Chapter 127

Chapter 128. For Pure Love (2)

Eslow Palace, the mansion where Keter and his party are staying.

Although Keter suddenly disappeared, the party focused on their own tasks.

Anis and Taragon spar with the knights of the Eslow family in the training ground, while Catherine practices creating and controlling mana spheres.

Mail, the party’s emotional anchor, sat calmly on the terrace, seemingly engrossed in reading. His eyes were fixed on the book, but his legs tapped in a quiet, steady rhythm, betraying his lack of focus.

“Master Mail?”

Mail flinched at the touch on his shoulder. Catherine, who had grabbed his shoulder, was also startled.

“I’m sorry if I startled you. You were shaking your leg so much. I was worried.”

“Was I shaking my leg?”

“You haven’t turned a page in 30 minutes.”

“……”

Mail closed the book and let out a deep sigh.

Catherine could roughly guess why he was like this.

“It’s because of the master, no, Keter, isn’t it?”

Mail didn’t bother hiding it. Or rather, there was no point in hiding it since he had already been caught.

“Yes. It’s been two hours since Keter disappeared, and there’s been no news. It feels like we’re trapped here, and it’s frustrating.”

Of course, the rest of the party wasn’t entirely comfortable with the situation either. But they had something to focus on, so they could manage to ignore it.

However, Mail, who was responsible for the party’s safety, couldn’t do that.

The lack of information about the current situation and the absence of any countermeasures left Mail feeling utterly powerless.

“Countless nobles are targeting us. We’re safe here in the palace, but what about Keter? Of course, Keter’s name isn’t widely known, and he’s not someone who would be easily defeated. But still, but still……”

Mail’s words trailed off.

He realized why he was feeling so anxious and restless.

‘Am I angry? Or am I just anxious?’

Keter never consulted Mail before taking any action. He always made decisions and acted independently.

As the party’s representative, Mail couldn’t help but feel that Keter was disregarding him, even rebelling against him.

Moreover, Mail had only known Keter for less than a week. The only interactions they had were when Keter failed to cast a spell on him and when he received the Elixir Sindeon.

Of course, Mail’s feelings toward Keter leaned more toward liking than disliking, but as a high noble from a prestigious family, Keter’s every action was grating and displeasing to him.

But he could understand. Keter had the qualifications to act that way.

So what was troubling Mail’s heart now?

‘The emotion I’m feeling now… it’s not anger.’

Mail was certain. Keter’s arbitrary actions were bothersome, but this wasn’t anger.

‘The emotion I’m feeling… it’s anxiety.’

Like realizing there’s no arrow on your finger after a chaotic fight, Mail suddenly understood his current emotions clearly.

‘…I was relying on Keter too.’

He felt anxious without Keter by his side. He wanted Keter to be there with him. That was the essence of Mail’s anxiety.

Of course, the palace was absolutely safe from hostile nobles.

But what if Lord Eslow, the master of the palace, changed his mind? What if he decided to test us? Who could possibly pass his test?

Of course, we wouldn’t run. We wouldn’t hide. We wouldn’t give up.

But could we get through it safely?

The fear he felt when facing Lord Eslow came to mind. Just imagining it made his shoulders shrink.

Only Keter stood tall, meeting Eslow’s gaze head-on and speaking his mind without hesitation.

‘How shameful. Relying on a brother seven years younger than me.’

Mail rubbed his eyes and laughed. It was the refreshing laugh of someone who had acknowledged their own shortcomings.

“Should I get you some medicine if you have a headache?”

Mail shook his head at Catherine, who spoke just the right words without overstepping.

“It’s fine. Instead, will you take on a task for me?”

“Yes. I will.”

“You’re not even asking what the task is.”

“I was taught that a Knight of Sephira doesn’t pick and choose tasks.”

“Well learned. Go out of the palace and observe the outside movements. The news of our arrival at the palace must have reached the ears of the hostile nobles. See how they plan to respond. And check the atmosphere of the city.”

“Don’t you need me to search for Keter?”

“He’s not someone you can find just by looking. It would be a waste of effort.”

“I think so too. Keter always seems to disappear when you look for him and appear when you least expect it.”

