Has the knight lady who married into the countryside fallen into depravity today?

A new tombstone has been erected on the back hill.

Raymond's gloved hand brushed across the cold stone tablet, wiping away the morning dew and fallen leaves that clung to it.

The stone material is the most common bluestone found in the back mountain.

The carving skills were not particularly refined.

The handwriting, however, is strong and powerful, with each stroke revealing an unyielding stubbornness.

"Bernhaves".

Below the name is an empty grave.

The message from the young master arrived three days ago, containing only a few words.

One of the sentences was: "Bernhaves, not found."

did not find.

In that all-consuming deep sea, "not found" is synonymous with death.

Not even a single bone can be retrieved from that deep blue purgatory.

So Raymond took matters into his own hands, carrying stones and carving knives to carve the monument for his old friend.

His hands, used to wielding longswords in his youth, have been stained with more blood than he has drunk wine.

Later, following the master, he learned to manage the estate, prune the flowers and plants, and deal with the troubles hidden in the shadows.

Now, I've also learned how to carve inscriptions.

The master has passed away.

Bernhards, that old friend, is gone too.

Of those who followed the master back then, how many are still alive?

Raymond stared at the cold stone tablet, as if asking an old friend who would never answer.

"Am I next?"

The thought had barely formed in his mind when he rejected it.

It's not a matter of "should or shouldn't".

But... when will it be my turn?

His life was saved by the master, and now that the master is dead, he has to protect the young master.

He has no right to die until this debt is paid off.

Even if one dies, one should die a worthy death.

For the master... For the mistress...

Raymond slowly straightened up and meticulously adjusted his bow tie.

The dazed look and reminiscence on his face vanished instantly, and he reverted to being the ever-calm and rigid butler, Varga.

The young master is coming back.

……

The wheels rolled over the gravel road at the entrance of the manor, making a crisp and pleasant sound, and finally came to a steady stop.

Raymond was already standing on the steps, waiting quietly.

The car door opened, and Klein jumped out first.

He dusted himself off, but instead of taking a step, he turned around and casually reached out his hand into the carriage.

A hand lifted the carriage curtain, and Ophelia's figure appeared.

Without the slightest hesitation, she placed her hand in Klein's palm.

With his help, she stepped lightly off the carriage, her posture as upright as a pine tree.

The whole process was smooth and seamless, without the cumbersome etiquette of aristocracy, and more like a habit ingrained in their very being.

Beneath Raymond's perpetually expressionless face, his heart, which had been frozen by the death of Burnham Wies, seemed to be warmed a little by this ordinary scene.

He walked down the steps and bowed slightly.

"Master, Madam, you must be tired from your journey."

"Raymond."

Klein released Ophelia's hand and patted the old butler on the shoulder.

"Is something wrong at home?"

"Everything is fine." Raymond's voice was as steady as ever. "The room and hot water are ready. Please come in."

The two walked into the familiar living room.

Klein gestured for Ophelia to go wash up first; after such a long journey, she deserved a good rest.

Ophelia nodded and went straight upstairs.

She knew that Klein had something to say to Raymond alone.

Only two people remained in the living room.

Raymond had prepared hot tea for Klein, the temperature just right, and the familiar aroma filled the air.

Klein picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and the warm tea slid down his throat, dispelling the fatigue of his journey.

"It's still the tea at home that's most comforting," he said casually.

Raymond stood to the side, his posture ramrod straight, neither agreeing nor disagreeing: "Sir, you jest."

After a brief moment of relaxation, the atmosphere returned to calm.

Klein put down his teacup.

The porcelain piece struck the table with a soft sound, breaking the silence.

He raised his head, his gaze sharp, and looked directly at the old butler, who was as silent and reliable as a mountain.

"Raymond."

His expression became more solemn than ever before.

"Regarding becoming a sage... I've found a new path."

As soon as he finished speaking, all the sounds in the living room disappeared.

For the first time, cracks appeared on Raymond's rigid face, which seemed to have been drawn with a ruler and compass.

He seemed to be nailed to the spot by an invisible force, unable to move.

Become a sage!

These four words are an unattainable legend to others.

But for Raymond, it was a scar etched deep into his soul.

He knew better than anyone how terrifying Klein's alchemical talent was, and he also knew better than anyone how close Klein had ever been to that supreme position.

But that road...

That evil path, which defied the laws of nature and required countless lives to pave, was severed by the young master himself.

Raymond once thought this would be the young master's lifelong regret.

But now...

"What...did you say?"

Raymond's voice was dry, like sandpaper rubbing against his skin, and each word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

Klein looked at him and repeated each word clearly.

"I have found a completely new path to the realm of sages, one that requires no sacrifice."

boom!

Raymond's mind went blank, and all he could hear was the deafening roar.

He didn't ask what the road was; he didn't understand alchemy, and asking would have been pointless.

He only knows one thing.

His young master is about to embark on a glorious path that is unprecedented and will shine for all time!

The Empire will welcome its second sage in history!

and……

The deaths of the master and mistress might actually lead to... the discovery of the truth!

After a long while, Raymond regained his breathing and voice.

He suddenly bent down, and beneath that rigid posture lay an uncontrollable surge of excitement, like a volcanic eruption.

"What do you need me to do?"

This was exactly what Klein was waiting for.

He took out the keepsake Ni Lisa had given him from his pocket, gently placed it on the table, and pushed it towards her.

The silver token gleamed coldly under the light.

"Take this and go to the Silverscale Merchant Guild."

"Tell them what I need. I'll give you the list later. Nothing can be missing. Send everything to the manor as quickly as possible."

His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable power.

Then he added.

"Also, find the quietest place to stay in town and make arrangements."

"The Chamber of Commerce will send two people over, named Karen and Lyra."

Klein paused, his gaze deep.

"They... are the cornerstone of my new path, and they are very important."