Chapter 134

Chapter 135. Even for a God, You’re Quite Timid (1)

The man lying on the sofa was, of course, Keter.

So why did the 42nd Butler fall backward in shock? When he removed the jacket covering his face, he locked eyes with Keter.

“Y-you weren’t asleep?”

“I just woke up.”

Keter stretched as he got up from the sofa.

“Ughhh. So, what? Why are you looking for me?”

The 42nd Butler awkwardly cleared his throat.

“Ahem, Prince Keter, we’ve finished all the preparations for the surgery you requested. So, let’s go now.”

“If you don’t know, just stay quiet. Did you think I forgot? The surgery will start at night.”

“Huh? Why at night…?”

Keter waved his hand dismissively in the air.

“Even if I explain, you wouldn’t understand. Ask that old man, Quret or whatever. He might know.”

“Even if the surgery starts at night, shouldn’t you check on Young Master Lyze’s condition and prepare now? I don’t know much about surgery, but I do know that fixing a unique constitution isn’t easy.”

“You know it’s not easy to fix, but you don’t know my personality?”

“…?!”

“Ah, you really don’t get it. Get lost. I’ll prepare and go when it’s time.”

“…Understood. I’ll see you later.”

The 42nd Butler gave up on trying to deal with Keter. He had never encountered a noble who was so uncooperative with him before.

‘Is that guy not afraid of the Eslow family?’

Even if he’s an Upper Noble, he can’t look down on the Eslow family’s vassals. Even Mail, who’s right next to him, shows at least some courtesy.

‘If Young Master Lyze’s surgery fails, I’ll die too, so I’ll endure until then. But if the surgery succeeds, just wait. I’ll report your arrogant and insolent attitude to the Lord in detail.’

As the 42nd Butler disappeared, swearing timid revenge, Mail, who had been watching his retreating figure, spoke to Keter.

“Keter. Don’t you think you should speak more politely? That guy clearly holds a grudge against you. There’s no need to make enemies.”

“I’ve already held back a lot. If I hold back any more, I’ll throw punches instead of words. Is that okay?”

“…Fine.”

Mail couldn’t think of a response.

Keter even speaks his mind to the elders of Sephira. If he were acting like this selectively, I’d criticize him as a despicable person, but Keter doesn’t care who the other person is.

‘Besides, he’s not even insulting them. Sometimes he even says nice things. He’s just a bit rough.’

The 42nd Butler’s attitude was also quite bad and forceful. Mail hoped that his current thoughts weren’t just his own delusion.

“Ah, I’m fully awake now. I was planning to sleep until the surgery.”

Keter, who had been diligently running around both inside and outside the city for six days without sleep, returned to the palace on the seventh day and finally got some proper rest.

“Let’s see. What should I do until evening?”

Keter turned his head to the right.

Mail was focused on reading, and Catherine, who had been practicing manifestation magic by creating mana spheres, smiled when she met Keter’s gaze.

Keter’s head turned to the left this time. Anis and Taragon, who were quietly heading to the training ground, suddenly locked eyes with Keter.

“……”

Anis and Taragon turned their heads and naturally walked to the training ground, pretending not to notice.

“Shall I check on how our brothers are preparing?”

Keter picked up a poker from the fireplace and trudged after them to the training ground.

Only after Keter had completely left did Mail shake his head.

“I clearly told you to leave before Keter woke up, brothers.”

A moment later, Mail tried to ignore the dull thuds and screams coming from the training ground.

* * *

Keter, the illegitimate child of Sephira.

Only a very small number of people who knew about Sephira’s internal affairs knew his name.

However, due to an incident at the casino, Keter’s name began to spread quietly among the nobles.

“Have you heard the story? Something interesting happened at the Red Siren.”

“Of course. The young noble who bet ten million gold on an unbeatable match prediction, right? His name was… Keter, I think.”

“Do you also know that he’s the illegitimate child of Sephira, the famous archery family?”

“Wow, Sephira having an illegitimate child? The Sephira Count I know didn’t seem like that kind of person.”

“Even the Sephira Count, who pretended to be so pure, was just human after all. Plus, I heard Keter is from the Lawless City.”

“So he went to the casino and caused such a ruckus? Tsk tsk, Sephira is ruining the reputation of our Southern nobles.”

Of course, Keter’s name wasn’t known for its fame. It was infamy, or rather, it started with disdain.

Among the knights participating in the tournament, the strongest 50 knights. He bet ten million gold that none of them would win first place. It was natural.

But in reality, it wasn’t natural. Keter just caught the wind. It was Ultima who paid the money.

However, rumors have a way of twisting. The world came to know that ‘Keter’ had bet ten million gold with ‘Sephira’s’ money.

“That’s strange. I heard it wasn’t Keter who bet ten million gold, but the head of the Ultima Merchant Group.”

Of course, there were people who heard the correct information-

“Haha, the Ultima Merchant Group is a well-known group even in the kingdom. Why would he gamble with his entire fortune?”

“Now that you mention it, that makes sense. What I heard must have been false.”

