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Royal Mage Magna had arrived at the Prislan Clan Fortress accompanied by a few Royal Guards.
She was there to open a Warp Gate, and as she glanced around with a mix of curiosity and intrigue, she asked Royal Guard Takaus, “Is an important guest arriving?”
“I don’t know much either.”
A Warp Gate wasn’t something that could be casually opened for just anyone. Yet, despite no war being declared, an order had come down to activate it solely for one person. This individual must have wielded extraordinary influence or achievements to deserve such special treatment.
Of course, Magna had no intention of prying further, so when Takaus deflected her question, she simply nodded in acceptance.
Soon enough, someone stepped through the activated Warp Gate.
Magna briefly glanced at the newcomer’s face before retreating alongside the Royal Guards.
As Ray emerged from the Warp Gate, he greeted Speira who had come to meet him.
“Hello, Speira-dono. Have you been well?”
“Indeed. Welcome, Ray.”
Ray exchanged greetings with Speira first, then turned his attention to Johanna.
Johanna, dressed unusually in a light dress, hesitated on what to say first.
Ray chuckled and teased, “Did you not cry too much while I was gone?”
“…”
“I’m sorry… Please don’t leave again…”
This brought back memories of when Ray left for the Magic Tower years ago, around age thirteen. Johanna had clung to his pants and cried profusely.
Embarrassed by the memory, Johanna ended up throwing the first punch instead of greeting him.
As Ray received several punches from Johanna, he turned to Delun.
“Have you been well too?”
“Yes, Lord Ray. I’ve been fine.”
Delun sighed with a smile as he alternated his gaze between Ray and Johanna.
Afterward, Ray exchanged brief pleasantries with those he recognized from the Prislan family.
Once the formalities were done, Speira approached Ray.
“Great-grandfather is waiting for you.”
“Ernst-sama… Duke Prislan?”
“Yes.”
“Ah… Then I should see him immediately.”
Ray was led directly to Ernst’s office where he met privately with Ernst.
After exchanging polite greetings, Ray brought up the topic of the civil war in Rubia Kingdom.
Having heard Ray out, Ernst gave a short nod.
The Empire too had been closely monitoring developments in Rubia Kingdom.
Both Ernst and the Emperor, who possessed deep knowledge of human history, knew that war was inevitable.
The only issue was timing, but it was clear that prolonging it would bring no benefit.
Ernst looked at the map hanging on the wall.
“The current time is suitable for conducting the war.”
The Emperor’s authority was currently at its peak.
Moros had filled the legitimacy gap that Poibos once lacked, and the nobles who had previously hesitated to support Poibos’ ascension to the throne were expected to keep their heads down for a while.
Additionally, recent events involving Devil Worshippers had unfolded consecutively.
At such a time, if the Emperor declared war to eliminate forces allied with Devil Worshippers, it would be difficult for anyone to oppose.
However, if a few more years passed…
Voices opposing the Empire’s use of force would gradually grow louder.
“To ignore and crush such public opinion would work, but it’d be troublesome.”
It was far more efficient and wise to conduct the war now, while the Emperor’s authority was high and opposition voices were muted.
In this regard, Ray, the Emperor, and Ernst shared common interests.
Ernst, having examined the map on the wall, turned back to Ray.
“The Empire will not miss this opportunity. As for your suggestion regarding the recruitment of the Ranger Commander, I’ll actively consider and proceed with it.”
“Thank you. If war breaks out, we must retrieve two artefacts. Only then can we ensure the danger is completely eliminated.”
He was referring to the staff seen in Osiris Countdom and the Command Blade used by the First Crown Prince.
Ernst acknowledged this and brought up Phillip’s County.
“Deploying troops to Phillip’s County to form a front line would be too inefficient.”
Ray also agreed on this point.
When war broke out, the people of Phillip’s County would likely need temporary evacuation, but Ernst assured Ray he would carefully handle that aspect.
Having concluded discussions related to the Rubia Kingdom with Ernst, Ray casually asked over tea, “By the way, Duke, about the Sacred Sword in the Imperial Capital—could I draw it?”
Ernst responded nonchalantly.
“It’s not my place to judge, but if you intended to draw the Sacred Sword, why hide your accomplishments?”
“That’s true, isn’t it?”
Ray chuckled lightly.
Ernst pondered for a moment before changing the subject.
“Soon, a weapon meant for you will be completed.”
It was the Artefact being crafted using a Dragonheart Fragment.
Ray showed more interest in this news.
*
After concluding his private meeting with Ernst, Ray had dinner with Speira.
Johanna and Delun were also invited to join them at the table.
Ray exchanged another formal greeting with Speira.
“Have you been well?”
“Of course. But Ray looks a bit tired.”
Rubbing the back of his neck, Ray shrugged.
“Perhaps from the carriage ride.”
“Rest after dinner.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Soon, food was served.
