Chapter 218

Chapter 219. Allies Close, Enemies Closer (3)

Adus, the western city closest to the southern border.

Known for its top-grade apples, this place is famous for a café that sells various apple-based desserts. Today, the café was bustling with people.

Most of the customers sitting at the numerous tables were women or mixed groups. Among them, only one table had two men sitting across from each other.

They were Keter and Hans, the owner of a general store from Gurud Village. The two had met at a rendezvous point arranged by the Special Operations Unit and the Syndicate.

Ivan, who suspected Keter of being a regressor, had numerous avatars under his control, many of whom were young and handsome. Yet, he specifically sent Hans from Gurud Village.

‘If your expression changes even slightly upon seeing me, you’re a regressor!’

Ivan stared at Keter’s face with an intensity that was almost uncomfortable.

Slurp.

Keter gulped down his dried apple tea.

“Hmm, a smooth sourness, a fresh sweetness. As expected of Adus apples.”

Then, without hesitation, he reached for the dried apple tea in front of Hans and drank it.

“……?”

Hans was dumbfounded. Not only did Keter show no change in expression upon seeing him, but why would he just take someone else’s tea and drink it?

“Keter El Sephira. We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

Realizing that staring alone wouldn’t unsettle Keter, Hans finally spoke.

Keter’s response came immediately.

“Bring the real one.”

“……?”

“I don’t talk to avatars.”

“……!”

Ivan, controlling Hans, couldn’t believe it. His eyes widened involuntarily.

‘He recognized I was an avatar the moment he saw me?’

Ivan’s avatars were, in essence, real people. They bled, cried, ate, and excreted. They were real people, but since Ivan controlled all their decisions like a puppeteer, they were called ‘avatars.’

But how did Keter realize it the moment he saw him?

“…How did you know I’m an avatar?”

Hans’s tone carried the implication, ‘Is it because you’re a regressor and already knew?’

In response, Keter raised his hand. Hans, who was on edge with every move Keter made, tensed slightly upon seeing this, but—

“Do you need something?”

“One of each menu item.”

“Understood.”

Keter had simply called the waiter. Moreover, he calmly placed his order.

“…….”

Ivan realized it. Keter was testing his patience.

‘Let’s see if you can keep your cool even now.’

On his way here, Ivan had gathered information about Keter’s movements. And sure enough, he became convinced that Keter was a regressor.

“Keter, you. They say you’re from Absinthe. You joined Sephira less than half a year ago. Yet, in just half a year, you’ve achieved incredible feats? Not only did you uproot internal strife within Sephira and strengthen its unity, but you also won the Southern Sword Tournament. It’s no exaggeration to say that Sephira’s current status is entirely due to your achievements.”

“It’s not an exaggeration; it’s the truth. It’s all thanks to me.”

“Absinthe. A bastard from that trash city… Not only does he have immense talent in archery, but he’s also introduced archery techniques never seen before. I couldn’t understand it. How could someone with such talent remain unknown in Absinthe? And how could a commoner adapt so quickly to becoming a noble? Everything you do succeeds… It’s as if you’re acting with knowledge of the future.”

Hans’s eyes narrowed. If Keter flinched even slightly at this, he was undoubtedly a regressor.

But Keter simply smiled. Was it a smile to hide his embarrassment? No. It was a smile with clear intent.

‘Is he mocking me?’

Keter was mocking Hans.

‘Why is he mocking me?’

If Keter had given a reason, Hans would have retorted, but Keter said nothing. He just looked at Hans with a gaze that seemed to say, ‘Oh, you stupid fool.’

When Keter remained silent until the end, Hans, whose patience had run out, spoke first.

“Moreover, it was the Empire’s Special Operations Unit that arranged this meeting… How could a bastard from Sephira establish a cooperative relationship with the Special Operations Unit? Even the lord of Sephira couldn’t have managed that.”

“Sigh…”

Keter shook his head and let out a deep sigh.

Hans’s expression didn’t change, but Ivan, controlling Hans, was seething with anger.

It was the first time in his life he’d been treated like a fool. The kind of anger he felt was something he’d never experienced before, and it felt like his body might explode.

Yet, Keter wasn’t acting violently. It was the complete opposite of the information Ivan had gathered.

‘They said he’s a troublemaker. He took down several nobles at the Southern Sword Tournament, and he’s an arrogant, violent guy. So why is he so calm today?’

Faced with a Keter who was completely different from what he expected, Hans was momentarily at a loss for what to do.

At that moment, the food Keter had ordered arrived, and he naturally ignored Hans and started eating.

“…….”

