Chapter 247

Chapter 248. You Can’t Pass (3)

The Glory Road wasn’t created just to discriminate against families far from the capital. It was made for the royal family to divide their “factions.”

Sephira, never chosen, isn’t even recorded in history books, but other prestigious families know. If you wait comfortably, the royal family will send a carriage.

For example, the Browning Family, the strongest family in the kingdom, receives three luxurious carriages a day before the Glory Road begins.

The First Prince’s carriage, the Second Prince’s carriage, the Third Prince’s carriage… The head of the Browning Family just needs to board the carriage of the prince they “support.”

Other families chosen by the princes make the same choice, but the timing differs. Some families receive carriages on the day, others two days later.

There are even cases where carriages arrive on the very last day, barely making it.

So, how do families with carriages arriving on the day reach the royal palace?

Simple. They use magic.

They’ve already broken the rule of not riding vehicles, so why follow the rule against teleportation?

Royals can break the rules as they please. That’s why the carriages themselves are inscribed with teleportation magic, allowing them to instantly reach the capital in one second, no matter where they are in the kingdom. This is the absurd secret behind the Glory Road.

But what happens to families not chosen by any prince?

That doesn’t happen. Even the most insignificant family will receive a carriage from some prince, though the timing may vary.

Of course, the higher-ranking princes like the First Prince won’t send carriages. The Second Prince won’t either.

The less prominent Third or Fourth Princes send carriages, more as a formality.

Despite being a prestigious family, Sephira didn’t receive carriages from the First or Second Princes. Last time, the Third Prince sent a carriage.

This time might have been different. With Keter around, even if not the First Prince, the Second Prince might have sent one.

But with Keter completing the Glory Road on his own, the First and Second Princes were left flustered. In the history of the Glory Road, no family had ever completed it while following all the rules.

It wasn’t because it was impossible, but because it went against the royals’ intentions.

Yet, Sephira could be an exception again. They could just claim they didn’t know about the carriage rule.

News of Sephira’s arrival reached the princes’ ears. Given the outrageous method of arrival, it was impossible to ignore.

“If what Keter showed wasn’t magic, then was it Authority? If Sephira has finally birthed a Prime, it’s understandable.”

The reason the First and Second Princes looked down on Sephira, despite its prestige, was the lack of a Prime.

Not just a Prime, but even a Grandmaster. The two princes found it highly suspicious how Sephira, with only Masters, could be considered prestigious, but they dared not touch Sephira due to Queen Lilian’s will.

However, witnessing Keter’s existence made them realize. The Second Prince, too, kept muttering Keter’s name.

“Keter, Keter… Did you raise Sephira, or did Sephira create you?”

It was too late to send a carriage to show favor. But at least, the princes wanted to observe and learn more about Keter.

So, they let it slide. Even after receiving reports that Keter was blocking the Queen’s Bridge, they told others to leave him be.

“There’s no law saying you can’t stand in front of the Queen’s Bridge.”

“I’m curious how other family heads will react. Can they pass if Keter blocks the way? Hehehe.”

“I wonder what Keter’s intentions are for blocking the bridge. I’ll have to ask him when we meet.”

Thus, unintentionally under the princes’ protection, Keter became the gatekeeper of the Queen’s Bridge—and so far, not a single person has managed to get past him.

Especially Durian, the head of the Razel Family, who was the first to have his path blocked by Keter. He felt a wall in Keter.

“Ugh, how can such strength come from that body…!”

Durian told his knights not to intervene. He stepped forward alone to defeat Keter.

The result was a crushing defeat.

Durian couldn’t believe the outcome.

“Even if you have more Aura than me, in the divine realm of the royal palace, you can’t use Aura or Mana. How can your physical strength surpass mine?”

As he said, the royal palace is entirely a divine realm, sealing all abilities. Aura, Mana, even supernatural powers can’t be used.

Even a 6-star Grandmaster is no exception. In the royal palace, whether 6-star or 2-star, everyone becomes equally fragile. Thus, visible physique and muscles reign supreme.

