176th Episode
Ulte Gard.
His full name is Ultima Guardian.
Six hundred years ago, he was the descendant of Casillas who vowed to protect the elven hero Resina and became the last Guardian.
Originally, Ulte only had to quietly guard the side of the fading Resina.
However, Ulte could not accept Resina’s fate.
In order to find a way to save her, now known as Titi, Ulte continued to wander the world.
After the Locust attack incident, Phillip Count established a line of communication with Ulte and regularly exchanged messages.
Ulte also made efforts to maintain this line of communication.
“But all contact has been lost. Given the circumstances, it’s highly probable that he either found himself in a situation too dire to even leave a message or has perished.”
“Where did Ulte go missing?”
“… ‘Alimo.'”
“Hmph.”
Ray sighed deeply.
Alimo is a nation located to the east of the Empire.
It is situated in the opposite direction from Phillip’s County and is relatively close to the Demonic Realm, making it unsafe for various reasons.
If Ulte went missing there, Phillip Count’s resources would be utterly powerless to do anything.
Didier added some explanations regarding this disappearance to Ray.
Didier felt apologetic towards Ray, who was sitting quietly and merely nodding his head.
“I’m sorry for putting this burden on you.”
“No, no. I… will think about it first.”
This was not an issue to rashly judge and act upon.
Moreover, since they didn’t know exactly what situation Ulte was in, it was bound to cause more worry.
Didier observed Ray’s face, which showed clear signs of fatigue, and felt a mix of emotions.
*
Inside the private training ground of the Prislan Clan Fortress.
There, Johanna was swinging her sword vigorously, drenched in sweat.
Since arriving here, she had been exposed to various advanced sword techniques and skills, and spent much time experimenting and internalizing them.
Even Ernst was slightly amazed at the rapid pace of Johanna’s growth.
Despite enduring intense training, Johanna’s face was always lit up with a smile.
Seeing her own progress was the most enjoyable thing.
Johanna stopped mid-swing to admire her sharper strikes compared to yesterday.
Unbeknownst to her, Ray had entered the training room and was watching her.
Johanna sheathed her sword, cleared her throat awkwardly, then approached Ray to boast.
“Today, I beat Speira again? Three wins in a row!”
“Ah, congratulations on holding your 4th place rank.”
Pfft!
Johanna kicked Ray’s shin.
She didn’t kick too hard.
Still glaring at Ray, who was playfully feigning pain, Johanna pouted.
“In five years… well, maybe ten…”
No, even ten years wouldn’t be enough.
At least twenty years, generously estimated, and Johanna believed she could stand by Ray without being far behind.
For most humans, even a lifetime of practice wouldn’t reach the level that seemed so easily attainable to Johanna, yet she couldn’t feel joy about it.
Twenty years may sound like a long time, but by then Johanna would be nearing forty.
Besides, Ray would continue to progress, wouldn’t he?
Realizing how far ahead Ray was getting made Johanna inexplicably irritable.
Watching Johanna’s rapidly changing expressions, Ray chuckled and drew his sword.
“Want to spar a little after such a long time?”
“…But your body isn’t fully recovered yet, right?”
“It’ll be fine if we don’t use mana and keep it light.”
“…”
After hesitating, Johanna drew her sword.
Every time she fought with Ray, she felt a complicated mix of emotions, but nonetheless, she enjoyed spending time with him.
Clang! Clank!
Without using any mana, their metal clashed against each other.
This was raw combat.
Stripped of core abilities, magic circles, spatial blades, and all those flashy embellishments, pure swordsmanship driven solely by human physicality was revealed.
Ray focused intensely.
All sword arts in this world have developed based on the use of mana.
Thus, in this kind of purely physical clash, even high-level techniques struggled to shine effectively.
Therefore, innate physical senses and adaptability were crucial in this moment.
Clash!! Clang!!
As the sparring continued, Ray stumbled frequently.
He misjudged distances, stepped back too far, or lunged too aggressively and had to twist his body late.
