Chapter 8

Episode 8. I Seduced Him First (1)

How do you open the mouth of someone who’s tight-lipped?

“Stab their belly with a hot skewer!”

If you ask the kids of Ruquer, they’d answer with such innocent voices.

Of course, if I’m in a hurry, I’d just stab first and ask questions later, but if I have time, I prefer the carrot and the whip.

For example, after thoroughly exhausting someone, offer them delicious food and alcohol. I’ve yet to meet a human who doesn’t succumb to that.

“Hehehe. The alcohol tastes especially good today.”

Old man Jacques, tipsy and giggly, was laughing absentmindedly. At his feet were four bottles of fallen wine.

“Old man, at this rate, I’ll lose. Drink slower.”

I filled his glass, keeping his mood light, and he drank it eagerly, spilling almost half.

If I keep feeding him, he’ll go down.

If it were about winning or losing, a finishing blow would suffice, but that’s not my real goal.

“Old man. When I arrived today, no one came to greet me. Was that Father’s intention?”

I casually probed Jacques, who wouldn’t have spoken sober. With bleary eyes, he replied,

“Yes, that’s right. The Lord had been advising us not to approach the young master for almost a month now.”

His voice, soaked in defenselessness. Jacques was definitely out of it.

“What did Father say about me?”

“He didn’t say much… just that you’re his son… but since your identity isn’t clear, he told us not to get too close. Honestly, isn’t that too much? You’re his son.”

At this point, I needed to egg him on to loosen his tongue further. I clapped once for Jacques, who was about to fall asleep from the alcohol, and said,

“Right. Why would he do that? You’d know, wouldn’t you, old man?”

“There are many reasons. You’re from the Lawless City, and you suddenly showed up claiming to be his son after 18 years. Isn’t it strange if he didn’t suspect you? Still, isn’t it too much? You’re his son.”

Did I feed him too much? Jacques was repeating himself. He was about to lose consciousness, so I tried a more direct question.

“Did others agree with Father? The elders, for example. Didn’t they oppose the sudden arrival of a bastard child?”

As expected, old man Jacques sighed and said,

“Oh, of course! They all said no. Some even suggested finding and killing you! Really, that’s not right!”

Bang! Jacques slammed the table in anger.

I was also a bit heated from the alcohol. Who suggested killing me? If I find out, I won’t let it slide.

“So, bringing me here was Father’s unilateral decision?”

“That’s right. He said it’s dangerous for you to be outside, and abandoning family is like abandoning the House. So he found you and brought you here. The others reluctantly agreed but set the condition that they wouldn’t interfere in House matters.”

“Wow. That’s impressive.”

“Right? So, young master. You really need to be careful with your words and actions. Only then… hic! …will the others accept you as family.”

Thud! Jacques’ forehead hit the table. Then he muttered,

“Hmm. Young master, I’ll support you well. So you can adapt to the House……”

With that, Jacques started snoring.

Just like in my past life, old man Jacques cared for me deeply. How could I dislike him?

I called a servant to bring ice water, drank it coolly, and washed away the alcohol.

“Ha! That settles it.”

The letter from Father in my past life held no lies.

House Sephira truly brought me here to protect me. They just didn’t show it outwardly.

But questions remain. How did Father know of my existence? Who told him?

Complicating things is imagination. Let’s think simply. Start with the truth as the backbone and deduce from there.

First, it was my mother who abandoned me.

Father didn’t know of my existence. Knowing his personality, he wouldn’t have left me to grow up in Ruquer.

So for Father to know, it had to be through my mother. In other words, my mother informed Father of my existence.

She must have told only Father. Whether they met in person or through a letter. Father wouldn’t have thought to pull me out of Ruquer. If he didn’t look, no one would know.

Yet he tried to find me, which means my existence was revealed by someone.

The fragmented clues come together.

My mother informed Father of my existence. But Lilian also found out. That means there’s a traitor in the House.

It’s not a grand deduction. A failing House would have a traitor or two.

The first that comes to mind are the elders, the most trusted of Sephira’s inner circle. No one else wields as much influence in the House.

But that doesn’t mean I’ll go hunt down an elder right now. There’s no solid evidence, no proof, no justification.

Moreover, to take down a House elder, I’d first need to show that I’m not wrong and that I’m beneficial to the House.

“And fill my pockets while I’m at it.”

My stomach and mind were both full. I got up and went to the kitchen, telling the chef Altein,

“Uncle Octopus. Take care of old man Jacques. I’ll head out first.”

“Huh? Oh, yes!”

Returning to my quarters, I immediately soaked in a hot bath. A full stomach and a light buzz from alcohol—bathing at such times is one of my favorite things.

As I melted away the fatigue, I decided on my next destination.

“I’ll start with Amaranth.”

Three months from now, House Sephira will face a great calamity. A knight, consumed by the Demon Bow Amaranth, will go berserk as the ‘Mana Arrow Shooter.’

For a calamity, the casualties are few. Only two died. The berserk knight and a blacksmith.

