Tears welled up in Raymond's eyes.
As the prospect of imminent death loomed, his last thought wasn't particularly sentimental.
Surprisingly, it centered around the joy derived from treating patients.
His initial realization was that such joy would never be experienced again.
Unexpectedly, his second thought was of King Odin.
'I'm still owed an apology.'
Raymond gritted his teeth.
The source of all his anguish.
His profound trauma.
The person he hated the most!
'Damn it.'
But the train of thought couldn't be sustained.
After a few moments, mana finally began to course into his hands. It was at that moment Raymond recoiled at the peculiar, alien sensation.
[Your strength is woefully inadequate for the skill's rating! The skill's effectiveness will be very, very fatally reduced!]
[Most of your mana will not be absorbed and will evaporate into thin air!]
"...!"
Raymond's eyes widened, tears threatening to spill.
This unexpected message brought a revelation.
Indeed, mana was dissipating into the air, defying absorption into his body.
Like evaporating water, occasional drips of black liquid landed on the mine floor, producing an eerie sound.
'T-thank God...'
Yet, not all the mana had vanished into thin air.
[The fatal inefficiency of the skill causes a ridiculously small percentage of mana to accumulate in the body compared to the amount of mana absorbed!]
Raymond gritted his teeth.
'This is far from small!'
On the surface, a substantial amount of mana flowed into his body, creating the sensation of imminent bursting.
When the sensation reached its peak, Raymond finally succumbed, collapsing in a heap just before his vision succumbed to darkness.
The last things he saw were the messages.
[All mana has been absorbed, ending the use of your skill!]
[You have prevented a great catastrophe under your own power!]
[You have earned the achievement: He Who Averted Catastrophe!]
[You receive a bonus to a great achievement!]
[Gain a bonus level up!]
[Gain a bonus level up!]
[Gain a bonus level up!]
[You have 200 bonus Skill Points!]
[The whole kingdom will praise you for your great deeds!]
On the verge of losing consciousness, Raymond was stunned by the message.
'...What good is such an achievement if I'm going to die?'
His whole body felt like it was going to explode.
Raymond realized.
He was going to die.
No wonder he'd accepted mana like that, flawed, impure mana.
'Well, I have to do something...'
He gritted his teeth, but no power entered his body.
Eventually, he lost consciousness completely and shook his head.
So he didn't see.
Additional messages.
[You have assimilated impure mana beyond the limits of your veins!]
[Your forbidden Unique Ability ensures the survival of its possessor!]
[Your 'Unique Ability' engulfs impure mana, permanently securing it between vital organs!]
[Your 'Unique Ability' conveys a sensation of satiety!]
[This mana, flawed for use through your veins, can be utilized upon unlocking ''Your Unique Ability''!]
[Your mana stats receive a 30-point boost with some adulterated pure mana!]
[Congratulations on your victory!]
***
Word spread swiftly in Leifentina, thanks to the communication crystals, and the catastrophe in Rafalde garnered the attention of the entire Kingdom of Houston.
As a result, Raymond's actions quickly became known throughout the Houston Kingdom.
"Did you hear about what our prince did in Rafalde Province this time?"
"Uh, I heard. He fended off a plague?"
"Man, you didn't hear right. That's not what he did."
The mustachioed middle-aged man, a long-time admirer of Raymond's, spat.
"Didn't they say that Count Trentby's stubbornness almost caused the magic stone mine to explode, and he prevented it?"
"Uh-huh, is that true?"
"Yes. They said he couldn't stand by and watch his people's plight, so he went into the magic stone mine, calmed the runaway, and if it weren't for the prince, there would have been a disaster of epic proportions!"
"But how could the prince have stopped the rampage? Isn't he a healer?"
"Heh, you still don't know our prince; nothing is impossible for him. He can work any miracle for his people."
The people gasped in amazement.
"How many things he does for us."
"I can't even count them."
Impressed expressions abounded.
This wasn't the first time.
Raymond had consistently gone above and beyond for the people of the capital—thwarting the schemes of Archduke Berard, securing victory in the war, and now, once again, averting another catastrophe.
A beacon.
No, a beacon wasn't quite the right word.
"A bright future..."
Someone muttered, and indeed, he was more than just a light.
He was a light of hope, as in a bright future.
Raymond was their light of hope.
"Majesty Raymond!"
"Our light, our prince!"
"In praise of His Shining Lord!"
And so, throughout the Kingdom of Huston, chants of praise for Raymond rang out.
[Fame rises!]
[Fame rises!]
[Fame rises!]
.
.
.
[Fane rises!]
He earned so much praise that the messages are endless.
Thanks to that,
[Your prestige has surpassed the threshold!]
