Chapter 130

Chapter 131. For Pure Love (5)

A “shadow orchestra” appeared.

Piano and violin. A simple composition.

The shadow orchestra begins to play. Solely for one person, Ayrus.

-♬♩♪♩ – ♪♬

Lively and fast.

Ayrus wasn’t idle either. With measured steps, he matched the rhythm.

Until death separates us.

A voice completely opposite to his usual drawl. Ayrus, singing with a husky voice, his eyes sparkled like the night sky.

I never thought we’d really be separated.

But hey, it’s a new beginning. A completely new beginning.

I expected to fall into hell when I died.

But when I opened my eyes, I was here.

This world seems to be hell itself.

A great being called me.

Said they’d give me a second chance.

Even death is just entertainment for the great being.

So what? I’ll live as I please.

The piano sound fades, and the violin takes center stage.

This world is a stage.

Only entertainment exists on the stage.

It doesn’t matter if I’m not the main character.

I’ll live as I please.

That’s the reason for my life.

The lights went out.

The world’s light returned.

Ayrus wiped his forehead and winked.

“How was it, darling?”

Clap, clap, clap…

Keter clapped slowly and threw a platinum coin.

“You’ve grown, Ayrus.”

“You’re the only one who truly understands the essence of my song.”

“Good is good. Shall we finish what we started?”

Keter’s left hand gripped the Demon Bow Amaranth again. Mana Arrows are ready. 30 shots. Prepared to the max.

Ayrus, born of Ruquer, doesn’t avoid the coming fight. Especially with Keter.

However, he shook his head with a troubled expression.

“Unfortunately, Keter. I’d love to dance with you right now, but…”

Ayrus pointed at the palace with his finger.

“I have a prior engagement. I’ll kill Eslow first, then come find you right after.”

Ayrus revealed his plan.

Keter showed interest.

He couldn’t help it.

Having fought the Lord, he knows. The Lord’s strength. Even as an incomplete 8-star, his majesty is beyond human comprehension.

Keter’s gaze swept from Ayrus’s toes to the top of his head.

Shadow mage Ayrus. Seven years ago, when he died by Keter’s hand, he was at the level of a 4-star knight.

Now, he’s a Master. Strictly speaking, a bit stronger than that, but not quite a Grandmaster.

Fighting him directly would give a clearer picture, but that wasn’t the important part.

‘Even if that guy is Grandmaster-level, so what?’

Even if Ayrus has Ragnon’s bombs, defeating the Lord is impossible. Keter acknowledges the power of Ragnon’s roses, but they’re nowhere near enough to take down a 7-Star Prime.

“If you thought bombs could kill the Lord, you should just hang yourself now.”

Originally, all those bombs were duds, but Keter saw no need to inform Ayrus.

“Hahaha! I know. Bombs aren’t the main event. I’ve got something else prepared.”

“Is the Grand Duke coming out from Ruquer to kill you himself? I’d like to know.”

“Beg me, and I might show you.”

“Screw you.”

“Shall I?”

“Take your hands off your pants.”

Then, Ayrus turned his head. He spoke with a regretful expression.

“Ah, I wanted to date you a bit longer. Eslow’s crows are looking for me. I should get going.”

“Coming back from the dead must’ve killed your manners. I have something to say to guys like you who show up uninvited, say their piece, and leave. Coming to me is free, but leaving isn’t.”

“Ah. Of course, Keter. But I’ve gotten a bit stronger? You can’t beat me now. So, don’t waste your energy, okay? Oops. Almost forgot. Don’t touch the bombs underground anymore. Okay? It’s a request. The Grand Duke is interested too. I must complete it.”

“Bullshit.”

Light gathered in Amaranth.

A large, thick, long aura lightning surged.

Keter’s signature technique, ‘Milky Way,’ which incapacitated the orichalcum-ranked mercenary Burgundy in one hit, was loaded.

Ayrus rubbed his cheeks with his hands upon seeing Milky Way.

“You picked up a bow, so I thought you might use archery. But to think you’d actually use it! The perfection of that technique is thrilling! You’re amazing, Keter. Unpredictable. Only you can excite me!”

Boom!

The shockwave from Milky Way’s launch alone flipped the café. Ayrus’s mouth stretched into a wide grin.

At that moment-

Crunch!

His small shadow enlarged and swallowed Milky Way in one gulp.

Milky Way, capable of obliterating city walls, was effortlessly consumed by the shadow.

“I told you, Keter. I’ve gotten stronger. Next time, bring something more thrilling, okay?”

Snap!

Ayrus flicked his finger and vanished without a trace.

He didn’t hide.

Ayrus left. Through the shadows.

Keter, having recalled Amaranth, remained unfazed. Even after seeing Milky Way being effortlessly blocked.

“Showing off is the same now as it was back then.”

Leaving a meaningful remark, Keter exited the café.

* * *

Hundreds of meters away from the dessert café, at the city wall.

