Return (3)
Chapter 73
When Alesya and Florya’s party arrived at the Royal Magic Tower, their numbers had been halved.
Some of the servants stayed behind to tidy up at the Royal Magic Tower, while a few others had departed early to inspect the lodgings where the young misses would stay and handle various minor tasks.
Of course, most of the core protective forces were still guarding Alesya and Florya.
After several days of travel, the carriage that left the Royal Magic Tower finally arrived at the city of Glibyias.
Located relatively close to the Imperial Capital and of immense size, it was a well-developed city that put Phillip’s County to shame in comparison.
As soon as the city came into view, Ray quickly exited the carriage.
“Hoo… I’m alive.”
Whenever he rode in the carriage, Ray had to be held by Saria.
Even when drenched in sweat and feeling uncomfortable, Saria wouldn’t let go of Ray.
At least outside the carriage, he could escape her grasp.
Saria had secretly escaped from the Royal Magic Tower with Diorica’s help, not wanting interference from her family while bidding farewell to her nephew.
Since revealing herself carelessly outside would cause trouble for Diorica, Ray couldn’t ride around on a horse with Saria.
‘Time is short, so I need to choose quickly.’
The group decided to stay in Glibyias for one day.
Considering their return route, it would be difficult to encounter another city as developed as Glibyias twice.
If they were going to buy gifts for the children, they needed to do so here.
Ray first visited the blacksmith’s shop.
“How much is this?”
“I don’t know how you knew to come here, but you’re lucky. The sword displayed there…”
“How much?”
“It normally costs 70 gold, but…”
The blacksmith tried to overcharge Ray, who responded by casually starting a show of force.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Three swords broke in half sequentially and rolled across the floor.
Ray swung the shortened blades casually as he faced the blacksmith.
“Hey, bring me ones that won’t break.”
“…How many do you need?”
“Three.”
When the blacksmith brought out new swords, Ray checked their quality before handing over three hundred gold coins.
It was roughly the fair price, so the blacksmith reluctantly accepted the money.
After carefully selecting sword scabbards, Ray headed to a store selling high-end writing instruments.
These tools, typically used by nobles or wealthy commoners, were quite expensive, though good items could be obtained for dozens of gold pieces.
Of course, there were attempts to overcharge him.
A bit of persuasion from Ray made the seller more cooperative.
Having purchased dozens of sets of writing instruments, Ray hesitated in front of the jewelry shop.
“Hmm.”
While giving jewelry as gifts would please many children, Ray wasn’t inclined to do so.
Luxury items like jewelry could easily make someone a target and were also easy to lose.
If problems arose from giving out jewelry, it would only cause headaches for Ray.
‘Karen, hmm… She might be an exception.’
Karen was meticulous and skilled enough to protect herself. Thus, giving her a necklace wouldn’t be inappropriate, Ray reasoned later.
He was aware that he subtly favored Karen.
After all, she was the first rare orphan he had drawn from the gacha.
Although he eventually collected orphans with better “stats” than Karen after long efforts, he still felt more attached to his first rare draw.
“This should be enough.”
With bags full of gifts for the children, Ray headed toward the lodging where Alesya was staying.
Walking along the road, Ray muttered to himself.
“What’s the real reason for creating the backdoor?”
[Resina isn’t a prophet. Most backdoors are created with the light-hearted thought that they’ll be useful someday.]
“Yeah, sure.”
Hearing the sarcastic tone in Ray’s voice, Aptel calmly continued.
[However, the only backdoor still usable after six hundred years is a device arranged by Resina with a clear purpose.]
“Did she prepare it for the emergence of someone like me?”
[Yes.]
“Haha…”
Ray swallowed a dry laugh.
What character in the novel his buddy read had taken advantage of Resina’s arrangements? Was it the hero who died to the Demon King?
If the hero had utilized Resina’s arrangement, how did he master the Spatial Blade?
‘Could there be any leftover arrangements prepared by Harshia?’
Otherwise…
Perhaps the Empire, facing crisis, gathered talented-looking children and forced them to learn the Spatial Blade.
