Chapter 180

Chapter 181. The Big Shot of Sephira (6)

With Norman’s annihilation as the starting point, the flow of the battlefield accelerated exponentially.

Thanks to the efforts of Master Henya and Rajis?

Thanks to the undead killers brought by Keter?

Thanks to the knights tactically pushing back the undead?

Everyone gathered here knows. The answer is none of the above.

In one corner of the battlefield, the corpses of the undead are piled up like a mountain. High-ranking undead with the bodies of high elves, the “Fallen Angels,” also lie dead.

On the other hand—

“……”

Eslow, who had dealt with four Fallen Angels and hundreds of undead, didn’t have a single scratch on his body. His clothes were just a bit dirtier.

Eslow glanced around and crossed the weapons in his hands.

Ziiiiing—!

The wave emanating from the crossed black double-edged axe and the intangible sword distorted the entire space.

After a brief resonance of about three seconds, Eslow swung the axe and intangible sword to the left and right.

Then, the darkness was torn apart.

Chuwaaaa!

A crack formed in the dark barrier, Deep Dark Fantasy. Through the crack, the darkness was sucked in exponentially and vanished.

Eslow threw the axe above his head. As the axe embedded itself in the air, spiderweb-like cracks appeared.

Crash!

With the sound of shattering glass, “Deep Dark Fantasy” completely collapsed. The sunlight from the outside world seeped in, gently erasing the remnants of darkness.

Kieeeek!

The undead, directly exposed to the sunlight, screamed in agony. The lower-ranked undead even began to burn.

The higher-ranked undead continued to move despite the sunlight, but their significant weakening was visible to the naked eye.

“The Lord has shattered the darkness! Everyone, charge!”

“Don’t let a single one escape!”

The knights, who were already gaining the upper hand, were now certain of victory and became excited.

And there were those who became even calmer.

“Maintain formation! Dealing with the undead is just a matter of time. We must not increase casualties with reckless charges.”

At Mail’s shout, the knights hesitated for a moment, then returned to a cautious stance.

“Indeed, there’s no need to take unnecessary risks.”

“He doesn’t seem very experienced, but such composure… His name is Mail, right?”

“Composure must be a trait of Sephira. The other knights of Sephira didn’t even blink when arrows missed.”

The knights maintained their formation, pressuring the undead while minimizing damage.

Meanwhile, Eslow flew towards the palace as soon as Deep Dark Fantasy was shattered. He was going to capture Ayrus, the mastermind behind all this.

Seeing this, Taragon approached Keter and said,

“Keter! The Lord has gone to the palace. Leave this to us, and you go too!”

At that, Keter looked at him as if to say, “Why should I go?”

“Huh?”

Taragon’s pupils trembled, not expecting to be questioned.

“It just seems like the right thing to do…”

If Keter, who had taken down Norman in one go, also dealt with Ayrus, he would undoubtedly be hailed as a hero.

Taragon hadn’t thought that far, but if Keter pursued Ayrus as he suggested, his reputation would skyrocket.

Keter, of course, knew this. That he could play the hero here and now. But that was just a foolish show.

Without a word, Keter waved his hand dismissively and looked around.

“It’s almost over.”

Under the sun, the undead’s immortality vanished, and they weakened. With the knights’ morale at its peak and the undead’s natural enemies joining forces, it was like snow meeting summer.

Crunch!

With the last skull knight’s head shattered, all the undead were eradicated.

“Haa, haa.”

“Huff, huff.”

“It’s over…!”

The knight who delivered the final blow gasped for breath and raised his sword. The other knights followed suit, lifting their swords and shouting.

“We’ve defeated all the undead!”

“This is our victory!”

“Uwaaaaah!”

If one were to nitpick, the true hero of the victory was someone else, but the knights all believed they were the main characters and shouted.

The surviving spectators also cheered in joy.

“We’re alive! We’re alive! Ahahahaha!”

“When I get back home, I’ll definitely confess to her!”

“Oh, Queen Lilian, thank you, thank you!”

“Thanks to Queen Lilian, we survived…”

Of course, not everyone was happy. Some were grieving and despairing.

“Father, open your eyes, Father!”

“My son! Ughhh!”

