Chapter 138

Chapter 139. I Won’t Stop (1)

The Eastern Shield, Minerva El Aegis, quietly observed the man standing before her.

Even without exchanging a single word, she could tell. This man had a free soul.

Unlike other nobles who meticulously groomed every strand of their hair, his windblown hairstyle alone spoke volumes.

And his attire? Though made of high-quality fabric, only three buttons were fastened, revealing his well-defined chest. His belt hung loosely, as if it might slip off at any moment, and he even wore his shoes with the heels crushed.

But what stood out most was his smile—a relaxed, bold smile that was undeniably charming.

– Are you Keter El Sephira?

“If you call me that, then sure.”

When Keter responded with a sly gesture, Minerva, who had risked her life to come to Eslow’s Palace, felt her tension dissolve. The Keter before her seemed completely unharmed and at ease.

– Minerva El Aegis. I’ve come as your sponsor, representing the Aegis family.

“They call you the Eastern Shield. Are you that free?”

– I was curious about the person Lord Panir, the stingy advisor of the High Court of the Panir Kingdom, praised so highly. So, I came to see for myself.

“Lord Panir praised me? That can’t be. He’d curse me before praising me. Anyway, since you’re here, let’s go.”

Before Minerva could ask where they were going, Keter walked past her.

The two walked silently through the city.

They drew everyone’s attention. Commoners and nobles alike stopped in their tracks to stare.

A fully armored silver knight, standing three meters tall including his helmet, walked side by side with Keter, whose devilish beauty and open attire made it impossible for anyone to ignore them.

*Thud thud.*

Suddenly, Keter tapped Minerva’s armor.

“Is that a Titan?”

– What’s a Titan? This armor is the heirloom of our Aegis family, Brynhild.

“Ah, is that so?”

– Is that on your left arm a Cursed Artifact?

“Yeah, it’s called Amaranth.”

– But why do you speak so casually to me?

“I don’t think there’s much of an age difference between us.”

– Your logic is flawed. Very few know my true form, and you’re not one of them.

“I can tell without looking.”

– That’s impossible. Brynhild is anti-magic armor; even透视 magic can’t see through it.

“You talk a lot for someone with such a small mouth.”

– ……

Minerva fell silent. It was unclear whether she was angry or simply ignoring him.

Keter didn’t press further and walked on, lost in thought.

‘I never thought I’d see a Titan here. Specifically, a wearable Titan.’

Titans. Also known as Magical Armored Weapons.

When piloted by a 3-Star Knight, a wearable Titan can unleash the power of a 4-Star, while a mounted Titan can reach 5-Star strength—the pinnacle of magical engineering.

Of course—

‘This is a story from 20 years in the future.’

Keter didn’t know when or where Titan development began, but seeing Minerva’s armor reminded him of Titans.

The reason Titans were created in the future was to counter the increasing invasions and expansions of the Demon Realm’s territory.

Over time, their purpose became distorted, and they eventually turned into mere war machines.

‘Titans… What a fascinating toy.’

Even mass-producing a single Titan costs millions of gold.

But their performance is unmatched. They allow a 3-Star Knight to wield the power of a 5-Star Knight.

That doesn’t mean a 5-Star Knight can easily defeat a 3-Star Titan owner. The Titan’s defense is overwhelming.

It would take a Swordmaster’s sword aura ages to pierce a Titan’s armor. Theoretically, it would take five Swordmasters to take down a single 3-Star Knight’s Titan.

In the future, rather than training Master-level knights, more effort is put into cultivating Titan owners. After all, they’re effective against the monsters of the Demon Realm, the original purpose of Titans.

‘The Demon Realm. That’s also a pretty interesting place.’

Located right in the center of the continent, the Demon Realm’s territory isn’t that large on the map. It’s roughly the size of Eslow’s direct jurisdiction.

But the moment you enter the Demon Realm, the world changes.

You’re invited to a separate world—an endless expanse of black earth and red skies.

‘The fact that once you enter, you can’t leave, reminds me of Ruquer.’

Unlike Ruquer, however, there is a gateway in the Demon Realm that leads back to the outside world. But its location isn’t fixed, so there’s no guarantee you’ll make it back.