“Hmm. And the reason I’m sending you, a Star Knight, instead of a Silver Knight, is because you’re the least known among us. No one would have expected you to join this journey.”

Catherine is known as the Rose of Sephira, but her name isn’t widely known.

It wasn’t something she actively hid. She mainly took on the role of a Star Knight, commanding soldiers rather than handling external missions.

“If, by any chance, you meet Keter……”

After a moment of hesitation, Mail answered clearly.

“Tell him not to worry about us.”

* * *

At the main gate of Eslow’s Palace.

A carriage the size of a small house stood imposingly.

It wasn’t just big. Various dazzling jewels hung like grapes, making a jingling, noisy sound every time the wind blew.

“Turn back.”

Jeffrey Edmund, the 22nd Division Commander of the Immortal Knights, spoke with a cold expression. This was already the third time he had said it.

The old butler in front of him was furious.

“Are you a parrot, repeating the same words! Do you know who is in this carriage! The greatest sponsor of the Southern Sword Tournament, Marquis Galahind! He has brought gifts for the Lord, how dare you treat him so disrespectfully!”

Despite the long explanation, the response was short and the same.

“Turn back.”

“That’s not for a mere knight to decide! Don’t block the way without knowing anything!”

The old butler, who had solved many problems with Galahind’s authority, pushed that authority again. He didn’t even know who he was dealing with.

“Last warning.”

Jeffrey placed his hand on his sword hilt and spoke in the same tone as before.

“Turn back.”

Just as the old butler was about to shout again, the carriage door opened.

“I’ve heard rumors that the Immortal Knights never compromise, whether with enemies or allies. Seeing it in person, it’s true.”

Marquis Galahind opened the carriage door. The servants accompanying the carriage rushed over and prostrated themselves, offering their backs as steps.

After hearing the news that Sephira had entered Eslow’s Palace, Galahind personally traveled to confirm it and asked the knight blocking his way.

“You, state your rank and name.”

“22nd Division Commander of the Immortal Knights, Jeffrey Edmund.”

“Are you in charge here?”

“Yes.”

“Must be tough.”

Galahind flicked his finger behind him. A servant brought a small golden box and handed it to Jeffrey.

“Go take a break somewhere. It’s a festival, isn’t it?”

“I cannot accept.”

“Haha, it’s fine. Or is the box too small? You won’t be disappointed if you see the contents.”

The servant opened the box. Inside were platinum coins.

“Take the box as it is. It’s worth at least 3,000 gold.”

“Marquis Galahind. Four minutes have passed.”

“Huh? What does that matter?”

Swoosh!

Jeffrey drew his sword.

There was only one sound of a sword being drawn, but eight swords were drawn. The eight Immortal Knights lined up on either side drew their swords simultaneously without a single error.

Galahind had brought 20 knights with him, but they were all overwhelmed by the Immortal Knights’ presence and took steps back.

“You may only stay in front of the palace gate for five minutes. If you do not retreat within one minute, I will cut you down.”

“W-what? You dare to cut me down?”

“Are you insane! A mere gatekeeper knight dares to threaten the great Marquis Galahind of the South! If the Lord hears of this, you……”

The old butler shouted on behalf of Galahind. But he couldn’t finish his words.

Thud.

The old butler’s head rolled on the ground. His eyes were still open, and his mouth was agape. He didn’t even realize he was dead.

Swish!

Jeffrey flicked the blood off his sword and spoke in a menacing voice.

“Do not dare call the Lord with that frivolous mouth.”

“Gasp, y-you madman! You dare swing your sword in front of me?!”

Galahind took steps back.

Jeffrey approached with his sword drawn.

The Marquis tried to get into the carriage, but the servants who were supposed to be his steps had long since fled in fear.

“Ten seconds left.”

At Jeffrey’s kind reminder, Galahind abandoned the carriage and started running.

Galahind, who had never run in his life, looked ridiculous as he ran. His servants and knights followed him like defeated soldiers.

Jeffrey, as if nothing had happened, sheathed his sword and returned to his original position.

Galahind, who had fled far from the palace, stuck out his tongue and panted like a dog.

“D-damn it. A mere knight dares to kill my butler and humiliate me?”

