Chapter 167

Chapter 168. Can You Feel the Difference in Power? (7)

At Keter’s words, “Can you handle it if you know the secret?” Mail’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

This wasn’t the usual laid-back Keter. Keter, standing with his back to the darkness and bathed in moonlight, looked like the most dangerous person in this world.

Nevertheless, Mail approached Keter and opened his heavy mouth.

“Even though we’re half-brothers, I consider you family. So, I want to hear it. My younger brother’s secret.”

“If you want to hear it that badly… I guess I have no choice. But remember this.”

Keter, with his index finger pressed to his lips, narrowed his eyes.

“It’s a secret to everyone else.”

Nod nod.

Mail nodded his head vigorously.

“Alright. The truth is, I……”

Keter’s expression, trailing off at the end of his sentence, was extremely serious. Mail’s tension was at its peak.

The reason why Keter, who is versatile and free-spirited, stays in Sephira. The moment when that secret would finally be revealed.

“I can’t swim.”

“…Huh?”

Mail rubbed his ears. He wondered if there was something wrong with his ears. But his ears were fine.

Keter continued with a serious face.

“I hate going underwater.”

“…What does that have to do with my question?”

Mail had asked Keter, “Why do you go out of your way for us?”

But the answer was, “I can’t swim.” It seemed completely unrelated, to the point of being absurd.

Then, Keter’s expression changed. To his usual sly face.

“Of course, it has nothing to do with your question.”

“What? You just said you’d tell me your secret-”

“Yeah. I told you, my secret.”

“That…!”

Mail felt like he’d been hit on the back of the head.

‘I’ve been had.’

Indeed, Keter had told him a “secret.” But it was a secret unrelated to Mail’s question. It was like a play on words, but strictly speaking, there was nothing wrong with what Keter said.

“Now it’s your turn.”

“My turn?”

“You should tell me your secret too. Did you think you could just take my secret?”

“Is that how it works…?”

“Family should be clear about accounts.”

“…Hoo, let me catch my breath for a moment.”

Mail, who had been out in the night breeze because he couldn’t sleep, suddenly felt a wave of fatigue.

The tower of tension that had built up from his toes to the top of his head collapsed with just a few words from Keter.

Pfft.

The corner of Mail’s mouth lifted. It was absurd, but it was a pleasantly absurd feeling.

“Keter. You’ll keep my secret too, right?”

“Except in unavoidable situations, mostly?”

“I walk on my tiptoes. Even now. It’s become a habit.”

“It doesn’t show because of your shoes. Why do you walk on your tiptoes? You’re not an assassin.”

“…Actually, it’s because I’m embarrassed about my height. Look.”

Swoosh.

Mail’s height subtly decreased as he lowered his heels. It was something Keter couldn’t understand, but Mail spoke with a sincere tone.

“Hisop, the eldest, is the tallest among us brothers, but I, the second son, am shorter than Anis and Taragon. I have to tiptoe to even come close to their height. Hoo, it’s a secret even Father doesn’t know. Keep it a secret.”

“Brother. When I meet Master Franken, I’ll definitely find out a way to make you taller.”

“Huh? Umm… Okay, thanks.”

Even if he couldn’t understand Keter’s words, the comforting nuance was conveyed, so Mail could smile.

“Oh, right, Brother. You couldn’t sleep, right? Since I’m here, I’ll help you out.”

Keter raised his hand.

Mail stepped back.

“W-what do you mean by that?”

“Don’t worry. Just trust me, Brother. One hit is all it takes. You won’t even feel the pain.”

“N-no, it’s fine. I think I can sleep now if I just lie down. Really.”

“Tsk, really? That’s a shame…”

Keter lowered his hand but still kept his fingers stiff, as if reluctant.

Mail pushed Keter toward the door.

“Now go. You need to sleep too.”

“If you can’t sleep, call me, Brother. Really, one hit is all it takes.”

“Got it. I’ll call you next time I can’t sleep.”

Only after making a pinky promise could Mail send Keter away.

Plop!

With Keter’s advice, Mail cleared his mind, and the tower of tension collapsed. Finally, he could sleep the sweetest sleep in the world.

* * *

“It’s okay, don’t be nervous, Taragon. You’ll get the results of your efforts.”

The day of the team tournament, Group B.

Mail patted Taragon’s shoulder as he spoke to the nervous Taragon. Taragon then said with a pout.

“Brother. If I get the results of my efforts, it won’t be enough. I’ve only really worked hard for three months.”

“…You’ll get more than the results of your efforts. Keter helped a lot.”

When Mail used Keter as an example, Taragon finally smiled brightly and cheered up.

Anis, who had already competed, also gave Taragon some bone-and-flesh advice.

“You and I are not Keter. Don’t try to do everything alone. This is a team battle, not an individual one. Remember, you don’t get extra points for standing out alone.”

After hearing Mail and Anis’s encouragement and cheers, Taragon was about to head to the waiting room when an unexpected person blocked his way.

“Keter?”

“I want to give you some advice too, Brother.”

“Really?!”

Taragon felt like he’d hit the jackpot.

Keter’s teachings were each as valuable as treasure. Of course, he taught in a somewhat rough way, but since he was offering to teach with words now, there was no reason to refuse.

“If you face Norman, just forfeit.”

“Huh?”

“Keter, what kind of advice is that? No matter how strong Norman is, surrendering without even fighting? Sephira’s pride will crumble.”

Anis, who valued honor, naturally objected. Taragon also had a look of disbelief, though not as much as Anis.