Nobles, bored with their comfortable daily lives, always craved stimulating stories. The truth of the information was secondary.

Moreover, it wasn’t just them talking about Sephira.

“Disappointing. Even though everyone says Sephira is an incompetent prestigious family, I expected them to clear that stigma in this tournament. But they’ve brought disgrace even before the tournament started.”

Nobles with neutral opinions about Sephira evaluated Sephira through Keter.

“Why on earth is Sephira keeping that troublemaker Keter around…?”

“The Sephira Count must be getting old. He’s losing his judgment.”

Everywhere, people were insulting and looking down on Keter and Sephira. For some, it was a drinking topic, for others, it was jealousy of a prestigious family.

It was then.

The café door quietly opened.

The nobles’ gazes all turned at once. It wasn’t because of the sound of the door opening.

Presence.

A knight clad in silver armor from head to toe was massive and majestic.

The café door was tall and wide enough for a horse to enter, but the silver knight bowed his head and entered the café.

-I request your assistance.

From within the knight’s helmet, a deep voice echoed like a cave. It was a voice that sounded like a monster speaking human words.

-I heard that the Sephira clan is staying in this city. But I cannot find them. Has anyone seen them?

Overwhelmed by the knight’s presence, the nobles couldn’t move or speak. Then, one noble recognized him and whispered in shock.

“…L-Lord Minerva Aegis of the Eastern Shield. Why are you here when you should be on the front lines?!”

Just as the Southern Sword Tournament exists in the south, the Eastern Sword Tournament was held a few years ago in the east. The winner of that tournament was the knight before their eyes. The 12th Eastern Sword, Minerva Aegis.

But people don’t call him the Eastern Sword.

The Eastern Shield!

The Aegis family, the only shield family in the Lilian Kingdom, does not use swordsmanship. They use shield arts.

As if to prove it, the silver knight carried a square shield as large as his body on his back instead of a sword.

-I have no time. If no one knows, I will leave.

At Minerva’s blunt words, the noble who first recognized him spoke.

“I don’t know why you’re looking for the Sephira clan, but you won’t be able to meet them. They are currently at the Lord’s palace.”

-If you mean the palace, are you referring to the largest and most grotesque building in this city?

“Huh? Anyway, if you’re thinking of going there, it’s a waste of time. Many nobles have already gone to see how Sephira entered the palace, but they were all turned away.

-Thank you for the information.

Minerva left the café again.

His movements were so smooth and fast that the nobles doubted their eyes.

Mass equals weight. Moreover, Minerva was clad in thick armor covering his entire body and carried a massive shield. His movements should inevitably be slow. No matter how much aura he uses.

But he moved as lightly as someone wearing light clothing. Even his footsteps were as quiet as if he were walking barefoot.

There was something even more surprising.

“W-why on earth is the Eastern Shield looking for the Sephira clan?”

The nobles’ interest, which had been focused on Keter and Sephira, changed in an instant.

The Eastern Shield is looking for Sephira.

* * *

Having learned the location of the Sephira clan, the silver knight Minerva stared intently at Eslow’s Palace.

-Of all places, there? The Sephira clan. Not a wise choice.

Another knight standing behind him spoke.

“Lord Minerva. If they went there, they might already be dead. No, the probability is high. Eslow would never show favor to Sephira, or to any human.”

-I know. But there’s still a chance they’re alive.

“Sephira doesn’t have the talent to handle the Lord. Please reconsider, Lord Minerva.

-Sephira might be like that. But Keter, he’s different.

“What do you mean by different?”

Minerva recalled when Sephira’s elder Panir visited the Aegis family.

He asked the Aegis family to sponsor Keter, an illegitimate child, to participate in the Southern Sword Tournament.

The Aegis family head asked why they should sponsor a lowborn illegitimate child, and Elder Panir began to explain about Keter.

A guy with no manners. Someone you want to hit every time you see him. It was hard to tell if he was trying to persuade or just insult Keter.

But in the end, Panir reluctantly said.

“That guy will do it. Keter is that kind of guy.”

There was no basis for his words. He didn’t say Keter had reached the level of a master or that he had defeated a famous knight. He should have at least lied like that.

Minerva thought the family head would refuse Panir’s proposal. Even he would have refused.

But.

“I see. Alright. We’ll sponsor Keter. But after the tournament, make sure he visits our family once.”

The family head accepted Panir’s proposal.

Minerva couldn’t accept it and asked Panir separately. Just how great is this Keter that you’re going to such lengths to get him into the tournament?

At that time, Panir laughed heartily and said this.

“That guy Keter is similar to you.”

Recalling this, Minerva spoke with a faint smile.

-He is a freak like me.

* * *

As the sun set, Keter put down the bent poker.

“I have to admit this one thing.”

Keter gave a thumbs up to Anis and Taragon, who were sprawled on the ground.

“Your endurance has definitely improved.”

Anis and Taragon, who had been beaten all over by Keter under the guise of a match, didn’t even have the strength to get up.

But they didn’t need to get up. Their minds were busier than their bodies.

The two had learned a lot from their match with Keter. Keter had clearly and directly taught them the parts they found frustrating or vague by beating them up.