Speira subtly leaned closer to Ray and whispered near his ear,
“Can we talk about Johanna during dinner?”
“…”
To Speira, this was a lighthearted joke based on a past conversation. After all, Johanna was sitting right in front of Ray.
Recalling old memories, Ray gently touched the bridge of his nose and smiled calmly.
“Certainly.”
Johanna blinked, unsure of what they were talking about.
With Ray’s approval, Speira straightened her posture and declared confidently,
“I won today.”
Satisfaction colored Speira’s smile.
It took Ray and Johanna a moment to grasp the meaning of her words.
Startled, Johanna protested,
“S, Speira-dono! I won yesterday!”
“But today, I won.”
Listening to their banter, Ray burst into laughter.
Chuckling, he bowed slightly in agreement with Speira.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
Speira seemed pleased, while Johanna wore an expression of dissatisfaction.
Ray found their interaction amusing and smiled again.
Unable to confront Speira directly, Johanna silently sliced her meat.
Observing this, Ray noticed how much more elegant her cutting technique had become compared to before.
Now, Ray’s own technique appeared clumsier in comparison.
Given that Ray had only learned noble etiquette when necessary, this was an expected result.
While slicing meat alongside Johanna and Delun, Ray asked Speira,
“What are the procedures for entering Izhise?”
“Hmm… There are several ways to enroll…”
Izhise was akin to a military academy where the royal family trained elite soldiers.
Although they focused on selecting talented individuals regardless of status, it was extremely rare for commoners to enter.
Commoners rarely had the opportunity to develop their talents enough to showcase them, and verifying their background was difficult.
Thus, most entrants were children of minor noble families or the gentry class.
Of course, children of the imperial aristocracy also attended.
Some central nobles’ children, who served close to the Emperor, enrolled as well.
Powerful noble heirs sometimes entered to build connections with future members of the royal military.
“There’s some stratification in terms of social class.”
Speira paused briefly before continuing her explanation.
“Enrollment methods are divided into special admissions and general admissions. Johanna and Delun will take the entrance exam and enter through general admission.”
Johanna was set to pretend to come from a moderate noble family to secure her enrollment in Izhise.
Later, the royal family would discover and nurture her potential as part of the storyline.
Of course, eventually, everyone would learn about Johanna’s true origins.
Still, politics often depended on appearances, which was why they went through these formalities.
Some might think it was pretentious, but Ray understood that sometimes it was necessary to play along.
While slicing meat, Ray asked,
“So, am I also enrolling through general admission?”
“Do as you wish. Although there’s no need for you to conceal your origin and identity…”
Ray, supposedly from Phillip’s County, was known as a talent sought after by the Empire’s Swordmaster and potentially a fiancé to Speira Prizzran.
Though Ray’s name wasn’t widely known yet.
Before rumors about Ray spread, the Empire had been caught up in the succession crisis.
Aside from the Phillip’s County family and the royal family, only the Prizzran and Alstein families knew much about Ray.
‘Has there been any other occasion where I revealed my identity?’
During contact with the dispatched forces in Alimo Kingdom, his face was exposed once.
But that was right after the meteor incident, leaving his face quite battered.
Apart from the Royal Guards who conversed with him then, few would have clearly recognized Ray.
“Hmm…”
After reflecting briefly, Ray spoke.
“Just keep my name as it is, but fabricate an appropriate background for me.”
The title of Speira’s fiancé drew too much attention.
Ray planned to stay low-key at Izhise and observe the educational environment.
He intended to leave after one semester unless significant issues arose.
Speira nodded in understanding.
“Alright. I’ll arrange that.”
“By the way, what are the entrance exam tasks?”
“Well… The exam tasks are confidential and change slightly each time…”
Speira tilted her head slightly.
“Should I find out for you?”
Ray chuckled and shook his head.
Preparations had been made for Ray and the children to take the entrance exams, but neither Ernst nor Speira intended to worry about anything beyond that.
Since Ray, Johanna, and Delun all possessed excellent talents sufficient for admission to Izhise, they would undoubtedly pass regardless of the tasks.
Ray merely needed to pass without drawing too much attention.
Amidst the warm atmosphere, Ray introduced another topic.
*
Sometime later, at the location where the Izhise entrance exams were taking place.
After taking the first exam, Ray looked around at the testing area and asked cautiously,
“What exactly do you want me to do?”
“Project a sword aura to destroy the target. A mark at least 5 cm deep is required to count as a valid hit.”
“…”
Ray looked toward the clearing the examiner pointed to.
Within the clearing stood solid rock targets placed at regular intervals.
The nearest one was 30 meters away.
“Are there no targets closer than 30 meters?”
The examiner sighed deeply, looking disappointed at Ray.
“If you can’t hit a target 30 meters away, you fail.”
“…”
Holding his sword and staring intently at the target for a long moment, Ray muttered under his breath with a frustrated tone.
“Damn it, this is ridiculous.”
(End of Chapter 3)
