150th Episode
After Ernst had left.
Alessia, now completely distraught, clung to Ray’s waist and continued her incessant whining.
“Ray, you must not abandon me…”
Ray sighed, using his fork to pick up a piece of meat and put it in his mouth.
Despite the expensive ingredients used due to the quality of the lodging, his disturbed mind made the meal taste absolutely terrible.
Ray swallowed the meat reluctantly and glanced to the side.
Luna was looking at him with a calm expression.
Putting down his fork, Ray gently patted Luna’s head.
“You’ve done well.”
Had Luna interfered even slightly, things could have become much more troublesome.
Fortunately, Luna stayed quietly in her place.
‘Smart kid, after all.’
He believed that she would handle herself appropriately without needing constant reminders.
While Ray was patting Luna’s head, Alessia continued her crying.
“What am I supposed to do if you leave me now…!”
“…”
The sight of her clinging to a man and complaining was rather unsightly.
But for Alessia, there was no other option but to be desperate.
There were countless stories about lovers who had been abandoned once their partner gained power after putting in hard work to support them.
Moreover, this time, Empire’s Swordmaster, Ernst Prislan, personally proposed a marriage alliance between Ray and his great-granddaughter.
Even if Ray were to cruelly cast aside Alessia and leave, everyone would nod in agreement, considering it a wise decision.
Unable to bear Alessia’s continuous complaints, Ray massaged the bridge of his nose as he spoke.
“I’m not leaving. I won’t leave, so please finish your meal.”
“But what if you escape in the middle of the night while I’m asleep? What then?”
“Hmm… Young Miss, please regain your senses.”
As Ray tried to soothe Alessia from various angles,
Multiple knights present in the first-floor dining hall quickly exited the building, while the remaining knights silently observed Ray’s group from their seats.
Not a single person dared to speak carelessly.
By this point, Ray had officially become a promising talent recognized by the Empire’s Swordmaster himself.
Among these knights, there was no fool who would mock or belittle Ernst or his choices.
It was certain that Ray possessed capabilities worthy of being acknowledged by the Empire’s Swordmaster, Ernst.
Though Ray’s arrogant attitude suggested that he might get his neck chopped off sooner rather than later, that was a matter for another time.
Amidst the focused attention,
Ray managed to soothe Alessia enough to feed her some soup before heading upstairs with his companions.
*
Once inside the room, Ray set up a barrier with Aptel’s help.
Upon confirming that the soundproofing barrier was properly in place, Ray rubbed his temples with both hands.
Jenkins, who had entered the room with Ray, slumped heavily into a chair, exhausted.
He had never imagined that the Swordmaster would come first to probe the people of Phillip’s County.
Jenkins finally opened his eyes and spoke.
“At least it’s fortunate that Lord Ernst is being quite friendly.”
“If you join my side, I will erase all past mistakes.”
Including the concealment of your true abilities, any sins you may have committed in the past will be forgiven and overlooked.
Jenkins understood Ernst’s intentions.
Had Ernst found Ray’s existence distasteful or bothersome, bloodshed could have occurred right there.
“So, what are your thoughts?”
“Hmm…”
To make a decision, it was necessary to gain a clearer understanding of the Empire’s current situation.
However, if gaining Ernst’s trust became possible, perhaps one could eventually rely on the Empire’s strength.
Of course, there were secrets that needed to be revealed to reach that point.
‘Spatial Blade… Somehow, I can manage until there.’
Revealing the existence of the Spatial Blade would likely lead to serious threats.
Nevertheless, to Ernst and other Imperial officials, Ray, who inherited the Spatial Blade, wasn’t necessarily someone who needed to be eliminated.
‘The Empire that conducted human experiments would know that someone who mastered Spatial Blade wouldn’t last long.’
If Ray pledged loyalty to the royal family and avoided showing any disloyal actions towards the Empire, things might surprisingly turn out well.
But not for Lea.
Regardless of intent, raising hidden royalty amounted to treason.
To reduce risks, Lea’s head should be cut off and buried immediately.
Of course, Ray could never do such a thing.
“Ahhh, damn it.”
When they returned to Phillip’s County, Ray would need to confront Lea first.
As Ray pressed his nose bridge repeatedly, Jenkins spoke again.
