Chapter 139

Chapter 140. I Won’t Stop (2)

“T-This is…!”

The receptionist’s eyes widened.

“A recommendation letter from the 7th Southern Sword, Jairo Shubil?!”

The recommendation letter Keter presented wasn’t from the current Southern Sword, Jerpy Ruvan.

It was from the former Southern Sword, Jairo Shubil. His name was so famous that no one didn’t know it.

“You’re saying you brought a recommendation letter from Jairo, who suddenly disappeared one day?”

“Then he must be Jairo’s successor!”

“That makes perfect sense!”

Receiving support from an upper noble and getting a recommendation letter from Jairo—it all made sense if Keter was Jairo’s disciple or child.

Amid the murmurs of the crowd, the receptionist shouted.

“Don’t jump to conclusions, everyone. We haven’t verified the authenticity of this recommendation letter yet. We’ll compare the seal and signature.”

Every Southern Sword in history left their signature in their own blood. That’s how the authenticity of the recommendation letter was confirmed. To verify this, the receptionist took the letter and went into a back room.

While the investigation was underway, Minerva whispered to Keter.

-Is this really a recommendation letter from Sir Jairo Shubil?

“If you have something to ask, just say it. Otherwise, I won’t tell you.”

-…Where is Sir Jairo? How did you get his recommendation letter? Tell me.

“Are you close?”

Keter’s tone was filled with the determination that if she didn’t tell him, he wouldn’t tell her either.

-He’s the one who opened the door to my potential. I really want to know where he is, if he’s doing well.

“He’s alive. Probably.”

-‘Probably’? Please, if you know where he is, tell me. I’m begging you.

“Ignorance is bliss.”

-I…

Just as Minerva’s voice was about to rise, it was drowned out by the receptionist’s shout.

“I-It’s genuine! This recommendation letter is a genuine one from Sir Jairo Shubil!”

At the receptionist’s excited words, the crowd, who had been holding their breath waiting for the result, also got excited.

“Wooooah!”

“A successor to Sir Jairo, the duelist! Successor! Where is Sir Jairo?”

“After the Sword Dragon, Spear Dragon, and Red Wolf, there’s definitely another strong contender for the championship!”

“But wait, why is he empty-handed? He’s not carrying a sword.”

“You fool! He’s a 5-Star Master. Masters don’t need something as cumbersome as a sword!”

“Ah!”

The crowd continued to build on their own stories. Regardless, Keter picked up his identification tag from the table and said.

“Registration’s done. Let’s go.”

As Keter was about to leave, the noble servants who had been watching rushed to shout.

“W-Wait a moment, please! Sir Keter! Just one word about the missing Sir Jairo…!”

“We’d like to invite you to the Dustar family, Sir Keter! Please visit us at least once!”

But no one dared to bravely block Keter and Minerva’s path. Who would dare block their way? It would be like blocking the path of a running carriage.

Leaving behind the cheers and excitement of the crowd, the two walked out of the arena with indifferent, quick steps.

Minerva thought Keter would speak first, but when he just kept walking toward the palace without a word, she had no choice but to open her mouth first.

-Keter. It’s truly commendable that you’re participating in the Southern Sword Tournament. I respect you for that. But equally, Sir Jairo’s life or death is important to me. Can’t you tell me?

At Minerva’s persistence, Keter stopped walking.

“Jairo doesn’t like it, so why are you helping him so much? If he’s alive, we’ll meet someday. If there’s a connection, we’ll meet even if we don’t want to.”

-I understand. I won’t ask anymore. But I have one request. If you ever meet Sir Jairo, please tell him about me. If possible, ask him to visit the Aegis family.

“If you grant my request, I’ll do that. That armor. Let me try it on once.”

-……!

“Not now. I’ll visit your family. You guys asked me to come anyway, right?”

-That’s right. The Lord wants to see you in person.

“Good. When I come, let me try on your armor once. In return, if I meet Jairo, I’ll pass on your message and news.”

-No other requests?

“That’s all.”

Keter firmly gestured that there was no compromise. Minerva, despite her imposing figure, pressed her forehead once and nodded.

-I understand. If you visit our Aegis family, I’ll let you try on my armor once. But only for a short while. I’m not giving it to you.

“What a shame.”

-Advisor Panir was right about everything. You’re definitely going to make it. And, you’re a rare breed.

“If you’re done talking, go. You seem busy.”

Keter waved his hand as if to hurry her along.

Minerva glanced around and said.

-Are you sure you don’t need an escort to the palace? You’re surrounded. The only reason they’re not making a move is because I’m here.

“It’s always fascinating to receive someone else’s concern. Go. You’re actually ruining the fun for me.”

-Keter. Are you aiming to win this tournament?

“Of course.”

-Then next time, we’ll meet as the Eastern Shield and the Southern Bow. I’ll look forward to that day.

Minerva placed her fist on her chest in a farewell gesture, then turned and left without looking back.

* * *

As Keter leisurely walked toward the palace after parting with Minerva.

Clatter clatter!

A group of people hiding among the citizens surrounded Keter from all sides.

Normally, it would be common sense to stop walking in such a situation, but Keter didn’t stop. He kept walking. The surrounding group, flustered, shouted.

