Chapter 29

Episode 29. I’ve Shown You Everything (3)

A person can only prove their worth in a crisis. This was Keter’s philosophy on choosing people.

‘Ultima. Show me. How great you really are.’

Ultima gave a look as if to say, “What is this nonsense?” It seems this guy wants to live an easy life? He must be out of his mind.

“You said you could persuade him? I trusted you and came here. It’s troublesome if you act like this now.”

“Ahem! Ahaha. That’s right.”

Ultima bought time with a fake cough while secretly clenching his fist.

‘Damn brat. So this is why you brought me here. No wonder things were going so smoothly.’

He couldn’t explain to Keter that he was mistaken or that something was wrong. If he did, he had a vague certainty that Keter might beat him to death.

Keter even went as far as blocking his escape route.

“Old man Hans. What punishment is given to a commoner who lies to a noble?”

“Young master, you’re not officially a noble yet… Usually, their tongue is cut out.”

Suppressing Hans, who was timidly trying to resist, with a glare, Keter spoke to Ultima again.

“For a merchant, their tongue is their armory and armor. You wouldn’t want to lose that, would you?”

Ultima wanted to shout, ‘Is that even a proper thing to say!’ but he held it back and said,

“Haha, how could I lie to Young Master Keter? There are reasons to sell these bows… not just one, but two! Of course, I have something to say.”

Vulkanus, who was half-doubting the strange atmosphere, showed interest in Ultima’s words.

“Go ahead. I’m listening.”

Ultima bought some time with a deep breath.

‘Keter. It seems you want to test me. Fine. I’ll show you exactly how I climbed to this position.’

Although he had only shown himself being manipulated by Keter, Ultima was one of the top ten merchants in the Lilian Kingdom.

For someone who started from the bottom without anyone’s support, persuading Vulkanus was a task that only required basic knowledge.

And so, Ultima began to explain his reasons to Vulkanus on the spot—and as his story went on, Vulkanus, who had been frowning with distrust, began to relax his expression.

Eventually, Vulkanus even laughed heartily. Even Hans, who had a grudge against Ultima, nodded along with Ultima’s eloquence.

Keter looked at Vulkanus.

Ultima had just finished his second reason, but his persuasion was so perfect that there was no need to hear a third.

Keter’s expression as he looked at Ultima was like that of a parent looking at a well-raised child.

‘This brat, not bad, huh? As expected of someone I acknowledged.’

It wasn’t just quick thinking. His ability to interpret information and his eloquence in persuading others.

Keter smiled with satisfaction.

‘Good thing I spared him in Ruquer. Well done, past me.’

Of course, if he became an enemy, I’d kill him.

The aftermath of killing him? If I cared about that, there’d be no reason for Keter to be called a madman in Ruquer.

* * *

“What’s all this about?”

As carriages lined up at the entrance of the Sephira Blacksmith, passersby stopped to watch.

The owner of the carriages was Ultima, and Ultima’s workers were loading boxes brought from inside the blacksmith onto the carriages.

Ultima was directing the workers, while in a secluded corner, Vulkanus, Hans, and Keter were having a conversation.

“Don’t waste time. You two go and report to the Lord. The debt the House of Sephira owes Ultima, and the sale of the bows.”

At Keter’s words, the butler Hans, with a face that had aged rapidly, said,

“I can somehow accept the sale of the bows, but if you take 10% as a brokerage fee… What am I supposed to tell the Lord? I’ll really be beaten to death.”

Keter didn’t arrange this deal for free. He took 10% of the sales, 20,000 gold, as a brokerage fee.

20,000 gold was an enormous amount, enough for 100 commoner households to live comfortably for a lifetime.

It was a huge sum, but Keter’s expression was very calm, as if it was something he deserved, not even considering it a significant amount of money.

At Hans’s dying words, Keter took out 100 platinum coins from his pocket and firmly placed them in Hans’s hand.

“I’ve taken care of it.”

“It’s not that I wanted a tip…”

“It’s not a tip, it’s travel money. May you rest in peace.”

“Ugh!”

“Really, crying at your age. Anyway, if it weren’t for me, those things would have rotted in the warehouse forever. In my hometown, the minimum brokerage fee was 30%. Should I do the same for you?”

At the mention of a minimum of 30%, Hans quickly waved his hands.

“No, no, I’ll somehow explain it to the Lord.”

“That’s right. Even if he gets angry at first, he’ll eventually have no choice but to accept it.”

“Do you really think so?”

“He won’t kill you. At most, you’ll be exiled.”

“I don’t want to be exiled from the family at this age.”

“Then do well from the start.”

“……”

At Keter’s sarcastic reply, Hans was stunned, and now it was Vulkanus’s turn.

“Old dwarf, do you have something to say to me?”

Although Vulkanus had been completely persuaded by Keter and Ultima, he still thought Keter’s actions were dangerous.

“I can persuade Basil, but what about you? You’ve already subdued Amaranth. That alone will draw excessive attention. Now you’ve sold Sephira’s bows without the Lord’s permission. Aren’t you afraid of what punishment might come?”

Honestly, selling Sephira’s bows isn’t that big of a problem. If Hans and Vulkanus persuade him, the Lord will likely accept it.

But the problem was that it wasn’t the two who sold the bows, but Keter who led it. Keter was an outsider just a day ago.

Although he’s called a young master or prince within the family, he’s not officially a noble yet.

Only when the royal family officially approves can one become a true noble and enjoy the rights of a noble.

In other words, whatever Keter does, it’s safer to do after he officially receives a noble title and becomes a confirmed member of Sephira.

Of course, Keter knows that. That it’s safer. But there are reasons for not doing so.

‘Traditionally, nobles are the kind of people who take years to decide on filling a small hole in the road.’

