The Degree
Ray's Worries

As preparations were made, Ray went to meet Erina who wanted a one-on-one conversation with him.

Mein, who was there at first, quickly left after discovering Ray's presence. The woman, since all these events no longer keeps a vigilance to him.

Apart from Ray who was actually under Erina's control there should be no problem, but Mein was not a lowly person who would lower her guard because of that.

At first Ray felt constrained because of the supervision given by Erina, but after everything disappeared he became more free in acting.

I was worried at first that I wouldn't be able to finish it, but thank God it changed naturally. Her thought.

“Sorry for having bothered you for quite some time, Ray. I feel guilty for you and want to say but new time comes now.”

As many Redwest high-ranking officers fall during this mess, Ray and Mein are burdened by some troublesome things. For example, do a count of the fatalities and confirm his identity.

Although it looks trivial but the action is needed to find out who died to prevent the possibility of intruders disguised as people who have died.

There are over seven thousand Redwest members including the same second generation as Ray. Specifically, the death toll is believed to be almost three thousand.

Although Blueeast formed an alliance with them, they would only take care of technical matters, while the internal Redwest was not where they were to lay hands.

Surely there are some competent officials who help but so far Ray and Mein received the heaviest burden.

Ray squinted his eyes, “I don't mind because this is my duty as a member of Redwest.” Ray admits that although he hated joining at first because of Erina's shackles but after staying for a long time in his residence Ray did not regret the choice to join.

“In addition, I also cannot let you who are injured in such a way bear many things. At least this is how I help you, Erina.” Ray smiled thinly.

Erina raised her eyebrows for not expecting Ray to have such thoughts. He was also surprised that Ray called out his name with sincerity.

At first he was convinced that Ray would gradually revolt because he did not accept using his Degree on him.

Even so Erina recklessly made a bet with herself to tame Ray and bring him to her side. In addition to being amazed by her talent and ability, Erina honestly harbored feelings for him.

The fact that Ray no longer holds a grudge against him makes him think the stakes are working and gradually Erina is sure to take his heart too.

“Thank you for that. This wound is indeed very sad and if I could not want to show it to you,” Erina smiled bitterly while looking at Ray. “No woman wants to show this condition to a man who is important to her.”

Ray honestly doesn't care what his interlocutor looks like. To him any pathetic look would not affect his judgment about the good-at least of a person.

Ray must have realized that his conclusion could be made that way because Ray had never experienced any romance in his life. He rarely socialized with others before entering this place.

“You don't have to hide anything from me like when you don't hold back on your ambition to want me. Even you do not hesitate to convey implied that I am really special for you.” Ray smiled wryly at that.

Erina starts giggling and feels proud because Ray realizes it but he is also happy with other things.

“You may have a point. From the moment I got hurt like this, every time you spoke to me there were more smiles growing on your lips. In fact, usually you are more visible statue.” Erina giggled and mocked Ray a little.

Ray did not take heart by his taunts and just sighed. Indeed, there is a fact that now Ray smiles more.

After a while they had a light conversation Erina realized that Ray seemed a little worried about one thing. Erina had originally intended to choose silence but it seemed that the worry was not one thing that was light.

“Is something bothering you?”

Ray slightly raised his lips but said nothing. Ray says that there is nothing but Erina can clearly see the lie.

Thanks to her strange demeanor making Erina furrow her brows slightly suspiciously, “What's wrong with you? Just tell me, Ray. I know that you are not the one who would show such a leak.”

Erina has not known Ray for long so she can not say very understand him but Erina already knows the character of people like Ray.

Generally such a person will not show his worries and will be able to lie as easily as breathing. But now Ray does not hold it so it is questionable. Between there is a big problem that he can not even overcome or there are strange things but he did not find the answer.

Ray finally sighed and gave up holding it back then leaned back and stared at the ceiling while massaging his forehead.

“My head feels so messed up and burdened that it is unable to think of many things. Like you said, if there is one thing that bothers me but I can't tell you.”

Something he could not express ... . Her thought.

Erina was able to guess a few things but for now there was at least one that she believed was the answer.

“what could this possibly be related to the Order and its union?”

Ray raised an eyebrow for a few seconds before explaining in detail that he had suspicions the Order might be a traitor despite looking like the Messiah on the outside and an older brother who cared about his younger brother.

With all the actions he has done up to now show his kindness so that everyone feels sure but Ray is not affected by what happens on the surface.

Ray has always been steadfast in his belief that there is no truly good and holy person in this world. Such a person would only exist in fairy tales.

“You remember that Virgo's war plans are right with the completion of our preparations? Although they can choose to attack now but because the goal is to make a big show then they choose the time where we are ready.”

The preparations were fully made by the Blueeast guild with Arthur not belonging to any guild watching him. Although the man should not be too trusted but the fact that the Endruid at that time tried to kill him is able to be a material denial.

“Destroying us while not ready is the best option to complete the bonus task as well as the fifth test. However, I do not understand why they choose to delay and give a time that really coincides with our readiness.”

Erina started thinking about it seriously because she was convinced that Ray always found something that he could not see like the answer to the fifth task.

“You refuse that this is just a mere coincidence, huh?” Erina asked, seeing Ray confirm with a nod made her think of something else. “If so we will see it from the other side. Suppose this is just a scenario drafted by the Order ...”

Erina felt indignant at imagining that the Order's words about her just wanted to make peace were in fact lies. If it were reality, Erina would not have forgiven her to death.

But it's hard for me to believe that that person would do it. I've known him since birth and he's not that kind of person. Her thought.

“It could be that over the past two years Virgo has reached the Order and made a deal with it. After knowing the reason you are hostile to each other, I understand that the Order has a strong desire to get the main prize from its bonus task.”