“I get that Norman is strong, but isn’t it still worth a try?”

Norman’s divine power shown in the Battle Royale was indeed impressive. He single-handedly took on two 4-Star Knights and defeated the rest of the participants. Clearly, his divine power was at the level of a 5-Star Master.

But Taragon’s pride was no less than that of a 5-Star Master. He had defeated many knights in the Battle Royale and fought almost evenly with multiple 3-Star Knights, including 4-Star Regan.

Moreover, with Keter’s exploits raising Sephira’s name, it was hard to back down easily in such a situation.

“It’s fine if you fight. Just remember this. If you forfeit right before the fight, Norman can’t do anything to you. But once the fight starts, you won’t even be able to say the word ‘forfeit.’ He won’t kill you according to the rules, but you’ll be in a terrible state. But don’t worry, I’ll definitely get revenge for you.”

At the mention of being in a terrible state, Taragon flinched.

“D-does Norman have some grudge against me?”

“Not against you. But against me, it seems.”

“Ah!”

“Listening to you, Keter, it seems you consider Norman quite a strong opponent.”

At Anis’s words, Keter nodded without hesitation.

“Yeah, he’s strong. Even if the three Masters participating in this tournament joined forces, they wouldn’t be able to defeat Norman.”

“W-what?!”

“Even if the three Masters joined forces, they couldn’t win?”

“Is Norman that strong?”

Mail and Catherine, who had been quietly listening, were also surprised.

The three Masters participating in this tournament were each strong. They were by no means mediocre.

Sword Dragon Rajis.

Sword Witch Henya.

Red Wolf Pasian.

All were titled, outstanding strong individuals even among the younger generation of the Lilian Kingdom.

On the other hand, what about Norman? He had no title, and no one knew him. He was just a knight of that sort.

Of course, it was clear that his divine power had reached the level of a Master. During the Battle Royale, he simultaneously took on two 4-Star Knights and still had strength left to fight and defeat all the participants.

But even so, it was hard to believe that he could defeat the three Masters combined.

“T-then, Keter. Is Norman stronger than you?”

At Taragon’s words, Keter chuckled.

“Not a chance.”

“Phew, not that strong then.”

“Anyway, I won’t stop you if you want to get hurt for no reason.”

“Okay, I’ll forfeit.”

Keter liked this side of Taragon.

A person who can be persuaded. A person who accepts.

‘Sephira’s future is bright.’

Anis also mentally objected, but since the choice was Taragon’s, he didn’t say anything more.

Thus, the Group B team tournament began, and the results continued without major upsets.

The favorites of Group B, Pasian, Jordic, and Norman, continued their winning streaks.

Taragon’s team also won easily due to good matchups, but unfortunately, they faced Jordic’s team.

Jordic was a 4-Star, but close to a Master, so Taragon’s team couldn’t hold out.

“It’s better than forfeiting against Norman.”

“6th place is a decent result.”

Mail, who had been watching the matches in a trance, suddenly noticed that Keter was sitting next to him, watching together.

‘Come to think of it, the nobles’ expressions seem brighter too.’

The nobles, who had been restless just yesterday, were now watching the matches in a much more relaxed manner. Just like yesterday, something he didn’t know about had happened.

But Mail didn’t feel the extreme stress he had yesterday. Thanks to Keter’s words that what will happen will happen.

‘When I return to the family, I should propose the establishment of an intelligence department to Father.’

Deciding to hear the backstory after the tournament, Mail started watching again.

The matches had already reached the final stages. Much faster than Group A.

The finalists were Red Wolf Pasian and Norman.

“You seem to admire Keter, but you’re not skipping the finals like him, are you?”

Pasian, meeting Norman in the center of the ring, provoked him.

“I only take what I think is good for me.”

“You’ll regret refusing my offer deeply.”

Last night, Pasian had sent a servant to deliver a message to Norman.

“If we meet in the finals, don’t hold back and forfeit. In return, I’ll give you 5,000 gold. Don’t forget that the Marquis Galahind family is behind me. Your little family can be crushed at any time.”

The servant never returned. He had disappeared.

Pasian could only think that Norman had killed the servant. It was a strong expression of refusal.

“Both teams, please move to the ends of the ring.”

At the referee’s mediation, Pasian and Norman retreated with their teams.

‘I should save Muryeong for Keter, but losing doesn’t suit my temperament.’

Pasian had been saving his secret technique, ‘Muryeong,’ to unleash it when fighting Keter.

But facing an unknown strong opponent like Norman without using Muryeong was impossible, so he tried to avoid losing strength by persuading Norman, but Norman refused.

‘Even if Keter, who belongs to a prestigious family, is like that, how dare a common noble, not even a lower noble, look down on me?’

Already hurt in his pride by the disregard from Keter, Pasian turned his anger toward Norman.

As soon as the finals began, he raised his sword high and shouted.

“May the Iron Emperor watch over me!”

The founding hero of the Adeus Kingdom, the ‘Iron Emperor,’ specialized in defense with Muryeong (武玲).

A crimson aura enveloped Pasian’s entire body.

This aura had the defensive power to even block sword energy, so Pasian left his team behind and charged out alone.

Norman also acted alone.

The meaning of a ‘team’ tournament was lost in the charge of both representatives.

No one complained. There’s nothing more frustrating than a strong person with enough power worrying about others’ opinions.

Norman, who had treated 4-Star Knights like children, didn’t take Pasian lightly either, swinging his Aura Sword with full force.

Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa k