217th Episode
Time passed.
About a month later, Luna successfully restored her magic circle to the point where she could use most spells without much burden.
Even at this level, Luna was capable of fulfilling the roles of several high-ranking mages.
Thus, Ray decided that he would enter the Sigini Mountain Range with Luna tonight.
Ray had already obtained permission from Count Philip to explore the Sigini Mountain Range.
In truth, entering the Sigini Mountain Range and making contact with the Rangers wasn’t exactly a wise decision.
Stirring up the Rangers who were quietly stationed there would be like poking a hornet’s nest.
Moreover, approaching near the border of the Sigini Mountain Range might even give the Rangers a legitimate reason to act.
Nevertheless, Ray made up his mind to make contact with the Ranger side.
No matter how excellent the Empire’s Intelligence Bureau was, it was difficult for them to fully grasp the internal affairs of the Rangers, who were located on the front lines and in remote areas.
It was necessary to take some risks and confirm the situation firsthand rather than sit idly by hoping for peace.
Ray thought this way all the more because he would soon leave for Izhise and would have to be away from Phillip’s County for a few months.
“First, we’ve also received approval from the upper levels of the Empire…”
Ray informed Ernst in advance that he intended to explore the Sigini Mountain Range.
The reply from Ernst contained the message that while entry into the Sigini Mountain Range was permitted, any armed conflict, especially the killing of Rangers, was forbidden.
From the Empire’s perspective, this was a natural demand.
Ray also planned to flee immediately rather than draw his blade if the situation got too complicated.
If they disturbed the wrong hornet’s nest, it would ultimately cause headaches for Phillip’s County.
While walking and organizing his thoughts, Ray visited Jack’s store, who used to be a fruit vendor and now worked in the distribution business.
As Ray was munching on an apple displayed outside the shop, Jack came out.
After confirming Jack’s face, Ray slid an imperial gold coin onto the counter.
Jack caught the sliding coin and greeted him with a cheerful smile.
“Why don’t you just ask for it for free like old times?”
“My head’s gotten bigger; I can’t let the kids follow my bad example.”
Ray chuckled as he took another bite of the apple.
“Back then, you promised to set up orchards stretching beyond the horizon… Do you need it?”
Jack burst into laughter, following Ray’s chuckle.
“I’m satisfied enough with what I have now.”
“True, the distribution business does bring in some money. You can walk around with your head held high.”
“Yeah, and those orchards can’t be built around here anyway, right?”
Due to the climate, the region where Phillip’s County was located was unsuitable for establishing large-scale orchards.
Jack smoothed his furrowed brows as he pointed this out.
“At my age, where else would I go if I left here?”
“That’s true.”
Ray smiled awkwardly while looking around.
Being with Jack brought back memories of the past.
Though the time wasn’t long, they had lived it very intensely.
After reminiscing, Ray waved goodbye to Jack.
“I’m kind of busy today, so I’ll leave now. Oh… thank you for everything until now.”
It was an unusually heartfelt farewell.
Jack nodded and returned the greeting.
“Sure. It was an honor for me, kid. Drop by whenever you have time.”
Rumors spread throughout Phillip’s County that Ray had secured titles for Jimy and Matthew.
Jack felt immense pride knowing that someone of Ray’s caliber had emerged from Phillip’s County.
Furthermore, Jack was proud to have been briefly involved in Ray’s journey since his childhood.
Ray teased Jack playfully.
“I’m not a kid anymore, you know?”
“You’re shorter than me.”
“…”
Jack stood at 185 cm.
Ray frowned deeply at this comment.
*
The decision to enter the Sigini Mountain Range under cover of darkness was made with awareness of the Rangers’ tracking abilities.
Entering the Sigini Mountain Range during daylight hours would surely result in the Imperial Special Operations Unit being grabbed by the neck by the Rangers.
Of course, Rangers also had sharp night vision, but it was still less effective than during the day.
As the sun set, Ray stopped by his home alone to check his equipment before entering the Sigini Mountain Range.
However, the lights inside his house were on.
Thinking momentarily that a thief had broken in, Ray quickly deduced the identity of the intruder from the sound of footsteps and opened the door.
“Karen.”
“Oh, you’re here? Just a sec!”
Karen’s voice came from inside the room.
Ray entered the house and looked around.
The shelves were spotlessly clean, without a speck of dust.
During the months Ray had been away from Phillip’s County, Bella occasionally came by to keep his house tidy.
And now that Ray had returned, Karen was helping out by cleaning and organizing the place whenever she had time.
Karen came out of the room smiling at Ray.
“Ray, aren’t you going to the Sigini Mountain Range tonight?”
“…Who told you?”
“Luna mentioned it.”
“Ah, okay. Don’t tell anyone else.”
“Of course!”
Karen slightly pouted, wondering why such an obvious caution was necessary.
Still, she approached Ray, swinging her white skirt lightly.
“Will you be back soon?”
“It’s not something that will take long. If there’s a problem, I’ll return even faster.”
“Once you come back from the Sigini Mountain Range… won’t you have to go to Izhise afterward?”
“I think I’ll stay there for a few months.”
“…”
After a moment of hesitation, Karen carefully asked,
“Should I… try to enroll in Izhise as well?”
“Hmm… it might be tough right now…”
But with 1-2 years of effort, or at most 3 years, Karen could potentially acquire the skills needed to enroll in Izhise.
However, Karen didn’t possess the overwhelming talent of Johanna or the clear ambition of Delun.
Karen had a laid-back personality.
“…”
Was “laid-back” really the right word for Karen?
When Karen was younger, she wasn’t always as gentle as she was now.
She occasionally showed a strong sense of possession and exclusivity compared to others.
And those feelings were always directed towards Ray.
“…”
Ray felt uncomfortable and unconsciously cleared his throat.
