Chapter 211

Episode 212. Omniscient Maknun’s Perspective (2)

Hisop’s condition couldn’t even be called good by any stretch of the imagination.

The workload had already skyrocketed due to the Southern Sword Tournament incident, and now, with the added responsibility of hosting a party, things had gone from bad to worse.

The biggest headache was the attendance of Browning Family’s third son, Vector, and Princess Iris at the party.

Although Baiga had promised to teach all the party etiquette and customs, Hisop still couldn’t feel at ease.

“It’s incredibly uncomfortable that the fate of our family rests on him, and that we, the Sephira, know nothing about hosting parties.”

Despite his unease, Hisop never doubted or interfered with Baiga.

He had seen Baiga doing his best, and at the moment, Baiga was the only one Sephira could rely on.

*Throb.*

Feeling extreme fatigue in his eyes, Hisop put down the documents for a moment and lifted his head.

“Phew.”

*Knock knock.*

At that moment, the doorkeeper knocked on the door.

“Lord Hisop, Daat, a friend of Prince Keter, has requested an audience. What should we do?”

“…Daat, huh.”

Hisop instinctively knew. Daat hadn’t come just to say hello.

Even though they had never met or spoken before, the fact that Daat had come to see him just 30 minutes after arriving at Sephira from Ruquer meant that Daat was no ordinary person.

‘If he’s someone who hangs out with Keter, it’s only natural, right?’

*Tap, tap.*

Hisop tapped the table twice out of rhythm. It was a signal to meet here, where he was working, not in the reception room.

The doorkeeper, understanding the signal, opened the door, and soon two boys appeared.

One was clearly a servant working at Sephira, and the other boy, about the same height as the servant, had a unique aura.

Unlike Keter, who wore his clothes loosely, this boy was dressed in high-quality fabric, and his golden hair gleamed.

“Daat greets the great Lord Hisop.”

Unlike Keter, who had no manners whatsoever, Daat greeted with a somewhat complex and formal gesture.

“That greeting is from 200 years ago. The modern way is much simpler and easier.”

“I’ll learn it properly and come back next time.”

Daat spoke without a hint of embarrassment, and Hisop nodded.

“What brings you to me?”

“I came to make a request to the Lord.”

“A request, you say.”

Hisop carefully observed Daat’s eyes.

They were calm. He couldn’t tell what Daat’s intentions were.

‘He’s extraordinary.’

Daat didn’t hide his extraordinariness, and Hisop immediately recognized it, signaling the doorkeeper to close the door.

As soon as the door closed, Hisop stood up.

“Speak. What do you want from me?”

Hisop had already given Daat access to any part of Sephira. What more could he need?

Money, or power?

“I want to know three things about the Sephira family. Could you please tell me?”

“It depends on what those three things are.”

Daat extended three fingers.

“Please tell me about Sephira’s military strength, financial situation, and lastly, its beliefs, Lord.”

“……!”

Hisop’s half-closed eyes, tired from the grueling work, widened.

‘It’s a good thing the elders aren’t here.’

Elder Panir and Elder Leganon had temporarily left for a break. Hisop thought it was fortunate they weren’t there.

If Elder Panir had been present, he would have thrown an ink bottle at Daat.

“Why do you want to know these things? Daat, friend of Keter.”

“For Sephira’s sake.”

“Do you know how easily that can be misunderstood? It sounds like you’re trying to take over the Lord’s role.”

“Not at all, I want to be your advisor.”

“I never said Keter needed an advisor. Do you think I’m inadequate as a Lord?”

“I don’t know. I’ve only been out in the world for less than an hour. But seeing you buried under a mountain of paperwork, I thought you might need the help of a capable person.”

At Daat’s bold answer, Hisop couldn’t help but laugh.

“Hahaha, you look younger than Keter, yet you want to help me. Do you have any experience working for other families?”

“No, but I can learn.”

“It’s not something you can learn in a day or two.”

“I can.”

“How can I believe that?”

“Try me, and you’ll see.”

“Hoho.”

*Thud.*

Hisop sat back down and picked up his quill.