But those two deaths had a profound impact on Sephira.

Because the dead knight was Taragon, the fourth son of this House. In the family tree, he’s my half-brother.

The dead blacksmith wasn’t just any blacksmith either. Vulkanus, the greatest bow craftsman who had been making bows for House Sephira for 200 years.

Vulkanus died trying to stop the Mana Arrow Shooter, and the berserk Taragon was killed by the Lord, Basil. A father killing his son.

At the time, I wasn’t particularly interested in the incident. That’s just how it was.

But now?

I’m very interested.

“I know the location of an unclaimed treasure. Why leave it be?”

I only heard about it, so I don’t know exactly where it is. But I do know it’s in Sephira’s blacksmith.

Sephira’s blacksmith.

I also need a bow to use. As the young master of an archery family, I should have a bow.

More importantly, I consider equipment part of one’s strength, so ordinary gear doesn’t satisfy me.

Berserk or Demon Bow, it doesn’t matter.

“As long as the user wields it well, right?”

* * *

While Keter was enjoying a relaxing bath after deciding his destination.

The sons of Sephira were secretly gathered for a meeting.

“Anis is late.”

Hisop, the eldest son of Sephira who led the family meeting, muttered while looking at the clock.

The second son, Mail, sitting beside him, replied,

“That guy’s been practicing the Lion Bow for days, eating and sleeping in the training ground. He’s probably late because he’s washing up. Oh, by the way, have you heard news of the youngest who went to the Empire?”

Three were missing from this gathering.

The third son, Anis, mentioned by Hisop.

The noble daughter of the House, Laurel.

And the youngest, Chevil, mentioned by Mail.

Hisop smiled faintly at the mention of Chevil.

“I heard. He was chosen as the first-year representative at the academy where only geniuses gather, beating hundreds.”

Chevil had gone to study in the neighboring Sammael Empire, enrolling in the country’s top private academy, ‘Clipt,’ known for gathering only the most selected geniuses.

While the brothers were worried about Chevil living alone in a distant land, they were also proud.

“Chevil is the hope of our House Sephira. When he graduates and returns, I plan to recommend him to become the Lord.”

At Hisop’s words, Mail frowned.

“Chevil is undoubtedly the most outstanding among us brothers, but that doesn’t mean you’re inferior to him. So please don’t say such things. Chevil wouldn’t want that either.”

Hisop closed his eyes and remained silent. Neither affirming nor denying.

Knock knock.

Amid the silence, the sound of knocking and the door opening signaled Anis’s arrival.

“Sorry I’m late.”

Hisop, opening his eyes, spoke to Anis.

“You’re always the first to arrive. What’s the matter? Hmm?”

Hisop was puzzled. He thought Anis was late because he was tidying up. But upon seeing him, Anis was bandaged all over.

It didn’t seem serious, but Hisop asked just in case.

“Did you train so hard that you got hurt? That’s unlike you.”

Anis hesitated, wondering if he should tell them about Keter.

“Brother, actually……”

“Sit down first. I called you all here because there’s something important to discuss.”

If the conversation drags on, it becomes distracting. Hisop spoke seriously, so Anis held back his words and sat next to the fourth son, Taragon.

Taragon, who had been quietly present, nodded slightly to Anis in greeting and focused on Hisop.

Thus, the four sons of House Sephira gathered. Hisop cleared his throat.

“I called you here to inform you about our half-brother, Keter, who arrived this morning.”

At Hisop’s mention of Keter, his brothers reacted as if they had expected it.

“Father already told us, but I’ll emphasize it again. Ignore Keter. Don’t seek him out, don’t meet him, and if you happen to cross paths, avoid conversation at all costs. There are two reasons. Keter grew up in the Lawless City, and his sudden appearance at a precarious time for the House is suspicious. It’s suspicious, but there’s no evidence, so there’s no need to be hostile, but be cautious.”

As Hisop finished, the fourth son, Taragon, raised his hand to ask a question.

“Is it certain that this Keter is truly Father’s blood?”

“It’s certain. Keter has the same eyes as us.”

The same eyes as us. It refers to the eyes only the Sephira bloodline possesses. Golden irises and purple pupils that glow in the dark.

Taragon continued to probe about Keter’s origins.

“Who’s his mother?”

“I don’t know. Father didn’t tell me either.”

“I know Father’s actions always have meaning, but this time, I really don’t understand. Why bring someone of uncertain origin into the House?”

Hisop also found it hard to accept, like Taragon. But one thing was certain.

“As I said earlier, be cautious of Keter, but don’t be hostile. If our House were in better circumstances, we could have taken time to build a relationship, but we couldn’t, so we’re left with this ambiguous situation.”

Taragon was about to say more, but the second son, Mail, interjected.

“He might be an enemy. You can’t be too lenient just because he’s family.”

Thinking Mail was defending him, Taragon seized the opportunity to add,

“Is ignoring him enough? Shouldn’t we lock him up to prevent any trouble?”

Hisop sighed at Taragon’s words.