Ray pondered whether he should take advantage of Resina’s arrangement.
‘I’m not the hero. I haven’t reached the peak.’
This wasn’t an exaggeration.
Ray clearly lacked the software aspect.
Though he had a body capable of enduring the burden of the Spatial Blade and fully reproducing the sword techniques imprinted in his mind, he lacked the innate sense to progress further.
If he rashly took Resina’s arrangement and stole the hero’s chance, it would cause headaches.
‘Then what should I do?’
Should he conduct an experiment by seating talented children and seeing if they can master the Spatial Blade?
Johanna would be the first test subject.
If she couldn’t withstand the Core and died, they’d have to spin the roulette until a suitable person appeared, just as the old Empire did.
Wham!
Ray’s body stumbled as he walked down the street.
A man approaching from the opposite direction suddenly turned and shoved Ray.
The packages Ray had been carrying spilled onto the ground.
Seizing the moment, people rushed out from the alleyways.
Among them was a rather young-looking child.
Just as they were about to grab the fallen packages, a sword was drawn.
A flash of sword light illuminated the area, severing the hands and feet of everyone who approached Ray.
Ray grabbed the jaw of the man who had collided with him and squeezed with all his might.
Teeth ground against each other, crushing gums.
In the middle of the street, screams echoed as Ray mumbled.
“Well, regardless of any arrangements… If I master it first and then teach others, that should work. Where exactly is the location of the arrangement?”
[West of the Denefre River, in a large canyon, lies Resina’s arrangement. If you approach the area, I can guide you precisely.]
Ray nodded.
Having decided to claim Resina’s arrangement, he intended to finish it quickly without delay.
*
“Let’s stop by near the Denefre River on our way?”
Jenkins looked perplexed at Ray, who was trapped in Saria’s embrace.
The Denefre River flows east of Glibyias.
Near the Denefre River lies a massive canyon, occasionally visited by travelers.
“Ray, this sudden change is troublesome.”
They had already reserved accommodations.
Any sudden change in the travel route would cause multiple inconveniences.
Jenkins was about to express continuous dissatisfaction when he suddenly sensed a killing intent and glanced sideways.
Ropheiren glared at Jenkins with deep wrinkles on his face.
Jenkins didn’t back down from Ropheiren’s challenge and started a staring contest.
Both thought simultaneously.
‘What does this guy think he can keep provoking me?’
Ropheiren didn’t understand why Jenkins kept antagonizing Harshia, and Jenkins didn’t understand why Ropheiren, who had just become a guest, was being defiant.
After a prolonged staring match, Ropheiren looked away first.
However, Ropheiren smiled contentedly even after losing the contest.
Ropheiren was the only one present who knew Ray’s true identity, and the superiority he felt from this knowledge elated him.
Jenkins shook his head upon seeing Ropheiren chuckling alone.
‘All magicians who seem competent are lunatics.’
Thinking the tension had subsided, Ray struggled in Saria’s embrace and asked for understanding.
“It’s just a detour. Think of it as taking a quick look during our journey. When will we visit that place again?”
If they worked hard, they could roughly stick to the schedule.
Because Saria was also traveling with them, Ray’s words carried more weight.
Ultimately, they agreed to make a slight detour to the Denefre River.
*
“So, what’s your real plan?”
On the way to the Denefre River, Jenkins abruptly asked.
Ray chuckled while fiddling with his bracelet.
Judging from everyone’s expressions, they were curious.
Since they were traveling together, it was impossible to completely hide the truth, so Ray vaguely explained.
“I found a treasure map at the Royal Magic Tower. We’re going to look for treasure.”
“Not… a joke, I assume.”
Jenkins sighed.
“Did you find a dungeon map? Even if it’s genuine, stepping inside recklessly could lead to a violent death.”
“I’ll be careful.”
After walking for some time, the coachman stopped and seemed troubled.
“The road ahead is not paved, so it will be difficult to continue using the carriage.”
Upon hearing the coachman’s story, Alesya asked Ray.
