Chapter 136

Episode 137. For a God, You’re Quite Timid (3)

Dwarves are loved by Aura—

Elves are loved by Mana.

These beings naturally accumulate Aura and Mana in their bodies without effort.

In awe of these Elves and Dwarves, humans created two techniques.

Aura Cultivation Method. And Mana Breathing Method.

Humans forcibly drew Aura and Mana into their bodies, contained them, and suppressed them to mimic Elves and Dwarves.

Among these, ‘Body Reformation’ was a technique created for humans to surpass Elves and Dwarves.

Elves are attuned to Mana but cannot possess Aura, while Dwarves are attuned to Aura but cannot possess Mana.

On the other hand, a human who undergoes Body Reformation gains a body optimized for both Aura and Mana.

Even 300 years ago, Body Reformation was a rare phenomenon, but it wasn’t unheard of. In certain bloodlines, there were families where many members underwent Body Reformation upon reaching adulthood.

But at some point, all humans with that bloodline disappeared.

It wasn’t just the bloodline that vanished. The research and analysis of the conditions for Body Reformation—essentially, the secret techniques to artificially induce it—also disappeared without a trace.

Given that it was a time when elf hatred was at its peak, it was naturally concluded that elves were behind it all. It was said that the jealous elves had done it.

In any case, by now, only one in a hundred thousand people naturally undergoes Body Reformation. This has nothing to do with one’s realm.

Of course, Keter knew the secret of Body Reformation.

‘I didn’t expect this to happen now.’

Body Reformation only occurs in those who possess both Aura and Mana. However, simply having both doesn’t guarantee it will happen.

The necessary conditions for Body Reformation are simple yet tricky. The body must be pushed to its limit, unable to withstand the Aura and Mana, until it’s on the verge of bursting.

When this happens, the body eventually reaches a critical point and reconstructs itself through Body Reformation.

‘Since I’ve been practicing self-harm training with Aura, that condition was met. And Mana was fulfilled through this surgery? Even if the conditions are met, it’s extremely rare for Body Reformation to occur immediately.’

The self-harm training method of destroying one’s body with Aura isn’t specifically for Body Reformation, but theoretically, it can trigger it.

The same goes for being exposed to 300 years’ worth of Mana through the Extreme Mana Stagnation surgery. It was only for a brief moment. The conditions for Body Reformation were only met for a very short time.

Keter opened only his left eye and glanced to the side. He saw Catherine, who was gathering Mana using the Mana Breathing Method he had taught her.

‘Could it be thanks to you?’

This doesn’t mean Catherine did something to cause Body Reformation. It’s not about her consciously helping.

‘Is it Causality?’

He saved Catherine, took her in, taught her Manifestation Magic and Demon Archery, and had her assist him.

All these factors interfered with something intangible, allowing him to undergo Body Reformation early at a one-in-a-million chance. That was Keter’s analysis.

‘This is really luck, Grand Duke.’

However, whether this was his own Causality, Catherine’s Causality affecting him, or a combination of both, he couldn’t tell.

‘Well, of course, it could just be a coincidence… but I don’t believe in coincidences.’

Does that mean I should keep helping people in danger from now on?

Keter had no such intention.

‘I’ve been through it all in Ruquer.’

There were those who demanded rewards after being saved.

Those who were bitten to death by the dogs they raised.

Goodwill doesn’t always return as goodwill.

The same goes for malice.

Keter only used Jairo as an experimental subject for his poison-making. There was no malice, but there was no goodwill either.

Yet Jairo survived and even thanked Keter. In his past life, their connection was ambiguous, but in this life, they developed a close bond. Isn’t that ironic?

‘That’s the fun of life.’

He had told Henya the same.

Life doesn’t flow as you think it will. That’s what makes it fun.

The brief contemplation and Body Reformation ended together. Catherine’s meditation had already ended, and she was waiting with the Sephira Triad.

The light enveloping Keter faded.

Soon, he stood up—naked.

Keter’s body had been reconstructed from the cellular level. The immense heat generated during the process turned all his clothes to ash.

Keter placed his hands on his hips and stretched.

“Feels refreshing.”

“Keter, that’s indecent. Put some clothes on.”

