220th Episode
“The Command Blade has been recovered.”
“…The Command Blade?”
“The artifact used by the 1st Crown Prince.”
“Ah, so it wasn’t destroyed and still exists?”
Command Blade. An artifact once used by a past Apostle known as a Necromancer or Commander of the Undead.
Ray thought that the artifact had melted away along with the 1st Crown Prince, but it seems that was not the case.
Loberry continued speaking.
“It was discovered a few years ago and retrieved. It was sent to the royal family, and I believed it was destroyed.”
“It wouldn’t have been destroyed. Now I understand why there’s always an attempt to start wars.”
With large-scale wars causing massive casualties, necromancers or similar beings could easily gain power.
Even if not necromancers, devil worshippers could exploit the corpses and grievances caused by war to create chaos.
The necessity for targeted strikes using small special task forces increased.
Ray briefly frowned before letting out a smirk.
“Does providing this information mean you’re open to working with the Empire?”
“I hope to secure a contact method that I can use. No one else but me.”
“Hmm…”
After pondering for a moment, Ray came up with a good idea.
“At midnight ten days from now… send someone trustworthy to David’s Memorial at the Sigini Mountain Range. We’ll arrange a contact method.”
Luna should be able to provide an artefact capable of communication.
By using this artefact to connect Loberry with the Phillips County, and then establishing a system through Phillips County to contact Ernst or the royal family, it would greatly assist in monitoring the rangers’ movements and planning for war.
If Rubia Kingdom plunges into full-blown civil strife or a similar situation,
At that time, the Empire will move decisively to eliminate the corrupt elements.
The Empire had the strength and judgment for such action, and Ray also intended to advocate for the situation to unfold accordingly.
Having reached an agreement with Ray, Loberry stepped back.
“As you say. I’ll send someone in ten days. I’ll wait about ten minutes… and wish for your safe escape.”
Rangers were setting up an encirclement in the mountains.
Of course, it was more of a show than anything serious.
Ray nodded.
“Well, good luck with that.”
Both Loberry and Ray simultaneously disappeared into the darkness.
*
Ray and Luna successfully escaped the ranger’s encirclement.
As Ray flew alongside Luna on Karga, he spoke up.
“Luna, I have a favor to ask.”
Upon hearing Ray mention a favor, Luna’s expression grew slightly colder.
When Luna turned around on Karga to face Ray, he gave an awkward smile.
“While I’m in Izhise, please take care of Phillips County for me.”
“…”
Not long ago, Luna had told Ray she wanted to go to Izhise with him.
Although she wasn’t enrolling, Luna wished to live near the Imperial Capital and be ready to help Ray in emergencies.
Reading the negative emotions in Luna’s expression, Ray hurriedly added an explanation.
“Luna, there’s nothing dangerous there. Don’t worry.”
There aren’t any mysterious student councils flaunting their authority.
It’s not a world where students are stronger than instructors except for Ray.
It’s not a place where defenses break down frequently, allowing villains to invade.
There won’t be any sudden spatial barriers isolating students without instructors.
For such things to happen regularly at Izhise in the Imperial Capital, the nation would have to fall apart first.
“…Though, of course, there might be some intense discipline and discrimination based on background…”
Regardless, none of these pose a real threat to Ray.
The only immediate threat to Ray now is… Lea.
Ray felt much more at ease knowing Luna would stay behind in Phillips County to protect the people.
As Ray continued his persuasion, Luna finally raised a finger.
Hey brat, want to taste a meteor?
Ray flinched as the warning from Luna in his dream resurfaced.
After stepping back momentarily, Ray, under Luna’s cold gaze, forced a sheepish smile.
“Eh, why, Luna?”
“…If you get hurt even one more time while I’m not around… I won’t hold back.”
In other words, Ray must not get injured.
Ray nodded with a smile.
“Don’t worry.”
“…”
How many times had Ray returned severely injured despite telling her not to worry?
Despite her dissatisfaction, Luna didn’t press further.
She understood intellectually that there weren’t any real threats to Ray at Izhise.
Soon, Ray would head to Izhise.
Thinking of Johanna and Delun, Ray hoped they were doing well.
*
Time continued to pass.
Ray obtained a communicable artefact from Luna and handed it over to the ranger.
With communication established with the ranger captain, both the Empire and Phillips County could now respond flexibly to changes in Rubia Kingdom’s situation.
Ray planned to have a deep discussion with Ernst regarding Rubia Kingdom’s civil war and the Empire’s participation.
Not long after, the day Ray had to leave approached.
Before leaving, Ray met Pietro, the former butler of the Gardi Viscount family, after quite a long time.
Pietro was now too frail due to old age to handle practical duties.
Thus, he had passed most of his responsibilities as a butler to successors like Lifa.
Nevertheless, Pietro traveled from Dinor to the Manor of Phillips County to repeatedly thank Ray.
