Chapter 156

Episode 157. Ogre Instead of Orc (1)

At Keter’s words about being married, Taragon burst into a hearty laugh.

“Hey, you’re joking, right? You don’t look married at all.”

Others also chimed in, denying Keter’s marriage.

“Just like Sephira’s archery instructors say to treat the bow like a lover, maybe Keter meant he married the bow?”

“Keter. I know I was the first person you came to when you joined our family. From what I remember, you weren’t wearing a ring then. You still aren’t. If you were married, there should be a mark on your left ring finger, but you don’t have one.”

“If you had a spouse, I think you would have brought them to Sephira. You’re not the type to abandon family.”

Keter, who had been lying down, sat up. He then took his time.

“Hmm…….”

“Hey, what is it! Is it a lie or the truth? Of course, you don’t have to be an adult to get married, but Keter, it’s just weird that you said you’re married!”

“If you really are married and have a spouse, it’s a serious matter that you need to bring them to Sephira as soon as possible. Even if it’s burdensome, you must tell us.”

Catherine and Mail didn’t press with words, but their eyes were piercing through Keter.

“It’s not that I don’t want to say, I was just thinking.”

“Thinking about what?”

“About when I first got married.”

“Huh?”

“Eh?”

“What?”

First time, that means…….

“Don’t tell me… you even remarried?”

“You got married twice by the age of eighteen?”

As Taragon and Anis were shocked, Keter shook his head.

“No.”

“Phew, right? How could you remarry at 18…….”

Swish.

Keter suddenly held up four fingers.

“Not twice, four times.”

Thud! Whack!

Coincidentally, the carriage wheel hit a bump and jolted.

Taragon, startled by Keter’s words, jumped up and hit his head on the carriage ceiling, but no one laughed.

“Fo-four times?”

“It’s surprising enough that you got married, but remarried… four times? You have four wives?!”

“Yo-you’re joking too much, Keter.”

“The first time I got married was probably when I was eight.”

As Keter began to talk about his past marriages without hiding anything, Taragon quickly sat back down.

“Married at eight, then at ten, twelve, thirteen…. That’s four times in total.”

“…Keter. If you’re not joking, where are your wives? Did you leave them in the Lawless City?”

“My first wife died. She was caught stealing food.”

“……?!”

“…….”

With each word from Keter, the atmosphere in the carriage changed drastically. Anis, who had asked where his wives were, received sharp glares.

Even Anis, who usually doesn’t get flustered, blinked rapidly and didn’t know what to do.

“Sorry, Keter. I didn’t know…….”

“Hey, no need to apologize. It’s common in Ruquer. She knew what she was getting into. Of course, I killed the guy who killed my wife.”

“Uh, um…….”

He spoke as if it didn’t matter, but the atmosphere was already somber. Keter hated this kind of mood.

“Don’t worry. The rest of my wives are alive, probably?”

“Probably…. You don’t know if your wives are alive or dead?”

“In Ruquer, it’s weirder to know someone’s life and death.”

“Hey, Keter. This might be a strange question. What do your wives do? Are they around your age?”

It could have been a sensitive topic, but Keter answered without hesitation this time too.

“The first one was from the same orphanage as me, the second was a witch serving the sixth star. The third was a high elf, the fourth was from the Fox Tribe… I think she had four tails when we met.”

“……?”

“…….”

The party nodded along until the first wife, but from the second, the scale suddenly changed, and they blinked.

‘A witch serving the sixth star’? A high elf? Not a half-elf, but a legendary high elf?

And the Fox Tribe? Even someone ignorant about beastmen would think it’s an impressive race.

The party was speechless and couldn’t ask further questions.

But even without asking, Keter, reminded of his wives, started talking on his own.

“My second wife was good at fortune-telling. Now that I think about it, she even prophesied that I would join Sephira…….”

“My third wife loved hugs. She would cling to me at any time, asking to be held, which could be annoying…….”

“My fourth wife was fluffy. Especially in winter…….”

The light in everyone’s eyes disappeared. Only chaos remained. Only Mail managed to regain his composure and asked a normal question.

“So your wives… I mean, where are they and what are they doing now?”

To Keter, that question was rather strange.

“Why would I tell others where they are and what they’re doing? Of course, some told me without asking, but I don’t check on them first.”

“Your spouse isn’t a stranger, Keter.”

Even Catherine, who always sided with and praised Keter, agreed with Anis this time.

“Not knowing where your spouse is and what they’re doing, isn’t that not love?”

When Catherine mentioned love, Keter realized why the party was reacting this way.

The marriage Keter knew in Ruquer and the marriage in the outside world had completely different meanings.

