Chapter 194

Chapter 195. Responsibility Without Pleasure (1)

*Scratch scratch scratch.*

In the office of the head of the House of Sephira.

The sound of a pen being fiddled with repeatedly echoed, occasionally interrupted by the sound of a frustrated *tap tap*.

“I want to kill them all.”

The rough words came from Elder Panir, who was reviewing documents, but Branch House Lord Hisop and Elder Leganon didn’t even flinch, continuing to review and sign documents without so much as a glance.

“…’We were impressed by Sephira’s performance at the Southern Sword Tournament. Why don’t you visit our family once?’ What kind of bastard writes something like this? They still look down on our Sephira!”

The high-quality parchment in Panir’s hands was stretched taut, as if it might tear at any moment, but it was just for show.

After all, the family that sent the letter was the Forte Ducal Family, a renowned swordsmanship family from the west.

The Forte Ducal Family was not only a prestigious swordsmanship family but also the family of a lord. Therefore, even if Sephira was equally prestigious and had won the tournament, the Forte Ducal Family’s proposal couldn’t be easily refused.

But accepting it without hesitation wasn’t the right answer either.

“What are they scheming? The Forte Family, who never even treated us as equals, is now sending a personal letter from their head, using grandiose words like ‘impressed.'”

Panir began analyzing every word in the letter, assigning meaning to each one.

This wasn’t an overreaction. The minds of nobles were truly deep, and most of their actions had hidden intentions.

If you couldn’t see through them, you’d be manipulated and used. You either had to uncover and defend against them or use them in return. That was the way of the nobility.

Hisop and Leganon were going through the same thing as Panir. They were handling numerous private yet official matters sent by various nobles and families.

Most were either acceptances or rejections, but there were many documents that couldn’t be answered simply, so the furrowed brows never relaxed.

“……”

“……”

“……”

As the three of them were deep in their battle with the documents, their brows furrowed so deeply they could form canyons.

*Creak.*

The window of the office opened, and Keter entered naturally.

“Ugh, the smell of paper.”

Keter, fanning his nose, picked up a chocolate from the guest table and ate it.

“Hmm, it tastes just as good as last time.”

After eating several chocolates in a row, Keter finally made eye contact with the Branch House Lord and the elders.

“Why do you all look like that? You’re making me uncomfortable.”

“…It took me a while to understand why you left the door and came in through the window.”

“Even after attending the Southern Sword Tournament and becoming a knight representing the south, you’re still the same. Tsk tsk.”

“You brat! If you’ve come to Sephira, shouldn’t you greet us first as a matter of courtesy?”

The three, now legally free from the mountain of documents, found some energy to throw a few words at Keter.

“Hisop, bro. You act fine when eating with us, but you’re clearly on the verge of overworking yourself. The elders seem more lively. Did the elixir I gave you work well?”

“Keh, kehm. Not bad.”

Before leaving for the tournament, Keter had given Leganon and Panir a precious elixir called the Rejuvenation Pill.

After taking it, Leganon and Panir’s skin had visibly tightened, and their vitality had returned.

On the other hand, Hisop, who had been overworking himself both outside and within the family, had dark circles under his eyes and dry skin. He had looked fine in the dining room, but it seemed he had been covering it up with makeup.

As Keter had said, Hisop was weighed down by fatigue, his body heavy and his head aching from a headache, but he still managed to smile.

“It seems you’ve finished your business at the blacksmith. Is Vulkanus doing well?”

“Bro, I don’t think now’s the time for you to worry about someone else’s health.”

“Haha! You’re right. But, Keter, I’m sorry, but as the Branch House Lord, I want to ask you something.”

Hisop set the tone. Leganon and Panir thought, *Finally, it’s come.*

“Keter, do you want to become the head of the House of Sephira?”

Hisop, meeting his younger brother for the first time today, asked directly about his intentions regarding the family’s power succession.

* * *

Hisop’s question was a heavy one. If Keter were to say, “I want to become the head too,” what would happen?