Ayrus emerged from the wall’s shadow.

Holding his stomach with his right hand, Ayrus’s mouth twitched. Soon, he burst into maniacal laughter.

“Ahah, ahahahahah! Ahahahahahaha!”

Puff.

Gray powder fell from his stomach. A hole too large to cover with his right hand was pierced through.

“Keterrrr! You really are, really are…! The best!”

Keter’s arrow, Milky Way, was indeed blocked.

But it was a feint.

Mana Arrow. The arrow of death.

Inside Milky Way, a Mana Arrow was embedded.

Ayrus could handle Milky Way, but not the Mana Arrow. He was outsmarted by a simple trick.

“Did you let me go because you didn’t want to deal with Eslow’s crows?”

Keter’s arrow was powerful, but it wasn’t an all-out attack. He could’ve fired a few more times.

“Ah, thrilling. I feel like I’m going to disappear. Haaa. I’ll kill Eslow quickly, then kill you too, Keter. But don’t worry. I’ll make you like me. Free you from death. Stay with me. Forever……”

“Who’s there!”

Even if it’s the outskirts, this is still a major city. Guards are everywhere.

Ayrus’s laughter was too loud and long. The public security force, hearing the noise, arrived.

Three in number. All elite soldiers trained to knight-level, armed with Amantiir resistant to aura and magic.

“Identify yourself. What were you doing here?”

The security force already treated Ayrus, consumed by madness, as half a criminal. Moreover, with Pedders Hotel exploding earlier, they were on high alert.

Thinking he might be a terrorist, the security force pointed their spears at Ayrus and shouted louder.

“Get on the ground. If not……”

Ayrus drew a circle with his finger, enclosing the soldiers within.

“Snacks are bad for your health.”

“Stop messing around……!”

Ayrus clenched his fist.

Crunch!

It happened in an instant. A giant maw emerged from the soldiers’ shadows and swallowed them whole.

Crunch, squelch!

A chilling sound came from the shadows.

Simultaneously, Ayrus’s abdominal wound healed.

“My favorite outfit.”

After removing his torn uniform, Ayrus took out new clothes from the shadows and put them on, then gazed at the palace.

In his mind now wasn’t Lord Eslow. It was the Solver, Keter.

“Keter. I agree with you. I don’t think I can kill Eslow.”

Hundreds of bombs planted in the city with the Grand Duke’s support.

The pinnacle of imperial magic engineering, the Homunculus.

Ayrus trusted neither.

He never intended to kill Eslow. He deceived and used the imperial special ops. Hiding his true goal.

“A stage without a twist is boring.”

Ayrus slowly melted into the shadows and disappeared.

* * *

Eslow’s direct jurisdiction was packed with crowds. From the outskirts to the central district, the streets were filled with people.

“Oh my, Pedders Hotel really collapsed!”

Countless crowds gathered outside the fence to see the collapsed hotel. The long line formed five days ago showed no signs of ending.

“Officially, it collapsed due to aging foundations, but rumors say there was an explosion.”

“Scary. Is it safe now?”

“His Lordship doubled the security forces, so no need to worry. There have been no explosions since.”

“That’s a relief.”

Upper Nobles, with their heavy bottoms, usually enter the city on the day of the tournament or the day before to flaunt their authority.

But now, there are too many nobles on the streets. With the tournament still a week away, almost all nobles arrived earlier than planned.

It wasn’t just to see the collapsed Pedders Hotel.

The impact of the Golden Fragrance auction held four days ago was significant.

Golden Fragrance, known for dealing only in rare items, presented unbelievable goods this time.

A map to the ruins where the legacy of Sword Saint Magenta lies.

All nobles with any wealth flocked to Eslow’s direct jurisdiction for the auction. Naturally, their actions drew the attention of other nobles.

‘Why are Upper Nobles suddenly gathering in Eslow’s direct jurisdiction? The tournament is still far away.’

An anthropologist once said. No one is as sensitive to trends as nobles.

Nobles not invited to Golden Fragrance also started moving. No one spread rumors or incited them. Like ants communicating with pheromones, everyone naturally gathered in the city.

The map to Sword Saint Magenta’s ruins sold for a whopping 2.85 million gold. They believed the map was genuine.

The seller’s name was clearly ‘Keter,’ but no one paid attention.

It’s Golden Fragrance.

Golden Fragrance never deals in fakes.

Those who know Keter made up their own stories.

“The missing Magenta actually stayed in Sephira and left the map to repay a favor. But the foolish Sephira just kept it. Keter found the map and sold it.”

That’s what most nobles thought about the auction.

The auction was entirely anonymous, so no one knows who got the map. But it’s only a matter of time.

Nobles who can casually pay 2.8 million gold. Among them, if one suddenly doesn’t attend the upcoming tournament, wouldn’t they be the buyer?

Nobles who participated in the auction started a fierce game of cat and mouse.