“It just passed today, but if you refuse Lord Ernst’s proposal, things will get more complicated. The suspicion will only grow stronger.”
“So, you’re saying we should discard our young miss like trash and marry the Swordmaster’s great-granddaughter?”
“Why not polygamy?”
“Would that even work? If the Phillip’s County House gets too arrogant, they might try to crush us.”
“Lord Ernst isn’t that ignorant.”
Even a Swordmaster isn’t someone who has swung a sword all their life.
Having dealt with central nobles for decades, their sense of political situations is undoubtedly exceptional.
“Anyway, it’s just a politically-driven marriage without feelings. The Prizzran Clan probably wants to grasp your weaknesses. Our young miss could fulfill that role.”
Of course, they could also tell the rural noble families to back off by offering money.
If that happens, there’s a high probability that the Phillip’s County House would receive part of the tax rights from a wealthy city.
Even so, Count Phillip could collect five times more taxes than before.
“I can’t give any definite answers yet.”
“Hmm… We need to investigate the Empire’s situation further and discuss it again. We still have time, after all.”
“Yeah, let’s do that. It’s already giving me a headache to attract too much attention from big shots.”
Jenkins grabbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
Meanwhile, in the adjacent room where Ray and Jenkins were staying, Alessia continued to cry pitifully.
“If I don’t do something, I’ll lose my knight…”
“Don’t worry, Alessia. Ray will never betray you.”
“Uuuuugh… I shouldn’t have brought Ray here…!”
“Stop crying and trust Ray.”
Karen worked hard to console Alessia beside her.
*
The next day, Mohamed’s group left their lodgings and headed back toward the Imperial Capital.
Rumors had spread, and the gazes of the townspeople were constantly directed toward their carriage.
Of course, few citizens truly believed the exaggerated tales circulating about the previous night’s events.
On the other hand, Allesia, who had been plagued by nightmares throughout the early morning, had swollen eyes.
In her dreams, she had been abandoned by Ray fifteen times, which left her even more limp and unable to hold herself up compared to yesterday.
Regardless of Allesia’s state, the carriage moved forward.
As they approached the Imperial Capital, those sensitive to mana began to tremble lightly.
The density of mana in the air was rapidly increasing.
The most blessed land on the continent.
Daringly referred to as the center of the world.
The Imperial Capital stood precisely upon it.
Mana overflowed everywhere, almost within reach, but this was merely an infinitesimal portion of what the most blessed land of the continent emitted.
Most of the mana flowing through the veins beneath the Imperial Capital was artificially concentrated and consumed as the power source for structures built within the capital.
Continuing onward, the defensive walls surrounding the Imperial Capital, towering over ten meters, came into view.
Although there was a designated main gate for entering and exiting the Imperial Capital, Mohamed, having ostensibly received a direct invitation from the Emperor, was treated differently.
A massive gate, large enough for even a giant to pass through, slowly opened to welcome only those knights loyal to the Empire.
A Royal Guard stepped forward to greet Mohamed.
Acting as the Emperor’s representative, Mohamed knelt before the knight.
The Royal Guard escorted Mohamed onto a lavishly decorated carriage bound for the Imperial Palace.
Of course, the invitation to the palace extended solely to Mohamed, meaning the rest of the group had to arrange separate accommodations.
Mages approached to imprint magical seals on Ray and his companions for identity verification and location tracking.
After completing the procedures, Ray finally took his first proper step into the Imperial Capital.
The scene unfolding before him was beyond belief—a place under the same sky as Phillip’s County yet entirely different.
Ray chuckled as he gazed at the golden towers and the colossal pyramid-shaped Imperial Palace scattered throughout the area.
Naturally, accommodations existed within the Imperial Capital, but the cost was prohibitively high.
Nor could they simply camp on the ground.
Thus, Ray utilized the connections he had carefully preserved for this very occasion.
“Let’s go.”
Powerful noble families maintained large and small mansions within the Imperial Capital, using them as annexes.
This was also true for the Alstein Dukedom.
Following the butler sent to greet them, Ray led the children and servants, who stared wide-eyed, along the path.
After a considerable journey, Ray’s group finally arrived at the Alstein Dukedom’s mansion in the Imperial Capital.