“Taragon. I’ve told you repeatedly, think before you speak. Right now, we can control you, but I’m seriously worried about when we can’t.”

Taragon, scolded by Hisop, sulked and stepped back.

Hisop’s gaze turned to Anis.

“Anis. What do you think? About Keter.”

Anis wore an expression that said, “It’s come to this.”

“Actually, Keter came to see me.”

At Anis’s words, Mail and Taragon jumped up in surprise. Hisop placed his clasped hands on the table and said,

“How does Keter know you, and for what reason?”

“I was too flustered to find out at the time. He just showed up and insulted my Lion Bow. Said it was just powerful for no reason.”

At the mention of Keter insulting the Lion Bow, Mail got particularly excited.

“What does that brat know about our House’s archery!”

Hisop gestured for Mail to sit down.

“So, what happened next?”

“Keter said that if the arrow is just powerful, you can dodge it. I got angry and shot an arrow at him, with the arrowhead removed.”

“Did he get hit and start raging? So you knocked him down?”

Taragon, raising his fist in excitement, annoyed Hisop.

“Don’t interrupt Anis, Taragon.”

Taragon, deflated, quietly lowered his raised fist.

Anis recounted his brief match with Keter honestly, including his eventual defeat.

After the story ended—

Bang!

Mail slammed the table with his fist in anger.

“How insolent. No wonder he’s from the Lawless City, trying to dominate with violence. And cowardly targeting you first!”

The brothers refused to accept that Anis lost due to skill. Anis had been training day and night for days.

Anis calmed Mail, who was ready to storm out.

“Brother. I’ve already agreed to face him again.”

“Really? That’s good. When? I need to see that brat groveling on the ground to calm my anger.”

“He told me to come when I’m in my best condition. Probably trying to buy time, but no way. I plan to find him within three days at the latest.”

“Got it. Since you’re saying that, I won’t intervene. But we’ll all watch the duel. That way, Keter won’t try anything funny.”

Mail looked to Hisop for agreement. Hisop, judging it wouldn’t be a big issue, nodded.

“Keter started it, so the justification is on our side. But Anis. Even if you were weakened, Keter beating you wasn’t just luck. You’re not the type to lose just because you’re unlucky.”

Anis nodded with a stern face.

“Right. Keter’s martial arts and quick thinking were not to be underestimated.”

“That’s the attitude. Never let your guard down, no matter who the opponent is. That’ll save your life in real battles.”

Anis and Hisop exchanged warm smiles, but Taragon, not catching the mood, interjected.

“Brothers. Should I go find Keter first and beat him to a pulp?”

Mail clicked his tongue. Just moments ago, Mail had said he wouldn’t intervene. What was Taragon thinking?

Hisop, standing up, pressed Taragon’s shoulder to force him to sit and said,

“Taragon. After the meeting, review the conversation we had. Your lack of focus is your biggest problem.”

“…….”

Thinking he was scolded by Hisop, Taragon sulked again. Returning to his seat, Hisop ignored Taragon’s mood and said,

“Even if we move past Keter and Anis’s duel, there’s something hard to accept. How did Keter find where Anis was? I find that very strange.”

Keter arrived at the House today. With no prior knowledge of House Sephira.

Among the vast and numerous buildings, how did he pinpoint where Anis was? It’s hard to believe.

Mail spoke in a tone suggesting it was no big deal.

“It must have been a coincidence. He was just wandering around, saw soldiers guarding, went in, and happened to find Anis, who was in bad shape, so he picked a fight.”

“Hmm. That’s the most plausible explanation for now.”

Hisop thought it was far-fetched to assume Keter knew the structure of House Sephira and had a clear purpose in finding Anis.

‘I’ve been too suspicious lately, with too much on my mind.’

There was nothing more to say about Keter. Hisop looked at each of his brothers and said,

“What I wanted to say is done. I’ll leave now. Mail, take care of the brothers.”

“Don’t worry and go safely. It’s awkward to say, but my charisma isn’t far behind yours.”

“Heh, right.”

Hisop exchanged brief glances with his brothers and said,

“Let’s go.”

With Hisop’s departure, the meeting ended. Everyone returned to their places, except one.

Taragon wandered aimlessly, looking for someone.

‘Keter. I need to see what kind of guy he is.’

Despite Hisop’s warning not to approach Keter first, Taragon acted on his own. After asking around, he arrived at Keter’s quarters and asked the guards nearby,

“Is Keter in here?”

“He went out a while ago.”

“Where to?”

“He didn’t say where he was going… just that he went in that direction.”

“Tch. How arrogant, wandering around as he pleases.”

Clicking his tongue, Taragon started searching for Keter in earnest, walking quickly. He even asked people if they’d seen Keter, so everyone knew. Taragon was looking for Keter.

Still, there was progress. Keter wasn’t hiding, and his presence wasn’t something easily concealed, so finding him wasn’t hard.

‘Finally found him.’

Taragon, clumsily hiding behind a pillar, peeked out.

There, indeed, was Keter. Arguing with the guards at the entrance of the blacksmith.