Chapter 140

Chapter 141. Did You Think You Could Die to Me? (1)

“Are you telling me to look at that now?!”

*Slap!*

Galahind slapped the young butler’s cheek with full force. The butler, who staggered but quickly straightened himself, reported again.

“It wasn’t just one or two soldiers saying it. Everyone gave the same testimony. Sephira’s Keter spread 44 Aura Arrows like wings and…”

“Stop talking nonsense!”

Galahind kicked the butler in the stomach and gestured for a nearby soldier to come closer.

“You. You tell me. You were there, right?”

“Well, that is…”

The middle-aged soldier, clutching his stomach, glanced at the young butler rolling on the floor and swallowed hard.

The butler’s report was accurate to the last detail. It matched what he had seen.

Wings made of 44 Aura Arrows. Everyone was frozen under Keter’s overwhelming presence, like rabbits before a lion.

In broad daylight, on a bustling street, amidst countless onlookers, they screamed in panic and ran like dogs with their tails on fire.

Keter even declared to Marquis Galahind, “I won’t stop. You shouldn’t stop either.” This was the truth witnessed by the soldiers, the truth everyone saw.

But Galahind couldn’t accept it.

Keter, from the lawless city of Absinthe, a mere lowly bastard—had brought a recommendation letter from the former Southern Sword, Jairo, and with the support of the Eastern Shield, Minerva, joined the Southern Sword Tournament as an independent participant.

Moreover, he had the audacity to suppress Galahind’s soldiers with sheer presence and humiliate them!

“K-K-Keter…”

The middle-aged soldier thought of his wife and children. Their faces overlapped with Galahind’s furious expression, clouding his vision.

“…he ambushed us cowardly.”

“What?!”

“He took the Hundred-Man Commander, who had politely requested a conversation, as a hostage… and swung his sword wildly!”

“I knew it! That’s more like it!”

“Keter, who took the Hundred-Man Commander hostage, beat us mercilessly. Because the Hundred-Man Commander was taken hostage… we had no choice but to take the hits. So, we had no choice but to flee.”

“So, Keter is a despicable, honorless scum, a rotten fish head, is that what you’re saying?”

“…Yes. Keter is trash, like a back-alley thug.”

“Good, I knew it.”

The middle-aged soldier sighed in relief. Galahind didn’t want to hear the objective truth after all.

Satisfied with what he wanted to hear, Galahind kicked the fallen butler lightly.

“Get out.”

“Ugh, yes…”

The butler, supported by the middle-aged soldier, left the office. Once they were gone, Galahind pressed his forehead.

“Hoo, I’m boiling with anger. On top of that, someone else took Magenta’s Ruin Map, which is already irritating me.”

Galahind, holding a luxurious cigar decorated with gold, had a knight beside him light it with a match.

“Marquis. Even if the soldiers were mistaken about Keter creating 44 Aura Arrows, the fact that he created Aura Arrows at all is likely true. It means Keter is at least a 3-Star Knight or higher.”

“I know that much.”

“…!”

“Damn it, who do you think you’re praising in front of me? Some bastard’s illegitimate child? You useless fools! Spouting lies just because you got scared! This is why commoners shouldn’t be kept around.”

The knight guarding Marquis Galahind was also of common birth, but Galahind didn’t care about such things. Even if he knew, he wouldn’t have paid any attention.

“Even if that brat is a 4-Star, it doesn’t matter. In this world, money is everything. That brat from the lawless city just got lucky and became strong.”

Galahind, after taking a single puff of his expensive cigar, threw it on the ground and laughed arrogantly.

“Even if he’s a 5-Star Master, I’ll show him how powerless he is before the power of money.”

Galahind thought Keter was just a strong fool. After all, Keter was the one who secretly took and sold the ‘Magenta’s Ruin Map,’ a treasure of Sephira.

“You thought you were clever by joining as an independent, but that was your mistake, Keter. I’ll make you pay dearly for daring to provoke me.”

Galahind thought defeating Anis and Taragon in this tournament would be as easy as flipping his hand. So, he didn’t plan to go all out in this tournament.

But his mind changed.

“Distribute Rage Potions to the knights.”

At Galahind’s command, the guarding knight’s brow furrowed.

The potions and elixirs circulating in the market, often called miracle potions, were made by a group of alchemists called ‘Fenecia.’

The Rage Potion was created by a researcher from Fenecia who stole the recipe. It grants the drinker immense power.

However, it’s still in the prototype stage. The side effects are enormous.

‘A potion that ages the body by 10 years and drains 5 years’ worth of aura… and he’s giving it to his knights? He’s insane.’

The guarding knight knew exactly what Galahind was thinking.

To him, even the knights were just expendable. Like parts that could be mass-produced as long as there was money.

“Understood.”

But from the guarding knight’s perspective, he didn’t feel particularly sorry for them. They knew Galahind’s personality and still chose to stay by his side.

Of course, that included himself.

* * *

The Southern Sword Tournament was just around the corner.

Mail summoned Keter, Anis, and Taragon, who were participating in the tournament, to the meeting room in the guest room.

