351 Chapter
“Hmm… Can you two come over here for a moment?”
Ray had called Karen and Alesya over, saying he had something important to convey.
Karen and Alesya rose from their seats without hesitation and approached Ray.
As Karen and Alesya came closer, Ray turned them around and placed his hands on the back of their necks.
Moments later, both Karen and Alesya lost consciousness simultaneously.
By channeling a small amount of mana into the nape of an unsuspecting person, one could safely render them unconscious this way.
Ray supported their bodies so they wouldn’t fall as he signaled to the others.
Though confused by Ray’s sudden move, Johanna and Didier reluctantly took the unconscious Karen and Alesya into their arms.
Johanna asked while holding Karen, “Ray? What are you doing right now?”
“Ah, things have gotten a bit complicated.”
Ray’s voice remained calm as ever.
“I think we need to leave the Imperial Capital and head south. I’ll have to team up with Alexander there.”
The casual way Ray spoke about turning against the royal family made it hard for those watching him to grasp the severity of the situation.
Johanna stared blankly at Ray for a moment before handing Karen over to Delun and closing the distance between herself and Ray.
“What do you mean by that all of a sudden?”
“I’m sorry, but there’s not enough time to explain in detail. It would be great if you could cooperate.”
With that apology, Ray began explaining his plan.
“Traveling directly to the south by land will be difficult.”
The encirclement surrounding the Imperial Capital was thickest to the south, and all routes leading south were undoubtedly blocked.
“So, we’ll head northwest first to secure a Warp Gate. We’ll use it to travel to the south, and ideally, we’ll also bring Count Philips along.”
Ray then addressed the knights of the Philips family, who looked tense, reassuring them not to worry by clapping his hands a few times and adding another strong request.
“You all need to follow Luna’s instructions carefully. Don’t act impulsively out of excitement, and if you just listen to Luna’s guidance, we should be able to escape the Imperial Capital without any problems.”
“Escape… Are we fleeing from the Imperial Capital?”
“Yeah, pretty much.”
“Is… Is that really okay?”
To Johanna’s worried question, Ray nodded with a completely calm expression.
“It’s not difficult with the help of a high-ranking wind spirit. Don’t worry.”
Hearing this, Didier sighed deeply.
Didier, who knew Lea’s lineage, could easily guess why such an event had suddenly unfolded.
With a troubled look, Didier frowned and briefly reprimanded Ray.
“Knocking Young Miss and Karen unconscious was a hasty decision.”
Being pregnant, Karen’s restricted movement was more advantageous than being unconscious during the journey.
Since there was no arguing against this point, Ray shrugged apologetically.
“I’m sorry. It seemed like explaining everything to them would take too long.”
“…”
“Anyway, we’ll all be moving together. However, I’ll need to move separately for a bit to divert attention.”
“What?!”
Johanna immediately raised her voice and grabbed Ray.
“We can just go together! Why risk moving separately?”
“It’s not dangerous.”
“That’s absurd…!”
“Johanna.”
Ray pinched Johanna’s cheeks firmly with both hands as she was about to burst out in annoyance.
Just as Johanna was about to express her irritation at being treated like a child, Ray kissed her forehead.
While Johanna was momentarily speechless,
Ray tousled her hair and smiled lightly.
“Don’t worry.”
“…”
“Hmm… And that necklace really is quite beautiful.”
After admiring the necklace hanging around Johanna’s neck, Ray undid it himself and placed it in her hand.
“It might get damaged, so hold onto it. Make sure not to lose it while we’re apart.”
“…”
Escaping the Imperial Capital.
As Ray continued to treat this unrealistic story so casually and easily, everyone started to believe him.
It naturally occurred to them that there must be a clear reason for the unparalleled hero Ray to have such confidence.
Although Johanna couldn’t fully let go of her concern for Ray, she didn’t want to hinder him since time was short, so she refrained from pressing questions.
As Ray finished speaking, he snapped his fingers.
“Hmm… So, everyone, check your weapons and gather your belongings. Pack as quickly and lightly as possible.”
Urged by Ray’s insistence on the lack of time, everyone eventually began moving despite their frustration.
As people bustled about, an unexpected tremor shook the mansion.
Boom—
“…”
Ray stood up and went outside.
Turning his head toward the epicenter of the tremor, he confirmed the rising dragon aura emanating from the eastern tower.
As Ray stood quietly gazing at the dragon aura, he sensed someone approaching from behind. It was Adoya.
“The Duke of Prizzran has sent word that he can still reverse his choice if desired.”
“Hmm…”
Taking a deep breath, Ray slowly shook his head.
“Please tell the Duke I apologize.”
“Understood.”
Adoya slightly bowed her head and retreated.
As Ray waited silently while staring at the dragon aura, Bella and Jimy arrived with Lea in their arms, accompanied by Luna.
Ray briefly recounted the explanation he had given earlier to Bella and Jimy.
“I’ll need to draw attention away for a moment, so I’ll be moving alone for a bit.”