“Go back. I reject your request.”

Despite the cold answer, Daat calmly asked again.

“Do you not trust me?”

Daat roughly knew the influence Keter had on Sephira.

Keter, who could be called a ‘savior’ without exaggeration. The fact that Keter, who was both his brother and partner, had personally brought him here meant that this question was about whether Sephira trusted Daat, whom Keter trusted.

Hisop nodded without hesitation.

“As you said, I can’t just trust a stranger who just stepped out of Ruquer an hour ago. I allowed your stay and freedom in Sephira because I trust Keter, but anything more, you’ll have to earn yourself.”

“……”

“When you leave, bow your head, look at the ground, and walk out backward.”

“I’ll see you again.”

“Don’t count on it.”

And so, the meeting between the two ended somewhat stiffly, without any significant results.

* * *

Unfortunately, Daat couldn’t meet Basil, the head of Sephira, due to his closed-door training, and instead met Hisop, the branch family lord.

His request was flatly denied, but-

“Good.”

A satisfied smile naturally rose on Daat’s face.

If Hisop had treated him with utmost hospitality and handed over Sephira’s core information without any suspicion, he would have been greatly disappointed.

‘Trust needs a basis. If he had told me everything about Sephira just because I’m Brother’s friend, it would mean he’s a careless person. Such a person leading a faction is like a ticking time bomb.’

Moreover, it wasn’t a flat-out rejection. He had said to come back after building trust.

That meant he was willing to accept advice if Daat proved his worth.

‘He’s open-minded. But not to just anyone.’

Of course, how strict he would be remained to be seen, but Hisop’s capacity to lead Sephira was more than sufficient.

‘Now, where should I go next?’

Starting to walk without a destination, Daat focused on the sounds this time.

He had visited the main building to meet the lord because it was the first thing that caught his eye.

This time, he wanted to go somewhere related to ‘sound.’ So he walked in the direction of the loudest noise and soon arrived at a strange building.

“Is this… a blacksmith’s forge?”

“Yes. Sephira has its own forge. They mainly produce bows and arrows, and everything else that requires blacksmithing skills is made here.”

“Impressive scale.”

As Daat naturally tried to enter the forge, a guard stopped him.

“Who are you? The forge isn’t open to just anyone.”

At the guard’s stiff attitude, the servant whispered in Daat’s ear.

“It seems the news about you hasn’t reached the forge. Perhaps it’s best to return today……”

Ignoring the servant’s suggestion to leave, Daat approached the guard. If they didn’t know, he just had to tell them, right?

“Do you know who Keter is?”

At the mention of Keter, the guard’s attitude changed immediately.

“H-how could I not know? He’s the one who won the Southern Sword Tournament and returned……”

“I’m the one who calls that Keter ‘Brother.'”

“You may enter!”

“Huh?”

Just by saying he was close to Keter, the guard immediately made way.

Judging by the guard’s expression, he could roughly guess the story. It wasn’t the face of someone who had been scolded by Keter just once or twice. So, just hearing that Daat was related, he stepped aside.

‘As expected of Brother.’

Feeling Keter’s influence, Daat entered the forge and instantly felt an intense heat.

The coolness outside was nothing compared to the sweltering heat here, enough to make one sweat profusely. It was to the point where one had to use aura to block the heat.

“Ugh, Lord Daat. I can’t go any further.”

The servant, who couldn’t use aura, couldn’t withstand the heat and stepped back.

“Then wait at the entrance. I’ll look around and come back.”

“S-sorry, but could you do that?”

Leaving the servant behind, Daat explored the forge alone, heading deeper inside until he was stopped by blacksmiths in a certain area.

“From here on is Master Vulkanus’s workshop. We don’t know who you are, but please turn back.”

“Is this blacksmith Vulkanus on bad terms with Brother Keter?”

“What kind of relationship does he have with Prince Keter?”

“If you know, you know.”

“Hmm……”

Unlike the guards at the entrance, the blacksmiths didn’t easily make way. It seemed that this blacksmith Vulkanus was an important person in Sephira.