Regardless, Ray didn’t particularly wish for Karen to enroll in Izhise.
“If there’s nothing specific you must gain from Izhise… well, I think there’s no need to enroll there. There are quite a few stubborn nobles there.”
The perception derived from one’s innate background was hard to overcome, no matter how skilled one was.
Even with Ernst’s support, subtle disdain could become a significant source of stress.
Without overwhelming talent like Johanna’s or Delun’s solid ambition, there was no need to take the arduous path.
Additionally, Karen’s striking beauty increased the likelihood of drawing unnecessary attention.
While beauty could indeed be a powerful weapon if wielded intentionally, it would only cause trouble if she had no intention of using it that way.
As Ray expressed his opinions somewhat hesitantly, Karen nodded.
“Alright, then I’ll stay here.”
Karen walked into the room with Ray and sat on his bed with a smile.
Ray momentarily wondered whether Karen meant Phillip’s County or the bed she was sitting on when she said “here.”
Karen caressed the bedspread and continued speaking.
“Here… helping people, teaching children…”
In this way, leading a meaningful life… I will always wait for you here.
“Ray, you’re amazing, so you can’t always be with us… but you will definitely come back, right?”
Karen’s voice wavered slightly.
Reading the anxiety and earnestness hidden within, Ray couldn’t shake his head.
“…This is my hometown, so of course, I have to come back.”
Ray ended up boasting again.
Receiving Ray’s assurance, Karen finally relaxed and smiled brightly.
Looking at Karen’s bright smile, Ray felt awkward and turned away.
As his gaze shifted, an awkward atmosphere arose.
After a brief contemplation, Karen subtly loosened the top buttons of her blouse.
Exposing her cleavage openly, Karen tried to distract herself by saying casually,
“It’s a bit warm today…”
How could it be warm when the night air was still chilly?
Instinctively drawn to look at Karen despite himself, Ray was about to respond when…
Karen, having gathered her courage again, untied her hair and finished what she wanted to say.
“Ray, I love it here. So even if Ray goes far away…”
Despite her burning face,
Karen looked straight at Ray with a radiant smile filled with emotion.
“I’ll wait for you here.”
The next moment,
Without a word, Ray approached the bed and kissed Karen on the lips.
*
Luna was waiting outside Ray’s house.
Not long after, Ray came out with his luggage, and Luna bluntly asked,
“…Are you done already?”
“…That’s a question that could lead to serious misunderstandings…”
Although it was somewhat intense, they had only shared a kiss.
Yet, being asked if he was already done made him feel a little uneasy.
Ray scolded Luna for making strange comments and adjusted the bridge of his nose.
His heart was a jumble of emotions.
What should he say…
He thought he had firmly maintained his rationality, yet every time he faced Karen, primal instincts overcame his reason, repeatedly beating and trampling it down.
Ray cooled off the rising heat with the cold night air and urged Luna to move.
“Let’s get going.”
All preparations were complete.
The equipment was thoroughly packed, and Viscount Gardi, Ropheiren, and the knights of Phillip’s County were ready with their arms in case of emergencies.
At Ray’s request, Luna materialized the high-level spirit Karga.
They planned to approach the Sigini Mountain Range by flying.
Although the Rangers also had anti-air capabilities with magical barriers, flying would allow them to avoid being tracked.
Soon, Ray and Luna ascended into the sky aboard Karga.
A strong wind blew, causing Luna’s hair to flutter wildly.
For a short while, Ray enjoyed the freedom of the wind, forgetting various worries.
Before long, an expansive mountain range appeared in their sight.
Ray and Luna first circled the mountain range, observing the ground below.
The densely packed trees occasionally revealed glimpses of beasts and monsters.
It was hard to find anything significantly different from the past.
Just as Ray was about to suggest heading further into the mountains, he noticed something unusual.
Deep within the mountains, a shadow was moving rapidly.
Although it could have been the shadow of a beast or monster, Ray didn’t think so.
If it were the shadow of a beast or monster, leaves or other things would have swayed along with its rapid movement.
However, the shadow Ray observed moved without leaving any trace—truly like a phantom.
Such movements were usually possible only for Rangers.
Rangers occasionally crossed the border to patrol the Sigini Mountain Range.
Thus, finding Rangers within the empire’s borders wasn’t unusual, but even considering that, this Ranger was dangerously close to Phillip’s County.
“What… shall we see who it is?”
Within the empire’s territory, Ray could afford to be a bit more aggressive.
With a casual intent, Ray asked Luna to lower their altitude.
Not long after,
Two men moving stealthily and swiftly through the mountains were suddenly confronted by Ray, who landed with a thud.
“?!”
The sudden appearance startled the two men.
Ray landed safely, crouched lightly, and looked at them.
“Hmm…?”
Ray frowned.
He suspected these two were certainly ‘Rangers,’ but their attire differed significantly from typical Ranger armaments.
At that moment, one of the men aggressively questioned Ray.
“Who are you?”
“Who are you guys? Are you Rangers?”
The two men glanced at each other, then drew their swords from their scabbards.
Ray noticed the emblem symbolizing the Empire engraved on the sword sheaths of the two men.
One of them pointed a blood-stained sword at Ray and warned,
“We’re from the Empire. Don’t want trouble? Then scram.”
“Hey, you too?”
“?”
Ray grinned broadly and replied.
“I’m from the Empire too!”
Ray pulled out a single sword from his cloak.
It was a treasured blade personally bestowed by the Emperor, adorned with the royal emblem that shone brilliantly even in the dark.
“I was sent by His Majesty the Emperor. Which unit are you from?”
Confused and fumbling, the two men watched as Ray waved his hand dismissively.
“Ah, I think I already know, so you don’t have to strain your brains.”
Conspiracy (2)
