Chapter 162

Chapter 163. Can You Feel the Difference in Power? (2)

Norman asked Keter if he wasn’t curious about his true identity, and Keter replied that he would figure it out himself.

What could that mean?

“Are you going to torture me until I talk?”

Keter also stood up.

“Not torture, I just won’t stop hitting you until you confess.”

“Heh, hehehe! Hehehehe!”

Norman, who was laughing with his mouth shut, had an eerie look in his eyes. The killing intent emanating from his body alone made the atmosphere tremble.

Keter, Kai, and Rajis, who were present, were all transcendent beings from a human perspective. Yet, they felt tense. That’s how intense Norman’s killing intent was.

The five assassins who had attacked Keter were 3-star level strong ones, but just hearing Norman’s laughter mixed with killing intent made their hearts stop and they died.

Even if they had been beaten to near death by Keter, the killing intent that could kill a 3-star strong one with just laughter was something no human could possess.

“Hah… This is the first time in my life I’ve been so ignored by a human, so I laughed for a while.”

Norman blatantly revealed that he wasn’t human.

But for Keter, who had already figured out that Norman, or rather his true identity, wasn’t human, it wasn’t a topic of interest.

“Done showing off? If you’re done talking, leave. As you can see, there are still two more waiting.”

“I’m looking forward to when your composure shatters. What expression will you make in the face of death?”

“You’re seeing it now.”

“Forget the tournament, I want to tear you apart right here and now… but that wouldn’t be a human way.”

As Norman left the waiting room, he added one last word.

“See you at the tournament, Keter.”

Norman left with the implication that he wouldn’t let Keter escape if he ran. Watching this, Kai subtly remarked.

“You’ve been marked by a troublesome guy.”

Kai didn’t know Norman’s true identity. But from the nuance of Norman’s words and the killing intent he exuded, he sensed that Norman was not human.

‘Non-human species, unlike pure humans, have many peculiarities and variables, making them troublesome.’

Most non-human species are special. It’s natural for them to have better physical abilities than humans, and there are many cases where abilities that only a few humans possess are granted to the entire race.

Moreover, it’s impossible to infer what kind of non-human species Norman is.

You can’t simply categorize him as a 4-star or 5-star. Anomalies unrelated to strength can surpass strength itself.

Keter’s reaction to this was—

Indifference.

“You know the saying that butterflies are attracted to flowers? That’s wrong. All kinds of bugs are attracted to flowers. Just bugs? People also pay more attention to beautiful flowers and try to pluck them.”

Keter didn’t bother to find out why Norman, whom he had never met, was obsessed with him. It was clearly for petty reasons like envy and jealousy.

He had experienced it countless times in Ruquer. Those who envied his freedom and tried to take it away.

That’s why Keter wasn’t very curious about Norman’s true identity.

‘Whether he’s Philip or not, what race he is, why he’s pretending to be human and participating in the tournament, what do I care?’

If he wants to be an ally, he should say so himself, and if he’s an enemy, I’ll just beat him up.

“Ah, my chair and table are dead.”

As soon as he entered the private waiting room, the assassins who were hiding attacked, and all the furniture in the waiting room except the sofa was destroyed. So now, he was using the assassins as chairs and tables, but Norman killed them.

Keter was more annoyed that the assassins he was using as chairs and tables were dead than by Norman’s identity and declaration of war.

Meanwhile, Rajis was confused.

‘Is Norman not human?’

Rajis had already been keeping an eye on Norman. But after hearing his story here, Norman didn’t feel human.

He needed to investigate. The opponent was a non-human species pretending to be human, with cruel methods.

But not now. He couldn’t afford to be distracted.

The reason Rajis came here—

It was to give Keter a heads-up about the shocking information he had heard from his friend Jordic.

Of course, if he spoke directly, not only himself but also Jordic, who provided the information, could be held accountable, so he planned to speak indirectly.

“Prince Keter. This time, I will speak.”

“Make it short, make it short. The next guest’s patience is on the verge of running out.”

As Keter said, Kai is not in a position to leisurely listen to others’ stories. His every second is as valuable as gold. Yet, he waits because Keter is worth it.

Taking a deep breath, Rajis spoke in as calm a tone as possible.

“After this tournament. Sephira will receive a ‘proposal’ from our Garcia family. Please remember, you must refuse that proposal.”

Rajis spoke very seriously.

Keter also responded seriously.

“If you lump it all together as a ‘proposal,’ how am I supposed to know? If you’re going to tell me, say it all clearly, don’t be vague and annoying.”

“…I have my reasons. And I’m trying to help Sephira.”

“Why? Do you owe Sephira?”

“It’s not a material reason. It’s for justice.”

Rajis emphasized the word justice. Keter looked at Rajis with a disgusted expression.

“Here it comes again. That damn justice. You know what? People who say they’re doing something for justice are all crazy.”

“I’m different.”

“Everyone goes to the academy and gets educated, saying the same thing without a single mistake.”

“…I came here risking danger to help you. But you don’t trust me.”

Rajis thought Keter was mocking him because he thought his words were lies.

“Of course I don’t trust you. Would you trust me? And even if it’s true, the reason you want to help is ridiculous. What, justice? So, you’re saying what Sephira is going through now is unjust?”

“Yes. It’s unjust. Didn’t you feel it too? The unfairness Sephira faced in this tournament. And it’s not over yet. Look now. Didn’t you get attacked by assassins? There’s more to come. Unless Sephira is a villain, it’s a family that has always shown goodwill to the kingdom’s people and made concessions to the nobles. Trying to destroy such a Sephira is clearly not justice.”