Galahind knew that Eslow’s Palace wasn’t easy to deal with, but he didn’t expect them to disregard even him, the greatest sponsor of the Southern Sword Tournament.

He had thought that the Lord would at least show him some courtesy. He hadn’t come empty-handed; he had even prepared tribute! It was a clear insult and disgrace.

But he didn’t have the guts to retaliate against the Lord, or even against Jeffrey, the knight who had humiliated him.

His lost anger turned toward his subordinates.

“These weaklings call themselves my knights! Do you know how much elixir you’ve consumed!”

Slap! Slash!

Galahind vented his anger by hitting the knights. The knights, used to such treatment, stood still with their hands behind their backs, offering their faces.

“All of you who didn’t make steps for me to get into the carriage are sentenced to death! Right now!”

“Eeek!”

“P-please spare us, my lord!”

The servants begged, even wetting themselves, but it was no use. The knights, with troubled expressions, drew their swords.

Once Galahind’s anger started, it had to see an end. Someone had to be sacrificed.

Relieved that it wasn’t them, the knights carried out the execution.

“Stay still. I’ll make it painless.”

“Ahhh!”

Knowing that running was futile, they could only scream and wail.

“Excuse me, but are you Marquis Galahind?”

The appearance of an outsider made Galahind and the knights stop. They wondered if it was a messenger from the Lord. The outsider was a gentleman in a neat black tuxedo and a round hat.

Galahind frowned when no one answered for him. He was annoyed at the poor old butler who had died for no reason.

“I am Galahind. Who are you?”

“Greetings. I am a servant of ‘Golden Fragrance.’ A very rare item has arrived at our auction house, so I came to invite the renowned Marquis of the South.”

Golden Fragrance. This guild, active worldwide, held the highest authority in the field of ‘auctions.’

They only dealt with items worth at least 100,000 gold, and only the chosen could participate in their auctions.

Galahind, a wealthy man known even in the South, was familiar with it. This was already his second invitation to Golden Fragrance’s auction.

But the timing was bad.

“I’m not in the mood to participate in an auction now. I decline the invitation.”

There were rumors that Golden Fragrance was backed by the Infinite Bank. Even if the other party was just a servant, Galahind found it awkward to deal with them carelessly.

But the servant of Golden Fragrance didn’t back down easily.

“It’s a map to the ruins where the legacy of Sword Saint Magenta lies. Are you still not interested?”

“Sword Saint Magenta?!”

Galahind’s mind, which had been focused on Eslow and Sephira, was turned upside down.

Sword Saint Magenta. Although a figure from 200 years ago, his achievements and grandeur were still talked about. He was even famous enough to be written into fairy tales.

A farmer’s son who reached the realm of 7-Star Prime.

A knight of his homeland, the Baen Kingdom, but after becoming a free knight, he served no king or lord, a free soul.

Finally, the one who stood alone against the Empire’s injustice.

He was a symbol of ‘hope’ that even a lowly commoner could become a 7-Star Prime, and a symbol of ‘courage’ for fighting the Empire alone.

Everyone wanted his ‘hope.’

But not the ‘courage.’

In any case, his swordsmanship and aura cultivation method, which held the possibility of even a commoner reaching 7 stars, was that ‘hope.’

Magenta left no successor. He disappeared one day and vanished without a trace. There were many who claimed to be his disciples, but they were all frauds.

And now, the ruins of Magenta had been discovered?

“Has its authenticity been confirmed?”

At Galahind’s serious face, the servant of Golden Fragrance removed his hat and spoke.

“At Golden Fragrance, we only deal with verified items. It’s a rule that has been upheld for hundreds of years.”

“Indeed… Golden Fragrance’s credibility is on par with the Infinite Bank.”

Galahind glanced between the palace and the servant of Golden Fragrance. But the scales in his mind had already tipped heavily to one side.

“I will accept the invitation. But may I ask one thing?”

“If it’s something I can answer, I will.”

“I’m curious about the seller. I know it’s anonymous, but I really want to know.”

It’s the ruins where the legacy of the Sword Saint lies. If one could monopolize it all, it would be worth millions, no, tens of millions of gold. Yet, instead of finding it and monopolizing it, they chose to sell it for money.

