Glory (3)
Chapter 319
Ray postponed his meeting with Ulte for a few more days.
During this time, Ray spent much of his time ensuring the emotional stability of Karen and Alesya.
Karen and Alesya smiled brightly despite their suffering from morning sickness, comforted by Ray’s gentle presence.
Meanwhile, Ray was somewhat worried about Luna, who had been disappearing frequently.
When asked where she had been, she only replied that she had gone out for some fresh air.
Could she already be helping with the reinforcement of the baron’s territory defenses?
After spending a few days with Karen and Alesya, Ray decided to search for Luna while heading towards the Sigini Mountain Range.
While wandering near the mountains, he encountered Ropheiren.
Ropheiren was in the process of drawing mana from the Sigini Mountains to reinforce the protective barriers.
Upon noticing Ray approaching, Ropheiren immediately knelt down.
“Have you arrived?”
Ray did not stop Ropheiren from showing respect.
Just a few years ago, Ray would have told Ropheiren not to bow so formally, as it might seem strange to others.
However, now there was no reason for anyone to find it odd that a high-ranking mage showed respect to Ray.
This realization brought a faint smile to Ray’s face as he asked Ropheiren.
“Luna?”
“Our master is not here.”
“Weren’t you working together?”
“There are still various preparations to be made. Once I complete them, I will assist her.”
“I see.”
Nodding, Ray looked around.
In the vision shown by the World Tree, Ray had stood in a similar place in the future.
Being here in person made him feel even more clearly how drastically the environment of the future had changed.
“Ropheiren.”
“Yes?”
“If you wish to accompany me to Jimy’s territory, you may do so.”
It was a fairly serious offer.
Forcing Ropheiren to stay here could result in the baron’s territory being more vulnerable if he suddenly left to manage the barriers.
Ropheiren easily understood Ray’s implication and shook his head.
Though Ray seemed to lack full trust in him, Ropheiren didn’t feel particularly wronged by it.
“There are many research materials that cannot be moved. If I leave, they would all need to be discarded.”
Everything Luna knew was stored in her mind, but Ropheiren couldn’t do the same.
Besides, whether or not it was research material, Ropheiren wanted to meet Ray’s expectations as much as possible.
“The encounter with Luna that Your Highness arranged has been the greatest fortune of my life. I experienced the ocean of knowledge I once thought unattainable and realized there was another world beyond the wall I believed marked the end of everything.”
Of course, Ropheiren knew that with his talent alone, he could neither approach nor surpass that great wall.
Thus, he found ‘satisfaction’ in sharing even a moment of Luna’s perspective.
The expression on Ropheiren’s face brightened, having fulfilled what he thought would remain an impossible desire.
“I am deeply grateful. I will fully protect Phillip’s County, so please rest assured. And may you achieve your goals. The pinnacle of the empire’s history…”
Ropheiren knelt again, bowing deeply.
“O greatest hero.”
“…”
Ray looked at Ropheiren for a moment before tapping his shoulder.
“Thank you.”
Since their first meeting at the Magic Tower,
Ropheiren had faithfully carried out the role Ray expected in Phillip’s County.
Had Ropheiren harbored ill intentions and caused trouble, both Ray and Luna would have suffered greatly, and Luna wouldn’t have grown as quickly as she had.
“You’ve done really well all this time.”
With genuine praise from Ray, Ropheiren also smiled.
*
Arundel, the Apostle of Hatred who attacked the Osiris Countdom, continued to be pursued by the Empire after his initial appearance.
However, with abilities specialized in stealth and ambush, Arundel proved difficult to track, even for the Empire.
With the help of hidden dark spirit mages, Arundel traversed the continent at an incredible speed.
He eventually entered Alimo and disappeared into the Forbidden Forest.
Analyzing the remaining traces, the Empire determined that Arundel likely headed toward the Demonic Realm.
If Arundel employed guerrilla tactics within the Demonic Realm, it would pose a significant threat to the expeditionary force.
To guard against Arundel’s attacks, at least one Lord-level power would need to be tied down, which would delay the expedition and lead to its failure.
Thus, Ulte’s assistance in significantly weakening Arundel’s abilities was necessary.
Ray visited the Viscount Gardi family in the Dinor region to explain the situation and persuade Ulte.
While waiting in a reception room, Lifa brought refreshments.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”
“Yeah, how have you been?”
“Yes, I’ve been doing well.”
Lifa’s belly was quite swollen, suggesting her due date wasn’t far off. Ray thought he should send her a gift through someone else.
Giving things directly to a married woman could cause unnecessary domestic issues.
“But where is Pietro?”
“Our Chief Steward passed away not long ago.”
“…Passed away?”
“Yes.”
Pietro was quite old. Considering his age, calling his death natural wasn’t disrespectful.
Lifa handed Ray a letter and continued.
“Our Chief Steward asked me to deliver this. And… he also asked me to convey his deep gratitude and regret for not repaying the favor before leaving.”
“…”
After Lifa tactfully excused herself, Ray opened the envelope with a troubled expression.
Pietro hadn’t always held positive feelings toward Ray.
After all, Ray himself killed Pietro’s son, who had been tricked into devil worship.
Regardless, Pietro lost his cherished son and carried that pain throughout his life.
However, there was no mention of such anguish in Pietro’s letter to Ray.
It merely expressed gratitude for Ray saving Ulte, allowing both Ulte and Pietro himself to pass peacefully.
“Why didn’t you just say something straightforward at the end?”
Ray muttered lightly with mixed feelings.
At that moment, Ulte entered the reception room and spoke.