The main prize of the bonus task of building the strongest union in the Open World is not playful because it is something that is very important and is believed to be able to make people escape all the tasks that will come later.

You could say the person who gets it will be the main candidate who will escape alive.

“... you are right. For the last two years, I didn't know what happened to him. It has changed even more.” Erina furrowed her brows.

During the two years of their enmity, the Order could have changed and ceased to be the older brother she had known. After all Erina did not deny that this place changed many of one's nature.

Even that happened to him. Erina used to be more cheerful and never demeaned anyone she met but since getting a Degree and understanding of its use she changed and acted like a ruler who ruled like a dictator.

“Is it possible that the Order gets a deal could have its reward while Virgo gets another thing?” terumi said in a whispering tone.

Ray looked straight into Erina's eyes, “I also thought the same thing but I couldn't tell what Virgo was trying to get from sacrificing her reward. It's a stupid thought but I think that these two people might be the same person.”

Ray elaborates that the Order came in full and mysterious preparation just in time. Although he placed a spy, it was hard to imagine someone being able to transmit information when the entire eastern region fell into chaos.

It was then driven by the fact that there were actually intruders near them despite the Order and its people conducting a thorough examination. They also made a statement that there were no intruders.

Erina became even more convinced upon hearing Ray's explanation. Although he still finds it difficult to accept the possibility that Virgo is the Order itself but he cannot immediately give a denial.

“You have a point too, Ray .. how many people do you share this with?” erina asked curiously and worriedly. If others find out there is a possibility of leaking information that will make the Order suspicious and speed up its movement.

“You were the first to know my doubts. I'm certainly not stupid enough to pass it on to just anyone.”

Erina almost forgot that Ray was the kind of person who was careful and would not act recklessly which could harm her. Erina was happy that there was a smart person like Ray nearby.

He then asks Ray to keep silent about this chapter until Erina finds her enlightenment. Ray will certainly do it and do not forget to ask Erina to share her findings with him.

After discussing some other light topics Ray withdrew when Mein came to change the bandage and clean Erina's body. Before Ray leaves the room Erina delivers:

“I'll be happy when you become the one to take off my clothes and wash my body, Ray. Maybe all my wounds will heal faster.” Erina smiled mockingly and slightly hinted, even so she was sincerely willing to let Ray do it.

Ray looked at Erina with a strange gaze, “There will be no one who believes by such illogical lies.”

Serum D is believed to improve a person's healing due to the fact that the burn that Ray experienced has recovered. Even Arthur who has a newer wound can do the activity as usual.

But it is very unlikely that a person's wound will heal quickly just by being bathed. Ray could not accept the illogical reason.

Erina started laughing happily, “You were too stiff to the point of not realizing that I was just teasing you!”

Ray just this time saw Erina laughing in such a way and he left the room without much talking.

On his way Ray changed the route from the one to his study to the town square. In the middle was a beautiful fountain that should have been but everything had become ruins.

There was absolutely no one around and the city was now so completely dead because no one left it.

That's due to concerns that Virgos will target cities with missiles they may have.

Ray thought it was unlikely to happen but he did not take an opinion about the transfer.

“If you have to fight all-out then urban is the best place. In addition to understanding the terrain well, there are buildings and places to shelter and hide. If not here then we will be harmed. Well, even though I don't care.”

No matter where they would do it, the situation would be detrimental. The loss of life will not be avoided either war or not. The fact that the fifth task demanded they destroy the Open World clearly implies that there will be many deaths.

“Death is something that cannot be avoided. No matter how many people will die later, as long as it is not me, it is enough.”

Ray wouldn't care about people he didn't know at all. Even the grieving will not. As long as his own life is safe, Ray won't complain.

Secret created an environment like this. An environment in which they must defend their lives even if they sacrifice the property of others.

“I've sown the last seed for my plan. The rest are just waiting for their time and actions. Don't expect that this situation is under your control, Virgo. In reality you may not realize that behind your plan, there is a big scenario that is already running.”

Ray will not allow himself to be someone else's toy and fill the role that others provide.

He will always be the one to move the puppets, compose the scenarios, and make the puppets in his hands to dance. As he has said before. Ray hates being used by others.

“Well, I hope nothing destroys everything. If that happens, I have no choice but to take part in this all-out war.”

...[****]...

Notes.

Yo, this time I do not use the message feature considering the limited sentences. Here I would like to say a few things about this story as well as a small announcement.

Although the readers of this story can be counted fingers but your enthusiasm makes me happy. As long as someone reads this story, that's enough.

There are so many theories and guesses you make, none of which I miss. But from this point on I won't say anything. As right or not.

You may be very curious about Degree Ray. As I said before, the biggest clue about the Degree is in this Open World Arc.

That will lead you to the answer, but it's a shame that I've decided I won't confirm whether your guess is correct or not. I'll just read it and give it a like. The truth I will reveal at the end of this story, which I myself am confused about what to make a theme for the tenth task.

Then, regarding the small announcement is about the new work. You could say just promotion.

I try to hold fast that I want to create a work with a unique theme. The Degree, Creator Hero, even you might have read some chapters of the Seven Keys of the Pleiades. Which although I kept almost 30-chapters but did not continue and instead pulled it.

Enough up here. This new work will raise the theme from the side of the villain. It is something common, but its uniqueness may lie in its difficulty.

The title will explain a lot more than this article.

Yep!

Bro, So Villains Are Not Easy!

Little story. It's about a man who gets hit by a kun-truck and hopes to head for isekai. But know what? This man ended up in the hospital and did not die and then visited another world. He went to another world in the end, but in a different way.

Like title. The life of criminals is not easy. Maybe more comedy. Well, it depends how it develops later.

Probably tonight will come out. I look forward to your presence there!