“Prince Keter, stop! We have something to say!”

As Keter continued to move forward, the soldiers retreated while maintaining their encirclement.

“Start by telling me which family you belong to.”

“We’ll tell you, just please stop!”

“If not, I’ll just keep going.”

“Galahind! We’ve come under the orders of Marquis Galahind to find you, Prince Keter!”

“Galahind.”

Finally, Keter stopped walking.

The soldier who spoke to Keter held the rank of Hundred-Man Commander. He smiled confidently.

‘It seems he’s figured out the situation after hearing Marquis Galahind’s name.’

Of course, Keter was thinking something else.

‘Galahind. One of the families backing Ultima.’

Along with Galahind, Delmore, Aiwyn, and Bristan. These four families were manipulating Ultima to pressure Sephira.

‘Not even a knight, just 50 soldiers to surround me? This is unimaginable in Ruquer.’

This was problematic.

If the enemies judged him as ‘weak,’ they’d keep sending disposable soldiers like this. Even if they sent knights, it would be just one or two at a time.

‘Just come all at once. Don’t bother me.’

Fighting strong opponents was one thing, or taking on hundreds alone was another. But dealing with dozens of mediocre soldiers was just annoying for Keter.

“Prince Keter. Please come with us. Marquis Galahind is waiting.”

“Why me.”

“He wants to have a conversation with you.”

“Does that bastard not have legs?”

“…What?”

The Hundred-Man Commander doubted his ears.

Did he just call Marquis Galahind ‘that bastard’?

“Or is he a pig bastard who can’t get out of bed because of his own weight?”

“W-What are you saying, Prince Keter!”

“If he can walk just fine on two legs, tell him to come himself if he wants to talk.”

“Prince Keter! You’re not yet an official noble! Can’t you show some respect to Marquis Galahind!”

“I don’t raise that kind of thing.”

Even though the soldiers had surrounded him, Keter was walking down the main road.

Naturally, citizens gathered around, wondering what was going on, and listened to the conversation between Keter and the Hundred-Man Commander.

The Hundred-Man Commander drew his sword and shouted boldly.

“Prince Keter. Even if you’re part of Sephira’s family, you’re not yet an official noble. Therefore, you can be punished right now for insulting Marquis Galahind, an upper noble. Do you want that?”

The Hundred-Man Commander tried to intimidate Keter with his loud voice.

Keter sighed.

“Like master, like servant. Just looking at you guys, I can roughly tell what kind of guy Galahind is.”

“Prince. Your bluff won’t work on me. Even if you’re a Diamond-Class mercenary, you can’t beat us unarmed.”

The Hundred-Man Commander of Galahind had heard that Keter appeared at the reception desk. There, Keter had clearly said he was a ‘Diamond-Class mercenary.’

If he were Amantiir or higher, even with 50 subordinates, they would have hesitated. But Diamond-Class? Definitely doable. Especially if he was unarmed.

Keter couldn’t be bothered to understand where this overconfidence was coming from.

“Kids. Tell your Marquis Galahind, and anyone else who looks down on me, this clearly.”

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz.

An aura haze rose from Keter’s body, and the encirclement widened. Just the pressure alone made the soldiers step back.

Keter spread his arms. Then, Aura Arrows began to form above his arms.

Crackle crackle crackle!

One, two, five, seven, nine, twelve…

The number kept increasing.

The expressions of Galahind’s soldiers changed in real-time. Doubt, shock. Finally, terror.

In just three seconds, wings appeared on Keter’s sides.

Aura Arrow Wing.

22 arrows on each side. A total of 44 Aura Arrows, glowing blue.

Keter, wrapped in the wings of light, looked like an angel. An angel who had descended to punish the ignorant.

Click.

Keter moved his index finger.

The Aura Arrows responded to his finger.

“Gasp!”

“Uwaaaah…!”

The 44 Aura Arrows spread out, aiming at the surrounding soldiers.

The soldiers couldn’t even resist, nor could they run. It was as if their legs were frozen, rooted to the ground. They just trembled under the overwhelming fear, unable to do anything.

Keter freely controlled the Aura Arrows with his finger and said.

“Go and tell them clearly. I will never stop.”

After cutting off his words, Keter took a step toward the Hundred-Man Commander.

“Don’t you stop either.”

Whoooooosh!!

The 44 Aura Arrows moved with Keter.

The soldiers, crushed by Keter’s pressure, couldn’t move and just trembled.

Then-

“Whack!”

With Keter’s shout, the Aura Arrows shot toward the soldiers.

“Uwaaaah!”

“Hiiiiik!”

Of course, the Aura Arrows didn’t pierce the soldiers. They just scared them and then disappeared.

Keter doesn’t kill just anyone.

He only kills those worth killing.

Death is a mercy and an escape for the enemy.

Thanks to Keter’s belief, the soldiers who survived ran away like dogs with their tails on fire. Some even wet their pants.

Especially the Hundred-Man Commander, who had been talking big in front of Keter, not only wet himself but also fainted.

Keter stepped over the fainted Hundred-Man Commander and headed straight to Eslow’s Palace, where his party was waiting.