“My arm, my arm… Ughhh…”

The citizens who survived but lost something precious wept and wailed. All they could offer was a moment of silence and futile comfort.

For a moment, silence fell over the stadium, but the world doesn’t stop for sorrow and despair. One cannot remain immersed in grief forever.

The cleanup began.

* * *

Even amidst the chaos of treating the wounded, everyone’s attention was drawn to one place.

The Sun Church, the Deathstar Mercenary Band, and the Saint Zarbella Foundation.

And the one person facing these three groups, Keter, was the focus of the spectators’ gazes, filled with awe and curiosity.

The first to step forward was the Sun Church.

All the priests of the Sun Church were bald. Among them, a middle-aged man with the roundest head spoke to Keter.

“Archbishop Sunray of the Sun Church. On behalf of His Holiness the Pope, I extend our gratitude to Keter of Sephira for giving us the opportunity to eradicate the seeds of darkness.”

“Is His Holiness well?”

“Do you know His Holiness?”

“I asked because I don’t know.”

“Haha, you’re an interesting one. His Holiness is well.”

“That can’t be.”

“…?”

As Sunray made a puzzled expression, Keter didn’t press further.

Sunray, thinking Keter was joking, didn’t dwell on it and took out a necklace from his pocket. It was a necklace with a pendant symbolizing the Sun Church.

“Please accept this. It is a token of our fellowship. Although we have no church in the Lilian Kingdom, you will find great assistance in the Empire.”

Keter was the one who helped, so why was Sunray giving a reward? It was because the Sun Church had gained immensely from this battle.

First, the Sun Church considers dark mages as greater enemies than their parents’ murderers, and their doctrine is to kill any dark mage on sight. Thus, they are extremely sensitive to the whereabouts and eradication of dark mages.

But Keter wasn’t just any dark mage; he had informed them of the activities of Ayrus, a high-ranking dark mage.

Not only that, but he also showcased the Sun Church’s abilities in front of tens of thousands, spreading their influence.

Although the Lilian Kingdom doesn’t tolerate the Sun Church, that’s precisely why it’s significant.

In any case, the Sun Church’s missionary activities, which would have been impossible, were effectively legitimized thanks to Keter.

They protected people from the undead, thereby demonstrating the Sun Church’s might.

Of course, even so, they couldn’t openly worship the Sun Church, but some might secretly become followers. Either way, it greatly benefits the church.

Originally, the Sun Church, which focuses its activities in the Empire, couldn’t possibly be in the southern region of the Lilian Kingdom. They were operating in secret, spreading their influence from the shadows.

Sunray smiled benevolently, but beneath that, he was filled with suspicion towards Keter.

‘This Keter… How did he know that our Sun Church was operating in the shadows of this country? Moreover, he found us and initiated contact…’

While this incident greatly helped in spreading awareness of the Sun Church in the Lilian Kingdom, Sunray didn’t blindly trust Keter.

‘He might be an impure element colluding with dark mages.’

There was a possibility that Keter had ulterior motives to gain the Sun Church’s favor and destroy it from within. This wasn’t paranoia but something that had happened in history. Hence, Sunray gave Keter the Sun Church’s necklace.

If Keter truly was a dark mage’s subordinate and this was all a staged act, he would actively seek to build a relationship with the Sun Church.

“May the blessings of the Sun be with you.”

“Long live the Sun!”

The Sun Church priests chanted “Long live the Sun” one last time before leaving the scene. They had helped, but the Lilian Kingdom rejects the Sun Church.

Thus, the Sun Church departed.

Next was the Deathstar Mercenary Band.

“Leader of the Deathstar Mercenary Band, Grog.”

Grog was also bald like the Sun Church priests. But the difference was that his body was densely covered in tattoos.

Keter recognized that these tattoos weren’t just for intimidation but were protective runes against dark magic.

Grog introduced himself and extended his hand for a handshake, a mercenary’s greeting to show he carried no weapons and bore no hostility.

“Keter of Sephira.”

Keter accepted the handshake.

Thus, a childish contest of strength between men began implicitly. They subtly tested each other’s strength.

“…!”

Grog’s arm was twice as thick as Keter’s, but it was Grog who was sweating.

