The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

Chapter 40

“Excuse me.”

As I opened the door and entered, a neatly dressed gentleman with white hair was sitting at a desk organizing documents.

‘Alfredo Gray!’

Though we had never met in person, his face was familiar to me through photos and videos taken by other players.

“Welcome, Raul. Could you please sit over there and wait for a moment? I need to urgently attend to some paperwork.”

Raul took a seat on the sofa for guests and observed Gray with a calm gaze.

He appeared to be in his county fifties with a kind expression and had an average build—neither particularly robust nor frail. At first glance, he could pass for a common middle-aged noble, but there was an indescribable aura swirling behind him.

‘Could he really be over a hundred years old?’

Externally, he hadn’t changed a bit from the last video I saw of him before my reincarnation. It was as if he was reversing time.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Raul cautiously activated the developer’s analysis tool. And inadvertently, he found himself swallowing hard.

[Name]: Alfredo Gray (??? years old)

[Level]: ???

[Occupation]: Grand Sage, 8th Circle Archmage, Young master Alchemist

[Affiliation]: Vice chancellor of the Ruben National Academy, Lord of Gray’s Mage Tower, ???, ???

[Title]: Wandering Sage, Lord of the Mage Tower, ???, ???

[Stats]: ???

*Unique Traits

Young master of Mana (SS), ???, ???, ???, ???

This was the first time since his awakening that he couldn’t stealthily glean information. The data displayed was mostly already known, and focusing mana revealed only one significant trait: ‘Young master of Mana.’

“So, do you see something interesting?”

“…!!”

Despite appearing to be focused on his paperwork, Gray seemed to completely grasp Raul’s actions.

Raul hastily stood up and slightly bowed.

“I apologize. It’s just that, I’ve heard you’re quite a rare sight…”

“No, there’s no need to rush. I’ll be staying at the academy for a while, so take your time. I’m almost done here; could you wait a bit longer? I’m quite intrigued by you as well, including ‘that sight’ of yours.”

“…!”

Raul was slightly taken aback.

‘Has he seen through the developer’s analysis tool? Or is he just probing?’

For some reason, he felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.

Tap, tap.

“My apologies for the long wait. Haha, up close, you’re even more handsome.”

After organizing his documents, Gray smiled and sat opposite Raul. Raul, perhaps a bit nervous, didn’t start a conversation.

“How remiss of me, having a guest and not offering tea. Mind my manners, just give me a moment, please?”

Gray rolled up his sleeves slightly and stood up, sparking Raul’s anticipation.

‘Could it be magic?’

Contrary to Raul’s expectations, Gray moved leisurely and returned with tea made in the usual manner.

“Firstly, congratulations on your top entrance achievement. I’ve been very impressed watching your progress.”

“Thank you.”

After taking a sip of tea, Gray savored the aroma of the tea before continuing slowly.

“I called Raul here today because there are a few things I wanted to ask you about. Oh, you don’t need to be so nervous. I’m not going to force you to talk about anything you don’t want to.”

Despite being told to relax, Raul found that impossible. He simply couldn’t guess what Gray could possibly be curious about. Meeting Gray for the first time at yesterday’s entrance ceremony, Raul hadn’t done anything during the placement test that would have caught anyone’s attention either. ‘What on earth could this person possibly want to know?’ Raul wondered, pushing aside his discomfort before finally speaking up.

“What are you curious about? For someone of your stature, the Great Sage Gray, to ask me, I can’t begin to imagine.”

With a gentle smile, Gray began, “Raul, do you happen to know about an organization called ‘Imperial Hound’?”

“…?!”

* * *

The massive invasion of the Cranen Empire 50 years ago plunged the Connect Continent into a maelstrom of war, and its four kingdoms were brought to the brink of annihilation. However, war has a way of summoning heroes. Like comets streaking across the sky, these heroes emerged to dedicate their lives to toppling the empire’s leadership, eventually succeeding in driving the empire back beyond the Monster Mountains. For nearly 50 years since, Connect has maintained peace. Despite occasional tensions and skirmishes between nations, large-scale battles have been avoided, largely thanks to the threat still posed by the Cranen Empire.

Alfredo Gray was one of those heroes. After the war, he established a magic tower to train new talent, continually traveling across the continent to prepare for any potential invasions. His discovery of Raul in Mira was far from coincidental.

‘Nakia, that child…’ Gray had gone to Mira specifically to see Nakia, his apprentice’s apprentice and a talent he had marked early on. As an advisor to the Alchemy Association, Gray had been briefed about Nakia and Niki’s issue belatedly.

Occupied with other important matters at the time, he couldn’t assist her but later learned that a petition for clemency had been sent to Mira on her behalf. Gray quickly got to the heart of the matter upon his arrival.

It was Raul who had dealt with the Imperial Hound’s division, handing the credit over to the Count Randal’s family. Gray could guess the reason why, but he was still astonished by the young man’s decision to forego immediate gain for the future.