Nominally, Hisop, as the eldest son and Branch House Lord, had the legitimacy to become the head, but Keter was the “Southern Palace.” He was even the one who had tracked down and captured the knights of the Baydant Family who had infiltrated the territory.

But compared to that, Hisop’s “fame” was lacking.

Of course, it wasn’t that Hisop hadn’t contributed. In terms of contribution, Hisop had been just as active as Keter.

But his achievements weren’t as visible. Plus, Hisop wasn’t the type to boast about his accomplishments.

Legitimacy lay with “Hisop,” but “justification” lay with Keter. There was no better way to put it.

The soldiers and knights of Sephira were indifferent to this power dynamic, but the elders, Panir and Leganon, were different. They were aware of the current situation and were tense.

‘The moment Keter declares he wants to become the head… no, the moment he shows even a hint of that intention, the recently united Sephira will split into two factions.’

The traditional faction supporting Hisop.

And the pragmatic faction supporting Keter.

Leganon hoped this situation wouldn’t happen.

‘Even before Keter arrived, Sephira was divided. To split the hard-won unity of Sephira again… Moreover, this would be an irreparable, massive split.’

On the other hand, Panir thought it wasn’t all bad.

‘If Keter challenges for the position of head, Sephira’s split is inevitable. But a Sephira without Keter is unimaginable. It’s time for Hisop to prove himself. To prove he has the qualifications to be the head.’

Even the opinions of the two elders were divided. ‘We must not split’ versus ‘If there’s justification, it’s fine.’

Given this situation, the reactions of the soldiers and knights would undoubtedly be mixed.

Chaos where it’s unclear which side would prevail. Everything now depended on Keter’s one answer.

“I have zero interest.”

Of course, Keter had no intention of becoming the head of Sephira.

He had decided even before coming to the family. He would save and nurture Sephira, but he had no intention of becoming the head.

“I don’t have the patience to sit in a chair all day like my father and brother.”

There were many other reasons, but Keter declined any position with heavy responsibilities.

‘I don’t want to sacrifice myself to save someone. Even if it’s family.’

What he wanted was a ‘status’ and ‘benefits’ equal to the effort he put in. Positions with too many responsibilities were something he’d decline even if offered for free.

The three blinked at Keter’s answer.

‘You don’t want to sit in the head’s position for just that reason?’

To them, who didn’t understand the value of freedom, Keter’s way of thinking was hard to grasp.

But recalling Keter’s actions, they soon understood.

‘He doesn’t want to be tied down.’

A result that was fortunate for Hisop and Leganon, but disappointing for Panir.

“Let me ask one more thing. Do you have any objections to me becoming the head of Sephira?”

Hisop asked another sensitive question.

If Keter wanted Anis to be the head instead of Hisop…

“Not really? I don’t care who becomes the head. Ah, I might be a bit against Taragon becoming the head, though.”

Worrying was unnecessary, as Keter’s answer was concise and honest.

Hisop felt the weight on his shoulders lighten a little. He clearly considered Keter an ally, a blood-related younger brother, but the world wasn’t that optimistic.

There was always the anxiety that he might have to fight his blood-related younger brother for the position of head.

But Keter had cleanly resolved that. He had no such intentions.

“Thank you, Keter. For being honest.”

“Honesty is the solver’s motto.”

Keter took out a business card from his pocket and handed it to Hisop. Hisop stood up, accepted it, and carefully placed it in his pocket.

“Let me take this opportunity to thank you once again. Thank you for elevating Sephira’s status at the Southern Sword Tournament.”

Hisop bowed his head in gratitude, but it wasn’t flattery or submission. It was a dignified expression of gratitude.

Keter also accepted the thanks graciously.

“I’m glad you recognize it, bro. Elders, nothing for me?”

When Keter openly asked for praise, Leganon and Panir chuckled and responded.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, we can pile up these documents again.”

“How about reviewing some documents with us while you’re here? Half of these are about you, after all.”

Though they said it jokingly, Keter actually approached and started looking through the documents.

“Hmm.”