Johanna thought,
“Ray’s body hasn’t fully recovered yet. That’s why he keeps making mistakes.”
That was Johanna’s misconception.
Though Ray possessed undeniable talent and unparalleled willpower, that was all there was to it.
When reduced to raw combat,
Ray wasn’t necessarily ahead of Johanna.
Clang!!
Ray stumbled once again.
Ray chuckled.
Indeed, Ray had reached an unprecedented height faster than anyone else in the history of the Empire, achieving unbelievable feats.
However, the reason this was possible was because the transcendental being had implanted techniques into Ray’s mind, allowing him to burn through his future.
Clash!!
Ray deflected Johanna’s sword to the side.
Realizing Ray’s intent, Johanna pulled back her sword and stepped away.
“Is that all?”
“Yeah, let’s stop here. You’ve improved a lot.”
Ray smiled warmly.
Compared to before coming to the Imperial Capital, Johanna’s sword skills had grown remarkably.
The hidden talents restrained within Phillip’s County had begun to blossom.
Satisfied with confirming this fact, Ray slumped into a seat and then lay down entirely.
Since his body hadn’t fully recovered, he got tired quickly after moving aggressively.
Worried about Ray, Johanna moved closer but then retreated cautiously.
Her body was warm from the continuous training.
Johanna was wearing a stretchy leather training pants, so her lower body especially felt sticky and uncomfortable.
Observing Johanna keeping her distance, Ray giggled.
“Why are you running away again? Go freshen up with some cologne? What’s wrong with sweating a bit? I like the smell of sweat.”
“…!”
Johanna instantly flared up.
But she needed to calm herself down.
This wasn’t the first time Ray teased her like this.
Getting excited over Ray’s provocations only made Ray giggle and enjoy it more.
Recalling past humiliations, Johanna decided to retaliate.
With renewed determination, Johanna set down her sword and approached Ray.
She recalled the knowledge taught by the “sisters” from her childhood.
“You like the smell of sweat?”
“Well, I don’t dislike it…”
“I know something.”
“What?”
Before Ray could fully grasp the situation,
Johanna placed her feet on either side of Ray’s waist and looked down at him with a playful expression.
“There are some men who get excited by the smell of a woman’s sweat.”
Thud!
Johanna knelt down.
Her knees touched the ground beside Ray’s shoulders.
Johanna whispered,
“Are you one of them, Ray?”
“…?”
Startled by the unexpected situation, Ray’s eyes darted around.
But no matter where his eyes wandered, all he could see were Johanna’s crotch and well-toned thighs.
Even when he managed to look up, all he could see was Johanna’s condescending expression.
Ray stared at her, half-opening his mouth in disbelief.
Johanna smirked.
“Do you like this?”
Johanna herself was far from composed.
Her face was burning hot, almost to the point of fainting.
Based on interesting stories she’d heard from the sisters during her younger days, she had acted impulsively, but now that she’d done it, she didn’t know how to handle the aftermath.
Johanna realized belatedly that she was exposing the parts of her body that sweated the most, including her armpits.
Considering how much she must have sweated from the prolonged training,
Johanna felt incredibly embarrassed.
But due to pride—damn pride—she couldn’t back down first.
Johanna stood there, breathing heavily, hoping Ray would push her away first.
Just as both Ray and Johanna froze,
A boy’s hesitant voice echoed through the training hall.
“…What are you two doing?”
“…!!”
Startled, Johanna tried to get up.
But in her haste, she slipped with her knee still on the floor.
Due to the awkward position she was in, Johanna ended up sitting on Ray’s face with her buttocks.
Smack!
“Khh! Cough!”
Suddenly unable to breathe, Ray reflexively inhaled through his mouth and nose.
Feeling Ray’s breath from her crotch area, Johanna tensed every muscle in her body and screamed.
“KYAAAAAA!!!”
Panicking, Johanna rolled off.
Johanna, who had fallen away from Ray, shivered while tightly closing her legs.