At that moment, a loud shout came from inside the workshop.

“Keter?! Keter is here?!”

In this place where even sounds were drowned out by the intense heat, the shout that pushed through the heat made one’s head ring.

‘A dwarf.’

A person with the typical dwarf appearance rushed out. Seeing the blacksmiths bowing respectfully, it was clear that this person was Vulkanus. Daat also bowed and greeted him.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Daat, Master Vulkanus.”

“Damn it! It’s not Keter! Who are you?”

“Daat, Master Blacksmith.”

“Yeah? Get lost!”

Hmm, if it’s not Brother, he doesn’t care at all, huh? Then his weakness is obvious.

“Brother Keter sent me here.”

“What? Keter sent you? Why?!”

“He told me to look around Sephira, and especially to meet Master Vulkanus here at the forge. He said you’re a ‘key figure’ in Sephira.”

“Really?”

They say dwarfs are bad at expressing emotions, but this blacksmith Vulkanus’s mouth was almost reaching his ears.

“Come in! I’ll show you around! So, what’s your name?”

“Daat.”

“How much do you know about bows… never mind.”

Vulkanus suddenly grabbed my hand. I could have avoided it, but since I didn’t sense any malice, I let him.

After looking at and touching my palm, Vulkanus frowned as if he had just smiled.

“You’re not a soldier, nor a martial artist. Definitely not an archer. Your skin is so soft, I thought you were a girl.”

“I’m not the type to suffer for no reason. Instead-”

*Tap tap.*

I tapped my head and continued.

“I’m good at using this.”

At my words, Vulkanus snorted.

“So you’re a sly one.”

“I’d appreciate it if you called me a strategist.”

“What do you want to see? Just see that and get out.”

“I don’t have anything specific in mind. If there’s something worth seeing, I’ll see it. I’m curious about Sephira’s value, you could say.”

“Hoho, you’re a cheeky one. Talking as if you’re here to evaluate Sephira.”

“I have the guts and the skills to do so.”

“Your shamelessness and bad luck are just like Keter’s. Fine, I’ll show you around. Let’s see how well someone who’s never held a bow can see.”

Master Blacksmith Vulkanus guided me to the bow warehouse and showed me various bows.

Then, out of nowhere, he told me to pick one I liked, so I shook my head.

“I don’t like choosing randomly, and if I want to choose properly, I’ll need some time. I’ll do it later.”

“Your selfishness is just like Keter’s. You’ve inherited all the bad traits.”

After seeing all the bows and various types of arrows, my impression was-

‘Hmm, it’s impressively ordinary.’

I know nothing about archery.

But I’m a genius. Just by glancing, I can guess the subtleties and direction of archery.

‘Why archery, of all things?’

I’m not particularly attached to weapons, but it didn’t feel like a coincidence that Sephira was known for ‘archery.’

It might just be my mood, but anyway.

“Can I try shooting a bow here?”

“Have you ever shot a bow before?”

“Nope.”

“I don’t have time to teach you archery. Leave the forge and look for a place called ‘Heavenly Archery Training Center.'”

Master Blacksmith Vulkanus isn’t the type to explain much, but since I’m smart, it’s fine.

Heavenly Archery Training Center. Just by the name, I can roughly guess what kind of place it is. It’s probably a place that teaches the basics of archery. A kind of institution that trains soldiers.

I’ve already learned the Aura Blade, and since I really like this technique, I don’t feel the need to learn archery, but the Aura Blade and archery have many similarities.

Anyway, since I’ve decided to join Sephira, I need to know about archery to strategize or whatever.

So I immediately went to the Heavenly Archery Training Center. As I was looking around in front of it, someone soon approached, shouting.

“What are you, you! I’ve never seen you before. Why are you loitering around? Suspicious!”

The servant glanced at me and told me who it was.

“That’s former Silver Knight, Sir Gant. He’s now the head instructor of the Heavenly Archery Training Center……”

The servant hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and whispered.

“He often clashed with Young Master Keter. So mentioning Young Master Keter is… not recommended.”