In that regard, Durian was twice Keter’s size. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say he could lift Keter with just his pinky.

Yet, Durian couldn’t even touch Keter and was overpowered in a contest of strength, with Keter kindly pointing out the reason.

“After facing you, it seems your muscles are water muscles?”

“W-water muscles?”

Though it was the first time he’d heard the term, the meaning wasn’t hard to grasp, and Durian’s face turned red for a different reason.

“Lord. We’ll handle Keter. You go around the side.”

His knights made a logical suggestion.

No matter how Keter blocked the bridge, the Queen’s Bridge isn’t narrow enough to be blocked by one person. It’s wide enough for twelve men to pass side by side.

Thus, the knights’ plan was perfect—if not for noble pride.

“You’re telling me, the Wolf of the North, to go around while you buy time?”

“…!”

*Thud! Crash!*

Durian threw off his bear fur coat and began removing his armor. The weight was so immense that the knights staggered under it.

*Thump, thud!*

Durian clenched and unclenched his fists, taking deep breaths as he approached Keter again.

“This time, I won’t go easy.”

“Just go around like your subordinates said. I won’t stop you.”

“You bastard!”

With his pride thoroughly wounded, Durian lost his temper and charged at Keter.

* * *

“Sephira has already arrived at the royal palace, thanks to Keter, whom you’re so fond of.”

At the words of Enoch, the head of the Eastern Aegis Family, the armored giant shifted.

-When did I say I liked him? I only said he’s someone to watch because he’ll become great.

The carriage they rode was much larger than others. Custom-designed for Minerva, the Eastern Shield.

“Hoho, sure, sure. I must have been mistaken when I saw you eagerly waiting for Keter to visit and regretting not attending Sephira’s party.”

-I never waited, and I don’t like parties.

“Minerva. Just because you’re in thick armor doesn’t mean I can’t see your face. I see everything, even your blushing.”

-You’re mistaken. You know Brunhilde can’t see through.

“Not everything has to be seen with the eyes. Just like how you highly regard Keter, sometimes you see things beyond what’s visible.”

-Becoming the Southern Palace is proof enough of his strength.

“It’s impressive. You were the one who noticed Sephira’s sudden shift in stance and that it started after Keter appeared.”

-Anyone paying a little attention could figure that out.

“See? You’re interested in Keter. Hoho. But as your father, I’m both happy and worried. Falling for a man like Keter… You’ll surely get hurt. Love, you see, is something even the thickest armor can’t protect against…”

-We’ve arrived at the royal palace. Prepare to disembark.

Minerva cut him off, clearly not wanting to hear more. Enoch chuckled and swallowed his words.

‘Bow and shield may pair well. But I have a feeling Keter doesn’t need a shield.’

Though Enoch had never met Keter, his experience told him.

Keter is an unprecedented archer.

A being beyond the common sense of archers.

Enoch and Minerva stepped out of the Pegasus carriage symbolizing Second Prince Rakan. They were right in front of the Queen’s Bridge.

While one could ride a carriage to the royal palace, everyone without exception had to walk across the Queen’s Bridge.

“Huh?”

Enoch felt something was off as he stepped out of the carriage. It was because nobles were lined up in front of the bridge.

‘Why are they lined up instead of crossing?’

Though Enoch, of average height, couldn’t see, Minerva, towering over two meters, could. Keter was at the bridge’s entrance, engaged in a contest of strength.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Enoch moved forward to see what was happening, and it became clear.

“Grrr!”

“Ugh!”

Keter was simultaneously facing the heads of the Western Cavendish and Eastern Mirakin Families.

The two heads were using all their strength, even their arms and hands, to push Keter back, but Keter, without a drop of sweat, said:

“If you can’t manage, bring Sephira’s pass, won’t you?”

As Keter puffed out his chest, the two family heads collapsed.

“I’ll challenge you again!”

Next was Durian. It was already his 12th attempt.

In this way, six families were waiting in front of the bridge, unable to pass Keter. With the Aegis Family’s arrival, it became seven.

