344th Chapter
Ray relayed Ramenta’s proposal to Ulte and Resina.
Ulte and Resina didn’t deliberate for long before deciding to visit the World Tree’s domain together.
While Ray respected Ulte and Resina’s decision, one concern lingered in his mind.
As a noble of the Empire, Ulte was originally supposed to return to the Imperial Capital to participate in the second triumphal ceremony.
Skipping the ceremony arbitrarily could cause unnecessary complications later on.
Thus, Ray requested that Ramenta formally draft a document regarding Ulte’s absence and send it to the Empire, which she agreed to do.
Thanks to this, Ulte could travel with Resina to the World Tree’s domain with slightly less apprehension.
Meanwhile, Alexander also announced his intention not to attend the triumphal ceremony at the Imperial Capital.
Alexander cited a perfectly reasonable excuse: the defensive stronghold near the Demonic Realm had been destroyed just before entering it due to the meteor he dropped.
The restoration work was underway, but it wasn’t something that could be completed within a couple of months.
If the forces from the Demonic Realm retaliated during this time, it would pose a significant threat.
Therefore, Alexander stated that he would remain in the South to prepare for any contingencies, though his true intentions were hardly as pure.
“…”
Both Ray and Anthonyus were scheduled to attend the triumphal ceremony at the Imperial Capital.
During this temporary absence of the owner of the Sacred Sword, Alexander intended to strengthen his influence in the South.
‘The high-ranking officials of the Holy Order consider Anthonyus to be close to the pro-royalist faction…’
From the perspective of the Order’s leadership, they wouldn’t be pleased with Alexander’s influence being overshadowed by Anthonyus, so they would likely lend him some support.
With a brief sigh, Ray leaned back in his chair.
“Let me ask you something directly.”
Even momentarily stepping down from his role as the Emperor’s proxy, Ray continued in a rather relaxed posture.
“Do you still aspire to found your own nation or pursue something similar? Do you have lingering ambitions?”
Facing Ray, Alexander smiled faintly before speaking.
“I’m uncertain. It troubles me deeply.”
Alexander’s ambition had always been clear.
He sought to achieve an honor so great that humanity would sing of it forever, etching his name into history.
In part, his desire had come to fruition in ways he hadn’t anticipated.
Had this been the younger Alexander, even after achieving part of his goal, he would have aimed higher.
However, his experiences in the Demonic Realm and the “truth” Ray revealed to him left Alexander troubled.
This was both a religious and philosophical struggle, as well as a quandary about the direction his sword and desires should take.
The fervent longing Alexander once thought would burn until the end of his days had faded, leaving him adrift without an answer.
Where this struggle and wandering would lead, even Alexander himself couldn’t predict.
But one thing was certain…
“At some point, I’ll need a foundation to walk the path I seek.”
That foundation meant power.
Ray chuckled softly.
Yes, even if one loses their way, discarding what they already possess is foolish.
It was a decision worthy of Alexander, and Ray didn’t dislike the kind of person Alexander was.
Moreover, Alexander sometimes prioritized the greater good over his personal ambitions.
Ray extended his hand toward Alexander, who had accompanied him in the Demonic Realm, conveying goodwill and gratitude.
“I hope the path you choose will bring positive change to the world.”
“Heh… I’ll try. But tell me, will we meet again?”
“It will be difficult.”
“…”
After a moment of silence, Alexander nodded and shook Ray’s hand.
“It’s regrettable. It was an honor to have worked alongside you, even briefly.”
“The honor was mine as well.”
*
After bidding farewell to Alexander, Ray walked down the corridor.
It was predictable that Alexander wouldn’t easily relinquish control in the South.
If he let his guard down, Anthonyus might seize the initiative, forcing Alexander to inevitably take action.
Of course, if Alexander ever grew overly ambitious, Anthonyus would serve as a sufficient counterbalance.
As the wielder of the Sacred Sword and one of the heroes who vanquished Preches alongside Ray, Anthonyus possessed an unshakable symbolic presence, granting him considerable authority regardless of actual political power.
Satisfied with this balance, Ray glanced out the window as he prepared to return to the Imperial Capital.
Through the window, he saw the expeditionary force checking their gear before departure despite their weary bodies from the battles in the Demonic Realm. Their spirits remained high.
“Hahaha…”
Ray laughed along with them, a smile naturally forming on his face as he thought of soon reuniting with those he loved.
Luna watched Ray from a short distance away, quietly observing.
“…”
Ray was smiling.