Despite this, various nations regularly send expeditions into the Demon Realm. It’s filled with unimaginable, bizarre treasures.

It’s no exaggeration to say that most Artifacts, Cursed Artifacts, and other relics come from the Demon Realm.

Of course, finding such treasures is difficult and dangerous. That’s why expeditions mainly target Demon Stones, which are relatively easier to find.

Demon Stones, which contain highly compressed mana, are the core material for magical tools and a dream substance for mages.

Even in the present world, Demon Stones exist, but their purity is very low. At best, they can only create 1-2 level magical tools. Only Demon Stones from the Demon Realm can create tools of level 3 and above.

Not to mention, the Demon Realm is also rich in precious metals like gold and diamonds.

In short, the Demon Realm is a dangerous place, but one overflowing with treasures and resources worth the risk.

“Minerva. How many years has it been since the Kingdom’s Greatest Sword entered the Demon Realm?”

Keter, who didn’t know the finer details, asked Minerva. The life or death of the Kingdom’s Greatest Sword was a major concern for the kingdom’s citizens, and as an Upper Noble, Minerva would surely know.

– It will be eight years by the end of this year.

In the Lilian Kingdom, if the Kingdom’s Greatest Sword leads an expedition into the Demon Realm and doesn’t return after ten years, they’re presumed dead, and a new Greatest Sword is chosen.

Keter, who knew this much, nodded.

“Then if they don’t return within two years, a new Greatest Sword will be chosen.”

– Are you interested in the Kingdom’s Greatest Sword?

“Maybe. You seem interested.”

– Yes. If a tournament to choose the Kingdom’s Greatest Sword is held, I will definitely participate.

“You want the treasures of the Demon Realm?”

– No one would refuse treasures.

“Hmm, that’s not the only reason, is it? Fine, let’s leave it at that.”

Arriving at their destination, the arena, Keter cracked his neck. Titans, the Demon Realm—none of it had anything to do with the reality before him.

‘No need to hold onto something I won’t eat like a fool.’

The Southern Sword Tournament, meant to announce Sephira’s revival. The events surrounding the tournament alone were interesting and meaningful enough.

“Alright, let’s get started.”

* * *

Though there were still five days until the tournament, the area around the arena was packed. Kingdom citizens crowded the ticket booths to buy seats.

There were two ticket booths.

One for commoners—

And one for nobles.

The commoner booth had only five windows, so the lines were incredibly long, and the staff were unfriendly.

“Hey! We’re four people, so give us seats together! Why are you splitting us up?”

“It’s my decision. Move aside.”

“Ugh! So dirty and stingy.”

In contrast, the noble booth had ten windows and was much friendlier. Nobles didn’t even line up themselves; their servants or butlers bought the tickets for them.

Keter and Minerva headed to the center of the ticket area. An empty space where no one was. That was the “registration desk.”

The registration desk for tournament participants. Of course, no one was there. Registration had ended long ago.

Yet, a staff member was sitting there. Or rather, lying down, taking a nap.

A nominal position, sucking up the kingdom’s taxes.

*Tap tap.*

Keter knocked on the registration desk’s glass panel.

But the staff member just snored, not waking up.

*Crash!*

Keter shattered the glass panel and grabbed the staff member by the collar, lifting them up.

“Welcome the guests.”

“Gah, wha—what?!”

The staff member, suddenly woken up by being grabbed, flailed in shock. The surrounding onlookers’ eyes were all on them.

“Isn’t that the Eastern Shield?”

“Who’s that young man next to her?”

The commoners recognized Minerva but not Keter. Minerva grabbed Keter’s wrist, which was holding the staff member’s collar, and spoke.

– Calm down. The kingdom’s citizens are watching.

“If I calm down any more, I’ll be a corpse.”

Keter let go of the collar and shook his hand.

The staff member straightened up. Though incompetent, they were quick to catch on and mistook Keter for an Upper Noble.

“Th-this is the registration desk. The ticket booth is over there, Your Highness.”

“I know. I’m here to register.”

“Huh? No, that’s… Registration for the Southern Sword Tournament ended a while ago.”

“Then why are you here?”

