Chapter 182

Chapter 183. The Contract Must Be Honored (2)

The nobles, surrounded by the fully armed Immortal Knights, turned pale. However, upon learning that the reason for the encirclement was Galahind’s summary trial, they sighed in relief.

Anyone with eyes and ears would know what Marquis Galahind and his allied nobles had done to Sephira during this tournament.

“Criminal Galahind, step forward.”

Jeffrey’s tone, standing on the podium, was dry and emotionless. Yet, Galahind desperately shouted, “I cannot accept this trial! I demand my defense attorney to formally contest this!”

“Denied.”

Galahind glared at Sephira’s party once before turning back to Jeffrey. “You know nothing of the law! Nobles of the same rank can only hold trials under mutual agreement. It seems Sephira has accused me, but even if she is from a prestigious family, as an Upper Noble, this trial is invalid!”

Confident in his words, the other nobles nodded in agreement. To them, it was clear that Sephira had initiated this trial. Who else would have a grudge against the Galahind Marquisate?

The nobles, who had inadvertently become jurors, seemed to agree with Galahind’s reasoning. But Jeffrey remained impassive. “This trial was not initiated by the House of Sephira. It is by the will of Lord Eslow. As a member of the royal family, Lord Eslow can summon you to a summary trial at any time, regardless of your status as an Upper Noble.”

“W-what?! Why would Lord Eslow…?!”

“The reasons will now be revealed.”

*Thud!*

A thick book was placed on the podium, and Jeffrey began reading from the first page.

“Bribing officials of the Southern Sword Tournament to change the rules and turn a blind eye to violations…”

“Using prohibited enhancement drugs during the tournament. The drugs in question: Rage Potion and Rage Elixir…”

“Evidence of hiring assassins to target Keter…”

All of these were events that had occurred during the tournament. Yet, Galahind scoffed. “Where’s the proof? It’s all speculation!”

Galahind was confident. There couldn’t possibly be any evidence.

But Jeffrey was equally confident. “Here is the proof.”

Jeffrey lifted the thick book, showing its contents. “A ledger detailing every bribe you paid and to whom.”

“…?!”

“Denying it is pointless. The officials who received your bribes have all confessed.”

“T-that’s…! It’s all fabricated!”

Galahind was frantic. He had no choice. The ledger Jeffrey presented was genuine.

Galahind couldn’t believe it. How could such a thing end up in Jeffrey’s hands?

‘The only one who could have accessed the ledger… Ultima, that bastard.’

Ultima had been the one to distribute the bribes to the tournament officials, under Galahind’s orders. But to think Ultima had recorded everything!

‘That damn traitor!’

There was no way out. The other nobles looked at Galahind with pity. Branded as a fool who couldn’t even manage a ledger, Galahind could do nothing but tremble.

It wasn’t despair over the truth of his crimes being revealed.

‘Lord Eslow has abandoned me.’

Even if he had committed crimes, even if the evidence was clear, it wouldn’t have been a problem if Lord Eslow hadn’t made it one. But Lord Eslow had chosen to side with Sephira, punishing Marquis Galahind.

Eslow had always known about Galahind’s schemes. He didn’t need evidence; he knew it all. Yet, he had turned a blind eye, complicit in Sephira’s downfall.

But now, he had changed his mind and decided to hold Galahind accountable?

‘Sephira’s value has surpassed that of my allied nobles.’

Galahind wasn’t a fool. He could feel it.

Sephira was at the peak of her power. In the Southern Region, Keter had become a hero, and Sephira’s influence soared. Soon, word would spread, and other regions would learn of Sephira’s achievements in this tournament.

Galahind was well aware of this. But he never imagined Sephira would accuse him. He had always thought of Sephira as a timid and foolish family.

It was too late for regrets. Galahind bit his lip and nodded. ‘At the very least, they won’t kill me.’

Admitting guilt was a blow to his pride, but there was no point in resisting Lord Eslow.

“I admit my guilt…”

Galahind finally bowed his head and confessed.

Jeffrey, with no change in expression, said, “Lord Eslow has decreed that your rank be demoted by two levels. From now on, you are no longer an Upper Noble but a Common Noble.”

“Gah!”

In the blink of an eye, Galahind, now a Common Noble, clutched his chest.

“Delmore, Iwin, and Bristan, who conspired with Marquis Galahind, will receive the same punishment.”

“Ugh…”

“Sniff…”

These seasoned politicians, veterans of countless power struggles, wept in despair.

It was inevitable. The difference in status between an Upper Noble and a Common Noble was like heaven and earth.

“Your lands, buildings, and other assets will be adjusted to match your new status. Any excess will be returned to the national treasury, with 30% of the total amount going to the House of Sephira as compensation.”

The nobles murmured at the mention of compensation for Sephira.

Though only 30% of the total, it was still a significant sum, given that it came from four Upper Nobles. Galahind, in particular, was one of the wealthiest in the Southern Region. The amount would be staggering.

‘…’

Galahind bit his lip so hard it bled. Their scheme to bring down Sephira had backfired, fattening her instead.

“Marquis Galahind. Since you have admitted your guilt, you will not be imprisoned.”

“…”

As if his soul had left his body, Galahind gave a slight nod without a word.

“The summary trial is over. You may all disperse.”

Jeffrey left with the Immortal Knights.

The nobles, sighing in relief once more, exited the palace, offering words of congratulations to Sephira’s family.

“Congratulations on becoming the knight representing the Southern Region, Prince Keter.”

“If you have business in the West, do visit our Cavendish County. It has the tallest tower in the kingdom, so it won’t be hard to find. Hahaha!”

“Your performance in the tournament was impressive. I look forward to your future, Sir Keter.”

The nobles no longer treated Galahind, now a Common Noble, as one of their own. After all, the nobles gathered here were at least Lower Nobles.

‘Hmm…’

Meanwhile, Mail, receiving greetings from numerous nobles, felt a slight worry. He feared Keter might act rudely toward the nobles.

But his worry was unfounded. Keter, along with his brothers, received the greetings with a ‘normal attitude.’

He didn’t shake hands or express gratitude, but he made eye contact and nodded in acknowledgment.

The nobles were satisfied with that. Having witnessed Keter’s arrogance and confidence during the tournament, they felt Keter was already making a significant concession.

After finishing the greetings, Mail wiped the sweat from his brow.

“I never knew receiving greetings could be so exhausting.”

“I’ve never greeted so many nobles in my life, Brother.”

Targon, at the back of the group, was also drenched in sweat. The nobles gathered here were all influential figures. Spending so much time greeting them was draining.

But for the same reason, Sephira’s brothers were more motivated than ever.

Keter also smiled with satisfaction.

‘Just three months ago, Sephira was being ignored. Now, we’re at a level where nobles greet us first.’

Though pleased, Keter felt there was still a long way to go.

‘We’ve only made a name for ourselves in the Southern Region. In other regions, it’s just rumors.’

Their influence in the South hadn’t grown significantly yet. This was just the beginning; Sephira had much to do.

The attention, favor, and vast funds from the nobles wouldn’t lead to progress if they just sat on them. They needed to expand aggressively.

‘I’d like to handle everything myself, but that would be biting off more than I can chew.’

Increasing the family’s prestige was clearly Keter’s goal.

But his true goal was to fight and defeat the queen of this kingdom, Lilian.

Even if they built a force rivaling a nation, it would only be a numbers game. To defeat Queen Lilian, who wielded divine power, they needed exceptional talent.

‘No matter what, I won’t back down from fighting Queen Lilian.’

Surpassing the lord he couldn’t overcome in his past life and even killing the queen. Keter’s resolve remained unchanged.

Even as bonds with his half-brothers grew—

Even as he came to understand what familial love was—all of it was just a step toward achieving his revenge from his past life.

No matter how much comfort and peace he found in this life—even though many things had changed since his regression…

‘What is destined to happen will happen.’

At first glance, it seemed the events of his past life wouldn’t repeat—

‘But the future of Sephira’s downfall hasn’t been changed yet.’

Of course, Sephira now enjoyed the deep trust of the lord and the favor of many nobles.

In such circumstances, would Lilian recklessly crush Sephira?

‘It’s entirely possible.’

There was no visible evidence.

But Keter, based on his experience and intuition, was certain. No matter what Sephira did, Queen Lilian’s resolve wouldn’t change.

Only the timing had shifted.

‘I need to make good use of the time we have.’

When Queen Lilian finally loses patience and tries to forcefully bring down Sephira, we must be ready to resist.

‘We’re still far from ready.’

