211th Chapter
Ray visited the Emperor before returning to Phillip’s County.
Having entrusted a bracelet capable of communicating with Aptel to Luna beforehand, Ray underwent various inspections almost bare-handed before being granted an audience with the Emperor.
When Ray knelt before Poibos and was briefly permitted to raise his head, he noticed Moros hanging beside the royal throne.
Seeing Moros return to its rightful place, Ray felt a renewed sense of nostalgia rather than pain.
Given its strong symbolic value, Ray had often pondered how to handle it, but ultimately, it had returned to its proper place.
Facing Ray’s awkward performance of etiquette, the Emperor of the Empire, Poibos, began to speak.
Poibos listed Ray’s achievements one by one in the presence of a few Royal Guards and Ernst, praising him highly.
The Royal Guards, unaware of Ray’s accomplishments until now, doubted their own ears upon hearing the Emperor’s praise.
Poibos looked at Ray and commanded,
“If there is anything you desire, do not hesitate to ask.”
“I…”
Ray reiterated the compensation plan agreed upon with Ernst.
Compared to Ray’s contributions, what he asked for was exceedingly trivial.
Even considering the cost to cover up Ray’s sins, the balance seemed off.
“Is there nothing else you wish for?”
“I am honored.”
Ray bowed his head even lower.
After announcing the prepared reward discussed beforehand with Ernst, Poibos dismissed Ray.
A short while later, when only Poibos and Ernst remained,
the court healer who had examined Ray earlier entered the audience chamber, bowing deeply.
Poibos, showing interest, ordered,
“Report.”
“With appropriate care, survival for five to ten years is estimated.”
“Can sustaining life be achieved through divine healing as well?”
“…”
The healer bowed deeper, apologetically.
While divine power could heal wounds, it was difficult to restore the body’s worn-out durability.
This was why the issue of the royal family’s shortened lifespan due to hemolysis remained unresolved.
Poibos muttered,
“It’s too short.”
From the Emperor’s perspective, purely calculated,
he wished Ray could hold on until the generational change between Ernst and the next Swordmaster, ideally around twenty years. However, after hearing the healer’s explanation, it seemed that if Ray pushed himself a few more times, even three years might be challenging.
“…”
Recalling the apparitions of Harshia and Resina seen recently, Poibos stiffened his expression and fell silent.
Conflicting emotions swirled in Poibos’s mind.
What exactly drove the legendary hero to such a fate?
Could such a judgment truly be considered righteous from a national standpoint?
Continuing his silence, Poibos finally spoke to Ernst.
“The Duke’s request will be reviewed positively.”
*
“Hmph…”
Ray exhaled deeply as he exited the Imperial Palace.
This Alimo Kingdom incident was officially known as something the imperial family had been involved in from the beginning.
However, those higher-ups more sensitive to information suspected that Ernst had led this entire situation.
Since Ernst had gathered the empire’s main forces just before the meteorite fell, such speculation was unavoidable.
Moreover, only a select few could deduce the existence of ‘Ray.’
During the operation in Alimo, Ray had thoroughly concealed his identity, face, and the Spatial Blade, making it unlikely for his true identity to be easily exposed.
Still, complete concealment was impossible.
With funds and interests flowing towards the royal family, the Prislan Dukedom, and Phillip’s County, it was certain that they would be tracked.
Brushing his hair aside, Ray relaxed.
Despite all efforts, Ray had successfully reached a good agreement with the Emperor regarding Moros, the Spatial Blade, the Crown Prince, and Titi-related issues, thus defusing most of the bombs Ray had worried about.
Now, the only remaining bomb was Lea.
Of course, this bomb wasn’t something that could be resolved with mere agreements.
A few hours later,
Ray met Ulte, who had been released from detention unscathed, and shook hands with him.
“Lord Gardi, consider yourself lucky this time, and don’t act rashly from now on.”
“I’ll be careful.”
“If you cause trouble again, everyone in the county will be held accountable. I have no intention of witnessing such a sight.”
Upon hearing Ray’s straightforward warning, Ulte calmly nodded in agreement.
Having received an affirmative response, Ray released his hand.