“Thank you very much.”
“Your constant bowing makes me feel uneasy.”
“Truly… thank you.”
After losing his son, Pietro waited anxiously for Ulte’s return.
But Ulte never returned, wandering outside until eventually going missing.
Perhaps fearing Ulte might die without ever seeing him again,
Ray rescued Ulte and brought him back safely.
Pietro expressed his gratitude numerous times before stepping back.
With a somewhat somber face, Ray turned to Ulte.
“Gardi Viscount, please, don’t cause trouble, and just behave for now.”
“I understand.”
“If you cause trouble this time, we really won’t be able to clean it up. Don’t make decisions that harm Titi.”
“I get it.”
After cautioning Ulte several times, Ray hesitated for a moment and decided to add one more request.
“Don’t approach the orphanage or the children recklessly.”
“…”
Ulte glared at Ray with obvious displeasure.
Ray returned the glare.
Just then, Alesya approached and pleaded with Ray.
“My knight! Can I not accompany you?”
“A young miss like you isn’t entering Izhise… Where would you stay in the Imperial Capital? It would cost too much money to rent accommodation.”
“Don’t we have the Prizzran Clan’s mansion?”
“…”
Alesya was essentially saying she’d freeload at the Prizzran mansion.
Alesya stood confidently, believing it was fine to do so.
Why did Alesya insist on following Ray?
Because there were plenty of free delicious snacks and tea leaves there.
Plus, she wanted to sightsee in the city.
Ray looked at his lady with a troubled expression and poked her side.
Being poked in her less chubby side compared to before, Alesya slapped Ray’s hand.
Ray smirked at the grumbling Alesya.
“Take care. I’ll bring you a present when I return.”
“If my knight says so, I shall wait!”
Since her insistence on accompanying him was a joke from the beginning, Alesya relaxed her expression and responded.
At that moment, Lea approached shyly beside Alesya.
When Alesya moved aside, Lea reached out to Ray.
“Brother! Present for Lea! Present for Lea!”
Recently, since Ray had been treating her kindly, Lea felt more relaxed and pleaded with him.
Though Ray desperately wanted to flick her forehead, he restrained himself, picked her up, and hugged her while nodding.
“Yeah, sure. I’ll definitely bring a present for Lea.”
“Woo! Brother is the best!”
Despite Ray’s rather official tone, Lea was happy nonetheless.
Lea smiled brightly and hugged Ray tightly.
Ray swung her up and down before approaching Bella.
Bella brushed his hair to one side and smiled warmly.
“Son… come back safely, and don’t get hurt.”
“Mom, take care too. Don’t forget what we discussed last time.”
Ray had explained to Bella the necessary precautions regarding Lea.
While it was important to ensure Lea wasn’t exposed to outsiders carelessly, there was something more critical.
Ray worried that Lea might accidentally cause trouble while staying with Bella.
While Ray could absorb Lea’s power, Bella had no means to withstand Lea’s flames.
Ray gifted Bella a defensive artefact and warned her to keep Lea away from Jimy or Matthew as much as possible.
If Lea’s power got slightly out of control, at least Jimy would be able to handle it properly.
Reiterating this point one last time, Ray hugged Bella.
After bidding farewell to everyone who had come to see him off, Ray faced Karen.
Karen, looking slightly embarrassed, handed Ray a jewel-encrusted brooch.
Ray’s eyes widened upon sensing the faint divine energy emanating from the brooch.
Karen added an explanation belatedly.
“I… consecrated it myself. It’s not a great item, but…”
As Karen said, it wasn’t a great item.
At best, it could provide a bit of vitality, far inferior to something consecrated by a high-ranking cleric, almost akin to a simple talisman.
Still, Ray happily accepted the brooch with a smile.
Ray hugged Karen once and said,
“Take care of yourself and stay healthy.”
“Okay. Ray, come back safely and don’t get hurt.”
Finally, it was Philip Count’s turn.
Philip Count looked at Ray, suppressing his frustration.
Philip Count still didn’t understand why Ray refused his title and acted as he did.
Ray hadn’t yet revealed the truth to Philip Count.
He intended to disclose everything once he had decided how to resolve Lea’s issue.
Regardless, Philip Count was a benefactor to Ray.
Hiding any negative feelings, Philip Count bid Ray farewell.
“Come back safely.”
“Yes, thank you.”
The carriage to the Warp Gate was prepared by Philip Count.
After exchanging farewells with everyone around him once more, Ray boarded the carriage.
Luna, watching from afar, turned her back.
“…”
Luna’s expression was cold and rigid.
From Aptel, Luna learned about those who tried to master the Spatial Blade in the past and how they died.
Unlike them, Ray succeeded in mastering the Spatial Blade,
But had he truly overcome all the side effects?
If Ray were to exhibit problems similar to those who perished in the past, a solution would be necessary.
And soon.
Deception (2)
