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Half of the imperial forces stationed in the Osiris Countdom have moved to the Sigini Mountain Range.
Among them were many high-ranking officers, including Dorian, a member of the royal direct Knight Order, who also participated in this rescue operation.
After the successful rescue, new defensive lines are being constructed in preparation for the possibility that enemies might chase them all the way to the Sigini Mountain Range.
Well, even considering this withdrawal of troops, the remaining forces stationed in the Osiris Countdom are still quite substantial.
Since Ray already sent word, it’s almost certain that Luna will soon arrive at the Osiris Countdom as well.
Saria is here.
Jimy, Mohamed, and Ulte are also present.
Once Luna joins them, even without Ray stepping in, they could effortlessly crush any opponent at the near-Lord level into dust.
Ray was aware of this, which is why he didn’t worry too much when observing the moving troops.
“However…”
Amidst the hectic situation, Ray took a brief moment to rest. He was admiring a painting drawn by Clemens when he lightly teased him.
“Why don’t you do something about Mineher?”
“Haha… I’m… trying my best…”
“Come on, because of her, there’s a nasty rumor going around that Count Philip ties an elf with a leash every night and makes them walk on all fours.”
It was half-joke, half-serious.
There were indeed occasional rumors that Count Philip had a sinister habit of treating elves like dogs by chaining them.
It seemed that the servants of the Osiris Manor mistook an elf walking on all fours for something else entirely.
Clemens didn’t seem to have a proper response, so he continued to laugh awkwardly.
Then Clemens, with a worried look on his face, hesitated for a while before finally speaking up.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Could you restore Mineher’s ears?”
“That’s quite a tough request…”
But it wasn’t entirely impossible.
Ray’s true identity was practically exposed everywhere, and the relationship with the Duke Matthias family, who sent Mineher, had been restored at least superficially.
Though there were still some uncomfortable issues due to matters related to Jimy or Luna, the need to pathologically restrict Mineher had significantly decreased.
“It’s possible. But…”
Ray tapped his fingers and turned his gaze from the painting to Clemens.
“Why fix a broken-winged bird that sings beautifully? Would it be fine if she flew away?”
The teasing question momentarily darkened Clemens’ expression, but he nodded.
“…I would be fine with that.”
“You’ll regret it eventually.”
“…”
“Is it out of pity? Have you grown attached to her? Or do you want to test her feelings? Are you curious whether her kindness towards you will continue outside the cage?”
“…”
Clemens remained silent, not responding to Ray’s questions.
Ray sighed deeply after observing Clemens’ expression.
“This isn’t really my place to say. I’m in no position to lecture others.”
Hesitant and awkward, expecting and demanding unwarranted loyalty from someone—Ray had been repeating such mistakes for a very long time.
After smoothing out the wine bottle he brought along, Ray apologized to Clemens.
“I’m sorry. I’ve been prickly. It was a mistake on my part.”
“No, it’s not… That…”
“People’s hearts are difficult. Very difficult.”
Shaking his head, Ray stood up.
“I’ll think about Mineher’s case. But it’s hard right now. After this mission ends and we return to the estate, I’ll discuss it with the count.”
“Yes, thank you. I’m sorry for troubling you during your busy time.”
“No, it’s my fault. Well, I’ll take my leave. I need to check the defensive line. Here, consider this a gift. Have a drink when you’re bored.”
After pushing the wine bottle towards Clemens, Ray waved goodbye.
After seeing Ray off, Clemens returned to his room and stared at the painting he had drawn.
For quite a long time… Clemens couldn’t take his eyes off the beautifully smiling elf in the painting.
*
Ray was the first recipient of the Empire Guardian Medal in several hundred years.
Interest in him exploded once his previously hidden identity was revealed.
Of course, few dared to openly show such interest, but behind closed doors, everyone was frantically trying to gather information about Ray.
As a result, people hired to collect information flooded the Osiris Countdom.
With so many professionals in the same trade, it was common to see them engaging in subtle eye battles as they passed each other on the streets.
While these information collectors did not overtly tail those close to Ray—they knew their necks would be on the line if they did—there were simply too many of them. By exchanging information just a few times, they could easily track the movements of Ray’s acquaintances.
Among these information gatherers were spies working for forces hostile to the empire. Many of them didn’t even know who had hired them.
Because everyone was interested in Ray, the vigilance towards those seeking information about him had somewhat diminished.
Thanks to this, Arundel quickly received accurate updates on the movements of Ray’s associates.
“Our primary targets should be the girl Lea and the woman Bella.”
They were judged to be Ray’s closest individuals and lacked significant combat ability, making them easy to control.
“Ugh… But the situation is… Kemyukemyu?”
“Kemyu” was a common swearword among elves, while “kemyukemyu” was a double swearword used when they were extremely annoyed.
To Arundel, the current situation was very kemyukemyu.
The biggest variable in this operation was the degree of affection Ray held for his family.
If Ray didn’t cherish his family much, this gamble would fail outright.