Moreover, Raul’s selfless action for the sake of the citizens had Gray pondering, ‘Could he be the seed of a hero? Peace has lasted too long, after all.’

Heroes are born out of the flow of history, and Gray decided to keep a close eye on Raul, convinced that this boy would stand at the center of the coming storm due to a strong gut feeling. That was the reason Gray was now facing Raul in this room.

* * *

Raul was at a loss for words. Among past players, Gray had another nickname: ‘Empire Quest Factory Manager.’ After all, there was a saying that to get quests related to the Cranen Empire, one had to go through Gray. However, for Raul, the empire was something he’d rather avoid if possible. He knew they’d inevitably cross paths, but he didn’t want to hasten that moment.

After a long silence, Gray looked at Raul thoughtfully, then with a significant smile, he said, “Alright. If anyone happens to mention that name in the future, I hope you’ll keep silent just as you have now. They are far too dangerous an adversary for the current Raul.”

‘Could it be that he’s actually concerned for me, and not just trying to hand me a quest?’ Raul wondered, puzzled by Gray’s unexpected kindness.

“I’ve been watching you since Mira, Young master Raul. The way you handled the incidents there was remarkably skillful and clean. It seems the Count Randal’s household is in for some trouble, aren’t they?”

Raul’s expression stiffened slightly.

‘How much does he know? If word has gotten to the Randal household, this would be a disaster…’

However, as if guessing Raul’s worries, Gray spoke.

“There’s no need for concern. I haven’t spoken to anyone, nor do I plan to. On the contrary, I’d like to compliment you. Concealing your identity was a wise decision. I was impressed by your effort to hide your abilities during the exams. Most people your age would naturally want to flaunt their skills.”

Eventually, Raul sighed deeply and surrendered.

“How much do you know, exactly? And why do you pretend not to know?”

After taking a sip of his cooling tea, Gray asked seriously.

“Do you know why the Cranen Empire is feared, Young master Raul?”

“… Well, I guess it’s because of their strange warbeasts or their formidable military strength.”

“That’s correct, but think about it. How large do you think the Empire’s territory is? And its population? Can it truly be considered a vast nation capable of overpowering kingdoms?”

‘Hmm…’ Raul thought, realizing that it wasn’t the case.

The Empire’s territory was as large as two kingdoms combined, but considering the desolate northwest region, the effective area wasn’t that large.

Due to the harsh climate, the population was only slightly more than that of a single kingdom.

“I believe the real reason the Empire continues to threaten us is the difference in ‘information power’. The kingdoms are exposed, whereas we know very little about the Empire.”

The Empire lay beyond the Monster Mountains and the Forbidden Barrier.

The only passage to the kingdoms was a single path through a ravine.

The kingdoms had built a massive wall at its entrance, with a coalition army stationed to prevent invasions from the Empire.

The problem was that the Empire had been sacrificing spies to penetrate through the mountains steadily, while the kingdoms hadn’t managed to infiltrate anyone into the Empire.

“In the end, it means the Empire has been preparing for war by keeping a close watch on everything we do. And if an invasion begins, it means the Empire is already confident of victory.”

Raul felt a chill run down his spine.

In a previous life in the virtual world of Connect, the situation unfolded just as Gray had predicted.

The Empire had prepared for every contingency, including the players’ involvement, before initiating the war.

By the time Bae Dohyun lost his life, the tide of the war was nearly impossible to turn.

Looking at Raul’s somber face, Gray spoke.

“That’s why we need individuals like you, Young master Raul. Young people who have honed their power to become a dagger in the side of the Empire, escaping its network of spies.”

Raul suddenly recalled several named NPCs who had appeared like comets and troubled the Empire in his previous life.

‘Could Nakia be one…?’

He wondered if Gray’s influence had contributed to Nakia’s rapid growth.

“Significant changes are starting to unfold. I ask you to continue to humble yourself, make judicious decisions, and act accordingly.”

“I will take your advice to heart.”

“Good. I am curious about more things, but it’s getting late, so let’s leave it here for today. Since you’ve patiently listened to my long story, let me give you a gift.”

“A gift?”

Standing up, Gray took a small box from his desk drawer and handed it to Raul.

Upon opening the lid, a small ring with an ancient pattern carved into it was revealed.

At a glance, it was evidently valuable, but importantly, the ring radiated magical power.

“I thought this might be something Young master Raul would need, so I prepared it. The detailed instructions are inside the box, so please read them well when you have time.”

“Is it alright for me to accept such a precious item?”

“Please, take it with ease. Consider this a form of reward.”

‘A reward…?’

Raul had no way of knowing it was a reward for rescuing Nakia and Niki.

Stepping out of Gray’s office and inspecting the ring, Raul barely suppressed a scream.

‘Good heavens! This ring is–?’

(To be continued)