“Let’s discuss Titi’s detailed story when we return to the county. I’ll do my best to help with Titi-related issues, so please refrain from impulsive actions.”
“Understood.”
“Good.”
It was time to really leave.
After bidding farewell to Johanna and Delun in Prislan Clan Fortress and standing before the Warp Gate, which had been fully restored after being destroyed in the battle with Eridanus,
Ray planned to use the Warp Gate to travel westward, significantly reducing the distance to Phillip’s County.
Ray bowed respectfully to Ernst.
“Thank you very much.”
“Travel safely.”
The Warp Gate activated.
Ray stepped beyond the Warp Gate with his companions.
Thinking about returning to Phillip’s County after such a long time made Ray’s heart race.
*
Phillip’s County.
There, Jimy sighed upon hearing that Ray would return.
Just imagining seeing that annoying face again gave him a headache.
Matthew, noticing Jimy’s expression, gleefully chuckled to himself.
“Captain, your grown-up son is coming back—why are you sighing?”
“…”
Matthew, having pressed Jimy’s trigger, hadn’t been hit by him for quite some time until now.
As the promised day for Ray’s return approached,
Jimy stayed alone in the usual study room, trying hard to calm his mind.
Attempting meditation by closing his eyes, multiple images of Ray spun around in the dark vision.
Feeling even more restless, Jimy pressed his temples.
Months ago, when Ray left Phillip’s County, Jimy was extremely pleased.
However, that joy was short-lived. Ray, heading toward the Imperial Capital, somehow caused an incident, leading to outsiders visiting Phillip’s County.
Though these high-ranking nobles’ representatives were not rude, they wandered around gathering information about Phillip’s County.
Thus, Jimy suffered greatly, keeping his subordinates in check while being mindful of these outsiders.
Well, regardless,
it was already proven that Ray offered no help to Jimy’s slow-paced life, not even a little bit.
Yet, that damn guy was returning to Phillip’s County after such a long absence…
In any case, things got complicated.
“…”
Jimy seriously pondered ways to calm his mind.
Swinging a sword didn’t alleviate the tightness in his chest, and meditating only brought Ray’s face spinning into view.
Finally, Jimy started cleaning the study room as part of his effort to clear his mind.
First, he sorted out items to discard and moved them outside.
Next, carrying a bucket full of water and a piece of cloth, Jimy returned to the study.
While diligently wiping the windows and desks with the wet cloth and rinsing it repeatedly in the bucket,
he heard the distant sound of galloping horses.
“…!”
Jimy felt a chill.
The horse stopped in front of the building, and soon a knock echoed through the room.
Knock knock!
“Dad.”
“Shit.”
There were only two people who called Jimy “dad.”
One of them, with a deep voice, was knocking on the door.
“Dad, open the door!”
“A, Dad isn’t here! Dad’s not here!”
Jimy pleaded, but Ray wouldn’t listen to his request.
Breaking down the locked door with force, Ray greeted him cheerfully.
“Dad!”
“…”
Recognizing Ray’s face, Jimy momentarily felt dizzy.
Wobbling in place, he let out a long groan.
He had heard Ray would return today, but he expected to see his face the next day naturally.
Since Ray had been away from the territory for a long time, wouldn’t it make sense for him to spend at least a day conversing with Lord Phillip?
Instead, Ray shattered Jimy’s expectations by barging into the study on the same day and causing chaos.
With a broad smile, Ray questioned Jimy,
“Dad, why didn’t you come to greet your son? What were you doing here?”
“Cleaning the study…”
Lifting the wet cloth, Jimy placed the bucket below and wrung it out.
Dirty water dripped from the twisted cloth into the bucket.
“Wringing out the mop.”
“…”
Ray seriously considered whether the person in front of him was putting on a high-level performance filled with protest.
Still, since it had been months since they last saw each other, starting an argument right away seemed inappropriate, so Ray shrugged and pointed to the stairs.
“Hurry up. Everyone’s waiting because of Jimy.”
“What? Who’s waiting for me?”
“Hmm, just come out first. We need to go to the Manor.”
Since he was told to come out, Jimy followed Ray, his face wrinklier than a few hours ago.
