Chapter 166

Chapter 167. Can You Feel the Difference in Power? (6)

“Woo! Find Keter! Find him!”

“We want to see the match between Keter and Rajis!”

The audience stood up and shouted. The referee hurriedly intervened.

“According to the team tournament rules, even if a team member is absent for personal reasons, the match will continue. So, we will proceed with the match as is.”

Despite this, the audience grew even more agitated.

“How can we win against Rajis without Keter? It’s an obvious match!”

“Something’s fishy from the start. Why would a strong contender suddenly not show up? Did the nobles pull some dirty trick?”

Face-to-face, the citizens would never dare to insult the nobles.

But with tens of thousands of excited citizens gathered, they didn’t hold back.

It was clear from the previous Battle Royal that the nobles had played dirty to corner Sephira.

Then.

Boom!

A heavy sound echoed through the arena. Rajis, standing on the ring, struck the ground with his sword.

All eyes turned to Rajis. He spoke calmly.

“Sir Keter would never miss the tournament without a good reason.”

“…!”

“How would you know that, Sir Rajis?”

Despite the murmurs, Rajis continued with unwavering eyes.

“Just today, in the first match, Sir Keter was attacked by assassins. We don’t know who sent them, but Keter continued the match without questioning the officials.”

“Assassins?!”

“How could assassins appear in a sacred tournament?”

The audience didn’t think Rajis was lying. Despite his ugly appearance, Rajis was a perfect noble in every other way. He had earned their trust.

“Even after being ambushed by assassins, Sir Keter attended the match. There’s no reason for him to miss the finals without a good reason. There must be a very important reason.”

“…!”

“So, in this final, I will also withdraw. That’s only fair.”

“Sir Rajis!”

The audience admired Rajis’s resolve.

Of course, Rajis’s teammates looked like they had bitten into something bitter.

* * *

“Keter. Is it okay for you to be here like this?”

A shabby tavern on the outskirts of the city.

Ultima, who had just downed a beer, waved the screen above his head.

“You missed the finals, and everyone’s going crazy.”

Keter sat across from Ultima.

“Who cares?”

Keter gulped down a straight shot of strong whiskey and chewed on some dried meat. Despite making it to the team tournament finals, Keter had come to the tavern where Ultima was staying.

“Wasn’t your goal to become the Southern Sword? Even if you lose, you’ll still be second.”

“If I win the individual tournament, I’ll still be the overall champion.”

“Is that so?”

Ultima checked the scoreboard.

The Battle Royal first place was worth 7 points.

The team tournament first place was worth 8 points, second place 7 points.

The individual tournament first place was worth 10 points, second place 9 points.

Keter, who had earned 7 points in the Battle Royal, secured second place by advancing to the team tournament finals. That meant he earned an additional 7 points. And if he won the individual tournament, he would have a total of 24 points.

Even if someone from another group won both the Battle Royal and the team tournament, earning 15 points, since there’s only one group in the individual tournament, only one person can win.

“Huh? Keter. Even if you win the individual tournament and get 24 points, if someone from another group wins both the Battle Royal and the team tournament, they’d have 15 points. If that person gets second place in the individual tournament, they’d earn 9 points, totaling 24 points. You’d be tied.”

“Tournament Rule 9, Clause 24. If there’s a tie after the final match, the participant with the highest score in the individual tournament wins.”

“Did you memorize all the tournament rules?”

“Sort of?”

“I don’t care if you win first place. But from Sephira’s perspective, wouldn’t it look better to win first place in all matches?”

“That’s Sephira’s perspective, not mine.”

“You’re a weird guy. I thought you were addicted to people’s praise.”

Keter received a lot of cheers in the Battle Royal and team tournament. He attracted a lot of attention. So, it made sense.

But Keter waved it off.

“Ultima, you’ve lost your touch. Do you think I’m doing this for fame? Fame is just a side effect.”

Keter joined the tournament solely to become the Southern Sword. The praise from people was just a bonus.

What’s more important than fame is whether it’s fun. Look at the final opponent. It’s Rajis, who’s exhausted from fighting Henya.