“In Ruquer, marriage isn’t between people who love each other. If a man and woman with aligned interests often stick together, they call it marriage.”

At Keter’s explanation, everyone sighed in relief.

“Ah, that’s a relief. We don’t consider that marriage.”

“More like friends than a married couple.”

“Then you didn’t sleep together? Hahaha.”

Mail tried to lighten the mood by bringing up the topic of virginity again.

Then Keter made a hole with his fingers and mimed putting his thumb in and out.

“We did it a lot.”

“…….”

“More than ten times a day-”

“Enough. I get it. You’re not a virgin.”

“Sometimes with three-”

“Stop that hand gesture.”

Trying to tease Keter only created an awkward atmosphere, so the party changed the subject.

‘So where did Keter’s wives go?’

Taragon was still curious about Keter’s wives but couldn’t bring himself to ask in this atmosphere.

* * *

The Sephira party arrived at the Tremond Hotel and rested deeply.

The fatigue wasn’t just for Anis and Taragon, who had been through the Battle Royal.

Mail and Catherine, who had prepared for the tournament together, as well as the Lunar Knight Order members who had strained every nerve to protect their kin from everything, were also exhausted.

The hotel provided the best service. They even assigned guards privately operated by the hotel and took care of all external guest interactions.

“The Sephira party said they would focus solely on the tournament during its duration. They also mentioned that if the nobles visit their family after the tournament, they would gladly welcome them.”

The nobles who received this guidance nodded and left. Sephira seemed genuinely serious about this tournament. The fact that they didn’t bring any servants or butlers, which nobles usually do, was proof.

Keter also rested with his brothers for the first time in a while. There was a lot to talk about.

“Does the archery you showed in the tournament have a name?”

“Celestial Infinity Technique.”

“Who taught you?”

“I created it.”

Naturally, his brothers didn’t believe him.

But they didn’t show it. They didn’t argue. That wasn’t the important part.

“Can we learn it too?”

“That’s not possible.”

When Keter spoke so firmly, Taragon felt a bit disappointed. But it was natural. Secret techniques aren’t taught carelessly.

However, Keter had another reason for saying no.

“Brothers. The Celestial Infinity Technique might seem impressive, but it’s nothing special. It’s just about pouring heart, energy, and body into the arrow. What’s truly impressive-”

Keter pointed at himself with his thumb.

“Is the one using it, me.”

“…Right.”

“Anyway, apart from that, the Celestial Infinity Technique requires both aura and mana to unleash its full power, and technically, the Twelve Palaces of the Zodiac is superior. Don’t get distracted.”

“Then what about Demon Archery?”

“Ask Catherine. I explained it all to her.”

Repeating himself was something Keter hated the most, so he passed the role to Catherine.

Talking about things they usually couldn’t, the day passed quickly.

The next day, Anis and Taragon prepared for the tournament again. Mail and Catherine also helped.

Meanwhile, Keter went to Eslow’s Palace.

“You’re here again, Prince Keter.”

“You’re everywhere.”

Jeffrey greeted Keter.

“What brings you here this time?”

“Haven’t you heard? Lyze’s surgery isn’t over yet. I came to check his condition.”

“Just to check his condition? If you suddenly knock out a servant and disappear like last time, it’ll be troublesome.”

“I don’t do the same thing twice.”

“Understood. I’ll guide you to Prince Lyze.”

“Ah, no need. I remember where he is.”

“That’s not acceptable for us.”

“Tch.”

This time, it wasn’t a numbered servant guiding Keter.

Two Immortal Knights were assigned to guide him. It was a silent protest, warning him not to make any sudden moves, or they wouldn’t stand by.

Arriving at Lyze’s recovery room with the Immortal Knights, Keter met someone who came out to greet him.

“Oh, the divine one has arrived!”

Lyze’s attending physician, Quret, welcomed Keter. Behind him, a boy sitting at the table was visible.

He had lost weight, but his skin was vibrant. His eyes, like the sea itself, were full of life.

“Any issues?”

“Due to lying down for so long, his muscles have atrophied, but he’s recovering quickly every day. Otherwise, he’s very healthy.”

“Have you heard about the re-surgery?”

“Yes. I heard you’re planning another significant procedure this time.”

“I’d like to do it while I’m here… but I guess not.”

“Probably not. There are still post-surgery effects on his body, and his stamina isn’t fully recovered. Unless you have another secret plan, Prince Keter.”

Quret looked at Keter with subtle expectation. Hoping to see a new medical technique equivalent to the transformation surgery he had shown before.

But Keter shook his head.

“I can’t put someone with no stamina on the operating table. Let’s take a look.”

