The Raymond Family was a well-known noble house within the Okam Empire.
They controlled over half of the empire’s weapons manufacturing industry, along with various workshops producing magical and swordsman weaponry.
This included both sales and the supply of raw materials.
Their private militia alone numbered over ten thousand elite soldiers!
At the same time, the Raymond Family held the ranks of more than a dozen generals within the empire’s military. Though their positions varied, they commanded over one hundred thousand troops.
They were truly one of the empire’s great military families.
The Raymond Family had carried this honor for generations, with their main residence located on Falling Street in the capital city Monsell.
It took only half an hour to reach from the South Gate of the Royal Palace.
Mark hurriedly jumped off the carriage and, without care for appearances, went straight to the front gate of the Raymond Family’s estate.
“Isn’t this Vice Dean of the Royal Academy himself?”
A guard at the gate recognized him.
Seeing this, Mark quickly pulled out a few silver dragons from his pocket and handed them to the guard. “Yes, it’s me. Please, brother, notify inside.”
The guard took the coins somewhat hesitantly, then forced a smile.
“Vice Dean, you’re too kind. We know each other well, and since you’re closely connected with the family head, you really shouldn’t…”
Though he said this, the guard shamelessly stuffed the silver dragons quickly into his pocket.
“Please, Vice Dean, come in and rest inside. I’ll go report immediately.”
“Thank you very much.”
Following the guard inside, Mark nervously paced back and forth in the front courtyard.
Before long, a hearty laugh echoed, causing Mark to startle. He quickly smiled and went to greet the visitor.
“Brother Lun’en, how have you been recently?”
Lun’en Raymond, the current head of the Raymond Family, was a man with a square face, broad shoulders, and a powerful frame.
Standing before him naturally gave one a sense of pressure.
Yet looking closely, one would find his face honest and kind, worthy of deep friendship.
But only those who truly knew him understood that Lun’en Raymond was far more complex than his appearance suggested, capable of sitting at the head of the family.
“As expected, it’s my brother Mark. I’ve been well lately. What brings you here today? Care to share a drink?”
Mark’s rise from commoner to Vice Dean was thanks in part to Lun’en Raymond’s recognition and recommendation.
Back then, Mark was just a young man struggling with life and his future until fate brought him to Lun’en Raymond.
The latter admired his magical talent and insight, recommending and supporting him to attend the Royal Academy.
Mark had not disappointed him, climbing steadily to the Vice Dean position, his strength formidable.
Because of this relationship, Lun’en Raymond began calling Mark “brother,” trying to draw him into the family’s sphere.
Although Mark had climbed to Vice Dean and dreamed of flying free, unwilling to be bound, Lun’en was his benefactor.
So they maintained a friendly relationship, each benefiting from the other.
On the surface, Mark still held gratitude, doing his best to fulfill any requests from the Raymond Family.
Over time, the two houses became quite close.
In this situation, Mark’s first thought for salvation was the Raymond Family.
“A drink can wait, brother. I’m not here to catch up… I’m here to ask for your help!”
With that, Mark knelt to the ground.
Startled, Lun’en quickly helped him up. “Brother, what do you mean? Get up, get up. This is no place for such talk.”
Lun’en led Mark into a private room, where Mark gloomily explained everything and begged once again for aid.
“Right now, only you can save me!”
Mark pleaded in a beseeching tone.
“If you agree to help, I’ll hand over all the wealth I’ve saved and some high-level magic I possess!”
Lun’en’s expression grew serious as he waved his hand. “Brother, there’s no need for such formality between us… But since this involves the Second Princess, and judging by what you say, even the Emperor is unwilling to intervene, it means he tacitly permits Willis’s actions.”
“If that’s the case, brother, I truly can’t do much, which is why I came to you,” Mark begged again.
After a moment of thought, Lun’en said hurriedly, “Alright, I have several experts I’ve secretly trained over these years as personal guards!”
“Not even others in my family know about them.”
“Since you’re in trouble, I’ll entrust them to you.”
“This…” Mark hesitated. “Brother, what exactly do you mean?”
Mark originally hoped Lun’en would speak directly to the Emperor on his behalf since the Raymond Family carried far more weight than he did.
If the Emperor could be persuaded to listen to the family’s petition, a single letter or imperial edict could resolve the conflict between Mark and Willis.
If nothing else, with the Raymond Family mediating, the Second Princess might have to think twice.
But now, the best Lun’en was willing to do was give him a few bodyguards?
“Don’t worry, brother. Since you’re in trouble, I’ll help you. With these guards, your safety should be assured!”
Lun’en said with righteous solemnity.
“You will depart immediately to meet Her Highness the Princess. Meanwhile, I will go to the palace to seek the Emperor’s Saint Edict of Reconciliation. Once I get that, I’ll send people to mediate between you and the Princess.”
“This place is far from the meeting point, and time isn’t on our side. If you don’t leave now, you’ll miss the appointment.”
Lun’en wore a concerned expression, “Rest assured, with my guards protecting you, nothing will happen.”
“When I get the Emperor’s approval, if you reconcile with Her Highness, everything will be settled.”
“This…” Mark looked at Lun’en Raymond in disbelief.
Shortly after, Mark left through the main gate, the guard who had pocketed the silver dragons cheerfully shouted, “Vice Dean, take care! Come again soon!”
Mark heard the words as nothing but mockery. Rounding the corner, he punched the nearby wall in frustration.
“Lun’en! Raymond!”
Knowing that the family wouldn’t truly help him was expected, but their coldness cut deep. Mark felt even more disheartened, his heart heavy.
Those so-called elite guards—Mark had seen them. They were weak, skinny, and shaky on their feet, clearly just commoners!
Not only couldn’t they help him escape, they probably couldn’t even keep up on the road.
As for Lun’en going to the palace to plead his case—judging by his demeanor, that was impossible.
A wave of betrayed sorrow welled up inside Mark. He bitterly laughed, realizing that before he was even dead, he had already fallen to such depths.
If even Raymond wouldn’t stand with him, then no one else could.
Alone, utterly alone.
“No, Her Highness summoned me. It doesn’t necessarily mean she wants me dead… but if I don’t go?”
Mark wondered if Willis would dare act against him while he remained safely within the Academy. If it were discovered, wouldn’t the whole empire despise her?
Yet, the evidence of his past misdeeds—the students he once abused and other dirty secrets—were all in Willis’s hands now.
Even if he hid in the Academy, once those were exposed, he would have no future.
Besides, there was also Ophelia who choked to death on breakfast.
No guarantee he wouldn’t be quietly suffocated too. He couldn’t just stop eating forever.
Moreover, someone like Willis wouldn’t care about the infamy of assassinating the Vice Dean.
“You bastards! Scoundrels! Lubas, Lun’en, you’re all bastards! Sons of bitches!”
Mark ground his teeth and cursed. In the end, he staggered onto a carriage and left Monsell.
Not going meant a dead end; going still left hope for forgiveness.
Mark prayed silently that Willis would have a change of heart and accept his plea.
What he did not know was that after he left, Rodmenlin quietly slipped out of the Raymond Family’s back gate.
“Then, we shall send off the Inquisitor. Next time, we’ll be sure to entertain him with a grand feast.”
Lun’en Raymond smiled and bowed. Rodmenlin returned the bow. “You’re too polite, Lord Lun’en. Please, go back.”
After leaving the Raymond estate, Rodmenlin looked up at the sky.
The sun was tilting downward; nightfall was imminent.
“Despair… how wonderful~!”