“Ridiculous. Sorry, old man, but wait a bit longer. I can’t stand seeing guys like this.”

Keter, asking Kai for understanding, cracked his neck and did some warm-up exercises.

Rajis was nervous.

‘If words don’t work, there’s no choice but to use fists,’ he thought, and the person who might start a fight here and now was Keter, as Rajis saw him.

But it was all baseless speculation. No one knows what Keter will do. Even Maknun, who has lived with him for decades, sometimes can’t predict Keter’s actions.

Thud.

Keter, sitting cross-legged on the floor, slapped the floor and spoke.

“Come here and sit.”

* * *

Rajis was dumbfounded. It felt like being scolded by a wise elder.

“Rajis, was it? I don’t mind you meddling in our affairs, but your justification is rotten. For justice? That lukewarm, half-baked reason makes me furious. If you want to be friends with Sephira and help personally, that’s clean. But justice? Justice? Explain what that great justice is.”

Keter wasn’t particularly forceful or loud, but Rajis’s voice trembled as if he were standing in a courtroom.

“That, I didn’t mention earlier. Sephira is a family with deep public support, a model for nobles. Trying to destroy such a family just for personal greed is clearly unjust and against justice.”

“Did you check? Did you personally confirm with your own eyes that Sephira has deep public support and is a model for nobles?”

“I didn’t need to check, it’s clear from the reactions around and historical records.”

“So, you’re saying you only believe what you see on the surface and what others say?”

“Well, yes, but……”

“And why is human greed unjust? That’s what I dislike the most. Human greed is natural. Look at yourself. You’re wearing nice clothes, and from your skin, it seems you use very luxurious bath products. You must eat the finest food too. That’s all greed. Wanting to eat delicious food, wear nice clothes, look down on people from a higher position. The desire to be safe. All of that is human instinct and desire. But you’re calling such actions unjust. Isn’t that contradictory?”

“Wh-what are you talking about?”

Rajis genuinely didn’t understand. For someone who lived in noble society, Keter’s theory was too advanced for him to grasp.

Keter, noticing Rajis’s confusion, changed his tone.

“Listen. You might not relate, but you’re starving right now. If you don’t eat something immediately, you’ll starve to death. But there’s a bread stall right in front of you. Oh no, you have no money? Nothing that could be money either. So what should you do?”

“Well… I’d explain my situation and ask for bread.”

Rajis unconsciously started speaking formally to Keter, who was younger than him.

“What if they don’t give it? What if they tell you to get lost?”

“Then……”

Rajis was at a loss for words. If you’re starving to death, have no money, and the other party shows no mercy, what should you do?

“You know the answer but pretend not to. Steal it. Or take it by force. Then, by your standards, that’s not justice. So, is it right to die to uphold justice?”

“…Starving to death is a matter of life and death. But greed has nothing to do with life and death, right?”

Thinking he couldn’t just take it, Rajis racked his brain to counter. But Keter had heard this argument dozens of times.

“Life and death aren’t just about having enough to eat. This also needs to be satisfied.”

Tap tap.

Keter tapped his head.

“Or here, for some people.”

This time, he pointed at Rajis’s chest.

“People need a reason to live. Why do we live? Why are you alive? It’s because you have something you want.”

“Something… I want……”

“And that goal has no end. Even if it ends, you create a new goal. That’s how I see people. They keep finding purposes and living for them until they die. That purpose is, of course, very personal. Sometimes trivial. Some things don’t involve others, but most things end up involving others. Then, what should we do? Should we yield? Should we fight back? Whatever it is, it’s also that person’s choice.”

“…….”

Rajis’s pupils trembled. He had never heard such a high-level life theory in his life. He never imagined he’d hear it from Keter, of all people.

“Therefore, the nobles attacking our Sephira is also ‘the law of nature.’ The desire to oppress the relatively weak Sephira and gain benefits. There’s nothing strange about it. Of course—”

Keter raised his fist.

“Retaliating against that is also our Sephira’s natural action.”

“The law of… nature……”

Rajis, with a dazed look, pondered Keter’s words about the ‘law of nature.’

“Alright.”

Keter stood up, grabbed Rajis’s shoulder, and pulled him up, then pushed him out of the waiting room.

“In conclusion, I refuse the meaningless help you’re trying to give us, Sephira, based on your flimsy justice that arbitrarily designates us as weak. Go out and think as much as you want.”

Thud!

After sending Rajis away, Keter wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“Whew, now two are gone……”

Keter glanced at Kai.

Kai realized that he had definitely changed after meeting Keter.

He didn’t need a mirror to know. He was surely making a very subtle expression.

“So, why did you come to see me, old man? If it’s about the Decameron, I can’t give it back. No. Go away.”

“Decameron? Did you name number 3?”

“Calling people by numbers. I’ve been called that, and it feels really bad. So I gave him a suitable name.”

“What does it mean?”

“That’s something he’ll have to figure out.”

“Keter. The more I know you, the more incomprehensible you become.”

“I’m serious about not having time.”

Keter pointed to the screen showing the tournament broadcast. There was also a bracket, and combining the information, the next match was Keter’s team’s turn.

Kai nodded and said.

“I couldn’t say what I wanted because of those weird guys. I’ll make it short. The Empire introduced you as an ally. The 6 million gold ‘support’ is proof, and giving you number 3 was under the pretext of surveillance.”

“Is this the time to praise me?”

“Keep listening. Based on my report, the higher-ups gave me an order. Keter, I’m not speaking as an individual, but as a representative of the Empire.”

Kai stood up, straightened his back, and spoke with a serious expression.

“How about working for the Empire’s Special Operations Unit?”