“Let’s finish the surgery quickly and come back, hmm hmm.”

Keter hummed a tune, seemingly in a good mood.

Anis admired Keter’s composure but also felt fear at his growth.

‘How did he get stronger than the last time I saw him? He clearly spent the whole day lazing around.’

From Anis’s perspective, Keter didn’t train separately.

Then did he hide his strength?

No, it wasn’t that. He had just become stronger as a human.

Taragon, who had been lying face down, flipped over and spoke to Anis.

“Brother. I’m asking because I think I might have seen wrong. Did Keter just block an Aura Arrow with his bare hands?”

“…So you saw it too.”

It was an impossible thing. Blocking aura with bare hands?

Aura can cut and tear even steel. Of course, thick steel takes time to cut, but it can still be cut.

But how could Keter block such aura with his bare body?

“We must have seen wrong. He must have wrapped his hand in aura to block it. There’s no way a human can block aura with their bare body.”

“But brother. It wasn’t just his hand. He also took hits on his forearm and shoulder. His clothes were torn, but he didn’t shed a single drop of blood?”

“…He must have blocked it with aura.”

“If he blocked it with aura, how come there’s no trace? When I try to block a poker with aura, there’s the sound of ceramics breaking and aura fragments scattering.”

“We must have shot the aura softly.”

“Is… that so?”

Taragon, tired of thinking, sprawled out again and looked up at the night sky.

Similarly, Anis also looked up at the night sky and muttered.

“Keter is Keter, and we are us. Don’t think unnecessary thoughts.”

“I wasn’t thinking anything?”

“Good job.”

Anis and Taragon, having recovered, spent some time stargazing.

Meanwhile, Keter took Catherine and headed to Lyze’s recovery room.

“Do as I say next to me.”

Catherine didn’t ask why she had to do it. She believed there was a reason for being brought along.

After sterilizing and changing into white clothes, Keter and Catherine entered Lyze’s room.

Three people were waiting inside.

Quret Lazes, a professor of mana pathology from the Blood Cross.

The 42nd Butler.

And a tall, red-haired woman. Henya.

Henya spoke calmly to Keter as he approached.

“So it was really you, Keter, the physician who’s going to heal Lyze.”

“I’m the Solver and Sephira’s renowned physician.”

“…Anyway, take good care of Lyze. He’s my only brother. If anything goes wrong, I won’t let it slide.”

“That’s quite the encouraging threat. Stay out. I’ll start right away. You too.”

The 42nd Butler didn’t leave immediately and pointed at Catherine.

“Why did you bring Sephira’s knight?”

“My assistant.”

“Wasn’t I the assistant…?”

Quret said with a disappointed expression.

Keter shrugged.

“The more assistants, the better.”

“Haha, that’s true.”

Quret’s face brightened again, relieved that he might still get to see the surgery.

The 42nd Butler, having nothing more to say, quietly stepped back.

“Fold the blanket.”

There’s no time for mental preparation. Keter immediately gave the order, raising both hands to chest height.

Catherine and Quret moved quickly.

“Strip everything except the underwear.”

“I’ll cut it.”

Quret, who had surgical experience, cut the clothes with scissors.

“Catherine. One Cheongryeonghwan.”

Gulp.

Quret’s swallowing sound was loud. Was the surgery finally starting?

Quret was curious. He couldn’t understand why Keter had ordered him to get elixirs. It was an action that didn’t make sense within his common sense.

‘Elixirs are originally beneficial to humans, but for Young Master Lyze, who’s in a state of mana overheating, they’re no different from poison. The moment he takes it, he’ll die in terrible pain. Prince Keter must know this, so why did he order me to get elixirs?’

In the tense atmosphere, Catherine picked up a Cheongryeonghwan from the prepared elixirs.

“Into my mouth.”

Yum.

Catherine placed the Cheongryeonghwan into Keter’s open mouth.

“…?”

The three watching were stunned.

But they didn’t dare open their mouths to disturb Keter. Keter’s expression was still serious.

‘There must be a reason, right?’

They believed so and stayed in place.

“Good. Next, one Baekhwadan.”

“Yes.”

“That too, into my mouth.”

“Here.”

Gulp. After eating the second elixir, Keter frowned.

“Baekhwadan is still a bit rough. Catherine. Mannyeonseoloks.”

“Yes.”

Without being told, Catherine poured Mannyeonseoloks from a cup into Keter’s mouth.

“Cool to the bone.”

At Keter’s words, the 42nd Butler, Henya, and Quret could only think one thing.

‘Why are you eating that?’

If looks could set fires, Keter’s body would have been burning long ago.

Keter, who couldn’t have missed their sharp gazes, said something that flipped their stomachs.

“Catherine. Two Cheongryeonghwan. One for you. One for my mouth.”

Elixirs worth at least 300,000 gold entered Keter and Catherine’s mouths.

The 42nd Butler’s patience ran out. Just as he was about to question what this was-

Swoosh.

Without any warning, Keter’s left hand plunged into Lyze’s solar plexus.