Watching Keter devour various apple dishes alone, Hans decided to deliver a decisive blow.

“I know you sent someone to test the general store in Gurud. Why? Because you’re a regressor. Isn’t that right, Keter?”

* * *

Regression and regressor. Neither word is commonly used. Someone hearing them for the first time wouldn’t even know what they mean.

But a ‘regressor’ themselves would inevitably flinch. It’s a significant matter that must be hidden even from family.

If someone truly unrelated to regression heard it, they should immediately ask back. ‘What’s that?’

But Keter didn’t give the reaction Hans expected. He wasn’t surprised, nor did he ask back.

He ignored it.

He thoroughly ignored it and focused solely on eating.

“…….”

Hans silently glared at Keter. He judged that this behavior itself was a tactic to hide his confusion.

Thus, a strange scene unfolded. An elderly man silently watched a much younger man eat.

This continued for a full five minutes.

Swish.

Then, Keter, having finished his meal, wiped his mouth and stood up.

Hans’s head followed him. In his mind, he prepared magic in case Keter tried to run.

“The Syndicate. It’s different from what I expected.”

“……?”

Keter, who had stood up, walked away, gradually distancing himself.

Hans blankly stared at his back. Was he running away? If he was running, wasn’t he too slow and relaxed?

“Wait! Who said you could…!”

Just as Keter was about to leave the café, Hans belatedly stood up and shouted, but—

Thud.

A passing waiter pressed down on Hans’s shoulder, forcing him back into his seat.

“……?!”

Hans, forced back into his chair by a mere waiter, glared at the waiter.

“It’s on the house.”

The waiter smiled and placed a dried apple tea on the table.

“…You bastard.”

The dried apple tea had apple slices floating in it, and upon closer inspection, they formed a ‘message.’

-Your role is over, so please return.

The apple slice message scattered as soon as it was read.

Hans clenched his fists, trembling.

‘Were the Special Operations Unit watching?’

He had been so focused on the regressor that he forgot. It was the Special Operations Unit that arranged this meeting. And this meeting was also between the Special Operations Unit and the Syndicate!

Ivan, known as a genius among geniuses, realized what he and Keter had done.

‘I’ve been had…!’

Keter wasn’t here as ‘Regressor Keter.’ He was here as a member of Sephira’s bloodline, leveraging the status of the Southern Palace, under the protection of the Special Operations Unit.

And he, Ivan, had come here as the representative of the Syndicate. Moreover, Keter’s first words were a reasonable request.

“I won’t talk to an avatar.”

That wasn’t just a provocation against Hans. It was an extremely ‘business-like’ statement.

Therefore, instead of ignoring that statement and pressing on about being a regressor, he should have apologized. ‘The main body couldn’t come due to circumstances.’

He should have continued the conversation in a business-like manner, probing whether Keter was a regressor…

Blinded by the idea of the regressor, Ivan ignored the business aspect and only engaged in ‘personal’ emotions.

What would the Special Operations Unit and the Syndicate, watching this, think?

They’ve given Keter the justification! Even if Keter ignored Hans and left, it would be entirely Ivan’s fault!

‘Damn it, Keter!’

Ivan had no choice but to admit it.

This wasn’t because he was a fool. Keter was just that skilled.

‘But Keter. You’re not planning to leave it at this, are you? You’ll definitely come back. You’re too greedy.’

This was all part of Keter’s plan. Ivan believed that.

After all, it was Keter who requested the meeting. If the Syndicate’s relationship soured, Keter would be the one at a loss.

But—

Thud!

Five seconds after thinking that, Hans stood up.

‘No. He’s really leaving. He’s the kind of guy who would leave just like that!’

Keter is unpredictable. No, he shouldn’t be predicted! Realizing this too late, Ivan stood up, but—

“Sit down, Ivan.”

A man appeared out of nowhere, calling Hans by his ‘real name,’ and sat down across from him.

Both Hans and Ivan’s faces twisted simultaneously.

“Mario. Why are you here…!”

The man with a distinctive mustache, Mario. He was a member of the Syndicate like Ivan, and also the person Ivan hated the most.

“Kilian is smart. He anticipated you’d cause trouble. So I was here to watch, and of course, you caused trouble.”

“It’s not trouble. This happened because Keter is a regressor.”

“Haha, my friend. I know better than anyone. That you’re more sincere about regressors than anyone else. And that there are circumstances that make Keter suspicious.”

“So you understand?”

“I do. That you’re impatient. You’ve got, what, 7 years left at most? Your lifespan.”

“……!”

“I’d be the same. Having only 7 years left… If I died fighting, I wouldn’t feel wronged. But dying from illness… I’d feel wronged and couldn’t just die.”

Mario shook his head, pretending to wipe tears as if he understood everything.

“But my friend, Keter is not a regressor.”

Then, as if he hadn’t just wiped tears, he continued with a serious face.

“Let’s say Keter is a regressor. We don’t know how many years of experience he has from his past life, but let’s assume at least 10 years. Anything less wouldn’t be much of an advantage even if he regressed. Ivan. What would you do first if you regressed? Assuming you don’t need to fix your body.”

“…There’s too much I could do, so I can’t pinpoint it.”

“I’d make money first. Using future information. What’s a few million gold? I could make hundreds of millions. I could become the richest man on the continent in no time.”

Mario pointed in the direction Keter had left.

“You’ve looked into Keter’s background, so you know. Did Keter’s actions seem like those of a regressor?”

“Sephira’s influence is growing day by day…”

“My friend. Anyone with ability could do that. What’s so special about being the representative knight of the south? Does that require knowledge of the future?”

“A bastard from the lawless city of Absinthe couldn’t possibly do that.”

“Ah, you don’t know? Keter isn’t from Absinthe. That’s a lie. He’s actually from Ruquer.”

“What, what?!”

Hans staggered as if he’d been hit on the back of the head. If he wasn’t from Absinthe but Ruquer… it made sense.

Of course, he didn’t know how he left Ruquer, but if he was from Ruquer, his absurd strength and arrogance weren’t entirely incomprehensible.

“How did you know that? That Keter is from Ruquer?”

“Kilian. He said the Special Operations Unit told him.”

“Why didn’t they tell me?”

“What would you do with that information? It’s irrelevant to the negotiations.”

Originally, the Special Operations Unit revealed Keter’s true origin as a warning.

A Ruquerian who left Ruquer. That implied a close relationship with the ‘Grand Duke,’ so they shouldn’t recklessly use force.

“…….”

Ivan fell silent. He seriously pondered whether he had been mistaken.

‘Damn you, Mario.’

The reason Ivan hated Mario. It was because Mario was always right. He didn’t care about emotions at all.

And the fact that everything he said so far had been correct was what annoyed Ivan the most.

Mario isn’t wrong. He only says what’s right. That’s why I hate him. Because I have to admit I’m wrong.

This time will be the same. Mario’s words probably aren’t wrong.

-Did Keter show actions befitting a regressor?

Thinking like that, Ivan knew. Keter didn’t act like a regressor.

Why would he live as the bastard of the weakest noble family? If he wanted, he could establish a new family and even elevate it to a prestigious one.

He could also amass immense wealth immediately. Just by hoarding.

In terms of strength, it was the same. Keter was strong, but he didn’t show exceptionally strong abilities.

Keter is 18 years old.

And his estimated strength is at the tail end of a 5-Star Master or the beginning of a 6-Star Grandmaster.

‘When I was eighteen, I was at the beginning of the 7th Circle.’

It’s not the strength of a regressor. If Ivan himself were a regressor, he would have been at least an 8-Star Irregular by 18.

‘Was I wrong this time too?’

Ivan’s head drooped.

This made it more likely that the Orpheus’ Mask incident was truly a malfunction of his magic, and Keter’s request for a meeting was also more likely a coincidence.

As a result, his credibility within the Syndicate plummeted.

“Don’t worry. Keter hasn’t left. He agreed to talk to me again. Kilian is very interested in Keter. Being introduced by the Special Operations Unit without being a regressor, and leaving Ruquer, is definitely an interesting phenomenon.”

“Is that so.”

“Yes, so now, could you please get up and leave? I need to talk to Keter.”

When Mario politely asked him to leave, Hans had no choice but to stand up. It was a reasonable request. Just like Keter.

Ivan, who acted abnormally to deal with an abnormal regressor, ended up looking like a fool. Even he thought he was a pathetic fool.

So, as he was about to leave without a word—

Thud.

Someone placed a hand on Hans’s shoulder.

Hans’s face twisted involuntarily as his shoulder was grabbed twice in one day.

“Where are you going?”

But the one who placed a hand on his shoulder was Keter, who he thought had left.

“…Keter?”

“Sit down.”

Keter pressed down on Hans’s shoulder, forcing him back into his seat, then looked at Mario.

“That’s my seat.”

“Prince Keter. Didn’t you agree to talk to me?”

When Mario asked, Keter shrugged.

“I changed my mind.”

“Heh, hehe…”

Ivan could only let out a hollow laugh at Keter’s completely unpredictable behavior.