“You probably already know most of this, but I’ll explain the schedule and rules of the Southern Sword Tournament one more time. If you have any questions or don’t understand something, ask right away.”

While Anis and Taragon were preparing for the tournament, Mail had gathered information about it. Catherine also helped organize the information, so there was nothing he didn’t know.

“The Southern Sword Tournament consists of three matches. The preliminary round, ‘Battle Royale.’ The second match, ‘Team Tournament,’ and the third match, ‘Individual Tournament.’ Each match is ranked, and points are awarded. The participant with the highest total points from all matches becomes the Southern Sword.”

When no one asked any questions, Mail continued.

“There were originally 255 participants, but with Keter joining midway, it’s now 256. Of course, not all of these participants will compete at once. They’re divided into three groups: Group A and Group B with 90 participants each, and Group C with 76.”

Anis and Taragon were in Group A.

Keter was in Group B.

“In principle, killing is prohibited. Attacking a surrendered opponent is also prohibited. On the first day, Group A competes, followed by Group B the next day, and Group C on the final day. A week later, the second match, the Team Tournament, begins.”

Again, there were no questions. Everyone already knew these details.

“If you don’t attend the match on the day of the tournament, it’s considered a forfeit. If you’re severely injured or have personal reasons, you can be completely excluded from the tournament midway.”

Anis crossed his arms and said,

“It’s a perfect rule for dirty tricks.”

“Right. The hostile nobles will torment us. No, they were planning to.”

The three brothers looked at Keter. Since they were staying in Eslow’s palace, they didn’t need to worry about interference from hostile nobles, so their gazes carried gratitude.

Keter winked in response.

Mail cleared his throat and continued.

“The tournament roster has been released, and I’ll tell you who to be especially careful of. First, in Group A, there’s Sword Dragon Rajis and Dragon Spear Jordic. There are rumors that Sword Dragon Rajis has become a 5-Star Master. Jordic is said to be a 4-Star.”

Hearing that Sword Dragon and Dragon Spear were in his group, Anis smiled with a competitive spirit, while Taragon sighed with concern.

“Don’t just focus on Sword Dragon and Dragon Spear. Count Jephyrus’ Knight Order’s Captain Regan and Marquis Garcia’s Polka are also 4-Star Knights, and they’re experienced veterans.”

“We’ll keep that in mind, Brother.”

“And in Group B, where Keter is, there’s Red Wolf Pasian. He’s from the Orichalcon Mercenaries and is the oldest participant at 29, barely making the age limit. Being a mercenary and older, he’s probably the most experienced in this tournament.”

“As experienced as Keter? Haha.”

At Taragon’s words, Mail shook his head.

“Don’t get overconfident. Keter has a lot of knowledge, but he’s still only eighteen.”

“He’s not wrong, Keter. Don’t let your guard down.”

Anis also gave Keter serious advice, but Keter, while listening, played with Anis’s hair, twirling it around his finger.

Mail pretended not to see Anis grumbling about it.

“The first match, Battle Royale, will be held on a deserted island, not in this city. All participants will be teleported there. Each participant will be given a badge, and you can earn points by escaping through the exit in the center of the island while collecting badges.”

2 badges = 1 point

3 badges = 2 points

5 badges = 3 points

10 badges = 5 points

And the highest score, 7 points, can be obtained by collecting 20 badges.

Taragon raised his hand and asked,

“Is there a time limit?”

“Hmm. It starts at 10 AM and ends at 6 PM, lasting a total of 8 hours. It seems to be timed with the sunset.”

“Thank you.”

The second and third matches, being tournaments, didn’t have complicated rules.

However, the Team Tournament is divided into two groups, while the Individual Tournament involves all participants together.

This means that in the first and second matches, there can be multiple first places. But in the third match, there’s only one first and second place, so the winner is definitively decided.

“Lastly, there are restrictions on equipment. Artifacts cannot be used, and magical tools are only allowed up to level 2. Keter, you understand what that means, right? If you use Amaranth, you’ll be disqualified.”

Keter shrugged.

“I wasn’t planning to use it anyway.”

“Good. Also, only two potions or elixirs can be used during the match. That’s fortunate for us.”

Sephira was short on elixirs. Basil had only managed to prepare ten bottles this time. Other upper nobles probably prepared at least thirty bottles.

Anis placed the Blue Steel Arrows Vulkanus had prepared on the table and asked,

“Will there be any issues with using special arrows, Brother?”

“There’s no such rule. The auxiliary tools section only prohibits explosives and scrolls, but daggers and hand axes are allowed, so there shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Thank you.”

“Any more questions?”

Mail, skipping Keter, asked Anis and Taragon. The two brothers shook their heads.

“We’ve prepared thoroughly, even in this short time. Now, we just have to show what we’ve got.”

“Even if I die, I won’t regret it.”

This was the first time Sephira was participating in the Southern Sword Tournament. Being Sephira’s first representatives placed a tremendous burden and tension on Anis and Taragon.

Of course, they were still nervous.

But it was the right kind of tension. The kind that pushes you to do your best.

