.
However, the fragment of Dragon Heart implanted in Lea’s heart was a different story.
His ability detected signs of it starting to overload.
“If only you were half as much like your father.”
“I look like mom!”
Even while crying, Lea protested.
Indeed, Lea resembled Bella a great deal.
Only, Ray wished that Lea had inherited the talent of Crown Prince Carinus.
He desired that Lea had taken after his own foolish and inept abilities.
But Lea was a smart child.
Though she seemed to only cry now, compared to her peers, her language development was much faster.
And the energy within her body was certainly not insignificant either.
“…Stop crying.”
“WHAAAAAAA!!!”
“You can’t come, but I’ll bring back lots of delicious treats when I return from the Imperial Capital.”
“Really?”
“I said I’d bring them, not give them to you.”
“WHAAAAAAA!!!”
“This habit of crying constantly needs to stop.”
Picking up Lea and placing her on a rocking horse, Ray left the house with a chuckle.
Soon, Lea’s laughter echoed above his head.
“Woo-hoo!”
Continuing to bounce her gently, Ray looked toward the direction of the Imperial Capital.
This trip was planned to show the children a broader world.
There wouldn’t be another opportunity to leave the Baron’s Territory with such pure intentions in the future.
Thus, Ray hoped this journey would be peaceful.
The Journey (1)