“I-I must be going insane!!!!!!”
Regardless of Johanna’s outburst,
Ray, freed from beneath Johanna’s buttocks, coughed and gasped for fresh air.
While pondering what had just happened, Ray wiped his face.
Johanna’s sweat had spread across his face through the damp leather pants.
Trying to swallow, Ray muttered,
“Ah, it’s a bit salty.”
YIKES!!!
Ultimately, Ray received a slap across the face and stood up to greet Delun, leaving the seething Johanna behind.
“Hey, Delun. What’s up?”
“…Should I come back later?”
“If you leave now, I might die from this slap.”
“Uh, hmm.”
Delun, glancing at Johanna, spoke again.
“I wanted to brag to you, Brother.”
“What’s the big news?”
Swish!
Delun immediately drew his sword.
Closing his eyes, Delun concentrated.
Tzzt-!
Delun’s aura sharpened.
A current of mana began rotating along the blade.
Faint blue lights flickered, softly illuminating the blade.
It wasn’t a Sword Aura yet. He hadn’t reached that level.
But soon—by the end of this year at the latest, or early next year—he would be able to imbue his sword with a Sword Aura.
“Huff…!”
Exhaling the held breath, Delun lowered his sword.
For a while, he had to regulate his breathing due to the strain.
Ray patted Delun’s shoulder and smiled brightly.
“Good job.”
Delun also smiled back at Ray.
A single word of praise from his lifelong idol brought immense joy.
*
Ray patrolled the fortress, checking on the children.
Although there had been a very intimate incident with Johanna, Ray tried to forget the lingering musky scent of the young girl clinging to his nose.
“…They’re all doing well.”
With proper support, the children were growing much faster according to their respective talents.
Ray gained the confidence that they could all excel without needing constant supervision.
Upon reaching his room, Ray opened the door.
Sure enough, Luna greeted him.
As always, Luna briefly advised Ray to rest more with her usual stoic expression.
Without saying a word, Ray pulled a chair and sat facing Luna.
Before speaking, Ray contemplated one last time.
“Ulte…”
Ray knew little about the future of this world.
He was struggling to prevent the vague sense of impending doom but still couldn’t foresee even the immediate future.
Thus, Ray always felt like he was wandering in darkness.
Ultima Guardian.
He was one of the very few people Ray knew who had a clear future.
He would fall in the future, becoming the Apostle of the Dark God and burn the World Tree.
Hence, Ray…
felt a sense of duty.
A duty to resolve with his own hands the negative futures he clearly foresaw.
Furthermore, it was a rational decision.
Rather than blindly wandering in the dark without knowing anything, it was far more reasonable to try to address potential major disasters.
“When I intended to settle things once Ulte returned to Phillip’s County…”
Now that contact has been lost and he’s gone missing, Ray realized he had to go search for him.
Whether to kill Ulte or solve the problem with Titi,
Ray ultimately decided to personally conclude matters related to Ulte.
That was the duty Ray believed he had.
“Luna, I have a place I need to visit.”
“…”
“Even if I can actually go, it might take some time to return.”
“…”
Luna’s expression carried hints of anger and irritation.
Ray easily noticed these subtle changes.
Ray extended his hand toward Luna.
“Luna, will you come with me?”
“…”
Luna wanted to berate him.
Why was he acting so reckless like a foal? Why couldn’t he stop sacrificing himself?
But Luna couldn’t say those words.
Instead, she felt a pang in her chest as she took Ray’s hand.
Their heartbeats and emotions flowed through the warmth of their touch.
Luna replied calmly.
“Wherever Ray is, I will remain by his side.”
Luna knew.
She was no longer powerless.
Thus, she could confidently declare that she would stay by his side.
If he chose danger, she would protect him.
To ensure he doesn’t suffer severe injuries or put his life on the line unnecessarily.
She would destroy with her own hands anything that threatens him.
Tzzt-
A newly awakened fourth ring subtly connected around Luna’s heart.