Of course—

“If you’re done talking, let’s eat.”

That didn’t apply to Keter.

* * *

The day of the Southern Sword Tournament.

Hundreds of thousands of kingdom citizens and hundreds of noble guests filled the spectator seats.

For some reason, they were quiet. Even their movements were cautious, as if they were afraid to blink. It was because of the lord, Eslow, who stood on the podium.

It was highly unusual for Eslow to appear at the tournament. What could Eslow possibly say? Everyone was tense and excited.

“My daughter, Henya, is participating in this Southern Sword Tournament.”

“…?!”

At Eslow’s sudden bombshell, the crowd was speechless, their eyes wide.

Even the nobles who didn’t know about this were no different. They had no idea what was going on.

“Do not show her any favoritism. I will not forgive it.”

That was it. Eslow’s speech was over.

My daughter is participating, and if you show her favoritism, I won’t forgive you.

Short but impactful.

“Woo… Wooaaah!”

“The lord’s daughter is participating in the tournament?!”

“What luck!”

Only after Eslow had completely left did the spectators cheer and get excited.

A female knight participating in the tournament. Moreover, that female knight being the daughter of Weapon Master Eslow. What kind of performance would she show? Everyone was filled with anticipation.

Then, a large screen appeared in the center of the spectator seats.

Since the first match, Battle Royale, would be held on a deserted island, the match would be broadcast live via magic screens.

For commoners, they would watch the match together on a single large screen. But nobles were provided with individual screens.

Among them, upper nobles could watch multiple participants simultaneously on several individual screens from luxurious viewing seats.

Even though the Lilian Kingdom generally shunned magic, they couldn’t give up the convenience of magic in this regard.

The faces of all the knights participating in the tournament flashed across the large screen.

Below each face, a subtitle briefly displayed information about the knight: their star rank, which family they belonged to, and any titles they held.

While commoners looked at the 256 participants on the large screen, nobles focused on a few key participants.

The most likely winner, 5-Star Master Sword Dragon Rajis Garcia, and the knights of Marquis Galahind. Then there was Red Wolf Pasian. And finally, the Witch of the Sword Henya, whose participation was only revealed on the day of the tournament.

Next, the nobles’ attention turned to the 4-Star Knights with varying degrees of fame.

And finally, without a doubt, Keter.

Keter was notable for several reasons.

As the seller of Sword Saint Magenta’s Ruin Map, as the troublemaker who caused chaos at the Red Siren, and finally, as the successor who brought the recommendation letter of the former Southern Sword, Jairo.

“So that’s Keter.”

“He doesn’t look that impressive.”

“You can’t judge someone with aura by their appearance. Hoho.”

“I’m looking forward to hearing his screams.”

Originally, the attention should have been on Sephira’s two brothers, Anis and Taragon, but it was relatively less.

The current time was 8 AM.

Only two hours remained until the start of the first match.

All participants had already been teleported to the deserted island and were preparing in their individual waiting rooms.

Anis was calmly checking his equipment. His quiver, arrows, spare dagger, and belt were all meticulously inspected.

“Hoo.”

Anis exhaled shortly and let his pounding heart be.

‘Get excited now, my body.’

As he gave his body time to adjust—

Someone knocked on the waiting room door.

“Knight Anis. Tournament official here. I’ll come in for a moment.”

It wasn’t a request for permission, but a statement. Anis frowned.

The door opened immediately, and the official entered. Anis tensed, wondering if it was sabotage from hostile nobles.

But the man who entered was empty-handed.

“Knight Anis. Are these all the items you have?”

The official pointed to the bow and arrows and asked out of the blue. Anis nodded.

“Yes.”

“I’ll take them.”

“…What?”

“You must not have heard. The tournament rules have changed this year. Instead of starting with your weapons and items, they will be scattered across the island. You, along with all other participants, will have to search the island for your weapons and supplies to use.”

At the official’s words, Anis’s veins bulged, and the corners of his eyes twitched.

For a swordsman to be without a sword and an archer to be without a bow and arrows—the weight of that is different. Archers rarely train for close combat, after all. Of course, Anis was proficient in close combat, but not as much as a swordsman.

Even if he weaponized his aura, a swordsman only needs to create a sword, while an archer has to create both a bow and arrows, using three times as much aura as a swordsman.

In prolonged battles or chaotic fights, the difference in aura usage would only grow.

This was clearly a malicious rule change targeting Sephira.

Anis was filled with curses, but he didn’t let them escape his lips.

The tournament was about to start. Did they expect Sephira to revert the rules back? Not a chance.

‘No one will take our side. Even if we complain about the unfairness, they’ll just tell us to forfeit if we don’t like it. The hostile nobles would want that the most.’

Anis opened his mouth to clarify the changed rules.

“Understood. But at least leave the bow and arrows together, right?”

The official, with a sorry-but-it-can’t-be-helped expression, said,

“I’m sorry, but according to the new rules, arrows are classified as auxiliary tools, so the bow and arrows won’t be in the same location.”

Anis, who had never cursed despite his noble upbringing—

“F*ck.”

This time, he couldn’t hold back.