“…There’s a reason the regional head of the Lilian Kingdom’s mercenary branch has his eye on you.”

The Deathstar Mercenary Band had been introduced to Keter through the regional head of the Lilian Kingdom’s mercenary branch and had been hired.

“You didn’t earn your pay.”

At Keter’s words, Grog’s expression twisted.

“Are you saying the 20,000 gold we were hired for was a waste?”

“A waste? Because I hired ‘experts’ like you for ‘just’ 20,000 gold.”

“…?!”

Swish.

Keter took out a check from the Infinite Bank and handed it to Grog.

“Additional payment. It seems some of your tattoos got erased during the fight, and it’s bothering me. Please restore them.”

“If you’re worried about others’ opinions, there’s no need.”

“Fine, don’t take it.”

Keter doesn’t offer twice to those who refuse his goodwill. As he put the check back, Grog was taken aback.

“What are you doing? If you’re done, leave. Others are waiting.”

Keter pointed to the alchemists of the Saint Zarbella Foundation. Grog, after looking around, said,

“I’ll take the check.”

“Too late. Get it next time. If there is a next time.”

“……”

Grog, regretfully clicking his tongue, stepped back. Though they had only exchanged a few words, it was clear that Keter wasn’t one to mince words.

Finally, it was the turn of the Saint Zarbella Foundation’s alchemists.

“Second-grade alchemist of the Saint Zarbella Foundation, Natali. As per the contract, we will be taking the undead corpses.”

The Saint Zarbella Foundation is one of the top five alchemy groups in the world, with a keen interest in alchemy related to dark magic.

Keter had lured them with the promise of undead corpses.

Undead corpses are usually a nuisance. Just touching them can rot the skin, and leaving them unattended can cause plagues.

But for the Saint Zarbella Foundation’s alchemists, they were precious research specimens and alchemical materials.

Keter was happy to receive help, and the alchemists were delighted to obtain a wealth of materials.

“Taking the undead is fine, but clean up all the alchemy you used. Don’t leave even a single shard of a potion bottle on the ground.”

“…Understood.”

Alchemists aren’t mages. They can’t create something out of nothing. They only transform what already exists. They had transformed many things during the battle.

Restoring something transformed back to its original state is much harder than transforming it, but refusing Keter’s request in front of tens of thousands of spectators was unthinkable.

Thus, Keter finished the cleanup of the groups he had brought.

Those watching were so stunned their jaws dropped.

The Sun Church, though small in influence, is a powerful sect with its own nation. Keter had not only contacted their archbishop but also received compensation.

The Deathstar Mercenary Band isn’t that remarkable, but their regional head is. The regional head of the Lilian Kingdom’s mercenary branch holds influence comparable to a noble family. Even upper nobles can’t treat him lightly.

Such a person is close to Keter. In fact, he arranged the Deathstar Mercenary Band at Keter’s request.

Nobles and mercenaries usually don’t get along. They’re like cats and dogs. But Keter broke that norm.

The Saint Zarbella Foundation is also one of the top three alchemy groups in the world, known for being particularly eccentric. Yet, Keter treated them like subordinates.

At this point, everyone wondered.

Just where are Keter’s limits?

Overwhelming masters, dealing with the monstrous Norman in one blow.

Gaining the cooperation of prestigious groups.

And he was sociable too. Though not a talkative type, he exchanged words with many nobles during the tournament.

“He’s the complete opposite of the closed-off and insensitive Sephira.”

“He’s a man who possesses everything Sephira lacks.”

Those with insight accurately assessed Keter. The crowd agreed with their words.

Watching quietly, the Triad of Sephira felt their shoulders rise with pride, even though they weren’t the ones being praised. They were proud and happy that Keter was their brother.

Of course, being with him might cost them ten lives, but even though he’s a cheeky younger brother who calls them “brother” and even hits them…

‘Still, I like you, Keter.’

The intense attention of countless citizens and nobles focused on one person, Keter.

Only eighteen years old, an age where attention is craved but excessive attention makes one shrink, Keter smiled under the gaze of tens of thousands.

In such a situation, Keter couldn’t help but make a statement.

Whoosh.

Pointing at himself with a raised thumb, Keter shouted,

“Call me the Big Shot of Sephira.”