Even if I lose here and get second place, as long as I win the individual tournament, the Southern Sword is mine.

In other words, for Keter, this final was just a waste of time, with no fun or excitement.

“Anyway, Keter. Just asking… Have you heard the rumors about nobles going missing and undead appearing in the city lately?”

Ultima, sensitive to information, thought that the series of events happening in the city might be related to Keter.

Keter, noticing this, tilted his head.

“No, why are you suspecting me? Where else would you find a noble as kind as me?”

“…If you get annoyed, you’d kill even the Upper Nobles.”

“Of course. But not now.”

“Then you should be careful. The missing cases are one thing, but the appearance of undead is no small matter.”

“Probably Ayrus’s doing.”

“Ayrus? That singing lunatic, Ayrus?”

Ultima knew Keter, and just as Ayrus seemed to know Keter, Ultima also knew Ayrus.

“He died by your hand, didn’t he?”

“I thought you came out of Ruquer with me, but I guess not.”

“Hmm, the Grand Duke doesn’t tell me everything either…”

Ultima downed his beer, and Keter his whiskey.

Crunch, chew

The conversation paused as they ate their snacks, but neither of them minded.

“Keter. The match is over. Your team lost. Second place.”

Ultima, who had been watching the match on the screen, informed Keter, but Keter didn’t even respond. It was the reaction of someone who had completely lost interest.

Keter, who is infinitely indifferent to things he doesn’t care about, wouldn’t even blink if someone died next to him.

Creepy.

Ultima sometimes, no, always thought that Keter’s gaze sent shivers down his spine.

‘Undead or whatever, you’re the scariest, Keter…’

Knowing that the city’s atmosphere was ominous, but what was truly ominous was Keter, Ultima decided not to bother.

‘If Keter becomes the Southern Sword, the Aleron Company will be mine. If I can fully absorb the company, I can break free from Galahind’s control. Hehehe.’

Ultima also thought that his own wealth and glory were far more important than the missing cases or the appearance of undead.

“But did you really come to me just to get a bottle of booze?”

Ultima, who had drunk quite a bit of beer, wasn’t drunk at all. He never drinks enough to get drunk in front of others.

Keter narrowed his eyes.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Do you think I came to you just to get a bottle of booze?”

Whoosh!

Keter threw an empty whiskey bottle at Ultima.

Ultima, catching the empty bottle, swallowed hard.

“I came to get three bottles, not one.”

* * *

That night, at the top floor of the Tremond Hotel where Sephira’s party was staying.

Mail tried to sleep, but couldn’t, so he was out on the terrace, enjoying the night breeze.

“Phew… There’s so much to worry about just for one tournament. I don’t know how Father and Brother Hisop managed.”

The Team Tournament Group A match was over. Keter’s team came in second, and Anis’s team managed a mid-tier finish.

What was bothering him were things outside the tournament. The hostility and jealousy of the hostile nobles. And now, the overwhelming attention from the audience.

Amidst all this, with the missing cases and the appearance of undead, the nobles were gathering their forces, making it all the more stressful.

“They wouldn’t just attack us recklessly. This is Lord Eslow’s city.”

Then perhaps… are they planning to ambush us outside the city?

Mail couldn’t tell if this was just unnecessary worry or a legitimate concern.

“Damn, my head feels like it’s splitting.”

Thinking that his family, and even the entire Sephira, could be in danger, the weight on his shoulders was heavy.

“Keter, you weirdo. Where did you go this time?”

“Went to meet a friend.”

It was just a mutter, but a reply came from behind. Mail’s heart sank for a moment.

“Keter!”

“Why aren’t you sleeping, Brother?”

“You calling me brother… It’s not easy to get used to. And that’s what I wanted to ask you. Why did you suddenly leave the match…”

Mail was about to bombard Keter with questions but stopped himself.

“Never mind, it’s fine. You wouldn’t tell me anyway.”

“Why get excited and then disappointed?”

“I smell alcohol. I just thought you must have had a tough time.”

“No tough times, just days when I want to get really drunk.”

“…Did you leave the match in the middle to drink?”

