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“Hey!!!!!”
With Johanna’s shout, Ray started running away.
Seeing Johanna chasing after Ray with all her might, Delun rubbed his forehead.
To Delun, Johanna was usually a very reliable older sister, but whenever she got involved with Ray, she became uncharacteristically erratic.
Both Ray and Johanna were like idols to Delun, so it was painful to watch them roughhousing like this.
“Aaah!!”
Before long, Ray was caught and rolled around the training ground with Johanna.
In the process, Ray once again ended up face-to-face with Johanna’s groin.
Johanna, who had initiated the tussle, was instead startled and let out a shriek.
Ray crawled out from under Johanna in a prone position and leaned against the wall, looking exhausted.
“It doesn’t smell bad, it doesn’t smell bad.”
Short on stamina, Ray panted as he waved his hands.
Johanna seemed pleased that she hadn’t earned the label of being smelly despite her wild behavior and smiled contentedly.
Delun hastily covered Ray’s mouth when he was about to add something like, “Still, it’s a bit too much.”
Delun preferred peace.
*
As more time passed.
Ray, having mostly recovered, visited the training ground.
After warming up alone, Ray swung his sword while muttering.
“I should request better equipment to be provided.”
During the battle in Alimo, Ray greatly benefited from the equipment.
It allowed him to fight more efficiently and safely than when he just wielded Moros alone.
To preserve his body, which had been worn down, good equipment was essential.
There were many things to consider, like maintenance and storage, but for now, it was an issue to address later.
Having warmed up sufficiently, Ray sat in the corner of the training ground.
“Aptel.”
[Yes, Master.]
“There’s something I need to discuss…”
Ray brought up the topic of the Dragonheart.
Since Aptel had also been present when Ray lied to Ernst about the Dragonheart, there was no need for a lengthy explanation.
“What I need is a plausible theory that can justify my lie.”
What Ray required was a theory detailing how a fragment of the royal Dragonheart could enhance the heart of an ordinary person.
Of course, since this was not actually possible, the theory only needed to sound convincing.
The royal family would never waste the few remaining fragments of the Dragonheart to verify such a theory.
“And… regardless of whether the heart enhancement succeeds or fails, the theory should indicate that the Dragonheart will inevitably be consumed.”
As Ray added several conditions, Aptel interjected.
[Given that the Dragonheart is classified as one of our most critical strategic resources, even if it is taken out, there’s a high probability it will remain under close surveillance.]
“Hmm… Well, how exactly does this not work?”
Ray groaned.
How much preparation and persuasion would it take to deceive the royal family without raising suspicion? Ray couldn’t come up with a perfect solution right away.
Aptel spoke again to the contemplative Ray.
[The conditions have been noted. However, my creative capabilities are limited. To achieve the level of sophistication you desire in this fake theory, we’ll need Luna’s help.]
“Understood. Work together with Luna to proceed.”
Luna also knew about Lea’s origins and the Dragonheart.
If Ray asked her to help create the false theory while concealing the fact that his lifespan was running out, it should work.
Just in case, Ray reminded Aptel.
“That… Be tactful. Make sure Luna doesn’t misunderstand anything.”
When Ray tapped his chest, Aptel nodded.
[Understood.]
Though Luna was the highest administrator of the Obelisk system, Ray was still the ultimate authority over Aptel.
With Ray’s command, Aptel couldn’t reveal that Ray was on borrowed time.
“Hmm…”
While Ray pressed his nose bridge absentmindedly, he sensed someone approaching.
It was Karen.
Karen saw Ray inside the training ground, smiled gently, and approached.
Her red hair, tied into a single ponytail, swayed as she walked.
When Ray spread his coat on the floor for her, Karen sat down on it without hesitation.
They then engaged in light conversation.
Ray slowly recounted the events that took place in Alimo, excluding any information that might endanger Karen.
It was an exciting story, but in truth, Karen didn’t enjoy hearing about Ray’s incredible journey as much as she pretended to.
Listening to Ray’s tales of unimaginable achievements made her feel as though he belonged somewhere far away, leaving her feeling frustrated.
Still, Karen, smiling faintly, quietly confessed something she had kept hidden.
“I studied theology with the clerics while you were gone.”
“Eh… Really?”
Though Ray looked slightly uneasy, he didn’t scold Karen.
While the church had its issues, most clerics were good people.
Karen glanced at Ray nervously before spreading her hands apart.
Soon, a faint but warm white glow appeared between her palms.
“Oh…”
Ray was impressed.
Holy power was essentially mana transformed by divine blessing.
Through prayer and meditation, clerics received blessings from El-Lam.
The characteristics of the holy power varied depending on the individual.
For example, if a strong will influenced the holy power, the cleric could use it to manifest sword auras similar to knights, becoming known as paladins.
Karen’s holy power wasn’t sharp or firm but radiated warmth.
Karen smiled as she levitated the holy-light orb in the air.
“The clerics said it was rare to gain this much holy power in such a short time and praised me for my talent. They even suggested I formally join their ranks…”
Karen hesitated mid-sentence, suddenly feeling shy.
While Karen did possess some talent for the clergy, she was far from being a prodigy.