“…Draw attention?”
Jimy questioned.
Jimy knew Ray’s current condition.
He was in such bad shape that not only could he barely wield a sword, but walking straight was difficult as well.
Would he, with a body that could collapse at any moment, attempt to draw attention alone?
“Ray, you…”
Before Jimy could finish his sentence, Bella burst into tears.
As Ray immediately embraced Bella and spoke in a lighthearted tone,
“Why are you crying, Mom?”
“Son… I’m sorry… I’m sorry because of me… Son…”
“It’s not because of you, Mom. That’s not true. And stop worrying about me. Where else will you find such a dependable son?”
Ray patted Bella and then looked at Lea cradled in her arms.
“Mom, take good care of my little sister.”
Ray chuckled as if he had no worries at all.
While trying to reassure Bella this way, the group that had completed their equipment checks rushed out anxiously from the mansion.
Once everyone had gathered, Luna manifested the spirit.
Almost simultaneously, a thunderous roar erupted overhead.
Zzzziiing!!!
A high-powered bombardment falling from above was deflected by the transparent barrier Luna had erected.
Although the transparent barrier remained intact after blocking the bombardment, the attacks raining down on Ray’s group weren’t going to stop.
If they hesitated any longer, they would be reduced to ashes without achieving anything under the barrage of fire.
They needed to quickly move closer to the residential area where civilians lived to limit indiscriminate firepower deployment.
At least until they escaped the Imperial Capital, they had to move this way.
Whoosh!
Eira, the highest-ranking wind spirit, enveloped everyone except Ray.
Ray planned to draw the Empire army’s attention for a moment with the help of the high-ranking wind spirit Karga and rejoin the group before the connection with Luna and Karga weakened due to the increasing distance.
That was the plan according to what Ray had explained.
Due to the urgency of the situation, there wasn’t even time for proper farewells.
“Well, let’s meet up a little later.”
Ray calmly promised their reunion.
Soon, Eira stirred the wind, swiftly steering clear of the falling bombardments.
“Ray…!”
Johanna, moving away with Eira, repeatedly looked back at Ray with a face full of worry.
For some reason, Jimy never once looked back at Ray. He couldn’t bear to face the despair.
Bella, struggling to adjust to Eira’s fierce airflow, initially had to focus all her attention on not letting go of Lea in her arms.
Once she managed to regain her composure and looked back towards where Ray had been, she saw him far away, waving with a smiling face.
That was the last time they saw each other. Afterward, buildings and flames obstructed their view of each other.
“…”
Ray stared beyond the flames for a moment, hesitating, then turned away.
As Ray started walking away, he groaned after a short distance.
The chest pain was so severe that breathing properly became difficult.
Bending awkwardly at the waist, Ray finally moved again with Karga’s assistance.
Karga, stirring the wind, spoke.
[Human life is truly fleeting.]
“Guess… I’ll curse you guys at least once before I die?”
[Though I’ve experienced humiliation, it was entertaining thanks to you.]
“Is this a playground for you? Damn, you guys are bastards.”
Chuckling faintly, Ray waved his hand.
“Alright, you’d better leave now. Go help Luna.”
[…Understood.]
Karga left as well.
Now completely alone, Ray retched.
A red vomit with almost no solid content flowed from his mouth.
Staggering, Ray tried his best to walk forward again.
Ahead, armed individuals awaited Ray.
Shakhni, the captain of the Eleun Knight Order, which was directly under the royal family.
Along with Shakhni, numerous high-ranking forces of the Empire were positioned to wait for Ray.
Each individual was highly skilled, and their combination of armaments and troop types was perfect.
Even if Ray could wield his sword properly, it would be tough to face them alone.
Moreover, the Empire had an abundance of high-ranking forces at this level, and many of them had gathered in the Imperial Capital shortly after the expedition.
Shakhni spoke to Ray.
“I advise you to surrender.”
The imperial decree was to execute the rebel.
What purpose would surrender serve now?
There was nothing to gain except that the corpse might remain relatively intact.
Still, Shakhni prioritized advising surrender.
Wobbling, Ray stopped, looked at Shakhni, and then shook his head.
“That… isn’t possible. I have something I need to do.”
“It’s impossible for those who sided with you to escape.”
The Empire was well aware that Luna could control a high-ranking wind spirit.
While it’s true that there aren’t many means to catch up to the speed of a high-ranking wind spirit, that’s all there is to it.
If they attempted to escape the Imperial Capital by riding the wind spirit at high altitudes, they could simply intercept them with massive firepower.
Knowing this fact, Ray and Luna chose to move closer to the civilian residential areas.
But even so, the moment they try to leave the Imperial Capital, they would inevitably be surrounded by the elite forces of the Empire.
Choosing a direction with a relatively loose encirclement instead of heading directly south wouldn’t change anything.
At this very moment, the legions of the Empire were moving organically to adjust the encirclement.