“I’m good at drinking, but don’t make me out to be an alcoholic. It’s just that drinking is more fun than the finals.”

The quiet night, the cool breeze, and Keter’s relaxed attitude forced Mail’s inner thoughts to surface.

“Keter, how… how can you be so calm?”

Mail’s suppressed anxiety exploded, and his voice gradually rose.

“The eyes of the citizens gathered from all over the country, the attention of the nobles, it’s all suffocating. And there are many nobles who openly show hostility towards us. Is that all? Now, in this city, nobles are going missing, and undead are appearing. Did you see the soldiers everywhere? What if they suddenly turn on us? Of course, you’d survive on your own, but we… we, Sephira…!”

His eyes were bloodshot, and his fists were clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, drawing blood.

No matter how much he tried to act like an adult, Mail was young. No matter how many books he read, he lacked real-life experience. Knowing and doing are on different levels.

Anis and Taragon are also struggling. However, they had received mental training from Keter before joining the tournament, and they were less affected because they were focused solely on the tournament.

An awkward atmosphere flowed between Keter and Mail.

Then, Mail suddenly realized his mistake. He felt guilty for letting his emotions get the better of him and saying things he shouldn’t have.

‘Right now, Keter must be the one suffering the most among us. I messed up.’

Keter is the one receiving the most attention in this tournament and is the primary target of the hostile nobles.

Mail could feel it in his bones. The reason they were so safe was entirely thanks to Keter.

But since Keter didn’t mention it, the Triad of Sephira didn’t either.

“I’m sorry, Keter. I must have gone crazy for a moment.”

As Mail bowed his head to apologize-

Keter raised his hand to stop him.

“Brother. From what I’ve experienced, what’s going to happen will happen anyway. Well, this tournament is complicated, right? As soon as we arrived in the city, we were insulted, couldn’t find a hotel, and ended up at the palace. And now, here we are, talking on this chilly terrace in the middle of the night.”

“…”

Memories flashed through Mail’s mind like a kaleidoscope.

The humiliation and despair he felt when they first arrived in the city.

When Keter suggested going to the palace, and when they actually entered the palace, the fear he felt upon meeting Lord Eslow…

There were many incidents during the Battle Royal. Even during the breaks in the tournament, days passed in the blink of an eye, and distracting events kept happening.

But in the end, when he thought about it, there was nothing Mail could have done about those events. They just happened. Mail merely experienced them.

“Focus on what you can do, what you must do, Brother. Don’t worry about things you can’t control. It’s no help in life.”

“…Ha, haha.”

Hearing Keter’s words, Mail felt a bit lighter, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his chest.

“Still, it’s weird hearing you call me brother. I should be calling you brother.”

“I’m a bit special.”

“At this rate, I don’t know who’s drunk.”

“Nothing clears your mind like drinking.”

Coming to his senses, Mail suddenly thought this was the perfect opportunity. There was something he really wanted to ask Keter.

Late at night. No one around, and Keter seemed in a good mood. Mail had also unburdened his heart and felt lighter.

He was sure he wouldn’t get another chance like this.

“Keter… There’s something I want to ask you. I hope you’ll answer.”

“Then now’s the perfect time. I’ll listen once before bed.”

“You and I haven’t even known each other for half a year. We’ve never had a proper conversation. I don’t know what food you like, what habits you have. But one thing, living in this city, I’ve realized.”

Mail took a deep breath and continued.

“You’re not someone who gets tied down. You’re endlessly free. But now, for some reason, you’re tied to Sephira.”

Mail, with a slightly nervous face, observed Keter’s reaction before finishing.

“Keter. What exactly is your purpose for staying with Sephira and working so hard for us?”

“That’s a sharp question.”

Despite Mail’s serious tone, Keter winked.

“But Brother, are you prepared?”

“Prepared…?”

“In this world, there are truths that are better left unknown.”

At that moment, Mail realized something new.

Without using harsh words-

Without frowning-

Without raising his voice-

Even in ordinary everyday conversations, one could feel fear.

Swish.

Keter, who had been in the shadows, stepped into the moonlight where Mail was and smiled.

“Can you handle my secret, Mail?”