Our only ally is Ultima, who just joined us. Ultima is capable, and his merchant group has grown significantly, but it’s still not enough.

‘Not just our forces, but I also need to get stronger myself.’

Others would be shocked to hear this. Everyone already thinks Keter’s strength has reached the level of a 6-Star Grandmaster.

Indeed, no one in the tournament could rival Keter.

Not Rajis, known as the Sword Dragon—

Not Henya, daughter of Lord Eslow—

Not Pasian, a mercenary with extensive combat experience—

Not even the monster, Norman.

None could stand against Keter.

To an ordinary person, Keter’s talent and strength might seem unparalleled in this world—but from Keter’s perspective, having fought countless strong opponents in his past life, it was very different.

‘Hidden strong ones are said to be as numerous as grains of sand in a desert.’

The phrase ‘as numerous as grains of sand’ might be an exaggeration, but it wasn’t entirely wrong. ‘Strong ones exist everywhere’ was a clear fact.

Just in the Lilian Kingdom alone, Keter knew of three 7-Star Prime-level strong ones living in seclusion.

‘Personal strength isn’t the absolute determinant of victory or defeat either.’

The Browning family, a renowned swordsmanship family in the North, has something called the ‘Sword Formation.’

This formation, created to allow multiple weaker fighters to take on a single overwhelmingly strong opponent, can easily suppress a 5-Star Master with just ten 3-Star Knights.

And that’s not all.

The Browning family’s secret formation, the ‘Cross Sword Formation.’

Using this, just five 5-Star Masters can overwhelm a 6-Star Grandmaster.

‘I was truly shocked when I faced it.’

Having experienced it in his past life, Keter knew the power of the Cross Sword Formation well. Even now, thinking about it made him chuckle.

Normally, ten 5-Star Masters wouldn’t stand a chance against a 6-Star Grandmaster.

But with the Cross Sword Formation synchronizing the knights’ spirits, just five 5-Star Masters could take on a 6-Star Grandmaster.

Recalling this, Keter smirked.

‘Back then, I was so flustered I retreated…’

If he ever faced the Cross Sword Formation again, he vowed to crush it head-on.

To do that, he needed more power and skill than he currently had. While he hadn’t made specific plans, his past life’s experience and memories gave him a rough idea of what to do.

‘Thinking beyond that is too far ahead.’

Keter’s mind, free of future contemplations, was filled with a single desire.

Galahind’s punishment.

‘Lord Eslow may have forgiven you, but I haven’t.’

Galahind had fled the palace in a hurry after the trial. Humiliated, he wanted to leave as quickly as possible.

But Keter thought differently.

‘You’re not the type to fall quietly.’

Even demoted from Upper Noble to Common Noble, even with most of his assets confiscated, Galahind had a way out. That’s why he accepted it so readily.

And what that way out was, was crystal clear.

‘Slush funds.’

A massive amount, no doubt.

“*Slurp*, my mouth is watering.”

“Huh? Keter, what’s up?”

Targon, hearing Keter’s muttering, looked around in confusion. There was no food in sight, so he didn’t understand why Keter’s mouth was watering.

“Today’s the day we slaughter a pig.”

“A pig…? Oh, pork for lunch?”

“Yeah, pork for lunch today. Let’s have a whole roasted pig.”

“Whole roasted pig? Sounds great!”

Believing Keter was genuinely discussing lunch, Targon smiled innocently and agreed.

“I’ll be back.”

Before Targon could ask ‘Where to?’, Keter vanished.

Anis, watching quietly from the side, shook his head.

“As expected. Keter wouldn’t just sit still.”

Mail agreed with Anis.

“Hmm. I think Keter deliberately gave Galahind some time.”

“Brother, you thought that far ahead? Now that you mention it, it makes sense.”

Mail and Anis perfectly understood the hidden meaning behind Keter’s words. ‘Pig’ referred to Galahind.

And now, Keter had left to deal with Galahind.

Of course, the two brothers had no intention of stopping Keter. In fact, if Keter hadn’t acted, one of them would have stepped in.

But since Keter took the initiative…

‘My turn won’t come.’

This was Keter, after all. Galahind’s end would be more horrifying than any tragedy.

‘Even though he’s an enemy… I pity him.’

Feeling sympathy even for an enemy, Anis felt a strange sense of relief that Keter was his ally and younger brother.