“What’s with that size…?”

Taragon was shocked, and Anis covered Catherine’s eyes with his hand.

Just then, Didos, the 5th Division Leader of the Lunar Knight Order, brought clothes and handed them to Keter.

“Congratulations on your growth, Young Master Keter.”

“Alright.”

Keter put on the clothes Didos brought, but for some reason, they were slightly loose.

Anis muttered as he watched.

“I thought I was imagining it, but did he get a bit taller?”

Keter already had a slim appearance, but after undergoing Body Reformation, he grew slightly taller. This made his frame appear even more slender.

In a good way, he looked like an Elf. In a bad way, he looked like a noble who had never gotten his hands dirty, completely unrelated to combat.

“I’ll ask the butler to bring new clothes.”

At Didos’ words, Keter waved his hand.

“Forget it. Are clothes important? It’s the body that matters.”

“Ahem, Keter. I’ve heard the situation from Butler No. 42. We were allowed to stay here in exchange for treating Lord Eslow’s son, Lyze. Your safe return means the treatment was successful. Well done, and thank you. And congratulations on undergoing Body Reformation and growing.”

Now that Keter was dressed, Mail thought it was the right time to praise him.

As Mail opened the conversation, Anis and Taragon also chimed in.

“It hurts, but I always knew your medical skills were exceptional. Congratulations. Be sure to tell us how you ended up undergoing Body Reformation.”

“Keter. I’m proud to have you as my brother.”

Catherine even bowed deeply at the waist.

“Young Master, thanks to you, my Mana has greatly increased. Thank you so much, and congratulations.”

The Lunar Knight Order also knelt on one knee and shouted in unison.

“Congratulations, Young Master Keter!”

With the congratulations from his comrades, Keter felt something tickle his chest.

This wasn’t the first time he’d been in such a situation. He’d heard enough praise in Riruke to make his ears bleed.

But the praise he was hearing now from his brothers and knights was different.

It wasn’t flattery born of fear or sycophancy for personal gain. It was warm words filled with affection and genuine respect for him.

For the first time, including his past life, Keter felt a kind of joy he had never experienced before, along with an unfamiliar feeling of bashfulness.

“Feels good. Everyone, gather around. I’ll cook dinner tonight!”

On a happy day, delicious food and drinks were a must.

* * *

Early that morning.

When the Sephira party should have been asleep.

Two Lunar Knights were taking turns on night watch. It was Didos’ policy to prepare for every possible contingency.

The middle shift is the hardest. So Didos, the division leader, volunteered to take the middle shift.

“……”

There was nothing. Not even a light, not even a sign of life.

That’s what dawn is like.

But Didos and his subordinate knight kept their eyes wide open, scanning their surroundings, never letting go of their bows and arrows.

They didn’t engage in small talk.

That’s what night watch duty is like.

Thud, thud.

At the sound of footsteps, Didos turned around.

Keter was walking over, scratching his stomach.

Didos made a casual salute by placing his right fist over his chest.

“All quiet on watch.”

“Yeah, I’m just stepping out for a bit.”

“May I ask where you’re going?”

“No.”

“Understood.”

Didos stepped aside.

Keter walked into the darkness. The palace’s night was quiet. Too quiet. There wasn’t a single night guard. No lanterns, so there were no bright spots.

Yet, he felt a gaze.

A shadow swayed alone.

Thud, thud.

Keter walked with his hands in his pockets. The shadow approached, recognized Keter, and returned to its original position.

Through the darkness, Keter arrived at the highest floor of the palace, closest to the sky.

There, a man was polishing a weapon with a soft cloth.

The Southern Lord, Weapon Master Eslow.

He didn’t even glance at Keter or speak to him. He was solely focused on polishing his weapon.

Keter didn’t bother speaking either. Instead, he quietly observed the weapons floating around Eslow.

In his past life, he never had the chance to see Eslow holding a weapon this close. They were enemies, after all.

But now, as Franken’s disciple, he could observe from this distance.

A sword with only a hilt and no blade.

A spear flickering with crimson flames.

A double-headed axe made of a horned black skull.

A glass shield as thin as a strand of hair.

A wooden armor seemingly woven from branches and vines.

‘I thought something was off in my past life. Seeing it from this distance, I’m sure now.’

Artifacts contain fragments of divine beings or spirits.

But Eslow’s weapons gave off a sense of soul, not divinity or spirits.

In other words, these aren’t Artifacts.

Then, are they Magical Tools?

‘They’re not Magical Tools either. They lack the characteristics of Magical Tools.’

Magical Tools are essentially tools enchanted with magic. They must function independently of the user, so they have Mana Stones embedded in them.

And Mana Stones aren’t permanent. They’re consumables. They need to be replaced eventually, so they’re designed for easy replacement.

But Eslow’s weapons don’t have that. No slot for Mana Stones.

‘If they’re neither Artifacts nor Magical Tools, yet possess such performance.’

The answer was already given. By Henya.

‘They’re weapons made with Authority.’

Eslow’s Authority to turn living beings into ‘weapons.’

Of course, it’s not just about turning them into weapons. The more significant the being, the more exceptional the weapon it becomes.

‘What could Eslow’s five most cherished weapons have been made from?’

No, the question is wrong.

These weapons, which clearly rival or surpass Artifacts in performance—who were they in life? Can they ever return to their original forms?

As Keter was engrossed in this intriguing speculation—

“Still here, huh.”

Eslow spoke first. Still polishing his weapon.

“The wind feels nice.”

Keter took a step closer as he spoke.

At that moment, his collar was sliced. Without any warning.

It wasn’t Eslow who did it. The sharpness of his weapons, their cutting power, was affecting the world. Just being close was enough to get cut…

Even a fool would know. Getting any closer would result in being torn to pieces.

But Keter stepped forward.

Step by step.

Straight toward Eslow.

With each step, pieces of his clothing fluttered in the wind.

Eslow’s hands slowed. Shadows loomed. Keter, now almost naked under the unusually bright moonlight, didn’t shed a single drop of blood.

Finally, Eslow stood up.

His weapons were furious. They were aimed at Keter, who dared stand before them.

Even though Keter had grown significantly taller after Body Reformation, Eslow looked down at him.

“Arrogant brat. How dare you stand before me without my permission.”

Keter brushed off the remaining shreds of clothing on his body.

“I came to see for myself. You were giving off that kind of vibe.”

“Do you think you’ve become something just because you underwent Body Reformation?”

Eslow reached out. The double-headed black axe flew into his hand.

“In the flow of the world, you’re insignificant. You might think you’re special, but you’re not.”

The black axe moved slightly. That was all it took for it to reach Keter’s neck in an instant.

“Your life means as much to me as a Goblin’s. Do you think the world will change if you die? Nothing will change. The world will go on without you. Know your place, lowly creature.”

Drip.

A drop of blood fell from Keter’s neck where the axe touched.

In that state, Keter leaned his neck forward.

Splat!

Blood gushed out.

Eslow’s eye twitched.

“If I’m such an insignificant existence, then kill me.”

“Do you think I can’t?”

“You probably can. But—”

Keter’s eyes, reflecting the moonlight, glimmered with a strange purple hue.

“I don’t think it’s worth your time, Lord.”

Silence fell. Drip, drip. Only the sound of Keter’s blood hitting the ground could be heard.

Even with a fatal wound to the neck, bleeding profusely—even in a situation where the slightest movement from Eslow would end his life regardless of his power, fame, or status—Keter’s body didn’t tremble.

Instead, his violet eyes, glowing in the dark, stared directly into Eslow’s gray eyes.

“…You’re a strange one.”

The black axe was withdrawn. At Eslow’s gesture, the other weapons also disappeared.

Keter stroked his bleeding neck with his hand. The bleeding stopped.

Eslow, with his hands behind his back, spoke.

“Tell me why you came to see me.”

“I came to claim my reward.”

“Reward?”

“For healing Lyze.”

“Allowing Sephira to stay in my palace is the reward. Surely you know that’s more than enough?”

Staying in Eslow’s palace, where no one in history has ever stayed, is a monumental achievement that would influence not only the nobles of the kingdom but also foreign nations.

But Keter replied with an innocent face.

“When did I ever ask for that as a reward?”