If one could get their hands on it, it wouldn’t just change a life, but history itself. Of course, there would be risks, but it was a ruin worth that much.

The servant of Golden Fragrance put his hat back on and spoke.

“The seller’s identity is strictly confidential as a rule, but in this case, the seller has specially decided to conduct the auction under their real name, so I can tell you.”

“Conducting an auction under their real name? They must be a very famous person. Go ahead, tell me. Who is it?”

“Their name is Keter.”

“Keter……?”

Galahind’s eyes darted back and forth.

Then, with a very puzzled expression, he muttered.

“I feel like I’ve heard that name somewhere.”

* * *

The news of Golden Fragrance’s auction spread to numerous wealthy individuals and big shots.

Among them was Lord Eslow.

“My Lord. The servant of Golden Fragrance says they are holding an auction for a map to the ruins where the legacy of Sword Saint Magenta lies.”

The ’12th’ butler reported to Lord Eslow.

“Is that so?”

“Here is the invitation.”

“Alright.”

After glancing at the invitation, Eslow tossed it aside. The 12th butler caught the flying invitation and retreated.

Eslow had no interest or curiosity about the Sword Saint’s legacy.

At that moment.

Boom!!!

A loud noise echoed through the city. It was an unusual sound. Even Eslow’s palace, his domain, trembled slightly.

Looking out the window, a rose-shaped dust cloud surged into the sky.

The office door opened slightly. The 12th butler, having received a report, added to his report to Eslow.

“Pedders Hotel has collapsed. Fortunately, all the rooms were empty, so there are no casualties.”

“Alright.”

An explosion in the city center. And the collapse of Pedders Hotel, the pride of the direct territory.

Nothing could change Eslow’s expression. Instead, he changed the subject.

“Has Henya returned?”

“Not yet. Shall I call Sir Jeffrey?”

“Alright.”

A moment later, Jeffrey entered the office, knelt on his left knee, and bowed his head.

“Jeffrey Edmund of the Immortal Knights. At your command, my Lord.”

“Jeffrey. Go and bring Henya……”

Just as he was about to say to bring her back.

The 12th butler, having heard new information from an informant, spoke to Eslow.

“Excuse me, my Lord. There is something urgent I must report.”

“Alright?”

The same response, but if the reason wasn’t valid, the 12th butler’s head and body would part ways. Regardless of the fact that he had served Eslow for 40 years.

“Along with the explosion at Pedders Hotel, bundles of paper were scattered, and they mentioned Prince Fabian.”

“Who is Fabian?”

“Your eldest son, my Lord.”

“Alright?”

“Yes. It says that all of Prince Fabian’s sculptures are plagiarized.”

“Alright?”

A ‘Really? You interrupted me for that?’ kind of ‘Alright?’

“But the plagiarized works are said to be by Demonikar.”

“…What?”

Eslow’s tone changed.

Demonikar. An artist who worshipped demons.

Although he died 100 years ago, his terror was still imprinted in people’s souls.

“Look at my painting. Isn’t it beautiful?”

Demonikar showed his paintings to people, then killed them whether they liked it or not. He was a madman and a murderer.

If he were just a crazy murderer, he wouldn’t have remained in people’s memories.

His victims weren’t just powerless commoners. Countless knights and mages also died horribly at his hands.

Because Demonikar was a ‘demon’ who had actually made a contract with a devil.

Ultimately, he was hunted down by the powerful of various countries, but his works were not destroyed. Despite worshipping demons, his painting skills were genuine, so they were traded among high nobles with royalties attached.

But the problem was that his paintings contained the ‘power’ to make contracts with demons.

Demonikar’s nightmare didn’t end. New demon contractors were born from the paintings he left behind. Belatedly, all his works were treated as forbidden and erased.

And now, Fabian had plagiarized Demonikar’s works to create sculptures.

The corner of Eslow’s eye twitched slightly. A very subtle change, but the 12th butler knew it was a sign that Eslow was angry.

“Jeffrey.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“By tomorrow morning, collect all the papers that were scattered.”

“Understood.”

Jeffrey left with quick steps.

Eslow continued.

“12th.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“By tomorrow morning, bring Fabian before me