Conference (2)
Chapter 68
After taking a look at a few more booths, Ray shook his head and closed his pocket.
Currently, all items for sale at the conference had been touched by a Mage’s hands at least once.
Even if the quality of an item was similar, if it involved a Mage in its creation, the price would rise over twice as much.
However, this premium wasn’t entirely baseless.
The necklace that Ray purchased, for example, was one where a Mage directly participated in the finishing work, greatly enhancing the accessory’s completion.
Though only experts using high-magnification lenses could barely discern the difference, it was still an important factor when it came to luxury goods.
‘If I gather all the remaining budget…’
He could allocate around 50~100 gold for one child’s gift.
With this budget, buying outside the Magic Tower was more cost-effective.
Inside the Magic Tower, 100 gold could only buy wooden souvenirs.
“Delun will get about a 300-gold investment for Ian’s present…”
Ray valued talent and results.
Although he didn’t openly discuss “Normal Orphans” and “Rare Orphans” in front of the children, he increasingly differentiated rewards based on effort and achievement.
It was an unavoidable distinction since the orphanage wasn’t meant to merely play family with goodwill alone.
While some kids got hurt under this system, a few, including Karen, took good care of them.
For nearly two years now, Ray had quietly observed that most of the cookies Karen received ended up in someone else’s mouth.
In any case, Ray had no intention of saving the budget.
If they needed something later, they could acquire it through Count Philip or Jimy.
Ray had no interest in luxury either in his past life or this one. If there was truly something necessary, he could always request it from his current position.
Moreover, checks were not easy to use in the vicinity of Phillip’s County.
“Perhaps I don’t need to buy anything separately for Luna.”
With so many meticulously crafted magic books and private tutoring planned, there seemed no need to prepare anything extra.
As Ray muttered to himself, Hamus shook his head.
‘Is this kid doing this on purpose?’
Unless someone was deliberately trying to irritate others, it was hard to act like that.
Of course, Ray believed Johanna and Luna genuinely enjoyed swordsmanship and studying, leading him to make such judgments.
However, even a child who loves studying might feel upset if their parent bought a transforming robot for their sibling but gave them an expensive encyclopedia set instead.
Due to his somewhat elevated mental age, Ray lacked sensitivity towards children’s emotions.
‘Well, deal with it yourself.’
Hamus clicked his tongue briefly and stopped caring. The trouble was Ray’s to handle.
Even without a budget, the three squires continued to wander through the conference street.
There were numerous Artefacts that were hard to find easily outside the Royal Magic Tower.
However, as they moved further, the surrounding gazes became more intense.
Considering that their appearances were far from unusual, the reason was clear.
A silver sword.
Those with keen eyes immediately recognized it as the work of a Mage craftsman.
Several Knights and Mages boldly approached and stared intently at the sword on Ray’s waist.
Viktor and Hamus swallowed nervously.
Even though they weren’t likely to be attacked in the middle of the conference street just for carrying a treasure, the overwhelming attention was quite burdensome.
“Where did you get that?”
A Mage in a robe asked, and Ray replied straightforwardly.
“From Mr. Zeppelin’s booth.”
“Purchase? Today?”
“Yes.”
A skeptical expression appeared in the corner of the Mage’s eyes.
‘That item should have gone to auction, yet it was sold to a squire?’
How much money did they exchange?
Though he wanted to ask if it was stolen, that wouldn’t make sense for several reasons—Zeppelin wasn’t the type to lose his belongings, and if he did, chaos would already have ensued.
“Did you replace the scabbard?”
Creeak!
Ray applied pressure with his thumb and pulled the blade slightly.
The Mage blinked and shut his mouth.
‘Just how much did they hand over?’
At auctions, prices can skyrocket depending on the atmosphere.
Items usually traded for around 200,000 gold can sometimes reach 400,000-500,000 gold.
“That’s…”
“A genuine piece…?”
Whispers began to spread.
There were also quite a few people on the conference street who knew Ray’s identity.
Alesya had recently arrived for her studies and drew considerable attention from professors. Despite having many female friends, she still faced jealous glances.