[With great fame, your existing titles ('Savior of the Poor', 'Beloved of the Commoners', 'Hero of the Kingdom's Army', 'Revered Lord of the Manor') are transformed!]
The titles mentioned above are all prestige titles that Raymond has earned so far.
[The above titles have evolved and merged into one, gaining a new title, "Benefactor of Houston"!]
[Benefactor of Houston (Middle)]
[Description: An honored title given to those who have bestowed multiple favors upon the Kingdom of Houston.
Title Rank: Kingdom
Additional Effects:
-(+Retains previous title effects)
-The people of the Kingdom of Houston feel great happiness in knowing that you are with them!
-You receive great support from the people of the Kingdom of Houston!
-A significant number of the people of the Kingdom of Houston yearn for you!
-You exert considerable influence over the people of the Kingdom of Houston!]
The effect of the title was quite something, and you also gained this title.
[You jumped the yoke of an illegitimate child on your own!]
[Title: 'King's Bastard' evolves into 'King's Great Son'!]
[Great Son of the King]
[Description: A title given to the great sons of kings.
Title Rank: Kingdom
Additional effects :
-People look at you as a great son of the king!]
It was an exhilarating title.
He was finally free of the stigma of being a bastard.
No one would ever speak ill of him as a bastard.
But it wasn't all positive.
There was also a downside.
[Caution: Your excessive fame puts your enemies on high alert! It is advised to proceed with caution!]
It was a compelling narrative.
There were plenty of people who said things like.
"I just want Prince Raymond to be king."
"Yes, and then there would be nothing more to wish for."
Many shared this sentiment.
Of course, thoughts of Raymond becoming king had crossed people's minds before, but they were fleeting.
The notion of an illegitimate son ascending to the throne felt like a whimsical dream.
However, the nature of this desire had undergone a transformation.
Genuine yearning for Raymond to be king had taken root.
Naturally, these sentiments remained beneath the surface.
With princes in line for the throne, expressing such opinions could lead to trouble.
Yet, quietly and steadily, the sentiment was spreading.
And it wasn't confined to the common folk alone.
Even the aristocracy was attuned to the shifting dynamics.
'It is now settled that Count Penin will be High Lord of the Rafalde Province.'
'What implications does that hold for the overall situation?'
The nobles harbored suspicions about King Odin's intentions.
'Could he be contemplating having Count Penin succeed to the throne?'
They couldn't be certain.
One thing was clear: being a feudal lord wasn't the end of it.
Whether he sought it or not, the Count Penin found himself thrust into the tumultuous realm of thrones.
Even if he wished otherwise, Kairen and Remerton would not allow Raymond to remain undisturbed.
After all, such weighty and intricate discussions were reserved for those in lofty positions.
Amidst laughter, chatter, and songs praising Raymond's feats, a voice emerged.
"This is Joseph. I've crafted a new song."
Joseph, currently the most beloved Bard in the Kingdom of Houston, had risen to prominence.
Notably, he was the bard whose child Raymond had saved in the past.
Keeping his vow to sing exclusively for Raymond, Joseph's popularity soared, thanks to his ever-deepening musical prowess.
'It's all thanks to you, Prince. You're an endless inspiration to me.'
Even though he exclusively composed songs in Raymond's honor, he never lacked material.
Raymond's impact on the world was ceaseless.
"The title of the song is... 'Our Prince, the Light of Rafalde.'"
It was a sonata celebrating Raymond's endeavors in the province of Rafalde.
However, before Joseph could begin, an unexpected protest emerged.
"What do you mean, the light of Rafalde? The Prince is our light!"
"That's right! Our prince isn't just for the Rafalders!"
A wave of jealousy swept through the crowd, resentful that Rafalde had the privilege of serving their prince as a high lord.
'How can they be so fortunate? The prince has always belonged to us!'
'Lucky bastards!'
Initially puzzled by the protests, Joseph quickly improvised.
"That's right, Raymond is the treasure of our kingdom of Houston, and the next song will be 'Raymond, Houston's Most Precious Treasure'."
The people calmed down, and soon a song in praise of Raymond echoed through the square.
Raymond had won the hearts of the people of Houston.
He was smiling from ear to ear.
***
'Hahaha! I'm so lucky to be alive!'
The corners of Raymond's mouth turned upward.
There was a reason for his joy.
Last night, he received a message from Galman over the comms.
'In a few days' time, when the High Council meets, it will be confirmed that you will be made High Lord of the Province of Rafalde.'
Galman was as pleased as a father with his son's success.
'Congratulations on becoming the newest member of the High Lords of the Kingdom of Houston! Marquis Penin!'