The mansion’s gates burst open, and Saria rushed out, extending her arms.
“Nephew!!”
“Ah, Aunt. How have you been?”
Saria caught Ray, who was now nearly her height due to his age, and lifted him into the air despite the difference in size.
Ray’s face flushed red.
It would be fine if they were alone, but being treated like a child in front of others made his heart race uncomfortably.
“Aunt! I’m not a kid anymore; please stop!”
After pulling Ray into the air, Saria kissed him repeatedly on the face.
Smacksmacksmack
Ray resigned himself to enduring Saria’s affectionate assault.
Meanwhile, Alessia and Karen watched quietly as Saria showered Ray with kisses, gradually feeling increasingly uneasy.
Ray was close to adulthood.
Yet, seeing Saria indiscriminately kiss the cheeks, forehead, nose, and lips of a grown man felt awkward and inappropriate from an observer’s perspective.
“Enough already!”
Alessia flailed and interrupted Saria.
Ignoring her protests, Saria continued kissing Ray, lifting and lowering him until she was satisfied, then finally placed him back on the ground.
Ray, wobbling in place, struggled to catch his breath and gestured to the children.
“Alright, let’s move with the luggage.”
As Ray organized the children and servants with Jenkins,
Someone approached unnoticed.
Recognizing the familiar face, Ray pondered where they had met when the person greeted him first.
“It’s been a while. How have you been, genuine nephew?”
“Ah, you’re the fake nephew.”
Ray shook hands warmly.
Now recalling their brief meeting at the Royal Magic Tower,
Diorica grinned and shook the clasped hand.
“Your family line is truly remarkable. I never expected you’d win the approval of Lord Ernst.”
“Has that rumor reached here already?”
“Lord Ernst was known to ignore even his eldest grandson if deemed incapable. Yet, he proposed a marriage alliance between his great-granddaughter and you. I still find it hard to believe.”
Diorica expressed pure admiration.
Ray briefly exchanged pleasantries, tidied up the luggage, then sat separately with Diorica.
Saria joined them, seating herself first and placing Ray on her lap.
“…”
Ray’s face turned bright red as he covered his eyes.
Though Ray had grown significantly taller, far surpassing Saria’s ability to cradle him fully, she seemed unfazed.
Diorica couldn’t help but laugh.
“Your genuine affection for your nephew is extraordinary.”
After serving tea, Diorica continued.
“And really, how impressive. How did you capture Lord Ernst’s heart so swiftly?”
“From what I hear, Lord Ernst’s character is quite ruthless.”
“He’s ruthless to those deemed worthless, regardless of blood ties, but not always. To those he favors, like yourself, he’s softer than appearances suggest. Anyway, it’s fortunate. There won’t be any embarrassing conflicts among us.”
“What do you mean?”
Diorica smirked, hesitated briefly, then responded.
“The succession structure within the royal family is currently in turmoil, as you likely know. Both the Alstein and Prizzran clans currently support the same successor as the next emperor.”
With that explanation, Diorica paused, assuming Ray understood the situation.
Sitting on Saria’s knee, Ray leaned forward slightly and asked.
“Could you elaborate on the current state of the succession turmoil?”
*
Mohamed entered the Imperial Palace with humility.
Unheard-of artifacts made of strange metals and complex, intricate magical barriers surrounded him.
Carefully avoiding any improper movements, Mohamed followed the long corridor as instructed by the Royal Guard.
Though there was no immediate threat, Mohamed couldn’t suppress the rising tension, swallowing saliva repeatedly.
He was a loyal and strong knight who had attained a high level of mastery, yet this was his first encounter with the singular power of the Emperor.
As Mohamed reached the massive doors, they began to open automatically.
Expecting to bow deeply, Mohamed prepared to pay his respects to the Emperor.
However, the door revealed another long corridor, with a Royal Guard dressed in formal attire standing at its end.
Zzzzzip!
The Royal Guard’s blade ignited with sword energy.
Boom!!
Charging toward Mohamed, the Royal Guard prompted him to hastily draw his sword in confusion.
Only after drawing his sword did Mohamed realize that he hadn’t been disarmed upon entering the palace, as was customary for Royal Guards.
Imperial Capital (2)