“Ray! How far is it to the dungeon?”
“Hmm…”
Glancing at Aptel, Ray replied.
“At this pace, it’s about thirty minutes.”
“Then leave it to me!”
The materialized Fenrir and Phoenix stirred up the wind.
The wind enveloped the wheels, which began to move slowly.
The wind surrounding the wheels acted as a shock absorber, allowing the carriage to smoothly traverse the rough terrain.
When Alesya tensed her neck, Ray said,
“Young Miss, you’ve gained some muscle.”
“Stop teasing me!!”
Leaving the flustered Alesya behind, Ray sat beside the coachman and gave directions personally.
Driving the carriage through the canyon, after going in for a while, Ray scratched his head.
“Hmm… I think we’ve arrived.”
Stepping out of the carriage, Jenkins looked around and muttered.
“There’s nothing here.”
Indeed, as Jenkins said, there was nothing special around the canyon cliffs.
Ray stared intently at Aptel, who guided him here.
Aptel approached the cliff that formed a sharp slope.
As Aptel’s semi-transparent hand penetrated the cliff, a loud rumble echoed.
Boom-!!!
“?!”
A sudden earthquake occurred, and the lower part of the cliff collapsed.
When Phoenix waved its wings to clear the dust, a small entrance was revealed at the base of the cliff.
Jenkins looked at Ray with an expression of disbelief.
“I thought you had been swindled somewhere.”
“Master, if I were to swindle anyone, it would be me doing the swindling, not being swindled.”
“Boy, that’s not something to brag about.”
Sticking her head out of the carriage window, Saria asked,
“Are we going in? Together?”
“No. It seems I’m the only one invited.”
Jenkins stopped Ray.
“It’s dangerous. Especially dungeons of unknown origin…”
“It’s fine, Master. Haven’t I always succeeded in such endeavors?”
“…”
Looking around at everyone, Ray took a step towards the entrance revealed in the cliff.
“Please wait a moment. I’ll be right back.”
“Ray, wait…!”
Whoosh!
The moment Ray entered the entrance, his entire figure disappeared.
‘A barrier…?!’
Startled, Jenkins instinctively reached out towards the entrance where Ray had vanished.
But faster than that,
A brilliant storm of sword aura plunged into the cliff.
Kaboom!!!
“!!!!”
The cliff swept away by the storm of sword aura collapsed entirely.
When Jenkins turned around, Mendes and Abensio were hastily retreating, each protecting Alesya and Florya.
Jenkins also rolled away, grabbing the coachman who was about to be trampled by the panicked horses.
Breeze, watching them from atop the opposite cliff, furrowed his brows.
‘Did they notice they were being tracked and create an escape route? Or did they hear information about the dungeon and come to verify it?’
If the place beneath the cliff was a firmly constructed dungeon, even if part of the cliff collapsed, the interior could remain intact.
‘I might as well deal with these apparent traitors to the Empire visible to the eye and confirm afterward.’
As Breeze signaled, two wizards waiting nearby plunged their hands into the ground and activated magic circles.
The ground around the carriage that Alesya and Florya had ridden in began to sink deeply.
Sliding down the cliff, Breeze landed between the canyon.
An enormous antlion pit created by the wizards spread before him.
Breeze intended to cut down every traitor to the Empire caught in the trap without missing a single one.
However, at that moment,
Kaboom!!
Dozens of disc-shaped beams of light fell from above the canyon where the wizards stood.
The magic circle activated by the wizard wavered as if struck by bombardment.
In that instant, the carriage buried halfway in the ground exploded completely.
Kaboom!!!
Breeze’s complexion, hidden under his robe, stiffened.
From the shattered carriage, a woman emerged, wielding a sword with a distinct sword energy.
*
‘This is…’
Ray, now completely silent, surveyed his surroundings.
No, the word “survey” was inappropriate.
Lacking a physical form, Ray existed merely as consciousness ‘recognizing’ his surroundings.
Facing the frozen world, Ray realized,
‘This is… inside the Resina Record.’
