“Return (2)”
Chapter 72
“Uuuuuh…”
Alesya, having risen from her bed, rubbed her swollen forehead and made a face. Her entire head was covered in lumps, causing her to groan in pain for quite some time after lying down.
“I thought I could escape…”
Last evening, Alesya attempted to flee on Fenrir but was ultimately caught by Ray. The moment Ray drew his sword, Fenrir, foaming at the mouth, flipped over. Fenrir was one of the few spirit creatures suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Even Phoenix panicked upon seeing Ray. Consequently, Alesya, grabbed by the scruff of her neck, helplessly offered up her forehead.
“How depressing…”
Alesya’s face fell. The blow from Ray was tolerable thanks to his skillful technique, which only caused significant swelling without making her head ring. However, Alesya lamented the sudden loss of both her friends and power.
As soon as an investigation into obscene books began with Melly, other noble young ladies quickly distanced themselves from Alesya. Those who initially offered desserts in exchange for borrowing privileges had now wiped their mouths clean.
“The world is truly cruel…”
With a bitter mutter, Alesya stepped out of her quarters. It felt like she had returned to the moment she first entered the Royal Magic Tower. Only Florya remained as someone she could call a friend, and it was certain that the professors’ interest in her would not be as strong as before.
With slumped shoulders, Alesya visited the main building of the Royal Magic Tower to meet the professor she had arranged to see.
“Hmm…”
As soon as she entered the main hall, her gaze met Melly in the corridor. As Alesya subtly tried to avert her eyes, Melly approached with a startled expression and greeted her warmly.
“Oh! Good morning, Miss Alesya. Are you here for class?”
“…Why this sudden act of familiarity?”
While Alesya’s eyes darted around, other noble young ladies also approached her, pretending to be close friends. Confused by their sudden change in attitude from ignoring her just days ago, Alesya hesitated.
“Could they possibly be trying to borrow books again?”
That seemed unlikely. After all the commotion, the nobles wouldn’t have the audacity to attempt such a thing again.
After pondering, Alesya soon found the answer.
“It’s because of my knight!”
Ray’s existence was originally considered a blemish on Alesya. Although Alesya didn’t see it that way, Ray was always the cause of rumors about her. However, since yesterday, the rumor spread quickly that Ray was actually Saria’s blood relative and that a knight who recklessly challenged Ray got slammed headfirst into a wall.
Saria was a renowned knight at a young age and one of the influential figures of the Alstein family. Ray was her cherished nephew and frequently stayed by Alesya’s side.
In extreme terms, this meant anyone who angered Alesya could potentially strain relations with the Alstein family.
This was why the noble young ladies were hastily pretending to be close friends.
Realizing this, Alesya sighed.
‘This is the politics of the nobility!’
It was indeed shameless behavior. They could so easily switch masks within a day and act so brazenly.
For an ordinary person, it might have been enough to feel disillusioned, but Alesya decided to boldly accept and exploit the crude aspects of noble society.
“My mouth is feeling a bit empty!”
“Oh, let me prepare some tea and snacks for us.”
“May I join as well?”
“We’ve procured some exquisite tea leaves from the eastern regions…”
Watching the noble young ladies respond eagerly to her every word, Alesya smiled contentedly. It seemed she could enjoy her remaining study period comfortably.
After confirming several times that there was no one around, Ropheiren opened the door to his personal laboratory. Passing through layers of barriers that distorted space, he came face-to-face with a youthful boy sitting in a chair reading a book.
Ropheiren immediately knelt on one knee.
“I greet you, Lord Harshia.”
“There’s no need to observe formalities every time. Especially in places where others might see.”
Ray replied with a calm voice. Ropheiren slightly raised his head to observe Ray.
Was it due to the immense burden of saving the world? A shadow of weariness was spreading across Ray’s face, following the scars.
The fact that this man, just the previous day, was playfully teasing Saria like a child was hard to believe.
Ropheiren felt a sense of reverence.