Watching this, Enoch laughed hollowly, while Minerva remained silent.

“Hoho, hohoho…”

-……

“I’d heard rumors he was crazy, but I never expected this. Minerva, if you want to retract your statement that Keter will become great, now’s the time.”

-It’s strange.

“What is?”

-Why are the princes letting Keter block the bridge?

“We mere humans can’t fathom their thoughts. They must have their reasons.”

Royals aren’t human. They’re called divine children, god-humans. That’s why they’re free from the laws of the Lilian Kingdom.

Minerva didn’t like how Enoch revered the princes as god-humans but didn’t show it.

Then, Durian, who had challenged Keter, stepped back. Even using his body, he couldn’t push Keter.

The other family heads exchanged glances. Durian was the strongest among them. If even he couldn’t overpower Keter, the others stood no chance.

But then, all eyes turned to one place. Minerva.

“The Eastern Shield has arrived.”

“Even Keter can’t handle that.”

“Finally, the path will open.”

As the nobles sighed in relief, a well-informed family head clicked his tongue.

“The Eastern Shield and the Southern Palace are already acquainted. He’ll probably let her pass.”

“If that’s true, it’s astonishing. Did Keter foresee this and ally with the Eastern Shield back then?”

“Is he just crazy, or a meticulous strategist… I can’t tell.”

Minerva was almost forced to stand before Keter, pushed by Enoch from behind.

Keter greeted her warmly upon seeing her.

“Who’s this?”

-Keter, long time no see. Congratulations on becoming the Southern Palace.

“Wait, who are you again? I remember the Eastern Shield, but not your name.”

-…Minerva.

Though Enoch was looking at Minerva’s back, he could tell.

‘Minerva’s really angry. Keter not remembering her name must have really upset her.’

Unaware, Keter tapped Minerva’s waist with his fist.

“Ah, that’s the name. By the way, remember when I said I’d visit the Aegis Family after the tournament? Since we’ve met here, I guess I don’t need to go, right?”

-…Sir Keter. I heard you can’t pass without a pass.

“Right. But the Aegis Family is an exception. What’s our relationship? You know. Go ahead.”

Keter stepped aside for the first time, publicly declaring the Aegis Family’s close ties with Sephira.

But Minerva didn’t even glance at the open path, staring intently at Keter.

-No. I’ll prove myself like the other families.

The disappointed family heads brightened at Minerva’s declaration.

‘Keter. You’ve been arrogant, but things aren’t going as you planned.’

‘No matter how strong Keter is for his size, he can’t beat the Eastern Shield.’

Minerva is nearly three meters tall, exuding a presence that could stop a chariot bare-handed, while Keter seemed like a toy in comparison.

The family heads expected Keter to avoid the contest. It’d be less embarrassing to step aside than to suffer a humiliating defeat.

But Keter, unfazed, tapped Minerva’s armor again.

“Alright, but if you lose, even you can’t pass, got it?”

Keter willingly accepted the challenge, not backing down.

The family heads present all laughed, thinking Keter was bluffing or insane.

But they weren’t the only ones watching.

No one present knew that the First and Second Princes were also observing this scene.

Seeing Minerva and Keter face off, Rakan turned to Rukan.

“Brother, care to make a bet?”

“Not some childish bet on who’ll win, I hope?”

“If you’re not confident, you can choose first.”

“Hmph. A bet with no stakes is boring.”

“Let’s wager a concession right. It’ll be fun, like old times.”

“A concession right… Hehe.”

A concession right. Back when the two brothers were close, they’d argue daily over things they wanted.

So, they created a one-time concession right. Whoever used it could ask for anything, and the other had to concede.

“I get to choose first, right?”

“Yes. I already know who you’ll pick.”

“I know who you’ll pick too.”

“Shall we say it together? One, two, three—”

*Crash!*

The two brothers spoke simultaneously, but their voices were drowned out by the sound of Keter and Minerva clashing.

But one thing was clear—both brothers were smiling. Because they’d named different people.