Being officially recognized as a noble?

I don’t even hope for it, but even if they do, it’ll take decades. Would they give a noble title to a bastard of the Sephira family, who’s already disliked?

‘I’d rather die waiting than wait and die.’

So I just do it.

In this ambiguous state, neither commoner nor noble.

To summarize it for Vulkanus:

“At worst, I’ll just die. Oh, of course.”

Keter pointed at himself with his thumb.

“Don’t follow my example. It’s because it’s me.”

“Tsk, you crazy brat. If it were me, I wouldn’t embezzle the family’s money under the guise of a brokerage fee. Why are you so obsessed with money?”

“If there’s anyone in this world who says they don’t like money, that person is truly black-hearted. Look at me. How pure and clean I am.”

“Even so, it’s too much. What are you going to do with all that money?”

“Old man. My master said. Violence alone can’t solve everything. But money and violence can solve everything.”

“…It’s more surprising that someone took you as a disciple.”

“Old man, why don’t you take a disciple too? There’s an amazing guy.”

“No thanks!”

Vulkanus turned to Hans and said,

“Let’s go now. Basil must have heard that we sold the bows. If we don’t act quickly, things will get complicated.”

“Sigh. I should have done better. I…”

Hans followed Vulkanus like a pig being led to the slaughterhouse.

After the two left.

A very coincidental thing happened.

Ultima and Keter’s eyes met.

Ultima pretended not to notice, looking at the distant mountains behind, but Keter beckoned him over with a finger.

* * *

“Young prince. Did you call me?”

Ultima, who had just completed a satisfactory deal, was very respectful.

The benefits Ultima gained from this deal weren’t just monetary.

He gained the position of being the first merchant in the kingdom to handle Sephira’s bows. The influence he would gain from this was worth more than a million gold.

Regardless, Keter looked around casually and asked as if inquiring about his well-being,

“I’ve shown you everything.”

“……”

“It’s time to choose. Partner with me. Will you, or won’t you?”

“Alright, I’ll be frank too.”

In that short time, Ultima recalled the past events he had with Keter.

Keter was a swamp. The more you struggle to get out, the deeper you sink. The only way to escape is through a direct confrontation.

“Our Ultima Merchant Group is supported by four upper noble families. Thanks to them, we can trade with the Sephira family, who are a thorn in our side, without disadvantage. But if I fully side with the Sephira family, they will immediately dismantle my merchant group. Can the Sephira family protect my merchant group from them?”

“The Sephira family can’t do that.”

“Then is there any reason for us to talk further?”

Rejection.

Ultima refused to join Keter.

Of course, Ultima knows. Keter is acting politely now, but in reality, he prefers violence over dialogue. And he knows Keter won’t just let him go.

But the situation was favorable to Ultima.

‘This is the heart of the Sephira family. And I’m the only merchant trading with the Sephira family. If you kill me, Keter, you’ll never be able to handle the aftermath.’

That’s why Ultima could confidently refuse.

What can you do if I refuse?

What can you do?

I might face retaliation later, but that’s something I can handle.

‘I want to stop seeing your face now, Keter.’

Ultima was willing to take a few hits if it meant Keter would obediently back off.

But Keter wouldn’t do that.

“But I can do it.”

As soon as Keter finished speaking, Ultima felt a chill run down his spine.

‘He’s going to kill me!’

Ultima quickly stepped back, but—

Thud!

Keter’s left hand grabbed his neck and lifted him up faster than he could react.

“Guh…!”

It was an unbelievable strength. Lifting a grown man with just one hand.

Moreover, Ultima is a warrior trained to rival a 2-star knight. Even as he struggled with both hands to remove Keter’s left hand, it didn’t budge.

Realizing that strength wouldn’t work, Ultima, putting aside his pride, thrashed and made loud noises. He wanted the soldiers to see this. He calculated that even Keter wouldn’t be able to act so recklessly if they saw.

Indeed, the passing servants and soldiers witnessed Keter and Ultima.

Ultima felt relieved even as he was being strangled.

‘Let go, Keter. They’re watching.’

But—

Crack!

“Guh!”

Keter tightened his grip even more. The nearby soldiers recognized Ultima but hesitated to intervene.

‘That lunatic is strangling Ultima now.’

‘Young master Anis was beaten, and so was young master Taragon.’

‘Lady Catherine became mute after getting involved with young master Keter.’

‘The Lord is staying silent, would young master Keter listen to us if we spoke up?’

Among the soldiers was one guarding the blacksmith’s entrance, who quickly averted his gaze and whistled.

‘Phew, if I hadn’t cleared the way, I might have ended up like that.’

The soldier decided that even if Keter brought his pet Cerberus, he would obediently make way.

Ignored by the soldiers, Ultima grew desperate.

‘This is unbelievable. Ugh, I’m losing consciousness…’

It was too late for regret, and even later to act. His strength was fading, and he was on the verge of losing consciousness.

Then, Keter whispered to Ultima,

“Do you trust me?”

“What… huh?”

“Relax.”

Bam!

Keter lifted Ultima and slammed him into the ground. Neither Ultima nor the surrounding soldiers had time to react.

The ground shook with a loud noise.

Even those far away turned around in surprise. The Sephira family’s servants, as well as Ultima’s subordinates, witnessed it.

Under their gaze, Keter hoisted the seemingly lifeless Ultima onto his shoulder and said,

“First time seeing a noble beat up a commoner? Keep doing what you were doing.”

Keter headed towards the stables with Ultima, but no one dared to block his way.

Meanwhile, there were those who watched this entire situation.

Spies sent by various families.

They smiled secretly. As expected, Keter, who came from the lawless city, would ruin Sephira rather than be a helpful figure to the family.