For this gamble to succeed, Ray needed to truly value his family above all else.
If Ray cherished his family more than his own life, then the moment the abduction succeeded, his family would become the strongest shield protecting Arundel.
Of course, Arundel didn’t expect Ray to prioritize his family to that extent.
Even if they served merely as bait, it would be more than enough.
“Let’s quickly secure the target and lure the Apostle of El-Lam to the coast.”
The Rhinoceros Whale was a demon raised on the Blessing of the Dark God over a long period.
With all the preparations made, if they could only draw Ray in, they would create the most perfect field to overwhelm him atop the sea.
And after a long wait…
“There… the opportunity has come.”
Smiling faintly, Arundel inside the submerged Rhinoceros Whale near the coast of the Osiris Countdom received nearly real-time information.
The perfect moment to secure the hostages had arrived.
Time was not infinite; a decision had to be made now.
“Let’s go.”
Swish—
The submerged Rhinoceros Whale slowly began to move.
On the other hand, a mage reading a book while keeping an eye on the coastline sensed something amiss.
Currently, a thin protective barrier was set up along the coast of the Osiris Countdom.
This detection barrier was temporarily erected as a precaution until the war ended.
A massive energy mass was detected within the barrier.
The mage, sensing the anomaly, hurriedly checked the coastline with his naked eyes but saw nothing.
After a moment of thought, the mage realized something was approaching underwater.
“Damn.”
A rapid warning to prepare for battle spread across the entire Osiris Countdom.
However, before the warning reached everyone, a giant whale with horns surged out of the water.
*
Let’s go see the sea.
At Lea’s request, Karen hastily packed her belongings.
Just in case, Karen sighed as she wore a sword at her waist.
Karen had yet to reach the Expert level.
If she fully utilized divine power, she might achieve an Expert-level performance, but Karen was still not an Expert.
Had Karen focused solely on honing her swordsmanship, she might have already reached the Expert level.
However, Karen explored various paths—training in swordsmanship, studying magic, learning theology…
These were struggles in Karen’s search for her own aspirations, but ultimately, Karen failed.
Karen possessed excellent talent in many areas but excelled in none.
Now, Karen clearly understood this fact.
“Shall we go, Lea?”
“Yes!!”
Permission had been obtained from Bella.
Despite her hesitation, Bella eventually entrusted Lea to Karen out of gratitude for her goodwill.
“Sea! We’re going to the sea! Sea!”
Lea jumped around excitedly, then ran over and hugged Karen.
Lea clung tightly to Karen, nibbling on her oversized chest, before realizing the discomfort of having her neck bent backward while being held and returning to the ground.
Karen chased after Lea, trying hard not to reveal the tightness in her chest.
Karen envied Lea so much.
Bella’s daughter, Lea, wouldn’t be able to sever her bond with Ray even if she wanted to—it was her destiny.
This destiny made Karen envious.
As they continued walking, the strong scent of the sea and the horizon came into view.
The long line created by the overlap of the blue sea and sky filled Karen’s pupils.
It was the scenery that Johanna had boasted about to Karen a few years ago.
Karen waited for Ray to come and show her the seaside first.
If she hadn’t acted sulky, Ray would have done it much earlier.
Karen knew this but still felt a bit disheartened.
At that moment, soldiers waiting on the hill behind the shore began shouting to each other.
Not long after, a horned giant whale emerged from the water not far from the beach.
“Karen-nee, that monster…!!”
Startled, Lea grabbed Karen’s wrist.
Immediately afterward, Karen started running while holding Lea.
The sky flashed.
A spell cast by the mage guarding the shore fell.
Simultaneously, a tremendous roar echoed.
The sound was caused by the massive wave emanating from the Rhinoceros Whale neutralizing the spell.
Terrified by the deafening roar, Lea clung tightly to Karen.
Karen kept running.
Meanwhile, a violet light erupted from the Rhinoceros Whale and descended onto the shore.
People who had just begun to flee were instantly obliterated upon contact with the violet light, bursting like bubbles.
A knight wielding a Command Blade stepped onto the shore.
The target was right in front of him.
*
Above the azure sky.
A girl with silver eyes looked down at the ground.
When the Rhinoceros Whale emerged from the sea, entities imbued with the aura of the Dark God set foot in the Osiris Countdom.
Among them, one of the most powerful presences pursued Karen, who was carrying Lea.
The girl extended her hand toward Karen and Lea.
She intended to transport them to safety.
However, her hand never caught up with their retreating backs.
“…”
Her halted hand trembled slightly.
Hesitation surfaced. The hand, lost in hesitation, soon lost its strength.
The girl quietly murmured while still gazing down from the sky.
“…Karen.”
Run.
“Leave that child behind and run.”
Listen, Karen, that child is…
“A shackle that sickens Ray.”
So,
Pretend you didn’t see anything and leave that child behind.
I’ll pretend I didn’t see it either.
Turning Away (2)