“That’s…….”

The staff member hesitated. If they admitted they were just lazing around, they’d probably get hit.

“You don’t even know why you’re here. There could be independent participants, right? Isn’t that so?”

“Ind-independent participants?”

The staff member looked confused. The onlookers were also busy asking each other what independent participation meant.

After all, it’s a clause only known among Upper Nobles. It’s not strange that people don’t know about it.

“…Please wait a moment. I’ll look into it.”

“You have one minute.”

The staff member didn’t ask what would happen after one minute. Instead, they quickly flipped through the dusty books.

“F-found it.”

Though the book was covered in dust, the staff member finally found the relevant section and read it aloud.

“…Independent participation is a special rule that allows free knights or mercenaries without affiliation to participate in the tournament. Registration is possible up to one day before the tournament. However, three conditions must be met.”

Slowly, a crowd gathered around Keter and Minerva. The noisy ticket area fell silent.

“First, sponsorship from an Upper Noble family not participating in the tournament. Second, a recommendation letter from the Southern Sword. Lastly, a 3-Star Knight badge or a Diamond Class mercenary identification tag… Is this possible?”

The staff member was shocked by their own words. The onlookers had the same reaction.

“The third condition is manageable, but the first and second conditions are too difficult, aren’t they?”

“Difficult? It’s impossible! Why would Upper Nobles sponsor someone with no affiliation?”

“No, getting a recommendation letter from the Southern Sword is the hardest. Even among Upper Nobles, it’s not easy.”

Even an experienced elder shook his head.

“I’ve never heard of anyone participating independently in the Southern Sword Tournament.”

Those who heard of the independent participation clause for the first time understood how strict and difficult the conditions were.

But Keter clearly stated.

He would participate independently.

The staff member, wondering if they had misheard, asked Keter.

“May I know your name?”

“Keter.”

“Lord Keter. Do you truly wish to participate independently in the Southern Sword Tournament?”

“Yeah.”

“Then… do you mean you’ve met all three conditions?”

Keter pointed at Minerva with his thumb.

“The Upper Noble sponsoring me is right here.”

– Minerva El Aegis. Representing the Aegis family, I confirm that Keter’s words are true.

“The other two are here. Check them.”

Before the staff member could speak, Keter pulled out a diamond-plated identification tag and a crumpled piece of parchment from his pocket.

– …!

Minerva couldn’t believe it.

Though she had come here with Keter, she thought independent participation was absolutely impossible.

‘The Southern Sword, Jerpy Ruvan, has been fighting monsters from the Demon Realm on the northern front for a year. Getting a recommendation letter from him is impossible.’

Meeting the second condition was absolutely impossible. Therefore, Keter shouldn’t be able to participate independently.

The reason Minerva herself, not a servant, came from the Aegis family to sponsor Keter was to understand Sephira’s true intentions behind the sponsorship.

But

‘Did he really get it? To participate independently in the Southern Sword Tournament, did he meet Jerpy Ruvan? When… No, why hasn’t the world heard of this?’

No. It’s still unknown. That document could be fake. It could be forged.

The crowd thought the same. Those who knew Jerpy Ruvan was on the northern front quickly labeled Keter a fraud.

The registration staff first checked the identification tag.

“This is a genuine identification tag. Lord Keter. To confirm it’s yours, please place a drop of blood on it.”

“Unnecessarily thorough.”

Keter pricked his finger with a nail and smeared the blood on the tag.

The tag vibrated slightly, confirming Keter as its owner.

*Gulp.*

Swallowing sounds could be heard everywhere.

But the final condition, the recommendation letter, remained.

If the letter was fake, Keter would be branded a fool and a fraud in front of thousands.

Not only that. The reputation of Basil, the head of the Sephira family who failed to manage a single illegitimate child, would plummet. The Aegis family, which failed to spot the fraud, would be criticized for lacking discernment.

But what if the opposite was true?

What if Keter really obtained a recommendation letter from the Southern Sword and became the first to participate independently in the Southern Sword Tournament?

‘Regardless of how he performs in the tournament, just participating would be a remarkable achievement.’

With everyone holding their breath—

The staff member slowly unfolded the recommendation letter.