‘So this is the hero inscribed in history.’
Harshia, revered as a hero by all, must possess a corresponding sense of self and pride.
Yet, without hesitation, he willingly acted childish when necessary.
He was a fearsome and wondrous figure indeed.
“I have completed the calibration of the contract seals today.”
Still kneeling, Ropheiren continued explaining the contract seals inscribed on the circle. Magicians severed from the royal magic tower are prohibited from teaching others, but since Ropheiren was employed as a private tutor by a noble house, adjustments were made accordingly.
“Basic magical knowledge can be freely transmitted.”
However, to teach advanced magic, students needed to form contract seals with Ropheiren. This seal prevented them from sharing the knowledge they gained from him with others.
“Considering the amount of Selomia I possess… I can formally take on at most one student.”
“One will suffice.”
“May I inquire about the identity of the child entrusted to me?”
“A legendary orphan from Dinor.”
“…Pardon?”
When Ropheiren asked in a bewildered tone, Ray chuckled softly. Luna, the sole orphan classified as legendary, was confirmed by Ray after reviewing various prodigies in the royal magic tower.
“Go and see her yourself.”
“Understood, Lord Harshia.”
“Ropheiren.”
Leaning forward, Ray whispered into Ropheiren’s ear.
“Do not address me as Harshia until I permit it.”
“…I shall take care.”
“Treat me according to the status I currently hold.”
“Understood.”
As Ray stood up and looked out the window, the towering Obelisk came fully into view.
“Swear allegiance to me, Ropheiren.”
And in return…
“I will share with you all the knowledge bound within the Obelisk. Even the Resina Record coveted by all mages under the heavens.”
“I shall follow, Great Hero.”
Ropheiren bowed even deeper.
Thanks to Saria frequently carrying Ray on her shoulders during their short study period, people connected to the Phillip’s County were able to spend their time comfortably.
Near the end of their short-term studies, a representative from the Royal Magic Tower subtly suggested extending their stay to Alesya, but she declined. Thus, the date for the conclusion of their short-term studies approached.
On their way back, the Phillip’s House and Osiris House would once again travel together. Alesya, busy saying farewell to her friends these past few days, arrived just in time in front of the carriage.
Seeing Alesya, Ray narrowed his eyes.
Having spent time with Saria recently, he hadn’t properly paid attention to Alesya, only to notice how much she had grown since last seen.
“Alesya.”
“Why do you call me?”
“You’ve put on weight, haven’t you?”
“…!”
Alesya, whose mouth dropped open in shock, hurriedly denied it.
“T-That’s impossible!”
“On the contrary, your face and sides have plumped up significantly.”
“Ray! Stop defaming me!”
“Tsk tsk, you should eat sweets more moderately.”
“Urgh…”
Alesya, already noticing that her waistband had become too short lately, turned red and trembled.
As Ray observed Alesya’s puffed-up cheeks, he sighed.
“If you keep gaining weight like this, Fenrir’s back will give out.”
“Stop teasing me! My spirit isn’t that fragile!”
Defiantly mounting the materialized Fenrir, Alesya zoomed past Ray.
Ray muttered to himself with a troubled expression.
“When we return to the county, I’ll have to restart her sword practice…”
Meanwhile, the chief professor of the Royal Magic Tower, Diorica, who had come to see them off, exchanged final handshakes with Ray.
“See you next time.”
“Thank you for your attention during our stay.”
“I couldn’t ignore the genuine niece of my cousin.”
Diorica made a joke while glancing around the carriage and bid farewell to everyone.
“I hope you’ve had a fruitful period. Travel safely.”
Everyone received Diorica’s farewell according to their respective statuses.
Ray also bowed his head before opening the carriage door, only to be startled.
“Uwaaak…!”
An unknown hand grabbed Ray’s collar and pulled him inside the carriage.
Before Ray could resist, he was dragged in, and the carriage door closed with a thud.