As he began reviewing the documents quite seriously, Panir stopped him.

“It was a joke. Put those documents down.”

“Roughly counting, if I work through the night, I can finish them all… Want some help?”

“No. Really, it’s fine. We’ll handle it.”

Even Leganon joined in to stop Keter, who muttered regretfully.

“There are still those who think Sephira is an easy target…”

“Ahem, Keter. Since you’re here, there’s something I’d like to ask of you. Do you have time?”

When Hisop changed the subject, Keter scratched his chin.

“I don’t have time. My schedule’s packed right now.”

Keter, the eldest son of the family, the current Branch House Lord, and the future head’s request, refused simply because his schedule was full.

In any other family, they would’ve gone mad and immediately disciplined him, but in Sephira, it was different.

“Keter. With Basil absent, the Branch House Lord Hisop is like the head. It would be good if you could fulfill Hisop’s request.”

“It’s a request, isn’t it? As a younger brother or a member of the family, you should help.”

Leganon and Panir cautiously suggested that he reconsider.

But Keter was unmoved.

“Elders. Do you think I’m on vacation? I’m busy too, you know? Do you think I’m just living well for myself?”

Then, to the elders’ dismay, Hisop stepped in to support Keter.

“Elders. It’s fine. It’s not right to impose noble etiquette on Keter, who wasn’t originally a noble. I feel that Keter has already been very accommodating.”

“Hisop, bro. The more I see you, the more I like you. You keep getting better.”

“I believe Keter has the right and qualification to enjoy his freedom. I understand that you’re thinking of me, but I ask that you trust Keter a bit more.”

As Hisop actively trusted and believed in Keter, the two elders just blinked.

Hisop had only just met Keter today. He had only heard rumors, and many of those rumors were uncertain.

Leganon and Panir hadn’t spent much time with Keter either, and while they trusted him, it wasn’t to the extent of Hisop.

Hisop’s trust in Keter was almost religious.

“Hisop, bro. Once I’m done, I’ll prioritize your request.”

“Thank you.”

Keter liked Hisop even more after his response.

It wasn’t a dismissive “it’s fine,” but a genuine acceptance of his goodwill.

Without a doubt, Hisop was the person Keter liked the most since coming to Sephira.

In fact, Hisop didn’t even ask Keter what he was going to do.

Keter was certain that Hisop’s judgment wasn’t just blind faith in him.

‘He has the qualities of a leader.’

He knew how to handle people. Hisop had the same包容力 and discernment as the Grand Duke of Ruquer.

‘This type can really make good use of talent.’

There are more talented people in this world than one might think, but it’s rare for them to discover and fully utilize their talents on their own.

Therefore, talented people need a leader who can discover and bring out their abilities.

And Hisop seemed to have the qualities of such a leader.

‘Maybe I can find some talent and bring them here?’

Even if the talent was a bit twisted, it seemed Hisop could handle them.

* * *

That night, Keter slept on the rooftop of the main building, using the starlight as a blanket, and headed to his mansion as soon as the sun rose. He was going to fly to Ruquer to bring back Maknun.

“First, I should check if Jjokjjok is doing well.”

Once called the “Red Comet” of Ruquer, an A-grade monster, but now a white bat living a comfortable life in Keter’s quarters, eating, sleeping, and playing.

It had been over a month since he last fed it blood. Normally, he fed it animal or human blood, but it was clear that its patience had reached its limit.

“Old man Jacques said it’s been behaving well. Unexpected.”

Determined to give it a generous amount of blood as a reward, Keter opened the door to his quarters.

*Whoosh!*

The door opened from the inside, and something pure white pounced on him. It was so stealthy and fast that even Keter, who had grown so much during this tournament, couldn’t perceive it.

Before he could react, Keter was overwhelmed by something and couldn’t help but be surprised.

A petite figure reaching up to his waist.

Pearl-like white hair.

Incredibly strong arms that could snap his waist.

“Daddy!”

A young girl in a pure white dress clung to Keter’s stomach, rubbing her face against it.