Alesya’s biggest flaw, however, was undoubtedly Ray’s existence.
Similar to in Phillip’s County, Alesya maintained close proximity to Ray, providing ample material for rumors.
Since Ray suddenly purchased a sword worth hundreds of thousands of gold, the source of the funds was clear to others.
“Phillip’s County? Isn’t that a tiny family out in the boondocks? Do they have the leisure to invest such a fortune in a mere heir?”
“The countess’ affection seems excessive.”
“Tsk, what’s the point of having a successor with such mediocre intelligence?”
The whispers among the squires exploring the conference street were particularly loud.
Knights, out of pride, couldn’t open their mouths outright, but their gazes mixed with strange envy and disdain were directed at Ray.
Viktor and Hamus realized.
‘Ah, this situation feels familiar.’
Of course, the environment was completely different now.
Osiris’s conflict with the knights happened within Phillip’s County, whereas now they were inside the Royal Magic Tower.
Among the whispering squires, there were also heirs from families stronger than Osiris.
This wasn’t an environment where Ray could freely raise his voice.
Just as Ray was planning to back off appropriately, a deep voice stopped him.
“Ray, there you are.”
Hamus and Viktor turned around first and respectfully bowed in surprise.
The one who called Ray was Lyon, a knight from the Osiris family.
Lyon stopped rummaging in his pocket and was shocked upon seeing Ray’s waist.
“…? Ray, is the sword currently on your waist…?”
“Do you recognize it? It was made by Mr. Zeppelin…”
“No need to recognize it. Besides, isn’t it grade X?”
“Huh?”
When Ray tilted his head, Lyon pointed at the scabbard.
“Mr. Zeppelin is a renowned Mage and craftsman. He grades the quality of the weapons he creates and marks them on the scabbards. Grade X means it’s almost top-tier… Is it perhaps genuine?”
“Ah.”
So that’s why everyone showed interest just by looking at the scabbard.
Only then did Ray realize that the emblem of two crossed swords adorning the scabbard wasn’t mere decoration.
“Would you like to verify it?”
“Hmm…?”
Lyon took the sword from Ray, unsheathed it once, and gasped in shock.
“My goodness, it’s genuine.”
It wouldn’t be appropriate to inquire here how Ray managed to purchase it.
After returning the sword, Lyon advised Ray.
“Ray, you won’t have problems inside the Royal Magic Tower, but it would be wise to quickly find another scabbard. Carrying something like this openly makes you an easy target.”
“I understand. Thank you for the advice.”
Lyon nodded and, after admiring the ‘X’ insignia engraved on Ray’s scabbard for a moment, finally snapped out of it and reached into his pocket.
“Ah, and Lady Phillip requested me to deliver this letter. It seems important.”
Lyon handed over the letter.
Ray accepted it politely while hiding an uneasy feeling.
‘Alesya would naturally suggest forming a group to explore the conference together, right?’
However, Alesya wasn’t attending the conference and was instead locked in her room.
‘She’s been restless like a puppy needing to poop for the past few days.’
At first glance, it seemed like she was under some kind of pressure, but Alesya wouldn’t readily confess why she was anxious.
For now, Ray thanked Lyon.
Having completed his task, Lyon turned around.
“I’ll check out other places. Enjoy yourselves.”
He was giving them space to avoid making the squires uncomfortable.
Once Lyon disappeared, the whispers grew louder again.
Among them were those who blatantly insulted Phillip’s County, and Ray heard every word clearly.
Ray tore open the letter addressed to him while these whispers persisted.
During the time Ray read the letter, Hamus and Viktor trembled anxiously.
Even though they knew Ray often judged situations and acted unpredictably, they couldn’t shake off the ominous feeling.
Meanwhile, as Ray read the letter, he ran his fingers through his hair.
“Phew…”
When Ray sighed, Hamus and Viktor shivered.
Ray muttered to himself.
‘The time of humiliation and oppression… It’s exhausting.’
In reality, he hadn’t experienced significant humiliation or oppression, nor had he spent enough time in the Magic Tower to feel exhausted.