Climbing onto the horse Ray had brought, Jimy also mounted the warhorse gifted by Phillip’s Count.
The combination of the majestic warhorse and the crumpled Jimy looked quite mismatched from the outside.
While riding alongside Ray, Jimy asked,
“Did you meet Bella and Lea?”
“Yes, I’m on my way back after greeting them.”
“You promised to bring gifts, right? Lea was looking forward to it.”
“Well, she cried after I handed her a pretty pebble.”
“…”
“Really? Did you just pick up a random pebble?”
Knowing that this guy could indeed just pick up a single pebble and get away with it, Jimy frowned.
Then Ray giggled and shook his head.
“I bought lots of tools for drawing and some snacks too. But Lea cried so loudly that I had to give her everything immediately.”
Lea hugged the gifts given by Ray with her thin arms and happily waddled away.
Listening to the story, Jimy glanced at Ray and smirked.
“How come you’re back in one piece this time without getting hurt?”
“Thanks to Luna.”
“That… Is it true about the rumor of the meteorite falling?”
“Yeah, it almost crushed me as it descended right above my head.”
“…”
Jimy decided not to ask further about the meteorite.
Although curious about the circumstances of the meteorite’s fall, he figured knowing too much might not be good for his health.
As Ray and Jimy exchanged brief greetings atop their horses, they nearly arrived at the Manor.
Looking at the Manor, Jimy narrowed his eyes.
A long, luxurious carpet-like item was spread across the courtyard of the Manor.
Not only that, rows of knights clad in dazzling armor stood guard, and among them were some wearing armor emblazoned with the royal emblem.
“…Isn’t that the emblem used by the Imperial Royal Family?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Which knight order dares to engrave the royal emblem on their armor?”
“The Royal Guard.”
Jimy let out a hollow laugh.
Seeing the Royal Guard, whom he thought he’d never encounter in his lifetime, made him continuously chuckle nervously.
“Why has the Royal Guard come here?”
Though Jimy’s tone seemed calm, a hint of unease was mixed in.
Ray continued answering while urging his horse forward.
“Originally, the person concerned should be summoned to the palace, but the procedures are too cumbersome, so I requested a simplified version.”
Formally holding a title-granting ceremony involved meticulous steps from setting the date to selecting attendees.
“Once the simplified version is completed, if the recipient wishes, a formal ceremony can be held at the palace later.”
“Huh?”
Jimy was utterly confused by Ray’s words and showed his bewilderment.
But Ray kept talking.
“Since I was allowed to choose the surname, I did some thinking.”
He considered surnames with a fluffy feel.
For example, something like Pong Pong…
Jimmy Pong Pong Baron. Doesn’t it sound somewhat decent?
However, Ray refrained from playing pranks on a surname that would be passed down to future generations and decided to accept whatever the royal family designated.
“Well, anyway,”
Ray advised, pointing to the elderly man standing at the end of the carpet.
“This gentleman belongs to the Department of the Palace and is a high-ranking official, so be cautious with your words and actions.”
“…?”
Though unable to grasp the situation, Jimy still followed Ray and urged his horse forward.
Upon arriving at the Manor, Matthew was also blinking in confusion, unsure of the situation.
As Ray dismounted, the Royal Guard approached and asked,
“Are these the individuals?”
Their excessively respectful attitude startled the surrounding people, but Ray calmly nodded.
“Yes, that’s Matthew over there, and this is Jimy.”
The moment Ray finished speaking,
the knights lined up on both sides of the carpet simultaneously drew their swords and placed the hilts against their chests.
Startled, Jimy and Matthew tried to step back, but Ray pushed them forward and added,
“Just walk along the carpet and kneel at the end.”
Without understanding the situation, Jimy and Matthew were pushed by Ray and stepped onto the carpet flanked by the knights.
Walking cautiously under the watchful eyes of the knights, they soon reached the end of the carpet.
There, Sylia Count, a high-ranking official of the Department of the Palace, a noble with a count title, and acting on behalf of the Emperor, unfolded the Emperor’s decree.
“Prepare to receive the Emperor’s command with due respect.”