Seeing this, Diorica gave a small cough.
“Well, he’ll be fine.”
Saria said she would accompany Ray to Phillip’s County and return promptly. She wanted to take care of her long-lost nephew until the very end.
Saria disliked the idea of being bothered by guards if news of her visit reached the family, so she asked Diorica to arrange for her to appear as if staying at the Royal Magic Tower. Though somewhat troubled, Diorica complied with Saria’s request.
“Have a good journey.”
Diorica watched the departing carriage before turning away.
*
Seated silently in front of a cheap wooden table, Setha was lost in thought.
News had just arrived that the Lady of Phillip’s County and the Lady of Osiris County had departed from the Royal Magic Tower. Despite warnings from the royal court, they had hired Ropheiren, a magician affiliated with the Royal Magic Tower.
Ropheiren was a magician who had been caught attempting illegal research and was undergoing disciplinary procedures.
The crown prince viewed this as an insult to the royal authority and demanded their removal.
The emperor tacitly agreed with the crown prince’s opinion.
Breeze, a member of the royal special unit Royal Guard assigned to this operation, knew the circumstances.
‘Being under the crown prince’s orders, I will carry it out faithfully.’
The Grenadine House, to which Breeze belonged, was a minor house seeking influence in the central region. Therefore, Breeze saw this mission as an opportunity to gain favor with the crown prince.
‘However, the disparity in strength is too great.’
Setha deployed two silver tower magicians bound by the royal contract and one Royal Guard from the royal special unit for this task.
In contrast, the forces accompanying the Ladies consisted of, at best, two mid-level spirit masters and a few Expert Level knights.
It was an overwhelming difference in strength.
No matter how desperately the knights protecting the Ladies fought, it was highly probable they wouldn’t scratch Breeze’s armor.
Too perfect a massacre would ironically be problematic.
Setha stroked the broken piece of armor with his gloved hand. The material and refining method clearly indicated its origin from the royal palace.
“Handle the situation and leave sufficient traces to facilitate swift investigations afterward.”
Setha handed the piece of armor to the man standing behind him.
Mouse, a black operative of the royal special unit.
That was his identity.
“As someone who’s a black operative, I may survive, but what about you?”
Mouse placed the piece of armor in his bosom and sat opposite Setha.
“After the royal special unit deals with the Ladies and Ropheiren, a storm will surely descend.”
Attacking and massacring nobles without minimal consultation or coordination was not something easily swept under the rug.
[The crown prince has overstepped his bounds, and his subordinates, in a competition for loyalty, have caused a disaster without reporting to the emperor.]
If the story unfolds this way, Setha cannot evade responsibility either. He would likely be identified as one of the primary culprits behind the disaster.
“When tools lose their utility, they are discarded. Do you think His Majesty will protect you after this matter concludes?”
“Shut up.”
As long as the emperor decides to expose the crown prince, this issue will be publicized. At minimum, Setha will be confined to an island for several years.
However, if he doesn’t follow the emperor’s words, he risks losing more than his life.
Struggling to hide his anxiety, Setha looked directly at Mouse.
“I’ll leave the judgment on the scene to you. But leave no survivors on the Ladies’ side.”
Victims who cannot speak are easier to manipulate.
Nodding, Mouse slightly curled his lips upward.
“Any additional support?”
“That’s a boring joke.”
Including Mouse, only two graduates are involved in this operation. Moreover, they are armed with all sorts of rare and powerful sword techniques and equipment sanctioned by the royal court, capable of overwhelming dozens of mere Expert Level warriors.
“There’s no additional support. I wish you luck.”
“This is rather disappointing.”
As Mouse stood up with a mischievous smile, he asked again,
“But hey, anything can happen. What should we do if we end up being hunted instead?”
“…Proclaim that it was all the crown prince’s doing and commit suicide.”
“Got it. I’ll remember that.”
Setha shook his head.
Responding to Mouse’s usual meaningless jokes might be fitting for the last time.