“Let’s go together. His senses are still dull.”

Quret approached Lyze with Keter. Lyze, who was practicing lifting a fork, turned his head.

“Who…….”

Instead of answering, Keter examined Lyze as a doctor.

“His speech is slurred, but his medical expressions are clear. His body’s reactions are slow but normal.”

Swish swish.

Keter touched Lyze’s hair.

“His hair is shiny, his skin isn’t dry, and his emotions are clear. No issues with hormones either.”

“Hormones? What’s that?”

Even the renowned physician Quret heard the term for the first time, but he sensed it was related to medicine.

Keter didn’t dislike the quick-witted Quret, so he briefly explained hormones.

“Hormones are like special devices that regulate our bodies. They change the body and control emotions.”

“Huh? Are hormones magic? Changing the body and controlling emotions?”

“Don’t delve too deep. Even my master said it’s a subject that requires eternal research.”

Keter, who learned medicine because it was useful, hated theory.

Lyze was surprised by Keter, who suddenly appeared and diagnosed him, but responded calmly.

“You must be Dr. Keter, who treated me. Thank you.”

Even though speaking was still difficult, Lyze spoke clearly and firmly.

“No need to thank me. I do it for a price.”

“Still, thank you. When I woke up after the surgery, I had never felt so light in my life.”

“Of course. I removed 300 years’ worth of mana compressed in your body. Anyway, stop talking now. Your recovery shouldn’t be delayed.”

“Thank you for caring.”

“I’m not caring, okay?”

Keter spoke strictly based on interests, but Lyze kept expressing gratitude, making Keter wonder if he didn’t understand.

“Check back in a week, and if it seems okay for surgery, come find me. You know where we are, right?”

“Yes. I heard you went to the Tremond Hotel. I’ll send someone there when the surgery is ready.”

After setting the surgery schedule, Keter didn’t leave the palace.

Checking Lyze’s condition was secondary; his real purpose was to meet Eslow.

To fulfill the promise with the Empire’s spy to lure Eslow to the orchard.

‘Opportunities to get close to the Empire’s spies aren’t common.’

Even with two Immortal Knights as watchers, it’s no problem.

“Prince Keter. That’s not the exit. This way, please.”

As Keter moved towards Eslow’s office, the Immortal Knight blocked his path.

“I’m not going to the exit? I’m going to see the Lord.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“The Lord and I aren’t that formal. We’re close enough to take midnight walks together.”

“Without an appointment, you can’t meet the Lord.”

“That’s your opinion.”

Keter exuded an aura of forcing his way through. Normally, they would stop him, but for some reason, the Immortal Knights didn’t budge.

Keter also felt something was off.

“What, you’re not stopping me?”

“Even if you go to the office, you can’t meet the Lord.”

“From your tone, the Lord isn’t in the office, huh.”

“Yes.”

“Hmm…….”

Keter pretended to ponder while raising his senses to detect Eslow’s presence.

Eslow doesn’t hide his presence. He flaunts it openly. That’s why he found him on the rooftop that night.

But-

‘Huh?’

Nothing.

Even expanding his senses throughout the palace, he couldn’t sense Eslow’s presence.

Of course, if Eslow, as the Lord, decided to hide his presence, even Keter couldn’t find him.

But Eslow isn’t the type to hide his presence.

That means…….

“Where did the Lord go?”

The Immortal Knight shook his head at Keter’s question.

“I don’t know. Not just me, but no one knows, so give up.”

The Immortal Knight spoke firmly, but Keter thought differently. Luck was on his side, as he saw Henya passing by.

“Henya!”

Hearing Keter’s voice, Henya was startled, then made a complicated expression upon seeing Keter’s face.

Keter waved cheerfully with a natural smile. Henya sighed involuntarily.

After receiving advice from Keter during the Battle Royal and getting hit, she was forced to accept 7 points to end the match. Whether to be grateful or resentful, Henya still hadn’t made up her mind.

She approached Keter with mixed feelings.

“What brings you here? And just a day after leaving the palace.”

“I have business with your dad.”

“My father is currently absent.”

“I know. Where did he go?”

“…He went to another country.”

After a moment of hesitation, Henya didn’t say which country.

Keter wasn’t curious about which country Eslow went to.

The important thing was ‘when’ he would return.

“Do you know when he’s coming back?”

“My father doesn’t tell me such things but…….”

As Henya’s words trailed off, Keter’s palms sweated.

‘Usually, thinking this long means he won’t be back soon.’

Finally, Henya spoke.

“From my experience, he won’t be back for at least two weeks.”

Hearing that, Keter smiled faintly and said.

“Well, shit.”