Meet There, Go Our Separate Ways

A week had passed since the New Year's ceremony, and banquets continued at the castle.

During that time, the Seven Sages were required to remain at the castle, but Ray jumped into a carriage as soon as the first day's ceremony ended and headed for the Albright family's main residence in the royal capital.

People tended to imagine that a family of curse mages lived in a dilapidated mansion covered in mold and moss, but the Albright family's main residence was a fairly impressive mansion in one of the royal capital's upscale neighborhoods.

House Albright's history was not as long as that of House Roseberg, home of the 〈Thorn Witch〉, but its second head had been skilled at business, leaving the family extremely wealthy.

After all, curse arts were techniques with very few practitioners. Since House Albright practically monopolized them, every curse-related matter in the country was concentrated in their hands.

In recent years, the growing number of mages had diminished the rarity of prestigious magical bloodlines, but House Roseberg and House Albright still possessed unique abilities, and their heads had continued to hold seats among the Seven Sages.

After passing through the imposing gate, Ray made his way across the garden toward the mansion with heavy steps.

"Ah, I don't want to... I really don't want to... How many months has it been since I last saw Baba-sama...?"

"Kihihi, seven months and four days."

Just as Ray thought he heard a hoarse voice beside his ear, he felt a wet warmth smack against his cheek...