“He was a man of depth. He was like a father to me. Thanks to you, he rested in peace.”
“Both sons ruined their father’s health.”
Ray lightly teased as Ulte approached, holding Titi, and waved his hand.
“Well, since it’s just us, let’s talk casually without formalities.”
“If you wish.”
Ulte nodded and sat down.
Titi, nestled in Ulte’s arms, made baby sounds and reached for the snacks.
As Ray watched this, he asked Ulte.
“Has there been even one instance recently where you regained consciousness?”
“No. It has only gotten worse.”
“Then… our time is running short.”
Ray brushed his hair back and straightened up.
He then carefully explained everything he knew about Resina, Genesis, the World Tree, and the Demonic Realm and how they were interconnected.
After hearing everything from Ray, Ulte sighed deeply, immersed in regret.
“”
Ulte looked down at Titi, who was babbling and scattering cookie crumbs everywhere.
He silently shed tears with calm acceptance and nodded.
“The end of a long journey… is approaching me.”
“Eh?”
Titi, seemingly confused by Ulte’s tears, rubbed his cheek with her tiny hand.
Though cookie crumbs stuck to his cheeks, Ulte smiled warmly.
“…Ray, I have a question.”
“Ask.”
“If solving the curse won’t restore lost memories, can resolving the curse truly save her?”
“That’s right.”
“Even if the curse is resolved, will it really be salvation for her?”
Ulte complained softly, tinged with melancholy.
Of course, Ulte was prepared to risk his life to resolve Resina’s curse.
But now, knowing that solving the curse wouldn’t give Resina anything more than an empty shell filled him with sorrow.
Ulte quietly swallowed his mixture of slight joy and immense despair.
At that moment, Ray placed a bracelet on the table.
“This artefact allows you to communicate with the artificial intelligence created by Resina.”
“…”
“And the personality this AI is based on is Resina herself.”
Taken aback by the unexpected revelation, Ulte listened as Ray revealed the information he had withheld.
“Resina ensured that, even in the distant future, when she was freed from the curse… she could recover her lost personality and memories.”
Of course, there were limits.
Could overlaying copied personality and memories onto a blank slate truly be defined as recovery or resurrection? Leaving aside philosophical discussions…
“The six hundred years of sacrifice by your family will remain a void forever.”
Those painful yet warm memories cannot be recovered.
However, the fact that Resina might not completely lose herself was enough for Ulte.
“You’ve given meaning to my meaningless life and suffering.”
“To both you and me, this is our last chance. So… stake your remaining life to fulfill your duty.”
“Gladly, I’ll do so.”
Ulte smiled broadly and added a word.
“And if, by any chance, I survive after fulfilling all my duties, I will dedicate the rest of my life to you.”
“Hmm, then just look after my daughters…”
Ray began speaking but stopped mid-sentence, looking alternately at Ulte and Titi before frowning and changing his words.
“Don’t approach my daughters.”
“…”
Ulte frowned in response to Ray.
*
The conversation with Ulte went well.
There was no need to add lies to persuade him, as initially considered.
Ray finished his business in Dinor but didn’t return immediately, choosing instead to wander around the area.
The scenery here had also changed significantly compared to the past.
Especially, whereas before one had to pass through mountain trails to reach Phillip’s County, now a clear road was built.
Originally, such road construction would require a substantial investment.
However, thanks to Luna and Ropheiren experimenting with magic and leveling the hill blocking the two regions, Phillip’s Count was able to proceed with the new road construction without burden, significantly improving travel between the two areas.
Additionally, Dinor had developed and become much more vibrant compared to the past.
Walking down the street, Ray listened to people’s conversations.
There was a place he wanted to visit, but the surroundings had changed so much that it was hard to find.
After much searching, Ray finally arrived in front of a civilian’s house, hesitating while stroking his chin.
The newly constructed house in front of him looked practical and stylish.
However, this new building only complicated Ray’s attempt to locate the place he sought.
“”
Ray tilted his head, wondering if this was the place he was looking for.
No matter how much he pondered, he couldn’t be sure.
As Ray groaned in frustration and massaged the back of his neck, a familiar voice came from nearby.
“Here.”
“”
About twenty meters away from Ray, in front of a house, Luna stood.
Silently, Ray walked over and stood beside Luna.
The house in front of Luna was also newly built in recent years.
Nevertheless, Ray felt a sense of nostalgia standing in this spot.
“Is this it?”
“Yes.”
“So, this is it…”
Yes, this was… the exact place where we first met.
Ray quietly gazed at the transformed landscape, brushing his eyes once.
And when he opened them again,
Luna was standing there, arms outstretched, silently looking at Ray.
Smiling faintly, Ray picked Luna up just as he had done that day.
And just like that day, they began walking down the street.
As they walked, the vague memories of that day gradually became clearer.
That day, I carried Luna like this.
Carrying Luna, I ran hard and escaped Dinor, then visited Jack’s fruit shop.
I wonder if Jack still keeps apple juice in stock at his store.
While Ray was thinking this as they walked, Luna tapped his shoulder.
“…Ray.”
“Yes?”
“Let’s go slowly.”
“…My back hurts?”
That day, carrying Luna, who was nine years old, almost broke my back.
Even though eight-year-old Luna was light, she was still a considerable burden for nine-year-old Ray.
We needed to reach the fruit shop quickly so I could put Luna down.
With a hint of laughter in his voice, Ray slowed his pace slightly.
“Alright, let’s go… slowly.”
Ray walked slowly down the street.
Wishing for time to match his slow steps, he continued his leisurely stroll.