She was versatile but not exceptionally outstanding in any particular area.
Feeling disheartened, Karen forced herself to cheer up and pointed at Ray.
“Still… I’m glad I can now help if you get hurt.”
Karen’s finger traced around Ray’s nose where an old scar used to be.
Feeling the delicate touch, Ray slowly closed the distance between them.
Their lips met.
Karen exhaled sharply before climbing onto Ray and pressing her body against his.
Though Ray knew anyone could walk into the training ground, he didn’t move to another location.
He feared that changing locations might lead them to cross a line they weren’t ready to.
Ray and Karen spent quite some time locked in a passionate kiss.
*
Around the time Ray and Karen began kissing.
Alesya sat alone at the dining table sipping tea with a look of disappointment.
Although pairing tea with pastries would have been delightful, she refrained from touching them because she needed to lose weight.
Because of her weight, Alesya had recently taken to visiting the training ground frequently to swing her sword.
Factually, Alesya wasn’t overweight to the point where her figure was ruined.
However, compared to the toned Speira, Alesya did have a higher fat percentage.
Still affected by the verbal abuse from Speira last time, Alesya was now determined to sculpt her physique.
She wanted to develop a firmer backside than Speira.
Repeating this resolution to herself while sipping tea, Alesya suddenly jumped up in surprise.
Her womanly intuition, the ‘Alesya Sensor,’ was sounding off warnings.
“My knight is attempting infidelity again!”
Without doubting her intuition, Alesya immediately headed in the direction indicated by the ‘Alesya Sensor.’
However, someone appeared in front of her as she rushed forward. It was Luna.
Alesya instinctively tried to sidestep Luna, but Luna mirrored her movements.
“?!”
Left, right, left, right.
Every time Alesya changed directions, Luna blocked her path by moving side to side.
Frustrated, Alesya raised her voice.
“Get, out of the way!”
“…”
After a brief pause, Luna slowly shook her head.
Shocked by Luna’s defiance, Alesya stepped back with a gasp before boldly declared,
“Hmph, I’ll force my way through if necessary!”
Whoosh!
A wind spirit was summoned behind Alesya.
Upon seeing this, Luna slightly furrowed her eyebrows and summoned a wind spirit of her own.
Luna’s spirits were larger and more powerful than Alesya’s, appearing fully materialized.
Realizing her spirits were intimidated, Alesya shouted indignantly.
“Why does everyone torment me??”
As Alesya stormed off, Luna calmed her down by taking her to the cafeteria, brewing tea, and sharing it.
Given the expensive tea leaves, Alesya temporarily forgot her frustrations and enjoyed the tea.
*
As more time passed, spring weather arrived.
Ray examined a letter sent by Philip Count near the fortress walls of the Prizzran Clan.
The contents were nothing special—just a message expressing the count’s gratitude and well-wishes.
Standing beside Ray, Jenkins, who had recovered enough to walk properly, asked,
“If you receive a title, it’ll be hard for you to return to the baron’s territory anytime soon.”
“I’ll find a way to visit. There’s a reason I’m enduring all this hardship. And regarding the title… I don’t know yet.”
Being publicly recognized with a title would only restrict his actions.
Ray had no interest whatsoever in titles or honors and would prefer alternative rewards.
Even the emperor would understand that fame wouldn’t necessarily bring convenience, so with proper negotiation, it wasn’t impossible.
Ray kicked some pebbles on the ground and then began searching through the gravel with both hands.
Watching this, Jenkins curiously asked,
“What are you doing?”
“Looking for a pretty stone.”
“For what?”
“Just now, I remembered I promised Lea I’d bring back a gift when I returned from my travels. I’d better prepare it beforehand so I don’t forget.”
“…”
Jenkins paused, trying to decipher Ray’s words, then cautiously clarified,
“You’re planning to give Lea one of these stones as a gift?”
“Ah, Master. Not just any stone—a *pretty* one.”
You crazy kid.
Swallowing his curses, Jenkins tried to reason with Ray.
“Why don’t you buy her a nice doll or stationery instead?”
“…Do I have to?”
Jenkins struggled to suppress his rising frustration as he continued persuading Ray.
Ray reluctantly agreed, looking extremely bothered.
Suppressing his growing irritation, Jenkins changed the subject.
“Anyway, is there anything else you want to ask the Emperor for besides the title?”
“I have a few requests.”
Putting aside the matter of the Dragonheart for now, Ray had a couple of additional requests he planned to bundle as rewards for his contributions.
“There’s an old IOU I issued a while ago.”
“…An IOU?”
“Yes.”
Even if he couldn’t become a Swordmaster,
“I need help recovering my investments.”
Clack!
Ray straightened up after placing the pretty pebble he originally intended as a gift for Lea back on the ground.
Before Jenkins could question him further, Speira approached from afar.
“Ray, there you are.”
“Ah, Lady Speira. Is there something you need?”
“I have news to deliver. My great-grandfather will soon visit the fortress.”
“Ah… Is that so?”
This meant things were stabilizing on the Alimo Kingdom side.
Taking a deep breath, Ray felt the time for negotiations had arrived.
Negotiation (3)