To Luna, he seemed brighter and warmer than ever before.
The shadow that had always loomed behind his smile was gone.
After enduring so much pain, Ray had finally managed to embrace pure happiness.
At the end of his journey, he had shed his anguish, put down his heavy burdens, and found peace.
This brought both profound sorrow and the only solace to Luna.
“…”
Luna approached Ray and took his hand.
Ray turned to look at her, gripping her hand tightly.
Together, their eyes welled up with tears, yet they soon smiled again.
*
The expeditionary force began its return.
As the Warp Gate near the Imperial Capital activated, Ray led the way through it.
The victorious imperial army emerged from the Warp Gate in orderly ranks, greeted by cheers from the gathered crowd.
The welcoming crowd shouted enthusiastically, celebrating the triumphant return of the expeditionary force. Their shining eyes were filled with admiration, and some even fainted from excitement.
However, the size of the welcoming crowd was significantly smaller than expected.
The members of the expeditionary force whispered among themselves as they observed the crowd.
“Was the rumor about the Imperial Capital being attacked during our expedition true?”
“That must be why… There were five times more people in the South compared to now.”
The expeditionary force learned after returning to the South that sporadic attacks had occurred across the continent during their absence.
Though many had anticipated such actions from the Devil Worshippers, the news that the Imperial Capital itself had been attacked and suffered significant damage shocked the expeditionary force.
There were even rumors that the Empire’s Swordmasters had personally stepped in to eliminate the enemy—a rumor most dismissed as exaggerated.
However, seeing the relatively modest size of the welcoming crowd lent credibility to these reports.
“…”
Ray had also received prior information about the attack on the Imperial Capital.
Initially worried, he had been relieved upon learning that his acquaintances had evacuated safely into the city.
Yet, looking at the current situation, it seemed the attack had been more threatening than Ray had imagined.
“…”
The Imperial Capital had been severely attacked twice in a short period.
Given this, exercising caution against potential future attacks by limiting the welcoming crowd was a reasonable decision.
Still, maintaining imperial authority was equally important.
To preserve the Empire’s prestige, the celebration should have been grand and extravagant, unaffected by external threats.
Especially now, when stability was returning to the continent following the expeditionary force’s victory, there was ample room for such a display.
Yet the Empire’s response felt… unusual.
‘Is there another reason I’m unaware of?’
Ray pondered briefly but forced away his unease before his thoughts became too complicated.
After everything, Ray was simply too exhausted to dwell on further concerns.
He wanted to rest and no longer focus on trivial matters.
Suppressing the growing unease in his chest, Ray smiled again.
The expeditionary force was initially scheduled to march to the front of the Imperial Palace after passing through the Warp Gate.
However, even before fully entering the capital, the troops received orders to stand by.
Despite the enthusiastic cheers from the crowd, the soldiers grumbled internally at the disparity between their imagined grand celebration and the reality.
When several Royal Guards approached the expeditionary force, explaining that urgent discussions were needed in the Imperial Capital, they took a few commanders away.
One Royal Guard approached Ray and bowed respectfully.
“Lord Prizzran awaits you.”
“Is that so?”
Ray nodded, thinking meeting Ernst might clarify the current situation.
Accompanied by Luna, Ray followed the Royal Guard.
“…”
While most of the expeditionary force waited patiently, Paula, one of the commanding officers and a member of the Royal Guard, openly displayed her frustration.
Approaching Takaus, another Royal Guard, Paula furrowed her brow.
“Why is the reception so lackluster? Anyone would think we returned defeated.”
Such complaints were possible only because of their close relationship, and the situation was indeed strange.
Paula glared at Takaus, silently demanding an explanation, but Takaus maintained a stern expression as he spoke.
“Prepare to command the army.”
“What?”
“If an imperial decree comes down, you’ll need to organize the expeditionary force under your command into battle formations.”
Takaus handed Paula an operations manual detailing where the expeditionary force should be positioned if the order came.
Upon reviewing it, Paula burst into laughter.
“Are you plotting treason or something?”
Following the manual would position the troops around the Imperial Capital in a manner resembling an encirclement.
Shaking her head in disbelief, Paula asked again.
“Or are we hunting down rats hiding in the Imperial Capital?”
“Rats…”
After repeating the word several times, Takaus replied in a low voice.
“I’m unsure… for now.”
Nothing had been decided yet.
Everything, including the operation manual, could either end as a minor incident or escalate into a nightmare.
For now, it was unclear, but…
Soon, the outcome would become apparent.
First Vow (4)