‘Will they move after the tournament ends, or search for the ruins during the tournament when all eyes are on it?’

Nobles who didn’t get the map tried to follow, nervously trying to get a piece of the pie.

Thanks to that, nobles briefly forgot the name Sephira. Some inquired about the seller, Keter, but without knowing his face, they couldn’t find him.

The Mile party, staying in Eslow’s Palace, steadily prepared for the tournament despite the chaos outside.

They had no anxiety or hesitation. Thanks to Catherine, who went into the city on Mile’s mission and found Keter.

“Keter is doing very well.”

“That’s a relief. But does he not worry about us?”

“He doesn’t seem to worry about others.”

“But we’re not others……”

Meanwhile, Fabian, the eldest son of the Eslow family, summoned to the palace for devil worship and plagiarism issues, suddenly disappeared from the world.

Many witnessed Fabian hastily riding into the palace.

But strangely, no one saw him leave.

Those interested in Fabian’s fate thought he was under house arrest. The most reasonable punishment.

Even the Lord’s son, devil worship is a crime the world fears. It’s best not to show his face until people forget.

The next day. A hammer adorned the palace’s west gate. A hammer with an unnecessarily ornate handle.

“By the way, where is Keter and what is he doing?”

During lunch, Taragon muttered as if passing by. Catherine, who praises Keter daily, responded with infinite positivity.

“Maybe he’s preparing something amazing? Aren’t you excited to see what he’ll show this time?”

Mile, with a preconceived notion of Keter from one incident, spoke with conviction.

“I guarantee it. The rose cloud explosion five days ago, the collapse of Pedders Hotel. That was definitely Keter’s doing.”

Surprisingly, Anis defended Keter.

“Keter often does crazy things, but he’s not bad enough to kill innocent people.”

“Didn’t Catherine tell you? Only one guide from Pedders Hotel died in the explosion.”

Anis immediately changed his tune.

“I’ll correct that. Keter probably did it.”

It’s not just the Mile party who talks about Keter.

“Keter, you’re truly the embodiment of destruction.”

Ultima clicked his tongue while looking at the collapsed Pedders Hotel.

Ultima, who came to Eslow’s direct jurisdiction smelling money, was 100% sure all the commotion in the city was Keter’s doing.

“Only a madman like you would do such things.”

It was the same in Ruquer. When incidents happened without warning, most were Keter’s doing.

“Even staying in Eslow’s Palace. What kind of magic did you use?”

Other nobles thought Sephira, who entered the palace, was imprisoned when she didn’t come out for five days. They never believed she was living comfortably inside.

But Ultima knows.

Keter makes the impossible possible. The problem is he’s a madman who makes the possible impossible.

“I smelled money. But I’m not sure where to start.”

Ultima, who acts on instinct rather than plans, started walking through the city center. The city center was lively and luxurious. All items sold in the central district started at 1 gold.

“Tsk, thinking about it, it’s ridiculous. Is there any room for me to squeeze into a market already firmly established here?”

The central district doesn’t deal with petty merchants.

So, should I go around nobles peddling goods? What kind of profit can I make from peddling? I can do it, but only for small gains.

‘I didn’t come to where Keter is to make pocket change.’

I needed a big hit.

But such a big idea doesn’t come easily.

Growl.

“I’m hungry.”

Ultima switched targets without hesitation.

“Alright, let’s find a shop.”

In Ruquer, countless orphans starve to death.

Ultima almost became one of them.

So, he especially hates hunger. When hungry, he eats until full. Even in the middle of a fight.

“The fancy restaurants in the central district don’t appeal to me.”

Regardless of the cost, Ultima didn’t like the nobles’ restaurants with their stingy portions.

His steps headed to the outskirts. Like a bee finding honey, he easily found a street full of restaurants.

“Hmm, as expected of a big city. They sell fried food too?”

Even if the outskirts are for commoners, being in a big city makes a difference. It’s not just low-grade soup or meat chunk restaurants.

There are quite a few restaurants selling unique dishes from various countries. Among them, Ultima stopped at one.

“The famous pizza from Baen Kingdom.”

Ultima recalled eating original pizza in Baen Kingdom.

Crispy baked dough, sweet and sour tomato sauce, pleasantly spicy jalapeño sauce spread like silk.

The salty salami topping ties all the flavors together.

Gulp.

Ultima swallowed his saliva and nodded.

“Alright, let’s go in.”

Entering the restaurant, Ultima looked around. Quiet. Pizza is still unfamiliar and expensive in Lilian Kingdom.

“No customers, but no staff either?”

Ultima looked around for staff when someone came out of the kitchen and spoke.

“Perfect timing, Ultima. Try my new menu pizza.”

Ultima blinked rapidly.

It’s Keter.

In a pizza shop, Keter is here.

“……?”

Rubbing his eyes, he looked again. Wearing an apron, but the person before him was undoubtedly Keter.

“Why are you here?!”