The overwhelming number and power of the Empire hadn’t crushed the rebels outright because allowing them to cause a little ‘damage’ would be beneficial for building favorable public opinion.
“The more the rebels struggle, the stronger the Empire’s legions will become, tightening the noose around your necks.”
Even if there were Swordmasters or Great Mages hidden among the rebels, it wouldn’t make a difference.
With the redesigned defense system of the Imperial Capital and the elite legions of the Empire gathered, it was a level where several Lords coming together wouldn’t be able to handle it.
Ray knew this well. Despite knowing it, he shook his head.
“Why are you concerned about them…? You’re supposed to protect the Emperor, aren’t you?”
“…”
“Do you even have time for that? You should all come at me… Come and stop me…”
“…”
Shakhni reassessed Ray’s appearance.
His complexion was deathly pale, drenched in cold sweat, trembling.
He hadn’t even managed to wear armor, let alone an artifact, and the only bladed weapon he possessed was the iron sword he had picked up claiming to cut down Lea.
Shakhni didn’t want to decapitate Ray here.
However, if Ray refused to yield, he would have to.
“…”
The group blocking Ray’s path revealed their hostility towards him.
Feeling their hostility, Ray giggled and then began sobbing.
Suddenly, he remembered the happy dream he had on the way back from the Demonic Realm expedition.
In that dream, Ray was holding two children while Lea hung from his back, and they were all looking at the sea together.
It felt real now. Closing his eyes, it seemed like he could wake up from this nightmare and return to the warm embrace of those he loved.
“Hmm…”
Facing the cold hostility before him, Ray indulged in such a fantasy for the last time.
Tzuk!
The spell array on Ray’s circle activated.
It was the spell array given by Resina’s apparition when he met her in Izhise.
Resina apparently harbored ill feelings towards the Empire for letting Harshia die.
Thus, she must have left behind this device akin to venting anger.
Tzutzuk!
This spell array was single-use.
And with just one use, this spell array could summon Moros, which had fallen into someone else’s hands. That was its sole function.
A spatial rift opened, and the Empire’s divine sword, Moros, landed embedded in front of Ray.
Cac!
“…”
When the supposedly recovered divine sword of the Empire appeared in front of Ray, Shakhni was somewhat startled.
Somewhat startled, but he didn’t feel any more profound emotion.
It didn’t matter that Ray now held Moros in his hand; nothing would change.
More importantly, Shakhni was focused on something else and had no time to pay attention to Moros.
“…?”
Through learning swordsmanship, one naturally develops the habit of focusing on the opponent’s breathing and heartbeat.
Shakhni was no exception, and thus he detected something unusual.
No matter how much Shakhni concentrated,
he couldn’t sense Ray’s heartbeat.
Ever since that sound of something exploding was heard moments ago, Ray had been eerily silent.
Then, Ray spat out a large amount of blood.
Ray, unable to properly grip Moros, swayed with blurred eyes.
Hardly managing to stop his body from collapsing forward, Ray muttered as if to steady his resolve.
“Mom… don’t worry.”
Blood spewed from Ray again.
But this time, it wasn’t from his mouth.
The skin near his sternum split open, and blood gushed out from the gap.
The blood kept pouring out.
“…?”
Confronted with this grotesque scene, the Imperial Army couldn’t hide their bewilderment.
They had no idea what was happening.
After all, the continent had forgotten the myth of 600 years ago, so they couldn’t know.
Crunch!
The core originally residing within Ray’s heart continued to expand.
The core that had already crushed and shattered his heart had consumed the circle as well.
The core greedily consumed the circle, but since the circle possessed alien power, they began to collapse each other.
Crack!!
600 years ago.
Harshia gained the power to break the Demonic Realm by making a contract with El-Lam.
And El-Lam tried to implant the contract it had previously made with Harshia into its ‘restrained apostle.’
To ensure its apostle remained loyal until the end.
And to completely eradicate the ‘impurity’ that had fulfilled the role of the apostle from this world.
El-Lam tried to forcibly implant the destructive contract it had once made with Harshia into its apostle.
That contract was a curse by name.
From the moment one consented to the contract, complete annihilation of both body and soul became inevitable.
The end of existence was the price paid to temporarily obtain…
Limitless power.
Drip!
Liquid mana began flowing out from the core in Ray’s chest where his heart had been destroyed.
A wave of mana more concentrated than the dragon blood of old poured into Ray’s veins, pushing aside the blood.
The human body cannot withstand the density of mana surpassing that of dragon blood.
Ray’s remaining time was fleeting.
Ray closed his eyes for a moment, then reopened them.
The scenery before his eyes remained unchanged.
Turning his gaze away from the regret filling the void where his heart used to be, Ray grasped Moros.
“It’s alright… It’s alright, Mom.”
The radiant light of impending destruction bloomed around Moros.
“To fulfill your wish…”
With all that I have…
“…I’ll grant it.”
Spanning 600 years, it reached the Empire.
The First Vow (11)