However, being squeezed between the children of high-ranking nobles and Mages had indeed forced him to tread carefully.
But tolerating this has its limits.
“It’s time to return to being ‘Orphan Collector’ Ray.”
“What nonsense, you crazy guy.”
Sensing the ominous vibes, Hamus stepped back in alarm.
Ray stretched his lips wide.
“My aunt is visiting the Magic Tower to see me? She should arrive within two days.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
Hamus and Viktor expressed their confusion.
Ray was purely a commoner with no notable family background, implying that his aunt was also a commoner.
Without answering their questions, Ray picked up a stone.
Clang!!!
“?!”
The stone collided with the chest armor of a squire who had been loudly gossiping about Alesya.
The squire named Ruble, serving a knight from the Usrudin family, looked bewildered and stared at Ray.
Ray beckoned to Ruble with his finger.
“Hey, you bastard, come here. I’ll tear your mouth apart…”
“Ray! Are you insane?!”
“Ray, you’re going to get into serious trouble with your status… This isn’t Phillip’s County!”
Hamus and Viktor pulled Ray back as he lunged forward.
However, Ray shrugged them off and muttered something only they could hear.
“Listen well. I’m not a ‘commoner.'”
“Huh?”
“From now on, my identity is ‘the nephew of Imperial Hero Saria.'”
Even if Ray shouted in the air about being Saria’s nephew, very few would believe him.
And even if they did, they’d likely assume it was a distant cousin relationship based on shared blood.
But if Saria herself visits and fusses over Ray, opinions would change considerably.
Ray was excited at the prospect of benefiting from familial ties (though not actual ones) after a long time.
“Come here, bastard.”
*
“So…”
Among the three people sitting around a cheap wooden table, the shortest woman adjusted her glasses.
“Can we proceed without removing Ropheiren?”
“Yes.”
The Silver Magic Tower Master nodded.
Seita, belonging to the Royal Intelligence Bureau, removed her glasses and her red eyes gleamed.
“Can you take responsibility for the outcome?”
“Ropheiren is actively cooperating in discarding research materials and adjusting contract seals. They’ve also agreed to location tracking and regular reporting.”
“You mean you’ve noticed the potential consequences of the research.”
“Therefore, he’s earnestly begging for his life. He won’t pose a threat. Overreacting too much might give others a chance to interfere.”
The Knight of the Royal Guard, Michael, stood up after reviewing the documents.
“It seems we’ve reached a conclusion. Let’s end it here.”
Seita paused briefly before nodding.
In reality, the decision had already been made, and they had merely fine-tuned opinions with a bit of posturing.
As the three prepared to leave, the meeting room door creaked open.
Michael, who had his hand on his waist, hastily knelt down.
Seita and the Silver Magic Tower Master followed suit.
“We greet His Highness the Crown Prince.”
With flowing silver hair and sun-like crimson eyes, Crown Prince Carinus, embodying the traits of the royal family, laughed as he held a wine bottle.
“Ah, so our empire’s pillars gathered closely. What were you discussing?”
The three exchanged glances.
Seita rose first and explained the matter they had just discussed.
The hazy look in Carinus’s eyes suddenly sharpened.
“How dare such a despicable wretch try to flee without paying for betraying the empire’s grace?”
Seita, Michael, and the Magic Tower Master exchanged quick glances.
People’s lives can be easily cut short by the whimsical feelings of powerholders.
Apparently, Ropheiren was unlucky.
“…I’ll handle it.”
“Who?”
“The Mage…”
“The Mage only?”
“…?”
“Dare anyone who has benefited from the empire’s grace and conspired with traitors remain unpunished?”
A bead of cold sweat trickled down Seita’s forehead, her expression unchanged.
Touching the people of a loyal noble family for such a trivial reason could lead to significant complications.
Initially, Seita belonged to a special unit granted limited operational authority by the Emperor.
Even the Crown Prince shouldn’t interfere here.
Crown Prince Carinus.
To break this stubborn kid’s resolve, help from the Emperor would be necessary.
